"It Never Rains in Southern California" ~ Did Tony! Toni! Tone! lie to us?

I checked the forecast and it looks like RAIN for NBA All-Star weekend in LA...

That's great.  First we deal with snow for the Super Bowl XLV festivities and now we get rain for NBA All-Star in Los Angeles. 

Last year for NBA All-Star we had snow and ice in DALLAS.  Yep, Dallas...  So that leads us to the million dollar question: Why does Dallas weather hate professional sports?!?! 

Anyway, back to LA...  I guess Tony! Toni!  Tone! were wrong when they sang that, "It never rains in Southern California".

I caught up with some of my people who are already in LA, and they said they're not going to let the rain, rain on their party/parade.  I'm still hoping for a weather turnaround as soon as I touch down...

Most people will get into LA on Thursday.  I'm not most people, but I'll see you all soon!

Until then, enjoy the tune. 



****  Please keep forwarding me NBA All-Star event information for possible inclusion in the blog. I do review the materials and press releases sent to me, but regret that I cannot include all of the events in the blog for various reasons. 


THE WIRK

In Dallas for the Super Bowl XLV festivities

Flew to Dallas for the Super Bowl XLV festivities and connected in Atlanta.  Sure enough, Tony Gonzalez and Rick Ross were on my flight.  I only got one of them as I walked towards baggage claim. 

Great dinner at the Dallas Chop House (i.e. Chef Mo Assi hooked it up) last night.

On the way back after dinner the snow was coming down.  We're talking lots of snow, people...  If I didn't know any better, I'd think I landed in Antarctica.

The Green Bay Packers are staying "across the street" at the Omni in Las Colinas and the Pittsburgh Steelers are staying at the Omni in Fort Worth.  Go for it, stalkers...  You're welcome. 

P.S.  You're going to need credentials to get into those hotels, so I'm really not giving you too much to work with anyway :-P


THE WIRK

Margarito v Pacquiao is a sad substitute for Mayweather v Pacquiao

It's obvious if you've been checking this blog, that I've had Dallas on the brain.  I was just there over the weekend and I couldn't help but notice the billboards that were up for the Antonio Margarito v Manny Pacquiao fight, which is slated to take place at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium on Saturday, November 13.  Is this fight appealing to me?  Eh.  The answer isn't simple.  I'm curious since I would like to see Pacquiao fight.  A month or so ago, I noticed he was working out in Baguio (i.e. in the Philippines, where I have family).  I practically begged my cousins to run out and send me some pictures, but they never came through for me.  I have another cousin in Dallas who went and saw Pacquiao fight Clottey the last time he was at Cowboys Stadium, and he relayed that the experience was awesome.

I've been to the new Cowboys Stadium.  I saw the Dallas Cowboys defeat the Philadelphia Eagles during last season's NFL playoffs.  This year, I also saw the NBA All-Star game at Cowboys Stadium.  Thank goodness I had a pass and a good seat to take in the game and the entire scene, otherwise I may not have enjoyed the experience as much since the building is HUGE.  I never realized the difference in size between a basketball court and a football field until I saw just how many people they could pack in for the basketball game.  There were chairs EVERYWHERE.  Since a boxing ring is even smaller I really can't imagine how that will look in such a large space.  If it weren't for that monstrous overhead screen, I can't fathom how anyone could enjoy watching a boxing match at the venue.

I remember where I was when Manny Paquiao fought Joshua (aka "Blood" <-- sorry, my joke) Clottey.  I was in Atlantic City with friends and the action on the casino floor basically came to a stop as the rounds ended one after the other.  Supervisors, pit bosses, waitresses, customers all stopped and watched the TVs.  I need to talk to my boxing friend, John, to see if that's the same reaction the Margarito v Pacquiao is anticipated to evoke.

Margarito v Pacquiao...  Is it just me, or is this a bit of a sad substitute for the marquee match-up that most boxing fans desire?!?!  It's no secret that people would prefer to watch Floyd "Money" Mayweather v Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.  I was playing online and found a poll.  The poll simply asked when people thought Mayweather and Pacquiao would fight.  With over 40% of the vote, the respondents answered "Never".  The other two choices were: 2011 and when they're both washed up.  Out of curiosity, I'm going to poll the readers of this blog and see what they think ~ so feel free to vote on the right-hand side of this post.

I'm not going to lie.  I was curious and looked at the tickets available for the Margarito v Pacquiao fight.  There are definitely some good ones available and I've been wanting to see Pacman fight live.  Margarito has been in trouble in the past for his hand wraps and accused of using a plaster like substance to gain an unfair advantage.  As a result, Margarito and his trainer had their license revoked by the California State Athletic Commission.  If you want more information, check out the following link: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3897765.  Needless to say, Margarito acquired a license to compete in Texas.

I've never seen a live boxing match.  It might be time to think about returning to Texas, to see if Margarito can redeem himself and fight "fair" but in all seriousness, I think Pacquiao will dominate and win.  To be honest, I have to question why Pacquiao is even fighting Margarito (i.e. who I'll admit I had to research heavily as if I was doing a grade school book report to even write anything remotely knowledgeable on the man), when Mosley or Martinez would have more cache in the world of PPV.  I mean. let's face it, I'd imagine that my cousins would be among the faithful Filipinos and boxing fans who might invest in the fight (i.e. to share the nation's pride, when Pacquiao wins <--  yes, I wrote "when") and Margarito should receive support from his Mexican fan base, but I can't imagine that this fight would really be a good one.  Plus, even though I'm not the most patient person ~ I might be willing to pass/wait for the match-up that over 40% of the people polled believe will never happen (i.e. Mayweather v Pacquiao).  I guess time will tell...


THE WIRK

NBA All-Star Game ~ 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend, Dallas

2 Sundays ago, I went to my very first Super Bowl.  Last Sunday (i.e. 2 days ago) I went to my very first NBA All-Star game.  Yes, I said it ~ "VERY FIRST".  Some people find that surprising.  Sure, I've been to Jam Sessions and All-Star Saturday night for the 3 Point and Slam Dunk contests...  But, I've never made it to the actual All-Star game ~ until this year.

This year's Super Bowl was historic.  The Saints won it all in their 44th year as a franchise in Super Bowl XLIV (i.e. the 44th Super Bowl for those of you that are Roman numerically challenged).  This year's NBA All-Star game was also historic.  It was slated to draw a world record in attendance for a basketball game, since it was being played in the New Dallas Cowboys Stadium. 

New Guinness Book of World Records achievement in attendance for a basketball game

I was thrilled to be going to the game, even though I'd been to the new stadium earlier this year for the Eagles v Cowboys playoff game.  You knew that already, right?!!?   No?!?!  Well you would have, had you been following this blog since Day 1.  Just saying...  :-P

For those of you, who are curious ~ and you know that you all are.  Here is some video I found on youtube that shows how the floor of the new Cowboys Stadium was transformed to accommodate the 2010 NBA All-Star game.  It's AWESOME.



The NBA transportation took us to the arena easily.  There was a long line for people to get into the arena.  Fortunately for me, I didn't have to wait in that line...  Inside the stadium, I couldn't wait to see the setup for the basketball game.  A quick trip across the concourse and this was the view that I saw.

After sizing up the arena and looking at the seating differences for basketball, I descended into the tunnels and was able to take in the scene prior to the player introductions.  Kobe Bryant wasn't playing the game, but he was in the tunnels. 

Kobe Bryant talking to Dwight Howard

After that scene got tiresome, I walked through the tunnels and went towards the floor of the stadium and took in the scene at "field level". I couldn't believe I was so close to the action and the energy of the stadium was palpable.  People were excited and you could feel it!  More Kobe interviews were conducted, while  Reggie Miller and Marv Albert were doing their pregame show segments.

Usher performed 2 or 3 songs prior to the player introductions.  Does anyone know if Usher still has an ownership stake in Cleveland?  Just curious.  Next question: Is Usher still relevant?  I don't think he is, but that's my 2 cents...

Usher

Before the game with the East and the West on the floor

Opening tip

It's the NBA All-Star game.  I've watched many of these through the years and the "formula" is the same.  The players have fun for the first 3.75 quarters and begin to play for the win towards the end of the game.  During the 1st half of the game, I scanned the crowd and enjoyed the action on the court.  At half time, I was curious to see how the crowd would be managed as the players traveled what I'd like to refer to as "Lombard Street" at the new Cowboys Stadium...  For those of you that don't know what that means, I beg you to travel to San Francisco and the curves of "Lombard Street" for yourself.

The path the players had to walk reminded me of the game Centipede...

Shakira and Alicia Keys performed at half-time.  My only complaint was about Shakira's outfit, since it was a cross between Beyonce's "Single Ladies" leotard and Lady Gaga's outfits with the "shoulder embellishments"...  All of them look great ~ but come on....  Can we please get some originality ladies?!?!

Shakira

Alicia Keys

Also, at half-time, the USA Basketball team was presented to the crowd.  The 2010 FIBA World Championships are being held in Turkey this September.  27 marquee names on the roster include:  LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade, etc.  For all of you Duke fans, I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the USA head coach is Mike Krzyzewski.

Some of the members of Team USA

With under 40 seconds left in the game, the score was tied at 137.  This made some people nervous, because not many people wanted this game to go into overtime.  Eventually the East won the game 141-139 and Dwyane Wade was named the MVP of the game.

As the stadium cleared, I took some more pics around the stadium and watched the taping of Inside the NBA.

Kevin McHale, Chris Webber, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley

After the Inside the NBA was done taping, here are some gems that I was able to snap.

On the actual game court

Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire leaving the stadium

Dwyane Wade leaving the locker room

Dwight Howard leaving the stadium

By the time we all left the arena, it was LATE.  I ended up chatting it up with PR and media people from all over the country.  Ever sat in front of someone who's written about you in a newspaper and he not know who you were?  I have and it's a very strange feeling.

NBA ~ Where amazing happens!

THE WIRK

Friday night's ESPN Party at the W ~ 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend, Dallas

It's Monday and I'm still in Dallas.  QUICK recap below of Friday...

Friday night, My friend, Teri and I went to the ESPN party.  It was at the Ghostbar at the W and a good time.  DJ Rashida (i.e. Prince's DJ from his days at 3121 at the Rio in Vegas and resident DJ for America's Best Dance Crew) was spinning, the Nike MVPuppet commercials were playing on the screens, and there were video game consoles positioned throughout the space, so that people could match-up and play one of the NBA games...

It was a great time to mix with old friends and meet new people.  Everyone was happy and enjoying the good time.

• I was able to wish my friend, DA, a Happy belated birthday in person, as opposed to just throwing it up on his facebook wall earlier in the week. 
• It was fun chatting it up with Ron Harper about the old Cleveland haunts (e.g. Spy Bar, the Flats, etc.) and dancing to all the hot tracks with my DC friends who also made the trip to Dallas. 
• I noticed a shorter man having his picture taken next to me and instinctively I leaned out of the picture.  Afterwards, I asked my friend who it was that was next to me, and he told me it was Spike Lee.  Ahhh, man...  First of all, I should've leaned IN and not out!  Secondly, just how short is Spike Lee?!?! 
• Russell Simmons walked by, and I was able to say, "Hello," as he slowly moved past with his people ~ the place was packed and no one was parting the sea of people easily.  For anyone curious, Russell Simmons isn't tall either, but he's taller than Spike Lee. 
• The main character, from "Hangin with Mr. Cooper" was milling about at the party, and that sparked discussion as to whether he was still "relevant".  Needless to say it took me way too long to remember his entire name ~ Mark Curry.  
• Kevin Love, David Lee, and Danilo Gallinari were there. 
• Numerous ESPN personalities were there along with other media folks. 
• Alonzo Mourning walked out and his wife was wearng a hat and looked great ~ they were stylin'! 

At the end of the night, Lebron and his crew made it to the party.  My first clue that Lebron was there was that I saw his mom, Gloria, walk past me.  I've seen Gloria soo many times this weekend, I'm beginning to think she's my family too!  It was after 2AM, and the party was wrapping up ~ but Lebron made his appearance and was playing the video game and re-enacting the 2009 NBA Finals match up between the Orlando Magic v Los Angeles Lakers.  As soon as that game ended, he and his crew left and the party was over.

At events like this, some people expect me to come back with TONS of pics.  The issue is that, that is simply not possible and will never happen.  I normally keep my camera in my purse (i.e. it's much easier to take a picture when you're farther away from a person, as opposed to right next to someone), but on Friday night I was actually ASKED to snap a few pics, since the photographer had left for the night.

Here's one of the 3 pics, that I took, for your enjoyment.

After the party, my crew and I headed back to our hotels.  In the car we began a lively discussion as to how we'd need to line up Spike Lee, Gary Coleman, Emmanuel Lewis, and Wesley Snipes if we wanted to go from tallest to shortest...  Ouch...

That was Friday...  I'm sure I'm forgetting some folks, since I'm intentionally leaving out some others...  :-P

THE WIRK

Welcome to Dallas ~ let's get the NBA All-Star weekend started

I'm in Dallas waiting on my friend to get here so here we go...

Earlier today, I barely made my flight.  Traffic was moving so slowly, and most lanes were blocked due to snow banks.  Thankfully the flight was delayed, and YES, I should've left earlier.  I had checked in online, like a good Silver Preferred Dividend Miles member and then hustled to the airport to print out the boarding pass and check my bag.

Quick question: Are the parents of unaccompanied minors allowed to use the Dividend Preferred/First Class line?!?!  My stance, is NO.  Somebody tell me if I'm wrong.

While waiting to board my flight, I was listening to the gate announcements.  At issue was a flight to New Orleans.  Evidently these passengers have been stuck at the airport for a while.  The gate agent announces 5-6 names and then mutters into the microphone, "We're not going to board these people."  Say whaaaaaaaaaaat?  I can only imagine.  Then the same guy made an announcement asking for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for $500 vouchers.  When there were no takers, he made another announcement, "One of the people in the boarding area just had a suicide in the family and needs to get to New Orleans."  Seriously!?!?  Isn't that too much information?  Couldn't he have just said, there was a death in someone's family?

While waiting, I charged my iphone and started chatting it up with a guy from New Orleans who was trying to go home.  We started talking about Drew Brees.  For any of you that are Drew Brees fans and/or saw that video of him leading a cheer at a local bar (i.e. I saw the clip yesterday while watching "Rome is Burning") ~ that bar's name is Lucy's.  Have fun tracking him down.

Boarded the plane and then this oddly shaped older man ends up having the seat next to me.  He's shorter and kinda resembles an "egg" since he was roundest in the middle.  The egg goes to sit next to me and then notices his seat is wet.  I look and there appear to be 3-4 drops of water on his seat.  He asks me if handbag is leaking.  Really?!?!  Why would I carry anything in my Dior that would leak.  Then he says he's going to get some napkins.  My inside voice is saying "Whatever, egg...  Do what you want...  I didn't get your seat wet."  I ignored him and didn't say a word to him the entire flight.  I don't like eggs.

We get to Dallas, where the 12 inches of snow has begun to melt.  It's on the ground, but the roads are clear.  I take a cab to the hotel.  Incidentally, I see a building with a large picture of Dirk Nowitzki (duh, he plays for Dallas) and LeBron James.  Noticeably absent was Kobe Bryant.  Just saying.

Where's Kobe? 

$50 later (i.e. for the cab), I'm at the hotel surrounded by a bunch of kids with basketballs to be signed and plenty of people with cameras.  They're all camped out in the lobby.  NBA signs are everywhere and the minimum height in the lobby for adult men, has to be about 6'5".  It's either NBA All-Star weekend or I got lost and ended up at a pituitary gland disorder conference.  What's a pituitary gland, you ask?  All you need to know is that it has to do with growth hormone and it makes you tall.  You have more questions?  Well then, "Google" it... :-P

I try to check in and my name's not the primary name on the reservation.  I expected that.  Problem was, I was also not the secondary name on the reservation.  After a quick call from my friend to the Front Desk Manager, I'm "checked in" and starving.  I drop the bags off in the room and go back downstairs to survey the scene and figure out if I want to eat in a restaurant or have room service.  I cover some ground and then hit the main entrance, where within about 5 mins of checking into the hotel ~ there he is, Danny Ferry.

I immediately turn around, walk the other way and decide room service it is.  I'm not in the mood to run into/talk to/make eye contact/interact with him on ANY level after our interaction in 2008.  I can be nice and ignore him, but I'm not sure the opposite is true.

I relayed the story to my friend earlier today, before she boarded her plane and she just said, "Welcome to NBA All-Star."  HAHA.  It's going to be a long weekend!

Incidentally, did anyone check out the Rookies v Sophomores game and see Craig Sager?  Here's a pic I took of him on TV.  Yes, the TV colors are correct,  that's really Craig Sager's suit.  It hurts my eyes.

Only, Craig Sager would wear a suit like that!  :-P

THE WIRK

Valentine's Day AND NBA All-Star weekend! What could be better?!?!

My favorite day of the year, VALENTINE'S DAY, is approaching... I CAN'T wait to celebrate it in Dallas, surrounded by my first love ~ the NBA :-P

I've dated my share of  guys throughout my years on this planet.  For most of my life, I was someone's girlfriend.  When I was 24 I got engaged to someone who plays in the NBA and 2 years after that, although the relationship ended  ~ I'm still lucky/haunted enough to see him running up and down the court on national TV or in person.  Incidentally I'd laid eyes on him in person, 3 years prior during NBA All-Star weekend in Cleveland, although he doesn't remember and I wasn't sure who he was...  Haha.  That was a fun time of my life, when life was (for the most part) easy...  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ~ but that's not the point of this post.

I love basketball.  Yes, I enjoy football, baseball, hockey, and tennis.  Who doesn't appreciate the beauty of the completed pass that's run into the end zone for a touchdown or the occasional Pick 6 (i.e. when it doesn't happen against my Colts in the Super Bowl)?!?!  Who doesn't want to sit in the sun and have a hotdog and beers with friends in the summer, while hoping for a homerun at each at bat?!?!  Who doesn't want to see a hockey fight and then watch the game end in a shootout?!?!  Who wouldn't ask to be bumped off of her flight in 2008, when Nadal and Federer were battling for the Wimbledon championship (i.e.  Yes, I did it, and I have no regrets)?!?!  But at the end of the day I love basketball...

Basketball is fast.  For the most part you have 10 guys who are moving all the time.  It's a timed game: 48 minutes of game time, so unlike baseball ~ you make plans afterwards, since unless there's overtime, you know when you're going to be free.  Basketball players don't wear helmets ~ in fact, the closest you'll get to a helmet is if a player is suffering from a broken nose, and even then it's more Phantom of the Opera-ish...  Basketball is indoors and therefore, fans don't have to sit through rain delays, falling snow, or extreme temperatures.  There are 82 regualr season games...  Therefore, every couple of days a true fan can indulge in watching their team on TV or live...  For all these reasons and more, basketball is king.

I like people, and I love people watching.  In particular, I pay special attention to the psychology of sports.  You can see it in an athlete's eyes, walk, shoulders, etc. whether or not he's given up or his heart is still in the game.  Watch the huddles during a time out and you can see which players don't care and who the natural leader is on the team.  A coach is a coach, but each team needs an alpha that holds the other men on his team accountable on the court and in the locker room.

You learn a lot about the make-up of players by how they handle the "fake" fouls called on them, the "incidental" contact made on them by their defenders, their preparation at the free throw line, how they react when they shoot and miss, their decision to pass rather than shoot, and how the celebrate the win/loss.  At the end of the game, you witness the humanity or inhumanity of an athlete.  Whether they can muster enough strength to do a post-game interview, shake their opponents hand, or even permit themselves to be strong enough to cry tears of joy.  I watch athletes very closely and that's why even the most boring games can interest me.

I love people, and one of the most influential people in my life is my dad.  My dad is taller, 6'2" and I've always had an appreciation for tall.  Before my brother developed an appreciation for sports, it would be my dad and I watching the NBA on TNT.  I had a basketball hoop and played with a Dr. J basketball growing up.  I'd buy the Sporting New's NBA Preview magazine every year and study it more than I ever studied any book in my life.  I saved those old issues, and I refuse to throw them away ~ they're like family albums, since they've been with me all these years.  From those issues, I could tell you the names of teams, players, and coaches.  I was never a stats girl, but I could tell you where the player went to school, and if he was a journey-men, I could name the teams where he played previously in his career.  I never collected basketball cards, but I still have a Patrick Ewing basketball card, and I think it came out of an Olympics' themed cereal box.  I know where that card is ~ and I look for it every time I go back to my mom's house and make sure it's still there on my dresser and not thrown out.  I love my sports memorabilia (i.e. almost as much as I love my designer handbags), and my family knows not to touch the stuff (i.e. that I store at their houses) and not to throw it away.  Toss away old clothes as much as you like, but don't touch my sports stuff.

I've often contemplated law school, but at this point in my life, I never found a convincing reason to go.  I'm sure my father would like me to go into corporate law, but to be honest sports agency was appealing.  Remember the show Arliss?  I do.  It was entertaining.  However, after the NBA Lockout, I never really saw the need for an agent once the salaries were more or less predetermined by the CBA (e.g. collective bargaining agreement).  Further, once I actually met some sports agents, I decided that that path wasn't for me.

Valentine's Day connotes love to me, and love is born out of trust and consistency. Basketball has been as consistent a force in my life as my family.  Basketball games are where I would bond with my brother on my visits to Duke, with my father on Friday nights when I was in my teens (i.e. because he was strict and always tried to keep me at home), and where I would take my friends back when you couldn't GIVE AWAY Cavs tickets in the pre-Lebron era at the old Gund Arena.  I looked forward to seeing my basketball family of players, wives and girlfriends, ushers, and security, 41 times a year in Cleveland for 4 years.  Unsurprisingly players and coaches leave and find new gigs on different teams, and therefore my network expanded to numerous cities.  All-Star weekend is one time of year when we can all take a break and get together in one location, reminisce, make new friends, and celebrate our love of the game together.

Last Valentine's Day I got a ring and the stone fell out 6 months later.  YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!!!  Talk about a "sign".  Forget about going to Jared's...  For anyone looking to get me a present this year, below is my suggestion.  Talk about an upgrade from the ball, I played with when growing up...

 
















THE WIRK