Why Dwight Howard Will Win an NBA Championship in Houston

What's up everyone! Hope everyone is having a great Monday so far! Unless you have been under a rock recently, you know about Dwight Howard going from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Houston Rockets in a seemingly season-long debate about what would make Dwight happy? Is he happy being in LA knowing that its Kobe Bryant's team and having to live up to the expectations of the Laker mystique from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and other great Lakers? Can he survive in a major media market where he is expected to be one of the top guys and to have a franchise around him? On, and on, and on. Had it gone much longer, it was going to be on LeBron James Decision 2010 level for sure. Be that as it may, Howard has choosen his new destination, which will be Texas, to play for the Houston Rockets. The Rockets, to their credit, brought out all of the big hitters for the actual pitch to Dwight, to having Yao Ming Skype in from China, to having Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin McHale and James Harden all go to Los Angeles to sell Dwight on this endeavor. And I think this will be a match made in heaven for Dwight, as long as he wants it to be, and here are the reasons why: 1) Houston is a market that can definitely support who Dwight Howard is as a person. Houston is a major media market, but its not overwhelming and pressure-laden as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago can be. With Dwight being in Houston, the people are instantly going to give him the benefit of any doubts they may have had about him in terms of his work ethic, characters, personality, etc. He has already begun to endear himself to the people of Houston by recently buying breakfast for an entire restaurant of people. No one can deny that Howard is a people person, and being in Houston will truly be able to give him that opportunity to let his personality shine without the added external pressures from media and fans. 2) He has WILLING mentors around him to help. Many people don't always realize it, but the Rockets have had a variety of bonafide Hall-of-Famers come through their franchise over the last 25 years, and they have showed that they are truly willing to help Dwight Howard become a better player, a person and a winner. It is widely noted that Hakeem Olajuwon worked with LeBron James last summer to help him work on his post up game and it was clearly evident during the season and into the Miami Heat championship run. Its clear that Howard needs mentors in order to help improve his game and to truly be a dominant center in the 4th quarter of games, and by doing that, not only will his game improve but his overall image will improve as well. Fans, players and management want to see that "killer instinct" that many of the greats have, and I do believe that between Clyde Drexler, Olajuwon, Yao and others that will help him, Dwight Howard will eventually develop some form of it. In Los Angeles, there didn't seem (at least from the outside) as though many of the legends were willing to help him develop, they were hoping for a finished product already. I think that Kareem, Magic, Worthy and even Kobe should have helped Howard a bit more with the adjustment process to the city of Los Angeles as a whole. It may not be the most popular opinion in the world, but everyone knew what they were getting when Howard showed up, especially after the situation that happened in Orlando when he had wanted to leave. The Lakers and their fans believe that the minute that any player shows up, they should instantly understand the idea of winning championships and nothing else is acceptable, and I do get that as a sports fan. However, Howard is not built like that. Any championship that he will win it will organically happen and not really through force, which Howard is very okay with, or so it seems. 3. He has the best nucleus of players he has ever played with. In Orlando, Howard didn't have much to work with at all. Im sorry but Jameer Nelson is not going to be the key to anyone winning an NBA Championship, nor will he be the cog and the missing piece of the puzzle for that. I can understand Howard wanting, and maybe even needing to leave that situation. In Los Angeles, yes he had Kobe Bryant, but he was with Pau Gasol, and I don't care what anyone says, Gasol is not the same player he was back in 09 and 10. Metta World Peace, who is not the fierce defender he used to be, an aging Steve Nash, and a bunch of role players. Had Dwight stuck around, there is the possibility that a strong nucleus could have been put around him in the summer of 2014, but there is no guarantee. Now with Houston, Howard instantly goes into a situation with James Harden, a bonafide superstar already, and possibly Jeremy Lin, who is improving as a PG each day. To go along with a sharpshooter like Chandler Parsons, the Rockets have a deep, youthful squad that can run with teams such as Denver, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, and can grind it out with teams like the Lakers, Spurs, and Mavericks in the West. I think they are one piece away to deal with Miami but the pieces are perfectly in place to have a major growth spurt that will challenge any team in the league this season. Howard has to get the job done in Houston. No question about it, but at least he does have help around him to make it happen, and all of the pressure will be evenly distributed each night. At the end of the day, smaller pressure and a championship will bring the biggest smile to his face, as well as his fans' faces.
Source:http://sportsfan1984.blogspot.com/2013/07/why-dwight-howard-will-win-nba.html

Why Dwight Howard Will Win an NBA Championship in Houston Images

Why should Dwight Howard consider the Houston Rockets? Two reasons ...
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NBA.com: Dwight Howard Will Win a Championship in Houston
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Dan's Pick of the Week: Trouble Will Find Me by The National

     While most people this week are probably listening to Daft Punk’s new album with much praise, I’ll be busy celebrating the release of Trouble Will Find Me, the new album by The National, which has me rejoicing greatly. For their sixth release, the band has not sacrificed their strong lyrics for a quick indulging sound. Instead, the exact opposite has occurred: the music is more disjunct and the lyrics are deeper than ever. They are so deep that I had to listen to the album three times before I could even fathom the amount of intensity that is contained.      So what can one expect from The National? Over the course of their discography, the band has recorded with various musicians like Sufjan Stevens, St. Vincent, and Richard Reed Parry. Their albums gradually became more orchestral to the point of being declared a chamber pop band. The music continues to grow larger in sound and instrumentation, but one thing that you will not find in The National’s music is a frequent use of synthesizers. The gradual transformation in their sound encourages the fans to keep coming back, but it also prevents them from getting scared off in the presence of some abrupt change (ex. Radiohead). Regarding the syncopated rhythms and various meters, the band has been leaning this way for some time. It is most present within the b-sides of their previous album, High Violet.     Trouble Will Find Me seems to have elements from the band’s past two albums, but overall it’s quite unique. Matt Berninger spills out the deepest parts of himself throughout this record to the point of questioning his own morality and intentions. His music seems to be a way in which he vents out all his inner conflicts which end up in the form of a story. This incorporates much lyrical continuity within the album that it would be impossible to separate any track from the listing. This is probably why Trouble Will Find Me is one of The National’s longest albums.      One thing that I have learned about all the band’s albums is that none of them can be taken lightly. They are like babies: They constantly need affection and your full attention. As ridiculous as it sounds, it is very true, especially when compared to a band like Daft Punk, where one could zone out while listening and still be able to appreciate the music. Everything keeps moving in Trouble Will Find Me, and one could easily miss out on some great lyrical moments.     There are some pretty rocking songs on this album, however. “Sea Of Love” would probably win the title, but I cannot forget songs like “Demons” and “Graceless”. “I Should Live In Salt” is the perfect album opener, which introduces the narrator’s struggles alongside an epic and inducing melody. “Don’t Swallow The Cap” is deeply emotional, containing many elements of death. “Slipped” sounds like it should be within the deep tracks of Boxer or High Violet. My favorite songs, however are the last four tracks of the album. “I Need My Girl” is an instant classic with its catchy lyrics and bitter tone. It acts as a “Runaway” of this album. “Humiliation” sounds like it starts the second track of Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs; however, the rest of the music is quite unique. It tells a story of a night gone crazy, hence the humiliation. “Pink Rabbits” completes this album with the most beautiful melody and amazing lyrics. Matt Berninger sings, “Am I the one you think about when you sit in your faint chair drinking pink rabbits?”. The album closer is “Hard To Find” which is the ideal track to be placed at the end.     The National tends to build their albums up from beginning to end with the most intense music at the finish line. I greatly admire this technique and it has never failed to please me. Overall, The National is maintaining their reputation as a band with dark and passionate music alongside incredibly deep lyrics. Trouble Will Find Me does not disappoint!
Source:http://frogsonaloginabog.blogspot.com/2013/05/dans-pick-of-week-trouble-will-find-me.html

Dan's Pick of the Week: Trouble Will Find Me by The National Images

The National Picks TELEFUNKEN for "Trouble Will Find Me"
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Santigold: LMFAO Makes Me Cry - Stereogum
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Will Today Be The Day Travis Alexander Receives Justice?

It's Tuesday, May 7th 2013.  The Jodi Arias jury will begin their second full day of deliberations this morning after a 5 month journey through the lives of Jodi Arias and Travis Alexander - sadly, much of this trial has been about Jodi Arias the victim and Travis Alexander has been portrayed as the perpetrator.  The defense went for broke on this case, taking every opportunity to trash the man who was savagely murdered and taken from his family and friends far too soon.Throughout the trial, self-defense has been the theme. "Jodi had to kill Travis". She had to? Really? For all of the reasonable people out there watching this trial, can you count all of the opportunities Arias had to escape if she were really in danger that fatal evening of June 4, 2008? She had ample time and opportunities to leave that house. Would a naked and wet man really chase her outside into his own neighborhood? Were there no working telephones in that house, how long does it take to just DIAL 911 - even if you don't speak a word to the dispatcher, the call is quickly traced and there would've been police there within minutes. She had to kill him, is that really what you want the jury to believe? Good luck with that.After hearing for months about the abuse and battery Jodi Arias suffered, and how she had to defend herself or she would've been the murder victim - now Kirk Nurmi wants the jury to consider a new theory.  In the heat of the moment, Jodi just snapped. Something happened, something made her snap. Again, it's not her fault! She was provoked, right? Juan Martinez was right on the money when he began his closing argument with the "it's not her fault" rants. At the time, I thought it was a bit dramatic and overly sarcastic, but having time to reflect on his entire closing arguments I've changed my opinion - it was brilliant. Nothing is ever Jodi Arias' fault. What little blame she does choose to accept are simply small concessions, the sole purpose of which is to make her seem more believable. She has to admit to some not-so-nice things doesn't she? She believes that will boost her failing credibility in the eyes of the jury.Will today be the day that justice cries out for Travis Alexander? Will this be the day that Jodi Arias' lies come back to haunt her? Will today be the day she eats the most bitter words she ever has spoken "no jury will ever convict me, and you can mark my words on that"?  As we eagerly wait for her fate to be sealed, may the justice be swift and the penalty severe - and may the countless friends and family of Travis Alexander finally have peace and an end to this tragedy.  In life, Travis Alexander touched and inspired the people around him. In death, he continues to touch and inspire the lives of total strangers like you and I. Long after the news dies down and Jodi Arias is forgotten, Travis Alexander's legacy and memory will live on. NancyB posted a link to a handwritten letter from Jodi Arias to the Judge (not Judge Stephens) about her need to retain Kirk Nurmi as her attorney. Very interesting read! I thought I'd post the link here, in case you can't find it in NancyB's comments. It's a 5 page hand written letter:(Posted by NancyB)This is very interesting - 2011 hand-written letter from Arias to Judge Duncan, concerning the ‘precarious circumstances of her legal defense’…especially the letter from Sandy Arias. The hand-written letter from JA, to Judge Duncan is also revealing. To read the letter from Mrs. Arias you’ll need to go to the Bottom of Page 5. Below the TwitterDoc box on the RIGHT side click NEXT. http://twitdoc.com/view.asp?id=94223&sid=20PB&ext=PDF&lcl=JA-Letter-from-Jodi-to-Judge-re-Nurmi-Motion-to-Withdraw.pdf&usr=zou2&doc=139833553&key=key-2gxotllz9sge8erm21fo onHave a beautiful day!PS - I sent Dr. DeMarte an e-mail after she testified in this case, thanking her for showing such professionalism and courage in providing what appeared to be the most accurate diagnosis of Jodi Arias of any of the experts. I wasn't expecting any type of response, but she actually did. It's brief, but I thought I'd share it with you all. Thank you again, Dr. DeMarte!!jdemarte@sentiencepsych.comApr 21to meHello, Your email was very thoughtful. I appreciate your kind words and support.Janeen DeMarte, PhDSentience Psychological Services, PLLC300 W. Clarendon, Suite 215Phoenix, AZ 85013
Source:http://mycrimetime.blogspot.com/2013/05/will-today-be-day-travis-alexander.html

Will Today Be The Day Travis Alexander Receives Justice? Images

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Travis Alexander Case - DISCUSS IT HERE! | Page 1648 | GoreGrish
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