Being A Role Model

You know what is also crazy? In life, you might just be a role model to so many people. It is crazy to think of. Like, you never really thought you would be a role model to anyone besides your cousins or siblings. There is this one little kid right? He just looks up to me like really. When he sees me he yells my name. Tells me to sit by him. He tells me he wants to shoot like me and play ball like me. He shows me how I shoot, and I just adore it. It brings a smile to my face. I also, received letters from kids that are in elementary at my school. Saying they want to shoot like me also, and if I could teach them sometime. They think I am the best three point shooter in the school. I honestly do not think I am, but they bring so much confidence to my dream. Words cannot explain how I feel about the kids that look up to me. If I had a talk with all the kids that play basketball and look up to me, I would do it. ------- I would tell them, "I never thought I would be a role model to any one. I've grown up as a troubled kid. I've grown up parents and kids not liking me. It was hard at times. I looked towards drugs sometimes, but that is never the case. Drugs do not make you cool, or stronger or literally do not help you at all. It is all mental. Being picked on, bullied, name calling, is all mental. If you choose to let those words bother you, then you will be what people say. I've grown up with not that much role models in my life. I've had an uncle who was my big brother, and he was not constantly around. He drifted from that big brother spot. Then one day he fell in love and left Saint Paul. It happens, not occasionally, but life throws some difficult tasks at times. If it is losing some one, or anything that brings your self confidence down. I'm blessed with you kids looking up to me. I really am. But, always be you. Never want to be another person 100 percent. If you do then you're just a shadow of someone else. Do not be a shadow, but if you create your own, then do not abuse your role. Life is filled with so many options, always take them. I like to think of it as a rainbow, and you need to make your own colors. Do not be a regular rainbow, all those colors are getting boring right? Each of your paths in life represents your colors of your rainbow." ------- That would just be a little taste of what I got to tell kids. I know I left out key ingredients, but that is why I said a taste of what I got to tell them. It is hard to know what you're going to say with all those kids just looking at you and paying attention. Listening words from word. Basketball players are role models to every kid basically in this world. I know, I still need some growing up to do, and I look forward to it. I've grown already, and the kids that look up to me, are my reason to follow my dreams. To show them it is possible to chase your dreams. Come out of Alaska on a small island and do something big with their lives. Life is full of surprises, I'm surprised, but I know there is more to come. I love where I come from. And I love all the people that believe in me and the ones that do not. It all makes an impact on my life.

"This came to mind... you know.. if you're a ball player. And YOU Have Some BIG Dreams Right? You always have people that support you and will down talk you. It reminds me of back in the day.. watching all these kobe Bryant interviews and docs. Trash talk was an art of basketball right? It's lost now.. the trash talk went to the people watching the pros. People don't want to see you make it. They want you to get scooped down to their level. Your dream is your game.. and your opponent is the people around you. Weird how people just blend in. Don't Let People Take Your Dreams away. Cause some times reality is just an off day in your Dreams." - Shawn Hanson Life is really crazy. Like people will alway support you, and that is your fans if you think about it. Your home town fans that always want you to get the win. College and Professional level. The people that do not want to see you succeed is a well lesson also. I experienced it playing High school basketball. Hearing people cheer against you and boo you. It is music to my ears. I'm trying to put it into reality also. After High school, I know I will not have as much support as much as I did in High school. It is adapting to a new style basically. My coach always told me though, "Don't live with what ifs." What if I did not do this or that. You do not want to regret trying new possibilities especially if they were given. Who knows? You might become something big in life like you always dreamt of. Anything is possible, but it is always up you you mentally and physically, make something out of your life.

Valuable Life Lessons From King

"As a father, one of our most important roles is to teach our children valuable life lessons. I take my role seriously, and tonight, after our family dinner and after all their homework is done, my boys are going to learn how to take an earth shaking, electronic beat down. Dad can only take so much smack talk!!!!!!" It also showed a picture of the case of NBA 2K15. A father indeed he is. It may not always be easy knowing James is traveling places for the Season. Valuable time like this is what he probably cherishes because he does not get much of it. This might also get his mind off something before the Playoffs coming around the corner in April. Dad is going to show to his kids why he is the "King" on and off the court. Knowing that James did not have his father around during his childhood has not stopped him to do the same to his children. It was probably his deepest fears of becoming a parent, is to become a father that his father was to him. James probably knew from the start that he would never abandon his children and wonderful family that he has.

Wild, Wild, Wild, Wildcats!

It is March Madness and the Kentucky Wildcats have been bringing the Madness. Everyone is either rooting for or rooting against the Wildcats. The Team of Karl Anthony Towns who could possible be the lottery pick in this years NBA Draft. Last night, In Cleveland there was a tsunami of Blue in the Quicken Loans Area. The Wildcats faced the West Virginia, and West Virginia had no place to escape. The final score was 78-39. West Virginia coach had to say this about facing the Wildcats, "They were where I thought they were, that's the best defensive team I think that I've ever coach against. And when they're making shots, there's nobody going to beat them." Now the Wildcats who are 37-0 after beating West Virginia, will not face the Fighting Irish Notre Dame. I do not think anyone will beat the Wildcats this year unless they have a bad night and if their big men are not grabbing rebounds and blocking shots. It is going to be a tough game. Kentucky versus Notre Dame in the elite 8.

Down With The King

The Cleveland Cavaliers have clinched a playoff birth and are cruising by to keep their record going to keep the second spot in the playoffs. The Atlanta Hawks have the best record in the East having an amazing season. This is what the King of Cleveland LeBron James had to say about the team, "Early on in the season, we weren't the team we are now obviously, but I've always said it's a process, and you have to understand that, and we all have to understand that it's a process. And it's good to know where we are right now and the type of game that we're playing now." Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love have not been to the playoffs, and now it is their time to see if they can live up to the expectation they have shown this season. Can they live up to the hype? Can they trust themselves enough, and keep up their team chemistry? Are any of them willing to step up to the plate when it comes game time to take over the game if needed? Especially can they let another teammate take over when they have the hot hand. They have LeBron, Miller, Jones, Marion, and a couple others that have playoff experience. It is a time to win a championship. Bring their first championship to Cleveland.

Shooting

Nowadays, the most thing people want to do in the sport of basketball is shoot the ball. Yeah, I admit, I want to shoot the ball a lot when I have the chance to. Does that make me a ball hog? Well, it probably does. To be honest, I think it depends on what mood I am in. I know for sure being on a basketball team I will do whatever it takes to win. I will, shoot, pass, dive, and handle the ball. Shooting is like a great art of basketball in my eyes. There are so many different shots. My favorite shooter is Stephen Curry. Every time I shoot, I want it to be like his. I know I will never be the shooter he is, and have the exact shooting form. I will always and only be me. I might have similarities, but I will alway be me. Shooting the ball takes years and years of practice unless, you were born with the talent. I've heard my coach tell me that I am one of the greatest shooters in Saint Paul, and I was not born with the talent. I did not come out of my mother with a basketball, I had to work. I will never understand why shooting is the greatest feeling to me. When you're having a great night and everything you put up just goes in! That is a great feeling. Like there is no words to describe that moment you are in. You just feel like eating an invisible bowl of cereal. Also, when you're having an off day. It is a learning experience still. It is like a shooters god telling you that you are still human. It is a reminder that you are not always untouchable, you are not a god. Nowadays, you see kids just want to shoot the ball, and shoot threes. Sometimes I feel passing is a loss art form of basketball now. I love to make assists also, I really do. Also, having handles and breaking peoples ankles. That is an amazing feeling also. Crossing someone over, making people fall to the ground or floor. It makes you laugh sometimes. You know what though? It still never beats shooting in my eyes. Shooting is just something I can not describe to you. You just have to watch videos on youtube or go out and shoot the ball a lot. Feel the feeling that I love and the greatest shooter of all time, Stephen Curry. "I want to practice to the point where it's almost uncomfortable how fast you shoot, so that in the game things kind of slow down." -Stephen Curry

$340 Million Nike Shoe Sales From LeBron's Shoes

Coming back home was a great decision for James, but must to add on to another great season. James' signature shoe from Nike has should rapidly making $340 million dollars. According to Forbes.com sales for James' Nike shoe rose 13 percent over a 12 month period through January. James' shoes are the top seller in the NBA rising over former MVP, Kevin Durant. Durants' Nike signature shoe has sold $195 million. James was aware of his shoe sales, and was asked after the Nets game what he thought about his shoes sale numbers. "For me, my main thing is about playing basketball, obviously I love my partnership with Nike. We've done so many great things, but it starts with performance and all of us at Nike we perform first and we let everything take care of itself. For me to be able to have those numbers just means that fans still love what I do on the floor. They appreciate how I approach the game and everything else benefits from that," James said. That is not only it, James' Number 23 Cavaliers Jerseys is NBA's best seller. James is Forbes biggest earner off the court making $44 million this year in endorsements. The Cavaliers are also off to a hot start since January 15 with the record of 25-6, and taking the second seed away from the Bulls trailing behind the Atlanta Hawks. The Cavaliers have a 14 home game willing streak and the playoffs are just around the corner 12 games away. For LeBron and the Cavaliers business is great.

J.R. Smith Say Cleveland Cavaliers Are The Best Team He Has Ever Been On

The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired J.R. Smith in a three way team trade. The Cavaliers would get rid of Dion Waiters and acquired two player from the New York Knicks. Dion went to Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Cavaliers got a lottery pick like trade that included J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert. The Cavaliers staff asked James about Smith and James approved him coming over. The two former Knicks have been great to the team and working out their differences and working on their chemistry. It has been looking great. The Cavaliers have also been great to J.R. Smith. Smith is really happy with the Cavaliers showing his love for his teammates on his Instagram. Smith also said this is the most fun he's ever had with any team. Most players just take basketball as a job, but you have to have fun and love the game to get wins. It looks like that is how the Cavaliers play, and this might make Smith want to come back next year. Smith has a player option for 2015-16 season, and given that he is set to make over $6 million on that option. It would be a great surprise to see Smith back next year on the Cavaliers 2015-16 roster, because he has been a big addition to the roster this season. The front office should get him to come back for the Cavaliers without a doubt, and should try asking him about that already. He loves it in Cleveland, and hopefully that will make him stay with the team for a long period of time.

LeBron Questionable For Tonight Vs Pacers

Today, Friday, March 20, 2015, LeBron James is questionable for tonights game versus the Indiana Pacers. It is no injury this time, or rest. This time it is illness. James missed todays shoot around at home. James has missed 11 games this season mostly due to his back injury. The Cavaliers look to face a Pacer team who is on a three game losing streak and is out of the playoff picture. The Pacers had hype of Paul George coming back this month, but decided it was best not due to team chemistry. The Pacers beat the Cavaliers on February 27, but the Cavaliers did not have James or Irving. The Cavaliers are currently on a 14 home game winning streak and a hungry Indiana Pacers team looks to break that streak. Do not count James out just yet. It is game time decision for him, and he will do what is best for his health.

MVP Race

There is no doubt that there are some great choices for Most Valuable Player of the season award. There are some big names this year like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Stephen Curry. Westbrook has show some Most Valuable Player skills knowing that Kevin Durant was out from a couple of injuries. Westbrook was being a triple double machine, showing off that he does not only score the ball, but can get rebounds and assists. Stephen Curry's name is up in the list having an excellent season this year. Being the fastest player to hit 1,000 three pointers. LeBron had a sketchy start, but the Cavaliers came together and now is one of the best chemistry teams in the NBA. Stephen Curry is at the top of the NBA ballot for MVP. Stephen was not modest about his answer when he was asked who he would vote for MVP, he said he would vote for himself. If he did not have the option to vote for himself he then said he would vote for LeBron James. The best shooter in the NBA would vote for the Best Player in the NBA today.

Cleveland Vs Miami

Today, March 16, 2015, the Cleveland Cavaliers visited the Miami Heat down in South Beach. There is no words to this game besides the Cavaliers did not come to play, and the Heat had a fire start. The final score was 96- 106 Heat. The game was one sided since the Heat got their head start in the first quarter. LeBron finished with 26 points and 4 assists, and Kyrie Irving had 21 points and 6 assists. Kyrie had a low scoring game compared to his previous games. Irving just looked cold out there. All he can do is shake it off and say it was a bad day. Everyone has those days. LeBron had some low number of assists in the first half. I do not know what he was trying to prove coming back to South Beach, but it did not happen or work out. LeBron may have had the most points for the Cavaliers, but it was a bad game coming from him. Overall bad game for the Cavaliers sloppy defense and buckets just could not go in. Before tipoff though, it showed James and Chris Bosh talking and hugged. It was sure good to see Bosh attending games from being the hospital for blood clots in his lungs. Showing love to each other before the game. They may have had their differences and James leaving South Beach to go back home. That does not mean they can still have the brotherly bond like James and Wade have, even though they had a rough start to the season around each other. People made sport reports about Bosh and James saying that they do not like each other more that James went home. These two guys are still brothers at the end of the day, it is just basketball.

Kid Flips Off LeBron Behind Spurs Bench

The big talk about the Cavaliers and Spurs game was Kyire Irvings big 57 point performance. But there is some talk of this video of LeBron while he was standing in front the Spurs bench of a kid giving LeBron the bird with both hands. James has always had some good match ups with the Spurs and there is no doubt that Spurs fans do not like him. I mean he has so much hate that a young Spurs fan would give James the bird. James is usually the role model for most young kids, but no in San Antonio I guess. Loyalty over respect I guess the kid thought. His parents must be embarrassed about the video going viral. No word on James seeing the video, but pretty sure he does not care about it. James has received so much hate from so many fans it does not even bother him anymore. It is not easy being loved with the nickname "King" especially if people do not believe you deserve the name. It was given to him and then he deserves it. Players will be players, and fans will be fans.

Kyrie "Uncle Drew" Irving Clutch

Uncle Drew Aka Kyrie Irving is stepping up his game and abilities more this year. This guy is amazing to watch. Think watching him on TV is incredible, imagine watching the cross overs, ankle breaking, dribbling between the legs, confusing his defenders in person. Watching him do his thing court side. Now that would be amazing. Last night against the Spurs Irving had a career high 57 points. The Cavaliers defeated the San Antonio Spurs 128- 125 featuring overtime thanks to Irving hitting a last second three pointer. Irving was 7 for 7 from behind the arc. Irving was on fire shooting and making 20 of his 32 attempts while being guarded against a team that usually has great defense. After the game Irving credited Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. This is what Irving said after the game, " As long as my elbow is pointed at the rim, I feel like it has a great chance to go in. I learned that from Kobe Bryant. If you get a good look at it and your elbow is pointed at the rim, it has a chance of going in." Irving is crediting Bryant with his performance shooting wise, but I do not think he could credit Bryant for his dribbling skills against the Spurs or his finishing by the rim. Who does Kyrie remind you of dribbling past defenders and finishing with any hand. I do not think he reminds me of anyone besides his own self. Irving is his own unique player and he always surprises people and get's a lot of "ohh's" and ahh's."

What Is Up With Kevin Love?

Last night during the Cavaliers win against the San Antonio Spurs, Kevin Love sat on the bench the whole fourth quarter. He looked fine enough to play, he did not look injured or anything. Maybe Coach Blatt is just sitting him. For what though? Close game like these you need Kyrie, Smith, James, Love and Mozgov on the court. Cavaliers were down in the fourth, but it came to the youngest player on the team to tie the ball game. Kyire "Uncle Drew" Irving. People were saying Love was in the tunnel when Coach Blatt wanted to sub him, and Mike Miller had to run after him. Does Love want to stay with the Cavaliers? Does he really LOVE his role on the Cavaliers? Or does he want it to be like the Timberwolves and be the star taking all the shots? Who knows? All I know that Love was not heading back to the locker rooms when he was in the tunnel. Love was riding the bike because his back. Love has been suffering from a back injury. He did not want to sit on the chairs and make his back stiff. Love rode the bike to keep his back stretched out and keep warm. People are blaming Love for only having 8 points. I'am pretty sure it is Timberwolve fans still heartbroken from Love leaving. Love accepts his role for Cleveland and pretty sure he knows that whatever LeBron and Blatt wants him to do is what is what will help him win championships. Love does not care what people have to say about him, he just worries about getting the win. Rumors will start about Love wanting to leave Cleveland, but it is just rumors and talk. Love's back is just hurting for all those who saw that Love did not play in the fourth quarter.

Headband

LeBron James has been playing great for the past two games, well, it is no surprise. What is a surprise to people is that LeBron is not wearing a headband. People are making a big deal that he is not wearing it, making meme's and saying he is a different player without the headband. It is just a headband, it does not change the way you play. Yeah, James has been wearing a headband since he was in high school and it stuck until this very day. There is no report saying why James is not playing without the headband, but it is kind of a big shock to the world. Last year with the Miami Heat, James lost his headband on a play and he just went insane after that. He put up big numbers during that game, and that is when the buzz started for James without a headband. It got crazy, it came to a point where they were making statistics of James with and without a headband. They made no headband James seem better than the one with a headband. LeBron is just a whole different player this year, well, he is a different player every year. He is always improving himself every year. Adapt to his different roles, and being the captain of the team. That is just who he is. Headband or not, it does not make a difference. You can go out on the court with a headband on it still will not make you play like LeBron. Even if you wear his shoes it will not make you play like him.

Greatest Loss Is Not Losing, Greatest Loss Is Not Going 0 Too 100 Real Quick

Well, basketball is a competitive sport. People love the game, some people take it seriously and as a job. How are you going to have love and passion for the game if you take it as a job? If you love the game and have it as a job then that is great. But, if you do not love the game and just take it seriously and say it is your job to win these games and not lose any then that is boring basketball. Real basketball player play the game to have fun, for the love, and to enjoy their time just playing the sport. You can be the worst team and if you have fun and lose all your games, that is great if you have fun, but you have to take it seriously at one point. Not as serious where you have to consider it a job or a mission. Just play the game and have fun. If you are having fun and doing what you are suppose to, then things will turn out good. If you give 100 percent and do not give up and strive for greatness. Then you should achieve what ever you desire. The ambition to go to 0 to 100 real quick. We are not talking about Drake, we may be quoting him. I'm talking about pushing yourself to limits where you feel you can only push yourself so far without hurting yourself. Basketball is not meant to take seriously to a point where you hate it, it is only suppose to be taken seriously where you have fun and try to win games as much as you can. If you think you are a winner at heart, then you are. If you think you are not at your full potential to be a champion quite yet. Work on your game, and work on yourself physically and mentally. Love basketball, do not hate it. Do not let negative come in between what you love to make you hate the game. Also love the people you play with that is on your team, and come together as a family. Families fight and have their differences, but always work it out. All teams should be families. Not by blood, but by their chemistry, trust and love for one another. Being a Sea Parrot is family the way I see it. If you are a Sea Parrot with all your heart. Then here is one last cheer. Sea Parrots Family on three. One... Two... Three... Sea Parrots Family.

Kendrick Perkins LeBrons' Hype Man

Cavaliers center Kendrick Perkins is known for his abilities on the court like the ability to bang, intimidate and enforce, but motivational speaking is not one of his abilities you would associate with him. He continues to bond and associate with them, and his best and most powerful attributes so far in his words, and his LeBron James is hearing him loud and clear. Before you see the starters take court, you'll catch Perkins forcefully wrapping his arms around James and he begins speaking words of encouragement in his ear. James would then nod his head as he soaks in the words. When Perkins speaks, players listen. "I've done it all the time," Perkins told Northeast Ohio Media Group. "I'm just getting them ready because I know we're all in the same boat looking for the same thing. You've got to take care of your dogs." As of right now, Perkins' mission is to make sure number 23 squashes the disrespectful comparison that Perkins says James has been receiving this year.

Valanciuncas Fouls LeBron

Jonas Valanciunas got under LeBrons' skin Wednesday night in the Cavaliers vs Raptors game. LeBron retaliated with putting numbers up on the scoreboard, after Valanciunas tackled him on a drive in the late third quarter. LeBron put up 14 of his 29 in the fourth quarter, and had a career high 14 assists to beat the Raptors 120-112. Valanciunas was called for a fragrant- 1 foul and got a loud cheer from the crowd. LeBron said this about being fouled, " The game is more important than trying to deliver a hard foul. It's the old elementary school house rule that the second guy always gets caught. You just relax and play the game." LeBron was not happy about it, and showed it when Valanciunas tried to help him up. Of course LeBron was asked by media why he did not let valanciunas help him up. "Why would I need his help up? My teammates will come get me. That's all that matters" James said. "I wasn't trying to hurt him, I was just trying to stop him from dunking," Valanciunas said.

Wesley Matthews Out

Wesley Matthews suffered a gruesome injury Thursday night, a torn Achilles just less 50 days before the playoffs. This is a bummer for the Trail Blazers and Matthews. Could the Blazers hold and clinch the playoff birth? Matthews was one of the people that was in the All-Star 3-Point Competition. Without a doubt Matthews is one of the Blazers three- point shooters. Damian Lillard is a three- point shooter, but he has to play his role as a point guard. Facilitate the ball, and control the tempo. Matthews was the shooting guard of the Blazers, and according to many sport news the Blazers tried contacting Ray Allen to fill in Matthews spot. Allen declined the Blazers keeping his words that he will not play for any team this season and will announce his future during the summer. Who will replace Blazers guard Wesley Matthews? That is not announced yet. Remember people, this is the same injury Future Hall of Fame Player Kobe Bryant suffered last season. Kobe said the Achilles injury was the hardest to recover from. This is a physical and mental injury to recover from. This is not easy at all. It is also the injury that retired a lot of players. So, everyone wish Matthews a speedy recovery, and come back from this injury.

21 and Counting

LeBron continued to make his mark on the record books Tuesday, as he passed his former teammate Ray Allen for number 21 on the NBA's all-time scoring list in the Cavaliers' 11-79 win over the Celtics. James made a layup with 7:49 remaining in the third quarter which gave him 25 points for the game, edging him past Allen. James finished with 27 points and is now three points a head of Ray Allen's 24,505- point career total. James said, "I didn't know until I came to the bench and the guys congratulated me, and I was like, 'For what? For making a layup?'" "They go," 'You passed Ray Allen.' That's one of my best friends. That's the guy that I competed against, I grew up watching and then to be able to team with him the last two years when I was in Miami, I learned so much from him about work ethic, about being a professional, and it just added on to my game. "To know I passed him tonight, it's very humbling. I guess I've done some pretty good things in this league so far." James also added with a laugh, "He'll make one 3 and then retire? I don't know. But it is pretty cool to pass him."