Florida Sentinel Bulletin

ORLANDO, Fla. – Kobe Bryant got the scoring record, Kevin Durant the MVP, and the West got the win — barely.

Even after that duo piled up the points, the NBA All-Star game came down to a defensive play.

A bloodied Bryant scored 27 points, moving past Michael Jordan as the career scoring leader in the game, Durant had 36 in an MVP performance, and Blake Griffin’s interception of LeBron James’ pass secured the Western Conference’s 152-149 win over the East on Sunday night.

INDIANAPOLIS — NFL scouts can dismiss the rumors of the incredibly shrinking Heisman Trophy winner.

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III measured in at 6-foot-2 3/8 and 223 pounds at the NFL’s annual scouting combine.

The biggest concern about Griffin’s pro future was whether he would come in at less than 6-1. So Griffin had some fun with it.

He mentioned his height three times while speaking with reporters, bringing it up again when asked about comparisons between himself and Cam Newton. Griffin acknowledged Newton was bigger, citing his height and weight, before mentioning his own measurements.

Griffin says he was listed at 6-4 and 200 pounds in high school and has been accused of shrinking and gaining weight since then.

DECATUR, Ga. — Prosecutors have dropped DUI charges against Pittsburgh Steelers receiver and Dancing With the Stars winner, Hines Ward.

DeKalb County Prosecutor Sonja N. Brown said Wednesday that Ward pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was given a year on probation. She says he also was fined $2,000 and must do 80 hours of community service. He also must undergo alcohol evaluation.

The 35-year-old Super Bowl XL MVP was arrested last year after he failed to maintain his lane and hit a curb. He failed several field sobriety tests and was booked into the DeKalb County jail and later released on bond.

Ward used to be a primary receiving target, but last season wasn’t used as much. He has two years remaining on his deal and has said he’s willing to restructure it to finish his career with Pittsburgh.

A Chinese sports company finds themselves in hot water after using the namesake of one of the most recognized athletes in the world. Retired NBA legend, and current Charlotte Bobcats boss, Michael Jordan has caught wind that the Qiaodan (cheow-DEN) Sports Company has been using Jordan’s trademark number 23 and jerseys bearing his name in Chinese for years.

In a statement, Jordan put the sportswear chain on notice after filing a lawsuit on Tuesday.

“It is deeply disappointing to see a company build a business off my Chinese name without my permission, use the number 23 and even attempt to use the names of my children,” Jordan said. “This complaint is not about money. It’s about principle and protecting my name.”

Jordan further said that any damages won would be directly reinvested in promoting basketball in China. His Airness faces an uphill battle, so says the Wall Street Journal. The WSJ grabbed a quote from attorney Dan Harris, who said, “Chinese judges are not looking to shut a business down and lay off thousands of workers.” Harris said Jordan could possibly manage a settlement with the company to allow Qiaodan to use his name by way of a licensing fee. According to Jordan’s attorneys, the Hall of Famer may be open to such a deal.

On Saturday, February 18, 2012, players were greeted by high energy coaches and staff members from the NFL Regional Combine team. This life-changing event for 142 players from around the country was held at One Buc Place.

Emotions were high, but the morning fog hovered low, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneer practice field as high tech cameras and drill equipment moved about the facility. Stephen Austin, founder of Elite Regional Scouting Combine, is the Director of NFL Regional Combines. He let the players know what was expected of them and their responsibilities while participating in the Combine.

Many of the players on the roster were from Florida colleges, including: James Brandon, Jacques Garcon and Pierre-Louis Wondy (pictured, right), from the University of Florida; Bernard Mauricette and Sharly Azard (pictured, right), University of South Florida; Alexander Ajayi, FAMU;  and Terrance Parks, Jarvis Harris and Kendall Smith, from Florida State University.

Former LSU safety and Team Captain Harry Coleman was on the roster. He trained in Sarasota before the regional combine with trainer and former Washington Redskin CB, Alvoid Mays.

For $190, each player is filmed and documented by a series of cameras, stop watches and personnel. Once the data is collected, it is uploaded into a database that NFL coaches and scouts access to find their next top player. Austin commented that any player who believes he has what it takes to play in the NFL should invest in himself through the Combine.

The players pushed themselves to the brink, hoping to receive a golden ticket to the Ford Field in Detroit for the invitation-only Super Regional Combine in March.

By Victor Young
Of Media & Management Global

The son of  former Tampa Bay Buccaneer running back, James Wilder, is reportedly facing two felony charges following an incident that occurred early Wednesday afternoon.

James Wilder, Jr., a former Plant High School star now playing for Florida State University, was arrested following an incident when a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy was trying to arrest his girlfriend.

An attorney for Wilder reported that he has been suspended from the team because of team rules dealing with felony arrests.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Earvin “Magic” Johnson is launching a basic cable television network targeting black viewers with positive, uplifting images of African Americans.

The former Los Angeles Lakers star said that his 24-hour Aspire channel will also offer opportunities for Blacks who have struggled to find work in mainstream Hollywood.

Aspire’s mix will include film, TV, music, comedy, performing arts and shows about faith.

The 52-year-old Johnson, who was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, says he’s wanted a vehicle to showcase positive images of African Americans with stories written, produced and directed by Blacks.

Comcast Corp. reached an agreement with the FCC and Department of Justice to diversify.

Johnson’s channel will launch on June 30.

Tampa Police report that former Major league Baseball star, Elijah Dukes, was arrested Thursday morning on drug charges.

According to the report, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at Nebraska and Sligh Avenues at 1:08 a. m. They made contact with Dukes and one of the officers reported seeing marijuana flakes on Dukes’ shirt. He also reported that he noticed Dukes trying to eat a small baggie of marijuana.

The officers were able to get the marijuana, and Dukes was arrested.

Dukes was reported to be in jail with his bail set at $4,750 on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, an destruction of evidence. He also  had an outstanding warrant.

The Buccaneers announced Friday the hiring Bill Sheridan as defensive coordinator. Sheridan would leave his post as the Buckeyes’ defensive backs coach to take on the new role in Tampa.