Gotta Love Dirk

I’m not a big fan of Dirk’s game (I subscribe to the school of KOBE,) but I have to admit I started playing basketball trying to model my game after his.  OK, so it wasn’t going to work because he’s 7 feet tall, but I liked the idea of a big, slow guy being able to make jumpers.  I used to be a fat, slow kid, so I looked up to that.  Probably why I shoot like I do. 

I figured he practiced a lot.  In fact, if you research on Dirk, you’ll find that he has a German shooting coach who uses Calculus on his shots.  You have to respect THAT.

Celtics - Lakers, baby!

I can't wait to catch this game.  It's Magic-Larry time again!  Well, more of Kobe v.s. KG-Pierce-Jesus.  I'm rooting for Kobe, but I think Boston will pretty much clobber LA.  I just want to see if they'll be able to stop Kobe.  I expect him to rise to the occasion and drop AT LEAST 40 on them Celtics.

On the other hand, I'd like to see Boston win more than 70 games, and every game counts.  OK, I'm totally undecided!  I just know it'll be one hell of a game! 

The New Workout

I used to do a lot of bodybuilding-style workout routines, mostly for vanity, but they've translated into amazing improvement on the basketball court.  Imagine what a basketball-focused routine could do for my game.  That's why I set out to look for one.

Steve Nash's routine seems more my speed.  He KNOWS he's not going to out-jump or outrun anyone (let's face it, he's a white guy in the NBA,) but he can be the most balanced guy out there.  I've noticed his workout focuses a lot on core strength, as opposed to power or all that stuff.  Well, let's give it a go.

I'll post the workout here for you guys in a day or two. 

Another Friday without Basketball

I know I can shoot around at home, but it's just not the same.  

A friend recommended his gym's physical therapist, but DAMN.  I'm pretty terrified of pain.  And doctors.  And anything to do with them.  Besides, the price is pretty steep.  I don't think I can spend that much to hurt myself.  Ok, fine, REHAB my knee, but whatever.

Oh, and Lester and I have a bet going.  Celtics ARE going to beat 70 games!

The Kobe Jumper

My jumper looks nothing like Kobe's.  Which isn't so bad, I guess, because Kobe doesn't have the textbook J.  I do, but his looks a lot prettier.  That's why I'm changing my shot.  

First thing I've got to do is figure out whether it's really a technique or just pure athleticism.  If it's the latter, then I'm pretty much screwed, no matter what, but if not.. then there's hope for me yet!  I'll give myself til year's end.  I'm not supposed to be playing basketball yet, anyway.  

Wish me luck! 

Why I Play Basketball

Since I'm out with an injury, I figured I may as well just get a little more personal with how I got my relationship with the game.  

I play basketball because I love winning.  Basically, that's it.  It's a competitiveness thing.. like, I can't stand to lose to guys who are on my level, or at least on a level I could potentially reach.  It feels good because I'm not that athletic, and I'm short by all standards, (pro-wise, anyway.)  But man, when you blow by somebody and just fade-away in his face for that sweet J, it feels good.

I also play because I like being the star.  I like entertaining people, getting them out of their seats, like, WHOA.  That's why I play.  But winning is the bottom line.  At least against people worth playing hard against.

Injury Update

Let's just say I might be able to play on Friday.  I'm excited.  Lester says he only won ONE out of FOUR games last time.  He better hope I'm his teammate, because DAMN.  

Kobe in the house. 

The ROOK Life

Sing to the tune of Kanye's AMAZING song : The Good Life

Like we always do at this time
I go for mine, I got to shine
(Now throw your hands up in the sky)
I go for mine, I got to shine
(Now throw your hands up in the sky)

(I'ma get on this TV Ahmad, I'ma
I'ma put that dunk down
< Hey,) hey, (hey,) hey, (hey,) hey
Hey, I'm good)

Welcome to the rook life
Where playaz play D
Won't even think twice to pull up from three
The rook life, where technicals come with a fee
Where guards aren't afraid to score amongst the trees
The good life, it feel like Atlanta (Horford)
It feel like L.A. (Crittenton), it feel like Miami (Cook)
It feel like N.Y. (Chandler), summertime Chi (Noah), ahh
(Now throw your hands up in the sky)
So the buzzer beater's good
Y'all say it's not, I say you're rude, Referee
And Yi got the goods
And Moon got that bounce, I got to look, sorry
Yo it's got to be early season
Haters say that he's toasted, Almond
Thornton's headband switched the style up
And if they hate then let 'em hate
And watch the points pile up, the rook life

Welcome to the rook life
Where we watch the games that ain't on TV
Cause we got more {League Pass than the models}
The rook life, so keep it coming' with the Gatorade bottles
Till he feel quenched from head to toe
The good life, it feel like Houston (Scola)
It feel like Philly (Smith), it feel like D.C. (Young)
It feel like AA, or the Bay (Belinelli), or Bay-Bay
This is the rook life (Welcome to the rook life)
Homie, tell me what's good
Why I run onto the court while the team in the tunnel still stood (Welcome to the rook life)
Like I'm new in the hood, the only thing I wish?
{More playing time, I wish coach would} (Welcome to the rook life)
He probably think he could, but, but
He don't think he should (Welcome to the rook life)
Thornton's headband switched the style up
And if they hate then let 'em hate
And watch the points pile up, the rook life

A Pro-Baller?

Ok, a friend of mine has told me to sign up for PayPerPost.  I didn't really want to, because my blog is a basktball and health blog, but then I realized something.  If I DO sign up, that'd make a me a pro-baller!  Or at least a pro-baller-blogger. 

I'd be right up there with Rick Kamla and the rest of the NBA.com blog squad.  It's worth a shot.  IF PPP accepts my blog, great.  If not, then no big deal.  But I can't pass up the opportunity to be a pro-baller-blogger. 

OK, I'm decided.  If you don't take the shot, you have no chance of making it. 

I Got New Shoes!

They're not in the style I usually like, but I figured it was time for a change.  They fit really well, and are really comfortable, and that sold me over.  But hey, just read the write-up below.

Ultra-light, ultra-stealthy, the highly evolved Nike Zoom BB provides low-profile Zoom™ technology for quick and deadly court response. This premier basketball shoe is engineered for nimble, agile players like Tony Parker and Steve Nash. Full-grain leather upper with various areas perforated for breathability. An internal mesh fit sleeve offers ultimate comfort. A minimal midsole with full-length Zoom Air™ unit provides close-to-the-ground, responsive, stable performance. Solid rubber outsole with herringbone pattern adds enhanced traction.

I'm going to keep a win-loss record for this shoe.  And any other shoe that comes after it.   

Injury Updates, My Mavericks

Harmed Hamstring

It's doing pretty good, actually.  At least for today.  I did some stretching on it, on that Trebistretch machine, and I think that definitely helped.  I did around 2 minutes worth of stretching on each body part, and my legs are that much more thankful because of it.  

I think if I do this everyday for the next two weeks, I'll be fine soon.  Maybe throw in a muscle relaxant every day, too.  I really really really want this to be OK.  

Wish me luck.

Speaking of Luck..

My Mavericks are dead in the water.  No team with Juwan Howard on it will ever win a championship.  He'll put up the numbers, but in the end, he's just bad luck.  That's all it is.  

And I had such high hopes, too!