How to Fix the Heat

There are so many questions about a team that a few months ago seemed like a no-doubt dynasty. Lebron, as seen in his last commercial, started the craze as he wondered, “What Should I Do?”

A near .500 record to start the season, shoulder-bumps and overall disappointing play has not done much to quiet all of the questions.

I have the answer.

The Heat WILL get it together. The Heat WILL win. A title? I don’t know. This year? Maybe not. However with tweaks to their offense and LBJ and Wade learning how to play together they easily can establish themselves atop the East.

The most important thing they need to do in the meantime however is simple. NOTHING. Do nothing. Say nothing. Shutup. Lebron in particular. Just play.

What should you do Lebron? Win. The only problem is you don’t know how to. While a title has escaped his grasp, somehow so has blame. Paul Silas, Mike Brown and plenty others agree.

Fortunately you have Wade on your team. What’s even better is that he has a career 35 ppg average in the Finals and most importantly a ring. So it’s simple. Climb on his back and ride him to victory. Stop talking, making commercials, tweeting threats. It’s that simple.

How to Fix the Heat: Shutup. Let D-Wade carry HIS team. Win. A few simple steps. Just do it.

I 100% Guarantee Who Will Win a World Series Ring this Year

Bengie Molina.

Now the Texas catcher, played for the Giants earlier this year and got traded in order to allow rookie phenom Buster Posey move to his position.

NBA 2010-2011 Season

East

Heat
Magic
Celtics
Bulls
Hawks
Bucks
Bobcats
Knicks

West

Lakers
Mavs
Thunder
Blazers
Jazz
Suns
Spurs
Clippers


East
Heat
If LBJ can win close to 70 games with Varejao and Mo Williams then what will he do in South Beach?

Magic
Howard finishes runner-up for MVP

Celtics
Veteran presence means slow regular season but finish strong when it counts

Bulls
“Jazz of the East” New additions and growth of young core takes a positive step forward.

Hawks
This team was a mediocre team before and didn’t really make any changes (oo…yea..well at head coach) so nothing else really changes

Bucks
Depending on the health of Bogut the league might really have a reason to Fear the Deer.

Bobcats
It’s the East and someone has to make it. Look at the rest of the conference? Who else?

Knicks
While they failed to get the big name free agents they coveted landing Amare and getting Ray Felton are solid pick-ups and equal playoffs.

Wild Cards
Wizards: Great young talent in #1 pick Wall along with McGee and Blatche.

Nets: No Carmelo trade? No problem. They get to keep Lopez. Harris. Favors. James.

Philly: Doug Collins return.


West
Lakers
Arguably the most under the radar 2 TIME DEFENDING (3X West Finals) CHAMPIONS of all-time in any sport. Great additions in Blake, Barnes and Ratliff.

Mavs
Always great during the regular season. A healthy Chandler and Jason Kidd with Terry and Dirk makes a formidable lineup.

Thunder
The young team takes a major step forward with the continued development of future MVP and scoring champ Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, teammates for the Gold Medal winning Team USA during the World Championships. Drafting Aldrich helps as he is a solid and smart Big.

Blazers
A possible contender to the Lakers for Western Conference supremacy (check the record v the Purple and Gold) led by one of Kobe’s admitted toughest matchups Brandon Roy. Health a huge hurdle. Oden and Pryzbilla need to get and STAY healthy.

Jazz
Lost Boozer and others. Got Al Jeff. A solid 20 and 10 guy and true low-post scorer. They also have one of the best coaches (Sloan) and best PG in the game. Go ahead..argue CP3. Williams actually wins. Check Paul’s playoff appearances. Go ahead. It won’t take long. There aren’t many.

Suns
Losing a monster like Amare hurts. Getting an interested Hedo helps along with other pickups like Childress and Warrick. But not much.

Spurs
What’s the difference between being an “old” team and being a savvy, veteran team? Well the Spurs are about to show us. Look for a youth movement with Splitter and Blair.

Clippers
ROY candidate Blake Griffin…yes technically he’s still a rookie…could and WILL average close to 20 and TWELVE his first year in. Why? Because I said so. Now who’s gonna stop him? Gordon (Team USA Gold Medalist) and Aminu make for great parts. Success hinges on the veterans in Kaman (an underrated player who should make the All-Star Game) and Baron Davis. If BD shows up and wants to play, let alone win? Watch out.

Wild Cards
Rockets: Everyone’s buying the hype. I’m not.
Grizzlies: Nervous about Gay’s contract and Zac Randolph’s ability to repeat last year.
Nuggets: Could be at the top of the league. Depends on Melo. Probably leaving.


Final(s) Predictions
Lakers beat Celtics in 7
Kobe..oops I mean the Lakers beat Shaq…oops I mean the Celtics to cement his legacy.

MVP: Kevin Durant OKC
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard
Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin LAC
Most Improved Player: JeVale McGee WSH
Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden OKC

Unidentical Twins: No One Like Them

Quick! Name 3 Twins starters with a first name that doesn't start with a "J." (Yeah that excludes former MVPs Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer)

Maybe you get Denard Span or Delmon Young who is hitting right around .300 with 18 jacks and over 100 RBI. But probably not. I don't know. Maybe I'm underestimating your knowledge of mid-major teams.

What you do know is its October and that means the season is over. No, not just summer but the baseball season as contenders have separated themselves from pretenders who are now officially mathematically eliminated.


"Their success is not supported by or founded on free-spirited financial philosophies focused on finding high-priced free agents."


The Twins are still around. Every year. They are the exception. Their success is not supported by or founded on free-spirited financial philosophies focused on finding high-priced free agents. They even got their home town hero to resign at a discounted rate when he could have collected and made bank as the game's second best player and by far the premier player at his position.

Not only is it rare for teams to develop their own talent and have it translate to wins but even more so to sustain it by keeping those players. Look at the Tampa Bay Rays. They could easily win the World Series but star Carl Crawford just might be too good. Too good for pitchers who try to keep him off base, catchers who try to stop him from stealing them and the Rays who want to just keep him, but can't afford to.

That's what makes the Twins so amazing, their ability to balance their budget and bottomline while staying atop the division.

Hot or Not?

Porn Star pinky tries her hand at rapping....check out 'Bad Bitch'

Hot or not??
Marques Houston-Noize

Monster's of the Midway?

The Chicago Bears started the season off with a less then impressive controversial win over the Detroit Lions. Who I remind you lost their last twenty plus road games dating back to the 2007 season. The only bright spots of the game was Julius Peppers hit on Matthew Stafford that knocked him out for a few weeks, and lance Briggs fumble recovery on the half yard line in the second half. Very bright spots in this despicable game. If it was not for the controversial call in the end zone, the Bears would have lost that game and would have been the laughing stocks of football.

1st down- what were the bears thinking this off-season when they went out and got Peppers, Martz, and Taylor w/o getting help with some wide receivers and a better offensive line. Cutler might have to get a good pair of running shoes because he will have to scramble a lot this year. Lovie never show's emotion no matter if the Bears are losing or winning. Like Dennis Green said "The bears are who we thought they were" except this year no one will let them off the hook. Sorry Chicago fans but if Lovie does not lead his team to the playoffs, management probably will fire him. His successor might be one of his hand picked coaches Marinelli, Tice, or Martz.

2nd down- The bears d-backs are some of the worst man defense players in the NFL. They DB's are use to playing that cover 2 scheme defense and not covering their man all the way down the field. Major Wright could be the Bears best draft pick on defense since Brian Urlacher. Hopefully the Bears can utilize their potential here with him, and make him a force soon.

3rd down- when will Lovie Smith realize that his ten year old defense is not that effective no more? The Tampa bay Cover 2 has run its course already, it was great ten years ago. The bears need to go another way with their defense, maybe a little more man coverage will help. Blitzing more can do some damage, since Peppers demands a double team every down and Briggs and Urlacher hits the holes fast.

4th down- Lastly, the bears need to fully utilize Mike Martz and let him throw some trickery into the offense. A bunch of fake passes and more imagination can really help the offense. The defense needs to stay off the field as much as possible, this will help them for the latter parts of the season.

Prediction against the Cowboys- The Bears can possibly win this game if they minimize their turnovers, keep the defense off the field for long periods and pressure on Tony Romo. Plus the Cowboys are coming off a lost on Sunday night football to an impressive Redskins team. So this is a very winnable game.

The Bears can drop the "Monsters of the Midway" theme and just call themselves the Bears... simple.

Until next time sports fans......BOOOOOOOMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jets Vs. Pats

In recent years, the Jets vs. Patriots game has been a game to laugh at if you are a Patriots fan or the Patriots personnel. But times have changed now; the Jets are legitimate Super Bowl contenders and so are the Patriots. The AFC east crown should come down to these two teams, will the Patriots prevailing in the last few weeks of the season.

Lets talk about the playoff implications this game will have in only Week 2. The Patriots are coming off a pretty impressive/easy win against the Hollywood Cincinnati Bengals. The jets however played the worst football imaginable. Rex Ryan put a big target on his team back with his statements about his team going all the way this year, and how they are the team to beat in the AFC...Unleash the bull in Ray Lewis ''Big Mistake". Not only did Ray Lewis and his team Defense make the Jets offense non-existent, they did it with style, intensity, trash talk, and intimidation. If your Rex Ryan you should worry more about your teams dismal offense and not women in the locker room or trash talking other teams..

Enough of week 1's antic's, back to the game that matters now Jets vs. Pats. Darrelle Revis calling Randy Moss a "slouch" was a eye popper, but true Statement. Revis has owned Randy Moss the past two seasons; but look for Tom Brady/Belichick to counter that with many short yardage plays for Moss. This could easily send Revis back to his island that he was own all summer or better yet another island. On the other side Mark Sanchez will need to find a way to score this week, unless they will start the season off 0-2 and 0-2 in their new home.

Keys to the game

Jets- Offense needs to play with a since of urgency, to many weapons on the field to only have 9 points last week. Santonio Holmes can not be the savior Rex Ryan wants him to be once he returns from suspension. The offense has to progress, New England could win this game handily if Mark Sanchez still wants to recall his USC days with to much fun in the sun. Sanchez is the key to a Jets victory.

Defense- Antonio Cromartie has to play with some kind of awareness this week or Wes Welker, Randy Moss, and Julian Edelman will have him turning all game. Although, he did have a interception last week, most of the game his head was in the air looking at brown birds instead of the brown football. Revis will be okay with his match-ups, but Cromartie and the rookie corner-back need to play better. Cromartie is the key to the success of this defense.

Patriots

Offense- If Brady and gang can duplicate their offense from week 1 on the Jets star studded defense, they will come out victorious. This is a simple recipe for success for the Pats offense, just flat out score. Run the ball up the middle, use Rex Ryan's Jets approach against him. Kris Jenkins is out for the year with a torn ACL again. They will be soft up the middle.

Defense- Study the Ravens defensive schemes from last week "Blitz" and blitz some more...Putting pressure on Sanchez can easily rattle their offense and cause problems....keep LaDainian Thomlinson in sight, LT in the flats causes problems, monitor the little guy. Do not get beat deep.

Lets just see if Rex Ryan big Hollywood summer with "Hard Knocks" and predictions for the Jets pays off in week 2. Lets not forget the respect level he has for Bill Belichick, the puzzled look on his face clearly says he was more scared of Bill then what his statement said.

Until next time--------BOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Current Rotation: 5 CDs/ Mixtape worth listening to

These are five current Albums/ Mixtapes that I have in rotation. I’ve always had a love for music and I am a very diverse person. Go check these CDs/Mixtapes out, and you might like what you hear.

Sean Garrett- The Inkwell
Notable Songs: “She Geeked”, “Feel Love”, “Oh My God”

Dondria- Dondria vs. Phatfffat
Notable Songs: “Shawty wats up”, “Where Did We Go Wrong”

Marques Houston
Notable Songs: “Pullin on her hair”, “Noize”, “Kickin’ & Screamin”

Wale- More about nothing mixtape
“The trip”, “The Break up song”, “The guilty pleasure”

Big Sean- Finally Famous Vol.3: BIG

*Editors note: I tried to stay away from the CDs that everyone knows about (i.e. Trey Songz). And also please check out Marsha Ambrosius 'yours sincerely' and 'yours truly' mixtapes (their a little bit older but you will enjoy them)

Weekly Heisman Rank (updated 9/15/10)

1. Kellen Moore QB, Boise State

2. Denard Robinson QB, Michigan

3. Terelle Pryor QB, Ohio State

4. Ryan Mallett QB, Arkansas

5. Ryan Broyles WR, Oklahoma

Hot or Not?

Trey Songz/ Nicki Minaj- Bottoms Up

Hidden Gems: 6 Under the Radar NFL players in 2010

By:Brent Trotter

Hey, my name is Brent Trotter, author of List Wiz. I'm excited to be making a guest post here at "Dubs World: Home of Sports and Entertainment". Thanks to Marcus, Ralph and Michael for letting me contribute. Let's talk football!

If you're reading this, chances are you're as excited about the NFL season as I am. The New Orleans Saints are looking to repeat, The NY Jets are expecting to make more noise than an F-16, and the Broncos are out to redeem last seasons historic collapse. Oh, and we have Favre
drama--as usual.

Let's just say, I'm pumped. Some of the consistent studs like Tom Brady, Champ Bailey, Brian Urlacher and Ed Reed will be causing havoc on the field. But there are a few stars and question marks flying under the radar. Here are a few players we need to look out for.

1.) Jay Cutler (QB)

I might as well start right here at home with the Chicago Bears and Jay Cutler. Many critics, (Bears fans included) gave Jay Cutler a lot of flak for his 26 interceptions last season; Forgetting that he threw 27 TD's, doesn't have a "star" receiver, and played much of last season with the leagues most unproductive run-game, led by Matt Forte in what we hope was merely his sophomore slump.

In the 2010-11 season, the Bears and Cutler have the luxury of the Mike Martz air attack, another year of experience for young receivers like Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu and a more confident Jay Cutler. Look out for a similar amount of TD's and less INT's this year from Cutler.

2.) Devin Aromashodu (WR)

Since we're already on the subject of the Chicago Bears, we might as well cover rising star Devin Aromashodu. Devin #2 didn't get much playing time last year not playing his first snap until Week 10; despite QB Jay Cutler urging for him to start. In the last 2 games of the NFL season, with Johnny Knox sitting out, Aromashodu had 12 receptions for 196 yards and 3 TD's. In a 16 game season, he would be on pace for 1500 yards and nearly 100 receptions. Let's not jump overboard with those predictions, but look out for a great season from Devin #2.

3.) Julian Edelman (WR)

Another young star in the making is the New England Patriots, Julian Edelman. With Wes Welker out with a late season ACL tear last year, Edelman took over. When I say took over, I mean "took over". In the week 17 game where Welker was injured, Edelman posted 10 receptions, 103 yds and a preview of what we'll see this season. With a similar style to Welker, and Brady at the helm, Julian Edelman might become Brady's new favorite target. Oh, and at 24 years old, he's 5 years younger than Welker.

4.) Tim Tebow (QB)

Tim Tebow will probably be the most followed Rookie Quarterback of the entire 2010-11 draft class. Tebow talk started with his "controversial" Superbowl Ad. Now it's all about his completely revamped throwing motion and how that will hold up in the NFL. There have been a lot of questions about his skill, but we've never questioned his heart or his leadership. With Kyle "Mr. Mediocrity" Orton, (or "Neckbeard", as I've heard him called) and the unproven Brady Quinn as his competition, I can see Tebow taking control of the team by at least Week 5. He'll show us a real life example of what a blend of hard work and passion can create.

5.) Jordan Shipley (WR)
The Cincinnati Bengals are stacked with receivers. Ochocinco, Terrell Owens, and Antonio Bryant. Jordan Shipley is currently the 4th String WR. I don't think he'll play like one. Shipley showed me the kind of receiver he was going to be in the NFL in the National Championship against Alabama. He had 10 catches for 122 yards and 2 TD's against one of the nation's best defenses, receiving passes from a freshman QB. Most of the attention will be on T.O. and Ocho, which will make life easy for Shipley. Offensive ROY perhaps?

6.) Ladanian Tomlinson (RB)

L.T. is a beast--or at least was a beast. He's had less than stellar seasons in recent memory due to nagging injuries the past few seasons. I, for one, think he's still got gas in the tank. Predictions are that he'll primarily be used as a 3rd down back in the Jets heavy run offense. With the loss of Thomas Jones, I think he'll split the carries with Shonn Green. What he does with those carries, especially in the play-action, will be pretty phenomenal. Watch out for the Jets this year. They'll be dangerous.

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You can read more by Brent Trotter at http://listwiz.blogspot.com/

Fighting breast cancer with a touch of silk :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Mary Mitchell

Fighting breast cancer with a touch of silk :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Mary Mitchell

Reality. TV.

I'm the victim of sitcoms, believing things get resolved in 30 minute time frames. No. Life is way messier than that. I always want to end things with a broad and generalizing, sweeping statement that nicely ties up everything with a perfectly placed melody as we fade to black.

Most likely, the musical selection will be some finely crafted and poignant Coldplay song that highlights some bigger life lesson. This effectively achieves irony via the juxtaposition of the finely-tuned piece and the chaotic scene it underscores.

In reality, things don't work out like that. They. Just. Don't. But maybe because they do on television I have become disillusioned and thus my perceptions of the world (based on that medium) are equally fictitious as the shows I created them from.

That feeling of realized separation we get as we notice an far-reaching and borderline obsessive involvement in tv characters (Ya know...the moment where we say, possibly aloud, wait..this isn't me)is never achieved in our own real lives because this IS our own real life.

While we may control the fates of these personas with a simple click of a remote button and operation of DVR, the truth is our lives can NOT be as easily put on pause, rewound or fast-forwarded.

2010 NFL Predictions

AFC East: New York Jets
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts
AFC West: San Diego Chargers
AFC Wild Cards: New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys
NFC North: Green Bay Packers
NFC South: New Orleans Saints
NFC West Team: San Francisco 49ers
NFC Wild Cards: Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals
AFC Champion: New York Jets
NFC Champion: Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl Champion: New York Jets
MVP: Peyton Manning QB-Indianapolis Colts
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Ryan Mathews RB-San Diego Chargers
Defeinsive of the Year: Sean Weatherspoon LB-Atlanta Falcons
Offensive Player of the Year: Peyton Manning QB-Indianapolis Colts
Defensive Player of the Year: Darrelle Revis CB*- New York Jets
Coach of the Year: Rex Ryan- New York Jets
Comeback Player of the Year: Donte' Stallworth WR- Baltimore Ravens

*If he ends his holdout, he will show why he’s worth more money.

Few Things To Look Out For This NFL Season

St Louis Rams
The Rams have invested the most guaranteed money ever in a rookie with the contract of Sam Bradford. Is he worth it coming off a season-ending shoulder surgery? The Rams have lots of faith in this kid and if he doesn’t work out their going to be the laughing stock of the league. The Rams receivers are also very young and inexperience. The Rams have been in contact with former Missouri WR Danario Alexander and this would be a good move for them to sign him to a contract. This would give the Rams a big possession receiver who has proven himself on the college level. Their already taking a gamble with Bradford, why not continue with Alexander?

Ohio’s Big Three
LeBron James has left the northern part of Ohio to take his talents to South Beach to form ‘The Big Three.” But in the southern part of Ohio, the Bengals have put together their own NFL version of “The Big Three.” Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant have came together to form one of the best receiving corps in the league. Add rookie Jordan Shipley and 3rd year man Andre Caldwell and quarterback Carson Palmer has many options to throw to. But the question of the season is will there be enough throws to go around? And if there are, will the ground game suffer?

Pete Carroll
Carroll left the comforts and winning tradition of USC to coach a team that had one of the worse rush offenses and passing defenses in the league last year. Can Carroll resurrect the Seahawks?

Jay Cutler
New offense, same receivers. Cutler had a terrible year in 2009 where he led the league in interceptions. Will he bounce back in his 2nd year with the Chicago Bears? This past off-season, the Bears didn't make any moves to bring in a big name target for Cutler, but instead bought in Mark Martz to develop the talent that they currently have.

Dez Bryant
Bryant has gotten a lot of hype since being drafted by the Cowboys with the number 24th pick in the past draft. He has all of the tools to be the go to receiver for the Cowboys during his rookie season. But will he be rusty? He was ruled ineligible a little under a year ago from Oklahoma State and hasn't had any game experience since.

Wicker Park Fest

Holdout? More like Hold-up!

Chris Paul is meeting with the Hornets who plan to convince him they make the team a title contender. Reports have surfaced of the point guard’s desire to follow Lebron's footsteps and join another superstar and push for a championship. I think Paul forcing the Hornets to make moves with the leverage of his moving is ridiculous especially considering he doesn’t really have leverage.

As NFL training camps approach it is typical to find rising superstars or established veterans threatening to sit out unless teams meet their demands, often using holding out to hold teams hostage. A string of superb Sundays can result in big paydays even for players under contract.

I have no problem with that even though I strongly believe that if you are under contract you honor the commitment you made. However, in a league where a team can play a player LESS if he underperforms by cutting him and not even paying him at all, over the years he was promised, I think its fair for a player to demand more if he does well.

“It a no-brainer and only makes sense for a player to make more cents while he can, especially if the effects of his profession could be negative and detrimental to his brain”

Also, football is a sport where players put their bodies on the line and risk their futures. Increased research is revealing the damages done to those now retired. The constant collisions are likened to mini car crashes. More and more retirees are suffering from different forms of dementia. It a no-brainer and only makes sense for a player to make more cents if the effect of his profession could be negative on his brain.

The NBA is different. Paul wants to play for the Magic or the Knicks, a team where Larry “Grandma-ma” Johnson who was getting paid top dollars as he moved closer to becoming the age of a grand-pa and Allan Houston is STILL on the Knicks payroll (albeit as an assistant and GM candidate).

If Paul doesn’t want to play for the Hornets then he should well it doesn’t matter because he’s under contract, one he signed. If he wants to leave to another team when his contracts up then he’s free to do so just like Lebron, who although with hometown ties had every right to. In the meantime, he should just play and do his part, not the GM, to make them a title contender.

Hot or Not?

World Premiere of Marques Houston and Rick Ross Video for "Pullin on her Hair"

3 Reasons Gordon Hayward Will Have A Solid Career

Jerry Sloan
If there was any coach in the NBA that I would want to play for it would be Jerry Sloan. Sloan is one of those coaches that knows how to take a player with mediocre skills and turn them into a solid NBA player. This is the best place for Hayward to be as he starts his career.

Larry Bird
When you look at Hayward, the first person I think of is Larry Bird. He reminds me so much of him. They are just about the same size; they are both from the Hoosier state, and also went to small schools and led them to David vs. Goliath type championship games. He won’t become as great as a player Bird was, but he will have a solid career in the league.

Drive
Hayward never gives up when he’s on the court. If it’s on the offensive end, he’s going to find a way to score regardless of whose defending him. On the defensive end, Hayward is long enough to defend on a NBA level. He lacks lateral quickness and physical strength that most wings have. Nevertheless, if Hayward wants to shut you down he will try his best at it. At Butler Hayward spent a lot of time guarding the 4 position, so he’s use to guarding more physical players.

August Movie Releases

August 6
-Middle Men
-The Other Guys
-Step Up 3D
-Twelve

August 13
-Eat, Pray, Love
-The Expendables
-Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World

August 18
-Vampires Suck

August 20
-The Lottery Ticket
-Nanny McPhee Returns
-Piranha 3-D
-The Switch

August 27
-Centurion
-Going the Distance
-The Last Exorcism
-Takers

Nicki Minaj- Your love video: Hot or Not?

Album Due in stores November 23rd

Shyne freestyles for XXL

One of my favorite rappers...ready for him to drop some new music

Album Review: Teflon Don

1. I’m Not a Star
2. Free Mason (feat. Jay-Z & John Legend)
3. Tears of Joy (feat. Cee-Lo)
4. Maybach Music III (feat. T.I., Jadakiss & Erykah Badu)
5. Live Fast, Die Young (feat. Kanye West)
6. Super High (feat. Ne-Yo)
7. No 1 (feat. Trey Songz & Diddy)
8. MC Hammer
(feat. Gucci Mane)
9. B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast) (feat. Styles P)
10. Aston Martin Music (feat. Drake & Chrisette Michele)
11. All the Money in the World (feat. Rapheal Saadiq)

Producers Include: Clark Kent, Danja, The Inkredibles, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Lex Luger, No I.D., The Olympicks, The Remedy and Kanye West

Featured Artist: Jay-Z ,John Legend, Cee-Lo Green, T.I., Jadakiss, Erykah Badu, Kanye West, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz, Diddy, Gucci Mane, Styles P, Drake, Chrisette Michele and Raphael Saadiq

Rick Ross brings to us his fourth studio album “Teflon Don” (Maybach Music Group/Def Jam Recordings) and he has assembled one that could be his strongest to date. Of the 11 tracks on the album, 10 have a featured artist. Even though you could look at this as a good thing because it shows that Ross is able to pull in a vast amount of talent to work with him on an album, I look at it as a bad thing. This somewhat takes away from Ross’ creditability as a rapper. When I listen to someone’s album, I expect to hear them spitting two or three verses on the majority of the tracks. I’m not saying it makes Teflon Don a bad album (it actually makes it a great album), I just feel that it is more of a compilation album instead of a solo one.
Ross has put together an album that you could play from track one to eleven. Just like anyone’s album, there are songs that are stronger then others. A few songs that stick out the most on this album would be “Free Mason,” “Live Fast, Die Young,” “B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)” and “All the Money in the World.” In Free Mason which features Jay-Z and John Legend, Jay-Z finally quiets the Illuminati rumors. (“Bitch, I said I was amazing…. not that I’m a Mason. It’s amazin’ that I made it through the maze that I was in/ Lord forgive me, I never woulda made it without sin/ Holy water, my face in the basin/ Diamonds in my rosary shows he forgave him”.) His verse might arguably be one of the best verses of the year. “Live Fast, Die Young” which was produced and features Kanye West, is about every aspiring rap artists dream: living the lavish lifestyle of money, cars, clothes, and hoes. When West starts spitting on the second verse, it makes you look forward to September 14, 2010 which is the scheduled release date for “Good Ass Job.” West straight murdered this track and makes you forget about Ross second verse on the track.
“B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)” is a cliff notes version of the life of Black Mafia Families co-founder Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory. The lyrics talk about his upbringing in the streets and his lavish lifestyle once he got up to a higher level. (“These, mutha fuckas mad that I'm icey, /Stunt so hard make them come indict me”). Styles P verse on the track continues where Ross left off and continues to talk about the street life. I never really took Styles P as a great lyricist, but this verse was pretty dope. In “All the Money in the World” featuring Raphael Saadiq, Ross shows us a different side to him. He raps about his dead father and his children. He also sings along on the hook with Saadiq.
One thing that Ross definitely could have changed on the album is the track list. Three of the tracks were on his “Albert Anastasia EP”, and it’s like giving the people old material. One more thing Ross could have done to make the album better would have been to include more music. 11 eleven tracks simply isn’t enough for someone.

Rating: 4/5

Rick Ross Wiz Khalifa and Currensy- Super High Remix Video

Lebron: The Right Comparison

Lebron’s choice to “take his services to South Beach” and join D-Wade and Chris Bosh was bigger than the new Big Three, the NBA and even his ego even though it clearly couldn’t fill the unnecessarily long hour designated for THE DECISION his people arranged. Even economically, it transcended the millions of dollars Cleveland is to lose as a city from the vibrant nightlife created from games or the Heat gain as a franchise from jersey and season ticket sales. It was bigger than the sport itself as it symbolized its’ current status overall.

Perceptions

From one perspective, the notion of James joining fellow superstars seemed commendable. Far too often superstars seduce the spotlight with tempting and tantalizing stories of mischievous misconduct. With the abominable combination of the nationally felt effects of a struggling economy in a recession and possible work stoppages in multiple sports, a player seeking more money is a serious offense and one of the seven deadly sins in sports.

His doing so during a free agent period shared with the most notably inconspicuous player, Allen Iverson, seemed to further reinforce his reputation ironically as the answer to the Answer. While Lebron turned down more lucrative deals, the dress code inspiring, former MVP, once fan favorite bad boy who took the league by storm in polarizing fashion now finds himself without a suitor. The same brash attitude and stubborn beliefs in his abilities that helped him now hold him back. James was the opposite and the antidote.

However, it was Allen Iverson’s diehard attitude and unmatched competitive spirit that propelled him to stardom. The same IS said of Kobe and best illustrated in what Jordan recently said. The notion of him teaming up with other superstars is an unfamiliar concept to the game greatest who said, “There’s no way with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry, called up Magic, and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team’. But things are different.”

The Right Comparison

Questions of how his move affects his perception in comparison to his contemporary standard Kobe or to Michael are irrelevant. The most fitting comparison is Lebron to Joe as in Joe Mauer. The then 26 year old decided against joining fellow all-stars, future Hall of Famers, some of the games’ greatest of all time, the defending champions and perennial title contenders. He proved his loyalty by staying in his hometown.

He did so in a sport known for unparalleled and possibly unlimited spending during free agency. He did so in a sport where he could have earned more money than the entire payrolls of others teams. He did so in a sport, unlike basketball and the NBA in particular, where even if individuals dominate they can not single-handedly ensure success and even the brightest of stars rely on their teammates.

So many people contemplate how Lebron’s move affects his move in the list of the game’s legends. In comparison to both those and a counterpart in another sport he falls short. Lebron shouldn’t be commended for sacrificing money or the spotlight because all he gave up was his opportunity to live up to the commission of being the best.

Three Things to Look Forward to This College Football Season

Northwestern vs. Illinois at Wrigley Field
Football is finally returning to the friendly confines November 10th when the Wildcats of Northwestern take on the Illini of Illinois. I know these aren’t the two best teams in the world, but its football at Wrigley. A football game hasn’t taken place here since 1970 and the first collegiate game since 1938.

Life after Tim Tebow
The Tebow era at the swamp has ended after four years of amazement. Urban Meyer is not in a fret because he has John Brantley to replace Tebow. The redshirt junior so far has completed 71% of his passes at Flordia. Brantley also has many different options because of the talent that the Gators have at wide receiver and running back.

USC
Violations, transfers and the departure of Pete Carroll have the Trojans down in the dumps. They have nothing to play for this season, so who knows what Trojan team will show up. Expect C.J. Gable to become a household name though.

Monica- Love All Over Me

Monica teams up with rapper Manio and rumored new boyfriend Lakers guard Shannon Brown in this video.

Kat Stacks talks about Superhead, and Prostitiution