The one with a good game of basketball

Basketball Wednesday last night. The story of the messing booking was in the previous post.
After last week's massive turnout, the Wednesday session turned into an invite-only session. Exclusive for those who got the SMS invite. I, for one am honoured to be on the guest list.
Finished the game with 9-points, 12-rebounds, 3-assists and 2-steals. Great scoring night for me. Only took a couple of ill-advised shots. But happy to see some shots go in. One of them was a Dirk Nowitzki-esque jumper. Hit some runners in the lane, low post hook shots and some off the miss rebounds shots in mid-air.
It was finally nice to get my groove going in basketball.

The one with the poor service

Here is something different from all the sports related posts I've posted in 2012. Its about service and somehow either due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time or just damn dumb luck, I always seem to be the victim.
Let's begin with what use to be my favourite joint, Subway. As most of you know, I enjoy going to Subway. I promote it almost everyday on twitter. Every time and the Mrs go out, we must make sure there is a Subway chain in it. So one day, during lunch, I decided to go Subway. I went to an outlet where I'm a regular customer. When I arrived, I could smell the freshly baked bread. I thought to myself, "yeah, freshly baked bread". As I was just to make my order, the lady told me they ran out of bread. I in turned enquired and pointed out, "what is all this then, isn't this bread?". She told me the bread is to be delivered to another outlet. I was outraged. I thought all outlets have their own baking machines. Why must another branch bake for another?. And I am just one customer, don't tell me you can't serve me. I then left and thanked them loudly for the inability to serve one of their regulars.
I then vowed on twitter and facebook, that Subway has lost one of their regular customers. I know I'm being harsh because it is only one outlet, but for me, it just happened at the wrong time. While crossing the road to the Subway, a car ran over my feet. It was a red light for motorists and they somehow did not see people walking and crossing the road. And so, since then I haven't dined at Subway. It wouldn't teach them a lesson anyways, because they only lost one customer out of the million customers they have. Losing me as a customer would not effect their business revenues in any way. The Mrs in turn is relieved that my first suggestion for food is Subway sandwiches.
Next is my regular futsal and basketball joints.
For futsal, we have been regulars at this futsal joint for the past 8 years. I join 3 sessions there on Tuesday, Friday (though optional and cameo only) and Saturday.
Last Saturday we were asked to start later, at 5:20pm instead of at 5:00pm. The management cited the previous group started late. I said I was having none of it. They started late, that is their problem. My team knows the game is at 5 and they are all ready by 5 to 5. This is called time management. I got into a row with the group, telling them that they should manage their time properly. I told them, if there is no session after yours, then by all means, extend your playing time. But my session has been block-booked since 2004. We have been playing here way before they came. If you told me 5 more minutes maybe I can understand, but 20 minutes - no *bleep*-ing way. Told them we all have plans after the game, some have dinners or family events to attend and in my case go back to bathe my son. Maybe 20 minutes to you is nothing, but for me its very precious. In the end, the owner of the joint came in and told them to continue playing on another court.
Last night it was our basketball's joint to make a mess of things. The group has been playing since 2008 with a block-booked slot for Wednesday nights at 9:00pm. Last night they told us to start at 9:30pm. The previous week they messed up our 2-hour slot by double booking the 8-9 hour. So last night I gave them a piece of my mind (despite the fact I'm not the organizer for this session). I totally lost it when the guy told us that extending sessions is normal, since some people start late. I gave him the same earful as I did on Saturday. We also stated that this session has been block-booked since 2008, and the group before us only started playing last month. That group booked from 7:30pm to 9:00pm, but only came to play at 8:35pm. Well whose fault is that? In the end, I think the guy couldn't take it and when his boss arrived he ran away. The boss then said he did not authorize for the group to extend. So I guess the guy was messing around with the bookings.
Yes people, I do get angry when people mess around with my time.

The one with the first basketball game of 2012

Last night was the first basketball game for 2012.
It was the basketball Wednesday session and also the first time we were going for a 2-hour session. Sadly the joint messed up our booking and allowed us to start 8:30pm.
Another sad note was the reduced playing time. Turnout last night was 19 players and we were playing 4-on-4 halfcourt. So I only managed 3 games and I left at 9:30pm.
I couldn't find any rthym and only in my 3rd game I managed to put points on the board. First was a low post hook shot and second was a textbook executed mid-range jumper. I finished the night with 2 points 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
The organizer will try to get a 2-hour slot and try to manage the numbers. As fun as it was to play, the limited playing time is no fun.

The one with the year that was 2011

Happy 2012 people. May the new year bring you health and happiness.
Planning to post a review of my 2011. No outline of how I'm going to write this, so I'll just write as I go along.
First the main highlight of the year. The birth of my son, Aidan Danial. He came to this world on 5th September 2011 at 6.06pm. He came in weighing in at 2.65kg and 47cm in length. He will be 4 months in a couple of days, and the last check-up before Christmas he weighed 6.1kg and grew to 60cm in length.
On the sporting front, this year was the first year I decided to keep track of my stats in futsal and basketball. Yes, after all these years of playing and I've only decided to keep track of my stats when I'm past my prime.
In futsal I played a total of 64 games (eat your heart out you overpaid-footballers-who-say-you-play-too-many-games). In those 64 games, I racked up 108 goals and 112 assists, averaging 1.7 goals and 1.8 assists a game.
I've participated in 2 futsal tournaments. The KHR-organized tournament was ill-fated but the EPL supporters club fared better for me.
In basketball I've made 32 appearances and averaged 7.1 points, 15.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.4 blocks and 2 steals a game.
While I didn't keep track of my tennis stats, I did feel this was the year I improved. I felt I stalled in 2010, but think I got it together in 2011. It might not be on Roger Federer's level, but enough for me to enjoy the game.
Career wise, this year was a lost and wasted year. Nuff said.
For my beloved Spurs, 2011 was a roller coaster with plenty of ups and downs. Among the highlights was reaching the Elite-8 of the Champions League and being 3rd in the league going into 2012. The low-points was missing out of the Champions League as well as too-many dropped points in games where we should be winning especially when our rivals have lost. My player of 2011 is Luka Modric, followed closely by Gareth Bale.
A lesson I learned in 2011 was finding out who my friends are. And this was a majority of friends from when I was working in the treasury line. It seems after I left the line, I was discarded and cast aside. Only one person from the line remained a true friend. The rest, just choose to forget me. It was obvious they only needed me for business relations and nothing else. Even during the days leading to the 'decision' a lot of them called me up, but then stopped calling after I didn't take my talents to the 13th floor.
2011 was a mixed year, with the birth of my son being the highlight. May 2012 be better than 2011.

The one with my first triple double

Nothing beats a game of basketball after a stressful emotional draining day at the office. It is also great when one records a very good stat line.
Recorded my first triple double last night. Going for 13 points, 30 boards and 15 assists (accumulated). We only had 6 players last night, so we played 3-on-3, best of seven series. Even added a block and 4 steals for good measure. My team were swept 0-4.
My team consisted fellow UUM alums Adi and Mark. Adi was my teammate back then and we still share the same telepathic link we once did. Some of the plays we pulled off were plays from back in the year 2000.
Some plays were highlight reel material. Which was our trademark back then. Despite my points, should have finished with more. A lot of my jumpers and hooks were not falling. Even attempted 3 layups and a hook with my off-hand, but to no avail.
Still a whole of fun and good exercise.

The one with the 20-20 game

I enjoyed a great game of basketball last night. Even though the numbers were way short. It was still good fun.

Only 5 players showed up to court - Mark, Lim, Andrew, Adi and myself. So we ended up playing 2-on-2 basketball for the entire hour. We rotated the match-ups to keep the game interesting.

All in all, I played 5 games, and accumulated 21 points, 21 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block and 2 steals.

Since it was 2-on-2, I saw the session as an opportunity to find some offence which is long gone since my college days. Also, with the others tiring down, I put it on myself to just score. Manage to score with a vast array of moves; a left layup, skyhooks, up-and-under moves, jab-steps-in-your-face-jumpers, runners in traffic, tear-drops, put-backs, finger-rolls and off balance jumpers. Was really pleased with the performance and felt good about it. Found confidence in my game again.

Now, lets see if I can keep this going.

The one with my first basketball game in 2011

My first basketball game for 2011 didn't really go too well. Not much improvement from last year. Still in need of better shot selection and consistency. As well as off-the-ball movement.

At least I had a couple of moments of sheer Jordan-esque. A cross-over drive to the hoop and a spin move for the game winner.

From 4 half-court games, i accumulated 7 points 7 boards 8 assists and 1 block.

The one with my first KL Dragons experience

Last Sunday (the triple-10 date), I went for my first KL Dragons game in the Asean Basketball League. The ABL is in its second season, and only now I have to opportunity to see a regional basketball league. Mainly because now I have a group of friends who share a common interest in basketball after I have been out of the hoops scene for so long.

Well, it was the first home game of the season. Our opponents were SatriaMuda from Indonesia. I went who a fellow Spurs fan who help reintroduce me to the basketball scene, Ean. Tip-off was at 5pm, we reached the stadium around 4pm. We sat as court-side as we can get.

The SatriaMuda team were first out to warm-up. The home team came out a while later.

The SatriaMuda team had 2 American imports among their ranks. Both athletic dudes and one of them, Marcus Morrison really loved to entertain the crowd. SatriaMuda were very loose in their pre-game preparations.

A loud cheer erupted when the Dragons came out. The whole team had stoic-game-faces on. Probably focused on the job, and getting a win after the season opener loss to Thailand Slammers.

After the tip-off, both teams opened the game with 3-pointers. SatriaMuda mixed it up a lot. Their game included long-range shooting, drives into the paint and well as slick passing. The Dragons relied to much on shooting, which was their undoing.

Three of the Dragons big men fouled out, and SatriaMuda took advantage of the lack of size inside.

Only one Dragon came out of the game with credit, Filipono import Raymundo. He was doing everything, getting the offensive boards and 2nd chance points. The only player who played with any hustle. Sadly the offence didn't go through him, so he had to create and find his own shot. He finished the game with a Dwight Howard-esque 20 points and 21 rebounds.

The Dragons lost 68-77 in the end, after a late comeback. Despite the loss, I enjoyed the experience and will be looking to go to more home games.

The one with the returns

An active sporting week for me. Besides the usual futsal gigs, I've made my return to the courts of the sport I once graced and another which I plan to exhibit some exquisite shots.
Made my return to the basketball court last Tuesday. Yes, after my futsal Tuesday gig. I pulled off both futsal and basketball back-to-back. Well my game is off, but defensive awareness is still there. Even managed a block in the game. And hit the game winning basket in my last game (we played first team to reach 15 points wins).
And as I post this, I just came back from tennis. The group has been in hiatus, due to either rain or unable to book the courts. Now we are switching our venue to Monterez Golf Club. And the court is beside the pool. Very tempted to just jump into the pool after playing. Had a great game. Most of us were trying to find our shots, and it felt great when it came.
A great sporting week.

The one where my Lakers lost

The NBA Finals is now said and done. The NBA season is now over. Next dose of basketballing action would be in the Olympics. The US of A will be favourites but defending champions Argentina are always dangerous as well as Euro powers Spain and Russia. Not forgetting the hosts China.
I didn't have the opportunity to watch the games, but managed to catch the highlights on youtube. So Lakers lost to the Celtics 4-2. I believe the collapse in game 4 where we were leading by double digits at halftime was the factor. If we had swept the home series, we would just need one win in Boston. But after starving off defeat in the last home game in LA in game 5, trying to win 2-in-a-row in Boston is no easy task.
What have we learned from the finals. Well Kevin Garnett finally wins a ring. He really deserves one after years and years of trying. One of the most exciting big men to play, for him to win is something fans want (even at the expense of the Lakers).
Also Kobe Bryant is still Kobe Bryant. His killer instinct, will to win is still one of the best. If only his teammates could have contributed. Especially on defense where the Celtics had many wide open looks. Anyways I'm backing Kobe to lead the team again next season. Then again, he will lead team USA in the Olympics first.
So with the NBA said and done, next up for sports fans will be the knockout phase of Euro 08 and the upcoming Wimbledon.

The one with the Kobe and the Lakers

Well the NBA Finals is just around the corner. As I write this, the (L)eastern Conference Finals is still going on (game 6, with Celtics leading the series 3-2 against the Pistons). In the meantime, the LA Lakers have made the finals, dispatching the defending champions Spurs 4-1. So now Kobe and the gang have ample time to rest till the finals kick off on 5th June.
A lot has been said at the beginning of the season. With Kobe making trade demands, no decent talent around him, the fans calling for Mitch Kupchack's head. Well they all decided to stick it out and with the mid-season addition of the Spaniard Pau Gasol, it was looking very bright and sunny in LA again. And Kobe gave a season performance for the ages. He had to stave off young talents in Chris Paul and Lebron James for his first MVP award at the age of 30. Amazing considering the MVP-numbers seasons he had.
The Lakers made their march to the finals by beating the Nuggets, Jazz and Spurs. Now they await the winner of the Celtics-Pistons series. Most fans want a Lakers-Celtics series, as it will be a throwback to the 80s when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird lead their Lakers and Celtics teams respectively.
However I believe Lakers would love to face the Pistons, to get revenge over the 2004 Finals loss. Which lead to the break-up of Kobe, Shaq and coach Phil Jackson. Now that Shaq got his 4th ring with the Heat a couple seasons ago, Kobe wants to prove he too can win without Shaq. And Phil Jackson would love another ring to add to his collection (which I've lost count).
So here's to the Lakers and the NBA, where amazing happens.

The one with the basketball

After some time, a basketball post. Been sometime since I last played. I no longer join the group that I use to play with on Sundays. Being the fact its a Sunday and I don't really want to do anything at all. So a friend invited me to join his group which plays on Friday night.
It was the first session for the group. Probably want to see the response. The fact that everyone was totally out of rhythm was plain to see. Most couldn't keep up with the pace. I managed to keep up but I don't recall playing basketball hurting this much. Guess when you play the 'run-and-gun' style it does take a toll on you.
I myself enjoyed this session compared to my previous groups. Reason being most of the players are actively playing in social leagues and all-stars in their own right. I believe most of the players from today's group are stars also, so I will wait before committing my Friday nights to the group. Guess everyone wanted to see how each other played as well as adjusting to the style of play.
My game, well I had a very bad shooting night (again) going 1-for-7. At least my stat line was filled with 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks. I also enjoyed playing the point guard role at times. A role I haven't played since college. I know I can do better, especially when it comes to rebounds as I'm still lazy to bang inside with the other big guys. I still enjoy playing in the wings playing the slasher role.
I had the winning assist for the night. I was in mid-air behind the board, and threw a no-look-pass over my shoulder to an open teammate for the winning shot.
So the group decided to make it a fortnightly affair. Maybe after it picks up, I might need to buy a new pair of shoes.

The one where I played basketball again

Well 2007 will come to an end soon. Guess I should do a recap of the year post. But I'll do that tomorrow.
So today I went for a basketball game. Met some new friends last night and they invited me to join their basketball game in USJ. Damn, its been a long time since I played b-ball. Well the age group was all in their 20s. I joined the team consisting of those on the wrong side of 20. We played 4-on-4 half court. Good thing we played half court since my court awareness was still off.
Well I had a good game myself. But being the new game I had the element of surprise. They didn't know how I played, but managed to show flashes of brilliance for some highlight reel plays. Anyways, my offence pretty much sucked. Couldn't hit the open jumper and my points were mostly from sky hooks. Didn't know I still had that move. My passing game was great. Vision and court awareness still intact except I still wasn't familiar on how my teammates played so some of my passes caught them (and the opponents off-guard). Like when I play futsal, I'm a pass first player, and when it comes to b-ball I watch a lot of Steve Nash play making. Some of the players noticed that I'm a pass first player with the eye for the highlight pass, so they didn't expect me to shoot much, and judging how I was shooting I might as well set up plays.
The surprise of the day for me (and everyone) was my defense. I had 5 blocks. And never had I had 5 blocks in a single game. Some players after being blocked by me did not dare to shoot after that. And I thought my timing was off.
Anyways good game for me and I really missed playing basketball so that game was well needed.