gut check time

What was a 3-1 series lead has now become a tied series. Against the Nuggets. This Laker team has been all over the place this season and it is even more apparent in this current series against Denver. There have been only flashes of the team which can be dominant and a serious contender to the title. Everything else has been sub par. Suddenly game 7 has become a must win for Kobe and crew. Metta World Peace will be back for this one. Will he be the x-factor putting the Lakers over this Denver hump? Will have to wait and see.

Its gut check time.

what next, knicks?

The worst and the best first round match up in this years playoffs for the New York Knicks was the Miami Heat. The worst because no one really expected them to win the series. The best for the very same reason.

The Knicks have a great basketball legacy and despite being the Mecca of basketball and all that the professional basketball teams just have not lived up to the expectation.

The Knicks have a great team. Any team which has Amare, Carmelo leading them with a great supporting cast like Chandler, Fields, JR Smith, Jefferies etc. (sorry...not jumping on the Lin bandwagon). It just boggles me that such great talent cannot be a threat night in and night out. I guess it boils down to heart. None of them seem to have the heart to win...to dig deep down and deliver when it counts...desire is what separates the greats from the so called superstars...

Its going to be a long off season for the Knicks. I hope they emerge from it with an identity, stronger and with desire.

it's the playoffs!

The 2012 Playoffs are underway and there has already been a lot of drama.

No Metta World Peace (give Peace a chance)

No Derrik Rose (unfortunate..)

The Clippers are in the playoffs.

The Mavs are almost out of the playoffs

Amare punched a fire extinguisher

It is shaping up to be a great playoffs. I LOVE THIS GAME.

he got game

A lot has been said about Virat Kohli; the middle finger raising, girl chasing, charismatic youngster has been in the news for a long time. What is refreshing to see is that all the stuff off the field does not seem to affect his performance on it. And what a performance it was yesterday. A batting CLINIC. 183 in 148 balls against a formidable Pakistan bowling attack. It was an absolute treat.

Virat Kohli embodies everything that we need not only in Indian sport but also the political arena. Young, brash, willing to take risks and above all, skillful..being able to back the talk and walk the walk. We need more Virat Kohlis. HE GOT GAME.

chin up Lamar

I like Lamar Odom. I've been a fan of Lamar ever since his Clipper days..when he came in the amazing Nike Freestyle commercial. I was thrilled when he came to Lakerland via a trade involving Shaq. A player as versatile and athletic as Lamar...I thought here we go....finally a Pippen to Kobe's Jordan. Unfortunately though, Lamar never fully got into his role. He was brilliant...but in short stretches. He has always been quite distracted and turning from HOOD (say South Jamaica, Queens!!) to HOLLYWOOD. His wedding to one of the Kardashians (does it matter who?) and the subsequent 'reality show' got me thinking how hard he really wants to play ball...or just live the lifestyle of a baller.

The CP3 to Lakers trade was a massive fiasco. For the players involved in the not-to-be trade it was devastating. Some took it on the chin and became stronger (shoutout to my man Pau Gasol for keeping it real) and others took it really badly. Lamar especially. He has always been the sensitive type. He demanded a trade from the Lakers (I am sure he regrets it now) and got it. Being dealt to the Mavs for absolutely nothing seems to have dented his confidence and he just not the same player who was using his skill, getting in KG's grill, drilling a three pointer and contributing to a championship team. Now I read the news that he is going to be demoted to the D league by the Mavs for a game. Knowing Lamar, it is not a good move. He is going to take it hard. And may note even recover.

Lamar has been a warrior, recovering from personal tragedy, finding solace on the court and with his Laker teammates. I hope his Mavericks teammates are there for him and he bounces back. Keep your head up Lamar. Keep your head up.

KobeMask

Everyone who follows (and some who don't!) basketball know by now that Dwayne Wade broke Kobe Bryant's nose during the all star game last week. It was a hard, cheap foul but enough has been written about that so I'll just let that pass. What was interesting was that reports that not only did Kobe suffer from a broken nose but also a concussion. Now that is serious stuff. Everyone was wondering how he will adapt. Today we got our answer.

The Lakers played the Timberwolves today and Kobe was....well...Kobe. Jumpers. Dunks. Steals. Assists. Rebounds. All there. A stellar game. All wearing a face mask which must be making him look even more fearsome to those guarding him. Even haters can't help but appreciate the dedication Kobe has to the game of basketball. Respect.

Rise of the hockey spirits

The FIH Olympic Hockey qualifiers are on right now and it is absolutely refreshing to watch India play. What is even greater is the attention the media is finally giving Indian hockey. I am not sure if this is the result of the trashing the cricket team is receiving in Australia, the lack of any major bollywood scandal or anything else. Seeing Hockey get the front page of newpapers gladdens me. We've also got some massive results in the first few games and I hope the momentum carries on in future play. We have a lot of grassroots hockey projects going on all over the country and this can be just the boost they need for more and more kids to pick up those hockey sticks. Rise, team India. We are with you.