What I am thinking…

On June 18, 2013 By kassienetteIn Baseball, Basketball, Controversy, Football, Hockey, MLB, NBA, NFL, North Carolina State University, Randoms, Sports, WolfpackLeave a comment

Just a few little random thoughts from yours truly…

1. If the Miami Heat lose tonight, which I believe they will, LeBron James is going to catch slander like we have never seen before. The 27 game win streak, the MVP and the domination from him we have seen throughout the playoffs will not matter to most critics and analysts. We are going to hear that he did not get the job done, he did not show up when it mattered most and that he choked once again. As much as the LeBron slander annoys me, I will say that he has seemed off during these finals. His drive and passion to win another ring just does not seem as prevalent as it was last year. Maybe it is because he already has a ring. Maybe it is because he thought getting past the San Antonio Spurs would be easy. And maybe, just maybe, he does not have “it” at all times.

2. When the Spurs win this fifth ring, can we now enter Greg Popovich into the discuss of the greatest coaches ever? I promise you that he does not get enough respect. Let me rephrase that, he does not get a lot of exposure. I think that is because of the market he is in and the team he coaches. The Spurs have long been considered “boring” but I think they have dispelled that myth with this playoff run. Pop gets the most out of his players. I mean who would have ever thought the Spurs would gain a second “Big 3” in the Finals: Kawhi Leonard, Gary Neal and Danny Green. That Greg Popovich man. Genius.

3. Is Tiger ever going to win another major? Every time it looks like this might be the tournament he break though, he does not. It is a struggle watching him constantly finish anywhere other than first. If only he would have left those women alone…

4. I really hope the Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup. That will be great for that city after this year’s tragedy. Go Bruins!! #BostonStrong

5. Let me just say this whole Jason Kidd coaching the Nets baffles me, still. It is the Nets though. *Kanye shrug*

6. The WOLFPACK baseball team has started off strong in Omaha. Thrashed the smerfs. UCLA up next. LETS GO #PACK9!!

7. 79 days until the NFL Season starts!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

Until next time….TOODELLS.

See you in 30 Chad…

On June 11, 2013June 11, 2013 By kassienetteIn Controversy, Football, NFL, Sports, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Initially when I heard about Chad Johnson getting sentenced to 30 days in jail for slapping his lawyer on the behind, all I could do was shake my head. A slap on the behind is a playful thing to do and one place playful is not allowed is in the courtroom. It just seemed like a dumb thing to do. If you go to court and make a mockery of the court then you deserve whatever consequences come your way.

Then I saw the video. Was Johnson wrong to do what he did? Yes. Did Johnson let his guard down, yes. Was the judge overreacting? YES!!! This woman got “in her feelings” so fast I do not think anyone saw it coming. Once the plea deal was given to her, she asked Johnson if he was happy with lawyer. To which he replied yes and proceeded to slap his lawyer’s behind. Immediately afterwards, people in the courtroom begin to laugh and I believe that is what upset the judge. Going to court is not a laughing matter. No matter what you have or have not done, you are at the mercy of the judge anytime you step foot in a courtroom. I have watched enough Judge Mathis’ episodes to know that judges expect respect to be given at all times.

I do not think he deserved jail time for his actions. A nice scolding would have sufficed. She could have added more days to his probation and been done. I would even be ok with a night or two in jail but 30 days is ridiculous. The judge invited in a moment of small talk and Johnson being Johnson was his usual self and invited in a moment of being himself. In my opinion, he was feeding off her vibe but hey I am not the judge and this is not my court. See you in 30 Chad…

You be the ‘judge’. Check out what took place in court.

http://www.tmz.com/videos/0_uxpf4gr2

Until next time…TOODELLS.

NBA Championship. Lets go….

On June 6, 2013June 6, 2013 By kassienetteIn Basketball, NBA, SportsLeave a comment

I have always been a fan of LeBron, since his days at St. Vincent’s. He was a young man among boys in those days. I also enjoyed watching him in Cleveland. I loved the passion he played with as he tried his best to bring a championship to his home state.

As much as I enjoy watching him play, something about the South Beach LeBron just does not work for me. I have tried to figure out what it is. He is still one of, if not the best, players in the league. His game now is on a whole ‘nother level than where it was when he was in Cleveland. His basketball IQ is through the ceiling. And yet, I do not enjoy watching him as much anymore. Baffles me. Maybe it is the whole big 3 thing. Maybe it is because he plays for the Heat. Maybe I just have not really given him a chance.

For as much as I love to see him succeed, especially so he can quiet the naysayers, I am pulling for the Spurs. Most of you know I am not a fan of today’s NBA. I like that old school NBA. You know where players played as a team. Where fundamental skills were necessary. Where you typically only had one star, maybe two and a great supporting cast. The Spurs give me that old NBA and then some. As good as they looked last year, the Spurs look even better this year. I really think they can beat the Heat. It is going to be tough but I know Pop has them ready. Speaking of Pop, dude does not get enough props. Hey, that kind of rhymed. Pop is niiiiice on the sideline.

I am excited about this series. Shocking, right? New school meets old school. The Big Fundamental’s team meets King James’s team. Spurs meet the Heat for a showdown. Who will come out on top??!! Oh, the suspense.

Until next time….TOODELLS.

P.S. I really want Timmy to get another ring. Love his game!!! Plus I used you see him all the time in the mall And I still have his autograph :-}. GO SPURS!!

Happy National Running Day!!!

On June 5, 2013 By kassienetteIn Marathons, Running, Sports, The Leukemia & Lymphoma SocietyLeave a comment

I picked a great day to come back….

It’s not football season but this will do, for now….

On April 19, 2013 By kassienetteIn 49ers, Football, NFL, Panthers, Sports3 Comments

Whoop whoooop!!! It is not football season but hey at least we have the 2013 NFL S.chedule!!! I have some planning to do :-}.

Below, I have listed the most intriguing game or games of each week. Let me know what you think!

Week 1: Seahawks @ Panthers. Russell vs Cam. Yes!! Packers @ 49ers. Second year in a row these two teams have met in week 1. Should be another good one. Ravens @ Broncos. Now this is an interesting matchup. Interested to see how the Ravens look after having that yard sale in the off season.

Week 2: 49ers @ Seahawks. Kaepernick vs Russell. 49ers D vs Seahawks O. 49ers O vs Seahawks D. Nuff said.

Week 3: Chiefs @ Eagles. Andy Reid going back to Philly will be the big story. I am interested to see how these teams bounce back after disappointing seasons last year. Texans @ Ravens. For reasons other than Ed Reed going back to Baltimore, I think this matchup will show us a lot about these two teams

Week 4: 49ers @ Rams. Lets hope the game does not end in a tie, again! Seahawks @ Texans. Once again, two prolific D’s are featured. Looking forward to seeing if the Seahawks O-Line can contain the Texans JJ Watt. Bears @ Lions. The Lions Stephen Tulloch predicts that the Lions will bounce back this season. We will see.

Week 5: Chiefs @ Titans. Yeah, no one pays these teams any attention but hey it could be a good game! Broncos @ Cowboys. By week 5, we ought to know which Cowboys team we are dealing with. Texans @ 49ers. How can you not be excited about this game?

Week 6: Giants @ Bears. The Bears have been underachieving for a few years. Lets see if they can bounce back. Redskins @ Cowboys. Romo better win this game. I mean his $108 million dollar arm should be able to do it, right? Colts @ Chargers. I keep holding out hope that things will turn around for Philip Rivers out in Diego. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Week 7: Bears @ Redskins. This has the potential to be a great matchup. Then again, it has the potential to be a blowout. Broncos @ Colts. Peyton’s singing, “I’m coming home. I’m coming home. Tell the world, I’m coming home!!!” Ravens @ Steelers. One of the best rivalries in the game right now. Lets hope it does not lose its luster with all these roster changes.

Week 8: Redskins @ Broncos. I fully expect #18 to slice and dice the Redskins D. Love watching “The Surgeon” work.

Week 9: Steelers @ Patriots. Everyone is always gunning for the Patriots. The Steelers are no different. Colts @ Texans. Interested to see what young Andrew Luck can do against that Texans D. Bears @ Packers. Another classic rivalry.

Week 10: Seahawks @ Falcons. I am sure the Seahwaks want payback for losing their NFC Divisional game to the Falcons with less than a minute left. Still shaking my head on that one. Panthers @ 49ers. My two favorite teams. Go 9ers! Go Panthers!

Week 11: Jets @ Bills. Welp, for years these teams have been pretty terrible. Not expecting it to be any different this year sooo yeah, should be a good game! Falcons @ Bucs. I think the Bucs are going to be a much better team this year. They could challenge for the NFC South crown. 49ers @ Saints. Hope they are not already dishing out Kaepernick payments.

Week 12: Saints @ Falcons. Another NFC South matchup. Broncos @ Patriots. Peyton vs Brady. Yep, that is all you need to know. 49ers @ Redskins. Kaepernick vs Griffin III. Yep, that is all you need to know.

Week 13: Packers @ Lions. I hope this is a good matchup. Watch, one of these teams is going to be not so good. Haha. Saints @ Seahawks. Can not remember the last time I have seen the Saints play in Seattle. Lets see how they handle the 12th man. Jaguars @ Browns. Another one of those these teams typically are not very good so this matchup should be.

Week 14: Seahawks @ 49ers. At this point in the season, this game could very well decide who wins the NFC West.

Week 15: Texans @ Colts. At this point in the season, this game could very well decide who wins the AFC South. Ravens @ Lions. I am just interested to see what the Ravens look like at this point in the season.

Week 16: Falcons @ 49ers. At this point in the season, this game could very well decide who gets is the #1 seed in the NFC. Plus, the Falcons are probably still bitter from last year’s NFC Championship debacle. Bucs @ Rams. The Rams were slowly improving last year. Too bad no one paid them any attention.

Week 17: Redskins @ Giants Eagles @ Cowboys NFC East matchups! Could the division title be decided the last week of the season???

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALLLLLLLLLL??!!

For Boston…

On April 16, 2013 By kassienetteIn Heroes, Marathons, Sports, Uncategorized2 Comments

I have gotten really tired of writing posts about sports related tragedies. Today is no exception. Yesterday started out as a normal day. Monday. Kinda gloomy. Warm. However, this Monday would not be like the previous Monday. The sports world started the day celebrating the accomplishments and legacy of Jackie Robinson and ended the day with questions and tears as the holy grail of marathons, The Boston Marathon, was rocked to its core.

Shortly after 2:45, two explosions took place. One near the finish line and the other about 50 feet away. As chaos ensued, emergency personnel rushed to the sites of the explosions to put their training to use. On a day that was suppose to mean to much to so many, it has now been marred by an hellacious act.

As a fellow marathoner, the tears immediately begin to flow upon hearing the news. I know what it is like to be within a few feet of the finish line. I know what it is like to see your final destination ahead of you. I know what it is like to know that all your hard work is about to pay off. I know what that finish line means. That finish line to many is a representation of all the obstacles, trials and devastation, that many had to overcome not only to make it to the finish line but to make it through life. Every marathoner has a story. Whether it was the death of a loved one, failing in school, being told you would never amount to anything, debt, abuse, depression, etc, the finish line sends a statement to the runner as well as the world, that this particular finisher is equipped with whatever he or she needs to overcome anything that comes his/her way.

The running community is a family, especially those in the 26.2 club. We know what it takes to finish those races. We know the hard work that has to be put in. We know the sacrifices that are made to ensure that we cross that finish line. Not only do we know but our family and friends know as well. Today’s act not only effects runners in attendance but their supporters as well. A marathon is about more than just the participants. Most of us would never cross the finish line without the support of our family, friends and complete strangers who come to marathons just to cheer for the runners. Trust me when I say that spectators, staff, emergency personnel, law enforcement and volunteers are just as important to a marathon as the runners themselves.

The sadness I feel is not likely to go away easily but it makes me even more determined to go out and accomplish yet another goal I have zoned in on. For those of you who have never crossed that finish line, it may be hard for you to understand. Or maybe not. Think about that one goal you have your mind set on. Think about how hard you have worked to reach that goal. Think about how you have put the plan in motion and you are almost there. 10 steps away from the finish line and then just like that, the line is gone.

The finish line at a marathon should serve as a source of triumph not of tragedy. It should be a place where runners are celebrated for their accomplishment not consoled because their dream was shattered. It should be a place full of exuberance, laughter and tears of joy not sadness, disorientation and tears of distraught.

Yesterday the finish line may have been compromised but it is not to be denied. The Boston Marathon will rise from the ashes again and the determination, dedication and resilience of the runners, supporters, volunteers, emergency personnel, law enforcement and spectators will be evident once again. This is now the stumbling block that many of the runners and those in attendance will now have to overcome. The thing that stands between them and the finish line. The situation that will motivate them to dig deep. Keep pressing. Keep pushing. Keep going. The finish line is waiting for you.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, those in attendance and all those who have been affected by this tragedy. UNITED WE STAND.

Thank You Mr. Robinson!!

On April 15, 2013 By kassienetteIn Baseball, Heroes, MLB, SportsLeave a comment

Jackie Robinson signing his contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers {Source: Google Images} — Jackie Robinson signing his contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers
{Source: Google Images}

On this day, 66 years ago, the landscape of Major League Baseball(MLB) was forever changed. On this day, 66 years go, starting at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers was Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson. On this day, 66 years ago, Robinson became the first black man to break through baseball’s elusive color line.

I had every intention of going to see 42, the movie about Robinson’s life, on Friday. However, unforseen circumstances prevented me from attending opening night. And I still have not managed to make it to the theater. This is a movie that I have been excited about for months. As a black woman, I am beaming with pride at the fact that a film depicting the true story of an American legend, who happens to be black, is being shown all across the world. 66 years ago, who would have thought that would ever be a reality?

In 1997, in what I think is one of the most significant moments in baseball history, MLB retired the number 42 across the league. No other players, other than the players that were currently wearing the number 42, would ever wear that number again. EVER. The significance of that transcends beyond baseball. It recognizes a man for not only what he did for baseball but what he did for this country. The Civil Rights Movement had yet to begin in the United States and here was a man who willingly put his life on the line, literally. Was it a popular decision? Of course not. Was there outrage? Of course there was. Were there people who thought there were other players in the Negro League more deserving of being the first? Certainly. 66 years later, all of that is a moot point.

On April 15, 2004, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig officially declared April 15 to be Jackie Robinson Day. Often called the most significant moment in MLB history, Selig stated that “by establishing April 15 as ‘Jackie Robinson Day’ throughout Major League Baseball, we are further ensuring that the incredible contributions and sacrifices he made — for baseball and society — will not be forgotten.” At the end of this baseball season, whenever the New York Yankees finish their season, the last remaining player wearing number 42, Mariano Rivera, will retire. It is fitting that Rivera, a Latin American player who is arguably the greatest closer the game has ever seen, will do his final curtain call wearing the number that means so much to not only blacks but Latin American players as well. In 2011, Rivera called it a privilege and an honor to wear number 42 because of what Jackie represents for us(Latin American players). 66 years ago, who knew that Robinson’s impact would not only be felt in North America but on other continents as well.

So here we are, 66 years later and the impact that Robinson has had on MLB and the world is still being felt in 2013. The next generation is learning about him; what he stood for and the tremendous impact he had on race relations. Those already familiar with his story are having their memories refreshed and are often times learning new tidbits about Robinson. And those that were around in 1947 are recalling what that moment was like for American History. 66 years ago, blacks could not drink out of the same water fountain as whites. 66 years ago, black soldiers, who had served their country during World War II, were treated like second class citizens by the country they fought to defend. 66 years ago, there were black men who were beaten, ridiculed, heckled and lynched because of the color of their skin. 66 years ago, a black man stood courageously at first base as his fellow Americans hurled insults at him and questioned his right to play “their game.” 66 years later, a black man’s bold stance against inequality has resulted in him being called a legend. A hero. An American Treasure.

Thank you Mr. Robinson!!! Happy Jackie Robinson Day!!!