Yao Retires

2002 marked the birth of Amare Stoudemire, that year's top rookie. But before the Suns big man came up of the ranks, the highly anticipated arrival of that year's draft top pick pulled every attention there is from Houston to China. For the first time, a recognizable Asian stepped his large snickers on the wooden floor. I'm not talking about Wang Zhi Zhi. 7'6 Yao Ming, the stellar center out of Shanghai took his talents from the CBA into the NBA and made the Houston Rockets look like another contender.

In the middle of the past decade, Yao Ming has been the root and the trunk of the entire Houston Rockets team. He carried them, along side with the great Tracy McGrady, to consecutive playoff appearance which all ended crumbling down their knees. Primarily, because of Yao, the Rockets resurfaced for the first time since Clyde Drexler joined Hakeem Olajuwon in delivering a championship to Houston.

Because of consistent frustrations out of the offseason, many consider the Rockets as a young and growing team whose time may come in the latter part of the decade. Along side their promises, McGrady and Yao has carried the team in B+ seasons. Back then, their feet still contend and are still strong enough to carry the heroes carrying their team.

But in 2007, those strong feet came crumbling down. T-Mac missed many games that could save them to the playoffs and Yao often finds himself in a suit cheering for Chuck Hayes to get back on defense. The promise of another Houston championship dusked that day.

In 2009, the worst took its toll. A hairline fracture prevented Yao from playing for the entire season. That pretty much began Yao's end in the league. Last season, the management gave him 24 minute playing time every other night. Their main focus is to keep Yao healthy. But the giant feet may have fought its final battle. Its strength faded away leaving the foundation of the Houston Rockets decide to announce his early exit from the league last July 8. After 9 seasons of becoming an 8 time all star, and 2 time all NBA second team, Yao Ming emphasized that the Great Wall Of China has an endpoint.

In a matter of 9 years, Yao Ming served as an ambassador for the sport in his home country. He connected the US to China and other parts of Asia. In those 9 years, not only did Yao grabbed tremendous amounts of rebounds, he, most especially, grabbed millions of hearts for being so down to earth... at 7'6.

                                  

"Resurrection" or "Innovation": What's To Be Done with the Dunk Contest

Eight years ago, Michael Jordan played his last all star game. Eight years ago, the Heat big three were drafted. Eight years ago, Jason Kidd contended for the New Jersey Nets who were contenders that time. Eight years ago, the San Antonio Spurs grabbed their second championship and proved that the contenders in New Jersey needs more fuel for the run. Aside from these memorable events, the closure for a legend, the birth of the new bad blood, the hype of careers, and the quest for championships, in 2003 this happened:

 
The All Star Saturday of 2003 capped a wild night in Atlanta which saw the jaw breaking slam dunk slug fest, one of the best there was in the post- Vince Carter era. As you can see, no superman capes, no double boards, no cupcakes, no cars, and yet it made the Philips Arena add more roofs the following day. What is found in the event was plain entertainment, plain action that blew off the Atlanta Hawks' stadium.

The Slam Dunk contest was reborn that year and innovation made its way. By the late 2000's, the use of props in the slam dunk contest somehow made it more entertaining. That is a sure fact. But the use of props, to some people, especially to high flying and body twisting dunkers, is an easy way out to get a 50.

For a long period of time, the 2003 Slam dunk contest was the only slug fest to feature a prop-less and assist- less contest. Only the dunkers and the ball. While many people think that props made it more entertaining, some consider the overshadowing of pure talent. Both sides have points but time controls everything. The innovation and creativity of men who fly are boundless. And we can really never tell what will happen next in the dunk contest. Or maybe, Demar DeRozan, who I honestly think was robbed from this year's contest, needs to join again next year, in the midst of cars, stuffed toys, and triple balls, and cement his legacy by bringing back the talent packed contest that was revolutionized by the league's pillars.   

Dirk Nowitzki's Birthday Special

It's June 19 on the other side of the world, a day remembered because the most dominating Dallas Maverick was born on this day. He's tall, he's white, and most of all he's a champion- no not Brian Cardinal men! For most of us who knows better, it's Dirk Nowitzki's birthday! And it calls for more celebration... I'm taking you to one of his most memorable moments in the league

1998- drafted ninth by the Milwaukee Bucks, he was traded to Dallas where he and Canadian star Steve Nash began the rebuilding of the Texas based troop

2001-2004- The Mavs created their very own big three with Nowitzki, Nash, and Michael Finley. The stage was set for the team to dominate as they showered the post season with power. Ending roughly that they never reached the finals, several moves were set. In 2004, Nowitzki parted ways with best pal Nash who went to Phoenix. Nowitzki then carried the team filled with young guns.

2002-2011- Nowitzki made the All Star team for 10 consecutive years.

2009 West team

2006- Dirk Nowitzki nailed 18 points in the NBA All Star 3 point shootout finals to grab the three point shooting title

2006- The Mavs reached their first NBA finals stint against the Miami heat and had the most frustrating final series loss. They took control of the series at 2-0 but failed to show up for the next four games which the Heat took to win the championship.

2007- Leading his Mavs to a 67-15 regular season record, Dirk won his first NBA Most Valuable Player award, which he received in a press room as a result of a shocking upset from the Golden State Warriors who dump them out of the first round in six games

2011- After 5 years of being haunted by the ghost of 2006, Dirk Nowitzki led a Cinderella run by the Mavs, beating defending champion LA Lakers via sweep in the second round of the playoffs, showing strength by comebacks against the OKC Thunder in the West Finals and ultimately putting an end to the Miami Heat's swagger in the NBA Finals. Dirk was named finals MVP.

With all of these accomplishments by the big German, he may not want anything more for his birthday... But maybe this is something......

but maybe, just maybe... it will never happen

Your TRUE MVP: Happy Fathers Day!

It's Sunday...
Not an ordinary Sunday for waking up at 9am and spending a whole afternoon on TV, Youtube, social networks, and everything that a busy person don't seem to have.

Besides being the Lord's day, this Sunday is for all the fathers out there who works hard for their families fixing cars, baking bread, serving dinner, signing contracts, driving cabs, and even dribbling basketballs. Whatever jobs they do, fathers remain one of the greatest (the other one are moms) super heroes ever!

 

Why the Heatles went out of Tune

the 4th guy... did not have any minutes...

Battle at Bomber

It's more than a Lakers- Celtics showdown....
It's more than Magic taking on Michael...
It's more than Mutombo blocking out Shaq...
It's more than Kobe beating LeBron...
It's more than the Mavs winning...
It's more than everything...

For this is... nothing...

This is....

THE BATTLE AT BOMBER

where this happens....

Saturday, June 18th 7am

Falling Into Proper Places: Three Free Agents That Could Change Everything

It's all said, said, said, said, and finally done! I know that intro is more appropriate for the Miami Heat but it was the Dallas Mavericks who won this year's NBA chip. After all the bugs that crawled the crime scene from the world's elite league, one of the most quiet team, the most underrated, and the predicted-to-be-out-of-first-round team made the critics eat their words and raise their trophy on the most hostile floor.

With that, one of the most controversial season is over. That brings players tear out their ages to add another year to their repertoire and burn another year from their contracts. Some heads back and some do not. To electrify the offseason, here are my own list of names that could shape up the next season (if there's any) in or out of their old jerseys: 


 JR Smith

This guy had done a little bit of "everything of the year" in this play. And that is what JR Smith could do. He is 25 years old, 6'6 and could really fly. Since the departure of New York's finest Carmelo Anthony, Smith has taken over the Denver Nuggets until the OKC Thunder drove them away in the first round of the playoffs. Smith, all the while, always take his athleticism with him, making him one of the strongest guards in the NBA today. If all the forces of the Alps in Denver turn their back on JR Smith, or if he turns his back from the icy caps of his team, he should land somewhere on a team that badly needs a two- guard. That my friends is the the Chicago Bulls. If the Bulls acquire Smith by July, Derrick Rose and his troop will no longer be concerned on how Keith Bogans turns the ball over more than making his points.

Zach Randolph

When Rudy Gay suffered the season ending shoulder injury, hope seemed to dusk out of Memphis Tennessee. That was until Zach Randolph came out of his natural self and became supernatural. He led his Grizzlies in a series win over the west's number one season team, San Antonio Spurs to become a key to the Grizz's first playoffs win. This solid big man with a touch from the perimeter may just be, in all the while, starting with business. Randolph in free agency can still be similar to Carmelo Anthony's standing in New York. They both will not be transferred nor they themselves transfer. The great beginning from the team created around Z-Bo is a sign of the things to come. The Grizzlies management should not let Randolph go now that the boys from Memphis are off to continue what they haven't finished. In addition to power, Rudy Gay got back those shoulders. 

Tyson Chandler

And lastly, the champ Tyson Chandler. He was an answer to the Dallas Mavericks' questions.

 In an interview, Jason terry said that if Chandler had been with them two years back, then the Mavs 

should have won a championship in those two years. Strong words but may as well be true. 

The 28 year old 7'1 giant has lifted the Mavs a little from Nowitzki's shoulder. Should he stay 

with Dallas to fulfill Terry's prophecy at another title run, the road might be rocky from this

 time of year. The Orlando Magic spell may control the negotiations especially now that the 

Dwight Howard latching issue looms. The Magic, if that happens, will forever be 

desperate to land a Tyson Chandler who is as close to Howard in every aspect.

By July, answers will rain and everything will fall... maybe not in their proper places 
but may rather be on where the money is at.