the Upcoming Second half of the NBA

With the recent trades of Pau Gasol and Shaq from the West, teams are almost pushing the panic button. With recent acquisition of Damon Stoudamire to San Antonio and the undying trade talks of Jason Kidd. NBA teams are trying to shop their players in order to find stability and have a good run in the upcoming second half of the season.

This time teams are not just trying to land a playoff spot but are trying for a championship ring. Right now I only have 5 teams in mind that are gunning for a championship run…

 

1. San Antonio Spurs- The reigning defending champions have the entire arsenal to be on the top but with all the movements being made by other western teams San Antonio needs another veteran Point guard and a Power Forward/ Center to help Duncan in the paint. Damon Stoudamire was a good pick up for San Antonio since Tony Parker’s health is questionable. But with Big Shot Robert Horry still injured San Antonio needs another help who could defend the likes of Shaq and Pau.
2. Phoenix Suns- A move to get Shaq was a risky but rewarding move. Amare’s back with his original position and with Shaq the Phoenix became an instant contender. The question would be how long they could sustain their magic.
3. Detroit Pistons- A solid team that don’t need much changes. They are a veteran team but they should have a good bench since injury is inevitable… A solid lineup should always have a good backup like San Antonio
4. Boston Celtics- The most exciting team to watch who rallied 40 wins with 5 games without their star forward Kevin Garnet. Rondo developed to be a good point guard but playoff time would be a different scenario. Games would be more physical and I’m afraid if Coach Rivers would gamble on his raw point guard he could dearly pay the price. Sam Cassel would be a wise decision to sign him up. The wily veteran is a tested general. If I were Boston I would do whatever it takes to get hold of Sam. Jason Kidd would be a much better acquisition though but that’s over the kill for Boston.
5. Los Angeles Lakers- with Andrew Bynum’s fast recovery the lakers would be a team to beat with Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant. They have all the ingredients of a championship team. A mixed of veteran players and a good bench. They are the no.1 off the bench scoring team. I always dreamed of a new Celtics-Lakers rivalry right now it’s almost becoming a reality….

 

With fingers crossed….

A pinch of Nirvana

When Miami was desperate of winning an NBA championship they went shopping and move heaven and earth just to get Big Daddy Shaq. Miami won the championship on that same year and the emergence of a new superstar Dwane Wade was recognized.

But it was only a pinch of taste of what Nirvana was like after they were easily handed down defeat by a young resurging Bulls team in the playoffs and what followed was a string of defeats, frustrations and doubts as Miami became from one of the championship contenders to one of the worst record team in the NBA right now.

Miami became desperate and the need for change is eminent. Shaq’s invincibility is slowly depleting and the once dominating center is averaging below his average numbers and to top it all a series of hip injuries made the fans question about his ability and whether he would still deliver a second championship ring to Miami.

Beating the trade deadline Miami made an unexpected move by trading Shaq in exchange for the versatile Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks from Phoenix. I was thinking no one in their right senses would accept a trade from Miami since Shaq had 20 million a year Salary left in his contract which could add up the remaining salary cap of the team thus making the team non eligible for signing free agents. Shaq with all the injuries is not the same dominating Shaq we know. He maybe has some left in his pockets but at age 36 injuries could very well play a vital role in conditioning and readiness since recovery is not that promising compared to young players.

Shawn Marion from the start of the season wanted out of Phoenix with All-stars Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire… Marion was just left out of the picture.

Versatility is what Shawn Marion gives to Miami as he can play from point forward, small forward, power forward and even the Center position. He can guard Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki and even Kobe Bryant with quickness and sport a deadly shot from mid range. The question would be why Phoenix gambled on Shaq and all I can say is just two words… Championship ring… with the recent trade of Pau Gasol to the Lakers the Phoenix couldn’t afford to sit on their backs and wait for their season to be over. Phoenix was a championship contender in the West but because they lack the size they are just over powered by Tim Duncan, Carlos Boozer and big Dirk Nowitzki. Shaq could add up the hole in the center position for Phoenix. With Amare Stoudamire shipping back to his natural position (power forward)… Phoenix could very well have a big chance of winning the coveted ring. Phoenix have the youth in Borris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa ,DJ Strawberry and Amare Stoudamire mixed it up with the veterans in Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Shaq and to put it in an equation youth+veterans= ring. Phoenix could still run an up tempo game even with Shaq so there wont be any problems in terms of offense.

I believe Phoenix will have a shot for the championship this season. But nonetheless like Miami they will have to suffer some major setbacks in case everything turned sour and Shaq with his nagging injuries re occur.

But it’s not bad to taste a pinch of Nirvana anyways.

 

 

It’s a dog eats dog thing…

Last Saturday Z Gorres and Vic Darchinyan went toe to toe in an eliminator bout with the winner going to a championship match with the reigning IBF champion Dimitri Kirilov.

Z went into the fight with the usual Black with white trims of the Ala Boys… but one thing I notice about Z’s attire… he is wearing a shade of fear behind his smiles and machismo look while walking across the aisle before a boisterous and critical crowd. Z was a tactician and a good boxer but never in his caliber did he face a brawler and a puncher like Vic… I was amazed how big Vic Darchinyan went into the fight while they were listening to the referee’s instructions. Z’s eyes was not the usual fighter I saw in all his fights… he was somewhat afraid and intimidated of the raging bull.

The fight started out with a bang with Z moving side to side confusing Vic with Jabs and ducking in whenever Vic approaches with his power shots. The first round ended with a controversial knock down which was clearly a slip by Gorres and the referee counted Gorres with debris of coins and mineral waters flying to his direction.

Z caught Darchinyan with a good right to the jaw that down Vic in the second round… But like on his match against Montiel… Z went in for the kill… swaying haymakers neglecting his game plan in favored Vic and the raging bull was back on his game.

Z could have made Vic look stupid with his speed and defense but instead he went toe to toe and got tired. Vic is a telegraph fighter in which you could easily see his punches. But Z failed to capitalize it and paid dearly.

Although the fight ended with a controversial split draw but I thought Darchinyan won the fight. Gorres gave his heart in the fight and proved to everyone that he deserves to be in that caliber with Vic. But in spite of Vic’s dirty tactics Z went into the fight neglecting his game plan. Vic would always be what he is…. He was awkward and dirty but Z was not the Z Gorres we saw while conquering the likes of Eric Ortiz and Fernando Montiel.

He wasn’t the confident boxer we know going into that fight.

A rematch is being penciled out and I guess this time Z would come in the fight prepared and confident. The fight with Vic would be a stepping stone and learning experienced for Z… Z has to learn that in this cruel world of boxing it’s a dog eats dog thing.

 

The Laker named Pau…

Last Saturday while I was browsing the internet… I was thrilled and amazed of the news I found… Pau Gasol got traded for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and some future draft picks for Los Angeles. Pau is an intelligent big man who could pass the ball pretty well. A good low post player and a perfect fit to the triangle offense. Kobe is elated about the news that he went on a rampage scoring 46 points in their game against the Toronto Raptors. With the fast recovery of their young center Andrew Bynum the Lakers could very well be one of the top contenders in the Playoffs.

Pau doesn’t have to carry the load in the offense like what he did in Memphis. He doesn’t have to feel the pressure to exceed the expectations people have on him. He just has to play the game he loves and be himself.

Memphis has a dismal season (13-34) and with a depleted roster it was a good decision to rebuild the Grizzlies and trade their focal point in offense to clear the salary cap and hoping to get a good free agent player or a young versatile talent in the next draft pool.

Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum could very well spell trouble to other teams with both of the big men can cause double teams in post up and both men have good defense ability.

NBA teams are surely having headaches with the triple threat of Bynum, Gasol and Bryant and with the rest of the Lakers team jelling smoothly sky is the limit for these talented young Lakers.

Miami, Chicago and New Jersey should follow suit with Memphis. Superstars and franchise players are expendable they have to be practical if they want their team to prosper.

New Jersey has Jason Kidd and Miami has Dwane Wade the problem would be Chicago since they don’t have a legitimate superstar in their roster for trade baits…With the deadline for trade transactions is nearing to an end. I hope Kidd would land to a championship contender team and although Kidd being a Laker is a faded wishful thinking but still my hopes are high…

With the emergence of the Boston team… I can feel the rebirth of the Boston-Laker rivalry in the 80s but the question would be how well these teams play in the playoffs… and would Pau be the solution to the riddle in LA? I don’t know… but Pau is surely happy to be in a team he can surely jell…

A Star named David..

The Star of David symbolizes a lot of meaning and a highly respected symbol by the Jews… But the Star called David West symbolizes hardwork and success…

This Feb. a resurging star David West will be on the hardcourt together with all other stars as we celebrate the NBA All star Weekend.

David was second to Boris Diaw in the 2005-06 season as the league’s most improved player even though his New Orleans team suffered set backs as hurricane Katrina destroyed not only the hopes of the people but the team’s morale going into the season.

This season the New Orleans Hornets have all the reason to celebrate as the team rose up to a 32-13 standing and leads the Western conference division.

Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, Coach Byron Scott and David West made the Hornets a title contender for this season a feat that astonished all the critics and expectations exceeded as they rally each and every game they play.

David West was the X factor for the Hornets as he registered double doubles and average 19.6 ppg, 9.4 rebounds and 1.3 block shots per game. He isn’t a Tim Duncan or an Elton Brand type of player but what I like about him is he makes the job done.

Chris Paul maybe the backbone of this team but David is the energizer bunny who works his butt off in every game.

With the constellation of stars showing up in New Orleans a star will be shinning brighter than ever as his home town fans cheering and shouting out his name…

This is David West first all star game… a spot he clearly deserves…

Next year is a different story but David knows how to get that coveted spot again…

By working hard and making the job done… like his tattoo in his arm “DX” which means my life, my way… you sure did it your way David…

Agent Zero.. vector design

another vector design with Gilbert Arenas aka Agent Zero…click to enlarge.. i made this one bigger in case you want to make this as your wallpaper…

Be like Mike

My own vector design for his airness… Michael Jordan…

A time to be Selfish…

Watching no.32 dribbling the ball with wizardry making swift passes that even his team mates were babbling their mouth saying “how did he do that?” Magic Johnson personified the NBA and a young Jason Kidd all could do was to get into the court and mimic his idol.

Born in March 23, 1973 in San Francisco, California, Jason Kidd grew up in the streets of Oakland California. He was a gifted player who played in the different city courts of Oakland and everyday he has to face his arch nemesis Gary Payton.

He was trashed talk and sometimes left him with sleepless nights and hatred was all over him. Gary pushes Jason to the limit and had to constrain himself every time they’ve meet on the court. Jason and Gary became good friends and made his painful experienced a good lesson in patience and determination.

Jason is a born leader with stars written all over his forehead. Lead the St. Joseph highschool in Alameda California and was name the player of the year by Parade Magazine. High profile Colleges offered Kidd good and promising deal but instead Jason chooses to be close at home by choosing University of California an underrated school that was coming off a 10-18 record. He led a spot for his team in the All Pac-10 in which was a feat considering the school entered the All Pac-10 last 1959.

Drafted second in the first round of the 1994 rookie draft by the Dallas Mavericks second to Glenn Robinson and was eventually the co-rookie of the year award together with Grant Hill.

Jason was now playing like his idol. He and Magic make team mates look good and can develop a perennial star in every talent they could be with… Remember Steve Nash while he was a rookie in Phoenix…

Jason was just a win or two away from his ultimate dream of snatching the coveted Larry O brien cup. And although New Jersey could enter the playoffs I just couldn’t see Kidd winning a championship or a conference championship in perspective.

His determination and heart is a valuable asset in any game. He is for me the best point guard in the NBA right now. He always has a mentality of pass first a trait in which is a rare commodity in the NBA right now. An assist in definition is to lend support a stat that was Jason’s highest achievement. Jason has done a lot to the game and has been self less in giving passes. Now its your turn Jason… This is the time you go for your goal a time to be selfish as father time is catching on you… a trade this time is the only option and what better way to be with in a team you idolized…

 

With five seconds left…. 5, Kidd throws an alley oop to Bryant… and scores…3,2,1..end

My Fearless Forecast for Gorres-Darchinyan fight

Vic Darchinyan was doing the mitts when a young Gorres was doing his routine training in the Wild Card gym of Freddie Roach. Z was full of admiration as Vic Darchinyan unleashes his power. That scenario happened two years ago when Vic was an immovable force in the flyweight division. Vic’s vulnerability was heavily exposed by Nonito Donaire and Z Gorres lost to a questionable split decision against WBO champ Fernando Montiel.

Both boxers suffered a loss and both wanted to get redemption. This Feb.2 all is at stake for both of these warriors with the winner facing Dimitri Kirilov for the IBF championship belt.  Loosing is not an option here with one trying to set up his power punches and the other maximizing his speed and quickness.

I like Z Gorres chances since he is a good counter puncher and makes good decisions inside the ring but Vic Darchinyan’s power could very well spell out the outcome of the night. If Gorres can take Vic’s power then it’s a sure shot at the IBF belt but considering Vic’s ritual boxing stance he would readily be detected whenever he moves forward to set up his left hook as they say you cant teach old dogs new tricks.

This fight is a good barometer for both boxers and with only an inch height advantage this could very well be a toe to toe battle.

Im bad at predictions and as much as I wanted to be impartial but Z could very well loose this fight if he relaxes on Vic like what he did on Montiel in the later rounds. But nonetheless I see Gorres winning this fight in round 10 via Technical knockout.

Here goes my fearless forecast on Vic and Gorres showdown on Feb.2 but like the weather…its one thing we cant control….

Poverty and boxing…

Poverty could somehow associate to hardships and struggles… but have you ever wondered when you go to poverty stricken areas where people have absolutely nothing but still you could always see a smile plastered on each of their faces.

Those people are deprived of earthly things but they are happy and contented with life.

 Money maybe a measurement of being filthy rich but happiness could never be bought by grains of money or tons of it.

I have been a fan of boxers who came out from poverty and became successful. Manny Pacquiao is a product of poverty who had to sell cigarettes and fight for a small amount of money in order to survive…

Poverty in a sense made the best out of Manny and to many aspiring boxers.

Life maybe cruel at times when it is put on the line of fire many died and many failed in becoming a champion.

Sometimes we criticize boxers for not giving their 110 percent in all their fight but it’s hard to be put in the pedestal when you’re fighting for dear life.

Poverty and boxing may not be synonymous in a lot of things but still we should put it in our mentality that when life put us on the brink of nothingness the only thing we do is we have to punch our way out of it… like boxers do…