...Finding a New NBA Team to Cheer For...

I love basketball. Anyone who knows me probably knows this well. I would go on endless debates and even gamble money or pride to prove my points. I want to claim that I am a fan of the game, but I also think that I can't be a fan if I didn't have a favorite team. Sure, I had to be objective when I wrote my articles, but I never hid the fact that I rooted for the Miami Heat of the Dwyane Wade era. 

I qualify my fandom in as the "Dwyane Wade Era" because Heat "lifers" could have something to say about it. "Lifers" are the fans most difficult to talk to about the game. They will irrationally claim their team will one day win the championship, and when they do, they feel like everyone else who cheered for their team are "bandwagon" fans. These are people who think that nobody else deserve to be fans. It's nice to learn about a team's history from them, but it's best that you talk to them about other sports or other leagues if you want to enjoy your conversation.

Thank you for the memories, D-Wade.

With news coming out that Dwyane Wade is coming to his hometown of Chicago, I realized that I wasn't that much of a Dwyane Wade lifer to follow him back to Chicago. The NBA fan in me doesn't enjoy Fred Hoiberg leading Chicago. The NBA Fantasy player that I am doesn't think a core of Rajon Rondo, Jimmy Butler, and Dwyane Wade is a good fit. As a gambler, I don't think I could talk trash to people that my team could beat theirs when I can't sell the idea of Wade in Chicago to myself. 

As a free agent fan, I made a shortlist of teams to root for:

The Golden State Warriors

KD Played with an MVP-caliber player in Westbrook, and will now play with a 2-time MVP in Curry

Gambler me is very happy with this choice. Kevin Durant and the Splash Brothers? David West and Zaza Pachulia? Even if they lose Harrison Barnes to make ends meet, this is still a crazy good team. Expectations are already high after their historic 73-9 season, but with KD joining them, they only made their burden that much heavier to carry. 

Verdict:

No. I was a bit scared when LeBron came to Miami, knowing full well that as the villains of the league, it was a championship or nothing. I am not ready to invest my emotions to a team carrying so much pressure to win every single game. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers

A block that defined the Cavs' first championship, and an example of how LeBron is unfair

 They just won a championship, and LeBron James doesn't look like he's going to get slower. Richard Jefferson was instrumental in winning the first ring for "The Land" but has decided to retire. While Wade didn't reunite with LeBron, he did somewhat help James get a teammate to fill in Jefferson's role as the heady veteran in Mike Dunleavy. They had minor losses (Timofey Mozgov to the Lakers, Matthew Dellavedova to the Bucks), but this is pretty much the same core who won that championship. 

Verdict:

No. I think LeBron James is too good, and the basketball fan in me enjoys the game too much to cheer for a team with a distinct advantage. The guy played in the Finals for six straight seasons with the spotlight on him. No matter who was around him, he made things work. He's a living cheat code. 

The San Antonio Spurs

Would Duncan decide to delay retirement to play alongside Pau Gasol?

Even fans of the Spurs were appalled by the KD to GSW decision, but had to stop complaining after Pau Gasol decided to join them. TD may or may not retire, and Tony Parker just torched the Gilas team in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. They are coming off a season when they registered a team-best win total, and are already transitioning to the new era featuring LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard. 

Verdict:

I hate to say no, but no. Who can't love these Spurs? They bored teams and fans to death but won championships anyway. When they lost their step, Pop changed things up and played a more uptempo game to go with the times. They won another championship, and still have arguably the most humble players in the league. However, as an already established team, I feel too bandwagon-y joining them now. 

The Milwaukee Bucks

My Fantasy Basketball MVP, the Greek Freak

The Fantasy Basketball player in me likes this team. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-way player on all five basketball positions and could be the freakiest athlete in the game if LeBron James wasn't a real person. Khris Middleton is one of my under the radar guys in Fantasy. I like how the team is looking like a video game created team, with every position filled by what Jason Kidd would be if he was able to customize himself. 

Verdict: 

Maybe. I've been watching them since the Greek Freak entered the league, and while I like the promise, I can't understand what went wrong last season considering a relatively intact lineup. I'm not sure if I'm ready to wait on their process.

The Memphis Grizzlies

Is Parsons the guy they've been missing all this time?

Grit and Grind City needed a spot up shooter to complement their offense. They got that now with Chandler Parsons filling the 3 spot. While they did spend a whopping 150-mil on Mike Conley, it just goes to show how the organization is loyal to its players and committed to its style of play. 

Verdict:

No. Parsons is a great addition, but unless the Grizz sign the Phoenix Suns training staff, I'm not too sold on this team staying healthy enough to make a strong playoff push.

The New York Knicks

A real point guard to play with Kristaps and Melo is just one of the additions of the Knicks this offseason

Kristaps Porzingis was legit last season. Now, with the starting 5 spot solely his, and with a point guard rotation of Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings, Porzingod will probably get more open looks and maybe feed off some of the swagger from his guards. 

Verdict:

Nope. It'll be interesting to finally see a rivalry between Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James especially with the cast they both have now. However, basketball fan me doesn't see New York as a good fit for my cheering self. 

The Boston Celtics

Celtics could lose Sullinger, but upgrading to Horford isn't bad.

Brad Stevens is making a believer out of me. This college coach pushed his team to the playoffs a little too early than anyone expected, and followed it up with a strong showing last season. With Al Horford in the mix, I think they are literally one player away from being favored over the Cavs in the East. This team needs no superstars, but they do need another solid SF. 

Verdict:

Can't commit 100%. They are so close to being one of the top teams in the East, and while I think not too many people are riding their bandwagon, I also think that the window to ride their bandwagon was last season. If the Celtics go to the Finals this season, fans of the Brad Stevens era will be all high and mighty as if they've been lifers. I'd still cheer for them in the East.

The Minnesota Timberwolves

Offense is there, imagine adding Thibs defense to that?

Karl Anthony-Towns showed everyone last season that he could be a legitimate franchise cornerstone. They have young pieces to build around, and played their hearts out for a coach who never called a single play this season in Flip Saunders. With Tom Thibodeau in charge, Andrew Wiggins could make people forget about Jimmy Butler's rise in the East. 

Verdict:

Yes. With the West only getting stronger, the Wolves are not yet title contenders this season. While they generated buzz with their Dunks After Dark sessions with Wiggins and Zach LaVine, I don't think there are enough fans out there cheering for the Wolves just yet. I am riding this bandwagon now, so that by the time 2020 comes along and they win the championship after signing Klay Thompson in 2019, I could say "I was there since day one bitches!" like any NBA troll would. The gambler in me is fine waiting for this team to blossom. The basketball fan in me is excited for this team, and believes that there isn't a solid fanbase who would disown me for riding their bandwagon. The Fantasy Basketball player in me is all in on either KAT, Ricky Rubio, or Zach LaVine this season. I think this balance wins it for me. Go Wolves!

...The NBA Playoffs: Western Conference First Round...

The Western Conference seems like it's going to get exciting only once the Conference Finals get going; when the Warriors are expected to face the Spurs for the right to compete in the NBA Finals. However, there are eight teams competing in the playoffs, with most of the teams wanting a shot at the same title. Injuries have hit some of these teams hard, which gives the impression that some of these match ups won't be as competitive as they should be. 

It shouldn't be enough reason to pass on the first round for the west. Here are my thoughts on the first round for the West:

(1) Golden State Warriors vs (8) Houston Rockets - 2015 WCF Revenge Series

Golden State won regular season, 3-0

Both MVP candidates last season, but took huge steps in the opposite directions

After 20 years, the 72-10 regular season of the '96 Bulls seemed like an impossible feat to replicate or even break. Then came the Golden State Warriors, the team that just won the NBA title despite plenty of doubters. They started the season strong, beating teams in blowout fashion game after game. They ended their regular season with their 73rd win - a blowout of the undermanned Memphis Grizzlies. 

The Rockets failed to build on the excellent 2015 campaign with a disappointing run this year. After a 56-win season and almost toppling the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, they needed all 82 games this season just to hang on to the 8th seed. They are parading essentially the same lineup, with some minor tweaks, but they struggled with an out of shape James Harden and an unmotivated Dwight Howard. 

Why Golden State Will Win: 

After breaking the Bulls' 72-10 record, losing in the first round of the playoffs is unfathomable, is it not?   

Why Houston Will Win:

With a practically intact core and some pieces working better than expected (Clint Capela, Donatas Motiejunas, Michael Beasley), the Rockets actually have a look of a contender. They have a talented roster built around their two superstars in Harden and Howard, and all they need is a motivation to win. 

Why Golden State Will Lose:

The Warriors set NBA highs for three pointers that probably won't be broken until they decide to gun for it. Steph Curry set an NBA record of 402 three pointers in a season before anyone else could register 300. With their reliance on the three ball, the only reason they would lose in the first round is if they counted every Warrior three as a two pointer. 

Why Houston Will Lose:

For all their talent, Harden and Howard don't have the same competitive fire there is in the likes of young franchise players as Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, and I daresay even Gordon Hayward. The only "winner" in the Rockets' bench is Jason Terry, and that doesn't speak highly of their winning mentality. Maybe that's why Josh Smith and Michael Beasley feel right at home in Houston.

Players to Watch Out For:

With all the attention on the Splash Brothers, Shaun Livingston is sneakily having a great season. If you haven't watched too many Warriors games, Livingston has been an excellent sixth man for them, providing length on defense and an impossible cover for point guards down on the low post. For the Rockets, Patrick Beverly will be given the impossible task of guarding Curry, with Corey Brewer probably having a crack at him too. How effective they are in stopping Curry would dictate how far the Rockets can go against the Warriors. 

Logical Prediction: Warriors in 4

Hopeful Prediction: Warriors in 5

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs (6) Memphis Grizzlies - Asserting Their Own Dominance

San Antonio won regular season, 4-0

The Grizzlies lost Marc Gasol as the Spurs acquired a new problem to present

With the Warriors winning a historic 73 wins this season, most people failed to notice that the Spurs won a franchise-best 67 wins themselves. They only lost once in their homecourt all season, and that was against the aforementioned Warriors team. All their accomplishments were overshadowed by the Warriors, and their best revenge would probably be to take this year's title away from them.

A season riddled with injury derailed the Grizzlies' campaign, but they won enough games to secure the sixth seed in the disappointing West. Marc Gasol suffered a season-ending injury, and Mike Conley will make his return in the Playoffs. The Grizzlies were suffering so much from injury, they once fielded a team this season filled with D-League call ups and 10-day contracts. 

Why San Antonio Will Win: 

While everyone seems to be patterning their teams to the small ball style of the Golden State Warriors, the San Antonio Spurs remain to be the team that every NBA franchise aspire to be. Despite their aging stars, they still managed to infuse young talent in their team, and are now in a great position to win it all with their past (Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili) and future (LaMarcus Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green?) meeting in this present time.   

Why Memphis Will Win:

The Grizzlies have historically been a good matchup for the Spurs. Their grit and grind style of play was able to stop the Spurs' half court plays. 

Why San Antonio Will Lose:

They won't.  

Why Memphis Will Lose:

Losing Marc Gasol cripples Memphis on both ends of the floor.

Players to Watch Out For:

The Spurs will match up against the shell of a Memphis team that doesn't have Gasol in the middle. It may be a chance for them to give their bench some playoff minutes - Kevin Martin, Boban Marjanovic, and Kyle Anderson have given the Spurs quality minutes off the bench during the season, and getting playoff minutes could give them a shot of confidence they could use for the latter rounds of the playoffs. The Grizzlies may not be much this year, but imagine what this playoff run could do for the chemistry between Lance Stephenson, Matt Barnes, and "Grindfather" Tony Allen. 

Logical Prediction: Spurs in 4

Hopeful Prediction: Spurs in 4

(3) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (7) Dallas Mavericks - Rekindling Lost Glory

Oklahoma City won regular season, 4-0

The old and the new collide on their way to a common goal

What does one expect from a team that has a triple-double machine and a former league MVP? The Thunder have not made a return trip to the Finals since 2010, even if they were billed to be a piece or two away from being a dynasty. The Thunder have done well surrounding their superstars with talent, even if it meant overpaying some of them. They may not have found their 2010 James Harden just yet, but they do have a formidable duo up front in the Beard Brothers, Enes Kanter and Steven Adams, to clean up the boards. 

Kobe Bryant's farewell tour took all the thunder out of the aging Dirk Nowitzki's brilliant season. The 17-year vet fueled his team's run to the Playoffs despite missing the services of potential future franchise player Chandler Parsons and offseason acquisition Wesley Matthews for most of it. 

Why Oklahoma Will Win: 

Both Westbrook and Durant would be difficult to contain alone, and even if they try, both those guys will still get their shots up by sheer determination.    

Why Dallas Will Win:

The Mavericks have weirdly been a great team playing at home, figuring in a number of comeback victories while playing in front of their home crowd. They don't rely on a single player, as different people step up when they need them the most. That's not to say that they don't have a crunchtime player; they still have Dirk Nowitzki, and he's been playing like it was 2007 in some games. If he can somehow sustain that level of basketball, they may just pull off a surprise against the Thunder. 

Why Oklahoma Will Lose:

They still don't have a third scorer, and Serge Ibaka has not made much of an impact this season to be their third star. 

Why Dallas Will Lose:

Aging and recovering legs are playing for the Mavs, and they lack the scoring and playmaking at the forward spot provided by Chandler Parsons. 

Players to Watch Out For:

Dallas needs Deron Williams to channel his Utah self and be more than just a serviceable point guard. For the Thunder, Cameron Payne could potentially steal Dion Waiters' minutes and be a more effective two-way player at the other guard spot. 

Logical Prediction: Oklahoma in 5

Hopeful Prediction: Dallas in 6

(4) LA Clippers vs (5) Portland Trailblazers - Defying Expectations

Los Angeles won regular season, 3-1

The smallest guys on the court would play the biggest roles for their teams

The Clippers nearly lost DeAndre Jordan during the offseason, until the drama ended with him coming back. Despite their mostly intact core, they struggled to win against contenders this season season. While losing Blake Griffin to injury didn't affect them as bad as people thought, his altercation with a team staff put them in an awkward position. 

Losing four of their five starters in the offseason usually means a team was destined for the lottery, but the starter that remained wouldn't have any of it. Damian Lillard played out of his mind, and the Blazers found a dangerous combination with him in C.J. McCollum and suddenly, they aren't in a position to build through a high draft pick.  

Why Los Angeles Will Win: 

They have the talent, and they have been here before. They built their team aiming for a championship, and any result below that would be a disappointment.    

Why Portland Will Win:

Nobody thought the Blazers would be in the Playoffs, much less a fifth seed in what has been a competitive Western Conference. Yet, here they are, set to play the Clippers. They have no business winning, but they won anyway. I don't know how they did, so I can't explain how they could, but they probably would. 

Why Los Angeles Will Lose:

For a team built so well, they lose always seem to mess up when it matters. 

Why Portland Will Lose:

They lost four of their five starters from last season. This is the same reason they should not have won a playoff spot, so I don't know if that's enough reason for them to lose here.  

Players to Watch Out For:

Maurice Harkless was a talent the Orlando Magic was reluctant to part with, and while he has been on the bench for most of the season with Portland, he carved out minutes for himself during the latter half of the season. Look for him to play a more prominent role with the Blazers. For the Clippers, Blake Griffin's return would be a huge boost for them, but they would need Jeff Green to play a more prominent role off the bench if they want to finally get over the hump.  

Logical Prediction: Los Angeles in 4

Hopeful Prediction: Portland in 6

...The NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference First Round...

The Golden State Warriors have dominated the NBA regular season so much this season that almost everyone believes that they will win their second championship in a row. As such, the first round of the Playoffs doesn't seem to be too appealing to watch, as there aren't too many exciting match ups anyway. However, while I think this crop of playoff teams won't be able to replicate the crazy first round we saw last season, I think that there are still exciting pairings in the playoffs that I'd want to watch. 

Here are my thoughts on the first round of the NBA Playoffs for the East, and some storylines that I think are worth looking at if only to make it more interesting:

Eastern Conference

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (8) Detroit Pistons - The First Test
Detroit won regular season, 3-1

The men tasked to carry their teams on their backs

The Cavs dominated the East last season, and while the Dubs ultimately won the championship, LeBron James came close to fulfilling the promise he had for the city of Cleveland. There was a belief that their path to the championship was too easy compared to the one the Dubs had to take, which made it difficult for them to overcome the battle-tested newcomers in the Finals.

After dominating the East in the early part of 2000's, the Pistons have since dissected their roster and are pursuing a new identity. With Coach Stan Van Gundy at the helm, they might have just gotten it. Much like his successful stint with the DPOY-caliber Dwight Howard-powered Orlando Magic, the team is now anchored by a defense-oriented Andre Drummond. While he isn't the superstar that Howard was in the Magic, Drummond's steady improvement has made him indispensable for the Pistons. 

Why Cleveland Will Win: 

Roster-wise, the Cavaliers are the superior team. They went all the way to the Finals last season even with Kevin Love sidelined since the first round. This year, they are healthier and hungrier for a title than ever. Since changing their head coach, their top three stars have had more of a free hand in playing the way they want.  

Why Detroit Will Win:

They are a team with everything to gain and nothing to lose, as any eighth seed is. They did aspire to enter the Playoffs, but they probably weren't looking at hanging on for dear life. They're a dangerous team at the bottom of the East, and they have ample talent to match up well with the Cavs - Their regular season match up result can attest to that 

Why Cleveland Will Lose:

Their chemistry has been questionable, and we're not sure who's coaching the team. 

Why Detroit Will Lose:

SVG's Orlando Magic was filled with shooters around Dwight Howard, and while the Pistons have several stretch fours, they don't have knockdown shooters from beyond the arc. 

Players to Watch Out For:

Cleveland will need Minnesota's Kevin Love, and not whoever is playing for them these past couple of seasons. The Pistons acquired Tobias Harris at the trade deadline in order to add depth to their team. While the Pistons' defense rightfully relies on Drummond, the offensive load will need to be carried by the likes of Harris, Marcus Morris, and Reggie Jackson. 

Logical Prediction: Cavs in 7

Hopeful Prediction: Pistons in 6

(2) Toronto Raptors vs (7) Indiana Pacers - Breaking the Wall the Other Couldn't

Toronto won regular season, 3-1

Can DeMar DeRozan take Toronto where Paul George failed to bring Indiana? 

The Raptors are one of the top teams in the East again this year, and they got even stronger by adding DeMarre Carroll in their mix. Their players have been together for multiple years now, and they may have a chance to do what the Indiana Pacers failed to do during their brief run at the top of the East.

Speaking of the Pacers, their years of success was hindered by a freak accident on their superstar Paul George. None of the Pacers stepped up in his absence, and Roy Hibbert was exposed as an average big man in what could have been a career year for him. The Pacers are not as stacked as they once were, but with George back in the fold, they made it back to the Playoffs. 

Why Toronto Will Win: 

Their roster endured key injures during the regular season, but was still able to finish with their best regular season in team history. They looked like a piece or two away from looking like a team that could get over the hump, and they might have gotten their piece in Carroll. Their solid core of Kyle Lowry, Jonas Valanciunas, and DeMar DeRozan has been bolstered by players stepping up in their absence, with the likes of Bismack Biyombo, Terrence Ross, and Corey Joseph stepping up when their main guys are injured.   

Why Indiana Will Win:

The Pacers have enough talent on offense to put the basket in the hoop. Apart from George, they have Monta Ellis, Rodney Stuckey, C.J. Miles, and they scored on a waiver pickup on Ty Lawson. They have ample frontcourt depth with the likes of Ian Mahinmi and Jordan Hill, and they have a talented rookie in Myles Turner. The competitor in Paul George doesn't seem to be the type who will settle for a first round exit. 

Why Toronto Will Lose:

They have the look of a contender, but they always seem to miss something. While Lowry and DeRozan are capable players and legitimate All-Stars, they don't seem to be players that can be spoken of in the same breath as Kobe, LeBron, and even Paul George.

Why Indiana Will Lose:

Their offensive firepower has a lot of potential, but they have too many players who need the ball in their hands to create for themselves. 

Players to Watch Out For:

Both teams will have interesting rookies who could play major roles in their respective teams. Norman Powell is a rookie that didn't get much playing time until late in the season for the Raptors. He's given the Raptors unexpected depth with his athleticism and scoring prowess, and showed that he can carry a team on his back in the Raptors' last game of the season. The Pacers lost their defensive anchor in Hibbert, but they don't seem short on defense with the emergence of rookie Myles Turner.  

Logical Prediction: Toronto in 5

Hopeful Prediction: Toronto in 6

(3) Miami Heat vs (6) Charlotte Hornets - Who Runs the Floor Better?

Regular season tied, 2-2

Dwyane Wade is playing like it's 2003

Post-LeBron Heat got back on track faster than expected. They looked good last year before Chris Bosh had a life-threatening injury that kept him out of action. Even the arrival of Goran Dragic wasn't enough to push them to the Playoffs. This year, they faced a similar issue with Bosh, but the improved chemistry of the team and the brilliant season from Dwyane Wade helped them stay on the winning track. Adding Joe Johnson off waivers did wonders for the team as well.

Al Jefferson has not panned out as well as expected for the Hornets. However, they did find a gem by drafting Kemba Walker, and were able to bolster their backcourt with offseason signings of Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lin, and later added Courtney Lee. They have been inconsistent throughout the season, but this young team has shown that they match up well against the Heat during the regular season. 

Why Miami Will Win: 

They have the talent, the coach, and the superstar that could lead the team all the way. Joe Johnson was courted by the Cavs, who are favorites to win the East, but decided to join the Heat in his pursuit of a championship. Goran Dragic could have walked away after failing to make the playoffs with the team last season, but may have thought that the Heat were onto something and stuck around. Maybe both players found something with the Heat that people too blinded by LeBron's greatness fail to see. 

Why Charlotte Will Win:

The Hornets have an intriguing roster that has the potential to play small effectively. Despite the absence of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist due to injury, they have incredible talent at the wing to pair with Kemba Walker at the point - Nicolas Batum, Jeremy Lamb, Courtney Lee, Marvin Williams, and a rejuvenated Jeremy Lin could take turns running either the shooting guard or small forward positions. Williams and Batum could also play the stretch four position, if they want to run Miami to the ground. 

Why Miami Will Lose:

Hassan Whiteside can be a blessing or a curse for the Heat. His emotions can sometimes get the best of him, and it's not impossible to exploit that weakness of him. While Amar'e Stoudemire has been great for the Heat offensively, he was never known to be a defensive presence even in his prime. Also, Joe Johnson has a tendency to vanish in games that matter. 

Why Charlotte Will Lose:

They may not have enough talent to match up against the Heat. They have too many young players with no playoff experience, and I don't think their coach has found the right pieces that fit best together on the floor. 

Players to Watch Out For:

Linsanity was a phenomenon in the regular season, but this is the first time we may possibly see it in the playoffs. Could Jeremy Lin find a way to recreate his magic against the Heat? Josh Richardson was the lesser pick for the Heat in this year's draft, but he has leapfrogged Justice Winslow as the prized rookie in terms of playing time near the end of the season, especially in crunch time. Could he carry the success he had late in the regular season?  

Logical Prediction: Heat in 6

Hopeful Prediction: Heat in 4

(4) Atlanta Hawks vs (5) Boston Celtics - A Coaching Chess Match

Atlanta won regular season, 3-1

Evan Turner is proving his worth as a second-overall pick.

A year after surprising the league by registering the best regular season finish in the East, the Hawks find themselves in a strange four-team tie in the middle of the pack. Kyle Korver had a career season last year, but failed to build on his momentum this season. Losing DeMarre Carroll dealt a huge blow to the Hawks' success, but they are coached well enough to maintain their stature among the East's top teams. 

The Celtics are armed with a bunch of draft picks and young talent, and weren't supposed to be in the playoffs last season. It may be a testament to how good Coach Brad Stevens really is. Isaiah Thomas has emerged as the team's go-to guy in his All-Star season, and the team that refuses to lose has proven that last year's playoff run wasn't a fluke by any means. 

Why Atlanta Will Win: 

They have been here before, and they know what it takes to win at this stage. They may have lost Carroll, but they didn't have Thabo Sefolosha in their run last year. They also added a scoring threat in Tim Hardaway Jr., and the continued rise of Dennis Shroder solidifies the team's point guard position throughout the whole game.  

Why Boston Will Win:

Their big man situation may be a mess, but Coach Stevens has been able to make it work. The players have complete confidence in their coach, and are all willing to do what it takes to win. The return of Jae Crowder from injury also gives the Celtics a different look on both ends of the floor. 

Why Atlanta Will Lose:

Their strengths could be their biggest weaknesses. Jeff Teague's name has been floated in trade rumors, with Shroder looking like the point guard the Hawks would want to build around on. The uncertainty of whether or not Al Horford will stick around could also be a motivation or a distraction for the team.  

Why Boston Will Lose:

SVG's Orlando Magic was filled with shooters around Dwight Howard, and while the Pistons have several stretch fours, they don't have knockdown shooters from beyond the arc. 

Players to Watch Out For:

The Hawks' offseason acquisition of Tim Hardaway Jr. looked like a move that will give them a younger player with more defensive potential than Kyle Korver. However, he wasn't used much this season, until a brief stretch towards the end where the second generation player was able to carve out minutes for himself. Kelly Olynyk was playing well for the Celtics before he was sidelined by injury. He hasn't been as effective in his return, as Jared Sullinger and Amir Johnson have both played well in his absence. Look for both players to provide firepower for their respective teams in the playoffs.  

Logical Prediction: Hawks in 7

Hopeful Prediction: Boston in 6

...Reflecting on my Next President...

Who's your president?

I am 29 years old, turning 30 in May 2016. In my lifetime, I must have been part of two presidential elections, and five local elections. However, to date, I have only voted once.

In 2004, I wasn't too keen on voting then because I was young and couldn't care less. However, I did wear a Ping Lacson costume to a TV show and a gala dinner during the campaign period. The said costume was a superman-like mascot with "SP" as the emblem and an oversized Ping Lacson head. Though I didn't vote, I liked Ping and what he stood for, and my dad knows him as a person because they worked together in the past. We all know how that election turned out.

Though I lived in Cainta practically my whole life, I never felt local politics. It's probably because I lived inside a village, and didn't feel the government projects growing up. As a result, I didn't register to be a voter in 2007. 

In 2008, one of my uncles was put on the national spotlight because of his involvement in the National Broadband Network deal. It was a crazy time for the family, and though I abandoned my plans of pursuing law and politics at that time, the events helped me become interested to follow politics again. Those events only reinforced my reasons to abandon my plans to pursue law and public office. I met some politicians, I learned, from my uncle, how they are perceived in public and how they are behind the scenes. The craziness may have ended, but the connections he made from that time lived on with him. 

In 2009, former President Cory Aquino, who was a constant presence on my uncle's side during masses, succumbed to a terminal illness. The public's support for Tita Cory was so overwhelming that shortly thereafter, some of my family members were knocking on their family's home in QC, imploring for her son Noynoy to run for president. I believed that though he was not as accomplished politician, he could be the start of something good for our government. There were wiser choices, but I stuck to my belief, and registered for the 2010 elections. I even wrote a lengthy blog post in 2010 about my support for Noynoy. 

Fast forward to 2016. Barely a month away from the national elections, I have yet to have a firm choice. Six years after assuming the presidency, Noynoy has remained Noynoy to me. I feel that calling him "PNoy" is an insult to "Pinoys" all over the world. I don't want to make the same mistake in the next election. 

I don't regret voting for him, because I voted on my own terms. That is not to say I am not disappointed with his performance. For the most part, I think I voted for the right president, based on the reasons I argued with. I hoped that he would be the president that people trusted enough to update the constitution. However, I acknowledge that people were right in saying that he didn't have the competence to lead the country as he surrounded himself with idiots and corrupt officials. I defended him in his first two years of blaming the previous administration, but in his final SONA, he was still able to put some blame on the previous admin. I understand that six years isn't enough to change the country, but come on. 

Social Media and The Presidency

Heading towards election day, I think social media has become more powerful than it was during 2010. I think people are more informed and misinformed now than before. My Multiply blogsite reached new heights during Uncle Jun's episodes back in 2009 until the issue died down. If that happened during these times, I might have been an internet superstar already.  

These are the times when absurd news like a rat in a frappe makes it to international news, and an online automobile magazine is the Batman of Philippine traffic and parking. When before, news about stuff become viral on the internet, these days, local and international news get their news from viral stuff on the internet.  

The power of social media is not lost on the candidates and their supporters. The result is rather entertaining:

Grace Poe and "praying"

Mar Roxas, the comic book hero

Digong Duterte and the "Canadian Nurse"

Jojo Binay and the alleged "money distribution"

Those are but a few examples of things that made the news about the candidates. Whether they signed off on it or solely acted on by their supporters, we probably will never know. Information like these make some believe they have a new perspective on the person, but for the diligent, they may uncover some truths that they may or may not like - as in the case of Duterte's nurse and Binay's money distribution. 

These said, I take viral news about candidates as works of fiction unless proven otherwise by the people themselves. 

Change, Then and Now

While social media has evolved, I daresay that the country's needs have not.

The problem with the Philippine electorate is that they think that a change in presidency means a new beginning and instant results. If anyone can point me in the direction of a country that changed over three to six years, please educate me. As far as I know, six years is and will never be enough to change the mess that we have.

That said, I think that this election will not see the president who will be the "savior" of our country. He or she will not instantly end corruption, crime, traffic, or public transport. What we need is to want our country to be better. Change must happen within us, rather than be caused by someone we elected president. Unless our people understand that, I don't think we'll ever move forward as a country.

For all the shit thrown at Noynoy, I believe that his presidential win against Erap Estrada (who, by the way, did not top surveys on the days and months leading to the elections) gave a glimmer of hope that the voting population was getting more informed. While I maintain that Erap didn't steal the people's money (he was tried for his involvement on Jueteng money, not taxes), I didn't think he deserved to run the country again. Noynoy's win prevented Erap from doing just that.

Noynoy's mistake was trusting the wrong people. He may not have had the intellect to steal billions as GMA did in her years as the president, but he allowed people working for him to do so. He gave positions to inadequate individuals that led to an inefficient government that blamed all his failures on a previous administration while claiming the said administration's successes that only came to fruition during his tenure.

Thoughts on the Candidates

All these said, let me share my thoughts on each presidential aspirant, trying as best I can not to be influenced by obvious political stunts. I'm not an expert on politics, but I do care for the future of my country.

Jejomar Binay

Running on the same tag line as he did for VP

Why I Would Probably Vote for Him: I voted for him as Vice President because I thought he had enough national leverage to beat political butterfly Loren Legarda and whatever Mar Roxas wanted to be. Bayani Fernando was the wise choice, but he made a lot of enemies as MMDA chief that made it difficult to believe that he had a chance to win. Binay was the constant name in Makati for the longest time, and I believed that someone who could stay as long as he could in one of the most important cities in the metro says something about his leadership. He made all the right moves in his political career, hanging around with the right people until he was given a chance to make a name for himself. After establishing his name, he went on to pursue the crucial, but mostly useless, Vice Presidential seat. 

Why I Don't Like Him to be the Next President: While I laud him for being the mayor of Makati for as long as he has, I don't think everyone in Makati has a great life. In my years of driving around the metro, I've spent time getting lost in Makati. During these times, I've seen squatters and glorified squatters in Makati. I think there's a reason why the progressive part of Makati is called "Ayala," and for him to claim that it was all because of him is laughable. His tag line "Gaganda and buhay kay Binay" was the same one he used when he ran for VP. In one of the debates, he admitted that the VP doesn't have much function according to the constitution. While I didn't vote for him because of his tag line, I did expect him to act on fulfilling it. Not only did he fail (sino ba gumanda buhay dahil naging VP siya? Please raise your hand that I may be corrected), but he also spent most of his tenure avoiding questions about his wealth and flaunting his power (interestingly, videos on spot.ph and GMA news don't have the videos available). He appeals to the public's sympathy too much that it makes me sick. 

Rodrigo Duterte

After much drama about his candidacy, he declared using the lamest possible reason

Why I Would Probably Vote for Him: The guy seems brilliant and has a penchant for cracking jokes. He's mostly credited for Davao's rise, unlike Binay who needs to claim the rise of Makati. His popularity now makes me believe that Ping Lacson was ahead of his time when he ran in 2010. With his leadership in Davao, people believe that he can emulate that success in the national stage. He doesn't mince words when he speaks, but he looks like he's a guy with a plan moving forward. During the second debate, he said he is offering leadership, and went as far as saying that if he wins, he will probably look at the programs from other candidates and continue them if they are good. He's the president I would have wanted to be.

Why I Don't Like Him to be the Next President: His claim of eradicating crime in 3-6 months upon assuming the presidency is ridiculous. Detractors will not stop finding ways to make crimes happen in the first year of his presidency should he win. While he established an empire in Davao, he may not have enough influence on the national stage to lead an effective government. While he speaks his mind, he sometimes forgets to filter his mouth, cursing and arguing like a child sometimes, especially when up against someone who seems to throw tantrums at times. Ironically, some of his supporters are not only liking his brash demeanor, but are also actually emulating it. It almost feels like he's running a Donald Trump-like campaign with his effect on people. 

Grace Poe

FPJ walked to Antipolo Church during Holy Thursdays, I wonder why Grace hasn't continued that

Why I Would Probably Vote for Her: Like her VP, she speaks eloquently. She seems like the person who could study up and to be ready for any question. She knows how to handle herself in front of the public, and doesn't lose her cool too quickly. She can be a very down to earth person if she wants to. 

Why I Don't Like Her to be the Next President: I'm not sure how Fernando Poe Jr. helped the Philippines apart from making blockbuster movies. He may have been cheated out of the presidency, but would the Philippines have been better off with FPJ than GMA? Given these, I don't understand what Grace is fighting for. She may be the Noynoy Aquino of this presidential elections. For a relative newbie in Philippine politics, she's very much a TraPo with her manner of speech and her actions. She may very well be a good person, but she lacks the political clout to effectively lead the country. She's also running with a very manipulative VP, who I think will have no hesitations on overthrowing her the first chance that he gets.

Mar Roxas

One of the oldest names in politics, claiming a "new" Philippines under his watch

Why I Would Probably Vote for Him: He's from one of the oldest political families in the country, and has a business degree to boot. He's been in the national scene since the Estrada administration, and had excellent projects during his time as the Department of Trade and Industry Secretary. He is an accomplished senator and made the gallant sacrifice of stepping down from the presidential nomination in 2010 to give way to Noynoy Aquino. 

Why I Don't Like Him to be the Next President: I don't think I can vote for someone who can't even be trusted by the very same people he sacrificed his political ambitions for. When he lost his VP bid to Jojo Binay, people expected him to be the secretary for the DILG in order to maintain his presence on the national level. However, they gave the job to Jesse Robredo until he met a fatal accident in 2012. Upon assuming the position, he botched handling two tragedies in typhoon Yolanda and the Mamasapano operation. While his past speaks volumes of his capabilities, his most recent exploits seem to show that he crumbles when it matters. Nobody talks about his past accomplishments precisely because he did it in the background. However, when all eyes are on him as the DOTC and DILG secretary, he didn't seem equipped for the challenges. Additionally, if he can't keep his cool on a presidential debate, what kind of president would we have if he won? For a guy who has the most exposure in the national government second only to Miriam Defensor-Santiago, it's disappointing that he doesn't have a firm grasp on his political clout. 

Miriam Defensor-Santiago

She's come a long way from being the crazy lady of the senate

Why I Would Probably Vote for Her: She's intelligent, she has grace, she has political clout, she's an excellent speaker, she knows the law, she has no known corruption issues, and she's been here before. She's funny and lovable, far from the crazy person she was painted out to be some years back. 

Why I Don't Like Her to be the Next President: During the first presidential debate, there were moments when it felt like she was crying. Her health makes me doubt that she can finish the whole six years of her term. I'd like to be proven wrong, because I think we need people like her in the government, more than the Tito Sottos and the Lito Lapids. 

Who Will You Vote For?

All the candidates have legitimate reasons why they should be there, and I don't think voting for any of them would be a waste. As I mentioned previously, what our country needs is change from its people more than a new leader. 

I think that I'm leaning towards voting for Duterte, because he seems to be the only one open enough to let his fellow candidates serve the country in a different capacity where they could be effective. He knows what he's good at, and makes claims based on what he's already done. Granted that it is magnified a hundredfold on the national stage, he doesn't seem like the person who would be rattled easily. He knows the law, and doesn't have a record of corruption. He has some shit he needs to get together, just like everyone else. Apart from his zero-crime claim, I think I can live with his flaws more than the other candidates. Miriam is the wise choice, but a vote for her must mean I must be very confident of my vice president, which needs a much harder deliberation. 

Six years will not transform the Philippines, but choosing the right president could be a good step towards the right direction. Who do you think deserves the position? 

...Post Wedding Review Part 3: RP Weddings and Filterpan...

Che and I have been together for the past ten years when I proposed to her, and I kept telling people that she’s been waiting for me to pop the question for several years already, it just so happened that her hunch was right in 2014. Our wedding planning actually started barely an hour after my actual proposal – only because the video I made for the event was about 35 minutes long, we needed to gather for about 10 minutes so that we can take photos to share, and about 15 minutes to order food.

We agreed that our wedding should be about us, and we get to have the final say on everything. We understand that too many times, people intervene and cause unnecessary stress. We set a budget, and agreed that we will handle it ourselves (to be clear, that conversation ended with Che saying “ako na bahala”) so that we can firmly decide on the wedding details ourselves without anyone else dictating their opinions.

After being together for so long, we have already figured out each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Since Che wouldn’t be in the Philippines to be hands-on with the wedding preparations, we decided to get a wedding planner. We had one name in mind – Pam Manansala of RP Events/RP Weddings. Che didn’t want to get all buddy-buddy with some stranger, and we needed someone we could trust. We didn’t even ask for her rates, we just knew she was our girl. Thankfully, she accepted.

Next on our list was our photo and video team. Despite the many weddings we’ve been to and the excellent coverage we saw from those, we also had one name in mind for our own wedding – Filterpan. The team is led by RJ and Patty Ranieses, Che’s batchmates from college (as was Pam). We were never close in college; I knew RJ because Che briefly worked with him in the Communication Arts Students’ Association, and I knew Patty because of her eccentric fashion in college that later turned into an online business – The Ukay Queen, which Che was secretly (at least from me) a loyal patron of. That was about all the interaction I had with them. However, as Facebook friends, Che and I were able to follow the couple’s story through good and bad times .We saw how strong Pat and RJ are as Christians, and we were constantly inspired by their stories of faith in the face of adversity and gratitude in whatever blessing or challenge that they receive. We wanted to be comfortable with our photo and video team, so though we weren’t that close, we knew that they were the right team for us.

RP Weddings

Pam was with us from Day One. Right after we came from our anniversary trip, Che and I decided to scout Makati and Taguig for Churches. Pam was right there with us. When we decided to have the wedding at Fernbrook, Pam was right there with us. When Che left for Singapore and I needed to attend wedding fairs, Pam went with me in place of Che to speak with suppliers to find ways to bring costs down.

Speaking of details, Pam kept a tracker from the first month of the wedding to make sure that we don’t forget anything. We received an email every month from her, detailing payments to be made, payments already made, and stuff we still need to take care of. She introduced us to our designer, Geoffrey Zordilla, our Hair and Make Up artist, Kristine Ramos, and our band, Next of Kin.

Pam documented the preparations as much as she can. Here we are, choosing color swatches for everyone, with Pam taking notes and this picture. 

As Che was kept in the loop at all times, through various messaging apps and video conferences when time allows it. With Pam being with me every step of the way in the Philippines and with all the updates, it’s as if Che never left the Philippines.

As the wedding day drew near, Pam and I braved Divisoria for some of the wedding details before I flew out to Singapore before the wedding. She even prepared a checklist of the stuff we need to get, and agreed on the things that will be prepared near the wedding day. When Che and I got back in Manila a couple of weeks before the wedding, Pam was with us for final meetings with our suppliers.

Considering our friendship, I can’t say without bias that getting RP Weddings for your own wedding will give you the same attention that she gave us, but one thing’s for sure, the girl knows what she’s doing and you won’t have to worry too much in preparation for your wedding. She probably won’t walk with you in Divisoria, but if time allows, I’m sure she’d find a way to help you out.

Pam was in the same hotel that we were the day before the wedding to get stuff ready. Her team was ready when called, and even helped organize Che’s mini-Bachelorette party on the eve of the wedding. Her team was on call even after midnight, when stuff we prepared for the wedding were brought to the hotel by Pao (Che’s brother) and Jon (my cousin).

On the actual wedding day, Pam coordinated the food for people, and had one of her staff, Nikki, attend to me for anything I need. She was our go-to person during the preparations. Even as I broke my phone, I had Nikki to relay my concerns to her if I had any.

When I got to Fernbrook/Palazzo Verde, I only saw Pam prior to the start of 

the ceremony, as I understand she was busy attending to other concerns on the day. We trusted Pam to be the host of our guests, since we couldn’t attend to everyone on our wedding day. Our trust was rewarded with a nicely-coordinated wedding from start to finish.

Here’s a summary of some pros and cons with RP Weddings:

Pros:

• Details, details – You won’t lose track of your progress with Pam. Of course, you need your own checklist to support her reports, as you may have some other details you need.

• No loss of connections – Pam has been mounting events for quite a while now, and she has worked with various suppliers over the years. If you need someone for something, she might know how to connect you with them.

• A calm third voice – Planning your wedding could lead to arguments between you and your partner. Pam has this stoic personality that provides you a sense of calm when making decisions, and she’s always neutral on just about any of these decisions. The bride isn’t always right for her, especially if the groom is firm with his opinion.

Cons:

• Sharing another passion – apart from RP Weddings, Pam is also operating a really nice steakhouse near FEU Fern (near Ever Commonwealth) called Steak It Out. They have student-friendly pricing but with food that’s a hit for any taste bud. Be careful bringing more than 300 pesos in your wallet when you go there especially if you’re watching weight. That said, don’t expect Pam to answer your concerns within three seconds of when you sent your message.

Barely 30 minutes in Steak It Out, and our plates are already empty. Yours would be too if you tried their food. 

• On the day mishaps – Prior to the wedding, we hashed out details to entertain people in between the wedding rites and the reception. In particular we spoke about the games we wanted our guests to play while they waited. When I unpacked my things in Singapore, I saw one of the games still unopened from its packaging. I guess the staff wasn’t familiar with how we wanted the games to be utilized. Also, for one of our wedding games, we needed Kapeng Barako but the staff provided 3-in-1 coffee. She also wasn’t too visible for me on the day of the wedding, and though I know some of her staff, they don’t understand what we want done as much as Pam does. These are minor details that didn’t ruin the wedding, but could have made it more fun if done right.

• Inability to keep THAT GUY in place – as mentioned a lot of times in my previous blog, THAT GUY was such an emotion killer. I’m not sure if they were limited by the parish office, but I hoped could have been more involved in the church so that I wouldn’t have met THAT GUY.  

Filterpan

Che and I didn’t have a concept for our prenup photo shoot. We wanted to ask Pat and RJ, but Che realized that she wasn’t much of an actress to project for the camera. After throwing ideas, Che had this bright idea of asking Pat and RJ to join us on our already-booked trip to Korea to do the shoot there. I was hesitant because of the expenses, but agreed thinking they were still busy with Taavi.

Surprisingly, they said yes without hesitation. Apparently, they have been praying to God to have a getaway as a couple, as they haven’t had any time for themselves since Taavi was born. We became instruments of God for this lovely couple. From a financial standpoint, I didn’t like it, but other than that, I was really happy they said yes. Besides, Che took care of the financial part.

Our concept of the prenup shoot was to be as natural as possible, because Che can’t keep a straight face for too long. We went to places we’d want to visit, ate the food we wanted (a lot of it) and even got lost by riding the wrong bus, but through it all, it didn’t feel like a shoot. It just felt like being out with a friend who likes to take photos. It helped that we were joined on our trip by Aaron and Joyce, who were contemplating on going to Japan or Korea before I insisted join us to the latter. They were mainly convinced because they learned Pat and RJ were going to be with us, which means someone could take great photos of them. Aaron and Joyce were so comfortable with the camera that Pat and RJ had to ask us to repeat their poses.

Team Korea enjoying the almost-melting snow

 We rode the wrong bus and got lost, went to Myeongdong to eat street food, ate a lot of those triangular rice cakes, went to Everland, went up to Namsan Tower, rode a bus that took us to where there’s still snow, and got left by the bus that had us scrambling to find a ride back to the metro because Pat and RJ had to fly back that night. Too bad that they weren’t able to join us in Nami Island, I believe they would have taken incredible shots there.

We were happy with the first batch of photos that came out, and I was too excited when I saw the teaser video. I was too happy with the prenup video that I already showed it to some close friends  even before I was allowed to share it on my newsfeed.

During our last meeting before the wedding, we plotted out the schedule by which everyone will be shot by their team. On the day of the wedding, that schedule wasn’t followed to the letter, but they got the job done nonetheless.

The Filterpan team was so fun to work with, I almost feel like I already knew them for a long time already. I was so comfortable with them that I wasn’t able to cry while I was reading Che’s gift for me. I didn’t know their names, but I loved them instantly. They asked me to do a lot of stuff, and they shot in multiple angles of me doing the same thing – kind of like those that you see in Korean dramas. Che said they asked her to do a lot as well. They have creative shots even for video that I was excited to see how they treat later for the SDE.

When the SDE was played, everyone told us they loved it. Che and I were happy, but we agreed that we thought there could have been more. Maybe it was all those shots that they took that made us want to see more, but overall, they did a pretty good job capturing the day’s events.

They also gave us a coffee table book of our prenup shoot that I think is awesome. It’s now displayed on our flat’s living room.

Right beside our mini-Christmas tree laden with Polaroids. 

We’re still waiting on other photos of the wedding and the full wedding video, but I have no doubt that it will turn out amazing. I’ll update this blog once we get them though.

Here’s a summary of my review for Filterpan:

Pros:

• Feel love in the air – As if you’re not already in love with your partner, Filterpan will inspire you to love even more. It could be Pat and RJ’s infectious love for each other, or their team’s light-hearted nature. Either way, your photos and videos will look amazing because they will capture that intensified love you have for each other. You can choose to have a concept where you have to act out scenes, but I think they work best in capturing natural, candid moments of you.

• Ease of Negotiation – As I mentioned, we weren’t really close with Pat and RJ through college. However, since getting them for our wedding, we talked as comfortable as friends who see each other regularly. I’m sure you’ll feel the same way.

• Creative executions – I’m sure Filterpan isn’t the only one who could offer creative executions, but their unique way of telling your story through their coverage is what really drove us to pick them as our photo and video team.

Cons:

• Photo booth date was wrong – There were 92 photos on their photo booth’s Facebook page that was uploaded right after the wedding displaying the wrong date. It means that 92 printed copies had the wrong date on it. They managed to fix the issue, but we can’t get back the printed copies from our guests. Anyway, what matters is that our guests were at the wedding, and there’s a fixed copy on Facebook.

• Patience is essential – Che and Pam kept bugging Filterpan about the release of photos and videos, but I’m not really sure when you’d need it. If only considering Che and Pam’s inquiries, I’d say Filterpan was sometimes late for their outputs. However, if you have the patience for it, I am telling you it is all worth the wait. Let Pat and RJ do their magic.

• The team needs to work on handling crowds – As much as I love the team, I thought they weren’t able to handle a larger group. They were fine shooting me and my family, but when they were organizing people for the group shots, they look flustered at times. Some of them look really young, so I guess they’ll be able to work on their confidence as time goes by.