A Tribue to the Man Who Made Me

I haven't used this blog in over a year now. However, I do know someone who always checks in on it and is a big fan of my posts. This man has always been one of my biggest fans and I was always his. He is the reason I am the young man I am today. I would like to dedicate this blog entry to my father, Virgilio. It's father's day and this is the least I can do for him.

My father has always been my guiding light since I can remember. Everyone says that I am his carbon copy. Sometimes I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult. (JUST KIDDING DAD) Of course I take it as a compliment. My father is a handsome man both inside and out. He has always been loving, caring, strong, generous, honorable, respectable and every other great adjective. My father is loved as well as respected by almost everyone. He's the kind of guy that when he speaks everyone listens. He can control a room full of people with just his words. I hope that one day I can be just like him. My father always gave what I WANTED and not just what I needed. He did his best to make sure I was happy because I know that he was content as long as my brother and I were.

Since I was a little boy I always looked up to my dad. He was always what I wanted to be. He was an amazing husband, brother, uncle, son and most importantly an amazing father. I remember when I was little he would go away on business trips and I couldn't wait until he came home. And when he did, it was like Christmas to me. He would always bring me back a gift from wherever it was he went. Whether it was a new toy or a shirt or even chocolate, he never came home empty handed. I always used to sleep hugging his arm. We used to go to Taco Bell every Sunday. I remember he used to ask me to massage his back by walking on it (he definitely won't make me do that now though). I remember one time I even fell and got stitches on my head from massaging him. I remember thinking as a kid "I hope when I grow up I can wear a suit to work everyday." I truly see the greatness is my father and I also see it coming out my brother and I. I hope that we can be just as a great a person as he is. And sticking to the theme of the blog, basketball, he was my first coach. He taught my brothers and I how to play the game the right way. He molded us into good basketball players but more importantly great men.
There are countless memories that I have of my father. And everyone single one is a good one. My father raised my siblings and I to be great people. I hope that one day if I become a father I can be half the father he is. Because then I'll know I'm doing a good job.

Even though we don't see each other as often as we used to or as much as we would like I know that our love for each other will never blemish. He is my father, a father's love is one that cannot be compared to any other. I know that he is always there for me no matter what. I hope he knows that even though sometimes it may not seem like it, I still love him "up to no end" and that I will never forget all the things he has done for me. I just want to say I love you dad and Happy Father's Day. I hope you know that I love you the same everyday and I always will. I am thankful for everything you have done for. If not for you, I wouldn't be here. You truly are my idol dad, I hope you always know that. I know that sometimes I mess up and I'm sorry for that, but I hope you know that no matter what I'm going to always be your baby boy. Thanks again dad. I love you.

Love Always,

Beeyong

THEN:




NOW:

The Greatest to Ever Play the Gam

There is much debate about the best basketball player ever. Some people say Julius "Dr. J" Erving. Others say Magic Johnson. I think the best to ever be in the NBA is none other than Michael Jordan. He won 6 NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. He won 5 NBA MVP awards and 6 NBA Finals MVP awards. He won Rookie of the Year in the 1984-1985 season and was named to the All-NBA first team 10 times in his career. The awards are countless but those aren't the only things that made him great. He was always the leader on his team. Everyone counted on him and looked up to him. Michael Jordan was the most dominant player in the game. He showed class and poise that nobody else had. He is and always be my favorite player.

Here are some highlights:
Top 10 Amazing Layups


Top 10 Dunks


We all know that Michael Jordan was the best player to play in the NBA. But the title of the post is the "The Greatest to Every Play the Game." That title goes to a guy who demonstrates greatness in every aspect of the game. A deadly 3 point shooter, quick movement with the ball, amazing post savvy and a high basketball IQ. This guy should be in the NBA but he thinks an education is a lot more important. Especially from an English Professor named Professor Farley. The Greatest to Ever Play the Game of basketball is none other than the Great One, the Pride of the Philippines, Tropic Thunder, the Unstoppable, the Unbeatable, the one and only Virgil "Virgilicious" Quijano.
Yes I said it, I am the greatest to ever play the game. Despite my husky and short stature I am still an amazing basketball player. I can shoot a 3 in your face or take you to the hole. I can post you up or I can cross you up. You name it I can do it (Except dunk and play defense). But who plays defense nowadays? Defense is overrated. I'm a lefty and I am unstoppable. Come test me. If you don't believe it, I lay down a challenge to anyone who is 5'9 or shorter, can't jump too high, not that good on defense, and is slow. So if you meet these characteristics come see me and we'll put my title to the test.

I Challenge You!

The Physical Aspect

One thing that angers me the most is when non-basketball players say that basketball isn't a "physical sport." Some people say, "Why don't you go play hockey or football, those are real sports." This post is for all those people that say that there is no physicality in basketball. This should shut up all the critics and cynics. I would recommend watching the second video without sound because the song is very vulgar.

Top 10 NBA Fights


Really Big Fights


I understand that some people say that these fights are a disgrace to the NBA but its just an aspect of basketball. People only fight because they take the game so seriously and they are very competitive. Nobody in the NBA just fights to fight. In the NHL (National Hockey League) people know that there will be fights so it isn't as exciting an NBA fight. NBA fights occur in the heat of a battle. In basketball physical play is always rewarded but there are boundaries. Even I get into fights when I play. I love getting in my opponents head. I love to play angry because it causes me to want to win that much more. Fights in basketball usually bring out the best in teams because it fires them up and causes them to try harder. Basketball is a physical and mental game, and fights incorporate both. Fights usually end up uniting a team because everyone looks out for their teammates. I've been involved in many fights in my basketball career and I love when it happens.

Where Isiah Thomas Happens

The New York Knicks new President of Basketball Operations, Donny Walsh, finally did what everyone in New York wanted to. He fired coach Isiah Thomas. Isiah Thomas who at first was President of Basketball Operations before becoming coach held both positions at one point. He was relieved of his President position earlier in the season and was finally fired.
As coach, the Knicks were unable to make the playoffs. As president, the Knicks received lack-luster players while losing many prospects. Thomas cost the Knicks millions of dollars on players who either are injured, no longer play for the Knicks, or are worth only hundreds. He was like a plague to the organization. A video was made showing all the bad things he had done to the New York Knicks organization.



It was only a matter of time before he was let go. I went to a game last November and he was already getting booed and heard the fans chanting "Fire Isiah!" I felt the same way. He single handedly destroyed the Knicks. Now we have to rebuild when we could have been strong by now. I hope that whoever takes over makes the right decisions and leads the Knicks back to greatness. New President Donny Walsh is already adored by many fans including me for doing the greatest thing to ever happen to the organization in years, firing Isiah Thomas.

It's the Shoes

Kobe Bryant had new shoes come out last month. In order to get people to buy them look what he did.



I think this was a good way to advertise the shoes because many kids are amazed by things like this. It is a very funny commercial because his team-mate who is also in the video (Ronny Turiaf) is very skeptical. He doesn't want him to do the stunt. But after Kobe Bryant successfully completes the stunt he goes crazy and celebrates with his team-mate. I don't think that the car is real but Kobe swears he really did it and did not use any special effects. I think it's possible for him to do it but I'm not sure if he would really risk injury especially during the season when he knows that he is the bet player on his team.
He said "Don't try this at home!" but if I buy these shoes I will. If I don't return to St. John's University next semester you will know why.

NBA Playoff Commercials

The NBA has made a series of commercials about the playoffs. This is the first year that they've done something like this and I think that these commercials capture what the playoffs are all about. Each player has the same feeling of wanting to win and doing whatever they can to do it. These commercials also show that even though all they do is play basketball, it's still a job as well as a passion. Each player wants to do what is necessary to lead their teams to victory.

Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic) & Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)


Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers) & Shaquille O'Neal (Phoenix Suns)


Lebron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) & Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics)


Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns) & Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks)


All of these commercials are very entertaining and build up a lot of excitement for the games.

2008 NBA Playoffs

It's that time of year. 16 teams, 8 from the West and 8 from the East. All vying for one thing. The NBA Championship. Every team has the motto "Win or Go Home!" This is where stars are born. It doesn't matter what place you were in the regular season because in the play-offs the slate is clean. Until after your first play-off game your 0-0. This is where everyone has to dig in and everyone has the chance to be the hero.
The 8 teams from the West (in order from 1st seed to 8th seed) are the LA Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and the Denver Nuggets (who I completely hate). As of right now, the Lakers have a 2 games to none lead, New Orleans is up 2-1, San Antonio is up 3-0, and Houston is down 2-1. The first seed plays the 8th seed, the 2nd plays the 7th, etc. Each series is a best of 7. I'm kind of upset at how things are coming. I dislike the San Antonio Spurs because they are a boring team to watch while Phoenix is very entertaining. I can't believe that the Suns are losing 3-0. This basically puts an end to their season because history shows that no team in the NBA has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win. I'm also upset with the Houston Rockets, I know that they are only down by 1 game, but there is no way that they are going to win. Tracy McGrady, of the Rockets, hasn't made it out of the first round of playoffs in 8 years. I hope the Lakers go on to win because I would not want San Antonio to repeat.
The 8 teams from the East (in order from 1st seed to 8th seed) are the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards (I hate them also), Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Atlanta Hawks. I'm fairly content with the way things are going in the East. Boston is leading their series, Orlando is leading theirs, the Cavaliers are winning, and shockingly enough the 76ers are winning. I'm not a big fan of the Pistons so I wouldn't mind seeing them as a number 2 seed falter and lose in the first round. The Atlanta Hawks somehow made it to the play-offs. It was their first time in 10 seasons. Aside from the top 4 teams in the East, the rest of the conference is very weak and have no chance at winning the championship. Whereas, any of the top 7 teams in the West can win it.
I hope that the Lakers and the Celtics make it to the Finals and play each other just like in the 80's. Most people say it is possible because they are both the number 1 seeds and both have very strong teams. I would also like to tell you why my font colors have changed. They are the colors of some of the teams in the play-offs. Purple and yellow are the Lakers, Green are the Celtics and Blue, White and Black are the Magic. I can't wait until June to see who is in the Finals.