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I think King is under a lot of pressure from Proky to get this deal done. If that weren't the case, I think he would have trashed the deal by now. The Nuggets and Bobcats might have been aware of this, not sealing the deal and pushing for more to be included and listening to other offers.

The Nets are reportedly throwing in another draft pick in there (in efforts to get Augustin?). If Charlotte still refuses to give D.J., Arron Afflalo may be sent over in a newly formed deal. Another report says that Denver is not finalizing the deal, listening to offers from Indiana and Cleveland.

Happy birthday, Smelly Neal!

Congrats, Umair! Feels like we added two staff members today. http://i54.tinypic.com/10y3yc1.jpg

I don't think I have ever been as excited for a Nets season as I am for 2010-2011. The offseason before the 2005-2006 season may come close, but the path into this season is a different story. There are a number of elements playing a role in this. After a 12-70 record last year, many of us are impatient for the team to get back on the court and put our struggles behind us. With a new home in Newark, a new coach and owner, and a completely different squad from what we had last season, you truly get that sense of "It's All New." The Nets have received criticism for a couple of deals to which they signed players, and I feel that that has led to overlooking the talent that guys like Outlaw and Petro have. We've also heard Avery Johnson talk about his emphasis on defense as well as making run and gun a significant part of the team's play. If Devin Harris stays healthy, imagine what it could mean if he is in his 08-09 form, while reuniting with Johnson and running a fast-paced style of play. With our financial problems gone, Johnson has been able to hire an assistant coaching staff of six guys, including Mitchell, his lead assistant, who agreed with Johnson in the spring that they'd work to forming a head coach-lead assistant combination, Krystowiak, who also worked the sidelines for two teams, and Popeye Jones, who can help develop our big men. Doug Overton is also back as Player Development Coach. Along with that, this team's success depends on several factors, and there seems to be a wide range of spots in the standings in which the Nets have been projected to finish. Player development seems to be the main source for so much expected activity within the team from October onwards. Derrick Favors' growth is something everyone has been keeping their eye on. King and Johnson both had mentoring Favors in mind when they brought over Joe Smith and Troy Murphy. The team is packed with youth, so Derrick shouldn't be the only one who the Nets try to make a much better player. Through all the anticipation, my mind creates a picture of a packed crowd at the Rock. I imagine a similar path that the Thunder took. This may be a very busy season.

Cruz homers. Rough outing the rest of the night for Felix?

I was going to mention the '01 World Series. But even though the ending to that season was a heartbreaker (I was too young to follow it live, but watching it years after and looking back upon it, I've familiarized myself with the sequence of events), that series may be considered by some fans as one of their favorites. Weeks after the 9/11 attacks, the fashion in which the Bombers took Games 3, 4, and 5 was incredible. To win all three World Series games played in the Bronx meant a lot to the city and the state.

I started this topic to do our hardworking friend, Cobb, a favor. On a totally unrelated note, the Centaur delivers! http://i52.tinypic.com/234lxk.jpg

Djokovic-Nadal postponed to 4 ET tomorrow.

Instant wallpaper change! http://i52.tinypic.com/2ef40fq.jpg Love it.

Novak rallies from facing double match point to finishing victorious two games later. Djokovic, as well as Federer placed balls in that final set, did an incredible job covering the court.

Federer edged out Djokovic 7-5 in the first and third sets and was shut down by Novak in the second and fourth ones. The fifth set seems like it will be back-and-forth.

He bounced back quickly after giving up those three runs, and based on what I remember from many of his other starts, he might just be solid the rest of the way.

http://i54.tinypic.com/281788k.jpg CC goes for win #20 tonight against Baltimore. He is 4-0 against the O's this season with a 2.73 ERA. If he does not lose the game, he breaks the club mark for consecutive home starts without a loss.

Unexpected 7-game slide for San Diego after they won 8 of their previous 10 games.

Rangers agree to sign Mark Prior to a minor-league deal.

He grew up a Cubs fan and played seven seasons with them. If the Yankees were to set out an offer that they would not be willing to go beyond that the Cubs could beat, who knows what Girardi is thinking. But I do think the Yankees would be willing to beat any other team's offer.

Islam does not require women to wear hijab. And the aspects in which women are given less rights are not exactly concepts of Islam that I believe need to evolve. Hijab does not put any restriction on women caring for themselves and making their own decisions. Besides, Muslims choose to follow Islam because they are willing to agree with its principles, no? If you mean without a single witness or trial, I believe Islam is very strict on having verification before responding to anything in life, which would include a case like this.

I think Cervelli saw your wishes for him to be DFA'd, Kyle. 4-4 with a runner thrown out.

1) I'm a huge fan of both the Thames and Kearns pickups. 2) Pena has had his struggles this month, so if another utility infielder can put up big numbers, it makes Girardi's work easier through these injuries. 3) Another incredible season he's having in the minors. But through all the roster shuffling, I don't know if the Yankees want to make the necessary room for him this season. 4) I was hyped for Logan, especially with Coke departing. I anticipated his overpowering fastball, but even though he's hit over 95 only a couple times, he has still earned a key spot in the 'pen with Marte out. 5) Hopefully, Pettitte's health continues to be in good standing and he still has his dominating stuff. For the time being, Nova may earn some more starts if he puts up impressive numbers. Moseley has been doing quite a job as well. Vazquez may come back into the rotation strong like he did last time. Girardi has decisions to make about Hughes' innings and trying to get A.J. back on track at least a little bit. 6) Montero's ability behind the plate isn't necessarily a boost, though, is it?

I didn't get a chance to finish this post last night, but the answer to your question is in it: What's more important than this mosque project succeeding is the true concept of Islam settling into the minds of everyone who incorrectly associates it with certain elements of today's world. A few people disagree with establishing this religious center where it is. Person A's belief is that this is not correct on the planners' parts, as it may bring back unwanted memories into the minds of victims, regardless of whether they interpret Islam correctly. Person B believes something along the lines of Muslims not deserving a religious center so close to Ground Zero/this is another threat to the city, etc. I don't completely agree with Person A because I think that, since we are discussing "reality" in this topic (and here's your answer), the reality is that the Muslims should not have to deal with any of the problems left behind by those who associated themselves with Islam. I see the reasoning behind those offended, but I do not truly understand that reasoning. Meanwhile, person B is whose beliefs are more important to change, in my opinion. In the end, I disagree with both of these groups that are opposed to this project. But my greater concern is the misconceptions of Islam that, in the big picture, affect, along with this religious center's plans, plenty of other parts of Muslims' lives and the Muslim world.

Phils won on three hits today (three runs scored). Eduardo Nunez hit his first major league HR and went 3-4 with 4 RBI's. Allowing 9 runs on back-to-back days may not be the best news, but it's good to see that our offense stepped up.

It most definitely is clear. It's just that people who target this verse and associate it with today's terrorism often neglect the last few words of the translation. As you would imagine, that causes a bit of a problem. Jizya is a tax that applies to Islamic states. Hence, I don't believe that verse pertains to what you were trying to add to the discussion.