3 Reasons Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Are Ready For Their First NBA Title

Since 1996, when they hailed from Seattle as the Supersonics, this is the first time the team now known as the Oklahoma City Thunder have had a real opportunity to win an NBA Title. Here are 3 reasons why:

1) Kevin Durant is having an excellent season. He's in the race for MVP, but Lebron may have it this year. Although he probably won't win the MVP title, he's definitely in the top 5. It's clear the team wouldn't be as far without him. His fifth year in the NBA, and he's proven himself time and time again of being an excellent clutch player.

2) Russell Westbrook has excelled tremendously as a point guard. Personally, his attack to the rim can be compared easily to that of Derrick Rose. Aggressive, quick, and confident. Shooting nearly 47% from the floor, Westbrook unconventional shots now receive less questioning. Turnovers are still a major concern (3.8 per game, 3rd in the league), Westbrook is playing as arguably one of the top 5 Point Guards in the league.

3) James Hardem is excelling, and showing increasing quickness and athleticism on offense and defense. He picks up where Durant and Westbrook may sometimes lack, and also has a dangerously consisten 3 point shot. The best passer on the team, Hardem proves to be an important part to the unit, especially the bench. The Sixth Man definitely adds to the team.






source: http://bleacherreport.com/oklahoma-city-thunder

Hip Hop Sales: Week Ending 3/4/2012

This proved to be one of the most exciting weeks on the charts for the Hip Hop community this year. There were a few new additions, including a collaborative album from Kid Cudi and Dot Da Genius, self entitled "WZRD". Also appearing on the list are Brooklyn's very own Maino, Too $hort, and after a 7 year hiatus, Ja Rule.

Cudi and Dot's WZRD has done fairly well, earning the #2 spot for 66,000 sales last week. Cudi had also criticized his label Universal Republic for under-shipping CD copies, which limits the release's potential. This counts as Kid Cudi's 3rd overall album, and Dot's first.




Two New York rappers, Maino and Ja Rule, both released projects after their respective hiatuses. This is Maino's first album, surfacing 3 years after leaving his major record deal from Atlantic Records. He scored a top 100 debut for this sophmore album, Day After Tomorrow. Artists featured on the LP are T.I. and Meek Mill, along with a Best Buy exclusive version with appearances from Lloyd Banks, and Clinton Sparks' production. Maino's sales actually doubled those of Ja Rule. Rule, now incarcerated, acquired sales of just over 3,000 copies. Listed below are the sales statistics for the aforementioned, amongst other more popular artists.



Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 3/4/2012

#2 WZRD (Kid Cudu & Dot Da Genius) - WZRD - 66,000 (66,000)

#4. Tyga - Careless World: Rise Of The Last King - 37,000 (99,000)

#5. Drake - Take Care - 29,000 (1,525,000)

#19. Young Jeezy - TM 103: Hustler's Ambition - 15,000 (493,000)

#20. Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne - 15,000 (1,364,000)

#28. Lil Wayne - Tha Carter IV - 13,000 (2,039,000)

#43. Chiddy Bang - Breakfast - 11,000 (42,000)

#76. Maino - Day After Tomorrow - 6,300 (6,300)

#99. Too Short - No Tresspassing - 4,600 (4,600)

#145. Ja Rule - PIL2 (Pain Is Love 2) - 3,200 (3,200)

*Overall sales in parentheses

* data comes from Nielsen Soundscan, rounded to nearest thousandth for units above 10,000, nearest hundredth for units below 10,000

How Expert's Opinions Help Mould a Business Plan

Mark Cuban’s opinion of business plans has taught me to leave no stone unturned in regards to how the potential business can thrive in the current market. Firstly, when presenting the proposal, or simply doing an elevator pitch, one has to ensure they’re sufficiently informed regarding the nature of that particular business, including the competition and potential profit margin. The ability to run the business is imperative; equally as important as behaving like it, especially when seeking an investment from a veteran in the business of profit. Growth is also an important aspect to show, and if possible, guarantee. Above all, lack of realistic financials is also a deterrent for investment. If the money doesn’t make sense, in the eyes of an investor, there’s a high possibility it won’t make dollars either.

Bobby Flay’s opinion of business plans has taught me to ensure that the team is competent, cohesive, and the investment seeker possesses the ability to work with a team. Leadership skills are an absolute necessity for anyone pursuing or attempting to start any organization, profit or non-profit.  A unique business concept is an even bigger attraction for an investment. The ability to provide an original product or service in any market provides both an opportunity for a great return on investment, and room for growth.

Experts' view on the Value of Business Plans

Mark Cuban: is an American business mogul, investor, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Magnolia Pictures, Landmark Theaters, and the chairman of HDNet (HDTV cable network). He is also a part-time participant/investor on the television series Shark Tank. Cuban was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1958, and throughout his childhood had explored business ideas. His first business venture involved the sales of garage bags, in order to pay for a pair of expensive basketball shoes. He attended Indiana University, where he graduated with a Bachelor's in Business Administration.

His participation on Shark Tank may be the best way to analyze his view on Business Plans. One aspect Cuban focuses on is if a need actually exists for the product/service, then if there is a market for the product/service. If available, the track record of the individual(s) seeking the investment, the financial history of the business itself, and if room for potential growth exists within the current business model. Finally, Mark would consider how his expertise would benefit the business, which would ultimately determine whether or not he would invest. If financial information is lacking, there's a very high possibility Cuban will opt out. A truly aggressive businessman.



Bobby Flay: Robert William Flay was born in December, 1964. He is a celebrity chef, reality TV personality, and restaurateur. In fact, he currently owns 12 restaurants in locations such as Las Vegas, New York, New Jersey, The Bahamas, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.

Flay is also one of the investors on NBC's America's Next Great Restaurant. On the show, investors seek the next best restaurant concept to invest millions of dollars into. The locations targeted are Los Angeles, New York, and Minneapolis.  Flay looks for the ambition, determination, and drive in the concept of the business. Elements he looks for are the marketability of the concept, the investment seeker's ability to work with a team, their leadership skills, and how unique the concept is. All these elements contribute to the success of a restaurant; elements an expert such as Bobby Flay looks for.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Cuban
           http://bpexpertviews.blogspot.com/
           http://www.bobbyflay.com/bobby-flay.php
           http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Flay

Russell Westbrook Signs New 5-Year Extension with Oklahoma City Thunder

If I were getting nearly $80 Million, I'd look like this guy too. According to Andrew Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, Russell Westbrook recently signed a $78 Million maximum contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, in light of pending free agency restrictions that will follow the season. The deal also ensures Westbrook will be with OKC through the 2016-2017 NBA Season.

Westbrook has been the subject of some controversy with regards to his relationships with teammates, including OKC's superstar Kevin Durant. Durant had also signed a 5 year deal in 2010, which would see them together for the next few season. There were even rumors surfacing of a possible trade in light of a recent argument the two teammates had on the sideline during their game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Surely this recent deal will quell such rumors, as it remains evident the Thunder recognize Westbrook as a pivotal cog in the gears of the team.

In addition to Westbrook and Durant, all of the Oklahoma City Thunder's are secure for the next couple seasons, including forward Serge Ibaka, center Kendrick Perkins, and guard James Hardem. Considering all of this, OKC's roster can be considered locked up for some time, with the exception of draft picks and mid to low level exception free agent signings. It would also be wise to recognize that this current Thunder core went as far as the Western Conference Finals in the last NBA Season, where they fell victim to the eventual NBA Champions, Dallas Mavericks.

If we were to judge the Thunder based on their youth and skill level, it would be safe to say that the team's combination is unmatched in the league. After offering and embracing such a huge commitment (monetarily and otherwise), the Thunder can now only hope that he will continue to mature, and look past the recent disagreement with Durant earlier in the season, especially considering the two athletes are recognized as the chieftains of the team.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1031008-russell-westbrook-signs-max-contract-extension-with-oklahoma-city-thunder

Cole World: The Sideline Story Album Review

J. Cole, Jay-Z’s artist signed to Roc Nation, recently dropped his debut album “Cole World: The Sideline Story”, on September 27, 2011. This album is his first official studio release, following three successful mixtapes. The album debut at #1 on the US Billboard 200 chart during the first week of release, with over 200,000 units sold. With that said, I am personal a J. Cole fan, and this is my review of my favorite tracks on the album.

“Cant Get Enough”, featuring Trey Songz, is extremely clean and ear pleasing. A track dedicated to females, with a beat that would get a crowd moving easily. This is usually the first track I play before I go out. “Lights Please” is another track dedicated to the ease a woman can bring to the stress we as males face in life. It’s considerably slower than the previous track. I first heard a verse from “Cole World” on a different beat, from an interview Cole did for a radio station. In my opinion, the verse was better than that of the original song (which will remain unnamed). The beat is catchy, and so are the lyrics. “Nobody’s Perfect”, a track featuring Missy Elliot, was produced by J. Cole himself, and is possibly my favorite track on the entire album. The two artists compliment each other completely, and it was good to hear some quality music from Missy; it’s been a minute.

"Rise and Shine", another epic track (also produced by Cole), is my final track to be reviewed. It begins with Jay-Z speaking backstage on tour about someone somewhere eating a bowl of applejacks while writing lyrics, wanting Jay-Z’s spot as the top rapper. He then goes on to say, “I’ma find him though, and I’ma sign him…and I don’t want no problems”, which then continues into the beat. This song is primarily about J. Cole’s admiration of himself (in a sense) and aspirations in the industry, both monetary and personal. A great album overall, especially considering the majority is self produced, it’s his debut studio album release, and it hit number one in the first week of release. Exceptional.