A prediction that was made by me yesterday morning on Facebook, that the Knicks were going to lose by 10 points and sure enough they did.. Check out the full story here…
2010-11 was supposed to be a season of changing fortunes for the New York Knicks. And in a few meaningful ways, it has been. Playoff bound for the first time in seven seasons and with a certifiable big three to call their own, the Knicks seem to have embraced the new decade — like fans of the new-look squad — while distancing themselves from the relative misery and disappointment of the one just past.
But when it comes to the Boston Celtics, Monday night’s 96-86 humiliating home meltdown was very much the same old story. The Celtics outscored the Bockers 33-17 in a final frame that saw both Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony all but vanish. Boston’s big three of Pierce, Allen and Garnett, meanwhile, tallied 25 of their team’s fourth-quarter points, as the Celtics seemed to beat the Knicks to every loose ball and critical rebound.
To say the game was a slugfest would be an understatement: Both Ray Allen and Anthony found themselves on the receiving end of errant elbows that drew literal streams of blood.
The fact that it was Melo who inadvertently caught Allen on the top of the head in the second quarter — only to get the same from Rajon Rondo at midcourt halfway through the fourth — imparted a karmic irony that was lost on no one, as barbs, barks and elbows were traded as much as butterfly Band-Aids in a truly heated second half.
The loss put the Knicks at .500 for the first time since Feb. 11, a 113-96 home drubbing by the Los Angeles Lakers. At that point in the season, many blamed the Knicks’ woes on the incessant Anthony trade talks and the toll it was taking on team chemistry and morale. Now, with New York having dropped six of its past seven and nine of 16 since the Anthony trade, chemistry and morale are again at the heart of the conversation.
Refreshingly, both seemed intact early, as solid ball movement and the efficient shooting of Anthony (15 first-half points on 7-of-12 shooting) and Stoudemire (11 points on 5-of-8 shooting) — combined with a shockingly staunch stretch of D that included a span of 270 seconds during which the Celtics failed to score — helped put the Knicks up 14 at the break.
After cutting the Knicks’ lead to six entering the fourth, Boston’s lockdown defense and patient ball movement began to pay dividends. With Stoudemire and Anthony both looking lost and unsure, the Knicks offense crumbled steadily, mustering a measly four points in the final 7:26, and no points in the final 3:28.
Using the frenzied Garden chants as fuel down the stretch, the Celtics closed the game with a playoff-level intensity unbecoming their typical March malaise. What was a still a two-point game with 2:34 quickly mushroomed to six, then eight, then 10, in a span in which Anthony attempted exactly zero shots and Stoudemire’s lone 15-foot jumper clanked off the rim.
All three Knicks-Celtics games have had a palpable playoff feel. But as the season nears the finish line, the likelihood of the first Boston-New York playoff series since 1990 is becoming more of a possibility. The surging Sixers seem poised to hold on to the sixth seed — if not steal the fifth spot from the stumbling Atlanta Hawks — and an equally favorable home stretch makes the Chicago Bulls’ chances of landing the top seed even more likely. The Orlando Magic, meanwhile, should retain the fourth seed, which they’ve held for most of the season.
That leaves the enigmatic Miami Heat, who may wish to stand pat at No. 3 — where they’d face a Philadelphia team they have yet to lose to — rather than risk a run-in with the Knicks, who seem to have their number of late. The Knicks and Celtics will meet one more time in Boston on April 13, the last game of the regular season for both squads.
The way it’s shaping up now, it could be the Knicks’ final pre-playoff chance to exorcise their many demons in what will certainly have the look and feel of a de facto Game 1. Monday, they were all on display, with rebounding (44-38), turnovers (13-8), and interior defense (44 points in the paint to 28) all once again finding the Knicks holding the short end of the stat stick.
But one demon more than any other will doubtless loom larger and louder: their fourth-quarter collapse. Having been outscored by a combined 25 points in the last two final frames against their old nemesis, Stoudemire, Anthony and the rest of the Knicks should by then know better than anyone the importance of execution and smart play when it counts.
If they don’t, the Celtics would certainly love nothing better than to teach them again.
Now, this would be a pretty site seeing the Sprint logo on the back of an iPhone=) See the full story below…
With the AT&T merger with T-Mobile now in the works, Sprint’s stock is down 15% and seems ripe for a pick up in the rapidly-consolidating wireless/mobile space. But who should pick up Sprint?
Is Apple, with its monster war chest, finally ready to rid itself of the carriers in the US?
First of all the deal would also likely include the assets of Clearwire and its WiMAX 4G network which is now valued at just over $1B. The total market cap for the two companies would be justsouth of $15B. That would make a buyout in the $20B range, still only about half of the T-Mobile deal.
Verizon is one obvious candidate. One reason to make a move would be to force the FTC/FCC into action on their competition. If AT&T–T-Mobile isn’t enough to get the regulators off their backsides, a perspective duopoly could be. And how could you deny Verizon-Sprint while OK-ing AT&T -T-Mobile? Block!
IF the deal somehow went through, Verizon would also benefit from the added subscribers, compatible networks and added spectrum in the same way AT&T is from T-Mobile and could use the very same arguments to justify a purchase. Verizon would have spent half of AT&T on T-Mobile, gotten more customers and a bigger network.
But Verizon isn’t the only potential suitor.
Comcast, fresh off their NBC pickup and subsequent year dealing with anti-trust regulators might be willing to keep its anti-trust team busy with the pick up. The move would allow the cable operator to offer a full spectrum of services from home internet/telephone/CableTV and now wireless. Wireless cable on mobile devices would also be a reality, especially over 4G WiMAX without any messy partnerships to set up.
Two of Comcast’s biggest competitors are Verizon and AT&T – which have something (wireless) Comcast obviously doesn’t. A deal there makes a lot of sense if the cable operator can pull it off. Another competitor, Cox, is already a Sprint MVNO.
Cablevision (Optimum) is also working on phones. Now all they need is a network to put them on. They currently use,,,wait for it…Sprint as an MVNO.
Google is also a possible suitor. Google and Sprint announced a pretty significant Google Voice integration plan today which would make just about every Sprint phone a Google phone. Google has previously been seen bidding on wireless spectrum before and has a lot of ISP ambitions. The move would alienate AT&T and Verizon, however, from using Android devices – devices from their wireless competitor.
Apple really doesn’t have a horse in this race, at least yet. Although a CDMA iPhone 4 is now out, it has no formal relationship with Sprint. Apple, too, would alienate Verizon and AT&T by becoming a carrier – though I think Apple would be more wiling to do so than Google, for instance.
Apple does like to own the whole experience and just about every bad thing written about the iPhone and iPad is related to their carrier integration. Apple obviously has the money and customer base to do something like this and the war chest is obviously on hand. Steve Jobs and Tim Cook have both said Apple was holding onto its cash in order to make a game-changing purchase. This would be exactly such a purchase. In fact, thinking about it that way, it is hard to imagine any other such purchase, at least right now.
Still, it is hard to imagine Apple getting into Sprint’s mess of 50 million users (most of which aren’t going to be iPhone candidates), billing systems, in-house MVNOs like Virgin and Boost, etc. It all seems too complex for a company that craves simplicity.
Things could change, however, if Google got involved in the bidding – and Google under Larry Page is even wackier than under Eric Schmidt.
There are also companies like Microsoft, RIM, Nokia,and various other domestic and imported private and public entities that could bid for Sprint.
The smaller T-Mobile just went for about three times Sprint’s market cap so it seems like whoever picks up the company will have gotten a bargain.
With the update of the 4.3 not to long ago, the 4.3.1 will be coming very shortly with fixes. Here is the story…
BGR says we’re due for an iOS update in the next week or two which should address some, if not all of the issues that have been giving 4.3 users some hassles. Perhaps we’ll also see some battery optimizations for 4.3 which seems to have lowered battery time for some.
Baseband updates for the 3GS and iPad (original)
Fixed memory hang that results in memory corruption when reading large files from USIM filesystem
Fixed problem with NTLM authentication in apps and on websites
Fixed issue with the Springboard and 3rd party apps not recgonizing the gyroscope on the iPad 2
Fixed iPad 2 jailbreak vulnerability
That means developers should be seeing a seed any…minute…now (tomorrow?). Will Verizon users get an update too?
Now these sneakers have a great definition of SWAG. Looking forward to seeing these Fall/Winter!!
“Here is an early look at what the Raf Simons Fall/Winter 2011 sneaker collection has to offer. Sticking to the classic signature silhouettes we’ve grown to love the latest collection features new materials, textures, and bolder colorways. What do you think? Is this something you will be looking forward to? See more pics below”
Looks like Leopard is in for the Spring/Summer 2011 and Givenchy has once again release something that is definitely a “NECK BREAKER” First person I seen wearing this was none other then Kanye West, which shouldn’t be a surprise to most people knowing that he is a FASHIONISTA
See Pictures & Story..
“By now most of should know that the Givenchy Spring/Summer 2011 Collection is all about the leopard print. From sneakers to accessories, the pattern is being heavily used. Here we take a look now at the newly released leopard bomber jacket from the collection. Once again the entire upper features the pattern. Keep the rest of the outfit simple and this might work for you, but it is certainly not a piece that everybody can pull off. Ssense has the jacket in stock now.”
Take a more detailed look at the jacket after the jump.
“We take a look at the two stand-out sneakers from the new Givenchy Spring/Summer 2011 Collection. Next to the leopard print high top that we already previewed a while back, we also check out the star studded black leather high top from the new collection. As with most of what Givenchy is proposing these days, the statement is bold. The sneakers are now in stock at LuisaViaRoma.
This is Google’s newest Pride & Joy. The Samsung Nexus S
See details here..
Besides all the wonders that the Nexus S has you’ll find CDMA / EV-DO and WiMAX radios inside, and it will allow you to make to use your google voice account to it’s fullest! Replace your Sprint Voicemail with your Google Voice. You can use your FREE Google #, or your Sprint #, and you won’t even have to port your Sprint # while you use it with your Google Voice account, All happening This Spring for $200 for the Phone, and Sprint’s $70 a month all in pricing(still with the usage Tax, Pricing not as good as MetroPCS), crazy combo.
Here is a video
Press Release: First Pure Google 4G Device with Android 2.3 in the U.S., Nexus S 4G from Google and Samsung, Coming to Sprint this Spring
First 4G device powered by Android 2.3 boasts pure Google experience, Google Voice integration, Super AMOLED display and Mobile Hotspot capability is Sprint’s 20th 4G device and fourth 4G phone announced to date
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – March 21, 2011 – Sprint (NYSE: S) extends its 4G device innovation lead once again with the upcoming availability of the 20th 4G device and fourth 4G phone, Nexus S™ 4G1 from Google™. Coming to Sprint this spring, it will also be able to take advantage of the unprecedented controls and services enabled by Google Voice™ integration built into the Sprint Network.
Manufactured by Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), a leading global mobile phone provider and the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States2, Nexus S 4G comes packed with a pure Google experience using Android™ 2.3, Gingerbread, the fastest version of Android available for smartphones. It is powered by a 1GHz Samsung application processor that produces rich 3D-like graphics, faster upload and download times and supports HD-like multimedia content along with a dedicated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to make playing mobile games, browsing the Web and watching videos a fast, fluid and smooth experience.
“Nexus S 4G shows the strong commitment Sprint has to Android, and when combined with our 4G network capabilities, it gives customers the option of a pure Google experience,” said Fared Adib, vice president – Product Development, Sprint. “As the first 4G smartphone with Android 2.3, Nexus S 4G delivers on the promise of the advanced data capabilities of 4G to deliver an incredible Web browsing experience, offers quick and easy access to future Android updates and access to the services built into Google Voice.”
It is designed with Samsung’s brilliant Super AMOLED™ touchscreen technology providing a premium viewing experience. The 4-inch Contour Display features a curved design for a more comfortable look and feel in the user’s hand or along the side of the face. It also offers a screen that is bright with higher color contrast, meaning colors are incredibly vibrant and text is crisp at any size and produces less glare than on other smartphone displays when outdoors, so videos, pictures and games look their best and the sun won’t wash them out.
Sprint Nexus S 4G customers will be among the first to receive Android software upgrades and new Google mobile apps. In many cases, the device will get the updates and new apps as soon as they are available.
“We’re excited to partner with Sprint on Nexus S 4G, which brings innovative hardware by Samsung and innovations on the Android platform, to create a powerful smartphone experience,” said Andy Rubin, vice president of Engineering at Google.
Nexus S 4G features a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera and camcorder and front-facing VGA camera. In addition, Nexus S 4G features a gyroscope sensor to provide a smooth, fluid gaming experience when the user tilts the device up or down or pans the phone to the left or right.
Additional key features include:
3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability, supporting up to six Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
Android Market™ for access to more than 150,000 applications, widgets and games available for download to customize the experience
Google mobile services such as Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Maps™ with Navigation, syncing with Google Calendar™, Voice Actions and YouTube™
Corporate email (Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®), personal (POP & IMAP) email and instant messaging
Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which allows the device to read information from everyday objects, like stickers and posters embedded with NFC chips
16GB Internal Memory (ROM)/512MB (RAM)
Wi-Fi® – 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth® 2.1 + EDR
Integrated GPS
1500 mAh Lithium-ion battery
“Samsung is thrilled to work with Google and Sprint to create the next generation Nexus S. Adding 4G capabilities takes this iconic device to the next level,” said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile. “Nexus S 4G integrates Samsung’s best-in-class hardware and the exciting features of the Android 2.3 platform with the impressive speed and connectivity of Sprint’s 4G network.”
Nexus S 4G from Google will be available exclusively from Sprint this spring for $199.99 with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade (taxes not included) in all Sprint retail channels, including the Web (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1), as well as select national retailers.
Sprint Nexus S customers also will be able to easily use their current Sprint wireless phone number as their Google Voice number without having to port their number, avoiding porting charges and potential service disruptions. Google Voice makes it easy for people to manage and access most of their voice-based communication. It lets users manage up to six different phones through one number with intelligent call routing and advanced features like call screening, blocking and recording.
Now Sprint subscribers can use their Sprint number across their office, home and wireless phones, and personalize settings so calls from friends ring their wireless device and home phone, while calls from the boss only ring at the office. Google Voice users can receive transcribed voicemails and read or listen to them online. They can also read, send and search text messages and call logs online at http://www.google.com/voice.
Nexus S 4G requires activation on one of Sprint’s Everything Data plans, plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge – a savings of $39.99 per month versus Verizon’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and Web (excluding Verizon’s Southern California plan; pricing excludes surcharges and taxes).
Sprint customers get more with unlimited data plans on the Sprint Network. Sprint offers real simplicity, value and savings versus competitors, making it easy for customers to get the most out of their phones without using a calculator to tally up costs or worrying about how much data they’ve used.
Sprint Everything Data plans qualify for automatic enrollment in the Sprint PremierSM loyalty program3. Existing Sprint customers can switch to an Everything Data plan without extending their service agreement. New lines of service require a two-year service agreement.
As the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology, Sprint made history by launching 4G in Baltimore in September 2008. As the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology, Sprint is America’s Favorite 4G Network4. Sprint currently offers 4G service in 71 markets in 28 states. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com/4G.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 49.9 million customers at the end of 2010 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at http://www.sprint.com or http://www.facebook.com/sprint and http://www.twitter.com/sprint.
About Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit http://www.samsungwireless.com.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company is recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands. Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit http://www.samsung.com.
Carmelo Anthony tried to put an end Sunday to the latest MeloDrama surrounding the New York Knicks, saying his frustration boiled over Friday night in a loss at Detroit.
Anthony, who at one point refused to join the huddle during a timeout, said he did not take Amare Stoudemire’s pointed post game comments personally, and he said there was laughter in a team meeting Saturday as the Knicks broke down film of the 99-95 loss, which dropped them behind Philadelphia into seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
“No not at all, why would I do that?” Anthony said of taking offense at the team captain’s comments. “[Coach] D’Antoni got a hell of an offense, I can tell you that. Everybody knows that around this league, everybody on the team knows that.
“It’s a matter of me picking my spots in the offense and figuring them out in a timely fashion. What I told the guys is ‘Let’s be patient, man. This is not going to get together, this is not going to be 100 percent in two-and-a-half weeks. It’ll just take some time.’”
Anthony missed all five of his shots in the fourth quarter and then bolted for the team bus without speaking to reporters after the Knicks lost to the Pistons, dropping New York to 7-7 since acquiring him.
Afterward, Stoudemire had said there were some players on the team who still needed to buy into coach Mike D’Antoni’s system, and it seemed clear he was speaking of Anthony.
But D’Antoni said the air was cleared at the team’s film session Saturday as the Knicks prepared for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, which New York lost 100-95.
“I think everybody wants an ideal situation where it’s all campfires and singing and all that, but it’s just not going to be that way,” D’Antoni said. “We have a lot of high stakes right now, and as you see there’s people that want to getcha. Again, it’s nothing bad, that’s just the way it is.
“We’re on a big stage and we’re going through practice on an open court and sometimes it doesn’t get good. I guess the bottom line is I’m not worried about it. We’ve talked about it and we’ll get things right, and guys are still hanging in there and we’ll solve the problem. There are going to be frustrations that boil over some, but they know and we all know, and we’re all in the same boat, how to get the job done.”
Chris Sheridan covers the NBA for ESPN.com and ESPNNewYork.com.
This is the latest in the Nintendo World. The Wii 2? supposable it could have Blu-ray, Improved processing, Improved storage, Full HD HDMI support, More gesture controls, Improved online options, 3D, Built-in projection, AND Built-in projection….See Details.
Yes Rumored Blu-ray, a quad-core processor, a possible Step up in Memory to GB’s instead of MB’s, full HD 1080p port, “Kinect like” Motion Gestures, Live Chat(like Xbox), 3D(not a surprise with the 3DS), and a built-in Projector so you can play on a wall or 70 inch screen, and IF all that is rumored comes true, then I”m definitely investing in one of these=)
So for everyone wondering how and when will all this take place, here is what T-Mobile said.
“T-Mobile USA remains an independent company. The acquisition is expected to be completed in approximately 12 months. We do not offer the iPhone. We offer cutting edge devices like the Samsung Galaxy S 4G and coming soon our new Sidekick 4G.” -T-Mobile
T-Mobile customers area already thinking about the “iPhone” and the fact that they wouldn’t have to jailbreak one and use their chip to access the phone. Stay tuned to see what happens
Not even a full day since the “UN-FINALIZED” announcement was made late yesterday afternoon and already you can see the “HATE” message already enter the public-__- Read what Sprint said about this.
“The combination of AT&T and T-Mobile USA, if approved by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC), would alter dramatically the structure of the communications industry. AT&T and Verizon are already by far the largest wireless providers. A combined AT&T and T-Mobile would be almost three times the size of Sprint, the third largest wireless competitor. If approved, the merger would result in a wireless industry dominated overwhelmingly by two vertically-integrated companies that control almost 80% of the US wireless post-paid market, as well as the availability and price of key inputs such as backhaul and access needed by other wireless companies to compete. The DOJ and the FCC must decide if this transaction is in the best interest of consumers and the US economy overall, and determine if innovation and robust competition would be impacted adversely and by this dramatic change in the structure of the industry.”
Remington's World 