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Friday, May 20, 2016

The Cavs Are Obliterating The Eastern Conference

Cavs Celebrate with Fancy Handshakes | Raptors vs Cavaliers | Game 2 | May 19, 2016 | NBA Playoffs

Another Cleveland playoff game, another hopelessly one-sided rout. With a 108-89 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night, LeBron James and the Cavaliers kept their perfect 2016 playoff record intact, piling up a 10th consecutive win, and it looks like nothing will stand in Clevelands path to the NBA Finals. Where does this run rank among historical playoff starts?

Its near the top. The Cavs 10-game streak is tied for the third-longest to start the playoffs.1 One way to quantify the impressiveness of those streaks is to use Elo ratings to judge the competition. The Cavs opponents have had an average rating of 1572 lower than that of comparable teams like the 1989 Los Angeles Lakers (who were swept in the NBA Finals) and the 2012 San Antonio Spurs (who went on to lose four straight games to the Oklahoma City Thunder). And it leaves them far short of the 2001 Lakers, who went 15-1 en route to the championship.

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YEARTEAMWINNING STREAKAVG. OPPONENT ELO2001Lakers1116531989Lakers1115732012Spurs1016022016Cavaliers1015721982Lakers915582010Magic815781950Lakers815502005Heat815182009Cavaliers81499Longest playoff-opening winning streaks in NBA history

Source: Basketball-Reference.com

But you can only beat the teams you play, and the Cavs havent just beaten them 10 straight times theyve made the Eastern Conference look like a high school tournament, embarrassing opponents in huge blowouts.

In the playoffs thus far, Cleveland is winning by an average margin of 13.4 points per game, fourth-highest among conference finalists since 1984 (through two games of the third round). And they rise even higher after adjusting for strength of schedule and the championship leverage of each game. Because the Cavs have beaten better teams by more points in the games that have mattered most to the extent any game can really be considered pressure-packed when you sweep every series Clevelands adjusted margin of victory in these playoffs is 19.8 points, giving them the most dominant start to the playoffs since 1984.

POINTS PER GAME MARGINYEARTEAMWINSLOSSESRAWADJUSTED2016Cavaliers100+13.4+19.82014Spurs104+9.5+18.32001Lakers90+11.3+17.91986Celtics91+13.2+17.11996Bulls91+14.3+16.92009Nuggets93+13.4+15.61992Trail Blazers92+10.6+15.22000Trail Blazers83+7.0+14.72010Celtics103+6.2+14.42008Lakers102+8.8+14.2Most dominant playoff starts since 1984 (through first two games of conference finals)

Adjustments are for schedule strength and championship leverage

Source: Basketball-Reference.com

The next-best performance by this measure came in 2014, when the Spurs eventually beat LeBron in the NBA Finals. Perhaps those Spurs also illustrate a shortcoming in this metric they did lose four games by the time they were two games into the conference finals but they got three of the losses out of the way early in the playoffs, when the games have comparatively less effect on the championship. And they won by an average of 18 points a game from Game 7 of the first round on through our cutoff.

Either way, between the two measures, we can strike a balance between only crediting a teams wins and giving it a bonus for the margins by which it crushed opponents. And by that standard, the current Cavs run is only rivaled by the hot start of those fabled 2001 Lakers.

So can the Cavs keep it going? Well, theyre still a long shot to go undefeated in the playoffs and cap off the long-unattainable Fo Fo Fo Fo. Our model gives the Cavs just a 29 percent chance of winning the next two games and sweeping the Raptors (which would be the first Fo Fo Fo ever, since the first round only went to seven-game series in 2003) and a 1-in-80 chance of going 16-0. Still, thats up from about 1-in-5,000 before the playoffs started; the Cavs title chances have also risen from 8 percent before the playoffs to 30 percent now.

Those daunting championship odds owe a lot to Clevelands potential NBA Finals opponents. Unlike the 01 Lakers, who got to face the relatively weak Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland will have to power through either Golden State or Oklahoma City, whichever of the two wins the most stacked conference final in recent history. As dominant as the Cavs have been, the real work is yet to come.

Carl Bialik contributed to this article.

Check out our latest NBA predictions.

Source: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-cavs-are-obliterating-the-eastern-conference/

Curry"s health lifts Warriors as series shifts to OKC

San Antonio Spurs vs OKC Thunder - Game 6 - Full Highlights - May 12, 2016 - 2016 NBA Playoffs

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

With his right elbow wrapped in a brace, Stephen Curry works out with Nick U"Ren (left), special assistant to the head coach, and player development coach Bruce Fraser at the Warriors practice facility in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, May 20, 2016. Golden State faces the Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals Sunday in Oklahoma City. less With his right elbow wrapped in a brace, Stephen Curry works out with Nick U"Ren (left), special assistant to the head coach, and player development coach Bruce Fraser at the Warriors practice facility in ... more Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Currys health lifts Warriors as series shifts to OKC

With the swelling already gone from his right elbow, Stephen Curry on Friday was willing to recount his scary dive over the first row seats in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.

I saw it once. Not a lot of help. Thats all Ill say, Curry joked about the fans not catching him during Wednesdays first quarter. I wanted to do a crowd-surfing thing, like at a concert, but they werent ready.

Currys apparent health seemed to put the Warriors in a playful mood, despite the daunting task that awaits.

They leave Saturday for Oklahoma City, one of the most hostile environments for opposing teams in the NBA and a place where the Warriors need to win at least one of the next two games - just to regain home-court advantage in the series.

Its just extremely loud. Its definitely one of the loudest venues in the league, and the fans have had a lot to cheer about the past 6-7 years. Its a great venue, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. Its all part of it. When youre able to break through and get a win, its a big confidence booster, and its a lot of fun.

Few opponents have had much fun in Oklahoma City.

Chesapeake Energy Arena has hosted 253 consecutive sellout crowds, and most have left celebrating victories. The Thunder went 32-9 at home this season, including a 23-3 record against Western Conference opponents.

Since 2009-10, Oklahoma City is 212-67 (.760) at home - the second-best record in the NBA during that span.

Game 3 is going to be another dog fight that we have to be ready for from the jump, especially in an environment like they have down in OKC, Curry said. Well be ready. I like where our focus is, and we just have to go out and play hard and play with the same kind of spirit that we did (in Game 2).

The Warriors confidence comes from a 27-point Wednesday that tied the series 1-1 and from a record-setting regular season. They won 34 road games, one more than the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, to give the franchise three consecutive seasons away from home for the first time in history.

One of those road victories came Feb. 27 in Oklahoma City, where the Warriors erased a 14-point deficit to send the game into overtime and Curry made a 37-foot buzzer-beater to win it 121-118.

It was, for sure, the game of the year - in terms of what people will remember from the regular season, Kerr said. It was an incredible shot and a spectacular comeback. Im sure well think about it when were in that arena again, but it doesnt mean anything now.

The Warriors are scheduled to fly to Oklahoma City on Saturday morning and practice there a day ahead of Sundays Game 3. Game 4 will be Tuesday, and Curry isnt expected to be listed on the injury report for either game.

Curry wore a compression sleeve on his bruised right elbow, but he was a full participant in Fridays practice. He said he has full range of motion and described the injury as more uncomfortable than painful.

It doesnt cause any problems mechanically, so I can still use my arm and do what I need to do, he said. It just looks ugly and is a little uncomfortable.

The Warriors will be a little more comfortable if they can win either Game 3 or 4 and regain home-court advantage. As it stands, the Thunder can clinch the series in Game 6 without having to win another road game.

When you go on the road in the playoffs, your motto is always: Go win one game. They did that, Warriors power forward Draymond Green said. Now, its up to us to do our job and go win one game and try to take back home-court advantage. Game 3 will be important. Its not the end-all, be-all, but its a game we want to win.

When you win by the margin we did (in Game 2), it makes it a little bit tougher. Usually, the other team is p****d off, and usually the team that won by that amount relaxes a little bit.

Rusty Simmons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: rsimmons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: Rusty_SFChron

Source: http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Curry-s-health-lifts-Warriors-as-series-shifts-7874396.php

#NationalSendANudeDay: negli USA si festeggiano i selfie hot

TRENDING TOPICS NATIONAL SEND A NUDE DAY CELEBRATION

Se vuoi bene a qualcuno, mandagli un selfie in cui sei nudo. No, non esattamente cos che funziona il #NationalSendANudeDay, non una sorta di San Valentino della nudit su social network: in ogni caso, gli statunitensi in queste ore si sono scatenati. In tanti si sono scattati dei selfie e li hanno pubblicati soprattutto su Twitter - attenendosi o meno alle linee guida del social network in materia di nudit - mentre i pi timidi hanno avuto a disposizione i selfie hot delle star.

Autoscatti che in tutto il mondo abbondano: da Kim Kardashian a James Franco, passando per Miley Cyrus, Emily Ratajkowski, Madonna e molti altri. Si tratta di una tendenza, quella del selfie o dello scatto di nudo, che sta invadendo il mondo dei VIP per diverse ragioni. In gran parte si tratta di proteste, soprattutto di natura femminista, che richiamano il veteroslogan "Io sono mia", ma non solo.

Per il #NationalSendANudeDay, il blogger Perez Hilton, per esempio, ha unito gli scatti allo specchio di Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber e The Game per condividere su Twitter il suo pezzo relativo all"occasione speciale, accompagnando l"immagine con la didascalia: "Per queste celebrit ogni giorno il #NationalSendANudeDay".

Autoironico invece l"attore comico Jason Mewes, che ha pubblicato un fotogramma di una sua scena di nudo. La scena in questione relativa al film commedia "Clerks 2", in cui Mewes interpreta uno spacciatore di marijuana annoiato, che di tanto in tanto si diverte a replicare la scena di Buffalo Bill allo specchio de "Il silenzio degli innocenti".

Source: http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/spettacoli/nationalsendanudeday-negli-usa-si-festeggiano-i-selfie-hot-1261448.html

All Hail Cher, Queen of the Red Carpet Rebels

Cher - If I Could Turn Back Time (Official Music Video)

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Borrowed from the boys, 2002

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Today, Cherforever glitter-slathered in the collective imagination of generations of her adoring fansturns 70. Eternally relevant, with an (excellent) and highly unfiltered Twitter feed often focused on the current political climate, Cher is still as unapologetic and trailblazing as when she first arrived on the scene. From the early 60s till now, the inky-tressed icon has been the ruler of outr reinventionthe fearless conquistador of sequins!and a red carpet supernova, whether its feathered and bare in Bob Mackie or hand in hand with Marc Jacobs at the 2015 Met Gala.

And really, there is hardly a trend in sight where Cher wasnt there firstfrom crystalized costumes to sky-high headgear, the star set the grounds for pop stars and celebrities today. Even before couples like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West made their bomber jackettrading, ensemble-twinning rounds for the paparazzi, Cher and her crooning partner Sonny Bono were basking in their retro glory while donning the same trippy checkered ensembles. Their usual accessories? Beaming smiles to go with their duets.

When it came to her solo style, Cher delved into more risqu territory. Call her the master of cutouts: The singer knew how to shock in a sliced-and-diced strapped gown whipped with sequins, even back in the early 70s. Look familiar? Kendall Jenner wore a similar incarnation at the Met Gala this past year. Another trend that Cher made her own was ditching her trousers, in an even more daring way than what we have seen on the likes of Rita Ora and Rihanna: Cher made the trouser-less look of a leotard with a cowboy hat pulled down on her face cool, easy, and natural. And that curve-slicked, tight bodysuit isnt just a Rihanna or Jennifer Lopez signature. It was, of course, Cher who stunned in a platinum blue unitard paired with (very Vetements) metallic pirate boots. On the androgynous front, Lady Gaga may make a mean Elvis impersonator, but the singer has nothing on Chers riff on the Kings pompadour and biker jacket, which she wore with all the funk in the world in 2002 at the age of 56.

As for Chers crowning moment, shes the hands-down master of the extravagant headpiece, twice turning up in a Cleopatra-inspired glitz-dripping topper, as well as that unforgettable festival of spikes-meet-feathers on top of her head to go with her almost-n***d Bob Mackie gown at the 1986 Oscars. But Cher can pare it back, too: Her 1972 bejeweled Frida Kahlotype crown was fit for a queen. A queen named Cher.

Here, see the trends that Cher fearlessly wore years ago, and follow their influence to today.

Source: http://www.vogue.com/13438292/cher-turns-70-style-evolution/

Christina Milian is almost unrecognizable with new fringe and short hairdo

Josh Peck’s “Thong Song” vs. Christina Milian’s “Waiting for Tonight” | Lip Sync Battle

She"s normally the queen of the red carpet.

But Christina Milian was almost unrecognisable as she skipped the glamour at LAX in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old sported new bangs and a bob haircut, which was perhaps a wig, as she strolled through her terminal.

What happened to your beautiful hair?Christina Milian was almost unrecognisable as she skipped the glamour at LAX in Los Angeles on Wednesday

The singer and actress went make-up free for the trip as she covered her face with dark sunglasses.

Completing her attire were baggy sweat pants, a very loose fitting long sleeve top, and trainers.

The singer and actress recently starred on the Fox show, Grandfathered.

Wigging out?The 34-year-old sported new bangs and a bob haircut, which was perhaps a wig, as she strolled through her terminal

The half-hour comedy centered around bachelor and restaurant owner Jimmy, who finds out that he is both a dad and grandfather.

Christina played Vanessa, whose daughter Edie is the granddaughter of John Stamos" character Jimmy Martino.

Just a casual day:Completing her attire were baggy sweat pants, a very loose fitting long sleeve top, and trainers

Next up, Christina is set to star in the TV movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The film stars a slew of additional talent, including Victoria Justice, Tim Curry (who was also in the original version), and Adam Lambert to name a few.

Christina will play Magenta - A Domestic, a role made famous by Patricia Quinn in 1975.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3597877/Christina-Milian-unrecognizable-new-fringe-short-hairdo-goes-make-free-airport.html

Sara Ramirez to Exit "Grey"s Anatomy" After 10 Seasons

Did "Grey"s Anatomy" Star Sara Ramirez Just Reveal She"s Leaving the Show?
She came into our lives dancing it out in her underwear as orthopedic resident Callie, creator Shonda Rhimes says in send-off

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Published 8:29pm, Thursday, May 19, 2016

Sara Ramirez to Exit Greys Anatomy After 10 Seasons

Sara Ramirez is hanging up her lab coat on Greys Anatomy.

It was revealed onThursdays season finale that Ramirez, who plays orthopedic surgeon Dr. Callie Torres on ABCs medical drama, is exiting the series after 10 years.

Im deeply grateful to have spent the last 10 years with my family at Greys Anatomy and ABC but for now Im taking some welcome time off, Ramirez wrote in a statement. Shondas been so incredible to work for and we will definitely continue our conversations, she added in reference to series creator Shonda Rhimes.

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Dr. Callie Torres came into our lives dancing it out in her underwear almost a decade ago and I could not be happier or more proud of her journey, Rhimes wrote. Sara Ramirezs performance inspired me as well as millions of fans each week. We wish her the best on her well-deserved time off.

Ramirez, a Mexico-born singer and actor, rose to prominence more than a decade ago, playing the Lady of the Lake in the original Broadway production of Spamalot.

With an unusually long tenure for a network drama, Greys remains a linchpin of the ABC schedule. This week it was renewed for Season 13, making it one of the longest-running scripted dramas in TV history.

Read original story Sara Ramirez to Exit Greys Anatomy After 10 Seasons At TheWrap

Source: http://www.chron.com/entertainment/the-wrap/article/Sara-Ramirez-to-Exit-Grey-s-Anatomy-After-7769483.php

Why Kevin Love"s comparison of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving to former USC RBs LenDale White and Reggie Bush ...

Kyrie Irving Full Highlights 2016 ECF Game 2 vs Raptors - 26 Pts, UNSTOPPABLE!

CLEVELAND, Ohio Following Game 1 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals, Cavaliers forward Kevin Love had an interesting comparison for his teammates LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

He told reporters after the Cavs" 115-84 win that he felt the duo of James and Irving resembled the potent USC running back tandem of LenDale White and Reggie Bush.

When asked after the game, neither James nor Irving had a good answer to give. They might not have liked that comparison, but those that remember the explosive running attack of Thunder and Lightning from USC can make some comparisons between them even though they play different sports.

At USC, White was the power back and Bush was the game-breaker, making explosive plays on the perimeter.

In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, James did the bulk of his work inside the restricted area and Irving befuddled Toronto"s defenders with an array of dribble moves and creative finishes around the basket.

That"s not to say James can"t do that. But his role most of this postseason has been in the post with Irving creating on the outside.

Sounds just like a Thunder and Lightning combo.

At USC in 2005, the year that Bush won, and eventually surrendered, the Heisman trophy, he averaged 8.7 yards per carry, rushing for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns.

White rushed for 1,302 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Trojans.

Although those records were vacated due to NCAA violations, there"s no doubt White and Bush were one of the better running back duos in recent memory.

Getting back to basketball, there may be some merit to Love"s comparison.

James, in Game 1, missed just one shot in the restricted area and only took one shot outside of the restricted area.

Irving was 6-for-8 in the restricted area, but was also 5-for-9 from everywhere else on the floor. He hit a couple of mid-range jumpers as well as a 3-pointer. But he also had some nice drives to the basket as well.

Love"s unique comparison may have caught James and Irving off guard. But based on how they played in Game 1, there is some merit to it.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2016/05/why_kevin_loves_comparison_of.html