The "new-look" Warriors

I decided to make this post based on the recent news about Baron Davis, ex-point guard of the Golden State Warriors, and his decision to sign with the L.A. Clippers. I was keeping up with the news about the NBA Free Agency period, and read that Davis opted out. I was surprised how someone could just walk away from about 18 million dollars. I guess I wasn't surprised as much as I was speechless because Davis was one of the reason I enjoyed watching the Warriors, and started following them as a team. I did not jump on the playoff bandwagon in the 06-07 season. I saw my first Warriors game the previous season, and that's when I totally immersed myself in Warriors basketball.

I loved Baron Davis' swagger, and his "big" guard style of play. I will admit that I hated when he got lazy and hoisted up a tres, or how he thought he could win the game alone. I knew Davis wouldn't be around for long, but to leave one year early, and sign with another team in our division, hurts. He could have stayed with the Warriors and nurtured up and coming point guards that we would draft or acquire, but I guess that's wishful thinking. The NBA is not always idealistic, and many players are driven by the power of the dollar. Kevin Garnett is probably one player who stuck with a team, and did everything he could to make them better, until the management decided to go in a different direction, and I guess I was hoping Davis was that type of person. Davis, according to other websites, donated money for Hurricane Katrina relief, and also had the summer basketball program in LA and also in the Bay Area for urban youth, so I am on the fence as whether to be a Baron lover or hater. I appreciated his play for the Warriors and his intensity that he brought in his game. I will remember his fadaway left baseline jumper that he loves, his ridiculous, no-look passes, and the dunk on AK-47. Davis was not always the best player, but he plays for the moment, and he gave us, Warrior fans, many moments to go "dumb" about. But again, to opt out of an organization that gave you a second chance, that defended you against New Orleans' "boos", is surprising and heart-breaking.

1. Monta Ellis (G)

2. Stephen Jackson (G)

3. Al Harrington (F/C)

4. Andris Biedrins (C)

5. Brandan Wright (F/C)

6. Marco Bellinelli (G)

7. Anthony Randolph (F)

8. Richard Hendrix (F)

9. Kelenna Azubuike (G/F)

10. CJ Watson (G)

11. Kosta Perovic (C)

12. Matt Barnes (F)

13. Austin Croshere (F/C)

Signing Corey Maggette:
After reading a lot of posts by Warriors beat writers, Corey Maggette is no replacement for Baron Davis, but he's athletic, will fit in with Nellie's style, and a good leader. People doubt his rebounding, play-making ability, and his health. But Nellie has a habit of rejuvenating a player's career, and he'll be a needed leader for the young players on our team. He has the swagger to fit in with our Bay Area pride.

Offer Signed by Ronny Turiaf:
I like this move, even though the Lakers still have the opportunity to match. Turiaf is a big-bodied bruiser that we can put on the floor. A writer expressed concern that if Turiaf is a Warrior that wouldn't leave many minutes for Hendrix, which is why I think Harrington maybe traded. These moves by Mullin are not just about making a team that will fit Nellie's system, but getting good players for the franchise, so future coaches will have a more conservative looking squad. What I think would be nice with the big-bodied power forwards is that they can keep their position on defense, and plug up the lane. Then the long arms of Biedrins, Wright, or Randolph can block the shot attempt. This would be similar to how Davis stole the ball when Nowitski was in the post, or how Baron would swat the ball from behind.

Pietrus signing with Orlando:
Pietrus was nice to have around, but it was obvious that if he had a chance to leave that he would take it. He's a good player, but probably has reached his ceiling at least with the Warriors and the minutes that he got last season.

What's next?:
Reports are saying that they are looking for a 3rd point guard to back Ellis and Watson. There are two point guards on their summer league team that are options. Another option would be trading Al Harrington for Kyle Lowry (or another PG). But I do agree with the need for a point guard. I would re-sign Azubuike again because he's a great all around player. I am sure there is much more excitement to come this off-season.

PG: Ellis/ Watson/ Lowry
SG: Jackson/ Bellinelli/ Azubuike*
SF: Maggette /Randolph
PF: Turiaf*/ Wright
C: Biedrins/ Hendrix

"Changes"

So, I wanted to type this post before I forget what the experience was like. Last week, I was waiting for the bus to go to work. The bus I wait for goes through Chinatown, therefore many elderly Chinese people are on the bus, along with other people going to work. The bus is usually crowded and sometimes does not stop. In this case the bus stopped, and the bus was moderately full, and two African American males wanted to get on. They were telling the people on the bus (mainly Chinese immigrants, who are ESL) to move to the back of the bus. From my experience on the bus, most people don't go all the way to the back. The African American males grew impatient and were swearing at the people to move back, and still there was no movement. In the end the African Americans got on to the next bus, but expressed their frustration about the people not moving to the back of the bus.
I could identify with both parties here. I know that the Chinese people don't cooperate, and whether it is because of a culture difference or that they are not fluent in English, they just look out for themselves. They will lug their bags of groceries on the bus, and take up space. They will not move all the way to the back of the bus, thus preventing 5-10 more people to fit onto the crowded bus. Don't get me wrong though, there are time where I have seen them display consideration for others. Also, the stigma and stereotyping behind color, and being black might have played a role in this situation. Maybe the Chinese people did not want to cooperate because they were afraid, especially when the two people started yelling. I can see why the situation arose.
I got onto a different bus, and was standing by two elderly Chinese women. They rose and got off at the bus stop. I proceeded to look around to see if anyone wanted/needed the seat before I would decide to sit down. Before I know it, a Caucasian couple squeeze by me to sit. The man was wearing sunglasses and just had that careless look on his face. I was so mad. I couldn't believe the inconsideration that he displayed. I proceeded to walk to the back of the bus, and cool off.

It's instances like this where you wonder how people can get along in this world. I wish that people could understand each other, and be respectful of each other. I guess I've seen a lot on the bus, and people really have to see that we're all the same. We go through similar experiences, though we're no the same race, age, or background. Also don't stereotype people by the way they look because things that come out of their mouth may surprise you. This goes both ways. And no matter what people are like, you have to respect them, not to be confused with revering them, but at least respect that they are people and can make their own choices.

God teaches us to love one another, and to love Him. It's considered the two most important commandments in the New Testament. In writing it's simple, but with this world and our experiences, it's difficult. But you know it's right, and it's what we should strive for.

"I got love for my brother but we can never go nowhere
unless we share with each other
We gotta start makin' changes
learn to see me as a brother instead of 2 distant strangers
and that's how it's supposed to be " - Tupac "Changes"

Back in Davis

This past weekend I went up to Davis because Asian American Christian Fellowship held it's Alumni Banquet. I woke up at 7:30 on Saturday morning, which is earlier that I would have to wake up if I were working on Saturday, and left my house at 8:30. I called Crystal, waking her up from her beauty sleep, at 9:15, since I was around Vacaville. I arrived in Davis at 10:15, and realized I forgot my toothbrush at home. I bought a toothbrush at Safeway.

First thing I did was decide to play basketball at the ARC. I don't know if it's the practice with FCBC, or the competition, but it was the best basketball I've ever played. Things seemed to be slower. I saw passing lanes and lead the pass to cutters or open shooters. I penetrated and attacked the basket. I pump faked, side-stepped, and popped the j. I posted up down low, cause of the mismatch, and make the turn around hook shot. I boxed out and grabbed rebounds. It was fun. That's highlight number one.

Highlight number two was hearing what the alumni had to say at the banquet. As most of shared how were were doing spiritually after having graduated from Davis, everything people shared in some way related to what I've been going through the past year. It was reassuring and a good reminder of what was to come and how I should approach it. Mark talked about getting plugged in a church, Kelvin about being humbled, Rich about slowing down and building up a strong spiritual foundation, Ariel about seeing God in the darkest of times, Tiff about being true to yourself, Melissa about trusting in God when your not sure what's next, Darrin about knowing how God is always in control, David about friendships and family in the body that is AACF. I talked about building up a spiritual foundation in AACF, before leaving so when stepping into the real world that you are a representative of Christ through your actions, especially in a non-Christian environment. God has also reminded me of that so many times since I have to help different patients whom have different personalities.

The final highlight was when I went out with the girls and the guys. It was at Soga's, and I was dancing. A black girl started to shuffle up to me, and I was thinking dance battle, but Michelle D. gets the wrong idea and starts to dance with her. After that miscommunication, she comes back to me, dusts off my shoes, mockingly unzips my jeans and pretends to smoke my p*nis. At that point, I was thinking it's on. In the back of my mind, I was also thinking do I really want to have a c-walk battle with a black person. I understand the history behind the c-walk and the b-walk, and the gangs etc. So whether I do the c-walk properly or not, I don't intend to offend anyone or initiate any trouble, to me it's just a dance style/step, that's fun. At this point the adrenaline is just running through my body, and it was pretty quick, so I don't remember all the details. I do some of my steps, and she copies me, so I step it up to some side shuffling, and she does some heel-toe, which I copy, and then she touches me or something, and I moved her arms off me and then began to do the "terminator" which I learned at Davis...lol. At that point she didn't know what to do, and pretty much admitted defeat. I don't remember if I did any krumping movements with my arms, but I remember pretending to fart at her while dancing away and waving my hand behind my butt. She came up to me and popped my collar, and I shook her hand, and that was it. David B. gave me the thumbs up, and Crystal T. was yelling, "yaaay," and gave me a hug. It was intense, fun, and thoroughly enjoyable.

I miss Davis, and my friends there. I wish I had more time, and could catch up with people more. It was hard to be comfortable when I wasn't staying in my own apartment, but it was only for a night. I miss my own place in Davis. But I guess, it'll be that much harder to keep in touch when I'm in LA, and really catch up with people.