Law And Order NBA: Lockout Edition

Players plan to sue the NBA and it's owners collectively

Hello avenue, I know I have kept you "locked out" of the sports drop for a while. But I got a gem for you today! I will be bringing you news and updates on the world of basketball in smaller doses plus your usual sports recaps going forward, so make sure to always check back on BlvdAve to see whats new!

Unfortunately, I cannot announce the beginning of the 2011-12 NBA season, and my excitement for the upcoming games between the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks.

But the reality is for the NBA, things have most certainly just got real. 

Tuesday marked the day that NBA players would have started receiving those precious league issued checks. To the amount of which I have never seen in person, ESPN as reported by CNBC, the average NBA player lost about $220,000 as a result of the lockout and a disclaimer of intent to the NBA, pursuant by a lawsuit against the NBA filed by the players. 

David Boies has been picked to
 represent the NBA players

It also marked the 138th day of the lockout. Only so much talk about Basketball Related Income, 50/50 splits, "system issues", hard-caps, soft-caps, luxury tax, and rookie wages can consume the news feeds. So what we will do here at BlvdAve is give you reasons to reflect on what was, and what will be the future of the NBA.



The 2010 Season brought us alot of young talented stars that look to change the league. Dallas finally got what it had been denied for so long, winning an NBA championship for future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki and mercurial owner Mark Cuban.

Each week until the NBA season picks back up, we will take a look at some things that will be missed in the NBA. Rather than jam a bunch of numbers down the readers throat (there will be enough of that everywhere else), I am going to entertain and tease you all with some of the best highlights from last season and of all time. We will also take a look which NBA superstars are going to play overseas and tour the U.S. as a result of the recent news that the players will sue the league.

In any event....

Let's take a look at the season that was for the 2010-11 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks.

Sneaks on the AVE: Run-DMC x adidas Originals Superstar ’80s ‘My adidas’ out now !

If there was ever a time you desiered to walk through concert doors or roam all over coliseum floors, it very well might be now.  No, there's not another Live Aid/8 benefit concert coming up to commemorate the fifth birthday of the last one, but instead an anniversary for one of the first explicit instances of overlap between hip-hop culture and major sneaker brands.  The Run-DMC x adidas Originals Superstar 80s 'My adidas' 25th Anniversary edition commemorates five x five years since the song that gave a name to Three Stripes online customization service first hit radio airwaves.  These are unique for their use of custom embroidery on the rear as well as a dookie rope dubrae; are they the greatest shelltoe release of the last quarter-century?  Check out the images below and these dropped in stores this past Friday, November 11th. Truly a fittingly timed release for one of the rap game's oldest veteran groups.

New Music : Rihanna feat. Jay-Z - "Talk that Talk"

Rih Rih's new album 'talk that talk' in stores this December !

Weekend Box Office Results November 11, 2011 - November 13, 2011

We have a new box office CHAMP !!! This past weekend,'Immortals' dethroned the 2 week box office champ 'Puss In Boots' to become the top dog, raking in $32 Million bucks in ticket sales. Adam Sandler's latest film, 'Jack and Jill' made an impressive debut at #2, grossing $26 Million at the box office. Although 'Puss In Boots' dropped two spots to #3, the film continues to thrive in theaters as it made another $25 Million at the box office this past weekend, bringing the films gross past the $100 Million dollar mark. The Eddie Murphy & Ben Stiller comedy 'Tower Heist' came in at #4 with a little over $13 Million in ticket sales, and the Clint Eastwood film, 'J.Edgar', starring Leonardo DiCaprio, rounds out the top 5 films grossing $11 Million its opening week. Be back here on Friday ladies & gents to find out the latest batch of new films and we'll see if Immortals will remain box office champ or not !!!

TW		Title	Studio	Weekend		Total
1		Immortals	Relativity Media	$32,000,000		$32,000,000
2		Jack and Jill	Columbia Pictures (Sony)	$26,000,000		$26,000,000
3		Puss In Boots	DreamWorks Animation	$25,500,000		$108,809,000
4		Tower Heist	Universal Pictures	$13,200,000		$43,900,000
5		J. Edgar	Warner Bros. Pictures	$11,470,000		$11,569,000
6		A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas	New Line Cinema (Warner Bros.)	$5,900,000		$23,222,000
7		In Time	20th Century Fox	$4,150,000		$30,667,000
8		Paranormal Activity 3	Paramount Pictures	$3,625,000		$100,823,000
9		Footloose	Paramount Pictures	$2,735,000		$48,876,000
10		Real Steel	DreamWorks Pictures	$2,000,000		$81,748,000
11		Moneyball	Columbia Pictures (Sony)	$1,100,000		$71,892,000
12		Courageous	TriStar Pictures (Sony)	$1,000,000		$31,554,000

In theaters now

Ok guys sorry for the delay, I usually deliver this post on fridays, so here it is now. There's several new movies in theaters this weekend, which Im sure will give 'Puss In Boots' a run for its money as the top movie in theaters. So without further ado, lets get right into it ! We'll have box office results posted on Monday.

11-11-11



J. Edgar



Jack and Jill



Immortals

Rest In PEACE: HEAVY D

Mount Vernon, New York emcee-turned-actor Heavy D (born Dwight Myers) has been reported dead today. He was 44 years of age. TMZ.com reports that Heavy D was found unconscious near the entrance to his Beverly Hills, California home and rushed to the hospital. Details are still emerging regarding the longtime Uptown Records rapper's cause of death, however peers and loved ones including rapper-turned-deejay/photographer D-Nice and author/activist dream hampton have publicly mourned the rapper's loss just moments ago.

The Jamaican-born emcee was leader of Heavy D & The Boyz, a late 1980s Hip Hop group which released five albums, all on the Uptown label. The group included G-Whiz, DJ Eddie F., and the late "Trouble" T. Roy, who helped inspired Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth's "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)." Between 1987 and 1994, Heavy D & The Boyz worked with the likes of Notorious B.I.G., DJ Premier, Marley Marl and longtime affiliate and fellow Mount Vernon native Pete Rock.

As a solo artist, Heavy D remained close with Uptown Records executive Sean "Diddy" Combs and the mogul's Bad Boy Records imprint, despite never releasing a Bad Boy album. Recently, Heavy D released Grammy-nominated Reggae album Vibes on the Stride label in 2008. Previously, D had released Waterbed Hev in 1997 and a self-titled 1999 album.

The group performed the title track to FOX's In Living Color show, and appeared on the program. As an actor, Heavy D would appear in films such as Life.

At the time of his death, Heavy D was at work on an album called Love Opus, set to feature Anthony Hamilton and Carl Thomas. Just weeks ago, Heavy D performed at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards. It was days after Heavy D had performed his hit Michael Jackson collaboration, "Jam," alongside LaToya Jackson.

Heres two of Heavy D's Biggest Hits :

New Video: The Roots - 'Tip the Scale' + 'Dear God 2.0'

undun drops 12/06

The Roots have a new album out Dec. 6th. Nuff said. Check the videos below and support the hardest working GROUP in HIP-HOP !!

Sneaks on the AVE: Nike Zoom Kobe VI ‘Dark Knight’ Now Available

In today's ultra-concentrated news cycle, if you don't hear about a model for more than a few weeks (days, even), it's easy to be so bombarded by the ever-expanding array of new and upcoming releases that you might lose track of all but the very most significant releases. And especially when you compare the profile of its release to the Zoom Kobe V that preceeded it, one could certainly conclude by this point in history that sneakerheads are collectively sleeping on the Nike Zoom Kobe VI 'Dark Knight'. Whereas the ZKV edition was an early House of Hoops-exclusive that helped to garner attention for that model in its early days, the Christopher Nolan's Batman-inspired ZK6 comes nearly two years later during a time we couldn't possibly see them on an NBA court. Add in that the Zoom Kobe VII is right around the corner, and we've got all the makings of a release people are going to be happy they remembered while others got left behind. Check these out in some additional images after the jump and pick them up before everyone else finds out they're available right now on NikeStore.

Nike Zoom Kobe VI

Dark Grey/Blue Glow-Black-Chilling Red

429659-016

Gaming News: Gamespot Reviews Rocksmith

With the oversaturated and ailing rhythm game genre in a state of decline, it seems ill-timed to launch a new guitar-focused music franchise. But Ubisoft has pulled one out of left field with Rocksmith--a guitar game that successfully bridges the gap between musical gaming and actual rocking. It's advanced enough to give seasoned guitar players a more realistic challenge than Rock Band or Guitar Hero, yet accessible enough to teach inexperienced guitarists the ropes of rock and roll.

There are a few minor hurdles to get through before you get rocking. Rocksmith requires you to own an actual six-string electric guitar and won't work with any old plastic peripherals you have lying around. It's a great excuse to dust off the old axe if you have one, but the high cost of picking up the Epiphone bundle or a separate guitar will be prohibitive for some players. That said, wielding an honest-to-goodness instrument of rock is what makes this game so fun. Once you have the requisite guitar in hand, you plug it into your system using the included 1/4-inch adapter cable, but it takes some fiddling to get a comfortable response time between the visual and audio lag. Running the sound out via analog audio cables into a stereo offers the best performance, though there are a few different options to explore. Once you get that mess sorted out, it's time to melt faces.

Gaming News: Gamespot Reviews GoldenEye 007 Reloaded

This title is also on PC & PS3

When GoldenEye 007 was released for the Wii last year, it proved that it is possible to successfully reimagine a classic. By combining the spy elements that made the Nintendo 64 original so engaging with modern amenities, it created a great experience that didn't use on nostalgia to be entertaining. One year later, GoldenEye 007: Reloaded comes to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 with updated visuals, as well as a few other changes, and it remains an enticing change of pace from other shooters. Thoughtful missions force you to complete diverse objectives as you slink through enemy territory, and when you're spotted, Reloaded transforms into a hectic action game with razor-sharp mechanics and a variety of deadly weapons. GoldenEye 007: Reloaded doesn't rely on the memories of an aged shooter to be great; it earns that distinction on its own merits.

Sneaks on the Ave: Supra Reed Pack

Recent drops suggested Supra was moving toward celebrating their riders with new release packs instead of the color themes that dominated the summer months, but here's a new trio from the crown brand that suggests either option is just a release announcement away.  The Supra Reed Pack doesn't seem to be a shoutout to the woodwind family of instruments, but then again, it doesn't really resemble papyrus or any other reed, for that matter.  But just as was the case with the recent 'Stealth Pack', this thematic vagueness doesn't detract from the rich burgundy satin TUF design applied to the Supra Skytop and Thunders in both Low and High.  Look at them more closely after the jump and look for them at your local Supra dealer.

Weekend Box Office Results November 4, 2011 - November 6, 2011

Ok ladies and gents here's your list of the top 12 movies at the box off this past weekend. Check back with us on friday for the latest batch of new releases in theaters !!

TW		Title	Studio	Weekend		Total
1		Puss In Boots	DreamWorks Animation	$33,035,000		$75,508,000
2		Tower Heist	Universal Pictures	$25,100,000		$25,100,000
3		A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas	New Line Cinema (Warner Bros.)	$13,065,000		$13,065,000
4		Paranormal Activity 3	Paramount Pictures	$8,525,000		$95,308,000
5		In Time	20th Century Fox	$7,700,000		$24,208,600
6		Footloose	Paramount Pictures	$4,550,000		$44,799,600
7		Real Steel	DreamWorks Pictures	$3,400,000		$78,743,200
8		The Rum Diary	FilmDistrict	$2,987,500		$10,423,200
9		The Ides of March	Columbia Pictures (Sony)	$2,000,000		$36,800,300
10		Moneyball	Columbia Pictures (Sony)	$1,900,000		$70,327,400
11		The Three Musketeers	Summit Entertainment	$1,700,000		$18,049,000
12		Courageous	TriStar Pictures (Sony)	$1,550,000		$29,961,700

New video: Common - 'Blue Sky'

Common drops the official video to this great track by the name of 'Blue Sky' !!! I dont know about you guys, but I am DEFINITELY awaiting the release of Common's latest album 'The Dreamer, The Beliver' which drops in December !!!



BONUS:
Here's another track off Com's new album !!

Grand Theft Auto V Trailer

Ok we're late on delivering this but DELIVERING IT NONE THE LESS !!! Rockstar Games released this trailer earlier in the week and had us all very excited at BLVDAVE ! The game looks awesome already, and even more realistic than Grand Theft Auto 4 graphicwise ! Dont take our word for it though, check the trailer out below. No word on a release date yet, but we'll keep you posted as soon as Rockstar releases more info on Grand Theft Auto 5 !

Gaming News: IGN Reviews Payday: The Heist

This title is also available on PS3

Heists figure into some of the most legendary plots in movie history, and now with Payday: The Heist, this cinematic trope becomes an interesting shooter concept. Overkill Software has done a great job with this innovative idea, which throws up to four players into robberies modeled along the lines of those depicted in flicks like Ocean's Elevenand Heat. The PC/PlayStation 3 game is geared for multiplayer, although the artificial intelligence is good enough that you can play solo without missing out on too much of the crazed intensity offered up by robbing banks and shooting it out with the cops who invariably want to stop you from making off with any ill-gotten gains.

Gaming News: Gamespot Reviews 'Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception'

Is it possible to have your expectations raised too high? Uncharted 2: Among Thievesdelivered a monumental leap over the first game in the series, and it might be easy to fall into the trap of assuming the same advancements would take place in every subsequent release. If that's your state of mind going into Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, you might walk away slightly disappointed. But that's not a fair response. Though the third entry in this treasure-hunting franchise offers a similar experience to its revered predecessor, it's no less magical. Just about every element showcases the care and craftsmanship you would expect from the series. Combat is even more versatile than in previous entries, combining incredible shooting encounters with advanced hand-to-hand takedowns set in lavishly designed areas. When you need a break from the taxing physical endeavors, thoughtful puzzles allow you to explore your more contemplative side. And these two elements are punctuated by exhilarating set-piece events that leave you gasping. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception is another superb entry in Nathan Drake's ongoing quest to find the world's many lost treasures.

In theaters Now

Its FRIDAY !!! So you all know what that means on BLVDAVE !! We have the latest movies in theaters today. We'll see if 'Puss In Boots' will dominate the competition again this weekend or if any of these new films can knock it out of the Number 1 spot at the box office. Monday we'll bring you the results as usual. 'Til then, PEACE !!!

A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas

The Son of No One

Tower Heist

New video: Lil B - 'Neva stop Me' & 'Unchain Me'

Here's two new videos for all the Based God fans out there. Again sorry for the delay on posting this.

New Video: Flo' Rida - Good Feeling

Late on posting this but here it is none the less, a new video by Flo'Rida. Enjoy !

Weekend Box Office Results October 28, 2011 - October 30, 2011

Whats good ladies & gents ??? Im a couple days late with this post, and you have my apologies . It wont happen again any time soon ! 'Puss In Boots' came into the Number 1 position this past Halloween Weekend, raking in close to $35 Million in ticket sales, with 'Paranormal Activity 3' Taking the number 2 slot with a box office draw of $18 Million. 'In time' and 'Footloose' would take the Number 3 and 4 spots in the box office, and 'The Rum Diary' starring Johnny Depp, rounds out the Top 5 films at the box office. Check the list for the remaining films in the top 12, and check back friday for the latest batch of movies in theaters !

TW	LW	Title	Studio	Weekend	Theaters	Total
1	-	Puss In Boots	DreamWorks Animation	$34,077,439	3,952	$34,077,439
2	1	Paranormal Activity 3	Paramount Pictures	$18,144,516	3,329	$80,919,170
3	-	In Time	20th Century Fox	$12,050,368	3,122	$12,050,368
4	3	Footloose	Paramount Pictures	$5,502,026	3,224	$38,544,825
5	-	The Rum Diary	FilmDistrict	$5,135,369	2,272	$5,135,369
6	2	Real Steel	DreamWorks Pictures	$4,783,149	2,914	$73,941,416
7	4	The Three Musketeers	Summit Entertainment	$3,507,359	3,017	$14,847,237
8	5	The Ides of March	Columbia Pictures (Sony)	$2,804,435	1,572	$33,600,618
9	7	Moneyball	Columbia Pictures (Sony)	$2,387,049	1,631	$67,408,099
10	11	Courageous	TriStar Pictures (Sony)	$1,838,096	1,134	$27,681,975
11	8	Johnny English Reborn	Universal Pictures	$1,693,915	1,554	$6,465,685
12	6	Dolphin Tale 3D	Warner Bros. Pictures	$1,633,429	1,838	$67,035,293