The 2009 NBA All-Star game will be played in Phoenix this season during the three-day period of February 13-15.
For the most part, I try to take in as much of the festivities as possible - but my favorite events are the NBA Rookie All-Star game and the 3-point shootout. To a lesser extent, I also enjoy the slam dunk contest and other events, but not as much as the other two.
So, before the team is announced I thought I would look over the two classes and see who would be making it to the rookie challenge this season.
For those that do not know, a few years ago the rookie challenge changed from an all rookie event, to the Rookies vs. Sophomores. Therefore, only nine players are usually selected from each class.
Also, as you will see, I am not totally sure about the rules for selection - but I will explain that after my picks.
For the Sophomores:
Kevin Durant (Thunder)
Daequan Cook (Heat)
Rodney Stuckey (Pistons)
Al Horford (Hawks)
Wilson Chandler (Knicks)
Luis Scola (Rockets)
Mike Conley (Grizzlies)
Jeff Green (Thunder)
Aaron Brooks (Rockets)
For the Rookies:
Derrick Rose (Bulls)
Michael Beasley (Heat)
OJ Mayo (Grizzlies)
Brooke Lopez (Nets)
DJ Augustine (Bobcats)
Eric Gordon (Clippers)
Greg Oden (Blazers)
Kevin Love (T-wolves)
Rudy Fernandez (Blazers)
Now, my main concern is for Oden - who technically would have been a sophomore had he not been injured for his entire rookie season - in my mind he is a rookie, but I am not sure where the league stands on this. That being said, I may also include Marc Gasol in the rookie list of the Grizzlies, who is having a great year as well.
That's funny, the rookie list was a lot harder to select because there are so many rookies on the cusp. So many on the fringe of being great, so narrowing it down to nine was difficult.
The sophomore list was actually hard as well, but for another reason - most of them just aren't having great years. It was difficult finding nine able bodies - in fact Al Horford is injured right now but should be able to play. Yi Jianlian of the Nets would have been eligible, but as of now is injured as well - and I think too injured to be able to play in this game.
Well, those are my predictions. I was looking to see when the announcement would be made, but I can't find it anywhere - so when they are announced we'll have to compare my predictions.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Top Ten: Movie Presidents
Well, seeing as how we are swearing in the 44th president of the United States today, I thought I would pull out the old Top Ten list for the occasion.
It has been quite a long time since I have made a Top Ten list, but again, this is (hopefully) a very special day in United States history - and (hopefully) the first day towards a better America.
So, here are my Top Ten Movie Presidents. These are, again, just my opinions - and of course I have not see every movie out there with a president.
Here they are (in reverse order as always):
It has been quite a long time since I have made a Top Ten list, but again, this is (hopefully) a very special day in United States history - and (hopefully) the first day towards a better America.
So, here are my Top Ten Movie Presidents. These are, again, just my opinions - and of course I have not see every movie out there with a president.
Here they are (in reverse order as always):
10) Monroe Cole (Gene Hackman)/Welcome to Mooseport

9) President Camacho (Terry Crews)/Idiocracy

8) Thomas Benson (Lloyd Bridges)/Hot Shots! Part Deux

7) President Harris (Leslie Nielson)/Scary Movie 3 & 4

6) Robert Fowler (James Cromwell)/The Sum of All Fears

5) Richard M. Nixon (Dan Hedaya)/Dick

4) Tom Beck (Morgan Freeman)/Deep Impact

3) Dave Kovic/Bill Mitchell (Kevin Kline)/Dave

2) Thomas Whitmore (Bill Pullman)/Independence Day

1) James Marshall (Harrison Ford)/Air Force One

9) President Camacho (Terry Crews)/Idiocracy

8) Thomas Benson (Lloyd Bridges)/Hot Shots! Part Deux

7) President Harris (Leslie Nielson)/Scary Movie 3 & 4

6) Robert Fowler (James Cromwell)/The Sum of All Fears

5) Richard M. Nixon (Dan Hedaya)/Dick

4) Tom Beck (Morgan Freeman)/Deep Impact

3) Dave Kovic/Bill Mitchell (Kevin Kline)/Dave

2) Thomas Whitmore (Bill Pullman)/Independence Day

1) James Marshall (Harrison Ford)/Air Force One

Monday, January 19, 2009
Super Steelers

I know this is two sports related blogs in a row, but I have to say something about my Steelers making it to the Super Bowl - don't I?
The Pittsburgh Steelers were 'the team' in the '70's. Marching through the playoffs to the tone of four Super Bowl victories.
Unfortunately, the Steelers captured the 1979 Super Bowl (of course played on January 20, 1980). Well, wouldn't you know that I would be born the following year and the Steelers would go into the crapper.
It took 15 years after my birth for the Steelers to reach another Super Bowl - and they fell to the Neil O'Donnell led Dallas Cowboys. Oh, wait - Neil O'Donnell wasn't on the Cowboys, you say? He was on the Steelers - WELL YOU COULD HAVE FOOLED ME.
Sorry, had to vent.
Anyway, the Steelers again were absent from the Super Bowl until 2005 when Pittsburgh finally captured the Vince Lombardi trophy in my lifetime.
So, who knows. On Sunday, the Steelers once again have moved themselves into a Super Bowl - this may be the start of yet another pattern, much like the one I missed in the '70's. Well I sure hope so.
Pittsburgh slipped by another hard hitting team in their rivals from Baltimore, 23-14 to move into the Super Bowl. Waiting for them two weeks from now - the Arizona Cardinals.
Now, on paper the Steelers should win this game easily. But, that has been said of each and every Cardinal opponent during this playoff stretch - and they are still standing. So I am in no way writing off this team.
The last few Super Bowls have been teams of destiny - including the '05 Steelers. Teams that have gone on magical runs to capture the championship, and I am afraid that destiny may be with the Cardinals this season. But, I am hoping that destiny may also want to repeat itself for a kid who was born just a little too late.
Labels:
Arizona Cardinals,
Football,
Pittburgh Steelers,
Sports
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Hall of Fame(?)
Baseball will be inducting two new members into its Hall of Fame, Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice.
For Henderson, it was his first time being on the ballot - for Rice, it was his 15th and final time.
The baseball hall of fame appears to be tougher to get into than Fort Knox. I mean, was Rice not a hall of famer the other 14 times he was on the ballot? Did they have to make him sweat it out?
It seems like a flawed system to me. Which is only getting worse now that the steroid cloud hovers over most of the new players up for induction. Mark McGwire has already felt the wrath twice.
But, I am not that big of a baseball fan anyway - so I thought I would talk about the football hall of fame. They have narrowed down their finalists to Bruce Smith, Cris Carter, Andre Reed, Rod Woodson, Russ Grimm, Derrick Thomas, Paul Tagliabue, Ralph Wilson, Shannon Sharpe, Bob Hayes, Bob Kuechenberg, Claude Humphrey, Cortez Kennedy, Dermontti Dawson, Richard Dent, Randall McDaniel and John Randle.
From what I have read (but could not find to back up), the Hall of Fame inducts 4-7 members each year. So, with those guidelines I have come up witht he members of 2009.
Definite: Bruce Smith, Cris Carter, Rod Woodson.
Secondary: Shannon Sharpe, Derrick Thomas, Paul Tagliabue, Dermontti Dawson.
This also got be interested - who in today's game is either a lock, or on his way to being in the Hall of Fame. So, I have come up with the players I feel could be there when they are done playing.
Note: I have not included any offensive line or kicker/punter. I am not a great judge of an offensive lineman (though Allan Faneca and Orlando Pace are surely locks). And as of now, not one punter is in the Hall of Fame. Though in my mind, there are definitely some worthy kickers.
AFC: Ed Reed (Ravens), Ray Lewis (Ravens), Carson Palmer (Bengals), Donnie Edwards (Chiefs), Tony Gonzalez (Chiefs), Larry Johnson (Chiefs), Willie McGinest (Browns), James Harrison (Steelers), Troy Polamalu (Steelers), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Hines Ward (Steelers), Joey Porter (Dolphins), Brett Favre (Jets), Andre Johnson (Texans), Mario Williams (Texans), Tom Brady (Patriots), Tedy Bruschi (Patriots), Randy Moss (Patriots), Junior Seau (Patriots), Richard Seymour (Patriots), Rodney Harrison (Patriots), Keith Bullock (Titans), Javon Kearse (Titans), Rashean Mathis (Jaguars), Fred Taylor (Jaguars), Champ Bailey (Broncos), D.J. Williams (Broncos), Antonio Cromartie (Chargers), Antonio Gates (Chargers), Shawne Merriman (Chargers), Philip Rivers (Chargers), LaDainian Tomlinson (Chargers), Jamal Williams (Chargers), Dwight Freeney (Colts), Marvin Harrison (Colts), Peyton Manning (Colts), Reggie Wayne (Colts), Bob Sanders (Colts).
NFC: Torry Holt (Rams), Julian Peterson (Seahawks), Patrick Kerney (Seahawks), Clinton Portis (Redskins), Jason Taylor (Redskins), Brian Dawkins (Eagles), Donovan McNabb (Eagles), Brian Westbrook (Eagles), Lito Sheppard (Eagles), Eli Manning (Giants), Antonio Pierce (Giants), Justin Tuck (Giants), Osi Umenyiora (Giants), Drew Brees (Saints), Marques Colston (Saints), Aaron Glenn (Saints), Jonathan Vilma (Saints), Ronde Barber (Buccaneers), Derrick Brooks (Buccaneers), Warrick Dunn (Buccaneers), Terrell Owens (Cowboys), Zach Thomas (Cowboys), DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), Jason Witten (Cowboys), Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals), Anquan Boldin (Cardinals), Kurt Warner (Cardinals), Edgerrin James (Cardinals), Adrian Wilson (Cardinals), Steve Smith (Panthers), John Abraham (Falcons), Keith Brooking (Falcons), Lawyer Milloy (Falcons), Jarred Allen (Vikings), Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Darren Sharper (Vikings), Kevin Williams (Vikings), Pat Williams (Vikings), Lance Briggs (Bears), Devin Hester (Bears), Brian Urlacher (Bears), Calvin Johnson (Lions), Takeo Spikes (49ers), Patrick Willis (49ers), Isaac Bruce (49ers), A.J. Hawk (Packers), Donald Driver (Packers), Charles Woodson (Packers), Al Harris (Packers).
That is my list. Obviously, some of these players are early on in their careers and could slip up. Some still need a few more things to go right for them as their careers wind down - and there are still others not on this list (Jay Cuter-Matt Forte-Chris Johnson-Aaron Rodgers) who have done well, but haven't had enough years to really prove themselves yet.
I am sure some people have there picks that may have been omitted, and some that are on my list that shouldn't be there. Let's get the talk flowing.
For Henderson, it was his first time being on the ballot - for Rice, it was his 15th and final time.
The baseball hall of fame appears to be tougher to get into than Fort Knox. I mean, was Rice not a hall of famer the other 14 times he was on the ballot? Did they have to make him sweat it out?
It seems like a flawed system to me. Which is only getting worse now that the steroid cloud hovers over most of the new players up for induction. Mark McGwire has already felt the wrath twice.
But, I am not that big of a baseball fan anyway - so I thought I would talk about the football hall of fame. They have narrowed down their finalists to Bruce Smith, Cris Carter, Andre Reed, Rod Woodson, Russ Grimm, Derrick Thomas, Paul Tagliabue, Ralph Wilson, Shannon Sharpe, Bob Hayes, Bob Kuechenberg, Claude Humphrey, Cortez Kennedy, Dermontti Dawson, Richard Dent, Randall McDaniel and John Randle.
From what I have read (but could not find to back up), the Hall of Fame inducts 4-7 members each year. So, with those guidelines I have come up witht he members of 2009.
Definite: Bruce Smith, Cris Carter, Rod Woodson.
Secondary: Shannon Sharpe, Derrick Thomas, Paul Tagliabue, Dermontti Dawson.
This also got be interested - who in today's game is either a lock, or on his way to being in the Hall of Fame. So, I have come up with the players I feel could be there when they are done playing.
Note: I have not included any offensive line or kicker/punter. I am not a great judge of an offensive lineman (though Allan Faneca and Orlando Pace are surely locks). And as of now, not one punter is in the Hall of Fame. Though in my mind, there are definitely some worthy kickers.
AFC: Ed Reed (Ravens), Ray Lewis (Ravens), Carson Palmer (Bengals), Donnie Edwards (Chiefs), Tony Gonzalez (Chiefs), Larry Johnson (Chiefs), Willie McGinest (Browns), James Harrison (Steelers), Troy Polamalu (Steelers), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Hines Ward (Steelers), Joey Porter (Dolphins), Brett Favre (Jets), Andre Johnson (Texans), Mario Williams (Texans), Tom Brady (Patriots), Tedy Bruschi (Patriots), Randy Moss (Patriots), Junior Seau (Patriots), Richard Seymour (Patriots), Rodney Harrison (Patriots), Keith Bullock (Titans), Javon Kearse (Titans), Rashean Mathis (Jaguars), Fred Taylor (Jaguars), Champ Bailey (Broncos), D.J. Williams (Broncos), Antonio Cromartie (Chargers), Antonio Gates (Chargers), Shawne Merriman (Chargers), Philip Rivers (Chargers), LaDainian Tomlinson (Chargers), Jamal Williams (Chargers), Dwight Freeney (Colts), Marvin Harrison (Colts), Peyton Manning (Colts), Reggie Wayne (Colts), Bob Sanders (Colts).
NFC: Torry Holt (Rams), Julian Peterson (Seahawks), Patrick Kerney (Seahawks), Clinton Portis (Redskins), Jason Taylor (Redskins), Brian Dawkins (Eagles), Donovan McNabb (Eagles), Brian Westbrook (Eagles), Lito Sheppard (Eagles), Eli Manning (Giants), Antonio Pierce (Giants), Justin Tuck (Giants), Osi Umenyiora (Giants), Drew Brees (Saints), Marques Colston (Saints), Aaron Glenn (Saints), Jonathan Vilma (Saints), Ronde Barber (Buccaneers), Derrick Brooks (Buccaneers), Warrick Dunn (Buccaneers), Terrell Owens (Cowboys), Zach Thomas (Cowboys), DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), Jason Witten (Cowboys), Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals), Anquan Boldin (Cardinals), Kurt Warner (Cardinals), Edgerrin James (Cardinals), Adrian Wilson (Cardinals), Steve Smith (Panthers), John Abraham (Falcons), Keith Brooking (Falcons), Lawyer Milloy (Falcons), Jarred Allen (Vikings), Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Darren Sharper (Vikings), Kevin Williams (Vikings), Pat Williams (Vikings), Lance Briggs (Bears), Devin Hester (Bears), Brian Urlacher (Bears), Calvin Johnson (Lions), Takeo Spikes (49ers), Patrick Willis (49ers), Isaac Bruce (49ers), A.J. Hawk (Packers), Donald Driver (Packers), Charles Woodson (Packers), Al Harris (Packers).
That is my list. Obviously, some of these players are early on in their careers and could slip up. Some still need a few more things to go right for them as their careers wind down - and there are still others not on this list (Jay Cuter-Matt Forte-Chris Johnson-Aaron Rodgers) who have done well, but haven't had enough years to really prove themselves yet.
I am sure some people have there picks that may have been omitted, and some that are on my list that shouldn't be there. Let's get the talk flowing.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Step Brothers
This movie borders on the insane, yet still has that weird undertow that you sort of can follow.
Step Brothers stars Will Ferrell as Brennan Huff and John C. Reilly as Dale Doback. The two are each 40 year olds who still live at home with their single parents.
Huff lives with his mother, Nancy (Mary Steenburgen), and has at least tried to hold down a job in his life - despite recently being fired from PetSmart.
Doback stays with his father, Robert (Richard Jenkins) and from what I can tell tried to go to college, but decided to go into the family business - which is hard to do when your father is a doctor.
At a medical conference, Robert and Nancy meet and of course one thing leads to another. The families merge and become one big "happy" family.
It's pretty obvious at first that Dale and Brennan do not like their new arrangements - and even quarrel nonstop. So much so, that Robert and Nancy give them a small amount of time to find a job and then get out of the house.
At a family dinner, Nancy's other son, Derek (Adam Scott) and his family come to dinner. Derek is the more successful of the brothers - and in a flashback we learn crushed Brennan's dream to become a singer.
As Derek is making fun of both Brennan and Dale, Dale becomes enraged and punches Derek in the face - knocking him out of their treehouse. This not only impresses Brennan, but Derek's wife Alice (Kathryn Hahn) as well - who apparently is no longer into Derek.
It's here that Dale and Brennan find out that they have a ton in common and truly become brothers.
The movie is produced by Judd Apatow, who continues to reign over every comedy ever made (so it seems).
Ferrell and Reilly obviously have chemistry together, as they have been together a number of times - the movie was pretty funny and was pretty easy to watch and follow.
Not a high-end comedy in my opinion, but certainly one I could watch again.

Huff lives with his mother, Nancy (Mary Steenburgen), and has at least tried to hold down a job in his life - despite recently being fired from PetSmart.
Doback stays with his father, Robert (Richard Jenkins) and from what I can tell tried to go to college, but decided to go into the family business - which is hard to do when your father is a doctor.
At a medical conference, Robert and Nancy meet and of course one thing leads to another. The families merge and become one big "happy" family.
It's pretty obvious at first that Dale and Brennan do not like their new arrangements - and even quarrel nonstop. So much so, that Robert and Nancy give them a small amount of time to find a job and then get out of the house.
At a family dinner, Nancy's other son, Derek (Adam Scott) and his family come to dinner. Derek is the more successful of the brothers - and in a flashback we learn crushed Brennan's dream to become a singer.
As Derek is making fun of both Brennan and Dale, Dale becomes enraged and punches Derek in the face - knocking him out of their treehouse. This not only impresses Brennan, but Derek's wife Alice (Kathryn Hahn) as well - who apparently is no longer into Derek.
It's here that Dale and Brennan find out that they have a ton in common and truly become brothers.
The movie is produced by Judd Apatow, who continues to reign over every comedy ever made (so it seems).
Ferrell and Reilly obviously have chemistry together, as they have been together a number of times - the movie was pretty funny and was pretty easy to watch and follow.
Not a high-end comedy in my opinion, but certainly one I could watch again.
Grade:

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