The Love-Hate Team

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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?

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.

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

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

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.