Starcraft, Nash & O'Neal Dunked On, Alessandra Ambrosio, Jay Z, The Roots, GI Joe Rise of Cobra

STORY OF THE DAY
For all the computer game Starcraft fans out there!


Starcraft Course opened for College - earn credits
Course Description:
UC Berkeley students with an interest in real-time strategy games and the competitive gaming landscape are encouraged to participate in this class.

This course will go in-depth in the theory of how war is conducted within the confines of the game Starcraft. There will be lecture on various aspects of the game, from the viewpoint of pure theory to the more computational aspects of how exactly battles are conducted. Calculus and Differential Equations are highly recommended for full understanding of the course. Furthermore, the class will take the theoretical into the practical world by analyzing games and replays to reinforce decision-making skills and advanced Starcraft theory.

Class will start with lecture and usually include a special discussion topic having to do with the day’s lecture to inspire new and original thought. At the end of lecture, there may be time to analyze student-submitted replays to illustrate a point or to improve analysis. Homework will be assigned at the end of each class and is due at the beginning of each lecture.

Course Learning Objectives and Goals:
What may look like complex topics are just ways we want you to think more deeply about the game to derive a greater satisfaction from playing. Furthermore, this understanding should have applications in real life, to further synthesize new information from limited inferences. The primary goal is for students to learn, enjoy the art of competitive StarCraft, and have fun. Overall, students will be applying critical thinking, quick decision-making, and game theory skills throughout the sessions. Students will also learn what to look for in a replay or game to learn most effectively.

Course Workload:
Each week, students must submit 2 replays of games they played and are willing to analyze in depth. Students are expected to explain the flow of the game, identify the time of several positive and negative moves, and show an understanding of how to overcome mistakes in these replays. Some replays will be reviewed by the class together.

DUNK OF THE DAY
WHO GOT IT WORSE? O'NEAL or NASH
Tyrus Thomas drunks on Jermaine O'Neal January 23, 2009

Josh Smith dunks on Steve Nash January 26, 2009


BEAUTY OF THE DAY
Alessandra Ambrosio Victoria’s Secret model.


SONGS OF THE DAY
Jay-Z - When The Money Goes
Raekwon - Criminology 2 (feat. Ghostface Killah)
Naledge - Look At Them Hips
Slaughterhouse - Move On
Royce 5'9 - Shake This

CLASSIC TRACK OF THE DAY
The Roots - What They Do

IMAGE OF THE DAY
GI Joe Rise of Cobra released 6 character posters to promote the movie. This was one of my favorite cartoon shows growing up! I'm still not sure about the movie, but so far the posters look promising! Here's a sample.

Toronto Raptors – Delivering Damaged Goods

Delivering Damaged Goods

Picture this: You are the delivery boy. Ding Dong rings the door bell. The purchaser opens the door. He has ordered the worlds finest crystal wine glasses for his wife. He’s excited to see the box with the Crystal Classics brand name on it and signs off on the delivery. He then opens up the box only to find his crystal wine glasses shattered! “Forget the name brand; what’s the point of having these if I can’t use them.” Such is the story of the Toronto Raptors center Jermaine O’Neal. The name carries accolades such as 6 times All-Star and 3 times All-NBA team. All which sound promising and attractive especially to teams that need help at their forward-center position. But what’s the point of signing off on such a delivery if you can’t use it?

A trade seems IMMINENT
Jermaine O’Neal is an attractive piece for playoff teams. Don’t expect teams like the Sacramento Kings or Memphis Grizzlies to make trade offers for Jermaine O’Neal. Although he has great experience and an All-Star presence in the low post he is also expensive and injury prone and does not solve solutions for any young or non-playoff team this year. With the Raptors slowly fading from the playoff picture it might be wise for Bryan Colangelo to move O’Neal’s contract for a contract that would be coming off the books at the end of this year. Most teams want to see if O’Neal is healthy enough to play before pulling the trigger on any blockbuster deals. A trade possibility includes:

Miami Heat: Shawn Marion, Marcus Banks


The Miami Heat need a dominant Center. Especially one that will prove to be serviceable during their playoff runs this year. Basketball usually tends to slow down to a half-court game in the playoffs and the value of Big Men are truly tested and appreciated during this time. This is where O’Neal can truly prove to be beneficial as the Heat could face Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic or Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics.

In return the Raptors would get Shawn Marion. Marion would rejoin with a familiar face in Bryan Colangelo, who was Marion’s general manager until he joined the Raptors in 2006.

Financially this move makes sense as well. O’Neal (who makes $21.3 million this season, has a player option for $23 million next season) while Marion’s contract, bit over $17 million will come off the books at the end of the season.

NO INSIDE-OUT GAME
The Raptors must use their strengths wisely and to their advantage! They are tied for 5th in the NBA for 3-point field goal percentage. The Raptors are surrounded by reliable 3-point shooters in Jose Calderon, Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono, and Andrea Bargnani. The Raptors need to start using these guys more thoughtfully with an inside-out game. Jermaine O’Neal is selfish! There is no inside-out game with him. Of course it’s not fair to call a player of his calibre selfish but this is a team game. Plenty of times the ball gets thrown into the paint and O’Neal forces up tough shots. He gets double-teamed and when that happens there is usually a Raptors player open on the perimeter.

Toronto Raptors: Its all MENTAL! Chris Bosh, Carlos Delfino, NYE pics

Toronto Raptors - Two in a row!
The Raptors are doing more with less, seems to be the theme through last couple of games. With their starting point-guard Jose Calderon and center Jermaine O'Neal out (day-to-day) it was the Raptors trade baits that stepped up to close the win against the Orlando Magic this past Sunday. Andrea Bargnani is slowly, but surely proving that he could be a sufficient center. Given starters minutes Bargnani has displayed his offensive skills (scoring in double-figures 5 out of his last 6). Bargnani also provides a rare combination of blocks (1.3 per game) and threes (1.2). Anthony Parker is the Raptors premier defender and can be relied on to shoot a high percentage. Parker silenced his critics with a 26 point effort (13-16) against the Magic. The Raptors have now consecutively beat two prominent teams in the NBA (Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic). The Magic are the NBAs best road team and still couldn’t manage to bring down the crippled Raptors. These past couple of wins could indicate a few things.

1) "IT’S ALL MENTAL." The Raptors might NOT have to make a drastic change after all. What is needed is a change of mentality. Why should they look to make drastic changes each time they loose a game? They shouldn't its more so the pressure of the fans and the critics that suggest something so imminent. Any drastic change will ruin any form of chemistry that existed. To prevent this, the Raptors would have to continue developing their winning mentality. A major problem for the Raptors is rebounding. The Raptors have two All Star Bigs in Chris Bosh and Jermaine O’Neal. It’s not like they don’t have the body to rebound. Bosh and O'Neal should try to transfer the rebounding mentality to the rest of the team so that guys like Bargnani, Jamario Moon and Parker get more involved. This is where coaching comes in and Jay Triano has to enforce rebounding not just by talking about it but running rebounding drills and building that fearless “the ball is mine” mentality. Again we come back to a change of mentality. The Raptors have the talent, they have the acclaimed players and now it’s just a matter of having the right mentality.

2) Point Guard DEVELOPMENT. Roko Ukic is starting to look more confident on the floor as he’s been able to get minutes and develop due to Calderon’s injury. This in turn can be beneficial for the Raptors down the stretch when the season starts to tear into the starter’s physique. Will Solomon also received a solid run against the Magic and managed to control his turnovers! Sure the Magic back-court is nothing to rave about but the rookie PGs should be credited for stepping up and making the right plays to win the game.

3) FIVE in a ROW? The Raptors have won their last two games and have shown a promising start to 2009. Can they make it five in a row? Next the Raptors play the Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies. Tonight they will face a resilient scoring Bucks team that is currently holding on to the 8th seed in the East. If Andrew Bogut remains out due to back spasms then the Raptors have a good chance of abusing the Bucks inside and coming away with a win; granted they contain Michael Redd. Then the Raptors play a Wizards team that is starting to show some life with a recent win over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. From there the Raptors take on the Memphis Grizzlies who are also coming off a convincing win against the Dallas Mavericks. After the Grizzlies Raptors face the NBA champs Boston Celtics (back to back). The next three games should give us an indication if the Raptors are starting to turn things around! The Celtics have been struggling and since anything is possible in the NBA, maybe the Raptors can notch SIX in a row! But lets not get ahead of ourselves and focus on the next three first. Although we seem to do better against stronger teams and loose against Oklahoma City in what should be an obvious win.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
Chris Bosh talks about trade talks
From Doug Smith's blog

"The only cloud is this losing streak. I don’t think it’s the GM thinking about it as much as everybody else is. He’s always looking to get better, that’s whether you’re doing well or you’re doing poorly. It’s more outside people saying we need change.

We traded this summer, and now we have a new coach, how much change do we need? The only thing that has to change is our mentality coming into the games. I think we can work on that first because I think obviously we know new players don’t necessarily guarantee you success.

You can look around the league, I think everybody that’s made trades this summer is still trying to find themselves as a team. You just have to work with what you have.
You just have to change the mentality. If you continue to do that, you can really turn things around."

RUMOR OF THE DAY
Raptors interested in re-signing Carlos Delfino
from rotoworld.com

“The Raptors are interested in re-signing swingman Carlos Delfino, who is currently playing in Russia. Delfino signed a three-year deal this past summer, but could follow Nenas Kristic’s lead and defect to the NBA. Signing Delfino would be an easy way to shore up their weak perimeter game, though a trade or two is still likely.”

PICTURES OF THE DAY
New Years Eve @ GOSSIP
Wheres Waldo? Andrea Bargnani (Toronto Raptors)

Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors)

J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)

Dahntay Jones and Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)

Prince, Hollyweerd, Terminology, Nocando, Naledge, Carter III

Prince to Release THREE Albums in 2009

Prince will release not one, but three albums in the new year. He’s in final negotiations with “a major retailer” to distribute the music in physical form, and a highly interactive website will also provide an opportunity to buy. He’s not working with a record label. “The gatekeepers have to change,” he said several times throughout the evening.

He’s found his way back to the sound of “When Doves Cry. ”The first disc, tentatively titled “MPLSOUND,” is an electro-flavored solo effort recorded at Paisley Park Studios. Prince experimented with Pro Tools and “new ways of recording” on these trippy, experimental pop songs. One features a Q-Tip rap; another calls a “Funky Congregation” to worship and may become a live set piece.

He’s ready to revive the Quiet Storm. “We got sick of waiting for Sade to make a new album,” he said, introducing Valente’s new album, “Elixir.” The tracks are chill, with Valente’s buttery voice melding with beats by Morris Hayes and Prince’s guitar lines. Some are explicitly sexual. “This music is nasty, but it’s not dirty,” Prince said, explaining how sensual music fits in with his much-discussed faith — he’s a Jehovah’s Witness. “There’s no profanity. It isn’t promoting promiscuity. She’s singing about her lover, who could be her partner for life.”

He loves his guitar. As the tracks played on Indie 103.1 indicated, “Lotus Flower” is rooted in the instrument. Prince said he refocused on his playing while performing live dates with the singer Tamar Davis in 2006; with the spotlight trained on someone else, he could fall back in love with solos and riffs. “Lotus Flower” is a varied album, featuring cuts recorded over the course of two years, but standout tracks include some heavy rockers — especially the apocalyptic “Dreamer,” which Prince said was partly inspired by the radical black comedian Dick Gregory.

He did not vote for Proposition 8. In fact, he didn’t vote at all. “I didn’t vote for Obama either,” he explained. “Jehovah’s Witnesses haven’t voted for their whole inception.” The controversy over a recent New Yorker “Talk of the Town” item, which Prince feels implied he supported the gay-marriage ban, has upset him. It’s the first thing he wanted to discuss when the Web geeks had gone and we were alone. “I have friends that are gay and we study the Bible together,” he said. He added that two sides fighting “only benefit the third person” who instigated the fight.

ALBUMS OF THE DAY
Hollyweerd - Electricity Showroom mixtape (2009)

ALBUM DOWNLOAD

Terminology - If Heaven was a Mile Away (a tribute to J Dilla) (2009)

ALBUM DOWNLOAD

VIDEO OF THE DAY
NOCANDO MUSIC VIDEO


Tha Carter III Determined The Top-Selling Album Of '08

Just in time for the new year, Nielsen Soundscan shared their annual report with select industry and media. This year's results of retail and digital music sales included many Hip Hop stars such as Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Flo Rida.

For Wayne, the Cash Money Records veteran rapper had the top-selling album in any genre in his Tha Carter III. His sixth studio album, which included hits "A Milli", "Lollipop" and "Mrs. Officer," sold, according to the chart service, approximately 2,874,000 units this year. The effort, released June 10, edged out Coldplay's Viva La Vida, by over 700,000 units.

T.I.'s Paper Trail came in at #8, selling 1,522,000 units, as Beyonce's I Am...Sasha Fierce, released late this year, drew 1,459,000 units. The trio were the only urban artists in the Top 10, a list consisting of Country sensation Taylor Swift, veteran rockers AC/DC and Metallica, and the onetime Jive Records Rap artist-turned-Rock sensation, Kid Rock.

Despite Tha Carter III being the best-selling album, it was Taylor Swift, who had two Top 10-selling albums, that led all artist-sales, with over four million units from her entire catalog this year. Sampled by Boogie Down Productions in the '80s, AC/DC also topped Wayne, putting the New Orleans rapper at third, selling 3,382,000 of total catalog in the last year. He was the only Hip Hop artist to make the Top 10.

TRACK OF THE DAY
Naledge - “Look At Them Hips”