Ladies and gentlemen (and especially ladies), welcome to the Sports Kabob, a skewered look at the world of sports and pop culture.

Here are the top stories:

Even after Dwayne Wade signed a new six-year deal and had LeBron James and Chris Bosh added to the Miami mix, the 2006 NBA Finals MVP says the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers should be the favorites heading into next season, simply because this Heat team hasn’t proved anything yet
Lebron James has not said who he thinks is the favorite, but will announce his decision in a one hour special hosted by Jim Gray

32-year-old former Arsenal and Barcelona player Thierry Henry signed a multiyear contract on Wednesday and he is expected to make his Red Bulls’ debut on July 22 in an exhibition against Premier League club Tottenham
Or as the American public calls the story “NOT WORLD CUP SOCCER NEWS”

The University of Michigan has figured out just how many fans it can seat in the new-look Big House. The school announced Wednesday the capacity of Michigan Stadium will be 109,901 this season, making it the country’s largest football stadium.
And when not in use, the stadium is now big enough to shelter the state’s homeless former auto employees

President Barack Obama will welcome the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury to the White House next week in recognition of the team’s 2009 championship season.
After Obama meets with the Mercury, Elena Kagan will meet with the Saints, although she will be meeting with them about an opening at inside linebacker.

The Pheonix Suns traded Leandro Barbosa for Hedo Turkoglu
And to make him feel welcome in Phoenix, Chase Field has already converted its swimming pool into a Turkish bath

The National League won the all star game for the first time since 1996
Experts say that this ends he longest drought of success other than M Night Shyamalan’s current directing streak

ESPN studio host Chris Berman has been selected to receive the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.
Berman is no stranger to honors, however, as he was also recently inducted into the Obnoxious Hall of Fame

Rush Limbaugh had his own view of George Steinbrenner. “That cracker made a lot of African-American millionaires,” the radio commentator said Tuesday on his show after the New York Yankees owner died at age 80.
Coincedentally, Limbaugh has made a lot of people who sell crackers millionaires.

Michael Vick was a no-show at his celebrity golf tournament Sunday after probation officials restricted travel for the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback this weekend.
To make up for his absence, Vick will be hosting a celebrity dog mudering tournament

As Southern California deals with NCAA sanctions that cast a cloud over Pete Carroll’s wildly successful nine-year run with the Trojans, the former USC coach is taking it upon himself to protect the legacy of his program. “It’s been most difficult to watch everybody have to deal with it, whether it’s the players or the coaches or the fans who support the university,” Carroll told The Associated Press
Although Carroll admits it is much less difficult to watch from Seattle rather than LA

That’s all for this week, leave comments and remember this is Jarrett Carlen saying RIP George Steinbrenner, the man who signed Winfeld, A-Rod, Teixeira and Costanza

For more of my observations on the world of sports, as well as politics, entertainment and current events, follow me on twitter @JarrettGC.

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