The decision that everyone in college basketball has been waiting on was finally made this week.

Andrew Wiggins, the number one player in the 2013 high school class, finally made his decision on where he was going to attend college. The electric wing player decided to attend Kansas University over the likes of Florida State, Kentucky and North Carolina. As soon as he made that decision, the odds of the Jayhawks winning the National title went from 25/1 to 10/1 and the Jayhawks solidified themselves as a championship contender. But are these expectations too high for the young man out of Canada?

The media and basketball lovers have been talking about Wiggins for a very long time. Here’s just a sample of what everyone has been seeing:

The explosiveness and the star quality is impossible to ignore when you watch him play. His abilities have some thinking that he could be the next phenomenon to take over basketball.  But we should all be careful of putting this much on a young man who may or may not live up to the expectations that we all have for him. He could come out and truly dominate college basketball like Carmelo Anthony did his freshman year. He could be the National Player of the year just like Kevin Durant was as a freshman as well. But just like he could come out and be an instant college star like these two, he could also come in and be like Harrison Barnes.

Barnes was a can’t-miss prospect coming out of Ames, Iowa. He could handle the ball, shoot and he was explosive towards the rim. He was the number one prospect in the 2010 class and many thought he was going to come in his freshman year and take over the college basketball world. Unfortunately, he did not live up to all the hype that surrounded him. While he had a good collegiate career, it was not the superstardom that was predicted.

Barnes ended up staying at North Carolina two years and averaged 16.4 points per game before he headed to the NBA draft. The North Carolina forward was drafted with the 7th overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft and has had a productive rookie season. Even though Barnes made it to the NBA and had a respectable collegiate career, overall he has not lived up to what it was thought he would be. The superstar label that he was touted with ended up being incorrect. That could change at the professional level over time. But for the most part, he is a solid player, not a star player.

Wiggins definitely is not Harrison Barnes. But in his story, he could be. There is no telling what can happen with these high school kids that are highly-touted when they come out. So, instead of saying that he will be the second coming of LeBron James, let him be a kid first. Let him grow in his game and continue to work towards being the player that we all think he can be. Because if we continue to pump this kid up, we may create an expectation that he could potentially not reach.

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Last night, vocal powerhouse Candice Glover walked away as the winner of this year’s “American Idol” competition.

While much of the season was marred in controversies surrounding the panel of celebrity judges, there was still a winner to be crowned and that turned out to be South Carolina native Candice Glover. After auditioning for 3 years for the talent show, Candice finally saw her dreams come true in winning the competition.

Candice is the first woman to win “Idol” since Jordin Sparks took home the prize in 2007. And in another first, right after she was announced as the winner last night, Candice’s debut album immediately became available for pre-order on iTunes.

The album, titled Music Speaks, will be released on 19/Interscope Records on July 16 and will feature Candice’s first single, which she performed last night for the second time, “I Am Beautiful.” Take a listen to it below.

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An Extra 15 Minutes of Fame

Viral sensation Sweet Brown has parlayed her instant web success into a budding Hollywood career, premiering in several television commercials and nabbing a role in Tyler Perry‘s A Madea Christmas later this year. That’s a long way from a smokey complex fire.

Oh, but there’s more.

During a recent interview with theGrio‘s Chris Witherspoon, Brown revealed her plans to star in The Sweet Brown’s, an unscripted reality show described as “a fish out of water, rags to riches series, that’s a combination of The Jeffersons and The Beverly Hillbillies.”

“It’s gonna be hilarious. You’re gonna really crack up,” she told the outlet. Production on the series is reportedly underway, but there is no word on when the show will premiere or the network that has picked it up.

Get your checks, girl.

TBS Gives CeeLo Green The Green Light

TBS has ordered six episodes of The CeeLo Life, which will follow the Grammy Award-winning artist as he handles a full-time schedule of producing, recording and performing. Cameras will also document his relationship with longtime friends Big Gipp, Khujo and T-Mo as they prep a new album for Goodie Mob.

“On behalf of Emerald, we are honored for this opportunity to entertain and extend the life of a long legacy of classic programming at TBS– which in our book stands for The Best Station,” The Voice judge said in a statement. “Atlanta, your native sons, the Goodie Mob, will make us all proud.”

Green will serve as an executive producer of the show, which is expected to premiere next year.

 Oh Lord

The Sisterhood might be dead and gone, but Pastors of L.A. is alive and well.

Fans of reality religion will get their taste of unscripted programming as Oxygen has given the thumbs up to a new series focused on six “world-renowned mega-pastors.”

Cameras are set to follow Dietrick Haddon, Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Wayne Chaney, Bishop Ron Gibson, Pastor Jay Haizlip and Bishop Noel Jones as they share their diverse ministries and  “sometimes provocative” lives they live outside of the church.

Executives have tapped The Sheards producer Lemuel Plummer and 106 & Gospel creator Holly Carter for the project.

“I come to this project with a respect and understanding of their world, having grown up as the son of a pastor and religious broadcasters,” Lemuel said in a statement. “We intend to portray the human side of these pastors and the real world in which they live and work.”

Fashions Fade, Style Is Eternal

Speaking of church, let the fashion gawds say “amen.” Pharrell Williams is teaming up with Rihanna for the US version of Styled To Rock.

While the series didn’t do too hot across the pond, the remixed project will follow the same format of the UK television spot of the same name. Twelve up-and-coming designers will be given the opportunity to showcase their creations for A-list celebrity clients. As Little Miss Sunshine serves as executive producer of the Style Network show, Williams will take his spot as a mentor.

“We are delighted to have Pharrell, who is a driving force in both the music industry and fashion world, serve as a mentor on Styled to Rock,” said Salaam Coleman Smith, president of Style Media. “Pharrell’s unique aesthetic and commitment to individuality combined with Rihanna’s vision for this series will enable our aspiring designers to hone their craft and learn from the very people who set the trends.”

The 10-episode series is slated to premiere later this year.

Bye, Bye Nicki?

Say it ain’t so: Nicki Minaj is walking away from American Idol.

According to Us Weekly, the 30-year-old femcee will not be returning to the popular talent competition after a trial run during the show’s twelfth season. The report comes just one week after fellow judge Randy Jackson announced his departure from the reality series.

“It’s safe to say she isn’t coming back to Idol,” an insider told the outlet. “She’s okay with it. She had a great time but was only going to do one season anyway.”

The source added that Minaj will use her newfound freedom to focus on her next album, touring and endorsements.

And the fate of Mariah Carey and Keith Urban is still up in the air.

Previously: Reality Rundown: Randy Jackson Exits Idol, ‘Pregnant And Dating,’ And A Raging Mad Gospel Star

The post Reality Rundown: The Sweet Brown Show, Pharrell And Rihanna Link Up, And Nicki Out At Idol? appeared first on FreesWorld.com.

The 2013 BET Awards will take place next month and nominations for the ceremony have been announced.

Drake has the highest chance of walking away with a trophy this year, as he is nominated 12 times, including 4 times in the Video of the Year category. Other nominees include Beyonce, Tamar Braxton, Miguel, Kendrick Lamar, Mary Mary, Common, Gabrielle Douglas, and many more.

Look for the awards to air live on June 30 and see who else grabbed nominations below.

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Tamar Braxton
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
Elle Varner

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Justin Timberlake
Usher

Best Group
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Mary Mary
Mindless Behavior
Slaughterhouse
The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)

Best Collaboration
2 Chainz f/ Drake – “No Lie”
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – “Problems”
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne – “Pop That”
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – “Poetic Justice”
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – “Suit & Tie”
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – “Mercy”

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Eve
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Rye Rye

Video of the Year
2 Chainz f/ Drake – “No Lie”
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – “Problems”
Drake – “Started From The Bottom”
Drake f/ Lil Wayne – “HYFR”
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – “Poetic Justice”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Wanz – “Thrift Shop”
Miguel – “Adorn”
Rihanna – “Diamonds”
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – “Suit & Tie”
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – “Mercy”

Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky & Sam Lecca
Benny Boom
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams

Best New Artist
Azealia Banks
Joey Bada$$
Kendrick Lamar
Trinidad Jame$
The Weeknd

Best Gospel Artist
Deitrick Haddon
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Mary Mary
Marvin Sapp

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington

Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Jamie Foxx
Samuel L. Jackson
Denzel Washington

YoungStars Award
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Jaden Smith
Quvenzhané Wallis

Best Movie
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap
Sparkle
Think Like A Man

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Gabrielle Douglas
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant
Robert Griffin III
LeBron James
Ray Lewis

Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – “Problems”
Drake – “Started From The Bottom”
Kendrick Lamar – “Swimming Pools (Drank)”
Miguel – “Adorn”
Rihanna – “Diamonds”
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – “Suit & Tie”

Centric Award
Tamar Braxton – “Love and War”
Fantasia – “Lose To Win”
Miguel – “Adorn”
Nas – “Daughters”
Charlie Wilson – “My Love Is All I Have”

Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
Toya Delazy (South Africa)
Donald (South Africa)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
R2Bees (Ghana)
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)

Best International Act: UK
Marsha Ambrosius
Estelle
Labrinth
Rita Ora
Emeli Sandé
Wiley

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The NBA released its All-Defensive Team recently.

The first team consisted of Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen, New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler, Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka, Miami Heat forward LeBron James and Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul. But one noticeable player that did not make the team was Memphis center Marc Gasol. The 2013 Defensive Player of the Year landed on the second team behind Noah and Chandler. Some viewed this as a slight, but in my opinion, Marc Gasol was listed in the correct order. Noah and Chandler are both guys that can own the backboard and erase shots on the backline. Gasol is a more gifted offensive player than the other two listed, but defensively his ability is lacking behind both Noah and Chandler. Honestly, Gasol was not even the best defensive player on his own team. The Grizzlies were one of the top defensive teams in the NBA, but it was not because of Gasol. It was because of the play of Tony Allen.

Marc Gasol isn’t a bad defensive player, but the strength of his game is on the other end of the floor. Offensively, you definitely had to gameplan for what Gasol could do. He can score, pass and shoot with the best big men in the NBA. But as far as defensively, he does not set the tone for the Grizzlies. On the other hand, Allen does not need the basketball to be effective. He, along with Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph, helped transform Memphis into the physical team they are. He often comes into games and shuts down the opponent’s best offensive player. Here is an example of his incredible defensive ability:

Allen was way out of the picture and came back to block Dwight Howard on that play. And he has made plenty of these plays all season long.

Allen not only exhibits great effort defensively, he also has the biggest effect on opposing team’s best wing players. Players like Kevin Durant., Kobe Bryant and Russell Westbrook may have had some good nights against Memphis, but it is guaranteed that they had to work extremely hard for their buckets when Allen was guarding them. He is easily the best on-ball defender in the NBA and has to prove it nightly with the litany of good wing players he faces. Gasol, on the other hand, does not face the same type of competition at the center spot. The big men that he faces in the West, like Thunder center Kendrick Perkins, are not exactly setting the world on fire with their offensive abilities. So, he can help out more defensively and play more of a traffic cop on the defensive end. Allen locks down the guy he’s guarding and also makes steals and helps other players out defensively. He is the identity of their defense easily.

Some may think that it was wrong that Gasol was put on the second team as the Defensive Player of the Year. But in essence, the only reason he is in this conversation is because of the sensational play of Allen on the perimeter. If it was not for Allen, Marc would not have been in the running for this award. You cannot say the same for Gasol in terms of Allen. The Grindhouse is known for defense and physical play. And not one player embodies that more for Memphis than Tony Allen. And that’s why he should have been the Defensive Player of the Year in the NBA.

The post Inside Sports With The General: Right Team, Wrong Player For Defensive Player Of The Year appeared first on FreesWorld.com.

The Dream revealed he had a collaboration with good friend Beyonce in the works for his upcoming album IV Play, and now he’s delivered “Turnt,” featuring 2 Chainz, as one of the products of their studio session together.

IV Play will be in stores on May 28.

The post New Music: The Dream Feat. Beyonce And 2 Chainz – Turnt (Snippet) appeared first on FreesWorld.com.

Kendrick Lamar finally drops the visual to his runaway hit “B**ch Don’t Kill My Vibe.” Watch it below.

Watch on: YouTube

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Bye, Bye Randy

After 12 seasons of holding down the judging table, Randy Jackson announced his exit from American Idol on Thursday (May 9).

“Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on ‘American Idol,’ I have decided to leave after this season,” he said in an official statement. “I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It’s been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures.”

Jackson was the lone original judge standing on the popular talent competition that originally featured Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul. The 56-year-old industry vet has sat alongside Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, as well as current judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban.

News of Jackson’s forthcoming departure came just hours after word spread that Carey dropped him as her manager. While the details of the split are hazy, the “#Beautiful” singer will officially be managed by Red Light Management, who reps Alicia Keys, Faith Hill, Miley Cyrus and others.

There are also whisperings of a shake-up over at Idol as executives are looking to wipe clean the entire panel and start new after experiencing record-low rating.

Back on the Boob Tube

Rev. Run and Co. are headed back to television.

The famous family is renovating their 9,000 sq. ft. home in New Jersey in a new reality series with DIY Network titled The Rev. Run Project. The loveable bunch will update their 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom abode from the kitchen to the garage, even adding an indoor swimming pool.

“New show comin on tv…UOENO it,” he tweeted earlier this month. “Can’t wait for everyone to see it .. Talk about funny ?? Lol!!!!!!!!”

The Rev. Run Project is expected to premiere in 2014.

Oh Baby

Real Housewives of Atlanta‘s Phaedra Parks received an early Mother’s Day gift with the birth of her healthy baby boy on Wednesday.

“Mom and baby are happy and healthy,” a rep for the reality star told Us Weekly. This is the second child for her and husband Apollo Nida, who welcomed their first son Ayden in May 2010.

The entertainment lawyer will be pretty busy these next few months with two small children at home, her upcoming reality spin-off and (presumably) another season of RHOA.

Congratulations to the couple!

Everybody Needs Love

Speaking of babies, I’m just going to drop this off right here (premiering May 31 at 9/8c on WE tv).

A Woman Scorned

In EBONY‘s June 2013 issue, cover girl Tina Campbell of WE tv’s Mary Mary (and…well…Mary Mary) revealed a pretty shocking secret while discussing her almost-divorce from Teddy Campbell after finding out about his infidelity.

“Once I became aware [of the affair], I initially wanted to kill my husband. I was considering adjusting the will, the living trust and all that kind of stuff. I did physically try to stab him. Several times. I never got to the point of physical harm, not really, but my words…My words hurt.”

Tina and Teddy have since reconciled, welcoming their fifth child in August 2012. The gospel singer says the hardship forced her to focus on her family rather than the music.

EBONY‘s latest issue is on newsstands now.

Previously: Reality Rundown: A ‘Misled’ Housewife, 50 Hours With 50 Cent, The Return Of Love And Hip Hop: Atlanta

The post Reality Rundown: Randy Jackson Exits Idol, ‘Pregnant And Dating,’ And A Raging Mad Gospel Star appeared first on FreesWorld.com.

Denver coach George Karl has been named coach of the year in the NBA.

He guided a talented Denver Nuggets team to 57 wins (19 more than the previous year) and rose the expectations of the team. Even though they loss to the Golden State Warrior in the first round, Karl did a great job getting these guys all on the same page and leading them. He definitely did an excellent job being their coach. But was he really the coach of the year? He may have won the award, but in my opinion, there were two other coaches that deserved this honor over Karl.

Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau entered the season without his star player, point guard Derrick Rose. The former MVP tore his ACL in Game 1 of their first round matchup versus the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2011-2012 season. The Bulls also lost most of their bench players when guards CJ Watson, Ronnie Brewer, John Lucas III, Kyle Korver and center Omer Asik all were either traded or left via free agency. Guard Jimmy Butler and forward Taj Gibson were the only holdovers left that saw any playing time off the bench. To join them, the Bulls signed guards Marco Belinelli, Kirk Hinrich and Nate Robinson, along with center Nazr Mohammed and forward Vladamir Radmanovic.

People expected to see the same Bulls team that could not score enough to beat an average 76ers team in the playoffs. The expectations were that the Bulls would struggle until Rose came back. Problem is, Rose never made it back on the court this regular season and the Bulls lacked some scoring punch. But with Thibs at the helm, the Bulls did far better than was thought. The Bulls finished the season with 45 wins, good enough for fifth in the East. And what makes this feat even more amazing is that their two key players, forward Luol Deng and center Joakim Noah, missed 23 games combined. With these types of odds, most coaches would not have made it through. But with his “next man up” mentality and his commitment to getting the best out of his players, this team made it to the playoffs and even got out of the first round, unlike Karl’s Nuggets.

The other coach of the year candidate that should have garnered more recognition is Golden State head coach Mark Jackson. The second-year head coach was coming off a year where the Warriors finished with 23 wins (in 66 games) and were looking like a long-term rebuilding project. The roster was looked at as being a year or two away from competitiveness. There was also some questions as to whether guard Steph Curry and center Andrew Bogut could stay healthy. Well, Bogut did have problems staying healthy all year, but Curry had no problems staying on the court. He averaged a career-high 22.9 points per game and 6.9 assists to lead this young team. The play of Curry, young shooting guard Klay Thompson, veteran forward David Lee and the play of their three rookies (Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli) and two new vets (point guard Jarrett Jack, forward Carl Landry) helped this Warriors team reach heights no one thought they would reach this year.

The Warriors finished with 47 wins, up 24 wins from the year before. And to add on top of that, the Warriors also beat the Nuggets in the first round as Jackson outcoached Karl head-to-head. The guy that some questioned as a head coach has turned out to be the driving force behind this team. And he definitely is more deserving of being the coach of the year.

Thibs and Jackson both had remarkable years as coaches. They both entered situations where the odds were stacked against them and came up smelling like a rose. In my opinion, a coach of the year candidate has to overcome adversity and have an outstanding year. Both Jackson and Thibodeau did so. But in Karl’s case, that team was expected to do well.  Everyone expected them to finish at or near where they did in the West.  And they did what they were supposed to do. I would be fine with either Thibodeau or Jackson being the coach of the year. But in my opinion, Karl should not have won the award.

The post Inside Sports With The General: Contrary To Popular Vote, George Karl Isn’t The NBA Coach Of The Year appeared first on FreesWorld.com.

LeBron took his game to another level this year and looked otherworldly against the mere mortals he was up against. You can kind of say that LeBron entered the Matrix with his outstanding play and has transformed into the Neo of the NBA.

When LeBron first came to Miami, titles were expected from the beginning. James teaming up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh was thought to be almost like a cheat code in a video game. And they boasted about how many championships they could win:

But upon his arrival, we still saw the same LeBron. He was definitely talented, but he and Wade were still learning how to co-exist on the perimeter together. LeBron was used to always being “the guy” on a team, while Wade had been the guy for all his career there in Miami. Wade led the Miami Heat to the title in 2006 and he also had been known to make the game-winning plays when they mattered, a criticism that LeBron has faced his entire career. The Heat made it to the NBA Finals in the 2010-2011 season, but fell flat on their face against the Dallas Mavericks. LeBron, who played the villain role all season long, failed to fulfill what was expected when he arrived in South Beach.

At that point in his career, most fans and critics were riding LeBron due to his perceived lack of coming through in the clutch. LeBron, obviously disappointed after that season, made the following comments to then ESPN’s Rachel Nichols during an interview before the 2011-2012 season:

And with that, LeBron began to play with the joy and passion that he had been missing. Along with the return of his joy and passion, LeBron also began to play a little smarter. Gone were the wasted possessions where LeBron hoisted jump shots. LeBron attacked the rim and used the mid-range game more. With these improvements, the Heat became one of the most efficient teams in the NBA. But up to this point and time, LeBron was still making his choice. And by his choice, I mean this moment when Morpheus was asking Neo what choice he would make in the Matrix:

It was in Game 6 vs. the Boston Celtics, when LeBron was once again hit with this question. Unlike in the past, he decided to make a choice. LeBron took the red pill and unleashed the most important playoff performance of his career. LeBron scored 45 points and 15 rebounds and finally seemed to be entering the Matrix. He took full advantage of the Celtics in the post and was the most efficient he has ever been. LeBron would emerge from that game to lead the Heat to the NBA Title versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. The joy and relief LeBron felt was truly well-deserved, but LeBron had not fully stepped into the Matrix just yet.

Opening up the 2012-2013 season, questions still lingered about the complete game of LeBron. Some wondered if he could maintain that low post wizardry that he displayed in Boston. He not only took care of that this season, he turned in one of his most complete seasons in his career. But along with his individual improvements, he became the leader of this team. Dwyane Wade aka Morpheus, had guided James along this journey to becoming what he is now: the best player in the NBA. The former Marquette star showed LeBron what it meant to lead a team to the top and then was willing to step aside when he saw someone that could come in and take over where he left off.

The best player in the world is coming into his prime and has realized how great he can be. LeBron James has entered the Matrix. And Neo is about to unleash his fury on us all.

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