Saturday, June 30, 2012

New Website

My official blog has moved to HankPym.com 

Hank Pym.com pays tribute to one of my favorite superheroes Dr. Henry Jonathan “Hank” Pym, Ph.D. and serves as more thorough companion to my Tumblr page HenryPym.com.

In this site you will find reviews on a number of my interests such as: basketball, books, collectibles, movies, and toys (PymParticles.com).

Monday, April 6, 2009

One down...two to go: Jason Kidd is now 3rd All-Time in Assists


I just woke up.

Went through my usual routine--checking the box scores and saw that the Mavs-Suns game was done.

My first thought.

Jose Juan Barea is going to start. He lives for these Suns games.

And he did.

But what I didn't expect was for Jason Kidd to get a career milestone as well as a number of assist records in their 140-116 rout of the Phoenix Suns.

Kidd (currently with 10,148 assists) passed Los Angeles Lakers legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson (10,141) with a pass to Josh Howard with about a minute left before the half.

By the time second quarter ended, J-Kidd had also set a Dallas Mavericks record as well as a league record for first-half assists with 16.

Josh Howard has got to be loving this right now. His name is "unofficially" in the record books as well having been the recipient of the Kidd assists to pass Oscar "The Big O" Robertson and Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

J-Kidd now needs 187 assists to pass NBA analyst Mark Jackson for 2nd place on the career list. Baring any injuries (or retirement), Jason Kidd should chalk that down early next season.

Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton is the all-time leader with 15,806 assists.

----------------
Now playing: Maxwell - Sexual Healing (Remix)
via FoxyTunes

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Jason Kidd Moves Into 4th Place All-Time in Assists


Dallas.

The Kidd watch is back.

With a nifty pass to Dallas Mavericks teammate Josh Howard in the first quarter of their game against the Portland Trailblazers, Jason Kidd passed legend Oscar Robertson (9,887) for fourth place on the all-time assist ladder. Yahoo.com reports that Robertson was the career leader in assists when he hung up his sneakers in 1974.

Up next is Kidd's idol, Earvin Magic Johnson (10,141) whom Kidd could also surpass based on his current 8.3 assists per game average. Early next season, J-Kidd can move into second place on career assists by passing Mark Jackson (10,334).

It is interesting however if the soon to be 36 year-old Jason Kidd will play long enough to break the all-time record set by the Utah Jazz' John Stockton (15,806).

Kidd finished the game with 10 assists.

----------------
Now playing: Christian Bale - Christian Bale Goes Bale-istic On The Set Of Terminator Salvation
via FoxyTunes

Thursday, January 22, 2009

The dream of every blogger at one juncture or another is for their work to be recognized by their peers.

Sure, there are other pillars of motivation such as monetary compensation through advertisements and exposure.

But nothing beats someone else valuing your opinion or considering your work as a viable source of information without you knowing about it.

Here is to one of those rare occasions.

Nice.

----------------
Now playing: Fall Out Boy - The Take Over, The Breaks Over
via FoxyTunes

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Farewell to the Pope of College Basketball


The game of basketball lost a good man with the passing of Peter Francis "Pete" Newell yesterday morning.

Much has been said with Coach Newell’s advance age and failing health in recent years but sometimes—though not always—there are a few people that you wish could live forever because the world is a better place with them in it.

Coach Newell is one of them.

Big Man’s Camp

Since 1976 until the time of his death, Pete Newell has had a hand in developing the fundamental footwork and shooting of collegiate and professional forwards and centers without receiving any compensation in return. Newell shared, "I owe it to the game. I can never repay what the game has given me."

Newell’s Big Man Camp started with one player—Kermit Washington of the Los Angeles Lakers. In the book “The Punch: one night, two lives, and the fight that changed basketball forever,” author John Feinstein recounts that Newell’s work with Washington was so effective that his quickness, ball-handling, and jump shot improved to the point where his “inside game” became more efficient. Since then, annual Big Man’s Camps (since renamed to Pete Newell’s Big Man’s Camp) have been conducted in Honolulu, Hawaii and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Newell changed the way the game is played


Though I have not had the privilege of meeting Coach Pete, I have been fortunate enough to attend his son, Coach Tom’s camp here in Manila, Philippines during the summer of 2000.

It changed my life. My entire perspective of the game of basketball.

Coach Tom said that after our camp experience, we (the camp participants) would never see a basketball game for what it is—just a game.

And we never did.

Our eyes were opened, as there was a lot more analysis involved now. Putting the ball through the hoop was no longer as important as being fundamentally sound. Basic moves were scrutinized. Countermoves were put into practice. Reverse pivots became secondary. And so on…

All thanks to the teachings of Coach Tom Newell and in turn to his father Pete whose legacy was very much felt in that coaching program.

----------------
Now playing: Solu Music featuring Kimblee - Fade (Rewind Mix)
via FoxyTunes

Friday, October 24, 2008

Introducing: Rudy “Da Boy” Fernández


With the 2008-2009 fast approaching, I thought it best to “let the proverbial cat out of the bag” and name my pick for 08’-09’ Rookie of the Year (ROY) – Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands native - Rodolfo "Rudy" Fernández Farrés of the Portland Trailblazers.

Fernández’ Beijing Olympics heroics in Gold Medal game as well as his Blazers’ pre-season display of aerial artistry, timely shooting, pinpoint passing, and instinctive defensive skills have certainly gotten my juices following for the upcoming regular and fantasy NBA seasons.

A lot is expected of the man that I have christened as “Da Boy.”

The evolution of a trade

It all started with a 6’7’’ Czech guard named Jiri Welsch.

Not a lot of people remember the former Mattoni League MVP who was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers (16th overall) in 2002. Welsch never got an opportunity to play for the 76ers during his rookie season as his rights were immediately shipped to the Golden State Warriors. The following season, Welsch was again traded, this time to the Dallas Mavericks and then subsequently dealt to the Boston Celtics along with Chris Mills, Raef LaFrentz and a 04’ lottery-protected selection for Antoine Walker and Tony Delk (It seems like it happened yesterday).

Still with me?

Now this is where our story truly begins as less than two years later, the Celtics moved poor Welsch (this guy never caught a break) to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a future first-round pick in 2007 that eventually became the 24th selection by virtue of the Cavs 2006 team standings.

In 2006, the Phoenix Suns drafted Kentucky point guard Rajon Rondo and then traded him along with “The Braided One” Brian Grant for the aforementioned Cavaliers selection and cash considerations.

The following year, the Suns used the Cavaliers pick, which the got from the Boston trade to draft Rudy Fernández.

In total, it took a series of trades involving four NBA teams over the course of two seasons and another year of continuous discussions and negotiations on the part of the Portland Trailblazers brain trust (General Manager Kevin Pritchard please stand up!) to pry Rudy away from his mother team of eight years—DKV Joventut of the Spanish ACB League.

It took awhile, but Rudy Fernández is finally in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

What it this “Da Boy” business?

The moniker “Da Boy” was something I had come up with. It was inspired by a conversation that Nate McMillan shared with the media during the Fernández’ press conference last September 22, 2008. McMillan recalled the time wherein the USA coaching staff and Kobe Bryant scouted the Spanish National Team game during one of their games in Beijing Olympics.

The 6’5’’ Rudy Fernández stood out in that contest, which prompted the observing Kobe Bryant to turn to McMillan and say, "He's your kid, huh? He's pretty good."

“Kid,” in my mind, equating youth or “Boy.”

While “Da” (pronounced Da-H) instead of “The” serves as homage to his namesake, the late Filipino actor Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez.

The statistics and other immeasurable intangibles

With the exception of the two games that “Da Boy” missed due to the ankle sprain he suffered last October 8, 2008 against the Golden State Warriors, Fernández has been truly impressive.

In the five games that he has played to date, Rudy has certainly lit up the stat sheet by averaging slightly more than 29 minutes, 12 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4 assists, 0.2 blocks, and an amazing 2.6 steals per contest. His shooting percentages (46% field goal and 100% free throw) are not that bad either with half his 10 field goal attempts coming from long distance (35% three point field goal percentage).

Looking at his game this early in the pre-season, Fernández has lived up to the high praises given by fellow Spaniard and current Toronto Raptors starting point guard Jose Manuel Calderon when he said, "I think he's (Fernández) a great player, he can score and he can do a lot of things. He's not just a scorer; he can do a little bit of everything. He's a great player.”

Sean Meagher of OregonLive.com added, “while Rudy instantly garners your attention with his "flash-and-dash" style of offensive play, it's how he makes the team better that makes him so important. He creates, not only for himself, but more so for his teammates. He creates open shots for guys either cutting to the basket, trailing or standing in the open corner. He has the rare ability to feel things out before they happen, anticipation. Rudy has the ability to squeeze passes into a tight window most players wouldn't even think about. He's got a constant motor that's always running as long as he is on the court. Many of the tools he plays with, aren't taught. And just think about what he will be able to do when he really learns the NBA game and with a year or two of NBA coaching.”

Nice huh?

On my end, if there was any area that Rudy may need to work on, it would be his turnovers (averaging 3 miscues per game in the pre-season) as well as knowing when to put the reigns on his cerebral yet somewhat reckless (yet entertaining) game which has already left him open to injury this early in the season (e.g., ankle sprain).

It’s too early to tell if any of Rudy’s immediate success will carry over to the regular season.

But with talent, opportunity, and confidence.

Anything is possible.

----------------
Now playing: The Ting Tings - Great DJ (Calvin Harris Remix)
via FoxyTunes

Monday, October 20, 2008

What I Think Series: What Becometh Of The Phoenix Suns Draft Picks?


Annually, the NBA Draft brings together the best crop of collegiate and international talent into Madison Square Garden in New York City. Prior to this momentous occasion wherein young aspirants take their first step to earning millions of dollars, NBA teams spend months and sometimes years scouting and assessing talent across the United States, Europe, and even Asia.

Some teams have a knack for assessing good talent like the Golden State Warriors (Latrell Sprewell 24th pick in 92’; Gilbert Arenas 30th in the first round of 01’; and Monta Ellis 40th selection in 05’) and San Antonio Spurs (Manu Ginobili 57th 2nd round pick in 99’ and Tony Parker 29th selection in 01’).

Another team with what I would like to call, “a great draft sense” (along with superior scouting and assessment skills) is the Phoenix Suns. They were able to draft a number of solid NBA players over the last 20 years (“Thunder” Dan Majerle (1st rd; 14th overall in 88’); Steve Kerr (2nd rd; 50th overall in 88’); Former New Jersey Nets’ All-Star F/C Jayson Williams (1st rd; 21st overall in 90’); Cedric Ceballos (2nd round; 48th overall in 90’); Michael Finley (1st rd; 21st overall in 95’); 2-time MVP Stephen John Nash (1st rd; 15th overall in 96’); their lone choice the following year named Stephen Jackson (2nd rd; 42nd overall in 97’); Shawn Marion (1st rd; 9th overall in 99’); Amare Stoudemire (1st rd; 9th overall in 02’); traded for San Antonio Spurs draft choice Brazil’s Leandrino Barbosa (1st rd; 28th pick in 03’).

Not bad right?

Well, with “new” Phoenix Suns’ owner Robert Sarver’s mandate to tighten his squads spending, first round draft picks since 04’ were traded elsewhere in order to avoid paying them since 1st round picks are guaranteed a two-year rookie deal under the new NBA collective bargaining agreement.

From 2004-2007, there are the players that the Suns virtually gave away. Luol Deng (1st rd; 7th overall in 04’) was sent to the Chicago Bulls in a prearranged deal. Lil’ Nate Robinson (1st rd; 21st overall in 05’) was traded to the New York Knicks along with guard/forward Quentin Richardson for F/C Kurt Thomas and the rights to 2nd round pick Dijon Thompson (2nd rd; 54th overall in 05’).

2006 didn’t shine any brighter for the Suns who owned two 1st round draft selections (#21 & #27). The Suns drafted Rajon Rondo (1st rd; 21st overall in 06’) and traded him, along with a broken down Brian Grant to the Boston Celtics for their 2007 1st round draft (a picked conveyed to the C’s by the Cleveland Cavaliers who got guard Jiri Welsch in a prior deal) and cash considerations. With the 27th selection, the Suns drafted promising Spanish guard Sergio Rodriguez (1st rd; 27th overall in 06’) but traded his rights to the Portland Trailblazers for cash considerations.

The 2007 Cleveland Cavaliers 1st round selection turned out to be Spanish sensation Rudy Fernandez (1st rd; 24th overall in 07’) who was subsequently dealt again to the Portland Trailblazers along with shooting forward James Jones for cash.

Ouch.

Can you imagine if the Suns kept half those guys?

Can you fathom the team not signing Marcus Banks to a five-year $21 million dollar contract in 06’?

And how can we all forget the greatest crime of all?

Absorbing Shaquille “The Big Cactus” O’Neal’s $40 million dollar deal for the next two years.

*sigh*

So much for Sarver’s belt tightening mandate.

----------------
Now playing: The Whispers - Rock Steady
via FoxyTunes