Alastair's BLE 2 Blog

Ally Evans

Authorities say ex-NBA player Javaris Crittenton is free on bail after he was charged with murder in an August drive-by shooting. Sheriff's spokeswoman Tracy Flanagan said Crittenton was released at 12:15 a.m. Wednesday. Fulton County Magistrate Judge Karen Woodson allowed Crittenton to go free on $230,000 bond after hearing testimony Tuesday from the player's friends and coaches.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=124nv9rkk/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-crittenton-murdercharge

Dwayne Wade Cleveland Cavaliers Elliott Sadler Masami Kuwashima Luis Scola Kurt Busch

Ally Evans

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Audi, UK

Compiling a list of automotive legends is a task that could force all enthusiasts into a debate of epic proportions. Opinions will differ, feelings will be hurt and some deserving vehicles might wind up off the ultimate list. There is one vehicle, however, that should create little debate as to its place in the annals of all-time greats. We're talking about the original Audi Quattro, and it's clear that the folks from the UK's Fifth Gear agree.

The Fifth Gear crew managed to snag the keys to an Ur-Quattro for its Legends series, and set about tracking it down some of their local country roads. Cameras were powered up, lenses were clean and the resulting review is available to fawn over after the jump.

Continue reading Fifth Gear remembers what made the original Audi Quattro so special

Fifth Gear remembers what made the original Audi Quattro so special originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/29/fifth-gear-remembers-what-made-the-original-audi-quattro/

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Ally Evans

NBA players are professionals who have put in tens of thousands of hours honing their craft. When most of us reach the point where we have been doing something that much for that long we move beyond further instruction.

Surgeons and lawyers and Wall Street executives, for instance ... after some hard training, it assumed they don't need much more in the way of teaching or coaching.

But even when NBA players are 35 and have been elite players for two decades, they still have somebody watching and giving feedback.

Which approach is smarter?

Atul Gawande is a surgeon, and an extraordinary writer, and he has recently come to think that the NBA approach may be better -- and has even recruited a retired surgeon to act as his own personal surgical coach, with good results.

As Gawande writes in The New Yorker, his eyes were opened to the power of coaching by a chance tennis game in Massachusetts:

One July day a couple of years ago, when I was at a medical meeting in Nantucket, I had an afternoon free and went looking for someone to hit with. I found a local tennis club and asked if there was anyone who wanted to play. There wasn’t. I saw that there was a ball machine, and I asked the club pro if I could use it to practice ground strokes. He told me that it was for members only. But I could pay for a lesson and hit with him.

He was in his early twenties, a recent graduate who’d played on his college team. We hit back and forth for a while. He went easy on me at first, and then started running me around. I served a few points, and the tennis coach in him came out. You know, he said, you could get more power from your serve.

I was dubious. My serve had always been the best part of my game. But I listened. He had me pay attention to my feet as I served, and I gradually recognized that my legs weren’t really underneath me when I swung my racquet up into the air. My right leg dragged a few inches behind my body, reducing my power. With a few minutes of tinkering, he’d added at least ten miles an hour to my serve. I was serving harder than I ever had in my life.

Not long afterward, I watched Rafael Nadal play a tournament match on the Tennis Channel. The camera flashed to his coach, and the obvious struck me as interesting: even Rafael Nadal has a coach. Nearly every �lite tennis player in the world does. Professional athletes use coaches to make sure they are as good as they can be.

But doctors don’t. I’d paid to have a kid just out of college look at my serve. So why did I find it inconceivable to pay someone to come into my operating room and coach me on my surgical technique?

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/32161/should-we-all-have-coaches

Tracy McGrady Scott Speed Yao Ming Robert Kubica Landon Cassill Boston Celtics

Ally Evans

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2011/9/29/2458254/nba-blog-previews-los-angeles-lakers

PRISM Motorsports Toyota Paul Fiercer Air Guard Ford Ray allen Mark Martin Orlando Magic

Ally Evans

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2011/9/29/2458254/nba-blog-previews-los-angeles-lakers

Dave Blaney Kurt Kuhnke Nate Robinson Sacramento Kings Indiana Pacers Utah Jazz

Ally Evans

The WNBA star crushes Sebastian Telfair in terms of shoe brightness, and does very well at basketball too.

On YouTube, commenter Mbenz27: "I'm willing to bet 99 percent of all people couldn't beat her one-on-one without playin' some hacking defense. That's like people thinking they could hit Jennie Finch or outrun Veronica Campbell-Brown. These are professionals. You're commenting on youtube."

The WNBA Finals, between Maya Moore's Minnesota Lynx and Angel McCoughtry and the Atlanta Dream, start Sunday.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/32165/cappie-pondexter-vs-sebastian-telfair

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Ally Evans

Filed under: Europe, Safety, Technology, Videos, Nissan

There's a long press release and a video after the jump with scads of information, but it distills to this: controlling machines with your brain. José del R. Millán, a researcher at Switzerland's EPFL, has been developing the technology both for communication and mechanical-control purposes, and Nissan Europe has partnered with the lab with an eye on taking such technology to cars.

Nissan's take, for instance, is that as you "think about turning left ahead... the car will prepare itself for the maneuver, selecting the correct speed and road positioning, before completing the turn." Our take is that you can stay tuned for 2050 when your car realizes you're about to scrap it, and the police pull you over for thinking about speeding. Until then, your future is spelled out in words and a video after the jump.

Continue reading Nissan's mind-reading cars will predict your mistakes

Nissan's mind-reading cars will predict your mistakes originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/29/nissans-mind-reading-cars-will-predict-your-mistakes/

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Ally Evans

Source: http://www.carsession.com/car-news/2012-honda-cr-v-concept-photos-and-video.html

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Ally Evans

Filed under: Truck, Toyota, Off-Road

Ford took everyone by surprised when it unveiled the F-150 SVT Raptor back in 2008, not only with the truck's capability but by the fact that they had the guts to produce it at all. The success of the Raptor left other automakers scrambling to produce something similar, although everything yet has fallen short in one way or another. Chrysler unveiled the Ram Runner Concept at SEMA last year, although you have to build it yourself if you want one, and GM has merely teased the idea of producing the Sierra All Terrain HD Concept shown earlier this year.

Now, Toyota is stepping up to the plate with the Tacoma TRD T|X Baja Series. Unveiled today at the Texas State Fair, this limited-edition truck takes inspiration from Toyota's Baja racing history and features items like an electronically-controlled locking differential, TRD off-road package with Bilstein race shocks and an increased ride height of two inches, BF Goodrich T/A KO tires and bead-lock style wheels. Power comes from Toyota's 4.0-liter V6 and both a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission are available.

The TRD T|X Baja Series also benefits from changes made to the standard Tacoma for 2012, including a restyled front end with a new hood, grille, front bumper and headlights. The interior gets a new instrument panel, updated gauges, new steering wheel and more. You can read full details about both the standard Tacoma and the limited edition Baja Series in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Toyota unveils Tacoma TRD T|X Baja Series Limited Edition in Texas

Toyota unveils Tacoma TRD T|X Baja Series Limited Edition in Texas originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/29/toyota-unveils-tacoma-trd-t-x-baja-series-limited-edition-in-tex/

Carmelo Anthony Tracy McGrady Scott Speed Yao Ming Robert Kubica Landon Cassill

Ally Evans

Miami Heat stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are planning to headline a charity game featuring some of the NBA's top players in Miami on Oct. 8. Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, Rajon Rondo and John Wall have also committed to play. Details are still being finalized and although no contracts had been signed by late Tuesday, an official announcement about the game and...

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=121o6q77b/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-nbaplayers-miamigame

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Ally Evans

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months, everyone knows that Charlie Sheen has been falling into a downward spiral filled with drugs, prostitutes, and questionable cases of "winning." Fed up and insulted, CBS officials cast off the tainted star and replaced him by actor and comedian, Ashton Kutcher. Not a bad replacement if you can get it, but in watching Kutcher’s first episode, we noticed another star that was not so heavily marketed. Kutcher’s ride in the series is the hybrid Fisker Karma.

The sleek extended-range electric sedan made its debut in the show when Walden Schmidt (played by Kutcher) drove up to the house. CBS undoubtedly provided the character with an up and coming hybrid car to play up Kutcher’s good boy character and leave behind the bad boy essence of Sheen.

When discussing the choice to allow CBS to use the vehicle, Fisker spokesman, Roger Ormisher, said: "We are delighted to be have been pro-actively chosen as Ashton?s car on Two and a Half Men ? it will give Fisker amazing visibility not only in the US but internationally too. The on-going partnership with Two and a Half Men is one that is both exciting and motivational for everybody here at Fisker Automotive."

gallery: 2011 Fisker Karma

Ashton Kutcher drives Fisker Karma in Two and a Half Men originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 29 September 2011 09:00 EST.

Source: http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/yamaha/2011-yamaha-yz250f-ar114825.html

Dwayne Wade Cleveland Cavaliers Elliott Sadler Masami Kuwashima Luis Scola Kurt Busch

Ally Evans

2010 Honda Odyssey - Top Recommended Minivan Award

Press Release: Odyssey Concept Reveals Stylish, Dynamic Image for All-New Honda Minivan The Honda Odyssey Concept, on display at the Chicago Auto Show, introduces a sleek and distinctive exterior styling direction for the next generation of the industry?s best-selling minivan, set to debut this fall, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The Odyssey Concept dramatically departs from conventional minivan styling with its low and wide stance, highlighted by a ?lightning-bolt? beltline that further distinguishes the vehicle?s profile. Compared to the current Odyssey, the Concept?s slightly lower ...

Source: http://www.distrocars.com/2010-honda-odyssey-2

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Ally Evans

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Porsche

The coverage coming out of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show was filled with vehicles that run the gamut of the automotive spectrum, but one vehicle in particular caught the eyes of journalists and readers alike. The 2012 Porsche 911 was the darling of the Frankfurt show, and the data backs it up.

According to browsing and social media data compiled by UK company Kantar Media Precis, the new 911 was the most (virtually) talked about machine in attendance. Websites, blogs and social media feeds were all abuzz, and it was the latest 911 that dominated all discussions.

We're guilty of falling in love with the German sports car as well. We spoke about both the standard 911 and the Carrera S, and are gearing up for another 50 or so variants set to debut in the next decade and a half.

Porsche 911 found to be Frankfurt favorite originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/28/porsche-911-found-to-be-frankfurt-favorite/

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Ally Evans

"Let's get the two committees in and see if they can either have a season or not have a season. That's what's at risk this weekend."

-- David Stern, September 28, 2011

Not sure anything else that has been said about this lockout holds a candle to this quote in terms of tough talk.

Until this moment, Stern has played some combination of dumb or coy to any calendar questions. "I don't know!" he said Tuesday, asked at what point the season would be in jeopardy. "I haven't looked at my calendar recently."

It strained credibility when Stern said it, and not 24 hours later, it's clear he has these dates crystal clear. Now this weekend (long predictable as the deadline for a handshake deal) is not just when the open of the season starts to slip.

It's when we learn if there will be a season at all.

So, why would Stern, who has been measured in his public rhetoric, make this threat now?

Some possibilities:

Stern has assessed it's deal time. In other words, he likes his negotiating position now, and is genuinely happy to have everything come to a head immediately. People who do lots of deals talk a lot about the importance of recognizing deal time when it comes around. What better card to play to sharpen everyone's focus this weekend?
Stern wants to eliminate the possibility of talks dragging on through the autumn. It's interesting to speculate as to why. Maybe he doesn't want fans and the media to demonize the players he's counting on to carry his league. Maybe he's scared of what could happen to the talks -- he has intimated in the past that if it gets ugly, it could get really ugly, which could mean the decertification of the union, litigation galore, and who knows what else. �An on-time start to the season does carry significant benefits to many owners and the league, and not to mention fans. For moneymaking teams, the benefits are obvious. Some other teams have short championship windows. And then there are all those corporate sponsorship and advertising revenues that might find new homes in a lockout.
It's intended to put the utmost pressure on Billy Hunter. Hunter is not only facing withering fire from the NBA's tough negotiating tactics, but also from that posse of five agitating agents, who may or may not have the ability to destabilize Hunter's position at the head of the union. If emotions get high, perhaps so does the pressure on Hunter to calm things down by making his best offer, and hopefully a deal.
He is simply being insincere. In reality, of course, Stern maintains an ironclad right to back off this whenever he wants. Saying things he later relents on would not be unprecedented. For two small examples from this week, see his comments above about the calendar, and this: On Tuesday, for some reason, Stern implied talks would not stop for Thursday's religious holiday, Rosh Hashanah. Not 24 hours later we learn the talks are indeed paused for the holiday. Which was predictable, and an odd thing to deny. But deny it he did.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/32128/david-sterns-scary-talk

Martin Lee Truex Jr Kenyon Martin New Jersey Nets Pau Gasol Willi Krakau Pedro Lamy

Ally Evans

Source: http://www.carsession.com/car-news/kicherer-mercedes-sls-amg-roadster.html

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Ally Evans

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2011/9/26/2450719/nba-blog-previews-charlotte-bobcats

Anthony Wayne Stewart Kevin Harvick Andrew Bynum Baron Davis Golden State Warriors Jacques Laffite

Ally Evans

Friday is a big, big day for NC State.

Why? Per the Raleigh News & Observer, that's when Rodney Purvis, the No. 16-ranked player in the class of 2012 according to ESPN Recruiting, will announce his collegiate decision. At various points in his recruitment, Purvis has considered Missouri, Memphis, Virginia, Ohio State, Virginia Commonwealth and even -- get this -- North Carolina Central. (Nothing wrong with a little local love, right?) He originally committed to Louisville before deciding to consider other options, and those options, as of now, seem to have narrowed to two schools: Connecticut and NC State.

If Connecticut were to land Purvis, it'd be another excellent signing in a remarkably successful two-year period for Jim Calhoun. In other words: ho hum. But if Purvis commits to NC State, he'd be the first, best recruit of the Mark Gottfried era, a talented player who could immediately improve the Wolfpack's present lot and a symbolic sign of positive progress to come. His impact would be felt on the floor and off.

Fortunately for NC State, it appears Purvis is leaning toward his hometown school. As our own Dave Telep blogged today:

Anything's possible, but the buzz in Raleighwood points toward NC State. Purvis was a key target of Mark Gottfried and he's spent quite a bit of time on the Pack's campus. Should Purvis pick the Pack on Friday, it would be mission accomplished for Gottfried.

Purvis, one of the leading scorers in the Nike EYBL and potential McDonald's All-American, used the local paper as an outlet to spread the word about his decision. Will the local kid remain local for college?

It's looking good, but as Dave wrote, anything can happen. In the meantime, all you anxious NC State fans may begin your superstitious recruiting rituals ... now. (Aw, who am I kidding? You're already way ahead of me, aren't you?)

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/35934/rodney-purvis-prepares-to-announce

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Ally Evans

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2011/9/26/2450719/nba-blog-previews-charlotte-bobcats

Kurt Busch Jason Kidd Oscar Larrauri Derek Fisher Mohawk Northeast Chevrolet Shannon Brown

Ally Evans

Source: http://www.carsession.com/car-news/g-power-m3-tornado-rs.html

Travis Kvapil Old Spice Office Depot Chevrolet Nicola Larini Jamie McMurray J.R Smith David Ragan

Ally Evans

Source: http://www.carsession.com/car-news/2012-lotus-exige-s-spot.html

Regan Smith Oklahoma City Thunder Travis Kvapil Old Spice Office Depot Chevrolet Nicola Larini Jamie McMurray

Ally Evans

Kobe Bryant said it's "very possible" he will play in Italy during the NBA lockout, adding the country is like home because he spent part of his childhood there. Virtus Bologna has made numerous contract offers to the Los Angeles Lakers star. Bryant discussed the offer with the Gazzetta dello Sport during a sponsor's appearance in Milan on Wednesday.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=11r08vp8u/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-bryant-bologna

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Ally Evans

Filed under: Hatchback, Fiat

Seeing ribbons on cars is nothing new. And we're not even talking about the gift-wrapping kind. We mean ribbons for causes, whether it's "support our troops" or "bring them home", or more often than not, in support of a cure for cancer. But while those are typically glued onto a car's trunk-lid or a truck's tailgate, Fiat and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation are taking things one step further with the 500 Pink Ribbon edition.

The 250 special editions are distinguished by the dark pink stripe running along the flank (contrasting with the silver or white paint) and other pink accents aplenty: pink stitching on the seats, pink ribbons inside and out, pink ribbon keyfobs... lots of pink and lots of ribbons, in other words. Not quite as much as the 500 Pink edition, but more than enough to get a certain Cake song playing on repeat through our heads.

With an MSRP of $22,500, Fiat will donate $1,000 from the proceeds of each car sold to the BCRF, which could come to (get out the old abacus) as much as $250,000, but the automaker commits to donate at least $50,000 regardless of how many it sells. Details in the press release after the jump with high-resolution photos in the gallery.

Continue reading Fiat supports cancer research with 500 Pink Ribbon Edition

Fiat supports cancer research with 500 Pink Ribbon Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/28/fiat-supports-cancer-research-with-500-pink-ribbon-edition/

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Ally Evans

2011 Suzuki Swift S - More Sporty & Exciting Stylish Design

Press Release: Swift S-CONCEPT The SWIFT S-CONCEPT is based on the new generation of the Swift. Suzuki created it by adding sporting flavour to the Swift?s stylish design in line with a ?more sporty and exciting? theme. Exterior design The SWIFT S-CONCEPT is based on the new Swift, which Suzuki unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. It embodies the concept of creating a premium sport compact with uncompromised performance. The body is lower and 60mm wider than that of the standard Swift, so ...

Source: http://www.distrocars.com/2011-suzuki-swift-s

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Ally Evans

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2011/9/27/2454656/derek-fisher-president-of-the-national-basketball-players-association

Jud Larson Memphis Grizzlies Lamar Odom Dwayne Wade Cleveland Cavaliers Elliott Sadler

Ally Evans

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology

Reversing its earlier decision, OnStar has issued a press release confirming it will indeed alter its Terms and Conditions policy and "will not keep a data connection to customers' vehicles after the OnStar service is canceled." Says OnStar President Linda Marshall:

We realize that our proposed amendments did not satisfy our subscribers. This is why we are leaving the decision in our customers' hands. We listened, we responded and we hope to maintain the trust of our more than six million customers.

Further, OnStar promises that it may allow customers to opt-in to such a data-tracking system in the future but will only use data in ways the customer approves. In addition to "[providing] former customers with urgent information about natural disasters and recalls affecting their vehicles", we imagine that also may include selling the information to law enforcement agencies and insurance companies.

The move comes after OnStar came under fire for tracking certain data streams related to your driving such as speed and location, even if the owner canceled the service. Feel free to read the complete press release after the break.

Continue reading OnStar bends to pressure, will not track data from canceled subscribers

OnStar bends to pressure, will not track data from canceled subscribers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/27/onstar-bends-to-pressure-will-not-track-data-from-canceled-subs/

Bass Pro Shops Tracker Chevrolet Dave Blaney Kurt Kuhnke Nate Robinson Sacramento Kings Indiana Pacers

Ally Evans

Source: http://www.carsession.com/car-news/kubatech-mercedes-sls-63-amg.html

Dirk Nowitzki Michael Curtis Waltrip Richard Lee Rudd Hernandez Yeley Chris Bosh Kevin Conway

Ally Evans

Source: http://www.carsession.com/car-news/lexus-ls-tmg-edition-video.html

Andrew Bynum Baron Davis Golden State Warriors Jacques Laffite Jason Leffler Dallas Mavericks

Ally Evans

Source: http://www.carsession.com/car-news/bmw-135i-and-335i-power-kits.html

Josh Howard Giovanni Lavaggi Michel Leclere Kobe Braynt LeBron James PRISM Motorsports Toyota

Ally Evans

Filed under: Aston Martin, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz

If you have, like us, been salivating at the notion of a new generation of Maybach and Lagonda ultra-luxury crafts built by Aston Martin, we've got some bad news: According to reports emanating from Germany, talks between AML and Daimler have broken down.

The proposal under negotiation would have seen Daimler outsourcing production of the next family of Maybach models to Aston Martin, which in return would benefit from Mercedes-Benz platforms and engines - not only for its svelte GTs, but also for its own future Lagonda line of limousines and luxury SUVs. That, and a boatload of money - or at least that's what AML was reportedly seeking, an issue that served as the stumbling block over which the deal reportedly collapsed.

That's not to say the two parties couldn't still reach some sort of a compromise, but short of that, Daimler may opt to either shut down Maybach altogether, find another partner, or take another stab at building new models internally.

Maybach and Aston Martin alliance talks fall apart originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/27/maybach-and-aston-martin-alliance-talks-fall-apart/

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Ally Evans

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2011/9/26/2450688/nba-blog-previews-orlando-magic

J.R Smith David Ragan Martin Lee Truex Jr Kenyon Martin New Jersey Nets Pau Gasol

Ally Evans

This certainly isn't the biggest news story of the decade, but on a drastically slow news day like this one -- we're officially in that late-September, early-October "calm before the storm" portion of the college hoops calendar -- it's interesting enough to warrant discussion.

Basically, the Atlantic 10 Conference is moving its tournament to the brand-new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Some chap named Andy Katz has the story:

The Atlantic 10 Conference will move its men's basketball tournament to the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn beginning with the 2013 tournament, a source with direct knowledge told ESPN.com. [...] A-10 commissioner Bernadette McGlade is making attempts to get the A-10 more exposure in New York. The league is hosting its media day in Brooklyn on Oct. 13.

The Barclays Center's operations staff no doubt want it to become the entertainment and sports destination in New York City. That may never happen; Madison Square Garden is, well Madison Square Garden. But the Barclays can make a point -- hey, look at us, we're good at this hosting thing! -- by holding a really good, well-run A-10 tournament. From there, larger contracts, like a potential deal with the Big East or the suddenly New York-inclined ACC, could be soon to follow.

As for the A-10, it's sort of a no-brainer. If you're the A-10, and your stated goal is to earn more exposure in New York City, this is probably the best -- maybe the only -- way to do it. The larger question is whether the Atlantic 10 should really worry about New York exposure in the first place. In the midst of the conference realignment hysteria, the New York Times's Nate Silver wrote a fantastic blog post that delved into the various market dynamics of college football teams. It wasn't his main conclusion, but Silver found that college football fans are highly localized, and that it's not necessarily an advantage for a conference to have a team in a large market, because fans from large markets like New York City and Chicago have hopelessly divided football loyalties. (Plus, they tend to care more about the area's pro teams, while fans in Columbus, Ohio, have no such worries.)

Whether that theory applies to New York-area hoops is another matter entirely. At the end of the day, as an East Coast league with a quasi-mid-major bent, this might be the best thing the Atlantic 10 can do to increase its profile. What else is there?

Anyway, it will be interesting to watch, if only because the Barclays could be the nexus of the new Big East-ACC feud. Former Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese scoffed at ACC commissioner John Swofford's interest in having the ACC tournament in the Garden. But what about the Barclays? Could the ACC hold a rival tournament at the same time in the same city as the Big East? With the new palace in Brooklyn, the idea is feasible. In that way, the minor institutional drama of conference realignment will stay with us, whether these conferences continue to realign or not.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/35842/a-10-tourney-gets-fancy-new-digs

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Ally Evans

Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic: "The Golden State Warriors spent their summer conducting a national search for a new president and chief operating officer. Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver called this month to tell them who they should hire -- his outgoing president and CEO. Eleven days after his nine-year stint of running the Suns' business ended, Rick Welts accepted a job to run the Warriors' business operations. The hire came a week after his first conversation with new Golden State owner Joe Lacob. 'He (Sarver) really was the one who initiated the conversation on my behalf,' Welts said after the hiring was announced Monday night. 'I had been looking forward to doing different things but the opportunity with this team and this market worked so well for me geographically. I was not able to pass that up and I couldn't be more ecstatic.' Welts, 58, announced he was leaving the Suns on Sept. 9 to get his professional and personal lives aligned. He said he was asking out of his Suns contract 10 months early in order to be closer to his partner, who has joint custody of two children in Sacramento."
Ronald Tillery of The Commercial-Appeal: "Zach Randolph insists that collecting on the first year of a deal that pays $66 million guaranteed with $5 million in incentives isn't his main concern regarding the league-imposed lockout. Randolph says he's willing to miss the 2011-12 NBA regular season and a big payday rather than accept a bad deal. ... 'If that's a sacrifice we have to make (in order) to make it better for the future then, yeah, I'm OK with it,' Randolph said in a telephone interview. 'I'm definitely prepared financially.' Randolph will not attend the union's regional meeting today in Miami. But he's sticking by players association executive director Billy Hunter. 'I sent a text to Billy Hunter two weeks ago and told him he has my full support,' Randolph said. ... Asked what he planned to do if the regular season doesn't start on time, Randolph said he'll attempt to join whatever team center Marc Gasol plays for."
Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman: "Should Kevin Durant be able to diss OU? Tony Jefferson is right. This state supports Durant. And not all, but a good majority of sports fans around here cheer for the crimson and cream. But is that enough to prohibit Durant from being able to rag on OU? Absolutely not. Durant has the freedom, like all of us, to say what he wants. There are always consequences, of course. And if he ever gets cornered by the wrong cut of crimson and cream crazies, pray for him. But we’ll just have to hope it never gets to that. Even if Durant didn’t go to UT, he should be able to voice his opinions, even if they’re negative, about OU. It’s sports. That’s how it works. ... My advice is to let Durant do what he does. He plays his heart out for the Thunder and that should be all that matters. As for the rivalry, and Durant’s needling, just wait for that special weekend in October. Wait until the Sooners smack the Longhorns so good Durant doesn’t want to leave the house. Then let him hear about it. That’s how you handle it. Should Kevin Durant be able to diss OU? You bet."
Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel: "There were plenty of famous Bucks at the Ozaukee Country Club on Monday for the franchise's annual golf outing. ... Members of the current Bucks coaching staff also were in attendance, including head coach Scott Skiles and assistants Jim Boylan, Joe Wolf, Anthony Goldwire and Bill Peterson. And Sidney Moncrief doubled up as an alum and the newest member of the coaching staff. Don Nelson hired Moncrief for coaching jobs in Dallas and Golden State and said he was delighted the former Bucks star was back with the franchise. 'It was a great hire by the Bucks,' Nelson said. 'He's worked for me two different times. I cried when he left me, but he had to go to another job because they paid more. But I really enjoyed working with Sid and he's an outstanding coach. He demands respect because of what he's done, and he's a great leader.' "
Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press: "Pistons forward Austin Daye made news last week for signing a two-month contract with Russian basketball team BC Khimki. Before that, he was in the headlines for a scoring binge at the Impact Sports competitive training series, where players gathered for games while waiting for the NBA labor impasse to end. So how does all of this help the Pistons? Whenever the season resumes, it will be time for the 6-foot-11 scorer to start living up to his promise in his third season. Daye told Slam Online at the competitive series in Las Vegas he will be trying to improve in one specific area. 'My rookie year I shot a better percentage from (two-point range) than I did my sophomore year, so I didn't like that at all,' Daye said. 'I've been focused in on that this summer.' "
Erin Durkin of the New York Daily News: "Jay-Z took a tongue-in-cheek shot at NBA superstar LeBron James on Monday as he christened the NBA team that will soon call his home borough home - the Brooklyn Nets. The New Jersey Nets will take on their new name when the team moves next fall from Newark to the still-being-built Barclays Center on Atlantic Ave. in Prospect Heights. Brooklyn-born Jay-Z, a part owner of the club, will rock the mike to open the new digs, but the rapper wouldn't say how many concerts he will be giving. 'Maybe one. Maybe two. Maybe three,' he said, adding a little joke, 'I sound like LeBron.' The rap mogul was making light of James' declaration of how many NBA titles he would win when he joined the Miami Heat. Sources told the Daily News that Jay-Z will give eight shows during a blowout opening of the new arena."
Janis Carr of The Orange County Register: "Christmas is around the corner give or take three months and here’s a suggestion for those hard-to-buy for people on your list: a Kobe Bryant signature car. Bryant’s signature Smart car, the limited-edition 'Black Mamba' Fortwo (only 500 were manufactured) recently was released in China. The car features a fully blacked out exterior and interior Brabus wheels. Topping it off is Bryant’s signature 'Kobe Edition' written on the hood. The cost? A mere $19,412. Make that special someone happy and get one before they are gone."

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/32110/first-cup-tuesday-174

Roger Laurent Los Angeles Lakers Chicago Bulls Martin Truex Jr Bass Pro Shops Tracker Chevrolet Dave Blaney

Ally Evans

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2011/9/25/2446724/would-an-amnesty-clause-help-the-celtics

Brian Lee Vickers Franck Lagorce Miller Lite Dodge Mario Chalmers Russell William Wallace Jr Blake Griffin

Ally Evans

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2011/9/26/2450711/nba-blog-previews-atlanta-hawks

Rudolf Krause Joe Nemechek Washington Scott Alan Wimmer Hermann Lang Los Angeles Clippers Rasheed Wallace

Ally Evans

In addition to being a skilled and tenacious NBA guard, Delonte West has been one of the league's great mysteries. He has long been treated for bipolar disorder. He says entirely off-the-wall things on the record with some regularity. His name has been rumored as part of various off-the-court craziness.

Most glaringly, though, two years ago he was arrested while driving his three-wheeler, of all things, on the Beltway outside D.C., armed to the teeth.

The quiet old question -- what are you thinking, Delonte? -- became something loud and urgent.

And, though they have shouted, he has been silent on the topic to the public, until spending a day with SLAM's�Tzvi Twersky.

West told Twersky a few fascinating things, including divulging that until a few months ago -- including most of last season, which he played for the Celtics -- West was on house arrest because of the weapons incident. After games he had to clip on the ankle bracelet and head straight home. On the road he could not leave his room. When he was injured in a game, and taken to the hospital, he was yelled at for leaving the premises without prior permission.

On the topic of that crazy night two years ago (why was he so armed, driving poorly through suburban D.C.?) Twersky writes:

Tucked away in his fully finished basement, West’s studio is his sanctuary. Off limits to children, the sparsely furnished wood paneled room is his home within his home. All of that’s why he thought it was the perfect stash spot. Everything was fine -- the guns remained safely hidden -- until, on the night of September 17, feeling unusually tired, West went to his bedroom pretty early, took his nightly dose of Seroquel (a drug that treats bipolar disorder) and got in bed. Shortly after falling asleep, he was startled awake by shouting.

“Ma Dukes came running upstairs into my room, cursing me, saying she wanted all these MFers out of my house,” recalls West. “I came to like, What’s going on? I was already on my Seroquel trip. A few of my cats had found some stuff in the studio and they were living the whole gangsta life thing -- guns in the air and this and that,” continues West. “And I said, ‘Oh my God. What the f--- are y’all doin’ in here? Y’all got to go. Momma ain’t on that. Kids are running around upstairs. It’s time to go.’”

Gassed up from the commotion, West decided it would be prudent for him to relocate the guns to an empty house he owned nearby. So, with his other vehicles blocked in by guests’ cars, and expecting it to be a short trip, he haphazardly loaded up his Can-Am and placed the weapons in a Velcro-type of bag -- “not a desperado, hardcase, gun-shooting-out-the-side type case” -- and set off.

“I’m on the Beltway, cruisin’,” West says, voice high, emotional and inimitable. “Soon I start realizing I’m dozing in and out. I open my eyes and I went from this lane to that. I’m swervin’, and by the time I wake up, I’m about three exits past my exit.

“There’s this truck flying beside me --” West pauses; this next part is crucial -- “and I’m scared to death. So I seen an officer coming up and I try to flag him down. I pull up next to him. He slows down and I get up in front of him. I tell the officer I’m not functioning well and I’m transporting weapons … The rest of the story is what it is.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/32066/delonte-wests-version

Casey Mears Jeff Green Glen Davis Tayshon Prince Mike Bliss Denver Nuggets

Ally Evans

Source: http://www.carsession.com/car-news/toray-teewave-ar..1-by-gordon-murray.html

Milwaukee Bucks Toronto Raptors Rajon Rondo Greg Biffle David Gilliland Furniture Row Chevrolet

Ally Evans

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Videos, Infiniti, Nissan

Steve Millen and has talented team know a thing or two about turning Nissan products into Stillen rockets. The latest project to emerge from the tuning company's garage is the supercharged 370Z you see above. The bolt-on kit is legal in all 50 states thanks to the thumbs-up from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and it comes with a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty. You won't care about emissions when you're behind the wheel, though - the supercharger kit means this hotter Z now produces over 500 horsepower.

If you own a vehicle with the VQ37 engine, such as the 370Z or Infiniti G37, you owe it to yourself and your machine to turn it into a sports car capable of embarrassing BMW M3 owners. The heart of the Stillen kit is comprised of a Vortech V-3 supercharger, which is fed via a cast-aluminum intake manifold, has a self-contained oiling system and runs on a V-belt design.

Stillen worked hard to make sure this unit fit under the stock hood, unlike the setup created for the Nissan 350Z. This time around there is no need for an ugly hood hump blocking your line of sight. Click past the jump to see the supercharged Stillen 370Z in action.

Continue reading Stillen supersizes power output of Nissan 370Z and Infiniti G37 [w/video]

Stillen supersizes power output of Nissan 370Z and Infiniti G37 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/26/stillen-supersizes-power-output-of-nissan-370z-and-infiniti-g37/

Dirk Nowitzki Michael Curtis Waltrip Richard Lee Rudd Hernandez Yeley Chris Bosh Kevin Conway

Ally Evans

The Nissan GT-R just gets better and better every year and 2013 will be no exception. The original version launched back in 2007 at the Tokyo Motor Show delivered a total of 473 HP and the most recent model - Model Year 2012 - went up to an impressive 530 HP, and things aren’t slowing down for the Japanese automaker. Apparently, the next model year (2012 in Japan, 2013 in USA) will deliver an impressive 560 HP.

The biggest news, however, is a Spec R version that will replace the current Spec V. The new Spec R version will lose about 66 to 88 lbs from the overall weight and a gold engine cover will replace the current red cover on the Spec V. This will no doubt be the most powerful GT-R Nissan has ever offered.

The revised GTR should have been out in the public eye already, but its launch was delayed by the natural disasters over in Japan. Now it seems that the car is back on track with the final testings being done on the Nurburgring in either September or October 2011. The Nissan GTR’s official debut will be made shortly thereafter.