The Rockets play the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. It's a bigger game than anyone could have imagined. Apparently it's the 1st NBA game to be celebrated during the "new" MarchBlack History Month. Usually most people associate Black History month with February, but not the Clippers. In their defense, the team only had 2 home games in the month of February. You didn't think Donald Sterling would giveaway tickets to a Celtics game or a Bulls game did you?
One other thing: How many underprivilidged kids do you know who have rich parents? The Clippers are giving away 1,000 tickets to "underprivilidged" kids who have a paid adult admission! Only the Clippers...
This is a Peyton Manning video I had not seen. HILARIOUS!
I have to admit this is an episode of The Arsenio Hall show that I missed and I watched most of them. Getting Muhammed Ali and Mike Tyson together is pretty cool.
Happy 57th Birthday to Catherine Bach. You know her as Daisy Duke!
We are literally two weeks away from the announcement of the NCAA Basketball tournament field. There were some pretty big developments over the weekend. Texas might have blown its chances at a #1 seed by squandering a 21 point lead @Colorado. BYU staked its claim to a #1 seed out west with a big road win @ San Diego State.
Here's how it could look in 2 weeks.
East Region 1 Pitt vs 16 Bethune Cookman/Murray State 8 Washington vs 9 Kansas State
4 UNC vs 13 Oakland 5 Temple vs 12 Michigan State
3 San Diego State vs 14 Bucknell 6 Vanderbilt vs 11 George Mason
2 Purdue vs 15 Kent State 7 Missouri vs 10 Marquette
Southeast Region
1 Kansas vs 16 TSU/McNeese St 8 Cincinnati vs 9 UNLV
4 Georgetown vs 13 Missouri State 5 Kentucky vs 12 Belmont
3 Wisconsin vs 14 Harvard 6 Arizona vs 11 Gonzaga
2 Notre Dame vs 15 Long Island 7 Florida State vs 10 Old Dominion
Southwest Region
1 Ohio State vs 16 Florida Atlantic 8 Virginia Tech vs 9 West Virginia
4 UConn vs 13 College of Charleston 5 Utah State vs 12 Baylor/Michigan
3 Florida vs 14 Vermont 6 St. John's vs 11 UCLA
2 Texas vs Milwaukee 7 Villanova vs 10 Illinois
West Region
1 BYU vs 16 Montana 8 Alabama vs 9 UAB
4 Syracuse vs 13 Fairfield 5 Texas A&M vs 12 UGA/Richmond
3 Louisville vs 14 Coastal Carolina 6 Xavier vs 11 Butler
2 Duke vs 15 Long Beach State 7 St. Mary's vs 10 Tennessee
Singita Sabi Sand offers rare solitude and the ultimate in safari luxury on prime game viewing land recognised globally for its diversity and formidable concentration of big game and frequent leopard sightings. Guests can choose between three unfenced lodges, infused with the glamour and elegance of Singita. Website: Singita Sabi Sand
Singita Sabi Sand Hotel South Africa Singita Sabi Sand beautiful night view Singita Sabi Sand lounge Singita Sabi Sand bed room Singita Sabi Sand lounge
Singita Sabi Sand offers rare solitude and the ultimate in safari luxury on prime game viewing land recognised globally for its diversity and formidable concentration of big game and frequent leopard sightings. Guests can choose between three unfenced lodges, infused with the glamour and elegance of Singita. Website: Singita Sabi Sand
Singita Sabi Sand Hotel South Africa Singita Sabi Sand beautiful night view Singita Sabi Sand lounge Singita Sabi Sand bed room Singita Sabi Sand lounge
The NBA Trade Deadline is 2pm Today! Daryl Morey, Deal or No Deal?
This is how Rockets fans will feel if the team makes no trade of significance before today's deadline.
The big bad Russian Mikhail Prokhorov got his man (Deron Williams) while getting over on his new rival (The New York Knicks). The "Nyets" sent rookie Derrick Favors, PG Devin Harris, their 2011 #1 pick and Golden State's 2012 #1 pick to the Jazz for Deron Williams. Williams has a year remaining on his contract, but obviously the Nets will try to convince him to move to Brooklyn with them. For the Jazz it has to be a crushing blow losing their franchise PG (Williams), Hall of Fame coach (Jerry Sloan), and All Star PF (Carlos Boozer) in 9 months. This is a better deal for a better player than what the Nets were offering Denver for Carmelo Anthony.
This is also going to be Defcon 1 for the NBA owners in small to middle markets from a labor standpoint. Utah did everything it could to build around and through Deron Williams but it was not enough to keep him so they had to make a preemptive trade. Cleveland and Toronto opted to not make the mid-season trade last year and ended up with nothing in return for Lebron James and Chris Bosh.
Look, I like soccer, I really do. But this kind of flopping is worse than anything you will ever see in the NBA.
Happy 46th Birthday Kristin Davis!
Need the perfect gift for Houston Livestock and Rodeo Season? How about this?
Further Proof that Gingers Have No Souls...
Who feels more awkward about this patdown, the cop or the civilian?
I know I shouldn't laugh about this, but I am very immature.
Show me a news report where the anchor has to say the word "torso" and I will show you guarenteed laughter.
Let's take an honest assessment of the Rockets roster and what they have to build on going forward with the trade deadline coming Thursday.
Yao Ming: His $17.686 million comes off the cap after the season. There have been surprisingly few bites on his insurance laden contract. I hope he retires, but I could see him coming back to Houston for the veteran minimum in 2011-2012.
Kevin Martin: ($12 million next season) He's essentially done what was expected of him shooting close to 40% from 3, while making close to 90% of his 8.5 FT attempts per game. He still is a terrible defender and does not create much offense for others. He would be much more useful with a low post scorer who required a double team and/or a shot blocking big. Rick Adelman clearly loves the guy, but I don't think Daryl Morey would hesitate to move him for a better contract and/or player.
Luis Scola: With a salary that will be under $10 million until 2013-2014, Scola is the definition of bang for your buck. You can plug in 18 points and 8 rebounds for him pretty much every night, but he also does not have to be the focal point of your team to be happy. I think any contending team would love to have this guy as a complimentary piece and I wonder if he was dangled before Thursday what he could net you on the open market. If he makes it past Thursday, I would imagine he is on the team starting next season.
Shane Battier: His $7.3 million comes off the cap after this season and he is a commodity for contending teams. Shane has tried to re-invent himself to some extent showing the reability to be a spacing "4" at times for Houston this year. His stats pretty much to his career average with the exception of FT shooting which has taken a dip. Battier and his wife really like Houston and there's an outside chance he would return for the veterans minimum if he does not find full mid-class money from a contender. If he is not dealt it will be interesting to see whether Terrance Williams gets any of his minutes down the stretch.
Jared Jeffries: Jeffries has essentially been a high priced cheerleader his last 3 years in the league after former Knicks GM Isaiah Thomas stupidly paid him full mid class money. He's the likely salary dump trade to happen before the deadline to get the Rockets under the luxury tax.
Kyle Lowry: The Rockets smartly allowed the free agent market to dictate his contract and what initially seemed like an expensive 4 yr $25 million deal for a backup PG has turned into a fair deal for a starting PG who has earned those minutes. His play and contract have probably made Lowry the closes thing to untouchable on the roster. If he's not starting in 2011-2012 the Rockets have likely acquired an All-Star at his position.
Brad Miller: He was brought in to back up Yao Ming and to help run Rick Adelman's offense. Unfortunately once Yao went down, it didn't make sense to have a veteran like Miller on the team with the huge void on the defensive end. If they had to do it all over again, the Rockets would likely have passed on Miller. They are probably stuck with the remaining $4.4 million on his deal next season.
Jordan Hill: ($2.8mill next year) It's a big dissapointment that Hill has not earned more than 17 minutes per contest. His laziness as a defender is often matched by his inability to find a home in Rick Adelman's offense leading him to be in the dog house. Patrick Patterson has clearly passed him in the eyes of the team. Hill is expendable and could be a throw-in should the Rockets make a big deal Thursday or in the off season. I'm not convinced he will ever be a competent backup on a contending team.
Chuck Hayes: An upcoming free agent, Hayes is arguably the team MVP. Chuck has done everything you could want from an undersized center including vast improvements in his offensive repertoire and FT shooting. The Rockets want him back badly, but some team might offer him full mid-class $.
Terrance Williams: The only thing I can say about Terrance Williams' season is he threw up a triple double in the D-League. Rick Adelman just won't play him. I'd say he'll see the floor next season, but if Adelman is back....I liked Williams coming out of Louisville, but he is not a good shooter. He can be a multi-positional defender if he would apply himself to the job.
Aaron Brooks: Brooks season has been a disaster and I can only imagine that other teams are going to try to buy low on him at the deadline. Unless they get a starting center (Brook Lopez?) in return the Rockets are probably better off taking the Kyle Lowry approach to Brooks and seeing what he can get as a restricted free agent before determining whether they want to keep him or not. It's clear that Brooks and Martin can't play together defensively and the Rockets seem to like Martin more.
Patrick Patterson: You can see the flashes of brilliance from Patterson. He looks like he has the potential to be Carl Landry 2.0 with better defensive abilities. He has a clear knowledge of the game and knows what Adelman wants him to do on offense. He probably has been a little too unselfish with his shooting considering how reliable his mid-range jumper has been. I'd like to see him get all the backup "4" minutes behind Luis Scola the rest of the season.
Courtney Lee: It hasn't panned out from a record standpoint, but Lee is a better player at a better contract than Trevor Ariza. He's the best perimeter defender the Rockets have and his outside shooting has been exceptional. Considering his low $2.2 million salary will be next season the Rockets would have to be blown away to trade him. He has the type of salary you pair with a supertar's.
Chase Budinger: He did not take the big leap forward that the Rockets would have liked but his salary of under $1million for a guy who is probably a long term rotation player in this league still makes him attractive.
For the sake of this discussion, if the Rockets do not resign Aaron Brooks and let Yao Ming, Chuck Hayes, Shane Battier, and Jared Jeffries go off the books, they would be checking in at just over $43 million when you factor in their likely lottery pick this year. Operating on this year's cap, that would but the Rockets $15 million below the number. However, the cap is expected to go down by as much as 30%. If that drastic "rollback" happens the Rockets would right up against the number, but then again so would 90% of the league. Still, for the 1st time since he has been at the helm, Rockets GM Daryl Morey should have some cap flexibility coupled with the freedom of not being shackled by a 7 foot 6 Chinese anvil.
It's Rodeo season! Anyone want to ride her?
How about a 2 chick ride?
These girls are clearly sober...or not...
This chick probably should have worn different clothing if she wanted to ride.
Udaipur, in the heart of Rajasthan, is a city of majestic palaces and beautiful lakes. Here, adorning the banks of Lake Pichola and standing witness to the historic City Palace, The Oberoi Udaivilas captures all the romance and splendour of a royal era.
Conceived as a traditional Indian palace, The Oberoi Udaivilas showcases the rich heritage of the Mewar region of Rajasthan with its rambling courtyards, gentle rippling fountains, reflection pools and verdant gardens. Grand architecture inspired by the palaces of Rajasthan present a picture of majesty resplendent with pavilions and domes that lead you to a journey of discovery. Interiors embellished with decorative domes, hand painted frescoes, intricate mirror work and beautifully crafted artefacts create an ambience of regal splendour.
An enchanting boat ride across Lake Pichola transports you to the ceremonial welcome that awaits you at resort. Rooms with terraces that open on to semi-private swimming pools present exquisite views and are a unique feature of Udaivilas. Magnificently decorated suites with private swimming pools and outdoor dining pavilions are exclusive retreats.
Fine international cuisine, authentic flavours of Rajasthan or a quiet drink are all presented with views of the City Palace and Lake Pichola.
The luxurious spa with its own swimming pool overlooks the lake and is a haven of serenity. Trained therapists pamper body and soul with rejuvenating treatments. The resort also offers the opportunity to undertake private Yoga, meditations and Pranayam sessions with the resident Yoga teacher or explore the city steeped in the romance of the oldest living dynasty in the world.
At The Oberoi Udaivilas, the magnificent setting combines with royal service to make your holiday a journey into the romance and grandeur of another century. This resort offers an experience created exclusively for those who know there is nothing like too much luxury
The Oberoi Udaivilas luxury hotel of India The Oberoi Udaivilas Udaipur The Oberoi Udaivilas The Oberoi Udaivilas Viw
Udaipur, in the heart of Rajasthan, is a city of majestic palaces and beautiful lakes. Here, adorning the banks of Lake Pichola and standing witness to the historic City Palace, The Oberoi Udaivilas captures all the romance and splendour of a royal era.
Conceived as a traditional Indian palace, The Oberoi Udaivilas showcases the rich heritage of the Mewar region of Rajasthan with its rambling courtyards, gentle rippling fountains, reflection pools and verdant gardens. Grand architecture inspired by the palaces of Rajasthan present a picture of majesty resplendent with pavilions and domes that lead you to a journey of discovery. Interiors embellished with decorative domes, hand painted frescoes, intricate mirror work and beautifully crafted artefacts create an ambience of regal splendour.
An enchanting boat ride across Lake Pichola transports you to the ceremonial welcome that awaits you at resort. Rooms with terraces that open on to semi-private swimming pools present exquisite views and are a unique feature of Udaivilas. Magnificently decorated suites with private swimming pools and outdoor dining pavilions are exclusive retreats.
Fine international cuisine, authentic flavours of Rajasthan or a quiet drink are all presented with views of the City Palace and Lake Pichola.
The luxurious spa with its own swimming pool overlooks the lake and is a haven of serenity. Trained therapists pamper body and soul with rejuvenating treatments. The resort also offers the opportunity to undertake private Yoga, meditations and Pranayam sessions with the resident Yoga teacher or explore the city steeped in the romance of the oldest living dynasty in the world.
At The Oberoi Udaivilas, the magnificent setting combines with royal service to make your holiday a journey into the romance and grandeur of another century. This resort offers an experience created exclusively for those who know there is nothing like too much luxury
The Oberoi Udaivilas luxury hotel of India The Oberoi Udaivilas Udaipur The Oberoi Udaivilas The Oberoi Udaivilas Viw
If you think Blake Griffin jumping over a car was impressive this weekend, check out these backboard breakers.
Syracuse Forward Arinze Onuaku at Midnight Madness.
I've never heard of Jason Keep from Oklahoma State, but he did it too.
This was at a high school alumni game. It get's extra marks for the 360 mixed in with the glass breakage.
Daryl Dawkins from the planet Luvtron is probably the best known rim breaker.
Here's a rarely seen Michael Jordan glass breaker in an exhibition game in Italy.
Finally, here's the most famous glass breaker of them all. Jerome Lane of Pittsburgh, immortalized by Bill Rafferty. "Send it in Jerome!"
This seems like an awfully lazy article to me. The writer, Buzz Bissinger, who wrote the fantastic book, "Friday Night Lights" tries to suppose that white people only watch sport to see other white people excelling. White America can't relate to the NBA anymore? Is that why TV numbers are up? By that rationale the NHL should be dominating. Give this a read and tell me what you think about it. http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-17/nba-all-star-game-white-men-cant-root/
I saw this happen live and didn't understand why it was happening. The Purdue student section sang Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" as a "tribute" to Ohio State's Jared Sullinger's off-key version.
Arizona All-American saved the Wildcats' bacon Saturday night with the rare game winning block shot. The 'Kats are little more than a one man team, but they will be dancing in March.
Happy 36th Birthday to Drew Barrymore. She's on my list....
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest was pretty good, but I felt like the wrong guy won. Blake Griffin's best dunk was his 1st dunk not his "Kia Special".
The Kia special was particularly weak because TNT was focused on the gospel choir and not the dunk.
Serge Ibaka probably should have made the final ahead of Griffin with this dunk.
And Javale McGee should have won the competition with this dunk.
The Basketball Hall of Fame announced its finalists for the Class of 2011 this weekend. No Jim Valvano...thank goodness. Here's who made the list of the North American dudes.
Chris Mullin: Arguably the greatest player in Big East history. Original Dream Team member. No beef.
Dennis Rodman: 3 time defensive player of the year, greatest rebounding forward ever. 5 titles. HOF worthy
Mo Cheeks: ????? Average coach, above average player. Only made 1 all star team. Does not belong on ballot much less in HOF.
Ralph Sampson: Clearly making it to the finals because of his college work. Probably would have been a lock without injuries. Never made the final four in college. Ironicly Virginia made it the year after he left losing to Guy V in OT in that tractor pull semifinal.
Jamal Wilkes: 2 NCAA titles and 4 NBA titles. Pure Stroke. I think he belongs.
Dick Motta: Coached the Bullets to an NBA Title, won over 900 games, but he lost over 1000. Career winning % is .479. Not HOF in my mind.
Herb McGee: All Time Winningest Div 2 coach...whatever.
Referee Hank Nichols: Of course the great Hank Nichols. Please.
Al Attles: I assume being nominated as a coach becuase he was an average player. 588-548 in 14 seasons with 1 NBA title. Not HOF worthy in my eyes.
Tex Winter: Father of the Triangle Offense. This guy had everyone and their dog lobbying for him: David Stern, Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Kobe, Shaq, etc
On this list I vote Mullin, Rodman, Wilkes. Guy V Lewis is clearly more impressive than any of the coaching candidates. Still hope at the HOF press conference in Houston, that Guy V's name is brought up these jokers on the selection committee as well as the enshriners.
Sick, Sick KO Saturday night on HBO. Nonito Donaire, the Philipino boxer you've never heard of put Fernando Montiel to sleep. Donaire is must watch TV and belongs on most pound for pound boxing great lists.
Happy Birthday Jennifer Love Hewitt. 32...her age...not bra size...
Notre Dame DE Paris (French for Our Lady of Paris), also known as Notre Dame Cathedral, is a Gothic, Catholic cathedral on the eastern half of the Île DE la Cite in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. It is the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris: that is, it is the church that contains the cathedral (official chair), of the Archbishop of Paris, currently Andre Vingt-Trois. The cathedral treasury houses a reliquary with the purported Crown of Thorns.
Notre Dame DE Paris is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and in Europe, and the naturalism of its sculptures and stained glass are in contrast with earlier Romanesque architecture. The first period of construction from 1163 into the 1240's coincided with the musical experiments of the Notre Dame school.
Notre Dame DE Paris was among the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress (arched exterior supports). The building was not originally designed to include the flying buttresses around the choir and nave. After the construction began and the thinner walls (popularized in the Gothic style) grew ever higher, stress fractures began to occur as the walls pushed outward. In response, the cathedral's architects built supports around the outside walls, and later additions continued the pattern. The cathedral was essentially complete by 1345.
The cathedral suffered desecration during the radical phase of the French Revolution in the 1790s, when much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. An extensive restoration supervised by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc removed remaining decoration, returning the cathedral to an 'original' gothic state.
Jean de Jandun recognized the cathedral as one of Paris's three most important buildings in his 1323 "Treatise on the Praises of Paris":
Notre Dame DE Paris classical interior Notre Dame DE Paris Tower Notre Dame DE Paris statue Notre Dame DE Paris view Notre Dame DE Paris
Notre Dame DE Paris (French for Our Lady of Paris), also known as Notre Dame Cathedral, is a Gothic, Catholic cathedral on the eastern half of the Île DE la Cite in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. It is the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris: that is, it is the church that contains the cathedral (official chair), of the Archbishop of Paris, currently Andre Vingt-Trois. The cathedral treasury houses a reliquary with the purported Crown of Thorns.
Notre Dame DE Paris is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and in Europe, and the naturalism of its sculptures and stained glass are in contrast with earlier Romanesque architecture. The first period of construction from 1163 into the 1240's coincided with the musical experiments of the Notre Dame school.
Notre Dame DE Paris was among the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress (arched exterior supports). The building was not originally designed to include the flying buttresses around the choir and nave. After the construction began and the thinner walls (popularized in the Gothic style) grew ever higher, stress fractures began to occur as the walls pushed outward. In response, the cathedral's architects built supports around the outside walls, and later additions continued the pattern. The cathedral was essentially complete by 1345.
The cathedral suffered desecration during the radical phase of the French Revolution in the 1790s, when much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. An extensive restoration supervised by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc removed remaining decoration, returning the cathedral to an 'original' gothic state.
Jean de Jandun recognized the cathedral as one of Paris's three most important buildings in his 1323 "Treatise on the Praises of Paris":
Notre Dame DE Paris classical interior Notre Dame DE Paris Tower Notre Dame DE Paris statue Notre Dame DE Paris view Notre Dame DE Paris
The five-storey Montreal City Hall (French: Hotel DE Ville DE Montreal) is the work of architects Henri-Maurice Perrault and Alexander Cowper Hutchison, and was built between 1872 and 1878 in the Second Empire style. It is located in Old Montreal, between Place Jacques-Cartier and the Champ de Mars, at 275 Notre-Dame Street East. The closest metro station is Champ-DE-Mars.
hotel DE ville Montreal Hotel DE ville Montreal flowers decoration Hotel DE ville Montreal view Hotel DE ville Montreal in night Hotel DE ville Montreal lighting
The five-storey Montreal City Hall (French: Hotel DE Ville DE Montreal) is the work of architects Henri-Maurice Perrault and Alexander Cowper Hutchison, and was built between 1872 and 1878 in the Second Empire style. It is located in Old Montreal, between Place Jacques-Cartier and the Champ de Mars, at 275 Notre-Dame Street East. The closest metro station is Champ-DE-Mars.
hotel DE ville Montreal Hotel DE ville Montreal flowers decoration Hotel DE ville Montreal view Hotel DE ville Montreal in night Hotel DE ville Montreal lighting
