The auction is slotted to end on Saturday, and bids have already exceeded $67,000. It’s expected to fetch between $75,000 and $100,000 at the end. Taylor’s auction coincided with the current Giants’ team receiving their Super Bowl XLVI rings. But Taylor isn’t the first ex-pro to turn to bid farewell to his Super Bowl bling in hopes of drumming up some quick cash.

Here’s a look back at how others who fell on hard times fared:

WILLIAM PERRY

In a heartwarming story, a 10-year-old decided in 2011 that he wanted to return a Super Bowl XX ring back to The Fridge. “He said Perry lost the ring through hard times, and that he only had one ring. He said, ‘I want him to have the ring back.’ That’s pretty special for a 10-year-old to want to do that,” the boy’s mother told ESPN. The boy’s father had bought the ring for $8,500 from Perry when the athlete needed money to pay for medical expenses.

ROCKY BLEIER

Bleier earned four Super Bowl rings with the Steelers, all of which he sold to pay for expensive divorces and to make up for back taxes. “The divorce left me in a terrible situation” that left him bankrupt and searching for financial answers, he said in 1997. Years later, things have turned around quite a bit for Bleier who is now a motivational speaker.

LESTER HAYES

In perhaps the strangest way a player has lost his ring, Hayes, a former Raider, took out a loan on the ring that he couldn’t pay back to a pawn shop that would up taking ownership over it. Then the shop sold it for $18,000 in an online auction. But he made up for it later on in his life: When times got better, Hayes asked the manufacturer to make him another Super Bowl XVIII ring.

JOE GILLIAM

Back in 1988, Gilliam got back his Super Bowl IX from a sympathetic fan who seemingly wanted to give the former Steelers quarterback a moment of redemption. “It was a humbling kind of thing,” he said at the time. “I’ve been clean a long time, and I never thought someone would do something like that for me.” Unfortunately, that moment of triumph was ever so fleeting. Gilliam died from a drug overdose in 2000.

JE’ROD CHERRY

The former New England Patriots safety sold his ring for a more noble cause. In 2008, someone challenged him to give the proceeds from an auction to charity, and Cherry wound up agreeing to the deal. He raised an impressive $150,000 from the sale. “I do not disrespect the idea of what the ring represents,” Cherry said. “I tried to elevate it to something even better.”

STEVE WRIGHT

Packers’ memorabilia tens to go for much more than the average since the team has such a rich history. Obsessive fans are always looking for a piece of the Green Bay tradition. Nothing compared though to the $73,409 brought in for Wright’s Super Bowl I ring in 2011. Wright only played four years in the league, but two of them were the first two championship seasons for the Packers. Not a bad haul.

“FUZZY” Thurston

Sale of Thurston’s ring in 2011 yielded $50,788 at an auction which went to helping Thurston pay off about $1.7 million in back taxes. “While the circumstances surrounding the auction of this ring are sad ones, we all hope that it works out for Fuzzy and that somehow the ring can make it back to him,” said the auction’s director. Thurston ran into trouble in his post-playing days when he invested in a chain of restaurants that failed. Some hoped that the winning bidder would return the ring to Thurston afterward, but to no avail.

ALVIN GARRETT

When Garrett decided to become a Born-Again Christian, he parted ways with much of the possessions he had accumulated during his playing days, including his Super Bowl ring from his time with the Redskins. Originally, Garrett took out an ad in the paper to sell the ring. It later went for $40,000 at an auction. “I didn’t come close to the amount I wanted,” Garrett would say.

THOMAS HENDERSON

Source: GuySpeed.com

Andy Lyons, Ian Walton, Brett Deering / Getty Images

Another leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, Europe’s biggest annual soccer event and the NBA and NHL playoffs highlight this weekend’s sports schedule:

Friday, May 18

Baltimore Orioles at Washington Nationals

Nationals Park, Washington, DC; 7:05 p.m. EDT; MASN
Despite the teams’ close geographic proximity to one another, an interleague rivalry has never developed between the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. While each team is normally near the bottom of their respective divisions, the Orioles and Nationals should both be in first place as they open a three-game series in Washington. Jake Arrieta (2-4) takes the mound for Baltimore, while Edwin Jackson (1-1) gets the start for Washington.

Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA; 8 p.m. EDT; ESPN
Behind a dominant performance from veteran center Kevin Garnett, Boston beat Philadelphia, 107-91, in Game 3 of this NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series on Wednesday night. The Celtics now have a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4 on Friday. The 76ers need guards Evan Turner and Jodie Meeks to score more often, if they are to tie this series up as it heads back to Boston next week.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers

Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA; 10:30 p.m. EDT; ESPN
After winning the first two games of this NBA Western Conference semifinal series, Oklahoma City heads west to play the Lakers in a very busy weekend for the Staples Center (the Clippers and the NHL’s Kings will also host playoff games at the arena this weekend). The Thunder have already demonstrated that they can win both close games and blowouts in this series. If someone other than Kobe Bryant doesn’t step up for Los Angeles, the Lakers may not survive the weekend thanks to the spectacular play of Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant. Game 4 is set for Saturday at 10:30 p.m. in Los Angeles. TNT will broadcast that contest.

Saturday, May 19

New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils

Prudential Center, Newark, NJ; 1 p.m. EDT; NBC
With a 3-2 win on the road at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils have stolen home ice advantage from the New York Rangers in the NHL’s Eastern Conference finals. The teams will meet in Game 3 with the Devils hoping that veteran goalie Martin Brodeur continues to stonewall the Rangers. New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist has come up with an impressive performance each time his team has needed a lift in this postseason. He will be called on to do so again.

Chelsea at Bayern Munich

Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany; 2:45 p.m. EDT; FOX
Europe’s top soccer clubs will duel in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final, an event which attracts more global viewers than the Super Bowl. Known by its royal blue color, Chelsea has won three Premier League titles, two League Cup titles and four FA Cup titles since demanding owner Roman Abramovich took over the franchise in 2003. However, Chelsea has never won the UEFA Champions League crown in its 107-year history. Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo will have to overcome the absence of captain John Terry, defender Branislav Ivanovic and midfielder Raul Meireles. Bayern Munich, Germany’s most successful club, has won 22 national titles. They’ll be the underdog on the pitch Saturday, but they could surprise given Chelsea’s injuries.

The Preakness Stakes

Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD; 6:18 p.m.; NBC
Trainer Doug O’Neill will have Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another ready to run the 137th Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico outside Baltimore, but it’s Derby runner-up Bodemeister that is the early favorite at 8-5 odds. Eleven horses will compete in the storied race. If I’ll Have Another can come away with another win, the horse will race for the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes on June 9. The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.

Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA; 7:15 p.m. EDT; FOX
Though both teams entered 2012 with World Series hopes and loads of baseball talent, injuries and poor play have left both the Phillies and the Red Sox in last place in their respective divisions. They’ll try to get things turned around on Fox’s national game of the week. Boston will send Jon Lester (2-3) to the mound to shut down a Phillies lineup that has had difficulty working deep into counts and scoring runs. Philadelphia counters with Joe Blanton (2-3), who will attempt to keep Boston’s bats quiet.

NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race

Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC; 7 p.m. EDT; Speed
NASCAR’s version of an all-star game, the Sprint All-Star Race invites winning drivers from 2011 and 2012, plus the past 10 event winners and Cup Series champs, to square off for 90 laps in pursuit of $1 million, but no points are awarded toward a Sprint Cup title. The 28th (XXVIII) edition of the race will have five segments: four 20-lap runs and a 10-lap sprint. The leaders of each individual segment will be allowed to pit prior to the 10-lap final, giving those drivers an edge in lining up best for the last 10 laps and the million-dollar purse. Greg Biffle, the circuit’s hottest racer, is the favorite to win.

Sunday, May 20

Phoenix Coyotes at Los Angeles Kings

Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA; 3 p.m.; NBC
Already up 2-0 in the NHL’s Western Conference finals heading into Thursday’s Game 3, the Kings could be going for the sweep come Sunday. Los Angeles goalie Jonathan Quick has been nothing short of dominant, as the Kings have a 10-1 record this postseason. Phoenix may lose center Martin Hanzal to a suspension for his boarding penalty on Los Angeles captain Dustin Brown late in Game 2. Phoenix could be at an extreme disadvantage against Quick if Hanzal, who is the Coyotes’ first-line center, can’t play on Sunday.

Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers

Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN; 3:30 p.m. EDT; ABC
This NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series is tied at a game apiece heading into Thursday night’s game in Indianapolis. If the Pacers can defeat Miami, which is without injured center Chris Bosh, they may get Heat superstars LeBron James and Dwayne Wade into panic mode on Sunday. Indiana plays solid interior defense and uses a balanced scoring attack. Forward David West has led the Pacers in scoring in both games of the series thus far.

St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA; 8:05 p.m. EDT; ESPN
In what should be a battle of two National League division leaders, the defending world champion Cardinals conclude a three-game series in Los Angeles. Kyle Lohse (5-1) gets the start for St. Louis. He’ll try to shut down a Dodgers’ lineup that is without Matt Kemp, Juan Uribe and Juan Rivera. Los Angeles starter Chad Billingsley (2-3) must be careful when pitching to hot-hitting St. Louis outfielder Carlos Beltran. He leads the National League in home runs with 13.

San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Clippers

Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA; 10:30 p.m. EDT; TNT
The Clippers dropped Game 1 of this NBA Western Conference semi-final series on Tuesday. With Game 2 set for Thursday and Game 3 on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m. EDT; ABC-TV), Los Angeles could easily be down 3-0 by Sunday night. San Antonio has won 15 games in a row and looks nearly unstoppable behind point guard Tony Parker and veteran big man Tim Duncan. Los Angeles needs superstars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin to rise to the occasion, or this could be their last game of 2012.

Managers like Earl Weaver, Lou Piniella, Ozzie Guillen, and Bobby Cox made names for themselves as fierce opponents of some calls, making for some humorously and memorable moments as they totally lost their cool on the diamond. On other occasions, players have been known to stand up for themselves and challenge umpires for what they perceived as blown calls. The Blue Jays’ Brett Lawrie is just the latest to join the fray. Here’s a look back at some of our favorite player vs. umpire meltdowns:

brett lawrie

After thinking he walked, Lawrie was summoned back to home plate by umpire Bill Miller during a game against the Rays on Tuesday night, and he went absolutely bananas. Lawrie threw down his helmet in disgust, which landed at an angle, causing it to immediately bounce back up into Miller. It earned Lawrie a four-game suspension. Miller’s abuse didn’t end there, though. A fan hurled a beer at him as he headed off the field.

GEORGE BRETT

The infamous “pine tar” incident further propelled Brett to stardom in 1983 when the Yankees challenged Brett’s bat he used to hit a home run against them. After the umpires reviewed the bat, they concluded that Brett had violated a league rule and applied too much of the substance to his bat. Brett, perhaps reasonably, charged out of the dugout after he was ruled out. The league eventually decided that Brett shouldn’t have been tossed, and the Royals finally got the win 25 days afterward.

DELMON YOUNG

A couple weeks ago, Young’s temper got the best of him when he went on a drunken anti-Semitic tirade in New York City which earned him some time off. Unfortunately, this wasn’t Young’s first example of bad behavior. Or should we say bat behavior. When Young was a minor leaguer in 2006, he got so inflamed after a called third strike that he tossed his bat toward home plate. It struck the umpire, too, who immediately threw young out of the game. It got him a 50-game suspension.

MILTON BRADLEY

JON RAUCH

Rauch got so mad after a call at home during a 2011 game that he lost his shirt. Seriously. Rauch’s six-foot-10 frame left him a candidate for one of the most awkward standoffs with an umpire, and it took several of his teammates to drag him away toward the dugout. With the level of vitriol Rauch was exhibiting that afternoon, the ump and fans might have gotten off easy that Rauch walked away when he did.

RYAN HOWARD

During the 14th inning of a 2010 game, Howard was thrown out after protesting a close check swing call. It caused him to confront third base umpire Scott Barry all the way up the line. Imagine having the six-five, 250-pound slugger coming after you with full force. Phillies players and another umpire were able to restrain Howard long enough to keep him from manhandling Barry, and eventually Howard was led off the field.

ROBERTO ALOMAR

We may never know what it was that umpire John Hirschbeck said to Alomar during a 1996 game that prompted the second baseman to spit at Hirschbeck. It’s one of baseball’s sorrier moments, but also one that Alomar moved on from shortly afterward. Alomar was suspended five games. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011, showing that even for the league bygones were better left bygones.

BRYCE HARPER

Harper was ejected from the Junior College World Series in 2010 after a questionable third strike call. As Harper stepped out of the batters’ box and headed back toward his dugout, he drew a line in the sand that flicked dirt up at the ump. He was promptly tossed from the game, his last before declaring for the majors. It’s forgivable, though. Harper was just 17 at the time of the incident.

CARLOS BELTRAN

Sometimes the officiating can get so bad that a player winds up getting support from his manager. During a 2008 game. Beltran and teammate Carlos Delgado were so outraged by a strike call that manager Jerry Manuel joined in on the rage. Beltran wound up getting tossed, and the Mets needed just about everyone they have available in the dugout to come and control the situation.

Source: GuySpeed.com

Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

According to Swedish soccer star Freddie Ljungberg, modeling underwear for Calvin Klein can have some unforeseen drawbacks.

Ljungberg, who played midfield for Premier League’s Arsenal between 1998-2007, claims that after he started modeling underwear he’d have issues going out to nightclubs. Why? Well, it appears that many women saw those advertisements and decided to do some field testing.

Freddie recounted this tale of tragedy to the Swedish website Di.Se as he informed the world that women would grab his crotch in any way possible and laugh about it:

“It sounds so cocky … and I will not whine … but if for example, I walked into a nightclub in London girls came back and grabbed my crotch.”

“It was happening everywhere. They came from behind, side, pulled and tugged at me. The worst part was that you could not do a damn thing about it. When I angrily removed their hands, people just laughed.”

“Some people thought that I should blame myself, I had signed with Calvin Klein and played in a top team. But there was no limit to what others thought they were entitled to do.”

We’re not really sure how a nation of men will react to this story but we’ve got a feeling that not many of them are going to feel sorry for Freddie’s plight.

Let Ljungberg’s story be a lesson to all you potential underwear models reading this right now — HAHAHAHAA. Oh man, we couldn’t even write that with a straight face.

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Source: GuySpeed.com

Paramount Pictures

With more than a century of history to its credit, baseball has inspired many movies. Few are as funny as ‘Major League,’ our Sports Movie of the Week.

In the 1989 film, the owner of the Cleveland Indians dies and leaves the perennially terrible franchise to his new bride, Rachel Phelps (Margaret Whitton), a former exotic dancer with little interest in baseball or Cleveland. Phelps conjures a plan to stock the Indians’ roster with terrible players who will lose enough games to allow her to move the team to Miami.

Phelps adds aging catcher Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger), middling prospects Ricky Vaughn (Charlie Sheen) and Willie Mays Hayes (Wesley Snipes) and power-hitting enigma Pedro Cerrano (Dennis Haysbert) to the other Cleveland players already under the direction of manager Lou Brown (James Gammon) with the hope they’ll finish last. The team struggles to play well at first, but once they discover Phelps’ motives they rally together to make baseball magic.

Five Reasons to Watch ‘Major League’

1. Every 10 minutes of screen time you’ll hear at least one line of dialogue that is still used for a laugh by present-day baseball fans, announcers and pundits nearly 25 years after the film’s original release.

2. Real life play-by-play guy Bob Uecker is cast as Indians’ announcer Harry Doyle, a caricatured version of himself and legendary Chicago Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray. While it’s not a stretch of his acting ability, Uecker’s delivery helps land some of the film’s biggest laughs.

3. To fans who may best know him from his role as President David Palmer on the Fox show ’24,’ Dennis Haysbert is nearly unrecognizable as slugging Pedro Cerrano, thanks to a goatee and a shaved head.

4. The Indians’ home game scenes were filmed at Milwaukee’s County Stadium, which has since been demolished. At the time the film was made, Cleveland played at Municipal Stadium, which has also since been razed.

5. Charlie Sheen was capable of throwing more than 85 miles per hour. He has since admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs to prepare for his role as a fast-throwing relief pitcher.

Click the play button to watch the original trailer of the film below:

But maybe we’re selling the actual game play a bit short. It turns out it can get pretty intense, amongst all the legs and the boobs. In fact, during the LFL’s recent All-Star game, the two opposing coaches starting fighting right in the middle of the field.

This video is NSFW. While that designation suggests spectacular uniform malfunctions amid an orgy of all-out violence, it’s actually because one of the coaches likes to yell profanity in a surprisingly high-pitched voice. So sorry about that.

Bonus points for anybody who can figure out what in the world the fight was about.

Yes, brawling in an all-star game is pretty gauche. But if you had the chance to tempt an entire team of scantily clad ladies into holding you back, you just might go for it too.

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Source: GuySpeed.com

ModelMayhem

Mikki’s not a mouse but a 26 year old model from New York, New York who graduated from the State University of New York with a degree in Bachelors of Science in Marketing.

On Twitter, she describes herself as, “endorphin junkie, singer, model, traveler, competitor, freelancer, cloud lover.”

As a competitor, she participated in the Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search and was a finalist in the Tropic Beauty World Finals. As a model, she’s been featured in magazines like Marathon Muscle, Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness, Natural Muscle, Blackbelt, Extreme Fighter, and Physique. She’s also modeled swimsuits for Penthouse and Diva, and lingerie for Electric, Hustler, and Magic Silk.

If keeping tabs on your time is your thing, she’s been featured in calendars for Vodkaherb, Proline, and Tease Um. If golf’s your bag, she’s more than happy to be your cute caddy as one of Playboy’s Girls of Golf. Need someone to hold round cards at your MMA match? She can do that, too – she’s done it for Ring of Combat, Libera-Tone Advantage, and Yamma Pit Fighting.

On TV, you might’ve seen her as one of Howard Stern’s Bowling Beauties, on Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels, or in a commercial for Synergy Fitness.

We wonder how many times she’s heard the pick up line, “Mikki May I?”

Age: 26 | Location: New York, NY | Ht: 5′ 5″ | Wt: 115 lbs | Measurements: 34D-26-33

ModelMayhem

ModelMayhem

ModelMayhem

See more of Mikki at Facebook | Twitter | MySpace

Source: GuySpeed.com

Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

Two divisional leaders – one in each league – began to pull away from the pack, while several big name hitters had huge weeks. Here’s what’s happening in Major League Baseball:

Josh Hamilton’s Incredible Week

Texas Rangers’ slugger Josh Hamilton has been unstoppable. Hamilton hit nine homers and drove in 18 runs during the past week, including a four-homer, eight-RBI night against the Orioles on Tuesday. With 18 home runs, 41 runs batted in and a .402 batting average on the season, Hamilton has large leads in all three American League statistical categories. If Hamilton maintains those leads, he would become the first MLB player since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 to win the Triple Crown. Better still, his team leads the American League West by five games.

John Axford Blows A Save

After converting 49 consecutive save opportunities, Milwaukee Brewers’ closer John Axford blew a save against the Chicago Cubs on Friday night. However, Axford didn’t have much time to mull over his poor performance. His pregnant wife, Nicole, had gone into contractions, and he left to be by her side. In the process, the colorful Brewers’ closer with the funky facial hair left a note behind for the media:

“I put my wife into contractions with my performance tonight! The streak is over so now you can talk about it. The luck I’ve had in the past didn’t show up tonight! All I can do is start another streak and keep my head up! Cliché… cliché… cliché… another cliché. Gotta go! Love, Ax.”

Axford’s wife and baby to-be are fine; it was just a scare. By the way, Milwaukee rallied for an 8-7 victory in the game thanks to Corey Hart’s RBI single in the 13th inning.

Andy Pettitte Loses His First Major League Start Since 2010

Making his first start since 2010, New York Yankees’ starting pitcher Andy Pettitte suffered the loss in his team’s 6-2 defeat to Seattle on Sunday. Pettite, who has 240 career wins, was not especially sharp, yielding four runs in 6.1 innings, including two home runs.

Play of the Week: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

After previously hitting two home runs in the game, Cincinnati Reds’ first baseman Joey Votto hit a walk-off grand slam to give his team a 9-6 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

Upcoming Series To Watch: St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers

This three-game series between National League division leaders begins Friday at Dodger Stadium. With Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier each having MVP-level years thus far, the Dodgers have complied MLB’s best record (23-11). The defending world champion Cardinals (20-14) are getting exceptional starting pitching from Lance Lynn, Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook. These teams could certainly be poised to be National League Championship Series opponents come October.

Fantasy Player To Add: Will Middlebrooks, Boston Red Sox

After cranking his fourth home run on Sunday, Boston Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks is now hitting .310, with 13 runs batted in and an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.070 in 10 games since being called up from the minor leagues. While Kevin Youkilis will retain the job as the starting third baseman when he is healthy, there’s no way Boston won’t keep Middlebrooks in the lineup. Pick him up.

Fantasy Player To Drop: Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay Rays

Rays’ first baseman Carlos Pena swatted two doubles on Sunday in Tampa’s 9-8 win over Baltimore. Despite the productive day, Pena is 5 for 41 with 15 strikeouts in May. It’s time to find corner power somewhere else.

Other MLB news: Josh Beckett, Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos

Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett came under fire this week for playing golf the day after it was announced his next start would be skipped because of tightness in his lat muscle… Washington Nationals’ catcher Wilson Ramos tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on Saturday night. He may miss the remainder of the 2012 season. Backup Jesus Flores will replace him in the Washington lineup…Washington Nationals rookie phenom Bryce Harper decided to take out his frustration for making an out on Friday by hitting a clubhouse tunnel wall. Harper sustained a gash to his face when his bat ricocheted off the wall and hit him above his left eye. He isn’t expected to miss any time.

Ronald Martinez, Andy Lyons, Brett Deering, Harry How / Getty Images

While the NBA’s Eastern Conference semifinals got underway this weekend, the NBA’s Western Conference semifinals had to wait for two series to each get through a seventh game before the next round of the NBA playoffs were set. Here’s a preview of the Western Conference semifinals:

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers

Ronald Martinez, Andy Lyons / Getty Images

The top-seeded San Antonio Spurs wrapped up their first-round sweep of the Utah Jazz on May 7. Led by point guard Tony Parker, the Spurs have not lost since April 11 against the Lakers, a string of 14 straight games. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich uses his veteran players smartly, with the result being a balanced scoring attack. Spurs’ veterans Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw will be challenged by Clippers’ superstar forward Blake Griffin, while Parker will have to contend with Los Angeles point guard Chris Paul.

Both Griffin (left knee strain) and Paul (right hip flexor) have nagging injuries, which was part of the reason that the Clippers needed all seven games to eliminate the Memphis Grizzlies in their first-sound series. The 4-3 victory was only the third post-season series win in 41 years for the Clippers’ franchise. Reserves Nick Young and Kenyon Martin can produce big numbers for Los Angeles’ coach Vinnie Del Negro, while Manu Ginobili is a threat off the Spurs’ bench. San Antonio won the season series between these teams by a count of 2-1. Their first match-up is Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. EDT in San Antonio.

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (3) Los Angeles Lakers

Brett Deering, Harry How / Getty Images

By sweeping the defending champion Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Oklahoma City stated its candidacy for the 2012 NBA title. Now, the Thunder must beat the Lakers, an NBA franchise that has won 16 titles. Forward Kevin Durant and guard Russell Westbrook give Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks two of the league’s most dynamic players. Los Angeles must find someone other than Kobe Bryant to score and defend against the Thunder’s talented duo. Coach Mike Brown’s Lakers were pushed to seven games against the Denver Nuggets, in part because Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol didn’t help Bryant enough on offense or defense.

Metta World Peace, who was suspended as a result of a flagrant, intentional elbow delivered to the head of Oklahoma City’s James Harden on April 22, gives Los Angeles additional defense and swagger. Role players like the Thunder’s Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins or the Lakers’ Ramon Sessions and Steve Blake could be the difference in advancing to the conference finals. Oklahoma City won the season series between the teams 2-1. Game one is Monday at 9:30 p.m. EDT in Oklahoma City. See the full series schedule.

Thinkstock

Little leaguers in Redlands, California have gone almost all season without uniforms, a snack bar, or even a bathroom.

We may now know why.

Redlands East Valley Little League treasurer Kathrine Burrola has admitted to embezzling over $5,000 out of the league’s fund, stating that she had stolen the money because she had been out of work for two years.

Then, after promising to pay it back, she pulled her son out of the league and vanished.

The league has not only lost all of their money, but now it can’t afford to maintain its bathrooms or run its largest source of revenue –a snack bar.

After having to consider canceling the entire season, league board members put up $3,000 of their own money in order to keep it going. A large portion of the money went into making sure players had uniforms in time for the start of the season.

Redlands police are currently investigating. If you’d like to help the league, click here.

[The Huffington Post]