Suns Sign Head Coach Alvin Gentry to Contract Extension

Filed under: , ,

The Phoenix Suns did just about everything in their power to try to ignore the successes of this past season. After a team that was picked by many to finish out of the playoffs made it to the professional version of the Final Four, a mere two games away from the NBA Finals, ownership reacted as though even the most modest of goals hadn't come anywhere close to being reached.

The team lost its general manager, Steve Kerr, less than two weeks before the draft due to a disagreement over finances, and let All-Star unrestricted free agent Amar'e Stoudemire walk for the same reason, while getting nothing in return for one of the elite offensive players in the league.

Yes, things seemed to be spinning out of control in the Valley of the Sun. But as new leadership settled into place in the form of former agent Lon Babby, there seems to initially be a philosophy in place to steady the team moving forward, at least for the next few seasons.

This has been a long-winded way of telling you that Suns head coach Alvin Gentry has been signed by the team to a contract extension that will keep him in place through the 2012-13 season. And honestly, it's the best move the club has made all summer.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Lori Heuring Lorri Bagley Lucy Liu Luján Fernández Magdalena Wróbe

'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows' Trailer Warns Of 'Dark Times'

Second-to-last 'Potter' installment hits theaters November 19.
By Kara Warner


Daniel Radcliffe in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"
Photo: Warner Bros.

As promised, the latest trailer for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" arrived online Wednesday (September 22), and it is a doozy. Fans who have been following the trajectory of the film's crafty promotional plan will have a lot to take in after giving it a look-see.

Like the TV spots and clips that have been released before it, this trailer opens with an ominous, almost sinister feel. "These are dark times, there is no denying," Bill Nighy says as Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour, who is shown giving a press conference on the dire state of world affairs.

"Harry ... tell me where he is," Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) serpent-like whisper follows, voicing over images of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named creepily gliding into Dumbledore's tomb, and then a quick cut of Harry standing alone outside a tent on a rocky landscape.

"Our world has faced no greater threat than it does today," Scrimgeour's voice continues, over shots of Hermione and Ron looking serious and concerned, and then Harry and Hermione are shown visiting his parents' grave.

"But you can't fight the war on your own, Mr. Potter," Scrimgeour's voice continues. "He is too strong."

As the Minister's words trail off, Harry is shown holding a broken piece of mirror, which shows Dumbledore falling into a dark abyss.

The trailer then kicks into high gear, with dramatic music and shots of preparation for various battles, including a very poignant meeting of Voldemort's Death Eaters, at which the duplicitous Severus Snape is seated.

"We have infiltrated the Ministry," he says.

Cut to chaos at the Ministry, with stuffy politicians trying to maintain order (one of whom is forever-pink-clad Dolores Umbridge flashing her characteristic grimace/facade of calm), and then more familiar shots of Harry, Ron and Hermione traveling cross-country on their journey, over rocky hills, in the middle of a bustling London.

This is followed by a series of escape-esque shots, including seeing the six Harry clones/look-alikes, which readers of the book will remember is the tool the Order of the Phoenix use in an attempt to safely move the real Harry from one location to the next.

Cut to an impressive array of quick action shots: The Death Eaters attacking Bill and Fleur's wedding! Hagrid trying to whisk Harry away on his motorbike! Everyone running through the forest! A mid-air magic fight with wizards wielding wands while riding Thestrals! There is even the very tense argument between Ron and Harry in the tent that leads to a physical altercation. More battling! Houses destroyed! Harry, Ron and Hermione running! All leading up to Voldemort's creepy voice-over once more:

"I have seen your heart," he says. "And it is mine," before sending a menacing flash of lightning into the sky that cleverly forms the film's title.

Cue the all-over-body chills.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" will hit theaters on November 19.

What do you think of the trailer?!? When will you buy your "Deathly Hallows: Part 1" tickets? Let us know in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Related Photos

Lauren Bush Lauren Conrad Lauren German LeAnn Rimes Leeann Tweeden

Two-Way Player Owen Marecic Takes Center Stage in Stanford Win

Filed under: , ,

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Owen Marecic dipped a tired arm into a box holding post-game snacks and only pulled out one bag. Certainly, he had earned two during Stanford's 37-14 victory over Notre Dame.

Less than an hour earlier Marecic, who starts at both fullback and middle linebacker for Stanford, had scored two touchdowns on consecutive plays from scrimmage for the Cardinal. First, he bulldozed in from one yard out to put Stanford up 25-6 against Notre Dame midway through the fourth quarter. After a two-point conversion and the ensuing kickoff, Marecic jumped a Dayne Crist pass to the flat and raced 20 yards untouched to paydirt to put Stanford up 33-6.

Two plays, two touchdowns for Stanford's very own two-way player.

According to Stats, Inc., Marecic is just the fourth player in the past seven years to score a touchdown on both offense and defense in the same game (the last was Utah's Eric Weddle, who had a rushing touchdown and two interception returns for touchdowns versus San Diego State on Sept. 23, 2006). The last time someone did it on consecutive plays from scrimmage? Good luck finding out.



 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Leonor Varela Leslie Bega Leslie Bibb Lil Kim Lily Allen

LSU's Les Miles Proud to be 4-0, No Matter How It's Happened

Filed under: ,

BATON ROUGE, La. - LSU is 4-0, and coach Les Miles is searching for a psychiatrist.

The coach whose mysterious syntax and captivating run-on sentences sometimes drives Tiger fans crazy -- or at least to the dictionary -- minced no words Saturday night after his 15th-ranked team used suffocating defense and the deadly return skills of cornerback Patrick Peterson to dispatch No. 22 and previously unbeaten West Virginia, 20-14, in front of 92,574 at Tiger Stadium.

No. 1, Miles said, no matter how atrocious his offense looks under junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson -- whose high, low and wild right and left deliveries had LSU receivers ducking for cover and checking their body parts all night -- he won't apologize for being 4-0.

"I think if you look around, you'll find that's a pretty rare occurrence," Miles said, smiling. "I think there are a lot of teams that would like to be in that position."

No. 2, he characterized the fourth-quarter booing that rained down on Jefferson -- boos that probably were directed in part at the LSU offensive coaching staff that appears as befuddled as Jefferson -- as unbecoming and improper.



 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Lisa Marie Lisa Snowdon Liz Phair Lokelani McMichael Lori Heuring