Friday, May 21, 2010
It’s time to criticize Dwight Howard, again-reaction
I chose to reflect upon this article because this article interested me and I am interested in blogging about one of my favourite NBA players. The article of "It’s time to criticize Dwight Howard, again" does not show both views. In the article it only explains and shows one view, the view they critized Dwight Howard. However, It did not show the view of Dwight Howard and why Dwight Howard perform so poorly in Game 1 against the Boston Celtics. This article does not provide enough information as why Dwight Howard performed so poorly in the game. They include additional information as to explain why Dwight Howard's performance was so poor and not compare his statstics to other games. Overall, They should information such as did anything occur to Dwight Howard before the game? Did Dwight Howard serectly injuried himself? Did Dwight Howard lose on purpose? In conclusion Dwight Howard should be able to peform better next game due to his statstics in his former games and even does not I will make sure to blog about him again.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Pay attention to Markham's green space decision
NORM BEACH
FOR METRO TORONTO
May 10, 2010 4:00 a.m.
Markham town council is about to make a decision that will have implications throughout the GTA. It looks like we’re going to get more urban sprawl, more traffic gridlock, more climate change and dirtier water in Lake Ontario.
It’s not that the people of Markham want this. But if politicians ignore the wishes of citizens and pander to developers who help finance election campaigns, this is what happens — and all of the GTA’s motorists and water drinkers will have to live with it.
Sprawl hurts us all. It makes public transit unworkable, so it clogs highways. It pollutes our air and warms the planet. Paving over green space destroys the natural filtering process that keeps water clean. And it’s a huge burden for taxpayers who have to pay for new roads, sewers and water on unserviced land.
All over the GTA, municipalities face the challenge of accommodating population growth. But putting subdivisions on farmland is an unsustainable growth strategy, so Markham councillors Erin Shapero and Valerie Burke have proposed stopping sprawl and preserving green space. New arrivals would live within present urban boundaries in resale family homes and low-rise multi-unit complexes, with higher density along transit corridors. A Pollara poll in Markham found that 83 per cent of respondents agree with the proposal.
Unfortunately, many developers don’t. They’ve spent hundreds of millions snapping up farmland, hoping to pave it over with subdivisions when council gives the go-ahead. With so much money at stake, it’s not surprising that they help fund many councilors’ election campaigns.
The plan to preserve green space comes before Markham council tomorrow and the vote will be close. Councillors who remember Richmond Hill’s citizen-led “Save, Don’t Pave” campaign may decide that the best place to be is on the right side of public opinion.
Adults buy farms, bulldoze trees, pave over green space and make a profit, but children pay the price. Money cannot compensate for the impact of lost green space on the air they will breathe or the water they will drink. In a hungry world, Canada’s richest agricultural land may be covered with houses and shopping malls. That’s food for thought for politicians and voters alike. http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/live/article/522405--pay-attention-to-markham-s-green-space-decision
The title of this article is called " Pay attention to Markham's green space decision" written by NORM BEACH and published on May 10, 2010 4:00 a.m by metronews.ca. This article explains how the GTA is acknowleding Markham stopping sprawl and preserving green space. This fact can be supported when Markham councillors Erin Shapero and Valerie Burke said" have proposed stopping sprawl and preserving green space" ( Norma Beach). This is significnt because Markham could set an example for other regions in the GTA to become more green and evnorimently friendly
FOR METRO TORONTO
May 10, 2010 4:00 a.m.
Markham town council is about to make a decision that will have implications throughout the GTA. It looks like we’re going to get more urban sprawl, more traffic gridlock, more climate change and dirtier water in Lake Ontario.
It’s not that the people of Markham want this. But if politicians ignore the wishes of citizens and pander to developers who help finance election campaigns, this is what happens — and all of the GTA’s motorists and water drinkers will have to live with it.
Sprawl hurts us all. It makes public transit unworkable, so it clogs highways. It pollutes our air and warms the planet. Paving over green space destroys the natural filtering process that keeps water clean. And it’s a huge burden for taxpayers who have to pay for new roads, sewers and water on unserviced land.
All over the GTA, municipalities face the challenge of accommodating population growth. But putting subdivisions on farmland is an unsustainable growth strategy, so Markham councillors Erin Shapero and Valerie Burke have proposed stopping sprawl and preserving green space. New arrivals would live within present urban boundaries in resale family homes and low-rise multi-unit complexes, with higher density along transit corridors. A Pollara poll in Markham found that 83 per cent of respondents agree with the proposal.
Unfortunately, many developers don’t. They’ve spent hundreds of millions snapping up farmland, hoping to pave it over with subdivisions when council gives the go-ahead. With so much money at stake, it’s not surprising that they help fund many councilors’ election campaigns.
The plan to preserve green space comes before Markham council tomorrow and the vote will be close. Councillors who remember Richmond Hill’s citizen-led “Save, Don’t Pave” campaign may decide that the best place to be is on the right side of public opinion.
Adults buy farms, bulldoze trees, pave over green space and make a profit, but children pay the price. Money cannot compensate for the impact of lost green space on the air they will breathe or the water they will drink. In a hungry world, Canada’s richest agricultural land may be covered with houses and shopping malls. That’s food for thought for politicians and voters alike. http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/live/article/522405--pay-attention-to-markham-s-green-space-decision
The title of this article is called " Pay attention to Markham's green space decision" written by NORM BEACH and published on May 10, 2010 4:00 a.m by metronews.ca. This article explains how the GTA is acknowleding Markham stopping sprawl and preserving green space. This fact can be supported when Markham councillors Erin Shapero and Valerie Burke said" have proposed stopping sprawl and preserving green space" ( Norma Beach). This is significnt because Markham could set an example for other regions in the GTA to become more green and evnorimently friendly
Councillors sued over field photo-op
A land development consortium is suing two Markham politicians for using their $100 million farm as a “political backdrop” for a proposal to permanently freeze development on prime food lands to the north, an issue narrowly defeated by council last week.
“The defendants deliberately trespassed knowing they did not have permission,” says a statement of claim filed last week against Markham councillors Erin Shapero and Valerie Burke seeking $60,000 in damages from each.
The suit alleges Shapero and Burke were politically posturing when they posed for media photos and video on a 205-acre farm owned by Upper Unionville Inc., because they knew the land was not located on the proposed “food belt.”
“The defendants deliberately trespassed knowing they did not have permission,” says a statement of claim filed last week against Markham councillors Erin Shapero and Valerie Burke seeking $60,000 in damages from each.
The suit alleges Shapero and Burke were politically posturing when they posed for media photos and video on a 205-acre farm owned by Upper Unionville Inc., because they knew the land was not located on the proposed “food belt.”
Markham Councillor Erin Shapero (Ward 2)
Neither media outlet is named in the suit and no one has been charged by police with trespassing.
Upper Unionville Inc., associated with developers Carlo Baldassarra, Silvio DeGasperis and Jack Eisenberger, claims in the court documents the pair trespassed on the Beckett Farm, at 16th Ave. and Kennedy Rd., which sold for $100 million last year. The allegations have not been proved in court.
The three developer-builders are also linked to companies that own land north of Major Mackenzie Dr. which is, in fact, part of the food belt proposal defeated in a 7-6 council vote.
Shapero and Burke, who intend to fight the suit, said they ignored earlier letters demanding they acknowledge the trespass and apologize, because the letter was sent before the crucial council vote on expansion.
“It seemed like they were trying to intimidate us,” said Shapero, adding the letters were sent to all councillors. “That’s what it looked like, especially in advance of the votes that were happening.”
Upper Unionville Inc., associated with developers Carlo Baldassarra, Silvio DeGasperis and Jack Eisenberger, claims in the court documents the pair trespassed on the Beckett Farm, at 16th Ave. and Kennedy Rd., which sold for $100 million last year. The allegations have not been proved in court.
The three developer-builders are also linked to companies that own land north of Major Mackenzie Dr. which is, in fact, part of the food belt proposal defeated in a 7-6 council vote.
Shapero and Burke, who intend to fight the suit, said they ignored earlier letters demanding they acknowledge the trespass and apologize, because the letter was sent before the crucial council vote on expansion.
“It seemed like they were trying to intimidate us,” said Shapero, adding the letters were sent to all councillors. “That’s what it looked like, especially in advance of the votes that were happening.”
This article is called " Councillors sued over field photo-op" written by Gail Swainson and published on May 17, 2010 by TheStar. A land development consortium is suing two Markham politicians for using their $100 million farm as a “political backdrop”. The two politicans invovled are Markham councillors Erin Shapero and Valerie Burke. They tresspassed by “The defendants deliberately trespassed knowing they did not have permission,” The suit alleges Shapero and Burke were politically posturing when they posed for media photos and video on a 205-acre farm owned by Upper Unionville Inc., because they knew the land was not located on the proposed “food belt.” This is very significant because the two politicans will lose a huge sum of money if they lose against the lawsuit and will ruin their reputation
Premier Dalton McGuinty dares Tories to scrap HST
Premier Dalton McGuinty is pressuring Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak to promise he’d scrap the controversial 13 per cent HST.
The challenge came after Hudak launched repeated attacks on the premier Tuesday, fuelled by McGuinty’s own admission last week that “for families at the outset, there will be an increase in taxation.”
“The premier finally admitted that his HST was going to be a tax grab on the backs of Ontario families,” Hudak said in the Legislature’s daily question period. “Before his moment of cleansing honesty, the premier was far from forthright.”
The tax means Ontarians will pay a total of $1.8 billion more a year in taxes on electricity, natural gas, home heating oil and gasoline alone, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath added, citing party calculations based on Statistics Canada figures.
McGuinty countered that the Conservatives should promise to cancel the tax, which takes effect July 1 and is supported by the federal Conservative government.
“With so much vigour, vitality, enthusiasm and bravado, you would think that the party opposite would be firmly committed to rescinding this provision should they form the government,” McGuinty said Tuesday under repeated attacks from Hudak.
“But they are not going to.”
Hudak later said McGuinty handcuffed any future government by making it expensive to scrap the HST, forcing the province to repay $4.3 billion to the feds if it were to be rescinded before July 1, 2015.
“I think the premier full well knows that he signed a bad deal that contains a poison pill,” Hudak told reporters.
He was vague on what a Conservative government might do in 2015, which, with the next provincial election due in October 2011, would be towards the end of the next term.
“We’re going to be campaigning on lowering the tax burden for Ontario families,” Hudak said, citing the burden of the HST along with the health tax of up to $900 per person the Liberals imposed in their 2004 budget, just months after campaigning on a promise not to increase taxes.
McGuinty said the HST, which blends the 8 per cent provincial sales tax and 5 per cent GST, will be offset by income tax breaks already in place as well as sales and property tax credits.
http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/hst/article/808061--premier-dalton-mcguinty-dares-tories-to-scrap-hst
The title of this article is " Premier Dalton McGuinty dares Tories to scrap HST" written by Rob Ferguson and published on May 12, 2010 by TheStar. This article explains Preimer Dalton McGunity is pressuring the progressive conserative leader Tim Hudak to elimante the 13 percent HST. Dalton McGunity is pressuring Tim Hudak by quoting “With so much vigour, vitality, enthusiasm and bravado, you would think that the party opposite would be firmly committed to rescinding this provision should they form the government,” McGuinty said Tuesday under repeated attacks from Hudak ( Ferguson 1). If Preimer Dalton McGunity manage to convince conservative leader Tim Hudak in eliminating the HST people in Ontario would not have to pay an additional 1.8billion a year.
The challenge came after Hudak launched repeated attacks on the premier Tuesday, fuelled by McGuinty’s own admission last week that “for families at the outset, there will be an increase in taxation.”
“The premier finally admitted that his HST was going to be a tax grab on the backs of Ontario families,” Hudak said in the Legislature’s daily question period. “Before his moment of cleansing honesty, the premier was far from forthright.”
The tax means Ontarians will pay a total of $1.8 billion more a year in taxes on electricity, natural gas, home heating oil and gasoline alone, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath added, citing party calculations based on Statistics Canada figures.
McGuinty countered that the Conservatives should promise to cancel the tax, which takes effect July 1 and is supported by the federal Conservative government.
“With so much vigour, vitality, enthusiasm and bravado, you would think that the party opposite would be firmly committed to rescinding this provision should they form the government,” McGuinty said Tuesday under repeated attacks from Hudak.
“But they are not going to.”
Hudak later said McGuinty handcuffed any future government by making it expensive to scrap the HST, forcing the province to repay $4.3 billion to the feds if it were to be rescinded before July 1, 2015.
“I think the premier full well knows that he signed a bad deal that contains a poison pill,” Hudak told reporters.
He was vague on what a Conservative government might do in 2015, which, with the next provincial election due in October 2011, would be towards the end of the next term.
“We’re going to be campaigning on lowering the tax burden for Ontario families,” Hudak said, citing the burden of the HST along with the health tax of up to $900 per person the Liberals imposed in their 2004 budget, just months after campaigning on a promise not to increase taxes.
McGuinty said the HST, which blends the 8 per cent provincial sales tax and 5 per cent GST, will be offset by income tax breaks already in place as well as sales and property tax credits.
http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/hst/article/808061--premier-dalton-mcguinty-dares-tories-to-scrap-hst
The title of this article is " Premier Dalton McGuinty dares Tories to scrap HST" written by Rob Ferguson and published on May 12, 2010 by TheStar. This article explains Preimer Dalton McGunity is pressuring the progressive conserative leader Tim Hudak to elimante the 13 percent HST. Dalton McGunity is pressuring Tim Hudak by quoting “With so much vigour, vitality, enthusiasm and bravado, you would think that the party opposite would be firmly committed to rescinding this provision should they form the government,” McGuinty said Tuesday under repeated attacks from Hudak ( Ferguson 1). If Preimer Dalton McGunity manage to convince conservative leader Tim Hudak in eliminating the HST people in Ontario would not have to pay an additional 1.8billion a year.
Canada downs Italy in world hockey opener
Canada downs Italy in world hockey opener
Peter O’Neil, Canwest News Europe Correspondent Published: Saturday, May 08, 2010 http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=3004060#ixzz0oIWTZ8Kv
MANNHEIM, GERMANY -- The senior citizen on one of the youngest national teams in Canadian history rode to the rescue Saturday in Team Canada's 5-1 win over Italy in inaugural contest at the IIHF world hockey championship.
Carolina Hurricanes veteran Ray Whitney, who turned 38 Saturday and is playing on a line with 19-year-olds John Tavares and Matt Duchene, set up the two key goals that helped his team rebound from a shaky start.
Whitney, named player of the game, set up defenceman Kris Russell on a nifty feed late during a first-period power play to give the slow-starting Canadian squad, surprised by the Italians' speed, a 2-1 lead.
He then helped Canada put the game out of reach early in the second period by setting up Duchene on a similar play.
"It goes to show you that the game is as much about mental ability as it is about physical ability," Canadian coach Craig MacTavish said after the game, which drew 7,912 boisterous fans, many waving Canadian flags.
"It was a pretty critical time in the game. His playmaking ability was outstanding today. He made good decisions with the puck."
Canada continues the preliminary round with games against Latvia on Monday and Switzerland on Wednesday.
MacTavish said Team Canada, which outshot the Italians 45-24, learned a lesson Saturday after the first-period scare.
"On paper you look at Canadian history in hockey, and the championships that Canada has won over the years, and then you look at Italy and it looks like a pretty significant mismatch," he said.
"But really, at the end of the day it was a pretty close hockey game. They played very well against us."
The line of Steven Stamkos, Corey Perry and Rene Bourque, dominant in the team's only pre-tournament game, put on another impressive display Saturday, with each player chipping in a goal.
The line put immediate pressure on the Italians after the opening faceoff and scored on its second shift less than three minutes into the game.
Stamkos, the 20-year-old who tied for the NHL scoring lead with 51 goals, circled behind the net and came out for a shot on Italian goalie, Montreal-born Adam Russo, one of eight Canadian-born players in the Italian lineup.
The rebound went right to Perry in the crease, and he slapped it into the net for a 1-0 lead.
But then the Canadians fell back on their heels and made several giveaways.
Italy almost scored midway through the period, but Canadian goalie Chris Mason swatting out a puck that appeared headed into the net. The Italians thought the puck went in but a review by officials concluded it didn't.
Moments later, the Italians tied the game when Michele Strazzabosco beat Mason with a slapshot from the blue-line.
Canada continued to struggle, and Whitney acknowledged that the team was getting nervous about the idea of heading into the dressing room with a tie against one of the tournament's weakest entries.
"Whenever you're a team that's favoured and you're in a tie game, the longer you're in a tie game probably the more pressure you're going to feel," he said.
But Whitney pricked a hole in the building tension with less than a minute left in the period, faking a shot after crossing the blue-line and then feathering a pass to Russell for a one-timer goal.
"I think to get the lead back before we went in was important," Whitney said.
His linemate Duchene concurred, saying it was an ideal moment for a veteran to show leadership.
"He's a guy that's going to have that experience and that wisdom to settle things down when we needed to settle it down."
Canada went up 4-1 in the second period, with the first goal by Duchene coming on a similar feed from Whitney six minutes into the period.
Stamkos scored later in the period on a delayed penalty, burying a goalmouth pass from Duchene.
Canada dominated the final period but were stymied by Toronto-born goaltender Daniel Bellissimo, who replaced Russo in the final frame. But then Bourque made the score 5-1 on a partially screened shot with less than three minutes to play.
MacTavish said he hopes Canada, which lost gold-medal games to Russia the last two tournaments, will follow the lead of Canada's Olympic champions in February by improving with each game.
"That's what we hope to emulate, the job Team Canada did at the Olympics.
Carolina Hurricanes veteran Ray Whitney, who turned 38 Saturday and is playing on a line with 19-year-olds John Tavares and Matt Duchene, set up the two key goals that helped his team rebound from a shaky start.
Whitney, named player of the game, set up defenceman Kris Russell on a nifty feed late during a first-period power play to give the slow-starting Canadian squad, surprised by the Italians' speed, a 2-1 lead.
He then helped Canada put the game out of reach early in the second period by setting up Duchene on a similar play.
"It goes to show you that the game is as much about mental ability as it is about physical ability," Canadian coach Craig MacTavish said after the game, which drew 7,912 boisterous fans, many waving Canadian flags.
"It was a pretty critical time in the game. His playmaking ability was outstanding today. He made good decisions with the puck."
Canada continues the preliminary round with games against Latvia on Monday and Switzerland on Wednesday.
MacTavish said Team Canada, which outshot the Italians 45-24, learned a lesson Saturday after the first-period scare.
"On paper you look at Canadian history in hockey, and the championships that Canada has won over the years, and then you look at Italy and it looks like a pretty significant mismatch," he said.
"But really, at the end of the day it was a pretty close hockey game. They played very well against us."
The line of Steven Stamkos, Corey Perry and Rene Bourque, dominant in the team's only pre-tournament game, put on another impressive display Saturday, with each player chipping in a goal.
The line put immediate pressure on the Italians after the opening faceoff and scored on its second shift less than three minutes into the game.
Stamkos, the 20-year-old who tied for the NHL scoring lead with 51 goals, circled behind the net and came out for a shot on Italian goalie, Montreal-born Adam Russo, one of eight Canadian-born players in the Italian lineup.
The rebound went right to Perry in the crease, and he slapped it into the net for a 1-0 lead.
But then the Canadians fell back on their heels and made several giveaways.
Italy almost scored midway through the period, but Canadian goalie Chris Mason swatting out a puck that appeared headed into the net. The Italians thought the puck went in but a review by officials concluded it didn't.
Moments later, the Italians tied the game when Michele Strazzabosco beat Mason with a slapshot from the blue-line.
Canada continued to struggle, and Whitney acknowledged that the team was getting nervous about the idea of heading into the dressing room with a tie against one of the tournament's weakest entries.
"Whenever you're a team that's favoured and you're in a tie game, the longer you're in a tie game probably the more pressure you're going to feel," he said.
But Whitney pricked a hole in the building tension with less than a minute left in the period, faking a shot after crossing the blue-line and then feathering a pass to Russell for a one-timer goal.
"I think to get the lead back before we went in was important," Whitney said.
His linemate Duchene concurred, saying it was an ideal moment for a veteran to show leadership.
"He's a guy that's going to have that experience and that wisdom to settle things down when we needed to settle it down."
Canada went up 4-1 in the second period, with the first goal by Duchene coming on a similar feed from Whitney six minutes into the period.
Stamkos scored later in the period on a delayed penalty, burying a goalmouth pass from Duchene.
Canada dominated the final period but were stymied by Toronto-born goaltender Daniel Bellissimo, who replaced Russo in the final frame. But then Bourque made the score 5-1 on a partially screened shot with less than three minutes to play.
MacTavish said he hopes Canada, which lost gold-medal games to Russia the last two tournaments, will follow the lead of Canada's Olympic champions in February by improving with each game.
"That's what we hope to emulate, the job Team Canada did at the Olympics.
This article is called " Canada downs Italy in world hockey opener" written by Peter O’Neil, Canwest and published on Saturday, May 08, 2010 by National Post. This article is about Team Canada Hockey's team having a domiante win over Italy. some facts to support Team Canada hockey's team being dominate when the coach said "It was a pretty critical time in the game. His playmaking ability was outstanding today. He made good decisions with the puck” ( O’Neil 1). "It goes to show you that the game is as much about mental ability as it is about physical ability” ( O’Neil 1). This is a signifcant win for Team Canada since they will have the confident and moral to face against Latvia on Monday and Switzerland on Wednesday.
It’s time to criticize Dwight Howard, again
It’s time to criticize Dwight Howard, again
By Eric Koreen May 17, 2010 – 1:53 pm
We all have our ways of identifying that it is, in fact, May.
Some look up at the trees, see the formally barren branches are now leaf-covered, and deduce that summer is around the corner. Some realize their favourite television shows are reaching their season finales, to be replaced by the networks with reality shows such as “The Ugliest Spouse” and “Cannibal Island” (not actual shows), and know it is time to spend more time outside.
Some, still, hear about how (fill in the blank) years into his career, Dwight Howard still has not developed more than a single post move, and they do not have to even look at their calendars. Must be May.
The time to question Howard’s desire to win and get better is here again, friends, brought on by the same team that made you question LeBron James’ desire to win: the Boston Celtics.
As Boston beat Howard’s Orlando Magic in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final on Sunday, the Orlando centre looked lost.
No matter who was guarding him — Kendrick Perkins, Rasheed Wallace — Howard could not get his offence going. He finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, with four more turnovers (seven) than made field goals (three).
It made Orlando come to grips with the same truth that always seems to surround the team at this time of the year: if an opponent can defend Howard with just one player and make him catch the ball more than 10 feet away from the basket, he is not that effective. Sure, at 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds, with unparalleled athleticism for a big man, Howard usually cannot be contained by just one player. When a team has enough bulk, however, the Magic can often become ordinary.
The fact is that Orlando’s formula is simple: let Howard dominate inside to the point that the opposition has to collapse on him; when that happens, one of Orlando’s many three-point shooters will be open.
Granted, Orlando’s long-range shooters will generally be better than they were on Sunday, when they combined to shoot 5-for-22 from behind the arc. Rashard Lewis, a 40% three-point shooter, missed each of his six attempts; Jameer Nelson, a 38% shooter, missed five of his seven attempts; Michael Pietrus, also a 38% shooter, only connected on one of his four attempts.
But, the poor shooting coming on the same day that Howard struggled is not coincidental. The Celtics had no need to send multiple defenders at Howard, who was often forced into situations where he resorted to a pump fake and an off-balance layup attempt. On those, he is not proficient. That made each of the perimeter looks tougher.
And as Wallace so eloquently stated: “A lot of them jumpshots, the buttholes get tight.” (I don’t know exactly what that means, but I support his right to say it.)
Howard has shown he can perform in the playoffs. He posted a 40-point, 14-rebound game to put the Cleveland Cavaliers out of their misery last year. He had a 23-point, 22-rebound effort against these very same Celtics (without Wallace or Kevin Garnett, however) in the second round last season, too.
However, when the Magic falter, the blowback is always going to hit Howard, who has not yet refined his offensive game. Howard is the best player in this series. He must play like it, and not just on the defensive end, in order for the Magic to prevail.Read more: http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/05/17/its-time-to-criticize-dwight-howard-again/#ixzz0oIRmfWuo
We all have our ways of identifying that it is, in fact, May.
Some look up at the trees, see the formally barren branches are now leaf-covered, and deduce that summer is around the corner. Some realize their favourite television shows are reaching their season finales, to be replaced by the networks with reality shows such as “The Ugliest Spouse” and “Cannibal Island” (not actual shows), and know it is time to spend more time outside.
Some, still, hear about how (fill in the blank) years into his career, Dwight Howard still has not developed more than a single post move, and they do not have to even look at their calendars. Must be May.
The time to question Howard’s desire to win and get better is here again, friends, brought on by the same team that made you question LeBron James’ desire to win: the Boston Celtics.
As Boston beat Howard’s Orlando Magic in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final on Sunday, the Orlando centre looked lost.
No matter who was guarding him — Kendrick Perkins, Rasheed Wallace — Howard could not get his offence going. He finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, with four more turnovers (seven) than made field goals (three).
It made Orlando come to grips with the same truth that always seems to surround the team at this time of the year: if an opponent can defend Howard with just one player and make him catch the ball more than 10 feet away from the basket, he is not that effective. Sure, at 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds, with unparalleled athleticism for a big man, Howard usually cannot be contained by just one player. When a team has enough bulk, however, the Magic can often become ordinary.
The fact is that Orlando’s formula is simple: let Howard dominate inside to the point that the opposition has to collapse on him; when that happens, one of Orlando’s many three-point shooters will be open.
Granted, Orlando’s long-range shooters will generally be better than they were on Sunday, when they combined to shoot 5-for-22 from behind the arc. Rashard Lewis, a 40% three-point shooter, missed each of his six attempts; Jameer Nelson, a 38% shooter, missed five of his seven attempts; Michael Pietrus, also a 38% shooter, only connected on one of his four attempts.
But, the poor shooting coming on the same day that Howard struggled is not coincidental. The Celtics had no need to send multiple defenders at Howard, who was often forced into situations where he resorted to a pump fake and an off-balance layup attempt. On those, he is not proficient. That made each of the perimeter looks tougher.
And as Wallace so eloquently stated: “A lot of them jumpshots, the buttholes get tight.” (I don’t know exactly what that means, but I support his right to say it.)
Howard has shown he can perform in the playoffs. He posted a 40-point, 14-rebound game to put the Cleveland Cavaliers out of their misery last year. He had a 23-point, 22-rebound effort against these very same Celtics (without Wallace or Kevin Garnett, however) in the second round last season, too.
However, when the Magic falter, the blowback is always going to hit Howard, who has not yet refined his offensive game. Howard is the best player in this series. He must play like it, and not just on the defensive end, in order for the Magic to prevail.Read more: http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/05/17/its-time-to-criticize-dwight-howard-again/#ixzz0oIRmfWuo
This article is called "It’s time to criticize Dwight Howard, again" written Eric Koreen and published onMay 17, 2010 – 1:53 pm by National Post. The subject of the article is NBA all star Dwight Howard performing poorly against the celtics. Evidences shows he only scored 15 points, 12 rebounds, with 4 turnovers, unlike his usual stats. This signficiant because If Dwight Howard does not continue to play well it could jeopardise the Orlando Magic’s chance of becoming 2010 NBA champions.
International issue- Obama chooses Elena Kagan for Supreme Court
Obama chooses Elena Kagan for Supreme Court
By the CNN Wire Staff
cnnAuthor = "By the CNN Wire Staff "
Wolf Blitzer will have the latest on President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan, as well as a full analysis of what she will bring to the court. Watch "The Situation Room" today at 5 p.m. ET on CNN.
Washington (CNN) -- President Obama took a key step in cementing his judicial legacy Monday, nominating Solicitor General Elena Kagan to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court.
If confirmed, the 50-year-old Kagan will become the 112th Supreme Court justice. She would be the third woman on the nine-member bench and the fourth in the history of the court.
At its discretion, the court decides cases on the Constitution or federal law that may begin in federal or state courts.
Her confirmation also would mean that the Supreme Court would have no Protestant justices for the first time in its history. Kagan, who is Jewish, would join six Catholic and two Jewish justices; Stevens is Protestant.
Kagan, a native New Yorker, was widely reported to be the front-runner for the nomination. She was a finalist for the high court vacancy last year, when Justice Sonia Sotomayor was selected to replace the retiring David Souter.
Kagan received her law degree from Harvard University, where she later served as dean of the law school. She served in the Clinton administration as associate White House counsel.Wolf Blitzer will have the latest on President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan, as well as a full analysis of what she will bring to the court. Watch "The Situation Room" today at 5 p.m. ET on CNN.
Washington (CNN) -- President Obama took a key step in cementing his judicial legacy Monday, nominating Solicitor General Elena Kagan to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court.
If confirmed, the 50-year-old Kagan will become the 112th Supreme Court justice. She would be the third woman on the nine-member bench and the fourth in the history of the court.
At its discretion, the court decides cases on the Constitution or federal law that may begin in federal or state courts.
Her confirmation also would mean that the Supreme Court would have no Protestant justices for the first time in its history. Kagan, who is Jewish, would join six Catholic and two Jewish justices; Stevens is Protestant.
Kagan, a native New Yorker, was widely reported to be the front-runner for the nomination. She was a finalist for the high court vacancy last year, when Justice Sonia Sotomayor was selected to replace the retiring David Souter.
Kagan received her law degree from Harvard University, where she later served as dean of the law school. She served in the Clinton administration as associate White House counsel.Wolf Blitzer will have the latest on President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan, as well as a full analysis of what she will bring to the court. Watch "The Situation Room" today at 5 p.m. ET on CNN.
Washington (CNN) -- President Obama took a key step in cementing his judicial legacy Monday, nominating Solicitor General Elena Kagan to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court.
If confirmed, the 50-year-old Kagan will become the 112th Supreme Court justice. She would be the third woman on the nine-member bench and the fourth in the history of the court.
At its discretion, the court decides cases on the Constitution or federal law that may begin in federal or state courts.
Her confirmation also would mean that the Supreme Court would have no Protestant justices for the first time in its history. Kagan, who is Jewish, would join six Catholic and two Jewish justices; Stevens is Protestant.
Kagan, a native New Yorker, was widely reported to be the front-runner for the nomination. She was a finalist for the high court vacancy last year, when Justice Sonia Sotomayor was selected to replace the retiring David Souter.
Kagan received her law degree from Harvard University, where she later served as dean of the law school. She served in the Clinton administration as associate White House counsel.Wolf Blitzer will have the latest on President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan, as well as a full analysis of what she will bring to the court. Watch "The Situation Room" today at 5 p.m. ET on CNN.
Washington (CNN) -- President Obama took a key step in cementing his judicial legacy Monday, nominating Solicitor General Elena Kagan to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court.
If confirmed, the 50-year-old Kagan will become the 112th Supreme Court justice. She would be the third woman on the nine-member bench and the fourth in the history of the court.
At its discretion, the court decides cases on the Constitution or federal law that may begin in federal or state courts.
Her confirmation also would mean that the Supreme Court would have no Protestant justices for the first time in its history. Kagan, who is Jewish, would join six Catholic and two Jewish justices; Stevens is Protestant.
Kagan, a native New Yorker, was widely reported to be the front-runner for the nomination. She was a finalist for the high court vacancy last year, when Justice Sonia Sotomayor was selected to replace the retiring David Souter.
Kagan received her law degree from Harvard University, where she later served as dean of the law school. She served in the Clinton administration as associate White House counsel.
Kagan is a "trailblazing leader" who is "open to a broad array of viewpoints" and is a proven "consensus builder," Obama said at the White House.
"While we can't presume to replace Justice Stevens' wisdom or experience, I have selected a nominee who I believe embodies that same excellence, independence, integrity and passion for the law, and who can ultimately provide that same kind of leadership on the court."
Kagan, in turn, said she was "honored" and "humbled" by what she called "the honor of a lifetime."
"The court is an extraordinary institution in the work it does and the work it can do for the American people," she said. It enables "all Americans, regardless of their background or their beliefs, to get a fair hearing and an equal chance at justice."
Obama did not have to look far when considering Kagan. As solicitor general, she is the administration's top lawyer before the Supreme Court and has argued several high-profile cases before the justices since taking the job in spring 2009. She also helps prepare legal briefs for cases the Justice Department argues before the Supreme Court.
That work won't stop immediately with her nomination to the high court.
"She will continue to work on matters with which she has been dealing, but will not participate in any new matters," said a senior government official familiar with Kagan's plans.
Kagan is expected to abstain from participation in cases on which she has worked that may come before the high court next term, the official said.
She was confirmed for her current job by a 61-31 vote. While most Republicans ultimately voted against her at the time, Sen. Orrin Hatch, a top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, called her "a brilliant woman."
Jeffrey Toobin on his former law school classmate
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, said Monday that Kagan is a "superb nominee" who is "the best this country can offer."
"She will be confirmed," he predicted.
He dismissed likely GOP criticism of the choice, saying Obama "could nominate Moses the lawgiver" and still face Republican opposition.
Hatch, in turn, promised in a statement Monday to examine Kagan's "entire record to understand her judicial philosophy."
"My conclusion will be based on evidence, not blind faith," he said.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, reacted to the nomination by citing a traditional GOP concern with "activist" judges appointed by Democratic presidents.
Another top Republican, however, indicated that the Senate GOP would probably not try to block a vote on Kagan's nomination.
"The only reason she would be filibustered is if members come to believe she could not put aside her own personal views on cases in which she wanted to see a particular outcome rather than decide the case on the basis of the facts and the law," Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl said.
Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, the senior Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said Monday that Kagan's confirmation hearings could wrap up by early August, but noted the timing depends on the White House's willingness to work with the GOP.
Republicans may try to use Kagan's own words against her in pushing for greater specificity on her views during her confirmation hearings. In 1995, she dismissed the hearing process as a "vapid and hollow charade."
Kagan's position on gays in the military is virtually certain to generate controversy during her confirmation hearings. She has been strongly criticized by conservatives for her efforts to block military recruiters from Harvard because of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The policy, enacted during the Clinton administration but opposed by Obama, prohibits homosexuals from serving openly in the armed forces.
While serving as dean at Harvard Law, Kagan said she "abhorred" the military's "discriminatory recruitment policy." She called it "a profound wrong -- a moral injustice of the first order."
Also in the spotlight will be Kagan's views on the politically hot-button issue of campaign finance reform. She was the government's lead attorney in arguing against a 5-4 Supreme Court decision in January that eased long-standing restrictions on campaign spending by corporations and unions in federal elections.
A number of conservatives praised the ruling as a victory for First Amendment free speech rights; most Democrats blasted it, arguing that it will tilt the political landscape favor of Republicans and traditional GOP allies in the business community.
Some liberal organizations have expressed concern over Kagan's views on executive power. As chief defender of the administration's anti-terrorism strategy, Kagan has articulated a more robust defense of the White House than many civil rights and human rights groups would like.
Vincent Warren, head of the left-leaning Center for Constitutional Rights, said Kagan's record "indicates a troubling support for expanding presidential powers, something we must be vigilant about at this time."
"President Obama would appear to be seeking to appoint a Supreme Court Judge who will endorse his policies and appease conservatives," he argued. "This is not the way to make a decision that will affect our nation for decades to come."
Observers on both sides of the political aisle have noted that Kagan has a relatively short paper trail compared to other recent Supreme Court nominees.
Kagan grew up in a Jewish household on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She went to Princeton University and Harvard Law School. She served as a law clerk for federal judge Abner Mikva and then for Justice Thurgood Marshall on the high court. Marshall affectionately called the diminutive Kagan "Shorty."
Kagan later went into teaching, starting at the University of Chicago, where one of the part-time faculty was Obama.
President Clinton later named Kagan associate White House counsel and then appointed her to the influential Domestic Policy Council, where she earned a reputation for articulate and well-reasoned statements on tricky political issues.
Clinton picked her in 1999 for the powerful U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. But no Senate confirmation hearings were held, and the nomination lapsed. The seat was later filled by John Roberts, who quickly used the appointment as a springboard to chief justice.
Named Harvard's dean in 2003, Kagan earned a reputation for soothing longstanding tensions over a perceived liberal tilt to the faculty and curriculum.
She began pushing for the appointment of conservative professors, including Jack Goldsmith, who had been a lawyer in President George W. Bush's Justice Department. Such hires eased ideological unrest on the Harvard campus.http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/05/10/scotus.kagan/index.html?npt=NP1
This article is called Obama chooses Elena Kagan for Supreme Court, written by the CNN wire staff on May 10, 2010. This article explains how General Elena Kagan to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court. However, people question if Elena Kagan is able to handle the tasks in the Supreme Court. Evidence shows Kagan is a "trailblazing leader" who is "open to a broad array of viewpoints" and is a proven "consensus builder," quoted by barrack Obama. This is a very significant event since Kagan would be the third woman on the nine-member bench and the fourth in the history of the court.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)