_____*DUNZO

Tortured Artist Part 1

2006-11-30T09:52:00.000-08:00

Words and illustration by: yours truly

Go Home

2006-08-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, I think I'm back to my blog for good... but with no guarantees. The odds and ends section is officially dunzo. Also, with school starting soon, I just can't keep up.

Anyway, according to this, former Sparks coach Michael Cooper is being interviewed for the head coach job of the Minnesota Lynx. This is good news. Not only is he a great coach but he can also help develop Seimone Augustus and all the Lynx's young players (which is pretty much the whole team). Besides, since leaving the Sparks, Coop hasn't had much luck on any ranks.

Come home Coach Coop. Come home.

Statistics

2006-08-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

Not quite back yet

2006-07-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

Spread the word

Please Standby....

2006-07-04T11:45:00.000-07:00

HIATUS!

What Just Happened?

2006-06-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

No decent person would make a girl wait for five hours. Especially not a girl as impatient and time concious as I am. Yet at yesterday's 2006 NBA draft I sat through the whole thing. From the half-hour preview to the 60th pick, between thunderstorms disrupting my cable service to trading picks and updates from the ESPN "draftcast".

I waited.

And waited.

And waited some more.

All for two names to be called: Taquan Dean and Gerry McNamara. I've been waiting for this day forever, having followed G-Mac since his frosh year and Taquan since his sophomore year. All those years just to see them shake David Stern's (or at least Russ Granik's) hand. They're my babies and I told myself I wouldn't miss that moment, that snapshot for the world. No dice. Both of my boys went undrafted.

Has it come to this point? Has it come to the point in the NBA draft where a player's collegiate success is apparently not only inadequate but means squat to every GM! But my boys are not quitters. It'll be a busy summer from these two. Soon enough they'll be invited to various summer and training camps. And they will join teams that deserve them.

I just never realized that the moment I wouldn't miss for the world, ain't coming at all.

Odds and Ends- 06/23/06

2006-06-24T08:56:00.000-07:00

Hey, this was a long time coming. Some may have heard that Holdsclaw maybe retiring after this season. I'm not ready to talk about it yet, so I'm not posting any links about that. On to the fun stuff...

-A great blog for all Raptors fans

-I've been obessesed with this site. If you click on the free demo, you can upload a picture of anyone to see which celebrity resembles you. My results have been crazy from Rachel McAdams to a guy named Joi (3 times)

-I saw this one on the Ellen DeGeneres show. It's basically a guy named Matt who dances all over the world.

-I've been going to this site for so long and I'm yet to advertise it til now. Fabulous site for all CP3 fans.

-Oh and here's the mystery behind the Miami Heat mystery bowl. Just a bunch of mess but congrats to the Heat!

Bye, bye Red Rocket

2006-06-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't heard, Raptors' Matt Bonner has been traded to San Antonio. While the news saddened me, I'm also glad that the Raps now have a legit center.

Nevertheless, the Red Rocket will be deeply missed in the T-dot. It's too bad that all the while he was here, I never once encountered him in the subway. And that's unfortunate because I'm a big commuter myself. Sayonara, Bonner. Nothing but love and well wishes.

Odds and Ends- 06/12/06

2006-06-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

Are you ready? This is not your usual basketball entry. This is my only link for the "Odds and Ends" last week and maybe this week as well. This is my senior will. It may be a year late but the insipiration (Sweet Valley High book) came at an unexpected time. Unfortunately, I only included people from my senior class. And also this scanned page is courtesy of "The Notebook", a legacy to the class of 2005. Without further ado, click the link for a better view:

Love Will Lead You Back

2006-06-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

See, all I had to do was look for her. I'm not one to toot my own horn, but I'd like to think I had something to do with Mique rejoining the Sparks. (Ok, I know I have nothing to do with it. But let me just get my shine on.)

I initialized the search and the Times reported her return within 5 days. It was the highlight of my day. Seriously though, my prayers are with you and your family, Mique. Glad to see you back.

Since my intentions and prayers were nothing but love, I never doubted her return. And though I'm used to people departing my life, I've also learned what Peyton (from One Tree Hill) took a long time to realize: People always leave but sometimes they come back.

Odds and Ends- 06/04/06

2006-06-04T14:13:00.000-07:00

Before I post any links, there's a latest report for the Finding Mique search. According to Coach Bryant, Mique is expected to be back in practice today and might play for the Sparks-Shock game. Now, since that's out of the way...on to the links.

-Remember that weird sketch I posted a week ago? It was for the WNBA.com fan blog, entitled "The Perfect WNBA Player". So sorry if it creeped anyone out

-I'm a big "Saved by the Bell" fan, so go get those papparazi Lisa!!

-I guess it's Dallas vs. Miami in the finals...

-Condolonces to Delisha Milton-Jones and her family. There's a little note here that her grandmother recently passed away

-Vote! Vote! Vote!

Findng Mique

2006-06-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

It is days like this when the urge becomes impossible to fight. I was convinced that today would be an entry not about basketball. It was my non-basketball debut. I was supposed to blog about Canada's Next Top Model. Instead, I'm initializing a Chamique Holdsclaw Search: Finding Mique (read as mi-qua in this case).

Let me take you back 12 days ago.

It was May 20th. The day my sister and I have been waiting for since September '05. It was the WNBA's 10th season opener. Two days prior we found out that Mique has left (with permission) the Sparks for personal reasons. Reports say one of her relatives was ill. But reports also said that there's a possibility she might come back just in time for the first game against the Storm.

Days came and went. The Sparks won and lost. Still, there was no sight of Mique. Left with nothing but tapes of Holdsclaw highlights and her recent pictures from Spain, I grew restless. But the media insists the absence should not be a concern. A couple of days ago, Anne Meyers said she was back with the Sparks yet she didn't play last night as the Sparks got blown away by the Lynx.

So here I am trying start the Mique search. And it begins with this entry. Mique, wherever you are, I hope everything is well and good. And please come back to the hardwood soon. I can't wait any longer.

Test

2006-05-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

No Odds and Ends this week...just this picture. I will explain it some other time.

Number One

2006-05-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

It was ten years in the waiting. I never thought Russ Granik would actually pull out the envelope with the number one printed in it and the card with the Raptors' logo inside. My heart was beating so fast, I thought I was going to have a heart attack an early age.

Number one pick baby! That Bryan Colangelo sure has a lot of luck.

I don't usually post pictures and videos here. I want readers to focus on the words and not the graphics but this is too good to be true. I went to YouTube and found a video. I'm unable to hear the sounds because my audio is f'ed up but hopefully everyone else can.

Odds and Ends- 05/19/06

2006-05-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

It's Friday! Let's just get right to it. Here come the links...

-I first became suspicious when I didn't see any pictures of her at the Sparks Media Day but I'm glad Mique is back

-I've been really enjoying myself with the NBA playoffs...especially every time I see Shaun Livingston on my tv screen

-Remember when I said me and twin are blogging for WNBA.com? Well here's the link for it

-I'm so glad my fave Danielle won Top Model. I guess I won't be writing Tyra hate mail. Also I'm excited about the Canadian version

-Oopps..she did it again

-Ricky Williams to Toronto? Now that would be interesting

Adios folks. Please check out the WNBA fan blog site at least once a week.

Not Again?

2006-05-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

I'll keep this brief. Between the WNBA.com fan blog (Hi Pilight! Thanks for the tag.) and an internship at CampusX Magazine (yay!), my writing plate is pretty full.

For the past two days the question has been lingering in my mind: How will the NBA conference finals shape up? And then Scoop Jackson posed a question in his recent ESPN article: Between Sam Cassell and Steve Nash, who you wit?

I'm with Sam. I don't want the conference finals to be a replay of last year's. SA vs. PHO and DET vs. MIA. As exciting as those series were, my basketball veins are yearning for a little variety. I'm for dynasties and all, but I hope this year's playoffs feature the Clippers, Mavs, Nets and Cavs. Being a Toronto Raptors fan, I would rather see Vince Carter and Lamond Murray advance than Alonzo Mourning. At least VC and Murray gave us fans some memorable games. Mourning didn't even show up for work!

And with Dallas taking a 3-1 lead last night (even though MIA also has a 3-1 lead) and 2 other series all tied up, my wishes are slowly coming true.

Odds and Ends- 2006 NBA Playoffs Edition

2006-05-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

First of all let me start by thanking those 3 people who commented on my entries. I can't wait to see your thoughts on the WNBA blog too. And to Rebecca: I love your blog! I've read it even before and I especially like the entry Barry wrote in April 2006 about Chamique Holdsclaw.

Now on to this entry. This is the playoffs edition. I had some good links but they weren't playoffs material (i.e. Leslie from America's Next Top Model is bisexual and a picture of Kanye West and Ellen DeGeneres). To be honest, I don't have much. I've been working on my first WNBA blog entry. And it also didn't help that there weren't any NBA games last night. But nevertheless...

-So I'm sure you've heard of David Blaine's stunts. Here's Charles Barkley trying to "beat" his record

-If you want to see more NBA videos, check out their video blog

-An old picture of Dirk and Nash partying. Check out the link where it came from. Great stuff from my fave links site.

-Another great read by Scoop Jackson about LBJ

-Now that Shaun Livingston's stock is rising up in the playoffs, it seems that everyone is whipping out their stories where they first "discovered" Shaun

That's all folks!

A Step Closer

2006-05-10T13:15:00.000-07:00

I created this blog because I was having separation anxiety. I had just recently completed my freshman year and (believe it or not) I missed school...mostly though, I missed writing. So I created this blog and decided to go bananas in search for a journalistic oppurtunity.

In other words, I got my hustle on.

I applied for an internship for Strut magazine but never heard anything back. I applied as a contributing writer for CampusX Magazine and I'm yet to hear anything from them. Then my twin sister and I attempted to join the WNBA.com Fan Blog and lo and behold, I found the perfect opportunity. See, all the things I applied for were unpaid. And that's fine because I don't want money. I have a job at my school as an athletics staff. I just needed a break, a starting point. All I wanted was an outlet to show my material.

So when I opened my inbox today I was surprised to see WNBA blog editor Matt Wurst's name in my e-mail. What in the world would Mr. Wurst e-mail me for? The subject reads WNBA.com Fan Blog. Naturaly, I started hyperventilating and couldn't get myself to open the e-mail. Finally, my sister clicks it open and written is a somewhat lengthy e-mail from Matt Wurst congratulating us for being accepted. Sweet. It made my day.

You're looking @ a WNBA.com blogger, b!tches! Now, even though I don't have avid readers, I will still continue to write here...complete with Odds and Ends entries at the end of each week. I will never leave anything/anyone hanging. My loyalty runs deep. But, man, am I glad I finally got a break. And now I'm one step closer. Today the WNBA blog squad, tomorrow the world (haha)...

Peace and love y'all and wish me luck!

Odds and Ends- 05/06/06

2006-05-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

This is not the 2006 NBA Playoffs edition just yet. (Why do I keep talking as if someone's actually reading this?) But I do have several NBA-related links this week. And I can't say it enough, please vote on the WNBA All-Decade team.

-These two celebrities keep getting weirder and weirder. I had no idea Tom was part of the Roc-a-fella.

-Check out Teen People's 25 hottest stars under 25

-Also, TIME released it's 100 Most Influential People. Big ups to Steve Nash for representing for Canadians.

-I've loved Raja Bell since his days in Philly. I'm not a Kobe hater but I'm with Raja on this one. And this one.

-If you have Myspace, Xanga, or Tagworld here's a site that keeps tracks of those anonymous profiles that check out your page

Ten Years of Greatness

2006-05-04T13:10:00.000-07:00

Let me start off by saying that I know this blog has turned into nothing but a basketball (especially women's basketball) semi-entertainment blog. But it's probably not that disappointing to anyone considering I don't have any fans. See, I've been trying to impress a certain league to pick me to be...ahem...part of their blog squad. So please bear with me. Plus I think the Odds and Ends entries somewhat makes up for the lack of non-basketball material.

But enough with the apologies and let's move on to the game of basketball. First of all, this has been one of the best NBA first-round playoffs ever! But more on the NBA later (as I am planning to do a special Odds and Ends 2006 NBA Playoffs in the next few weeks) and on to their female counterpart. The WNBA kick-started their 10th season yesterday in preseason form. Upon their 10th year anniversary the league is planning on several features, such as the WNBA All-Decade Team. So far they've narrowed it down to 30 players. Some players I felt were left off (Nikki McCray) and some didn't deserved to be nominated (Diana Taurasi). No offense to DT and her fans, but based on longevity, she just aint there yet.

My final list is based on several categories: statistical poweress, role into developing the game, pro career success and overall basketball talent. Honourable mentions: Teresa Weatherspoon, Janeth Arcain and Dawn Staley.

Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson and Sheryl Swoopes aka CC, TT, and SS:
Probably 3 out of the 4 easiest picks. These three players have won 4 consecutive WNBA championships. Collectively we are talking about 5 MVP awards, 2 All-Star MVPs and numerous All-WNBA selections.

Lisa Leslie:
Antoher easy pick. The best post player to ever play WNBA basketball. And again countless league awards: 3 All-Star MVPs, 2 league MVPs and 1 Defensive Player of the Year. Add that to the back to back championships and being the first WNBA player to dunk in a game.

Ticha Penicheiro and Yolanda Griffith:
If you consider them as one, it's a no-brainer that they're legendary players and all-decade team caliber. But individually, Yo is an easy pick (MVP, DPY, Newcomer of the year) and Penicheiro's case becomes quite arguable. But if you think about it, Penicheiro has been the league's assist leader in 6 out of 9 WNBA seasons and quite frankly, no one can pass the ball as well as Penicheiro.

Chamique Holdsclaw:
Because she revolutionized the game. Because she is the only player to lead the league in both scoring and rebounding (even in the NBA, only Wilt Chamberlain can say he's done the same). The girl only played 20 games, yet no one could surpass her as the scoring and rebounding leader in 2002. Mique might have not changed the game as everyone projected she would, but she's done pretty well for herself and she aint done yet. And if anyone has tagged you as the Female Michael Jordan, I think you've earned your spot.

Tamika Catchings:
Holdsclaw's Lady Vol temmate. I know it may be a little to early for Catch to be named all-decade team but she is just too damn talented! Catch's game is so complete and impossible to ignore. And I promise you, 10 years from now, if you look back at your selection, Catch would not be a bad idea at all.

Lauren Jackson:
Like Catch, LJ hasn't been in the league too long but that hasn't stopped her from overrachieving. Personally, I'm not a big Jackson fan, but when a player has won an MVP award, a championship ring and led the league in scoring, it becomes really hard to argue her place.

Katie Smith:
I was so close to picking Weatherspoon over Katie. One because T-Spoon has had more playoff success and second because I just love her. But Smith is a prolific scorer. Spoon also had a lack lustre run towards the end of her career while Smith is still in the league and will probably continue to make history and break records.

Once again I encourage everyone to vote for the WNBA All-Decade Team. Hopefully, you'll keep these considerations in mind.

Odds and Ends- 04/28/06

2006-04-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the week again. The week started slow and I didn't think I was going to find enough links, but eventually the pace picked up...

-I knew Colin Farrell played the gay Alexander the Great..but I had no idea

-Click on a picture and hover your mouse on it back and forth to discover the art of airbrushing

-People Magazine came out with their annual 50 Most Beautiful people

-Forget the Osbournes, this is my new favourite reality tv family

-Even Israelis are confused with Tom Cruise. Apparently, Tom Cruise's baby's name means "talk to the hand"

-Kobe never ceases to fascinate..now he's planning a number change

-Please be a friend and vote for Chamique Holdsclaw

Well, that's all for now...see you all next week.

One and the Same

2006-04-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

The WNBA and the NBA are two different leagues. That's not a big surprise to anybody. One league has enjoyed over 50 years of existence while the other is on it's way to a 10th season. In terms of style of play, salaries and revenues, the WNBA ranks nowhere close to the success of the NBA. However in terms of temper tantrums and rape allegations, the W takes a back seat to the L. Prior to the opening of the '05-'06 season the NBA went through an image overhaul by implementing an age limit and the dress code. The biggest controversy the WNBA will face leading up to its 10th anniversary will probably be the revelation of Sheryl Swoopes' homosexuality.

Yet both my sister and I are convinced that both leagues are paralled than most people think. After all, they both play the same game. So I asked my sister this question: Who are the equivalent NBA teams of the WNBA teams? After several minutes of arguing and bitching, we came up with our list. Some picks are unanimous while others are more arguable. Here are my final picks:

1. Charlotte Sting= New Orleans Hornets
Half of this comparison is based on my prediction that the Sting will (almost) make this year's WNBA playoffs, thanks to the rookie play of Mo Currie. Both teams sucked the previous season, earning the last spot in the standings. But both were also in the playoffs in 2003. This year, the Sting much like the Hornets will be playoff contenders. Currie will be to the Sting what Chris Paul is to the Hornets, minus the ROY.

2. Chicago Sky= Charlotte Bobcats
There's not much basis for this one since the Sky are yet to play a single game. But the logic was simple, expansion team to (recent) expansion team.

3. Connecticut Sun= Dallas Mavericks
I was decided this would be Sun=(Phoenix) Suns since both teams like to run and because they have similar names but I found a better match for the Suns. Besides, the Mavs are also known for their explosive offense. Connecticut and the Mavs both share playoffs predicaments year after year: always the bridesmaid never the bride. The Sun has been closer to the chip than the Mavs since they've been to two consecutive WNBA finals but the dynamics of the both teams are similar. Both teams have a killer starting five and both have great coaches.

4. Detroit Shock= Detroit Pistons
Best starting five in their respective leagues. Both won the 2004 championships. And then there's the Swin Cash-Rip Hamilton comparison. Both wear #32, both went to UConn, both have NCAA and pro championships and both were raised in Pennsylvania.

5. Houston Comets=Miami Heat
For the past couple of years the Miami Heat have acquired what the Houston Comets always had: an unstoppable duo. Tina Thompson and Swoopes for the Comets. D-Wade and Shaq for the Heat. Both are also powerhouses in their respective conferences and have legendary coaches.

6. Indiana Fever= Minnesota Timberwolves
I was going to pair up the T'wolves with the WNBA's Minnesota team, but then I came up with the analogy that Tamika Catchings is the WNBA's Kevin Garnett. Not in stlye of play mind you, but in career paths. First of all both players are probably the most passionate player in their leagues. No one goes all out like Catch and KG. Also, their teams have been quite successful (except this years T'wolves) in reaching the playoffs. And though both superstars have had years when they had good teammates (Catch had Natalie Williams, KG had Spree and Cassell), neither have really gotten the help they deserved to go further in the playoffs.

7. Los Angeles Sparks= Houston Rockets
The comparison does not go deeper than two seasons. Last season, the Sparks acquired Holdsclaw and the Rockets acquired T-mac. On paper both looked like the teams to beat. Both have all-star centers (Leslie, Yao) and yet both teams underachieved. I'm a Holdsclaw fan, so here's hoping the Sparks wont share the demise of Rockets this upcoming season.

8. Minnesota Lynx= Chicago Bulls
The Lynx just traded their star Katie Smith to Detroit while the Bulls have lost most of their better players (Brand, Curry and Crawford). Both teams are extremely young, but don't count the Lynx out of the playoffs just because of their youth. After all smart draft picks have propelled the Bulls to their 2nd consecutive playoffs. In Seimone Augustus, I believe.

9. New York Liberty= Philadelphia Sixers
Not too long ago, these two teams were basking in playoff glory. In 2001, both were in the finals facing against a highly favoured LA team. But since then, while both teams have had several playoff appearances, the franchises has been in a funk despite having one of the shortest but all-star caliber guards (Hammon and Iverson). Now Becky Hammon is all alone in New York as A.I. is in Philly, even with the company of CWebb.

10. Phoenix Mercury= Los Angeles Clippers
These teams have been sharing the same mantra for a couple of years: "This was supposed to be our year" but both have been coming up short until now. I believe Diana Taurasi will propel the Mercury squad to the playoffs in the same way Elton Brand did this year. Also both teams have point guards that made/will make immediate impact. Stand up Sam Cassell and Cappie Pondexter.

11. Sacramento Monarchs= San Antonio Spurs
Both are reigning champs. Both have MVP big guys. Duncan for the Spurs, Griffith for the Monarchs. Both have all-star point guards. Parker for the Spurs, Penicheiro for the Monarchs. Both have coaches of the year winners in Poppavich and Whisesnant.

12. San Antonio Silver Stars= Portland Blazers
I don't know what's happening with these two teams. A couple of years ago, both were regulars in the playoffs back when the Silver Stars were still known as Starzz in Utah. But now, both teams seem to be heading to a downward spiral direction. The Silver Stars were second in the bottom of the standings and the Blazers are also second-to-last this season.

13. Seattle Storm= Phoenix Suns
Playoff teams that are led by league ex-MVPs. This comparison is more reasonable if Stoudemire was playing, because both teams have one of the best 1-2 punches: Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson & Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire.

14. Washington Mytics= New York Knicks
Both teams have great coaches that transferred from playoff teams but the most defining similarity of these teams are the headaches. I pity anybody who is a fan of one of these teams, more so if you're a fan of both. The Mystics and the Knicks have brought more headaches to their fans than any other team in their associations. And I should know...I'm a Mystics fan.

There goes the WNBA-NBA comparison. If you look at it more closely, both leagues are more similar than anyone would think. Having said that, I predict that if LeBron James wins the MVP award this season that Diana Taurasi will get the WNBA MVP in the upcoming season. Think about it, both were #1 picks, both won ROY, both have new coaches and both have failed to lead their teams to the playoffs until their third year in the league.

Odds and Ends- 04/20/06

2006-04-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Towards the end of each week, I'm going to try to compose an entry I call "Odds and Ends". It's a compilation of links over the past week or so that are simply too newsworthy or fascinating to ignore. Enjoy...

-the inspiration behind this idea

-speaking of Lang Whittaker, he also writes a column for SI... check out his end-of-the year recap of the wackiest moments in the '05-'06 NBA season

-I don't care if they've reported that Katie Homes gave birth to some baby named Suri, I still believe her pregnancy was fake

-one of the best articles I've read this week regarding women's basketball

-on a lighter noter, here's a somewhat exaggerated yet effective antithesis to the chauvanistic notion that any guy can beat a WNBA player in a game of one-on-one

-congrats to Tennessee for landing this AND1 female baller

-Mike Vick's alias was Ron Mexico...find out yours here

-introducing one of the cutest (and i really mean this in a loving way) duos in basketball: Mugsy and Bugsy

Love and Basketball

2006-04-16T10:29:00.001-07:00

I wanted her to win it all. Cut up my skin and you'll see that I bleed Lady Vol orange. But inside, deep inside, I was rooting for her. Because she came back. Unlike Chris Paul, she turned down the pros despite knowing she would be a top 3 pick (also because the money aint the same in the W as it is in the L). But she never once regretted that decision. Because she has one of the meanest scowls in college basketball. I loved that look on her face. Because she is one of only three players in the WNBA who graduated with a master's degree. Because she wanted a chance to have that one shining moment. And just like that, I was sold on Monique Currie.

So when the Lady Terps threw up the ball in the air as time expired on the night of April 4th, I mourned. Just like the ESPN dude (Trey Wingo) beside Kara Lawson and Stacy Dales-Schuman said, "Youth is served." The unsurmountable exuberance of Maryland players, fans, and coaches was not enough to keep my gaze off her. Mo, sitting on the bench...eyes welling up....with a look of frustration (still not regret). And for the first time, I hated the look on Mo's face. Because I wanted her to win it all.

This piece maybe 2-weeks overdue, but I never forgot that look. The next day came. The day she chose to forego the previous year. The day after the most devastating day of her college career. And with the 3rd pick, the Charlotte Sting easily became my new favourite team.

p.s. Even with the emergence of the CPs (Candace Parker, Courtney Paris), the WNBA's tenth anniversary and extra media coverage, it was actually quite a sad season for women's basketball. R.I.P. Sue Gunter, Shawntinice Polk and Maggie Dixon. You are deeply missed.

Introducing me...

2006-04-15T20:23:00.000-07:00

19 years is a long time. Along 19 years, one would hope to have found an identity. Yet after 19 years and counting of existence, I'm more confused than ever before. About life...about everything. After (almost) finishing my first year at Ryerson University, I find myself in awe for actually surviving it. My values, principles and sense of self have been challenged to its deepest end. But I'm still here and I continue to believe...

And before I utter (or type) any more words, let me apologize to my fave journalist, Scoop Jackson. Scoop, I'm sorry but I'm totally using your format for my first entry.

I believe...

1. a blog is not for everybody
2. but sometimes it is the only option for a yet to be published, aspiring journalist
3. in God and..
4. that basketball was HIS crazy tool that kept me alive back then
5. Chamique Holdsclaw will be the greatest female baller my eyes will ever see
6. but Candace Parker will not be too far along
7. that the ugliest experiences can turn out to be blessings in disguise
8. dunzo is the greatest word in all of reality tv history
9. you fail when you stop trying
10. this cliche is tired but always true: IT'S NEVER TOO LATE
11. my hard work will one day pay off...
12. in the form of happiness and cash
13.everyone should have a gaydar
14. I have one of the most accurate gaydars known to humankind
15. and hope that rap and hip-hop artists will redeem their political purpose in my lifetime
16.no one should be given another chance, if they didn't deserve one in the first place
17.Pat Summitt has forgotten more about basketball than I will ever know in 5 lives
18.no one should compromise their being for another person
19.unless they're willing to marry you :)
20.Taquan Dean and Gerry Mcnamara deserve a shot in the NBA
21. life's most important lessons can be learned by watching TV
22.that being a woman should never be a disadvantage
23. inspite of LeBron James or anyone else in the future, # 23 will always belong to MJ