LA Clippers won NBA Draft Lottery 2009

LA Clippers, the perennially beleaguered franchise moved up from having the third-best shot at the No. 1 overall selection, ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Clippers will able to rebuild their franchise by grabbing Oklahoma's Blake Griffin in the Draft come June 26.

The last time, the Clippers were the top pick in 1998, they used it to draft Michael Olowokandi, who turned out to be a bust and was heavily criticized.

For the sixth straight year, the worst team wasn't able to hold on with the top pick. The Sacramento Kings, with the league's worst record, were slotted first overall with a 25% chance at the top selection — yet dropped to fourth. The Washington Wizards also fell, from second to fifth.


Having identical 19-63 record, LA Clippers lost a tiebreaker with the Washington Wizards. In losing, the Clippers would receive one fewer combination -- 177 -- than the Wizards' 178. Had the Clippers won the tiebreaker, the top pick would have been the Wizards' combination.

Memphis was another team that benefitted from losing their tiebreaker on April 19, as the Grizzlies finished with an identical 24-58 record with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Had the Grizzlies won, the Timberwolves would have had that sequence of digits.

Since this system went into place in 1994, only two teams — Orlando in 2004 for Dwight Howard and Cleveland in 2003 for LeBron James— with the NBA's worst record one year have actually won the No. 1 pick the next.

Here are past year's lottery winners and their rank before the lottery.

2000
#1 - New Jersey: 7th
#2 - Vancouver: 4th
#3 - LA Clippers: worst

2001
#1 - Washington: 3rd
#2 - LA Clippers: 8th
#3 - Atlanta: 5th


2002
#1 - Houston: 5th
#2 - Chicago: worst
#3 - Golden state: worst

2003
#1 - Cleveland: worst
#2 - Memphis: 6th
#3 - Denver: 2nd

2004
#1 - Orlando: worst
#2 - LA Clippers: 4th
#3 - Chicago: 2nd

2005
#1 - Milwaukee: 6th
#2 - Atlanta: worst
#3 - Portland: 5th

2006
#1 - Toronto: 5th
#2 - New York: 2nd
#3 - Charlotte: 3rd

2007
#1 - Portland: 7th
#2 - Seatlle: 5th
#3 - Atlanta: 4th

2008
#1 - Chicago: 9th
#2 - Miami: worst
#3 - Minnesota: 3rd

Lebron Kobe Face/Off Slam Magazine July 2009 Cover

It seems quite clear that they will be facing come June, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are featured together on the cover of the latest edition of SLAM Magazine July 2009. Here’s a first look at the new Slam Magazine issue # 129 featuring the top 2 ballers in the league.



The mag, which is available now, is saying that it’s inevitable that James’ Cavs and Bryant’s Lakers are going to meet up in the NBA Finals. The dream matchup most NBA fans and definitely the league wants to see.

2009 PBA All Star: Slam Dunk Contestants

2009 PBA All Star: Slam Dunk Contestants. Here is the list of Contestants in the PBA All Star 2009 Slam Dunk Contest which will be held on April 26, 2009 at Araneta Coliseum, Cubao.

Kelly Williams Sta. Lucia Realtors
KG Canaleta Purefoods TJ Giants
Gabe Norwood Rain or Shine Elastopainters
Jay Washington San Miguel Beermen
Jared Dilinger Talk N' Text Tropang Texters

For the first time in PBA Slam Dunk history, locals and imports will vie for top honors. After two rounds of eliminations, the top finishers in each division will face off for the crown.

The imports who are participating are
Anthony Johnson of Sta. Lucia
Gabe Freeman of San Miguel
Jahmar Thorpe of Purefoods
David Noel of Barangay Ginebra



David Noel repeats his 2006 NCAA Slam Dunk performance, with a cartwheel, flippin' move. Jared Dilinger does a Dwight Howard-gimmick, not the Superman gimmick! but a Manny Pacquiao one! haha!

Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings Slam Magazine June 2009 Cover

Ricky Rubio Brandon Jennings Slam Cover - Basketball phenom Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings, last years Top American Prep Point Guard, are featured together on the cover of the latest edition of SLAM Magazine June 2009: Future Shock.



Rubio is very likely to be a top three pick in the 2009 NBA draft, although he has an expensive contract buyout that could complicate his future. Scouts describe Rubio as a natural scorer and a "genius" basketball IQ. Rubio plays in Spanish ACB League and is averaging 9.3 points, 6.4 assists and 2.1 steals in 21 minutes. Scouts say he needs to work on his shooting, but there's no doubt about his readiness.

Brandon Jennings is another prospect strutting waves overseas. Jennings plays with the Italian League club Lottomatica Roma. In June 2008, Jennings is the first American to skip college basketball to play professionally in Europe. The NBA requires players to be at least 19 years old and one year college exprerience before eligible to the NBA draft.

NCAA Final Four Bracket 2009 | March Madness 2009 Result Updates

NCAA Final Four Bracket includes North Carolina, Connecticut, Michigan State, and Villanova. This year's NCAA Final Four tournament features big-name coaches who have won an NCAA championship: UConn's Jim Calhoun, Carolina's Roy Williams, Michigan State's Tom Izzo.

North Carolina takes on Villanova and Connecticut plays Michigan State on April 4 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The winners will advance to the championship game scheduled on April 6.

Get the latest March Madness Result Updates on real time by clicking through the widget provided in this post. Get the latest NCAA scores, NCAA scoreboard on Final Four Bracket 2009.



Here are the some interesting facts regarding the 2009 Final Four Bracket participants:

North Carolina Tar Heels; 2005 NCAA Champs; Final Four apperance last 2008.
Connecticut Huskies; NCAA Championships in 1999 and 2004.
Michigan State Spartans; 2000 NCAA Champs; Final Four apperances in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005.
The Villanova Wildcats are making their first Final Four appearance since 1985.

Meanwhile, even US President Barack Obama has his picks on NCAA Final Four Bracket, termed as "Barack-Etology" on ESPN. He picked North Carolina to win the National Championship. Only 1 out of 4 remains.

Related Terms:
Watch March Madness 2009 Final Four Online, Watch NCAA Final Four 2009 Online, Watch NCAA 2009 Final Four Live Stream, Final Four 2009 Live Stream Online, Mens NCAA Final Four Online 2009, NCAA Mens Basketball 2009 Final Four, NCAA 2009 Final Four Videos

Watch NCAA Basketball 2009 Connecticut v Purdue Video Highlights

Watch NCAA Basketball 2009 Sweet Sixteen Connecticut Huskies vs Purdue Boilermakers highlights online.

Could Purdue's D stop red-hot UConn?

Watch UConn's Hasheem Thabeet in his stellar performance after a sluggish start. You can still watch it in the internet.

Watch NCAA Basketball 2009 Oklahoma v Morgan St online

Watch NCAA March Madness Basketball 2009 Oklahoma Sooners vs Morgan State Bears highlights online.

Watch Oklahoma's Blake Griffin got flipped over the back of opposing player. You can still watch it in the internet. Just click the link below.

Watch NCAA Basketball 2009 UCLA v VCU online

Watch NCAA March Madness Basketball 2009 UCLA Bruins vs Virginia Commonwealth University Rams online.

Watch VCU's Eric Maynor take the last shot of the basketball game. You can still watch it in the internet. Just click the link below.

Team Pilipinas jersey 2009

The new jerseys reminds me of the current Talk N' Text jerseys and those worn in the last Olympics. It incorporates the Swift System of Dress uniform that makes the jerseys lighter. The Team Pilipinas crest at the left and the Nike swoosh at the right. The collar is red and the word "PILIPINAS" is white letters on the chest. And there's 2 stripes on the shorts that looks cool.

Looks like the same template, errr.

This will be worn on their first major tournament on May 2009 for the Southeast Asian Basketball Association, which is the qualifying tournament FIBA Asia Championship.

Team Pilipinas replica kits are available at Nike stores nationwide. WOW, jerseys are priced at Php 1,695, and shorts at Php 1,295.

Photo credits to hoops.blink.ph

End of the Phoenix Era

I'm a Phoenix suns fan since they brought back Steve Nash and orchestrate the fast-paced "Seven Seconds or Less" mentality. Last year, they are only two games away from a Finals appearance, if not for the stupid suspensions on Stoudemire & Diaw for Game 5.

But with their recent first round ouster, no wonder there’s a lot of finger-pointing going on. Coach Mike D’Antoni arguing on GM Steve Kerr regarding putting premium on defense? Maybe, it’s the front office/ownership wrong dealings? Let me take a look where the franchise went since 2004. From the draft gamble, as in you make your gambles on whose rookie to pick.


2004 NBA draft

Phoenix Suns trade #7 pick (Luol Deng) to the Chicago Bulls for a future first round pick. Phoenix took the risk that Chicago would get a high pick in 2005…

Spending #1: Signed Quentin Richardson. (signed Richardson instead of drafting Deng? If only someone could’ve told them the future)

2005 NBA draft

…they didn’t, it turned out to be #21 pick Nate Robinson, so the Suns ended up trading Robinson to the Knicks with Quentin Richardson for Kurt Thomas.

They traded away Joe Johnson to Atlanta in exchange for Boris Diaw and two future first-round draft picks.

2005-06: Stoudemire played only three games. Just when you thought everything was lost, Diaw played well and Phoenix remained a powerhouse.

2006 NBA Draft. Where everything changed.

One of the picks acquired from Atlanta. turned out to be #21 pick Rajon Rondo.
For financial reasons they traded the pick to Boston along with Brian Grant for future first round pick…

Spending #2: Signed Marcus Banks to a five-year, $24 million deal to back up Nash. Marcus Banks? WTF!! He can’t shoot 3s, in the first place. Can’t they assess a talent that will fit the system? Why not let Rondo develop into a background PG. Look at him now. Celtics have confidence in him at starting PG.

2007 NBA Draft

the second of the Atlanta picks, only to be spoiled by the lottery. (it was a protected top-3 pick)

Pick acquired from Boston turned out to be #24 Rudy Fernández.

Traded Kurt Thomas to Seattle along with two first-round picks, (Thomas eventually traded to the archrival Spurs, where he helped beat the Suns in the '08 playoffs)

Traded Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks for Shaquille O’Neal. ‘nuff said, critics everywhere.


Back in 2005, the Spurs had the right nucleus (Duncan, Ginobili and Parker) and so did the Suns (Nash, Stoudemire, Marion and Johnson), but only the Spurs kept it intact. Looking at those moves from 2004 to 2007, you'd have to call the Seven Seconds of Less Era one of the memorably squandered opportunities in recent sports history. They could have paid the luxury tax and tapped all other sources of income, and maybe brought home the trophy.

Now heading to the 2008 Draft, they own the second of the Atlanta picks which is at #14. I just hope the Suns don’t screw their future and come back rejuvenated for one last push.

New Faces

Offseason Movements:


Grant Hill agreed to terms with the Phoenix Suns on a two-year, $3.8 million contract, including a player option for 2008-09. I hope its not an injury-plagued tenure.


Rashard Lewis - Orlando Magic. Six-year deal estimated at $118.5 million. Wow! Near $20 million a year! Has he proven something come playoff time? I feel they paid him way to much money.

Numbers game

Unti-unti nang nagkakaubusan ng numero sa basketball jerseys. Anong kayang swerte ang hatid nitong mga matataas na numero? Sa pagkakatanda ko, siminulan ito ni Dennis Rodman, #91. #10 ang una nyang ginamit. Dahil siguro may gumamit ng 10 sa Chicago Bulls, 91 ang ginamit. 9 + 1 = 10. Galing!

At eto na nga, nagsunuran na ang iba. Si Rommel Adducul, no.10 din. Paglipat sa San Miguel, #82 ang ginamit. (gamit ni Danny Ildefonso ang 10) 8 + 2 = 10. Gaya-gaya!

Isa pang gaya-gaya. Etong si Ronald Tubid (na lagi kong kasabay bumili ng pandesal noong nasa UE pa sya) Simula't sapul #8 ang jersey number. Naglalaro sya ngayon Ginebra, at bilang respeto kay Allan Caidic, hindi pwede gamitin ang #8. Kung kaya't #71 ang ginamit. 7 + 1 = 8!

At merong gumamit ng 93. Napanaginipan ba ito, na parang mananaya sa lotto? Eto mainit pa, ano naman ang dahilan ni Chris Webber sa paggamit ng #84. Ako'y nag-research, at nalaman ko na-retire na pala ang #4 na kanyang gamit.

Madalas ko makita ang eighty-plus na numero sa football. Malamang sa dami nila, hindi naman pwedeng mag-doble. Parang ID ito sa sports. Imbes na mamilipit ang dila mo sa pagbigkas ng mga kakaibang apelyido, number na lang, madali pang tandaan. Naninibago ako ngayon sa mga jersey numbers sa basketball, pero magkakaubusan din yan balang araw..

Eto malupet, saan ka makakita ng #101, #102, #103 or #104?? Pilit napagkasya yun sa likod ng sando! Natawa ka noh! Meron sa amin! Hanapin ko nga yung taong yun! May nadaanan naman ako, 1/2, 1.5, at eto malupet, yung symbol ng PI(3.1416). "PI, three points!" "Foul, PI." "PI, graduate!" Kaaliw! (malamang engineering kinukuha nun!)

How strong is your NBA knowledge?

If you're a certified NBA addict, and wanna test your NBA knowledge, i'm sure you'll enjoy answering these questions about the NBA.

PBA: The Pride is Back!

Like what I've said last time, I'm feeling the basketball fever nowadays. So I'm quite busy reading those news, updates, previews, and forecasts. The 32nd season of the PBA has just started last Sunday.


Damn! I missed the opening ceremonies! Good thing there is a recap after the game.

Now, i would say, the PBA have a VERY good production team. They are keeping at pace with the fad. Inviting the hottest performers in town, APO Hiking Society (hot because of their Tribute Album) and Kamikazee (hot and fresh! kangkarot and maharot)

Interesting to watch are the muses. Comprising the list of muses are; Tanya Garcia (Air21), Gelli de Belen (Alaska), Angelica Panganiban (Barangay Ginebra), Justin Gabionza (Coke), the 12 girls of Deal or No Deal (Purefoods), Valerie Concepcion (San Miguel), Lara Precious Quigaman (Sta. Lucia), Pauline Luna (Talk N Text) and Bianca King (Welcoat). Red Bull opted to parade a cutie and not a celebrity.

Hmmm. Purefoods! 12 (out of 26) girls of Deal or No Deal! No wonder!

The opening-day game is a no brainer! Powerhouse Ginebra against the newbie Welcoat. For Ginebra, every position is loaded. They are the early favorite to win the title. Rudy Hatfield even quoted:

We are going to win the championship!

What a confidence! Shouting it at the start of the tournament!

With an increased venue attandance and a good fight at the ratings game, truly, the pride is back for the PBA!

College basketball

start of the ber-months. it's basketball season once again. To start with, its already the finals in the NCAA, with Philippine Christian University and San Beda College desputing for this year's crown. i don't have time to watch it (games are M-W-F), because of the work schedule (naks! WORK!).
San Beda has improved under coach Koy Banal, and with their notable addition, Nigerian Sam Ekwe, they are tough to beat. But PCU are in the Finals for the third straight year, so they know how to play under pressure. I won't put a bet on any team, since i haven't watched (couldn't watch) any of their games.

While in the other (more popular) tournament, the UAAP, the Ateneo Blue Eagles advanced to the Finals after beating the Adamson Falcons, but "NOT" without a scare.
Meanwhile, the UST Tigers saw a ray of life as they beat the UE Red Warriors, which had a twice-to-beat advantage. I hope its still Ateneo-UE showdown, coz they are the powerhouse teams.

FIBA World championships 2006, Japan

It's down to four, Spain, Argentina, Greece, USA. But before that, it was a very interesting elimination round. Although I haven't watched any games, it's nice to read that the lightweights are closing the gap with the heavyweights. Angola gave Germany a run for their money, bowing out after 3 overtime periods. China beat Slovenia in a buzzer-beater. France losing to Lebanon. And other close-margin games.

Update: What a SHOCKER! The two favorites to meet in the finals, USA and Argentina, lost their semifinal match against Greece and Spain, respectively. Team USA had troubles with their outside game, as other nations are closing the gap by utilizing the perimeter. This is because the NBA promote the individual talents with their isolation plays.

Let's switch back to Lebanon, who played against Team Philippine for a couple of practice games prior to the tournament. The Philippines beat the Lebanese in those two games. Oh! It was just a practice game, hiding some of their best-kept tactics. But at least, we have a chance in world competitions, just like them.

Can't wait to see our shooters burn the hoops on international competition. Ren-ren Ritualo for three! (9 times!) James Yap for three! (Shoot! Papa James!)

Putang ina mo Joey Lina! Para kang tuko kung makakapit. Ano ba meron dyan sa puwestong yan?

PBA rookie 2006

Oh my! I forget to post my analysis on the Draft. Sorry for the delay... Been too busy at work. Better late than never!

1. Sta. Lucia – Kelly Williams. SLR is looking for a player who can do everything, a super-athlete… No wonder they changed their team policy on hiring half-Filipino players. Good and bad for Williams, good in the sense that he can showcase his talent right away. Bad is that his wear rate will be fast ‘cause he will be asked to (wrong! he needs to) play the 2, 3, 4, and 5 positions (whew! hopefully, not at the same time), and worse, there’s no such thing as help. Take that!

2. Air21 Express – Arwind Santos. FEU. A multi-awarded, player, during his amateur ranks, will have to battle for minutes against mainstays Ranidel de Ocampo and KG Canaleta, who plays the same position. #19 fans, prepare to see him wearing another number.

3. Coca-Cola – Joseph Yeo. DLSU. The Ninja, as they called him, has a lot of work to do. He is an undersized slasher, and has a limited range. (tsamba ‘pag nakashoot ‘yan ng jumpshot, that’s all). What nice with him is: (drums) introducing! PBA trash talks. Who will emerge as Payton’s protege: Yeo or Caguioa? Basically, I don’t know what the Coca-cola management is up to.

4. San Miguel Beer – LA Tenorio. Ateneo. Olsen Racela is retiring very, very soon. And they are locked on picking Tenorio since last year. That’s why the previous team (Coke) chose the next available talent.

5. San Miguel Beer – Gabby Espinas. Phil. Christian Univ. The only ROY/MVP in NCAA histoty. Best available big man. Height is a prime commodity here. Especially when Ildefonso plays hurt (? Ang sabihin mo, larong mayaman na!)

6. Sta. Lucia – Mark Isip. FEU. Played alongside Arwind all of his carreer. Got easy shots whenever Arwind was covered by two defenders. Wished Sta. Lucia took Arwind, choose RJ Rizada afterwards, traded for Denok Miranda, pirated coach Koy Banal. They have Cesar Catli already. (F na F!)

7. Alaska – Aaron Aban. Letran. Leaping ability is also a ticket to the professional league. It brings excitement to the audience. Can’t wait to see triple A in the slam dunk competition.

8. Talk ‘n Text – Mark Andaya. Letran. An overrated pick! A project that is. This is PBA, not the NBA. Haven’t seen a successful project yet. Another Frederick Canlas/Erwin Sotto/Mark Kong in the making.

9. Purefoods – Boyet Bautista. Letran. Third Knight to be drafted. One thing is for sure: someone has to go… goodbye, Artadi! As quick as Artadi but wayyyyy better shooting.

10. Welcoat – Abby Santos. UP. A new team just entered the league. And they need players, especially big men. It’s nice to see this guy developed his perimeter game, a recent requirement for a big man. Had an impressive showing on the rookie camp. Wished Bautista landed here, so he could play more minutes.

Notable name left in the waiting room after the first round: Ronjay Enrile. I wonder why he got unnoticed. A former NCAA MVP and a star Knight before Bautista and Aban took over. Didn’t make waves in the PBL, maybe that’s why.

Players directly raised by Welcoat from their PBL roster: Jun-jun Cabatu, Jay-R Reyes, and Jay Sagad. Most notable of them is Cabatu, son of former PBA player Sonny Cabatu, who vastly improved in the PBL.

2006 Philippine Cup

Ngayon ko lang na-post, medyo busy sa trabaho.

Mali ang kinalabasan ng aming analysis ni pareng Quinito Henson.

Puredoods ang nagwagi. At ito ang aking mga nasaksihan sa loob ng Araneta Coliseum.


John Marc Pingris (surprise Finals MVP)



Syempre, Danica Sotto is in the house.



Syempre, sa pinaka-tuktok na lang ang hindi sold-out.


James Yap on the 15-foot line.



At ang pinaka-VIP sa audience...

Isipin nyo paano ako nakalapit ng ganyan sa kanila?
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Tama!
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Mali man kung iyong iisipin, kailangan ko din naman maranasan kung ano ang pakiramdam nang manood sa ringside. Tapos na ang game, pero ang higpit pa rin ng security papasok sa ringside... naka-isip ng paraan... Tumalon kami sa bawat sections, Upper Box A, Lower Box, Ringside!

Mga walang breeding! Hirit naman ng kasama ko, yun ba yung nilalagay sa manok, bago iprito?

Sunday Sports Recap

Manny Pacquiao won against Oscar Larios, as expected! It was staged here. Still, the media coverage is delayed! Duh!

* * *

It's do-or-die PBA Sunday!

Purefoods did the impossible, winning a best-of-seven series, 4-3, after being down 3-1, against Alaska.

Red bull won the other Game 7 against San Miguel Beer. The game is closely fought in the final 2 minutes, and sadly, it had to end on a buzzer beater. (Shit! I cheered for SMB!)

It's a rematch from Fiesta Conference earlier this year. I would go for Red Bull, (although I hate them) primarily because of manpower. Purefoods has a lot of injuries lately.

* * *

Shocker: Brazil lost to France in the World Cup Soccer quaterfinals. An assessment on their lackluster performance, is that, the Brazilian booters are getting older.

Brazil's Ronaldo Reacts To His Team's Loss

Earlier, England (GB,UK) lost to Portugal. David Beckham bowed out as captain the day after.

Now, it's an all-European semifinals, with Italy and Germany the other two.

Basketball recap

Watched last Sunday, Barangay Ginebra fighting for dear life, to defend their All-Filipino championship, on the wild card phase. Wow, Mark Caguioa is amazing! 45 points, he can do it all (offensively, at least). He had to, they are undermanned due to the injury bug, or else he will walk Roxas Blvd. barenaked. (that's what he dared, in case Ginebra failed to become back-to-back champions) Let's see what happens next round, against Red Bull. (Hopefully, they would win it, coz I'm a die-hard taga-barangay)

* * *

The NBA finals will start Thursday (Friday morning, Manila time). The protagonists are the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks, which are both playing the Finals for the very first time. In basketball, they have a motto, "Defense wins championships" and its nice watch how the Mavericks improved their defense, as what coach Avery Johnson insisted. I love to see the 7-footer Dirk Nowitzki shoot the lights out (Larry Bird reincarnated).

On the other hand, its also nice to watch the Heat, bannered by Shaq and the flashy Dwayne Wade, together with their revamped supporting cast. I'll go for the Heat, primarily because of the dominance of Shaq, who can stop him? But, as always, anything can happen. Don't you remember when the star-less Detroit Pistons applied the word teamwork to win over the star-studded LA Lakers two years ago?