Anthony Dio

Baller Thoughts: One Month Before Playoffs

It's mid-March, and during this time of the year, basketball season is getting more exciting.  No, I don't follow the US NCAA "March Madness" ballgames.  But I'm referring more to the NBA Season, when teams are beginning to make their push in the Playoffs race.  Based on how the team standings are shaping up, NBA fans can now begin to realize a clearer picture of who will contend in the 2010 NBA Playoffs.

Here are my thoughts about the current Playoffs picture.


The Eastern Conference Picture:

The current top 4 teams - Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta, and Boston - are pretty much locked since day 1 of this season.  No doubt, Cleveland will be the number one ranking team, not only in the East but in the whole league this season.  They are the first to reach 50 wins, and the first to be guaranteed with a Playoff spot.  With their exciting play, team chemistry, and their superb cast of All Star-quality (LeBron James, Mo Williams, Shaq, Antawn Jamison, and Z. Ilgauskas, who will definitely be back on the roster next week) and role players (Varejao, JJ Hickson, and Delonte West have been playing very well lately), I think they finally have it made.  They'll be heavy favorites in the Finals race.

The second, third, and fourth seeds are still to be determined, as it still seems wide-open.  Orlando has been playing well lately, especially with the re-emergence of Vince Carter.  Atlanta has proven themselves as serious contenders.  And Boston has been inconsistent and slumping as of late, despite Rajon Rondo's brilliant play.

The last four seeds will be interesting.  It is still wide-open for the current 5th 'til 9th ranking East teams - Milwaukee, Charlotte, Miami, Toronto, and Chicago.

Milwaukee has been a pleasant surprise, and they've been convincingly beating some of the elite teams.  Charlotte is a surprise too, and I credit them for their improvement.

Miami has been inconsistent this season, and they should be stepping up at the right moment.  Toronto and Chicago should be careful.  Their current losing streaks are crucial.

What I'm feeling right now: Cleveland versus any of its top opponents in the East Finals; Orlando, most likely.


The Western Conference Picture:

The current top 8 Western teams - L.A. Lakers, Denver, Dallas, Utah, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Portland - seem clear already to most likely establish their respective Playoff spots.  What's not clear yet are the rankings.  Lakers are still the best in the West, but their closest opponents are at least just three games behind.  The defending champion Lakers are having a mini-slump this month, while their contenters are winning more games than losing.

Denver has been consistently chasing the Lakers all season.  Dallas is on a roll with its recent winning streak.  Utah has re-established itself as a powerful Western squad.

Oklahoma City is the surprise West team this season, and Kevin Durant is rolling.  Phoenix is beginning to show some consistency.  San Antonio may be inconsistent and disappointing this season, but they're a different animal once it's Playoffs season.  And Portland is starting to recover from their key players' injuries.

The teams in the 9th 'til 11th spot - Memphis, Houston, and New Orleans - still mathematically has a shot for the final West Playoff spots.  However, their fate also depends on the win-loss records of the teams ahead of them.  Momentums can drastically change in the wild West.  The West is so tight, just one loss can demote a team in the standings.

What I'm feeling right now: Lakers versus either Denver or Dallas in the West Finals; yet it's likely that a determined dark horse can spoil the party.

My current Finals lookout:

Cavaliers versus Lakers.  Kobe versus LeBron.  Kobe versus Shaq.  Shaq versus Bynum.  Gasol versus Varejao.  D.Fish versus Mo.  Guru (Phil Jackson) versus up-and-comer (Mike Brown).  LeBron versus the whole Lakers.  Kobe versus everybody...  Then, after the 2010 Finals, let the trade games begin.  Oh yeah!!

Some more thoughts:

My 2010 MVP pick:  LeBron James.

My 2010 Rookie Of The Year pick:  It's a toss-up between Sacramento's Tyreke Evans and Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings.

My 2010 Coach Of The Year pick:  I would consider Scott Brooks, for Oklahoma City's huge turnaround.

I just found out about the worst win-loss season record of all time in NBA history.  It's the 9-73 standing of the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers.  And the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets are on track to tie or even beat that.  And I'm kinda rooting for the Nets to do so haha!  Who's with me?

LeBron James is working on changing his jersey number next season, from the fabled # 23 to # 6, which was his number in the US Olympic Team.  There are talks and movements on retiring the # 23 jersey number in all of NBA, in honor of the legendary Michael Jordan.  For me, it's great to honor His Airness, The Greatest of All Time, in that manner.  And there will be a handful of active players, including King James, who will be affected with the jersey number change.

If MJ will be honored, how about the other greats, like Bill Russell and Julius Erving, who both wore # 6 (that would be LeBron's number)?  Or all those more commonly used # 32s, 33s and 34s worn by greats such as Magic, Bird, Olajuwon, Ewing, and Kareem, among others?  Or the current 3s and 21s used by today's greats, such as Iverson and Duncan?  If this trend would go on, I wouldn't be surprised if there will be three-digit jersey numbers in the next 50 years.

Gilbert Arenas is also reported to be changing jersey numbers too, in his return to NBA.  Will that make him a changed man as well, on and off the court?

And finally, this 360 alley-oop dunk by JR Smith... oh how sweet!

Baller Thoughts: Post-NBA All Star Game 2010 Thoughts

The NBA 2010 All Star Weekend in Dallas was just concluded, and here are some of my thoughts regarding the events last weekend.

• The Rookies-Sophomores Game was fun to watch, with its fast pace.  Kudos to the Rookies for winning this year.  There are several promising Rookies (Evans, Lawson, Jennings, Casspi, DeBlair, etc.), and I expect a good number of them to become key players in the future.

• This year's Slam Dunk Competition was boring.  I was hoping to see something unbelievably new or refreshing, but nothing really special happened.  Nate Robinson is now a 3-time Slam Dunk Champion.  I guess that's enough for him, and this time he should further prove himself as a team player on the court.

• It's a World Record - 108,713 people witnessing a basketball game.

• Here are the last-minute replacements for injured All Stars Kobe Bryant, Brandon Roy, Chris Paul, & Allen Iverson:  Chris Kaman (L.A. Clippers), Chauncey Billups (Denver), Jason Kidd (Dallas), and David Lee (New York).  So all in all, there were 9 All Star first-timers this year.  By the way, Iverson wasn't really injured; his kid was ill, so he decided to skip the All Star Game. 

• In regards to Jason Kidd's selection, I think he was more of a sentimental choice, since Dallas is hosting the All Star Weekend this year.  Analysts and fans even say that it's a political move.  NBA Commisioner David Stern may have selected Kidd so that home team hero Dirk Nowitzki will have better chances of becoming All Star MVP, in front of his home crowd.  Kidd can be a principal playmaker, setting up Dirk.  No disrespect to Kidd, but there may have been other better and more deserving replacements (perhaps Aaron Brooks or Baron Davis).  Plus game play with Dirk in mind wouldn't be a problem, as the West had starting point guard Steve Nash, Nowitzki's long-time teammate in Dallas and best buddy.  Regardless of all these, Nowitzki still had an impressive all-around All Star game.

• The All Star Game had another interesting finish, with both East and West teams trading baskets and freethrows until the last second.  I would have love to see an Overtime, instead of the West going for a 3 for the last-second win.  Carmelo Anthony got the pass, and took the desperation 3, but his shot fell short.  If only Dirk Nowitzki or Chauncey Billups have received the ball and attempted the shot, it could have been a victory.  Dirk is a proven clutch shooter, while Chauncey was instrumental in making the game close during the fourth quarter by making a number of key baskets (that's why they call him Big Shot).

• But before all that, how about the bonehead play of Deron Williams?  Why did he have to foul?  It became a freethrow battle, with the East having the advantage in points and possession.  The Raptors' Chris Bosh, a Dallas native, shot freethrows for the East.  While Mavs superstar Nowitzki shot freethrows for the West.  Why does it feel like it was scripted or something?

• I chose the West to win.  But as always, the team I choose pretty much ends up losing.  The outcome could have been different if Black Mamba KB24 was around.

• My favorite highlight from the All Star Game?  The alley-oop pass from Dwyane Wade to the cutting LeBron James for the reverse dunk.  Beautiful.

• 2010 All Star Game MVP = Dwyane Wade.  He finished with a double-double and led the East in scoring.

***

Trade deadline just passed, and here are some of my thoughts regarding some of these headline trade deals.

• Nate Robinson, Marcus Landry to the Celtics; Eddie House, JR Giddens, Bill Walker to the Knicks:  Nate Robinson is lucky here, because he is now playing for a Championship contender.  Plus the Knicks made space in their salary cap, in preparation for the much-anticipated Summer of 2010 trades and deals.  This may be bad for the C's, because they lose Eddie House, who is a spark off the bench, a good back-up point guard in the last few years, and an instant offense and energy guy.  I am intrigued with how Nate will fit in with the C's.  Meanwhile, Eddie House is already familiar with coach Mike D'Antoni and his run-and-gun system, so I think he'll be fine in New York.

• Tracy McGrady, Sergio Rodriguez to the Knicks; Carl Landry, Joey Dorsey, Larry Hughes to the Kings; Kevin Martin, Hilton Armstrong, Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries to the Rockets:  I don't think T-Mac will be a key player, at least until the end of this season.  Sergio Rodriguez is a decent guard; and with his Euro background, I think he'll be comfortable with D'Antoni's system.  In regards to business, the Knicks are doing all these trades in anticipation of the Summer of 2010, where big names like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Joe Johnson will be free agents.  And they're planning to get two of these marquee players.

• Marcus Camby to the Blazers; Travis Outlaw, Steve Blake to the Clippers:  This is good for the Blazers, who currently have injured key big men.  Plus, Camby adds veteran presence in this up-and-coming team.

• Josh Howard, James Singleton, Quentin Ross to the Wizards; Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, DeShawn Stevenson to the Mavericks:  This is instant upgrade for Dallas, which is a very good deal.  Meanwhile, the Wizards are "cleaning house", after that disappointing Gilbert Arenas-Javaris Crittenton issue.  I can say this over and over... Oh Gilbert, what have you done?

• Antawn Jamison, Sebastian Telfair to the Cavaliers; Zydrunas Ilgauskas, rights to Emir Preldzic, 2010 first-round draft pick from Cavs, Al Thornton to the Wizards; Drew Gooden to Clippers:  This is a very good deal for the Cavs, as they add more athleticism and offense to their Championship contending squad.  Though Amar'e Stoudemire would have fit well with the Cavs, I think it's also great to have Jamison, who can challenge the likes of Rashard Lewis and Paul Pierce, which is a big factor in the East.  Meanwhile, Ilgauskas has a buyout option, which he'll surely use 30 days after the trade.  So that means he has a chance to return to the Cavs.  The Big Z is a fixture in Cleveland, with his loyalty and significance to the franchise.  I would love to see the big guy playing for the Cavs in time for the Playoffs.  And hopefully, he'll be rewarded with a Championship ring.

• A non-move - Amar'e Stoudemire stays in Phoenix:  I was kinda expecting this.  And it's ironic because he was the most talked-about key player during the Trade Deadline week.  I assume that this was "Cleveland or nothing" for Amar'e.  If the Cavs acquired him, then good for him.  As much as I would love to see Amar'e play alongside LeBron, Shaq & Mo, I think it's alright for him to stay with the Suns, who are still within Playoff contention in the West.  It's like, let's give it another shot in Phoenix; if not, it's time to play elsewhere.

From nba.com:

2010 Trade Deadline Tracker

Every team has a pressing question as stretch run starts

Winners, losers emerge from deadline-day deals

***

It's halfway through the season, where teams are already making charges for their Playoff campaigns.  There seems to be the same formula for the Eastern and Western Conferences.  In the East, teams who are above .500 in the standings have greater chances, while teams in the .500-below mark must step up for a Playoff spot.  In the West, it is still extremely tight with 11 out of 15 teams having winning (over.500) records.  While one win can keep a team on track, one defeat can easily bring them down the standings.  So in the West, it's important for teams to just keep winning as many games as they can.

The top contenders are pretty much on track.  The defending champions L.A. Lakers have a decent lead in the West.  In the East, it's still clear that Boston, Cleveland and Orlando are the teams to beat.  Now that the trades have been made, I would love to see how Cleveland will push towards the Playoffs.

The teams I mentioned, they are still the teams to beat this year.  Though the Lakers are heavily favored to win it all in the West and in the whole NBA this season (and by far I can't detect a major threat yet in the West), I think the Championship will go back to the East this year.  In the Baller Thoughts blog I wrote at the start of the season, I predicted a Boston Championship.  Now that Cleveland is on a roll, with the Shaq acquisition seemingly working for them, and now the Jamison trade, I'm seriously considering the Cavaliers as my Finals choice.  As long as the whole team is healthy and they don't self-destruct in the Playoffs, they have a great chance.  It's all or nothing now for the Cleveland franchise.  If Cavs fail to win their first ring, we might witness King James playing somewhere else next season.

Baller Thoughts: NBA All Star 2010 Edition

The 2010 NBA All Star Weekend is just around the corner, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Dallas will host this event.  This year's All Star Game is special because it will be held at the Cowboys Stadium, and a crowd of at least 80,000 people is expected.  That will be the biggest crowd ever to witness a basketball game.  In Texas, they like everything big.  And I bet Dallas won't disappoint.

Here are this year's NBA All Star selection:

2010 NBA ALL STARS

EAST ALL STARS:

Starters: Allen Iverson (Philadelphia), Dwyane Wade (Miami), LeBron James (Cleveland), Kevin Garnett (Boston), Dwight Howard (Orlando)

Reserves: Chris Bosh (Toronto), Al Horford (Atlanta), Joe Johnson (Atlanta), Paul Pierce (Boston), Rajon Rondo (Boston), Derrick Rose (Chicago), Gerald Wallace (Charlotte)

Coach: Stan Van Gundy (Orlando)

WEST ALL STARS:

Starters: Steve Nash (Phoenix), Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers), Carmelo Anthony (Denver), Tim Duncan (San Antonio), Amar'e Stoudemire (Phoenix)

Reserves: Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City), Pau Gasol (L.A. Lakers), Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas), Chris Paul (New Orleans), Zach Randolph (Memphis), Brandon Roy (Portland), Deron Williams (Utah)

Coach: George Karl (Denver)

*****

Starters are chosen through fan votes (top vote getters become starters).  Reserves are chosen by the NBA team coaches.  And in case any of these Stars gets injured, the NBA Commisioner selects the replacement.  As always, there would be arguments and criticisms regarding the All Star Selection.

I pretty much agree with the fan selection for Starters, with the exception of Allen Iverson.  No disrespect to Iverson...  He's a phenomenal athlete, I admire him, and I like how he keeps it real and all that.  But there are others who are more deserving to become a Starter.  But hey, the Starting Five's based on fan votes, so it's the people's call.  A.I. is still one of the most popular players around.  He may be well beyond his prime, and he can still play.  But he hasn't played that much this season, after his short stint with Memphis & going back to Philly.  Houston's Tracy McGrady, who is frequently injured & has played only a handful of games so far this season, almost made it as a Starter because of his popularity.  Maybe if Yao Ming is not injured, he would make it once again as a Starter because of the strong voting population in his native China, regardless of his stats and his performance level.  It may be unfair to other players who are more deserving, but that's how the system works.  There are plenty of talks right now regarding fair All Star selections in the future.

In regards to Reserves, I agree that the selected players are deserving All Stars.  This year, there are seven All Star first-timers; four in the East, and three in the West.  Oh thank God, Deron Williams made it - finally!  This is soooo long overdue.  There are just so many quality guards in the West, which makes the selection in that position a challenge.  I'm happy with the selection of Rajon Rondo; he's really carrying the Celtics, and he's shown progress, though he still needs to work on his jumpshots and freethrows.  I'm also happy that Charlotte and Oklahoma City had their first All Stars in their franchise history, in Gerald Wallace and Kevin Durant.  Zach Randolph is quite a surprise for me, but I think he's earned it this season.  As far as I'm concerned, Z-Bo should have been an All Star back in his Portland days, only if the West wasn't filled with quality forwards.  And finally, I wish that one of the Starters in the West would give up their starting position for Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki, in honor of the host city.  I think the German superstar will play big in the All Star Game.

My "should have been there" list for this year are the following:  Chris Kaman (L.A. Clippers), Chauncey Billups (Denver), Baron Davis (L.A. Clippers), Josh Smith (Atlanta), David Lee (New York), Shaquille O'Neal (Cleveland; oh yeah, I love it when the big man's in the All Star Game).

I always wish there are 2 or 3 more slots each in the East and West squads, because a few deserving players get cut from the All Star selection.  The players I mentioned above should be next in line in case an All Star gets injured.

My All Star Game prediction:  With their advantages in size and veteran talent, the West will win this year.

NBA All Star Weekend 2010, Dallas

Happy New Era! My First 2K10 Blog is About Strength and Sports

Happy New Era, friends and loved ones!

New year, new decade, new era...  2010 seems to be a very promising year.  I ended 2K9 and began my 2K10 by working hard as usual, and going through pain and sickness through the New Year weekend.  I didn't really have enough rest during the Holidays.  Before the New Year, I had the asthma attack, which was the heaviest I had in the longest time.  It was so heavy, I was forced to use a puff/inhaler, which I stopped using in the last 7 years.  Then on New Year's Eve, I had too many "mixes" of food and drinks, which caused an upset stomach, which led to a stiff back, then followed by high fever.

In my 5 years and 10 months with K24/7, I never missed a gig because of sickness.  I only missed a couple because of family weddings (one of those two gigs, I followed after the reception to play the last set).  I would love to think of myself as the "Iron Man" in the band because of my almost unblemished gig attendance.  But last weekend, especially our gig last night at Mugen, I finally reached my limit.  I've become accustomed to performing even when I'm not feeling well.  This time around, I finally need to take a break.

I'm not the healthiest and strongest person.  That is why each day is a challenge for me to become the strongest person that I can be.  I was a thin, frail, asthmatic kid growing up.  Though I played basketball and rode on my skateboard almost everyday in our backyard when I was little, I was frequently on check with my asthma.  I also had poor appetite, eating little veggies and more junk and sweets.  When I grew older, that's when I realized that I need to take better care of myself and be physically stronger.  When I became a professional drummer, that's when I began to become more careful with my body.  Especially nowadays, when I'm not getting any younger and the gigs seem to become more physically demanding, the more I take extra care of myself.  Drumming and sports have its parallels, which is why I consider myself as an athlete, as discussed in this old blog of mine.  As much as I can, I act and behave like an athlete.  I rest, relax, and conserve my body whenever I have the opportunity.  I don't make any big movements when not needed.  I try to eat right.  I'm being as disciplined as I can.

Though I am not an active sportsman (which is a frustration of mine), I get plenty of inspiration from sports.  I get pretty much inspired by success stories from sports, particularly in basketball.  In fact, it makes me cry at times...  Michael Jordan's game-winning plays against Utah in 1998, the dramatic Miami Heat championship in 2006, "The Shot" of Dino Aldeguer back in '99 for La Salle's championship, the 2007 La Salle UAAP Championship where the Archers swept the heavily favored and seemingly undefeatable UE Red Warriors...  Oh yes, I cried on those.  I can somehow relate to how hard the journey is before ultimately reaching the top prize.  Some people may think like, "Yeah, it's just basketball..."  But, for those who take basketball with a very high level of passion and pride, achieving goals and aspirations mean so much.  I kind of relate drumming with the motivational and psychological factors of sports, and carried with me the discipline, professionalism, and blue-collar work ethic.

Remember that crucial Finals "flu game" when Michael Jordan saved the day for the Bulls, even if he had the flu and was feeling really weak?  What heart, pride, and determination!  I was totally inspired by that (and yes, I cried on that too).


First Random Thoughts blog of 2K10 coming up...

Baller Thoughts: It's NBA Season! 2009-2010 Will Be Very Interesting

The 2009-2010 NBA Season opened last week, and for me, this will be a very interesting season.  I see a good number of contenders.  I see a good number of dark horses.  I see rising stars and reemerging players.  I see disappointments in the making.  And I know that whatever happens this season will greatly affect the much hyped 2010 NBA Offseason.

Here are some of my thoughts, picks, and fearless* predictions for the new season.

(*I was thinking that it should be fearful rather than fearless, because in the last couple of years, majority of my forecasts didn't come to fruition. But hey, I have my reasons for my picks. If it becomes true, then great. If not, then I'm wrong.  So I guess I'm still fearless haha!)


I'M KEEPING AN EYE ON THESE TEAMS:

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS - Bigger expectations. More pressure. Nothing less than a Larry O'Brien Trophy is expected. And how about this... The Cavs are the Finals Champions in an EA NBA Live 2K10 simulation.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS - They're the defending champs, they are fun to watch, and I want to see Ron Artest do the dirty work.  And you just have to check out their 2009 Championship Rings.

BOSTON CELTICS - The addition of new super-sub Rasheed Wallace, plus former Mavs/Pacers impact player Marquis Daniels, and the steady rise of Rajon Rondo, make the Celtics way waaaaay better!

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS - They're a team on the rise, and I can see that Brandon Roy will have a co-All Star teammate in the near future (either big man LaMarcus Aldridge or Spanish hotshot Rudy Fernandez).

TORONTO RAPTORS - For me, they're like a northern version of the Orlando Magic; a team with a system centered on talented big men (Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani), surrounded by shooters and playmakers (Hedo Turkoglu, Jose Calderon).  It will be interesting to see how far this team will go; and where they'll end up could seal the 2010 Offseason fate of star player Bosh.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS - Experts say that the 2009-2010 Spurs is the best Spurs roster of the decade, giving the Lakers a serious run for their money.  Having Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, and Theo Ratliff is huge.  But still, everything boils down to Manu Ginobili.


I'M KEEPING AN EYE ON THESE PLAYERS:

CARMELO ANTHONY (Denver) - His Playoffs performance last season was stellar, and he begins the new season on fire, averaging around 37 points in their first three games (all wins).  If he keeps his offense consistent, he'll be the scoring leader this season.  Plus, he'll most likely be NBA First Team, and a likely MVP Candidate.  I think he's ready for all that.

GILBERT ARENAS (Washington) - Agent Zero is back, and in top form again.  He seems to be very focused right now with his game, which is scary; the fact that he's letting his game speak for itself, choosing to answer one-liners on interviews and wrapping up his famous blog.  Southeast Division is tough!

LEBRON JAMES (Cleveland) - I can sense that there's more pressure for King James to win this season.  Or else, it's likely that he'll be playing somewhere else next year.  Still, LBJ will continue to have MVP-caliber performances.

EMEKA OKAFOR (New Orleans) - The addition of Okafor in the Hornets lineup will greatly affect the Southwest Division.  Okafor can keep up with Southwest's bigs (Duncan, Nowitzki, Durant...), and it beefs up the Hornets roster, led by All Stars Chris Paul and David West.

SHAWN MARION (Dallas) - I admire unorthodox yet effective players such as Shawn Marion.  I want to see how much of an impact he can be with the Mavs.

ELTON BRAND (Philadelphia) - After a year of absence, it's time for Brand to rise in Philly.

DERRICK ROSE (Chicago Bulls) - An All Star in the making.

TREVOR ARIZA (Houston) - With Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady in sickbay, Ariza is the Rockets' main man for now.

ALLEN IVERSON (Memphis) - I won't be surprised if AI becomes unhappy in Memphis.  Then later in the season, he will be traded to a team grooming for a championship.

MY CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER PICKS:

          

MY DARK HORSES:

             

MY DIVISION CHAMP PICKS:

EAST

   

WEST

   

MY CONFERENCE CHAMP PICKS:

 

MY 2010 CHAMPIONSHIP PICK:  

Boston will be an 18-time NBA Champion, 7 months from now. That's how I see it, for now...

Baller Thoughts: Kobe, NBA Offseason '09, UAAP First Round, and the Green Archers

Kobe Bryant in Manila '09

Last month, I had the privilege of seeing an NBA superstar in person.  Thanks to my friend, I got tickets to see Kobe Bryant.  The Black Mamba just had his recently-concluded 6-city Asian Tour, courtesy of Nike.  KB24's first stop was Manila, on July 21 at the PhilSports Arena (ULTRA).

Kobe has a soft spot for Asia, describing our region as his "second home" because of how much Asians love the game of basketball with passion, as much as how he loves it.  This was Kobe's third time in Manila.  The previous visit, also sponsored by Nike, was two years ago.  I wasn't there to witness it.  That time, Kobe conducted a basketball clinic to a number of college players, focusing on defensive drills.  This time, Kobe showed his offensive workout.  He requested for the same players to show up again, to check on their progress.

I had a great view from my lower box seat, as I witness Kobe do his thing.  Kobe selected Ateneo Blue Eagle Nico Salva to work on his offensive drills, which the Laker great effortlessly exhibited.  Kobe made Nico do 10 shots per spot on several spots of the court.  Kobe said that he actually does at least 20 on his personal workout.  On some spots, like on the wing, Nico was required to do post-up moves.  Kobe was very particular with the player's movements and counter-moves.  And when Nico seems to do some improvisation, Kobe told him not to do it again.  Instead, he should concentrate on one move.  Repetition, muscle memory, and attention to detail are keys.  And just when Nico thought it was over, after several grueling drills, Kobe told him that they're not done yet.

Later, Kobe called one volunteer (I can't remember the player) for a race-to-five, one-on-one game, to demonstrate the applications of his offensive workout routine.  It was a piece of cake for Kobe, as he easily won 5-0.  Kobe was really methodical with his demo game.  He clearly showed how his drills can be applied in an actual game.

Although Kobe didn't do any high-flying highlight dunks this time, I wasn't disappointed at all.  In fact, I was really impressed with what Kobe showed us that day.  I admire Kobe as an athlete.  But after seeing him live, I've gained more respect for him.  The guy is a basketball genius and a perfectionist.  His technique, intelligence, and attention to detail are worth noting.  He may be gifted with several athletic abilities, yet he never stops in practicing and developing his game.  It's inspiring to see individuals who are like that; who work very hard and are very persistent.

I may not be an athlete like Kobe.  But being a musician, I can apply his work ethic.  Hard work.  Practice.  Focus.  Repetition.  Attention to detail.

*****

NBA Offseason 2009

The summer of 2010 may be the most exciting and most anticipated NBA offseason ever.  But this year's NBA offseason was pretty much interesting.  Several teams are prepping up for next year's much fancied free agent market, which includes a number of NBA superstars.  While some teams, including the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, are gearing up for another championship run.

Here are my random thoughts about some offseason movements.

Los Angeles Lakers - Investing on a guy like Ron Artest can be a make-or-break deal.  No doubt, Artest is a gifted player.  He'll be a force on the defensive end (more than compensating for the loss of Trevor Ariza), and he brings more muscle to the Lakers frontline.  I'm just hoping that he keeps his emotions on check.  Hopefully, Artest has grown up, learning from his mistakes.  No more ego-tripping and attention-catching behavior.  Artest is pretty much behaved during his stint with the Rockets.  If he keeps it that way, the Lakers won't have any problems on another title run.  Plus, it's good for the Lakers that they retain Lamar Odom.

Orlando Magic - I'm not certain yet if losing Hedo Turkoglu and adding Vince Carter is a good move for the Magic.  Hedo has proven to win games and take the big shots.  Vince Carter may have won some games; but in most cases, teams lose games because of him.  For me, Vince is more effective on catch-and-shoot.  But on one-on-one plays where he's needed to take a dribble, that's where things usually go wrong.  Though Carter can still play, if I were the Magic GM, I'd keep Hedo.  But still, despite the trades, Orlando still has a deep lineup.

Boston Celtics - Rasheed Wallace is like Artest; a make-or-break player; a guy pretty much known for their behavior.  If 'Sheed is focused, he's really good; a versatile player who can shoot anywhere and do several things on the court. He is also somehow an insurance, in case one of the Celtics' Big 3 gets injured (Kevin Garnett being out on the previous Playoffs was proven costly).  And, with 'Sheed on the roster, the Celtics gain a much taller frontcourt.  I guess we can call it the "Big 4" from now on.  Plus, they got Marquis Daniels from Indiana, which I think is a welcome addition.

San Antonio Spurs - Many analysts think that the Spurs had the best offseason deal.  Just like the Celtics, in case one of the Spurs' Big 3 is out (particularly Manu Ginobili, who is getting frequently injured), Richard Jefferson can become a significant contributor.  Plus, Antonio McDyess is no slouch either.  Spurs should be strong next season; a serious threat to the Lakers' title run.

Cleveland Cavaliers - I am eager to witness how LeBron James and Shaq will play together.  I'm sure it will be fun.  But can Cleveland make another Finals run?

Dallas Mavericks - Somehow, I have an admiration for unorthodox, multi-skilled players like Shawn Marion.  I would love to see how Marion will contribute to Dallas' already steady offense.  Together with other offseason picks and deals, Dallas is forecasted to become a running team.

Detroit Pistons - I'm also looking forward to seeing the "new look" Pistons play.  Ben Gordon should make an immediate impact.

Allen Iverson - Where should he play?  Right now, I have two teams in mind... Charlotte Bobcats in the East, Sacramento Kings in the West.  Let's see where he'll end up.

*****

UAAP First Round, and the DLSU Green Archers

The UAAP Men's Basketball season is exciting, as always.  The just-concluded First Round of the eliminations was loaded with a number of games decided down-the-wire or through overtime.  The Ateneo Blue Eagles and the FEU Tamaraws are the leaders right now in the team standings, and these two teams are highly favored by analysts to go all the way to the Finals.  FEU is solid and consistent, with only a single loss from Ateneo, the defending champs.  Ateneo also has one loss, courtesy of the UP Fighting Maroons, which was a shocker because the Blue-and-White squad was heavily favored to win.  And this is by far UP's only win.  The UST Tigers, UE Red Warriors, and the Adamson Falcons may look solid this season, but they had some bad luck, especially Adamson, whose losses were all coming from very close games.  If only the Falcons have won these tightly-fought matches, they could have been among the leaders in the standings.  Meanwhile, UP and the NU Bulldogs are on the bottom half of the standings, despite some improvements.

It's just the First Round, and games are just going to become more intense, especially with teams eyeing a Final Four position. 

My alma mater's team, the DLSU Green Archers are currently in the middle of the pack.  This year's team is different from the previous Green-and-White teams which I've become accustomed to in the last decade or so.  La Salle's basketball squads are often known for its dreaded full-court press, psychological edge, and good mix of stars and role players.  Plus, La Salle teams have this "fear factor" element, that swagger which opponents would often fear because of the consistently strong and competitive nature of the Archers, anticipating a tough battle.  Based on my descriptions, I haven't seen the real Archers team yet this season.

It seems like this batch of Archers is still in search of its identity.  The current roster is young and rookie-laden.  Yes, the trademark full-court press is still there.  But the main concerns right now are offense and consistency.  Losing JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer was huge; that's like losing more or less 30 points per game from the two former Archers.  Understandably, there's so much pressure on the players right now.  The veterans, who are expected to fill in the huge void left by Casio and Maierhofer, are struggling lately.  I am particularly concerned with the inconsistencies of James Mangahas, PJ Barua, and Bader Malabes.  Mangahas seems to be having more off days.  Barua's shooting isn't as sharp as an arrow.  I thought Malabes can be like the next Joseph Yeo, but lately he is often erratic and he should choose his shot selections wisely.  I know these guys have their A-games.  I just hope that they get it going sooner than later, especially now that we're fighting for a Final Four slot.  There's plenty of room for improvement for the Archers.

Despite the cons, I see several bright spots.  Sophomore Joshua Webb, a superstar from La Salle Zobel's high school championship squads, is finally unveiling his real game in the college ranks.  And so does Arvie Bringas, also a former juniors superstar from San Sebastian; he'll be Rookie Of The Year if he continues to play well.  Team Captain Hyram Bagatsing has impressive passing skills.  Kish Co has improved, and is often active and productive on the floor.  Joseph Marata has the shooting range.  And the wing span of tall and lanky Yutien Andrada is proven valuable, for he's becoming a force on the defensive end.

Despite the shortcomings, I keep the faith and remain loyal to my alma mater's basketball squad.  This year's Green Archers are still a work in progress.  Our team will just get better.  I'm hoping that we reach the Final Four with flying colors.  Then from there, let's see what will happen.  It will be a miracle if we make it to the Finals this year.  It's not impossible.  And it's not how we start; it's how we finish.

Animo La Salle!

Baller Thoughts: NBA Finals 2009 - Lakers vs. Magic

Life is full of surprises and unexpected twists.  And so does the NBA.

Just when most people around the world were expecting 2009 MVP LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to steamroll their way to the Finals, they were humbled and defeated by a very determined Orlando Magic team.

Humbled?  I don't know about LeBron.  I don't feel good about his snubbing after their Game 6 loss.  And David Aldridge's article on nba.com hits the spot.  Very well-written.  How about this piece by Vince Thomas?  Sorry, LeBron, I admire you as an athlete and I was really rooting for your team.  But to witness you leave the court without shaking hands with the winning team and to ignore the media for the post-game press conference?  I thought you're the role model every aspiring kid is looking up to.

Just when many NBA fanatics thought (or dread) of another potential Los Angeles Lakers self-destruction in the West Playoffs, Kobe and his crew regrouped and rediscovered their strengths, thanks to the pesky Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets squads.  The Rockets took them to the limit, then the Nuggets fiercely challenged them.

We should keep a closer eye again on the West again next season, especially Denver.

So there, my Nuggets-Cavaliers dream series remains to be a dream.  This year's NBA Finals, it's the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Orlando Magic.

Los Angeles Lakers:  COACH: Phil Jackson (9 Titles).  STARTERS:  Kobe Bryant (All Star, 2008 MVP, 3 Titles), Derek Fisher (3 Titles), Trevor Ariza, Pau Gasol (All Star), Andrew Bynum.  RESERVES:  Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton, Shannon Brown, DJ Mbenga, Josh Powell, Adam Morrison, Sun Yue.

Orlando Magic:   COACH: Stan Van Gundy.  STARTERS:  Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis (All Star), Dwight Howard (All Star, 2009 Defensive Player of the Year).  RESERVES:  Jameer Nelson (All Star), Mickael Pietrus, Anthony Johnson, JJ Redick, Marcin Gortat, Tony Battie, Tyronn Lue (2 titles), Adonal Foyle, Jeremy Richardson.

Los Angeles Lakers:  30th Finals appearance in franchise history, 6th Finals appearance in the last 10 years, 14 Championship Titles (5 as the Minneapolis Lakers).  History rich, multi-titled, popular.

Orlando Magic:  2nd Finals appearance in franchise history, 1st since 1995, no Championship Titles, and has never won a Finals game (swept by the Houston Rockets in 1995).  Expansion team, young, and still building their legend.

Most Finals series were hyped up.  But this Lakers-Magic series, though hyped up as well, is by far one of the most intriguing.  Based on all the related sites I've visited and the articles and forecasts I've read, match-ups make this series very intriguing.

Each team has their unique traits and styles.  Both teams are efficient in offense and defense.  Both teams can run, play a half-court game, and be creative on plays.  Though coaching styles may vary, both teams are well-coached.  Both teams have something to prove.  The Lakers seek for redemption.  The Magic are in search of their first NBA title, and are showing that they are for real.  And both teams are coming from challenging Playoff runs where their hearts and wills were tested.

Now, going back to match-ups.  On the Lakers' offense...  Shooting guard superstar Kobe Bryant is virtually unstoppable, and he can do everything.  So how can Orlando's defense slow down KB24?  Mickael Pietrus will have his hands full all series.  And when Kobe can't score, he can switch into his quarterback mode and create plays for teammates around him.  Pau Gasol will be huge in this series.  But I think Lamar Odom will be the barometer of this Lakers team; he'll be the x-factor.  Other than Odom, I would love to see which Lakers bench player/s will step up bigtime.  It will also be crucial for Derek Fisher to play well in the Finals, and Trevor Ariza's performance has been impressive in the post-season.

Going to Orlando's offense...  The man-child superman Dwight Howard is at the center of it all.  He's becoming the most dominant big man in the league, thanks to his size, power, and athleticism.  And we've seen Championships won over the years, thanks to dominant centers like Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem, and Shaq.  Howard could be a legend in the making.  He is a tough man to cover down the paint.

The remarkable thing about Orlando's system...  There's a dominant big man in the middle who can power his way in (and give their opponent's big men some headache).  In case Howard gets covered, he can pass it to any of his teammates, who are mostly pure shooters spread out nicely around the court.  If the shooter misses, there's a powerful presence in the paint, going for the rebound or putback.  Orlando is a well-balanced offensive machine.

So, how will the Lakers stop Howard?  Will Andrew Bynum be the key?  I do feel that Bynum's overrated, with scouts, media and observers eyeing him as the next star big man.  Well, he's not proving it yet.  Okay, he came from an injury.  Bynum has the daunting task of guarding Howard most of the series, taking turns with DJ Mbenga, Gasol, and Odom.  Meanwhile, guys like Gasol and Odom could even have a more difficult defensive task.  They'll most likely find themselves running out to Orlando forwards Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu, who happen to be efficient three-point shooters.

Plus some added twist...  Jameer Nelson will be playing.  He was the best player on both of Orlando's season games against the Lakers.  Magic swept the season series 2-0.  Ahead of schedule in his injury rehab, the All Star guard is already practicing with the Magic.  The Lakers had their troubles with quick guards.  Will we see plenty of Nelson, Rafer Alston or even Courtney Lee cutting into the Lakers defense?

More twists...  Will Kobe and Dwight earn more technical fouls?  Will Turkoglu take it personally?  Hedo was a former Sacramento King, and remember those intense Kings-Lakers battles early this decade?  How about Ariza, who's a former Magic?  Tyronn Lue, a Magic reserve, was a member of the 2000 and 2001 Lakers Championship teams.  Will he get some minutes?  On the lighter side, how about Odom's sweet tooth?  And how is Shaq involved with all of this?

We pretty much know what the Lakers can do.  Yet we clearly remember how the Lakers succumbed in their last two Finals outings (2004 against the Pistons, last year against the Celtics), after being chosen mostly as heavy favorites to win it all.  Will there be another Lakers meltdown?  And to witness the familiar Lakers battling an emerging team with an unorthodox style of play is an intriguing thought.  More surprises and unexpected twists in the NBA Finals?  I can't wait for it to begin, so that all our questions will be answered.

Whichever team will win the Championship, I'll feel happy for them.  I'll be happy for the Lakers if they'll win, for Kobe and company will finally have their redemption, it will be another title for the franchise, and Phil Jackson will finally get his record-breaking 10th ring.  I'll be happy for the Magic if they'll end this season victoriously because it will be Orlando's first title, and I would love to see a ring-less NBA team win their first title.  Both teams deserve it, but only one can win it all.  May the best team win.

So, after writing all these, where do I feel will amazing happen this year?

I pick Orlando.  Six games.

 

How about you guys out there?  West Coast or East Coast?  The City of Angels or O-Town?  Disneyland or Walt Disney World?

Baller Thoughts: NBA Conference Finals 2009

I got 3 out of 4 on my NBA Second Round series predictions.  My choices - Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Denver are in.  I chose Boston to advance to the East Conference Finals, but Orlando won the Game Seven clincher, and they've proven to be the better team this time. Though I feel that it could have been different if Kevin Garnett was around.  The Celtics still played like Champions, though.

Here are this season's final four teams...

Eastern Conference:  Cleveland Cavaliers (1) vs. Orlando Magic (3)

The Cavs are undefeated so far in this year's Playoffs.  They swept the Pistons and the Hawks.  2009 MVP LeBron James, 2009 Coach of The Year Mike Brown, and the rest of the Cavs are on a mission, and this is their best chance of winning a championship.  It will be the first for the Cavs franchise, if ever.  King James already had the Finals experience back in 2007, when they were defeated by the San Antonio Spurs.  Surely, losing is no longer an option for LeBron.

The Magic may have proven me wrong.  They seem to have found their killer instinct and the will to win, and they're showing that their team is ready to dominate.  Dwight Howard is grooming to become the most dominant big man in the league, and they have enough offensive power.  They have survived tough First and Second Round series against the Sixers and the Celtics, plus the little drama Howard had with his coach Stan Van Gundy after their Second Round Game 5 loss.

My pick:  Cleveland Cavaliers.  But it will not be a sweep.  It should be over in 5 or 6.  Orlando can win one or two games, and could finally bring some adversity to the undefeated Cavs.  But Cavs have the homecourt advantage, and they are just too strong this year for anybody in the East.  For me, they're playing the best team basketball this season.  Offense and defense are strong, every player contributes, they play very well together, and they are all psyched up to grab the biggest prize.  Can't beat that!

Western Conference:  Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Denver Nuggets (2)

The Lakers are described as a bi-polar, "Jekkyl and Hyde" team by coach Phil Jackson.  They're the no.1 team in the West this season.  But the Playoffs have exposed their weaknesses, which are mostly psychological.  They have the tendency to neglect huge leads down the stretch, and they seem uninspired in some games.  Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and the rest of the Lake Show must battle their inner demons if they want to win it all and finally seek redemption.

The Nuggets are at their very best right now.  Thanks to veteran All-Star Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets turned into a serious contender.  And they have the tools in order to win a championship.  Carmelo Anthony is on fire, and so is sixth man JR Smith.  The trio of Nenê, Kenyon Martin, and Chris Andersen is a tough frontline that can cause frustrations on most opponents' big men.  And coach George Karl, who is no stranger to heartbreaking defeats, will do everything he can to win.

My pick:  Denver Nuggets.  Sorry, die-hard Lakers fans.  I'm liking Denver right now.  And with the way they're playing right now, they're really making a statement.  The Lakers seem banged up after a tough 7-game series with the Rockets, and some Lakers players are having their inconsistencies.  The Nuggets are the stronger, more youthful, more athletic, and more determined squad.  Denver in 6!

 

And for my Finals pick...  It will be a long series, and it will be an exciting and hard-fought Finals.  And I pick the Cleveland Cavaliers to win it all.  This is their year.

Baller Thoughts: Midway Through the 2009 NBA Playoffs

The recently concluded First Round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs was very interesting and exciting.  The Celtics-Bulls series was a classic.  We witnessed consistent Playoff/Championship contenders San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons on their decline, while long-time struggling teams like the Denver Nuggets, Portland Trailblazers, and Atlanta Hawks are on the rise.  And as expected, Finals favorites Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers easily made it to the Second Round.

I like the match-ups this year in the Second Round.  The top 4 teams in the East move on to the semis, with the Cavs being the favorite.  In the West, the Lake Show advances, and with them are a very inspired squad on the rise (Denver), a once-Western powerhouse re-establishing themselves (Dallas), and a team that finally advances after years of First Round exits (Houston).  Here are my thoughts regarding each series:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

Cleveland Cavaliers (1) vs. Atlanta Hawks (4)

LeBron James and the Cavs are on a roll, sweeping their first-round opponents, the once-mighty Detroit Pistons.  Meanwhile, the young Atlanta Hawks are finally growing into a competitive Eastern squad, with the help of reliable veterans Mike Bibby and All-Star Joe Johnson.

My pick:  This is easy.  Cavs, in 4 or 5.  Maybe next year, Atlanta will mature into an Eastern contender.  In the meantime, this is the Cavs' year to shine.

Boston Celtics (2) vs. Orlando Magic (3)

The Celtics survived another 7-game Playoffs series, without the services of superstar Kevin Garnett.  Dwight Howard and the Magic were able to advance, after a momentary scare from the determined Philadelphia 76ers.

My pick:  As much as I like Orlando and I admire how they transformed into a title contender, I'd still pick the Celtics, in 6 or 7 (another long series).  The Defending Champs still have the heart and soul to make a run to the Finals, even without its key players.  Judging from what I've seen at the Magic-Sixers series, I still can't see and feel the killer instinct in Orlando.  They're a great team, and they have three All Star players.  But I still can't feel their fire; their desire.  It's still like, "We're just happy to be here."  Maybe next year, when Jameer Nelson will be in full force again.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Houston Rockets (5)

The mighty Lakers continue their run to redemption, advancing to the Second Round.  On their way is the Houston Rockets, who finally ended their First Round jinx.  And it's funny that they've done it without Tracy McGrady.  Yao Ming and the Rockets were able to persist against the young and rising Blazers.  The Lakers-Rockets series will be defense-oriented.  I expect Ron Artest to challenge and defend Kobe Bryant most of the series, where there's a great chance for egos to collide.  Role players are key in this series.

My pick:  Lakers in 5.

Denver Nuggets (2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (6)

Among the four Second Round match-ups, this is my favorite series.  This is going to be a fun, exciting, run-and-gun, offense-oriented series.  I'm really liking the Nuggets right now.  Chauncey Billups has been the huge difference (I'm wondering why he's not a favorite for the MVP award this season).  He helped turned this team of brats, egos, and misfits into a serious contender.  Finally, the Lakers have a serious threat in the West.  And what's great about the Nuggets right now is they are very inspired and spirited, and they now have effective defense.

I also like how the Mavs dismantled the once-mighty Spurs.  I also admire their Playoff run at the end of the season.  Just a few weeks before the Playoffs, they were holding on to the 8th spot, with Phoenix on the chase.  Then they jumped to 6 at the end of the regular season.  I'm sure the results would have been different if they ended up in 7 or 8.  But still, they convincingly defeated San Antonio.

My pick:  Nuggets, in 5.  Lakers-Nuggets will be off the hook!!

*****

I mentioned on my previous Baller Thoughts blog about the high probability of a Lakers-Cavs Finals match-up.  I still think it will most likely happen.  But now that Denver's suddenly rising, how about the idea of a Nuggets-Cavs match-up?

Think about it...  2003 Draft classmates Carmelo Anthony vs. LeBron James, match-ups between key players (Billups, Kenyon Martin, JR Smith, Nenê, and Chris Andersen of the Nuggets vs. Mo Williams, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Ben Wallace, Delonte West, and Anderson Varejao of the Cavs), and it can be fun fun FUN!  Plus, both franchises have never won a Championship, so both teams are very hungry.

Denver's really happening.  In the East, I can't detect any serious threat against the Cavs.  Not even the Celtics; they can't beat the Cavs this year.

Even if the Utah Jazz was beaten by the Lakers in the First Round, I expect the former to become a serious contender next season.  If only they didn't have their injuries, Utah would have been somewhere among the upper 4 seeds in the West.  Just thinking about their roster, this Jazz team is a monster squad.  Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Andre Kirilenko, Mehmet Okur...  Paul Millsap, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, Matt Harpring...  This is a heavyweight team!  I'm not really a Utah Jazz fan, but I think we should watch out for them next year.

We should also watch out for the Chicago Bulls in the coming years.  Rookie Of The Year Derrick Rose is special.

I am wondering how perennial contenders Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, and Phoenix Suns will regroup for next season?  The off-season will be interesting.

*****

http://www.nba.com/playoffs2009/

Baller Thoughts: 2009 NBA All-Stars, and Midway Through The '08-'09 Season...

I was just browsing through my Multiply blog when I realized that I haven't written any Baller Thoughts basketball blog yet for the NBA 2008-2009 Season.  It's already halfway through the season, and I'm finally writing one, just in time for this year's All-Star Weekend, which is hosted by Phoenix.  And so, I want to first talk about the upcoming All Star Game, and here's this season's All-Star Roster, as posted on nba.com.

2009 NBA ALL STARS

Eastern Conference:

Starters:  Dwight Howard (Orlando), Kevin Garnett (Boston), LeBron James (Cleveland), Dwyane Wade (Miami), Allen Iverson (Detroit)

Reserves:  Joe Johnson (Atlanta), Devin Harris (New Jersey), Paul Pierce (Boston), Danny Granger (Indiana), Rashard Lewis (Orlando), Jameer Nelson (Orlando; injured), Chris Bosh (Toronto; injured), Ray Allen (Boston; replacement), Mo Williams (Cleveland; replacement)

Coach:  Mike Brown (Cleveland)

Western Conference:

Starters:  Yao Ming (Houston), Tim Duncan (San Antonio), Amar'e Stoudemire (Phoenix), Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers), Chris Paul (New Orleans)

Reserves:  Chauncey Billups (Denver), Tony Parker (San Antonio), Brandon Roy (Portland), Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas), David West (New Orleans), Pau Gasol (LA Lakers), Shaquille O'Neal (Phoenix)

Coach:  Phil Jackson (LA Lakers)

The West squad is a big and powerful team, with plenty of tried-and-tested veterans and a multi-titled coach who is no stranger to All-Star games.  Meanwhile, the East may be the smaller squad with four All-Star first-timers (Harris, Granger, the injured Nelson, and the replacement selection Williams), but I think they have a talented and more athletic line-up.

For the East to win, I think they must capitalize on their speed and athleticism.  Having more guards in their line-up, I expect a fast-paced game.  In case the West big men are on their way, they can rely on sharpshooters like Allen, Lewis & Johnson, while the man-child Dwight Howard can help clean up the boards in case somebody misses.  And of course, I expect another monster All-Star game from King James.

For the West to win, they must use their size advantage and inside strength, where they can become unstoppable.  When in doubt, Kobe will be there to the rescue.  The East have younger legs and will be running and gunning, so the West must not forget to play defense.  Hmm, what defense?  This is the All-Star game!  I am expecting alley oops, circus shots, and Shaq's antics haha!

My pick:  I'm rooting for the EAST.

My "should-have-been-there" list:  Hedo Turkoglu (Orlando; if another East All Star gets injured, he should be next in line), Steve Nash (Phoenix; but he's having a hard time with their new system), Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer (Utah; because they got injured), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City; he's got monster stats, but he's on a losing team), Ron Artest (Houston; if only he didn't get injured), Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter (I kinda miss watching these cousins play in an All Star Game).

 

*****

After the All Star Weekend, the second half of the '08-'09 Season goes on, and it's that time when teams make their runs for Playoff contention.  Currently, the Playoff picture in the East seems clearer.  The top 3 teams Cleveland, Boston, and Orlando are the serious championship contenders in the East; the "next 3" teams Atlanta, Detroit, and Miami are potential threats, and, teams from the 7th up to 14th spots have their opportunities to grab a Playoff spot.  Meanwhile, in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers are the clear favorites while San Antonio may be gearing up for another title run after a slow start this season (and it's an odd-numbered year; the Spurs have won championships on odd years).  The Lakers are really doing well this year, so they are deserving of their first-place spot, while teams from the 2nd 'til the 9th spot are jostling for position.  It's a tight race, which I think will be decided until the very last season game on April.

Right now, I'm liking Cleveland; and with the line-up they have right now and with LeBron James' MVP-level performance, this is their best chance of winning a championship.  A lot more people are talking about a Lakers-Celtics rematch.  But I'm thinking about the possibilities of a Lakers-Cavaliers series.  Imagine Kobe and LeBron, a one-on-one match-up between two of the current best players in the game; two athletes who are playing on a very high level and who are both ultra-competitive and totally dedicated.  If ever it will happen, that would be something for the ages; it will be a battle of epic proportions.  Plus, I think the Lakers and the Cavs are more evenly-matched teams, which should make it really more exciting.

Though the Celtics are the defending champs and they have a legitimate chance of winning a back-to-back title, I would still love to see a "ring-less" team win it all this season.  So, I hope the Cavs do not disappoint.  And yes, Orlando has become a serious threat, so we better keep an eye on them.

The only Western team whom I can envision playing in June is the Lakers.  If not, it may well be San Antonio (yawn).  Denver, Houston, or New Orleans could make it to the Western finals, but I don't see them advancing beyond that.  I see Portland as the dark horse.  Utah, Dallas, and Phoenix (my perennial favorite) may be troubled teams right now, but we can't just count them out yet.  The West is so tight and wide-open.

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to the All-Star Game.

NBA All Star Weekend 2009, Phoenix

*Kobe Bryant and LeBron James photos from nba.com.

Baller Thoughts: Go Green Archers!!

ANIMO LA SALLE!!

I am happy that the DLSU Green Archers are back in the UAAP Men's Senior Basketball Finals.  After another tight and exciting elimination round and a couple of playoff games versus the FEU Tamaraws, the Archers are on to defend the crown.

The Final Four game yesterday versus the Tamaraws was among the most tightly-contested I've ever watched this year.  It was a treat for the pure basketball fan.  Both teams came out to play, and it was a chess match between coaches Franz Pumaren and Glenn Capacio, who were orchestrating plays and match-ups all game long.  FEU had the advantage most of the game, leading at the end of the first three quarters.  But having the psychological edge and the playoff experience, La Salle delivered when it matters.  That runaway lay-up by James Mangahas for the lead (plus a foul, for a three-point play) was a beauty.  I give huge credit to Simon Atkins for that heads-up play.  Recognizing the streaking Mangahas, he made that fastbreak play possible with a perfect pass.  What a way to finish.  It was a career game for Mangahas.  Top Archers JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer did well too, and the rest contributed for a well-fought effort.

I feel sorry for FEU's Mac Baracael.  The Tamaraw star player missed two very crucial free throws, which could have tied the game.  It's a sad ending for the UAAP career of the Tams' inspirational leader.  It's not meant to be for Mac and the Tamaraws.  But I applaud them for having an improved team, for Mac's recovery, and for their spirited run this season.  They have a strong and talented bunch of young players like Mark Barroca, Aldrech Ramos & Reil Cervantes, and they'll remain as a threat in the next few years.

After the La Salle-FEU game, the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the UE Red Warriors faced off.  The Blue Eagles convincingly won.  For me, it was a shocking blowout.  What happened to UE?  They're a solid and athletic team, they have a good coach, and they can win in many ways.  But I can't remember the Warriors losing this bad in recent years.  It was so bad, even the Atenean crowd seemed surprised.  I don't even know if I should continue watching because I got bored with the game (I'm talking here as a basketball fan).  Ateneo was burying them.  At one point during the second half, Ateneo's lead was so big, their score was twice the score of UE!  Now how did that happen?  And that UE squad was virtually the same team that swept the elimination round last year.

No doubt, the Blue Eagles are sharper than ever.  No disrespect to the 2002 team that brought Ateneo a UAAP basketball crown, but for me, the 2008 Ateneo team is way better.  That '02 Champion team may have arguably the best starting line-up in recent memory (Villanueva, Alvarez, Gonzales, Fonacier, Tenorio) and some quality role players.  But the present team has become a dominant force, and they've become a more serious threat.  They have the ingredients for a championship squad.  It somehow reminds me of the Green Archers during the four-peat era.  They're deep and balanced, and they're filling in the stat sheets.  There's King Eagle Chris Tiu, who bailed out Ateneo countless times.  There's Nonoy Baclao, a blocker who can do the dirty work.  There's Eric Salamat, this season's top mandurukot (#1 in steals per game) and an offensive threat.  There's the promising rookie Ryan Buenafe.  And who would ever thought that Rabeh Al-Hussaini can become that good?  I never saw that coming.  He's very much talked about right now, with his dramatic development and his dominance in the paint.  He'll most likely win the MVP trophy.

Now, how can we beat a team that swept us in the Eliminations and is favored to win this year?  I'm sure Coach Franz and the team are working on it right now.  This will be another huge challenge for the Green Archers.  I know it will be the toughest test yet.  But I have faith on our team.  La Salle is the most successful team in UAAP basketball in the last 10 years.  The basketball system, the coaching staff, and the players are solid throughout these years.

Remember how La Salle won the Finals last year.  It was a David-and-Goliath duel.  UE was unbeaten in the Eliminations, and experts are tipping them to win it all.  But the Archers somehow found ways to win, swept UE, and gained another championship trophy for the school.  Plus, last year's championship was coming from a one year suspension.  The Archers can do the same against a bigger and much improved Ateneo team.  Every challenge and adversity faced, we've proven over and over that we Lasallians can overcome all these.  We win when it matters most.

I'm very much looking forward to Game One this Sunday.

Baller Thoughts: Gilbert Arenas and His Blog About Manila

This just gave me a pleasant start of my day...

Earlier this morning, I read Quinito Henson's article at The Philippine Star, where he talked about NBA All-Star and Washington Wizards player Gilbert Arenas and his latest blog about his visit here in Manila, which was organized by Adidas.  There, Mr. Henson copied what Agent Zero had to say about his Manila experience.  Quickly, I went online and logged on to nba.com to view the actual blog.  Here's a link to Gilbert Arenas' blog - "Everybody Should Visit Manila".

Again, this made my day.  Gilbert Arenas happens to be one of my favorite NBA players.  In fact, I have a pair of all-white Gil Zero shoes, and I would love to have any of his latest Gil II Zero sneakers (I like the NBA Live 08 "Cover Boy" and the "Channel Zero" pairs).  I admire him because he's a hardworking player with humble beginnings.  And I like his personality on and off the court.  I regularly read his NBA blogs, which are entertaining and reflective of his personality.

I was there when Agent Zero made an appearance at the Adidas store in Powerplant Mall.  It was a Sunday afternoon, and I went straight to that mall after my usual Sunday church services at Greenbelt.  Though Powerplant rarely gets crowded with people, there were a good number of basketball fans who came to see Arenas.  I don't like being in a crowd, so I was somewhere far enough yet still visible enough to see what's going on.  He was scheduled to arrive at 2pm, but as expected, there was a slight delay.  But it was worth the wait.  Arenas was only there for about 15 minutes, because he's still scheduled to visit the La Salle-Ateneo UAAP game at the Araneta Coliseum, and the Adidas store in Trinoma.  Before the Powerplant visit, he made an appearance at the Mall Of Asia.

I didn't get to shake his hand, take a photo with him, or have anything signed.  But at least, I'm happy that I was still able to see one of my favorite NBA players in person.  Wishing Agent Zero all the best next season, and he's always welcome to come back here in the Philippines.