OK, Boston is UP 2 games to 0 (ZERO). They have gone to Cleveland. KG against the BIG youngster Lebron. Yeeeaaaa BOYYYYYEEE. This is gonna be a GOOD game and LeBron just slammed one and it's 12 - 4 Cleveland. It's been an offensive STRUGGLE for LeBron so far, to put it mildly, so we'll see how things go now that they're home.
When KG first came into the league at like 12, he played in Vancouver for the Timberwolves, not far from here, so he was naturally a rival, and I don't know he just rubbed me the wrong way. BUT, the Celtics have ALWAYS been one of MY favorite teams (GREEN) and AGAIN, I don't really know why, but for some reason I am really starting to like ol' KG. He has matured and I am starting to have RESPECT for him.
Boston's assistant coach Doc Rivers just got a T. Boston needs to call a TimeOut, Cleveland is up 22-8. I think they just did, YUP. My goodness, I need to be coaching this game.
Well, I'm outta here. I'm not routing for anyone here. Just want a GOOD GAME.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Oh..... DMX DMX DMX Yes, it's time to go to jail...
It's true — rapper DMX was arrested twice this week.
DMX's first arrest happened on Tuesday for wreckless speeding (he was going 114 MPH on a suburban Phoenix, AZ freeway).
And then early Friday morning, he was arrested AGAIN after authorities conducted a pre-dawn raid at his Phoenix home. Law enforcement serving a search warrant at the rapper's home found drugs and fire arms stashed away.
The popo had been investigating DMX for about 7 months — they had received a number of complaints about DMX's mistreatment of animals.
In addition to the fire arms and drugs, authorities found 5 pit bull mix puppies, which were taken from the home to an Arizona jail where they'll be cared for by female inmates.
During the search, officers report that the rapper attempted to barricade himself inside his bedroom. DMX eventually came out with no further resistance.
DMX's first arrest happened on Tuesday for wreckless speeding (he was going 114 MPH on a suburban Phoenix, AZ freeway).
And then early Friday morning, he was arrested AGAIN after authorities conducted a pre-dawn raid at his Phoenix home. Law enforcement serving a search warrant at the rapper's home found drugs and fire arms stashed away.
The popo had been investigating DMX for about 7 months — they had received a number of complaints about DMX's mistreatment of animals.
In addition to the fire arms and drugs, authorities found 5 pit bull mix puppies, which were taken from the home to an Arizona jail where they'll be cared for by female inmates.
During the search, officers report that the rapper attempted to barricade himself inside his bedroom. DMX eventually came out with no further resistance.
This part SOURCE: PerezHilton.com
May 9, 2008 Mug Shot
Time for him to go to jail!!!!!!
Rapper DMX (real name: Earl Simmons) was arrested by Arizona Department of Public Safety officers on May 6, 2008 and charged with reckless driving, public endangerment, criminal speeding, and driving with a suspended license after cameras recorded him in January driving his 1966 Chevy Nova at speeds up to 114 mph on a Scottsdale highway (the posted speed limit is 65 mph). Simmons, 37, was booked into the Scottsdale City Jail where he posed for the below mug shot before posting bond and being released.
Here's the MUG SHOT for THAT case:
May 6, 2008
Mug Shots SOURCE: TheSmokingGun.com
Friday, May 9, 2008
TIME's 10 Best Moms EVER ~ Here's one I liked
Dumbo's Mom
By CARYN BROOKS
Mrs. Jumbo loves her baby elephant boy with all of her heart. She doesn't care that his ears are growing to gigantic proportions, but seemingly everyone else does. Mama Jumbo does what she can to shield Dumbo from the taunts of other elephants and circus visitors, but when some mischievous boys tug at his ears, she goes into an elephantine rage.
The circus workers think that Mrs. Jumbo has gone crazy and lock her up lest she injure anyone else. Dumbo is separated from his mother and left unshielded from the unrelenting attacks. But, showing the fortifying effects of a mother's strong love in his heart, he turns what others see as his greatest weakness into his greatest strength and uses his ears to fly.
The metaphor is apt:
By CARYN BROOKS
Mrs. Jumbo loves her baby elephant boy with all of her heart. She doesn't care that his ears are growing to gigantic proportions, but seemingly everyone else does. Mama Jumbo does what she can to shield Dumbo from the taunts of other elephants and circus visitors, but when some mischievous boys tug at his ears, she goes into an elephantine rage.
The circus workers think that Mrs. Jumbo has gone crazy and lock her up lest she injure anyone else. Dumbo is separated from his mother and left unshielded from the unrelenting attacks. But, showing the fortifying effects of a mother's strong love in his heart, he turns what others see as his greatest weakness into his greatest strength and uses his ears to fly.
The metaphor is apt:
a supportive mother can give her child wings.
DON'T FORGET MOTHER'S DAY IS SUNDAY!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
MYANMAR UPDATE
1 million homeless in Myanmar tonight.
Their Military Government still has the borders closed, and will not accept any assistance from the US.
World Vision is on standby with water, doctors, medicines and first-aide, and they're ONLY 600 miles away in Bangkok Thailand, waiting for Visa's to get approved and borders to open.
It's being reported that Malaria and diaheaa may kill more than the original cyclone in the end.
I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THIS ONE.
Their Military Government still has the borders closed, and will not accept any assistance from the US.
World Vision is on standby with water, doctors, medicines and first-aide, and they're ONLY 600 miles away in Bangkok Thailand, waiting for Visa's to get approved and borders to open.
It's being reported that Malaria and diaheaa may kill more than the original cyclone in the end.
I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THIS ONE.
R Kelly FINALLY going to Trial on Pornography Charges
Kelly, 41, faces child pornography charges for allegedly videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl. He has pleaded not guilty. Jury selection is set to start Friday.
This case has been a case since way before THE CRASH. Ernie has flows about it. He really had issues with the hip-hop community standing by R Kelly. I guess because of me, but he was very VERBAL about the whole hthing, and even though the girls were willing participants he said, "He has wrecked those girls lives." Mr. Kelly (supposedly) MARRIED Aaliyah when she was 15, but it was annaulled.
The newest info from the trial is that another female (who was then also a minor) who had a threesome with Kelly and the alleged female in the video will testify.
One of the things that pedophiles do is they prep their victims and the victims really think they're "liked/loved." It really can, in both the short and long run, mess with your head.
It's basically what Mr. Kelly is accused of by his publicist of 14 years, Regina Danials, and her husband George who were basically family with "Rob". Kelly had known their daughter Maxine since she was 7 years old. Regina quit her job when she found about the two who is of (barely) legal age. In a radio interview I listened to the other day, the parents said Kelly had bought their daughter a car, she had quit college to be near him, all the while both were lying about the relationship. They reported putting an end to it.
Seems Mr. Kelly has a proclivity to YOUNGER women! That's for sure!
Here's a quote from Ms. Danials, "I am 21, smart and will be graduating from college this year, but I admit that I was swept up by his charming and generous ways, which I truly regret and have learned from. My brief relationship with Kelly last year ended because my parents were starting to hear rumors that we were together, and I was beginning to feel like it wasn't a healthy situation, especially with the pain it was causing me and my family," Maxine said. "I felt that it just wasn't right. Also, in reference to my birthday party, which was held last spring, Regina did not push Rob to host the party. We both asked him ... and he readily agreed."
One of Ernie's flows says something like "I'm not into that R Kelly sh**. If those was my kids..... I wouldn't care about your security..."
I'm just wishin' truTV would cover it, but so far I haven't seen it. NOW, I am not saying FOR SURE THAT he's guilty. Of course we'll have to see ALL the evidence, but it does seem that way so far. AND, in that video it sure did look like him. (I did take a QUICK peek....)
This case has been a case since way before THE CRASH. Ernie has flows about it. He really had issues with the hip-hop community standing by R Kelly. I guess because of me, but he was very VERBAL about the whole hthing, and even though the girls were willing participants he said, "He has wrecked those girls lives." Mr. Kelly (supposedly) MARRIED Aaliyah when she was 15, but it was annaulled.
The newest info from the trial is that another female (who was then also a minor) who had a threesome with Kelly and the alleged female in the video will testify.
One of the things that pedophiles do is they prep their victims and the victims really think they're "liked/loved." It really can, in both the short and long run, mess with your head.
It's basically what Mr. Kelly is accused of by his publicist of 14 years, Regina Danials, and her husband George who were basically family with "Rob". Kelly had known their daughter Maxine since she was 7 years old. Regina quit her job when she found about the two who is of (barely) legal age. In a radio interview I listened to the other day, the parents said Kelly had bought their daughter a car, she had quit college to be near him, all the while both were lying about the relationship. They reported putting an end to it.
Seems Mr. Kelly has a proclivity to YOUNGER women! That's for sure!
Here's a quote from Ms. Danials, "I am 21, smart and will be graduating from college this year, but I admit that I was swept up by his charming and generous ways, which I truly regret and have learned from. My brief relationship with Kelly last year ended because my parents were starting to hear rumors that we were together, and I was beginning to feel like it wasn't a healthy situation, especially with the pain it was causing me and my family," Maxine said. "I felt that it just wasn't right. Also, in reference to my birthday party, which was held last spring, Regina did not push Rob to host the party. We both asked him ... and he readily agreed."
One of Ernie's flows says something like "I'm not into that R Kelly sh**. If those was my kids..... I wouldn't care about your security..."
I'm just wishin' truTV would cover it, but so far I haven't seen it. NOW, I am not saying FOR SURE THAT he's guilty. Of course we'll have to see ALL the evidence, but it does seem that way so far. AND, in that video it sure did look like him. (I did take a QUICK peek....)
NBA Announces FIRST TEAM
MVP Bryant heads all-NBA first team
Los Angeles (dpa) - Less than 48 hours after winning his first NBA most valuable player trophy, Kobe Bryant was awarded yet another piece of prized hardware to round out an unforgettable week. Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers was the lone unanimous selection to headline the all-NBA first team, the league announced Thursday. Bryant made the first team for the third straight season and fifth overall in his sparkling, 12-year NBA career. He averaged 28.3 points along with 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game en route to carrying the Lakers (57-22) to the best regular-season record in the Western Conference.
The Lakers' superstar is joined by NBA defensive player of the year Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics, NBA scoring champ LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and first-timers Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets. SOURCE: rest of article
Los Angeles (dpa) - Less than 48 hours after winning his first NBA most valuable player trophy, Kobe Bryant was awarded yet another piece of prized hardware to round out an unforgettable week. Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers was the lone unanimous selection to headline the all-NBA first team, the league announced Thursday. Bryant made the first team for the third straight season and fifth overall in his sparkling, 12-year NBA career. He averaged 28.3 points along with 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game en route to carrying the Lakers (57-22) to the best regular-season record in the Western Conference.
The Lakers' superstar is joined by NBA defensive player of the year Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics, NBA scoring champ LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and first-timers Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets. SOURCE: rest of article
GO Speed Racer GO - DMX Arrested for Doing 114 MPH
Rapper DMX was arrested in Arizona yesterday for driving at speeds ranging form 100 to 114 miles per hour in a 65 mile per hour stretch of highway. Born Earl Simmons, the entertainer was also driving with a suspended license.The occasional actor was photographed by three different speed patrol cameras driving his 1966 Chevy Nova II on the Loop 101, a local highway notorious for racers and speed seekers.
Police arrested DMX at his home in Cave Creek, AZ and charged the rapper with racing on a highway, reckless driving, two counts of endangerment, three counts of criminal speed and driving with a suspended license.
“This is an important arrest,” Roger Vanderpool Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety told AllHipHop in a statement. “Criminal speeding endangers the lives of everyone on the road. Mr. Simmons wasn’t signaled out because of his notoriety, we have made several arrests in the last few months of those people who flagrantly violate the speed limit and therefore endanger the lives of everyone else on the road. The photo enforcement program on the Loop 101 is making a difference with safety out on the highway.”
DMX was booked into the Scottsdale County Jail and released earlier today.
In related news, the rapper is still under investigation for animal cruelty charges in Phoenix, AZ. The so-called “toughest Sheriff in America,” otherwise known as Sheriff Joe Arpaio, stated in a recent press conference that investigation "is in full progress."
"Very soon, I will announce a resolution to that case,” he said.
DMX was accused of animal cruelty last August, after officials found 12 undernourished dogs and three buried dogs at the rapper’s home.
SOURCE: LiveSteez.com
Police arrested DMX at his home in Cave Creek, AZ and charged the rapper with racing on a highway, reckless driving, two counts of endangerment, three counts of criminal speed and driving with a suspended license.
“This is an important arrest,” Roger Vanderpool Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety told AllHipHop in a statement. “Criminal speeding endangers the lives of everyone on the road. Mr. Simmons wasn’t signaled out because of his notoriety, we have made several arrests in the last few months of those people who flagrantly violate the speed limit and therefore endanger the lives of everyone else on the road. The photo enforcement program on the Loop 101 is making a difference with safety out on the highway.”
DMX was booked into the Scottsdale County Jail and released earlier today.
In related news, the rapper is still under investigation for animal cruelty charges in Phoenix, AZ. The so-called “toughest Sheriff in America,” otherwise known as Sheriff Joe Arpaio, stated in a recent press conference that investigation "is in full progress."
"Very soon, I will announce a resolution to that case,” he said.
DMX was accused of animal cruelty last August, after officials found 12 undernourished dogs and three buried dogs at the rapper’s home.
SOURCE: LiveSteez.com
A little less Serious, My "BUDDY" Roger accused of YEARS long AFFAIR
NEW YORK -- Saying "all is fair game," lawyers for Roger Clemens' former personal trainer Brian McNamee say they intend to capitalize on allegations of an extramarital affair involving Clemens and a country music singer in defending a defamation suit Clemens filed against McNamee. SOURCE/whole article: MLB
AND
ROGER ISN'T WANTED FOR OLYMPIC TEAM -
GO FIGURE!
NEW YORK -- Roger Clemens isn't welcome on the U.S. Olympic baseball team.
U.S. general manager Bob Watson said Wednesday that he isn't considering the 45-year-old right-hander for his roster for the Beijing Games.
"From my standpoint, we don't need that type of distraction," Watson said.
In addition to his duties as vice president of on-field operations for Major League Baseball, Watson is general manager of professional baseball operations for USA Baseball and works to select manager Davey Johnson's roster.
A former GM of the Houston Astros and New York Yankees, Watson said he didn't anticipate being overruled by higher-ups.
"I have not talked to the commissioner. I have not talked to [MLB chief operating officer] Bob DuPuy, nor have I talked to his agent, but I just think the distraction that he's carrying right now, from my standpoint, we don't need that," Watson said. SOURCE/whole article: ESPN
AND
ROGER ISN'T WANTED FOR OLYMPIC TEAM -
GO FIGURE!
NEW YORK -- Roger Clemens isn't welcome on the U.S. Olympic baseball team.
U.S. general manager Bob Watson said Wednesday that he isn't considering the 45-year-old right-hander for his roster for the Beijing Games.
"From my standpoint, we don't need that type of distraction," Watson said.
In addition to his duties as vice president of on-field operations for Major League Baseball, Watson is general manager of professional baseball operations for USA Baseball and works to select manager Davey Johnson's roster.
A former GM of the Houston Astros and New York Yankees, Watson said he didn't anticipate being overruled by higher-ups.
"I have not talked to the commissioner. I have not talked to [MLB chief operating officer] Bob DuPuy, nor have I talked to his agent, but I just think the distraction that he's carrying right now, from my standpoint, we don't need that," Watson said. SOURCE/whole article: ESPN
Myanmar Crisis Grows
Corpses piling up as Myanmar misery deepens
Myanmar's cyclone survivors do not have enough fuel to burn the rotting corpses of the dead as the country's military junta continues to drag its feet over access for aid groups.
That's the CNN Headline. Just makes me shiver thinking about it. I watched Dr. Sanjay Gupta via video today saying that all these people and organization are trying to get into the country to help and relay news, and their VISA's are not being approved. In fact they're hitting a WALL. No one will even talk to them. I guess this has occur ed in the past.
Dr. Gupta said it was very different from when the tsunami occurred when they got their visa's pretty much immediately.
Can you imagine, they don't have the FUEL to burn all the bodies!
And, the diseases that come from rotting bodies and bad water......
Myanmar's cyclone survivors do not have enough fuel to burn the rotting corpses of the dead as the country's military junta continues to drag its feet over access for aid groups.
That's the CNN Headline. Just makes me shiver thinking about it. I watched Dr. Sanjay Gupta via video today saying that all these people and organization are trying to get into the country to help and relay news, and their VISA's are not being approved. In fact they're hitting a WALL. No one will even talk to them. I guess this has occur ed in the past.
Dr. Gupta said it was very different from when the tsunami occurred when they got their visa's pretty much immediately.
Can you imagine, they don't have the FUEL to burn all the bodies!
And, the diseases that come from rotting bodies and bad water......
YOU JUST CANNOT IMAGINE THE HORROR THESE FOLKS ARE GOING THROUGH.
The ONLY thing we can do for them right now is PRAY!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Horrible Crisis n Myanmar - The death toll in Myanmar may reach 100,000 according to a U.S. diplomat.
Cyclone deaths could exceed 100,000 according to a top US diplomat in Yangon. Photos found at Time.com
Court TV is Following Seattle case (oops truTV)
I know it's not Court TV anymore. Since I'm stuck on the couch on occasion, my ailments, I sometimes get into the cases they follow on the NOW truTV.
Phil Spector, OJ, you catch my drift. In fact, I CAN'T WAIT for the Phil Spector re-trial. That was/should be a GOOD ONE. And OJ, that should be VERY INTEREST.... (remember Laugh-In)
Right now they're following a shooting that occured in Seattle. Naveed Haq is on trial for forcing his way into the federation offices by holding a gun to a 14 year old girl's head, then fatally shooting employee Pamela Waechter and wounding five other women on July 28, 2006.
Haq, 32, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to one count of aggravated first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and numerous other charges, including malicious harassment — the state's hate-crime law.
If convicted of the murder charge, Haq faces life in prison without parole.
They're saying he was thinking he could bring peace in the Middle East. AND that obvisously he was dilusional. Quite the dilema for the jury.
TODAYS OPEN COURT QUESTION: DO you think mental illness prevented Haq from understanding the nature and consequences of his actions?
Phil Spector, OJ, you catch my drift. In fact, I CAN'T WAIT for the Phil Spector re-trial. That was/should be a GOOD ONE. And OJ, that should be VERY INTEREST.... (remember Laugh-In)
Right now they're following a shooting that occured in Seattle. Naveed Haq is on trial for forcing his way into the federation offices by holding a gun to a 14 year old girl's head, then fatally shooting employee Pamela Waechter and wounding five other women on July 28, 2006.
Haq, 32, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to one count of aggravated first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and numerous other charges, including malicious harassment — the state's hate-crime law.
If convicted of the murder charge, Haq faces life in prison without parole.
They're saying he was thinking he could bring peace in the Middle East. AND that obvisously he was dilusional. Quite the dilema for the jury.
TODAYS OPEN COURT QUESTION: DO you think mental illness prevented Haq from understanding the nature and consequences of his actions?
I LOVE TMZ and I LOVE JOHN MAYER what a SPORT
TMZ and John Mayer are always messing around, and TMZ "sort" of, you know, "disses" on him sometimes (you know the DOUCEBAG handle for instance (even I don't agree with that one.) You have to admit John has really come up with some good ones. The "cream" that was GREAT. You HAVE to be a TMZ fan to get that one, anyway (my favorite word huh?) check this out at TMZ:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid285859616/bclid294430730/bctid1541020024
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid285859616/bclid294430730/bctid1541020024
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Barry and Roger out of work
OH SO SAD... MLB is looking into possible "collusion" with regard to Barry Bonds not getting a NEW JOB. Seems nobody wants to hire the pap magnet, disruptive to team, and probable cheater, just to name a few.
It also seems that there are several other free agents (Roger included) who are also looking for work.
Barry Bonds isn't the only big-name player/free agent who hasn't found a home yet this year. Wonder what the message is here?? HUM....
Here are some others:
Player Pos. LastTeam
Barry Bonds OF SF
Roger Clemens RHP NYY
Kenny Lofton OF TEX
Jose Mesa RHP PHI
Mike Piazza C OAK
Sammy Sosa OF TEX
David Wells LHP SD
It also seems that there are several other free agents (Roger included) who are also looking for work.
Barry Bonds isn't the only big-name player/free agent who hasn't found a home yet this year. Wonder what the message is here?? HUM....
Here are some others:
Player Pos. LastTeam
Barry Bonds OF SF
Roger Clemens RHP NYY
Kenny Lofton OF TEX
Jose Mesa RHP PHI
Mike Piazza C OAK
Sammy Sosa OF TEX
David Wells LHP SD
Daddy, opps I mean KOBE is MVP
Remember his daughters holding up signs a few weeks ago that said, DADDY FOR MVP? Kobe becomes the fourth Laker to earn the MVP award joining Kareem, Magic and former teammate Shaq. Here's the following articles from ESPN.com.
LOS ANGELES -- Finally, an MVP award for Kobe Bryant.
Regarded as the NBA's best player for several years but never its most valuable, Bryant earned the honor at last on Tuesday after leading the Los Angeles Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference.
He called the award a blessing and an honor and emphasized that he wants another trophy this year.
"It's Hollywood, it's a movie script. The perfect ending would be for us to hold a championship trophy at the end of it," Bryant said at a news conference attended by his teammates, club officials, his wife and two daughters.
"This is an award I couldn't have won on my own. I can't thank these guys [his teammates] enough. These are my guys, these are my brothers. Let's get ready for tomorrow."
The Lakers try to take a 2-0 lead against Utah in their conference semifinal on Wednesday night. Bryant will receive the MVP trophy from commissioner David Stern before the game.
Bryant entered the season as the league's two-time defending scoring champion. He had finished as high as third in the MVP voting twice -- after the 2002-03 season, when he averaged 30 points for the first time, and last year when Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki won.
"I don't know anybody who's ever deserved this trophy more. I don't know anybody who's ever worked as hard to accomplish what he's accomplished," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who had five-time MVP Michael Jordan with Chicago and was at the Lakers' helm when Shaquille O'Neal won the award in 2000.
Bryant received 82-first-place votes and 1,105 points in the media vote. He was followed by New Orleans' Chris Paul (28 and 889), Boston's Kevin Garnett (15 and 670) and Cleveland's LeBron James (1 and 438).
"I've said since two, three years ago that Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league," James said before the Cavaliers faced the Celtics in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. "He's been the best player the last five, six years. I'm glad he won it. His team had a great year, finishing first in the West."
This season there was no denying the Lakers' 6-foot-6 star. Los Angeles rose to the top of the West despite key injuries and following Bryant's trade demands last spring when his team was eliminated in the first round by Phoenix for the second straight year.
Bryant averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.84 steals while playing all 82 games despite tearing a ligament in his right pinkie in February. He put off surgery until after the Olympics.
The knock on the 29-year-old Bryant had been that he didn't make those around him better -- not anymore.
"He's deserving in this particular season with all of the question marks and everything going on coming into the season and the uncertainty," teammate Derek Fisher said. "Not only did he statistically have an MVP type of season, everybody can reasonably say they were better this year because of what he did. He met the so-called criteria, elevating his teammates' games."
Word leaked last Friday night that Bryant had won the award.
Bryant, second in the NBA in scoring behind James, is the first Laker to win the MVP award since O'Neal. Other Lakers to win since the award was first presented in 1956 were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson -- each times. Abdul-Jabbar also won three with Milwaukee.
"I didn't expect this award would come to me," Bryant said. "I'm surprised. I've played pretty well in other seasons. Our team hasn't been as good. Things just fell into place."
Bryant and O'Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive championships, from 2000-02, and a berth in the finals in 2004. The Lakers hadn't won a playoff series since until sweeping Denver in the first round last month.
Bryant and O'Neal were often at odds during their eight years together. Assistant coach Brian Shaw, who played for the Lakers from 1999-03, has noticed a big difference in Bryant.
"He's a much better teammate now than he was in the championship days. That's a credit to his maturation. There were definitely times when he was not a good teammate. No one worked harder than he did. The same is true today," Shaw said.
"In terms of connecting with his teammates off the court, he didn't do that very much. Now, from what I hear, he goes out to dinner with them all the time. Who knows? Maybe he likes these teammates better than us," Shaw added with a laugh.
Bryant has said this was his best regular season and his most enjoyable -- very different from his feelings last spring. First, he challenged the Lakers to upgrade their roster, then demanded a trade.
Things quieted down and Bryant said all the right things during training camp until Lakers owner Jerry Buss said he would listen to trade offers. That upset Bryant again, but he promised he would focus on basketball once the season began.
And so he did.
After a 9-8 start, the Lakers put it together. The most obvious upgrades were Fisher and Pau Gasol, acquired Feb. 1 from Memphis. The Lakers already had Andrew Bynum, Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic -- all former first-round draft choices -- when Bryant had his tirade last spring. All three, especially the 20-year-old Bynum, showed great improvement, but the 7-footer hasn't played since injuring his left knee Jan. 13.
Another talented newcomer, Trevor Ariza, has been sidelined since breaking his right foot Jan. 20. Gasol missed nine games late in the season because of a sprained ankle.
Through it all, led by their MVP, the Lakers kept winning. And now they appear to have as good a chance as any team to win another NBA championship. (SOURCE)
LOS ANGELES -- Finally, an MVP award for Kobe Bryant.
Regarded as the NBA's best player for several years but never its most valuable, Bryant earned the honor at last on Tuesday after leading the Los Angeles Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference.
He called the award a blessing and an honor and emphasized that he wants another trophy this year.
"It's Hollywood, it's a movie script. The perfect ending would be for us to hold a championship trophy at the end of it," Bryant said at a news conference attended by his teammates, club officials, his wife and two daughters.
"This is an award I couldn't have won on my own. I can't thank these guys [his teammates] enough. These are my guys, these are my brothers. Let's get ready for tomorrow."
The Lakers try to take a 2-0 lead against Utah in their conference semifinal on Wednesday night. Bryant will receive the MVP trophy from commissioner David Stern before the game.
Bryant entered the season as the league's two-time defending scoring champion. He had finished as high as third in the MVP voting twice -- after the 2002-03 season, when he averaged 30 points for the first time, and last year when Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki won.
"I don't know anybody who's ever deserved this trophy more. I don't know anybody who's ever worked as hard to accomplish what he's accomplished," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who had five-time MVP Michael Jordan with Chicago and was at the Lakers' helm when Shaquille O'Neal won the award in 2000.
Bryant received 82-first-place votes and 1,105 points in the media vote. He was followed by New Orleans' Chris Paul (28 and 889), Boston's Kevin Garnett (15 and 670) and Cleveland's LeBron James (1 and 438).
"I've said since two, three years ago that Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league," James said before the Cavaliers faced the Celtics in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. "He's been the best player the last five, six years. I'm glad he won it. His team had a great year, finishing first in the West."
This season there was no denying the Lakers' 6-foot-6 star. Los Angeles rose to the top of the West despite key injuries and following Bryant's trade demands last spring when his team was eliminated in the first round by Phoenix for the second straight year.
Bryant averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.84 steals while playing all 82 games despite tearing a ligament in his right pinkie in February. He put off surgery until after the Olympics.
The knock on the 29-year-old Bryant had been that he didn't make those around him better -- not anymore.
"He's deserving in this particular season with all of the question marks and everything going on coming into the season and the uncertainty," teammate Derek Fisher said. "Not only did he statistically have an MVP type of season, everybody can reasonably say they were better this year because of what he did. He met the so-called criteria, elevating his teammates' games."
Word leaked last Friday night that Bryant had won the award.
Bryant, second in the NBA in scoring behind James, is the first Laker to win the MVP award since O'Neal. Other Lakers to win since the award was first presented in 1956 were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson -- each times. Abdul-Jabbar also won three with Milwaukee.
"I didn't expect this award would come to me," Bryant said. "I'm surprised. I've played pretty well in other seasons. Our team hasn't been as good. Things just fell into place."
Bryant and O'Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive championships, from 2000-02, and a berth in the finals in 2004. The Lakers hadn't won a playoff series since until sweeping Denver in the first round last month.
Bryant and O'Neal were often at odds during their eight years together. Assistant coach Brian Shaw, who played for the Lakers from 1999-03, has noticed a big difference in Bryant.
"He's a much better teammate now than he was in the championship days. That's a credit to his maturation. There were definitely times when he was not a good teammate. No one worked harder than he did. The same is true today," Shaw said.
"In terms of connecting with his teammates off the court, he didn't do that very much. Now, from what I hear, he goes out to dinner with them all the time. Who knows? Maybe he likes these teammates better than us," Shaw added with a laugh.
Bryant has said this was his best regular season and his most enjoyable -- very different from his feelings last spring. First, he challenged the Lakers to upgrade their roster, then demanded a trade.
Things quieted down and Bryant said all the right things during training camp until Lakers owner Jerry Buss said he would listen to trade offers. That upset Bryant again, but he promised he would focus on basketball once the season began.
And so he did.
After a 9-8 start, the Lakers put it together. The most obvious upgrades were Fisher and Pau Gasol, acquired Feb. 1 from Memphis. The Lakers already had Andrew Bynum, Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic -- all former first-round draft choices -- when Bryant had his tirade last spring. All three, especially the 20-year-old Bynum, showed great improvement, but the 7-footer hasn't played since injuring his left knee Jan. 13.
Another talented newcomer, Trevor Ariza, has been sidelined since breaking his right foot Jan. 20. Gasol missed nine games late in the season because of a sprained ankle.
Through it all, led by their MVP, the Lakers kept winning. And now they appear to have as good a chance as any team to win another NBA championship. (SOURCE)
MAN - China is having a HECK of a time.
Cyclone death toll jumps to 22,000
A Myanmar government radio station said today that more than 22,000 people are dead and 41,000 missing after the catastrophic cyclone that battered the country. China's state-run Xinhua news agency reports 10,000 dead in one town, the township of Bogalay.
A Myanmar government radio station said today that more than 22,000 people are dead and 41,000 missing after the catastrophic cyclone that battered the country. China's state-run Xinhua news agency reports 10,000 dead in one town, the township of Bogalay.
Monday, May 5, 2008
HOLY FRIGGIN COW!!! Check out Ginele! She's from my YUP! Program.
One of "MY" girls who participated in my YUP! program for YEARS back in the late '90's, AND has become a part of my FAMILY (comes for HOLIDAYS and is basically like a daughter to me, and she read Ernie's Obituary at his Funeral) is making good, BIG TIME.
I talked to her in Japan the day before this fight.
SHE WON!!
SHE WON!!
CONGRATS Ginele!!!
YOU GO GIRL.....
YOU GO GIRL.....
Princess Diana's son, Prince Harry Comes Home From War
Even though Harry had to come home from Afghanistan early (he got outed so to speak, and had to get the heck outta dodge in a quick hurry for HIS safety and his fellow Army comrades.)
They all are home now and got their medals from Harry's Aunt Princess Anne (his Dad's only sister.) With girlfriend Chelsy Davy, brother--Prince William, and Dad- Prince Charles looking on, Harry gets his first Army campaign medal, and all 170 members of the Household Cavalry Regiment were decorated for their service in Afghanistan.
Side note: I stayed up 'till 3:00a.m. to watch Princess Diana marry ol' Prince Charles in 1981. Well, one thing they ended up in common with was two handsome sons. Check out Harry here. He has turned into quite the HUNK!
Here he is with his "girlfriend" Chelsy Davy. They make a very cute couple, and her attending the Ceremony with Prince William and dad, Prince Charles was quite the showing.
They all are home now and got their medals from Harry's Aunt Princess Anne (his Dad's only sister.) With girlfriend Chelsy Davy, brother--Prince William, and Dad- Prince Charles looking on, Harry gets his first Army campaign medal, and all 170 members of the Household Cavalry Regiment were decorated for their service in Afghanistan.
Side note: I stayed up 'till 3:00a.m. to watch Princess Diana marry ol' Prince Charles in 1981. Well, one thing they ended up in common with was two handsome sons. Check out Harry here. He has turned into quite the HUNK!
Here he is with his "girlfriend" Chelsy Davy. They make a very cute couple, and her attending the Ceremony with Prince William and dad, Prince Charles was quite the showing.
11,905 Chinese get Virus, 26 Die - ALL CHILDREN (THE OLYMPICS are in CHINA this SUMMER!!!)
CNN reports:
BEIJING, China (CNN) -- Hand-foot-mouth disease has struck 11,905 people and has proved fatal in 26 cases, all of them children, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported Monday.
The official count has increased dramatically in recent days, the result of an order issued Friday by the Ministry of Health mandating that all cases be reported, said Tang Xiaoping, deputy head of the health bureau of Guangzhou.
Chinese health authorities have been dispatched to the worst-hit province, Anhui, in rural eastern China, where 22 of the fatalities have occurred, all of them blamed on enterovirus 71, or EV-71, one of the most common causes of HFMD.
The provincial health administration said all of the deaths in Anhui occurred in Fuyang City and that 1,314 of the 4,496 children infected in the city were hospitalized, Xinhua reported.
Of the total 5,840 child infections reported in the province, 689 were registered Sunday, it said.
The provincial government has quarantined people exposed to the virus and limited movement into and out of Fuyang, where the outbreak was first reported in mid-March.
Public health officials expect the number of cases to peak in June or July, since the disease thrives in warm weather.
It goes on, and you can read the whole article at: Whole article
The virus is a concern for Chinese officials as the nation prepares to host the Summer Olympic Games starting August 8.
On Saturday, China's Ministry of Health issued a pamphlet urging health bureaus to step up prevention and control efforts, Xinhua reported.
A large outbreak of HFMD occurred in Taiwan in 1998 with 78 deaths, and smaller outbreaks recurred there in 2000 and 2001, according to the CDC.
HOLY COW ~ SMOG and HFMD. I'd say, "I'm not going!"
BEIJING, China (CNN) -- Hand-foot-mouth disease has struck 11,905 people and has proved fatal in 26 cases, all of them children, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported Monday.
The official count has increased dramatically in recent days, the result of an order issued Friday by the Ministry of Health mandating that all cases be reported, said Tang Xiaoping, deputy head of the health bureau of Guangzhou.
Chinese health authorities have been dispatched to the worst-hit province, Anhui, in rural eastern China, where 22 of the fatalities have occurred, all of them blamed on enterovirus 71, or EV-71, one of the most common causes of HFMD.
The provincial health administration said all of the deaths in Anhui occurred in Fuyang City and that 1,314 of the 4,496 children infected in the city were hospitalized, Xinhua reported.
Of the total 5,840 child infections reported in the province, 689 were registered Sunday, it said.
The provincial government has quarantined people exposed to the virus and limited movement into and out of Fuyang, where the outbreak was first reported in mid-March.
Public health officials expect the number of cases to peak in June or July, since the disease thrives in warm weather.
It goes on, and you can read the whole article at: Whole article
The virus is a concern for Chinese officials as the nation prepares to host the Summer Olympic Games starting August 8.
On Saturday, China's Ministry of Health issued a pamphlet urging health bureaus to step up prevention and control efforts, Xinhua reported.
A large outbreak of HFMD occurred in Taiwan in 1998 with 78 deaths, and smaller outbreaks recurred there in 2000 and 2001, according to the CDC.
HOLY COW ~ SMOG and HFMD. I'd say, "I'm not going!"
Rihanna New Vid - TAKE A BOW ~ "PLEASE!" (wish I could relay the PLEASE with the "ATTITUDE" she does in the song :)
"I know you're only sorry you got caught. " MAN, been there, done that!!!
I LOVE THIS SONG!
You know Rihanna, she had the cute little Umbrella number this past year. EVEN got a GRAMMY with HOV (Jay-Z) for it. Well, I saw her at the Glow (Kanye concert) and I really am turning into a fan. I found this video cruisin' and doing some STREET TEAM work for Kanye.
I LOVE IT!!!! Sort of reminds me of Beyounce's TO THE LEFT - TO THE LEFT.... in theme.
Here you go, especially you girls. You're the ones who'll appreciate this song.
I LOVE THIS SONG!
You know Rihanna, she had the cute little Umbrella number this past year. EVEN got a GRAMMY with HOV (Jay-Z) for it. Well, I saw her at the Glow (Kanye concert) and I really am turning into a fan. I found this video cruisin' and doing some STREET TEAM work for Kanye.
I LOVE IT!!!! Sort of reminds me of Beyounce's TO THE LEFT - TO THE LEFT.... in theme.
Here you go, especially you girls. You're the ones who'll appreciate this song.
YOU GO GIRL!
OMGosh - I wish I could have been at this one!!!!!
Beyonce Joins Jay-Z Onstage
At NYC Heart Of The City Show
B takes the stage after Jay jokingly disses
'Crazy in Love.'
JayBey are inseparable, so naturally, Beyonce made a surprise appearance at Jay-Z’s & Mary J’s Heart of the City Tour: “During Jay-Z’s solo set, he has a part where he shows off. Jay literally sits in the DJ booth and pushes buttons to cue up instrumentals of classics like ‘Money Ain’t a Thang,’ ‘Who You Wit’ and ‘Hard Knock Life.’ ‘F— that,’ Jay yelled every time he played a song, cutting it off within seconds of bringing it up. Humorously, he started ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ and just like before, he stopped it after a second. ‘F— that,’ he said with a grin. Then Hov pulled up Beyoncé’s ‘Crazy in Love’ and, you guessed it, said, ‘F— that too. … No disrespect.
Almost immediately, Beyoncé came onstage, walking with a sassy ‘how dare you’ strut. Jay started ‘Crazy in Love’ again, and B did her crowd-pleasing ‘uh oh’ dance. She walked over to Jay, did a spin, smiled and went backstage. Jay doubled over laughing.”
(SOURCE)
At NYC Heart Of The City Show
B takes the stage after Jay jokingly disses
'Crazy in Love.'
JayBey are inseparable, so naturally, Beyonce made a surprise appearance at Jay-Z’s & Mary J’s Heart of the City Tour: “During Jay-Z’s solo set, he has a part where he shows off. Jay literally sits in the DJ booth and pushes buttons to cue up instrumentals of classics like ‘Money Ain’t a Thang,’ ‘Who You Wit’ and ‘Hard Knock Life.’ ‘F— that,’ Jay yelled every time he played a song, cutting it off within seconds of bringing it up. Humorously, he started ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ and just like before, he stopped it after a second. ‘F— that,’ he said with a grin. Then Hov pulled up Beyoncé’s ‘Crazy in Love’ and, you guessed it, said, ‘F— that too. … No disrespect.
Almost immediately, Beyoncé came onstage, walking with a sassy ‘how dare you’ strut. Jay started ‘Crazy in Love’ again, and B did her crowd-pleasing ‘uh oh’ dance. She walked over to Jay, did a spin, smiled and went backstage. Jay doubled over laughing.”
(SOURCE)
Kanye's "Homecoming" Video Chris Martin is GREAT in this ~ Gives me the CHILLS
Go Vote on TRL ya'll....
HOMECOMING!!!
WON/ONE!
D
FOUR, YES 4, OverTimes to WIN (I'm tired just thinkin' about it!)
I'm not much into HOCKEY, too much fighting for me. And the fans root for blood, I've been to a few games, but HOLY COW! It took the STARS 4-OT's to beat the SHARKS last night 2-1.
The Stars now move on to the Western Conference Finals.
The Stars now move on to the Western Conference Finals.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
LOL!!! OK, I think Perez Hilton has Lost It For Sure NOW...
http://perezhilton.com/tv/?videoid=9e1a7f6352edb
Go check it out. LOL...... Perez is TOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!
Go check it out. LOL...... Perez is TOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!
Kentucky Derby 2008 - Thrill of Victory to Tragedy
Watching the Kentucky Derby is a personal tradition, and was one of the things Ernie and I did together.
One of my memories of Ernie that I like to tell, because it really shows how in tuned we really were, was when the Belmont, the final race in horse-racing's Triple Crown, was about to begin and Smarty Jones was looking at possibly winning the Triple Crown, having already won the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Ernie wasn't home, so I called his cell and all I said was, "Are you near a TV?" and all he said was, "It's already on," and he hung up. I didn't even need to tell him what I was talking about. We were always just on the same page....
Yesterday, was the running of the 2008 Kentucky Derby. I actually missed watching it live. I "had" to spend $30 in coupons (they expired yesterday) so I was out shopping with my little 6-year old "partner." We picked up baby clothes for one of E's best friends; she's having a BOY - YEAH!!! (Oh yes, and plants for the garden. It's looking pretty good....)
Anyway.... We watched the Derby repeatedly on the laptop/Internet when we got home. (My attempt to pass on this Derby tradition to another generation. It was COOL, she was really into it. I think she liked BIG Brown’s name.) "There he is, come on Big Brown!!!" over-and-over every time we'd watch it. SO.... cute! (At that point I didn't know about the SAD SAD part of the story.)
Since I'm a photographer I appreciate good sports photography when I see it. Here are BIG BROWN the "Winner" and the 2nd "Place" horse, EIGHT BELLES, the first filly since 1999 to run in the Derby.
A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY at the Derby yesterday.
The race went from the Thrill of Victory to Tragedy immediately following the race.
Eight Belles broke both front ankles and had to be put down after the race. She appeared fine until collapsing while galloping out after the finish.
AND ~ SO....... SAD!!!!!
My condolences to the owners, trainers and handlers of
EIGHT BELLES.
Prayers and Peace.....
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Congrats to BIG BROWN 2008 Kentucky Derby Winner
HORSE/JOCKEY Win Place Show
# 20 Big Brown - Kent Desormeaux 6.80 5.00 4.80
# 5 Eight Belles - Gabriel Saez 10.60 6.40
#16 Denis of Cork - Calvin Borel 11.60
# 20 Big Brown - Kent Desormeaux 6.80 5.00 4.80
# 5 Eight Belles - Gabriel Saez 10.60 6.40
#16 Denis of Cork - Calvin Borel 11.60
Friday, May 2, 2008
Durant Season Rewarded with Rookie of the Year Award
by:Kevin Pelton
Back home in Maryland, Seattle SuperSonics rookie Kevin Durant was napping when his mother woke him up screaming about important news. When he cleared his head, Durant realized it wasn't a dream: He had been selected the 2007-08 T-Mobile Rookie of the Year.
On Thursday, Durant and the Sonics organization celebrated the honor as he was presented with the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy awarded to the Rookie of the Year in a press conference held at T-Mobile USA Headquarters in Bellevue, Wash.
"To end the season as Rookie of the Year is like icing on the cake," Durant said.
That Durant would be named the NBA's top rookie wasn't exactly surprising. He had been considered the clear favorite for the award since September, when No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden of the Portland Trail Blazers underwent season-ending microfracture knee surgery. Along the way, players including Atlanta's Al Horford and Houston's Luis Scola challenged Durant with their performance. However, in the wake of a strong finish to the season, Durant was the clear winner. He received 90 of a possible 125 first-place votes to outpoint runner-up Horford and third-place finisher Scola.
"Those of us that saw him all year, I don't think there was any doubt in our minds," said Sonics Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo. "Still, believing something is going to happen and it actually happening (are different)."
During the press conference, Sonics General Manager Sam Presti, emcee Matt Pinto (the team's radio voice on KTTH 770 AM) and T-Mobile Chief Customer and Operations Officer Sue Nokes saluted Durant's accomplishments on the floor and his maturity off of it. The combination of the two, Nokes said before presenting Durant the trophy, made him "the perfect winner."
From Presti's perspective, the Rookie of the Year award was the culmination of Durant's hard work not just during his rookie season but throughout his basketball career that has made him the player he is today.
Asked by Pinto to identify a moment when he realized Durant was a special player, Presti recalled a story from last summer. While Durant was playing for USA Basketball in Las Vegas, the team held an optional practice on a Friday night. As Presti found out the following morning, just three players attended: Kobe Bryant, fellow Sonics rookie Jeff Green and Durant.
"Those are the moments when you realize you not only have a really talented player in your organization, but one that has a true passion for getting better," Presti said. "And we're really fortunate for that."
To call this award a culmination of Durant's work would be true, but also not the entire story. For at the same time, it's also an early milestone in Durant's promising NBA career. This may be his first NBA award, but it's surely not his last.
"I've worked hard my whole life," said Durant. Now it's starting to pay off, but I know this is the beginning of things to come - first of all hopefully bigger and better things for the team and then for myself if I continue to work.
"This is just the beginning. I want to continue to work hard this summer and next year to become a better player to help this team out."
Durant became the first Sonics player ever to win Rookie of the Year honors. He's also just the fourth Rookie of the Year in major Seattle professional sports history, joining three Seattle Mariners - Alvin Davis (1984), Kazuhiro Sasaki (2000) and Ichiro Suzuki (2001). Durant joins an elite group of NBA Rookies of the Year which includes, just within the past five years, stars LeBron James, Chris Paul, Brandon Roy and Amare Stoudemire.
Though all of those players entered the NBA with fanfare, Carlesimo believes Durant faced the most challenging situation as a rookie. From day one, Durant was asked to be the Sonics go-to player on offense and face double-teams and other defensive schemes designed to stop him. Yet Durant came through, particularly late in the season. After the All-Star break, Durant averaged 21.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, shooting 47.6% from the field.
Durant was also at his best in clutch situations, coming up with key shots in the fourth quarter for the Sonics all season long.
"It's just me maybe being defensive about it, but I think how special his year was is really not appreciated by people," Carlesimo said. "He made it, if anything, look easy at times. He was so much a different player in March or April than he was early in the year, particularly in the fourth quarter. He showed some things that other people don't have and he's going to continue to show going forward. I just think it would have been a lot easier for him in almost any other rookie situation in the league this year."
"I would say it was tough some games," downplayed Durant. "I remember when I would get the ball, guys would double-team me and when I would come off of screens, they would double-team. That's just a learning experience; good players in this league go through that. Hopefully guys continue to respect my game and I'll just continue to work hard."
When those double-teams came, Durant was supported by his teammates throughout the season, and he returned the favor during the press conference, thanking them for the role the played in the award.
"I talked to all of them," he said. "They all called me, text-messaged me, congratulating me. I wish they were here with me right now to accept this award. That would be even better."
In addition to presenting Durant with his award, Thursday's press conference also wrapped up T-Mobile's season-long rookie-related community effort. For each point scored by the T-Mobile Rookies of the Month in both conferences, T-Mobile donated $20 to the Recovery School District in New Orleans. The final tally was $49,700 for the school district, including $28,500 from the points scored by Durant during the five months he won Rookie of the Month for the Western Conference.
"I think the best thing about this award is I did all I can do for the kids in New Orleans," Durant said. "I thank T-Mobile for that."
The timing of the award carried special meaning for Durant because he found out yesterday. Three years earlier to the day, Charles Craig, an assistant on Durant's AAU team, was murdered at age 35. Durant has worn the No. 35 at Texas and with the Sonics to honor Craig, and now he plans to dedicate the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy to his late coach's memory by giving it to Taras Brown, the head coach of Durant's AAU team and also his godfather.
"My godfather, he was also a coach on that team and they were good friends," Durant explained. "I just want to give it to him to show how much I worked hard and dedicate the award to my late coach. I want to give it to him and put it in the rec center for everyone to see." (SOURCE)
SONICS' Kevin Durant named NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CONGRATULATIONS KEVIN!!!
WOOO HOOO!!!!!!!!
SEATTLE, SEATTLE, SEATTLE
SUPER, SUPER, SUPER
SONICS
BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Kevin Durant was so excited to learn he had just won the NBA Rookie of the Year award, he went back to sleep.
That's what seven months and 82 games -- more than double the amount the lanky 19-year-old had played in any previous season -- can do to a teenager.
Fatigue that wasn't apparent while Durant soared in Seattle this season finally caught up to the SuperSonics' star this week. Then his mother, Wanda Pratt, woke him up with the news that he had just joined mentor LeBron James plus Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain in a legendary legacy of rookie award winners.
"I was asleep. It was a LONG season," Durant said Thursday with a smile about Seattle's 20-62 disaster, the worst season in team history. "My mom woke me up when she got the call. She screamed. I was happy. "Then I went back to sleep."
Durant, the national college player of the year at Texas and the No. 2 overall draft pick last year, was as dreamy as advertised during an otherwise nightmare season in Seattle.
Despite being the only man opposing teams schemed to stop, the 6-foot-9 Durant averaged 20.3 points, 7.7 more than any other rookie. He was the only rookie to lead his team in five categories -- points, blocks, steals, free throws made and free throw percentage. Durant blocked more shots than any other guard in the league (75).
The rest of Seattle's season involved losses and lawsuits.
Sonics owner Clay Bennett recently got league approval to move the team to Oklahoma City. Seattle has a trial date next month, its effort to make the Sonics play inside KeyArena for the final two seasons of their lease.
"It's good to shine some light on our team. You know, a lot of people aren't real fond of our team right now," Durant said.
He recently purchased a home in suburban Seattle. His mother lives with him. She and Durant's father, Wayne Pratt, joined four other family members at Thursday's announcement.
"I love Seattle. My home's here. My mother's here," Durant said, acknowledging where he plays next season is out of his control.
Durant received 90 first-place votes (545 points) from a panel of 125 writers and broadcasters. Atlanta's Al Horford finished second with 390 points, and Houston's Luis Scola was third with 146.
It's all beyond what Durant could have comprehended two years ago as a senior at Montrose Christian School in Rockville, Md. "If you would have told me a couple of years ago that I would be the NBA Rookie of the Year, to be in the same company as LeBron James, Larry Bird ... I would have told you you were crazy," he said. "I didn't think I would get it, because those other rookies helped their teams get into the playoffs."
Some believe that benchmark should have given Horford the award. Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo isn't one of them. "It would have been a travesty if they had picked anyone else," Carlesimo said minutes before general manager Sam Presti said the coach "absolutely" will return next season.
Durant said Horford congratulated him on the award Wednesday, just before Game 5 of the Hawks' surprisingly competitive first-round playoff series against Boston.
"I'd rather trade this in to be where he's at right now - in the playoffs," Durant said.
One of the first text messages of congratulations Durant received was from James, the Cleveland superstar whom Durant calls a mentor and good friend. Durant attended James' playoff games with the Cavaliers in Durant's hometown of Washington last weekend.
James was the Rookie of the Year in 2004, when he was 19. "He told me congratulations. That's when I was thinking like, 'Man, I'm in the same company as LeBron, when he was a rookie,' " Durant said. "I just smiled inside. "He's like a big brother to me."
Though Carlesimo said "If he did anything wrong, at times he made it look too easy," Durant admitted he struggled early in the season. He said he was taking too many 3-point shots and not driving to the basket.
After the All-Star break, Durant said he took it upon himself to be more aggressive. He got higher percentage shots and more chances at the free throw line. He finished the season by averaging 24.3 points in April, including a season-best 42 in the finale at Golden State.
Yet he has areas where he wants to improve. "Post skills. Ball-handling. Shooting," he said. "When I get bigger and stronger, hopefully my game will take off to the next level." (SOURCE)
Good Morning
Good Morning
Good Morning
Good Morning to You....
That's the little ditty that I woke my boys up to every day of their little lives.
Nels will be 26 on Tuesday. He's now older than Ernie. This is a hard one for me to grasp, and I seem to be having a bit of a hard time the past week or so. Good news with all the Kanye Ye Ha(get it?) (you'd have to be "in the know" so to speak to GET IT (and I'm HIP and COOL, you see, so "I" (get it).
Aren't "I" full of myself today.... I'll go wash the dishes and come down to EARTH. Oh yeah, I think there's some puppy (you know what to take care of too....)
Won/one....
D
Good Morning
Good Morning to You....
That's the little ditty that I woke my boys up to every day of their little lives.
Nels will be 26 on Tuesday. He's now older than Ernie. This is a hard one for me to grasp, and I seem to be having a bit of a hard time the past week or so. Good news with all the Kanye Ye Ha(get it?) (you'd have to be "in the know" so to speak to GET IT (and I'm HIP and COOL, you see, so "I" (get it).
Aren't "I" full of myself today.... I'll go wash the dishes and come down to EARTH. Oh yeah, I think there's some puppy (you know what to take care of too....)
Won/one....
D
Thursday, May 1, 2008
This Guy is a Real Dumb eee (didn't want to curse) YOU'LL SEE :) :) :) LOL
Man Arrested Trying To Cash $360 Billion Check 
Posted by Fresh on May 1, 2008
Police in Texas said a 21-year-old man was arrested and accused of trying to cash a check for $360 billion.Police in Fort Worth said they arrested Charles Fuller last week when bank tellers noticed the ridiculously large amount and called the woman whose name was on the check.
The woman said Fuller is her daughter’s boyfriend, but she had not given him a check — and certainly not one for billions of dollars.
Fuller has been charged with fraud, police said.
Police said they found 2 ounces of marijuana and a gun in his pockets when they arrested him, so he also faces charges for unlawfully carrying a weapon and possession of marijuana. [source]
Posted by Fresh on May 1, 2008
Police in Texas said a 21-year-old man was arrested and accused of trying to cash a check for $360 billion.Police in Fort Worth said they arrested Charles Fuller last week when bank tellers noticed the ridiculously large amount and called the woman whose name was on the check.
The woman said Fuller is her daughter’s boyfriend, but she had not given him a check — and certainly not one for billions of dollars.
Fuller has been charged with fraud, police said.
Police said they found 2 ounces of marijuana and a gun in his pockets when they arrested him, so he also faces charges for unlawfully carrying a weapon and possession of marijuana. [source]
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