California Draftin'

There were a few players from the L.A. Area who had their names called in the NBA Draft on Wednesday. The most notable being UCLA star Jordan Farmar, who was drafted by the hometown Lakers with the #26 pick. Farmar spent his prep days at Taft High (Woodland Hills), where he won City Player Of The Year and helped his team win the City Section Title in 2004.

Farmar's a good player and the Lakers are in need of a true point guard. They'll make a good fit provided Phil Jackson gives him some playing time. I'm sure it'll happen, but how many minutes he'll get on the court will remain to be seen until the season starts. Everyone knows how Coach Jackson gives rookies any play time. Maybe with Farmar, that'll change.

Another player with So-Cal roots that was drafted in the first round was Marcus Williams,who was picked #22 overall by the New Jersey Nets.

He played basketball at Crenshaw High (L.A.)for his 9th through 11th grade years but transfered to Oak Hill Acadamy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, a private school known for sending several players to Division 1 schools every year. They are consistently ranked among the top high school basketball teams in the country.

He played college ball at the University of Conneticuit and was on the 2004 NCAA championship team, though he got little to no playing time during that season. This past season he was the starting point guard at Conneticuit.

I got to see Williams play during his days at Crenshaw when he played against my alma-mater Dorsey High. I went to a few of the basketball games, and he was always their standout player.

Other players with So-Cal roots who had their names called were Ryan Hollins, Hassan Adams and Bobby Jones.If you've followed So-Cal prep and college basketball within the last five years then these names are familiar to you. All were drafted in the second round.

Former UCLA center Hollins picked up by the Charlotte Bobcats at #50.

Adams, a former prep standout at basketball-powerhouse Westchester High (L.A.)was drafted in the second round by the Nets 54th overall. He played college ball at the University of Arizona for all four years.

Jones played college ball at the University of Washington and high school ball at Dominguez High (Compton) for his 9th-11th grade years and Long Beach Poly High his Senior year. He was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves at #37, but was traded to the Philedelpia 76ers shortly after.

Someone who I was expecting to see get his name called was Aaron Aflalo, current UCLA standout and former Centennial High prep star. He origianally sent his name in the draft although he never hired an agent. He decided to stay in college for an extra year. Good for him and for UCLA also!

A Hot Game

Well, it looks like Dwyane Wade has signified his place as the best player in the draft of 2003.

On the NBA's biggest stage, he played his best through most of the seires and carried his team to a championship and earned a well-deserved Finals MVP award.

Dallas had no answer for him. Not to mention they made silly mistakes and role players (Stackhouse,Howard, Daniels,etc.) didn't play consistently. Then there's the refs,

I'd go so far as to say that Miami didn't win the series but Dallas lost it....Dallas flat out choked!! Just like the Lakers and Clippers did in their respecitve series. But I digress.....

I wanted the Mavs win the series, but it didn't happen. That's fine because they will be among the top teams in the Western Confrence for years to come.

It was good to see veterans like Alonzo Mourning and Gary Payton get championship rings, even though they didn't earn them! But it was basically D-Wade's show.

This was a great game 6 to end a great hard-fought series. Thus ends an incredible NBA season.

Now I'll have to resort to watching StreetBall and the WNBA to get my basketball jones!!! Nothing wrong with that though!

Ready For Some Futbol?

I've never been a huge fan of soccer,but I have the utmost respect for the athletes who participate in the sport. It's funny how soccer is recognized all over the world as a popular sport, but yet here in America not as much prevalance is given to it.

I'd go so far as to say that the results in the World Cup are proof of this. The team representing the U.S. lost yesterday against the Czech Republic, 3-0. I wanted to see the game yesterday, but it came on while I was in class.

They play Italy next, and Italy is considered to have one of the best soccer teams in the tournament. Should the U.S. lose, then they'd be out. The game is this Saturday at noon. I'll schedule it in my plans to watch it and see what happens. Even if they do lose, I still would like to watch the rest of the World Cup to get an insight into the sport from a worldview. I'm not sure what other country I would root for though.

By watching World Cup games, I'll grow a greater appreciation for the sport as a whole. Profesional soccer is on a break because of the World Cup. The Fall semester at Cerritos is approaching, and along with American football, Futbol (or soccer as we know it) will be starting then. I'll be looking forward to watching both the men and women's teams play.

Did The Lynx Read My Last Entry??

After I posted a few days ago about how I don't care too much for the WNBA, because of the lack of excitement and scoring, the Minnesota Lynx broke the record for the highest score in a game on Wednsday.

They beat the L.A. Sparks by a score of 114-71. In the process they got their first win of the season.

The Lynx were led by rookie guard Seimone Augustus, who scored 26 points. It's way too early in the season, but she's my pick for Rookie Of The Year.

What a way to win! Getting your first win of the season by dismantling one of the premier teams in the WNBA.

In case you were wondering, I didn't watch the game. That's what I get for not caring to much for women's basketball huh?? I missed history.

But I'm looking forward to watching more women's games, to see how the season goes. I'll be looking to see if there will be anymore 110 point games. Or maybe 90 point games.....80 points at least! C'mon ladies, I know you can do it!!!