Rocket's win? Landry loses...twice

So first and foremost...very well played in Utah by the Rockets! That is a really nice win, with great intensity all the way through. Who would have thought that Rafer was actually a decent point guard. Certainly not me!

And it appears that Carl Landry is back to being Carl Landry. I really believe that is where most of the intensity of the Rockets comes from. He is just a fun player to watch because he plays with a ton of energy and plays so hard. But last night, though he came up with the biggest block this side of Tayshaun Prince, Carl was a big loser. He lost a tooth after getting jacked in the mouth by Carlos Boozer, and then, just totally unsuspectedly, gets a smooch from Rafer on national tv. I don't think he saw that coming. And Rafer, not someone you want to get romantically involved with, you know, with the whole anger issues. I mean, if he tries to stab strangers in the neck, what would he do to a jilted lover?

And as for T Mac. Nice game...Decent 4th quarter. 7 points isn't bad. 2-8 isn't good though. Not to mention, he could have come real close to icing the game if he hits a jumper on the Rockets last possession, and I am not even sure that it hit the back board...it was not pretty. And if Williams doesn't get blocked by Landry...then that missed shot looks very bad.

But, luckily, Williams did get blocked, and so T Mac can be a hero of sorts for at least 2 days. But the Rockets still have to win another game in Utah if they want to win this series. After the way they played last night though...I am not totally sure they can't do it! This thing should at least go 6...I don't know if I can take the Rockets to win 2 in a row in Utah, but I for sure like them back in Houston in game 5.

"Iron Man" has NOTHING on this!

Seriously..."The Dark Knight" is not only going to be one of the best movies of the summer...it is going to be one of the best movies of the year! And do not be surprised to see some awards being thrown its way either...that's right, I said it!

This is by far the greatest poster ever in the history of the world! Do not tell me that there is near the anticpation for Iron Man as there is for this film! You are just really really stupid if you think that!

Also, hints that there could be a new trailer in 4 days...that would be like Monday or something.

"Iron Man" looks really stupid

Now, let me preface this by saying that I am not a comic book dork. The only comic book movies that I really enjoy are the "Batman" films. Loved the original two with Keeton, and the Bale/Nolan combination is absolutely incredible. But other than that, I only have passing interest in comic book movies. The "Spiderman" films were ok, not great, certainly not "Batman Begins" great or anything, but worth seeing.

Anyway, EW has released their projections for the Top 10 grossing movies of the summer.

1. Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (355.9 million)

2. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (310.8 million)

3. Hancock (280.4 million)

4. Wall-E (280.3 million)

5. Iron Man (267.7 million)

6. The Dark Knight (255.0 million)

7. Kung Fu Panda (244.6 million)

8. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (176.5 million)

9. The Incredible Hulk (147.2 million)

10. Tropic Thunder (146.6 million)

I have so many problems with this list...it's not even funny. To begin, obviously, Indiana will bring in the most people...everyone loves Harrison Ford. But after that, I think the list is pretty much tomfoolery. The Chronicles of Narnia? Seriously? How many kids are there out there? And aren't their tickets cheaper? The way I see it, only 2 types of people see films like that...kids, and stoners.

Hancock, got no problem with that one...the movie I am second most excited about seeing this summer. Wall-E will probably dominate, but not above The Dark Knight, I just don't believe that.

IRON MAN??? IRON MAN? ABOVE THE DARK KNIGHT? You see...that is just stupid. This movie looks absolutly idiotic. First of all Robert Downy, Jr., from the trailers that I have seen, looks like a total idiot as a superhero. Not to mention, he's just not that great an actor. And...isn't Iron Man like a D list superhero anyway?

That brings us to The Dark Knight, which I see to be the second most anticipated movie of the year behind Indiana. And I really think, as sad as it may be, the anticipation only grew with the untimely death of Heath Ledger. Not to mention, the work that Nolan does, it goes so far beyond the comic book dork crowd. Even "normal" people want to see this movie. And the viral marketing has also been a big factor I think. I don't see people going to see really bad movies, i.e. "10,000 B.C.," only to see a trailer for Iron Man. I only know one person who gives a crap about Iron Man, and I question him on it almost daily. The Dark Knight is going to be an absolutely incredible movie, and I really think it will either be the second or third highest grossing movie this summer, perhaps behing "Hancock," and only because Big Willie brings in a crowd like no one today.

After that...we are really left with some big time B list movies. Really...the Mummy? Again? Totally not necessary. I am not even sure if Rachel Weisz is going to be in this one, and if not...why on earth would anyone see it?

And while I am a huge Tenacious D fan...Jack Black isn't really known for making great films anymore...and in this one...he's a talking cartoon panda! And oh yeah...it appears he is into some kind of kung fu. So unless Peter from "Office Space" is around...no one cares about kung fu movies.

The same also works for "Tropic Thunder." Not only is Jack Black in it, but Ben Stiller pretty much sucks these days...and this one has Robert Downey, Jr. in black man makeup...why?

As for "The Incredible Hulk," the only thing I can say is...there is no such thing as bad press. I did not see the earlier version I don't think, but this one has Ed Norton in it...who is a bad ass...so I will probably check it out.

The moral of the story is...The Dark Knight is going to rule, and no one cares about Iron Man, which again, looks really stupid.

Anyone want to go on a bike ride?

Please watch this video, as it is a reminder to all of our young friends with newborns why helmets are so important. But, the best part of the tape is the "friend" that is video taping it. I just love this guy. After the fall, with his friend clearly not moving, he just casually walks over to him, doesn't really say anything. Doesn't grab his cell phone to make a call. Just waddles over there and says..."hey dude, get up....get up dude....dude, get up....hey dude, are you ok....dude, its just bleeding so much because its your head...it's really not so bad as it looks..." and another totally awesome part of it, he NEVER puts down the camera...just keeps on filming.
I only hope that my friends have the same sort of care and concern for me when I nearly kill myself riding a bike down a rail.

World's greatest coat!

Kobe is known for sometimes wearing really bad coats...And last night was no different. To be honest, I have to say...Craig Sager wouldn't even have worn the coat that Kobe wore last night. You know, normally coaches and players are always commenting on Sager's clothing...Well, last night, I am pretty sure that he would have just looked at Kobe and gone...good night alive, what is that?

Timmy didn't invent it, but did perfect it

I am going to have to say that the "face" was invented generations ago, probably with the first official, came the first "face." However, guys like Sheed and Timmy, and Dirk have perfected the "face," and this is a pretty funny page with examples. I couldn't get the video to work all that well though.

Would you take a hit from Shaq?

So Tony Parker took a pretty big hit from Shaq last night. Let's just call Tony at 6'2'', 165 lbs. And Shaq at 7'3'', 300 lbs. That would probably hurt really bad. But after the game, Tony made a good point when asked about the hit..."my wife will take care of me..." Would you take a hit to be "taken care of" by Tony Parker's wife?

Today's Excuses?

So game 2 was certainly not as exciting as game 1, unless your a Spurs fan, and you will think that the game was mighty exciting...the problem is...it was more exciting than it should have been. But I will save that for later.

The thing about last night is...I guess the referees heard what Shaq had to say after game 1. Did anyone in that game get a foul called on them except for Kurt Thomas? I mean goodness gracious...there were some bodies flying last night! And I think in many ways, that is a good thing, letting the players decide the game and all that. But at a point, it becomes more than just letting them play, and it becomes missing obvious fouls.

I think letting small stuff go is much different than just not blowing your whistle period, and I think the officials just let too much go on last night. And I think that worked both ways for the most part. Everyone, again, other than Kurt Thomas, was getting away with slaps and trips and blocking all over the place. But oh well, a win is a win.

So after game 1, most of the Suns were whining about the referees instead of whining about how awfully they played down the stretch. Instead of saying that they shouldn't have let the Spurs back into that game, they blamed anyone but themselves. But what is it they are going to complain about for last night? Anyone?

On another note, the Spurs almost pulled a Suns and let the Suns get back into that ball game. And I know it was a win, and put them up 2-0...but if you watched Pop walk off the court...he did not look happy. And they still have a lot of things to fix if they are going to win. I say that because even though the Spurs are up 2-0, and are a tougher team with more experience, the Suns probably are a more talented team. So the Spurs really need to fix their problems and get at least one of the games in Phoenix. Coming back to San Antonio 2-2 would be very bad, and would give the advantage largely to the Suns.

Stories of the day!

Let me start with this gem..."I'm late all the time. I have no perception of time. Time is for white people. It doesn't work with me." That was said by Erykah Badu. Now, I am an expert on many things...but the Erykah Badu story is not one of them. I know she sings...but that's about it...oh, and she uh...doesn't seem to fond of white people. That's cool too.

And the other thing I want to say today...Miley Cyrus has a really unattractive boyfriend or something. And, yes, you're 15 and need to keep your clothes on. But the point to me is...although I am not putting myself in the running for this position, surely she can find a more attractive person to be her boyfriend. I mean, she is loaded. I had dreams of being a kept man at 15, and I was way more attractive than that kid.

More T Mac and Dirk bashing

My point is simple...these 2 are not superstars...and here are some interesting numbers to back my flawless theory.


Game 1 4th quarter for T-Mac--0-3, 0 points

Game 1 4th quarter for Dirk--1-4, 4 points

Take all that and compare that with Kobe's 18 4th quarter points, Timmy's 20 second half and OT points, Manu's game winner, Chris Paul's 9 4th quarter points, and Lebron's 18 second half points.

Dirk is one of the most talented players on the planet...I don't know why he folded late in the game, but he did, and I do know why T Mac did...because he is destined never to ever win a playoff series.

Another thing

The Spurs have been great for the past 11 years for a number of reasons. Obviously Timmy is the biggest part of the success. But it does not end there. Tony and Manu and Pop get and deserve a lot of credit as well. But it is still more. The Spurs are great because of role players. Bowen, Fin, the Little General, Steve Kerr, and Brent Barry just to name a few.

And this game turned with one very important substitution by Pop in the 2d quarter. It was a 16 point game and Pop was desparate. So I am just screaming at my TV, "It's time to put in 17!!" And for anyone who isn't a Spurs fan, that would be Brent Barry. Now, I am not an idiot, I know that Brent Barry is no superstar, but that isn't really the point.

Brent Barry is a leader, on and off the floor, he's a distributor, he makes good decisions, he spreads the floor, and he is a shot maker. Your best leader is often not your best player. Your best leader is a guy that commands respect because he gives it. He is a smart, hard worker who everyone likes, and listens to. Barry may not have seen the floor in over 2 months because of injury, but as soon as he steps back out there, it's like he never left. Pop had said he didn't want to use Brent or Big Shot Bob unless the situation was dire. Well, down 16 at home in the 2d quarter in game 1...dire.

So Pop points to 17 down there, and as soon as he comes in, I just knew the game was about to turn. When Brent Barry is on the floor, you must always know where he is...he is an incredible shooter, and he can get to the hoop if he so chooses. So with Brent on the floor, and the floor nice and spaced and spread out for Timmy, with no Shaq on the floor...Timmy gets a couple easy baskets. Then, with some incredible ball movement...Barry, wide open for 3! Boom.

Suddenly, at the half, it's only an 8 point game even though the Suns totally outplayed the Spurs in the first half. And the game turned because of Brent Barry. It takes soooo much more than superstars to win championships. And Brent Barry and Michael Finley are the keys to the Spurs getting back to the Finals. And just getting passed these tough Suns.

Want to know why the Suns won't win?

After one of the more epic games that I have in recent memory, the Suns and Spurs could not have had different reactions. Timmy and Pop basically saying that it was an incredible game and praising the Suns for how incredible of a team that they are. The Suns went the other way...focusing again on how they somehow got screwed.

Says Amare on Timmy's 3 to force double OT..."Happy birthday to him." What is in the BSB is his problem? Why can't he take some of the blame for himself...last time I checked, Tim Duncan was an NBA player, and one of the better ones at that. And generally, if you leave an NBA player totally open, like shoot around open, he is going to hit a shot from a step behind the 3 point line, at least 35% of the time. And its not like we are talking Shaq here...Timmy does have a game outside of 4 feet.

But Amare can't just say, well, it was a great game, and down the stretch, they executed, we didn't. Which is frustrating because that is EXACTLY what happened. Why is that so difficult?

The Suns will not beat the Spurs until they stop whining and crying about things that happened years past, and complaining after every game like there is some sort of conspiracy out to get them, and just focus on the task at hand. Winning a game.

How about Amare acts like a man and says, well we were up 16, up 9, up 5, and we LET THEM HAVE IT! That was the Suns game to win...and you want to know why they didn't? Because they are so focused on revenge that they forget they have a game to play. I can not wait for this series to be over just so that I don't have to listen to Amare's crap anymore.

I really feel sorry for Steve Nash, I really do. He is out there playing his butt of and fighting and not saying stupid crap after the games, he deserves better than Amare. And that goes for Coach D'Antoni too...after the game his quote was something to the effect of..."If we play 6 more like this, someone's getting their monies worth." That is how you handle that.

Nash basically said that they had the game in hand a number of times, and that they weren't good enough or disciplined enough to win it. That is the proper answer.

Shaq, for all the great things he says, basically just said that they "let them have this one." Well first of all, though true...he was using it as an excuse...blaming everyone but himself and his teammates. I am sorry, but your Coach and Nash are right...this was yours to win, and you lost...and this isn't the time of year to be doing that.

West Round 1 Picks

I know its a little late...but only one game has gone final, and you all know it won't change my choice anyway...so just deal, it's not like anyone reads this anyway.

1 v. 8

Lakers will have to fight for it, and they will be mostly competitive games, but the Lakers are just better than the Nuggets. Lakers in 5 is my call...chance for 6.

2 v. 7

Here is where it gets interesting...The Hornets are the new kids in town, the Mavs are the weak minded vets. But they are the underdogs, and perhaps that is exactly where Dirks feeble mind needs to be. Playing from behind. I do expect this to be a great series, but I think that the Mavs are just a better team than the Hornets.

My call is going to be Mavs in 7. If I am wrong...its Hornets in 7.

3 v. 6

This is where I complain about how unfair the NBA is again. I know I already did that, but it really just isn't fair that these 2 are playing in the first round. But anyway. Obviously, this is the game that has already occurred, and it just proves the point about how great these 2 teams are.

One thing I am going to say though, and it has been the case always probably, but especially in the last three years, when the playoffs come around, there is a different Timmy on the court. The focus, drive and determination is just incredible. He had 40 today, including a designed 3 to tie the game at the end of the first OT. Talk about age all you want, but Timmy clearly has a different gear he kicks on in the post season.

But I have to say, I am not totally sure that the Suns aren't a better team than the Spurs. But I sometimes wonder if they are so focused on how they feel they have been "wronged" by the NBA, or for revenge, that they lose a bit of focus. And nothing can break the Spurs focus. They were down 16 during the first half. Down 9 in the fourth. Down 5 at the end of the first OT. But they got through all that and won a game.

And it is not an insignificant stat that teams that win game 1 go on to win the series 80% of the time. I am giong to call game 2 a must win for the Suns, but also for the Spurs.

Head and heart are slightly different here, but here are the picks.

Heart...Spurs in 6.

Head...toss up in game 7. But I will give it to the Spurs because they are at home.

4 v. 5

Yeah, the Rockets have home court, but I am sorry, the Jazz are a better, more complete team. And the Rockets have T Mac, who will NEVER get out of the first round in his career, he is destined that way. So I am going to go Jazz in 6.

Dr. Montgomery-Shepard is back! For now...

How did I not know this? Kate Walsh is coming back to "Grey's" for an episode. Now, I don't watch "Private Practice," but I am sure it is awful and she should just come back to Seattle, because the show has been missing something since she left.

But at least we get her back for 1 episode!

Miggy 31 going on 34

Miguel Tejada has a birthday coming up next month. He is going to be turning 32...or wait...34. It has come to the attention of the Astros that Miggy lied to the first team that he signed with, telling them he was 2 years younger than he really was. What? A player from a different country lying about his age? I am shocked and disgusted. Or not surprised at all...and don't care.

It doesn't matter how old he is right now...he's a great player and is having a wonderful start to the season. That is pretty much all that matters right now!

But you do have to wonder, Miggy has been in the league like 13 years or so. How has no one brought this up until the Astros? I realize that its not that big a deal, but still, someone should have just called him on it, like I don't know...10 years ago...

So Miggy got away with it for quite a while...but got caught finally. I guess that Deke is going to be the record holder for lying about his age for the longest. I bet Deke is about 48 going on 61 or so.

What would you do to get your child a high school diploma?

There isn't even a need to look nationally for crazy stories...There are plenty right here in front of us.
This dude owns a Christian school, and I guess there was this young lady who wasn't doing so well...naturally, its bribe time. What does he want to get in return for giving this girl a diploma? Money? Nah. Drugs? Not his thing. Sex with her mom? You betcha!
And here is the cool part...He gets caught on tape! People rule!

How to get out of a speeding ticket

So this werido got pulled over by the Highway Patrol the other day. He was speeding, no biggie...so the Trooper gets out of the car, just going to go chat with the fella...but wait...hold on, what is...is that...an alligator back there?

So he walks up to the dudes car, and yes, he was keeping an alligator back there! That seems really really smart right? No one will mess with you if there is an alligator in your car. I think that I am going to do this.

So the Trooper is really confused I am sure. This guy has got to be drunk...Nope, took, and passed a sobriety test. He is just a total crazy.

But wait...there's more. It turns out...he just loves all reptiles. Because not only was there a 6 foot gator in his car...there was also a 4 and a half foot water moccasin in there that had bit him!!! Seriously?

And the really cool part is this...dude was a theif. He had just left his boss' house where he had attempted to steal his plasma! How cool is this guy? He even recruited someone to help him because he knew the tv would be heavy. But as they were walking to the car, his friend saw a freaking 6 foot gator in the back, freaked out, and dropped the tv, breaking it! Score!

I know what you are wondering...does this freaky guy just take his pet gator on car rides like its a dog? Come on Alli, you wanna go for a car ride?

But no such luck...he just saw it in a ditch while he was out driving around...Went down in there, fought the gator, won obviously, and brought it up to the car. This guy rules!

East matchups

The East can go first, because it is clearly inferior to the West...and that's just life, so deal with it.

Starting with the 1 v. 8...Celtics in 4, no discussion necessary.

Next, the 2 v. 7...this is an interesting matchup in both the East and the West. I think that the Pistons will win, but I am not sure how easily. This team has a serious problem with not getting up for teams that they think they are better than. And they are obviously better than the Sixers. But many people argued last summer that they just let the Cavs beat them because they were just expecting the Cavs to roll over for the almighty Pistons. And I have to be honest, I don't really get that. This team is great, they have been to two Finals and won one of them. But, they have only won one of them. You would think they would be really hungry and want more, but for some reason, they think they are greater than they really are. But, they are pretty great, and they are just a better team than the Sixers, however, they will make a decent series out of it.

I am going to go with Pistons in 6, and I think that at least 5 of them will be really competitive games that will be worth watching.

Next, the 3 v. 6...This is also a pretty decent matchup. For me though, it comes down to one thing...One of these teams has a porn star as a coach, and Ron Jeremy can't coach both teams, so I guess I have to go with the Magic. But again, this should actually be a pretty decent series, and I wouldn't be shocked if I was wrong on this one.

I am going to go Magic in 6. Don't be surprised if it's 7 though.

And last, the most exciting of the East. 4 v. 5...This is going to be a hated, bitter fight. However, one of these teams has Lebron on it, and the other...doesn't.

Yes, the Wizards are finally healthy, but they haven't actually played together, and that does make a difference. This is going to be a really fun series though, and at this point, these two teams really hate each other...

But I have to go with the Cavs, I think it will take them 7 games, and it will be 7 really fun and hard fought games, and watch out for some hard fouls here too, but I like the Cavs at home in game 7.

So basically, these series should be really good as well, maybe not as good as the West, but still good, just with a slightly lower skill level. Expect the games in the West to be a bunch of highly talented and skilled teams fighting it out, and the East to just be a bunch of teams fighting it out.

West coming up later...I am still thinking long and hard about the 2 v. 7 and the 3 v. 6 over there.

NBA Playoffs, where the West was won...

So everything finally got settled last night around 11 pm...or about 915 since the Spurs had a 24 point lead on the Jazz at the half, and Derron Williams didn't even come out of the locker room...but none-the-less, we have our matchups. And the first round in the West is absolutely a joke. The Spurs and the Suns play in the freaking first round...that seems fair huh? The Mavs got rewarded for having a "mediocre" season, and the Yao less Rockets only hope is to win a game at home. To prove my point...I am going to select 4 random years in the past ten, and take a look at the 3-6 first round matchup.

Starting with this year

Spurs (56 wins) v. Suns (55 wins)

2007

Spurs (58 wins) v. Nuggets (45 wins)

2003

Dallas (60 wins) v. Blazers (50 wins)

2000

Utah (55 wins) v. Wolves (50 wins)

The point is simply that this year in the West has been so tough, that these 2 incredibly great teams have to play each other in the first round...how in the world do you pick that series? Shouldn't that basically be the Western Conference Championship? At least the Semi-Finals right? It is going to be fun, and going to be bitterly physical, and you should expect to see some hard fouls going on on each side. Sucks to be the official of this series.

And here is an interesting point about this year...look at the East 1 v. 8 matchup versus the West 1 v. 8 matchup

East

Celtics (66 wins) v. Hawks (37 wins)--That is a TWENTY-NINE game difference

West

Lakers (57 wins) v. Nuggets (50 wins)

Just notice, there is even a 13 game difference between the two 8 seeds...There is a bigger difference between the 2 8 seeds than there is between the 1 and the 8 seed in the West. That seems really really fair.

Picks coming up very shortly.

T-Mac no superstar

If you ask Tracy McGrady about consistently losing in the playoffs, you get a response like the one he gave yesterday..."I'm not out there by myself. That's what I tell people. Don't single me out."

He never seems to want to take charge and be the man. If the Rockets lose in the first round, and they will, of course it is not his fault alone. We all know that. But show me one other 'superstar' who doesn't take the fall...Oh, you can't.

Even a team like the Celtics, or Spurs. There are 3 'superstars' on each of those teams, and when they win, all 3 of them say it is because the other 2 and the role players. When they lose, they personally take the blame. I don't think if the Celtics lose that KG will be saying, "Don't look at me, not my fault!"

But for some reason, Tracy refuses to take that kind of weight on his shoulders. So once again, just more proof that he will never, ever be a superstar in this league.

I'm getting a headache

Think the Western Conference playoff picture isn't confusing? Well...you are a lot smarter than me...Here is how espn.com breaks it down:

NBA Playoff Seeding Scenarios
Current playoff seeds
Western Conference
Lakers
Locked in as the No. 1 seed
Hornets
Locked in as the No. 2 seed
Spurs
No. 3 seed with win; No. 4 with loss and PHX loss; No. 5 with a loss, a HOU loss and PHX win: No. 6 with a loss, HOU win and PHX win
Jazz
No. 3 seed with win; No. 4 seed with loss
Rockets
No. 5 seed with win or PHX loss; No. 6 with a loss and PHX win
Suns
No. 4 seed with win and SA loss; No. 5 with win, SA win and HOU loss, No. 6 with loss
Mavericks
No. 7 seed with win or DEN loss; No. 8 with loss and DEN win
Nuggets
No. 7 seed with a win and a DAL loss; No. 8 with loss or DAL win
Here's another way to look at it:
HOUSTON-PHOENIX-UTAH-SAN ANTONIO (Seeds 3 to 6)(Higher Seeded team has homecourt in first round unless otherwise indicated)
If Houston and San Antonio win:3-San Antonio4-Utah5-Houston (homecourt)6-Phoenix
If Houston, Utah and Phoenix win:3-Utah4-Phoenix5-Houston (homecourt)6-San Antonio
If Utah wins and Phoenix loses:3-Utah4-San Antonio5-Houston6-Phoenix
If San Antonio and Phoenix wins and Houston loses:3-San Antonio4-Utah5-Phoenix (homecourt)6-Houston
If San Antonio wins and Houston and Phoenix lose:3-San Antonio4-Utah5-Houston6-Phoenix
If Utah and Phoenix wins and Houston loses:3-Utah4-Phoenix5-San Antonio6-Houston
DALLAS-DENVER (Seeds 7 to 8)
If Dallas wins or Denver loses:7-Dallas8-Denver
If Denver wins AND Dallas loses:7-Denver8-Dallas

Possibly the greatest video ever to come out of Vegas

We have all been there...and either been annoyed or intrigued by the super cool immigrants forcing hooker trading cards on you. Well, this guy was clearly annoyed.
Check it out...

Can any of the 'Texas Triangle' get out of the First Round?

The 'Texas Triangle' has been a much feared basketball phenomenon for many years now. Teams hate having to play any of these three teams. But this year, something just feels a little different.


The most exciting of the three, the Rockets, arguably have no chance to get out of the first round without the 7'6'' Chinese fella.



The Mavs, coming off a 65 win season, have been incredibly disappointing most of the season, but arguably have the best shot of getting out of the first round, if they can hold on to the 7 seed, and the Hornets stay in the 2.



The Spurs....basically have no shot of ever winning a basketball game again. And if you were to ask me why, I would have no earthly idea. The talent is there, they just can't win. And I am really sick of the, "their really old" argument. Because, they really aren't. Timmy is 31, Manu is 30, and Tony is like, 14 or something. Sure, they have some older role players, but Mike Finley doesn't have to be a young man to stand there and make open jump shots. So I just don't buy that argument.



The only thing I can come up with is a total and complete lack of focus and interest. Because if you will take a look, you will see in all the recent games against good teams that they have lost, from pretty much March til now, you will notice a trend. They come out strong, play great and with lots of intensity, and are winning at the end of the first half, or its a very close game. (Like tied against the Lakers, up on the Suns by a couple I think, beating the Celtics by 22 at the end of the first quarter and 10 at the end of the half, etc...) But then, something switches off...like they think everyone is just going to roll over and die because they are the World Champs.



Well, they better get out of that habit real quick! Like starting Wednesday night against Utah. Because they should want nothing to do with the Suns or the Jazz in the first round...Because, even as a Spurs fan, I would have to seriously consider whether they could win those series.

LC for President

Again, I watch "The Hills," but seriously...LC has been invited to the Correspondent's Dinner at the White House. Come on!! Really? Look, its a great show, but really? I mean...really? LC is a reality tv star! It seems to me this dinner is for writers from the Times to go and get a chance to make fun of the President, or for real movie stars like Tom Hanks to go hang out with politicians.

But this is an Orange County, pretty rich girl who got her life on tv. That does not actually make her an appropriate guest at this political dinner does it? Well, I don't think so.

The Joker freaks people out

News on "The Dark Knight." As early screenings have occurred across the country, there have been a few overly sensitive people complianing about a couple of scenes from the film. There will be NO spoilers here, because I refuse to read spoilers about this movie...I am way too excited to read spoilers for it.

But anyway, there is/are scene(s) in which The Joker fakes dead and is in a body bag, which apparently freaked some people out. Now, don't get me wrong, the passing of Heath Ledger is one of the saddest things of the year so far, but this is going to be his masterpiece, let's not remove any of it...let's see it the way he played it. I really believe that removing it would be just pandering to over sensitive people, and I hope that Warner Bros. doesn't do it.

This is going to be one of the best movies of the year, and all early reports only confirm that...so let's enjoy Heath's last great work.

Spurs sucky; Astros suckier

So it was not a good night for me as a sports fan last night. The Spurs basically stayed in the locker room at halftime, and the Astros bullpen still can't keep them in games.

Starting with the Spurs. My thoughts are that this team has all the talent and ability it needs, and it has plenty of heart too...but for some reason, the intensity is just not there. And I don't know why. I do think that it was a much bigger deal for the Suns to win that game than for the Spurs, the Suns have a lot to prove, the Spurs basically have nothing to prove to anyone...but still...don't let someone come on your home floor a week before the playoffs and totally dominate you!

And I am sorry, but if Amare wants me to believe that he set a screen on Bruce Bowen and Bruce stuck his forearm out to get around him, and that hurt the 7 foot jacked ass dude...I just don't...grow up.

But back to the Spurs...what is with Manu? He just looks terrible, and has for about the past 3 weeks. I don't really know what's going on, but he needs to figure it out real fast. The first half was so exciting and so entertaining, and then for some reason in the second half, the Spurs just stopped doing the things that they were doing right. Tony was getting to the rim at will, and then just didn't even try to in the second. Timmy was getting his points, whether Shaq or Amare was covering him, and then just started throwing up terrible shots in the second half. Then the Spurs get Shaq AND Amare in foul trouble, and the Suns totally go off...that just doesn't make sense. Play with a little fire guys...let's get a repeat!!

As for the Astros. Again, the bullpen was awful. No, Sampson was not wonderful last night, but he was good enough to win. But every time the offense tried to get them back in it...the pen would give up some runs! We just can not have that if we are going to win games! That needs to be fixed and fixed fast!

Oh yeah, Brandon Backe, we love you...but stop trying to pick fights with Prince Albert...you are just pissing him off. Hence, the 2 bombs last night!!

Brian Davis very happy today

Deandre Jordan says that he is going to head to the NBA...and apparently, there is a market for a 19 year old kid who has no idea what is going on on a basketball court. Far be it from me to tell someone they can't have their pay day, but really? There is a market for Deandre Jordan?

Oh well, I know that Brian Davis is thrilled! I am looking for verifiable proof of the statement, but can't find anything, but that's ok...I am not exactly what you would call a "journalist," so I will just say what I heard. And I heard that Brian Davis thought this team would be much better without Jordan than they were with him. And frankly...he is 110% right! See ya Deandre...hope you will listen to your coach in the NBA, if someone really drafts you.

Bullpen troubles

So I just think it is important to point out that the Astros are not good...but why? You would assume it is because the starting pitching is not good...Well, you would be wrong...

1 Oswalt 5.1 innings, 3 earned

2 Backe 5 innings, 2 earned

3 Wandy 5 innings, 4 earned

4 Chacon 6 innings, 2 earned

5 Sampson 6.2 innings, 2 earned

6 Oswalt 6.2 innings, 5 earned

7 Backe 6 innings, 2 earned

8 Wandy 7.1 innings, 0 earned

9 Chacon 6 innings, 3 earned

That goes for a 3.83 starting staff ERA...that should win you a TON of games!!

I am not going to go throught he entire bullpen, but let's see their ERA...5.73!! That is a huge huge problem!!

Stop the Presses!!!

LC and Heidi together again!?? Could it be true? You know, often in the past years of "The Hills," I have not been on Team Heidi, but I have to say, with this situation, I actually am on Team Heidi. I think that LC is just petty and needs to get over herself. Heidi is a pretty decent person, and in many ways LC is just not. She is often mean and very vindictive for no apparent reason.

Now, of course, Heidi spent a little too much time with Spencer over the past couple years, but I think that she figured out that she needed to get back with her friends. And it has been enough time, let it go LC...grow up.
See the post from Perez...

We share a birthday!

New scene from Hillary Duff in a movie, "War" with John Cusack. Hot or not? I am not sure which...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4517989580141491403

Tejada already hates the Astros

So that didn't take long. Miggy is already questioning his new coach publicly. Not to say that he doesn't have a good point, because he does, but publicly? After 7 games? I do wonder about that.

Basically, the Astros were in a tie game late yesterday in Chicago, and Derrick Lee comes up to the plate, who is a great hitter. Well, new manager Cecil Cooper thought it would be a good idea to be aggressive and go get Lee. Yeah, that didn't work out so well, and the Astros lost 3-2.

Now, I think that it is our place as fans to question that, because it probably was pretty stupid. (In the interest of full disclosure, I didn't watch the game, so my opinion is only based on what I read and see secondhand) But I am not sure how I feel about a player PUBLICLY questioning his manager when he has only been on this team for 7 days. We aren't talking about Jeff Bagwell questioning his manager here. We are talking about a brand new player who probably should have just kept his mouth shut! Especially considering, wasn't this the same guy who tried to stretch a single into a double late in a game and got thrown out when we needed baserunners?

Just a thought...

And on a side note...how bad is the Astros offense looking? If you would have told me last Sunday that the Astros would be 2-5, I would have assumed that we lost 5 games 9-7, but that has not been the case at all! The starting pitchers, other than Roy, have been outstanding! So let's hope that keeps up, because the bats will come around!

"Leatherheads" typical Clooney movie

So I went and saw "Leatherheads" this weekend. I guess I don't really know what I was expecting, but I got a typical George Clooney movie. He was good, the kid from "The Office" was ok, but not very funny. The movie was a little slow, and kind of pointless, and it wasn't even as fun as I thought it would be.

It was worth seeing, but maybe I had too high of expectations or something, because I wasn't too totally impressed. You know, it's not like the "Ocean's" movies are all time classics or anything, but at least they are a lot of fun, and you can see that just from the way the cast interacts with each other. I didn't feel that all the time here. I liked the way that Clooney and Renee Zellweger interacted, but as for the football team, it was only ok.

And I guess this isn't really a raving review, but seriously, it was ok and worth seeing for sure! I guess I was just expecting more.

Jumping high is hard

Do not watch this if you are in class and are prone to laughing out loud.

http://www.withleather.com/post.phtml?pk=5443

More stupid college football players

Well, at least this dude was in his car alone...But this dude clearly does not get that no means no, and there were cameras running to catch it. Real smart dude.

http://www.withleather.com/post.phtml?pk=5450

Pee-Wee goes to college

How awesome is this! So let me set the scene...Hot chick jogging near her college campus, dude sitting in a car staring at her...and he is rubbing one out! AND SHE SEES HIM! How freaking awesome is that!

I mean, dude can't even wait til he gets home? And the story gets even better with the fact that he is a football player at UMass. Now, I am not going to say that is a great football powerhouse or anything, but can't most all football players at a D 1 school get almost any chick they want? Why is this kid jerking off in his car?

Story here: http://media.www.dailycollegian.com/media/storage/paper874/news/2008/04/02/News/Umass.Student.Arrested.For.Lewd.Behavior-3296320.shtml

Dirk still a wuss

So the word is that Dirk Nowitzki may be able to come back a little sooner than expected for the Dallas Mavericks. However, after morning shoot around today in preparation for their HUGE game tonight against the Golden State Warriors, Dirk declared himself unable to play.

"I've got to be pain-free. If I can't move out there and cut and try to defend and move my feet, it really doesn't make any sense to try to get out there," Nowitzki said.

Pain free? In the NBA? In April? With your team about to fall out of the playoff race? Just another example of Dirk being the biggest baby in the history of the NBA. Well, other than "Big Baby" Davis...because...he's really fat.

T-Mac still not a superstar

Once again, a chance for Tracy to make a game winner that just flies right on by with disappointment. Would Kobe have missed that shot? Even Manu Ginobili has made a number of game winners this season. The reason, those guys are actually pretty great. T-Mac is just your basic, run of the mill good player. Nothing more!

Let's Brawl!

So I heard this story today from one of my wonderful classmates, thanks DND, and I wanted to do a little more digging. Basically what we have here is a group of THIRD GRADERS who don't like their teacher and decided, ah...what the heck...let's just kill her!

"A plan had been developed amongst several of our third-grade students to allegedly do harm to their teacher," said Theresa Martin, of Ware County Schools. "It's shocking that they would think of this at their young age. I think that is probably the most shocking part for all of us," Martin said.

That got us thinking at lunch today though. I mean, they are just 8 year olds...how many could you take before they finally got you? Now, understand that at least one of these kids is brandishing a knife, but maybe you don't know which one! How many could you take down? Especially if you were in a corner or something and no one could sneak up on you and shank you while you weren't looking, couldn't you take like millions of them on?

Picture of Kyra Gracie--some sort of bad ass fighter with her own camp called "Gracie Camp"

Yeah, I watch "The Hills," what of it?

I don't really know the rules of the google posts, so I will be careful with what I post, but before the new season of "The Hills" got started, my favorite blogger, Tyler Durden, got ahold of some incredible pictures of Audrina. If you haven't seen them...you should.

http://www.wwtdd.com/post.phtml?pk=3694 (Totally NSFS)