HUSTLE! I LOVE THIS GAME!

Being inspired by an unexpected hero, I am excited to write again!
We are about six weeks away from the start of a new season and I MISS THE NBA!

As a hardcore basketball fan, my favourite parts of the game are teamwork, hustle and defense.
My inspiration today is all about hustle, its about giving your 1000% regardless of the odds.
It's true that us mortals have like a 0.01% chance of beating the ones with God given talent and even if we do take them on, we will lose 999 out of 1000 times. But hey, there's still a chance right?

I always try to pay attention to teams at certain points of the season as that's where the special ones come together, inspire each other and start forming their identity. These teams usually end up winning the chip. To me, the process is just fascinating. That's what greatness and legends are made of. The real fans appreciate this and they usually cheer louder than ever, because they know this is the difference.

Here're some recent clips that will of that awesome spirit.

I guess I feel close to this because this sums up my life and the way I have learnt to play.
I do not think I have any talent or can do anything well, but man.. I will hustle you to the death.
It's about who wants it most. Dive on the ground and in the dirt if you want it as bad, I will meet you down there. :)

Looking forward to get back to playing soon!

and lastly... LET'S GO LAKERS!

The Game That Counts

It's been a while since I have last written which means life has been great and I have been busy with work and other stuff. And now I've got some time to blog and get a beer at the same time.. LIFE IS AWESOME.

I have been thinking about what to write and a story on ESPN caught my eye and gave me the inspiration. It was about John Wall signing his five year 80 million contract to stay with the Washington Wizards. And while he says that he hopes to win a championship with the Wizards before he retires, I wonder how much of that is actually real and if it really matters to him at all. Let's face it, the Wizards have been irrelevant for a long time (Yes, I do remember they played in the playoffs against Lebron's Cavs) and because of the trend of super teams in the league and other circumstances, I think they will remain as such for an even longer period of time.

There were quite a few articles this year on the NBA's worst contracts ever. Majority of them were done by a team who has money to spend to get enough hype to sell some tickets and players who generally take the money and could care less about how they play or if they even win at all.  These players get paid a fortune (we're talking about 50-100 millions) for lazing, get into legal trouble and eventually passing their bad habits on to their younger team mates. (I keep thinking about Gilbert Arenas as the villain.. Sorry bro~)

On the other end of the spectrum, we have stars (like Ray Allen) who take a fifty percent salary pay cut so they can win another championship. Clearly, winning means more to them than dollars and cents. I am sure your reaction to this is "Well they're rich ain't he?" But aren't they all rich? Even though I am not a fan of stars teaming up to take a shortcut to success, I do appreciate those who sacrifice to win titles.

But don't get me wrong. I am old school. I am not entirely for the oldies jumping teams to chase rings. I love the players like Stockton and Miller who stuck it out with the teams who made them. And no matter how much money somebody else offers them, they won't go anywhere. I do wish for more of these players. But that's really hard to find in today's game.

And after the class of '03 retires ('03 is big because they are dominating, but they are that same pussy class that looks to form teams together), we will still be watching the game. How will the next generation of stars write the next chapter?

"After a certain point, money is meaningless. It ceases to be the goal. The game is what counts."
Aristotle Onassis 

Okay, maybe I am biased. But here're my rules. If you are a player that could define and represent your generation like Kobe and Lebron, you should want to play against the other best players to prove that you are the best and not join forces with them. Give us fans something to be excited and be proud of! However, if you are a fading superstar or a role-player and you are chasing that elusive ring.. I will be more receptive...