tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31230382419450045822024-02-07T07:46:42.661-06:00You Were Just Thinking It...Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-35749780135338032542016-10-24T00:47:00.001-05:002016-10-24T00:47:09.672-05:00AN ODE TO AUNDRIA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOppaEQvui76uCPICnBl1eZmNM10tjRQw_MMUJxlqJt-zNVSisJiUXVdypkx4cOK9n9xxP5uRZVTI1szMzrqQ-oOancgrjXf_rsAc4y0w51Yjj-X4pmy-7VOFBGl5KQOTuFkchAyruuMtg/s1600/full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOppaEQvui76uCPICnBl1eZmNM10tjRQw_MMUJxlqJt-zNVSisJiUXVdypkx4cOK9n9xxP5uRZVTI1szMzrqQ-oOancgrjXf_rsAc4y0w51Yjj-X4pmy-7VOFBGl5KQOTuFkchAyruuMtg/s320/full.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Generally, there are few regrets that I have in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This particular one stands out the most.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I was in the process of moving things from my old wallet
to my new one a few weeks ago, I stop at one picture and take a lengthy glance at it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This particular picture is of my friend Aundria Richardson,
who passed away on Oct. 11, 2007 at 18 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sadly, I remember that night vividly when I got a MySpace message
from a person she was going out with saying that something was wrong and that
she was in the hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I planned to visit her during our fall break at ULM on the
next day, but it was too late as she passed away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gone was a friendship that lasted four years, beginning on a
school bus. A friendship that also could have been much more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This particular loss hits me hard from time to time,
especially on her birthday (March 19) and Oct. 11, because I really loved her
and she legitimately loved me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Although the mutual interest didn’t really take off when I
was at Byrd, it was when I was a freshman at ULM that it got its legs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I added her on MySpace, then we’d talk, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As with everything, the talks got more and more in-depth.
You know, she’s feeling me as a person and more than a friend and vice versa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As she was set to graduate from Byrd in 2007, I wanted her
to come to ULM. Badly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I felt that if she did, we’d be together forever and that I
would forget about a person that I was pursuing who initially liked me because
of a friend, but tailed off due to my great personality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sadly, she had to be home schooled for her final semester at
Byrd due to health reasons and those same reasons scrapped her plans of going
to ULM – settling for LSU of Shreveport so she could be in close proximity with
her family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Despite this, she really wanted to go out with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sadly, I balked at it, despite knowing deep down inside, I
liked her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I guess my logic at the time was to not give up on the girl
I was trying to go out with ULM because I would see her eight months out of a
year, then to go after my friend despite seeing her four months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the aftermath, the one at ULM shot me down twice – first
by saying I didn’t try hard enough and later by saying I tried too hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I’ve often wondered what would have happened if I went with
my brain – and really, my heart – and went out with Aundria. Even to this day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Would she still be alive and would we be together?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Would it have worked, thus putting the friendship in limbo?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Or would the same thing have happened,? Leaving me distraught
and not wanting to date for a longer period of time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The answer to those questions are not simple, but I do know
she cared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Weeks prior, my roommate and I were visiting his
grandparents in Mississippi and we nearly went into the Mississippi River
because the fresh rain made his tires slick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After getting on MySpace and telling Aundria about what
happened, she was sad and said that she didn’t want me to die and told me she
loved me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That was my last conversation with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gone were the playful memories of us telling each other to “shut
up”, etc…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All that are left are memories such as seeing her graduate
from Byrd in my last face-to-face encounter with her and her message to me in
my senior yearbook in 2005: “Hey! Wuz ↑? I will miss you so much. You are a </span><u style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">great</u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
person, don’t ever change. If you do, I will hunt you down.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Staying true to those words, I’ve never changed unless it was
for the better and ever since she passed away, I’ve kept her photo as a
constant reminder that she’s always with me in spirit no matter where I go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, I still wish you were here physically because
Primetime the Prince misses the Port City Princess.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-27575124192362762132016-09-22T23:50:00.000-05:002016-09-22T23:50:47.009-05:00A DECADE STRONG....<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So ummm...I'm back?</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85b3DLla8bVQbFuGRFu9foI66-cXjG5xfR1GsVQus1i3tpiI4nvuWbqElVQpCX323-4dEH-iZ9uil49620HNZi_vgeoY4DhqU8vdNj1PTnFGZ7uwo4BKHINQA1-saKfWNIwyD8_m9iN_8/s1600/20141212_165017%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85b3DLla8bVQbFuGRFu9foI66-cXjG5xfR1GsVQus1i3tpiI4nvuWbqElVQpCX323-4dEH-iZ9uil49620HNZi_vgeoY4DhqU8vdNj1PTnFGZ7uwo4BKHINQA1-saKfWNIwyD8_m9iN_8/s320/20141212_165017%255B1%255D.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I started off as a journalist for<br />
the ULM Hawkeye in 2006.<br />
Currently, I'm the sports reporter for<br />
the Town Talk in Alexandria, LA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Haha, for real though. I guess I am. Every time, I say I am, though, the real world hits and well, yeah...I'm basically writing for my <a href="http://www.thetowntalk.com/search/%22lamar%20gafford%22/" target="_blank">job</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prime-cut/id1130804641" target="_blank">podcasting</a> and neglecting my blog.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enough rambling though, this month is a special month in my career as this is my 10th year as a newspaper writer -- something I've never seen myself being prior to my college days.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now, most of you might <a href="http://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/local/2015/04/28/meet-staff-lamar-gafford-prep-sports-writer/26526629/" target="_blank">know the story</a>. If not, it's an interesting one of me answering an ad for my school's paper, covering the soccer beat and the rest is history.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What really turned out as me basically wanting a job (or well, a hobby) turned into a sports editor position, to unemployed freelancer still gaining experience, to sports writer for a semi-weekly in a city of 18,000 and finally (for now, at least) a sports writer for a daily in a city of 50,000.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Of course, it was never easy. There were times where I wanted to quit, felt frustrated and even wondered if I made the right choice in stepping in the middle of a "dying" industry according to some people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, my family, friends, mentors, mentees and most importantly, God, would not allow that to happen.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They kept me grounded and motivated and eventually, I became an award-winning journalist for my work on a coach's firing here in Alexandria.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxx-1QMGVJvso2eMe5WUtCM0fKoO_6RdpFpSbmYw-v4XTs0KAaGJ8lGYgKBpyyik7-EkGOxrwqcgpBBhW24gw0QsiMK415p9UDJJ4GcgI1EMLTWgr0RVUwvIPg5pgQaQtHQqG1SjsUoLC/s1600/IMG_20160626_134335%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxx-1QMGVJvso2eMe5WUtCM0fKoO_6RdpFpSbmYw-v4XTs0KAaGJ8lGYgKBpyyik7-EkGOxrwqcgpBBhW24gw0QsiMK415p9UDJJ4GcgI1EMLTWgr0RVUwvIPg5pgQaQtHQqG1SjsUoLC/s320/IMG_20160626_134335%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I won second place in the LSWA's contest for spot news after<br />
former Peabody football coach Toriano Williams was fired for<br />
allegedly choking a student-athlete. He was cleared of any<br />
wrongdoing and was one of the first people to congratulate me<br />
for this award.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My time at The Town Talk and the past two NABJ conventions I've went to (the first two I've ever been to) have given me wisdom, growth and contacts in order to become a better writer. (I plan to go into more detail on why should inspiring or current journalists should go to them at a later time.)</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfGDBjP8QhzKN0GwAh_hiT-_fBpaAbO0Q0HtAaP8ju7aY3XdHb7fkROLg3FUfmPdabqY2sNT_BCnzdq2zo2WIxhjeb-P3Fgf9XEooL5GSeRXn55B-Yjn5HllaShgtdyraobXW_i6jPq2j/s1600/20160805_194212%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfGDBjP8QhzKN0GwAh_hiT-_fBpaAbO0Q0HtAaP8ju7aY3XdHb7fkROLg3FUfmPdabqY2sNT_BCnzdq2zo2WIxhjeb-P3Fgf9XEooL5GSeRXn55B-Yjn5HllaShgtdyraobXW_i6jPq2j/s320/20160805_194212%255B1%255D.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TNT's David Aldridge has been a big<br />
help to me and other aspiring journalists.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I continue to try to adapt to the current style of journalism methods and not forgetting the more traditional ones, I hope the next 10 years and beyond will continue to suit me well.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here's to a great first 10 years for setting the foundation and the tone.</span></div>
Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-25751202149576897782014-01-27T00:55:00.002-06:002014-01-27T00:59:25.976-06:00WALKING THE WALK AND TALKING THE TALK<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Super Bowl XLVIII is now set as the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks will now play for the NFL’s richest prize come Feb. 2 in East Rutherford, N.J.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, I’m not here to talk about the game yet. Nor am I going to talk about what another ring can do and pulling even with Tom Brady in the playoffs can do for Peyton Manning’s legacy (maybe at a later time).</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My post is about Seahawks defensive back Richard Sherman and his ability to talk the talk and walk the walk.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sherman helped make the game-clinching play against the San Francisco 49ers by batting an interception and to punch the franchise’s second trip to the Super Bowl.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yet, it was Sherman’s postgame comments that draw the ire of many (play below).</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is hardly the first time Sherman has been known for being outspoken.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Honestly, I did not know who he was until he talked smack to Tom Brady last season.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then he was mic’d up during the Seahawks’ wild card game against the Washington Redskins--leading to a punch by Trent Williams after the game.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And one cannot forget his exchange with Skip Bayless on First Take (which, you may or may not say was warranted.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But his comments at his biggest moment in his career thus far drew responses of him being a “thug” to some and various other names to others (you can see Shermans’s mentions here or just look at </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">the Deadspin article).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In this day where we are criticizing a player’s postgame attire (see: Colin Kaepernick) or the speech of postgame comments (see Jameis Winston</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), most of it comes off as negative criticizing over trivial things.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While I do not think what Dee Dee McCarron---mother of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron---said of Winston was racist (mainly because many Twitter users---of all colors---possibly said the same thing), I do believe she could have used a different tone.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last week, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle sports reporter Sal Maiorana <a href="https://twitter.com/CJStarchild/status/422506851046281216" target="_blank">tweeted</a> (and then deleted)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, “Kaepernick. Always so media friendly. Turn your cap around and act like a professional quarterback.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So much is being made of what these players do and what most critics do not realize is that they are not monotonic robots with no sense of emotion.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How Peyton Manning dresses might not work for Kaepernick at this point of his career, and as long as Kaepernick is dressed casually, should it matter?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://simmqb.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/richard-sherman-peyton-manning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://simmqb.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/richard-sherman-peyton-manning.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Will Richard Sherman talk trash to Peyton Manning after winning <br />Super Bowl XLVIII? (Photo by John Lebya/Getty Images).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ditto for Sherman and his outburst.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A Barry Sanders, he is not, but that is what makes each individual different and likeable.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFL fans---at least myself---loved Barry for being the class act he was, just as much as we might like Sherman for being the next coming of another Sanders---Deion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sherman is from Compton, but he is not a product of the environment, having went AND graduated from Stanford---while working on his masters’---along with becoming a top cornerback in the game.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If I had a child, I would not want him or her to do what Sherman did, but we are talking about a grown man here.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-3141664b-d07a-3897-df8d-25a6f1d9cae2"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here’s hoping that Sherman gives us an epic showing in the Super Bowl and on Media Day.</span></span></div>
Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-11122922635465852222013-09-23T03:22:00.003-05:002013-09-23T03:22:58.632-05:0020 WEEKS OF GROWTH AND ADVERSITY<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes, you do not know who you truly are until you face
adversity and stand on your own two feet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week marks my 20<sup>th</sup> week in the city of
Natchitoches (and being on my own) and I have learned a lot during my stay
here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s start with the good…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The good is that I can sense growth in myself—professionally
and personally.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Professionally, I love my job at <i>The Natchitoches Times </i>as their sports editor. It has allowed me to
meet different people along the way—coaches, players, youth, coworkers, etc… I
know that the best is yet to come as I am learning how to write, edit and even
interview and tell stories.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Personally, I see growth too, because it feels like the
26-year old me not just acts, but thinks a lot differently than myself from the
ages of 13, 16, 18, 21, 23, or even 25. Certain things do not irritate me like
they used to and I feel like I have matured along the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, there’s the bad…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel unappreciated and alone at times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unappreciated, because I do not think that people will ever
understand the person that I am.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alone, because I have been transplanted out in to the real
world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As crazy as it may seem, while I have the job I wanted, a
car to get me to and from, and a place to stay, I still feel empty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I always wished that I had someone that was by my side while
I go through life’s struggles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For whatever reason, I have not in a relationship since the
ninth grade—12 years ago. A part of me always wants to know how that feels,
because honestly I would feel like I am good person for someone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, I always hear the same shit. “You’re too good for
me,” “You’re too good to be true”, or even “I only see you as a friend.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have heard (and well seen) it all in my life with this and
honestly it has gotten to the point where it diminishes my confidence, because
the same thing could happen—leaving me back at square one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, I wonder with a lot of cases of guys and girls being friend
zoned, that is it even worth it for me to even have friends of the opposite sex
and gender?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just for once, I would love to witness being in a relationship
with a woman whether it goes belly up after Day 1 or it leads to a marriage
(and beyond).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am sure that day is coming but I always wonder when?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love God, my family, friends, and myself (and I’m sure you
guys love me right back and I am not trying to Bible-thump to those who do not.
I love everyone no matter what religion, race, or creed you are), but seeing
the ones you really care about struggling, well it hurts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My mom recently lost her job due to the job being relocated
and to see her look for a job and strike out every time hurts me too. And
although my relationship with my dad is not the greatest in the world, seeing
him in a nursing home hurts me as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You may not care what I am writing about…I totally
understand that, but damn it, I have feelings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I smile when things are not going well, because I do not
want you to know what is going wrong. I sometimes like to be alone because I have
been burnt by people before and it is hard for me to trust some people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I still wish a friend of mine would find it in her heart
to forgive me and be my friend again. I am really hoping she reads this even
though I think it is a lost cause.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, to some, I am a good <a href="https://www.facebook.com/primetimethaprince/posts/941738187766">person</a>
(I had to do it P.G., lol)—and it shows a lot in how much you <a href="https://www.facebook.com/primetimethaprince/posts/869962172476">care</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, anyway, I might have rambled on with no real end, but
yeah. I just hope that if someone that is reading this is being touched, then I
done my job.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until next time….<o:p></o:p></div>
Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-69977064988986365542013-04-15T05:22:00.000-05:002013-04-15T05:22:40.679-05:00A DREAM FULFILLED: FINALLY A PROFESSIONAL SPORTS REPORTER<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>PREFACE: R.I.P. to my grandmother Annie B. Gafford (1931-2010) and my uncle Garry Bruce Gafford (1959-2012). It was through you two that I learned a lot about sports and I wish you two were alive for the ride. However, I know that both of you are looking down on me and proud of me.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nearly 27 months after graduating from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, I can finally say these following words…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am a professional sports reporter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Starting in a few weeks, I will be the new sports editor for The Natchitoches Times in Natchitoches, La., and words cannot explain how happy I am and how happy my family and friends are as well about this opportunity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What makes this even more satisfying is the road taken to get to this point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After my time at ULM, I was a freelancer with The Shreveport Times for two years writing about high school sports and shared the newspaper’s prep sports journalist of the year honor in 2011 (with Adam Hester, brother of NFL player, Jacob) and 2012 (with former NCAA all-time points leader Art Carmody) thanks to the great colleagues of the paper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was also then where I started to blog a lot more on this site, while also posting my writings on Bleacher Report and Sports Rantz for even more exposure. This was followed up by making internet radio appearances with the Clayton State Radio Sports Zone and the Cameron Sadeghi Show, when Cameron pitched the idea of starting a new show—ultimately becoming The Gafford and Brown Show with my friend Robert Brown.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While all of those gigs are fine and helped me learn valuable experience, there was one tiny problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Neither were full-time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Eventually, seeing that I needed some source of income, I settled for JCPenney in August 2012. It was there where I got back into the learning of working every day and meeting great co-workers along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All of this brings us back to now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While I am nervous about this new journey, I am very excited for it and cannot wait to get the many firsts of my career out of the way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am proud to say that I can be one of the countless graduates from ULM’s mass communications department (DeRon, Ben, Jessica, and Cody…to name a few) to make this dream a reality, while making our professors proud. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am also glad to have met other great aspiring journalists of the same ilk (Evan, Robert, James, David, Hiren, Larry, JT, Clarence, Nick, and many others) via social media—if done right, it is a GREAT source of networking—to fraternize with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And last but not least, my friends that have stuck by me since day one though the ups and downs by always reminding me to “take the good with the bad, be happy when you’re said…but always remember, life goes on.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even though I am nervous about this next chapter in my life, I also am confident that it is a great step in the right direction to dream bigger, and hopefully make those a reality as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And do not worry; I plan to carry this blog and our podcasts with me for the ride.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">P.S.: To anyone reading this in the same situation, no matter if an aspiring journalist, doctor, lawyer, etc…NEVER, EVER give up on your dream. It may not come when you expect it, but with hard work and perseverance, it will come eventually.</span><br />
Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-8980710246343537442013-02-11T03:33:00.000-06:002013-02-11T03:33:30.507-06:00NFL WRAP UP AND A MESSAGE FROM A SPECIAL GUEST!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hello ladies and gentlemen! Once again, sorry for the lack of updates, but we are still here!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Normally, I would have posted my NFL playoff and Super Bowl predictions on here, but I did do this on Twitter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Baltimore Ravens won a thrilling Super Bowl XLVII 34-31 that saw a near comeback, lighting failures, Beyoncé shutting things down, and the last hurrah of Ray Lewis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before the game, however, adult model and my fellow blogging friend, <a href="http://youwerejustthinkingit.blogspot.com/2011/03/model-interview-sandra-london.html" target="_blank">Sandra London</a>, had a bet to determine who would make the winner a video. If the 49ers won, I had to make a vid proclaiming she was the queen. If the Ravens won, she had to make a video for my site.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, since we now know the outcome, enjoy Sandra's poem and message to you -- the faithful viewers of this site.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwR90pwSr14Oe1PoMD3QpQh2U8qsyEMRy-d_RMirINdtqo43PYs1l1XGBrwaAK1dXfta0hHMohD4UBhIc1lUw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once again, thank you Sandra for your brilliant words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please check out her blog: <a href="http://www.toliveandgrindinla.com/" target="_blank">To Live and Grind in L.A.</a> AND while you are at it, subscribe and listen to her radio show: <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/playtimewithsandra" target="_blank">Playtime With Sandra London</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hope we can do this again (and hope I can continue to win! ;-)).</span>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-24413754611487816862012-12-15T02:07:00.000-06:002012-12-15T02:07:11.434-06:002012-13 BOWL PREDICTIONS: WEEK 1<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.azcentral.com/i/1/2/a/L169_CIFR42815849299a3df5a987b04b90eaca21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://i.azcentral.com/i/1/2/a/L169_CIFR42815849299a3df5a987b04b90eaca21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Arizona RB Ka'Deem Carey (25) rushed for an amazing 366 yards and five<br />touchdowns against Colorado on Nov. 10. (Photo by Rick Scuteri/US Presswire) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>NEW MEXICO BOWL<br />
</u>MATCHUP:</b> Nevada vs. Arizona<b><br />
NEVADA PLAYER TO WATCH:</b> RB Stefphon Jefferson (Jr.) – 341 rush, 1703 yards,
22 TDs<b><br />
ARIZONA PLAYER TO WATCH: </b>RB<b> </b>Ka’Deem
Carey (So.) – 275 rush, 1757 yards, 20 TDs<b><br />
PREDICTION: </b>Arizona 40, Nevada 34.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
-What a treat to kick off the bowl season! This year’s New Mexico Bowl pits two
offenses that are in the top 15 in yardage and the top 20 in scoring. The running
back battle will definitely be one to keep an eye on as Nevada’s Stefphon
Jefferson and Arizona’s Ka’Deem Carey are two of only five players to run for
1700 yards this season. With both teams coming off of losses in to end the
regular season, the opportunity to finish the year on a winning note will be
great motivation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/images/article/midres/979445/979445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://www.deseretnews.com/images/article/midres/979445/979445.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Utah State QB Chuckie Keeton (16) and the Aggies hope to erase last year's<br />Famous Idaho Potato Bowl defeat. (Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News) </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>FAMOUS IDAHO
POTATO BOWL<br />
</u>MATCHUP: </b>Toledo vs. (22) Utah State<b><br />
TOLEDO PLAYER TO WATCH: </b>WR<b> </b>Bernard
Reedy (Jr.) – 82 rec, 1051 yards, 6 TDs<b><br />
UTAH STATE PLAYER TO WATCH:</b> QB Chuckie Keeton (So.) – 254/376, 3144 yards,
27 TDs<b><br />
PREDICTION: </b>Utah State 35, Toledo 17.<br />
-At 10-2, Utah State is trying to get a win in this year’s Famous Idaho Potato
Bowl, but they may have a good opponent in the Rockets from Toledo. Toledo
finished 9-3 and took down Cincinnati for its biggest win of the season, while junior
receiver Bernard Reedy put up some solid stats on the offensive end. The
Rockets’ defense did wonders this year, but Utah State’s was even better, only
allowing 15.4 points per game. Sophomore quarterback Chuckie Keeton followed up
on a decent freshman campaign (that was cut short due to injury), by finishing
strong with 16 touchdowns to five interceptions down the stretch in the Aggies’
current six-game winning streak.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for capsules and predictions each week as the bowl season progresses!</span></div>
Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-88534677254917750802012-12-03T12:25:00.000-06:002012-12-03T12:25:59.248-06:00SORRY FOR THE DELAY, BUT I'M BACK!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hello ladies and gentlemen,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As you might have known, it has been a good while since I have written on here last. And I like to say that I am sorry for the lengthy delay whether you are a causal reader of this blog or an avid one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since I have been gone away, I have a new job that sometimes takes away from whatever brainstorming I may have. At the same time, I am still holding on to hope of becoming a professional journalist of some sort or at least a teacher imparting those skills to another person. While we at it, I am still a freelancer with the Shreveport Times and I was named as a co-prep journalist of the year for the second consecutive year for my work during the high school football season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But let's talk about what's coming on the way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have a few new ideas that I hope to roll out in a timely matter such as bowl picks, conference realignment, and anything else (even other topics outside of sports).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Also, I would like to showcase a new project that I am working on with my close friend, should-be brother, and fellow journalist Robert Brown (<a href="https://twitter.com/UptownBobby" target="_blank">@UptownBobby</a> on Twitter) in the form of a radio show that is just six episodes in, but is gaining some great steam (you can catch archives of "Gafford and Brown" <a href="http://www.spreaker.com/user/nationalsports" target="_blank">HERE</a>). I hope that I can use the blog and the show as compliments of each other and I feel like that will happen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once again, sorry that I was away, but hopefully we can get the ball back rolling again.</span>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-44450160537400771172012-09-12T04:34:00.001-05:002012-09-12T04:34:16.160-05:00NOT THE SAME OLD ULM WARHAWKS<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/images/collegefootball/uspw_6563306.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.cbssports.com/images/collegefootball/uspw_6563306.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The ULM Warhawks celebrate their biggest win in school history on Sept. 8 after a 34-31<br />overtime win over the Arkansas Razorbacks. (Photo by Nelson Chenault /US Presswire)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Down 28-7 midway through the third quarter to the No. 8-ranked
Arkansas Razorbacks, many of the Warhawk faithful from the University of
Louisiana Monroe thought had seen this story before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ladies and gentlemen, these are not your “same ol’ Warhawks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After stalling deep into the Razorbacks’ red zone twice
before Arkansas made it a three-touchdown deficit, ULM could folded up the tent
and prepared for their next opponent, Auburn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once again, these are not your “same ol’ Warhawks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even when a penalty at the end of regulation forced ULM to
go to overtime, the Warhawks could have succumbed under the pressure and
Arkansas could have barely eked out a victory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the last time, these are not your “same ol’, sorry ass
Warhawks!” (Thanks to my friend for coining the SOSAW term from our time at school together).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://assets.inarkansas.com/31653/kolton-browning-louisiana-monroe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://assets.inarkansas.com/31653/kolton-browning-louisiana-monroe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Kolton Browning (15) had the game of his life against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sept. 8<br />by accounting for four touchdowns and nearly 500 yards. (Photo by Mark Wagner) </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Things all changed when junior quarterback Kolton Browning
took it upon himself on fourth-and-one to score on a 16-yard touchdown run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When the scoreboard at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock,
Ark. read “ULM 34, Arkansas 31”, the realization sunk in that the program
witnessed its biggest win since jumping to the Football Bowl Subdivision
(formerly Division I-A) in 1994.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“It’s a great feeling; we feel like we deserve it,” Browning
<a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=322520008">said</a>. “We believed
the whole time, and we’ve believed for two years that we could put something
like this together. We knew this moment was coming.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now setting itself up with no worse than a 1-2 with a tough
early season schedule that had Arkansas, Auburn and an ESPN Friday Night
showdown with Baylor in Malone Stadium, one goal remains…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The school’s first-ever bowl appearance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In four of the last seven years, the program had been
agonizingly close to a bowl. In 2005, 2009 and 2010, ULM failed to win the
season finale each year to reach that goal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, this will not faze Warhawk head coach Todd Berry and
his current team from this achievement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ulm.edu/gallery/traditions2010/p7ssm_img_1/fullsize/National-Champions-1987_fs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://www.ulm.edu/gallery/traditions2010/p7ssm_img_1/fullsize/National-Champions-1987_fs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">ULM (then Northeast Louisiana University) won the Division I-AA (now FCS)<br />title in 1987 after defeating Marshall 43-42. (Image from ULM Archives).</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“How they get where they are is not because they’re great
players,” Berry <a href="http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20120910/SPORTS/209100313/Fans-greet-triumphant-Warhawks-after-win-over-Razorbacks">said</a>.
“They get where they are because they work hard. They’re willing to give it up
for each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although ULM has never played in the postseason in college
football’s top subdivision, the school has two national championships in the
sport—1935 and 1987.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ULM might never make it to that plateau in the FBS, but with
some </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">of the team </span><a href="http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20120910/SPORTS/209100313/Fans-greet-triumphant-Warhawks-after-win-over-Razorbacks" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">proclaiming
after the game</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, “This is for you. We’re building this for you,” this win
could be the start of something special.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-1009883716519889402012-08-04T21:42:00.000-05:002012-08-05T20:22:24.357-05:00GOLDEN GABBY AND DAZZLING DOMINIQUE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos/2012/08/02/Calm-and-confident-Douglas-makes-history-RT208HB9-x-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos/2012/08/02/Calm-and-confident-Douglas-makes-history-RT208HB9-x-large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">United States gymnast Gabby Douglas showcases her gold medal from the<br />individual all-around event. (Photo by Robert Deutsch/USA Today Sports)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the age of 16, Gabby Douglas realized her dream as an Olympic gold medalist by becoming the first black woman ever to win gold in the individual all-round event in women’s gymnastics.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At a time where many teenage girls are thinking about surviving high school, getting into a good college and hoping to avoid being on MTV’s “16 and Pregnant”, Douglas is busy making history and being a role model.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“It is everything I thought it would be; being the Olympic champion, it definitely is an amazing feeling,” Douglas <a href="http://cnsnews.com/news/article/us-gold-medalist-gabby-douglas-i-give-all-glory-god" target="_blank">said</a> after her win in the all-arounds. “And I give all the glory to God. It’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him and the blessings fall down on me.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just 16 years ago, when Douglas was just a few months old, another young black gymnast was part of a squad that also warmed the hearts of Americans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.history.com/images/media/slideshow/black-women-athletes/dominique-dawes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://www.history.com/images/media/slideshow/black-women-athletes/dominique-dawes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Dominique Dawes was the first black gymnast to receive a medal<br />from an individual event in the Olympics. (Photo from Corbis)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dominique Dawes played a huge role on the “Magnificent Seven”—the name given to the U.S. gymnastics team from the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta that won a gold medal as a team. Dawes would also win an individual bronze on the floor routine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was with that accomplishment that Dawes became the first black gymnast—male or female—to win an individual medal of any kind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“There are girls who come up to me and say that it is because of me that they are involved in gymnastics,” Dawes <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blackhistory2008/columns/story?columnist=buckheit_mary&page=dawes/080226" target="_blank">said</a> in an article on ESPN.com in 2008. “I hear that a lot and each time, I am flattered.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now, Dawes is a co-chairman (along with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees) for the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition along with working as a co-host for Yahoo! Weekend News and an writer for FOXSports.com.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Gabby-Douglas-and-Dominique-Dawes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn.madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Gabby-Douglas-and-Dominique-Dawes.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Past meets present. The question is...who's next for the future?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But she also felt the emotions of Douglas’ groundbreaking win.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“I am so thrilled for Gabby,” Dawes <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/03/dominique-dawes-cries-gabby-douglas-win_n_1736867.html" target="_blank">said</a> in an interview with FOX Sports. “…I’m so thrilled to change my website and take down the fact that I was the only African American with a gold medal.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With her accomplishments, Douglas joins Dawes and other gymnasts such as Mary Lou Retton and Nadia Comaneci in possibly inspiring a young girl to be the next great gymnast in the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“That’s so touching,” Dawes <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/03/dominique-dawes-cries-gabby-douglas-win_n_1736867.html" target="_blank">said</a>. “As I was able to help Gabby, now she’s going to help a whole other generation of young girls and boys, African Americans, Hispanics, [and] other minorities to see the sport of gymnastics as an opportunity for them to excel.”</span><br />
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<br /></div>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-53990321031853916822012-07-25T05:55:00.000-05:002012-07-25T13:48:40.923-05:00DALLAS MAVERICKS BOUNCE BACK AFTER TOUGH START TO OFFSEASON<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/14/13/17/3191795/3/628x471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/14/13/17/3191795/3/628x471.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">After Deron Williams (second left) decided to stay with the Brooklyn<br />Nets, the Mavs had to go to Plan B. (Photo by Mary Altaffer/AP)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">All hope seemed lost for the Dallas Mavericks two weeks ago
after losing out on Deron Williams and two key members of the 2011 squad that
beat the Miami Heat for the NBA Championship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">However by adding OJ Mayo Monday to a solid gathering of
acquisitions, the Mavs have turned a possible disaster to a good offseason in
that short span.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The 2011-12 NBA season was a tough one for the Mavericks.
They went 36-30, endured drama from Lamar Odom not wanting to be there and got
swept in the first round by the eventual Western Conference champion Oklahoma
City Thunder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They let five good players from the 2011 team walk and join
other teams, including Tyson Chandler—possibly the best center Dallas has had
in the Dirk Nowitzki era.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The goal for the Mavericks was simple: be players in the
2012 free agency period and get Dwight Howard and either Deron Williams or
Chris Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Paul hopes ended with his trade to the Los Angeles
Clippers before the season and Howard decided to opt-in with the Orlando Magic
at the trade deadline, but Williams remained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Jason+Kidd+Oklahoma+City+Thunder+v+Dallas+BgVT5c8Szztl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Jason+Kidd+Oklahoma+City+Thunder+v+Dallas+BgVT5c8Szztl.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">After help delivering the franchise's first title, Jason Kidd (right) and<br />Jason Terry left Dallas this offseason. Kidd went to the Knicks, Terry<br />went to the Celtics. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well, until this <a href="https://twitter.com/DeronWilliams/status/220291777238798336">tweet</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That, losing out on Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers and
letting their two veteran guards—Jason Terry and Jason Kidd—sign elsewhere,
things looked like it would be similar to the previous season, if not worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In May, Nowitzki shared his thoughts about a possible
rebuild on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM’s “Galloway & Co.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“If we really come out with nobody this summer then maybe
they want to rebuild and, obviously, I’m too old for that,” Nowitzki <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/mavericks/post/_/id/4690648/dirk-nowitzki-im-too-old-to-rebuild">said</a>.
“We’ll just have to wait and see what happens on that front. But I still think
I got two, three good years left in me and if we get some players in here we
can be right back up there and compete.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Help came on July 11, when Dallas signed former NBA All-Star
Chris Kaman—Nowitzki’s frontcourt mate on the German national basketball team.
Later that day, the Mavs received Darren Collison and Dahntay Jones from the
Indiana Pacers as a part of a sign-and-trade for Ian Mahinmi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/incoming/20120719-photo-1-e1342733679158-764x1024.jpg.ece/BINARY/w620x413/photo-1-e1342733679158-764x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://www.dallasnews.com/incoming/20120719-photo-1-e1342733679158-764x1024.jpg.ece/BINARY/w620x413/photo-1-e1342733679158-764x1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Former No. 3 pick O.J. Mayo averaged 12.6 points per game last year with the Memphis<br />Grizzlies coming off of the bench. (Photo by Brad Towsend/Dallas Morning News)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dallas continued to make moves by amnestying Brendan
Haywood, claiming Elton Brand off waivers from the Philadelphia 76ers and
signing O.J. Mayo to add a scorer to take some pressure off of Nowitzki.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mayo’s <a href="https://twitter.com/JuiceMayo32/status/225063727341387776">tweet</a>
certainly made Dallas fans enjoyed, as his signing completed the turnaround
from disaster by not making the big move to satisfaction by improving the team
with solid pieces to add youth and depth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“We think we’ve positioned ourselves so that we have a young
nucleus,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/mavericks/post/_/id/4691076/mark-cuban-foes-have-to-guard-mavs-pg-now">said</a>.
We can keep these guys, let them jell and play together, build around Dirk and
have room for hopefully someone to come or to trade or whatever happens.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With Dallas signing all three of their rookies—Jared Cunningham,
Bernard James and Jae Crowder—and bringing back Delonte West, who became a fan
favorite in Dallas with his gritty play, the team certainly has repositioned
itself to be a tough out in the Western Conference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nba.com/mavericks/sites/mavericks/files/imagecache/nba_standard/draft_presser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://www.nba.com/mavericks/sites/mavericks/files/imagecache/nba_standard/draft_presser.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">While Jared Cunningham (second right) was held out of Summer<br />League play due to injury, Jae Crowder and Bernard James showed a glimpse<br />of the future with good play. (Photo by Stephen Chavera/Dallas Mavericks)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers
appear to be favorites in the conference, expect the Mavs to compete division
crown with the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies being the main
competition, with the rising New Orleans Hornets and retooled Houston Rockets expecting
to also make it tough in the always challenging Southwest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As for the rest, it all depends on how well this team jells.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-17283405982515811172012-06-26T01:39:00.000-05:002012-06-26T01:39:14.198-05:00A KING'S CORONATION: LEBRON JAMES IS FINALLY A CHAMPION<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos/2012/06/22/My-dream-has-become-a-reality-O11NMQQS-x-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos/2012/06/22/My-dream-has-become-a-reality-O11NMQQS-x-large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Miami Heat forward LeBron James (center) celebrates winning his first NBA title after a<br />4-1 series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo by Steve Mitchell/US Presswire)</span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finally, the king can take his rightful throne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">LeBron James waited nine seasons to call himself a champion,
but those dreams became reality after the Miami Heat’s series-clinching win in Game
5 of the 2012 NBA Finals Thursday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“It’s about damn time,” a relieved James <a href="http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/shaun_powell/06/22/lebron-finals-mvp/index.html">said</a>
after winning Finals MVP honors shortly after the game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In James’ two previous trips to the NBA Finals, he came away
with losses to the San Antonio Spurs in 2007 and the Dallas Mavericks last year.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While facing added scrutiny after losing to the Mavs and how
he handled going to Miami, James stated that the setbacks taught him a valuable
lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ynet.co.il/PicServer2/24012010/3265801/MCTSPORTS_BKN-FINALS_93_FL213440_wa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://www.ynet.co.il/PicServer2/24012010/3265801/MCTSPORTS_BKN-FINALS_93_FL213440_wa.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">In James' first year in Miami, the Heat overcame struggles to reach the 2011 NBA Finals.<br />Yet, they lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games. (Photo by Robert Duyo/MCT)</span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“It took me to go all the way to the top and then hit rock
bottom, basically, to realize what I needed to do as a professional athlete and
as a person,” James <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/23/2863996/miami-heats-lebron-james-had-to.html">said</a>.
“The best thing that happened to me last year was us losing in the Finals.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Heading into this year, James worked on his post play with
Hall of Fame center and two-time NBA champion Hakeem Olajuwon. The results paid
huge dividends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists en
route to his third MVP award and leading the Heat to a 46-20 record.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“He really took being the best player in the league to
another level,” Dwyane Wade <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/23/2863996/miami-heats-lebron-james-had-to.html">said</a>.
“And he did it all season, man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">However, LeBron and the Heat still faced their problems in
the postseason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Indiana Pacers took a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference
Semifinals thanks to Chris Bosh’s abdominal injury in Game 1 and Wade’s
struggles in Game 3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Heat would win the next three games to take the series
in six.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scni.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/imported/Rockdale/2012/05/12/HeatJamesMVP.JPEG-0146a_t300.jpg?8aff03de2423e912a2467e97388a07f5331c05b6" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://scni.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/imported/Rockdale/2012/05/12/HeatJamesMVP.JPEG-0146a_t300.jpg?8aff03de2423e912a2467e97388a07f5331c05b6" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">James won his third NBA MVP during the 2011-12 season, becoming<br />just the eighth player to do so. (Photo by Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Boston Celtics jumped out to a 3-2 lead in the Eastern
Conference Finals and James’ performance in the clutch was once again placed in
the spotlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He would put up an absolute gem in Game 6 of 45 points, 15
rebounds and five assists to spark Miami and take the series in seven games. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was clear that James took over the reigns as the leader
of this team with his play. In the postseason, he averaged 30.3 points and 9.7
rebounds per game en route to his first title. The adversity that he faced in
each of the last nine years in the NBA and his high school years had finally
paid off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“It was a journey,” James <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8082762/nba-finals-lebron-james-lives-expectations">said</a>.
“Everything that went along with along with me being a high school prodigy when
I was 16 and on the cover of Sports Illustrated to being drafted and having to
be the face of a franchise and everything that came along with it. I had to
deal with it and I had to learn through it. No one had gone through that
journey and I had to learn on my own. I can finally say that I’m a champion.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With James just reaching his prime at just 27 years old, it
is safe to say that he will be in the conversation of winning more titles for
quite some time while becoming even better player (scary, right?) than what he
already is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With the first one—and possibly the hardest one—finally out
of the way, who knows?</span><o:p></o:p></div>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-82988233540273554252012-06-12T19:53:00.000-05:002012-06-24T15:19:26.035-05:002012 NBA FINALS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/sports_betting_news_homepage/sb_news/2012/06/14/thunder-heat-nba-finals-odds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://www.oddsshark.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/sports_betting_news_homepage/sb_news/2012/06/14/thunder-heat-nba-finals-odds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oklahoma
City Thunder vs. Miami Heat</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SEASON
SERIES:</b>
series tied 1-1 (home team won both times)<b><br />
ANALYSIS: </b>After a 23-59 record in their first year in Oklahoma City, the
Thunder’s gradual progression from a lottery team to one of the NBA’s elite
took another big step with a 4-2 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference
Finals. Things did not come easily as the Thunder became just the 15<sup>th</sup>
NBA squad to win a best-of-seven while facing an 0-2 hole and going against a
Spurs team that won 20 games in a row. A win in these Finals could be the start
of a new dynasty in the NBA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Down
3-2 to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Miami Heat faced
speculation of possible changes if they lost. However, behind LeBron James’
strong performances in Games 6 and 7, Miami won the East for the second year in
a row and seek redemption. Things are not out of the woods yet, because those
speculations will still loom unless they win here.<b><br />
<br />
POSITION SHOWDOWNS<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>PG:</u></b><u> Russell
Westbrook vs. Mario Chalmers<b><br />
</b></u><b>ADVANTAGE</b>: Russell
Westbrook<br />
-Chalmers will have his second tough matchup as he adjusts from Rajon Rondo to
a more offensively aggressive point guard in Westbrook. Westbrook is averaging
21.7 points per game this postseason, but his 7.3 assists in the West Finals
showcased his abilities to be a combo guard. Chalmers can score when needed
though—already notching two 20-point games in the playoffs and his ability to
knock down threes—but stopping Westbrook will be a tall task.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>SG:</u></b><u> Thabo
Sefolosha vs. Dwyane Wade<b><br />
</b></u><b>ADVANTAGE: </b>Dwyane
Wade<b><br />
</b>-Sefolosha will have two players to try to stop in this series—LeBron James
and his primary opposition in Wade. Wade has this matchup on paper, but has
struggled with his shot much recently in the playoffs. In the East Finals, he shot
just 44.4 percent from the field—nearly four percentage points off of his
career postseason mark of 48.0 percent. Sefolosha kept Kobe Bryant and Tony
Parker in check in the last two rounds and if he can force Wade’s struggles to
linger, that will put more pressure on James. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>SF:</u></b><u> Kevin
Durant vs. LeBron James<b><br />
</b></u><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> Push<br />
-This is the dream matchup most NBA fans have waited for since the lockout was
resolved in November. Two of the NBA’s very best square off for the right to
win the first title in what could be many for either player. On one hand, James
is on a mission to quiet doubters on whether or not if he can get it done in
the game’s biggest moments. None where bigger than in Game 6 when James scored
45 points, grabbed 15 boards and dished five assists to force a Game 7 against
the Celtics. On the other hand, the 23-year old Durant is already an
accomplished scoring champ—having won the last three titles. His 34 points and
14 rebounds to close out the Spurs in Game 6 was marvelous in getting the
Thunder to their first Finals appearance since the move to Oklahoma City. Fans
will not be disappointed in this series.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>PF:</u></b><u> Serge
Ibaka vs. Battier/Bosh<b><br />
</b></u><b>ADVANTAGE: </b>Bosh (if
he starts), Ibaka (if Battier starts)<br />
-While the status on whether Bosh starts or continues to come off of the bench
is uncertain, the Thunder will have Ibaka at the 4 position ready to redirect
Miami’s shots. In all but one playoff game, Ibaka has blocked multiple shots,
but his offense is also taking notice. In Game 4 against San Antonio, Ibaka was
lights out from the field, hitting all 11 of his shots for a 26-point performance.
Battier will mostly be in charge of guarding Durant and to shoot spot-up
threes, while Bosh could ease back into his starting role or provide a more reliable
scoring option from the bench.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>C:</u></b><u> Kendrick
Perkins vs. Udonis Haslem</u><b> <br />
ADVANTAGE: </b>Kendrick
Perkins<br />
-For the last few games, Haslem started at center for the Heat against Kevin
Garnett, but the size advantage against Perkins might be a tough one for
Haslem. Perkins will continue to provide defense inside the paint, but his 15
points against the Spurs in Game 4 shows that he can chip in offensively when
needed. Haslem had his best game in Game 4 against Boston with 12 points and 17
rebounds, despite a loss. Those two will battle for rebounds all series long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>BENCH:</u></b><u> Oklahoma
City Thunder vs. Miami Heat<b> <br />
</b></u><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> Oklahoma
City<br />
-With or without Bosh coming off of the bench, the Thunder will have the
advantage here with the Sixth Man of Year winner—James Harden—on their side. In
the West Finals, Harden was unconscious from long range, hitting 60.9 percent of
his 3-pointers en route to averaging 18.5 points per game. Derek Fisher can
still knock down big shots and Nick Collision will provide tough defense in the
post. Since coming back from an abdominal strain, Bosh is averaging 11.7 points
and 7.0 rebounds from the bench. Mike Miller will assist Bosh in bench scoring,
but one more of the Heat’s other reserves—James Jones, Joel Anthony or Norris
Cole—must step up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Thunder
in 7</span><o:p></o:p></div>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-13424971795659509062012-05-28T19:31:00.000-05:002012-05-28T19:31:00.959-05:002012 NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/sports_betting_news_homepage/sb_news/2012/05/28/heat-celtics-east-final-odds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://www.oddsshark.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/sports_betting_news_homepage/sb_news/2012/05/28/heat-celtics-east-final-odds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span><br />
<u style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics</u><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SEASON SERIES:</b> Celtics won 3-1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANALYSIS:</b> The Miami Heat withstood everything that the Indiana Pacers could throw at them, but turned up the pressure in the last three games to win in six. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were able to take over in the last three games averaging 65.7 points to offset the loss of Chris Bosh. Having Bosh back would certainly help the Heat, but for the meanwhile, James and Wade will need scoring help.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It took a tough seven game series, but the Boston Celtics defeated an up-and-coming Philadelphia 76ers squad who could be special down the road. Making it to its third East Final in five years, this could be the last hurrah for Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce together as teammates, but they are ready for one last run at a title. Avery Bradley’s defense will be missed, but Rajon Rondo will look to get timely steals and incorporate everyone on offense.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>POSITION SHOWDOWNS</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PG:</b> Mario Chalmers vs. Rajon Rondo </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ADVANTAGE</b>: Rajon Rondo (Celtics)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Rondo is continuing his strong play this season in the playoffs, leading all players in playoff steals (32) and assists per game (12.3). His triple-double against the Sixers (18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) in Game 7 was his third this postseason and he will look to get everyone involved. Chalmers had his best game in Game 3 against Indiana with 25 points and five assists but Rondo will have the better advantage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SG:</b> Dwyane Wade vs. Ray Allen </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> Dwyane Wade (Heat)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Both players have had their struggles in the playoffs this year, but Wade is on fire thanks to his recent streak of games. After scoring just five points in Game 3 against Indiana, Wade closed out the last three games with an average of 33.0 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 40-for-65 from the field. Allen is battling through injuries and a rough shooting stretch, but he showed that he can still be reliable with two 3-pointers in Game 7 against Philadelphia in the fourth quarter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SF:</b> LeBron James vs. Paul Pierce </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> LeBron James (Heat)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-In what should be the best position battle in this series, James will take an edge here in the showdown of future hall-of-famers. Defensively, both James and Pierce performed well this postseason, but how they stop each other will tell everything. The 2011-12 MVP comes into this series averaging 29.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, while Pierce is averaging 19.3 points and 6.9 rebounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PF:</b> Bosh/Battier vs. Brandon Bass </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> Bosh (if he plays), Bass (if Bosh does not play)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-With Bosh’s status still up in the air for this series, it looks as if Battier will start against Bass at power forward until Bosh returns. Bass has shown that he can step up when needed in the playoffs, thanks to his 11.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. However, his 27 points and six rebounds sparked Boston in Game 5 against the 76ers. The Heat were able to get by the Pacers without Bosh, but they still missed his post presence. Battier only shot 21.2 percent from the field against Indiana, but he is mostly used for his defense and a needed 3-pointer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>C:</b> Ronny Turiaf vs. Kevin Garnett </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> Kevin Garnett (Celtics)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Sitting at 15-17 at the All-Star break, Doc Rivers made the move to start Garnett at center instead of his normal power forward position. As a result, Garnett and the Celtics finished the season strong and he currently averages 19.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game this postseason. Turiaf would get the start and Joel Anthony gets more minutes, but I do not think either can slow down KG.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>BENCH:</b> Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> Miami Heat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Let me preface this by saying that the bench battle in this series may not be pretty, but Miami should have the advantage here especially when Chris Bosh is able to come back and reclaim his starting role. Avery Bradley’s season-ending injury hurts Boston’s bench because there is no scoring punch since Ray Allen starts in place of Bradley. Mickael Pietrus leads the Celtic bench with 3.7 points per game this postseason—a stat that must improve.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Heat in 6.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-76324977562680607812012-05-27T18:38:00.000-05:002012-05-27T18:38:07.641-05:002012 NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/sports_betting_news_homepage/sb_news/2012/05/25/spurs-thunder-western-conference-odds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://www.oddsshark.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/sports_betting_news_homepage/sb_news/2012/05/25/spurs-thunder-western-conference-odds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder</u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SEASON SERIES:</b> Spurs won 2-1</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANALYSIS:</b> The San Antonio Spurs have rolled right along the 2012 NBA Playoffs with sweeps of the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers, all while maintaining an 18-game winning streak since losing to the Los Angeles Lakers on Apr. 11. The Spurs have had solid contributions from their three key players—Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker—while still being able to manage each of their minutes thanks to a deep bench and other role players.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Making it to consecutive West Finals for the first time since 1978-1980, the Oklahoma City Thunder are hoping that last season’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks enables them to grow even more and possibly make the Finals. Oklahoma City only lost one game against the last two teams to put them out of the playoffs en route to this stage. First All-NBA selection Kevin Durant continues to improve his standing as one of the NBA’s elite players, while Russell Westbrook and 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year James Harden are both great players that make this trio as terrific as they are.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>POSITION SHOWDOWNS</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PG:</b> Tony Parker vs. Russell Westbrook</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> Push</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-The fellow 2011-12 All-NBA Second Teamers square off in this round with a contrast in styles. Parker likes to get his teammates involved more, while Westbrook is a bit more aggressive with his offensive game. The key in this one will be how one performs defensively and limits the other. Parker torched Oklahoma City for 42 points and nine assists on Feb. 4, but both players played well in their Mar. 16 tilt—a Spurs win.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SG:</b> Danny Green vs. Thabo Sefolosha</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> Danny Green (Spurs)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Although these two may have a small impact in this series, it may be one to hardly ignore. Green did not become a starter until Feb. 8, but he has provided 3-point shooting and good defense for San Antonio since then. Sefolosha’s stats are not that impressive, but what does not make the stat sheet—his perimeter defense—is something that helps out the Thunder.</span></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">SF:</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Kawhi Leonard vs. Kevin Durant</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> Kevin Durant (Thunder)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Like Green, Leonard is another good defender that San Antonio has. However, this could be his biggest test in this year’s playoffs as he will likely guard Durant. The runner-up to this year’s MVP award is averaging 26.7 points and 8.1 rebounds this postseason while not scoring less than 22 in that stretch. Leonard does one stat going for him, Durant only averaged 22.7 points against San Antonio this season—more than five points below his regular season average.</span></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">PF:</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Tim Duncan vs. Serge Ibaka</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> Tim Duncan (Spurs)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Ibaka has been a great shot blocking machine this season, turning away a league-high 241 shots and recording the 10-block plateau three times this season. But what happens when he plays against a rejuvenated Duncan? Duncan looks as if he has really turned back the clock in the playoffs. With the Spurs’ deep bench, rarely being in a closely contested game and the two sweeps, it is beneficial to Duncan, who only averaged 32.0 minutes this postseason but has his lowest defensive rating since 2003.</span></div>
<div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">C:</b> Boris Diaw vs. Kendrick Perkins</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> Kendrick Perkins (Thunder)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Diaw has seen it all this year. He started the season with the Charlotte Bobcats, but he signed with the Spurs two days after being waived from Charlotte on Mar. 21. However, I think Perkins’ championship experience wins out here. Mainly a defensive center, Perkins has come through with 14 blocks of his own and 5.9 rebounds per game this postseason.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">BENCH:</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ADVANTAGE:</b> San Antonio Spurs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-While Manu Ginobili and James Harden are two of the top sixth men in the NBA right now, the Spurs deep bench might be one of the best in the NBA. Ginobili leads the group with 11.3 points per game this postseason, while players like Stephen Jackson and Gary Neal can provide good scoring off of the bench. Oklahoma City does have Harden averaging 17.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in the playoffs. Derek Fisher’s veteran leadership and Nick Collison’s hard-nosed defense will help the Thunder. Whichever team’s bench performs better, it has a good job of winning the game. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Spurs in 6.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-36404982800971997012012-05-17T21:33:00.000-05:002012-05-17T21:33:12.648-05:002012 NBA PLAYOFFS: WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers</u><b><br />
SEASON SERIES: </b>Spurs won 2-1<b><br />
PREDICTION: </b>Spurs in 5</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers</u><b><br />
SEASON SERIES: </b>Thunder won 2-1.<b><br />
ANALYSIS:</b> In a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals, the
Oklahoma City Thunder wasted no time in making quick work of the defending
champion Dallas Mavericks with a sweep. 2011-12 MVP runner-up Kevin Durant was
instrumental in the series as he set the tone with his Game 1 game-winner. Durant
averaged 26.5 points and 7.5 rebounds against the Lakers, while James Harden’s 29 points
in the series finale allowed the Thunder to get revenge from last postseason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Los Angeles Lakers battled through a tough seven-game
series with the Denver Nuggets, where they were tested by an athletic, tough
team. Kobe Bryant was again has normal self, averaging 29.1 points in the
series, while Andrew Bynum had a great time staying out of foul trouble. Bynum
tied a playoff high with 10 blocks in Game 1 en route to a triple-double.
However, the Lakers showed that they missed Metta World Peace and he rewarded
them with 15 points and four steals in Game 7.<b><br />
PREDICTION: </b>Thunder in 6.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-80282761487923853812012-05-13T03:55:00.001-05:002012-05-13T03:55:51.133-05:002012 NBA PLAYOFFS: EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SEASON SERIES:</b> Heat won 3-1.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANALYSIS:</b> The Miami Heat had little to no problem in dispatching the New York Knicks in five games in the first round. 2011-12 NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James continued his strong season by averaging 27.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists against the Knicks, while also collecting 11 steals. Not to be outdone, Dwyane Wade had 14 steals and six blocks, while adding 21.0 points per game this postseason.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Indiana Pacers took the next step in growing after defeating the Dwight Howard-less Orlando Magic in five games. Roy Hibbert was able to take advantage of the Magic’s hole at center by averaging 11.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in the series. Most importantly, it was Hibbert’s nine-block performance in Game 1 that set the tone to him having 19 blocks against Orlando. Danny Granger provided the offense that Indiana needed in the series by averaging 21.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Heat in 5.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers</u></span><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">SEASON SERIES:</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 76ers won 2-1.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANALYSIS:</b> The Boston Celtics once again made it past the first round for the fifth year in a row after defeating the Atlanta Hawks in six games behind the efforts of their four key players—Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo. Garnett turned back the clock to his Minnesota Timberwolves days by averaging 18.7 points and 10.5 assists per game against the Hawks—including an impressive stat line of 28 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in Game 6. Rondo may have snapped a 28-game streak of double-digit assists in Game 6, but his 11.8 assists per game this postseason was tops in the first round. However, the most impressive thing was his 17 steals in the series—also the most in the first round.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Philadelphia 76ers became the fifth No. 8 seed to beat a No. 1 after their si</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">x-game series win against the Chicago Bulls—their first since 2003. The Sixers gave up 103 and 92 points in Games 1 and 2, respectively, but went back to their early-season defensive roots and allowed 77.8 points per game in the final four games. Jrue Holiday averaged 18.2 points and 5.2 rebounds to give Philadelphia just enough of a scoring punch against the Bulls and Elton Brand provided the defense with 15 blocks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Celtics in 6.</span><br />Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-12466047451748539452012-04-30T19:02:00.000-05:002012-04-30T19:02:56.287-05:002012 NBA PLAYOFFS: WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SEASON SERIES:</b> Spurs won 3-1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANALYSIS:</b> The San Antonio Spurs are once again the West’s top seed, but they are vowing not to be on the wrong side of another monumental 1/8 upset like last season. Gregg Popovich continued to manage Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker’s minutes, while giving younger players much valuable playing time. Despite only averaging 32.1 minutes, Parker scored 18.3 points per game and average 7.7 assists.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Utah Jazz make it back to the playoffs after a one-year absence after making an effective playoff push. Utah finished No. 4 in scoring with 99.7 points per game and part of that is due to their ability to score inside. Al Jefferson scored 19.2 points and had 9.6 rebounds per game this season and Paul Millsap added 16.6 PPG and 8.8 RPG. What could hurt the Jazz is their defense as they allow 99.0 points per game—No. 23 in the NBA. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Spurs in 5</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SEASON SERIES:</b> Thunder won 3-1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANALYSIS:</b> The Oklahoma City Thunder might be the No. 2 seed in the West, but they are the arguably the conference’s favorites to make it to the NBA Finals. In two bonafide superstars in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder are one of the more exciting teams in the NBA. Durant won his third straight scoring title with 28.0 points per game and is considered to be in the MVP race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Dallas Mavericks looked like a shell of their former selves this season, but as they showed last year that when they get it together, they can win. The defending champions overcame rest, injuries and controversy to sneak into the playoffs as a dangerous No. 7 seed. Dirk Nowitzki put together another good season with 21.6 PPG and 6.8 REB. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Mavericks in 6.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SEASON SERIES:</b> Lakers won 3-1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANALYSIS:</b> The Los Angeles Lakers started slow of the gate, but bounced back to take the Pacific Division crown over their city rivals, the Clippers. While Kobe Bryant continues to show why he is one of the best players in the NBA, the play of Andrew Bynum—for the most part—has been impressive. Bynum averaged 18.7 points and 11.7 rebounds for the Lakers this year and showed that he can be a good center in the NBA.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Denver Nuggets are a deep and an explosive team as shown by their ability to score. Denver was tops in scoring average with 104.1 points per game and seven different players averaged at least 10 PPG, including midseason acquisition JaVale McGee. Rookie Kenneth Faried had a great showing in his first year, averaging 11.1 points and 8.3 rebounds after taking the starting power forward position for good on Feb. 19.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Lakers in 7.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SEASON SERIES:</b> Clippers won 2-1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANALYSIS:</b> After a strong playoff showing last year, the Memphis Grizzlies are back and better than ever this season by securing the No. 4 seed and homecourt advantage for at least one round in this year’s playoffs. Unable to play in last year’s run, Rudy Gay is back as he led the team with 19.0 points per game. The Grizzlies’ strong inside with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol will make for a tough out in the playoffs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Los Angeles Clippers are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2006 after the best season in franchise history. Having Chris Paul gave the Clippers excitement, hope and leadership. With his 19.8 points and 9.1 assists per game, he made everyone around him better. Blake Griffin was a good beneficiary to Paul joining the Clippers by scoring 20.7 points and having 10.7 rebounds per game along with many thunderous dunks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Grizzlies in 7.</span><br />Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-49289780961876806332012-04-30T18:18:00.000-05:002012-04-30T18:18:27.403-05:002012 NBA PLAYOFFS: EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers</u></span><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">SEASON SERIES</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">: Bulls won 2-1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANALYSIS</b>: The Chicago Bulls won the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed for the second year in a row despite nagging injuries to reigning Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose. Limited to 39 games, Rose only averaged 21.8 points and 7.9 assists per game but never missed a beat thanks to their stifling defense. The Bulls gave up 88.2 points per game and had a defensive rating—points per 100 possessions—of 98.3, both lower than last season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Philadelphia 76ers looked as if they would take a huge leap forward after leading the Atlantic Division for most of the year, but they faded all the way down to the No. 8 seed following a 20-9 start to the season. They started so hot thanks to their defense as it allowed 89.4 points per game and 99.2 per 100 possessions—both good for third in the NBA. However, their 15-24 finish was a cause of not having enough offense. Lou Williams led Philadelphia with 14.9 points per game and Andre Iguodala continued to be a good, all-around player.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Bulls in 5.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SEASON SERIES:</b> Heat won 3-0</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANALYSIS:</b> The Miami Heat is a team on a mission after losing in the NBA Finals last year. Miami is again the No. 2 seed in the East, but they are still a juggernaut on both sides of the ball. Leading that charge is LeBron James, who could be the favorite to this year’s MVP award. James averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.9 steals this year as he, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh seek the elusive title that slipped away last year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The New York Knicks had a crazy season, but then again, what else would you expect from the Big Apple? A coaching change, the rise of an unknown player, two stars still trying to mesh, you name it! But the Knicks have played well as of late—going 18-6 and playing better defense under Mike Woodson. Carmelo Anthony’s 22.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game is good, but he has turned his game up this April by averaging 29.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Heat in 6.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SEASON SERIES:</b> Magic won 3-1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANALYSIS:</b> Since taking over midway during the 2010-11 season, Frank Vogel has coached up the Indiana Pacers to a very good young team with much potential. This season, they jumped all the way up to the No. 3 seed in the East, thanks to a solid core of players who stayed healthy for most of the season. Danny Granger had 18.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while All-Star Roy Hibbert improved his offensive rebounding and swatted away 128 shots.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Orlando Magic finished with the No. 6 seed in the East, but they had to suffer through a “Dwightmare” to get to it. While Dwight Howard was a bit of a distraction off of the court, he played well on the court. However, he will miss the playoffs due to his back. However, Ryan Anderson will pick up the slack left behind by Howard. Anderson improved his game this season by averaging 16.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, while being a great 3-point shooter in the process.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Pacers in 5.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SEASON SERIES:</b> Celtics won 2-1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANALYSIS:</b> Nearly left for dead at the All-Star break, the Boston Celtics staved off a rebuilding phase at the trading deadline to win their fifth consecutive Atlantic Division title. Boston continues to have the experience in its terrific trio of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, but it is Rajon Rondo who continues to progress as one of the NBA’s elite point guards. During his current 23-game streak with at least 10 assists, Rondo is averaging 13.8 dimes, 9.8 points and 1.9 steals per game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Atlanta Hawks are back yet again in the playoffs and they will have home-court advantage in this series. The Hawks allowed the sixth fewest points this season (93.2 PPG) and will be looking to advance into the second round for the fourth straight year. To do so, Atlanta will look to the complete game of Josh Smith, who averaged 18.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION:</b> Celtics in 6.</span><br />Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-30101499081964970732012-03-15T11:16:00.000-05:002012-03-17T16:52:25.628-05:00MY 2012 NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKET<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's that time again where everyone takes part in trying to pick that perfect bracket, or to at least beat their friends. It's also time for actually being right on a Cinderella team, so you can say that YOU saw it coming first.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><br />It is the NCAA tournament!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />Below is my bracket and I will be giving updates and commentary each day and round of how I did. We can all compare and see if you are doing better than me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />Are you ready for the challenge? Let's go!</span><br />
<br /><a href="http://games.espn.go.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/en/entry?entryID=7023862" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">http://games.espn.go.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/en/entry?entryID=7023862</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/03/16/sports/ncaabasketball/16syracuse-pic-2/16syracuse-pic-2-articleLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/03/16/sports/ncaabasketball/16syracuse-pic-2/16syracuse-pic-2-articleLarge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">UNC Asheville was so close to being the first No. 16 seed to beat<br />a No. 1 seed Thurs. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Mar. 15 1st Round Games:</b> Everything started out hot with a perfect start through six games. However, that all ended after the Long Beach State 49ers -- a pick of mine to make the Sweet Sixteen -- was bounced by an equally impressive and game New Mexico squad. This started a stretch where I finished even par in the last 10 games of the day, but without my bracket taking too much damage except for the 49ers and UNLV losing before the Sweet Sixteen.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><br />Outside of my bracket, the scare of the day went to No. 1 seed Syracuse during their game against No. 16 seed UNC Asheville. The Bulldogs had the Orange on the ropes at halftime and throughout most of the game, before Syracuse avoided the monumental upset, winning 72-65 despite a few missed calls from the officials.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><br />The most entertaining game, however, belonged to VCU and Wichita State. The Rams led by 12 early in the second half, but the Shockers made it a game and came all the way back. Yet, Bradford Burgess' three gave VCU the lead back with 1:33 left and Garrett Stutz missed a game-tying three as VCU won 62-59. Will they make another run? Time will tell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another mid-major that all eyes were glued on was a one-loss Murray State squad and their matchup with Colorado St. The Racers were in trouble at halftime down by a point, but turned up the defense in the second half. The result was 21 Colorado State turnovers and a 58-41 win by Murray St. I see them going to the Elite Eight, but it gets no easier. A showdown with Marquette awaits.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SCORES: 11/16, 110 pts. (Day), 11/16, 110 pts. (Round), 11/16, 110 pts. (Overall)</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos/2012/03/16/No-15-Norfolk-State-upsets-Missouri-DT15JQ1G-x-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos/2012/03/16/No-15-Norfolk-State-upsets-Missouri-DT15JQ1G-x-large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Kyle O'Quinn (10) jumps for joy after Norfolk St.'s upset<br />win over Missouri. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Mar. 16 1st Round Games: </b>If you had Norfolk State, Ohio and Lehigh advancing to the second round, then you are better than me and congrats to you. Missouri, Michigan and Duke have each been ranked highly for most of the season, but to see them lose in the Round of 64 is shocking (even if you are a rival of those teams). With those losses standing out, I was 10-for-16 and finished the first round 21-for-32. Gone are five of my predicted Sweet Sixteen picks, but I still have seven of my Elite Eight and all of my Final Four so things will be okay.<br /><br />On to the aforementioned games and Missouri was stunned by Norfolk State, 86-84. The Spartans stayed with Tigers throughout the whole game by answering everything Missouri gave. After Phil Pressey missed a game-winning three-pointer, we witnessed the fifth-ever 15/2 upset and it was the third time an HBCU --SWAC, MEAC or Tennessee State of the Ohio Valley conference -- did the feat. Kyle O'Quinn had 26 points, 14 rebounds, and one of the best <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohL3MVNd2D0" target="_blank">quotes</a> ever that showed the meaning of March Madness. Same for the Spartans' <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQsBoHik71Q" target="_blank">locker room reaction</a>. But Omaha, Neb. was not the only place to see an upset of this magnitude.<br /><br />In Greensboro, N.C., No. 2 seeded Duke never lost an NCAA Tournament game in that city. Who would have thought that the Lehigh Mountain Hawks of the Patriot League would be the first to beat the Blue Devils? Down 37-32 with 17:24 left in the game, Lehigh refused to give up. C.J. McCollum scored 30 points and dished six assists as the Mountain Hawks took the lead down the stretch and win 75-70. Now, they will take on Xavier Sunday.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.cleveland.com/marchmadness_impact/photo/cj-mccollum-1fafceaeab88bb1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media.cleveland.com/marchmadness_impact/photo/cj-mccollum-1fafceaeab88bb1a.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">C.J. McCollum's 30 points were enough to beat Duke and to give<br />the Patriot League its third ever tournament win. (Photo by Chuck Burton/AP)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Michigan fans love to call Ohio St. "Ohio", so what happens when they actually play OHIO? Easy, a 65-60 loss. The Bobcats pulled their second NCAA Tournament upset in three years by dominating Michigan and taking advantage of their cold shooting. Ohio shot 51.2 percent from the field and led for the final 28 minutes by as much as 12. Ohio takes on USF Sun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SCORES: 10/16, 100 pts. (Day), 21/32, 210 pts. (Round), 21/32, 210 pts. (Overall)</b></span>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-35663924114169915852012-02-15T22:29:00.000-06:002012-02-15T22:29:29.097-06:00LINSANITY TAKES OVER NEW YORK AND THE NBA<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thegrio.com/assets_c/2012/02/jeremy-lin-knicks-thumb-400xauto-30371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://www.thegrio.com/assets_c/2012/02/jeremy-lin-knicks-thumb-400xauto-30371.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin has become an overnight sensation and just<br />might be New York's answer at the 1. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Linsanity has taken over New York and it has NBA fans
Linsane in the membrane!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin has recently become
an overnight sensation following a week that saw him win Eastern Conference
Player of the Week honors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“I don’t know what’s going on in New York right now,” Knicks
power forward Amar’e Stoudemire <a href="http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/14/your-turn-canada-a-second-by-second-look-at-jeremy-lin-lighting-up-toronto/?iid=tl-main-mostpop2">said</a>
on MSG Network after Lin’s game-winner Feb. 14 against the Toronto Raptors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What is going on is that Lin has been what the Knicks needed
to run the point guard position and it shows during a six-game winning streak
that put New York back in the playoff hunt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Following Lin’s performance off the bench against the New
Jersey Nets on Feb. 4—25 points and seven assists—New York Mark D’Antoni
decided to give the Harvard alum a shot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Some (including <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/primetime2832/status/165999919033892864">myself</a>)
saw this as a desperate attempt to save D’Antoni’s job because the Knicks tried
this in 16 previous games with Iman Shumpert, while waiting for Baron Davis to
get healthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lin responded by averaging 27.3 points and 8.3 assists per
game and a 51.3 percentage from the field as a starter during the week of Feb.
6 to Feb. 12.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">However, his highlight performance came on Feb. 10 against
the Lakers when he scored 38 points and dished seven assists and earned the
respect of Kobe Bryant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.warriorsworld.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Jeremy_Lin_Warriors.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://www.warriorsworld.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Jeremy_Lin_Warriors.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Lin spent the 2010-11 season with the Golden State<br />Warriors, but was released by the team after the NBA lockout.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Players don’t usually come out of nowhere,” Bryant <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/nba/article/1129855--knicks-sensation-jeremy-lin-impresses-kobe-bryant-among-others">said</a>.
“If you can go back and take a look, his skill level was probably there from
the beginning. But no one ever noticed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lin’s road to NBA stardom has been tough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As a senior at Palo Alto High School, he won a state title
and averaged 15.1 points, 7.1 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.0 steals. Yet, he
chose Harvard because Stanford and UCLA did not guarantee a spot on the team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After putting up good numbers and leading the Crimson near
the NCAA Tournament for first time since 1946, he went undrafted in the 2010
NBA Draft but was invited to the Dallas Mavericks’ mini-camp. However, he chose
the Golden State Warriors after they offered him a two-year deal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“We thought when we offered him the one year guaranteed, we
felt like he was ours,” Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20120209-donnie-nelson-in-2010-mavericks-felt-knicks-star-jeremy-lin-was-theirs.ece">said</a>.
“But, like I said, there’s no place like home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lin saw limited playing time with the Warriors, but with Stephen
Curry and Monta Ellis, it would be very little and they released him. Same for the
Houston Rockets, who needed the roster space for Samuel Dalembert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Knicks even came close to parting ways with Lin before
his performance with the Nets <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ESPNSteinLine/status/168199799999434752">according</a>
to Marc Stein.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now the question turns to how does he jell with Stoudmire
and Carmelo Anthony?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2012/0212/nyc_120212_Kobe_on_Lin_Segment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2012/0212/nyc_120212_Kobe_on_Lin_Segment.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">With Carmelo Anthony (7) coming back into the mix, the Knicks are<br />hopeful he and Lin can mesh. (Photo by Nathanial S. Butler/NBAE)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> “I know there’s questions
about, ‘Can I fit in?’ and stuff like that, but this is like a dream come true
to me,” Anthony <a href="http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7571725/new-york-knicks-carmelo-anthony-return-week-likes-jeremy-lin">said</a>.
“It takes some pressure off of me. I don’t have to play point guard. I don’t
have to try to get Amar’e 20 points, try to get this guy 20 points, me try to
go out there and get 25-30 points a night, play defense, rebound do the whole
thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Plus it can only help the team get better and help Lin
settle in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">However, the most important thing is that there is a buzz
again in New York City about the Knicks—which is always good for the NBA’s
biggest market and a premier franchise in the league.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-88587351132016907952012-02-03T18:55:00.001-06:002012-02-03T18:55:39.842-06:00BLAKE GRIFFIN'S DUNK ON KENDRICK PERKINS...AND OTHER POSTER DUNKS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's okay Kendrick Perkins, you can come out of the embarrassment of getting dunked on by Los Angeles Clipper forward Blake Griffin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A day after LeBron James jumped over <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvjjEtjwKHE" target="_blank">John Lucas III</a>, Griffin one-upped him and possibly turned in the dunk of the year by making Perkins even madder than he already is. But how does this dunk stack up to others?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'll give you a few examples of vicious dunks throughout the times. (In no particular order).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>BLAKE CREATES THE TERM MOZGOV'ED</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In a game against the New York Knicks during the 2010-11 season, Blake Griffin opened everyone's eyes after violating then-Knick center Timofey Mozgov. In my opinion, I think this dunk is more jaw-dropping than the Perkins dunk because of HOW Griffin dunked.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">TIM-BER!!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/sPmJM5-HSi0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There are so many facial dunks that LeBron James has served up in his career, just ask Damon Jones and Delonte West. However, James' dunk on Tim Duncan was more impressive to me because he made a seven-footer and a future hall-of-famer stumble.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>"CRASH" AND BURN</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I really love Gerald Wallace and the way that he approaches the game by playing hard and leaving it all out on the court. However, then-Hornet rookie Marcus Thornton completely turned poor Crash into a poster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>KOBE WELCOMES DWIGHT TO THE ASSOCIATION</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Before Kobe Bryant wore No. 24, he wore No. 8. Before Dwight Howard was a perennial lock for Defensive Player of the year, he was a young star in the making. Not saying that this dunk changed things but...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>LIKE TAKING "KANDI" FROM A BABY</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What's more impressive: Amar'e Stoudemire's dunk on Michael Olowokandi OR Stephon Marbury's reaction? The answer: Yes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>DUNKS ARE BIGGER IN TEXAS</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Poor Shawn Bradley. He has been put on so many a poster during his career. However, when Tracy McGrady dunked on him in Game 2 of the 2005 Western Conference Quarters between the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks, Bradley left the game at the end of the season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>LISTER BLISTER</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Alton Lister...meet Shawn Kemp. And the Power of Reign.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>GOING TO WAR WITH AN AK-47</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After becoming the second team to upset a No. 1 seed, the Golden State Warriors found themselves down 2-0 to the Utah Jazz in the 2007 Western Conference Semis. But Baron Davis would not allow the Warriors to go down without making some noise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SCOTTIE!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks gave us the best NBA rivalry in the 90s with so many playoff wars. In the 1994 East Semis you could still see and feel the animosity after Scottie Pippen scaled Patrick Ewing and talked trash to the fallen Ewing and Spike Lee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>THE DURANTULA STRIKES!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, Kevin Durant and Dirk Nowitzki both reached the 40-point mark, but Dallas won behind Dirk's classic shooting performance. In Game 2, Durant went strong on Brendan Haywood and posterized him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>CHARGING BULL</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yet, four days before, Taj Gibson had the statement dunk of the 2011 Playoffs with his dunk on Dwyane Wade in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Gibson would follow that up with the parting shot to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead in the series.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ROCK-A-BYE BABY</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the 1982-83 season, the Philadelphia 76ers were flat out dominant with a 65-17 record. One of those wins came in this game when Julius Erving dunked on Michael Cooper. The Sixers would win NBA title, only losing one game in the playoffs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>JUMPED THE WEIS</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Le dunk de la mort. That French phrase is translated to "The Dunk of Death" and this dunk in the 2000 Summer Olympics by USA's Vince Carter over France's Frederic Weis did exactly that to Weis' NBA chances. Weis</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">—who was taken by the New York Knicks in the 1999 NBA Draft at No. 15</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">—never played in the NBA.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Feel free to share one that I may have missed!</span></span></div>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-70128635700012185972012-01-28T14:39:00.002-06:002012-01-28T14:39:46.125-06:00REMEMBERING JOE PATERNO<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">January 22, 2012 marked a day of sadness in college
football.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Joe Paterno, one of the greatest icons ever in the sport,
passed away from lung cancer at the age of 85.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Looking back at the last two months, part of his legacy took
a hit thanks to the Jerry Sandusky sex-abuse scandal and what Paterno did not
do in order to stop it. However, Paterno was a man that stood for integrity and
honor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At a time where many coaches change jobs just like clothes,
Paterno was the head coach at Penn State for an outstanding 46 years and had
been at Happy Valley since 1950.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At Paterno’s memorial Jan. 26, former Penn State quarterback
Todd Blackledge <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/26/phil-knight-nike-speech-joe-paterno-memorial-service_n_1234852.html">said</a>,
“No one individual has ever done more for a university anywhere in the country
than what Joe Paterno did for this school.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">During his tenure at Penn State, he won 409 games, two
national championships, and each of the five major bowl games—Cotton, Fiesta, Orange,
Rose and Sugar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Even when he had four losing seasons in five years from
2000-2004 and numerous people calling for him to step down, Paterno bounced
back to lead the Nittany Lions to an 11-1 season in 2005. This included the Big
Ten title and a thrilling triple-overtime against fellow coaching legend Bobby
Bowden and his Florida State Seminoles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In his last game—a hard-fought 10-7 victory over Illinois in
the snow—Paterno passed former Grambling coach Eddie Robinson for most
victories by a Division I head coach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After that game, his son and assistant coach Jay <a href="http://www.ydr.com/psu/ci_19225536">said</a>, “This might be one of the
best jobs Joe’s done of coaching, getting kids to buy into team-first, just
win, the whole nine yards. Don’t worry about personal accolades, personal
statistics. Don’t worry about playing time. Just (concentrate on) we’re going
to continue to win.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While doing so, he wanted his players to not only exceed on
the field but off of it too, and doing so in a fair way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In 2008, their Graduation Success Rate was at 78 percent
according to the <a href="http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/103008aaf.html">NCAA
Graduation Rates Report</a>. At the same time, the Nittany Lion football
program had <a href="http://sportsdelve.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/ncaa-probation-and-college-football/">never</a>
been placed on probation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sadly, on Nov. 9, his coaching career came to an abrupt end following
the Sandusky allegations and doctors diagnosed him with lung cancer shortly
thereafter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Still he was respected and supported by his peers such as former
Penn State football player Charles V. Pittman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pittman <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/26/phil-knight-nike-speech-joe-paterno-memorial-service_n_1234852.html">said</a>,
“Despite being pushed away from his beloved game, and under the extreme
pressure of the events of the past few months, Joe’s grace was startling.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Whether he did or did not do enough or more than the minimum
to stop the scandal in its tracks is a different story for a different time.
However, his overall contributions should still be well noted.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-76339455680041027342012-01-22T13:58:00.000-06:002012-01-22T17:30:06.372-06:002012 NFL PLAYOFFS: CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots<br />
</u><b>ANALYSIS:</b> Both teams did their
part at home last week to set up this game for the right to go to the Super
Bowl. New England completely crushed the Broncos 45-10, as Tom Brady showed he
had a hot hand with 363 passing yards and six touchdowns—five in the first half.
Baltimore had to scrap its way through a hard fought 20-13 victory against an
up-and-coming Texans squad. Joe Flacco did not turn over the ball once and the
Ravens forced four turnovers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>OFFENSE: </b>There is
no denying who is the better quarterback in this matchup between Tom Brady and
Joe Flacco. Brady had another great season after throwing for 5235 yards and 39
touchdowns certainly has the playoff experience with an NFL record 15 wins in
the postseason. Brady has great offensive weapons in Wes Welker and Rob
Gronkowski leading his receiving corps. Gronkowski was money last week,
catching 10 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns, while Wes Welker caught
a league leading 122 passes this season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Joe Flacco has proven to win his share of games in the
postseason too. The former Delaware Blue Hen has won a playoff game in each of
his four seasons in the league and proven to win a game on the road when it
counts. Last week, he threw for 176 yards and two touchdowns. The Ravens must
help him out with the running game and Ray Rice. Houston held Baltimore to 87
rushing yards and Rice only ran for 60 of those on 21 carries. Worth noting,
the Ravens are 3-4 when they run for under 100 yards and 10-0 when they reach
that benchmark. <br />
<b><br />
DEFENSE: </b>Coming off of one of its best performances this season, the
Patriots’ defense is out to repeat its showing from last week. New England held
Denver to 252 total yards and sacked Tim Tebow five times throughout the game. Despite
having the second-worst total defense in the NFL, the Patriots forced 34
turnovers—good for third in the league. Cornerback Kyle Arrington was one of
those active in causing turnovers, intercepting a league-high seven passes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If there is one defense you can always trust then it is the
Baltimore Ravens’ great one. Last week, they forced four turnovers against the
Houston Texans en route to a 20-13 victory. Baltimore ranked No. 3 in defense
this year and they still are led by Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. Suggs
had 14 sacks this season, Reed is still one of the better ball-hawking safeties
in the NFL and Lewis is still a great tackler and motivator. Watch out for
Ladarius Webb who picked off five passes and recovered two fumbles this season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION: </b>Ravens
24, Patriots 21<b><br />
KEY MATCHUP: </b>Joe Flacco vs. the New England defense</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>New York Giants @ San Francisco 49ers<br />
</u><b>ANALYSIS: </b>So who had these teams
in the NFC Championship Game? The New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers
used defense to defeat the offensive minded favorites Green Bay Packers and New
Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. The 49ers stunned the Saints
early and forced five turnovers throughout the game. However, it was an Alex
Smith pass to Vernon Davis that sealed the deal and placed it in the lore of other
great catches in 49ers history. The Giants also controlled the game early and
forced the Packers to cough up the ball four times. Hakeem Nicks shone brightly
in this game with 165 yards on seven catches, but it was his Hail Mary grab
before halftime that changed the outlook of this game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PREDICTION: </b>49ers
27, Giants 20</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>
KEY MATCHUP: </b>49ers running game vs. Giants run defense</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123038241945004582.post-917903584173716782012-01-14T13:30:00.000-06:002012-01-15T06:34:59.710-06:002012 NFL PLAYOFFS: DIVISIONAL ROUND<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers<br />
</u><b>ANALYSIS:</b> The San Francisco
49ers are back in the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons and new head
coach Jim Harbaugh has the team playing good football. Alex Smith has not been
asked to do much, but he has done a great job in protecting the football with
just five interceptions. Shouldering most of the load has been Frank Gore—who ran
for a solid 1211 yards and eight touchdowns this season. San Francisco is also
doing it on the defensive end with the fourth-best unit in the league. Giving
up passing yardage might be a concern, but the 49ers picked off 23 passes,
while it is very tough to run on the best run defense in the league.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The New Orleans Saints got off to a slow start on Wild Card
Weekend, but everything clicked late as they defeated the Detroit Lions, 45-28.
The Saints offense was as explosive, if ever, tallying up 626 yards—a new NFL
record for a playoff game. Drew Brees threw for 466 yards and three touchdowns
on 33-of-43 passing, and Jabari Greer’s two second half interceptions virtually
end any chance of a Lions’ win. This week, the Saints will try to win their
first road game in franchise history. </span></div>
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PREDICTION: </b>Saints 27, 49ers 23<b><br />
KEY MATCHUP: </b>The Saints offense vs. the 49ers defense (especially the
passing game)<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots<br />
</u><b>ANALYSIS: </b>The New England
Patriots are back in the playoffs, yet they are seeking their first postseason
win since the AFC Championship Game four seasons ago. In a mirror image of last
season, the Patriots breezed through the second half of the season and Tom
Brady made his claim to win the MVP award. Brady passed for 5235 yards and 39
touchdowns, and if not for Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers, he would have had the
more prolific passing season this year. His two favorite targets—Wes Welker and
Rob Gronkowski—were reliable this season, each having over 1300 yards
receiving. On the flip side, New England has the second-worst defense in the
league but they did force the third-most takeaways with 34.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tebow-Mania lives to see another week after the Denver
Broncos’ thrilling 29-23 overtime win last week. Just as everyone was grasping
the new overtime rules made specifically for the playoffs, Tim Tebow hooked up
with Demaryius Thomas for the 80-yard “one-hitta quitta” to seal the deal. Tebow was just 10-for-21 passing, but he
threw for 316 yards. While under the radar, Thomas’ 204 receiving yards (103
after the catch) is just as impressive. Denver hopes to avenge a 41-23 loss in Week 15 to the Patriots. </span></div>
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PREDICTION: </b>Broncos 23, Patriots 20<b><br />
KEY MATCHUP: </b>Tim Tebow vs. the Patriots defense</span><u><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens<br />
</u><b>ANALYSIS: </b>The Baltimore Ravens finally
were able to unseat the Pittsburgh Steelers as champions of the AFC North,
ensuring a home playoff game for the first time since 2007. The Ravens are
still fierce on defense, giving up the third-fewest yards and points this
season. Terrell Suggs recorded 14 sacks and one can never count out Ray Lewis
being the heart and soul of the unit. On offense, Ray Rice ran for 1364 yards
and 12 touchdowns, along with catching 74 passes. Joe Flacco continues to be hit-or-miss
playing quarterback at times, but he threw for 3610 yards and 20 touchdowns to
12 interceptions. Rice, Anquan Boldin, Ed Dickson and Torrey Smith will be
counted on to help Flacco.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Houston, we have liftoff! The Houston Texans soared to a
31-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in their first-ever playoff game last
week. Arian Foster dominated on the ground, running the ball 24 times for 153
yards and two touchdowns. Andre Johnson caught five passes for 90 yards in his
playoff debut and Houston’s defense forced three turnovers, including J.J. Watt’s
pick six late in the second quarter. In this week’s game, can rookie T.J. Yates
do the improbable and give the city of Houston its first representative in the
AFC Championship Game since the “Luv Ya Blue” Houston Oilers?</span></div>
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PREDICTION: </b>Ravens 20, Texans 10<b><br />
KEY MATCHUP: </b>Ravens run defense vs. Arian Fostor/Ben Tate<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers<br />
</u><b>ANALYSIS: </b>The Green Bay Packers
played much better this season than in their Super Bowl winning season last
year with Aaron Rodgers emerging as a legitimate MVP candidate. Rodgers threw
for 4643 yards and 45 touchdowns despite sitting out the season finale. Greg
Jennings was once again his favorite target but four others also caught at
least six touchdown passes including Jordy Nelson with a team-leading 15. With
the Packers offense sizzling, the defense was awful, giving up the most yards
in the league.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The New York Giants pounded the Atlanta Falcons so much into
submission that they actually gave them two points thanks to a safety. But in
all seriousness, New York’s 24-2 victory was impressive and the Giants
continued their recent trend of running the football well and playing good
defense. The Giants ran for a season-high 172 yards and Atlanta had a tough
time getting its running game going. We cannot even forget Eli Manning’s play
in the contest with 277 yards and three touchdowns to no interceptions. New
York is quite familiar with Green Bay and played them close until the end of
Week 13’s thrilling 38-35 Packers win. </span></div>
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PREDICTION: </b>Packers 30, Giants 27<b><br />
KEY MATCHUP: </b>Aaron Rodgers vs. Eli Manning</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>Primetime tha Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01586576707831726800noreply@blogger.com0