Some people — specifically, Michael Jordan’s undead legion of media sycophants, reflected glory addicts and folks who still care about $200 basketball shoes — like to joke that the only person who could stop the former NBA superstar was his college coach, Dean Smith.

These people are wrong.

In reality, two individuals memorably put the kibosh on Jordan. One is Smith. the other is former Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin, who died Tuesday at 85. the latter is more interesting, because while Smith trumped Jordan through power and authority, Pollin earned a checkmate the old-fashioned way: by playing the hoops assassin like a wind-up toy.

A recap: in 2000, Jordan bought a 10 percent share of the Wizards and became the club’s president of basketball operations, then sold that share to make a comeback the next season. Problem was, the team floundered on the floor (compiling a 110-179 record with Jordan), suffered from lousy decisions (drafting Kwame Brown, hiring Leonard Hamilton, trading Rip Hamilton) and endured a front office schism between Pollin loyalists and Jordan’s handpicked lackeys. also, Jordan often seemed more interested in golf, cigars, travel and golf than in mismanaging running the club on a day-to-day basis.

Nevertheless, Jordan fully expected to resume his executive position following his third and final retirement. Pollin said no. he evaluated Jordan’s mediocre performance. Noted the franchise’s internal dissention. Had the guts to kick the most celebrated person on Earth to the curb — almost literally, as a convertible-driving Jordan sped off from the team’s arena in a humiliated huff, never to be seen again — even as local media savaged him for the move.

Did Pollin plan things that way? Did he take advantage of Jordan’s insatiable playing itch, enjoy two seasons of profitable sellouts and No. 23 Bullets throwback jerseys, and then dump a sucker who should have known better? maybe. I like to think so. Regardless, Pollin won. And it was beautiful. Illuminating, even. the lessons for the rest of us? Beware hubris. Get things in writing. Don’t mistake checkers for chess. And never, ever assume skill at bouncing a ball makes you smarter than the guy who built the court.

Riya Sen makes Bengali film debut with Rituparno film

November 1st, 2009 more imagesMUMBAI – Bollywood actress Riya Sen made her Bengali film debut with a small appearance in director Rituparno Ghosh’s film “Abohamaan”, which was screened here Sunday. “I refused every offer I got for Bengali movies as I wanted to start my career in Bengali films with a Rituparno Ghosh film.

Mischa Barton to quit TV

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I didn’t want to win any beauty pageant: Deepika Padukone (Film Snippets)

September 24th, 2009 MUMBAI – Model-turned-actress Deepika Padukone says she always wanted to carve a niche for herself in the glamour industry but without participating in a beauty pageant, unlike many of her colleagues. “I had set up an objective to become a model without winning any beauty pageants,” Deepika told choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan on STAR Plus’ Tere Mere Beach Mein.

Wedding bells for actor Vikranth

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TV actress Jyothi Rai looks for film offers

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Salman Khan trying to quit smoking (Film Snippets)

September 5th, 2009 NEW DELHI – He might be known as the Bollywood brat, but it looks like Salman Khan is now trying to turn a new leaf. He says he is trying to quit smoking.

Demi Moore says yes to husband’s TV show

August 31st, 2009 LONDON – after saying ‘no’ to several TV shows, including “Ugly Betty”, Hollywood actress Demi Moore has finally given her nod for husband Ashton Kutcher’s small screen project “The beautiful Life”. The actress has even been providing her expertise behind the scenes of the upcoming drama, which Kutcher is producing.

Diane Keaton to play porn magazine boss in TV debut

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Romas debut in Tamil film industry

July 23rd, 2009 after establishing her name in Malayalam film industry, charming actress Roma is planning to expand her horizons. having worked with some of the prominent and well-known faces of Mollywood like Pithviraj and Jayasuriya, Roma is now all set to make her debut in Tamil film industry.

Paltrow desperate to show her Spanish skills in movies

July 2nd, 2009 LONDON – Gwyneth Paltrow is keen to work with directors Pedro Almodovar and Alejandro Amenabar because she wants to show off her Spanish language skills on big screen. The actress is fluent with the language since she has spent time in the country during her youth.

Soha to host game show, says TV was obvious choice

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Anurag Kashyap to host TV show

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Rihanna taking acting lessons for big-screen debut

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Rukmani praises her co-star Thamannah

May 3rd, 2009 Tinsel town actresses are known for their jealousy towards each other, but Bommalaatam famed actress Rukmani seems to be different from her counterparts. Just a day prior to the release of her flick Ananda Thadavam, Rukmani applauded her co-star Thamannah’s acting in the film in front of the media saying that Thamannah has done a splendid job and would surely fetch accolades for the same.

Ramya Krishna in fashion show

May 3rd, 2009 Ramya Krishna is a senor actress in Telugu. She is also a big star on the small screen.

Monsanto is a focus of Justice Department antitrust investigation of US seed industry

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Seed maker Monsanto 4Q loss widens as sales slump

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Seed maker Monsanto posts larger 4Q loss as herbicide sales slump, adjusted earns top view

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Yum Brands, Monsanto, Family Dollar, Costco, Google are among big market movers Wednesday

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Conference examines role of biotechnology in South Dakota’s economy

September 17th, 2009 Education linked to biotechnology expansionSIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota must overcome what university president James Abbott characterized as an inferiority complex if it’s to produce college graduates who can grow a biotechnology industry that’s already taken root.

BASF gets EPA approval for herbicide designed to tackle resistant broadleaf weeds

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Monsanto expands plan to cut work force by 8 percent, up from previous plan to cut 4 percent

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Stocks zigzag after better-than-expected jobs report; Monsanto plans to expand work force cuts

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Fertilizer cos. slide as analyst expects demand drop, gov’t projects falling farmer incomes

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Agribusiness stocks rise amid rays of optimism on recovery

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Monsanto says full-year profit to fall at low end of previously announced outlook

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Seed maker Monsanto 3Q profit falls 14 pct, plans to cut 900 jobs

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Monsanto offers fellowship for research on rice, wheat breeding

April 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI – US-based agricultural biotechnology firm Monsanto Saturday announced a special fellowship programme for research on rice and wheat plant breeding. Under the programme, the company will allocate $10 million to encourage young Phd scholars to pursue their research in rice and wheat breeding, Edward Runge, director of Monsanto’s Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Programme, told reporters here.

Saina reaches Indian Open badminton quarterfinal

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Grape seed extract compels leukaemia cells to commit suicide

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