IN GOD I TRUST!

On May 2, 2003, my daughter Melissa's high school paid her a great honor by dedicating its new athletic field in her memory. At the ceremony to mark the opening of the Melissa Branon Memorial Softball Field, the school unveiled a stone marker to remind future generations of the girl who wore number 11.

On that marker is etched: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2 NIV) -- a verse Melissa had marked in her Bible.

***REFLECTION***

 

The real essence of sportsmanship is the godly approach of the players and anyone linked to them -- few to mention are the spectators and team builders -- in a certain outcome of a particular competition; whether it is favorable or not to their desires.

When you make right and noble deeds, no one remembers.

The modest works come to pass without anyone noticing or even bothering to give credit to whom credit is due.

However, when you've done something wrong, people tend to store those vividly odious thoughts in memory.

Faults are always the highlight reel in most places, camaraderies, organizations, and relationships alike, oftentimes paving the way for disconnection in accountability of particular individuals.

Perhaps one of life's most perceived twists.

Maybe an incorrigible distorted disposition for most.

Perhaps a speedbump along the way to reckon with unwantedly.

Daunting, yes. Repugnant, absolutely.

Misdoings are the usually magnified elements.

Life truly is wonderful!

http://helloworld24.multiply.com/journal/item/51/

Great articles about thoughts with regard to the bright future that lay ahead firmly for the entire Purple and Gold Nation.

http://www.andrewbynum.org/game-3-thoughts.php

Now should the Celtics be worried? I’m not sure about Boston’s players and coaches, but I do think all non-Laker fans should be a bit concerned.

Next year the Lakers will have the following above average players who will be younger than thirty: Andrew Bynum (21 years old), Jordan Farmar (22 years old), Trevor Ariza (23 years old), Sasha Vujacic (24 years old), Pau Gasol (28 years old), Luke Walton (28 years old), Lamar Odom (29 years old). These seven players are joined by Kobe, who will only by 30 years old next season.

In contrast, the Celtics - the best team in the 2007-08 regular season - employ the following above average players: Rajon Rondo (22 years old), Kendrick Perkins (24 years old), Leon Powe (25 years old), Eddie House (30 years old), Paul Pierce (31 years old), Kevin Garnett (32 years old), James Posey (32 years old), Ray Allen (33 years old), P.J. Brown (39 years old). Yes, this is a nice collection of talent. But two-thirds of the above average players employed by Boston in 2007-08 will be thirty years or older in 2008-09. In other words, Boston’s window is closing fast.

If we look back at the Lakers, we see that LA has both starters and bench players who are both young and who can produce wins in large quantities. Such a collection of talent has to be the early favorites to win in 2009. And given the age of these players, we might be seeing the beginnings of yet another Lakers dynasty. In sum, the Lakers might be winning a number of titles after this season. Therefore, non-Laker fans might have another reason for Boston to win this year.

Let me close by noting that if you are a Lakers fan, seeing your team win in 2008, 2009, 2010, etc… is going to be fun. But if you are not - and I assume most NBA fans are in the “not” category - NBA basketball might be on the verge of less interesting times. At least, I think seeing the Lakers win year after year is less interesting for the majority of basketball fans who do not “Love LA.” So for this year, all non-LA fans should hope the Celtics can “Beat LA.” Because I don’t think that’s going to happen in 2009 (or 2010, etc&hellip.

http://helloworld24.multiply.com/journal/item/50

Celtics did it again at the expense of the Lakers

Now we know, after being dropped inside the shoe of those past frustrated hopefuls, how it must have felt back then battling those dreadful demons from Beantown

Laker fans of today's generation finally had their share of emotional sting being haunted again and again by thoughts about failure to subdue the Celtic mystique.

The leprechauns did it again. The mastery and all those jinx revisited in one dramatic finals series filled with lofty expectations. It hurts. We're on this nasty side of history, and to be honest with everyone of you, I want to exact revenge pretty badly.

 

During the first two games held at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, it's apparent the Lakers were just a quality big man away from stealing either or both matches, being outrebounded 46-33 and falling short of one stirring comeback late in the game simply tell a lot about something they've been missing all along.

**Cough**Bynumite**Cough**

The outcome of the series should have been a different story had the Lakers been able to secure that breath-taking Game 4 and not given away a 24-point advantage.

The ultimate turning point of that game, fans couldn't get over with for at least the next twelve months or so, was when the Lakers were up twelve in the third, and then Kobe dishing out a pass to Pau Gasol beneath the basket who missed on a dunk -- a crucial play that must have given the Lakers a 14-point cushion; instead, Paul Pierce sprinted on the other end for a layup plus a foul, trimming the lead to nine points and the Celtics then built their momentum from there. The pivotal quarter ended with the Celtics trailing the Lakers by two, but what if Pau didn't miss on that wide-open attempt?

Then came the opening of the final quarter with Kobe assisting Ronny Turiaf underneath who was hacked, then went to the foul line and badly missed both shots at the charity stripes. Los Angeles fell just a couple of well-executed plays short of the victory that could have altered the entire complexion of the series, paving the way for a historic comeback and a horrifying close out game that resemble that of the infamous Game 1 of the '85 finals, dubbed as the Memorial Day Massacre.

What's left to ponder now inside for the multitude of hopefuls worldwide were the startling thoughts of "What if" . . . . "What could have been" . . . .

The sting remains. The wounds left open. The bleeding that probably won't cease until at least June of next year.

Can't wait for 2009. Revenge couldn't be any sweeter. Cheer up!

http://helloworld24.multiply.com/journal/item/48

I was haunted relentlessly time and time again by those startling images from that soul-gnawing Game 4 debacle.

It's great to know, we'll still have a lot of championship opportunities ahead us.

Remember, we made this run without a legitimate center.

It's good to know we'll have that reinforcement coming in 2009 that we can look forward to.

I could humbly say I sense a 65+ win Lakers season on the way, with them being one of the league's top defensive teams.

If we lose another game, and come back home for vacation, one thing that's hard to deal with is the pain of waiting. You'd likely have to wrestle with that all off-season long, and that's way too tough to digest.

But you know, at the end of the day, if you hold on to that faith and continue to believe, someday you'd realize it's all worth it after all. (^^,)

A badge of experience added to our young gunners' arsenal, it's going to be a great asset heading into the next couple of seasons. =)

God is good all the time! So grateful He blessed us with a Pau Gasol that immediately catapulted the Lakers into one of the league's elite squads.

Such a bitter taste of disappointment doesn't mean the end of all those lofty dreams.

As for me, an absurd and crazy hopeful, the journey has just begun.

I have encountered this small passage from one of my all-time favorite Christian books. I loved the message so much that I embraced it dearly with grace and a heart of gratitude.

http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2007/04/13/devotion.aspx

Just leave this verse as a fitting footnote to this blog entry. Hope my readers enjoy it!

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.
- Ecclesiastes 7:14

L.A. Lakers 107, Denver Nuggets 101
F

Los Angeles sweeps series 4-0

Kobe comes around in 4th, Lakers dismantle Nuggets; to face Jazz/Rockets in the second round

That's not me bragging, that's me believing. Believing in us, even in the most depressing of all circumstances.

And trust me, you ask anyone who's ever won a ring, anyone who's ever been a champion --- they believe too. (^^,)

PAU GASOL: I'M HAPPY TO BE A LAKER."

Well, he should be.

Ask Karl Malone.

Get Gary Payton's comments.

Maybe, Charles Barkley would not have disagreed.

I myself would kill just to play with guys that good, just to be in proper position more inclined with the tendency of winning -- remote from public disgrace and close to fame and fortune that go along with it.

Wish you the best Pau!

You've got the most dominant and arguably, the best in the game, rolling along with you; and teammates you've always wished for -- guys whom you could dearly rely upon.

A great organization.

Not to mention, the most brilliant strategist and mentor to ever set foot on a basketball court in Phil Jackson, who serves as a guiding force which keys your viable future and present successes.

I'm so excited. I was all too pumped up! I'm sure, all the millions of hopefuls worldwide celebrate alike!

Wish us all the best this year and in years to come.

God bless us!