#realchamps

[nosugarradiollc]

THANK YOU TO RECORDING ARTIST @louiek_ FOR COMING DOWN TO THE STATION AND BLESSING THE MIC❗️ Photo Credit: @ivmedia_ ========= #Repost @louiek_ ・・・ Thankful for the opportunity to do a radio interview earlier this week with @nosugarradio #RealChamps #2019 💯🏆 (at No Sugar Radio) https://www.instagram.com/p/BshvmX5ADri/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cdrkuicstoaq

[djtonyhustle]

View this post on Instagram

Coaching a BASKETBALL Camp this week! #Theeilove #RealChamps #BBALL

[maxcinabella]

The Real Champion

First Runner Up Hiphop Dancing in CMLI 57th Annual National Convention

|Terpsichorean Dance Group from San Sebastian College Recoletos - Manila |

[roysaliba2]

Keep ya head up #RealChamps #heatnation #heatfam #heatgang

[witlings]

A Basketball Flashback

The Eastern Dilemma

One of my annoying cousins mistook me for a Dallas Maverick fan because I cheered for them during the 2011 NBA Finals. Last June, he asked me which team I was rooting for, I said no one ' cause they got eliminated. The jerk laughed thinking that I was referring to Dallas. I actually rooted for the San Antonio Spurs. [Yeah, I can't sleep well either.]

  Maybe five years back, the NBA had this ordeal of having too much talent and exciting teams in the Western Conference and only 2 to 4 contenders in the East. I hated watching any Eastern teams' game unless Chicago's playing because there was not much competition. You can literally miss the whole regular season and still be able to name the top four seeds in the conference. It'll just be Orlando, Boston, Cleveland with Atlanta or Chicago rounding up the top half of the playoff draw. Even though I love NBA so much, I honestly don't watch any first round series in the East 'cause it's too boring. No team in the bottom half could ever pose a legitimate threat to their matchup. It's rare if any series goes to 6 games and even then, it's too predictable. God, the East is such a bummer although there was this one particular series that's really one of the all time greats--the 2009 first round matchup between the top seed Boston Celtics and the 8th seed Chicago Bulls. One word. Epic.

  Meanwhile, in the West, you saw the 8th seed Memphis Grizzlies beat the top seed and #1 overall in the regular season San Antonio Spurs, the then 8th seed Oklahoma City Thunder taking it to the Lakers before bowing out in 6 games after Pau Gasol's made putback at the buzzer at Chelsea Arena. I am a Laker fan, long suffering but we had our time, and every time they got eliminated, I root for whoever comes out of the West.I didn't think any Eastern team deserved the Larry O'Brien trophy.

  There were at least 10 playoff teams in the West while I'd be too generous if I say there were 5 in the East. Just look at the standing after the regular season. Teams below .500 still make it to the 7th spot even. Western teams didn't have that luxury. It was easier to name the "blah" teams in the West than to recite the ones who'll make it to the playoffs. The polar opposite however, can be said to the East. That's why I get pissed when people say Miami this and Orlando or Boston that. They have it easy. Even if they make it all the way to the finals they don't go through what San Antonio or OKC goes through every season in the West. From the season tip-off for the seedings to the post season, they battle dogfight after dogfight and Eastern teams still get the credits, the Coach of the Year and the MVP awards because of the superstars. Shit, Minnesota gets it harder than any team in the East to earn their slate. You can make the argument that the East has more physical and defense-oriented teams but dude there's like four of them which brings me to my next point. Any 50+ win team in the East didn't have a legit 50+ win season. They took like two of those on their homecourt against the Raptors, the always intimidating Bobcats, the powerful Wizards, and the now Mighty Orlando Magic. I call those formality games.

  Coach: Guys, listen, were gonna have a tough stretch in the next two weeks. We have a 5 game road trip. Ayt? We'll start at Indiana,then Chicago but don't worry we'll visit Toronto, the capital and we'll finish at Philly.

  [players' indistinct conversations]

  Coach: I know, I know, we might as well chalk up the W on the last 3 games but it is what it is.

  Meanwhile in the West...

  Coach: Guys, listen, were gonna have a tough stretch in the next two weeks. We have a 5 game road trip. Ayt? We'll start at OKC, then LA but don't worry we'll visit the FedEx Center, the AT&T Center then we'll finish up at the Pepsi Center in Colorado. We'll pick up wins there. Should be fine...

  [players' indistinct conversations]

  Coach: What's that?

Player: Dude, you're high.

  Good thing in the past seasons and especially this season, the balance of power tilted a little bit to the East although I still think the West is more stacked this year.

  After months of NBA Deficiency Anemia and depression, another season is upon us. Too many exciting storylines this year and I can't wait for things to unfold. Go West!! ... and Chicago and Brooklyn.