1992-2012 20 Year Anniversary Of Dream Team Bring Back So Many Memories

By now, if your old enough you remember the 1992 U.S.A Men's Baketball Team. Those Olympics 20 years ago took place in Barcelona,Spain while the 2012 Summer Olympics will take place in London,England. As an eleven year old back in 1992, it was the summer between 5th and 6th grade. It was a summer that featured plenty of personal first. First time I ever rode on an Amtrak train, first time I visited the South...Raleigh,North Carolina to be exact and first time that I ever saw the Olympics. My grandmother took me with her to visit relatives in North Carolina who recently moved there from Philadelphia. Two things I remember from the summer of 1992, it was extremely hot in Raleigh and watching the Dream Team ! The memories have been brought back to me by July 2012 GQ issue that has a Dream Team article by Lang Whitaker. NBATV over the past two weeks debuted a Dream Team documentary. Both the article and video footage take fans into various things about the 12 rock stars that were never released previously. It was interesting to read and see how the selection process went and how competitive the practices were. Thanks to the Dream Team, the NBA has landed players from all over the world to play in the National Basketball Association. Many of those men were boys then like myself and the Barcelona games, truly inspired them to play professional basketball in the United States.

Authenticity In Sports Especially In Boxing & Basketball Is Completely Gone

Boxing over the past few years has given the fans nothing. Boxing fans pay their money for these mega pay per view bouts only to be let down again and again. A sport like UFC has become more popular since boxing has become more scripted like WWE. The most recent example is the Welterweight Championship between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley. When it seemed like Pacquiao didn't lose a round, he somehow lost the fight according to the judges. Keep in mind both fighters are under Bob Arum and his promotion company. Arum immediately announced a fall rematch after the fight. The money will stay in the Arum camp, go figure. Now on to basketball with Miami leading Oklahoma City 3-1 in the 2012 NBA Finals, with Game 5 in Miami set for Thursday Night, the Heat are 48 basketball minutes away from their 2nd World Championship and Lebron James his 1st after 9 seasons. Commissioner Stern earlier this pre season vetoed a trade that would've sent Chris Paul to the LA Lakers, yet he ok a deal from New Orleans to the LA Clippers...go figure. Miami lost in last years Finals to Dallas 4-2, after Lebron had an hour long special saying he would take his talents to South Beach. Clearly he's been the poster child of the NBA since the 2003 NBA Draft, when the Cavs made him the number 1 pick and he would known as King James. Excellent all around player, extremely versatile however let the Heat earn the title, opposed to handing it to them. Oklahoma has struggled in some areas during the Finals, including 6th Man of Year James Harden, however even with his struggles Thunder still have had chances to win. Let the players decide games and/or call it both ways from an officiating standpoint. Durant is a 3 time scoring champion who's been in foul trouble all series and offensively can't get a call when driving to the basketball ditto for Westbrook and Harden. However when Wade and James drive offensively most time starting the contact, they get the call for them, not a charge. OKC has been called for several charges and blocks defensively, not so much for Miami. Game 2 James clearly fouled Durant, no call, had a call been made those pair of free throws could've potentially tied the game in the final seconds. It would be hollow for James to have several individual awards, without a team championship, especially after all the fan fare promoting him. In more ways than one guess it's not OKC Durant-Harden-Westbrook time, they'll obviously have to wait their turn.

Reebok S. Carter Wonder How Many Of You Had A Pair

The year was 2003 Jay Z would become only the 2nd entertainer with his own signature shoe. The 1st entertainer with his own signature shoe was Master P with Converse. Reebok and Jay Z would create the S. Dot Carter, you know like Jay Z real name Shawn Carter. Carter was coming off his Blueprint 2 project. Personally I had a pair of his low top black sneakers with a hint of green and red. However his collection would also come in various other colorways and in high tops as well. 2003 was a good year for Jay Z obviously, he would open up hist first 40/40 club, now he had his own night club. Similar to his albums Jay Z sneakers did well, the S. Dot Carter was one of the biggest sneaker sellers of the year. Many people in the inner city, thought his sneakers looked like Gucci sneakers. Did you have a pair ? Will Reebok ever retro the S. Dot Carter ? Only time will tell.

Nike Air Max 95' True Classic

Nike introduced the first pair of Air Max running shoes in 1987. Over the past 25 years many people have flocked to purchase Air Max sneakers for fashion and athletic purposes. Personally my favorite Nike Air Max sneakers are the Air Max 95's. When they were retro ed in the early 2000's I purchased them twice on two different occasions. I were unable to purchase them in 1995 as an eight grader, so as an adult I had to make up for them. Obviously the Air Max 95's had other colorways, however my favorite are the lime green, grey and black colorway. Extremely fashionable with sweatpants, shorts or even jeans. These Air Max sneakers are comfortable as well.

Toronto,Ontario Excellent Sports Venues Great International City

This weekend was my first weekend in Toronto. I came from Philadelphia to support the Phillies during their three game series vs. the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite the Phillies being swept and falling 6 games under .500, I was impressed by the people of Toronto. Those individuals help ease the pain of Phillies loses by the scores of 3-0/6-5/6-2 being outscored by the BlueJays by a total of 15-7. Yet the fans at the Rogers Centre were very friendly. I also have an opportunity to visit the Air Canda Centre home of the Raptors and MapleLeafs. I even stopped past Wayne Gretzky restaurant. I read Toronto is a world class international city, yet I was able to experience it for myself. Their are people from all different religions and backgrounds who live in this Ontario region. Friday when I first stepped in Rogers Center, especially as a Phillies fan is losing the 1993 World Series to Toronto following Joe Carter Game 6 series winning walkoff homerun vs. Mitch Williams. My second thought was the first Wrestlemania I saw back in 1990 at Skydome featuring Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior. I look forward to coming back to visit Toronto soon. Anyone with a passport should visit as well.

Bradley Controversial Decision Win Over Pacquiao, Don't Forget Marquez Was Robbed During Last Fight

Anyone that isn't blind can see, boxing simply isn't the same anymore. Similar to the WWE where Vince MacMahon decides the outcome before his wrestlers enter the ring. Now in boxing the promoters and promotion companies decide who win before the boxers step into the ring. Latest example : Saturday night, when clear Manny Pacquiao should have won a decision over Tim Bradley Jr., however after 12 rounds of boxing the official ringside judge score cards looked like this : 115-13 for Pacquiao - 115-113 for Bradley - 115-113 for Bradley. Tim Bradley Jr. became new Welterweight champion. Both fighters are under Top Rank Promotions led by Bob Arum, Arum already announced November 10 as rematch date, after Bradley split decision win. Personal theory, the Pacman vs. Money Mayweather fight even before Saturday was never going to happen. Not because of the fighters, but more importantly because of the promoters of Oscar De La Hoya and Bob Arum, Golden Boy and Top Rank can not get on the same page to make the fight happen. Since their really isn't anyone out their left for PacMan to fight, let's do a controversial rematch. Problem is PacMan clearly won, just like in his last fight vs. Marquez many believed he clearly loss, however got the decision. The sport of boxing clearly is turning into soap opera during it's mega fights, the fans deserve better.

2012 NBA Finals : Durant vs. James OKC vs. Miami

Oklahoma City after trailing San Antonio 2-0, won 4 straight in the Western Conference Finals to close the Spurs out in 6. Miami lead Boston 2-0, loss 3 straight in the Eastern Conference Finals, then won 2 straight after trailing the Celtics 3-2 to win the Eastern Conference Finals in 7. Over the next week and a half - two weeks, it will be must see TV : 2012 NBA Finals, Nike Endorsers, Olympians, Scoring Champions, MVP's, Finals MVP's, 6th Man Of The Year, Shot Block Champion, Coach Of The Year etc...will all be on display by both teams as they bring those resumes in. Game 1 starts on Tuesday in Oklahoma City with the 2-3-2 Finals format. Many applaud OKC for how they built their Big 3 of Durant Westbrook and Harden, while they don't agree how Miami built their Big 3 of James Wade and Bosh. Either Durant or James will win their first NBA title. The Thunder are making their first Finals appearance in OKC after coming from Seattle, for Miami it's their 3rd overall and they are here in back to back years.

2012 Season May Not Be The Philadelphia Phillies Year

Since 2007 baseball followers know the Philadelphia Phillies success : 1 World Series Championship - 2 World Series Appearances - 3 NLCS Appearances - 5 NL East Division Titles. However in 2012 at the time of this article, Philadelphia is in the basement of the NL East 7 games behind the Washington Nationals. Injuries and inconsistent play especially offensively with RISP and lately defensively with errors. Everyone knows Ryan Howard and Chase Utley has not played a game thus far in 2012, many don't know when either will return. Even if the pair return, will it make a difference in the Philadelphia offense. Philadelphia overall has been getting solid starting pitching, however the bullpen beside free agent signer closer Jonathan Papelbon, have been extremely inconsistent. Overall the team is 12-19 at Citizens Bank Park, good for 7 games under .500 at home. Even after Saturday 12 inning loss in Baltimore, the Phillies are 4 games above .500 on the road at 17-13. It truly has been a frustrating start for players, fans and the organization. How will the team turn their season around or can they ? When will pitchers and position players return to the lineup and rotation ? As of now Hamels, Ruiz and Papelbon are the three Philadelphia Phillies playing like all stars. Due to lack or run support Cliff Lee still doesn't have a win and now it's the month of June. Keep in mind the likes of Cole Hamels and Shane Victornio are free agents following the season.

Nike Air Yeezy 2

During the 1st weekend of June, the release of the Nike Air Yeezy 2 will take place. Kanye West first edition of sneakers debuted about 4 years ago. They were popular then, their will be even more of a frenzy now. Plenty of sneakers heads will be standing in line and camping out simply for the opportunity to purchase these limited edition kicks. Expect the sneaker to sell for big bucks on the world wide web as well. What we do anticipate : plenty of celebrities rocking the Nike Air Yeezy 2. Kanye West 'Watch The Throne' teammate Jay Z has already been spotted lacing up a pair.

Johan Santana Pitches 1st No Hitter In Mets History

Friday evening at Citi Field, history was made in Flushing Meadow, New York. Johan Santana did something no other pitcher could do in Mets team history. Johan pitched a no hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals during an 8-0 New York Mets victory. Mets pitching greats such as Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver and Dwight Gooden never reached the no hit feat. The baseball community definitely will be proud of Santana, especially with this being his 1st full season back, after missing all of the 2011 season with surgery. In moments like this during a Major League season, you never know if these type of nights spring a solid run for a team, for the remainder of the season. Thus far Major League Baseball has witness 3 no hitters in the 1st 3 months of the season, the 1st pitched in the National League.