These days, the masses gossip about LeBron James’ future, whether he’ll re-sign with Cleveland or depart emotionally to Chicago or even New York or wherever he decides to land come July 1, we are forced to neglect the undervalued franchise of the Eastern Conference.
It’s fascinating that basketball lords deems the Boston Celtics as an aging, old, unhealthy and washed-up franchise, without enough in the tank to win its second championship in three seasons and deepen mystique, a tradition symbolizing the Celtics winningest brand for nearly 50 years.
Based on shakiness and health issues in the regular season, the Celtics, once discredited as the oldest and most broken-down team both mentally and physically in the NBA, withstood anguish and despair between Kevin Garnett’s wobbly knees and Paul Pierce strained foot.
For that matter, any team would be doubted when it gradually begins to recede and age, lacking physical toughness and starts off sluggish nightly.
But this is not the case for the reviving Celtics, simply exposing the Orlando Magic weaknesses with a physical defense that has been unstoppable in the postseason.
All praise to the Celtics, an older team with a wise state of mind, showcasing its wisdom and experience in the Eastern Conference Finals to prove a dominant force. And we underestimated Boston.
It truly was an understatement to eclipse a tradition of shamrocks and victory cigars, a team that owned the limelight in the ‘80s era when Larry Bird anchored an irresistible dynasty.
We all know this team is old and sometimes debilitated with injuries, but coveted in adding an NBA-leading 18 banners in the rafters and smoke victory cigars, a ritual fulfilled when the Celtics rejoices after an accomplished conquest.
This, of course, is not the fully robust team we witnessed two years ago win on the grandest stage, but a team that knows how to survive and outlast a possible meltdown.
More than ever, the Celtics have neutralized every opponent it has faced in the postseason, bringing a similar counterattack to frustrate and pester Dwight Howard, the Magic’s seven-foot center who isn’t Kryptonite in a series he’s held to very little productivity.
Then, as usual, he cries and whines over cheap fouls handed to him, irritable of the refs' whistles sounding to charge the big man with a foul.
At 24, he lacks maturity and hasn’t fully developed into an elite center, unable to stay out of foul trouble and overpower the middle with his wingspan and height advantage.
But the Celtics were supposed to be too old to take away his energy and self-composure in a series much physicality wasn’t expected from the senior citizens of the postseason.
Even if this seems like a stunner, it really isn’t staggering, considering the Celtics' monstrous defense, which is emphasized by coach Doc Rivers, who never sits down and shouts from the sideline for his team to tighten up defensively.
As it appears, the overmatched Celtics are favored to win an unchallenged series with a 2-0 commanding lead in the Eastern Conference Finals and forced the Magic to lose home-court advantage in a 95-92 win, stunning all Orlando fans in attendance.
Now, in the series, the Celtics won their fourth straight postseason road game, and never lost a playoff series after advancing to a 2-0 lead. So fortunately, history is on their sides, traveling home to try and close out the series in a sweep on their home floor.
It’s possible to believe the Celtics won’t force a six game or allow the Magic to take it back home for a chance to regain momentum and slowly maneuver its way back in the series, unless the NBA seniors' legs give out and suddenly becomes fallen stars in a disastrous collapse.
But recently, the Celtics are dynamic in bombarding and clogging the inside by adding pressure on Howard. Despite the defenders he has drawn, he had 30 points on just 13 shots from the floor. He was even solid from the charity strike, and converted on 12 of his 17 free throws.
Without a doubt, he could have finished the night with a double-double, but the Celtics sent the center to the line instead of allowing him to grab an offensive rebound. In a game, he had eight rebounds and made the C’s deliberate before sending him to the line.
Nonetheless, the Celtics still managed to escape Orlando with two wins and leads the series, capable of returning to the NBA Finals and convincing the world that they’ll be crowned the champions in basketball, a familiar achievement for the Celtics.
It has become an alarming team, finally reviving and having all the instrumental pieces every team needs to win, such as defense, willpower, balance and firepower, good enough to slow down the invincible Magic.
Simply, the Magic have the younger and faster team, but cannot endure the physical balance of the well-experienced and well-rounded Celtics.
The difference clearly in the series and postseason is the strong effort of Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, a pair of star players known as the Big Three alongside Garnett. In such a turnaround at a crucial point of the season, Pierce had 22 points in the Game Two, getting off to a fast start with 22 points in the first half.
He’s deeply reestablishing into a primary star, dating back to the days he carried the team with a chip on his shoulder as a lone superstar. And normally when he compiles huge numbers on the scoreboard, it results in a win.
But nowadays, the Celtics survives on the flourishing of Rajon Rondo, a floor general and versatile point guard with the ability to score and make pocket passes to teammates, credited for an assist on designing well-executed play inside.
He’s agile and explosive, respectively, becoming the top scorer and second leader behind Garnett. Before he even arrived at the pro level, he was criticized for his porous shooting and was doubted after departing his collegiate career prematurely, and wasn’t fully developed.
He silenced all skeptics by becoming a top-notch player and true point guard. There he was again on a night when his presence made it easier for the Celtics. He scored 25 points, had eight assists and five rebounds, all while dominating the second half and drove Boston to an insurance win.
In this particular game, Garnett had 10 points and Ray Allen posted four points in 39 minutes.
The Celtics, meanwhile, still managed to survive and beat the Magic to move inches closer to the NBA Finals for a potential rematch against the Los Angeles Lakers, archenemies who dismantled the Phoenix Suns in Game One of the Western Conference Finals.
In many ways, Orlando’s coach Stan Van Gundy understands it takes a team effort, but also knows his team is struggling to make adjustments, suddenly seeing his team lose twice at home in the quarterfinals to the Celtics, the same team the Magic knocked off a year ago.
Even the fans are frustrated, provoking an altercation with officials during games. Joe DeRosa was harassed by fans before leaving the court at halftime and snapped during the game.
He tossed the ball uncharacteristically across the scorer’s table at a petulant fan, who tossed it back and was thrown out of the game.
That says a lot about the series, a best-of-seven series suddenly unraveling for the Magic, who believed getting back to the NBA Finals was likely, but are faced with trouble having to capture a win on Boston’s home floor to stay alive.
For now, the Celtics are the best team in the playoffs, even though it’s the oldest team standing on wobbly knees and ailing feet, but have just enough to slow down any team crossing its path.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Boston Celtics Have Ideal Weapons to Relive Green Pride: Boston Unbeatable?
Friday, April 9, 2010
“Earl & Tiger” Nike Commercial [Video]
A day after seeing this commercial, I still don’t know how to feel about it. Is it creepy? Is it genius? I honestly don’t know. One half of me says that Nike humanized Tiger. Instead of a married sex crazed guy who had affairs with about 30+ sidepieces, this is a guy who just made mistakes (Again and again…and again). But then there’s another side of me that screams that this shit is creepy; Earl Woods speaking from the grave while he son looks into the camera for 30 seconds. And while on the subject: Could this be exploiting Tiger’s father for the sake of a image change and maketing?
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Erykah Badu Charged Over Video
Erykah Badu was charged with disorderly conduct over the video for “Window Seat,” in which the soul singer stripped nude.
She will be sent a citation and may have to pay a fine up to $500, according to TMZ.com.
The controversial video was shot in Dallas, TX and a woman filed indecency complaint with the local police department. A press conference will be held soon.
Badu joked about the charge on her Twitter. “Charged on good friday .....return of the ankh,” she said, “1 DOLLAR FOR EVERY NEW AMERYKAH PRODUCT SOLD AT GOOD RECORDS TOMORROW WILL GO TOWARD MY BAIL MONEY.THANK YOU .”
The charge is a misdemeanor.
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Window Seat left me conflicted, but in a good way.
From the minute she removed her coat and shoes then kept walking, I knew this video would end with some symbolic act – I wasn’t necessarily expecting complete nudity, though. But Badu being Badu, who has always spoken out against what’s expected from women in the media — needless to say this was about more than being just butt nekkid with a beeper on, and glitter.
I love that Erykah went so brave and so bold with her latest video. She has elevated what could have been a mere companion to her latest song into a true artistic statement, the likes of which we don’t often see in today’s industry. Addressing the subject of groupthink delivers much needed knowledge to just about everyone who has seen or will see this video. I appreciate her message of confronting fear, stripping away one’s defenses, of finding freedom despite what others may expect of you.
But in my opinion, the nudity in this video is a double edged sword. The act that makes the video so powerful and significant and worthy of discussion, is what also may serve to undercut her message to the masses.
Just about every blog comment or tweet I’ve read about this video has focused more on Erykah’s “donk” than even attempting to unpack what the video is trying to convey. More about the perception of sexuality than the substance. And the comments I’ve read online bother me and make me wonder – could she have tried to deliver this message without the nudity? Is this purely gratuitous, or is this complete artistic freedom? Would this video have recieved the same kind of response if say, Jill Scott, Ledisi, or Angie Stone were the ones removing their clothing?
Erykah Badu being Erykah Badu…I don’t think she cares much about what we percieve her video to mean. She’s gonna go on speaking her truth either way. That’s what makes me love her, love her music, and love what she brings to the table each and every time — and that’s why I plan to cop New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh
But enough about what I think. What did you think of Window Seat? And do you plan to buy Erykah’s latest album?
Friday, March 26, 2010
Fashion Feature: Change The World We Walk On With GodSpeed Footwear
After creating GoldSpun, the contemporary apparel brand based on raw materials, creative director Marck Marcellus moved his talents into footwear and developed GodSpeed.
The GodSpeed philosophy is simple: "Change The World We Walk On," and the first collection is based on the mathematical concept of Phi. Phi, also known as the golden ratio, is a mysterious and powerful equation governing aesthetics. This GodSpeed collection emulates the golden ratio through the balance and symmetry of the design, and the fusion of fashion and function, congruence and individuality. There is harmony in each shoe, and in the collection as a whole.
Godspeed shoes feature premium leather piecing, high memory polyurethane insoles, SupraFoam® midsoles, handcrafted sewing details, and full ankle support. 
Check out our exclusive shots of the first collection below, now available on DrJays.com. Here's more from our interview with Marck Marcellus, the genius behind GoldSpun and GodSpeed: DrJays.com: How did you get your start in the fashion industry?
Marck: "My start in the fashion industry started something like the beginning of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. But my Philly was Brooklyn, and my Bel-Air was Queens. A few fights after school got me shipped out there, where I went from wearing what I wanted to school, to wearing a uniform and attending Our Lady Of Sorrows. Basiclly, the Brooklyn lifestyle was not the path my aunts wanted for me."
DrJays.com: Describe a typical day in your life (working with GoldSpun/GodSpeed).
Marck: "I'm an early bird, usually one of the first in the office. I like that early start so I can map out all the issues that may occur throughout the day. The rest of my day is filled with research—fabrics, fashion, trims, and fits. These are the ever changing components in my field."
DrJays.com: What inspired you to start a footwear line, and what was the initial concept behind it?
Marck: "I was inspired to start a footwear line due to what the market was offering. Many times you find sneakers you like, but the colorways are not what you're looking for. I also have GoldSpun customers who wanted to see footwear from us. Because of GoldSpun's aesthetic, our customers are looking for something strong and masculine. In launching GodSpeed Movement, I made sure [customers] had a sneaker that gave [them] the feeling of a field boot, placing the "mid-speed" design on the base of a basic high-top shoe, and adding a clean edge, clean toe, etc."
DrJays.com: What can we expect from GodSpeed's fall 2010 collection?
Marck: "We will continue to push the limits of fashion…Godspeed will also stay true to the quality and workmanship that our customer has been come to expect from us."
DrJays.com: Which GodSpeed shoe is your personal favorite so far?
Marck: "My personal favorite is the UP-Speed, because it has so much support, and the toe is really clean so you can dress it up, cover the shoe or tuck in your jeans for that field-boot look."
DrJays.com: Can you give our aspiring designers out there a few tips for success?
Marck: "When one door closes another one opens. Keep your head up and your ears and your eyes open. Everyday is a brand new day, another chance to reach that goal. Say, 'They can't stop that hunger inside of me—no one wants it more than I do. I need it.' We are the maximum force of the future." Get your GodSpeed shoes on DrJays.com.
Speed Chaser Hi Sneakers by GodSpeed
See more HERE.
CASSIDY HAS AIDS AND GAVE IT TO THIS GIRL!!!!!!?????WHAT!?
What in the bloody HELL!?
Read this from a chick that supposedly slept with Cassidy!!!!!!
I have some important information about the rapper Cassidy that girls need to know. I met cassidy some time last summer at a concert he was doing in Philly. After the concert he invited me and my friends to play pool with him and his friends then we chilled at one of his homeboys house. The pictures are from this day we met. He wasnt anything less then a gentlemen that day so we exchanged numbers. We talked for a few months and saw each other when ever we could. It was usually at my apartment in Philly. A couple times I drove up and we met at a hotel in Hacknsack NJ. I was never able to go to his house because his babys mother and kids were there. The very 1st time we had sex he didn’t want to use a condom but I insisted. After a while we built up trust and he convinced me not to use one. The BIGGEST mistake of my life. I learned I contacted HIV from him.
When I confronted him about it he denied it but could not hide that he seemed very worreid and admitted to having unprotected sex with other girls he said they were clean. I found out later to from a friend of mine who knows a philly stripper named Porsha that he has unprotect sex with strippers and video hoes on a REGULAR BASES. Well that was the last time I spoke to him ofcourse. I am the biggest IDIOT in the world for trusting and believeing this dirty lying a$$ hole. I KNOW it was from Cassidy he is the only one i had sex with near the time and the ONLY one I did not use a condom with.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CASS, STATEMENT PLEASE!!!!!