Shorts: Numerology

     Okay, so I turned 31 this week.  Wondering what kind of year my 31st will be, I took a look at some NBA players who have worn the number 31 for most or all of their careers for some answers.  


Pacemaker

      Right out of UCLA, reed-thin Reggie Miller donned the number 31 for the Indiana Pacers.  Known as Cheryl Miller's kid brother, Reggie bucked the odds and silenced the doubters as he proved he could not only survive the NBA but also dominate despite his slight build.  Miller played 18 fruitful seasons (all for the Pacers), marking his career with an amazing 8 point explosion in less than 15 game seconds against the Knicks, over 1000 three point shots converted and timeless playoff battles against John Starks and Michael Jordan.  Unfortunately, the sharpshooter was never rewarded with a championship, coming close in the 2000 NBA finals.  Question is, will my year feature amazing accomplishments like Miller's infamous playoff scoring sprees and duels or will the year be one big heartbreak like Reggie's inability to win a championship?


Donnie Darko

     Picked second right after Lebron James (and before Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony), Darko Milicic rode the Pistons' deep bench in each of his first two years, proceeding to lose confidence in his own game.  When he began to get sparse minutes, he was not only ridiculed as one of history's biggest draft busts, but also as the "Human Victory Cigar." (since he only played when victory was already a sure thing.  Being traded to the Orlando Magic, then the Memphis Grizzlies, the New York Knicks did not get him any more playing time, so he actually announced his plans of leaving the NBA after this season.  Then, providence struck as he was again traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.  The Wolves convinced Darko they believed in him and proceeded to let him play.  Now, Darko, with this month's averages of 11.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 2 blocks per game , has become quite the asset for Minnesota and he is in fact reconsidering his decision to leave the NBA.  Question is, will one of my long standing but frustrated dreams (opening a bar/resto, commentating/analyzing PBA games with my former prof Sev Sarmienta or finishing a cookbook/novel) finally come true after years of being benched?


French Connection

     Frenchman Adonal Foyle never became a superstar, but somehow, he has carved for himself a nice 12 year NBA career so far.  While some may wonder why a center with relatively meager numbers has always found a slot on an NBA team, I don't.  Foyle has always been a well-read and intelligent player and he has used these not only on his on-court game, but also in his overall professionalism and his mentoring of younger players.  Playing on teams like the Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic who have talented and young big men, Foyle has become invaluable for these players development, whether as a defensive player to practice against or as a veteran to talk and consult with.  Question is, will this year again provide me the opportunity to mentor youngsters in both my fields of expertise, bowling and cooking?


     Looking at these players, I found that I got more questions than answers, but one thing it has done is that it has made me more excited about the year that is now unfolding.


photos courtesy of getty images, s. bennett through flicker.com and getty images