Farewell, Superman!

A face that will be missed around the league.

(Courtesy: counterkicks.com)

"A grand entrance deserves a grander exit."

When Shaq entered the NBA in 1992, he was one of the guys highly touted to dominate the league for years and years to come. Well, obviousluy, he didn't disappoint fans, the media ,and the whole wide world when he stepped on the hardwood for the first time; 4 NBA Championships, 3 NBA Finals MVP's, 1 Regular season MVP, a one-time Olympic Gold medalist, and other great achievements too many to mention to describe his illustrious career.Truly, one of the best, if not, the best center to play the game (with all due respect toother great centers). He'll be greatly missed.

And most importantly, Shaq will be missed for his, (literally) wide sense of humor.

During his glory days with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers

(Courtesy: Los Angeles Times)

Shaquille O'neal is one of the most colorful and polarizing figures to have ever graced the league. Known for his funny and hilarious quotes and antics, he's been followed around by media, and whenever he speaks, everyone listens. You gave him the microphone, you're definitely gonna hear something that's gonna break you into tears while laughing your a** out. A big guy who has great insights during interviews, he called himself "The Big Aristotle and Hobo Master". He also had a variety of nicknames he used over the years of his basketball supremacy: "Shaq", "The Diesel", "Shaq Fu", "The Big Daddy", "Superman", "The Big Agave", "The Big Cactus (and Shaqtus)" and many more to mention.

While this larger-than-life athlete bears a heart of kid off the court, on the court, he's a destructive and dominant force. He redefined the meaning of "using brute force", but still he has a wide array of moves and tactics that we seldomly saw from the other big men. On his prime, he can score at will, block shots into the stands, could do cross-over like a point guard, can sprint down the court like an olympic runner. The only weakness that this big fella has was the free throw shooting (something he jokingly said he'll "miss" during his retirement speech).

Announcing his retirement.

While being popular for his funny acts, he also drew wide attention for the controversies he's been involved with. During his tenure with the Orlando Magic, O'neal had a power struggle playing under then-coach Brian Hill, his comments towards Yao Ming during the Rockets centers' rookie season, his dispute with Kobe Bryant and also the manage of the Los Angeles Lakers during his stint there, and several other things, but he handled all of it perfectly well. Eventually, years passed, he learned to accept wholeheartedly secondary roles for the team he played for after his Lakers campaign. Been there, done that. that's one thing he said while he had his days with the Heat, Suns, Cavaliers and previously, the Celtics.

Shaq will also be remembered for his rap albums and (he said) award-winning film Kazaam. Even if he became a celebrity in his own right, he gives great importance to education. He just secured his master's degree and now currently working on his Ph.D on human resource development in Barry University in Miami, Florida. He said in an article that: "i'm done with the nicknames. Actually, when i obtain my doctorate, i will not allow people to call me Shaq anymore, either". Asked what will they call him, he said "Dr. O'neal". Even at his exit, he never fails to crack everyone with his humor. His retirement announcement in front of the media press were full of laughs, so, maybe that's one way he wants to be remembered - as a real and touchable person.

It's hard to find a player as dominating as he was on the hardwood, a goof ball at the same time. For the past 19 years, he has been entertaining each and everyone of us and he promised to entertain us again for the next 19 years (he mentioned in his speech that he's open for commentating, whether it's TNT, ESPN, CNN or whatever sports media outlets. Hope you're all listening, hehe..). The Lakers decided to retire his No. 34 jersey, so he'll be in the rafters with all the greats of the league. A surefire Hall-of-Famer, soon as well.

You'll be missed, Shaq (Dr. O'neal in the future). Thanks for an amazing and joyful ride. Been a heck of a career. Farewell.

God bless.

"Superman"

LeBron's Homecoming: The Aftermath

It's been almost six months since the famed "Decision", Lebron James and the Miami Heat arrived in a raucous and wild Quicken Loans Arena, as the Cavaliers faced the Heat for the first time this season. Right from the player's entrance to the court, cascade of boos plagued the atmosphere of the arena. During pre-game warm-ups, the boos are getting louder and louder whenever LeBron touches the ball. They still have the same sentiments and feelings that they had from the day they witnessed the King's announcement on live television to bring his talents to South Beach, Florida.

LeBron James doing his pre-game ritual - the chalk toss - before tip-off.

I just wrote a blog two days ago on how will LeBron respond to the fired-up frenzy of boos and obscene words thrown by the Cavs fans for the entire game. It looks like he handled it very well and delivered one of his best games (yet...) this season, as the Heat strolled to a 118-90 drubbing of the Cavs. He made a triumphant return and tallied 38 points - 24 in the third quarter - grabbed five rebounds and dished out eight assists.

I watched the game from start to finish (it was 3 or 4 in the morning here in Milan. Whaddya expect? I want to witness it live, hehehe..), so i was able to catch up the introductions of players, were LeBron was introduced first among his teammates, and the arena was roaring into the chants of boos, even louder than the earlier ones. Once adored him, now, lashing their fury to their once-beloved son of the city. You can even hear chants, "Akron hates you" - where LeBron grew up, "Remember Game 5?" - pertaining to his mediocre performance against the Boston Celtics during the Eastern Conference Semifinals a few months ago, where they lost by landslide. But the boos turned into cheers when Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was shown on the big screen, heading towards to his seat, still, they were not able to tick LeBron James off. Even Dywane Wade, took all the brunt the Cavs fans are bashing to the, currently, most hated team in the NBA right now.

A fan shouting at LeBron James. Well, this is something expected.

As funny as it seems, this is not how Cleveland pictured his long-awaited return. They were expecting the Cavs to do beating of the Heat, instead, it's the other way around, where the Heat's the one who did the drubbing. Tensions we're at an all-high scale, but the good thing is there's no violence (although i have to admit that it would be fun to see a bit of it.. hehe..) LeBron even did his chalk toss pre-game ritual, in response to the wave of boos from the audience. Maximum security were installed into the whole arena. From entrances, to locker rooms, from every part of the arena, to make sure LeBron is safe and no inteded violence towards him would prevail. Even if it's one of these nights that are memorable in an akward way, still, i give credit to the Cavaliers' fans for being passionate to their team -- on how much they love their team.. You'll never see the same passion like that somewhere else (i guess..). But, one thing Cavs fans (and the organization as well.. Mr. Dan Gilbert, attention please..) should do soon is to forget all the things that happened for the past six months, and focus on what the current Cavs lineup could bring for the city.

When the game started to unravel in the succeeding periods, the loud noise around the arena started to pacify. LeBron was never fazed in the entire game, smiles back whenever profane words struck his ears. Suddenly, the boisterous, furious crowd of the Cavaliers eventually died down and turned the arena into a deafening dead air of disappointment. A moment of silence, indeed. Just like what Reggie Miller said in an article i have read two days ago, "Embrace the hate of the fans."

Overall, the supposed-to-be revenge night for the Cavs fans never even went their way. So, maybe after this one game of letting all of their hatred and anger out, it's the right time to bind themselves and put their focus in the future of the organization. It was a peaceful homecoming for LeBron, who dominated the hardwood last night and left a jarring reminded to the Cavaliers on all they've lost since he left.

Homecoming: LeBron James' return to Cleveland

The Summer of 2010 was one of the most highlighted events in the National Basketball Association's history, 'cause of the fact that it bears one of the deepest free agent pools in modern basketball times. And, obviously, the most prized free agent from the market this year is LeBron James - who held a one-hour television special, "The Decision", where he chose to bring his talents to South Beach, home of the Miami Heat. The team was able to pull-off, maybe, the best free-agent signing (at least for this decade), as James teamed up with Miami star Dwyane Wade and former Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh. Mixed reactions spread across the cyberspace, even from the legends, to name a few: Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, etc. If he made the right decision, that's what we're yet to find out.

Powerhouse-in-the-making? James, Wade and Bosh.

A month after the regular season went underway, there are teams that already are showing signs they're heading to postseason. Others, well, not living up to the hype this past summer analysts talked about, most especially, the team i'm talking about now, the Miami Heat, who (as of this moment), has a 10 win-8 loss record. Not the starting record media and critics are fantasizing about. Even me, i was surprised in their current state right, although i know that it's too early to judge them, 'cause it takes time for a team to know each other and to function altogether, to run on the same wavelength. There has been a wide outspread of hate to the Heat, for the fact that they went into major overhaul and grab three superstars, most especially, James' former team, The Cleveland Cavaliers. From the day that he made the famed "Decision", outpouring of degrading and bashful words were thrown to the labelled "King". Fans from Cleveland felt that they were stabbed in the back and left for dead. Now, almost twenty games this season, i think Cleveland has a lot to say on Miami's disappointong start.

What's wrong with the Miami Heat?

A day from now (i mean, the 2nd of December), LeBron James and Co. are headed to Cleveland, Ohio, to face the Cavaliers for the first time this season. Expect waves of boos around the arena. Once James's home, now, a very hostile Quicken Loans Arena awaits him, entering the heart of the Lion's Den. Tensions could surface during the 48-minute battle, not between the players, i'm talking about LeBron and the fans. On how should LeBron response to the boos he'll hear for the entire game? According to an NBA Legend, LeBron should embrace the hate of the fans. That's what Reggie Miller says, who's had a fair share of bad guy image during his prime with the Indiana Pacers, been rivals with Spike Lee and the New York Knicks from his heydays. A quote from NBA News-AP:

"When you have 20,000 people yelling and screaming at you, four other guys can concentrate on the floor. So every time I touch the basketball and everyone is yelling and chanting and doing things towards me, well four other guys can concentrate. I knew I could concentrate through that and I hope he takes that approach."

So, from this hour onwards, we'll just have to wait and see how will LeBron handle the pressure his former fans will slam to him on his homecoming. On how will he respond? Let's just find out tommorow. Tune in to your televisions tomorrow, to witness history - Where Hating Happens.

Sports Scandals: Darkest Hours

I have read some articles about athletes getting involved in scandals nowadays. Well, one thing about that is, there's nothing new about it. But the thing is, the year has just started, and they've started to unleash hell at the first quarter of the year. Damn.

The world has been buzzing about a megafight between Floyd Mayweather, jr and Manny Pacquiao, to prove who's the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The media and the public was so hyped about the news, but eventually, the negotiations came crashing down because of a Drug Testing dispute. Mayweather's camp insists the Olympic-style drug testing to be administrated by the U.S. Anti-doping Agency. That said, the testing can occur maybe a week before fight night. Pacquiao's camp rejected the idea, saying that this is one of Mayweather's tactics to avoid "fighters who can beat him into a pulp". Well, to give you a short history --- Floyd Mayweather, Jr., has a reputation of choosing fights for money, or, on my opinion, easy fights. Yeah, his record says 40-0, but, who knows if the megafight materialized? But on the contrary, well maybe he can beat Pacquiao --- we don't know. When both camps were not able to reach a deal, both of them looked for good alternatives. Pacquiao's camp made the first move, signing Joshua Clottey as the new opponent for the supposed-to-be-megafight-date on March 13, to be held at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Mayweather's camp is still on negotiations on a Floyd-Mosley fight. But neither of the fight creates the buzz Pac-Floyd ever did. Boxing's chance of a renewed relevance are still up in the air. Now, there are more doubts and suspicions about the use of performance-enhancing drugs of boxers. What will the state athletic commision's action about this?

Another controversy that surrounds the world of boxing is the tampering of the boxing gloves. One of the most notable and unforgettable date for boxing occcured on June 16, 1983. Madison Square Garden. One of the sport's darkest hour. A young, up and coming Billy Collins, Jr., was pitted against the hardworking fighter Luis Resto. Everybody expects Collins to win the fight, giving him the advantage because of his 14-0 record prior to the fight. It was a competitive bout, but, in the succeeding rounds, evidently, it shows that their prediction came into a bust, as Resto pummeled Collins almost all of the 12 rounds scheduled. But during the bout, no one knew that crime has been committed, when Resto went to Collins's corner to thank him for the fight, Collins's dad, Billy Sr., held Resto's hands, then he found out something terribly wrong: the padding of the gloves is missing. Resto's camp denies the allegations, that Resto's trainer, Panama Lewis, said, that it's not not tampered, and its the glove that the New York State Athletic Commission gave them. It went to court, and ruled out that Lewis and Resto, were tried and convicted of assault, conspiracy and criminal possession of a deadly weapon (Resto's fists). They both served 2½ years in prison. Lewis was never allowed again to be in a boxer's corner. Resto never regained his reputation and stopped fighting ever since.

The latest about the glove-tampering is former Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito. He's almost a year suspended now, because of his invovlement of the removal of the glove padding. Before he was suspended, his last two bouts were against Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley, respectively. He crushed Cotto into submission to capture the title. Then his next bout was against Shane Mosley, defending his crown. But even before the bout started, controversy looms around Margarito's camp, as his hands has to be re-wrapped three times for the suspicion of glove tampering. He eventually lost the bout in nine rounds by knockout. After the bout, the Commission checked Margarito's gloves to only find out that the original padding of the gloves are missing. Adding to the shocking revelation, that the padding that was put on Margarito's hands were "wet" and appeared to be "like plaster of Paris", meaning that the wet padding that was covered of bandage is as hard as a concrete. He eventually lost his license and in January 2009, Margarito and his trainer, Javier Capetillo, were suspended by the Califonia State Athletic Commission, even before the hearing date, February 10, 2009. Now, after almost a year of suspension, the disgraced fighter is trying to apply for a new license to take part for the Pacquiao-Clottey event. I know he was involved in an incident last year, but i think it doesn't mean he's not allowed to box again. I think all they need to do is put him on a supervised probation, keep an eye on his every move, for him not to do it again. But for sure, in his return to the ring, there'll be more scrutiny and criticism around the public, somethings that he should expect.

In the basketball scene, earlier this day, Two players were suspended, being convicted of bringing deadly weapons in the workplace. I'm pertaining to Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Critentton of the Washington Wizards, in the NBA. The league found out of that the two mentioned players, brought guns in their locker rooms of the facility, that were, as the commissioner said, is intolerable. Arenas pleaded guilty of a felony gun charge connected to a locker room argument, putting his career in limbo and his freedom in doubt. He'll miss the teams last 50 regular season games, and doubtful to be resigned by the team in the near future. Critentton may have the same faith as Arenas, as he may not be resigned by the time he hit free agency. Arenas didn't appeal the court's decision, citing that "there are no special treatments of his irresponsible behavior". The team felt betrayed, because they said they'll "not allow any players to bring weapons, in a facility were children are watching and expecting players as good models". I never had thought this would have an ugly outcome. Puting your illustrious career in jeopardy in one single mistake, that is avoidable. Now, any merchandise related to Gilbert, including his marketable Agent Zero jersey, were phased out in the market, as the team decided to stop selling those, and removed a big billboard with his picture outside their home stadium in Washington, because of the mess he's involved. The lesson: Think twice before doing something stupid.

The keen, critical eye of the public will keep their eye on this issues. The World of Sports is in deep scrutiny. We're just hoping for a better entertainment, not scandals.

Heading off to Summer... Three years in the making

They had a great run for the title. From 2006 up to this season, they reached the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, yet they always fell short whenever they have the chance win it all. Well, the team i rooted for, the Detroit Pistons, heads off to summer in a disappointing fashion - losing the game that eliminated them - in front of their homecrowd, losing to the Boston Celtics in six games, 89-81, at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan, yesterday.

It all started in 2003, when they reached they Eastern Finals for the first time since 1990 or 1991. Topping the Eastern Conference with a 50+ season wins. They were set to face the current Eastern Conference Champs that time, The New Jersey Nets. A very intense, pulse-pounding series - even if the Pistons never won a single game against the Nets in the East Finals, 4-0. Because the following year, in 2004, they had a breakout season that catapulted them to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1990, And capture the championship in five games against the heavily-favored, superstar-plagued, Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1. I thought that time they can defend the championship for at least two to three years. Well, i hope so much for the team. That one has get me.

In 2005, they have a trip back to the NBA Finals, in a battle for the ages, as the two top defensive teams in the NBA face for the first time in the history of Basketball, going up against the San Antonio Spurs. Losing the series in a heavily-battled Game 7 on the road. I thought they can regain it the following year, thinking there's always a second chance...

So, in 2006, riding their way to the Eastern Finals against the team they've eliminated from the previous year, the Miami Heat - but this time, it's them who got eliminated. As the Heat cruise to the NBA Finals and win it in six games against tha Dallas Mavericks, 4-2.

They headed to the summer with a lot of businesses to settle, signing their free agents especially the heart and soul of the team, Ben Wallace - but unfortunately, The Beast decided not to accept the Pistons offer and signed with the Chicago Bulls. That's one unforgettable event that the whole franchise won't forget for their entire lives - losing one of their most prized possessions unexpectedly. The Core of the team is destroyed, and who knows what the future has in store for them.

In 2007, they had a very colorful season, reaching 60+ wins that season, once again reaching the Eastern Finals for the fifth-straight season against the young and talented Cleveland Cavaliers. The series started with a bang, gaining a commanding 2-0 lead against the Cavs - only to lose the next four games and then again, letting go of the chance once again to reach the NBA Finals and heads back to summer re-thinking of their future with the franchise.

And now, this year, 2008, they have once again conquered the odds to hop back right straight to the Eastern Finals for the sixth straight season, locking up against the new-look Boston Celtics. They fought very hard to win the series, but as everyone expected, they lose the series in six games, 4-2, sinking the Pistons for the third straight year in the East Finals. How disapponting... How sad...

I've just read the blog on their website in Pistons.com, and the team are now clearing their lockers... Maybe, the others, clearing their lockers... for good. I don't know if everyone in the team will be back in the blue,red and white uniform next season, 'cause the management are talking about "major overhaul" for the team's future. I still hope they can still put another great run and win it all again like the last time they've won ity in 2004, those were the happy days... Some happy days to cherish for. Other players on the roster says they'll be back, but nobody really knows what the future holds for them. I hope this summer for them, they've learned a lot from the past three sluggish, disappointing seasons, for them to be able to stand again, fight back, and bring back the glory days for the Detroit Pistons. But for now, they'll be heading for the summer - empty-handed...