More Horrible Than the Pelicans

  If you have been following, even in slight passing, the NBA and the New Orleans Hornets then you know that New Orleans is willing to give up the name 'Hornet'. Which in turns leaves them looking for a new team name. The one that first came out was the Pelicans, which is really lame and for three weeks it has been thought by some of us that was the name that the team was going to be stuck with forever. Today, however, news has come out that the New Orleans Hornets has, in fact, registered five trademarks for the new team name. The proposed team name is as follows: Lame and Lamer. Alright, just kidding, even though true. The real proposed names are:

 New Orleans Pelicans

 New Orleans Bullsharks

 New Orleans Rougarou

New Orleans Swamp Dogs 

New Orleans Mosquitoes 

  Now really...these choices are ridiculous. I mean come on get some names with balls. Something fearful, Mosquitoes just don't cut it. I'm from Louisiana and I have never heard of a Rougarou. Loup garou yes but not rougarou. I had to go and look it up and it turns out that loup garou and rougarou are one in the same thing...a werewolf. It just depends on where you live in Louisiana and what you call a werewolf. So to me that is just jumping on the werewolf craze bandwagon. Now if Joe Manganiello is the new mascot for the team I am for calling them the New Orleans Rougarou.

  As for Swamp Dogs and Bullsharks. Swamp Dogs are alligators and bullsharks have been found as far north as Alton, Illinois in 1937. So yes they can be scary but Louisiana and New Orleans do not have exclusive rights to the bull shark. 

  So what's in a name, apparently a lot if you are a fan of basketball and in particularly the New Orleans Hornets.

NBA 2012 - 2013 Upcoming Season

  Well no sooner we get rid of one basketball season, such as it was, than the NBA 2012 Draft is around the corner. Actually, June 28 from Newark, New Jersey at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on ESPN. But after this half of a basketball season I'm not really sure if I care. To me the Miami victory is hollow because of the half-season, but if they can win the Championship when there is a full basketball season then it will be a solid victory in my eyes.

  Anywho, back to the upcoming draft. Thus far, there has been three mock drafts with the first one on May 31 and the latest one June 26 and the consensus is that Kentucky center, Anthony Davis is going first to the New Orleans Hornets and yes the Hornets having the first pick does seem shady after the Chris Paul trade fiasco.  But now that I think about it seems like business as usual, Louisiana style. Plus the Hornets also have the 10th pick in the Draft and it is predicted that they will take the point guard out of North Carolina, Kendall Marshall. There was also talk of the New Orleans Hornets trading their number 10 spot to the Houston Rockets for their number 14, predicted to be John Henson, power forward out of North Carolina  and 16, Austin Rivers, shooting guard from Duke, selections , but the Rockets turned them down because they want to go higher up in the Draft and is said to be talking to the Sacramento Kings at #5 and the Toronto Raptors at #8. These two teams are interested in acquiring Rockets point guard, Kyle Lowry.

 The #2 selection in the NBA Draft is the Charlotte Bobcats and they are said to be taking Kansas power forward, Thomas Robinson.

 

Bradley Beal, shooting forward out of  the University of Florida is the number 3 choice for the Washington Wizards. I don't know, I don't even think Harry Potter could help the Wizards.

Projected at #4 is the "Black Falcon" Harrison Barnes, small forward from North Carolina to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, a very regal sounding name, a small forward who is a  University of Kentucky Wildcat, is the # 5 projected player. He is projected to go to the Sacramento Kings.

I am just doing the first 5 choices of the NBA Mock Draft and I will put up the link to the full Mock Draft list. But this is just something to give you an idea as to what "experts" are saying because as we all know anything can happen past the last possible second.

NBA.com Mock Draft 1.0 http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/05/30/mock-draft/index.html

NBA.com Mock Draft 2.0 http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/06/13/mock-draft-2.0/index.html

NBA.com Mock Draft 3.0 http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/06/25/mock-draft-3.0_b/index.html

Consensus  Mock Draft : Top Five Picks Becoming Clear http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/06/14/consensus-mock-draft/index.html


I hope this upcoming season will be more fun and fruitful than this last season. And I also hope that there is no cry baby, panty-waiste crying and sniveling because I don't like the way he breathes. Unfortunately there will be and David Stern will mollycoddle them and make things worse instead of telling the player(s)  to be a man and suck it up and quit being a wuse.

The Met Costume Institue Gala 2012

  What is known as the 'Oscars of the East Cost', the Costume Institute Gala aka the Met Ball, was held on May 7, 2012. The reason for this fee is to celebrate the annual opening of the Metropolitan Museum's exhibit at the Costume Institute. Celebrities come to the red-carpet event dressed to impress each other and their fans that will see their photos online and in magazines. And some really fall flat on their face on trying to make a good fashion impression.

Sarah Jessica Parker, where the Hell do I start with her? I have heard her dress referred to from wallpaper to a bedspread to drapes, but personally I think she is wearing a granny nightgown minus the ruffles at the cuffs and neck. This one I am tying for my #1 Falling Flat on Your Face Fashion Award.

Dakota Fanning in Louis Vuitton. I don't know maybe in another color or to be more precise ANY  color would do. I mean, this poor child is so pale as is her dress that it just washes her out. I feel like she is afraid of color.

Tebowmania has hit the Gala. Tim Looks very dashing in his tux.

Another Granny Fashion Alert! This time it is Mary Kate Olsen. She looks like she is in mourning from the Edwardian Era. Except they dressed better, even the lower-class. No! I KNOW! Mary Kate is a fan of Downton Abbey and she is paying homage to O'Brien. Or is that an insult to O'Brien? Mary Kate is tied with Sarah Jessica Parker for #1 Fall Flat on Your Face Fashion Award.

Beyonce is wearing a black lace with a purple feather train Givenchy gown. I'm not all too certain about the gown. I don't know if it's a bit too sheer for my taste or that the train reminds me of a feather duster. I can't hate it but I'm not that particularly fond of it. Sorry but I'm giving it a 2/3 Fall Flat on Your Face Fashion  Award. I hate doing that.

The back view of Beyonce's dress. Obviously.

Ah, the happy couple, Justin Timberlake with his fiancee, Jessica Biel. Jessica is wearing a lovely Prada dress that, unfortunately, seems to say late afternoon not night. But i do like it. Her hair looks like she held a ruler to her forehead and cut her own bangs. Unless Jessica is auditioning for a Chrissie Hynde biopic... no... can't like it. I don't see how she can even see where she is walking with those bangs. Now Justin is wearing a Tom Ford tuxedo.And what can be said about that? It's a tux.

Elizabeth Banks in a hideous creation by Mary Kantrantzou. It looks like it was made at the very last possible second with whatever fabric scraps were leftover because somebody forgot to buy enough fabric bolts to make a descent dress. Plus the side view of Elizabeth makes her look like she just replaced Jessica Simpson as the longest pregnant woman in America. Yep, this wreck is also now tied with Sarah Jessica and Mary Kate for #1 Fall Flat on Your Face Fashion Award.

Holy Crap! Jessica Alba shows how to do it right. Beautiful! Gorgeous! Stunning. Classy. Jessica is wear this wonderful gold pleated number from Michael Kors.  Definately a Goddess Award winner.

Scotsman Gerard Butler looking tamed in this Alexander McQueen tux. A good combination one of my favorite designers and one of my favourite actors to drool over. Yummy.

Model Karli Kloss and designer Jason Wu. Sad, she 6'1" and still has to wear heels to get close to my height. So this is going to be called " The Long and the Short of It' or maybe just 'Mutt & Jeff'.

Emma Stone looks precious and lovely in her thin strapped red Lavin dress. And if you will notice in the background, Kristen Wiig seems to be wearing the grown up version of Emma's dress.

Here's Kristen Wiig in a 1950's inspired Stella McCartney dress. I hate her shoes. They look like they are made from material that is used to make canvas boat shoes. And maybe her hair should've been put in a soft updo.

Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen. Overall I like the dress, feathers and all, but I think it would have been better with a thinner sleeve or maybe strapless.

 Florence + the Machine's Florence Welch showed up in another Alexander McQueen number and I'm not feeling it. I swear she looks like a flocked Christmas tree. Hate doing this to her because I like her music but, Florence also is a dubious winner of the Fall Flat on Your Face Fashion Award.

January Jones is offering a sunny alternative to Florence Welch's fiasco in this beautiful yellow Versace gown with Cartier jewelry. Stunning! Goddess Award.

Amy Adams wows us with her one-shoulder cream Giambattista Valli gown with a gold belt that helps showoff her waist. Goddess Award.

Coco Rocha, here is your Fall Flat on Your Face Fashion Award.I don't care if it is a vintage Givenchy outfit that was once owned by Elizabeth Taylor. Maybe it looked better on Dame Elizabeth or maybe it's that gaudy pink top that seems more appropriate for a tutu. Yes it IS the pink top it's so loud that it takes away from the outfit, I mean that is all I see is the pink top and hair. Forgot about the hair, that's not good thing either.

Scarlett Johansson in a lovely Dolce & Gabbana.

Gwyneth Paltrow, in her silver metallic Prada dress that looks like a glorified apron, is a winner of the Fall Flat on Your Fashion Face Award. Now her husband Chris Martin may enjoy this dress when they are alone because that is all about it is good for.

Vogue editor, Anna Wintour, wears a Prada gown with a lobster motif and a fur capelet. To me the only place for a lobster is on a plate with lemon butter on the side. I am going to give her a Goddess Award just for banning Kim Kardashian from the Met Gala. This fete is for A-listers only and Miss Wintour knows this and kept it classy.

Speaking of classy, Rihanna looks VERY classy in her Tom Ford gown. A marked improvement over her Saturday Night Live appearance. Goddess Award.

For us 'Downton Abbey' fans Michelle Dockery ( Lady Mary Crawley) and Laura Carmichael ( Lady Edith Crawley) graced the red carpet.

Michelle is wearing a stunning black dress with a gold corset and long black opera gloves would have looked better than the short ones for a funeral. But, hey she wore gloves. Wonder if she borrowed them from the set?

Laura, Laura, Laura. Are you really wearing leggings under that dress? Tsk. Tsk. She could have done so much better if the dress was fitted to her her body. Someone online said that she looks like Meryl Streep's daughter, that 's because Laura raided Meryl's closet.

Brook Shield and her date, a cane walk the red carpet May 7 in a J. Mendel gown and a torn meniscus. Ouch! She apparently did that while performing on Broadway in The Addams Family.

 Melania Trump, wife of Donald Trump, at the Gala. All I can say is that Alexis Carrington wants her dress back. Or was that Crystal Carrington? Anyway, give the dress back to the 1980's, Melania. That was not a good fashion decade.

Heidi Klum in her gun metal grey Escada mini dress with a sheer lace overlay. But the Lorraine Schwartz choker is too much. Heidi should have kept her jewelry simple.

The brown paper bags that Saints fans used of war because of a losing season need to be brought back because of the utter shame General Manager Mickey Loomis has brought to the Saints. He has made it embarrassing to be a New Orleans Saints fan. First, there is the bounty scandal, which to an extent I have no problem with because the hits were legal, I just hate that they took out the likes of Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning. Now what WAS surprising is that New Orleans didn't call for heads to roll when it was found out that Peyton was taken out by a legal hit, because he is from New Orleans and essentially, blood - as in family. That's the only one that I have an issue with but what really gets my goat is that Sean Payton tried to cover up what was already a well known fact. IDIOT! This resulted in the Saints losing Head Coach Sean Payton for the year ( even though there has/had been a push from Saint fans to have his suspension reduced, if not just done away with all together), Assistant Coach Joe Vitt is gone for 6 games and Mickey Loomis got an 8 game suspension. Then there is a franchise-tag slapped on Drew Brees and there is still NO contract. And NOW Mickey Loomis is being accused by ESPN of listening in on opposing coaches plays and the Feds and Louisiana State police are investigating. Lord, what did we do to deserve this ? I mean really, who the blue blazes has it in for the New Orleans Saints ? Was somebody fired and didn't particularly like that idea so they decided to bring the Saints down with them? Or is Mickey Loomis that stupid? This all so.. ARGH!!...ridiculous.

The 'Aints are back

Baseball Season 2012

Dear MLB,

  I would just like to send out a note of thank you for getting your labor deal done like mature adults and not going on strike or having a lockout, like some of your brethren athletes and we all know who they are. Now with this gratitude there is a mix of bewilderment, Opening day of the 2012 baseball season was supposedly  Wednesday March 30, in Tokyo, Japan. The Oakland A's and the Seattle Mariners played in Tokyo while everybody else is still playing in the Cactus League and the Grapefruit League until a week later, April 4. Makes no sense because most fans in America could not see the game, unless the Tokyo game was an exhibition game meant to entertain Japanese fans and drum up more business for baseball. That actually makes sense to me because even though you would like to be America's favorite national pastime again, instead of football, you are still a business and in need of making money.

  But just the same, once again thank you MLB for having baseball season start on the day it is supposed to and not putting sports fans through more sickness and torture by hearing about millionaire and billionaire arguing over who gets what and how much. Nice not wanting to hurl hearing of such arguments.

Sincerely,

Misha 

GO CARDINALS! ANGELS! PIRATES ( yeah I know)! TIGERS! and RANGERS!

NBA 2011- 2012 Season

  Yes it does seem that there is definitely going to be an NBA basketball season. Even though I am still a bit ticked with everyone involved, well maybe with the exception of the Mavericks. The players I am at least okay but Mark Cuban... well what can you say about him that already hasn't been said. I just hope he keeps his mouth shut like he did last season! And it would be nice if they can keep Tyson Chandler and Caron Butler but there seems to be a high chance of that not happening.

 Anyway, here is what is proposed, and more than likely just waiting for the official votes, of the NBA's labor deal.

 Specifics of NBA Proposed Labor Deal 

by Andrian Wojnarowski


  The NBA and the Players Association  have begun circulating to teams,players and agents outlining some of the specifics of the proposed labor agreement that must still be ratified by the leagues owners and players.

  Among the specifics in the collective bargaining agreement:

 * Revenue split: The players will receive 49to 51 percent of basketball-related income based on revenue projections. The split is set on a base case of 50%, with players receiving 60.5% of every incremental dollar beyond the target amount.

* Maximum contract lengths: five years for Larry Bird rights players; four years for non-Bird players. * 

*Maximum salary: A player finishing his rookie contract will be eligible to receive a maximum salary equal to 30% of  the salary cap if  he signs with his prior team and meets certain performance benchmarks: first, second or third team All-NBA two times; an All-Star starter two times; or one-time MVP.

* Annual salary increase: 7.5% for Bird players; and 4.5% for non-Bird players.

 * Mid-level exception: up to $5 million starting salary with four-year maximum contract length for teams that don't exceed the luxury tax threshold by more than $4 million; teams that exceed this threshold by $4 million will be limited to using a $3 million mid-level exception with a three-year maximum contract.

 * New $2.5 million exception for teams below the salary cap to go over the cap. Those teams can't use the mid-level or bi-annual exceptions.

*No reduction in rookie scale or minimum salaries.

 * Player options are allowed for all players, similar to the previous collective bargaining agreement.

 * Extend-and-trade contract similar to the one Carmelo Anthony received prior to his trade from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks last season will continue to be permitted.

 * Escrow pool: Ten percent of player salaries will be held each year.

 *  Teams now have three days to match offer sheets given to their own restricted free agents.

 * Minimum team salary increases to 85% of the salary cap in the first two years of the deal and 90% of the cap in the years thereafter.

* Each team has one amnesty clause to use on a player currently under contract. The players' salary will be removed from the team's cap.

I'll post the NBA schedule at a later time.


* Larry Bird rights players : 

  The NBA's salary cap is not set in stone - teams are allowed to exceed the payroll maximum for a variety of reasons. One of the exceptions to the cap was created to allow teams to resign their own players. The Boston Celtics were the first team to employ the exemption, exceeding the cap to re-sign Larry Bird. Since then, it has been known as the "Bird Exception". 

Players eligible to be signed under the Bird Exception are said to have "Bird rights".

No NBA Season?

  You've heard of a woman scorned? I think the NBA Players Union and owners may feel a backlash of fans scorned.  It was announced earlier today that the Player's Union have rejected the latest offer by the owners, a 50-50 split, and decided to decertify so that they can sue the owners for antitrust violations. The owners were not expecting this, they thought that if the players did not accept this latest offer they would back them into a corner and offer the players a 47% cut but the players essentially said "That's what you think and screw you". To an extent I can see things from the players perspective but they had opportunities to accept different proposals and let people get back to work. But I don't look for it to happen and I feel that there will not be a NBA basketball season this year.

  ESPN talks about players have opportunities to play overseas in Europe, like Kobe Bryant. Now that's all well and good for Kobe Bryant.What about other players that do not have the marquee name? What are they supposed to do? Now I have heard of one working in Maryland, I believe it is, selling furniture. So what about other basketball players like him who don't make the big NBA money? Jobs are hard enough to come by for regular working people, are we supposed to step aside and let out of work NBA players have our jobs? Not all of them can be like Kris Humphries and marry a Kardashian and MAYBE have a chance at spousal support, because she'll be the one making an income, to see them through this mess. YES I said it, but how many of YOU have thought it?

  Some of you may have realized that I am a Dallas Mavericks fan, mainly because of Dirk Nowitzki because of work ethic the rest of the team has followed his lead and also have a good work ethic, but now they have the possibility of not getting their championship rings, having their championship banner raised in American Airlines Center and whatever other celebration may have been planned, if there's no season. So yes I think that they're being cheated and it won't be the same if they do get their rings next year.

 This being said here is a latest article from Sporting News:

NBA Players Reject Owners' Offer, Putting Season in Further Jeopardy  

 NBA players on Monday rejected the owners' latest contract offer, their union announced Monday afternoon.

  Players Association chief Billy Hunter said the union has served a notice of disclaimer of interest to commissioner David Stern and will file an antitrust suit against the league.

 "We've arrived at the conclusion that the collective bargaining has completely broken down. We've delivered a disclaimer of interest to the league", he said. "We've negotiated in good faith for over two years," he added. " The players just felt that they've given enough."

   The disclaimer of interest that the NBPA will cease to function as a union. Instead, it will act as a trade association, a move that allows players to take legal action against the league.

  Hunter said that disclaiming interest is a more expeditious process than decertification, which requires a vote of the membership. The players represented by attorneys Jeffery Kessler and David Boies - who represented the NFL players' lawsuit against that league last summer - will file suit against the league in a matter of days.

 Union president Derrick Fisher said that the decision to take this step was  unanimous among the dozen of players, with all 30 teams represented, who were at Monday's meeting in New york. Fisher added that players have been asked not to speak about the situation since it is now a legal matter.

 The legal maneuver makes the prospect of a 2011-2012 season even more dim.

But when asked if a season was still possible, Hunter responded, "If a settlement is reached with the lawyers leading the charge anything is possible. I guess the NBA could open the doors... and let the players play."

______________________________________

 Stranger things have happened but I'll believe it when I see it

LSU vs Alambama

  If you're for the LSU Tigers I hope you get a kick out of this post. If you're rooting for 'Bama and get offended, that's life. You may also like ro read this post that I had done a few months back. It's entitled "Football Season" and the second paragraph deals with LSU and Alabama. http://mishasblue.blogspot.com/2011/08/football-season.html

   Okay the big game is Saturday and I know I am late putting things together for it but... so what! At least I'm not doing this on Sunday. So it's time to decorate:

Yes Nick, LSU is commin' for you. So you better run. Which if memory serves me correct, you're REALLY good at running... away. You know just like you did with the Miami Dolphins.

  Oh! You say you want to go get into some comfprtable clothes? Well, all right that's fine.

Hey Coach, are you SURE you want to wear THAT?  No? Good! Okay so you're going to go change your clothes again? No problem.

GOOD Lord, Nick go put some decent clothes on! Please! 

Whatever! I give up.

Yep that's about all your good for.

Lockout # ...

  Okay I 've about had it with both sides of this freakin' mess. Sunday there was an offer of 50/50  revenue sharing and the players turned it down and of course the owners, the league, or whoever are saying "NOO we never made such an offer. Right now the players have 57% of guaranteed basketball related revenue under the current collective bargaining agreement. By the way, didn't Dwayne Wade have a hissy fit because Commissioner David Stern shook a finger at D-Wade last week? If D-Wade is that sensitive, no wonder the Heat lost in the finals. Heck, it was probably dumb luck they got as far as they did. Sorry I got sidetracked. Anyway... Know what? WHATEVER!!!!

The first two weeks of regular NBA season has just been canceled and this includes all the games played through November 24. There is just three weeks left before the start of the season and both met for 7 hours Monday and couldn't, but in my opinion it's more likely WOULDN'T, reach an agreement. But both sides they intend to remain in contact, WHOOP-DEE DO, but no more talks have been scheduled.  (What else is new?)

 With this lockout happening there is some worry that the NBA could alienate fans (Does p*ssing them off count? I'm already there if it does.), because the fans are the one's who sent the NBA revenue and television ratings soaring.According to the Deputy Commissioner, Adam Silver, the league would lose hundreds of millions of dollars, but the union executive says that players will lose an estimated  $350 million a month while the players are locked out.

 Now for the normal workers, that both sides don't give a rat's butt about, such as the ushers, parking lot attendants, restaurant employees ,concession stand workers, and othersall stand to either have their hours cut or laid off. A few teams have already cut there staffs and there could be more layoffs coming down the pipe.

So as usual the rich want to be richer, the richer want to be the richest and if they trample on the backs of normal working people, well... what do they care? Seems like A LOT have forgotten their roots.

This is the latest from ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7085089/nba-labor-david-stern-cancels-first-two-weeks-nba-season


Now for an emotional outburst via pictures: