Fisker Surf: Electric Fortitude

There are only a select few oddities in society that make absolute sense. Manufacturing a luxurious and attractive sports wagon with plug-in hybrid technology is one of them. Introducing Fisker’s new Surf, the “flying carpet” of the automotive eco-friendly movement. Porsche pulled it off with the Panamera, Ferrari is making strides with its FF model, and now the Surf adds another performance utility option to the luxury elite class.

It’s absolutely amazing that this American auto manufacturer was non-existent just three and a half years ago. Yet, they continue to add to their cadre of fascinating green energy vehicles including vehicles such as the Karma. Sharing the same platform, design scheme and technologies, both the Surf and Karma have a 50-mile all-electric range (Stealth mode) and a 250-mile gasoline range (Sport mode) from the 260-horsepower and turbocharged 4-cylinder engine borrowed from General Motors. With a single gear, there is no conventional transmission. The gasoline engine will continuously charge the electric battery, but no more than 50%. At that point you have to plug it in to attain the full charge. Switching the thumb input on the steering wheel allows blipping between modes with only a very slight notice of transition. Sport mode automatically kicks in, should the battery die.

I drove the four-door Karma in the rain and was highly impressed with its interior lavishness and acceleration. To my surprise, the 22” designer wheels rotated with no hesitation and the Brembo brakes served their role well in the wet conditions. In Stealth mode, a set of speakers set on the vehicle’s rear bumper engages the Pedestrian Warning System so it can be heard when approaching. A solar panel on the roof provides an additional source of charging and cockpit materials incorporate high-end natural ingredients such as wood from fire-damaged trees and not from the living forest for added eco-friendliness. Expect a price tag of $100,000 at one of 45 U.S. dealers for the Karma or Surf. Colin Powell is a proud owner of a Fisker, as is Leonardo Dicaprio, who is also a shareholder and promotes the vehicle freely. Additionally, Ashton Kutcher’s character on Two and a Half Men drives none other than a Fisker Karma. Nifty branding strategies.

And no, the Green Anthem is not a Marvel comic book character, but rather a conscious trend toward sustainable mobility.

Written by Kimatni D. Rawlins of Automotive Rhythms

He picked a historic night to do it.

Durant scored a career-best 51 points for the top performance in the NBA this season, Russell Westbrook added 40 and Serge Ibaka had his first career triple-double as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 124-118 in overtime Sunday night.

The Thunder trio became the first teammates in NBA history to put together a 50-point night, a 40-point complementary effort and a triple-double. No teammates had scored at least 40 points apiece since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen did it for Chicago in 1996, and Denver's Kiki Vandeweghe and Alex English back in a 1983 triple-overtime game were the last tandem to go for 50 and 40.

"Unbelievable," Oklahoma City's James Harden said. "That's probably one of the best regular-season games that I've played in since I've been here, or the best.

"Kevin had 50, Russell had 40 and Serge had a triple-double. What else can you say?"

Durant hit a 3-pointer and drove for a dunk to tie the game with 4.4 seconds left in regulation, after Oklahoma City had to rally from nine points down in the fourth quarter -- despite having scored 20 points in a row during a stretch spanning halftime.

Ibaka added 14 points, 15 rebounds and 11 blocks to become the 14th player in franchise history with a triple-double and the first to do it with double-digit blocks. It was his third time with at least 10 blocks this season.

"It's unreal, man," Westbrook said. "Tonight was a nice, epic game."

Fans in the sellout crowd chanted "MVP!" as Durant hit two free throws in the final seconds to surpass 50 points for the first time and put the finishing touches on Oklahoma City's ninth straight win at home.

His steal allowed the Thunder to run out the final few ticks and give him a moment to cherish with his family. He walked over and gave his mother, who was seated courtside, a smooch on the forehead and a big hug when time expired.

"They've been there with me ever since I was 8 trying to play this game," Durant said. "To score 50 points with them on the sideline at the highest level of basketball is a dream come true and a blessing. To go through it with them is pretty cool."

Durant, who will start the All-Star Game for the second straight time this weekend, had scored at least 40 points 17 times in his four-year career. But 50 had always been elusive.

"The way we came back and the shots that were made in the fourth quarter and for us to win, that feels better to get the W," Durant said.

"But 51 is pretty cool. As a kid, that's something that you dream about."

He scored six points in overtime to get over the hump.

"Now, it doesn't stop. Once he gets it, it's going to come naturally to him," Westbrook said. "He's a natural-born scorer."

"To be honest, I didn't think I would be at this point when I was young," said Durant, still just 23 years old. "Everything has been a whirlwind for me, and I'm just happy that I'm here."

Arron Affalo scored 27 points and Andre Miller had 21 points and 10 assists for Denver, which had a shot to win at the end of regulation.

Ty Lawson, who missed a 3-pointer with 7 seconds left, also couldn't connect on an off-balance jumper from the foul line at the buzzer after pump-faking Westbrook into the air.

Reserve Rudy Fernandez (lower back strain) joined starters Danilo Gallinari (ankle) and Nene (calf) on the Nuggets' injury list, and coach George Karl went with his 13th different lineup of the season in 32 games.

Denver lost for the eighth time in its last 10 games. The last two have been particularly wrenching, on a tip-in with under a second left at Memphis and then an overtime thriller at West-leading Oklahoma City.

"We're piecing it together pretty good right now. I'm excited about that," Karl said. "I'm excited about the energy we're putting on the court. ... I feel bad for them because they deserve at least one win, maybe both wins."

Westbrook hit a 3 on Oklahoma City's opening possession of overtime, and the Nuggets committed five turnovers to squander their chances in the extra period.

"People might talk about me getting 50, but Russell Westbrook carried us in overtime," Durant said.

It was a wildly back-and-forth game from the start, with big swings in either direction.

The Thunder had a 16-2 run to dig out of an early hole, then gave up a 29-7 Nuggets run to trail 46-32 with 6:29 left before halftime -- their largest deficit at Chesapeake Energy Arena this season.

Oklahoma City took care of that with a 20-0 run spanning halftime, going up 65-58 after Durant's right-handed slam with 8:04 left in the third.

Then it was Denver's turn again, rallying to take a brief lead late in the third and then getting back-to-back 3-pointers from Al Harrington just after Durant and Westbrook re-entered for a 93-84 advantage with 8:50 to play.

After Oklahoma City came back to tie it, Lawson hit a 3-pointer and Harrington made two free throws for a 111-106 Denver lead with 43 seconds left. Durant hit a second-chance 3-pointer from the top of the key with 30 seconds left and then drove past Chris Andersen for a dunk with 4.4 seconds remaining to tie it up.

"We were kind of laughing and saying, 'When was the last time he missed a shot in the fourth quarter against us?' He makes everything," Karl said.

"There's an offensive rebound. Why does he come wide open? Why can't someone else come wide open?"

Copywright Associated Press

via ESPN

"N***as In Paris" had quite a run. Straight from the day Watch The Throne dropped, it was clear that the Hit Boy-produced banger was going to make more than a little splash, but nobody could predict exactly how huge it would get. It got a second life thanks to Jay and Kanye's tour, and the radio helped boost the song even further, all the way to to the top of the charts.

Just when you thought the "N***as in Paris" hype was going to start dying, we get the news: the official video is coming this week. According to Fake Shore Drive, a source at Vevo has confirmed that we'll have the visuals before Friday is over. Stay tuned....AND HERE IT IS!

via Complex.com

Having built a well-earned respect for its “Black History Month” releases over the years, Nike Sportswear unveils the visuals for its latest annual collection. Arriving shortly after the announcement of its Serena Williams capsule collection, the release is comprised of four iconic footwear silhouettes – a Dri-FIT T-shirt, Destroyer Jacket and snapback hat. The footwear range is made up of an Air Force 1, Air Max 1, Nike Huarache Free and Nike Blazer model. With no official release date slated at this point, you can expect a rollout to select stockists within the coming weeks.

via Hypebeast Click HERE to see entire collection

Check out the two best dunks of the first half of the NBA season. Blake Griffin puts Kendrick Perkins on a poster and King James leaps over John Lucas III...WOW!

Blake Griffin

LeBron James

Check out Got Game's mini-playlist of Drake's sophmore album Take Care featuring YMCM members Nikki Minaj, Lil' Wayne and MMG Boss Rick Ross. Enjoy!

Drake - Lord Knows feat. Rick Ross

Drake - Make Me Proud feat Nicki Minaj

Drake - Under Ground Kings

Drake - Hyfr (Hell Ya F___ing Right) feat Lil' Wayne

There's something to be said for a person who exhibits perseverance, pride, and humility throughout times both good and bad. Brian Kortovich could not be described more accurately, the Cleveland, Ohio native and NBA hopeful has used these attributes to achieve all but one of his childhood goals. That 25th goal of making an NBA roster is closer than ever as Brian's journey has taken him from Cleveland to the trading pits on Wall St. to the war-torn country of Kuwait to Harlem's famed Rucker Park as he has never let the doubters and critics, better known as haters, change what he knew in his heart. Now known in basketball circles as Smokin' Aces, Brian sat down with Got Game to give us a view of a man willing to sacrifice everything to prove he has the ability to be an NBA player. By the end of this read you too, will be a believer!

What’s your impression when you hear the phrase Got Game?

Someone in their respective sport, something that’s an intriguing story, or something that catches your eye.

Where did your passion for basketball come from? Your father, older brother?

It was my father, and it started off as just a release for me because I had a trying childhood growing up, so it was something that I could just go shoot around by myself and take my mind off all of the other stuff I was going through. It was kind of an escape and then I became good at it and I developed a love for it at an early age.

At what age did you realize this [basketball] was something you wanted to do for a living?

I realized it around 4^th grade because I was playing with 8^th and 9^th graders and holding my own. Plus, Mark Price was my favorite player growing up and I figured if a guy 6’2” could make it then why can’t I. I just began working hard at an early age and I realized it could be possible.

You speak of mark Price and the obvious Cleveland connection; explain a little more about basketball in Ohio and Cleveland more specifically?

It’s obviously nothing like New York City. There’s a love of basketball in Ohio, but its not mainstream, it’s not every street corner, and court. We don’t have that as much as you guys [New York] have, but we definitely have our ball players in Cleveland. You know LeBron was from there, we got Charles Oakley, Earl Boykins. So if you go eastside to westside there’s always definitely some hot spots where you can play, like the Cleveland ProAm. So basketball is very relevant, and a lot of good players have come out of Cleveland, because its starting to get notoriety that other states and cities such as New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and L.A. where you would normally get. I guess we are a little more blue-collar in Cleveland.

You just mentioned LeBron James, has any of the animosity toward him dissipated in Cleveland or Ohio with his failure in the NBA Finals or is the hatred as high as when “The Decision” was made?

It depends on who you talk to, me being a player myself, I see what he did. I get what he did. He has the right to do what he wanted to do, but he should have told management, in my personal opinion, just tell management because it kind of left the franchise hostage. As far as the animosity, I have friends downtown who work at establishments, bars, own bars and it really hurt the economy. People were definitely rooting for him to lose, that’s obvious! I was just partial, just watching the game, but Clevelanders, that was their hope. You have someone from Akron, right down the road. Cleveland’s own, he put Cleveland on the map. I mean he was Cleveland. Downtown was spicy when his billboard was downtown; it was just the place to be. I'm from there but now I live in New York City, so in their eyes he kind of let the city of Cleveland down. So, yes you can say there’s still animosity when his name comes up.

I see you worked on Wall Street, which is one of the more hectic workplaces out there. Explain some of the similarities of working on Wall Street and trying to fulfill you dream of playing in the NBA?

Yes it’s very hectic! To be clear, I worked on the New York Mercantile Exchange right down in the pits. That’s the gold, silver pits. Gold and silver futures. I quoted the live market for outside customers and also for guys over at the Chicago Board of Trades. It’s kind of crazy, have you ever seen the movie Trading Places?

YES! I was just about to ask you were you in the pit like Valentine [Eddie Murphy] and Winthrop [Dan Aykroyd]. What were the Duke’s names?

Randolph and Mortimer!

Yes! Tell them get in there and sell, sell, sell!

Its buy, sell. Give me a 100, buy 30, and sell 400 at 200,at 500. There are all these secret codes, it’s so hectic! I started off as floor runner and I learned the lingo in the ring. Then one day this guy was sick and they threw me in there, I’m like ‘I don’t know what I’m doing.' They were like you better learn. So you just have to have a certain confidence, you have to have a swag because you're handling thousands of dollars at a time. I would have one guy on one line and another guy on another, standing there with two phones in my hands still listening to the market. It was intense! It was very competitive and definitely in relation to basketball. They’re two different avenues but you need that focus and a thick-skinned mentality. In basketball I couldn’t even tell how many people said I could not play in the NBA to start off and how many agents said no to me. But I knew all along I had the talent and the ability. To think you can play in the NBA is one thing, but to go there and get workouts and camps and have these NBA players speak highly of you it kind of fulfills the work you’ve been through your entire life. I think I’m close from what people are telling me and I just know being the humble guy I am it has not been easy by any means. I’ve had to go through walls to get to the position I am, but you only live once so it’s been definitely worth it.

Basketball has shown you other parts of the world you may not have otherwise seen, in particular playing overseas. Tell you experience playing overseas?

Europe is very cutthroat. They have a different mentality compared to the NBA. You can be one of the best players out there, but if you didn’t come from a big-time college and have big-time stats in you junior and senior seasons as I did due to injuries they think you’re a bum. It’s just so funny because they think resume is everything and it’s not. But experience wise, to play in Kuwait was very, very humbling. To see how the Middle Eastern part of the world is, to be in that culture every day and see how good we have it back home it kind of makes you appreciate America a lot more. But that was my first job in Kuwait; I was thinking my agent was going to get me a job in Spain, Italy, or France, when he calls me I was actually on the Exchange on Wall Street. He’s like, ‘I got you a job Brian.’ I’m like where. He said Kuwait. I’m like what? The War. He was like no to play basketball. So I had a tough decision for the next  week, I had to decide if I wanted to give up this job and go play basketball in the Middle East and begin my career professionally. The rest is history. I quit my job and it was tough because a lot of my family and friends were asking, ‘What are you doing? You’re going to the Middle East in the middle of a war. That’s crazy.’ But I believed in my ability and did my research and a few prayers and everything worked out.

I wanted to ask you about your nickname, Smokin’ Aces, do you remember the game at Rucker Park when the name was born?

I remember vividly. Its one of those moments you don’t forget. Growing up in Cleveland I always heard about Rucker Park, so when I got an opportunity to play it was a big deal to me. It was hard to get on initially, the first game I didn’t get in much but the second game I just went off I had like 35 or 36 points. When you get a name you really have to do something, to come in as an unknown and put on one of those performance that is worthy of a name. The first half I had a solid 15 points. The second half towards crunch time I just kept putting the ball in the hole, getting to the basket, shooting threes and I had a couple of moves in a row and the place went crazy. Hannibal, the MC and also EJ The Mayor said alright you score one more time and your worthy of a name. They guys gave me the ball, like this is your time kid. They gave me a little isolation play on the side and I hit a step-back NBA three and the place went nuts and the next time I touched the ball they said Brian aka ‘Smokin’ Aces, so its one of those moments you never forget.

What’s the next step for Smokin’ Aces?

I think it’s just about getting the opportunity to show I can play at that [NBA] level. I’ve been in preseason workouts/camps with the Knicks and Nets and it’s just the matter of a GM or someone in power saying hey let's give this guy a shot. I don’t have the big college career resume that a lot of people have and that’s what gets you in the door, but I had to go the long route even to get to workouts and preseason workouts. I did what I had to do and it got me in and now it’s just the matter of a guy pulling for. I’m a believer and hopefully someone will stick their neck out for me and I hope this is the year.

Any tips for players in a similar situation as yourself?

If you want it you have to be about it, you have to dive in 100%. It’s not something you can do part-time, it’s got to consume you, it has to be morning, day, and night. It’s not something that’s just going to fall in your lap. If you want it to have to go for it and I don’t mean in the weight room or on the court, you have to work out, you have to be in game shape. You can’t just be in shape; you have to be in game shape. Secondly, you have to network off the court. You can’t be afraid to hear the answer no kid you’re not good enough, you’re not going to make it. I’d be a millionaire if I got a dollar for every time I heard that. I would be loaded! But, I never believed what those people said and to create something out of nothing is something a lot of guys can do they just don’t take on the proper mentality or they do but it’s just too hard sometimes for people. I won’t lie, there has been a couple times in the past few years like what am I doing, I’m living out of a bag in New York City, living month to month, paying rent for an apartment and I don’t have a home. I’m in New York  making all these moves but I look back and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. My advice would be develop a thick-skin, listen to yourself, set realistic goals, but at the same time if you have the talent definitely pursue it.

Check out video of Brian at the infamous Rucker Park game where Smokin' Aces was born...