Snap All Day

Photographs. SnapChats. Images of anything. Images of everything. It’s as if he snaps a picture with every breath he takes. JJ has taken so many pictures that what he posts on Facebook is maybe only 0.0001% of his gallery, and even then I am running out of space on my android device due to all the pictures I’ve saved of his.

I always knew JJ was a passionate chap. We met in college through a mutual friend but never really became close until I started working with him at Paylocity, a small payroll start-up company at the time. JJ is a charismatic, funny, intelligent, down-to-earth cool guy that everyone loves. I used to constantly call him Will Smith because his persona reflected that of the Fresh Prince. In fact, he even wrote his own music and rapped. This guy can flat out electrify a room if you put him on stage and hand him a microphone. “Tik tak get back” JJ’s on the fast track.

But was he? He was working at Paylocity with me, in the suburb of Arlington Heights, IL, making less money than Uber drivers in Chicago make today. All he had in his career was the dream of making it one day. Maybe as a platinum label rap star. Possibly as a Robert Whole recruiter. Perhaps as a freelance photographer?

The passion I saw in him rapping may not even come close to the determination he has photographing. Hand him the mic and he’ll make magic. Hand him the camera and he’ll disappear for days. Then he’ll post his work through countless social media vehicles and you’ll know exactly where he was. It might even wear you out…but not him. JJ is relentless with the camera.

And his work has paid off. It makes me so proud to see him having recently landed a big-time photography contract with Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco. This may not be a lottery ticket, but it certainly is a huge step in the right direction, in gaining the acknowledgement and certification that he is doing great things in this world – that he has found his true calling. It is a testament to the universal advice of following your passions, and chasing perfection, not success.

JJ’s path is an inspirational success story that has moved so many, and it all started with his own move to the Bay Area over 3 years ago, accepting a risky 100% commission-based job as a recruiter, living with 4 roommates, and making hundreds of personal sacrifices to ensure that his dignity and his dreams remained in tact as he hopped on his bicycle, pedaled through every alley, corner, and tunnel of 49 square miles of hilly roads, and snapped a quarter million pictures. I can’t wait to see which photo he posts next.

View all of JJ's work at http://www.techboogie.com/

Let Me Reppio That

Some people believe change is good. Others think it's bad.
Some embrace change. Others run from it.
Some create change. Others do everything they can to prevent it.

But everyone would agree that change is inevitable. So the question looms, how do we best manage change?

I've been working in the Change Management Consulting space for a few years now and am intrigued by the scope and depth of all that has been done in the past to manage change just in the corporate workplace itself. But change is everywhere in everyone's lives. So before I lose focus, let me quickly share with you the goal of my blog today: unlearning certain words by replacing them with new ones.

What you talkin' bout Willis? Well, actually, Willis isn't talking at all. Sears is doing all the talking still. Did you catch that? There's a really tall building in Chicago. It used to be called the Sears Tower. Now it's supposed to be called the Willis Tower, but very few people actually refer to it as such. Probably because people who don't visit it much don't really care, which is most of the world.

However, if I say App, or Facebook, or Google, there is a deeper connection there because millions and millions of people use Apps or Facebook or Google every day. I use all three.

But I didn't know what those things were when they were introduced to the world. I've only had a smart phone for a couple years, so I was aware of these things called "Apps" but never really cared that much for them. It wasn't until I had a phone that would let me install "Apps" and use them for hours that my brain actually defaults to 'programs on cell phones' when I hear the word App.

Same thing with Facebook in 2006. Example: Did you Facebook me?

Same thing with Google in 2004. Example: Google it!

All of these words that are a part of my daily vocabulary now stem from technological innovations. And we use technology every day. So the climb up the learning curve to go from Awareness to Understanding to Buy-In to Commitment for those changes is made very feasible. Since those three innovations all allow me to achieve different things and are very easily accessible, the words I learned hold value for me.

That makes me think about which other words I know and use regularly that, like Apps, Facebook, and Google, are among the leaders of their own innovative concept, and at least for me, they hold much value.

Amazon
Craigslist
ErosNow
ESPNFantasyBasketball
GroupOn
GiltCity
Maxim
RottenTomatoes
Twitter
Yahoo

I'm sure you all have different lists, but I'd be surprised if you didn't know what any of these were. Well, you're in luck! I'm going to teach you how to learn these words.

I'm guessing some people might be wondering what ErosNow is. No, it's not some porn site, although it does kind of sound like it. But check it out! And if you're into Bollywood at all, I'm sure this will be one site you'll come back to frequently. And if you just so happen to come back enough times, you'll have successfully learned ErosNow and added it to your vocabulary.

Easy, right? See, change is a breeze when there is value.

Well, let's try to unlearn one of these words now that don't offer as much value as they could*.

How about Craigslist? It's jenky as hell anyway. And who the hell is Craig? Ice Cube in the movie Friday? Remember that scene when Deebo rides up to his porch on that old tricycle that he stole from some little kid, saying, "What up, Craig?" in the deepest, raspiest voice ever. Wow, what a great image that paints. And the site itself is jenkier still!

So let's try something a bit classier that we can replace it with. Something that a pioneer would innovate. A pioneer with a solid reputation rooted in a strong work ethic and a perpetual drive to succeed.

And what do you know!? I have a good friend who fits the bill. And he has created the ultimate site! It makes Craiglist look like Deebo's broken, rusty tricycle next to a Lamborghini Gallardo.

Yes, that's right folks! The ultimate marketplace is here:

www.reppio.com

If you still want to call that Chicago skyscraper Sears, by all means, go ahead. If you don't know what an App or Facebook or Google are, where in the world have you been? But if you have ever used Craigslist to buy or sell anything, please don't torture yourself anymore. That's worse for your eyes than Nintendo NES graphics on an HD TV.

I can guarantee you that this change is good. So embrace it. And help create it. It's the easiest word you'll learn this year.

www.reppio.com

I'm a pioneer. Are you?

*Note: I know some of you were ready to harass me about my Fantasy Basketball team not offering as much value as it could. But injuries ain't no joke.

Yes, I'm a Homeopath!

August 20, 2012 Knee pain. It's a bitch. Can't squat. Can't kneel. Can't take the stairs. Can't shoot a jumper from the left wing. Can't do any of those things without pain.

Normal people with insurance go see their doctor, who subsequently gives them a prescription for inflammation pills and sometimes refers them out to a physical therapist.

Several years ago, this was my predicament. And after the myriad doses of pills and all those daily exercises and stretches encouraged by the physical therapist, I finally recovered. In about 3 months!

Fast forward to July 2012. Another similar nagging knee pain. I went to Costa Rica and couldn't partake in practically any adventure activities. And of those that I did, like ziplining and learning to salsa, I was just aggravating my already aching knee. I kept complaining about it and blamed it on the treadmill that MUST HAVE caused it. My sister pleaded that I go see a doctor.

So obviously, I ignored her advice. And it occurred to me that I can fix this myself. Just find a trigger point therapy diagram. Identify the pain areas in my knee. Locate the trigger point. Apply pressure until it releases. And voilà! Knee pain gone. Disappeared like a David Copperfield magic trick. Amazing!

Yes, we need doctors. Yes, we need pharmacists.

But, for muscular aches and pains, I would encourage researching the pain and then referring to a Trigger Point Therapy diagram before even considering a doctor. More times than not, you won't even need a physical therapist or massage therapist to help you, as you can perform these techniques on your own, as I did. Be the master of your own body. There is so much information on the Net. All you need to do is a little bit of research, maybe invest in a tennis ball or therapeutic tool that you can buy from Amazon.com for less than $20, and you'll have your own Do-It-Yourself kit. It's easy, quick, economical, and extremely gratifying!

I oftentimes hear wisecracks from people when I tell them I'm a massage therapist.

"How do you focus on giving a good massage when a really hot chick comes in for a massage?"

"Do you massage a lot of dudes too?"

And my favorite..."Do you give happy endings?"

You'd be surprised by how often I hear these types of comments. I'm practically immune to them now. The way Kobe is immune to insults from the media at the press conference. Some people just don't know. They can't think beyond a certain point and open their eyes.

There's a world of opportunity out there. It's because I am a massage therapist that I learned about things like trigger point therapy and other cool healing techniques. My Accenture Senior Manager actually called me homeopathic a couple weeks ago. And to an extent, I probably am. But there's a reason for it. It works! So my advice is simple: don't underestimate the powers of natural healing.

Now please excuse me. I have to get back to some work. I'm about to go breakdancing through this Excel spreadsheet.

Convo Between Dwight, CP3, World Wide Wes, and Charles Barkley

07/02/10

Dwight: “What up, CP?”

CP3: “Dude, I gotta get up outta here.”

Dwight: “You too?”

CP3: “What you mean me too?”

Dwight: “I just got a call from Melo. He’s sick of the cold-ass Colorado weather.”

CP3: “Damn, I’m sick of all these hurricanes.”

Dwight: “Told Melo to either just take that extension or demand a trade to Orlando. We’ll give ‘em Pietrus and Jameer. Ride it out with JJ Reddick and JWil until your contract’s up. Then you, me, Melo, Rashard, and VC all on one team. That’s sicker than the thought of ‘Bron, Bosh, n Wade.”

CP3: “Damn dude, I need to get traded.”

Dwight: “Just step up and demand it then, son!”

CP3: “That ain’t right though.”

Dwight: “You’re straight dawg. What have they given you? Peja, Posey and David West? That’s almost as bad as Kwame Brown. You gotta pull a Kobe here.”

CP3: “I guess. Just don’t wanna hurt my rep.”

Dwight: “Man, hold up. Lemme 3-way someone in.”

CP3: “Ni$%a who!?”

Dwight: “World Wide. He’ll tell you what to do…what up World Wide? What’s poppin?”

WWW: “Dwight, my man. I’m just chillin. Playin some XBox with AI right now.”

Dwight: “Shit! Ask The Answer if he wants to take CP3’s spot in New Orleans.”
WWW: “Allen, you wanna play next year? Make some cheddar?”

Allen Iverson: (In the background, rapping) “I’m still numba one, they kno I ain’t done. X Box, dress socks, I’ve only just begun.”

WWW: “Yeah, he’s in. So what’s the word with CP?”

Dwight: “He wants out of New Orleans.”

WWW: “Ayite. Where’s he tryin to go?”

Dwight: “CP, where you wanna go?”

CP3: “Anywhere dawg. Just get me outta here.”

Dwight: “Wes, he wants to play for Sacramento.”

CP3: “Yo man, what the fu#$? Wes, just ignore Dwight. What’s happenin’ with you?”

WWW: “Not much mayn. Just schoolin AI in PGA Golf Tour 2011.”

CP3: “Haha, nice.”

WWW: “So what’s the word, homie? Ya wanna go to Cleveland? Re-unite with Byron Scott and play with ‘Bron?”

CP3: “Man, that would be perfect…but wait, what was all this talk bout you sayin Bron, Bosh, n Wade are teamin up in Miami?”

WWW: “That fell through, yo.”

CP3: “What? Why?”

WWW: “Bosh is rollin outta control with his freakin tweets.”

CP3: “Haha.”

WWW: “He can’t keep shyt on the DL. Tickin me off.”

CP3: “You guys are boys though?”

WWW: “Me and Chris Bosh are not on speaking terms right now.”

CP3: “Ayite. Well then yeah, I’m game. Get me to Cleveland.”

WWW: “I’ll try to figure something out. I gotta make a call.”

(Hangs up. Back to Dwight and CP3.)

CP3: "Thanks for lookin out, Dwight!"

Dwight: “CP, you’ll be the best point guard in Cleveland history.”

CP3: “I already am. I wanna be the best point guard in NBA history.”


(Dwight and CP3 continue to chat. In the meantime…)

WWW: “Yo Chuck, what up?”

Chuck: “What’s up World Wide Wes. Just eatin some Taco Bell right now.”

WWW: “That’s nice. Listen. CP3 wants out of New Orleans.”

Chuck: “That ain’t news World Wide. I’ll give you news. You know these Lava nachos are overflowing with hot sauce.”

WWW: “He wants a trade to Cleveland.”

Chuck: “Whaat?” (Crunch crunch. Pauses 10 seconds to wipe his mouth.) “Whaat? That’s turrible!”

WWW: “It’s not terrible. It’s good for the NBA. Chuck, I need you to have your buddy from the Bellagio give me a call. The one whose homeboys with CP3’s agent.”

Chuck: “Which buddy?”

WWW: “The dude with the Jheri curl I met in that gray pinstripe suit. He had those Cubans we smoked together. Remember?”

Chuck: “Oh yeah, ayite, Wes. I’ll give him a call. Let me just kill this gordita.”

WWW: “Peace, later.”

Chuck: (Thinking to himself. CP3’s going to Cleveland? That means Lebron’s stayin in Cleveland. OH NO!!! I bet $400,000 that Lebron would go to the Clippers!)

(Back to Dwight and CP3…)

Dwight: “But you know if you go there, you gotta get ‘Bron’s chicken a$$ into the dunk contest.”

CP3: (Laughing out Loud.)

Dwight: “Throw him some lobs. See what he can do.”

CP3: “Everyone’s waitin’ for that match-up. Especially Larry Bird, he wants some more fries.”

Dwight: “Larry Bird owes me McDonald’s.”

CP3: “That commercial was bumpin…so you think World Wide can make this shyt happen?”

Dwight: “It’s World Wide. He runs the NBA like Snoop Dogg runs Girls Gone Wild.”

CP3: “Haha. Oh hold up. I’m getting a call from Chuck.”

Dwight: “Charles Shwab?”

CP3: “No, the other Chuck we know.”

Dwight: “Person?”

CP3: “No fool, the one you shoot commercials with…”

Dwight: “I am not on speaking terms with Charles Barkley right now.”

CP3: “Haha, what? Why?”

Dwight: “We were at the Rec last week. He bet me he would hit a trey before I did. He lost.”

CP3: “Hahah, nice. What was the bet?”

Dwight: “He owes me Taco Bell.”

CP3: (Laughing out Loud) "Everyone owes you food."

Dwight: “He refused to pay for my meal.”

CP3: “Haha, yo, lemme talk to him.” (Answers call waiting.) “Yo Chuck, what’s up?”

Charles Barkley: “CP, how you gonna go to Cleveland? That’s turrible!”

CP3: “It ain’t terrible, Chuck. I’mma win me a championship with ‘Bron.”

Charles Barkley: “You know I have money ridin’ on Bron goin to the Clippers, right?”

CP3: “Haha. Chuck, Baron Davis don’t got shit on me.”

Charles Barkley: “That’s turrible!”

CP3: “Yo Chuck, why you not payin up when you lose your bets?”

Charles Barkley: “What you mean? I do pay.”

CP3: “That’s not what Dwight says.”

Charles Barkley: “Oh that. He was taunting me after the shot. It was a lucky shot. You can’t taunt after winning a bet.”

CP3: (Laughing out Loud)

Charles Barkley: “That knucklehead. Is he mad?”

CP3: “Yeah, he’s upset. You should call him. He’s in your Fav 5 right?”

Charles Barkley: “My momma’s in my Fav 5. But she never picks up the phone. Momma, pick up the phone.”

CP3: “Haha. Who else is in your Fav 5, Chuck?”

Charles Barkley: “Craig Sager, Eddie Winslow, my taylor, and handicapper at the racetrack.”

CP3: “Haha, that is hilarious! Yo, you should definitely call Dwight. Squash this shyt.”

Charles Barkley: “I’ll think about it.”

CP3: “Haha, later.” (Hangs up. Back to line 1.) “Dwight, why you gotta taunt Chuck like that?”

Dwight: “Haha. That dipshyt. He’s a sore loser. I want my meal.”

CP3: “Haha. Yo, I’m out. I’m putting up a Fathead of Lebron on my wall.”

Dwight: “Str8. Peace, homie!”

Dwyane Wade Chats with Lebron James

6/21

DWade: “Sup, ‘Bron?”

LBJ: “What up? What up?”

DWade: “U rollin thru this weekend, right?”

LBJ: “You know it. Is Chris rollin too?”

DWade: “For sho! We’ll hang at the beach, holler at some broads, PLAY SOME BALL!”

LBJ: “Haha, you know you’ll have to do your best to convince me into a Heat jersey homie!”

DWade: “Ni#$a, ain’t no convincing to do. We got a beach. We got babes. We got boats. And soon, we’ll have Bosh. What more can you possibly want?”

LBJ: “I wanna win.”

DWade: “And we will bro. 5 years together. A dynasty. 3 Gold Medal Olympians all on one team. No one can stop us then!”

LBJ: “That’s what peeps were sayin bout my Cavs last year. That no one can stop us.”

DWade: “Psssh, come on now. Be real. Shaq isn’t the same guy last year that he was with me in ’06. Mo ain’t the Scottie to your Michael either. Antawn’s pretty washed up now too.”

LBJ: “Yea, and f#$%in Delonte…”

DWade: “Dawg, forget that. Your real boys are here. We ALL wanna win. Together we can take the Lakers and everyone else.”

LBJ: “I ain’t even gotten out the East last couple years. I feel like TMac in May.”

DWade: “Haha. Yo, we’ll manhandle the East together. Don’t even sweat it!”

LBJ: “How about the Magic and Celtics, and dare I say, the Bulls?”

DWade: “Ni$% what? Wait. Are you thinking of going to Chicago? You’re not thinking of going to Chicago, are you? You can’t possibly be thinking of going to Chicago?”

LBJ: “Well, I’m gonna talk to ‘em. See what they got in store. I wanna hear their case.”

DWade: “Lebron, the Bulls won’t treat you right.”

LBJ: “I wanna win, D.”

DWade: “And you think you’ll win with Tom Thibodeau? That first timer hasn’t proven anything yet.”

LBJ: “I know he’s new, but –“

DWade: “All he does is watch film.”

LBJ: “Yeah, but his defense with the Celtics – “

DWade: “I bet he ain’t even get laid in a minute.”

LBJ: (Laughs)

DWade: “Bro, we got Pat Riley. Hall of Fame coach. You gotta surround yourself with winners in order to be a winner.”

LBJ: “The Bulls have a good team, D.”

DWade: “Yeah, and we were better still. Look at our record. And remember my running trey over them in OT a couple years ago? I know you remember it.”

LBJ: “Yeah, yeah. I just wanna hear what they have to say.”

DWade: “Of course, mayn. Listen to the Bulls. And the Knicks and the Nets and the Clippers. Listen to ‘em all. Fact remains you know how sick we’d be together. We’d be better than Magic and Kareem, Stockton and Malone, Jordan and Pippen. We’d be DWade and Lebron”

LBJ: “Lebron and DWade.”

DWade: “Haha. Ayite ayite. That works. But don’t forget: Lebron, Bosh and DWade.”

LBJ: “Chris ain’t made up his mind yet.”

DWade: “’Bron, trust me when I say, Chris Bosh is comin’ to South Beach. Ask him yourself.”

LBJ: “I will…so you think we can really win together, huh?”

DWade: “That’s what I been tryin to tell you all along. We got the cheddar for all of us. And you know our endorsements will be insane.”

LBJ: “I definitely like cheddar.”

DWade: “I know this, playa!”

LBJ: “What about Chicago?”

DWade: “Let TMac go to Chicago.”

LBJ: “Well, how bout New York?”

DWade: “That’s JJ and Amare. Phoenix Suns Take 2. Whack!”

LBJ: “Hmmm. Ok. Straight. I’m comin, D. Don’t let me down. We gonna run the NBA like Kevin Johnson runs Sacramento.”

DWade: “Always. Always. See you soon.”

LBJ: “Peace.”

DWade: (Thinking too himself) “Damn, Lebron and Wade? That cat’s trippin’. He knows I run this town. Wade and Lebron. Wade and Lebron. Ain’t no doubt! Besides, I already got one ring on that fool. Fall 7 times, stand up 8. Kevin Johnson run Sacramento? Doesn’t that fool know I rule this world? All day, baby, all day.”

Dwyane Wade Chats with Chris Bosh

06/20/10

DWade: “What up, C?”

CBosh: “Not much D. Can’t wait to step up outta here, stinkin Canadia!”

DWade: “Well with the girlies here in South Beach, you can’t go wrong.”

CBosh: “Haha, yeah…”

DWade: “In fact, I used to kick it with Gabrielle Union.

CBosh: “She so fine.”

DWade: “Yea, and I know you’re all into acting and everything. Maybe I can have her set you up with a director.”

CBosh: “Word?”

DWade: “For sho, playa. Anything for my new teammate.”

CBosh: “Haha, bro, I haven’t committed to the Heat yet homie. How you gonna just up and decide things for me, dawg?”

DWade: “Bro, we won together at the Olympics, remember?”

CBosh: “Tru dat!”

DWade: “And I already have a ring. If you came here, I’d be on an even better team with you than I was with Shaq in 2006.”

CBosh: “No doubt!”

DWade: “After all, ‘Bron’s on his way here too. We got all the money in the world, cuz!”

CBosh: “Hahah, shyyyttt!”

DWade: “So what, are you in money?”

CBosh: “Well, most likely. I mean, Chicago, ya know ---“

DWade: “Man, f*#$ Chicago. They don’t take care bout their players. They’re whack as f#$%. You saw what happened with MJ n Scottie n Phil Jackson. Even their PA announcer got canned!”

CBosh: “Psshh, yea. I remember that. Pretty whack!”

DWade: “Now Rose, he’s straight. But seriously, are you really gonna play Jo every day in practice and let him post you up with his long-a#$ ponytail? That cat’s outta control!”

CBosh: (Laughing Out Loud)

DWade: “But if you’re really considering them, go for it. I’ll just get ‘Bron and Boozer up in this mug.”

CBosh: “Man, don’t even…”

DWade: “Or better yet, better yet, ‘Bron and Amare”

CBosh: “Homie, you know I’m better than freakin Amare! I'll take that fool to school and take his lunch money too! Come on, now. Why you trippin? You know I’m rollin in my 24’s to Miami. Just chill out.”

DWade: “Ayite, well Come On Down. The Price is Right, ni#$a!”

CBosh: “Straight.”

DWade: (Thinking too himself) “Damn, that was way too easy.”

Shahrukh Khan: A True Legend

An actor is really made by his composure on and off the set.



Everyone will have differing opinions on SRK's 5 best movies, which is natural. If a story is closer to your heart, you will inherently like that acting performance better. Some people might have loved him in Baadshah, Don, and Koyla. That's fine. For me, these are the movies where I feel he has done his best acting job:



5) Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - In this movie, his college charisma makes me want to be like him, his love for others makes me appreciate his heart, and his actions make me cry just about every time i watch.



4) Dil Se - It was so convincing that he was madly in love with a terrorist as opposed to a beautiful family girl.



3) Anjaam - Damn, don't mess with this villain, his obsession will lead him to do anything.



2) Mohobattein - Probably the single best Bollywood movie character ever to convey the power of love.



1) Pardes - In so many cases, this is how love really happens, through friendship and through trust; greatest dialogues, especially at the end of the movie. Just incredible, because he was really the underdog in the whole movie and it made you want to just cheer for him all the way along.





BUT...why do I love SRK so much? Not just his movies. I watch interviews he has on youtube, and he is really intelligent, knows so much about the world of cinema, and is a genuine family man. He works hard at his craft and harder at maintaining a good reputation. I love that he says he has worked so hard to be recognized that he appreciates that recognition when in public. That he wants to die as a celebrity, as an appreciated, respect, and in some ways, legendary, figure in the eyes of India. And I really love that he has a mad love affair with his wife Gauri, because she is absolutely gorgeous and he will really do everything to keep her feeling like the queen that she is.



Aamir Khan is a fantastic actor, I think even better than Shahrukh. But there are a lot of things in his personal life that are questionable. 2 marriages, alleged affairs, doesn't attend award shows, and says competition doesn't drive him when it's obvious that it does. Example, Salman has always had a killer body and SRK showed off his incredible physique in Om Shanti Om. Don't you think that was at least a little bit motivating for Aamir Khan to do a rip-off film that was rather bad, especially after the first half, in Ghajini, just to prove to the world that he can get ripped if he just puts his mind to it? He needs to stick to more intriguing movies like Taare Zameen Par, Rang De Basanti, 3 Idiots, and Dil Chahta Hai. Again, he is a phenomenal actor, but if I had a choice to meet someone, or mold myself after someone, the role model is Shahrukh.

I want Kobe in the last 4 minutes

A phrase coined by Jeff Van Gundy last year during the regular season...and it seems to stick. Kobe is the ultimate closer. He already has a handful of game winners this season, several at the buzzer. How can you not want him to take the last shot? I won't say Lebron, Melo, Wade, or Chris Paul can't close games, because they can. But Kobe truly reminds me of Michael.

Remember when MJ came back? His 4 game against the Atlanta Hawks, 5 seconds left, Bulls down one. MJ takes it from full court and hustles up the court, to pull up from the corner of the free thrown stripe and drill the J as time expired. The fist pump, the double pat on the floor, and he runs off the court. In his next game, he would score 55 at MSG and assist Bill Wennington the game winner as he was nearly triple-teamed.

Doesn't this remind you of Kobe's historic game winner over the Suns in Game 4 of the 2006 playoffs? And he has continued to shine, winning an Olympic Gold, winning an NBA MVP, winning an NBA championship, winning a Finals MVP, and clenching his teeth near the end of games to show his relentless passion to win games.

Idiot #1: Yeah, well Lebron is the greatest ever. I mean, look at his stats!

Response: I will not say he's the greatest ever. In fact, I will never say that, I am convinced. Not only because of his lack of sportsmanship against the Magic or his failure to step up and participate in the dunk contest, in fear that he might lose and there will be negative criticism about him, potentially costing him a couple million dollars in free agency this summer, but he really hasn't proven anything yet, anything at all. I will say that he probably has one of the greatest physiques ever to play basketball, which does help him rack in some pretty incredible statistics, but who cares about the first 44 minutes of the game? Fans of fantasy basketball are more concerned with stats. Fans of basketball are more concerned with wins. And that's what Kobe produces, especially in the playoffs. I'll even go so far as to say that if Lebron goes to New York next year, he will not be winning an NBA championship during his entire stint there. In all honesty, I think he might end up winning only one in his career, and that will be much later.

Idiot #2: Well, people say Carmelo Anthony is the best offensive player in the game. And he is pretty clutch too. Why wouldn't you want him to take the last shot?

Response: Well, Carmelo refers to Kobe as his big brother. And big brother he is. With 4 championship rings. Melo has a really disturbingly dominant offensive game. But he always goes left for some reason. I still give the edge to Kobe by a mile.

Idiot #3: Come on, are you really starting these Michael Jordan comparisons again? Michael was the greatest ever!

Response: I'm not denying he wasn't. I'm simply saying that Kobe does so much in his game, through his interviews, in his demeanour, from his stats, and through championships that he reminds me of the one and only, His Airness. The recent Olympic team wouldn't have been anything without Kobe, maybe another bronze or silver. Just the same way the Dream Team wouldn't have been anything without Michael. I believe in my heart that Kobe will win at least 6 NBA championship rings. And you all saw the All Star Game. When they announced Kobe, he got the most cheers of all, more than Dirk and more than Lebron. He is so loved (and yet so hated by others -- just the way MJ was so hated by Knicks, Jazz, and Reggie Miller fans).

What Kobe is doing this season alone is so breath-taking. How can you not admire his talent? I definitely want the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. At least if he misses, he'll still show good sportsmanship...

Diminishing Marginal Utility? ...I think not!

So what’s Kobe’s motivation now? The Black Mamba just came off an incredible year, winning the gold medal in the Olympics with the U.S. Team, and then following that performance up with the NBA Championship and Finals MVP. Throw in a lot of “Kobe Doin’ Work” and his endless effort to prove himself paid off. But will he be just as hungry next year? Will we see the grinding teeth, fixated stare, intense physicality, and another six technical fouls in next year’s playoffs?

I recall a time when I made a bet with my friend Anand, whom we call Bobblehead because his head is always bobbling around (probably a little too much for an aspiring doctor). We were at Taco Bell and he bet me he can outeat me in bean burritos. So, knowing my capacity for the value meal item, I calmly scarfed down 5 big ones, while he choked on the third. In the beginning, I remember talking trash with him, saying that I had an Increasing Marginal Utility for Taco Bell, because after one bite, I just wanted more.

As an Economics major, however, I ultimately realized how wrong I was. The first taste is always the best. But then, I tried to make a case for Increasing Marginal Utility somehow, to prove that this phenomenon can somehow exist. Money? Don’t some people get happier as more and more cash flows into their piggies? Well, that is called greed, a diagnosis of the psyche that does not fall under the category of utility as much as a psychological need being temporarily fulfilled. Similarly, cigarettes are such that users who are addicted might need the next one more badly than the one they just smoked. But again, to keep matters simple, the addiction is a psychological need.

So if greed and addiction are insufficient in advocating the case for Increasing Marginal Utility, is there anything else that can save my argument?

Well, this may be a stretch, but how about Championship Rings? To understand this, try to follow this logic carefully.

Kobe had every reason to be hungry this year. He lost last year. He hadn’t won without Shaq. People said Lebron was better than him. And so on. With all the work that he put in this year, he said himself that this was his most satisfying championship of all because he had to climb the mountain from the bottom again.

Well, next year, I assure you that people will still say Lebron is better than him. People will say Kobe is older now and past his prime. Doubters will point out that the last time a team won back to back titles was when the Lakers did it with Kobe and (surprise surprise) Shaq! I’m pretty sure that’s enough motivation to get him pumped up again. And if he wins the championship again next year, wouldn’t that just be more satisfying than the one he just won?

Some may say that Kobe’s desire for more championships is just another form of greed to win as Magic or Michael or Bill Russel. But seriously, Kobe is one of the best competitors this sport has ever seen. Isn’t it simply that Kobe wants to win the championship every year than to prove he’s better than any of the historic greats? I honestly think so, and that’s why I believe in Increasing Marginal Utility when it comes to competition.

Economics will tell me that Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury were paid too much last year, and that Ben Gordon will probably be paid too much this year. But economics don't do justice in explaining the ferocity, hunger, and jubilation that we witness in great players and epic rivalries.

There is a constant need for self-improvement that we as humans greatly desire. I'm no psychologist but I can surely assume it has something to do with the limited time we have here on this precious Earth, and for athletes, even more limited time as professional athletes. That is why I strongly believe that diminishing marginal utility does not exist in sports competition. Every year, athletes like Kobe are faced with more challenges, more criticism, increased competition from the younger, fresher, newer generation of players, and aging.

I like to use these examples when it comes to utility and time. Wine. As time goes on, a wine tastes better and better. Increasing marginal utility. Or when a paleontologist discovers a new fossil. Increasing marginal utility. Or even better, for all of us who blog, another basketball game is arguably better than the last, because not only do we get to write about this one, but we get to compare it to the last. That is to say, a linear increase in games is an exponential increase in ideas, is it not?

Therefore, I would argue that for Kobe, a 5th championship would give him greater utility than the one he just won. Just imagine, what if he goes up against Shaq to win that 5th one?



BTW, I'll take on anyone in a burrito-eating contest...

Introduction

Hey Everyone! Thanks for surfing to my blog. I’ve been writing sports articles for quite some time and hope you enjoy my work here at …EPIPHANY… I will surely keep you posted if and when I blog about new topics. Cheers!

How I Got My Blog Name

My framework is my constant flow of emotion, analysis, and intrigue. I find it so predictable that when people find out I’m a singer, they ask me to sing on the spot. Well, I prepare myself to write on the spot too because writers oftentimes have a small window of opportunity, with limited time and unlimited thoughts.

However, I don’t like to force my writing. My thoughts often come to me randomly, especially for topics that I originate. When I respond to others’ articles, I need something witty to say. That is my prerequisite. Forced writing reminds me of standardized tests.

I get a bit annoyed when quarterbacks try to force a pass in between 5 linemen, hoping it gets through to their receiver. Likewise, I won’t force my thoughts in hopes to get through to you. I’d rather make a good pass and throw an incompletion than force a pass and throw an interception. In other words, I’d rather publish a piece that I feel is of high quality than just submit a rough draft and have someone else steal my random ideas and make something of them.

So, I write when I have an …EPIPHANY… It’s not just one idea that hits me. It’s never just one idea. It’s like a table tennis match back and forth in my brain, ideas bouncing off each other and my endless urge to write before I lose my ideas. We all know how that goes…

How I Got My Pen Name

Well, those of you who know me well might ask why I didn’t go with my AOL screenname and e-mail account, vishaldeschai, which seems to have stuck with me for the past few years. I got vishaldeschai from my name, of course, and my acappella group from college, Chai-Town, which basically originated from a group of guys singing during your daily “Chai” (or coffee) break. Well, I wanted to take a step away from that because although you may be reading this during your break, I wrote this during my epiphany.

I wanted my name to look cool, and I felt Vis Des was a unique, interesting way to shorten my name. And it is easy to say. But it felt like something was missing. I love how words with three or more syllables just tend to sound cool. Really, it didn’t take long to get Maximus. In fact, that was the first thought that came to my head (epiphany, right?), because it just went with the flow of Vis Des. They all end in ‘s’ and it sounds smooth.

Why Maximus? Well, I was watching Kobe on The Late Night Show with Conan O’Brian and he explained how he really worked hard to “maximize” every moment he had from post-Olympics 2008 to NBA Championship and Finals MVP 2009 to reach that level and earn that 4th championship ring. I’ve always been a Kobe fan, and I can definitely learn from the man who wakes up at 5:00 am to hit the weight room instead of snoozing my cell phone 5 times and half-sleeping away another precious hour of my life.

So I researched Maximus, whom I knew was a historic warrior of some sort. Turns out he was a Roman gladiator who, surprise surprise, wrote love letters to his wife while he was away on the battlefield, away from his wife and child. Eventually, he found out his family had been slain and he revamped himself to seek revenge until his ultimate death. I think his glory solidified my decision on going with Maximus. The fact that he “wrote” was just an affirmation that awesome people like you might read my blog.

How I Got You To Read This

Good question. Persistence? Inspiration? You have nothing better to do? Well hey, I’ll take it. But I’d definitely like to give a shout out to my friend, Vikas Chokshi, better known as DOCKSQUAD in the world of blog. Check out his work at www.docksquadsports.com. VC hooked me up with some great inside tips to blogging. Hopefully, I can pass down the wisdom to aspiring writers like me.

Ok, time for me to go meditate. Just kidding, but how cool would that be to have your Zen Master head coach command you to imagine that you’re a frog on a lillypad? Hey, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant have done it. Props to PJ on his 10th championship ring.

Why Did Shaq Root For Kobe?

It’s not that he is rooting for Kobe as much as he rooting against Stan Van Gundy. Shaquille O’Neal, one of the greatest, one of the most charismatic, one of the most dominant ever, has proven again why he is one of the wisest men in the world, let alone in the world of basketball.

With the Orlando Magic down 3-1, which quite possibly could have been 3-1 in their favor, Stan Van Gundy took the blame for the two narrow, heartbreaking losses, and Shaq’s comment of Stan Van being a “choker” and “letting his team down” resonates in the air.

For Shaq to score points on this, his latest dramatic public episode, it helps him in a variety of ways. Championship contending teams will look to him for veteran leadership to bring on in his last year of basketball next year. His media career has the doors wide open because not only does he have that entertaining stage presence, but his analysis proves reliable, which is absolutely essential in the world of sports broadcasting, especially when it leaves the fans wanting more. But most importantly, Shaq’s legacy will conclude positively, not just because he had an incredible statistical season, and not because he shared Co-MVP All-Star Honors with Kobe Bryant, but because his read on Stan Van Gundy was correct.

Let’s be realistic, Shaq knew he had no chance to win the championship this year with the Suns, and he probably knew they wouldn’t make the playoffs either at the time the Suns played the Magic and Stan Van accused Shaq of “flopping”. To most basketball fans, that “flopping” was sheer entertainment because it was just fun to watch Shaq as the recipient for once, trying to act out a flop. In a way, he was even conceding to Dwight Howard that he is the next great center in this league. Pass down the torch. After all, they both began their careers in Orlando, both have been referenced to Superman, both are very fun-loving entertainers, both are extremely dominant centers, and neither can shoot free throws. Shaq knows his legacy is nearing its end as a player, and is simply trying to enjoy himself as much as possible. Another championship would be delicious, but Shaq understands he has had a magnificent career and will go down in history as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

So then why did he deliver this big blow to Stan Van Gundy, saying he’s a “choker”? It’s because Shaq read Stan Van Gundy like the two were in a heads-up Hold ‘Em match. Shaq really had nothing to lose. His playing career has just a year remaining, and another title, another early playoff exit, or another good season despite missing the playoffs – no matter which happens, Shaq’s legacy as one of the great ones won’t be too affected. (Although if he has 5, he’ll probably have more lifetime conversations with Magic Johnson.)

But Shaq knew that Stan Van Gundy’s 3-Of-A-Kind in Orlando could not possibly defeat the Full House in Lakerland. The majority of the country definitely predicted that Orlando would not win the championship this season. The simple fact that they made the Finals alone only helps Shaq’s case, because Orlando has had every opportunity to be up 3-1. If this isn’t “choking” at its max, then I don’t know what else is.

It’s like Stan Van Gundy raised the issue of Shaq bluffing, I mean, “flopping”, and Shaq just re-raised All-In, knowing he had nothing to lose. We did not witness much more verbal maliciousness after that as Shaq geared for the off-season and Stan Van Gundy prepared for the playoffs. Van Gundy simply brushed the drama aside and said he’d like to focus on his team and the playoffs. That was another way of buying time to decide if he wanted to call Shaq or not. But Van Gundy took too much time and Shaq called clock on him. Well, the time has almost run out for Jeff Van Gundy’s brother. (You know I had to reference Jeff Van Gundy somewhere in here!)

Like most professional poker players will say, poker is a game of skill, and not luck. Well, Shaq certainly didn’t take a gamble when he called out Stan Van. Shaq’s wisdom is his skill. By successfully calling out Stan Van Gundy, and being the first to do so, Shaq caused a massacre. Marcin Gortat in the Polish papers. Dwight Howard in the Boston series. Stan Van Gundy to himself! “This one’s gonna haunt me forever…”

Kazaam! Move over Mr. Miagi. Shaq is wiser! Heck, I didn’t think about it earlier, but he can write his own book and it will spread like wildfire. Really, time and time again, Shaq illustrates the most brilliant of stories for our pleasure. I recall in 2006 when Shaq claimed Kobe was Sonny, and Dwyane Wade was Michael. Shaq was, of course, Don Corleone. It seemed so plausible and thought-provoking an analogy that we started comparing Kobe and Wade, without even second-guessing that Shaq was indeed the Godfather.

Shaq in his heart knows he couldn’t have won three championships in L.A. without Kobe or one in Miami without Dwyane Wade. But the critics will always state the opposite, that Kobe wouldn’t have won without Shaq, and neither would have Dwyane Wade. Shaq’s legacy has never been questioned. We know how great he has been to the NBA.

But Shaquille O’Neal as a man, like all men, needs to reinforce his credibility ever so often. And he does it so flawlessly that it begs the question, “Does Shaq really calculate his comments so wisely and intentionally?” I believe he does.

In fact, I urge you to look for the knockout punch from Shaq after the Lakers win the series. Something along the lines of, “I told you so.”

How Much Is Ben Gordon Worth?

So after digesting the most exciting first round series ever and the Bulls loss that came with it, I’ve finally decided on what the Chicago Bulls should do with Ben Gordon. First, the ‘n million dollar question’ (where n = Ben Gordon’s yearly salary), is how much is Ben Gordon worth?

I’ve taken the liberty to create a chart of all the notable 2-Guards and Combo Guards in the NBA to determine where I’d place Ben Gordon on this list. I have highlighted the salary for each player based on his contributions to his team, his NBA experience, his size, and his age. Please note that this is just a quick assessment with the sole purpose of weeding out any poor salary decisions that fallible GM’s have made in their day.

Green if he is underpaid.

Red if he is overpaid.

Blue if he is correctly paid.

Name	Salary	Exp.	Height	Weight	Age	Team
Kobe Bryant	$21,262,500	13	6-6	205	30	LAL
Tracy McGrady	$20,370,437	12	6-8	223	30	Houston
Ray Allen	$18,388,430	13	6-5	205	34	Boston
Michael Redd	$15,780,000	9	6-6	215	29	Milwaukee
Vince Carter	$14,724,125	11	6-6	220	32	New Jersey
Dwyane Wade	$14,410,581	6	6-4	216	27	Miami
Joe Johnson	$14,232,567	8	6-7	240	27	Atlanta
Jason Richardson	$12,222,221	8	6-6	225	28	Phoenix
Andre Iguodola	$11,300,000	5	6-6	207	25	Philadelphia
Monta Ellis	$11,000,000	4	6-3	180	23	Golden State
Richard Hamilton	$10,812,500	10	6-7	193	31	Detroit
Kirk Hinrich	$10,000,000	6	6-3	190	28	Chicago
Manu Ginobli	$9,905,248	7	6-6	205	31	San Antonio
Jason Terry	$9,196,000	10	6-2	180	31	Dallas
Mike Miller	$9,028,575	9	6-8	218	29	Minnesota
Quentin Richardson	$8,685,500	9	6-6	235	29	New York
Marquis Daniels	$6,864,200	6	6-6	200	28	Indiana
Leandro Barbosa	$6,100,000	6	6-3	202	26	Phoenix
Jason Kapono	$5,784,480	6	6-8	215	28	Toronto
Morris Peterson	$5,592,240	9	6-7	220	31	New Orleans
Mickael Pietrus	$5,300,000	6	6-6	215	27	Orlando
Raja Bell	$5,000,000	9	6-5	215	32	Charlotte
J.R. Smith	$4,985,001	5	6-6	220	23	Denver
Kyle Korver	$4,956,818	6	6-7	212	28	Utah
Sasha Pavlovic	$4,500,000	6	6-7	235	25	Cleveland
Kevin Durant	$4,484,040	2	6-9	215	20	OKC
O.J. Mayo	$3,875,040	1	6-4	210	21	Memphis
Delonte West	$3,850,000	5	6-3	180	25	Cleveland
Rasual Butler	$3,630,000	7	6-7	205	30	New Orleans
DeShawn Stevenson	$3,616,072	9	6-5	218	28	Washington
Roger Mason Jr.	$3,500,000	5	6-5	212	28	San Antonio
Brandon Roy	$3,084,240	3	6-6	211	24	Portland
Eric Gordon	$2,623,200	1	6-3	222	20	LAC
Francisco Garcia	$1,983,454	4	6-7	195	27	Sacramento
Ronnie Brewer	$1,834,680	3	6-7	227	24	Utah
Courtney Lee	$1,176,240	1	6-5	200	23	Orlando
Key Free Agent 2-Guards or Combo-Guards or Point Guards
Ben Gordon	Free Agent	5	6-3	200	26	Free Agent
Dahntay Jones	Free Agent	6	6-6	210	28	Free Agent
Anthony Parker	Free Agent	6	6-6	215	33	Free Agent
Bobby Jackson	Free Agent	12	6-1	185	36	Free Agent
Stephon Marbury	Free Agent	13	6-2	205	32	Free Agent
Mike Bibby	Free Agent	11	6-2	195	31	Free Agent
Allen Iverson	Free Agent	13	6-0	180	33	Free Agent

Before I get into the Free Agents, allow me to briefly explain my assessments on player salaries.

Overpaid: T-Mac, Vince Carter, JRich, Mike Miller, QRich, Marquis Daniels, Jason Kapono, Morris Peterson

These guys either have chronic back problems and injuries, can’t lead their teams to the playoffs, can’t play defense, or a combination of the three. Only MoPete might be questionable, but he’s 31 and hardly played all season due to injury. I wouldn’t pay him $5.6 Mil.

Underpaid: Kevin Durant, Delonte West, Brandon Roy, Courtney Lee

Except for Delonte, these guys can’t currently get paid more due to the restrictions on Rookie Contracts, but let’s just say they will get huge contract extensions when eligible because they deserve them. Remember all that talk about Delonte West and his depression problems at the beginning of the year? Well, he looks A-Okay to me and winning has probably helped. This guy is a true combo-guard who can D up and nail big jumpers. He is not getting paid enough for what he brings to the table.

Correctly Paid: Everyone else.

Argue if you want, but I think the rest of the batch gets the right salary. Hey, there are some GM’s who know what they’re doing…

So this brings me to the Free Agent Guard Class of 2009…

Personally, I’d pay Dahntay Jones and Ben Gordon the most out of any of these guys, and I’d pay DJ more because he’s the only one on that list under 30 years old who’s not an “I Gotta Get Mine” player. He can play lock-down defense, as illustrated this year with the Denver Nuggets, he has great size at 6-6, and he can score as well. Ben Gordon is a much better offensive player, and his defense has improved a bit, but the fact remains he’s an undersized streak player who doesn’t make his teammates better. Many say 6^th man, and that just depends on which team he lands, but if he is a 6^th man, I’ll say I’d rather have JR Smith on my team, who is also at 6-6, and has a higher ceiling that Ben Gordon. Smith’s improvement this year alone has been very notable, especially in shot selection, help defense, and ball control. As you can see, Smith gets paid just under $5 Mil, and both JR and Ben have been in the league for 5 years.

Just below JR in the salary table are Kyle Korver ($4.95 Mil) and Sasha Pavlovic ($4.5 Mil), who both have great size and can bring the defensive presence to the table that Ben Gordon can’t. Right below Sasha are Kevin Durant, O.J. Mayo, and Delonte West, who all deserve big raises when eligible, so let’s look even further down, where we have Rasual Butler ($3.63 Mil) and DeShawn Stevenson ($3.61 Mil). I’d definitely take Ben Gordon over Butler or Stevenson, so the price floor for Ben Gordon is Sasha Pavlovic at ($4.5 Mil).

Now, let’s move up the ladder to determine Ben Gordon’s price ceiling. Above J.R. Smith we have Raja Bell ($5 Mil) and Mickael Pietrus ($5.3 Mil). BG can argue his case against these guys, so let’s look further up to the next properly paid player, who is Leandro Barbosa ($6.1 Mil). Now, the Spanish Sensation is very similar to BG in that both are 6-3, both are great at offense, and both are not so great at defense. But Barbosa is faster and more consistent, even as a sixth man. Let’s keep that in mind while we look even further up, to Jason Terry ($9.2 Mil) and Manu Ginobli ($9.9 Mil). Ben Gordon is not better than Manu, and Jet makes a few million more because he has been in the league longer, not to mention he can still be a deadly sixth man as he showed this year. Ben Gordon is not better than anyone above Manu and Kirk Hinrich deserves his $10 Mil per year because he is the best back-up point guard in the NBA and was impressive in the Boston-Chicago 1^st Round series, with remarkable contributions, both offensively and defensively.

So, I’d have to say Ben Gordon’s price ceiling is at the $9.2 Million that Jason Terry makes. In all honesty though, my first hunch of placing BG at J.R. Smith’s $4,985,001 level is where I’d like to keep him. (But J.R. Smith is better, so take away that last dollar!)

I think there are some GM’s who don’t know what they’re doing and may flaunt him more money, but in this economy, and with so few teams under the cap, it may be difficult for Gordon to find the contract he seeks. Turning down the 2 Bulls contracts was a huge mistake and if I’m John Paxson, I’ll offer BG even less this time around, or another 1-Year contract to see if he can redeem himself in next year’s playoffs (for all the shots that he missed in Game 7 and all the clutch shots he attempted in the series that didn’t fall through the net).

I hope these GM’s can do algebra because n = $4,985,000, and not a penny more.