Complex Blog » Sports

For The Love Of The Game: A Recent History Of Athlete Couples

intern — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:45:31 +0000

In sports, it’s not always about male athletes running off with groupies, hookers or D-list celebrities that look like hookers. Some athletes look for someone who can be a match for them both off and on the court.

Last week, Lakers’ best bench boy Sasha Vujacic scored major points off the court by dating Russian tennis beauty Maria Sharapova,, so we decided to look at athlete couples of the past and present. We ranked these couples based on relationship endurance, success in their sports, and of course the hotness of the female athlete in each couple. You know the saying: Behind every great (or even just middling) male athlete stands a way hotter (and often more accomplished) female athlete…

10. MARIA SHARAPOVA (TENNIS) AND SAHSA VUJACIC (NBA)
CURRENT STATUS: Just started dating.
OVERALL: Even if you’re the Lakers’ bitchboy, this year has been good to you. You got a ring despite riding the bench, and you’re now with one of the hottest female athletes of the decade, who’s one of the top tennis players in the world with three Grand Slams to her name. Sure, Maria’s wearing the pants in this relationship; at least Sash gets to watch her take ‘em off, too.

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9. MIA HAMM (SOCCER) AND NOMAR GARCIAPARRA (BASEBALL)
CURRENT STATUS: Married since 2003.
OVERALL: Nomar left the Red Sox right before they won it all in 2004; it’s OK he can always look at Mia’s two gold medals.

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8. HEATHER MITTS (SOCCER) AND AJ FEELEY (NFL)
CURRENT STATUS: Engaged.
OVERALL: Being backup QB isn’t so bad when your fiancée has been named ESPN.com’s sexiest female athlete of the year and has a couple Olympic soccer gold medals. Our advice to Feeley: Stay in the pocket and you should be good.

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7. CANDACE PARKER (WNBA) AND SHELDEN WILLIAMS (NBA)
CURRENT STATUS: Married since Nov. 2008
OVERALL: As with other celebrity couples, sometimes you look at them and think how the fuck did this happen? But we’re not mad at Shelden…just confused. This love and basketball couple had their first baby girl back in May of this year…hopefully she has her mother’s looks and skills on the court.

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6. MISTY MAY-TREANOR (VOLLYEBALL) AND MATT TREANOR (MLB)
CURRENT STATUS: Married since 2004.
OVERALL: Your wifey goes to work in a bikini, wins gold medals, and is half of the winningest female volleyball duo of all time (not to mention caked up off endorsements). And you have a total of eight career home runs and 70 RBIs in five years. Yeah buddy, you won.

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5. AMANDA BEARD (SWIMMING) AND CARL EDWARDS (RACING)
CURRENT STATUS: Broke up in 2006.
OVERALL: These two were only together for a little while but with Beard’s seven gold medals and Edwards’ 40 Nascar wins they could have been one of the most successful athlete couples of all time. Oh well, we’ll still practice our breast stroke to AB’s Playboy pictorial.

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4. ANDRE AGASSI (TENNIS) AND STEFFI GRAF (TENNIS)
CURRENT STATUS: Married since 2001.
OVERALL: This couple has combined for over 150 titles in their sport and over 30 Grand Slams. If you take Graf’s 22 grand slams x Agassi’s eight, their son and daughter should combine for something like 170. If Agassi lays off the crank that is.

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3. MALIA JONES (SURFER) AND LUKE STEDMAN (SURFER)
CURRENT STATUS: Married since 2007
OVERALL: As we mentioned last week, we wouldn’t mind having Malia ride our long board, but she’s been wife’d up to fellow surfer Luke Stedman for a couple years now.

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2. ANNA KOURNIKOVA (TENNIS) AND SERGEI FEDOROV (HOCKEY)
CURRENT STATUS: “Divorced” in 2003.
OVERALL: These two haven’t been current in a minute, but one look at Kournikova is a good enough excuse to squeeze this couple on the list. Sergei says they were married in 2001, but Kournikova says vows were never exchanged. Though as long as other things were exchanged, we’re sure he has fond memories.

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1. GABRIELLE REECE (VOLLEYBALL) AND LAIRD HAMILTON (SURFING)
CURRENT STATUS: Married since 1997.
OVERALL: If you win the Beach Volleyball World Championship, like Reece, you have to be hot. Being featured in Playboy just reassures it. Hamilton’s one of the baddest dudes on the planet. Which probably explains why he gets to see all of Reece’s pieces.

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When Female Athletes Attack: The Most Gangsta Lady Jocks

intern — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:37:25 +0000

We were highly, highly amused at the over-aggressive antics of New Mexico soccer player Elizabeth Lambert in her match last weekend. Oh female athletes, you’re just like the guys. *Pats heads of female athletes patronizingly*
But then we caught wind of an all-female soccer brawl in Rhode Island earlier this week. What the bloodclot? Maybe we haven’t been watching lady jocks—we mean other than these—closely enough. So, we went back into the archives to find the gulliest chicks in sports from years past. See below for some seriously brolic bee-yotches…

WNBA BRAWL: DETROIT VS. L.A.
WHO: Plenette Pierson & Candace Parker, basketball players
WHAT HAPPENED: Detroit’s Pierson gets hit in the chest by L.A.’s Parker in one of the most memorable moments in WNBA history. Wow, that’s saying a lot.

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MARY DECKER HAS A NICE TRIP
WHO: Zola Budd, South African runner
WHAT HAPPENED: During the 3000-meter race in the 1984 Olympics, Zola Budd clipped Mary Decker, leaving her rival down and out with an injured hip. Accidental? Only Budd knows for sure, but she gets gangsta cred for running barefoot. WTF!?!?!

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NANCY KERRIGAN GETS CLUBBED
WHO: Tonya Harding, figure skater
WHAT HAPPENED: In one of the most brazen acts in sports history, Tonya Harding hires a goonie to whack Kerrigan in the knee with a crowbar. Ouch! We’d rather be forced to watch Tonya’s sex tape…uh, actually, go ahead and hit us on the knee.

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WATER POLO GIRL FIGHT
WHO: Elise Windes, U.S.A. water polo
WHAT HAPPENED: Words of wisdom to water polo ladies worldwide: Don’t fuck with Elise.

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COMPTON MEETS THE U.S. OPEN
WHO: Serena Williams, tennis player
WHAT HAPPENED: Fuck the uproar, we want to see Serena like this more often. Shoving balls down throats? Oh my!

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DANICA EATS TOWEL
WHO: Milka Duno, Venezuelan driver
WHAT HAPPENED: When Duno hits the white girl with a dose of that Latina sass, Danica has no response. We see shit like this on the A train every day, people.

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GOSSIP GIRLS GET GULLY
WHO: Serena and Blair, field hockey players
WHAT HAPPENED: Can you two just kiss and make up already? SERIOUSLY. Kiss and make up!

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The Complex 7: Nate Robinson

intern — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:44:53 +0000

Nate Rob reps Complex front to front.

Let’s be honest, New York Knicks fans haven’t had much to cheer about this decade. Even the masochists among them must have been overwhelmed by Stephon Marbury, the sex scandals, and seven consecutive losing seasons. Fortunately the Knicks do have a bright spot: 5’9” point guard Nate “Krypto-Nate” Robinson.

Tomorrow, on Halloween, the Knicks host their home opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, and Garden fans will hope that the energetic Nate Rob, who won dunk contest titles in 2006 and 2009 with his 44-inch vertical leap, will treat them to some hustle and an ill jam. Complex caught up with the Seattle native and avid gamer at an NBA 2K10 party to get his answers to “the Complex 7.” Read on to see if his answers were slam dunks.

Interview by Ralph Warner
#1: WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?

Nate says: She can’t date any other athletes. [Laughs.]

#2: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?

Nate says: I would have to go with the Jordan VIIIs.

#3: WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Nate says: On September 17, when my daughter was born.

#4: IF YOU HAD A WEEK HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Nate says: I would make it a basketball week. Everyone in the world would have to stop everything your doing and put basketball courts all around the world. Everyone would have to play basketball all day. They’ll be like slaves—slaves to the game.

#5: WHAT HAS TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?

Nate says: Oh man, that’s tough. I’m trying to think of what’s in my fridge right now. Probably Capri Sun for my kids; they love Capri Sun.

#6: WHAT’S THE WORST WAY YOU’VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?

Nate says: [Laughs.] It was my ex-girlfriend from high school, I just never called her again.

#7: WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU’VE EVER WORN?

Nate says: Aw man, I wore my mom’s sweats one day to school back in middle school. They were black with a pink stripe on the side. We didn’t have any money, so we had to make it work. [Laughs.]

BONUS QUESTIONS:

Complex: What’s your favorite video game and video game character of all time?

Nate: Tecmo Bowl the game and Tecmo Bo (Bo Jackson) the player. That’s a classic right there!

Complex: What artists are you currently listening to?

Nate: I listen to everybody. I listen to my little brother—he raps a lot and sends me his music. I also listen to Drake, Jay-Z The Blueprint 3, Cassidy, Jadakiss, that’s about it. Oh, and Wayne! Can’t forget about Wayne!

Complex: If you had to create a rap name for yourself, what would it be?

Nate: It would be Nizzo.

VIDEO: Nate’s 2009 NBA Dunk Contest final dunk

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Batter Up! Complex’s 2009 League Championship Series Preview

intern — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:27:29 +0000

As promised last week, we’re back to bring you more Complex predictions for the 2009 MLB playoffs, just in time for the NLCS which starts at tonight with the Dodgers vs. Phillies (the Yankees and Angels start their tilt tomorrow).

Once again we’re taking the unconventional route with our predictions, basing them on the vital but often over-looked details, such as city life and intangibles like celebrity fan match-ups (Alyssa Milano vs. the Philly Fanatic). Let the statheads rattle their Sabre(metric)s about stuff like WHIP and which catcher is the best at blocking sliders in the dirt (ayo!); we went 3-4 in our first round predictions, so we’re sticking to our guns. Read on for our extensive analysis and check back in a couple weeks for our World Series preview…

MATCHUP: Yankees vs. Angels

ON THE FIELD: The Yankees-Angels series went 5-5 this season, however, the Angels remain the only American League team with a winning record over the Yankees this decade (50-41), and have made the Yankees their bitches a few times in the playoffs already (2002, 2005). Advantage: Angels

CITY LIFE: New York is known as the city that never sleeps, and although the Angels tried to gain some more recognition by adding “Los Angeles” to their team name in 2005, they still play in Anaheim. Which means all the city really has is 45 Carl’s Jr.s, three Benihana’s, and Disneyland. Advantage: Yankees

INTANGIBLES: New stadium, same mystique. The Yankees christened the old Yankee Stadium in 1923 with a championship, with the way things are going what makes you think this year will be any different? Advantage: Yankees

PREDICTION: Yanks have the better night life and same old mystique. Yeah the on the field stuff matters too, but they only lost that slightly…Yankees in 7.
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MATCHUP: Dodgers vs. Phillies

ON THE FIELD: The Dodgers have home field advantage and won the season series vs. the Phillies 4-3. However, Philadelphia had the best NL road record this season and beat the Dodgers in five while on the road in last year’s NLCS.Advantage: Even.

CITY LIFE: Los Angeles is known for three things: hot women, warm weather and ~~hot, warm trannies that look like Jay Leno but are way funnier~~ celebrities. The City of Brotherly Love on the other hand…Rocky and cheese steaks? Advantage: Dodgers

INTANGIBLES: As with any sport, fans are the always the extra man on the field, so who you gain support from matters. The Dodgers have celeb fans like Alyssa Milano, the Phillies have…the Philly Fanatic??? Advantage: Dodgers

PREDICTION: The Phillies have the slight on the field advantage but home field + seeing Alyssa Milano at each home game = Dodgers in 6.
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Interview: Derrick Rose Talks NBA 2K10 & Playing Kanye

intern — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:48:36 +0000

We have to admit, we’re slightly jealous of you. NBA 2K10 dropped yesterday (as did NBA Live 10) and while most of you broke night playing it, we’re at work. But now it’s your turn to be jealous because while you sat at home enjoying your brand new 2K10 game (and your now weed plate 2K9 case), we were kicking it with 2K rep Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls. Rose is not a man of many words, but who needs words when you’re Rookie of the Year? His stats do all the talking.

Since we obviously couldn’t challenge his real-life game, we had to check his gamer credibility. We chatted Derrick up about NBA 2K10, his thoughts on the unlockable player Kanye West, and his team’s plans for next season. If you haven’t already purchased NBA 2K10, peep Derrick’s trailer after the jump. Oh and make sure you’ve got 60 bucks in your wallet, because yeah, it’s that good…

Interview by Andrew Rivera

Complex: Are you a big fan of the NBA 2K series?

Derrick Rose: Yeah, I’ve always been a fan, I’ve been playing it for a long time. That’s probably the only game I really play right now.

Complex: Did you have any particular favorite growing up?

Derrick Rose: No I didn’t really have any growing up. I had a lot of adventure games growing up, but I caught myself up on 2K games.

Complex: Since you’re on the Bulls, we’d guess you probably use them more now, but did you ever have a preferred team?

Derrick Rose: I actually don’t play with the Bulls, I play with the Lakers and I guess my fans play with the Bulls.

Complex: The draft feature is a big deal. Everyone is buzzing about making their own character and in a way raise it through the summer camps and D-Leagues. How close is the game to the real-life experience?

Derrick: Oh it’s real close. Its kind of like personal on the game. You actually do stuff that you really do in the combine. Really I didn’t have to do that much because I think that the top five or six players don’t really have to do that much but on the game you play against each other in scrimmage, work on your skills, and hopefully you’ll get drafted. On the game, if your player’s that good you can transfer him over to the 2K10 game.

Complex: Other than the draft, what would you say is your favorite aspect about 2K10?

Derrick Rose: I played it a little bit and I like my jump shot on there now.

Complex: Was there a problem with it? Did they not make it up to your standards?

Derrick Rose: Nah, it wasn’t great at all last year. [Laughs.] This year it’s following my style a little more so I’m happy about it.

Complex: Does it look better or does it play better?

Derrick Rose: Everything is better. Looks better, the play style is better, and the visual on there you can tell they really put some work on there. Like they made my jumper better but they changed my crossover a little bit more. They put some crossovers there that I did in the game and I like it. I go up in the hole, you can change your lay-ups a little bit more in the game. Pull up below the shoulders, you can do all that stuff in the game.

Complex: That’s cool. You had mentioned before that you don’t play with the Bulls, so what’s it like when you have to play against yourself in the game? Is that a conflict for you?

Derrick: Yeah, it is kind of hard. You want to see yourself be good but I still want to win the game. So if like somebody dunks on with me with myself I’m kind of mad about it, I’ll probably have to stop for a little bit. [Laughs.]

Complex: You use the Lakers, so how about when it’s you playing as Kobe and you have to dunk on yourself?

Derrick Rose: Its funny only because when I’m playing the game it’s amusing. [Laughs.] But you gotta know it’s just a video game. In real life I won’t ever jump early for the block.

Complex: There are some unlockable players in the game, including The Game, Wale, and Kanye West—rappers who all claim they play a fair amount of ball. How do you think a one-on-one game with you and Kanye West would go? In real life, would you just destroy him?

Derrick Rose: Yes! [Laughs.]

Complex: But he’s Kanye. His hometown is Chicago, the same town you play for. Can’t you take it easy on him?

Derrick: [Laughs] Nah, it doesn’t matter, it’s over. That’s not his field. That’s like my going into the booth and trying to write 16 bars to go against his.

Complex: So basically it’s a stay-in-your-lane thing?

Derrick Rose: Yes. Absolutely.

Complex: You were on the cover of Kicks magazine. Do you have any favorite kicks of all time?

Derrick Rose: Of all time? Nah, I don’t have any of all time. Adidas are putting some out right now that I like. I like all shell-toes and they really have some hot ones coming out that everyone is going to really enjoy I think. But other then that I don’t really mess with sneakers.

Complex: Who is the most famous celebrity that you’ve played NBA 2K10 or the previous 2K games against?

Derrick Rose: I’m about to play Kobe later on today actually.

Complex: What are your predictions?

Derrick Rose: I think I’m going to win. You know he has too much stuff going on right now. [Laughs.] Shit, he’s gotta worry about being the best in the NBA and all this other stuff. Me, I’ve only got to worry about the games. I’m only 20—I don’t got no chicks, he’s got a wife and all that stuff. So there’s way more stuff to worry about.

Complex: So isn’t it going to be awkward when you try and play him with the Lakers?

Derrick Rose: No, I’m going to go with the Bulls on this one but if I wasn’t, it would be the Lakers of course. I will dunk on him though, as me in the game.

Complex: [Laughs.] Good to know. So what else have you been doing before the NBA season starts?

Derrick Rose: Right now my biggest thing is to improve my all-around game. Gotta get back as quickly as possible to my team so we can get can start things early so we can try to jell quick. Our biggest thing as an organization right now is winning. If you don’t win, something’s wrong. Winning takes care of everything, so our biggest thing is winning.

VIDEO: NBA 2K10 Game Trailer

The Complex 7: Dwight Howard

donniek — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:27:59 +0000

It’s kinda fitting how the covers for the two major NBA video games worked out this year. 2K Sports recruited Kobe Bryant—he of the defending champion L.A. Lakers—to rep for NBA 2K10. As for NBA Live 10? Well, EA Sports enlisted Orlando Magic forward Dwight Howard, the star of last year’s NBA bridesmaids. And that about sums up the state of the competition between the two franchises in 2009-10. The 2K series has dominated basketball gaming for almost the entire decade, while Live has struggled to keep pace.

But don’t count Live out just yet—EA has essentially acknowledged the weaknesses of its recent NBA offerings by proclaiming this year’s edition as the franchise’s comeback. And it looks the part: NBA Live 10 (which drops today on 360, PS3, and PSP) has been rebuilt from the floor up, with more realistic gameplay and sim features as well as “Dynamic DNA,” which wirelessly updates player and team info throughout the season. Over the summer, we visited the EA Canada headquarters near Vancouver to get an early look at Live 10 and chat with its cover athlete. Read on for Dwight Howard’s candid responses to The Complex 7 as well as a look at the Live trailer and Buy It Now links…

#1: WHAT’S THE NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?

Dwight says: For me, somebody that’s nagging. I don’t like somebody that’s nagging for attention. She’s gonna get my attention but she doesn’t have to nag for it. I prefer laidback—just let me do my thing and when they wanna get together, all right.

#2: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?

Dwight says: I’ve always liked Jordans, the way they feel. [Ed. note—Dwight is an adidas athlete. Zoinks!] I’ve only played in one pair and I can’t remember the name.

Complex says: So I guess you’re not a real Jordan head if you can’t remember which one.

Dwight says: No, not like that. But I did like his shoes, they look good. But the most comfortable pair I ever worn is the Air Force 1. They just feel good.

#3: WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Dwight says:: A couple of weeks after the Finals. I was watching a special on a local station about our season and they were showing a review and talking to different players and they showed some highlights and I thought about some good times and getting far in our run for the championship. I started thinking about all that stuff and got some tears in my eyes.

Complex says: The emotions are still kinda raw from that, huh?

Dwight says: Oh yeah, you know it’ll be in my mind for a while. That was a big moment in my life, playing in the NBA Finals.

#4: IF YOU HAD A WEEK HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Dwight says: I’d probably be somewhere resting getting a good massage. I like coming up here to Vancouver. It’s a beautiful place. I been here kinda low-key for the past three years, just staying at a hotel to chill and get my mind off basketball.

#5: WHAT HAS GOT TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?

Dwight says: Something…it’s a sports drink, I’ll say that. Can’t say what. [Ed. note—Dwight is sponsored by Vitaminwater. Zoinks!]

#6: WHAT’S THE WORST WAY YOU’VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?

Dwight says: I’m very emotional and I love relationships and sharing time with my significant other. I don’t think I’ve had any bad breakups that I caused, but I would say the worst way I broke up was I had one of my homeboys do it for me. I was in the 9th grade. We had gotten in the classroom, and he wrote on the chalkboard, “It’s over.” All my classmates came in and said, “It’s over!” And she still didn’t get it.

#7: WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU’VE EVER WORN?

Dwight says: Well, I’m not embarrassed about clothing. Growing up we always had Tacky Day, so I’ve worn just about anything. So I wouldn’t say I’ve had any embarrassing moments wearing clothes.

VIDEO: NBA LIVE 10 trailer

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Taking an L: When Great Players Make Terrible Coaches

jerwin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:19:25 +0000

Yesterday the most famous hockey player of all-time, Wayne Gretzky, announced he was stepping down as head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. The Great One led the Coyotes (and was also its co-owner) for four years, compiling a decidedly less-than-great 143-161-24 record while watching attendance and profits plummet.

There are a variety of reasons for Gretzky’s epic coaching fail (the gambling scandal involving his wife and assistant coach is a start, a salary structure that paid him more than any of his players is another), but the truth is, he was probably destined to take an L. For some reason success on the playing field (or ice for that matter) rarely translates into success behind the bench. In fact, it often leads to spectacular flameouts, as you’ll see with our list of Great Players Who Made Terrible Coaches…

NFL: BART STARR
• After 16 seasons, five NFL champsionships and two Super Bowl MVPs as quarterback of the Packers, Bart Starr became head coach in Green Bay in 1975, and promptly drove the team into the ground (probably because he didn’t have Bart Starr playing quarterback for him). In nine seasons as coach, he went 52-76, including four campaigns in which the Pack lost 10-plus games. His only playoff appearance occurred during the strike-shortened 1982 season (when over half the league made the postseason).

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SOCCER: DIEGO MARADONA
• Twenty-two years after leading Argentina to the World Cup as a player, the always-controversial Maradona was hired to coach the national side last fall. So far, so bad—with only two matches left to qualify for 2010 South Africa, Maradona has watched his Argentinian side plummet to fifth place in the South America standings. With only the top four countries guaranteed spots, Argentina is embarrassingly close to missing the tournament altogether, which would be akin to the U.S. men’s basketball team failing to qualify for the Olympics. After a life full of crises ranging from stomach-stapling surgery to cocaine addiction, failing to lead Argentina to the World Cup would easily be Maradona’s biggest calamity yet.

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NBA: ISIAH THOMAS
• ’80s babies might not know, but in his hey, Zeke was one of the most feared ballers on the planet: a 12-time All Star, a Finals MVP, and the record holder for most points (25) scored in a quarter in a Finals game. But as a coach? Not so much. Three years early in the Aughts with the Pacers brought three playoff appearances—and three first round exits. Two years with the Knicks brought a 56-108 record, an $11.6 million sexual harassment suit, and enough general fuckery to keep New York tabloids in full pun mode for days.

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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: TED WILLIAMS
• During his playing career, Williams was considered the best pure hitter in baseball, and the numbers back up the claim: in 19 seasons (he lost five to military service in WWII and the Korean War), the Splendid Splinter hit .344, with 521 homers and nearly three times as many walks as strikeouts (he is also the last player to hit over .400 in a season). In a four-year stint managing the Washington Senators (relocated to Texas for his final season), Williams compiled a 273-364 record, including a 100-loss campaign in his final year.

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TENNIS: JIMMY CONNORS
• One of the most intense players in tennis history, Connors took home eight Grand Slam titles including a record (since tied) five U.S. Opens. In 2006, Andy Roddick, another intense American, hired Connors to be his coach. Although Roddick reached the U.S. Open final in the first year of their partnership, the pair proved to be a mismatch, as Roddick failed to make another Grand Slam final until after he fired Connors in ‘08.

Indecent Proposals: The 7 Biggest Marriage Fails

intern — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:37:16 +0000

With the exciting and totally-destined-to-last marriage of Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom happening this Sunday, we here at Complex were saddened over Odom’s…let’s call it “questionable life choice.” Lamar, you got a big new championship ring and a whopping new contract, so what, now you’re just trying to supersize everything? Khloe’s a lovely person, but you damn sure well know you’re taking the L with this one.

Only time (and a potential reality show spin-off?) will tell whether this blessed union will last decades, or simply ’til the playoffs start, but we thought it only fair to present you with a look back to see how other…let’s call them “imbalanced romantic commitments” have fared. Scroll on through our 7 Most Lopsided Marriages to see what the hell the rest of these lovebirds were thinking when they said “I do.”

COUPLE: Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey
LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: 16 months so far
WHY IT FAILED: Technically this marriage hasn’t failed yet. But we’ve heard “Bagpipes Over Baghdad” and seen the videos, so let’s be honest, wasn’t it doomed the minute Nick decided it was a good idea to ~~eunuch himself~~ get a ginormous “MARIAH” tattoo across his back?

COUPLE: Britney Spears and Kevin Federline
LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: 2 years, 1 month.
WHY IT FAILED: Who woulda thunk a multigazillionaire pop star would tire of a backup dancer’s overzealous sperm and fluctuating weight? Sorry, Brit. Glad the crazy pills are helping get you back on track after this train wreck of a marriage. Alleged. Alleged crazy pills.

COUPLE: Ric Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova
LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: 20 years and still going strong!
WHY IT FAILED: Look, Ric Ocasek is a talented musician, but it’s been scientifically proven that he’s at least 40% Crypt Keeper. At least his fidelity is guaranteed!

COUPLE: Drew Barrymore and Tom Green
LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: 5 months, 10 days
WHY IT FAILED: We liked Drew better once she lost the ol’ ball and chain. Too soon?

COUPLE: Jennifer Lopez and Ojani Noa (and Cris Judd)
LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: 11 months with Ojani. 9 months with Cris.
WHY THEY FAILED: Obviously, both these marriages failed because neither the busboy or the weirdly infantile choreographer has the looks or charm of Marc Anthony. Duh.

COUPLE: Salman Rushdie and Padma Lakshmi
LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: 3 years
WHY IT FAILED: Nobody wants to marry a grandpa, but we hear his brain is awesome, though.

COUPLE: Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall II
LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: 13 months
WHY IT FAILED: Ummm….he kind of died.

The 50 Most Brutal NFL Hits

intern — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:00:19 +0000

Compiled by Ralph Warner

As promised in last week’s NCAA bonanza, we’re back like cooked crack to bring you the hardest hits in NFL history. After a seven-month break from NFL games that actually matter (sorry, preseason) the defending champ Pittsburgh Steelers are opening the 2009 NFL season tonight against the Tennessee Titans (8:30 p.m., NBC).

So while you kill time before kick-off, take a look at these vicious, agonizing, and gruesome hits—everything from classic DE blindsides to LB spine-twisters to even punters getting brolic with it. Click on for a tour of those game-ending (or season-ending, or even—word to Joe Theismann—career-ending) NFL hits that you crave…

50. LJ “hair tackles” Polamalu

HITTER: Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
VICTIM: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
WHEN: October 15, 2006
• With all the petty rules in the NFL, who knew grabbing by the hair to complete a tackle was actually legal? Johnson showed that he was going to take out Polamalu by any means necessary. Unbe-weave-able!
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CLICK NEXT TO SEE THE 49TH HARDEST HIT IN NFL HISTORY!

The 50 Most Brutal College Football Hits

donniek — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:29:56 +0000

Compiled by Max Schlusselberg

September is here, which means it’s that wondrous time of year where we spend our weekends avoiding our girlfriends, our jobs, and all other obligations to do one thing: watch football. The months ahead will be long and arduous, filled with cases of beer and Costco-sized bags of potato chips in the tireless quest to form perfect ass indentations into our couches.

But of all the reasons we love football, one aspect sticks out in particular: the big hits. Let’s be honest, there’s not a single fan that doesn’t derive some twisted satisfaction from watching dudes get belted by vicious tackles in super slo-mo—after all, it’s only human to gain pleasure from another’s pain. So, for all you sick bastards, we’ve compiled the 50 most brutal hits in college football history. And NFL fans, no worries—we got you covered next week…

50. Quinton Moore De-helmets a WR

HITTER: Quinton Moore, Oklahoma State University
VICTIM: Levi Dejohnette, Arkansas State University
WHEN: September 9, 2006
• Quinton’s on the way! The (then) freshman’s vicious stonewalling of Dejohnette left Levi sore and his helmet soaring.
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CLICK NEXT TO SEE THE 49TH HARDEST HIT IN NCAA HISTORY!

Catching Balls: The 5 Greatest Wide Receiver Hissy Fits

jerwin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:04:50 +0000

By now you’ve probably already seen Denver Bronco Brandon Marshall’s patty-cake impression from last week. Not that we were surprised. Marshall’s a wide receiver after all, and therefore predisposed to acting the fool, as you’ll see with our collection of the 5 Greatest Wide Receiver Hissy Fits (with video evidence)…

5. LYNN SWANN (4:08)
• Upset by the Oakland Raiders’ (literal) strong-arm tactics, the Steelers’ complained of George Atkinson’s “criminal” acts. Uh, dude, it’s football.

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4. ANQUAN BOLDIN
• One of the favorite WR hissy fit types is the my-team’s-doing-fine-but-I’ma-be-a-bitch conniption, and here the Cardinals’ Anquan Boldin gives a prime example, whining to his offensive coordinator during a key moment in the game that would send his team to the Super Bowl. Boldin reportedly didn’t even stay around for his squad’s victory celebration.

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3. KELLEN WINSLOW JR.
• Although technically a tight end, Winslow is the son of a wide receiver, and thereby infected with the WR Hissy Fit malaise. Here he seems to suffer from a similar real world-football disconnect as Lynn Swann.

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2. CHAD OCHO CINCO
• Ocho Cinco’s had more meltdowns than we care to remember, but his “4-1″ fit was particularly memorable. By now Chad knows that as a Bengal, 4-1 is cause for a celebration, not tears.

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1. TERRELL OWENS
•T.O. hissy fit? Um, which one?

Seoul Power! South Korea’s Greatest Moments in American Sports

donniek — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:04:42 +0000

PHIGHTING!!!!

When Yong Eun Yang stunned the world by beating Tiger Woods for the PGA Championship yesterday, he became the first Korean (and full-blooded Asian) to win a major golf tournament. That thumping sound you hear? It’s 48,000,000 South Koreans beating their collective chests today in pride of their countryman’s achievement. (Take that, Japan!) Koreans been had math and science on lock but nothing makes a nation feel prouder than ~~sticking it to Whitey~~ excellence in sports. And—as with Korean entertainers—there’s no better place to make a name than on the biggest stage of all: the U.S. of fucking A.

To that end, and in honor of Yang, we’re celebrating the greatest Korean athletes in U.S. sports. Grab a plate of ddukboki, light up a cigarette, and enjoy! Pilsung Korea!

NAME: Se Ri Pak
SPORT: Golf
ACHIEVEMENT: Yang’s the man, but respect the architect: When Se Ri joined the LPGA in 1998, she was the tour’s only Korean woman; nowadays, Korean chicks dominate golf like they do high-end plastic surgery. With 30 tournament wins, Se Ri was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2007.

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NAME: Chan Ho Park
SPORT: Baseball
ACHIEVEMENT: Park was the first Korean to break through in U.S. sports when he debuted as a pitcher with the L.A. Dodgers in 1994. For that alone, he’s a legend in Korea. Currently a reliever with the Phillies, Park has had a rollercoaster career most notable for a ludicrously fat contract (five years, $65 million with Texas) and one incredibly badass moment: the 1999 scissor-kick of Tim Belcher. Hi-yaaaaaa!

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NAME: John Lee
SPORT: Pro football
ACHIEVEMENT: Many mistakenly credit former Patriots offensive lineman Eugene Chung as the NFL’s first Korean player, but they’re forgetting the homie John Lee. Lee broke nearly every kicking record at UCLA before being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986. He converted eight of 13 field goals and 14 of 17 PATs in his rookie (and only) NFL season. Pretty shitty, but word is he’s fucking awesome at karaoke.

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NAME: Jim Paek
SPORT: Ice hockey
ACHIEVEMENT: After immigrating with his family to Canada as an infant, Paek became the first Korean to play in the NHL and the first Korean to be part of an American championship team—twice with the Pittsburgh Penguins in ‘91 and ‘92. Paek’s also the only hockey player to eat ramen out of the Stanley Cup.

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NAME: Seung Jin Ha
SPORT: Basketball
ACHIEVEMENT: Koreans were excited when Ha was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 46th overall pick in 2004, becoming the first-ever Korean to make it to the NBA. The league reaction? Kinda like his surname: Ha. Ha. Ha. After accumulating mega splinters over three NBA seasons, the 7′3″ giant went back to Korea, where he’s presumably dominating the fuck out of short ass Korean dudes.

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NAME: Myung Bo Hong
SPORT: Soccer
ACHIEVEMENT: Hong was part of the Korean national soccer team that shocked the world by finishing fourth in the 2002 World Cup. The following year, Hong moved to L.A. to join the Galaxy of the MLS, where he had one uneventful season—on the pitch, at least. We’re sure he did his thing in the K-town room salons.

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NAME: Duk Koo Kim
SPORT: Boxing
ACHIEVEMENT: Korea’s actually churned out some decent fighters over the years but sadly, the most famous one is probably Kim, who died four days after a brutal fight with Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini in November 1982. There’s a pretty good Korean movie about Kim’s life. Check it out if you don’t mind subtitles.

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NAME: Yu Na Kim
SPORT: Figure skating
ACHIEVEMENT: She might not be a household name yet, but Korea has high hopes that Kim will become a global icon next year when she reps the taegugki in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Kim is the reigning world champion in figure skating and probably Korea’s most popular athlete. Walk around any street in Seoul and you’re bound to see huge billboards and ads featuring the nation’s “little sister,” as she is fondly called. Don’t worry, fellas—she’s 18.

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NAME: Hong Man Choi
SPORT: MMA
ACHIEVEMENT: The “Techno Goliath” put down Jose Canseco in less than 90 seconds in their “fight” last May. Beat up a 7′2″ Korean in martial arts? No fucking way, Jose.

Nike Basketball’s 10 Best TV Commercials

intern — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:38:49 +0000

Nike Basketball churns out the dopest commercials every season like it’s nothing. What do you expect, though—with million-dollar budgets and practically every NBA star trying to be down, why not enlist big-name directors and pull out all the stops for some dope-ass ads?

We peeped Nike’s latest clip and it’s another sureshot, featuring Kevin Durant, Mo Williams, Rashard Lewis, and Andre Iguodala as Compton-style rappers (word to the immortal DJ Quik). It made us think of all the past Nike hoops ads we enjoyed growing up. We narrowed a list down to the 10 best Nike Basketball commercials ever (note: Nike only, no Jordan Brand) so check the videos below and see if your favorites made the cut….

#10 COMMERCIAL: Brand New Day
FEATURING: Vince Carter
It’s funny to see a tall-ass basketball player dance like he’s Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain.

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#9 COMMERCIAL: No Excuses
FEATURING: Matt Scott (wheelchair basketball player)
Whenever we’re feeling lazy, we watch this ad for motivation—Just do it.

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#8 COMMERCIAL: Nike Shox
FEATURING: Gary Payton and Vince Carter
We bought Nike Shox solely because we thought we’d be able to dunk like this.

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#7 COMMERCIAL: Swimming Pool
FEATURING: The LeBrons
Watching Lebron James play different personalities is hilarious. His soft-spoken, womanizer character is especially funny.

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#6 COMMERCIAL: Marvin Gaye x USA Team
FEATURING: Marvin Gaye and the 2008 Olympics USA Basketball Team
Nike took footage of Marvin Gaye singing the national anthem at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game and combined it with images of Team USA training for the 2008 Olympics. Real touching, real dope.

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CLICK NEXT FOR THE TOP 5

Under Burress! 5 Athletes Who Should Be Doing More Time Than Plaxico

intern — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:17:09 +0000

Nobody’s ever accused football players of being the sharpest cheeses in the larder, but we’re thinking Plaxico Burress may be the dumbest yet. You’ll recall that last fall, Plax shot himself in the leg at a New York nightclub; now Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau is saying that Burress can expect at least two years in prison for the mishap. Stupid Plax! He could’ve killed somebody and done half the time!

We don’t want to trivialize unregistered gun usage, but plenty of athletes have done far worse and done far less time than Burress. And we definitely aren’t in favor of locking more people up, but if the former Giants receiver is getting two years, we’ve got 5 Athletes Who Should Be Doing More Time Than Plaxico…

5. TONYA HARDING
CRIME: Conspiring to assault opponent Nancy Kerrigan
PUNISHMENT: 3 years probation, 500 hours community service, and $160,000 fine
• While Burress is staring down a bid at Sing-Sing for kneecapping himself, Harding kneecapped her opponent and ended up with a weed whacker at some cemetery. If it’s any consolation to Plax, at least he won’t have to face Tonya’s post-conviction white trash spiral of sex tapes, DUIs, and prescription drug abuse. We hope.

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4. JIM LEYRITZ
CRIME: Vehicular homicide while driving drunk with a suspended license
PUNISHMENT: 10 days in county jail
• So let’s see here: Leyritz kills somebody, blames them for it, and gets 10 days. If it’s any consolation to Plax, at least he’s not going to hell.

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3. DONTÉ STALLWORTH
CRIME: DUI and second degree manslaughter
PUNISHMENT: 30 days in jail (24 served), 1,000 hours of community service, 2 years of house arrest, and 8 years probation
• Stallworth pleaded guilty to the charges and reached a settlement with the victim’s family, but no amount of community service will change the fact that dude mowed down an innocent construction worker with his Bentley. Of course using the Plaxico example, if Stallworth had run over his own foot with the Bentley, then he’d really be in trouble.

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2. LEONARD LITTLE
CRIME: Vehicular manslaughter while driving drunk
PUNISHMENT: 90 days in jail, 4 years probation, and 1000 hours of community service
• The poster dude for NFL DUI fuckery, Little took a slap on the wrist for drunkenly running over and killing a young woman. He was then arrested again for speeding and driving drunk and walked away with only the misdemeanor charge of speeding.

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1. O.J. SIMPSON
CRIME: ~~Double homicide~~ Failing to find the real killers
PUNISHMENT: $12.5 million fine in a civil suit
• Ok, ok, so O.J. was never convicted, but if he did it, he got away with a doozy. Wait, they’ve never actually proved that it was Plax’s DNA on that gun, now have they!

When Athletes Let Girlfriends Interfere With Their Game

intern — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:55:06 +0000

Going Bust: Tony Romo can blame Jessica Simpson’s twos for his poor performances.

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has reportedly broken up with his girlfriend, Jessica Simpson. His fans have reason to be excited—not because Romo will have more free time to flirt with heavily perspiring male groupies, but because she distracted him from his pursuit of a Super Bowl ring.

Since bagging Simpson in 2007, the once promising #9 has crapped the bed when she was in attendance, caused controversy by taking a vacation with her before a playoff game that he lost, and missed the playoffs entirely, putting up three turnovers and zero touchdowns in a 44-6 blowout loss in the final, must-win game of the 2008 regular season. Not that we blame dude; if we were Romo, the only route we’d have on our mind is the one leading directly to her milk duds.

Now that Romo’s a free man, we expect he’ll have a career resurgence. Why? Well, for one, he couldn’t play much worse than he did in that last stinker. Besides, there’s a history of athletes whose performance suffered because of a woman, and they usually get back on track once they drop their dimes. Read on below to see what we mean…

Andre Rison and Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes, ‘94

Before: Rison pulled down 86 receptions for 1,242 yards and 15 touchdowns in the 1993 season before beginning his stormy relationship with Left-Eye.

During: The Falcons Wide Receiver saw his stats begin to slide as things heated up in ‘94. Rison had 81 receptions for 1,088 yards and 8 touchdowns.

After: Rison would spend the ‘95 season with the Browns and make 47 receptions for a meager 701 yards and only 3 touchdowns.

Girlfriend Effect? Things got a little hot for Rison when Left-Eye burned down his house and broke up with him. Then again, you try studying your playbook (a.k.a. Madden) after it’s been melted.
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Andre Agassi and Brooke Shields, ‘97-’99

Before: Andre took home an Olympic gold at the Atlanta Games in ‘96.

During: ‘97 would prove to be the low point in both Agassi’s career and his marriage to Shields. Agassi spent the year suffering from a wrist injury and saw his world ranking plummet from no. 1 in ‘95 to no. 141 in ‘97.

After: After breaking free from Shields, Agassi returned to tennis court domination. ‘96 brought Agassi five titles, among them the French Open and US Open, bringing his world ranking from 122 to 6.

Girlfriend Effect? Shields was Agassi’s tennis kryptonite. We find it a little suspicious that his wrist injury resurfaced around the time of their divorce. Aren’t you supposed to, you know, get it on the regular when you’re married?
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Chuck Finley and Tawny Kitaen, ‘97-’02

Before: California Angels Pitcher Chuck Finley pitched 35 games with 215 strikeouts in the year before his marriage to Whitesnake vixen Kitaen.

During: As the marriage began to dissolve in ‘01, Finley would endure a rough season, pitching 22 games with just 96 strikeouts.

After: After the vacuous marriage came to an end, Finley was back on his grind, albeit for three different teams, pitching 32 total games for 174 strikeouts.

Girlfriend Effect? When you have a wife that beats you with her stiletto slore heels, then snitches to the league about your drug and steroid use, you’ve got to expect a performance dip.
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Chris Webber and Tyra Banks, ‘03-’06

Before: In the 2002-’03 season, Webber had 1,542 season points and a .461 field goal percentage. Not bad.

During: Between a shoulder surgery and sparse playing time, Webber only banked 430 points in the 2003-’04 season, managing to maintain a .413 field goal percentage.

After: With America’s Next Top Model behind him, Webber was back to 1,518 points in the 2005-’06 season.

Girlfriend Effect? We’d like to think Webber’s shoulder injury stemmed from a wild sex swing injury paired with a lack of conditioning. Or maybe the size of Tyra’s forehead just weighed too heavily on him.
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Alex Rodriguez and Madonna, 2008

Before: A-Rod put up solid numbers during his 2007 season as a family man, with an impressive .314 batting average, 143 runs, and 54 ding-dongs.

During: Fresh off a divorce from his wife Cynthia, A-Rod allegedly popped Madonna’s cherry for the 234,123 time while still managing to uphold a .302 batting average in 2008 with 104 runs and 35 homers.

After: With the smoke cleared, A-Rod seems to be hurting this season (possibly from steroid withdrawal). So far in 2009, he’s got a .256 batting average, 35 runs, and 17 homers.

Girlfriend Effect? It’s hard to say considering A-Rod was the source of so much heartbreak and scandal in the past few years, but realistically, Madonna’s sag may well have deflated his swag.
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BONUS COUPLE

Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger, 2009

Before: Hamilton was the first black driver (and the youngest) to become a Formula One Champion in 2008.

During: Hamilton’s current standing has dropped to 11th.

Girlfriend Effect? For Scher-zinger.

Caught On Tape! The History of Crying In Sports

intern — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:32:11 +0000

Don’t cry, dry your eye… Yesterday’s Wimbledon men’s championship left Andy Roddick a little misty after losing to Roger Federer, but who can blame him? The match went four-plus hours and was A-Rodd’s best chance at a Grand Slam in years. At least Andy has Brooklyn Decker to rub his back.

But just because Roddick had cause to water up a little doesn’t mean every blubbering athlete gets a pass. There’s a long, sordid (and soaking) history of sports figures turning on the waterworks, and we’ve identified three distinct genres. So, dial up the waa-mbulance, and read on to see The History of Crying in Sports…

CRYING AFTER A LOSS

WHO: Cristiano Ronaldo
REASON FOR THE TEARS: One of sport’s most flamboyant athletes, Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t afraid to cry. The star forward broke down after Portugal lost to Greece in the 2004 Euro Cup.

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WHO: Terrell Owens
REASON FOR THE TEARS: After losing to the Giants in the 2008 playoffs, Terrell Owens started to bawl behind his stunna shades. Let’s see if Owens ends up sobbing over the Bills.

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WHO: Adam Morrison
REASON FOR THE TEARS: Although he’s a big bad small forward for the Lakers now, Morrison tried to hide his tears by flopping face first on the court after Morrison’s Gonzaga lost to UCLA in the 2006 NCAA Tournament.

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WHO: Roger Federer
REASON FOR THE TEARS: When he’s not busy making Roddick cry, Federer sheds some eye lube of his own. The Wimbledon champ cried after losing to Rafael Nadal in this year’s Australian Open.

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WHO: Brandt Snedeker
REASON FOR THE TEARS: This big golfing baby pouted after being eliminated from the 2008 Masters. What a heart-breaker.

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WHO: Derek Fisher
REASON FOR THE TEARS: After the Spurs knocked the Lakers out of the 2003 NBA Finals, Fisher’s eyes begin to well-up. Rumor has it Kobe gave him a deep tissue massage in the locker room to cheer him up.

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INJURED BODIES AND EGOS

WHO: Glen Davis
REASON FOR THE TEARS: Glen “Big Baby” Davis earned his nickname when KG chewed him out after the Celtics gave up a huge lead against Portland in a 2008 game.

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WHO: Jim Mora
REASON FOR THE TEARS: Colts Head Coach Jim Mora broke in to tears during a press conference when a reporter suggested he should consider stepping down.

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WHO: Dwyane Wade
REASON FOR THE TEARS: After dislocating his left shoulder during a 2007 game against the Houston Rockets, Wade showed off his sad face—quivering lip and all—as he was taken off the court in a wheelchair.

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WHO: Marion Jones
REASON FOR THE TEARS: Olympic Gold Medalist, Marion Jones, streams tears of “great shame,” as she admits to using steroids and lying to investigators.

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WHO: Nancy Kerrigan
REASON FOR THE TEARS: After “some man hit her,” in the kneecap with a pipe, Kerrigan understandably shed tears (until she realized her life was still better than Tanya Harding’s).

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WHO: Miguel Tejada
REASON FOR THE TEARS: Houston Astros Shortstop, Miguel Tejada, became weepy during a press conference admitting steroid use and lying to congress. Not as surprising as some other confessions.

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HALL OF FAME RETIRING

WHO: Mike Schmidt
REASON FOR THE TEARS: The Phillies’ Hall-of-Famer couldn’t keep it together when he announced the end of his 17-year tenure at third base.

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WHO: Brett Favre
REASON FOR THE TEARS: A few months before signing with the Jets, Favre began crying during a press conference do announce his “official retirement.” Be sure to bring extra Kleenex when he retires (again) next year.

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BONUS: MARK CUBAN CRYING

WHO: Mark Cuban
REASON FOR THE TEARS: Cuban gets a bit emotional during Nowitzki’s MVP speech. To call this speech bizarre would be an understatement.

Complex Giveaway: Win An Official NBA Draft Hat

jerwin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:10:27 +0000

Hat styles come and go, but for one night each June, a certain piece of headgear becomes the most coveted in the world: the cap that comes with being a top pick in the NBA Draft. With this year’s Draft set to pop off tomorrow night and Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin ~~likely~~ certain to don an L.A. Clippers lid, Complex has teamed with adidas and the NBA to give five fans the draft hat of the team of their choice. Find out how to win below…

Trivia Question: How many times has the no. 1 pick been traded on Draft night? Who was traded, and what year(s) did it happen?

Enter your answer and contact info below for a chance to win! The first 5 people to respond with the correct answers will win a hat representing the NBA team of their choice. Good luck!
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Serena Williams Talks Dating, Politics & Career Moves

bfred — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:58:15 +0000

If you follow tennis, it should come as no surprise that Serena Williams beat Neuza Silva in the first round of Wimbledon this afternoon. Now if you don’t follow tennis, you should at least follow Serena. Not only is Venus’ younger sister a monster on the court, but she’s cool as shit, which is why we featured the gloriously curvaceous superstar in the “Women Are Complex, Too” feature in Complex’s June/July 2009 issue. Check out the full article for Serena’s take on politics, breakups, career moves, and more.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL SERENA WILLIAMS ARTICLE!

So Icey-Landic Women Bring On The Weekend

intern — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:02:17 +0000

Happy 65th year of independence Iceland! And thank you for these hotties! [LINK]

Te-twe-two’s day gets graced by Heather Graham. (Rollergirl what up!) [LINK]

Lupe Fiasco came through our office recently and talked about his new Trilly & Truly clothing line. [LINK]

Check out these awkward sports acceptance speeches. [LINK]

This week we showed you the best of sneakers, albums, style essentials, and video games of 2009 so far.

AND FROM THE COMPLEX NETWORK:

Nah Right: Jamie Foxx called upon Kanye, Drake, and The-Dream for the “Digital Girl” remix. [LINK]

SlamXHype: These KAWS Chum key holders will sell out in 5 minutes. [LINK]

Bastardly: Voters decide if Lindsay Lohan is better off classy or skanky. [LINK]

Nice Kicks: Catch a preview of these Nike Blazers that aren’t out until next year. [LINK]

On Smash: Big Sean talked about how he got put on. [LINK]

Kicks On Fire: We might actually go out for a run in these Air Max 2009s. [LINK]

KarmaloopTV: Exclusive details about the newest 10 Deep drop. [LINK]

Das Gamer: OG shooter, Wolfenstein, is about to be back in a major way. [LINK]

Sneaker News: Here’s a sneak peek at Air Jordan’s plans for 2010. [LINK]

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Most Flagrant Looks

donniek — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:35:49 +0000

After months of speculation, it appears that Manchester United is finally going to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a world-record £80-million fee. Translated for non-soccer fans: England’s most famous team is about to sell its best player to Spain’s most famous team for a huge fucking sum of money. Got it?

While the Portuguese midfielder is undeniably one of the world’s best footballers, he’s also one of sport’s most, uh, flamboyant dressers. Now we’re not so immature as to question homie’s off-field predilections (though hooking up with Paris is always a bad look), but it must be said: As far as style goes, Cristiano is totally in a league of his own. If you thought Beckham was a vain prissy boy, then you ain’t seen nothing yet. So, to celebrate his move to Madrid, we’re taking a quick look back at Cristiano Ronaldo’s craziest outfits…

CRISTIANO “FLOWER BOY” RONALDO (6/2/09 in Italy)

CRISTIANO “FLOWER BOY PART 2″ RONALDO (9/3/09 in Asia)

CRISTIANO “BALL-CUTTERS” RONALDO (7/23/08 in L.A.)

CRISTIANO “SUPER-SMEDIUM WHITE TEE” RONALDO

CRISTIANO “CREAM PUFF” RONALDO (7/16/08 at ESPY Awards in L.A.)

CRISTIANO “COLD CRISSY” RONALDO (2/5/09 in Manchester)

CRISTIANO “MAN-CLUTCH” RONALDO

CRISTIANO “PLEATHER JACKET” RONALDO (2/2009)

CRISTIANO “PLEATHER SKIN” RONALDO (7/24/08 in L.A.)

CRISTIANO “VOLLEYBALL-BOY” RONALDO (8/10/07 in Portugal)