There's No "I" in Kobe

Kobe Bryant forced out the game's most dominant player and arguably its best coach (although he did come back this year) two years ago because he wanted to be 'The Man'. He got exactly what he wanted, a mediocre team where he can be the unquestioned star and score a zillion points.
Yesterday, he threw some 'it's all about the team and winning' cliches out to the news media. This quote is up there with "I did not have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky" on the disingenuous scale (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2312674):

Kobe Bryant feels a bit sheepish about his 81-point performance and says he is not caught up in a chase of Wilt Chamberlain's record of 100.
"I'm a little bit embarrassed, actually," Bryant told reporters Monday
after the Los Angeles Lakers practiced for Tuesday's game against the New York Knicks.
"I think it's exciting for the game and the organization because of all the buzz, but personally it's a little embarrassing."
Bryant, who leads the NBA in scoring with a 35.9 average, said the bottom line for the Lakers (23-20) is winning.

"The concept is not about going out there and putting on a show or going out there and scoring points. It's to win games," he said. "Whatever it takes. You have to gauge the flow of the game and then decide when to pick your spot to take over."
"I'd much rather go out and score 25 points and get 10 assists and see everybody in a rhythm, everybody in a groove."

"Oh, I don't care about me. All this attention is so embarassing, I never asked for it. I'm glad because it's good for my teammates, basketball and world peace but it makes no difference to me."

YOGA! YOGA! YOGA! YOGA!

Today I took an Ashtang yoga class at the New York Sports Club on Wall Street. I had done Pilates two or three times but I think this is even harder - maybe less of a workout but more stretching.
First of all, before anyone scoffs at the notion of taking a yoga class - I challenge you to try it first. That shit is difficult.
There were like 20 people in the class and about 17 of them were girls. The two other guys were a hippy and an effiminate asian dude. I was most definitely out of place. Actually the Asian dude got really into it right away and after about five minutes took his shirt off, which I thought was a bit strange. The yoga-master or whatever they are called quickly instructed him that club rules were to wear a shirt at all times. Also, a note to all you guys out there - there are some pretty hot girls in yoga classes.
A yoga session is pretty much what you'd expect. They start and end with this 'ommm' chant thing, which I can't bring myself to do. I just feel too stupid. Then you go into the 'up-dog', which is arching your back toward the ground, then you do the 'down-dog' which is the opposite. Then they get into some ill shit. You kind of like jump into all sorts of crazy positions, like balancing on one leg while raising your other above your head, or sitting in the 'lotus' position and generally moving your body in all sorts of strange contorted ways.
Breathing seems to be very important, long and deep breaths and you get into some sort of rhythym. I'm not there by a long shot. I was concentrating on the pain of moving my legs and arms into positions they've never been in before.
The lady yoga-master also speaks in some weird code. She'd calmly call out something that sounded like total gyberrish and everyone would jump into a position. My reaction was generally: 1. 'What the does that mean?' 2. Then I'd look around and see what everyone else is doing and think to myself, 'you've got to be kidding me' 3. Try to get as close as I could to what everyone else was doing (to varying success levels).
In any case, it's a pretty good workout and I kind of like it and think I'll do it again.

Wikipedia is Dope

Over the last month or so I've started using Wikipedia and it is really cool.

Curious about anything at all? Type it in the search and 95% of the time you'll learn all about it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page


P.S. - Dan Goldman has an entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Goldman