SOURCENational Press ClubMark Schoeff Jr., Chair of the National Press Club Newsmakers Committee,+1-202-662-7218, . This one is going to be short and sweet. I found this to be funnier than Kobe Bryant winning the MVP Award.And shockingly enough, this story is getting more publicity than Kobe winning his most elusive trophy (besides the NBA Championship).Who would have thought that Sly Stallone would crossover to the hockey rink?As reported on Yahoo, the infamous statue from the Rocky saga was “desecrated” with a sleeveless Montreal Canadiens jersey. It was believed that it was placed on the statue by a man in a caped wearing a pig nose.If the playoffs needed to be bloodthirsty, this couldn’t be a better time to tune in to the postseason.Everyone who has ever watched a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins knows about this rivalry.
Even in a state where chocolate and oatmeal are strolling down the yellow brick road hand in hand, don’t expect Mario Lemieux and Eric Lindros to be pulling a “Sound of Music” moment out anytime soon.But this isn’t just about the teams or the players This is also about the fans and the cities themselves. Just as notoriously dangerous as the rivalry between New Jersey and the New York Rangers, the Pens and Flyers are vicious in the regular season but are twice as bad in the postseason.In any event, expect fireworks tonight when the puck drops for Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals It’s Philly and Pitt. This time it’s personal. Again. Even more so.If Jaromir Jagr thought he got a “warm” reception upon his return to Pittsburgh, just imagine what Stallone and the Flyers will get when they come to town.As the Hockey Book says: “Let There Be Blood.” Tonight, the blood starts flowing, and there will be plenty to go around.. At the General Meeting of the Company held on 11 February 2009 shareholdersgranted the Company authority to purchase up to 3,781,752 ordinary shares.The Company announces today it repurchased 35,000 ordinary shares at a price of211.43 pence per share. 200,500 ordinary shares have been purchased under thecurrent authority and the issued share capital after the cancellation of sharesrepurchased will be 25,028,001.Since 15 April 1999 when the Company first obtained powers to purchase its ownshares, a total of 26,755,133 shares have been repurchased.24 April 2009END. The NBA MVP is….Kobe Bryant. These words are what Kobe has been waiting to here since he began his tenure in the NBA.
He is avaluable $19 Million prize for the team with the best record in the Western Conference He has started and played in every game this year. He has averaged 28.3 points a game this year, six rebounds, 5.4 assists, and only three turnovers a game. Maybe that recent number change has something to do with that? He wanted to be traded before this year, if you remember? Those thoughts are long gone. He plays in a city with more than 15 championships in all sports.On the flip side, there is the runner-up, Chris Paul.
the 6 foot $3 Million player that not much of the country had heard of before this year. He plays in the beloved town of New Orleans, where only a year ago, did a the Saints advance to the conference championship He has pickedup his team on his back, and led them. Just three years out of college, this point guard averages 21 points, 11.6 assists, 2.1 steals, 4.8 rebounds, and just 2.7 turnovers a game.So who is better? That question has been asked since the All-Star game. Well, is that really the question the MVP award answers? The MostVALUABLE Player award. Who is morevaluable then? The man who is worth $19 Million, and averages 28.3 points a game. Or could it be the $3 Million leader, who's team won its first playoff series ever? Take away Kobe from the Lakers and what do you lose? You lose the leading scorer, the leader, the shooter, and the main target for defenses.
