Philippines, 03 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA Finals Diaries 1 -- PhilBoxing.com has arrived


PhilBoxing.com




MIAMI -- It was 8:20 pm eastern standard time Monday night when AmericanAirlines Flight 1438 touched down at the Miami International airport from Chicago. And as soon as the Boeing 737's doors flung open after a 3-hour-5-minute trip, I was greeted with a sense of deja vu.

Oh yeah, I've been here before in this welcoming city teeming with beautiful people. And just like in 2006 when the Miami Heat captured their first NBA title against the Dallas Mavericks, I'm happily back at South Beach to cover the NBA Finals 2012 edition.

But what a difference a half dozen years make.

The travel remained tediously long but increasingly safe. Food is still, well, airline food. And for $9.99 the internet was pleasantly available above 10,000 feet through a service called gogo. I melted the hours by reading USA Today and the latest issue of Sports Illustrated. I also, regrettably, watched the flight's featured movie entitled "John Carter."

Without checked luggage, I made a quick airport exit. And after a 15-minute, $22 ride, a friendly Pakistani driver named Mohamad spat me out of his cab and into the lobby of a hotel along Biscayne Boulevard down the street from the American Airlines Arena.

With the bright lights of downtown Miami flickering on the horizon, I went out into the tropical night to feed my famished belly. I grabbed a take-out from a shack called Pollo Tropical. It was an unspectacular meal worth $4.99, a combo of a quarter chicken with rice and beans, salty and overcooked fries, and bread that was stiff as a Kevin Garnett elbow.

The highlight of the meal was the winter-cold 24-ounce Budweiser I used to wash the grease down.

LIKE everything else, the cast and characters of these Finals have changed, too.

Although Dwyane Wade is still a revered icon in the entire state of Florida, he no longer is the center of tension and attention. That mantle has been taken over by The King, LeBron James, a 3-time MVP who is relentlessly pursuing an elusive ring he hopes will validate what certainly is down the road a Hall-of-Fame career.

Shaq has retired, but with Chris Bosh, Wade and James, the Heat have a dazzling collection of All-Stars dubbed as the Big Three.

The Mavs, last year's champs, are not here. They've been replaced by the kids who detrhoned them, the hot-shooting, fastbreak-crazy Oklahoma City Thunder. Gone, too, is the singular sensation that is Dirk Nowitzki who won our hearts with his indefensible, off-balance fadeaway jumpers.

But with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, the Thunder bring a triple dose of happiness with their cocky confidence, destructive firepower and easy charm.

Although I took a break for a couple years, this is my 10th NBA Finals accreditation in 12 years. And my first coverage under the banner of PhilBoxing.com.

With the blessings of top honcho Dong Secuya, PhilBoxing.com has widened its coverage of the NBA this season. Under the helm of yours truly as NBA section editor, PhilBoxing.com currently has a modest roster of NBA writers who cover the LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, among others.

The hope is grow even bigger in the seasons and champions come and go. In the words of Boss Dong, who gushes with wisdom the way a fountain spits water, "the more the merrier."

And so here we are, officially credentialed to witness basketball's greatest show on earth. (Homer D. Sayson)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Japan's Boxing Golden Age Remains Limited to the Lower Weights
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • No issues with fight ref
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • What If Pacquiao Defeats Barrios?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Women's Boxing Champion Signs with Combate Global, Still Aims For WBC Absolute Gold
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.