Weekend Basketball Association: The June of Gloom

Believe or not the June of Gloom to me is a good thing. It's a weather related term that refers to the overcast condition that we in Southern California often experience iin the mornings during the month of June. Usually by the afternoon the sun burns its way through the clouds and we get exposed to just enough sun to make the temperature mild; not too cool nor too hot. That's why I personally love "June Gloom", only in the weather sense though. Our past two Junes in Southern California have also been punctuated by "gloom" in the sense that we lost the "King of Pop", Michael Jackson last year. This year we lost the "Wizard of Westwood", John Wooden. As a child in Washington, DC I remembered being totally taken by the mystique of the Bruins of Westwood basketball, then headed by John Wooden. A great contrast in personalities and situations; one dies far too young and we question why, the other passes after a long and distinguished career and we sit back in awe saying what a life. May they each rest and peace and may God bless their families. I think we would all agree neither will ever be replaced or equaled.

At Chaparral the hooping has been vigorous. It's always good when the Lakers make a run deep into the playoffs, and even better when they win a championship; it keeps the Saturday morning activities lively and well attended. Although a few of the faithful have disappeared to thier vacation plans, others have stepped up to fill the void. During the month of June, each morning two courts have been going to make the month one of the best attended of the year. I think it's related to the run by the Lakers to shore up Back to Back Championships. You can't watch those games and then just sleep in on Saturday morning. One feels compeled and energized to play the game and then talk about "the games" with some of the greatest basketball minds in Southern California. I don't think one person that showed up at the Chaparral during the month of June, missed the forecast for the Lakers as Back to Back champions. There have been many, many post game sessions at both Starbucks (for coffee) and Spicy Kimchee (for drinks with boba) to discuss the various aspects of the Southern California Hoop Nation. The current topics revolve around coaching and free agents.

Will Phil Jackkson return to the Lakers, if not will it be Brian Shaw or Byron Scott as the new coach? The Cleveland Caveliers are also after Brian Shaw, I'm sure they'd love to have Byron Scott too. And, how's that guy Thibadou at the Chicago Bulls? Then there's Avery Johnson in Jersey for the Nets; and, Collins returns to the 76ers as coach once again. Will Iverson return as the point guard? These are the topics we've hashed out over coffee, milk tea and boba. This will be one of the most interesting years in the NBA off-season. I predict the following for the 2010 NBA summer:

LeBron will stay in Cleveland,

Dwayne Wade will stay in Miami,

Boozer will go for Miami with his buddy Wade,

Phil Jackson returns to the Lakers for his fourth "three-peat" and his 12th title,

Chris Bosh goes to Dallas.

Lilo will stay with Victor.

Roy and Bill at the boba place, Spicy Kimchee.

Roy with Steve pondering the future of the WBA!!

If I am wrong, then Mike Fox will buy a round of drinks at either 7-11 0r at Spicy Kimchee!! Thanks Mike, your too good to me!!!

Eric's treat for boba at Spicy Kimchee.

I haven't posted all month so I'll show a few pictures from a few weeks in the month except the second and third weeks (I forgot my camera those mornings).

May 31, 2010 - Memorial Day