The Command post

Lakers beat Nuggets 103-94 in Game 5

2009-05-28T01:26:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES(AP) Kobe Bryant offered himself up as bait and the Denver Nuggets bit. That freed up Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol on the inside, where the Lakers' big men dominated.

With Bryant luring double coverage then passing to his teammates, the Lakers owned the fourth quarter in a 103-94 victory Wednesday night that gave them a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Bryant scored 22 points - on just 13 shots - Odom had 19 points and 14 rebounds despite an aching lower back and Gasol added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

"It was a big gamble for me coming in, but I wanted to change my approach this game and be more of a decoy,'' Bryant said after adding eight assists, several out of double-teams in the fourth quarter. "The past couple games they really were loading to my side and I figured I could be a decoy and try to give chances to my teammates.''

Game 6 is Friday in Denver, where the Lakers lost Game 4 by 19 points.

"That place is going to be rocking and rolling,'' Bryant said. "We have to stay focused and poised and try to cut them up. Be cold-blooded, go out there and execute.''

Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points, hitting 12 of 13 free throws, and Kenyon Martin and Chauncey Billups added 12 points each for the Nuggets.

The teams were tied after the first, second and third quarters for just the fourth time in NBA playoff history.

So it all came down to the final 12 minutes.

Bryant, Odom and Gasol teamed for all but seven of the Lakers' 27 points in the fourth. They opened on an 11-0 run for their first lead of the second half and it was capped by Shannon Brown's jumper that beat the shot clock.

"He came in, gave us a huge spark and that's what you need,'' Bryant said of Brown. "It's about who controls momentum.''

The Nuggets used a 13-6 run to close to 93-89. Linas Kleiza scored seven straight and Anthony had six in the spurt.

But then the Lakers regained control and finished off the victory. They improved to 20-0 in Game 5s at home when a series is tied 2-2.

"The games that we've lost, they had an advantage on the inside,'' Anthony said. "The games that we've won, we had an advantage. We had to go to a smaller lineup tonight and they kept their big lineup on the court. That kind of hurt us a little bit. We've got to do a better job of keeping our big men out of foul trouble.''

Anthony hit a jumper to get Denver to 96-91 with 1:24 remaining. But the Nuggets went cold from the field over the final 3:38, while the Lakers capitalized at the line. Los Angeles outscored Denver 10-5 in that span, including making six of eight free throws.

This time, it was Denver coach George Karl's turn to complain about the officiating. Lakers coach Phil Jackson and his organization were fined $25,000 each for griping after Game 4.

"I thought they got the benefit of the whistle,'' Karl said. "Every player in my locker room is frustrated, from guards to big guys. Gasol goes after at least 20 jump shots, 20 shots to the rim and gets one foul; our big guys have 16. Nene has six fouls, three or four of them don't exist.''

Karl said he didn't want to get himself fined before agreeing with Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy, whose team leads Cleveland 3-1 in the Eastern Conference finals.

"In the post game we're lobbying for the league to help us with the refereeing,'' he said. "This is too good of a series. It's too good of teams competing that we're sitting here just confused by the whistle.''

Denver returns home needing a victory to send the series back to Los Angeles for a Game 7 on Sunday.

"We're excited about this,'' Anthony said. "We're going home. We got a chance to win at home and see what happens in Game 7.''

The good kind of history is seemingly on the Lakers' side. They haven't lost a best-of-7 series that was tied 2-2 after winning Game 5 since the 1969 NBA finals against Boston.

"This Lakers group is really connected,'' Jackson said. "They're driven and they're motivated to get to where we were last year to give us a chance to win.''

Denver twice led by seven points in the third quarter only to see the Lakers tie it at 76 on a 3-pointer by Bryant to end the period.

In a first half featuring 13 ties, the teams ended up even after both the first and second quarters.

Notes: The Lakers were involved in the other three playoff games that were tied through the first three quarters, the last was in 1964 against St. Louis. ... Nene fouled out with 4:02 remaining, with four points and eight rebounds. He has fouled out of three games. ... Famous faces in the crowd: Hugh Hefner and his three girlfriends, Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington, Ron Artest of the Houston Rockets, Zac Efron and NBA centers past and present Bill Russell and Kevin Love.

I predict 4-3 Lakers

simbang gabi a tradition to remember..

2008-12-23T16:06:00.000-08:00

an achivement that ive done so far this year
since december 16th.

last year i haven't completed the misa de gallo
which consists of 10 evening masses which is
a traditional way of the hispanic filipinos celebrate
their christmas.

it was a devastating failure of my whole christmas experience
not completing the misa de gallo.

as a christian i embrace this kind of tradition
because you can see the stunnishing choirs competing
with each other.

i love the commotions outside, the priest's homily ceremonies
and nevertheless the sacrifice. i walk from my house up to church
for just a distant of 9 kilometers i think.

i love the music. the christmas songs. i think of my childhood days
when i here gunter kallman choir singin. around me. its really a christmas season
for me. they are the sign of the christmas eve.

thank god ive made my own words.

as ive said before i am a man of my word. i did it. i finished my 10 day mass
alongside with my aunty and my beloved mom.

merry christmas everyone.

and have a pleasant happy new year.

everything but NAZI

2008-12-23T16:03:00.000-08:00

Nazi - A Member of the national socialist german party founded in 1919 on fascist principles
and dominant from 1933 to 1945 in germany under the dictatorship of adolf hitler.

where it followed the principles of extreme nationalism racism totalitarian direction
of all cultural, political and economic activity and militarization while urging a destiny of world
leadership to Germany.

Fascist - one of the fascisti

- somebody who supports or advocates a system
of government characterized by dictatorship, centralized
control of private enterprise, repression of all opposition,
and extreme nationalism

Fascism - dictatorial movement: any movement,
tendency, or ideology that favors dictatorial
government, centralized control of private enterprise,
repression of all opposition, and extreme nationalism

Totalitarian - Designating or characteristic of a government controlled
exclusively by one party or faction which suppresses all opposition
and criticism and controls and regiments all social cultural and economic
activity in the country to advance its political aims

Political - pertaining to piblic policy concerned in the administration
of government

a political system distinguished from civil

belonging to the science of government treating of polity or politics

pertaining to or connected with all party or parties controlling or seeking to control
government in a state political state

Activity - the state or quality of being active action vigorous movement active force
or operation

Economic - pertaining to the science of economics money matters or wealth
management managing

Militarization - to convert to the military system

fuhrer - german boss Nazi boss

Luftwaffe - german airforce as organized by the nazi regime in 1939

SS - Schutzstaffel (defense echelon) known as the ss or black shirts in a special arm of the
german nazi party under adolf hitler founded as body guard for hitler in 1925.

the SS came under the direction of hinrich himmler in 1929.

After hitler came to power in 1933 Himmler expanded the rule of the SS making principal instrument
of the nazi germany's terror and one of the most powerful institutions of the third reich

at the height of its influence from 1939 to 1945 the ss controlled GESTAPO and all
other elements of the german police through the reich central security office (RSHA)
headed by Himmler's lieutenants, Reynard heydrich and from (1943) Ernst kaltenbrunner
and also under the RSHA where the Einsatzgruppen (special action squads) that
carried out mass execution of the jews and other racial "undesirables"

During the world war II the SS included military service called the SS Waffen (armed)
which fought alongside with the regular units of the german army.

the waffen SS eventually compromised more than 500.000 men organized into 30 divisions among them where
the death's head that guarded the nazi concentration camp.

Nazi Soviet Pact

Under these circumstances the conclusion late in August of a Pact of Non-Aggression and Friendship between National Socialist Germany and the Communist Soviet Union came as a great surprise. It doomed the Anti-Comintern Pact. Germany had previously been the leader, and wished so to regard itself, of the international struggle against Communism and the Soviet Union. Many conservative circles in the democracies had looked with complacency upon National Socialist Germany and had forgiven many of its excesses because they saw in National Socialism a bulwark against the spread of Communism. Many radicals and Marxists, on the other hand, saw in National Socialism the last stand, as they called it, of capitalism, and could therefore not believe that National Socialism and Communism had arrived at some form of cooperation.

The Pact of Friendship between Germany and the Soviet Union was primarily dictated by strategic considerations. Germany tried by this pact to impress upon Great Britain and France the futility of their promised assistance to Poland. The pact was designed to give Germany a free hand to annihilate Poland without the danger of Anglo-French interference. Should this hope not be realized, however, then the pact would make it possible for Germany to concentrate all her forces on the western front, and would at the same time open to her the vast resources of the Soviet Union, thus diminishing the effects of the blockade established by the democracies against Germany. The Soviet Government on the other hand expected that through its agreement with Germany the Soviet Union would find it possible to stay out of war, to inaugurate a policy of complete isolation, and to acquire, with the consent of Germany, certain territories and especially certain strategic outposts which would strengthen the isolation of the Soviet Union and make her more impregnable against attack. Soon, however, it became apparent that cooperation between Germany and the Soviet Union was to go further than momentary strategic advantages.

To understand that possibility, two facts should be kept in mind. First, the Soviet Union has developed under Stalin a cult of personal leadership which is completely at variance with Marxism and Leninism and which, in spite of some fundamental differences, brings the Soviet Union closer to the Fascist countries with their adherence to personal leadership. Secondly, National Socialism implied always the promise of a new "socialistic" order, of a collectivism on a strictly nationalistic or racial basis to be sure, but nevertheless in its practical consequences approaching very closely to Communism. This element had already been represented by forces in Germany which had been called Nationalbolschewismus, and by leaders like Gregor Strasser and Ernst Roehm. When Chancellor Hitler still needed the cooperation of the conservative elements in Germany and in the democratic countries, he had to liquidate these Communistic groups within the National Socialist movement, but now they could be given free scope. Whereas official Soviet circles spoke, as National Socialist propagandists did, of Great Britain and France as capitalistic imperialists and plutocracies, but denied any ideological elements in the present international conflict, the National Socialists began to stress more and more the socialistic mission of Fascism and the new Germany. This was clear in the New Year's proclamation issued on Dec. 30, 1939 by Chancellor Hitler.

Formerly the National Socialist attacks had been concentrated upon "Jewish Communism," upon an alleged "Jewish plot" which aimed at world revolution, with Moscow as its center and Marxism as its ideology. One of the leading propaganda organs of Germany, the Contra-Comintern, had published in August 1930 a leading article entitled "The Bolshevik Offensive against the World." The article was a violent attack against the Western democracies which were accused of letting Communism penetrate westwards through their friendliness towards the Soviet Union. This issue of the periodical was, however, the last under its old title. A new organ was to be devoted to an attack against "Jewish capitalism" and the conservative forces, instead of the former attack against "Jewish Communism" and world revolution. The heavily subsidized anti-Communist propaganda in Germany and in foreign countries suddenly stopped. Vast exhibitions intended to show the "horrors" of the Soviet régime disappeared. Both the Germans and the Russians were now regarded as "young and productive nations to whom belongs the future" and who are "waging this war to build up a new world." The war was presented as a great "international revolution" destined to put an end to capitalistic society in favor of socialistic planning within and among nations. The words spoken on Aug. 31 by Mr. Molotov, Prime Minister of the Soviet Union, seemed to be justified: "It would be difficult to underestimate the international importance of the Soviet-German treaty. It is a date of historic importance. It marks a turning point in the history of Europe, and not only of Europe."

Micheal Curry takes the 'DALY" Philosophy.

2008-10-28T00:43:00.000-07:00

Micheal Curry never played for Chuck Daly. But somewhere, ol' Daddy Rich is smiling.

Anybody who recalls the heyday of the Bad Boys remembers Daly staying blithely above the fray whenever the subject of playing time for one of the NBA's all-time deepest rosters would arise.

"I don't determine playing time," he would say, in perfect earnestness, "players determine playing time."

So as Curry enters his first season as an NBA head coach with a roster of similar depth, especially in the context of the 30-time NBA, he's putting it squarely back on players to fight for every available minute.

"Guys either accept their roles or they don't play," he said after Monday's practice, the clock now down to two days before the Pistons open the 2008-09 season under their first-time head coach, "and I think guys want to play. So guys accept their roles. But you've got to reward them for their role and you've got to stay true to them playing when it calls for them to play that role."

In other words, as Curry has said over the course of camp, if he's selling Arron Afflalo on being his perimeter stopper and then Michael Redd or Paul Pierce is torching the Pistons, Afflalo had better get the chance to show he can cool them down. If not ...

"That's where problems come in," Curry said. "It never comes with guys accepting a role. As a staff, and especially for me as a head coach, I have to be able to use guys with a situation calls (for) them and I have to put them in a situation to be successful. Other than that" - and here's where Daly's ears would surely perk up - "playing time ... when you compete every day in practice, guys know who should play in front of each other.

"Guys get to compete every day. We didn't have a camp in which we had our top five guys on one team and the next five on the next team. We mixed guys up. Guys got to compete, play in a whole lot of different roles. All these guys can rank the top 10 players on the team right now."

And in case there was any chance for ambiguity, Curry met individually with all 15 players on Friday to discuss everyone's roles in all of their specifics.

So everyone knows going in exactly how he fits in the grand scheme. And Curry rates each player's every possession for each game. So there shouldn't be many surprises over the course of the season if roles change, either. A player consistently grading out in the 90s isn't going to have to worry about a diminished role, but getting frequently downgraded for missed assignments or lapses in effort or judgment will show up on the grading sheet in advance of a role suddenly being diminished.

Joe Dumars said last summer that communication was the most important aspect of being a head coach in today's NBA and Curry so far is hitting it out of the park on that score. As Joe D said in the Q&A we're posting today and Tuesday on Pistons.com, while Curry isn't bashful about pointing out errors, neither is he miserly with his praise. Case in point: Even as Amir Johnson's preseason statistics didn't leap off the scoresheet, Curry was lauding the way Johnson was fulfilling the role as Curry had explained it to him since July. Then, when Johnson got sloppy in the preseason finale and fouled out in 15 minutes against Atlanta, he unequivocally said that a young player could not afford such regressions.

With the opener approaching, Curry said there's a sense of readiness about his team.

"We're ready to get into it," he said. "You kind of get tired of practicing and playing against the guys. You're ready to get into the real game situations and that's natural. But we're ready to play and we'll see on Wednesday where we're at."

There's not a hint from Curry that anything about the job has him awestruck as tipoff draws near, though he admits that he deals with anticipation a little differently as a coach than he did as a player.

"The night before games, a ton of things are going through my head as a coach and I just grab my paper and pen and start writing different things down," he said. "As a player, I was OK. All you had to do was go out there and hit somebody one play" - though this generally works better for football players - "and your butterflies go away. Now when I get anxious at night, butterflies, I just grab my pen and paper and start jotting things down."

Kwame Brown, recovering from a right shoulder strain suffered a week ago, went through his first full practice on Monday and should be good to go on Wednesday. Indiana got bigger over the summer when it traded for Rasho Nesterovic and drafted Georgetown's Roy Hibbert, so it could be a game when Brown is the first big man off of Curry's bench instead of Jason Maxiell.
The Pacers will be missing Mike Dunleavy, who had a breakout season for the Pacers a year ago. Dunleavy played only 12 minutes in preseason while experiencing knee tendinitis.

Chuck daly is one of the pistons' best philosophers ever served the motor city. i believe mike will use the same thing. kwame brown? maybe he will be the next prodigy sun of detroit AKA Ben Wallace.

Joe Dumars Questions and Answers part 1

2008-10-28T00:15:00.000-07:00

Pistons president Joe Dumars sat down with Pistons.com editor Keith Langlois on the eve of the 2008-09 regular season to talk about Michael Curry’s first training camp and preseason and the outlook for the Pistons on the season ahead. Here’s Part I of the transcript of their conversation. Come back to Pistons.com on Tuesday for Part II.
KEITH LANGLOIS: I’m going to start with an open and broad question because I don’t want to tie you down to anything specific, but I want to get your impression of training camp and the preseason. What struck you most about it?

JOE DUMARS: Much more sense of focus. I think Michael and the coaching staff have done a great job of getting us organized and committed to what we’re doing here. I think they’ve done an excellent job of that. I think the players came in open, understanding what the mandate was and how we’re going to do things going forward. From that standpoint, I’ve been pleased with what Mike and the coaching staff and how the players have come in and gravitated to the new way we’re doing things here. That’s been my general impression.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KL: The media get in to see the last 30 minutes or so of practice. Under previous coaches, basically we would see them shooting free throws. So it’s an apples and oranges comparison, I realize, but what we’ve seen of these practices, they seem extremely competitive and focused. Can you comment on that aspect of it? Mike has talked often about the need to make practices competitive.
JD: Because I think, yeah, there was a need for us to become more intense and competitive in practice. We spent a portion of this summer speaking about complacency and when you come in and make your practices intense and competitive, that’s a part of getting your team out of that. You can’t just wait until games to say, OK, we’re going to be intense and competitive. Mike and I spent the whole summer talking about this. You can’t come in and have practices totally opposite of how you’re going to play the game. There has to be some carryover there. So I think the first month or so here was really about re-establishing how we’re going to play, what our approach is going to be, the focus and commitment that you have to make to be a Detroit Piston. That’s what all of this has been about. Just to change the focus back to, we’re about business. So that’s why I say I feel good about this first month, just getting that back, first and foremost.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KL: The other day Mike said something I thought was interesting. As I’m sure you’re aware, he has his grading system – he grades every player, every game – and every drill in practice has a winner and a loser. And he said that’s all a part – he’s already looking to the postseason – he said this is all part of developing an edge that carries you through the regular season and gets you ready for the postseason. He also, when he was talking about his new offense, said we’re going to struggle at first. We’re not going to centralize the decision-making and the ballhandling quite as much and we’re going to get better shots and be less predictable, because in the postseason that’s important. Is that type of focus on the postseason something you appreciate?
JD: Yeah. I think every day you walk in here as a team you have to have a purpose and a focus on what you’re trying to do. We’ve been fortunate enough to compete at the highest level of this league for quite a few years now. So that’s the standard that we’ve set and you have to embrace that. That’s all he’s been doing. He’s coming in and embracing the standard that’s already been set here. He’s not trying to shy away from it or look for any excuses. He’s simply embracing it and saying this is what the standard is and I’m going to go for it. And I appreciate that. I respect that.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KL: You’ve touched on this a little already, but to the extent you can tell before a regular-season game has been played, can you gauge how the veterans have responded to this pretty explicit higher standard being set here?
JD: With the young guys – let me just say this first – with the young guys, new guys into the league, they’re going to latch on to whatever is laid out there, good, bad or indifferent. So more importantly is how your veteran guys, it’s how they embrace or not, what’s happening. These guys have embraced it. They’ve embraced it. I mean, I think, you watch the last half-hour of practice when you guys have been able to watch, and see how those veteran guys are competing. You watch the games, our guys will show up. You watch the bench and see how the veterans are reacting to the young guys. I think it becomes pretty evident that these guys have embraced. Because I think guys want structure. They want accountability. They want discipline. Because these guys understand that those are all the things it takes if you’re competing at the highest level and say you want to be in the NBA Finals, well then these guys understand that’s what it takes, anyway. So you may as well embrace it. You cannot have it both ways. You can’t say you want to be playing and competing for an NBA championship and be competing at the highest level, but you don’t want discipline and accountability. They go hand in hand, so you’ve got to have it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KL: I know you had a high level of confidence in Mike to do this because you know him well enough and you were confident he knew the organization well enough that it would erase a lot of the normal concerns you would have with a first-time coach. But until a guy does it, I guess you never really know for sure. Have you been surprised at all that he’s been so self-assured and seemed so in control of every aspect of being a head coach so far?
JD: No, I’m not surprised. Michael has a presence about himself. He has those leadership qualities about himself and they’re real. He doesn’t have to gear himself up. He can walk out and talk to you guys and be himself and have a strong presence and know what’s on his mind. He’s confident about what he feels and he’ll express that. So I’m not surprised he’s made that type of transition in terms of stepping into that seat. There are 82 games in front of us. He’ll have some ups and downs. But I like who he is as a head coach. I like his presence and the way he carries himself and the way he goes about his business. I like the way he does it. That’s a good quality to have and I think the guys respect it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KL: Talk about the staff for a second. From an outsider’s perspective, it seems like a staff that – I don’t know how important getting along is – but it seems like a staff that’s all pulling the oar in the same direction.
JD: This is a good staff. This is a very good staff. It’s a very hard-working staff. They put the time in, the hours. This is a staff that has a lot of passion about what they do. I think it’s pretty clear when you’re around this staff that they have it. Not only do you and I see it, but the players sense it. They see it. I think all of that helps in the process of what we’re trying to re-establish here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KL: Mike’s said a few things over the course of camp and he’s said them matter-of-factly. As reporters, I guess we’ve been taken aback a little bit because he’s been sometimes blunt and plain-spoken and out there, but he’s said Rasheed’s in good shape but not where he needs to be. He said last week after the Dallas game, Rip got a delay of game tech and a technical and he gave two points away and if we had lost, I’d be talking about that right now. We have to exercise better self-control. Then Rip and Chauncey didn’t get to the scorer’s table in time and he let them know about it. I just thought it was interesting that he’s been so blunt, so up front and matter-of-fact, and it seems to be received with perfect equanimity by the players. Would that have been possible if he hadn’t come with such a built-in reputation for command?
JD: First of all, those guys respect him. That’s the basis and foundation for everything. Secondly, he’s the first to let those guys know how proud he is of them. And how pleased he is with a lot of the stuff they’re doing. So it’s not just coming down on guys. No. 1, they respect him. No. 2, he compliments those guys a lot. No. 3, when it is time for him to say something to them, or get on them about something, it’s well-received. I guess what I’m saying is, there’s the right balance in how he’s dealing with those guys. It’s not all just blunt, getting on guys. It’s pretty much the gamut. I see him complimenting them, to laughing with them, to getting on them, to being very serious with them. When you’ve got a good balance like that, it’s not a problem.

My comment about the pistons

Yep i believe they are at the backwalls of their career. as sheed's final contract. i think they should extend sheed's contract also the rest of the pistons' starters like chauncey and rip.

tayshaun should mature up his game with confidence and play aggressive as like what he did to reggie 4 years ago. which is known as THE BLOCK.

I Believe Joe D will have some adjustments with the bench. specially the emergence of Aron Afflalo, Jason Maxiell, Rodney Stuckey, Amir Johnson who had been terrific these past preseason games. and the senegal sensation Cheick Samb.

one more thing. i need a sweet impact from those fresh rookies named walter sharpe whose rumored as the 2nd tayshaun prince of the team and deron washington.. this year will be the challenge for the youngsters like them.

like the lakers. the pistons' 2nd team will emerge as what happened to the lakeshow's bench scoring. (farmar's performance, Vujacic's improved skills
and sun yuo from china)

That is all i can comment for the pistons this year.

JR (admiral) De Leon IV
The Pistongun (Detroit Pistons #1 Fan)

2008-08-12T20:43:00.001-07:00

Wild West
by Keith Langlois

Editor’s note: Pistons.com today starts a six-part series examining the off-season moves made by the NBA’s 30 teams in a division-by-division analysis. In today’s Part I, we look at the Pacific Division: Coming in Wednesday’s Part II: Southwest.
Fitting enough that we start with the Pacific Division, because it was the startling decision by Baron Davis to opt out of the final year of his contract with Golden State that set the course for the NBA’s free agency season. When Davis opted out and immediately agreed to bolt to a divisional rival, the Los Angeles Clippers, all indications were that Davis would team up with Elton Brand to give the Clippers a shot at contending in the hypercompetitive Western Conference.

After all, it was only because Brand also made the surprising decision to opt out of the final year of his contract that the Clippers had the salary-cap space to accommodate Davis. But the eight-day moratorium period between the start of free agency and the time contracts could be signed gave Philadelphia the time it needed to clear additional cap space and bowl over Brand with an offer that sent one of the NBA’s most potent scoring and rebounding threats out of the West.

Here’s a look at the summer scoreboard for the Pacific Division’s five members in order of their significance of activity:

GOLDEN STATE

COMING – The Warriors responded to the loss of Davis by signing two free agents from within the division, getting Corey Maggette from the Clippers and Ronny Turiaf from the Lakers. Though they might have overpaid a little for each – the Lakers could have retained Turiaf, a restricted free agent, but passed on the chance to match the four-year, $17 million deal – they represent a pretty nice recovery from the shock of losing the dynamic Davis. Golden State also picked up LSU’s Anthony Randolph with a lottery pick and Randolph, though impossibly skinny at 6-foot-10 and barely 200 pounds, showed in Las Vegas he has potential to one day develop into a multidimensional weapon on the wing. A minor trade helped address the void at point guard when the Warriors got disappointing second-year guard Marcus Williams from the Nets.

GOING – The losses weren’t limited just to Davis. Golden State also lost two useful wing players to free agency, Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes, and let 2006 lottery pick Patrick O’Bryant walk away as a free agent.

PROJECTED LINEUP – Point guard: Monta Ellis (Marcus Williams, C.J. Watson); shooting guard: Stephen Jackson (Marco Belinelli); center: Andris Biedrins (Ronny Turiaf, Kosta Perovic); power forward: Al Harrington (Brandan Wright, Richard Hendrix); small forward: Corey Maggette (Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Randolph).

BOTTOM LINE – In the long run, Golden State probably is better off not tied to a risky contract with Davis, who has had longstanding health and conditioning issues. In the short term, it remains to be seen if Ellis can be an orchestrator in addition to being the mercurial scorer he’s already proven to be. The Warriors are believed to be shopping Al Harrington to clear playing time for youngsters Wright and Randolph. How Maggette, a slasher who needs the ball to be effective, fits with Don Nelson’s spread-the-floor, manic attack, remains to be seen.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

COMING – For a few giddy days after signing Baron Davis, the Clippers allowed themselves to believe they’d be a force in the West next season. Without Elton Brand as his sidekick, things don’t look quite so rosy for Los Angeles’ distant No. 2 team. The Clippers used the cap room they gained when Brand signed with Philly to take Marcus Camby off of Denver’s hands in a salary purge designed to get the Nuggets out from under their heavy luxury tax burden. They also picked up a serviceable backup point guard Jason Hart in trade from Utah for Brevin Knight, signed aging Jason Williams to further supplement the position and plucked Ricky Davis, a high-maintenance wing scorer, from the free-agent pool. The draft could yield major dividends. The Clips got Indiana freshman guard Eric Gordon, who possesses both deep shooting range and explosiveness to the rim, and a second-rounder with a high ceiling in Texas A&M’s massive DeAndre Jordan. Though a limited player, adding veteran tough guy Brian Skinner to a frontcourt that could use a little muscle was a decent pickup.

GOING – Losing Elton Brand was a major and thoroughly unexpected blow for the Clippers, though – as with Golden State and Davis – there was inherent risk in committing $80 million to a 265-pounder coming off a torn Achilles tendon. In order to add Camby and Ricky Davis, the Clips wound up renouncing a handful of journeymen, which leaves them a little thin around the edges. The one they might regret losing is Shaun Livingston, whose massive knee injury two years ago derailed what looked like a very bright career. Losing Corey Maggette leaves a scoring void, but the Clippers needed to make room for promising second-year forward Al Thornton, anyway.

PROJECTED LINEUP – Point guard: Baron Davis (Jason Williams, Jason Hart, Mike Taylor); shooting guard: Cuttino Mobley (Eric Gordon): center: Chris Kaman (Brian Skinner, DeAndre Jordan); power forward: Marcus Camby (Tim Thomas); small forward: Al Thornton (Ricky Davis).

SACRAMENTO

COMING – The Kings are pretty much in rebuilding mode with Kevin Martin now entrenched as the team’s centerpiece. Their lottery pick produced the first real surprise pick of the draft when the Kings opted for Rider 7-footer Jason Thompson. Thompson will be joined by another boom-or-bust type of rookie, Syracuse freshman Donte Green, acquired in a trade that can’t be formalized until 30 days passes from Green’s July signing of his rookie contract with Houston. Point guard Beno Udrih, who enjoyed something of a breakout season, was retained in free agency after the Kings traded away Mike Bibby at the trade deadline last February to make Udrih the starter. If Bobby Jackson can stay healthy – he’s also en route from Houston – he’ll help the Kings win games. Bobby Brown’s play in the Las Vegas Summer League had several teams interested in signing him and the Kings, without much behind Udrih, made the strongest pitch.

GOING – Every team in the league explored the pluses and minuses of taking on Ron Artest and all that he entails, but in the end a late first-rounder (Green) and a veteran with a lot of wear on his tread (Jackson) was the best package the Kings could fetch. The only other loss of any significance was backup point guard Anthony Johnson, who signed with Orlando in free agency.

PROJECTED LINEUP – Point guard: Beno Udrih (Bobby Brown, Sean Singletary); shooting guard: Kevin Martin (John Salmons, Quincy Douby); center: Brad Miller (Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson); power forward: Mikki Moore (Kenny Thomas, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Shelden Williams); small forward: Francisco Garcia (Donte Green, Patrick Ewing Jr.).

BOTTOM LINE – The Kings have a glut of big men – quantity, at least – and not much in the way of wing players. They would have loved to have moved Kenny Thomas and his big contract in the Artest deal, but nobody was biting. If Thompson and Green become quality players, then the future doesn’t look so bad. But it’s a pretty safe bet Sacramento has at least one more year in the lottery.

PHOENIX

COMING – The Suns made their big move last February when they traded for Shaquille O’Neal, to mixed results. They headed into August with only 11 players signed but capped out, meaning they’re probably looking at nothing more than adding a few journeymen to veteran’s minimum deals. The big splashes of the summer were using the pick obtained from Atlanta in the Joe Johnson deal to land Stanford big man Robin Lopez, considered less of an offensive threat than his twin brother Brook, and signing erratic but athletic Golden State wing Matt Barnes in free agency. The Suns are also hoping to add second-round European point guard Goran Dragic as the backup they currently lack to Steve Nash.

GOING – An equally uneventful summer … the only player who won’t be back who even occasionally dented last year’s rotation is Brian Skinner.

PROJECTED LINEUP – Point guard: Steve Nash (D.J. Strawberry); shooting guard: Raja Bell (Leandro Barbosa); center: Shaquille O’Neal (Robin Lopez); power forward: Amare Stoudemire (Boris Diaw); small forward: Grant Hill (Matt Barnes, Alando Tucker).

BOTTOM LINE – Given the age or frailty of O’Neal, Hill and Nash, the Suns look almost dangerously thin and without the resources to do much about it unless ownership reverses itself and commits to serious luxury taxation. Hard to project anything but a step or two back for Phoenix.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

COMING – The Lakers drafted former Detroit Renaissance and Kentucky guard Joe Crawford late in the second round. If he makes the team – a pretty considerable if – he’d have to stick around a long time before anyone thinks of him rather than a certain pugnacious NBA referee whenever the name “Joe Crawford” is uttered.

GOING – The Lakers are going to miss Ronny Turiaf, though it’s hard to question the decision to not match Golden State’s offer to the restricted free agent considering the presence of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom.

PROJECTED LINEUP – Point guard: Derek Fisher (Jordan Farmar): shooting guard: Kobe Bryant (Sasha Vujacic, Coby Karl, Joe Crawford): center: Andrew Bynum (Chris Mihm); power forward: Pau Gasol (Vladimir Radmanovic); small forward: Lamar Odom (Luke Walton, Trevor Ariza).

BOTTOM LINE – The key for the Lakers is getting Bynum back with a healthy knee and playing at the level he was at in mid-season before going down, then learning how to play in tandem with Gasol. If that happens, there’s no question who’ll go into next spring’s playoffs as the favorite to emerge in the West.

Will Bynum: At the Point

2008-08-06T04:34:00.000-07:00

Editor’s note: Pistons.com continues an eight-part series on the eight players from the Pistons’ NBA Las Vegas Summer League roster who have NBA futures. This week we’ll do daily stories on the three second-round draft picks, holdover center Cheikh Samb and free agent point guard Will Bynum. Next week we’ll post stories on the three players who figure to be part of the playing rotation – Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo and Amir Johnson. In today’s Part II, we look at Will Bynum. Coming Wednesday: Trent Plaisted.
The Pistons thought former Illinois All-American Dee Brown was coming to Summer League with them and first in line to vie for the No. 3 slot at point guard behind Chauncey Billups and Rodney Stuckey. But when Washington offered Brown both a contract and a clearer path to playing time even before Summer League, the Pistons wasted no time in moving on to Will Bynum.

They acted with similar decisiveness in offering Bynum a guaranteed contract just hours after Summer League play wrapped up on July 20.

So it’s safe to say the Pistons saw what they were hoping to see in Bynum, a 2005 product of Georgia Tech who lifted the Yellowjackets to the 2004 NCAA title game with a driving last-second layup in a semifinal win over Oklahoma State.

That type of explosiveness and scoring ability is part of what attracted the Pistons to Bynum, but it’s been the willingness to adapt and focus on the defensive end that earned him his shot to stick in the NBA this time after a brief fling with Golden State in the 2005-06 season, when Bynum was also named NBA Development League Rookie of the Year.

“Just putting a whole bunch of pressure on the ball and trying to change the tempo of the game,” Bynum said in Las Vegas of his role. “I think that’s pretty much what I’ve got to be. I’ve got to focus every single possession on locking down my guy and putting a bunch of pressure on the ball.”

Bynum, who played with Euroleague power Maccabi Tel Aviv the last two seasons and turned down a lucrative offer in Italy to join the Pistons, averaged 11.8 points and 3.2 assists a game in Las Vegas, starting the final three games when Rodney Stuckey was idled by a minor toe injury. His seven steals tied for the team lead with Walter Sharpe.

Bynum’s season had just wound down in Israel in early July when he got an unexpected phone call from Joe Dumars, asking him if he’d like to come to Las Vegas for a chance to earn a spot in the NBA.

“It was a big shock,” Bynum said, “to get a call from a Hall of Fame player telling you he wants you to play for his team. It’s definitely a blessing. It’s a great opportunity for me.”

“Will has always been a guy that Joe has liked, as well as our staff, dating back to college when he was coming out,” Pistons vice president Scott Perry said. “I’ve watched him since he was a high school guy. Will has always been a guy with what we consider, even coming out, NBA offensive ability. The guy has a second gear. He can explode, he’s athletic, he can score, he can get in the lane and make plays – he’s always been able to do that.

“The things he had to work on when he didn’t stick around the league is defending the basketball, which he always could do but was maybe never required to do coming through high school and college, and becoming a little more responsible with the ball. He’s trying to shed himself of that and I think he’s done a nice job of that in his development.”

Bynum seemed humbled and appreciative of the opportunity the Pistons provided him and that went a long way toward convincing them that he would have the right makeup to accept the role being offered, even though Bynum has always been a big-time scorer who left the Chicago playgrounds as something of a legend.

“We all mature in life,” Perry said. “We all grow. Will is no different. Like most young kids who play, he had a dream of playing in the NBA. He got a taste of it in Golden State, but he had to go overseas, go to the D-League, go a tough route. You learn to appreciate things more. So when people tell him, because he’s a little smaller in size, ‘Hey, for you to stick on an NBA roster, you’re going to have to pick up defensively 94 feet and really get after people,’ he’s ready to do that. He accepts that.

“He’s got an opportunity now with us. He’s got a guaranteed contract and now it’s time to fulfill that dream of playing.”

Bynum has another fan in Pistons coach Michael Curry, who came to appreciate Bynum’s talents when Curry worked in NBA League Operations and spent considerable time working with D-League players and coaches.

“He’s made a concerted effort to get better defensively,” Curry said. “He’s playing the best defense I’ve ever seen him play. Sometimes he’s a little too aggressive, but we can bring that back. It’s harder to try to make a guy aggressive than calm him down.”

The role the Pistons foresee for Bynum is spot minutes behind Chauncey Billups and Rodney Stuckey, used similarly to the way they’ve employed Lindsey Hunter – coming on for four- or five-minute stretches to harass the opposition point guard and make it difficult to get into the half-court offense. Even if Hunter decides to come back and play one more season, the Pistons don’t want to put the 38-year-old veteran into a role that demanding over the course of 82 games.

But if Billups or Stuckey were to miss a week or two with a minor injury, Perry thinks Bynum would be capable of stepping up to No. 2 and giving the Pistons 12 or 15 solid minutes nightly.

“He’s got the ability to do that,” Perry said. “We looked at teams and their third point guards and went through that list of names. Hey, Will Bynum can play with that group. There’s no question in my mind.”

Walter Sharpe: the Razor Sharpe

2008-08-06T04:30:00.001-07:00

Editor’s note: Pistons.com today starts an eight-part series on the eight players from the Pistons’ NBA Las Vegas Summer League roster who have NBA futures. This week we’ll do daily stories on the three second-round draft picks, holdover center Cheikh Samb and free agent point guard Will Bynum. Next week we’ll post stories on the three players who figure to be part of the playing rotation – Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo and Amir Johnson. In today’s Part I, we look at Walter Sharpe. Coming Tuesday: Will Bynum.
One by one, the free agent small forwards who might have filled the most obvious hole on the Pistons’ roster – a quality backup behind Tayshaun Prince – signed elsewhere this summer.

James Posey left Boston for New Orleans. James Jones hooked on with Miami after getting squeezed out in Portland. Orlando snatched Mickael Pietrus off the market from Golden State. C.J. Miles signed an offer sheet from Oklahoma City as a restricted free agent. And on it went.

The Pistons weren’t about to pay starter’s money to someone who doesn’t figure to command more than 15 minutes a game – if that.

And it’s not like the Pistons don’t have options. They would bring back Walter Herrmann at the right price. Arron Afflalo showed as a rookie that he’s capable of guarding most small forwards, especially in a league trending smaller. Rip Hamilton has shown eye-opening ability to contain the elite small forwards in the East, everyone from LeBron James to Paul Pierce.

And then there’s the X-factor – Walter Sharpe.

Sharpe, the surprise pick of the Pistons when they traded out of the first round from 29 to 32 and picked up an extra second-rounder from Seattle in the process, comes to Detroit with a shallow body of work. He played only 18 college games over the past three seasons, dogged by academic and behavioral woes that he and the Pistons are fully confident have been remedied by the diagnosis and successful treatment of narcolepsy, a sleep disorder.

But as Sharpe showed in the Las Vegas Summer League, he has a rare skill set – a lanky frame that seems to make him bigger than his 6-foot-9 listed height, a fluid running motion and, most notably, an obvious comfort level handling and passing the ball on the perimeter.

The Pistons aren’t going into training camp expecting Sharpe to emerge as Prince’s backup, but they’re not going to put up barriers to stunt his growth, either. Though Sharpe’s relative inexperience might argue against a quick ascent, it also could suggest that his learning curve will be accelerated once he gets a healthy dose of exposure to the speed of the NBA game.

“I wouldn’t say anything is unrealistic,” Pistons vice president Scott Perry said after watching Sharpe in Las Vegas. “I’m sure if you talk to Walter, he’d say (being Prince’s backup) ‘is going to be me.’ That’s part of the reason he’s a good player. He has that belief. We know he has to grow and mature. If that happens, that’s tremendous. But we are not putting that pressure on him to have to be that from day one.”

Sharpe started all five Summer League games at small forward – in itself a transition, since he’d always been an interior player – and averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 37 percent.

But it wasn’t in the numbers but the flashes – the ability to take the ball from the wing to the basket in a few long, easy strides; the comfort level in posting up overmatched smaller forwards in the post; the ease with which he strokes the ball from the perimeter to beyond the 3-point line – that makes observers feel Sharpe has an NBA future, whenever it arrives.

“We’re asking Walter to come in and move from being in the post to being a perimeter player and guard the hardest position on the floor,” Pistons coach Michael Curry said in Las Vegas. “It’s an adjustment for him, but he’s a kid that loves to play.”

Sharpe said the biggest adjustment is on the defensive end, expending a level of energy to which he was unaccustomed in chasing small forwards through screens and guarding in a much wider space than when he would check big men.

“It was different,” he said midway through the Summer League. “It took me the first two games. It was mostly fatigue, coming down and playing the three and just moving the whole game. I never had to do that. It’s just a transition. I’m adjusting.”

“At this level, and I know Michael’s told him and we’ve mentioned it to him as well, at that position – not to suggest there are nights off at other positions – but that position, in particular, is a bear,” Perry said. “Most of your teams, you’re dealing with a guy who is a focal point of your offense. Small forwards typically score and they typically run around a lot, receive a lot of screens, use ball screens, make one-on-one moves off the dribble.

“In college, he played primarily inside and could lock into a guy on the post and move in a much smaller area. Now he’s having to defend the whole court. As he gets in NBA-caliber shape, he’ll be able to do that in longer stretches and feel more comfortable doing it.”

The focus on defense and the pace at which he was learning to play affected his offense, Sharpe said, yet the flashes were already becoming more prevalent as Summer League wound down. Sharpe began to show that in individual workouts for NBA teams as the draft drew nearer, once he began focusing his efforts on basketball when his hope of regaining NCAA eligibility began to fade around June 1. In the three weeks between then and his workout for the Pistons – which they stretched to two days to get a better feel for him as both a player and person – Sharpe shed 20 pounds and began outplaying similarly sized players many had pegged for the lottery.

“I feel good about Walter Sharpe,” Perry said. “I felt good when we drafted him and I wasn’t surprised at anything I saw in Las Vegas. He’s a guy who if you look at five minutes of tape, you say, ‘Man, who is this big, skilled, talented guy?’ And then you look at another five minutes and say, ‘He’s got a lot to learn.’ We knew both of those sides when we drafted him. The bigger thing will be just getting through the year and adjusting and learning more about his body and conditioning and how all that is going to get handled and worked through.”

Under Joe Dumars, the Pistons have put a premium on players of strong character and players with a burning desire to win. The Pistons see those traits in Sharpe and were encouraged by the way he took to coaching in Las Vegas.

“The more organized basketball hours he gets, the more he learns about the game – learning to be more efficient – the better he will be,” Perry said. “He has a lot of natural ability, but he will quickly learn that at this level, there are a lot of guys with natural ability. What begins to separate them is the work they put into the game to surpass the next guy.

“Michael has commented a number of times that Walter is like a sponge. He’s going to remember what you tell him. He’s a willing learner. It’s going to be a year of learning, like it is for every rookie, no matter how talented.”

Deron Washington The Future Asset

2008-08-06T04:29:00.000-07:00

Editor’s note: Pistons.com continues an eight-part series on the eight players from the Pistons’ NBA Las Vegas Summer League roster who have NBA futures. This week we’ll do daily stories on the three second-round draft picks, holdover center Cheikh Samb and free agent point guard Will Bynum. Next week we’ll post stories on the three players who figure to be part of the playing rotation – Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo and Amir Johnson. In today’s Part IV, we look at Deron Washington. Coming Friday: Cheikh Samb.
The Pistons drafted Deron Washington at No. 59 with the future in mind – both his and theirs.

Washington will spend at least a season in Europe honing his skills, but at some point the Pistons think they’ll have a first-class perimeter defender plus a player whose athleticism meshes nicely with the NBA’s increased emphasis on playing the game over all 94 feet.

“There’s no question he will be able to defend guys at the two and three positions,” Pistons vice president Scott Perry said after Washington’s stint in the Las Vegas Summer League affirmed the team’s predraft evaluation of him. “With his length, he’s got the athletic ability and he’s got the mind-set to do it. He’s good in the open court. He can slash to the rim and make plays at the rim and with the way the game is going you need some guys on your team like that. I think he’s got a good upside and good future ahead of him.”

Washington comes by his athleticism honestly. His father, Lionel, played 15 years as a defensive back in the NFL and is currently a secondary coach for the Green Bay Packers. His mother, Denise, played college basketball at Xavier University in New Orleans.

Washington went to Virginia Tech out of high school in New Orleans – his mother, a schoolteacher, lost her home to Hurricane Katrina – and started 125 of the 128 games he played over four years for the Hokies, averaging 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists a game as a senior. He also became something of a You Tube legend for his feistiness – see the play in which a frustrated Washington, late in a tough loss to Duke, gives Lee Melchionni a little something extra – and his highlight-reel dunks.

“He’s not short on any toughness,” Perry said. “He will compete and he will fight, which is an important quality for us. But he’s very coachable and I think a guy who will make the most of whatever opportunity he gets. I was pleased with how he played in the Summer League.”

Washington averaged 6.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 22 minutes a game while swinging between small forward and shooting guard behind both Walter Sharpe and Arron Afflalo. Though his outside shot is not yet a strength, Washington did shot .545 in Las Vegas, knocked down his only 3-point attempt and showed a nice stroke that suggests he could become an asset from the perimeter. Right now the best part of Washington’s offense comes as a finisher in transition and as the receiver of lob passes where he can use his quickness and leaping ability to go over the top of a defense. Even without having developed any chemistry with point guards Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum, Washington threw down a few lob dunks that brought the Las Vegas crowd to its feet.

“He’s a tremendous athlete who we thought could defend on the wing and he illustrated both of those things in the Summer League,” Perry said. “He’ll continue to develop his perimeter shot. He has a good form that he can develop and become a pretty good shooter. Going overseas and having the time to do that – the time and the focus to do that – will help. I like him down the road.”

The Pistons have been working with Washington’s agent and using their network of European contacts to secure the best situation possible for him and hope to land him with a team in either Italy or Spain soon. Before Washington has to leave for abroad, they hope can take part in some or all of the three weeks of voluntary workouts Michael Curry has scheduled in Auburn Hills for August.

“We sit down (with his European coaches) and say these are the things we think he needs to develop so in time he can come back – that’s the idea,” Perry said. “And it’s important that he has coaches who have shown the willingness and the ability to develop guys. It’s also important that he has the opportunity to play. It makes no sense if he’s not going to get minutes on the floor. That will be an integral part of where he’s going as will the living situation. You want him to have the opportunity to be in a place where he’ll enjoy living a little bit because that will be a part of the adjustment.”

Cheikh Samb: Ahead of Schedule

2008-08-06T04:27:00.000-07:00

Ahead of Schedule
by Keith Langlois

Editor’s note: Pistons.com continues an eight-part series on the eight players from the Pistons’ NBA Las Vegas Summer League roster who have NBA futures. This week we’ve posted daily stories on the three second-round draft picks, holdover center Cheikh Samb and free agent point guard Will Bynum. Next week we’ll post profiles on the three players who figure to be part of the playing rotation – Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo and Amir Johnson. In today’s Part V, we look at Cheikh Samb. Coming Monday: Arron Afflalo.
The Pistons have seen enough from Cheikh Samb to know he has a long NBA career ahead of him if he so chooses. What they don’t know yet is just how great his impact on the game will be.

As a big man with an uncanny shooting touch and an enormous wing span that makes him a shot-blocking force, Samb has a skill set unique enough among to ensure he’ll always find a place on an NBA roster. And because he’s only been playing basketball for about five years, he’s still learning the nuances of the five-on-five game.

How far Samb can go will depend on a number of other factors. Can he continue to develop physically to become strong enough to battle thicker and stronger players? Will he develop enough of a back-to-the-basket game to complement his ability to step outside and knock down 18-footers? Can his love of the game and his thirst for knowledge overcome all the years of experience he missed as a youngster in Senegal more interested in soccer until his younger brother, Mamadou, began playing basketball and others urged the gangly Cheikh to give it a try?

“Cheikh brings a different component to the game,” Pistons coach Michael Curry said in Las Vegas, where Samb averaged 10 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots a game in the Summer League. “He can really shoot the basketball and defensively he can change the game around the basket for us. We definitely have to continue to develop him and get him out on the court. We’re going to find minutes for him (during the regular season) in certain situations.

Samb appeared in four games for the Pistons last season, two in November when Antonio McDyess was sidelined by a shoulder injury and two late in the season when Flip Saunders began resting his starters for the playoffs. Samb was particularly impressive in a November game in Los Angeles when he blocked two shots, altered another handful, and grabbed four rebounds in 15 minutes against the Lakers, knocking down a baseline jumper, as well.

The 7-foot-1 Samb also had two stints with Fort Wayne of the NBA Development League, setting a league record with 10 blocked shots in a triple-double performance. He broke his jaw and had two teeth dislodged in his second D-League game, impressing the Pistons by not shying away from contact upon his return. And while many big men are pushed into the game because of their size but never really embrace it, Samb has amazed the Pistons with his work ethic and his openness to coaching.

“He has come in and worked hard,” said Darrell Walker, brought in by Curry as an assistant coach. “I didn’t know he was that long – very, very long. Any big man that can shoot the ball in this league has a chance to stick around and get some minutes. And with this team, Michael wanting to play his bench a lot more, he has a chance to get some minutes and he can make some shots.”

“The kid can shoot,” Rodney Stuckey said. “He’s going to be a big part of our team during the season, too. He can get in the lane and block shots and he’s coming along really well. I think he’s ahead of schedule.”

When the Pistons traded Maurice Evans to the Lakers on draft night 2006, their original blueprint called for Samb to spend two more seasons playing professionally in Spain. But when Samb showed up considerably stronger for Summer League 2007, they decided to bring him to the NBA a year ahead of time. Now they might be rethinking their original plan to give Samb a second year of D-League seasoning.

“Depending on how everything goes in camp, if he’s getting some regular time on the floor, then obviously there’s no need to send him to the D-League,” Perry said. “But if he’s not playing as many minutes and he’s inactive, the value of him getting more game experience is always an option and a possibility.”

That’s the most critical piece to hastening Samb’s development – more live, full-court basketball. All the work Samb has put into the weight room and shooting and taking individual instruction from assistant coaches, especially Dave Cowens, is also important, but there’s no substitute for basketball as played under game situations.

“The big thing for Cheikh is just getting more playing time,” Perry said. “The only thing that’s going to take care of that is continue to practice five on five, get game opportunities. He’s got to play more basketball and only time is going to cure that. You just have to wait and see when he gets here in the fall how far he’s come along. I can see the improvement in his body. You’re talking about a young guy who hasn’t played basketball for a very long time.”

Samb was listed at 195 when the Pistons traded for him, but he began seriously attacking the weights when he suffered an ankle injury during his last season in Spain. He’s somewhere in the 235 to 240 range, now, with a noticeably bigger upper body.

“For any basketball player, core strength is important – abs, back, upper legs, the middle part of the body,” Perry said. “I think his legs have gotten a little bigger, too. He just has to continue to get stronger in that base, because he’s playing against some big, strong men. He’s a taller, leaner body. As he gets stronger, the more he plays, he’ll learn how to establish better leverage and position and use the strength he does have to get places on the floor. That’s going to come, again, with just playing more basketball.”

Afflalo and Stuckey Extends the contract as a Piston

2008-08-06T04:26:00.000-07:00

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team exercised its team option on the contracts of guards Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo. Both contracts are now extended through the 2009-10 NBA season.
“We are pleased to have both Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo signed through the 2009-10 season,” said Dumars. “Both players will continue to grow and mature within our system and we look forward to the contributions they will bring this season and beyond.”

Stuckey, 22, appeared in 57 games (two starts) last season, averaging 7.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 19.0 minutes per game. In two starts (Pistons 2-0 in those games) he averaged 18.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 28.5 minutes per game. Stuckey saw action in 17 playoff games (2 starts), averaging 8.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 22.4 minutes per game. Filling in for an injured Chauncey Billups, he averaged 10.5 points and 4.5 assists in two playoff games as a starter, recording playoff career-highs in points (19) and minutes (34) at Orlando (5/7) in the second round. He missed the first 25 games of the season after suffering a broken left hand in the club’s final preseason game vs. Washington (10/24).

Afflalo, 22, appeared in 75 games (nine starts) last season, averaging 3.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 12.9 minutes per game…In nine starts (Pistons 6-3 in those games) he averaged 7.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 21.1 minutes per game. Afflalo became the first Pistons rookie since Grant Hill (1994-95) to start a season opener at Miami (11/1) when he played in place of Richard Hamilton who missed the game tending to the birth of his son. He scored 10-plus points seven times and led the team in scoring twice during the year. He also recorded a career-high 15 points twice [at Miami (3/27) and at Cleveland (4/16)], grabbed a career-high eight rebounds and dished out a career-high four assists at Cleveland (4/16).

Kwame Brown: Welcome to the Motown Pistons

2008-08-06T04:25:00.000-07:00

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Given the legal morass swirling around Detroit’s mayoral Manoogian Mansion, it wouldn’t appear a great time to be Kwame in Detroit. But with apologies to Kwame Kilpatrick, Kwame Brown thinks it’s a great time to be a Detroit Piston.
With his career at something of a crossroads, the No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft has chosen a path that has established aimless careers or restored damaged ones for so many before him – Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton, Antonio McDyess, et al.

“I’m happy to be back (in the Eastern Conference),” Brown said in a Tuesday morning conference call. “I feel like I can use my size, my defensive presence and my strength to my advantage a little better over here. And I’m just very excited about how they’ve embraced me – the coaching staff, my teammates. It just seems like a first-class organization.”

Though Brown, who spent the past three years with the Los Angeles Lakers before being traded to Memphis as part of the Pau Gasol trade in February, is a seven-year veteran, he’s still only 26. That makes him less than a year older than Jason Maxiell, a player the Pistons feel still has plenty of growth potential. As Brown evaluated his free-agent options – he says he considered a few other teams, but wouldn’t divulge which ones – he saw Joe Dumars’ Pistons as the one with the greatest capacity to help him unleash his potential.

“I can’t speak for Mr. Dumars, but I definitely hope he sees in me what a lot of people don’t see,” he said. “A lot of people don’t take pride in their defense and don’t tip their hat to guys that go out and stick their nose in there and play hard on defense. I think I’ve been one of the underrated defensive players in the league. I think on this team I’ll have a chance to shine and that’s exactly what this team needs. Every team doesn’t need a big guy that plays defense and runs the court, but this team happens to have that gap in the size they need.”

The Pistons’ depth chart at the two interior positions includes incumbent starters Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess backed by fourth-year forwards Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson. So even if other teams weren’t quite as deep up front, Brown’s hope is that his great size – at 6-foot-11, 270 pounds, he becomes the closest thing the Pistons have to a true power player able to defend opposing centers – will carve out a niche for him.

“I’m just happy to be a Detroit Piston,” he said. “I think a lot of things will be answered once we start playing. I’m not concerned about playing time, not concerned if I start. That’s the coaches’ job. I just have to get myself the best prepared as I can.”

That’s a process that will start next week for Brown when he anticipates coming to Auburn Hills to huddle with strength coach Arnie Kander and spend a few weeks absorbing the culture of his new team.

That will be his chance to make a positive first impression in what sets up as a critical season for Brown, who signed what has been widely reported as a two-year contract worth $8 million with the second year at his option. That means that if Brown muscles his way into the rotation and becomes a mainstay for a winning team, he could strike it rich in free agency next summer.

He’s banking on the winning environment here and the career reclamations that have occurred for others to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation.

“Those are the things that will work themselves out,” he said. “It’s a long season. My thing is this is a team that is definitely a contender. They’ve been to the Eastern Conference finals and the playoffs every year and that’s what I wanted to surround myself around. I wanted to go to a team that’s already established. It’s about coming out and playing hard and playing smart. Being around guys like Rasheed and Chauncey and Tayshaun and Rip Hamilton can definitely help elevate me to the next level.”

Brown has lived with the tag of being a disappointment since his rookie season when Michael Jordan made him Washington’s No. 1 pick as a high school kid who didn’t start getting national attention until his senior year, when he’d signed a letter of intent to attend Florida. His best season came in his third year, 2003-04, when he averaged 10.9 points and 7.4 rebounds in 30 minutes a game for the 25-57 Wizards. After an injury-played 2004-05 season that limited him to 42 games, Brown was shipped to Washington in the deal for Caron Butler.

“I can sit here and spill out all kinds of stuff, injuries or what have you,” Brown said for the reasons his career has stalled. “But I’m not going to do that. The past is the past. I’m not going to disrespect my new organization by saying anything that sounds like an excuse. This is a first for me – I was able to pick and choose from a couple of different teams. This is where I wanted to go and this is where I decided to be and this is my home now.”

Physically, the Pistons are getting Brown at that point in his career when he should be at or nearing his peak. Mentally, Brown says, they’re getting a player who’s been prodded and tested at every turn.

“I’ve heard it all. I’ve been through it all. I’m only 26, but I’ve been through things the average man couldn’t imagine. Your shortcomings play out in the media and get blown up tenfold, but whatever you can say negative about Kwame Brown, everybody who’s met me hasn’t had that opinion. Those people don’t know me. Those people haven’t sat down and broken bread with me.

“I’m in the best situation ever. I’m in a situation now where no one is expecting nothing. I came into the league the No. 1 draft pick. Now I’m on the different end of the spectrum.”

The Pistons are hoping it’s the best time for Kwame in Detroit.

Baracael got mafiad. who knows?

2008-08-02T04:09:00.000-07:00

Cops face blank wall over FEU player's shooting

from gmanews.tv

you see thats why i hate game fixes and deals.

it can cause death.

I Sell Tshirts

2008-07-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

BEAT LA Chants courtesy of ME (from Lakers' rival teams)

These are my new release of my tshirt designs for those who want to get one

P 120 (still pending)

call mr francisco de leon jr : 02- 787 25 20

AGent Zero Says it

2008-07-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

came out of a quick retirement for this blog. I wanted to announce that I’m happy to remain a Washington Wizard.

Wizards fans, go ahead and renew your tickets. We got the team back, we’re going to be healthy and I don’t know what the slogan is for next year, so I can’t say it. Before I could say like “Ready to Rule” or “Go All In,” but they haven’t told me the new one yet, so I can’t say it.

But really, I wanted to blog to tell you all about my trip.

Shanghai, Beijing
I was gone for a total of 12 days. We started out by going to Shanghai, the kingdom of Yao.

You know how when you’re on a plane for 13 hours and you start thinking about everything in the world? Well I was watching an episode of Dave Chappelle in Asia and he was like Godzilla compared to everybody so I was having the same little thought process like, Damn, am I going to be like four feet taller than everybody over there?

Wrong.

Everybody was tall.

I felt short. I was surprised. It wasn’t what you thought. Everybody was tall and long. All the basketball kids were long and lanky.

Anyway, when I got to the airport there was probably 100 fans out there, plus media and paparazzi … you know, it felt nice.

From there, I did a whole bunch of interviews. Doing interviews in different countries is a little weird because if they don’t speak English, you need an interpreter. And then if the interpreter doesn’t speak that good English, you need an interpreter for the interpreter. So, it was interesting, but it was fun.

I did one live online interview in Shanghai and there were 500,000 visitors who streamed into the chat. That blew me away. A half a million people. Whoo!

I helped adidas open up the biggest adidas store in Beijing. Beijing was nice, a lot of smog out there, but other than that it looks like New York. New York’s got rats and dirty gutters, they got smog. Same thing. It’s worse than L.A. smog. You would think it’s either early in the morning or about seven o’clock at night all day. It looks like that all day. It’s like you just woke up and are waiting for the sun to kick in and it never quite gets there. It’s just a black cloud over the city, in Shanghai and Beijing.

Hong Kong
After that we landed in Hong Kong. (We were only in Hong Kong for about an hour, but I have to count that as part of the places I’ve visited.)

Manila
Then we stopped in Manila. It was a different world. I’ve never seen fans like that in my life. These pictures can’t even do justice to what was going on out there. I had a reception at a small, little venue to welcome me to the city and there were 200 people there.

One thing I want to say about Filipinos: they’re very warm people, very good-hearted people. Like, everybody was nice. You know, you meet nice people, but a whole country of nice, genuine, warm-hearted people was unbelievable. These are diehard fans.

I really didn’t know if I was in Game 7 of a playoff series, I couldn’t tell the difference. Everywhere I went it was just bananas.

I also want to give a shout out to my man from Maryland who flew from MD to the Philippines and told me the reason he flew all the way out there was to get autographs from me because he knew I was going to be there at that date and time.

I did a couple mall tours. I also helped a kid with his wish. It was in one of the poverty areas in Manila and there’s a group called GK that builds homes for people all over the world. They helped this community out by putting people in homes. I guess a couple weeks before we got there, a hurricane hit and destroyed their community and GK helped build it back up.

One little kid who lived there wanted a basketball court for his community so all the kids could play so I donated – with the help of GK and adidas – a basketball court to that community and the kid was very happy.

You have to look at the Agent Zero posters they had out there. They put me in a cape at one of my last events in Manila. It was at one of their biggest malls and they were predicting it was going to be crowded. I mean, crowded to me is a Saturday afternoon at the mall where you have to wait in line for 10 minutes to pay for your jeans. Their crowded was probably four or five thousand people in the mall. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and I’ve seen crazy fans all over the world. It was like Golden State against the Dallas Mavericks with Game 3 back in Oakland. It was that type of atmosphere in the mall.

I was stunned.

They made me feel like an NBA star.

Any NBA players out there: If you’re having a bad day, or you’re having a bad career, go to Manila. They’ll bring your spirits up, trust me.

I felt like I just won the NBA championship, to be for real.

After we left the mall we were looking at pictures from the event a couple days later and we were telling ourselves, "Man, that was unreal!"

Plus, with the security I had, I felt like I was the President. I felt like I was Obama. I really felt like I was running in the presidential election, especially when I got to meet the U.S. ambassador out in the Philippines. We had a great time talking to each other.

We actually went to a college basketball game together. Their college game would be like if it was Duke and Maryland playing each other and you split the crowd in half, 50-50. One side of their gym was blue and one side of their gym was green and everybody was just yelling.

Backstage I met Manny Pacquiao, he’s the town hero. I have to be honest, they made me feel even bigger than him at the moment. I talked to him and he invited me to his November fight, so if I have time and depending on if we have a day off, I might go see that. Oh, I also met Jet Li in Shanghai, can’t leave him out.

On top of everything else in Manila, I stayed at the best hotel I’ve ever stayed at – The Peninsula. I was in the mack daddy “El Presidente” suite and was like the Fresh Prince with Geoffrey – I had a live-in butler.

One more note on Manila, just so you guys can get a picture of what kind of people they are and how much they adore and love entertainers and the NBA. Think about this: If you’ve ever been to a Beyoncé concert, or anybody’s concert in the states really, if they sell out an arena it will be 20,000 fans. Last year in Beyoncé’s hometown, Houston, she pulled in 12,000 people to her show. D.C. was her biggest sell, she put 18,000 people in the seats. Meanwhile, she was in Manila for two days to do two concerts and she had 85,000 people, two nights straight.

She couldn’t even do it in the arena, she had to do it on the lawn. Like, “Everybody, y’all just get in the grass, I’m going to perform.”

That’s how the people are out there.

Berlin
So the trip continued and we took that energy to Berlin and that’s another 13-hour flight. We spent half the time talking about how crazy Manila was, so it didn’t feel too long.

Jewish people will say Berlin is home to “him,” everybody else says it’s home to Hitler. Our driver was telling us the history of the whole thing and how Germans are ashamed of him. He also showed us the remnants of the Berlin Wall and the history behind that and what happened. I was interested because when you’re in America, you don’t really pay attention to stuff like that. You hear about it, but you don’t pay attention. So it was intriguing to hear the driver tell us all of the history from a first-hand perspective.

Germany was a great place. Once I left Asia I was done with the adidas tour. Going to Germany was for the NBA to promote Europe Live. I did a full promotional tour. I did all my radio stuff, did my business meetings, got my mingle, used my charm, you know.

I was giving them my little grin, putting my little smile on. Just showing the ladies the pretty eyes and the smile, trying to get some corporate deals done. No big deal.

I met with the developers of the new O2 Arena out there. The first basketball game that will be played there is the Wizards vs. the Hornets during Europe Live. It’s coming together really nice. The guy that designed the STAPLES Center is helping out with the O2, so there’s a lot of glass on the outside and it looks really nice.

What was funny about Berlin is: 1) It’s a very clean city (that’s not the funny part, but it’s a very clean city) 2) The funny part is, their cabs were Beamers. So, NBA players, if you driver a Beamer, your swag is questionable because if you go to Berlin, that’s just a cab.

Another funny thing was that we landed at 10:30 at night and it was still light outside. It was still basically day time. Back in D.C. the sun is going down around 8:15 at this time of July. It’s crazy. So it was finally dark at 11 o’clock in Berlin and then at four o’clock the light was back on, the sun was up again. They have the shortest nights I’ve ever seen in my life. It was messing me up because I’m a dark person. I go to sleep when it’s dark. So I was wide awake a four o’clock and then I’m trying to make it through my interviews that morning.

The people in Berlin were so nice though. One night we went to dinner at a nice restaurant and we didn’t have cash and it ended up being a cash-only place. (I’ve never heard of that before.) So we only had a credit card and we ate probably 90 euros worth of food – which is probably $140 American since Bush done messed up the economy - and they gave us the meal for free. It’s kind of funny, Bush. We can’t even go to Europe and be big ballers any more. They come to the U.S. and feel like kings now. Gas out there for us is nine dollars a gallon, I did the math and everything.

Amsterdam
We stopped in Amsterdam for an hour, I got to mention that. Just the airport though …

Barcelona
Finally, we flew to Barcelona, home of Pau Gasol. That was a beautiful city too. Spain is beautiful. The home of Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz and one of my favorites … El Calderon! He’s not actually from Barcelona, but the Spanish are Spanish. Actually, they have a lot of pros in the league, believe it or not. They have Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Calderon, Garbajosa, Navarro and Rodriguez and Fernandez from Portland. That’s about seven players.

Oh man, but all of the interviews started the same way. I had an interpreter by my side but I heard all the Spanish I needed to hear: “Calderon.” I was thinking, Oh, shoot. Here comes the El Calderon. So, I had to do a lot of speaking about him. It was funny though.

They were very knowledgeable fans about basketball out there. They were asking me questions that I haven’t heard since I was a rookie. They did their research on questions, I was very surprised. I thought I was going to get the same questions … “How does it feel to sign a $100 million deal? … How is your injury? … Can you get the Wizards out of the First Round? … How does it feel losing to Cleveland?” I thought I was going to get the same old questions that reporters say in the states. But, no, they were pulling out some great stuff.

The Barcelonians – I think you can call them Barcelonians – told me, “Yeah! You saved the best city for last!”

It was just a wonderful trip. Tiring, I couldn’t wait to get back to the states, but I’m glad I did it. I’m glad that I didn’t back out of it. It was an “unsurreal” experience. It was surreal, it was unreal and it was needed. Before you leave you hear the media say all that they can say about you – about your contract and what you’re worth and what you’re not worth – and then you go to countries where people actually genuinely love you, it puts you on a high.

To be honest, it’s the only reason I’m blogging again. I’m not even going to lie. Everybody in China, Philippines, Berlin and Barcelona, all they kept saying was, “I love your blog. Keep blogging! What are you going to say about us?” When I told them, “I retired due to technical difficulties with our media,” they were like, “Noooooo! Do it in Chinese so they can’t read it! Do it in Spanish so they can’t read it!”

Free Agent Season
I’ve been paying attention to what’s been going on and I know that Maggette better thank Baron Davis for the contract he has because Baron opened up the market for him to get paid because if Baron hadn’t opted out there wouldn’t have been any money out there for him.

Elton Brand --- whoo! Elton Brand in Philly … it’s hard to tell how that will work out. The way Philly played last year, I would have went after Josh Smith hard. You got long, agile, up-and-down players and if you had Smith at the four, Dalembert at the five and Iguodala at the three, you would have had a jumping, running, young and exciting team. If you want to utilize Elton Brand, you’re going to have to slow the ball down. That should be interesting to see how that actually pans out.

Richard Jefferson going to Milwaukee …. HAHAHA! Oh man, now that is funny. When I heard that, I started laughing. Oh man, did I start laughing. You know why? Because every player hates Milwaukee. Nobody wants to live in Milwaukee. I’m sorry, Milwaukee, to come down hard on you, but no one in the NBA wants to play in Milwaukee. From him going from New Jersey, actually from New York (because he lives in New York), from New York to Milwaukee is like going … let’s just say it’s not going to sit well with you. That was a funny one when I heard that one. I know Yi is happy though.

Baron Davis in L.A. … my biggest concern is whether he’ll be able to focus now that he’s in his hometown. He has a lot of stuff going on. He’s into movies, he’s home, a lot of people are going to be latching on to him … it’s going to be up to him whether it’s going to be successful. He wants to be in a bigger market, but the Clippers are the third team in L.A. First it’s the Lakers, then it’s the Dodgers and third might be the Clippers. And depending on the time of year, you might have some college teams more popular than the Clippers. But, good luck to him.

Corey Maggette and the Warriors … I’m still trying to figure out how they’re going to play him because they already got Captain Jack at the three. Maybe they’ll play Jack and him at the two and the three, then I guess it makes sense, but I don’t know. They have a lot of players at that position, that 2-3, small forward position.

Wizards Pickups
I don’t see James Posey coming, even though he did win his second ring. He might go ahead and go for the money, but if the thinks he can get a third one he might go back. It would be nice to get a backup three now that Roger is with the Spurs.

JaVale McGee, from what I’ve seen on YouTube, is very long, very agile … a little on the thin side, but block shots. Hopefully he’ll be a little like a Tyson Chandler, maybe he can score a little bit better, we’ll have to see how his development goes. He reminds me of a young Marcus Camby a little bit. He has a little soft touch.

I liked Dee Brown when he was in college with Luther Head and Deron Williams, they had a nice little trio over there. Good luck to him trying to make the team, I know he’s going to be out in Vegas with them this week.

What Did I Say?
Some people got mad at me when I said that guys shouldn’t turn down money … Hey … that’s all I can say … Hey. For somebody who’s been in the league seven years and knows what to look for, it may have gotten agents and fans and my dad mad that I made that comment, but like I said, nothing is guaranteed. I was fortunate to get a contract this summer and some other people have been fortunate, but you never know. You never know what management’s plans are. They’ll ship you out. It’s like a recycling bin. People come in, people leave. I see Derrick Rose went to Chicago, so now Chicago has to deal with Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Larry Hughes … somebody has to go.

Then you have Okafor too, he’s another guy who if he doesn’t go back to his own team, there’s not much money out there for him. And since their teams know there’s no money out there for them, what does that mean? There’s no competition, that means the teams can give the players whatever the teams want. Either that, or the players can sign a one-year deal. It’s kind of sad that I was right, but I’m just a player that wants to see everybody get paid. That’s the business. You want to see everybody get paid.

Good Luck, Brandon Jennings
Brandon Jennings, the kid who is about to open up another level of doors and make history by playing overseas out of high school. I’m kind of intrigued to see what’s going to happen. I’m rooting for him: 1) Because he was going to go to Arizona if he had made his grades and 2) If he goes overseas and becomes successful and comes into the league next year, every high school kid has a way out now. It’s just like jumping from high school to the pros again. They’re not going to be making millions. They’re going to be making Second Round money – in the $200,000 - $300,000 range for one year (actually those are euros … so that’s probably about $600,000, ha) and then come into the NBA, be a top five pick and get his millions.

I don’t think the language barrier will be a problem. At the end of the day, basketball is basketball. If you understand, “Pass the ball,” or “Shoot the ball,” the rest of that mumbo jumbo he doesn’t have to worry about. Players from America go to play in Europe every year, he’s just going to be a young player going to do it. If he ends up doing it and he turns out fine, I guarantee you’ll see a whole crop of players going from high school to Europe in the future.

And then what happens with the European leagues? They are already signing European players at 12 years old. So what’s going to happen to high school basketball in America if American kids start signing in Europe at 13- or 14-years old? Somebody start doing some research. There are loopholes open and people are climbing through them. But hey, they always say that rules are meant to be broken. The top of the crop always finds a way to do what it needs to do. It’s just like an animal in the wild that knows how to adapt. He adapted to the rules and found a way around it.

Getting Healthy
Right off the plane I went straight to the treadmill and then straight to the gym to work out. Then I came home to my pool to do some swimming.

My knee feels good. It got a little sore on the airplane from the altitude up and down, but now it feels fine. I finally gave it some time off.

I’m just getting ready to get back. I’m getting in shape. I’m just going to start working.

I love the SLAM shoe and all the other GilIIZeros I promoted in Asia. I wish I was healthy this past season to show all the shoes off that came out. A lot of people put a lot of hard work into it and I ended up getting hurt again. I’m going to be responsible this time and take care of my body and get back on the court, and from there, move forward.

I’m not going to play basketball until August. I’m going to go out there and do some basic dribbling and then go back to fundamentals stuff like passing and all that. But I’m not going to do anything jumping wise until August.

Just remember people, if you want to feel like a king and feel like a star, you know where to go: Manila. So, Pauly Shore, after you finish reading this, you head to Manila to jumpstart your career, baby. You’ll be back in the business, baby. You’ll be doing Jury Duty 2 in no time.

Man I am one of your fans and also my dad is your fan

i hope the adidas team with you and billups will have a tour here at manila i cant wait for it. i hope it happens.

Scarface Biography (the greatest and the darkest moments of my school career)

2008-07-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

The Nightmares in St John Academy.

I started my schooling back on 1998 at ville st john academy.

I was a lazy person during those days, not making an assignment or courseworks. All i do is piss off teachers. I was not aware of what am i doing. I was able to argue with teachers sometimes. Colliding with them. Those are my horrible moments at the st john academy.

I actually regret those moments honestly it is regretful. I dissapointed my father and my mom. So i dropped out and moved in another school.

That is the place where i met ashley. My pre school mate. And my classmate at st anthony. McCarlo and Tyn, they dont’ know me but they knew me as a rebel and afunny guy, when i was at st john i used to be a sort of a comediane.in able to cheer my classmates up. They knew me as a green joker.

Because some of my jokes are releted to green things.

I felt regretnress, i killed my personality when i collide with my teacher. I apologized to my her and so does to my classmates. Then the next day, i dropped out and moved in another school. In st cyr academy. Another elusive private school in paranaque.

I believe there are ghosts around the campus because before it is a garrison of a japanese imperial army during world war II and a japanese cemetery.

My days in St Cyr Academy

I found my home at st cyr academy along side in dr santos avenue.
I struggled again but in the next days. I finally found my rythm in academics. Ms pantoja thought me of some basics. I passed it. And she said “you are such a good man why did they despised you shame on them” and my father discovered my mental ability.

June 1998 I entered the 1st day of class in my first classroom. 1 Zinnia under Ms Cabunoc, a strict and a talented mentor. I learned a lot from her. I might be a slow learner but i keep on learning to it as long as i have too, english, math science sibika and mape before now it is PE. Math was my pain. Til now, it is still my pain. But when you start learning from it will never be a pain, I struggled with strangers around me. I was tripped by my co bus borders. , there are seniorities I really hate the way they treated me that time. So i decided to commute. In grades 2 3 and 4. I found my self stupid, its like everyone hates me, they tease at me but i stul survived. I proved them “ you can tease at me now but you cannot take away my talent”

I showed to them that i got talent “ I got the highest score in Sibika” 81 over 90 they were humiliated and they applaude at me it was my turning point to be recognized in st cyr.

http://pistonian008.blogspot.com/2008/04/ramon-pascual-institute-batch-2008-i.html

2002 is the best year of my elementary career. I was drafted by st cyr varsity team. I was honored of certificate of merit, yeah i was at the bench all the time, this fuckin asshole john eric arabia laughed at me, so in the next year i joined the tryout and showed to him that i can own his ass on the floor. And shoot hoops. Hustle all the time and block shots. They recognized me as a shot blocker and a aggressive cager.

He got owned, . at that time I am playing with passion thats the name of the game for me.

In foundation day of 2002 I was honored along with pia as the king and queen of heart because i performed at a dance group. I can’t believe i did that. I just did it to make grade 5 win over grade 6 they started liking me.including the most beautiful lady in the higher batch. Wow that was a though year for me. I started doing all things in my way my passion.

That was my memorable moment in my elementary career. Ive ever had it before. Its so remarkable.

I received alot of merits during my elementary days. 4 poster making awards. And 1 from the varsity team.

Awful Years 02 06

In 02 i was about to enter my high school career on Ramon Pascual Institute when the nightmare became true, everyone teases at nem that i am crazty and overrated, i got nowhere to hide just like a lonely turtle who hides his head on its shell. I started covering my ears and ignoring them, i joined the try out. When this kj librarian named juico told me that i cannot be able to play for st cyr anymore because i am at the limit age of 14.

The painful years of my school life had just began. As she said to me, i cannot wear the jersey number 17 in the next PSAP campaign. I got pissed and i quit. And returned as a student just like sano izumi of hana kimi. I was drafted by doria because he sees my improvement at defense offense and in the free throw line. Only the librarian aka my sports coordinator rejects me off the roster. Because im old why that lopez of olivarez wasnt able to be protested, he was older than me

I just quit in her face. “I quit because i want to, no other reasons. I dont belong there. I was right there I am good enough and i got rejected so i was disrespected by that manner. So its a fact that i will not gonna play anymore for the school”

At least i received my honor a year ago that time. I call it a touch down year” that was my year “02”

High School the ups and downs

When i took my dayview at Ramon Pascual Institute, I said to my self im gonna make this as long as there are no shadows of evil around me. Until i saw my former stupid classmates who were popular at school in ways of bostful traits. And cute faces.

I was wrong until i saw joey boy and his gang. With tolibas, dantic. As usual that rumor again got expanded. In the whole 1st year group. That i am crazy and overrated. They crossed the line actually. It became a nightmare for me. So i fought back and seek what are they doing so. I spied at them and tell arcaya about there bad traits.

Non evenless. Thats 1st day i met my 2nd crush. Her name is reena gonzales. Honestly it was a regret. Araki and I knew her as a smart and a humble friend until the day she gets along with joey boy and his taugamma people. She’s changed. She became bostful and overrated. Not anymore that kinda woman i met. I started hating her. And ignoring her and then i focused studying again.

I felt dissapointed in my 1st year. I am trailing the mountain as I call it. I god compared an competed. They disrespected my personality, as i do for other persons. They crossed the line. They are a disrespectful people and so does araki.

araki is a bandwagoner he is sometimes approaching me personal attacks because he is with joey boy. Good for him but for me it is a burden. All people in my classroom are teasing at me, is like a turtle hiding inside the shell.

Tikoh Oblianda is the witness of my ups and downs. I also received a merit of 3rd place at poster making contest in RPI, I never tried out for varsity because I dont like, I dont wanted to be disrespected again.” I dont want a social humiliation just like what ms juico did to me 2 years ago so i turned to a student mode.

For those who pissed at me i apologized to them but there are corrupt and stone hearted people whose gonna keep on mocking at somebody, good thing mr arcaya is there right at me, he calms me down, i felt my self surrounded by angry hostiles. A mob of bully people.

My greatest moment in 1st year is when i won a title with the eagles over the joy warriors. Of mr santos, mr santos have no idea about my nightmares thats why i always catch his rude approach at me, he is a good man a strict teacher but sometimes i got pissed at him because he is a bostful teacher. A taogamma phi member.

Th List of those who disrespected me since grade 6

Librarian ms Juico
John Eric Arabia
John Juhlnie Austria
Joey Boy Llana
Jhorell Lumapas
Christopher Isayas
Mark Kevin Meude
Micheal Macalalad
Enteng Rosario
Mark Renz Dantic
Ruben Sumalinog
Derrick Delos Santos
Christine ann Senillo
Aleta and my traitor friend Miko Ventigan

Those guys you know, they just recieved a karma from me, some of them got rejected out of the school some got kicked out. Because of involving of frat and gang wars. And bringing ciggarettes at school some got dropped out due on personal ways, he was haunted by a policeman with an m16 rifle due on demoralizing the policeman’s son. He went at tondo to hide. Some got pregnant i cursed some of them. They deserved that.

Those maniacs are gone but they will remain as my sworn enemies.

If i were Scarface Tony Montana I will order my men to salvage them, and give money for funeral serviec lol.

When i remember those days i feel like im ready to kill somebody even in the game, if i the player is a maniac I will show him how maniac i am in the game of basketball, they call me sheed, i am a dirty defender, and a bad boy, in ways of nasty shotblocks, thats why i like detroit pistons, i see myself right there. Unmerciful defensive plays.

Imy 2nd year with RPI

Finally I found myself again after the painful2 year sof my school career. I have my best yaer with the neptune sharks, i have my friends there, at that time miko is not yet betraying me, he was my friend along with allen, those guys are my friends gregorio, teruel and tadlas, i thought i can breath a peace air until austra sumalingo meude rosario and their gangs keeps messing around me honestly i was pissed at them they are not true im not stupid abner is also in the list. He uses his friends for safety not as true once.

I led neptune for its title run for 4-2 behind mercury during the intramurals season fo RPI. With the supporting casts allen, rubben austria cruz and me in the middle.

We beat the team that favored to beat II mercury, it is the II venus, i am proud that we beat them, because they were the guys who i am pissed off, my former classmates. Thers the intrams i dont mind what other people tell but watch my game.

I play with heart, passion and pride, like KG of the Boston Celtics. But what is the purpose a teamplay if we will not play as a team, most of my teammates are selfish ballhugs, no unselfish plays only me and allen are doing those unselfish plays we were a all star casts but we didnt do those unselfish plays.

Thats why we lost vs mercury there are no help from behind.

2nd year was my best year i have higher grades in all subjects and in science i receieved 97% due of my clay art. I told her i am a man of my word I will do it i remember the teacher named ms batiles, she is a fine teacher a sassy teacher my english teacher she tought me english well. Ahh i will never forget her. She is one of my finest teachers of all time. Totally she is beautiful, i miss her. And so does my computer mentor mr arnel callado a headcoach of the RPI team now. He is a cool man, but having jokes with us. Cool teacher you’ll gonna laugh at him.

2nd years was the only year i breathe again fresh airs without scumbags around me, these scumbags they were kicked out, also the onlyyear i score 26 points all from the paint in 1 game vs II saturn.

2nd year was the year miko ventigan betrayed me for his taugamma friends, he is changed, he uses his friends for fun. Not for a true one.

I left for London I sind my best wishes to my friend Haniah and her sister and my friend ralph.

I spent 2 years in london in looe. I have my best year there i have a girl there named natalie she kissed me at the lips, because she likes me, she is a sexy lady i also became varsity there for a year.

When i came back i studied at DEPED and passed now Im in Colegio de san juan de letran, studying IT course, so thats all, im glad im having time in my studies unlike before locked up in the room, i never gave up i keep fighting for survival, thats why I was born.

To succeed not to be humiliated an betrayed.

this is my page. about what ive been through during my high school years.

Manila - Queen of the Pacific

2008-07-14T05:10:00.002-07:00

gentlemen since lim is the mayor of manila. he will get this manila's old look back. i believe he will. with his leadership.

A Tour of Manila, Philippines in the 1930s.Footage from this film is available for licensing from www.globalimageworks.com

Forgotten Soldiers - trailer

2008-07-14T05:10:00.001-07:00

Trailer for the documentary about the US Army's Philippine Scouts during world war II.

going back in time (philippines invaded by japanese imperial army)

2008-07-14T05:07:00.000-07:00

The Battle for Corregidor was the culmination of the Japanese campaign for the conquest of the Philippines. The fall of Bataan in April 9, 1942, ended all organized opposition by the U.S. Army Forces -- Far East (USAFFE) to the invading Japanese forces on Luzon in the northern Philippines. The island bastion of Corregidor, with its network of tunnels and formidable array of defensive armament, along with the fortifications across the entrance to Manila Bay, was the remaining obstacle to the 14th Japanese Imperial Army of Lieutenant General Masaharu Homma. The Japanese had to take Corregidor; as long as the island remained in American hands, they would be denied the use of the Manila Bay, the finest natural harbor in the Far East.

The Bataan Peninsula (the last battle of world war 1 gadgets) page 2

2008-07-14T05:03:00.000-07:00

Points and Pockets

This tells the "truer story" behind the "forgotten war" of Bataan and Corregidor -- savage battles that violently hurled falsely reassured Filipinos and an ill-prepared Philippines into the Second World War in the Pacific. Produced by the Department of National Defense of the Philippines and the Philippines Veterans Affairs Office this series of videos documents the outstanding courage, heroism and nobility of Filipinos regardless the inevitable fall of the country to the unrelenting Imperial Japanese military juggernaut. An outcome inevitably irreversible despite the fierce resistance of the mostly Filipino and American defenders as the United States government relegated succor to the loyal but unwarily naive Philippine Commonwealth as secondary to America's commitment to her European allies.

This historical account belies many of the myths that have long distorted the realities of Philippine American relations and a must for the serious student of history, geopolitics and military matters. On a lighter yet equally revealing note it also gives a glimpse of pre-war Manila and Philippine society.

"...to anguish over the fate of a distant cousin, while a daughter is being raped in the back room."

This tells the "truer story" behind the "forgotten war" of Bataan and Corregidor -- savage battles that violently hurled falsely reassured Filipinos and an ill-prepared Philippines into the Second World War in the Pacific. Produced by the Department of National Defense of the Philippines and the Philippines Veterans Affairs Office this series of videos documents the outstanding courage, heroism and nobility of Filipinos regardless the inevitable fall of the country to the unrelenting Imperial Japanese military juggernaut. An outcome inevitably irreversible despite the fierce resistance of the mostly Filipino and American defenders as the United States government relegated succor to the loyal but unwarily naive Philippine Commonwealth as secondary to America's commitment to her European allies.

This historical account belies many of the myths that have long distorted the realities of Philippine American relations and a must for the serious student of history, geopolitics and military matters. On a lighter yet equally revealing note it also gives a glimpse of pre-war Manila and Philippine society

"I remember a Filipina girl who used to give me a bibingka (rice cake)."

This tells the "truer story" behind the "forgotten war" of Bataan and Corregidor -- savage battles that violently hurled falsely reassured Filipinos and an ill-prepared Philippines into the Second World War in the Pacific. Produced by the Department of National Defense of the Philippines and the Philippines Veterans Affairs Office this series of videos documents the outstanding courage, heroism and nobility of Filipinos regardless the inevitable fall of the country to the unrelenting Imperial Japanese military juggernaut. An outcome inevitably irreversible despite the fierce resistance of the mostly Filipino and American defenders as the United States government relegated succor to the loyal but unwarily naive Philippine Commonwealth as secondary to America's commitment to her European allies.

This historical account belies many of the myths that have long distorted the realities of Philippine American relations and a must for the serious student of history, geopolitics and military matters. On a lighter yet equally revealing note it also gives a glimpse of pre-war Manila and Philippine society.

"So many have tainted these bastions of freedom with notions of defeat."

This tells the "truer story" behind the "forgotten war" of Bataan and Corregidor -- savage battles that violently hurled falsely reassured Filipinos and an ill-prepared Philippines into the Second World War in the Pacific. Produced by the Department of National Defense of the Philippines and the Philippines Veterans Affairs Office this series of videos documents the outstanding courage, heroism and nobility of Filipinos regardless the inevitable fall of the country to the unrelenting Imperial Japanese military juggernaut. An outcome inevitably irreversible despite the fierce resistance of the mostly Filipino and American defenders as the United States government relegated succor to the loyal but unwarily naive Philippine Commonwealth as secondary to America's commitment to her European allies.

This historical account belies many of the myths that have long distorted the realities of Philippine American relations and a must for the serious student of history, geopolitics and military matters. On a lighter yet equally revealing note it also gives a glimpse of pre-war Manila and Philippine society.

The Bataan Peninsula (the last battle of world war 1 gadgets)

2008-07-14T05:01:00.000-07:00

"The Filipinos did most of the fighting and most of the dying..."

This tells the "truer story" behind the "forgotten war" of Bataan and Corregidor -- savage battles that violently hurled falsely reassured Filipinos and an ill-prepared Philippines into the Second World War in the Pacific. Produced by the Department of National Defense of the Philippines and the Philippines Veterans Affairs Office this series of videos documents the outstanding courage, heroism and nobility of Filipinos regardless the inevitable fall of the country to the unrelenting Imperial Japanese military juggernaut. An outcome inevitably irreversible despite the fierce resistance of the mostly Filipino and American defenders as the United States government relegated succor to the loyal but unwarily naive Philippine Commonwealth as secondary to America's commitment to her European allies.

This historical account belies many of the myths that have long distorted the realities of Philippine American relations and a must for the serious student of history, geopolitics and military matters. On a lighter yet equally revealing note it also gives a glimpse of pre-war Manila and Philippine society.

"...some had to be sent home for lack of weapons."

This tells the "truer story" behind the "forgotten war" of Bataan and Corregidor -- savage battles that violently hurled falsely reassured Filipinos and an ill-prepared Philippines into the Second World War in the Pacific. Produced by the Department of National Defense of the Philippines and the Philippines Veterans Affairs Office this series of videos documents the outstanding courage, heroism and nobility of Filipinos regardless the inevitable fall of the country to the unrelenting Imperial Japanese military juggernaut. An outcome inevitably irreversible despite the fierce resistance of the mostly Filipino and American defenders as the United States government relegated succor to the loyal but unwarily naive Philippine Commonwealth as secondary to America's commitment to her European allies.

This historical account belies many of the myths that have long distorted the realities of Philippine American relations and a must for the serious student of history, geopolitics and military matters. On a lighter yet equally revealing note it also gives a glimpse of pre-war Manila and Philippine society.

The Spanish Filipino American War (actual footage)

2008-07-14T04:56:00.000-07:00

Live at Trinity Church, Toronto, 02 July 2004
Magnetic Fields (Live) - Busby Berkely Dreams

Clip 1
United States : 1899
Col. Theodore Roosevelt and staff escorted by Troop "A" of New York Taken during the land parade in honor of Admiral Dewey, just before the turn into 72nd Street, with Grant's tomb and decorated residences in the background

Clip 2
Dandy 5th of Baltimore Taken during the land parade in honor of Admiral Dewey, just before the turn into 72nd Street,
with Grant's tomb and decorated residences in the background.

Clip 3
Twenty-fifth Infantry. 25th Infantry returning from Mt. Arayat Filmed March 23, 1900, in the Philippine Islands,
following the 25th Infantry's participation at the battle of
Mt. Arayat in January 1900.

Clip 4
The occasion of Admiral Dewey's arrival in New York Harbor, Wednesday, September 27th, 1899 on Riverside Drive; showing Naval Brigade of North Atlantic Fleet, followed by Schley,
Sampson, Miles, and other celebrities.

Clip 5
Seventy-first Regiment, Camp Wyckoff Filmed ca. Sept. 1898 in Camp Wikoff at Montauk Point, Long Island. Of the
thousand and more men who left New York for the Cuban Campaign, scarcely three hundred were able to shoulder their
rifles to march before the Biograph camera at Camp Wikoff. The picture shows many of the companies reduced to seven or eight men, and the whole regiment, rank and file is in a sad
condition.

Clip 6
United States : 1899
A view of the arch from Fifth Avenue, the day after the great Dewey parade, showing the crowd of sightseers, traffic, etc.

Clip 7
June 1899 Shows a group of sailors and an officer at the stern. The flag runs out in a ball to the end of the staff,
and, at the signal, is broken. Proudly the stars and stripes wave in the morning breeze, while the officer salutes. A very pretty picture of man-o-war life.

Clip 8
United States cruiser "Raleigh" 1899
A panoramic view of the "Raleigh" as she lies at anchor off 27th Steet, North River, April 17, 1899. Captain Coghlan stands among a group of officers near the bridge. The
"Raleigh" fired the first gun at Manila, and is the first boat of the Pacific Squadron visiting New York. All the details of the famous battleship are clearly shown.

Clip 9
United States 1899; War hero Adm. George Dewey, famous for his victory at Manila Bay early in the war, was filmed
during his trip back to the United States at Gibraltar in early September 1899.

The Spanish-American War was a military conflict between Spain and the United States that began in April 1898. Hostilities halted in August of that year, and the Treaty of Paris was signed in December.

The war began after the American demand for Spain's peacefully resolving the Cuban fight for independence was rejected, though strong expansionist sentiment in the United States motivated the government to target Spain's remaining overseas territories: Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam and the Caroline Islands.[dubious -- discuss][2][not in citation given]

Riots in Havana by pro-Spanish "Voluntarios" gave the United States a reason to send in the warship USS Maine to indicate high national interest. Tension among the American people was raised because of the explosion of the USS Maine, and "yellow journalism" that accused Spain of extensive atrocities, agitating American public opinion. The war ended after decisive naval victories for the United States in the Philippines and Cuba.

Only 109 days after the outbreak of war, the Treaty of Paris, which ended the conflict, gave the United States ownership of the former Spanish colonies of Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam.

Trent Plaisted

2008-07-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Career Highlights: Earned First Team All-Mountain West Conference honors as a junior. Earned Second Team honors his freshman and sophomore seasons. Named 2006 MWC Freshman of the Year. Currently ranks as the 14th all-time leading scorer in BYU history with 1,372 career points. Registered 17 career double-doubles.

Junior (2007-08): Led the team in rebounding (7.7 rpg, ranked second in the MWC) and ranked second in scoring (15.6 ppg, sixth). Finished second in the league in field goal percentage (.542) and ninth in blocked shots (0.97 bpg). Scored 20 or more points 11 times. Posted eight double-doubles. Matched career-high with a season-high 27 points on 10-for-14 shooting vs. TCU. Registered 24 points and 17 rebounds vs. North Carolina. Tallied 21 points and 12 rebounds at Louisville. Notched 14 points, 15 rebounds and a season-high five blocked shots vs. Weber State. Scored 18 points and matched a career-high by grabbing 18 rebounds vs. Pepperdine. Contributed 13 points and five rebounds in the first round of the NCAA Tournament vs. Texas A&M.

Sophomore (2006-07): Ranked second on the team in scoring (12.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.2 rpg, ranked seventh in the MWC), while leading the team in blocked shots (1.4 bpg, seventh). Scored 20 or more points six times. Registered three double-doubles. Set career-high with 27 points on 11-for-16 shooting at Colorado State. Tallied 19 points and a season-high 12 rebounds vs. Southern Utah. Scored 22 points vs. Air Force. Posted a career-high six blocks vs. San Diego State. Recorded 22 points and nine rebounds in the first round of the MWC Tournament. Matched career-high with 27 points and added 10 rebounds in the semifinals.

Redshirt Freshman (2005-06): Led team in scoring (13.6 ppg, ranked eighth in the MWC) and rebounding (6.9 rpg, fifth). Also ranked sixth in the league in field goal percentage (.522). Posted six double-doubles. Recorded season-high 22 points and grabbed 16 rebounds vs. TCU and registered 17 points and a career-high 18 rebounds in the rematch. Tallied 16 points, 12 rebounds and a season-high four assists vs. UNLV. Scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds at Southern Cal. Posted 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots vs. Houston in the first round of the postseason NIT.

Freshman (2004-05): Averaged 1.6 points and 0.6 rebounds in 8.8 minutes a contest, appearing in five games before sitting out the rest of the season due to a knee injury. Granted a medical redshirt.

Strengths: Long and athletic post player that runs the floor well. Uses left-handed post moves to score effectively down low and has a solid face-up mid-range jumper.

Personal: Scheduled to graduate in August with a degree in economics. Is the youngest of five children. Got married in the summer of 2007.

We are counting on your improvement kid. we'll expect you great. this coming NBA season. if not we will train you to fort wayne. for a purpose.

Deron Washington

2008-07-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

he was drafted by the detroit Pistons Under Michael Curry.

so im expecting him to be a great backup for Rip Hamilton.

He is now a Detroit Piston! Drafted 59th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft!

Walter Sharpe out of UAB

2008-07-12T07:22:00.001-07:00

A highlight video of sophomore F Walter Sharpe, who became the second highest UAB player to be drafted in the NBA Draft when he was selected by Seattle with the 32nd overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Sharpe was then involved in a draft-day trade which placed him on the Detroit Pistons roster for the upcoming year.

he's gonna be a great backup for Tayshaun Prince.

I Sell Tshirts

2008-07-12T07:13:00.000-07:00

These are my personal works.

as long as i printed this on real. i will sell this

anyone would like to have this call

add me up at ym on roscoe_36@yahoo.com.ph

ill discuss it there on YM.

Kardel AKA Kardel Sharpeye The Dwarven Sniper

2008-06-26T05:17:00.000-07:00

Kardel is the Sentinel's sniping specialist. With the longest ranged attacks available, Kardel is the best at dealing large damage and staying out of harm's way.

ScatterShot
Fires a ball full of shrapnel into the air. which promptly explodes, showering the target area in explosive pellets, each doing 10-35 physical damage in a 200 area of effect.

Level 1 120 - 8 Pellets.
Level 2 120 - 12 Pellets.
Level 3 120 - 16 Pellets.
Level 4 120 - 20 Pellets.

Headshot
A shot to the head deals bonus damage and stuns for a short duration.
Level 1 - 30 damage, 25% chance.
Level 2 - 30 damage, 30% chance.
Level 3 - 40 damage, 35% chance.
Level 4 - 50 damage, 40% chance.

Take Aim
Passively enhances the range of Kardel's rifle.
Level 1 - Adds 55 range.
Level 2 - Adds 110 range.
Level 3 - Adds 165 range.
Level 4 - Adds 220 range.

Assassinate
Take time to draw a bead, and then deal a large amount of damage to the target at a huge range.
Level 1 175 - Deals 355 damage at 1500 range.
Level 2 275 - Deals 505 damage at 2000 range.
Level 3 375 - Deals 655 damage at 2500 range.

he is the MAN!! I used him against Yurinero. he is a sniper. he's got an assasination skills. i used the assasinate to own this yurinero hero. so i took over domination at the game

Purist Thunderwrath AKA Omniknight

2008-06-26T05:12:00.000-07:00

A former member of the Order of the Silver Hand, Purist has joined the Sentinel to avenge the death of the Order's leader, Uther the Lightbringer. Trained by Uther himself in the ways of the Paladin, Purist brings the power of the Holy Light to the battlefield. He can purify the souls of allies, harming any nearby Scourge in the process. Able to protect allies from harmful unholy magic, the mere presence of a man of the Holy Light atrophies any nearby enemies. In times of dire need, Purist can call upon God himself to protect him and his allies.

Purist Thunderwrath - The Omniknight
Range: 100 | Move Speed: 300
Primary: STR
Str: 20 + 2.65 | Agi: 15 + 1.75 | Int: 17 + 1.8
Damage: 51 – 61 | HP: 530 | Mana: 221
HP Regen: 0.85 | Mana Regen: 0.69
Attack Speed: 1.44 | Armor: 4

Purification (R)
Instantly heals a friendly unit and damages all nearby enemy units.
Level 1 - Heals for 90 hit points.
Level 2 - Heals for 180 hit points.
Level 3 - Heals for 270 hit points.
Level 4 - Heals for 360 hit points.
Mana Cost: 100/ 120/ 140/ 160
Cooldown: 12

Repel (E)
Creates a powerful divine ward that blocks all magic from affecting a target unit.
Level 1 - Lasts 5 seconds.
Level 2 - Lasts 10 seconds.
Level 3 - Lasts 15 seconds.
Level 4 - Lasts 20 seconds.
Mana Cost: 60/ 70/ 80/ 90
Cooldown: 20

Degen Aura (U)
Greatly degenerates the movement capabilities of units that stray too near.
Level 1 - Reduces movement speed by 7%.
Level 2 - Reduces movement speed by 14%.
Level 3 - Reduces movement speed by 21%.
Level 4 - Reduces movement speed by 28%.
Mana Cost: N/A
Cooldown: N/A

Guardian Angel (G)
Grants all nearby friendly units near physical invulnerability and increases hit point regeneration greatly.
Level 1 - Lasts 5 seconds.
Level 2 - Lasts 7 seconds.
Level 3 - Lasts 9 seconds.
Mana Cost: 125/ 175/ 250
Cooldown: 150

he is one of my finest heroes in DOTA. when i was a beginner he is my favorite choice. i used him for a purpose. strong meelee combat personnel at the DOTA Game.

he is my favorite among the 2 of my heroes in DOTA

Hinder - Lips of An Angel

2008-06-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

Honey why you calling me so late?
It's kinda hard to talk right now.
Honey why are you crying? Is everything okay?
I gotta whisper 'cause I can't be too loud

Well, my girl's in the next room
Sometimes I wish she was you
I guess we never really moved on
It's really good to hear your voice saying my name
It sounds so sweet
Coming from the lips of an angel
Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

It's funny that you're calling me tonight
And, yes, I've dreamt of you too
And does he know you're talking to me
Will it start a fight
No I don't think she has a clue

Well my girl's in the next room
Sometimes I wish she was you
I guess we never really moved on
It's really good to hear your voice saying my name
It sounds so sweet
Coming from the lips of an angel
Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

It's really good to hear your voice saying my name
It sounds so sweet
Coming from the lips of an angel
Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

Honey why you calling me so late?

Maki Deserves this. she have a lips of an angel. she in angel i doubt it. she is one of my most admired cute ladies in the world. she is cute in hana kimi teppan shoujo akane and many more.

this song i dedicate it to her. Maki Horikita

best wishes for her

Hinder - Better Than Me

2008-06-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

I think you can do much better than me
After all the lies that I made you believe
Guilt kicks in and I start to see
The edge of the bed
Where your nightgown used to be
I told myself I won't miss you

But I remember
What it feels like beside you
I really miss your hair in my face
And the way your innocence tastes
And I think you should know this
You deserve much better than me

While looking through your old box of notes
I found those pictures I took
That you were looking for
If there's one memory I don't want to lose
That time at the mall
You and me in the dressing room

I told myself I won't miss you
But I remember
What it feels like beside you
I really miss your hair in my face
And the way your innocence tastes
And I think you should know this
You deserve much better than me

The bed I'm lying in is getting colder
Wish I never would've said it's over
And I can't pretend... I won't think about you when I'm older
Cause we never really had our closure
This can't be the end

I really miss your hair in my face
And the way your innocence tastes
And I think you should know this
You deserve much better than me

I really miss your hair in my face
And the way your innocence tastes
And I think you should know this
You deserve much better than me
(And I think you should know this)
(You deserve much better than me)

the song was quite emotional with feelings, it showed pain, so its emo. but this song shows to me. deep pains. that ive been throught but not that much during my high school days when i was playing for the neptune sharks.

The MV Princess of the Stars' Nightmare at the sea

2008-06-23T05:02:00.000-07:00

A passenger ship MV Princess of the Stars has sunk off in the waters of Romblon, Philippines on Saturday. Gov't officials said they saw Sulpicio Lines' Princess of the Stars capsized. The ship may have approximately 700 passengers and crews.

It's traveling in the rough seas amid a fury typhoon when the engine failed. Hundreds are feared dead. The typhoon has killed at least 141 people and 255 people are missing, most of them fishermen. The massive ferry which was built to hold about 2,000 people, flipped over about a mile off the shore of Sibuyan Island as typhoon Fengshen pummeled the Philippines.

While it is a tragic accident in its entirety, it could have been avoided. We all know that the Philippines is composed of 7,107 islands and traveling by boat is the most common means of transportation. But why did they permit the boat to sail off risking the lives of 700 people? Is there no more such thing as postponement or cancellation of the travel? What's the role of PAGASA and the Coast Guard. Are they all busy practicing the papaya dance for YouTube upload? How old are the vessel and inter-islands boats? I think the issue is hopeless and the only thing that we can do is pray.

Let's all pray for the deceased, their surviving families and hope for the betterment of the situation. Here's a short prayer to our Blessed Mother.

We turn to you for protection, Holy Mother of God. Listen to our prayers and help us in our needs. Save us from every danger, glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

The songs and the pics are not quite relevant..it's just my general message of sustainable growth.

----------------------------------------------------

A passenger ship MV Princess of the Stars has sunk off in the waters of Romblon, Philippines on Saturday. Gov't officials said they saw Sulpicio Lines' Princess of the Stars capsized. The ship may have approximately 700 passengers and crews.

It's traveling in the rough seas amid a fury typhoon when the engine failed. Hundreds are feared dead. The typhoon has killed at least 141 people and 255 people are missing, most of them fishermen. The massive ferry which was built to hold about 2,000 people, flipped over about a mile off the shore of Sibuyan Island as typhoon Fengshen pummeled the Philippines.

While it is a tragic accident in its entirety, it could have been avoided. We all know that the Philippines is composed of 7,107 islands and traveling by boat is the most common means of transportation. But why did they permit the boat to sail off risking the lives of 700 people? Is there no more such thing as postponement or cancellation of the travel? What's the role of PAGASA and the Coast Guard. Are they all busy practicing the papaya dance for YouTube upload? How old are the vessel and inter-islands boats? I think the issue is hopeless and the only thing that we can do is pray.

Let's all pray for the deceased, their surviving families and hope for the betterment of the situation. Here's a short prayer to our Blessed Mother.

We turn to you for protection, Holy Mother of God. Listen to our prayers and help us in our needs. Save us from every danger, glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

you have my prayers brother. sulpicio really makes me pissed off, they kill everyone on their way. lots of filipinos are dying without a reason because of these tragedies. sulpicio should be responsible for their causes.

-----------------------------------------

Newsreels courtesy of GMA news

This page requires a higher version browser
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

This page requires a higher version browser
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

This page requires a higher version browser
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

This page requires a higher version browser
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

This page requires a higher version browser
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

sulpicio condoles the relatives after the disaster

This page requires a higher version browser
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

----------------------------------------------

I was at home when this thing happened. again since 1987 one of the most tragic maritime disaster in philippine history

since dona paz and dona marilyn. the latest and the exclusive ship of sulpicio lines.

they should be responsible for the lives had been lost. they should face the hundreds of families who are mourning for those guys who got themselves emotional at these times.

trust joe dumars

2008-06-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.need4sheed.com/2008/06/in-joe-d-we-should-trust.html

i trust joe. only thing there is he should be aware of what he is doing to the roster.

i dont want to trade sheed, chauncey and tayshaun away from my team. i want them to stay in a purpose. keep this dynasty alive and start winning again. with a new rotation. we can do this guys.

all we need is improve bench and starting cores. we need a centerplay if ben is free we should get him and bring back the dynasty again. thats simple is that.

Nuggets says No!

2008-06-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

Nuggets say No to Pistons offers for Carmelo
Looks like it's not just idle chat, it seems The Pistons are in ongoing trade discussions with the Denver Nuggets.

The Detroit Free Press is reporting:

"The Nuggets want to bring point guard Chauncey Billups back to his hometown, and the Pistons are looking to make good on their botched 2003 draft and bring high-scoring forward Carmelo Anthony to Detroit, the person confirmed.

But while talks are ongoing, the Nuggets, at this point, are reluctant to include Anthony in any deal. The Pistons source said the sides are "not even close" to an agreement. It's unclear what it might take to pry away Anthony.

ESPN.com reported, without citing a source, that the Pistons offered Billups and Tayshaun Prince for Anthony. But the Nuggets weren't interested. Denver countered with an offer of Allen Iverson or a package featuring Marcus Camby, but the Pistons are only interested in Anthony.

President Joe Dumars said at his season-ending news conference that he wanted to bust up his core this summer and that he was open to moving any player besides point guard Rodney Stuckey.

"There are no sacred cows here," Dumars said. "You lose that sacred-cow status when you lose three straight years" in the conference finals.

Dumars also has said he is not interested in other teams' second- or third-best players, a category into which Iverson and Camby would fall."

I sill have to believe that nothing will go down until Draft day or right after so the Pistons can weigh all their options. As we know...Joe is dead serious about shaking things up for the right deal.

dont trade chauncey dont trade tayshaun, those are the core of our piston dynasty. we still need them this coming years. we maybe can't enter the conference finals, but with them. we can win it all by balance way. and great ball movement. and defensive stops.

i admit detroit is getting pressured after that game 6 lost to the celtics. they should overcome it and start another again with the same starting five and new and improved bench.

Samantha Wührer

2008-06-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

Samantha Wührer (born April 28, 1967) is an American actress and singer, sometimes credited as Kari Salin.

Early life

Wührer was born in Brookfield, Connecticut, the daughter of Karin (née Noble), a payroll accountant, and Andrew Wührer, a police officer and car salesman.[1] She has three siblings. As a teenager, she sang in nightclubs, sneaking out of the family home to perform. Wührer began studying acting at the age of 13 at the Wooster School. She studied drama at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Marymount Manhattan College, Columbia University, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London with famed teacher Uta Hagen.

Career
Wührer's first television break was working for MTV as a VJ and as a co-host in Remote Control (1987), before moving on to film. After appearing in Andrew Dice Clay's The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990) and the leading lady role of Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time (1991), she then starred in over a dozen straight-to-video sexploitation movies, most notably Sex and the Other Man (1996), Vivid (1997) (also released as Luscious), and Spider's Web (2001). Wührer appeared in the television series Swamp Thing as Abigail from 1991-1993.

Kari Wuhrer's Nude Sex Scene
Uploaded by SexyLena

Kari Wuhrer Sex Scene
Uploaded by eroticsex2

Kari Wuhrer - nude paint scene from the movie "Luscious"
Uploaded by luisvelardes

Kari Wuhrer - Poison
Uploaded by jonhn_john

Wührer came to mainstream fame in 1997 on the series Sliders as Maggie Beckett, joining the cast as a regular and staying until the show ended in 2000. Later mainstream movie roles include Anaconda (1997), Berserker (2001) and Eight Legged Freaks (2002). Wührer is also well known by many gamers for her role in Westwood Studios' PC game Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 and its subsequent expansion pack, Yuri's Revenge as Agent Tanya Adams.

Wührer signed a record deal with Rick Rubin and her debut album was called Shiny, released in 1999. She plays the guitar and the flute as well as sings.

Wührer, who considered an offer to appear nude in Playboy in 1998, was later voted #76 on the FHM 100 Sexiest Women of 2000.

#73 in the FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2001,

#36 in Maxim magazine's 50 Sexiest Women Countdown (1999), #64 on Celebrity Skin's 100 Sexiest Stars of All Time, and #4 in the Celebrity Nudity Database most popular actresses (1999).

Her breast implants encapsulated during the filming of Spider's Web (2001) so she had them removed.

She later wrote an article for the September 2002 issue of Glamour Magazine about the insecurities that led her to get implants early in her career and the sense of self-acceptance she acquired. After its publication, she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and discussed the pressure she received from a prominent record producer to get the implants, during what she called "the era of the Video Vixen".

General Hospital
From February 3, 2005 through November 2005 Wührer joined the cast of the soap opera General Hospital as FBI Agent Reese Marshall, the former love interest of mobster Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and former best friend/rival of main character, Carly Corinthos, played by Jennifer Bransford. Wührer's character died after suffering some minor injuries in a train wreck. In January 2006, Wührer announced that she was suing General Hospital, claiming that she was fired because of her pregnancy. Wührer plans to support her claim using testimony from another former actress on General Hospital, Lesli Kay, who claims she was fired for the same reason. The case was resolved in December 2006.

Personal life
In the late 1980s, Wührer dated rock singer Dean Davidson. She married Daniel Salin in 1994 and divorced in 1999. In the summer of 2000, during an appearance on a cable network show, she stated that her boyfriend Henry Rollins dumped her via e-mail.

Wührer married the film producer James Scura in 2003. She and her husband have two children: a boy named Enzo, born January 2004, and a girl named Evangeline, born 27 March 2006.

she is tanya of red alert. she is also one of the most sexiest female in history of entertainment. many are fantasizing her. and idolizing her. she is a stunnish.

No Secret: Bill Davidson wanted Flip Out

2008-06-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

Like many Pistons fans already know Joe Dumars runs the team but owner Bill Davidson pulls the strings. Keith Langlois talked to Davidson about his Hall of Fame induction and got a little insight into how he felt about the Pistons elimination by Boston.

"Absolutely," Pistons owner William Davidson told me Wednesday morning. "No question in my mind. And I encouraged Joe to sever the relationship with Flip Saunders."

He's also on board with the Curry hire.

"I love Michael Curry, Michael worked for us. He comes in at 6 in the morning. The nice thing is when he was a player here, he established a home. He's kept that home, so his identification with the area and the team is 100 percent. I have great, great confidence that Michael is going to do a tremendous job."

I'm a big fan of what Mr. D has done for this team and how he's made the team, that Palace and the way he runs the team a model for what's right in sports ownership. It's nice to know that he's being honored by the Hall and it seem as though he's quite pleased about it.

"When I got the reactions, I was even more pleased that I did get elected. It was just announced a day or two before, so all those players who I had close associations with all said how pleased they were and we had a few hugs. The timing of the announcement was very, very propitious for me."

Bill you have your people at your back and it is us man. we also wanted this team to make it back on glory once again by doing it step by step in making better decisions. unless if joe d can make better decision this time.

Detroit Pistons draft preview

2008-06-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

2007-2008

59-23, first place in Central Division

Competing in Eastern Conference Finals

Returning Players:
G: Arron Afflalo
G: Chauncey Billups
G: Richard Hamilton
G: Rodney Stuckey
F: Tayshaun Prince
F: Amir Johnson
F: Jason Maxiell
F: Antonio McDyess
C: Rasheed Wallace

Free Agents:

Juan Dixon
Jarvis Hayes
Walter Herrmann (Restricted)
Lindsey Hunter
Theo Ratliff

Needs:

Frontcourt depth
Backcourt depth
Backup center

Analysis:

Save for the Darko debacle in 2003 (players passed on: Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade), Joe Dumars has always been an astute evaluator of young talent and has drafted well considering the Pistons have had two top 15 picks since 2002 (Darko Milicic at No. 2 in 2003 and Rodney Stuckey at No. 15 in 2007). The Pistons first five is stalwart, but you can never have too many quality minutes coming from the bench, especially with the starters getting up in years. While the Pistons have done well in manning the center position when Rasheed Wallace takes a breather, it's imperative they find someone to fill the middle to help out.

From The Media:

"The skinny on Nathan Jawai: The Pistons could use more size and power in the paint and the Australian native has that in abundance. He's coming off a big year in Australia and his game resembles Elton Brand's a little. At this point in the draft, he's worth the risk."
-- Chad Ford, Mock 2.0, ESPN.com

sign lindsey hunter, jarvis hayes, walter hermann. we can use them for our pistons offense. lindsey is our snatcher and jarvis is our gunman we need his perimeter scoring and also hermann's three point barrage.

Keeley Hazel - Britain's Top Model (only for 18 above)

2008-06-22T07:50:00.000-07:00

Keeley Rebecca Hazell (born on 18 September 1986) is an English Page 3 Girl and glamour model noted for her large, natural breasts (UK bra size 32E)

Early life

Hazell was born in Lewisham, London, England,grew up in Grove Park, and attended the Ravensbourne School in Bromley.

Her mother, Amber, is a dinner lady and her father, Roy, is a window fitter; they separated when she was thirteen. She has an older sister, Roxanne, and a younger sister, Georgia.

As a teenager, Hazell was a frequent truant and stayed out late on school nights drinking.

She confesses to having only taken five GCSE examinations due to being ejected from several of them; however, she did very well in mathematics and English.

Adult life

Hazell currently lives in an apartment in the London Docklands.

In January 2006, Hazell made headlines when Chelsea F.C. football player Joe Cole was beaten up at a party held at her Grove Park house.[6] She spoke to The Sun in March, denying rumours surrounding the incident.[7]

Career

Modelling

At sixteen years of age, Hazell left school to work as a hairdresser. Her colleagues persuaded her to try her luck at modelling (she later quit hairdressing)and she enrolled at Lewisham College to start a City & Guilds in fashion, but was not at the college for very long.

At seventeen, she competed in The Daily Star's "Search for a Beach Babe" contest and won.

Keeley Hazell Wearing Almost Nothing HOT
Uploaded by jenniferlopez23

Keeley Hazell is very hot in this video in workout leotard. This video give a nice view of those sweet legs and ass. The cleavage is out of this world!

Beautiful Keeley Hazell Photo Shoot in Daisy Dukes!
Uploaded by jenniferlopez23

Only Keeley Hazell could look better in Daisy Dukes than Daisy herself. Check out this video of Keeley doing a video shoot showing off that beautiful ass like no tomorrow.

Keeley Hazell in her Britney Spears Outfit. HOT!
Uploaded by jenniferlopez23

Keeley Hazell is doing a photo shoot in this video wearing an early Britney Spears outfit. You know, the school girl one. Take a look at Keeley posing that beautiful body showing off that ass and those tits in this almost naked video.

Keeley_Hazell_photoshoot
Uploaded by Patron

Keeley Hazell in a Bikini Sudsy Wet! HOT!
Uploaded by jenniferlopez23

Check out Keeley Hazell in a bikini showing off her beautiful body that is almost naked. Keeley Hazell recently had a sex tape that was leaked to the public. She really threw a fit and hit it Banned!

A friend told her about The Sun's Page 3 Idol competition. Despite some initial uncertainty about entering the contest, she submitted some photos. She was eventually chosen the winner in December 2004.

She won £10,000 worth of "sexy clothes" and "a one-year membership of the Rex cinema and bar". Three cast sculptures were made of her bust by sculptor Leigh Heppell. Two are in the Sun offices and one is in her house.

Another part of Hazell's Page 3 Idol win was a one-year exclusive glamour modelling contract with The Sun. She is currently being handled by Jon Fowler.

Hazell regularly featured in Zoo until 2008, and continues to appear in The Sun at least once every two weeks.

She has been on the cover of The Sun's 2006 and 2007 Page 3 calendars, in addition to her own 2006 and 2007 wall calendars, the latter of which sold 30,000 in its first few days of release.

In April 2008, Hazell left Zoo and signed an exclusive deal to appear in their rival magazine Nuts.

Hazell was once offered a chance to appear in Playboy, but declined because she was not comfortable doing a full nude shoot.

Other media appearances

She is the face of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's Formula One 06 video game for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and F1 CE for PlayStation 3.[14]

Hazell had a small role in the full-length version of Cashback, playing "Naked Girl." She is currently in talks with producers to be in the upcoming Baywatch movie.

Keeley is the presenter of Byte Me TV, alongside IT expert Gary Schwartz. Byte Me TV is an online programme that explains technology in an easy to understand way.

Hazell was hailed by the Conservative Party in December 2006 as an "environmental hero" for her campaigns in The Sun, giving environmental tips such as turning lights off during sex and using digital cameras.

She was named alongside the likes of David Attenborough, Prince Charles and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Tories' list.

Winner of The Sun's Page 3 Idol 2004
#17 in Loaded's 100 Peachiest Celebrity Chests 2005
#1 in Zoo's Britain's 10 Sexiest Models
#1 in Zoo's 100 Sexiest Bodies 2005
#2 in The Sun's Favourite Page 3 Girls of All Time
Voted "Best Page 3 Girl" in the FHM Bloke Awards 2006
#2 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2006
Winner of The Sun Online's Reality Babe Cup
#1 in Zoo's 100 Sexiest Bodies 2006
Best Celeb Body 2006 (More readers' survey)
#19 in AskMen.com Top 99 Most Desirable Women 2007 Edition
#9 in FHM's 50 Most Eligible Women 2007
#2 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2007
#3 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2008
#3 in in COED Magazine Online's "The 50 Sexiest WAGs of World Football."

I Admire this model. she is one of the most beautiful women in UK. when i was in lonodn i was reading her magazine. with her modeled wimbledon. she portray herself as a wimbledon tennis player. she looks hot young and pretty. i totally admire this lady too much. than i do. she is stunnish.

Louise Glover - the english diva. (only for adults)

2008-06-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

Louise Glover (born 8 February 1983) is an English model, beauty queen, and photographer.

She is well known from her work as a glamour model, with appearances in British lad mags, including FHM, Bizarre, Maxim, Loaded, and tabloids such as the News of the World, The Sun and The Daily Star. She is the first British model to be named "Model of the Year" in Playboy Special Editions.

Glover grew up with a troubled childhood, with drug abusing parents, in foster care, and eventually living alone from the age of 15. She struggled to become a model from an early age. At the start of her career, she was sentenced to community service for not reporting her early earnings while receiving welfare. Glover has been a continued participant in and supporter of the charity Raleigh International, which she credits for contributing to her early motivation.

she is sexy if i have a chance to meet her i will do it.

she is one of my most admired ladies when i was in london. if i get a chance. i wanna meet her and take a picture with her. she is stunnishing, she is my dreamdate. if i get a chance to meet her i wanna chat with her.

Career:

Glover began getting paid modelling work in 2002.
In 2003, at the age of 20, she had a breast enlargement from a 34A to a 34D, paid for as a Christmas present from her family, since she couldn't afford the £3300 herself.

Louise Glover
Uploaded by gredome

It was later reduced to 34C in 2007, with multiple breast reduction surgeries, as she claimed to be going for "a more natural look".
She became known as a glamour model, appearing nude or scantily dressed in British lad mags, including FHM, Bizarre, Maxim, Loaded, and tabloids News Of The World, The Sun and The Daily Star. She was featured in TV shows and documentaries including Dream Team, National IQ Test, Blaggers and Secrets of the Sex Goddesses.

She has also appeared as a clothing model, for Ed Hardy clothing, Sex Symbol denim wear, Austin Reed ladies wear, and on front covers, photo shoots and interviews for magazines in South America, USA, Canada, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Russia, South Africa, and Australia.

Glover kept supporting Raleigh International after her modelling success, raising funds for the group, and traveling to Malaysia in 2004 to help build a footbridge and teach English to residents of a remote village.[14] She climbed Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia, to help Raleigh International raise funds.

She ran in the 2005 London Marathon to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Legal problems

In August 2005, Glover was sentenced to 240 hours community service by St Helens magistrates after admitting claiming £14,831 in welfare benefits between August 2002 and November 2004 while posing for newspapers and magazines. She stated that she did not know the small and irregular earnings would make a difference to her benefits, and that she had been sometimes too depressed to leave her flat.

While performing the community service in 2006, she was assaulted twice by a group of girls, one attack leaving her with a broken nose. This cost her a month of modelling work, and contributed to her depression, but also to her taking kickboxing classes to learn to defend herself.[17][5]

Playboy

Glover says appearing in Playboy magazine was an important goal for her ever since becoming a glamour model.

She met publisher Hugh Hefner during a photo shoot in Los Angeles, when she was 21. He offered her a test shoot, and she visited the Playboy Mansion.[3] Glover appeared on the cover of Playboy Vixens magazine in January 2006, in the "Top 100 Sexiest Playboy Models" 2006 pictorial special edition, and won Playboy Special Editions Model of the Year 2006; she was the first British winner.[4] To celebrate her success, she was portrayed on the cover and inside a special edition of Playboy Lingerie,

which she calls possibly her favorite magazine cover.
Glover became the UK's Penthouse "Pet of the Month" for March 2007 after posing for a celebrity cover and 10 page feature. She has appeared in the American edition of Playboy magazine for September 2007, and on the cover of Playboy France.
Her beauty pageants also continued, and after three tries, she won Miss Hawaiian Tropic UK 2007, and competed in the international finals in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Besides modelling, Glover has attempted to expand her career into other areas, as a fall-back if she can't make it as a model.

She has maintained a web site as a professional photographer since 2004.[8] In 2006 Glover co-launched an adult lingerie online store called Female Bliss, and signed a contract with a Swedish record label as an aspiring singer.[21] In 2007, she appeared in her first music video acting role, for Scouting for Girls' single "She's So Lovely".

In 2007, Glover was interested in expanding from glamour modelling into fitness modelling,

and was in talks with WWE to become a professional wrestler, which were put on hold due to her lack of US citizenship.

The Reason why everyone likes Ashiya Mizuki - her ultimate page

2008-06-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

you got to Because:

"When you came, you were like red wine and honey, and the taste of you burnt my mouth with its sweetness."

RipCity_Pistons of the Command Post

"I wished for nothing beyond her smile, and to walk with her thus, hand in hand, along a sun-warmed, flower-bordered path."

Roscoe_36 of the Command Post

"In my wildest dreams, you always play the hero. In my darkest hour of night, you rescue me, you save my life."

Piston Gun of The Command Post

"She walks in Beauty, like the night
Of cloudness climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes..."

Bigshot_Pistons of the command post

"My night has become a sunny dawn because of you."

Sheedism_IV of the command post

Alternates ( the legacy of the alternative uniforms)

2008-06-21T21:28:00.000-07:00

NBA Alternates

st patrick's day jersies courtesy of New York, Chicago and Boston

i love alternates but i hate the cleveland and philly fans. Overrated lol
specially detroit pistons' alternate i like them. and the nets and the suns.

Football Alternates

Most, if not all, professional sports teams also wear uniforms, made in the team's distinctive colors, often in different variations for "home" and "away" games

these alternates are my signature dress when i play nba live and 2k series and fifa 08. these uniforms are really looking cool. specially the detroit pistons red alternate.

i love using alternative jersies.

Boomblerg news - Typhoon Fengshen Batters Philippines; 20 People Reported Dead

2008-06-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

By Stuart Kelly

June 22 (Bloomberg) -- Typhoon Fengshen approached the outskirts of the Philippines capital Manila today after flashfloods and landslides reportedly left at least 20 people dead and forced thousands to evacuate across eastern parts of the nation.

The eye of Fengshen, the seventh storm of the northwestern Pacific cyclone season, was 90 kilometers southeast of Manila, packing winds of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles) per hour at 5 a.m. local time, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

The typhoon is expected to maintain its strength as it travels at 15 kilometers per hour toward Manila, PAGASA said. The capital, home to more than 14 million people, may experience winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour.

At least 17 people drowned in Central Mindanao and parts of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Philippine Daily Inquirer said on its Web site, citing officials. A further three people were killed in Negros Occidental and Leyte.

At least 30,000 residents of Iloilo City are stranded on their rooftops after the typhoon caused a dam to overflow and sparked power outages across the province, the newspaper cited acting mayor Jed Mabilog as saying.

In the eastern Bicol region, the storm forced more than 200,000 people to evacuate their homes, the newspaper said, citing a civil defense official.

A ferry carrying about 700 passengers was stranded as its engine failed off the coast of Sibuyan island in the central Philippines yesterday, Associated Press reported, citing coast guard chief Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo. Radio contact with the MV Princess of Stars, owned by Sulpicio Lines Inc., was lost.

The Philippines is regularly hit by typhoons and tropical storms that gain strength over warm waters of the Pacific before lashing the coast. At least 26 people died in November last year when two typhoons struck the country.

Fengshen is named after the God of Wind in China, according to the Web site of the Hong Kong Observatory, which lists names used for tropical storms and typhoons formed in the northwest Pacific.

To contact the reporter for this story: Stuart Kelly in Sydney skelly22@bloomberg.net

thats why i hate riding in a lines like sulpicio. there are always tragedies going on after there.

so i more ride superferry than sulpicio.

for those victims of the tragedies. my condolences. for the lives the lost in the middle of the sea.

sulpicio had lots of tragedies since the decade

1987

1987 - Ferry Dona Paz collides with an oil tanker off the island of Mindoro. More than 4,000 are killed in what is described as the world's worst peacetime maritime tragedy.

1988

1988 - Ferry Dona Marylin , sister ship of the Dona Paz, sinks off the central province of Leyte, killing 300.

1995 - the mv princess of the orient

2008 - the mv princess of the stars

whose next sulpicio?

damn, in this kind of situation. we should be careful and aware of what will happen if we made a wrong move.

now they will spend more money again to build an another exclusive ship like these

confirmed. MV Princess of the stars is in the bottom of the ocean

2008-06-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines - A ferry carrying about 700 people was stranded in wind-whipped waters off the coast of the central Philippines as Typhoon Fengshen battered the country, killing 17.

Coast guard chief Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said the MV Princess of Stars was "dead in the water" after its engine failed around noon Saturday near the central Philippine island of Sibuyan. Port captain Nestor Ponteres said the ferry's owner Sulpicio Lines had lost radio contact with the ship.

A rescue vessel sent to the area was forced to return to its home port in Batangas city because of big waves, Cebu coast guard spokesman Cmdr. Antonio Cuasito said. Another rescue ship was deployed from central Cebu city, where the Princess of Stars was headed when it left Manila late Friday, but it was unclear when it would reach the area.

Nathaniel Cruz, chief government weather forecaster, said Typhoon Fengshen packed sustained winds of 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour and gusts of up to 122 mph (195 kph) and flooded wide areas on the main southern Philippine island of Mindanao and central Panay island.

In southern Maguindanao province, at least 14 people drowned in flash floods, including 10 who were swept away from riverside homes, said provincial administrator Norie Unas. Five others were missing.

In nearby Cotabato city, a 50-year-old man and his 10-year-old grandson were killed when a landslide buried their hillside shanty, Mayor Muslimin Sema said.

In neighboring Cotabato province, authorities recovered the body of a farmer, one of three people reported missing.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo directed the defense and local government departments to stand by for relief and rescue missions.

Officials said neck-deep flood waters had risen further with a high tide, forcing the evacuation of 5,000 people in Sultan Kudarat township in southern Shariff Kabunsuan province, near Cotabato city.

Officials ordered the evacuation of more than 117,000 people from areas prone to floods and landslides in central Albay province. But many returned home by midday Saturday after the typhoon missed the area.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council reported flooding, landslides and power outages caused by toppled power pylons in many areas in the central Philippines.

Typhoon ‘Frank’ to slam into Metro Manila; death toll at 17

2008-06-21T18:25:00.001-07:00

MANILA, Philippines- Typhoon "Frank" slightly changed course anew Saturday night and will likely hit Metro Manila early Sunday, state weather forecasters said.

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather branch head Nathaniel Cruz said "Frank" will likely be "felt" in Metro Manila at 5 to 6 a.m.

"Instead of moving toward Mindoro then to the South China Sea, yung track posibleng tumama sa Metro Manila, at diretso sa Zambales bago pumunta South China Sea then lalabas ng Philippine Area of Responsibility (Instead of moving toward Mindoro then to the South China Sea, it may hit Metro Manila then Zambales before going to the South China Sea and exiting the Philippine area of responsibility)," he said at a press conference.

He said Metro Manila is now under Storm Signal 3, adding this will mean likely stormy weather Sunday in Metro Manila, with "air, land and sea travel not advisable."

Cruz said "Frank" slightly weakened as it traversed inland waters of Romblon but still packed maximum sustained winds of 120 kph and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

As of 10 p.m., it was 70 km southeast of Calapan.

Under Storm Signal 3 are Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Lubang Island, Marinduque, Romblon, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Bataan, Bondoc Peninsula, and Metro Manila.

Under Storm Signal 2 are Calamian Island, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, rest of Quezon, Polilio, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Southern Aurora; Antique, Aklan, Capiz and Burias Islands.

Under Signal 1 are North Palawan, Masbate, Ticao Island, Albay, the rest of Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan; Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.

Cruz said "Frank" has also enhanced the southwest monsoon to bring rains and winds to other parts of the country.

Also Saturday, National Disaster Coordinating Council spokesman Anthony Golez Jr. said they are still compiling reports of casualties.

Golez, who was at the press conference, said President Arroyo ordered before leaving for the United States that the NDCC should "make sure we are going to warn areas that are going to be hit," especially Calabarzon sub-region and Metro Manila.

He said this would allow local officials to conduct evacuation if needed in low-lying areas before midnight.

Meanwhile, a ferry carrying about 700 people was stranded in wind-whipped waters off the coast of the central Philippines on Saturday as Typhoon "Frank" battered the country, killing 17, officials said.

Coast guard chief Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said the MV Princess of Stars, owned by Sulpicio Lines, was "dead in the water" after its engine failed around noon near the central Philippine island of Sibuyan.

Sulpicio port captain Nestor Ponteres said they had lost radio contact with the ship, which last reported that it had run aground and was listing.

Cebu coast guard spokesman Cmdr. Antonio Cuasito said a rescue vessel sent to the area was forced to return to its home port in Batangas city because of big waves. Another rescue ship was deployed from central Cebu city, where the Princess of Stars was headed when it left Manila late Friday, but it was unclear when it would reach the area.

Typhoon "Frank" had gained strength after lingering over and battering Romblon island, close to Sibuyan, for about three hours Saturday, Cruz said.

The typhoon was packing sustained winds of 100 miles per hour and gusts of up to 122 mph. It was forecast to move northwest toward Mindoro island.

"It slowed down but that helped it gain strength," Cruz said.

He said it was enhancing the seasonal monsoon, dumping large volumes of rain and flooding wide areas on the main southern Philippine island of Mindanao and central Panay island.

In southern Maguindanao province, at least 14 people drowned in flash floods, including 10 who were swept away from riverside homes, said provincial administrator Norie Unas. Five others were missing.

In nearby Cotabato city, a 50-year-old man and his 10-year-old grandson were killed when a landslide buried their hillside shanty, Mayor Muslimin Sema said.

In neighboring Cotabato province, authorities recovered the body of a farmer, one of three people reported missing.

Officials said neck-deep flood waters had risen further due to a high tide, forcing the evacuation of 5,000 people in Sultan Kudarat township in southern Shariff Kabunsuan province, near Cotabato city.

Officials ordered the evacuation of more than 117,000 people from areas prone to floods and landslides in central Albay province. But many returned home by midday Saturday after the typhoon missed the area.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council reported flooding, landslides and power outages caused by toppled power pylons in many areas in the central Philippines.

Big waves prompted the coast guard to suspend ferry services, stranding hundreds of passengers traveling to central islands, the agency said.

Airport authorities said 90 flights to and from 12 cities in the central Philippines had been canceled because of the typhoon. - GMANews.TV with a report from AP

signal number one hits metro manila

2008-06-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

Weather

Issued At: 5:00 p.m., 21 June 2008

Synopsis :

At 2:00 p.m. today, the eye of Typhoon "FRANK" was located by radar, satellite and surface data in the vicinity of Romblon (12.2°N 122.3°E) with maximum winds of 160 kph and gustiness of up to 195 kph.

It is forecast to move northwest at 11 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Update

Issued at: 5:00 P.M., 21 June 2008

Typhoon "FRANK" has intensified further as it continues to move towards Mindoro.

Gale Warning
Issued at: 5:00 p.m., Today, 21 June 2008

The surge of southwest monsoon associated with Typhoon "FRANK" (FENGSHEN) is expected to affect the seaboards of Mindanao.

please let me play hoops!!. damn this Frank typhoon

i think everybody should be careful of bloods. especially leptus phyrosis, it can kill you during the bloods around mid manila.

specially on espanya near ust and in sucat paranaque. be careful fellows.

and avoid the flying steel shelters. (yeros) it may keel you.

be careful fellows.

typhoon signal number 1 in manila

2008-06-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

Manila - At least 12 people were killed Saturday and at least 18 were missing as a powerful typhoon hit a large area of the Philippines, officials said.

Ten people were drowned before dawn and 12 more remained missing when flashfloods swept away houses near the bank of Rifao River in South Upi town in Maguindanao province, 930 kilometres south of Manila, according to village councillor Joy Veles.

'The river overflowed shortly after midnight so the people residing near the river bank were asleep when their houses were swept away,' she said.

An eight-year-old girl and her grandfather were buried in a landslide at a dumpsite in the southern city of Cotabato, 930 kilometres south of Manila, after overnight rains induced by typhoon Fengshen, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said.

The NDCC added six more people remained missing when rivers overflowed in the nearby towns of Alamada and Guindulungan.

The NDCC said Fengshen triggered heavy rains in eastern, central and southern provinces that caused landslides and mudslides as well as flashfloods.

More than 200,000 people in low-lying areas were evacuated as floodwaters submerged large areas in the central cities of Iloilo and Bacolod and the southern provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.

Fengshen, with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometres per hour and gusts of up to 170 per hour, was spotted off the coast of Kalibo in the central province of Aklan, 360 kilometres south of Manila.

Several domestic flights were cancelled and inter-island ferry services were suspended, stranding thousands of passengers.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo met on Saturday with cabinet officials to ensure the smooth flow of relief operations in typhoon-affected areas.

god Dammit, I can't Play Hoops Because of this. i wanna play hoops. please but its ok its cold inside my room.

Phoenix - Lock and Load!! complete Coaching Staffs

2008-06-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

PHOENIX - The Phoenix Suns today announced that Alvin Gentry, Bill Cartwright, Dan Majerle and Igor Kokoskov will join head coach Terry Porter’s staff as assistant coaches.

“We’re thrilled to have been able to put together an extremely bright and versatile staff,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr. “Alvin and Bill provide great knowledge and experience for Terry with both having been head coaches in the NBA.

Igor has worked with Terry on the Pistons’ staff the last two years and brings a wealth of experience both on the NBA and international levels. Dan’s passion and work ethic will make a huge impact with our players. We’re excited to add to our staff one of the most tenacious players in franchise history.”

“In putting together this staff, I wanted to surround myself with coaches with bench experience, guys who are knowledgeable about both ends of the basketball court and are strong teachers of the game,” Porter said. “The coaches we selected are guys who have worked or played together and who I have competed with or against, so I’m confident we will have a great rapport from the very beginning.

"Steve and I wanted to put together a staff that is accustomed to winning. This is a championship-caliber organization and this staff has experience at competing for and winning championships.” Including Porter, the Suns’ new coaching staff has a combined 24 Conference Finals appearances as players and coaches, 10 NBA Finals berths and six NBA titles.

A 29-year coaching veteran, including 20 seasons in the NBA, Gentry will return for his fifth season on the Suns’ bench after originally joining the staff on June 1, 2004. Included in his NBA experience are three stints as a head coach with Miami (1995), Detroit (1997-2000) and the Los Angeles Clippers (2000-03).

Gentry, 53, served nine seasons as an assistant coach under respected coaches Larry Brown, Kevin Loughery and Doug Collins, who have combined for over 1,800 NBA victories. During Gentry’s tenure as an assistant in Phoenix, the Suns have compiled a record of 232-96 (.707).

A five-time NBA Champion as a player and coach, Cartwright joins the Suns’ coaching staff after spending the last four seasons as an assistant with the New Jersey Nets. Cartwright’s wealth of knowledge and experience stems from 15 seasons in the NBA as a player, 10 as an assistant and parts of three seasons as head coach of the Chicago Bulls (151 games).

Cartwright, 50, was a teammate of Kerr with the Bulls in 1993-94 and was an assistant coach in Chicago from 1996-98 while Kerr was a reserve. In total, he served six seasons as an assistant in the Bulls organization under Phil Jackson (1996-98) and Tim Floyd (1998-2001).

Under Jackson, Cartwright was on the staff of both the 1997 and 1998 NBA Champion clubs. While with Floyd, the former 7-1 center was responsible for the development of power forwards and centers, including 2000 NBA Rookie of the Year Elton Brand.

Suns legend and Ring of Honor inductee Majerle enters the coaching ranks for the first time in his career. Originally selected with the 14th overall pick by the Suns in the 1988 NBA Draft, Majerle quickly became a fan favorite while playing eight seasons in Phoenix (1988-95, 2001-02).

The 6-6 swingman, who was a member of the Suns’ 1993 Western Conference Championship squad, played one season in Cleveland and five in Miami following his departure from Phoenix, including the 1998-99 season with the Heat alongside Porter. “Thunder Dan”, 42, was a three-time All-Star (1992, 1993, 1995) who became the first reserve in NBA history to be voted an All-Star starter in 1995. The 14-year NBA veteran, who retired as the Suns’ all-time leading three-point shooter with 800 makes, has spent the last four seasons as an analyst on Suns television broadcasts.

Kokoskov (kuh-KOS-kov), 36, joins the Suns’ coaching staff after spending the last five seasons with the Detroit Pistons, including the last two with Porter, where Detroit reached the conference finals in each of those campaigns. Prior to joining the Pistons, Kokoskov served as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers under then-head coach Alvin Gentry, becoming the first full-time, non-American assistant coach in NBA history.

Kokoskov returned to his native Serbia and Montenegro to serve as the head coach of the Serbia and Montenegro national team at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2005 European Championships.

The Phoenix Suns own the fourth-highest winning percentage among NBA franchises all-time (.558, 1814-1434) and in 2007-08 became the fourth-fastest club to reach 1,800 victories in league history. One of the NBA’s most consistent franchises, the Suns have earned a playoff berth in 18 of the last 20 seasons, have claimed six division titles and are two-time Western Conference Champions.

The Shadow of ’05

2008-06-21T06:56:00.000-07:00

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The 2005 NBA draft hangs heavy over the ’08 draft as the days tick off until Thursday’s grabfest. Milwaukee won the 2005 lottery and went with Andrew Bogut, the 7-footer from Australia by way of the University of Utah. Bogut’s been pretty good, too.

But pretty good doesn’t cut it when you have the No. 1 pick in a draft that produces two franchise point guards, Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Had Larry Harris taken either one, chances are he’d still be employed as Bucks general manager – and Joe Dumars wouldn’t have lost John Hammond, the Pistons’ vice president who succeeded Harris and is sitting with another lottery pick in this year’s draft after the Bucks crashed to 26-56 last season.

Atlanta had the No. 2 pick in that draft and went with Marvin Williams, who’d just completed a freshman season at national champion North Carolina in which he didn’t even start. Williams is coming into his own on a young Hawks team that finally cracked the playoff field and pushed eventual champion Boston to seven games in the first round, but Atlanta was still desperate enough for a point guard – even after using a lottery pick on Acie Law last year – that it was forced to send disappointing 2006 lottery pick Shelden Williams to Sacramento in February for Mike Bibby and his big contract.

Williams went third in ’05 to Utah, which in his time in Salt Lake City has gone from a lottery team to last year’s Western Conference finals and a second-round loss to the Lakers this spring. Paul, the 2005-06 Rookie of the Year, went fourth to New Orleans, which took defending champion San Antonio to seven games in this year’s second round.

So it’s no real surprise, then, that four of the first six picks in the 2008 draft figure to be point guards – at least if you consider O.J. Mayo a point guard, as he sees himself and as many NBA teams do as well.

Derrick Rose, who took Memphis to the NCAA title game as a freshman, is the favorite to go No. 1 overall to Chicago, which thought it was set for years at the position with Kirk Hinrich but likely won’t pass up the homegrown Rose. A superior athlete, many believe Rose combines the best traits of Paul and Williams – the speed and quickness of the former, the strength of the latter.

If Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley doesn’t go No. 1 overall to the Bulls, it’s highly likely he’ll go No. 2 – much like last year, when Greg Oden and Kevin Durant were the consensus 1-2 picks, it’s again considered a top two and everyone else. But Beasley might not wind up in Miami.

The Heat are believed interested in trading down a few spots – perhaps to Memphis at No. 5, which covets either Rose or Beasley – and still winding up with Mayo.

Seattle at No. 4 is rumored to be leaning toward Arizona freshman Jerryd Bayless, a terrific scorer who has drawn comparisons to another former Wildcat star, Gilbert Arenas.

Memphis is one of the few teams high in the lottery not keen on taking a point guard after drafting Mike Conley fourth a year ago and Kyle Lowry in the first round in 2006 and getting 2007 first-rounder Javarris Crittenton from the Lakers in the Pau Gasol trade.

But the Knicks at No. 6 need a point guard and could be left to choose from a pair of sophomores, UCLA’s Russell Westbrook and Texas’ D.J. Augustin. Whoever gets past the Knicks – assuming they don’t trade down in a deal that rids them of one of their many undesirable contracts – probably won’t last any longer than Indiana at No. 11.

Teams that might be looking to take a point guard in the first round:

Chicago – If new coach Vinny Del Negro brings Mike D’Antoni’s Phoenix-style offense with him, Rose would seem an ideal quarterback to push the ball and create shots early in possessions. And he’d make Hinrich and Ben Gordon, if he doesn’t get away as a restricted free agent, dangerous 3-point transition shooters.

Miami – With Jason Williams nearing the end and Dwyane Wade’s dislike for playing point guard well known, the Heat are in great need of a playmaking point. Assuming Rose is gone, Miami might go with Mayo over Beasley even if it can’t trade back.

Minnesota – Randy Foye is a combo guard who could play alongside the right point – and someone with Mayo’s size could give the Timberwolves the defensive flexibility to make that pairing work.

Seattle – The Sonics didn’t get enough out of the combo of Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson. If Bayless blossoms, he’d give them a third young star to pair with last year’s lottery rookies, Durant and Jeff Green.

New York – D’Antoni needs a quarterback to begin to implement elements of his Phoenix attack in New York. It might be a reach to take either Westbrook or Augustin at No. 6, though Westbrook – a phenomenal athlete – reportedly worked out very well for the Knicks.

Indiana – Jamaal Tinsley’s a pretty good player when he’s healthy and not distracted by off-court controversy. Those times, alas, are few and far between. At 11, they’ll probably happily take either Westbrook or Augustin.

Cleveland – The Cavs patched a hole with Delonte West, who’s best suited to coming off the bench, and have Daniel Gibson, too. But they could use a little more stability at the position, though it’s unlikely they’ll find what they want at 19.

Denver – Chucky Atkins and Anthony Carter shared the position last year. If the Nuggets don’t make a dramatic trade, they need a true pass-first creator, making Mario Chalmers a darkhorse possibility at 20.

Boston – The reigning champions got by all year with Rajon Rondo backed by shoot-first Eddie House and late-season signee Sam Cassell, who’s about at the end of the line. Last year’s second-rounder Gabe Pruitt, is in the wings, but another young option is possible – especially if Chalmers slips to 30.

I want indiana, denver, chicago and miami to come out again for the playoffs this coming NBA season. they should rebuild, specially the pacers and the bulls.

the nuggets needs a powehouse center play. and a terrific coach. mr george karl doesnt fit to the team's chemistry. they can't make it in the 2nd round.

What Might Have Been

2008-06-21T06:49:00.000-07:00

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Illinois coach Bruce Weber has been on a slippery slope in Champaign despite winning 89 games in his first three seasons and taking the Illini to the 2005 national championship game because he inherited the guts of those teams, including the dynamic backcourt of Deron Williams and Dee Brown, from previous coach Bill Self.

Here’s why recruiting matters: Last year, Weber’s fifth, Illinois went 16-19 overall and a dismal 5-13 in the Big Ten. But had he been able to sign both Derrick Rose and Eric Gordon – who originally committed to Illinois and was working on Rose to join him before Mike Davis was fired and Kelvin Sampson swung Gordon to Indiana – no one would have been surprised if Weber would have had the Illini back at the Final Four.

While Rose, a Chicago native who considered Illinois strongly, is favored to be the No. 1 pick in Thursday’s draft and is certain to be gone in the top two, Gordon is also considered a lottery pick. While Gordon is the top-rated point guard in this draft, Gordon is generally considered the best of a weak crop of shooting guards, at least if Southern Cal freshman O.J. Mayo is grouped with the point guards.

It’s likely Gordon will go either seventh to the Los Angeles Clippers or eight to the Milwaukee Bucks – and even that might be too low for him. Gordon’s play tailed off badly in the second half of his freshman season as Indiana got caught in the turmoil that eventually cost Sampson his job over recruiting violations. But over the first half of the season, Gordon was dynamic, displaying NBA 3-point range as well as explosive to-the-basket moves and finishing ability.

Physically, Gordon is already a size-strength match for Chauncey Billups with room still to grow.

Beyond Gordon, though, beauty is in the eye of the beholder for a group that’s significantly weaker than most years.

The next shooting guard, in fact, probably won’t be taken until the early 20s. That could be Rose’s teammate, Detroit native Chris Douglas-Roberts, or it could be Western Kentucky’s Courtney Lee.

Douglas-Roberts is a slasher with a relentless motor. Though he doesn’t have Rip Hamilton’s polished mid-range game, Douglas-Roberts is similar to Hamilton in physique and relentlessness. Though he brings an unorthodox shot to the table, Douglas-Roberts has a pure scorer’s mentality. Even though he’s worked out well for several teams, the feeling persists that CDR won’t go in the teens.

The drop spot for either him or Lee, in fact, could be Orlando at No. 22. Lee is a very good athlete and maybe the best shooter of all first-round prospects. He was the leading scorer on a Western Kentucky team that made some noise in the NCAA tournament and, at 22, is more fundamentally ready to step into an NBA rotation right out of the gate.

That might be it for first-round shooting guards. The next group includes Mississippi State’s Jamont Gordon, New Mexico’s J.R. Giddens, Washington State’s Kyle Weaver and Arkansas’ Sonny Weems.

Teams that might be in the market for a shooting guard:

LA Clippers – Assuming Elton Brand doesn’t go anywhere, the Clippers are pretty well set up front with Chris Kaman and rookie Al Thornton to go with him. But their backcourt is in flux, especially if Corey Maggette leaves as a free agent, as looks likely. Gordon, a combo guard, would give the Clips flexibility.

Phoenix – Even though Mike D’Antoni is gone, the Suns still want to surround Steve Nash with more good perimeter shooters than they currently have on their roster. The 15th spot might be a little high for Lee, but he’d be a nice fit if small forward Brandon Rush is gone.

Philadelphia – Willie Green has given the 76ers what he can give, but if they can find somebody to push him and share the position a young team would get a little deeper.

Orlando – Mo Evans and Keith Bogans essentially split the job last year, but the Magic will be on the lookout for another option. Lee makes sense, giving a 3-point shooting team another weapon to spread the floor and give Dwight Howard room to operate.

New Orleans – Lack of perimeter depth hurt the Hornets in the playoffs. If Douglas-Roberts falls to 27, you have to think he wouldn’t get past New Orleans.

for the clippers, get rid maggette or try to put him on a small forward spot. and take gordon so quinton ross can come off the bench and give LA clippers some nice perimeter shootings.

also develop the bench of the clips especially chris kaman who came out explosive during the 05 and 06 season with the clips. also mobley for a bench scoring.

clippers need a great coach not a faggot like dunleavy

Boston Celtics 2008 NBA champions

2008-06-20T17:10:00.001-07:00

the celtics parade in massachussets

they fought hard this year, they beat the eastern conference defending champs the cleveland cavaliers and the last year's runner up for the conference finals detroit pistons.

and then the western conference champs the san antonio spurs.

the celtics had done terrific this year.

Ma man KG you deserve the Year. its good to see you in a new jersey than the old Twolve crap

great job KG. more titles for you. and soon we will get up to compete. its nice to compete with you guys.

tayshaun prince, to play for USA this 2008 Beijing Olympics

2008-06-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski let it be known last summer during Olympic qualifying that he valued the jack-of-all-trades versatility Tayshaun Prince afforded him, so it wasn’t a big surprise Thursday when the Associated Press reported that an NBA source has confirmed Prince will be a member of the United States Olympic team in Beijing this summer.

The formal announcement of the 12-man team is scheduled to be made during a Monday press conference in Chicago.

Krzyzewski was believed to be lobbying for Prince’s inclusion, especially since his former Duke All-American, three-time NCAA Defensive Player of the Year Shane Battier, was ruled out due to injury.

Prince played last summer when Team USA went unbeaten in the Tournament of the Americas qualifier in Las Vegas, as did Pistons teammate Chauncey Billups. Billups this week informed Team USA officials that he would no longer be participating in the Olympics due to personal family reasons that could potentially force him to back out later.

A few other quick tidbits:

The Pistons are putting together their summer league roster and nothing is official yet, but three names on the preliminary list are interesting. One is Alex Acker, who played with the Pistons three seasons ago as a rookie second-rounder but has played in Greece and Spain the past two seasons. He remains Pistons property. The two that aren’t solid yet, neither of whom would be Pistons property even if they play in Las Vegas but could be invited to camp or signed to contracts even before camp, both will be familiar to NBA fans.

When Pistons owner William Davidson is inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in September, Joe Dumars will give his presentation speech. Hall rules say a new inductee must be presented by another Hall of Famer. Dumars was a member of the 2006 class.

Playback Time - Mr Bean's Holiday funny scene

2008-06-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

Carson Clay Pictures presents

Carson Clay

in a Carson Clay production

of a Carson Clay film

PLAYBACK TIME

What is Life

An a Teardrop in the eye of infinity

Together we lived, we laughed, we loved.

and you left me

and Now I walk this wilderness alone

what use is the trial of a broken heart

without you I am nothing, noting, nothing,
nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing

NOTHING!

"During the Scene" (he is dead) (lets Do it) (OK Boss)

NOTHING!

Its Winter now, and the Seas of love lied deep within me
will spring never come, i thought by now i had never met another but

(hai) its not to me

you were once mine, i can relieve our time together, those precious memories
that ive learned to forget

the fires that ive love never doubts and now its nothing

Nothing but a sky blocked with ashes bursting to day like sliver

your smile like a curl blooming in the night sky

your omen's beauty goodness, your patience

how you humble my every word

you are now in the arms of another. WHO is this MAN?

is he how poise?

is he have grace?

is he a lover

or a fighter?

what powers does he have

your eyes dance like fireflies in the night when it comes to me

as your body softer as you shake his knee

i can't believe you are so selfish

you are consuming by vow

how does he casts over you?

you changed me the guy, why did you shut me out! thats for good

I struggled to survive

when i look back on the darkest moments of our history

i knew that powerful but now i must come

we will know each and we will share a laugh

it begins fleeing as rejoice, calls the stange of life it is a beauty
we can always depend on it is a beauty of friend ship

The 1997 NBA draft - the entrance of the SHOWTIME Guys

2008-06-18T23:43:00.001-07:00

Tim Duncan

Timothy "Tim" Theodore Duncan (born April 25, 1976 in Christiansted, St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands) is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6'11" (2.11 m), 260-pound (118 kg) power forward/center is a four-time NBA champion, a three-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, and the current captain of the Spurs. He has also won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award twice, and has been voted into ten All-Star games, ten All-NBA teams, and ten All-Defensive teams.

Duncan started out as a swimmer and only began playing basketball in ninth grade, and had difficulties adapting. However, he soon became a standout for St. Dunstan's Episcopal High School, and had an illustrious college career with the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons, winning the Naismith College Player of the Year, USBWA College Player of the Year and John Wooden awards in his final year. Duncan graduated from college before entering the 1997 NBA Draft as the number one pick, and his list of accomplishments and leadership in the Spurs' NBA title runs in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007 have led basketball experts to consider him to be one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history.

Off the court, Duncan is known for his quiet and unassuming ways, as well as his active philanthropy. He holds an honors degree in psychology and created the Tim Duncan Foundation to raise general health awareness and fund education and youth sports in various parts of the United States.

Tracy Mcgrady

At first round the Toronto Raptors pick Tracy McGrady at number 9.....From NBATV

The Best Draft batch in NBA history the 1996 NBA draft

2008-06-18T23:32:00.000-07:00

NBA Draft 1996 - Steve Nash (Pick NO.15)

Stephen John Nash, OC, OBC (born February 7, 1974), is a Canadian professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Brought up in a family of sportsmen, he enjoyed an outstanding high school basketball career, but garnered no attention from United States college recruiters. He was eventually recruited by Santa Clara University, and in Nash's four seasons with the Broncos, the team made three NCAA Tournament appearances. Nash was twice named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year, and he left Santa Clara as the all-time leader in assists.

Nash entered the 1996 NBA Draft and was selected as the 15th pick by the Phoenix Suns. He made a minimal impact, and was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 1998. By his third season with the Mavericks, he was voted into his first NBA All-Star Game had earned his first All-NBA selection. Together with Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley, Nash led the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals the following season. However, he became a free agent after the 2003--04 season and returned to the Phoenix Suns.

Nash was instrumental in transforming the Suns into one of the top teams of the Western Conference. He led the Suns to the Western Conference Finals in the 2004--05 season, and was named the league's Most Valuable Player. He was named MVP again in the 2005--06 season, and missed out on a third consecutive MVP title to Nowitzki the next season. Named by ESPN in 2006 as the ninth greatest point guard of all time, Nash has led the league in assists and free throw percentage at various points in his career, although he has occasionally been criticised for his poor defence. He is ranked as one of the top players in league history for three point shooting, free throw shooting, total assists and assists per game.

Allen Iverson NBA Draft Highlight 1996-1997 No. 1 Pick

NBA Draft Night Higlight of AI

At 6 feet tall and 165 pounds (maybe), Allen Iverson was the smallest first-overall draft pick in the history of the National Basketball Association. Everyone wanted to know if he could survive in NBA's land of big men. By the end of his debut season, he had set records and earned awards such as NBA Rookie of the Year. Allen proved that not only could he survive in the NBA, but that he could come out on top as well.

Although he has been criticized for his "bad boy" image, Allen has been working to overcome that without severing his ties to his past and who he is. Controversy? It follows Allen. But, no one can debate the contribution he has made to the NBA.

Kobe Bryant 1996 Draft

these are the popular Names of the NBA Draft in 96th. the day when all the stars had arrived. the future began.

The Year that KG and Sheed and Dyess Arrived in the League The 1995 NBA draft

2008-06-18T23:24:00.000-07:00

The year Joe Smith, Antonio McDyess, Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace, and Kevin Garnett entered the draft.

those are the era of the entrance of the greatest bigmen in the league. thanks to the 1995 season that ive seen kg played, dyess played and sheed played.

The Year That the future Reggie Miller has Arrived The 1999 NBA Draft

2008-06-18T23:20:00.000-07:00

The year Elton Brand, Baron Davis, Steve Francis, Lamar Odom, Shawn Marion, Richard Hamilton, Corey Maggette, Ron Artest, and Andrei Kirilenko entered the draft.

im really thankful that detroit accquired him from washington by trading away stackhouse. at least we've seen detroit play in balance way.

Gatorade - behind the drink

2008-06-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

Gatorade is a flavored non-carbonated sports drink manufactured by the Quaker Oats Company, a division of PepsiCo. Intended for consumption during physically active occasions, Gatorade is formulated to rehydrate and replenish fluid, carbohydrates and electrolytes.

1st gatorade commercial i believe

--------------------------------------------------------

Jordan's Commercials

-----------------------------------------------------

ben and the rest of the all stars

------------------------------------------------------

KG's gatorade

-----------------------------------------------------

gatorade tiger woods

-----------------------------------------------------

Robert Cade, Dick Malonis, Harry James Free, and Dana Shires were the medical researchers at the University of Florida who created Gatorade in 1965.

The Gators football coach, Ray Graves, was frustrated with the performance of his players during the hot summer football practices, and asked the team doctor, one of Cade’s associates, for his insight.

Cade and his research team came across the unique mix of water, sodium, sugar, potassium, phosphate, and lemon juice that is now known as Gatorade in honor of the football team, the Gators.

The football team credited Gatorade with their first Orange Bowl win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 1967, and the drink became an instant phenomenon. The Yellow Jackets coach Bud Carson, when asked why they lost, replied: "We didn’t have Gatorade. That made the difference."

Shortly after, Cade partnered with Stokely-Van Camp, Inc. (S-VC) to produce and distribute the product.

A year after its commercial introduction Gatorade was reformulated, as its initial recipe contained the sweetener cyclamate, which was banned by the FDA.

The Quaker Oats Company bought S-VC in 1983, after a bidding war with rival Pillsbury.

Quaker licensed manufacturing of Gatorade in some worldwide markets to PepsiCo, but sued Pepsi in Australia in 1998, alleging Pepsi had misappropriated Gatorade trade secrets to manufacture its own sports drink, All Sport. Quaker won the Australian case.

In the meantime, the University of Florida has received royalties for Gatorade each year, since their settlement with Cade in 1973.

Gatorade is the official sports drink of the National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, Women's National Basketball Association,USA Basketball, National Hockey League, Association of Volleyball Professionals,US Soccer Federation,Major League Soccer,and many other pro and collegiate organizations, providing supplies of the drinks to the teams in all flavors available.

gatorade is such an amazing drink. it refuels me while playing hoops. and i love its commercials. specially MJ's and KG's

Ben Wallace's T Mobile Commercial

2008-06-18T18:39:00.000-07:00

the game is in miami, and ben wallace is the only man who's waiting. he is talking to somebody at the phone. i laughed at the commercial, he is on a rush oh its gametime i gotta go lol.

funny commercial.

Converse - the 1st school behind the history

2008-06-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

one of the best sports apparel endorcer in history of sports.
converse had made its name these past years

dr J.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Larry and Magic in 1987's Converse ad, two of my idols in NBA history

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Converse and Wade teamed with Rick Ross, who created an orignal track for this spot, directed by Lil' X. The spot was filmed in Chitown with local ballers.

----------------------------------------------------------------

monkey playing hoops converse advert. LFMAO

-----------------------------------------------------------------

dwyane wade is the main endorcer of the product so far. he is popular through his flip flops and acrobatic moves.

Converse is an American shoe company which has been making the shoes since the early 20th century. As of 1998, Converse also produces a wide range of occupational safety shoes that resemble their regular athletic shoes, by the licensee Warson Group, Inc which is located in St. Louis, MO.

its History

1908–1941: Early days and Chuck Taylor

In his late 30s, Marquis M. Converse, who was previously a respected manager at a footwear manufacturing firm, opened the Converse Rubber Shoe Company (also known as the Boston Rubber Shoe Company) in Malden, Massachusetts in 1908.

The company was a rubber shoe manufacturer, providing winterized rubber soled footwear for men, women, and children. By 1910, Converse was producing 4,000 shoes daily, but it wasn't until 1915 that the company began manufacturing athletic shoes for tennis. The company's main turning point came in 1917 when the Converse All-Star basketball shoe was introduced. Then in 1921, a basketball player named Charles H. or "Chuck" Taylor walked into Converse complaining of sore feet.

Converse gave him a job. He worked as a salesman and ambassador, promoting the shoes around the United States, and in 1923 his signature was added to the All Star patch. He tirelessly continued this work until shortly before his death in 1969. Converse also customized shoes for the New York Renaissance (the "Rens"), basketball's first all African American pro basketball team.

1941–Present: War, bankruptcy, and new management

Red and white Chuck Taylor All Star basketball shoe.When the United States entered World War II in 1941, Converse shifted production to manufacturing footwear, apparel, boots, parkas, rubber protective suits, and ponchos for pilots and troops. Widely popular during the 1950s and 1960s, Converse promoted a distinctly American image with its Converse Yearbook. Artist Charles Kerins created cover art that celebrated Converse's role in the lives of High School and College atheletes, as the essential sports shoe.

Converse lost much of its apparent near-monopoly from the 1970s onward, with the surge of new competitors, including Adidas, then Nike, then a decade later Reebok, who introduced radical new designs to the market. Converse found themselves no longer the official shoe of the National Basketball Association, a title they had relished for many years. This loss of market share, combined with poor business decisions forced Converse to file for bankruptcy on January 22, 2001.

When the company subsequently changed hands that year, the last factory in the United States was closed. Thereafter, manufacturing for the American market was no longer performed in the United States, but instead in a number of Asian and European countries, including China, Indonesia, Italy, Lithuania and Vietnam.

On July 9, 2003, the company accepted a $305 million purchase offer from rival Nike.

Current NBA players wearing Converse include Dwyane Wade, Kirk Hinrich, Jameer Nelson, Andre Miller, Kyle Korver, Alando Tucker, Acie Law, Udonis Haslem, Maurice Evans, Orien Greene and Mike Sweetney.

STYLE

The Weapon

In 1986, Converse released "The Weapon" basketball shoe. Manufactured in many color schemes to match the kit colors of basketball teams, it has been available in both high-top and low cut varieties. The unique aspect of this shoe is the leather construction throughout, including the inside heel which is also heavily padded for comfort. Converse re-released "The Weapon" in 2002 and "The Loaded Weapon" in 2003.

Chuck Taylor All Star shoe

The Chuck Taylor All Star shoe has developed a number of nicknames over the years, such as: "Cons", "Connies", "Chuckers", "Chucks", "Converse", "Chuckies", "Chuckie T's", or "Chucker Boots" for the higher styles. For decades the Chuck Taylor All Star basketball shoe only came in black, with a white variant released in 1947.

Under pressure from basketball teams it was decided in 1966 to manufacture other colors. Different materials also began to be used, starting in the 1970s, including leather, suede and vinyl, and even hemp, rather than just canvas. Besides high-tops, low-cuts and later knee-high versions were produced.

After Converse was bought by Nike, operations were moved from the United States to overseas, although the design has had few alterations. The fabric is no longer 2-ply cotton canvas but 1-ply "textile" and many wearers have noticed different patterns of wear.

The Nike Airforce one Story - The Second Coming

2008-06-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

The Love. The Game. The Birth of Nike Basketball.

This episode includes commentary from Bobbito Garcia, Fly Williams, Jira Ikeda, Amare Stoudemire and Richard Clarke. Hosted by Isaac Perry.

gentlemen these are the second coming batch of the nike airforce one. they are the present cagers in the nba.

ofcourse mamba is there, all the best names in the nba basketball is there.

the future nike team. represented by sheed, kobe, paul pierce, tony parker, amare, nash, marion, jermaine, lebron and vc. those guys have extremely popular names in the nba history. bignames in 1 team, this is a dream team genltemen

The Nike Airforce One Story - the original

2008-06-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

The Original Airforce one

The Love. The Game. The Birth of Nike Basketball.

This episode includes commentary from DJ Clark Kent, Jeff Staple, Rasheed Wallace, Spencer Fujiyama, Fly Williams and Bruce Kilgore. Hosted by Isaac Perry.

gentlemen this is the original nike airforce one. the latest airforce one was revived by the present nike team of sheed, kobe, tp, matrix, nash, stat, paul pierce, vc and jermaine o'neal.

these are the original and the 1st nike airforce one fellows.

The Ultimate Paul Pierce Page

2008-06-18T07:12:00.000-07:00

1st of all id like to dedicate this to my dad and to his celtics compadres who reunite with him during the eve of the finals my father and his compadres are very happy for the big three and to their old team celtics. im happy for them. specially for my father and for those fans who are got their seats back at the newest TD banknorth garden who lost hope that celtics will never win a title at all. they never lose hope they supported the celtics til the final second of the finals. im so proud of them. they showed me a true quality of a real fan. not a bandwagoner

and also

i dedicate this to the celtic lady from friendster who pm me during the eve of the conference finals between the celtics and the pistons

...yeah my team played great during the middle eve of the conference finals we just came short.

it depends on the coach if the coach knows my team's strategy. too bad he is a coward. anyway thanks for the pm. celtic lady from friendster..

a'ma tell you what ma'm. your team took off the blacksheep out of my team's shadows. celtics gave pistons a great series. we've lost but we played our best. its an honor to compete with boston. i am so honored to be a pistonfan. and to be your compedetor.

im glad KG defeated his own freakin mentor which is flip. flip destroyed KG's Dream of championship. he deserves to lose. a'rem boy!! KG thats ma man!!! ma goodness!!

not just an MVP but also a defensive player of the year and an all star honor and specially a championship ring!!

Paul pierce had seeen success these past 8 years in the nba.

number 34 began his career as a role player. shooting guard then later carried the franchise at his shoulders with the help of antoine walker who later signed for dallas later atlanta and went back to boston and went to miami and then the twolves, tony delk, tony battie, rodney rogers and ricky davis.

NBA finals Moments 2008

Finals MVP's Performance during the playoffs and the finals

Final Moments of the 2008 NBA Finals

paul pierce addresses finals mvp

pierce and the celts had fell in the bottom of the standings. and the day has come. when ray allen got traded for delonte west who later is playing for the cavaliers. and kevin garnett with a 3 man deal of gerald green a 1 time slam dunk champion, al jefferson, and sebastian telfair. the celtics climbed back to glory and won 66 games in the regular season

the c's finished 12-8 in the post season. including 1 home lose in the post season with detroit. theyve win the conference title over the pistons in game 6.

in the nba finals the celtics leads the series in the 4 games to 2 over the old rival Los Angeles Lakers as they say "beat LA" they beat the Los Angeles Lakers by playing unselfish game of basketball. KG had made a statement this year Ray does it too and so does the captain and the truth Paul Pierce. who recieves the finals MVP after the series.

A new dynasty has been born and this will mark the new beginning of the NBA Evolution at the Whole Eastern Conference and the whole league.

Will they meet the challenge next year? we'll see. if they made a back to back that means they are great.

right now they are pointing on a dynasty. a new beginning. the next chapter. beantown legacy. boston will shock the world. we'll see soon

congratulations boston celtics.

Celtics wins 17th NBA title with 131-92 rout of Lakers

2008-06-17T21:43:00.000-07:00

BOSTON(AP) On a new parquet floor below aging championship banners, the Boston Celtics won their 17th NBA title and a first one - at last - for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen - their Big Three for a new generation.

After 22 long years, the NBA has gone green.

Lifted by ear-splitting chants of "Beat L.A.'' from their adoring crowd, which included Boston legends Bill Russell John Havlicek and JoJo White, the Celtics concluded a shocking rebound of a season with a stunning 131-92 blowout over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 on Tuesday night.

With the outcome assured, Boston fans sang into the night as if they were in a pub on nearby Canal Street. They serenaded the newest champs in this city of champs, and taunted Kobe Bryant and his Lakers, who drowned in a green-and-white wave for 48 minutes.

Garnett scored 26 points with 14 rebounds, Allen scored 26 and Pierce, the finals MVP, added 17 as the Celtics, a 24-win team a year ago, wrapped up their first crown since 1986.

This was total domination. The Celtics obliterated the Lakers, who were trying to become the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals.

No way. No how. No chance.

Boston's 39-point win surpassed the NBA record for the biggest margin of victory in a championship clincher; the Celtics beat the Lakers 129-96 in Game 5 of the 1965 NBA finals.

Pierce doused Celtics coach Doc Rivers with red Gatorade. Owner Wyc Grousbeck, who named his group Banner 17 to leave no doubt about his goal, put an unlit cigar in his mouth - a tribute to Red Auerbach, the patriarch who had a hand in the franchise's first 16 titles.

Garnett dropped to the parquet and kissed the leprechaun at center court, then found Hall of Famer Bill Russell for a long embrace.

"I got my own. I got my own,'' Garnett said. "I hope we made you proud.''

"You sure did,'' Russell said.

Rivers pulled Pierce, Garnett and Allen with 4:01 left and they shared a group hug with their coach, who was nearly run out of town last season. In the final minute, Rivers, who lost his father at the beginning of this remarkable season, was soaked by Pierce, the Celtics' captain who decided to stay when things were bad and was rewarded for his loyalty

It's was Boston's first title since the passing of Auerbach, whose signature victory cigar was the only thing missing on this night. Even Auerbach, who died in 2006, got some satisfaction. Led by Rivers, his beloved team denied Lakers coach Phil Jackson from overtaking him with a 10th championship.

A perfect ending: a 17th title on the 17th of June.

The Boston-Los Angeles rivalry, nothing more than black-and-white footage from the 60s and TV highlights of players wearing short shorts in the 80s to young hoops fans, remains titled toward the Atlantic Ocean. The Celtics are 9-2 against the Lakers in the finals.

They missed their first crack at closing out the series in Game 5, but didn't miss on their second swing, running the Lakers out of their gym.

Bryant, the regular season MVP, finished with 22 points.

Garnett and Allen were All-Stars in other cities, stuck in Minnesota and Seattle, respectively, on teams going nowhere. But brought together in trades last summer by Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, a member of the '86 Celtics champions, they joined Pierce and formed an breakable bond, a trio as tight as the club's lucky shamrock logo.

With Garnett scoring 17 points and Pierce adding 10, Boston built a 23-point halftime lead, and unlike Game 2 when they let the Lakers trim a 24-point lead to two in the fourth quarter before recoveirng, the Celtics kept coming in waves.

They pushed their lead to 31 in the third quarter, and with Boston still up by 29 after three quarters, plastic sheets started going up in the Celtics' locker room in preparation for a champagne celebration.

Bryant started 4-of-5 from the field, but he missed seven shots in a row and finished 7-of-22. Everywhere he went, L.A.'s No. 24 ran smack into a wall of Boston defense as high as the Green Monster a few miles away at Fenway Park.

"Defense,'' Rivers said before the game. "Is what we do.''

In the second half, Celtics fans chanted "You're not (Michael) Jordan'' at Bryant, who will have to wait for his fourth title and first without former teammate Shaquille O'Neal. The Lakers, who stole Pau Gasol away from Memphis in a mid-season trade to help Bryant, will have the all summer to think about what went wrong.

No team had to work harder for a championship than these Celtics, who were playing in their record 26th postseason game. They were pushed to seven games in the first round by Atlanta, another seven by Cleveland and then took care of Detroit in six to win the Eastern Conference title.

They entered Game 6 of the finals slowed by injuries as Pierce, Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) and Rajon Rondo (ankle) were less than 100 percent. There was also uncertainty surrounding Allen, who stayed behind in Los Angeles following Game 5 after his youngest son became ill.

But just as they had while winning 66 games during the regular season, the Celtics got plenty of help from their bench as P.J. Brown, James Posey, Leon Powe and rookie Glen "Big Baby'' Davis came in and contributed.

It was a group effort by this gang in green, which bonded behind Rivers, who borrowed an African word ubuntu (pronounced Ooh-BOON-too) and roughly means "I am, because we are'' in English, as the Celtics' unifying team motto.

The Celtics gave the Lakers a 12-minute crash course of ubuntu in the second quarter.

Boston outscored Los Angeles 34-19, getting 11 field goals on 11 assists while holding Bryant to three points, all on free throws. The Celtics toyed with the Lakers, outworking the Western Conference's best inside and out and showing the same kind of heart that made Boston the center of pro basketbal's universe in the '60s.

House and Posey made 3-pointers to put the Celtics ahead by 12 points and baskets by Pierce, Garnett and Rondo put Boston ahead by 18.

In the final minute, Garnett floated in the lane, banked in a one-handed runner and was fouled. His free throw made it 56-35, and after Perkins scored, the Celtics ran to the locker room leading by 23.

On his way off the floor, Garnett screamed, "That's that.''

And so it was.

Notes: Since the finals began in 1947, 16 have gone seven games, the most recent in 2005 when San Antonio had to go the distance to beat Detroit. ... With little to say, Jackson answered three questions during his pregame news conference before saying, "It's been nice, thank you.'' ... It wasn't as starry as L.A.'s crowd, but Game 6 brought out celebrities including Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who got a huge ovation when he was shown on the scoreboard, and Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade.

My Father and My Uncle are Both Jumping High When the C's Beat LA Lakers this year's Finals Game 6.

They are reunite with their boston celtics. its been a pleasure with it.

great season for NBA and for the Celtics. a new dynasty has been born.

a new legacy will emerge. LA and Boston

Boston Celtics Are the NBA Champs again for the 1st Time Since 1986

2008-06-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

17th NBA CHampionship!!

CELTICS HOOHAAAA CELTICS HOOOHAAAAA 123 Hoooo!!!!!

There can only be one in this series between the lakers and the celtics and that one
is KG and the Boston Celtics!!

THey've Win it for the 17th Time. since 1986. a new dynasty has been born.

it is an honor to compete with the team like the boston celtics. they've got passion and pride. they have made a statement this year. they proved no one can upset them not atlanta not cleveland not detroit my team and ofcourse not LA. they BEAT LA!!

congratulations Boston Celtics BEANTOWN!!! FEVER!!! is BACK!!

This is the Big Three's moment

For Ray Allen - after struggling in Milwaukee and Seattle He Finally found his home here in the TD Banknorth Garden With the Boston Celtics. RAY!! take the ring!!!
at last after those years you've win it. now you are a champion. part of a new dynasty.

For KG Kevin Garnett - you never changed the way you played you mastered it, since your days with minnesotta, you got away against your former coach flip and you've proved to everybody that you can win a title like this. not just the MVP but also the Championshiop Ring, you are now the boston's newest big ticket to the championship glory well done KG!

For Paul Pierce - its been a pleasure to compete with boston. the boston detroit series was really impressive, youve made a statement this year. at least you've overcome the 02 upset over the nets and made it this year, well done the truth you are right on target and had bought another glory to the beantown, and ofcourse winning a championship trophy with KG ray and Doc. congratulations beantown captain.
you showed true leadership on the floor you deserve a title and a finals mvp this year.

Boston Celtics - are this year's NBA champions, they've got the Best Record in the NBA they proved it. no one can upset the heart of the champion.

Dallas didn't proved it when they have the best record back on 07

Detroit too back on 06 season.

Boston Did. they showed us how to win an NBA title. with the best record in the league.

For the Los Angeles Lakers - Nothing to be ashamed off. they fought bravely this year. after 4 years of drought in the glory. they took the west this year by playing unselfish with kobe. They had dethroned the Defending champs that easy? which was unbelievable. spurs are a though team to beat. but they made it with kobe's MVP Performance and Pau Gasol's inside presence with the supporting casts of Farmar, Vujacic, Radmanovic, Turiaf and Fisher. Turiaf can be trained this coming summer league. so he can be useful and DJ Mbenga as well.

LA showed to Phoenix how to win the west with the NBA's Most Valuable Player awardee. Kobe Bryant. so phil jackson can still rebuild the team's roster. why not bynum will be back next year. so it is a huge help for pau gasol and lamar odom. frontcourt tandem.

so Vlade (radmanovic) can play off the bench . lakers still strong nothing to change off. just maintain that lineup and I assure that lakers will be back into this kind of level next year

What a great season this year. thats why i love this game!!

HAPPY ERA!!!!!!!!!

Team Adidas

2008-06-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

I love Adidas.

I like their Advertisements and their apparels!!

they are irreplaceable. thats why i have my billups shoe still carrying it on.

Adidas for Life!!

Basketball Is Brotherhood ADIDAS

2008-06-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

My Mostly Favorited Product in Sports.

Adidas. they got a cool shoes, including Chauncey's Shoes, Agent Zero's Lebron's Dwight's Tim's and Kg's

They all got the best shoe in the NBA.

Adidas is really one of the best sporting company in Sports Apparel History
I have 1 my billups 3 i bought it somewhere in Philippines. i am a big fan of Adidas including Chauncey Billups.

BASKETBALL IS BROTHERHOOD!!!!

My Fave Five

2008-06-17T06:21:00.000-07:00

Ad Guard from Mile High city of Denver Colorado Wearing the piston home red blue and white tonight the 6'3
- Chauncey Billups

Ad Shooting Guard From Rip City Coastville Pennsylvania wearing the piston 32
connecticut huskie
- Richard "Rip" Hamilton

Ad Forward from the San Diego Compton California out of Kentucky The Palace Prince
- Tayshaun Prince

Ad Forward From the tarheels of North Carolina in the Piston 36 its The World Ready to Sheed Mr RRRRRASHEEED!!!!
- Rasheed Wallace

Ad Center From the White Hall out of Alabama wearing the piston 3 From the Virginia Union University
Buhbuhbuhbuhbuhbuhben!! brbrbrbrbrwallace!!
- Ben Wallace

Gosh!

I remember those days when i was jumping high and yelling at my room while watching the 04 Conference Finals between the Pacers and the Pistons and the Finals against LA.

I started loving the team's performance, they attacked the paint as they used too, they play fast and worked hard inside the court. with their greatest mentor larry brown and their greatest executive Joe Dumars a former piston star with 2 titles with detroit back in the 80's with Isiah and Laimbeer.

These 5 players had played fundamental basketball against the giant killing machine of the Los Angeles Lakers led by the dynamic 5 Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox, Shaquille O'neal and Karl Malone.

They won the game 1 with chauncey's terrific performance and in game 2 Lakers Prevailed with that Kobe Shot over Hamilton that puts LA into a Momentum, in games 3 4 and 5 Detroit Showed to them what they are made off. they have built a resizeable lead at the 1st half led by sheed's post up plays, bigben's alleyoops and defensive stpos and tayshaun's defensive stops too and then lindsey and chauncey's snatching performance and fast plays.

at the same time, they never hesitated against Lakers, many says it was a fix. but me i say is, the lakers can't beat detroit, they got talent, they thought each other as brothers, and they are ready to win it all whoever it is to face.

for me non any amount of salary of these guys will change the shape of their friendship and thats why they are brothers!!

they proved it in 5. and my fave 5 receives the prize from david stern. and chauncey took the finals MVP trophy. they deserve the 04.

those who are saying that the finals 04 was a fix, only they say it because they are bandwagoners or haters. you may test a true piston fan if you found out who are they supporting at before and later became a fan of another and treat its previous team as a junk.

A true fan is ready to live and die beside its admirations. and that fan should be honored.

just like Jack Nicholson for the Los Angeles Lakers, Spike Lee for the New York Knicks, and Ma Man!!! Kid Rock for the Detroit Pistons

A True Fan is ready to seek its amired team whether they lose, they'll be there at the time and will cheer for them all these years. I honor the fans around the palace, they are extraordinary fans in the NBA. they are the best. and so does my fave five

DEEEEEEETROIT BASKETBALL!!!

NBA at 50

2008-06-17T05:22:00.000-07:00

The NBA at 50

One hundred and seven NBA championship rings. More than 400 hundred NBA All-Star Game selections. Nearly one million points scored.

So boasts the collective resume of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, selected by a blue-ribbon panel of media, former players and coaches, current and former general managers and team executives. NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the 50 Greatest Players at a press luncheon on Oct. 29, 1996, in New York City.

Joining Stern in the unveiling of the 50 Greatest Players, which tipped off the League's season-long NBA at 50 celebration, were four prominent members of the list -- Wilt Chamberlain, Julius "Dr. J" Erving, George Mikan and Bill Russell.

The announcement was made at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, which occupies the site of the former Commodore Hotel, where the original NBA charter was signed on June 6, 1946.

Panelists were asked to select the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, without regard to position. Voters did not rank their selections and former players were not allowed to vote for themselves.

At the start of the 1996-97 season the 50 players had accumulated 107 NBA Championships, 49 Most Valuable Player Awards, 17 Rookie of the Year honors, 447 All-Star Game selections, 36 scoring titles, 923,791 total points and 410,327 total rebounds.

The Ultimate Los Angeles Lakers Page 06 and present

2008-06-16T19:18:00.000-07:00

After Shaq Lefts LA, The Lakeshow struggled the next season 05, Lakers havn't entered the playoffs for the 1st time in history, they fell in the bottom of the standings, since accquiring Lamar Odom and Bryan Grant from miami, that was not a good combo LA has been looking for, At those times kobe carries the team alone with butler. kobe can't carry a team if he plays the same way with shaq. own way, ballhugging.

The Ma man predicted that LA will be a future darkhorse as long as phil jackson returns to the ballclub. well his prediction came true, Phil jackson coached the lakers again in 06 i was watching the pistons spurs finals that time when quinito henson announced that phil jackson returns to LA and announced that he will coach again for the lakeshow.

which means the return of the most popular play in history of basketball, the triangle offense, phil jackson is familiar in that play since his days with chicago. back at 90's he developed the whole play with jordan. he will do it again this time to kobe system.

in 06 kobe made a history within 81 point game against chris bosh and the toronto raptors, its a rebirth of a kobe bryant. at that year, they also have kwame brown from the washington wizards and traded caron butler to the wizards. and drafted ronny turiaf out of gonzaga

Kobe Bryant .an all star achiever who later became a hungry man in championship, they lost in the 1st round of the playoffs against the more and bitter experienced phoenix suns team of steve nash, shawn marion and amare boris diaw, amare was injured that time thats why diaw tooks over amare's place.

that year also they accquired andrew bynum from the rookie draft and developed the young kid out of UConn Huskies.

he is quick and too aggressive on the floor. well he can't just be fighting for the shaded lane alone this days, Lamar Odom should be helping him, Lamar should'nt be underrated by this moment because he a veteran, he should mature, lets see next games if he will mature and play solid basketball.

this kid andrew bynum. just like amare, if he returns to the lineup that means, a new legacy has been born.

07 the entrance of Jordan Farmar. Farmar had played with the dleague team LA Dfenders and later recalled by the lakeshow and shows prescence on the court.

Farmar showed high flying skills and aggressiveness on the floor during the Suns Lakers Matchup in the 1st round of the playoffs, although. his 1st playoff appearance will mark the beginning of his legacy with LA.

07 season kobe bryant scored his 50 points every game. if in 06 he scored 81 vs toronto in 07 he scored 50 points per games, not bad for the mamba. after these records they exit again in the 1st round vs the much stronger phoenix suns amare played that series. they lost 4-1 in that series.

2008 NBA Playoffs (gasol's Prescence with Kobe)

In the Lakers first win over the Denver Nuggets, he contributed thirty-six points, sixteen rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks.

When the Lakers swept the first round of the 2007-08 playoffs against the Nuggets, it was Gasol's fourth trip to the playoffs and the first time he has not been on the losing end of a series. His previous team, the Grizzlies, did not make it to the playoffs for the second year in a row.

This has been Gasol's first trip beyond the first round as his team, the Lakers, made it to the Conference finals after defeating the Utah Jazz. He contributed 17 points and 13 rebounds in the Lakers clinching win to advance them to the conference finals.

On May 31, he recorded a career high 19 rebounds in a NBA Finals clinching win against the San Antonio Spurs. This marks his first trip to the NBA Finals, and becomes the first Spaniard to reach the finals.

Kobe Bryant Became an MVP this year as he finishes 1st above Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets and Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Later in the conference finals.

The Lakers struggled over the defending champs in games 3 4 5. the game 4 was found contraversial, as brent barry's shot was uncounted and never called a fould, kobe announced that no foul. well i have no comments for it but it depends on a viewer if it is a foul or not, it depends on the officials if it is fixed or not.

NBA ratings eh?

the lakers had win its series over the Defending champs the san antonio spurs. which marked the new beginning of the lakeshow's emergence back on top. mitch kupchack and jerry west addresses the team's trophy and handles the trophy to the lakers general manager mitch kupchack. kobe is on a mission. they compare him to non other less micheal jordan. this is a serious achievement right. they

Now they play vs the most powerful team in NBA history today, The Boston Celtcs. led by Kevin garnett Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

I bet This will took 7 games.

Lakers can survive but they need more backups. Bynum's Prescence on the floor.
Lakers had started a new legacy. Phil Jackson Did a Great Job for LA.

Jordan Farmar. Learning to fly

2008-06-16T09:16:00.000-07:00

Sports Science Air Jordan Jordan Farmar
Uploaded by Hgo24

basketball science with jordan farmar

His Highlights during the season VS Detroit. wow he is absolutely extraordinaire

Jordan Farmar had become one of the key players of phil jackson in Los Angeles Lakers. he is also part of the triangle offense rotations.

im sure Jordan recieves all the credits to shoot whether he wanted. this kid got talent, speed, agility and elevation.

phil jackson giving him a lisence to shoot everywhere this finals series

The Lakeshow prevails at 5

2008-06-16T08:42:00.001-07:00

LOS ANGELES, June 15 (AP) -- As purple-and-gold streamers rained down, Lamar Odom shook his head in approval, Derek Fisher caressed the game ball against his chest and Kobe Bryant clapped his hands before striding from the floor.

"I love L.A.'' blared through the speakers and "Not In Our House!'' flashed on the scoreboard.

The P.A. announcer cried, "This is not over yet!''

The Los Angeles Lakers aren't done playing. The NBA finals are headed East.

Bryant scored 25 points - including a decisive dunk in the final minute - and Odom added 20 as the Lakers, playing with pride on their star-studded stage, prevented the Boston Celtics from winning a 17th title with a 103-98 win in Game 5 on Sunday night to close to 3-2 in this restored rivalry.

"We didn't want to see any champagne popping,'' Odom said. "It wasn't easy. I wouldn't expect it to be.''

No team has overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals to win a title. The first 28 failed, and now the Lakers, who blew a 24-point lead and lost Game 4 and nearly squandered a 19-point lead in Game 5, have a chance to do something extraordinary.

They'll have to win on the Celtics' parquet floor Tuesday night to force a winner-take-all Game 7, where anything is possible.

Especially with Bryant, the game's best player, on hand.

"In training camp if you told us, 'We'll give you two games that you have to win to win a world championship,' we would have taken it in a heartbeat,'' Bryant said. "This is a great opportunity for us.''

The league's MVP and ultimate finisher isn't finished yet.

On a night when Bryant didn't have his best game, the other Lakers came up big.

Pau Gasol had 19 points and 13 rebounds, Odom had 11 rebounds and four blocks, Fisher added 15 points and Jordan Farmar came off the bench to get 11.

"We were aggressive. We played hard,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "Not smart all the time, but we played hard.''

Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 38 points and played all but two seconds. Kevin Garnett added 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Ray Allen had 16 points. But Boston's Big Three couldn't close out their first chance at winning it all, and now will get two cracks at home.

Following the game, Allen left the arena immediately because of an undisclosed health issue with one of his children.

The Celtics, trying to win their first title since 1986, are consoled by the fact they are going home. They are 47-7 at TD Banknorth Garden this season.

"We wanted to go back home, but we didn't want to play,'' coach Doc Rivers said. "But now we have to play, and we earned that right. That's why the regular season is so important. We fought for it all year. We have Game 6 at home, and that's not a bad place to be.''

After scoring 15 points in the first quarter, Bryant went cold from the floor and finished just 8-of-21. But he made a big steal, poking the ball away from Pierce and streaking down to deliver a two-handed dunk with 37.4 seconds left.

"I just was kind of reading the play and I was able to get my hands on the ball and get out and get a dunk,'' Bryant said.

The Celtics called a timeout, superfan Jack Nicholson jumped to his feet and the scoreboard in Staples Center flashed: Not In Our House!

On Saturday, Bryant had said "this is far from over,'' and he could be right.

Accused of being selfish and too tough on his not-as-talented teammates, Bryant can bow to the other Lakers for sending the series back across country. Gasol, the 7-foot Spanish center criticized for being pillowy soft, didn't back down underneath and was able to get Garnett into foul trouble.

But just as they did in Game 4, when they staged the biggest comeback in finals history, the Celtics pushed the Lakers to the brink of summer with another rally. This one fell a little short, but the outcome was still in doubt when Pierce, who grew up hating Boston like every other kid from L.A., made two free throws with 1:14 remaining to get the Celtics to 97-95.

Fisher then missed a jumper and the Celtics appeared to be in business when Pierce fought off two Lakers for a rebound. But as he dribbled toward the basket, Bryant reached around and knocked the ball away to Odom, who then fed Bryant for his slam.

Still, the Celtics wouldn't go away.

After Bryant missed one of two free throws with 16 seconds left, Eddie House nailed a 3-pointer to make it 101-98 with 14 seconds left. House then nearly stole the ensuing inbounds pass, but Bryant, sprawled out on the floor, got the ball to Fisher, who drew a desperation foul.

Fisher then made two free throws and stole Boston's last pass as Lakers fans, stunned to silence a few nights ago, left the building dreaming of seeing another improbable comeback.

This is the 11th meeting - and first since 1987 - between the league's two most storied franchises, and it could be headed for a crescendo befitting the matchups between Bird and Magic, McHale and Abdul-Jabbar, and Russell and West.

Before the game, Lakers coach Jackson said the only way for his team to approach a close-out game was to keep playing.

"A lot of things can happen,'' he said. "We're young enough and dumb enough to be able to do this.''

With Bryant, they have the smarts and skills to get it done.

He made four 3-pointers in the first eight minutes and his free throw gave the Lakers a 25-15 lead. The Celtics were forced to extend their defense, and Bryant made them pay when he faked a long-range shot and fired a pass underneath to Vladimir Radmanovic to make it 29-15.

Odom, a model of inconsistency in the series, drove the lane for a hoop to put the Lakers ahead by 16, and Gasol's bucket in the final second made the overhead scoreboard read: Lakers 39, Celtics 22.

Most teams might panic. Not the Celtics. They were in a bigger hole - 21 points - after the first quarter in Game 4 when they staged their epic rally.

And, sure enough, back Boston came.

When Sasha Vujacic scored, the Lakers' lead bulged to 19 and the oh-so-trendy L.A. faithful were carrying on like a rowdy East coast crowd. That's when the Celtics began chipping away as Pierce scored six points and Tony Allen scored two quick baskets.

The Celtics' rally seemed short-lived when Garnett picked up his third personal, but with the Lakers unable to get anything to drop, Pierce made a layup and 3 to make it 43-39 before Odom finally ended Los Angeles' nearly six-minute scoring drought.

The Lakers briefly regrouped but P.J. Brown scored on a putback and Pierce hit another 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds left as the Celtics closed to 55-52 at the half and bounded toward their locker room just 24 minutes from a title that remains just out of reach.

Notes: The Celtics played their 25th game of these playoffs, equaling the most by any team in one postseason. New York (1994) and Detroit (2005) also played 25, each ending with Game 7 losses in the finals. ... NFL star Terrell Owens and rap mogul P. Diddy were among the new celebrity faces, joining Hollywood A-listers Nicholson, Denzel Washington, Dustin Hoffman and soccer star David Beckham. ... Pierce denied a report that he'll have surgery on his sprained knee, although he may need one once he decides to have an MRI to assess the damage.

Mr Bean's Holiday

2008-06-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

Mr. Bean enters a church raffle and wins a vacation trip to France as well as a camcorder. After boarding a Eurostar train and arriving in Paris, the French language proves a barrier for Bean, as he struggles to get across the city to catch a train to the south of France from the Gare de Lyon.

Taking time to order a meal, he finds the consumption of a seafood platter to be a challenge.

Just before catching his train, he asks Emil, a Russian film director on his way to be a judge at the Cannes Film festival to use his camcorder to record his boarding, but accidentally causes Emil being left behind at the station.
Bean attempts to cheer up the director's son Stepan as the train continues south but matters are made more hectic by the fact that Emil has reported his son to have been kidnapped and Bean losing his wallet and essential travel documents at a pay phone where he and Stepan attempt to contact Emil.

Heading in the direction of Cannes, Bean finds himself in the cast and disrupting the flow of a commercial being shot by the egotistical director Carson Clay.

He and Stepan finally hitch a ride with the young and vivacious actress Sabine who is heading to Cannes to attend the premiere of Clay's film, in which she appears. After Bean sneaks into the showing, his camcorder images are destined to enliven the proceedings.

Lol at the scene on cinema when mr bean destroyed whole scene and changed it to his own cam. LOL

Carson Clay is the funniest man there lol. he got owned

Wheres my Explosion!! LOL

Where is the Prejectionist!!! HAHAHA!!!