This just went down, now see it about 18 times in slow motion…

If there’s an NBA fan out there who’s also a color palette enthusiast, I have found a contest where you have a decisive advantage, my friend.

John Wall and Reebok are running a contest to design a pair of ZigSlash sneakers on Reebok.com for Wall to wear All-star weekend in Los Angeles. The design options are extensive, but I personally just enjoyed hitting the ‘randomize’ button and playing with the shoe rotator.

Do you prefer patent leather, synthetic leather or nubuck for the quarter? Is your Zigtech (the campy looking sole technology) speckled or unshackled? What color would you like your tongue, tongue overlay and tongue logo to be? Basically, you can design a sneaker that’s about 50 colors. And if John Wall doesn’t pick yours, you can still purchase them from Reebok.com for $125.

10 finalists (doesn’t specify how they’re picked, though Reebok encourages you to share your shoes on Facebook and generate likes from your friends) will win a pair of their customized ZigSlash shoes. John Wall will pick his favorite for All-Star 2011, and the winner gets flown out to Los Angeles to watch him duggie in them first hand.

I also learned that Reebok calls the parts of their logo the side stripe and cross check, which is good intel (for when I’m discussing my design direction with Wall in L.A.).

Customize John Wall’s Kicks (Reebok.com)

The Kentucky Derby kicks off Triple Crown Season in less than 10 days. I for one am already stirring up emotion that will culminate with Early Times mint juleps and a triumphant return to my friendly neighborhood OTB next weekend.

Weeks back, conversation was mounting about the prospect of a horse called Radiohead, trained by household name (to the degenerate gambler dads in said households) Rick Dutrow, running in the Derby. Radiohead fell flat in his recent performance – like if Thom Yorke replaced Flea with the bassist from Spandau Ballet for his performance at Coachella – and he’s out. Instead, Dutrow is going with Homeboykris.

From Vegas Sports Odds:

Homeboykris would be a stunning upset for this year in 2010 Kentucky Derby betting odds as he opened as a 60-1 longshot at online sportsbooks to win this year’s Run for the Roses but has gained more value and is now at 35-1. So far this year as a three year old Homeboykris has two starts with one place and total earnings of $14,000. Last year as a two year old Homeboykris had four starts with two wins and total earnings of $260,000. It is that performance as a two year old that has Homeboykris listed as a bona fide Kentucky Derby contender.

60-1 doesn’t exactly bestow confidence (maybe in the most reckless addicted gambler dads), however, come Derby Day, Homeboykris will have the backing of at least one known winner. Joe Torre owns a stake in the colt and was down in Louisville on Wednesday to watch HBK work six furlongs on the track.

Homeboykris is actually on the bubble for the race at the moment. He’s ranked 20th in the money out of the twenty horses slated to race next Saturday, with the potential that he could be bumped from the list if Devil May Care is entered in the Derby instead of the Kentucky Oaks. Tense.

So, Los Angeles Dodgers fans, when you see Torre in the dugout looking a little addled.

Know that it’s even odds that he’s thinking about Garrett Anderson’s slow start or Homeboykris’ Derby status.

vitaminwater’s commercial for the NBA Finals…

That Dwight Howard is one hell of a drug.


@dwighthoward posted it on his blog too asking if you could name the impersonations. Other than when he imitates the Lebron explosion of talcum, I for one can not name any of the other impersonations. (More dunks than a donut shop – Stan Van Gundy?)

Last week, I posted a photo of Leo Dicaprio nearly getting taken out by an airborne Brent Barry. Well, I think the results may have been decidedly different if Barry decided to take on Drew Barrymore, who was armed with 17-inch heels and feeling flexible at the May 19th Lakers-Nuggets game at the Staples Center.

Luckily, Drew the Impaler didn’t stick anyone (she just got to’ up on copious amounts of Bud Heavy)

H/T to The Telegraph, keep rolling out these Celebrity Playoff Galleries!

Came across this promo video for this weekend’s Roller Derby Match in L.A., with The Sirens taking on the Varsity Brawlers. The Derby Shezilla animation is pretty high-end, check it out…

Pretty soon there going to have to hold Hell on Wheels at The Staples Center in L.A.

Thinking along those lines, if Nicholson is your resident courtsider for Lakers games, who would make a better permanent Hollywood fixture at L.A. Roller Derby bouts?

Joaquin Phoenix

…or BIlly Bob Thornton

Go ahead and cast your votes, or your write-in votes, in the comments. If you’re in the L.A. area this week and want more info (or want to track down Long Island Lolita for a roller skating jaunt on the Boardwalk) go to derbydolls.com.