Happy New Year Blog 2010!

I know alot of people are doing Blogs for the decade but there was too much going on in the last decade to remember so I'm going to keep it simple and keep it 09'. This year had enough to talk about for generations to come.

Let me first speak about Obama. This is the first time in American history the new year is being brought in by a African American president.


In Music Jay-Z colaborated on a new anthem that's kind of catchy.


In Sports that I tune into The Steelers, Lakers and Yankees ruled their respective sports and I believe Kobe is the most dominant athlete currently in all sports.


The best movie I've ever seen in my life just so happened to come out this year as well. I hope you get to see it in 3-D like I was fortunate to be able to. Thanks Sis!


I also would like to mention the passing of a galactic hero named Sir Michael Jackson for if it were not for him the world would lack the imagination in music that only Walt Disney can inspire to children of all ages.


I'd like to end my year with saying I love you all and wish you a Happy New Year all around the world. Some of us are having trying times but believe in whatever God you pray to and keep the faith. We can all learn from each other so don't block your blessings and open your mind to new things for we are one. Thank you for your love you have shown me. I hope I can do enough to show my gratitude in all I do. God bless and let's get ready for more magic in 2010.

Wednesday Weekly Who's, What? When? Where? Why? and how?

I will delay my post til tommorow. New Years Blog.

Wednesday Weekly Who's, What? When? Where? Why? and how?

Merry Christmas fellow Twitters. I hope the New Year brings in good cheer and much success. I'm gonna keep this post short.

Avatar is Best Movie I ever saw in my life. It's worth the price of admission in 3-D at Imax.

Knicks are 1/2 game out of 8th playoffs.

Giants are praying for rain but still have hopes of making playoffs.

God doesn't give us anything we can't handle.

Rest in Peace Chris Henry and Britney Murphy.

Have a very Merry Christmas Everybody.

Wednesday Weekly Who's, What? When? Where? Why? and how?

Hello everybody and welcome to another slow Wednesday. Let's try to speed things up a bit.

Movies to check out this Weekend:





In football news The NFC East has been taken over by the high flying Philadelphia Eagles who have put the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys on the ledge as the season comes to a close.





In basketball News: "The Answer" gets his first win since his return and "T-Mac" is back!





*McGrady hit a 3 pointer in 8 minute return to Rockets 8:30 PM ET, December 15, 2009
Toyota Center
Houston, TX

In Knick News: Knicks were on a 4 game winning streak until last night's lost to the Bobcats but remain in the hunt for last playoff spot in the East.

J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets:

Wednesday Weekly Who's, What? When? Where? Why? and how?

What a day to start a new weekly installment. People usually do weekly installments on Mondays but I thought why not do mines on Wednesdays? It's the middle of the week and hopefully I can help us all get to Friday a little quicker.

Happy returns:

Philadelphia has been responsible for two great comebacks this week. Michael to the NFL and Allen Iverson to the NBA.




New York area Sports:

Giants pulled out an exciting win over Arch Rival Cowboys last week but now have to try to duplicate results Vs. the Eagles if they want to have a chance at playoffs.


Nets Win! Nets Win!


Knicks are surging. Dare I say playoffs?


Didn't forget the Jets fans


Movies to consider this weekend:

Tiger Woods Saturday Night Live Skit.

Tiger Woods' Accident

Saturday Night Live | MySpace Video

New Orleans Saints Vs. New England Patriots!

OK football fans. I know some of you had heartbreaking losses this week but it's not over. The New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots will provide enough fireworks to get you through to next week.



I'll be the first to admit that I'm shocked with how well New Orleans has played this season. Drew Brees has been unbelievabe so far and I don't think the run is gonna stop here but I've been proven wrong before.



The New England Patriots are the ultimate party crashers and they bring in a wealth of experience in these types of big games. This is going to be a game for the ages!

"Brandon Jennings Vs. The World": Derrick Rose Edition Part 2

In my last installation of "Brandon Jennings Vs. The World" I was once again trying to explain why Brandon Jennings was going to be a force to be dealt with in the NBA. I used a classic Allen Iverson Highlight to show why he can have the same impact on the league but in his first meeting against Derrick Rose he came up... "a lil short".



Tonight we have part two of this exciting saga and I don't think either party will go down without a fight!

Part 1:
http://cshoops2000.blogspot.com/2009/11/brandon-jennings-vs-world-derrick-rose.html

The Thanksgiving Blog 2009

I have so much to be grateful for. I have good health and a solid support group with family and friends. I'm appreciative of all things God has shown me and gave me the strength to endure and without him I am nothing. I hope everyone finds peace and a warm meal this holiday. We are all one on days like this no matter what shape size or color. We are all family and I'd like to thank each and every one of you who has become a friend to me. I would not have made it without my On-line family on Twitter, Facebook, Skype and Paltalk. Thanks for welcoming me into your hearts and hard drives. I love you all.

On a side note. I'd like to thank Allen Iverson for a remarkable career and Hampton Virginia for making him. When the NBA was getting stale and was wondering who's going to be the next big thing you provided "The Answer!"



Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

Why AI in NY makes sense.

The Knicks have been used like this in the past by high profile stars trying to bargain for better deals with other clubs but once again I feel this is a win win situation for both parties.

Allen Iverson is looking for a stage to show he is still "The Answer". If he decides to sign with the Knicks for the veteran minimum this year and plays well the Knicks can resign him for the 2010 team without hurting the cap. The Knicks starting backcourt is currently Chris Duhon and Toney Douglass. How can AI not help there? The Knicks have been lacking a leader in the locker room and someone who plays every game like it's his last. In this case Iverson really is!

With Iverson in Madison Square Garden he can bring the fight back to this ball club. His passion for winning will force the team to raise the intensity level on both sides of the ball. The Garden loves rebels and AI is the leagues biggest one! I'm hoping Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni can get it done. AI would fit perfect in the 7 second offense that Mike D'Antoni runs, hell I think AI could bring it down to 6!

"Brandon Jennings Vs. The World": Derrick Rose Edition Part 1

I've stated in the past my reasons for declaring Brandon Jennings this year's Rookie Of The Year well before the season started and I'll continue to do that. Today though is a day Brandon can speak for himself as he "leads" a young Milwalkee Bucks team into Chi-town to take on the reigning Rookie of the year Derrick Rose.

Many believe that Brandon doesn't stand a chance to be a star player in the NBA let alone Rookie of the year. They think he's too arrogant, too street and can't be coached to play the right way.



We've heard this before haven't we? Is it a surprise that on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 a young skinny rookie guard from out of nowhere will dare to be better than what is expected of him? I don't think so!

Giants Vs. Saints and why this is the biggest game of the season.

Here we go again with two undefeated teams going head to head in professional sports. We love these games because they generate so much excitement that even the casual fan finds themselves tuning in. This episode features The New York Giants with their 5-0 record invading the resiliant city of New Orleans to face the high scoring Saints who are 4-0.

In my opinion this game might be bigger than this year's Superbowl and here's why. These two cities have recovered from horrific tragedies and to have a game in New Orleans with both teams undefeated is beyond Epic and the pride of New Orleans will be on full display.

Eli's foot is hurting? Whatever!

Eli Manning should atleast start this Sunday against the Raiders. Once game is out of hand either way then he should come out. I think he can give the offense enough in one half to put the game away. I don't like him taking a week off then having to play a high powered offense like the Saints. Hopefully he gets into practice today but I feel he should give it a go even if he doesn't. The Giants currently have the best receiving tandom in the NFC and I think they will lose stride if Eli isn't out there with the first unit. Go Giants!

The NBA is back...to back?

First of all I'd like to congratulate us all at surviving another NBA off-season. For those of you enjoying great baseball seasons this is your icing on the cake and softens the blow as it seems the Yankees are winning another World Series. Me myself I'm a Mets fan but thank God I've got the Giants(3-0 Baby!).

This season we begin with the LA Lakers as defending World Champions and give them some props they earned it. Kobe was more Jordanesk by actually having to do less as Trevor Ariza and Pau Gasol emerged as budding stars. This year they return to the dance with the NBA's new "Worm" Ron Artest who I think is a great addition to a team who already has a few hidden gems on it. I believe the biggest hidden gem in the whole NBA is Adam Morrison. In the triangle offense he can be deadly if healthy. Losing Ariza does hurt L.A. but Artest's Defense and Morrison's unexpected offense can have Kobe putting up the peace sign at the start of next summer.

"Why Brandon Jennings is my Rookie of the Year!"

I have a problem with the rules regarding the age limit in the NBA. I understand the reason for it but something has to change. With all the NCAA violations being broken within the past few years why not update the system? Alot of colleges are making uncountable amounts of money off their student athletes but if the student accepts a bag of potato chips outside of the University all the success he's had is forfieted. This is why I support next generation ballers to utilize the world's resources and go get paid! There are far too many of us former players not doing what we love because we chased the dream in one place. The NBA can brainwash you into "Putting yourself in a box!"(Thanks Jesus Shuttlesworth)

Brandon Jennings has the heart of two lions for daring to take his dream elswhere to achieve his goal. Yes it's risky for most but there are some players working in grocery stores across the nation on the nightshift that can play in the NBA. They have the talent but no one told them that dreams are not always made at home. There are 7 continents on this earth full of people that love to see a good game and if an NBA team hears enough things they will find you. Brandon Jennings went to Greece and no he didn't dominate but he remained relevant. He's going to be a spokesperson that the NBA's higher ups are going to love to hate. He has swagger, style and did it his way and got to Basketball's biggest stage. He didn't conform to the status quo of players having to fake the funk for four years and then getting rookie salaries. He's already got the sneaker deal, the nice house, been on his own and all he has to do now is play ball! I think he has the easiest transition than anyone else because he comes into his rookie season already a pro and answers to himself because nobody gave him nothing. He entered his career unprotected and now his target is on "Rookie Of The Year!" which will probably be the easiest thing he's tried to do since highschool!

The Michael Vick Experience and everybody else's.

How can I not participate in this debate? Michael Vick has paid his dues and he deserves to make a living. The crime was unforgivable but he's done the requirement by judicial standards to become a member of society once again. Yes there will be a backlash from Animal rights movements but face it they've won already. He's faced the penalty. You can't burn him at the steak twice. We're all living our lives not free of a minor sin or two and when we get saught out we beg for God's mercy. He's repented and he's reborn again. I credit the Eagles organization for responding so quickly and the commsioner for reinstating him.

There are a lot of other Athletes, Entertainers and Political figures taking part in criminal activities that are a few more credits smarter than Michael Vick they shall remain nameless by me. Vick's Educational Background primarily came from the streets he came from and he was ignorant to what he was doing. We're never gonna ask Michael Vick to do our taxes by any means.

We all deserve a second chance and he's earned it by doing the time for the crime. Some of us aren't doing any time at all for stuff we get away with. With that said I'm gonna get at you guys later. I gotta finsish copying these DVD's I just rented. lol

Old Spurs or Savvy Veterans?

I don't understand how people can count the Spurs out. Youth does not win championships in the NBA, experience does. The core of the Spurs is highly capable of keeping up with the young guns because they have been there. We're not talking about a bunch of old guys who haven't figured it out yet. The Spurs are a well accomplished unit and adding the likes of Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess only enhances your foundation. In the 80's the so cold old Celtics teams gave a lot of trouble to the young teams coming up to knock them off the mountain but they had enough savvy to grind games out. I see the Spurs as this generation's version of the Celtics. No big names but guys who work together to get it done. I think the Spurs are well prepared to raise another banner next year.

Greatest Coach of all time is...

Dare I say it but Phil Jackson is the greatest coach of all time. To get political I’ll say why. John Wooden’s legacy remains in tact and is well deserved but the playing field wasn’t even yet. In the 90’s I believe racial equality was more present during Phil’s run coaching the Chicago Bulls. Don’t misunderstand me The Celtics, Lakers, and Bruins were awesome but those teams were still cracking racial barriers. In the 90’s African American men really started believing in the American dream. Society was changing. We were now on as many magazine covers as everyone else and Phil Jackson coached a man named Michael Jordan to be the greatest of all-time. It’s not just the records or rings but it’s the stature of your legacy. I honestly believe that as the Michael Jordan statue stands in front of the United Center there should also be one of Phil Jackson close by admiring his work. For how great Michael is, he knows he couldn’t have achieved half of his success without Phil Jackson. So for the greatest player of all time I credit the Greatest Coach of all time…Phil Jackson.

Lakers get Odom back!...So what?

Hip Hip Hooray! The Lakers have managed to keep a valuable player in Lamar Odom. He's highly capable of keeping the title in Hollywood but the Lakers may have not made enough moves to combat the new faces in familiar places. In the West the Texas road trip can make or break your season. Dallas and San Antonio have made the effort to aquire players that may end hopes of the Lakers repeating.

Dallas has kept floor Veteran Jason Kidd in the fold and also have added Shawn Marion, Drew Gooden and Tim Thomas who I feel is highly underrated in the NBA. Mark Cuban has been busy getting new talent but San Antonio may have made the moves to get them to Raise another Banner in the Allamo.

The big fundamentals has been teamed up with the best wing man that he has ever played with. Richard Jefferson is a flat out stud and compliments Tim Duncan's game so well it's gonna be scary. RJ is dangerous because he can kill you in ways you don't expect becasue he doesn't carry the air of arrogance that someone of his skill set usually has. His abilty to score without the ball is second to none. He knows how to find angles that catches his defenders in vulnerable positons. He's definitley the steal of the off season and with a healthy core returning San Antonio is already thinking about parade plans. Oh and did I mention they also have obtained Antonio Mcdyess and Theo Ratliff? I personally think the Spurs are the team to beat for 2010.

Now back to our World Champion Los Angeles Lakers. It actually doesn't matter what other teams do because they are the champs and you don't win rings in Fantasy Leagues. Phil Jackson is a genius and Lamar Odom made the right desision to stay. The Lakers have a few tricks up their sleeves and Artest isn't the name I'm going to mention. Dare I say that Adam Morrison is the Lakers real secret weapon. He looked to be in rare form during the Summer league this summer and if he can turn the clock back on his game Lamar Odom and Ron Artest can be sharing lengthy highschool stories on the bench.(After creating a huge lead that is!)

The Birthday Blog

Wow I'm 34 today. God has been good to me and I'm grateful for the strength he has blessed me with to deal with the stressors of the world. As we all only get to live once I wouldn't change a thing because I've seen the results and what is, was meant to be. My spirits are not high and they are not low. I'm right in the pocket and that's how I like it. I thank my parents for giving me the tools to succeed indirectly. I'm a handful but I'm God's product and whatever they couldn't show me, he did. The outside world can be cruel and unforgiving so I kinda learned to live in my own space despite what others think of me. I'm gonna strive to keep being the best I can no matter what. I've experienced far too much to not embrace my destiny.

New Wave Coaches for New Wave Players.

There is a not so new problem the NBA currently faces. Just about every person in the league thinks they're on the verge of being the next best thing. Yes you do have your select few who have been humbled to the competition but you've also got alot of one hit wonders trying to get major pay days. You really have to be careful as a coach to designate roles to players who have their own agenda.

I'd like to comment about Phil Jackson's incredible major accomplishment. He's developed a system. No it's not him who invented it but he's used it to get players to rely on what he's saying rather than there individual selves. Alot of Franchises are being put in the hands of coaches who feel inferior to the players and rely on their superstars to get them out of tight jams which leads to a lack of success and ultimately getting them fired. So far Phil is the only coach who has survived the kids ruling the school trend. Phil is the ultimate ego checker and there are alot of coaches wishing for the same success.

In New York we have a highly ranked coach in Mike D'Antoni who has his own system. Not as fine tuned as Phil Jackson's but he's had success with it. The only problem is he's on a team of wannabes and mightbes. He's only had one season to evaluate the talent and is already facing one of the major crossroads in the team's history. He's inherited a team of underachievers who all think think they warrant huge contracts. Despite how good they may be he can only judge them from one season's body of work and 32 wins shouldn't get anyone the keys to the castle.

In the NBA you got alot of players who think they are the reason or believe they will be the reason for the teams success and want to get paid accordingly. I'm not going to mention any names but this is the problem, from the worst team in the league to the first. Players don't want to get judged based on team success but on individual success and new wave coaches are not standing for it.

If you think you're all that, a new wave coach is gonna show you the door. Do you want to know why? Because they think they're all that! It's about the system. The parts are interchangeable. Once you think you you're bigger than the hole you're screwed into you've gotta be replaced with one that's happy to be there. There are alot of big screws looking for holes right now. I just hope a few of them realize that the NBA itself is a system and no one is bigger than that. Don't let self worth get in the way of real worth. Phil Jackson has experieced the success of real worth over ten times and still yearns for more. He's setting the example for the new wave coaches and even the baddest of bad boys have humbled themselves. Don't go chasing waterfalls.

Is it 2009 or 1989?

There is something really funky going down this off season. This league is turning to a parody of itself due to a saturating market. What's so cool is that you're noticing alot of big names being spread out through smaller markets. I know the salary cap is lower for the NBA but it's forcing good players to go to places they normally wouldn't.

I think the lower cap makes the league stronger like it was in the 80's where people had to work harder to earn the big money, wich means we as basketball fans will ultimately see a better product. It's groovey baby! I live in a major market city but really don't like seeing us sit idle and praying for Lebron. The cap hurts our chances to bring him here but it also encourages to look for other options sooner than later.

I miss the days of knowing no matter who your team was playing it was going to be an intersting night because everybody had a star and they played as if there lives depended on it. There werent as many side deals to make like there are today. Rising stars like Hedo Turkoglu and Trevor Ariza opt to go to rebuilding franchises while Shaq and Iverson motion to franchises that can use there star power. I think this will be a season where one or two calculated risks can land an unexpected team to make a title run. In 2009, I think we're all gonna go along for a ride on a fantastic voyage.

Artest Vs. Ariza

It's time for the Artest and Ariza debate. Artest is a seasoned veteran who is starving for a ring while Ariza is a seasoned pro who is young and already knows what it takes to get one. Despite Artest's resume he still has alot to prove to duplicate Ariza's performance last year in bringing LA another championship. Ariza displayed the heart of a lion and I think his talent can no longer be caged in the Triangle offense. In Houston Ariza will be able to play with the rage of a boxer who is losing in the final round. Artest on the other hand is already a Lion but I think this lion is losing it's roar as seasons go by. I think he's now ready to sacrifice wich may make him an ultimate weapon instead of a loose cannon.

These are two players going in two different directions and one day in the near future they will look at each other in the eye and notice something very familiar...Fire! In the imitation of life I can only relate their paths to the movie "Benjamin Button". Ariza is going to emerge as everything Ron Artest once was hopefully with less drama while Artest is gonna be content conforming to a system he can trust because he's seen it's track record.

Truth is you can't lose with either player and I feel both chose the right path. Artest is finally at a place where he knows he can follow someone elses lead that he respects and Ariza has learned from that same leader enough to where he's ready to leave the nest and lead his own flock. There is no wrong to either's decision and I think the ultimate winner is fans like us who love this game.

CShoops

Free Agents...Not really.

Alot of major moves are gonna go down today. Old faces in new places and the rich keeps getting richer. The champion Lakers get the NBA's biggest pest in Ron Artest and the Eastern Conference champs get Vince Carter. With that said The Boston Celtics welcomes back the NBA's most versatile player Kevn Garnett from a season ending injury with a new ally...Rasheed Wallace! The Three Amigos are now the Four Horsemen and Rondo. What about last year's MVP? He only gets Shaq...who's that? Anyone remember a guy named Tim Duncan? Yeah that one. He just got one of the most underrated players in the league in Richard Jefferson.

Sneaky deals flying under the radar that I like are Jamal Crawford to the Hawks. He's so underated it's a crime. He only drops 50 on All-Stars more often then most All-Stars. Gortat and Marion to Mavericks is not shabby either. Giving Jason Kidd more targets was a great move by Mark Cuban no matter what the cost.

My take on Trevor Ariza deserves it's own section. I think he made the right move to move out of the shadows of Kobe Bryant. I think trevor can be a star in this league. He wasn't just another piece on that Lakers Championship team. I think that it's a credit to him to strive to be better. The system the Lakers run is flawless but his individual ability will never be creditted under it.

That's just a taste of my thoughts today. More to come

CShoops

My take on Grant Hill Joining the Knicks.

The Knicks could use a Veteran in the locker room. As a wing player Grant Hill could help Wilson Chandler because he's used the same playing style. Also I could see him move into a player developemnt role with Allen Houston his former teemmate. I think it's a smart move for Hill and the Knicks and bringing positive moral to a orgnization desperate for it.

To Lee or not to Lee?

Will the Knicks get something out of this David Lee instance? Fact is no one expected Lee to make himself this valuable and not at such a critical time in Knicks history. This will be the move that will be talked about for the next 20 years. Wow David Lee, You're the ultimate example of what hard work can result to in the worst of situations. Good Luck!