Call it ESP, 50/50 chance, purple being my childhood fave color, or L.A. being one of my best vacation spots… I knew they would do it, again… I said it at the beginning of the NBA season and didn’t waver. When you believe something and can’t shake it, go with it. Just go with it!

Congratulations, Lakers, on your win over the Boston Celtics for the 2010 NBA Championship!

Yep, “I can chew” is right.

As random as this story is, it actually needs to be shared for others to glean some wisdom and–hopefully, common sense. So, New York Knicks big man (on-the-bench big man) Eddy Curry is chewing a big old gum wad in debt [Let me start off first by saying that although totally irrelevant to this story, his son's mother was murdered in Jan. 2009, leaving his little man motherless and that is a troublesome reality for anyone.]… Now here’s the debt-to-debt (Crack up!) ratio layout:

Curry has made more than $57 million in his 9-year NBA career (Okay, now that’s money coming in.). He apparently defaulted on a $575,000 loan with an 85 percent interest rate (What the…), and has been ordered to pay back $1.2 million to Allstar (Funny ironic name) Capital Inc. Now we have been in debt before, right, and we’re expected to pay, right? Well, Curry doesn’t think he should because he owes:

• More than $1,000 a month for cable and satellite television (Must haves… I understand),
• $17,000 a month to various relatives including his parents, sister, and father-in-law (Family can juice you… I get that.),
• $30,000 a month for “household expenses” (I don’t have this problem “yet”, but I can see maybe having it.),
• $207,000 a month in garnished wages that haven’t been elaborated upon, but adds up to almost $2.5 million that he never sees over the course of a year (These are the breaks, man!), and
• $350,000 to Juwan Howard (Okay. Whatever.).

What? And this isn’t adding the numerous cars and trouble with home foreclosures, oh and yes, the weird sexual harassment situation against him. It seems to me, Eddy, that you need to stay in bed for a couple days and just let things take its course (It works for me.). But seriously, where is the discipline and restraint? Where is thinking about tomorrow and the future… Or how ’bout this, my son’s future? The whole entitlement thing that ’cause I have bills I can’t pay another bill is draining to me. Officially drained.

For those who don’t know, we are in the Playoff Semi-Finals for the NBA 2009-2010 season… and, I must say, the thrill of it all has been a bit lessened by the “King“’s hype being silenced, with all of the prophesied whispers of the season coming down to Kobe and LeBron. Okay, so we are over that, right? The season has left us with the L.A. Lakers matched up with the Phoenix Suns and the crazy series between the Boston Celtics paired against the Orlando Magic… Every one’s on the same page now, right? Okay…

If I focus on the latter pairing, for me, the game is less of a competition because there is a resounding sound that Dwight Howard and his Magic  team have given off since Game 1 of the series (…best of 7 I might add). The play is quite reactive on the court and the demeanor is lethargic to say the least. Now, the series is 3-0 Celtics, but I truly believe it had more to do with the blood the Celtics smelled in the water than because they were/are the all around better team. And guess what, Howard’s tone–with even another game he could possibly help win–is already of defeat.

You know, we see this match up on the Discovery channel (Do you know how many “croc guys, who live in the wild,” shows have popped up of recent?)… And I’m back… We see the phenomenon in corporate America, on the play grounds and in Pre-K, and even in the grocery stores. It is the natural process of things, where by only the strongest will survive. So, what is your sound? Seriously?… What do you have floating in the waters beside you (stay focused!)? Are you allowing your “competitors” of sorts command your day and ultimately beat you out of the prize you know you’re more than well deserving of? My mom used to tell me before I left the house that I was a reflection of her… the family. At the time, I was like… Really, Ma! Give it up! But, even then, it gave me something to strive for. I knew I just couldn’t be an average Joe because it reflected poorly on the family. That “sound” my mother placed within me then stays with me up ’til this day. I give it all my best… or, I decline in associating my name to it. You probably won’t win them all (that’s life!), but your sound will remain when the battle is long done.

Who sets these rules? I mean, you can go into the military when you’re 18, but can’t drink (legally) until you’re 21. You don’t have to go to school any more after 16, but you’re still considered a minor in terms of statutory situations… And let’s not even talk about 30 and over clubs (LOL!).

So, why are there age rules for the NBA (There are for other sports, too, but my story is about basketball so go along with me…)? For obvious reasons (or maybe not that obvious), the NBA made a change some time back determining 19 as the entry age before declaring for the draft. Before that time, high schoolers could completely forgo college and head straight into the League (Sports Interruption: Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James became stars straight out of high school.). And we’re back… The thing is, some felt like the transition (mentally and physically) was too abrupt for young people to adjust to and remedied that at least 1 year of college would help ease the huge transition.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a 6-time MVP, 19-time All-Star selection, and in the ’80s helped Magic Johnson lead the L.A. Lakers to 5 NBA titles, says the NBA should raise its minimum age for entry into the League to 21. So uh… I’m thinking with those types of numbers somebody might want to take a listen to the living legend, huh? He feels like there’s a disturbing sense of entitlement among many of today’s young pros and all they’re concerned with is “where’s my money”, but have no regard for the game or the fundamentals. He continues with the substantial argument that they’re depriving themselves of the emotional and physical maturity necessary to meet on- and off-the-court challenges. Check out this quote from Abdul-Jabbar talking about his UCLA coach:

“He said if I let my intellectual life suffer because I was so into being an athlete that I would be less than I could be. I would tell all students to pursue your dreams but don’t let your education suffer.”

Wasn’t that deep (Crack up!)… Naw, it was really was (Don’t you feel all inspired?). You know, I’m just glad someone cares. I’m talking about someone who really knows what its all about and isn’t just talking from a turned-up-nose point of view. When I started this post, I didn’t know I would take this position on the subject, but I like the fact that there’s a reason behind his stance… that it’s not just some rhetoric for a political position or something. He wants to see the game back to how it used to be… fundamentals and gratitude for the opportunity. I can dig that… I still have issues with the 30 and over clubs (I don’t want to see a 65-year-old dancing to Prince. Eek.)!

Yep! I literally have one question… Do you think LeBron James deserved to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the 2009-2010 season?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sixersphotos/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

You know, I totally understand bringing the best out of your team concept and just being an all-around dominant player, but what about Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Exactly! They have a team… I could stop right here with making my point.)? He has been beyond outstanding and, uh, the team (Yes, the Thunder) made it to the Playoffs. I think the hype around LeBron is tremendously overrated… Now, now, before you go there, I do agree with the fact that he’s a beast on the court and subject to embarrassing an opponent at any given time. I just don’t think I’ve seen so much hype around a player who hasn’t won a ring, period. I think it sends the wrong message.

For me, the message conveys that, in the case of Durant, no matter how good I am I have to wait to shine ’cause this guy is the one in the commercials. It’s not about making your bones, because Durant has done that already. It’s a popularity contest, which I believe waters down the integrity of the game. All I want him (LeBron) to do is win a ring…

It’s Play-off time for the NBA and the best of the best are shining! Teams are donning their fresh jerseys and they’re all out for blood, uh, or at least a chance to hoist the championship trophy over their heads (The blood thing was a bit too dramatic for me…).

One thing that’s both obvious and unusual is that a few of the superstar players for these teams aren’t playing, for one reason or another, or they’re on the floor, but just not showing up. The rest of these guys’ teammates are still playing and trying to take their team to the next level.

I wonder how the superstars, who are in these situations, feel. I mean, seriously. You know these guys have passion and heart for the game and the ego side of them must be saying, “this is my team”. Whatever the case, I’m sure there are an array of feelings going on. These scenarios got me to thinking of ‘real-life’ stuff…

Not real-life stuff like if I take a 2-week vacation from work the company won’t survive, because almost always a company will find a way to easily go on without you. No, I’m referring to real-life stuff like how a friend tells you he just doesn’t see himself in his marriage for too much longer or how your girlfriend is thinking of terminating her pregnancy. I think of the other side… You know, the grass-is-greener side and I imagine how that side will go on and if it can go on. Of course, there are real-life matters that aren’t earth shattering, but I know you can feel me on this. Just like the superstar feels like he is bigger than the team or is hurt by their success without him, surely real-life stuff forces you to look at your own reality to see how much you’re making an impact, if any. I hope for the sake of the championship, and the real-life stuff, that folks can get their heads back in the game and realize what’s at stake.

Okay, so Hubby and I were watching the NCAA Finals tonight, Duke versus Butler, and I’m telling you… I’m drained.

Now, I won’t assume that everyone knows the biggest differences between the two, but in a nutshell it was the modern-day David and Goliath epic event; with Duke being the conceptual (and financial) giant between the two. Now, if you’ve read any of the Wait Til A Commercial posts, you’ll know that I chat about professional sports. But, as a sports lover in general, I just had to start typing… I had to get it out.

Let me start by saying I’m not a hater, although I will say that teams like Duke are why I don’t watch much of the tournament in general. Seriously! They just dominant everything… I mean, from getting those “ghost” calls or as I’d like to say, “Coach K” calls (As a note, Coach Krzyzewski is like America’s coach, having a championship legacy and was the coach for the NBA Olympic team.), to just the overall “I’m-better-than-you” feeling from a good number of the players that translates onto the court.

Butler gave Duke a run for their money and the Dukies were hating that the refs were actually calling them out instead of giving them their usual carte blanche calls. In the end, Duke won, but barely… I know, I know. A win is, indeed, a win, but David got some really good hits in on Goliath. Watching the game really had me thinking about how you can never give up. No matter what! I know those Butler young men are sad right now, but winning is relative in that they came so far… much further than many expected.

Life is gonna keep coming… a lot of times with no pauses and no let-up moments. You have to be fortified in knowing that you are worthy and you can achieve what you’ve set out to achieve. Don’t be put off by the haters in your life. And sometimes that can even be that voice in your head… Bottom line, you are worthy. Get your sling shot and knock ‘em down… one by one.

This one is for the ladies (Guys please feel free to read on.)… I’ve been thinking about you and all that you must be going through with the NCAA (college ball a.k.a. “March Madness”) going on and all of your man’s fave professional sports. I feel your pain, but I’m here to give you hope. There will come a time when you will be the center of his attention again… the apple of his seemingly consistent sports’ eye. But, how  long are you willing to wait for this glorious day to appear?

Wait no longer ladies… today could be the day!!

So, you know he’s not giving up the remote (especially during this time of year) to you so you can watch your home design show or to even spend some “you look at me and I look at you” quality time. And, I know you’re tired of being “hushed” or looked upon like you just have no clue, but I’m here to cheer you on and let you know that quality time comes in an array of flavors.

The flavor we’re gonna focus on is “adaptability”. Remember when you two first started out and you’d do anything just to be around him? You couldn’t care less about the game he was watching or the party you were attending. You just wanted to show him how you could roll with him… You were adaptable. Now fast forward 5 0r 10 years, after you’ve watched him scratch and burp while he forgets to wash his hands (Crack up!), you look in the mirror and wonder why you even try. Being adaptable isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, right (Maybe a few expletives or poisoning concoctions…)? LOL!

Well, go back to that place in your mind (and heart) where nothing else mattered… Snug up on the couch or near him and spend that time with him while he’s doing what he loves. It really, really doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you. He does. He will appreciate you and you won’t have to wait to be his center of attention. [Hint Hint: It's Final Four time (NCAA; Butler, Duke, W. Va, Michigan State)... get online and find something out about the teams that relates to you or the two of you. He'll be impressed that you even tried.]

So, who’s apology was better… Kobe’s or Tiger’s?

Believability is big for anyone, and for me, I’m no different. I believed Kobe. He had the support of his wife (whether genuine or not) and he even had some tears. Whereas Tiger appeared a bit mechanical and rather distracted. For me, it was like he’d practiced using that camera and I just wasn’t feeling him… Wait, and did you see how “too through” his mother was with him (LOL!)? Her body language was priceless.

Overall, the subject is sad in that it is so common and so I’m glad they both chose to apologize. I would like for those who come out to apology to maybe come out without a script… You know, free style a bit. I’m all for notes, an outline, or a bulleted list, but having the entire speech written gives more of a politician look. And, well, uh, I’m thinking the idea is to stay away from being compared to a politician.

Okay, so some have voiced their glee over the L.A. Lakers being able to do their thing without they’re leader, Kobe Bryant, on the floor. The glee has actually turned into the notion that maybe the team is better off without his presence. I’m not of the same concept…

To the contrary, this 4-time NBA champion-having, MVP-totting, Olympian-possessing specimen of an athlete is the team. A well noted analyst said it best in saying that no one is going to tell Kobe he’s not going to play. He will tell them… and that goes for the owner down to the coach. I mean he’s out with some injuries, not awaiting arraignment for some gun charge. It’s not even a matter of that. It’s about the  respect. There is such a lack of it.

I believe the team has been playing so well in Kobe’s absence because of their respect for him. They want to make him proud. They want him to know they can pick up the slack while he’s working on getting better.

Man… just because your mom or wife leaves for a week for a conference, does that mean you would rather do without her for good (Uh, choose your answers carefully. LOL!)?