The Coach Spo Experience

I finally met the coach of my favorite NBA team, the Miami Heat, Coach Erik Spoelstra. Not only I was excited that he is the team's coach, but also because he is a fellow Filipino. I really am proud of him, how he started with the team as a video coordinator guy and climbed up the and took the reins from Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley, the patriarch, the Godfather of the Miami Heat.  Coach Spo, visited the Philippines for the third time already if I'm not mistaken and this time I had the opportunity to really meet the guy courtesy of NBA Philippines.  I actually won a Twitter contest which I get a chance for a Meet and Greet.

It was a once in a lifetime experience for me, as a long time Miami Heat fan.  After the Heat won an epic Finals agianst a great OKC Thunder team, Coach Spo not only came here in the Philippines but he also brought the Larry O'Brien Trophy with him!

I had to really sound like a fanboy here right now, but I really was ecstatic about meeting Coach Spo, a proud Filipino heritage.  Well I just hope when he comes back to the Philippines again, hopefully he could bring with him also not only the NBA Championship trophy, but at least one if not all the Big Three, or better yet, the whole Miami Heat team!  By the way, the Heat is playing a preseason game in China, so I hope that would be a step closer for the team to go here.

Video highlight of his visit here.

I can't wait for the next season to begin. Let's Go Heat!

The King has been Crowned

Now everyone will forget about the Welcome Party video when all three of them came together in South Beach.  Now "Not one...not two...not three..." doesn't sound impossible anymore. All the criticism, the hate, the anger, and the scrutiny even since he "took his talents to South Beach" that mostly self inflicted has somewhat if not completely silenced. They absorbed and learned from the way their first season ended and took those lessons by heart.

This time, it's not all about the Big Three, though they each played their hearts out, this series also features the team's "other guys." Shane Battier's defense and accuracy, Mario Chalmers' confidence, and even Norris Cole's energy,  and then there's Mike Miller incredible game 5 letting it all fly.

But above it all, we are all witnesses of the transformation of Lebron James, as a player and as a man, with all the intense scrutiny ever since that infamous Decision.

Now, LeBron James, the 3-time MVP, is a Champion. King James finally earned the nickname, with probably one of the greatest playoff performances by a player, and thus also grabbing the Finals MVP. James just placed himself officially on the all-time greats.

I am also especially happy for Coach Spo, our kababayan. With nearly every loss comes his head. I salute him for managing a team full of egos and make them a brotherhood. Despite all the accolades of his players, Coach deserves every bit of credit for their success.

18 seasons, now Champion

ARA! NBA FINALS NA!

So the NBA Finals is underway, sorry for a late preview, but I haven't had Internet connection for a time. Game 1, of course, is history as my Miami HEAT withstand the Mavs. But this is how I see the Finals with storyline everywhere with the 2006 Rematch is just a minor plot; Hall of Famers all over, mga veterano naga lagas sg ila una nga Championship rings; and streaks, Dallas' road wins, Miami's unbeaten at home; Dallas' regular season sweep since 2006, Miami's playoff wins against Dallas, basta ka damu lang.

Anyways, I'll break down the series and hopefully indi ako mangin bias. Sa backcourt, I think Dallas has a slight, yes slight, advantage with Kidd and Jason Terry. Indi na sya ang Jason Kidd of old. He may have lost a step but the court vision, the basketball smarts, and the defense is still there, kag isa pa, he is not Ason Kidd anymore because he already has a "J." Jason Terry on the other hand has been terrific, not only he has deadly three, but he can slash and make those extremely tough shots. Terry is the second leading scorer on that Dallas team. On the other side, unless you consider LeBron James as point guard, the HEAT only has Dwyane Wade that can really do damage there. Both Mike Bibby and Mario Chalmers are streaky shooters, especially Bibby who has not been hitting his shots all playoffs. Chalmers however is better defensively and can hit those open threes if he is feeling it (see Game 1). Dwyane Wade, though can dominate games, but recently been struggling with the question of an injured shoulder (which I notice he had been nursing in Game 1).

The front court of both teams is a mystery to me. You see LeBron and Dirk there, probably the two superstars in this series. Either the famous unstoppable one-legged fade away of Dirk or the overall all-around  play of LeBron James, I think it's a toss up between them. Then we see Chris Bosh, the supposed odd-man-out in Miami, but Bosh has been a force through out the playoffs both in Boston and Chicago series. He has been the steadiest and I think him being aggressive could spell good things for the HEAT. With their so-called hole in the middle, the HEAT had been greatly helped with the return of Udonis Haslem. He has been the missing guy. His toughness and hustle is what was lacking the team all season, and he could have picked a better time to return. During the Bulls series, he has been closing out as their center. I see him guarding Nowitski and Bosh sliding to Chandler. Speaking of Chandler, he has been a welcome addition to the Mavs with his defense and athleticism. He could be the factor if he can take advantage of this strengths and expose Miami.

Dallas a deeper bench while Miami rely solely on their Big Three for offense and any contribution from her bench as a plus. Plus I give an advantage to coaching to Rick Carlisle simply because of his savviness and his experience with the Finals. This is not however to put down on our Fil-Am Coach Spo. He has been able to put together some line up here and there and he is a great defensive coach, but with three superstars that can handle themselves, what more can he do?

Okay, as much as I wanted to see Dirk, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, and Peja win their rings, I think they will be disappointed once again by the very same team that denied them 5 years ago. The key I think is Miami's defense. They have three superstars who not only are tremendous offensive players but great defensively too (LeBron in 1st, Wade in 2nd Defensive Teams). Dirk may have his fair share on offense but he will have to work double time in defense which he hadn't done in his previous three series. If he is shut down, though I doubt, who will take the slack? Jason Terry, maybe; Marion, likely. The HEAT has three guys who can take over a game any time, you shut down James, Wade and Bosh is still there and they have proven that.  Plus, remember when they cannot close out games? Well that's ancient history. At the end of the day, the HEAT has three stars, the Mavs has one. Defensively, Miami is one of the league's best in full throttle --  *cough Bulls cough Celtics.*

I pick Miami HEAT in 6 games, but indi ako makibot kung kaya nila matapos in 5. This is going to be an exciting series and I can see a parade in Biscayne Bay again.

Thoughts on a Dull and Disappointing Fight, Pacquiao vs Mosley

Manny Pacquiao dominated Sugar Shane Mosley earlier winning quite a dull 12-round unanimous decision. Mosley got knocked down hard in the third. There are moments in which Shane fought hard, but all night, he was struggling to find his rhythm and clearly showed his disadvantage in speed and power, appeared even out of gas until the end. There's this controversial knockdown call by referee Kenny Bayless on Pacquiao in the 10th round, but replays showed its an obvious push.

What I noticed about the fight though was the crowd. They really voiced out their disappointment of how the fight turned out. I never saw a Pacquiao fight booed; this was booed, really booed. And I think the fight deserved it. The two fighters chit-chatting and giving high fives all through as if I'm watching bromance kinda fight. Manny said his legs might have cramped up during the early stages, maybe third and fourth round and clearly was off the whole night but still dominated. After Mosley was put down in the third it was downhill for him.

Mosley is 39 years old and should be retiring. He has proven himself as an accomplished boxer, even a Hall of Fame career. He don't need a "I-can-still-fight-the-youngins" kinda fights. Stop denying himself. He obviously can't. After two loses from two of the best fighters, and a draw with Mora, he should hang his gloves.

Manny no longer need these fights. I know he wants to fight Mayweather, the people wants it, and anything short of that is unacceptable anymore.

SIDE NOTES:

• What's with the Yellow Gloves?
• Ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. introduces Pacquiao as Fighting Congressman.
• Charice's version of the National Athem was similar to the fight, bland and too safe.
• Mayweather would rather watch Lady Gaga than this.
• Shane Mosley was an expensive sparring partner.
• Paris Hilton wanna hang out with the Pacquaios.
• Mommy Dionisia again for the nth time wants Manny to quit boxing, though he asked for an Hermes bag for a gift.

HEAT VS CELTICS: RIVALRY BORN

It all boils down to this. The most anticipated match-up of the 2011 NBA season, even surpassing the Finals. It may have come too early, but we'll take it.  And that not even adding the numerous subplots behind this series. Will LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have their revenge on the Celtics in the Playoffs? How about Shaq (if ever he can play) playoff return in Miami. I wouldn't even mention the Delonte West controversies.  Ever since James and Bosh came down to South Beach, they know they have to go through Boston to achieve their "...not five, not six, not seven championships."

This semifinals series features more than half of the Eastern Conference All-Stars. I expect a Finals atmosphere with all the hate each team is getting (remember James' return to Cleveland).  Both of these teams preaches defense, and rightfully so, that these two teams belong in the top five in defense in the league. Who has the better defense?  The Celtics are still big even if they traded away Kendrick Perkins.  Yet the Heat have a better defense in the perimeter with James and Wade.

 The Celtics has an upperhand when it comes to experience (even championship experience) add to that the chemistry of their stars playing a lot more longer together. The key for Boston is the play of their point guard, Rajon Rondo, as he is the one steering this old legs. He had a great series against the Knicks, and where Rondo goes, the Celtics go.  I expect one hell of a series; tough, physical, and close.

Will LeBron James gets his revenge on the Celtics in the Playoffs? This is his third series against Boston. How bout Dwyane Wade's team last season? Like Rondo, Chris Bosh has to step up in order to will this team to the promise land. At the start of the season, we all see Bosh the the whipping lad of the team, but as the season progress, Bosh has been the steady force down low for the Heat. He has to take advantage of the front court of the Celtics now that Perkins is in OKC and Shaq is still questionable. I think his match up against Garnett is the key.

Boston may have been old and tired, but last season showed that they are still deadly. Barely finishing the regular season healthy, they cruised through the Playoffs and went on to play the Finals, eventually losing in game 7.

This season, the Celtics won the series, 3-1, with the Celtics winning at an average of 5 points, while the Heat routed them in their last regular season game.  But all of that is history. This is a whole new ballgame. This is the series that everyone is talking about. People are excited to see whose Big Three is better... Let's get it on!!

My pick: Miami in 7

Pac-Man sporting a Bieber

I'll let you decide. Got nothing more to say. 

You know what, I change my mind... Now, they look like twins. No not Bieber.. it's this guy...

Teenage Dream by... er... the Younghusbands???

Okay, so I guess everyone is settling in after the recent victory of the Philippine Azkals against Mongolian Blue Wolves in the AFC.  And I know also that you keeping up with Phil Younghusband's flirting with Angel Locsin.

Now I present you The Younghusband's. (I don't know if they're auditioning for Glee or something)

This is just so gay, WTF!?

BEST PHOTO EVER

KOBE IS SO GAY

Disclaimer: I am not a Kobe fan neither do I hate him, but this photos are effing ridiculous. 

PACQUIAO's MOST IMPROVED SKILL

Teh, indi na ko ya mag sturya about sa away nina Pacqiuao kag Cotto, kay halost tanan or tanan ang nakalantaw kag halos tanan may comentar parte sini. Pero may ara ako na noticed, ang pinaka improved skill ni Pacqiuao. His English.

Daog nya pa si Larry Merchant. In fairness, ang iya sabat on the dot (slightly showbiz). Although, its far far from perfect, but lets give it to the guy. Hamakon mo nakuha nga pa mag plug sg pelikula nya! Maski ako daog nya pa mag English.






OF NOTE: Si Chavit indi gid ya madula sa likod.

SPORTS POLITICKING

Halos tanan cguro nakabati na abot sa insidente nga natabo recently sa PBA involving player-fan altercation. Abi ko tapos na ini nga balita tungod gn sanction na si Wynne Arboleda sg PBA Board - 1 year suspension, plus ang iya mga incentive, etc. Siguro roughly around 2.7M pesos. IMO, daw daw mayu man ang gn himo sg PBA about this issue.

'08 NBA PREDICTIONS by skud

1. Ang Boston Celtics indi maka daug sg 50 games. Ngaa indi? Isa sa big three ma injure some point.
2. Ang ginapakot ko, si Kevin Garnett. Wala ko naka balita nga na na injure sya for quite too long, kag basi machambahan nga subng nga season na matabu kung diin may pinaka dako sya nga chance para mag ka title.
3. Ang Detroit Pistons matapos nga pangatlo sa Central Division, antes sg Chicago kag Cleveland. 4. Ang L.A. Clippers mag kadouble-digit games nubo sa five-hundred antes maka balik si Elton Brand halin sa injury.
5. Ang Philadelphia 76ers ang may pinaka worst nga record sa Eastern Conference.