GGOOOOAAAAALLLLLL

Music Tuesdays - Eminem

Today, Eminem released his new highly anticipated album, "Recovery." From the few listens I've had, it is a very solid release from my favorite white rapper. I don't get into rap unless its music from Dr. Dre or Eminem.  There really hasn't been any Eminem album I haven't been a fan of. Like most critiques though, I definitely found his early albums more enjoyable than his recent ones. However, I think Recovery is a great step forward into his sound of the past. He released Recovery only a year after his last release, Relapse. It is great to see and hear that Eminem still has it and continues to deliver stellar tracks and freestyles. I am glad I didn't have to wait another 5 years for new music. Next up for Marshall Mathers? hopefully some guest vocals on Dr. Dre's famously hyped/yet to be released new album!

Below is the music video for the first single off the album, "Not Afraid"

Download Eminem's new album "Recovery" from  

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers : 2010 NBA Champions

Congrats to Kobe Bryant and the Lakers for winning the 2010 NBA Championship. As a sports fan, I couldn't have asked for a better series between the Celtics and Lakers. Many people ask me, how are you a Lakers fan? My response is always, "I'm not a Laker fan, I'm a Kobe fan."  The Golden State Warriors will always be my favorite team.  Another reason I rooted for the Lakers is I am not a huge Celtic fan. I really dislike Garnett, Pierce and "Big Baby" Davis for my own reasons.  Although much respect to Jesus Shuttlesworth (Ray Allen) and Rondo.  

I watch sports purely for entertainment, therefore I enjoy entertainers. Kobe Bryant is an entertainer. Just like Barry Bonds and his "steroid issue", Tiger Woods with his "cheating problems," I could care less of anything they do outside the game. As long as I find them entertaining, I am a fan. Kobe is the best player currently in the NBA when it comes down to the final minutes. Something about that feeling you get when the Lakers are close with a few minutes left, and all eyes are on Kobe. Time after time he delivers. Something I really have yet to witness with Lebron James. Many people here on the west really dislike Kobe and the Lakers.  It was a great year for them. And I will admit, as well as Kobe did, he couldn't have won it without his supporting cast, especially Pau Gasol.  Mr. Clutch Derek Fisher isn't too shabby in the closing minutes as well. And how bout Ron Artest delivering that huge three in game 7. I think everyone in the world thought he would miss, let alone ever guess Kobe would give up the ball to him.

A topic that has been surfacing lately is the argument between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jorodan for greatest NBA player of all time.

My take on this is short and simple. It's not as an outrageous argument as some analyst make it out to be, but when it comes down to it, Michael Jordan is the greatest player to have played the game and will be in my lifetime. With that said, I would classify Kobe 2nd, 3rd or 4th. There is some indescribable feeling about Jordan that he brought to games and the playoffs, that I just don't get with Kobe. Yes I get some spurts of it in Kobe, just not on the same scale as Jordan. Kobe may win more rings and MVPs than Jordan, but that is just a small part of the argument. Jordan being surrounded by Pippen, Kerr, Rodman and Kukoc also doesn't help Kobe either. What a legendary Chicago Bulls team.

There you have it. Kobe Bryant, you are a legend and a phenomenal player. You have done enormous things for the game of basketball, you are a hero among kids and thousands of over-sea sport fans. The fact that you are fluent in Italian also adds some liking to you. Keep killin it, see you for the three-peat.

Maybe you can one day play for the Warriors so I don't need to tag Laker promos all over my blog, that would be great. On a side-related note, Warriors just released their new logo. Check it.

World Cup 2010

So the World Cup is 3 days in, and what an exciting time for sports. The World Cup is the most widely viewed sporting event in the world; an estimated 715.1 million people watched the final match of the 2006 World Cup held in Germany. Having traveled a good portion of the world, I know how big the sport of futbol is to countries outside the US. I rarely call the sport soccer now. My love for the game of futbol has only developed in the past several years. My time in Italy played a big role to my developed interest in the sport.  Having attended a Fiorentina game, experiencing the fans/chants/excitement and riots, there seems to be no bigger passion in sports than futbol for Europeans. In addition to my time in Europe, and learning how big futbol was on the global scale, I started getting into FIFA video games with my roomate in college. I would rate FIFA soccer video games the best sport game out there. Over the span of 3 years, my roomate and I played atleast 500 games, each with a monetary wager on the line. There were definitely a few hundred dollar payouts. With that said, I am not going to pretend I know everything about the sport. I can name a big few players, but couldn't tell you every league and team out there. As far as American soccer, the MLS, I could care less about. However, when futbol comes on a world stage, and players are representing their respective country's, there is no better month in sports (yes, I think it beats out the NCAA Bball Tourney)

I think the fact that the World Cup comes only 1 time in 4 years it what makes it so great. I find it much more exciting than the Olympics, I am sure many would agree with me on that one.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is the 19th world cup and is being held in South Africa. This is the first time that the tournament has been hosted by an African nation.  So far, I've been thrilled with the coverage and I like all the culture and history displayed in the broadcasts. 


Teams I hope will go far:

• USA
• Italy
• Argentina

Teams that I believe have the greatest chance at winning the Cup:

• Spain
• Germany
• Brazil

The video below is far all my English friends out there.

Have a great world cup, Forza Azzurri tomorrow

Picture of the Day

Came across this great pic today. Not sure of the photographer, but would love to give credit where credit is due.

Music Tuesdays - Matt Lucca

This weeks new music comes from one of my favorite solo artists, Matt Lucca. I first discovered Matt during his time in Rebelution, where I discovered his great vocals on their debut album, Courage to Grow. After the album release, Matt and Rebelution parted ways, and in my opinion, are desperately missing his vocals on their new material.  He provided a necessary diverse sound for the band. He is as good as a song writer as he is a singer. Some of my favorite tracks off Courage to Grow that showcase Matt are Courage to Grow, Ordinary Girl, Heart Like a Lion, and On My Mind.

Fortunately for us, Matt has continued to produce and create his own style of music in the recent years.  He is currently based out of the legendary coastal city, Santa Cruz, California.

His last project, Drum Major Instinct, was phenomenal. If you get into this, please check out his last album, Back to the Sun.

In his new project, Matt Lucca, continues right where he left Drum Major Instinct. The new album In Between Love and Hate portrays his soft yet powerful voice and greatly exemplifies Matt's deep passion for music.

Some of my favorite songs from the new album can be played below.

Matt Lucca's Myspace

Purchase Matt Lucca's new "In Between Love and Hate" on  

Music Tuesdays - Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson released his 5th studio album today, To The Sea.  After one listen I am hooked and know it will please all his loyal fans. He remains true to his sound and his new soft surf melody tunes are a warm welcome to the summer ahead of us.  Download the album from iTunes here.

Preview the song From the Clouds below