My Take: Break the Addiction

This is my response to "Josh Howard Lies Less Than Other Pot Smokers" on ESPN.com by Henry Abbott
These drugs are illegal. It does not matter if "everyone else is doing it" in the NBA .However, in reality, every body's not doing it. Athletes that do drugs(and drink alcohol) are bad examples for younger athletes in high school and college who are pressured by smoking everyday. They say no to it because it will effect there grades, quicks, memory, heart, lungs, and there own credibility to themselves. Others fall into it because they don't want to feel like a looser, a square, or outcast.But in reality the ones who say no, quit using it, or never put themselves in a position to use it are the true succers. Howard's statement imply that he believes that it is perfectly fine, but it is not. Howard makes smoking a every day, OK thing, but it is not. We know that most NBA athletes grew up around drugs. Falling into that life style of drinking alcohol and abusing drugs puts a person into a category of weak minded, selfish, insecure, and depressed about something that that person did not get over in there life. Having those drugs even in the same room that you are in can get you behind bars. But some looked at athletes as the ones who overcame street life and forsook all that they thought they loved. I just hope and pray that Howard changes his mind about drugs before it is too late. I don't want to judge him, but I do hope that he and others can come out of there drug addiction to be example for kids in the streets, in the city, and in the field. In closing, the love for the game will cause you to let that kind of life go. By the way, not every body's doing it.




So ask yourself, "How do I break the addiction?" Well there's only one answer, JESUS. Ask Jesus to save you and change you today because tomorrow's not promised! Turn your life to CHRIST today! Watch HIM work(cleanse you) and fight your battles so you don't have to!

Georgia Underdogs

Georgia had tremendous heart going into today's game against Xavier. The underdogs got out to an early lead with Gaines and Woodbury. Soon, Xavier began battling cutting the lead to two. Surged, Woodbury hit a floater in the after 3 straight misses by the Underdogs. Hard defense by both teams makes it hard for anyone to score. Bliss got into foul trouble early with 2 foul midway through the 1st half. Gaines leads his team giving the a 7 point lead. At the break Georgia leads 36-26.
The 2ND half started out with a Georgia bucket by Bliss. The Underdogs showed great confidence and that the SEC is still a tough conference. The Under Dogs were having fun and relaxed. A steal by Lavender gives Xavier a serge. Still Georgia finds a way to score. Gaines ,playing like a pro, gets yet another steal and dunks on the other end. Now forced to call a time out 41- 30.Woodbury played like a pro with stop an pops when his team needed them. # 31 answers with the three. High intensity and sloppy play keeps the game close with a 10 point lead for Georgia. Xavier cuts it to 6 with aggression by Duncan. Fouls hurt Georgia . Humphrey picked up two in 10 seconds. Wow, turnovers and sloppy play allowed Xavier to come back. Rebounds and steals by Gaines keep hoop alive for Georgia. Stop and pop for three by Humphry. On defense, Georgia uses a 1-3-1. This zone defense is very effective for the underdogs. Turnovers hurt Georgia late. Woodbury tries to carry some of the load from Gaines. Gaines gets two the hard way but no foul. Still carrying the team, Gaines picks up #4. Gaines and Bliss use the pick and roll to keep the game close. The game starts to slip away under th minuete mark.

Clemson vs. Duke :Tigers roars, Blue Devils defeated

Going into the game on Sat. Match 15,2008, Duke seemed to be the favorites over Clemson. Clemsen's last win over Duke was in 1997. Some say that this was Clemson's best team in years.

Liberty Tech: One Month Later

The Liberty Tech Crusaders and Lady Crusaders made an early exit in the first round of the region tournament on Feb.22 and Feb. 23. The Lady Crusaders took on Jasmine James and Bartlett on Friday. Jasmine James is arguably one of the best guards in Tennessee. The Lady Crusaders stayed with Bartlett and quickly realized teamwork and hard defense can over play a one woman show. Unseemly in the end Bartlett pulled away and sent the Liberty Lady Crusaders home. The next day, the Liberty Crusaders went off against Millington. This time the Crusaders were the favorites to win. The game was close upon exiting the first half. The Crusaders ,at the beginning of the second half, began doing what they did all year, the pulled away to a 10 point lead. Close to the end, Millington began fighting back with Steve Kerr,who finished with 19 points, on the attack. To accommodate the sharp shooter, Millington began pressuring. The press left a 3-point bucket open ever time down the floor and it seemed that almost ever time the Crusaders missed it. To Liberty Tech's displeasure, Tarius Johnson and Marlin Dotson both fouled out in the last minutes of the 4Th quarter. Johnson and Dotson are two key rebouders and scorers.The Trojans continued to pressure and rebound after a chronic 3-point miss by Liberty. Upon entering the game, many fans were displeased with decision to put the 6'8 center in after Dotson fouled out. However, to their surprise, Kirby Tritt drew an charge, offensive foul, at the late stages of the game. The play for Liberty was a missed 3-pointer by C.Williams, a missed 3 by C. Holt, rebound by Kirby Tritt, and a missed 3 by R. Williams. All of this in the last 20 seconds.+
Liberty Tech Crusaders
Today, the Crusaders must find ways to improve. This year the Crusaders will loose Charles Holt(SG),(Cordarius)Jay Greer(SG), and Kirby Tritt(C). This will leave it up to Ricky Williams(PG), (Tarius) TJ Johnson(SF/SG), and Cordaro (Cord) Williams(PG/SG) to assume role as the team leaders. Kendall Anthony(PG) did not see much of the court in his last game on Feb. 23 vs. Millington, but he will have to play a large amount of minutes for Liberty next season. Jauwon Cain(SG), Joevontae Arnold(SF/SG), and Ricky Parks(F) must step up as scorers and as defenders. Chris Johnson must improve his scoring in order to assume a position as a one of three senior leaders.

Transaction Please

In the blink of an eye it seemed that Pau Gasol went from a Grizzlie to a Laker. Blink again and Shaq will be gone to Phoenix. What do these trades mean? For the Lakers it means Kobe's staying even though Bynum isn't playing. It also means they become an automatic title contender. For the Grizzlies the story is not so sweet. With Pau gone, this cleared space for a possible sell of the franchise. Sure they get Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, and the rights to Pau Gasol's little brother, Marc Gasol. But these players are less than all stars and the trade looked to be one sided. Even now the Grizz continues to clear space. Memphis traded Stromile Swift for Nets Jason Collins (again one sided). Also, the Grizz just let Damon Stoudamire go with no exchange or trade.
The other huge transaction rumor is that the Diesel is leaving on a mid night plane to Arizona. In return, the Heat will gain Marcus Banks and thought to be forever in the Sun Shaun Marion. O’Neal will add a defensive presence to the non defensive Phoenix Suns. Wow is all that can be said at this point. Pau getting it done as a Laker, his brother Marc coming back to Memphis (or going to Oklahoma), and Shaq playing with Steve Nash in the regular season is all nothing short of amazing.

Winter High School Basketball Tourneys Around the Way

As every year, a wealth Christmas time tourneys were held across the High School Basketball level. Such Tourneys include the DHS Christmas Tourney in Dyersburg, TN, The Larry Finch Tourney (TN), and The Timberwolves shoot out. In the Timberwolves shoot out , White Station High School led by former Haywood High School Boys' Basketball coach Jesus Pitino squared off. White Station has arguably the best sophomore in the nation in Joe Jackson.

PBL: What's Happening Now?

In recent years, their have been many leagues such as WBA, UBL, NPBL, IBL, and ABA have arose in the Basketball world of America. None of these leagues even come close to the popularity and achievement of the NBA. Not the CBA, ABA, or th D-League. But perhaps the most recent to be announced is the Premier Basketball League or the PBL. Their are currently 10 team in the PBL. Their are open tryout for some teams like The Dallas Defenders (so anyone can show up in hopes to becoming the next big star). Just recently, Kenny Smith was named the commissioner of the PBL. Kenny Smith is not only an NBA legend but he also work along side Charles Barkley as an NBA analyst on TNT. Most PBL players have come from NCAA Division 1 schools.

Texas Longhorns Must Re-Enter a Winning State of Mind

The Texas started out 11-0 which matches the best start of Longhorn Basketball. It seemed that Texas was on a role and only looking to get better. Unfortunately, fatigue and a tough schedule stopped their winning streak. On December 22,2007, Texas lossed to Michigan State at the Palace of Auburn Hills. This loss made them fall from no.5 to no.9 . Still in the top ten, Texas was favored to win on December 29, 2007 vs. Wisconsin. In the final moments of the game, a questionable 3 pointer fired off by Augustin with 14 seconds on the shot clock and a missed free throw by Abrams late in the game would come back to haunt them. After the Abrams took his free throw, Wisconsin quickly went to their end of the court. A screen up top was set for Micheal Flowers.The Longhorns gave a pretty weak hedge and Flowers, poised, threw up a 3 point shot. Texas was down one with 2 seconds left. The Longhorns did not call a timeout and tried quickly to in-bound the ball. Atchley attempted to pass it in to Augustin, but it was stolen by Flowers. And thus, Texas received yet another loss. With losses to Michigan St.(who last year handed Texas a loss) and Wisconsin (a struggling team also) they are currently ranked 14Th . Texas is still looking up. With a new year under way and Conference play, the Longhorns can still make a march for the post season. D.J. Augustin is still one of the best if not the best point guard in College Basketball. They have talented guards in Mason and Abrams. Their front line also can look up. Damion James plays big every night for Texas. Also with Freshmen Forward Gary Johnson, who was sidelined because of a heart condition, is expected play at TCU on Jan. 2, 2008. It is only a matter of time for Texas to re-enter a winning state of mind.

Arizona Wildcat Basketball Arizona v. Illnois.

Arizona Wildcats can be said to be a team with adversary. From losing crucial games against unranked-put solid Virginia and ranked Kansas. But inspite of the adversary, Arizona sees the light through it all. Jerryd Bayless, only a freshmen, is the unprecedented leader of this Arizona team. Bayless surges his team with his energy and defence. He has a cunning eye to score. In Arizona vs. Illinois game at the United Center, Arizona did what they had done all season. In the first half of the game, Illinois completely shutdown Jerryd Bayless. He had no points in the first 19:30 of the game. In the first half Arizona shot 36% from the field and 20% from the 3 point line. The Baylessness scored about 18 PPG in the previous game. Shaun Pruit had his way in the paint first off. Jordan Hill kept Arizona close to striking distance. Hill hit huge shots and made defensive plays to keep his team in the game.Brock and Frazier made amazing plays to add to the Illini lead. Mike Tisdale made three that made Illinois pull away in the first half. Suprisingly, Arizona found an answer. With 23 seconds left on the clock, Jerryd Bayless hit a big three to accomidate a run by the Wildcats.
In the second half, Arizona seemed yet again surged by Jerryd Bayless's energy. Nic Wise made tremindous plays to help with the come back. Wise improved his game tremindously for Arizona. Jordan Hill had 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead his team. Trenton Mechom and Brock looking for the win made three for the Illini. Chase Budinger also added 8 point and 3 assists. But the hero was unquestionably Jerryd Bayless. Bayless had 17 point in the second half including OT. The last play after a Jordan Hill put back to tie the game, the Illini brought the ball down and Frazier attemped a shot with seconds left Nic Wise block the shot attemp and thus the end o regulation to overtime.
In OT, Budinger scored a 2 pointer at 4:41. Arizona found a way to stop Pruit and the Illini guard play. In the end, it was Jerryd Bayless all day. The play of the game was Jerryd Bayless driving and rising up for a monster slam. Later, Bayless made major free throws for the Arizona win. Jerryd Bayless's game is pretty yet powerful. He is the leader of the team on the court.
Later, Bayless talks about all-star coach Lute Olson. "Coach Olson is a great coach," said Bayless "We're going to give him his privacy, and we're going to wish him the best of whatever is going on. We just have to move on without him." A mature move by the Freshmen point guard striving to bring his game back to amazing play.

Back to School Again?

This is the start of something new . Today I would like to congratulate the NBA prospects that decided

to go back to school. Those were some sweet choices. But the biggest story for the number one person who needs to come back to college basketball is Dominic James. Dominic James was named freshman of the year and rookie of the year in the 2005-06 season. With his spectacular athleticism and spunk , in mock NBA drafts, he was rank 15 -20.

Unfortunately, Dominic James could not keep that up for the 2006-07 season. He started out with a bang , but soon turned for the worst. From being booed by MU students to disturbing leg cramps. This has been a trying year for James. He went to draft camps in hopes to becoming the next best PG, but James had trouble getting invited to draft camps. Even in all of that James still has basketball dreams fueled by the successes of other athletes and his ambitions of greatness.
"Dominic James, I am begging you. If you have not already, go back to college. You are way too talented to be taking this abuse. James, McNeal, and Matthews can be the big three for college basketball. Then, after your Senior year go to the draft. You will be 110% better, trust me.You are a great player just get your head on straight and practice hard don't be arrogant, as some have called you, but walk with humility .Don't take this as a set back, but take this as a learning experience and practice for the next season and the next time you enter the draft. The road to success takes a lot of off season practice and hard work. Your work ethic must improve if you want to play on the next level. It is going to take studying Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Jason Kidd, T.J. Ford, and even New Jersey's Marcus Williams. When people talk about Tiny Archibald or Earl the Pearl Monroe listen up and take notes. You must get mentally tough and make up in your mind that you are going to score when its needed. Don't just watch an NBA game, study it. Look at the spacing and the way good point guards breakdown defenses. Also look for new ways to get your shot off. You know what you have to work on so work on it so that I can see you in the NBA one day and say 'he's a hard worker' . Don't ever slack off in practice. Hustle on every level is rewarded and can compensate for your weaknesses. I am looking forward to seeing you in the MU gold and blue! Remember what one former MU player turn Finals MVP says, 'hard work pays off.' Get connected with JESUS. Accept HIM a just see where HE will take you. Dedicate your life to HIM today . Let HIM cleanse you from everything you have done wrong. I did and I will never be the same! 'For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4.'For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believeth in HIM should no perish but have everlasting life ! 'John 3:16 " says one anonymous fan of Dominic James.After listening to Stu Jackson, his decision may be to go back to school again.