Okay so here is Phil Jackson topping off Red Auerbach as the greatest coach ever in NBA history winning his tenth championship ring as a coach. Well in terms of quantity, he is the best. However, arguably? Upon this great debate and Wojnarowski's article at Yahoo about proving why Jackson is the best coach in NBA history, I saw one of the comments posted that Coach Auerbach hadn't had that much problem before because he never dealt with free agency problems which is a tough task for coaches nowadays. And to my surprise, it also says that the NBA league during that time comprised of a mere eight teams.
At its infancy stage, the NBA had eight teams when Auerbach coached, drafted Bill Russell and did his wonders. And while Auerbach was loathing that Jackson has only inherited teams with superstars, and indeed this argument is worth noting for, is it not fair if we don't factor in the number of teams during the Auerbach coaching days? According to the Basketball Reference website, it shows that there were only eight to fourteen teams who fought for the championship during those times in the NBA. And while the winning streak as a coach that Red, according to Randy Auerbach, his son, said won't be matched, the truth of the matter is that there's a bigger percentage which is from 7 - 12.5% of winning the title back then rather than winning it today which is a mere 3%. And the fact that with all the superstars demanding trades, free agencies and coaching job security woes occurring nowadays, you won't be actually secure your coaching job before contending as a finals coach or worse even a playoff contender coach.
Take for example what happened to Avery Johnson and his short stint in the Dallas Mavericks as the head coach. After winning the Coach of the Year award, he was fired after a series of unsuccessful Maverick basketball during Nowitzki's prime. Flip Saunders suffered the same fate as Larry Brown during their stint as coaches for the Detroit Pistons when they were fired by Joe Dumars with the team's failure to advance to the Finals and winning the Eastern Conference championship.
And would tenure in a team be a factor? Partly yes and partly no. With all the coaches fired recently, only Jerry Sloan has been put in some sort of tenure over his coaching job. And with 20+ years of being a head coach in Utah Jazz, he's never won the Coach of the Year award and has never won a championship as a coach in the NBA yet.
Also, what amazes me about Jackson is as what other writers have said - the ability to clamp down the superstars he's handling. He bashed them publicly when there is a need to do so. And fewer coaches nowadays fail to do it though. I don't recall any time in particular that the reigning Coach of the Year awardee Mike Brown criticized LeBron James for his character neither for his approach in the game. It's all praises for LeBron when the mere fact that the kid is still just LeBron. The fact that his strength of being an all-around superstar is also his own water loo isn't seen by the entire Cavaliers team or purposely blinding themselves for fear of him leaving thru free agency. Brown never criticized him when he publicly teased the New Yorkers about how exciting the 2010 free agency class would be and when he didn't shook up hands with Dwight and the Magic after their loss in the playoff Eastern finals matchup.
It just goes to show that it isn't just what Jackson hasn't accomplished that Auerbach has that comes into play when the world is debating about the best coach in the NBA history while the Auerbachs are sourgraping over Jackson's greatness. It is all factors combined. It is tenure, luck, character development, talent of the staff and the team, the dedication to win and most of all the respect. When Auerbach started questioning Jackson about his coaching skills, Jackson didn't question back. Instead, he stayed silent and respected the legendary coach. And that's when Auerbach lost himself the security of becoming the greatest coach in the NBA history even several years before Jackson won his tenth championship ring today.
Monday, June 15, 2009
2009 NBA Champions: Los Angeles Lakers
Congratulations to the Los Angeles Lakers for a well-deserved win over the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals 2009. Congratulations also goes to Kobe Bryant for bringing home his first and well-deserved Finals MVP award together with Phil Jackson reigning over Red Auerbach winning his 10th championship as a coach.
Kudos also goes to the Orlando Magic for giving them quite a scare (well not exactly what anti-Lakers fans expected to be). I hope that Dwight Howard will continue to develop and improve his game more because I see a lot more potential in him. Apart from this, he also needs to develop when to release his own scowl for the game. Even Shaq despite his humorous antics has this game face when pressure settles in. Dwightmare or Superman or whatever you may call him, must be tough enough not only physically but also must be mentally tough and developing more than just hook shots and dunks would become very potent weapons for him.
Anyways, back to the Lakers, this team not only won because of their supposedly natural talent at the offense but also the way they hounded the Magic on defense. It really goes to show that offense wins games and defense wins championships. It will also be worth noting though that in this year's postseason games that the Lakers had, every team that they've fought were just younger in terms of playoffs experience than them. For their first round opponent the Utah Jazz, this team was considered a very tough opponent however they ended the regular season in a downturn and Boozer never really jelled with the team after his injury. He wasn't even thinking of the game, rather he's thinking about his free agency. And for the Houston Rockets, Aaron Brooks had the opportunity to become the starting point guard for the team after Rafer Alston was traded. And yet this was not totally the issue but of course their eternal struggle with the injuries of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. This is perhaps the toughest team that the Lakers were dealt with in the postseason though. Despite having a depleted lineup, Scola, Artest and Battier are playoff or perhaps pressure-tested players. Unlike the Denver Nuggets who were developed on the fly at the start of the regular season with the acquiring of Chauncey Billups, the Rockets have always been through the toughest times. Carmelo Anthony isn't a leader yet of his team. He needs to take basketball seriously and with the help of Chauncey, he is definitely maturing not only in his game but also in his character. The Nuggets have succumbed into the hands of the Lakers because they were just happy to be there - to go deep and enter the Western Conference finals for the first time. And finally, the Magic finally have fallen and have shown signs of immaturity against a Finals-tested Lakers. Coaching-wise and character-wise, however strong your team is, you'll eventually fall over the hunger mentality as shown by the Lakers.
So that being said, I consider the Lakers as half-tested yet. Having faced Lebron and the Cavs won't do much damage to them as they'll be eaten by Gasol and Bynum inside. But instead, having a finals match-up between the Lakers and Celtics once again would definitely be a case of champion versus champion. A veteran team against a veteran team who won't be pressured, won't get rattled and won't show signs of maturity. It's a test of mentality and hunger. I'm not saying that the Magic aren't well-deserved of their finals appearance but Howard's maturity has grown one notch higher against a Celtics team they were supposed to beat simply because they are Garnett-less. It's just saying that the Lakers will be tested only in the Finals.
For now, congratulations to the Lakers. I hope they'd get the chance to bring back Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom for one final chance at a three-peat by Phil Jackson.
Kudos also goes to the Orlando Magic for giving them quite a scare (well not exactly what anti-Lakers fans expected to be). I hope that Dwight Howard will continue to develop and improve his game more because I see a lot more potential in him. Apart from this, he also needs to develop when to release his own scowl for the game. Even Shaq despite his humorous antics has this game face when pressure settles in. Dwightmare or Superman or whatever you may call him, must be tough enough not only physically but also must be mentally tough and developing more than just hook shots and dunks would become very potent weapons for him.
Anyways, back to the Lakers, this team not only won because of their supposedly natural talent at the offense but also the way they hounded the Magic on defense. It really goes to show that offense wins games and defense wins championships. It will also be worth noting though that in this year's postseason games that the Lakers had, every team that they've fought were just younger in terms of playoffs experience than them. For their first round opponent the Utah Jazz, this team was considered a very tough opponent however they ended the regular season in a downturn and Boozer never really jelled with the team after his injury. He wasn't even thinking of the game, rather he's thinking about his free agency. And for the Houston Rockets, Aaron Brooks had the opportunity to become the starting point guard for the team after Rafer Alston was traded. And yet this was not totally the issue but of course their eternal struggle with the injuries of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. This is perhaps the toughest team that the Lakers were dealt with in the postseason though. Despite having a depleted lineup, Scola, Artest and Battier are playoff or perhaps pressure-tested players. Unlike the Denver Nuggets who were developed on the fly at the start of the regular season with the acquiring of Chauncey Billups, the Rockets have always been through the toughest times. Carmelo Anthony isn't a leader yet of his team. He needs to take basketball seriously and with the help of Chauncey, he is definitely maturing not only in his game but also in his character. The Nuggets have succumbed into the hands of the Lakers because they were just happy to be there - to go deep and enter the Western Conference finals for the first time. And finally, the Magic finally have fallen and have shown signs of immaturity against a Finals-tested Lakers. Coaching-wise and character-wise, however strong your team is, you'll eventually fall over the hunger mentality as shown by the Lakers.
So that being said, I consider the Lakers as half-tested yet. Having faced Lebron and the Cavs won't do much damage to them as they'll be eaten by Gasol and Bynum inside. But instead, having a finals match-up between the Lakers and Celtics once again would definitely be a case of champion versus champion. A veteran team against a veteran team who won't be pressured, won't get rattled and won't show signs of maturity. It's a test of mentality and hunger. I'm not saying that the Magic aren't well-deserved of their finals appearance but Howard's maturity has grown one notch higher against a Celtics team they were supposed to beat simply because they are Garnett-less. It's just saying that the Lakers will be tested only in the Finals.
For now, congratulations to the Lakers. I hope they'd get the chance to bring back Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom for one final chance at a three-peat by Phil Jackson.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Eyeshield 21 Chapter 333: Final Down
Eyeshield 21 Chapter 333: Ready, Set, Hut Last PageTwo days ago, I thought of writing an article about the sports manga New Prince of Tennis and now I'm writing another one for another sports manga which came to an end - Eyeshield 21.
Writen by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, Eyeshield 21 focuses on one of the most popular sport in America which is the American Football. Sena Kobayakawa who was discovered by Hiruma to have the potential to be the fastest running back was recruited forcefully to join the Deimon Devil Bats during their High School Christmas Bowl journey. Hiruma together with Musashi and Kurita initially had the dream of participating in the Christmas Bowl during their freshmen years. However, the problem is they don't have the pieces to even complete a line-up. This time around, with baseball catching tensai Monta and other role players joining the team, they fought adversity and played through Hiruma's trump cards and plays. Upon winning the Christmas Bowl against Hakushuu Dinosaurs and eliminating Oujou White Knights and Shinryuji Nagas in the process, an All-Japan team was formed to join the High School American Football Cup.
And now Eyeshield 21 came to an end with the final chapter 333 entitled Ready Set Hut depicting the whereabouts of the All-Japan team members. Sena became the team captain of Deimon after the trio of Musashi, Kurita and Hiruma left. MVP Panther joined the NFL as a professional player and Sena was invited to play in Notre Dame wherein the legendary player Eyeshield 21 was born. Sena came back from America and joined Enma University as they easily pass the entrance exam because no one fails the university's exams. Here are some of the line-ups featured in the last chapter:
Enma University:
1. Sena Kobayakawa of Deimon Devil Bats
2. Monta of Deimon Devil Bats
3. Riku of Seibu Wildgunmen
4. Unsui of Shinryuji Nagas
5. Mizumachi
6. Koutarou of Banjo Spiders
7. Kurita of Deimon Devil Bats
Saikyoudai University - the most powerful school in the American Football Sport includes a powerful cast
1. Agon of Shinryuji Nagas
2. Akaba
3. Yamato
4. Taka
Oujou University still has its former high school players led by Shin
Shuuei Medical College
1. Takami from Oujou White Knights
2. Yukimitsu from Deimon Devil Bats
Takekura Construction Babels - rumored worst team from the Semi-Pro League
1. Musashi of Deimon Devil Bats
2. Kid from Seibu Wildgunmen
3. Gaou from Hakushuu Dinosaurs
Takekura Engineering
1. Hiruma of Deimon Devil Bats
2. Ikkyuu of Shinryuji Nagas
Zokuto University was known for Habashira Rui.
The trio of Hiruma, Kurita and Musashi decided to part ways mainly because Musashi can't afford to go the same university as Kurita and Hiruma wants to go to eventhough they all wanted to play with each other. However, Kurita decided not to team up with Hiruma with respect to Musashi.
In the end, everyone mentioned above watched the first performance of Sena Kobakayawa back from Notre Dame who was wearing the popular Eyeshield and jersey number 21 qualify and play in the Rice Bowl.
Overall, I really liked the manga. I haven't watched the anime though. I enjoyed reading it not only because of the underdog players who battled with sheer determination against naturally gifted players but also with the humor and idiocy that Deimon Devil Bats brings to the plot and Hiruma's trick plays against their opponents. It was a great manga and I really hope Inagaki and Murata comes up with another run of the Eyeshield 21: College Edition just like the New Prince of Tennis.
Friday, June 12, 2009
New Prince of Tennis Manga
Last March 5th, ryColaa scanlated the first issue of New Prince of Tennis which was made available at OneManga.com. I was very delighted to read about the continuation of one of the more popular sports manga/ anime to date because the last OVA episode was just finished just months ago.
This is a great news for sports manga fans as probably the longest running sports manga series Hajime no Ippo will be joined by the New Prince of Tennis as they try to continue on their success.
Just to give you an overview, this time, they're Middle Schoolers battling it out to be chosen in the U-17 team Japanese High School Representation selection camp. Ryoma Echizen just came back from conquering a US Open and as usual the Seigaku team is complete together with other middle school teams like Rikkai Dai, Hyotei and Shitenhouji. The first challenge in the selection camp was to grab a tennis ball in order to qualify as a candidate and our favorite middle schoolers easily did that as opposed to other nobodies bragging about their tennis skills. The second challenge was to pair up and as usual long-time doubles pairs quickly formed their teams but to everyone's surprise, they will be battling their teammate to remain as a candidate in the selections. This challenge is still on-going though with only seven chapters to date of this series continuation.
Some things to note:
1. So far, the selection camp's results of prospective candidates were looking like that of the Japanese representatives in the US vs Japan arc wherein the final battle was between Kevin and Ryoma.
2. I really don't quite dig Eiji winning against Oishi. Eventhough Oishi has been portrayed as more of a doubles player and has been inferior to Eiji in terms of skills when they play one on one, I still don't quite get it why Eiji's name has been popping out as a candidate option. Besides the Kikumaru beam smash and the dopple ganger, there's only the acrobatic technique in which the author can call it Kikumaru's own.
3. What happened to the Fuji vs Tezuka after the National Championship arc? If I remember correctly, Fuji challenged Tezuka to play against him after he won in the finals. And it also seems that Fuji has very few appearances so far in the new series.
4. Akutsu joins part of the U-17 selection camp. It was quite a surprise for me considering he wasn't even interested in playing tournament tennis again though but this is quite a nice new development.
5. No new prodigies on the middle schoolers' ranks. Perhaps the author just wants every Prince of Tennis fan to be happy that their favorite PoT characters are still intact and included in the series. Sad to say though that no new prodigies have come since Ryoma was not around for a long time.
With only seven chapters released, I think the author is still plotting the storyline for the old and new characters alike. I hope it won't turn into a one-sided middle school-filled line up of the U-17. Slam Dunk fans who have lost hope that the series will be revived after a shocking ending in which Shohoku failed to advance to the national championship will be very much delighted at the storyline of Prince of Tennis series. Seigaku unlike Shohoku won the national championship and guess what, the author is continuing the series in the form of the New Prince of Tennis ala Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball Z. The shift to middle school really is refreshing for manga readers like me who have long been starved of the storyline that Slam Dunk has teased us. Have fun reading the manga!
This is a great news for sports manga fans as probably the longest running sports manga series Hajime no Ippo will be joined by the New Prince of Tennis as they try to continue on their success.
Just to give you an overview, this time, they're Middle Schoolers battling it out to be chosen in the U-17 team Japanese High School Representation selection camp. Ryoma Echizen just came back from conquering a US Open and as usual the Seigaku team is complete together with other middle school teams like Rikkai Dai, Hyotei and Shitenhouji. The first challenge in the selection camp was to grab a tennis ball in order to qualify as a candidate and our favorite middle schoolers easily did that as opposed to other nobodies bragging about their tennis skills. The second challenge was to pair up and as usual long-time doubles pairs quickly formed their teams but to everyone's surprise, they will be battling their teammate to remain as a candidate in the selections. This challenge is still on-going though with only seven chapters to date of this series continuation.
Some things to note:
1. So far, the selection camp's results of prospective candidates were looking like that of the Japanese representatives in the US vs Japan arc wherein the final battle was between Kevin and Ryoma.
2. I really don't quite dig Eiji winning against Oishi. Eventhough Oishi has been portrayed as more of a doubles player and has been inferior to Eiji in terms of skills when they play one on one, I still don't quite get it why Eiji's name has been popping out as a candidate option. Besides the Kikumaru beam smash and the dopple ganger, there's only the acrobatic technique in which the author can call it Kikumaru's own.
3. What happened to the Fuji vs Tezuka after the National Championship arc? If I remember correctly, Fuji challenged Tezuka to play against him after he won in the finals. And it also seems that Fuji has very few appearances so far in the new series.
4. Akutsu joins part of the U-17 selection camp. It was quite a surprise for me considering he wasn't even interested in playing tournament tennis again though but this is quite a nice new development.
5. No new prodigies on the middle schoolers' ranks. Perhaps the author just wants every Prince of Tennis fan to be happy that their favorite PoT characters are still intact and included in the series. Sad to say though that no new prodigies have come since Ryoma was not around for a long time.
With only seven chapters released, I think the author is still plotting the storyline for the old and new characters alike. I hope it won't turn into a one-sided middle school-filled line up of the U-17. Slam Dunk fans who have lost hope that the series will be revived after a shocking ending in which Shohoku failed to advance to the national championship will be very much delighted at the storyline of Prince of Tennis series. Seigaku unlike Shohoku won the national championship and guess what, the author is continuing the series in the form of the New Prince of Tennis ala Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball Z. The shift to middle school really is refreshing for manga readers like me who have long been starved of the storyline that Slam Dunk has teased us. Have fun reading the manga!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Happy Philippine Independence Day!
Happy Philippine Independence Day to all Filipinos out there! Pinoy, Mabuhay ka!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Farm Town Tips and Tricks Part 2
Tired of plowing, planting and harvesting? Another tip I'd like to share in Farm Town is when you have around 30,000 to 100,000 coins to spare, purchase any of the following at the Store:
Small House - 70,000 coins
Silo - 30,000 coins
Windmill - 40,000 coins
Barn - 60,000 coins
Wood Shed - 30,000 coins
Purchase and sell them again. Though selling these items won't bring back the coins you've spent on buying them, you'll get lots of experience points a hundred or more so of experience points. Selling them also helps increase planting options since after you've purchased them, it won't be of any use to you in the future in terms of gaining experience points. If you're only thinking of leveling up, try doing this method. Of course a lot of hiring charms in the Market will also help you out.
Also, if you don't have that much money to spare, play around and buy some stuff on Fences and Paths. Buying some items here would let you gain 5 or more experience points. You earn additional 2 more experience points rather than plowing and planting seeds of Grapes though.
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