Superman

"You need a baller like I..."

Jay-Z - What They Gonna Do

I've been a fan of comics for a good number of years...and like sports there are triumphs and tragedy.

Heroic

About five years ago I was asked to be a guest on a college radio show at UNC Chapel Hill...and when the host introduced me...he said that I was the Clark Kent of the sneaker game. I was flattered by his words, as I grew up reading about and watching Superman.

I never asked him what he meant by that, nevertheless I understood...because Kent is the secret identity of Superman...which leads me to Dwight Howard. His nickname is Superman because of what he can do on the basketball court, so he and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum, yet on the same page.

His new "This is Sportscenter" commercial is classic, as I look forward to seeing it on television.

The Magic are playing well, and with a former Orlando center now taking residence in Cleveland, the upcoming playoffs are certain to be nothing less than monumental.

Stay tuned!

The Super Friends

Strength

Will

Style

"I had to lose myself, so I can love you better..."

Lauryn Hill - Lose Myself

I'm in Florida for the NBA Finals, and while it looks a little like Southern California...things are somewhat different, yet the same.

Superman

The Amway Arena is a welcome change of venue for the Orlando Magic as they...like the Poison Clan have won at home, while losing on the road. These are my first of any NBA championship series so I too had to shake off the pregame jitters. It was quite surprising as I've been writing for a few years, but once I was able to soak everything in, the game began and Kobe Bryant put on a 1st quarter show.

Blue Magic had an excellent game from start to finish aside from their inability to stop turning the ball over, however they were able to play a great swarming defense to cause a few key turnovers, including one on Bryant in the waning seconds. In the end they outlasted the Lake Show 108-104. 

LA leads 2 game to 1...

My keys to the Magic's Game 3 win are as follows:

• Orlando playing at home (They are a great team overall, but nothing beats playing at home)
• Play and composure of Skip to my Lou...says Alston, "The league is a make-and-miss league - first two games I'm missing...I look horrible. Tonight I'm making, I look good. That's what this league is about. It's a make-and-miss league."
• Magic offense highlighted by 4 players in double figures, none with less than 18 points
• Total team defense, described by Kobe as "They threw the whole kitchen sink, and they did a great job staying on my body. They brought help from the weak side, simple as that."

Today at the media availability after the Lakers practice/Magic shoot around, I was able to catch up with Bryant, and Odom, as well Jameer Nelson, and Courtney Lee. I noticed that the teams were extremely loose and comfortable, and have forgotten about the previous 3 games, as they focus on tomorrow and Game 4.

I spoke to everyone in the designated media areas, except for Kobe who I saw along with legendary trainer Tim Grover in the hallway adjacent to the court. The first thing he said was that he saw me last night, but he didn't have an opportunity to say hello. Coincidentally, as I typed that sentence above Dwight Howard walked past the media work room, and politely said hello and waved.

I'm really loving it here...

Anger

"Rage...there's no room for rage in here...its a place to go to be mad..."

Marvin Gaye - Anger

I've been bothered by a few things lately, and the video above best described how I felt. It's been a long weekend, and I'm better now. At the end of the day, I choose to be upset, and now I'm making an effort to understand that the things I cannot control are simply out of my hands. It is what it is...