Oneword in 60 Seconds - Interview

Like a first date this is the most ruthless, cut-throat event an individual can ever undertake. You need to say all the right things and tweak every single response that you say to give you an edge over the next candidate, whgo like you, is probably not representing themselves, merely representing what they think or believe the interviewer wants to see. I've been to scores of interviews and have become fairly comfortable with them, and you can jhust tell when things arent going well. I've also interviewd at least a dozen canditateds for various jobs and its amazing how judgemental you have to be. Even the best cnadidate for any job may blow there chances due to one glaring mistkae - be it having tgrouble finding a carpark, missing a spot shaving, by having sweaty hands, by laughing nervously or even by ellaborating or embelishing ever so slightly. There is a fine line between selling and over-selling one self. Practise, research and more practise are the only ways to get through an interview successfully.

NBA All-Star Game 2009

Before we talk about what a great event the 2009 NBA All-Star Game was i would like to pre-empt some grumblings that will occur and may have been raised previously but who's true impact has not been explored in its entirity. If you look at the two rosters the biggest thing you will notice is that the West, once again, has an abundance of players over 6-10, while the East only have two players over this mark. How many minutes can Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett play for the East squad? Sure this should create some entertainment with maybe LeBron James forced to play some minutes at the five, but all we will see is players having fun. Sure thats great if you want to promote the NBA as a fun product, but I would prefer to see a bit of competition thrown into the game as well. Who wants to see East small forwards blow by a Dirk Nowitzki repeatedly? or see the West score all their points off offensive rebounds? And there in lies one of the biggest problems in the game - rarely do you see the best at their position go head to head with a player from the opposite conference who is also the best at that same position. The All-star game should be filled with Kobe and LeBron going head-to-head, Garnett backing down Amare Stoudamire, Dwight Howard vs Shaq, CP3 vs Harris. While we do have some of these matchups Amare Stoudamire playing small forward to open against LeBron James? Gimme a break! Is that a true test of LeBron's skills? And it only gets worse when both teams go to their bench. Rashard Lewis is the only player off the bench who plays power forward or centre for the East - and he is actually a small forward. I say there are 3 things that need to be changed in the selction process: 1. Pick players by true position to create equal matchups throughout the game 2. Why shouldnt the all-star game be filled with A+ talent from whichever team. The All-star game is the best chance for other teams and talent not part of regular national broadcasts to receive media exposure. Lets see how good Al Jefferson is. 3. Minimise the China vote. So many people voting for so few players. Its not as if Americans are voting for 2 or 3 American born players in the NBA. They are selecting from a pool of hundreds. The weight of votes should be proportionate to the number of players in the league if a voter is choosing a player from their homeland. The All-star game is the showcase event for the NBA. Commissioner David Stern is not doing all he can to ensure his league is represented as the best product possible. A great 25 years thus far, but still some work to do. I'll have more on the other events later.. In the meantime I look forward to Shaq banging bodies with Chris Bosh's All-Star replacement Mo Williams.

National Disaster

5000 homeless, 173 confirmed dead, 20 billion dollars damage. These numbers barely inidicate the enormity of what will go down as Australia's worst ever National Disaster. With record temperature's in the high 40's across the state and gale force North Westerly winds nothing could prepare the state of Victoria and the CFA for what was to unfold on Saturday the 7th of February 2009. Entire townships laid to waste, survives describing their ordeals as 'Armageddon on Earth'. One survivor told the prime minister that there was nothing left of Kinglake. ``It's just black the whole way through. It's apocalyptic up there,'' he said. Countless tales of survival have emerged from these fires, and the only shining light to come from this tragidy are the stories of hope and triumph as well as the broader community support which has already raised $10 Million dollars to aid the thousands of homeless surivors.

King Lake, gone, Marysville, gone. Entire communities were wiped out as many were trapped with little warning of the terror that moved with blazing speed.

"He was so badly burnt. He had skin hanging off him everywhere and his little girl was burnt, but not as badly as her dad, and he just came down and he said `Look, I've lost my wife, I've lost my other kid, I just need you to save [my daughter]',"

More than 400 fires, scorched country Victoria with as many as 31 still raging out of control on Tuesday. As emergency services begin to gain access to some of the more ravaged areas the death toll is anticipated to rise to 230 - which is at least three times the number of lives lost in both the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983 and the Black Friday fires of 1939.

Victorian Premier John Brumby has announced that Former Police Commissioner Nixon will lead a Royal Comission to investigate all aspects of the disaster. Everything from warning procedures to evecaution plans will be analysed in hope that casualties are minimised in the event that any future disaster of this scale should occur.

Fire experts also claimed that inadequate fuel reduction in forests around Kinglake and other burnt-out regions of the state may have contributed to the disaster. Back burning strategies, and the leave early or stay and defend strategies wll also come under heavy scrutiny.

Mr Brumby, speaking from the charred remains of Marysville, said "We learned much from the bushfires of 1939, we learned much from the bushfires of 1983. These have been even worse with many more lives lost. We need to examine every possible issue, every single fact, every single policy … so that lessons can be learned."

NBA Team by Team

NEW YORK KNICKS

Current Record - 21-29 (11th East) There is light at the end of the tunnel. Thank god. It's been a long time and finally basketballl is relevant again in NY. And it's all thanks to getting rid of Isiah Thomas. However, I'm shocked by the news that David Lee is likely to sign a deal elsewhere in the offseason. Looking at their lineup - its hard to understand why they cannot resign Lee. Who do they have on their team burning up all that money? Believe it or not - Jerome James, Eddy Curry, Al Harrington Quinten Richardson and Stephon Marbury. All up theseplayers burn up a cool $54 million dollars. And then you look at Jarred Jeffries who is owed $6 million. When all of this is considered good for the Knicks you realise that they were more than knee high in it a couple of years ago. Now lets look at the positives. in 2010-11 the Knicks will have a bunch of money to throw at the free agent crop thanks to many opf these salaries coming off the books. Wilson Chandler and Chris Duhon have emerged as solid players who lead the team on the defensive end. The D'Antoni factor has helped Harrington and Q. Richardson, who while in a Clippers uniform had a solid post game for a 2 guard has developed a reputation as a lazy player, preferring to hang on the oustide and pop the three. Sparely used before D'Antoni's arrival, people are under no illusion as to why Q has finally regained his scoring touch. Whats missing - Money to sign David Lee. 2010-11 is what the Knicks are all about.

NBA Team by Team

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

Current Record - 30-18 (4th West) Chris Paul is a Hornet. They should just put his head on the logo. Similar to LeBron and Kobe, Paul is teh heart and soul of his team - typified by their loss to Portland last week when Paul suffered a groin strain and was forced to sit out the game in the third quarter with his team up by 17 points. Paul is a 4-cylinder turbo that makes this team go, and without him they just don;t go. CP3, has taken what Steve Nash did to the game and added some extra sauce. No other play can hold his dribble and setup his teammates better than Paul. Just imagine if David West was like Karl Malone? Scary huh? Despite the brilliance of CP3, and a servicebale wingman in David West the Hornets do face the danger of slipping behind the Portland Trailblazers as the team 'on the rise' in the West. If you look outside this terrific twosome the Hornets do face some major depth issues. Posey and Peja are slipping, and the trade rumours surrounding Tyson Chandler are confusing. Team management needs to be heady, and bring in the talent that CP3 is sure to attact. West and Paul are attractive enough to bring in a stellar player - jsut as Danny Ainge did in bringing Kevin Garnett to the Celtics once he had acquired Ray Allen. What's missing - a solid shooting guard. They'll need a decent shooter and slasher to pick up the slack for CP3

NBA Team by Team

NEW JERSEY NETS

Current Record - 24-28 (8th East)

The New Jersey Brooklyn Izod Centre Netballers. Hmmm - what a great team. Rod Thorn's brilliance and Mark Cuban's ignoarance has quickly made the Nets a team with a lot of nice pieces with the ability to be even better than they were with J-Kidd, and with minimal rebuilding time. Move over Knickerbockers, The Brooklyn Nets could be the main players in NY for the foreseeeable future.

Jay-Z needs to throw Beyonce in as a lucrative signing bonus to ensure LeBron puts on a Nets jersey. Imagine if the Nets pull the trigger in the coming days and acquire Amare Stoudamire for Yi Juanlian and some change? Whoa, you're talking Devin Harris and Amare Stoudamire. Who wouldnt want to come and play with these two players?

Not only that the Nets signed the right Lopez brother, in Brooke, who is the best centre to be drafted in the last two years. Jarvis Hayes' game has developed nicely and he is a great luxury to have coming off the bench.

New Jersey - the task is simple. Keep your '10 expiring contracts. Make the move for Stouadamire and in 2010 you'll be rid of Vince Carter, Bobby Simmons and Stromile Swift. You'll have Devin Harris, LeBron James, Amare Stoudamire, Jarvis Hayes and Brooke Lopez and enough change to bring in a some decent shooters to allow LeBron do what he does best.

What's Missing - A time machine to fast forward to the '10-'11 season.

NBA Team by Team

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Current Record - 17-33 (10th West) While not vying for a playoff spot, coach Kevin McHale has done a tremendous job since being booted out of his management job. Along with the Grizzlies, the Timberwolves could be a major player in the West in a few years, just as the Blazers have done, with a good core nucleus of young players and some solid role players. This season has given fans in Minneapolis hope for next season and I look forward to seeing what the Wolves will do between now and the start of next year to put some pieces in place around Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, who's rookie challenge snub, could be the best thing to happen to him. From the wires it appears that Wolves' Management are looking to move either Mike Miller or Rashard McCants. I'm not sure if this is the best move as they do need some scoring punch in the backcourt. While Miller is on the decline, and could be the Dan Majerle of the Wolves, i think they need to trade away either Telfair (PG), Gomes (SF), or Smith (PF) in a package with either of their two shooting guards to bring in some real quality. Playing with Jefferson, Love and Randy Foye is an attractive proposition for someone of the likes of say a Joe Johnson or a Kevin Martin and bringing a player such as this in a package deal could really turn the Wolves into the new Blazers. It is an exciting time in basketball, with the Lakers and Celtics on top. the LeBron's aren't far behind as are the Marvel League Justice Heroes from Orlando. The balance of power is about to change in the West, with San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas all slipping down the standings. The Jazz, Blazers, Lakers and Hornets will be at the top of the conference by next year and despite my love for the Suns, I'm looking forward to the power shift that will take place over the next 2-3 years. What's Missing - One more young all-star to help an already promising young lineup.

NBA Team by Team

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Current Record - 24-29 (9th East)

Well the season's just over half way gone. Time to shut it down ofr the season and prepare for next year. For the third straight year we find teh Bucks not playing half of their starters as we hit February.

Another injury riddled season for the Bucks sees them faced with a decision. Do they go for the final playoff spot - currently only 1/2 game out or do they tank the season going for the draft pick?

In my opinion the Bucks need to bring Bogut back into the line-up and playoff the emerging game of Ramon Sessions and hope Richard Jefferson can shoulder the scoring load left by Michael Redd. In short - go for it Milwaukee and show your fans that you are prepared to compete.

Especially this season, with a poor draft class expected for the 09-10 season. There is not much point in tanking it when you are vying for a playoff birth and are likely to only slip into the bottom 7 or 8 teams in a weak draft class where only the 1st or 2nd pick are likely to yield a decent benefit.

One big problem for Milwaukee is that it is not a team free agents will be looking to sign with in the 2010 sweepstakes. LeBron to the Bucks? No way!! In short, the Bucks need to build around Bogut, Sessions, Jefferson and improve their play at the 4 spot. Charlie Villanueva can put the ball in the basket but doesnt produce the rebounding power on interior defense that Scott Skiles coverts so much.

Asides from the break-out play of Sessions, the Bucks can be pleased with the play of Luc Richard Mbah A Moute. Mbah A Moute strong play gives the Bucks the ability to trade Jefferson and/or Villanuevra and bring in some help in the frontcourt. Expect the Bucks to make a trade either before the deadline and in the offseason.

What's Missing - Help in the frontcourt, players who can buy into Skiles defensive philosophy.

Oneword in 60 seconds

DIMMER Dimmer - what does that mean? i dont understand? Why don't i know what this means? Am i more stupid than most?Aghhhhh! and all of a sudden the lights in the room are not as bright as they were a little while ago. This is frustrating as now i am having trouble seeing the keyboard. Oh well. if i was a little bit smarter i would be able to make the lights brighter.In summary - a dimmer person cant fix the dimmer's. Mmmm what is for dimmer? - Maybe i should go to a dimer and eat some pamcakes or hash browms. Maybe some Nagi two mimute moodles.

No Bynum No worries

KOBE EXPLODES FOR 61 in Madison Square Garden

A game after sending Andrew Bynum to the injured list with (oh my god!) another knee injury, Mr Bryant took out his frustration on the New York Knicks. Making a statement to the league, Lakers fans and his team-mates alike, his 61 points is no co-incidence and should alleviate some concern. Bynum is expected to return just before the playoffs, but integrating a young player back into the line-up at this time may cause more problems than it solves. Laker management is faced with a bit of dilemna before the trade deadline.

Bryant's shooting night was the best ever seen at Madison Square Garden

TOP SHOOTING EFFORTS AT MSG 1. 61 points by Kobe Bryant Feb. 2, 2009 2. 60 points by Bernard King Dec. 25, 1984 3. 55 points by Michael Jordan March 28, 1995 4. 55 points by Bernard King Feb. 16, 1985 5. 52 points by Jamal Crawford Jan. 26, 2007

If you look at this list you might say Bernard King is a freak and also, Why havent i heard of him? Well 'The Don' played for the Knicks as Jamal Crawford does now. From this you understand why Kobe is so special, as the only other player on that list is none other than Michael Jordan.

However, I still rate Jordan's performance higher than Kobe's recent drop of 61. Why? Well the Knicks of old were a much tougher team than they ae now. Particularly in terms of defesnsive philosphy. Back in 1995, under Jeff Van Gundy, The Knicks were the Junkyard Dogs of the NBA. With Charles Oakley, Larry Johnson, John Starks and a bunch of reserves who were defense first players you realise how great Jordan's performance was.

Kobe's effort, which inluded of 20 of 20 from the free throw line, is against a team coach by Mike D'Antoni, who is an offense first coach. While in Phoenix D'Antoni, Nash and co. affectively re-branded basketball with its '7 seconds or less' montra on offense. They outscored opponents, as the Knicks attempt to do now.

Good effort Kobe, but i still believe you deserve only to wear Number 22, rather than 24. You are one less than Michael, not one greater. Yet....

NHL UPDATE

New Jersey Devils - Cuirrent Record - 32 - 15 - 3 Current Scoring Leader - Zach Parise 29 Goals, 29 Assists, 22 +/- Rating The Devils have been a real suprise this year. Martin Broduer's absence, their starting gaol-tender, looked to be a real body blow to these perenial contenders, but Scott Clemensen (22-9-1 on the season) has been more than servicable. Acquring veteran forward Brendan Shannahan from their crosstown rivals looked like a risky move, but Shannahan has shown he has plenty of gas in the tank to help the Devils contend once more for the Stanley Cup. The window is closing for this aging lineup. Boston Bruins - Current Record - 38 - 7 - 6 Current Scoring Leader - Marc Savard 20 Goals, 41 Assists, 28 +/- Rating The Bruins are back in business in a big way. Last year Patrice Bergeron went down with a season ending injury, pretty much leading the organisation to look to 08-09. Now, with a healthy Bergeron the Bruins are a top the Eastern Conference with team chemistry at an all time high. With strength through the lines and Bergeron, Savard and Kessel all playing well it will be interesting to see if the Bruins make any moves as teh trade deadline approaches. New York Rangers - Current Record 29 - 18 - 4 Current Points Leader - Nikolai Zherdev 13 Goals, 28 Assists, 6 +/- Rating The Rangers are not looking good for a playoff birth. They are currently in the mix but erally need to improve on Power Plays. Currently converting only 14.8% of their chances - good for last in the East. Pittsburgh Penguins - Current Record - 24 -22 - 5 Current Leader - Evgeni Malkin 21 Goals, 54 Assists, 17 +/- The Pens are in a real dogfight for a playoff spot, and are led by the young duo of Sindey Crosby (20G, 48 A) and Evgeni Malkin. Missing the experience and leadership of Sergei Gonchar has posed problems on defense - losing 4-5 at Toronto and 3-4 in OT to the Devils recently.

Look for this team to continue to improve in the years to come and after last years appearance in the Stanley Cup teams are always weary of Crosby and the Penguins. Pittsburgh still lack a couple of scorers on the wing who can take advantage of Crosby's phenomenal playmaking ability. Miroslav Satan and Petr Sykora just havent been getting it done.

However, expect them to see them make a strong run and make it into the playoffs once more.

Washington Capitals - Current Record - 34 - 15 - 4 Statistical Leader - Alex Ovechkin 36 Goals, 29 Assists, 14 +/- Rating Alex Ovechkin is a top runner for the Hart Trophy. Not only is he a stat leader, but he has elevated his team to a true contender. Once dibbed Ovie and the Ovieacheavers, the Caps are now a threat and are being mentioned in the same breath as Detroit, Boston and Montreal. Everyone is excited to see if these boys can take it to some of the more fancied playoff teams, and a Pens Caps series is at the top of everyone's wishlist this spring.

SUPERBOWL 43

" UNBELIEVABLE!!"

Holmes game winning catch in the dying moments of Superbowl 43 at Tampa

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27 - 23 on Sunday evening (Monday AEDST). In a game that exceeded expectations, the Steelers delivered the Vince Lombardi Trophy to their fans for the sixth time, becoming the winningest franchise in the history of the National Football League. And it took them until the final minute, on a miracle catch from Santonio Holmes to do it. Holmes, 9 receptions, 131 yards said to Ben Rothelsberger down the stretch 'throw me the ball, I want to be the one to make the big plays". And oh what a play!

The game had it all, with all the big names contributing to the lore of one of the greatest superbowl's in history, if not the greatest. Heinz Ward, Santonio Holmes, Ben Rothelsberger, Larry Fitzgeral, Kurt Warner all contributed and showed why the are the stars that they are.

The game begun in an exciting fashion, with the Cardinals challenging what looked like an opening 72 yard, 8 play touchdown drive by the Steelers. Rothelsberger's rushing touchdown was challenged and with 4th and 1, Mike Tomlin - the youngest coach in Superbowl history called on the special team to put them up 3-0.

The Cardinals came up empty on their opening drive, with former Geelong star Ben Graham called on early to punt, thanks to great Steeler defense forcing a fumble and an incomplete pass on a great blitz.

The Steelers 2nd drive resulted in full points thanks to Running Back Gary Russell. The first quarter came to an end with Rothelsberger dominating, the Cardinals struggling to give Kurt Warner time and it looked like the favourites would run away with it, with a 140-13 yard gain advantage.

But from there on, the game changed dramatically. Arizona, 7 wins 9 losses for the season making them the worst record team to ever compete in the superbowl, begun doing what they pleased on offense as they had done all of the post-season against more fancied opponents.

As the first half came to a close it looked as though the Cards would be up by 14-10. Deep in the red zone, Warner was in great form, and looked to link up with for the touchdown pass, but James Harrison, a former defensive player of the year, read the play and intercepted the pass, returning the ball up field for what has now gone down in history as the longest touchdown in superbowl history. Harrisson was stellar on defense, causing problems for Cardinals Left tackle Mike Gandy all night, forcing 3 holding markers on Gandy.

Down 17-7 at the half, Kurt Warner was not done. Warner, 3 Touch downs, threw for a total pf 377 yard, 31-43 completitons, begun finding space in the Steelers Dime defense. With safeties playing deep, Warner was able to find space up the middle, which led to what looked like the biggest turnaround in Superbowl history as the Cardinals appeared to seal the game going up 23-20 on a 64 yard catch from the outstanding Larry Fitzgerald 127 yards, 7 catches. 2 touchdowns (making it a total of 7 for the post season). Viewers in Tucson, Arizona, were treated to an additional suprise after the Fitzgerald touchdown as the broadcast dissolved into a scene featuring full frontal male nudity from the adult channel Club Jenna. The offensive images were only transmitted to subscribers of the Comcast cable company, many of whom seemed to think that the segment was just another ad until it featured nudity. "I just figured it was another commercial. ... Then he did his little dance with everything hanging out," Cora King of Marana, Arizona, told the Arizona Star newspaper. With 2.42 left on the clock, Rothelsberger and co did the improbable. The Steelers defense had done it all season, but it was the Steeler offense and the Cardinals defense that would decide the game. And as had happened all day - Rothelsberger could get out of the pocket and found the time to go through his progressions to make the big plays. None bigger than the Holmes final touchdown.

NBA SCHEDULE 10 HD

Fri.2/6/2009 12:00 PM L.A. Lakers @ Boston (Replay 9.30 pm)

Mon.2/9/2009 7:30 AM L.A. Lakers @ Cleveland (Replay 9.30 pm)

Fri.2/13/2009 1:30 PM Boston @ Dallas

Fri.2/20/2009 12:00 PM San Antonio @ Detroit

Mon.2/23/2009 6:30 AM Boston @ Phoenix

Fri.2/27/2009 2:30 PM Phoenix @ L.A. Lakers

Mon.3/2/2009 12:00 PM San Antonio @ Portland

Fri.3/6/2009 12:00 PM Dallas @ New Orleans

Mon.3/9/2009 6:30 AM Phoenix @ San Antonio

Fri.3/13/2009 11:00 AM L.A. Lakers @ San Antonio

Fri.3/13/2009 1:30 PM Cleveland @ Phoenix

Fri.3/20/2009 1:30 PM Golden State @ L.A. Lakers

Mon.3/23/2009 4:00 AM Houston @ San Antonio

Mon.3/23/2009 6:30 AM L.A. Clippers @ Toronto

Mon.3/30/2009 4:00 AM Dallas @ Cleveland

Mon.3/30/2009 6:30 AM L.A. Lakers @ Atlanta

Fri.4/3/2009 11:00 AM Cleveland @ Washington

Fri.4/3/2009 1:30 PM Utah @ Denver

Mon.4/6/2009 5:30 AM Phoenix @ Dallas

Mon.4/6/2009 11:30 AM L.A. Clippers @ L.A. Lakers

Fri.4/10/2009 10:00 AM Philadelphia @ Chicago

Fri.4/10/2009 12:30 PM Denver @ L.A. Lakers

Mon.4/13/2009 8:00 AM New York @ Miami