Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Pod/28th

PHI +8.0 over PHO (NBA)
ATL +6.0 over NOK (NBA)

[NBA rec'd: 47-56]

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Pod/27th

NOK +6.0 over CLE (NBA)
IND +6.0 over PHO (NBA)
NJN -5.5 over WAS (NBA)

[NBA rec'd: 46-54]

Monday, February 26, 2007

Pod/26th

PHI -2.5 over SAC (NBA)
TOR +7.5 over SAS (NBA)
BOS +8.5 over HOU (NBA)
LAL +6.5 over UTA (NBA)

[NBA rec'd: 43-53]

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Pod/25th

DET/CHI over 188.5 [In-running] (NBA)
ORL -1.0 over HOU (NBA)
LAL -3.0 over GSW (NBA)
ATL +9.0 over PHO (NBA)

[NBA record: 42-51]

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Pod/24th

CHA +2.0 over TOR (NBA)

[NBA record: 42-50]

Friday, February 23, 2007

Pod/23rd (ii)

BOS +8.0 over LAL (NBA)
UTA +4.0 over DEN (NBA)

[NBA record: 41-49]

Pod/23rd

NYK -3.0 over MLW (NBA)

[NBA record: 41-48]

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Pod/22nd

SAC +5.5 over WAS [In-running] (NBA)
MIA +12.5 over DAL (NBA)

[NBA record: 39-48]

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Pod/21st

SAS -8.0 over ATL (NBA)
ATL/SAS over 182.5 (NBA)
MLW +8.5 over DET (NBA)
NYK +2.5 over PHI (NBA)
CLE +3.5 over TOR (NBA)
TOR/CLE over 197.5 (NBA)
ORL +7.5 over DET (NBA)
MIA +2.5 over HOU (NBA)
BOS +12.5 over PHO (NBA)

[NBA record: 35-43]

RealGM.com - Case of the Disappearing Thread

As you can see from the link below:

http://realgm.com/boards/viewforum.php?f=32

the thread titled, "OT: enkhata attacks RealGM", which was in their Raptors' Forum earlier today, has now been removed from their web site.

Hmmmmm .... wonder why that is?

(everything I've written so far about this on-going situation is completely accurate)

OT: enkhata attacks RealGM

re: the latest developments in this bizarre situation

[Edit: The above link no longer works. The thread was removed from their web site after the link was posted here. In any event ...]

Here's a message from "etopn23", a member of the Forums at RealGM.com, who has finally asked the critical question (see below):

----------------------------------------------

etopn23
Real GM
Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 2074

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 3:26 pm
Post subject:

If he really has documented evidence like he claims of an IP change to that address - what happened to him is messed up ...

----------------------------------------------

To which I say ... that's absolutely, 100%, correct my friend.

The flippant and inaccurate replies to your message by "Marvin!" (Retired Mod) and "CanuckPete" (Moderator), see below ... are indicative of the problem with that site, manipulated behind the scenes by certain unscrupulous people who do not wish to engage in legitimate dialogue with someone they cannot "control" and who does not mindlessly spout the party line of the powers that be at RealGM.com (btw, some of whom are tied to the Raptors' franchise, which has by far the largest Forum on that web site).

----------------------------------------------

Marvin!
Retired Mod
Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 14856
Location: Belize Bizzatch

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 3:30 pm
Post subject:

let him blow smoke ... he's full of it and deep down he knows it. this is just feeding his attention

starved delusions of granduer.

----------------------------------------------

CanuckPete
Moderator
Joined: 02 Jun 2001
Posts: 2996
Location: Right here.

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 3:32 pm
Post subject:

etopn23 wrote:
"If he really has documented evidence like he claims of an IP change to that address - what happened to him is messed up..."


He doesn't. What happened in his head is messed up.

----------------------------------------------

To which this corner says ... give your own head a shake!

If I say, I have indisputable documented evidence of what I claim to have happened in this situation from my ISP ... you can bet your bottom dollar that I have exactly that.

(Note: I am not making a "prjection" here ... like I do with my Daily Picks ... which as you can tell, haven't been going too well lately ... but, let's not digress :-) ... I am talking 100% verifiable information from my ISP).

etopn23 ... don't believe a word that people like seanied, barrist, Fairview4Life, Centre Court,(even) CanuckPete, and others ... have to say about me ... as they either:

i) don't have all the information I have

ii) are covering up for the behind-the-scene "shenanigans" that are happening here

iii) have been the ones harassing me (and others) in this situation.

I can tell you flat out that there are other Forum Moderators at RealGM.com who have been in communication with me and other former members since banned from that site.

At least one of these Moderators has been "gagged" from engaging in further correspondence with me pertaining to this situation, when all that person was trying to do is rectify the problem to the satisfaction of all concerned parties.

Why is that?
Why would the people who run RealGM.com decide to "gag" one of their own Moderators?

I am not going to give you that (Global) Moderator's name (at this point) as it is not my intention to get someone into trouble who was only trying their best to help fix this situation.

The fact is ... everything I've said happened in this situation is completely true.

Otherwise ... why would the people who run that site simply not decide to allow me to register again with their Forums?

What exactly are they afraid of?

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Pod/20th

NYK -2.0 over ORL (NBA)
DEN +7.5 over SAS (NBA)
MLW +5.0 over DET (NBA)
BOS +6.5 over SAC (NBA)
UTA +1.5 over POR (NBA)
LAC +5.5 over PHO (NBA)

[NBA record: 32-40]

RealGM.com - Improper Conduct

It’s time to clear up an on-going situation with the Forums at RealGM.com.

In my opinion, the people responsible for that website do not conduct their affairs in a fair and ethical way. Until such time that they change their present practices, to conform with generally accepted standards of operation, it says in this corner, they need to be exposed by all upstanding members of the basketball community who value responsible freedom of speech and the democratic rights we have as law-abiding citizens.

Now, time for some background information:

- RealGM.com is a website that provides basketball-related information to the public.
- Part of their service includes a series of public Forums where anyone with an interest in basketball (or other sports) can join and contribute information and their opinions about the game.
- There are more than 50,000 registered accounts at the RealGM.com Forums.
- I am a long time member of the basketball community, who has played, coached and worked within the game at a variety of different levels.
- I joined the Forums at RealGM.com on August 25, 2006 under the username “enkhata”, the same name as this blog you are reading.
- The first few messages I posted in the Forums were in a variety of areas pertaining to different NBA teams, e.g. Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, etc.
- On September 22, 2006 I started a new topic in the Toronto Raptors’ Forum titled, “Where is all the unbridled optimism coming from?” which eventually generated 24 pages of messages. As a Raptors’ fan since the inception of the franchise (’95), it was interesting to see the passionate response to this topic.

Here’s the link.

http://realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=566619&start=0

You can read it for yourself.

This is when the problems started.

- I was accused of being a “troll” in the Raptors’ Forum.
- I was accused of not being a Raptors fan at all.
- I was told that my viewpoints and opinions were not welcome in the Raptors Forum.
- I was told by certain individuals that I was now on their “Ignore List”.
- I was told that I didn’t deserve to be a member of the Forums.
- I was accused on being a former member of the Forums who had been “banned” previously, had now returned under a different username and should be banned again.
- I was insulted by certain members of the Forums (including specific Moderators and Retired Moderators).
- My IP Address was displayed in a public Forum in a message by another person (when, as far as I know, only Moderators & Administrators have access to this private information).
- I was harassed by specific members of the Forums across a range of different thread topics.
- My account was terminated.
- At no time was I sent an email or a Private Message (PM) by a Moderator or an Administrator with the Forums to indicate that I was in danger of violating the Terms Of Service (TOS) with their Forums or that, with my conduct to-date, I had already been deemed to have done this by those responsible for the operation of the Forums.
- At not time was I sent a “Warning” from a Moderator or an Administrator.
- At no time was I given a “Suspension Notice” by a Moderator or an Administrator.
- Without corresponding with me directly, in any way, my account was simply terminated.

Included below are a series of messages which I then exchanged with the person responsible for running these Forums, asking why my account had been terminated and what could be done about it.


(1) The message I sent to RealGM.com using the “Contact Us” form on their website:

Subject: [RealGM Board Problems] re-activating my account
Submitted by: enkhata
Board Username Entered : enkhata
Comments: Please provide me with an email address for "Winterpeg", an Administrator with your message board.

(i) The email which I received back from RealGM.com:

From: "Rene Mattila"
To: enkhata
Subject: Re: [RealGM Board Problems] re-activating my account

Enkhata,

We are aware of your desire to be reinstated on the message boards but we are not going change our mind about our decision to ban your account.

There were enough similarities between your debate style and that of a user who has had numerous aliases banned in the past for us to be suspicious. We also found that you shared an IP address in common with the banned user. In situations where we suspect that a user who has caused problems in the past is once again posting under a new name we do not follow the warnings/suspensions/ban guideline that is posted at the top of the forum. The suspected alias is immediately deactivated and the account is banned. As outlined in our terms of service RealGM may, in its sole and exclusive discretion, terminate an account for violating any of our rules. We determined that as a previously banned user your presence was disrupting the forum so your account was terminated.

I'm sorry if we were incorrect in our assumption that you were another user but I'm afraid that we are not going to take a chance and lift the ban on your account. I'm sure that there are many other message boards on the internet where you can share your opinions with other sports fans.

Rene Mattila


(2) The email which I sent in return to Mr. Mattila:

From: enkhata
To: Rene Mattila

Subject: Re: [RealGM Board Problems] re-activating my account

Rene, According to your web site, what is the IP address I had in common with the banned user?


enkhata


(ii) The email which I received back from Mr. Mattila:

From: "Rene Mattila"
To: enkhata
Subject: Re: [RealGM Board Problems] re-activating my account

The IP address that you share with the banned user is _ _._ _._ _ _._ _

Rene Mattila


(3) The follow-up email which I sent to Mr. Mattila:

From: enkhata
To: Rene Mattila

Subject: Re: resending - Re: [RealGM Board Problems] re-activating my account

Rene, The facts are these:The only account that's mine on RealGM is enkhata. Whoever else has used the same IP Address as mine, is none of my concern and beyond my control. Since I have never:


- violated any of the Terms Of Service for this message board
- violated any of the Policies of this message board
- had another account on this board
- been "warned" or "suspended" by a Moderator/Administrator
- rejoined the board after being banned previously

1) what is the reason my enkhata account cannot be re-activated?
or
2) is there a reason I would not be allowed to join the board again using a different IP Address disassociated from the one used by me previously and any other problematic member of the board?

enkhata


(iii) The message I received back from Mr. Mattila:

From: "Rene Mattila"
To: enkhata
Subject: Re: resending - Re: [RealGM Board Problems] re-activating my account

Enkhata,

As I explained in my first email to you, we determined that your presence and debate style was disrupting the forum. Disrupting the flow of dialogue is a violation of our terms of service. Coupled with our suspicion that you have been previously banned from the message board we decided to terminate your account and ban you from the forum.

Your account will not be reactivated because all bans are permanent and we no longer want you as a member of our message board community. When we ban someone from the forum it is a ban on the person not just the username or account they were using. A new account with a new IP address does not hide the fact that it is still the same person who was banned in the first place. If you register a new account using a new email and IP address it will be terminated.

Rene Mattila


(4) The next email which I sent to Mr. Mattila:

From: enkhata
To: Rene Mattila

Subject: Re: resending - Re: [RealGM Board Problems] re-activating my account

There appear to be different issues at work here, as best I can see.The one with which I am dealing right now is this:If my "presence and debating style was disrupting the forum" according to anyone why was this never once communicated to me prior to my ban? How in good conscience and according to any acceptable ethical standard of conduct on your part can your web site choose to ban me (which, as it says on your own web site, is used "as a last resort") without first telling me in some way, shape or form that my "presence and debating style was disrupting the forum" as is?


enkhata

ps - after you answer to this first part, we can then deal with any "suspicion" someone might have had regarding a previous ban associated with an IP Address linked to my enkhata account and whether or not according to the policies of RealGM all bans are permanent.


(iv) The final email message which I received from Mr. Mattila:

From: "Rene Mattila"
To: enkhata
Subject: Re: resending - Re: [RealGM Board Problems] re-activating my account

Enkhata,

Our decision is to ban your account is final. I have explained why you were banned a number of times and no matter how many different ways you try to frame your arguement your account will not be reactivated.

We determined that you were disrupting the forum and decided that the best couse of action was to ban you and your account. No warnings were given because as a suspected alias of a banned user you would have recieved your warnings with your previous account.

I am finished discussing the situation, If you want to debate the details of our terms of service I will forward your emails to our legal department.

Rene Mattila



As you can see for yourself, there are three reasons why I’ve been banned from the Forums at RealGM.com (according to Mr. Mattila):

1) My “presence and debate style” were perceived to be “disruptive” to the Forums.
2) This “debate style” was perceived to be “similar” to a former member who, apparently, had been banned previously from the Forums.
3) It was “suspected” that I was a former banned member because I shared an IP Address used by this other account holder.

That’s it … as a result of which, I’ve been banned, permanently (i.e. forever), from the RealGM.com Forums.

Now, let me state again quite clearly the facts involved with this situation, from my perspective:

* I was never a member of the Forums at RealGM.com prior to joining on August 25, 2006, as enkhata, the same name used for this blog.

* Prior to being banned from the RealGM Forums:

I) At no time was it ever communicated to me that I had violated their TOS or their Forum Policies;
II) At not time was I sent an email or a PM from a Moderator or an Administrator telling me that I was (somehow) in danger of being banned from their Forums as a result of my conduct;
III) At no time was I sent an email or a PM from a Moderator or an Administrator telling me that I was receiving a “Warning” for my conduct in their Forums;
IV) At not time was I sent an email or a PM from a Moderator or an Administrator telling me that I was receiving a “Suspension” for my conduct in their Forums;

* Upon learning of my ban, I initiated communication with the Administrators of RealGM.com via email to attempt to clarify and fix the situation.

* My attempts to do so, thus far, have proved fruitless.

This is the link for the RealGM “Forum Policies” and the “TOS” for RealGM.com so that you can read them for yourself:

http://realgm.com/boards/viewforum.php?f=66
http://realgm.com/src_terms.php

Therein, you can see the procedures which are supposed to be followed in the event that the participation of any Forum member is deemed to be inappropriate.

Does it look to you as though I did anything wrong?
Does it look to you as though I’ve been treated properly (i.e. fairly and ethically) in this situation?

It doesn’t seem this way to me; not in the least.

I have documented evidence from my Information Service Provider (ISP) that my IP Address was changed on September 1, 2006, due to the relocation of my business. On that specific date, I was issued a “new” static IP Address for the first time which had formerly been assigned to someone else and had never been used by me before. This is an indisputable fact which can be corroborated by documents provided by my ISP. Prior to this date, I had a dynamic IP Address, which assigns to me a different random IP Address each time I connect to the internet. This is an indisputable fact which can be corroborated by documents provided by my ISP. At no time prior to September 1, 2006, could I possibly have been associated with the static IP Address that was mine from that day forward and the one Mr. Mattila attempted to associate me with, as also belonging to a previously banned member of the RealGM Forums. This is an indisputable fact which can be corroborated by documents provided by my ISP.

Whether or not my “debate style” resembled that of a former member of the RealGM Forums is irrelevant. The fact is, I am not this person, and I can prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt, based upon the documentation provided by my ISP; none of which matters according to the people who run the RealGM.com web site.

They have made a decision - which is wrong but - which they are not going to change.

Can I live this? You bet I can. As the old saying goes, “It’s no skin off my nose.”

So what’s the real problem here, you ask?

Since my dismissal from the Forums at RealGM.com, at least two other individuals, who have made me aware of their situation through my blog, have also been banned from the same Forums … because the people who run that site (and certain influential individuals who are members there) believe that these other people are in fact me, as well ... who the Administrators of RealGM believe in error has already been banned on two separate occasions from their Forums, i.e. once, prior to August 25, 2006, the date I joined up as enkhata, and then, secondly, when I was banned on September 26, 2006, as enkhata.

Now, as you can clearly see, this is an on-going much larger problem.

Anyone who joins these Forums and attempts to provide a certain perspective to them, as a Toronto Raptors’ fan but who is perceived by these certain influential members to be “disruptive” or “to resemble in argumentative style” or “present viewpoints & opinions” about basketball and specifically the goings-on with the franchise in Toronto, in a similar way to me, enkhata, can and will be summarily banned from these Forums.

This is patently unfair.

Whether or not these other members have done anything wrong since joining the RealGM Forums is irrelevant according to the Administrators who run the site.

It is their “sole right” to determine who can and who cannot be a member of their Forums, which they claim as being “public”.

To this, this corner now says, complete and utter hogwash.

Those who run the that web site are no more interested in having a diversity of opinion, information and debate in their Raptors’ Forum, than are the former rulers in a variety of fascist regimes around the world. Only if you are going to tow the party line of the Raptors’ faithful, are you welcome on the Toronto Forum.

If not, you are summarily banned for life.

If your “debate style” resembles enkhata you are banned for life.
If your “viewpoints and opinions” resemble enkhata’s you are banned for life.
If your “hoops’ perspectives” resemble enkhata’s you are banned for life.

There is no 1st warning for you.
There is no 2nd warning for you.
There is no 1st Suspension for you.
There is no 2nd Suspension for you.
There will be no “three strikes before you’re out” for you.
There will be no “banning is used as a Last Resort” for you.

If you resemble enkhata you will simply & summarily be dismissed from the RealGM.com Forums.

Whether or not you are enkhata is unimportant.
Whether or not you have done anything wrong on their site is unimportant.
Whether or not you have violated their Forum Policies or TOS is unimportant.

The only thing that matters is that you resemble enkhata.

For committing this egregious sin you can and will be banned from the RealGM.com Forums, while other influential members of the Forums will be permitted to continue on unchecked for their various transgressions on the site, which include:

* Harassing those who they suspect to be enkhata
* Falsifying quotations belonging to those who they “suspect” to be enkhata
* Lying about the conduct of those they “suspect” to be enkhata
* Defaming enkhata

From my perspective, there may well be nothing I can do about this, since I am no longer a member of the RealGM.com Forums … but, at least, now you who read this blog can see the facts of the matter for yourselves and make your own decisions about that web site and how they choose to conduct their affairs.

I suggest that up-standing members of the basketball community who believe in responsible freedom of speech and the protection of our democratic rights as law-abiding citizens:

* Join the Forums at RealGM.com and inform the other members there about this situation and the type of nonsense that happens regularly with that site

* File a complaint against those who run the Forums at RealGM.com with:

Ryan Hoak (Administrative Contact, President and Chief Executive Officer)
109 N. Russell Street Suite No. 2
Marion, IL 62959-1185 US
Phone: 1.618.993.7592 Fax: 1.775.514.6917

Michael Krieger (Technical Contact, registrar@epicworks.com)
2 Old Park Lane Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 2L8 CA
Phone: 416-523-8412 Fax: 416-447-0082

Todd Essman (Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel)
Email: Todd.Essman@realgm.com

* File a complaint against RealGM.com with their domain registrar:

Tucows Inc.
96 Mowat Avenue
Toronto, ON Canada M6K 3M1
Phone: 1-416-535-0123, Fax: 1-416-531-5584

How many other innocent people have been banned in this manner from the RealGM.com Forums?

Tens? Hundreds? Thousands? I have no idea.

The point is ... no one should be banned from a web site in this way, for these reasons, permanently.

Propaganda based operations like this, that allow only a certain perspective (and not others), should not go unchecked.

“Now you know the rest of the story.” – Paul Harvey

Note: Others who have also been banned from the RealGM.com Forums without justification please feel free to add your “username” to this page by submitting a “comment” of your own. It will be interesting to see who else has been banned from these Forums and what their “perspective” was which brought this about.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Pod/18th

EAST +4.0 over WEST (NBA)

[NBA record: 32-39]

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Pod/14th (ii)

NYK +3.0 over GSW (NBA)

[NBA record: 32-38]

Pod/14th

DET/SAS over 181.0 (NBA)
UTA -5.0 over CLE (NBA)

[NBA record: 32-37]

Rosen on the Raps ... last night

Surprise, surprise, Raptors can really shoot

With a thrilling 112-111 victory in Chicago, the Raptors accomplished several milestones:

* They further solidified their hold on first place in the Atlantic Division.
* They extended their mid-season surge to 11 wins in their past 14 games.
* And they secured their status as the league's surprise ballclub.


Even so, with all of their glaring weaknesses, last season's powder-puff Raptors have suddenly developed claws. Kudos to Sam Mitchell and Brian Colangelo for having a game plan and sticking with it.

Toronto's defense will doom them to an early exit come the playoffs, but, man, can they shoot!


---------------------------

Charley Strikes, again ... decisively & with precision.

Ditto.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

TrueHoop on the move

Major Announcement: TrueHoop is Becoming Part of ESPN

Wild news, huh?

The whole story is pretty long (we have been talking for nearly a year) but probably not all that intriguing unless you're my wife or my mom, and they have both already heard it.

But here's the important part: I just signed a contract with ESPN. They now own the name TrueHoop, and I am a full-time ESPN employee.


Congratulations to Henry Abbott ... for the best basketball-related blog there is.

Benchmark games on the schedule

The Raptors (27-24) currently sit atop the Atlantic Division, tied for 5th place in the Eastern Conference standings, in terms of Win Percentage (.529). Heading to Chicago this evening, Toronto has won 4 of 5 (Streak - L1) ... dropped a hard-fought game last time out against the veteran Pistons (second of a back-to-back with the LA Lakers), but ... is 14-6, overall, since January 1, 2007 and, now, starting to draw wide-spread North American media attention for their resurgent play, thus far, this season.

Chicago (29-23/.558), on the other hand, is fresh off a marginally impressive W, at Phoenix (albeit still without Steve Nash), which concluded a mediocre 7-game road trip that saw the Bulls outscore Seattle and Portland but fall prey to the Clippers, Jazz, Kings and Warriors.

The first-game back at home after an extended road trip (and, in the Bulls case this time, sandwiched between another road jaunt to Charlotte tomorrow night!) is notorious in the NBA as a "trap game" for good teams over the course of an 82-game regular season.

At first glance, it looks like Toronto (+4.0) should be a prime play tonight.

According to this corner, however, this is not the case.

Right now, there are 12 teams in the NBA with a better-than .500 record, in addition to the Raptors:

1. Dallas .824
2. Phoenix .765
3. Utah .667
4. San Antonio .647
5. Houston .640
6. Detroit .640
7. Cleveland .588
8. LA Lakers .577
9. Washington ..571
10. Chicago .558
11. Indiana .529
12. Denver .520

These are the 14 'best' teams in the NBA, currently ... when you include the sleeping giant in Miami (.490), who are now my pick to eventually win the championship this season.

Against these 13 other teams, thus far, Toronto's combined record is an abysmal 5-15 (.250). Specifically, when playing south of the 49th Parallel, the Raptors are 0-10 against these teams.

Chicago's record to-date against this group is a sterling 11-3 when playing at home in the United Center.

It says in this corner that, tonight's game is a bellweather contest for these two emerging teams in the Eastern Conference.

If Toronto can find a way to win this game, capitalizing on the Bulls emotional letdown after playing Phoenix ... the Raptors are going to validate their position at the top of the second-tier teams in the Eastern Conference (behind Detroit and Miami). If Chicago can avoid the trap that awaits them this evening ... the Bulls will occupy this next step down the ladder in this half of the NBA ledger.

It's a pivotal game for both teams.

Chicago has beaten Toronto 15 consecutive times.

After this evening the streak should be ... 16, and counting.

Pod/12th

NJN +6.0 over SAS (NBA)
HOU -7.5 over SAC (NBA)
CHI -4.0 over TOR (NBA)
NYK +6.5 over LAL (NBA)

[NBA record: 31-34]

What's Wrong With Lebron?

There are two main problems with LBJ, right now, in Cleveland:

1. Mike Brown's coaching;
2. Not having played (at least) 1 or 2 years of college ball for a solid teacher of "how" the game is supposed to be played (i.e. all out on each and every possession, on all three sides of the ball) ... as MJ had with Dean Smith, Magic had with Jud Heathcote, Bird had with Bill Foster, Duncan had with Dave Odom, etc., etc., etc.

The first he may still be able to overcome.

The second he may not.

Each day that passes, non-corrected, it becomes painfully more apparent that a special talent is being wasted (as he chews his fingernails to the bone).

Lebron's problem has to do with character, attitude, motivation and understanding. Make fundamental progress in these areas and the associated on-court skillz will follow naturally. Don't ... and, a select few others (see D-Wade) will continue to pass him by, on the way to the (hoops) Hall of Fame.

All isn't lost, just yet ... but the clock is ticking.

(Hopefully, with a solid second 'talent' now on-board in Cleveland - i.e. Sasha Pavlovic is finally getting air time - it will assist LBJ's maturation process.)

re: Riley to return

And, so it begins in earnest ... The Heat, with their Gordon Gecko back at the helm, 'going for goal' again ... like only D-Wade (& Co.) can, in today's NBA.

---------------------------
"Riley set to return to Heat after All-Star break

By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Sports WriterFebruary 12, 2007

MIAMI (AP) -- Pat Riley will resume coaching the Miami Heat following the All-Star break, an official within the NBA said Monday.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because Riley has not formally announced his plans. Riley is expected to announce his return at a news conference Wednesday morning in Miami. His first game back would be Feb. 21 at Houston."
---------------------------

At 12-1, right now, they are a mad overlay to go all the way, back-to-back.

If they are healthy, with J-Will back, come play-off time they will overpower everyone else in the league.

That's the call from this corner, as of today.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Pod/12th

UTA/ATL over 193.5 (NBA)
DEN/GSW over 218.5 (NBA)

[NBA record: 30-33]

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Pod/11th (ii)

PHO/CHI under 203.5/In-running event (NBA)

[NBA record: 30-32]

re: "Dwayne [sic] Wade a Leader?"

Dear Mark,

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2007021114

At crunchtime ... that's ^ the response of a leader.

Make it now 6 of 7.

Turning up the Heat

Miami has now won 5 of 6, climbing back to a respectable 24-26 overall mark.

It says in this corner, they are just about ready to become the best team in the Eastern Conference, once again. When they get Jason Williams back from his abdominal strain injury, as D-Wade's permanent side-kick, expect them to put an impressive stretch together over the remaining 32 games (e.g. 25-7). With J-Will's speed, size, passing and perimeter shooting (at the PG spot) back in the line-up ... with the way that others have stepped up during Shaq's long absence and brief injuries to Wade & Williams (e.g. Kapono, Mourning & Doleac), plus the re-addition of Eddie Jones, etc., ... the Heat is the best team in the league right now.

If Pat Riley returns, sometime after the All-Star Game, look out ... the hand-writing will be on the wall. The Heat are going for two straight ... loaded with a full complete of Lethal Weapons, including the most Deadly Force in the game today (i.e. Dwyane Wade).

Currently at 12-1 odds to win it all, they are a huge overlay.

Pod/11th

MIA +1.0 over SAS (NBA)
POR +7.0 over WAS (NBA)

[NBA record: 28-32]

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Pod/10th

NJN -5.5 over ORL (NBA)
TOR +7.0 over Det (NBA)

[NBA record: 26-32]

Friday, February 09, 2007

Pod/9th (ii)

IND/DEN under 205.5 (NBA)

[NBA record: 25-31]

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Pod/9th

MIA +2.0 over CLE (NBA)

[NBA record: 25-31]

Pod/8th

LAL +4.5 over DET (NBA)

[NBA record: 25-30]

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Pod/7th

TOR -6.0 over ORL (NBA)

[NBA record: 24-30]

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Pod/6th (ii)

POR +3.5 over PHO (NBA)

[NBA record: 23-29]

No Software Needed?

Butterfly Marketing proves to be just as powerful in strategies than in the software itself. Below you will find a student and customer of the course.

http://enkhata.bfmscript.hop.clickbank.net

Michael Cheney of "Adsense Videos" applied the the pre-launch strategies and affiliate tools and JV strategies outlined in Mike Filsaime's ButterflyMarketing Manuscript to the his launch.

Here is what Michael Cheney had to say about what he learned in the Manuscript:

------------------------------------------------------

"Mike - first off I just want to say thank you so much!The techniques I learned from Butterfly Marketing played a BIG part in helping me make $63,249 in sales in 24 hours!!

As I write this I'm still finding it hard to believe. It seems a lifetime ago that the BFM package landed on my doorstep and I started poring over it with my smile getting larger and wider with each new insight as I realized that as long as I APPLIED what I was learning the principles were going to make something BIG happen!

Little did I know just HOW BIG it would be when I launched AdSense Videos...

AdSense Videos - 33 Hours After Launch..

The site went live. My life changed forever - seriously the results have been incredible Mike - we've grossed over $200,000 in 7 days!! The site got an Alexa ranking on Launch Day of 351!

AdSense Videos was ranked Number 1 on the ClickBank Marketplace in the Marketing category just 4 days afterthe Launch!

I've also been getting, on average, one new subscriber every minute of every hour for the past SIX AND A HALF DAYS!!!

So - What did I learn from you Mike and from ButterflyMarketing? Where to start! I think one of the biggest things was the step-by-step approach. Everything I created for Affiliates, Joint Venture partners and for people going through the videos themselves has been step-by-step. I made everything as easy as I could and 'muppet-proof' as I like to call it!

I also realized that it's paying attention to the smallerdetails BEFORE launch that really pay dividends AFTER theLaunch. And BOY am I seeing that!

You gave some absolute gems of advice in Butterfly Marketing which have, without a shadow of a doubt, contributed in a big way to the overall success of AdSense Videos.

Thanks again!

Michael Cheney"

----------------------------------------------------------

You too can have the same results as Michael Cheney byimplementing the tactics and strategies outlined in MikeFilsaime's Butterfly Marketing Manuscript.

Learn why people are saying that this report changed theway marketing is done on the internet for good!

http://enkhata.bfmscript.hop.clickbank.net

To your success,

enkhata

Pod/6th

NYK +1.5 over LAC (NBA)

[NBA record: 23-29]

Monday, February 05, 2007

Pod/5th

NOK +5.0 over SAC (NBA)

[NBA record: 23-28]
[NFL record: 3-6]

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Pod/4th

LAC +9.5 (In-running event) over TOR (NBA)
DET +2.0 over CLE (NBA)
IND -7.0 over CHI (NFL)

[NBA record: 22-27]
[NFL record: 2-6]

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Crystal Ball Gazing (NBA '06-07)

[Part 1]

This year's NBA championship will not be won by either of the current front-runners, Dallas or Phoenix.

Go ahead and write that one down.

[to be cont'd ...]

Pod/3rd

LAL +4.5 over WAS (NBA)

[NBA record: 21-27]
[NFL record: 2-6]

Friday, February 02, 2007

Pod/2nd

PHI -2.0 over GSW (NBA)
ATL +2.0 over TOR (NBA)

[NBA record: 21-25]
[NFL record: 2-6]

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Pod/1st

MIA -6.0 over CLE (NBA)
SAS +6.5 over PHO (NBA)

[NBA record: 21-23]
[NFL record: 2-6]

The best PG in Raptorland

This was the statline for Jose Calderon (2nd-yr, PG) last night against the Washington Wizards (current leaders in the Eastern Conference):

Name, Min, FG, 3Pt, FT, Off, Reb, Ast, TO, Stl, Blk, PF, Pts

J Calderon, 39, 10-13, 0-1, 4-4, 1, 3, 11, 1, 0, 0, 3, 24

TOR vs WAS (Jan 31, 2007)

Since former starter TJ Ford was sidelined with an assortment of lower leg injuries (ankle & calf) on January 20, 2007, this has been Toronto's record with Senor Calderon at the lead PG spot for their team:

Date, Opponent, Result, Top Scorer/Rebounder/Assists (TO)

Jan 22, vs CHA, W 105-84, Bosh 20/Graham 9/Calderon 11 (TO 1)
Jan 24, vs NOK, W 90-88, Bosh 35/Parker 9/Calderon 8 (TO 0)
Jan 26, vs BOS, W 96-90, Bosh 26/Garbajosa 8/Calderon 8 (TO 2)
Jan 27, at IND, L 84-102, Bosh 26/Bosh 12/Calderon 10 (TO 6)
Jan 31, vs WAS, W 119-109, Bosh 34/Bosh 8/Calderon 11 (TO 1)

which has allowed the Raptors to climb into 1st place in the "Titantic" division and, once again, reach the .500 mark on the season.

Even with Ford's return to the line-up last evening, as a reserve, it is becoming increasingly clear that the best PG in Toronto ... isn't the one new GM Bryan Colangelo acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks in return for Charlie Villanueva (PF) during the off-season but the one who led his home country (Spain) to the No. 1 spot overall at the 2006 World Championships.

The reasons for this are numerous:

* Calderon, with his size, is a better defensive match-up against the other quality PG's in the NBA
* Calderon, with his size, is a better passer, able to create and take advantage of different angles to deliver the ball to his teammates creating easy shots for them
* Calderon, because of his patience with the ball, is able to create a slew of easy layups and open jumpers for his teammates, within the flow of the offense, which are never forced, allowing them to shoot a high percentage
* Calderon has a tremendous "change-of-pace" handle which creates a slew of easy layups for himself within the flow of the offense, which are never forced and he is capable of finishing with either hand at the rim (at a high percentage)
* Calderon, because of his mature understanding of how to play the game, at the PG position, is always focused exclusively on taking what the defense is giving him
* Calderon is improving his perimeter shooting dramatically the more he plays this season (his 2nd in the NBA)
* Calderon, as a vocal, enthusiastic, positive body language person, has tremendous leadership qualities about his game
* Calderon, at the helm, allows the Raptors, as a team, to play less erratically for long stretches within any given game ... and to bring TJ Ford off the bench, as a high-octane "change-the-pace-to-a-full-throttle" dynamo, capable of busting open games by himself, in short bursts, when the situation calls for it (in a sense, ala Vinnie "the Microwave" Johnson of yesteryear)

Once the Raptors' braintrust decides to make this move permanent (by biting the bullet on Ford's contract extension, given earlier this season, as a highly paid "back-up" on their team for the foreseeable future), Toronto will then be poised to take a quantum leap up the ladder in the Eastern Conference standings and become perennial title contendas ... with their new Big 3 - Bosh, Bargnani & Calderon - intact for the next decade.

As it stands this season, there is no reason whatsoever, if they use the following line-up:

Main Players:

1 - Jose Calderon (pass first in control PG)
2 - Anthony Parker (shooter, scorer, defender)
3 - Joey Graham (defender, rebounder)
4 - Jorge Garbajosa (Euro version of Charles Oakley)
5 - Chris Bosh (rock solid Centre, 20 & 10)

Key Bench Players:

1 - TJ Ford (explosive passer, scorer)
2/3 - Morris Peterson (defender, 3-pt shooter)
3/4 - Andrea Bargnani (shooter/scorer, passer)
4/5 - Rasho Nesterovic (rebounder, defender)

... Toronto should not be expected to play in the Eastern Conference semi-finals (at least) later this spring.