We're Coming Home! (In my diddy dirty money voice)

Medias-Cluj 78-84 (M4)

I woke up this morning to the sun shining, and my stomach rumbling. What to eat, what to eat? I think I'll start the day off with a little omelette and some recovery time at Aquina. For those of you that aren't from Romania, Aquina is the part YMCA part spa/sauna here in Cluj. There's no better place to mend your war wounds and clear your mind. Moreover, the players of the club get in free, because Aquina is one of our many sponsors. Win, Win for everyone involved as far as I'm concerned...but enough of this jibber jabber, let's get to the real news of the day shall we?

Aquina Spa (Cluj-Napoca)

We're coming home. We're Coming home. Tell the world that we're coming home. With the game 4 victory last night, we not only force another decisive game, but we are playing at our place this time. I'm anticipating a standing room only crowd at Horia Damien Arena, and it will no doubt be a wild ride all the way to the finish. Medias refuses to say die. They've already come in to our house once and taken a game. They know it's possible, and the cat is out of the bag - we're aren't invincible here in Cluj. Here's the thing though, the team that I saw in game 4 was a completely different Cluj "TEAM" then I saw in game 1. Tougher, more composed, and  overall positive attitude that was just seeping out of every player. Playing like that, I'll take our chances against any team. Let's finish the job.

Below is a link to my post game interview with Total Baschet. It should be translated already, but if it isn't, just use google translate.

Post Game (M4)

P.S. I want to say thank you to everyone that is supporting "U" Cluj at the moment. Especially all of the people that travelled to Medias this week. You guys are simply the best. 

Game Day! Game 3 "U" Cluj - Medias

Woke up around 9 A.M. this morning, to some rain... and breakfast at the Vila Flora Hotel in Medias. After the brief eating sessions, we spend most of the following two hours reviewing game film of game 2 and making the necessary adjustments for tonights game. Like I said before, we gave them a lot of present's last game and were really lucky to come away with a victory.

Vila Flora Hotel

I'm not going to sugar coat it, we would be making things very hard on ourselves if we have to play a decisive game 4 tomorrow for all the marbles. I would say this especially holds strong in regards to Medias. They like to make the game ugly, physical, and defensively oriented. This is not an issue (we play the same way), but in terms of playing back to back nights... it leaves a lot of things subject to each team's fatigue level in the second game. We want the win tonight.

We just finished lunch about an hour ago, and we don't get on the bus for the game until 4:30. Time to relax and get focused for what surely will be a battle of will's tonight. A little Gladiator and some gummies should do the trick. Let's grind it out!

See you on the flip side.

2 days until Game 3, and it's already May!

It's already May 2nd! Wow how time flies. Seems like just yesterday I was stepping off of that plane at Cluj International Airport, receiving nothing but blank looks and stares. I must say it has been quite the ride, let's just finish the story on a win. Just finished a salad and soup from Marty Society, and preparing my mind and body for tonights practice. After the brief shoot around this morning, it continues to become apparent that we shot ourselves in the foot both games and were really lucky to come away with a win in game two. We played very hard, just not very smart. I'm confident that we will come out focused in Game 3 ready to get after it and take one in Medias. I especially know I can bring way more to the table than I did in game 2, and its only a matter of asserting myself on the court. 

Let's have a blessed week shall we?! 

Peace

1-1, heading to Medias Tuesday

Just finished the first two games of the Semi's, and the series is tied 1-1. Man Medias is a tough team, and thats just the way I like it. Nitty, Gritty, Grinding until the wheels fall off type of series. Unfortunately I had to watch the Game 1 loss from the sidelines, as it was coaches choice to sit me as the 6th foreigner. I had too much experience watching my teams struggle from the sidelines in college. Although this time around was different, because I wasn't injured... only hungry and ready to come back hard game two. We came away with the W the second time around and I have posted the video highlights of the game below. Also, if you want to look at the box score or game commentary for either of the first two games, just click on the any of the links above.

Game 2 U Cluj- Medias

Other than ball, things in Cluj are warming up. I've been traveling the city a bit more, checking out the different restaurants and Cafe's. I'm not gonna lie, it's a pretty cool city... and it just keeps getting better. I just found out about a Salt Cave that is nearby, and the next time we have time off I am going to have to see what it's all about.

Easter here in Cluj was great. I had a chance to spend time with some of my teammates and "U" supporters and friends, but lets face it nothing is like Easter at home. This will be my 6th straight year I haven't been with the family for Easter, so I guess next year I'll just have to fly the family in to celebrate the holiday wherever I am! Once I have the chance, I will post some pictures of the Games, Easter events, and some other randoms.

Let's finish this series in Medias. Haide "U"

P.S. Below are some more video highlights of the first series against Sibiu. Sorry for the delay of the post.

* if you don't like rap music or profane language just mute...
haha

Peace

Highlights: U Mobitelco- BT CSM Bucharesti 100-73

Courtesy of Rudu Tenter

Midwest Hospitality, Must've been the shoes...Week 7

It's my seventh week here in Cluj and the weather is finally starting to warm up. The snow is gone, and I can finally walk around in something other than sweats and boots. We won both games last week, the first against Timisoara and the second coming against Otopeni. Both were decently easy W's (Timisoara by 40),  and if we finish off these next 2 games the way we should... we will lock down the 2nd seed for the playoffs. Looking to do damage against this next team though, I need a good game to get me back on track. No better place to do it than right on our home court. 

Received some much needed care packages from both the G rents and Parents last week. I'm loved what can I say. Along with the various gummies and various toiletry items, they managed to throw in some (much needed) game sneakers. The D Rose Adizero 1.5's and the Kevin Durant All-Star Edition. Both are very light, and we all know how important that is being white. I need all the help I can get... check them out. 

I won't be breaking the Durant's out until playoff time, just wouldn't seem right now would it?

I was nominated for the All-Star game that will be held in Sibiu at the end of the season. Although I'm honored, no shot I make it. I mean really. I've been here one month, and average 6 points and 4 assists in 5 games. I wouldn't say thats All-Star status, but hey... I'm flattered nonetheless. On top of that, the point guard from Targu Mures has had about 1,000 votes in the past 3 days. So I'm pretty sure it's Gata (over in Romanian) Last time I checked I was fifth in the voting, for the North. I would say most of that has less to do with my talent, and more to do with our fans. Oh well, I'll take what I can get. Keep Voting!

Laundry and Sleep is in my near future... followed by a lift at 9 A.M. I thought you were supposed to get used to less sleep as you get older. Sense we abbreviate everything, FTS... guess that one.

Night.

Another Win, 5 Games left in the Regular Season

First thing's first:

We beat Brasov this past weekend to earn our 19th win and close our record to 19-6 with 5 games left. We are currently 3rd in the standings, but with Mures still to play Medias, Ploiesti, and Oradea, there is a chance that we could move back up to second if we win out. To say we could have played better against Brasov this weekend would be an understatement, but at the end of the day a W is a W and it's on to the next game. Wednesday we have Timisoara at home, and Saturday we travel to Otopeni to finish what should be the most challenging week left on our schedule. Ready to get back on track, and hopefully start playing more consistent. Starts with a good week in practice!

BU Basketball! Enough said! The terriers are going to the dance, and it will be interesting to see the seeding breakdown tonight on selection Sunday. It was kind of bitter sweet for two reasons. Firstly, I would be lying if I wasn't a bit jealous that this years team cleared the hurdle I was never able to. It's the competitor speaking out, sue me. However, I couldn't be prouder and happier for a group of guys. I know the ups and downs, big losses, and adversity they had to go through. Big time fellas! ATTITUDE! You did it! Now let's just try to get that 15 seed for statistical reasons. (For all of you unfamiliar with college basketball or march madness, a 16 seed has never beaten a 1 seed in the history of the 72 year old tournament)

Here is Video of the team rushing the court...

The second reason it was a bit bitter sweet last night, was because my own Boston Terrier of 13 years died last night due to some heart trouble. Little guy was the man, but everyone has their time. R.I.P.  Phoenix, you will be missed.

Also, my friend and teammate from BU, Tunde Agboola, just created his own iPhone App called Spkeazy. It's a social application designed for users to share bar and club information regarding line length, girl to guy ratio, drink costs and everything in between over the mobile network via Facebook. It's free and can be downloaded at the app store. However, it is only available for Boston nightlife. If you are interested in a version for Cluj, Indy, or any other city, send either him or me the club/bar information, city and address and I'll make sure gets it. I'm not making any promises, but the kid is a genius and can multitask the hell out of just about anything. Below is a link to the app so you can check it out yourself.

Spkeazy

Signing off,

T