Manute Bol was bigger than basketball

Over the past two years, we’ve seen LeBron James go out of his way to make his upcoming free agency a spectacle. While the Lakers and Celtics were prepping to battle during this month’s NBA Finals, James went out and did an interview with Larry King to promote his free agency and talk about how he’s the “ring leader” of the 2010 free agent class — without any rings, of course.

In less than 24 hours, all of James’ dreams of individual praise and being wooed by cities and their teams will come true.

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Meanwhile, in Washington yesterday, the most selfless athlete of all-time was buried and laid to his final rest — Manute Bol.

Bol was the opposite of James, the opposite of the stereotype people give to athletes. Bol used his fame for change, not glory — and for many NBA players, he served as a prime example of how one should handle themselves when they are given a chance to play a game for money — lots of money. Don’t be fooled, there are plenty of athletes that aren’t trying to hold “free agent summits.” There are plenty of athletes that have never tried to put the focus on themselves — rather straying away from the spotlight, there are quite a few actually — but none were like Bol.

Manute Bol remembered on Senate floor

Manute Bol was big, but he was much bigger than basketball. The late NBA legend and humanitarian was remembered Tuesday on the floor of the Senate by Kansas Senator Tom Brownback A fantastic and deserving gesture by Brownback, which just shows the type of impact that Bol left on the world.

The NBA and the world in general needs more people like Manute Bol.

Props, DC Sports Bog

Manute Bol, 1962-2010

A Manute Bol write-up is coming, probably more than one. If you know me, if you know this site at all, then you know I was a huge fan. As the upcoming bachelor party pics will show you, I wore a Bol Sixers shirt on the day of his death. It wasn’t planned, it was actually planned as a tribute to him in hopes that he’d be getting better while recovering in the hospital.

Bol was one of a kind, and I will get into all that later. For right now, I just had to jump on here real quick and give my quick heartfelt sentiments to all of Bol’s family, friends, fans and the people of Sudan. Bol was truly an inspiration and really showed a prime example of how athletes should live their lives, along with people in general.

Manute, rest in peace, we love you.

John Wooden, 1910-2010

Rest In Peace

Samuel Dalembert on Larry King Live

Philadelphia 76ers’ center Samuel Dalembert has been a face for Haiti in the United States since the tragic earthquake last week. He appeared on Larry King Live last week to discuss the tragedy.

Dalembert was excused from the Sixers today to travel to his native country, he’s already donated $100,000 through his organization to UNICEF. He is expected to play in Wednesday night’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

If you’re interested in donating to the victim’s of Haiti, please click here.

Shaq pays for 5-year-old’s funeral

Every December marks the arrival of Shaq-A-Claus. A seven-foot gift giving NBA player who raids Toys “R” Us with his own money and a truck. The goal: making sure that kids in unfortunate situations are getting gifts on Christmas.

Unfortunately, Shaniya Davis isn’t one of those kids.

Davis, a 5-year-old girl from North Carolina, was kidnapped and murdered earlier this month. Her body was found in trash bags on the side of the road six days after her disappearance.

The nationally covered story is almost unbearable to hear, a despicable crime that is absolutely heartbreaking.

When Shaquille O’Neal heard the story, he shed a tear, and then he got on the phone. O’Neal got in touch with the family to see what he could do to help. In classic Shaq fashion, he paid for the funeral.

“I was sitting at home watching it on the news and the story brought a tear to my eye,” O’Neal told The Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper.

We live in a cold world where awful things happen far too much — it’s a shame — but luckily there are people like Shaq. Forget the stupid Kobe vs. Shaq headlines and all the stuff the media likes to overdue for a story. Shaq is a real person with a heart bigger than his massive frame.

(via Yahoo! Sports)

Kobe & Magic honor the “King of Pop.”

Kobe Bryant, is generally the reason to go to The Staples Center, but not today.

Bryant and Magic Johnson provide an excellent and moving tribute to Michael Jackson today, at his public memorial.

Magic was very genuine and what he said was so on point. Great job Magic, it brought a tear to my eyes.

The Greatest of All-Time meets The G.O.A.T.

Rest in Peace

Michael Jackson

Chris Webber visits Rodney Rogers.

Rodney Rogers played in the NBA from 1993-2005. He won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2000 as a member of the Phoenix Suns.

Over the course of his 12-year NBA career he averaged 10.9 points and 4.5 rebounds.

Last November, Rogers was seriously injured in an ATV accident. He’s been since paralyzed from the shoulders down. TNT’s Chris Webber played with Rogers during the 2005 NBA season, he recently went to visit his former teammate in a very emotional segment that TNT aired about two weeks ago. It’s a tearjearker.