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  1. #51
    Here till the end MadMan's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting Kurosawa Fan (view post)
    I'd rep you for this, but I've given out too much already. Garnett is my favorite player to watch. His intensity is unmatched.
    I'm very happy that he now has a chance to reach the NBA Finals. He's one of the best players of the current generation and he didn't deserve to be stuck in that Minnesota hell hole. If he plays like he did last night all season long there's no question he'll be the regular season MVP.
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  2. #52
    Director chrisnu's Avatar
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    After three games:

    Surprises: Indiana. Mike Dunleavy and Hedo Turkoglu scoring over 20 points a game. Kelenna Azubuike more than filling in for Jason Richardson.

    Disappointments: Chicago and Washington. Arenas and Jamison combined are shooting under 30% from the field. The Bulls are not only losing, but losing to teams which suck. Vince Carter sleepwalking.
    Contagion (Soderbergh, 2011) - 6.5
    The Descendants (Payne, 2011) - 7.5
    Midnight in Paris (Allen, 2011) - 5
    Margin Call (Chandor, 2011) - 6.5
    The Ides of March (Clooney, 2011) - 5

  3. #53
    Here till the end MadMan's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting chrisnu (view post)
    After three games:

    Surprises: Indiana. Mike Dunleavy and Hedo Turkoglu scoring over 20 points a game. Kelenna Azubuike more than filling in for Jason Richardson.

    Disappointments: Chicago and Washington. Arenas and Jamison combined are shooting under 30% from the field. The Bulls are not only losing, but losing to teams which suck. Vince Carter sleepwalking.
    I donno what's up with the Wizards, but the Bulls probably are distracted by the whole Kobe trade talks thing. Once they get over that, they'll right the ship and get back on track. The season is still relatively young.
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  4. #54
    I'll Have a Criterion. DSNT's Avatar
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    The Bulls will be better than they've played out of the gates, but I don't think they'll live up to a lot of the pre-season hype. I've heard them mentioned by many as finals picks, but to me they are way too young and don't have an established star. Deng or Gordon could get there soon. Boston, on the other hand, looks to be for real.

    I wouldn't worry about the Wizards. Antawn and Arenas will shoot a lot better.

  5. #55
    Director chrisnu's Avatar
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    I hope I'm not alone in thinking that the Suns' radioactive orange jerseys (with the GREY trim) that they wore the other night were absolutely atrocious. The only jerseys more unappealing are New Orleans and Indiana's mustard yellow.
    Contagion (Soderbergh, 2011) - 6.5
    The Descendants (Payne, 2011) - 7.5
    Midnight in Paris (Allen, 2011) - 5
    Margin Call (Chandor, 2011) - 6.5
    The Ides of March (Clooney, 2011) - 5

  6. #56
    Here till the end MadMan's Avatar
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    I think the Celtics will reach the Finals. If the Pistons can be defeated by one very good rising star in Lebron what the hell is going to happen to them when they're faced by the three headed monster of Garnett, Pierce, and Allen? But that team isn't built to win a championship. The Spurs, Suns, Marvicks, Jazz, Rockets and Nuggets are all far deeper and better. I don't see the West not taking it against this year, and I kind of like this way because the East still doesn't measure up to the West. Even with the budding Baby Bulls, D-Wade, Lebron, the rebuilt Celtics and the aging experienced Pistons in the conference.
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  7. #57
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    "Jason Collins, who is New Jersey's starter at power forward, has not scored in the season's first three games, extending his regular-season scoreless streak going back to last season to 10 games."

    How the hell is that even possible? Especially at power forward when he should be getting rebounds, tip ins, post points.

  8. #58
    Director chrisnu's Avatar
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    Because he's Jason Collins. I still have no idea why he's starting ahead (and getting much more PT) than Jamaal Magloire.

    He also doesn't start at power forward, he starts at center. Nenad Krstic starts at power forward.
    Contagion (Soderbergh, 2011) - 6.5
    The Descendants (Payne, 2011) - 7.5
    Midnight in Paris (Allen, 2011) - 5
    Margin Call (Chandor, 2011) - 6.5
    The Ides of March (Clooney, 2011) - 5

  9. #59
    Director chrisnu's Avatar
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    Sad news:

    Celtics coach Rivers leaves team after father's death

    TORONTO (AP) — Celtics coach Doc Rivers left the team before Boston's game Sunday against the Raptors after his father died in Chicago.

    The Celtics said Rivers left Toronto on Sunday morning. Grady Alexander Rivers Sr. was 76. There was no immediate word on the cause of death.

    Assistants Tom Thibodeau and Armond Hill handled the coaching duties in Rivers' absence.
    Thus, the assistants coached this game.
    Contagion (Soderbergh, 2011) - 6.5
    The Descendants (Payne, 2011) - 7.5
    Midnight in Paris (Allen, 2011) - 5
    Margin Call (Chandor, 2011) - 6.5
    The Ides of March (Clooney, 2011) - 5

  10. #60
    Stunt Man Justin's Avatar
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    Well my Bobcats are 2-0, so I am happy, but I do not like how Vincent is not using the bench at all. Matt Carrol and Hermann are seeing little to no minutes after both of them had great numbers during the last month or two of last season.

  11. #61
    Director chrisnu's Avatar
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    Shaq has been looking old and creaky, but had a pretty solid night tonight.

    I will agree that Vincent playing Jeff McInnis more than Herrmann and Carroll is disturbing. I do see that he is experimenting with playing Okafor at center, which I think is a good idea.

    Tough loss for the Hawks tonight. I like that they are starting Horford at center.

    He may not be a great player, but I am glad to see Theo Ratliff actively contributing again, after all those injuries.
    Contagion (Soderbergh, 2011) - 6.5
    The Descendants (Payne, 2011) - 7.5
    Midnight in Paris (Allen, 2011) - 5
    Margin Call (Chandor, 2011) - 6.5
    The Ides of March (Clooney, 2011) - 5

  12. #62
    I'll Have a Criterion. DSNT's Avatar
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    I can't understand at all why they aren't playing Carroll more. He is the perfect type of bench player energize a team and he has the talent to make it happen. Herrmann played well in a replacement role last year, but I wouldn't say he offers enough to worry about his minutes. Nice to have for when your big guy gets hurt or in foul trouble.

    Good to see Felton and Richardson playing well together in the early going.

    Barring injury, this team has an outside chance at a playoff slot.

  13. #63
    Director chrisnu's Avatar
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    I know that it's going to be a gradual process, but Jordan Farmar needs to be worked into the Lakers' starting lineup. Fisher knows he's a stopgap, and will be willing to see his minutes decrease as Farmar continues to prove himself. Crittenton needs to be sent to the D-League is he's not going to get the playing time. Two DNP's so far. Better for the Lakers to allow him to develop by playing, rather than riding pine.
    Contagion (Soderbergh, 2011) - 6.5
    The Descendants (Payne, 2011) - 7.5
    Midnight in Paris (Allen, 2011) - 5
    Margin Call (Chandor, 2011) - 6.5
    The Ides of March (Clooney, 2011) - 5

  14. #64
    Brody Double rocus's Avatar
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    Random question for you NBA fans:

    Which is the better song to play before a jump ball, "Jump Around" from House of Pain or "Jump" from Kriss Kross (or however they spell their name)? I lean toward "Jump Around".

  15. #65
    Kept out of sunlight Gizmo's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting rocus (view post)
    Random question for you NBA fans:

    Which is the better song to play before a jump ball, "Jump Around" from House of Pain or "Jump" from Kriss Kross (or however they spell their name)? I lean toward "Jump Around".
    They gotta play music before the jump ball? What happened to just tossing the ball in the air?



    I'd lean toward "Jump Around" also
    *coming soon*

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  16. #66
    I'll Have a Criterion. DSNT's Avatar
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    Can I go with Van Halen's Jump instead?

  17. #67
    Brody Double rocus's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting DSNT (view post)
    Can I go with Van Halen's Jump instead?
    I guess that's better than the Pointer Sisters' "Jump (for My Love)"

  18. #68
    Here till the end MadMan's Avatar
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    Quote Quoting DSNT (view post)
    Can I go with Van Halen's Jump instead?
    No. That song blows. "Jump Around" rocks.
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  19. #69
    Director chrisnu's Avatar
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    Definitely "Jump Around". I hate it when they play that Van Halen song during games.
    Contagion (Soderbergh, 2011) - 6.5
    The Descendants (Payne, 2011) - 7.5
    Midnight in Paris (Allen, 2011) - 5
    Margin Call (Chandor, 2011) - 6.5
    The Ides of March (Clooney, 2011) - 5

  20. #70
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    Jump Around is just as lame as the Van Halen song. i vote for Kris Kross.

  21. #71
    Stunt Man Justin's Avatar
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    I have new found respect for Matt Bonner.



    That is him at the fun fun fun fest (courtesy of http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/, featured artists include; Battles, Cat Power, New Pornos, Celebration, Busdriver, Ted Leo, and Final Fantasy.

  22. #72
    Evil mind, evil sword. Ivan Drago's Avatar
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    Chrisnu, check your PMs.
    Last Five Films I've Seen (Out of 5)

    The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse (Mackesy, 2022) 4.5
    Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (Crawford, 2022) 4
    Confess, Fletch (Mottola, 2022) 3.5
    M3GAN (Johnstone, 2023) 3.5
    Turning Red (Shi, 2022) 4.5
    Tokyo Story (Ozu, 1953) 5

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  23. #73
    'Cash-Us Clay' tries to KO Seattle fans

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    Jim Caple, ESPN.com Page 2

    It's official. Art Modell, Robert Irsay, Donald Sterling and Jeffrey Loria are off the hook. The worst owner in sports history is Clay Bennett.

    I know, I know. There is a lot of competition for that distinction. Why, to even achieve the honor of worst owner in Seattle sports history you have to beat out Ken Behring, George Argyros, Jeff Smulyan and Howard Schultz. But Bennett, or as my friend Rod calls him, "Cash-Us" Clay, accomplished it in a little more than a year. Just consider his most recent move.

    The minute he was welcomed as an NBA owner in 2006, Clay Bennett, center, started asking for a new arena.
    Showing all the public relations and marketing savvy that has marked his tenure as owner so far, Bennett formally announced his intention to move the Sonics to Oklahoma City less than a day after the tip-off to the team's home opener. "Welcome to the 2007-08 season, Sonics fans! And will the owner of a Prius hybrid please move your car -- you're blocking the owner's U-Haul vans." Cash-Us Clay released a statement declaring he will move the team as soon as he can break his lease at Seattle's KeyArena or when he next sheds his skin, whichever comes first.

    "From the beginning," Bennett says in the release (we assume with a straight face), "it has been my absolute hope and expectation that we would be able to secure the necessary governmental commitments to build a successor venue to KeyArena."

    This would sound a lot more convincing had his partner and minority owner, Aubrey McLendon, not already revealed to an Oklahoma paper earlier this year that: "We didn't buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here." (McLendon, by the way, was a big donor to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which gives you some idea of this group's tactics.)

    Bennett's whole beef with Seattle is that so far the area has declined to agree to build him a $500 million arena to replace KeyArena, which was renovated before the 1995-96 season for more than $100 million (which at the time, seemed like a lot of money for a basketball arena). This is a pretty typical reaction for an owner. Pay far too much for a team -- Bennett's group paid $350 million, the fourth most ever for an NBA franchise -- then blame the taxpayers when you don't instantly make as much money as you would like. What is needed is not better players and a winning team but a new arena.

    I'm not sure how Bennett determined the $500 million price, but I do know he has carved it in stone. Now, if you were going to remodel your home or build a new one, I think you might take bids from several contractors and consider all sorts of options in order to get most of what you want at the lowest price. And that's how sports owners would do it as well if they actually had to pay for the construction. But since they simply stick the taxpayers with the financing, they don't care what the cost is. In fact, the more it costs the better, because then it allows the next owner to ask for an even more expensive arena and on and on until everyone is playing in $2 billion stadiums built by Halliburton.

    "The region is still in need of a modern building," Bennett goes on in his release, laying it on even thicker, "not just for the Sonics and Storm, but also for the broad commercial and quality of life benefits such facilities provide."

    He's right, it has been soooooo difficult living in a city without a modern performance venue. When local residents paid for the Seattle Center renovations a decade ago, I knew they should have insisted on indoor plumbing rather than outhouses. And the tar paper roof, which must have had some appeal at the time, turned out to be a mistake. No wonder the only acts that have played the arena in the past couple years are such B-list, puppet-show opening acts as U2, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, The Police and Elton John.

    The point is, the area doesn't need a new arena, the Sonics do not NEED a new arena, and they certainly do not need one that costs $500 million. What the Sonics do need is an owner who is willing to honestly and realistically negotiate.

    (And while I'm venting, how about a little venom for Howard Schulz? Here's a guy who built a worldwide coffee empire from Seattle and he rewards the city by selling the Sonics to an out-of-town buyer. Thanks a lot. This was pretty much Schulz's attitude at the time of the sale: "I am committed to finding a local owner who will keep the Sonics in Sea... -- WHAT? $350 MILLION!!! DON'T LET BENNETT OUT OF THE OFFICE WITHOUT HIS SIGNATURE ON THE BOTTOM OF A BINDING CONTRACT!!" Good grief. You own Starbucks! How much money do you need?)

    Anyway, that's where David Stern comes in. I know the NBA commissioner is employed by the owners and part of his job is to help secure these ridiculous arena deals. But in this case Stern needs to step up and tell Cash-Us Clay that the league has enough problems already and has no interest in moving a successful franchise in the 13th-largest media market to the 40th-largest market. That Bennett knew the financial layout when he bought the team for $350 million. That he has been going about this poorly. That if he wants to stay in the league, he'd better take some responsibility and clean up his mess here.

    Because despite what Cash-Us Clay would have you believe, the problem is not a city where the team has successfully operated for 40 years but rather the carpetbagger owner who has been around for barely a year.

  24. #74
    Evil mind, evil sword. Ivan Drago's Avatar
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    Robert Irsay was mentioned in that article, and that reminds me - how did he literally move the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis overnight in a semi-truck? What is there to move?
    Last Five Films I've Seen (Out of 5)

    The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse (Mackesy, 2022) 4.5
    Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (Crawford, 2022) 4
    Confess, Fletch (Mottola, 2022) 3.5
    M3GAN (Johnstone, 2023) 3.5
    Turning Red (Shi, 2022) 4.5
    Tokyo Story (Ozu, 1953) 5

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  25. #75
    Director chrisnu's Avatar
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    I find this story amusing:

    http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/273853

    Raptors ready to ring a few bells?

    Nov 06, 2007 04:30 AM
    Dave Feschuk

    On the final play of overtime against the Celtics on Sunday, the Raptors got outsmarted by a couple of masterful veterans. Ray Allen, the Celtics guard who has played in slightly fewer than 800 NBA games, grabbed Anthony Parker, the Raptors guard who has played in a little more than 100, and shoved him into the chest of Kevin Garnett, the Celtics forward who, barring injury, will play his 1,000th NBA game this season. And even after Parker absorbed the contact, Garnett's arms further impeded Parker's futile attempt to follow Allen to the left corner.

    A beat later, Allen was draining the winning shot. The Raptors were ruing their first loss of the season. And observers were wondering: What could the home team have done differently?

    "The thing we talked to Anthony and all our guys about – if you're going to grab me, there's some things that I can do," said Sam Mitchell, the Raptors coach. "The officials do a great job, but they're not going to see everything ... So you've got to learn how to protect yourself.

    Protect oneself how?

    "It's mean, dirty and low-down and y'all already think I'm crazy," said Mitchell. "I don't want to read in the paper the next day, `Mitchell tells `em to ...'"

    The coach didn't finish the sentence, but you can extrapolate the gist. Mitchell, after all, played 13 seasons in the NBA and only led the league in one statistical category: Fouls. So he knows a thing or two about the unsavoury techniques of the NBA trenches. And he tells a decent story about one particularly low blow.

    On the night in question Karl Malone, the Utah Jazz legend, was setting illegal screens that too often ended with Malone's elbow in the face of Terry Porter, Mitchell's Minnesota Timberwolves teammate. Pleas to the referees went unheeded and soon enough, Porter's fist was planted in the Mailman's sub-drawstring.

    "Terry didn't hit him hard ... You ain't got to hit `em hard. All you've got to do is graze `em ... Just tap `em. Just ring the little bells," said Mitchell. "And Karl Malone just dropped. He was screaming, `Ahh! He hit me in the balls! He hit me in the balls!'

    "The next pick Karl Malone set ... he kept those arms in. I'm telling you, there's things you can do."

    It was suggested to the coach that Toronto's current roster doesn't count among its ranks such fiendish characters. Mitchell smiled and shook his head, claiming ignorance of his team's potential for ignominy. Time will tell, perhaps.

    Today's players certainly get criticized by their predecessors for being too soft, although below-the-belt assaults aren't foreign to the era. Bruce Bowen, the Spurs defensive specialist, kneed Steve Nash in the groin during last spring's playoffs. A couple of post-seasons ago Reggie Evans, then a Nugget, now a Sixers forward, allegedly grabbed a handful of Chris Kaman's privates. (Some observers lamented that Evans wasn't suspended, although, as Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni joked at the time, Evans did get all ball).

    Like a lot of crimes, though, one suspects these offences are committed more frequently than they're reported. Garnett, once mentored by Mitchell, was accused of ringing the little bells belonging to Francisco Elson in a playoff series a few years back. Elson called Garnett "gay." Apologies to the gay and lesbian community soon followed. The Toronto coach said he wasn't encouraging any such ridiculousness.

    "I tell my players," he said, "to play by the rules."

    Implicit in the rulebook, of course, is that the refs can't call what they can't see, no matter how much the other guy writhes in agony.
    Contagion (Soderbergh, 2011) - 6.5
    The Descendants (Payne, 2011) - 7.5
    Midnight in Paris (Allen, 2011) - 5
    Margin Call (Chandor, 2011) - 6.5
    The Ides of March (Clooney, 2011) - 5

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