| Van Gundy says team must work on toughness
Orlando Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy has made it pretty clear what he expects to accomplish in the final 24 games of the season. And he wants to do more than just maintain the No. 3 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. He wants to use the games as playoff preparation. "We've got to get tougher in the physical parts of the game over the next 7 1/2 weeks," Van Gundy said. "A lot of that is defensively, how we play in the post, putting a body in front of the ball, taking charges, blocking out, getting on the floor for loose balls, all things we haven't been great at. The better teams we'll see [in the playoffs] are more physical. And we have to match those things."
Foyle to have reunion with high school friends
Tonight's game in Philadelphia will have a little special meeting for Magic reserve center Adonal Foyle, who played his high school basketball in the area.
Mail | What readers are saying
I enjoyed Danny O'Neil's article ("Hawks practice-squad players share house, car and common goal," Seattle Times, Dec. 26). I wish they had kept the term "taxi squad." The late Paul Brown named them that because they worked part time for the owner's taxi-cab business. We always root for the underdogs, so I hope they all make the team one day. — Bill Hemmenway, Issaquah Sonics There are other reasons for downfall Steve Kelley's column ("Allen has it all wrong — Sonics made right deal," Seattle Times, Dec. 28) about the Sonics trade of Ray Alen to the Celtics was right. But not for the reasons he cites. One playoff appearance in five years? That has a lot more to do with the previous ownership group shoving Nate McMillan out the door than with Ray Allen's abilities.
Misadventures in Atlanta
Slim are you my long lost twin sister??? Dang, it sounded like you were describing me! I completely understand what you mean when you feel that guys don't take you serious b/c of your funny bone - I have the same thoughts. Do you ever feel like you get stuck in the "friend zone" a lot because of your humor? I do… My two favorite compliments are: "You are so funny" and "You are so intelligent/smart". I get all weird and try to change the subject when a get a compliment on my looks. As far as sexiness and a guys - outside of physical appeal, being smart is SO sexy to me. As a matter of fact, I love guys who wear glasses because it portrays a look of intelligence (to me) .
Inflation figures make case for rates rise: analyst
There is further fuel for the Reserve Bank to raise interest rates this week, with an unofficial measure of inflation blowing out to well above the central bank's target range. The TD Securities-Melbourne Institute Monthly Inflation Gauge rose by 0.3 per cent in February, boosting underlying inflation to 4.1 per cent. TD Securities senior strategist Josh Williamson says inflationary pressures are running even hotter now than last month, when the Reserve Bank increased rates by 0.25 per cent. He says that will be weighing on board members' minds when they meet in Sydney tomorrow. "The Reserve Bank at the end of the day is going to have very little choice but to raise interest rates another 25 basis points," he said. And he says the central bank is likely to tighten monetary policy even further in the months ahead.
Slaughterhouse video prompts unprecedented beef recall
This undercover video of sick and crippled cows being brought to slaughter in an abattoir in southern California has prompted the largest recall of beef in US history, (writes Will Pavia). The US Department of Agriculture yesterday ordered that 143 million lb of beef from the slaughterhouse be recalled. Officials estimate that some 37 million lbs of the recalled meat had been heading to schools across America though they fear that most of it will have already been eaten. The abattoir run by the Hallmark Meat Packing Company, an associate and supplier of Westland Meat Company, which provides meat for America’s National School Lunch Programme, is now the subject of an an animal-abuse investigation. Ed Schafer, the US Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer said his department had evidence that Westland did not routinely contact its veterinarian when cattle lost the power to walk after passing inspection, violating health regulations.
Through the Wire Martin's Witness Mismanagement
Bitter Smith, a Republican, has been active in politics outside her job representing the cable industry, having served as a Scottsdale city councilwoman. She also ran for Congress in 2000. "We don't need any more rehashed talking points from Washington, D.C. " we need action points," Bitter Smith said in the statement announcing her exploration. "The challenges facing the 5th District require action, and leadership." There are already five Republican contenders in the district race, local reports say, so Bitter Smith would have her work cut out for her. But in an election year where candidates are touting their ability to bring people together, she can cite one such accomplishment: in her tenure, the Arizona and New Mexico cable associations merged.
New Rolls-Royce Coupe Revealed
We should have known something was up. The invitation to a dinner hosted by Rolls-Royce in a private airport hangar, held during a four-day review of BMWs and Minis, instructed the 40 or so auto journalists to wear a jacket and tie. This group is not normally known for its sartorial splendor, after all. O.K., it's a Rolls event, we thought, so a little formality is understandable. The venue was transformed from a hangar to a reserved party atmosphere. No deafening music. No laser light shows. There was a modest display of current Rolls-Royce automobiles: the Phantom, Drophead Coupe, and Phantom stretch. Journalists were allowed to get a close look inside and out. The tables were set with enough crystal, china, and silver. It was a setting equal to an elegant wedding or, if we had known, a product launch.
Buzz Briefs: Mischa Barton, Pussycat Dolls
Troubled actress Mischa Barton is waiting to see what her fate will be.
Barton's arraignment, relating to the multiple misdemeanor counts she was charged with on Tuesday, has been postponed to April 10, according to City News Service, EOnline reported. Initially, the arraignment was scheduled for today.
The former "The O.C." actress' downfall began on December 27, when she was arrested and charged with one count of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; one count of driving while having a 0.08% or higher blood alcohol level; one count of driving without a valid California license; and one count of possession of marijuana, 28.5 grams or less.
Jessica Simpson And Pussycat Dolls Take On "Operation MySpace"
.
The Marines Step Up Training for the Complexities of Iraq
CAMP PENDLETON, CALIF.—Inside the new $2.5 million Marine Corps Immersion Training Center, situated in a former packing plant in the middle of an old tomato patch, there are bazaars with tables full of brass lamps and teapots. There are courtyards, too, with old chairs, backgammon tables, and clotheslines with laundry strung across them, courtesy of a Hollywood set designer. There are also wagons filled with propane tanks, blood-stained alleyways, and motion-detection scent machines, which pump the smell of dung through trash-laden streets. .
|
