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.