...The Playoffs 2011: The East...

It's that time of the season again, where the top 16 teams separate themselves from the rest of the pack, and slug it out for the biggest prize in the league: the NBA Championship. I give annual predictions for the playoffs, and I think I have a pretty decent positive percentage. These predictions earn me nothing, and this writing this does me no good. But I just like the feeling of being right and actually having proof that I was.=)) 

This year, with all the Fantasy Basketball knowledge that I have, I can give a more in-depth analysis on my predictions and not just base it on stats. I have also decided to make predictions per round, if in case I get some predictions wrong. For the time being, the West seedings are still a bit blurry for me, but at least I got to finish The East already. 

(1) Chicago Bulls vs (8) Indiana Pacers

Roster:
INDIANA         CHICAGO

G Darren Collison                                            PG Derrick Rose
G Paul George                                                SG Ronnie Brewer
F Danny Granger                                             SF Luol Deng
PF Tyler Hansborough                                      PF Carlos Boozer
C Roy Hibbert                                                   C  Joakim Noah

The Bench

G Tj Ford                                                          C Omer Asik
C Jeff Foster                                                   SG Keith Bogans
G/F Mike Dunleavy                                         G/F Rasual Butler
G Dahntay Jones                                               F Taj Gibson
C Solomon Jones                                           G/F Kyle Korver
F Josh McRoberts                                             G John Lucas III
G/F James Posey                                             G Jannero Pargo
G A.J. Price                                                   F/C Brian Scalabrine
G/F Brandon Rush                                          F/C Kurt Thomas
G Lance Stephenson                                         G C.J. Watson

Key Players: Derrick Rose, Danny Granger

Watch out for: Bench players on both teams

Season series: Chicago won, 3-1

How the roster stacks up:

Derrick Rose is playing an incredible season. Sure the Spurs have played well throughout the season, but the Bulls have been just as good after a slow start. Unlike last year when there were debates flaring out about who the MVP was, this season, Rose has emerged as the heavy favorite, with no one close to even try and take that away from him (except Dwight Howard, of course). They are virtually an unstoppable team, with the 2 spot being the only apparent weakness. And to think they can fill that out with defensive specialist Ronnie Brewer, bench sparkplug C.J. Watson, sharpshooter Kyle Korver, and veteran starter Keith Bogans. Old reliable Jannero Pargo can also fill that spot up. Taj Gibson and Omer Asik won’t do much scoring but will definitely make offensive players work for their shots, and rebounding can be a bitch with those two manning the paint. Brian Scalabrine and Kurt Thomas give veteran presence when they are called. 

Indiana, for its part, is one of the few teams in the league that can go 15-deep in their lineup. Though not as talented as 8-deep lineups, they have an infinite number of combinations they can use. Tyler Hansborough and Josh McRoberts have shown great improvements this season. If Roy Hibbert can stay out of foul trouble and regain his dominant form at the start of the season before getting injured, he surely would be a force to reckon with inside. Rookie Paul George has shown flashes of brilliance to complement Danny Granger’s lackluster performances as of late. Mike Dunleavy is an effective scorer when healthy. Dahntay Jones can provide energy, a defensive presence, and a bit of a scoring punch off the bench. And people forget how good T.J. Ford is. Jeff Foster is also an underrated center.

Prediction: Bulls win, 4-0

This is a series that can’t be placed on a storybook type of scenario. No team can play the part of villain because both teams are filled with so much heroes. They all play hard, and they’re all talented from the starting 5 to the 15^th player on the bench. However, as good as the Pacers have been all season, they’re not as good as the red-hot Bulls right now. Not to take anything away from the great season that the Pacers have had, but I do think that the first experience of being in the playoffs would prove to be too much for the young guys in the team to be able to perform at the level they’re playing now. This will be a competitive series, and games will be close, but ultimately, the Pacers won’t win in Chicago, and the Bulls have too much momentum on their side by Game 3, that by Game 4, the Pacers will have already been too demoralized to win.

(4) Orlando vs (5) Atlanta

Roster:

      ORLANDO         ATLANTA

PG Jameer Nelson                                           PG Kirk Hinrich
SG Jason Richardson                                      SG Joe Johnson
SF Hedo Turkgolu                                            SF Marvin Williams
PF Brandon Bass                                            PF Josh Smith
C Dwight Howard                                               C Al Horford

The Bench

F Ryan Anderson                                           G/F Jamaal Crawford
G Chris Duhon                                                  C Zaza Pachulia
F/C Earl Clark                                                G/F Damien Wilkins
F Malik Allen                                                    G Jeff Teague
G Gilbert Arenas                                               F Josh Powell
G JJ Reddick                                                    C Hilton Armstrong
G/F Quentin Richardson                                    C Jason Collins

Key Players: Dwight Howard, Al Horford

Watch out for: Jameer Nelson, Atlanta bigs

Season series: Atlanta won, 3-1

How the roster stacks up:

The early season trade that Orlando pulled off took the league by surprise. It drastically improved the Magic’s roster by getting back arguably their MVP during their Finals run in Hedo Turkgolu, traded a former all-star for another former all-star (Gilbert Arenas for Rashard Lewis), and got a borderline all-star in Jason Richardson. But things didn’t run as smoothly as expected, and they eventually fell to the 4^th spot in the East, after being a heavy favorite back in the preseason. They still have a wide arsenal at their command; Ryan Anderson is a stretch 4 in the Hedo mold without the playmaking ability; Jameer Nelson still has something to prove after being criticized for making a comeback in their finals run despite Rafer Alston and Jason Williams capably manning the point at that time; Brandon Bass is a workhorse that takes care of the boards ably; and JJ Reddick has improved his defense drastically to become a major part of the rotation. These facts, added to the fact that Dwight Howard is on their team, make the Magic that much scarier to face in the first round. What could be scarier is if Gilbert Arenas regains his playoff form circa 2006.

Atlanta has had its hot and cold streaks all season. The trade that blindsided starting point guard Mike Bibby and sent him to Washington in exchange for Kirk Hinrich didn’t seem like it would matter, but I think the defense that Kirk Hinrich brings to the team is a valuable asset for the Hawks. And no matter how clutch Joe Johnson is and that he’s the man for Atlanta, the Hawks can only go as far as Al Horford will take them. Josh Smith is an all-around player that will contribute greatly on both ends of the floor. Marvin Williams still has to prove his worth after being picked before Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Jamaal Crawford is a 6^th man playing starters’ minutes, and he’s been playing at a starter’s level. Jeff Teague has been handed the reins and will perform when called. Hilton Armstrong, Josh Powell, Zaza Pachulia, and Jason Collins have bodies wide enough to fill up the paint. Damien Wilkins is a solid bench player that knows his role in the rotation.

Prediction: Atlanta in 6

After careful deliberation and research, I have come to the conclusion that Atlanta is a more sound team than Orlando coming in to the playoffs. Despite the big names and all that talent in the Magic bench, they still have not figured out how to optimize their roster. For Atlanta, they just got better with Hinrich-for-Bibby swap. They’ve been a project for several years, and this might be the peak of their team in terms of talent. The team has been solid with few roster shakeups as compared to the Magic and their drastic changes over the course of the season. With the Magic anchored so much on Dwight Howard, they get to win games because he is so dominant down low. However, the Hawks have able bodies in Pachulia, Collins, Armstrong, and Powell who are not afraid to go toe-to-toe with the big fella and take him one on one. With everybody else not leaving to double on Dwight, it makes it that much difficult for him because he has to create his own shots, and not be able to kick out to shooters because no one’s open. I see a shocker in Game 1, with Atlanta taking it, and the rest of the games for the home team to take the wins.

(3) Boston vs (6) New York

Roster:

      BOSTON NEW YORK

PG Rajon Rondo                                               PG Chauncey Billups
SG Ray Allen                                                   SG Landry Fields
SF Paul Pierce                                                 SF Carmelo Anthony
PF Kevin Garnett                                              PF Amare Stoudemire
C Jermaine O’Neal                                              C Ronnie Turiaf

The Bench
 
F Jeff Green                                                        F Jared Jeffries
F/C Glen Davis                                                   G Roger Mason Jr
C Nenad Kristic                                                  G Toney Douglas
F Troy Murphy                                                    G Anthony Carter
G Carlos Arroyo                                                  F Derrick Brown
F Sasha Pavlovic                                                F Renaldo Balkman
G/F Von Wafer                                                   F Shelden Williams
C Shaquille O’Neal                                             G Shawne Williams
G Delonte West                                                 G Bill Walker

Key Players: Rajon Rondo, Amar’e Stoudemire

Watch out for: The vets vs superstar pairing

Season series: Boston won, 3-1

How the roster stacks up:

Boston is in stuck in the middle of rebuild and championship push. While their team was performing well, they decide to ship Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma to find a player that would fill up Paul Pierce’s spot in the team. The future of the Celtics looks like Rajon Rondo and Glen Davis being the anchors, and they needed a third young player preferably at the wing position to build the team around on in the future. They got that in Jeff Green, but in the process, lost the big body and physicality Perkins can give the team inside. Now, it seems that they need to get the O’Neals healthy again, because Troy Murphy and Nenad Kristic aren’t those strong, physical types. Carlos Arroyo seems like a solid pickup, especially with the talented, but fragile Delonte West being their backup point. Sasha Pavlovic offers defense and some perimeter shooting, but they won’t look to him so much to contribute. If Von Wafer finds his form when he was in Houston, he would be a very valuable asset to this team. Much has been said about the Big Three, and their performances would dictate what happens to this team in the postseason, but this run is the team’s transition of handing the team over to Rajon Rondo.

After striking out in the free agent bonanza of 2010, New York “settled” for Amar’e Stoudemire and his unsure knees. Then he breaks out and goes for monstrous performances night in and night out, and literally carry the team on his back. Then he even got his wish when management decided to turn the roster over and grab the disgruntled Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets. Chauncy Billups is a solid bonus in that trade, as well as the veteran locker room presence of Anthony Carter. These two should keep the young superstar tandem of the apostrophed ones’ egos at bay. Wilson Chandler was playing so well for the team that his loss was supposed to hurt the team. But then they got Jared Jeffries, New York’s Wilson Chandler before there ever was a Wilson Chandler. Landry Fields is a scrappy guard that can defend and give outside shooting when needed. Toney Douglas will also contribute greatly to their cause from the bench. Mike D’Antoni uses a short bench, so the other bench players not named Jeffries or Douglas would have to split the remaining minutes.

Prediction: New York in 6

I have been in this position 3 times last year, when I discounted the Celtics in every round they got into. But this year, I am a little bit more confident that they won’t get past the still excited New York Knicks, simply because of the loss of Kendrick Perkins. Other than physicality, he was somewhat the heart of the team. Yes, the Knicks are new to this postseason thing, but Carmelo and Amare are not. They can carry this team on their shoulders, as they have their previous teams. Despite the short bench, the starting unit is loaded with talents, so they wouldn’t need to rely too heavily on their bench. And with the core being young as they are, they would have enough energy to keep up with the Big 4 and veteran bench of Boston. On the other side of the spectrum, Boston’s age was a red flag for me last year, and it is still a red flag for me now. Their low post looks much too different with Nenad Kristic being a stretch 5 rather than a hulking force that was Perkins. Shaq’s health and Jermaine’s performance would greatly swing the series in favor of the Celts. But with health being a major issue at this point in time for Boston, the early to mid season run of the Celts may have been their last hurrah before full rebuild.

(2) Miami vs (7) Philadelphia

Roster:

   PHILADELPHIA MIAMI

PG Jrue Holiday                                                  PG Mike Bibby
SG Jodie Meeks                                                 SG Dwayne Wade
SF Andre Iguodala                                               SF LeBron James             
PF Elton Brand                                                   PF Chris Bosh
C Spencer Hawes                                                 C Zydrunas Ilgauskas

The Bench
 
G/F Evan Turner                                                   G Mario Chalmers
F Thaddeus Young                                               C Joel Anthony
F Andres Nocioni                                               G/F Mike Miller
G/F Antonio Daniels                                              F James Jones
F/C Mareese Speights                                           F Juwan Howard
G Lou Williams                                                     G Eddie House
C Tony Battie                                                       C Jamaal Magloire
G/F Jason Kapono                                                C Erik Dampier
F Darius Songaila                                                 F Udonis Haslem

Key Players: Andre Iguodala, LeBron James

Watch out for: The other Miami players

Season series: Miami won, 3-0

How the roster stacks up:

Philadelphia’s success this season has been attributed more to the coaching change rather than a drastic spike in player performances. That is not to take away anything from the talent in the roster. Elton Brand had a stretch of double-double performances in the season, and was a solid player for them in the post; not his Clipper-playoff run self, but at least better than his first year in Philly. Andre Iguodala was expected to be the face of the franchise, and though he wouldn’t post eye-popping numbers, he did put stats across the board that helped his team get much needed wins for a playoff push. Jrue Holiday has emerged as a solid point guard for their team. Evan Turner, the second pick in the draft, was solid, but not good enough to even challenge for the top rookie honors. He’s not franchise-player-of-the-future material, but he could be a very good Scottie Pippen, should Philly find a Micheal Jordan. Spencer Hawes has been solid as well. Mareese Speights still hasn’t been a consistent performer, but there’s potential there. Lou Williams was groomed to be the starting point guard before getting hurt and Holiday’s emergence, so there’s no lack of talent there. Thaddeus Young and Jodie Meeks will be the X-factors in this series for Philadelphia.

As expected when they first got together, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh will be heavily-relied on. Then they got a bunch of veteran players who were willing to take less pay and a lesser role if only to win a championship or two. Mike Miller was supposed to be their 6^th man, but despite his rebounds and court presence, he hasn’t done what he was brought here to do: shoot the ball from the outside. That need was filled up by James Jones when they needed it, and the ever-dependable Eddie House. Newly-acquired Mike Bibby now needs to channel his Sacramento days for Miami to win it all. Mario Chalmers provides solid defense at the point, and he can drain the occasional 3 ball. Joel Anthony has been so underrated this season, but he’s been their Dwight in the middle. While Z and Dampier can provide the size and veteran savvy (more for Z than Damp; Damp provides false inside presence, really. He’s one of the big factors why Miami won the championship against his Dallas team in 2006) inside, it really is Joel Anthony’s inside presence that greatly improves the team’s defense. With Udonis Haslem set to return by the playoffs, Miami will have a deep frontcourt come playoff time.

Prediction: Miami wins 4-1

Speaking not just a fanboy, but also on a basketball perspective, Miami is going to have a cakewalk in this series. Not that Philadelphia isn’t dangerous enough, but rather, Miami would just be too much for them to handle. Brand hasn’t been known for his defense, and Hawes would be a foul-prone young center. Thaddeus Young and Speights could probably provide defense, but against a team loaded with talents, two good defenders wouldn’t be enough. The problem that Miami will have to deal with is who gets the ball at the end of games. This has been Dwayne Wade’s team since day one until LeBron came to town. Carrying his MVP trophies and media hype, the diva in “King” James had to be satisfied by handing him the ball at the most crucial times of the game. There’s a reason why the Cavs never won it all despite having all the talents they needed, and there’s a reason why LeBron is never mentioned in the same breath as Kobe, Melo, and even Brandon Roy as the game’s best closer. Wade has been too good of a teammate focused on winning that he’d rather give the ball up to LeBron at the end of games just so ‘Bron won’t whine about not having it. I think this problem will cost them at least one game in this series, but ultimately knock some sense into *choker* LeBron and finally let Wade take control of his team.

 

...On Technology Creating Needs...

"Isandaang libong piso? Saan tayo kukuha ng ganon kalaking halaga?!" 

- From a really old, black & white movie shown in Cinema One

Sometimes I tend to wonder what those times were like, when that kind of money is actually unheard of. These days, it's a year's worth of taxable income.

In simpler times, people were able to live their lives. However, how come that these days, nothing is ever enough? Sure, it makes our lives that much easier, but doesn't it feel somehow that we're creating needs than actually needing it? 

On Modernization

Let me start off with something basic such as electricity. Ok, I can't say it's not great, but sometimes, it seems absurd that we watch a show like Survivor and be awed at how primitive they live their lives for 30 fuckin days. Some people who lived in provinces before didn't even get the chance to have electricity for the entirety of their lives.

Libraries are slowly becoming obsolete. Everything's on the internet now. And with the ever-changing world, it seems that printed material is easily outdated. Books have ebook formats now. When before, we would read entire books and consult the glossary of terms when there are words that are new to us, all we have to do now is Google something and we have what we need.  

Facebook wasn't even a concept some years back. But now, it seems everyone has one. And some can't even live without it for a week.

Our constant dependency on it created our need for it. It's not THAT bad, really. Not as bad as the others, at least.

I think this over-dependency affects our ingenuity, our ability to operate simple stuff, and basically, our need for physical activity.

Medicine and Pornography

I can't say advances in medical technology didn't help the human race, much like electricity did. But there are stuff out right now that we think we need that we didn't think we needed before. A great example would be Viagra or other "performance-enhancing" drugs or teas. People made love before, and they understood that at a certain age, they can't anymore. Now, the people who "need" these "performance enhancers" are getting younger and younger.

Also, the kids who try sex for the first time are getting younger and younger. People get curious earlier, and some get pressured if they pass a certain age because they want to be "in" the conversation. They feel that they "need" to be non-virgins by the time they reach a certain age. 

I blame the created need on pornography. With the way that it is so easily accessible nowadays, people get crazy ideas. They experiment. They become curious. And they are pressured to do the same acts because apparently, it's possible. Anal sex wasn't even thought of as a concept before porn introduced it. Now, it's a problem and a craving that's a constant question in Mo Twister's podcast. 

It somehow destroys our sense of morality, and to some extent, intimacy.

On Cellphones and Gadgets

I remember seeing ads for the iPhone 4 that says "This is going to change everything... Again". Just a couple of years back, we lived in a world without the iPhone. Now, it seems everyone must get their hands on one.

True, cellphones have made life that much easier to communicate more than pagers and air mail. But the recent surge of developments are becoming more and more absurd. Companies like Apple are creating needs for us. We didn't need apps before, now we can't get enough of it. We didn't need Facetime in as early as 2009, and now the iPhone 4 became that much of a need because of the stupid Facetime shit.

The iPad 2 comes out later this week. A couple of years ago, you never thought that such a device would even exist. Yet today, people seem to need to get their hands on these.

Kids don't run around anymore like they used to. When before you chase them around for them to have fun, or they run punch the air like there are monsters attacking, they're now sitting around with heads bowed down with their PSP's and DS devices.

I blame this created need on competition between big companies. Their constant desire to outplay other players in the market created this surge of technological advances.

To some extent, it affects how we run our lives. Savings that before were meant for basic commodities, are now also being spent on the latest gadgets, because apparently, they have become part of the "basic" needs of a person. 

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I think somehow, this is sourgraping because I'm no Steve Jobs or someone who can invent stuff that people would eventually need. But with all the convenience these new stuff gives us, it gives me this sense that it might not be long before we end up like the humans in the movie Wall-E. 

Sue me for hating on technological advancement.

...Sports Rants...

Making a Facebook status usually is enough for me to rant, but sometimes, I think I have a lot more to say. And I'm not a huge fan of the notes thing on Facebook, so I stick with Multiply for my blog, because I am too lazy to re-post on my blogspot site. 

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NBA, Heat

The Heat got somewhat of an upgrade when they got Mike Bibby off waivers before their game against the Magic. I've always seen Eddie House as a poor man's Mike Bibby, but now they got both in their lineup.

While that was supposedly a good lift (especially considering Bibby's experience), and they looked pretty good in the first half of that Magic game, they came up short by allowing the Magic to come back from 20+ points down. 

The difference? It was Chris Bosh who took a shot with 7 seconds left in the clock. Then it was LeBron who shot an errant 3-pointer with 3 seconds left. 

In the lineup are deadly shooters; 3-point king James Jones, 3-point specialists Mike Miller and Eddie House, and newly acquired sharpshooter, Mike Bibby. Also in the lineup is one time Finals MVP Dwayne Wade.

Why, o why, did Wade not even get a crack at it? Sure, he's not a 3-point specialist (although his shooting range is better compared to his championship year), but he's THE man. He's the reason why Bosh came to town. He's the reason why LeBron ditched the chance to play with D-Rose. The Heat is HIS team. Why can't Spo put the ball in HIS hands? 

They're overly depending on LeBron Fuckin James. It's good for my fantasy team, but not good for my team. 

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PBA, trades

San Miguel traded up their old warriors for new blood. While it was viewed as a fair trade by the commissioner (which, in my mind, it somehow actually is), it is again a show of power by the SMC franchise; that even their expendable players are worth starting for other teams. 

On another note, I realized how much MVP is controlling the league. Currently, he has a bit of control on almost all the teams in the league. To review:

San Miguel, B-Meg, and Ginebra are SMC-owned franchises. MVP, I learned from stock market talk with my mom, is a major stockholder of SMC, which is why the stock value of SMC rose for a while.

Talk & Text, Smart Gilas and Meralco are under his control.

Air21, which for a time was Burger King, is also partly owned by MVP.

Alaska and Rain or Shine remain the only teams in the league independent from SMC or MVP. 

With this, I anoint Alaska as my favorite team, and LA Tenorio as my 2nd favorite player, on grounds that he is an Atenean, and Cyrus Baguio as my favorite player only because he is from UST. I declare my support for Rain or Shine, as they continue to build a contender using scrap pieces from SMC and MVP-controlled teams. And finally, I re-affirm my support for Talk & Text, just because I was an indirect scholar, owing to my dad working for PLDT. 

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Football, Azkals

I am an avid listener of Magic's morning show with Mo Twister. A lot of people hate him, and he added to those people by saying the Azkals are getting way too much attention. Now, speaking as a sports fan and not in any way a Mo Twister fan, I do agree with him on this point. I mean, how many "fans" know the Azkals not named Younghusband or Etheridge?

It's great that football is garnering this much attention in a country so crazy about basketball, but really, I bet half of these fans are "fans" more because of eye candy than actual football. Sure, it may start from there, but really, to be so passionate in "defending" the Azkals without even knowing about the game is stupid. 

If they put half of their passion learning about football than drooling over the hybrids, then maybe they'd know when to cheer and when to curse at the players. We want them to win, really, not (just) look good. This is a sport, after all, not a freakin pageant. 

...NBA Trade Deadline Deals...

Now that the flurry of trades are over, while there's a bit of downtime for me in the office, and before anyone can claim that I copied ideas, I'd like to give my takes on the deals that went through.(Source: NBA.com)

For the record, analysis came from reading articles, playing NBA 2k11, and having a daily fantasy league. 

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James Johnson to Raptors

Chicago gets: 

2011 first round pick (from Heat)

Raptors get: 

F James Johnson

Verdict: Neutral

Analysis: 

Not much to talk about, as James Johnson has been at the tail end of the Bulls Bench despite injuries to their bigs. Could be a project, but this deal looks like something to have the Bulls dump salary wherever they can.

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Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks

New York gets:

F Carmelo Anthony

G Chauncey Billups

F Renaldo Balkman

C Shelden Williams

G Anthony Carter

G Corey Brewer (MIN)

Denver gets:

F Wilson Chandler

F Danilo Gallinari

G Raymond Felton

C Kosta Koufous

C Timofey Mozgov

$3 million cash

2014 1st round pick (from NYK)

2012 & 2013 2nd round picks (originally from GSW)

Minnesota gets:

F Anthony Randolph

C Eddy Curry

2015 2nd round pick (from DEN)

$3 million cash

Verdict: Great trade.

Analysis: 

In essence, this is a win-win for the Knicks and Nuggets. While Melo could've just walked over to the Knicks after not signing an extension, New York got a boost in this trade by getting Chauncey Billups. 'Melo and Amar'e could work, really, like AI and 'Melo worked before in Denver. But Denver wasn't a serious contender before Chauncey arrived. Had 'Melo walked, NYK would be a bunch of young guys trying to have fun with each other, and would be exciting to watch, but wouldn't go deep in the playoffs. 

As for Denver, they got great value in getting something out of Carmelo. Gallow could provide a good scoring punch, Chandler would be a nice defensive stopper and 2nd offensive option, and Felton could push the tempo. The problem they have to deal with would be veteran leadership (Kenyon Martin, really?), now that three significant figures in their locker room in 'Melo (the franchise), Chauncey (championship experience, fan favorite), and Anthony Carter (veteran experience) are gone. It'd be interesting how they'd turn out, especially with two players (Lawson and Felton) playing the same style. As Denver already has the Birdman, K-Mart and Nene, Mozgov probably wouldn't be having much playing time. Actually, either Mozgov or Koufous has to go, but either way, they can't go wrong. Both are project big men.  

Oh and New York got back one of their draft busts in Renaldo Balkman (I say bust because the people watching the draft were so disappointed to have picked him at such a high pick, thank Isaiah Thomas). And I think Shelden Williams has major upside, he just needs the minutes. Despite losing Wilson Chandler, getting Corey Brewer is a bit of a safety net for them. At least they don't lose much of the athleticism Chandler provided. Anthony Carter is an good bonus, but really essential. 

As for Minnesota, they get cap relief by season's end and the "intriguing" Anthony Randolph. At least they have someone to spell for Darko if he gets injured again. 

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Deron Heads East

New Jersey gets: 

Deron Williams

Utah gets:

G Devin Harris

F Derrick Favors

2011 1st round pick (NJN)

2012 1st round pick (GSW)

Cash considerations

Verdict: Good trade.

Analysis: 

Raise your hand if you thought this would actually happen!

New Jersey finally lands a legit star after striking out on LeBron, Bosh, Amar'e and 'Melo. From watching shows with American humor, I realize that New Jersey isn't the ideal destination if you're going to the US. And it probably is the reason why big name stars don't want to be shipped there. If Deron re-signs with the team, they should be good, with Brook Lopez developing further, and other stars wanting to play with Deron. 

Utah doesn't lose much in exchange. Harris is an all-star caliber player (though a bit underwhelming this year), while Favors is a rookie with high potential. How he fits in the front court with Millsap and Al Jefferson would be a problem. I think they're going to be moving one more big man in the offseason. 

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Landry for Thronton

Sacramento gets:

G Marcus Thronton

Cash considerations

New Orleans gets:

F Carl Landry

Verdict: Ok trade

Analysis: 

The teams involved didn't get significantly better, but getting these players won't hurt them either. For Sacramento, they are loaded in the backcourt (Francisco Garcia, Beno Udrih, Jeter, Evans), but this is probably just to shake the roster up, and as a short relief while Evans is recovering. Although seeing as they're not in contention for a playoff spot, they might go the Rudy Gay route on Evans, and just rest the rest of the season, as they are left in very capable hands anyway.

For the Hornets, they get relief at the 4 and 5 spots with Landry while Okafor is out of action. I don't really understand why they had to trade for Landry when Jason Smith seems to be progressing nicely. 

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Hinrich to Hawks

Atlanta gets:

G Kirk Hinrich

C Hilton Armstrong

Washington gets:

G Mike Bibby

G Jordan Crawford

G Maurice Evans

2011 1st round pick (ATL)

Verdict: Excellent trade

Analysis: 

This is a great trade for the Hawks. They have had a history of bad point guards, and though Bibby did an excellent job at it, they needed something more. I am a huge Kirk Hinrich fan, and I think getting him at the point can finally redeem Atlanta for not taking any of the good point guards with their high draft picks (Chris Paul and Deron Williams have often been mentioned as those they passed on to take Marvin Williams instead). And now that we've seen Al Horford play as an all-star center, he can probably slide down to his natural position at the 4 with Hilton Armstrong effectively manning the middle. This gives them a scary starting unit, with Hinrich, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith at 3, Horford at 4, and Armstrong at 5. And they still have Jamaal Crawford off the bench. 

For the Wiz, they got a bunch of role players, and a more veteran voice in Bibby. I think Hinrich was great for them and the development of John Wall, but Bibby, as the starting point guard of formerly-perennial playoff contender Sacramento Kings, would be a more authoritative figure that Wall can listen to. Maurice Evans won't hurt the bench production either.

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B-Diddy to the Cavs

Cleveland gets:
G Baron Davis

2011 1st round pick (LAC)

Los Angeles gets:

G Mo Williams

F Jamario Moon

Verdict: Ok trade

Analysis: 

As NBA.com put it, the trade is a way for Clippers management to tell Blake Griffin that they're building around him. In that aspect, this trade goes well with the Clips. And they're not shortchanged with who they're getting, as Mo Williams was a 1-time all-star and is a capable scorer, while moon is a Shawn Marion-type of journeyman. 

For the Cavs, they get a superstar not named LeBron James. Now, if Baron can play like he's interested, the Cavs could get some wins. 

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Boston upgrades for Pierce backup

Boston gets:

F Jeff Green

C Nenad Kristic

Oklahoma gets: 

C Kendrick Perkins

G Nate Robinson

Verdict: Great trade

Analysis: 

Boston needed depth at the wing position with Marquis Daniels injured (just in, Daniels was shipped to Sacramento for cash and a 2nd round draft pick). Getting Jeff Green is a major upgrade at that position. Nenad may not be as physical as Perk, but you have to give up something to get someone at the caliber of Jeff Green. 

For Oklahoma, they got tougher in the interior, now that Perk and Serge Ibaka are splitting time at center. Nate Robinson gives them a Russel Westbrook-light from the bench.

Boston seems to be dumping their bigs for no reason (Semith Erden and Luke Harangody were sent to the Cavs for one (1) 2012 SECOND ROUND draft pick), but seems to be doing so in order to sign free agents. Roster space could probably be reserved for Troy Murphy and a coming-out-of-retirement Rasheed Wallace.

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Rockets moving on without Yao

Houston gets:

C Hasheem Thabeet

Future 1st round pick

Memphis gets:
F Shane Battier

G Ish Smith

Verdict: Good trade

Analysis: 

Memphis gets a veteran voice in Shane Battier. They have one of the youngest teams in the league, and having someone like Battier in their locker room can help organize this group to play as a team. From what I read, Battier is a great locker room guy, and his leadership shows in the playing court. While Z-Bo is a nice vet in the team, he's not the leader they need.

Houston, for their part, finally seems to be coming to terms that Yao Ming will not save their franchise. They trade for a #2 pick with a lot of upside, but so far hasn't shown much. With Chase Budinger, Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin and Luis Scola putting up the points, Thabeet could be the defensive anchor the team needs inside. If he develops an offensive game, he'll probably be able to help this team greatly.

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Charlotte exchanges a big for a guard

Charlotte gets:

F D.J. White

G Morris Peterson

Thunder gets:
C Nazr Mohammed

Verdict: Ok trade

Analysis: 

Paul Silas seems to be getting the hang of his roster, and doesn't want to deviate from what he has. Morris Peterson would probably come off the bench to spell for Captain Jack and play a little bit of point. I think they're confident enough with Kwame Brown to let go of Nazr Mohammed. At least to some extent, that's a relief for Jordan.

As for the Thunder, this doesn't help their team much. They're pretty much set on their rotation, so they're probably either going to move Nazr later, or have Ibaka or Perk as trade baits. 

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Suns make a move

Phoenix gets:

G Aaron Brooks

Houston gets:

G Goran Dragic

Future 1st round pick

Verdict: Bad trade

Analysis: 

I hate this trade. Dragic was going to be who Nash is to the Suns now. I don't understand why they had to let him go to trade for someone who plays much like Leandro Barbosa. I don't think they lack an offensive game, as they have Carter, Frye, Dudley and Nash. What they needed was more jelling, and adding a new, disgruntled player from a completely different system will not help them now. Unless they want to move in a different direction in terms of team philosophy in the future.

As for Dragic, I'm not sure if his playing style fits the Rockets' system. But he'll be playing behind Kevin Martin and Kyle Lowry, which would be such a waste of talent for him. Sure, he'll be a spark off the bench, but he'll probably be stuck in a backup role for the rest of his career in Houston, since they have a young backcourt tandem in place. At least Rockets got rid of Ish Smith in a separate deal, which makes it easier for Dragic to move up in the rotation. 

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Blazers get deeper

Portland gets:

F Gerald Wallace

Charlotte gets:

F  Dante Cunningham

C Joel Pryzbilla

C Sean Marks

2011 1st round pick (NOH)

2013 1st round pick 

Verdict: Awful trade

Analysis: 

Well, it's awful for Charlotte. They let go of their #2 player to pick up pieces from Portland. Sean Marks, who has been a journeyman at best, has been in the league for so long, that I have to assume that he brings intangibles to locker rooms he comes to. Cunningham has upside, if judging only from the time he spelled for the injured bigs of Portland. Those are the best reasons I want to believe why Charlotte pulled the trigger on this deal, because you don't lose a player like Gerald Wallace like that. To some extent, I think it's to give more minutes to Gerald Henderson. He's been getting regular minutes and the 'Cats are playing small most of the time as of late. And they've been winning too. 

For Portland, they get a defensive wing to complement offensive machines like Wes Matthews and Nicolas Batum. They can't go wrong with this. But given Wallace's injury history, he doesn't make the team better in terms of health.

The trade is awful in such a way that it's not really a win-win situation.

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...An Admission of Weakness...

I have always thought that once I put my mind on to something, I can be great at it. I have always believed that I had a potential to be anyone I want to be. After a week of ups and downs, I must punctuate it with this emo-blog to try to push all the negativity in this week, so that tomorrow will truly be a new day. 

I normally edit parts of my blog to emphasize points I'd want to stress, but this is not one of my proudest blogs, so I leave it to the reader who wants to read, to the reader who is actually interested, to the reader who wants to sympathize, and to the reader who has nothing better to do than read an emo-post. =P 

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On Being a Student

My sister is a licensed architect. My brother is a registered nurse. And I'm a Philosophy graduate. Everyone thought I'd pursue law, but I didn't. In all honesty, I believe I'm so afraid of failure, that I wouldn't even dare try. I barely passed my undergraduate degree. I've always made my focus on extracurricular activities as the main reason why I had sub-par grades during college. But even that didn't work out too well for me. 

As a student, I don't think I could last listening to a lecture for more than 20 minutes. I don't think I could read beyond 14 pages of a textbook without falling asleep on it. I know these because that's who I was when I was a student. I am a Philosophy major who wouldn't be able to help you out in your Philosophy assignments. I know some of them philosophers and what their fields are, but I probably don't know any more than you do. I probably have knack for reasoning, but I don't have the will power to read up on sources to back up my stand. I'm too unequipped in Philosophy to try to pursue a Master's degree in it and teach, and I don't have the will power to study as law students do. 

As for my "alibi" on getting sub-par grades, I took a risk. Knowing full well that I'm not academically equipped to excel as a normal student, I devoted my attention to public service in my level; student politics. In my first year, I proclaimed that I'd want to be considered as a possible candidate for the presidency or the public relations officer, because I had the notion that those are the two positions that had most impact. They got me as the auditor. I lost in my first year, worked in the council as tirelessly as I have over the past year, and eventually won in my second try as the auditor. Everyone had an expectation of me, that even my opponents didn't take their defeats heavily. And even then I failed those expectations. I even had one of the nicest chairpersons of the party in Ate Jean Castillo, on my case back then. As a result, I didn't have the full confidence of the whole student community when I ran for the presidency.

And now, I hold a degree which doesn't get me anywhere, burned myself by not getting above-average grades academically, and I don't even have a "president" tag in my resume. It sucks to find a job with what I am equipped with, but thankfully, I have one.

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On Being a Partner

Che and I are going on our seventh year. Seven. Some marriages don't even last this long. And yet, we're not planning on getting married soon. We haven't been on too many trips. The most expensive gift that I gave her was probably the cellphone I gave her way before, and almost half of which my mom paid for. And she gave me a PS3 last December.

Now, that may not mean much. But it's frustrating that I can't even come up with a nice Valentine's day surprise for her. As mushy as I am, I haven't made her feel as special as I want her to. No surprise trips somewhere, no romantic reservations to any dinner. Nothing. We've seen couples travel, we've seen them give outrageous gifts to each other, and I can't even do any of those.

I feel more like her big brother than her boyfriend at times. Well, that's what we've always been, but, as in romantically, I'm just frustrated that I can't make her feel as special as any of those women in those couples we see. 

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On Work

Well, basically, work is all this is about. By June of this year, I'll officially be working for 4 full years now. Total savings: nada. Career path: headed nowhere. 

One day, after meeting a customer, I went out of that meeting and realized; can I really do this shit?

I'm frustrated because I don't know how to get things done. I'm familiar with the business, but this sales thing is so new to me. It's like, I'm still learning to type on the typewriter while everyone's tapping on their iPads. I don't know how most stuff works, but I'm treated as if I should. The longer I've been here, the more detached I have become to my boss, when at first, I thought that it would draw us closer. Almost six months going, and I'm still learning to talk to customers, still learning how to sort out those seriously wanting to consider doing business and those who are just hearing out ideas. We're in the business of flavors and fragrances, and on my side (fragrance), I haven't sold anything. What the fuck is the use of being a salesperson when you can't sell anything?

I feel like an overpaid slacker. No, it's not that I'm not trying. I'm being what I hate now, bugging people to ask questions that I know the answer to. I'm working my ass off to try and sell something, but I haven't. I feel like an overpaid slacker because I haven't sold anything as a salesperson, and I'm being paid as a salesperson.

And though I think I'm overpaid, I still haven't saved anything. No matter how materialistic this sounds, I do believe that money affects my life greatly. The lack of it affects my whole life; not being able to surprise my girlfriend, not being able to even plan on settling down, not being able to plan for trips, not being able to try to consider studying something else, etc.. 

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This past week, I failed to wow my girlfriend on Valentine's day. I met a customer I don't even know if I can actually do business with. I haven't sold anything still. I felt like I'm being pressured to give in to the demands of a customer just because I need the sale. I felt like I'm ruining the fragrance part of my boss's business. I felt like I'm not being as much help as I was expected to be when I came in to our company. And my car just had to have fucked up electrical wirings. 

At some point of this bad weak, I came to a realization: I'm weak. I'm not good at anything. The things I think I'm good at are things that won't earn me any money. For a guy whose wardrobe selection includes his dad and brother's cabinets, I seriously don't know how someone could spend so much. I can't even buy the things I want. I want to cry while admitting that I can't do what I'm doing, and actually believe that it'd make everything better. 

But this admission of weakness is in no way an acceptance of defeat. Like I said, this is just putting all the bad vibes in one ball and throwing it out there so that I'd be prepared to face the next week as a new week, a new beginning. If there are winners and losers in this world, and I apparently happen to belong to the latter, I'd still continue to strive as if I'd reach something. Heck, I graduated Philosophy when I thought I wouldn't. I landed a job when I thought I couldn't. I lived when I should've died a few years back in an accident. Losers don't have to just lie down and wait to get trampled upon, because sometimes, luck just smiles their way. 

Maybe I can't do this. Maybe I wasn't meant for this. But hey, that shouldn't keep me from trying. Being a basketball player on the soccer field doesn't mean the basketball player can't contribute anything on the field.

The admission of weakness shouldn't mean a declaration of defeat, but rather, a blueprint on what to overcome. 

And with this, I seriously hope luck decides to smile at me again. =|

...An Incoherent Take on Fantasy...

“I found an emulator online that lets you play classic text based computer games from 1980’s…. It runs on the world’s most powerful graphics chip: imagination.” 

– Sheldon Cooper, Big Bang Theory Season 4

 

Fantasies shaped us in one way or another to be who we are today. There are times that I actually envy the kids of today because they have such cool, modern toys. When I was a kid, my joy was up to high heavens when Santa gave me a robot/jet transforming toy, even though my brother got the same thing. These days, a kid would throw a fit if he didn’t get a PSP or something.

As the year 2010 ended, I came across an article that enumerated what kids born today will never know (for the sake of those interested to take the trip down memory lane, http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2010/12/29/30-things-babies-born-in-2011-will-never-know/). Then Che and I watched Beauty and the Beast on Disney Channel on the last day of 2010. It made me realize how much kids of today are missing.

Fantasy. Imagination. Today, modern gadgets do the imagining for you. Fantasies are now either too absurd to even listen to, or something not impossible to happen. My thoughts on fantasies and how it affects us:

Disney Flicks

I can't even remember the last Disney Movie that I watched that could probably be clustered in the "classic fairy tale" category. All I know is, I stopped watching when Pocahontas, Hercules, and the Hunchback of Notre Dame came out. 

They don't make it quite the same as before. These flicks had little girls wanting to be princesses. And as they grew older, they wanted to have a fairy-tale ending with some prince charming they drew up in their minds, hidden behind the names "Mr. Right", "The Right One", "The Ideal Man", etc.

Kids of today have talking cars, talking toys, and talking animals that are loads of fun, really, but not "magical" like the Disney flicks of the past. They deprive kids of today the chance to dream of being a princess or becoming the prince that saves the princess. 

On the plus side: 
Those kids will grow up not waiting for "Mr. Right" or something because they never drew him up. They can be just kids, enjoying the colors of the animated cartoon offerings of Disney, and later on in life, be practical about choosing their partner of choice. 

On the minus side:
Everything is becoming too casual these days. By the time these kids hit puberty, they won't be thinking "this isn't right, you're not right" when some moment consumes them. There are no Mr. Right or Ms. Perfect, only a person and another person who'd like to try stuff they don't know about. 

Superheroes

These are for the young boys. Everyone wants to be that hero who saves the day in a

 mysterious mask, but lives a normal life when he doesn't wear the mask. No boy wanted to be the villain if they had their way, they always wanted to be the good guy. It shaped us kids to avoid what bad guys would do. It paved way for the nice guys. Or the nerds.

See, as kids, the non-athletic/non-talented kids stick together and find stuff they can do without embarrassing themselves in front of people. They don't want to dance on stage, sing, perform, or play sports for school glory. These make them either more attached to people because they meet so many of them, or too detached from reality because they don't meet other people anymore. Those athletic/talented kids? They grow up to be the jocks, the center of attention, the class clowns, who either wouldn't have a future or be real assholes and jerks. Of course not all of them. But most of them.

We still have superheroes today. It's not like it's been ages since the last Spiderman or Batman movie came out. The difference probably, is consistency.

When before, we had comic books that we read and wait on the story on week after week, kids of today have the convenience of watching them on the big screen, in full motion. Problem is, the people who play the parts usually aren't there for the long haul, or management wants to go another direction or something. It messes the whole story up.

On the plus side:
No more geeks! No new generation comic book nerds who collect comic books they wouldn't open without plastic gloves or something. Everyone will just be waiting for the next movie to come out. 

On the minus side:
No more geeks. No more butts to kick in class, no one to throw stuff at just for fun... No, seriously, these ever-changing stories are just no good. They mess up the concepts/stories that there's no common truth. Everyone has their version of what the origin of this hero is or what that hero is. They don't give kids something common to look back to when they grow older because they had different ideas of how their heroes came to be. It wouldn't eliminate the "escape" the kids create for themselves, but it opens more debate than fun stories. 

Drama Series

I just had to insert this. I watched an old movie of Cesar Montano (well, part of it. Watched it while driving) where he's somewhat of a vigilante. He's poor and with a kid brother. He's a good guy doing bad things (like shooting people) because that's what he needs to survive. These kinds are not fantasy movies, but are works of fiction drawn out from reality.

Too many times, we've seen drama series drawn out from stories of poor people who suddenly become rich because of some twist of fate (i.e. switched at birth, orphaned who actually has rich parents..), or good people just trying to make a living, and are pushed to do illegal stuff like drug dealing and stealing.

How many times have we seen snatchers caught and when interviewed by the media, they appeal to the public that they only did it because they need it badly? In movies, we understand their predicament. But if there comes a time that you're the one they steal from, all you want to do is kick their ass.

On the minus side: 

Poor people strive less,  because they see their lives played out in movies, and they realize that they're not alone in suffering what they experience at present. They cling to the hope that they'd meet their rich parents or meet someone who can alleviate them from poverty, much like the girls who are waiting for their prince charming.

On the plus side: 

Those rich people who don't mingle with the commoners get an idea how they live their lives and maybe, just maybe, spark a fire in the philanthropist in them. Slumdog Millionaire comes to mind. 

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(I just had to change the title of the blog at the last minute. Apparently, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to talk about, but it's been hanging over my head over the past couple of weeks, so I just had to write it already.=P)

...On the Power of the Human Mind...

"Anything is possible if you put your mind to it"

-Quote heard countless times

When I was a kid, I usually drag my brother to play with me in an imaginary world where we have powers, high-tech gadgets (plastic toys), Masked Rider Black-like vehicles (BMX), and impenetrable armor (imaginary, powers stated upon hit). Back then, that was a reality we could escape to anytime. We didn't damage anything, we'd look stupid to those who aren't part of the game, but in that reality we were in, our imagination made it seem to us that we were in some anime we were watching.

"Made it seem". It's not, but it "seems" real. That is but one of a lot of things that the human mind can do. The admission of Power Balance that their claims "are not scientifically proven" gave me further reason to believe that the human mind is capable of those supernatural stuff we see in movies. 

I have three arguments on the subject:

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Respect and Ignorance

This happens to us as kids. When we know nothing about the world around us, we tend to believe that what people who we think know more than us tell us. For example, when we were kids, some of us were told that monsters exist so that we won't play outside at night. We were told not to make faces or else a gust of wind will make that face permanent. Or that if we were good Santa would give us gifts at Christmas.

While some of these things were meant only to discipline us kids, we believed it to be true, and did what we were told, and tried to avoid stuff that we were told not to do. And by believing, we made nonsense into reality. 

Such is the mind of a kid, that 

tabula rasa, that formless clay that you can mold into anything. By simple ideas that are probably not true, the kid is disciplined in such a way that the kid behaves in the manner which you want him/her to. In a way, an idea, a product of the mind, became the most powerful disciplinary tool. 

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Power Balance 

It became a fad that even athletes endorse it. People testified.

And yet, after countless people said that it's all bull, it's only now that the makers of Power Balance actually admit that they have no scientific proof whatsoever that whatever bull they're telling people about their product is true.

But you can't deny facts .They testified because they saw results. And yet, with this admission of the sham, it doesn't discount the fact that people have indeed been helped by that stupid hologram thing.

How? Simply because they put their mind to it. They believed in all the crap that the product marketed itself, and they attributed every enhancement to that. While people should feel cheated, I think they should recognize the fact that it's not a product that helped them, it's always been in them (sounds like a cheesy line from a dying sensei in an anime series). 

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Faith

Funny how we were told in Philosophy that "faith begins when reason ends". Apparently,

 they're not like Church and State that should be separated. They work hand in hand. Those that we can't explain, we leave up to faith. And if we actually believe, most of the time, positive things happen. 

A great example of this would be faith healers. Some scam people by planting "sickly" people and "healing" them, making others believe that they can actually cure their diseases. And in most instances, those who are actually sick ARE cured. 

While I wouldn't want to discount a Higher Power (peace tayo Bro, blog lang), it somehow seems that it's all in our minds; we just need a catalyst to perform "miracles" on us, some tangible person that our Higher Being uses as a tool to answer our prayers. We're not healed by quack doctors who we don't believe in. We sought their help because we believed they can do something about what we were feeling.

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This is what I get from listening to the radio and hearing about that Power Balance thing.