The Warriors Falter Like the Team of Old

This was the game of the season with tied records of 47-31 between Denver and Golden State fighting for the number 8 spot in the playoffs with 4 games to go. Oracle was jumping and the crowd knew what was at stake, and so did the Warriors well at least they did in the first quarter. The crowd was loud despite a 5PM start we were pushing the team onward. I recalled a conversation I had with Michael Yang, who played on the US badminton team about how to get an edge in badminton. I know you think it's cheesy that I am comparing Basketball to Badminton but bear with me. He told me that Badminton is a game of focus, as soon as you let up or think you are winning, your opponent catches up and destroys you.

This was the same last night, the Warriors were leading by as much as 16 until the Nuggets came back on a 19 - 0 run and we continued to trail mostly for the rest of the game. AI was on fire the first half and Carmello just kept destroying the Warriors with jumpers the second half and their bench stepped up when ours did not show up. Everytime we chanted defense it fueled them to hit 3 pointers. A credit to Denver though, they always took a timeout when the Warriors had a big play and not only stopped our momentum but also the crowd noise as well. This worked very very well to control the atmosphere. Neither team played defense well in general, but the Warriors played little offense to keep up. They missed many many free throws. Despite an awesome first quarter from the starters, the following quarters were dismal at best. The bench did little to nothing to help the starters and the starters did not play with the same fire as they did last year. This is a different team this year folks. This Warrior team isn't the team like Rocky in Rocky I who had nothing to lose. When you have nothing to lose you are very very dangerous. After that great season last year the pressure is on and in all honesty the starters are tired and the bench is not helping. Yet all of these are excuses to me.

The Warriors of last year wanted the ball when the game was on the line. The Warriors of last year took the big outside shots and hit them. The game last night was a pathetic display of poor high bounce passes, no look turnovers to Denver for a score. They hesitated on the outside shots and tried to play a set offense. This Warrior team plays fast basketball not this setup low post style basketball! Perhaps this team is simply too tired to play Nellie basketball. The game, their destiny was in their control last night and they blew it.

Now we need a miracle. Denver needs to lose 2 out of the next 3 games and we need to win all 3. Or Dallas could lose all 3 games, anything is possible. At this point I would say our season is over. But looking on the bright side of things I must say that the Warriors had a great record but the West is simply too strong. After 13 years of crap ball I am proud of how far they have come. In the offseason we really have to evaluate the bench and pick up some players that can help from the bench. A few new starters would not hurt either. Go Warriors! We still believe!

Go Sharks and Giants though! At least they won last night!

Photos courtesy of ESPN.com

The Big Apple

Jet Blue

It is the first time that I have ever flown Jet Blue and the flight to New York was a little bit rough. I was on a plane that was 1 week new that still smelled like new leather. The seats all have a ton of space, nice and fair. I was really looking forward to enjoying the Direct TV all the way down, but my control pad was simply not functioning. There were 2 stewardesses that were questionably rude but another was very friendly. I may have caught her while she was trying to get the drinks out but she was not very helpful on my broken panel. Another stewardess did take my seat down and I heard that I can call Jet Blue for a $15 - $20 credit. Luckily I was too tired anyways and slept for 3.5 hours and read a book for the rest of the time. =) I love planes; I am the most productive on them.

My flight back to San Francisco was much better. The stewardesses were nice and I cannot believe that I am watching TV all the way back home! I have watched some of my favourite movies such as The Replacements, X-men 2 and basketball. Can you believe it basketball! They have TNT so I watched the Nuggets vs. Mavericks and of course it’s the Warriors vs. the Blazers. It is simply unbelievable that I get to cheer for my Warriors on a flight back home. This is simply amazing. My neighbour is starring at me strangely while I throw my fist and swear at the screen. In addition I have been able to work on my work reviews of my peers on this flight as well and read a little more. What a productive flight! On top of this as we descend, 2 minutes left on the game and Warriors will win!

Last Time in NYC

I haven’t been to New York since 2001 when I worked in the ever exciting New Jersey. My initial impressions of New York were not so great. New York was a very rough place with very rough people in 2001. I remember walking near Times Square and a blind lady with a guide dog suddenly lost her way. She grabbed the nearest person and it was a man in a hurry as is typical. He shrugs her off of his arm and says in his New York accent, “You are lost and all alone in the state of New York.” Another couple converged on the lady and the gentleman said, “Dude, what a jerk.” Obviously a Californian like ourselves and we asked, “We are tourists but can we help you.”However the events of 9/11 “changed the fabric of this city forever,” said my friend who had lived in New York for over 12 years now. Granted my story was probably very extreme, but I have found that folks have really changed and become more open to helping their fellow man.

Like Hong Kong

The fast paced life of New York truly reminds me of living in Hong Kong. As soon as you walk out of the hotel it’s cash money flying out of your pocket. There is so much good food and it is so convenient by subway to just call your friends to meet up. I was fortunate enough to meet up with my sister, Rob and Priya whom I haven’t seen in 11 years. In 5 days I ate steak, Korean, Japanese, Amsterdam style fries, Korean Fried chicken, listened to an Asian lead singer of an alternative rock band (very good) and watched a Knicks game.

This is a place for single folks though; I don’t know that I could do this going out every night thing and sustain it. Lots of fun for the week though!

Friends and Family

It was so wonderful to see family and friends on this trip. I had a really good time seeing good friends up in NYC. I also met a ton of nice people at work as well.

Ground Zero

Going to ground zero was extremely sad and to hear Priya’s account was even sadder. The two now deep empty holes where the beautiful Twin Towers and was an extremely depressing site. We take for granted the freedoms that we have and the security of our country. I took many moments of silences for the folks who passed. May we all remember this transgression against our country.