…that Jake Voskuhl, who was signed December 14th, 2008, is first off the bench on a good defensive/offensive sequence for the Raptors. Chris Bosh makes $175,738.793 per game (that is if he plays all 82 games). Jermaine O’Neal makes $260,396.341 per game (or more because he hasn’t been fit enough to play every game in this young season). Jose Calderon makes $90,707.536 per game. If these players don’t want to play in Toronto… cool. If no players want to play in Toronto: freakin’ amazing. Don’t play. We don’t want to pay a sorry ass team that doesn’t have the will to win. It’s a freakin’ recession… I feel sorry for all season seat holders.

Can we boycott this sorry ass team? I don’t really want to pay Chris’, Jermaine’s or Jose’s salary… do you?

OR

Simple choice. Although Hotmail is still good for my junk mail.

R is for racism. It’s got to stop. Not too long ago, I was stopped by an American immigration officer who, because of my religion, said I couldn’t celebrate Christmas and travel to America during Christmas break. Let me tell you facts.. I lived in America for 8 years. I was 8 in 1993 when I landed in New York. I did exactly what I supposed to – assimilate with the American culture. I forgot most of my mother tongue, Bhojpuri, and became an American. From my accent to the way I dressed, I was an American. You couldn’t differentiate me from any American except by taking note of my skin color. I loved America because it gave me the opportunities (although I didn’t realize when I was 8 ) that no country could have given me. I went to a private elementary school – was showered with knowledge and insight that I still dearly remember and tap into. America gave me everything I wanted; it allowed me to dream but more importantly, it made me believe in my dreams. I was an American first and then a Nepali.

A few years later, my family migrated to Canada because my dad received his permanent resident card in Canada (similar to the Green card in America). He only had a student visa in America which isn’t very stable because the rules state that you must leave once you graduate from school. So naturally, he jumped on the opportunity to come to Canada with a permanent resident status. He wanted us to have the best education possible in the western world. Canada was second to none.

We respect America. It gave us the opportunity that no other country could have given. After having spent 8 early (but important) years of my life in Connecticut, I thought of America as my home. So two years ago, when I crossed the border to visit my sister in America, I was really distressed when the American immigration office treated me with disrespect even though we had an American visitor’s visa and had traveled to America on the exact visa numerous times. You really have to trust me when I say that I really think highly of America (even with Bush as president).

Here’s a summary of how it went down:

It was two days before Christmas – my parents and I made the trip down with our Ontario license plate on our SUV down to NYC.

We were super excited to see the green highway signs in NY (as opposed to the blue ones you see in Canada)…We got stopped at the border. It was cool… we have to pay our $6 since we were on visitor’s visa….but then we got harassed from the very Americans we respected.

Immigration officer: Why are you visiting the states?
Dad: We are visiting my daughter during Christmas break and having Christmas dinner.
Immigration officer: What is your religion?
Dad: What?
Immigration officer: What IS YOUR RELIGION?
Dad: Hindu.
Immigration Officer: …Hindus don’t celebrate Christmas. Why are you visiting America during Christmas?
Dad: I’m visiting my daughter and we have Christmas off.
Immigration officer: You didn’t answer my question… Hindus don’t celebrate Christmas!
Dad: .. uhhh…
Me: The last time I checked you don’t have to be Christian to observe Christmas… and to have Christmas dinner.
Immigration Officer: I’m taking to your dad…if you don’t shut up, I’ll deny your visa.
Me: Umm… *very scared*

We got our entry but we were humiliated.

We love America but this was not the America we loved.

Why the hate? Because we are brown and Hindu and ignorant American immigration officers don’t know how to separate Hindus from terrorists.

This is unacceptable coming from a super power. Please educate your immigration officers. This is probably not the first impression you want foreigners to have of America.

Peace. And Merry Christmas.

Every few years or so, I get really excited about UConn basketball. That’s because every few years, coach Jim Calhoun puts together a group of players that can beat any mediocre team in the NBA (eg. Raptors). UConn is ranked #2 in the country behind North Carolina. North Carolina was ranked #1 in the preseason – they haven’t lost a game… so naturally they still hold on to their #1 ranking. UConn hasn’t lost either. They face a tough opponent in Gonzaga this Saturday (CBS, 4pm). Some critics call this their first real test – but I disagree (only slightly). They faced a good team in Wisconsin in the Paradise Jam and held them to 37% shooting. Wisconsin takes pride in their offense so it’s a significant feat to beat them soundly. Moreover, they have shown composure and confidence in tight games. This is more important than any statistic in college ball because of the simple fact that most players are in their teens. One of many good characteristics of coach Jim Calhoun is that he makes you believe you’re the best player on the floor even when it isn’t exactly true. Confidence is key in college ball since there is very little room for mental errors. As you know, when it counts, every game is do or die. If you lack confidence, any team can beat you.

Here is why I believe when it is all said and done, UConn will cut the nets down in early April.

Hasheem Thabeet is a monster down low. His stat line is is ridiculous:15pts, 12 boards and 4 blocks per game. He’ll definitely be top 5 pick in next year’s NBA draft. Jeff Adrien is a nice compliment, averaging more than 14pts and 9 boards per game. They have one of the best rookies in Kemba Walker. Shooting guard, Jerome Dyson, will eat Anthony Parker (…I know… anyone can eat Anthony Parker…). But this kid is really amazing with ball in his hands. He can get to the heart of the defense with ease. Last year, he didn’t have the body control to avoid charges or blocks when he drove, but this year, he’s much more under control and finishes well with both hands. They have their leader, A.J. Price, healthy again from the ACL injury he sustained during last March Madness. Remember that he was the go-to guy for UConn last season. Stanley Robinson, the most athletic wing man on the team, is back from team issued suspension.

The pieces are there for UConn to compete for a national championship. The journey begins this Saturday. After all, in 1999, when UConn won it all, the run began with the defeat of Gonzaga. I am hoping 2009 is the new 1999 (you like that…).

So please, you Canadian basketball fans, support UConn (Denham Brown went here) this Saturday.

Enjoy the keys to the game.

“One plus one is two, all day long, and it’s never gonna change. And that’s factorial.” -Stephon Marbury

As much as I hate the fact that Stephon Marbury cannot construct a sentence that has both a subject and a predicate – I cannot help but sympathize with him for the way the New York Knickerbockers have dealt with him this NBA season. I do not know all the details nor do I think it’s significant enough to google them. What I do know is that he’s arguably the most explosive scorer on the Knicks roster – and he isn’t getting any burn. Now that is disconcerting to me. I want to see the best players play. I want to be able to pick up a pair of Starbury’s from Steve and Barry’s for $7 and wear it with pride. At this point, my $7 Christmas investment from last year is collecting dust. With a recession at hand – I really wish I had invested that $7 on something else. Btw, add ‘recession’ to a list of words I never want to hear Anderson Cooper saying again.

But in all seriousness, why isn’t he playing for the Knicks? This is not some soap opera. This is the NBA, a business. I don’t care whose feelings Starbury has hurt, but if you’re good, you play (*cough* Kobe *cough*). It doesn’t make business sense. Don’t want to pull an Allen Iverson here, but this is a business. I mean the man is making max money and you’ve exhausted all possibilities to move him and he’s better than almost everyone on your squad – you play him. It’s makes simple business sense. (Now I am closer to understanding why the US is in a recession.)

The future looks dim for Starbury. No one is willing to take on his hefty salary of 21 mil a year. He’s aging – these were supposed to be his prime years. He’ll slowly be forgotten as an exciting NBA player. But that’s probably not what he wants to be remembered for. As good as Starbury is at basketball, he might still be a better business man. From owning his own athletic apparel company (Starbury) to breaking the status quo by solely dealing with NBA general managers, Marbury, unlike Kanye, is not waiting ’till he gets his money right. He’s got it right already.

With money in hand, Starbury is leaving the Big Apple. He is seeking stardom. What better place to start than the City of Angels.

It’s been a little less than 5 months since I last updated. Wow. I’ve tried logging on to Wordpress.. writing a few sentences here and there but never enough to warrant a post. It’s easy to get distracted when you have a lot on your plate. Work has consumed most of my life in the last bit. I’ve put in more time at work than ever at school (I mean  basketball).

Life has been good though. I cannot complain: the Raps are one a two-game winning streak. Everyone is happy on RealGM… which, in turn, means I am happy. (I am addicted to this site. I must at least check it 10 times a hour on a weekday.) I am liking the new Raptors under Jay Triano. The defensive set against New Jersey last night was really good. At one point, I almost associated Raptors defensive matchups with the words; “makes sense.” It was pretty intutive defensive matchups. Jose can’t guard anyone. Kenyon dooling doesn’t really get touches. Put Jose on Kenyon. Put Joey and Jamario on Harris. It only makes sense. It’s not some genious scheme, it just makes sense. This is no knock on Mitchell, but his inability to make sense really cost him his job. At one point… “more shats” is not going to cut it. You need to know x’s and o’s. Yelling at and yanking players once they make a mistake works sometimes because it keeps players honest but it surely shouldn’t be your only method for motivation. Essentially, you can’t gain respect by just being tough with Joey. I hated it when he sided with Bargnani when he played poorly…. I love BC because he brings the “win now” mentality but his pick, Bargnani, is a bit suspect.

Nevertheless, the recent success has gotten me really excited.

Check again tomorrow. Peace.