The Los Angeles Lakers are one game from being eliminated from the Western Conference semi-finals.
The team that has won two championships back-to-back and has been to the NBA finals three straight years is about to be eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers who were favorites to win a third consecutive title will not be making it out of the West this postseason.
The team that has been dominating the past two years is not the same team out there this year.
The dynasty that started in Los Angeles when Pau Gasol arrived in 2008 is ending in the hands of that same Gasol in the second round of the 2011 NBA playoffs.
Andrew Bynum, the player always being the missing factor for the Lakers success but failing to do so because of injuries, is the same player playing without injuries during the time the Lakers are not succeeding.
In other words . . . It is over for the Lakers and their fans. (It hurts me to say that.)
It looks to be the end of a wonderful ride for me and my fellow Laker fans.
It was nice to have myself in the Lakers 2010 championship DVD, celebrating the Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics in Los Angeles with fellow Laker fans as I find myself onto the news stations live shots, and being present for two victory parades down Figueroa Street.
The Lakers might be falling to the ground but the purple and gold will live again and return to glory once again. Once a champion, always a champion. 16 champions and counting, the Lakers will find away back to the top.
Until then, the Lakers are signing off.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
RCC baseball playoffs
The Riverside City College baseball team begins its quest to win a state title May 6 as RCC travels to No. 7 Santa Barbara City college to begin a three-game series.
RCC finished 21-15 (13-8), third in the Orange Empire Conference and is No. 10 in the southern regional playoffs.
RCC finished 21-15 (13-8), third in the Orange Empire Conference and is No. 10 in the southern regional playoffs.
Playoff preview: Riverside City College baseball from Sports Lockdown on Vimeo.
Friday, April 29, 2011
NBA playoffs move on to the semi-finals
The NBA playoffs are off into the next stage of the race as the teams who advanced on to the second round are set to start the next series on Sunday.
Surprisingly most of my predictions were right on the winners of the first round series' but the number of games were off badly. (Thanks to my belief I am a true "NBA analyze.")
Although the biggest surprises of the first round was the San Antonio Spurs being knocked out by the Memphis Grizzles and the Atlanta Hawks defeating the Orlando Magic.
So lets get started and lets see if I still have potential to be a NBA analyze.
The follow are the Eastern Conference semi-finals series' and my predictions:
No. 1 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 5 Atlanta Hawks: This is going to be a interesting series. The Bulls had a scare a few times in the series against the Indiana Pacers, as the Bulls nearly lost a few games including Game 1.
The Bulls looked great either way, they were able to handle the Pacers and Derrick Rose had a monster series.
As for the Hawks they had a great series against a mediocre Magic team. Joe Johnson did not have a terriffic series against the Magic but the Hawks were able to play great team ball and hold down Dwight Howard in a few games.
As for the series I think it will be hard for the Hawks to guard Rose. Without Kirk Hinrich for sometime, the Hawks will have trouble keeping up with Rose and with a loose Rose roaming the floor--the Bulls will be able to get anything they want.
I have the Bulls winning the series: 4-2.
No. 2 Miami Heat vs. No. 3 Boston Celtics: This series is going to be the best second round series. These two teams are building a somewhat rivalry--mainly for this season.
The Celtics own the regular season series, 3-1, and the Celtics were able to handle the Heat well in the three wins. The series against the New York Knicks helped the Celtics regain their energy and confidence to play anyone they face.
The sweep on the Knicks should jump start the Celtics to go off on another run to the finals.
As for the Heat, they were able to hold off the Philadelphia 78ers without breaking a sweat. Without a post game and size in the middle, I highly doubt the Heat can survive in the postseason as they face better teams.
The Celtics are short handed too in the middle but if they can get something out of their bigs in the series than they should be able to hold off the Heat with their big four: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allan, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.
I have the Celtics winning the series: 4-2.
Moving from the East to the West, the Spurs will not be moving on after the Grizzles amazingly defeated them in six games. The Grizzles might be a low seed but the Oklahoma City Thunder should not take them lightly.
The following are the Western Conference semi-finals series' and my predictions:
No. 2 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 3 Dallas Mavericks: This series is second best to the Boston/Miami series.
In the last regular season match, Lakers' Matt Barnes and Mavericks' Jason Terry caused a huge fight after a altercation between Terry and Lakers' Steve Blake. The two teams build a rivalry after that incident and they action picks up again when the two teams face off in this series.
The Lakers started of their first round series slow after dropping Game 1 to the New Orleans Hornets but after Kobe Bryant's great performance in Game 5, the Lakers are on their A-game and are looking like an championship team again.
The Mavericks are looking great as well after taking out the Portland Blazers in six games. The Mavericks are the closes team to match the Lakers length but it is going to take a lot more to take out the champs.
The Lakers are gong to be too hard to control when they have Bryant and Pau Gasol on top of their games while having Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and the supporting cast adding on to that success.
I have the Lakers winning the series, 4-2.
No. 4 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 Memphis Grizzles: I am pulling for the Grizzles in this series. They match well with the Thunder. The Grizzles won the regular season series 3-1 and they are dangerous.
Memphis has a solid team although a lot of them are underrated including Zack Randolph. They have a underrated defender in Shane Battier who will be able to keep Kevin Durant under control.
Memphis has a great center, Marc Gasol and a up and coming star, Mike Conley who is making a name for himself in these playoffs.
A lot of people are going to say that the Thunder are too good with Durant and Russell Westbrook leading the way but they are becoming overrated.
This team is still young like the Grizzles and this team is filling in shoes that are too big for them. I doubt there is a difference between the Grizzles and Thunder.
Both teams have a equal chance to win the series and the winner will be determined by who has the most heart and whose bench shows up.
I have the Grizzles winning this series: 4-2.
Stay tuned as the NBA playoffs continue and lets see if my dreams of being a NBA analyze can stay alive.
Surprisingly most of my predictions were right on the winners of the first round series' but the number of games were off badly. (Thanks to my belief I am a true "NBA analyze.")
Although the biggest surprises of the first round was the San Antonio Spurs being knocked out by the Memphis Grizzles and the Atlanta Hawks defeating the Orlando Magic.
So lets get started and lets see if I still have potential to be a NBA analyze.
The follow are the Eastern Conference semi-finals series' and my predictions:
No. 1 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 5 Atlanta Hawks: This is going to be a interesting series. The Bulls had a scare a few times in the series against the Indiana Pacers, as the Bulls nearly lost a few games including Game 1.
The Bulls looked great either way, they were able to handle the Pacers and Derrick Rose had a monster series.
As for the Hawks they had a great series against a mediocre Magic team. Joe Johnson did not have a terriffic series against the Magic but the Hawks were able to play great team ball and hold down Dwight Howard in a few games.
As for the series I think it will be hard for the Hawks to guard Rose. Without Kirk Hinrich for sometime, the Hawks will have trouble keeping up with Rose and with a loose Rose roaming the floor--the Bulls will be able to get anything they want.
I have the Bulls winning the series: 4-2.
No. 2 Miami Heat vs. No. 3 Boston Celtics: This series is going to be the best second round series. These two teams are building a somewhat rivalry--mainly for this season.
The Celtics own the regular season series, 3-1, and the Celtics were able to handle the Heat well in the three wins. The series against the New York Knicks helped the Celtics regain their energy and confidence to play anyone they face.
The sweep on the Knicks should jump start the Celtics to go off on another run to the finals.
As for the Heat, they were able to hold off the Philadelphia 78ers without breaking a sweat. Without a post game and size in the middle, I highly doubt the Heat can survive in the postseason as they face better teams.
The Celtics are short handed too in the middle but if they can get something out of their bigs in the series than they should be able to hold off the Heat with their big four: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allan, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.
I have the Celtics winning the series: 4-2.
Moving from the East to the West, the Spurs will not be moving on after the Grizzles amazingly defeated them in six games. The Grizzles might be a low seed but the Oklahoma City Thunder should not take them lightly.
The following are the Western Conference semi-finals series' and my predictions:
No. 2 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 3 Dallas Mavericks: This series is second best to the Boston/Miami series.
In the last regular season match, Lakers' Matt Barnes and Mavericks' Jason Terry caused a huge fight after a altercation between Terry and Lakers' Steve Blake. The two teams build a rivalry after that incident and they action picks up again when the two teams face off in this series.
The Lakers started of their first round series slow after dropping Game 1 to the New Orleans Hornets but after Kobe Bryant's great performance in Game 5, the Lakers are on their A-game and are looking like an championship team again.
The Mavericks are looking great as well after taking out the Portland Blazers in six games. The Mavericks are the closes team to match the Lakers length but it is going to take a lot more to take out the champs.
The Lakers are gong to be too hard to control when they have Bryant and Pau Gasol on top of their games while having Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and the supporting cast adding on to that success.
I have the Lakers winning the series, 4-2.
No. 4 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 Memphis Grizzles: I am pulling for the Grizzles in this series. They match well with the Thunder. The Grizzles won the regular season series 3-1 and they are dangerous.
Memphis has a solid team although a lot of them are underrated including Zack Randolph. They have a underrated defender in Shane Battier who will be able to keep Kevin Durant under control.
Memphis has a great center, Marc Gasol and a up and coming star, Mike Conley who is making a name for himself in these playoffs.
A lot of people are going to say that the Thunder are too good with Durant and Russell Westbrook leading the way but they are becoming overrated.
This team is still young like the Grizzles and this team is filling in shoes that are too big for them. I doubt there is a difference between the Grizzles and Thunder.
Both teams have a equal chance to win the series and the winner will be determined by who has the most heart and whose bench shows up.
I have the Grizzles winning this series: 4-2.
Stay tuned as the NBA playoffs continue and lets see if my dreams of being a NBA analyze can stay alive.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Boston Celtics are making a comeback
The Boston Celtics have swept the New York Knicks to advance onto the second round of the NBA playoffs.
The Celtics were not expected to make it back to the NBA finals after making a puzzling trade that left their fans wondering what it was all about.
Without Shaquille O'Neal for the start of the playoffs and most of the regular season, the lack of size was the one cause that kept experts and fans from picking the Celtics to make it back.
Although they might be halfway out the door, I think they still are the team to beat to come out of the East. A sweep in the first round can help this team out a lot.
A postseason ago everyone did not have the Celtics coming out of the East but they did anyway and lost to the Los Anageles Lakers in seven games.
The Celtics can make a hot run in the postseason and they still have their big four: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo.
Despite not having their muscle in the post anymore (Kendrick Perkins,) they do have the two O'Neals who can help enough as long as they can stay healthy.
The Celtics are always dangerous as long as they are still alive and whoever they face in the second round (most likely the Miami Heat), they are going to give that team a hard time and possibly make people believe in them again.
At the start of the playoffs I had the Chicago Bulls in the finals but after witnessing the Celtics sweep the Knicks--I feel the Celtics are capable of making another run to the finals like they did a season ago.
The Celtics were not expected to make it back to the NBA finals after making a puzzling trade that left their fans wondering what it was all about.
Without Shaquille O'Neal for the start of the playoffs and most of the regular season, the lack of size was the one cause that kept experts and fans from picking the Celtics to make it back.
Although they might be halfway out the door, I think they still are the team to beat to come out of the East. A sweep in the first round can help this team out a lot.
A postseason ago everyone did not have the Celtics coming out of the East but they did anyway and lost to the Los Anageles Lakers in seven games.
The Celtics can make a hot run in the postseason and they still have their big four: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo.
Despite not having their muscle in the post anymore (Kendrick Perkins,) they do have the two O'Neals who can help enough as long as they can stay healthy.
The Celtics are always dangerous as long as they are still alive and whoever they face in the second round (most likely the Miami Heat), they are going to give that team a hard time and possibly make people believe in them again.
At the start of the playoffs I had the Chicago Bulls in the finals but after witnessing the Celtics sweep the Knicks--I feel the Celtics are capable of making another run to the finals like they did a season ago.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
MLB is bringing the excitment back to LA
Old happy days are soon to be back at Chavez Lavine.
Yesterday Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced the league will be taking over the Los Angeles Dodgers' financial management operations day by day.
Selig said he would appoint an person of his choice for this task.
The shock came after a endless bad output from Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt.
The team is underachieving, the games are not selling tickets and McCourt is in the most expensive divorce trail in California history and the Los Angeles Police Department has taken over Dodgers Stadium following a opposing fan was beat up in the stadium's parking lot on opening day where that fan is in a coma and is still fighting for his life today.
The Los Angeles Times leak the news about McCourt taking a loan out with the team's TV partner for he could have money to pay the Dodgers staff for the month.
There are also news of the McCourts taking money out of the team to put into their personal bank accounts.
Fans are feed up with the McCourts and yesterday's news was a excitement for them. The news spread wildly hours before the Dodgers took on the Atlanta Braves at Dodgers Stadium, as the Dodgers went on to win the game later in the night.
The news even overshadowed the Los Angeles Lakers playoff win over the New Orleans Hornets.
The reaction was obvious and not one fan was supporting the McCourts. Dodger fans knew something had to be done and that something has finally been done.
The Dodgers are a fine franchise team that is estimated to be worth in the Billions and it is not worth being thrown in the mud by the McCourt's divorce.
The next step for the Dodgers is too see when MLB will sell off the team to a new owner. Before MLB can do that, they have to wait and see how they are going to cut McCourt loose from the team.
Mark Cuban, a well-known Billionaire and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has expressed interest in owning a MLB team and he had attempted to buy the Texas Rangers last year before being rejected with his offer.
Whomever the next owner for the Dodgers will be--they must know they are going to take on a extraordinary franchise filled with history and success. The new owner also must know the Dodgers are in the second largest market in the US where they must make the team become what the Lakers have always been in LA--a championship team every season.
Do not stop believing Dodger faithfuls.
Yesterday Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced the league will be taking over the Los Angeles Dodgers' financial management operations day by day.
Selig said he would appoint an person of his choice for this task.
The shock came after a endless bad output from Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt.
The team is underachieving, the games are not selling tickets and McCourt is in the most expensive divorce trail in California history and the Los Angeles Police Department has taken over Dodgers Stadium following a opposing fan was beat up in the stadium's parking lot on opening day where that fan is in a coma and is still fighting for his life today.
The Los Angeles Times leak the news about McCourt taking a loan out with the team's TV partner for he could have money to pay the Dodgers staff for the month.
There are also news of the McCourts taking money out of the team to put into their personal bank accounts.
Fans are feed up with the McCourts and yesterday's news was a excitement for them. The news spread wildly hours before the Dodgers took on the Atlanta Braves at Dodgers Stadium, as the Dodgers went on to win the game later in the night.
The news even overshadowed the Los Angeles Lakers playoff win over the New Orleans Hornets.
The reaction was obvious and not one fan was supporting the McCourts. Dodger fans knew something had to be done and that something has finally been done.
The Dodgers are a fine franchise team that is estimated to be worth in the Billions and it is not worth being thrown in the mud by the McCourt's divorce.
The next step for the Dodgers is too see when MLB will sell off the team to a new owner. Before MLB can do that, they have to wait and see how they are going to cut McCourt loose from the team.
Mark Cuban, a well-known Billionaire and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has expressed interest in owning a MLB team and he had attempted to buy the Texas Rangers last year before being rejected with his offer.
Whomever the next owner for the Dodgers will be--they must know they are going to take on a extraordinary franchise filled with history and success. The new owner also must know the Dodgers are in the second largest market in the US where they must make the team become what the Lakers have always been in LA--a championship team every season.
Do not stop believing Dodger faithfuls.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Lamar Odom wins a deserving award
An award overdue has finally been rewarded.
Lamar Odom, the most versatile basketball player in the NBA, is a bench player for the Los Angeles Lakers and has won Sixth Man of the Year award today.
Odom could start easily on any other NBA team but since the acquisition of Pau Gasol in 2008, Lamar has been roaming in and out of the Lakers' starting line up and he has accepted his role.
In the summer of 2009, Odom had the chance to leave Los Angeles and play for any other team for more money and be a starter but he chose to stay with the Lakers and continue winning championships.
A two-time champion, Odom makes the Lakers unstoppable, a player of his caliber coming off the bench for the Lakers is just wrong and unfair to the opponents.
Teams do not have the luxury to have players like Odom to come off the bench and replace one of their starters.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson does not worry when Gasol, Ron Artest or Andrew Bynum get into foul trouble because he has another starter to come into for them.
This season Odom has had one of his best season's of his career, averaging 14 points and eight assist a game.
He has been shooting well shooting 53 percent from the field and 38 percent from beyond the three-point line.
His success is one factor in the Lakers three-peating as NBA champions this season and winning an award like the Sixth Man of the Year is the starting point.
Odom said in a interview with ESPN that the award will mean the sacrifice he has done to help the team and he said before winning the award that he would dedicate the award if he won it to his fans and teammates.
Lamar Odom, the most versatile basketball player in the NBA, is a bench player for the Los Angeles Lakers and has won Sixth Man of the Year award today.
Odom could start easily on any other NBA team but since the acquisition of Pau Gasol in 2008, Lamar has been roaming in and out of the Lakers' starting line up and he has accepted his role.
In the summer of 2009, Odom had the chance to leave Los Angeles and play for any other team for more money and be a starter but he chose to stay with the Lakers and continue winning championships.
A two-time champion, Odom makes the Lakers unstoppable, a player of his caliber coming off the bench for the Lakers is just wrong and unfair to the opponents.
Teams do not have the luxury to have players like Odom to come off the bench and replace one of their starters.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson does not worry when Gasol, Ron Artest or Andrew Bynum get into foul trouble because he has another starter to come into for them.
This season Odom has had one of his best season's of his career, averaging 14 points and eight assist a game.
He has been shooting well shooting 53 percent from the field and 38 percent from beyond the three-point line.
His success is one factor in the Lakers three-peating as NBA champions this season and winning an award like the Sixth Man of the Year is the starting point.
Odom said in a interview with ESPN that the award will mean the sacrifice he has done to help the team and he said before winning the award that he would dedicate the award if he won it to his fans and teammates.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Jimmie Johnson wins by two tenths of a second
A wild finish at Talladega Speedway Sunday results in the five-time defending champion, Jimmie Johnson winning his first Sprint Cup race of 2011.
Johnson only led 12 laps at the beginning and the race had 89 lead changes as drivers picked partners to create speed by two cars drafting with each other.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was Johnson's partner for the entire race and the two were able to work well together.
There were plenty of exciting moments in the race including Ryan Newman spinning out twice in a span of several laps then being able to control and keep the car from wreaking.
The man of the season thus far, Kyle Busch, was one of the front runners for a win today but he was involved in a multiple-car accident with less than 30 laps to go.
The race came down to all four Hendrick Motor's cars (Johnson, Earnhardt, Jeff Gordan and Mark Martin,) against the two Childress' cars (Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer.)
Johnson and his partner were trailing coming off the last turn as Gordan and his partner were battling for position with Boywer and his partner.
Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. slipped his way into the inside while Gordan was trying to deny them. The three groups ran their way down the stretch as it was unclear who was going to win.
The proven champion was able to be pushed across the start/finish line by two tenths of a second by the 101 race winless Earnhardt.
Bowyer finished second as Gordan followed close behind and Harvick and Earnhardt Jr. finishing the top five.
Despite not winning the race, Jr. now has 24 top five finishes at Talladega.
The Sprint Cup series now heads off to Richmond in two weeks.
PHOTO COURTESY OF: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR and NASCAR Media
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