Rafael Nadal recently defeated Roger Federer for the French Open title. It’s another setback for Federer’s quest for the highest number of grand slams won in tennis. Of course, the record holder is “Pistol Pete” Sampras. I wrote earlier that Pistol Pete is my all-time tennis hero. Read more »

I don’t care. I just want him to win titles.
For all the hardwork he’s put through, he deserves all the luck to win it all.

I have always been a Laker fan ever since I learned about the NBA (National Basketball Association). I grew up watching Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar when there was no cable. I don’t remember how I first saw them play. I know I first saw them play on TV but I quite vividly remember renting betamax tapes to watch their games. I never changed allegiance when they went from perennial contenders to perennial doormats, back to perennial contenders etc. My loyalty is to the team and not to its players. (You hear that Shaq?!)

Anyways, you could say that I watched Kobe grow in front of my very own eyes. This article very articulately documents his evolution. I have never seen Kobe this way (how the author put it all together elegantly) and yet it seems like I have always known all along what this author is trying to say.

At age 24, Kobe was remarkably like Jordan — and somehow, not him, akin to a musical prodigy, capable of playing any sonata the seasoned concert pianist could, yet somehow, lacking the intangible quality that distinguished the genius from the flawless imitator… Read more »

I’m a Laker fanatic.  I get depressed when they lose.  For those who know the Lakers or the NBA, Devean George is a former Laker that is now playing for the Dallas Mavericks.  He, and other Maverick cagers, were supposed to be traded to the New Jersey Nets for Jason Kidd.  Both teams were hyped until Devean George vetoed the trade.  The only other player I know that has this veto power in his contract is Kobe Bryant.  Why he has this veto power in his contract is unimaginable.

Anyway, I read this funny article of how the veto played out.  I think it’s hilarious.

I think it’s good for tennis that Novak Djokovic won the recent Australian Open. It will build up his confidence and will try to muddle the grip of today’s tennis elites - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Yes, I think there were only two of them for quite some time.

Another pleasant surprise is the rise of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I found him to be impatient (rushes his serves) but strong. I believe his impatience (because of his inexperience) caused his loss. However, I feel in time he can harness his strength to his advantage. Personally, I would like to see the comeback of big servers. I hope Tsonga is one.

Between you and me, I would like Federer’s run of Grand Slam wins end at 13 (alright, maybe just 12). He currently has 12 and Pete Sampras has 14. I only have 2 tennis heroes - Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras. I remember the first time I admired Pete. I was in college (90’s) and I went to the library to read some magazines. I was a Popular Mechanics freak then and I saw how this particular article explained scientifically the Sampras serve! No need to say that Pistol Pete won me over. Read more »