Author: JD
China could block NBA players return
WOW!!! CHINA AINT WITH THAT SHIT The Chinese Basketball Association is showing no inclination to let unhappy NBA players out of their contracts for the 2011-12 season, and will likely mandate they not receive clearance letters to return to the NBA until the Chinese season ends in March, sources told Yahoo! Sports. Wilson Chandler(notes), Kenyon Martin(notes), J.R. Smith(notes) and Aaron Brooks(notes) are the four top NBA players under contract in China, and several sources involved in those contract entanglements said escape clauses won’t be allowed with the impending end of the NBA lockout. The Chinese Basketball Association passed a rule that its teams could sign only NBA free agents during the lockout, and it was made clear to those players they would have to play the full season to be given FIBA clearance letters to sign contracts with NBA teams. Smith has had multiple clashes with his team, and some Chinese officials fear players becoming obstinate and purposely missing practices and games once they realize they’ll be held to their contracts. J.R. Smith is one of three Nuggets free agents playing in China. (NBAE/Getty Images) Team officials have prepared for the possibility some players could try to force their way out of deals, but their contracts give teams the latitude to fine and suspend players without pay. Chinese teams invested heavily when they signed NBA players, also providing hotel suites, personal drivers and chefs to make the players more comfortable. “They can play, get paid [in China] and return to the NBA in March,” one Chinese team official said. “Or they can not get paid, and return to the NBA in March.” As a member of FIBA, the NBA needs a letter of clearance from Chinese teams to allow players to sign NBA deals. Chinese teams could face forfeiture of any games that NBA players participated in, if the players somehow end up back in the NBA before the Chinese season ends. “If they think that they’re going to make things difficult, not play, create problems, what’s going to happen is that the teams will not release their letters of clearance they’ll need to sign in the NBA,” a Chinese Basketball Association official told Yahoo! Sports. “There’s no way out.” [ Related: Who are NBA’s top 15 free agents? ] Smith, Chandler and Martin, who signed a $3 million contract with the Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers, played for the Denver Nuggets a season ago, but the team has interest in re-signing only Chandler, league sources said. Chandler was a key player for the Nuggets after theCarmelo Anthony(notes) trade with the Knicks. So far, Chandler – averaging 43 points for the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions – has been the most dominant player in the Chinese Basketball Association. On and off the floor, Chandler has required far less maintenance than his two former Nuggets teammates. Smith has constantly clashed with Zhejiang Chouzhou Golden Bulls officials since arriving in China, and the complaints about him include missed practices, allegedly faking injuries and relentless demands on living conditions and transportation. Yi Jianlian(notes) can return to the NBA immediately because he has a Chinese passport that allowed him to sign with the Guangdong Hongyuan Southern Tigers regardless of the league’s NBA free-agent rule. He’s expected to be sidelined two to three weeks after spraining his right knee in a recent game, but plans to sign with an NBA team after free agency starts on Dec. 9.
Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ first impressions
I’M BEING TOLD, THIS IS THE PHONE TO HAVE The first thing noticed upon opening the generic white packaging is that this latest Nexus is a large phone, with a footprint similar to the HTC Titan. It’s also pleasantly light and thin, and the bezel is small thanks to the lack of hardware buttons. Build quality is typical Samsung — durable if not somewhat plasticky. The Nexus inherits design cues from its various Galaxy S II cousins, including the textured battery cover (which is a little difficult to snap back on), but sheds the usual black for a gunmetal shade of gray.
Alain Quilici Open Wedge Sandals
LADIES THAT NEW NEW Black and brown leather with cut outs and an open toe, these have a carved wood heel and platform. The ankle strap snaps close and ther is a zip closure at the inner ankle. They have a leather in-sole. The heel measures 5.25 inches with a 1 inch platform. Alain Quilici shoes are made in Italy. $1,306
OCEAN’S ATTIRE
ALL ME
Brabus Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster
FRESH!!! “A complete carbon fiber aerodynamic kit, offered in either high-gloss or matte finish, a body kit that includes a front spoiler, freshly designed air vents for the front fenders, side skirts, rear spoiler, side air vents for the rear fascia and a diffuser with integrated quad-exhaust are just the start of the updates Brabus made to the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster. For the wheels, Brabus fitted the Roadster with their own Monoblock F “Platinum Edition” forged wheels, which are available in several finishes, 20-inch in the front and 21-inch in the rear. The Brabus Ride Control suspension system allows the car to be lowered by up to 40 mm (1.6 inches) with the touch of a button. The Brabus SLS AMG Roadster also offers a Front Lift System which raises the front axle of the roadster 50 mm (2 inches) in order to avoid bottoming out on curbs, speed bumps and other obstacles. At a second touch of a button, the suspension will revert back or will do so automatically once the car hits 30 km/h (19 mph). Brabus did not forget to include a plethora of power upgrades to the SLS AMG Roadster. Upgrades include a titanium sport exhaust system with quad pipes measuring 84 mm in diameter as well as an engine tuning package that raises output on the 6.3 liter V8 from the already impressive 571 PS (420 kW / 563 hp) to 611 PS (448 kW / 600 hp).”
Hublot F1 King Power Interlagos
HOT!!! After the tribute to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Swiss watch maker Hublot pays tribute to the last race of the F1 season. Hublot presents the new F1 King Power Interlagos in tribute to the land of samba and the famous São Paulo circuit (famous because, unlike other courses, it runs anticlockwise), available in a limited edition of 250 numbered pieces. Next to the ceramic bezel, the watch also features a mixed leather/NOMEX strap. The high tech materials used on the watch, perfectly fit the partnership with the F1.
Impossible Project for Colette
I LOVE POLAROIDS The Impossible Project adorns Polaroid’s much adored SX-70 instant camera ($597) with Colette’s signature design pattern. The camera which will be releases in a limited run of 50 will also include Impossible’s instant film with frames featuring the same print. You can also purchase the film separately for $27.
Haus Of Lacquer ‘Air Jordan Retro 3′ Cement Nail Art
SOME MIGHT SEE THIS AS GHETTO, BUT ITS BOSS IN MY BOOK,PLUS I LOVE SEEIN GIRLS IN Js, SO THIS JUST ADDS TO HER SWAG To celebrate the launch of the iconic Jordan retro 3’s Haus of Lacquer cooked up her version of the sneakers cement pattern.