4 Years Ago

The wait is over. After four years has passed since we saw Italy beat France, we're finally back for more. Who would get to rise up among the 32 nations to lift up the gold in South Africa?

Who would be the next nation to hold the World Cup?

Jason Richardson -> Phoenix

The trade wires began buzzing again this morning (Manila Time) as the Phoenix Suns traded two familiar faces in Raja Bell and Boris Diaw to Charlotte for Jason Richardson. Sean Singletary of the Suns is also included in the trade along with Jared Dudley and future 2nd round pick going to Phoenix.

On paper, I'd be happy with the trade, this trade would certainly boost their ratings in either NBA 2K9 or NBA Live 09, I'm just not sure what it would do to the franchise. The Suns basically gave up a little bit of their depth of the bench and their most tenacious defender in Bell. But honestly, what would you do with a player who's not thriving in the new system that Coach Porter is using. 

Jason Richardson, a 2 time slam dunk champion, capable of shooting threes and basically an entertaining player to see on court, will be able to help the Phoenix Suns get more points but will he really answer the very thing that Suns GM Steve Kerr, and coach Terry Porter wanted to improve? Defense?

... at least Kerr did something good to this team... will reserve my comments later on.

I Hope I'm Wrong

"a sight that I wish that I won't see this season"

Today, I woke up hoping that the Suns wouldn't do the drastic change I saw yesterday in the news But then again this image turned up as I went to Y!Sports, and I couldn't agree more with what the front page said. Style Senseless...

So what will happen when you plug in the Diesel with the Formula 1 like offense of the Suns? As of now I can't wrap my head with it. I hope they all know what they're doing, and I pray that I'd have my foot in my mouth by the end of the season.

Well Kerr... All eyes on you now. You could be known in Phoenix as a genius, or someone that will be remembered as the guy who ruined the offense that everybody is envious of. Kerr will definitely feel the Heat in Arizona this year.

On the bright side, Marion won't play for the Suns today (i think) and that's one less player against me this fantasy week... Whew! I'm so sorry Simon. This trade surely hurts both of us.

image from www.nba.com

The Dutch Invasion @ Santiago Bernabeu

Two of the promised 3 signings for Real Madrid has landed. Dutch prodigy Royston Drenthe and Ajax standout Wesley Sneidjer has finally landed to lend a hand to bring the 31st back next season.

The dutchmen are the fifth and sixth signing for Real Madrid after the Capello Regime that brought them the 30th title for Real Madrid. The new kids on the block was unveiled one by one after Real Madrid confirmed Fabio Capello's replacement, Bernd Schuster.

Centerbacks Cristof Metzelder, and Pepe, Forward and former Barcelona man Javier Saviola, and the veteran keeper Jerzy Dudek, and now the new jewels for Schuster in the midfield, Drenthe and Sneidjer has arrived to help Raul and company out to bag this year as well.

We now await for the final piece to arrive... *cough* Robben *cough*
Good day, and Hala Madrid!

Boston Celtics: And The Fellowship Of The Ring

In what seems like a done deal for the Celtics, and the Wolves, that sends KG on a one way trip to Emerald City, and sends promising youngsters Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Sebastian Telfair, and aging veteran, Theo Ratliff reunited with past-Celts, Ricky Davis and Mark Blount. This could be the end of a busy summer for Danny Ainge and the Celtics organization, and a start of a promising off-season for Celtic original Paul Pierce who was rumored to leave Boston earlier this summer.

The arrival of Ray Allen, and KG creates a new atmosphere in the Fleet Center, as these aging, 30-ish, stars can instantly make Boston a contender once again, and with hunger and heart, these ringless warriors could make the 2008 season interesting in the eastern side of the country once again. Nothing against the Cavs, but they sure do know how to make the NBA finals boring.

As to Minessota, their rebuilding phase, that was wrecked with the Joe Smith incident a decade back, could never frown with KG's departure as they are left Randy Foye, Rashard McCants, and this years draft pick Brewer along with the new arrivals, the high flyer Gerald Green and rising big man, Al Jefferson .

There's more to this year's off-season drama, I'm hoping something would happen with Phoenix as well...

Offseason Drama

It's summer season in the western world, and most likely the most watched time in sports like the NBA, and Soccer. With that being said, I would like to vent out my thoughts regarding the two teams I support, the Phoenix Suns, and the reigning La Liga Champs, Real Madrid.

After a whole season where tension and pressure is clearly seen with the players who perform in the court or the pitch, the offseason would be the playing grounds for their respective front offices, and honestly I'm not liking how they're turning out for the Suns, and a bit mediocre for the defending champs, let's start with the Suns.

Phoenix Suns (eliminated in the Western Conference Semi's against the Spurs 4-2)
In: Grant Hill, DJ Strawberry(r), Alando Tucker(r)
Out: James Jones, Rudy Fernandez(r), Pat Burke*, Jalen Rose*
After a heart breaking end for their season, I was expecting a shake up in the Suns roster that would finally boost them up for contending against the San Antonio Spurs, and would finally get that coveted Larry O'Brien trophy next season. The Suns have been linked with the most targeted superstar in the NBA, Kevin Garnett, for Marion or Stat and obviously some of their unused bench. After that failed, moving up into the draft was the next option for a shakeup but like the previous one, then came, Grant Hill and his weak ankles.

I have nothing against the former 3rd pick overall, but I wouldn't shout out a Hoyay for this acquisition as well. I would like to be optimistic, but I don't think Hill would be that much of a help... Let's face it, our former 2 time MVP aint getting young anymore and along with it, hopes of that NBA title. I just hope Tucker would be that kind of a rookie that Phoenix always drafts (Finley, Nash, Marion, Stat). And as usual, hope for the good.

On the bright side... the self proclaimed 3-point specialist, James "can't shoot for shit" Jones went to Portland along with Rudy Fernandez. I just hope ditching Fernandez would not be that of ditching Sergio "who turned out to be a good point guard" Rodriguez.

Real Madrid (2006-2007 Spanish League Champions)
In: Bernd Schuster, Pepe, Cristoph Metzelder, Saviola, Baptista(l), Soldado(l)
Out: Fabio Capello, David Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Jose Antonio Reyes(l)
It's a wee scary when you look at the transfers done by arch-rivals, Barcelona, Thierry Henry, Yaya Toure, and most likely Gabby Milito. And as for Real Madrid, we basically splurged 30ME for uncapped brazilian (but displays an awesome future as a CB) with Pepe, a couple of pretty good free transfers in El Conejo and Metzi, and still we havent addressed the most important position that any football club would need, the midfield. Looks like theres going to be no Kaka next year, and we're still waiting on the Robben saga, which in my opinion, favors Real Madrid, and Reyes as of now is still an Arsenal player.

A few players have been linked with the champs, including the likes of Chivu, Van der Vaart, and the Mijatovic show has not come to its close yet... so expect more transfers in the coming weeks... with that being said, I believe that we have to prepare for more teeth grinding frustrations...

Together We Did!

The season that everyone had their eyes on finally came to a close when Jose Antonio Reyes netted the final blow to win against Mallorca, and to win Real Madrid's 30th.

This run could never be more than a dramatic masterpiece that drew to a close in the very last minute, and unfortunately closed the book for brazilian Roberto Carlos, and English star David Beckham who will go to Fenerbache and LA Galaxy respectively. Their exit drew the galactico era to an end and a bright new future for the new madridistas, Higuain, Marcelo, Gago, Robinho and potential first teamers from La Cantera. New comers such as Cannavaro and Ruud Van Nistelroij, who won the Pichichi as La Liga's top goal scorer with 25 goals in his name, will have the Cibeles experience for the first time as well as The Don, Fabio Capello, brought truth to his promise that they will go back to the historic fountain this year.

Madridisimo is back in every Merengue supporters hearts, Together we can, and Together We DID! Congratulations Real Madrid!

Gracias Roberto Carlos y David Beckham, Gracias Real Madrid... iHALA MADRID!