I have been trying to identify the problem with the Lakers this season. With the recent story regarding the Cavs players only meeting, it finally dawned on me why we're having such an atrocious season and also why free agents have not been coming to LA.
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14690965/cleveland-cavaliers-finding-success-holding-players-only-meeting
Look, I grew up with Kobe as my favorite player. However, it has become glaringly apparent that Kobe does not have the ability to be a scorer, play maker, and elite defender.
Yet, Kobe still wants to bear the torch and be the alpha dog and star of the team. He is of the mindset that someone must take the torch, rather than for him to pass it.
What is the blue print for aging gracefully and lessening one's load? Look no further than Tim Duncan. It starts with Duncan allowing the Spurs to change from a rigid defensive team with him as the primary focus on offense to an uptempo team that can go to Duncan when a possession calls for a post up (can anyone say playoffs?). This has allowed for a lighter load and fresher legs for deep playoff runs even at the twilight of his career.
Again, Kobe is as competitive as Duncan, but he's not as team-oriented as Duncan (Kobe cares who gets the credit and needs to be the focus of the team. This is OK when your body allows you to produce, but is detrimental when Father Time wins the 20 year war.
Kobe did not choose this option.
In 2011, Phil Jackson said, "he didn't want to coach Kobe when he stopped being Kobe."
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/110513
Jackson surmised that, Kobe won't ever defer and will age terribly. If you wonder why the Lakers have had consecutive losing seasons, it all starts with one word, ACCOUNTABILITY.
If a coach is going to allow Kobe to abandon an offense, shoot at will, make ill-advised risky passes and play lackadaisical defense, then how can he ask players to play within an offense, stop iso-ball, decrease turnovers, and play hard fundamental defense?
I'm sure free agents look at the Lakers and realize that its the Kobe Show and rather than try to correct the problem of accountability, they would much rather go to a winning situation where players can develop chemistry and win immediately. Why would you take less money, try to change Kobe and have to defend yourself for playing on a putrid team.
These last 5 seasons have been very hard to watch, but like many have said, it's retribution for 5 championships and 20 years of watching one of the greatest to ever play.
Before we can move forward as a franchise, lets celebrate Kobe's last 2 1/2 months and hope that Coach Scott doesn't crush what remaining confidence our young core of the future still possesses.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Thursday, March 29, 2012
How Safe Are You Driving?
I am a terrible driver. I'm impatient, fixated on time, and focused on efficiency.
It makes me complain when people drive like maniacs and while I'm complaining I forget to realize that sometimes I'm no gem.
I was heading home one day when the freeway was jam packed with a road closure. Being the incredibly gifted male that I am, I decided that I would exit and navigate around the road closure. I'm looking for a road that I'm familiar with and all of a sudden I start descending down a hill in a residential area. A man starts waving his arms and induces my car to a complete stop. I look at his attire from the bottom up. Black boots, black slacks, a belt, a holster, and then yes, a badge. Well, well, well looks like someone is going to turn on the excuse faucet. Should I go with, I'm sorry officer I really have to use the bathroom? I'm sorry officer I am completely lost. I'm sorry officer I was late for an appointment. Or just...I'm sorry.
Well this aviator mustache toting officer wasn't having any of that (totally did not look like that, but come on this is my story and you're going to like it). License and registration. Residents have been complaining about speeders coming down this hill. You were going 38 in a 25 and here is your ticket. To his credit he was actually a very polite and helpful officer, but when you're being issued a ticket you could care less.
Well what does this mean? A hefty fine and the two most dreaded words next to jury duty, TRAFFIC SCHOOL.
I was dragged to the class on a Sunday morning for eight hours, but for the first two hours I was actually learning a few things that I didn't know. I was just nodding my head and saying to myself, "wow that's so true." While the other students in the class were strangely looking at me as if the teacher had said, "garbage goes in the garbage can." Oh really? Do you think you know all of the laws of the road? Well see if you can answer some of the most interesting questions:
If you are being tailgated, you should...
A) Increase your following distance
B) Brake Quickly
C) Signal the tailgater when it is safe to pass you
You want to merge onto a freeway. You should drive...
A) At or near the same speed as the freeway traffic
B) At the posted freeway speed limit
C) 10 mph slower than the freeway traffic
When making a left or right turn, you are required to signal for the last ____ feet prior to turning.
A) 50 feet
B) 75 feet
C) 100 feet
D) 125 feet
What blood alcohol content allows a driver to be convicted of driving under the influence?
A) .01
B) .04
C) .08
D) .10
Who processes alcohol faster, men or women?
Who processes marijuana faster, men or women?
The answers are:
A
A
C
B
Men
Women
Other interesting facts:
-Just because there is no "Do not turn sign" doesn't make it legal
-same goes for U-turns
-you must be 18 in from the curb
-you should be 6 in from red lane
-red arrow = no right on red
-when merging on freeway, you should always check 2 lanes over, not just 1
-do not stare at an aggressive driver even if they are honking at you and driving like an idiot
-pedestrians always have the right of way
-you must park at least 15 feet away from a fire hydrant
-you can have 3 points per 12 months, the 4th would result in a suspension
-you can make a left turn into a driveway or road, unless a sign is posted
Bottom line:
Be a less aggressive driver, drive slower, and be more cautious.
If you don't the consequence could be a traffic ticket, the worst consequence is losing your life, or attending another 8-hour traffic school.
Happy trails to you.
It makes me complain when people drive like maniacs and while I'm complaining I forget to realize that sometimes I'm no gem.
I was heading home one day when the freeway was jam packed with a road closure. Being the incredibly gifted male that I am, I decided that I would exit and navigate around the road closure. I'm looking for a road that I'm familiar with and all of a sudden I start descending down a hill in a residential area. A man starts waving his arms and induces my car to a complete stop. I look at his attire from the bottom up. Black boots, black slacks, a belt, a holster, and then yes, a badge. Well, well, well looks like someone is going to turn on the excuse faucet. Should I go with, I'm sorry officer I really have to use the bathroom? I'm sorry officer I am completely lost. I'm sorry officer I was late for an appointment. Or just...I'm sorry.
Well this aviator mustache toting officer wasn't having any of that (totally did not look like that, but come on this is my story and you're going to like it). License and registration. Residents have been complaining about speeders coming down this hill. You were going 38 in a 25 and here is your ticket. To his credit he was actually a very polite and helpful officer, but when you're being issued a ticket you could care less.
Well what does this mean? A hefty fine and the two most dreaded words next to jury duty, TRAFFIC SCHOOL.
I was dragged to the class on a Sunday morning for eight hours, but for the first two hours I was actually learning a few things that I didn't know. I was just nodding my head and saying to myself, "wow that's so true." While the other students in the class were strangely looking at me as if the teacher had said, "garbage goes in the garbage can." Oh really? Do you think you know all of the laws of the road? Well see if you can answer some of the most interesting questions:
If you are being tailgated, you should...
A) Increase your following distance
B) Brake Quickly
C) Signal the tailgater when it is safe to pass you
You want to merge onto a freeway. You should drive...
A) At or near the same speed as the freeway traffic
B) At the posted freeway speed limit
C) 10 mph slower than the freeway traffic
When making a left or right turn, you are required to signal for the last ____ feet prior to turning.
A) 50 feet
B) 75 feet
C) 100 feet
D) 125 feet
What blood alcohol content allows a driver to be convicted of driving under the influence?
A) .01
B) .04
C) .08
D) .10
Who processes alcohol faster, men or women?
Who processes marijuana faster, men or women?
The answers are:
A
A
C
B
Men
Women
Other interesting facts:
-Just because there is no "Do not turn sign" doesn't make it legal
-same goes for U-turns
-you must be 18 in from the curb
-you should be 6 in from red lane
-red arrow = no right on red
-when merging on freeway, you should always check 2 lanes over, not just 1
-do not stare at an aggressive driver even if they are honking at you and driving like an idiot
-pedestrians always have the right of way
-you must park at least 15 feet away from a fire hydrant
-you can have 3 points per 12 months, the 4th would result in a suspension
-you can make a left turn into a driveway or road, unless a sign is posted
Bottom line:
Be a less aggressive driver, drive slower, and be more cautious.
If you don't the consequence could be a traffic ticket, the worst consequence is losing your life, or attending another 8-hour traffic school.
Happy trails to you.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Loyalty and Business
Loyalty and business
Some people think loyalty is essential to running a business . Others counter that it's as useful as a pregnant woman using birth control. Older generations will give you a lecture on values and how loyalty is one of the benchmarks of a great company while others' modus operandi is a "what have you done for me lately" mindset.
Jim Buss is the son of the Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss. the previous off season he has made it a point to clean house and fire employees that have been with the Lakers for over 25 years. Loyal employees like Ronnie Lester, other longtime staffers like Brian Shaw and equipment manager Rudy Garciduenas. He came under heavy scrutiny and many questioned the direction and authority of the younger Buss.
What followed after he fired longtime staff members was a "what have you done for me lately" and bottom line mindset. Basically, he really started to focus on decisions from a financial standpoint. Lamar Odom had been a 2-time champion with the Lakers and was a vital part of chemistry and the offensive scoring punch, but before the season started he was determined to be a liability that the Lakers couldn't afford. (Yes, we know the Lakers signed a $2 billion dollar television contract, but with the new collective bargaining agreement the luxury tax fines become monstrous for repeat luxury tax offenders like the Lakers.) Consequently, he was dropped to the curb as a sheer salary dump.
Lakers fans were outraged at the continued lack of loyalty and complained that the window for championships was closing. It appeared that the team was retreating and wasting the rest of Kobe Bryant's elite years.
Jim Buss refuses to wear suits and is constantly wearing jeans, a hat, and a God-awful pony tail. He's stubborn and could care less about what others say about him. After coming under heat for the previous front office moves he said nothing and explained his rationale to no one.
It is this stubbornness that has developed the wherewithal to make the right but unpopular business choice.
He just continued his logical but unpopular choice as he decided to trade part of the heart and soul of the team, Derek Fisher. Fisher is loyal to no end. He knew his abilities had diminished, yet he was adamant that as long as he could contribute his leadership and ability to step into big moments he still belonged.
Management knew he was owed $3 million next year and that his salary just wasn't justifiable anymore if they could find a better option.
Well, they found a better option in Ramon Sessions, leaving Fisher in limbo... Or so Laker fans would hope. We hoped that we could reward Fisher for his years of service by letting him stay on the team and serve mostly as a practice player and valuable locker presence. Then once his contract had expired we could hire him to be a part of our coaching staff. Finally, we could send him off in a blaze of glory (retire his jersey in the rafters). Allowing him to retire to a loud standing ovation with the 0.4 shot, the Boston coast-to-coast, and the 3 in Orlando playing while the Staples Center would be rocking, you know what? Take a look at them yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwu-TQ-6AtE&feature=share
But us fans are sentimental, only hall of famers have their jerseys sent up to the rafters, and only productive players should stay on elite teams.
Was that what every Laker fan wanted? I'm almost certain we all would have wanted a version close to that, but the truth of the matter was that moving on from Fisher was the RIGHT business move! Sometimes loyalty and business don't go together and the world can be cold. Players always say that basketball is a business, and Jim Buss continues to show just that.
The Lakers are currently in 3rd place in the west division and are now considered serious contenders. We'll always miss and remember that high arching 3-point shot in the corner. Thanks for everything Fish.
Some people think loyalty is essential to running a business . Others counter that it's as useful as a pregnant woman using birth control. Older generations will give you a lecture on values and how loyalty is one of the benchmarks of a great company while others' modus operandi is a "what have you done for me lately" mindset.
Jim Buss is the son of the Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss. the previous off season he has made it a point to clean house and fire employees that have been with the Lakers for over 25 years. Loyal employees like Ronnie Lester, other longtime staffers like Brian Shaw and equipment manager Rudy Garciduenas. He came under heavy scrutiny and many questioned the direction and authority of the younger Buss.
What followed after he fired longtime staff members was a "what have you done for me lately" and bottom line mindset. Basically, he really started to focus on decisions from a financial standpoint. Lamar Odom had been a 2-time champion with the Lakers and was a vital part of chemistry and the offensive scoring punch, but before the season started he was determined to be a liability that the Lakers couldn't afford. (Yes, we know the Lakers signed a $2 billion dollar television contract, but with the new collective bargaining agreement the luxury tax fines become monstrous for repeat luxury tax offenders like the Lakers.) Consequently, he was dropped to the curb as a sheer salary dump.
Lakers fans were outraged at the continued lack of loyalty and complained that the window for championships was closing. It appeared that the team was retreating and wasting the rest of Kobe Bryant's elite years.
Jim Buss refuses to wear suits and is constantly wearing jeans, a hat, and a God-awful pony tail. He's stubborn and could care less about what others say about him. After coming under heat for the previous front office moves he said nothing and explained his rationale to no one.
It is this stubbornness that has developed the wherewithal to make the right but unpopular business choice.
He just continued his logical but unpopular choice as he decided to trade part of the heart and soul of the team, Derek Fisher. Fisher is loyal to no end. He knew his abilities had diminished, yet he was adamant that as long as he could contribute his leadership and ability to step into big moments he still belonged.
Management knew he was owed $3 million next year and that his salary just wasn't justifiable anymore if they could find a better option.
Well, they found a better option in Ramon Sessions, leaving Fisher in limbo... Or so Laker fans would hope. We hoped that we could reward Fisher for his years of service by letting him stay on the team and serve mostly as a practice player and valuable locker presence. Then once his contract had expired we could hire him to be a part of our coaching staff. Finally, we could send him off in a blaze of glory (retire his jersey in the rafters). Allowing him to retire to a loud standing ovation with the 0.4 shot, the Boston coast-to-coast, and the 3 in Orlando playing while the Staples Center would be rocking, you know what? Take a look at them yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwu-TQ-6AtE&feature=share
But us fans are sentimental, only hall of famers have their jerseys sent up to the rafters, and only productive players should stay on elite teams.
Was that what every Laker fan wanted? I'm almost certain we all would have wanted a version close to that, but the truth of the matter was that moving on from Fisher was the RIGHT business move! Sometimes loyalty and business don't go together and the world can be cold. Players always say that basketball is a business, and Jim Buss continues to show just that.
The Lakers are currently in 3rd place in the west division and are now considered serious contenders. We'll always miss and remember that high arching 3-point shot in the corner. Thanks for everything Fish.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Lintrospection
Well everybody knows what the hot topic in sports land is right now and if the title didn't tip you off.....then get the fuck out of here. That’s right, it’s linsanity and the business of Jeremy lin. So what the heck, here’s my two cents.
Jeremy Lin has taken the sports world by storm and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. I’m pretty sure everybody knows his life story by now, but if you don’t, heres a super brief recap. Taiwanese kid goes from undrafted Harvard grad to starting point guard of the New York Knicks all in the span of just 10 hours of NBA court time. That’s right kids, I did the math as any typical Asian would.
Now heres my take. While the Jeremy Lin show has taken everybody by surprise, and certainly me as well, I always wondered why it took so god damn long for an Asian point guard to come to prominence. You see to me, Asians make the perfect point guards. Lets break it down.
Factor number one. We aren’t very tall.
No denying this one guys, Asians aren’t the biggest guys on the block, now with Yao Ming enjoying his retirement by going back to school(seriously, who retires to go back to school guys?). On the other hand, point guards are the shortest people on the court. This would make it seem like a definite lock for either Asians or Mexicans due to our vertical proclivity towards the shorter end of a meter rule. If you picked up any Asian off the street and stuck him on the court, we would most definitely have to play point guard, that is if you didn’t have a Mexican on your team. What I’m trying to say here, is that we, Asians, are physically designed to play the point guard position, the ones that can actually play basketball that is. We weren't designed to be 7 footers. I don't even think we were designed to be 6'6". but hey, that's alright.
Factor number two. We are pretty darn smart.
Not to brag or anything, but when it comes to smarts, it’s pretty hard to top an Asian. It’s something we pride ourselves on. It’s a stereotype we strive to live up to. They always say, “Asians are good at math and science.” You bet your ass we are. We aren’t brute beasts bestowed with physical gifts and can dominate with just that. We study, we learn, and we make it better. So why wouldn’t this extrapolate to basketball. Let’s put it this way. Most major athletes these days don’t even graduate college, probably wouldn’t be able to explain how they can defy gravity with their God given talents, and probably don’t even have enough math to know how many zeroes there are in their million dollar paycheck(how else do they blow so much money?) Granted, they have sports knowledge in spades. But honestly, how hard is it to learn basketball. Are you telling me it’s harder that calculus? Quantum physics? I highly doubt that. Shouldn’t it be a cinch then for a person of Asian ethnicity to be a student of the game, grasp the concept of 10 guys running around a court, plug it into an algorithm, and know what to do? If the court ever needed a floor general, Asians would be perfect. After all, did Sun Tze not write the Art of War?
Factor number 3. Precision is the name of the game
With the summer Olympics coming up, let’s take a look at the sports Asians have dominated. Diving, Table tennis, Gymnastics, Badminton, Shooting, Archery. Asians regularly take home gold in these events. These sports, while requiring above all other attributes, precision. If even one toe on your foot is out of place when performing a triple back flip into a pool, consider that a deduction. I’m sorry, your feet weren’t together when you landed that back handspring, that’s gonna cost you some points. So you want me to return a tiny white ball coming at me at 70mph with less than half the distance a pitcher has to home plate and hit the right corner of the table when returning it? No problem. Shooting and archery are pretty self-explanatory. Don’t even get me started on video games. I don’t know what it is, but Asians excel in precision sports. And basketball is a game all about precision. Making that sweet pass to the corner for a three. Dishing it to your big man after driving in. projecting a man in mid-flight and hitting him when he arrives there. These skills require precision, a lot of precision. Just another facet that would make Asians suitable for a point guard role in the NBA.
So while Jeremy Lin’s success is a pleasant surprise, it comes as no surprise to me that an Asian point guard has finally got some of the spot light in the NBA. With our genetics, studiousness, and uncanny precision, Jeremy Lin has broken down some stereotypes and racial profiling and, hopefully, has helped America realize a whole new untapped pool of potential. Now if only Asian parents would stop telling their kids to become doctors and dentists.
P.S if anybody thought this article was racist, suck a dick.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Expectations
Momma said there be days like this, there be days like this my momma said....
Do what your parents say, brush your teeth, go to school, be nice to your friends, go to college.
Of course there will be a job waiting for you once you have your degree. You'll get a good salary, be able to buy a house, and raise a beautiful family (well... not everyone can be beautiful...but beauty is in the eye ya?).
These are the expectations we have been taught since a young age and you know what? Those expectations have led to a generation that is sure to meet disappointment.
The following phrase (which I loathe) has been used to soften the blow of disappointment because of improper expectations. You know what God-forsaken phrase I'm referring to? Need more time? Ok....ten more seconds....and time. The phrase that haunts me to no end is, "Because of the down economy... or in this economy" I hate those phrases. Once you utter either phrase they becomes an all purpose security blanket for why your life hasn't turned out the way you wanted.
Our nation is in a massive deficit and it's because children mimic their parents. We see the government continuously spending and as a result our deficit is now in the trillions. Yet, there are bailouts and life goes on just like any other day in "the matrix." In this loose metaphor of children mimicking their parents we have adopted the same spending habits as our government and consequently are in huge debt as well. Our nation has collectively put its head in the ground and has continued to spend without thinking about the inevitable train that is about to smash us into financial Stone Age.
You know what I wish they taught in high school or college? Personal Accounting and Achieve Your Dream Classes. What do I mean? Well, how many of you balance your check books or know how much your credit card company charges you? And I'm not talking about knowing what your APR is. I mean how much do you pay every month when you pay that teeny tiny number and not the larger ugly number? I would also have students make a budget and learn what is necessary and unnecessary. Also on the agenda would be learning what an asset and a liability is. I would have them look up how much they want to spend in college and realize how long it will take them to pay it off if they earn a $50,000 salary (if they can even find a job). Then I would tell them how long it takes to get a promotion with different jobs and the projected pay scale. Stop me if I'm wrong, but doesn't this just make sense?
The Achieve Your Dream Class would consist of the following lesson plans:
Our generation has been coddled and told we're the best, smartest, and most capable. What has happened is that we lack the work ethic of previous generations. We look at older workers and wonder how they could have worked at the same place for 30 years and not complained. Well that requires work ethic, which is something our generation tends to lack. To create that work ethic starts with expectation management and then to create an attitude of enduring hardships and failure. The sooner we realize how hard it is to thrive in this world, the sooner we realize the need to work harder and stop giving up at the first moment of resistance.
So what are you going to do to achieve your dreams?
Do what your parents say, brush your teeth, go to school, be nice to your friends, go to college.
Of course there will be a job waiting for you once you have your degree. You'll get a good salary, be able to buy a house, and raise a beautiful family (well... not everyone can be beautiful...but beauty is in the eye ya?).
These are the expectations we have been taught since a young age and you know what? Those expectations have led to a generation that is sure to meet disappointment.
The following phrase (which I loathe) has been used to soften the blow of disappointment because of improper expectations. You know what God-forsaken phrase I'm referring to? Need more time? Ok....ten more seconds....and time. The phrase that haunts me to no end is, "Because of the down economy... or in this economy" I hate those phrases. Once you utter either phrase they becomes an all purpose security blanket for why your life hasn't turned out the way you wanted.
Our nation is in a massive deficit and it's because children mimic their parents. We see the government continuously spending and as a result our deficit is now in the trillions. Yet, there are bailouts and life goes on just like any other day in "the matrix." In this loose metaphor of children mimicking their parents we have adopted the same spending habits as our government and consequently are in huge debt as well. Our nation has collectively put its head in the ground and has continued to spend without thinking about the inevitable train that is about to smash us into financial Stone Age.
You know what I wish they taught in high school or college? Personal Accounting and Achieve Your Dream Classes. What do I mean? Well, how many of you balance your check books or know how much your credit card company charges you? And I'm not talking about knowing what your APR is. I mean how much do you pay every month when you pay that teeny tiny number and not the larger ugly number? I would also have students make a budget and learn what is necessary and unnecessary. Also on the agenda would be learning what an asset and a liability is. I would have them look up how much they want to spend in college and realize how long it will take them to pay it off if they earn a $50,000 salary (if they can even find a job). Then I would tell them how long it takes to get a promotion with different jobs and the projected pay scale. Stop me if I'm wrong, but doesn't this just make sense?
The Achieve Your Dream Class would consist of the following lesson plans:
- Do you know what it takes to get your dream job?
- Do you know the work it takes to get this job?
- Do you realize how much work it's going to take?
- No really, do you really know what it takes? Ask someone in that profession, shadow them for a week if not a month. Can you really see yourself working there for 10, 20, even 40 years?
- Do you know how much debt you are going to accrue striving for your job?
- Explain what paying your dues mean.
Our generation has been coddled and told we're the best, smartest, and most capable. What has happened is that we lack the work ethic of previous generations. We look at older workers and wonder how they could have worked at the same place for 30 years and not complained. Well that requires work ethic, which is something our generation tends to lack. To create that work ethic starts with expectation management and then to create an attitude of enduring hardships and failure. The sooner we realize how hard it is to thrive in this world, the sooner we realize the need to work harder and stop giving up at the first moment of resistance.
So what are you going to do to achieve your dreams?
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