NBA Life: Bets and Brawls

When the Charlotte Bobcats came to New Jersey to play the Nets Dec. 14, owners Robert Johnson (majority owner, Bobcats) and Jay-Z (Nets co-owner) had a little wager on the game. The bet was on which team would reach 80 points first that night, with the loser donating $5,000 to five different schools in the area, totaling a $25,000 donation.

Once again, Jay lost.

The Bobcats reached 80 points first, but instead of having Nas battle flashbacks with Johnson, Jiggaman immediately sought out students to see where the money should go. The New Jersey Nets Web site carried a request earlier this week for students to write a 500 word essay explaining why their school deserves the $5,000 check. The contest ended earWednesday night and as much as kids love writing, school, and most of all, writing about their school, the entries are sure to have poured in. Expect to see Jay to give up the loot sometime in the next few days.

Upon further review, they probably should've bet on how many times Bobcats rookie Sean May flagged down the hot dog guy.

Knicks' Rose and Robinson Boxing in the Shower?

Rumblings of a fight between Malik Rose and Nate Robinson in the New York Knicks locker room following a lost to the Magic last week started to get louder until Rose spilled the beans to the New York Daily News. Apparently the two had a bet on the Monday night Seattle-Philly game, but after the Eagles' Brian Westbrook left the game with an injury in the first half, Rose, a Philly fan, reneged on the bet and Robinson, a Seahawk fan, wasn’t too happy about that. Reportedly, he then tried to get his money while Rose was showering after the Orlando game.

"Nate tried to jump on me when I was naked, thinking he had the advantage that way," Rose told the New York Daily News. "He just got on my nerves, trying to get his money, and I'm not giving it to him. It was a couple of dollars. All bets aren't good until halftime. When Westbrook went down, I didn't want to bet no more and Nate won't let me out of it. I don't think I should have to pay because all of my guys were injured."

Ummm… it's kind of silly to be betting on Philly to win anything nowadays, so who's really in the wrong?

This isn’t the first time Robinson had some issues with his teammates. The young whippersnapper got into a shoving match with center Jerome James during practice earlier this season. Robinson is apparently cool with his teammates now.

Now that they've solved the important issues, maybe the Knicks can get on to other projects, such as, but not limited to, winning a basketball game.

Eddie George Hosts 'Training Camp'

Even though he had his worst season in his career last season with the Dallas Cowboys, longtime Tennessee Titans star Eddie George is seeing success with his new TV show. Launched this fall, 'G4's Training Camp' is hosted by George and challenges the best sports video game players to take their game knowledge into battle against real athletes. This season, George has put an expert NBA Street Vol. 3 player against streetball star Alimoe. Alimoe ripped the gamer to shreds on the court. He also grabbed a Fight Night Round 2 champion and put him in the ring with pro boxing babe Mia St. John, where the gamer learned the one's and two's of fighting in the real world.

We can't wait to watch the Street Fighter and Ninja Gaiden episodes!

You can view clips from the show and other previews here.

Michael Irvin Tries to Do the Right Thing

Former Dallas Cowboy star Michael Irvin has been awash in bad press the past few weeks, what with the whole marijuana pipe in the glove box thing. But "The Playmaker" is trying to turn public opinion in his favor. Irvin returned to his hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and dedicated Carter Park's new learning center, the Michael Irvin Academic Resource Academy. Even though the event was focused on the learning center and how it will help the surrounding the community and at-risk kids, he was still asked about the recent events in his personal life.

"Through the times I've gone through the last couple of weeks -- and I'm still trying to help a friend -- I got attacked pretty hard through the media, and it hurt and it was devastating, but I really found out who was with me and who was there for me,'' Irvin told the Miami Herald. "If that comes from the hit I took in the mouth and the knocking I took in the media, then I'm OK with that. I'm no superman; I'm just as human as any. The last few weeks have been tough for me. I'm trying to do everything the right way, and then you get hit like that."

Irvin was temporarily suspended from his gig at ESPN after his arrest but he rejoined the network shortly thereafter.