The U.S.A. basketball team beat Spain the Olympic final to regain its perch as the best team in world when it comes to basketball. Seeing the players soo excited and happy (like how they look when they win a NBA championship) was awesome. Kobe was hugging D Wade, Chris Paul was giddy, Lebron satisfied. It was just great all around.
The game was a close one all the way through. The first seven games the U.S. played were pretty much blowouts. They had beat Spain by 32 a week before. So a lot of people thought this might be a repeat performance. But Spain was resilient and played tough all game long.
D Wade kept the U.S. slightly ahead in the first half by scoring 21 points and hitting every shot he was taking. He was in a zone just like he was when they Heat beat the Mavs in the NBA finals in 2006. Then came the fourth quarter. When the Dobermamba, Doberman, Black Mamba aka. KOBE BRYANT took over the game. This is exactly the reason for him to be on the team. To take over when needed and he did. He hit a long three and got fouled to silenece the crowd and give the U.S. some breathing room and was involved in numerous important plays during the final quarter.
I was elated to see U.S. basketball back on top and to see how happy the players and coaches were of their achievement. The players were "redeemed" as well which made it such a great feeling for them and fans alike. I feel this experience, and the way the players carried themselves throughout the entire olympics where they were involved in cheering on other U.S. athletes and being visible will rub off on other U.S. NBA players and make them want to be a part of it as we go forward to the next Olympics.
Great job by everyone who was associated with the U.S. National Basketball team!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Lightning Bolt
Track and field has always been a favorite of mine. Whenever it is on television I always try to catch it and see who the up and coming stars are of the sport. I just love seeing the speed of the men and women competing in the sprint events.
Flash forward to the Beijing Olympics and a star was born these past couple weeks. His name is Usain Bolt a.ka. Lightning Bolt.
First event: the 100 meters. Tyson Gay from the U.S. did not make the final as he just wasn't able to come back physically from his pulled hamstring at the trials in the 200 meters. Thus Bolt was the favorite going into the 100m final. When the gun went off Bolt was out like a flash. The race was over at the 60m mark. He was celebrating with 40m to go! That's how far he was ahead of the field. He then slowed down with 30m to go. In the race. It was incredible to see! He broke the world record with a 9.69. But if he had run through the line he could have probably run a 9.5.
Second event: 200m. Bolt was the favorite but was going against the 2004 olympic champion from the U.S. Shawn Crawford, who by the way is one of my favorite sprinters. Usain ran a great turn and demolished the field in the straighaway. This time he ran through the line and broke Michael Johnson's record of 19.32 by running a 19.30. No one ever though Johnson's record would be broken but this guy is the Lightning Bolt..His speed was phenomenal in this race and it was amazing to see him blow away a field of great runners. Incredible..
Third event: 4 by 100m relay. Jamaica was favored in this event because the American's botched the baton handoff in an earlier round and did not advance. Bolt ran the third leg and the Jamaican's blew away the field and set a new world record in the process.
Usain Bolt was the other story of these olympics besides Michael Phelps. He won three golds and set three world records. A star was born and it will be great to see just how far Bolt goes!
Flash forward to the Beijing Olympics and a star was born these past couple weeks. His name is Usain Bolt a.ka. Lightning Bolt.
First event: the 100 meters. Tyson Gay from the U.S. did not make the final as he just wasn't able to come back physically from his pulled hamstring at the trials in the 200 meters. Thus Bolt was the favorite going into the 100m final. When the gun went off Bolt was out like a flash. The race was over at the 60m mark. He was celebrating with 40m to go! That's how far he was ahead of the field. He then slowed down with 30m to go. In the race. It was incredible to see! He broke the world record with a 9.69. But if he had run through the line he could have probably run a 9.5.
Second event: 200m. Bolt was the favorite but was going against the 2004 olympic champion from the U.S. Shawn Crawford, who by the way is one of my favorite sprinters. Usain ran a great turn and demolished the field in the straighaway. This time he ran through the line and broke Michael Johnson's record of 19.32 by running a 19.30. No one ever though Johnson's record would be broken but this guy is the Lightning Bolt..His speed was phenomenal in this race and it was amazing to see him blow away a field of great runners. Incredible..
Third event: 4 by 100m relay. Jamaica was favored in this event because the American's botched the baton handoff in an earlier round and did not advance. Bolt ran the third leg and the Jamaican's blew away the field and set a new world record in the process.
Usain Bolt was the other story of these olympics besides Michael Phelps. He won three golds and set three world records. A star was born and it will be great to see just how far Bolt goes!
The Greatest Olympian Ever
Michael Phelps. Enough said..Mister Phelps had a goal coming into the Beijing Olympics. To win eight gold medals and set 8 world records. He wound up winning eight golds and setting seven world records while becoming the the greatest olympian ever with 14 gold medals. He's only 23 everyone. That means he can compete again in London in 2012 and even after that if he so desires.
I was looking forward to seeing Phelps compete in these olympic games and made sure to catch everyone of his gold medal races. It was history in the making seeing him win each one and I am really glad I was able to witness the historic event unfold. Seeing him competing at such a high level and reaching all of his goals while being cheered on by all of America was a great thing to see.
What Michael Phelps accomplished definitely brought swimming to the forefront of America for a couple weeks in Beijing. Will swimming become a big sport in America? I personally don't think it will ever be able to compete with the likes of basketball, football and baseball but with Michael Phelps as an icon and ambassador for the sport anything is possible..
I was looking forward to seeing Phelps compete in these olympic games and made sure to catch everyone of his gold medal races. It was history in the making seeing him win each one and I am really glad I was able to witness the historic event unfold. Seeing him competing at such a high level and reaching all of his goals while being cheered on by all of America was a great thing to see.
What Michael Phelps accomplished definitely brought swimming to the forefront of America for a couple weeks in Beijing. Will swimming become a big sport in America? I personally don't think it will ever be able to compete with the likes of basketball, football and baseball but with Michael Phelps as an icon and ambassador for the sport anything is possible..
Monday, August 11, 2008
Beijing Olympics Update
So this weekend was my birthday. Great time I must say with a few close friends and my younger bro. They definitely made it a memorable one for me so I am appreciative of that.
NOW onto the the Beijing Olympics. I have mainly been focused on gymnastics, swimming and basketball.
Gymnastics-I have to say this is one of the most impressive sports when it comes to strength and balance. To see the strength the men posses on the still rings is ridiculous and the way the women are able to swing on the uneven bars and jump up and down and all around on the balance beam is unreal as well. One observation I made over the first two days of gymnastics is how strong and well drilled at their routines the Chinese gymnasts are. Granted the men have a more solid team than the women but both teams could potentially win the gold medal. The USA women's team looked decent the other day and it was enjoyable to watch the USA men compete hard and well as they are underdogs. But they are doin their best and not listening to the criticism and are doing awesome thus far.
Swimming-Well it all begins and ends with Michael Phelps. Phelps won his first gold in the 400m individual medlay where he was supposed to be rivaled by his teammate Ryan Lochte. However Phelps smoked him on the last turn and that was it. Then last night was the best race of this Olympics thus far...the 4*100m freestyle relay. France earlier in the day said how they were going to smash the Americans in this race. The Americans were losing going into the last 50m when their anchor Jason Lezak turned in an incredible split and smashed France's dreams of gold and kept Phelps hopes of 8 gold medals on track with 2/2 thus far. What a great race, I watched it 3 times on DVR it was soo good!
Basketball-As you know this is my favorite sport. Seeing Team USA playing their first game on the Olympics as the REDEEM TEAM was pretty cool Going against China the atmosphere was surreal with dignitaries including George Bush in attendance. USA started out slow and China hit a ton of threes to keep it close. However starting mid second quarter team USA turned this game into one full of dunks, HARD DUNKS, and steals. It was like going down to Rucker Park and total dominance on the defensive end of the floor followed by a dunkathon. Straight Gangsta!! Loved it Man.
Anyways thats all for my take on the Olympics thus far. I hope everyone is enjoying them as well!
NOW onto the the Beijing Olympics. I have mainly been focused on gymnastics, swimming and basketball.
Gymnastics-I have to say this is one of the most impressive sports when it comes to strength and balance. To see the strength the men posses on the still rings is ridiculous and the way the women are able to swing on the uneven bars and jump up and down and all around on the balance beam is unreal as well. One observation I made over the first two days of gymnastics is how strong and well drilled at their routines the Chinese gymnasts are. Granted the men have a more solid team than the women but both teams could potentially win the gold medal. The USA women's team looked decent the other day and it was enjoyable to watch the USA men compete hard and well as they are underdogs. But they are doin their best and not listening to the criticism and are doing awesome thus far.
Swimming-Well it all begins and ends with Michael Phelps. Phelps won his first gold in the 400m individual medlay where he was supposed to be rivaled by his teammate Ryan Lochte. However Phelps smoked him on the last turn and that was it. Then last night was the best race of this Olympics thus far...the 4*100m freestyle relay. France earlier in the day said how they were going to smash the Americans in this race. The Americans were losing going into the last 50m when their anchor Jason Lezak turned in an incredible split and smashed France's dreams of gold and kept Phelps hopes of 8 gold medals on track with 2/2 thus far. What a great race, I watched it 3 times on DVR it was soo good!
Basketball-As you know this is my favorite sport. Seeing Team USA playing their first game on the Olympics as the REDEEM TEAM was pretty cool Going against China the atmosphere was surreal with dignitaries including George Bush in attendance. USA started out slow and China hit a ton of threes to keep it close. However starting mid second quarter team USA turned this game into one full of dunks, HARD DUNKS, and steals. It was like going down to Rucker Park and total dominance on the defensive end of the floor followed by a dunkathon. Straight Gangsta!! Loved it Man.
Anyways thats all for my take on the Olympics thus far. I hope everyone is enjoying them as well!
Friday, August 1, 2008
U.S.A. Men's Olympic Basketball Team
The U.S.A. men's olympic basketball team has played a a few games in its tuneup for the Beijing Olympics and they are looking pretty good. They easily handled Canada back in the States and have handled Turkey and Lithuania in Macau with relative ease in exhibition play.
A few observations:
1) No one player is trying to take over the game. Everyone is playing well together and sharing the ball and playing team defense which is important in international play.
2) Kobe Bryant has labeled himself as the defensive stopper on the perimeter for this team. He always wants to guard the opponent's best perimeter player. He has given himself the nickname "the Doberman". HILARIOUS. I love the nickname. He is like a guard dog.
3) Dwayne Wade is back. He looks to be in great shape and is playing very well. Wade stated that he is feeling great and next season he will be abusing players in my opinion.
4) Coack K is playing everyone at the right time thus far and seems to be making the right calls regarding the team.
5) Bron Bron James is the key to this team. He poses soo many mismatches on offense and is very explosive.
It's been great watchin the team thus far and I look forward to the GAMES!
A few observations:
1) No one player is trying to take over the game. Everyone is playing well together and sharing the ball and playing team defense which is important in international play.
2) Kobe Bryant has labeled himself as the defensive stopper on the perimeter for this team. He always wants to guard the opponent's best perimeter player. He has given himself the nickname "the Doberman". HILARIOUS. I love the nickname. He is like a guard dog.
3) Dwayne Wade is back. He looks to be in great shape and is playing very well. Wade stated that he is feeling great and next season he will be abusing players in my opinion.
4) Coack K is playing everyone at the right time thus far and seems to be making the right calls regarding the team.
5) Bron Bron James is the key to this team. He poses soo many mismatches on offense and is very explosive.
It's been great watchin the team thus far and I look forward to the GAMES!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
The Stadium
On Friday I went with my friend Dave to "the House that Ruth Built." On our way over to Yankee Stadium we both talked about how much history the stadium has and that we couldn't believe this will be the last year baseball will ever be played in the historic Yankees Stadium ever again. Granted the Yankees have a new stadium across the street but it's just not the same..
It was great to watch the Yanks play at the Stadium. We soaked in the history and smiled knowing that at least we got this memorable time to watch a Yankees game in this great place one more time. I know I am definitely going to try to make some more games this year. Such a good time. Oh, and by the way, it's really hard to take a "piece" of history with you. Those stadium seats are bolted tight into the cement. I was trying to figure out what else one would want to take but couldn't quite figure out what else there is worth taking in the stands besides old beer cans. Haha.
Yankee Stadium. What a great place full of history and where legends were made.
Yankee Stadium. What a great place full of history and where legends were made.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Nadal vs. Federer
What a finals match at Wimbledon between the top two players currently in the world. I believe the rivalry Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have at the moment is currently the best one we have in all of sports at the moment and continues to grow to one of the best of all time.
On Sunday the two squared off in the Wimbledon finals in a match that will go down as one for the ages if not the best one has ever seen. I began watching the match when Nadal was up 2 sets to none and was on serve in the third set and I figured Nadal would win the third set and show the world he should be ranked #1 as he had just beaten Federer in the French Open and winning Wimbledon would a feat that hadn't been accomplished since Bjorn Borg did it in 1980.
I was wrong to think there would be such a speedy outcome..Federer was able to win the tie break in the third set and extend the match to the fourth set which the crowd and television audience wanted to see. Who wouldn't want to see the two best players in the world play against one another for as long as possible?
In the fourth set both players held serve again and it came down to the tiebreaker yet again. Federer has been much better in tiebreaks than Nadal in his career and again was able to beat Nadal in the tiebreak and win the fourth set. On to the fifth set...
Both players held serve to 6-6. However at Wimbledon there is no tiebreak to decide the match. Instead one player must win two games more than the other to win the set and ultimately the match. With both players trading sets to set the score at 7-7 in the fifth set, Nadal was able to break Federer and take an 8-7 games lead and have a chance to serve for the match. Nadal ultimately was able to win the 16th game and his first Wimbledon title and keep Federer from winning his 6th straight Wimbledon title.
Both of these players were incredible and I have to say this was the most exciting tennis match I have ever seen. I think this rivalry and especially this match today will do wonders for the sport in regards to sparking interest as these two play in more grand slam tourneys and will most likely face off again in the future. Congratulations must go out to Nadal though. He has worked soo hard to restructure his game to beat Federer and he finally has beaten Federer at Wimbledon which is an accomplishment for the ages. Seeing him fall to the court and Federer hit the ball into the net and lost the match was priceless. The happiness and joy he had and the way he leaped into the stands to hug his parents was a great sight to see. Will this be the changing of the guard in men's tennis? I think it very well could be.
On Sunday the two squared off in the Wimbledon finals in a match that will go down as one for the ages if not the best one has ever seen. I began watching the match when Nadal was up 2 sets to none and was on serve in the third set and I figured Nadal would win the third set and show the world he should be ranked #1 as he had just beaten Federer in the French Open and winning Wimbledon would a feat that hadn't been accomplished since Bjorn Borg did it in 1980.
I was wrong to think there would be such a speedy outcome..Federer was able to win the tie break in the third set and extend the match to the fourth set which the crowd and television audience wanted to see. Who wouldn't want to see the two best players in the world play against one another for as long as possible?
In the fourth set both players held serve again and it came down to the tiebreaker yet again. Federer has been much better in tiebreaks than Nadal in his career and again was able to beat Nadal in the tiebreak and win the fourth set. On to the fifth set...
Both players held serve to 6-6. However at Wimbledon there is no tiebreak to decide the match. Instead one player must win two games more than the other to win the set and ultimately the match. With both players trading sets to set the score at 7-7 in the fifth set, Nadal was able to break Federer and take an 8-7 games lead and have a chance to serve for the match. Nadal ultimately was able to win the 16th game and his first Wimbledon title and keep Federer from winning his 6th straight Wimbledon title.
Both of these players were incredible and I have to say this was the most exciting tennis match I have ever seen. I think this rivalry and especially this match today will do wonders for the sport in regards to sparking interest as these two play in more grand slam tourneys and will most likely face off again in the future. Congratulations must go out to Nadal though. He has worked soo hard to restructure his game to beat Federer and he finally has beaten Federer at Wimbledon which is an accomplishment for the ages. Seeing him fall to the court and Federer hit the ball into the net and lost the match was priceless. The happiness and joy he had and the way he leaped into the stands to hug his parents was a great sight to see. Will this be the changing of the guard in men's tennis? I think it very well could be.
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