SoxFan1

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Feb 17, 2008 -> 11:34 PM) Ok, so if it's "belonged to Serbia", yet, they are now declaring independence, are they doing to to acknowledge their Albanian heritage (yes, I use that loosely). And I don't know, I'm asking so I learn something. To be totally honest, I don't understand why they are declaring independence. They are Albanian, sure, but there is no such thing as a Kosovar. That term simply means someone who is a resident of Kosovo. Their statehood would only create another retarded subgroup. Kosovo is divided between Serbians and Albanians. Kosovars don't exist, but if independence is recognized, then it just clumps people together that shouldn't be. Independence is pointless unless it is followed by some sort of union with Albania. If Republika Srpska in Bosnia became independent, it would be pointless as well, because they are just Serbians. I'm also quite stumped as to why the US is so pro-independence for Kosovo. The Albanians have terrorist training camps in southern regions of Kosovo and Albania that are tied to Bin Laden. QUOTE(knightni @ Feb 17, 2008 -> 11:36 PM) There are a lot of people in that area that have been controlled by someone other than themselves for years without their request. Well, following WWII, Albanians became the majority. There was still a big Serbian population until the NATO bombings when many Serbs fled north. Following that, the UN took control over Kosovo, but the government was run completely by Albanians. On a totally personal note, I feel as though a part of me has died. My father is from Kosovo, as is my godfather and his family, and most of my immediate family has been forced to move to Central Serbia in order to avoid Albanian separatists. My families house was seized by Albanians in Pec, where I lived for a short time when I was younger. Some of the churches that I visited and neighborhoods where I used to play in are now totally destroyed. And the cradle of my people's civilization, the territory that bears our churches and our religion, the land we defended against the Turks, the land we defended against the Austro-Hungarians, is now, for the time being, in the wrong hands. It saddens me deeply.

QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Feb 17, 2008 -> 08:20 PM) It's really a declaration of reality. Although technically part of Serbia, Kosovo has had little to do with the Serbian government and has been out of its control for nearly a decade now. However, sometimes reality has no business in politics. I think that although this separation was probably inevitable, the way Kosovo's leaders are trying to make this happen, coupled with Europe's response is pretty poor. The reality only really stems back to post WWII Yugoslavia with Josip Broz Tito as the President. He never allowed Serbian refugees to return to Kosovo after the war, which gave Kosovo the Albanian majority that it has today. The NATO bombings/KFOR hasn't helped much either. The thing I would argue here is that a 8 or 9 years isn't enough to grant a people a country. Kosovo is the cradle of the Serbian civilization. Most of the Serbian Orthodox monasteries and churches are still in Kosovo, if they haven't been destroyed or burned down. Kosovo has belonged to Serbia forever, its never belonged to Albania.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Feb 17, 2008 -> 07:00 PM) Upset SoxFan1 about this I see. I don't know a whole lot about the situation, but I heard Serbia's government weren't too happy about it on the news this morning. Essentially, it's a unilateral declaration which defies UN Charter Resolution 1244 which guarantees Serbia is to keep territorial integrity and sovereignty of Kosovo. It's also against common international law. Russia is our main backer in the situation. Worst part about this is that Kosovo's PM Hashim Thaci is a former general of the KLA. The media is having a field day with this as well. Serb youths in Belgrade have been going on "rampages" while nothing is said about Albanian separatists. If Kosovo becomes recognized internationally, then Europe is going to explode because of all the other separatists in places in the former USSR, Turkey, former Yugoslavia, etc.

QUOTE(danman31 @ Feb 17, 2008 -> 04:06 PM) Yeah, I agree completely. Howard's Superman dunk was pretty crappy. He should have been penalized for not dunking it instead of being rewarded for a costume. The last dunk was completely terrible, and to say otherwise is just kissing up to Howard. It was actually the same thing Green did, but since Howard did it, people were all over it. Bah. Green did the same dunk in the final round twice just without sock on once. You think he deserved to win?

Yay.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Feb 17, 2008 -> 11:33 AM) Eh, I'm beginning to think the fix is in for every dunk contest. There was last year. The year before that was the garbage when Iguodala got screwed. And this year, they were clearly hyping Howard for the win throughout the entire contest. Granted, I believe he deserved to win this year, but it wasn't as open-and-shut as they made it out to be. Plus, the Superman dunk wasn't even a dunk. He actually only jumped about 3 feet (although he did jump very high) and threw the ball in. I'm glad the homerun derby doesn't count long foul balls and high warning track shots as homers. While I agree that it wasn't really a dunk, it was entertaining as all hell, and when I saw the replay of him gunning the ball into the rim, I laughed my ass off for a solid 5 minutes. It was hysterical.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Feb 17, 2008 -> 12:46 AM) Gordon is a good defender against PG's. OJ needs to be pushed to play defense, but he was more than suitable guarding guards, and sometimes forwards in high school. OJ's main problem is, he doesn't care for college. He's been waiting to get to the NBA since he was in high school. OJ is an very good playmaker. His PG skills are underrated. What NBADraft.net has to say: The skills are definitely there. Ben can handle the rock on a part time basis too. He did so in college and the way the ball bounces in college isn't any different than it bounces in the NBA. Gordon is not a good defender against anyone, at all. He can't get around a screen for the life of him. When he and Kirk play together in the backcourt, he's guarding the other teams PG most of the time anyway, and he's a turn stile. I don't buy your Mayo argument either. Guarding high school basketball players is no big feat. Also, if you have a hard time finding motivation, what is he going to play like when he finally gets the money? And as far as the ball bouncing for Gordon the same in the NBA and college, you are right. It bounces of his knee or foot just the same.

Ozzie/KW sporting NIU hats, Gavin Floyd throwing: AJ: Danks: Wasserman:

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Feb 17, 2008 -> 12:28 AM) 48 Minutes a game. Luol doesn't demand the ball. Tyrus and Joakim don't need that many shots at all. It's only two players. They would definitely be able to share the ball, especially when one goes to the bench. In half court sets, I'd personally like to see Ben being ran through screens ala Richard Hamilton, and a ton of oops thrown to Tyrus and Joakim. In order for that to work, you need someone who is going to distribute the ball. Neither Mayo or Gordon will do that.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Feb 17, 2008 -> 12:16 AM) G - Ben Gordon G - OJ Mayo Good luck dividing shots between those 2. QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Feb 17, 2008 -> 12:18 AM) That dunk contest performance by Dwight Howard was obscene. I never thought Vince Carter in 2000 could be touched, but all 4 of Howard's dunks were legit 10's, so it's awfully close. I think based purely off entertainment value, I'd give it to Howard. The Superman dunk was just insane. The mini-hoop, the behind the backboard, everything was incredible. His athleticism for a man his size in incredible and I don't think anyone will ever touch his 2008 dunk contest performance. Technicality probably goes to Carter in 2000, but overall, I have to give it to D12.

Dwight Howards is amazing.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 03:01 PM) I noticed the Tigers pictures that have been uploaded can't be enlarged with the normal method. The first Spring pictures are normally full size. Yeah, I just checked that out as well. Hopefully they'll have the full sized versions coming.

I can't wait to get the 1st pictures...

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 10:31 AM) Welcome aboard rex! That makes 15 of us. I need updates from: NSS72 WilliamT SoxFan1 Pants Row Shadows Max Power I just updated on Tuesday...

I made a Buehrle one last year with the flowing hair. I'll get a couple in this year with some good ST picks. Hopefully a sweet Swisher one comes out. And I'll also get going on some schedule wallpapers.

My prediction: BearSox will be ALL OVER this thread.

Dolphins cut Zach Thomas today. And rumor has it Marty Booker wants to come back to Chicago to play for the Bears. Booker to Bears?

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Feb 14, 2008 -> 04:29 PM) I like the DBacks way more than I do the Cubs It goes Mets-DBacks and then it's a dogfight Agreed.

Grand Valley State is 26-0. Suck on that.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Feb 13, 2008 -> 05:52 PM) I'd say Fabregas is one of the top 5 players in the world actually SoxFan1. His standing in England has risen HUGELY this season. Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka and Fabregas argubly the top 4 players in the world right now, and they're all 25 or under. I know he's definitely one of the best in the world, but I haven't been able to follow the EPL much this season so I'm not really sure of the reception he's been getting. I loved him since the 1st time I saw him with Arsenal but he was greatly overshadowed by Henry last year. I agree with those as top 4 100%.

Jo Wilfried Tsonga out in the first round at Marseille with a 7-5, 7-6 loss to Mario Ancic. So much for the "future" of tennis, eh? EDIT: Djokovic wins his 1str round match 6-1, 6-4.

QUOTE(Jimbo's Drinker @ Feb 12, 2008 -> 01:02 PM) Arsenal is a team with pure unity, they love playing together. The media gave them no chance, it looks like the Thierry Henry departure was great for them. Cesc Fabregas is one of the most underrated players in the world. I heart him. I'm upset I haven't had the chance to follow the EPL this season. Damn cable.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Feb 12, 2008 -> 09:52 PM) Shells are not going to help you lose weight though. Didn't end up making them. Had a sandwich instead.

Lost 3 pounds this week. Working out every day, drinking lots of water and not so much beer, as well as not eating junk really pays off!

QUOTE(Texsox @ Feb 12, 2008 -> 07:48 AM) Great job Thought for next year, the top graphics winner should design the trophies. QUOTE(kapkomet @ Feb 12, 2008 -> 09:24 AM) I bet soxfan1 likes the thought of that. Oh boy... BTW, thanks to all those who voted for me. I appreciate it.