NBA: Season in Review

By: Matt Lau

It seems that this year has become an interesting year for the NBA. Although there was much expectation and hype surrounding the 2007/2008 NBA draft which don’t get me wrong was well deserved considering the caliber and diversity of the players that were entering the league, after almost having one season completed you really only hear about the same 5 or so rookies constantly, not including one of the 2 most hyped rookies that being Greg Oden who is on the injured list: Kevin Durant, Al Horford, and just recently due to the streaks that their teams have had Luis Scola, Thaddeus Young, and Jamario Moon. But I’d have to say that the biggest news or impact that was made in the NBA this year wasn’t so much the draft but more so the off and mid - season trades as well as the improvements that certain teams have made this year. The biggest off-season trade made this year everyone most probably would agree is the restructuring of the Boston Celtics with the acquirement of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen along side of Paul Pierce. Many people were skeptical at the stacking of this team in the east, but at 52-15 it seems that these 3 have found chemistry alongside of role players of Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins to become a dominant force in the East. In addition to that off-season trade the Celtics have also acquired a valuable point guard in Sam Cassell. I’d say the biggest mid-season trade that has become a factor would be Pau Gasol to the Lakers just as Andrew Bynum was forced to sit on the bench. It exciting to see what the Lakers will have to bring to the court once Bynum is healthy again and the Laker lineup becomes Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and the fifth is to be determined. I think another big factor this season has definitely got to be the immensely improved New Orleans Hornets as well as the Houston Rockets, with the leadership of Chris Paul and Tracy Mcgrady these teams have become contenders. Sure the Spurs and the Pistons are high caliber teams that have been the standard teams to be for the past several years, but I think the teams mentioned earlier have a revived vitality which has made watching this season exciting again. I can’t wait to see what the post season has to offer. My prediction is that in the end it’s going to be either the New Orleans Hornets or the LA Lakers in the West meeting up with the Boston Celtics in the East for the Finals.


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Best Fat Loss Plan part 1

By Lifesaver

New Year’s resolutions, did you make one this year? Bet it was about losing weight. Each year, millions of people make a resolution to shed the excess weight, but never go through with it. At most, the gym gets crowded for the first month or two with people using machines like the treadmill. Then, gym visits slow down to a crawl until only the regulars continue to hit the gym. This is a trend that happens every year. What happened? These people quit because they had impossible goals to achieve in a short amount of time without a proper plan of execution. Part one of this article outlines the daily eating habits that a person must follow to lose fat and continue to keep it off.

Breakfast - First 30 minutes

As soon as you get out of bed, eat within 30 minutes or your body will go into “starvation mode”. Starvation mode triggers the body to burn energy at a lower rate and converts the food that is eventually consumed into fat. A person should front load their fast burning carbohydrates during this time. Meaning, a person may eat a meal with refined carbohydrates since the body has a whole day to burn it off

Here is a sample breakfast (available from Amazon):

• Bacon and Eggs, Toast, Apples, and Water

Snack – 2 to 3 hours later

Eat a snack around this time. Eating every 2 to 3 hours is important to this whole strategy because it keeps your metabolism at a high rate. Choose something that is high in fiber like plain almonds and antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables. If you’re building muscle, try working protein into your snack. Also, make sure you drink plenty of water.

Lunch – 2 to 3 hours later

For this time of the day, eat a turkey sandwich with whole wheat bread, lettuce, and tomato and a light low fat yogurt for dessert. Since most people eat lunch around noon, the day is almost over; eating fewer portions of fast burning carbohydrates is the key here. Fast burning carbohydrates include bread, rice, and pasta. While slow burning carbohydrates are vegetables and 100% whole grains.

Snack - 2 to 3 hours later

Again, a small snack in between lunch and dinner is important. You may eat the same foods you had for snack for simplicity.

Dinner – 2 to 3 hours later

Eating healthy at night is the hardest and a very important part of this diet. First of all, eating fast burning carbohydrates are now forbidden. Therefore, slow burning ones like broccoli, cauliflowers, and carrots should be eaten in its place. I highly recommend eating plenty fruits for dessert since most people like to reach for the ice cream and other junk food around this time.

Sample dinner:

• Skinless grilled chicken
• Assorted steamed vegetables (broccoli, carrots...)
• Fruits like strawberries

Snack – 2 to 3 hours later

Again, for your snack, eat the food that is low on fast burning carbohydrates but high in fiber. Also, a glass of skim milk before going to bed has been known to decrease belly fat over time.

If you follow my guidelines, you are sure to start shedding off that body fat within three months and will continue to lose it over time in a very healthy way.

*If you liked this article, check out the other diet strategies at Latest Diets
Related Reading:

• Men's Health Magazine

Disclaimer: This post is intended for entertainment purposes only. Please consult with a medical adviser before you rely on this information

The best foods to eat to get those abs in time for the summer!

Foods you must eat daily

• Almonds
• Green Vegetables
• Lowfat milk
• Oatmeal
• Egg whites
• Lean meats like turkey
• Whole grains
• Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and blue berries

Do this for 6 days and you can reward yourself once a week with anything your stomach desires!

Disclaimer: This post is intended for entertainment purposes only. Please consult with a medical adviser before you rely on this information