...My Sweetest Valentine...

As a guy, I only aim to please. Making surprises should be my thing. But every once in a while, it's nice to feel wanted by being on the other side of a surprise.

Some years back, I was running for a position in the AB Student Council. As candidates, we were supposed to appear single even if we're in relationships, just so we can be more approachable to everyone. I've always thought of myself as a pretty approachable guy, but I had to give respect to the rules. But it was Valentine's Day and I had a girlfriend. It sucked that I had to be watching everyone else bring flowers and chocolates and be all mushy while I had to stand and smile and shake everyone's hands to urge them to vote for me. To cap off the frustration of not being able to do anything for my girlfriend, she texts me of some emergency that she had to go home immediately.

I had to endure the rest of the day without an escape from my normal routine. At around 5PM, there was a toy car making noise on the lobby where we stayed on. It was for me. I had a feeling that there was no emergency, but I went along with it. By 6PM the candidates were all asked to go back to home base to regroup. Sof asked me to pick something up from her car parked near the Dapitan exit of UST. It was weird because candidates weren't usually tasked to go on errands, but I did as asked, wishing I'd be getting more than just what she was asking for. With a fast-beating heart, I walked as fast as I can but tried to act not too excited about it. When I got to the car, it opened, with my girlfriend holding a football-designed pillow radio because she knew that I listened to the radio to get me to sleep, and my radio then was a pain to adjust the volume. 

It was 2005. 

It was the first Valentine's Day that Che and I celebrated.

Over the years, we've outdone each other with surprises to express our love for each other. No one's keeping score, but the priceless memories of special moments we shared are always fun to look back at. We didn't need an occasion, but Valentine's Day was a day we could be extra mushy and not get ridiculed about it. 

From then to now, we were never an overly cheesy couple, mainly because she's boyish and the relationship started out with us being friends. However, being the more mushy, and more vocal one, I do the cheesy stuff without her knowledge. Like this blog. 

After n-number of pounds, two break-ups, a sea of tears, friends that have come and gone, endless laughs, countless restaurants discovered, and first trips and experiences, our relationship has constantly evolved to keep us both in it. We've made sacrifices, we've had to adjust, but in the end, what matters is that we always find a way to make it work. 

Happy Valentine's, love <3

It sucks that Facebook wasn't as big then to remember that first Valentine's Day by. But here's the closest picture that I have to that day:

First Studio pic, taken at Robinson's Metro East, October 2004

...All-NBA Saturday Perfomers...

The NBA All-Star weekend boasts of the selection of the NBA's best of the best going at it to entertain the fans. Year in and year out, there are always snubs for the All-Star Game and probably for the Rookie-Sophomore showcase. For All-Star Saturday, there are times that there's a player that just plays above everyone else. Rarely do we ever see a rivalry like Craig Hodges and Larry Bird for the Three-Point Shootout, or Micheal Jordan against Dominique Wilkins for the dunk title. Most of the time, there's a Ray Allen dominating in-game shooters, or a Vince Carter just shutting everyone up, or some random white guy like Jason Kapono shooting lights out in the shootout, and Brent Barry winning a dunk title.

If there was a chance to draft a collection of stars to play in the showcase, here are my possible selections:

Skills Challenge:

Tony Parker
The San Antonio Spurs' floor general has the handles, speed and court vision to challenge for the best time in this event. He won the event last year, and it's difficult not to include him in an event like this.

John Wall
The third year guard may be given too much credit here, but really, he has the qualities of a guard who can really perform in this competition.

Isiah Thomas
In his prime years during the "Bad Boys" era, Thomas was one of the most spectacular guards to watch in Detroit. The skills challenge wasn't played during his time, but if it was, Thomas would surely rank one of the best.

Steve Nash
The former two-time MVP is also a two-time winner of the event. He's not much of a speed demon, but he's fast enough, and you know he can pass with his eyes closed.

Dwayne Wade
A natural shooting guard, Wade has the skills to play point when needed. He's the only other two-time winner, and the only back to back champion at this Skills Challenge since its inception in 2003.

Magic Johnson
Magic's size allows him to take long strides that may be a huge factor in cutting his time down. And the man can pass lasers and amazing bounce passes.

Jason Williams
"White Chocolate" has always dazzled on the floor, with some of his best years played in the pass-oriented Sacramento Kings. His speed and passing accuracy makes him a prime candidate to dominate this competition.

*Allen Iverson
Despite being one of the fastest players that ever played in the NBA, his passing is almost suspect, so he might lose time on those passing challenges. Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury can probably make the cut before considering AI.

Three Point Shootout

Larry Bird
It can't be a shootout without Larry Legend. The man practically declares his victory even before the competition starts. It ain't bragging unless you can back it up. If there was a season award for the best three point shooter in the league, it should be named the Larry Bird Award.

Craig Hodges

The only other three-time champion of the event, Hodges won the event after Larry Bird and Dale Ellis won the first four (Bird winning the first three).

Ray Allen
One of the best shooters in the NBA, Allen has won the competition in his prime. He's an in-game set shooter, which makes him a dangerous sniper in competition and actual games.

Dirk Nowitzki
In the early part of his career, Dirk mainly played outside. Despite criticism on his "soft" play, he actually revolutionized the PF position to stretch outside. Guys like Ryan Anderson, Channing Frye, and Andrea Bargnani among others, have Dirk to thank for getting the chance to play the way that they play.

Peja Stojakovic
Probably one of the best pure shooters to have played in the NBA, Peja is a two-time champion for the event. How else can he prove to be one of the best shooters than going against the others? 

Mark Price 
Knockdown shooter for the Cavs, it would be interesting to watch him compete against the best of the best in a competition. The former back to back champion held the record for most points in the final round at 24.

Jason Kapono
Random white guy won the twice, bringing him in the same conversation as Peja, Mark Price, and Jeff Hornacek. He tied Mark Price's record in his first year of winning the title, and broke it by scoring 25 points in the final round in his second year winning the title. But unlike the other three multi-titled champions, Kapono never really made much of an impact with his team during actual games. Maybe he's a player made for these types of contests?

Jeff Hornacek
Utah's designated shooter during the Jordan era, Hornacek is probably more known for his unique palm-to-the-face ritual before taking his free throws than he is for knocking down three pointers. But he actually won the competiton in the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons against the likes of Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Dirk Nowitzki and Charlie Ward.

*Reggie MillerAwesome game shooter, but he might not perform as well in a competition. He makes ridiculous shots to go in especially in crunchtime, and he's probably one of the best shooters in the NBA durin his time. However, a full minute of shooting 20 balls in five different spots on the floor may be too much for a jump shooter like him. Ditto Steve Kerr (who actually won the event in '96).

Slam Dunk

Julius Erving
The innovator has to be in this. He is the player we may have to thank for all the dunks we see today. He's the first to make the free throw line dunk made famous by Jordan.

Micheal Jordan
"His Airness" has to be in the conversation when it comes to dunk offs. His iconic "Jumpman" logo was taken from his graceful version of the free throw line dunk. 

Dominique Wilkins
"The Human Highligt Reel" didn't get his monicker for nothing. He's an amazing in-game dunker, and probably a power dunker in the competition, but he doesn't lack creativity.

Vince Carter
Vinsanity made jaws drop whenever he joined a dunk contest. The between-the-legs bounce dunk, the elbow-in-the-ring dunk, and the in-game dunk over the 7-foot center are dunks you must watch if you don't believe he's one of the best dunkers ever.

Jason Richardson
I think he's one of the more underrated dunkers to have won the competition. I've looked up "best dunkers" and his name never comes up. He's got serious air, and he displayed it when he won the competition in 2000.

Lebron James
LeBron is putting up ridiculous numbers and he's been in the G.O.A.T. debate since the day he was drafted. However, unlike contemporaries who are in that conversation (MJ, Kobe), he hasn't won or even joined the dunk contest. He teased about it a couple of years back, but he never really put his name out there. Some of his in-game dunks are almost competition-worthy, but we can only wonder helplessly as to why he never really joined the competiton.

Nate Robinson
The only three-time winner of the event, Krypto-Nate should warrant consideration in a dunk contest featuring the best. While it can be argued that he battled with so-so opponents, isn't it amazing to watch such a small guy fly up in the air like that?

*JR Smith
This guy has the swag we've been missing in the dunk contest. He's an in-game dunker, but he's got serious air that may just be a key for him in a dunk competition.

*Blake Griffin
Blake is a freak of nature, but I still think he's more of a power dunker who knows how to use props well than a creative competition dunker. His dunks are exciting, no question, but it would probably be better if he won because of how creative his dunk is, and not because he jumped over a car or something. Then again, after all the dunks that we've already seen, just what else can anyone else do? Pre-Lockout 'Nique, Shawn Kemp and Dwight Howard could probably be put in the same competition as Blake in a "Rim-Rattler Challenge" for power dunkers. 

...NBA All-Star Picks...

The NBA All-Star weekend is in a couple of weeks time, and while the annual event's main feature is the All-Star game, I'd say one of the best days to watch would be the Saturday night showcase. While the Rookie-Sophomore game is a glimpse of the young ones, and the All-Star game is an exhibition of the best selection in the NBA, there are times that the games are played for entertainment and not as competitive, as they tend to focus more on dazzling fans than winning the game; which is great, really, but sometimes you just want to see a close game. The Saturday showcase, that's where fun and competition are always truly at play.  They will dazzle with skills, but they will be dazzling to win. Here are my picks for the Saturday showcase:


Seers Shooting Stars
Team Harden: James Harden (Houston Rockets), Tina Thompson (Seattle Storm), Sam Cassell (Legend)
Team Westbrook: Russel Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder), Maya Moore (Minnesota Lynx), Robert Horry (Legend)
Team Bosh: Chris Bosh (Miami Heat), Swin Cash (Chicago Sky), Damien Wilkins (Legend)
Team Lopez: Brook Lopez (Brooklyn Nets), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Mugsy Bogues (Legend)

This is probably one of the hardest ones to pick, but one of the most enjoyable to watch. I'm rooting for the West here, with Team Harden ultimately winning this competition. Team Lopez will be carried by Catchings and Bogues rather than Lopez, I think. I think Team Bosh will be finish last in this.

Skills Challenge:
Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia 76ers)
Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons)
Jeff Teague (Atlanta Hawks)
Damien Lillard (Portland Trailblazers)
Jeremy Lin (Houston Rockets)
Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs)

Tony Parker may have won this challenge before, but those are really fast guys right there. Jeremy Lin could challenge, but despite his pinpoint passing, he may not be fast enough as the other guys. I'm thinking this will be between Jeff Teague, Jrue Holiday (who's been amazing this year, and earned his first All-Star nod), and Damien Lillard (Rookie of the Year, hands down). I'm not counting everyone else out, especially Brandon Knight, who could actually challenge these guys. However, I think the three guys mentioned are having great years for their teams that it would be amazing to top off their year with a win. I'm looking at Jrue Holiday winning this one, with Lillard going in second.

Three Point Shootout:
Paul George (Indiana Pacers)
Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Steve Novak (New York Knicks)
Ryan Anderson (New Orleans Hornets)
Matt Bonner (San Antonio Spurs)
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)

There are game shooters, and there are competition shooters. Game shooters don't usually perform that well in competitions because of either the way they shoot, or the circumstances that go with it. That said, I think I'd eliminate Paul George and Steph Curry early. Kyrie Irving is a game shooter who I think will make a good showing in this competition, and who doesn't want Uncle Drew to win this one? Steve Novak, Ryan Anderson, and Matt Bonner are set shooters who will do great here. My heart goes to Uncle Drew, but this looks like a battle between the three set shooters, with Novak winning and Bonner surprising everyone to go second. Watch out for the "Title Belt" gesture after Novak's performance.

Sprite Slam Dunk:
Gerald Green (Indiana Pacers)
Terrence Ross (Toronto Raptors)
Eric Bledsoe (Los Angeles Clippers)
James White (New York Knicks)
Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets)
Jeremy Evans (Utah Jazz)

Truth be told, the selection last year kinda sucked, considering the fact that the year prior, LeBron James hinted at joining the competition. Without James, it was won by Jeremy Evans, a relatively unknown rookie that was hardly in the Jazz rotation last year. Not much has changed for his career, and now he's back to defend his crown. He's got hops, but there's also awesome competition this year. James White may turn heads, as he's another relative unknown with major hops. Kenneth Faried is a power dunker, but I don't think he could be as creative as Blake Griffin using that power and vertical leap. Eric Bledsoe, as a small guy, would be as fun to watch as Nate Robinson. Terrence Ross is a versatile wing on the Raptors and could be a favorite. But my money's on the returning Gerald Green. After winning the competition while with the Boston Celtics, he was banished to relative obscurity because he turned out to be a one-dimensional player that couldn't make the final cuts of teams. After bouncing around the league and out of it (he had stints in China and Russia), he makes his return to the competition after being unseated by Dwight Howard's "Superman" Dunk in 2008. I think he's going to claim his rightful place among the best dunkers in the league by winning this one, with James White and Terrence Ross probably going with him to the later rounds.