Collision course

It’s too early to conclude but it looks like it’s gonna be the Los Angeles Lakers against the Brooklyn Nets for this year’s NBA crown.  At the start of the season I wrote that  the Lakers will be back-to-back champions, after being reinforced by Montrezl Harrell, Marc Gasol.  Dennis Schroder and Talen Horton Tucker. Of course Lebron James seems to be getting better with age, just like wine. At 36, James has not slowed down a bit, shaming  his younger opponents.  Anthony Davis was the missing link last year and will continue to compliment James. The rest of the the gang will provide experience and more firepower, Kyle Kuzma,  Kentavious Cadwell Pope, Alex Caruso and Markieff Morris. The Lakers are currently leading the Western Conference and has racked up a franchise-best 10 road games until the unpredictable Philadelphia Sixers spoiled the streak when they nipped the Lakers 107-106 last week.  On the other hand, the Brooklyn Nets are finally serving notice that they will be the power to reckon with in the East.  The addition of James Harden to Kevin Durant and Kylie Irving, formed one of the deadliest trio in the league.  Joe Harris is another threat from the arc while DeAndre Jordan is  still a good help at the boards. 

As I said, there will be spoilers.  The Utah Jazz, currently breathing on the necks of the Lakers could spoil Los Angeles party.  Same can be said of the Los Angeles Clippers or even Denver and Dallas.  Over in the East, isn’t it the Sixers who stopped the Lakers road winning streak?  Tobias Harris and Seth  Curry will be plus factors for the  Sixers who at this writing, leads the Eastern Conference.  And oh yes, don’t forget Matisse Thybule, a 6’5” guard who plays brilliant defense.  Don’t erase the Milwaukee Bucks.  I’m pretty sure they wont go down without a big fight.  Giannis Antetokoumpo, two-time NBA MVP will still be the Bucks’ main man  while Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton and Jhru Holiday provide excellent support.  I almost committed a crime by not  mentioning my favorite team, the Boston Celtics.  Yes, the Celtics could also be a gate-crasher in the East party, what with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on a rampage.  Kemba Walker is still a good addition but not as dominant as the Nets trio. 

Did you know?

Dave Kunst

From Minnesota, USA is considered the first man to officially walk around the world.  He made the journey from June 20, 1970 to October 5, 1974, wow, thats over four years of walking.  About halfway through their trek in October 1972,  Dave’s traveling companion and brother John, was shot and killed by bandits in Afghanistan.  Dave was also shot in the attack but played dead and managed to survive.  He was hospitalized for 20 days and flew back to his home in Minnesota where he spent three and a half months recuperating.  Then Dave and another brother Pete, flew back to the very spot where John had been killed and completed the last 9,656 kilometers of his 23.255 km odyssey.

NOTES: My good friend and La Salle Bacolod schoolmate Atty. Roger “Brick” Reyes is currently in the news.  Brick is the spokesman of the Dacera Family who are not satisfied by police medico legal reports on Christine who died on New Year’s Day.