Sunday, October 17, 2010
PRISON YET AGAIN FOR RAPPER TI
US rapper TI, born Clifford Harris is heading to prison again. He was sentenced to 11 months on Friday (October. 15) for drug possession in an incident in Los Angeleus this past September. This infraction violated his current federal probation stemming from his 2007 illegal weapons charges. Defense for the rapper requested drug rehab but Judge Charles Pannell Jr saw prison as a better fit for TI. The release of the highly anticipated album, King Uncaged will have to wait. TI appeared in the fall release action packed film, Takers and appeared to be on the right path before getting caught with drugs. TI will return back to his home in Atlanta and start his prison sentence soon after.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
HOW ABOUT THOSE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS?
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a league best record last season (66-16) but this year they appear to have taken a step backwards. With a record of (10-4) the Cavs are number four in the woeful Eastern conference, and the familiar stellar play of last season has been absent in the beginning stages of the 09-10 season. Of course everyone on planet Earth knows that the summer of 2010 awaits a free agent frenzy, as this is LeBron James contract year with the Cavaliers. Cleveland fans realize and Cavalier management understand that the Cavs performance this season can be a significant factor in King James decision to either jump ship to a larger market or to continue his role as a local hero and savior. After being eliminated by the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals last season, Cavs players vow that anything less than a championship this year would be a failure. From the early look of things, there may be some disappointment laying ahead.
Cavs GM, Danny Ferry made a legitimate push to add LBJ more talent by being active this summer, via free agency and trade. The biggest question is rather or not the Cavs actually got better or did they just get old? Ferry looked to fill areas of need, as 37- year old Shaquille O'Neal was acquired in trade in hopes to defend the physical assault Dwight Howard poured of the Cavs in last year's playoffs. Many suggested the Cavs was getting a 87, Unleaded fuel injected Shaq and not The Diesel as seen in past years. Questions raised at how the offense would adjust? What would that mean for the role of long time starter, Zydurunus Illgauskus? Would O'Neal clog the lane for LeBron? These questions came from angle and it is still too early to determine. Cleveland also added Jamario Moon to provide perimeter defense and length and the aging sharp shooter, Anthony Parker was signed as a free agent to stretch the defense.
The Cavs were not the only team changing their cast, as Orlando, Boston and the LA Lakers have all arguably gotten better. Atlanta and Portland are emerging into top five teams right before our eyes and Cleveland may be a team that are falling out of the mix.
In just 14 games played this season, they have already lost as many games at home as they did all last season. The fun to watch personalized handshakes and pre- game "family portrait" rituals that the whole world came to love is not so visible anymore. This early season has unexpectedly experienced negative change for the Cavs. They did not get off to a 8-0 season this year, they are not enjoying a 11.95 margin of victory this year, and they are not gelling together as quickly as they did last year. Sure chemistry takes time but recent body language makes one infer that that chemistry may be far from attaining. They are recessing defensively as that may be attributed to the departure of their assistant coach and offensive expert, John Kuester, who filled the Pistons coaching vacancy this season.
Locker room camaraderie is something the Cavs have never appeared to have a problem with since the LeBron era but there is no question that disgruntled guard, Delonte West has been a distraction for the team with his off court issues. He has inconsistently been available in the active line up, sometimes even being a game time decision. The rotation is in disarray and everyone with the exception of LeBron seems to be lost. On the bright side of things, second year forward, J.J Hickson is coming into a reliable target for LeBron and he is maturing due to Coach Mike Brown's decision to give him more playing time.
Despite Cleveland's luckluster play they will probably continue to be in the conversation as their always exist a chance with King James onboard but their play must step up if they still expect to be contenders. The season is young but eyebrows raise after ugly losses to Chicago, Toronto and Washington. The missed assignments, defensive lapses and the stand still and watch LeBron type of offense is not a recipe for success and if the Cavs expect to be playing in June then something has to change. The hearts and faith of Clevelanders are depending on it.
Chantay Jordan
Cavs GM, Danny Ferry made a legitimate push to add LBJ more talent by being active this summer, via free agency and trade. The biggest question is rather or not the Cavs actually got better or did they just get old? Ferry looked to fill areas of need, as 37- year old Shaquille O'Neal was acquired in trade in hopes to defend the physical assault Dwight Howard poured of the Cavs in last year's playoffs. Many suggested the Cavs was getting a 87, Unleaded fuel injected Shaq and not The Diesel as seen in past years. Questions raised at how the offense would adjust? What would that mean for the role of long time starter, Zydurunus Illgauskus? Would O'Neal clog the lane for LeBron? These questions came from angle and it is still too early to determine. Cleveland also added Jamario Moon to provide perimeter defense and length and the aging sharp shooter, Anthony Parker was signed as a free agent to stretch the defense.
The Cavs were not the only team changing their cast, as Orlando, Boston and the LA Lakers have all arguably gotten better. Atlanta and Portland are emerging into top five teams right before our eyes and Cleveland may be a team that are falling out of the mix.
In just 14 games played this season, they have already lost as many games at home as they did all last season. The fun to watch personalized handshakes and pre- game "family portrait" rituals that the whole world came to love is not so visible anymore. This early season has unexpectedly experienced negative change for the Cavs. They did not get off to a 8-0 season this year, they are not enjoying a 11.95 margin of victory this year, and they are not gelling together as quickly as they did last year. Sure chemistry takes time but recent body language makes one infer that that chemistry may be far from attaining. They are recessing defensively as that may be attributed to the departure of their assistant coach and offensive expert, John Kuester, who filled the Pistons coaching vacancy this season.
Locker room camaraderie is something the Cavs have never appeared to have a problem with since the LeBron era but there is no question that disgruntled guard, Delonte West has been a distraction for the team with his off court issues. He has inconsistently been available in the active line up, sometimes even being a game time decision. The rotation is in disarray and everyone with the exception of LeBron seems to be lost. On the bright side of things, second year forward, J.J Hickson is coming into a reliable target for LeBron and he is maturing due to Coach Mike Brown's decision to give him more playing time.
Despite Cleveland's luckluster play they will probably continue to be in the conversation as their always exist a chance with King James onboard but their play must step up if they still expect to be contenders. The season is young but eyebrows raise after ugly losses to Chicago, Toronto and Washington. The missed assignments, defensive lapses and the stand still and watch LeBron type of offense is not a recipe for success and if the Cavs expect to be playing in June then something has to change. The hearts and faith of Clevelanders are depending on it.
Chantay Jordan
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