Wimbledon has started today which, to me, marks the true start of summer. Rafael Nadal and Caroline Wozniacki are the #1 seeds in their respected side of the draw. So, let me give my thoughts on who I think will win.
WOMEN'S DRAW: On the womens' side, you have the Williams sisters who have won 9 out of the last 11 championships and it's hard to bet against them. Caroline Wozniacki has not done much to prove she is worthy of the #1 ranking much like former #1 player Dinara Safina. Former champ Maria Sharapova is healthy and playing quality tennis so she is a major contender. But I would most definitely put my money on Ms. Williams, Venus Williams. Because she is on at Wimbledon, there is no one, not even younger sister Serena, that can beat her.
MEN'S DRAW:Okay, the men's field is a lot different than the women's side of the draw in the fact that there a lot of potential winners. Last year's champ Roger Federer has always played well on the hollowed grass courts of Wimbledon and his backhead slice is almost undefendable here. United Kingdom native Andy Murray has all the tools to win his first major in his home country if he can cut down on the unforced errors in the big matches. But, the most exciting player to watch in tennis, Gael Monfils, has a favorable part of the draw in the fact if he keeps winning, he won't see a ranked player until the third round. Maybe the fourth round if Ivo Karlovic defeats Tipsarevic. But I truly believe that this is Rafa's championship to lose but he will face some stiff competition with Andy Roddick,Thomas Berdych, Andy Murray, Gael Monfils, and ivo Karlovic in his half of the draw.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
MIAMI POST SEASON AWARDS
Alright now. It's been almost a week since Miami lost Game 6 and the Dallas Mavericks earned their first NBA Championship. Much congrats to the Mavericks organization and their players. Also, to me for picking them to win even though they got it done one game earlier that I thought. But if I am a Miami Heat player and/or fan, I would not count this season as a complete disappointment considering how absymal your start was. So, I going to give out some special awards to the Heat. They all may not have NBA Championships yet, but I'm going to them some awards:
BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE: This award is going to the person who did best impression of what a NBA player should not do when he is acquired for a championship run> That player is Mike Bibby. He hardly played any defense or consistently made a jump shot to benefit his team. His effort was practically comedic for all its mishaps. The 3 stooges couldn't recreate the sophomoric effort that Bibby gave. Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Bernie Mac couldn't write better jokes than that joke of a season you had.
BEST THEATRICS: This award belongs to the player who makes a foul out of the opposing teams' player sweat drops falling on him. The award goes to Dwyane Wade. I expected more mental toughness out of the former NBA Finals MVP, but I was highly disappointed. Just because Gabrielle Union is your girlfriend does not mean you should bring all the elements of her profession into yours. What happen to leadership qualities to help will your team to victory?? Did they go away when you got the divorce from Siobahn Funches? You're at the post game conference talking that the worlds is happy that the Heat are losing. The world could care less. the world got bills to pay, children to educated, and football games to watch. But, truth be told, I miss 2006 Dwyane Tyrone Wade in the sense of the fact he was fearless. What others said or didn't say had no bearing on how he played. Dwyane played with a controlled choas that constantly gave ESPN moments for the Top 10 plays of the night. But you don't consistently see that anymore. Or maybe Mark Cuban was right on the "phantom calls" you received in 2006 that gave you your repuation of having such machismo. Either way, leave the theatrics to actors those on the TV screens and the stage.
THE SLEEPER AWARD: The award goes to the players that weren't constantly recognize for their team contributions. But if it had not been for their play, the Heat would not have gotten to the NBA Finals. These players are Mario Chalmers and Udonis Haslem. In the beginnning of the season, Mario Chalmers was suppose to be the starting point guard but the acquistition of Mike Bibby changed those plans. But did he disapear? NO! He outplayed his starting counterpart in every round of the playoffs especially in the finals. So, Mario Chalmers, you get major dap for me. I know you're a free agent this summer and Pat Riley has made you the team's top concern. And you should be. Your point guard was stellar in playing sound defense and knocking down timely three point shots when your team desperately needed them.
Udonis Haslem, you were major in the playoffs especially when the team's starting center didn't score in some of the games in the playoffs. Without you, the Heat would have lost against Chicago in the Eastern Conference Finals. By grabbing those necessary rebounds, playing some serious defense and occasionally knocking down your 15-20 jumper, you became a constant around a lot of incinsistenties. Your unselfishess to take a pay cut of 40% is beyond admirable (I couldn't do it) and to be applauded. Major kudos to you as well.
THE MUZZLE AWARD: This award goes to the player who needs President Obama's speechwriter because he should not be allowed to speak from the heart. That player is LeBron James. It started off poor in the press conference/concert/pre-championship parade. The infamous statement of,"We can win not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7..." Are you serious, man? You can't be. This must be a joke. I was waiting for Ashton Kutcher to hop out of the audience talking about we've been punk'd. because that is the only justifiable explanation for such crazy talk before training camp even started. And it ended on such a sour note with you talking to about how people who rooted against you personally have to go back to their ordinary lives and you're going to continue to do you. But, doing you has left you without a ring. Regardless on how tacky Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was on his tweet after Dallas won, he made a valid point on the fact that there are no shortcuts to success. So, swallow all that humble pie you need to buy now and prepare yourself for the next season. I will give a strategy for success and it's called for 4 up's: Get UP, Show UP, Listen UP, and Shut UP. The media cannot miscontrue anything you say if you don't say anything.
MOST HERIOC PERFORMANCE: I almost called this award the Major Call of Duty Award. THere is no need to explain the purpose of this award. It goes to Mike Miller. Regardless if he didn't score consistently, there is no way you can criticize a player is going back and forth from the games to the hospital where his daughter is battling for her life. With Father's Day being tomorrow, you are major in my book. And there is nothing left to say.
THE RODNEY KING AWARD: Rodney King infamously said,"Can't we all just get long?" So, the recipient of this award goes to head coach Erik Spoelstra. He infortunatley was dealt with the task of being ego manager and head coach. In 2009, he was an unknown young coach who got his team to the playoffs and got them to overperformed. In 2010, he placed in a no win position. If they lose, he is not a good coach. If they win, he didn't play a part of it. With the media lurking around, whispering on how Pat Riley should be the head coach instead of Spoelstra. I applaud you for being able to not only keep your cool when the vultures came and doing a bang up job as head coach. Kudos to you.
BEST LEAD PLAYER IN THE NBA FINALS: The award goes to the player who showed up in EVERY game of the NBA Finals. That player is Chris Bosh. I know Carlos Boozer tried to throw some serious shade on you, but you got the last laugh outperforming him in 3 of the 5 games of the that series. Even when, the media was Big Gulping the LeBron tea and Wade Kool-Aid, you were the only one to hit a game winning shot. You were the the team's best free throw shooter. You weren't the one apart of the peanut gallery mocking Dirk Nowitzki on camera. Your play was never questioned in the fourth quarter in the finals. You showed up and get serious dap from me. You earned your playoff bonus and I can't say the same about everyone else on your team.
Well, that's all for now. Let's all pray tomorrow at church that there will be a NFL and NBA season. Amen...
BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE: This award is going to the person who did best impression of what a NBA player should not do when he is acquired for a championship run> That player is Mike Bibby. He hardly played any defense or consistently made a jump shot to benefit his team. His effort was practically comedic for all its mishaps. The 3 stooges couldn't recreate the sophomoric effort that Bibby gave. Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Bernie Mac couldn't write better jokes than that joke of a season you had.
BEST THEATRICS: This award belongs to the player who makes a foul out of the opposing teams' player sweat drops falling on him. The award goes to Dwyane Wade. I expected more mental toughness out of the former NBA Finals MVP, but I was highly disappointed. Just because Gabrielle Union is your girlfriend does not mean you should bring all the elements of her profession into yours. What happen to leadership qualities to help will your team to victory?? Did they go away when you got the divorce from Siobahn Funches? You're at the post game conference talking that the worlds is happy that the Heat are losing. The world could care less. the world got bills to pay, children to educated, and football games to watch. But, truth be told, I miss 2006 Dwyane Tyrone Wade in the sense of the fact he was fearless. What others said or didn't say had no bearing on how he played. Dwyane played with a controlled choas that constantly gave ESPN moments for the Top 10 plays of the night. But you don't consistently see that anymore. Or maybe Mark Cuban was right on the "phantom calls" you received in 2006 that gave you your repuation of having such machismo. Either way, leave the theatrics to actors those on the TV screens and the stage.
THE SLEEPER AWARD: The award goes to the players that weren't constantly recognize for their team contributions. But if it had not been for their play, the Heat would not have gotten to the NBA Finals. These players are Mario Chalmers and Udonis Haslem. In the beginnning of the season, Mario Chalmers was suppose to be the starting point guard but the acquistition of Mike Bibby changed those plans. But did he disapear? NO! He outplayed his starting counterpart in every round of the playoffs especially in the finals. So, Mario Chalmers, you get major dap for me. I know you're a free agent this summer and Pat Riley has made you the team's top concern. And you should be. Your point guard was stellar in playing sound defense and knocking down timely three point shots when your team desperately needed them.
Udonis Haslem, you were major in the playoffs especially when the team's starting center didn't score in some of the games in the playoffs. Without you, the Heat would have lost against Chicago in the Eastern Conference Finals. By grabbing those necessary rebounds, playing some serious defense and occasionally knocking down your 15-20 jumper, you became a constant around a lot of incinsistenties. Your unselfishess to take a pay cut of 40% is beyond admirable (I couldn't do it) and to be applauded. Major kudos to you as well.
THE MUZZLE AWARD: This award goes to the player who needs President Obama's speechwriter because he should not be allowed to speak from the heart. That player is LeBron James. It started off poor in the press conference/concert/pre-championship parade. The infamous statement of,"We can win not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7..." Are you serious, man? You can't be. This must be a joke. I was waiting for Ashton Kutcher to hop out of the audience talking about we've been punk'd. because that is the only justifiable explanation for such crazy talk before training camp even started. And it ended on such a sour note with you talking to about how people who rooted against you personally have to go back to their ordinary lives and you're going to continue to do you. But, doing you has left you without a ring. Regardless on how tacky Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was on his tweet after Dallas won, he made a valid point on the fact that there are no shortcuts to success. So, swallow all that humble pie you need to buy now and prepare yourself for the next season. I will give a strategy for success and it's called for 4 up's: Get UP, Show UP, Listen UP, and Shut UP. The media cannot miscontrue anything you say if you don't say anything.
MOST HERIOC PERFORMANCE: I almost called this award the Major Call of Duty Award. THere is no need to explain the purpose of this award. It goes to Mike Miller. Regardless if he didn't score consistently, there is no way you can criticize a player is going back and forth from the games to the hospital where his daughter is battling for her life. With Father's Day being tomorrow, you are major in my book. And there is nothing left to say.
THE RODNEY KING AWARD: Rodney King infamously said,"Can't we all just get long?" So, the recipient of this award goes to head coach Erik Spoelstra. He infortunatley was dealt with the task of being ego manager and head coach. In 2009, he was an unknown young coach who got his team to the playoffs and got them to overperformed. In 2010, he placed in a no win position. If they lose, he is not a good coach. If they win, he didn't play a part of it. With the media lurking around, whispering on how Pat Riley should be the head coach instead of Spoelstra. I applaud you for being able to not only keep your cool when the vultures came and doing a bang up job as head coach. Kudos to you.
BEST LEAD PLAYER IN THE NBA FINALS: The award goes to the player who showed up in EVERY game of the NBA Finals. That player is Chris Bosh. I know Carlos Boozer tried to throw some serious shade on you, but you got the last laugh outperforming him in 3 of the 5 games of the that series. Even when, the media was Big Gulping the LeBron tea and Wade Kool-Aid, you were the only one to hit a game winning shot. You were the the team's best free throw shooter. You weren't the one apart of the peanut gallery mocking Dirk Nowitzki on camera. Your play was never questioned in the fourth quarter in the finals. You showed up and get serious dap from me. You earned your playoff bonus and I can't say the same about everyone else on your team.
Well, that's all for now. Let's all pray tomorrow at church that there will be a NFL and NBA season. Amen...
Friday, June 3, 2011
What Game 2 Has Taught Us
Alright, it has been over 12 hours since we saw the collapse of Miami and the comeback of Dallas in Game 2.And for those who thought there was going to be a sweep, how do you like them apples now? I told you there was NOT going to be a sweep. However, we collectively had learned some new things from Game 2 that we did learn from Game 1.
First of all, let's recap what we learned from Game 1 and see how it applied to Game 2:
1. MIAMI'S HALF-COURT OFFENSE IS KINDA TRAGIC
Miami's half-court offense is not kind of tragic. It is tragic. Sometimes, it's downright vile to watch. In the frst of Game 2, they were hitting the most outrageous jump shots with the shot clock expiring without consequence. But the last 7 minutes of the fourth quarter, all of those mind-blogging shots were bricks and wasted possessions. And not to beat a dead dog, Dallas stepped up their defensive intensity which helped their case. For Miami to win at least one of the next 3 games in Dallas, they must use their athleticism to their advantage and continue to push the ball to get easy buckets. Because as we saw in Game 2, half-court offense execution is NOT their forte.
2. DALLAS MUST TAKE CARE OF THE BALL
Dallas turn the ball over 18 times and Miami had 15 steals. From the sounds of this, Miami should have won, right? Wrong. In the last 7 minutes, Dallas committed one turnover and Miami were not able to get points of it. In 3 in a half quarters on this game, it seems as if Dallas was passing the ball to Miami for their own personal highlight reel. Miami had 9 dunks in Game 2 off of Dallas's carelessness with the ball. If Dallas wants to win this series, they cannot bank on late game heroics all the time. Just because you did before does not mean that it should become a habit.
3. THE BENCH ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS ON THE COURT
In Game 1, the Miami bench outscored the Dallas bench 27 to 17 and won. Dallas bench outscored Miami 21 to 11 and Dallas won. I do believe that this will be a trend for the rest of the series.
Okay, now that we have recapped how we learned in Game 1 applied to Game 2, let's discuss what Game 2 has taught us:
1. MIAMI STILL HAS NOT FULLY LEARNED OUT TO CLOSE A GAME OUT.
With 7 miuntes to go in the game, Miami had a 15 point lead and Dallas had to call timeout. After that timeout was called, Dallas only had one more timeout left and even Magic Johnson said that this game is over. But it wasn't, because Miami reverted back to poor habits that had them losing against winning teams when it was decided by less than 5 points. Sure, Miami has veteran players, but together, they are young in term of being a team. If anything, Miami should know that what you do to get a lead is how you keep a lead. And they lost because they were acting as if the game was over when there were 7 minutes left and Dallas has came back on teams in these 2010-11 playoffs. Besides, they ought to be ashamed of themselves for letting dirk hit the game winning shot when they had a foul to give. Now that lack of focus was quite tragic.
2. THE ONLY PERSON THAT CAN STOP DIRK IS DIRK
For about 3 and a half quarters, Shawn Marion was Dallas' offensive stopgap until Dirk decided he wanted to be Dirk. He scored the last 9 points for Dallas to win the game. In previous years, when the game was on the line, Dirk would disappear on both sides of the floor. But not last night, Dirk led the team not only in points but in rebounds as well. He showed up when it matter shooting left handed floaters(yes left handed) and knocking down one go ahead 3 point shot when until Jason Terry left Mario Chalmers wide open. Dirk showed up and there wasn't nobody who could stop him but himself.
3. MIAMI IS WADE'S TEAM
I said Miami is Wade's team. I repeat, MIAMI IS WADE'S TEAM. Out of their Big 3, who has a ring? Dwyane Wade. Who was on Miami before Chris Bosh and LeBron James? Dwyane Wade. Who was a NBA Finals MVP out of that Big 3? Dwyane Tyrone Wade. And Miami is his team. Chris Bosh and LeBron left their teams to join Dwyane on HIS team. He is the one who has gone to the NBA Finals and got a ring. Dwyane was the one in Game 2 making all the right decisions by leading his team in assists and points. He had 36 points by the middle of the fourth quarter and did not touch the ballthe rest the quarter except for the shot clock ending jump shots. Miami is not going to win the series if Dwyane Tyrone Wade is the second option, seriously.
Well, I gotta go for now...
First of all, let's recap what we learned from Game 1 and see how it applied to Game 2:
1. MIAMI'S HALF-COURT OFFENSE IS KINDA TRAGIC
Miami's half-court offense is not kind of tragic. It is tragic. Sometimes, it's downright vile to watch. In the frst of Game 2, they were hitting the most outrageous jump shots with the shot clock expiring without consequence. But the last 7 minutes of the fourth quarter, all of those mind-blogging shots were bricks and wasted possessions. And not to beat a dead dog, Dallas stepped up their defensive intensity which helped their case. For Miami to win at least one of the next 3 games in Dallas, they must use their athleticism to their advantage and continue to push the ball to get easy buckets. Because as we saw in Game 2, half-court offense execution is NOT their forte.
2. DALLAS MUST TAKE CARE OF THE BALL
Dallas turn the ball over 18 times and Miami had 15 steals. From the sounds of this, Miami should have won, right? Wrong. In the last 7 minutes, Dallas committed one turnover and Miami were not able to get points of it. In 3 in a half quarters on this game, it seems as if Dallas was passing the ball to Miami for their own personal highlight reel. Miami had 9 dunks in Game 2 off of Dallas's carelessness with the ball. If Dallas wants to win this series, they cannot bank on late game heroics all the time. Just because you did before does not mean that it should become a habit.
3. THE BENCH ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS ON THE COURT
In Game 1, the Miami bench outscored the Dallas bench 27 to 17 and won. Dallas bench outscored Miami 21 to 11 and Dallas won. I do believe that this will be a trend for the rest of the series.
Okay, now that we have recapped how we learned in Game 1 applied to Game 2, let's discuss what Game 2 has taught us:
1. MIAMI STILL HAS NOT FULLY LEARNED OUT TO CLOSE A GAME OUT.
With 7 miuntes to go in the game, Miami had a 15 point lead and Dallas had to call timeout. After that timeout was called, Dallas only had one more timeout left and even Magic Johnson said that this game is over. But it wasn't, because Miami reverted back to poor habits that had them losing against winning teams when it was decided by less than 5 points. Sure, Miami has veteran players, but together, they are young in term of being a team. If anything, Miami should know that what you do to get a lead is how you keep a lead. And they lost because they were acting as if the game was over when there were 7 minutes left and Dallas has came back on teams in these 2010-11 playoffs. Besides, they ought to be ashamed of themselves for letting dirk hit the game winning shot when they had a foul to give. Now that lack of focus was quite tragic.
2. THE ONLY PERSON THAT CAN STOP DIRK IS DIRK
For about 3 and a half quarters, Shawn Marion was Dallas' offensive stopgap until Dirk decided he wanted to be Dirk. He scored the last 9 points for Dallas to win the game. In previous years, when the game was on the line, Dirk would disappear on both sides of the floor. But not last night, Dirk led the team not only in points but in rebounds as well. He showed up when it matter shooting left handed floaters(yes left handed) and knocking down one go ahead 3 point shot when until Jason Terry left Mario Chalmers wide open. Dirk showed up and there wasn't nobody who could stop him but himself.
3. MIAMI IS WADE'S TEAM
I said Miami is Wade's team. I repeat, MIAMI IS WADE'S TEAM. Out of their Big 3, who has a ring? Dwyane Wade. Who was on Miami before Chris Bosh and LeBron James? Dwyane Wade. Who was a NBA Finals MVP out of that Big 3? Dwyane Tyrone Wade. And Miami is his team. Chris Bosh and LeBron left their teams to join Dwyane on HIS team. He is the one who has gone to the NBA Finals and got a ring. Dwyane was the one in Game 2 making all the right decisions by leading his team in assists and points. He had 36 points by the middle of the fourth quarter and did not touch the ballthe rest the quarter except for the shot clock ending jump shots. Miami is not going to win the series if Dwyane Tyrone Wade is the second option, seriously.
Well, I gotta go for now...
Thursday, June 2, 2011
What We Have Learned From Game 1
All righty, Game 2 of the NBA Finals starts in less than 9 hours(9 EDT) and I'm pretty sure that most of the population who watched that don't believe that there will be a sweep. If you do, you are kind of delusional. Well, I'm going to tell you the 3 things what I've learned:
1. MIAMI HALF-COURT OFEENSE IS SLIGHLY TRAGIC.
I am not trying to mean here, but watching Miami's half-court offense was seriously painful. There is no ease to it, very forceful in delivery in all the wrong ways. It was like having to watch an oral surgeon pulls someone's teeth out without novocaine. They would get the ball across half court and then make one or two passes, but there would be any real execution until the last 10 seconds of the shot almost every single possession. Then, if you are a Miami fan, you're hoping that the jump shot whoever is shooting goes in. It's almost like a little kind watching a scary at the end covering their eyes and then peeking out of one hoping that the outcome is favorable. So, if you're Miami, I would use your athleticism to your adavantage and push the ball on all occasions, because you really lucked up that the wide open shots Dallas took did not fall in their favor.
2. DALLAS MUST TAKE CARE OF THE BALL
Dallas had 12 turnovers and Miami only had 10. 12 turnovers does not sound bad, right? Wrong. Miami is the type of team that capitilizes on turnovers with fast break points. Because if you are Dallas, the best defense is a superb offense that does not turn the ball over since Miami does not consistently push the ball down the floor regardless if it is a make or miss on the other end.
3. THE BENCH ARE REALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS.
The bench is who's going to decide the winner of the series. Miami's bench outscored Dallas' 27-17 which proved to be differnce in the game. It wasn't LeBron going 4-5 from behind the 3 point line, but the 18 points that Mario Chalmers and Mike Miller combined for since Joell Anthony and Mike went scoreless. Miami desperately needs consistent contributions from their bench Mike Bibby has not found his shot after leaving Sacramento and Atlanta and Joell Anthony is much more known for his defensive presence. And Peja Stojakic going scoreless truly does help the Miami defense on one less scorer to account for.
Well, that's all I got so far. Now, if NFL and the players come to an agreement in the next couple weeks, days would be nice, all will be right with the world.
1. MIAMI HALF-COURT OFEENSE IS SLIGHLY TRAGIC.
I am not trying to mean here, but watching Miami's half-court offense was seriously painful. There is no ease to it, very forceful in delivery in all the wrong ways. It was like having to watch an oral surgeon pulls someone's teeth out without novocaine. They would get the ball across half court and then make one or two passes, but there would be any real execution until the last 10 seconds of the shot almost every single possession. Then, if you are a Miami fan, you're hoping that the jump shot whoever is shooting goes in. It's almost like a little kind watching a scary at the end covering their eyes and then peeking out of one hoping that the outcome is favorable. So, if you're Miami, I would use your athleticism to your adavantage and push the ball on all occasions, because you really lucked up that the wide open shots Dallas took did not fall in their favor.
2. DALLAS MUST TAKE CARE OF THE BALL
Dallas had 12 turnovers and Miami only had 10. 12 turnovers does not sound bad, right? Wrong. Miami is the type of team that capitilizes on turnovers with fast break points. Because if you are Dallas, the best defense is a superb offense that does not turn the ball over since Miami does not consistently push the ball down the floor regardless if it is a make or miss on the other end.
3. THE BENCH ARE REALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS.
The bench is who's going to decide the winner of the series. Miami's bench outscored Dallas' 27-17 which proved to be differnce in the game. It wasn't LeBron going 4-5 from behind the 3 point line, but the 18 points that Mario Chalmers and Mike Miller combined for since Joell Anthony and Mike went scoreless. Miami desperately needs consistent contributions from their bench Mike Bibby has not found his shot after leaving Sacramento and Atlanta and Joell Anthony is much more known for his defensive presence. And Peja Stojakic going scoreless truly does help the Miami defense on one less scorer to account for.
Well, that's all I got so far. Now, if NFL and the players come to an agreement in the next couple weeks, days would be nice, all will be right with the world.
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