Good Morning: 12.19.12

GOOD MORNING

The Lakers avoid an embarrassing upset at home against the Bobcats by overcoming an 18-point third quarter deficit for the 101-100 win.

The Jets activated Greg McElroy to avoid having to start Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow against the Chargers on Sunday. Word has it that Tebow will request a trade or release if McElroy starts in these last two games.

Joakim Noah messed around and had a triple-double against the Celtics.

Jim Schwartz actually admitted that the Lions have “gone off the rail” since last season’s playoff appearance. 

Don’t expect Josh Brent to be on the Cowboys’ sideline this week.

Wisconsin is expected to hire Utah State’s Gary Andersen to fill its football head coaching vacancy.

FLASHING LIGHTS

Nas is going to have a charity auction for the backstage VIP experience at his New Year’s Eve show at Radio City Music Hall. Nas linked up with Madison Square Garden and CharityBuzz.com to auction off the opportunity for a fan and one friend to chill with him backstage, while the cash benefits MSG’s Garden of Dreams Foundation.

Z-Ro and Slim Thug came together for this Summertime video in Houston. Less than a week before Christmas and it’s still not really cold there.  

Samuel L. Jackson said he felt an eerie silence during the whipping scene of the Quentin Tarantino film Django Unchained , where co-star Kerry Washington was whipped repeatedly.

A judge ruled that Meek Mill can’t finish 2012 with three shows in Africa, as he had originally planned, because of his probation.

Dom Kennedy talks music, life and male role models.

DID YOU REALIZE?

A sixth grader in Utah brought brought a .22 caliber pistol to school for “protection” in case there was another Sandy Hook situation. Then he pointed it at a classmate’s head during recess. RECESS! Fortunately, no one was injured.

President Obama tasked Joe Biden with leading the administration-wide effort to curb gun violence.

An investigation into the attacks on a U.S. ambassador in Libya found that "systemic failures" left the facility inadequately protected. The report suggested 29 ways the department could improve its operations, but did not recommend disciplinary action.

Instagram users are having privacy issues.

Apple is considering using Foursquare data for its mapping application.

EVERYTHING I AM

Winthrop head coach Pat Kelsey used his platform following a close loss to No. 4 Ohio State to make a political statement of sorts. Kelsey said he’s not smart enough to know what needs to be done, but that we as a society have to change.

GOTTA HAVE IT

Wale already has a freestyle record out with a quick shoutout to Newtown, Connecticut.