Let's Go Yankees!!

*clap clap clap clap clap* Aw yeah, the World Series is back in the Bronx. Not that it's been gone all that long, but you know New York has become spoiled. Which is the reason why nothing short of a championship will suffice this stacked deck the Yankees organization has created. Since the late 90's, the Yankees have been able to spend the bank on big time players. What has created is nothing short of a championship is tolerated by the Yankees brass. Making it back to the world series is great, but if they happen to fail against the certainly worthy Philadelphia Phillies, it will be less than satisfying.

With our big additions and all the scrutiny they have faced over the years, guys like A-rod, Sabathia, Burnett, and Texeira will certainly have the hugest impact on this series. The ones who have been here, Derek Jeter, Posada, Mariano, Pettite will be who they've always been. I don't expect anything less from those guys on the big stage. I just hope the new comers early jitters leaves them in a timely manner and the Yankees get down to business. If I had a prediction, I would like to say Yankees in 4 (LOL, far fetched), but, I will pick the Yankees in 7 games. 7 because the Phillies have a touch line-up and a solid pitching staff. They would seem to match up well against us and, not to mention, these guys are the defending world champions. With that being said......LET'S GO YANKEES!!! See yall in the Bronx baby!!

NBA opens!!

I am a New York guy so I will start with the home teams. As I look at the Knicks roster, I have changed my mind and conceded to the fact that they probably will NOT make the playoffs this season. I remember thinking after last year ended that they would. I felt they had pieces and enough scoring on their roster to win enough games to get into the playoffs in the eastern conference. But I'm not sure now. That offense will score points on some nights, but they won't play well enough to win enough games to get in. Those nights when they do score over 100 points, the good teams will actually outscore them anyway because they play suspect on the other end. And there are some teams in the east who have also gotten a little better too. If they were to win 30-35 games I wouldn't be surprised, although, 35 games could be enough with the records that eastern conference teams have produced the last couple of seasons. Also, I made a point to one of my co-workers and heard a radio host mention it yesterday, with all the roster moves the Knicks have made the last couple of seasons, they will need to pick up TWO of the free agents in next year's pool, not just one. One won't be enough with this depleted roster (which may only become more depleted if they don't resign certain guys who are in contract years). So two would suffice, and I feel at this point they would HAVE TO GET TWO.

The Nets will not do anything at all this year. Their run is certainly over and right now it's time to rebuild. They have also seemed to concede to trying to pick up 1 or maybe 2 of the free agents in next year's pool. The Nets will be even more depressing to watch than the Knicks this year, which is unfortunate because they have certainly been the team to give the New York area something to cheer about the past 8 years when the Knicks weren't there to do it.

As for the rest of the league, I am seeing the Celtics and Lakers on a collision course to meet in the NBA finals once again. With the Celtics adding Rasheed Wallace to their already deep team, and the Lakers adding Ron Artest to their already deep team, I don't feel anybody in their respective conferences will be able to stop them from getting to the championship round. I am looking forward to Shaq with the Cavs. He has always been one of my favorites on and off the court. I feel the Cavs may finish 2nd in the east, but the Orlando Magic will have something to say about that. With their addition of New York's beloved Vince Carter (whom I already miss seeing in a Nets uniform), they should also be back to being one of the power houses in the eastern conference. Gilbert Arenas returning to Washington should get the Wizards back to being one of the top 8 teams in the east. The Atlanta Hawks have stayed afloat so they should still be in the playoff hunt (not any better though, but not any worse).

The western conference features the always contending San Antonio Spurs, with another New York beloved in Richard Jefferson joining that already established championship organization. With Jefferson, they are adding 17 ppg to their lineup and also a defensive presence, to add to their already defensive savy club. I feel the Spurs will be right behind the Lakers, followed by the Denver Nuggers. If Denver can build on anything they did last year, there is no reason they shouldn't be right back to being one of the top teams in the west. They we should be followed by the Hornets and (maybe) the Blazers. From there, I feel the rest of the spots are up for grabs. The west is always extremely tough though.

So, with that said, let's get it on!!

Traffic Jam!

You're driving in your car. All roads are pretty clear. The trip is pretty smooth. Then, you hit a traffic jam. It's conjested all over. There's no way to get around it because you've exhausted your means of an alternate route. The traffic jam may be caused by an accident, rubber-necking, or even construction. You'll just have to stay and wait it out. Put up with the sudden slowness of the trip. Know that it will be over soon.

We face traffic jams in our lives as well. Just when we feel we have it all together, and everything is going smooth, we may hit some conjestion to slow us down. This may only be an indication for us to take our time. We tend to get aggrevated when we hit traffic jams, which may be the natural reaction. I know i've been guilty of going into a whole other mood and making people around me feel very uncomfortable just because the trip is now going to take a little longer than planned. But He may be just trying to get our attention for whatever reason. Maybe we're going too fast. Maybe there's something He wants us to see. Maybe there's something He wants us to hear. In any case, every traffic jam is not necessarily a negative thing. We just may need to stop, look, and listen to something. He has His own way of trying to get our attention sometimes. It may be a bit unusual but we have to take our time and when we do that, we'll receive Him.
The accidents may be our imperfections. Even if we unintentionally (accidentally) commit acts that are against Him, they still will get His attention. When we don't realize something that we've done, that's when we need His teaching the most. We may 'accidentally' not be following Him and what he tries to do for us. We may go the wrong way and He needs to steer us in the right direction. The construction may be for us to fix ourselves and to repair any 'pot holes' or 'rough patches' we have within ourselves. Anything to cause others or ourselves any hardships or pain. Anything that may cause us worry or stress. Anything that may hinder our progress or stunt our growth. The rubber-necking may be when we always look at others and their situations and do not look at ourselves enough. Too many times people try to judge or have strong opinions on others and what they do (I'm guilty), but we don't often look in the mirror at ourselves with evaluation and analysis. In doing that, we slow ourselves down, or block our own blessings. What are we doing medling in other people's business so much? That's not for us to do. Sure, we can be there for others with help and/or advice, support when it's called for, but we can't medle where we're not needed or wanted. Leave His work up to Him and worry about your own problems. We all have enough of them to deal with.

We'll face traffic jams all throughout our lives. The key is to try to avoid these same traffic jams repetitively. Find a way around them or try to minimize them as much as possible for next time. When going through the jams, it is not necessary to get uptight or have any sort of negative reactions that will rub those around us the wrong way. Because what we'll find is, when the traffic jam is over you'll feel better and when you do, you'll find that the people that you've impacted have now turned their backs on you in the process because of your attitude. So, take a deep breath and look to Him when going through your traffic jams. Stay even-keeled and do not get too high or too low. Let those around you be a light and be sure you don't dim that light out. Just wait it out and know that it will not last too long. That's trust. That's when life's lessons are being learned and you are taking the time to absorb all that He is trying to tell you. You'll find when that happens, the traffic jams that you'll face in the future will be fewer and further in between, and that you'll be able to handle them better.

Captain Jesus!

Let us walk with Him and not be lead by ourselves. Too much we try to do things our way, on our own, and too many times we lead ourselves the wrong way. How do we know? Well, that feeling in your gut that you get when you're doing something wrong and when you're doing something right is probably Him assuring you of your decisions in life. But, we tend to have get the wrong feeling about something and go with it anyway. Then, we ask Him to bless what we've done. If we go against Him, we will not be blessed. We will simply be left on our own until we find our way in seeking Him again. And when we do, his mercy allows us to get back into Him. He does not get mad or upset, He simply waits for our return. He is merciful and fogiving in that way. We also must trust in Him with all that we have. He knows what He's doing. He has immeasurable experience in this life. He will always do the right things by us. We are His children. Just like with any good parent, He cares for His children a great deal. So He will not steer us wrong. I pray that He is with me in my times of trials and tribulations as well. And that all my sins and all my shortcomings are forgiven in His name. I need Him in the worst way, before I completely lose absolutely everything. But since He is here with me I am all good. He loves to be praised and talked about, and I will spread his word as much as I feel. He is the king, we are merely servants. Serving Him is our duty.

We do have our own contributions that we have to input into our lives. But, continue to follow captain Jesus, and he will lead us in the direction of where we need to go. I pray for all of those around me and even those who are against me. They need Him just as much as we do. Be Blessed!!

Too much ax for Plax?

Is it just me, or do people feel bad for the punishment that Plaxico Burress will serve starting yesterday? I mean, I know he did something that was terribly wrong but this mistake does not fair up to other mistakes i've seen in society that hasn't endured the severity of Burress' 2 year sentence. ESPN's coverage last night made me even more heartwarmed to the situation. They spoke of Burress kissing his kids and his wife before the authorities took him away. And to Riker's Island nonetheless. Now, I'm really hoping they transfer him from there because as much as this was a horrible mistake by Plaxico, I do not feel he should be in Riker's Island. Part of this is because of his celebrity, yes. As much as people may feel that it's not a big deal, his celebrity would play a part in how he's treated. I'm sure the last thing New York would need on their hands is something to happen to him while he's in there. Plaxico Burress is no Foxy Brown or Remy Ma. Get him the heck out of there if he goes in at all. I don't feel he's in line with the criminals and thugs they hold there.

Of course, in the aspect of life I feel horrible for him. But he is an extremely talented football player as well. And it is also ashamed that this talent will be confined for 2 years. These next 2 years are critical for Plaxico because in football years, he's entering his 50's. By the time he gets out he'll be 34 years old and who knows what he'll have left in the tank by that time. The image of him catching the winning touchdown pass from Eli Manning may be the last great image we see of him on the football field. Outside of the great talent he is, he also seems like a good guy. Everytime i've heard him speak it's been eloquent and very mild-mannered. His teammates have also always seem to speak highly of him as well. As much as there was a punishment deserved in this crime, maybe what they gave him could be a bit extreme. Let's face it, he did accidentally use the gun on himself. While in the meantime, we have dirty cops using their multiple guns on other people and continuing to get away with murder. So, what's really worse.

Either way, I will pray for the brother and hope for his safe return back home to his family. We all will be judged, but the judges and the juries that we face in the long run do not occupy a courtroom.

Give Sugar Shane a shot NOW!!

Now, as much as I feel Mayweather hasn't gotten ANY credit from some, and he does deserve it, he still has some more work to do to validate his career. Meaning, there are some fighters that are left in the ring that he has yet to face. Namely, the figher I mentioned in my last post, Sugar Shane Mosley. There are others, Miguel Cotto, (maybe) Margarito (although they won't match him up against Margarito most likely. I wouldn't see his team creating that fight). Here is the thing though. The reason I say let's not be hypocritical is this, we will all (fans, media, promoters, etc.) will engage in all the hype and hoopla over a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao, as we did with Marquez. We will see all the footage, the 24/7 HBO series, and all the marketing for it. It will be the biggest payday for either fighter in their careers thus far. At the same time, we want to discredit Mayweather for not fighting these big fighters that are mentioned. The ones who would, most likely, give him the biggest tests of his career and possibly push him to the point that every great fighter needs to validate themselves in the sport. Ali had it with Frazier, Ray Leonard had it with Hearns, Holyfield and Bowe did it to each other, the list goes on. So I am certainly all for matching Mayweather up with a real tester. If this is going to be the case, though, we can't overwhelmingly back a fight with him and Pacquiao, then (hypothetically at this point) he handles Pacquiao, and we say that he was the bigger man fighting somebody not his size or caliber and that he needs to fight somebody up to his ability. Well, let's say it NOW, don't wait. Match this guy up with Sugar Shane right now, and don't get into all of what they are going to put into a fight with Pacquiao. As I said before, Shane does not have much time and he would need a fight with Mayweather right away, if it is going to happen at all. He can't afford to wait another year or two to get into the ring with this guy. Then, if it were to happen, and Mayweather were to beat Mosley, we would say Mosley was older and slower, not as fast, etc, etc. So let's do this RIGHT NOW!! While there are no excuses, no doubts. Because as of right now, I feel Shane would put it to Mayweather. He may not be QUITE as fast as Mayweather but he may be pretty close, he's stronger, smarter, just as mobile, and is not afraid to take the fight to him. So before I get myself all worked up to see Mayweather fight Manny, I want to get my juices flowing for a epic battle between the warrior and the road runner.

As for Manny, let's not automatically put him past Cotto just yet either. He's had a great run and done some things against De La Hoya and Patton, respectively, that nobody expected him to do. But Cotto is a different guy. He won't stand there and be target practice for Pacquiao. Cotto can box AND punch. He will get out of the way of some of Pacquiao's shots and let's not forget, Cotto can also take a punch as well (if Margarito hadn't laced his paws with bricks, Cotto wins that fight hands down). So, first, even before we put Mayweather and Pacquiao in the same ring for this huge event, do not look past November. Pacquiao will have some back-breaking work to do.

Mayweather is still #1

Yes, Mayweather is #1...and unless/until somebody beats him he will remain in the top spot. That includes Pacquiao. Manny took the spot, though well earned, but by default. Last year, Mayweather left the spot vacant voluntarily. His return to the ring with a convincing win against a very worthy opponent, Juan Manuel Marquez (the no 1 figher in Mexico) assures him of his throne. What fascinates me is that people still find a way to not give Mayweather his credit. In the post fight news conference (and thereafter), people will make the excuse of the size difference, being that Mayweather was the bigger man, and other factors to discredit Mayweather's performance on Saturday night. Yall better stop and show Mayweather his proper due. He is undefeated, has beaten some quality opponents, and has not missed a beat even after 21 months off. Now, there are some opponents still out there who I would love Mayweather to fight but he remains the king of the hill until proven otherwise.

I see that Shane Mosley took it upon himself to call out Mayweather after the right in the ring and at the press conference. In fact, at the press conference, the entire Golden Boy promotion team got in on the act to try to sway Mayweather. Although Mayweather indicated he found that a bit disrespectful let's keep some things in mind. One, Mosley does not have the reputation to blatantly disrespect anybody or stealing anyone's shine. Two, Mosley is 37 years old (or thereabouts) so he has to get Mayweather in the ring as soon as possible if it is going to happen at all. With that, he has to pull out all the stops NOW before it's too late. Mosley cannot afford to wait too long and step in the ring with a quicker, younger opponent. It would be in Mosley and Golden Boy's best interest to even try to get Mayweather to sign something BEFORE the Cotto/Pacquioa fight, although many of us fight fans know that will most likely not happen. Mayweather is smart and has too many people in his ear and knows that a fight with Pacquiao is the big money fight. And that's assuming Pacquiao gets past Cotto. Don't you guys look past Cotto either. So Mosley & Golden Boy have to do everything they can to try to get Mayweather as soon as possible. And three, fighters of the past always pulled out all the stops to get the opponent they wanted, even if that meant taking the moment from them in a fight to do so. Ali was a big orchestrator of that as you guys well know. So what Mosley did to call out Mayweather Saturday night is nothing new at all. And can somebody tell Oscar De La Hoya to get over his short end of the stick on May 5th 2007. Ever since, he has backed ever opponent Mayweather has faced. He even had the nerve to make comments at the weigh in Friday evening saying "he's all bark but no bite." WHAT R U TALKING ABOUT?? In case you were in a blackout that night in 2007, you are part of his unbeaten record sir. Sorry to inform you.

Mayweather is still #1