As the sun’s last ray of light touches the land, the majestic eagle soared into the horizon for one last time, for one last glimpse of the day that was.
Welcoming the night with hopes of a brighter tomorrow—more horizons to conquer and more journeys to come.

It somehow translates to how Grant Hill hopes to achieve. It has been quite a journey so far. With all the ups and downs, through times when he wanted to give up, through countless of surgeries and frustrations, he always found more reasons to get up and fight back.
It’s not about winning championships, MVPs or playing in the All-stars. For Grant, it is deeper than that…
This is going to be all about legacy and how he goes down in the history books.

In the 2005-2006 season that was one dark cloud that Grant vividly remembers, after a series of nagging injuries, including a groin injury. He had a close call of calling it quits. It has been those injuries that made the best out of him on his prime. However, he refused to let it dictate his career, as long as he can move, as long as he can still shoot the ball, there is still hope.
It was a gradual step of getting back to the top. However, Grant is determined to go into that process.

Five years later at age 38, Grant still looks back on the past with a dignified heart, knowing how he fought back and how it made him not just a better player but also a better person. This would be his 18th year going to next season and he still feels he could still go on for two more years. With all of his greatness and promises there is still a lot of catching up to do.

With retirement nearing in, Grant still feels unsecured about his legacy. He was the majestic eagle that soared for one last journey hoping to catch up the last ray of light.

However, Grant Hill’s legacy has already been etched out. There seemed to be a few players who could play multiple positions like what he did…

One last journey and one last hope but what Grant Hill failed to notice is that no matter how the last flicker of light touches the land… it’s still the same horizon after all.

He already made his legacy when he fought his way up.

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I knew this would happen. Like the sun that had finished its cycle, welcoming the night where the stars majestically shine ever so brightly… Yao Ming has finally retired.

One of the best big men in basketball history will finally walk away from the sport that brought him glory and greatness. At 30 years old and a recurring foot injury, Yao clearly had enough of rehabilitation and surgeries. He decided to walk away while he still can walk.

It wasn’t to everybody’s surprise. Yao had been sidelined since December 2010 because of a stress fracture that developed on his left ankle, the same leg that has been troubling him for years.

He was an iconic figure that brought down barriers on a sport that was invented and dominated by the Americans. Many believed that he would fail in his transition to the NBA. But Yao never entertained the thought of failure. Never did he question his talent and work ethic. Everybody is capable of greatness; it’s just a matter of how much you want it.

The NBA was more than just basketball to Yao; it was more about building bridges and closing the gap.

It was one promising career, although it didn’t end how we’d hoped, but Yao still delivered its promise—he built the bridge equally majestic to the great wall.

There won’t be any Yao Ming, not with his enormous talent and his 7’6″ frame. His height was his gift, and it was also his burden. His leg eventually gave up on his 300-pound body and a nation with billions of people putting their hopes on Yao’s shoulder.

The gentle giant has finally retired. Out from the limelight, and out from all the expectations. For the first time on his life, he is finally free… free from the countless surgeries and rehabilitation and free from all obligations. He leaves the sport in good hands.

Yao Ming is undoubtedly a future hall of famer. At 30 years old, he could still try to come back and do it for one last time. But how much rehabilitation and surgery could he bear? Eventually, it would end like this.

He belongs rightfully up there… right among the stars who majestically shine so bright.

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David West looked at his left arm with a tattoo of a big “X” with the words “My life, my way”… It has been like that most of the time with his career. Nobody can tell him what he cannot do. He always found a way to get to what he wanted. This is how he went through it all… his life… his way.

He knew he would end up a Hornet for life. However, everything changed the moment he fell down after a dunk during their game with the Utah Jazz. He injured the ACL on his left knee with only 22.3 seconds left in regulation. With a looming lockout and with Chris Paul threatening to bolt out, a cloud of uncertainty covered West’s mind.

David opted out of his final contract year to test the waters of free agency. Even with an unreliable left knee, he basically walked away from a guaranteed $7.5 million to look for a bigger contract that could secure not only his career but also his family’s future. This is also an opportunity for him to compete for a championship with a much better team.

The New Orleans Hornets will be in for bigger problems ahead, just as the Nuggets were last season when they were forced to trade their prized forward Carmel Anthony for fear of losing him through free agency without getting something in return. The Hornets are facing the same dilemma with Chris Paul, who could opt out on his final year of his contract.

Without Chris Paul and David West, New Orleans, currently owned by the NBA, is still looking for a potential owner who could make the team financially stable. Currently, a new social e-commerce website called GroupGain is dedicated to shifting power to the consumers instead of corporations. Once it reaches a “critical mass” of a few thousand supporters, they will approach the NBA and an investment bank in making this deal. They are currently in partnership with other charitable institutions like Belle Reve New Orleans and St. Mary’s residential training school. This is becoming a community involvement in saving their team. However, New Orleans will have to do a much bigger task in convincing David to stay.

David West was once an underrated power forward, but now he is the most coveted free agent player going to next season. Teams like Sacramento, Indiana and New Jersey that have more salary caps are really interested in getting West’s services.

David just wants to win…. and the Hornets are dedicated to sign him back. It’s also how New Orleans goes through life—they always find a way to get what they want. It was never a single effort. It was always the community. That’s how it is to win… one group… one city.

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When Jeremy Tyler decided to forgo his senior year of high school basketball to play professionally overseas, he was pretty sure it was his road to stardom—the stepping stone to big performances in the NBA.

Everybody was sure that he would become the No. 1 overall pick when he became eligible for the draft. He has the size and charisma of an NBA superstar.

“My mission is to shake David Stern’s hand,” he said.

He was destined to make it, but somehow he came up short of all those big expectations and promises.

He took a different road and a different path, but he learned one of life’s greatest lessons in return.

Israeli team Maccabi Haifa gave Tyler a two year, $280,000 contract to join them.

However, Jeremy didn’t live up to expectations, averaging only 2.1 points per game before quitting the team after ten games. He scored just one point in his first two games, a stat that makes you scratch your head.

All the hype and all the praise gave way to one simple message: Welcome to the real world.

Everybody wanted a piece of him like a red flag in a sea of angry bulls. He became an open target…and Jeremy bowed down without resistance.

He was out of shape and lacked the work ethic. He thought this was only a part of his gig, an undercard to a main event, but this was it. His mettle was tested and he failed big time.

Jeremy got another chance, though, when he signed a contract to play with the Tokyo Apache of the Japanese professional league.

There, he played under the tutelage of former NBA coach Bob Hill. Slowly, he became a much better player.

However, his time in Japan was cut short by the tragic earthquake, and he headed back to the United States.

Wit just days left until the 2011 NBA draft, Jeremy still dreams of the opportunity to shake the commissioner’s hand.

However, he now projects as a late first round pick. His draft stock may have dropped, but he much more mature and humble than he was two years ago.

At just 20 years old, and with a 7’5” wingspan and an NBA ready body, Tyler has much room to improve.

He is ready for the challenge of the NBA, and he knows he has a lot more to offer than 2.1 points per game.

There are many ways of getting to our desired destinations. Sometimes we take much more difficult paths, but in the end, reaching that destination is all that matters.

Luckily for Jeremy, he is on the verge of reaching his desired destination, and he got to pick some valuable lessons along the way.

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With still 1.2 seconds left in regulation, some Miami crowd already started to pile out of the American Airlines Arena. Dirk Nowitzki ran off the court and went straight to the locker room. This was his biggest achievement, his ultimate dream and the MVP of the 2011 NBA finals wanted a moment… It has been five agonizing years, waiting for an opportunity like this to come. And now it has finally arrived. This is not going to be all about him and all his glory. His team deserved all the attention, their spotlight, and their glorious moment. And Dirk wanted nothing more than to savor it.

It has been a roller coaster ride throughout his 13-year career. For a lanky 7-foot German whose first attempt was an airball, all the way to a season MVP, and now a championship. There are no shortcuts. The road to greatness is narrow and deep. And it was a trip Dirk obliged to follow.

It was a slow and painful climb to the top. Everybody remembered the 2006 finals when Dirk failed to deliver the NBA championship. The next season, he won the much coveted MVP award but faltered in the first round of the play-offs against the eight seeded “We Believe” Golden State Warriors… Dirk had been in the spotlight for years and was put under heavy criticism just like the self-proclaimed King, Lebron James. The difference? James’ were self-inflicted. James broke millions of hearts in Cleveland after leaving them through his infamous on air “The Decision” bringing his talents to South Beach. And just like what he did in Cleveland, he promised Miami championships, “Not one, not two, not three…” However, on his biggest stage, when everything mattered, he choked up. Lebron will undeniably win championships, but it would never be the same with how Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki have done it—they persevered and fought all the heartaches before tasting victory. Throughout the series one thing was crystal clear: Miami would always be Dwayne Wade’s team…

Dirk never chased his championship dream elsewhere. It never crossed his mind. Dallas was his team, the team that stayed with him through all his shortcomings and all the frustrations. And it was time to return the favor.

On the crucial game and on the team’s final performance, when Dirk’s offense wasn’t really going, it was his team that carried him throughout. Jason Terry, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion and JJ Barea all carried the load it was one way of saying that we always got your back just as you have been carrying us the whole time.

On Dirk’s biggest moment, he took a step back in the lime light. And find a place where he could savor the moment on his own—away from the celebration, away from all the critics. As tears gently rolled down his eyes, it was a sign of joy and relief. The ride has finally come to an end, the fairy tale dream that ends with a happy ever after. This victory is for Dallas… his team, and for everyone who believes.

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Somewhere along the tightly contested NBA 2011 Finals, Dirk Nowitzki still remembers what happened half a decade ago. It wasn’t much about the Dallas Mavericks. It was always about him, how he succumbed to pressure and how he choked up. He fumbled and everything goes with him, losing four straight games after leading the series two games to none in 2006.

Dirk has learned his lesson the hard way. It was always about accountability. A great leader steps up when his team needs him most…

Game 5, with minutes left in the game. Miami was threatening to bolt out with Dwyane Wade’s three-point shot leaving Dallas trailing by four points. Dirk just remembered how it happened five years ago, and everything gets him going. “Just stick with me,” as he shouted during their huddle. Dirk consciously shouted what was on his mind. This would never happen again, not this time—never.

This was Dirk’s personal vendetta, his rite of passage, not only to a championship but his redemption as well. If the series goes down to determination, Dirks wants it more than ever. This seems to be his only chance with a 30-plus age bracket roster.

With the game on the line, with Miami leading the game, Dirk commanded the ball, went into the lane and got fouled, shooting both his free throws. Then seconds later Jason Terry tied the ball game with a three-point shot. Then Dirk on another possession slammed the go-ahead basket. Then it was Jason Kidd delivering a timely three.

One thing that Dirk learned from the 2006 Finals is nobody can carry a team on his own. Accountability—everybody is responsible for the team’s success. This is not going to be Dirk and the Dallas Mavericks, but Dallas as a team.

Dirk understands the game more clearly. He scores when he needs to, and he facilitates when the defense gets tighter.

One game—that’s all Dallas needs to win a championship. All those frustrations back in 2006, all the doubts and questions, will finally be answered. The boisterous crowd and the pressure will be huge in Miami. From J.J. Barea, Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd to Tyson Chandler and all the way through Brian Cardinal and to the Dallas fans. They all believe they will win that championship. “Stick with me,” as Dirk said, and they believed.

Dirk delivered Game 5, and why not a championship? That’s what great leaders do.

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When Chris Bosh scored a career high of 41 points back in 2007, everyone chanted him “MVP, MVP”. He was the Toronto Raptors’ new hope, after Vince Carter was traded to the New Jersey Nets.

Chris still hears that familiar chant…But he knows it wasn’t for him.

From the number one franchise player who went down two steps behind, as the third wheel on Miami’s offense. Chris Bosh has accepted the fact that the Miami Heat could never be his team. He already left that responsibility when he signed together with Lebron James last summer. He would never get that prestige and big pay day that could secure his future as a franchise player, but Bosh holds on, to this thought—he would never get a championship if he goes elsewhere.

Many criticized Bosh for his decision, but he knows everything comes with a price. This is what happens if you are chasing legacies—a lot of watchful eyes that are quick to judge when you fail to deliver. This is Bosh’s burden ever since he signed with Miami. But like what Kevin Garnet and Clyde Drexler have done in the past all of those things would die down with redemption in a form of a championship ring.

With talks of Lebron wanting to win his own ring, no one really wanted it more like Bosh. He was criticized when he had a sub-par performance in games one and two. He was criticized on giving Dirk Nowitzki some space for a game winning lay-up in game two. Between Dwayne Wade and Lebron James, Bosh struggled early in the season and struggled more so in the playoffs.

In game three in the NBA finals with less than a minute to go with the game threatening to go to overtime. Udonis Haslem secured a solid pick as Bosh popped out. James hastily passed the ball and went straight into an open Bosh. As his eyes got bigger, everything seems to move in slow motion. He remembered all the taunts, the criticisms…

This is his moment… his one big shot and his redemption and Bosh delivered, securing the Heat to a 2-1 advantage. The ball went from Wade, to James and ends up with Bosh… From one-two-three it all means they need each other to get a championship.

From a fan who shouted along the bleachers “Chris Bosh! You’re the man!”Bosh only replied with a smile… He knows it isn’t just him…like that familiar chant of MVP.

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With hours left to go before the Miami Heat goes to battle against the Dallas Mavericks. Coach Eric Spoelstra looks at his notes one more time again. This was always essential for a coach to check his guns before going to battle. Ensuring all bases are already covered before taking that one big swing.
It’s been Eric’s greatest asset—He was always prepared.

It has been his job long before he started coaching the Miami Heat. For seven years, he served as an assistant coach and director of scouting. When he joined the Heat in 1995, he was the team’s video coordinator then got promoted to assistant coach/advance scout in 1999. It was always Eric’s role to scout the team’s upcoming opponents and develop a good game plan.

Long before the season started, he knew there would be tremendous pressure on his shoulder. Having Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Lebron James in one team, everybody expected them to win games. But after having a rough start, Eric knew he had to step up and let everybody know that he got their backs. When Lebron bumped his shoulder’s to Spoelstra after losing eight times on their first 17 games, Eric never back down and took everything as a challenge. This is his team, his responsibility… his challenge.

He learned from his point guard days in University of Portland all the way to being a head Coach. Everything undergoes through the process. It’s always a stage and a gradual experience to greatness. It was a need for them to start with a 9-8 record to work everything out and end with a 61-19 record.

Seven months with only four wins to go before getting that ultimate reward. This would be the Heat’s ultimate test. After a series of long exams, they are now left with their last and final exam.

For Eric Spoelstra, he still has a bigger puzzle to solve in Dirk Nowitzki. The seven-foot German had been an offensive monster throughout the playoffs. Eric knows how much Dirk wants this one… He had been denied on his last trip to the finals. And what’s more interesting it has been the Heat that took the 2006 championship. Eric was quick to point out that it has been a different Nowitzki since his last setback. This would be Dirk’s redemption and that’s why he has constantly reminded his team to be ready.

Countless hours and sleepless days it all boils down to the team that is more determined and ready. Eric Spoelstra had no doubts about his team’s chances…Because he knows; only the prepared deserves to be confident.

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The old captain sails the all so familiar seas… for 17 years Jason Kidd has been sailing the grueling waves in the NBA.

At 38, it seems his career has already seen the finish line, the final destination as he puts his anchor down as it settles in the seabed forever… It has been quite a ride so far but the journey has not ended yet.

For Kidd’s career, everything now depends on these last four games as the Dallas Mavericks clinched the Western conference finals last Wednesday, to get back to the NBA finals. This would be Kidd’s one last push for glory and one final wave to conquer.

The old captain will be sailing his team again to another championship round. He had been there before, but it never came closed. The Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs swept them in all four games for two consecutive years…He had done so much to stir the New Jersey Nets into a championship contender, but he could only do as much. He was the last man standing; the captain never abandons his ship, as he took all the blame and criticism for himself.

With tired legs, like an engine that had used up all its mileage, Jason Kidd keeps on pushing, hoping to get that one last chance of redemption. He never thought that this happenstance could happen in the twilight of his career. On the team that he first started way back in 1994 when Dallas drafted him as their second overall pick. Back to his first ship… his first voyage.

This time it’s something special. This team is different from any other…Sharing the same dedication and the same frustration that have bound them and made them different. Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry shared the same frustration when they were denied by Miami in the 2006 NBA finals. Shawn Marion had two Western conference finals appearance but failed to move on to the next level. Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojakovic and Coach Rick Carlisle also have their own share of losing. This is what made them stronger more determined and focus.

The old captain sails the all so familiar seas… It’s not his team or his ship anymore but his determined more than ever. He is confident they will make it this time with his team sailing on the same direction. Back into the finals, back into the promise land that has been elusive all this time.

The Ship needs to land.

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Dirk Nowitzki has seen it all. Winning the first two games in the 2006 NBA finals and faltered all the way down against the then champion Miami Heat. Then the Mavs lost to an eight seeded Golden State Warriors team in the following year after 67 wins in the regular season.

As far as Dirk knows anything can still happen in the playoffs. Each frustration, each loss he knows he was always part to blame.

It was always his added inspiration, added motivation not to let those things happen again, putting every heart ache and every setback into a growing experience.

Dirk vowed that the next time he gets another opportunity to be back in the finals. He will be ready… There’s no substitute for preparedness. For years, he had been denied that chance of holding that Larry O’brien cup.

When he was criticized about his defense, during the offseason he worked at his footwork by trying fencing, honing his defense with quick reflexes. When he was donned as a soft player, Dirk frequented the gym more by working on his strength and conditioning. Every failure comes with a chance to improve himself to become a more complete player.

With the Oklahoma City Thunders, Dirk knows anything can still happen especially with Kevin Durant’s scoring prowess. However, he is very confident with his team that they will find a way to get a win and get back to the NBA finals. Anchoring their team’s offense on a 38 year old point guard in Jason Kidd and with 9 players aging 30 and above, it’s really hard to fathom how long their tired legs would go. However, they have something not every team has. They have the experience and maturity to get the job done. Just like when Oklahoma was making their run in the fourth quarter in game 3 when there were four possessions without their superstar Kevin Durant touching the ball. In contrast Dallas starts their offense with Dirk holding the ball and facilitating their offense.

Dirk has seen it all… even with a 2-1 lead it’s not something to get excited… Anything can still happen…

Oklahoma will try to come back and win this series but Dirk knows it won’t happen…He has been in that road before and this time he would be ready.

“When using experience as a guide the final exam often comes first and then the lesson”… it pays to learn that lesson the hard way.

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