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Why Basketball is Contagious and Profound

2008-08-09T09:25:00.000-07:00

I can’t explain why, but in 2002 while I was putting hardwood flooring into our new house in San Diego, I watched the NCAA finals, and I caught the basketball bug. Carmello, LeBron, and Wade went to the NBA and my attention followed.

I got NBA league pass and watched at least one game a night for the next few seasons.

I watched NBA TV news, read NBA news on NBA.com, watch NBA classic games, bought books by Bill Russell, Jack McCallum, Phil Jackson, and John Wooden.

I became a fanatic.

I started a basketball blog. I watched the NBA draft, the summer league, and FIBA. You name it…

I coached a church league team for a while, bought books on drills and plays, tried to understand Tex and Phil’s triangle offense. We actually practiced. We won some games.

I’m even fascinated by NBA TV coverage of team practice sessions. Yeah, what a nerd.

In my previous job I was honored to get to serve Bill Walton as a customer- I arranged to get them some free samples and gear from an energy gel company they liked. I struck up an occasional email correspondence with him, and his wife sent me a family Christmas card to thank me for the gifts. I also got to share with Bill the story of how I recently met Bill Russell at SEA-TAC just before the Celtics-Lakers finals. It was thrilling to me to have communicated with two Hall of Fame centers!

To me, basketball is a number of things:

It's not an all-star game. It requires team play, organization, planning, intelligence, and athleticism.
Watching teams win and lose and players succeed and fail both professionally and personally has taught me about the importance of

Character
Preparation
Dedication
Strategy
The will to win
speaking of which, you should check out the John Wooden Pyramid of Success (pdf)

I watch players and coaches to learn how to succeed in my own life.

And so should you my friend.

Not to mention the cool dunks. Those are great too. ;-)

The Sad State of the League I Love... NBA 2008

2008-01-09T20:54:00.000-08:00

Is it just me, or is there very little NBA worth watching this year?

Don't get me wrong- I'm following the Boston Three Party's every move, and it's clearly a party of more than just three...

But here's my detailed analysis of why the NBA sucks right now and what exactly sucks about it.

NUMBER ONE, my biggest beef with the NBA and network TV: they choose the games too far ahead of time to know which ones will be worth watching (or they're choosing the less interesting games for other commercial reasons). My estimate is that less than half of the nationally televised games are the most interesting ones. Case in point: the most statistically significant game since the shot clock era started, the one between Detroit and Boston on Jan 5, 2008 (read an article about it), was only available to us super-devoted league pass subscribers.

But hats off to the NBA for making league pass available online- killer!

One team worth watching is the L.A. Lakers because of the ascendancy of Bynum- this is a good team now, so watching them compete against the better teams with Kobe ready for the 4th quarter is still fun.

In the regular season, it's hard to care about the TEAMS THAT WILL WIN LOTS OF GAMES BUT WHO CARES IF THEY LOSE IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS:

Dallas Mavericks- Dirk, Steve should have had 3 MVP's and you and everyone else knows it.
San Antonio Spurs- These guys are great, but there are still about three teams I'd rather see champions- Boston, Phoenix, and L.A.
Phoenix Suns- I love you guys but how many heartbreaking post-seasons can I take?
Maybe the Utah Jazz, but they're not as good as last year, and Denver seems to have peaked as well.
Maybe you could put Detroit and Boston in this category, but Boston's fun to watch. Detroit can take any game and make it a grind-out bore-fest. Not that that's not good basketball- Spurs vs Pistons is great basketball but not entertaining. LA pr Phoenix vs Boston- now that's fun AND great!

Teams that are ok to watch for stellar play from young stars: Portland, Seattle, New Orleans, Orlando. But still kinda blah when you take their whole teams and the fact that most of these teams lose a lot.

Houston also seems to have peaked because T-Mac and Yao are not the right star combo, and can't both stay healthy anyway.

Golden State plays fun basketball, but I admit I haven't gotten around to watching them- I guess I still feel like it would be a let down compared to their mind-blowing playoff run last year.

TEAMS THAT SUCK SO WHY WATCH THEM:

Atlanta Hawks
New York Knicks
Memphis Grizzlies
Milwaukee
Minnesota
Philadelphia
Indiana
In fact there's too many to mention here and I have to go look at the list of teams to remember some of them, they suck so much, they're just fading into obscurity
And I probably would have put Charlotte on here if they hadn't just dealt Boston their 4th loss of the season tonight. Dang it!

New Celtics Show Championship Poise Against Raptors

2007-11-04T15:12:00.001-08:00

The Celtics are who I'm most excited about watching right now- and I'm happy to say that my concerns were unfounded (that beyond the big three of Garnett, Pierce, and Allen they'd be insufficient).

James Posey is taking charges and hitting free throws and three's as he's done since his time with the Grizzlies.
Rajon Rondo was faster than T.J. Ford at times, though maybe not quicker.
Kendrick Perkins is playing well.
Scalabrine is, what can I say, Scalabrine- a hometown favorite, reliable, you gotta love him.

To win this game in overtime, the Celtics not only had to be better than the Raptors on the road, but also beat the officials- I knew I was rooting for Boston so I'd be inclined to think calls against them were unfair, but this was just ridiculous- it wasn't called the same way on both ends of the floor.

Paul Pierce didn't have a stellar game, but he's gotta feel great that that's ok now. I think it's still sinking in for him... I think he's still adjusting mentally to not having to be the guy all the time anymore.

Garnett was Garnett- amazing- he out-Boshed Bosh in overtime. His intensity and passion are always exhilarating to witness.

Despite losing the picture on NBA league pass, I got to hear Ray Allen hit the winning three with 2.6 seconds to go. Ray has been incredible, clutch, shooting a very high percentage- and though some of the Celtics ads feature Garnett and Pierce over Ray, I think Ray's performance shows that's unfair.

Their next game against the tough and fast Denver Nuggets playing a mile high will be a big test for them.

The Lamest Thing NBA Commentators Say...

2007-10-30T19:01:00.000-07:00

After a player makes a play, they say,

"He can do that."

or

"That's what he does."

Really.

How insightful.

Manu Kicks Amare in the Nuts

2007-02-02T20:46:00.000-08:00

Yeah it happened last night (Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs) - I DVR'd it and watched it tonight. This isn't an uncommon thing for Manu to do... not that it's always a rack-job but he tends to become the home crowd's least favorite visiting player. See the video of Amare getting racked and a technical foul!

This is just two days after he gets a black eye from Kobe while blocking him- on the replay (Kobe hits Manu video), that doesn't look too accidental on Kobe's part, but you gotta wonder Manu is always in so many plays like that. Not to take anything away from Manu, a great player, and proven, but you only like a guy like that when he's on your team.

Similar guy is Raja Bell. I like him, but I know he drives other teams nuts, and he clothes-lined Kobe in the 2006 playoffs last year (that's a take down!). Not to mention faking getting the elbow from Kobe.

On a related note, Phoenix only has a chance in the playoffs if Raja and Nash stay healthy. Mainly because they're the most consistent clutch players on the team. They get better the higher the competition level gets and the later in the game it gets.

Warrior-Spurs 4th Quarter, A Thing of Beauty

2006-11-27T21:26:00.000-08:00

Warriors versus the 2 time champion Spurs who are undefeated on the road... GSW a team that's been a bit of a whipping boy in the last few years- Don Nelson comes in, some new players, but 3 significant injured players including Baron Davis- game tied at halftime- you expect the Spurs to clamp down and disappoint these NoCal fans... but the 12-0 run in the first half of the 4th quarter got me all choked up.

As Barnett said, "I can't tell you what an impact (Andris Biedrens) has had on this game." He blocked 6 shots- he's the first true Duncan-stopper I've yet seen, not just blocking but jumping out to deny post passes as well. He had pretty much a perfect game.

The zone D worked pretty well , and the Warriors' hustle and will to win was exceptional, especially because they could have been intimidated by the Spurs and their road record momentum, but they weren't.

You might even say the Spurs choked. The reliance on 3 point attempts, the mental errors... there were plenty of bad calls, probably more against the Warriors. This was not the indomitable Spurs you'd expect. Statistically the major difference in the game was shooting %.

Oh and did I mention the Warriors just demolished another leading team, the Utah Jazz?

Lakers - Jazz November 25 2006

2006-11-25T22:52:00.000-08:00

This was an amazing game- close the whole way, avg point diff was probably 3 or 4 at most most of the time- lots of blocks, tussles on the floor, Kwame Brown continued to show gradual improvement (know how I know he's improving? Not just the main stats, but his increasing free throw percentage- free throws, as you probably know, are mostly psychological- his confidence is growing).

There was an electrifying sequence at about 3:00 to go in the 4th quarter- Lakers lost the ball after two sets of opposing players went to the floor for it, Deron Williams had a run out but Kobe Bryant came down 'oh no you're not gonna have this' jumped up met him at the top a palm on each side of the ball, clean block no call.

Clutch shooting by Williams in the 4th- a two and a three- the two came right after being blocked, he grabbed it, dribbled and shot again, made it as if the block hadn't happened Both teams wanted it bad and you could tell by their defense.

And of course- Boozer- 31 and 16- just a man on the offensive boards... playing the way Utah wanted him to when they gave him the big contract.

Tenacious, persistent, scrapping, resolute will - wow, one of the better games that you'll see this season, guaranteed.

Suns, Jazz; Ok, ok, they're not the only two teams worth watching

2006-11-25T14:15:00.000-08:00

Especially when you have a few days off and NBA league pass. The Hornets-Suns game was fun; two fast break teams, and wow the Suns actually played some effective defense, limiting them to 13 points in the 4th quarter.

Utah, as everyone knows, is rolling- 8 straight wins, what a start. I haven't mentioned it because I wasn't surprised. They were good in the preseason, and there was no reason to expect Deron Williams not to be even more stellar this season- combine one of the best up and coming young point guards (who has no trouble scoring either) with a strong effective frontline (Boozer and Okur), of course all-star (has he been one yet? If not why not?) Kirilenko blocking 3 shots a game... you've got a recipe for domination. Boozer is playing all-star caliber basketball as well. Throw in a dazzling rookie Ronnie Brewer and a veteran champion Derek Fisher and more than sufficient FG Matt Harpring coming off the bench... yikes- we're talking 2nd round if not Western Finals potential. Of course, the season is early, and of course they have to stay healthy.

Lakers and Cavaliers only teams worth watching

2006-11-23T21:13:00.000-08:00

I know, what kind of NBA fan am I if I only want to see two teams play? After several seasons of league pass and watching any and every game that was on, it's come to this- I'm busy. And sometimes I need to rest. And other stuff.

So even though I love the Phoenix Suns, until they decide to play some defense, it's just to heartbreaking to see them constantly let phenomenal offensive performances turn into losses. (Caveat: I will watch the Suns if I like the other team enough to not mind if they win- especially if they're another fast paced team like the Hornets or Golden State, but a defensive team like the Spurs? Forget it- I don't want to see them humiliated by the thing they refuse to do) And by the way, in case you're wondering what's up with Boris Diaw? He didn't become incredible last season immediately- he asserted himself after seeing what everyone else was doing, and now that Amare is back, I think he's doing the same thing... he hangs back and once things are clearer, you'll see more out of him- by all-star break for sure.

And though the Miami Heat was my other fave team last year, what the heck are they doing? I mean even before Shaq went out... is this the same team? It makes you wonder if last year was just a nice coincidence. But of course, if they really are mainly a playoff team, they could prove all such doubts wrong. We just won't know for 6 months, and will it be at all entertaining to watch them until then?

So why the Lakers? (Cleveland is obvious- LeBron is amazing and the Cavs around him are taking care of business with offense, defense, hustle and assists... so they're playing well) Of course Kobe is great, but no one knew the rest of them would play so well this early or even this season.

What I think about this team is that it proves more than any other team that Phil Jackson is a genius coach- psychologically- he's taken some great talents and a bunch of average talents and mixed them together in the way that a successful playoff team has to be. It's not just Kobe, one of the greatest players ever- it's more importantly the continued development of players like Luke Walton, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown... especially the last two- who seem more psychogically fragile than most despite their oft recognized potential...

and though the Lakers knew Bynum was talented, to have Kareem there to instruct him and to find that he's a humble kid who listens, for him to become a quality center at age 19, so good that people already think he could be one of the greats- that demonstrates coaching genius and organizational greatness. And I'm very excited that Phil has seen how good Walton is at getting other people shots in the triangle- Walton's a crowd favorite for good reason, and it's nice to see a guy like that get to stick with what could be a championship team.

LeBron Will Be Amazingly Amazing

2006-11-15T22:06:00.000-08:00

Watching the Cavs tonite vs the Trailblazers (who still aren't up to when they had Rasheed Wallace but Zach Randolph is playing like Kobe would with Tim Duncan's body), I was struck by how LeBron is working on his 3-pointers and his fake-out no-look passes... he's more aggressive going to the hole in the second half and gets most of his free throws then, but in the first half he looked to get his teammates involved and work on the parts of his game that aren't yet stunning.

Think Tracy McGrady- he has both the slash and dunk AND the 3-point game, but something's off, and it seems to be his will. Maybe it's truly medical, and if so, I'd love to get a chance to give him some acupuncture. Yao would back me up on that. But LeBron is younger, stronger, and has more will.

So imagine how he'll be in 2 or 3 years considering how hard he's working not just to become a complete player, but to become great at every aspect of the game. Of course, becoming a great defender is part of that too, but that can come later.

It's nothing new to say he's amazing, but it needs to be said again that he could be one of the greatest NBA players ever. Think Magic, Oscar Robertson...

South Beach Slim- Phoenix Flat

2006-10-31T22:52:00.000-08:00

Miami implosion... Chicago surprises, lots of potential there. Will the Heat recover? A loss like this means little to a championship team- read the stories of previous champions... in fact, the drama makes the stories more interesting.

Phoenix looking as tired as Nash is old... integrating Amare will be difficult. It might not be clear how good they can be until halfway through the season. Lakers showing talent, poise and teamwork. Seems like that Laker magic just won't wear off, even if you lose your big Diesel, even if your superstar is injured. Kareem is turning Bynum into an incredibly deft post player- he was resilient and more effective than anyone would expect for a 19 year old in his first starting game.

Alonzo Mourning, Kidney disease and transplant, Anti-inflammatories, and acupuncture

2006-04-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's time to talk about acupuncture and anti-inflammatories

I used to get annoyed that it seemed none of the athletic training and medical staff on NBA teams knew about acupuncture's benefits for athletes, reducing inflammation, curing chronic pain, etc.

Then I got over it.

But it's come up again- Alonzo is sitting out (and Wade already has some kind of injury in the first game of the playoffs) because he can't take anti-inflammatories. So no one has told him he could get acupuncture?

BTW, here's an interesting article about the negative effects of pain relievers on athletes' kidneys

Ok, so you can't take medications anymore because your kidneys would have to process the meds

Fine, don't.

Get acupuncture. It releases cortisol, which is the body's natural anti-inflammatory.

Clear?

Can someone please tell someone in the NBA?

And, oh, yeah I'd be happy to be the acupuncturist- I might get good seats out of it, ya know?

It's just too frustrating to see great players on the bench.

Like T-Mac... how many games does he want to sit on the bench? Get some acupuncture, you freak!

Ronnie Turiaf's Finest Moment

2006-03-22T18:49:00.000-08:00

I love Ronnie Turiaf, and I'm happy to see him well again, hoping others see how good he is on the Lakers... but this photo... well, they should always keep this one up on NBA.com- how could they find a better one ever?

All Star B.S.- Efficiency Game?

2006-02-03T10:29:00.000-08:00

Call me crazy, but how does it make sense that two of the starting all stars are on the same losing team? If that's what the all star game is about, then you can keep it. Basketball is a team sport. Individual performance is great... but it's greatest when it happens in the playoffs.

To wit, I have no idea why Yao got so many votes. He's slow, he's not aggressive enough, and he certainly doesn't do for a team what great centers of the past and present have done. Shaq, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain... Houston doesn't win if T-Mac isn't in the 4th quarter. How about Alonzo Mourning? His play given his age and medical history? Stellar. As in 'star'.

But then I've never understood popular taste. You can have your Yao and T-Mac just like you can have your Sex in the City and Britney Spears. Enjoy.

I think there should be another weekend that's about team play. Players like Steve Nash would still be there, but so would Shawn Marion (starting), Elton Brand... the guys closest to triple doubles (not double doubles) and highest in efficiency.

For example, here at mid season 2006, are the best in the East and West in efficiency-

West: Kevin Garnett, Elton Brand, Shawn Marion, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki
* put Marion at guard with Kobe, Garnett at center, and play.

East: LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Allen Iverson, Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh
* smaller team- you'd have Pierce and James at F and Bosh at C

Is this too crazy? Too dumb? I'd like to see it.

Exceptional NBA Announcer, Jim Barnett

2005-11-28T19:51:00.000-08:00

I never expected I would write about an announcer on this blog!

But when you've got the league pass, you listen to all the local guys... and typically you hear the bias for their home team. It's kind of annoying, especially in an era where media bias has caused such scandal, and for a generation X'er who wants the straight truth.

One exception I've noticed is Jim Barnett, the color commentator for the Golden State Warriors. My ears first perked up when I heard him say "that was the wrong call" about a foul that favored the Warriors- right on!

It's become obvious to me this year that basketball may be the sport where officials play the greatest role, have the greatest effect. In the average game, I see at least one, sometimes two bad calls. The slow motion replay reveals them. We have to give the officials credit for catching them in real time the first time, but I wish we had some better technology that made things more accurate.

Most commentators decry the unfairness of every call against their team and support the fairness of every call for their team. Come on!

Thank you Jim Barnett for your honesty and fairness!

B

Dunk Schmunk

2005-11-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

Why is it that so many of you just don't get it?

Vince is getting press for "Dunk of the Year"- his slam over Mourning in yesterday's Heat-Nets game. Give me a break, John!

What you guys aren't getting is that the NBA is not a highlight reel. You want that? Go watch the And1 mix tape again.

The Nets lost! And they were playing against Miami minus Shaq. In fact, they were getting blown out through the middle of the game- and somehow Miami allowed them back into it in the 4th quarter.

It's a shame that many print recaps don't discuss the flow of the game. If I just wanted a box score, I'd look at the box score, dummy! Tell me something else, something insightful.

The point is: no matter how cool any one player or move or dunk is, basketball is a team game- it's not one-on-one. It should be obvious- the NBA has more superstars now than ever before. It takes more than a superstar to become a champion. And that means it takes a team effort. And that requires an attitude of selflessness.

Who does that bring to mind?

Hmm...

Awesome Feature: Female NBA Ref Audio

2005-11-08T11:27:00.000-08:00

You've probably seen Violet Palmer ref'ing on the court.

"Where'd she come from?"

"I didn't know they let women ref."

And you don't know what to think of her- especially since ref's often are the bad guys...

But when you get to know her, you'll like her- listen to this Violet Palmer audio/picture feature from USA Today.

Spurs Destroy Cavs

2005-11-05T11:22:00.000-08:00

Ok, maybe I was dumb to think anything else would happen- it's the same cliche mantra that everyone's been chanting for the last few years... Defense wins championships. And as either Bill Walton or the play by play guy (forgive me I can't remember or find his name!) said, the good teams have the ability to keep you from scoring for minutes on end. Their team defense kept Bruce Bowen, covering the Cavs' number one offensive weapon LeBron James, from picking up his first foul until the 3rd quarter. Yowza.

So after a very close first half in which Cleveland led several times, the Spurs shut the Cavs down. Cavs recap. Spurs recap

The Cavs have a long way to go, but still, their impressive offensive and defensive performance in the first half shows they're a level or two above last season. Look for them to give Detroit, Indiana, Miami, and New Jersey a run for their money. Especially as their starting unit gels more and more, and when Anderson Verejao comes back from injury.

George W. Bush and... Manu Ginobili???

2005-11-05T11:17:00.000-08:00

George Bush speaking about Argentinian Katrina help, and then... Manu Ginobili:

"It was a gesture of grand friendship. And the American people are grateful. The American people are grateful for the contributions Argentines have made to our country. I mean, we've got all kinds of people in America -- Ginobili -- I don't know if you've heard of Manu Ginobili -- (laughter). He made a vital contribution to the basketball team from the state in which I live. But he's also a good ambassador for your country and people of Argentine heritage have contributed mightily to America and we're grateful for that." - George W. Bush

King Lebron, Cleveland's 2005-2006 Chances

2005-11-04T10:09:00.000-08:00

Did you see LeBron James sink six of seven 3-pointers against the New Orleans Hornets? If you missed the 3 plays in a row where he shot 3/3 3's, it one of those truly spine-tingling, gooseflesh Lebron THE KING moments - the only thing you can think of afterwards is Michael Jordan, because your mind scrambles to find another example of greatness at least a level above all-star. The ability to seemingly transcend the limitations of the game...

And he's only 20 years old.

With Larry Hughes, Damon Jones, and Donyell Marshall added to LeBron, Ilgauskas, and Drew Gooden - this year's Cleveland Cavaliers team could easily have a season not unlike last year's Suns or Heat.

And they're in the East.

The real test will be against teams like Detroit, Indiana, and of course, the Cleveland at Spurs game tonite. How much of that offense will they get off against solid team-oriented defense?

From a playoffs perspective, they're in a really tough division- against Indiana and Detroit. Whether Detroit still has it together, Indiana has the guts to not fade out, what Cleveland can do... one thing's for sure: it will test all three teams' mettle.

Hungry for the Regular Season

2005-10-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

Admit it, you're an NBA addict. But your life is not unmanageable.

You find yourself, less than 15 minutes into the work day, checking NBA.com for news.

You watched the Eurobasket finals in September because 5 months is too long for you to wait for the season to start. You mentioned the offseason to a friend of yours last year, and he said, "What offseason?" Not surprisingly, you don't talk to him very much anymore.

You're watching all the preseason games you can see, even though they lack the pep of the regular season. You find them interesting because you get a rookie preview. Orien Green plays like a young Magic Johnson. Kevin Martin shows Kobe promise.

You worry that even though your wife says she reupped on the League Pass, maybe it didn't really take. Maybe after the free preseason access is over, you won't have normal access. You might have to call the Cable company and talk to the amazing computer woman.

You look forward to getting into real estate investing, because you know you'll have the financial freedom to pursue the really important things in life, like watching every regular season game and blogging about them all.

Paul Shirley is...

2005-10-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

...back in action. If you didn't read his hilarious, eye-opening blogging about the NBA as seen from the bench of one of the most exciting teams last year, check it out - The Paul Shirley Suns Blog

And now, he's an ESPN writer, at least temporarily, and he's bringing the same honest, self-conscious, sometimes laugh out loud funny revelation back... as seen from the position of not being on any team anymore - Paul Shirley Blogging on ESPN.com

My favorite line from the new column?

"As is often the case about this time of year, I have not the foggiest idea where I will play this year... an NBA team could call with a desperate need for a 6-10 white guy (which seems to happen constantly)..."

East and West Finals 2005

2005-05-21T02:06:00.000-07:00

It's as I expected-

Suns-Spurs
and
Heat-Pistons

It's impossible to predict what will happen since injuries are unpredictable.

The pundits have repeated their 'defense wins championships' mantra... even if it's not always true. Fact is, Detroit was unable to contain Dwayne Wade in the regular season. And if they play man to man, they can't stop Shaq- even a 75% Shaq. Detroit also has been streaky with their offense- it's going to be tough for them. They don't give up, but I'm not sure they're as inspired and positive as Miami is... and that may make a big difference in the pivotal games.

Suns will have it tough against Spurs because the Spurs have a bunch of offensive options- as many as the Suns do, or more... both teams can put a lot of points up quick. The Suns have trouble with defense when it matters, though. Still, Nash has been able to make things happen. If Tim Duncan isn't 100%, if Tony Parker isn't confident, if Joe Johnson can come back and contribute, if the rest of the Suns stay confident, the Suns could win it.

I don't think we can say either way on either of these series yet.

And that's what makes them so exciting.

Dirk Nowitzski's Hilarious but Wise Advice

2005-04-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

Ian in Detroit asks:

Dear Dirk ... First I would like to say I am a big fan. Second, I have recently found it hard to become rich and famous. When I found out that you had an advice column I realized that you would know more about fame and wealth than almost anybody. Basically I am hoping that you can give me the advice that will make me a world wide celebrity who splurges on anything and everything. I have no actual skills.

Dirk says: "If you don’t have any skills and are not willing to work hard I am afraid no one can help you."

I love this- it's hard to believe the question is real... Is anyone really that dumb? Even if they thought those things, that they would write someone like Dirk about it is amazing. But I understand the sentiment, it's recently been hard for me to become rich and famous, too.

It took me a long time to realize that what most people want from fame is approval, but famous people have to put up with a lot of junk, too... they lose a lot of freedom in the process. Money can give you a sense of confidence, but it leaves if the money does. Neither of these is the real satisfaction or security you want, anyway.

Dirk's other answers revealed that he loves his job- loving what you do, being great at it, and getting paid enough to live comfortably? How could it get any better than that? At that point, it's only the down side of money and fame that concern you.

2005 NCAA Mens Basketball Finals

2005-04-04T22:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I tried experimenting with rooting for UNC when the Illini were down by 15... but I had to admit to myself that I wanted Illinois to win.

Sure I was impressed with Sean May, even after only see one UNC game. And Felton was pretty good.

But I was an Illini believer... it had all the elements of a great success story- seniors, almost undefeated, #1 for most of the season, seemed able to come back from any deficit, patient, stubborn, smart, great passing, new coach, 3 guards... and the fact that Roger Powell, jr. was an ordained minister and a win could give glory to God? They were my team. In my opinion, this was an upset, because in a Hollywood script, Illinois would have won.

But who was praying on the sidelines in the last 3 minutes when it was basically tied up? UNC.

I know, if God answered every prayer everyone ever made about who should win or lose, no one could win... God does what is best according to him- and praying forces us to admit that.

Looking forward to seeing some of those guys in the NBA.