The Orlando Sentinel is running point/counter-point style editorials about a recent “Faith and Family” held as a promotion for a Magic game. Two columnists debate whether this type of event is a “smart promotion or an unwelcome intrusion of religion into sports?” (You can read the columns here).

The event was somewhat controversial for blending religion with sports, even though Magic star Dwight Howard is one the most outspoken Christians in the NBA.

Basically, one evening, fans could hang around after the game for a free Christian rock concert. To add a little sub-text to the controversy, the team’s owner is a well known financial supporter of conservative causes like the Amendment 2 ban on gay marriage—a fact that has made him somewhat of a lightening rod in the Central Florida press. Here’s a quote from Sentinel columnist Andrea Adelson, “The entire idea of a Faith & Family Night makes it feel as though the team is supporting that religion, and makes it even worse to know that it is trying to draw in fans with these beliefs in an effort to sell tickets. If this was a true Faith & Family Night, then Jewish groups and Muslim groups and other religious groups would be there singing their songs, too.”

One reason it didn’t get more press is possibly because it was just days after the Magic were involved another controversy—flopgate (or “the flop flap”) as it has become known.

As it turns out, Shaq flopping in the post while playing against Dwight Howard (and the ensuing war of words between the Diesel and Magic coach Stan Van Gundy) was far more interesting to the press than the blending of Christianity and sports.

I think the reason why it’s more fun to talk about Shaq, smack-talk-ridden press conferences and flopping than the political correctness and social repercussions of faith in the public square is because a lot of times, sports provide escapism from difficult issues. We watch sports because it’s fun and exciting—to get away from the screaming political pundits and gloom and doom news. Plus, tacking on a free Shane & Shane concert to the end of game isn’t really hurting anyone.

PS. I’d be amiss to post a story that mentions flopping and not include this YouTube clip of the worst flop in basketball history. I love Duke, and I’m excited about their ACC title, but it’s clips like this that make me understand why people hate them.

The NBA All-Star weekend is always one of the more entertaining professional sports celebrations. The three-point shoot-out is only slightly less exciting than MLB’s homerun derby, but the fly-slama-jama game makes the NFL’s Pro-Bowl look like a backyard two-hand touch match, which it basically is. (Aside from a few trick plays, the Pro-Bowl is pretty forgettable—it’s hard to take anything seriously when everyone is wearing a ridiculous Tommy Bahama Hawaii shirt).

But the game aside, the NBA Dunk Contest is in a league of its own on the merits of its pure entertainment value. And, thanks to Dwight Howard, it’s seen a much needed resurgence. This year though, TNT added their own event to the weekend’s festivities, realizing that the East vs. West match-up main event was secondary to the fan favorite sideshows. Though it was unsanctioned by the NBA, TNT’s game of HORSE gave fans another chance to see their favorite players goof off and display their playground hoops skills.

Considering the success of the event, I thought I’d add my own input and suggest several events that other cable networks may want to consider adding to next year’s line-up.

Dads vs. Sons

A summertime BBQ just wasn’t complete without a heated game of driveway three-on-three with dads taking on their sons. What always started as good-natured bonding time, inevitably devolved into a strange hybrid of hockey/ football/ basketball when one of the uncles started taking it a little too seriously.

What could be more entertaining than seeing Bill Walton trying to hold on to his last pieces of dignity by using the old jersey pull when his son Luke tries to go up for an easy lay-up?

Finally a chance for Bill Walton to recapture glory

I have a hard time picturing Shaq’s infamously strict stepfather (a former Army Sergeant) allowing any easy rebounds down-low. A national TV audience would also be able to see the usually mild manor Brent Barry become flustered and embarrassed when his father Rick insists on shooting granny shots every time he is fouled. Though there will probably be a few bloody noses resulting from unnecessarily aggressive elbows in the paint, a father-son game would be a solid edition to the weekend.

Pool Basketball

All you need for this one is a standard backyard swimming pool, a cheap plastic poolside hoop and an undersized ball.

Not in this house

Because anyone who has ever played pool ball knows that it’s basically impossible to make a jump shot (not just because shots are so easily blocked, but also because those flimsy hoops only allow for swishes), the game will be a dunkfest. This one also has the potential to get a little rough—because you can’t dribble in the pool, players will be forced to lower their shoulders and barrel their way to the basket. It may not be the safest game, but it sure will be fun to watch.

Buzzer Beater

What kid hasn’t done it? You’re all alone at the local court, and your internal monologue sets the stage for basketball immortality. “Down by two, just seconds left. He steps back behind the three-point line! Three, Two, One …” You jack-up shot after shot, imagining what it’d be like to sink a game winner.

The guy in the orange is insanely pumped

For this event, players could choose a teammate to inbound the ball to them with just three seconds on the clock. They get several attempts to hit a buzzer beater, in a three-round tournament style competition.

Other Possible Additions to All-Star Weekend:

A Celebrity NBA Jam Classic Arcade Tournament (though the Larry Johnson/Alonzo Mourning Hornets are not allowed because of their obvious unfair advantage)

One-on-One (Two players. Half of a court. The first one to 15.)

Eight-Foot Hoops (This one may not translate with players of NBA stature, but it sure is fun for weekend warriors like myself)>

With the NBA finals starting this week, and everyone in the media (rightfully) talking about the importance of the LA / Boston match up, I decided to do something a little different (but equally important) for my first post here: A list of the top-5 NBA players who kind of look like their mascots. I’m sure that the sports media will agree that this story is of equal significance to professional sports as two of the greatest legacy teams ever facing off in the NBA Finals.

1. Chris Bosh :: The Toronto Raptors

This one is hard to do justice with just an image. To really appreciate Chris Bosh’s dinosaur-likeness, you have to watch him play. He’s got a fierce ability to slash to the basket and an overall bird-like demeanor (and anyone who’s seen Jurassic Park knows that automatically links him with the Velociraptor).

2. Adam Morrison :: The Charlotte Bobcats

I could talk about his aggressive jump shot, his ability to claw to the hoop or his wild ball-handling, but only one word really captures his bobcat-like appearance: whiskers.

3. Bryant Reeves :: The Vancouver Grizzlies

What NBA fan could forget Bryant “Big Country Reeves”? Not since Bill Wennington has professional basketball seen a real-life mountain-man take to the court. He was Paul Bunyan in basketball shoes. And though his size makes him a sure-fire contender for a bear look-alike contest (he’s 7-feet, 275-pounds), it’s his down home, back-country style that really captures the true spirit of the grizzly.

4. Baron Davis :: The Golden State Warriors

April, 2007: The 15 teams of the Western Conference descend upon you. The hard-nose, leave-it-all-on-the-court play of the Warriors point guard in the 2007 playoffs proved that like King Leonidas, Davis wasn’t afraid to stand against the mighty, top-rated Mavericks–the true embodiment of a warrior. The sweet beard helps too.

5. Mark Cuban :: The Dallas Mavericks

OK, I know this one is a little bit of a stretch considering Mark Cuban isn’t actually an NBA player. But, even though he doesn’t actually put on a uniform every night, Cuban’s animated sideline antics and his off-court dealings make him just as much of a player in the league as any athlete. He also bears an eerie resemble to a young Mel Gibson in the movie Maverick.

I teased this last week, and now the time has come to start unveiling the writers who will be joining me as contributors on the site.

When I decided to expand the blog, I targeted writers who I respected for their writing skillz, the books they had authored, the average number of greens they hit in regulation, the connections they had, the number of bible verses they had memorized, and whether or not they could beat the crap out of me.

The Oceanic Six Authors that made the cut are money, and I look forward to collaborating with them to make Prayers For Blowouts a better experience for you, the reader. Some of them will post more than others, and that’s okay by me. I’ve not given them a mandate for how often I’d like them to contribute, I’ve only asked that when they have something to vent or ramble on about sports, that they do it here.

I decided to introduce the writers to y’all alphabetically, so here’s the first two. I’ll share two more on Thursday, and the final two on Friday. Please join me in welcoming them to the team.

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Jason Boyett is a writer, father of two, fanatical flyfisher, fantasy baseball aficionado, and long-time Chicago Cubs fan. Thus he has learned to live with both unbridled optimism (in March, April and May) and hopeless despair (the rest of the year). Jason blogs at jasonboyett.com and the Junky Car Club, and he’s the author of several books including Pocket Guide to the Bible, which you totally should buy for a crazy reduced price here. In his lifetime, Jason has played organized soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, and flag football. But he plays none of them very well. He’s well-rounded in the most mediocre way possible.

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Though his day job as a Producer for CBN.com and a stint as the former Managing Editor of Relevant Magazine have afforded him minimal time to pursue a career as a professional athlete, Jesse Carey is a regular at Virginia Beach YMCAs where he is known for his blistering hook shot, overly-aggressive boxing out and ability to win the head-game that is three-quarter-court men’s indoor basketball, even when the score board tells a different story.

He’s a fan of the Orlando Magic (he lived in Central Florida after college), New York Jets (his wife is from New York) and the Washington Nationals (the adopted Major League team of his hometown of Virginia Beach). Though he pulls for Duke in NCAA basketball, he would abandon all ACC loyalty to see the ORU Golden Eagles make it past the first round.

His favorite athletes are: Kurt Rambis (and really anyone who wears goggles to basketball in), Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, Joe Namath and Lance Armstrong. He is known to sacrifice his body, his dignity and even long-standing friendships to win a pick-up game.

When it comes to fantasy football, Jesse is not afraid to orchestrate back-room, multi-team, late-night, mildly-complex/sometimes-shady blockbuster trades. Under no circumstances will Jesse ever kick it away in a game of Madden, and he always goes for two, no matter what the logical score outcome dictates the right decision is.

To email him your concerns, complaints, favorite trash-talking quip using the word “pain” (“Next stop on the pain train …” or “Check your value on the Mercantile Pain Exchange”) or interesting fantasy football trade stories, send him a note at jessecarey@hotmail.com.