Google Nexus 7 vs the iPad

It’s time for the inevitable comparison between the newest tablet on the market, the Google Nexus 7, and the dominant device in this category: the iPad. While the comparison might seem like the obvious thing to do, it’s much more sensible to compare to the Amazon Kindle Fire – and before we get too deep into the specifications on either end, you need to know: Google is in a much better position right this second than Amazon. While the Kindle Fire has been a relatively giant force on the market over this past holiday season, it’s had nothing on the iPad’s market share in the entire time it’s been on the market. As for the Nexus 7, you’ve got a beast that’s ready and willing to be a competitor for both tablets.

The Google Nexus 7 is a tiny little beast of a tablet – where the iPad is an iconic piece of machinery, the Nexus 7 seems to be a bit more of a solid set of elements pounded together with a hammer into a device that’s meant to be perfect for the several specific purposes it was made for. The Nexus 7 was made to be a device with which you download and consume media from the Google Play store – movies, television shows, music, books, and magazines – and of course games. The iPad, on the other hand, was made to be a companion for you in all situations where the iPhone is too small.

As far as a simple specs comparison, you’ve go the following. And keep in mind we’re using the 3rd Generation iPad, aka the Retina Display iPad:
Screen Size: iPad 9.7-inch 2048 x 1536 pixel LED-backlit IPS (264 ppi) / Nexus 7 7-inch 1280 x 800 pixel LED-backlit IPS (216 ppi)
Device Size: 7.31″ x 9.5″ x 0.37″ / 7.8″ x 4.72″ x 0.41″
Processor: Apple A5X / NVIDIA Tegra 3
Cameras: 5-megapixel iSight camera, VGA front-facing camera / 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera
Connectivity: AT&T and Verizon 4G LTE, Wi-fi / Wi-fi only (at the moment)
Internal Storage Size: 16, 32, 64GB / 8GB, 16GB
Battery: 11666 mAh / 4325 mAh
Media: iTunes Store / Google Play Store
Color Options: White, Black / White/Black combo, Black

Additional elements:
iPad: Bluetooth 4.0, 30-pin dock connector port, accelerometer, magnetometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, GPS, AirPlay mirroring to Apple TV.

Nexus 7: Bluetooth 4.0, MicroUSB connector port, accelerometer, magnetometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, GPS, NFC.

Both of these devices have been pushed as heroes for their respective pusher’s app and media stores, and both devices are certainly going to get their fair share of 3rd party accessory support (if they haven’t already.) The Nexus 7 has the bonus – if you can call it that – of having several hardware/software companies with vested interests in its success: Google, ASUS, and NVIDIA. The iPad, on the other hand, has quite a few 3rd party supporters, with developers aiming apps at the one device specifically as well as Apple’s attention squared solely upon it for its software.

The price is going to be a giant factor for you if you plan on heading out to purchase a tablet today. The starting price of the Nexus 7 is just $199 while the iPad, in the iteration we’re looking at here and above, starts at $499. The iPad is an iPad, and there’s no replacement for that. The Nexus 7, also, is the only Google tablet in the position that it’s in at the moment as well with the backing of three companies in the way you’re seeing this week, and having a real push from Google (as heard in the keynote today – see our I/O 2012 portal for more) for hacking.

Have a peek at the photos and video above and below for a bit more hands-on action and be sure to let us know what you think of this battle asap! Also hit up our Android portal and Apple portal for the most awesome portal battle of all!

source: http://www.slashgear.com/google-nexus-7-vs-the-ipad-28236106/

Michael Jackson’s death, like those of the great artists before and since, results in a greater loss for black music

By Rahiel Tesfamariam

It’s hard to believe that so much time has passed since the world lost Michael Jackson. The “King of Pop” died three years ago Monday from an overdose of prescription drugs administered to him by his doctor, Conrad Murray, who was later found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years in jail.
Jackson accepts the Performer of the Millennium at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards. (Timothy A. Clary - AFP)

Every generation has its moments when a beloved public figure is taken from us. It’s a memory that often is forever etched in our memories. No matter how much time has passed, you can look back and remember exactly where you were when you got the news that made you question if things would ever be the same again. For many of us, Michael Jackson’s death was one of those game-changing moments in time.

It feels like those moments are happening more and more often, especially in the world of black music. But the real tragedy is that we’re not just losing these beloved artists. We’re also losing our culture.

 In the last year alone, we’ve lost musical legends like Etta James, Don Cornelius, Donna Summer and, of course, Whitney Houston. Locally, Washingtonians mourned the loss of Chuck “Godfather of Go-Go” Brown who put the nation’s capital on the country’s cultural radar.

Look at how we try to revive the past. It returns in the form of a resurrected Tupac at Coachella, rumors of a Whitney Houston biopic, and the Jackson brothers going on a 16-city tour without their brother Michael. But it’s never the same. With each death, a piece of the public’s artistic imagination and inevitably who we are as a people passes away with it.

 While not dismissing the cross-generational greatness that remains in our midst, I can’t help but be concerned for the state of black entertainment. We’re far from a cultural drought, but much of today’s music doesn’t pulsate with the same soul that eras past did.

Much of my disappointment stems from commercial hip-hop. I'm saddened that my nieces don't have an equivalent to Arrested Development rapping about brothas “disrespecting my black queen, holding their crotches and being obscene” on the urban radio stations they listen to daily. Where are the Fugees and Tribe Called Quest for the new generation? Even in the R&B realm — for every H-Town that talked about “Knockin the Boots,” there remained a Boyz II Men that sang about loving someone until the “End of the Road” or the “Water Runs Dry.” There was greater balance, and as a result, we could choose our music a la carte.

Steve Harvey drove this point home in “The Original Kings of Comedy,” when he talked about the difference between Earth, Wind and Fire asking “would you mind if I looked in your eyes till I'm hypnotized and I lose my pride?” and today’s artists asking “who shot ya?” The difference between Lenny Williams crying his way “Cause I Love You” and today’s artists making music saturated with sex but completely devoid of love.

Much like our food, the music we consume today is engineered through very advanced technology and far from anything organic or homegrown. The commercial, synthetic production of music has gotten so bad that a mainstream artist such as Jay-Z felt the need to call for the “Death of Auto-Tune” as a critique of and challenge to individuals like T-Pain, who popularized the audio-engineering technology.

The artists aren’t the primary ones to blame for this compromise of cultural integrity. The corporate-driven industry isn’t as invested in making timeless music like EWF’s “Love’s Holiday”as it is in keeping up with consumer trends for the purpose of having mass appeal. It’s down to a formula now. Artists are required to have pop crossover in order to be sustainable — even if the culture suffers as a result. Rapper Nicki Minaj is a good example of how a formulaic sound and a sex-driven brand will prosper against all odds. Her crossover single “Starships” debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, even though it was, as the magaizine noted, “a departure in sound for the Young Money rapper”.

 With that level of calculated success, what will challenge this generation of artists to pursue music with the same global vision that Michael Jackson had? The genius behind “Thriller” crossed every human boundary that divides us. Very few artists can popularize a nation’s culture in the ways in which Michael did. He had his faults (many of them), but he made America look good in the  eyes of the world. And he made us, as Americans, feel good about ourselves.

 This isn’t to ignore the fact that artists like Rihanna have similar global appeal. But it wasn’t just Michael’s music that was global in scope; his passion for service was as well. MJ was a servant. It’s hard to imagine contemporary artists like Rihanna and Beyonce offering the equivalent to “We Are the World” with the sincerity that Michael’s charity work had.  But that may not be a statement about them as much as it is about the difference between Michael’s baby boomer generation, which lived through the civil rights and Black Power movements, versus my generation, which seemingly has a much more self-centered and materialistic strand running through it. Selfish artistry permeates our contemporary cultural landscape because so many of us have taken our freedoms for granted and don’t feel a sense of obligation to live out a life of service.

We can’t bring Michael or any of these artists who have passed back. But we can hope to live in a world where entertainers understand that being the greatest of all time is about much more than just music; it’s also about touching humanity in a way that forever changes people. In the end, how much our culture thrives will depend on how concerned we are about the welfare of our neighbor and the needs of our world.

Rahiel Tesfamariam is a columnist and blogger for The Washington Post and The RootDC. She is the founder/editorial director of Urban Cusp, an online lifestyle magazine highlighting progressive urban culture, faith, social change and global awareness. 

By Rahiel Tesfamariam  |  04:24 PM ET, 06/26/2012

source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/michael-jacksons-death-like-those-of-the-great-artists-before-and-since-results-in-a-greater-loss-for-black-music/2012/06/26/gJQAbFnx4V_blog.html

Jenny McCarthy nude in Playboy at 39: First look at TV host’s sixth cover for famed magazine

Jenny McCarthy graces the July/August cover of Playboy, just months before she turns 40.

BY CRISTINA EVERETT / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Monday, June 25, 2012, 11:44 AM

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/jenny-mccarthy-nude-playboy-39-tv-host-sixth-cover-famed-magazine-article-1.1101866#ixzz1ysbk9WSY

If you’ve (still) got it, flaunt it.

Jenny McCarthy proves that age ain’t nothing but a number as she strips down for her latest pictorial in Playboy magazine.

Gracing the July/August cover of the famed men’s magazine, the 39-year-old blond beauty says she didn’t have any reservations about stripping down for her sixth cover appearance and seventh pictorial in Playboy.

PHOTOS: OVEREXPOSED! STARS WHO POSE FOR PLAYBOY

“I’m not the girl with the ribbon holding her pinkie in her mouth, giggling,” McCarthy tells the magazine, which hits newsstands June 29. “I still have that side to me, but this really strong chick came out.”

Dressed in nothing but thigh-high black boots and mesh gloves, McCarthy strategically crosses her legs and covers her breasts with her hands as she poses nude on the new cover.

McCarthy’s evolution as a sex symbol has been well documented by the magazine.

She made her debut in 1993 when Playboy put her on the cover of its October issue. She quickly became a fan favorite and was named Playmate of the Month and then Playmate of the Year one year later. She also appeared on the Christmas cover in 1996, and then again in leopard bunny ears in 2005.

And as she’s months away from turning the big 4-0 in November, McCarthy says life in the bedroom has only gotten better with time.

“This point in my life has been the most fun, sexual extravaganza,” says the host of NBC’s “Love in the Wild,” who has been dating Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher. “The orgasms are night-and-day better. I feel 100 billion times more sexual, and that comes out in this pictorial.”

source:  http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/jenny-mccarthy-nude-playboy-39-tv-host-sixth-cover-famed-magazine-article-1.1101866 

Lolo Jones secures spot on second consecutive Olympic team

By Bryce Miller, Des Moines Register

EUGENE, Ore. – There it was, for all of Hayward Field and millions watching on NBC television to see.

• 
  By Kirby Lee, US Presswire
  Lolo Jones celebrates after placing third in the women's 100-meter hurdles final, securing a berth for her second consecutive U.S. Olympic team.

Enlarge

By Kirby Lee, US Presswire

Lolo Jones celebrates after placing third in the women's 100-meter hurdles final, securing a berth for her second consecutive U.S. Olympic team.

Lolo Jones smiled.

Normally, that's common for Jones, the effervescent and animated track star from Des Moines.

• PHOTOS: U.S. Olympic track trials

Until this moment, though, when Jones secured her spot on a second consecutive Olympic team Saturday night at the U.S. Olympic Trials, the smile had been packed away in a suitcase of fear and doubt.

The smile returned, though, when Jones finished third in the women's 100-meter hurdles final in 12.86 seconds — securing the final spot for the London Olympics.

In that moment, the smile and the joyful bounce returned for Jones, who fought back from surgery last August and a pair of hamstring injuries to — again — become an Olympian.

"I had my sports psychologist on speed dial one, my pastor on speed dial two and my mom on speed dial three," Jones said of the pressure this weekend. "It was crazy."

The Olympic Trials champion was Dawn Harper, the woman who won gold in 2008 when Jones hit the second-to-last hurdle in Beijing.

Harper bested the stacked field in a time of 12.77, just ahead of runner-up Kellie Wells.

For Jones, third place has never felt this good.

"I woke up (Saturday morning) and I didn't even think I'd make the team," said Jones, one day after a disappointing start in a prelim that cause her to break the dreaded 13-second barrier.

"I was fighting a constant head battle, just trying to find the confidence.

"I'm just thrilled to have another shot."

Dennis Shaver, Lolo's personal coach who guided her while she constructed a star-studded career atLSU, knew the challenge to make this Olympic team would be tougher because of the surgery and injures.

He also knew something else.

"She's a tough person," Shaver said as he waited for Jones to surface from the Hayward Field track. "She's not the kind of person you can count out in a pressure situation. I'm not surprised she rose to the occasion."

The pressure to return to the Olympics intensified to levels even Jones didn't expect.

Jones became even more of a national name this year with appearances on or in ESPN, HBO, the NBC Nightly News, Rolling Stone and more.

The final days and hours before the pressure-melting final felt like "two married people bickering," Jones said.

"That's how every relationship was," Jones said. "With my coach, my family. (Friday), after the first round, when I ran 13 seconds, I went back in and, as calm as I could, but it was just not — it was like a reality meltdown — I was like, 'Coach Shaver, I need you to stop lying to me. Do I look bad?' "

"It wasn't that calm. I was actually screaming. I actually threw a shoe. It was a nightmare. I'm just glad I got it all over, and I have a month to prepare for the Olympics."

Shaver, her coach, pumped as much confidence into Jones as possible.

"I kept telling here experience means something in this meet," he said. "She's been here. We knew her best races were ahead of her (after recovering from injuries). And we knew this (Olympic Trials) would be the toughest part."

"She's a tough cookie."

As an on-track interview with Jones over the public address system boomed into the chilled Oregon sky, Angie Jefferson, Lolo's sister, beamed.

"She's a fighter," Jefferson said. "I told her, 'Nothing has come easy' or ever been handed to her. She fought."

Jones wasn't alone on the track Saturday night.

She was there. But so was her trademark smile.

"It's nice to see that again," Jefferson said. "She's got a beautiful smile, doesn't she?"

source: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/track/story/2012-06-24/lolo-jones-secures-spot-on-olympic-track-team/55789564/1

Ann Curry soldiers on during ‘Today’ show in wake of reports of her impending exit

Ill-timed lower third a reminder that anchor may be 'Here Today, Gone Tomorrow'

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Published: Thursday, June 21, 2012, 4:42 PM

Updated: Thursday, June 21, 2012, 8:12 PM

Give Ann Curry credit simply for punching in on Thursday morning, knowing millions of viewers would look at her on “The Today Show” and see only a Dead Ann Walking.

Rarely has the body language of a major broadcast network so clearly indicated that one of the marquee hosts on its most successful show is about to be gone.

Officially, NBC has said nothing about Curry being replaced on “The Today Show,” and that may be the strongest confirmation it’s likely to happen.

RELATED: CURRY TO BE OUSTED FROM 'TODAY'

No denials or deflections here. NBC is sitting in its office whistling, as oblivious to the elephant in the outer room as the “Today” staff was on the air Thursday.

Elephant? What elephant?

NBC

A banner that read "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" was on screen during Ann Curry's interview with Steve Carell about his new movie "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.

Oh, you mean the elephant that’s about to sit on Ann? Oh, right. That elephant.

Maybe the most telling moment on "Today" Thursday came when Matt Lauer interviewed the 68-year-old woman who was bullied and taunted by students on a school bus.

Lauer looked almost physically angry when he talked about how he wished he could call out the bullies' names on national television.

It suggested a level of visceral frustration Lauer doesn't ordinarily show, and viewers might have wondered if it didn't stem from more than just the admittedly troubling story he was covering.

COUNTESS/GETTY

Ann Curry's days appear numbered on the "Today" show.

It also didn't help when an ill-advised lower third with the head, "Here Today, Gone Today," appeared under Curry during an interview segment with Steve Carell.

The text was meant to be a tongue-in-cheek reference to Carell's new movie, "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World," which is set during the days before an asteroid crashes into the planet. The poor timing, however, may have hit some watchers like an asteroid.

NBC has had some experience with clumsy transitions, as Conan O’Brien will tell you, but that’s rarely been a problem on the “Today” show.

Until now, when it is.

It’s clear that whatever is going down with Curry started well before Wednesday afternoon, when the Times’ Brian Stetler published an extremely detailed story essentially spelling out what had happened and strongly suggesting what is about to happen.

That followed a long previous Times story about how the new “Today” hadn’t quite found its rhythm yet.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/ann-curry-soldiers-today-show-wake-reports-impending-exit-article-1.1100065#ixzz1yTo70XHo

source: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/ann-curry-soldiers-today-show-wake-reports-impending-exit-article-1.1100065

Kate Upton Details Wardrobe Mishap In July Issue Of GQ

By Miranda Johnson

Kate Upton, the blonde hottie who recently found herself splattered all over the Net for her provocative dance to The Rej3ctz's “Cat Daddy” is featured on the uber-sexy cover of theJuly issue of GQ. The 20-year-old model plays up her sex appeal to the max, donning an assortment of racy bikinis.

Often slammed for her choice of clothing, Upton told GQ exactly why she likes to flaunt her assets, stating "I grew up in Florida riding horses, so for the majority of my life I was either in boots and jeans or a bathing suit. "I understand why my male followers like me.” In the issue Kate also spoke about her recent role in the film “The Three Stooges,” which caused her to be the target of backlash from the Catholic Church. "I can see why the Catholic Church would be upset with me," she admits. "But it was just for fun, and I try not to take it more seriously than that."

The controversial model also mentioned a mishap that occurred will she was being photographed for the spread, which I’m sure left male onlookers more than pleased. "For the GQ photo shoot, we were on the ride where the seat spins while the actual ride is spinning, and I'm wearing a one-piece," she describes the incident. And all of a sudden the whole entire top falls off! I'm holding myself, laughing, turning bright red, but a lot of people are watching, so they kicked us out of the Santa Monica Pier - it was so embarrassing."

Although she’s a full time model, don’t be surprised to catch Kate engaging in a little hip-hop dancing in her spare time. Earlier this year Upton was featured in Terry Richardson's vlog series called "Terry TV” in a very skimpy red bikini busting out the “Cat Daddy.” The clip briefly disappeared from YouTube when the website decided that it violated the website’s rules on nudity and sexual content but was quickly reinstated.

source: http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/06/20/kate-upton-gq-cover-wardrobe-malfunction/

Lindsay Lohan Tweets Note to Self

Lindsay Lohan tweeted a reminder to herself today, hours after paramedics were called to the starlet’s Marina del Ray, Calif., penthouse by producers of her new movie, “Liz and Dick,” who feared the actress was unconscious after she did not come out of her room as scheduled.

“Note to self…after working 85hours in 4days, and being up all night shooting, be very aware that you might pass out from exhaustion + 7 paramedics MIGHT show up @ your door…Hopefully theyre cute. Otherwise it would be a real let down,” @lindsaylohan tweeted.

Lohan’s rep, Steve Honig, said the actress was asleep when the call was made. He blamed her inability to wake up on exhaustion and dehydration from long days on set.

“She was on set last night at 7 p.m. and worked through the night until 8 a.m. this morning,” he said. “She took a nap before shooting her final scene. Producers were concerned when she did not come out of her room and called paramedics as a precaution. Lindsay was examined and is fine, but did suffer some exhaustion and dehydration.”

Honig added, “Lindsay was never taken to a hospital; reports to the contrary are false. She is resting now and is hoping to be back on set later this afternoon.”

See Lindsay Lohan on the set of “Liz and Dick.”

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office described Lohan’s condition as “groggy” and said she’s “OK as far as we know.”

Lohan has been to rehab multiple times for drug and alcohol abuse. In March, she was taken off probation from her 2007 DUI case.

The actress has had a rough run of late. Last week, she totaled her Porsche by driving it into a dump truck on the Pacific Coast Highway.

source: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/06/lindsay-lohan-tweets-note-to-self/

WR Chad Ochocinco signs with Dolphins

By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

Posted: Monday, Jun. 11, 2012

MIAMI Out of work and not ready to retire, Chad Ochocinco found a job back in his hometown.

The former Pro Bowl receiver signed with the Miami Dolphins on Monday, four days after being released by the New England Patriots.

The signing came after Ochocinco had a tryout with the Dolphins, who are thin at the position and dropping a lot of passes in offseason drills. He's likely to join the team for this week's OTAs, which continue through Wednesday.

"Congrats to Chad," tweeted his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. "It's nice to come home."

The 34-year-old Ochocinco, a Miami native, made the Pro Bowl six times, most recently in 2009. He had only a minor role in his lone season with the Patriots, catching 15 passes for 276 yards.

The Dolphins traded Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears in March for two third-round draft picks, and didn't draft a receiver until the sixth round. Following a practice Monday, coach Joe Philbin conceded there has been room for improvement in the pass-catching during offseason workouts.

"You would like to have some players make it easy and distinguish themselves, maybe make the picture a little bit clearer," Philbin said. "We have to catch the ball more consistently at every position on offense, because it is not quite where it needs to be."

Marshall's off-field issues wore on the Dolphins, and Ochocinco can be high-maintenance, too. His antics have sometimes annoyed his teammates and coaches, and his touchdown celebrations led to an NFL crackdown.

In his career, Ochocinco has caught 766 passes for 11,059 yards and 67 touchdowns. All of the Dolphins' returning receivers have less than a dozen career TDs.

source: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/06/11/3310124/wr-chad-ochocinco-says-he-has.html

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/06/11/3310124/wr-chad-ochocinco-says-he-has.html#storylink=cpy

Celtics adjust with Garnett, so Heat must adjust against him

By Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

BOSTON – Adjustments determine who wins a playoff game, and a playoff series.

• 
  David Butler II, US Presswire
  The Boston Celtics went to Kevin Garnett with success in the Game 3 win, and now the Miami Heat must adjust to that move in Game 4 on Sunday.

Enlarge

David Butler II, US Presswire

The Boston Celtics went to Kevin Garnett with success in the Game 3 win, and now the Miami Heat must adjust to that move in Game 4 on Sunday.

Players and coaches say it's all about making the right changes after a game, win or lose, and the team which executes those changes usually, but not always, gives itself a better chance to win.

The Boston Celtics made those changes against the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals but still lost 119-115 in overtime.

• MORE: Chris Bosh still not ready to rejoin Heat

• BLOG: Nothing free for Dwyane Wade in Game 3

The Celtics made a few more tweaks for Game 3 and won 101-91.

Now, it's Miami's turn to figure out how to counter Boston's game plan.

Much of the discussion will be focused on Miami's ability to free up guard Dwyane Wade for more offensive opportunities and more room for Wade and forwardLeBron James to attack the basket.

But Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is more concerned about the other end of the floor — his team's defense.

While not completely satisfied with Miami's offense in Game 3, he thought it was good enough.

"Even though it wasn't smooth all the way through, I think we played well enough to give ourselves a chance to win on that end," Spoelstra said.

"But defensively we were as poor as we've been all the playoffs."

The Heat allowed a league-best 36.2 points per game in the paint this season, but allowed a team playoff-high 58 points in the paint to the Celtics in Game 3.

"We've been undersized on paper all season long," Heat forward Shane Battier said. "And so we know we've had to work extra hard and extra smart to really limit paint points. So it's nothing new for us. We know we're undersized. We have to work quicker, smarter, more together to limit those catches."

Boston took 37 shots in the restricted area at the basket.

"They were able to get probably the easiest buckets they were able to get all playoffs," Spoelstra said. "We had playoff highs in lay-up attempts and points in the paint. So we have to be much tougher in those areas, the effort areas, the big muscle areas, which we were in the first two games."

Miami's dilemma in the first two games was controlling Boston point guard Rajon Rondo. Now, add center Kevin Garnett, who was much more active in pick-and-rolls and post-ups, according to Synergy Sports, which tracks every play of every NBA game. The Celtics went to Garnett inside — just two of Garnett's 10 makes were outside the paint. He had 24 points.

"They came in with a mentality to make sure he got some deep catches," Spoelstra said. "So we have to meet him with force, play him with two people at times, but do things harder and better than what we did."

Miami fronted Garnett in the low post in the first two games and made it more difficult for Boston's perimeter players to throw Garnett the ball. The Celtics adjusted. They used Garnett in the pick-and-roll to get him the ball in the low post, and it worked.

"The minor (adjustments) you do make sometimes turn out to be big," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "Sometimes they turn out to be wrong, and then you have to adjust back. You just have to be careful with them."

Rivers even listens — albeit cautiously — when his players come to him with suggestions.

"They are the ones on the floor, honestly," Rivers said. "I can only see so much, and so can my staff. I talk to them all. Either right before the game or after the game, rather. And (Sunday) morning. Some will text. We have an open communication.

"I always kid them. I usually say, 'When you want to make an adjustment, it's usually your guy is kicking your (butt), so you want to try to change the coverage somehow.' And I joke and say only team adjustments will we make. Not individual adjustments."

Garnett appreciates Rivers' communication skills.

"He lets us give our input, and he actually listens," he said. "But at the end of the day, we have a lot of confidence in him knowing the game and knowing it from both ends, and we follow that."

source: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/story/2012-06-02/Miami-Heat-Boston-Celtics-adjustments/55350126/1