Alberto Contador was creating such a stir in the world of cycling. It has even come to a point that he will become as big a legend and a defining figure in the sport as that other cycling great Lance Armstrong. But it seems Contador has let that opportunity slip by him and he only has himself to blame.

Contador’sproblems with the use of performance enhancing drugs is jeopardizing the legacy he has built for himself. It has put into question his past achievements and victories and now he’s even been given sanctions and will not be able to compete for a time. This is a sad turn of events and I’m pretty sure no one’s sadder than Contador himself.

The LA Lakers won the first playoff game against the Denver Nuggets, 128-114. However the game wasn’t the story. Was it Kobe Bryant’s electrifying performance (he made 32 points)? According to coach Jackson, “He was not a factor in establishing our lead.

Pau Gasol may have languished in Memphis, but he shined like the sun in Los Angeles. Yes, after so many years as the de facto-leader of the Memphis Grizzlies, and losing all their playoff games, he has finally made one win. And it was a big one, he nearly had a triple double: 36 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists.

“It feels amazing,”� he said. “It feels great. I definitely had a blast out there. Hopefully there’s many more to come.�”

We hope so, too.

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Sports Impact 360 is an initiative by the Singapore Sports Council that aims at providing high-impact marketing channels for companies looking to build brand quality. Available opportunities for corporations include sponsorship of the SSC’s facilities like swimming pools and ClubFitt gyms located island wide at the 20 Sports Recreation Centers; Learn-to-Play programs and awards organized by the sports agency; and “team Singapore” initiatives in regards to major games such as the Asian games and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The said programs and ventures shoud provide opportunities for product exclusivity, sampling, vending and direct marketing; and the potential market for sponsors is quite enormous.

You probably won’t recognize his name unless you are a certified sports fan. Tony Azevedo is said to be the greatest athlete in the world. Experts said that there is no tougher sport than water polo and Tony Azevedo is at the top of that game. He is from Southern California with the looks of a model and with a brain of a genius as he studies in International Relations at Stanford. Water polo may be the hardest sports as experts and athletes testified but a smart and good-looking Tony never fails to sweep sports analysts off their feet as he gets himself so involved with water polo.

A few seconds was all he needed. While the Chinese Olympic Chief Liu Qi was making a speech during the lighting of the Olympic Torch in Greece, a lone protester was able to sneak in and go behind the statesman. He was unable to unfurl the flag in his hand but the image is enough to show what he is protesting about: Denounce China’s handling of Human Rights violations.

Regardless of the commotion, the Olympic Chief still went on with his speech as if nothing happened. Later, the same was shown to the Chinese public’s cutting out the protester.

Hopefully this will all be sorted out for the sake of the Olympics and specially the Chinese people.

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Sonics wins 99-95 against the Dallas Mavericks, but leaves Seattle for good.

What a way to end a 41-year NBA history. With the Sonics moving to Oklahoma City next season, most fans were shouting, “Save our Sonics,” with the hope that the owner, Clay Bennett will change his mind. However, according to some insiders, Bennett tried his best to have the Sonics stay but due to financial matters, had to be moved to a smaller arena or market like Oklahoma.

There might still be a chance if the league’s owners decide not to agree to the move. As per Marc Cuban, Dallas Mavericks owner, “It’s not over till it’s over. I’ll vote against it.”

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Dallas Maverick’s Jason Kidd hit a milestone today as he was able to garner his 100th Triple Double against the New Orleans Hornets, 111-98. He had 27 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Kidd got the last triple double when he got his 10th assist on Howard’s, three-point. The official announcement came a bit later, and the fans applauded the feat.

Dallas needed the win to clinch the 7th seed in the Playoffs. A loss to them and a win by the Denver Nuggets would’ve meant a first-round series between the Hornets and Nuggets, while the Mavericks will be suiting up against the LA Lakers.

The Miami Heat has gone cold this season, frigid cold. Some people say it’s not really all their fault but rather it’s because of all the injuries that their players get. For instance, Shawn Marion, is now out for the remaining 7 games of the Miami Heat’s wasted season. According to the report, he has a left foot injury.

The Miami Heat might as well be called the Miami Hospital because of the number of players down: Alonzo Mourning, Dwayne Wade, and Dorell Wright all have knee problems. Maybe it’s time to change the trainer of these players as they are obviously getting hurt frequently.

The present? The Miami Heat has the NBA’s worst record, 13-62. The future? Marion can go free agent next season. Is he, like Shaq, leaving as well?

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The NBA is needs to restrain its mascots. Yes, the players are already having a hard time playing at the court, getting bumped around and hard-fouled. The last thing that they need is someone in a red bull costume hurtling shirts on their backs. This is exactly what happened to Kevin Garnett and James Posey of the Boston Celtics when they swept the Chicago Bulls last night.

Benny the Bull is needs to know his manners. According to Ganrnet:. “Bulls can talk”� said Garnett, who initially was upset after he and Posey were hit in the back by clothing fired from a T-shirt launcher during a timeout in the closing minutes of the C’s 106-92 victory. “Walking off the floor we got hit by some shirts.”� Garnett was restrained.

Benny should be grateful he still has his fake head on.

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It came down to the remaining few seconds of the 4^th Quarter. Kobe makes 2 three-points shots but Jackson‘s threes make it as well, Warriors win: 115-111.

The Golden State Warriors were leading all the way until Kobe made a game out of it. The Los Angeles Lakers were down 26 points but managed to close it down to one with Kobe’s brilliant shots from the three. Jackson of the GS Warriors admitted that, ”I think we got a little too complacent with that lead. We should have known Kobe was going to come back and take over and bring his team back.” And bring back he did, however, Stephen Jackson had the last say.

Other Golden State notables were Monta Ellis making 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Baron Davis made 18, and Al Harrington added 13. This made their team 1.5 games above the surging Denver Nuggets for the race for the final eight spot in the playoffs.

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