Linsanity

Life isn't fair. Oftentimes, talent edges hardwork. Critics harshly judge the up-and-coming superstars. Equality isn't made possible because of binaries. Yes, those are the things that Jeremy Lin has faced throughout his life; a life filled with his share of ups and a ton of lows.

Jeremy Lin was a Harvard economics graduate who coincidently led the Harvard Crimson to its best record in school history during his senior year. Lin is a mix of sheer intelligence, a great work ethic, and humility. A stereotypical athlete has none of the three. Oftentimes, they heavily rely on their talent to get by. They never work hard because they've always gotten away with everything- academics and rigorous training. They are never humble because they always think they're the greatest. They are proud by the fact that they have accomplished everything by themselves and how they wanted to.

Look where are they now...

Jeremy Lin's story is the greatest story during this lockout-shortened NBA season. Who would have expected a regular and undrafted joe from Harvard to turn around the most famous NBA franchise? Who would have thought that an Asian-American could make a huge impact in the game of basketball? Who would have thought that an undrafted player would lead his team to a seven game winning streak minus the team's two star players?

Nobody.

Linsanity, as many of his fans call it, has lit up the bright lights and reenergized the crowd over at the Madison Square Garden. With every dazzling lay-up and alley-oop pass, the crowd goes ecstatic. After every dramatic win, a comeback against the Nets, a career-high 38 points against the Lakers, and the game-winning three-pointer against the Raptors, Linsanity grows larger than life.

To be honest, I thought that New Jersey game was just a coincidence; a man who made the most out of the opportunity. Turns out, I was wrong. Jeremy Lin is doing a Tom Brady and a Tim Tebow in his constant struggle to fight critics and he like all the great football players mentioned above, have proven them wrong.

Lin wasn't the most talented nor was the best player but I can assure you he was the hardest worker. He consistently worked his tail-end off not only to prove his doubters wrong but to be a pleasing instrument to God. He was once quoted saying, "I'm not working hard  and practicing day in and day out so that I can please other people. My audience is God."  That goes to show his humility and his submissiveness that everything comes from Him and he is simply just repaying.

Like Brady and Tebow, Jeremy Lin has a great mind- a psychological asset which sets him apart from many of the players today. He is mentally tough- never giving up on any obstacle. Strong enough to remain confident amidst all failure and disappointment. Hopeful enough to shine when given an opportunity. Jeremy Lin will NOT give up this opportunity. This is the time that he has been waiting for- his lifelong dream.

Linsanity will continue if Jeremy Lin continues what he's doing. He won't win all the games on the basketball court but he has won all of us over with his talent, grittiness, hardwork, dedication, and humility. He has overcame the most difficult part of his life and now just laughs it off. He gives us hope; a hope to succeed and never give up amidst any situation.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

"The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Austin Rivers Legit Tar Heel Killer

Haters Gonna Hate

Several months ago, friends of mine introduced me to something I'd consider a reality we live in- Haters Gonna Hate. We live in a world full of critics; people who'll do anything to bring us down to our core. People who have the guts to say things that  they themselves can't do. Yes, it's much easier to point out someone's mistakes rather than yours and even I'm guilty of that. They (Haters) want to appear above the rest; using their keen intellectual ability to dissect and pinpoint every wrong move you make. Trust me, there are no exceptions. 

In the world of sports, superstar athletes are no exception to the rule. In every basketball game I go to, you'd hear an obese guy saying how slow this guy runs. Come to think of it, I'd bet he'd run even slower than he (player) does. Another 'glorious' sight in the game of basketball is when you would see a person saying this person is dumb, bobo, stupid for making certain decisions that affect the outcome of the game. You aren't making the decision! Why criticize someone for making one under the given circumstances? 

That's one thing I hate about life and sports in general, there are a lot of critics out there. People are insensitive and not mindful of the things their saying. They think everything those professional athletes are doing is easy- it isn't! That's what their payed for; to make it effortlessly appear that their under distress and control in times of pressure. 

There have been many talents and egos destroyed by this. You'd see talented individuals who couldn't perform to their potential rot in the bench with a shattered confidence. As a speaker once told me, Potential are the things you still haven't done. A puzzling question that probably is running on your mind is why is there such a word called potential? Easy. Potential is something your dub to a certain player or person who you absolutely hate for one reason or another but has the necessary skills and talents to succeed. You would never say this guy has potential if he is already GREAT!

We cannot change society and its course. The only things we can do is how to adjust to what society presents us. If it presents us a hater, then find a way to make him a believer. That is no easy task! Convincing someone, especially a critic, that you are really that talented! People have their own certain opinions about players that one game can't change their perceptions. It takes a lifetime for a player to prove to his haters that he is indeed a good one! 

We live in a society who judges people normally through physical attributes and faith and over the next several blog entires, we'd be slowly learning about great people who've proved to the world that their haters and critics were wrong. 

For every great person, he'd have a million haters. 

"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them makes life meaningful." - Joshua J. Marine

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

#HatersGonnaHate

Jeron Teng Takes His Talents to La Salle

Arguably the #1 high school player in the country today, Jeron Teng announced today that he will be suiting up for the De La Salle Green Archers for the upcoming UAAP season.  

The brother of the reigning back-to-back Tiong Lian Most Valuable Player, former UAAP Rookie of the Year and UST Growling Tiger, Jeric Teng broke the news regarding the recruitment status of his younger brother on his twitter account.  

"@jeronteng will play for DLSU", Jeric tweeted on his twitter account @jericteng16. 

This served as confirmation to the tweets of Snow Badua late last night that Jeron's father, former PBA player Alvin Teng, confirmed that his son will take his talents over at Taft avenue. 

Jeron also tweeted today about his decision to play for the Green Archers next season. 

"yup. DLSU :)", the RP Youth mainstay tweeted on his account @jeronteng. 

This ends the recruiting drama of the most sought out player in the country who is famously known for his record breaking 104-point performance in a single high school game which he accomplished on January 5, 2011 against Grace Christian College. 

This could not have come at a better time for Teng as he will lead the Xavier Golden Stallions to a unprecedented fifth consecutive Tiong Lian championship in the Juniors Division. The Golden Stallions open their title defense against Chang Kai Shek College on Saturday, January 14, at 1:30 PM followed by a preview of a potential championship match-up against Hope Christian High School on Tuesday, January 17, at 7:00 PM.  

Jeron's game is something worth admiring. The 6'1 small forward bulldozes his way to the basket and scores on a variety of lay-ups and running jumpers. Inside the paint, he is literally unguardable; able to finish strong with either hand on either side on any given situation. He also has the uncanny ability to initiate and take contact and still score even earning three point play opportunities. If he is not able to make the shot, he draws a foul and troops to the free throw line multiple times making majority of them in the process. Another great part of 'LeBron' Teng's game, often compared to LeBron James for his versatility and sheer upper and lower body strength, is that he is a great rebounder averaging a league-leading 14.3 rebounds per game in the previous Tiong Lian season. Equip that with the body of a great defender plus an improved outside shot and you have yourself the best high school player in the country today. 

As early as now, people have been already tweeting and buzzing about the anticipated match-up, or even rivalry, between Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo and Teng. Both players have shrugged off the so-called rivalry and told their twitter followers that individual match-ups should not overshadow the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry. 

Jeron Teng will be playing under new management for La Salle. They fired head coach Dindo Pumaren last season ending the Pumaren brothers stay in La Salle whom they led to multiple championships. Coach Gee Abanilla will be instilling a brand new system for his players even rumored to have all his players try-out again with the exception of De La Salle Zobel graduates Luigi De La Paz and Arnold Van Opstal. 

We will see Jeron Teng rule the UAAP for many years to come. Rookie of the Year, in my opinion. 

Thoughts Away From The Game: Happy New Year

Let's not start the New Year with a basketball-related blog. Sorry if I may dampen your spirits on my thoughts regarding the very exciting NBA season but we'll save that for another time. First, I would personally want to greet you, my viewers, a happy and prosperous New Year! 

Well, 2011 was a blast, sorta. A handful of highs and plentiful lows but hey, I'm not complaining. To start off, I want to thank the Lord for giving me another year of existence here on planet Earth. I want to thank Him for everything I have. I feel so blessed to have a great education, a loving family, food on my plate, friendships that will last a lifetime among many others but the things I'll be most grateful for is knowing that I have someone who will always have my back and love me for who I am and that is Him. 

Life this year was quite a roller coaster ride. It started with a great run with Coach Owen and his troops and finishing second year. (Dang I'm that old) The summer was a blast, joining the Xavier - The Little Entrepreneur program in Singapore. I learned a lot from that trip. You get to see first-hand how a small nation such a Singapore could be progressive yet being able to help the environment. (Please offer Sustainable Development for college. LOL) 

True to form, life will never be a breeze. As I entered 3rd year, I had to deal with a ton of things, academics and basketball. By the way, I still don't have a Prom date. Oh well, I just got to find one in a span of several months. I took my academics much more seriously this year but still I'm not satisfied. Yes, bragging aside, my grades may seem high but for you to succeed, you have to challenge yourself to be the best you can. The sleepless nights, the #LONGNIGHTER s, yes it is a twitter hash tag, with Enrique, Kyles, and Rich, and the countless hours in the classroom took its toll. 

Basketball wise, well, I'm far off from what I set out to be. I've felt my game has taken a setback. Oh well,  I just got to find a solution to that like all my problems. Hahaha! 

Amidst all the difficulty, I again thank the Lord for all the challenges. He finds ways to make me fight for the things I want. He challenges me to be the best that I can be and allow me to be an instrument of his love. (I really got to start Tebow-ing before every game.) As Joshua J. Marine once said, "Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them makes life meaningful." As I continue to search for that purpose and meaning in life, I know someone is guiding me. Someone whose love is unconditional and can never be questioned. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the year! Without each and every one of you, my life wouldn't be as complete. (I sound so cheezy. LOL) Each and every one of you will have a special place in my heart for one reason or another. I hope I get a chance to personally thank you for the year that has passed but sadly I ran out of load. LOL! I'll do it tomorrow hopefully. I can't live without the company of the people I associate myself with. They bring that excitement, that spice, and the company that my life needs. Without it, you can consider me dead. 

What lies ahead inside the ball of thoughts? I don't know. We surround ourselves with big goals. Yes, they sound great but can we achieve them? I'm not a big fan of goal-setting. Maybe it's just because I never get to achieve them but for the sake of optimistic thinking, let me make 5 supposedly achievable goals. Oh wait, that's just for me to know and for you to find out. 

The New Year promises us a new start. It gives us another opportunity to start from scratch. It gives us the chance to achieve greater things. All I can say to you is good luck. Enjoy the ride of the year but remember the past. As me and a friend of mine will always talk about, it's nostalgia. As we grow older, we will miss and crave for the moments in our past. Cherish every moment you spend. Live life to the fullest because with just one snap of a finger, everything could be taken from you - just like that. 

Well, I hope we all have a great year. Something worth remembering. Don't worry, we won't die in 2012 in whatever date those Mayans predicted. We each have our own time but while were here, let's make a difference. I end with one mind orgasmic question, how do you want to be remembered? 

In your work be legendary. In your life, make history. 

NBA Season Award Predictions

NBA Season Award Predictions: 

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James (MIA)  <--- #nuffsaid 

Second Choice: Kevin Durant (OKC) 

Dark Horse: Chris Paul (LAC) 

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard (ORL) <--- AGAIN? 

Second Choice: LeBron James (MIA) 

Dark Horse: DeAndre Jordan (LAC) 

Rookie of the Year: Derrick Williams (MIN) <--- Tough call. 

Second Choice: Kyrie Irving (CLE)

Dark Horse: Kemba Walker (CHA) 

Coach of the Year: Vinny Del Negro (LAC) 

Second Choice: Eric Spolestra (MIA) 

Dark Horse: Gregg Popovich (SAS) <--- Been there done that! 

Most Improved Player: Tracy McGrady (ATL) 

Second Choice: Tyler Hansbrough (IND) 

Dark Horse: -N/A- 

All-Rookie Team 

G: Kyrie Irving (CLE) 

G: Ricky Rubio (MIN) 

C: Enes Kanter (UTH)
F: Derrick Williams (MIN) 

F: Kemba Walker (CHA) 

Defensive First Team:

 

G: Rajon Rondo (BOS) 

G: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 

C: Dwight Howard (ORL) 

F: LeBron James (MIA) 

F: Kevin Garnett (BOS) 

All-NBA First Team: 

G: Chris Paul (LAC) <--- Clearly I love Paul more than Rose. 

G: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 

C: Dwight Howard (ORL) 

F: Kevin Durant (OKC) 

F: LeBron James (MIA) 

Western Conference Champions: Oklahoma City Thunder 

Dark Horse: San Antonio Spurs <--- Been there, done that!  

Eastern Conference Champions: Miami Heat 

Dark Horse: New York Knicks 

NBA Champions: Miami Heat
Finals MVP: LeBron James 

Franchise Player

What sets great players apart from the ordinary ones? 

Skill? Maybe. 

Star Factor? Probably. 

We can name a million other reasons on why great players are great but one thing we forget is that they stay on one team for the longest time probably even ending their careers there. This isn't something easy. Along the way, money may lure you out of your current city. You may decide that it is more beneficial for you to play for this certain team since they have the better offer. Young players nowadays fall for that. They prefer to play for the team that presents them the best offer and not the team that best fits into their style of play. Plain and simple, MONEY TALKS! 

Another excuse on why players don't want to stay on their respective teams is that they want to place themselves in the best situation to win a championship. Isn't that familiar? Oh yeah. Those were the exact words that came out of LeBron James' mouth when he decided to head over South Beach and join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. (Yes, all of you might be thinking that I am finally dissing LeBron on my blog publicly. YAY for me.) 

That's just a BS excuse. You look like a coward doing so. You make yourself appear weak, unable to handle the pressure of leading a weak team to the championship. 

That's one thing I admire the most from great franchise players. Let's take for instance Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bryant was playing his greatest individual basketball season during the '05-'06 and '06-'07 stretch. He was the NBA's leading scorer; scoring virtually 30+ points in every given night. He demanded trades. He had a sex scandal (And is now currently in divorce court. LOL!) but he never gave up. 

Imagine a playoff team having Smush Parker and Luke Walton as your 3rd and 4th best players and still was one game away from upsetting the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs. That's freakin' insane! Is it even humanly possible to carry a team for that long? I don't think so. 

Franchise players stick to their team when the going gets rough. They find ways to build around their talent and not run away like a cat. Franchise players have the privilege to be remembered as players who stuck with their teams through thick and thin and they will be forever remembered which team they played for. (With the exception of Jordan. Let's face it, he'll never be remembered in a Wizards uniform) 

That's something missing in the NBA now. Gone were the historic rivalries, the Magic-Bird, the Celtics-Lakers, among many others but why? BECAUSE they never stay put on one team for one reason or the other. 

Do we have to feel sympathy for them very similar to what I/we felt for KG when he moved to the Celtics to win a title? NO. Players are paid for that purpose. They are paid to win at all costs. They are paid to fill the seats in the arena. They are paid to fill sponsorships. It is their duty and responsibility to do anything and everything to win. Under the circumstances, winning comes from the players personal initiative! You have to give yourself the permission to win. 


It's a privilege to be remembered for everything you've done for one city, one team, and in one jersey. Don't waste the opportunity.