haveballs.net - Have Balls!!

Planning application approved by Trafford

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:52:00 +0000

Trafford Council's planning committee has approved the application to redevelop Old Trafford cricket ground and the surrounding area.

Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters win Laureus World Sports Awards

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:30:00 +0000

The Laureus World Sports Academy recognized tennis stars Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters to be among the most successful athletes of the past year, naming them winners of the prestigious Laureaus Sports Awards at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The world No.1 Williams won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award, while the Laureus Comeback of the Year Award went into the hands of Kim Clijsters. Williams has won her third Laureus Award and second in the same category, following her impressive 2009 Grand Slam successes, that is her victories at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Clijsters owes her award to her amazing run at the 2009 US Open, when she won the title while playing only her third tournament after a two-year absence. (via On the Baseline)

if only we played in atlantic div

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:59:00 +0000

we play in the toughest conference, toughest division, with the most improved team after the all-star break (dallas), with most great talents in the past 3 years drafts going to the west; and we have an injured all-star point guard to top the list.

i am happy with the spurs - just in certain moments, i wish we played on the east coast, in a division with toronto, phili, new york and new jersey. honestly, if we switch boston and san antonio this season, wouldn't our record be 42-21? not have to worry about making the playoffs; giving timmy and manu enough time to recover for the play-offs; playing 1st round at home and worrying only about the cavs and orlando.

regardless, i am happy that our team does not suck as bad as most teams and with the big 3 running at full steam, we can have a shot at the championship this year.

/vent

Post Game Quotes (Knicks Game)

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:49:00 +0000

Post Game Quotes

Gregg Popovich

On Malik Hairston - I was very happy (with his game). He came out and competed on every play on both ends of the court. He showed good awareness and did a good job. Hes getting better and hes getting more and more comfortable. Tonight he helped us win a basketball game.

On the defense - We held them to 18 less than they usually score. Im pretty happy with that.

Malik Hairston

On defending Danilo - Just defend him. He is a good player and very talented but I have to try not to be super physical and get into one of those kind of matches but at the same time use my quickness and length.

On Danilos over the head shot - Oh yeah. I thought it was pretty good defense but he tried to put me on Sportscenter. It was a pretty good shot.

On his playing time tonight - I definitely appreciated the trust that Coach Pop has in me. It was great to be out there and compete. I have to be smart, aggressive, listen to the calls, execute and if the opportunities are there be aggressive with the basketball and defend aggressively.
You never really know because you have to always stay ready. I have to keep learning as the season progresses and whenever I get an opportunity be prepared.

Keith Bogans

On tonights game - It was a tough game; they kept scrapping and never gave up. We made turnovers coming down the stretch and didnt make shots but we still hung in there and pulled it out.

On the defensive effort tonight - I dont think Coach Pop is ever going to be pleased with defense because we can always get better. We are going to continue to work at that and keep trying to get better every night.

When the Knicks closed the gap in the fourth quarter - We were in that situation the other night at Cleveland. It was a close game and we didnt make plays coming down the stretch. Tonight we made those plays and learned from the other night in Cleveland.

On Manu Ginobilis offensive effort - I always feel that way when Manu comes out, he is such a good offensive player. We just sit back and I find myself watching him out there sometimes he is fun to watch.

Mike DAntoni

On the second half - We picked up the tempo and pushed the ball. I feel like we gave ourselves a chance to win. I think our defense was good throughout the entire game. We really have to make our shots to beat a team like the Spurs and tonight we didnt do it.

On team play - It's hard to second guess a player. Tonight we all had opportunities to get the job done but we were reckless and didnt play well which compromised the game. We were able to step up during the second half and we were given our opportunities tonight but as I mentioned we just didnt do it.

On Manu Ginobili - Ginobili is good. Hes just as good as he is sharp. When its on the line and hes coming at you its very difficult to stop.

On tonights match-up - When you play against a team like the Spurs you know its going to be tough. I think we played hard and competed. The Spurs really didnt play well tonight but we competed. These are games we want to be in. We want to be competitive in every game and we want to win some. We need to compete in every play and put ourselves in a position to win. Win or not we better be competing.

Eddy Curry

On his right calf pain that made him not play in tonights game - I first felt it four days ago as it was just one of those things. It felt similar to training camp and we just dont want to push it if its going to have the same kind of outcome. Its pretty much just going to be game by game. Im going to see if I can get it warmed up, see if we can massage it to get it better but well see what happens.

On if the injury is in the same area as the one that occurred in training camp - No, the injury moved to a different spot on the outside. Ive just been overworking it, overcompensating because of the knee injury but right now were just not going to let anything crazy happen and just take it game by game.

On if he will practice tomorrow - Yeah I will definitely go early as always, try to loosen it up, get up and down a little bit and see how it is.

Toney Douglas

On the Knicks defensive performance in the second half - I love defense so it was fun for me picking up and messing with the ball handlers and bringing the ball up and not letting them get into their place easily and make them feel uncomfortable. We got into a rhythm defensively and on the offensive end I was just trying to push it so we could get easy buckets and catch back up.

On taking advantage of mismatches on the defensive end - They had some mismatches at times with Duncan but for us I know at times I had to fake to get them out of rhythm and to get steals. I thought we did pretty good coming back but we just waited too late in the second half. If we start from the game from jump, well be just fine.

On what it takes to catch up - Yeah we were catching up and they hit a three and that just did it for us. But we have to keep our motor going and if Im in the game Im going to try to start it on the defensive end.

Ahhh Dallas...i see what you did there.

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:43:00 +0000

ahh you fuckers....You motherfuckers are tanking games so you can stay the 2nd seed to play the Spurs.

smart move! I hope it backfires on your asses and the Spurs slip to the 8th seed so we can play against them!

You'll see!

15mil a year for some rebounds?...

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:25:00 +0000

What the fuck is wrong with this pussy? At least he is contributing in some regard now, but I don't think the FO was trying to pay him 15mil a year just to pull down some rebounds. This dude is gonna get a serious pay cut after next year. And yeah i'm talking about princess peanut.

McDonald: Ginobili's surge continues in Spurs' win

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:07:00 +0000

Ginobili's surge continues in Spurs' win
Jeff McDonald

Manu Ginobili doesn't presume to know what it's like to be Tracy McGrady.

Ginobili has had injuries, but not a knee injury. He's had surgery, but not microfracture. He's missed months, but not an entire season.

Still, after watching McGrady feel his way around the AT&T Center in a New York Knicks jersey Wednesday night, during what became a 97-87 Spurs victory, Ginobili could sympathize with what McGrady was going through.

This is what it looks like when a former star is just trying to be a basketball player again.

He's coming from a way worse situation than me, Ginobili said. It's not an easy spot to be.

The same McGrady who once scored 13 points in 33 seconds against the Spurs managed only six in 25 minutes Wednesday. If McGrady could take anything out of his 10th game of the season, it is this: People once wondered whether Ginobili could ever be Ginobili again, too.

As he was in a loss in Cleveland on Monday, Ginobili was brilliant against the Knicks, pacing a Spurs offense missing injured point guard Tony Parker. Making his second straight start, he scored 28 points, with six rebounds and five assists and pushed the Spurs to a victory that only seemed difficult to come by.

Facing a Knicks team that would clinch a franchise-record ninth consecutive losing season, the Spurs (37-25) led from wire-to-wire, and by as many as 15.

When the Spurs tried to give the game away in the third quarter going the final 5:35 without a field goal, a drought that bled into the fourth New York (22-42) refused to take it.

The stabilizing force was Ginobili, coming off a season-high 38 points against the Cavaliers. When he wasn't crossing over a defender on the way to the rim, he was hitting floaters or finding Malik Hairston, who played the entire fourth quarter, for a key 16-footer.

Had Ginobili not missed a pair of free throws late in the fourth, he would have logged his first back-to-back 30-point games since February 2008.

The Spurs' bench misses this Ginobili. The reserves accounted for 16 points Wednesday, with Richard Jefferson and Roger Mason Jr. combining for zero.

In the last two games I scored a lot, Ginobili said. Some others, I'll score less, try to create for others. It depends on how opponents guard you.

When Ginobili is rolling like this, teammate Keith Bogans said, you just ride the wave.

You sit back and just find yourself watching him, said Bogans, who chipped in 13 points. He's fun to watch.

Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni remembers this Ginobili from his days coaching in Phoenix.

When it's on the line and he's coming at you, it's very difficult to stop, D'Antoni said.

If the Spurs had their way, D'Antoni wouldn't have seen Ginobili the game-closer Wednesday.

They seemed to have the game in hand midway through the third, before getting sloppy. Five turnovers in six possessions helped fuel the Knicks' rally, and when Danilo Gallinari went to the foul line for two shots with 3:58, it was with a chance to tie.

Gallinari made only one, leaving the Spurs ahead 83-82. Ginobili answered with a shot-put floater, then found Hairston for a jumper, then salvaged a broken possession by throwing in a 3-pointer.

After missing the end of last season with a fractured fibula, people wondered whether the Ginobili of the past two games would ever surface again. Now, the only question around Ginobili is how quickly the Spurs can extend his contract.

He looks like the old Manu, Tim Duncan said. It's great to see.

If McGrady were paying attention from his spot on the bench, where he spent all but 61/2 minutes of the second half, he'd think the same.

A 32-year-old Ginobili, looking like a star again, looks to be his best-case scenario.

*********************

Slideshow.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/NY_Knick..._97.html?c=n#1

Monroe: Spurs Notebook: Spurs' Hairston relishes opportunity

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:05:00 +0000

Spurs' Hairston relishes opportunity
Mike Monroe

Called up from the NBA's D-League Austin Toros because Michael Finley no longer wanted a spot on the Spurs' bench, Malik Hairston on Wednesday made a bigger contribution than Finley had in months.

Playing every second of the fourth quarter in the Spurs' 97-87 victory over the New York Knicks at the AT&T Center, the second-year swingman from Oregon scored four points, grabbed three rebounds, blocked one shot and made one of the game's pivotal baskets.

Hairston hadn't attempted a crunch-time perimeter shot outside of the D-League all season, but he never hesitated when he found himself wide open with 3:04 left and the Spurs leading, 85-82. His perfect 18-foot jumper was one of the key makes of the Spurs' 14-5 run to close out the game.

I thought he came out and competed on every play, at both ends of the court, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. He showed a good awareness, and did a good job.

Popovich's praise was music to Hairston's ears.

On this team, and in this situation, it's hard to ever be surprised when you get thrown in there, Hairston said, but I definitely appreciate the trust that he's showing in me. It was great to be out there and compete down to the wire with those guys.

Hairston's teammates appreciated what he gave them Wednesday.

Malik got his opportunity today and took advantage of it, forward Keith Bogans said. That's what young guys like him are supposed to do, and everybody's proud of him that he came in and gave us some big shots and big rebounds and a block.

Hairston doesn't know if his outing Wednesday will earn more time in future games, but his approach won't change.

Just staying ready has been my thing, and learning as the season progresses, he said. Just be prepared.

Dubious distinction: Spurs forward Richard Jefferson was scoreless in nearly 18 minutes Wednesday, taking only two shots and missing both. It was the first time in more than four years Jefferson was held without a point. He last went scoreless on Jan. 8, 2006, when he played only two minutes for the Nets before suffering an injury and leaving the game.

But his night wasn't a total bust, as he had seven rebounds and a block.

Welcome relief: The newest Spurs player was happy to arrive in San Antonio on Wednesday, and not just because he immediately was enjoyed all the perquisites of an NBA player, including a spiffy locker Finley's recently vacated space in the team room.

Cedric Jackson, a 6-foot-3 point guard who had been playing for the Erie, Pa., BayHawks, signed a 10-day contract Wednesday morning, went through the team's morning shootaround, then suited up against the Knicks.

It's a lot warmer here than it was where I came from, he said.

Jackson had a brief stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this year. In 30 games with the BayHawks, Jackson averaged 15.8 points, 7.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 32.7 minutes.

*********************

Slideshow.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/NY_Knick..._97.html?c=n#1

We shouldn't have healthcare at all...

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:01:00 +0000

...we should just let God heal us.

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148474

Ok, you go first, Republicans. Then I'll follow... but probably not.

Beaubois Back On the Pine Soon

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:46:00 +0000

Kidd playing 44 minutes pretty much guarantees that Carlisle doesn't trust Beaubois as a point guard. With Terry and Barea coming back, expect Beaubois back on the pine. Carlisle practically downplays all of Beaubois' success. It is so annoying that Barea is going to be playing again. :bang

hey, whats up man!

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:43:00 +0000

Good to hear from you man

:lmao

Pissa Hut Pissa?

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:42:00 +0000

Does that Robert Horry commercial annoy anyone else?

Title Contenders Record against each other

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:41:00 +0000

I define Title Contenders thusly:

Favorites: LA, Cleveland

Second-Tier: Orlando, Denver, Dallas

Darkhorses: Atlanta, Boston, Utah

These are their records when they play against each other:

Denver: 11-4
Cleveland: 9-6
Orlando: 9-7
Dallas: 8-7
Atlanta: 8-8
LA: 8-9
Utah: 6-11
Boston: 4-11

Players can find CBA "Trump Card" Overseas

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:35:00 +0000

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...card_overseas/

The NBA holds a trump card in potentially locking out the players if they are unable to agree on terms of a new collective bargaining agreement. Many NBA players would be unable to withstand a work stoppage due to how their expenses are arranged.

The players are without a similar trump card unless they present a collective front for several superstars to play overseas.

Derek Fisher, president of the players association, said the union isnt thinking in those terms yet.

Its a long way away, said Fisher on Tuesday. I cant speak for what guys might do individually, but well have some things planned some things well need to fall back on if things go a certain way. Right now were trying to stay focused on the positives and take advantage of there being a year and a half before we get down to doomsday.

Marquee players could head to Europe's well-established teams, but one agent sees China as a potential wild card.

Bernie Lee, who represents John Lucas III of the Shanghai Sharks, envisions the Chinese Basketball Association joining together with shoe companies to create a viable business model to attract premier NBA players.

Youd have guys making huge money, and open up marketing opportunities that just dont exist in North America anymore, he said. I cant imagine what would happen if you put Dwyane Wade in Beijing or Chris Bosh in Shanghai the opportunities would be endless.

The club forum has improved.

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:21:00 +0000

I mean truly. Who gives a f* what i think.

But i noticed that this forum has been producing some noteworthy topics.

And it all correlates to I Hustle, and Koriwhat posting less while at the same time Zosa getting sperm caked on his face on a daily basis.

Like i said, i have nothing against I Hustle. But if he posts less, this place don't suck.

Spurs FO--Give Ginobili an extension now or he is gone!

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:43:00 +0000

How I see it Ginobili is back to his allstar caliber. Now that Tony is out for a while, and will have only a few games before the playoffs, i think this maybe the last year we see the big three together. If we dont sign Manu now, some team will offer him a lot more than the Spurs will, and that will be the end of the Big Three and any hope for another championship. Granted we have two good players in Hill and Blair, and a bust in RJ, we need the big three to actually contend in the playoffs. What do you guy think?

sons happy birthday to the best point guard in San Antonio!

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:42:00 +0000

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY HAMMON!!!

sons March 11th is Becky's 33rd birthday and just like fine wine, she only gets better with age! oh and that is on and off the court! Not only is this woman a true baller on the floor, but she is also a beautiful lady and wonderful person! Since arriving in San Antonio, Becky's numbers have done nothing but skyrocket and she has set new career high's. She has also sparked tons of new interest in women's basketball in Texas (and around the world) that wasn't there before her arrival.

Becky is clearly the best point guard in the WNBA, in San Antonio history, and arguably in all of Texas's history as well. A 6 time all star and 1st team all-WNBA, her numbers speak for themselves. If only she had the supporting cast that Tony Parker has been blessed to have, then the Silver Stars would be shooting towards their 4th consecutive WNBA championship this year. I decided to show stats comparing Becky and Parker's numbers over the last 3 seasons. Now of course the WNBA season is much shorter than the NBA's season, so Tony has a bit of an advantage, but as you can see ... Becky owns. Oh and even with Parker's injury he still played in more games. Below is both of their averages over the last 3 seasons and the leaders numbers are in bold.

Becky Hammon
PPG: 18.6
FG%: .427
3P%: .374
FT%: .923
AST: 5.0
TRB: 3.0
STL: 1.2
BLK: 0.3

Tony Parker
PPG: 19.1
FG%: .497
3P%: .283 (LOL)
FT%: .754
AST: 6.2 (must be nice having Duncan)
TRB: 2.9 (LOL)
STL: 0.7
BLK: 0.1 (LOL)

sons as a tribute to Becky Hammon, I have posted some of her best moments on the floor below. also sons if you want to hate or make a joke of this, then don't bother. This is not the place for sexist comments. This is a thread to simply wish mah Becky a happy birthday and show appreciation for her being an outstanding baller. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY!!!

Drains the LONG 3!!! (sons Peja wouldn't have even hit the rim on this)

Trick hop layup!

Becky with the gangsta slap! not in her house!!!

Becky with the windmill circus shot

and the foul!

Awesome highlight video

Nady Might Not Be at Full Strength Until June

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:03:00 +0000

Xavier Nady made his spring debut on Wednesday as the Cubs' DH. Nady finished the game 1-for-2 with a walk. The Cubs' projected fourth outfielder can hit but might not be able to throw at full strength until June. Nady is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery.

According to a report from ESPN Chicago, Xavier Nady "will still be able to play with his arm at less than 100 percent." Nady is currently throwing at 120 feet.

The Cubs will "simply have to make some defensive adjustments, moving the cutoff men back to compensate" according to a report from Cubs.com.

Every tournament between now and Augusta readies for Tiger

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:02:00 +0000

Nobody knows when Tiger will return, but every tournament between now and Augusta is getting ready, just in case they draw the golden ticket.

Amid reports that Woods has been spotted working with swing coach Hank Haney, tournament organizers are scrambling to prepare for a media onslaught unlike any they've ever seen before. And while we don't know if Tiger will return at Bay Hill in a couple weeks, or at the Transitions or Houston Open -- or, indeed, if he'll return at all anytime soon -- planners have to get ready for the possibility.

"Historically, he hasnt played the week before the Masters," Steve Timms, tournament director of the Houston Open, told Golfweek. "But these are unusual times. Were prepared from a security and media standpoint. Weve been watching the media closely, and weve had some weird [credential requests]." One can only guess what those requests might be.

It's a dicey situation for the tournaments. On one hand, they don't want to let in every sleazoid gossip rag and risk offending both Woods and the PGA Tour.

On the other, they're in business to get exposure for themselves and their sponsors, and they'd have the world's eyes on them if Woods returns.

So everybody's making preparations, spending more money and time to allot extra space and security for media. (Augusta, which wouldn't let the President in if it didn't feel like it, is making no such alterations to its normal routine.)

Of course, Tiger could make things much easier on everybody by not pulling his usual routine of waiting until the last second to register for tournaments.

His management team has hinted that he'll give more notice this time, which would sure be nice.

Zambrano Zlammed in Second Spring Start - Cubs 1 Giants 5

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:26:00 +0000

Game Six - Cubs 1 Giants 5
WP - Jonathan Sanchez (1-0) LP - Carlos Zambrano (0-1) Save - None

Lou Piniella's crew lost their second game in a row after a bad third inning from Carlos Zambrano on Wednesday afternoon. Zambrano breezed through his first two innings of work. He retired all six of the seven batters he faced on just 14 pitches, 11 for strikes ... then the third inning happened.

Zambrano allowed the first three Giants hitters to reach in the third. Aaron Rowand loaded the bases with a bloop single to right on the ninth pitch of the at bat. Zambrano then hit Eugenio Velez to force in the first run of the game.

With the bases loaded and no outs, Pablo Sandoval hit a 2-0 pitch from Zambrano over the wall in right. Sandoval's grand slam capped the five-run third inning.

The Giants batted around against Zambrano in the third but Z was able to induce a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Juan Uribe to end the inning.

In three innings, Carlos Zambrano allowed five runs on six hits with a walk, a strikeout and a hit a batter.

The Cubs' pen did not allow the Giants to tack on over the final six innings.

The Cubs out-hit the Giants, 9-7, but managed just one run. Aramis Ramirez drove in pinch runner Micah Hoffpauir with a double in the fourth.

With the loss the Cubs slipped to .500 on the spring with three wins and three losses.

Fourteen wedges

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:48:00 +0000

Has anyone used or heard of these wedges? I just bought two of them they are Mt28v2 models and was wondering if anyone has any info on these wedges and if they are worth buying ... Yes yes i should have asked before i bought them but ! :tongued: I got two of them a 53 and 58 for 89$ total.

California Starlets

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:03:00 +0000

The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., features one of the strongest draws on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour outside of the Majors. Seventeen of the top 20 players are there, the exceptions being the Williams sisters and Dinara Safina.

This year’s tournament also has seven former champions in the field: Daniela Hantuchova (2002 and 2007), Kim Clijsters (2003 and 2005), Justine Henin (2004), Maria Sharapova (2006), Ana Ivanovic (2008) and Vera Zvonareva (2009).

The top seed, Svetlana Kuznetsova, has had her share of success at the tournament as well, making the finals in 2007 and 2008. There are plenty of dangerous players in her quarter of the draw determined not to see that happen again with either recent Malaysian Open champ Alisa Kleybanova or two-time Indian Wells winner Clijsters as a potential fourth-round opponent. In the bottom half of that quarter, hard-court standouts Flavia Pennetta and Jelena Jankovic are looking for their first titles of the year and could both make a deep run here.

Caroline Wozniacki, the second seed from Denmark, hasn’t sustained the momentum from last year’s U.S. Open run to the finals, but did reach a career-high ranking of three this year. Na Li—who has beaten her twice this year—looms as a possible quarterfinal opponent. Neither of them have easy paths ahead, though: Wozniacki could see Maria Kirilenko, Alona Bondarenko or Nadia Petrova early on, while Li’s most dangerous early-round opponent would have to be three-time Grand Slam winner and former BNP Paribas Open champ Sharapova.

Speaking of former Indian Wells champs, they appear to have congregated in third-seed Victoria Azarenka’s quarter as Hantuchova, Ivanovic and Zvonareva stand in her path to the title. Veteran Elena Dementieva, the fourth seed, hasn’t won here before but did make the finals in 2006 and has won two titles already in 2010. Big-hitting youngsters Agnieszka Radwanska, Aravene Rezai and Sabine Lisicki, as well as stylish veterans Francesca Schiavone and Marion Bartoli, look to win their first Premier Mandatory event at Dementieva’s expense.

Suffice it to say, former champs, up-and-comers and dangerous floaters make the draw at the BNP Paribas Open a star-studded affair and promise an even hotter time in the desert.

Who do you think will win the 2010 BNP Paribas Open women’s title? Leave a comment or send a reply on Twitter to @OnTheBaseline!

Van Sias publishes the blog, Tennis Talk, Anyone, which takes a look at all aspects of the professional and amateur game.

On the Baseline’s live coverage of the 2010 BNP Paribas Open is brought to you by Grand Slam Tennis Tours. Become a fan of Grand Slam Tennis Tours on Facebook to enter to win a trip to the US Open!

Hello from Long Island

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:15:00 +0000

Hi There,

I'm a golfer on Long Island and would like to know if there is a section on the forum where I can advertise my online golf analysis company?

Regards,

SwingPlane

Orale Burros!

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:52:00 +0000

I'm going to die soon.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...te-cancer.html

Legendary East L.A. teacher Jaime Escalante battles cancer
March 1, 2010 | 7:50 pm
Jaime Escalante, the legendary Garfield High School math teacher immortalized in the film "Stand and Deliver," is battling cancer.

The news about Escalante, 79, was posted on the Web page of actor Edward James Olmos, who portrayed the educator in the critically acclaimed 1988 movie.

Olmos said Escalante was in serious condition and that his family had run out of money to pay the medical bills.

"The treatment he needs has depleted all the funds his family can raise," Olmos said in the announcement on his website. The family "did not want to ask for help, but we took it upon ourselves to get the word out to all the country and around the world, to make his final days as comfortable as possible -- and maybe even give him a chance to beat the cancer that has afflicted him."

Olmos could not be reached Monday night for comment.

Escalante was born in La Paz, Bolivia. His father and mother were both teachers.

He arrived in Los Angeles in the early 1960s and later landed the job at Garfield High in East Los Angeles. He was able to transform the school's calculus program into one of the top public school programs in the country.
In 1999, Escalante returned to Bolivia to teach math.

"I wanted to do something for my country, like I did something in East L.A. for the barrio," he told The Times in a 1999 interview in Bolivia.

Helin: Barnes, Odom still going at it on twitter

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:47:00 +0000

Barnes, Odom still going at it on twitter
By Kurt Helin

This makes it official -- I want a Lakers/Magic NBA Finals. Only because I want more Lamar Odom and Matt Barnes on the same court as soon as possible.

Let's take you all the way back to Sunday (you remember, you woke up hungover with those stamps on your hand), when after Orlando beat Los Angeles and Barnes was in Kobe Bryant's face, Odom called Barnes "a monkey."

Then Tuesday, Odom kept barking.

"That shit that Matt Barnes pulled," Odom said, "That ain't never going to happen again."

Wednesday morning, Barnes was home (apparently with his kids) when he read the quote and responded on twitter.

"Morning yall up early w/ the babies watchn Dora. Seems Lamar can't keep my name out his mouth maby I need 2 put my sons shitty diaper n it"

Seriously. I want these two back on the same court as soon as possible. Sorry Cavaliers and Mavericks, nothing personal.

Who wants to win more Kobe or Lebron

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:46:00 +0000

I'll say Kobe, just because I've never seen him laugh or joke around when his team is down, or even when their up. He has his game face on, until they win. And he tries harder to win imo.

Lebron on the other hand is just constantly having fun, and doing stupid things on and off the court. He's always smiling and laughing even when it's a close. No killer mentality at all, that's why he is ringless.

House Democrats ban earmarks to corporations

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:39:00 +0000

Quote:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...l/6906374.html

House Democrats ban earmarks to corporations
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press Writer © 2010 The Associated Press
March 10, 2010, 12:26PM

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Print Share Del.icio.usDiggTwitterYahoo! BuzzFacebookStumbleUponWASHINGTON House Democratic leaders announced Wednesday that they will ban the much-criticized practice of using annual spending bills to direct pet projects to for-profit companies that often return the favor with campaign contributions.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, D-Wis., told reporters that he hopes the step will mean 1,000 fewer earmarks and break the linkage between campaign contributions and earmarks that has sparked intense criticism and resulted in ethics probes of several lawmakers.

The election-year step comes after the ethics committee investigated seven members of a Pentagon spending panel for rewarding earmarks to companies whose executives and hired lobbyists showered them with campaign cash. The panel found no linkage and absolved the lawmakers.

The announcement by House Democrats comes as their GOP rivals are weighing giving up so-called earmarks altogether in an appeal to voters frustrated with Washington's free-spending ways.

The subject of earmarks has over the years sparked intense criticism of Congress that's often fueled by wasteful earmarks such as the $200-million-plus "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska that was supposed to connect an island with a population of just 50 or so to the mainland. But among congressional watchdogs the more odious element has been the pay-to-play culture in which campaign cash flows from earmark beneficiaries into the coffers of powerful lawmakers.

"For-profit earmarks are really where the rubber meets the road as far as corruption," said Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a Washington-based watchdog group that has been critical of earmarking.

"Simply because a member sponsors an earmark for an entity that also happens to be a campaign contributor does not, on these two facts alone, support a claim that a member's actions are being influenced by campaign contributions," the ethics panel found.

"It's just ridiculous on its face," Ellis countered

The new moratorium on earmarks to corporations and for-profit companies comes as a series of scandals has hurt Democrats politically. Rep. Charles Rangel was admonished by the ethics committee over corporate-funded trips with more serious charges still pending while the resignation of former Rep. Eric Massa, D-N.Y., after sexual harassment allegations has also harmed the Democrats' political standing.

Chiefly at issue are earmarks that go to companies seeking Pentagon contracts that are funded through the annual defense appropriations bill. Last year's measure contained 1,720 earmarks worth $4.2 billion, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, which constructs a database using disclosures required under rules put in place when Democrats took over Congress.

Ironically, these much-praised disclosure rules made it easier to draw links between contributors and earmarks.

The potential move by Republicans to unilaterally drop earmarks revives a campaign by GOP Leader John Boehner of Ohio to wean his party off earmarks. He lost that fight in 2008 when seeking to win back the House, and most Republicans even some die-hard conservatives ask for earmarks.

Obey says the steps are likely to be a long-term ban and he also announced that the appropriations panel will set up a one-stop link to members' earmark requests instead of requiring them to put them on their own Web sites, where some members still sought to hide them.

Meh, It's a start..

Air Canada learns that hockey trumps flying

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:28:00 +0000

Air Canada learns that hockey trumps flying

Module body

Tue Mar 9, 7:33 PM

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Canada's largest airline has learned it sometimes has to take a back seat to the country's biggest sporting passion, ice hockey, the head of Air Canada said on Tuesday.

The airline was forced to delay a flight from Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games because passengers watching the end of gold medal final on airport televisions ignored repeated calls to board.

"We incurred a flight delay for a reason Air Canada had not yet encountered in over 72 years of existence," chief executive Calin Rovinescu told a business gathering.

The Canadian fans were rewarded for their delay, as the nail-biting end to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics saw Canada beat arch-rival United States 3-2 in overtime.

(Reporting by Nicole Mordant; editing by Andre Grenon)

Sig Bet for Lakers-Suns?

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:24:00 +0000

Any Suns fan up for a sig and avatar bet? Loser puts the winners chosen sig till April 1st?

No trolls will be accepted for this bet.

Xylus will not be accepted either. Last time he turned his sig off and on. :p:

48MoH: Standing still, Richard Jefferson struggles

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:06:00 +0000

Standing still, Richard Jefferson struggles
by Jesse Blanchard

With apologies to Manu Ginobili, when the Spurs acquired Richard Jefferson fans were expecting more than a (sometimes solid) bench player. Starting alongside Duncan and Parker, Jefferson was suppose to help move the Spurs to the top of the standings.

The only movement Jefferson has seen so far this season, however, is his name up and down the lineup card. For much of this season Jefferson has been stationary in the corner, as if he were Bruce Bowen or Sean Elliott before him.

And there are still questions why Jefferson has struggled?

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