Month: May 2021

Mavericks 2-0 Lead Over Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks have taken a 2-0 in this best-of-7 series against the Los Angeles Clippers. Wow, just wow! The Clippers are unbelievable.

Clippers have no answer for Luka Doncic. He’s 22 years old, second consecutive year in the playoffs, and he’s once again demolishing the Clippers by averaging over 30 points per game. There’s no secret that Luka hates the Clippers. He hasn’t forgotten about last year’s playoffs in the bubble. Luka gave it to the Clippers last year. He did what he wanted whenever he wanted to. He was talking trash and disrespecting them last night. Luka was magnificent.

As for the Clippers, I’m very disappointed. I want to see the Clippers and Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. The way things are looking, I might not get that with AGAIN! It should’ve happened last year, but the Clippers squandered a 3-1 lead in the series against the Denver Nuggets. I can see the end of the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era coming to an end if they lose to the Mavericks in the first round. There are high expectations for this team, and losing in the first round will be extraordinarily unacceptable.

Terrible Defense On Young

Terrible, terrible defense on Trae Young. I really hated the way last night’s game ended.

If the Knicks somehow someway win this series, I’m gonna look back at Trae Young getting too ahead of himself by hushing the crowd.

How can you not double teamed Trae Young? He’s been hot the whole game. I just don’t understand it. It feels like I saw my wife cheating on me with someone else. That’s how mad I feel. I hated the way they lost this game.

I love sports but I hate feeling very angry to the point where it’s heartbroken. Knicks will have to win Game 2. They will need to play with the same energy and intensity from Game 1.

The Feud is Over

The long-running feud between old friends Jalen Rose and Chris Webber is finally over. I am super happy to see this moment coming. Chris Webber’s election to the Basketball Hall of Fame led to a touching moment with estranged former Fab Five member Jalen Rose.

Rose interviewed his fellow Detroit-area friend and former Michigan teammate after the announcement that Webber was part of the 2021 Hall of Fame class. It caught me off guard when I found the video on YouTube of their interview. Jalen and Chris must’ve spoken behind closed doors. I’m sure their other Fab Five members are proud to see this moment happen.

“I love you, my brother. Congratulations,” Rose said, adding that he and Webber first played together when they were 13 years old. “You made it to the Hall of Fame. Well deserved.”

“Jalen Anthony Rose, it’s crazy, man,” Webber replied. “And thank God for your beautiful, wonderful mother because you know what she did for me.”

For those of you who don’t know, Jalen Rose’s mother passed away earlier this year. Jalen also lost his grandmother. Watching the segment for Mother’s Day, you feel heartbroken and sad to see Jalen Rose crying in front of the camera. The pain of losing a mother is immense. Nothing will ever prepare you for that. I still have my mom with me on this earth. Cherish your mother while they’re still around. Chris mentioning Jalen’s mom at the end of the interview was beautiful to watch.

Webber looked like he was about to cry during the interview. He held it in real good. Webber got into the Hall of Fame in his 8th year on the ballot. Every team Chris played for went to the playoffs, but Chris made the most significant impact of his career with the Sacramento Kings.

Nightmares For New York Mets

The New York Mets’ nightmares have come true. Their key players Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil are heading to the injury list for strained hamstrings.

Conforto and McNeil both suffered their injuries in a the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Mets are currently leading in the NL East Division within a 1/2 game over the Philadelphia Phillies

The Speech

If Kobe Bryant were still alive, I would’ve gone to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. It’s the bible of basketball. You can get inspired and gain strength.

It was a bittersweet ceremony for the Bryant family and to all of us who are Kobe fans. It’s still surreal to me that Kobe is gone. Yesterday was the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, one of the most incredible Hall of Fame classes I ever witness. Tamika Catchings, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Kobe, and the list goes on.

Vanessa Bryant gave the speech so beautifully. She is one strong woman and has been through a lot. I love the fact that she was wearing a purple dress, the color of the Los Angeles Lakers. Vanessa mentioned Kobe’s parents and sisters during the speech were great. I wish the camera crew would’ve focused on his parents for that part.

Bryant’s idol, Michael Jordan, stands next to her as his presenter into the Hall of Fame. Kobe played through pain, including when he made two free throws and walked off the court under his power after tearing his left Achilles tendon. His determination and willingness to win are unparalleled. He molded his game and learned so much from watching Michael Jordan.

Vanessa said that Kobe is “still winning,” She managed to compliment Kobe on everything he has done for her and the family. This is an emotional speech. We were all grateful to have seen Kobe perform and grow as an athlete.

Inside Sports Management

Yesterday, I came across a video on YouTube called ‘Inside Sports Management,’ It’s a 27-minute video. Still, it’s worth it for those interested in Sports Management or looking to break into the sports industry. Four Stanford Graduate School of Business alumni discuss the risks and rewards of working in sports management and what it has taught them about leadership. One of those alumni is Joe Lacob, owner of the Golden State Warriors.

Joe Lacob, in my mind, is the best current NBA owner. He changed the entire culture of Golden State starting in 2009 when he drafted Steph Curry, who is considered the greatest shooter in NBA history. Lacob went on to draft Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and signed Andre Iguodala during free agency. The Golden State Warriors have won three NBA championships and five NBA Finals appearances during Lacob’s tenure as an owner. Lacob said many things during this video, but an essential part that stood out to me is when he said that he cringed when people say that owners shouldn’t be meddling in everything that’s going on. Lacob loves to be aware of everything that’s going on in his franchise. That’s the right attitude because as an owner, you need to be paying attention to every little detail, talk with members of the organization, be all-around and all over the place. It’s a significant responsibility, and you want to make sure you have a great set of a team around you.

Lacob and other alumni mentioned that you must take criticism and handle it well. If you can’t, then you’re in the wrong industry. You have to get used to it. Fans may not like some of the decisions you make, but if it turns out to be a good one to the point where your team is winning, then they will celebrate you. There’s always going to be boos and cheers. That’s also important because you can’t please everyone. You have to do what’s suitable for the team. It may work, it may not work, but if you have a vision or direction, then stick with it.

Team presidents and owners also have to manage through change. For example, he is making or restructuring a new stadium. Dave Kaval, President of San Jose Earthquake’s soccer team, discussed his thoughts and ideas of the Earthquakes Avaya Stadium. It’s one of the best stadiums in Major League Soccer. Kaval wanted to find ways on how to motivate and inspire his team.

Knicks Clinch Playoff Berth

The New York Knicks are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. It’s an amazing story. No one saw this coming. As a Knicks fan, I’m highly considering in going to Madison Square Garden to catch a playoff game. Knicks avoided the play-in tournament. I’m just hoping they get the No. 4 seed, but they need to surpass the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat in the standings.

My Ideas of Moving Out

There comes the point in your adulthood that you want to move out of your neighborhood. You want a new fresh start. You want to close a chapter and open another one. That’s exactly how I feel. I was born and raised in Washington Heights, Upper Manhattan of New York. I love it, and it will always be home to me. However, I think it’s time for me to live somewhere else.

New York is very expensive. There’s no secret about that. Because of my career, New York is one of the best cities for any artist. My thing is that I don’t want to be in a position where I would have to work two jobs or live with roommates. In addition, I want to live in a warm climate. This is where Florida comes into play. There’s no state tax, sunshine, and several tourist attractions.

When I was 11 years old, I remember thinking that I want to live in Tampa, Florida. As the years went by, I fell in love with Miami more than anything. It’s funny how life works because of that same feeling and thoughts I had as an 11-year old; it came back to me earlier this year. I’ve done more homework on Tampa, and it seems like Tampa is the primary frontrunner. Studio apartments in New York are almost 2,000 a month. I can buy a condo in Tampa for that amount or even less. Kissimmee is another one on my list of possible destinations to live in. I’ve been to Miami four times, Orlando just once, and Jacksonville three times. I haven’t been to Kissimmee and Tampa. I do have plans of going to Tampa sometime in August or September. Yes, I’m very aware of hurricane season. So I need to be careful with that.

Before moving out, you need a plan. You need to save up a lot of money, and you have to check what the city or state has to offer. My journey begins this year. Another city I have in mind to visit and possibly consider living in Atlanta. Throughout recent years, Atlanta has become the “Hollywood of the South.” Unlike Los Angeles and New York, rent is a little cheaper in Atlanta. As you are probably reading this, you’re thinking, “Is this guy planning to move to all of those cities, or he just cares about finding cheap rent?” Yes, I’m thinking about living somewhere where the rent is not insanely crazy and opportunities to work as an artist/network with other artists or find great paying jobs.

I’m approaching 30 years of age later this month. I know that I won’t be able to move to any of those cities anytime soon. But I will plan things very accordingly and have a lot of patience. In the meantime, I’m looking to move somewhere like New Jersey or Upstate New York. I need to have some experience of living on my own. Yes, New Jersey is just like New York in terms of weather, but I’m sure I can find some quiet, decent areas. Peace and tranquility are vital for me.

Happy Mother’s Day 2021

Happy Mother’s Day! Every single mother who is alive or deceased on this day, you are forever greatly appreciated. You are God’s best creation.

I’m grateful to be raised in a house filled with woman. I’m fortunate to have had two mothers growing up: my mom and grandmother. My grandmother is no longer around, but I’ll always have her in mind, and I will forever cherish the great memories.