NBA 2011 Draft : Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams at the Top

Tuesday night by big winning the first selection in the 2011 NBA draft and really, who deserved it more than Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Clippers): Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke

The L.A. Clippers wanted to get rid of their point guard Baron Davis, and needed to add in their first-round pick to make him disappear. Little did they know they'd be throwing away Kyrie Irving, too. Cleveland will take Irving with glee; while the point guard won't make anyone forget about LeBron James, he fills an immediate need at a vital position and injects a dose of excitement to a bad roster.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams, F, Arizona

The Wolves would have been in a nearly impossible position with the No. 1 pick, given the team's continued lust for Ricky Rubio. There's a small issue here, too: Michael Beasley is the incumbent small forward, and All-Star power forward Kevin Love isn't going anywhere. Williams could serve as the third forward, or Minnesota could offload Beasley. Or David Kahn could take a point guard, like Kemba Walker.

3. Utah Jazz (via New Jersey Nets): Enes Kanter, C, Turkey

Kanter might not be the perfect center to match with Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap, but the Jazz had stayed with the "best player available" strategy in the past, and depending on who you read, Kanter could be it. Whoever picks him will be relying mostly on the workout season and combine measurements as he hasn't played competitive basketball in a couple years. He's perhaps the biggest question mark on the board in the top 10.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania

After landing a franchise point guard in Irving up top, the Cavaliers can further bolster the backcourt by choosing Kemba Walker here or go big. Given that Walker has been fashioned an NBA point guard -- we'll see -- I'll guess big man here. Valanciunas isn't close to a finished product, but Cleveland is in full-on rebuild mode. (They'd probably prefer Kanter, should he drop.)

5. Toronto Raptors: Kemba Walker, PG, UConn

Walker is the second- or third-best perimeter player in the draft behind Irving and possibly Brandon Knight; while Toronto needs a true point guard to get that offense going, it's hard to pass up NBA-ready leadership that a player like Walker offers. The Raptors love shooting seemingly above all else, but Walker's dribble-creation will help boost the team in the short term while the rest of the roster is sorted out.

6. Washington Wizards: Bismack Biyombo, PF, Congo

The Wizards have their shotblocking interior presence (JaVale McGee), but Biyombo, the top shotblocker in the Spanish league per DraftExpress, is another level of prospect. Given the franchise's lack of faith (or is that wishful thinking?) in Andray Blatche, power forward could be a spot they look to address despite a gaping hole behind Rashard Lewis at small forward and a couple of solid PF prospects in the pipeline (Trevor Booker, Kevin Seraphin).

7. Sacramento Kings: Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State

The Kings desperately need help at small forward, where none of Francisco Garcia, Donte Greene or Omri Casspi stood out (for good reasons) in 2010-11. Leonard is a big SF, and less of a shooter than the Kings would like, but the team is being rebuilt with an eye on energy and toughness. He fits that.

8. Detroit Pistons: Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky

The Pistons have an unsettled backcourt; Knight may not be the answer next year or ever, but outside of the top two this whole draft is a carp shoot. (If you've ever shot an arrow at a fish, you know what I'm talking about.) Knight has landed higher on other mocks, and a good workout season could boost him even ahead of Walker.

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas

How many times will the Morris twins get compared to the Collins twins? More than the number of times they'll get compared to the Lopez twins! That's a small joke about how players are only ever compared to players of their race. You know, like how Jimmer Fredette is the next J.J. Redick but not the next Bobby Jackson. (Note: he's probably closer to Redick than Jackson.)

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Alec Burks, SG, Colorado

Burks isn't a great shooter, but he's a fine scorer and could be a great long-term fit with Brandon Jennings. John Salmons didn't get the job done last season, and is in his early 30s. Milwaukee might instead go big in an attempt to settle the frontcourt alongside Andrew Bogut. It's a wide open draft for the Bucks. Also: Bucks. Burks. Bucks. Burks. Canny like X-Men.

11. Golden State Warriors: Kenneth Faried, PF/C, Morehead State

The Warriors need more defense, despite taking Ekpe Udoh last year. You ask for defense, you get rebounding and defense. Note: if Faried begins to go by "Ken" or "Kenny," I'm dropping him to the second round.

12. Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette, SG, BYU

You can pry my Jazz-taking-Jimmer prediction from my cold, dead hands.

13. Phoenix Suns: Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas

Thompson is No. 6 on Jay Bilas' big board; power forwards with potential always rise, and Thompson is a top candidate to get up in the top 10. But if he's around, and assuming more talented big men aren't too tempting, it'd be hard for the thin Suns to pass him up.

14. Houston Rockets: Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State

The defensive specialist could be Daryl Morey's next Shane Battier; Singleton is a smart, rangy defender with some toughness and a developing (if slowly) offensive game.

15. Indiana Pacers: Donatas Motiejunas, C, Lithuania

Motiejunas won't likely fall this far, not with a certain 7-foot European gunner lighting up the NBA Playoffs. The Pacers need help on offense, and a stretch big man could be a nice addition to the Roy Hibbert-Tyler Hansbrough tandem.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Jan Vesely, SF, Czech Republic

Another player who should be higher. I guess I'm biased against Euros! Vesely is reportedly more of a gazelle, and Omri Casspi-type transition star with little in the way of halfcourt refinement. That sounds exactly like the Philadelphia 76ers.

17. New York Knicks: Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas

Q: Which player will draw the most obnoxious catcalls from the Knicks' faithful inside of MSG for the draft? A: Some Euro, duh. But Morris The Lesser will do.

18. Washington Wizards (from Atlanta Hawks): Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State

Thompson's an interesting draft case; he's a perimeter-based scoring who might struggle to adjust to a lower-usage role in the NBA, but who has the skills to excel if he can find the right niche. I'm not sure Washington is that place, but the teens are the assumed range for him.

19. Charlotte Bobcats (from New Orleans Hornets): Tyler Honeycutt, SF, UCLA

The Bobcats are restocking from almost scratch after selling off Gerald Wallace at midseason. Honeycutt has promise, but he'll need to prove his value in competitive workouts. Can he handle himself against stronger, more developed prospects like Leonard and Singleton?

20. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Memphis Grizzlies): Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas

This selection is made with a big ol' wink to my friend David Kahn. You think the draft lottery being fixed is a problem? Wait until Hamilton is shooting from midcourt five times a game.

21. Portland Trail Blazers: Davis Bertans, SF, Latvia

I'm not gonna lie: everything I know about Davis Bertans, I learned from this highlight reel. Needless to say, I do not know much about Davis Bertans.

22. Denver Nuggets: Josh Selby, SG, Kansas

If J.R. Smith really leaves the Nuggets, George Karl is going to miss having a "difficult" two-guard gunner. Enter Selby.

23. Houston Rockets (from Orlando Magic): Tobias Harris, SF, Tennessee

Ideally, the Rockets trade all of their draft picks for a time machine to 2004, they wrap Yao Ming's feet in bubble wrap, they get back in the time machine, and they let Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin play off the big fellow on their way to 47 wins.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil

"Bebe" is the latest South American wonder to grace my dreams and nightmares. He looks like Mikki Moore but supposedly plays like countryman Nene. Also, his nickname is Bebe! What more do you want?

25. Boston Celtics: JaJuan Johnson, PF/C, Purdue

The Celtics obviously need help in the middle; Nenad Krstic is not the answer, Jermaine O'Neal and Shaq may both retire, and Glen Davis was shown up in the playoffs. Johnson is more a blue chip handyman than a heralded prospect, but he could be a nice fit.

26. Dallas Mavericks: David Lighty, SF, Ohio State

The Mavericks love shooters and need help on the wings. Lighty looks poised to make a smooth transition to the pros, based on his universally needed skill set.

27. New Jersey Nets (from Los Angeles Lakers): Jeremy Tyler, C, Newspaper Articles From Two Years Ago

I just needed to get Jeremy Tyler into the first round of one mock draft to settle a bet from 2008. Move along.

28. Chicago Bulls (from Miami Heat): Kyle Singler, SF, Duke

Kyle Singler is the Taj Gibson of private schools in the ACC.

29. San Antonio Spurs: Andrew Goudelock, PG, College of Charleston

I'm not going to lie: I found the most obscure domestic name in DraftExpress' two-round mock, and picked it.

30. Chicago Bulls: Isaiah Thomas, PG, Washington

Isaiah Thomas deserves a shot in the first round; he can outplay a handful of NBA point guards, and a year from now he could seriously be putting in good minutes for a playoff team. He has all the skills. Size matters, but haven't we learned you can't discount a player solely because of their height?



Be sure to check out our 2011 NBA Draft hub for full draft coverage.

Real Housewives of New Jersey Danielle Staub is back

Season 3 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey started on Monday night – with an epic brawl at Teresa Giudice's nephew's christening. there are two new Housewives – both related to Giudice – in the mix now that the show's villain, Danielle Staub, is gone.

While Giudice is certainly a drama magnet, Staub, in an interview said that recently predicted that ratings would suffer in her absence. This season will be just full out nasty family fighting. Everyone's got that. Where's the element of surprise there?"

Real Housewives season the series added Melissa Gorga to the cast. Now, Gorga just happens to be the sister-in-law of Teresa Giudice, which also means the addition of Teresa's brother, Joe.

More family means more family drama, and they wasted no time with it. Teresa and Melissa don't get along at all, and she's thus estranged from her brother as well. So, why not get them together at a banquet for the Christening of Melissa and Joe's son?

Her brother Joe rebuffs her when she comes over to offer congratulations, telling her to "do what you do everyday. Just walk the f*** away." Later, he calls her "garbage."

All the abuse doesn't fall on deaf ears, as Teresa's husband Joe 'yes', they're both named Joe -- finally reaches his breaking point and lunges toward brother Joe. Cue epic brawl and fisticuffs.

It looks like the addition of more of Teresa's relatives is just the blend of unstable relations the show was probably looking for. Are you looking forward to a season of family chaos?

Live TV Video at Daily Show of Bill O'Reilly vs Jon Stewart

Bill O'Reilly challenged "Daily Show" host to a debate on the recent controversy surrounding rapper Common's invitation to join the White House poetry slam. Last night, Stewart took him up on the offer and sat for a lengthy and mostly civilized discussion of the issue.

O'Reilly insisted that Common should be disqualified from visiting the White House because he once wrote a song about Assata Shakur, a member of the Black Liberation Army who was convicted in the killing of a New Jersey police officer in the 1970s. Only artists who are truly "unimpeachable" should be bestowed with the honor of a White House invitation, which may be considered by some a rather high bar.



Stewart, meanwhile, insisted that the Fox News "selective outrage machine" had manufactured a fake controversy. O'Reilly and his cohorts had failed to make a crucial distinction: Just because Common believes that Shakur was unjustly convicted does not mean that he approves of killing police officers. More to the point, Common is not the first artist to have written a song about a convicted criminal to receive a White House invitation.

"You may think he's ignorant for believing that Assata Shakur is innocent, for believing that Mumia is," Stewart said. "But then guess what? Bono can't go to the White House, Springsteen can't go to the White House, Bob Dylan can't go to the White House. You've got a lot of people that can't sit in the White House because they've written songs about people convicted of murder."

Google Corporate Logo "Google doodle celebrates"

Google's chief doodler, Michael Lopez, and his team of five artists took a total of 250 hours spanning over five months to create the holiday Google doodle. Discussions of the holiday Google doodle started as far back as July, according to the Wall Street Journal.

It's the holiday Google doodle that has replaced Google's corporate logo on its homepage today. Although less flashy in comparison to Google's bouncing balls doodle on the eve of Google Instant search's release, the current holiday Google doodle has taken a considerable amount of time to achieve.


Google Corporate Logo, For fashion screen appraiser netzens, 17 themed doodles have been unveiled by Google, celebrating the holiday.

“We call our special holiday logos, Google doodles”, said the VP of Search & User Experience at Google, Marissa Mayer on Google Sidewiki.

“The first Google doodle appeared on August 30, 1998. The new holiday Google Doodles are available on Google.com web page.

Prince Nicolas marries Tatiana Blatnik in Greece PHOTOS

Royals from all over Europe gathered to see Prince Nicolas of Greece and Denmark, the longtime bachelor prince, finally marry. His bride was Tatiana Blatnik, a 29-year-old fashion events planner. The couple met in 2003 during a ski vacation in Switzerland through mutual friends and became engaged last year after the long courtship. The bride's engagement ring is a sapphire stone, which was given to Nicolas by his mother Queen Anne Marie, who had received it from her parents - the late King Frederick IX and Queen Ingrid of Denmark.

                         At the wedding, as expected, were many royals from throughout Europe, as Prince Nicolas is directly related to many of the families. His father King Constantine was obviously in attendance, as was the King’s sister Queen Sofia of Spain. All senior members of the Spanish royal family were present, except the King. Crown Prince Felipe and Crown Princess Letizia, Infanta Elena, Infanta Christina and the Duke of Palma de Mallorca were all there. Queen Anne Marie of Greece, the mother of the groom was obviously there, as was her older sister Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Crown Princess Mary, her younger son Prince Joachim along with his wife Princess Marie. Sweden’s royal family was well represented with Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Princess Madeleine, and Prince Carl Philip. Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands were there, as was Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. About 350 guests attended the wedding, singer Elton John was reported to be one of them. Yachts began gathering in the surrounding harbor as early as Monday. There were pre and post wedding receptions highlighted by the breezy Mediterranean fashions.

America Got Talent Final 4: Prince Poppycock, Michael Grimm, Jackie Evancho, and Fighting Gravity

Congratulations, PopWatchers. After endless rounds of terrible auditions and prolonged canned moments of suspense courtesy of Nick Cannon, we have finally reached the finals of America’s Got Talent. Last night America voted Prince Poppycock, Michael Grimm, Jackie Evancho, and Fighting Gravity into the finals, leaving Michael Grasso, Taylor Matthews, Jeremy Vanschoonhoven, Christina & Ali, Anna & Patryk, and Studio One Young Beast Society behind. There was no judges’ choice this time, so the four advancing acts were clearly the most popular (and arguably the most deserving) acts of the entire competition.

Prince Poppycock has a beautiful voice and a way with sequins. Yes, he went for flag-waving (and dancing) in this last performance, and some think that it was a ploy for votes. Personally, I think he was celebrating like only he could the theme of the show: America's Got Talent. And he does, and America agrees. Can't wait to see what he does for the finale.

Michael Grimm isn't some silly teeny bopper, he has a voice that speaks of experience and pain, and he sings from the heart. America has really embraced him and there's a strong chance he could win this thing if he chooses the right song next week.

Jackie Evancho is a textbook act for a show like America's Got Talent. She is, in many ways, like Susan Boyle: they both have this amazing voice in an unlikely package. However, where Ms. Boyle was frumpy, Jackie is angelic. There are a lot of people who feel that Vegas is the wrong venue for such a small girl, which is a fair concern. But a little secret: there has actually only been one winner of America's Got Talent who went on to have an ongoing act on the Vegas strip: Terry Fator. Yes, the winner this season will perform in Vegas along with the traveling tour, but there's no indication that it will be a permanent act. So the question, really, is not, "does Jackie Evancho belong on the Vegas Strip?" but instead, "does Jackie Evancho deserve the $1 million prize?"

Fighting Gravity did not put on their best performance Tuesday night, but they are still the most interesting variety act of this entire season, and they belong in the finals. However, if they want to win this thing, they need to make sure their choreography is absolutely perfect in the finals. Oh, and that they bring it bigger and more astonishing than ever before.

Robert Schimmel Comedian Dead Video & Photo

   
Comedian Robert Schimmel tragically lost his life in a car accident on Friday, he was 60 years old. Today, many people have turned only to seek the Robert Schimmel photo. There are some sites saying that there is a photo form the accident, but it appears to be just a rumor.
Schimmel was in company of his son and daughter, who was driving the car, when suddenly in an attempt to avoid an oncoming car, the car flipped several times. His son ended up unarmed, while his daughter is recovering on the hospital.

It’s never funny when someone gets hurt…unless it’s in a monologue. Comedian Robert Schimmel and his 19-year old daughter were involved in a car crash suffering injuries in Arizona. Be sure to check out videos below.

As a biography, funny man Robert Schimmel was born in Bronx, New York on January 16, 1950 so his age is 60. He is most-known as a comedian who has worked for HBO and The Howard Stern Show. Following a heart attack in 1998, Schimmel was given the news that he also was suffering from Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He underwent treatment and later his cancer was in remission. During this time of weak health, he met his daughter Jessica’s friend, Melissa while he was still married to his first wife, Vicki Rhoades, the mother of their four children. As a result, he divorced Vicki and married Melissa in 2000. Together, they have two children. Melissa Schimmel filed for divorce.

According to reports, it is said that Schimmel’s daughter was behind the wheel when she tried “to avoid an accident in her lane” which resulted in a rollover on the side of the freeway.

Schimmel and his daughter are being hospitalized in an Arizona hospital. His daughter is in “stable condition” while Robert is in “very serious” condition. Also, the comedian’s 11-year old son was in the car who was treated and released, with no injuries.

Let’s hope comedian Robert Schimmel gets well really soon! Not only does he suffer from the injuries from this car accident, but also with cirrhosis, from the contraction of Hepatitis C.

Best wishes to you and your entire family! You may leave your thoughts in the comment box and also see a video below!

Camp Rock 2 rock your world tonight

MANILA, Philippines - Disney Channel’s multitude of young followers (and their parents) across the Philippines are in for a rousing treat.

Camp Rock, America’s No. 1 cable TV movie for 2008 — featuring the megastar trio of the Jonas Brothers (Kevin, Joe and Nick) and young superstar Demi Lovato, plus a bunch of Disney’s top teen artists led by Fil-Am Anna Maria Perez de Tagle — is back with a bigger and more electrifying sequel called Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam.

The original movie franchise, which will premiere tonight at 7:30 on Disney Channel, is packed with elaborate production numbers showcasing cool and more demanding dance routines to a great soundtrack that spans pop, hip-hop and rock.

Anna Maria, who returns to the sequel as a completely changed Ella (she’s now friendlier and smarter), raves about Camp Rock 2’s catchy songs, and reveals that the dance numbers are “much more daring and more exhausting.”

“Exhausting but fun,” the granddaughter of the legendary Filipino actress and singer Sylvia La Torre points out. “The choreographer (Rosero McCoy) is so amazing he brought into the movie new and harder dance styles. He challenged us all and then brought out the best in us. He’s simply unbelievable.”

And like other Disney’s smash musicals, one of the movie’s strengths is its ability to convey to young audiences valuable messages in life that could inspire and guide them till their maturity — resilience, perseverance, loyalty, respect and teamwork — while providing solid (and clean fun) entertainment they will never forget.

During its Aug. 18 premiere at New York City’s Lincoln Center, adoring fans — groups of teens and tweens from all walks of life — gave the entire cast a rock star welcome with deafening screams and shrieks, as they watch them walk the red carpet in style and strike a pose before blinding bulbs of the international press.

Aside from the Jonas Brothers, Demi and Anna Maria, fans cheered the arrival of other Camp Rock stars like Alyson Stoner, Meaghan Martin, Jasmine Richards, Roshon Fegan, Jordan Francis, Matthew “Mdot” Finley, Maria Canals-Barrera, Daniel Fathers, Daniel Kash and Frankie Jonas, the youngest brother of the famous Jonas trio.

“People, the kids most specially, will be able to relate to the characters, what they’re going through,” Joe told reporters from across the globe. “Visually, it’s pretty stunning... and you will love the performances of all the amazing characters.”

In time for the showing of Camp Rock 2 is the ongoing US and world tour of Camp Rock that kicked off in July and ends in January 2011. Still the high-prized and most bankable Disney stars, the Jonas Brothers and Demi, along with Anna Maria and other select Disney teen artists, have been packing large arenas all over — as much as 25,000 capacity in some areas.

We got to witness the New Jersey leg of the concert tour at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J. and we were overwhelmed by a crowd of 16,000 die hard fans who gave the Jonas Brothers and co-stars a Beatles reception, and us their eardrum-piercing screams from start to finish. Another 16,000 trooped to the venue the following night. It was a clear testament to the extreme popularity of the Jonas Brothers as among the world’s top bands, and Demi as the reigning Disney princess.

Camp Rock 2, which was also filmed in Ontario, Canada and directed by Paul Hoen, is about the reunion of Camp Rockers all longing for a summer of fun and music, only to face a serious challenge from a state-of-the art and well-funded music camp (Camp Star) just across the lake. Camp Rock’s existence is threatened by Camp Star’s poaching of its counselors and campers.

Placed in a hapless situation with Camp Rock’s director (played by Daniel Fathers) already bent to shut down Camp Rock, it’s a thrill to see how the young campers would defy the odds and outsmart the other camp.

In the middle of tense scenes, the campers would break into song numbers that only pump up the audience’s energy to root for the underdogs.

Can’t Back Down is our most favorite cut in the film’s 14-song soundtrack. Here, Mitchie Torres (Demi) asserts her leadership and galvanizes her fellow campers to stand up and fight for Camp Rock in a big percussive rhythmic dance number that is a mix of rock and urban sounds.

“We can’t back down, not right now...don’t close your eyes, we’re in this together,” Mitchie and the campers sing in a superb production number.

Another crowd pleaser is the equally exhilarating It’s On, a magnetic hybrid of classic rock and hip-hop performed during the two camps’ first face-off as they agree to a showdown to prove who is the better camp.

As a Filipino, try not to get distracted by Anna Maria during those two high-octane dance sequences. The girl’s got the moves, and you’ll end up marveling at the sight of her on screen — and feeling proud that a young and seemingly fragile porcelain doll can hold her own in the presence of those hyper and multi-talented Disney artists.

Another Fil-Am in the cast is the delightful Roshan, who is reprising his role as Sander, the director of activities at Camp Rock. The son of TV actor Roy Fegan, Roshan is a noted freestyle dancer and is starring in the upcoming Disney series Shake It Up.

Watch out also for Mdot who plays the extremely talented but cocky Luke Williams from Camp Star. The handsome young actor, who is being introduced in the movie, is oozing with talent and charisma. Already playing front act for Jonas Brothers, Ciara, Mod Def and other major artists, Mdot must be destined for greatness as his searing, beat-driven solo number, Fire, can attest.

In between the fast numbers are beautiful love songs — and subplots of budding romance between Mitchie and Shane Gray (Joe Jonas), and Nate (Nick Jonas) and Dana Turner (Chloe Bridges) — that will surely touch the hearts of both the young and old. Try not to cry when Mitchie and Shane perform the pop/rock duet Wouldn’t Change A Thing that conveys the joy and anguish of the state of young love. And be ready to get amused by Introducing Me, an ultra fast-paced song by Nate as he charms the gorgeous Chloe by saying all the things about himself in two minutes.