Kareem vs. Hakeem

Riley and Jon,

You guys need to check your NBA history. Hakeem is a great center but Kareem is greater. What substantive argument can you provide against Kareem's play, numbers, MVP awards, and legend?

Kareem:

Games played - 1560 (2nd most in NBA history)
Field goal % - 55.9 (10th highest in NBA history)
Free throw % - 72.1
Three-point % - 05.6
Rebounds - 17,440 (3rd most in NBA history)
Rebounds per game - 11.2 (23rd highest in NBA history)
Assists - 5,660 (34th in NBA history)
Assist per game - 3.6
Steals - 1,160
Steals per game - 0.74
Blocks - 3,189 (3rd most in NBA history) (Note: blocks were not officially tabulated until the 1973–74 season)
Blocks per game - 2.57
Points per game - 24.6 (14th highest in NBA history)
Holds NBA career record for:
Most points (38,387)
Most minutes played (57,446)
Most field goals made (15,837)
Most field goals attempted (28,307)
Most All-Star selections (19)
Most All-Star games played (18)

Honors: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1995); NBA champion (1971, '80, '82, '85, '87, '88); NBA MVP (1971, '72, '74, '76, '77, '80); 10-timeAll-NBA First Team; Five-time All-NBA Second Team;Five-time All-Defensive First Team; Six-time All-Defensive Second Team; 19-time All-Star; One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).

Kareem Stats: see http://www.nba.com/history/players/abduljabbar_stats.html

Hakeem:

Honors: NBA champion (1994, '95); NBA Finals MVP (1994, '95); NBA MVP (1994); Defensive Player of Year (1993, '94); All-NBA First Team (1987, '88, '89, '93, '94, '97); All-NBA Second Team ('86, '90, '96); Third Team (1991, '95, '99); All-Defensive First Team ('87, '88, '90, '93, '94); 12-time All-Star; One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History ('96); Olympic gold medalist ('96).

Hakeem Stats: see http://www.nba.com/history/players/olajuwon_stats.html

The numbers speak for themselves. I'll let you read through them and compare. You'll find that Kareem dominates in almost every major category. Hakeem has more blocks but you'll see that they were not tabulating blocks as a stat until four years after Kareem began playing. There are a number of other stats that were not tabulated until later in Kareem's career. Even still, you'll find that he dominates Hakeem on the stats.

Can you argue with Kareem's six MVP awards againts Hakeem's one MVP award? Though Kareem's six Championships against Hakeem's two is a striking stat, I won't argue the championship stat because it is more of a team stat than an individual player stat.

Further, check the NBA analysts and historians. They concurr that Kareem is greater. Hakeem is usually ranked behind Wilt Chamberlain and, in many cases, after Bill Russell. In some cases, he is ranked behind Shaq but I would disagree. I'd put Hakeem at third or fourth all-time:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-GreatestCenters
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/65759-top-10-nba-centers-of-all-time
http://www.geoclan.com/sports/articles/06/TopFiveCentersinNBAHistory.htm

I'll accept your concession unless you can provide substantive arguments to refute me, Mike Swenson, and pretty much every other credible NBA historian/analyst out there. In other words, you cannot argue that because I didn't watch TV during Kareem's entire career, Kareem is not greater than Hakeem. We all see fallacy in that argument. Give me something substantive or I will accept your concession that Kareem is greater than Hakeem.

In conclusion, http://www.yougotdunkedon.com/2009/04/kevin-johnson-dunks-on-hakeem-olajuwon.html

Ryan

evans dance

barley

I did get some video of evan's cute upcoming "date". she is the one with the curly locks and blue/green shirt. i was trying to be inconspicuous.

Christmas Time!

What are everyone's plans for Christmas? Mel and I are planning to attend the Boyer Christmas in Utah. We have purchased our plane tickets for it. Mom, how are you going to get there?

Gift exchange? Who wants to draw names?

How is everyone doing? I am in the throws of finals and I will be glad to have a break from school for a few months this winter. We are having a baptism service tomorrow for an individual who the Missionaries have taught over the last little while.

I am interested in all of your thoughts on this question: is art man-made OR a naturally-occurring phenomenon? You can interpret the question as you wish. I expect an answer from each of you.

Ryan

huff halloween

"...leave him alone man he's had enough...

i'll say when he's had enough, the enemy deserves no mercy"

"you couldnt leave well enough alone, well now your gonna pay"

-enter miyagi-

There's a Nightmare in My Closet

Ghostbusters 3 teaser poster

What are you're thoughts on the upcoming movie? I'm not even sure if Bill Murray is going to be in it. It's supposed to be about the original ghostbusters passing on the torch to a new generation.

amy, this ones for you...click on the link

http://emtoddsmith.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-heart-buffy.html

I'm feeling a little bit like Pharoah

So we've had some weird stuff lately going on with our house. First, I saw this hanging in my bathroom window a few weeks ago:

(It was gone by nighttime)

And yesterday, I had this crawling in the cracks of my front door and big living room window:

Has our family been cursed? Is there some reason I have these plagues attacking our home? Are my children enslaved by my strict rules about Nintendo? Have I given them too many chores? Am I like Pharoah? Should I let my children go free? I'm looking for an explanation in the hopes that these frightening episodes will leave me alone...

they call me mrs. adams

I don't know why I think I can just touch up my roots myself. 90% of the time when I buy my own hair color it turns into a disaster. When will I learn?? The words witch, goth, vampira, morticia, etc. come to mind when I look at myself. I have hidden my identity out of shear embarrassment. I went from blond with about 1/2 inch of medium brown roots, to blue black. After 5 washes (3 with baking soda) it is now black w/a hint of red. I cant believe how off the color was. I wanted a brown...I got suckered into the Chris Rock movie 'Hair' thinking, why am I always fighting to be blond? Then I saw a lot of pretty brunettes on Sunday. So I went and bought some medium (so I thought) brown to dissipate some of the blond and hide my growing roots. But the outcome of my good intentions was not as expected...of course...blackness. And I do not see the light. (literally)
My only hope is to continue to wash, and wash and wash and will one day see some semblance of brown again. I can hope. But for now, I am just glad that it is Halloween next week. I will fit right in...to the night. (I included this picture to demonstrate how my hair fades into the background, is it hair anymore? or has it become its own entity)

mom's new ride!!!

Indiana look out, mom's going off roading:) Its a super nice car!!

janelle

YES, i look haggard in all these photos, but i loved sadie's face and her trying so hard to figure out those vampire teeth...

Balloon Fiesta

Mel and I went to the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico this weekend. As you can see from the pictures, it was an amazing and inspiring sight. For the first time in a long time, I felt like a little kid again. I hope everyone is able to feel the same once in a while. I am particularly proud of the shot I got of the Vader balloon heading towards the rising sun. Also, I was enlisted as a balloon crew member when the winds whipped up. I ran to the aid of one balloon and was instrumental in preventing it from tipping. -Ryan

Mel's commentary: I heard about the balloon fiesta last year and knew I had to go. It was completely worth the six hour drive. All of the spectators get to join the field of hundreds (over 700) balloons and watch them inflate and then litter the sky. We were so close we could have jumped in the baskets. There was one moment where I got separated from the group but instead of looking for them, I just turned and stared up into the sky. I couldn't miss a moment of it. It was amazing. I highly suggest we all take a family vacation there next year. And as you can tell by the photo, Ryan was busy helping the balloon crew but not busy enough to forget about striking a pose.

Nothing to Say but this.....

I have absolutely nothing in particular to say. It's 11:37 pm and I am still awake. This is abnormal for me. I ususally fall asleep around 10:30. I've been trying to think of something interesting to say on the blog so I can spark some life back into it. I was just reading some of the old posts that we had and they were hilarious. I'm not running anymore. I've become my own worst nightmare. I used to be so energized and eager to monitor everyone's exercise habits. Now I have to worry about my own. I've become a hypocrite basically. I'll have to try again. Just some thoughts I've had about everyone,

Jen, I enjoy talking to you on the phone. You set a great example for all of us. I'm glad you are trying to live a healthy lifesyle. I really enjoyed your post about christian's soccer game. Tell him great job!
Ron, I hope your job is going well. I don't know how you do it, but you always manage to be upbeat and happy.
Janelle, I'm excited for little Jane. I think that is a cute name. Post some pictures of her and your other little ones. Stay positive. One of the talents you possess that I wish I had is your ability to turn a mess into a masterpiece.
Michael, you are a strong influence for Janelle and handy when it comes to fixing dish washers. Find out where she hides her treats so that I may partake when I come again.
Mike, you are a very sweet individual. Stay faithful in the Gospel.
Ryan, you are a rock and will most certainly go far in life. Thank you for all that you do. Everyone enjoys your company.
Melanie, You are very creative and know how to enjoy life. Keep it up!
Jon, You are the entertainer. You always make people laugh with your antics. Thank you for always being willing to play games.
Evan, You are very smart. You have an interesing take on life. Stay positive.

Mom, You are tough. You have a peaceful demeanor. Remember that we all love you. You are the matriarch of this family and have much to offer us in the years to come.

Dad, We miss you and love you. We know we aren't separted from you forever!

Amy

Evans Court of Honor:)

These are from Michael's blackberry, so, not the best quality...

i am going to use blurb.com and slurp our blog into a book for publishing. when you get a chance please add some memories or happy thoughts you have about dad to add to the book before i send it in for printing. i mean, do it in the next few weeks.
thanks janelle

Robert Michael Blodgett 1950-2009

Update

Hello family,

Congratulations to Evan for completing the Eagle project!  Way to organize a community effort and execute service.

My apologies for the traumatic experiences that have occurred over the last little bit.  The car wreck, the bird carcass.  Dad if you give me 30% of your damage award, I will represent you in your claim against the other driver's insurance company.  Apparently, he was a 19 year old with marijuana paraphernalia on his way to nowhere so he probably is uninsured.  As to the cat's menacing behavior...I have no words. 

Is there something in our genes that makes us incapable of coping with our phobias?  I always thought Dad's inability to look at bees on a tv screen was a joke.  Over the last couple of years I have developed the same inability with regard to rodents on a tv screen.  I haven't always been this way.  It's probably something I can overcome if I focus.  

Melanie and I are sad that we are not able to attend the Boyer Family Reunion.  The more time we spend in Denver where we have no family, the more we learn that we enjoy being around family and want to live near family.  We are trying to figure a way to visit the family this summer.

Despite feeling landlocked and having no family around, we enjoy living in Denver.  I like the amenities of a large city.  Our ward is young, diverse, and politically charged.  It is filled with ambitious professionals and young families.  A sampling of sacrament meeting talks over this last winter:  one member announced that the "constitution hanging by a thread" prophecy had been fulfilled with the prop8 protests against Mormons in California.  A few weeks after that, another member claimed from the pulpit that, in time, church members will be apologizing for the Church's involvement in prop8 much like some do for polygamy and 1978.  Despite these distractions, Melanie and I are able to enjoy the plain and precious sacrament ordinance in our ward and we have developed close friendships with a number of people in the ward.  

This winter I decided to add more to my plate and I joined the Graduate Tax Program because, upon trying a tax class last fall, I discovered I enjoyed learning about it.  I am doing quite a bit of tax stuff at my work.  I think I enjoy learning/doing tax stuff because I learn more about money and I feel empowered knowing it.  Hmm...money and power.

I hope everyone has a good time at the reunion next week.

Ryan

sweetie strikes again....

Today was a day that shook me to the core.

My story begins Friday....

Me and the kids hadn't left the house all day and around 1 we drove over to mom's house to see what they were up too. I brought in my purse and cell phone (as I always do) and set them by the piano.

We had a nice time working and playing outside at mom's and then we went home around 5.

When we got home I set my purse on my dresser in my bedroom and went about my business to ready the kids for dinner and the evening. Periodically (later that evening), I would walk by my dresser and started to notice a foul smell. As it got later and later in the evening the smell got stronger and stronger and it was emanating from around my dresser.

It smelled like death. My biggest fear was that a mouse had found its way into one of my drawers and died amongst my garments. But I could not find the source of the smell. I will admit that my search wasn't as thorough as it should have been, out of pure fear of what I would discover.

So, I went to sleep, hoping that whatever it was, would just go away.

Saturday morning, I was going to run errands in the morning, so I got up, got dressed and grabbed my purse. AHA! I had found the source of the smell, (so, I thought)

The stench was coming from my purse. I pulled everything out and searched the inside of my bag, but nothing. Perhaps it was some food the kids ate that had turned bad....maybe....

Jokingly, as I left for the store I said to Michael..."It smells like something crawled into my purse and died..."

Well, as i was shopping, I looked in my OUTER pocket only to discover some type of mystery smoosh of grey matter. I gasped as the smell was POWERFUL at this point and was beginning to saturate all of the contents of my purse.

Horrified, I tried to look more closely at this 'thing' and could only make out, what I thought was some type of a claw. I had no idea what it could be, but I knew that it was alive at some point. I could barely have my purse on the seat next to me, I was so disgusted. At one point as I drove home, a plastic bag rustled in the back that made me yell out loud. This squished-up corpse had come back to life and was going to crawl up my arm....(so, I thought). I leaned as far as I could out the window on the way home. I wanted to be away from this dead thing and its smell.

I called Michael and informed him that I had a dire situation that he needed to deal with when I got home. I was tempted to light my purse on fire, and my clothes, and my cell phone...anything that was in my purse. (It didn't come to this) It hadn't touched anything, but was in the outer pocket alone.

When I got home I gave it to Michael to handle. He discovered a beak, a wing, and perhaps part of a leg. His conclusion...a baby bird.

Now, where the heck, could a baby bird have found its way into my purse? I hadn't left it outside and I only started smelling the rotting flesh yesterday.

Oh, that's right....I was at mom's for a couple of hours Friday where there lives a killer of birds....

I am blaming the 'squished bird in my purse' story on the beast they call sweetie...

Michael is the hero of this story and I forced him to take these disgusting pictures so I could document my most horrifying ordeal.

This was an experience that will haunt me.

Here are a few movie scenes I can now relate to:

1. horse head in the bed in the Godfather movie...

2. boiling rabbit in Fatal attraction come to mind.

Perhaps this cat has it out for me....

Can you handle this??? I can barely look at them...uggghhhllll

janelle's update, where have i been??

wow! (shock & awe!!!) where have i been? i hadnt looked at this blog in weeks(+) and there were POSTS & COMMENTS, even a fabulous one about me:) thanks for the birthday wishes. i love getting compliments. We have been having a good spring so far....

I have been becoming exeptionally large for being only about 23 weeks along. This is slightly embarrassing for me. I do not like to be recognized by strangers, people in the ward, or whoever feels the need to speak to me, by how hippo like I have become. I am not noticed for my beauty or fashion sense or even my wit, but my large, burgening belly that is overtaking my soul. I am partially joking. I am having a pretty good pregnancy. We are having another girl, so if anyone has any names suggestions, please feel free to contribute.

Big news for me (besides being preggo) I was finally able to afix Sadie's hair into piggy tails. A dream come true. She can now look like a pretty little girl and not a free spirited little boy named willow, or river or leaf or whatever hippies are naming their kids these days...

We are anxiously awaiting to hear the news on Jen's recent house sitter and how the outcome of the keger went....Jon, be sure to let us know if you had a good turn out:)

Evan took his SAT and ACT a few weeks ago and we are anxiously awaiting the results. He
did awesome on his PSAT! mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELLE!

I know this tribute is late, but Janelle you are GREAT! You have done A LOT for keeping our family in touch and connected. You always remember birthdays and other special days. I went through my old pictures and found a few good ones of Janelle.


North Branch Ward girl's basketball team. Mom was our coach?!!


Janelle torturing Jen with an unidentified brother's arm in the background.

Janelle looking beautiful her senior year.

Does anyone else have any good pictures of Janelle that they can share?

Claire's baptism

Claire's baptism day was wonderful. I put pictures up of her day on my blog (including pictures of Dad trying to teach my children some basic basketball skills). I really appreciated the gifts, phone calls and family support for her--even if it was long-distance. And thanks to Dad for flying out! It meant a lot to me.

"AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT PLAN"

I become disturbed when I think about where our country is heading. The expansion of the federal government, the decline in morality, the increasingly hostile feelings toward religion, the increasingly thin spread of american resources througout the globe, and the increase of stupidity are just a few of the problems we face. If we continue down this path it will become increasingly difficult to take the "high road" in the future. That is why we need to do something about these issues today.

The new stimulus package will do more harm than good. Its like if you were stuck between two rocks and to save yourself you saw off your lower half, however, you are saved from death only temporarily until you eventually bleed to death. That is the problem with this new law, it offers minor relief in the short run, but cripples us in the long-run. Many of the politicians who made this law have the same mind set as fraudulent business men. If a business begins to deteriorate some managers will do all in their power to keep it afloat. They begin to secure financing, perhaps through fraudulent means, in order to avoid lay offs and decreases in share holder value. However, this does not always work and eventually they will probably go under. This scenerio can be compared to how the government is handling the economic crisis. By spending their way out of the crisis they leave a debt to future generations that they will not be able to repay. What politicians need to understand is that unlike a business America doesnt need a stimulus to exist. The ideal of America is dependent on the goodness and innovation of the american people.

Barack Obama is using the stimulus bill more for the advancement of his radical political philosophy than for the improvement of the economy. Much of the money that the federal government is giving to individual states is stipulated on the expansion of certain social programs which the federal government decides on. For example, the federal government may give a state 300 million dollars only if they use it for their welfare programs. The problem with this is that it imposes Barack Obamas political ideals on the states and these ideals may not be sound for their individual economies. Barack Obama in essence is saying to the govenors, "i know what is best for your state better than you." If anything money should be sent to the states to be used at the govenors own discretion. The jobs that the stimulus bill might create will certainly not replace the already 3.6 million jobs that have been lost already. The bill does hardly anything to address the housing crisis or the value of stocks which are the two biggest factors in ones net worth.

The biggest problem with this stimulus bill is that their is too much borrowing and not enough tax cuts. Businesses need incentives to reinvest and hire people in the long run, permenant tax cuts will provide this incentive. Also, tax cuts need to be implemented in capital gains so as to offset the huge losses that have been incurred in the capital investment pool.

In short, I agree with Thomas Jefferson who said,"government that governs least, governs best."Only the private sector can create the millions of jobs our country needs and the government should excersise greater restraint when dealing with the private sector.

These are some of my initial thoughts about the stimulus bill.

Jon

a few thoughts....

1. Why are the people who are not paying their bills ie: mortgages; and creating more debt being rewarded with help from the president?

2. What is the point of Reality TV? We always talk about how deplorable celebrities are but what about all these freaks that turn up on reality tv shows, survior, rock of love, big brother, etc...liars and sexual deviants. Is this how we are evolving as humans?

3. Did anyone like the movie "The Village" besides me and michael?

I have drastically changed my hair. What do you think? Do I look like Cleopatra or Cher?

Moto Moto - Big And Chunky (WHOLE SONG!)

we saw this song in madagascar 2 and we are obsessed with it. it is so hilareous. it is about a hippo that likes another hippo. it is just funny.

Evan?

Does anyone think this guy looks like Evan? What are your thoughts? I would post of picture of Evan to compare but I don't have a normal looking one of him. This is Riley's favorite soccer player and one of the best soccer players in the world.

Christmas in Kennewick

We had a lot of fun over the holidays! It always goes by so fast. I just wanted to show you some of the pictures I captured with my new hi-tech camera. Thanks again mom and dad for the great presents and for having us home for the holidays!

Love, Amy and Riley