Posts Tagged ‘entertainment’
The Champions, The Los Angeles Lakers Improve With Addition of Ron Artest
The NBA season has just about arrived, and the Los Angeles Lakers are the definite favorite entering the season. Why, you might ask?
The Lakers were one of the few teams in the NBA that showed what they did in regular season didn’t matter. The Lakers weren’t playing for more then 60 wins, having home court advantage or just a finals appearance, their whole season was based on winning the championship.
It should also be noted that the only significant player the Lakers have lost is Trevor Ariza. While Ariza was a valuable role player in Los Angeles, he’s not one of the team’s stars, so all indicators would point to the notion that they should be okay without him.
Much of the Lakers’ success last year should be attributed to a lot more than just Kobe himself. This was a team effort through and through.
Ron Artest, having come to LA by way of Houston, is one of the great defenders in the game of basketball, and a strong force on offense too. He’s said to be responsible for much of Houston’s success during the past two seasons, and his presence in LA bolsters an already strong roster. His veteran experience should feed well into the culture in Los Angeles, and many believe that the Lakers should run away from the competition this season.
The Lakers are looking to repeat this season - their chances are very good. The last time a team repeated as champions were the Lakers 01′ & 02′.
It’s hard to repeat as champions in professional sports because players get hurt and more trades happen now then ever before. The Lakers still have Kobe Bryant and he is playing at an elite level.
As long as Kobe continues to play at this level, the Lakers will continue to be contenders for another championship.
For more on the Lakers, check out the Lakers forumss at RootZoo Sports. Enjoy their NBA pick ‘em game and more, all for free.
Chauncey Billup’s Has Huge Impact For Denver Nuggets
During the past few seasons, the Denver Nuggets have been one of those teams that generally play respectable basketball, finish the season with a winning record, make the playoffs and exits in the first round. Basketball fans had become accustomed to seeing this take place on a yearly basis, so people were surprised (to say the least) to witness the run that the Denver Nuggets embarked on during the 2009 NBA playoffs.
Denver finished the regular season 1st in the Northwest division at 54-28. Denver was an excellent home team, 33-8, but an average road team at only 21-20. Denver was a top 6 team in scoring averaging with 104 points per game.
The knock on Denver for many years was they can score but refused to play defense - this wasn’t the case because Denver was’th is defense. Trading Iverson for Billups, definitely was a key move to fixing this problem.
Coach George Karl and the rest of the team had other plans though. The acquisition of Chauncey Billups proved invaluable to the team. Billups’ leadership, efficiency on the court, playoff experience, and his ability to serve as a natural point guard - a position the team had sorely been lacking ever since the departure of Andre Miller a few seasons prior - all gave the team a major boost in places that the Nuggets had been lagging before he joined the team.
Chauncey Billups came from the Detroit Pistons in a trade for Allen Iverson - the trade for Billups worked out well for Denver, not so much for the Pistons.
Birdman, also known as Chris Andersen stepped up off the bench and had a huge year. He’s become one of the best shot blockers in the league.
As a result, the Nuggets ended up beating the Hornets in five games, before easily defeating the Mavericks in round 2 of the NBA playoffs. Then it was on to the Western Finals against the Lakers.
After a hard fought series versus the Lakers, their season was cut short. Still, it was a beautiful run in Denver, one they hope to repeat.
For more Nuggets talk, check out the Denver Nuggest forum at RootZoo Sports, the most exciting sport forums online.
The Rockets Look for Success Without Yao and Artest
The Houston Rockets had a good season in 08′-09′ compiling a record of 53-29 - finishing second in the Southwest division behind the San Antonio Spurs.
The Rockets defeated the young Portland Trailblazers team in the first round of the playoffs 4-2. The Rockets season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in 7 games in round 2.
This nearly happened, as the Houston Rockets took the Los Angeles Lakers to a full seven games during the Western Conference semifinals last season. While the Lakers won this game 7 by a whole’ points, the Rockets had LA’s number during a few of these games, leaving many wondering just how dangerous this efficient basketball team was.
Yao Ming has been battling injuries his entire career and many as of late. We still do not know if he will play in the 09-10′ season.
The loss of Yao Ming for the entire season is devastating. While the Rockets have tough, physical players and will give their best efforts night in and night out - the Rockets can’t compete in the West seriously without Yao Ming.
Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks, and the rest of the team have a lot of work cut out for them. These guys do like a challenge.
The Rockets are a playoff team with the current roster they have. If the Rockets are ever going to contend for a championship they must stay healthy. Every year someone seems to get hurt thus limiting their chances at a serious title run.
While they did take the Lakers to 7 games - the Lakers team were by far the better team and should have won possibly in 5-6 games at the most.
For more on the Rockets check out the Houston Rockets forum at RootZoo Sports. Be sure to get the latest fantasy basketball news there as well.
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Make Your Own Homemade Hydroponics System
Make Your Own Homemade Hydroponics System
It used to be that hydroponics were thought of as being something used by regular people far into the future, but that is not true anymore. Many of today’s home gardeners are using hydroponic systems in order to grow different plants and vegetables to supplement their grocery consumption on a regular basis. Hydroponic systems that are purchased ready made are usually very expensive. You can make your own Homemade Hydroponics System easy and inexpensively.
Hydroponics is a method in which one grows plants without the aid of using soil. The roots of the plants are placed in a soil-less medium or they may just grow in water itself. This is a cleaner method because there is no soil and you can grow plants indoors all during the year. A homemade system will not cost much and will save you money because you will have fresh vegetables any time.
One easy method of hydroponics is referred to as the Wick Method. Here liquid with nutrients is sucked up by nylon rope into the pots of the plants that have been inserted into a planting medium. You do not need much to achieve this method and nothing costs much money.
Make your own hydroponic system by starting with one black or dark blue plastic storage tub. You need a dark color to stop algae from growing in the liquid solution. Algae needs sunlight to grow and a dark container does not let it even get started. Also purchase a storage tub of the same relative size that will fit inside the dark one. In this tub you will place the pots your plants grow in. It can be the same color or any other color you wish. You need to purchase a few yards of half inch rope made from nylon. Also needed is an aquarium air pump that will keep your solution oxygenated. Get pots that fit into the one tub. These will be filled with a growing medium and the best used are pebbles made of clay that will absorb the solution and keep it for awhile or you can use equal amounts of vermiculite and perlite. You will never be able to duplicate the rays of the sun indoors so be sure to get some grow lights.
Each pot will need a length of the roping. Put one end of the rope through the hole in the bottom of each pot then place some of the medium in while holding the rope up. You want the rope to be in and amongst the roots of the plant and the other end will dangle a few inches to a foot below. Place the plants in the medium. In your tub that will hold the plants you will need to drill a half inch hole under where each of the plants will be situated. Pull the rope that dangles out of the pot through the hole so it dangles into the solution once you place the plant tub in the solution tub.
You will have little care to deal with in the wick system. The only thing you must do is make sure there is an adequate supply of nutrient solution in the bottom tub. Check the same time every week or maybe two times a week. You will be able to bring that grocery bill down with all the vegetables you can grow during the winter
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Can Shaq Help the Cleveland Cavaliers Bring a Championship Home?
They came oh so close in 2007. Having made their first NBA finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers appeared to be destined for greatness.
It was great to make the finals, but they were swept by the Spurs that season, LeBron James was young and constantly improving his game. Standards are set really high in Cleveland and this isn’t acceptable anymore.
Shaguille O’Neal is suppose to be the player to fill the void the Cavs had last season in the playoffs, a scoring threat besides Lebron James. Shag can’t score 30 points per game anymore but if he gives the cavs 17-18 points per game and 8-9 rebounds, Cavs fans will take that.
During the 2008-2009 season, the Cavs looked like the team to beat. Boasting the best home record in the NBA (they had a 39-2 home record), the Cleveland Cavaliers also had the best record in the NBA. A 66-16 finish gave them the top seed in the Eastern Conference and home court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. It looked like it’d be the year for Cleveland.
Elaborate pre-game shows don’t win games in the spring and summer time. The Cavs might be the favorite to come out of the East but their true test doesn’t come in a Dec. game against the Minnesota Timber wolves on a Tuesday.
Winning a championship isn’t all about how well Lebron and Shaq play - the other players on the Cavs must raise their game also. The Cavs sat around watched King James put on a show without showing up themselves. The Cavs brought in Mo Williams to add some scoring to the team - Mo did little in the playoffs.
In basketball, more then in any other professional team sport - one player can take a team to the Finals but typically those “one man band” teams don’t win the championship. Jordan didn’t win a title until he got Scottie Pippen.
This may or may not be enough, but one thing’s for sure. The Cavs are stronger this year than they were last year. And that’s scary.
Check out the Cavaliers forum at RootZoo and stay up to date with the latest fantasy basketball news.
5 80s Tennis Stars Who I Loved
Modern tennis has gone through many changes, and the’80s were the years that served as the transition for this. Racquets quickly went from wooden ones to graphite ones, and much more happened as well.
I’d like to take a trip down memory lane by writing about my favorite five’80s tennis players. These all come down to my personal preferences and they’re not based on merit. Nonetheless, I’ll be curious to see how these compare with yours.
The early’80s were dominated by Bjorn Borg before his early retirement. At the top of his game, he was undoubtedly the best in the world and one of the best to ever play the sport.
Stefan Edberg. One of the last true serve and volley players who captured the world’s number one rank. I can’t think of a player who covered the net as well as Edberg has, and he was one of the last of a breed of true serve and volley tennis players that essentially no longer exists.
How about Boris Becker? When he took the tennis world by storm after winning Wimbledon at the young age of 16, tennis fans knew that a legend was born. Becker followed through with some great tennis for another decade, and cemented himself as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
While he wasn’t exactly a fan favorite, I absolutely love what Ivan Lendl did for the sport. He sat atop the rankings for longer than anyone before him in modern tennis had, and he won more tournaments than one could possibly dream of winning today.
John McEnroe is one of those players who comes along once in a lifetime. Forget about his arguments with the chair umpires, as great as those were. He was one of the best in the sport for well over a decade and he can surprisingly still play really well today.
When I think of tennis in the’80s, I think of the five players mentioned above. All made significant contributions to the sport that still have a lasting effect to this day.
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Sheed looking for a Title with the Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics can’t be happy. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce can’t be happy. Without Kevin Garnett, the Celtics simply weren’t the same team during the 2009 playoffs and greatly suffered without him, ultimately losing a seven game series to the Orlando Magic.
In 09′ - while the Celtics didn’t repeat as champions - they did give all something would remember for a very long time, a thrilling 7 game series with the Chicago Bulls in the first round. The Celtics showed why they are champions, when it seemed the Bulls had them beat the Celtics would always come back.
If the Celtics had a healthy Kevin Garnett there is no reason they could not repeat as champions - the Celtics nearly beat the Orlando Magic without Garnett in the second round.
Essentially everyone from last year will be back in action. The big three (Garnett, Pierce, Allen) are all back in tow, and Rajon Rondo, Leon Powe, Glen Davis, and the rest of the supporting cast are there as well. Out is Stephon Marbury, which may in fact be a good thing for the team.
Rasheed Wallace joins the Celtics after a disappointing season with the Detroit Pistons. This might also be one of the last seasons Rasheed Wallace has a chance to win a NBA title - he is 35 years old and in NBA years that’s much older.
If Boston hopes to win their 2nd championship in 3 years they will have to defeat the Orlando Magic or Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs. There are new faces on both teams, the Cavaliers acquiring Shaquille O’Neal and the Magic acquiring Vince Carter. The Celtics also have new personnel in F Rasheed Wallace.
The Magic have bolstered their roster with Vince Carter, and the Cavs have recruited Shaquille O’Neal. Wallace is a necessity in Boston, as the level of competition has been upped yet another notch.
The clock is ticking until the start of basketball season. The Celtics can’t wait. Is this their year again?
For more hoops talk, check out the Boston Celtics forum at RootZoo Sports. Make sure to play their free NBA pick ‘em.
The National League Cy Young Picture
2009 in baseball was definitely the year of the pitcher. While it looks like Zack Greinke should definitely win the Cy Young award in the American League, things are much closer in the National League, leaving many to speculate about a very interesting race.
While some great pitching was pretty commonplace throughout the entire National League, the race really boils down to two pitchers. Guys like Matt Cain, Adam Wainwright, Jair Jurrjens, Johan Santana, Wandy Rodriguez, and others were absolutely great this season, with many of them having career years.
Between the St. Louis Cardinals’ Chris Carpenter and the San Francisco Giants’ Tim Lincecum, the two pitchers pieced together two of the best pitching seasons in baseball that I’ve witnessed over the last few years. A quick look at their numbers would lead you to agree.
However, there’s a lot more to what both of these aces accomplished than just some incredible stats. Sometimes, intangible factors like these may factor into determining who’s more worthy of an award. That may very well have to be the case this year.
As for Tim Lincecum, the Giants are once again a winning baseball team, thanks largely in part to his reliable presence as the team’s ace. He struck out more batters than anyone in the National League, had a handful of complete games, and the second best ERA in the National League.
Chris Carpenter, on the other hand, is more likely to see a movie made out of his story. After missing two consecutive seasons with an injury that threatened his career, he somehow managed to pull it together with the best season of his career. No one in baseball expected anything this drastic out of Carpenter, who led the NL in earned run average.
At the end of the day, this race could truly go either way. Carpenter had the better ERA and WHIP, but Lincecum’s strikeouts were insane. Carpenter does have the better story to tell, so my prediction would be that he wins.
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Can Hasselbeck Stay Healthy For the Seattle Seahawks?
The ‘08 season for the Seattle Seahawks was a lost season if you will - no one could stay healthy and the season was over before it began.
Much of the reason for the team’s horrible 2008 season can be assigned to the fact that Matt Hasselbeck, the team’s long time quarterback, was lost for much of the season due to injury. Doesn’t look like he’ll be able to stay healthy throughout this season either.
New head coach Jim Mora should have his team ready week in and week out and the embarrassment of the 08′ season will be forgotten. He’s the type of no non-sense coach and going to make some quick improvements this season.
The NFC West isn’t the strongest division the NFL has ever seen. The Arizona Cardinals haven’t yet found themselves yet, the St. Louis Rams are one of the bottom feeders in the league, the San Francisco 49ers are a young team on the rise though.
Since their Super Bowl appearance in 05′ - between 06′-08′ - the Seattle Seahawks have a record of 23-25 in the regular season and 2-2 in the playoffs. The Seahawks need to improve a great deal on offense if they hope to contend for the NFC West title - the Seahawks are in the bottom third in offense in the NFL.
The Seahawks looked great in an easy week 1 victory against the visiting St. Louis Rams, blanking them by a score of 28-0. Let’s keep in mind that the Rams were one of the worst teams in the league last season, so this doesn’t prove much.
The Super Bowl days for the Seattle Seahawks may be gone but that doesn’t mean they can’t compete and give opponents trouble every game.
If the Seahawks can stay healthy for the majority of the season they are an easy 8 win team — which is double the wins from last season. The Seahawks have their coveted “12th man” with the home crowd which makes it difficult for opponents to play them on their own turf.
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An Improved Charlotte Bobcats Team
The Charlotte Bobcats have never made the NBA playoffs. They are hoping that might change this season. While the Bobcats have never been a successful team, they quietly had their best season in franchise history last year, finishing with a 35-47 record.
Larry Brown is an excellent basketball teacher and should keep the young Bobcats hungry for the playoffs. He’s the perfect coach for a team this young.
While there’s a decent amount of talent on the team, much of the credit has to go to Larry Brown, who joined the team as its head coach last season. Brown has a storied resume that includes stints in Detroit (where he won a championship), Indiana, Philadelphia (where he made the NBA finals), and other teams around the league.
A young basketball team typically does not know how to win close games and don’t do well on the road - this should change to a degree this season.
The Bobcats in the 08′- 09′ season were a pretty good team at home, 23-18 - but the road record is what prevented them from making the playoffs, 12-29. If the Bobcats can maintain a good home record like a season ago and improve their road record, they will be close to a .500 team.
One of the questions the Bobcats will have to answer is who is their go-to man. When the game is on the line who will the Bobcats give the ball to in order to make something happen.
F Gerald Wallace averaged nearly 17 points per game last season and will need to continue to do so this season.
Keep an eye on the Bobcats this year. A young team that’s only getting better, they can definitely make some noise.
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