“What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.” – Samuel Johnson
Posts tagged Sports
Five Random Thoughts Jan. 3,2009
Jan 3rd
Random Thought No. 1: I tend to fall into my own world, when my headphones are on. I’ll dance, thinking that I can choreograph a good routine. I focus strictly on having fun when my headphones. I listen to a lot of hip-hop, more so recently with the events in life. I guess, I just like to think I can dance, not so much knowing if I really can. It’s just fun.
Random Thought No. 2: I’ve realized one big omission from my musical library: Aaliyah. She was one of my favorite artist when I was in elementary school, and I think I need to add her stuff to my iPod and music library.
Random Thought No. 3: I work faster than anyone else. So I guess I’m built for this industry right? I don’t know, with speed comes the drawback of more likely to miss. High-risk, high reward.
Random Thought No. 4: I’m wearing purple tomorrow. Awesome! TCU FTW! BEAT BOISE STATE!
Random Thought No. 5: If I keep this up, then I can have 365 blogs up this year. I’m sure I’ll have something to rant about soon. But for now, I’ll end this by saying, blogging is more fun when I don’t think of topics to write about.
Thoughts from Press Row Episode 1
Jan 2nd
Today's Thoughts from Press Row
NOTE: I figured that I’d make this into a frequent thing, and maybe one day I’ll have video to with these things, but for the first edition, I’ll just write my thoughts.
So as I watch this women’s basketball game preparing for my time to watch a Division II men’s game, my thoughts from press row are “What will have more people? My sister debut or this women’s basketball game?”
I’m putting the money on my sister’s debut, and it brings to question the role of collegiate athletics outside of the big two sports. Honestly, how many women’s basketball programs actually draw a decent crowd? I understand that it’s a little difficult to watch and it’s not as fast paced at the men’s game, but still, these girls are giving 100 percent and the effort is just as hard, if not harder, than any men’s game.
I don’t really care if they have “fundamentals” (Let’s face it. It’s just as bad as the men’s game sometimes.) They don’t shoot at a higher percentage than the men, but hey, they try. They really do, and that’s what matters. It’s unfair, however, that nobody sees them play, refuse to give it a chance because of the perception surrounding the sport, but then again, I’m just ranting here, trying to figure out why there are less than 300 people here inside of the arena for a doubleheader.
I care about all athletics, some more than others, and I’m glad these girls have an opportunity to get an education while playing a sport they love. It’s just sad that nobody wants to openly acknowledge their existence.
Yet to answer my question I posted earlier about the role of college athletics: Giving opportunities to people with another talent outside of the classroom to shine and display their talents. Is it any different than someone on the band or the dance team? Nope. It’s just holds a higher profile.
But then again, in a perfect world, every crowd would be like Tennessee women’s hoops or even New Mexico’s support.
It’s just a thought.
What I hate about Manny Pacquiao…fans
Nov 15th
Manny Pacquiao is one of the world's best. But would you have known or cared had he not been Filipino?
That’s it. I’ve had enough.I really have.
I know Manny Pacquiao is an awesome fighter. I know he’s one of the best of all time. I know he is probably this generation’s best fighter.
But there is one fact that I can’t STAND and it’s the one thing that has bothered me since the damn De La Hoya fight. I could give two FLYING shits that he’s Filipino. I would have liked him if he was Mexican, Black, Chinese, Puerto Rican or Canadian. But somehow, his legion of fans are all up on his jock because he’s Filipino.
There lies the problem. Most of fans are ONLY his fans because he’s Filipino more than his actual talent and that annoys the shit out of me. It’s not that he single-handedly began Erik Morales’ descent into retirement. It’s not the fact that he had three wars with Juan Marquez. It’s not the fact that he started as a flyweight at 106 pounds and slowly added weight, power and skills to become what he is, and actually worked on his God-given talent, heart and dedication.
They’re his fans because he’s Filipino, and hypes it up like he should. He knows there are plenty of lemmings to follow him.
That bothers me. Always has. Always will. I will never root for a guy soley on his race. He needs to be something better than that. I don’t listen to Black Eye Peas because Apol is Filipino. I could care less. If BEP makes good music, and they’re really hit or miss with me, then I’ll listen. But to say, “You should listen to them because they have a Filipino guy.” is just asinine and shallow.
And to say because he’s good and Filipino. Why is he good? What do you know about him and his career? If you’re going to take the freaking time to be a fan of something, at least have the decency know something other than the facts that my six-year-old sister can do once I tell her.
And please, don’t go back to he beat a washed up, dehydrated Oscar De La Hoya. I know when I became a fan of Manny Pacquiao and it was that first bout with Juan Marquez. I never saw him becoming this big, and I’m happy for him.
Talented. Hard Working. Friendly. Humble.
Not because he’s Filipino.
This doesn’t affect to some of you, but if it somehow offended you, then you’re a lemming who only liked Manny P because he wins and is Filipino.
My Chance to Witness History
Jun 5th
I sit here anticipating game one of the NBA finals. Basketball has been in my family for a while. My dad, albeit I believe some of these stories are false, said he was a decent basketball player in the Philippines. He bragged about the games that the Lakers and the Celtics had while he was growing up. He said it was some of the best basketball he’d ever seen. My mom, who isn’t particularly adept in sports, only knew about the Lakers and Celtics when she came to the United States.
My dad talked about how great a point guard Magic was, and how great a player Larry Bird was. He talked about the match ups. Until then, I never got the opportunity to understand the magnitude of the rivalry. I’ve only seen clips on ESPN, and it’s not the same. I watch the Chicago Bulls championships recaps. I remember watching them live as a kid, and they don’t feel the same from when I watched them live in person.
Let alone at the time, I didn’t have the understanding of the sport like I do now.
It is only now that I can truly experience what they witnessed. The Lakers-Celtics have enormous hype around this series. For the first time, I’m excited about an NBA final. I’ve watched the finals in the past, but never have I felt the excitement like I do for this series. The history between the two teams. The storyline between the players involved in this go around. It has everything needed to make a good series.
How Candace Parker can further elevate the WNBA…
May 12th
The WNBA has made strides in recent history. It is by the most successful women’s professional league, but it still has a long way to go before it can gain proper attention. It’s a smart league, knowing when to relocate and not overextending itself beyond repair. It’s at a level with room for expansion if the league calls for it.
However, it’s lacking the marketing power of a single player. Football has enough players to choose from – Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. The NBA has Kobe and LeBron. The NHL has Sid the Kid. The MLB has A-Rod. All of them are people that embody the league, someone that people genuinely recognize as a major player in the league.
But who is the face of the WNBA? This is where Candace Parker can step in. No WNBA rookie has stepped into the league with the expectations of being the “face of the league.” Lisa Lesie is an aging-star, who was the face of the league at times. Diana Taurasi hasn’t been marketed as well as she could be, and other hopes have dwindled.
If the recent numbers show, it shows that people are buying the concept of Parker as the face of the WNBA. She already set records in jersey sales for rookies. Season ticket holders for L.A. Sparks games have increased. The WNBA Web site has never had more traffic. This all before Parker has played a meaningful game in the WNBA.
Parker is what the WNBA needs. She is charismatic. She is a positive role model. And, more importantly if her time at Tennessee was any indication, she can play. Parker is the the WNBA as LeBron James is to the NBA. She has the expectations of not only a franchise, but also a league on her shoulders.
It will be interesting to see how Parker deals with the immense responsibility. Along with elevating the league, she also has to provide L.A. with what they really also want – a winner. If there is a market that can benefit from Parker it is the L.A. market. Imagine billboards advertising NBA games with Kobe and then WNBA games with Parker?
The WNBA finally has it’s young star that it can build around, and with her, it can not only elevate the Sparks and the league, but also the players who play against her.
Read the AP Story on Parker here