Summer Lovin'

We're about 10 hours away from the debut of Team Kobe USA. With the late start time and choice of channel, you'd think the NBA scheduled these games. I'm totally excited, but then again, I only saw like 7 basketball games all year so I'll take anything. I'm kind of worried though because I watched a lot of rugby and soccer while I was in France and there weren't a lot of commercial breaks in between. Actually, during the Super Bowl, France2 didn't know what to do with all the stoppages in play so while the American feed would go to commercial, the French feed would just stay on the empty field. Anyway, I watched the Bears-Colts game the other day and after the 20th commercial break (following Rex's umpteenth disaster) in the 1st quarter, I literally couldn't watch it anymore. It was too ADD. We'll see if I can sit through a game or if I'll have to start TiVo-ing everything.

Anyway, in honor of Team USA's inaugural game, here are some pictures from the summer. Go USA!

Andre Agassi with the Select Team. Sorry Kevin!

Kevin Durant with new coach, PJ Carlesimo.

Kobe, Amare, and Band Aid

Photo Source: NBAE/Getty Images

Rookies '07

The rookies gathered yesterday in Greenwich, Connecticut for some NBA Live '08 and the Rookie Photo Shoot. Here are some who stood out.

I've always wondered - if the incoming rookie is clearly the best player on the team, does he still get hazed? Did Lebron ever have to pick up towels or carry all the equipment to the plane? And who's the worst hazer in the NBA? I'm thinking Shaq...or maybe Kobe. I think Shaq would be the most fun and make you do the silliest things. Kobe seems like he'd make you walk to Brooklyn to get him a cheesecake...from LA. I need to check this out.

Photo Source: NBAE/Getty Images

Manners, Highlights Style

Gallant vs. Goofus

What's different about these pictures?

Photo Source: NBAE/Getty Images

Team USA

The Best of the Best.

Kevin Durant: What can I say?? He's going to leave the League better than he found it.

Tyson Chandler: Was he always this hot?

Dwight Howard: I was always kind of upset that he went #1 over Emeka - seriously, the most beautiful man alive - but he's proven himself worthy of the pick and more. His physique is ridiculous and he's grown into quite The Man. His arms are the best in the biz right now.

First game: August 22nd, against Venezuela

Photo Source: NBAE/Getty Images

Fashion Faceoff: David Lee vs. Kevin Durant

So it's been awhile since I've done a post on the finest guys in the NBA, and as I was inspecting the field, I came across two pictures that made me do a double take.

My initial reaction to David Lee's gateway shirt to Star Wars level nerddom was, "Ohhhhh no." But the more I thought about it, the cooler it became. I mean, this guy plays in the world's most famous arena day in and day out, in one of the biggest cities in the world, and he still gets excited enough for a movie premiere that he'd wear a shirt proclaiming himself its biggest fan. That's the kind of enthusiasm I pay to see pros have on the court. And that's what David Lee brought to MSG after a long absence. If it's fueled by a man crush on Bruce Willis, so be it!

Kevin Durant, on the other hand, is on the receiving end of many a man crush. He's been described as a tenacious competitor and a cold-blooded killer so it cracks me up that he's wearing a Coogi, a sweater whose standard-bearer is a jello-jiggling Father of the Year. It's so cute! An assassin in old men's clothing. I love it.

I say these two men are HOT. We'll see if they make The List (when I eventually get to it, that is). I can't wait for the season.

PS. So David Lee's shirt brought back memories of the funniest segment on Conan. Enjoy.