R.G.'s Weekly Sports ReCap: Saturday 2/8 - Friday 2/14

My 'notable' happenings and keynotes from the sports world this past week:

 

Winter Olympics: The 2K14 Sochi Games got underway in Russia, and as of Friday 2/14, both Norway and the United States of America lead the total medal count with 13 a piece (4 Gold; 3 Silver; 6 Bronze each)....23-year-old Jamie Anderson won the gold medal in the inaugural olympic event of Women's Slopestyle Snowboarding....Erin Hamlin took home the bronze medal in Women's Singles Luge, becoming the first American ever - man or woman - to medal in the event.

Pro Football: Talented defensive end Michael Sam out of Missouri revealed to the world that he is homosexual, and will become the first such player ever to be drafted by an NFL team this coming May in New York City.

MLB: Future first-ballot Hall-of-Fame shortshop Derek Jeter announced that the 2K14 season - his 20th - will be the final one of his legendary career with the New York Yankees.....The Chicago White Sox signed talented offensive first baseman Jose Abreu of Cuba to a six-year, $68M contract...Former major league player and manager Jim Fergosi passed away at the age of 71 from stroke complications.

 

NBA: Players of the Week (Monday 2/3 - Sunday 2/9)....Eastern Conference - F Jared Sullinger, Boston Celtics; Western Conference - F Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder....The All-Star break in New Orleans, Louisiana got underway, with the Oklahoma City Thunder owning the overall best record in the league at 43-12. The Indiana Pacers at 40-12 are the top team in the East, with the two-time defending champion Miami Heat right at their heels at 37-14. Thunder All-Star forward Kevin Durant is the league's top scorer, averaging 31 points per contest thus far.....The Detroit Pistons fired head coach Maurice Cheeks. Nate McMillan takes over on an interim basis.

Men's College Basketball (A.P. Top 10): 1. Syracuse  2. Arizona  3. Florida  4. Wichita State  5. San Diego State  6. Villanova  7. Kansas  8. Duke  9. Michigan State  10. Cincinnati

Women's College Basketball (A.P. Top 10): 1. U.Conn  2. Notre Dame  3. Duke  4. Louisville  5. South Carolina  6. Stanford  7. Baylor  8. Tennessee  9. Maryland  10. North Carolina State

Red Carpet Feature: JACKIE CHRISTIE

 

Born and raised in the Emerald City of Seattle, Washington, which is now the proud home of the first-time Super Bowl champion Seahawks, the multi-talented and multi-faceted Jackie Christie is truly a shining light in the world of entrepreneurship entering the year of 2K14. As the wife of former outstanding NBA player Doug Christie (most notably with the Sacramento Kings), Jackie has built her own amazing brand in the past few years as an in-demand actress in the hit VH1 network reality TV series 'Basketball Wives: L.A.,' as also as a best-selling book author, fashion designer and record label owner, just to name a few of the many ventures she has on her proverbial plate. Christie recently released her enlightening new best-seller titled 'Sexual Relations: A His & Hers Guide To Finding Greater Intimacy' back in the fall of 2K13, and I had the honor of briefly interviewing the amazing, vivacious and gorgeous Los Angeles, California resident during her downtime via the phone route.

RG: For the avid readers who haven't picked up your new book as of yet, what can they anticipate from 'Sexual Relations?'

JC: In my book, I, along with some of my celebrity friends, share tips, ideas, secrets, anecdotes and stories about our lives and personal experiences in regards to our releationships. It's not just about sex; it's also about the mental and the emotional connection - whether it's with your significant other of someone you're dating....We give tips and ideas on how to create that intimacy that's missing in so many relationships nowadays. The intimacy has to be there for things to work out, and I strongly believe in that.

RG: How long did it take you to get the new book together?

JC: I actually started writing 'Sexual Relations' about 4-5 years ago, and it took me a year and a half to get the book together for it to be released.

RG: What have been the keys to your successful marriage to Doug for almost two decades to this point?

JC: COMMUNICATION, RESPECT and INTIMACY. Those are very important, and have been the foundation of our marriage. We've been husband and wife for 18 years so far, and every year since, I can tell him anything at anytime.

RG: What's the best piece of advice you can give to a talented and ambitious young lady who aspires to do what you do as a multi-faceted entrepreneur?

JC: Follow your dreams....Set goals for yourself....Do research and be educated on whatever it is you want to get into.

RG: Being the reality TV star that you are, what do you think is the biggest misconception that's out there about Jackie Christie?

JC: That I'm crazy! (Laughs) If you meet me in person, you'll see and witness that I'm one of the nicest people you will ever meet with a kind heart to a fault.

*Catch the all-around awesome and beautiful Jackie in a sure-to-be explosive and compelling season No. 3 of 'Basketball Wives: L.A..' starting Monday night 2/17/2K14 on the VH1 network.
*BIG kudos go out to renowned celebrity publicist ERNEST JACKSON of MNS Media Group for blessing me with the opportunty to interview the lovely Jackie!

www.JackieChristie.com

R.G.'s Weekly Sports ReCap: Saturday 2/1 - Friday 2/7

My 'notable' happenings and keynotes from the sports world this past week:

 

NFL: The Seattle Seahawks won their first-ever Super Bowl championship in dominating fashion, defeating the Denver Broncos 43-8 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Linebacker Malcolm Smith, who intercepted an errant throw by Peyton Manning and returned it 69 yards for a big touchdown that made it 22-0 in the second quarter and also recovered a fumble by Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas, was voted the game's Most Valuable Player. 111.5 million viewers tuned in to The Big Game - becoming the most-watched televised event ever....Postseason Awards: NFL MVP and A.P. Offensive Player of the Year - QB Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos; Defensive Player of the Year - LB Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers; Coach of the Year - Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers; Offensive Rookie of the Year - RB Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers; Defensive Rookie of the Year - DT Sheldon Richardson, New York Jets; Comeback Player of the Year - QB Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers....Michael Strahan, Derrick Brooks, Aeneas Williams, Andre Reed and Walter Jones were introduced as the 2K14 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Also newly inducted via the Veterans Committee were former defensive end Claude Humphrey and Ray Guy, who became the first punter ever to be so honored as a Hall-of-Famer.

NBA: Players of the Week (Monday 1/27 - Sunday 2/2)....Eastern Conference - G Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors; Western Conference - G Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns....Players of the Month (January 2K14): East - F Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks; West - F Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder...Rookies of the Month (January 2K14): East - G Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers; West - G Trey Burke, Utah Jazz...Coaches of the Month (January 2K14): East - Jason Kidd, Brooklyn Nets; West - David Joerger, Memphis Grizzlies....The Indiana Pacers signed talented and oft-injured center Andrew Bynum for the rest of the regular season and playoffs. Bynum will be the backup for All-Star Roy Hibbert....40-year-old veteran point guard Steve Nash returned to game action after being sidelined on the IR list since 11/10/2K13....Talented young power forward Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans was chosen to replace the injured Kobe Bryant on the West All-Star roster.

MLB: First phase of Spring Traning (pitchers and catchers) began this week....Legendary New York Mets broadcaster and Hall-Of-Fame player Ralph Kiner passed away at the age of 91....The Atlanta Braves re-signed star players - 1B Freedie Freeman (8-years, $125M) and CF Jason Heyward (2-years, $13.3M) to contract extensions....Notable Free-Agent Signings: SP Bronson Arroyo, Arizona Diamondbacks (2-years, $23.5M); 1B Mark Trumbo, Arizona Diamondbacks (1-year, $4.8M); RP Fernando Rodney, Seattle Mariners (2-years, $14M)....47-year-old former three-time World Series champion pitcher Curt Schilling was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer....New York Yankees embattled 3B Alex Rodriguez will officially serve his historic season-long suspension for alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs after dropping lawsuits he filed against the league.

*The 2K14 Winter Olympics got underway in Sochi, Russia for all of the competing athletes from around the world.

Men's College Basketball: (A.P. Top Ten) - 1. Syracuse  2. Arizona  3. Florida  4. Wichita State  5. San Diego State  6. Villanova  7. Cincinnati  8. Kansas  9. Michigan State  10. Michigan

Women's College Basketball: (A.P. Top Ten) - 1. U.Conn  2. Notre Dame  3. Stanford  4. Louisville  5. Duke  6. South Carolina  7. Baylor  8. Tennessee  9. Penn State  10. Maryland

R.G.'s Weekly Sports ReCap: Saturday 1/25 - Friday 1/31

My 'notable' happenings and keynotes from the sports world this past week:

 

Pro Tennis (Australian Open): Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland won his first major championship, defeating top-ranked Rafael Nadal, who dealt with back issues during the finals matchup. On the women's side, 31-year-old Li Na of China finally broke through in Melbourne with her first Aussie singles title over upstart Dominika Cibulkova - becoming the oldest woman to win the tournament.

NBA: The reserves for the upcoming All-Star Game were announced: Eastern Conference - F Chris Bosh, Miami Heat; G DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors; C Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers; G Joe Johnson, Brooklyn Nets; F Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks; G John Wall, Washington Wizards; C Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls. *Notable snub: G Lance Stephenson, Indiana Pacers....Western Conference - F LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers; C Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets; G James Harden, Houston Rockets; G Damien Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers; F Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks; G Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs; G Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers. *Notable snub: G Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns. The All-Star Game will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday 2/16....Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant had his 12-game streak of scoring 30+ points snapped in his team's 120-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets on the road. The feat was the third-longest in the league over the last three decades. (Kobe Bryant - 16; Tracy McGrady - 14)....Veteran Denver Nuggets reserve guard Nate Robinson will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair torn ACL in his left knee....As of Friday 1/31, the Indiana Pacers continue to pace the East at 35-10, while out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, despite the loss of their All-Star guard Russell Westbrook and the insane play of Kevin Durant, are leading the pack with their 38-10 mark.

Men's College Basketball: Associated Press Top 10 - 1. Arizona  2. Syracuse  3. Florida  4. Wichita State  5. San Diego State  6. Kansas  7. Michigan State  8. Oklahoma State  9. Villanova  10. Michigan....Kansas Jayhawks phenom freshman swingman Andrew Wiggins scored a season-high 29 points in a 92-81 victory over Iowa State....Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker set the team record by scoring 20+ points in his 12th game as a freshman by scoring 21 points in a 80-65 win over Pitt.

Women's College Basketball: Associated Press Top 10 - 1. U.Conn  2. Notre Dame  3. Duke  4. Stanford  5. Lousiville  6. U.N.C.  7. South Carolina  8. Maryland  9. Baylor  10. Tennessee

NHL: The New York Rangers beat both of their local rivals - the New Jersey Devils (7-3) - and the New York Islanders (2-1) - to sweep the two-game outdoors series at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York City. Both games - despite the frigid temperatures - drew over 50,000 fans....As of Friday 1/31, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins lead the East with 78 points (38-14-2 OT losses), and the Anaheim Ducks continue to roll strong out West with 85 points in the standings. (40-11-5 OT losses)

NFL: Festivities for Super Bowl 48 got underway in full swing in both New York City and parts of New Jersey....After a successful 2K13 regular season and playoff appearance in the NFC division round, the Carolina Panthers rewarded head coach Ron Rivera with a three-year contract extension.

MLB: 2K5 A.L. batting champion and seven-time All-Star infielder Michael Young announced his retirement. Young spent the majority of his career and enjoyed great success with the Texas Rangers.

Sochi Winter Games: Minnesota Wild veteran winger Zach Parise was named captain of the USA men's hockey squad.