Tuesday, June 30, 2009
CGI Boy - Character - Dimitri Kozma
See the video of test of model...
The Falling
Surreal Automatism - Dimitri Kozma
Jeff Goldblum Is Watching You Poop
Not much has happened since yesterday (and the cleavage diving experience) but I did have some wonderful conversations with Bubbles & Lilie. Other than that, just a few movies and a nap. So I guess I'll just start with those...and follow it up with some news. Sound good? Okay, and away we go...
First up was "The Kingdom" starring Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper, Jason Bateman, Jeremy Piven and a host of others...even a cameo from Tim McGraw. It's about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer...and how they hate Americans...and there's a HUGE terrorist attack at a base that kills and wounds hundreds...so the FBI sends in a team (Foxx, Garner, Cooper, & Bateman) to find out who was behind it. Sounds like a real great comedy, right? I mean...Jamie Foxx & Jason Bateman are in it...and Jeremy Piven. No. You would be wrong. This is not a comedy at all (well, a few jokes thrown in...but not yuck yuck stuff). It's actually a really grim & gruesome & realistic tale about what's going on in the Middle East and how the movie is shot is really good. Kudos to director Peter Berg. If you're into explosion and gritty violence, then maybe this is the movie for you...but it's a drama...not a Bruce Willis flick. There's not going to be any one-liners or anything like that. So you've been warned.
Next was "First Sunday" starring Ice Cube, Tracy Morgan & Katt Williams. Just don't watch it. I'm going to tell you that right at the start. The story is something about two guys who just can't seem to hold jobs because one of these is a clepto (Morgan) and the other (Cube) is...loyal to him? Well, because Cube can't hold a job, his baby mama & his son are moving to Atlanta unless he can get $17,342 in a week. How are they going to get the money? Rob a church. Oh yeah, stay with it. Not done yet. They break in and...you know what, this was actually where I started to fast forward a bit because it wasn't funny, it wasn't really intriguing, you already knew how it was going to end and I just needed to be affirmed. Nothing against Ice Cube movies like "Friday" and "Barbershop". Usually they have their moments and are pretty funny...but not this time. Even Katt Williams was just kind of annoying as the choir director. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. Just pass on this one. That's my advice. Now for the news...
Jeff Goldblum NOT Dead - Amid all the tragedy last Thursday with Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett dying, rumors were flying that a third horrible death had struck Hollywood: Jeff Goldblum. Websites claimed that the star was in New Zealand filming a movie and fell off a cliff. In fact, the actor was alive in Los Angeles. Still, in an age of Twitter, news travels fast and sources are not always correct. Stephen Colbert (jokingly) fell victim to the Goldblum prank, and even when the Jurassic Park star appeared on The Colbert Report to dispel the rumor, the comic didn't believe him. That is, until Goldblum sent a message through the microblogging site. "The dead can Twitter," Colbert pronounced. Later, he says, "I, for one, don't think I could put into words the magnitude of this loss." Then Goldblum asked to give it a shot. "No one will miss Jeff Goldblum more than me. He was not only a friend and a mentor, but he was also, um, me. Jeff Goldblum's performances combined the muscularity of Brando, the pathos of Streep and the musky sensuality of a pride of baboons. One former conquest raved that sleeping with Jeff Goldblum was like—quote—being caught in a flesh storm with a 90 percent chance of satisfaction—unquote. That's verbatim." The actor's Morning Glory costar Harrison Ford, along with George Clooney and Natalie Portman, are also among the list of stars who met an untimely demise at the hands of Internet pranksters in the past week. Additionally, Britney Spears' recent Twitter hacker declared the pop star deceased. Suffice it to say that even with all the tragedy of late, we're thankful to still have Goldblum and friends among us and a great $teve like Mr. Colbert to feed us the laughs...but I'm still a little freaked out by Jeff Goldblum watching me poop.
Sex May Help Sperm - It's like my father told me when I was six years old, "If at first you don't conceive, try try again." Now that witty little line is scientific FACT. For men with fertility problems, some doctors are prescribing a very conventional way to have a baby: more sex. (It couldn't hurt, right?) In a study of 118 Australian men with damaged sperm (horrible wallaby wrangling accidents), doctors found that having sex every day for a week significantly reduced the amount of DNA damage in their patients' sperm. Previous studies have linked better sperm quality to higher pregnancy rates. The research was announced Tuesday at a meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Amsterdam. Dr. David Greening of Sydney IVF, a private fertility clinic in Australia, and colleagues looked at 118 men who had damaged sperm. Greening and colleagues told the men to have sex every day for a week (doctor's orders). After seven days, the doctors found that in 81% of the men, there was a 12% decrease in the amount of damaged sperm. Many fertility experts suggest men abstain from sex before their partners have in-vitro fertilization, to try to elevate their sperm counts. Sperm quality can also be improved if men don't smoke, drink moderately, exercise, or get more antioxidants. Since concluding the study, Greening says he now instructs all couples seeking fertility advice to start by having more sex (I wonder if he could be my doctor). "Some of the older men look a little concerned...but the younger ones seem quite happy about it." Experts think sex helps reduce the DNA damage in sperm by getting it out of the body quickly; if sperm is in the body for too long, it has a higher chance of getting damaged. Some experts said that while Greening's research is promising, it doesn't prove that daily sex for men with fertility problems will actually produce more babies (ugh...really? More sex doesn't mean more babies. Are they really doctors?). Greening said he and his colleagues are still analyzing the study data to determine how many women got pregnant. "Looking at sperm DNA is just one part of the puzzle," said Bill Ledger, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Sheffield, who was not connected to the research. "Maybe this will improve pregnancy rates, but we still need to do more studies." Ledger said instructing couples with infertility problems to have more sex could stress their relationship. "This may add even more anxiety and do more harm than good." He said couples shouldn't feel pressured to adjust their sex lives just for the sake of having a baby (ugh...what?). Greening said the study's findings were ultimately very intuitive. "If you want to have a baby, our advice is to do it often." So...this is what doctors do in their free time? They have brilliant discoveries like "Hey everybody, if you wanna have a baby, have sex...and lots of it." Then counter argue, "Uh ugh...there's no way that's possible. Your logic is flawed. Sex doesn't lead to pregnancy." And so on. These are the brilliant minds of our times. The Einsteins of the 21st century. Just something to think about...while you're having more sex with your partner. "You know honey, I wanna thank you for allowing me to improve the health of my swimmers." "Ssssh, wait until the commercial. I'm trying to follow this. Are they on the island? Are they in Hell? Are the writers just making it up as they go along? Speaking of which, are you done yet?"
Bad Writing Contest Winners - A shambling sentence about screaming seafarers on the sturdy whaler Ellie May stood shoulders above the rest in an annual bad writing contest. David McKenzie, 55, of Federal Way, Washington, won the grand prize in San Jose State University's annual Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest with this:
Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson’s Dermatologist, Is Biological Father of Prince Michael I and Paris Michael II, King Of Pop’s Two Oldest Kids
Arnold Klein, the dermatologist of Michael Jackson, is being claimed as the biological father of Prince Michael I and Paris Michael II, the two kids Debbie Rowe had for the King of Pop.
"He is the dad. He and Debbie signed an agreement saying they would never reveal the truth." a Jackson insider told Us Weekly.
Debbie, who met Jackson when she was then a nurse assistant working for Arnold Klein in the 1980s, had reportedly admitted in 2002 that she carried his children as a personal favor. "I said, 'Let me do this. You need to be a dad. You have been so good to me”, she was quoted as saying.
Another shocking revelation is that Debbie is not the biological mother of Prince and Paris. She was simply used as the surrogate, and paid to carry the children.
And Prince Michael II (nicknamed Blanket), the youngest son of Jacson, was also not the biological son of the late pop icon, the Hollyscoop reported.
Sarah Jessica Parker Twins Photo: Marion Loretta Elwell and Tabitha Hodge Broderick First Photo Released
Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick have released the first photo of their twin daughters, Marion Loretta Elwell and Tabitha Hodge Broderick, who were born via a surrogate on June 22.
The photo, which includes the proud parents, the new born twins, and the big brother James Wilkie Broderick, was taken in their home on Monday in New York.
In this first offcial photo of the twin girls, Sarah Jessica holding Marion, Matthew holding Tabitha, and the 6-year-old James Wilkie stands in between mom and dad, gazing intently at one of his little sisters.
What a happy family!
Demi Lovato Fall Onstage Video: Demi Lovato Falls Down Stairs During Singing You're Mine in Philadelphia
Demi Lovato slipped on the stairs and fell down while performing Until You're Mine during her Summer tour 2009 in Philadelphia on June 27. But she handled it really well by laughing it off.
This was not the first time the 16-year-old Disney star stumbled on stage. Last August, Demi Lovato suffered a similar mishap during Burning Up Tour in Chicago.
Mariah Carey as “Eminem” in “Obsessed” Music Video (Picture)
Mariah Carey dressed up as Eminem for Obsessed music video (Picture: MariahCarey.com)
Can you recognize the person in the picture above? It’s not rapper Eminem, but pop singer Mariah Carey! The wife of Nick Cannon dressed up as the controversial rapper Eminem while filming her new video, Obsessed, Monday in New York.
Eminem has talked about his alleged romance with Mariah on his song titled Bagpipes From Baghdad with the lyrics “Mariah whatever happened to us. Why did we ever have to break up? Nick Cannon, you better back the f---up. I’m not playing, I want her back…”
Now, Mariah, who previously denied the romantic relationship with Eminem in 2001, has fired back. She sings in Obsessed with the lyrics "Why are you obsessed with me/lying that you're $exing me?”.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Joey, Have You Ever Seen A Grown Man Naked?
I've finally been able to stop by the DMV and register my car for yet another year this morning (f**king taxes for nothin') and though I was a little irked...I was also in a great mood...and then it happened. The time had come again to pay rent for the upcoming month, so I went to the office to hand in my check. I was greeted by the two blonde girls who show off the rooms. The one who gave me the original tour and says "like" and "totally" all the time...and describes everything as "supercute", we'll call...Ditzy, and the other who seems a lot more intelligent and has an ample bosom, which she likes to display fortunately, we'll call her Mitzy. Well, Mitzy had seen me work out a few times (the bathroom is adjacent to the universal weight machine) so she greeted me by name, "Hey $teve, how can I help you?" "I just needed to pay rent before you ladies kick me out." I pull my check out of my pocket and a few pennies fall out onto the carpet. We both go down to pick up the change...and BOOM! I'm face-first in her love pillows. I'm talking skin on skin contact (and she may had been wearing perfume). Now, my instinct is to do certain things with my mouth...but I resist the urge...and we both kind of shoot back to an upright position, staring at each other stunned for a second...then slowly turns to smiles. "Wow!!! I ugh...I'm sorry, I...I'll get the change." Ditzy says from her desk, "OMG!" (Told you, she's a f**king cliché) and Mitzy is just laughing at my awkwardness, "$teve? How dare you? What kind of girl do you think I am?" I'm blushing (and wearing a sh*t-eating grin at the same time), "I'm sorry, I...honestly couldn't have planned that any better." We had a good laugh...and I got my ass out of there before they could change their minds about the situation (been to a few too many sexual harassment trainings in my life). So yeah, great way to start the day...with accidentally motorboating a beautiful blonde that I pay monthly. I can just see it now. Every time we see each other, we'll just start laughing...and nobody else will know why...except Ditzy but she'll probably forget...by lunch tomorrow.
Last night, I hung out with my dad for a few hours and we watched "Aliens" and "Airplane!" and cooked some burgers. Apparently my step-uncle's getting married on Saturday (yes, the 4th of July). Why? Because when else can you have a parade & fireworks for your anniversary? My dad & stepmom were married on the 4th of July too. Not a bad time for a wedding either. Everybody will be in town for family gatherings and what have you, the weather's usually pretty good (maybe a little on the warm side), it's easy to remember (gentlemen) and most people can get that day off work. What's not to like about celebrating your Dependence on Independence Day? Not one darn thing. Something for all the future Mrs Dr Loves out there to think about...and if you don't like that idea, then you don't like America. Here's some news...
Most Dangerous Sport - What is the most dangerous sport to participate in? Football? Basketball? Wrestling? Rochambeau? Dodgeball? Bullfighting? Sharkwrangling? Cockteasing? You may be surprised...and strangely aroused at the answer. Cheerleading safety efforts have led to modest reductions in the number of serious injuries in recent years, according to a new report about college and high school sports and cheerleading mishaps...but cheerleading continues to cause more serious and deadly injuries by far than other sports. Researchers have long known how dangerous cheerleading is, but records were poorly kept until recently. An update to the record-keeping system last year found that between 1982 and 2007, there were 103 fatal, disabling or serious injuries recorded among female high school athletes, with the vast majority (67) occurring in cheerleading. The next most dangerous sports: gymnastics (nine such injuries) and track (seven). Today, the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill released its 26th annual report on the topic. The latest figures are from the 2007-2008 academic year for college and high school sports, male and female. The report defines catastrophic injuries as any severe or fatal injury incurred during participation in the sport. The new numbers are for the 26-year period from the fall of 1982 through the spring of 2008:
- There were 1,116 direct catastrophic injuries in high school (905) and college sports (211).
- High school sports were associated with 152 fatalities, 379 non-fatal injuries and 374 serious injuries.
- College sports accounted for 22 fatalities, 63 non-fatal injuries and 126 serious injuries.
- Cheerleading accounted for 65.2 percent of high school and 70.5 percent of college catastrophic injuries among all female sports.
Michael Jackson Autopsy Leaked: Michael Jackson Autopsy Details Indicated Pop of King Body Damage
The King of Pop was severely emaciated, almost bald, and badly disfigured at the time he died at his rented Los Angeles home last Thursday June 25, according to The Sun.
Here are some details of the late pop icon’s autopsy report:
*The 5ft 10in star weighed just 112 pounds. His stomach was empty except for some partially dissolved prescription pills.
*He was almost bald with only “peach fuzz” covering his scalp. He was reportedly wearing a wig at the time of his death. The bridge of his nose had vanished and its right side had partially collapsed.
*He was dotted with needle wounds on his hips, thighs and shoulders, believed to be the result of injections of narcotic painkillers he took three times a day for years. And a mass of surgery scars that suggest he had at least 13 cosmetic operations.
*His ribs were broken by CPR as paramedics tried to revive the singer after he collapsed in cardiac arrest. And 4 injection sites near his heart were found, apparently the result of a failed attempt to pump adrenaline directly into the organ to restart it.
"Michael’s family and fans will be horrified when they realise the appalling state he was in,” a source close to the Jackson camp said.
"He was skin and bone, his hair had fallen out and had been eating nothing but pills when he died. Injection marks all over his body and the disfigurement caused by years of plastic surgery show he’d been in terminal decline for years.”
Janet Jackson BET Awards 2009 Michael Jackson Tribute (Video)
Michael Jackson’s sister and father, Janet Jackson and Joe Jackson, attended the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Sunday night.
During her brief appearance at the event, Janet gave an emotional statement on her brother, Michael Jackson, who passed away Thursday June 25 at the age of 50.
"My entire family wanted to be here tonight but it was too painful… To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family. And he will forever live in all of our hearts. On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for all of your love, thank you for all of your support. We miss him so much. Thank you so much," the 43-year-old singer said tearfully.
After that, host Jamie Foxx performed a duet of the Jackson 5's I'll Be There with singer-songwriter Ne-Yo to pay tribute to the late pop icon.
R.I.P Michael Jackson, The King of Pop!
Janet Jackson BET Awards Michael Jackson Tribute video (June 28)
The phase shift popple illusion
The phase-shift illusion. When Gabor patches are aligned vertically and the phase of carriers is adequately shifted, the row of the envelope windows appear to tilt toward the shift.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
But Wait, There's More
Let's see. What's happened the past few days? Friday night, I went to dinner at Red Rocks with JL Clyde and J&M then headed over with them to a party for some free booze (it was three blocks from my apartment) and had a grand time there. Saturday, I did some errands like laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, etc. Other than that, it was really a bunch of movies and Duckman. So without further ado, here are some reviews...
First up was the biopic "Notorious" about the life & times of Sir Christopher Wallace a.k.a. Biggie Smalls a.k.a. the Notorious B.I.G. with Jamal Woodard playing the title character (and the real Biggie, jr as young Chris Wallace), Derek Luke as Sean "Puffy" Combs and Angela Bassett as Biggie's mom. It follows his life growing up in Brooklyn, dealing drugs as a teenager, rap battling on the street, getting thrown in jail for a piece, then meeting up with Puffy and becoming an international hip-hop sensation...with plenty of drugs, lyrics and trim along the way. The movie itself wasn't anything out of the ordinary. The best part of it was the soundtrack. I mean...the movie wasn't horrible or anything, it just wasn't really outstanding. It's exactly what you would expect. Being a huge fan of Biggie during my teen years (and even today), I had to see the movie...but yeah, if you've seen a biopic about any musician (Ray, Ring of Fire, Dewey Cox, etc) then you've seen this one...just with a dash of 2Pac in this one.
Next was "The International" starring Clive Owen and Naomi Watts. It's about a bank called IBBC or the International for short...who is not unlike any other, where they fund revolutionary groups in Africa, sell weapons to other nations and basically act as a governmental debt collector controlling the political & economic marketplace for the entire world...but the illegal thing they do is assassinate people...and that's when Interpol steps in. Though they don't have any real legal power, one Interpol agent (Owen) wants to bring them down...and he teams up with a hot assistant district attorney from New York (Watts) and together they try to bring them down...but how do you bring down a financial institution that funds multinational corporations and nations alike? Well, it's not going to be easy. Clive does a great job of being the mysterious, cold international secret agent type (Bond? James Bond?) and there's actual a really good gun battle set at the Guggenheim Museum (and you know how I feel about exploding modern art) so yeah, if you're into political thrillers...and basically any Clive Owen action movies, then I'd say check it out.
Last night, I had the pleasure of watching "The Proposal" with the company of the lovely Bone Junior. The movie is of course a romantic comedy about a hot shot New York editor-in-chief (Sandra Bullock) who is threatened with losing her job due to deportation (she's Canadian and didn't do her paperwork in a timely manner) so in an act of desperation, she has to marry her assistant (Ryan Reynolds). Well, to convince INS that it's a legitimate marriage...and not a last ditch effort to stay in the US of A, they have to go meet the family in beautiful Sitka, Alaska...and hilarity ensues. She gets to meet the parents (Craig T Nelson & Mary Steenburgen) and the lovely Gammy (Betty White) and yeah, it's a romantic comedy...and heavy in both. You even get to see Sandra Bullock & Betty White "Get Low" in the obligatory dance scene. As far as romantic comedies go, this was one of my favorites...and I would highly recommend it. Ryan Reynolds is always hilarious...and Betty White will say absolutely anything for the right price. Big thanks to Bone Junior for selecting this movie...and I hope that you had as great a time as I did. So yeah, check it out...or at least rent it in a few months.
Also, one of the previews for this movie...was for a movie that I simply have to see. Why? Because it's called "All About Steve" and I really don't even care what it's about. If the name Steve is in the title, it HAS to be good...or at least watchable. Well, I looked into it...and it's actually not all about me (so gentlemen, feel free to take your dates to it and feel unthreatened) but rather it's the next Sandra Bullock chick flick. The premise is "Convinced that a CNN cameraman named Steve (Bradley Cooper, not Dr Love) is her true love, an eccentric crossword puzzler (Bullock) trails him as he travels all over the country, hoping to convince him that they belong together. Sigh...it looked fairly funny...but still, great title.
Billy Mays Passes - Television pitchman Billy Mays — who built his fame by appearing on commercials and infomercials promoting household products and gadgets — died Sunday, FOX News confirms. Mays was found unresponsive by his wife inside his Tampa, Fla., home at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, according to the Tampa Police Department. Police said there were no signs of forced entry to May's residence and foul play is not suspected. Authorities said an autopsy should be complete by Monday afternoon. Mays, 50, was on board a US Airways flight that blew out its front tires as it landed at a Tampa airport on Saturday, MyFOXTampa.com reported. US Airways spokesman Jim Olson said that none of the 138 passengers and five crew members were injured in the incident, but several passengers reported having bumps and bruises, according to the station. Authorities have not said whether Mays' death was related to the incident. "Although Billy lived a public life, we don't anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days. Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times," Mays wife, Deborah, said in a statement on Sunday. Will do...but I'm obviously intrigued. As you know, I love infomercials...for the same reason that I like soap operas...on Telemundo. They just interest me. Being a marketing degree holder, I like to analyze infomercials...and see how they sell the benefits and whatnot...and just the pure showmanship associated with them...and this guy was one of the best. Loud, demonstrative, always got to the point, pitched the special offer, good form. I especially like the...well, now short-lived (no pun intended) series "Pitchmen" about infomercials and the products they push. It intrigued me to no end...but alas, it looks like it won't have a second season with the great Billy Mays. My condolences to his family & friends. He will be missed.
Freaky Simpsons - Dimitri Kozma
I hope you like. Click to enlarge.
Land of Eyes - Dimitri Kozma
Michael Jackson Final Rehearsal Video to be Released as CD, DVD & Album
Michael Jackson's final rehearsal for his London concert tour on June 24, the night before his passing, could be released as the king of pop’s last album and DVD, according to TheWrap.com.
The several-hours-long rehearsal at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for the pop icon’s scheduled July 13 London concert was taped by concert promotion company AEG Live. It would be used to produce both an album and DVD of what Jackson had billed his "final performance” tour, titled “This Is It”. The footage also could be used to produce both a DVD and/or blu-ray discs of the entertainer’s last performance.
"We have a live album in the can”, TheWrap quoted one AEG official as saying.
Michael Jackson Time Magazine Special Commemorative Editon (Photo)
Time magazine will publish a special commemorative issue on the king of pop Michael Jackson, who passed away at age 50 on Thursday June 25. The special edition, which focusing on the life and shocking death of the pop icon, will be available on Monday morning, June 29.
Many celebrities wil share their remembrances in that issue. They include Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Nancy Reagan, Lenny Kravitz, Jesse Jackson, Tommy Mottola, Anjelica Huston, Clive Davis, John Mayer, and many others.
It would be the first time the magazine has come out a special tribute issue since the 9/11 tragic events that took place eight years ago.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Filipino Prisoners Thriller Dancing Michael Jackson Tribute (Video)
The Filipino inmates, who famed for a YouTube video of their Thriller dance in 2007, performed the show again to pay their tribute to their idol, The King of Pop Michael Jackson.
The 1,500 inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, who have been practising the show for nearly nine hours on Friday night, danced to the music at the exercise yard inside the prison wall on Saturday morning.
Check out the video below:
Madonna Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2009 Campaign: Madge Airbrushed into Barbie Doll? (Picture)
Madonna’s latest Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2009 collection advertisement have been released.
The 50-year-old looks absolutely amazing and youthful like a barbie doll in the second campaign for Louis Vuitton, even much more younger than in the first.
It seems the queen of pop could turn back the time!
But, does someone notice that the fingers of Madonna’s right hand in the ad? Do you think it looks too unnatural?
Feeding - Dimitri Kozma
Tribute to Magritte
René Magritte: La Magie Noire (1933/34)
and the new tribute by Andrew Matusik:
René Magritte: La Chateau des Pyrenees (1959)
and the interpretation by Andrew Matusik:
The melteds - Dimitri Kozma
Crying at the Living Room - Dimitri Kozma
Friday, June 26, 2009
Basketball's Christmas 2009
The concert last night was amazing...as far as cultural events go filled with classical masterpieces. Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra really outdid themselves and provided an evening full of a little dignified humor, great music...and for some reason they even threw in "My Heart Will Go On" and that's when I resorted to texting. JL Clyde apparently went to a special presentation of a movie that was so horrible that just checking out the preview for it...made me cringe a bit. It's called "Black Devil Doll" and apparently it's this independent blaxploitation horror flick that's touring around the world (kid you not, it's next stop is LONDON) and...well, just check out the preview if you dare. It's rated NC-17 and I think that's only because they couldn't give it a worse rating. Check it out...if you dare.
Other than that, of course, Basketball's Christmas 2009 Edition was last night with the NBA Draft...and I'm VERY happy with what my Spurs have done over the past few days...but here's a little review (and critique and random thoughts) of what went down last night...and what I believe the future holds for some of these players. Hope you enjoy.
2009 NBA Draft
1. LA Clippers - Blake Griffin (Oklahoma) - Even the Clippers couldn't screw up this pick. Hands down he was the best player in this draft and honestly...at this point, seems like the only one that has the potential to be a great player...though I hope that I'm proved wrong. It's just that the draft now seems to be all about potential instead of current skills because they're drafting teenagers instead of seasoned players in their early twenties. This guy's a great inside scorer, rebounder, even defender, so yeah...as soon as he gets away from the Clippers he could be something great...but as long as he stays there, he'll probably be the victim of some freak accidents like it seems this cursed franchise is destined for...but I hope that streak is changed too. Good luck, Blake!!!
2. Memphis - Hasheem Thabeet (UConn) - You can't teach big...and this guy is 7-foot-3 with the relative wingspan of a f**king condor. He has the potential to be a great shot blocker & rebounder...and as long as they don't try to run the offense through him, they should be fine. He can clean up the boards and put back dunks or something. I see him as a clone of Samuel Dalembert, who plays for the 76ers. Imposing on defense...but let him take the shot and grab the rebound on offense. The major question with him...is that he's as skinny as rail...and he doesn't want to play in Memphis (I have no idea why) but both of those can be handled with one thing...and that's BARBECUE!!! After a year of that sweet Memphis BBQ on Beale Street, the guy will gain about thirty pounds and fall in love with the city (check out some of the sights) and be happy being the big man in town. Get this, Hasheem. You won't even have the pressure of being the biggest star...or having the funniest name...because your new teammate O.J. Mayo takes care of both. Did you know his full name is Ovinton J'Anthony Mayo? Now you do. Enjoy Memphis...and quit being such a whiny b**ch about living the dream. (I despise people who complain about where they get to play ball. It's probably the one reason I would move to Detroit...or Beirut...for $30,000 a year, not the millions that these douches are gonna get)
3. Oklahoma City - James Harden (Arizona State) - Some people were a little surprised by this pick...but they shouldn't be. He was really the third best player in this draft and a great scorer on an average team in college. His offensive skills are unquestioned (except for being a little shorter than the prototype) but it's defense where he's going to have to improve to be a great player. Also takes some of the weight of Kevin Durant's shoulders in running that team. They also drafted one of the best big men in the draft with B.J. Mullens (Ohio State) who has a lot of potential...but is just a young'un so it may take a few years for this team to really turn the corner. They're REALLY bummed that they didn't get the number one pick to get hometown Sooner hero Blake Griffin...but they'll deal with it.
4. Sacramento - Tyreke Evans (Memphis) - Really wanted to stay in Memphis with that number two pick...but yeah, that wasn't going to happen. Sacramento may prove to be a nice fit for him though. he's a big athletic guard who likes to run & score and not play a whole lot of defense...and that's perfect for this team. Okay, he's a better defender than that...but still. He has a lot of potential...but is another one of those one-and-done players, so who really knows. It may take a year or two before he develops into a star. The Kings also got a great big to help him out with Jon Brockman (Washington) in the second round. They still seem to be far away from making the playoffs...but they have a few key players if they can stay healthy.
5. Minnesota - Ricky Rubio (Spain) - I didn't understand why this guy was so hyped. Okay, he's played pro in Spain for a few years and is 18 years old. He played on the Olympic team (allegedly though I don't recall seeing him) and he throws a few behind-the-back passes and they're saying he's the next Pistol Pete Maravich. First off, HOW DARE YOU??? You have to have some BALLS to compare this kid to the Pistol. Maravich broke every single scoring record in NCAA history...and revolutionize the game of basketball. He also did it against the pinnacle of competition. This kid didn't even shoot around against a player in a workout. It was a few one-on-none drills...and nothing too impressive. He also requires a $4-6 million buyout from his Spanish team, he's learning English, he's shy and introverted, and just a host of other things that scream, "Don't waste a lottery pick on this guy." Yet the T'Wolves picked him. They do need a point guard...so maybe they're just hoping this guy blossoms into a fantastic player in a few years...or at least puts some asses in seats in the Great White North.
6. Minnesota - Jonny Flynn (Syracuse) - And then with the next pick, they completely boggle my mind. Another point guard? Do they play on working them out and then trading the lesser of the two? See, that's what happens when little Ricky Rubio won't work out against a player. It's amazing what a lot of mystery, a few video clips and a great manager can do for a nobody that played in Europe. Anyway, Flynn's a pretty good guard. He's a little undersized but plays with a lot of heart, a lot of skill...and has no problem with taking it right to anybody in the lane, no matter how big they are. I like those kind of players. That's how you have to play the game. In the long run, I see Minnesota sticking with Flynn and trying to trade Rubio away. Rubio, at best, may be the next Jason Williams (the fancy passing one).
Side note: Is it just me, or does the name Jason Williams seem to be cursed when it comes to the NBA? Observe. First, there was Jayson Williams who played with the Nets in the 90's and was one of the league's favorite guys. A great role player with a booming, fun-loving personality and a favorite on NBA Inside Stuff (which I watched religiously as a kid). He even battled through knee injuries with just a huge smile on his face. Then he accidentally shot a limo driver while showing off a shotgun...and tried to cover it up...and has managed to stay out of jail...but isn't the ball of passion that he once was. Every time I see him in the courtroom footage, I cry a little inside for seeing that passion die. Be careful with guns out there everybody. It's not just Jayson either. That was followed up by the aforementioned Jason Williams (hereafter referred to as J-Dub) who played high school ball with Randy Moss, college at Florida and then was drafted into the pros and was called the next Pistol Pete. Well, once he realized that the NBA actually plays defense once in a while, his fancy passing turned into turnovers, everybody realized he couldn't shoot, and he was a third string point guard for the Heat when they won the championship a few years ago...but never reached his potential. Not sure what he's doing now. Then there was Jason Williams (went by Jay to try to break this curse) who had an amazing collegiate career with Duke and was taken with the second overall pick by the Bulls in 2002 (only behind Yao Ming) and was on his way to resurrecting the Bulls franchise since Jordan left. Then he got in a motorcycle accident in the offseason...and his career was over. He's a broadcaster now on ESPN but who knows what he could've been as a professional player. He had some major skills and the right attitude...but a major mistake...and it's all over. I hope he goes on to win multiple awards for his broadcasting. He seems like a great guy. They all seemed like great guys (though J-Dub was kind of a West Virginia hillbilly) so it may just be mere coincidence that these horrible events and memories of lackluster careers feel upon these three gentlemen...but then again, everything happens for a reason, right? Who knows the mysteries of the universe? Anyway, back to the draft...
7. Golden State - Stephen Curry (Davidson) - This guy is just an amazing shooter. The son of former outstanding NBA role player Dell Curry, this guy can shoot from anywhere within 40 feet with pinpoint accuracy. He was the nation's leading scorer...while also learning to be a point guard and distribute to his teammates. If he were about three inches taller, there'd be no question that this guy would be a superstar really...but that's not the case, so he's got a lot of question marks. Personally, I think he'll make a great fit at Golden State because they have plenty of ball hungry shooters already...so he can get a lot of practice in distributing the ball...and when they're covered, they can kick it out to him for a three-pointer to spread out the defense. It could be a great fit...as long as they don't expect him to be a 25 point a game scorer. That probably won't happen in the NBA for this guy...but if he can distribute & hit the three when needed, he can have an long, productive career like his dad did.
8. New York - Jordan Hill (Arizona) - Great player. Seemed a little undersized but played hard and has great potential. He can shoot, play D, very quick and athletic for a big guy. I don't really see him as a superstar or anything...but a solid role player at least. I was also really impressed that the Knicks were able to get Toney Douglas (Florida State) in a trade with the Lakers. Douglas is another player that I really like watching during ACC action on ESPN. He's a great shooter, defender and all around player. Again, the only real downside seems to be his stature...but not a bad gamble with a late first round pickup. Hate to say it...but the Knicks may have had the best draft this year. Oh and don't worry, that's not what he looks like gentlemen. I just found it funny that there was another Jordan Hill out there.
10. Milwaukee - Brandon Jennings (Italy) - Okay, I saw this guy play in a McDonald All-American game last year and he was okay. Not amazing, just okay. Originally, he signed a letter of intent for Arizona...but decided to just go pro. Because of the "one-and-done" rule, he couldn't go straight to the NBA from high school...so he went to Rome to play for a year...and played very mediocre. Then during the pre-draft interviews, he called out Ricky Rubio as all hype...which I'll admit was a little warranted, but seeing interviews and stuff with this guy, I don't particularly care for his attitude. That being said, this isn't a game of attitude...and I hear he's supposed to be pretty good. Haven't been able to see him thanks to Italian League games only being played in some parts of Italy...but we shall see. I'm also a little curious why the Bucks drafted Jodie Meeks (Kentucky) for the exact same position in the second round...but hey, they're the Bucks. They haven't been relevant since Lew Alcindor played for them in the early 70's. (By the way, brownie points if you know who Lewis Ferdinand Alcindor, jr is and what classic comedies & kung fu movie he has starred in)
13. Indiana - Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina) - "Experts" have been giving the Pacers a lot of flack for picking him...and they're kind of warranted because they really needed a point guard more than a forward...but they went with the best player in the draft at this point in my opinion. The same experts were saying that he'd fall to #20 with the Jazz (which would've been awesome) but instead Indiana gets a great rebounder, defender and post scorer who plays with a lot of heart & grit...and sure, this guy may not become a huge megastar...but it's very unlikely that anybody else available. I was REALLY hoping this pick would drop...and I hope that he's the steal. He's a great player with a great attitude...but I can understand that a lot of people are hesitant about the white boy with a great college career (that's right, I said white boy) because of past infractions like Todd Fuller, Mark Madsen, Danny Ferry, Rex Chapman, Adam Keefe, Bryant Reeves, Keith Van Horn, Chris Mihm, and a host of others who were top 10 picks and didn't amount to much...at least until they got into the team's front office and set up championship-caliber teams. So either way, maybe that four-year education will come in handy. Also, the best nickname in the draft with "Psycho T", how can that not be a good sign? (Please forget about Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen)
18. Denver - Ty Lawson (North Carolina) - My opinion...the best point guard in the draft...up until he broke his ankle senior year. That's why he fell this far...but has a great situation on a championship-caliber team in the Nuggets playing backup to Chauncey Billups for a year or two while the ankle heals...and who knows what then? This guy reminds me a lot of Derek Fisher, who may not go into the Hall of Fame...but is a great guy playing a long career.
20. Utah - Eric Maynor (VCU) - Loved watching this guy play with VCU a few games...but may be a little short for the league. Not sure how he works in Jerry Sloan's system...but really the best talent available at the time...and a lot of upside as a scorer on the perimeter and slashing penetrator to create opportunities for others. They also drafted a big guy in Goran Suton (Michigan State) to help out. Had to mention the hometown team.
37. San Antonio - DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh) - STEAL OF THE DRAFT!!! Great rebounder, inside presence, interior defender, fits in perfectly with a championship caliber team that just added a scorer in Richard Jefferson by trade and was looking to fill in the rebounders that they gave up for him. Perfect situation coming in off the bench to start...and can rebound Manu Ginobili's misses when he's the only offensive option weapon on the court. I can't tell you how excited I am with this pick...and he definite should've been a top 20 pick...but angels were smiling down on the great state of Texas. A lot like Carlos Boozer...just not quite the offensive threat. Undersized a little...but yeah, great pickup for the Spurs...and then they drafted a few unknown foreigners with their other second round picks...including a French guy. Maybe he'll be another Tony Parker...some day.
45. Minnesota - Nick Calathes (Florida) - I really only mention this guy because one of my new coworkers, we'll call him Gator, kept bringing him up. Apparently he went to college...and then decided to leave early to go pro...in Europe. He left his name in the NBA draft...and now can choose between Minnesota (by the way, he's a point guard too...and they just drafted those two earlier...so they'll probably trade him too) or go to Europe. Just an interesting situation where the guy left early to go pro in Europe is all. Apparently Florida wasn't nice enough...so he'll go to Greece or Spain or Italy or something. Not a bad situation, just different. Good luck, Mr. Calathes.
Anyway, that's what I think about the Draft...and of course there are still trades to come and contracts to be signed...so we'll see what happens over the summer...but barring something major, you probably won't hear from me about the NBA until around Halloween when the season starts again. I realize most of you don't care about basketball as much as I do...but these are just my thoughts and I thought I'd keep them down to check later and see if I predicted the busts or surprise players. It's what I do. Oh...and I think I saw something on the news about Michael Jackson & Farrah Fawcett passing away. Don't know if anybody else caught that. Rest in peace y'all. However, on that note, when I'm watching CNN...and it's nothing but them waiting for a coroner's report for six hours...that's not news. "Breaking news: "King of Pop" was major influence on younger artists" or "Lisa Marie: Michael was afraid he'd die like Elvis" Really? Is that breaking news? I'm afraid that I'll die like Elvis...but we all die...some of us on the crapper with a peanut butter & banana sandwich in our hand. That's life. Enjoy it while you got it. What does Obama think? "My condolences to his family. Now if you'll excuse me, Iran is trying to start another war...and I have a job to do."