IN THE BEGINNING - "WATCH AND LEARN"
By: Hanz Jimenez


“Magic with the ball... 3 seconds left. Magic dribbles down the lane... sky-hook... LAKERS win.” Watching the drama unfold, 8,500 miles away on the Boston parquet floor, I was quickly enamored with the Showtime Lakers and the game of basketball. I could never forget the rivalry between the Lakers and the hated Celtics. I was limited to being a spectator, but watching every miraculous Lakers moment captivated me. Where I grew up, there weren’t any basketball courts, only streets where I played patentero. My neighbors would rather play with GI Joe's and in the Philippines, riding our BMX bikes was the 'in-thing' specially in the 80's.

It wasn't until my family relocated in 1987 that I finally had the opportunity to play THE GAME and it was love at first sight. In my second grade class, I owned not only the handball courts (by mastering the strategy known as waterfalls) but also the basketball courts. The after school program kept the students safe at school until 5 p.m. and it was a haven for us to play in the playgrounds rather than walk the dangerous streets of Sunset Blvd. Kids would always play "King of the Court" and my quick feet always won the game for me. I was never a shooter but a drive to the right often resulted in triumph. Even with the numerous wins and the individual success, there was still something missing and it was evident when I would watch the Laker games. I felt more like James Worthy when I drove to the basket rather than my childhood hero, Magic Johnson. There was a yearning for me to pass the ball between my legs, a need for me to look the other way to emulate a no-look pass, a desire for me to clench my fists after I make an assist but there were no teammates to pass to. There weren't enough kids to play team basketball since the others would rather play kickball or dodge ball and my only option was to be a spectator.

It wasn't until 6th grade that I finally played in an organized basketball team in Valinda. Coach Van Duyne had me come off the bench in favor of bigger guards but by the third and fourth game, I had earned my coach's trust and was on the starting rotation for Wing Lane. The most unforgettable moment in grade school was a half-court heave as time ran out before halftime. It was a miracle shot that put our team ahead and experiencing that incredible moment had me playing basketball everyday. It was the excitement of the crowd, the opposing team's determination to stop me, the stats next to my name that had me dreaming of being an NBA player.

Being smaller than everybody had everyone doubtful of my skills but my relentless penetration and my knack for passing the ball earned me respect, enough for a spot in Workman High School's freshman team. Starting for the team was great but it was the day I donned the knitted LOBOS home jersey on my lap that I would never forget. When I finally wore the white jersey, it was as natural as breathing to me, almost as natural as passing the ball, almost as natural as the facial expressions when I played the game. The music blaring on the speakers while we did our pre game lines left me feeling like a real basketball player. When Magic retired in '91, I patterned my game after the unruly, John Starks, an undrafted streaky shooter who played for the Knicks. The underdog facade was a role I embraced and high school basketball was my stage. I was content proving my bravado on my own turf opposed to my friends who were being recruited to join gangs and leaving violent threats on the 'G-line'. It was the gangster mentality in the mid-90's that easily influenced a lot of my friends into joining gangs and in the off-season, during the summer, I had no choice but to once again be a spectator.

Luke Montilla: Arrogance tarnishes the virtue of a leader

ARROGANCE TARNISHES THE VIRTUE OF A LEADER
By: Luke Montilla

Coming in to my 3rd season as a Superstar player and 2nd season leading the Elements, it made me think about the past two seasons and how people thought of me as an arrogant player, a shoot-first outspoken leader who puts hiimself above his teammates. Funny how during all my life, people have always thought I was the nicest person in the world and for once, Superstar Basketball gave me a chance to feel what it's like to play out a villain, an alter-ego I've always wanted to mimmick. I always knew my hero, Kobe Bryant, was misunderstood but fortunately for me, I've never had the critics that he's had throughout his career. I always thought Kobe was an amazing player but never understood why he's had so many critics pin-point his flaws. Michael Jordan, perhaps the all-time greatest basketball player was at one point under scrutiny for taking too many shots and taking out from his teammates play. It wasn't until he started trusting his teammates that he started winning Championships and I know Kobe is on the verge of adapting the same concept of trusting his teammates.

During the winter break it dawned on me that it may have been Kobe's arrogance that also led him to so many critics. “Arrogance tarnishes the virtue of a leader.” The last two seasons I have tried to emulate Kobe by showing off and jacking up unnecessary shots (how critics view him, not my personal view of course). I was taking out my teammates from doing what they have to do and former teammates from Dynasty: Josh Rotcheck, Sealand Wu, and Albert Bustos, can attest to my behavior in season one. I understood that it was Kobe's work ethic that translated to his confidence and in my attempt to try to be Kobe, for 2 weeks, I did his regimen. In my Search and Redemption, I trained and made 500 jump shots and lifted weights. Like everyone else, I work and go to school and the regimen lasted for only 2 weeks. Despite the drop-off, I still had the confidence to shoot, and shoot, and shoot because I believed in myself.

In the span of a few months the people around the league helped me to realize that I cannot win a game by myself and that I had to trust the guy next to me to step up. It was amusing to "act like" Kobe but by no means am I saying that I played like him. It's amusing because this year, critics have finally given Kobe the benefit of the doubt now that he's trusting his teammates and obviously passing the ball more. Kobe passing up the rock to Smush against the Sacramento Queens, who would have thought that was even an option? Kobe trusting Sasha? Evaluating my team, I have a great tandem of players who have known each other for years and hustle on the court. Co-Captain James Bernardo, Noel, Ruan, Ryan are my Lakers on the court. They are truly my brothers in Arms. When we look back at the years of watching the Lakers play, we can actually turn to our very own highlight reels entitled Elements highlights. It's not by no means as great as the Lakers highlights but the experience is priceless.

Despite the humiliating loss to Aztec, Elements did not put their head down and we immediately watched the game tape to see where we went wrong and corrected it. Our win against Angkor Wat was great and it was remarkable how our team rebounded from a disappointing loss against a top-seeded team. The rants on Myspace was very entertaining and for everyone to comment on how we have PBA players is an honor, especially since they were our friends from grade school and they earned their status. It makes me proud as a Captain to see the growth in each individual player not only on the court but off the court. We understand it's only a game and performance isn't based only on the court but how you carry yourself off the court. Arrogance is of the past, it's a new humble beginning. Last season was just practice now it’s LIGHTS OUT!