The NBA Finals

Someone's excited

This is where legacies are made.

The NBA Finals begins tonight and in at least four games (possibly seven), we will look completely different at some players than we do today.

It's one of the reasons I love sports. It's a big reason I love the NBA Finals.

Imagine what you'll think about Dirk Nowitzki or Lebron James once this thing is all decided upon. It's incredible. Both players have had to work to patch together their identity and reputation in different ways.

Nowitzki was considered a great player, but a soft one. One that could be pushed around and kowtowed to opposing players. Someone that was on that third tier of superstardom.

James dumped his multi-billion dollar reputation in the toilet a summer ago with "The Decision" and the apparent tampering involved with him going to the Miami Heat in free agency. His reputation is not completely healed and it might take years. Or a championship.

Many think that the Heat are just going to improve over the years and that this is the last year before they take over. This is awfully presumptuous, clearly. I don't pay it any mind. Still, Heat or no, this is probably a final hurrah for Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion and others. With a work stoppage looming, it might be the last chance for the Mavericks as we know them today.

My first thoughts about this series started with match-ups. I honestly don't know who guards James or Dwayne Wade (stick DeShawn Stevenson on James ... OK, who guards Wade?). I also don't know who guards Nowitzki. Truth is, the Mavericks haven't faced an animal like James or Wade nor have the Heat faced an animal like Nowitzki.

It comes down to execution, clearly. If Jason Terry shoots 2-12, the Mavericks are sunk. If Kidd turns the ball over six times and dishes three assists, the Mavericks are sunk. If Lebron James shoots 22 feet from the basket or if Chris Bosh goes 5-15, the Heat don't stand a very good chance.

Honestly, if either team wants to win, you simply go to the hoop. You'll get lay-ups, you'll get fouled and you'll put the opponent in deep shit with foul trouble.

When's the last time you watched the 2006 Finals? I re-watched them recently on YouTube. It's extraordinary how "facts" change when you watch those games again. So much attention was poured on the officiating. You forget Josh Howard and Jason Terry being the dumbest basketball players on Earth. You forget DeSagana Diop being the starting center. You forget Dirk Nowitzki not touching the ball for possession after possession in the fourth quarter.

You forget the 20 footers in crunch time. When the Mavericks absolutely needed a basket, they could not (or would not) get any closer than 20 feet for a shot, many of them bad with the shot clock winding down. Meanwhile, if the Heat needed a basket, they could drive past their defender ANY TIME THEY WANTED and get a lay-up or a WIDE-OPEN jumper.

Want know why the Mavericks didn't get the free throw attempts? They shot the ball from 20 feet away from the basket.

Our idea of officiating was skewed. We thought free throw numbers should be even. However, re-watching those games, the fouls were not even. Maybe there were some missed calls that were in favor of Dallas, but there were twice as many Mavericks mistakes and just as many times the Heat took advantage.

The Mavericks -- contrary to what their owner would tell you -- killed themselves.

If it happens again, blame the referees all you want, but chances are we'll be able to check the tape and find out that execution and intelligence was lacking.

Five points:

Ghosts
If you don't think that Mark Cuban, Terry and Nowitzki hasn't thought about 2006, you are crazy. They've pretty much said the same thing. Granted, the rest of the roster was not around. But neither was most of the Heat's roster, outside of Dwayne Wade and Udonis Haslem. Neither team may realize the ghosts that inhabit the eastern American Airlines Center, but the fans know, Nowitzki knows and Terry knows. Dangerously, Wade knows. Bad sports mojo exists. It was one of the greatest collapses in sports history. That can not be forgotten.

Chris Bosh
As Bosh goes, so do the Heat. Simple. Two superstars are fine. It'll get you in the arena. Three superstar-like players win you most games. Tyson Chandler has a mighty deed to stop him and make him look silly. If Bosh spits the bit, the Mavericks win.

Depth
Famously, the Heat employ the services of Joel Anthony, Mike Bibby, Mario Chalmers, James Jones, Juwan Howard and Erick Dampier. It is safe to say that the Mavericks hold the edge on depth over the Heat. Hell, it's safe to say most teams hold that edge. It's one thing to hold that edge. It's another to make it work for you. The Mavericks bench will need to be notable in this series. You'll need to see a double-digit point differentials from the bench players. Jason Terry will need to be good. And they'll all need to be as good as they can on defense, especially Brendan Haywood and J.J. Barea.

Lebron James: Defender
Forget his offense, James has solidified himself as a top-notch defender this season. I've always felt this way, but there's an intensity in these playoffs that have caught everyone's attention. I think the Heat will throw a number of looks at Nowitzki and I think a big one will be James. Yes, a smaller player (a player Nowitzki's punished before), but he's not smaller in the way that Kobe Bryant or Kevin Durant are smaller. He's like a tall linebacker. Either way, he could guard Jason Kidd, Jason Terry or Shawn Marion. He can take away at least one of your players. Period.

Dirk
Take all the good press, impressive players and fantastic games Nowitzki's had this post-season and stuff them into seven games. That's what he'll need to do. Take that 2006 Nowitzki and improve him 45 percent and that's the guy that'll need to show up. The Heat can probably survive a superstar struggling. I don't think the Mavericks can do that. I hate to put everything him, but we'll need to be agog in regards to Nowitzki when this thing's over if the Mavericks hope to win.

Prediction
Mavericks in 6
Dirk's different. This is a team of destiny. A team defying all odds, so why should that change? I said I wouldn't pick against them again after the Los Angeles sweep and I'll stand by that. I think the depth will hurt the Heat. I think the Mavericks are smarter and I don't think they'll fall into the same traps they did in 2006.

Distractions

Olssen twins

Dirk Nowitzki -- probably jealous of Tony Romo getting hitched -- supposedly proposed to his girlfriend, Dallas art curator Jessica Olssen.

The very last thing you wanted to hear with game 1 of the NBA Finals hours away. And considering his past with females.

Don't like it.

UPDATE: This was false. Apparently they are not engaged. She's still a distraction.

Where are all these people going to go?

Tanner Scheppers: Bullish

A couple of seasons ago, a change came over the Texas Rangers.

Suddenly, a ripe farm system bloomed. Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz, Julio Borbon, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and Tommy Hunter all made their MLB debut within a year or so of each other.

There's a significant circumstance here: The Rangers had holes. Meaning, the Rangers could promote Andrus because they didn't have a third baseman and Mike Young was pushed over. There wasn't anyone in the rotation that was either A) injured; B) ineffective; or C) wholly missing.

So it worked out. It made sense.

I have a feeling, however, that within the next calendar year or so, the Rangers will need to made a number of hard decisions (some of which may backfire). It might result in some hard trades. It might result in some guys walking. Bottomline: There will be change.

This might start in the next two weeks and there might not be convenient excuses (injuries, ineffectiveness, free agency) in place to allow these changes.

Scott Feldman/Brandon Webb/Tommy Hunter
Feldman's n Triple A and not doing great. Still, he's pitched three games since missing most of last year and starting rehab in the last three weeks. No doubt he rolls into the bullpen, probably in Dave Bush's role once he's ready. Webb pitched in a game for the first time in two years yesterday. His fastball hit 84 and his control was questionable. He might never pitch for the Rangers. He might be ready in July. Who knows? Still, where does he go? You can't touch four-fifths of your rotation. The bullpen seems relatively settled. As for Hunter, see above. A starter who doesn't have a place and could be ready by July, too. Thing with Hunter is that he was a closer at Alabama in college and you wonder if he'd be switched around. Because you could use a big right arm with the absence of Alexi Ogando.

Julio Borbon/Leonys Martin
Right now, you can't send Endy Chavez back down. And you can't have your bench outfield bat be another lefty (Craig Gentry is right handed). Doesn't matter. Martin is your starting centerfielder next season. I suspect he'll be in Arlington in September anyway. He's bashing Double A pitching (.353/.438/.588) and his defense is MLB-ready.

Cody Eppley/Mark Hamburger/Tanner Scheppers
Eppley's going to be here sooner or later. No room in the bullpen ... right now. Outside of Eppley and Pedro Strop, Hamburger might be the next bullpen arm in the Majors. He's at Round Rock and can not go anywhere but up. Scheppers is the heir apparent to the closer's role. If he can get healthy. Then again, if he's your closer and Neftali Feliz is moved to the rotation where do Webb/Hunter/Feldman/Holland go?

Neil Ramirez
Made a spot start in Round Rock. And hasn't left. He hadn't pitched in nothing over Low-A ball before this season, so because he's holding his own in Triple A is promising. At worst, he should be at Frisco. September call-up? A potential 2012 bullpen arm? Trade chip?

Martin Perez
A lot to improve upon. Walks are high. But he's being stretched out and his pitch counts are higher than they have before. At 20, no need to rush. But it's foolish to not think he wouldn't be a call-up candidate in 2012 with the idea of him being in the rotation by 2013.

Robbie Erlin
Erlin is a lot like Perez: A 20-year-old starter in Double A. A smallish (6-0) lefty that is tearing up the minors. Double A will be a challenge worth watching. He's flew through the system and, like Perez, is someone to watch for next mid-season and for 2013.

Joe Wieland
A big righty sitting and dominating at High-A right now. At first opportunity, he'll be in Double A. He's gotten better year after year. He's struck out 70 and walked three. Yikes. A similar route to Erlin, both being names to watch for September 2012 and Spring Training 2013.

Notable Omissions
Miguel De Los Santos, Chris Davis, Eric Hurley, Omar Beltre, Pedro Strop, Zach Phillips, Darren O'Day, Fabio Castillo.

Simply offensive

The King, doubling up

The onslaught continues.

The Texas Rangers continued their offensive ways collecting 20 hits, 11 runs, four home runs and five doubles in a 11-5 win yesterday in Tampa Bay.

Take in the Kansas weekend series and they've 15 home runs and 35 runs scored in four games. Bad pitching or not, that'll win you more games than not.

And we should never, ever take Josh Hamilton for granted. I would include Nelson Cruz, but he was still with the team as the offensive sputtered through the last five weeks. Hamilton's the anchor here. His insertion puts almost everyone into their right place, and clearly having Cruz is a huge help.

As for the pitching, well, Hamilton can't help that. Here's the thing with Derek Holland: When it clicks that he needs to simply trust his stuff, make his pitches, throw STRIKES, quit sniffing around the corners, he'll be OK. I think he'll be quite good.

Until that time, expect starts like yesterday. On at least three occassions he failed to record a 1-2-3 inning due to a walk. He walked five and only allowed five hits. He walked Nos. 8 and 9 hitters Kelly Shoppach and Justin Ruggiano once each. Two of his five walks scored.

Throwing strikes (and, yes, he was trying to nibble around the plate the entire afternoon) would have changed everything. He most probably goes seven innings instead of five, at least. The pitch count soared due to the free passes. And that would have saved the bullpen.

Two, that's the difference between a quality start and a dud. I'd rather give up a home run than a walk. Walks kill.

Notes:
1. I love the "Darren Oliver has lost it" talk. It's funny. The guy has two bad outings and his ERA "soars" to 2.95. He's allowed three total walks, opponents are hitting .226 and his WHIP is 1.00. The Rangers need the entire bullpen to "struggle."

2. The ascertion that Mike Napoli could hit 30 home runs is alive and well. Had two yesterday including a double. He has nine RBI in his last three games. Seven of his hits in that span have gone for extra bases. The assertion that he could be an extra in Road House is also alive.

3. The Tampa bullpen pitched 6.1 innings yesterday. And they have a rookie going today.

4. Elvis Andrus had two doubles. At seven, he has one less than Josh Hamilton, two more than Nellie Cruz and one more than Napoli. He had 15 doubles all of 2010.

5. Mitch Moreland's home run still hasn't landed.

6. Mike Young has 14 hits in his last 10 games. He has 70 on the season, 82 short of 2,000. Secondarily, he could approach 1,000 runs and RBI before the season ends in addition to 400 doubles.

7. What do you do with Endy Chavez?

The fine line between madness and genius

Kirkman: Do you like websites?

Can the Texas Rangers find a third-base coach at the trade deadline?

Mike Napoli -- who runs as if he's treading through three-foot-deep peanut butter -- scored from first on a Elvis Andrus single in the bottom of the ninth inning giving the Rangers a 7-6 win and a series victory over the Kansas City Royals.

The problem: He was out by a country mile. Andrus' hit was not hit extremely hard (which was a big reason it took a little time to get to), but Dave Anderson waved Napoli around anyway. Saving his bacon, Napoli made a savvy move in not attempting to slide around Royals catcher Brayan Pena, he went right at the plate, which wasn't being blocked.

I think what got to Pena, more than anything, was that Napoli was actually coming. Maybe Anderson made the exact right move: He did what the opponent did not dare think he would actually do. Look at the replay. The ball is coming in, Pena glances to his left and his head jerks realizing that dumb, fat Napoli is steaming down the third-base line. In the brief second of confusion, he forgets to block the plate. So idiotic, that it worked.

This isn't Anderson's only snafu. He's had his fair share. But when it works, everyone is cool.

If you blinked this weekend, you probably missed something from the Rangers-Royals, which turned out to be pretty entertaining. There was 11 Rangers home runs, an extra-inning affair, a walk-off play at the plate and 24 home-team runs scored.

Now for some awards:

Biggest Asshole
Brayan Pena
The man has three home runs this season. All three are against the Rangers. He also has 15 RBI on the season. Ten are against the Rangers. All three are three-run home runs. Seeing him spike the ball this afternoon in disbelief was magical.

Best Relief Appearance
(tie) Yoshi Tateyama and Michael Kirkman
Kirkman pitched 2.2 scoreless innings in the series, including two innings today to keep the game at hand. He had three strikeouts on the day. Kirkman's ERA dropped from 27.00 to 10.38. Tateyama pitched 4.1 innings allowing an unearned run and walking no one. Most impressively, he induced 11 groundball outs. What if the Rangers have something in these two dudes?

Worst Relief Appearance
Dave Bush
Friday night, Bush faced eight Royals hitters in getting three outs. He allowed five runs on four hits and a walk. Eight of those hitters hit home runs. Including that asshole Pena.

"Oh-Shit-We-Got-To-Deal-With-Him-For-Another-Decade" Award
Eric Hosmer
It's going to really stink when he's a Yankee.

In The Same Boat Award
Neftali Feliz and Joakim Soria
The debate is still on. Is Neftali Feliz hurt? Is it all mental? It's all a moot point. If Feliz is hurt and isn't telling the coaches, then that's on him. Ron Washington has no other reason not to send him out there to at least figure it out. Seems like Feliz is throwing hard, he's just not locating things very well. I don't care who you are, if you throw pitches down the middle of the plate and the hitter knows its a fastball, it'll get hit. There's no nuance to Feliz' game right now, and that kills him more than anything. Add to the fact that he has zero confidence. Soria's not that far behind. He's had a really bad year and a bad series. Frankly, teams are not out of it if he's on the mound. Considering Aaron Crow's emergence, you wonder how long Soria has.

Best Start
Matt Harrison
Put together another beautiful start Saturday going six innings and allowing no runs on five hits and a walk. A blister ended his night prematurely. For the record, that's four straight pretty good starts and two straight great starts. He hasn't allowed a run in 16.1 innings.

Worst Start
Sean O'Sullivan
Hopefully the bullpen took him out to Cheddar's after the game. O'Sullivan took the beating opposite Harrison sticking around for 5.2 innings allowing 15 hits, 10 runs, five home runs and two walks.

Minor Threat 3.0

Nothing says on-base percentage like Sarah Marshall

A semi-weekly look at the Texas Rangers' farm system. And typically a photo of some hot, unattainable woman.

Round Rock Express

Michael Kirkman's been moved to the bullpen. His ERA is 5.35 overall, but 0.00 in relief. He's struck out seven in 4.2 relief innings.

Despite some on-again, off-again control issues, Neil Ramirez is battling. He's got 48 Ks in 43 innings and a .235 BAA. He's also allowed just two home runs.

If you want a name to watch, try Hamburger. Mark Hamburger, that is. He's 24 and had in the Eddie Guardado trade with Minnesota a few years back. He's got a good fastball and is five games into his Triple A experience. His last appearance was a clean inning with two strikeouts.

Scott Feldman's allowed seven runs in 11.2 innings.

Frisco RoughRiders

Jose Ruiz, 26, is hitting .323 with eight doubles and four home runs. And he might become a pretty good linebacker for the Cowboys (6-3, 235).

There's a hundred things to love about Leonys Martin. No. 54: 11 RBI in 13 games. From the lead-off spot.

Reliever Tyler Tufts has walked two in 20 innings this year. He's walked 36 in about 185 minor-league innings.

Martin Perez has allowed two earned runs in last four starts, 26 innings.

Mike Bianucci, Jon Greene and Tommy Mendonca have struck out a combined 147 times this season.

Jacob Brigham has a 4.56 ERA despite just a .225 BAA. He's averaging a strikeout per frame.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Ryan Strausborger has quite the line: 32 runs, 27 RBI, 13 doubles, four triples, five home
runs and 15 steals. Productive.

Rob Erlin and Joe Wieland are wonders. They've allowed more home runs (10) than walks (8). They've combined for 123 strikeouts and WHIPs of 0.55 and 0.88, respectively. UPDATE: Erlin's been promoted to Frisco!

Kasey Kiker's walked 20 batters.

And if that weren't enough, Barrett Loux and Robbie Ross are 9-4 having allowed one home run 97.2 innings. They've combined for 95 strikeouts.

Jared Hoying and Mike Olt have combined for 80 strikeouts and 50 walks.

Take out Zach Osborne's one bad game, he's allowed no runs and five hits in seven games, striking out nine.

Joe Ortiz has a 1.66 ERA in relif. Trevor Hurley's at 1.93.

Hickory Crawdads

Josh Richmond is hitting .270. He also has 14 doubles and five RBI.

Luke Jackson made his debut this week. He followed a so-so first start (4 IP, 4 hits, 4 runs, 4 Ks) with a sloppy -- but scoreless -- second start.

Jurickson Profar is getting better and better. Hitting .452 in last 10 games. Average is up to .274, but this on-base percentage is a ridiculous .401 thanks to 23 walks compared to 20 strikeouts.

Jacob Skole also is gettin better. The power is not there, if it exists at all, but he's hitting .313 in last 10 and he has a very healthy walk rate. And he's extremely signable.

Jorge Marban has 17 Ks in 12 innings. Opponents are hitting .119 off him.

Colby Killian keeps the ball low. No home runs allowed and he has a 2.50 ground out/flyball ratio. Averaging more than a strikeout per frame.

Matt Thompson having a much more sane year. ERA down to 3.26 and his BAA is .228.

Tomas Telis is co-leader in hits on the team with 46.

John Rhadigan gets Jason Botts treatment

Friends, don't let anyone tell you that democracy is dead.

Fans of the Texas Rangers have proven this.

John Rhadigan was relieved of his post as play-by-play announcer of the television broadcast yesterday, a mere 50 games into his tenure.

Everyone knows the story here. Rhadigan was a longtime studio host and TV guy for the last 20 years, really. Over the off-season, the Rangesr jettisoned the polarizing Josh Lewin and hired Rhadigan despite having no play-by-play experience.

By all accounts, it was a disaster. This is no knock on Rhadigan. He's really good at what he does. However, getting good at play-by-play takes A LOT of time and the Rangers were not willing to give it to him. Without knowing any more about it, it would appear that complaints from fans were was lead to the move.

I thought Rhads was a bit off. I felt he was calling the game on a two-second delay. What I was seeing was always a little before the call. It actually makes you appreciate what Lewin, Eric Nadal, Dave Barnett, Mark Followill, Ralph Strangis and others do night in and night out, and all of them do it quite well.

The loser in all of this, kinda, is Rhadigan. Granted, he'll get his spot on the Fox Southwest desk back and all will go back to normal. But there has to be a little resentment considering they weren't willing to give him the chance to succeed and that they hired him in the first place.

Barnett, who I really like, will go to the TV broadcast and Steve Busby will pitch in the radio broadcast for the time being. I can't imagine them bringing in a full-time TV guy mid-season ... but I never thought they'd give Rhads 50 games to perfect something that's taken some years to get good at.

C.J. Wilson: Ace?

Ace of spades

The definition of an "ace" starting pitcher in professional baseball is malleable.

I've heard it being a guy that you depend on every fifth day giving your team an overwhelmingly good chance at winning. Someone who wants the ball. Someone that will -- more often than not -- break a bad stretch with an outstanding performance despite his team.

Or, it's been defined as someone withe gaudy numbers.

The misconception is that an "ace" is simply the best starter in the rotation.

Roy Halliday is and was an ace. He has both qualities. For the Rangers, Kenny Rogers was once considered an "ace," but he fit the first definition more than he put up awe-inspiring numbers. He was also the best starter the Rangers had.

With all of this said, is C.J. Wilson an ace?

He spinned another beauty yesterday in a 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox pitching into the seventh inning allowing one run, walking none and striking out five.

His numbers are good: 3.25 ERA, 65 strikeouts, his walk numbers are waaaay down and his strikeouts are at a good pace. He's on pace for 240 innings. He's allowed just six home runs this season. That's certainly low. Except when you compare it to the mind-boggling 10 home runs he allowed all of last season ... in 204 innings.

Most importantly, he wins. And he helps the Rangers win. Since becoming a starter, the Rangers are something like 31-13 in Wilson's starts. This year, the Rangers are 7-4 in his starts. Six of his 11 starts have been deemed "quality."

In my book, that's an ace.

Notes:
1. For the first time this season, Wilson did not walk anyone. Free passes were a huge issue last season for him. He has three one-walk games and three two-walk games.

2. The Rangers offense mustered three hits.

3. Of the past eight runs scored by the Rangers, three have come by the sacrifice fly.

4. Yorvit Torrealba went the last decade without an extra-base hit. Suddenly he has doubles in two straight.

5. Since his return to the bigs, Mark Lowe's pitched 7.1 innings. He's allowed four hits and three walks. And Ron Washington seems to trust him whole heartedly.

6. Lowe and Darren Oliver pitched out of jams. Oliver threw nine pitches. Beautiful.

7. I think Neftali Feliz is generally OK. He's stumbling coming off the DL. He's not confident in his secondary pitches and attempting to blow batters away with his heat. It's more mental than anything.

8. I find it odd that a team with Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko anchoring the middle of your line-up can't hit.

Tony Romo's getting married Saturday and I haven't even gotten my invitation

The brushing blind

\Where's the ceremony? When is the ceremony? What should I where? Where are they registered?

You know what. It's too late. I've got plans anyway. So, Tony Homo, you can take you stupid wedding, stick it in your pocket and kiss my black ass.

Have fun with the hot guy from Gossip Girl's sister. Good luck keeping Jerry Jones sober. He'll wind up with the punch bowl on his head doing karate chops and honking your mom's boob.

Welcome to the 148th Byron Nelson Championship

Lord Byron

The EDS Byron Nelson Championship begins today in Las Colinas.

The difference between this year and years past is that the Dallas Mavericks typically aren't in the NBA Finals and the Texas Rangers aren't typically good and they're at home.

Not that everyone won't pay attention, it's just that the media play has been minimal. Plus, you'll have 40K going to the Ballpark Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There's just too much going on.

I'll pay attention though. Even if the field totally sucks (damned Colonial).

The contenders (since David Toms is not playing):

Matt Kuchar
Again, the highest-ranked player in the tournament at No. 10. Did nothing at the Colonial.

Dustin Johnson
An exciting up-and-coming "kid" on the tour. Has two top-3 finishes this year and in a light field, he could make noise.

Jordan Spieth
As an amateur, will not win this tournament. However, it was just a short year ago when the 17-year-old Jesuit kid captured the hearts and minds of Dallasites after finishing 16th.

Charlie Wi
David Toms finished second at the Players and won the Colonial the next week. Wi finished second at the Colonial last week ...

K.J. Choi
Coming off a win at the Players and throwing out the first pitch at the Ranger's game.

Scott Verplank
Jason Day
Rory Sabbatini
The last three champions at the Byron Nelson.

Anthony Kim
Plowing through an awful year. Maybe some home cooking will do the trick.

The ouster

Eins. Zwei. Drei

Question: Will Mark Cuban be criticized for his reaction to the Mavericks winning the Western Conference Finals as much as if it was Lebron James?

Answer: No.

I’m about to be a big asshole right here, so hold on to your hats. Watching the post-game celebration last night I got sick to my stomach. In the gaggle of revelry there was Cuban, Jason Terry, J.J. Barea and others right up front, pointing to the crowd and whatnot.

I just thought to myself, “You’d be nowhere without Dirk Nowitzki.”

It sounds rude. Cuban, of course, signs the paychecks. Terry had a nice series against Los Angeles. Barea, I’m sure, brings something to the table. Off the court, of course.

Still, I saw them glowing in the spotlight meanwhile Nowitzki stood there awkwardly for a little bit, raised the trophy, looked happy and then slipped off to the locker room. The good German does not want to celebrate now. He does not want a parade route. He wants to win another four games and be done with the 2010-11 season.

That’s all. Right now, he doesn’t want to grin for the camera, point at the crowds of fans that he know would give a shit had they slipped in the first round. All he wants to do is win. For the past 16 games, he has done that almost by himself.

When a team finds success in the post-season, the contributions (or lack thereof) tend to get exaggerated. Case in point: Brendan Haywood in the Lakers series. Come on. You really want to call him a key to winning that series while playing 10 mistake-filled minutes? But, you sweep a team and those 10 minutes become “productive.” It’s the nature of the beast.

For my money, one guy has been game in and game out great, and that’s Nowitzki. Shawn Marion’s probably the only player in the second tier. Third tier includes Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler. Most games you’ll find quality contributions; however, there are long stretches when you wonder where they’ve gone.

Then there’s the rest. Terry certainly had his stretch. Barea’s had his moments, but mostly he’s such a huge liability defensively that you just hope to break even (note any time the Thunder pulled away in this series – win or lose – and you’ll see Barea on the court, and that is not a coincidence). I think Haywood’s been, generally, awful. Stevenson’s had his moments. Too many
“I need my shots!” moments with him.

It’s about Nowitzki, which is my general point. Any thought of giving significant amounts of credit to any tandem or individual is offensive.

The age-old argument in sports still persists. Would you rather be the Atlanta Braves and go to the playoffs a billion times and win one World Series, or the Florida Marlins who go to the playoffs twice and win World Series both times?

Would you want to be the Buffalo Bills and go to four straight Super Bowls and never win, or go to one Super Bowl and win?

I still have no hard-and-fast answer. As of this minute, it feels extremely nice going to the NBA Finals for a second time in five years. This, despite the fact that the Mavericks have won nothing as of yet.

It feels real good, and it’ll feel good in five years if they don’t go to another finals and they’re losing 55 games a year. Nothing beats winning and watching your favorite sports team make it to the pinnacle of that sport. Nothing.

We are so blessed to have Nowitzki on our team, in our city. Such a consummate professional, who wants to win more than anyone. We are lucky enough to have watched a legacy be built here with Nowitzki. He will one day be inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame as a Dallas Maverick. When that day comes, we will know these moments. That ball-breaking three pointer last night. The 48 he poured on the Thunder in game 1. The crazy one-legged fall away in game 4.

History, literally, is being written. Nowitzki – and, in turn, the Mavericks – from gone from being a national, leaguewide joke to being a salty character no one wants a part of and that everyone generally agrees is one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

It's all present tense, too. It's being written. There's one chapter left. If you want an epic, just watch these final seven games (if needed, of course).

Can't stand the Heat, get out of my kitchen

The Bron

I have openly and unapologetically rooted for the Miami Heat all season.

Why? Mostly because of Lebron James. I don't own jerseys or apparel. I don't gloat or necessarily promote (this point makes this post rather awkward) that I like James or the Heat. I am just of the opinion that James is the best player in one of my favorite sports and I find a lot of pleasure in watching him and watching him win.

So, I root for the Heat.

Over time, I tended to root for them because no one else really was, and most tended to openly hate the Heat. It's for no real reason, which makes this feelings so frustrating and it makes me root for Lebron and Co. even more. Right now, with the Heat a mere game from the NBA Finals, they're on the verge of forcing all of the playa hatas to step off.

I find the hate dumb. Granted, James clearly handled "The Decision" really poorly. OK. So he's not a public relations specialist. He's also 25 years old and surrounded by more hype men than wise men.

What James did was cocky. Not harmful. He didn't hit a pedestrian and flee the scene. He wasn't busted with drugs. He's not getting arrested for smacking around his baby's mama. He's just a foolish kid. Let's put this in perspective.

As far as "hurting the game" by joining forces with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh (and any collusion that took place), that's bullshit. Nobody said that about the Boston Celtics four years ago. No one made as huge a fuss over the Lakers getting Pau Gasol. Hell, the NBA had a referee that was fixing games due to gambling issues and that's largely forgotten. But not Lebron and the Heat.

People also like to drag Chris Bosh down, noting that the power forward is not a superstar like James and Wade. Maybe he's not a superstar. He's still really good and better than most. He's also the third best player on his own team. Isn't that just about right for him?

Fans -- more so than any other group -- hold more double standards and think with such distortion that it's borderline unfair being involved with sports. We want our heroes to win more than anything -- more than all of the money in the world. When they choose the best chance to win, and it's not OK with us, we are allowed to hate.

It doesn't make any sense. I choose to fight irrational behavior.

For whom the Heath Bell tolls

Ring-ding-dong

I'm sure that headline's NEVER been written.

It's late-May and the trade rumors are already out there. Yesterday, the Rangers were one of several teams that it appears have called the San Diego Padres about closer Heath Bell.

It makes so much sense that it makes me throw up in my mouth.

MLB Trade Rumors discussed Bell's trade value.

Bell is a 33-year-old 6-3 righty badass and the only consistently good to great piece of a sad-sack San Diego Padres team.

For the last six years, you'd be hard pressed to find a better bullpen hand. He set up for Trevor Hoffman for two years and has served as closer the last three years.

He's just as good this season with a 2.00 ERA and hitters have a .209 average against him. But his strikeouts are down to 6.4 per nine innings. The difference is that his groundball percentage is up to 54 percent. His fastball is still good at 93 mph, on average.

What drives up his value is his success, demand (at least four times off the top of your head would be interested) and he's arbitration eligible and would get you two draft picks if he walks.

What drives down his value is his relative lack of time he might spend with a club. You might have him for half a season. I would suspect the Rangers would try to keep him if they should trade for him, especially if the goal is to still move Neftali Feliz to the rotation next season.

He's not a spring chicken (although 33 is not old) and he's also not cheap. He's due $7.5 million this season.

Obviously, is the same ol' song and dance here. A team will give up better prospects if the Padres would be willing to pay some of that deal. Or the Padres could just keep him, offer arbitration and let him walk for the draft picks.

I would find it unlikely the Padres would trade him without getting a top 10 organizational prospect, not top five, but top 10.

Regardless, the Rangers have to make this happen. For this season and for the next three or four. He's a guy you can put in the back end of the bullpen and let ride through his mid-30s as this team rides this crest of success and youth.

The late late show

It was a dark and stormy night ...

Someone recently wrote an article about the 100 most bizarre moments in Texas Rangers history.

The fucking story won't show up in a Google search or I'd link to it. Screw it. It happened and it was mildly interesting.

Last night added to the drama.

The Rangers lost to the Chicago White Sox 8-6 in front of 7,000 fans after a gigantic storm sent most packing and the game re-started at 11:20 p.m.

I enjoyed the first four innings -- at its regularly scheduled time -- in person. I was told that the storm was going north of the Ballpark, so there were no worries.

What shocked me was the wind. The flags atop the video board were perpetually whipping in what seemed to be consistently high winds. By the third innings, the American flag was ripped off its moorings.

Then the clouds rolled in. Still, we were being told that the storm was bypassing the Ballpark. No worries. Still, the thunder and lightnining was in the background, the clouds looked ominous as hell and people began to worry more.

By the third inning, Chuck Morgan had everyone in the top deck move down "due to high winds." Which makes no sense. Do they think people will blow off the top deck? The only reason you'd move people down is for lightning or severe weather outside of high winds and rain. Still, no worries.

By the middle of the fourth, before it even started raining, the tarps were rolled out and a delay took place. I meandered for a little bit, then left after I learned the storm wasn't really due for another 30 minutes.

Then, apparently the hail hit. Tornadoes crept into the area, fans were evaculated into the tunnels and belly of the Ballpark.

No worries.

The game went on and it was a disaster. Carlos Quentin resembled Mickey fuckin' Mantle for a night, we got a look at Yoshi Tateyama, the bullpen couldn't keep it together and the offense didn't have enough mustard, despite a relatively upbeat night.

Glad I didn't stay.

Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz, welcome back, but you're not the story

Oh oh oh Ogando

It was May 23 and Josh Hamilton hit his first home run of the season. Should probably lead every game story about last night's Texas Rangers' 4-0 win over the Chicago White Sox.

It shouldn't.

The Rangers are a pretty sad-sack 25-23 this season and what would normally be a deep disinterest in such a mediocre team is instead met with excitement. This is because the Rangers have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball and any night could be something spectacular.

Enter: Alexi Ogando. I think we have a pretty good cross section of starts for him now and I think we can safely say that this team would suck with him in the bullpen. In fact, Evan Grant tweeted last night that Ogando's success is evidence that the Rangers should push Neftali Feliz into a starter's role next year.

Ogando pitched a complete game shutout last night. His last pitch -- a soft groundout to end the game -- hit 97 miles per hour.

He was simply phenomenal. His fastball was between 93-96 all night. His slider was in the mid-80s and was thrown for a strike all night. In fact, he abused the strike zone all night (John Danks also pitched a complete game in the loss and he too threw strike after strike). About 70 percent of Ogando's pitches were strikes.

There is absolutely nothing -- right now -- to dislike about Ogando. In nine starts, he's gone at least six innings in each. He's thrown quality starts in eight.

In 59 innings, his BAA is .181 and his WHIP is 0.87, meaning he's not only not allowing runs, he's not allowing baserunners. He hasn't allowed more than six hits in a start, and he's allowed six just once.

Ogando's ERA has dipped to a lofty 1.87. He's allowed just six home runs all season and just three in the last 40 innings spanning six starts.

Right now, the Rangers have no one else as dependable as him. And that's a remarkable thing to say.

Notes:
1. The Rangers bullpen since Thursday: Three total innings pitched.

2. Nelson Cruz has homered in four straight games going back to his rehab stints in Frisco and Round Rock.

3. Mike Young had another three hits, including a triple. It's his third, matching last year's total.

4. Hamilton and Cruz's return to the line-up had a real influence in that dugout. It was noticable when Hamilton homered and you could see the weight's lifted off the shoulders of Dave Murphy and Mitch Moreland and Mike Napoli. Like they weren't have to carry the world on their shoulders. Everything seemed in its right place. Thanks Thom Yorke.

5. Young is 88 hits away from 2,000 in his career.

6. Ian Kinsler is by a million miles the most inconsistent, maddening guy on the team. Had another two hits last night including his 14th double. Still, he's hitting .230. I wonder if it'll click for him this year.

7. John Danks is a remarkable 0-7, and he's not that bad. You just wonder what this team would look like if that dumb trade was never made. Do you take a chance on Colby Lewis? Do you feel the need for Cliff Lee? Is Ogando in the bullpen still? It's night and day thinking about it.

8. I've always considered Murphy an above-average defender with an above-average arm. Do I like him in centerfield? No. Does he kill you defensively? Hell no. Murph covered some pretty good ground last night on Paulie Konerko's gapper and with an amazing throw (turning around, on his back leg) threw a beauty to Ian Kinsler on a play that surprised Konerko more than anyone.

9. The highlight of the game: The foul ball headed right at George W. Bush. For one, Bush looked terrified and frozen. Like he didn't know what to do. Nolan Ryan thought the ex-president was going to die in his ballpark. What was Ruth Ryan doing? Was she trying to dive in front of Laura and George? Where was the secret service? What was that usher guy doing? It was a really funny moment. I strongly suggest finding it and watching it.

Collapse and release

Das German

First of all, and with little to really say: I'm happy it finally happened to someone else.

I've been witness -- as have most of us -- to many Dallas Mavericks collapses over the years of all kinds. Finally, it's the morning after and no one's talking about the Mavericks in terms of disappointment.

The Mavericks overcame a 15-point deficit in the final quarter last night getting an overtime win 112-105.

There's too much here. Sports overload. What do you start with, how do you finish and just imagine the other 1,000 things in between that defined this silly basketball game.

I will say this: I thought the Mavericks were toast. Everything was against them. The crowd. The odds. The rebounding differential. The Thunder's field-goal percentage. Six minutes left in last night's game and the Mavericks had nothing -- zero! -- going for them.

Even the Mavs' white flag -- J.J. Barea -- was eating up big minutes in the third and beginning of the fourth quarter.

Then like a flash, when it seemed all was lost, it snapped. The Thunder had their lead, they got lazy and the Mavs never quit pushing. When all is said and done, that's all you want out of your professional sports team, to never quit pushing.

Five things:

1. I feel absolutely sick for Kevin Durant. He's one of the most enjoyable -- and by all accounts, sweetest -- players in the league, and to lose that game on your homecourt when the ball pretty much in other people's hands was killer. He wants to win as bad as anyone and he's stuck with a teammate (Russell Westbrook) that's too big for his britches. That game should have been lost with Durant taking a majority of the shots.

2. Small keys: Shawn Marion entering the game, Barea going out, Harden fouling out with four minutes left (do you protect him knowing what was coming?), Kendrick Perkins being an absolute non-factor, Mavs hitting the boards late (if you look, the rebounding differential shrunk considerably from the third quarter to the end of regulation) and the Thunder committing ridiculously bad fouls and sending the Mavericks to the line.

3. The legend of Dirk Nowitzki -- just when you think it can't anymore -- keeps growing. He is beyond words. Right now, the basketball world is watching him and wondering what they were watching the last 10 years. It's indescribably beautiful.

4. As unimpressive as Westbrook has been, Nick Collison has been equally as impressive. Love that guy and I'd have him or someone like him on my team any day of the week.

5. I think the age and experience has finally shown itself in this series. I think, also, hunger is playing a big role. Not that Durant and Co. aren't hungry. They probably want a title more than anyone. However, the Mavericks are hungrier, and, on top of that, they know exactly what to do to reach that certain level to get it. The Mavericks are old. This could very well be the final season for Jason Kidd. As presently constructed, it's conceivable that Mark Cuban could light the fuse and blow this team up if the Mavericks don't win and win big. With a potential work stoppage, that only complicates things for a group of guys mostly in their 30s and knowing that the Thunder are only going to get better with age.

Turning Japanese

Yoshinori or can we call you 'Yoshi'?

It's somewhat official: Josh Hamilton and Nellie Cruz are Rangers again and Taylor Teagarden is going back to Round Rock. Still, another move will need to be made.

Furthermore, Cody Eppley is going back to Round Rock to round back into form and make another run in the bullpen later this season.

Coming up: Yoshinori Tateyama.

For one, I don't like sending Eppley down. I think he was put in some high-pressure situations and he wasn't just fantastic in those spots. Then he'd sit for days at a time and come back in. Eppley will be back soon.

The Rangers signed Tateyama in November to a one-year deal along with a club option for 2012. He's 35 and a Japanese import. As much work as the Rangers' scouting department's put into the Pacific Rim, they've had minimal success in the Majors.

The initial scouting report is good. Early returns in Round Rock are excellent:

21 IP - 2.14 ERA - 1.00 WHIP - 26 Ks - 4 BBs.

The Rangers have potential bullpen help in the minors. All you really need is for one or two to work out. Maybe Tateyama is there.

Hamilton, Cruz to return ... now to figure this thing out

Breaking the Hambone

Outfielders Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz are set to return to the Texas Rangers' line-up tonight.

Their return will spell the end of someone's tenure with the club for now. It'll be either Chris Davis, Endy Chavez, Craig Gentry or Taylor Teagarden.

My gut feeling tells me it'll be Teagarden and Chavez keeping the left-handed Davis and the righty Gentry in the line-up.

Is that the right move? I find it hard to believe they'll keep three catchers (Yorvit Torrealba and Mike Napoli already in tow) and Chavez is a lefty not unlike Dave Murphy, Hamilton and Julio Borbon (when he's back).

No matter who stays or who goes, I think Ron Washington needs to take this time -- as we go into June -- to establish a day-in and day-out line-up.

Even when Hamilton and Cruz were healthy, there were a ton of interchangeable parts to the line-up based on giving guys a day off, getting guys at-bats and loading up with lefties against a righty starter and vice versa.

I see the point. However, I don't think it works. Aside from the first two weeks of the season, the offense has sucked and I can't help but feel that it has everything to do with rhythm. They say swinging a bat has everything to do with timing and when a guy comes up from the minors or is injured for a long period, the period of struggle in their return or call up has to do with timing the pitch from the hand to the catcher's mitt.

How can a guy like Mitch Moreland, Napoli, Gentry, Borbon or Davis really get a good rhythm when they sit for three days and play two only to sit another four days. It doesn't make any sense. You can't really win with 15 hitters that could all be starting, or you think could be starting.

Sometimes, you've got to understand that Murphy and Napoli are best coming off the bench. Sometimes Jason Terry makes more sense off the bench than starting. Sometimes you need that back-up running back for a change of pace, but hardly do you give him 20 carries a game.

Washington needs to establish roles. There are complications. Injuries are one. It should be known that the Rangers could offset making a decision today by placing someone on the disabled list (let's say Napoli gets "shoulder soreness" at some point today).

Borbon's return complicates things, too, whenever that happens.

Also, there is initial talk that Hamilton could DH quite a bit in his return. This puts Mike Young at first base for at least a semi-regular time only and keeps Moreland (someone I consider a big-league hitter) on the bench. Of course, you could put Cruz in left, Moreland in right and Gentry/Borbon/Chavez in center. I hate it, but Washington is prone to do it.

Still, the Rangers need consistency here. At some point Hamilton will need to return to the outfield keeping Cruz in right (far more natural there) and Moreland can play first (Young at first make me feel uncomfortable ... as if something's going to go wrong).

Seems like there's not enough role guys and too many that need 500 at-bats. Doesn't seem healthy.

A foursome named 'Toms' wins Colonial

Toms-Toms

If you are a golf tournament like the Colonial, you want one of two things: A big shot to win or an insane finish, something to capture headlines.

A big shot did not win. David Toms won, shooting a three-under Sunday. Not the insane finish or hte big name, but it was quite the story.

In my short time watching and appreciating golf, I never seen a player cough up a lead on Saturday only to roar back on Sunday for the win. Except now.

Toms shot a 74 Saturday to allow Charlie Wi the lead going into Sunday. Not interested in letting another Asian guy steal a tourney out from underneath him, Toms played very well Sunday for his first tourey win in like five years, or something.

Good for Toms. He has a new plaid jacket. Although the Colonial is getting no love on the front page at the World Wide Leader, the golf page is all about Toms' comeback and win.

On Thursday morning, I picked a couple of names to watch. I did not have Toms on that list, even though he'd just finished second at The Players Championship the week before. Screw me.

Zach Johnson -- -9
Was under par the entire week. However, he could never have that one day much like Toms had 62s on Thursday and Friday.

Matt Kuchar -- -4
The highest ranked PGA player at the tournament. Bookended a pair of 67s with a set of 71s.

Jim Furyk -- -3
A 72 on Saturday killed any chance he had going into Sunday. Remained under par the rest of the time; however, never made a huge run.

Adam Scott -- +4
At least he made the cut.

A starting point

It's always sunny in Philadelphia

I will give the Texas Rangers credit: They went to Philadelphia, and, I feel, played their asses off.

I've been overly critical of the offense; however, going to face Roy Halliday, Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt on consecutive days on the road is not a great way to fix things, especially without your best two hitters.

Now, the Rangers escape a road sweep with a 2-0 win today behind Matt Harrison, and head home to face a much easier Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals rotations with the possibility of Josh Hamilton and Nellie Cruz returning.

The story this weekend should not be about losing a series as much as it's about the hitting and just how piss-poor the Phillies and Rangers are on offense.

For the weekend, in total (both teams):

9 runs -- 38 hits -- 13 walks -- 41 strikeouts.

That's an average of three total runs per game, 6 hits per team, 2 walks per team and 10 strikeouts a game. That was as much a playoff series as anything.

As for the Rangers, a billion kudos to C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis and Harrison. I thought all three were really good. I thought Wilson was particularly nasty, Lewis deserved a better fate and Harrison was just rock solid. For the series:

22 IP - 16 hits - 5 runs - 7 walks - 19 strikeouts.

That should win you two games. It got them one, and considering the two other games came against two of the foremost starting pitchers of the past decade, we'll take it.

What Wilson, Lewis and Harrison were able to do -- outside of keep their team in all three games -- was protect the rusty and irregular bullpen. For the series:

3 IP - 1 hit - 0 runs - 1 walk - 1 strikeout.

Heading into next week, the bullpen is well-rested, the starters are on a roll and Hamilton and Cruz are back Monday.

Let's party.

OK in OKC

To be or not to be

It was one of those games. One those where you looked at the final score and you wonder how each team got above 70 points.

The Dallas Mavericks took back home-court advantage beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 93-87 last night. They have a 2-1 advantage in the series. They are two wins away from a second trip to the NBA Finals.

It was not pretty and it was never easy. The Mavericks darn near blew a 22-point lead in the second half, but it was the struggling Dirk Nowitzki who forced some shots down and iced the game, for all intents and purposes.

Neither superstar was particularly sharp. Neither second fiddle was just awesome (Russell Westbrook took 20 shots to get 30 points). The benches were awful.

Again, how they combined for 180 points is beyond me.

What I think we did learn is just how immature the Thunder are. This was a point made by some before the series started: That the Thunder didn't know how to win on this stage. Generally, that's a ... generalization that I tend to not buy into until it actually happens, if it does.

To proclaim that a team doesn't have what it takes to win at a certain level is disrespectful and, really, impossible to know until it happens. Consider that many veteran teams never learn to win on the highest level (see: the Utah Jazz of the 1990s and early-2000s). And then how would you explain the Memphis Grizzles doing what they did to the San Antonio Spurs or the 2007 Golden State Warriors dismantling the 2007 Dallas Mavericks. That argument holds little empirical weight.

Now, it is clear the Thunder are a tad over their heads. They are probably a veteran or two away from really giving a better team a run for their money.

It will not get easier for the Mavericks, however. The Thunder may be overmatched, but they are prideful and a team of some badasses who will not go quietly into that good night. I still say this goes seven games and there's little evidence at this point that suggests otherwise.

It is disconcerting how apt the Mavericks are at coughing up double-digit leads. Good grief. How many more times can they afford to do that? It's shocking that the Mavericks have had a lot better teams that have not made it any further than this Mavericks team. It seems all too good to be true. But I'll take it if it gets the German a ring.

justin bieber funny captions pictures

Justin Bieber is a boy?

dr Dunkel

Apr 20, 06:53 AM

Agreed. With the big up in GPU they gave the MBPs I am hopeful that they just might. The 27" saw the first desktop CPU in an iMac, right? I wonder if they can't now manage the same with the GPU. If it is decent, I think I'll be pretty tempted; and I've been running on only laptops for ages, so that's saying something!

I'm with you on this one. If the new iMacs have decent GPU:s, I'm on the boat for an ultimate. If not, no iMac this time.

Decent GPU would mean something like the 6950 or, even better, an Apple special version :D Well, it will have to pack enough power to feed that high resolution screen.

6950 in the 21.5 (who makes screens this small these days?) would be super, if they make the "21.5" into 23.5 instead.

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The Justin Bieber Caption

brianfast

Sep 14, 02:49 PM

I got the Belkin Grip Vue in the blue color at bestbuy. Really a toss up between the three colors IMO.

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Hate on Justin Bieber instead.

Caris

Feb 20, 03:36 PM

Mila Kunis.

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ieber funny pics. justin

sachamun

Nov 28, 07:44 AM

Don't they already make one? Its called a 17" MacBook Pro... :)

On that note...
Does anyone else like the idea of a 19" or 20" macbook pro (/tablet?) as a true desktop replacement? Just small enough to fit a backpack.

I could be mainly aimed at photo/video pros who don't often do thier work in tight spaces, but usually open up their notebook on a desk.

There'd be much more room for additional internal hardware including battery, ram, speakers and hdd space.

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funny justin bieber pictures

robbieduncan

Apr 20, 02:49 PM

Can you even buy a car today (in the USA) that has the following:

manual transmission
manual steering
manual brakes
wind em up yourself windows

Sure, I understand it has to have the emission controls on it but if I could get a car without all the electronic stuff on it that tries to disconnect me from the feel of the road.

I doubt it. The older, Rover K-Series, powered Lotus Elise was about the last cr in the UK like that. But that model was not approved for sale in the US. The Toyata engined ones have servo-assisted brakes and electric windows :(

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justin bieber funny

Aniej

Jan 1, 11:27 PM

something about the iPhone rumors has been bugging me and I think I just placed my finger on it. I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but the limited storage capacity that is supposedly going to be available compared to the direction all the other iPods have been going. I don't know that the 8GB (maximum reported) would be in line with the purpose of a combined phone and iPod from a company that is the actual maker; I could see this size from a Motorola, but not the company where all the big expectations are centered.

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Now, write a funny caption for

direzz

Aug 16, 08:06 PM

i dont really think the ipod needs to be updated.

its great the way it is, and it hasnt even been a year since it was released!

why are you all on this idea of an ipod update?

the ipod isnt a computer that needs a new processor and faster components.

mp3 files just play.

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justin bieber face close up.

da_sebsta

Apr 2, 06:09 AM

While i dont agree with imac_Japan that apple needs saving there needs to be changes in its attitude with markets other then US especially in Australia by apple.I live in Aus It is no wonder that apple is struggling in here, other then the ipod there sales arent ne thing to write home about and the main reason this is because of the inflated price of there products over the price in US. When people see other computers in shops for the quater of the price with marketing to make it look faster and better no wander peple arnt buying macs here.

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After G

Sep 5, 12:14 AM

I thought Core Solo production was winding down, so maybe Apple could buy 'em all and do a price-drop. :D

Maybe in another life ... :(

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justin bieber funny quotes.

mrwheet

Sep 15, 02:26 AM

Then allow me to confirm what he said. I cannot use my iPhone 4 at home without a case; every other phone I've owned (including several iPhones) has always shown full signal in every room in the house. The iPhone 4's antenna problem is real, and listening to Apple sheep swear up and down that it's not doesn't change the fact that my iPhone 4 says "No Signal" when I make the mistake of holding it in my left hand. :rolleyes:

Zero problems with my iPhone 4. Totally happy with it. I bought it fairly recently (just over a month ago), so maybe it's a more recent run, and doesn't have the problem. Not sure. Really don't care. But the fact that my phone works doesn't make me a f***king "Apple sheep." It's really simple; the phone does what it says on the box. I'm not saying every unit does, by mine does. Deal with it.

xoxxooxx

w

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Justin+ieber+funny+

thejadedmonkey

Aug 16, 07:47 AM

Well, it sounds like the next iPod's going to be a rather large update if half the rumors are to be believed.

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justin bieber funny quotes.

ham_man

Jul 13, 10:38 PM

If they do decide to add it, it better be BTO only. I don't wanna buy a computer that's $500 more because of a Blu-Ray drive I don't want...

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Gatesbasher

Apr 3, 12:56 PM

wow an ipad 2 being used in the dark and it doesnt leak light! where can i buy one?;)

LOL! "Light bleed" was yesterday's talking point! Better check your instructions for this morning and get with the program.

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Leoff

Oct 23, 07:14 AM

superb...im travelling to states this week, and could pick one up at the apple store 5th avenue for much cheaper than here in uk..

its gottta come out sometime...

You do know that you'll be getting a US-formatted keyboard and AC adapter, yes?

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Mousse

Feb 23, 11:43 AM

So when will automakers sell a compact pickup with a 2 liter diesel in the US? I want a diesel pick up. But I don't want a behemoth that requires a ladder to enter and hogs 2/3 of a 2 car garage.:p

I prefer diesel in a work truck for three reasons: torque, torque and torque.

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funny justin bieber quotes.

jlyanks85

Nov 25, 02:08 PM

http://www.zapsonline.com/43656-29822-thickbox/xbox-kinect-plus-kinect-adventures-czzapstbc.jpg

This yesterday for sister for christmas, since she wants it.

http://filmonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Avatar-Extended-Collections-Edition.jpg

This for myself

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Photos of view justin bieberapr , pictures,czary,cool pictures,funny stuff,hot Justin+ieber+funny+pictures+2011 Week ago think youre your best , beckham

vand0576

Sep 1, 01:46 PM

One more thing... they'll change the name from iMac to Mac, bringing a perfect symmetry to their product line-up:

Mac
Mac Pro

MacBook
MacBook Pro

symmetry, shmimmetry.

I liked things better when the names were all over the board and unique.

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ieber funny pics. justin

iGav

Apr 12, 08:45 AM

IMO, if a gearbox has a setting where it will automatically shift gears for you and you don't have to touch it, it's an automatic gearbox.

Or is it a manual gearbox capable of automatic shifting? ;)

Also, Europeans favor driving experience over comfort.

If that was actually the case, diesels wouldn't be so popular. ;)

The clutches in most smaller cars (e.g. our MINIs) are light enough it's really not that much work.

But to be fair, it is still more though then pressing a brake pedal isn't it? ;)

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Danrose1977

Apr 16, 06:50 AM

If it's a wombat then you should go and see Apple's situation outside of America.

You shouldn't generalise... Apple is doing pretty well in Europe. Admittedly there are some things I would love to see change, but I don't care if other people�s purchase of MP3 players is funding the development of my favourite computers.

I would certainly agree that developing a set top box computer is a waste of time. Xbox and Playstation both considered introducing full browsing capability with their modems, but found that people want to use a computer to access the web and their TV to watch TV. Resolutions would be pretty low thus necessitating changes to the OS used... the whole thing is a wombat as said before.

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EJR

Sep 22, 11:55 AM

It's just released and is cheaper by $6.00 for whatever reason

Retail Price: $19.99 X
Your Savings: $6.00
Your Price: $13.99 :eek:

http://www.myincipio.com/product/IPOD_TOUCH_IP-903/iPod-touch-4G-dermaSHOT-Silicone-Case---Goldenrod.html:

If you don't mind the yellow, that's a really good deal if you need a holdover case. Just keep in mind that later on this week Incipio will be releasing their feather case for 19.99, with the silicylic coming out sometime next week for five bucks more. Just a thought.

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econgeek

Apr 12, 09:37 PM

Isn't this utterly fantastic? These are the kinds of updates we used to get before Apple went all iPhone and iPad crazy. Glad to see they are finally giving such love to their Pro customers. Although i imagine this has been in the pipeline for a very long time!

Remember when Apple had to delay Leopard in order to finish iOS? They are such a tight ship that they had to shift people from one major OS project to another.

Apple hasn't been neglecting final cut. Many of these technologies have been in development for the past 4 years, and a major software project like this-- a ground up rewrite, remember-- should take about 4 years to produce.

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Henk Poley

Mar 24, 02:34 PM

Could somebody give an overview of the price and performance range of this list of cards? Just numbers is kind of opaque.

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kelving525

Sep 10, 12:42 AM

I'm so excited for Belkin Grip Vue since I love that case for my 3G. I will most likely end up getting that. However, all the other cases look fairly cool, too. Decision, decision! :)

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TheUndertow

Apr 25, 08:34 AM

I hope, they bring the new iMacs on the market soon. I just purchased the new MBP 13" base and thought of getting an extra 27" external monitor in addition. But as I am not comfortable with the screen size and portability seems to be an inferior factor for me, I will send the MBP back these days and purchase the upcoming iMac 27".

If I still need a mobile device, I will get a cheap laptop.

...or an iPad 2!

Not sure what you need with a mobile device but this does all I need, outside of work (which I was a work laptop for anyway).

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justin bieber zurich

08: Justin Bieber performs

emotion

Nov 27, 02:33 PM

Sorry, that link doesn't say anything about the 20" monitors referenced in the original thread.

The inference is that the technology used in the 20" versions of those displays is the same.

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americanjustin bieber

CaoCao

Mar 23, 12:19 AM

lots, Bluetooth, WIFI (for internet radio), design..

Here's my classic mockup

http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=277273&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1300734199

This is sexy. Having an iPod as a command centre utilizing airplay would return the iPod to being badass.

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justin bieber headphones

antmarobel

Mar 31, 12:07 PM

They rearrange themselves at their own will! If I drag one to the right of the other, for instance, another one, completely different, comes to the place where I intended to place the first one...:eek:

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Viral Daily 3: Justin Bieber

Chef Medeski

Jul 14, 11:44 AM

From Wiki:

Holographic disks: standards with 200 and 300 GB storage are under development and prototypes expected in 2008

I've heard about Mac users waiting, but 5 years for most likely the first consumer device if lucky, 6 for probably first computer device. 2012.... yes exactly when I wanted to buy my next laptop after the next four I plan to purchase.

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Justin Bieber concert Zurich

innominato5090

Feb 20, 01:24 AM

New work machine.

snip

beautiful. I love the colors and the symmetry of your desk! may I ask you for a bigger pic?

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Justin+ieber+pictures

nemaslov

Mar 23, 01:36 PM

To each his own. But come on. 497 days worth of music? That's almost a year and a half of listening to music 24 hours a day without listening to the same song twice. I think you'd have to replace the battery before then.

You still don't get it. It is having all your music with you. The choice to play anything you feel in the mood to hear , not that you play it all from start to finish.

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may justin --justin bieber

Veinticinco

Mar 23, 04:21 AM

As for the Classic, no reason to update it, no reason to EOL it either.

I still have my "CarPod" for road trips - an old but pristine 30GB iPod Photo, still love it.

Bit of custom job when I got bored a while back - white body but with a red (U2) clickwheel, white centre button, and a smooth brushed Alu back.

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justin bieber dress.

sochrisash

Feb 17, 05:45 PM

Loving the rokit's

Cant wait for the new mixer, and maybe a good soundcard :D And maybe a new iMac :D

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp263/sochrisash/DSC04109.jpg

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp263/sochrisash/DSC04110.jpg

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp263/sochrisash/DSC04111.jpg

Check out my organized cables :P

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thought justin bieber make

Kingsly

Aug 6, 11:40 PM

More pix of the same... in case anyone cares!
1) WWDC2006!!
2) the now infamous banners�
3) me, with the now infamous baners�
4) Nifty computer bags� they are giving out
5) delicious gelato� :p

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08: Justin Bieber performs

jakeacc

Mar 25, 03:56 PM

And just like that, Apple has snuck itself into the living room game console biz.

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Canadian singer Justin Bieber

RITZFit

Jan 22, 09:01 PM

Never heard of that brand.

They make racing and sport seats

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+pictures+of+justin+ieber

stoid

Aug 6, 09:57 PM

I'm at work tomorrow too, but seeing as my 'boss'/co-worker is also a huge Apple fanboy, and since the Keynote starts at noon local (CDST) I'm expecting that we'll fire up macrumorslive and eat lunch whilst get text updates. Too bad there's no live video tho...

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Justin Bieber concert Zurich

M-Life

Aug 6, 10:41 PM

Happy WWDC Eve everyone! May tomorrow bring you everything you wanted! :rolleyes: ;) :D

Josh

I saw SJ at the mall a few weeks back and he let me sit on his lap and everything. I asked for a new mac mini media center and a football and he said he could get me one or the other, but not both.

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New+justin+ieber+pics+

ingenious

Apr 7, 09:19 AM

really, this is what Ive been taking about...I think that most Mac users don't want to hear it

maybe thats because its not true and most mac articles are written by very wintel biased writers.

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justin Justin+ieber+pics

kahkityoong

Apr 3, 10:59 AM

the iPad does nothing useful

One of my patients has locked in syndrome, a condition in which he could only move his eyes. Over a year he regained use of his right hand. The iPad has given him a new lease of life - his voice, entertainment, etc. He would disagree with your idiotic statement.

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justin bieber cute face.

NT1440

Mar 19, 11:47 AM

Thinking ahead, what happens when the power vacuum is in place?

Get ready for the same old story, yet again, just in Libya this time.

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new-justinbieber-2011-sexy-hot

sluthy

Jan 2, 06:35 PM

Did that not just happen ... :cool:

Likely:
Speed bump to one or more Mac lines
...

Less likely:
....
Major upgrade to Mac mini (video card upgrade) or MacBook Pro
New Displays
...

Unlikely:
...
Major upgrade to any line other than mini or MBP
...

:( How long ago were the MBPs updated? Because I'm looking to buy Jan/Feb and I'm not confident that the current spec is competitive. It at least needs a HD screen.

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08: Justin Bieber performs

AtHomeBoy_2000

Jul 18, 10:15 AM

Renting music = Bad
Renting video = Good
Agreed. Video and music are two totally differant things. If I like an artist, I buy their music and listen to it over and over. When it comes to a movie, yes I may like to buy a movie for my personal records, that is what a DVD is for. but if I say "that movie looks interesting, I wonder how good it is?" then I will only want to rent it and BUY it later if it is good.

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justin bieber information

840quadra

Nov 28, 01:32 PM

I have faith that the Zune will do better, based upon the installed base of Xbox users in the world. All it will take is some killer Xbox linked feature that either takes advantage of, or can be somehow linked to the Zune.

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Sbrocket

Jan 12, 04:33 AM

Geez, everyone looks over the simplest and most obvious interpretation to speculate on services that no one has seen proof for. Wimax and all this other stuff is reaching...why are you trying so hard? The MacBook Air is called such because, anyone? Bueller? Bueller?, it is so thin and light. Get it? There's something in the air...the new product? All this is reading way too much into it. I've seen stuff from analyzing the typeface to find the hidden meaning to Apple changing its logo (what??) to Wimax service built in <insert product here> to...you get the picture. Stop reading too much into it.

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GLS

Mar 23, 02:46 PM

Apple discontinue that dinosaur! It makes you look bad to just have it on your website.

Yes, Apple looks bad to have perhaps their most iconic device ever on their website. At the very least, without the iPod, the Apple of today would look quite different...or might not even be around....

Having said that...I do hope there will always be a click wheel iPod of some type offered. I much prefer it to using the touch interface, as far as iPod's are concerned.

I should have bought a spare Nano before they bastardized it last fall....

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McScooby

Sep 6, 09:01 AM

Does this mean we can expect MB / MBP revisions with a bumped HD?

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rezenclowd3

Jan 28, 01:07 PM

I like the idea of a pop-up navigation system!
Less chance of theft or break-in

And one more motor/slider mechanism to fail. I will stick with vehicles that don't have fancy shmancy electronics. Besides....its more weight ;-)

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SciFrog

Nov 18, 05:25 PM

It is almost becoming that unless you do bigadv units, why bother...
The top end iMac now gets as much as 7 times the top previous generation iMac...

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