SAY NO TO RACISM & STERLING!

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has done what was deemed necessary in getting rid of LA Clippers  owner Donald Sangster. Will this action help stop this infectious disease of racism? Maybe not, but it's a start!  Mr. Sangster is a billionaire, with a lot of assets and big time companies to his name, i mean this guy at 80 years old has got it all, all but a brain that is not set on 21st century mode! This isn't the 1700's and I doubt this guy even understood what he said over the phone and how it irked sports fans as well as your everyday civilians, irrespective of race. The ignorance of racism is never one that is analyzed on a point that is deemed honorable or admirable, it is simply distasteful! Sad to say, Sterling isn't the only top figure in the business who shares these views, and this will never stop here until the amendment is done.

Minorities have for years contributed significantly to the development of sports and this is a no brainer! Think of Basketball legends such as Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Shaq O'Neal, Kobe and LeBron, just to name a few! They have stamped their mark and are presently stamping their mark as we speak, but in a good way! They day in and day out entertain the loyal fans who spend their hard earned money to enjoy a thrilling game with their friends/family to share a moment that will be cherished for weeks to come! THIS IS SPORTS! It does that, and what I really don't understand is this, why can't money hogs like Sterling see this and recognize that his payroll consists of close to 80% blacks on his team that make his bankroll boost game by game? Are they just tools in his belt, or are they actual 'people' in his old perverted mind? Everyone should be treated the same, EVERYONE! Minorities and non-minorities are the same, they contribute equally, because it's a thing that we like to call 'teamwork'. 

I'm not going to make a case of this and say that our white friends are not sometimes subject to racism also, because that would simply not be true! Racism affects everyone, black, white, hispanic, asians, everyone. It's in the workplace, schools, the supermarket, the games, heck, even in church! Racism has to be kicked in the ass, and this only shows that man's thinking simply hasn't evolved at all!  Take for example the professional soccer player from FC Barcelona, Danny Alves, who last Sunday was the latest victim of racial abuse in the middle of a bloody game? Like really? A fan from the opposing team (Villarreal) threw a banana out of ignorance at this guy during the game, but instead of ranting, Alves picked up the banana like a boss and ate a piece and threw it away! This started a heck of a viral all around the web, with players and fans and even politicians united as one, with poses of them eating bananas as well to show support to the fight against racism!

the banana throwing incident from CNN News

Sterling is nothing but an egotistical banana throwing prick and thanks to guys like him, it makes people from around the world reflect on themselves and their surroundings and people like me will only ever wonder how do they let a guy like Sterling out in public? This disease is more than filth, it's sickening! SAY NO TO RACISM! It's as simple as that, and the truth is this, if you aren't able to reflect, and see that you are no different from the guy/girl beside you because she is of a different race from you, then sadly you are no different from a degenerate such as Sterling and the guy who throws bananas at people for a living.

My final message to all the 'Sterlings' out there will be this: GO EDUCATE YOURSELVES!

Thank you...

2014 NBA PLAYOFFS: GO HARD OR GO HOME!

It’s that time of year – April- the month when the boys are separated from the men; the pretenders differentiated from the contenders. 16 teams remain, all with one dream, to hoist the NBA trophy and crown themselves kings of the wooden court. The Miami Heat has been judge and jury for the past 2 seasons and will undoubtedly be one of the favorites for this season’s title. Will it be a 3-peat or will Indiana step the pace up en route to championship glory? Will San Antonio be spurred to victory through the wisdom, skill and experience of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli or will Kevin Durrant, Rusell Westbrook & Co. roll the Thunder to the 16 wins necessary to take home the gold? The 2014 NBA Playoffs begin Saturday, April 19^th with a first round encounter between the Brooklyn Nets and the Toronto Raptors. Here are our predictions for these eight thrilling ‘best-of-seven’ match-ups:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Indiana Pacers v Atlanta Hawks – can’t see this series being won by any team other than Indiana. Sorry Atlanta, you may have gotten the Pacers at a low-point when they have lost six of their last 10 games, but there is just too much star-power and hunger in this Indiana line-up. Look out for monster scoring games by Paul George and Roy Hibbert in this series. As the 7’2 Jamaican-born Centre mentioned on FirstTake on ESPN, “the big dog gotta eat”…Look for the Hawks to be roasted in 5.

Miami Heat v Charlotte Bobcats – so anytime I think of this series the first image that comes to mind is King James holding a giant broom. Uhm, do I smell a series SWEEP? Miami have been out of sorts in recent games but should get back to burning opponents in the playoffs. It’s been a good season Cats, enjoy the playoffs and make your city proud! Heat to rise in 4.

Toronto Raptors v Brooklyn Nets – now this will probably be the most tightly-contested pairing in the first round…in the East that is. The Raptors have improved drastically from last season’s showing to be ranked third in this season’s playoff bracket. The Brooklyn Nets is a newly acquired team of experienced ball handlers. The Big Ticket, The Truth and Derron Williams are all seasoned vets. This may prove decisive in a big pressure moment in a big pressure game. I would not bet my house on this series but I would shoot for the Nets in 7.

Chicago Bulls v Washington Wizards – well it doesn’t take a wizard to figure out who is favorites to win this series. Then again, if you’re a wizard (from Washington) you might just about figure it wrong. With Joachim Noah playing some MVP type ball this season, he may just prove to be the ark needed to sail Chi-town through this first round match-up. Washington has made good progress this season and have a great Wall in their midst. I aint on that Bull but i’m saying the Wizards will be disappearing in 6.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Antonio Spurs v Dallas Mavericks – Two of Texas’ three representatives will face off in an epic first round encounter. Eight years ago Dallas was the toast of the town capturing that elusive NBA title with victory over the Miami Heat in a highly entertaining final. Fast forward to 2014 and Dallas may very well not only be the toast of the town but may be grilled, fried and baked by San Antonio if future Hall-of-Famer Tim Duncan and his capable allies are allowed to play to their optimum. Dirk Nowitski’s team can be a match for anyone on their day, but the question is…can they have 4 such days? A maverick in the true sense of the word is one that is different and ignores conformity. My predictions are for San Antonio to be riding out on their horses in 5. Its up to Dallas to be true mavericks and show us that these playoffs can be different.

Oklahoma City Thunder v Memphis Grizzlies – what a difference a year makes…well at least to some teams. Whilst the thunder have remained the same ruthless force they’ve been for the past few seasons, the Grizz have fallen off somewhat. Memphis made it to their first ever Western Conference final last year, only to be totally outclassed and outsmarted by the San Antonio Spurs. Can Zack Randolph and his troops march back into championship contention or will K.D. and the Thunder rain on the Grizzlies’ parade? I totally expect the 2014 scoring champion, Kevin Durrant, to take the bears by the scruff of the neck and to knock the stuffing out of them. Don’t be surprised if the big homie averages approximately 30 points, 7 boards and 5 dimes a games during this series. He’s hungry and the table is set for the eating. Thunder to roll in 6.

Los Angeles Clippers v Golden State Warriors – In my opinion, this is the match-up of the first round. Two good teams looking to do good things. Only thing is, just one can advance to the 2^nd round. Steph Curry, Blake Griffin, C.P.3 are all ultimate entertainers and should give viewers very good value for their money. The Clippers have just recorded their best ever regular season record and would love to culminate that success in NBA Championship triumph. Mark Jackson’s warriors will make a golden statement should they eliminate the Clips. A win for Doc Rivers’ L.A. boys would be just as impressive. Looking forward to all 7 games of this amazing series. On a coin toss, I’ll say Warriors to clip the series 4-3.

Houston Rockets v Portland Trailblazers – Houston we have lift off! It’s been a mighty long while since Rocket fans have been this optimistic about their team’s chances of going all the way. Dwight Howard, James Harden, Chandler Parsons and the H-Town Massive have been playing great ball all season and look set to appear as real challengers for the western crown. The Trailblazers though are no pushovers and have done pretty well themselves this season. Honestly I won’t even speak too much about this series…I have supported the Rockets since ’94 and I just want see my boys do well…and progress to the next round. “Houston we have a problem!” uhhm… I better not be hearing that from Mr. McHayle and his staff…I hope we’ll be blazing a trail of success beginning with Portland. I’m predicting the Rockets to take off in 5.

NBA 2014... already one heck of a season!

The Champs are Here! By now it's suggestive that I'm making a corny reference to the almighty Miami Heat! Although it can be argued that this great tower of power isn't so sharp anymore as of late; are they still a force to be taken lightly? Come to think of it, it's almost impossible to miss the fact that Miami aren't as hot as they were two years ago, but let's take a look at why they may still pull it off. Make no mistake about it, the last team you want to mess up against at this point is in fact Miami, not just because of their star trinity (James, Wade & Bosh) nope, but also the ugly truth that these guys really have that IT factor, the killer instinct; because when it's all said and done, the Heat sure know how to win when it matters most; and I say this, they know how to bring home the prize!

Miami's real challenge at this point will definitely come in the form of the Indiana Pacers & the San Antonio Spurs, which is a heck of a dilemma as they will have to beat not just one, but the two best teams right now in the NBA if they wish to hold on to their crown as kings of basketball! We know it's possible, it's doable, to say the very least, but the Heat will have to bring the house down if they want to see their gold again! 

There's no doubt in my mind that as much as Miami fans would love to see this cinderella story play on forever, bad news is the Heat maybe have only another two years at best with it's current team to enjoy the success they have been reaping for the past three years, as their team seems to getting a little bit old! But hey, that's just my opinion, but fate will have it that we are in for one heck of a nail biting Playoff series! My prediction? HEAT vs SPURS in the Finals! I'm betting on King James to deliver the KO punch that sends Miami to a third successive Championship, end of story! Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili will have just about enough gas to drive the Spurs to the Final, but just not enough to make it back home. Simply, Heat will win this 4-2!

Why haven't I even mentioned Paul George until now? Well thankfully I just did, but it ends here, as I just don't think this will be the kid's year. I'm impressed at the hype he's been been generating, he's got skills but thats just what it will be, only a hype for now, a lesson learnt well when I had that unrewarded faith in Kevin Durant back in 2012, sorry!

I won't go any deeper as the Playoffs will undoubtedly be an open book; all statistics will be thrown out the window, history won't matter, only the game! 

Good morning everyone! And do enjoy this fantastic day! Stay safe!