Friday, May 28, 2010
Big news from Alicia Keys: she's going to be a mom!
Following much speculation, a rep for the Grammy winner confirms to UsMagazine.com that Keys, 29, and producer beau Swizz Beatz are expecting a baby and are engaged to be married later this year.
A pal tells Us, "They are very happy." It's the first child for the singer; Beatz, 31, is father to sons Kaseem Jr. and Prince, both from prior relationships.
And Keys' husband-to-be is equally smitten. "What we have is so precious," Beatz gushed to the New York Daily News last year.
Of motherhood, Keys recently admitted, "I absolutely am very interested in starting a family. It is one of the most beautiful experiences to have in this life and I am looking forward to it when it is my time."
Source: OMG!Yahoo.com
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
President Obama Backs "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Repeal
President Obama is set to back a 'don't ask, don't tell' compromise that could pave way for repeal in the military's policy banning gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the armed forces. The White House announced on Monday that an agreement has been reached between lawmakers and the Defense Department.Lawmakers on Capital Hill will now vote on an amendment to repeal the Clinton-era policy. Gay rights advocates are touting this as a "dramatic breakthrough," but are unsure whether or not they will get enough votes to pass both houses of Congress. The G.O.P. have vowed to maintain "don't ask, don't tell,".
Lt. Dan Choi has been on the front lines of this issue and has displayed his rights in expressing his views to the White House as he has handcuffed himself with other activist to the gates of the White House, take a look at Lt. Dan Choi in action.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Van Gundy: Bulls need more than James
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Many believe that if the Chicago Bulls land LeBron James this summer, they will instantly become a title contender.
Jeff Van Gundy isn't one of them.
The former NBA head coach and current ESPN analyst says he believes that the Bulls will become much better, but not necessarily one of the NBA's elite teams, by adding free agent-to-be James.
"Any team that gets him along with Derrick Rose and [Joakim] Noah, you're going to have a good team," Van Gundy told ESPNChicago.com before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. "A lot depends on how much they have to give up to get him. If it's a sign and trade, what other moves they'd make, but I would not think they would be a championship-caliber team right away. But I think they'll be a top-3 or -4 team."
Van Gundy isn't sure where James will end up once free agency starts July 1.
"I think there's a lot of opinions, but I don't think there's any informed opinions," he said. "So I have no idea, nor does anyone else, except him. He'll make the decision that's best for him, and still, the team that adds him is going to have to play well to win a championship. We've seen the last two years in Cleveland, they have very good teams, but they haven't been able to get it done."
Van Gundy has been rumored as a possible replacement for the recently fired Vinny Del Negro, but Van Gundy's brother, Stan, the head coach of the Orlando Magic, told ESPNChicago.com last week that he would be surprised if Jeff coached at all next season.
When asked specifically about the possibility of interviewing for the Bulls position, Van Gundy responded this way:
"I never really think about it like that," he said. "I just do my job that I have now, and whatever comes down the road, comes down the road. That's really not how I go about things. I always let the teams discuss and say whatever they want -- if they want to comment -- but I stay away from the hypotheticals."
ESPNChicago.com Bulls blog
The latest news from Bulls reporter Nick Friedell. Blog
Whether or not Van Gundy ultimately decides to interview for the job (if an interview is offered), he admits that the Bulls vacancy is one of the best on the market.
"I would say it's a very good job," he said. "If you look at it from the standpoint of they have at least a very good player, however you decide to [describe] Rose. Rose can definitely be the second-best player on a championship team, and Jo Noah, in my opinion, can be the third- or fourth-best player on a championship team. So if they add a guy who can be the best player on a championship team, then they're right there in the mix.
"So certainly, having that cap flexibility, making the playoffs the last two years, so you've gotten to see Rose and Noah in pressure-packed situations. That's a very good job. Chicago the city, Chicago the organization has proven itself to be very good."
As for whether a coach has to be in place to woo a prospective free agent, Van Gundy says that decision lies with the player.
"I think that all depends on the individual," he said. "James already knows how much money he's going to make. So that's not even the question. He keeps saying it's all about championships, so you'd think he'd want to know at least somewhat what [the team] is thinking about as far as a coach, but whether he'd have to have that specific coach in, I really don't know how he's thinking."
Nick Friedell covers the Bulls for ESPNChicago.com.
Celtics see big lead dwindle but hang on to take Game 1 in East finals
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The hair is a little grayer. The ankles and knees no longer so sturdy. Even with a roster full of aging superstars, the Boston Celtics are still standing tall.
Too old to chase a title? Not these days.
Ray Allen scored 25 points, Paul Pierce had 22 and the Celtics used smothering defense to beat the Orlando Magic 92-88 on Sunday in the Eastern Conference finals opener.
Fast Facts
• The Celtics led by as many as 20 points but hung on to win their fourth straight postseason game behind Ray Allen with 25 points. The Celtics have won their last seven postseason series when winning Game 1.
• Paul Pierce had 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists, his 19th career 20-5-5 postseason game. He has six 20-point, five-rebound, five-assist games since the 2008 playoffs (Boston is 5-1 in those games).
• The Magic had their 14-game win streak snapped (dating back to the regular season). The Magic are 1-10 all-time in postseason series when losing Game 1 (1-5 in best-of-7 series).
• This was the fewest points scored by the Magic this postseason, the lowest field goal percentage, the lowest 3-point field goal percentage and the worst assist-to-turnover ratio.
-- ESPN Stats & Information
Hampered by injuries, the Celtics literally limped their way through parts of the regular season. All that seems a distant memory now.
"I honestly say we lost ourselves," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "I think we've found ourselves again."
Rasheed Wallace added 13 points as the Celtics built a 20-point lead, then held on late to snap Orlando's 14-game winning streak. They held the Magic to 41 percent shooting -- 22 percent from 3-point range -- in displaying that rough and tough defense that was once their staple.
"There were stretches in the season, we know each other so well now, where we were becoming less patient with each other," Allen said. "We were getting on each other a little too much. We can take it, but we respected each other.
"When we started the playoffs, we said teams are going to hit us, they're going to attack us. But when somebody scores on us, which they will, we go get the ball out and come back."
Vince Carter had 23 points and Jameer Nelson finished with 20 for Orlando, which cut the lead to two in the final seconds but simply ran out of time, looking rusty after a six-day layoff. Dwight Howard was limited to 13 points and 12 rebounds, nowhere near the dominant force the Magic need to win a title.
Hollinger: Magic Start Slowly
It's hard to tell if Orlando's late arrival to Game 1 was the result of a six-day layoff or deeper-seeded problems, writes John Hollinger. Story
• Sheridan: Boston's defense sets tone
• Forsberg: Celtics handle Howard
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night in Orlando.
"I don't think it was rusty. Just anxious," Howard said. "We dug ourselves a hole, and it was tough to get back from."
Two years removed from an NBA title, the revived Celtics might be a little slower than their paralyzing defense of old. But, healthy again, maybe not as much as some once thought.
The Celtics built a 15-point lead in the second quarter and watched it fizzle with Howard on the bench. Backup Marcin Gortat had two layups and a dunk to help the Magic end the half with Boston ahead 41-32.
Nelson had two quick 3-pointers and another jumper to start the third, moving the Magic within three points. Then it all unraveled.
The Celtics went on a 22-5 run later in the quarter to go ahead 65-45, and a crowd littered with blue and white T-shirts -- deafening at times with noise clickers and claps -- was silenced. But the Magic rallied late to cut the lead to three with 26 seconds remaining in the fourth on a dunk by Howard.
After Pierce made two free throws, Carter was fouled driving to the hoop. He made the first, then missed the second intentionally as Nelson swooped in for the tip to make it 90-88. But Allen followed with two free throws with 6.1 seconds left to seal the Celtics' victory.
An Unfamiliar Feeling
Prior to Sunday's Game 1, Orlando hadn't lost in 44 days. As a result it's been a while since the Orlando Magic...
| Date | |
|---|---|
| Lost | April 2 |
| Held below 90 | March 24 |
| Lost at home | March 14 |
| Had 18 turnovers | March 11 |
| Made 5 or fewer 3-pt FGs | March 3 |
| Had 10 or fewer assists | January 28 |
-- ESPN Stats & Information
The Magic's run simply ran out of time, even if the Celtics seem to be turning back the clock.
Showing no signs of age, the Celtics outhustled and outmuscled the Magic at every step defensively. They pushed and pulled their way around the paint, slowing Howard for most of the game.
That bruising Boston basketball frustrated the Magic and their Superman, emotions pouring out all over the court. Howard and Wallace got tangled up in the third -- one of many times in this one -- and were whistled for double technicals after swinging their arms away.
The Magic lost for the first time since April 2 at San Antonio.
"Our guys aren't going to like fall apart," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "Hell, they got down 20 in this game and they didn't collapse. That's not our team. This is all about winning. Our team doesn't have to prove they can bounce back from adversity and all of that. They've done all that."
The sweat pouring from their faces, Kevin Garnett and Co. stifled the Magic as well as anyone in these playoffs, holding them to 32 points in the opening half. A Celtics team that downed LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the last round seems as rejuvenated as ever, ready to give the Magic -- who swept through the first two rounds -- their toughest test yet.
"I think it was a wake-up call that we really needed," Carter said. "Now it's what are we going to do about it? How do we respond?"
Game notes
Rivers can sleep in his own bed no matter where the games are played in this series. Rivers, a former Magic coach who makes his permanent home in the Orlando area, said he's had plenty of phone calls and messages the last few days -- many from friends who are local Magic fans. "Some of my friends right now are wavering on their support of the Celtics," Rivers said, chuckling. ... The only time the Magic had fewer points at the half this season came against Boston on Christmas, when Orlando was held to 27. ... Utah Jazz F Carlos Boozer and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris were among those in attendance.
Kimbo Done?...........
Yeah I said it...lynching. And I do know what the word means.
Kevin Ferguson aka Kimbo Slice got used by his promotional company and now must endure the aftermath of a public lynching. Mr. Ferguson is an internet phenom that attempted to parlay his internet 'fame' into real dollars ala Paris Hilton. In corporate America it's called monetizing your image. In the real world it's called 'pimpin' the game'. True a prostitute makes money but at what personal cost?
Kimbo got his hustle on and signed the lucrative contract he was offered by Elite XC. Elite XC, a fledgling MMA promotional company, then proceeded to grossly over hype Mr. Slice as the MMA equivalent of the second coming of the grim reaper. Even though he was yet to have his first professional MMA bout (that chin checking on YouTube and Ray Mercer show doesn't count for legitimate MMA).
Throughout the entire 'spin' job, Kevin Ferguson proclaimed his neophyte status in the MMA food chain. He described himself on many, if not all occasions as 'new to the game' and 'just trying to learn the sport'. Unfortunately, he never needed to utter a boast because his 'handlers' were speaking volumes of foolishness on his behalf.
Elite XC signed him to an obscene contract and was looking for a quick multiple on their investment. They also had the first major network, CBS, deal for MMA. Obviously, they needed a horse to who they could hitch their wagon. Since they couldn't afford Fedor Emilianenko, whom despite his tremendous skill set is all but unknown in the US (he also does not speak English which clearly doesn't help his stateside marketability) and for the most part the best talent is under contract to the UFC; Kimbo was their man.
Elite XC executives have a long history in professional boxing. So they are well versed in hyping a fighter and building (padding) his
record. But with their foray into MMA they went to WWE'ish extremes. They employed the philosophy that great theater must have a villain, and the bigger and darker the better. Kevin Ferguson could not have been more perfectly cast. Kimbo was anointed as the 'baddest man on the planet' without earning it in the cage. The stage was set.
MMA fans are rabid and quite knowledgeable about the sport. The anti-Kimbo backlash was immediate and universal (if you don't believe me just go to any major MMA website forum and post a comment in support of Kimbo and see what happens...I dare you). Even those who loved him when he was brawling on YouTube ferociously turned on him when Elite XC did their thing.
The EliteXC experiment didn't last long.
For many MMA purists, Seth Petruzelli in just 14 short seconds exposed Kimbo Slice. Judgment day had come. And the myth of Kimbo Slice was laid bare.
The marketing ploy called Kimbo Slice was always meant to fail. It was part of the master plan. But Elite XC had intended to make far greater money off their investment before they threw him to the wolves.
The demise of Kimbo was quickly and thankfully followed by the bankruptcy of Elite XC.
That should have been the end of Kimbo but low and behold the UFC did an about face and soon departed the Kimbo bashing business and embarked upon the Kimbo pimping business.
Enter UFC president and front man, Dana White. Apparently he concluded that 'those sons of bi*&%#$ made money off Kimbo so why can't I'?
Kimbo lost his very first fight on the UFC's TUF/Ultimate Fighter reality show (Spike/TV) and was sent packing ...end of story, right? Not really. The ratings were through the roof and as we all have learned Kimbo has more lives than Freddy Kruger. He was resurrected from the valley of lost fighters to appear on the TUF finale show and won.
He's baaaack!
So why not make more money off him?
At UFC 113 recently held in Montreal, Quebec Canada, Kimbo lost badly running his unofficial UFC/TUF career to 1-2. Dana White made his money, proved his point and sent Mr. Slice packing.
The human being, Kevin Ferguson, was lost in the shuffle.
I chose the explosive word lynching because exploiting a big, scary Black man has always drawn a crowd. Once upon a time, it was hate filled and racially motivated now it is purely financial.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Gucci Mane out of jail.
Rapper Gucci Mane was released from jail last night after serving six months in prison. He held a press conference at midnight in which he revealed his plans for a new album this summer, new label and an upcoming tour. He also says he did some soul searching while he was locked up.
“the rap game is in need of substance right now and I’m here for the skreets right on time”
Souce:NecoleBitchie.com
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
LaLa Vazquez bachleortette party.
T.V. Personality Lala Vazquez threw her bachleortette party in Las Vegas this pas weekend. She was joined by singer Kelly Rowland and T.V. personality Kim Kardashian and partied at the TAO Las Vegas.
Her fiance Carmelo Anthony sent a surprise gift for La La to be opened at dinner, which was a stunning $75k diamond bracelet from M. Kantor Associates. The duo are set to get married in July.
Is Kelis not letting Nas see his son?
How old is Knight? Is he walking yet?
He’s like nine months. He’s crawling, pulling himself to stand up. He said the word ‘stick’ about a month ago. He’s been talking for about two months, saying little words here and there.
How often are you able to see him?
My son was born with ice grills, so when his mom feels in the mood she sends pictures. If not, its hell. It’s hell trying to figure that out, trying to get him—I’ll just leave it at that. It’s hell. A man shouldn’t go through that sh*t, but it’s another story I’ma tell at a different time.
Overall he’s super good, and when I do get him there’s nothing better in the whole world. When I get both my kids together its beautiful.
Source:Vibe.com
