Self Inflicted Pain

Part of being a sports fan is dealing with the losses of your favorite team. It's a painful ritual that we all go through. Unfortunately in my case, it has caused actual physical pain lately. You see, I try to save time by watching the Lakers away games on the East Coast while running on the treadmill. The timing is perfect, they're in the East Coast where games start around when I workout. But recently, the Lakers have stunk. Not just normal losses, but utterly STUNK. So what happens is I get really irate, like the Hulk type of anger, and take it out on the machines or weights. And then I really feel it the next day. No, it's not good for me. If I wanted a more intense workout, I would've designed in that way. So now I take more time to recover and feel more tired the next day. Lakers suck.

Basketball Withdrawal

After that amazing weekend of basketball, I couldn't help feeling a bit of a withdrawal. Granted there were two amazing NBA games with playoff implications battled out on Monday, but what I found lacking was being able to revert to my bracket and compare it to the other people in my pool. Speaking of my NCAA March Madness bracket, despite losing Kansas, who I had losing in the finals, the other 3 are still alive. I suspect that if Baylor makes it, my chances of winning the pool are pretty good. Can't wait till Thursday!

March Madness is Coming!

Definitely my second favorite time of the year. (Don't worry, you'll KNOW when it's my favorite). So is everyone ready for a couple weeks of fun basketball and comparing brackets. Anyways, here's my final four: Kansas, Syracuse, Kentucky, and Baylor.

I realize it's not so exciting with three #1 seeds, but you gotta realize, the college game talent disparity seems to get larger and larger all the time. So the better teams are really that much better. Don't expect too many upsets, as exciting as that may be.

My final prediction: Kentucky over Kansas. Shocking right? The two best freshmen in the country will bring home the championship.

Paging Mr Alston

Updated at the end of the post

Dear Rafer, where are you? Playing street ball again? I was flabbergasted when I read that Miami's point guard got suspended because he got angry for not starting, and essentially disappeared from the team. You're telling me that a NBA professional who gets paid about $500k a year now only communicates to his employers via text messaging? Who does he think he is, Anna Kendrick from Up in the Air?

Look, I am a big fan of Rafer Alston. He's got one of the storied NBA paths, coming from community college, and streetballing himself into the pros. I loved him in Houston and I thought last year he performed admirably as starting point guard for the Orlando Magic (until coach Stan Van Gundy inexplicably shook up the roles during the FINALS?!?). This year he lands in Miami, playing along Wade, in a team that could use some skill and veteran leadership. And now he pulls this stunt?

I don't know the situation. I don't know if Alston got shafted and disrespected. Still, he's living the dream, playing basketball at the highest level, for a team that's making a push for the playoffs. I have no idea why he would go Sprewell. It doesn't make sense and it exudes arrogance. No wonder fans get mad at prima donna athletes.

Skip 2 My Lou in Houston - photo credit Keith Allison

Paging Mr. Alston - What are you thinking?

update
Word is out that Rafer is dealing with some tough family issues and decided to focus on them after his coach told him he wouldn't be playing any more. I have no idea why the coach would do that, but Rafer admits to handling the issue incorrectly. No matter, I applaud him for saying something about the matter and wish him the very best with his family situation. And I genuinely hope to see him in the league next year.

Dances with Teen Spirit

An a lighter note in the world of figure skating, check out this creative sequence, and manly too!

Tough to be Yao

Reading about the debate in China about where Yao Ming's baby should be born makes me feel sorry for the guy. Quick recap: Yao and his pregnant wife recently traveled back to the US. His unborn girl is expected to arrive into the world in June and this trip back to the US has stirred controversy in China about whether the daughter will be an American.

Tough to be Yao Ming.

Let me remind you that this is one of the most upstanding NBA and Chinese citizens, who has never exhibited anything but class representing his Rockets team and as an graceful Chinese host during the 2008 Olympics. He championed tirelessly for earthquake relief in China a few years ago and personally donated much of his wealth. Sadly, he broke his foot during last season's playoffs and had to miss the entire season this year.

Also allow me to say that he's more than fulfilled his obligations to the Chinese national basketball team, participating in all the tournaments and qualifiers during the summer, while his NBA teammates take the summer off to rest their bodies and work on new skills. Oh, and when Yao was drafted #1, the Chinese government announced that would take half of his salary, as payment for developing him into the player that his is today.

So now there is even a discussion on where his child should be born? How selfish is that? Yao Ming and his family are human beings, not property of the Chinese government or Chinese nationalism movement. Putting aside the ridiculous argument that being born an American, the girl blessed with basketball genes could not compete for China (she's not even born yet!), why don't people consider the practical considerations for Yao and his family? Without a US passport, the poor girl would have to get a visa every time to travel with her parents, who live and work in the US.

Yao is right, this is a private matter between him and his wife. That we're even discussing this is ridiculous.