Just Another Boring Day in Sports

No NBA Finals for another 4 days.  No Stanley Cup Finals until tomorrow.  No homerun records being broken.  Noone getting caught doing steroids. The hot topic of the day, Kyle Busch winning the Best Buy 400. I have nothing against racing but it just doesn’t do it for me. I even gave a chance to tennis today, but all I saw was Rafael Nadal beating the snot out of Fernando Verdasco, 6-0, 6-1, 6-2. This Verdasco guy was supposed to be ranked 23 in the world. I think I can beat him in a tennis match.  Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating.  Maybe I’m bored and am looking for a sports fix in the middle of the dog days of baseball. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow…

Not Really Sports Related, but Still…

I just found out that the show “Rob and Big” is coming back for its third season.  Now, for those of you who don’t know, Rob and Big is about pro-skater Rob Dyrdek and his live in body guard/best friend Christoper “Big Black” Boykin at 6’6, 375 lbs.  Now this isn’t an intellectual show or anythin glike that.  It’s about two guys just clowning around. Simple, mindless fun.  The show’s third season starts airing Tuesday nights around 10 p.m.-ish on MTV. Check your local listings for time and dates.  Watch it, experience it, and enjoy it…

Man’s (My) Best Friend

That phrase usually refers to a dog. Where it originated, I don’t know.  But the truth of the phrase is uncanny. Perhaps it came from a guy walking his dog down the street or maybe just hanging out, watching the game. It’s probably because of the undying loyalty and friendship that a dog devotes to his owner. Either way, it’s no wonder why people shell out mega bucks every year to have a dog in their lives. On a personal note, exactly 1 year has passed since I put my best friend to sleep. It was tough, didn’t want to do it but he was suffering.  He’s the American Eskimo in the photo, Tiga was his street name. He was always happy and joyous, hungry too. I can’t think of anything negative to say about him. Life has been pretty different since then. The feeling of emptiness and incompleteness surfaces often.  With the holiday season coming up, people usually start thinking about loved ones, present and past.  As a tribute to Tiga, I wanted to give him a shout-out in my blog [YO TIGA, MISS YOU BUDDY!!!]  This blog wasn’t around when he was, but I’m sure he would’ve appreciated it.   Will I get another dog, don’t know. Haven’t yet.  Nothing can replace my best friend. For those of you who aren’t dog people, you’re missing out.  The bond between a person and his dog is probably one of the strongest possible. If you ever get the privilege to have a dog in your life, I have one word of advice, treat your best friend like a king, because he/she will love you ’till the end and then some.

Jungle Ball

I’m 6’1, 205 and I frequently go to the gym to play some basketball.  My game is playing inside, posting up, rebounding, blocking shots, the works… I don’t wanna toot my own horn by I have on occasion been asked where I played college ball. Anyway, lately I’ve realized that the day after playing my entire body is in IMMENSE pain.  Is it age, I’m mean at 32 years young, I’m no spring chicken.  Am I out of shape, beer belly taken it’s toll on me?  NO.  It ain’t that. It’s my opponents.  That’s what I’ve learned.  It’s the fact that people who don’t know how to play basketball continuously decide to show up and play.  Slapping, hacking, scratching, shoving, you name it.  Now I know how big Shaq felt all those years.  It’s frustrating. I don’t mind people trying to learn the game, but don’t step on the court with people who know how to play.  And if you weasel your way onto the court, then know your limits.  No behind the back passes, through the leg dribbling, fade away 3-pointers with 4 guys on you.  Just disappear.  Inbounds the ball, set a couple of picks, and get out of the way. Look at Jack Haley, he made a career not playing ball.

Dancin’ Machine

The fans have voted, and Helio Castroneves is the new Dancing With The Stars champion. Helio is the third straight athlete to win the competition, following Olympic speed skater Apolo Ono, and running back Emmit Smith. What does this have to do with sports? Well Helio has a day job and he’s an Indy Car racer. You may remember Indy racing, it’s the other kind of racing not named Nascar. Indy used to be a major player back in the day, now they’ll appreciate the publicity. Helio’s win can only help the circuit because Dancing With The Star’s audience dwarfs any sports viewers. I’m not ashamed to say that I was caught up in the final episode to see who America would vote champ, and I’m glad to say they got it right. The energy and enthusiasm that Helio brought to the dancefloor is the same intensity that he brings to the track everytime he races. So if you’re free one day, tune in and watch and Indy race, they’re quite exciting. Now if Formula Racing really wants to spike ratings, they should put Helio’s dancing partner in the backseat of his car! GGRRRRRRRRRR

Deepest Darkest Secret

So I’m chatting with one of my fantasy football buddies on Tuesday night, around 10 p.m.-ish. We’ll refer to him by his team name, “Undeniable.” We’re macho-ing it up, talking football this, football that, when I decided to come correct. I told him that I was distracted by, yes, “the Hills.” The hit reality show on MTV which was a spinoff from Laguna Beach. Right then, something happened, “Undeniable” admitted to watching it too… After a friendly discussion of how Audrina is sprung on Justin Bobby and other drama going on in “the Hills,” I realized that there are probably a lot of guys out there watching this show but are afraid to admit it. OK, I’m hoping that they watch this show for my own sanity. At that point, we realized that the conversation went too far. We then blamed it on our respective wives/fiances and vowed to never speak about it again. At least not until next week, ’till the new episode comes out… As for this article, I don’t really know how it ties into this blog, but I thought that it would be rather funny, either that or humiliating. You make the call…

XBOX 360 or PLAYSTATION3

My name is Ara, and I’m a videogame-aholic. That’s right, I love to play video games, particularly in the sports genre like Madden, NCAA football and NBA Live or 2kwhatever.  I started late in playing, taking a break from Atari 2600 then jumping straight to Sega Genesis.  After that, it was spending a whole month’s pay ($400) on the original Playstation with an extra controller and with the then hot DOOM. Then I dabbled in some Nintendo 64 and PS2 and finally found a home with XBOX.  But after milking the system, Ive decided it’s time for a change, jump into the next century.  The problem is which system, PS3 or 360?  A lot of my friend have 360, and they swear by it.  I also know that the 360 has more games and is less costly then it’s rival.  Then there’s the PS3, who like a young rookie has not even come close to its potential.  The games are still fresh and the system is oh so costly.  So I’m confused.  I’d appreciate YOUR help in making one of the most important decision of my life (OK, maybe not that important; OK, maybe I don’t have a life, but that’s besides the point.

XBOX 360 or PLAYSTATION3

My name is Ara, and I’m a videogame-aholic. That’s right, I love to play video games, particularly in the sports genre like Madden, NCAA football and NBA Live or 2kwhatever.  I started late in playing, taking a break from Atari 2600 then jumping straight to Sega Genesis.  After that, it was spending a whole month’s pay ($400) on the original Playstation with an extra controller and with the then hot DOOM. Then I dabbled in some Nintendo 64 and PS2 and finally found a home with XBOX.  But after milking the system, Ive decided it’s time for a change, jump into the next century.  The problem is which system, PS3 or 360?  A lot of my friend have 360, and they swear by it.  I also know that the 360 has more games and is less costly then it’s rival.  Then there’s the PS3, who like a young rookie has not even come close to its potential.  The games are still fresh and the system is oh so costly.  So I’m confused.  I’d appreciate YOUR help in making one of the most important decision of my life (OK, maybe not that important; OK, maybe I don’t have a life, but that’s besides the point.

Basketball Shoes: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

So I’ve been looking for some bball kicks over the past few months but haven’t been able to find the “right” ones.  I’ve been a guy who’s quite picky with his basketball shoes, it’s gotta have the right combination of look and performance.  We all know that image is just as important as talent, luckily I have both.  The Lebrons (too bulky), Gary Paytons (very quick)Allen Iversons (bad quality) original T-Macs (decent), Kobes (truly uncomfortable) Charles Barkleys (solid back in the day) are just a few of the fellas I’ve showcased on the blacktop in my life. The problem is, I alway end up spending over $100.  I once bought some And1 basketball shoes, which were comfortable but FUGLY.  Anyway, I went into Footlocker, Niketown, you name it, only to find that they don’t have shit out there. Finally, I saw the new KGs (that’s Kevin Garnetts for you lay persons) and actually picked up a pair, of course for a modest price of $100 plus tax.  Then I thought about the Starburys for $15.99, and how they’re selling them at a nearby mall.  The shoe made “for the people.” Are they worth it? Do you get what you pay for? I’m confused, as I usually am in life; blow a hundy for the KGs or cheap out and opt for the Starburys? Plus, do I wanna play like a selfish shoot first point guard on the down of his career or do I wanna be the icon for teammate, improve my low post game and almost guarantee a double double every time I step on the court? Maybe I’ll just get both and be the perfect hybrid. Inside outside, next thing you know, I’m playin’ for the Boston Knicks…

Gambler’s Anonymous

I’m sure the majority of you bet on sports games and I’m sure most of you cringe when thinking of the history of your betting. I’m fairly new to how this whole betting thing works; parlays, teasers, reverses, etc…It is CRAZY how you can wager on 5 dollars, parlay up to 12-13 teams and end up winning THOUSANDS…but what are the chances right? And its always a shame when you put in a big parlay, about to win 6-7 thousand but because of ONE team, everything goes up in flames. Some betting tips:

1. Never always go for the favorite. My evidence is this past week in the NFL AND NCAA. How many upsets were there? New Orleans losing at home to the RAMS? Redskins blowing yet ANOTHER lead-dropping to the Eagles? Steelers BARELY winning over the Browns (Steelers didn’t cover), Vikings getting a Krispy Donut, #1 ranked Ohio St losing to Illinois?! Boston College losing AGAIN!? I could go on and on…
2. NEVER bet on Hockey…I swear if you look at the trends, it seems the team that usually wins is the team barely anyone is betting on…seriously, HOCKEY SUCKS when it comes to gambling.
3. Is it rigged? You can’t get mad and say a game was rigged, because IF it really is, I’m sure many of you WON because of it being “rigged”
4. Please try not to gamble on your team because when your team loses the feeling is HORRIBLE…now imagine your team loses AND your wallet becomes thinner…it HURTS

This article contributed by James.