Finding Nate Robinson on Youtube's Birthday

I missed the dunk contest.

Between acquiring huge, pink, amazing smelling tiger lilies and taking care of the everyday business of being the world's best boyfriend, I had my hands full.

Well, I may not be the world's best boyfriend, but shucks, I try to be.

Yoda would say, "There is no try, only do," to which I would reply, "I am doing oh wise, green creature."

I didn't even remember this was NBA All-Star Weekend. My love and I hit the gym for 'bring in your significant other so we can lock them into a contract day,' and then we together for the first time ventured into a Pho joint for the highly touted noodle soup.

I recommend it, but soup never really fills me up. Get extra vegetables. Careful with the Sriracha.

To chop a long tale short, I didn't even watch ESPN this weekend. Busy is the man who loves. Or maybe it's just me. Sometimes, I am rather beaver-like.

Anyhow, the dunk contest.

I had to log on to youtube to see the dunks. Coincidentally, this has only been possible since four years ago today.

Happy birthday youtube. Man, the site kicks butt. You can find anything on it. Want to see some funny stuff? Search for Chris Farley, the late funny man also born on this day. Farley was some good clean fun. Sort of.

But, back to the dunks.

Nate Robinson is the short man's hero. I am a short man.

Holy cow, the man can leap! Wish I had those ups. Not my hero, but I'm sayin'!

While I do think the whole Superman/Kryptonite was a total setup, that didn't really dampen the performance. Nate can fly. The green shoes? Super dope.

Go Nate. Now, if only New York could get rolling (for Nate's sake). You gotta love the hometown alumni.

Speaking of the hometown, Nate isn't the only baller representin'. Jamal Crawford, Brandon Roy, Martell Webster, Spencer Hawes, and others are showing the rain can grow some NBA players, while the college ranks are filled with Seattlites.

Today I saw the future.

I had the opportunity to mill around, eat snacks and drink G2 while the best high school players in the area (from bottom to top in height) had a photo session and interviews at the P-I.

These kids have no idea how lucky they are. So young, so talented. Future so wide open. Watch out for Josh Smith world. Peyton Siva makes plays. The rest of the squad isn't a drop off.

It's a sign that Washington basketball as a whole is taking off. The Pac-10 is a tough conference (thanks to many Seattle-area players) and guys are getting serious looks from major D1 programs. Seattle U is actually one of them and they're actually not too bad.

Go Seattle. Who needs the Thunder anyhow?

In closing, go youtube seattle high school basketball players and check out some sick plays. When you're finished, find Farley and laugh a little.

Or laugh a lot. Life is short. So am I. So is Nate.

Nate can dunk...so I can dunk? Wait a sec!

This Day in Sports: Tom O'Hara Runs His Tail Off, Shaq Lives, Kirby Dies

March 6th, 1964.

Tom O'Hara of Illinois finished the indoor mile in under four minutes 44 years ago today.

Yikes!

Myself, I keep an eight-minute pace and I've never just tried to race a mile. It might be an interesting undertaking, if you're into punishment from the pavement like myself anyhow.

Shoot Tom could probly still whoop my behind. Running is a challenge isn't it? My right hamstring feels like it is made out of ice today. Sweet.

Speaking of painful running...

Shaq better figure out how to get up and down. Happy birthday big man. On this day in 1972, you said hello to the world, now it's time you say hello to the treadmill. I love the big fella, but he better get some good rest before the Suns take on division leading Utah. His 12 and 18 didn't look too bad today, they also didn't get it done.

As for done...

Willie Stargel was also born today. He was a great player, but the only reason done fits in here is because the Pirates are already done in the NL Central. Sorry Pittsburgh, this is the year the Reds finally take control of that crappy division. Tis a shame they haven't put it together sooner, but Dusty Baker is the promised one (as long as Scott Hatteberg gets the nod at first over Joey Votto for now).

Cassius Clay became Mohammed Ali on this day in 1964. Sadly, many journalists at the time didn't take the worthy one's conversion to Islam seriously. Howard Cosell recognized the name change. The world hasn't changed much here. It's sad people can't have more compassion or understanding.

It's also sad to note Kirby Puckett died two years ago today.

Man, he was impressive. Puckett was everyone's favorite player, until he woke up in March of 1996 and couldn't see. Diagnosed with glaucoma, one of the game's best hitters crumbled under the collapse of his baseball career and made bad press before ultimately falling victim to the loss of his baseball skills.

Your smile, your hustle, and your persona are missed Mr. Puckett. You got a raw deal.