For the second time in the past four years, “Whiny” Tim Thomas has been bought out of his contract by the Chicago Bulls. Thomas was traded by the New York Knicks to the Bulls for Eddy Curry in 2005, and again sent by the Knicks to the Bulls for Larry Hughes in 2009.

The fact that this is the second time a Bulls/Thomas buyout has come directly after the Knicks plopped him into their laps as part of a salary dumping trade makes this situation comical.

But what takes this to maximum comedy levels is the fact that his 2005-06 buyout was approximately $15M, and this week’s buyout will cost Da Bulls another $6.5M.

So for those scoring at home, that means that the Bulls have paid Thomas a grand total of nearly $21.5M to NOT be a member of their team.

Breaking it down even further, Whiny Tim has basically gotten as much money from the Bulls to go home and play video games as the 2008 Florida Marlins paid their entire team of 25 guys to play 162 games (Their team payroll was approximately $22M).

It is time for “Black-on-Black” violence in The Ultimate Fighter, as Rampage Jackson so eloquently put it. The upcoming season will be one of the highest rated ever, with the cast listing that has been put together.

Sure, it features Rashaad Evans and Rampage as the coaches. Hopefully this time around, Rampage can keep from starting a high-speed car chase in his custom truck with his face and sponsors plastered on the side.

Unlike Brock Lesnar and his inability to grasp hype from his fragile little ego, however, the smack talk between Rampage and Rashaad is OBVIOUSLY part of the show. Rashaad throws out legit smack and then Rampage says something that just makes you laugh. They look like 2 guys who get in each others’ face, and then one of them cracks up causing both to laugh their asses to the bank.

The cast list for season 10 is pretty brilliant, with some standing out a little better than others. The obvious Kimbo Slice, but others more of a snicker than a gasp.

• Zak Jensen: Standout wrestler at Augsburg College (I don’t know where that is either)
• Marcus Jones: Former 1^st round NFL draft pick who had a six-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Scott Junk: Division II All-American football player at Southwest Oklahoma State and fought in UFC 76.
• James McSweeney: Former international kickboxing and Muay Thai champion (International Bad Ass)
• John Madsen: Defeated Brock Lesnar in a high school wrestling match (Yeah…too bad we aren’t still in high school)
• Matt Mitrione: Played for New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings
• Roy Nelson: Former IFL Heavyweight Champion
• Demico Rogers: High school football and wrestling star
• Brendan Schaub: Played for Buffalo Bills and Arena Football’s Utah Blaze
• Darrill Schoonover: Decorated Army veteran (Will be rooting for this dude, but doesn’t have much of a chance)
• Wes Shivers: Former member of the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons
• Wes Sims: Fought two heated battles with former UFC champ Frank Mir at UFC 43 and UFC 46
• Kimbo Slice: Former EliteXC heavyweight contender (Press release says “YouTube Sensation,” but I had to cut that out)
• Abe Wagner: Played linebacker at Michigan Tech and has a degree in mechanical engineering (If the house has electrical issues, he will be the man)
• Mike Wessel: UFC veteran and former strength and conditioning coach at University of Arkansas
• Justin Wren: All-American high school wrestler

Tonight, Major League Baseball’s biggest hitters will come out for the over-hyped, glorified batting practice we all know and love: The Home Run Derby, 2009. So to add some extra juice to the bat-bash, the good folks at HomRunDerby.com have put together the quintessential Derby drinking game. This thing will leave you so sloshed, you’ll start stumbling around like the Mets. (more…)

Last week, highly coveted Orlando Magic free agent Hedo Turkoglu visited the Portland Trail Blazers, and apparently left the Pacific Northwest after agreeing to a 5-year, $50M deal. Or so they thought.

Over the next 48 hours, Turkoglu backed out of his verbal commitment to Portland and instead agreed upon a five-year, $53M deal with the more Euro-friendly Toronto Raptors organization. But why this sudden change of heart?

Yahoo! Sports sources believe that Hedo’s wife may be the culprit for this blatant reneging of his deal in Portland. Apparently, his wife refused to accompany the talented small forward on his recruiting trip to Portland, sending him alone to make his own decisions.

Upon hearing that he had made an agreement to sign there, she insisted that he choose to sign in a more cosmopolitan city that is littered with European diversity that will provide the couple with a bevy of Turkish shops, restaurants, and fellow inhabitants.

Can you blame a guy for exercising his right to use free agency as an opportunity to move to a city where he’d rather live for five years? No.

But you can blame a guy for agreeing to be a key cog in a team’s quest to build a contender, then backs out of a deal with his tail between his legs, all because his wife stole his manhood and forced him to go to another city (of her liking) that he didn’t even visit on a recruiting trip!?  I think the answer is yes.

When the bell rung to signify the start of the 2009 NBA free agency sweepstakes, the Detroit Pistons were standing at the front of the line with approximately $19M in cap space available to upgrade their team after saying goodbye to Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, and possibly Antonio McDyess.  They wasted no time by agreeing to terms with two former UConn standouts, shooting guard Ben Gordon and hybrid forward Charlie Villanueva – brought in to join another fellow Huskie, Richard Hamilton.  Both Gordon and Villanueva signed five-year deals, valued at $55M and $35M respectively.

There goes the Piston cap space, and there goes their ability to sign anyone from the fabled 2010 free agent class next summer.  Was this a wise investment by Joe Dumars?  Both Gordon and Villanueva have been solid starters at times, but more often are viewed as spark-plug sixth men.  Next summer, many superstar players are available and can and will be had at a similar price tag.

But hey, maybe Joe D will continue this trend and propose a trade to bring in Josh Boone.

The Detroit Pistons fired coach Michael Curry after one disappointing season that saw the Pistons fall from six consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances to a 39-43 record and a treacherous four-game exit in the first round of the playoffs.

There is no debating this decision by the organization’s point man, Joe Dumars, especially after Curry’s questionable benching of team leader, Richard Hamilton, and the league-wide perception that he lost the respect of his entire team by season’s end.  But could Joe D look to his former teammate to fill the coaching void in the Big D?

Bill Laimbeer mysteriously stepped down from his WNBA head coaching position just three games into the season on June 15, 2009, citing the fact that he wanted to become an NBA head coach.

After watching the Pistons embarrassing season from the girl’s locker room, perhaps the three-time WNBA champion coach of the Detroit Shock knew the writing was on the wall and considered that maybe his former two-guard would be willing to pass him the ball with a shot at his dream job.

Just two days before the 2009 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs made an aggressive move that suggests they are trying to one up the Los Angeles Lakers and win a fifth title in the Tim Duncan Era.  Knowing that their window of opportunity is quickly coming to a close, the Spurs acquired small forward Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks for three aging scraps – Fabricio Oberto, Bruce Bowen, and Kurt Thomas.  Jefferson immediately makes the Spurs a dangerous team, whether or not the hobbled Manu Ginobili comes back at full strength.

Jefferson, a 19.6 point scorer in Milwaukee last season, will team with the Big Three of Duncan, Ginobili, and Tony Parker to form one of the most feared and dynamic foursomes in the league.  This puts the Spurs on par with Boston’s quartet of Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Garnett and immediately makes them a threat to take down the Lakers next season while fighting for Western Conference supremacy.

[Image via: M. David Leeds/NBAE via Getty Images]

In a recent Sirius XM radio interview, Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon admitted that he will sign “not only the Bronx, but anywhere, I think anywhere is a possibility,” in 2011 if the Sox choose not to retain him over the long haul. While hearing this may send shivers down the spine of Red Sox Nation, don’t be too quick to dismiss these words unleashed by the talented fireballer.

Wade Boggs was a legendary member of Boston baseball, until he was seen riding a horse at the end of the 1996 World Series celebration in New York. One of the greatest pitchers of all time made his name (and nickname) in Boston, but then Roger “Rocket” Clemens was getting fitted for a World Series ring in the Bronx. And worst of all, no one ever thought that team catalyst and primary spark for the 2004 Curse-killing Sox would ever don the pinstripes, but look where Mr. Johnny Damon is now. It’s gotten to the point where everyone almost expected Manny Ramirez to head back east and join the Yanks. (more…)

It’s been raining here at the COED offices for more than a week straight, and we’re pretty F’ing sick of it. But one thing that always brightens up our day is a super-smokin’ blond, like Boston Celtics dancer, Alison Preston. This Manchest, New Hampshire native is definitely hot. Now, if only she could make some of that heat come from the sun…

Alison Preston Is Today’s Daily Snapshot – Check out the gallery!

(click thumbnails to see full image)

With the 2009 NBA Draft set for June 25th at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, COED is here to bring you up to speed on the top ten collegiate prospects that are ready to make the leap from the dorm cafeteria to the luxury revolving restaurants atop city skyscrapers.  This is not a mock draft that dares to predict where each player will be selected, but rather an evaluation of the top prospects heading from the NCAA to the pros.

P.S. In case you have an awkward mancrush on Ricky Rubio or Brandon Jennings, don’t expect to see your boy below. (more…)