Not as often as you'd think...

"I thought it'd be great, you know? have some time alone with my thoughts... turns out, I don't have as many thoughts as you'd think." ~ Joey Tribianni

I started this blog when I thought I had something to say. Now, I am not sure when I lost my voice or if I ever had one, but for a while now I just feel like I have nothing to say. I got all prepared to do a 2012 Clippers comparison with the 2008 New Orleans Hornets and well, I just didn't want to complete it. I don't know if I don't have thoughts like Joey, or if I don't know how to put it into words. All of this has caught me completely by surprise. I was the kid in kindergarten who would finish his work faster than everyone else, and then proceed to prevent all the rest of the kids from doing their work. I am the guy who usually has something to say about religion, politics (two areas I'm not supposed to address), or sports. However, there just isn't enough in sports to talk about that is compelling. And life has gotten so busy that sadly, I am not as up to date on politics as I'd like to be.

 The Lakers are, well, old! There is no other way to put it. They are actually not that good. And, I may be the only person who is in LA and who is a Lakers fan who is over Kobe Bryant. I relate to him on a very personal level. Our personalities, I think, are very similar. But, he is the antithesis of a team player. I want him to make his Lakers teammates better, but he just doesn't. I read about Jordan's work ethic and his intensity...and how that raised those things in his teammates. Kobe does not seem to have the same impact on his teammates. Maybe I'll write about my complete thoughts about Kobe, probably not!

The Trojans are too far away. I will get into full Trojan crazyness as the season draws nearer.

The Dodgers are under new ownership. But, I am not feeling the team. The beginning of the season feels like a sham. I love Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw. Both of these guys are cornerstone guys. Very easy to build your team on those two guys, and have a firm foundation. However, the only other guy I remotely like is Andre Ethier. He just happens to be producing in a contract year. I am VERY skeptical of guys killing it in a contract year. I remember Adrian Beltre having an amazing season! ONE SEASON! He has been productive throughout his career, but that one year was sublime. I hope this is not Dre's MO.

The Clippers, Bruins, and Angels all fall into the same camp for me. They are the Jets, Mets, Nets of New York. They are the other teams in LA. They put together nice seasons here and there...but no history. They never produce over time. I have no room for them.

The Kings are amazing! The have brought about SO many old memories for me! Watching Wayne and the boys go to the Stanley Cup finals was amazing. And these Kings are putting together a great run. A phenomenal goalie, a timely offense and a big strong defense makes them fun to watch. I need a Drew Doughty jersey!

The only other thing on my radar sports wise is NASCAR. The only sport I like that is not regional (outside of my love of the Red Wings, even though they are regional, just not to me). I am a big fan of the sport. Last year, my brother took me to the race in Fontana. It was a complete blast and I am hooked. Not to mention it gives me something to talk to my brother about. We went to the race again this year and had a killer time. My favorite driver is Kyle Busch. This year, I took Mac with me to the race, and she had a good time...and picked up a super cute Kyle Busch t-shirt. After a very slow start, the "MMMs" (as Mac would say it) car is starting to perform like the Cup contender that he is.

See, it took me an hour to write all of that out...and there is not a compelling word among them. It reminds me of Jim on The Office, he was describing to the interviewer what he did at Dunder Mifflin and about 2 minutes into it he says, "I am boring myself talking about this"...which perfectly wraps up this post. I have bored myself. Hopefully, I'll find something compelling to say!

More from Homer...

December 2005, I am sitting in the back storeroom of my in-laws. I am pouring over data about the Texas Longhorns. Checking their schedule; checking the yardage for, against; checking the scores for, against; etc... I was looking for a reason to believe that my Trojans would beat the 'Horns. USC had the greatest offense around during that year. They averaged just under 50 points a game. Studs in EVERY department: Sam Baker and Ryan Kalil on the line, Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith as receivers, LenDale White and Reggie Bush as backs, and Matt Leinart as the Captain. At this point in his career...Matt was 37-1...the only loss an overtime loss on the road to Cal in his first 4 games. When that game was played Hershel Dennis was the running back - Bush and White were just highly touted recruits. The defense was good but not great...but they didn't have to be. All they had to do was hold the opponent under 35...and they won! It was a good year...scares by Cal and Fresno St kept the fans and the nation interested. On paper...it was a slam dunk...USC would win. The only thing I couldn't account for was Vince Young. Young was without a doubt the most impressive athlete I have ever seen in person (this includes LeBron). He towered over everyone on the field...his body did things that no one's could (just ask Brian Cushing - the young SC linebacker responsible for keeping tabs on Young - a guy who was just drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, but was on his face a lot, diving after Young, while Young had moved in another direction piling up over 200 yards rushing).

May 2009, I am sitting thinking about the Lakers. How will this season end? On paper, no one can touch the Lakers. But, in person they leave a little to be desired...they do not have the drive of Kobe. They play with NO urgency. They play like there is a tomorrow and like there is an infinite number of tomorrows. Vic the Brick says, "they need to play with their hair on fire" and that just isn't who they are.

Kobe Bryant can not impose his will on this team. No matter how much he locks his jaw and stares down his teammates. They play with a chip on their shoulder. However, it is a little bit different than the chip that last years Celtics played with, or the Nuggets play with this year. Their chip is more like "don't you know who we are"...a sense of entitlement. They short arm rebounds. They do not hustle on defense and get lazy on offense. They sit and wait for Kobe to bail them out (maybe Kobe's new nickname should be Obama). I love the Black Mamba...but he can't do it every time. When thugs (I can't believe I agree with Mark Cuban) like Kenyon Martin, JR Smith and Chris "Birdman" Andersen are beating you...things are bad.

Unfortunately, I had a front row seat as the Trojans got rocked by VY. I am hoping this year that I don't catch a case of deja vu.

Homer?

Last Wednesday, I spent a very enjoyable evening watching D-Wade destroy the Atlanta Hawks with a foray of dizzying moves to the basket and unbelievably long jump shots (including banking in a 3 pointer that iced the game with just over a minute to play). I was in Hotlanta on business and decided to take in a playoff game. My hope was that D-Wade would score 40 (he scored 38) and the game would be wildly entertaining (Josh Smith can jump out of the gym). Suffice to say, I was not disappointed for three reasons, 1.) the aforementioned D-Wade, 2.) the hawk (they release a live hawk during player intros) sat on the backboard for 10 minutes causing a delay, 3.) the PA announcer saying, "J J J J Joe Johnson every time he scored" (which didn't happen to often, and "the foul was offensive...Jermaine O'neal (every time the Heat committed an offensive foul).

I had the pleasure of sitting next to a couple of guys that were also in town on business - one was from San Antonio and the other from Philadelphia. While watching the game we began to discuss numerous basketball topics...

...how long will Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder stay in the cellar (or at least out of the playoffs)?

...who is more of a clutch player (LeBron or Kobe)?

...will Boston survive Chicago?

...who is a better point guard CP3, Deron Williams or Chauncey Billups?

...can the soft Lakers win a Championship?

After talking for a few minutes...my new found friend Mike said, "Tim, you are just a Laker fan and that influences all of your opinions." Just for clarification sake, I did not say that Derek Fisher was better than any of those point guards...AND I did not say that the Lakers will win the Championship.

I just happen to think...

...that Kevin Durant (with one more lottery pick and the growth of his teammates - namely Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green) can easily jump the Phoenix Suns into the Playoff conversation.

...that Amare Stoudemire is (to quote Remember the Titans) "a waste of God given talent". The guys has no post up moves, the guy can not create his own shot...if it weren't for Steve Nash he would be a 12-14 point player with 5-7 boards...not someone worth a max contract.

...that LeBron's new found defensive prowess is nothing to jump up and down about, despite what every single analyst says. He happens to play the easiest position in basketball (what I mean by easiest is the least number of superstars playing the position). He doesn't have to contend with a Tony Parker, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, etc...that the other point guards have to worry about. He doesn't have to worry about Michael Redd, Kobe Bryant, Manu Ginobili, Tracy McGrady, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, Ray Allen, etc...that the other shooting guards have to worry about. He doesn't have to worry about Chris Bosh, Pau Gasol, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitski, etc...that the other power forwards have to worry about. The only guy he has to check...is Paul Pierce (no offense 'Mello) and I GUARANTEE that he won't be making those spike blocks on Rondo and Allen while is guarding Paul.

...that the Boston Celtics are a bunch of thugs. Kendrick Perkins is the biggest of them all (until last night). He has borderline talent...he is heart and determination, but he is not a talented big man. He just beats the hell out of people. Kevin Garnett is the most overhyped player in the NBA...sure he is intense, but does every other word out of his mouth have to be m***erf***er and then the other word being n***a???? And now we have Rajon Rondo...the hit on Brad Miller last night was amazing.

For a couple of reasons, 1.) he intentionally fouled him (Doc Rivers praised him for fouling him and winning the game), 2.) he had NO intention of going for the ball (a guy who is this quick swings so late...I mean the ball was long gone when he swung his arm...he had NO chance of getting the ball.), 3.) it won the game. I agree with Colin Cowheard...the series is as it should be...the Celtics should be ahead...with or without Garnett. But, I disagree with his point that the foul was flagrant because the series is where it should be. The reason I disagree with this is if the situation was reversed and it was Derrick Rose swinging at Kendrick Perkins. The series would be heading to Chicago with the Bulls up...and they "shouldn't" be ahead in the series.

...that Paul Pierce is a drama queen. Hello?!? Didn't he sprain his knee...and then miraculously walk back to the court and play like he didn't for 4 more games. He is a liar...and so are the Celtics! See Bill Simmons article on www.espn.com about Kevin Garnett's injury...they are the masters of deception.

No matter how hard I tried to fight it...last Wednesday night...Mike was right! [Bill Simmons at ESPN is the biggest Homer ever. He hates hard on Kobe because he is a Celtic.]