NBA Basketball Fantastic!!!!!!

Just like the motto of the NBA back in the day I'm reminded of how simple a game basketball is. I grew up in an era where people regarded that time as the Golden age of basketball. Magic, Bird and Jordan where the names that everyone knew and we were all glued to our TV sets to watch. Now today was we watch a faster more athletic NBA we call upon the spirits of NBA past to help guide the sport back into the homes of those from the not so distant past.

As we bear witness to the coming of Lebron James the maturing of Dwight Howard or the cementing of a legacy in Kobe Bryant we can hope that the future of NBA basketball is strong and on a good footing. I watched Game 3 of the NBA finals at a great location with good friends and fabulous food. The Magic accomplished a team first by winning a NBA finals game and by doing so they trail the series 2 -1 with game 4 on Thursday June 11, 2009. The game was good for the Magic as they played one of their best overall team games in shooting over 60% from the field. As the Magic played an unbelievable game they only managed to win the game by 5 points and the game was very tight throughout the entire contest. To gain another victory in my opinion with another near flawless night is unlikely considering the level of competition. My previous post I alluded to some great home cooking and good rest to gain a victory and I'm glad they did just that. Now that the food has settled and jitters of playing at home has settled hopefully they can hold serve on their home court and send the series to game 5. 

As much as I have learned to appreciate the NBA again I hope this series can be the defining point were the NBA is able to get its appeal back into the mainstream as it has done in years past with Magic, Bird and Jordan....Whose to say that Lebron, Dwight and Kobe could be the ones to accomplish it for them. "NBA Basketball its Fantastic"

NBA Finals 2009!!!!!!

So as I write this post the Lakers are up 2 games to zero over the Orlando Magic. The first 2 games were played in Los Angeles the home of the Lakers. The first game was a total team victory as the Lakers pounded the Magic who pretty much sleepwalked through the entire contest. As game 2 rolled around people began to question if Orlando had what it took to run with the Lakers. I reflect back to the series with the Cleveland Cavaliers and how the Magic had numerous answers, so I knew they had the fire power to win but will they be able to put it all together. 

So game 2 was a defensive struggle for most of the game with Rashard Lewis being the offensive juggernaut. At one time during the 2nd quarter Lewis had scored 18 of the Magics 20 points...can we say coming out party!!!! I knew of Rashard Lewis when he played in the Northwest with the then Seattle SuperSonics. Rashard Lewis came up the hard way in the straight from High School era of young players. The greatest benefit for Lewis was developing his game in the no-pressure atmosphere of Seattle. He was able to hone his craft from one of the best clutch 3point shooters in the Boston Celtics Ray Allen. In his 10 plus season campaigns in the NBA the limelight he is in is well deserved and I would imagine quite gratifying. So as the Orlando Magic stare down the barrel of an 3-0 deficit hopefully they are taking in the home cooked meal and night with family to get their bearings and basketball in order. One thing is certain the Lakers have come to play and hopefully the Magic is up to the task of pulling out a victory in game 3.

Washington Redskins Family Day!!!!

On Monday June 1, 2009 the Washington Redskins invited players, team employees, their families and select VIPs out to Six Flags yesterday. I must have gotten lucky since I'm neither, a good friend told me he had an extra ticket and since I lived some 10 minutes away it was easy for me.

I must say the Redskins went all out with this affair. The grounds were in great shape, it was clean and the employees were all happy and upbeat. With the limited number of people at the park it was quite enjoyable. I would never at any other time make it out Six Flags but did so today because of the special circumstance and also not having the general public in attendance.

I saw a few Redskins players who were taking in the rides and foods with their families but it was a little difficult for some other more high profile players. I saw Clinton Portis and gave him the good ole "what's up CP" with the fist in the air. He was cool and shot back a "peace" sign. That is at most my only type of interactions with the players since I'm not into the autographs and picture taking. But on the other hand most of the fans in attendance are quite the opposite. As I turned around after seeing Portis because I discovered I was headed in the wrong direction I came upon a giant mob of people. In my mind I new it had to be a player that was swarmed. I was correct and it was Portis, now this guy had about 50 people requesting pics and autographs. As I walked past and headed to my destination, the team provided free food, drinks and ice cream. The team gets major cool points for actually feeding a person meals that would cost about 10 bucks or more. So I ate a cheeseburger that was brought in from the Sunshine Service station(best burger in world)...thanks Mark. I was seated with a few friends who were waiting for us to arrive and they were with the Hoggettes and Chief Zee. So we woofed our food and grabbed some ice cream. We are now headed to the train that will take us around to another side of the park. So we get on the train and the Hoggettes and Chief Zee begin to break out the Redskins fight song..."Hail To the Redskins". It was a nice train ride. We pulled up to the station and disembarked. As I'm walking down the stairs I see a mob of people...so like the last time I assumeed a player, and low and behold it was Clinton Portis from the time I last saw him until now it was probably almost an hour and that man continued to sign every autograph and take every picture. I felt a bit sad for the guy having to sign so much...but it shows tremendous character on his part to not deny a single person. It turns out he was signing for about 2 hours and had it not been for security who had to escort him to a team function on the grounds that guy probably would have signed for everyone. Much props to you CP!

While in the park I heard some grumblings on how one player(high paid) in particular wouldn't sign anything for adults but would do so for the kids. The particular person that grumbled had 3 footballs, 2 jerseys and 2 hats so I would have imagined the player saw all that he had and refused to sign the items...who knows what was headed to e-bay or some other auction place. I don't think the event was called Fan appreciation so to be able to any autographs at all should be a bonus because I don't believe that the players are obligated to give an autograph at a fans request. I might be in the minority but the players should have a life and be able to enjoy themselves like the rest of us.

The Washington Redskins did a great thing that night and I applaud them for their work. Hopefully events like these could be common place because in these lean economic times people need all the incentives and perks possible. I hope I get lucky on the next go-around because I will never attend Six Flags unless it is an event like I attended last night.

Photos from the Maryland Maniacs games!

Santana Moss 30 and on a mission!!!

This week Santana Moss of the Washington Redskins turns 30 years old and like most of us that have a birthday we would normally have some type of party. Santana Moss made a decision to include plenty of other people to enjoy his 30th birthday. From the moments that I have met Santana Moss he seemed very genuine and real. I will post an article from the DC Sports Bog which highligts some of the events that Santana Moss has included in his 30th birthday. Kudos to Santana Moss.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/05/santana_moss_on_turning_30.html

"I mean, I actually feel wiser," Santana Moss told me Wednesday night, during the first part of a five-day celebration of his 30th birthday. "Every year I'm growing and becoming more of the man that I should be for my household....So I guess that's a part of being older, you get to start thinking more, and to start trying to make moves with stuff that you didn't do before."

What kind of stuff? Pondering what happens after the end of his career. Planning for his kids' futures. Showing his face at more community events. Putting more time into his foundation.

"You know, before I used to be the guy that said, 'Hey man, I don't want to be involved in this or I didn't want to be involved in that,' " he said. "You know, never shied away when it came to kids, but just other events. Now, I see myself, when I'm called upon, trying to show my face and trying to be there. I like to have fun, I like to party, I like to hang out. Now, I'm thinking like, every now and then, maybe I should go home, maybe I shouldn't go out tonight, maybe I should give that time to this person, that person. You know, I'm just thinking a little wiser.

"As far as the age goes, you're gonna get older every year. So if I was 10, you'd say, 'Do you feel like you're [turning] 11?' You never really feel like it, but you know you're 11, you know? I'm gonna be 30 June 1st, and I'm just pleased to be able to say that that day has come upon me. You have a lot of friends that didn't make it to that day, you have a lot of people that you grew up with, good people, that didn't get the chance. So I'm just proud man of anything that the Lord has blessed me with, and I try to build from it and try to just move on, not take it for granted."

And his legs? Do they feel like they're 30?

"Hard to say man," he said with a laugh. "I think regardless of what you do in life, when you play a sport, your legs gonna always feel the impact of that sport. But honestly, it's not about the legs, it's right here," he continued, pointing to his head. "At the end of the day, you tell yourself to get up and go. Your legs follow this....So, not really. I just feel like I know that every year is a year to cherish in this League, and I just cherish it, I just cherish every part of it. Because a lot of guys want to do what I'm doing, a lot of guys that didn't get the opportunity."

As for the week's events, they're, um, varied. Wednesday was an ESPN Zone Q&A (transcript here) and fundraiser, mixed in with a private party with 13-year old Rhett Stuart of the District and his friends.

The two met at an Obama fund-raiser co-hosted by Rhett's mother in September of '07. Rhett wanted to hold a charity fundraiser of his own in honor of his Bar Mitzvah, so his family got in touch with Santana's people, and they arranged for Rhett and his friends to each donate $50 to The Moss Foundation in exchange for a party attended by the man himself.

"I'm just pleased to have anything to do with some of these kids," Moss said. "I mean, I never know where this will take these kids, but I know for me, regardless of what kind of deed is done, I have something in my heart to just always find a way to give back, even when it's all about me. You know, you might look at this weekend, and say it's Santana Moss's 30th birthday, which a lot of guys might celebrate differently, we all know.

"I'm gonna have my fun, but I feel like on the eve of having my fun I should always have the chance to have time for the ones that look up or the ones that admire or want to be in my shoes."

Yesterday, Moss flew back to Miami, in advance of tonight's high-end party at Miami Beach's Eden Roc, hosted by Wild on E!'s Cindy Taylor, with guest appearances from Scarface's Steven Bauer, Louis Gosset Jr., Alonzo Mourning and Edward James Olmos, plus music from Biz Markie and a Frederick's of Hollywood/Bullets 4 Peace fashion show.

"A real nice, upscale event," Moss described. "It's gonna be a really nice, cocktail event, something that's not normal for me. Because where I'm from, the inner city, I'm always catering to the inner-city crowd. When I have my events, I'm having my events for the inner city most of the time when I'm in Miami. Up here, I got away from that."

But Moss said he didn't want to neglect D.C., so he's back here on Saturday for an event at Current on Connecticut Ave, featuring many of his friends from the U.

"I just welcome everybody always, when you hear something that I'm doing, to always feel free to come out, whether I invite you or not, because it's always a good cause behind it. It's never enough fun for me just to have it all to myself, it's always enough for everybody," he told me. "I mean, they give me so much on Sunday and throughout the year that I have to find a way to always do something up here."

As for any 30th birthday presents for himself, "I don't know, I think I might buy me a new 750 or something like that," he said with a smile.

Sure, why not.

NBA Basketball!!!!

The playoffs for the NBA this year has been just downright the best I have watched in a long long time. The teams contending currently in Conference Finals are just going all out! It all started with the Boston/Chicago series where most of the games finished in OT and it went 7 games. To even right now with Lebron winning a game winner which he contends was the greatest shot of his career. 

The surprise this year is the Denver Nugget. Who would have thought that this team would be where it is at today? It begins and ends with one name "Big Shot" Billups. This guy has been a member of seven consecutive Conference Finals. The guy is a baller no doubt. For those that have followed the NBA for a while you should know the value of Chauncey Billups. Denver's acquisition of him for Allen Iverson has to be looked upon as one of the biggest coups of all-time. Denver went from being a lower end Western Conference playoff contender to damn near knocking off the number #1 seed and punching their ticket to the Finals. Since acquiring Billups Denver has the best record in the Western Conference. Billups as a stabilizing force and leader has put this team in order. With Chauncey and Carmelo running together their future is bright. Beware Los Angeles Lakers the dream match up might not happen if your not careful.

I remember as kid watching Magic and Bird and as an adult that era is looked upon as the time where the NBA jumped into all of the American homes. Ever since Jordan retired I felt as if the NBA has just lacked its own identity. Stars drive the league and now and I believe there are Stars that can stand and produce now on their merits without the hanging comparisons to past legends of the game. I would not be disappointed if any of the 4 teams  made it to the NBA finals.

I'm pulling for Orlando and Denver to meet in the finals just because I want to be the opposite of what I believe the NBA truly wants....Lebron and Kobe. So I will sit back and take in all of these great games and bear witness to the next new age of the NBA. Have a seat with me and pull out a nice Stoagie and enjoy!

Memorial Day!

Memorial Day is a time where we honor those that served in the Armed Services of the United States. As a former vet that served proudly in the United States Army I honor my brothers and sisters who proudly served the colors of this the greatest country. There are those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country and from the depths of my heart I thank you and your families for your loss. But please hold on to the fact that citizens who serve are indeed the best of us all and without that sacrifice our liberties we enjoy daily would be jeopardized. 

Memorial day is considered the kick-off to summer. We hold BBQ's and invite all of our friends and family over for a great time. Some play card games others play horseshoes and some just relax in lawn chairs as the sleep the food off. All of that plus great weather is the perfect combination...it is a relief because a few weeks ago we had rain for about 2 weeks straight. I don't think my grass has ever been this green so early in the year. 

As we begin this summer season and enjoy the fruits of liberty and freedom take some time to try to give back. There are those less fortunate than us who could deserve a little help. If you see guy at a stop light with a sign give him a buck...it is reported that 40% of homeless men age 50 and over are veterans of the Armed Services. Most have been diagnosed with Mental Disorders and whatever got them to this point in their lives is pointless and if a person has a need to resort to pan handling to survive, do what you can and help them out. It will make you feel better and hopefully it will help them. They gave a lot in service of our country and it is sad that our government can't do more for them. 

To our brothers and sisters currently serving abroad we Thank You and pray for your safety and wish you all the best as you proceed in your military career or life after the military.

Memorial Day is more than just a day we kick-off summer it has a far reaching global perspective...we honor those that serve. Your life is precious but you decided to put it in harms way! We hope that all that currently serve can relax with us next year as we BBQ, play cards and other games  to celebrate our brothers and sisters in the United States Armed Services.