7 Pieces (of trivia)

     In Day 2 of the 22nd FIBA Asia Champions' Cup, Smart Gilas Pilipinas destroyed the KL Westport Dragons of Malaysia, 95-64.  While Gilas played listlessly in the first half (and let the Dragons end the 1st half with the lead), they came roaring back with tremendous defense in the 2nd, allowing the Dragons only 24 points.  To amuse myself in the listless first half, I began asking myself questions and I've come up with these 7 entertaining pieces of trivia.

1.  Dylan Ababou scored 6 points in 5 minutes 4 seconds in Gilas' first game.  In tonight's game, Ababou scored 5 in 3 minutes 43 seconds.  That means Ababou has more points than minutes played, with a ratio of 1.25 points per 1 minute. Talk about a scoring machine!


2.  Gilas now holds the distinction of not only being the 1st team to use all 12 players but also having all 12 score at least 2 points, as Asi Taulava and Jason Ballesteros scored today.


3.  Marcus Douthit played only 19 minutes and 20 seconds today, making this his shortest stint in a sanctioned game, since being ejected for an altercation in the finals of the Dubai International.

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Five Things

     The big news of the night would be Smart GIlas Pilipinas drubbed Saudi Arabia, 101-69, to auspiciously open their bid in the FIBA Asia Champions' Cup.  I think it's the least exciting of the encouraging news of the night.  Everyone expects Gilas to beat Saudi, but here are the five things I deem more exciting from tonight's game.

5. The Excellence of Execution - It was truly a refreshing sight to see PBA All Stars Don Don Hontiveros and Jimmy Alapag on the Gilas bench.  More exciting to see, though,  is how hard Hontiveros was playing to acclimate himself into the rotations.  GIlas was able to run a couple of sets with Hontiveros in, so it seems he's picking things up well.  Alapag may not have played but it was great seeing him consult with JV Casio about where point guards would go during a particular play.

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My Favorite Mistake

     In today's society, it seems more premium is placed on noting people's mistakes.  In today's NBA, everyone is waiting constantly for the next team with the next failed experiment.  The problem with this, though, is some mistakes turn out to be delayed strokes of genius.  Just take a look at the final four teams in this year's NBA playoffs.


Senior Moment

     It's amazing how quiet the Dallas Mavericks have been this year.  Even outspoken owner Mark Cuban has been a good little boy.  Perhaps, they long knew what others are only discovering now.  After yet another playoff flameout last year, everyone wanted the Mavs to blow up the veteran line up and rebuild.  They didn't heed the calls and kept the team intact, hoping another year together would see the development of the team.  Many were quick to call that a mistake, yet here they are, in the Western Conference finals after demolishing the defending champions the Los Angeles Lakers.  The extra year together has seen the development of JJ Barea, the resurgence of Shawn Marion and the full maturation of Dirk Nowitzki as a franchise player. With home court advantage against the Thunder, keeping the team intact may make GM Donnie Nelson a legendary executive.


Trade OK'd

      The Oklahoma City Thunder were the envy of the league with it's financial flexibility and very young roster of great players with great attitudes.  Everyone kept talking of the future and how the Thunder would be kings then.  The future couldn't come soon enough, though as GM Sam Presti pulled the trigger on a deal sending Jeff Green and Nenad Krystic to the Boston Celtics for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson.  He then proceeded to sign Perkins to a long term deal.  Both actions drew wagging fingers from doubters, but they were silenced soon enough.  Perkins, while not putting up great numbers, has been a great locker room presence for the young Thunder, especially during their losses.  Meanwhile, Green's departure opened the door for James Harden and Serge Ibaka to shine, with both players piling up career numbers almost immediately after the trade.  If that big mid season trade was a mistake, more team should make mistakes as the Thunder are a series away from the NBA finals.


Heat Check

      Of course, the biggest mistake this season was Lebron James publicly spurning his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat on national TV.  The Heat haters, though, pointed to a different one in castigating the Heat.  The acquisition of the "Big Three" of James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh may have been a coup, but others pointed out that that left the Heat thin in the support department, especially up front.  People said it was a mistake to load up on superstars and that the lack of help will tell on the Heat in the playoffs.  Now, though, critics are slowly biting their tongue.  The Heat have flourished in the playoffs, not just because Wade and James have learned to play off one another, but also Coach Erik Spoelstra has finally gotten though on his team and have them playing choking defense.  While Lebron's PR choices continue to be errors, forming the superstar trio with Bosh and Wade seems to be a good "decision."


Bullish Run

     In the off season, the Bulls were in great shape.  A promising young team, a new defensive-minded head coach and lots of money to get Dwayne Wade, Lebron James or Chris Bosh (or two of three).  Then, amid the pandering and ego stroking of the superstars, the Bulls' stars Derrick Rose and Joachim Noah, made it clear that they could care less if any of the three stars joined them.  People were horrified as their statements meant none of the three would join them.  It was a mistake, they said, as the Bulls were at least two years away from being great.  Fast forward to the playoffs and the Bulls have home court advantage, the league Most Valuable Player in Rose and a vaunted, unforgiving defense.  Rose has become the superstar people thought the Bulls needed to get in the off season, and the supposed weak line up has become one of the NBA's deepest teams.  Now, the people are talking about how the Heat can compete with the Bulls, and not the other way around. 


     
     With my meager 50% success rate in playoff series predictions this year, I won't be blogging any previews.  What I will be doing is checking out which "mistake" turns out to be the most genius of strokes.

photos courtesy of Getty Images

The Long Kiss Goodnight

     In just two weeks, the sporting world has witnessed what seems to be the departure of three hall of famers.  While all three have greatness as their common trait, the manner in which they departed their sport varies tremendously.  The differences, though, highlight the toughest question every competitive athlete must answer, "Is it time to hang them up?"


Clock Strikes 11

     Heading into the 2011 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers seemed to be in trouble.  Their game lacked the usual flow, execution and swagger that were signatures of Phil Jackson-coached teams.  Still, it surprised everyone as a team, led by Kobe Bryant, the NBA's most clutch player since Michael Jordan and coached by 11 time champion coach Jackson, struggled through a weak New Orleans Hornets team and then proceeded to be dismissed by the Dallas Mavericks in a sweep.  While losing is part of every team, even the great ones, this final stand for Jackson was sad at best.  The winningest coach of the playoffs couldn't muster up any supreme effort from his players and worst of all, he couldn't keep his players' attitudes and frustrations in check, failing to stop both Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum from hurting the Mavericks' players with blatant dirty plays.  As many highs as Jackson attained in his career, that exit was just plain horrible.


Race to (B)itch Mountain 

      When Floyd Mayweather cooked up yet another excuse not to face Manny Pacquiao, "Sugar" Shane Mosley stepped up to challenge the Filipino champ.  While many were quick to scoff at Mosley and his advancing age, I defended their fight because Mosley would at least man up and trade punches with Pacman; or so I thought.  After testing Pacquiao's power and getting knocked down in round 3, Mosley did the unthinkable. The man who beat the great Oscar de la Hoya (twice) and the man who racked up over 30 KO's to his name ran, and I mean RAN. Mosley spent rounds 4 through 12 backpedalling, trying his best to get some cardio while avoiding getting hit.  So cowardly was his tactics that Pacquiao literally stopped and asked him to punch in the middle of the fight. This shameful loss may be only one loss in Mosley's storied career and he himself is unsure if his career is over, but as exits go, this is probably the worst.  A tremendous career littered with supreme talent and transcendent achievements will forever be tarnished by a tragic race around the ring.


It's Only Natural

      Ask anyone and they'll tell you that sports are for the young, but apparently, Randy Couture didn't get the memo.  At well over 40, Couture was still fighting at a high level and even racked up yet another three-fight winning streak.  Couture, though, was already contemplating retirement and was looking for one last big fight.  With a hall of fame career and five titles to his name, it made a lot of sense for Randy to seek out an easy fight to put a cherry on top of his sundae of a career.  Instead, he asked for a match against Lyoto Machida, the UFC's most elusive fighter and resident karate kid.  Machida posed plenty of problems for Couture, but he wanted a true challenge as his last fight, just like every other fight he fought in his long career.  While Couture was eventually knocked out (via a tremendous "Crane Kick" by Machida), he exited with his head held high (albeit lacking a tooth) because he went out the same way he came in; fighting at a tremendously high level.  Just like Japan's samurais before, Couture went out swinging and he (and we as fans) couldn't ask for a better end.



     The competitive nature of athletes makes it difficult to determine when it is time to stop and retire.  Oftentimes, we see athletes play one more game or fight one more match than they should've.  Here's a hint for them, though.  They make a conscious effort to end things on their terms, fighting/playing as hard as they can and then exit.  If they're going to be unable to maintain a high level like Phil Jackson or embarrass themselves like Shane Mosley, they might as well hang them up early.

Fifty Peso Previews: 2011 NBA Playoffs (2nd Round)

     The 1st round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs ended early as there were no seven game series, but it was quite an interesting one.  The bad news was several teams didn't do their part and put my forecast percentage at an all time low of 50%. (Damn you Orlando and Portland!!!)  Not to be deterred, here are my forecasts for the 2nd round which kicks off tomorrow.


Chicago Bulls (1) vs Atlanta Hawks (5)

     The Hawks are brimming with confidence right now, but they are lacking as Kirk Hinrich is doubtful for the entire series.  Given that their choices at guard aren't exactly full of lock down defenders, one of the 2 heavy scoring guards (Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford) will have to guard Bulls' superstar Derrick Rose. That does not bode well for the Hawks at all.  Meanwhile the Bulls have their own issues with Carlos Boozer suffering turf toe (I know, right?).  The Bulls played awful defense (by their standards) in the 1st round but expect them to regain their defensive intensity and give the Hawks plenty of trouble.


Fearless Forecast: Bulls take series (4 games to 2)


Boston Celtics (3) vs Miami Heat (2)

      It's finally here. The series everyone has been waiting for is in the 2nd round as I predicted.  The Heat (esp. Lebron) need this win to disprove the growing notion that he can't win.  The problem is he needs Wade to carry the team offensively and Wade has struggled mightily against the Celtics.  All three Heat superstars have to guard one of the Celtics' offensive greats, and that kind of pressure defensively will mean a lot of trouble once they try to play offense. Much has been made about Shaq's absence, but the Heat aren't big either and Glen Davis, Jermaine O'Neal and Nenad Krystic may be more than enough in the middle.


Fearless Forecast: Celtics take series (4 games to 2)


Oklahoma City Thunder (4) vs Memphis Grizzlies (8)

      The battle of teams that were supposed to be good only in the future promises to be an intriguing one.  Each team's strengths offensively are matched by their opponent's defensive strength.  The outside operators of the Thunder (Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant) will find their defensive matches in Tony Allen and Shane Battier, while the Grizz's dominant big men (Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol) will have to contend with Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins' defense.  The key will be which team will be able to find unsung heroes to step up.  The Grizz's lack of three-point shooting may come into play here.


Fearless Forecast: Thunder take series (4 games to 2)


Los Angeles Lakers (2) vs Dallas Mavericks (3)

      Both teams are happy to be in the second round as they faced spirited opponents in the first, but neither will be happy without a Western Conference Finals berth.  The Mavericks have traditionally faltered in the playoffs because they only relied on Dirk Nowitzki's brilliance, but as they proved me wrong against the Blazers, it was clear that the Mavs play D now.  That D will be tested against the Lakers who have yet to play impressively for a prolonged period of time this year.  The answer to this series will be inside.  If the Mavs can somehow neutralize either Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum, then the Lakers will not get to defend their title.  That might be too hard for a seven game series though.


Fearless Forecast: Lakers take series (4 games to 2)

Open Letter to Commissioner Chito Salud

Mr. Chito Salud
Commissioner, Philippine Basketball Association
186 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Libis, Quezon City


Dear Sir:


First of all, allow me to tell you that I am an avid PBA fan for over 20 years now.  Ever since Great Taste traded away Manny Victorino, Jimmy Manansala and cash for a rookie named Allan Caidic, I was hooked.  By extension, I moved on to the Ginebra train when Caidic became Assistant Coach to Rino Salazar.  In fact, a big part of the reason my blog, From the Fifty Peso Seats, was put up is because of this love for Asia's first pro basketball league.  This is why recent developments have caused me great concern.  I see you every time I watch the PBA live (which is often) and I know you are a hands-on commissioner.

The current semi-final series between Smart Gilas and the Baranggay Ginebra Kings has not been the dream series I anticipated it to be.  I'm not even talking about the perceived partial officiating wherein Nate Brumfield gets 27 free throw attempts, equal to the entire Smart Gilas total for the game.  You see, it doesn't matter to me whichever team wins because I love them both.  What matters is the quality and the morality of the game.


Everyone talks of how Ginebra is proving too tough for Gilas,  but there is a difference between playing tough and physical and playing dirty and unfortunately, it seems Ginebra has lost track of the line. They are intentionally hurting Gilas in the guise of playing tough. In the video below, Mark Caguioa executes a pre-meditated elbow to the back of Lassiter's head (23 sec mark).  The sad part is, this was the second elbow to the back of the head on a Gilas player in Game 1 (1st one was Yancy de Ocampo's on Douthit, 3rd video 35 sec mark).  There are other incidents too. De Ocampo chops at Douthit's fractured hand (video below). Aside from Caguioa's intentional trip on JV Casio in game 1's 4th quarter (3rd video, 2:13 mark), what scared me the most was Billy Mamaril's intentional squeezing and wrenching of Marcus Douthit's fractured hand, also in the 2nd half.  Unfortunately, I can find no videos of this incident posted yet.  Hopefully you can take a look at them too.

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Fifty Peso Previews: 2011 NBA Playoffs West

     It was upsets galore on the 2nd day of the NBA playoffs but they did little to change my forecast for the Western Conference.  Check them out below.  For the East preview click here.


San Antonio Spurs (1) vs Memphis Grizzlies (8)

     Usually number 1 seeds are pegged to have an easy time in the first round but the Spurs are bothered by two problems. One, they still don't have Manu Ginobili, although rumors are he'll suit up in game 2. Two, the Grizzlies have given them problems before.  The Grizz have two capable big men in Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph and that means Tim Duncan has to exert effort on defense, which tires him out. In the end though, the experience, defense and discipline of the Spurs together with Memphis lack of depth in the outside shooting department will cause the Spurs to win out.


Fearless Forecast: Spurs take series (4 games to 2)

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Fifty Peso Previews: 2011 NBA Playoffs East

     NBA fans' favorite time has come. It's the start of the NBA playoffs 1 night from tonight and let's weigh in on the first round results starting with the Eastern Conference.

Chicago Bulls (1) vs Indiana Pacers (8)

     Never mind the history of 8th seeds beating the 1st seeds. This series will be won by the Bulls. They are too talented defensively for the Pacers, who I consider one of the teams that defend better only when the shoot great.  The Bulls are playing at too high a level to let the Pacers get their offense going and Derrick Rose is just astounding with his stellar MVP-candidate play.  It will be a tough climb for the Pacers and I can only see them win a game if at all.


Fearless Forecast: Bulls take series (4 games to 1)

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National Pastime

     Since I began taking note and covering Smart Gilas months after its inception, I've noticed one thing.  No matter what Gilas has or has not achieved, people always post line up suggestions on the comments section of any website or blog.  I've jokingly called it the, "national pastime," since everyone's been doing it.  As with all pastimes, though, it really isn't worth doing unless you do it right.

     Before engaging in my own version of this national pastime, we have to consider certain realities.  First, the only reason why Gilas is asking for PBA players is because of the tremendous pressure the nation is putting on them to produce immediately.  Given the chance, I'm sure Toroman would like this current Gilas team to train until 2016 so the players can mature and gel better, but impatient so-called experts and nationalists are forcing their hand to produce immediately.  Second, Coach Toroman never said he wanted 5 PBA players so he could end up picking just 3 or even 1.  Third, Toroman's picks for PBA players only serve to augment the team, not change it.  This means he needs players than can adapt to the system quickly, not just lights out shooters. 

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White Men Can Jump (Into the HOF)

     Months ago, this year's batch of Hall of Fame nominees was embroiled in a controversy, as former Indian Pacer Reggie Miller, who was made eligible this year, was completely snubbed.  While hundreds have expressed their anger and want to disregard this year's batch, I'm not.  This year's batch is especially significant as my basketball hero, Chris Mullin is an inductee.

Mullin with his HOF Jersey

     Usually, NBA players who make the "Hall" are household names, especially in basketball-crazy lands like the Philippines.  Mullin may not be.  He lacked the speed and athleticism usually possessed by the greats, but he achieved his greatness through hardwork, skill, determination and IQ.  That, of course, doesn't translate to much popularity and that's perfectly understandable but still perfectly unacceptable.


     If you want to go by numbers, the man's got them.  In sterling 16 year career, the St. John's All American averaged an astonishing line, including 18.2 points, 4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals.  Look deeper into the numbers and you will see his greatness further.  In a five season stretch during his prime (1988-93), Mullin averaged 25.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.6 steals per game.  What makes those numbers even more impressive is that he did all that while shooting 52% from the field, which is astounding for any player, let alone an outside shooter.  Those numbers are actually better than Joe Johnson's and Paul Pierce's numbers for the past 5 years, and even Dirk Nowitzki's numbers, save for the rebounds. 

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Hanging at the Balkans

     I don't know about you, but whenever I finish playing basketball, all I look forward to eating are perfectly-crisp fries and a great burger.  PBA players will probably think the same. That's why Chris Ross, Mac Cardona, Marcus Douthit and Coach Rajko Toroman troop to... a Serbian restaurant?!? 

Goulash: Spicy, Tender Beef Stew

     Located along J Abad Santos St corner Mons St., in San Juan, Balkan Express has become a favorite among ballers and fans alike, and if you take a bite of their Pljeskavica (Burger) or the Chicken "Batak" (Stuffed Chicken) together with their French Fries, you will understand why.  Freshly prepared, a lot of Balkan's favorites feature their own mix of minced meat, which Balkan Express proudly calls the specialty of the house.  They are right.  The minced meat is very flavorful and moist, and combined with perfectly crisp fries, I begin to understand the appeal of this place.  It isn't just the minced meat too.  Balkan also offers other greats like the Mousaka (to be ordered a day in advance), Chicken Kebabs and Goulash.  As I enjoyed the famed minced meat burger stuffed with melted cheese, and enjoy one of the best goulashes I've had in years,  owner Marco Batricevic arrives on his bike, and From the Fifty Peso Seats gets to chat with him.  

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Breaking Blinders

     I'm an avowed fan of Gilas. I can't deny it and I won't, but I stopped defending them since this article last year because I figured people have realized how good they are already, especially since they've dominated the PBA teams they have faced.  Lately, though, the hatred for Gilas has been increasing and it's absolutely absurd. I list down the most common attacks on Gilas and let's see if they have merit.

"Marcus Douthit has no tall opposition so he's dominating."


     Pros losing to an amateur Gilas team need a convenient excuse.  They've been saying this even before the start of the conference, but PBA teams are better served practicing ball denial and boxing out rather than complaining.  Yes, Douthit has dominating numbers, but it's not all his height; it's the system. A lot of Douthit's points are close in shots, put backs off offensive rebounds and short stabs off cuts.  Neither kind is exclusive to overly huge players.  His rebounds are the same. It doesn't hurt to be huge with long arms, but it also helps that all your teammates, even guards, box out all of the opposition to help things along.  Blocks? It's the same story. Gilas plays a specific kind of defense. Guards lead all opponents to the baseline, where Douthit or any other center will be waiting for the block. At the baseline, offensive players are trapped because of the baseline and the backboard, making it easy to block shots or steal the ball.  


     Don't believe in the explanation? Find a way to get their stats from their last Middle East tournament and you'll see Douthit averaging close to the same numbers even ranged against NBA-sized imports of the Middle East.  Over here, in the B Meg game where Douthit got hurt, even substitute Greg Slaughter tallied 7 (!) blocks. 

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Shadow Caster (Part 2)

     This is part 2 of From the Fifty Peso Seats exclusive interview with Philippine high school phenom Jeron Teng of Xavier High School.  Read part 1 here.

From the Fifty Peso Seats: Your dad, Alvin, was a PBA All Star, a PBA champion and he has played in the Asian Games. Your brother Jeric is now in the University of Santo Tomas Varsity Basketball Team and he's a candidate for the SEA Games team, but you've scored 104 points and played in the YOG.  Who has the bragging rights at home?

Jeron Teng: (It's) still my dad. My dad tells us that we cannot brag with him because we haven't reached the PBA yet like him. (laughs)

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Shadow Caster (Part 1)

     Take a look at Xavier School's basketball star Jeron Teng and you understand he's a player.  WIth a chiseled physique and great atleticism, you just know the kid can play ball.  Have a conversation with him, though, you get to know a polite boy with great humility and humor.  You then have to wonder if the news were true.  Yes it is. The kid scored 104 points in a single game (on 37 for 70 shooting from the field and 29 for 34 from the free throw stripe), on top of 24 rebounds two steals and two blocks.  From the Fifty Peso Seats presents an exclusive one on one interview with the Philippines' high school phenom, Jeron Teng of Xavier High School.

From the 50 Peso Seats: So first things first. Congrats on winning your third straight championship. How does it feel to capture the title yet again?


Jeron Teng: I'm really happy that we were able to get the 4-peat this year. We just made history as the longest championship streak in the Tiong Lian (basketball league) prior to ours was 3. Moreover, that streak was also set by Xavier during the time of Joseph Yeo, TY Tang, and Chris Tiu (all professional players now), so we're all really proud of ourselves to make history this way.

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Empowerment

     This month, Lifestyle Network is celebrating women and women empowerment and it got me thinking about women athletes, who are some of the best examples of strong, independent women.  So here's my list of the top 3 FIlipina athletes in history.

Elma Muros-Posadas - Sadly, the young generation may remember Elma for her long stint in GMA 7's Survivor Philippines, but sports fans know her greatness lies in athletics.  One of the true iron women of the sport, Muros-Posadas has shown great consistency and dedication over the years as she is the most be-medalled South East Asian Games (SEA Games) athlete of all time.  She boasts of copping a total of 15 golds in the biennial event, which impressively cam in at multiple categories.  Winning golds in long jump, 200 meter run and the 100 meter dash, Elma's most impressive performance would probably be in 1991, when she went on her usual winning ways, despite being "on the family way."  When people talk of great athletes with the strength and determination to win consistently over a number of years, Muros-Posadas has to be on top of that list.

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Fifty Peso Shots: February 2011

     Some shots from the cheap seats:

• Kudos must go to the "Filipino Wrecking Machine" Mark Munoz, who scored an impressive KO of CB Dolloway in UFC Live on Versus 3.  Munoz, who was once known as too one dimensional a wrestler, showed of his new-found striking skills learned from Black House.  How about a fight with Michael Bisping next?

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The Big Difference

     One of the things coaches can recognize over the years is an athlete's potential for greatness.  The thing is, people point to many things, like talent, training or IQ, but the difference between greatness and anything else? The ability to rise to the occasion.  This week, the sporting world gave us a stark contrast in examples.


Flash Forward

     It's easy to overlook Nonito Donaire when your country's most well-known boxer is 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.  Donaire knew that and he sought out Fernando Montiel for a high profile fight to formally announce his greatness to the world.  Shoved into the spotlight this past Sunday with his nation hoping and the world watching, the "Filipino Flash," delivered, and he did it in spades.

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Empty Nest

      So, it's official. Jerry Sloan, coach of the Utah Jazz for the past 23(!) years, has officially resigned.  With his resignation and apparent desire to not coach again, Sloan leaves behind tremendous numbers, achievements and distraught fans.

     I have made no secret (in articles like this one) that Sloan is one of my top coaches in history, if not my favorite.  Like me, many would point to his longevity as his greatest achievement. He was the longest tenured coach in US Professional Sports history, staying with the Jazz for 23 years (as coach, almost 30 if you include his days as assistant/scout) while the other NBA teams combined for a jaw-dropping total of 245 coaching changes.  Yet, it's not enough to just put it plainly as keeping his job for 23 years, while some head coaches last barely a few months.

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2011 NBA All Star Game Reserves: Coaching Errors

The NBA released its list of NBA All Star Game Reserves (including Yao Ming's replacement), and the results have been disappointing.  Admittedly, NBA assistant coaches have a tough job of deciding the reserves, but check out the list they gave out:

West Reserves: Pao Gasol (Center), Tim Duncan, Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki (forwards), Manu Ginobili, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams (Guards) 

East Reserves: Al Horford (Center), Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce (forwards), Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Joe Johnson (Guards)

Who should they have put in? Here are the snubbed players:

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Fifty Peso Shots: January 2011

     Some shots from the cheap seats:

• Watching the Timothy Bradley-Devon Alexander fight (which Bradley won by decision after a clash of heads), I couldn't believe the people indignant that Pacquiao didn't choose Bradley to fight.  Bradley's slow, stalking style and punches that are wound up too far are too easy for Pacman.  Bradley holds a lot too and is small.  I don't think it's a good idea for Pacman to face him.

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