5 Reasons Stephen Curry Is Criminally Underrated

Mar 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) points to a teammate during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L c*x-USA TODAY Sports

Mondaynight against the Phoenix Suns, Stephen Curry put up 36 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals in a road victory that gave his team its 50th win of the season. It was an impressive stat line to be sure, but not his best of the season and not even the best stat line of the night.

Why then, was Mondaynights win for the Golden State Warriors such an eye-opening event that would lead me to create such an outlandish headline?

Well, aside from being able to observe Steph Curry in person for the first time, it became blatantly obvious just how criminally underrated he is.

It seems ludicrous to make a statement like that about one of the NBAs top MVP candidates, a guy who just so happens to be averaging 23.8 points, 7.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game while flirting with joining the 50-40-90 club. But even his status as quite possibly the leagues best point guard and most enjoyable heat check doesnt quite do him justice.

Its been a rough couple of weeks for the Suns, who traded the face of the franchise in Goran Dragic and handed the reins over to Eric Bledsoe. With the team floundering and in clear need of leadership, Currys dominant 25-point second half served as a painful reminder to everyone in the building that not every franchise is lucky enough to have a star player capable of putting his team on his back.

To be honest, watching Curry go to work was probably one of the most enjoyable aspects of the 98-80 rout for Suns fans. With each jaw-dropping three-point bomb, the US Airways Center crowd swayed closer and closer to cheering for himout of sheer respect for the high level of basketball on display.

Players like that in the NBA are rare, and when someone of that caliber has grown men in media row sitting there with eyes popping out of their skulls like five-year-olds hearing their parents swear for the first time, you know youre witnessingsomething special.

Steph Curry isnt just a great basketball player who generates a lot of highlight reel plays. Hes an NBA deity whose MVP argument of best player on the leagues best team criminally underscores all that he brings to the table for his team and for the league in general.

Source: http://hoopshabit.com/2015/03/10/5-reasons-stephen-curry-criminally-underrated/

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'Simpsons' co-creator, philanthropist Sam Simon dies at 59

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FILE - This Aug. 12, 2013 file photo shows Sam Simon, co-creator of "The Simpsons," at his home in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Simon, who made a midlife career shift into philanthropy and channeled much of his personal fortune into social causes including animal welfare, has died Sunday, March 8, 2015, after a long bout with cancer. He was 59. (AP Photo/Frazier Moore, File)

Sam Simon, a co-creator of "The Simpsons" and animal-rights advocate who made a midlife career shift into philanthropy and channeled much of his personal fortune into social causes, has died.

Simon died Sunday at his home in Pacific Palisades, Calif., his agent, Andy Patman said. He was 59.

He was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer in 2011.

After stints writing for "Taxi," ''Cheers" and "The Tracey Ullman Show," Simon helped launch "The Simpsons." During his writing and producing career, he collected nine prime-time Emmy awards.

He left "The Simpsons" after its fourth season under a deal that rewarded him with ongoing royalties from the show, which is now in its 26th season.

He then established the Sam Simon Foundation, which rescues dogs from animal shelters and trains them to assist the disabled. He also donated to Mercy for Animals and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, among other groups. In 2013, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' Norfolk, Va., headquarters were christened the Sam Simon Center in recognition of his support for that organization.

Simon also funded a Los Angeles food bank.

In an interview with The Associated Press in 2013, Simon voiced a desire to spend all of his money on charitable causes.

"I'm supporting the charities that I supported during my lifetime," he said, "and I want to continue to do that."

Simon had grown up in Beverly Hills across the street from Groucho Marx, though his father was in the garment industry, not show business.

After turning his drawing talent into a job at an animation studio that made cartoons for kids, Simon submitted a script, on spec, to the ABC comedy "Taxi." His script was bought and produced, and Simon, in his 20s, was hired as a staff writer and soon rose to be the showrunner.

From there he joined a new NBC sitcom called "Cheers," where he was staff writer for its defining first three seasons.

In 1987 he became a writer and executive producer on the Fox sketch-comedy series "The Tracey Ullman Show," where he was teamed alongside James L. Brooks, with whom he had worked on "Cheers" and "Taxi," and cartoonist Matt Groening.

This trio became the founding fathers of "The Simpsons."

On Monday, Groening saluted Simon's "phenomenal talents, sharp intelligence and sly sense of humor," while Brooks called him "truly one of the great ones. He found so much outside the work to give him pleasure and left so much behind for others."

"The Simpsons" began as interstitial cartoon clips aired during the otherwise live-action "Ullman" show until, in 1989, it was spun off as a Fox half-hour of its own. Simon was named creative supervisor, and he hired the first writing staff as well as creating several Springfield citizens, including Mr. Burns, the cadaverous industrialist, and Dr. Hibbert, the buffoonish physician.

The show TV's first successful prime-time animated series since "The Flintstones" nearly three decades before caught the public off-guard with its sassy but perceptive look at the culture and opened the door for a new television genre of animation geared toward adults.

"With 'The Simpsons,' people didn't know what they were gonna see," said Simon. "They didn't have a clue." The show was given time and free reign to flourish by the fledgling Fox network, which desperately needed a hit. "I don't think you get that sort of creative freedom with any broadcast shows today."

Simon left "The Simpsons" in 1994 owing to a strained relationship with Groening. Not only did he not play any subsequent role in the series, he claimed to never have watched it after stepping away, even as his name remained in the weekly credits along with Groening's and Brooks'.

It was a lucrative departure. Simon's exit deal entitled him to royalties from "The Simpsons" that, more than a quarter-century later, annually paid Simon tens of millions of dollars.

That annuity bankrolled the causes and alternative lifestyle (including amateur boxing and high-stakes poker) that increasingly he came to embrace.

"I'm not sad," Simon declared in 2013, as he battled an illness that his doctors were saying might claim him within months. "I'm happy. I don't feel angry and bitter. I want to do whatever I can to survive."

Source: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/police/ci_27676738/simpsons-co-creator-philanthropist-sam-simon-dies-at

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Premier Boxing Champions results: Adrien Broner defeats John Molina via ...

A look at the result of the Premier Boxing Champions result of the bout featuring Adrien Broner taking on John Molina

Saturday night was a historic night in regards to the sport of boxing because it signaled the return of the sport to prime time television with Premier Boxing Champions on NBC. To get this monumental night started off, we were treated to a match up between Adrien The Problem Broner (29-1-1 ND) taking on the slugger John Molina (27-5).

When all was said and done in this one, it was Adrien Broner that got the win via unanimous decision.

For the most part in this one it was all Broner, all expect for maybe the third round where Molina was able to get some serious shots in. Other than that round, though, this was all Broner.

Molina should be given credit for getting some of those shots in, but for the most part he was just doing what he usually does, which is wildly flailing away. Someone like Broner, love him or hate him, is too smart of a fighter to fall into that trap.

This one also got a little on the dirty side.

With the win now, Adrien Broner moves to 30-1-1 in his career, while Molina drops to 27-6.

Tags: Adrien Broner Premier Boxing Champions

Source: http://fansided.com/2015/03/07/premier-boxing-champions-results-adrien-broner-defeats-john-molina-via-unanimous-decision-video/

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'Unfinished Business' Feels Incomplete

The movie starts out with Daniel Trunkman (Vince Vaughn) arguing with his boss Chuck (Sienna Miller) about a 5% pay decrease. He refuses to walk with her and ends up quitting his job and starts his own firm called Apex Solutions.

His two associates are Timothy (Tom Wilkinson), who has been laid off for being too old for his job and Mike Pancake (Dave Franco), who just finished his interview at Trunkmans ex-company.

The trio starts their office, located in a Dunkin Doughnuts, and stays there for over a year. Trunkmans business goes down hill until one day they think they have scored a big deal with a German company and fly to Portland and then to Berlin for the shake, which will seal the deal.

While everything seems to have fallen perfectly into place, we see that it is not a happily ever after. We have Trunkman striving to support his family and send his son to private school so that his son wont be bullied. Timothy wants to divorce his wife but at the same time make sure shes taken care of financially. Then theres Mike, who is socially awkward and desperately needs a confidence boost.

This German deal is really important to all three of them and. Of course nothing can be so perfect, right? Enter Chuck. After traveling to Portland, they find out that Chuck is also there to negotiate the same deal with the very same company.

Then they all have to travel to Berlin to present their numbers and see who gets the deal. However, their time in Berlin is somehow in the middle of some random protest, Oktoberfest and a large gay festival. There is some explicit nudity thrown in completely unnecessarily.

This movie offers some good messages but as Trunkman tries to save his company, he lies to his wife (June Diane Raphael) about how much money he has and about trying to be there for his two children, Paul (Britton Sear) and Bess (Ella Anderson). With Timothy trying to get some of his youth back and Mike trying hard be useful and to make people take him seriously, you are left wondering what message was there in this movie to start with.

Director Ken Scott and script writer Steve Conrad have brought in too many characters with too many stories and tried to connect too many strings.

The creators are throwing too many things at the wall and hope that it all sticks. This movie has some great moments and some really meaningful messages but it all gets lost in the jumbled stories and side stories that take place.

Too many cooks spoil the broth and that is exactly what happens in this movie. It simply has too many stories clashing with one another and too many characters coming into the picture.

Its a commendable effort, but Unfinished Business is a film that is best caught on TV or a date-less Friday night.

ONLY RECOMMENDED: If youre bored and want to watch something to pass time or for fun.

Source: http://www.newuniversity.org/2015/03/entertainment/unfinished-business-feels-incomplete/

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Melissa Benoist suits up in CBS' �Supergirl�

Photo Courtesy: MGN Online

Melissa Benoist suits up in CBS Supergirl

Photo Courtesy: MGN Online

Producer Warner Bros. Television has released the first-look photos of the Glee and Whiplash breakout in the official costume as DC Comics character Supergirl.

See more: The Faces of Pilot Season 2015

The costume was designed by three-time Oscar-winner Colleen Atwood, who also served in the same capacity for WBTV/The CWs DC takes Arrow and The Flash.

In designing Supergirl, I wanted to embrace the past but more importantly, thrust her into the street-style action hero of today, said Atwood, who earned Oscars for Into the Woods, Snow White and the Huntsman and Sweeney Todd.

Production on the pilot started this week in Los Angeles.

Read more: TV Pilots 2015: The Complete Guide

The drama centers on Kara Zor-El (Benoist), Supermans cousin, who was born on the planet Krypton and escaped amid its destruction years ago. After arriving on Earth, Kara was taken in by a foster family, the Danverses, who taught her to be careful with her extraordinary powers (which she shares with her famous cousin).

Brothers & Sisters and Ally McBeal alum Calista Flockhart co-stars as DC Comics character Cat Grant, True Bloods Mehcad Brooks is set as Jimmy Olsen; Homelands David Harewood is DC Comics character Hank Henshaw; and Greys Anatomys Chyler Leigh plays Alexandra Alex Danvers, the confident foster sister of Kara. Laura Benanti will recur, while former Supergirl Helen Slater and former Superman Dean Cain will guest-star in the pilot.

Arrow and Flashs Greg Berlanti and his No Ordinary Family cohort Ali Adler (The New Normal) as well as Arrow and Flash EP Andrew Kreisberg will pen the script and executive produce the drama via Berlanti Productions Warner Bros. Television-based banner. Berlanti Productions topper Sarah Schechter also is on board to executive produce.

2015 The Hollywood Reporter. All rights reserved.

Source: http://whnt.com/2015/03/08/melissa-benoist-suits-up-in-cbs-supergirl/

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Harrison Ford, Aviation Rescue Badass

Harrison Ford is a badass aviator who rescues people in danger. In real life, we mean.

Harrison Ford is very lucky to be alive after crash-landing his World War II-era airplane onto a golf course. The 72-year-old star was hospitalized after on Thursday after he lost engine power, and he is expected to make a full recovery.

According to an eyewitness speaking to NBC News on Friday, Ford saved several lives by avoiding crashing his plane into a densely populated suburban area.

Looking at where he crashed and how the plane went down, Im sure there was a moment where he said, Im not going to risk lives, whatever happens, happens. Its going to be just me, said Eddie Aguglia, who was golfing at the time of the incident. He risked life and limb by putting it down on the golf course instead of trying to go further to try to get back to the airport. Another 25 to 30 yards and I dont want to think about it.

If this is the case, then this wouldnt even be the first time that Harrison Ford has rescued someone while piloting aircraft.

In July 2000, Ford helped save a dehydrated hiker in Idaho Falls. The actor, who was volunteering his services and his Bell 407 helicopter to local mountain rescuers and the sheriffs department, received a call regarding a 20-year-old hiker named Sarah George. She had been on a five-hour climb of Table Mountain when she nearly collapsed. A fellow hiker phoned for help, which brought none other than Harrison Ford to the scene.

I cant believe I barfed in Harrison Fords helicopter.

He was wearing a T-shirt and a cowboy hat, George told the Associated Press at the time. He didnt look like Id ever seen him before.

Before reaching the hospital, the sick hiker vomited into an EMT workers hat while onboard Fords helicopter. I cant believe I barfed in Harrison Fords helicopter, George remarked. (She later told the press that she would, out of gratitude, watch any movie that he made from then on.)

The next summer, Ford was out once again saving people via aircraft, pro bono. This time, it was a 13-year-old Boy Scout named Cody Clawson who got lost in Yellowstone National Park. Ford found the boy shivering and hungry, having spent the night alone in the rain.

Cody said the kids [in his Boy Scout troop] asked if he got an autograph and he said, No, but I got a hug and a handshake, and thats better than an autograph, Clawsons mom told the AP.

Fords love of aviation has also taken him to Capitol Hill. In 2013, he joined members of the House General Aviation Caucus to discuss issues of importance to the general aviation community. In 2011, he stopped by the Senate General Aviation Caucus during discussions on jet fuel and tax burden on pilots.

Ford had taken a few flying lessons in his 20s, but didnt really get into flight training until the mid-1990s.

I wasnt sure if at the age of 54 that I still had the capacity to learn something that I saw as very complicated and difficult, he told Downwind magazine. I was so identified with what I did for a living, and I enjoy it, have respect for it, and love the freedom and responsibility that acting provides; however, flying gave me the opportunity to create an identity other than Harrison Ford, the actor. I admire the ability to fly and always loved the sound of airplanes and was curious about them.

Downwind also asked him how much rudder trim was needed on the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars. That was Chewbaccas job not mine, Ford tersely replied. He handled the rudders.

Among those relieved to learn that Ford is expected to make a full recovery was Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca. who tweeted the following on Thursday:

Source: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/06/harrison-ford-aviation-rescue-badass.html

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Movie Review: 'Unfinished Business'

By Bill WineKYW Newsradio 1060

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) Unfinished Business is a comedy about a business trip that gets by, despite tripping over its own business.

Vince Vaughn stars as salesman Dan Trunkman, a St. Louis husband and father of two who quits his corporate job following a pay cut (as dictated by his tough-cookie boss, oddly named Chuck Portnoy, played by Sienna Miller).

So Trunkman starts his own business, called Apex Select.

(2 stars out of 4)

The two people who accept his offer to join him in a new venture are played by Tom Wilkinson and Dave Franco, the former facing forced retirement, the latter facing continued unemployment.

A year later, they travel to Portland, Maine, and then to Berlin, Germany, to close their companys first big make-or-break-the-business deal.

But when they arrive at their destination, they discover that Dans ex-employer, Chuck, is competing for the same deal and has been going after the same clients (two of whom are played by James Marsden and Nick Frost).

Dan knows h**l have to win back the clients, but the travel itinerary comes apart at the seams when the hopeful travelers find themselves sidetracked by everything from Oktoberfest to a gay fetish festival to a global economic summit.

Canadian director Ken Scott (Sticky Fingers, Starbuck), who previously collaborated with Vince Vaughn on the enjoyable comedy Delivery Man, works from an inconsistent screenplay by Steve Conrad, who wrote the script for 2013s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

The script lacks narrative momentum, and evokes smiles rather than laughs, trotting out set pieces as if in a parade, and allowing the characters to behave more or less arbitrarily at times, going for the easy gag at the expense of the believability and integrity of the piece.

And neither Scott nor Conrad manages to explain just what kind of company our trio of protagonists have or exactly what they do. So we dont take their predicament as seriously as we might have if we were clued in.

Still, Unfinished Business gives Vaughn a chance to give his trademark motormouth a rest and deliver a persuasive, likable, underplayed protagonist who shows us his sensitive side as he deals with his kids problems and helps us over the rough spots.

And Wilkinson and Franco do a bit more with their supporting characters than is there on the page.

This is a mixed bag, to be sure, and could have used a rewrite or two. But it gets points for not being formulaic even if the cocktail of raunch and sentiment that it pours into our glass doesnt taste quite right.

And it doesnt bore us either.

So well book a trip to 2 stars out of 4 for Unfinished Business, a shaky, offbeat workplace lark that entertains even though it sports a truth-in-advertising title that perfectly describes its own incompleteness.

More Bill Wine Movie Reviews

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Source: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/03/06/movie-review-unfinished-business/

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