A New Era

40 years after civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, a majority of the citizens of the United States of America elected a Black man to be the leader of its nation.

While there is still surely bigotry and racism in this country, we start everything on a whole different baseline. As much as people have said we have progressed to achieve a more perfect union, it could never truly be achieved until our country, predominantly white, could entrust a Black man to handle the highest office in the land.

President-elect Barack Obama did not get a majority of the White vote. No Democrat does. But he was able to ensure the support of 48% of Whites, higher than any Democrat has received since Jimmy Carter. This was truly a historic moment not just for Blacks, who have had their ancestors bleed and die for a greater cause, but a moment for all Americans to rejoice in a time of progress, no matter your political ideology.

I talked to a very good friend of mine the day after the election. He had always been cautious to declare Obama as the likely winner in this election, partly because there is still a significant amount of racists in this country. He told me that this represented a new period, a new era of this country. For a long time, he was told that people like him could only make it in life if there were dribbling a ball or rapping a lyric. Now, he can tell his daughters that they can become a president of the United States of America. And he assured to me that this not is progress for Blacks, it is progress for all Americans. When George W. Bush became president, people said, "His father was also president and his grandfather was a senator." With Obama, he literally came out of nowhere and came from nothing.

The 44th president will have the largest inbox of any president since Franklin Roosevelt's inaguration in 1933 at the most depressing time of the Great Depression. There are a multitude of duties on his plate. He has already started assembling his new administration, with Rahm Emmanual accepting Obama's offer as the new Chief of Staff. There will be no honeymoon for Obama, because he will have to get to work.

John McCain gave a very gracious concession speech late Tuesday night. He said he would help Obama win, and that Americans should come together. Yet I have seen several Republicans talk about the end of America and how the U.S. will soon turn into a socialist country. Every time I hear one of my conservative friends tell me this, I merely ask them to look at McCain's concession speech. I can not begin to fathom why anyone would not at least hope that Obama has a good presidency. We are in some very, very difficult perilous economic times. The Democrats did not reach a filibuster-proof majority, so the Republicans will still be able to filibuster.

This is a new era in America. The barrier has been broken, the glass cieling has been shattered. Let the reconstruction begin.

Redemption Day

In less than one hour, the first statewide polls will close, and the counting will begin to determine the 44 President of the United States of America and the 111 Congress.

There is no one questioning the evident result of the Senatorial and Congressional races: the Democrats will increase its majority in both houses of Congress. The question will be if the Democrats can reach the threshold of 60 Senators in the Democratic caucus. There are currently 49 Democrats in the Congress, but Joe Liberman and Bernie Sanders caucus with the Democrats. Senate races in Alaska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon and Virginia are slightly tilting blue. The Senate races in North Carolina and Minnesota are pure tossups -- both have gotten particularly nasty in recent weeks. The Democrats also have a chance to win seats in Kentucky, Georgia and Mississippi, as they would have 61 Senate seats in the best-case scenario. That would give Harry Reid the liberty to kick out McCain-backer Lieberman out of the Democratic caucus and still retain 60 seats in the Senate. It will take some luck for the Democrats to get to 60, but they will retain a big majority no matter what.

Everyone talks about a a 60-seat Senate for the Democrats "filibuster proof". While it is true 60 votes in the Senate is filibuster-proof, there are some socially conservative Democrats and some economically conservative Democrats. Therefore, Reid will need to try to bring some Republicans over on issues such as Iraq, the economy and healthcare in order to achieve a cloture vote to end a filibuster.

Now let's move on to the big race. Everybody will be watching this one, even people outside of the United States. This is the first time to sitting Senators are facing each other. This is the first time a Black man is the nominee of a major party. This is the first time both candidates were born outside of the continental United States -- John McCain in Panama Canal Zone and Barack Obama in Hawaii. Additionally, this is the second time a woman is running as the running mate of the presidential candidate. This is also the first time a Roman Catholic is running for vice-president.

There are two possibilities for America. One, John McCain wins. The next four years will look like the last eight, and it will be a disaster. Or two, Barack Obama will be elected president of the United States of America. That would be truly amazing. As I said, the entire world will have its eyes upon us today. Our standing in the world has gone down the drain these past eight years. This is America's chance to prove that George W. Bush was not the rule, he was the exception. This is America's chance to prove that we have progressed as a nation, that 40 years after Martin Luther King Jr. was shot to death, these United States of America would elect a man of African heritage to be president of its nation. This is not only Election Day, it is Redemption Day.

It would be a big change. A seismic change. But we have had this before. In 1779, George Washington left office after eight years, and passing the baton to John Adams. This marked the first time in recorded human history in which a non-relative was transferred the authority of the highest office of a country without death, rebellion or violence being the cause. That was a big change. I hope we are in store for another one, Nov. 4, 2008, Redemption Day.

Heat Burn Out Kings

Two days after allowing the New York Knicks to score 120 points, Erik Spoelstra apparently delivered the right message to his players. Miami's defense was scrappy and active, as they held Sacramento to just 38.2% shooting from the field in a 103-77 decision.

The Heat led this one from the start. Dwyane Wade was absolutely sensational. His first basket of the game was an and-one driving layup. He dished a nice pass to Udonis Haslem for a good and-one layup for the center. Wade put the exclamation point on this all with three dunks in the second quarter. By the time intermission began, Miami had already built up a big lead of 18 points.

Wade finished with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, eight rebounds, four rebounds, four steals, four blocked shots and just one personal foul after fouling out the previous game. However, the turnovers continue to be a concern for Wade, this time with five mishaps.

All eyes would be on Michael Beasley tonight, and he did not disappoint. The second overall pick registered 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field and also grabbed nine rebounds. However, Beasley was pulled by Spoelstra twice in the first half after missing defensive assingments. But 17 and nine is a good night for anyone.

Shawn Marion had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Marion also made sure no entry passes were made to seven-footer Spencer Hawes with ease, adding four steals and three blocked shots. Spoelstra utilized a running game, which (obviously) ended up working very well for Marion.

Overall, it was a great team effort for Miami. Udonis Haslem was able to step up to the challenge of going against Hawes and earned all 14 of his points. Mario Chalmers was not the same Chalmers we saw against New York, but at least provided some energy for Miami. Daequan Cook, who played about as much as Miami's starters, has started the season strong. He shot three-of-six from beyond the arc and was especially useful when Sacramento went to a zone defense. Mark Blount provided some offense but could not grab more than one rebound in 15 minutes of action.

I would have liked to see more of Joel Anthony, but I have been very plesantly surprised by Udonis Haslem at center. He has more than held his own against people who are a good four inches taller than him. We are still going to have to see more of him at the pivot to make a final verdict on whether he is up for the job. But so far he has been nothing short of impressive.

The Heat definitely wanted to win this game more and showed heart and resilience in the win. Miami has not been able to call itself a .500 team in a while, but can now. They should be able to build on this win and try to emulate this formula against Charlotte Saturday night. But I think it's important to remember the Heat beat a rebuilding Sacramento team without Brad Miller. And the Heat won it exactly how they were supposed to win it.

Heat Hope to Regain Footing

In its first game of the 2008-09 season, the Miami Heat lost to the New York Knicks. Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, Udonis Haslem, Mario Chalmers and Daequan Cook all played well. In fact, Miami's offense was spot-on, scoring 115 points in 48 minutes is no easy task. The problem was the defense. The one-two punch of Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford was simply too much for the Heat.

The Heat face off again today against the Sacramento Kings in its' home opener. All eyes will be on Michael Beasley, who struggled in the loss to New York. Beasley attempted five three-pointers -- connecting on only one, and shot an additional three attempts from beyond the paint. Beasley may not be bulkier than David Lee, but can at least go hard to rim and get fouled. The second overall pick in 2008 did not even attempt a free throw.

Many eyes will also be on Mario Chalmers. Because of his outstanding performance Wednesday night, we should expect Spoelstra to start Chalmers again. But questions still surround this second-round draft pick. Sure, anyone can have a good game, but can be consistent to the point where he can be a starter for Miami? Every dog has his day. Now, two consecutive games of good play does not immediately constitute starting status, but it would be a step in the right direction.

The Kings will probably start sophomore Spencer Hawes tonight against the Miami Heat. Hawes was able to register 12 points and 14 rebounds in last Wednesday's loss to the Timberwolves. Hawes also stands at 7-feet tall, which could pose a problem with Udonis Haslem starting at center.

Mark Blount was the first center off the bench Wednesday night, and I expect that we'll see more of him tonight. But I would also like to see Joel Anthony get some playing time. He's got long arms and a nice vertical leap, which would help him defending a tall presence like Hawes.

It should be a nice game, and I am hoping it will put the Heat at .500, a feat the 2007-08 Heat team never even came close to. But a fan can merely hope.

Sink or Swim -- Heat Start Season Tonight!

After a horrendous season of losses and losses, the Miami Heat will have a chance to vindicate itself this season, starting with the first of 82 games tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks.

It is pretty much set in stone that Erik Spoelstra will start Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, Michael Beasley and Udonis Haslem. The question on everybody's mind is who will Spoelstra start at the point guard position. Spoelstra declined to disclose who he will start, but rookie point guard Mario Chalmers said that he practiced with the starting team.

Starting Spoelstra would be a bold, gutsy and risky move. But it would also be the right move. Chalmers did not impress at first, but has really come along over the course of this preseason. I've said before that Marcus Banks would be better suited as a sparkplug off the bench. And Chris Quinn has simply not provided enough to earn him that starting job. I know he's not great at everything, but he can be more than a ghost.

For this matchup, I do not see the undersized Udonis Haslem at the pivot as a liability for Miami. Mike D'Antoni never played a big lineup with the Suns, and the buzz is that D'Antoni will probably start David Lee at the center.

There is nothing more I can say that I have not told you already. The Heat still need to trade Marion for a big-name center if they want be a force to be reckoned with in the East. But for now, the players should just leave their best effort on the court and let the chips fall where they may.

Heat Show Heart in Win

After its first win of the preseason since 2006, the Miami Heat were defeated in a humbling 100-80 loss to the New Orleans Hornets. The next day, the Heat faced the San Antonio Spurs without Dwyane Wade. And won.

Reminding Heat fans of his clutch three in the final moments of the National Championship Game against the Memphis Tigers, rookie Mario Chalmers hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to win the game for Miami in a 96-93 decision. But it was more than his last-second shot that made this performance memorable for Chalmers. He registered his first double-double of this NBA career, with 11 points on four-of-five shooting including a perfect three-for-three from downtown coupled with 10 assists. He did not particularly shut down Tony Parker, but it was improvement over Chris Paul's clinic the night before. And Chalmers did collect four steals, nothing to be ashamed of.

Sophomore guard Daequan Cook started in place of Wade and had his best preseason effort yet. He had 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting and hit four-of-six from downtown. I expect him to get minutes off the bench backing up Wade, but he also showed some chemistry with Chalmers. He and Chalmers combined for all seven of Miami's three-point field goals. When Erik Spoelstra does not have James Jones to go to, it helps having someone like Cook.

Spoelstra had previously mentioned that Wade would not overexert himself during exhibition play. On the second night of a back-to-back, this should not seem like a concern for Heat fans. But Spoelstra did mention that Wade felt "weak" in his right knee. Hm.

In a game that stayed tight most of the way, rookie Michael Beasley played well. The 6'9" forward nearly registered a double-double with 19 points on 9-of-17 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds. The left-handed Beasley showed a level of craftiness with both hands and showcased chemistry with All-Star forward Shawn Marion. Some people are saying the Rookie of the Year contest is a three-man race between Derrick Rose, Greg Oden, and Beasley. Beasley certainly has the skill-set to win it, and he also has the luxury of not being the go-to guy in Miami.

Udonis Haslem started again at the pivot. He made his first six shots and finished 8-for-10 from the field. Haslem also grabbed seven boards. Fabricio Oberto shot well from the field as well, but he had some open looks. Haslem has had experience playing against Tim Duncan in the past, and Haslem held his own this time around.

Dorell Wright and Shaun Livingston both played last night, an encouraging sign for the two, who are coming off of knee surgeries. Livingston played well and shot four-of-eight from the field while Wright hardly made his presence felt. But the three-point concerns with both may lead to more time on the bench with Chris Quinn and Marcus Banks waiting in the wings at the point guard spot and Yakhouba Diawara waiting in the wings for the three.

The Miami Heat finished the preseason 2-5, but you could say they won two of their last three games. The Heat will have to cut two players before Monday, and my guess would be that the two odd men out are Jason Richards and David Padgett.

The Heat Won. So?

Erik Spoelstra (finally) inserted Michael Beasley into the starting lineup and the Heat (finally) got its first win of the season against the Memphis Grizzlies. Beasley got into early foul trouble in the first half, but was a key contributor in the fourth quarter, scoring nine points in the final stanza of play to put the Grizzlies away.

The idea of a three-forward lineup was the right move by Spoelstra. Marc Gasol is not his brother and Darko Milicic isn't an imposing presence to have a big advantage over Haslem. Gasol might have grabbed 10 rebounds, but Haslem got 13. Milicic may have shot five-for-nine from the field for 12 points, but Haslem shot 6-of-11 for 14. This was a match-up in which going small was getting better.

Dwyane Wade played like himself again. In 35 minutes (I thought Spoelstra was trying to keep Wade's minutes low), Wade scored 25 points on 9-of-19 shooting, dished out six assists and blocked two shots. Despite logging heavy minutes, Wade seems to continue to be the energetic player he was in the Olympics. In the fourth quarter, Spoelstra even went as small as having Wade as the small forward next to Mario Chalmers and Marcus Banks. Again, going small can be advantageous in certain situations. Pat Riley used a three-guard lineup of Jason Williams, Gary Payton, and Dwyane Wade during his championship run in 2006 and it did work well.

Miami played very well on Tuesday. The Heat shot nearly 53% from the field and five players scored double-figure points. Chalmers had his best preseason game of the season by far. He had seven points, six rebounds and nine assists in 29 minutes. The foul trouble is a concern, but the positives greatly outnumbered the negatives in this performance. Banks scored 11 points and had six assists. Even Shawn Marion didn't look lost in Miami's offense.

But this win should be taken with a grain of salt. One game does not tell you much. Despite the efficient play of Chalmers, it does not suggest he is the point guard of the future. Despite the pass-first play of Banks, it does not mean he is ready to start for the Heat. And despite Haslem fitting in nicely in the middle, it does not mean he will do well in future contests.

I once argued that Chris Quinn should start for the Heat. After two games of starting, Quinn has offered less than inspiring basketball. His above-average shooting is a constant, but he does not do anything great. Banks made three of his four attempts from beyond the arc and Chalmers had nine assists in under 30 minutes, looking like a true point guard. As I said before, no one should take too much out of this one game, but I would experiment a little bit with Chalmers starting in the final three games of exhibition play. With Shaun Livingston progressing with his knee rehab, he can also be an option for Spoelstra.

In one of the rare poor performances from Tuesday night, backup swingman Yakhouba Diawara played 16 minutes off the bench and shot zero-for-four from the field. Meanwhile, Daequan Cook did not even get off the bench. The Heat connected on six triples against Memphis, and Banks had half of those. But now that James Jones will be out for the next three months, the three-point shooting is even more important for Spoelstra. I would have given Cook minutes off of the bench. Spoelstra is going to need his shooting in the future and he cannot afford to have his lethal shooter off the bench to have a cold night in a close game. No one can develop from the bench. Just ask Dorell Wright.

Another player who did not get off the bench was Joel Anthony. I know that Mark Blount scored a respectable eight points on the night, but if Spoelstra really wants Anthony to develop offensively, he would give him minutes. As I said, no one can develop from the bench. And considering we are still in the preseason, it gives Spoelstra more liberty to experiment with more lineups. One of the problems last season was the lack of definitive lineups to be used in certain situations. Erik Spoelstra should know which lineup to go when they need offense, defense, a half-court style or a full-court style. And he should know that better than most.