Back To Square One

Back To Square One

Frankly, I'm glad they proved everyone wrong. Including myself.

The once-lopsided Finals has now become an actual series. With the teams tied two games apiece, the pivotal game 5 will then allow us a glimpse of who will actually walk away with the trophy this year. It seems that as the series has progressed, the two teams have become more surprisingly unpredictable with their level of play. With their backs against the wall at the start of Game 3, the Detroit Pistons showed their resolve and completed a statement game against the visiting Spurs. As if to say, "Not in our town.", the Detroit Pistons bullied their way to a 17-point victory against the San Antonio Spurs. With four seconds into the game, Ben Wallace stole an entry pass, cruised from one side of the court to another and jammed it home. And one.

"Never underestimate the heart of a champion."

After those first two points by Wallace, that was all she wrote. But what's amazing is that amidst all of the success of the Detroit Pistons, critics have been able to rationalize why they won last year's championship---why they got this far. People say, they've advanced because someone else was hurt.


Could these players' injuries be the reason for the Pistons' success?

Critics explain that last year, they only won against the Nets because Jason Kidd was hurt; they downed the Lakers in six games because Malone was hurt; this season, they eliminated the Pacers because Artest was nowhere to be found; in the conference finals, they got past Miami because Shaq and Dwayne Wade was hurt. And when they exited out of the Palace of Auburn Hills after Game 3, there were whispers. Careless whispers. The only reason why the Pistons won tonight was because Manu got hurt.

How did the champions respond?


Detroit celebrating their Game 4 win.

They wrested game 4 from the San Antonio Spurs and dropped a 102 points on them. They won by 31 points and had 7 players score in double figures. Same team, different result.

"Never underestimate the heart of a champion."

For the first time in this finals series, you could see that there is something different in this Detroit team. After two games at home, you realize that this isn't a team who will back down from any challenge. The more they got beat, the hungrier they became. As hungry as five blocks in the one quarter by Big Ben; as hungry as 7 players in double figures; as hungry as a 31-point win.


Detroit did not allow any easy shots this time.

Game 5 will be one of the closest games that this series will allow because it's a must-win game for the Spurs. If San Antonio goes back home down 3-2, they will be forced to win the sixth game. But if the Pistons lose, they can only say one thing about it: Been there done that. The Detroit Pistons, last year, dropped Game 5 at home against the New Jersey Nets. They played that game for four hours, including three overtimes. After the loss, Chauncey Billups just casually said, "It's going to make us a lot hungrier." They proceeded to win Game 6 as well as the series to advance to the NBA Finals. They made history by sweeping the three middle games to win their first NBA champsionship in 14 years.

"Never underestimate the heart of a champion."

Whatever happens in the games to come, the Detroit Pistons show that they can respond to a challenge. They've turned this NBA Finals into a must-see series as this face-off features one of the more evenly matched series in the last five years. The Pistons have responded and have done so quite convincingly. All they need to do is play this fifth game as if it were their last and history will be on their side.

Snap, Crackle, Pop!

Snap, Crackle Pop!

There was a time that I would get sprained ankles as often as once a month but that was back when I was playing basketball almost everyday. This time, however, I managed to sustain my most excruciating ankle sprain ever. I know this for a fact because a few hours into the injury, my ankle swelled so much that it seemed like I had something like a billiard ball in it. Yeah, I know it's gross. Tell me about it.

In the game, I managed to bother a shot attempt but I also landed hard on my friend's foot. I twisted my ankle so hard and so acute that I literally ripped my shoe's outer mesh on my way to the pavement.



That big, vertical white stripe you see wasn't there before.

It was so painful that I couldn't breathe; as if someone jabbed me in the stomach. Ouch. Now, I'm just praying that it's just a first-degree ankle sprain and nothing more.

Now, I'm still trying to walk and it is still sore. The blacks around my ankle are starting to show up as if they were beaten silly by a baseball bat. I won't be posting any pics so as not to gross anyone out. ^_^ I just wanted to share to you what I should have immediately done right after the injury to speed up the recovery:

1. Elevate the injured part above the level of the heart.

2. Treat the ankle with cold applications (ice packs, snow, or immersion in a cold stream) on-and-off for 30 minute intervals for the first 24 to 48 hours. This is to minimize swelling.

3. Avoid weight bearing as best possible. Because the injured joint is immediately weakened, do not rely on it AT ALL for great exertion. Hop on one leg, get a crutch, have someone help you while you walk, buy a wheelchair, I dont care. Whatever you do, DO NOT use that injured ankle for any support.

4. Have a lot of Ponstan or Advil ready. ^_^

Hope you have an ankle sprain-free lifetime!

2 Games Away from Fishing

2 Games Away from Fishing

Game 2 of the NBA finals showcased the tenacity and fervor that you would expect of a championship team. They played outstanding defense, outhustled the opposing team, blocked shots, got their share of rebounds and let's face it: they played the right way.

No, not the Detroit Pistons. The other champion.

Few people remember how the San Antonio Spurs rose to the top of the NBA elite two years ago. This season was highlighted by a season-long suspension of the former Best Defensive Player, a Phoenix team who was prophesized to go all the way, a quiet Miami sophomore who raised his game more than Lebron James and the retirement of NBA legend, Reggie Miller. Amidst all of the ruckus, the San Antonio Spurs kept their poise and did not take their eyes off their goal. After all, the only thing that prevented them from getting to the NBA Finals last year was a fluke shot by Derek Fisher in the pivotal Game 5 of the Spurs-Lakers series with 0.4 seconds left. Call it what you want, but it was a lucky shot.

Now, the San Antonio Spurs are looking to get back the title that was taken away from them---and it seems they are dead serious about it. With the way that you see them play, it just escapes you how they were able to lose to a Lakers team that lost to a team they've just 2-0'ed. You may cut the Detroit Pistons their share of slack, after all, they're "distracted" right now because of rumors that coach Larry Brown will not be staying after this season. But the thing is, in the NBA Finals, you cannot be distracted. When you're at this level--playing against the best--you better learn the meaning of the word "focus" or it will undoubtedly introduce itself to you the hard way.

Try looking at how irritatingly elusive Manu Ginobili can be or how fast and sly Tony Parker can be without the ball. Study the quiet Tim Duncan and you'll understand what his team is all about---focus.


Tim Duncan doesn't take his eyes of the goal.
Just look at how much energy these guys expend without the ball and you'll understand why the San Antonio Spurs get easy baskets off backdoor cuts or uncontested layups. Add in to the mix their very own four-leaf clover in the person of Robert Horry and you can make a very amusing case for the chances of the Spurs this year. With most of the teams that he's been traded to, Horry's team has gone to win the NBA finals that year. Yes, I know. I also couldn't believe it when I heard it myself.


Robert Horry is searching for his 6th NBA championship ring this year.

I throw all caution to the wind when I say that I believe that the San Antonio Spurs will win this year's Larry O'Brien trophy. The reason why I have made up my mind is not because of the 2-0 lead that the San Antonio Spurs have as of the moment. It's because of how easily they were able to go up two games against a supposed champion. They won against the former champion and they did so convincingly in Game 2.

"Never question the heart of a champion." The saying has been echoed each and every time that a champion seems to be down and out. I would side with the Detroit Pistons on this one because they are, after all, last year's NBA champions but let's not forget that the other team is too. As what one San Antonio news reporter has mentioned, the San Antonio Spurs are on a roll right now. " It is hard to imagine the Spurs, who have won eight of their last nine games, losing four of their next five."

The delicate balance of momentum has been tipped in favor of San Antonio. If the Detroit Pistons don't respond next game, then you might as well skip the next few games and prepare a parade route for the Spurs. After all, it's not too late for the Pistons to go fishing.