Hurlshort

We aren't getting anywhere on the Jagr/Thornton argument, because they are both simply awesome. However, I do think the East Coast bias exists. It's not even a purposeful snub. It's just the fact that you get more exposure on East Coast teams. The games are earlier, sportcasters see more of them, blah blah blah. Any sportscaster in the business will admit that they see way less of the Pacific Timezone teams. The MVP is also, sadly, a popularity contest. The player with more exposure will have the best shot at the award.

Hehe, I thought I was spelling it wrong. Dang Czechs. MVP is actually supposed to be given to the most valuable player for his team. Jagr is the best player in the league this season, but that isn't the same as being the most valuable player to his team. Honestly, I haven't watched him enough this year to know what he does for everyone around him. It sounds like he's winning games single handedly, which isn't the same as elavating his team to the next level. They are just along for the ride. Which brings me to the East Coast bias. It's very evident in hockey for numerous reasons. The national TV networks are in NY, ESPN in is Connecticut, and 22 of 30 NHL franchises are in the Eastern or Central timezones. East coast games are just seen by more people. When the west coast games finish, the nightly sportscasts are already over. The Rangers being in the playoffs is great for hockey because it's a very needed market. California can't compete for hockey exposure. But if you've watched Thornton, particularly down this stretch run, it's very hard to say he doesn't deserve the MVP. He's doing more than just putting up points. Oh yeah, someone figured out that Thornton has more points per minute of ice time than Jagr.

Jagre will likely win it because of the tremendous media bias towards the East Coast. But yeah, the three guys that deserve a look are Jagre, Thornton, and Kipper. I'm biased because I see Thornton a lot, but he has tremendous defensive upsides, can win key face-offs, and has made more than Cheechoo into productive scorers (He set's up the defensemen quite often as well.) Honestly my feeling is that whoever wins the scoring title, should then not win the MVP. That way both these guys get some recognition. Jagre will likely win the Rocket Richard award as well (most goals) so I think 3 awards is a bit of an overkill. Kipprusoff deserves goalie of the year. But give Calgary credit, they play a stifling defensive game. Kipper is not the only player on that team. The thing about Jagre is he has single handedly taken the Rangers to a division title. Thornton does nothing single handedly, he just makes everyone around him better. Which is a more MVP worthy trait?

San Jose would like to thanks the Oilers for beating Anahiem by welcoming them into the Stanley Cup playoffs. Congrats! So Thornton is now tied with Jagre for points after 3 assists, and Cheechoo is only one goal behind Jagre's 54. San Jose pulls into the 5th place spot with the win...I just hope they can keep it.

I was very happy with the demo, although I wish it didn't just toss you into the middle of the campaign. Still, I look forward to building up some heroes. It's not a pre-order, but I'll buy it in the first few weeks for sure. I love the free camera.

But even a panel is going to be a bit biased when they recognize names. That's the nature of most competitions, particularly ones involving writing. I'm not saying Adam Miller can submit utter crud and win, but if he is neck and neck with someone whose name the judges don't know, he will probably win. Best thing would be to have names left off the mods, that way you wouldn't know who you were voting for.

Popularity means zip. It should go to the person who makes the best mod. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Do you live in the real world? Popularity is a huge part of any contest. You are wrong because "who makes the best mod" is subject to opinion. I would much rather be the most popular mod maker than the best modmaker...but the two tend to go hand in hand. Now the contest is only judging one small mod from each person, but you can bet that already being well known in the community will make it easier to get a higher opinion.

Adam Miller deserves to win, as he's probably the most popular mod maker in the NWN community.

I think a good director, writer. and editor can make anyone seem like a passable actor. I still hold many actors in high regard, though. Other than Don Johnson, I can't think of any good actor to musician transitions.

Yeah, Thornton was just awesome last night. He's two points behind Jagre, but they both have 3 games left to play. I really think Thornton deserve some type of hardware for this season. I mean, nobody has ever been traded in the middle of a season and made this type of impact. The Sharks were 4 games under .500 when he joined them.

I always heard the only good Dune book was the original. Everything after that was supposedly a let down. But honestly, I only read the original. I wasn't dying to read the next books.

I just don't get robbing a hard working developer of the chance at success because of the publisher. When a game stinks, I blame the developer. Sometimes the publisher rushes the product (ok, usually) but it always comes down to the developers skill. When I buy a book, I don't look at the publisher, I look at the author.

Hot-seat gaming was always great for HoMM, but I don't live in a frat anymore, and my wife isn't really interested. I need to have kids.

I'd bring back the Sir-Tech crowd for the next Jagged Alliance, although I'd add a few programmers to fix the bugs. Otherwise I really like Hades idea.

That's the great thing about the NHL draft. Being the worst team doesn't guarantee the #1 pick. Teams don't need to tank on purpose.

Didn't 3DO release the Jaguar console?

Uh, I don't allow Starforce to influence my game interests, but I believe Starforce being a part of HoMM5 beta was a Nival decision. HoMM5 and the new M&M are being developed by two different teams...although I'm not sure on the publishing side. The Revolution ideas sound great, but I'm still hesitant on how well it will work.

I read about it in CGW. I was way leery of it, but after that article, I changed my tune a bit. It looks like a very solid fantasy First Person game. You have to think "Thief" more than M&M. The physics engine also sounds super impressive. I really like the fact that casting freeze on the ground will cause enemies to slip...some might even fly off a ledge if you aim it right. That's good stuff. I don't see this as a disgrace to the M&M name, as 3DO already killed the brand repeatedly by rushing out bad games. Between this and the new HoMM, I'm hoping for a revival.

Don't lose hope, I think Vancouver has looked aweful. I'm also wondering what the best match ups are...right now it's San Jose-Calgary. That's a rematch of the last conference finals. I see the first round exit teams like this: Nashville (no Vokoun, probably facing the Ducks) Colorado (Doesn't matter who they play, no goalie either) Vancouver (if they make it, which isn't likely) The rest of the teams are too close to call.

Vokoun being out is HUGE. He's been arguably the best goalie in the West this season, with Turco and Kipper the only other candidates. He could have stolen quite a few games, but now the Preds will just have to rely on Kariya. The Preds are used to being the underdogs though.

I'm completely happy with the Sharks, but you gotta remember, I was on the outside looking in for the entire season. Actually being in a playoff spot is a new feeling for me. Nobody is locked in though. 5-9 are still available. Colorado could even slip if they don't win 2 of 4. It's a crazy picture.

I've contracted Vampirism. It stinks because there was literally no way to avoid it. I tried reloading and I always got hit when I rested, no matter where I went. The other night I even snuck in to feed on someone. I've become a monster. Now I gotta figure out how to get rid of it.

Vancouver isn't in a great spot either.

Not quite a movie, but I spent all day Sunday watching the first season of The Shield. It was actually pretty awesome. Very disturbing in certain parts, but the storylines really connected together well.

Are you serious? "Some Girls" and "Sticky Fingers" 75% of their songs received serious radio play. Those are my two favorite albums, but I'm sure I could name a few more if I look through them. I don't want to sound like a fanboy, but most groups don't get radioplay from an entire album. The Beatles, Led Zep, The Doors, Metallica...those bands have albums that are simply top notch all the way through.