Sunday, February 28, 2016

Jimmer Fredette's NBA Journey


Jimmer Fredette's Journey From Top to Bottom


Jimmer Fredette was the biggest star in college basketball at BYU. He was a top 10 draft pick in the NBA. Then, he was a benchwarmer. And now, he's in the D-League, trying to claw his way back onto the big stage in front of tiny crowds with the Westchester Knicks. In this VICE Sports exclusive, Jimmer and his family take us through the journey to this point and we get a behind-the-scenes look at his life out of the spotlight.

Brigham Young University (2007–2011)

Sacramento Kings (2011–2014)


Chicago Bulls (2014)


San Antonio Spurs (2015)

New Orleans Pelicans (2014–2015)

New York Knicks (2016 - ?)

Saturday, February 27, 2016

BABE Of The WEEK 2016: Week 8 — Margot Robbie


theKONGBLOG™'s BABE Of The WEEK: Week 8 of 2016 — Margot Robbie



MARGOT ROBBIE:

Aussie actress — Margot Robbie garnered worldwide attention after he breakout performance in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) opposite Leonardo DiCaprio.

Since the blockbuster, she is currently one of the most sought-after Hollywood actresses.


Before achieving international stardom, she was creating a minor buzz by starring in the films — Vigilante (2008) & I.C.U. (2009), as well as television shows and soap operas — Neighbours & Pan Am.

While most foreign actresses struggle in their Hollywood crossover attempt, it certainly didn't take long for Margot — after winning Best Newcomer Empire Award and other awards nominations, major roles kept coming.


Robbie co-starred in Focus (2015), Z for Zachariah (2015) and Tarzan (2016). Not only is she considered an A-lister, she's also modeling and doing commercials like her contemporaries from the silver screen.


Most recently, she solidified a deal from Warner Brothers to portray Harley Quinn in the "highly-anticipated" DC Comics super-villain film Suicide Squad (2016).


Her lethal combination — acting talent, natural beauty, and sex appeal makes her a "no-brainer" for the Babe Of The Week selection, "Duh!"

Monday, February 22, 2016

For Grace (2015) — Curtis Duffy's Restaurant Documentary



For Grace Official Trailer (2015) - Documentary HD

Already recognized with two Michelin stars, chef Curtis Duffy has grander ambitions for his latest venture, Grace. If Duffy has his way, his new Chicago restaurant will receive three stars, and be recognized as the best in the country. But first, he has to open Grace to his exacting standards, and this perfectionism will come at a great personal cost. For Grace expertly blends Duffy’s tragic personal story with an inside look at the world of luxury dining.

FOR GRACE (2015) | Curtis Duffy, a renowned chef, builds a restaurant and shows the exacting standards required for luxury dining.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

STEVIE WONDER - Rescued Blind Dog


STEVIE WONDER


A sweet blind dog rescued by Animal Planet's Pit Bulls & Parolees — follow the heartbreaking and uplifting video timeline of his rescue below:




Tia and Sugar Hill Rescue a Badly Beaten, Blind Dog

Tia and Sugar Hill head to the animal hospital to pick up a blind dog, badly injured in a very tragic fight.



Sweet Blind Dog Familiarizes Himself with New Surroundings

Sugar Hill steps up to take care of their new blind dog buddy through his post-fight recovery after he's been abandoned by his former owners. It's going to take time to adjust to his new surroundings but he's definitely in good hands.



A Rescued Blind Dog and an Old Friend Are Tearfully Reunited

Sheriff Deputy Trevor visits his old pit bull friend Stevie at Sugar Hill's home. He hasn't seen Stevie since the night he was attacked and is tearfully reunited with his buddy.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Steve Moore — The Mad Drummer

THE DRUMMER AT THE WRONG GIG EXPLAINS WHY HE WAS AT THE WRONG GIG

DUMBING FOR DRUMMIES

Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably already seen the Mad Drummer, Steve Moore. The video, “This Drummer Is At The Wrong Gig” went viral, getting him over 26 million views on YouTube as well as a guest-starring role on NBC’s, The Office, headlining spots at major music conferences and a slew of endorsements. The video shows a band covering, “Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top, but what stands out is the flamboyant drummer who sticks out like a sore thumb on steroids. He’s doing ridiculous stick tricks while somehow still playing a straight forward beat on his huge white kit with pink flames. It was equal amounts impressive as it was hilarious. The second it clicked with non musicians in the mainstream, it was a surefire success. After revisiting the video for what felt like the thousandth time, it clicked that I had to write an article about this. I emailed Steve and crossed my fingers waiting for a response.


this drummer is at the wrong gig
The drummer is Steve Moore (The Mad Drummer) Check out his website at: http://www.themaddrummer.com
 
It was only a day later when I got the email notification on my phone from the Mad Drummer himself. After high-fiving myself and bragging to my confused mother about my next article, I was ready to ask him some serious questions. Steve was not only helpful, but excited to talk about the road to his success. The wannabe journalist in me should have started with his origin story, but the drummer in me needed to know how he got so great at stick tricks. I assumed the showmanship came from the hair metal era, which turned out to be half-true. His true passion was with heavier bands like Pantera, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest. Over time, progressive music like Dream Theater and Racer X were his focus then unlike most drummers he went back to appreciate the greats like Keith Moon, John Bonham, and Ginger Baker. Playing music with intense, passionate drumming led to naturally doing some of the stick tricks. It wasn’t until he joined Rick K and the Allnighters, wearing a matching sequin jacket and still drumming like a complete psycho, that he would truly stick out.
If you’re a musician, you’ll find the next sentence as obvious and redundant as the sky being blue. Steve Moore, a drummer, was going through a financial crisis. Sleeping on the floor of a local producer’s studio, he was tapped to play drums on several demos which unfortunately never saw the light of day. He was losing weight at an unhealthy rate and working for scraps. A golden opportunity arose when a large scale cover band, Rick K and the Allnighters, brought Steve on board to be their touring drummer. Although it felt strange leaving the world of creating original music, Steve knew this was something he couldn’t pass up. With 150-200 tour dates a year, it was not only a solid job, but incredible exposure. He never would have imagined one day an unsuspecting person in the crowd would be so impressed with Steve’s over-the-top stick twirling abilities that he would post a video on YouTube and change the Mad Drummer’s life. 
Steve Moore on NBC's The Office
As the video grew in popularity, drummers across the globe were reaching out and wanted a piece of, “The Drummer At The Wrong Gig.” Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater, in a full-circle moment, was a huge fan and there are plenty of their performances and experiences together documented all over the internet. Other than the extensive list I was sent of every hero and drum god that he’s befriended, a story that sticks out took place at NAMM last year. Steve walked up to John Blackwell, the drummer for Prince and introduced himself. To his surprise, John was ecstatic to meet him and even called over Johnathan Moffet, the drummer for Michael Jackson, to introduce them. The video helped him bridge the gap from fan to friend which is something most people don’t get in their lifetime. Because of this ever-growing popularity, a new show called, “Rick K & The Mad Drummer” is in the works for 2015. A larger-scale show with over ten people on stage and a bit more spotlight on the drummer. Steve openly admits he hates playing solos, even though he loves watching them. He’s perfectly content being part of a cohesive unit for the rest of his career. When asked about who he’d love to work with, he wishes he could do a record with James Michael (singer of SIXX AM) and joked about “taking out” the drummer of Steel Panther and replacing him before anyone noticed. To be completely honest, I don’t think he was joking.

Steve Moore a.k.a. Mad Drummer — more than meets the eye!
Laughs aside, the future seems extremely bright for Steve Moore. In addition to working on the next traveling show, he’s hoping to do a clinic tour and continue to spread the gospel of The Mad Drummer. It’s unfortunate how many people don’t take advantage of their viral video fame. This does not seem to be the case here. By moving up in the musician food chain, Steve is establishing himself and the Mad Drummer as a brand with his own site. Everything from merch to tour dates are included and the sky is the limit. Getting to do what you love for a career is an amazing feat, but being world renowned for it is another beast altogether. Even with all of the attention and notoriety, it seems this drummer is still searching for the right gig. — Jonathan Diener | NOISEY Music by VICE

TYKE — Elephant Outlaw Rebel

TYKE ELEPHANT OUTLAW: Exclusive Clip

In this exclusive clip from TYKE ELEPHANT OUTLAW, watch people talk about the tragic day the Tyke circus elephant went on a rampage during a performance in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1994. Yet few who knew the animal’s history — and the inhumane treatment she received in the off-season — were shocked about the incident. Performing-animal abuse isn’t new and continues to make big waves.



TYKE — Elephant Outlaw

Tyke Elephant Outlaw, 
the Australian feature documentary film, is to be broadcast in the BBC’s prestigious Storyville slot later this year, following screenings at the Sydney Film Festival, the Sheffield Documentary Film Festival in the UK and New Zealand’s Doc Edge Film Festival.
The news follows the film’s recent world premiere at the Sarasota Film Festival in Florida, the home of the US circus industry, where it was greeted with acclaim and passionate protests in support and in opposition to the film.
R.I.P. — Tyke (1974 – August 20, 1994) — R.I.P.
Tyke Elephant Outlaw is directed and produced by leading Australian documentary filmmakers Susan Lambert and Stefan Moore, and co-produced by Megan McMurchy.
The film tells the gripping and emotionally charged story of Tyke, a circus elephant who went on a rampage in Honolulu in 1994, killed her trainer in front of thousands of spectators and died in a hail of gunfire. Her break for freedom – filmed from start to tragic end – traumatized a city and ignited a global battle over the use of animals in the entertainment industry.
Like the classic animal rebellion film King Kong, Tyke is the central protagonist in a tragic but redemptive drama that combines trauma, outrage, insight and compassion.
The film includes the astonishing archival footage from Honolulu of her breakout from the circus and the rampage through the streets of Honolulu.

The film also features interviews with people who knew Tyke and were affected by her death – former trainers and handlers, circus industry insiders, witnesses to her rampage, and animal rights activists for whom Tyke became a global rallying cry… often with strikingly differing perspectives on Tyke’s life and death.
The world premiere in Florida coincided with the announcement by Ringling Bros. circus that it is planning to phase out elephant acts.


Tyke Elephant Outlaw was produced with the financial assistance of Screen Australia, Screen NSW and Voiceless: The Animal Protection Institute. ABC Commercial is handling international distribution.
†  †  †

Tyke the Elephant's Last Day on Earth


In 1994, an elephant named Tyke gave her last circus performance. By the time the dust settled, a trainer was dead, 13 people were injured, and Tyke herself had been shot almost 100 times and killed.

Today, circuses are still abusing animals and driving them to the brink. In dozens of dangerous incidents since 2000, elephants have escaped from circuses, run through streets, crashed into buildings, attacked members of the public, and killed and injured handlers.

It's no surprise that these animals lash out. Circuses use violence, intimidation, and extreme confinement to force elephants to perform inane tricks. These cruel training techniques are used to break elephants' spirits when they're only babies, and they mark the beginning of a life in which everything that is natural and important to these sensitive, intelligent animals is taken away from them. — PETA

Monday, February 15, 2016

theGREATEST SLAM DUNK CONTEST in the HISTORICAL HISTORY of the NBA


theGREATEST SLAM DUNK CONTEST in the HISTORICAL HISTORY of the NBA

As a die-hard NBA fan, I normally get-together w/ my boys and watch their annual Slam Dunk Contest — and normally, always seem to walk-away scratching-my-butt and shaking-my-head in utter disappointment.

Nate "The Great" Robinson — the only winner of 3 NBA Slam Dunk Contests!

Disappointment — time and time again, without fail.

How can the most athletic basketball players in today's advanced and modern era suck at 'slam dunking' a 30" inch by 30" inch, perfectly round basketball?

Is it the lack creativity? It sure isn't the lack of athleticism. Or is it the lack of competition?? Ah, that may be the answer to the continuous 'suckery' that is NBA's Slam Dunk Contest.




However -this time around, I was blessed to have watched the "epic" NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2016 w/ my Dad. As a former-national Ping-Pong/Table-Tennis champion of Laos (Southeast Asian country that borders Thailand & Vietnam), competition and the thrill of watching it, is definitely in his blood — practically making him one of the most exciting people to watch any sporting event with!


NBA Slam Dunk Contests of yester-years were downright memorable & unforgettable!

[FLASHBACK: Amidst depleted brain cells and hazy memories, I do remember watching the "galactical" 4-point play by Knicks' Larry Johnson, "surreal" '94 NBA Finals w/ the split-screen of O.J.'s white Bronco car chase and various "thrilling" Roy Jones. Jr. and Mike Tyson fights w/ my Dad...am forever blessed -indeed, to have watched these historical events w/ him.]

Fast-forward to this year and rewind to Saturday night, February 13th, 2016, we -along with the whole wide world, bore witness to perhaps theGREATEST SLAM DUNK CONTEST in the HISTORICAL HISTORY of the NBA -starring- Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic) -vs- Zach LeVine (Minnesota Timberwolves).



NBA's 2016 Slam Dunk contestants feat. Will Barton (Denver Nuggets), Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons), Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic), and defending 2015 champ — Zach LaVine (Minnesota Timberwolves)...but, But, BUT this blog post will focus entirely on the "epic" battle dual between two slam dunk combatants that might quite have possibly revolutionized the embattled and stagnant All-Star weekend event.



Please note, NBA's annual Slam Dunk Contest — once beloved by NBA purists, slowly evolved into a stale event in which the participants' ideas became less & less original — as corny/tacky props became more & more prevalent.

After years of lackluster showdowns (Jordan -vs- Wilkins) and showmanship (Vince Carter's historic 2000 performance), this year's 2016 NBA Slam Dunk Contest will go down — if not already become — stuff of legend!

ok, Ok, OK...enough of the babble, let's get down to the nitty-gritty:


Aaron Gordon's 1st Dunk:

Aaron Gordon Reverse, Between-the-Legs Dunk
Check out Aaron Gordon's first dunk from the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Toronto.


Zach LaVine's 1st Dunk
:


Zach LaVine Behind-the-Back, One-Hand Reverse Dunk 
Zach LaVine Goes Behind-the-Back then throws down the one-hand reverse jam for his first dunk of the 2016 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Toronto.


Aaron Gordon's 2nd Dunk
:


Aaron Gordon Between-the-Legs, Over the Mascot Dunk
Aaron Gordon grabs the ball off the head of the Orlando Magic mascot then puts it between his legs and throws it down with authority for his second dunk of the 2016 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Toronto.


Zach LaVine's 2nd Dunk
:


Zach LaVine Flushes the Alley-Oop from the Foul Line
Zach LaVine soars through the air and throws down the alley-oop from the free throw line for his second dunk of the 2016 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Toronto.


Aaron Gordon's 3rd Dunk
:


Aaron Gordon Busts Out the 360 "Mailman Slam"
Aaron Gordon throws it back to the Mailman and adds his own spin on the vintage jam for his first dunk of the championship round at the 2016 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Toronto


Zach LaVine's 3rd Dunk
:


Zach LaVine 360 Cupped Slam
Zach LaVine rises up then throws down the 360 cupped slam for his first dunk of the championship round at the 2016 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Toronto


Aaron Gordon's 4th Dunk
:


Aaron Gordon Under-the-Legs, Over the Mascot Dunk
Aaron Gordon puts the ball under his legs while jumping over the Orlando Magic Mascot for his second dunk of the championship round at the 2016 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Toronto

Zach LaVine's 4th Dunk
:


Zach LaVine Windmill from the Foul Line
Zach LaVine adds a windmill to the classic foul line jam for his second dunk of the championship round at the 2016 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Toronto


Aaron Gordon's 5th Dunk
:

Aaron Gordon Off-the-Backboard, Two-Hand Windmill Reverse
Aaron Gordon takes the Elfrid Payton lob off the backboard and throws down the two-hand windmill reverse


Zach LaVine's 5th Dunk
:


Zach LaVine Between-the-Legs Reverse Dunk 
Zach LaVine starts out behind the hoop and throws down a monster between-the-legs reverse jam in the extended championship round of the 2016 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Toronto


Aaron Gordon's 6th Dunk
:

Aaron Gordon Double Pump Dunk
Aaron Gordon cocks it behind his head then adds the Dominique Wilkins pump for the monster reverse slam in his final dunk of the 2016 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Toronto.


Zach LaVine's 6th Dunk
:


Zach LaVine Between-the-Legs from the Foul Line Dunk
Zach LaVine takes off from just inside the foul line and puts it between the legs to win the 2016 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Toronto.


2016 NBA Slam Dunk Champion
:

Zach LaVine — Back-to-Back 2015 & 2016 NBA Slam Dunk Champion!


Aaron Gordon had the greatest dunk in Slam Dunk Contest history — USA Today



All-Star Grades: dunk contest — ESPN


"WOWs!" all-around!

Sunday, February 14, 2016

BABE Of The WEEK 2016: Week 6 — Ana de Armas

theKONGBLOG™'s BABE Of The WEEK: Week 6 of 2016 — Ana de Armas


Ana Celia de Armas Caso 


Ana de Armas is a stunning Cuban actress who is creating a scintillating buzz in Hollywood — becoming more & more "in-demand" after each viewing of her on the silver screen.



She was born and raised in Havana and attended the National Theater School of Cuba — scoring her first successful film Una rosa de Francia at the tender age of 16.

The aspiring actress eventually moved to Spain at the age of 18 and began appearing in numerous Spanish television shows El Internado & Hispania, la leyenda and movies Mentiras y gordas (2009) & Blind Alley (2011).



In 2014, she embarked in the next stage of her career — moving to Los Angeles, California and began working with some Hollywood heavyweights: Eli Roth & Keanu Reeves.




She will be featured on the big screen with the likes of Robert De Niro, Ellen Barkin, Edgar Ramirez, Miles Teller, Jonah Hill, Scott Eastwood — just to name a few.




As you can see, Ana de Armas' stock is on the rise (bullish side) and is becoming a very "in-demand" actress in Hollywood market. 


With a plethora of new movie projects with some of the top names in the industry, I'd advise investing in baby bibs and boxes of Kleenex — to protect yourself from all the drooling.

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