When Your Hut Is on Fire Posted by JD on 11:03 AM

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

Memorable Posterization Moments Posted by JD on 11:46 AM

Ok, so this morning...out of nowhere, I'm thinking about when Baron Davis took off on Utah's Andrei Kirilenko a couple years ago in the playoffs and straight embarrassed that dude! It got me thinking about some other NBA facial moments and I thought I'd share a few...

2010 NBA Free Agents Posted by JD on 10:49 AM

Ok, anybody that knows me, knows I'm a basketball head!! Come NBA All-Star break, I'm ALL IN!! From that point on, I'm paying attention (everything before the break really is just entertainment lol). Those that know me also know, that I don't ride with teams per say, as much as I like players, so I roll with that players team. It was Mike with the Bulls, it became Shaq with the Lakers, then Chauncey with the Pistons. Once they traded my man outta Detroit, I've been rolling with the kid Kobe since! So it's Lake Show or nothing these days!! As excited as I am about these playoffs, and the dethroning of "The King," Look, before ya'll decide to go in, I think the boy Bron is a phenom. Probably the most unstoppable dude I've seen since Mike...but like I've said since day one, his team is suspect. I haven't seen a Championship calliber team around him yet, so I can't give him the crown yet. YES, beast...but he ain't winnin no rings quite yet! Now...with that said, I have to say, I just as excited about what's going to happen in the off-season! MAN, this HAS to be the livest free agent class that I can remember!! Check it out...

Let's start by breaking up the class into a few categories...

First up, let's start with the big-name players whose contract's will expire following the 2009-2010 season, and will then become honest-to-goodness unrestricted free agents on July 1, 2010:
• Joe Johnson
• Carlos Boozer
• David Lee
• Ray Allen
• Manu Ginobili
• Marcus Camby
• Raymond Felton
• Tracy McGrady
• Shaquille O'Neal


The next grouping is the list of stars that are signed thru 2011, but can opt out in 2010 if they so choose:
• LeBron James (Player Option - owed $17.2 million in 10/11)
• Dwyane Wade (PO - owed $17.0 million in 10/11)
• Chris Bosh (PO - owed $17.1 million in 10/11)
• Amare Stoudemire (Early Termination Option - owed $17.7 million in 10/11)
• Dirk Nowitzki (ETO - owed $21.5 million in 10/11)
• Paul Pierce (PO – owed $21.5 million in 10/11)
• Kobe Bryant (PO – owed $24.8 million in 10/11)
• Yao Ming (ETO - owed $17.7 million in 10/11)
• Mike Redd (ETO - owed $18.3 million in 10/11)


Next up, we have a few members of the 2006 draft class that will become restricted free-agents this summer, as they have played out the first four years of their rookie contracts and haven't signed early extensions:
• Rudy Gay
• Tyrus Thomas
• J.J. Redick
• Randy Foye
• Kyle Lowry
• Ronnie Brewer


The following 'second-tier' players, young and old, are set to hit the open market as well:
• Josh Howard (Team Option - owed $11.8 million in 10/11)
• Brad Miller
• Jermaine O'Neal
• Kenyon Martin (ETO - owed $16.5 million in 10/11)
• Mike Miller
• Nate Robinson
• Brendan Haywood
• Zydrunas Ilgauskas
• Al Harrington
• Udonis Haslem
• Kyle Korver
• Drew Gooden
• Raja Bell
• Luis Scola (restricted)
• Sergio Rodriguez (unrestricted if Knicks don't offer QO)
• John Salmons (ETO – owed $5.8 million in 10/11)
• Tyson Chandler (ETO - owed $12.8 million in 10/11)
• T.J. Ford (PO - owed $8.5 million in 10/11)
• Travis Outlaw
• Earl Watson
• Larry Hughes
• Luke Ridnour
• Louis Amundson
• Channing Frye (PO - owed $2.1 million in 10/11)
• Grant Hill (PO - owed $3.3 million in 10/11)
• Steve Blake
• Quentin Richardson
• Ben Wallace
• Tony Allen
• Marquis Daniels
• Amir Johnson
• Leon Powe (team option)
• Anthony Morrow (restricted)
• C.J. Watson (restricted)
• Kelenna Azubuike (PO – owed $3.3 million in 10/11)
• Jordan Farmer (restricted)
• Shannon Brown (PO – owed $2.2 million in 10/11)
• Dorell Wright
• Joe Alexander
• Hakim Warrick
• Hilton Armstrong (restricted)
• Chris Duhon


Rounding out the registry, there are a number of veteran role-players that will also be testing free agent waters:
• Derek Fisher
• Matt Harpring
• Josh Childress (restricted)
• Darko Milicic
• Antoine Wright
• Marcus Williams
• Joe Smith
• Jawad Williams
• Mo Evans (PO)
• Shelden Williams
• Stephen Graham
• Damien Wilkins
• Luther Head
• Rasual Butler
• Kurt Thomas
• Rafer Alston
• Bobby Simmons
• Matt Bonner
• Tony Battie
• Trenton Hassell
• Sean Williams
• Jarvis Hayes
• Rodney Carney
• Desmond Mason
• Sean May
• Etan Thomas
• Kenny Thomas
• Tim Thomas
• Brian Cardinal

The First of July means many different things to many different organizations, players, GM's, and fans. For some it represents hope and the promise of a potentially brighter future. Some associate it with anxious feelings and a franchise's turning point. Regardless, the significance of July 1st, 2010 – which is day that the most storied and talked-about free agent crop in the history of U.S. professional sports officially become free – can not be understated. It will shape the landscape of the entire league for a decade.

Humorous Business Signs Posted by JD on 12:16 PM

On a Septic Tank Truck:
"Yesterday's Meals on Wheels"

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At a Proctologist's Door:
"To expedite your visit, please back in."

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On a Plumber's Truck:
"We repair what your husband fixed."

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On another Plumber's Truck:
"Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber."

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On a Church's Billboard:
"7 days without God makes one weak."

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At a Towing Company:
"We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."

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On an Electrician's Truck:
"Let us remove your shorts."

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In a Nonsmoking Area:
"If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."

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On a Maternity Room Door:
"Push. Push. Push."

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At an Optometrist's Office:
"If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."

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On a Taxidermist's Window:
"We really know our stuff."

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On a Fence:
"Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!"

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At a Car Dealership:
"The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment."

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Outside a Muffler Shop:
"No appointment necessary. We hear you coming."

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In a Veterinarian's Waiting Room:
"Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"

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At the Electric Company
"We would be delighted if you send in your payment. However, if you don't, you will be."

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In a Restaurant Window:
"Don't stand there and be hungry; come on in and get fed up."

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In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
"Drive carefully. We'll wait."

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And don't forget the sign at a Chicago Radiator Shop:
"Best place in town to take a leak."

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Sign on the back of another Septic Tank Truck:
"Caution - This Truck is full of Political Promises"