ARTWORK: The Dark Knight(s)

Now this drawing was inevitable given its theme but I didn't think the shoes would go well with Batman's outfit. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that not only did the Zoom Kobe V "Dark Knight" editions look good on the Dark Knight himself, it even looked like it could've been a regualr part of his costume all along.

ARTWORK: Mary Jane Watson

I am a die hard Spider-man fan and I thought what better way to start my basketball shoe-comic book tie-up than with a Mary Jane Watson/Zoom Kobe V "Think Pink" illustration. This is actually the second version of this drawing as my first version made MJ look a little "butch". And it had nothing to do with her wearing basketball shoes...if you know what I mean.

ARTWORK: Dwyane Wade

I drew this during the time Wade was still a free agent and even intentionally left his uniform unfinished until I knew exactly what team he was going to play for next season. Well as you can obviously see, unless you lived under a rock this whole time, Dwyane will continue to be a player for the Miami Heat but will now have a couple of high powered "friends" joining him next season.

Why We Hate The Lebron "Decision"

Bill Simmons, an ESPN writer who answers and publishes his readers' questions, probably has the best explanation why a lot of us hate the fact that Lebron joined forces with Dwyane Wade in Miami.

As for me, I figured out why the LeBron/Wade alliance bothers everyone beyond the irrefutable "Jordan would have wanted to beat Wade, not play with him" argument. In pickup basketball, there's an unwritten rule to keep teams relatively equal to maximize the competitiveness of the games. That's the law. If two players are noticeably better than everyone else, they don't play together, nor would they want to play together. If the two guys have any pride at all -- especially if they play similar positions -- then getting the better of each other trumps any other scenario. They want that test. Joining forces and destroying everyone else would ruin the whole point of having the game. It's like a dad kicking his young son's ass in a driveway one-on-one game. What's the point? When LeBron and Wade effectively said, "Instead of trying to whup each other, let's just crush everyone else" and "If these teams end up being uneven, we're not switching up," everyone who ever played basketball had the same reaction: "I hate guys like that."

So when my wife asked in all sincerity, "What's the big deal if they play together?" I couldn't really explain it to her other than to say, "It's a basketball thing. You just don't do it." Your goal as an alpha dog is to assemble the best team you can and beat the other alpha dogs. There are five alpha dogs right now: LeBron, Wade, Kobe, Howard and Durant. If two ended up on the same team by coincidence -- like Kareem and Magic, Shaq and Kobe, or Michael and Scottie -- that's one thing. That's sports. S--- happens. But willingly deciding that it would be easier to play together than beat one another? Even two weeks later, I can't get over it. LeBron's last two Boston games were a massive disappointment to anyone who truly cares about basketball, but for me, copping out by joining forces with Wade was even worse.

I think this sums it up quite nicely. What do you think?

Competition & Rivalry: A Sign Of The Times?

Lebron James and his decision to join the Miami Heat to partner up with fellow mega superstar Dwyane Wade and current Top 10 player Chris Bosh has sparked a slew of controversy, criticism and debate. And there have been thousands upon thousands of articles trying to dissect this very topic. This article ISN'T going to talk about that. "Nope... 'cause quite honestly aren't we all tired of it?" But what I do want to talk about is a sub-topic that this LBJ-Decision media circus has created. And that is..."Is competition and rivalry in the NBA dead?"


If Michael and Magic played together on the same team instead of against each other in the spirit of competition and rivalry, would people even tune in to watch the NBA Finals every year? (Off the subject but who remembers Magic's signature shoes from Converse? I think they were called the Converse Magic but it's been a while and I'm not exactly sure)

I recently read an article that quoted Michael Jordan saying that if put in a similar position as James he wouldn't have made the same decision.

"There's no way, with hindsight, I would've ever called up Larry [Bird], called up Magic [Johnson] and said, 'Hey, look, let's get together and play on one team,' " Jordan said after playing in a celebrity golf tournament in Nevada. "But that's ... things are different. I can't say that's a bad thing. It's an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys."

Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley have also been quoted on separate occasions, agreeing with Jordan's opinion. So what's wrong with that? Nothing. Just like there's nothing wrong with Lebron James joining the Heat. The opportunity was there, so he took it. Period. End of story. Let's move on.

What irritates me is all this garbage from LBJ supporters in the media who are trying to downplay the MJ, Magic and Barkley criticism by saying that these Hall of Famers lived in a different time when the sport was played under the rule of competition and rivalries.

Huh?

So what did we just see this past June in the NBA Finals? I'd say the "competition" and "rivalry" displayed by the Lakers and Celtics in the Finals matched what MJ, Magic, Bird, Barkley even Jerry West and Bill Russell had back in "their time", wouldn't you agree? And since when did the sport of basketball stop being competitive?


"To be the best, you have to beat the best." If there was no competition to push their limits, would MJ and Larry have been as great as they were?

The word "sports", "competition" and "rivalry" almost always go hand in hand. If you still doubt that statement, let's consult with Merriam-Webster shall we?

Sports - physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively

Competition - the act or process of competing : rivalry: as the effort of two or more parties acting independently to secure the business of a third party by offering the most favorable terms 2 : a contest between rivals; also : one's competitors

Rival - one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess b : one striving for competitive advantage

So saying that MJ and Magic played in a different time where competition and rivalry was the rule just to help relieve a bit of the sting from their criticism of Lebron's decision to join the Miami Heat is a bit of a stretch. So let's put this topic and the rest of the LBJ-Decision topics to bed and let's just wait and see what happens this upcoming NBA season. Because to me, the game of basketball is always going to be about competiton, rivalry and wanting to be the very best. And if that ever changes, then I guarantee that basketball will have one less fan.


How exciting would it have been to watch these two great competitors battle it out for NBA supremacy in their primes? MJ is probably just imparting words of wisdom to a very young but very competitive Kobe Bryant..."Listen here young buck, there may be no 'I' in team but you need an 'I' to WIN!" (I just made that up...he really didn't say that...or did he?)

SHOE REVIEW: Nike Hyperdunk 2010

The much anticipated Nike Hyperdunk 2010 is here! And the question on everyone's mind probably is...was it worth the wait? Given the success of the first Nike Hyperdunk released in 2008, one can't help but wonder what else could Nike do to improve on this already great shoe. Read on to find out...

STYLE

Fans of the first Hyperdunk would probably notice that the ankle area and external counter heel of the 2010 remain relatively unchanged from the 2008 model which isn't really a bad thing since it was a good and functional design to begin with. The use of Flywire continues to be a very prominent design feature however the material used for the upper has changed from the traditional leather to the synthetic "skin" material also found on the Zoom Kobe V. This gives the shoe a variety of finishes and textures (metallic to matte to "croc skin") which adds a bit of "bling". In fact, at first glance, the Hyperdunk 2010 looks like a plainer, high cut version of the Zoom Kobe V. This would definitely score on-the-court style points and is sure to turn a few heads as you run, jump and slash your way on the hardwood. (I couldn't help but stare for a second when I first saw these being worn by a couple of high school basketball players we were scrimmaging against) But the Hyperdunk 2010 isn't as versatile stylistically as the ZKV since I don't believe the shoe could hold itself up as a lifestyle shoe. The height of the cut gives the Hyperdunk 2010 an awkwardness when worn with casual shorts and the lack of texture and materials in the mid and lower part of the shoe isn't enough to stand out when worn with a pair of jeans. All in all, the Hyperdunk is an attractive shoe but needs to be in its element (the basketball court) to truly stand out.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5


The external counter heel and outrigger on the outsole (purple and yellow parts) are just a couple of components that make the Hyperdunk 2010 a superb court performer.

PERFORMANCE

As I had mentioned in the beginning of this review, one may wonder what else Nike could do to this shoe to improve it from its predecessor and the answer can be found by simply wearing it. Not only does the Hyperdunk 2010 share aesthetic design similarities with the Zoom Kobe V but these similarities also transcend to the performance of the shoe. First, the shoe is extremely lightweight which will help reduce player fatigue and at 11.5 ounces it is 2 ounces lighter than the 2008 model. Secondly, unlike other lightweight shoes out in the market, the Hyperdunk 2010 is extremely stable thanks mainly to the external counter heel, 2nd generation Flywire complimented by the synthetic skin and mesh bootie in the upper as well as the herringbone pattern, midfoot shank and outrigger incorporated in the outsole of the shoe. The upper hugs your foot while the outsole provides a stable platform every time you take a step. The fact that the shoe is also a high cut design adds to its stability. Lastly, the zoom air cushioning of the Hyperdunk 2010 is softer than the 2008 model which helps reduce shock to the knees and back. The improved cushioning still allows the player to "feel" the court which is necessary when playing at a competitive level.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5


The herringbone pattern and midfoot shank in the outsole provides the shoe with exceptional traction and stability.

OVERALL

The Nike Hyperdunk 2010 is definitely an improvement from the 2008 model. It is truly a superb on the court performer that can compliment a variety of playing styles. The shoe is lightweight and provides responsive "court feel" for players with an uptempo, "stop-on-a-dime" kind of game but the stability and cushioning of the shoe will benefit players with a back to the basket and "pound-it-inside" game. It may not be the best shoe to wear for a night out on the town (the 2008 model wasn't much of a lifestyle shoe either) but if you are simply looking for one of the best basketball shoes for the purpose of helping improve your "game" on the court then look no further than the Hyperdunk 2010.
Rating: 4 out of 5

Photos courtesy of www.footlockerunlocked.com

The Aftermath: Lebron Joins D-Wade and Bosh in Miami

Now that the dust has settled from the "Free Agency Bomb" Lebron James set off when he decided not to re-sign with Cleveland and "take his talents to South Beach" to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to form the new "Big Three", let's take a look at how I think each free agent on my top 5 list will fare this upcoming NBA season. Let's start with...

1. Dirk Nowitzki - As predicted, he re-signs with Dallas, who in all reality was the only team interested in the Big German. Dirk will continue to put up solid numbers and will keep his team competitive well into the playoffs. Given how the Mavericks have fared in the playoffs in the last four years, he will always have to carry the burden of being labeled a "big stage choker" until he can once again lead "his" team into the finals (they don't necessarily have to win it). They re-signed center Brendan Haywood and acquired Tyson Chandler via trade which should make their frontcourt quite formidable (but nothing close to special) as they try to uproot the Los Angeles Lakers from their Western Conference throne. The real key to the Mavs success is whether Jason Kidd can still play at an elite level and raise the game of Caron Butler who needs to pick up the scoring slack left vacant by Josh Howard.

Prediction: The Mavs will have another solid season with a possible return to the Western Conference finals were they will meet their demise at the hands of the defending champs.

2. Amar'e Stoudemire - It was a sure bet that he would leave the Suns while joining the Knicks was a good calculated guess on my end since NY was the only team, with D'Antoni's offensive system, best suited for Amar'e's game which is all offense, all the time. How will his reconstructed knees and surgically repaired eye hold up during the 5 years of his contract with the Knicks only time will tell. With the addition of Raymond Felton to the line-up, who's no Steve Nash, the Knicks should at least be more entertaining to watch than last year's squad. Will they be competitive in the re-vamped East...well at least they'll be entertaining to watch.

Prediction: The Knicks will miss the playoffs by the slimmest of margins and will probably be one of the top 3 scoring teams in the league and probably the worst defensively. Losing the Lebron sweepstakes really hurt them and is still one top free agent away from being a contender. Will Knicks management be patient enough to wait for the right piece to come along or will they prematurely pull the trigger on a bad acquisition due to pressure from the fading Knicks' fanbase?

3, 4 & 5 - Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade & Lebron James - Chris was a shoe-in to join D-Wade, who also made it clear he was staying, with the Heat. The biggest surprise came when LBJ announced on national television that he was going to leave Cleveland and join the Miami Heat to form what can be labeled as a "Super Team". I was almost sure he would either re-sign with Cleveland, who owned the best record in the NBA last season, or sign with Chicago with their young line-up of stars (along with the addition of former running mate Carlos Boozer) ready to make the primetime with James as their centerpiece. Instead James opted to go to a team that gave him the best opportunity to win a championship.

The Heat arguably have 3 of the top 7 players in the league and will make a strong case to be favored to "win it all" this upcoming NBA season. The eminent signing of sharpshooter Mike Miller further strengthen's this arguement. But signing such big names has left the team with little money to fill significant holes in their roster. Sure, they may have the most talented starting line-up with Mario Chalmers (PG), Wade (SG), Lebron (SF) Bosh (PF) and Haslem (a very undersized C) but what about their bench? Jermaine O'Neal has left to join the other old men in Boston for one final championship run and Derek Fisher who would have been a nice veteran pick up at PG decided to stay with the Lakers. We'll just have to wait and see what Pat Riley has up his sleeve in the coming weeks.

Prediction: Just like the Lebron "Decision", the success of the Heat in the 2010/11 season is hard to predict. It will all fall on how well the pieces (once they have them) fit together to form a "team". But if I had to make a prediction (and I will) the Miami Heat, solely riding on the talents of its Big Three, will jump out and secure the best record in the league 25 games into the season. They'll hit a few bumps and show some signs of weakness before the All-Star break but will regain their stride after a shocking 3 or 4 game losing streak. But the long season will start to wear on the Heat's superstars and teams are adjusting to the Heat's lack of offensive flexibility given that LBJ and D-Wade share similar offensive styles which demand too much of the ball in either of their hands thus limiting the effectiveness of Bosh, exposing the fact that Chris was only an effective scorer when he's the focal point of the team's offense. Defenses play more zone and will dare the Heat to shoot from the outside which will put too much pressure on Miller to perform. At the end of the regular season, the Heat will still have the best record in the league but will have some lingering doubts about their overall effectiveness as a team heading into the playoffs. This will be put to the test against a strong Chicago squad which will push them to the limit before advancing in 7 seven games to the Eastern Conference semifinals. There, the veteran savvy and balanced attack of the Boston Celtics will prove to be a far greater challenge than expected and super teammates (Wade and James) will take turns inefficiently scoring thus isolating the rest of their teammates causing a team meltdown which ends their playoff run.

Of course all of this is speculation and just for the mere fun of trying to predict the fortunes of each of these players and their teams. I do this simply as a fan who is passionate about the sport of basketball. So let's all pull up a seat and enjoy watching all the thrills and drama unfold in this upcoming NBA season...it looks like it'll be a wild one for sure!

NBA Free Agent Destinations...Predictions

I just read an article that the New York Knicks aren't even thinking of a "Plan B" if Lebron James, the most coveted free agent in the market since Kobe Bryant , decides not to change his work address to Madison Square Garden. The Knicks and their fans have invested (suffered) so much the past two seasons to settle for anything less than the King himself. But what are New York's chances compared to the other five cities (Cleveland, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey and Miami) who are ready to make a very strong and convincing pitch for LBJ to sign with them? And what about the other big free agent names such as Wade, Bosh, Stoudemire, Boozer and Johnson to name a few that will possibly be shopping around for a new team to play for?

This is my attempt at predicting what will happen as soon as free agents are allowed to sign with their team of choice on July 8. (Free agents can start talking to teams on July 1 but can't officially sign till the 8th.) There are so many factors to consider so to help simply this process I will limit my analysis on who I consider to be the top 5 free agents this summer and what each team can offer them in terms of max contract, supporting cast and potential to win it all.

5. Dirk Nowitzki - He's opting out of his contract and testing the free agent waters but he's almost a lock to re-sign with Dallas since no one really wants to pay max money for a proven choker (refer to every playoff series and the 2005-06 NBA Finals for more details) except for Mark Cuban whose invested too much on Dirk to just let him walk away for nothing. Sure, Dirk puts up max contract numbers and does try his best, unlike some marquee superstars, to will his team to victory but his "almost" one dimensionality as a player (deadly scorer but at 7 feet he isn't a dominant rebounder or has the defensive skills to stop the opposing team's best player) is too much of a hurdle for just his will to compensate. He'll sign with Dallas and just hope he gets enough of the right pieces for the Mavs to make another run at winning the championship.

4. Amar'e Stoudemire - Amar'e has proven that he is an offensive force to be reckoned with but he also needs a PG that can deliver him the ball in the right spots on the court to be truly effective. He has flashes of brilliance on the defensive end but is too inconsistent to be called a defensive stopper. Teams are also very hesitant to invest a max contract on him due to his health history. The best scenario for Amar'e would be for Phoenix to give him the max contract he desires and then trade him for equal talent that can team up with Nash for one final (or two) run at the Larry O'Brien trophy. If I had to go out on a limb, I predict he won't be back in Phoenix and will either sign or be traded to the Knicks for David Lee which will reunite STAT with Mike D'Antoni. He will then be part of the Knicks' sales pitch to get Lebron to sign and play in New York.


3. Chris Bosh - He's a talented and very athletic big man that can score and play solid "help" defense. He has the ability to change the course of a game if he decides to do so and has shown flashes of this during his career. Is he a franchise player that will lead and carry a team to the promised land? I don't think so but he would definitely be a vital piece to a team's championship puzzle. He's stated that he won't be back in Toronto when the 2010-11 season starts so that narrows down his possible final destination points by one team. Houston is a possible employer but he's also stated his desire to play along side Lebron or Dwyane (or both) to make up one of the most formidable duos (trios - "The Big Three Version 2.0") in the modern game. I predict he'll sign with Miami to team up with Dwyane Wade. Wade is definitely a bigger superstar than Bosh but Dwyane's demeanor won't take too much of the spotlight away from Chris who still wants to be seen as a star player that makes a significant contribution to the success of his team.


2. Dwyane Wade - Even though he's a Chicago native, Dwyane has almost made it clear he plans to re-sign with Miami and Pat Riley who runs the "most loyal organization" in professional basketball. He's currently on a recruitment mission to get another top free agent to move to South Beach with the lure of championship glory right over the horizon. If there are any predictions to be made with Wade, it would be how quickly after July 8 he signs with the Heat and what top talent he attracts to play with him in the upcoming NBA season. There have been talks of Lebron and Bosh teaming up with Wade in Miami which would definitely make the Heat a very, very, VERY big favorite to win the championship as long as they can manage to play together and not let their egos (which is part of why they are so great) get in the way of the ultimate goal. There will need to be sacrifices made in terms of money as well which make this scenario highly unlikely. I predict Dwyane convinces Bosh to join him in Miami.

1. Lebron James - Let's face it, his free agency status and decision on what team he plans to play for next year is what makes this NBA off-season exciting. Wade would have added to the excitement but as stated earlier, all signs point to him re-signing with the Heat. So where will Lebron land? Barring a monumental trade, there are only 6 teams worth mentioning that can afford the King's services. So for the last part of this post, I'll break down the 6 teams from least likely to where I believe LBJ will end up spending the next 5 to 6 years of his career.

Least likely:

New Jersey Nets - Besides Jay-Z (a personal friend of James) and the Russian billionaire who is willing to pay what it takes (there are limitations regardless of how much cash you flaunt) to bring a championship to Brooklyn, I don't believe the Nets have a shot at signing Lebron. The Nets have a decent supporting cast in Brook Lopez, Devin Harris and recently drafted Derrick Favors but are they championship caliber teammates? Sure those guys did well on a team that won a whopping 12 games. I guess they can be best described as "unproven" and that isn't good enough for the King.

Los Angeles Clippers - They probably offer James the best starting line-up of the 6 teams vying for his talent and services. Baron Davis and Eric Gordon is as good as any backcourt duo in the NBA today and are somewhat better than what James had in Cleveland. Chris Kaman gives James an All Star center and Blake Griffin with all his untapped potential is back from injury and is 100% ready to prove that he deserved the no. 1 pick in last year's NBA draft. So why not move to Hollywood? Two reasons, the Clippers are so good at underachieving that they have made losing an art form and James' ego would never allow him to be overshadowed by anyone in the league, especially by a guy named Kobe Bryant who happens to live next door and who currently possesses that thing that James has yet to achieve to cement his greatness in NBA lore, a championship and a Finals MVP.

Possible but not likely:

Miami Heat - No income tax, Florida beaches, "the most loyal organization" in the NBA and a chance to play along side Dwyane Wade...what else could the King want? How about the spotlight...all the time? There wouldn't be enough shots to go around between James and Wade and though Wade's personality may be able to take a back seat to LBJ's ego, Wade has stated numerous times that the American Airlines Arena (where the Heat play their home games) is HIS house and I don't know anyone who would invite a guest over to HIS house and let that guest run and take over the place.

Most likely:

Cleveland Cavaliers - Sure he grew up in Ohio (he loves the fans and the fans love him), played all his high school and the first 7 years of his professional ball here, not to mention the Cavs can offer James the most money and contract length than any other team at a tune of $30 million more and a max 6 year term but Mike Brown is gone (though potentially replaced by a proven coach in Byron Scott), his supporting cast is getting old (the organization will need to show James that they are willing to put together a championship caliber team) and Cleveland doesn't compare to the rich basketball history (and marketability) of a New York or Chicago.

Which bring us to the final two:

The New York Knicks and Donnie Walsh have done everything in their power to get themselves in the best position to sign Lebron James. But this came at a price as they no longer have a solid roster of players that will convince Lebron that he is the missing piece to the franchise's championship puzzle. They do however have a player's coach in Mike D'Antoni who emphasizes a fast paced, high powered offense which is sure to generate loads of excitement and tons of exposure for the Lebron marketing machine. They also have enough salary cap space to sign another big name free agent to team up with Lebron which is, at the very least, intriguing since this was something he never really had in Cleveland. It will all probably come down to the last point and given the uncertainty, Lebron won't wait too long on someone else before he makes his own decision.

This leaves us with the Chicago Bulls who I believe will be the winner of the Lebron James sweepstakes. James is obviously a huge Michael Jordan fan who even tried getting the NBA to retire the # 23 in honor of arguably the greatest basketball player ever. (he's even changing his jersey numer from 23 to 6) So why wouldn't he want to play in Chicago and be seen as the franchise's savior and the second coming of his "Airness"? It wouldn't hurt his shoe's sales for sure. He would of course have to live up to the expectations that MJ set which are obviously high and nothing less than a championship or two would be acceptable. But the Bulls do have a solid roster of players in Derrick Rose (a potential NBA Hall of Famer), Joakim Noah (an All Star in the making ), Luol Deng (a versatile and highly skilled wing player), Taj Gibson (a solid second year man) and enough cap space to sign another big name free agent such as Joe Johnson which may prove to be enough talent to convince James that the Bulls have what it takes to make that leap from contender to champion next year.

NBA Free Agency Sweepstakes

This NBA off season will be an interesting one since there are a number of top talent players testing the free agent waters. Most notable is obviously the King himself Lebron James who will have his pick between staying with the Cavaliers (needs roster improvement), joining the Bulls (willing to try and live up to MJ's legacy), moving in with the Knicks (ready to win?), rubbing elbows with Jay-Z with the Nets (from Russia with love?), chillin' with the Heat (with Wade?) and getting injured with Clippers (seriously?). But James isn't alone as Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar'e Stoudemire, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, Carlos Boozer, and Joe Johnson (to name a few) are looking into signing big time contracts this summer.

As July 1 approaches, I plan to write my predictions on what team each of these players will end up on but before that, I'd like to get your opinion, thoughts and insight on this year's free agency extravaganza! Who will sign with who and will two big names team up to make a run at the Larry O'Brien trophy next year? Sound off!

LAKERS: Back-To-Back NBA Champions!

It didn't exactly happen as I had written where I predicted a dominant Lakers performance that would leave no doubt as to the victor of Game 7 but in the end the Lakers prevailed (as predicted) and are once again champions of the basketball world. My hat's off to the Boston Celtics who proved to be a tough and worthy opponent who fought all the way to the bitter end which only makes this championship that much sweeter.

As gut wrenching and hard fought as it was, the best team with the best player in the league and playing in front of their home crowd came out on top to claim the NBA's ultimate prize. Kobe didn't have a dominating game but "grinded it out" for 23 points and 15 rebounds and simply willed his team to victory. He wins his 5th NBA title and earns his second Finals MVP honor as he continues on his quest to be "The Greatest" (not just of his generation but of all time).

Pau Gasol was instrumental in L.A. winning title #16 as he scored 19 points and grabbed a team high 18 rebounds with half of those coming from the offensive end. KG didn't fade as anticipated and did his best to keep pace with 17 points and 4 blocks. But in the end there was just too much "Boom, boom...Pau!" (Sorry, I couldn't resist)

The supporting cast did their job as well. Lamar rebounded and made clutch plays down the stretch. Sasha was "cool as the other side of the pillow" when he was called off the bench to sink two crucial FTs with 11 seconds left to give the Lakers a 4 point cushion. Shannon and Jordan furiously defended and hustled when they were out on the court. Not to be overlooked, Ron Artest was a huge factor in the Lakers' Game 7 victory. His defense made Paul Pierce work hard for his points which eventually took the Celtics away from their team offense in the 4th which allowed the Lakers to mount their comeback. Ron surprised everyone, maybe even himself, as he was also an offensive force chipping in 20 points and 5 steals. No shot was bigger than the 3 pointer he made with a minute left in the game that would help pacify a furious Celtics rally. We can all thank his psychiatrist!

Good old Mr. Dependable - Derek Fisher once again hits a clutch 3 pointer as the Lakers mounted a "come from behind" rally in the 4th quarter. Phil Jackson is putting any debate to bed on who should be regarded as the greatest coach in NBA history. It's almost safe to say, he IS the greatest coach in NBA history. He's run out of fingers for his championship "bling" as he claims title #11 as a Head Coach.

Fellow Laker fans, let's soak it all up and enjoy this "Back-To-Back" NBA Championship because come training camp in October, it starts all over again...and dare we say it? "Three-peat"!

NBA Finals Game 7: Lakers Victory...Here's Why

The Lakers are simply the better team. It also doesn't hurt to have the best player in the game today on your side.

As predicted, the Lakers came away victorious against the Boston Celtics with a dominant Game 6 performance. Now the question stands at, who will win Game 7 and the 2010 NBA Championship? Given that I am a self admitted “Lakers Fan-For-Life”, it would be VERY biased of me to simply say that the Lakers will be this year’s champion. But there is a very good reason why I believe the Lakers WILL be champions and it’s based on one very simple fact.

Now I can go through a laundry list of reasons why the Lakers will win such as Pau Gasol dominating KG with his wide array of offensive moves around the basket, or Lamar Odom creating match-up problems for Celtics’ big men while continuing to provide solid rebound support, or Andrew Bynum playing all out and using his length to challenge every Celtic shot, or Paul Pierce having to work extra hard to score against Ron Artest’s rejuvenated defense thus taking the rest of the Celtics out of their offensive rhythm, or the Celtics’ bench not getting the emotional energy they thrived on at home thus forcing them to commit unnecessary turnovers and mental errors…the list can go on and on. We can also throw all conspiracy theories out the window at this point because anyone who was going to profit from the series going the distance got their wish and will be reaping the benefits regardless of what team comes out on top. Officiating will still be poor but calls should balance themselves out not giving either team an advantage.

The outcome of this game will be based on one simple fact, similar to what the Celtics enjoyed in 2008; the Lakers will win championship #16 simply because they are the better team with the best player playing in front of their home crowd. Kobe has yet to have a breakout, truly dominant game…yes, he’s already scored 30 or more three times this series but dominating a game isn’t simply about how many points you score – his performance in Games 1 & 6 was close but he’s capable of more. This game probably won’t be as lopsided like with what happened in Boston 2 years ago but the Lakers will dominate and will dominate early leaving no doubt as to the outcome of the game and this year’s NBA Champion.

ARTWORK: Kobe Bryant II

These are illustrations from my Kobe Bryant study from pencilled sketch, to inked drawing, to colored artwork.


Artwork by: Jopet Garcia


Artwork by: Jopet Garcia


Artwork by: Jopet Garcia


Artwork by: Jopet Garcia

The images below are compositions using Photoshop. Coming soon to a t-shirt near you!


Artwork by: Jopet Garcia


Artwork by: Jopet Garcia

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NBA FINALS: 10 Reasons Why The Lakers Will Win Game 6

For Lakers fans (which I am), this is a NBA Finals series that can be best described as a "Finals of Missed Opportunities". If the ball had bounced in our favor along with some crucial calls (and no-calls) gone our way, we would probably be back at the Staples Center for Game 6 with the series lead and a chance to clinch title #16. Heck, we might have already won the championship back in Bean town. But thanks to a few (more like several) mental blunders, some (a lot of) missed free throws, poorly timed turnovers and horrible officiating (don't get me started), the Celtics enjoy a 3 - 2 lead heading into L.A. for a date with their own destiny and title #18. But if I were the Celtic faithful, I wouldn't necessarily start preparing for a Boston street party just yet. If we took a look at the law of percentages along with some speculative logic, the Lakers are almost guaranteed a win in Game 6, forcing the series to go the distance. Here are my 10 reasons why:

10. As good as the Celtics are, the Lakers are still the better team and won't lose 3 games in a row.

9. Even though critics say Los Angelinos are the worst fans in professional sports, the Celtics won't have the crowd energy which they literally fed on to pull off very emotional Game 4 & 5 victories at the Boston TD Garden.

8. The Lakers are back home at the Staples Center and contrary to what others think, the fans will lift up their spirits and boost their energy levels which will give them (especially the Laker bench) that extra special something to help pull off the victory. There's nothing better than the roar of the crowd shouting and screaming words of encouragement to help players forget the pain of injuries which should benefit Andrew Bynum the most and his ailing right knee.

7. The Celtic Leprechauns whose hexes befuddled the referees causing them to make some of the most boneheaded calls in recent Finals history, can't survive in the L.A. heat and will be a non-factor.

6. Ron Artest will figure out how to play defense on Paul Pierce again and Lamar Odom will be a rebounding machine.

5. Pau Gasol will bounce back from a horrible offensive performance in Game 5 and will outplay KG in Game 6 who will once again "disappear" when it counts the most.

4. Free throw shooting will be Rajon Rondo's demise as Laker defenders will get physical and send him to the FT line rather than have him duck, dive and juke his way to the basket for lay-ups or kick-out passes to open perimeter players. He'll start settling for jump shots; though improved will still limit his effectiveness on the court.

3. KryptoNATE, Big Baby and Tony Allen will show why they're not good enough to be starters. 'Sheed will also manage to get himself thrown out of the game.

2. KOBE BRYANT. Unlike Lebron, Kobe's drive, determination and "desire to win" will carry the Lakers to victory.

1. Corporate America. Everyone knows that the Celtics' window of opportunity is closed after this season and we won't see a NBA Finals between these two storied franchises for quite sometime. The playoffs is the NBA's money season and having a classic rivalry go the distance means more drama, which means more television viewers, which means greater media coverage, which means a great deal of exposure for the companies associated to the game as well as their products, which will ultimately lead to a healthy revenue stream just as the fiscal year comes to a close. In Corporate America's eyes, the Lakers need to win Game 6 because there's simply too much money involved if the Finals fail to go the distance. And if I were the Boston Celtics, they're not the kind of fans you want rooting against you.

ARTWORK: Kobe Bryant I

Aside from basketball shoes and the sport itself, I have a great passion for art. I've been drawing for as long as I can remember so you can even say it is my first passion. I would like to one day make this a profession but for now it is still considered a hobby given I make no money off of it...for now.

Below is a series of images of Kobe Bryant that started out as an innocent little doodle one afternoon and its evolution into finished art.


After the doodle, I saw potential in the piece and decided to take it a step further. First, I cleaned up the drawing by using a light pencil (2H) then later a darker pencil (HB) was used to bring out the details.


Then, I used an ink pen to go over the pencilled artwork and erased the rest of the pencil lines to give the drawing a clean look.


Lastly, I went over the drawing with colored markers. Notice how I gave Kobe black shoes with his "Home" uniform? I really liked it when the Bulls did this as soon as the playoffs started and wondered why no one else followed this trend. This is one of the advantages of art, you decide what the picture will look like in the end.


This is just me playing with the images on Photoshop.

I hope you enjoyed my little artwork post. Feel free to leave me a comment. I'd really like to know what you think of it.

I'll try to get more artwork posts up in the very near future.

Spot & Shoot Basketball Tournament (Semifinals)

The stage is set for the semifinal round of the Spot & Shoot Basketball Tournament.

Asia Brewery leads the pack with an unblemished elimination round record after their thrilling victory over the once undefeated Accenture Knights. Team Winyakz and Team Gatorade secured their place in the semifinals with wins over Sports Warehouse and Honda respectively in the quarterfinal round.

Who will come out on top to battle for the coveted Spot & Shoot crown? Will it be #1 and #2 seeds Asia Brewery and Accenture who hold a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis or can Team Winyakz and Team Gatorade pull off an upset and advance to the final round?

Come down to Club 650 in Libis this Saturday, June 5 to find out! We'll see you there!

Check out all the game results and standings in the SPOT & SHOOT INFO page on this site.

How The Lakers Will Win Game 5

Pau Gasol, who lacks the foot speed, would be better off as a weakside or "help" defender while a quicker player like Artest can provide Amar'e enough resistance as they defend the Suns' high pick & roll.

I just watched my beloved Lakers fall to the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals where the series is now tied at two games a piece. The home team has done their job so far in this series and they don't seem to be giving the away team an inch. Game 5 is the most crucial game of the series because a win gives that team the obvious advantage of having a one game cushion or margin of error over their opponent while riding on the positive emotions and momentum of a win from that game. Needless to say, the Lakers have to take care of business at The Staples Center.

In order to get that crucial Game 5 victory, the Lakers need to focus on a few key areas. While I painfully watched the action unfold in Game 4, I saw Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire continuously run high pick & rolls while Laker defenders stood flat footed in "no man's" land which eventually led to an obscenely easy lay-up, FTs for Stoudemire or by chance the Lakers bothered him enough to miss, there was another Sun sneaking in for an offensive rebound. Now if the Laker guard dropped below the screen to help slow down Amar'e's cut to the basket, Nash would simply take a midrange jump shot which he hit successfully. This is obviously the first key to a Lakers victory. KEY 1) Stop the Nash/Stoudemire pick & roll and make Amar'e a jump shooter. They can do this by putting a strong but faster defender on Amar'e as he sets up to give Nash a screen at the top of the key. (Ron Artest comes to mind) Since no Laker defender can deny Amar'e a path to the basket, Artest is quick enough to help on the possible Nash pull up jump shot and strong enough to slow Amar'e's progress to the basket while the Laker bigs (Gasol / Bynum / Odom) can come from the weakside (instead of running behind Amar'e) and create a wall that Amar'e would either have to pass out or take a jump shot. This also puts our best rebounders in position thus preventing 2nd chance opportunities for the Suns.

This leads us to the second key of the game. KEY 2) Lakers need to control the defensive boards. The Suns are still a great open court team with Nash in control and offensive rebounds takes a team out of their defensive assignments which pretty much can resemble a broken or open court type of situation. In the few seconds the Lakers take to get sorted, Nash has already made the quick and intelligent pass to one of his open shooters. Again, this usually comes from the Nash/Stoudemire pick & roll. So if we can hit the first key, accomplishing the second key should be straightforward.

The Laker offense was able to put up 106 points on the Suns zone which I believe is more than enough to beat any team. But these were 106 very hard-fought points. It seemed nothing came easy for the Lakers. The last KEY to a Laker Game 5 victory would be to get easier offensive opportunities. Yes, outside shooting breaks zones because defenders now have to stretch out the zone in order to prevent the open shot. Now what if your outside shooting isn't working for you during the game? You can still stretch out that defense. KEY 3) Play some two man basketball with Kobe in control of the rock. The Triangle is the best offensive system in basketball but playing some basic pick & roll or pick & pop - two man - basketball with Kobe and a good jump shooting big man (Odom / Gasol / Artest / Heck, even Josh Powell) can create some easy offensive opportunities. This will make the Suns defenders think twice whether to stay in their zone or commit to help on KB24. This split second should be enough for Kobe to decide to either drive it in the lane for a lay-up (get fouled to shoot FTs), make a pass to a streaking big man in the paint or calmly kick the ball out to a teammate waiting for an open jumpshot in the weakside.

Much has been said and written about Phoenix's bench. Yes, they bring loads of energy to the game and a frenetic style on the court but they are also opportunistic scorers who can't play effective half court offense. If the Lakers take care of the boards and prevent the Suns defense any transition / outlet opportunities by not settling on long outside shots which can lead to long rebounds, the Phoenix bench will be neutralized. Besides, "if you live by the 3, you die by the 3" and no matter how good you are, the 3 point shot is always going to be a low percentage offensive option. Why do you think they reward you with an extra point? It's just not a consistent way to score.

Of course all of this is easier said than done and it'll be all up to the players on the court and the coaches on the bench to make it all happen. In the end, this is why we watch NBA basketball. It's exciting, it's unpredictable and it's the next best thing to being out there on the court yourself in your own crucial Game 5.

GO LAKERS!

Hoops Challenge Basketball Tournament - Championships

Club 650, Libis - The 2010 Wrigley's Hoops Challenge Basketball Tournament 2nd Conference came to a close on May 22, 2010 by crowning The Admirals and Team Super champions of their respective divisions.

The Admirals outlasted a tough Coach-e team to claim the Division 1 2nd Conference Title, 93 - 91. Mike Pascual earned Finals MVP honors for the Admirals.

Team Super dominated the iBoys on route to a 94-67 victory in the Division 2 finals. Arthur Santillan of Team Super took home the hardware as Finals MVP.

Check out all the game results and pictures in the HOOPS CHALLENGE INFO page on this site.

Local Basketball Tournament Results as of May 16

For the latest standings, results and schedule check out the HOOPS CHALLENGE INFO and SPOT & SHOOT INFO page on this site.

The Air Jordan Collection - Part III

Air Jordan VII

I always thought of this shoe as a refined and sophisticated Air Jordan VI without the aggressive flair. I really can’t say much about this shoe because I don’t remember it being anything but a good basketball shoe though I’m sure the ’92 Trailblazers and the rest of the international basketball world remember this shoe quite well as Michael claimed his second NBA championship and Olympics gold.

Air Jordan VIII

Jordan versus Barkley…Jordan 3 and Barkley 0 (Championships). I like the anti-inversion straps that provided extra support but the “coolness” factor that was very evident in the Air Jordan III, IV, V and IV was starting to fade and it felt like the Air Jordan VII’s popularity was simply riding on the fact that this was Michael Jordan’s signature shoe rather than being a great shoe on its own.

Air Jordan IX

With Michael gone from the game of basketball to pursue his childhood dream of playing baseball, the Air Jordan line could no longer sit pretty atop the athletic shoe world and expect to sell shoes simply because they were linked to MJ. Tinker Hatfield had to step up his game and boy did he! The Japanese-inspired Air Jordan IX brought back the “coolness” factor which once again set the standard in terms of basketball shoe design. I once read a comment from a fellow sneakerhead who said that Air Jordans had a couture-like look (which I agree) and the AJIX had “it”. In the 15th century, the arts and sciences experienced a “Renaissance” and similar to that the Air Jordan line experienced its own “Renaissance” which I believe started with the AJIX. It would’ve been so cool to see MJ rock these on the basketball court though he did wear a pretty sweet cleat version on the baseball field.

Spot & Shoot Basketball Tournament (Week 4)

Accenture versus Honda on May 2, 2010

Accenture, Asia Brewery, Winyakz, Gatorade and Sports Warehouse got crucial wins as week 4 of the Spot & Shoot Basketball Tournament came to a close.

For the latest standings, results and schedule check out the SPOT & SHOOT INFO page on this site.

Hoops Challenge Basketball Tournament (Week 6)

The Stallions and Accenture Knights during quarterfinals action on May 2, 2010.

The stakes have been raised as the playoffs in the Hoops Challenege Basketball Tournament got underway on May 2, 2010.

For the latest standings, results and schedule check out the HOOPS CHALLENGE INFO page on this site.

The Air Jordan Collection - Part II

Air Jordan IV

I remember sitting in class in the 8th grade staring at the brand new pair of white/cement Air Jordan IV’s worn by one of the “cool” 9th graders. Alas, I never knew the joy of owning a pair myself. But as soon as another retro is released, I’ll be first in line to finally show off my very own pair and know how it might have felt like to be a “cool” 9th grader. Oh, I also fondly remember these shoes as the ones Michael wore when he hit the game winning shot over Craig Ehlo and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Air Jordan V

“Is it the shoes?” “No Mars.” “Money, it’s gotta be the shoes!” “Do you know, do you know, do you know?” “Shut up, I’m doin’ a Nike commercial here, shut up!” – Spike Lee aka Mars Blackmon made the best Air Jordan commercials…Bar None! Tinker Hatfield partly drew inspiration from the Mustang WWII fighter plane thus the “flames” on the side of the shoe. I also liked the reflective tongue which effectively brought out the “Jumpman” logo. The Air Jordan V is one of my “Top 5” all time favorite Air Jordans.

Air Jordan VI

“I hate these shoes.” Not because of the design, which is vintage Tinker Hatfield, or because there was a lack of the latest technology from Nike. I hate these shoes simply for the fact that these were Michael Jordan’s shoes when he won his first NBA championship against my beloved Lakers. Ironically, they will release a retro of the Air Jordan VI in, get this...a Lakers colorway. I don’t care if it was 19 years ago but that’s just rubbing salt in an open wound.

Hoops Challenge Basketball Tournament (Week 5)

The Accenture Knights and Gasolink battle it out during Week 5 of the Hoops Challenge Basketball Tournament on April 24, 2010.

For the latest standings, results and schedule check out the HOOPS CHALLENGE INFO page on this site.

Spot & Shoot Basketball Tournament (Week 2 & 3)

Jedrik Ching of Accenture shoots over IBM defenders during their game on April 25, 2010.


IBM's ace H. Vergara drives to the basket as Accenture players defend on April 25, 2010.

For the latest standings, results and schedule check out the SPOT & SHOOT INFO page on this site.

The Air Jordan Collection - Part I

The Air Jordan line is arguably the greatest basketball shoe collection in history, inspired by arguably the greatest basketball player in history.

Before I review the latest Air Jordan in the collection (Air Jordan 2010), I thought a trip down memory lane, along with some of my thoughts and insights, on the previous 24 models would be a fun thing to do.

Air Jordan I

Michael Jordan was initially reluctant to wear the shoe stating that the predominantly red/black/white colorway were “devil colors”. It was rumored that his “Airness” preferred Converse (his 1st Choice) or Adidas over the "Swoosh". We can probably thank Michael’s dad and agent for convincing the then fresh out of college sophomore to sign with Nike since Converse and Adidas didn’t offer anything better. And as MJ set off on his 1st NBA season to rewrite the record books, the Air Jordan I went on to set sales records amidst fines (which Nike gladly paid for) imposed by the NBA for violating the league uniform policy. But despite all the initial success, Nike (and the Air Jordan brand) wasn’t out of the woods just yet…

Air Jordan II

Michael Jordan claimed his first slam dunk crown wearing the Air Jordan II’s but it did little to prevent him from seriously thinking about leaving Nike for good. The Air Jordan II was the first shoe not to use the “Swoosh” logo. Instead, a “Wings” Air Jordan logo was used but the shoe wasn’t received favorably by the general public and sales of the AJII suffered.

Air Jordan III

Enter Tinker Hatfield. He can probably be attributed to saving the Air Jordan from extinction while at the same time bringing it to iconic status. Tinker involved Michael in the design process (something not commonly practiced at the time) and what they came up with was nothing short of ground breaking. Two words…”Elephant Print". Michael rededicated himself to Nike, won his second slam dunk title and sales of the AJIII went through the roof.