The Dow Jones has fallen from its six month high of 12,807 on May 3rd to 10,818 at August 19th, representing a decline of approximately 16%.  Its year-to-date low is 10,718 on August 10th when the government were embroiled in the "debt ceiling" debate.  That YTD low doesn't look out of reach as (i) the debt ceiling debate brought the public consciousness that US expenditures far exceeds it revenue receipts (ii) the economy is still in decline and (iii) uncertainty about the immediate future has caused both investors and business executives to hoarding cash insteading of investing it.  As you know, the Shock Exchange predicted this Great Recession ( http://clicky.me/4WW ) and Market crash ( http://t.co/2Mi07bw ) well in advance of those events occurring.  You are welcome in advance.

Bull getting mauled by bear in Yellowstone National Park. Sell signal?

Gerald Levin, former CEO of Time-Warner, discusses its merger with AOL 10 years later, how the US government is now running corporations and how today's CEO's need to take responsibility for the financial crisis.

This clip from Basketball Wives - LA is crazy.  Take these women and add some swords and you would have Game of Thrones.

Ralph recognized by John Thompson III. NYC's best kept secret?

Ralph Baker III (Packer Collegiate 2013) has been under the radar for a while now.  Having played for the Shock Exchange for the past five years, he has improved his game each season.  It appears that all of the hard work and dribbling drills, shooting drills, "blue line defense", etc. are starting to pay dividends.  In June the 6'0" rising junior helped lead his team to the championship game at the Georgetown Camp where they fell one point shy of the hardware. 

Former NBA player, Javaris Crittenton, was arrested yesterday in California for the murder an Atlanta mother of four in a failed drive-by shooting.  According to police, the shooting was in retaliation for being robbed of $55 thousand worth of jewelry in April.  According to the Associated Press, Crittenton told police that he was leaving a barbershop on April 21st when two teenagers held him at gunpoint and ordered him to "give me what you got."  He told police the robbers got away with a $25,000 black diamond neclace, a $30,000 black diamond watch, an iPhone and some cash.  Jullian Jones was outside her house with 18 year old Trontavious Stephens wen a black Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid pulled up and opened fire, killing Jones.  Stephens told the Associated Press that he didn't know Crittenton and had not been involved in the robbery.  He was quoted as saying "I didn't know him at all  . . . I didn't know he existed and he didn't know I existed.  I hadn't seen him a day in my life before he pulled up and started shooting."  Crittenton's defense attorney, Eldridge Suggs, says Crittenton was not in the vehicle and was eager to clear his name.

This year the Shock Exchange stepped it up to compete in the high school division at Dean St park in Brooklyn.  The 16U kids went head-to-head again whomever showed up, whether it was current high school kids, kids who just graduated, JUCO, etc.  This was a lot more competitive than the AAU teams we faced and a lot more open court, fast-paced style of play.  However, we held our own and gave as good as we got.  We soon became a crowd favorite of both fans who saw us as the underdog and those who wanted to see us sent home.  Either way it was a lot of fun and a great experience.

Given the NBA lockout and no relief in sight, the pro-am league and streetball leagues like Goodman, Dyckman, Drew and Rucker have taken on a heightened level of importance.  They provide NBA players to stay sharp and fans a chance to see Durant, Beasley, Kobe, etal up close.  Last night Kobe brought the heat in the Drew League in L.A., dropping 45 points and hitting the game winner at the buzzer.  Keep reading for the video.