Blog Post #3

To all my readers, I apologize for my three month hiatus.  Our season is half way done and our record is a lousy 4-8.  A lot has happened since the last time I posted, I will try to give a recap of what the team has accomplished (and not accomplished), how I have done, and my living experience in Portugal. 

Firstly, the team has struggled.  The last time I posted, we hadn't even played a real game yet.  We also still had all three Americans.  Shortly after the last post, our 3 man Brandon Bush called it quits.  Just wasn't feeling it here I guess.  He also had a baby girl on the way that was due in December, so you can't really blame the guy for wanting to be home.  However, he would have helped us out a bunch.  Also, shortly after he left, our Portuguese point guard went down with a torn calf muscle and our Portuguese shooting guard went down with an injury that took him out for the season.  So we started the season without some quality players.  Since then, our point guard came back after 6 games or so and the other shooting guard became our assistant coach.  Our old assistant coach is now our head coach and our old head coach quit.  It's been a little crazy over here to say the least.  I can't remember the last time we even had 10 guys at practice to play a game of 5 on 5.  With all that been said, we have lost to teams we should have beat and won some games with some luck.  This league is pretty decent from top to bottom, you can't take a game off.  One of the highlights of our season was sadly a 1 point loss to the top team in the league, Benfica.  Benfica's team has not lost a game dating back to last year and it's up to 40 plus games in a row.  Their budget is also probably 20 times what ours is.  We really had the game won, the refs definitely played a part in our loss.  When the team with the most money plays the team with the least money, refs won't exactly help the little guys out, they need to get paid somehow too.  It's unfortunate how that works around here, but the refs are much worse than in the states.  Ok, i've done enough complaining, on to how I have played. 

So far, my stats have been pretty good.  I would be much happier if we were winning more but I am working hard and trying my best, I don't know what else I can do.  For the first month of the season I was fortunate to receive MVP of the month.  I am averaging around 19 points and 11 rebounds.  Recently I just found out that I will be the starting center in the upcoming All Star game mid February.  I'm excited about the opportunity to play with the best players in the country.

As far as the living goes in Portugal, I continue to love it.  Right before Christmas, my girlfriend Laura came to visit.  We had such a great time.  I felt a little bad because I had to work the first few days she was here so we didn't get to do much.  After our last game of the year on Dec. 20th, we got 7 days off.  So we took a trip down to Lisbon and had a little vacation down there.  It was a lot of fun and we got to do a lot of sight seeing and drink some good wine.  Due to some flight issues, Laura had to stay until Christmas, so at least we got to be together for the holiday.  A couple weeks after Laura left, my parents came to visit.  They were here for the Benfica game and also got to see two other games.  It was great having them here.  I got a lot of good meals in me and having the people I love around makes the time go by so fast.  I know that the next few months will go by quickly and I'm looking forward to stepping foot on American ground soon.  

That is my quick little recap, I'm sure I missed a bunch of things but I will try to post again soon.  Some upcoming events include a trip to the southern tip of Portugal for a midseason Cup, the All Star game as I mentioned, and a trip to China at the end of February.  That's all I have for now, to all my friends back home, I miss you and can't wait to see you.  If anybody has the dough to take a Euro trip, you have a place to stay in Portugal.  Keep on Keeping on,  PEACE!!!