Superman Howard: no kryptonite tonight; eliminate Cavs

Dwight Howard's winning dunk,
2007 NBA All Star Slam Dunk
image by mattlehrer

Superman Dwight Howard and his Magic eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-90 to capture the Eastern Conference Finals Championship in game 6.

Orlando earns a trip to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1995 when the Magic were led by the superstar tandem of Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway.

In similar fashion to the Cavaliers this season, the Magic were early favorites as young Shaq demonstrated his dominance early on. Orlando would later collapse as a closely contested Game 1 ended in disaster in favor of the defending champions Houston Rockets led by Hakeem Olajuwon. The Orlando Magic were unable to recover from the first game defeat.

Nick Anderson's missed four straight clutch free throws in game 1 proved fatal as the Rockets stole the opener and shattered the Magic's spirits. Houston eventually swept Orlando to win its second consecutive championship.

Dwight Howard was unstoppable tonight as he scored 40 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. LeBron James was clearly 'not into it' as he almost did not try hard in game 6 as much as he did in the first five games. James left the arena without a word.

The Magic's impressive run versus the Cavaliers will make them a tough foe against the Lakers. Conversely, the Lakers will be a tough match for the Magic.

Cleveland has suffered from a lack of versatility on its frontline in this series. Cleveland's big men were unable to generate consistent offense, drawing more attention to LeBron and making it a little bit tough for the King to handle. LeBron dominated in terms of individual performance though his teammates were unable to provide enough support. Credit the outstanding defense by the opposition.

Lebron James' numbers: growing each year.

*click to view larger image
Source NBA.com

The Lakers will prove to be different as Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and even Luke Walton look to score when needed which will open up Kobe Bryant's game.

The Orlando Magic look to win its first NBA championship as they face Kobe and the L.A. Lakers June 4th. Read more>>

The King lift the Cavs

King James and the Cavs defied elimination by putting on a team effort to halt the resilient Orlando Magic team in game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Facing what could have been the last game of the season for the Cavs, Mo Williams stepped up early in the game and finished with 24 points, the first time in the series a Cavalier has scored 20 or more points other than LeBron.

Daniel Gibson also had a valuable performance reminiscent of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons a couple of years back by sinking 3 three pointers.

Other players worthy of mention were Ben Wallace, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao setting the intangible hustle and bustle plays. But overall, it was a team performance that sealed the win for the Cavaliers.

LeBron James, the league MVP, is simply above and beyond this season. The king is almost not human except for the losses to the Magic. His triple double of 37 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists saved the kingdom of Cleveland from a death sentence this year.

Game 6 is on Sunday 8:30 am (Manila Time). The Cavs can either even the series or raise the white flag. Read more>>

One man show, hurting Cleveland's chances

The Cleveland Cavaliers game 4 loss to the Orlando Magic demonstrates the essence of team contribution in the game of basketball.


Lebron James: "Heaven help."
Image by Scott Ableman

Orlando snatched its third series victory in a closely contested game 4, 116-114 to lead the best of seven series with a commanding 3-1 lead.

LeBron James hit two clutch free throws with 0.5 seconds to go and send the game into overtime.
In overtime, James shot a 3 point attempt for the win but missed at the buzzer. Another disappointing outcome for the King and his Cavaliers.

James finished with a game high 44 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists- again on the losing end for the 3rd time in four games.

Lebron is a behemoth and is averaging 42.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists in the series.

The domination of LeBron in the scoreboard and the failure to deliver a win shows one man alone cannot compensate for a team's poor performance.
In the past, some of the best NBA teams in the regular season diminished come playoff time.

The Cavaliers may have a lot to prove in game 5, especially the rest of the team who have been outstanding in the regular season but have been dramatically inconsistent in the playoffs.

James' had game highs in minutes played (49:24) and turnovers (8). In all four games, Lebron James had to do-it-himself and it proved costly for the Cavs.

Game 5 may be the last game for the Cavs this season if LeBron has to play the roles of the King, the peasant, the field horse and the defense tower once again. The rest of the kingdom has to step up, otherwise the Magic will make them disappear.

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Kobe Bryant, Big Time Player Read more>>

Orlando Magic 2-1 versus Cavs

Dwight Howard brings victory to Orlando by beating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic now lead the Eastern Conference Finals 2-1 via a 99-89 win in game 3.

Howard, who averages .611 from the free throw line in the Playoffs, is able to deliver from the free throw line and shot an impressive 14 of 19 from the stripe. The Magic had five players scoring in double figures as they caught the Cavaliers unable to get anything going outside of Lebron James.

James himself struggled from the perimeter and was only 11 of 28 from the field. His 41 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists performance on a losing effort pretty much mirrors how disappointing the series is for Cleveland so far.

Mo Williams, D. West, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas shot from the floor a combined 13 of 37. Cavs' bench total is 8 points compared to the Magic who garnered 20 points off the bench. Cleveland managed only 89 points- almost half of which from LeBron. If the supporting cast continues to struggle, there is no way LeBron and the Cavaliers will be able to beat the mentally tough Orlando Magic. They must play a solid game 4 if the Cavs are to advance to the NBA Finals.

Fans would like to see more of a team effort and consistency, speaking of Cleveland's offense. In the deciding segments of the series, it is evident that Cleveland has taken poor shots as well as the obvious stagnation in the offense as the Cavs are content being witnesses to LeBron. This team must find a way to reestablish team play that made them the best in the NBA this year. Read more>>

Kobe Bryant, Big Time Player

Image by WDPG share

Kobe Bryant is not even on my top 20 list of all time greats in the NBA. To many of us, it's either love or hate for Kobe. To some, he is what Michael Jordan was to the Chicago Bulls' fans. To the rest, Kobe is simply a villain.

I am probably classified more towards the 'hate' column. Kobe's style is not my cup of tea. In fact, I love Shaquille O'Neal who made my basketball world go 'round in the post Jordan era. I'm at his side whenever there is a Kobe-Shaq feud. I've always been awed by Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, naming two of my favorite players of all time. And now, after years of boredom waiting for the next idol, I bow to the King: LeBron James.

Now that I've established my position, I would like to write about the biggest thing I have for Kobe Bryant. RESPECT.

No matter what people think, including myself, there is no way truth can be twisted and turned. And the truth is, even with James around, I think Kobe is the force to reckon with at the moment. James holds the future due to his limitless potential, and it is up to LeBron to live up to the expectations. (James' current MVP award is well deserved and is having a brilliant series versus the Magic. The downside: the Magic is up 3-1 and almost swept the series despite LeBron's heroic performances.)

Right now, Kobe is the man. I am tempted to say Lebron is the best, but I have that reserved on the day he wears that first ever NBA championship ring.

Kobe Bryant is good for the sport. I admire his thirst for triumph, being all out day in and day out. And even if I were a Kobe-hater, I am sure he will come down as one of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA.

Kobe, I hope you get to read this. Be it a Kobe fanatic or otherwise, respect is a constant to a great player. You deserve it.

Related articles:
So what if Lebron gets dunked on by a college player?
One man show, hurting Cleveland's chances
Shaq, say hello to Cleveland
Read more>>

LeBron James' game 2 buzzer beater

With one 1 second to go, LeBron James hit a 3 pointer en route to a crucial Game 2 win at home over the Orlando Magic. The series is now tied at 1-1 for the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

Yet again, it was a close game that was decided in the closing seconds. Hedo Turkoglu swished a 2 pointer to give the Magic a 95-93 lead, barely a second before the game is over. On the Cavs final possession, the King took the shot from the top of the key and count it at the buzzer.

Lebron finished with 35 points on 12 of 23 shooting, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 turnovers.

Mo Williams and Delonte West struggled once again during the crucial stretches.

The Cavs were leading as much as 23 in the early part of the game. Ilgauskas tallied 12 points and 15 rebounds. Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic's insurgence in the 4th quarter.

Being a LeBron fan that I am, I almost cried once again in frustration for the most part of the second half. Lebron saved the day and the Cavs' journey towards the NBA Championship.

Michael Jordan's The Shot is now history as the Cavs are ready to move on with James' biggest clutch shot of his career.

Simply Amazing.


Read more>>

Doctor Hayden Koh sex videos

The controversial Hayden Koh sex videos became the highlight of Manila local news this week.

Hayden Koh is a medical practitioner and the videos were involving popular actresses Katrina Halili and the gorgeous commercial model Maricar Reyes.

The videos were allegedly stolen by Koh's now former friend and fraternity brother. Early today, after a few days of refusal, Koh finally appeared in an interview. According to Koh, the videos are private possessions and there were no malicious intent for it to be exposed publicly.

It is sad how people tend to engage in condemnable things without fear of its consequences. The even sadder thing is that these acts are rarely punished justly and appropriately in Philippine archipelago.

Maricar Reyes Modess Commercial:


June 20, 2009
Check out these links to see part III of Maricar Reyes - Hayden Koh scandal:
Streaming video
Downloads and more streaming sources

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LeBron Scores 49 in Game 1

LeBron James had a heroic game on a losing effort scoring a playoff career high 49 points against the Orlando Magic.

Thanks to a long bomb from Rashard Lewis to give the Magic the edge in the closing seconds. With a second to go, Mo Williams had a chance to clinch the game off the jumpball tip. Orlando takes game 1 of the best of 7 Eastern Conference Finals series in the NBA.

James, who was impressive all throughout the game, was 20 of 30 from the field to go along with 8 assists and 6 rebounds.

The bench played a major role for the Magic while the Cav's reserves, well... 5 points in total courtesy of Joe Smith and ZERO in the crucial second half.

Game 2 is on Friday (Saturday, 8:30 am Manila time). Mo Williams and Delonte West have to step up as what they have done all season long. In the post season, these two important players delivered very little in terms of consistency.

Go Cavs! Read more>>

Who won Pacquiao-Marquez I & II?

De la Hoya said: "I don't care, Marquez beat Pacquiao twice," as quoted by Mark Vester on boxingscene.com.

The hotly debated Pacquiao-Marquez fights ended in controversial decisions that left many boxing fans hanging and begging for at least one more. Different opinions have surrounded these two elite pugilists. Just like the end result of both fights, discussions ended in either a draw or a split decision that go either way.

The question remains: who really won?


Money Pacquiao: fighters line up for a fat paycheck
Image by archangel raphael

In 2003, a new and young featherweight champion from the Philippines had emerged and had started to make a name in the biggest boxing playground known as the United States. A name he made so well, the audience started to call him Pacman. Though Pacquiao's first appearance in the U.S. took place two years earlier, it wasn't until the huge demolition of legendary Mexican featherweight Marco Antonio Barrera that our very own Pacman was really able to catch the public eye. Not only was it the first time that the Baby Face Assassin has been stopped, it was totally an unexpected brutal defeat.


Marquez: looking for the third opportunity
Image by current events

Coming off the merciless assassination of Barrera, Manny's next coffee date is with another tough mexican cookie Juan Manuel Marquez. JMM has long been in the shadows of two other great Mexican boxers of his time, Erik Morales and Barrera. To face Manny is JMM's dream come true for he now has a chance to become the new Mexican Hero.

PACQUIAO-MARQUEZ I

Pacman and JMM square off May 8, 2004. No need to stress. I know you watched it. Just the key events:

First round, Manny knocks down JMM three times. It was a grueling night for Manny and Juany Manuely. JMM won the majority of the remaining rounds. Who would have thought it would go the distance after Manny's three goodnight kisses from the opening bell failed to send JMM to early slumber? Marquez's valiant effort is one for the ages and would certainly go down as one of the greatest comebacks. In the end, a draw was the verdict. A crucial error in scoring made this happen since one of the judges scored the first round 10-7 instead of 10-6 with the three knockdowns for Pacquiao. Marquez stole a draw. It's unfortunate there is no way anything can be done after a decision has been made.

PACQUIAO-MARQUEZ II

The second face-off is perhaps a little harder to judge but easier to summarize.

It was a close match wherein Pacquiao floored Marquez in the third. The definitive third round knockdown is what made Pacquiao the winner. Remember, JMM's counterpunching style is the least Manny could have or ever wanted. But Manny played JMM's game and still managed to make a fight while Marquez seemed unable to deliver a knockout punch. In basketball language, Manny is the fastbreaking, run-and-gun team. JMM is the deliberate, halfcourt team. JMM is successful in slowing down the game to facilitate his style of boxing while disrupting Manny's, yet Pacquiao sealed it.

For me, Manny won both fights. Although it would be much interesting to see a more convincing win. Perhaps a trilogy is just around the corner. As Bob Arum had mentioned, let it cook for a while.

Read more>>