Cramped Up Mind

It's been so long since my last blog. Anyways, so much as happened since. I have lost 15 pounds, my hair is now natural and Antoine has gotten so big. Earthquake in Haiti, man so close to home...Oh and Obama has been vey and PM Bruce Golding is getting on every Jamaicans nerves. There is so much to say and you know me there is always something on my mind.

Just think what America can do to us if our Prime Minister don't hand over Dudus...Boy, Bruce is stuck betwwen a rock and a hard place...I feel your pain but I can't help you.

As bad as America may be ya'll know I will always love my basketball. It's the NBA Playoffs and things are looking pretty decent so far. Miami down 3-0 to Boston..boooooo...I am not a Celtics fan so come Miami bring on some Heat. Cleveland look to have their series lock but I wouldn't count off the Bulls just yet. Denver a bit disappointing but it's not over. All season long San Antonio seems so out of sync but if I were Dallas I would be a bit worried (just a bit..for now that is). Brandon Roy just fresh out of surgery and back on the court like "what injury". The Thunders those young guys are bringing it to the defending Champs...can they take the series? I don't think so but then again this is the NBA where amazing happens and anything is possible. Oh and Orlando look to sweep the new comers Bobcats and Atlanta have their eyes set on the second round. So much to say with so little time.

Lakers Takes A 2-0 Lead

I as much a fan of Dwight Howard as I am of Kobe, Lebron, Wade and the other guys. His game brings back memories of Shaq in his early days and as he evolves he will no doubt in my mind become just as dominant as the big guys before him. The question still remains:Can he lead the Magic to an NBA Title? Sure he is surrounded by the likes of Hedo Turkuglu, Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson and so on, but do they have what it takes to come back from a 0-2 deficit to win the title. Ask this question a year from now and I think my answer will be yes. Not this year, why you might ask...and my answer is Kobe is hungrier this year than any other year. You see Kobe is at that stage of his career when retirement comes knocking and he wants to prove to the basketball world that he can win a title without Shaq. The Lakers have found a way to control Dwight in the paint, but somehow the Magics are yet to find and answer for Kobe. The problem for the Magics too is that Kobe's role players are playing great basketball as well. In the overtime win last night Pau Gasol stepped up and along with Kobe spoils the Magics Game 2 comeback and they might just spoils the Magics chance of winning a title. Lakers have what it takes to sweep the series. Magics will be looking to come back at home, we'll just have to wait and see......

My Mind Wondering Again

Today is a sad day for me. The account/program that I work on is closing. I am sad because I will no longer will be working with the guys. We get on each other nerves but it was fun while it last. I am going to miss them....sniff. Tracy, my manager, I have worked with her for 3 years and 5 months and we have been through so much and I hate the fact that we will part. She have though me so much. I guess we all have to go through something like this once in a while. Now I am faced with waiting to see what will become of my services with the company. With the current situation the economy is in I can't afford to be out of a job. Well I have to just sit and await my verdict. I have to just trust all will work out for the best. The best to way to wait is to occupy my mind with something else.

Let's see what's on this wondering mind of mine. Antoine is getting bigger and he is more active than ever. Last week while I was on vacation he was in the yard playing. I heard him say "mark, go, run, run, run" and was running like crazy. I told him to stop the running, but that just fell on deaf ears and off he went. The outcome, he fell and hit his head and cut the top of his left eye. I don't know if he thinks he is Usain Bolt or Asafa Powell, cause that little boy refuse to walk. I also showed him how to turn on and take pictures with the digital camera....big mistake. Now he is take pictures of everything....which is a all a blurr. I got a laptop and showed him how to turn it on and you can only guess how that's going. He even knows how to turn on the DVD player and put in the DVD. He is a fast learner. I always teach him how to turn them on and then tell him not to touch them.....poor me.

Last night Carmelo Anthony and his Denver Nuggets took Game 2, now the light at the tunnel gets brighter. The question still remains can they make it to the Finals? They are proving to be a force to be reckon with. Carmelo have waited so long for this and I just know he won't disappoint. Cleveland took a 1-0 lead over Atlanta behind the raining MVP King James 34 points and 10 rebound. I have been saying I want a Lakers/Cavs finals but I wouldn't be too disappointed if it turns into Cavs/Nuggets finals. I don't think Melo gets as much props, but he is showing his stuff and it looks good. Can the Lakers even the series? Kobe won't roll over so easily I know that much. Can Orlando surprise Boston by taking game 2? I wonder in which direction the tables will turn.

Joe Johnson

Joe Johnson happens to be one of the most underrated players in the league. Maybe it's because he is so quiet. He is a very effective player even though his game does not consist of a lot flair like his counterparts. His combination of outside shooting and ball handling skill makes him tough to guard. Because of that his opponents are forced to play him close which opens the lane and he has the size and strength to finish plays. He is an excellent catch and shoot guy, but did not get enough chances to utilize that due to the mere fact that most of Atlanta's offense was created through him. But all that changed since Mike Bibby was traded to the Hawks. Johnson is a 3 times All-Star and even though not considered a superstar is a solid defender who has the ability to play several positions. In 2007 he became the first Atlanta Hawks player to be named to the All-Star Games since Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 2002 when he was named a reserves replacement for Jason Kidd by Commissioner David Stern. He is said be the best all round player for the Hawk since Dominique Wilkins. In 2004-05 he became the 4th player in NBA history to make at least 150 three-point field goals and shoot over 45 percent from behind the arc in the same season (others — Glen Rice in 1996-97, Dana Barros in 1994-95 and Dale Ellis in 1988-89). He was a member of Team USA's Men's Senior National Team in 2006. Averaging 17.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assist in his career makes Joe Johnson a very effective and stable player in the league. But all that goes unnoticed. While I love the hype that Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Shaq, etc generates I also pay attention to the simpler players who just love to play the game of basketball. I chose to post about Joe Johnson cause he is a good basketball player and I like to watch him play. Sure, he won't give you theatrical shots like Wade but he can hold his own. Like Delonte West he is underrated but they don't let that affect their games and that's basketball.

All-Stars Fever

This is my favorite time of the NBA season....All-Stars. I love All-stars weekend because I get to see the stars in action. But my favorite is the Slam Dunk competition. I am always at the end of seat waiting to see what skills will be displayed. In all my years of watching the Slam Dunk I always say that 2000 was my favorite the year Vince Carter won. But last year became my favorite when Dwight Howard break out his superman stunt.....that was incredible. I can't wait to see what he have in store for the year, but I am sure it will be explosive and mind bubbling. I am also a fan of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge cause I get to see the Rookies and Sophomores strut their stuff without the veterans. Then the big day All-star game.....what can I say who wouldn't want to see the top players in the league on one team. I can't wait plus Nene the Brazilian superstar for the Denver Nuggets will get married on All-star weekend....how cool is that. Chris Webber on NBA TV Fan Night said that it would be great to have him kiss the bride at the Slam Dunk competition while Dwight Howard dunk over them......ummmm.....that's far fetch but think about it.....that will be taking slam dunk to higher heights. Rudy Fernandez join defending champion Dwight Howard, 2006 champion Nate Robinson and Rudy Gay becoming the first international player to compete in the contest. I wonder what they have plan for us this year......will they be able to top last year's performance......we'll have to wait and see.

Here are the 2009 All-stars Game starter and a just a few reasons why they are All-stars. These guys get it done season after seasons. They are also the go to guys on their respected teams and are known as some of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball. Some are coming to the end of their careers while some are just getting started.

Eastern Conference Starters

Detroit Pistons Allen Iverson 13th season in the league with his 10th All-star appearance and 2 times All-star MVP (2001, 2005), 1997 rookie of the year, 4 time scoring champion, led the league in scoring and steal 2 straight season (2000-01, 2001-02) the only player since Micheal Jordan to do so, 2001 League MVP (becoming the lightest and shortest player to win an NBA MVP)


Miami Heat Dwyane Wade 6th season with his 5th All-star appearance, 2008 Olympics gold medalist, 2006 NBA champion, 2006 NBA Finals MVP, 2006 sportsman of the year, NBA All-star Skill Challenge champion (2006, 2007)


Cleveland Cavaliers Lebron James 6th season in his 5th All-star appearance, 2 times All-star MVP (2006, 2008), 2008 Olympics gold medalist, 2003-04 rookie of the year, youngest player in NBA history to reach the 5,000-point plateau, the second player in NBA history (Oscar Robertson the first) to post 4 consecutive season of 27 points, 6 rebound and 6 assist, he is also 1 of 3 players in the last 20 season to lead the league in scoring and average 7 or more assist (Micheal Jordan 1988-89, Allen Iverson 2004-05), 2008 scoring champion


Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett 14th season 12th All-star appearance, 1st All-star starter in Minnesota Timberwolves franchise history, also the Timberwolves all-time leader in points, rebounds, assist, steals and blocks, 2003 All-star MVP, League MVP (2003-04) the second player drafted out of high school since Moses Malone (1979) to win, 2007-08 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and he also joins Larry Bird as only players in NBA history with six consecutive seasons averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists


Orlando Magic Dwight Howard 5th season 3rd appearance, this year leading vote getter he became the 1st player to crack the 3 million-vote ceiling (passing Yao Ming 2,558,278 in 2005), 2008 Slam dunk champion, 2008 Olympics gold medalist, also 3rd high school senior selected with the first overall pick (Kwame Brown, Lebron James), youngest player in NBA history to reach 4000 rebounds, youngest player in NBA history to average a double-double, youngest player in NBA history to record 20 rebounds in 1 game, youngest player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding (2007-08), hold the highest percentage in field goal in All-star Game history (.810 - 17 field goals made from 21 attempts)

Western Conference Starters

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant 13th season 11th All-star appearance, 2008 Olympics gold medalist, 2 times All-star MVP (2002, 2007), 3 times NBA champion, 2007-08 League's MVP, the youngest player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points barrier (12/23/07 vs Knicks), 1 of 3 active players with at least 20,000 points (Shaquille Oneal, Allen Iverson), hold the record for the 2nd highest total points in NBA history (81 points vs Raptors 1/22/06), also the youngest All-star in NBA history to post a team high 18 points and 6 rebounds in 1998 All-stars Game


New Orleans Hornets Chris Paul 4th season 2nd All-star appearance, 2008 Olympics gold medalist, 2007-08 ranked 1st in assist and steals (first player since John Stockton 1991-92 to lead league in those categories), 2005-06 rookie of the year, 1st player in the last 15 seasons to average 20+ points and 10+ assists per game, 4th player in All-star Game history to reach 14+ points and 14+ assists, hold the league's record with 108 consecutive games with a least 1 steal (12/23/08)


San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan 12th season 11th All-star appearance, 4 times NBA champion, 3 times NBA Finals MVP ( 1999, 2003, 2005) joining Magic Johnson, Micheal Jordan and Shaquille Oneal as the only players to do so, 2 times League's MVP (2002, 2003), 1998 rookie of the year


Phoenix Suns Amare Stoudamire 6th season 3rd All-star appearance, 2003 rookie of the year, 2004 2004 Rookie Challenge MVP, 2007 All-NBA 1st team


Houston Rockets Yao Ming 7th season 6th All-star appearance, the 14th rookie selected to start in the All-star game and the first since Grant Hill (1995), 1st No. 1 pick to come from an international basketball league (2002), currently the tallest player in the NBA at 7 feet 6 inches

The Celtics Struggling and the Magic on the Rise

Going into Sunday's game the Orlando Magic was the only team in the league to have not won a season series against the San Antonio Spurs. They have now won both meeting which is a sure sign of their growth and maturity. They are playing great basketball and is in second place in the Eastern Conference and 3 overall ahead of the defending champions Boston Celtics. They putted up 14 3-pointers as they were knocking them down and made Tony Parker 31 points looked like he was not in the game. It was a Playoff atmosphere in the AT&T Center as both teams was trading points. There was 29 lead changes and 18 ties but in the end the Magic overcome and beat the Spurs 105-98.

The Lakers beat the Heat by 3 points. In their last meeting a buzzer beater by Dwyane Wade gave the Heat the win over the Western leaders. But on Sunday it was a close game as it was a Bynum tip in off a Kobe miss with 18 seconds to go that sealed the Lakers win.

The Celtics 6 points win over the Toronto Raptors end a 4 games skid for the defending champs. The Celtics kicked off the season with a 19-0 runs which came to an end versus the Lakers on Christmas day, since then they have loss 7 of their last 9 games.

Lakers Showing UP

Just six months ago the Celtics taught the Lakers a lesson by coming back from a 20 points deficit to win Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals. All talks about Kobe being like Mike came to a halt, people were beginning to doubt his ability. I mean how can you doubt the skill of 10 times All-Star, All-star MVP, 3 times NBA Champion, League's MVP, All-NBA First Team and All Defensive First Team, I mean he got skills on top skills. But then again people have a mine of the own and they choose who they want to support and who they don't want to support. Anyways, the Christmas rivalry was always a big hit and the Lakers and Celtics are no strangers to this big day's event. As a matter of fact the match was well over anticipated after the Celtics won the Championship. I held my breath throughout the game even though the Lakers had a lead throughout the game it was not a big enough a lead to keep the Celtics out of it. Remember they had let them back in the game in the Finals but this time they stood their course and grind it out. The Celtics on the other hand....well from my stand point....did not bring their A game, maybe they though it would be as easy as it was in the Finals. Well if that was the case they thought wrong cause Kobe and his troops came to play. Kobe got it going from the get go the jumpers were right on target. Everyone stepped up and play, defensively they could have done a better job, but they got the job done in the end. They put an end the fourth longest winning streak in the NBA.

The Hornets were not so lucky as they were railroad by Dwight Howard and the Magic 68-88. Maybe they were blind sighted by that all those Superman t-shirt as the Magic theme for the game was Superman in honor of D12(Dwight Howard) or maybe CP3(Chris Paul) was stage fright playing on Christmas because he was held to just 12 points and 4 assist and marked he did not get a steal ending his 108 consecutive games with a steal. Lebron James and the Cavs rallied back to take the win over the Wizards 93-89. San Antonio Spurs are right back in the mix of things after getting off to a slow start they are now second best in the West. They took on the Suns and with 4 seconds to go in the 4th quarter Roger Mason hit a 3 pointer off a Tony Parker assist to give the Spur a 1 point victory over the Suns. Dallas on the shoulders of Dirk Nowitzki and a strong backcourt led the Mavs 102-94 win over the Portland Trailblazers after Josh Howard was ejected from the games with a Flagrant foul with a little under 5 minutes in the 3rd quarter.

76ers Stacking up

First it was Elton Brand, now Philadelphia 76ers is adding 17 years veteran Donyell Marshall to their rooster. Marshall played for 7 different teams in the NBA now with the 76ers being the 8th. He was drafted by the Timberwolves in 1994 out of the University of Connecticut, when he was traded mid-season to the Warriors where he did 5 seasons, from there he just bounced around the League. He did 2 seasons with the Jazz, Bulls and Raptors, then 3 seasons with Cleveland and last season with the SuperSonics. Now he will be in Philly where he will again prove his value in the League. His outside shooting has always been phenomenal. His ability to stretch the defense has proven effective. Marshall who is a native of Reading Pennyslvania will have no worries settling in Philly.

The 76ers will prove effective with Marshall occupying the perimeter, Elton Brand ability to post up, Andre Miller with his passing skills, Samuel Dalembert presence to clean up around the basket and Andre Iguodala doing what he does best they will be Playoffs contenders.

GO..........................LD!!!!!!

We are in it to win it. Veronica Campbell-Brown defended her title in the 200m sprint and Kerron Stewart 100m Silver Medalist took the Bronze. It is a glorious glorious time in Jamaica's history. I am proud to be a Jamaican and we have been the best and now we prove it that we are still the best. Our time has come to show non-believers that we are and still will be the best of the best.

4x100m both men and women drop the batton for America, but you know what they say someone has to fall for another to rise. Over the years we have booted by the Americans and for too long we have been in their shadows. Now it's the other way around, now they know what it is like to be on the back burner. I guess we had them so worried. In Athens 2004 the ladies fail to pass the batton and now they drop it not once but twice....oops butter fingers. Soup, soup, pressure, pressure.

By di way the whola wi need fi back offa Asafa. It's not easy loosing 2 brothers in 1 year and then having your father shot. No it's not easy at all. So lef di man and mek im prosper.

Sherone she had a bad lane, but ran with all her might. I am still proud of her and don't forget she already gave us a silver.........unno too licky licky.

Maurice Wignall and Richard Phillips did their best and only your best is good enough. Disappointed....yes, but I am still proud.

We have been waiting for this for years and now it's finally here. Jamaica's only problem is crime. We have some of the most talented, loving people in the world. Have you ever notice that no flag have our colour or our design, every flag has the colour red, blue or white and strips but none shape like ours and none have the colour black, green and gold. We are the best and the sooner we recognize it the better.

I AM A PROUD JAMAICAN!!!!!!!!!
JAMAICA LAND OF BEAUTY, JAMAICA LAND WE LOVE.

NBA Off-Season

Who will win Rookie of the year? My bet is on Michael Beasley of the Miami Heats who has a big upside for the Heats. Other guys like Derrick Rose or O.J Mayo could give him a run for it.

Will the Celtics repeat? Well for one they are looking to add more depth to their bench and is said to be in talks with Corey Maggette.

How will the Knicks fix their problem? After last year's disaster they decided that it was time for a change, starting by getting rid of Isiah Thomas and replacing him with Mike D'Antoni (who I might add had great success with the Suns). They also sign Chris Duhon which I think will signify the end of Stephon Marbury. Their next move is to let Jerome James, Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph go.

Will Kobe demand another trade? Last summer Kobe got sick of being a one man show and demanded to be traded. Well nothing came of it but instead of being a cry baby he showed why he is one the best by copping the MVP. I think he will remain with the Lakers next season.

Preparation for 2010? In anticipation for 2010 many Teams are already working diligently to get under the salary cap. By then Lebron James will be an unrestricted free agent and the Cavaliers will be working to avoid that. According to rumors LeBron will not resigned with Cleveland. LeBron has a desire to play in the big city, the Mecca of basketball so New York could be his first choice or he will choose the Nets due to his close friendship with Nets shareholder Hip Hop sensation Jay-Z.

New York Knicks

Can they get better? I don't know. One of the league's hottest team in the early years and 1 of 2 teams still in their original cities (Boston being the Second). They made it to the Finals 3 times in the 1950's, won the Title 2 times in the 70's and try for the Title 2 times in the 90's, now they are lucky if they get to the Playoffs......what a shame. Last season they were 23-59 well that was better than Miami who was the 2006 Champion (15-67).

Now that they have Elton Brand will that be enough to revive one of the oldest teams in the NBA. I don't think so, but I will be watching to see what happens......no doubt.

Reggae Boyz

1998 we made it to the World Cup for the first time in history, wow. I never knew much about football(soccer) at the time, I didn't even knew we had a football team....how sick is that. With fresh talent and the help of Reno Simoes we made it. The Boyz did not go all the way but I was so proud of them, you know they took us to a place we have never been and all Jamaica was with them. But the JFF did not see it that way they fired Simoes. Well, disaster shook in 2002, the Boyz were playing for international clubs and making money and the chemistry and eagerness to win was not there and we didn't even come close. Same saga in 2006.

Rene Simoes is back for 2010 and he did what he did for 1998 get some fresh meat. I hope they can fine the chemistry and bring us back to the World Cup.