New York Jets' Oday Aboushi talks to the media in the locker room after NFL football rookie minicamp in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

by Dennis Waszak Jr.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The congratulatory messages flooded Oday Aboushi's Twitter page for a few days after he was drafted by the New York Jets two weeks ago.

Many were happy to see the hometown kid from the New York borough of Staten Island starting his NFL career close to his family and friends. It was the other tweets, first dozens and then hundreds, from places such as Dubai and Saudi Arabia that made the enormity of the situation really sink in.

New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson gives Carmelo Anthony instruction in the second half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball playoff series in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden in New York, May 7. The Knicks won 105-79. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

:10 I’ve put it off as long as I can cause I just can’t stand the pain, but here’s the final rundown for the NBA playoffs.  In the East, it’s sad, but true, I’ve got Miami beating New York…but…but…but New York could serve the upset???  In the West, I predict San Antonio steals it from OKC and this You Can Take To The Bank.  San Antonio will beat Miami for the crown!  All hail the King …the King will be dead…King James that is.

:09 I know ya’ll don’t think I know this stuff, but I am a well rounded sports writer with serious skills. “ORB” won the Kentucky Derby…what?…what?

:08 All the best to former Notre Dame basketball coach and ESPN analyst Digger Phelps as he fights bladder cancer. Phelps underwent surgery last month and says he’s in the fight to win it. Thanks to the “Ice Man” Dwight “D.C.” Clay and the legend that was “The Silver Streak” I had the pleasure of meeting Coach Phelps at his home of the Fighting  Irish about 25 years go.  Best road trip ever.  “Nobody Me” got to hoop with D.C. and the other Irish legends during a grand reunion weekend.  Adrian Dantley, Duck Williams and the fellas in Knucke Rockney Gym.  All was good till I broke my foot. The rest is no history at all. Reminder Note: The Iceman is the owner of the greatest shot in NCAA history to snap UCLA 88 game win streak.

:07 In case you haven’t been paying attention, Serena Williams is the #1 tennis player in the world once again.  But the season is young and she will be pushed by #2 ranked Maria Sharapova. Oh shut up and just listen to what I tell ya.

:06 Yea, Mayweather won the fight. Unanimous decision over Robert Guerrero as a matter of fact. Although I thought Floyd would have been tested more, it just shows you how good Mayweather really is. He’s head and shoulders above the rest. But the real fight is yet to come cause Guerrero’s dad told Mayweather’s dad he was gonna kick his xxx!  Floyd Sr. and Ruben Guerrero…book that fight!

:05 I ran into Good Brother Jim Clancy down at the Consol Arena.  He’s one of the keeper’s of the castle.  Hey, Jim keep reading man I need all the support I can get to beat those     pretenders at the Post and Trib.  Jim, you’re now in the Locker Room. Get your gear and suit up man!

:04 Jason Collins is a Black gay basketball player…OK.  Back to the game!

:03 OK, so you haven’t been to Ray’s Barber Shop in Penn Hills next to the Lawn and Garden Center?  C’mon man, “It’s all about you!” So that means you haven’t been downstairs to the sweetest joint in town, “CCM” aka Creamy Creations and more.  Let me tell ya this, their stuff is good. I mean put on your new white PF Flyer sneakers and don’t get um dirty good. What ya’ll waiting on? Get there. And please, don’t tell Stephan Broadus I gave them free P.R. You know how he is about that!

:02 Speaking of the Locker Room, my Jamaican brother Steve Miller is a Starbucks cat and reader of Overtime.  Yea mon…you’re now in the Locker Room you lazy bum mon! Hey what kind of Jamaican name is Steve Miller?  I thought that was a Rock & Roll band…Steve, welcome home.

:01 Ya’ll know the new cameras in Homewood ain’t just only for guns and shooters don’t  ya?  You—Down—With—OPP?  I am just saying.

:00 Double Overtime—At the Buzzer.  HHHHEEEERRRREEEE WE GO. Saturday, May 11, Ms. Rita Gregory and Champion Enterprises bring you the 38th Mother’s Day/Celebrating Women Awards, Fashion Show and luncheon starring the fashion legend Ms. Debbie Norrell—2-5 p.m.—St. James AME Church – tickets $30 in advance, $35 at the door.  If there are any left – fashions by “cache”—call 412-628-4856 for info—you keep saying you don’t know, well here.  The next and best Harlem Nights Old School Par-tay is coming Friday, May 31—3 Lakes Golf Course—8-1 p.m.—the line dance master Roland Ford will be there—music by the legend Sly Jock—free parking – cash bar—cash kitchen till 11 p.m.—50/50—best dressed man and woman—cash prize—the Corvett Club and their cars will be out on display and yes, it’s dress to impress—this is the big one to kick off Memorial weekend and the summer—we need ya’ll on this one. It raises money for the 38th Annual Connie Hawkins Youth Development Summer Basketball League. Starting June 15 at the Penn Hills YMCA—come out and meet former world heavyweight kickboxing champion Jacquet Bazemore and WISH light heavyweight champion Rayco “War” Saunders Weil as he gets ready for his title fight—remember, don’t miss the Spring Cabaret brought to you by “Happy Feelings” and my man former Penn Hills football star, Kenny Lewis, Saturday, May 18, 8 p.m.–2 a.m.–The Moose Lodge, 120 51st Street in Lawrenceville.  Call 412-512-9873 for more info. It’s a BYOB affair with a bar as well…say what!?!
~ GAME  OVER ~

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Francisco Liriano throws against the New York Mets during the first inning of a baseball game at Citi Field on Saturday, May 11, 2013 in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

by Rick Freeman, AP Sports Writer 
NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Liriano struck out nine and pitched into the sixth inning to win his debut with Pittsburgh and help the Pirates beat the New York Mets 11-1 on Saturday.

Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon, left, talks with Talib Zanna ina game on Nov. 9, 2012 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

 STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — In-state rivals Penn State and Pittsburgh are facing off again — on the basketball court.