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Mets keep playoff hopes alive

2008-09-25T20:57:00.000-07:00

After trailing by three runs in the seventh, New York fought back in the rain to move within one game of NL East-leading Philadelphia with three to play. The Mets also stayed tied atop the wild-card race with Milwaukee, which beat Pittsburgh 5-1 in 10 innings.

Rich Harden pitched six solid innings in his final playoff tuneup for the NL Central champions and lightly used rookie Micah Hoffpauir went 5-for-5 with five RBIs and his first two major league homers — including a tiebreaking shot in the seventh off Ricardo Rincon that gave Chicago a 6-3 lead.

But the Cubs, resting most of their stars, couldn't hold on.

Pitching what could be his final game for the Mets, Pedro Martinez left to a warm ovation with the score tied 3-all in the seventh. He pointed to the crowd and raised his first in the air.

Former NBA referee Donaghy

2008-09-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

The 41-year-old American spent 13 seasons officiating in the NBA before being nabbed in an organized crime probe into the fixing of games he was working.

Donaghy, who pled guilty to felony gambling charges last August, reported to a minimum-security federal prison in Florida on Tuesday.

Donaghy was sentenced two months ago. Two of his co-conspirators, James Battista and Thomas Martino, also pled guilty in the case, with Battista getting sentenced to 15 months and Martino to one year.

Goran Dragic is going to the NBA

2008-09-22T19:48:00.000-07:00

When Goran Dragic was growing up in former Yugoslavia, he was hoping to become a member of his national team and a professional basketball player. But he was dreaming of playing in the NBA. He used to wake up at 3 a.m. just so he could watch whatever NBA games were being broadcast on TV.

So in June, when despite being a member of the Slovenian National Team and one of the best club teams in Europe, Tau Ceramica, he dropped everything to climb aboard the next flight to Phoenix and work out for the Suns. Although he slept very little and was on the court just a few hours after arriving in town, Dragic left no doubts to on-lookers during the secret workout that he was ready for the primetime.

In fact, it did not take Dragic long to move up the ladder as one of Europe’s best prospects. After being recognized as the All-Slovenian Newcomer of the Year in 2005 and making the Slovenian All-Star Game in 2006, Dragic was asked to become a member of the its national team. Then, after performing well in the 2007 European Championships against the likes of players like France’s Tony Parker, Dragic became a focus of the Suns’ scouting department.
Fashion, World News Update

Rodney Stuckey

2008-09-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

Rodney Stuckey averaged 7.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in the regular season and raised his scoring and assist averages in the playoffs to 8.2 points and 3.4 assists per game.

Stuckey is among the top young players in the league and is expected to see a major spike in his minutes this season. He also was just the third rookie in Pistons history to start a playoff game, joining Joe Dumars and Tayshaun Prince.

Stuckey was in Flint Sept. 18 as part of the Pistons Tip-Off Tour. I think I interrupted his attempt to get a game of pool going with Arron Afflalo, but he was still kind enough to answer a few questions.

Street style Fashion, World News Update, Voltax Latest News

The Boston Celtics

2008-09-18T19:29:00.000-07:00

The team will attend a ceremony Friday afternoon with the President George W. Bush. The Celtics plan to give him a personalized jersey and an autographed basketball.

Boston beat the Los Angeles Lakers in six games in June to win its first championship in 22 years.

On Thursday, fans lined up at the Connecticut state Capitol to see the championship trophy and former UConn star Ray Allen.
World News Update, All about Fashion, Voltax Latest News

LeBron to remain with the Cavs?

2008-09-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

Talk about LeBron's potential departure increased when he took a shorter-than-expected contract extension and added an opt-out clause that would allow him to leave Cleveland in 2010. The speculation had started almost as soon as James was drafted in 2003 and was fed by unconfirmed reports that some companies -- including Nike, perhaps -- would pay him more to play in a bigger market.

Ballerblogger explained one of the incentives for James to stay in Cleveland: "If LeBron James goes to N.Y. and wins a title -- he will be worshipped, King James, to be sure. ... If LeBron wins a title in Cleveland -- he will be worshipped as a god.

Cleveland is the most championship-starved, tortured sports city in America, and with its continued economic problems, sports is about the only thing Clevelanders can get excited about. Even if it was just one -- nothing would ever be the same for Cleveland, or for LeBron."
Gossip Girl, Voltax Odd's News, DC Universe Online

Solar Sports invested no less than P20 million for new equipment

2008-09-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

“It’s our very first telecast of a PBA game and we only want the best for the PBA televiewers,” said Jude Turcuato, the Solar Sports vice president for sales and marketing.

“We’re familiarizing our men with our new equipment. They’d been trained in the US and they’re not stopping in practice to avoid or minimize errors,” Turcuato added.

Solar Sports invested no less than P20 million for new equipment in a bold attempt to reach the standards of the NBA. A typical game will now be covered by six to seven brand new Sony D55 digital cameras and two ENG Panasonic P2s.

A Harris G-series inscriber was bought with the capability of showing seven layers of graphics on the screen like what is used in the NBA, CNN, Fox Sports and ESPN. An SNG flypack dish was also acquired to replace transmission by microwave in beaming the games from the venue to the Solar base in Antipolo using satellite technology.

The equipment will have its initial use as Solar Sports makes a mock coverage of some of the games in the PBA pre-season tourney.

“Actually, we’ve tested it and it’s really okay. But there’s still room for improvement. Ayaw namin na kakapa-kapa pa rin ang mga tao namin by the time we have our first coverage,” said Turcuato.

The anchors, analysts, courtside reporters and interviewers, meanwhile, undergo a series of orientations. Turcuato said the philosophy of “mass follows class” would be adopted in bringing the coverage to a level where market segments converge at the top.

The anchors are Mico Halili, Vitto Lazatin, Ed Picson, Paolo Trillo and Turcuato. The analysts are Norman Black, Danny Francisco, Quinito Henson, Vince Hizon and Jason Webb. The courtside reporters are Richard del Rosario, Patricia Bermudez-Hizon, Eric Reyes, Anthony Suntay and Dominic Uy. The interviewers are Peaches Aberin, Reema Chanco, Lia Cruz, Cheska Litton and Marga Vargas.
Protect our children act, Barrack Obama
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Quiet in my town lyrics

Mu Tiezhu dies at 59

2008-09-14T19:17:00.000-07:00

Former Chinese basketball star Mu Tiezhu died of heart attack in Beijing on Sunday noon, No. 309 PLA Hospital announced on Sunday afternoon. Mu was 59.

Mu, who stood 2.28 meters, two centimeters taller than Chinese NBA star Yao Ming, was a household name in China in the 1970s and 1980s.

The towering center joined the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1972 and made it to the Bayi (Chinese Army) team in 1973. Four years later, Mu was called to the national team.

PBA event in Herrin

2008-09-13T20:17:00.000-07:00

Seventy-three bowlers hit the lanes at the Herrin Bowl on Saturday, bowling eight games in hopes of being one of the 24 bowlers left standing for Sunday's semifinals that begin at 8 a.m.

"This is a pretty tough field," Midwest Regional Manager for the PBA Rich Weber said. "We have five guys off the national tour and many more with lots of regional titles to their credit including Steve Jaros with 41 regional titles."

Bowlers from 12 different states were on hand including last year's winner and two-time PBA Midwest/Central Region Herrin Bowl champion Jeff Richgels from Madison, Wis. Richgels is looking for his 30th career regional title.

West was acquired by the Cavaliers

2008-09-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

West, 25, was acquired by the Cavaliers on February 21 as part of a three- team, 11-player deal with the Seattle SuperSonics and Chicago Bulls that also brought Wally Szczerbiak and Ben Wallace to Cleveland. The fourth-year player averaged 8.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 61 games with the Cavs and Sonics last season, including 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 26 games with Cleveland

"This is the first time since I was offered a scholarship at St. Joe's that I feel like I am valued as a person and a player. (Cleveland owner) Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers have shown me that they value me as a person and a player and that was the most important thing to me," said West.

The St. Joseph's product averaged 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals in the playoffs for the Cavs and hit the game-winning three-pointer in Cleveland's 100-97 win over the Washington Wizards in Game 4 of their first-round series. That win gave Cleveland a 3-1 lead in the series, which it won in six games.

Kobe Bryant will forgo surgery on the pinkie finger

2008-09-11T19:20:00.000-07:00

Bryant said on kb24.com that he consulted with "numerous hand specialists" before making his decision, and opted not to endure a post-operative recovery period that would cause him to miss the start of camp on Sept. 27.

Initially, reports placed the recovery period at six weeks, but Bryant said he was told he could have been sidelined as long as three months. Bryant injured the finger in a February game and delayed getting surgery to finish the NBA season and to help the U.S. win a basketball gold medal at the Summer Games in Beijing.

Team Pilipinas

2008-09-10T19:13:00.000-07:00

The parcel is expected to bear the name of the coach tasked to select, form and train the RP men’s basketball team for next year’s Fiba-Asia Men’s Basketball Championship.

Barrios left for the US last week to attend to some personal matters, but sources within the league said he already anointed the person to become the next high-profiled coach to handle the all-pro RP five.

The league commissioner returns to the country two weeks from now and will announce a few days his choice for the RP team mentor.

Red Bull’s Yeng Guiao has been the leading candidate for the job, although also being considered are Barangay Ginebra’s Jong Uichico, Tim Cone of Alaska and Talk `N Text’s Chot Reyes, the same coach who handled the PBA-backed national team that saw action in the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifying tournament in Tokushima, Japan last year.

NBA TV

2008-09-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

“Fan Night,” as the network is calling it, will let fans log on to NBA.com and vote on which of the matchups the next Tuesday night should be the featured game. Whichever one wins the popular vote will be on NBA TV.

To kick off the season and to give fans a sneak peek at fan night, NBA TV will have a sneak-preview week Oct. 28- Nov. 4. The first fan-selected game will air Nov. 4.

“We’re proud to launch the new NBA season on NBA TV and NBA.com with the introduction of Fan Night, a landmark multiplatform experience that takes fan interactivity to an unprecedented level,” said Bryan Perez, senior vice president and general manager of NBA Digital, in a statement.

UTEP basketball coach dies

2008-09-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

Texas-El Paso spokesman Jeff Darby said the Hall of Fame coach died Sunday afternoon. He had no other details. UTEP was previously known as Texas Western.

Haskins was an old-time coach who believed in hard work and was known for his gruff demeanor. That attitude was portrayed in the 2006 movie "Glory Road," the Disney film that chronicled Haskins' improbable rise to national fame in the 1966 championship game against Kentucky. The movie, which was preceded by a book of the same title, also sparked renewed interest in Haskins' career.

During his career, Haskins turned down several more lucrative offers, including one with the now-defunct American Basketball Association, to remain at UTEP as one of the lowest paid coaches in the Western Athletic Conference.

Seven inducted into Hall of Fame

2008-09-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing and Pat Riley were enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday night, but it was inductee Dick Vitale who, as expected, stole the show.
Others in the class, which also included Detroit Pistons and Shock owner Bill Davidson, and former Immaculata University coach Cathy Rush, gave speeches. But the ESPN commentator held court, preaching with passion for almost 30 minutes about everything from basketball to broadcasting to family.

He connected all three in a story about his dad, who pressed coats during the day and was a security guard at night.

"I've been stealing money talking about a game, getting paid," he said. "That's why it breaks my heart when I see some athletes, chips on their shoulder. Are you serious? Flying charter planes? I don't want to hear about 80 games a year. What other job do you get four months vacation. Are you serious? Making millions if you can't play."

NBA Star Adrian Dantley

2008-09-05T20:29:00.000-07:00

It could have happened that way, according to former coach, general manager and president Frank Layden, if Adrian Dantley had not spent seven of his 15 NBA seasons in Utah.

"He played such an important role in those early years of the Jazz," Layden said. "If not for him, maybe we aren't still here, in Salt Lake City."

On Friday night, Dantley joins the greatest players, coaches and contributors in the history of the game when he is inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of a star-studded class that includes Miami Heat president Pat Riley, former New York Knicks great Patrick Ewing and ex-Houston Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon.

Air21 to grant draft

2008-09-02T19:42:00.000-07:00

The Express, who played in the franchise’s first finals series in the Philippine Basketball Association last month, picked Borboran sixth overall and Villanueva 13th in the PBA Draft last Sunday at the Market! Market! in Taguig.

Borboran’s entry adds further firepower to the Express, who suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 series loss to Barangay Ginebra in the recent Fiesta Conference Finals.

Borboran was a key figure in the University of the East team that swept the elimination round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines last year.

NBA's 15 Best Players

2008-09-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

Obviously, these things are never easy, and they're far from definitive—I realized even before I was done that I had probably already made some mistakes, that there were going to be some rankings that I myself would regret, some guys would be left off that I wish I had put on...and I just accepted it. I wasn't going to torture myself.

Overall, though, I think it's a very solid list. Tomorrow (or a week from now) you (or I) may look at it and think, "This guy should be ahead of that guy," or "That guy should be ahead of this guy," or "Where is this guy?"

But I believe that I have everybody in very close proximity to where they belong; I'm not way off with any player. Anyway, enjoy. And obviously, argue amongst yourselves and talk about how stupid I am.

1. Kobe Bryant, G, Lakers, 2. LeBron James, F, Cavaliers, 3. Chris Paul, G, Hornets, 4. Tim Duncan, F/C, Spurs, 5. Kevin Garnett, F, Celtics, 6. Dwight Howard, C, Magic, 7. Dirk Nowitzki, F, Mavericks, 8. Deron Williams, G, Jazz, 9. Steve Nash, G, Suns, 10. Amare Stoudemire, F/C, Suns, 11. Dwyane Wade, G, Heat, 12. Carmelo Anthony, F, Nuggets, 13. Paul Pierce, G/F, Celtics, 14. Tracy McGrady, G/F, Rockets, 15. Chris Bosh, F/C, Raptors.

Top pick Norwood

2008-08-31T19:36:00.000-07:00

“It’s really very exciting. And after almost two and a half months of thrills and waiting, here I am in the professional league now,” said 6’6” Norwood, the No. 1 pick who promised to help the Elasto Painters improve on their standing this year.

Welcoat was 10th in the last four conferences, winning only a total of 10 games since 2006.

“I thank the management of Rain or Shine for their trust in me. I hope it’s going to be a banner year for the team this time. I’m sure I can be a lot of help to the team,” added the 23-year-old Norwood, who helped Hapee Toothpaste to a runner-up finish in the 2008 PBL Unity Cup.

Norwood was a member of the RP team which finished ninth in the 2007 FIBA-Asia Championship in Tokushima, Japan.

PBA 34th season

2008-08-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios stressed the importance of the FIBA-Asia tourney on September 2009 because it will select the qualifier for the World Championship in 2010.

Thus, the next season will only feature the usual Philippine Cup and the Fiesta Conference, which will end in June to give at least a two-month preparation for the national quintet, according to Barrios.

“As per our agreement with the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas), it will be the coach that will be tasked with selecting the players who will compose the team,” said Barrios during yesterday’s SCOOP weekly session at the Kamayan Restaurant in Padre Faura.

He said the PBA board gave him a free hand to select the head coach of the RP team, which could only finished at a dismal ninth place in Tokushima, Japan in 2007.

Basketball fans

2008-08-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

To the cheers of the basketball community during the 4th Basketball Sup 2008, the dancers provided an intermission to the match presented by the Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ) in association with Qatar Basketball Federation and supported by Western Union, McDonald's, The Filipino Channel, El Emadi Group, Mediacom, Skyfreight, Redbull and Digital.

The group currently consists of James Garcia and Nathan Marfil as choreographers, Christian Domingo as assistant choreographer, Vheng Dimayuga, Liez Martin, Jaycee Ann Rivera, Eric Vista, Erick Victorino, Paul Santos as dancers and the junior dancers consist of Adrian Lampa, Ernest Bautista, Erikyle Aguilar, Bryant and Kristen Montenegro.

Olympic hoop dream

2008-08-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

Moreno was in Beijing last week with SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas and SBP executive director Noli Eala to meet FIBA president Bob Elphinston, FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann and FIBA-Asia secretary general Dato Yeoh Choo Hock on issues related to the future of the game in the country.

The two-hour meeting was held at the Beijing Hotel, where the heads of over 200 National Olympic Committees stayed during the recent Olympics. Also present were POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr., POC first vice president Rep. Monico Puentevella, POC ethics committee chairman and Olympic attaché Art Macapagal, POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros and former Asian Basketball Confederation (now FIBA-Asia) secretary-general Moying Martelino.

During the landmark meeting, FIBA reiterated its recognition of the SBP with POC affirmation as the National Sports Association (NSA) for basketball, ruling out the BAP for being a "nuisance." The BAP used to be FIBA's country affiliate until it was stripped of NSA status by the POC two years ago. To this day, the BAP continues to wage a propaganda war in a vain effort to discredit the SBP.

RP basketball officials

2008-08-26T19:46:00.001-07:00

The country’s recognized governing body for basketball is making a serious bid to host the FIBA-Asia qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics.

The intention to stage the quadrennial meet in the country was relayed to top International Basketball Federation (FIBA) officials by BAP-SBP executives led by Noli Eala and Ricky Vargas in a special meeting held during the Beijing Olympics.

“We already told FIBA that the Philippines is more than willing to host the FIBA-Asia meet in 2011 which will serve as qualifier to the 2012 Olympics in London," said Vargas, the BAP-SBP vice chairman, during a break in the planning session of the Philippine Basketball Association board being held in Macau.

FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann acknowledged the goodwill of the Filipinos and has told them to make their request formal

RP basketball officials

2008-08-26T19:46:00.000-07:00

Philippine basketball team

2008-08-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

"This is the first time I will be playing in Qatar," Marlo Aquino, one of the players said upon exiting the arrival lounge to meet some of the organisers and Filipino fans waiting to welcome the team.

"All the 14 members of the team are here including the new MVP Kelly Williams and Rookie of the Year Ryan Reyes," Carido said. Recently declared 2008 Smart PBA-All Philippine Cup champions, Sta Lucia Realtors will be pitted against the Qatar National Team in two friendly games scheduled today and tomorrow at the Al Gharrafa Sports Club.

"This is the first time for the Sta Lucia Realtors to play in Qatar, but not the first for Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) to invite prominent teams from the Philippines. Last year we invited the Red Bull team," said Rhea Navarro, of QBF. Games start at 5pm today with the commercial game between UPC All Stars and NBK All Stars. It will be followed by a match between visiting Sta Lucia Realtors and the Qatar National Team at 7pm.

The Express and the Gin Kings clash in Game 7

2008-08-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

Can Ginebra survive its final game of the season with its superstars hurting, or will its undermanned line-up eventually give way?

In a series very few expected to end this way, the Express and the Gin Kings clash in Game 7 Wednesday that’s projected to be rich in drama and intensity for the Smart-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference title at the Araneta Coliseum.

This game shouldn’t have been possible in the first place had the Express did a good job on defense in Game 6 last Sunday. They should, by now, be celebrating their first franchise title they have waited for six years to come along.

But Air21, so to speak, underestimated the heart of a champion, loosening up when it built what looked like an insurmountable 16-point lead (33-17) before eventually losing grip of the match when Chris Alexander had an offensive explosion in the third quarter that keyed Ginebra’s 80-75 victory.

US NBA stars win over Germany

2008-08-18T20:01:00.000-07:00

The game was never in doubt as the NBA All Stars pressured Germany early with a stifling defence, while cruising with an attack led by 22 points and 10 rebounds from Dwight Howard and 18 from Cleveland Cavalier LeBron James.

"We're pretty excited about finishing pool play undefeated and getting onto the medal round," US coach Mike Krzyzewski said of the game.

"We are healthy, I think the team has played well and we are very excited about getting into the medal round, it is time to win a gold medal."

Balanced scoring by the US was again in evidence as Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant finished with 13 and Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade had 10 each.

The US began the game by establishing Orlando Magic centre Howard in the middle as they jumped out to a 20-5 lead that also featured some explosive dunks by NBA scoring champ James.

Bryant, Vujacic carry Lakers to game three Finals win

2008-06-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers were back home and back in the NBA Finals instead of having their backs against the wall.

League MVP Bryant scored 36 points and Serbian sharpshooter Sasha Vujacic added a playoff career-high 20 off the bench as the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 87-81 in game three on Tuesday night.

The Lakers were in jeopardy of dropping into a 3-0 hole that no team in league playoff history has ever climbed out of.

Instead, they pulled to within 2-1 in the Championship series and seek to become the fourth team to overcome a 2-0 deficit when the series resumes at Staples Centre on Thursday night and Sunday. /bangkokpost.com

Pierce leads Celtics past Lakers 98-88 in Game 1

2008-06-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

Paul Pierce, who has struggled through highs and mostly lows in 10 seasons with the Boston Celtics, helped push his new teammates Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett into their first NBA finals through the rocky first few rounds.

When Mr. Pierce fell, clutching his knee, in the third quarter, a championship series without their captain and most-consistent scorer flashed before the eyes of Celtics present and past (Bill

Russell and John Havlicek attended).

But just minutes later, Mr. Pierce rose from his wheelchair to help Boston pull away from the Los Angeles Lakers and win Game 1, 98-88.

Celtics beat Pistons to reach NBA finals

2008-05-31T19:51:00.000-07:00

The Boston Celtics got past an old nemesis to set up an NBA finals matchup with another rival — the Los Angeles Lakers.

Paul Pierce scored 27 points, Ray Allen had 17 and Kevin Garnett added 16 to lift Boston to an 89-81 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Boston, which locked up with Detroit many times in the 1980s, will now rekindle another classic series in the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

"It's kind of surreal," Garnett said.

The Celtics are in the NBA finals for the first since losing to the Lakers in 1987, the third meeting in a four-year span.

The Pistons were eliminated on their home court for the first time during a six-year run that included a trip to the conference finals each year and the 2004 title.

Boston entered the series without a road win in the postseason, then beat Detroit on its home court twice to win the grueling series. /ap.google.com

Bryant leads Lakers past Spurs and into NBA finals

2008-05-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers dispatched the defending champions, and now they're headed to the NBA finals for the first time in four years.

Bryant scored 17 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter, and the Lakers rallied from an early 17-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 100-92 on Thursday night and win the Western Conference finals in five games.

The Lakers are 12-3 in the playoffs, including 8-0 at Staples Center, where they haven't lost in two months. They've won 14 straight home games and 21 of their last 24 postseason games at home.

They get a week off before opening the NBA finals next Thursday night at Boston or Detroit. The Celtics lead the Eastern Conference finals 3-2 with Game 6 on Friday night in Detroit. /ap.google.com

Celtics Beat Pistons in Game 1 of East Finals

2008-05-22T02:13:00.000-07:00

Not even a week of rest could prepare the Detroit Pistons for the hottest home team in the NBA. Kevin Garnett had 26 points and nine rebounds and Paul Pierce scored 22 points Tuesday night to give Boston an 88-79 victory over the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics' 15th straight home win.

Despite having just one day off after an epic Game 7 that eliminated LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers from the conference semifinals, Boston scored the first eight points against a Detroit team that waited six days for the series to start.

"Rest is not an option,'' Garnett said. "So we don't even think about that.'' Kendrick Perkins had 10 rebounds for Boston and Rajon Rondo scored seven of his 11 points in the fourth quarter, hitting a 3-pointer with 1:47 left in the game after the Pistons cut the deficit to 83-75. Rondo also had seven assists and five steals while outplaying Chauncey Billups, the MVP of the 2004 NBA finals, in his return from a right hamstring injury.

"I believe in him. I play him. I'm going to keep playing him,'' Celtics coach Doc Rivers said of his point guard. "I told him before the game, 'Stop worrying about them. Make them worry about you, too. You're a hell of a basketball player.'''

The Celtics earned home court through the playoffs with a league-best 66-16 regular season record and rode that advantage to seven-game victories in series against Atlanta and Cleveland. On Tuesday they improved to 9-0 at home in the playoffs, but they're 0-6 on the road.

"They haven't lost a game; they should be confident,'' said Billups, who missed the last 2 1/2 games of the Orlando series. "They have been very good here at home. We are usually a really good team; we didn't have a good game today, but we look forward to Thursday.'' /nba.com

Kobe's 34 points help Lakers beat Jazz and take 2-0 lead

2008-05-09T00:25:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Lakers celebrated Kobe Bryant's MVP award the best way possible. Bryant had 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists Wednesday night, and the Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 120-110 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals and remain the NBA's only unbeaten team in the postseason.

The series shifts to Utah for Games 3 and 4 on Friday night and Sunday. The Jazz had an NBA-best 37-4 home record this season, but one of the losses was by 11 points to the Lakers on March 20.

Bryant received his Most Valuable Player trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern in a brief ceremony before the game.

"I'm at a loss for words, I don't know what to say," Bryant said as the Staples Center crowd of 18,997 roared its approval and chanted M-V-P. "I love you guys so much. We're going to play until June. Let's get this party started."

The 29-year-old Bryant was a runaway winner of his first MVP award, receiving 82 first-place votes and 1,100 points to far outdistance New Orleans' Chris Paul in the voting of 126 media members. The results were announced Tuesday. /ap.google.com

Celtics snap Rockets' NBA win streak at 22 games

2008-03-19T03:15:00.000-07:00

Regular-season win leader Boston snapped the second-longest win streak in National Basketball Association history at 22 games here Tuesday with a 94-74 victory over the Houston Rockets.

Kevin Garnett led Boston with 22 points while Paul Pierce added 20 as the Celtics improved their league-best record to 54-13 and dropped the Rockets to 46-21, level with the Los Angeles Lakers atop the Western Conference.

The Rockets' run fell short of the all-time NBA win streak of 33 established in 1972 by the Los Angeles Lakers. Houston had not lost since falling 97-89 to Utah at home on January 27.

Houston won the last 10 in a row in the streak without Chinese All-Star center Yao Ming, lost with a season-ending foot injury.

By winning a possible preview of the NBA Finals, the Celtics improved to 22-4 against Western Conference clubs with their 13th triumph in 14 games and their seventh in a row on the road, ending a 15-game Houston home win streak.

"The Rockets are playing some unbelievable basketball. A streak of 22 in a row is hard to do in any sport," Garnett said. "But we have been on a little streak of our own. It's good to have a little consistency of our own." /afp.google.com

Nokia launches N82 in jet black

2008-03-18T05:44:00.000-07:00

Nokia has unveiled the Nokia N82 in stylish black.

The Finnish phone giant says the jet black edition brings "a blend of state-of-the-art imaging, integrated navigation and high-speed internet connectivity to the Nseries range."

This "multimedia computer" comes with the same photography features as the original, including a 5-megapixel camera, Carl Zeiss optics and a Xenon flash.

The N82 enables people to "geotag" the images they capture allowing them to not only be saved by date, but by location as well.

The N82 will also work with Nokia's free "Sports Tracker" application, that lets consumers share their whereabouts and travel route with others on the Sports Tracker website. /scenta.co.uk

Wizards beat Cavaliers

2008-03-14T02:46:00.000-07:00

When the Vogue cover model missed the three-point attempt at the buzzer, the returning birthday boy and the Washington Wizards had an exhilarating win over a big nemesis.

Caron Butler unleashed a month's worth of pent-up energy on day he turned 28, coming back from a 16-game injury absence to score 19 points Thursday night in the Wizards' 101-99 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Butler, whose hip injury sent Washington into a February slump, scored the game's opening basket, survived some rough contact and made six of his first eight shots before fatigue set in.

The player the Wizards affectionately refer to as "Tough Juice" finished 8-for-18 from the field and had five rebounds in 41 minutes.

"Swag at an all-time high," said Butler, sporting a sharp suit with a purple-and-white tie and matching handkerchief after the game.

"Feeling good. Good win. Birthday. Going to go out with the team into the city and celebrate right now." /slam.canoe.ca

ZaNa Design's flash drives get customisable

2008-03-12T05:38:00.000-07:00

ZaNa Design's unusual flint, stone and wood flash drives now come with the option of laser engraving with selected graphics art and fonts for a unique, customised way to store your data. /pocket-lint.co.uk

Broken finger cannot keep NBA's Iverson down

2008-03-11T03:13:00.000-07:00

Denver Nuggets playmaker Allen Iverson has a broken right ring finger but will continue to play through the injury, the National Basketball Association club announced Monday.

An X-ray taken Monday in San Antonio showed the all-star guard with a small, non--displaced fracture on the end of the finger.

He suffered the injury Saturday against New Jersey.

Iverson, 32, leads the Nuggets with 26.8 points, 7.3 assists and 2.0 steals a game.

The club has a 37-25 record but ranks ninth in the Western Conference, two games behind Golden State for the final playoff spot in the West. /afp.google.com

Bryant's 52 points lift Lakers past Mavericks

2008-03-06T12:55:00.000-08:00

Kobe Bryant scored 30 of his season-high 52 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 108-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

Bryant had 22 points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers overcame a six-point Dallas lead and scored eight more in
overtime.

Jason Kidd, who had 15 points and 11 assists, rallied Dallas to within a point at 105-104 with 10 seconds remaining in overtime.

However, he missed a free throw and Bryant hit two with nine seconds to go."We didn't give them any good looks and I think eventually, that wears the team down," Bryant told reporters. "We really got it done on the defensive end."

The Mavericks needed a three-pointer by Dirk Nowitzki with two seconds left to force overtime."Both teams got into a defensive slugfest, it was a mud wrestling contest out there for at least the second half," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said."

We didn't have many turnovers, although the last play of regulation we did, but it was just a close game.Los Angeles scored the first five points of the extra period on a three-pointer by Sasha Vujacic and Bryant's layup.

Bryant also contributed 11 rebounds and four assists. /english.sabah.com.tr

K.G. to sit again with abdominal strain

2008-01-30T02:51:00.000-08:00

MIAMI -- Boston center Kevin Garnett will miss the game against Miami because of a strained abdominal muscle, his second contest on the sideline.

Garnett won't dress for the game Tuesday night against the Heat, coach Doc Rivers said after the morning shootaround.

"He always wants to play, which is good," Rivers said. "But he understands it's the right thing for the team."

Garnett, the Celtics' second-leading scorer (19.2) and leading rebounder (9.9), sat out the 96-93 loss in Orlando on Sunday.

Rivers said no decision has been made on whether Garnett can play Thursday, when the Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks.

"If he can play Thursday, we'll play him," Rivers said. "But again, it's got to be almost 100 percent. That's the way I look at those types of injuries." /timesunion.com

LeBron Gets First Victory in Miami

2008-01-23T01:54:00.000-08:00

The timing was perfect for LeBron James to get his first victory in Miami.

James, winless in his first eight visits to AmericanAirlines Arena, had 28 points and five assists Monday night to lead the surging Cleveland Cavaliers to a 97-90 victory over Miami, handing the Heat their 14th straight loss.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who improved to 8-1 in January.

"We're just playing great basketball," James said.

Dwyane Wade scored 42 points for the Heat, who are 8-32 overall _ 2 1/2 games better than league-worst Minnesota.

The 2006 NBA champions' skid is the second-worst in franchise history, after Miami's 0-17 start in its expansion 1988-89 season,

Ryan Gomes helped Minnesota finally get it done on the road, scoring a career-high 35 points _ including the go-ahead free throws in the final minute _ and grabbing 11 rebounds to help the Timberwolves beat Golden State 109-108 to snap a 16-game losing streak away from the Target Center.

"We were excited as you could tell on the floor," coach Randy Wittman said. "It's been a long time coming, on the road especially. ...

Tonight was the first night I didn't see the shyness of trying to make a play. We were aggressive all the way to the end." /washingtonpost.com

Pistons deal Celtics first home defeat of NBA season

2007-12-20T02:48:00.000-08:00

BOSTON, Massachusetts (AFP) — Chauncey Billups delivered 28 points, including two clutch free throws, as the Detroit Pistons dealt the Boston Celtics their first home defeat of the National Basketball Association season on Wednesday.

Billups' two free throws with one-tenth of a second left to play proved the difference in the Pistons' 87-85 victory over the Celtics.

Richard Hamilton chipped in 21 points for the Pistons, who improved to 18-7 overall and an NBA leading 9-2 on the road.

Boston, meanwhile saw their 12-game home-court winning streak end. The Celtics had won their last nine games.

Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 26 points and 12 rebounds.

Ray Allen, returning to action after missing two games with a tender right ankle, scored 24 points.

The game featured the two top defensive teams in the NBA as the Celtics came in allowing just 86.5 points while the Pistons were second at 91.5.

Boston led 65-61 in the final quarter, the Pistons finally taking their first lead since the first quarter with 9:42 to play when Lindsey Hunter hit a 3-pointer.

The Pistons led 85-79 with a minute left, when Boston's Eddie House hit a 3-pointer. Allen tied game at 85-85 with a 3-pointer with 18 seconds to play.

As Billups attempted a jumper in the waning moments, Tony Allen jumped in the air and fouled him, setting up the winning free throws. /afp.google.com

Casio’s Latest Gadget Makes Printing CD Labels Easier

2007-11-30T04:11:00.000-08:00

One of my many bad habits is that I never label my CDs when I burn them. I use a Sharpie once in a while, but my handwriting is so bad that I never know what I wrote anyway.

Sure, I could print out labels and affix them to the CD, but that’s a pain. That’s why I like this new Casio CW-E60 Title Printer.

This little device will use a thermal transfer ribbon to print the label onto your disc. The Title Printer comes with simple software to design your labels.

You can choose from 8 different colored ribbons for your prints. The printer will set you back $60. /ohgizmo.com

Triple-double from James boosts Cavs

2007-11-27T03:43:00.000-08:00

LeBron James had his fourth triple-double of the season, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers 111-106 on Sunday for their third straight win.

The National Basketball Assocition's leading scorer finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. It was the 14th time he had double figures in three statistical categories in his NBA career.

Drew Gooden had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and Sasha Pavlovic added 22 points and five assists for the Cavaliers.

In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Carlos Boozer had 36 points and 11 rebounds and Deron Williams added 21 points and 14 assists in Utah's fifth straight 103-93 win over Detroit.

Detroit played without Rasheed Wallace (knee) for the second game in a row, then had head coach Flip Saunders ejected after picking up a pair of technicals for arguing with official Marc Davis in the third quarter.

Boozer was 17-of-20 from the floor in his best scoring day this season. Former Piston Mehmet Okur added 12 points for Utah, while Andrei Kirilenko had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

In Toronto, Chris Bosh had 16 points and 13 rebounds and rookie Jamario Moon matched his career-high with 15 points to beat the Bulls 93-78. It was Chicago's fourth straight loss.

Moon added nine rebounds, six blocks and three steals in Sam Mitchell's 114th victory as Raptors' coach, moving him past Lenny Wilkens for the most in team history.

At Seattle, Tim Duncan scored 26 points and San Antonio scored the first 12 points of the third quarter to break away for a 116-101 win over Seattle.

Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker each scored 22 for the Spurs, who at 12-2 are off to their best start after 14 games in team history, one game better than last season. /chinadaily.com.cn

IGEL’s latest Microsoft® Windows® XP Embedded firmware delivers virtualisation support, multi display output features and enhanced security

2007-11-21T02:18:00.001-08:00

With the introduction of the Leostream® VDI client in its new Windows XPe image, IGEL® Technology now offers virtualisation support across its entire thin client product range of 20 different models spanning 3 operating systems.

Reading, England, 21st November 2007 - IGEL Technology today announced its latest Windows® XP Embedded firmware upgrade enhancing the broadest and most powerful range of thin clients on the market.

The firmware allows full virtual desktop access via the Leostream Connection Broker. Any organisation using virtual PC’s based on VMware’s Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) standard can now use any Windows XPe model from IGEL’s award-winning product line. Windows XPe gives users a very broad range of digital services and full Microsoft compatibility to compliment their virtual desktop.

The image contains Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, Microsoft Media Player, PDF readers and Java on most models, allowing users to deliver certain server-based applications outside the virtual PC connection. This helps organisations reduce server load and also enhance the user desktop experience.

The firmware also includes the latest Microsoft RDP 6.0 client which supports resource redirection for a broad set of plug’n’play devices. Additionally the new Microsoft RDP version supports spanning a single remote session across multiple displays and visual improvements including support for 32-bit colour and font smoothing.

The IGEL XPe firmware also helps users by intelligently placing application windows automatically in one of the four displays on IGEL’s PanaVeo thin client. This makes using a multi-screen Windows desktop very fast and easy for people such as financial traders.

Finally, IGEL has enhanced security with the option of disabling specific USB devices in any supported IGEL XPe device using either the local setup manager or remotely with IGEL Remote Management Suite. This feature involves a simple mouse click with no scripting and helps administrators to drastically reduce the risk of data theft from their network.

“The introduction of our latest Windows XPe image means all of our 20 thin client models allow access to virtual PCs using VMware’s VDI standard. IGEL now offers the broadest range of VDI compatible thin clients from a single manufacturer.

Being able to rapidly introduce new digital services like the VDI standard and offering customers a broad selection of access protocols for their entire server based needs is a testament to our digital service strategy.” said Stephen Yeo, worldwide strategic marketing director for IGEL Technology. /webitpr.com

Phoenix Suns beats New York Knicks 113-102

2007-11-14T19:37:00.001-08:00

New York Knicks Eddy Curry (34) tries to block a shot by Phoenix Suns Amare Stoudemire during first quarter NBA basketball action in Phoenix, Arizona Nov. 13, 2007.
Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa (L) drives past New York Knicks' Malik Rose during fourth quarter NBA basketball action in Phoenix, Arizona, Nov. 13, 2007. Barbosa scored 23 points and Phoenix defeated New York 113-102.

New York Knicks Mardy Collins (25) drives past Phoenix Suns Steve Nash during first quarter NBA basketball action in Phoenix, Arizona Nov. 13, 2007. Collins started in place of Stephon Marbury, who returned to New York from Phoenix before the start of the game.

New York Knicks Eddy Curry (34) and Phoenix Suns Brian Skinner collide during fourth quarter NBA basketball action in Phoenix, Arizona Nov. 13, 2007.

Phoenix Suns Grant Hill (R) catches a pass while being guarded by New York Knicks Nate Robinson during fourth quarter NBA basketball action in Phoenix, Arizona Nov. 13, 2007.

http://www.china.org.cn/english/sports/231976.htm

Basketball: Steve Nash - from Swansea Bay to NBA

2007-11-05T05:25:00.000-08:00

HE is an American sporting icon, worth an estimated £50m and voted among the world’s most influential people. And he’s Welsh.

Steve Nash has twice been named the National Basketball Association’s most valuable player.

But his ancestry is not from the mean streets of New York, Los Angeles or Chicago.

Wales on Sunday can reveal Nash’s mum, Jean, was born and spent her early life in South Wales, while his grandfather, Les Hall, still lives in Swansea.

“I was born in Swansea and lived in the Clase district for 10 years,” confirmed Jean, who celebrated her 56th birthday last week. “Stevie has been to Wales, but only once to see my grandad before he died.”

While he may not be a household name in the land of his fathers, 33-year-old Nash is a superstar in North America – on and off the court.

A five-time All Star, the Phoenix Sun star is only the second point guard to win back-to-back MVP awards – following the legendary Magic Johnson.

But it is off the court that he really stands out, earning a reputation as the antidote to basketball’s celebrity and bling culture epitomised by Los Angeles Lakers rival Kobe Bryant.

The Steve Nash Foundation he formed in 2001 raises millions of dollars a year for disadvantaged children worldwide.

And last year he was named in Time Magazine’s top 100 most influential people in the world, alongside the likes of George W Bush, Puff Daddy and Bill Gates.

But he has not been afraid of controversy, publicly condemning United States involvement in the Iraq War when he wore a T-shirt stating bearing the logo, ‘No War – Shoot For Peace’, to the NBA All-Star Game in 2003.

All a far cry from his family roots in South Wales.

Mother Jean left Swansea at the age of 10 when her police-constable father Les took her and mum Catherine to Yorkshire to take up a post as a probation officer.

The family moved on to London, where Jean met John Nash, who she married, aged 20, in 1971.

The newlyweds emigrated to South Africa, where Steve was born in Johannesburg in February 1974.

“I liked the sound of South Africa,” recalled Jean. “But when Steve was born and we had enough money, we left because I didn’t want Steve growing up in apartheid.”

The young family moved in 1975 to Regina in the Canadian state of Saskatchewan, where Steve’s brother Martin – now a pro footballer playing for Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian national team – was born.

The Nash family finally settled on Vancouver Island when Steve was two.

Football was always in the family; sister Joann also plays, while Steve’s father played semi-pro for Ashford in the Southern League.

Steve grew up a ‘soccer fanatic’ and grew up dreaming of playing for boyhood team Tottenham Hotspur, who his father followed – a link which has led to stories about a possible takeover of the troubled Premiership club.

The Phoenix Suns guard, a lifelong Tottenham fan, says he would love to be involved with the English Premier League team at some point.

“I’d like to be an owner,” Nash told the New York Times. “It’s something I could do for the rest of my life after my little window of popularity closesdies.

“Of course, I would love to own Spurs, but I have not got a spare 300 million,” he said. “I am a lifelong fan of the club. I am massively proud to be a fan.

“One day, when my career has finished, I would love to be involved with the club. I would love to be a part of a club like that.”

But he has not had to wait until his career is over to link up with Tottenham, meeting his heroes on a trip to Britain.

“Steve’s dream came true when he trained with Tottenham in the summer,” said Jean.

“We came across to John’s dad’s funeral and Steve trained at Tottenham.

“Steve was introduced to the crowd at half-time, but he was nervous because he thought people would think, ‘Who’s he? He’s just some basketball player’.”

Nash started in the NBA with the Suns in 1996, before a move to the Dallas Mavericks in 1998 saw him shoot to prominence, being voted into the NBA All Star game for the first time in 2001.

Phoenix re-signed him in 2004 on a six-year $66m contract and transformed the Suns into Pacific Division champions as Nash edged the great Shaquille O’Neill to the MVP award – the first white player in 18 years to win the accolade.

Nash inspired the Suns to back-to-back Pacific Division titles and a second MVP award in 2006 before a stellar season last time out.

He became the first player since Magic Johnson to average 18 points and 11 assists per game, returned to the All-Star game for the fifth time in six years, led the NBA in assists and assists per game and helped the Suns to a Pacific Division hat-trick.

But he narrowly missed out on a third MVP award, losing to his good friend and ex-Dallas team-mate Dirk Nowitzki, the godfather of his twin daughters, Isabella and Lourdes.

Nash was named by Sports broadcasters ESPN the ninth best Point Guard in the NBA’s 60-year history and his free throw shooting average of 89.6 per cent is third in NBA history.

But it is work as a humanitarian and ambassador for sport which really marks Nash out from the crowdn.

The money he makes from endorsements is ploughed into The Steve Nash Foundation, which spends $1m-a-year aiding youngsters all over the world.

He recently opened his $5m Steve Nash Sports Club in Vancouver and started the Canada-wide Steve Nash Youth Basketball League that has attracted almost 20,000 youngsters to play his sport. He has also spent millions helping childrenb in Africa.

His parents are Steve’s business managers and Mum Jean recalled: “At first Steven didn’t want to use his name, because he didn’t want people to think he wanted to get attention.

“He’s not interested in being a big name, but wants to use his profile to make a difference and improve children’s lives because he loves kids. I said you couldn’t do that without your name being attributed to it as companies would be less likely to help.

“Eventually he came around to our way of thinking. He just wants to give something back to those less fortunate. He’s a really great guy and cares about everybody.”

Nash is certainly a sportsman with depth. He loves art, travel and is a discerning reader, enjoying works by philosopher Immanuel Kant and Russian novelist Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

His anti-war stance caused controversy, but Nash argued insufficient evidence was provided saying Iraq was a threat and insisted UN inspectors should be allowed to complete their mission.

“Steve believes violence should be a last resort,” said dad John, a former advertising executive who spends summer in Victoria and the winter in Phoenix. It was Steve’s off-the-court work as much as his on-the-court efforts that earned him a spot in Time Magazine’s top 100 most influential people in the world in 2006.

He is also a consummate team player.

When Nash represented Canada at the 2000 Olympics Games in Sydney he gave his team-mates, most of whom were amateur, $3,000 each to ‘enjoy their experience and not to worry about money’.

He also refused first-class treatment and insisted on sharing a room like his team-mates, even though the Canadian team had booked him a suite. He also gave up his first-class seat on the flight over to the tallest player on the team because ‘he needed it more’.

“He must have got the caring side from me,” joked grandad Les Hall, from his apartment in Swansea.

“After being a police constable and a probation worker, I went on to be a social worker!”

Les and late wife Catherine met just 200 yards from his St Helen’s Road home before the war before marrying in 1943 before Les was called up to war effort in the Royal Navy. They had four children, three of whom live abroad in Canada, Melbourne and France. Les’ beloved Catherine died of a heart attack five years ago and the last time the whole family were together was her funeral.

“I love going to see Steve, I’m treated like royalty,” said Les beaming. “He gets swamped by kids asking his autograph and they even ask me for mine!

“But I can’t go over all the time as I suffer vertigo and the 14-odd hour journey from Swansea to Phoenix takes it out of me. I need a week to recover.”

Nash’s Welsh heritage runs deep as his great-great-grandfather, David Richards, was mayor of Swansea just before the Second World War.

The NBA season, which started this week, may be taking most of his attention at the moment, but Steve has not forgotten where he comes from.

His manager, Chris Talbott, said: “Steve is very aware and extremely proud of his Welsh roots.”

‘To top it off, Nash is just a nice guy’
STEVE NASH has earned plenty of plaudits during his 11 years in the NBA.

But perhaps his greatest accolade came when Time Magazine named him among the 100 Most Influential People in the World list in 2006.

Time turned to NBA Hall of Fame legend Charles Barkley, a former Phoenix Sun forward, to pen the tribute to Nash.

He wrote: "I’ve been all over the world and I always think people won’t know who I am. They do.

"The way basketball has been embraced globally always amazes me. And I’m glad the world has got a chance to learn from a guy like Steve Nash.

"What has he taught us? It pays to be selfless. You can be content just to make the players around you better.

"To top it off, Nash is just a nice guy. He used endorsement money to help pay for a new paediatric cardiology ward in a Paraguayan hospital. That’s beyond admirable.

"Over the past few years, his popularity has exploded.

"His ego could have, swelled; everyone else’s does. But he still just wants to pass the ball.

"I’m a lucky guy to be living in Phoenix. The sun. The golf. And I get to watch Nash act like a magician on the court. Can’t top that.

"And who knows? Maybe he’ll inspire a whole new generation of kids to pass out of double teams the way he does.

"Like Nash, maybe they’ll be selfless off the court too. That would be even better."

Hoop dreams - from Swansea to Phoenix

Steve Nash

Born: Feb 7, 1974 in Johannesburg, South Africa

Age: 33

Nationality: Canadian

Family: Wife Alejandra and two children, Lola and Bella

Position: Point guard

NBA career: Phoenix Suns (1996-98, 2004- Present), Dallas Mavericks (1998-2004)

Awards: NBA’s Most Valuable Player of 2005 and 2006, five-time NBA all-star player, three-time NBA leader of total assists and assists per game.

Wolves sign Jefferson Rather than waiting, rising star takes $65 million deal

2007-11-02T07:10:00.000-07:00

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Al Jefferson could have waited until next summer to sign a contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In fact, that was what his agent advised him to do, hoping that a big season and his status as a restricted free agent would have brought the 22-year-old power forward the highest contract allowable under league rules.

Jefferson ignored that advice and signed a five-year, $65 million deal just before the deadline Wednesday night. In the era of "Show me the money!" and "bling bling," Jefferson's reason was stunningly humble.

"I didn't even think I was worth max (money) this year anyway," Jefferson said at a press conference on Thursday. "I would've been a fool to go up there and ask for max, having not really proved myself for that. So the number I got was the number that was my goal from Day 1. And I think it was a win, win situation."

At an average salary of $13 million per season that starts next year, Jefferson certainly won't be starving. But Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said that had Jefferson signed a max deal, he would have been entitled to 25 percent of Minnesota's salary cap.

Depending on where the cap is set in each of the next six years, Jefferson likely would have made more than $15 million per season.

"I can tell you around the league, 85 percent of the people feel they're worth max," McHale said with a chuckle. "Al's in the minority of 15 percent that doesn't believe he deserves max."

The young Timberwolves desperately need Jefferson to evolve into the max-contract type of player if their massive rebuilding project is going to succeed.

Jefferson was acquired at the end of July from Boston along with four other players -- Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair and Theo Ratliff -- and two first-round draft picks for Kevin Garnett, the only superstar the Timberwolves have ever had.

After 12 years of trying, and failing, to surround Garnett with veteran talent to get them to the NBA finals, McHale decided it was time to let the face of the franchise go and start over.

So he pulled the trigger on the unprecedented 7-for-1 trade, with Jefferson being the lynch pin of the deal. The 6-foot-10, 265-pounder has been a beast on the low block for the Wolves in the preseason, leading the team with 17.9 points and 13.4 rebounds per game.

McHale adoringly calls him "truly a throwback, low-post, offensive rebound, punch-you-in-the-mouth and score around the paint type guy."

He has long had an affinity for Jefferson's game, but it took some convincing before McHale decided to sign him long term. Jefferson's agent, Jeff Schwartz, pushed for an extension as soon as the trade transpired, but McHale didn't bite.

After eight preseason games, a training camp trip to Europe, and countless hours on the practice court, McHale is sure now was the right time.

"I knew Al was good," McHale said. "Al's better than I thought he was. When you're around him every day, you see his character, you see his personality, you see his work ethic and you see his ability. It's really a package that's very, very impressive."

Establishing a young core including Jefferson, Randy Foye, Corey Brewer and Rashad McCants, McHale has completely revamped a team that has missed the playoffs for three straight seasons. He traded veterans Mike James, Trenton Hassell, Ricky Davis and Mark Blount and bought out the contracts of Troy Hudson and Juwan Howard.

With KG gone to Boston, it's Jefferson's team now. After four years with the Celtics, Jefferson thinks he is ready to become a star.

"I told Kevin. I'm prepared for this. I'm ready for this," Jefferson said earlier in training camp. "This is what I want. Every guy in the NBA wants to get the opportunity that I have right now and I want to take advantage of it."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/11/01/wolves.jefferson.ap/?eref=mostpop

Police combat crime with gadgets

2007-10-30T03:47:00.000-07:00

(Mike Koozmin/Special to The Examiner)
Millbrae police Officer Stephen O’Malley uses the new Panasonic Arbitrator digital video camera system and a Panasonic Toughbook laptop computer with GPS in a squad car at the Millbrae Police Station on Monday.

Millbrae, Calif. (Map, News) - New cutting-edge technology will help Millbrae police stage an ongoing “Cops” episode and allow officers to respond more quickly to crimes and emergencies.

New laptops and digital video cameras added this month to two of nine patrol cars will be used to make crime fighting more effective and expedite administrative work, said Cmdr. Marc Farber. The other cars will get the new systems soon, he said.

The widescreen cameras will automatically start recording each time an officer turns on the patrol car's emergency lights, capturing any action in front of the car, such as field sobriety tests for potential drunken drivers. It can also back-record anything up to 15 minutes before the lights are turned on.

The video images appear on the laptop screen, and together they can make DVDs to play in court as evidence against criminals and to protect police accused of misconduct.

The laptops are also valuable because officers can file reports from their cars, which allows them to stay in the field so they can respond more quickly to an emergency or breaking crime. Previously, officers had to return to the station to write reports.

That advantage is important because the police force is shrinking, while the population expands, said former Millbrae police Sgt. Rich Dixon, who retired four years ago but worked part time until recently.

“If you’ve got a guy inside doing a report and only one guy roaming around, that’s less coverage you have out in the city,” Dixon said. “This is the way it should be. This way you keep all your officers on the street.”

Police can also use the computers to look up photos for suspects without identification, as well as research DMV files using license plate numbers, both of which keep radio traffic down, Farber said.

The total system costs about $11,000 per vehicle, he said.

“It’s kind of like a full-service office on wheels,” Farber said. “We here at Millbrae are trying to stay on the cutting edge of technology for our officers.”

When cruisers arrive back at the station, an antenna automatically records all the information from their camera and stores it for one year.

The equipment should be comforting to Millbrae residents, considering “there is nothing more important” than public safety in the city, Vice Mayor Nadia Holober said.

The tools should increase report accuracy and allow officers to do their jobs without having to juggle with recording, she said.

http://www.examiner.com/a-1017849~Police_combat_crime_with_gadgets.html

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - The Los Angeles Lakers step into the 2007-08 National Basketball Association season with trade talk swirling around superstar Kobe

2007-10-29T04:12:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - The Los Angeles Lakers step into the 2007-08 National Basketball Association season with trade talk swirling around superstar Kobe Bryant.

Bryant, whose epic scoring exploits have proved inadequate to take the Lakers back to the NBA Finals, took Lakers management to task as far back as May for failing to bring in enough talent to support him in a playoff run, saying he wanted to be traded.

Things simmered down slightly during a summer in which Bryant helped the United States storm through the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament.

But talk of Bryant's possible - or in some reports imminent - departure was rampant as training camps wound up.

While the Lakers said Bryant was expected to play when the Lakers open the season at home to Houston on Tuesday, team owner Jerry Buss apparently raised his superstar's hackles in early October when he sid the team "would certainly listen" to trade offers.

Bryant is in his 12th season with the Lakers. He has four years remaining on an 88.6 million-dollar contract that will pay him some 19 million dollars this season.

Bryant will have the option to leave in two years, and even though Buss has said he would entertain offers for the player who currently defines the franchise, any team would have a hard time coming up with suitable trade material.

There was talk that the Dallas Mavericks, hugely disappointed in the first round of the playoffs last season after falling in the Finals the year before, might do well to make a play for him.
The Phoenix Suns, another Western Conference contender that has failed to get over the hump in the past two seasons, have been mentioned, along with a maturing Chicago Bulls team in the Eastern Conference.

ESPN.com cited unnamed sources in reporting Saturday that the Lakers and Bulls had been in "daily discussions" about a possible Bryant trade, and that the Lakers wanted "a package built around Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah."

The Chicago Tribune, however, reported that while the teams have talked, no such package has been specifically discussed.

Certainly the appeal of Chicago for Bryant would have to be dimmed if the Bulls' were drained of their emerging talent when he arrived, leaving him in essentially the same position he faces in Los Angeles.

Since Bryant has a no-trade clause that would let him veto a move, it remains to be seen how any team that wants him can satisfy the Lakers and still tempt Bryant.

As Bryant nursed a sprained right wrist in the final weekend before the season, Lakers coach Phil Jackson told the Los Angeles Times on Sunday that he wasn't convinced Bryant was committed to the Lakers campaign.

"It was my feeling, from a conversation with Kobe that he was going to work at this thing and put his full being into this," Jackson said. "Right now he's having a hard time doing that."
"You don't have to worry about that," Bryant retorted. "I'm ready to play."

Still, Jackson said, the uncertainty has affected the Lakers, leaving Bryant's teammates "confused."

"I think there's a certain sense of how does this all fit all together, which is natural because they haven't seen a situation like this before," Jackson said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071028/ts_alt_afp/basketnbalakersbryant_071028224548

Judge finally beats La Salle, now focusing on soccer playoffs

2007-10-26T00:03:00.001-07:00

(La Salle's Patrick Sinnott (left) and Father Judge's John Myers battle for ball.)

As the referee blew his whistle one final time, signifying the game's end, the Father Judge soccer team sprinted to midfield, where they exchanged emphatic high-fives.

It wasn't an overwhelming celebration, but it was celebration nonetheless.

The Crusaders had defeated La Salle for the first time in 5 years, 2-1, on their home turf. More importantly, the Cruasders remained undefeated in Catholic League play, at 12-0-1. La Salle fell to 11-2-0.

Despite the emotional win, the Crusaders know they haven't won anything yet. And the two-time defending champion Explorers know they still have time to recover.

"We just met the challenge today," Judge coach John Dunlap said. "I think we wanted it a bit little more in the first half and got the edge."

"J.D. [Dunlap] and I have been around long enough to know that the big games are yet to come," La Salle coach Robert Peffle said. "But certainly in the standings and the battle for first place, sure, it's a big game. The players on both teams know that. The good part about this big game is, there still are games to go."

Senior forward Wayne Maminski put Judge on the board only a few minutes into the game and the Crusaders never looked back. Rich Romano, a senior midfielder, added another goal midway through the first half as the Crusaders shut out La Salle in the opening session.

Patrick Sinnott netted a score for the Explorers early in the second half, but that was all the scoring La Salle could muster.

Maminski's goal was his team-high 22nd, which he flicked over the head of La Salle's goalie for a 1-0 lead.

"Maminski's such a good player," Peffle said. "He plays the game the right way. He'll attack you. If you double him, he's going to lay it off to somebody else and then quickly move to get it back."

The Crusaders kept the ball in La Salle's zone for much of the first half, applying pressure from the flanks.

"Everyone was talking, everyone was really hyped before the game - focused," Maminski said. "We were just moving the ball really good. Everyone was talking, organized. When all that stuff works out, you're set for a good half."

Romano capped the half with his goal, which came on a pass John Myers placed 2 yards in front of the net. That gave Judge a 2-0 lead at halftime.

The Explorers adjusted their defense by applying more pressure to the sides, forcing Judge to attack from the center. La Salle got right back in the game when Sinnott scored shortly into the second half, cutting the lead to 2-1.

"We always start off good, but then we slack off," Romano said. "Once we get a lead we have to keep up the pressure the whole 80 minutes."

The Explorers scattered a few scoring opportunities throughout the remainder of the game, but they couldn't find the net and the Crusaders held onto first place.

"We don't score a lot of goals," Peffle said. "We win a lot of close games. To go down two against a really good squad like Judge is tough to come back."

Judge has two more games remaining before the league playoffs begin on Nov. 3, but is focused simply on attaining the top seed.

"It's playoff time now," Dunlap said. "You can start to feel the weather changing and we want to take it to the next level. Today playing La Salle, we knew this was a playoff game and we want to match that level."

If Judge indeed captures the No. 1 seed, and La Salle grabs the No. 2 spot, a potential rematch could occur for the championship on Nov. 17.

"There's a lot of soccer that has to go, if we play them again somewhere," Peffle said. "If we do, that will be great. That means we've survived a few playoff games." *

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20071025_Judge_finally_beats_La
_Salle__now_focusing_on_soccer_playoffs.html

Nintendo Wii Review: NBA Live 08

2007-10-25T23:42:00.000-07:00

After bringing other EA Sports franchises to the Wii, the NBA Live franchise makes its debut in NBA Live 08. All things considered, this definitely looks and feels like a first attempt by EA to make a basketball game on the Wii. There are things that need to be fixed in next year’s game, and it feels more like a foundation to build on for NBA Live 09, but it’s still an okay game.

NBA Live 08 features two Wii-specific modes: a challenge mode, where you find yourself in the shoes of NBA superstars, having to complete in-game challenges. Also added is a party mode that is basically just the NBA All-Star weekend games from previous NBA Live installments. Unfortunately, create-a-player and dynasty modes are victims of party and challenge mode’s inclusions in the Wii port, as they didn’t make the cut.

The main focal point of Live 08 is the controls and whether they’re better or not. In some areas, they are better. Free body control, which is in the other versions of the game, is missing from this version. The Wii remote is programmed to be used in several motions, most notably for things like shooting, blocking, stealing and making lay-ups. While the movements are easy to make, the only downside is that everyone seems to be able to shoot with the same ease and skill. Even big guys like Shaquille O’Neal can shoot better than their real-life counterparts, and EA needs to fix this in the next Wii installment. Family Play also rears its ugly head with the same result: the game is basically played for you. It’s still lame.

For the slam dunk competition, you have to select a dunk from a predetermined list, each with point values. Then, you move the Wii remote in different directions, with the game gauging both that it was moved correctly and quickly enough. The better you do, the higher your dunk score. I’ll be bluntly honest – this feels ten times better than doing it on the DualShock or 360 controller. You don’t have the same control over movement, but it’s far less complicated.

The game’s graphics do seem old, but they’re better than on the PS2 version, so if you can handle the game looking like it’s from NBA Live 06 (and they weren’t too bad then), then this shouldn’t be a problem. As for sound, it’s crisp and perhaps the most well done part of the game, from the in-game sounds all the way to the soundtrack.

Online game play is around this time, but like Madden 08, it’s just not very good yet. Most of the replay value will come from offline multiplayer gaming in things like the slam dunk contest. Outside of just playing the game or party mode, there’s not a whole lot of replay value.

This is EA’s first shot at developing a NBA Live title on the Wii, and while there are things missing, a good foundation has been laid for future Wii versions. There aren’t full-body controls, and the graphics could use improvement, but this isn’t meant to be a direct port of the PS2, 360 and PS3 versions. There is definite room for improvement, and I hope EA takes the time to make NBA Live 09 for the Wii a great game, but as it stands now, NBA Live 08 on the Wii is a pretty average game.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/10/25/224358.php

After a year of losses and lacklustre launches, Motorola is relying on Razr2

2007-10-25T23:18:00.001-07:00

(The Motorola V9M Razr2 cell phone. With a sleek design and an even sleeker advertising campaign, Motorola is banking on its new Razr2 to pump up anemic sales. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Motorola Inc.)

CHICAGO - With a sleek design and an even sleeker advertising campaign, Motorola Inc. is banking on its new Razr2 cellphone to pump up anemic sales and provide a rosier future after a yearlong slump punctuated by back-to-back losses.

After a first half that may have put CEO Ed Zander's future employment into question, the end of Motorola's rough patch may be in sight.

"We indeed believe the worst is over," Citigroup analyst Jim Suva wrote in a research note last week.

But analysts say the cellphone maker needs a steady string of follow-ups to stay alive in an industry now dominated by products crammed with cutting edge features and software.

Consumers seem to agree: One group on the social networking site Facebook snarkily calls itself "My Motorola makes a better coaster than a phone."

Rival Samsung Electronics Co. overtook Motorola this summer to secure the No. 2 spot among cellphone manufacturers worldwide. Finland's Nokia Corp. remains the far-and-away leader. Some analysts say Motorola's market share has continued to erode and dropped back to 11 per cent in the third quarter, from 22 per cent last year.

Motorola hasn't had much luck on Wall Street either, where its stock has plunged 20 per cent since last fall.

"If they have another miss this quarter, the pressure is going to be huge on the board to do something," said Eric Jackson, a Naples, Fla., shareholder who launched the grass roots initiative called "Plan B" that calls for Zander's resignation, among other changes. "You only get to say 'mea culpa' so many times."

Wall Street analysts expect earnings to hit four cents per share on revenue of US$8.8 billion when the Schaumburg, Ill.-based company reports third-quarter earnings Thursday.

Any third-quarter profit would be driven by Motorola's hand-held business devices and high-tech home entertainment gadgets: The company has said its cellphone unit will remain unprofitable until at least 2008.

This is the same company whose original Razr was the cellphone of choice just two years ago, nearly doubling the company's market share in 18 months. But the company's decision to dramatically slash prices in order to maintain market share sent the company's profits into a free fall in the absence of another slam-dunk phone in its portfolio.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expect annual revenue to fall 14 per cent this year to $36.7 billion and earnings per share to drop 84 per cent to 19 cents.

"Our primary criticism of Motorola's execution over the past three years has been this lack of steady stream of follow-on products," Bill Choi, an analyst at Jeffries & Co., wrote in a research note.

The Razr2's prospects to succeed where phones like the Rizr and Rokr have fallen flat remain uncertain. Sales figures aren't available, but Oppenheimer & Co. analyst Lawrence Harris told investors this week that Razr2 seems to be off to a slow start, lagging older Razr and Krzr models in the U.S. after two months on the market.

Experts say the company didn't seem to learn from past mistakes in its cellphone unit. A decade ago, when Motorola didn't plan a follow-up to its successful StarTac phone - one of the country's first popular flip phones - it found itself trailing competitors.

Motorola's struggles come as its rivals in the cellphone market are mostly thriving.

Nokia, buoyed by strong sales in India and China, nearly doubled its third-quarter earnings compared to last year. Apple Inc. has sold nearly 1.4 million iPhones since late June and predicts it will sell 10 million next year. And smart-phone rival Research in Motion Ltd., which makes the ubiquitous BlackBerry, has seen its stock price more than double this year.

Motorola executives say the cellphone unit is back on track after what Stu Reed, who replaced Ron Garriques this summer as its leader, called a "harsh lesson."

"The portfolio from now on you'll hear about is a wave, a drumbeat," Reed said during the annual meeting with analysts in September. "And it won't be a one-hit wonder, it'll be a multitude of products."

Motorola announced nine new handsets this month, including a holiday edition of the Razr2 with gold-plated accents and the Moto U9, a lightweight phone and music player that includes a camera and multiple messaging capabilities. Moto U9 is pegged for Asia, Latin America and Europe. Analysts expect more high-end products next year.

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/technology/071024/z102413A.html

Tour de France promises new rules, course for 2008

2007-10-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

(Michael Rasmussen climbs the ascent of the Aubisque pass during the 16th stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday, July 25, 2007. (AP / Christophe Ena))

PARIS -- The Tour de France will have revamped rules and a slightly less mountainous but hopefully more exciting course in 2008, organizers announced Thursday, looking to inject fresh enthusiasm into cycling's doping-battered showcase race.

After the drug lows of the past two Tours, riders will cross a geographical high in 2008, scaling Europe's highest mountain pass, the 2,802-metre Col de la Bonette-Restefond. Last climbed by the Tour in 1993, it is one of 19 major mountain passes that riders will tackle, two less than in 2007.

And for the first time since 1967, the race will start with a full road stage -- 195 kilometres from Brest to Plumelec in Brittany -- instead of an opening individual time-trial race against the clock that had become traditional. The goal: to give more riders, and not just time-trial experts, the chance to compete for the race lead and its coveted yellow jersey from the very start.

Adding further unpredictability to the mix, organizers have done away with time bonuses that were awarded to the fastest finishers each day and those who were among the first at other fixed points along the route. That rule change, especially in the high mountains which often open up large time gaps between riders, could lead to a tighter and more suspenseful and open Tour.

The July 5-27 Tour will cover 3,550 kilometres, with 21 stages and two rest days. The first of two time trials will come on day 4. The second comes on the penultimate day, to fix the finishing order before the race concludes with its habitual processional final ride to the Champs-Elysees in Paris, when the winner often sips champagne in the saddle as he rides.

"The idea was really to break the classic scenarios,'' Tour director Christian Prudhomme said. "I am convinced that cycling will rediscover its romanticism that made it a legend.''

It needs to. Drug scandals have pushed the sport into crisis, denting sponsors' enthusiasm and television viewership. The 2006 Tour winner, Floyd Landis, was stripped of the title for failing a doping test. This year's edition was a doping debacle, with race leader Michael Rasmussen sent home for skipping drug tests and favorite Alexandre Vinokourov testing positive for a banned blood transfusion.

Cycling has responded with new anti-doping measures announced this week.

Prudhomme said it was "inconceivable'' that any rider would be allowed to start next year without signing on to perhaps the most important measure -- a series of tests that will allow drug-testers to build a blood profile for each athlete. If follow-up tests show significant changes to that profile -- which could be caused by drug use -- riders could be barred from racing.

Prudhomme called the program "a real progress in the fight against doping.''

"We're setting off with good hope,'' said Jean-Francois Pescheux, another senior Tour official. "We have to because otherwise cycling is heading for catastrophe. If the 2008 season is a repeat of 2007 and 2006 it's the end of cycling and I think everyone is aware of that.''

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071025/tour_france
_071025/20071025?hub=World

NBA Announces John Salmons' Arm is Now Part of the Ball

2007-10-25T21:12:00.001-07:00

LOS ANGELES, October 25 -- The National Basketball Association announced Thursday it will debut a new ball at the start of the 2007-08 regular season after a successful test run in an October 24 preseason game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Sacramento Kings.

The new ball will still be made out of the leather, but John Salmons' forearm will be attached to it.

"We're very excited about the possibilities John Salmons' forearm adds to the game," said David Stern, NBA commissioner. "It added complexity to the Clippers and Kings game, especially in the final seconds. With the old ball, that would have been a foul when Cuttino Mobley raked John across the arm in the act of shooting a three to win the game. A foul would have led to free throws deciding the game, and that's not exciting. With the new ball, John's forearm is fair game. It makes for a better product."

The Clippers led 92-90 with seconds left when Salmons attempted a three-pointer. He incited Mobley to leap with a pump fake, and then went up. Replays showed Mobley clearly grabbing Salmons' forearm, causing the shot to come up short.

"I thought Cat really grasped the impact of the new ball and how that figured in our defensive strategy," said Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy. "We practiced that play in our shootaround, and it really paid off for us."

The new ball did cause some problems for the players, however. The forearm attached to the ball caused some problems dribbling and shooting. In one instance, Francisco Garcia attempted to receive a pass and got poked in the eye by the ball's wayward pinkie. Brad Miller attempted to use the ball to his advantage in the first quarter, by whipping the ball to a teammate by holding onto the forearm, as with a lacrosse racket. The ball came detached from the forearm, however, causing a short delay in play.

With his one remaining arm, Salmons shot 6-10 and scored 13 points.

http://www.sactownroyalty.com/story/2007/10/25/102914/32