Its that time of the year when the lush green lawns of southwest London are the cynosure of the world's eyes for an entire fortnight. Grass court tennis when played at its best is a joyous spectacle. Since the days of McEnroe, it is the only surface to reward those who play the game with a bit of touch and finesse.
Boom boom Becker ushered in the era of power tennis. Those booming serves from the new graphite frame backed up by deft volleying really added a new dimension to the game. The likes of Edberg, Goran and Stitch flourished on this philosophy. None more so than arguably the greatest exponent of grass court tennis, Pete Sampras. Ofcourse, the Agassis and Couriers were the classic foil to these guys, but at the end of the day, its the serve and volley game that always came out on top.
Its a pity then that Tim Henman, the last of these rare breed of players and Britain's best player in the Open era, never won a Championship. Year after year he would make his way efficiently through the first week playing classic grass court tennis, bringing joy to many a soul on Henman hill and make the whole of Britain believe that he could go all the way. But then, almost always his tournament was ended by Sampras. Like many others in this generation, his best chance came in 2001. But that year in the semifinals, the weather Gods, Goran and his belief in destiny intervened and conspired against him. Its a shame that he was not good enough to beat Hewitt in 2002.
From then on he hasnt been a serious title contender. But watching him play today against Moya was wonderful. Even if he doesn't win, he gave a great exhibition of grass court tennis for one last time to the faithful British crowd. Over the years he has been forced to curb his natural instinct to follow his serve to the net. But today, he played like the Henman of old. Chip and charges, authoritative volleys, deft half volleys, it was all there. Wimbledon reached its low point during the 2002 final between Hewitt and Nalbandian when not a single service was backed up by a volley. Since then Roger Federer has taken over the game. Many would even argue that he is a great grass court player. Yes its true, but he is not a natural. His natural instinct is not to come in behind his serve. This is exemplified by the fact that he hardly ever does so on any other surface but grass. Ofcourse, he is so gifted that he doesn't need to except from time to time on Center court when he is bored of the monotony of baseline tennis.
The women's game has long been a slugfest from the back of the court, despite Mauresmo and Juju's efforts to come to the net in last year's final. And given that this is likely to be Henman's farewell Wimbledon, this may well be the last time we get to savour the lost art of serve and volley tennis that has become synonymous with this surface.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
PROFILE OF AN AVATAR
Dewan Bahadur Dr. Kilambi Ramanujachari, M.A., B.L., F.M.U. was born in 1852 in an orthodox Sri Vaishnavite family in Pentapadu Agraharam, Tadepallegudem, West Godavari District, now in the State of Andhra Pradesh. When Kilambi Ramanujachari was yet in his mother’s womb, she constantly and ardently prayed to God, as her first two sons Raghavachari and Srinivasachari died early in their infancy. Lord Rama appeared in the anxious mother’s dreams, and asked her why was she was praying to Him constantly. She asked for ‘ayush’ or longevity for the incubating child. Lord Rama assured her of the grant of her wish. Soon thereafter Kilambi Ramanujachari was born and was reverentially also called Ramavataram.
Kilambi Ramanujachari grew up in the family homestead in Pentapadu Agraharam where ancestral agrarian lands provided moderate subsistence. He performed austere penances including the daily recitation of Sri Hayagriva Mantras standing in chest high waters at about 4 a.m. The young boy was extremely precocious in learning and had mastered various texts in Sanskrit and studied the epics Ramayana and Mahabharatam and various literary works including those of Kalidasa. His mastery of the Sanskrit language and the emergence of enormous intellectual powers created an insatiable urge to learn more.
Young Kilambi Ramanujachari learned of the Vizianagaram Rajahs’ interest in and encouragement of education. Vizianagaram was a prosperous samasthanam (kingdom) and was known as ‘Vidyulunagaram’ or the ‘town of intellectuals’. The famous Maharajah’s College in Vizianagaram was one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the areas now under the State of Andhra Pradesh. Kilambi Ramanujachari planned to go to Vizianagaram to seek audience of the Maharajahs, and solicit their assistance for further education. With great reluctance, the anxious parents gave their sixteen year old son permission for the long journeys ahead.
Kilambi Ramanujachari arrived in Vizianagaram and sought the audience of the Maharajah. H. R. H. Vijayanandagajapathi was on the throne, and his young and illustrious son, ‘Prince Charming’ H. R. H. Anandagajapathi was already well known for his enthusiasm and accomplishments in learning, sports and the martial arts taught to young princes of the time. The Maharajah learnt of the visit of Kilambi Ramanujachari and his desire to meet the Rajahs. Within a few days, the destined meeting of the young boy and the famous Rajahs took place and they were duly impressed with the brilliance of his personality, learning and intellectual powers.
Kilambi Ramanujachari agreed to perform an Ashtavadhanam and the delighted Rajahs ordered its organization at the earliest in the royal palace.
Ashtavadhanam is an intensive and exhausting test of intellectual capabilities and is organized on the following lines:
Eight learned persons or pundits sit circling the candidate Ashtavadhani. The first pundit asks difficult questions in grammar, the second requires elaboration on key passages in literary classics, the third requests poems on specified topics, the fourth asks questions on general knowledge and history, the fifth tests knowledge of music, the sixth demands answers to questions in sciences, the seventh keeps ringing a bell and suddenly asks the candidate to declare how many times he had rung the bell (!) and the eighth pokes the candidate somewhere on his body and asks him to keep count of the number of times he had poked the candidate! This kind of examination would last about 3 hours and the candidate has to successfully satisfy each of the eight pundits continuously during the period. The Ashtavadhani would be completely exhausted and sweating profusely by the end of the test.
Kilambi Ramanujachari came through the Ashtavadhanam with flying colours and the Rajahs were duly impressed with the young boy’s genius. The young Prince, H.R.H. Anandagajapathi asked Kilambi Ramanujachari whether he could perform a Shathavadhanam. Kilambi Ramanujachari readily agreed.
Shathavadhanam was a rarity even in those days, and the Maharajah’s office made elaborate arrangements for it, inviting distinguished guests from far and wide to witness the event:
In a Shathavadhanam, one hundred pundits of Sanskrit sit in lines. The candidate Shathavadhani has to go up to the first pundit who would request the candidate to compose the first line of a quatrain on a specified subject, on completion of which the candidate moves to the second pundit for a similar exercise, and the third, fourth, ...., finally the hundredth, and repeats the cycle for the second line of the respective quatrain for each pundit, and cycles back again for the third and fourth lines of the respective quatrains. Each of the hundred quatrains is examined by the respective pundit for relevance to specified subject, grammar, quality and finally the pundit has to pronounce his verdict that the quatrain has been accepted. When all the quatrains are accepted, the candidate becomes a Shathavadhani.
Kilambi Ramanujachari was declared Shathavadhani and the Rajahs were as well delighted. They decided to sponsor the further studies of Kilambi Ramanujachari at the Madras University.
Accordingy, young Kilambi Ramanujachari arrived in Madras taking the boat from Visakhapatnam, subsisting on coconut water for the many days of the journey to preserve the acharam or orthodox food and personal discipline. He took up residence in Triplicane and after a year’s study he passed the S.S.L.C. Examinations. He joined the Presidency College and passed both the B.A. and M.A. Examinations. He enrolled at the Law College of Madras and passed the B.L. Examinations. He commenced his legal practice under Sir Norton, a British legal luminary practicing at the Madras High Court. Sir Norton was impressed with Kilambi Ramanujachari’s intellectual prowess and was keen to sponsor his brilliant junior to qualify as Barrister-at-Law in England. When Kilambi Ramanujachari wrote to the Maharajah of Vizianagaram about Sir Norton’s proposal, the Maharajah requested Kilambi Ramanujachari to return to Vizianagaram as the Maharajah foresaw important responsibilities for the young double graduate there.
Kilambi Ramanujachari returned to Vizianagaram, and was appointed as Vice-Principal of the Maharajah’s College on a salary of Rs. 500/- p.m. Kilambi Ramanujachari also attended the Royal Court and provided extensive legal counsel to the Maharajah. H.R.H. Anandagajapathi had ascended the Royal Throne. Young in years, and deeply interested in learning, poetry and fine arts, the young Maharajah found the company of Kilambi Ramanujachari invigorating and enlightening.
Within the next two years, Kilambi Ramanujachari was promoted as Principal of the Maharajah’s College on a salary of Rs. 1,000/- p.m. – a princely sum in those days! Under his able guidance, the College became a famous and revered institution of learning and was sought after by students from far and wide. His contributions to the field of education became well known. He served as a member of the Senate of Madras University. He founded the Sanskrit and Music Colleges in Vizianagaram and guided the establishment of the Sanskrit College in Madras. He encouraged many indigent students by personally paying their college fees.
When Kilambi Ramanujachari was about 30 years of age, and had begun construction of his large 2 acre house [named “Parkside Villa”] with a first floor [‘medah’ – a rarity in that part of the country in those days], he decided to marry. He met Alivellama, a girl of 11 years and he tested her by offering her a banana and observing how she ate it. If she had licked the peel also before throwing it away, she might have been judged as not generous! Generosity indeed was the golden quality Alivellamma demonstrated amply throughout her married life with Kilambi Ramanujachari whom she bore nine children. Daily about 100 persons including family members, guests and poor visitors were fed sumptuously at Kilambi Ramanujachari’s house.
Among Kilambi Ramanujachari’s children, the eldest, Prof. Rangachari, a brilliant mathematician, taught at the Calcutta University along with Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee. Later he returned to Vizianagaram to teach at the Maharajah’s College. His salary never reached home, being always given away the very day he received it, to students who needed to pay college registration or examination fees! He was a scholar of the Pali language. He authored a text on South Indian temples. The second son of Kilambi Ramanujachari was a brilliant advocate practicing at Visakhapatnam, but died prematurely at the age of 40. The third son Srinivasachari who qualified as a doctor, died at a young age of 28. The last son, Raghavachari who was born to Kilambi Ramanujachari when he was 62 yeas old, was a business manager and the father of the author of this article. Kilambi Ramanujachari also had five daughters who were well accomplished and the fourth, Alaka Rajeshwari was a talented veena player. One of Kilambi Ramanujachari’s grandchildren, Dr. Kilambi Ramavatharam achieved international renown as a physicist.
The twenty-fifth anniversary of his service as the Principal of the Maharajah’s College was celebrated with great enthusiasm. A muslin scroll with the following citation was presented to him:
“ To
M.R.Ry.
RAO BAHADUR K. RAMANUJACHARI GARU
M.A., B.L., F.M.U.
Principal, Maharaja’s College,
VIZIANAGARAM.
Dear Sir,
On this happy occasion of the Celebration of the Silver Jubilee of your Principalship, we, the past and present Students and the Staff of the Maharajah’s College, rejoice to present to you this humble address congratulating you on this rare privilege you have enjoyed of presiding over this College for over a quarter of a century in a manner that has placed beyond doubt the capacity of Indians to hold such places of honour and responsibility.
The combination, in you, of eastern and western cultures, of a genuine love for the past and a keen sense of the large needs and the rich promise of the present, of character and culture, firmness and sympathy, has eminently fitted you to guide the education of successive generations of Indian youths.
Permit us to assure you, your example of severe simplicity, almost verging on austerity, has served as a lone star on a dark night to many a young man in steering clear of the shoals and sirens of life.
We believe that, at the present juncture in the evolution of progressive thought in our country, your learning of indigenous and foreign literatures and your experience as a Sanskrit Scholar who has received the broadening influences of western culture is bound to help the pupils of this College to form for themselves ideals that advance the best interests of our Country, and in so far as such training for our youths is worth more than book learning, we pray that Providence grant you life and energy to be a guide to us in the years to come.
We beg to remain,
Dear Sir,
Your loving students and sincere admirers,
The past and present students and the staff of the
MAHARAJA’S COLLEGE, VIZIANAGARAM.
Vizianagaram,
15th February, 1913. “
Kilambi Ramanujachari was awarded the title of Dewan Bahadur by the British Government on June 3rd, 1918. He was conferred with the Doctorate in Literature by the Madras University and on that occasion, the students of the Maharajah’s College removed the horses of his carriage and drew it themselves through the streets of Vizianagaram in a spontaneous display of reverence and affection.
The Maharajah of Mysore [the richest kingdom in South India] had requested Kilambi Ramanujachari to become the Dewan of his Kingdom, but Kilambi Ramanujachari could never think of such an eventuality and remained ever loyal to his patrons, the Maharajahs of Vizianagaram. When the title of Mahamahopadyaya was to be conferred on him for his accomplishments in the Sanskrit language, he recommended in all humility that this award be given to other contemporaries to encourage them.
The Maharajah of Vizianagaram bestowed on Kilambi Ramanujachari large tracts of land and villages in recognition of his invaluable services to the Royal Kingdom of Vizianagaram, as well as to the country as a whole. Kilambi Ramanujachari declined to accept many of these gifts.
The Vamsavriksham or family-tree of the Kilambis shows that they were living in regions now part of the present State of Andhra Pradesh, over the last five hundred years, migrating from a village near Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu. They trace their origin directly to one Kilambi Asan, a devout disciple and contemporary of Sri Ramanuja, the famous Hindu philosopher-saint of South India.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This article was written by my father, V. Dilip Kumar.
The text of this page is available for modification and reuse under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Unported License and the GNU Free Documentation License (unversioned, with no invariant sections, front-cover texts, or back-cover texts).
Kilambi Ramanujachari grew up in the family homestead in Pentapadu Agraharam where ancestral agrarian lands provided moderate subsistence. He performed austere penances including the daily recitation of Sri Hayagriva Mantras standing in chest high waters at about 4 a.m. The young boy was extremely precocious in learning and had mastered various texts in Sanskrit and studied the epics Ramayana and Mahabharatam and various literary works including those of Kalidasa. His mastery of the Sanskrit language and the emergence of enormous intellectual powers created an insatiable urge to learn more.
Young Kilambi Ramanujachari learned of the Vizianagaram Rajahs’ interest in and encouragement of education. Vizianagaram was a prosperous samasthanam (kingdom) and was known as ‘Vidyulunagaram’ or the ‘town of intellectuals’. The famous Maharajah’s College in Vizianagaram was one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the areas now under the State of Andhra Pradesh. Kilambi Ramanujachari planned to go to Vizianagaram to seek audience of the Maharajahs, and solicit their assistance for further education. With great reluctance, the anxious parents gave their sixteen year old son permission for the long journeys ahead.
Kilambi Ramanujachari arrived in Vizianagaram and sought the audience of the Maharajah. H. R. H. Vijayanandagajapathi was on the throne, and his young and illustrious son, ‘Prince Charming’ H. R. H. Anandagajapathi was already well known for his enthusiasm and accomplishments in learning, sports and the martial arts taught to young princes of the time. The Maharajah learnt of the visit of Kilambi Ramanujachari and his desire to meet the Rajahs. Within a few days, the destined meeting of the young boy and the famous Rajahs took place and they were duly impressed with the brilliance of his personality, learning and intellectual powers.
Kilambi Ramanujachari agreed to perform an Ashtavadhanam and the delighted Rajahs ordered its organization at the earliest in the royal palace.
Ashtavadhanam is an intensive and exhausting test of intellectual capabilities and is organized on the following lines:
Eight learned persons or pundits sit circling the candidate Ashtavadhani. The first pundit asks difficult questions in grammar, the second requires elaboration on key passages in literary classics, the third requests poems on specified topics, the fourth asks questions on general knowledge and history, the fifth tests knowledge of music, the sixth demands answers to questions in sciences, the seventh keeps ringing a bell and suddenly asks the candidate to declare how many times he had rung the bell (!) and the eighth pokes the candidate somewhere on his body and asks him to keep count of the number of times he had poked the candidate! This kind of examination would last about 3 hours and the candidate has to successfully satisfy each of the eight pundits continuously during the period. The Ashtavadhani would be completely exhausted and sweating profusely by the end of the test.
Kilambi Ramanujachari came through the Ashtavadhanam with flying colours and the Rajahs were duly impressed with the young boy’s genius. The young Prince, H.R.H. Anandagajapathi asked Kilambi Ramanujachari whether he could perform a Shathavadhanam. Kilambi Ramanujachari readily agreed.
Shathavadhanam was a rarity even in those days, and the Maharajah’s office made elaborate arrangements for it, inviting distinguished guests from far and wide to witness the event:
In a Shathavadhanam, one hundred pundits of Sanskrit sit in lines. The candidate Shathavadhani has to go up to the first pundit who would request the candidate to compose the first line of a quatrain on a specified subject, on completion of which the candidate moves to the second pundit for a similar exercise, and the third, fourth, ...., finally the hundredth, and repeats the cycle for the second line of the respective quatrain for each pundit, and cycles back again for the third and fourth lines of the respective quatrains. Each of the hundred quatrains is examined by the respective pundit for relevance to specified subject, grammar, quality and finally the pundit has to pronounce his verdict that the quatrain has been accepted. When all the quatrains are accepted, the candidate becomes a Shathavadhani.
Kilambi Ramanujachari was declared Shathavadhani and the Rajahs were as well delighted. They decided to sponsor the further studies of Kilambi Ramanujachari at the Madras University.
Accordingy, young Kilambi Ramanujachari arrived in Madras taking the boat from Visakhapatnam, subsisting on coconut water for the many days of the journey to preserve the acharam or orthodox food and personal discipline. He took up residence in Triplicane and after a year’s study he passed the S.S.L.C. Examinations. He joined the Presidency College and passed both the B.A. and M.A. Examinations. He enrolled at the Law College of Madras and passed the B.L. Examinations. He commenced his legal practice under Sir Norton, a British legal luminary practicing at the Madras High Court. Sir Norton was impressed with Kilambi Ramanujachari’s intellectual prowess and was keen to sponsor his brilliant junior to qualify as Barrister-at-Law in England. When Kilambi Ramanujachari wrote to the Maharajah of Vizianagaram about Sir Norton’s proposal, the Maharajah requested Kilambi Ramanujachari to return to Vizianagaram as the Maharajah foresaw important responsibilities for the young double graduate there.
Kilambi Ramanujachari returned to Vizianagaram, and was appointed as Vice-Principal of the Maharajah’s College on a salary of Rs. 500/- p.m. Kilambi Ramanujachari also attended the Royal Court and provided extensive legal counsel to the Maharajah. H.R.H. Anandagajapathi had ascended the Royal Throne. Young in years, and deeply interested in learning, poetry and fine arts, the young Maharajah found the company of Kilambi Ramanujachari invigorating and enlightening.
Within the next two years, Kilambi Ramanujachari was promoted as Principal of the Maharajah’s College on a salary of Rs. 1,000/- p.m. – a princely sum in those days! Under his able guidance, the College became a famous and revered institution of learning and was sought after by students from far and wide. His contributions to the field of education became well known. He served as a member of the Senate of Madras University. He founded the Sanskrit and Music Colleges in Vizianagaram and guided the establishment of the Sanskrit College in Madras. He encouraged many indigent students by personally paying their college fees.
When Kilambi Ramanujachari was about 30 years of age, and had begun construction of his large 2 acre house [named “Parkside Villa”] with a first floor [‘medah’ – a rarity in that part of the country in those days], he decided to marry. He met Alivellama, a girl of 11 years and he tested her by offering her a banana and observing how she ate it. If she had licked the peel also before throwing it away, she might have been judged as not generous! Generosity indeed was the golden quality Alivellamma demonstrated amply throughout her married life with Kilambi Ramanujachari whom she bore nine children. Daily about 100 persons including family members, guests and poor visitors were fed sumptuously at Kilambi Ramanujachari’s house.
Among Kilambi Ramanujachari’s children, the eldest, Prof. Rangachari, a brilliant mathematician, taught at the Calcutta University along with Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee. Later he returned to Vizianagaram to teach at the Maharajah’s College. His salary never reached home, being always given away the very day he received it, to students who needed to pay college registration or examination fees! He was a scholar of the Pali language. He authored a text on South Indian temples. The second son of Kilambi Ramanujachari was a brilliant advocate practicing at Visakhapatnam, but died prematurely at the age of 40. The third son Srinivasachari who qualified as a doctor, died at a young age of 28. The last son, Raghavachari who was born to Kilambi Ramanujachari when he was 62 yeas old, was a business manager and the father of the author of this article. Kilambi Ramanujachari also had five daughters who were well accomplished and the fourth, Alaka Rajeshwari was a talented veena player. One of Kilambi Ramanujachari’s grandchildren, Dr. Kilambi Ramavatharam achieved international renown as a physicist.
The twenty-fifth anniversary of his service as the Principal of the Maharajah’s College was celebrated with great enthusiasm. A muslin scroll with the following citation was presented to him:
“ To
M.R.Ry.
RAO BAHADUR K. RAMANUJACHARI GARU
M.A., B.L., F.M.U.
Principal, Maharaja’s College,
VIZIANAGARAM.
Dear Sir,
On this happy occasion of the Celebration of the Silver Jubilee of your Principalship, we, the past and present Students and the Staff of the Maharajah’s College, rejoice to present to you this humble address congratulating you on this rare privilege you have enjoyed of presiding over this College for over a quarter of a century in a manner that has placed beyond doubt the capacity of Indians to hold such places of honour and responsibility.
The combination, in you, of eastern and western cultures, of a genuine love for the past and a keen sense of the large needs and the rich promise of the present, of character and culture, firmness and sympathy, has eminently fitted you to guide the education of successive generations of Indian youths.
Permit us to assure you, your example of severe simplicity, almost verging on austerity, has served as a lone star on a dark night to many a young man in steering clear of the shoals and sirens of life.
We believe that, at the present juncture in the evolution of progressive thought in our country, your learning of indigenous and foreign literatures and your experience as a Sanskrit Scholar who has received the broadening influences of western culture is bound to help the pupils of this College to form for themselves ideals that advance the best interests of our Country, and in so far as such training for our youths is worth more than book learning, we pray that Providence grant you life and energy to be a guide to us in the years to come.
We beg to remain,
Dear Sir,
Your loving students and sincere admirers,
The past and present students and the staff of the
MAHARAJA’S COLLEGE, VIZIANAGARAM.
Vizianagaram,
15th February, 1913. “
Kilambi Ramanujachari was awarded the title of Dewan Bahadur by the British Government on June 3rd, 1918. He was conferred with the Doctorate in Literature by the Madras University and on that occasion, the students of the Maharajah’s College removed the horses of his carriage and drew it themselves through the streets of Vizianagaram in a spontaneous display of reverence and affection.
The Maharajah of Mysore [the richest kingdom in South India] had requested Kilambi Ramanujachari to become the Dewan of his Kingdom, but Kilambi Ramanujachari could never think of such an eventuality and remained ever loyal to his patrons, the Maharajahs of Vizianagaram. When the title of Mahamahopadyaya was to be conferred on him for his accomplishments in the Sanskrit language, he recommended in all humility that this award be given to other contemporaries to encourage them.
The Maharajah of Vizianagaram bestowed on Kilambi Ramanujachari large tracts of land and villages in recognition of his invaluable services to the Royal Kingdom of Vizianagaram, as well as to the country as a whole. Kilambi Ramanujachari declined to accept many of these gifts.
The Vamsavriksham or family-tree of the Kilambis shows that they were living in regions now part of the present State of Andhra Pradesh, over the last five hundred years, migrating from a village near Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu. They trace their origin directly to one Kilambi Asan, a devout disciple and contemporary of Sri Ramanuja, the famous Hindu philosopher-saint of South India.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This article was written by my father, V. Dilip Kumar.
The text of this page is available for modification and reuse under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Unported License and the GNU Free Documentation License (unversioned, with no invariant sections, front-cover texts, or back-cover texts).
Friday, June 01, 2007
All hail the new king!
When Lebron James said earlier in the series "Just get me there (the 4th quarter). If its close I'll win the game", he wasn't kidding around. Sure he needed a couple of overtimes to prove his point. But he proved it alright and how!!! James' superhuman 48 point effort, last night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, is the most dominant performance i've seen this late in the playoffs since the days of a certain other No. 23!! I was just happy that i got to watch it.
Forget the athletic prowess, the vision on court, the ability to work the officials. The thing that stands out the most for me is his will to win. He goes out on court and says adamantly "We will not lose tonight, not on my watch". And it is this single-minded determination to win at all costs that made people like Schumi and Lance achieve what they did. And to think that Lebron is just 22. Unlike formula 1 and cycling, basketball is a team sport. But watching Lebron last night, you could be excused for thinking that it wasn't.
He was the only Cavalier to score in the last 18 minutes of the game. Up until then he had missed 13 of his 20 shots. He made 11 of next 13. Tough fadeaways, creating looks with behind-the-back dribbles, three pointers when double teamed, dunks and that poignant layup driving past 4 Detroit defenders to settle matters at the end, he did it all. He was also the only Cavalier who was visibly disappointed when they couldnt close it out at the end of the first overtime.
The Cleveland Cavaliers may not win the title this year but looking at Lebron's steady progress in the last 3 years, it cant be long now! In the career of Lebron James this will be looked back on as his defining game. Yes, he needs a few rings on his finger before we can start comparing him to the all time greats. But the NBA has been searching for the heir to the throne that was vacated nine long years ago. They can stop looking right now.
Forget the athletic prowess, the vision on court, the ability to work the officials. The thing that stands out the most for me is his will to win. He goes out on court and says adamantly "We will not lose tonight, not on my watch". And it is this single-minded determination to win at all costs that made people like Schumi and Lance achieve what they did. And to think that Lebron is just 22. Unlike formula 1 and cycling, basketball is a team sport. But watching Lebron last night, you could be excused for thinking that it wasn't.
He was the only Cavalier to score in the last 18 minutes of the game. Up until then he had missed 13 of his 20 shots. He made 11 of next 13. Tough fadeaways, creating looks with behind-the-back dribbles, three pointers when double teamed, dunks and that poignant layup driving past 4 Detroit defenders to settle matters at the end, he did it all. He was also the only Cavalier who was visibly disappointed when they couldnt close it out at the end of the first overtime.
The Cleveland Cavaliers may not win the title this year but looking at Lebron's steady progress in the last 3 years, it cant be long now! In the career of Lebron James this will be looked back on as his defining game. Yes, he needs a few rings on his finger before we can start comparing him to the all time greats. But the NBA has been searching for the heir to the throne that was vacated nine long years ago. They can stop looking right now.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The pursuit of perfection!
Its been a while since I've seen someone produce something so outrageous that you think its almost unfair for one human being to be so utterly dominant. Tiger when he won for the first time at Augusta, Tendulkar at Sharjah in 98, Sampras for a couple of sets in his 99 wimbledon final against Agassi, Lance when he won the tour in 2001, and Roger Federer everytime he steps on to a tennis court these days.Federer, when he burst onto the scene at Wimbledon 2001, was a promising youngster. His exquisite all round game quickly came to the fore especially in 2002 and 2003. Tennis these days, even the men's game, is purely a baseline affair. The serve and volley game is now long gone with the likes of Goran, Henman and Phillipoussis having retired. Hence, we may never get to see the volleying skills of Federer in full flow ever again. His game has long surpassed any of his peers and for quite sometime now he has been chasing history. Whatever false hopes of victory that an opponent might carry quickly disappear after a couple of games against him. Given all this, you'd think that he wouldn't need to add to his game.
Yet, Federer has been steadily improving all this while. When you think of Federer, things that come to mind are his casual style, the forehand, the effortless ease of his game, the audacity of some of his shots, but today when I saw him play, the thing that stood out the most was his backhand. Even when I saw him play against Blake in Shanghai at the end of last year it was not this good. I have always believed that Justine Henin's backhand is the most gifted shot in all of tennis. I now think Roger Federer's backhand is the most potent. There is only so much you can do to a tennis ball. The topspin backhand is hit with more wrist whip and flick than anyone else i've ever seen. That shot looks so dismissive now as if he is telling the ball to go to hell and stay there. But the thing that kills you is that viscious sidespin that he is imparting to his slice. Its quite amazing, even on rebound ace, that the ball just spins so much and dies. I can only wonder what will happen on clay and grass. Earlier the opponent always had a glimmer of hope, thinking they could somehow outrally him on the backhand side but its tough to say which side is stronger now.
Its only a matter of time before he wins at Roland Garros. Last year he was pipped at the line. But with that new and improved backhand, 2007 will probably be the year. After that there wont be much left for him to achieve. But that does not deter a man like Roger Federer from the never ending pursuit of perfection!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Rain drops keep falling on my head
Let me go ahead and state the obvious : In general, we tend to appreciate things only when we are starved of it. I usually walk or bike home for lunch everyday from work. Today I had, instead of sunshine, rain for company. It was one of those gentle rains after which the sun was trying to break out from under the clouds forming a lovely rainbow. It was such a refreshing change. I think the last time it rained in Santa Barbara was in august or september. I'm all for the sunshine and pleasant weather but once in a while when the rain comes along u suddenly feel light and carefree. The smell of fresh air and the ground just before it rains, the constant sound of the raindrops hitting u, the little puddles that begin to form, there is something innocent about it all. The only thing possibly more enjoyable is ofcourse snowflakes. I've had the chance to experience the seasons(all 4 of them) for a couple of years now and I absolutely love it. The fall colors, people overreacting on the first day of spring :), the long days of summer and ofcourse that special feeling when u goto bed one night only to wake up to see the city covered in white the next morning. I still havent seen snow this year ofcourse but i'm hoping to change all that in february and march with a couple of trips up north.Speaking of snow, whats with all the weird weather this year in North america? I know the standard retort is global warming or El nino or la nina but it cant possibly explain everything. I mean it snowed in seattle and austin even when new york hadnt seen a flake of snow all winter. We, here on the south and central coast of california, have seen freezing temperatures beating all our record lows comfortably (supposedly due to an arctic blast from nevada of all places). Heck, its been one of the warmest and driest winters in minneapolis and unusually pleasant in the northeast. I find it all very interesting. Who knows, maybe it is all these ocean currents which are having an effect. I'm interested in seeing what summer holds in store.
In the meanwhile, raindrops on roses ........................these are a few of my favorite things :).
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
A birthday post!
Hmmm, its been more than six months now since I wrote anything and it just feels awful. But if any day can break that indifference, its my birthday!
Birthdays are always a time for introspection. A look back on the year that has passed. I've had an extremely eventful and probably the most successful year of my life so far. This is my second major transition in the last 3 years. Its funny how stark the difference between work life and student life is. Its been just over 3 months now and the routine has already taken over me. Grad life was anything but routine. You have no clue where when or how you will have your next meal or nap! They both have their own pluses and minuses and I'm not going to compare them any further.
I was talking to a friend of mine about how this is the year of differences. Shapely 24, as my dad calls it, will be different. It is really the first time out on my own. Yes, minneapolis was the first time away from home but there were always people around so it never felt like you were on your own. I miss the stuff that I've come to expect from a birthday..........buying new clothes, a quiet dinner and movie with my family, riding the kinetic and a peaceful night's sleep. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the job staying challenging, lots of travel (i'm not going to miss out on a single long weekend) and a year of active blogging.
Lets see how all that works out in a year from now.
Hmmm, its been more than six months now since I wrote anything and it just feels awful. But if any day can break that indifference, its my birthday!
Birthdays are always a time for introspection. A look back on the year that has passed. I've had an extremely eventful and probably the most successful year of my life so far. This is my second major transition in the last 3 years. Its funny how stark the difference between work life and student life is. Its been just over 3 months now and the routine has already taken over me. Grad life was anything but routine. You have no clue where when or how you will have your next meal or nap! They both have their own pluses and minuses and I'm not going to compare them any further.
I was talking to a friend of mine about how this is the year of differences. Shapely 24, as my dad calls it, will be different. It is really the first time out on my own. Yes, minneapolis was the first time away from home but there were always people around so it never felt like you were on your own. I miss the stuff that I've come to expect from a birthday..........buying new clothes, a quiet dinner and movie with my family, riding the kinetic and a peaceful night's sleep. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the job staying challenging, lots of travel (i'm not going to miss out on a single long weekend) and a year of active blogging.
Lets see how all that works out in a year from now.
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