alfdogg

At halftime here, they showed this paid program

That's happened to me before, too, but it's saved the posts for me. I always C&P before submitting something for a show, just in case.

I remember hearing of a stabbing death and some shootings at the most recent Mardi Gras, actually. The issue is, the city is still recovering from the hurricanes and, as Ripper said, the police force is depleted. I don't think it would be a concern if this was prior to the hurricanes.

And there it goes again.

Oh come on. Any combination of those three is going to be a blast.

You never know with the Suns, but I have a really hard time seeing Dallas knocked off this year. I haven't seen a team roll like this since, dare I say, the '96 Bulls. Utah/LA: It would be a really good series, but I'd most likely pick the Lakers. I just think the Jazz need some experience first. Of course, I (correctly) picked the Suns against Dallas under similar circumstances a couple years ago, so maybe I'm not the best person to consult on this one. As for Livingston, I'd say it would be wise to sit out all of next season, as well, just because of what happened to Amare when he tried to come back last year. He was able to return to form, of course, but IIRC he ended up messing up his other good knee and needing surgery on it, as well.

Could you? I'd really appreciate it.

Well, despite us SHOCKINGLY snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, not a shabby performance tonight, especially considering Jamaal Tinsley didn't play. I don't know why the hell Ike Diogu didn't get in there more, he looked nice in his limited time. JO's line: 28/13/7/6 blocks. EDIT: I should also point out that when I made the above post, Amare had 8 points on 3-10 shooting. He finished 8-22, with one long jumper, and the rest put-backs and garbage buckets. If you just look at his line, then yeah, he was pretty good, but Jermaine really played him well tonight.

You know, since Syndicated is so late, would it be too much trouble to just skip this show and wait until next week? I don't think I'm going to have much time to write my match for Thursday, anyway.

And right after I post that, the Suns go on a 14-2 run to end the quarter.

Pacers lead the Suns by 14 with four minutes to go in the third. JO is eating Amare for breakfast.

what

I'm having trouble finding words for this, mainly because I haven't really seen him play, but McHale had better hope Randy Foye is really, REALLY good. How did you not make a trade for Iverson if you're Minnesota.

Larry Bird said in an interview on Saturday that it's a "tough reach" to think that this Pacer team can win a championship. I'm sure this is comforting news to Jermaine O'Neal, who has hinted on several occasions that he may ask for a trade this summer.

Tim Legler: "Douby could light it up in college"

Sun, Feb. 25 Chicago @ Detroit, 1:00 ABC Houston @ Orlando, 2:00 Cleveland @ Miami, 3:30 ABC Washington @ Minnesota, 3:30 Phoenix @ Atlanta, 6:00 New York @ New Jersey, 6:00 LA Lakers @ Golden State, 6:00 Sacramento @ Indiana, 8:00 ESPN Mon, Feb. 26 Sacramento @ Philadelphia, 7:00 Miami @ New York, 7:30 Denver @ Memphis, 8:00 Toronto @ San Antonio, 8:00 Orlando @ Chicago, 8:30 Boston @ Houston, 8:30 Atlanta @ Dallas, 8:30 LA Lakers @ Utah, 9:00 Portland @ Seattle, 10:00 Charlotte @ LA Clippers, 10:30 Tue, Feb. 27 NO/OK @ Cleveland, 7:00 Phoenix @ Indiana, 7:00 Washington @ New Jersey, 7:30 Golden State @ Milwaukee, 8:00 Dallas @ Minnesota, 8:00 Wed, Feb. 28 Phoenix @ Philadelphia, 7:00 Miami @ Washington, 7:00 New York @ Boston, 7:30 Utah @ Memphis, 8:00 Atlanta @ NO/OK, 8:00 Golden State @ Chicago, 8:30 Toronto @ Houston, 8:30 Orlando @ Denver, 9:00 Charlotte @ Sacramento, 10:00 Seattle @ LA Clippers, 10:30 Thu, Mar. 1 Cleveland @ Dallas, 8:00 TNT Charlotte @ Portland, 10:00 LA Clippers @ Seattle, 10:30 TNT Fri, Mar. 2 Milwaukee @ Toronto, 7:00 Memphis @ Philadelphia, 7:00 Atlanta @ Washington, 7:00 Golden State @ New York, 7:30 Detroit @ Miami, 8:00 Orlando @ San Antonio, 8:00 Utah @ Minnesota, 8:00 NO/OK @ Chicago, 8:30 Indiana @ Phoenix, 9:00 Houston @ Denver, 10:30 ESPN Sacramento @ LA Lakers, 10:30 Sat, Mar. 3 Boston @ New Jersey, 1:00 New York @ Atlanta, 7:00 Toronto @ Cleveland, 7:30 Detroit @ Memphis, 8:00 San Antonio @ Houston, 8:30 Orlando @ Dallas, 9:00 Sacramento @ Portland, 10:00 Indiana @ LA Clippers, 10:30

So, I rented this tonight. It's going to take some extra time, since in addition to my first time playing the game, it's my first time playing any game on the 360 (it's my brother's system), so I'm getting used to the controls. Free throws have been nearly impossible for me so far...I think I've taken six and made two, and have only had one bad release. Ripper said they play real good D, but I guess I need to set it to a higher difficulty level, because it's not much different than the later Live games to me. I've also noticed that they were too lazy to pronounce Jasikevicius, so they just call him "Number 3." I can't figure out how to crossover or do a spin move yet, either. Or alley-oop. Is this possible?

So yeah, Toronto's pretty good. I don't see a reason they can't win in the first round, provided they don't drop any lower. Of course, it doesn't hurt when the refs refuse to call fouls on you in the fourth quarter, killing the opponent's 19-1 run dead in the water.

Another interesting tidbit regarding the Lakers

Darrell Armstrong just made a 3/4 court shot with 00.5 on the clock. Awesome shot. However, they trail by 16 at the half thanks to 61% shooting from the Raptors, including 14 of their first 15 shots in a 40-point second quarter.

Wow, the Heat are a bunch of bitches. I'm glad their season is down the shitter.

REACH OUT AND TOUCH FAITH! [i]Personal Jesus[/i] plays, and boos fill the arena as Landon Maddix walks to the ring. COLE Let's go to Michael Buffer and get the introductions for our next X-tournament match! BUFFER [i]The following contest is a first-round match in the tournament for the X-division title, scheduled for one fall! Coming down the aisle, hailing from Huron, South Dakota, weighing in at 208 pounds...LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDONNNNNNNNNNNN "LLLLLLLLA CUCARACHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMADDIXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!![/i] COLE And an interesting matchup here, Coach, Longdogger Pete not your typical competitor in an X-division match! COACH That's right, Cole, X-division matches are typically fast-paced, Pete's got to keep Landon grounded here if he wants to have a chance! Landon climbs into the ring and spins around, HBK-style, as [i]Baseline[/i] by Quarashi hits, and Longdogger Pete makes his way out, getting a nice hand. BUFFER [i]His opponent...hailing from Miami, Florida, weighing in at 277 pounds...LLLLLLLLLLLLONGGGGGGGGGGGDOGGERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETE!!!!![/i] Pete climbs into the ring and waves at the fans, then stands in his corner. The referee checks him, then calls for the bell. *DING DING DING* Landon and Pete circle the ring, then tie up. Landon starts to back Pete up, but Pete shoves him across the ring! COLE And Pete with a decided strength advantage, as we see there! Landon slides out of the ring, drawing boos from the crowd. He walks around to the other side of the ring, and re-enters. Landon grabs a side headlock, and Pete shoves him off into the ropes. Pete drops down, and then shoulderblocks him to the mat! Landon slides out once again, and takes another walk. COACH And Landon's just playing cat-and-mouse right now! Landon slides back in again, and grabs another side headlock. This time, Landon delivers a right to the face, then re-applies. Pete attempts a back suplex, but Landon slips out, and executes one of his own! COLE And some strenghth being shown here by Landon Maddix! Landon poses for the crowd, drawing boos. He then backs into the ropes, and goes for an elbow, but Pete rolls out of the way! COACH Nobody home on that elbow, though! Pete waits on Landon, then starts delivering right hands. After three rights, he winds up and delivers a fourth BIG right, knocking Landon to the mat! COLE And Pete starting to get some offense going now! Pete picks up Landon and wrings the arm, but Landon goes to the eyes. Landon then goes to the top rope... COLE And Landon going high risk early here! Landon comes off the top with a flying forearm! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Landon immediately starts to choke Pete on the mat, breaking at the referee's four-count. Landon gets to his feet, and executes a double-stomp/back senton combo! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! COLE Great quickness from Landon Maddix! Landon grabs a rear waistlock on the mat. However, Pete is able to get to his feet, and send Landon to the floor with a leverage move! COLE And a great counter by Pete right there! Pete follows Landon to the floor, and rams his face into the apron! He then rolls Landon back in, and plants him with a big bodyslam! Pete then drops an elbow! And a second! And a third! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Pete picks up Landon, and whips him into a corner. He charges, but Landon slips out of the way! As Pete staggers out, Landon backs into the ropes behind him, and executes a bulldog! COACH But how quickly the tide can turn, Cole! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Landon measures Pete as he gets to his feet, and clotheslines him to the floor! Landon poses in the ring, drawing boos. COLE And the advantage clearly with Landon Maddix at this point in time! Landon backs into the ropes, and hits Pete on the outside with a dive over the top rope! Both men land by the railing, and Landon grabs the railing and begins to stomp Pete. COACH And now Landon taking it to the floor! Landon picks up Pete, and shoves him into the steel post! COLE And Pete tasting the steel! Landon rolls Pete back into the ring, and lays him across the middle rope. He backs into the ropes, and leaps onto Pete! He then chokes him across the middle rope, breaking at the referee's four-count. Landon brings him out, and delivers the LANDON EYE~! Cover... 1... 2... Shoulder up! Landon gives grief to the referee, then picks up Pete and delivers a MACHO NECK SNAP~! Landon then climbs up onto the apron and goes to the top rope. COLE And Landon going for another high-risk move! Landon goes for a FROG SPLASH~!, but Landon gets his knees up! COLE And again it ends bad for Landon! Pete pulls himself to his feet, and lets out a big yell, which gets the crowd into it! COACH Uh-oh... COLE And Pete's fired up! Landon tries to beg off, but to no avail, as Pete delivers a foot to the gut, then whips Landon to the ropes. Pete catches Landon with a big backdrop! Pete follows up with a clothesline! And a second! And a third! He then lifts Landon on his shoulders, and executes a samoan drop! Cover... 1... 2... NO! Shoulder up! Pete picks up Landon, and whips him into the ropes again. Landon slides underneath, and goes for a kick, which is caught by Pete. Landon quickly goes for an enziguri, which is also blocked by Pete, who goes to the PERFECT DARK~! COLE And look at Pete showing the quickness! 1... 2... Kickout! Pete levels Landon with a European uppercut! COACH Oof! Pete charges Landon at the ropes, but Landon ducks down and backdrops him to the floor! COLE And Landon with great prescence of mind, sending Pete to the outside! Landon gains his breath, allowing Pete to climb up to the apron. He tries to grab Pete, but Pete delivers a shoulderblock to the midsection, then slingshots himself over! COLE Sunset flip try! Landon drops down and drives a right hand into Pete, then grabs the ropes for the cover... 1... 2... ...the referee spots Landon's hands on the ropes, and stops his count! Landon raises his arms in the air, proclaiming innocence, and Pete rolls him over! 1... 2... 3!!! *DING DING DING* COLE Pete got it! Big win for Pete, as he advances! BUFFER [i]The winner of the match, advancing to the next round...LLLLLLLLLLLLONGGGGGGGGGGGDOGGERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETE!!!!![/i] Landon throws a fit in the ring, as Pete walks to the back. COLE Landon very upset, as Pete snuck one in on him, and now Pete will advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament! Let's go to...

I'd wager the Bulls have as good of a chance as any of the non-Detroit teams in the East. I'll get my first good look at Toronto tommorrow as they play the Pacers, but I don't really see another team that stands out. EDIT: Obviously I don't mean any team in the East, but rather the probable playoff-bound ones. I'd include Chicago, Cleveland, Toronto, Indiana, Washington in that group. And of course Miami if they can still get in.