Predictions

Turns out my MLB postseason predictions were way off. The Yankees were kicked out in six games, followed by the Phillies (in six as well) a day later. Texas Rangers vs. San Francisco Giants in the World Series. Didn’t think I’d ever say that out loud. Nevertheless, this should be a good Series to watch indeed. Two Aces going head-to-head; Texas’ Cliff Lee vs. San Fran’s Tim Lincecum.

Prediction: Lee’s stuff when he’s firing on all cylinders is, in my opinion, more consistent and solid than Timmy’s. I’m not knocking on Timmy’s game, but if I were to choose one over the other, I’d give Lee the slight edge. Texas in 6 games.

The 2010-11 NBA season just started today. The Miami Heat lost their first game, while the Los Angeles Lakers won theirs. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol combining for 56 points. Good start to the season, boys!! Three-peat!!

Busy May

Damn it, I snapped my own streak of blogging at least once a month lol. Oh well, let’s try start a new streak lol.

I’ve had a pretty busy May. Work, work, work, then a huge trip to the US with Jenny We spent time in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. Faaantastic trip. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Made new friends, and got re-acquainted with a fellow “not-living-in-Taiwan-and-speaks-fluent-English” cousin Desiree (there’s only 4 of us in total, so a rarity, including me, Dill, and Desiree’s sister; Bonnie), which is always a plus. Got to meet her fiance Matt too; what an awesome guy. Managed to fit in quite a busy schedule too. Went to Universal Studios, Disneyland, Sea World in San Diego, catch a Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium, visit Staples Center, do a lot of sightseeing, attend Jenny’s friend’s wedding (Jen was the maid of honour), do HEAPS OF SHOPPING, visit the New Yankee Stadium, among other things

Now it’s the 21st June, and I’m trying to restart my blogging habit (what habit?). What’s happened? Oh, the biggie assignment, Assignment 3 (patient-centred care) was due, which I handed in with a day to spare, the Yankees and Dodgers are both doing very well (can’t say much about the Phillies though…), and the Lakers are back-to-back champions!!

Can’t forget that can we? I remember back on the 15th June 2009 (I checked lol), I posted about the Lakers finally returning to the top spot with championship #15. Well, just a year and two days later, they win #16. With Kobe the Finals MVP for a second year in a row. Congrats to the Lakers!! Let’s make it a three-peat next season!!

Oh well, time to go to bed. Blogging at 12am isn’t really a healthy thing lol. Hopefully will hear more from me from now on (I keep saying that don’t I?)

Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers; Champions Once Again

In my eyes, Kobe Bryant has always been a champion; a truly remarkable basketball player. But now he has the 2009 NBA championship to prove it. His fourth championship already, but his first since the departure of Shaquille O’Neal. He finally has one to call his own.

Many critics (aka Kobe Haters) say Shaq was the reason they won three championships. “Shaq was the center (no pun intended) of the Lakers’ three-peat, Shaq was the dominant superstar, Shaq was this, Shaq was that, Kobe is a ball hog, Kobe is selfish”. I think otherwise. Shaq could not have done it without Kobe, and vice versa.

No doubt Shaq was a huge part of the three consecutive championships the Lakers won from 2000 to 2003, but he would’ve been nothing with Kobe. Yes, Kobe may have been quite the ball hog in his younger days, but he has always been, without a doubt, the best player in the game right now. He’s a changed man. Older, wiser. More experienced, but still as lethal as ever with the basketball. A true team leader, the King of the Fourth Quarter. Black Mamba.

So here’s to you, Kobe Bryant! This one’s for yourself, your teammates (you couldn’t have done it without Pau, Derek, Lamar, Trevor, etc.), your family, and definitely the one to shut the critics up once and for all! In my books, undoubtedly the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.

CONGRATULATIONS, KOBE BRYANT!! 2008-09 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player!!
CONGRATULATIONS, LA LAKERS!! 2008-09 NBA Champions!!
CONGRATULATIONS, PHIL JACKSON!! 10 NBA Championship rings = The Best Coach of All-Time!!

Finals-Bound Again!

35 points (on 12-for-20 shooting), 10 assists, 6 rebounds. That’s all the Lakers needed from Kobe Bryant to punch their ticket to their second NBA Finals in as many years. I watched the game on Sky/ESPN earlier this afternoon with Dill, and boy was I ecstatic. After Game 5, I knew it was time to strike. With Game 6 at Denver, I had a strong feeling Kobe would sense the urgency to close the series off, and he did it spectacularly. After the game, George Karl called what Kobe did divine intervention. I call it Black Mamba going to work as usual, working his magic.

Of course, Mamba didn’t do it by himself. Who did all those assists go to, you ask? Well, I’m happy to announce that many of the other Lakers also stepped up. Pau Gasol had a double-double as well (20 points, 12 rebounds; along with 6 assists); Lamar Odom picked up exactly where he left off from Game 5 with 20 points, 8 rebounds; Trevor Ariza and Luke Walton both had marvelous games too, especially Ariza, setting the tone early in the first two quarters.

Congratulations, LA!! Whoever your opponent may be, I’m behind you guys all the way!!

And a quick MLB update for today; both the Yankees and Phillies won today woohoo! The Bombers have also taken first place in the AL East yay!!

Exams Over! Lakers 5-0!

What a day. Finished off my final exam for the year this afternoon, and it feels GREAT to finally finish!!

Additionally, the Lakers beat the Rockets at Staples Center today too. What’s amazing is they’re 5-0 AND Kobe doesn’t even have to go all out either! (the only team without a loss in the big, bad Western Conference, and one of only two teams to have a lossless season so far!)

Let the relaxation BEGIN!!