Pro surfer Kelly Slater, who won his ninth world title in 2008, is often described as “the Michael Jordan of surfing.” This is not just a simple comparison. The comparison goes far beyond both being known as the all-time bests in their respective sports.

Kelly Slater and Michael Jordan both took breaks in the middle of their careers and then surprised fans when they returned at even higher levels of excellence. But in the comeback department, Slater has been even more amazing than Jordan. The time gap for Michael Jordan was less than two years. For Kelly Slater, it was five years.

Both Kelly Slater and Michael Jordan coped, at mid-career, with the loss of their fathers. James Jordan was murdered in 1993, and Steve Slater died of cancer in 2002.

Another common factor is that Michael Jordan (2-17-63) and Kelly Slater (2-11-72) both are Aquarians, for what that may or may not be worth.

Despite the nine-year age difference, they became champions only one year apart. Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls won the first of their six championships in 1991, when Jordan was 28. Kelly Slater captured the first of his nine titles during 1992, when Slater was a mere 20.

Jordan “retired” after winning his third consecutive NBA (National Basketball Association) title in 1993. Slater stopped competing after he captured his sixth crown, including five in a row, in 1998.

Jordan’s absence ended when he rejoined the Chicago Bulls near the end of the 1995 season. The Bulls were defeated that year, as Jordan fought to rediscover his game, but they won another three in a row in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Slater came back for the 2003 season of the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals ) but barely lost the season championship to Andy Irons. He says his frustration with the defeat caused him to slump during 2004, but he won championships in 2005 and 2006, and again in 2008. Slater says he remains undecided regarding the 2009 season, but competitors such as 2007 champ Mick Fanning have encouraged him to stay on tour.

Michael Jordan adjusted during his comeback career by shooting more jump shots, rather than driving so often for dazzling dunks. Kelly Slater has shifted to a smaller board, more than a foot shorter than his foes.

Kelly Slater says that 2008 was his best season ever. The surfer once was a mate of celebrities such as Pamela Anderson and Cameron Diaz, but he keeps private the name of his current significant other.

Kelly Slater explains: “It’s probably my personal life. That’s the biggest change in my life. I’m happy and settled, and I’ve got the support there that just feels amazing.”

Sources:
http://www.aspworldtour.com/2008/news_show.asp?rEvent=aspwct&rcode=11547
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1860698,00.html?xid=rss-n...
http://surfermag.com/features/onlineexclusives/slater05/index1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Slater

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that these two
celebrities would end up going out on a date together, but I guess
anything is possible in Hollywood. The latest odd couple
in Tinsel town is none other than Pamela Anderson and Michael Jackson.
It seems that the date was arranged by their respective people (most
likely agents) and all done in secret. However, witnesses from the
restaurant state that the couple really seemed to hit it off, and it
seems that Michael even asked Pamela out for a second date. What I want
to know is what do the two possibly have in common – besides plastic
surgery?

Hill’s vixen, Heidi Montag’s clothing line, may be
outselling Lauren Conrad’s at Kitsons, but that doesn’t mean that
designers are clamoring for her to wear their stuff. In fact, word is
that designers frequently send free items like dresses, sweaters and shoes
to the other stars of The Hills, like Lauren Conrad and Audrina
Patridge, but they don’t really want their clothes associated with the
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt name. Ouch.

Tiger Woods and his
wife Elin Nordegren are expecting baby number 2! Tiger Woods announced
the happy news on his web site. The couple just welcomed their first
daughter, Sam Alexis Woods last summer.

And Brett Ratner,
director extraordinaire, recently spilled the beans about the true
inspiration for Miley Cyrus‘ hit song, 7 Things. Apparently the whole
song came about because of her ex-boyfriend, Nick Jonas, the youngest
member of the Jonas Brothers. Brett talked about going to Miley Cyrus’
house and even being able to see Miley’s “ex-box” – you know that box
that everyone keeps after a break-up with things that your ex gave you.
Now here’s the clincher – Brett Ratner never mentioned any names in his
interview with MTV, but he did give a rather big hint to anybody
familiar with the Jonas Brothers. He said that Miley Cyrus wore her
ex’s diabetes necklace in the video. Of course, Nick Jonas was
diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes not too long ago.

Sources: Mirror – http://mirror.co.uk, People – http://people.com<!— text:end//—>, Fox News – http://foxnews.com

Celebrities are the worst when it comes to jumping on the bandwagon of the latest fad! Whether it’s buying the latest popular handbag or getting knocked up with twins – if one celebrity does it, they all want to follow suit. Well, the latest celebrity to announce that she’s pregnant with twins is none other than The King’s daughter herself, Lisa Marie Presley. Lisa Marie and hubby, Michael Lockwood, are expecting their new bundles of joy this fall.

Adding to the celebrity baby boom news are former American Idol contestant, Bo Bice and his wife, Caroline Fisher, who welcomed a new baby boy into their family. They named their son, Caleb. Now while Bo Bice isn’t exactly in the A-list category with such celebs as Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt or Julia Roberts, it’s still nice to see that some celebrities can actually give their kids normal names and not doom their kids to a life of ridicule.

Is Heath Ledger ‘s ex, Michelle Williams, getting close with director Spike Jonze ? It sure looks that way. Michelle and Spike have been seen on both the East and West Coasts having intimate dinners, cuddling up and kissing – you know, all the things that couples tend to do. Of course, both of their reps are staying mum on the status of their relationship, but if they really didn’t want anyone to know, why would they take the risk of being seen together in public, right?

Pamela Anderson is best known for her face and um, shall we say, other considerable assets. However, it seems that even Pamela is smart enough to know that all beauty is fleeting. Rumor has it that cameras on the set of her new reality TV show, Pam: Girl on the Loose, have been forbidden to film any close-ups of Pamela’s face. Not only that, but producers of the reality TV show have given the order that Pamela is only to be filmed in “flattering lighting”. Gee, I wonder what Pamela really looks like under all that make-up. Do I even want to know?

Sources:
ET Online – http://etonline.com
US Magazine – http://usmagazine.com
Celebitchy – http://celebitchy.com
TMZ – http://tmz.com