brick_fel

The 1996 NBA Draft

2015-07-19T23:07:00.001-07:00

Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Stephon Marbury, Marcus Camby... those are big names. Big stars no doubt. Great talents. Hall of Famers for sure.

Here's the complete list via NBA.com:
http://www.nba.com/history/draft/1996-draft/index.html

Also here's a clip of the first 20 players in the draft. It was held on June 26, 1996 in East Rutherford, New Jersey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYX0MJ-Rnqs

The 1996 NBA draft was the 50th draft in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Allen Iverson, a sophomore from Georgetown, was selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.

The draft class produced three players who won NBA MVP awards (Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash), seven other drafted players who became All-Stars (Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Ray Allen, Žydrūnas Ilgauskas, Stephon Marbury, Jermaine O'Neal, Peja Stojaković, Antoine Walker), and one undrafted All-Star (Ben Wallace), for a grand total of 11 All-Stars. Moreover, eight players from this draft class have been named to at least one All-NBA Team, the most among any draft. The draft class also produced 3 players who have been named to the NBA's all-defensive first team: Bryant, Marcus Camby, and Wallace. Camby won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2007, while Wallace earned the same award in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006.

Most experts rate it along with the 1984 NBA draft and 2003 NBA draft as one of the best drafts in history. Sports Illustrated named it the second-best, behind the 1984 draft, whose highlights included Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton.

Waiting For Someone

2014-08-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

"I was waiting for someone... she always came by when I call or text her and hang with me... chilled with me... and had conversations going on for hours. But sadly, we weren't really on the same page. She just left me. The only thing I didn't like about how she left. Is that she just left me, with a long text message..."

"Rico's Home Now"

2014-04-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Finally, after a long and difficult week. Rico's finally home now and he's back to his old self. I know it ain't over because I still got the debts to pay back by the end of the month. But all is well for me now, seeing Rico's back on his feet. :)

Though I really dunno how I am gonna tell my Dad about this. Seems like he showed no care about the dog anyway... But still I gotta try to talk to him if we can split the bills, so that I can pay the debt I've used.

And I really got to sell my 4 remaining parts today or tomorrow, so that by Monday I can hopefully pay all my debts. Even though I promised to pay my friend back by the end of the month, I think it's rather more convenient if I pay him back a little bit early as promised. I mean, that would essentially give me a strong credit line in the future.

Now, back on Rico... I haven't posted nor even took photos of him during and after the ear cropping; the whole hospitalization; and the welcome home party. I will rather want to put it in words here in my blog. It's not that I am lazy to take photos and upload it here. Yep. I think I am lazy. :)

2014-04-22T23:33:00.000-07:00

"Rico"

These past few days was hell bent for me and my dog. Right now, I just pray that it will be all over soon... I need help right now. Help.

My 3 month old Doberman got confined in a veterinary clinic last April 21, Monday. He had some kinda gastric problem. He started vomiting last Sunday and haven't eaten anything that day. I thought he was bloated but the vet said that the dog somehow shows signs of intoxication and is traumatized from having his ears cropped. Yes, Rico just had his ears cropped and I tell you. If only I could rewind things back, I won't crop his ears.

The bills are just overwhelming to mention. It's not easy to own a pet... So I've put on a 'panic sale'. I'm selling my desktop computer by parts, and things have been awful lot to handle. The calls that I've been receiving, the messages in my e-mail--- albeit negotiations and or inquiries from my college friends. All of that is just, it's quite heavy on my part because I don't want to sell it, not now that I need it the most. But the current situation that I am in calls for a 'panic sale', I got a responsibility as a Doberman owner, you know what I mean... I gotta find a way to pay and support my dog somehow.

I wanted to beg and cry for help to my father. But I don't feel like begging and rather be on my own, face my responsibilities alone. And he's not the go-to guy for help. He's just... that person. He will even cursed me down to my very DNA. So, yeah... I'd rather not.

I was just in the vet to check up on "Rico" (My doberman) and see how he is recovering, and he's quite doing well now. He's now 3 days in that clinic. Seeing him getting better is priceless. Just fills up my soul. I thank God for his recovery. But back to the financial aspect... I am really hoping that I can sell my parts later today, all in all I might raised a total of $190. But the hospital bill will be around $200-$250. I gotta somehow attempt to make a miracle out of what I got.

Marc's note:
-Having a dog is never a joke. smh

2013-10-29T22:03:00.001-07:00

"Practice"

I'm glad that I achieved such improvement in my game over the last 2 months. I never imagined I'll be able to compose myself. Last October 28, 2013; the game with my relatives and friends was really a good game. I was playing the game that time feeling so comfortable for the first time ever.
All my friends know this, that every time we play ball; I'm always jittery or overexcited. I hate that and I'm so glad I got rid of that feeling finally.

It became a daily routine for me now. Shooting hoops in the morning (at 6). Warming up & jogging for a bit before that. And you know those... 1-2 Pivot foot combinations. 2 on 2's. Left handed drills... attacking the basket, pump fakes... All of these are getting almost like I'm trying to be better than my friend whose a LeBron James d*ck rider. (Not you, JHT.)

Who encouraged me?
-John Paul. My cousin. Over the past 3 months. He was everything. I mean like a brother, a cousin, and a boss. And maybe lastly a trainer. He trained me mentally. Maybe he got into me; pushed me to a zone. I really was encourage by his words, not only in the game of basketball. But also at work. He may not look like it, but he got wisdom of an old man. Plain and simple, he's cool.

Kobe Bryant.
-Of course. He's my favorite player. I grew up watching him. He's the best player to ever have the most complete skill-set in the NBA for me.

I play SF.
-I play mostly off-ball. I'm obviously not a guard. Yes, Kobe might be my favorite player. But I can't force myself to model my game after him. Though I'd like to copy a few moves like the jab steps, the pivot moves. Man, those are really sick moves to master.

Shoe size US 9.
-My shoe size... though my feet is at US 8, I'm comfortable having a US 9.

My shooting form.
-Kobe Bryant... it's hard but I try to not... copy everything. Just the elbows and release. Maybe.

It Was You

2012-07-12T23:19:00.000-07:00

How did I let you down?

I want to know, were you?

Looking for applause before I started the show,

When I should read the scripts,

So I could see how you play the role of,

“It’s not you, it’s me”,

And you need time to think…

Well, he don’t,

Know you like I know you then,

He won’t listen to your complaints and understand,

You chose to let somebody else take my place,

Can’t even look me in the face.

It’s too hard to say…

It was you,

You that threw my heart away.

It was you,

You had me so caught up in the day.

Because of you,

I won’t have a look at love the same,

If there’s anyone to blame,

For my tears and for my pain.

It was you.

You seem to have your plan,

All figured out, but see

I’m the first auditioned,

And there’s no others made like me

Once a heart is broken

It’s not easy to assemble.

Had no instruction, and was easy to read.

But your hero, would remove the way you that wanted to and

He don’t want to live in a Barbie house with you,

You chose to put me on a shelf far away.

So you wouldn’t have to see my face,

And hear me say…

I’m done with wondering what you’re looking for,

I’ve tried everything.

But one day we’re gonna know the truth.

Hope that the next one can love you,

Like I do, like I wanted to.

Guess, I loved you.

Yes, I loved you…

Steve Nash: Kobe's Ticket to the 2013 NBA Finals

2012-07-10T23:46:00.001-07:00

If you cannot beat them, join them.

Welcome Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers! As a Laker fan I want to celebrate on his arrival, it was on a very short notice but it was inevitable that the Lakers needed him in the back court, an elite point guard. The last elite PG was Nick Van Exel and damn that was pretty much so long ago. I was like 8 years old back then. Steve’s pretty much is 38 years old this year. Father time really has a way of catching up on people huh? And apparently, Kobe Bryant is no exception [He will turn 35 this August]. Man, this free-agency craze is really something. Not only that all young players have moved on from team to team but as well as the ‘veterans’ in the game.

Phoenix and Los Angeles have been division rivals. And everyone can’t believe nor accept this. Nash was sent to the Lakers via trade (two future first-round draft picks and bits of cash).

I find the Lakers starting five looking like the 2^nd 3-peater Bulls in the 90’s.

Upon interviews, Kobe said that they have to be “dealt with” and that they are “dangerous”. I firmly believe in that but not in the adjective, “dangerous”. He’s probably not saying that they will be the “best” in league this coming 2013-2014 NBA Season. But being the “best” still goes to both the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder in their perspective conferences, hands down.

Wow, Kobe had a nifty gift on the 4^th of July from the Lakers management. Nice. Phoenix Suns Management sure is kind enough.

Despite this “upgrade” in their roster, The Lakers will be a better team than of the last two seasons, I suppose. But due to the aging line-up of the team, that’s going to play a major factor. They probably will, limit the playing time of Bryant and Nash on the floor. Because if we look at the roster of the Heat and the Thunders, for example. The Heat’s got the “prime” talents meanwhile the Thunder got the “young legs” going for them. And that’s something that Kobe & the Lakers and its management must ponder and not omit. Experience nowadays in the NBA plays a lesser factor than it was before, no doubt about that. Since each year, newer drafted players have more skills and IQ than of those before them. Indeed.

Kobe doing less work? Shares the load to Nash.

By far Kobe had his worst shooting percentage this past season, a career low 43%. Now that he has Nash to share the load, I’m not entirely convinced that things would work out—easily. Since Kobe has never played with a truly ball-dominant point guard like Nash, but if he respects Nash immensely (like what he said in his interviews) and surely recognizes the ways in which playing with Nash, this will really extend his life as an NBA player. This is going to be exciting; will Kobe let Nash handle things during crunch time? Will Kobe let Nash initiate things? Oh wonders. Kobe is a definitive ball hog. True.

Kobe might just get another chance of getting another ring. Guess it is really up to them to work things out and find the balance, since we all witnessed how Mike Brown wasn’t able to put into good use of Pau Gasol in the floor.

With Nash handling the ball back court, easy buckets for the big men— definitely, more open shots for Kobe.

Bryant & Nash: '96 NBA Draft Class

A lot of analyst says that Kobe is adapted with the Phil Jackson’s home-made triangle offense. True. And that play was never once put up with an elite point guard like Nash. True. But Kobe isn’t 27 years old anymore. He is 34 years old. Let’s face it; he is past his ‘prime’. Give the ‘prime’ to LeBron James while he’s at it. The Lakers need the ball less in Kobe’s hands in iso situations.

They’ve got to lessen their reliance on Mamba. Nash is a brilliant player in floor, not only he can get Kobe more open-shots but also for the rest of the team. He’s a great “pick and roll” option for the Lakers big men, Pau & Bynum. And he definitely is a great offensive player that can distribute the ball in every way you can think of.

All we need now is for Kobe to trust and have more faith in his teammates. Because Mr. Nash can hit key shots more than Derek Fisher can, Not to mention he is also known as a clutch shooter in times when you need to score for a win. Word. I mean, it’s very evident that no point guard in the NBA this late in his career performs like Nash. If Kobe wants to win, Nash wants to win… and a championship ring.

The Best of Wild, Wild West

Oklahoma City Thunders, they’re the best in the west. Let us respect their talents and achievements. Since 2010 they have gotten closer and closer in getting an NBA title. And no one have expected them to get this far. They may have been eliminated in the first round in the 2011 NBA playoffs by the Lakers, but looking how they charged things to experience and sorted things in their baby steps. The results gave them a better way to get deeper in the playoffs and into the 2012 NBA Finals. They eligibly became a legit ‘playoff team’ in the western conference for sure.

For an unknown reason, I would rather want the OKC Thunders icon to be Kevin Durant, rather than that Russell Westbrook. And nope, I don’t want them to share that position. I like KD.

Kevin Durant in his reaction regarding Nash moving to the Lakers.

"That would make them better."

OKC is lucky to be in the West. I think, because they get to learn a lot from playing against aging veterans in the West. Beating San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and the fallen Phoenix Suns (which failed in two consecutive seasons to reach the playoffs) surely is a great feeling to experience.

Now, in order for the Lakers to get in the NBA Finals; they’ve got to work their way pass the raging Thunders. That’s easier said than done alright, but I love to say this that each NBA teams have their sneaky ways to beat each other in each round in the playoffs. And The Lakers have the history of being sneaky.

The Beasts of the East—Carmelo without a ring.

Beasts, simply because you have MIA enjoying most of it. Wade-James-Bosh, man those three came from the same draft class and that draft class had a lot of real talents for sure. I guess Carmelo Anthony badly want a taste of that championship ring too. Since he’s the only one left without it. Each of them has one ring; LeBron, Bosh, and Darko. And two for Wade. So, LeBron ain't a ringless King after all.

I would answer MJ after the sixth ring. And if Kobe calls, I would answer him after the fifth. I would immediately answer Wade after the two—I won’t answer LeBron since he’s got no ring. Oh no... Wait… *le phone rings* Oh Mr. James, you called. I was wondering when you would call me… *conversation continues*

You can leave that joke now to Carmelo, peace. I guess, Carmelo is a great clutch shooter. But he’s not as good as LeBron. Frankly, he’s not even close to Wade; just he might be considered to be on Bosh’ level. The East had real contenders these past years. That’s without a doubt. Celtics, Miami, and Chicago those three had been battling at each others’ feet hard.

But now that Celtics, their big three is extinguish by Ray Allen’s decision to join the Miami Heat (I’ve got to say, thank Rondo for that). It’s definitely safe to say that the East had a brief silence since MJ and his Bulls. Now, we have to thank each and every team in the East and definitely the Big team—Miami Heat.

Howard, we’re waiting for you.

Dwight Howard is 26 years old, can be the Lakers' marketable Hollywood star once Bryant is gone, and once Nash is gone too. Bynum will never be that presence, even if he’s an excellent center. Nash being in the Laker team now might invite Dwight to come to the Lakers. Meanwhile, Orlando’s target for a Howard deal still is Andrew Bynum.

Dwight might reconsider being in a Laker jersey, since Nash will be the floor manager.

So there’s a big chance that Dwight will land in Hollywood. That is, if the Nets can’t do anything to top Orlando’s target. Kobe will probably welcome Howard as a teammate, but he definitely will not beg him to come. Since rumors say that there hasn’t been a talk or connection from the two since last season.

If the Lakers get Dwight Howard… Oh boy, that’s like Shaq-fu part two. Need I remind you, Shaq came from Orlando as a first round-first overall draft pick in 1992, after he wasn’t re-signed as a Magic. He signed with the Lakers and gave the Lakers 3 consecutive championships with Kobe in the year 2000-2002.

All in All.
Steve Nash is going to be Kobe Bryant's ticket to the 2013 NBA Finals. That's pretty much what it seems. But as it happens, they must work things out in the court and beat several other teams in the Western Conference.

Dobermans

2012-07-09T01:47:00.003-07:00

Pros:

Loyal and loving.
Alert.
Moderately active, some may be hyper-active.
Don't shed excessively and easy to groom.
Great deterrants for criminals.
Great with kids.
Smart and learns commands quickly.
Loves to be with their people.
Perfect for people who wants a clingy dog.
They are goofy. No less.
Highly-trainable.
Will keep solicitors away.

Cons:

Very smart, they will outsmart you if you are not prepared. Can be very stubborn.
They need to be properly socialized to avoid over-protectiveness. You also need to be very consistent.
You constantly have to defend the breed from idiots that still believe they are vicious.
If not well socialized to cats and or other animals, their in-born prey-drive will be inevitably uncontrollable in the future.
Loud barking may disturb next door neighbors.

Cooper

Other thoughts:

[Depending on how you look at it]

Clingyness - they DO NOT like to be left alone. This is not an independent breed.
MAY or MAY NOT do well with strangers.
They will accept anyone that you invite into your home, but they may be wary of anyone that you are not friendly with.

Gigabyte GTX550 Ti Windforce

2012-07-09T01:30:00.005-07:00

NVIDIA System Information report created on: 07/07/2012 09:44:14

System name: **********-PC

[Display]

Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate, 64-bit (Service Pack 1)

DirectX version: 11.0

GPU processor: GeForce GTX 550 Ti

Driver version: 280.26

DirectX support: 11

CUDA Cores: 192

Core clock: 970 MHz

Shader clock: 1940 MHz

Memory clock: 2050 MHz (4100 MHz data rate)

Memory interface: 192-bit

Total available gfx mem: 2815 MB

Dedicated video memory: 1024 MB GDDR5

System video memory: 0 MB

Shared system memory: 1791 MB

Video BIOS version: 70.26.3A.00.01

IRQ: 16

Bus: PCI Express x16

Korean Girl Bands and Models

2012-07-09T01:22:00.001-07:00

Koreanas.

I know. I have taken it far enough to have written a blog about it. Can it get more obvious? Well, I think no one died from loving these lovely ladies yet, right?

For some reasons, I felt the need to fully put it in a blog and spit all such outbursts. It all started way back in 2009, where K-Pop rose incredibly in the media and in the internet, worldwide.

That same year, I’ve downloaded lots of albums. Particularly, Rap albums. But due to a friends’ request, I downloaded a K-Pop album. And I tell you it was no ordinary K-Pop, it was a SNSD aka Girls’ Generation album.

From that moment on, I came to like those girls. I mean “I’m not a big fan” though, but neither hate them. They can sing and hit those high notes, and shake those hips like Beyonce. Korea produced a number of girl powered bands, but to me I only came to like Sistar, 2NE1 and SNSD.

SNSD

South Korean Army

I like Yuri Kwon of SNSD. Lemme reiterate that and contrast what I just said—I love Yuri Kwon. D*mn. She’s just amazing like Spiderman and steaming hot like a kettle in a stove.

Yuri Kwon <3

"Isn't she cute in this photo?"

Korean Models

Seo You Jin

She’s like the Michael Jordan of Cat-ears cosplay. Get it?

Ju Da Ha

I’m just lost for words to describe this chick. Mesmerizing and tantalizing.

2 Different Zones

2012-07-08T23:23:00.000-07:00

“Comfortzone / Friendzone”

Friendzone? or Comfort zone?

Have you ever been a comfort zone? I’ve been a couple times. Different persons, situations, and I admit that a couple of times, I witnessed how it can rain inside a bakery or even under the shade in one sunny afternoon.

Comforting someone requires no talent. The prerequisites are that you know how to sit back and listen. Spit out the “you’ve got a friend” lines, and maybe you should also know how to make someone calm from all the inevitable crying and sobbing. All the Girl needs is you, someone she can tell her problems. Burst her tears with, a shoulder to lean and cry on.

“I’m not the go-to-guy for these stuffs but for some Girls... I just often times happen to be on the scene and somehow I am ever passable to the task or something like that.”

Here I’ve listed the things that I heard from the Girls I served as a comfort zone. I know some of you might have heard some of these before…

· Boyfriend Problem

· Family Problems

· Girlfriend/BFF dramas

· Financial Problems

· Pregnancy

I’ll make the “Boyfriend” stuff number one. Since there are a lot of ****-headed guys out there, okay for decency; let’s censor stuffs and reiterate what I just said. Some are JUST certified professional lady killers. But some are just plain idiots.

“From two-timers, to cannot-commit kinda guys, to can’t-decide kinda guys and the has-no-final-word-on-it kinda guys. Yeap, Girls have their own rough paths to finding Mr. Right. But usually Mr. Right is just right under their noses or two steps behind them.”

I have this kind of philosophy. I don’t know where I got it but I have stick on it ever since...

“Never pick a beautiful flower, if you’re just going to play with it.”

I envy guys who apparently have the good looks, the 5’9” stand, the ability to really speak up their mind and the luck to ever come across with such Girls. I’m not here to discuss what I lack, or what. I’m just a less fortunate dude in some aspects. Let’s not jump to that, alright.

There are Guys that are incidentally gifted. Inarguably these Guys often put it into abuse of these gifts. And mostly, their victims are innocent Girls that are just so easy to ‘talk’ and ‘walk’ with.

"I ain’t here to discuss about those playboys and idiots. Girls should be aware of these guys, since they lurk around the corners."

When the both of you are in friendzone mode.

“Make your intentions clear. If you just want the girl to be your friend. Limit yourself or else you might give her motives to yearn for more. And you don’t want that to happen. Most Girls are still sensitive these days, no matter how advanced our society has become. You can’t just categorize Girls into one flock... You don’t want that girl to wait around for you, when they should be waiting for someone else.”

Problems like 2-4 are always there. It’s pretty much given in our daily life and can be overcome by an instant solution sometimes.

About preggy. God, I don’t want to recall how I manage that stunt. But when I was in that situation way back in 2007… I was like:

“OMG. Why are you telling me this first? I know we’re close and all. But I’m not your best friend. We’re only seatmates in two subjects. I know we all joke around and stuff. But you should go tell your guy first and not me…”

I know I sounded harsh there but what else can I say? I was astounded that moment. But I kept it cool since the girl was starting to drop big tears and man; I tell you I didn’t know what else I going to say. But I kept her from crying, of course. I’ve only read books on how to pick things up after a catastrophic event, such as acts of god like earthquakes, flash floods and human-acts; internet-based attacks in a company, espionage and more… but unexpected-pregnancy from an 18 year old? You’ve gotta be kidding me, because I am no parent or whatsoever.

Back at that moment, I assisted the girl on whatever her plans are. Listened to it and tried to keep myself on a minor role. I recall it was 10 p.m., Saturday. And we were in a bakery. The first thing I suggested [while eating a piece of chocolate cake and drinking a hot coffee] is for her to tell everything to the guy and to her best friend. They’re the only ones who can really help her, not me. Because I know since it would be unwise to bring it up to her parents since they’re a thousand miles away. You don’t want to bring that up in a phone conversation, right?

After that, I never heard from the girl [for almost about a year and not even in friendster, she was like a ghost recon asset]. We bumped into each other in a fast food restaurant with her baby and Aunt; I was surprised to know that they managed to keep it from her parents for as long as 5 months, and that it never really was hard for her parents to accept what happened. The guy’s parents were ever supportive too and accepted things, impromptu.

That girl was my seatmate, a friend, and one of my crushes in college. It was a shock. Felt like a bum at first. But there’s nothing that I can do to undo things for her. When she was still hanging out with that guy, I wasn’t feeling anything biggie at all. I never thought that something will happen to them later on. We were definitely close but I never gave out any motives for her to feel uncomfortable around me.

Funny things is, the girl knew of my feelings. Definitely, this girl was as sharp as a dagger. But she acted like she didn’t know. I’ve been had. So maybe that time when she had nowhere to go, I was an immediate option. I’m an accidental comfort zone, I guess. Most undeniably, friend zoned unlimited.

“If you’re not sure of your feelings for the girl, don’t befriend her. Don’t give her the motives. You might just confuse your friendship with her and you’ll just end up hurting her. And also, don’t befriend the girl you love. Because someone else might take her away and you’ll miss the opportunity.”