Sports & Eggs

World Cup Venues = Beautiful

2010-06-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon this Yahoo article regarding the venues of the World Cup. The venues are quite a marvel and beautiful to look at. Do take a gander:

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Coolest-stadiums-of-the-2010-World-Cup?urn=sow,245818

World Cup less than a week away!

Shaq Challenges Spelling Bee Champion

2010-06-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

Shaquille O'Neal is like a lovable cartoon character and a beloved one. Once in a lifetime does a bigger than life personality in a bigger than everyone body embrace us like Shaq has. From challenging other professional athletes on his own show to dance-offs against other fellow NBA players. Shaq made an impromptu appearance at the hotel where the spelling bee was being held and challenged last year's Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, 14-year-old Kavya Shivashankar, to a spell-off.

She accepted Shaq's challenge and allowed him two misspelled words. Details of their face-off are TBA.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked O'Neal. "I did win the national spelling bee last year."

"Keep in mind I have my bachelor's and master's, and I'm ready to go," he said.

Here is a clip of Shaq being Shaq:

Tribute to the Smoothest

2010-06-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

I will miss you Ken Griffey Jr. It's hard for me to believe that you are gone from baseball. You were my first favorite baseball player. My parents even bought me your Nike shoes and I wore those proudly. I spent hours in my backyard trying to bat left handed with the same beautiful uppercut swing that you carry. I could never replicate it perfectly, no one on this Earth can truly. You were bigger than the game of baseball, we all loved you. You stayed clean in a steroid-era, your records over a marvelous 20+ year career stands untainted. You are a surefire Hall-of-Famer. You will be remembered for having one of the best smiles in baseball. I will miss you Ken Griffey Jr., thank you for the memories.

Classy Men in Baseball

2010-06-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

The infamous call that caused Armando Gallaraga a perfect game could of had an ugly aftermath. The MLB could of panicked and instituted immediate instant replay rule changes. There could have been lawsuits filed, picketers outside the MLB office and a media war against umpires. None of that happened, because men stayed classy. Classier than I can ever remember.

Here is a fans perspective of the biggest missed call in MLB history:

Umpire Jim Joyce admitted his mistake and went out of his way to apologize to Gallaraga after the game. Gallaraga responded by acknowledging human beings make mistakes and thats just the nature of the game. It doesn't get classier than that, especially considering you would of been immortal in the world of baseball perfect game lore.

Gallaraga was even awarded with a brand new Corvette by the Detroit Tigers for his kindness which was presented by none other than Jim Joyce. Stay Kind my friends.

Stay Cautious LA.

2010-06-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Lakers, you dominated Game 1. Kobe was Kobe, Gasol ran circles around Garnet, Artest showed Pierce that it won't be easy and Bynum looked good on that gimpy knee. This was the opposite image of the 2008 NBA Finals. The Celtics showed their age and looked almost defenseless against the energized Lakers. But Stay Cautious, LA.

These Celtics are filled with pride and have a champion pedigree. These are the men that stumped on title favorite Cleveland Cavaliers and last years Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic. These are men who pride themselves on bullying you. These are men who make the other team feel like boys on the court. Doc Rivers is an expert at motivation and the Celtics will be ready to make this a competitive series. The men in Green will be determined to bring the the men in Purple and Gold.

By the way, I have Lakers in 6.

Terrible Celebration Injury

2010-05-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

On May 29, 2010, Angels 1st baseman Kendry Morales hit a walk-off grand slam home run for a victory over the Seattle Mariners. Then the worst type of injury in sports occurred, the celebration injury. As Morales jumped to touch home plate, he landed awkwardly and fractured his lower left leg. He will require surgery and will probably be out for the rest of the season. This is a big blow to the Angels, Morales was their best hitter. Their season is in shambles as they have underperformed to their potential. There isn't too much celebrating going on in Angels town, if there is, watch your step.

The Blackhawk MJ Statue

2010-05-31T19:06:00.000-07:00

One of the most iconic images known around the world is the Jordan Jumpman logo, a statue of that logo stands outside the United Center, where MJ won 6 NBA championships. Since the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers began, the statue donned a Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews jersey. This was a result of "Fandalism." Chicago is dying for an NHL title but this was disrespectful to the greatest basketball player to ever play the game. Maybe the city of Chicago forget what MJ had done for the city. Along with the jersey, there are new pictures that show his shoes having blades on the bottom to replicate ice skates. Please be classy Chicago.

Hair Dare

2010-05-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

At the conclusion of the Eastern Conference Finals, the story of Michael Pietrus large 'fro was revealed. He had made a $17,000 bet with Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis & Jameer Nelson to not cut his hair the entire basketball season. Pietrus had lived up to the bet & won the money.

It must be great to make a ridiculous amount of money and place it on hilarious wagers such as this one. It's too bad the hair dare didn't help them beat the Boston Celtics in their playoff series.

Chad Ochocinco = Great Guy

2010-05-31T18:48:00.000-07:00

I don't think there is an NFL player who has a bigger heart than Chad Ochocinco. I think his name change is ridiculous, I'm gonna refer to him as Chad Johnson for the rest of this post. He wasn't supposed to finish as high as he did on Dancing With the Stars but he did so because he has a tremendous heart. He's not afraid to show his human side which differentiates him from other star wide receivers in the NFL.

Nine-year-old Ruben St. Hilaire, Jr lives with this mother in a homeless shelter in New York City. He received an autographed jersey from Ochocinco after sending a letter. He then sent a second letter that would have melted the heart of the hardest individual.

Ruben's dream was to go to a football camp, and that particular prize was donated by Deion Sanders. Presenting the certificate for camp attendance, would be Chad Johnson. Ruben's hero was introduced after the young boy read his letter. It was also Reuben's birthday. Chad Johnson led the birthday song with the crowd at the camp. It was a touching moment & a tribute to a good man like Chad Johnson.

"It was the best day of my life," Ruben said at the end of the day.

Lakers vs. Celtics is Destiny

2010-05-31T18:38:00.000-07:00

Lakers & Celtics fans wanted it, it was delivered. On Saturday evening, the Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns setting the stage for the most storied rivalry in all of sports. Only the Yankees-Red Sox match this intensity.

10 reasons why you need to watch this series:

1. Kobe Bryant's legacy is on the line. The man who will live as the greatest Laker ever has not yet beaten the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. He can continue his legacy.

2. Both of these teams are better than the 2008 versions of themselves.

3. Lakers are hungry for revenge.

4. The two best chants in the NBA will be on display: "Beat LA" & "Boston Sucks"

5. This may be the last run for the Boston Celtics Big 3 who are getting older and slower.

6. Ron Artest vs. Paul Pierce. This is time for Ron Artest to show why the Lakers got them.

7. The growth of Rajon Rondo as one of the best point guards in the NBA.

8. This is history: Lakers vs. Celtics. The two storied franchises in history.

9. These teams are evenly matched.

10. Be part of the rivalry lore.

Lakers vs. Celtics on our minds

2010-05-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

It's gonna happen and nothing is going to stop it: LAKERS vs. CELTICS. This is the NBA Finals of all NBA finals, history loves this match-up. Boston fans want it, LA fans want it. Fans in Boston are beginning to scream "BEAT LA, BEAT LA" and fans in LA are beginning to scream "WE WANT BOSTON, WE WANT BOSTON!" After the Lakers finish taking their revenge from the Phoenix Suns, they are determined to seek revenge for an NBA Finals loss from two years ago to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have historically dominated the match-up 9-2. There is bad blood between two of the NBA's most marquee teams that goes back to the 1960's when the Lakers were dominated by the Bill Russell Celtics. The 80's Showtime Lakers brought "THE RIVALRY" back on the map against the blue collar hard nosed Celtics with the Lakers finally beating the Celtics twice.

Another round of Kobe, Pau & Lamar vs Pierce, Allen & Garnett. Bring it on! LA is ready.

World Cup Commercial by Nike

2010-05-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

This World Cup Commercial by Nike titled "Write the Future" got me psyched up for the World Cup which is less than a month away! It features some of the greatest soccer players in the world including guest appearances by Roger Federer and Kobe Bryant. It has classic moments with Rooney owning Federer in Ping Pong, Cristiano Ronaldo getting his own giant statue, and various players whose lives have changed by becoming winners in the World Cup. Soccer is the most watched player in the world and is a huge part of other countries cultures. One game changes everything.

2010 NBA Playoff commercials are poor

2010-05-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

The past 2 years, NBA fans were graced with some of the most memorable NBA commercials in recent history. From "There can only be one", the "Amazing" campaign and even the Nike puppet commercials. This year, there is nothing great about the marketing during these NBA playoffs. There have been a huge number of commercials and the ones that have been there are quite bland. Perhaps this is a good thing? I don't know the numbers but maybe the NBA fan base has grown to the point where memorable marketing was no longer needed? I'm just disappointed at how poor it has been. Here are a few of the most memorable commercials from the past 2 years:

NBA! WHERE YOU AT!?

Meet the owner of the New Jersey Nets

2010-05-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

Mark Cuban has met his match as the most interesting owner in the NBA, meet New Jersey Net's owner Mikhail Prokhorov. He is a man with a lot of money, a billionaire (39th richest man in the world) and has big plans for the Nets. He is the first non-American owner of an NBA franchise and he stands among the players at 6-7. He has already agreed to pay 1/2 of the new stadium to be built in Brooklyn where the Nets plan to move to in the next few years. He is known for his lavish lifestyle and he will bring that flair to the NBA. There is a quiet yet commanding presence about the Russian billionaire. He has the resources to build a great NBA franchise and I'm sure he's already already had dinner with Lebron James. If you haven't heard of him yet, you will soon.

Welcome Interleague Play.

2010-05-22T18:25:00.000-07:00

Welcome back Inter-league Play! I love inter-league play, gives both leagues a chance to square off against each other. Possible World Series or classic historic match-ups get to be played. AL pitchers cringe at the thought of having to bat and NL pitchers celebrate joyfully at not having to bat. There are those who oppose the concept but I love that we have it. NY vs NY, Bos vs. Phil, LA vs. NY, LA vs Anaheim, Chicago vs. Chicago and much more. These are just some of the wonderful match-ups that we get. It only adds to the baseball culture. How can you not love it?

Ones to watch for:

Chicago Cubs v. Chicago White Sox (Crosstown Classic, Windy City Series, or Red Line Series)
Cincinnati Reds v. Cleveland Indians (Ohio Cup)
Los Angeles Dodgers v. Los Angeles Angels (Freeway Series)
New York Yankees v. New York Mets (Subway Series)
San Francisco Giants v. Oakland Athletics (Bay Bridge Series or Battle of the Bay Area)
St. Louis Cardinals v. Kansas City Royals (I-70 Series or Show-Me Series)
Minnesota Twins v. Milwaukee Brewers

Federer/Nadal - Gotta love it?

2010-05-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

Watching these two play against each other is an honor. A Goliath vs. Goliath match-up of opposing styles. It is already the greatest rivalry in tennis history and one of the best in all of sport's history. The power & speed of Nadal vs. the grace & agility of Federer is a marvel to watch. These two have the ultimate respect for each other. Let's enjoy these two titans clash as their rivalry continues.

Shaq, I heart you. But please retire.

2010-05-16T13:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Shaquille O' Neal,

You are part of my basketball lore. You are part of the best memories I have as a Laker basketball fan. I felt betrayed when you left LA but I understand. I still have the LA Times issue where you thanked the city of LA for being great sports fans. My ego was hurt when you won a championship with Miami, so was the rest of LA. Winning a ring with the prince would of hurt a lot. You don't slam dunk like you used to, though it happens sometimes. Your still great with the media since your good with your words. Watching you play hurts me, please retire Shaq.

Sincerely,

Me

NEW YORK KNICKS! NEW YORK KNICKS!

2010-05-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

The Cav-Celtics Game 6 moment with Lebron James taking the free throws and the Boston fans yelling "New York Knicks! New York Knicks!" at the top of their lungs can potentially live up to be one of the greatest moments in sports history. There has never been so much free agent scrutiny circling around one player and that moment represented that. Lebron made both free throws but the damage was done, the eventual season end was near. If he stays in Cleveland, this moment will be forgotten but shall he move, this lives in the highlight reels forever.

The Celtics Didn't Surprise You

2010-05-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

THEY HAVE BEEN THERE ALL ALONG! The Boston Celtics dominated their series against NBA title favorite, Cleveland Cavaliers. This came at no surprise to me, I picked the Boston Celtics to win the series 4-2 before the season started. This Celtics team is a team with a championship pedigree and they are mentally tough. Rajon Rondo is playing unbelievable basketball and the their BIG 3 core remains strong. The Cleveland Cavaliers were a regular season team that fell with it's leader, Lebron James. Give the Celtics credit, they have no fear. I'm calling it now, Lakers vs. Celtics in the NBA FINALS.

Dodgers finding their stride.

2010-05-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Dodgers are back! The Boys in Blue are heating up just in time for the summer. They are now winners of 6 straight and are on the verge of sweeping this weekend series against the 1st place San Diego Padres. It's about time that the Dodgers started playing up to their potential. The return of Manny Ramirez has rejuvenated the lineup. The injury to Andre Ethier could potentially have devastating impact so let's hope for good news today. The pitching staff has been solid which I hope we could keep up for the rest of the season. Our power bullpen is the best in baseball when they are firing on all cylinders.

Egg of the Week Lastings Milledge

2010-05-09T01:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the egg of the week: Lastings Milledge, outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lastings hit a line drive that turned out to be less than he thought. A fireworks display at the Pittsburgh stadium caused a confusion rarely seen in baseball. Check out the video below:

http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=7866287&c_id=pit

Enjoy!

The NFL Chinese Wall Coming Down

2010-05-08T23:06:00.000-07:00

Ed Wang was drafted in the 5th round out of Virginia Tech by the Buffalo Bills at this recent NFL Draft & has a great chance to make the team. An agile offensive lineman at 6-5, 300 lbs, Wang would become the first player of Chinese descent to make it on an NFL roster on opening day. Wang has become a superstar in China where there have been over hundreds of articles written on him. His Bills jersey is also on back order. As an Asian American, this is a big deal to me. I am proud of Ed Wang & all his accomplishments thus far. You go Ed!

ELBOW-GATE

2010-05-08T22:49:00.000-07:00

Prince James has stirred a body part fascination among NBA fans around the world known as "Elbow-gate." The most talked about elbow in the history of professional sports has created a fanaticism among his admirers and haters. His right elbow even has it's own Twitter account: http://www.twitter.com/lebronselbow. The first signs of the injury occurred towards the end of game 5 against the Chicago Bulls in their first round series. The official diagnosis of the elbow after an MRI is a tendon strain and bone bruise. Despite that, the mystery of the nature of his elbow has been the topic of headlines. No one really knows what's going on with it. He put on a marvelous performance against the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their 2nd round series but came back looking lethargic against them in Game 2. He answered all questions about the elbow in game 3 when he put on a master performance. The talks of the elbow are calming down but the type of hysteria this caused has been a study of stupidity.

Raiders finding Cred

2010-05-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

The Oakland Raiders finally released former #1 overall pick Jamarcus Russell. RAIDER FANS AROUND THE WORLD REJOICE! The Raiders are finally beginning to make football decisions and have made some nice additions this 0ff-season. Jamarcus Russell will go down as the biggest #1 overall bust in the history of the NFL. His three miserable years in the Raider organization will now become a distant memory. Thank you Al Davis.

Lakers finding their stride.

2010-05-08T22:32:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves 3-0 in the best of 7 series against the Utah Jazz Saturday night. The Lakers have now won 5 straight in the playoffs and are showing that they are the class of the Western Conference. These victories haven't been blow-out victories but the Lakers have stayed competitive and have a man by the name of Kobe Bryant to close out the games at the end. This wasn't a fair series for the Utah Jazz who are undersized with the loss of center Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko (who returned to action Saturday night). The Jazz have put up a strong fight but not coming out with the victory. Ron Artest showed up for Game 4 (my favorite Laker player) and the bench played a key role. The Lakers are still the most talented team in the league and the only way to for them to not win the title is for them to beat themselves.

Baseballs Unwritten Rules

2010-05-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

The incident that took place in the Yankees-Athletics game a few weeks ago when A-Rod stepped on the pitchers mound was a supposed violation of an unwritten rule in baseball. I played 7 years of baseball growing up & actually never knew about this rule. I also have never seen it happen. I just never had the idea of stepping on the pitchers mound which I now view as disrespectful.

Here is a list of other unwritten rules in baseball:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/liunwrit.shtml

Championship hope resting on a knee

2010-05-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

There are times when the fate of a team's future rest on the health of a players limb. This is the case for the Lakers whose dreams to repeat as championships may rest on the knee of center Andrew Bynum. A "very small" tear was upgraded to a "small" tear during the 1st round of the playoffs against OKC. This comes at an inconvenient time for the Lakers who will need his size & skill to advance in the playoffs. I've had a meniscus tear on my knee, Bynum will be limited & his running will be affected. If this was 2 years ago, or last year, the Lakers would of been ok. But with the upgraded talent around the league, the Lakers need him more than ever.

Raiders improving? OMG

2010-05-02T12:24:00.000-07:00

The Oakland Raiders are coming out of this off-season a surprisingly improved team. They traded for Jason Campbell from the Washington Redskins to man the quarterback position (assuming Russell is released). They had an above-average NFL draft where they drafted players for the defensive & offensive lines adding size & speed for the future. They also made several small trades that have improved their team. Al Davis decided not to be a pushover and actually drafted quality players & made deals that made sense. They actually have a chance at being relevant this season. The light is getting brighter for Raider nation.

NHL on the RISE

2010-05-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

According to the Nielsen television ratings, the NHL playoffs gained a 25% viewership in the first round compared to last year. I'm not a big hockey fan but this is great news. A large part of the increased viewership is likely due to the exposure hockey received during the recent Winter Olympics which ended with the championship game of U.S.A. vs Canada. According to ESPN:

NEW YORK -- U.S. viewership of the NHL playoffs increased 24 percent from 2009, the league's highest average first-round audience in 10 years.

The NHL said Friday that NBC and Versus combined to average 742,000 viewers per telecast. That's the most since ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 had 750,000 in 2000.

Versus averaged 595,000 viewers, a 35 percent increase from 2009 and the league's best showing on cable since ESPN/ESPN2 in 2001 (608,000). Versus averaged a .7 rating, up 75 percent from 2009.

NBC averaged 430,000 viewers for its four broadcasts, an 18 percent increase over 2009. Its 1.1 average rating was the best since 2006 and up 10 percent from last year.

Too bad my favorite NHL team, the Anaheim Ducks are not in the playoffs this year.

Best Wishes to George Karl

2010-05-02T12:04:00.000-07:00

George Karl is a great NBA coach and person. I wish him strength in his battle against throat and neck cancer. His team, Denver Nuggets missed his presence. They lacked spirit & loss their identity without him. They went from championship contender to a dysfunctional unit struggling to get by as they were eliminated in the playoffs by a injury-riddled Utah Jazz. George Karl, get will soon. The NBA misses your presence.

The Love-Hate Team

2010-04-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

I am a big fan of the polarizing athlete, the one who has a love-hate relationship with public opinion. I love the ones who perform under the pressure. The ones who are disliked for bits of their character but continue to win. The athletes who know how good they are but don't conform to change so they could be approved by the public. They are spectacular at what they do & will love among the best to ever do what they do. This is the Love-Hate team & I admire them.

Toni Braxton video features NBA player cameos

2010-04-24T22:13:00.000-07:00

Toni Braxton's recent music video "Yesterday" featured cameos by two Laker players. I thought this was hilarious especially the ending. Living the LA lifestyle has it's advantages. Watch it in it's entirety.

Basketball Wives on VH1

2010-04-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

I recently heard that there is a new VH1 reality show that features a cast of several wives of NBA players titled "Basketball Wives." The executive producer of the show is Shaunie O'Neal, the wife of Shaquille O'Neal. I have yet to see an episode but I'm interested in seeing one. I'm intrigued by the idea.

Statement from VH1.com Basketball Wives website about the show:

"Being the wife or girlfriend of a professional basketball player has its advantages, from sitting courtside at the Finals to sitting port side on your husband's yacht. But outside the glare of the public spotlight, their lives may not be as glamorous as one might think.

On Basketball Wives, we'll follow the extraordinary lives of 6 women who are best friends as they juggle the success and stresses of building businesses, battling groupies, and searching for stability in the unstable arena of being the significant other to a basketball superstar.

While many people may view the wives of professional athletes as being lazy and entitled, these women are proof that those stereotypes are often off the mark. From starting a high-end shoe boutique to managing a dance company to building a fitness empire, these women are chasing and realizing dreams and goals that underscore their place as empowered woman and not just the wife of a celebrity.

And perhaps the most profound revelation is that behind all the bling, these women are really just the same as everyone else. Just like many women across America, they cope with the stresses of marriage and divorce and being a single parent, the joys and trials of raising children, the highs and lows of their friendship with each other. But with the pressures of fame, the temptation and fears of infidelity, and the struggles of raising children while their men are away trying to conquer the hard court, these women have to stick together as best friends and find the inner strength together to triumph against the odds.

In Basketball Wives, we'll finally get a glimpse into the secret and unique lives of the women behind these men, and we'll realize that it's not just the players they're married to... but also the game."

Where is the Dodger's pitching?

2010-04-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

It's there but it's not really there yet. The Dodgers have been scrutinized for not upgrading their pitching in the off season while all the other top NL competitors did. Some of this has to be blamed on the McCourt divorce situation. The Dodgers chose to stay with almost the same pitching they had last season and hope that one of their starters evolves into an ace, mainly Chad Billingsley or Clayton Kershaw.

After more than 10 games into the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the best offenses in baseball but one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball. The return of Belisario & Kuo will help ease the strain in the bullpen, which was the best in baseball last year. I have high hopes for the Dodgers, but everyone knows pitching is what wins championships. I hope their pitching wakes up or changes need to be made.

Kevin Durant = BEST NBA PLAYER in 2 yrs

2010-04-24T21:18:00.000-07:00

The title of the best NBA player will belong to Kevin Durant in 2 years. At the moment, it's in a tug-of-war between Lebron James & Kobe Bryant. The growth of Kevin Durant has been unbelievable at 21 years old. After playing one year of college, Durant went straight to the NBA to become one of it's rising stars. The Portland Trail Blazers must be shaking their heads at themselves for choosing Greg Oden over Kevin Durant. Durant has been fortunate in that the Oklahoma City Thunder have been able to nurture him with great surrounding talent & a smart head coach. Kevin Durant finished the 2009-10 season as the NBA's leading scorer. He has developed his offensive & defensive skills. I repeat, he is only 21 years old. In his first playoff series against the Lakers, Durant has displayed his limitless ability against one of the NBA's best defenders in Ron Artest. I'm saying it now, Kevin Durant will be the best player in the NBA in years time. Sorry Lebron & Kobe.

World Series Dream NY vs. LA

2010-04-18T15:13:00.000-07:00

Torre returns to NY! Ramirez returns to NY! A-ROD comes to LA! DODGERS VS YANKEES! Arguably two of the most storied franchises in major league baseball, the New York Yankees & the Los Angeles Dodgers playing each other in the World Series will be my dream come true. They almost played each other in the World Series last year (kinda) & I await that possibility again this year. They play a highly publicized three game series during the last week of June (I will be in attendance at 2 of those games). These two have met in the World Series 11 times (most in history) but not since 1981. The baseball world will go crazy if this can happen. Make history happen.

Phil Jackson Mind Games

2010-04-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

Before the start of Game 1 of the playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers & Oklahoma City Thunder, Phil Jackson publicly expressed his feelings about Kevin Durant (NBA's leading scorer) being given too many calls from the referees. This wasn't met well by Durant who felt disrespected by Jackson. Phil Jackson was fined $35,000 for his public comments but he knew that was coming. Phil Jackson, the greatest NBA coach of all time, was planting seeds for this playoff series. He does this almost every year being the master tactician and strategist that he is. In game 1, which was a Laker victory, Kevin Durant had a horrible game & didn't receive calls that he would of normally got in the regular season. Though this is just game 1, Phil Jackson can't help but smile.

MLB lack of Salary Cap

2010-04-18T14:08:00.000-07:00

I've never been against Major League Baseball not having a salary cap. I have countless associates who tell me that it makes the game unfair. Small market teams tend to build their franchises through strong farm systems & crafty signings. Big market teams that generate high revenue have the money to sign big money free agents. I actually can't think of a game that reflects America more than baseball. Baseball is popularly known as America's past time but also carries a strong reflection of it's social climate. You examine sports that do have salary caps & find that has advantages/disadvantages that are very similar. You work with the resources you have & make the best of it. Small market teams have found huge success in baseball. Big market teams may have it easier by having the money & prestige to sign big names that doesn't always guarantee success, just ask the New York Yankees. You win some, you lose some but you strive for the victory doing it what you've got. Only in MLB baseball, only in America.

Shut Down Wing Defender

2010-04-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

Behind some of the greatest teams lie some of the greatest defenders in the NBA. Michael Jordan had Scottie Pippen & Dennis Rodman. Magic & Kareem had Michael Cooper. The value of having a "shut-down" wing defender is greater than ever. Most of the NBA's dynamic scorers play on the wing. Having that one defensive player who can compete effortlessly against these scorers carries a big paycheck & huge respect. Most of these defenders focus on defense & pride themselves on it. Very rarely, you find one that's a dynamic scorer. Most of these players will tell you that "defense is not talent, it's an attitude." Very few in this league have the attitude to be great defenders.

Here are a few of the past & present:

NBA Avoids Nepotism

2010-04-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

The NBA took action this week by not allowing Charlotte Bobcat's broadcaster, Dell Curry, to vote for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award in an effort to avoid nepotism. Curry's son, Stephen Curry, is favored to win the ROY award this year.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank says Dell Curry will be allowed to vote for all the other postseason awards, but the league did not want to put him in an awkward position with the rookie award.

I laughed when I first saw this. I wanted to believe that the NBA gave full voting rights to people whom they trusted would vote out of fairness & give due diligence to the rewarding. Even in a situation that involves a father & son, Dell Curry's rookie of the year vote shouldn't have been taken away. As minor as the situation seems in scope of other issues, it carries a big reflection on what the NBA protects.

The importance of the MLB "Ace" card,

2010-04-11T14:03:00.000-07:00

Championship teams have many qualities in common, one of them is having an "Ace." card. It's a rather subjective term as an ace has many qualities. The ace has dominating stuff that baffles hitters. They often rank near the top of positive statistical pitching categories. The ace is the pitcher who exudes leadership. They're the man your pitching staff depends on. They pitch the crucial games if your team makes the playoffs. MLB teams know the importance of having an ace especially if they're contending for a world title. Last year, the Phillies pulled a mid-season trade for Cliff Lee (a definite ace & Cy Young winner) which proved important down the stretch as they reached the World Series behind his arm. Not every MLB team has an ace, there is a different between an ace & a number one pitcher on a staff. There are only a handful of pitchers considered aces in the game today. Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, C.C. Sabathia, & Justin Verlander are a few of the finest in the MLB. Being a Dodger fan, we unfortunately don't have an ace card at the moment, I'm hoping one will come out of the deck.

Basketball - Fab 5?

2010-04-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

What would the game of basketball be like without those young rebels from Michigan? Arguably the greatest freshman class ever recruited forever changed the landscape of basketball with their "hip-hop" flair. I can't think of a group of 5 men who altered the culture of today's basketball more than Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King & Ray Jackson. The men were known for their baggy shorts (I think players would still be wearing short shorts today if it wasn't for them), trash talking, black shoes & black socks. They never won an NCAA championship but when you watch basketball today, the Fab Five influence is evident in every element. Perhaps basketball would still carry an old school flair if the Fab Five never came together? I can't imagine a basketball world without them.

Kobe doesn't look right.

2010-04-11T13:31:00.001-07:00

My favorite player in the NBA, Kobe Bryant just doesn't look right. For the 2nd half of the NBA season, he's look fatigued and is having to work harder on the court as the Lakers continue to find an identity. Given he has several lingering injuries that would affect the play of NBA player, Kobe has been an exception in being able to display excellence while hurt. Can't avoid that Kobe is getting older & doesn't have the same athletic ability he once had. However, the great ones always adjust their games to their bodies. A healthy Kobe Bryant is still the best player in the world. I remain optimistic that the Kobe were all used to will return in the playoffs, the Lakers need that Kobe more than ever.

Losing a Pantheon of Football

2010-04-11T13:18:00.000-07:00

Texas Stadium is gone, forever lost in it's lore. It's physical being lies on the ground like a puzzle piece. More than 20,000 spectators gathered to watch the stadium that has created so many memories. For 38 seasons, the Dallas Cowboys won 213 out of 313 regular & postseason games at the stadium. They won 5 Super Bowls with Texas Stadium as its home. Texas Stadium was known for the giant hole in its roof, fans would say "so God can watch his team." Aside from Lambeau field, there are few other football venues that come close to the legacy of Texas Stadium. I cringed a little when I watched the demolition of the stadium on television, it will forever be revered, respected & remembered.

The call of the Tiger

2010-04-11T13:09:00.001-07:00

Aside from his questionable Nike commercial involving his fathers voice, Tiger Woods has been impressive in his return to professional golf. Amidst the controversy surrounding him, he's had a warm reception in Augusta. He has also been more interactive with the fans, smiling routinely & tipping his cap more. In rounds 1 & 2, Woods shot a 68 & 70 respectively which are his best scores in those rounds career wise. In what may have been a media circus, has been rounds of great golf. In his road to forgiveness, a strong finish by Tiger will help win back fans. A victory at the Masters would help him regain his legacy as the greatest golfer to ever play the game.

Raider fans deserve better.

2010-03-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

The Oakland Raiders have the best fans in the NFL, I am one of them. We deserve better than what owner, Al Davis, is bringing to the NFL playgrounds every year. We blame everything on Al Davis, who has lost his sense of football. The man who has shrouded himself in questionable draft picks, miserable coaching decisions & a negative compulsion to keep running the show the way he wants it to be run needs to step down soon. We deserve much better than Al Davis now. Thank you for all that you've done for the Raiders, it's time for someone who knows football the way you used to. Mr. Davis, you need to go.

Lebron James is a classless act.

2010-03-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

I am a fan of Lebron James, the most talented physical specimen to ever grace the NBA hardwood. He can control the game whenever he wishes. He can pound the opposition at will with his bodybuilder body. He can outrun the defender with his cheetah-like bursts. He has also become an Einstein-like mind of the game. However, he remains a classless act. From not shaking Dwight Howard's hand at the end of the 2009 Eastern Conference playoffs to him claiming in an ESPN report that "he could win the scoring title every year." I don't want to forget his habit of wearing an NY Yankees cap at public events insulting the city of Cleveland who will do anything to make sure he stays in a Cavaliers uniform. His on-court theatrics with his teammates are often over the top & a display of his lack of professionalism. For a man who doesn't have an NBA title ring, he talks way too much but still needs to clean up his act.

Can the switch be turned on?

2010-03-28T14:26:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Lakers are playing lasidasical basketball. It's nowhere near championship level. The way they are playing almost guarantees them an early playoff exit. A first round match-up with the San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder would be a tough challenge for the Lakers if they continue their recent play. The popular theory is that the Lakers can turn on the "on" switch when the playoffs begin, which some of their players attest to. The ideal situation for a championship contending team is to go into the playoffs with momentum. These Lakers are in a difficult situation with Bynum, Odom, Walton & others with injuries. They struggle finding rhythm on offense at times & don't have a sense of urgency at the moment. However, this is still the most talented team in the NBA with arguably the best player in the game & the best coach in the game. If there is a team that can turn the "on" switch & win the NBA title, it is these Los Angeles Lakers.

Avoiding Infamy

2010-03-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

On Friday, March 26, the New Jersey Nets defeated the Detroit Pistons 118-110 bringing their record to an unimpressive 9-63. However, this record avoids great embarrassment as the New Jersey Nets avoided having the worst record in NBA history held by the 72-73 Philadelphia 76ers at 9-73. The New Jersey Nets on paper are not a terrible basketball team. They have great back court talent & a franchise center in Brook Lopez. They should have a better record than the one they currently have. The Nets suffer from poor chemistry & lack of discipline to the worse degree. They fired a terrific coach in Lawrence Frank at the beginning of the season, there are issues in their front office & half of their roster is full of underachieving talent. They will need one more win to avoid a tie, but New Jersey faces quite an uncertain future. At least they avoid infamy.

Your turn, Barry.

2010-03-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

Several months ago, Mark McGwire confirmed the long suspicions of MLB fans as he admitted to his use of steroids during a hall of fame career. Such acts are coward but I commend Mr. McGwire for coming out with the truth. It will damper his chances of getting in to the MLB Hall of Fame but I imagine that he now sleeps better every night. As the new batting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, he also gains the respect of his players & the reconciliation process is already underway.

There is now one more hall of fame career whose word we await, Barry Bonds. Unlike Mark McGwire, who never denied steroid use (just actively chose to never discuss it), Barry Bonds has furiously denied steroid use. His career numbers are representative of a player who received a "significant boost" towards the end of his career. He claims "hard work" was the reason for consecutive MLB seasons. We will see, but we expect an explanation soon.

Were still waiting for the dress to come off.

Don't tell him he's too old.

2010-03-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

There is a 47 year old starting pitcher in Major League Baseball & he's a starting pitcher for one of the best teams in baseball. Meet Jamie Moyer, one of the most consistent pitchers to ever play baseball. Once an elite pitcher, he no longer has the arm strength of his younger days. He pitches with wit, intelligence, & suave. He will be easy to find. He's a starting pitcher for the National League champion of the past 2 years, the Philadelphia Phillies. At 47 years old, he will be pitching every 5 days. He deserves every tip of the cap.

Mad Scientist gets Madder!

2010-03-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

The mad scientist is up to dirtier tricks in March. He's found new mixtures in the names of Northern Iowa, Cornell, & St. Marys. Every year, were dazzled with Cinderella, but Cinderella multiplied this year. These Cinderellas are upgraded from years past, these have dominant interior play & steady handling from the back courts. The mad scientist may not be done. The existing elements on the NCAA periodic chart are no longer safe. Having All-Americans on your team no longer guarantees you a championship. Chemicals made of heart, grit & a beautiful mix might just do the job. Only time we'll tell but history says human nature always goes back to course.

P.S. The mad scientist will be stopped in his tracks. Kentucky will win the NCAA championship.

1st Annual Lakers Fan Jam

2010-03-20T23:50:00.000-07:00

Fan Jam was a gift from the Los Angeles Lakers to the fans. Many Laker fans have been waiting for a fan jam as many other smaller market NBA teams have fan jams every year. I was in attendance for this first annual event but I left disappointed. My favorite Laker wasn't present, Ron Artest. Lines for autographs rounded out to summer Six Flags 4 hour line waits. The room was too small for the amount of people corralling inside. I'm optimistic next year will be much better, at least I hope so.

Getting Ready for World Cup Mania!

2010-03-20T23:32:00.000-07:00

The Winter Olympics are over & the ice is melting. The grass is growing & the animals are beginning to graze on the lands. The most popular sport in the world comes to South Africa this Summer 2010 for the greatest tournament on Earth. The World Cup gets more viewers than all sporting events in the United States put together. I am watching the countdown to the World Cup, more anxious & excited each growing day. Get those soccer jerseys out, the mania will be coming to a town near you very soon.

The March Madness Scientist

2010-03-20T23:25:00.000-07:00

The irrational world of Einstein's Quantum world parallels with the world of College Basketball. There is no science to March Madness. There is no teacher that can teach "The Big Dance." March Madness is beautiful because it's unpredictable. I spent two days researching all 64 teams in hopes of establishing the perfect bracket. This is what came to fruition:

I believed with stern confidence that I had the winning bracket. After the first day of play, I came to a disappointing 10/16. A friend of mine who doesn't watch college basketball also completed a bracket & finished at an impressive 14/16. When I asked her why she chose the teams she chose, she replied with "The names of their school sounded cooler than the other." (-_-)

March Madness is truly run by a Mad Scientist.

Tiger Woods Will Be Forgiven

2010-03-14T17:53:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods has the talent to be & eventually will be forgiven as he returns to the game of golf. To put it into perspective, winners are forgiven. This isn't the case for someone as Michael Vick who was a feel good story but never a winner. Kobe Bryant has rectified his image because he is a winner. Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer to ever live, amidst the controversy, he will be forgiven because he is just that.

Tiger's key to forgiveness:

Handle Talent w/ Caution.

2010-03-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

Brady Quinn has the makings of a great NFL quarterback, he was just never given the chance. I watched him as a star at Notre Dame University & saw a potential great NFL quarterback. He was drafted into the Cleveland Browns during a confusing quarterback situation. Derek Anderson had a Pro Bowl year & the Cleveland Browns drafted Brady Quinn as their quarterback of the future. Perhaps it was a popularity pick as Brady was raised in Cleveland & called it his home. Derek Anderson followed with a terrible year which opened up the spot for Brady Quinn. Quinn came into the year as a starter & played decently despite a terrible offensive line, an inconsistent running game & a continuously changing offensive philosophy. Today, he was traded to the Denver Broncos which already has a starting quarterback in Kyle Orton. I remain optimistic that Quinn will take over the starting job in Denver, he is too much of a talent to waist. Handle talent with caution.

LA Dodgers Go to Taiwan

2010-03-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

One of the beautiful aspects of MLB baseball is it's expansion into foreign territories. This past week, a select group of members of the LA Dodgers & manager Joe Torre took a trip to Taiwan to play three exhibition games against Taiwanese teams. In addition, the Dodgers hosted several baseball clinics for baseball players. Hong Chi Kuo & Chin-lung Hu, two Taiwanese players of the Dodgers came along on the trip. It's a beautiful sight to see the love of baseball shared all over the world.

Ron Artest stylist in demand.

2010-03-14T16:08:00.000-07:00

Ron Artest has brought an intensified toughness, mental strength & style to the Los Angeles Lakers as they bid for a 2nd consecutive title. Ron Artest has been one of my favorite NBA players ever since his entrance into the NBA. A true New York street baller who is proud of his rough upbringing & embraces it in his NBA play. However, the base of his eccentric flair lies in his mane:

Ron Artest through the years:

May we look forward to his next creation.

Manny Pacman is afraid of Floyd Mayweather

2010-03-14T15:38:00.000-07:00

Manny Pacquiao looked like a fool after his unimpressive victory over Joshua Clottey. Before I berate Manny Pacquiao, I extend my congratulations to Manny Pacquiao on an expected win over Joshua Clottey on March 13, 2010 at the 8th wonder of the world, Cowboys Stadium. As a Filipino American, his importance to the Philippines makes every victory a special occasion for Filipinos. However, a victory of Joshua Clottey doesn't compare to an opponent that should of been, Floyd Mayweather.

As Manny raised his arms in celebration, the crowd looking for Tylenol after screaming "Manny" all evening, it was a glorious sight until the post-fight ringside interview with Manny. Manny Pacquiao & his celebrated trainer, Freddy Roach took several shots at Floyd Mayweather & his boxing camp. I couldn't have thought of a more classless act after a victory.

I strongly believe that Manny Pacquiao is the reason Floyd Mayweather wasn't opposite of him Saturday evening. It was Manny Pacquiao's reluctance to agree with a drug policy that wasn't even asking for too much that the greatest fight in the last half-century didn't happen (not that it won't ever happen). I'm still angry at Manny, one of our Filipino heroes, but it's your fault that Mayweather wasn't your opponent last night.