I was fortunate to remember today is the season opener of the 2011 - 2012 NBA Season. Just in time to witness Loul Deng, Derrick Rose & the Chicago Bulls pull the rug under the Los Angeles Lakers 88 - 87.
Wow. I thought that the Lakers won it after Kobe made a contested short corner jumper to give the Lakers a seemingly safe 6 point lead. However, Deng was great on both ends of the floor in the clutch and Rose made a difficult floater over Pau Gasol as the Bulls open their campaign on a bright note.
There is actually little to draw from this opening game. The Lakers are dealing with a new coach in Mike Brown and new personnel minus Lamar Odom. Kobe even have an injured list. But still there's so much expectations with Kobe and company especially that they are opening the season at home. This loss is hard for the Lakers especially to Gasol. He gave Deng a 3-point play opportunity and then failed to block Rose's floater.
Reigning MVP Rose was adjudged the best player of the game but to me Deng was the difference maker. He should be credited for this come-from-behind victory for scoring baskets and playing superb defense, culminating on his block on Kobe's final shot attempt.
I sure missed how newly acquired Rip Hamilton played with the Bull's system and Metta World Peace, the-basketball-player-we-formerly-knew-as-Ron-Artest.
Tiger Woods is finally winner again after a clutch win at the 2011 Chevron World Challenge.
After going winless in 26 tournaments that spanned over two years, Woods finally hoisted a winner's trophy, besting a spirited challenge from former Masters champion Zach Johnson and 16 other golfers. Woods birdied the last two holes, finishing 10-under 278, enroute to winning the Chevron World Challenge for the fifth time.
Woods hosts this annual golf tournament for his own Tiger Woods Foundation, donating $1.2 million for his win this year.
I actually believed that last year's Chevron challenge will be Woods' breakthrough win after going through a sex scandal, a divorce, swing & personnel changes and injuries. But he squandered a 4-shot lead entering the final round, eventually losing to 2010 US Open champ Graeme McDowell in a play-off.
The win pushes Woods' ranking in the Official World Golf Rankings to No. 21. After almost a lifetime of being no. 1, his rankings plummeted to no. 58 this year. More importantly, the win signifies that Woods is closer to being his former self.
Elsewhere in the world, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood also won. The 2012 golf season just became curiouser.
Beauty pageant? Nope.
They are the 8 top women's tennis players in the world right now. Not their usual attire but I greatly welcome the elegant change. And they will be competing for the year-end championships for women's tennis dubbed WTA Championships to be held in Istanbul, Turkey.
The contenders for the 2011 WTA Championships
Image taken from ESPN/Julian Finney/Getty Images
From the picture, I can only identify Maria Sharapova ( world no. 2) and Li Na (5). The other players that will vie for the title are; Caroline Wozniacki (1), Petra Kvitova (3), Victoria Azarenka (4), Vera Zvonareva (6), Samantha Stosur (7) & Agnieszka Radwanska.
As an asian myself, I'm rooting for the reigning French Open women's champion, Li Na.
The undisputed number one on the tennis court, Novak Djokovic, this year is now assured of taking the top ranking over 2012 as Nadal's latest loss will make him unable to surpass Djokovic on men's world rankings for the rest of 2011. If anything, it is a testament how difficult it is to be a top dog in men's tennis. And, all apologies, a further testament to the greatness of Roger Federer. But coming 2012, I hope Federer will still challenge Djokovic and Nadal. Perhaps, one grand slam more, for the road?
