well, to Newark, NJ and Manhattan moreso... She got in last night and is here with her sister (my auntie) and my aunt's husband.  I didn't see them last night because they were delayed getting here (my aunt from Florida and Moms of course from Cincy) and needed to rest up.  I will visit with them tonight for a while this evening.  We are scheduled to go see:

   "Thurgood" starring Laurence Fishburne as the first Black Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall.

The play is Saturday afternnoon.  Then on Sunday afternoon we are going to see my younger cousin sing in a choir at some venue in NYC (I'm not sure where yet).  The reason I get to go to these great events is because my younger cousin's older brother (my older but still younger cousin) could not make it...so I am taking his place. Thanks, B!

Knicks 1st Round Draft Selection:
Are you serious? 

Black by Popular Demand said in a blog post dated June 18
(http://www.thelotd.com/blackbypopulardemand/blog/2008/06/18/trophy_goes_to_the_toughest_team_all_american_team):

"...and the overall lack of toughness that is a byproduct of a roster that is too international." 

He was referring to the international players on LA's squad, but I think it applies to international players in general.  They are soft.  Sooooo the Knickerbockers (my adopted B-ball team) goes out and drafts:

    Danilo Gallinari, a 19 year-old player from the Italian pro league.

To be sure, the kid is talented, but the Knicks need tough defensive minded players first as a foundation to any success (like the Knicks of the 90's).  See the Celtics (pronounced Keltics) for reference and what they did to these international players.  The Knicks needed a 6-10 shooter like they need Stephon Marbury.  (BTW I commend Marbury on making his Starbury sneakers/gymshoes for poorer kids to be able to afford.  It is great work on his part).

Now, the international game is a different ballgame from the NBA with different rules.  We can debate all day about our NBA boys losing the past decade in international games, but I am talking about the NBA game right now.  When it comes down to it, the players who D up and get it done in the playoffs are American.  If the draft was so weak the Knicks should have traded down to get quantity since the quality was not there. 

Here is the kicker in this sorted tale.  When they first announced the hiring of D'Antoni as head coach, I thought, "that's interesting, considering he comes from a team who didn't play defense (the Suns)."  I'm sorry but Defense wins Championships...again see the Celtics (pronounced Keltics).  Now it ends up D'Antoni played with Danilo's dad, Vittorio, in the Italian pro league in the late 70's and early 80's.  They roomed together for 9 years, won 4 Italian league titles, and 2 Euroleague titles.  If this was politics, we'd be calling for D'Antoni's resignation...but alas, this is the Knicks...when do the Nets get to Brooklyn?

Sidenote:  (My luck in rooting for sports franchises since 2000-once you throw the Knicks into the equation-is horrendous.  Chriminies, I'm a Bengal/Reds/Knicks fan.  This has to be the worst combo and win loss pct. since 2000 on the planet).

Just a quick note on stirrups.  I was looking at a bit of the Pirates v Yankees game Wednesday night, and the right fielder for the Pirates just looked like a ballplayer.  It was because he had on a beautiful pair of black stirrups.  Please Major Leaguers, with those long pants, you look sloppy and lazy and apathetic (which I think a lot of them may be anyway).  Please wear stirrups and Mr. Selig, please make stirrups mandatory!

  What a baseball uni should look like.

   The sloppy and aloof look, perfect for Adam Dunn.

I will be recommending some quircky independent type movie next week...it's been a while.

Have a great weekend everybody!