Natha’s ingenuousness and placidity in Peepli Live worked wonders for the film’s layered and hard-hitting message.
The actor Omar Das Manikpur, who played a farmer driven to commit suicide, won a lot of accolades for the role.
He has now been signed for Qasam Se Qasam Se, a film to be directed by debutant Ashafaque Makrani. Manikpur will make an entry as Natha and will go on to play his screen character.
Director Ashafaque said, “In Peepli Live towards the end, it is shown that Natha is fed-up of the constant glare of politicians, society and the media.
In my film we continue the penniless state of Natha, who still wants to commit suicide. He jumps on to the protagonist’s car.
New actor Azim plays the protagonist who then rescues Natha and later helps him transform his perception towards life.”
Read the original story on timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Monday, February 28, 2011
Aishwarya Rai shimmers at Oscar
Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai added some Indian glamour to the Oscars with an on-trend shimmery number at the 83rd Academy Awards where sequins dominated the red carpet.
The 37-year-old actress sparkled in a bronze Giorgio Armani Prive gown with rows of amber sequins and beaded detail at the waist, while husband Abhishek Bachchan stuck to a traditional black tuxedo.
The actress teamed the shimmery gown with a Jimmy Choo clutch, vintage jewellery and smoky eyes.
Like Abhishek, musician A R Rahman who walked the red carpet with wife Saira, too wore a tuxedo while his partner chose a flamboyant fusion ensemble consisting of a golden sherwani and cigarette pants.
Like Saira and Ash, the shimmer trend was followed by Gwnyeth Paltrow, who wore a gold Calvin Klein number and Halle Berry who stole the show in a nude sparkling number by Marchesa.
Hilary Swank’s glistening silver Gucci column gave way to a romantic ostrich feather skirt, while the sparkling bodice of Mandy Moore’s romantic Monique L’Hullier dress appeared to have been sprayed on.
Shimmering nude was also an age-appropriate choice for 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld, nominated for her role in True Grit , who won a Fifties-style dress by Marchesa.
While Celine Dion, wore a full-sleeved silver column dress, Amy Adams added a pop of colour to the red carpet with a sequined navy gown by L’Wren Scott, which she teamed with green accessories.
Other than the sparkle, another major trend was the resurgence of the red carpet favourite, voluminous red gowns.
The bustled creations worn by Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Hudson, and Sandra Bullock, were in the same traffic-stopping hue of red. Penelope Cruz too showed off her post-pregnancy bod with a sequined red gown by L’Wren Scott.
And while black remained a popular choice, with famously eccentric British star Helena Bonham Carter opting for it, there were some surprises from Cate Blanchett who wore an lavender Givenchy Haute Couture gown with yellow embellishment, and an unusual purple-burgundy hue seen on both Natalie Portman, in Rodarte, and Scarlett Johansson in Dolce and Gabbana.
Read the original story on timesofindia.indiatimes.com
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Ash-shimmers-at-Oscar/articleshow/7593722.cms
The 37-year-old actress sparkled in a bronze Giorgio Armani Prive gown with rows of amber sequins and beaded detail at the waist, while husband Abhishek Bachchan stuck to a traditional black tuxedo.
The actress teamed the shimmery gown with a Jimmy Choo clutch, vintage jewellery and smoky eyes.
Like Abhishek, musician A R Rahman who walked the red carpet with wife Saira, too wore a tuxedo while his partner chose a flamboyant fusion ensemble consisting of a golden sherwani and cigarette pants.
Like Saira and Ash, the shimmer trend was followed by Gwnyeth Paltrow, who wore a gold Calvin Klein number and Halle Berry who stole the show in a nude sparkling number by Marchesa.
Hilary Swank’s glistening silver Gucci column gave way to a romantic ostrich feather skirt, while the sparkling bodice of Mandy Moore’s romantic Monique L’Hullier dress appeared to have been sprayed on.
Shimmering nude was also an age-appropriate choice for 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld, nominated for her role in True Grit , who won a Fifties-style dress by Marchesa.
While Celine Dion, wore a full-sleeved silver column dress, Amy Adams added a pop of colour to the red carpet with a sequined navy gown by L’Wren Scott, which she teamed with green accessories.
Other than the sparkle, another major trend was the resurgence of the red carpet favourite, voluminous red gowns.
The bustled creations worn by Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Hudson, and Sandra Bullock, were in the same traffic-stopping hue of red. Penelope Cruz too showed off her post-pregnancy bod with a sequined red gown by L’Wren Scott.
And while black remained a popular choice, with famously eccentric British star Helena Bonham Carter opting for it, there were some surprises from Cate Blanchett who wore an lavender Givenchy Haute Couture gown with yellow embellishment, and an unusual purple-burgundy hue seen on both Natalie Portman, in Rodarte, and Scarlett Johansson in Dolce and Gabbana.
Read the original story on timesofindia.indiatimes.com
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Ash-shimmers-at-Oscar/articleshow/7593722.cms
Kareena Kapoor can’t part with Saif Ali Khan’s private number
Saif Ali Khan has put one of his cellphones into a drawer and thrown the key away. That’s right! The Junior Nawab of Pataudi usually gets grouchy and out of reach when he is shooting a film.
The actor, as everyone knows is on a start-to-finish schedule of Aarakshan in Bhopal. And, he doesn’t wish to be disturbed. Of course, he still has another cellphone number on which he stays connected with his girlfriend Kareena Kapoor, his children-Sarah and Ibrahim and his parents.
Now Bebo is in a dilemma because people who cannot reach Saif are constantly calling her. They want her to part with Saif’s private number. The actress knows she can hardly say that she doesn’t have Saif’s number. Yet at the same time she has been asked by Saif not to give his number away! What will she do?
Read the original story on timesofindia.indiatimes.com
The actor, as everyone knows is on a start-to-finish schedule of Aarakshan in Bhopal. And, he doesn’t wish to be disturbed. Of course, he still has another cellphone number on which he stays connected with his girlfriend Kareena Kapoor, his children-Sarah and Ibrahim and his parents.
Now Bebo is in a dilemma because people who cannot reach Saif are constantly calling her. They want her to part with Saif’s private number. The actress knows she can hardly say that she doesn’t have Saif’s number. Yet at the same time she has been asked by Saif not to give his number away! What will she do?
Read the original story on timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Prachi Desai to make Tamil debut
Actress Prachi Desai to make foray into Tamil film industry...
After a couple of good Hindi movies – Rock On and Once Upon a Time in Mumbai – Prachi Desai has decided to try her hands at South cinema. The girl, it is heard, is going to make her foray into the Tamil film industry and will star opposite Arun Vijay in an action film.
South actor Arun Vijay, who is excited about his recent spate of success stories at the box office, is trying hard to keep the momentum going, and is also working at acquiring six pack abs for this motion picture. As for Prachi, well, she got a few offers from down South but was on the lookout for just the right launch. She feels she has chosen well.
Having packed her bags, Prachi Desai will start shooting for this yet-to-be-titled venture in March.
Read the original story on timesofindia.indiatimes.com
After a couple of good Hindi movies – Rock On and Once Upon a Time in Mumbai – Prachi Desai has decided to try her hands at South cinema. The girl, it is heard, is going to make her foray into the Tamil film industry and will star opposite Arun Vijay in an action film.
South actor Arun Vijay, who is excited about his recent spate of success stories at the box office, is trying hard to keep the momentum going, and is also working at acquiring six pack abs for this motion picture. As for Prachi, well, she got a few offers from down South but was on the lookout for just the right launch. She feels she has chosen well.
Having packed her bags, Prachi Desai will start shooting for this yet-to-be-titled venture in March.
Read the original story on timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Quake hits southern Chile, a year after huge one
Reuters, SANTIAGO/WASHINGTON: A strong quake of 6.0 magnitude struck on Sunday about 23 miles south of Concepcion, Chile, at a depth of 10.4 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Chile's state emergency office Onemi said there were no reports of damages or injuries and no risk of a tsunami. A spokeswoman said there were partial power cuts in the area, however.
One year ago today, February 27, Chile was hit with a massive, 8.8-magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami that killed more than 500 people and caused some $30 billion in damage.
The worst-hit region was in the south, near Concepcion.
(Reporting by Fabian Cambero; Writing by Hilary Burke, editing by Philip Barbara)
Chile's state emergency office Onemi said there were no reports of damages or injuries and no risk of a tsunami. A spokeswoman said there were partial power cuts in the area, however.
One year ago today, February 27, Chile was hit with a massive, 8.8-magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami that killed more than 500 people and caused some $30 billion in damage.
The worst-hit region was in the south, near Concepcion.
(Reporting by Fabian Cambero; Writing by Hilary Burke, editing by Philip Barbara)
Tunisia's president appoints new prime minister
AP, TUNIS, Tunisia: Tunisia's interim president chose a former government minister as a new prime minister on Sunday, appealing for a return to calm following new violent protests that have been hobbling this North African country since the ouster of its long-time autocratic leader.
Beji Caid-Essebsi will replace Mohammed Ghannouchi, who resigned earlier Sunday after becoming a major irritant to Tunisians behind the so-called "Jasmine Revolution" that toppled autocratic President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali last month and sparked a wave of upheaval in the Arab world.
The caretaker president, Fouad Mebazaa, made the appointment later Sunday.
As Ben Ali's prime minister for 11 years, Ghannouchi became the emblem of an entrenched old guard that many Tunisians feared were hijacking their revolution.
It was not immediately clear how much the shake-up would mollify the protesters in Tunisia, at a time when its leaders are attempting to rebuild its tourism industry and cope with an influx of Tunisians and others fleeing from violence in neighboring Libya.
The change in the government's leadership follows renewed street protests. Officials said that at least five people have died in violent street protests since Friday.
Ghannouchi had previously vowed to stay on to guide Tunisia until elections could be organized this summer.
As he stepped down, Ghannouchi sought to take the high ground.
"This (resignation) is not a flight from my responsibilities, but to open the way for another prime minister who — I hope — will have more margin for action than I have had, to give hope to the Tunisian people," he said.
"I am not ready to be the man of repression, and I will never be," Ghannouchi said, warning that unspecified forces appeared to be swelling to try to quash the move toward democracy.
Caid-Essebsi is an elderly statesman and lawyer who served in government posts under the Tunisia's two longtime leaders since it gained independence from France in 1956: Habib Bourguiba and Ben Ali.
Ben Ali was driven from power on Jan. 14 and fled to Saudi Arabia following weeks of a deadly popular uprising that has fanned similar upheaval across the Arab world.
Some Tunisians believe that Ben Ali loyalists in the country have sought to sow discord and discredit the movement that brought the former authoritarian leader down.
"There needs to be reconciliation among all Tunisians to show the world that Tunisia is a civilized country," Ghannouchi said. "My resignation will help create this new atmosphere."
The Interior Ministry, in a statement Saturday, blamed "provocateurs" for fomenting violence in otherwise peaceful rallies and for allegedly using young people as human shields in renewed demonstrations.
On Saturday, police and troops backed by tanks used tear gas to disperse hundreds of youths protesting against the caretaker government. Officers were seen chasing some youths through town after the rally ended.
Authorities then ordered a temporarily ban on vehicle and pedestrian traffic on the capital's central Bourguiba Avenue until midnight Sunday — the first of its kind since Ben Ali's downfall.
On Friday, police fired tear gas and warning shots as violence erupted alongside a sit-in that drew tens of thousands of protesters near the seat of the interim government.
Officials said nearly 200 people were arrested over the last two days.
Beji Caid-Essebsi will replace Mohammed Ghannouchi, who resigned earlier Sunday after becoming a major irritant to Tunisians behind the so-called "Jasmine Revolution" that toppled autocratic President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali last month and sparked a wave of upheaval in the Arab world.
The caretaker president, Fouad Mebazaa, made the appointment later Sunday.
As Ben Ali's prime minister for 11 years, Ghannouchi became the emblem of an entrenched old guard that many Tunisians feared were hijacking their revolution.
It was not immediately clear how much the shake-up would mollify the protesters in Tunisia, at a time when its leaders are attempting to rebuild its tourism industry and cope with an influx of Tunisians and others fleeing from violence in neighboring Libya.
The change in the government's leadership follows renewed street protests. Officials said that at least five people have died in violent street protests since Friday.
Ghannouchi had previously vowed to stay on to guide Tunisia until elections could be organized this summer.
As he stepped down, Ghannouchi sought to take the high ground.
"This (resignation) is not a flight from my responsibilities, but to open the way for another prime minister who — I hope — will have more margin for action than I have had, to give hope to the Tunisian people," he said.
"I am not ready to be the man of repression, and I will never be," Ghannouchi said, warning that unspecified forces appeared to be swelling to try to quash the move toward democracy.
Caid-Essebsi is an elderly statesman and lawyer who served in government posts under the Tunisia's two longtime leaders since it gained independence from France in 1956: Habib Bourguiba and Ben Ali.
Ben Ali was driven from power on Jan. 14 and fled to Saudi Arabia following weeks of a deadly popular uprising that has fanned similar upheaval across the Arab world.
Some Tunisians believe that Ben Ali loyalists in the country have sought to sow discord and discredit the movement that brought the former authoritarian leader down.
"There needs to be reconciliation among all Tunisians to show the world that Tunisia is a civilized country," Ghannouchi said. "My resignation will help create this new atmosphere."
The Interior Ministry, in a statement Saturday, blamed "provocateurs" for fomenting violence in otherwise peaceful rallies and for allegedly using young people as human shields in renewed demonstrations.
On Saturday, police and troops backed by tanks used tear gas to disperse hundreds of youths protesting against the caretaker government. Officers were seen chasing some youths through town after the rally ended.
Authorities then ordered a temporarily ban on vehicle and pedestrian traffic on the capital's central Bourguiba Avenue until midnight Sunday — the first of its kind since Ben Ali's downfall.
On Friday, police fired tear gas and warning shots as violence erupted alongside a sit-in that drew tens of thousands of protesters near the seat of the interim government.
Officials said nearly 200 people were arrested over the last two days.
Infant boy the first NZ quake victim laid to rest
AP, CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand: A 5-month-old boy was laid to rest Monday at the first funeral for the victims of New Zealand's devastating earthquake, as the confirmed death toll rose to 148 and the government considered a nationwide levy to help pay for reconstruction.
Dozens of family and friends gathered at a small chapel in the stricken city of Christchurch for Baxtor Gowland, who was sleeping peacefully at home when he was struck by masonry shaken loose by the magnitude 6.3 quake last Tuesday. He died in a hospital, the family said in a statement read to The Associated Press by the child's great-uncle, Peter Croft.
Inside the chapel, a slideshow of the smiling infant's photographs flashed on a screen, as Sarah McLachlan's song "Angel" echoed throughout the room.
"We have all been thankful of the support and good wishes expressed from New Zealand and around the world," Croft said, his voice shaking with emotion as he read the statement. "However, we would like to think that today is for family and friends so that we can farewell Baxtor with peace and dignity."
Authorities have named just eight victims of last week's disaster — Gowland and another infant among them.
Superintendent David Cliff said Monday that the death toll had reached 148, based on the number of bodies recovered from the rubble. Officials say the task of identifying the dead is slow and difficult, and that unidentified bodies are included on a list of people considered missing, which currently numbers around 200.
Cliff said "grave fears" are held for about 50 of those counted as missing, signaling the final death toll could be around 200.
The multinational team of more than 600 rescuers scrabbling through wrecked buildings in the decimated central area of the city last pulled a survivor from the ruins at mid-afternoon Wednesday, making it six days without finding anyone alive.
Police have said up to 120 people may have been killed in the downtown CTV building, where dozens of foreign students, mostly Japanese and Chinese, from an international language school were believed trapped. And up to 22 people may be buried in rubble at Christchurch Cathedral, most of them believed to be tourists climbing the bell tower for its panoramic views of the southern New Zealand city.
Prime Minister John Key was meeting with his Cabinet on Monday to discuss an aid package for an estimated 50,000 people who will be out of work for months due to the closure of downtown.
Key said measures being considered include an extra levy on all householders under New Zealand's compulsory quake insurance system to raise the estimated $4 billion needed to cover an insurance shortfall.
The package, to be announced later Monday, would also likely include wage subsidies and cash grants to Christchurch residents to ensure businesses have cash flow and can continue to operate.
Engineers and planners say the city's decimated central area may be completely unusable for months to come and that at least a third of the buildings must be razed and rebuilt. The government has said that virtually all services conducted in the downtown area will have to operate from elsewhere during the rebuilding period.
Officials estimated that one in three of the central business district's buildings were severely damaged in the quake and will have to be demolished.
"It's quite clear that a lot of buildings are going to have to come out of the CBD, so where a building is condemned it will need to be taken down," Key told TV One on Monday.
He said he expected much higher building code standards for new buildings so they will be able to withstand very strong earthquakes.
___
Associated Press writers Steve McMorran in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Ray Lilley in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed to this report.
Dozens of family and friends gathered at a small chapel in the stricken city of Christchurch for Baxtor Gowland, who was sleeping peacefully at home when he was struck by masonry shaken loose by the magnitude 6.3 quake last Tuesday. He died in a hospital, the family said in a statement read to The Associated Press by the child's great-uncle, Peter Croft.
Inside the chapel, a slideshow of the smiling infant's photographs flashed on a screen, as Sarah McLachlan's song "Angel" echoed throughout the room.
"We have all been thankful of the support and good wishes expressed from New Zealand and around the world," Croft said, his voice shaking with emotion as he read the statement. "However, we would like to think that today is for family and friends so that we can farewell Baxtor with peace and dignity."
Authorities have named just eight victims of last week's disaster — Gowland and another infant among them.
Superintendent David Cliff said Monday that the death toll had reached 148, based on the number of bodies recovered from the rubble. Officials say the task of identifying the dead is slow and difficult, and that unidentified bodies are included on a list of people considered missing, which currently numbers around 200.
Cliff said "grave fears" are held for about 50 of those counted as missing, signaling the final death toll could be around 200.
The multinational team of more than 600 rescuers scrabbling through wrecked buildings in the decimated central area of the city last pulled a survivor from the ruins at mid-afternoon Wednesday, making it six days without finding anyone alive.
Police have said up to 120 people may have been killed in the downtown CTV building, where dozens of foreign students, mostly Japanese and Chinese, from an international language school were believed trapped. And up to 22 people may be buried in rubble at Christchurch Cathedral, most of them believed to be tourists climbing the bell tower for its panoramic views of the southern New Zealand city.
Prime Minister John Key was meeting with his Cabinet on Monday to discuss an aid package for an estimated 50,000 people who will be out of work for months due to the closure of downtown.
Key said measures being considered include an extra levy on all householders under New Zealand's compulsory quake insurance system to raise the estimated $4 billion needed to cover an insurance shortfall.
The package, to be announced later Monday, would also likely include wage subsidies and cash grants to Christchurch residents to ensure businesses have cash flow and can continue to operate.
Engineers and planners say the city's decimated central area may be completely unusable for months to come and that at least a third of the buildings must be razed and rebuilt. The government has said that virtually all services conducted in the downtown area will have to operate from elsewhere during the rebuilding period.
Officials estimated that one in three of the central business district's buildings were severely damaged in the quake and will have to be demolished.
"It's quite clear that a lot of buildings are going to have to come out of the CBD, so where a building is condemned it will need to be taken down," Key told TV One on Monday.
He said he expected much higher building code standards for new buildings so they will be able to withstand very strong earthquakes.
___
Associated Press writers Steve McMorran in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Ray Lilley in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed to this report.
'Free Libya' chants heard in city near capital
AP, ZAWIYA, Libya: With residents shouting "Free, free Libya," anti-government rebels who control this battle-scarred city nearest to the capital deployed tanks and anti-aircraft weapons Sunday to brace for an attack by troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi. The Obama administration offered "any type of assistance" to Libyans seeking to oust the longtime leader.
Politicians in the opposition stronghold of Benghazi set up their first leadership council to manage day-to-day affairs, taking a step toward forming what could be an alternative to Gadhafi's regime.
In the capital Tripoli, where Gadhafi is still firmly in control, state banks began handing out the equivalent of $400 per family in a bid to shore up public loyalty.
"The Libyan people are fully behind me," Gadhafi defiantly told Serbian TV, even as about half of the country was turning against him and world leaders moved to isolate him. "A small group (of rebels) is surrounded ... and it will be dealt with."
Gadhafi has launched by far the bloodiest crackdown in a wave of anti-government uprisings sweeping the Arab world, the most serious challenge to his four decades in power. The United States, Britain and the U.N. Security Council all slapped sanctions on Libya this weekend.
A day after President Barack Obama branded Gadhafi an illegitimate ruler who must leave power immediately, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton kept up pressure for him to step down and "call off the mercenaries" and other troops that remain loyal to him.
"We are just at the beginning of what will follow Gadhafi. ... But we've been reaching out to many different Libyans who are attempting to organize in the east and as the revolution moves westward there as well," Clinton said. "I think it's way too soon to tell how this is going to play out, but we're going to be ready and prepared to offer any kind of assistance that anyone wishes to have from the United States."
Two U.S. senators said Washington should recognize and arm a provisional government in rebel-held areas of eastern Libya and impose a no-fly zone over the area — enforced by U.S. warplanes — to stop attacks by the regime.
Gadhafi's son, Seif al-Islam, in an interview with U.S. television, insisted that his father won't relinquish power and that Libya had not used force or airstrikes against its own people.
There were no reports of major violence or clashes on Sunday, although gunfire was heard after nightfall in Tripoli.
The regime, eager to reinforce its view that Libya is calm and under its control, took visiting journalists to Zawiya, 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of the capital of Tripoli on Sunday. The tour, however, confirmed that anti-government rebels control the center of the city of 200,000 people, with army tanks and anti-aircraft guns mounted on pickup trucks at the ready.
Hundreds of people chanted "Gadhafi out!" in central Zawiya, a key city close to an oil port and refineries. It also is the nearest population center to Tripoli to fall into rebel hands.
The charred hulks of cars littered the city, many buildings were pockmarked by bullets, and most streets were blocked by felled palm trees or metal barricades. Police stations and government offices have been torched, and anti-Gadhafi graffiti — labeling him a "mass murderer" — was everywhere. In the main square, an effigy of the leader hung from a light pole with the words "Execute Gadhafi" on its chest.
"To us, Gadhafi is the 'Dracula' of Libya," said Wael al-Oraibi, an army officer in Zawiya who decided to join the rebels in large part after Gadhafi used mercenaries from sub-Saharan Africa against residents of the city.
The mood in Zawiya was generally upbeat, with chants of "Free, free Libya," although the anticipation of a renewed attempt to retake the city was causing some anxiety among the rebels.
"We are all wanted," said one rebel at the square who did not want to give his name for fear of reprisals. "Zawiya in our hands is a direct threat to Tripoli."
On Zawiya's outskirts were pro-Gadhafi forces, also backed by tanks and anti-aircraft guns.
About 20 miles (30 kilometers) west of Zawiya, some 3,000 pro-Gadhafi demonstrators gathered on the coastal highway, chanting slogans in support of the Libyan leader.
Rebels and defecting army forces largely consolidated control of Zawiya on Thursday, after an army unit loyal to Gadhafi opened fire on a mosque where residents — some armed with hunting rifles — had been holding a sit-in. The square has become the burial site of six of 11 rebels killed by pro-Gadhafi forces who failed to retake the town that day. Residents reported several skirmishes between both sides since then.
At least six checkpoints controlled by troops loyal to Gadhafi stood on the road from Tripoli to Zawiya. Each one was reinforced by at least one tank, with troops who concealed their faces with scarves.
Before Zawiya fell to rebel forces, Gadhafi had scolded its residents on Thursday, saying they were in league with terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.
"Shame on you, people of Zawiya. Control your children," he said.
"They are loyal to bin Laden," he said of those involved in the uprising. "What do you have to do with bin Laden, people of Zawiya? They are exploiting young people. ... I insist it is bin Laden."
In Libya's second-largest city of Benghazi, politicians said Sunday they are setting up a council to run day-to-day affairs in the eastern half of the country under their control. It was seen as the first attempt to create a leadership body that could eventually form an alternative to the Gadhafi government.
Former Justice Minister Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, who defected from the Gadhafi regime, said Saturday he was setting up a provisional government.
But a prominent human rights lawyer, Abdel-Hafidh Ghoga, held a news conference to shoot down the claim, saying instead that politicians in the east were establishing the transitional council only to manage daily life in the rebel-controlled areas until Gadhafi falls.
Gadhafi blasted sanctions against his country and vowed to stay in power, telling Serbia's private Pink TV in a telephone interview that "the Libyan people are still behind me."
"Currently in Libya there are no incidents, now everything is quiet," Gadhafi said.
His son, Seif al-Islam, again denied in a TV interview that the Libyan regime used force or airstrikes against its own people.
"Show me a single attack. Show me a single bomb," he told ABC's "This Week." "The Libyan air force destroyed just the ammunition sites. That's it."
Human rights groups and European officials have put the death toll since unrest began in Libya nearly two weeks ago at hundreds — perhaps thousands — although it has been virtually impossible to verify the numbers.
The British-educated Seif al-Islam is the most visible of Gadhafi's children and has been acting as a spokesman for the regime.
"The whole south is calm. The west is calm. The middle is calm. Even part of the east," he said.
Asked about Obama's call for his father to step down, he said: "It's not an American business, that's No. 1. Second, do they think this is a solution? Of course not."
As for the U.S. freeze of Libyan assets, he said: "First of all, we don't have money outside. We are a very modest family and everybody knows that."
Libya's Foreign Ministry said it regretted the U.N. Security Council resolution, saying it was based on "untrue media reports."
Gadhafi loyalists remain in control of Tripoli, where most stores were closed and long lines formed outside the few banks open for business.
Residents thronged to the banks after state TV promised each family 500 Libyan dinars (about $400), plus the equivalent of about $100 credit for phone service. State TV also said families also will be entitled to 60,000 Libyan dinars (about $49,000) in interest-free loans to buy apartments.
State TV showed video of people handing over identity documents to bank tellers, who processed the information. Some people, however, said they only got vouchers when banks ran out of money.
Libya's Central Bank said in a statement on state TV that payments will be made for the next few days. "Give banks a chance to secure the needed liquidity in its branches at the suitable time," it said.
One resident said Tripoli's calm may be deceptive.
"The situation is being constructed to look natural, but it is not," said a 40-year-old Tripoli businessman who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals. "People are scared and they are waiting for the fall of the regime. People are scared to go out or to gather because some areas have been taken over by armed groups loyal to the regime."
Another Tripoli resident, a 21-year-old Libyan-American who only wanted to be identified by her first name, Rahma, said the city was deserted Sunday. "No one is driving around, no one is out in the streets."
Her aunt, she said, went out and came back to tell the rest of the family that there were pro-regime checkpoints across the city.
A doctor in Libya's third-largest city of Misrata, 125 miles (200 kilometers) east of Tripoli, said residents retrieved two more bodies of those killed in fighting with pro-Gadhafi forces near the city's air base Friday. That raised the death toll from fighting to 27. About 30 people who took part in the battle remain unaccounted for, said the doctor who spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared reprisals.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was due in Washington on Monday to discuss with Obama other possible measures that could be taken against the Libyan government.
U.S. Sens. John McCain and Joseph Lieberman said on CNN's "State of the Union" that the U.S. and its allies should enforce a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent the military from again firing on civilian protesters from the air. Lieberman said Washington should arm the provisional government in rebel-held areas of eastern Libya "to fight on behalf of the people of Libya against a really cruel dictator."
The White House had no immediate comment.
British and German military planes landed in Libya's desert, rescuing hundreds of oil workers and civilians stranded at remote sites over the weekend, while thousands of other foreigners were still stuck in Tripoli by bad weather and red tape. The secret military missions signal the readiness of Western nations to disregard Libya's territorial integrity when it comes to the safety of their citizens.
Thousands of Egyptian and Chinese expatriates, meanwhile, continued to stream out of Libya on its western border with Tunisia into camps near the frontier.
In Ukraine, a nurse believed to have a close relationship with Gadhafi was reported to have deserted Gadhafi after his crackdown. Halyna Kolotnytska, 38, arrived in Kiev early Sunday on a plane that evacuated 122 Ukrainians and 68 foreign nationals from Libya.
A U.S. diplomatic cable released last year said the eccentric 68-year-old leader is deeply attached to Kolotnytska, describing her as a "voluptuous blonde" who always travels with Gadhafi because only she "knows his routine," and it suggested the two may be romantically involved.
The Segodnya daily cited Kolotnytska's daughter Tetyana as saying that her mother was out of danger and planned to return to Ukraine in the near future.
The paper said Kolotnytska moved to Libya nine years ago. She worked at a hospital before Gadhafi hired her.
"He is employing other Ukrainian women as nurses as well. Mom is one of them," Tetyana was quoted as saying. "For some reason, he doesn't trust Libyan women with that."
___
Associated Press reporters Paul Schemm in Benghazi, Libya, Bradley Klapper in Washington, Anita Snow at the United Nations, Maria Danilova in Kiev, Ukraine, and Ben Hubbard and Bassem Mroue in Cairo contributed to this report.
Politicians in the opposition stronghold of Benghazi set up their first leadership council to manage day-to-day affairs, taking a step toward forming what could be an alternative to Gadhafi's regime.
In the capital Tripoli, where Gadhafi is still firmly in control, state banks began handing out the equivalent of $400 per family in a bid to shore up public loyalty.
"The Libyan people are fully behind me," Gadhafi defiantly told Serbian TV, even as about half of the country was turning against him and world leaders moved to isolate him. "A small group (of rebels) is surrounded ... and it will be dealt with."
Gadhafi has launched by far the bloodiest crackdown in a wave of anti-government uprisings sweeping the Arab world, the most serious challenge to his four decades in power. The United States, Britain and the U.N. Security Council all slapped sanctions on Libya this weekend.
A day after President Barack Obama branded Gadhafi an illegitimate ruler who must leave power immediately, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton kept up pressure for him to step down and "call off the mercenaries" and other troops that remain loyal to him.
"We are just at the beginning of what will follow Gadhafi. ... But we've been reaching out to many different Libyans who are attempting to organize in the east and as the revolution moves westward there as well," Clinton said. "I think it's way too soon to tell how this is going to play out, but we're going to be ready and prepared to offer any kind of assistance that anyone wishes to have from the United States."
Two U.S. senators said Washington should recognize and arm a provisional government in rebel-held areas of eastern Libya and impose a no-fly zone over the area — enforced by U.S. warplanes — to stop attacks by the regime.
Gadhafi's son, Seif al-Islam, in an interview with U.S. television, insisted that his father won't relinquish power and that Libya had not used force or airstrikes against its own people.
There were no reports of major violence or clashes on Sunday, although gunfire was heard after nightfall in Tripoli.
The regime, eager to reinforce its view that Libya is calm and under its control, took visiting journalists to Zawiya, 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of the capital of Tripoli on Sunday. The tour, however, confirmed that anti-government rebels control the center of the city of 200,000 people, with army tanks and anti-aircraft guns mounted on pickup trucks at the ready.
Hundreds of people chanted "Gadhafi out!" in central Zawiya, a key city close to an oil port and refineries. It also is the nearest population center to Tripoli to fall into rebel hands.
The charred hulks of cars littered the city, many buildings were pockmarked by bullets, and most streets were blocked by felled palm trees or metal barricades. Police stations and government offices have been torched, and anti-Gadhafi graffiti — labeling him a "mass murderer" — was everywhere. In the main square, an effigy of the leader hung from a light pole with the words "Execute Gadhafi" on its chest.
"To us, Gadhafi is the 'Dracula' of Libya," said Wael al-Oraibi, an army officer in Zawiya who decided to join the rebels in large part after Gadhafi used mercenaries from sub-Saharan Africa against residents of the city.
The mood in Zawiya was generally upbeat, with chants of "Free, free Libya," although the anticipation of a renewed attempt to retake the city was causing some anxiety among the rebels.
"We are all wanted," said one rebel at the square who did not want to give his name for fear of reprisals. "Zawiya in our hands is a direct threat to Tripoli."
On Zawiya's outskirts were pro-Gadhafi forces, also backed by tanks and anti-aircraft guns.
About 20 miles (30 kilometers) west of Zawiya, some 3,000 pro-Gadhafi demonstrators gathered on the coastal highway, chanting slogans in support of the Libyan leader.
Rebels and defecting army forces largely consolidated control of Zawiya on Thursday, after an army unit loyal to Gadhafi opened fire on a mosque where residents — some armed with hunting rifles — had been holding a sit-in. The square has become the burial site of six of 11 rebels killed by pro-Gadhafi forces who failed to retake the town that day. Residents reported several skirmishes between both sides since then.
At least six checkpoints controlled by troops loyal to Gadhafi stood on the road from Tripoli to Zawiya. Each one was reinforced by at least one tank, with troops who concealed their faces with scarves.
Before Zawiya fell to rebel forces, Gadhafi had scolded its residents on Thursday, saying they were in league with terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.
"Shame on you, people of Zawiya. Control your children," he said.
"They are loyal to bin Laden," he said of those involved in the uprising. "What do you have to do with bin Laden, people of Zawiya? They are exploiting young people. ... I insist it is bin Laden."
In Libya's second-largest city of Benghazi, politicians said Sunday they are setting up a council to run day-to-day affairs in the eastern half of the country under their control. It was seen as the first attempt to create a leadership body that could eventually form an alternative to the Gadhafi government.
Former Justice Minister Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, who defected from the Gadhafi regime, said Saturday he was setting up a provisional government.
But a prominent human rights lawyer, Abdel-Hafidh Ghoga, held a news conference to shoot down the claim, saying instead that politicians in the east were establishing the transitional council only to manage daily life in the rebel-controlled areas until Gadhafi falls.
Gadhafi blasted sanctions against his country and vowed to stay in power, telling Serbia's private Pink TV in a telephone interview that "the Libyan people are still behind me."
"Currently in Libya there are no incidents, now everything is quiet," Gadhafi said.
His son, Seif al-Islam, again denied in a TV interview that the Libyan regime used force or airstrikes against its own people.
"Show me a single attack. Show me a single bomb," he told ABC's "This Week." "The Libyan air force destroyed just the ammunition sites. That's it."
Human rights groups and European officials have put the death toll since unrest began in Libya nearly two weeks ago at hundreds — perhaps thousands — although it has been virtually impossible to verify the numbers.
The British-educated Seif al-Islam is the most visible of Gadhafi's children and has been acting as a spokesman for the regime.
"The whole south is calm. The west is calm. The middle is calm. Even part of the east," he said.
Asked about Obama's call for his father to step down, he said: "It's not an American business, that's No. 1. Second, do they think this is a solution? Of course not."
As for the U.S. freeze of Libyan assets, he said: "First of all, we don't have money outside. We are a very modest family and everybody knows that."
Libya's Foreign Ministry said it regretted the U.N. Security Council resolution, saying it was based on "untrue media reports."
Gadhafi loyalists remain in control of Tripoli, where most stores were closed and long lines formed outside the few banks open for business.
Residents thronged to the banks after state TV promised each family 500 Libyan dinars (about $400), plus the equivalent of about $100 credit for phone service. State TV also said families also will be entitled to 60,000 Libyan dinars (about $49,000) in interest-free loans to buy apartments.
State TV showed video of people handing over identity documents to bank tellers, who processed the information. Some people, however, said they only got vouchers when banks ran out of money.
Libya's Central Bank said in a statement on state TV that payments will be made for the next few days. "Give banks a chance to secure the needed liquidity in its branches at the suitable time," it said.
One resident said Tripoli's calm may be deceptive.
"The situation is being constructed to look natural, but it is not," said a 40-year-old Tripoli businessman who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals. "People are scared and they are waiting for the fall of the regime. People are scared to go out or to gather because some areas have been taken over by armed groups loyal to the regime."
Another Tripoli resident, a 21-year-old Libyan-American who only wanted to be identified by her first name, Rahma, said the city was deserted Sunday. "No one is driving around, no one is out in the streets."
Her aunt, she said, went out and came back to tell the rest of the family that there were pro-regime checkpoints across the city.
A doctor in Libya's third-largest city of Misrata, 125 miles (200 kilometers) east of Tripoli, said residents retrieved two more bodies of those killed in fighting with pro-Gadhafi forces near the city's air base Friday. That raised the death toll from fighting to 27. About 30 people who took part in the battle remain unaccounted for, said the doctor who spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared reprisals.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was due in Washington on Monday to discuss with Obama other possible measures that could be taken against the Libyan government.
U.S. Sens. John McCain and Joseph Lieberman said on CNN's "State of the Union" that the U.S. and its allies should enforce a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent the military from again firing on civilian protesters from the air. Lieberman said Washington should arm the provisional government in rebel-held areas of eastern Libya "to fight on behalf of the people of Libya against a really cruel dictator."
The White House had no immediate comment.
British and German military planes landed in Libya's desert, rescuing hundreds of oil workers and civilians stranded at remote sites over the weekend, while thousands of other foreigners were still stuck in Tripoli by bad weather and red tape. The secret military missions signal the readiness of Western nations to disregard Libya's territorial integrity when it comes to the safety of their citizens.
Thousands of Egyptian and Chinese expatriates, meanwhile, continued to stream out of Libya on its western border with Tunisia into camps near the frontier.
In Ukraine, a nurse believed to have a close relationship with Gadhafi was reported to have deserted Gadhafi after his crackdown. Halyna Kolotnytska, 38, arrived in Kiev early Sunday on a plane that evacuated 122 Ukrainians and 68 foreign nationals from Libya.
A U.S. diplomatic cable released last year said the eccentric 68-year-old leader is deeply attached to Kolotnytska, describing her as a "voluptuous blonde" who always travels with Gadhafi because only she "knows his routine," and it suggested the two may be romantically involved.
The Segodnya daily cited Kolotnytska's daughter Tetyana as saying that her mother was out of danger and planned to return to Ukraine in the near future.
The paper said Kolotnytska moved to Libya nine years ago. She worked at a hospital before Gadhafi hired her.
"He is employing other Ukrainian women as nurses as well. Mom is one of them," Tetyana was quoted as saying. "For some reason, he doesn't trust Libyan women with that."
___
Associated Press reporters Paul Schemm in Benghazi, Libya, Bradley Klapper in Washington, Anita Snow at the United Nations, Maria Danilova in Kiev, Ukraine, and Ben Hubbard and Bassem Mroue in Cairo contributed to this report.
`Chilli' ponders fertile question in season finale
AP, LOS ANGELES: Chilli explores fertile territory on the finale of her reality show, "What Chilli Wants," deciding whether to freeze her eggs for the chance at future motherhood.
"What Chilli Wants," which wraps its second season on VH1, followed the Grammy-winning TLC singer's effort to find Mr. Right. But if she doesn't find him right now, she may in the future, leading her to ponder preserving the option of a child as she turns 40.
Her birthday is Sunday, the night the finale airs. Chilli, who has one son, said she's glad to have the chance to "educate women on their options when it comes to having children."
The prospective romances in Chilli's life this season included boxer Floyd Mayweather, race car driver Raphael Matos and model Lasse Larson.
"What Chilli Wants," which wraps its second season on VH1, followed the Grammy-winning TLC singer's effort to find Mr. Right. But if she doesn't find him right now, she may in the future, leading her to ponder preserving the option of a child as she turns 40.
Her birthday is Sunday, the night the finale airs. Chilli, who has one son, said she's glad to have the chance to "educate women on their options when it comes to having children."
The prospective romances in Chilli's life this season included boxer Floyd Mayweather, race car driver Raphael Matos and model Lasse Larson.
Johnson-led Purdue routs Michigan State 67-47
AP, EAST LANSING, Mich: JaJuan Johnson had 20 points, 17 rebounds and seven blocks to help No. 8 Purdue beat Michigan State 67-47 on Sunday.
The Boilermakers (24-5, 13-3 Big Ten) have won six straight to surge into contention for the conference title.
They took control with a 16-5 run midway through the first half and turned the road game into a rout with a 19-4 run in the second half that gave them a 57-35 lead.
Purdue's E'Twaun Moore scored 17 and Lewis Jackson had 16 points.
The Spartans (16-12, 8-8) had won two straight and three of four to improve their shot at playing in a 14th straight NCAA tournament, but can't afford to fare poorly this week at home against last-place Iowa and on the road against rival Michigan before the Big Ten tournament.
Michigan State's Kalin Lucas scored 15 of his 23 points in the first half and didn't get much help.
The Boilermakers (24-5, 13-3 Big Ten) have won six straight to surge into contention for the conference title.
They took control with a 16-5 run midway through the first half and turned the road game into a rout with a 19-4 run in the second half that gave them a 57-35 lead.
Purdue's E'Twaun Moore scored 17 and Lewis Jackson had 16 points.
The Spartans (16-12, 8-8) had won two straight and three of four to improve their shot at playing in a 14th straight NCAA tournament, but can't afford to fare poorly this week at home against last-place Iowa and on the road against rival Michigan before the Big Ten tournament.
Michigan State's Kalin Lucas scored 15 of his 23 points in the first half and didn't get much help.
Monmouth basketball coach Dave Calloway resigns
AP, PISCATAWAY, N.J: Dave Calloway has resigned under pressure as Monmouth University's basketball coach after 14 seasons.
Athletic Director Marilyn McNeil informed Calloway on Sunday that the university planned to hire a new coach after the Hawks suffered their fifth straight losing season and missed the Northeast Conference tournament.
Monmouth has posted a 48-105 record over the past five seasons, including 30-60 in the conference.
"It wasn't my choice," Calloway said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press Sunday afternoon.
Calloway, who led Monmouth to the NCAA tournament in 2001, '04 and '06, knew his job at the West Long Branch school was in jeopardy after the Hawks finished a 9-21 season with a loss to Sacred Heart on Saturday.
"Everything has been great," Calloway said. "I feel very, very fortunate. I am in a good place. I enjoyed my experience there. I think I got more out of it than they got out of me. They paid for my education. I got my Masters there. They paid for that. They paid me to do this and I loved doing it.
"Coaching at Monmouth has been terrific," Calloway added. "You always like to win more. I have nothing but good things to say about the university and everybody involved. This is just how the business works. They made a decision. I was never going to be the coach at Monmouth forever."
Calloway always had a sense of humor. When he first took the Hawks to the NCAA tournament in 2001, Monmouth was seeded No. 16 and drew No. 1 seed Duke for its first game.
Calloway predicted that the winner of the game would win the NCAA title. He was right: Duke won.
"Dave has the utmost integrity and has represented the University well in every kind of forum," McNeil said in a statement. "His time here at Monmouth made all of us better and it is bittersweet to see the Calloway era end."
President Paul Gaffney said the university will conduct a national search for Calloway's replacement, adding that he's been offered a post with the school's administration.
Calloway said he still wants to coach.
"I have enjoyed coaching and would love to be able to help somebody else out," Calloway said. "Whether there will be another opportunity this year or in the future of running another program again. I would like that. I learned a lot in life and in this business, that's for sure."
Calloway played for the Hawks before starting his coaching career there as a graduate assistant in 1991. He became a full-time assistant a few months later and assumed the top spot in January 1998 following Wayne Szoke's resignation.
Athletic Director Marilyn McNeil informed Calloway on Sunday that the university planned to hire a new coach after the Hawks suffered their fifth straight losing season and missed the Northeast Conference tournament.
Monmouth has posted a 48-105 record over the past five seasons, including 30-60 in the conference.
"It wasn't my choice," Calloway said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press Sunday afternoon.
Calloway, who led Monmouth to the NCAA tournament in 2001, '04 and '06, knew his job at the West Long Branch school was in jeopardy after the Hawks finished a 9-21 season with a loss to Sacred Heart on Saturday.
"Everything has been great," Calloway said. "I feel very, very fortunate. I am in a good place. I enjoyed my experience there. I think I got more out of it than they got out of me. They paid for my education. I got my Masters there. They paid for that. They paid me to do this and I loved doing it.
"Coaching at Monmouth has been terrific," Calloway added. "You always like to win more. I have nothing but good things to say about the university and everybody involved. This is just how the business works. They made a decision. I was never going to be the coach at Monmouth forever."
Calloway always had a sense of humor. When he first took the Hawks to the NCAA tournament in 2001, Monmouth was seeded No. 16 and drew No. 1 seed Duke for its first game.
Calloway predicted that the winner of the game would win the NCAA title. He was right: Duke won.
"Dave has the utmost integrity and has represented the University well in every kind of forum," McNeil said in a statement. "His time here at Monmouth made all of us better and it is bittersweet to see the Calloway era end."
President Paul Gaffney said the university will conduct a national search for Calloway's replacement, adding that he's been offered a post with the school's administration.
Calloway said he still wants to coach.
"I have enjoyed coaching and would love to be able to help somebody else out," Calloway said. "Whether there will be another opportunity this year or in the future of running another program again. I would like that. I learned a lot in life and in this business, that's for sure."
Calloway played for the Hawks before starting his coaching career there as a graduate assistant in 1991. He became a full-time assistant a few months later and assumed the top spot in January 1998 following Wayne Szoke's resignation.
Logins leads Canisius over Loyola (Md.) 75-58
AP, BUFFALO, N.Y: Greg Logins scored 26 points, going 8 of 10 from 3-point range, to lead Canisius over Loyola (Md.) 75-58 on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
The Golden Griffins (15-14, 9-9 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half but cut it to six, 32-26, at halftime.
Canisius then scored eight of the first 10 points of the second half to tie it at 34 on Logins' 3-pointer with 16:30 to play. The Greyhounds (15-14, 10-8) went back on top, 40-39, less than 2 minutes later, but wouldn't lead the rest of the way.
Another Logins' 3-pointer put the Golden Griffins up for good, 45-42, with 11:59 remaining.
Elton Frazier added 18 points for Canisius, which earned the sixth seed and a first-round bye in the conference tournament. It's the first bye for Canisius since 1999.
Rudolph had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Loyola.
The Golden Griffins (15-14, 9-9 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half but cut it to six, 32-26, at halftime.
Canisius then scored eight of the first 10 points of the second half to tie it at 34 on Logins' 3-pointer with 16:30 to play. The Greyhounds (15-14, 10-8) went back on top, 40-39, less than 2 minutes later, but wouldn't lead the rest of the way.
Another Logins' 3-pointer put the Golden Griffins up for good, 45-42, with 11:59 remaining.
Elton Frazier added 18 points for Canisius, which earned the sixth seed and a first-round bye in the conference tournament. It's the first bye for Canisius since 1999.
Rudolph had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Loyola.
Albany (N.Y.) defeats Maine 81-77 in overtime
AP, ORONO, Maine: Mike Black scored a career-high 26 points, including two 3-pointers during a key overtime run, to lead Albany (N.Y.) to an 81-77 win over Maine on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
The Great Danes (16-15, 9-7 America East Conference) trailed 68-66 before scoring seven straight during a 10-2 run. Black hit his second 3-pointer of the extra period to cap the run with Albany ahead 76-70.
The Great Danes were 4 of 7 from the field and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line in overtime in their fourth-straight win.
Logan Aronhalt added 17 points, Tim Ambrose 14 and Luke Devlin and Ralph Watts chipped in 10 each for Albany. Blake Metcalf had 12 rebounds and Devlin 10 for the Great Danes, who outrebounded Maine 41-29.
Gerald McLemore and Troy Barnies scored 15 points each for the Black Bears (15-14, 9-7), who led 65-61 with less than a minute left in regulation.
The Great Danes (16-15, 9-7 America East Conference) trailed 68-66 before scoring seven straight during a 10-2 run. Black hit his second 3-pointer of the extra period to cap the run with Albany ahead 76-70.
The Great Danes were 4 of 7 from the field and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line in overtime in their fourth-straight win.
Logan Aronhalt added 17 points, Tim Ambrose 14 and Luke Devlin and Ralph Watts chipped in 10 each for Albany. Blake Metcalf had 12 rebounds and Devlin 10 for the Great Danes, who outrebounded Maine 41-29.
Gerald McLemore and Troy Barnies scored 15 points each for the Black Bears (15-14, 9-7), who led 65-61 with less than a minute left in regulation.
Californication Season 4 Episode 8: Lights, Camera, A...
Californication Season 4 Episode 8 can be watched on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 9:00pm EST on Showtime TV channel.
Title of the brand new episode is: Lights, Camera, A... Synopsis of the episode is: Hank takes a gig rewriting dialogue; Marcy tells Stu she is pregnant.
Californication is an American comedy-drama that premiered on Showtime on August 13, 2007. The show was created by Tom Kapinos. The protagonist, Hank Moody (David Duchovny), is a troubled novelist whose move to California, coupled with his writer's block, complicates his relationships with his long time girlfriend Karen (Natascha McElhone) and daughter Becca (Madeleine Martin). Californication's other main characters are Charlie Runkle (Evan Handler), Marcy Runkle (Pamela Adlon), and Mia Cross (Madeline Zima). The show has been nominated and won several awards, including winning one Emmy Award (nominated for two others) and one Golden Globe Award (nominated for three others). Californication has aired for three complete seasons. Due to strong ratings for the third season premiere, Showtime renewed the show early for a fourth season. Season four began filming in April 2010 and premiered January 9, 2011 at 9:00PM ET (8PM CT.). On January 14, 2011, the show was renewed for a fifth season.
The series revolves around Hank Moody, a nihilistic novelist plagued by personal demons. He blames his longtime writer's block on a variety of reasons, ranging from the hedonism of Los Angeles to the departure of his girlfriend Karen. Hank constantly deals with the consequences of his inability to say "no" to drugs, sex and alcohol, while trying to show his family that he can be a good, responsible, caring father to Becca and a monogamous partner to Karen.
The show was renewed for a second season on September 7, 2007. The season 1 finale, titled "The Last Waltz", originally aired on Showtime on October 29, 2007. Season 2 began filming in April 2008, and was underway as of June 2008. The premiere episode of season 2 aired September 28, 2008. The first season was released on DVD in the US on June 17, 2008. Showtime renewed Californication for a third season, which premiered on Sunday September 27, 2009 at 10PM.
The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business Season 18 Episode 2
The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business Season 18 Episode 2 can be watched on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 8:00pm EST on WCBS (CBS) TV channel.
Title of the brand new episode is: I Never Looked So Foolish in My Whole Entire Life (Outback). Synopsis of the episode is: The teams travel through Australia dressed as kangaroos; tempers flare when a racer reverts to old habits; exhaustion brings one team to tears.
The Amazing Race is an American reality game show in which teams of two or four race around the world against other teams, with the first-place team winning $1,000,000. As the original version of the Amazing Race franchise, the CBS program has been running since 2001 and is currently in its eighteenth season, which is the first season broadcast in high-definition.
The show was created by Elise Doganieri and Bertram van Munster, who, along with Jonathan Littman, serve as executive producers. The show is produced by Earthview Inc. (headed by Doganieri and van Munster), Bruckheimer Television for CBS Television Studios and ABC Studios (a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company). For all seasons, the series is hosted by veteran New Zealand television personality, Phil Keoghan.
The series has won the first seven Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program awarded since the category was created in 2003. Although it has moved around several prime time time slots since its inception, the program has averaged about 10 million viewers per season.
The Amazing Race is a reality television competition, typically between eleven teams of two, in a race around the world. The race cycle is divided into a number of legs, normally twelve; each episode generally covers the events of one leg. Each leg ends with a Pit Stop, where teams are given a chance to rest and recover before starting the next leg twelve hours later. The first team to arrive at a Pit Stop is often awarded a prize such as a trip, while the last team is normally eliminated from the race. Some legs are non-elimination legs, where the last team to arrive may be penalized in the following leg. Some races have featured double-length legs, where there is no rest period at the Pit Stop and teams continue to race. The final leg of each race is run by the last three remaining teams, and the first to arrive at the final destination wins the show's price, one million dollars. The average length of each race is approximately 25 to 30 days.
During each leg, teams follow clues from Route Markers—boxes containing clue envelopes marked in the race's red, yellow, and white colors—to determine their next destination. Travel between destinations includes commercial and charted airplanes, boats, trains, taxis, buses, and rented vehicles provided by the show, or may have the teams simply travel by foot. Teams are required to pay for all expenses while traveling from a small stipend (on the order of one hundred dollars) given to them at the start of each leg. Any money left unspent can be used in future legs of the race. The only exception is air travel, where teams are given a credit card to purchase economy-class fares.
Clues may directly identify locations, or may contain more cryptic riddles such "Travel to the westernmost point in continental Europe" that teams must figure out. Clues may also describe a number of tasks that teams must complete before continuing to race. As such, teams are generally free and sometimes required to engage locals to help in any manner to decipher clues and complete tasks. Tasks are typically designed to highlight the local culture of the country they are in.
CSI: Miami Season 9 Episode 14: Stoned Cold
CSI: Miami Season 9 Episode 14 can be watched on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 10:00pm EST on WCBS (CBS) TV channel. Title of the brand new episode is: Stoned Cold. Synopsis of the episode is: The team suspects that a nerd is responsible for stoning to death a high-school bully.
CSI: Miami (Crime Scene Investigation: Miami) is an American police procedural television series, which premiered on September 23, 2002 on CBS. The series is a spin-off of the veteran series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
The pilot episode was first broadcast in United States on May 9, 2002 as an episode of CSI and nine seasons have been aired in the United States. The series is produced in partnership with the Canadian media company Alliance Atlantis and CBS Television Studios.
On May 19, 2010, CBS renewed the show for a ninth season and will now air on Sundays at 10:00 PM ET/PT. Also, the ninth season aired the 200th episode of this series.
CSI: Miami is filmed primarily in the United States. Indoor scenes are shot at Raleigh Manhattan Studios in Manhattan Beach, California.
The majority of all outdoor scenes are filmed in Long Beach, California, as well as portions of Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach.
Beach areas of Downtown Long Beach are often used for other outdoor scenes: Marina Green Park, Rainbow Lagoon Park. The newly constructed high-rise condos there give the pretense of being in Miami.
Very few location shots are filmed in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
The sculptured walkway paying tribute to the old Pike Roller Coaster can be seen in the background in the episodes "Wrecking Crew" and "Under The Influence." Footage from the Biscayne Courthouse, visible prominently in the episode "Recoil", among others, was filmed at the Water Garden Park in Santa Monica, at 34.028728,-118.471331.
Other locations of Long Beach are used such as the Naples district, where its canals and upscale homes with large boat docks and palm trees give a feel of Miami.
The building that's used in exterior shots of the Miami-Dade Police Department crime lab is actually the Federal Aviation Administration Federal Credit Union headquarters located at 14600 Aviation Boulevard, Hawthorne, California.
Inspired by the top-rated series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami follows a South Florida team of forensic investigators/police officers who use both cutting-edge scientific methods and old-fashioned police work to solve crimes. Horatio Caine heads the team of investigators while working crimes in the steamy tropical surroundings and cultural crossroads of Miami. Horatio's team probes cases similar to those of their Las Vegas counterparts, but the Miami CSI team are also police officers as well as forensic investigators.
Good Luck Charlie Season 1 Episode 29: Something's Fishy
Good Luck Charlie Season 1 Episode 29 can be watched on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 8:00pm EST on Disney Channel
Title of the brand new episode is: Something's Fishy. Synopsis of the episode is: Teddy is miserable after taking a job dressing as a sea creature.
Good Luck Charlie is an original Disney Channel television sitcom, which premiered April 4, 2010. The series was created by Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen, who wanted to create a program that would appeal to entire families, as opposed to children only. It revolves around a Denver family, the Duncans, as they try to adjust to the birth of their fourth child, Charlotte "Charlie" Duncan (Mia Talerico). In each episode, Teddy Duncan (Bridgit Mendler) creates a video diary containing advice for Charlie about their family and life as a teenager. Teddy tries to show Charlie what she might go through in the video diary so she can always know how to figure things out when she get's older.
Among other decisions, executives included adult-centric scenes and changed the series title from Oops to Love, Teddy and finally to Good Luck Charlie in order to ensure the series would appeal to all family members. Good Luck Charlie premiered on Disney Channel in the United States on April 4, 2010. It premiered in Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland on May 14, 2010, and in Australia and New Zealand on July 23, 2010.
Good Luck Charlie was renewed for a second season, with production beginning in August 2010 with a season premiere on February 20, 2011. A feature-length Christmas Disney Channel Original Movie based on the series will begin production in March 2011 for a winter 2011 premiere. Also announced for season two is a crossover episode with Shake It Up titled "Charlie It Up".
The series centers on the Duncan family, who are still adjusting to the birth of their fourth child, Charlie Duncan (Mia Talerico). When parents Amy (Leigh-Allyn Baker), a nurse, and Bob (Eric Allan Kramer), an exterminator, return to work, they ask their three older children — PJ (Jason Dolley), Teddy (Bridgit Mendler), and Gabe (Bradley Steven Perry) — for help raising their little sister. At the same time, Teddy, PJ, and Gabe try to deal with school and typical social challenges in their life.
The events of each episode become material for a video diary Teddy is making for her younger sister. Teddy hopes the videos will provide useful advice for Charlie after they have both grown up and Teddy has moved out. Also at the end of each video, she states, "Good luck Charlie."
Big Love Season 5 Episode 7: Til Death Do Us Part
Big Love Season 5 Episode 7 can be watched on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 9:00pm EST on HBO TV channel.
Title of the brand new episode is: Til Death Do Us Part. Synopsis of the episode is: Bill believes a wedding will help reseal his commitment to his wives; Nicki takes full advantage of her special day; Alby makes a power play; Lois resists Barb's vision of her future; Cara Lynn brings a guest to the theater; Heather changes her mind.
Big Love is an American television drama on HBO about a fictional fundamentalist Mormon family in Utah that practices polygamy. Big Love currently stars Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny, Ginnifer Goodwin, Douglas Smith, Grace Zabriskie, Mary Kay Place, Matt Ross, and Cassi Thomson.
The series premiered in the United States on March 12, 2006 following the sixth-season premiere of the HBO series The Sopranos. As of 2010, four seasons comprising 43 episodes have aired. HBO has announced the show will end after its fifth season, which started airing January 16, 2011.
The show was co-created by Mark Olsen and Will Scheffer, who also serve as executive producers. Olsen and Scheffer spent almost three years researching the premise of the show, with the intent of creating a fair portrayal of polygamy in America without being judgmental. The series' current theme song is "Home" by the band Engineers. During the first three seasons, "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys played during the opening titles. The musical score for the series is composed by Anton Sanko. Mark Mothersbaugh composed music for the first season, while David Byrne was in charge of music during the second season.
West Ham v Liverpool Premier League Match on Feb 27
Sweat and tears provided the catalyst for West Ham's unprecedented comeback at West Brom, and the Hammers must sustain that Olympian effort in their quest for survival.
The pressure to remain in the top flight is intensified by their proposed move to Stratford after the 2012 London Games. It looked as if West Ham would fold under the strain when they trailed 3-0 at fellow strugglers West Brom, but a heartfelt half-time rallying cry by captain Scott Parker inspired the team to claw back the deficit and move off the foot of the table.
While Parker could yet prove to be West Ham's miracle worker, Liverpool have most certainly found their own. They are unbeaten in their last eight matches under Kenny Dalglish, and European qualification is now an achievable prospect.
Nonetheless, Liverpool still have to play four of the sides above them. It's a tough-looking run of games for West Ham too - five of their next eight league fixtures are against teams currently in the top six.
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 27 February Kick-off: 1330 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 1 and highlights on Match of the Day 2; listen on BBC Radio 5 live, local radio and Absolute Radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles.
Thomas Hitzlsperger will make his first league appearance for West Ham, having scored on his debut in Monday's FA Cup win over Burnley.
Matthew Upson (Achilles) is unlikely to feature, and Victor Obinna might miss out with a foot problem.
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has played down suggestions that Andy Carroll will be fit to make his debut.
Steven Gerrard could return from a groin injury, but Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly are doubts.
West Ham
Doubtful: Obinna (foot)
Injured: Collison & Kurucz (both knee), Dyer (thigh), Keane (calf), Stanislas (hernia), Upson (Achilles)
Liverpool
Doubtful: Agger (unknown), Carroll (thigh), Gerrard (groin), Johnson (Achilles), Kelly (groin/thigh)
Injured: Aurelio (thigh), Shelvey (knee)
The pressure to remain in the top flight is intensified by their proposed move to Stratford after the 2012 London Games. It looked as if West Ham would fold under the strain when they trailed 3-0 at fellow strugglers West Brom, but a heartfelt half-time rallying cry by captain Scott Parker inspired the team to claw back the deficit and move off the foot of the table.
While Parker could yet prove to be West Ham's miracle worker, Liverpool have most certainly found their own. They are unbeaten in their last eight matches under Kenny Dalglish, and European qualification is now an achievable prospect.
Nonetheless, Liverpool still have to play four of the sides above them. It's a tough-looking run of games for West Ham too - five of their next eight league fixtures are against teams currently in the top six.
Venue: Upton Park Date: Sunday, 27 February Kick-off: 1330 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 1 and highlights on Match of the Day 2; listen on BBC Radio 5 live, local radio and Absolute Radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles.
Thomas Hitzlsperger will make his first league appearance for West Ham, having scored on his debut in Monday's FA Cup win over Burnley.
Matthew Upson (Achilles) is unlikely to feature, and Victor Obinna might miss out with a foot problem.
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has played down suggestions that Andy Carroll will be fit to make his debut.
Steven Gerrard could return from a groin injury, but Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly are doubts.
West Ham
Doubtful: Obinna (foot)
Injured: Collison & Kurucz (both knee), Dyer (thigh), Keane (calf), Stanislas (hernia), Upson (Achilles)
Liverpool
Doubtful: Agger (unknown), Carroll (thigh), Gerrard (groin), Johnson (Achilles), Kelly (groin/thigh)
Injured: Aurelio (thigh), Shelvey (knee)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Williams has double-double but loses Nets debut
AP, SAN ANTONIO: Deron Williams broke a huddle with "Go Jazz!"
He's kept a sense of humor since his stunning trade to New Jersey. And after his debut with the Nets, a 106-96 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, owner Mikhail Prokhorov began courting his new superstar to stick around in New Jersey beyond next season.
Prokhorov's sales pitch? It began by interrupting a Vancouver ski trip and flying to San Antonio to see his new All-Star point guard — the first time Prokhorov has traveled for a Nets road game.
"It was good to see him. It meant a lot," said Williams, who had 14 points and 12 assists.
Manu Ginobili had 26 points for the Spurs, who despite being the NBA's winningest team, spent the game overshadowed by the 17-win Nets with Williams playing his first NBA game in something other than a Jazz uniform.
Even the Spurs seemed eager to see Williams. Tony Parker, who had 13 points and 10 assists, took Williams to lunch before the game at an Italian restaurant. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who had Williams on his West best last weekend at the All-Star game, shared a few laughs with the two-time All-Star before tipoff.
"He looked really good calling plays and running the show," Ginobili said.
Williams was dealt by Utah on Wednesday in a blockbuster deal before the trade deadline that none saw coming. He went 5 for 13 and played 41 minutes, and helped the lowly Nets keep it interesting against the team with the league's best record.
"It was different at first. I wasn't really nervous or anything," Williams said. "It's just good to be back on the court. I'm excited for this opportunity and to play for these guys and coach (Avery) Johnson, and to make the most of it," Williams said.
Anthony Morrow led the Nets with 25 points.
The Nets led at halftime before the Spurs nearly doubled-up New Jersey in the third quarter, outscoring the Nets 35-18. DeJuan Blair and Tim Duncan finished with 17 points apiece for the Spurs, who pushed their home record to 27-2.
Johnson said before the game they'd have to "wing it" in the first game with Williams, who New Jersey wants to make the long-term face of their franchise. Williams has made no commitment beyond 2012, when he can opt out of his contract.
Williams met after the game with Prokhorov; he said the two will continue talking in London, where the Nets will play Toronto twice starting March 4.
"He was telling me how excited he was, and he wanted to see me in person," Williams said.
Prokhorov did not speak with reporters.
New Jersey shipped point guard Devin Harris, rookie forward Derrick Favors, the No. 3 pick overall in the draft; two first-round draft picks and $3 million in cash for Williams, who had spent all six of his NBA seasons with the Jazz.
The NBA's third-leading assist man didn't look as comfortable once the game started. Williams missed four of his first five shots and weathered the expected handful of broken plays, like a bounce pass Brook Lopez didn't see coming and skipped untouched to the scorer's table.
Williams headlined the 13th different Nets starting lineup, which also included rookie forward Damion James, who played for the first time since Dec. 9 after breaking his right foot.
James, making his second career start, finished with seven points and four rebounds in 20 minutes.
"We're a work in progress, but it's exciting with the possibilities of our future," Johnson said after the game.
The Spurs (48-10) moved within two wins of tying their number of victories from last year, during what is so far San Antonio's best regular season in franchise history.
Notes: Williams blamed his poor shooting on again tweaking a strained tendon in his wrist that has bothered him for weeks. ...Rookie Spurs F Gary Neal didn't play after feeling headaches and sensitivity to light following the morning shootaround. Neal banged his head hard on the baseline in Wednesday's win over Oklahoma City but still returned to finish that game ... The Nets haven't won in San Antonio since 2002 (nine games).
He's kept a sense of humor since his stunning trade to New Jersey. And after his debut with the Nets, a 106-96 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, owner Mikhail Prokhorov began courting his new superstar to stick around in New Jersey beyond next season.
Prokhorov's sales pitch? It began by interrupting a Vancouver ski trip and flying to San Antonio to see his new All-Star point guard — the first time Prokhorov has traveled for a Nets road game.
"It was good to see him. It meant a lot," said Williams, who had 14 points and 12 assists.
Manu Ginobili had 26 points for the Spurs, who despite being the NBA's winningest team, spent the game overshadowed by the 17-win Nets with Williams playing his first NBA game in something other than a Jazz uniform.
Even the Spurs seemed eager to see Williams. Tony Parker, who had 13 points and 10 assists, took Williams to lunch before the game at an Italian restaurant. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who had Williams on his West best last weekend at the All-Star game, shared a few laughs with the two-time All-Star before tipoff.
"He looked really good calling plays and running the show," Ginobili said.
Williams was dealt by Utah on Wednesday in a blockbuster deal before the trade deadline that none saw coming. He went 5 for 13 and played 41 minutes, and helped the lowly Nets keep it interesting against the team with the league's best record.
"It was different at first. I wasn't really nervous or anything," Williams said. "It's just good to be back on the court. I'm excited for this opportunity and to play for these guys and coach (Avery) Johnson, and to make the most of it," Williams said.
Anthony Morrow led the Nets with 25 points.
The Nets led at halftime before the Spurs nearly doubled-up New Jersey in the third quarter, outscoring the Nets 35-18. DeJuan Blair and Tim Duncan finished with 17 points apiece for the Spurs, who pushed their home record to 27-2.
Johnson said before the game they'd have to "wing it" in the first game with Williams, who New Jersey wants to make the long-term face of their franchise. Williams has made no commitment beyond 2012, when he can opt out of his contract.
Williams met after the game with Prokhorov; he said the two will continue talking in London, where the Nets will play Toronto twice starting March 4.
"He was telling me how excited he was, and he wanted to see me in person," Williams said.
Prokhorov did not speak with reporters.
New Jersey shipped point guard Devin Harris, rookie forward Derrick Favors, the No. 3 pick overall in the draft; two first-round draft picks and $3 million in cash for Williams, who had spent all six of his NBA seasons with the Jazz.
The NBA's third-leading assist man didn't look as comfortable once the game started. Williams missed four of his first five shots and weathered the expected handful of broken plays, like a bounce pass Brook Lopez didn't see coming and skipped untouched to the scorer's table.
Williams headlined the 13th different Nets starting lineup, which also included rookie forward Damion James, who played for the first time since Dec. 9 after breaking his right foot.
James, making his second career start, finished with seven points and four rebounds in 20 minutes.
"We're a work in progress, but it's exciting with the possibilities of our future," Johnson said after the game.
The Spurs (48-10) moved within two wins of tying their number of victories from last year, during what is so far San Antonio's best regular season in franchise history.
Notes: Williams blamed his poor shooting on again tweaking a strained tendon in his wrist that has bothered him for weeks. ...Rookie Spurs F Gary Neal didn't play after feeling headaches and sensitivity to light following the morning shootaround. Neal banged his head hard on the baseline in Wednesday's win over Oklahoma City but still returned to finish that game ... The Nets haven't won in San Antonio since 2002 (nine games).
Lakers rout Clippers with Kobe's 18-point quarter
AP, LOS ANGELES: Kobe Bryant scored 18 of his 24 points in the third quarter, Pau Gasol added 22 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers won their third game in four days out of the All-Star break, beating the weary Los Angeles Clippers 108-95 Friday night.
Andrew Bynum had 16 points and 11 rebounds in another breezy win for the Lakers, who had lost three straight before co-hosting the All-Star weekend with their cross-hallway rivals.
Bryant went to the locker room two minutes before halftime after hurting his right elbow. The All-Star game MVP returned with a monster third quarter, outscoring the Clippers all by himself.
Randy Foye scored 24 points while hitting five 3-pointers for the Clippers, who finally finished an 11-game road trip with nine losses.
Blake Griffin had 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Clippers wrapped up the longest road trip for any NBA team this season — a trip that's thought to be the second-longest in league history.
Clippers rookie Eric Bledsoe struggled in place of traded point guard Baron Davis, managing just eight points on 2-for-11 shooting and eight assists.
Griffin had another high-energy game in the same arena where he jumped over a car last weekend, but couldn't stop the two-time defending NBA champions from leaping past them in the second half.
Bryant went to the Lakers' bench grimacing after fouling Foye on a 3-point attempt with 3:03 left in the first half, and he went to the locker room after a brief chat with trainer Gary Vitti.
But Bryant led an 11-2 run in the third quarter with four jumpers, including a 3-pointer that put the Lakers up 76-62. Bryant was relentless, getting two more baskets in the final seconds and making a final dunk just after the buzzer sounded.
Bryant and Gasol took the fourth quarter off, getting plenty of rest for Sunday's road showdown with revamped Oklahoma City.
Bryant also got hit on his left hand while getting fouled by Foye in the first quarter. He has played through numerous hand injuries in recent years, including an arthritic finger that bothered him last season.
After spending most of the month away while the Grammys and the All-Stars occupied Staples Center, the Clippers will play their first home game since Feb. 2 on Saturday night — but it's against the Boston Celtics, giving them back-to-back games against both defending conference champions to cap a stretch of four games in five days after the break.
What's more, new Clippers Mo Williams and Jamario Moon were in the building, but they can't play until Davis takes his physical in Cleveland to complete Los Angeles' trade with the Cavaliers.
NOTES: The Lakers have won two of three against the Clippers. Their season series ends next month. ... Clippers G Eric Gordon said he hopes to play next week, but isn't certain when he'll suit up again. The 24.1-points-per-game scorer has been out since Jan. 25 with a sprained right wrist and a small broken bone in the same joint. ... The Clippers have won nine of their last 10 home games. ... Fans near courtside included Steve Carell, Heather Locklear, Dr. Drew Pinsky and director Adam McKay.
Andrew Bynum had 16 points and 11 rebounds in another breezy win for the Lakers, who had lost three straight before co-hosting the All-Star weekend with their cross-hallway rivals.
Bryant went to the locker room two minutes before halftime after hurting his right elbow. The All-Star game MVP returned with a monster third quarter, outscoring the Clippers all by himself.
Randy Foye scored 24 points while hitting five 3-pointers for the Clippers, who finally finished an 11-game road trip with nine losses.
Blake Griffin had 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Clippers wrapped up the longest road trip for any NBA team this season — a trip that's thought to be the second-longest in league history.
Clippers rookie Eric Bledsoe struggled in place of traded point guard Baron Davis, managing just eight points on 2-for-11 shooting and eight assists.
Griffin had another high-energy game in the same arena where he jumped over a car last weekend, but couldn't stop the two-time defending NBA champions from leaping past them in the second half.
Bryant went to the Lakers' bench grimacing after fouling Foye on a 3-point attempt with 3:03 left in the first half, and he went to the locker room after a brief chat with trainer Gary Vitti.
But Bryant led an 11-2 run in the third quarter with four jumpers, including a 3-pointer that put the Lakers up 76-62. Bryant was relentless, getting two more baskets in the final seconds and making a final dunk just after the buzzer sounded.
Bryant and Gasol took the fourth quarter off, getting plenty of rest for Sunday's road showdown with revamped Oklahoma City.
Bryant also got hit on his left hand while getting fouled by Foye in the first quarter. He has played through numerous hand injuries in recent years, including an arthritic finger that bothered him last season.
After spending most of the month away while the Grammys and the All-Stars occupied Staples Center, the Clippers will play their first home game since Feb. 2 on Saturday night — but it's against the Boston Celtics, giving them back-to-back games against both defending conference champions to cap a stretch of four games in five days after the break.
What's more, new Clippers Mo Williams and Jamario Moon were in the building, but they can't play until Davis takes his physical in Cleveland to complete Los Angeles' trade with the Cavaliers.
NOTES: The Lakers have won two of three against the Clippers. Their season series ends next month. ... Clippers G Eric Gordon said he hopes to play next week, but isn't certain when he'll suit up again. The 24.1-points-per-game scorer has been out since Jan. 25 with a sprained right wrist and a small broken bone in the same joint. ... The Clippers have won nine of their last 10 home games. ... Fans near courtside included Steve Carell, Heather Locklear, Dr. Drew Pinsky and director Adam McKay.
Howard, Magic silence Thunder in blowout
Reuters, ORLANDO, Florida: Dwight Howard was dominant in leading the Orlando Magic to an easy 111-88 win over an undermanned Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
"There's got to be a consistency to what we do," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. "We've got to try to be that team every night."
Despite shooting just 36 percent through the first three quarters, the Thunder trailed by only 10 points on the strength of Kevin Durant's 20 points.
The Magic held Durant to three points in the final period to finally pull away.
"Their defense was smothering," Thunder coach Scott Brooks admitted. "They made us take tough shots and it seemed like every shot was contested."
The Thunder were without Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson, who were acquired from the Boston Celtics, as well as Nazr Mohammed from Charlotte, and were unable to keep pace with the Magic in the fourth quarter.
Howard tied a season high with 40 points, 10 in each quarter, while pulling down 15 rebounds and blocking six shots.
"I actually left him in to get 40," Van Gundy added. "It may be the first time I've ever done that, but he was so close and I said we'll give him one more possession."
Jason Richardson hit five three pointers and scored 17 points for the Magic and J.J. Redick scored 16 points off the bench including nine points in the fourth quarter.
Russell Westbrook scored 18 points for the Thunder and James Harden added 17.
"There's got to be a consistency to what we do," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. "We've got to try to be that team every night."
Despite shooting just 36 percent through the first three quarters, the Thunder trailed by only 10 points on the strength of Kevin Durant's 20 points.
The Magic held Durant to three points in the final period to finally pull away.
"Their defense was smothering," Thunder coach Scott Brooks admitted. "They made us take tough shots and it seemed like every shot was contested."
The Thunder were without Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson, who were acquired from the Boston Celtics, as well as Nazr Mohammed from Charlotte, and were unable to keep pace with the Magic in the fourth quarter.
Howard tied a season high with 40 points, 10 in each quarter, while pulling down 15 rebounds and blocking six shots.
"I actually left him in to get 40," Van Gundy added. "It may be the first time I've ever done that, but he was so close and I said we'll give him one more possession."
Jason Richardson hit five three pointers and scored 17 points for the Magic and J.J. Redick scored 16 points off the bench including nine points in the fourth quarter.
Russell Westbrook scored 18 points for the Thunder and James Harden added 17.
Smith leads Atlanta past Golden State 95-79
AP, OAKLAND, Calif: Josh Smith scored 26 points, Al Horford had 22 points and 12 rebounds and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Golden State Warriors 95-79 on Friday night.
Joe Johnson added 12 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Hawks (35-23), who snapped a three-game losing streak and won for the first time since the All-Star break.
David Lee had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Monta Ellis scored 16 for Golden State (26-31).
Atlanta was mired in one of its biggest slumps of the season and had fallen eight games behind Miami in the Southeast Division. Coach Larry Drew criticized his team's shot selection during the slump but it wasn't an issue against Golden State.
The Hawks shot nearly 48 percent from the floor (40 of 84), outrebounded the Warriors 49-34 and led by as much as 29 while winning for the first time since Feb. 14. Atlanta had dropped five of six overall.
Three days after scoring just 33 points in the second half against Boston, Golden State shot poorly, committed 16 turnovers and looked out of sync all night in its final home game before a seven-game road trip.
Atlanta built a 29-point lead in the third quarter then cruised the rest of the way while handing Golden State its second straight lopsided loss at home. Fans poured out of the arena with more than 8 minutes left and the Warriors trailing 85-62.
The Hawks remained 1 1/2 games back of Orlando for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Magic beat Oklahoma City 111-88 on Friday night.
The Warriors still cling to their own postseason hopes but they definitely didn't play like it.
The Hawks nearly turned the game into a blowout before halftime, building a 19-point lead early in the second quarter. But Ellis, held to 15 points in a 115-93 loss to Boston on Tuesday, kept Golden State afloat with 10 straight points, including a pair of free throws that helped the Warriors close to 40-31.
Not much went right for Golden State after that.
Johnson scored on an up-and-under move, then fed Marvin Williams down low for an easy bucket. He also picked the ball from Stephen Curry in the final seconds and raced downcourt for a layup just before the buzzer to give the Hawks a 55-35 halftime lead.
Things were going so well for Atlanta that newcomer Kirk Hinrich made a 3-pointer in the second quarter less than five seconds after checking into his first game for the Hawks. Hinrich arrived as part of a five-player trade with Washington on Wednesday.
NOTES: The Warriors re-signed F Jeff Adrien to a 10-day contract. Adrien, who appeared in 15 games for Golden State earlier this season, had been in the NBA Development League. The move comes after the Warriors traded F Brandan Wright and C Dan Gadzuric to New Jersey earlier this week for Troy Murphy and a second-round pick. ... The Hawks have won three straight overall against Golden State. ... The Warriors honored members of their 1974-75 NBA championship team during halftime.
Joe Johnson added 12 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Hawks (35-23), who snapped a three-game losing streak and won for the first time since the All-Star break.
David Lee had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Monta Ellis scored 16 for Golden State (26-31).
Atlanta was mired in one of its biggest slumps of the season and had fallen eight games behind Miami in the Southeast Division. Coach Larry Drew criticized his team's shot selection during the slump but it wasn't an issue against Golden State.
The Hawks shot nearly 48 percent from the floor (40 of 84), outrebounded the Warriors 49-34 and led by as much as 29 while winning for the first time since Feb. 14. Atlanta had dropped five of six overall.
Three days after scoring just 33 points in the second half against Boston, Golden State shot poorly, committed 16 turnovers and looked out of sync all night in its final home game before a seven-game road trip.
Atlanta built a 29-point lead in the third quarter then cruised the rest of the way while handing Golden State its second straight lopsided loss at home. Fans poured out of the arena with more than 8 minutes left and the Warriors trailing 85-62.
The Hawks remained 1 1/2 games back of Orlando for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Magic beat Oklahoma City 111-88 on Friday night.
The Warriors still cling to their own postseason hopes but they definitely didn't play like it.
The Hawks nearly turned the game into a blowout before halftime, building a 19-point lead early in the second quarter. But Ellis, held to 15 points in a 115-93 loss to Boston on Tuesday, kept Golden State afloat with 10 straight points, including a pair of free throws that helped the Warriors close to 40-31.
Not much went right for Golden State after that.
Johnson scored on an up-and-under move, then fed Marvin Williams down low for an easy bucket. He also picked the ball from Stephen Curry in the final seconds and raced downcourt for a layup just before the buzzer to give the Hawks a 55-35 halftime lead.
Things were going so well for Atlanta that newcomer Kirk Hinrich made a 3-pointer in the second quarter less than five seconds after checking into his first game for the Hawks. Hinrich arrived as part of a five-player trade with Washington on Wednesday.
NOTES: The Warriors re-signed F Jeff Adrien to a 10-day contract. Adrien, who appeared in 15 games for Golden State earlier this season, had been in the NBA Development League. The move comes after the Warriors traded F Brandan Wright and C Dan Gadzuric to New Jersey earlier this week for Troy Murphy and a second-round pick. ... The Hawks have won three straight overall against Golden State. ... The Warriors honored members of their 1974-75 NBA championship team during halftime.
Blazers beat Nuggets 107-106 in OT
AP, PORTLAND, Ore: LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 14 rebounds, Brandon Roy hit the tying 3-pointer with 5.8 seconds left in regulation, and the short-handed Portland Trail Blazers beat the Denver Nuggets 107-106 in overtime on Friday night.
Roy added 18 points in just his second game since coming back from arthroscopic surgery on both knees. He was supposed to be limited to 15 minutes but played 25, as new acquisition Gerald Wallace was not yet available.
Newcomer Danilo Gallinari led the Nuggets with 30 points and nine rebounds.
Wesley Matthews' 3-pointer gave the Blazers a 100-97 lead in the extra period, but Arron Afflalo's 3-pointer tied it at 104.
Afflalo's 12-foot jumper gave Denver the lead with a minute left. After Matthews missed one of two free throws, Aldridge hit a pair to put Portland up 107-106 with 23 seconds left.
Gallinari missed a 3-pointer and Afflalo missed another on an inbound at the buzzer to give the Blazers the victory.
The Nuggets had an 11-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but Portland closed to 80-78 on Matthews' follow shot with just under six minutes to go. Wilson Chandler answered with a 3-pointer for Denver and Raymond Felton added a jumper to thwart the threat.
The Blazers pulled within 91-88 on Roy's layup, but Afflalo's 3-pointer made it 94-88. Roy added a 3 with 39 seconds left to make it 94-91.
After Felton's jumper, Rudy Fernandez hit a 3-pointer to keep the Blazers close. Gallinari made a pair of free throws before Roy hit another clutch three to tie it at 97 with 5.8 seconds to go and send the game to overtime.
Both teams were getting used to some major moves before the trade deadline.
The Nuggets are integrating five new players after sending All-Star Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to the New York Knicks. The new group was coming off an 89-75 victory over the Boston Celtics in Denver on Thursday night.
Chandler got his first start with Denver against the Blazers because Kenyon Martin had the flu and did not make the trip.
Before the game, the Blazers introduced Wallace, acquired in a trade Thursday with Charlotte. The Blazers sent centers Przybilla and Sean Marks, forward Dante Cunningham and two conditional first-round draft picks to the Bobcats.
The move left the Blazers thin at center while Marcus Camby rehabs from knee surgery. Coach Nate McMillan said the team would experiment in the interim, sliding Aldridge or even Nicolas Batum over to center.
Camby could be back as early as Sunday night's game against Atlanta.
But as a result, the Blazers had just nine available players.
Portland led by as many as eight points early in the game, but Chandler's 3-pointer pulled the Nuggets into a tie at 32 midway through the second quarter.
Denver was never able to pull in front, and Roy's driving layup closed out the first half with the Blazers in front 49-39.
The Nuggets finally took a 61-60 lead in the third quarter on Afflalo's fast-break layup, then extended it on Chandler's layup. Denver went up 76-67 early in the fourth on Al Harrington's driving dunk.
The Blazers were coming off a 106-101 loss in overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Portland had won six straight heading into the game against the two-time defending NBA champions.
Notes: Wallace watched the game from the bench, sitting next to injured Blazers center Greg Oden. When he was shown on the video scoreboard during the game to a rousing ovation, Wallace nodded. .. James Collier, 23, of Portland, wearing a Batum jersey, hit a half-court shot during a break in the first half to win a new Toyota. It was the first half-court shot for a car since the 2006-07 season. ... Olympian Dominque Dawes was among those attending the game.
Roy added 18 points in just his second game since coming back from arthroscopic surgery on both knees. He was supposed to be limited to 15 minutes but played 25, as new acquisition Gerald Wallace was not yet available.
Newcomer Danilo Gallinari led the Nuggets with 30 points and nine rebounds.
Wesley Matthews' 3-pointer gave the Blazers a 100-97 lead in the extra period, but Arron Afflalo's 3-pointer tied it at 104.
Afflalo's 12-foot jumper gave Denver the lead with a minute left. After Matthews missed one of two free throws, Aldridge hit a pair to put Portland up 107-106 with 23 seconds left.
Gallinari missed a 3-pointer and Afflalo missed another on an inbound at the buzzer to give the Blazers the victory.
The Nuggets had an 11-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but Portland closed to 80-78 on Matthews' follow shot with just under six minutes to go. Wilson Chandler answered with a 3-pointer for Denver and Raymond Felton added a jumper to thwart the threat.
The Blazers pulled within 91-88 on Roy's layup, but Afflalo's 3-pointer made it 94-88. Roy added a 3 with 39 seconds left to make it 94-91.
After Felton's jumper, Rudy Fernandez hit a 3-pointer to keep the Blazers close. Gallinari made a pair of free throws before Roy hit another clutch three to tie it at 97 with 5.8 seconds to go and send the game to overtime.
Both teams were getting used to some major moves before the trade deadline.
The Nuggets are integrating five new players after sending All-Star Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to the New York Knicks. The new group was coming off an 89-75 victory over the Boston Celtics in Denver on Thursday night.
Chandler got his first start with Denver against the Blazers because Kenyon Martin had the flu and did not make the trip.
Before the game, the Blazers introduced Wallace, acquired in a trade Thursday with Charlotte. The Blazers sent centers Przybilla and Sean Marks, forward Dante Cunningham and two conditional first-round draft picks to the Bobcats.
The move left the Blazers thin at center while Marcus Camby rehabs from knee surgery. Coach Nate McMillan said the team would experiment in the interim, sliding Aldridge or even Nicolas Batum over to center.
Camby could be back as early as Sunday night's game against Atlanta.
But as a result, the Blazers had just nine available players.
Portland led by as many as eight points early in the game, but Chandler's 3-pointer pulled the Nuggets into a tie at 32 midway through the second quarter.
Denver was never able to pull in front, and Roy's driving layup closed out the first half with the Blazers in front 49-39.
The Nuggets finally took a 61-60 lead in the third quarter on Afflalo's fast-break layup, then extended it on Chandler's layup. Denver went up 76-67 early in the fourth on Al Harrington's driving dunk.
The Blazers were coming off a 106-101 loss in overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Portland had won six straight heading into the game against the two-time defending NBA champions.
Notes: Wallace watched the game from the bench, sitting next to injured Blazers center Greg Oden. When he was shown on the video scoreboard during the game to a rousing ovation, Wallace nodded. .. James Collier, 23, of Portland, wearing a Batum jersey, hit a half-court shot during a break in the first half to win a new Toyota. It was the first half-court shot for a car since the 2006-07 season. ... Olympian Dominque Dawes was among those attending the game.
Bobcats' Jordan defends trade, reassures Przybilla
AP, CHARLOTTE, N.C: Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan was busy on Saturday defending his decision to trade Gerald Wallace and playing a major role in getting a reluctant Joel Przybilla comfortable with his new boss.
In a brief interview with The Associated Press, Jordan said "I love the trade" that sent the former All-Star Wallace to Portland. While the backup center Przybilla was the only likely rotation player Charlotte got in return, Jordan says it gives his club "flexibility" to make future moves because they acquired two first-round picks and cleared salary-cap space.
"I think it's one of the best trades," Jordan said.
Jordan said he's not content with jockeying for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. He believes the deal puts the franchise in better shape ahead of perhaps a lower payroll ceiling in the next labor deal as he tries to build a contender.
"We're all right," Jordan said as he left the practice floor. "I like where we are."
In the short term, the Bobcats must replace Wallace, who was their second leading scorer, and backup center Nazr Mohammed, who was traded to Oklahoma City in a separate deal Thursday.
That's where the 7-foot-1 Przybilla comes in. He took a red eye flight from Portland early Saturday unsure if he'd be in Charlotte long. He thought he might be bought or released.
"They traded away an All-Star, and I'm an expiring contract," Przybilla said. "I didn't know what to expect."
Przybilla, who passed his physical despite concerns over his surgically repaired right knee, met with Jordan and coach Paul Silas.
"They were honest with me and told me they wanted me here," the 31-year-old Przybilla said. "That means a lot, especially coming from Michael Jordan. He looked me in the eye and told me this. I've never, to be honest, had a general manager tell me that."
Przybilla acknowledged his knee is still not 100 percent after twice tearing his patella tendon in the past year. He played in his first game Dec. 3 and was averaging just 1.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in just over 14 minutes a game with the Trail Blazers.
With the Bobcats, his minutes will likely increase significantly as he backs up starter Kwame Brown.
"I probably won't be 100 percent for another couple of years maybe," Przybilla said. "But every time I'm out there I'm going to give it everything I've got. If he wants me to play 40 minutes, 2 minutes, I just want to win."
Concerned over how much Przybilla will be able to play, general manager Rod Higgins said they're reconsidering their decision to waive center Sean Marks, also acquired in the Portland trade.
Przybilla and fellow newcomers D.J. White and Dante Cunningham were in Charlotte on Saturday. They join a team that lost a key player but also sat just a half game behind Indiana for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Jordan is eyeing something bigger down the road.
"We don't want to be the seventh or eighth seed," he said.
In a brief interview with The Associated Press, Jordan said "I love the trade" that sent the former All-Star Wallace to Portland. While the backup center Przybilla was the only likely rotation player Charlotte got in return, Jordan says it gives his club "flexibility" to make future moves because they acquired two first-round picks and cleared salary-cap space.
"I think it's one of the best trades," Jordan said.
Jordan said he's not content with jockeying for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. He believes the deal puts the franchise in better shape ahead of perhaps a lower payroll ceiling in the next labor deal as he tries to build a contender.
"We're all right," Jordan said as he left the practice floor. "I like where we are."
In the short term, the Bobcats must replace Wallace, who was their second leading scorer, and backup center Nazr Mohammed, who was traded to Oklahoma City in a separate deal Thursday.
That's where the 7-foot-1 Przybilla comes in. He took a red eye flight from Portland early Saturday unsure if he'd be in Charlotte long. He thought he might be bought or released.
"They traded away an All-Star, and I'm an expiring contract," Przybilla said. "I didn't know what to expect."
Przybilla, who passed his physical despite concerns over his surgically repaired right knee, met with Jordan and coach Paul Silas.
"They were honest with me and told me they wanted me here," the 31-year-old Przybilla said. "That means a lot, especially coming from Michael Jordan. He looked me in the eye and told me this. I've never, to be honest, had a general manager tell me that."
Przybilla acknowledged his knee is still not 100 percent after twice tearing his patella tendon in the past year. He played in his first game Dec. 3 and was averaging just 1.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in just over 14 minutes a game with the Trail Blazers.
With the Bobcats, his minutes will likely increase significantly as he backs up starter Kwame Brown.
"I probably won't be 100 percent for another couple of years maybe," Przybilla said. "But every time I'm out there I'm going to give it everything I've got. If he wants me to play 40 minutes, 2 minutes, I just want to win."
Concerned over how much Przybilla will be able to play, general manager Rod Higgins said they're reconsidering their decision to waive center Sean Marks, also acquired in the Portland trade.
Przybilla and fellow newcomers D.J. White and Dante Cunningham were in Charlotte on Saturday. They join a team that lost a key player but also sat just a half game behind Indiana for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Jordan is eyeing something bigger down the road.
"We don't want to be the seventh or eighth seed," he said.
Knicks' Anthony says he'll play against Heat
AP, MIAMI: Carmelo Anthony took some easy shots about 12 feet from the basket Saturday afternoon, swishing just about every attempt.
All were left-handed — a clear sign that the New York Knicks' newly acquired star was having plenty of distress in his right elbow again.
Regardless, Anthony said he would "without a doubt" be in the lineup Sunday night when the Knicks visit LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat in a game that has all the makings of being far from another ordinary part of the NBA's marathon regular season.
Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said Anthony told him the elbow pain, which flared up in New York's loss at Cleveland on Friday night, stemmed from a lingering bursa sac problem. Anthony went through New York's practice in Miami, which started about 13 hours after the loss to the Cavaliers.
"He should be fine," D'Antoni said. "He didn't take a whole lot of shots, let's put it that way, but he ran through everything. Most of the things we did was try to get our defense on the same page."
Anthony had his right elbow in a protective sleeve, like the one he's been wearing on his left arm. He said he doesn't plan on being 100 percent for a couple of weeks, but noted that since the Knicks have 26 games remaining before the postseason, there's little time for him to wait around.
They need to start clicking as soon as possible, he said — and finding a way to handle the likes of Wade and James in Miami would be a good start.
"For us, it should be a statement game to come out here and want to beat this team ... just make a statement right now going down the stretch," Anthony said. "I'm pretty sure it's going to be an exciting game."
Knicks-Heat games always seem that way.
It was a major rivalry a decade or so ago, after Miami played New York four straight times in the playoffs from 1997 to 2000. Each of those series went to a deciding game, and the Knicks won three of them — all on the Heat home floor.
Sunday night may easily rekindle some of that Heat-Knicks bad blood.
"We know the Heat-Knicks rivalry goes way beyond our years," James said. "It basically started with the departure of the man upstairs, coming down here and leaving New York."
The man upstairs, as James put it, is Heat president Pat Riley — who left the Knicks for Miami a decade-and-a-half ago and instantly became someone New York loved to hate.
He'll be low profile on Sunday, but the atmosphere should still be electric.
"It's going to be great. It's going to be great," Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire said. "There's a lot of New Yorkers here in Miami, proud of the Knicks. It's going to be fun to play."
New Yorkers, transplants in South Florida or otherwise, always show up for games at Miami. Tickets for Sunday were going for as much as $2,500 in the lower levels on the online fan-to-fan marketplace StubHub.com, and that doesn't even include the $9,000 asking price for some courtside spots.
"Since I've been here, the New York Knicks have always gotten cheers in the Miami Heat arena," Wade said. "I'm sure both sides will get some cheers. Everybody will be coming out to see the game."
The Knicks practiced for nearly two hours on Saturday, which constitutes a long workout by NBA standards this late in the season, especially the night after a road game followed by another couple hours of travel.
Trading for Anthony and Chauncey Billups created a significant challenge for the Knicks. They got much better, but the process of becoming a cohesive unit in time for the playoffs needs to be fast-tracked.
"This is not going to happen in the next week or the next two weeks," Anthony said. "Let's just face it. That's reality. It took everybody who made moves like this a period of time to come together and get right on the same page.
"We know that, but still, we can't just say, 'That's going to happen.' We've got to go for it right now."
All were left-handed — a clear sign that the New York Knicks' newly acquired star was having plenty of distress in his right elbow again.
Regardless, Anthony said he would "without a doubt" be in the lineup Sunday night when the Knicks visit LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat in a game that has all the makings of being far from another ordinary part of the NBA's marathon regular season.
Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said Anthony told him the elbow pain, which flared up in New York's loss at Cleveland on Friday night, stemmed from a lingering bursa sac problem. Anthony went through New York's practice in Miami, which started about 13 hours after the loss to the Cavaliers.
"He should be fine," D'Antoni said. "He didn't take a whole lot of shots, let's put it that way, but he ran through everything. Most of the things we did was try to get our defense on the same page."
Anthony had his right elbow in a protective sleeve, like the one he's been wearing on his left arm. He said he doesn't plan on being 100 percent for a couple of weeks, but noted that since the Knicks have 26 games remaining before the postseason, there's little time for him to wait around.
They need to start clicking as soon as possible, he said — and finding a way to handle the likes of Wade and James in Miami would be a good start.
"For us, it should be a statement game to come out here and want to beat this team ... just make a statement right now going down the stretch," Anthony said. "I'm pretty sure it's going to be an exciting game."
Knicks-Heat games always seem that way.
It was a major rivalry a decade or so ago, after Miami played New York four straight times in the playoffs from 1997 to 2000. Each of those series went to a deciding game, and the Knicks won three of them — all on the Heat home floor.
Sunday night may easily rekindle some of that Heat-Knicks bad blood.
"We know the Heat-Knicks rivalry goes way beyond our years," James said. "It basically started with the departure of the man upstairs, coming down here and leaving New York."
The man upstairs, as James put it, is Heat president Pat Riley — who left the Knicks for Miami a decade-and-a-half ago and instantly became someone New York loved to hate.
He'll be low profile on Sunday, but the atmosphere should still be electric.
"It's going to be great. It's going to be great," Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire said. "There's a lot of New Yorkers here in Miami, proud of the Knicks. It's going to be fun to play."
New Yorkers, transplants in South Florida or otherwise, always show up for games at Miami. Tickets for Sunday were going for as much as $2,500 in the lower levels on the online fan-to-fan marketplace StubHub.com, and that doesn't even include the $9,000 asking price for some courtside spots.
"Since I've been here, the New York Knicks have always gotten cheers in the Miami Heat arena," Wade said. "I'm sure both sides will get some cheers. Everybody will be coming out to see the game."
The Knicks practiced for nearly two hours on Saturday, which constitutes a long workout by NBA standards this late in the season, especially the night after a road game followed by another couple hours of travel.
Trading for Anthony and Chauncey Billups created a significant challenge for the Knicks. They got much better, but the process of becoming a cohesive unit in time for the playoffs needs to be fast-tracked.
"This is not going to happen in the next week or the next two weeks," Anthony said. "Let's just face it. That's reality. It took everybody who made moves like this a period of time to come together and get right on the same page.
"We know that, but still, we can't just say, 'That's going to happen.' We've got to go for it right now."
Span will get more days off in 2011
AP, FORT MYERS, Fla: Denard Span played a career-high 153 games in 2010 for the Minnesota Twins — nine too few for the centerfielder and probably about 10 too many for manager Ron Gardenhire.
Without a suitable backup in center field or at the top of the order for Span, Gardenhire was forced to trot him out there day after day as the Twins chased their sixth AL Central title in nine seasons.
Span finished the season hitting .264 — 47 points lower than 2010 — and Gardenhire said it was clear that Span got tired. He hit .236 in September with three home runs and a .331 on-base percentage.
"He wore down at the end of the season," Gardenhire said. "He had a lot of at-bats. He takes a lot of pitches. He does a lot of things for his teammates. He puts himself in the hole so his teammates can see pitches. He does his job. Now it's my job to make sure we rest him a little bit more and give him the breaks he needs to get the best out of him."
He has more options at his disposal this season. Fourth outfielder Jason Repko is with the Twins from the beginning this season. He started 2010 in Triple-A after signing with the Twins and wasn't called up until June.
Repko also played the last two months of the season with a torn ligament in his left thumb, limiting his production at the plate and requiring surgery in the offseason. Now Repko, a very good defensive player, is healthy and available to play more in center field.
"Coming in last year, not really knowing a lot of guys, it was just different having to adjust and get to know people, know the staff and the coaches and the manager," Repko said. "But coming into spring training this year, it feels great."
When the light-hitting Repko is in center field, Gardenhire likely will use one of his two speedy middle infielders — Tsuyoshi Nishioka or Alexi Casilla — in the leadoff spot. The increased lineup flexibility this season is another reason Gardenhire can afford to give Span some more rest.
"I have no problem leading off Nishi, leading off Lexi," Gardenhire said. "They all take pitches. That gives me a little more options with speed at the top of the lineup and a little more maneuverability with my lineup where I can change guys around a little bit.
"Last year I just didn't have it. I didn't have a leadoff guy without Span there."
Span, of course, doesn't think he needs any rest. He wants to be in the lineup as much as possible.
"I pride myself on being an everyday player and I take that to heart," Span said. "Playing 162 games, everybody's going to be nicked up. The good players find a way to play through those little injuries. That's the type of player I want to be and be remembered for."
Spoken like a player who spent nearly six years in the minors before finally breaking through in 2008. It's been a long, slow, and sometimes frustrating climb up the ladder for Span. He signed a five-year, $16.5 million contract before last season and is determined to be in the lineup as much as possible.
He spent some time this offseason making a few minor adjustments to his swing, focusing on bringing his hands back at the start to get his timing corrected.
"This year I'm just focused on putting everything that happened last year behind me," Span said. "I learned a lot from last year and I think I'm going to be a better player because of it."
Repko knows his role as well. He's a defensive wizard who can play all three outfield spots and has one of the best arms on the team. But he's also a career .227 hitter who knows he has to be better offensively if he's going to be a regular contributor on a team that is going for its third straight division title.
"I'd love to say my offense is right there, but when you look at the numbers, it just doesn't look like it," he said. "I think, given a chance, they could be. But I've always taken pride in defense and just get out there and work hard and try to help the team win."
Gardenhire has always put defense first, and he loves Repko's tools and his mindset. Now he's hoping that a healthy thumb will get his bat going as well.
"He's a gamer, our kind of player," Gardenhire said. "He's healthy now, and I think he'll be a better offensive player for that. He's a really good outfielder and a good guy to have on your ballclub. He's a perfect fit."
Without a suitable backup in center field or at the top of the order for Span, Gardenhire was forced to trot him out there day after day as the Twins chased their sixth AL Central title in nine seasons.
Span finished the season hitting .264 — 47 points lower than 2010 — and Gardenhire said it was clear that Span got tired. He hit .236 in September with three home runs and a .331 on-base percentage.
"He wore down at the end of the season," Gardenhire said. "He had a lot of at-bats. He takes a lot of pitches. He does a lot of things for his teammates. He puts himself in the hole so his teammates can see pitches. He does his job. Now it's my job to make sure we rest him a little bit more and give him the breaks he needs to get the best out of him."
He has more options at his disposal this season. Fourth outfielder Jason Repko is with the Twins from the beginning this season. He started 2010 in Triple-A after signing with the Twins and wasn't called up until June.
Repko also played the last two months of the season with a torn ligament in his left thumb, limiting his production at the plate and requiring surgery in the offseason. Now Repko, a very good defensive player, is healthy and available to play more in center field.
"Coming in last year, not really knowing a lot of guys, it was just different having to adjust and get to know people, know the staff and the coaches and the manager," Repko said. "But coming into spring training this year, it feels great."
When the light-hitting Repko is in center field, Gardenhire likely will use one of his two speedy middle infielders — Tsuyoshi Nishioka or Alexi Casilla — in the leadoff spot. The increased lineup flexibility this season is another reason Gardenhire can afford to give Span some more rest.
"I have no problem leading off Nishi, leading off Lexi," Gardenhire said. "They all take pitches. That gives me a little more options with speed at the top of the lineup and a little more maneuverability with my lineup where I can change guys around a little bit.
"Last year I just didn't have it. I didn't have a leadoff guy without Span there."
Span, of course, doesn't think he needs any rest. He wants to be in the lineup as much as possible.
"I pride myself on being an everyday player and I take that to heart," Span said. "Playing 162 games, everybody's going to be nicked up. The good players find a way to play through those little injuries. That's the type of player I want to be and be remembered for."
Spoken like a player who spent nearly six years in the minors before finally breaking through in 2008. It's been a long, slow, and sometimes frustrating climb up the ladder for Span. He signed a five-year, $16.5 million contract before last season and is determined to be in the lineup as much as possible.
He spent some time this offseason making a few minor adjustments to his swing, focusing on bringing his hands back at the start to get his timing corrected.
"This year I'm just focused on putting everything that happened last year behind me," Span said. "I learned a lot from last year and I think I'm going to be a better player because of it."
Repko knows his role as well. He's a defensive wizard who can play all three outfield spots and has one of the best arms on the team. But he's also a career .227 hitter who knows he has to be better offensively if he's going to be a regular contributor on a team that is going for its third straight division title.
"I'd love to say my offense is right there, but when you look at the numbers, it just doesn't look like it," he said. "I think, given a chance, they could be. But I've always taken pride in defense and just get out there and work hard and try to help the team win."
Gardenhire has always put defense first, and he loves Repko's tools and his mindset. Now he's hoping that a healthy thumb will get his bat going as well.
"He's a gamer, our kind of player," Gardenhire said. "He's healthy now, and I think he'll be a better offensive player for that. He's a really good outfielder and a good guy to have on your ballclub. He's a perfect fit."
Blake DeWitt getting acclimated with Cubs
AP, MESA, Ariz: Blake DeWitt reserves his mornings before workouts for crossword puzzles. It's been that way for a couple of years.
"Doing them just to do them," the Chicago Cubs infielder said. "Kind of getting into the routine of doing one every day."
No surprise there. DeWitt is trying to get acclimated in his first spring training with the Cubs. Chicago acquired DeWitt from the Los Angeles Dodgers for second baseman Ryan Theriot and pitcher Ted Lilly. DeWitt was caught by surprise when informed he'd been dealt, but said he "had a lot of fun with it."
DeWitt is expected to platoon with Jeff Baker this season with DeWitt seeing the majority of action against left-handers.
"It's just different. Hard to explain," DeWitt said. "I'd been with one team forever, not that it was that long, but that's the only team I knew."
DeWitt's rise to a prominent role with the Dodgers came quickly. The 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2004 draft, he was rushed to a big league role in 2008 because of injuries.
He was the opening-day starter at third base even though he never played above Double-A. DeWitt shuttled back and forth between the Dodgers and Triple-A Las Vegas, then Albuquerque, in 2008 and '09, before becoming the Dodgers' starting second baseman in 2010.
"I like second better because you're just more involved," DeWitt said. "There's still a lot of work to do."
In 2010, DeWitt's hit .270 in 82 games for the Dodgers with only seven errors and hit .250 with 22 RBIs in 53 games for the Cubs.
DeWitt, who has adjusted his approach at the plate with Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, will start at second base and bat eighth in the Cubs' first game of spring training Sunday.
"I'd love to see him working the middle of the field," manager Mike Quade said of DeWitt. "He looked to me when we first got him a little pull-happy in his approach, which more times than not, may allow him to drive the ball out of the ballpark. but his average will suffer. I'd like to see him use the whole field."
Heading into his second full season in the majors, DeWitt reported to a different spring training facility on the opposite end of Valley of the Sun. The Dodgers' camp is in Glendale.
"It's important that I'm starting the year off here, it's a great place to play and a great group of guys," DeWitt said of the Cubs.
Notes: Quade named his scheduled starting lineup for the Cubs' spring training opener against Oakland on Sunday in Mesa. It's RF Kosuke Fukudome leading off, followed by SS Starlin Castro, CF Marlon Byrd, 3B Aramis Ramirez, 1B Carlos Pena, LF Alfonso Soriano, C Geovany Soto, DeWitt and P Carlos Zambrano. Quade expressed a preference for Fukudome as leadoff hitter based on how he finished last season, even though Fukudome batted .193 in the top spot in 2010. ... Position players will have a two at-bat minimum, five-inning maximum as far as playing time in spring training games, at least early, Quade said. ... Immediately following Friday's workout at Fitch Park, the Cubs packed their equipment and gear and moved less than a mile away to HoHoKam Park, where they play home spring training games and will work out Saturday.
"Doing them just to do them," the Chicago Cubs infielder said. "Kind of getting into the routine of doing one every day."
No surprise there. DeWitt is trying to get acclimated in his first spring training with the Cubs. Chicago acquired DeWitt from the Los Angeles Dodgers for second baseman Ryan Theriot and pitcher Ted Lilly. DeWitt was caught by surprise when informed he'd been dealt, but said he "had a lot of fun with it."
DeWitt is expected to platoon with Jeff Baker this season with DeWitt seeing the majority of action against left-handers.
"It's just different. Hard to explain," DeWitt said. "I'd been with one team forever, not that it was that long, but that's the only team I knew."
DeWitt's rise to a prominent role with the Dodgers came quickly. The 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2004 draft, he was rushed to a big league role in 2008 because of injuries.
He was the opening-day starter at third base even though he never played above Double-A. DeWitt shuttled back and forth between the Dodgers and Triple-A Las Vegas, then Albuquerque, in 2008 and '09, before becoming the Dodgers' starting second baseman in 2010.
"I like second better because you're just more involved," DeWitt said. "There's still a lot of work to do."
In 2010, DeWitt's hit .270 in 82 games for the Dodgers with only seven errors and hit .250 with 22 RBIs in 53 games for the Cubs.
DeWitt, who has adjusted his approach at the plate with Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, will start at second base and bat eighth in the Cubs' first game of spring training Sunday.
"I'd love to see him working the middle of the field," manager Mike Quade said of DeWitt. "He looked to me when we first got him a little pull-happy in his approach, which more times than not, may allow him to drive the ball out of the ballpark. but his average will suffer. I'd like to see him use the whole field."
Heading into his second full season in the majors, DeWitt reported to a different spring training facility on the opposite end of Valley of the Sun. The Dodgers' camp is in Glendale.
"It's important that I'm starting the year off here, it's a great place to play and a great group of guys," DeWitt said of the Cubs.
Notes: Quade named his scheduled starting lineup for the Cubs' spring training opener against Oakland on Sunday in Mesa. It's RF Kosuke Fukudome leading off, followed by SS Starlin Castro, CF Marlon Byrd, 3B Aramis Ramirez, 1B Carlos Pena, LF Alfonso Soriano, C Geovany Soto, DeWitt and P Carlos Zambrano. Quade expressed a preference for Fukudome as leadoff hitter based on how he finished last season, even though Fukudome batted .193 in the top spot in 2010. ... Position players will have a two at-bat minimum, five-inning maximum as far as playing time in spring training games, at least early, Quade said. ... Immediately following Friday's workout at Fitch Park, the Cubs packed their equipment and gear and moved less than a mile away to HoHoKam Park, where they play home spring training games and will work out Saturday.
Giants' Belt makes strong spring impression
AP, SCOTTSDALE, Ariz: The hype surrounding Brandon Belt compares to that around Buster Posey two years back.
Posey is now the reigning NL Rookie of the Year. The San Francisco Giants have equally lofty hopes for the highly touted Belt, their fifth-round pick in the 2009 draft.
Especially after what the sure-handed first baseman showed last year in his first season of pro ball: batting .352 with 23 home runs and 112 RBIs in 136 games between high Class A, Double-A and Triple-A. He wound up with 76 extra-base hits, a .455 on-base percentage, drew 93 walks and stole 22 bases.
All of that and Belt, the soft-spoken Texan with the big left-handed bat, is still feeling like the new guy in big league camp this spring. Probably not for long.
"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing," the 22-year-old Belt said, standing at his locker before a recent workout. "I'm just following the people who have been here before. I'm still trying to not look very stupid."
He took over at first base in the sixth inning of the Giants' 7-6 victory against Arizona in their Cactus League opener Friday and grounded out to the pitcher in his only at-bat.
"It felt good. It's nice to get that first one out of the way," Belt said. "I'll probably be more relaxed in the next one."
Belt is doing a lot of observing of the veterans for now, keeping his mouth shut and going about his work.
He is still a mystery to most of his teammates — and Belt has been working mostly on a back field so far, away from the regular roster players for the World Series champions. The Giants' brass came out to watch him and others in an intrasquad game Thursday at Scottsdale Stadium. Belt got one hit.
"I don't know how much advice he needs," Posey said. "He batted .350 with 20-something home runs last year. He probably has a pretty good idea of what he wants to do this year."
The plan is for Belt to start the season at Triple-A Fresno to give him more time to develop, though the talented infielder will stay in major league camp at spring training for as long as the front-office executives need to fully evaluate him.
"It's early. He's trying to find his timing," manager Bruce Bochy said. "I look forward to seeing him this spring."
The Giants project Belt as their first baseman of the future, though he also can play the outfield.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Belt is focused more on his nutrition and training this season, determined not to lose the 15 or 20 pounds he dropped a year ago just over the course of a grueling season. He also was fatigued by the end, learning he has to take better care of himself to stay at this level.
Pitcher Madison Bumgarner has been impressed with Belt's focus and performance so far.
"I'd heard about his hitting. I knew he could hit, but I hadn't seen him at first base and didn't know how good he was," Bumgarner said. "He's smooth and makes good plays."
Belt definitely feels the buzz of being part of the World Series champions — even if he wasn't part of the special run last fall to the franchise's first title since moving west in 1958 and first overall since the New York Giants won it all in 1954.
"It's very exciting right now," Belt said. "It's fun to come in here and see all the banners. It's a good opportunity for me to show people in the front office what I can do."
Posey is now the reigning NL Rookie of the Year. The San Francisco Giants have equally lofty hopes for the highly touted Belt, their fifth-round pick in the 2009 draft.
Especially after what the sure-handed first baseman showed last year in his first season of pro ball: batting .352 with 23 home runs and 112 RBIs in 136 games between high Class A, Double-A and Triple-A. He wound up with 76 extra-base hits, a .455 on-base percentage, drew 93 walks and stole 22 bases.
All of that and Belt, the soft-spoken Texan with the big left-handed bat, is still feeling like the new guy in big league camp this spring. Probably not for long.
"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing," the 22-year-old Belt said, standing at his locker before a recent workout. "I'm just following the people who have been here before. I'm still trying to not look very stupid."
He took over at first base in the sixth inning of the Giants' 7-6 victory against Arizona in their Cactus League opener Friday and grounded out to the pitcher in his only at-bat.
"It felt good. It's nice to get that first one out of the way," Belt said. "I'll probably be more relaxed in the next one."
Belt is doing a lot of observing of the veterans for now, keeping his mouth shut and going about his work.
He is still a mystery to most of his teammates — and Belt has been working mostly on a back field so far, away from the regular roster players for the World Series champions. The Giants' brass came out to watch him and others in an intrasquad game Thursday at Scottsdale Stadium. Belt got one hit.
"I don't know how much advice he needs," Posey said. "He batted .350 with 20-something home runs last year. He probably has a pretty good idea of what he wants to do this year."
The plan is for Belt to start the season at Triple-A Fresno to give him more time to develop, though the talented infielder will stay in major league camp at spring training for as long as the front-office executives need to fully evaluate him.
"It's early. He's trying to find his timing," manager Bruce Bochy said. "I look forward to seeing him this spring."
The Giants project Belt as their first baseman of the future, though he also can play the outfield.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Belt is focused more on his nutrition and training this season, determined not to lose the 15 or 20 pounds he dropped a year ago just over the course of a grueling season. He also was fatigued by the end, learning he has to take better care of himself to stay at this level.
Pitcher Madison Bumgarner has been impressed with Belt's focus and performance so far.
"I'd heard about his hitting. I knew he could hit, but I hadn't seen him at first base and didn't know how good he was," Bumgarner said. "He's smooth and makes good plays."
Belt definitely feels the buzz of being part of the World Series champions — even if he wasn't part of the special run last fall to the franchise's first title since moving west in 1958 and first overall since the New York Giants won it all in 1954.
"It's very exciting right now," Belt said. "It's fun to come in here and see all the banners. It's a good opportunity for me to show people in the front office what I can do."
Mets acknowledge they got loan from MLB
AP, PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla: Hounded by a multimillion dollar lawsuit filed by the trustee trying to recover money for victims of the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme, the New York Mets acknowledged Friday that they received a loan in November to help cover expenses.
"We said in October that we expected to have a short-term liquidity issue," the team said in a statement. "To address this, we did receive a loan from Major League Baseball in November. Beyond that, we will not discuss the matter any further."
The New York Times and Daily News said the loan amount was $25 million.
The trustee, Irving H. Picard, sued Mets owner Fred Wilpon, brother-in-law and team President Saul Katz and various family members and entities related to Sterling Equities, seeking at least $300 million.
Picard claimed the Mets profited with their Madoff investments and ignored warnings that his high returns might be false. Losses in the Ponzi scheme are estimated at around $20 billion.
The Wilpons have said they are victims in the scheme.
The Mets announced last month they were looking to sell a non-controlling interest in the team of 20 to 25 percent to raise several hundred million dollars. Wilpon insisted his family would remain in control of the team.
Less than two weeks ago, Moody's Investors Service lowered its outlook on the company that operates the ballpark used by the New York Mets because of the litigation. The ratings firm cut the outlook on Queens Ballpark Co. LLC to "Negative," but maintained its "Ba1" rating on the company's bonds.
"We said in October that we expected to have a short-term liquidity issue," the team said in a statement. "To address this, we did receive a loan from Major League Baseball in November. Beyond that, we will not discuss the matter any further."
The New York Times and Daily News said the loan amount was $25 million.
The trustee, Irving H. Picard, sued Mets owner Fred Wilpon, brother-in-law and team President Saul Katz and various family members and entities related to Sterling Equities, seeking at least $300 million.
Picard claimed the Mets profited with their Madoff investments and ignored warnings that his high returns might be false. Losses in the Ponzi scheme are estimated at around $20 billion.
The Wilpons have said they are victims in the scheme.
The Mets announced last month they were looking to sell a non-controlling interest in the team of 20 to 25 percent to raise several hundred million dollars. Wilpon insisted his family would remain in control of the team.
Less than two weeks ago, Moody's Investors Service lowered its outlook on the company that operates the ballpark used by the New York Mets because of the litigation. The ratings firm cut the outlook on Queens Ballpark Co. LLC to "Negative," but maintained its "Ba1" rating on the company's bonds.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Bleach Season 10 Episode 4: Irresistible, Puppet Show of Terror
Bleach Season 10 Episode 4 can be watched on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 12:00am EST on Cartoon Network TV channel. Title of the brand new episode is: Irresistible, Puppet Show of Terror. Synopsis of the episode is: Uryu and Renji continue to fight their clones; Szayelaporro reels out a new attack.
Bleach is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Noriaki “Tite” Kubo. Bleach follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki after he obtains the powers of a Soul Reaper — a death personification similar to the Grim Reaper — from another Soul Reaper, Rukia Kuchiki. His newfound powers force him to take on the duties of defending humans from evil spirits and guiding departed souls to the afterlife.
Bleach has been serialized in the Japanese manga anthology Weekly Shōnen Jump since August 2001, and has been collected into 48 tankōbon volumes as of December 2010[update]. Since its publication, Bleach has spawned a media franchise that includes an ongoing animated television series that is produced by Studio Pierrot in Japan, two original video animations, four animated feature films, seven rock musicals, and numerous video games, as well as many types of Bleach-related merchandise.
Viz Media obtained foreign television and home video distribution rights to the Bleach anime on March 15, 2006. Cartoon Network began airing Bleach in the United States as part of its Adult Swim block on September 9, 2006. Viz Media has licensed the manga for English-language publication in the United States and Canada, and has released 33 bound volumes as of December 2010 as well as published chapters of Bleach in its Shonen Jump magazine since November 2007. Viz Media released the first Bleach film, Bleach: Memories of Nobody, on DVD in North America on October 14, 2008. The second film, Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion, was released on September 15, 2009.
Volumes of the manga have sold more than 50 million copies in Japan, and have reached the top of manga sales in the United States. The anime adaptation has been similarly received; it was rated as the fourth most popular anime television series in Japan in 2006 and held a position amongst the top ten anime in the United States from 2006 to 2008. The series received the Shogakukan Manga Award for the shōnen demographic in 2005, and is among the best-selling manga properties in both Japan and the United States.
OSU volunteer assistant strength coach dies
AP, COLUMBUS, Ohio: A volunteer assistant in Ohio State football's strength and conditioning program collapsed and died while playing in a pickup basketball game in the team's practice facility on Friday.
Jake Nickle, a former football player at Capital University, was stricken and fell on the Les Wexner Football Complex's basketball court. He was transported to the Ohio State Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, according to university spokesman Dan Wallenberg.
Originally from Marysville, Ohio, Nickle was a defensive end at Capital through the 2009 season. He began at Ohio State in January as a volunteer working with the Buckeyes' strength and conditioning coaches.
Jake Nickle, a former football player at Capital University, was stricken and fell on the Les Wexner Football Complex's basketball court. He was transported to the Ohio State Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, according to university spokesman Dan Wallenberg.
Originally from Marysville, Ohio, Nickle was a defensive end at Capital through the 2009 season. He began at Ohio State in January as a volunteer working with the Buckeyes' strength and conditioning coaches.
O'Connor moves on without Holy Family
AP, PHILADELPHIA: John O'Connor had his reputation forever stained by 40 seconds of videotape.
It cost him his job at Holy Family.
He only hopes he hasn't lost his career.
O'Connor wants to coach again, even after his first season at tiny Division II Holy Family was cut short after a videotape of a physical incident during a "combat rebounding" drill hit the Internet. His failed attempt at repairing his relationship with Matt Kravchuk caused him to resign Thursday night, a day before Holy Family's regular-season finale.
O'Connor knows what he'd tell university officials potentially concerned about the altercation if he's ever offered another coaching job.
"I never want to change my passion and my intensity toward the game and how I teach it," he said by phone Friday. "I certainly would take a look at how I might deliver it. I don't want to change the passion, but maybe how it's delivered is something I certainly would look at."
He described his life over the last month as both a "nightmare" and like being in a "plane wreck." O'Connor believed he'd still be on the sideline, calling plays, barking instructions, had it not been for the video leaked to local news.
"When they kind of hung and buried me without due process, it made it difficult for me and my team to really kind of go on as we had," O'Connor said.
O'Connor and Kravchuk became instant media sensations when footage of the incident went viral.
O'Connor apologized to Kravchuk when they appeared Thursday on ABC's "Good Morning America." On the morning show, O'Connor apologized. Kravchuk did not accept it.
Once it became clear the relationship could not be salvaged, O'Connor called his team together for an off-campus meeting and resigned.
Holy Family issued a statement Friday that it had accepted O'Connor's resignation. Holy Family athletic director Sandra Michael did not return requests for comment.
Holy Family forward Sam Mushman said the team supported O'Connor and wanted him to return.
"He's going to fight for us to the end," Mushman said. "No matter what happens, he was on our side and be there for us."
Holy Family guard Nate Hodge took to Twitter on Thursday night and Friday to express his unhappiness over the decision. In a response to a Twitter question, Hodge wrote, "... o'connor was the best coach I ever had."
When a follower wrote, "tell your ex-teammate to man up," Hodge replied "tell me about it."
O'Connor was touched by the support.
"When I was condemned without due process, they helped me get through it," he said.
Kravchuk said he attended the school to play basketball and now he couldn't, claiming he suffered a wrist injury in the dust-up. He also said he couldn't play for O'Connor.
According to a police report filed on Feb. 11, Kravchuk said he was grabbed and elbowed in the face by O'Connor, a move that allegedly resulted in a bloody nose and a bruised lip. The office's Private Criminal Complaints Unit reviewed the matter, and determined the event does not constitute a prosecutable criminal offense.
Attempts to reach Kravchuk's attorney were not successful.
O'Connor's life has been in upheaval since the drill backfired on him. He was shown pushing Kravchuk to the ground during a 1-on-1 drill, then kicked him. O'Connor berates his player and tosses him out of the late January practice.
O'Connor, on GMA, repeatedly called the encounter an accident, saying he also "nudged" Kravchuk with his foot to keep the drill going.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young played under O'Connor at Georgia Tech and they exchanged texts on Friday. Young had run the rebounding drill with O'Connor and called the incident "blown out of proportion."
"He's just trying to make the guys tougher," Young said. "He didn't really mean to do anything like that. I saw him nudge the guy off the court. I know the drill, so I know it was to get the next group onto the court."
Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt said his former assistant should not be judged on "40 seconds" of a conflict with a player. O'Connor spent the previous seven seasons at Georgia Tech working under Hewitt. Hewitt calls O'Connor "one of the best human beings I've been around, ever."
"I think it's a shame, a real shame, that people who don't know what he's about, don't know what he stands for, are making these summation on his character and what kind of person he is," Hewitt said.
Hewitt said he's known O'Connor since 1992 and had never seen the coach engage in similar behavior. He hopes the blowup won't cost O'Connor his career.
O'Connor started at Georgia Tech as men's basketball director of operations for the 2004-05 season. In June 2005, he was elevated to an assistant coach.
"I'm not going to sit here and defend anything," Hewitt said. "I'm just saying this man is a really good honest man."
Mushman also felt bad for Kravchuk.
"I don't think either Coach or Matt thought this was going to get to where it got," he said. "I have no issues or problem with Matt. Matt's a good kid. Maybe he felt disrespected."
O'Connor, a Penn State graduate, also was an assistant coach at Drexel and Lafayette.
He defended turning over the tape as the right thing to do because he felt he had nothing to hide. He apologized to Kravchuk and the team and believed it was all behind them.
Instead, Kravchuk and O'Connor's careers imploded on YouTube where the highlight can be found under "Holy Family Coach Attacks Player."
"My players know I tape every practice," he said. "If they ever found out one was missing, it would be saying I did something wrong."
He's received an outpouring of support from his peers. But O'Connor understands why critics who have never played competitive basketball have denounced him for the outburst. He wants to prove he's not a crazed coach who doesn't care about his players.
"I'm a good coach," he said. "There's nothing you could throw at me as head coach now I haven't been through.
It cost him his job at Holy Family.
He only hopes he hasn't lost his career.
O'Connor wants to coach again, even after his first season at tiny Division II Holy Family was cut short after a videotape of a physical incident during a "combat rebounding" drill hit the Internet. His failed attempt at repairing his relationship with Matt Kravchuk caused him to resign Thursday night, a day before Holy Family's regular-season finale.
O'Connor knows what he'd tell university officials potentially concerned about the altercation if he's ever offered another coaching job.
"I never want to change my passion and my intensity toward the game and how I teach it," he said by phone Friday. "I certainly would take a look at how I might deliver it. I don't want to change the passion, but maybe how it's delivered is something I certainly would look at."
He described his life over the last month as both a "nightmare" and like being in a "plane wreck." O'Connor believed he'd still be on the sideline, calling plays, barking instructions, had it not been for the video leaked to local news.
"When they kind of hung and buried me without due process, it made it difficult for me and my team to really kind of go on as we had," O'Connor said.
O'Connor and Kravchuk became instant media sensations when footage of the incident went viral.
O'Connor apologized to Kravchuk when they appeared Thursday on ABC's "Good Morning America." On the morning show, O'Connor apologized. Kravchuk did not accept it.
Once it became clear the relationship could not be salvaged, O'Connor called his team together for an off-campus meeting and resigned.
Holy Family issued a statement Friday that it had accepted O'Connor's resignation. Holy Family athletic director Sandra Michael did not return requests for comment.
Holy Family forward Sam Mushman said the team supported O'Connor and wanted him to return.
"He's going to fight for us to the end," Mushman said. "No matter what happens, he was on our side and be there for us."
Holy Family guard Nate Hodge took to Twitter on Thursday night and Friday to express his unhappiness over the decision. In a response to a Twitter question, Hodge wrote, "... o'connor was the best coach I ever had."
When a follower wrote, "tell your ex-teammate to man up," Hodge replied "tell me about it."
O'Connor was touched by the support.
"When I was condemned without due process, they helped me get through it," he said.
Kravchuk said he attended the school to play basketball and now he couldn't, claiming he suffered a wrist injury in the dust-up. He also said he couldn't play for O'Connor.
According to a police report filed on Feb. 11, Kravchuk said he was grabbed and elbowed in the face by O'Connor, a move that allegedly resulted in a bloody nose and a bruised lip. The office's Private Criminal Complaints Unit reviewed the matter, and determined the event does not constitute a prosecutable criminal offense.
Attempts to reach Kravchuk's attorney were not successful.
O'Connor's life has been in upheaval since the drill backfired on him. He was shown pushing Kravchuk to the ground during a 1-on-1 drill, then kicked him. O'Connor berates his player and tosses him out of the late January practice.
O'Connor, on GMA, repeatedly called the encounter an accident, saying he also "nudged" Kravchuk with his foot to keep the drill going.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young played under O'Connor at Georgia Tech and they exchanged texts on Friday. Young had run the rebounding drill with O'Connor and called the incident "blown out of proportion."
"He's just trying to make the guys tougher," Young said. "He didn't really mean to do anything like that. I saw him nudge the guy off the court. I know the drill, so I know it was to get the next group onto the court."
Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt said his former assistant should not be judged on "40 seconds" of a conflict with a player. O'Connor spent the previous seven seasons at Georgia Tech working under Hewitt. Hewitt calls O'Connor "one of the best human beings I've been around, ever."
"I think it's a shame, a real shame, that people who don't know what he's about, don't know what he stands for, are making these summation on his character and what kind of person he is," Hewitt said.
Hewitt said he's known O'Connor since 1992 and had never seen the coach engage in similar behavior. He hopes the blowup won't cost O'Connor his career.
O'Connor started at Georgia Tech as men's basketball director of operations for the 2004-05 season. In June 2005, he was elevated to an assistant coach.
"I'm not going to sit here and defend anything," Hewitt said. "I'm just saying this man is a really good honest man."
Mushman also felt bad for Kravchuk.
"I don't think either Coach or Matt thought this was going to get to where it got," he said. "I have no issues or problem with Matt. Matt's a good kid. Maybe he felt disrespected."
O'Connor, a Penn State graduate, also was an assistant coach at Drexel and Lafayette.
He defended turning over the tape as the right thing to do because he felt he had nothing to hide. He apologized to Kravchuk and the team and believed it was all behind them.
Instead, Kravchuk and O'Connor's careers imploded on YouTube where the highlight can be found under "Holy Family Coach Attacks Player."
"My players know I tape every practice," he said. "If they ever found out one was missing, it would be saying I did something wrong."
He's received an outpouring of support from his peers. But O'Connor understands why critics who have never played competitive basketball have denounced him for the outburst. He wants to prove he's not a crazed coach who doesn't care about his players.
"I'm a good coach," he said. "There's nothing you could throw at me as head coach now I haven't been through.
Bulls charge past Heat with third-quarter surge
Reuters, CHICAGO: The Chicago Bulls staged a big third-quarter rally to help seal a 93-89 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday in a tight battle between two of the leading teams in the Eastern Conference.
The victory enabled the Bulls (39-17) to snap the Heat's three-game winning streak and moved the home team to within two games of second place Miami in the conference standings.
Miami (42-16) struggled through a disastrous third quarter to squander a 53-44 halftime lead, as the Bulls outscored the Heat 27-14, led by Luol Deng and Derrick Rose with 12 and 10 points respectively.
The teams took turns dominating in the fourth quarter which was finally decided by Deng's three-pointer to break an 89-89 tie with just 16 seconds remaining when Rose identified a double team as he drove the lane and passed to his wide open team mate.
"I love Derrick's play at the end of the game, trusting a team mate," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters.
"Miami's a terrific team. They're great defensively. They collapsed on him (Rose), and he made without hesitation the right play, and Lu (Deng) knocked a huge shot down."
Rose led the Bulls with 26 points and Deng scored 18 points in the second half to finish with 20, while Dwyane Wade scored 34 to lead the Heat and LeBron James scored 29 points.
Chris Bosh was limited to seven points for Miami on one-for-18 shooting from the field.
"They didn't do anything," Bosh said. "I just missed shots. They played good defense when it was time. That's what they're known for, but at the end of the day, I was what we call butt-naked wide open."
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing by John O'Brien)
The victory enabled the Bulls (39-17) to snap the Heat's three-game winning streak and moved the home team to within two games of second place Miami in the conference standings.
Miami (42-16) struggled through a disastrous third quarter to squander a 53-44 halftime lead, as the Bulls outscored the Heat 27-14, led by Luol Deng and Derrick Rose with 12 and 10 points respectively.
The teams took turns dominating in the fourth quarter which was finally decided by Deng's three-pointer to break an 89-89 tie with just 16 seconds remaining when Rose identified a double team as he drove the lane and passed to his wide open team mate.
"I love Derrick's play at the end of the game, trusting a team mate," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters.
"Miami's a terrific team. They're great defensively. They collapsed on him (Rose), and he made without hesitation the right play, and Lu (Deng) knocked a huge shot down."
Rose led the Bulls with 26 points and Deng scored 18 points in the second half to finish with 20, while Dwyane Wade scored 34 to lead the Heat and LeBron James scored 29 points.
Chris Bosh was limited to seven points for Miami on one-for-18 shooting from the field.
"They didn't do anything," Bosh said. "I just missed shots. They played good defense when it was time. That's what they're known for, but at the end of the day, I was what we call butt-naked wide open."
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing by John O'Brien)
New-look Nuggets beat depleted Celtics 89-75
AP, DENVER: Integrating five new players offensively will take time for the Denver Nuggets. Defense? That came right away.
The Nuggets held the short-handed — and shortened — Boston Celtics scoreless over the final six-plus minutes Thursday night, closing the game with a 16-0 run for an 89-75 win, their second straight since sending Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to the New York Knicks.
"Defense is all effort," said Kenyon Martin, who led Denver with 18 points and 10 boards despite playing with the flu and missing the second quarter to get two bags of IV fluids.
"It's how hard you play. Shots come and go," Martin said. "It's about just giving maximum effort day in and day out. That's what we did. That's what we'll continue to do."
Wilson Chandler, one of the newcomers, chipped in 16 points and eight players each played more than 20 minutes in coach George Karl's new spread-the-wealth system that featured Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton splitting time at the point until the final five minutes, when they were on the court together and helped the Nuggets pull away.
The game pitted two teams that reshaped their rosters ahead of the NBA trade deadline. The Nuggets had a bunch of new players and the Celtics a bunch of empty seats along their bench following a flurry of trades that unloaded a bunch of big men.
The Celtics suited up just nine players and had to fight through the emotions of losing center Kendrick Perkins, who was dealt to Oklahoma City for forward Jeff Green in the biggest of Boston's trio of trades Thursday.
"Tough day to play basketball," Kevin Garnett said. "Very tough day to play basketball, to even concentrate. Just being bluntly honest. You feel like you lost a family member today. Tough day."
"It was very emotional, especially for me being that I had a chance to see Perkins grow up from Day One, fresh out of high school, coming in here and seeing the level he got to, a championship team," said Paul Pierce. "It's definitely emotional. I had a chance to talk to him this afternoon a little bit, he was definitely hurt. The guys around this locker room were definitely hurt to see Perk go."
The Nuggets, 2-0 since trading Melo, had their full complement of players, but their best defender, Martin, spent the second quarter in the locker room.
New Nuggets Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Felton got off to a slow start, combining to shoot 2 for 12 in the first half, which ended with Denver ahead 37-36.
Denver took a 61-60 lead into the fourth quarter, when the pace picked up a little.
Pierce, who led Boston with 17 points, hit a 3-pointer with 6:05 remaining that gave Boston a 75-73 lead, but the Celtics wouldn't score again.
Chandler's 3-pointer put Denver ahead for good and Martin's three-point play with 3:03 left gave Denver its biggest lead to that point at 79-75.
The Eastern Conference-leading Celtics also dealt reserve Nate Robinson to the Thunder and received Nenad Krstic, a future first-round draft pick, and cash in the Perkins deal.
Earlier in the day, the Celtics acquired draft picks by sending forward Luke Harangody and rookie center Semih Erden to Cleveland and injured swingman Marquis Daniels to Sacramento.
With such a short bench for coach Doc Rivers to work with, the Celtics called up center Chris Johnson from the D-League, signed him to a 10-day contract and put him right to work. He scored six points.
Once loaded with interior size, the Celtics will now have to hope Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal get healthy in time for the playoffs.
"We need to get Shaq healthy. Shaq will be healthy. But if Shaq plays great, then this deal was obviously really, really good for us," River said.
The inclusion of Krstic, the Thunder's starting center since they brought him back to the NBA from Russia in December 2008, should help offset Boston's loss of Perkins.
It wasn't just Perkins' departure that had the Celtics so sad.
"We lost Semhi, Luke, Quis," Garnett said, pausing. "Just a tough day. Tough day."
The Nuggets are hoping to stay in the playoff hunt in the West following the megadeal that brought in Gallinari, Felton, Chandler and Timofey Mazgov from New York and Kosta Koufus from Minnesota.
"The last two games have probably been as fun for me to coach and win because you're playing hard and playing unified," Karl said. "We've got too many talented kids. It may not be the same script every night but we'll figure out how to score points and we'll figure out how to win if we defend and play hard."
The Celtics are concerned about their chemistry without Perkins.
"I hate to lose a teammate like Perkins," Pierce said. "He meant so much. People don't understand chemistry is from the bus to the plane to the locker room, so it's definitely a blow. It depends on how the other guys make the adjustment.
Pierce also said this is an example of how the ruthlessness of the NBA cuts both ways.
"It's the nature of the business," he said. "People thought LeBron James was cold for leaving Cleveland the way it is. This is an example of how it happens on the management end. You can't get mad at the players because it can happen to them unexpectedly, just like a player can go where he wants. It's just the nature of the beast."
Notes: The Nuggets scored a season-low 37 first-half points, and the Celtics' 36 points was one more than their worst first-half production this season. ... Rivers said he expects his new players on the practice court Saturday.
The Nuggets held the short-handed — and shortened — Boston Celtics scoreless over the final six-plus minutes Thursday night, closing the game with a 16-0 run for an 89-75 win, their second straight since sending Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to the New York Knicks.
"Defense is all effort," said Kenyon Martin, who led Denver with 18 points and 10 boards despite playing with the flu and missing the second quarter to get two bags of IV fluids.
"It's how hard you play. Shots come and go," Martin said. "It's about just giving maximum effort day in and day out. That's what we did. That's what we'll continue to do."
Wilson Chandler, one of the newcomers, chipped in 16 points and eight players each played more than 20 minutes in coach George Karl's new spread-the-wealth system that featured Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton splitting time at the point until the final five minutes, when they were on the court together and helped the Nuggets pull away.
The game pitted two teams that reshaped their rosters ahead of the NBA trade deadline. The Nuggets had a bunch of new players and the Celtics a bunch of empty seats along their bench following a flurry of trades that unloaded a bunch of big men.
The Celtics suited up just nine players and had to fight through the emotions of losing center Kendrick Perkins, who was dealt to Oklahoma City for forward Jeff Green in the biggest of Boston's trio of trades Thursday.
"Tough day to play basketball," Kevin Garnett said. "Very tough day to play basketball, to even concentrate. Just being bluntly honest. You feel like you lost a family member today. Tough day."
"It was very emotional, especially for me being that I had a chance to see Perkins grow up from Day One, fresh out of high school, coming in here and seeing the level he got to, a championship team," said Paul Pierce. "It's definitely emotional. I had a chance to talk to him this afternoon a little bit, he was definitely hurt. The guys around this locker room were definitely hurt to see Perk go."
The Nuggets, 2-0 since trading Melo, had their full complement of players, but their best defender, Martin, spent the second quarter in the locker room.
New Nuggets Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Felton got off to a slow start, combining to shoot 2 for 12 in the first half, which ended with Denver ahead 37-36.
Denver took a 61-60 lead into the fourth quarter, when the pace picked up a little.
Pierce, who led Boston with 17 points, hit a 3-pointer with 6:05 remaining that gave Boston a 75-73 lead, but the Celtics wouldn't score again.
Chandler's 3-pointer put Denver ahead for good and Martin's three-point play with 3:03 left gave Denver its biggest lead to that point at 79-75.
The Eastern Conference-leading Celtics also dealt reserve Nate Robinson to the Thunder and received Nenad Krstic, a future first-round draft pick, and cash in the Perkins deal.
Earlier in the day, the Celtics acquired draft picks by sending forward Luke Harangody and rookie center Semih Erden to Cleveland and injured swingman Marquis Daniels to Sacramento.
With such a short bench for coach Doc Rivers to work with, the Celtics called up center Chris Johnson from the D-League, signed him to a 10-day contract and put him right to work. He scored six points.
Once loaded with interior size, the Celtics will now have to hope Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal get healthy in time for the playoffs.
"We need to get Shaq healthy. Shaq will be healthy. But if Shaq plays great, then this deal was obviously really, really good for us," River said.
The inclusion of Krstic, the Thunder's starting center since they brought him back to the NBA from Russia in December 2008, should help offset Boston's loss of Perkins.
It wasn't just Perkins' departure that had the Celtics so sad.
"We lost Semhi, Luke, Quis," Garnett said, pausing. "Just a tough day. Tough day."
The Nuggets are hoping to stay in the playoff hunt in the West following the megadeal that brought in Gallinari, Felton, Chandler and Timofey Mazgov from New York and Kosta Koufus from Minnesota.
"The last two games have probably been as fun for me to coach and win because you're playing hard and playing unified," Karl said. "We've got too many talented kids. It may not be the same script every night but we'll figure out how to score points and we'll figure out how to win if we defend and play hard."
The Celtics are concerned about their chemistry without Perkins.
"I hate to lose a teammate like Perkins," Pierce said. "He meant so much. People don't understand chemistry is from the bus to the plane to the locker room, so it's definitely a blow. It depends on how the other guys make the adjustment.
Pierce also said this is an example of how the ruthlessness of the NBA cuts both ways.
"It's the nature of the business," he said. "People thought LeBron James was cold for leaving Cleveland the way it is. This is an example of how it happens on the management end. You can't get mad at the players because it can happen to them unexpectedly, just like a player can go where he wants. It's just the nature of the beast."
Notes: The Nuggets scored a season-low 37 first-half points, and the Celtics' 36 points was one more than their worst first-half production this season. ... Rivers said he expects his new players on the practice court Saturday.
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