For those of you who don't know, it's E3 week, where the public finds out about the next big new electronics gadget/game to come out in the fall or subsequent years. Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, and others make their announcements here, and it's a complete nerdy expo with a lot of exciting news all packed into one week. Today was day one, and it started off with a Mike Breen "baaang!".
First off, Microsoft's Keynote was this morning, and even though I'm not a gamer at all, this stuff seems potentially Wii killing. No joke. You know how the wii-mote charts the movement of the controller and turns that into control? What if instead of a physical controller, your body is the controller, and your full body motion (legs, arms, head, the works), coupled with face and voice recognition, was turned into motion? And what if this was a reality? As in today reality? (Come to the conclusion please. . . .yes, it is a reality now). They demonstrated its motion by the way, and it worked very well, which is promising.
Big news, huh? Add that with a bunch of new game titles (in Keynote link, in the earlier posts) that I'm sure hardcore gamers will be happy about, adding movies to your Netflix queue directly from your Xbox, twitter and facebook integration, streaming music, and some other things, and you have a pretty heavy hitting keynote, even by E3 standards.
One more thing for the microsoft fans in all of us, they just unleashed a new search engine bing.com, that apparently changes the way you search. Yeah, that's what they all say, so you'll have to find out for yourself, but on my first test, looking for a work table that folds away, bing found one for me on its first try, while google took me in circles and yielded nothing useable . . . That's one point for bing. I'll keep you updated with more tech stuff as this week progresses.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
In 14-24 Seconds Or Less
If you have not read the book In 7 Seconds or Less, I recommend you do so; it is a story where a journalist is given the opportunity to follow the Phoenix Suns for an entire year as few fans do. The journalist was given almost complete access to the team, including the playoff strategy sessions, coach's meetings, practices, team plane rides, the whole schabang. It's a truly in depth account, and a sports lovers dream.
What if you were given the exact same chance, but with any team in the NBA of your choice? Many fans undoubtedly would choose their favorite teams, but there are teams out there that fans despise that are more interesting than their own team.
Are you thinking about the Spurs? You would be amazed at the ball movement, work ethic of all the players, and the camaraderie, but don't lie to yourself, after a month of the same "you're a great teammate", "no, you're a great teammate!", the lack of drama may get boring.
What if you are a fan of the Sonics, but they're still on sabbatical? Who do you choose instead?
What if you're a fan of the Clippers like myself? Do you take the torture of bad management decisions, a lack of work ethic from players like Zach Randolph, and literally the most vile, cunning, and money hounding owner in the league?
This is an important decision, and I will attempt to come to a conclusion, in a Bill Simmons format.
Wheat Grass Mixed with Soy Sauce Drink
No thanks, I'm not going to try that, just like I'm not going to try these teams.
30. The Los Angeles Clippers. I don't want to torture myself. If I find out the inner-workings of this team, I am afraid I will be thrown into a state of complete disbelief in a successful Clippers team. I'm still holding on to that dream right now. I'm not ready to let it go. I don't plan to. This might just do it though.
29. Detroit Pistons. Yes, there is a chance to see Dumars work his magic, which according to other writers, is actually a Ron Weasley instead of a Dumbledore on a Harry Potter scale (a.k.a. passable), but this team is dead. I don't feel the same passion, the same energy that is DEEEE-TROIT BASKETBALL. They aren't a bad team, but they are a pretty lost team as of now.
28. New Orleans Hornets. Besides Chris Paul, who would be a joy to follow, this team is a mess. I'm not ready for that kind of dedication, and their upside is more of a downside. I wish them luck, I hope CP3 has an mvp caliber season, but they're not my slice of pie. Not this year.
Pecans
27 - 21. Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Bobcats, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors
Though I dreamt about eating them last night, I have no care in the world for Pecans, just as I have no care for these teams. I do not care so much about the players or the development of these teams. I have nothing against them, but if they came to town to play the Clippers, and I had season tickets, I'd be very likely to give them away.
Pepperoni Pizza
20. New York Knicks. The Knicks are like pepperoni pizza. What's wrong with pepperoni pizza? It's a great flavor, and you can't go wrong with it. Ahh, yes, but let's say you're at the Pizza Parlor of all Pizza Parlors, and can get any pizza you want. Would you go with the flavor you have already tried before, the one you already know, regardless of how good it was, or would you go with a different flavor, a more unique flavor? We've already read about the greatness that is Mike D'Antoni. I would love to do the same thing as the author of the book did, but again, I only have one chance, and I'm going to have to pass on the Pepperoni and try the Pineapple and Curry Chicken on a peanut/tomato sauce
The Cinnamon Toast Crunch
19. San Antonio Spurs. Whats wrong with Cinnamon Toast Crunch? It's perfect at any time, for any meal, snack, or combo. It's never bad, and it produces every time. With the Spurs, you know what you're getting game in and game out. A team that listens to its coach, has good chemistry, and has no internal problems. Injuries will play a big role, but after a month or two, I'll know what to expect on a day to day basis from this team. It's not a bad thing, but I'm at a steak house. I don't want cinnamon toast crunch. I want a filet minon.
Philly Cheesesteak from Philly
If you go to Philadelphia and are a meat eater, you know you're going to have one of these. It's got the upside, and the potential to make some news, but on the other hand, will it be a big enough deal to you? (I have heard they are overrated by the way, sorry to crash the party)
18. Philadelphia 76ers. No, I didn't name the group after realizing Philly would be number 18. I actually named the group and then realized that Philly is the next on this list. This team pushed Orlando around a little, and has the chance to be a fun and interesting team, especially with the development of Andre Iguodala. With a new coach coming in, it would be interesting to see how they mesh, and what happens when the team hits its struggle, because it is not going to be a top 3 team in the east. It will hit its problems. This team gets dropped to this position because of the negative effects of Elton Brand, both on the court and on me. I don't want to spend a year being pissed off at him, or even worse, forgive him for what he did because I now know him. It was not understandable, and it will never be. My professor did that to me recently on research, and it sucked just as much.
17. Dallas Mavericks. They made some noise in these playoffs, and there is room to grow, but their appeal is low. Dirk is a great player, and I want to see him succeed. Jason Kidd was my favorite player for a long time, though Deron Williams has currently taken his spot. I want to see Kidd get a ring before he finishes his career. I feel like this is a top 6 team in the West, but I just don't see a reason to spend a year behind them, besides getting to see Mark Cuban in action. Which is the sole reason they are ranked 17th.
16. Atlanta Hawks. They have the talent, they got into the 2nd round, and had the bad luck of meeting the Cavs. Does this turn into a parallel of the Spurs/Cavs finals, where LeBron realized there was a lot of work to do? We all know how that turned out: the Cavs came out hungry and over the last 2 years have been very good. The Hawks have the potential, but Joe Johnson is getting tired. We'll see what happens next year, but only in front of the scenes.
15. Los Angeles Lakers. I would love to see the real interactions between Kobe and the rest of his team. I would much more love to see the reactions of other teams when they play Kobe, and what they really think of them. I would try to sabotage the Lakers as well, and that's just not right, so no thanks.
14. Phoenix Suns. They are a good team, but are low on potential. We know what each player is going to bring night in and night out. The time to get better is past, we know how they will work together. Predictability is not something I'm looking for at this stage. I have a lot of respect for Nash and Hill, which is why they are up on this list, but other than that, I'm looking elsewhere.
13-12. Indiana Pacers/Minnesota Timberwolves. These teams are very yong and are developing stars in Granger and Jefferson. They are starting to play well together, and may soon develop into a strong team with depth, next years 2007-2008 Blazers. I liked the 07-08 Blazers, and I definitley loved the 08-09 Blazers, so there's a chance these teams follow that path.
11. Miami Heat. This team in the 08-09 season can be compared to the 05-06 Lakers, in that Kobe led a 7th seed team to . . . nowhere, just like Wade did: Wade needed help. But their parts are slowly growing up, and they are one trade/draft pick away from going deeper in the playoffs. How will the coach fare, or will he succumb to the sophomore slump. Will Dwyane Wade, the leader, the star, continue to score in droves and accept it, or will he become frustrated with the lack of talent on the team, and the need for him to shoot 40 times a game! Find out next year, on 'The Young and Restless: Miami"
10. Houston Rockets. Playing the regular season without your stars makes the other players grow. They have to fill in some big shoes, and keep the team afloat. Playing in the second round without two of your biggest stars against a team that is slated to win the championship, and STILL pushing it into a game 7 while being written off by everyone? Yeah, it's going to have a huge confidence boost on next year's team, especially on Brooks and Carl Landry. It's a great team to follow, especially to see how they earn their name as a stat-geek team, how GM Morey works, how Battier learns on the defensive end. It's an awesome team. Just not the one I want to follow.
My Mom's Cheese on Toast (Grilled Cheese done right)
That stuff is bomb, and I have never tasted anything better. Ever. In my life. You can't beat it, unless you eat amazing food created by the world's best chef's. Which is why these teams aren't the food created by the world's best chef's. But you know what? I'd take any of these teams in a heart beat if I were only offered one of these.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers. The pre-game photo shoot. The Chalk. The team chemistry. The defense. The leadership. The greatest player on the planet. I'd love to see this team in action. It would be an amazing thrill ride, and from a more selfish perspective, this would be the team that would most probably involve me more in random things. I would get the best interviews, and a more indepth look at quite possibly, when his career is over, one of the top 5 players to ever play this game. They, however, have hit a stability point, where they are at a peak. They can potentially fall slightly, which may cause some drama, but it's just not as good as it would have been in the season following their Finals loss. They would have been number 1 on my list back then.
9. Boston Celtics. This team is no one person's team. The Big 3 run this team together, and they are completely different personality wise. How they spread their wisdom, and how they work together would be amazing. Rondo developing into a perennial All-Star? I'm in. Perkins becoming a bad-boy (Detroit style) in green? I'm in. Prove to me that their bench is worth following as well, and I'm in all the way. Until that time, they are the same team as the first 60 games of this year, which is great and all, but I know what happened this year. I need some new stuff.
8. Denver Nuggets. I have been fascinated with this team during their postseason run, and it still has not hit me yet that they can actually win a championship. I feel they can definitely beat the Lakers, and because they are so atheltic and deep, if they make it to the finals, they'll be hard to stop. If they are short, how do they respond next year? If they win the title, how do they defend it? Does the team still buy into defense after their successes, when teams can get lazy? Is Coach Karl going to take the heat if this happens? There's a lot of potential for Drama, but again, the team is set. There are no new postions that need to be figured out, again, not looking at free agency. Just not my cup of tea.
7. Portland Trail Blazers. The upside on this team is off the charts. Roy is coming off a huge year and can be in the MVP race. Aldridge is developing into a great player. They've got the Spanish Connecion (spelled correctly, just missing accents). Oden and point guard Steve Blake will provide drama with their development. How will this team gel? Will Aldridge, who has Shawn Marion complex, be able to handle the hype that Roy will undoubtedly be getting as the alpha dog on the team? I struggled putting them this high (it should be high, shouldn't it, as 8 is higher than 1-7), but it had to be done, as you will find out below.
6. Washington Wizards. The return of Agent 0 and the Big 3 Number 2 in the form of Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison. The team's youth had 2 years to develop. Before Gil went out for another year, they were battling the Celtics Big 3, and doing well agains them. They have a lot to prove after last year's debacle. They have a new coach. The chemistry of this team is unknown, except that Arenas is planning on toning it down, which he better do, with that $111 million dollar contract. There are a lot of questions on this team, and it would be great to be a part of their resurgence
Iron Chef Food
I'm not too picky about what I eat, but word on the street is that the Iron Chef's know how to cook damn good meals. These teams are on that level. Only one team though, mastered the use of the secret ingredient to perfection and has the perfect blend of texture, taste, and presentation to win me over.
4. Utah Jazz. Deron Williams, Jerry Sloan, and the 8th seed. These 3 have pushed the Jazz up to number 4 on my list. Deron Williams is my favorite player in the game today, but is viewed as the 2nd best point guard in the league (soon to be 3rd as Derrick Rose becomes lauded as the best thing since sliced bread and slides into the 2nd spot). Will he let that happen, or will he take the reigns and move ahead of Chris Paul? Deron Williams is the LeBron James of the point guard position, in that there is no matchup for him. As a fan of his game, I would love to see him in action and see the team dynamic, which starts with Jerry Sloan. Sloan is the greatest coach to never be recognized as such. He is the last coach to truly control every aspect of the team, to have the last say in all matters. Just to see him at work would be amazing, especially in his old school ways. As for the team, how do they respond to their flop last year as an 8th seed coming off a Conference Finals showing? They have the potential to win a title in the near future, if they make the right moves, and get it together at the right time. The Jazz will creep in the background, not bringing much attention to themselves, and at the same time, have the chance to come roaring out of the gates when the time comes. And still, they are only number 4.
3. Chicago Bulls. The potential for drama on this team is at an all-time high, higher than TNT even knows. And TNT knows drama. An epic 7 game battle against the Celtics can only make them better. The expectations will be great. How will they respond? If Coach Vinny Del Negro continues to make mistakes at the coaching position, how long until he is turned on by the players? Or, does Del Negro become a better coach because of his experience in the playoffs? How to players like Tyrus Thomas continue to develop? Word is that he is not the best guy to get along with on the team. How will Derrick Rose fare in his second year with even more expectations heaped upon him? Will the nucleus stay intact. If Ben Gordon gets resigned, will he slack off? Again, magnify all of these because of the expectation of this team being a top 4 east team. It all adds to an exciting year.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder. This team has reached a ranking this low on an upside bigger than Kanye West's ego (Do you like fishsticks?) and Sam Presti's genius. Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russel Westbrook, Nenad Kristic, Player X acquired in a genius Sam Presti trade, Shaun Livingston. Everyone should be going crazy over the first five players in that list. Clipper fans will do that over the entire list. This team is going to grow into a powerhouse over time, and their steps of growth will be amazing to follow. There is tons of room for improvement, and the team is willing to put everything aside and focus on winning. The drama is at a minimum, which goes against my previous actions, but you can't ignore this type of talent trying to get it together. I bet this whole team has been hitting the gym day and night for the last week and will continue through until next season starts. I want to see Shaun Livingston make it back as well. He was such a bright talent, and he deserves a second chance after the freak accident that I have still refused to watch on youtube. Sam Presti has made ingenious moves ove the past year, and if he can acquire Player X, he will have created a ridiculously talented team very quickly. Yet this team comes second to . . .
1. Orlando Magic. It's a weird pick, I'm not going to deny it, but there's too much personality, potential, and interest on this team for me to ignore. First off, this team is going to come off either a close defeat to the Cavs, a Finals loss, or a Championship. Response to these situations can vary drastically, and have an impact on player and coach relations in the next year. The tension between Coach Van Gundy and Dwight Howard is already known, and if the Magic lose this year due to coaching problems, we may see whose team this really is, the coach's or the star's based on whether or not Van Gundy gets fired. Jameer Nelson's return will cause problems with the point guard rotation, especially if he struggles. Do the Magic keep Rafer Alston as an unhappy backup (which he will be. He has too much of an ego to settle as a backup and be happy), or will they trade him and acquire another piece to the puzzle. Courtney Lee and J.J. Reddick are slowly developing into good players, it would be great to see where that goes. How will Dwight Howard respond to his lack of offense? Finally, getting to see the vaunted Stan Van Gundy pre-game whiteboard, which is legendary. His coaching ability is amazing, and his personality is one of the best in the league. His interaction and on-goings would be a treat to study for a week, but for a full NBA year? It is something you just can't ignore. The team is going in the right direction, and to add some more drama, regardless of where it finishes this year, it will still be 3rd in the East next year according to analysts, behind Cleveland and Boston. This team has the chance to do something special next year, regardless of what happens this year, and I wish I could be a part of it.
What if you were given the exact same chance, but with any team in the NBA of your choice? Many fans undoubtedly would choose their favorite teams, but there are teams out there that fans despise that are more interesting than their own team.
Are you thinking about the Spurs? You would be amazed at the ball movement, work ethic of all the players, and the camaraderie, but don't lie to yourself, after a month of the same "you're a great teammate", "no, you're a great teammate!", the lack of drama may get boring.
What if you are a fan of the Sonics, but they're still on sabbatical? Who do you choose instead?
What if you're a fan of the Clippers like myself? Do you take the torture of bad management decisions, a lack of work ethic from players like Zach Randolph, and literally the most vile, cunning, and money hounding owner in the league?
This is an important decision, and I will attempt to come to a conclusion, in a Bill Simmons format.
Wheat Grass Mixed with Soy Sauce Drink
No thanks, I'm not going to try that, just like I'm not going to try these teams.
30. The Los Angeles Clippers. I don't want to torture myself. If I find out the inner-workings of this team, I am afraid I will be thrown into a state of complete disbelief in a successful Clippers team. I'm still holding on to that dream right now. I'm not ready to let it go. I don't plan to. This might just do it though.
29. Detroit Pistons. Yes, there is a chance to see Dumars work his magic, which according to other writers, is actually a Ron Weasley instead of a Dumbledore on a Harry Potter scale (a.k.a. passable), but this team is dead. I don't feel the same passion, the same energy that is DEEEE-TROIT BASKETBALL. They aren't a bad team, but they are a pretty lost team as of now.
28. New Orleans Hornets. Besides Chris Paul, who would be a joy to follow, this team is a mess. I'm not ready for that kind of dedication, and their upside is more of a downside. I wish them luck, I hope CP3 has an mvp caliber season, but they're not my slice of pie. Not this year.
Pecans
27 - 21. Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Bobcats, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors
Though I dreamt about eating them last night, I have no care in the world for Pecans, just as I have no care for these teams. I do not care so much about the players or the development of these teams. I have nothing against them, but if they came to town to play the Clippers, and I had season tickets, I'd be very likely to give them away.
Pepperoni Pizza
20. New York Knicks. The Knicks are like pepperoni pizza. What's wrong with pepperoni pizza? It's a great flavor, and you can't go wrong with it. Ahh, yes, but let's say you're at the Pizza Parlor of all Pizza Parlors, and can get any pizza you want. Would you go with the flavor you have already tried before, the one you already know, regardless of how good it was, or would you go with a different flavor, a more unique flavor? We've already read about the greatness that is Mike D'Antoni. I would love to do the same thing as the author of the book did, but again, I only have one chance, and I'm going to have to pass on the Pepperoni and try the Pineapple and Curry Chicken on a peanut/tomato sauce
The Cinnamon Toast Crunch
19. San Antonio Spurs. Whats wrong with Cinnamon Toast Crunch? It's perfect at any time, for any meal, snack, or combo. It's never bad, and it produces every time. With the Spurs, you know what you're getting game in and game out. A team that listens to its coach, has good chemistry, and has no internal problems. Injuries will play a big role, but after a month or two, I'll know what to expect on a day to day basis from this team. It's not a bad thing, but I'm at a steak house. I don't want cinnamon toast crunch. I want a filet minon.
Philly Cheesesteak from Philly
If you go to Philadelphia and are a meat eater, you know you're going to have one of these. It's got the upside, and the potential to make some news, but on the other hand, will it be a big enough deal to you? (I have heard they are overrated by the way, sorry to crash the party)
18. Philadelphia 76ers. No, I didn't name the group after realizing Philly would be number 18. I actually named the group and then realized that Philly is the next on this list. This team pushed Orlando around a little, and has the chance to be a fun and interesting team, especially with the development of Andre Iguodala. With a new coach coming in, it would be interesting to see how they mesh, and what happens when the team hits its struggle, because it is not going to be a top 3 team in the east. It will hit its problems. This team gets dropped to this position because of the negative effects of Elton Brand, both on the court and on me. I don't want to spend a year being pissed off at him, or even worse, forgive him for what he did because I now know him. It was not understandable, and it will never be. My professor did that to me recently on research, and it sucked just as much.
17. Dallas Mavericks. They made some noise in these playoffs, and there is room to grow, but their appeal is low. Dirk is a great player, and I want to see him succeed. Jason Kidd was my favorite player for a long time, though Deron Williams has currently taken his spot. I want to see Kidd get a ring before he finishes his career. I feel like this is a top 6 team in the West, but I just don't see a reason to spend a year behind them, besides getting to see Mark Cuban in action. Which is the sole reason they are ranked 17th.
16. Atlanta Hawks. They have the talent, they got into the 2nd round, and had the bad luck of meeting the Cavs. Does this turn into a parallel of the Spurs/Cavs finals, where LeBron realized there was a lot of work to do? We all know how that turned out: the Cavs came out hungry and over the last 2 years have been very good. The Hawks have the potential, but Joe Johnson is getting tired. We'll see what happens next year, but only in front of the scenes.
15. Los Angeles Lakers. I would love to see the real interactions between Kobe and the rest of his team. I would much more love to see the reactions of other teams when they play Kobe, and what they really think of them. I would try to sabotage the Lakers as well, and that's just not right, so no thanks.
14. Phoenix Suns. They are a good team, but are low on potential. We know what each player is going to bring night in and night out. The time to get better is past, we know how they will work together. Predictability is not something I'm looking for at this stage. I have a lot of respect for Nash and Hill, which is why they are up on this list, but other than that, I'm looking elsewhere.
13-12. Indiana Pacers/Minnesota Timberwolves. These teams are very yong and are developing stars in Granger and Jefferson. They are starting to play well together, and may soon develop into a strong team with depth, next years 2007-2008 Blazers. I liked the 07-08 Blazers, and I definitley loved the 08-09 Blazers, so there's a chance these teams follow that path.
11. Miami Heat. This team in the 08-09 season can be compared to the 05-06 Lakers, in that Kobe led a 7th seed team to . . . nowhere, just like Wade did: Wade needed help. But their parts are slowly growing up, and they are one trade/draft pick away from going deeper in the playoffs. How will the coach fare, or will he succumb to the sophomore slump. Will Dwyane Wade, the leader, the star, continue to score in droves and accept it, or will he become frustrated with the lack of talent on the team, and the need for him to shoot 40 times a game! Find out next year, on 'The Young and Restless: Miami"
10. Houston Rockets. Playing the regular season without your stars makes the other players grow. They have to fill in some big shoes, and keep the team afloat. Playing in the second round without two of your biggest stars against a team that is slated to win the championship, and STILL pushing it into a game 7 while being written off by everyone? Yeah, it's going to have a huge confidence boost on next year's team, especially on Brooks and Carl Landry. It's a great team to follow, especially to see how they earn their name as a stat-geek team, how GM Morey works, how Battier learns on the defensive end. It's an awesome team. Just not the one I want to follow.
My Mom's Cheese on Toast (Grilled Cheese done right)
That stuff is bomb, and I have never tasted anything better. Ever. In my life. You can't beat it, unless you eat amazing food created by the world's best chef's. Which is why these teams aren't the food created by the world's best chef's. But you know what? I'd take any of these teams in a heart beat if I were only offered one of these.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers. The pre-game photo shoot. The Chalk. The team chemistry. The defense. The leadership. The greatest player on the planet. I'd love to see this team in action. It would be an amazing thrill ride, and from a more selfish perspective, this would be the team that would most probably involve me more in random things. I would get the best interviews, and a more indepth look at quite possibly, when his career is over, one of the top 5 players to ever play this game. They, however, have hit a stability point, where they are at a peak. They can potentially fall slightly, which may cause some drama, but it's just not as good as it would have been in the season following their Finals loss. They would have been number 1 on my list back then.
9. Boston Celtics. This team is no one person's team. The Big 3 run this team together, and they are completely different personality wise. How they spread their wisdom, and how they work together would be amazing. Rondo developing into a perennial All-Star? I'm in. Perkins becoming a bad-boy (Detroit style) in green? I'm in. Prove to me that their bench is worth following as well, and I'm in all the way. Until that time, they are the same team as the first 60 games of this year, which is great and all, but I know what happened this year. I need some new stuff.
8. Denver Nuggets. I have been fascinated with this team during their postseason run, and it still has not hit me yet that they can actually win a championship. I feel they can definitely beat the Lakers, and because they are so atheltic and deep, if they make it to the finals, they'll be hard to stop. If they are short, how do they respond next year? If they win the title, how do they defend it? Does the team still buy into defense after their successes, when teams can get lazy? Is Coach Karl going to take the heat if this happens? There's a lot of potential for Drama, but again, the team is set. There are no new postions that need to be figured out, again, not looking at free agency. Just not my cup of tea.
7. Portland Trail Blazers. The upside on this team is off the charts. Roy is coming off a huge year and can be in the MVP race. Aldridge is developing into a great player. They've got the Spanish Connecion (spelled correctly, just missing accents). Oden and point guard Steve Blake will provide drama with their development. How will this team gel? Will Aldridge, who has Shawn Marion complex, be able to handle the hype that Roy will undoubtedly be getting as the alpha dog on the team? I struggled putting them this high (it should be high, shouldn't it, as 8 is higher than 1-7), but it had to be done, as you will find out below.
6. Washington Wizards. The return of Agent 0 and the Big 3 Number 2 in the form of Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison. The team's youth had 2 years to develop. Before Gil went out for another year, they were battling the Celtics Big 3, and doing well agains them. They have a lot to prove after last year's debacle. They have a new coach. The chemistry of this team is unknown, except that Arenas is planning on toning it down, which he better do, with that $111 million dollar contract. There are a lot of questions on this team, and it would be great to be a part of their resurgence
Iron Chef Food
I'm not too picky about what I eat, but word on the street is that the Iron Chef's know how to cook damn good meals. These teams are on that level. Only one team though, mastered the use of the secret ingredient to perfection and has the perfect blend of texture, taste, and presentation to win me over.
4. Utah Jazz. Deron Williams, Jerry Sloan, and the 8th seed. These 3 have pushed the Jazz up to number 4 on my list. Deron Williams is my favorite player in the game today, but is viewed as the 2nd best point guard in the league (soon to be 3rd as Derrick Rose becomes lauded as the best thing since sliced bread and slides into the 2nd spot). Will he let that happen, or will he take the reigns and move ahead of Chris Paul? Deron Williams is the LeBron James of the point guard position, in that there is no matchup for him. As a fan of his game, I would love to see him in action and see the team dynamic, which starts with Jerry Sloan. Sloan is the greatest coach to never be recognized as such. He is the last coach to truly control every aspect of the team, to have the last say in all matters. Just to see him at work would be amazing, especially in his old school ways. As for the team, how do they respond to their flop last year as an 8th seed coming off a Conference Finals showing? They have the potential to win a title in the near future, if they make the right moves, and get it together at the right time. The Jazz will creep in the background, not bringing much attention to themselves, and at the same time, have the chance to come roaring out of the gates when the time comes. And still, they are only number 4.
3. Chicago Bulls. The potential for drama on this team is at an all-time high, higher than TNT even knows. And TNT knows drama. An epic 7 game battle against the Celtics can only make them better. The expectations will be great. How will they respond? If Coach Vinny Del Negro continues to make mistakes at the coaching position, how long until he is turned on by the players? Or, does Del Negro become a better coach because of his experience in the playoffs? How to players like Tyrus Thomas continue to develop? Word is that he is not the best guy to get along with on the team. How will Derrick Rose fare in his second year with even more expectations heaped upon him? Will the nucleus stay intact. If Ben Gordon gets resigned, will he slack off? Again, magnify all of these because of the expectation of this team being a top 4 east team. It all adds to an exciting year.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder. This team has reached a ranking this low on an upside bigger than Kanye West's ego (Do you like fishsticks?) and Sam Presti's genius. Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russel Westbrook, Nenad Kristic, Player X acquired in a genius Sam Presti trade, Shaun Livingston. Everyone should be going crazy over the first five players in that list. Clipper fans will do that over the entire list. This team is going to grow into a powerhouse over time, and their steps of growth will be amazing to follow. There is tons of room for improvement, and the team is willing to put everything aside and focus on winning. The drama is at a minimum, which goes against my previous actions, but you can't ignore this type of talent trying to get it together. I bet this whole team has been hitting the gym day and night for the last week and will continue through until next season starts. I want to see Shaun Livingston make it back as well. He was such a bright talent, and he deserves a second chance after the freak accident that I have still refused to watch on youtube. Sam Presti has made ingenious moves ove the past year, and if he can acquire Player X, he will have created a ridiculously talented team very quickly. Yet this team comes second to . . .
1. Orlando Magic. It's a weird pick, I'm not going to deny it, but there's too much personality, potential, and interest on this team for me to ignore. First off, this team is going to come off either a close defeat to the Cavs, a Finals loss, or a Championship. Response to these situations can vary drastically, and have an impact on player and coach relations in the next year. The tension between Coach Van Gundy and Dwight Howard is already known, and if the Magic lose this year due to coaching problems, we may see whose team this really is, the coach's or the star's based on whether or not Van Gundy gets fired. Jameer Nelson's return will cause problems with the point guard rotation, especially if he struggles. Do the Magic keep Rafer Alston as an unhappy backup (which he will be. He has too much of an ego to settle as a backup and be happy), or will they trade him and acquire another piece to the puzzle. Courtney Lee and J.J. Reddick are slowly developing into good players, it would be great to see where that goes. How will Dwight Howard respond to his lack of offense? Finally, getting to see the vaunted Stan Van Gundy pre-game whiteboard, which is legendary. His coaching ability is amazing, and his personality is one of the best in the league. His interaction and on-goings would be a treat to study for a week, but for a full NBA year? It is something you just can't ignore. The team is going in the right direction, and to add some more drama, regardless of where it finishes this year, it will still be 3rd in the East next year according to analysts, behind Cleveland and Boston. This team has the chance to do something special next year, regardless of what happens this year, and I wish I could be a part of it.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Coaching Kids
A little bird told me I hadn't even posted one thing this month, which is just sad, and I really should have, so the least I can do is take some time during lecture to get out to my millions of readers.
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Yesterday, I watch this show called Big Bang Theory (a show that appeals to my nerdy side) and was about to leave for the library when the next show, How I Met Your Mother came on. I watched it for about 5 minutes and left at the scene where one of the main characters was coaching some 7 year old kids, and started yelling at them. This show is a comedy, so it was just a joke, but it struck a chord with me, as I eventually want to get into coaching some day, probably in soccer. At what point do I strike home that winning is not everything, but try to win anyways? When do I transition from 'just have fun' to 'get better'?
We all know that when you are in your teens, you should be focusing on getting better, and its fine for a coach to drive home points about spacing, decision making as opposed to straight instincts, and plays. We also know that when you are 4, 5, 6, 7 years old, the coach focuses on having the kids run around, learn the rules of the game, and smile, whether it be through candy or silly drills.
But that transition period, the tweeners (I think that is the term) is of utmost importance, because this is where you make or break a kids passion in the sport. Push too hard, too early and they'll hate it. Don't push enough and you may keep your kid from reaching their full potential. Both mistakes result in your child quitting. Let me make one thing clear, a child quitting is not a bad thing, but you would hope they quit for reasons LZ Granderson's son quit, as opposed to reasons that shouldn't come into play, such as the ones mentioned in this paragraph.
Usually, I go through my posts pointing out problems, leaving them open ended, but today, because I'm in the mood and because this is an hour and a half class (56 minutes to go), I'm going to attempt to answer it. Hopefully, if any of you guys have improvements on this solution, let me know, I'd like to hear them.
UPDATE: Just like that Bill Simmons podcast where he cut off to say the next section would be put into another podcast because it was intense and long, I am doing the same thing. This is a very difficult topic and I want to make sure I hit the points well. But shoot me some ideas if you have any.
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Yesterday, I watch this show called Big Bang Theory (a show that appeals to my nerdy side) and was about to leave for the library when the next show, How I Met Your Mother came on. I watched it for about 5 minutes and left at the scene where one of the main characters was coaching some 7 year old kids, and started yelling at them. This show is a comedy, so it was just a joke, but it struck a chord with me, as I eventually want to get into coaching some day, probably in soccer. At what point do I strike home that winning is not everything, but try to win anyways? When do I transition from 'just have fun' to 'get better'?
We all know that when you are in your teens, you should be focusing on getting better, and its fine for a coach to drive home points about spacing, decision making as opposed to straight instincts, and plays. We also know that when you are 4, 5, 6, 7 years old, the coach focuses on having the kids run around, learn the rules of the game, and smile, whether it be through candy or silly drills.
But that transition period, the tweeners (I think that is the term) is of utmost importance, because this is where you make or break a kids passion in the sport. Push too hard, too early and they'll hate it. Don't push enough and you may keep your kid from reaching their full potential. Both mistakes result in your child quitting. Let me make one thing clear, a child quitting is not a bad thing, but you would hope they quit for reasons LZ Granderson's son quit, as opposed to reasons that shouldn't come into play, such as the ones mentioned in this paragraph.
Usually, I go through my posts pointing out problems, leaving them open ended, but today, because I'm in the mood and because this is an hour and a half class (56 minutes to go), I'm going to attempt to answer it. Hopefully, if any of you guys have improvements on this solution, let me know, I'd like to hear them.
UPDATE: Just like that Bill Simmons podcast where he cut off to say the next section would be put into another podcast because it was intense and long, I am doing the same thing. This is a very difficult topic and I want to make sure I hit the points well. But shoot me some ideas if you have any.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
An Amazing Sport: Basketball with your Feet
I'll rarely be able to write this year with the load of homework my professors are deciding to give me, but I happen to have a few breaks here and there. For one of them, I have decided to spend time watching this amazing sport, which is known throughout the world, but just not as popular here. Many of you, I am suspecting, don't know it, so I am here to tell you about it.
Imagine a league of point guards, some like Steve Nash with amazing passing ability, some like Deron Williams with the muscle to take you off the dribble, some like Chris Paul who do everything. This sport emulates this idea, in that everyone is a passer to some level, just with different skills, whether it be a knack for scoring, an ability to shut down whoever they are defending, or a mix of both with a highlight on passing.
The brand of offense employed? Phil Jackson would be incredibly happy, because it is basically a triangle offense implemented in a different sport. Triangles are constantly formed, the players are constantly moving, and the ball is evenly distributed. Mismatches are created at a whim, because in this sport, the defense employed is almost always a zone, but the offense flows however it wishes.
The game speed? Just like the Phoenix Suns of 2006 and the San Antonio Spurs of this decade, there are teams that are fast paced, and teams that will grind it out and play good defense. The game I am watching holds teams that traditionally played slower, more smash mouth. But just like the Suns changed their style with a new coach, so did this team, becoming quicker and more agile, more aggressive on offense.
Even better is the fact that this game is a rivalry, so much so that the team I am rooting against made voo doo dolls to try and jinx my team. I know Celtics-Lakers is intense, but I'm pretty sure you haven't seen voo doo dolls make its way into the NBA.
This sport I'm telling you about is intriguing, and when I first heard about it and saw it, I fell in love with it. The sport?
Soccer.
Imagine a league of point guards, some like Steve Nash with amazing passing ability, some like Deron Williams with the muscle to take you off the dribble, some like Chris Paul who do everything. This sport emulates this idea, in that everyone is a passer to some level, just with different skills, whether it be a knack for scoring, an ability to shut down whoever they are defending, or a mix of both with a highlight on passing.
The brand of offense employed? Phil Jackson would be incredibly happy, because it is basically a triangle offense implemented in a different sport. Triangles are constantly formed, the players are constantly moving, and the ball is evenly distributed. Mismatches are created at a whim, because in this sport, the defense employed is almost always a zone, but the offense flows however it wishes.
The game speed? Just like the Phoenix Suns of 2006 and the San Antonio Spurs of this decade, there are teams that are fast paced, and teams that will grind it out and play good defense. The game I am watching holds teams that traditionally played slower, more smash mouth. But just like the Suns changed their style with a new coach, so did this team, becoming quicker and more agile, more aggressive on offense.
Even better is the fact that this game is a rivalry, so much so that the team I am rooting against made voo doo dolls to try and jinx my team. I know Celtics-Lakers is intense, but I'm pretty sure you haven't seen voo doo dolls make its way into the NBA.
This sport I'm telling you about is intriguing, and when I first heard about it and saw it, I fell in love with it. The sport?
Soccer.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Money Making Schemes
A week ago, I decided to go to the magical world of Disneyland, but realized that magic is pretty expensive these days, and as a self proclaimed expert ticket purchaser (not including scalping, but I will perfect this art as time goes on, believe me), I decided to make a purchase through craigslist. My skill was rewarded with park hoppers for me and two other friends, each at $55/ticket. All I had to do was take the three 8-day park hopper tickets, use it for that day, and return it to him so he could resell it.
Now, regular park hoppers go for something like $93, so I'm sitting there thinking wow, golly gee willikers, I definitely got the better end of this deal! I thought about it some more, and realized that the guy I purchased it from was trying to run this as professionally as he could, so I tried to crunch some numbers, and see how much he could make, because you wouldn't try as hard as he did for no reason.
Each 8-day park hopper is $204, meaning that for every 8 sales he makes per disneyland ticket, he collects $440, with a profit of $236.
Now he's not going to sell only one ticket at a time, as demonstrated by me purchasing 3 tickets. Assume he sells 600 days worth a year, total, which when you think about it, is a very modest number. Come winter time, I'm willing to bet he goes through at least 300, 200 for the summer, and at least 100 for the other months (which include spring break, halloween, long weekends, etc.)
This modest number yields: $17,700. That's $17,700 untaxed, untraceable, straight cash. He was working with another guy, so split that in half, $8850 a year, and all you have to do is in the morning before work, distribute tickets right next to disneyland, and after work, collect them. It's risk free for him, because he holds an ID until you return them.
Earning $50,000 a year? Make that $58,850. That's a 17.7% raise. If it was me, I would do the job alone, and get a 35% raise. Try asking your boss for that, see what he says. I did. You know what he said? Sell disneyland tickets.
Now if you put in a little more work (let's say you're single, and just trying to make some money to pay off loans or who knows what), and you sell 1,000 tickets, which I truly believe is possible, you'll make $29,500. That's a lot of money for a side job.
Tell me that isn't a deal. I have to say, I am quite impressed.
Now, regular park hoppers go for something like $93, so I'm sitting there thinking wow, golly gee willikers, I definitely got the better end of this deal! I thought about it some more, and realized that the guy I purchased it from was trying to run this as professionally as he could, so I tried to crunch some numbers, and see how much he could make, because you wouldn't try as hard as he did for no reason.
Each 8-day park hopper is $204, meaning that for every 8 sales he makes per disneyland ticket, he collects $440, with a profit of $236.
Now he's not going to sell only one ticket at a time, as demonstrated by me purchasing 3 tickets. Assume he sells 600 days worth a year, total, which when you think about it, is a very modest number. Come winter time, I'm willing to bet he goes through at least 300, 200 for the summer, and at least 100 for the other months (which include spring break, halloween, long weekends, etc.)
This modest number yields: $17,700. That's $17,700 untaxed, untraceable, straight cash. He was working with another guy, so split that in half, $8850 a year, and all you have to do is in the morning before work, distribute tickets right next to disneyland, and after work, collect them. It's risk free for him, because he holds an ID until you return them.
Earning $50,000 a year? Make that $58,850. That's a 17.7% raise. If it was me, I would do the job alone, and get a 35% raise. Try asking your boss for that, see what he says. I did. You know what he said? Sell disneyland tickets.
Now if you put in a little more work (let's say you're single, and just trying to make some money to pay off loans or who knows what), and you sell 1,000 tickets, which I truly believe is possible, you'll make $29,500. That's a lot of money for a side job.
Tell me that isn't a deal. I have to say, I am quite impressed.
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