The Real Final 4

With all of the hype around March Madness, let me just say, college basketball is becoming more and more disappointing to me year by year. This years tournament has not delivered the excitement of years passed, maybe because I am not really pulling for anyone, but also because the excitement, and the close games, with major upsets aren't there.

Whoever gets to the Final 4 in The Big Easy will have earned it, but I'm more interested in the different final 4. This final 4 will be determined in May, and will for sure feature those close games, with tons of talent, and upset minded teams that we have come to expect from the NCAA Final 4.

For those that are in the dark, I am not talking about the NCAA Final 4, but I am talking about basketball. The last 4 teams in the NBA will duke it out game after game, until 1 is crowned champ. The field is pretty much set. Out of the East it will be the Chicago Bulls vs the Miami Heat, and in the West it will be The OKC Thunder  vs Anyone else that wants to lose to the Thunder.

The 3 teams mentioned by name are the class of the NBA, and a clear of example of basketball in its finest forms. They all play the game completely differently, but they all have one thing in common. They are great teams that win, and have a virtuoso of sorts to lean on when things get tough.

You can make the case that the Heat have 2 of those, but Lebron James has yet to show in significant 4th quarters much, but they still have Dwyane Wade. The Bulls have the mighty Derrick Rose, who does not fear anyone, and has literally and figuratively hurt his back from carrying the Chicago Bulls. Kevin Durant is the man for the Thunder who can take and make any shot.

We can all talk about the one-and-done vs the series system. We can gripe about how a 7 game series is not as exciting as the one game with it all on the line in the NCAA's. But the fact is last year there were few events in sports that compared to the excitement and rush that one got from watching the Conference Finals and NBA Finals last year.

If you want to see real basketball, and real games be sure to tune in to these games. And if want to see how a team with one superstar, and a bunch of role players in the Chicago Bulls can defeat a team of 3 perennial all-stars, 2 of them being top 7 NBA Players in the Miami Heat be sure to tune in. If you want to see how a team can go from being moved to a different city with virtually a talent less roster, to the class of an entire league over a span of just 4 seasons in the Oklahoma City Thunder, be sure to tune in.

These games where the real excitement will be, this is where you will see all of those buzzers beaters the NCAA's have not had. This "tournament" will prove that it is not about how many stars you have, but the sum of all your parts that will win you games. The Conference finals and the NBA Finals will show you that defense will win you a championship, and it will show you that giants can still fall, and will show you just how long of a way down that fall really is.

Tune in. You will see greatness. You will see things you will remember forever. You will see what real basketball is, you will see what is really meant by a Final 4.

A42A

I guess I'm Back

So, sorry I've been MIA for a while.

I know my readers, meaning no one, were not happy with my absence. I would love to say a lot's been going on but really, nothing's changed, just never got around to blogging.

Advice

You wanna know the funny thing about getting advice about something?

9/10 Times you Already got your mind made up. You're just looking for reassurance.

Pity is for the Weak

I hate pity. 

Whatever has happened to me, has been bought on by no one other than myself. I don't need you to feel bad for me. I don't need special treatment because you have a soft spot for my situation. 

I have a very strong will, and it has gotten me to great heights. Its that same will that is going to take me to even greater heights.

Pity is for the weak, you dig yourself in and you dig yourself out. PERIOD.

Don't feel bad for me, just be proud of me when you see me on top.

A42A

Stupid

I was writing this long blog post about a really crazy story, complete with a lesson, moral, and a few jokes. But then I realized, no one wants to read it.

I will instead say this:

YOU CAN STOP AND THINK, OR YOU CAN GO, NO MATTER HOW STUPID; I CHOOSE GO. THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE? WHAT ABOUT YOU?

A42A

One Life, Roll the Dice

Maybe I dont think before I act, maybe I act too much on my instincts, maybe I just do stupid things. All I know is that I go after what I want. Either way, I continue to roll the dice. And although sometimes I lose a big chunk of my chips, and crap out; I continue to play. I play for that one moment where your lucky you gambled, your lucky you rolled, and everything will have paid off.

We get one life, ROLL THE EFFING DICE!!!! 

The Emperor Has No "Close"

Once again, I will not start by saying anything bad about the self proclaimed "King", "Chosen One", whatever moniker he wants to attach to himself. All I will do is provide you all with this:

In a Hans Christen Andersen short story, it talks about how a cocky, self-centered King completely embarrases himself, and does not even know it. He sees himself as untouchable, but he is given a rude awakening and is humbled. Let this be your humbling experience Lebron, but knowing your past, it wont be.

This will speak to my blog post from yesterday about winning the right way. Actions speak louder than words. Its very easy to talk the talk, and maybe for a little bit of time you can keep that front put up, and enjoy the success and glory. Talk about how good you are, and how much you have been winning, and how great you are, but never forget; You won a battle, not a war. Saying "Now or Never!!" was a big statement, but it was so much talk. Even if Lebron James had pulled this win out, he would have been vilified, because when he wins he is not humble (See Conference Semis vs Boston for proof), and moreover, even losing does not humble him (See entire Playoff Experience with Cavs for proof).

The series is not over, and you can make the argument that the series should be 3-2 in favor of Dallas right now, considering home court. You can say all Miami has to do is win at home. But after these last 5 finals games, where Lebron James has scored a total of 11 fourth quarter points, how much credit can you give him? He will not get the MVP, and at this point what credit, if any, can you give him if he does win? He went away at the end of games all year, and had it not been for two other bonafide superstars BAILING HIM OUT he may not even be where he is now. Don't get it twisted, with the exception of the Chicago series, and maybe game 5 vs Boston, where he hit contested shot after contested shot (shots that he misses now, and was missing before the Chicago series) down the stretch, he has not been there at the end of games this entire season.

Lebron has been known as a quitter, and as someone who cant close. And so far this series, both of those knocks are holding true. Winning a championship will not shut anyone up, and will not help his legacy. Not this time. His stardom will not get him credit for this championship; but his stardom will get him credit for the loss.

Sorry Lebron, either way you lose.

A42A

And they Say Chi-City

So I have travelled the entire world. Been to so many major cities. Here are my top 20.

1) CHICAGO -my hometown; there is not a city in the World that I have seen thus far as been able to over throw it. Some have come close, and I have done my best to be objective, but nothing beats this city. Hit me up when your here, and I will show you why. Best combination of Places To See, Food, People, and Things to do than anywhere else in the WORLD
2) Los Angeles - my second home, hope to move here for a couple of years in my 20's
3) New York City - there is just too much to do, its truly as massive as it seems
4) Rome - I'm not big on old buildings, and statues, and cultural landmarks, but Rome was an amazing experience for me. I got a special view of the Vatican that you can only see through a key hole. Only a few people have seen this view. No camera can capture it.
5) Las Vegas - they say NYC never sleeps, but every time I go to Vegas, which is A LOT; I get way less sleep then  I ever do in New York
6) London - There is just a swagger about how people from the UK carry themselves. It cant be taught, but I wish I had it.
7) Dubai - A little hot, but I can live like a king here, STRAIGHT UP!
8) Jeddah/Mecca - I should put this higher because of my religion, it is breathtaking, its hard to explain the experience you have here. Cant put it into words. Ask any Muslim that has been.
9) San Francisco - Great seafood, VERY CLEAN, the hilly roads are great
10) Cupertino, CA - you would not think but it is the best small town in America.
11) San Diego, CA - BEACH BEACH BEACH BEACH BEACH!!!!
12) Cancun - ONLY DURING SPRING BREAK
13) Karachi - Motherland. Got its own level of Swag. Cant explain it.
14) Houston - Galleria Mall, and the best Chinese food i ever had. Plus tons of fam makes it fun
15) Boston - there street system is horrible, but the people are amazing and friendly
16) Portland, Oregon - RIP CITY!!!! SCENIC AS HELL!!
17) Hartforn, Conn - This is probably only for my family, but I have so much fun when I go here, and believe it or not the best desi food i ever had in my life was from this state.
18) Washington, DC - this could be higher had it not been for a small mishap that me and my team had while we were here
19) Albuquerque, NM - i went here for fun, no one believes me but it was great
20) Toronto - I dont give it much love, but its aint so bad

HORRIBLE CITIES
1) DALLAS FREAKING TEXAS....NEVER GO HERE, THE WORST CITY EVER
2) Buffalo, New York....The city on the other side of niagra falls, not much to do
3) Raleigh, NC - NEVER AGAIN!

WISH LIST!
Orlando, FL - I NEED TO GO TO DISNEYWORLD, I KNOW IT WILL GO SOMEWHERE NEAR THE TOP OF THE LIST ONCE I GO
MIAMI, FL - HEARD SO MUCH GOOD STUFF ABOUT THIS
Paris - I hear way too much about this city not to go there.

I'm a World Traveller, but there is nothing like Chicago.

Winning the Right Way

Win through your actions, never through argument.

We have all heard the old adage; actions speak louder then words. The same mantra holds true when dealing with competition. Let what you do talk for you. The volume of your actions can reach decibels that the ear or brain cannot comprehend.

All it takes is extra effort, will, and fortitude. 

I am very used to winning, so when I fail, I frequently get down on myself. But I have found, that if I gave my heart and soul into the task I failed at, whether it be a game of basketball, a project for work, or the pursuit of something I want; I cannot stay down for too long. However, if I feel I did not do all I could, I will be extremely hard on myself. I hate settling for mediocrity. I am a winner, and I win through my actions. Even if I lose, fail, whatever you want to call it; my effort and my work will NEVER be forgotten.

A42A

The Chosen One?

I will not say anything about LeBron James, I will simply provide you with the following:


Michael Jordan's Career point totals in Finals games: 


36,33,29,28,30,39,39,26,32,46,33,31,42,44,
55,41,33,28,29,36,23,26,22,31,38,26,22,38,
38,33,37,24,34,28,45.


That is all.