Are you in the game?!

Patt Riley, the players and management, and most of all the fans could no longer sing the song, “the Heat is on… the Heat is o-on!” After winning the 2006 NBA crown and a good run in the 2006 season, the Heat now faces its worse standing since the Wade and Shaq tandemn came in. The heat holds the league’s 2nd worse record at 8 wins - 26 losses for a percentage of 0.235. Thanks to the crazyness of the Wolves for letting go of KG, the Wolves now holds the worse record in the NBA.

This post is depressing for me because I am a Heat fan, particularly a D. Wade fan! I admired him the most during the 2005 finals when they were up against Dallas. D. Wade, “The Flash” really showed his stuff and carried the team to the crown. I wasn’t surprised and bothered when the team traded James Posey and other guys during the off-season. I was thinking that as long as D. Wade, Shaq, and Alonzo Mourning (yes, his the 3rd man for me!), the Heat will still be a contender. Unfortunately, Wade didn’t play in their opening games due to injury and I think the bad start really struck Miami. Now with Wade back, Shaq is the one sidelined with injury and other guys are not playing as well as they should be. I would especially mention Jason Williams, the “former” deadly shooter, skip-passer, and deadly finisher is dismaying!

I would also like to comment on the team’s offensive strategies. Everytime I check out their boxscorse of their games in NBA, it is very noticable that Shaq has very few attempts in most of their games. I would say he roughly averages 10 field goal attempts in about 25-30 minutes of playing time! I think this is not a good sign for the Heat’s offense. Despite Shaq’s age and all the issues, I think he still has the Diesel in him, the power, the moves, and the smarts to get to the ring dunking baskets, or end up trying from the free throw line. Shaquille is still a threat down low. He can still get guys in foul trouble and make a couple of three-point plays down low.

Miami will never be a contender with Shaq only having 10 attempts per game. The Heat should not settle for outside shots. Their play must start at the post wil O’neal or Zo, then from double teams, kick-out plays may come for their shooters. Remember that the Heat was very effective playing this type of ball game. James Posey, Antoine Walker, Jason Williams made a living beyond the arc out of the drive-and-dish plays of Wade and the kick-out passes of Shaq from the post.

During the last week of December, 2007, Kyle Korver became a member of the Utah Jazz in exchange for Gordan Giricek and a conditional first round draft pick in next year’s draft. Based on my readings, the Jazz was the one who initiated the trade. I wonder why the Sixers grabbed the offer considering that Korver has been their only consistent threat from the outside ever since he came to the Sixers. Korver was around 40% from the 3-point arc last season and through time, he has improved as an all around player including on the defensive end.

I think the trade definitely favors the Jazz. With Korver, the Jazz now have a formidable three-point shooter. Boozer can exploit more on the inside because the defense will have to extend out on Korver. Kick-out plays to Korver will always be present every for sure. Korver will join Okur and Williams in playing beyond the arc. The Sixers on the other hand, might see the fruit of this trade by the time they make a good move on their draft rights gained from Utah. For now, Philidelphia is a “so so” team. I feel Andre Iguodola isn’t that ripe yet to carry a team on his young shoulders. Andre Miller also isn’t really the type of player who can lead a team to strings of victory. The team needs a lot of reconstruction especially on their roster. If the Sixers wants to get back to their glorious days, they must do something with their line-up.

For more on the celebrity looking Korver, check out his site here.

The big three of the New Jersey Nets namely, Richard Jefferson, Jason Kidd and Vince Carter have yet to find their consistency in the NBA this season. A lot is expected from the trio which has been formed last 2004. It can be remembered that the Nets let go of forward Eric Williams, forward/centre Aaron Williams and centre Alonzo Mourning, along with two first-round draft picks in exchange for Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors.

Unlike Boston’s super impressive trio, Allen-Garnett-Pierce, the Nets has been a hot and cold team, since the trio was formed. They could beat the hottest teams in the league but at the same time, easily falter against the weak ones. This season they added youngsters like Sean Williams, Marcus Williams and Josh Boone. Currently, they hold a record of 17 wins-16 losses, which simply proves their being “hot and cold” team.

The good things is that the team is definitely out for the playoffs run this season yet. With other teams also struggling, the Nets can be considered as one of the middle teams in the NBA that still has very high hopes for the playoffs. There are a lot of things you can find in N.J. which I think is the reason why the Nets never runs out of supporters! The city itself is fantastic plus you have famous dentist New Jersey, beautiful spots, long and deep tunnels, and of course their humble NBA squad, the New Jersey Nets. The Nets are still able to attract a lot of fans because the team really has the potential to make it to the top in the NBA.

With Jason Kidd at the point, the Nets is always exciting and fun to watch. To spice it up, you have Carter and Jefferson on the wings which are both prolific high-flyers, and open-court finishers!

Well, it is not surprising for NBA stars to have amazing dogs. Aside from the fact that they have the time to play around with their dogs, they have the money to spend on buying and taking care of an expensive pet.

Like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, who seem to travel with their tiny dogs, I think NBA players also would love to go to different playing venues with their dogs, and have their dogs cheering for them. hahaha Of course most hotels do not allow pets inside their area. Some don’t even allow pets even in the parking lot. Well, in the US there must be a pet friendly hotel were the players can board their dogs and other pets. Moreover, wouldn’t it be amazing if there is a hotel exculsively for pets!?! I’m thinking of dogs, cats, even snakes staying in a classy single room with all then fixtures and facilities! I bet, the price of stay is more expensive for the animals than the normal hotels for people. hahaha

My pet dog named “Bunsoy,” from the root word “Bunso,” meaning youngest is a mix of dashchund and a breed of sorts. I’m sure he’ll be jumping and running up and down if ever he gets a taste of a pet friendly hotel. Here in Davao, I don’t think there will never be pet friendly hotels. The most there will be is exclusive arrangements between the hotel and the guests regarding bringing in their favorite pets!

Like any other NFL players, the players of the Sand Diego Chargers now have that flashy SUV, sporty sedan, 3-storey crib with fantastic backyard, and live the life of a multi-millionaire! Same goes for NBA players with multi-million dollar contracts like Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers, Lebron James of the Cavs, and even the veteran, Eddie Jones now with the Mavs.

I consider these athletes as the luckiest men on earth in terms of job and earnings! Imagine, by just playing the sport that you love ever since you were a kid is the one that gives you millions of money!?! wOw! that is heaven! On the other hand, these athletes should learn how to handle their earnings and resources. They should be wise in spending and investing their money. They cannot just rely on their monthly salaries and disregard saving for the future.  A number of athletes turned from gold to stones because of mismanagement of resources. Some got hooked with gambling and other vices and suddenly had problems with their career which eventually lead to depletion of income and resources. San Diego incorporation is just one of the many institutions serves to help people and groups manage their resources and companies. Any player who invests his money in corporations and other groups should be aware of his legal rights and obligations and other matters concerning his investment in a company. Consulting firms and other departments is truly important.

It is a nightmare for every player when by the end of his career, the only thing that’s left will be the memories of his glorious days. No money, no car, no house, no nothing.

I wonder how it feels like wearing a mouth piece or mouth guard. We always see athletes wear such protective gear especially boxers. Professional basketball players also wear mouth piece although I think it’s not really a must in basketball unlike boxing and other highly physical sports. As I see players wearing mouth piece, I feel like it is very uncomfortable. Well, I guess I should go to a shop and test one. hahahaha

Without protective gears for the mouth, at some point in his/her career, the player would really have to visit Long Island cosmetic dentist to have their teeth or mouth treated. Dental care is very important for everyone, not just for the athletes. It becomes more important for athletes who endorse world-class products like Michael Jordan for Nike, Kevin Garnett for Adidas and other athlete turned big-time product endorsers. Michael Jordan can always afford to have  big bright smile in photos and interviews because he has a shiny-white, good looking set of teeth.

A physical sport is truly enjoyable and more exciting to watch. However, it is very important to ensure the player’s safety and wellness. That is why it is a must to require every player complete protective gears. In this way, the threats of minor or career-ending injuries will be lessen. I’ll make a follow-up post on this one by the time that I have tried wearing a mouth piece. So stay tune. hehe