Before I get to NBA basketball. Let's look at the top sports story out there, which is about the possible six game suspension of my homtown Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback "Big" Ben Roethlisberger. The NFL Commissioner Roger Godell says it up to Ben what ultimately happens with this suspension of the first six games of the year. If he stays out of trouble and keeps his personal conduct up to proper standards. The Commissioner will possibly reduce the suspension to only four games. Personally, I think "Big" Ben will "WALK THE CHALK!". It's being reported that the Steelers Management has put it out there that if any team would like Ben and be willing to give up a first round pick and some other things. They MIGHT, opertive word here is MIGHT, consider trading Ben. Yea, right! They are not going to let him go anywhere but right there in "The Burgh." Trust me, Steeler fans would riot if the Rooney's even thought about letting Ben go. Let's be truthful about this. He is the heart of the team and they'll make do until he can play weather it's a six game suspension or a four game sit. The Steelers will be back on track right out of the box when the regular season is ready to kick-off in September 2010.

Now, on to the NBA and all the going ons during the current Playoffs. The L.A. Lakers just managed to get by the Thunder last night. Me and Stephan were cheering for Oklahoma to get 'em and really make a series out of this thing. They're on their way back home to Oklahoma City and we know their building is going to be rockin' as Kobe Bryant said in an interview las night. I think things are about to get interesting for the Lakers.. Boston put it on D. Wade and his bunch and are now up 2 - 0 on the Heat. As I predicted, the Phoenix Suns turned it around big-time against Portland, which we know was going to happen. Phoenix will win this Playoff Series. My man Grant Hill along with Steve Nash will carry this team to the next round at all cost. Watch what I tell you. It's a done deal! Tonight I'm really interested in seeing what happens between Dallas and San Antonio. I just can't seen the Spurs rolling over and dying during this series. Yes, these gentelmen are getting a little older, but that doesn't mean they can't still play the game at a very high level. Remember, "professional pride" also has alot to do with the outcome of these games throughout the league. Come on Spurs. Get it together and show the basketball sporting world you still are a force to be dealt with on the court! For you folks who haven't been paying attention. The Western Conference of the NBA, per the experts, is the toughest in the league. Keep an eye on the Lakers, Dallas and the Denver Nuggets in the West. The has some interesting match-ups also when it comes to Cleveland and the Orlando Magic. I still think Atlanta just might give some folks a little anxiety at this time of year. Think about some of this stuff I just mentioned and tell me what you're thinking and feeling. I'll pick it up later!

God's Blessings,

Walt "Baby" Love

Well, here we go, the NBA Playoffs have certainly started with a bang. All the home teams won except Phoenix who lost to Portland and they shouldn't have. I certainly hope they (the Suns) will turn it around on Tuesday night. Anyway, all the top teams are off to a good start. Teams like the Lakers kinda got it going against the Okalahoma City Thunder. But the Thunder actually pushed them to the point of making the Lakers sweat just a bit. The Boston Celtics should have gotten beat by the Miami Heat because D. Wade and bunch had 'em and let 'em get away. I rally want to see Miami get 'em and get 'em good! Why do I feel like that. Because Rondo really has a big mouth and lacks a lot of class to have been so blessed in career thus far. And how about the Chicago Bulls! They're make the Cavs work for the victory. I know, the Cavs are going to win the series. But I don't think any of us thought the Bulls just might make the Cavaliers have to work a bit to secure this thing. Lebron hasn't slowed down a bit and will carry his gang on to the next series with energy to spair. Oh, what do you think about Denver and the Utah Jazz? The first one was a battle even with the Jazz short handed. I think Denver with ultimately win this series. But I do think the Jazz are going to make them work for it. When it comes to Dallas and San Antonio. I kinda thought the Spurs might get off to a good start. I was wrong. I still think the Spurs are gonna win a couple. Anyway, I hope so because I like a number of their players. I really didn't like the quote attributed to Coach "Pop". I hope he didn't say what I heard some Los Angeles Sportscaster claim he said. By now you're wondering what I heard...right? Well, this guy said "Pop" said he felt like some of his players played like dogs in the first game with Dallas. If he said it, I think that's a bit harsh. Yes I know, they're pros and they get paid alot of money. But that's no way to talk about your people to the press. Once again, if he said it. If he said something of that nature to them behind closed doors in the locker room. I wouldn't be surprised because some coaches say all kinds of demeaning things to their players and get away with it. Me and Stephan also got to check-out the Orlando Magic and the Charlotte Bobcats game. All-in-all the Magic should win this series but I must admit that all of the so-called "underdogs" are make their presents felt early on. Before I sign off lets not forget about the Atlanta Hawks against the Milwaukee Bucks. We've got a lot of basketball to go before this thing is over. So, before I wrap it up, I have to mention this. In todays Los Angeles Times Sports Section a sports writer by the name of Mike Bresnahan said in his headline that, "Bryant Looks Weary" and then went on to explain why he thinks this and gave some pretty impressive facts to back it up. I guess we'll all have to wait and see if Kobe can hold up and help his LA Lakers to back-to-back championships. As you already know, I'm not a bigtime Lakers fan. But I certainly am a bigtime basketbnall fan at every level. Like many others throughout this country and around the world I am very interested in seeing this years final outcome. That's for sure!

God's Blessings,

Walter

Well, here we are getting ready for the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, which resumes this saturday April 3, 2010 at 3PM PST. God willing, I will surely be there watching this encounter between Michigan State and Butler. Then later in the day I hope to watch West Virginia and Duke. Since all of our brackets went up in flames when Kansas got decked. All we can do is watch and see what happens next. This has truly been an interesting tournament. 2010 has been a wild ride because most of the teams seem to be very evenly matched. I've heard a number of the so-called expertssay they think the competition level is so close because of all the guys who left college for the NBA after only staying a year at the college level. Quite frankly, I think they're right! The whole ONE-AND-DONE mentality has begun destroying the college game in my humble opinion. Yea, I know, the guys with talent need to move on while they can get the NBA money being offered while the getting is good. I totally agree they have to look out for themselves by doing what's right for them and try and make sure they don't get hurt and they're value drop because of a physical injury. Now, just a little about the game between West Virginia and Duke. I'm really happy for the folks in West Virgiania because it's been a longtime since they sent a team to the final four. To be exact, it was 1959. When I was a kid growing up I would always root for Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia. Why? Because when you grow up in Western Pennsylvania. It's natural for you to cheer the teams from Pennsylvania and because West Virginia borders PA. You just automatically root for them also because many neighbors, family and friends go off to college and attend the University of West Virginia in Morgantown. What can I tell you. That's just how it is. In fact, my cousin Dr. Richard Arnold, who I'm very pround of, recieved his Master Degree from UWV and then went next door to Ohio to get his Doctorate at Kent State University. When you grow up in that part of the country there's inbreed comradre. So, I hoping their coach Bob Huggins, a native of W. Virginia, can do the extra to help his team make it to the Chapionship Round. Duke's going to be tough to beat...as always. You know what I find really interesting. The fact that most of W. Virginia's players are from the New York City metropolitan area. Note: Keep an eye on Da'Sean Butler. Why you ask? Because he's had six, count 'em, game winning shots this season. He's a big time swingman who's 6' 7" from Newark, New Jersey. I'll bet you he'll be in the highlight reel. The other guys who start are from Brooklyn, Long Island, Mount Vernon and Istanbul, Turkey. Next, the Michigan State vs Butler should also be a good one. For Butler this game is almost a home game for them since their campus is very near Indianapolis. I can only imagine how the place will be rockin' come saturday. Changing subjects, just a bit. Congradulations to Coach Steve Lavin who is now the new Head Coach at St. John's University in New York. Steve once coached out here in California at UCLA and most recently has been a basketball analyst on ESPN. I was really surprise that UTEP (University of Texas-El Paso) took in former USC Head Coach, Tim Floyd. I think it's a good thing because the man is a good basketball coach and he needed another opportunity to coach at the college level. Congrads coach! Come monday night, God willing, I'll be sitting right there infront of the TV, just like you, waiting to see who's gonna win it all and how.

God's Blessings,

Walter

Update! By now I'm sure you all know that the college basketball brackets have been set for this coming week and games start as soon as Tuesday 16 March 2010. It looks like we're going to see some very exciting basketball in the next two plus weeks. I am not going to try and list all the teams and who I think is going to beat who and who is gong to make it on to the different levels of play because I am certainly not an expert, but I am a fan excited to see how it's all going to turn out in the end. I will say this though. Blessings and God's speed to some of my favorite teams starting with the Pitt Panthers; Robert Morris University of Pittsburgh; the Kansas Jayhawks; University of New Mexico; Kentucky; and I think we all need to watchout for Georgetown. They seem to be getting better the longer the season last for them.

On the NBA front I need to address the fact that the Owner of the Los Angeles Clippers has fired General Manager, Mike Dunleavy, which was a big surprise to a number of us who are season ticket holders. Some think it was a good move and others, like myself, don't think so. It seemed he was making some good moves to be ready to try and get one of the big named "Free Agents" this summer. The rumors continue that the Clips want to go after Lebron and informed sources say, "Lebron wants to play in L.A. knowing he can't get with the Lakers, but he likes some of the people that will be with the Clippers this Fall." WOW! Wouldn't that be something? We'll just have to wait and see what happens while we also stay in earnest prayer about the possiblity. Just think, Blake, Lebron, Kaman and company. As I said, we'll see.

Today is Sunday 14 March 2010 and God truly sent his Holy Spirit to be with us at church today during all three services. For the record, we have seven different choirs at our church and they are all excellent. The reason we have so many choirs is because God has blessed us with a large congregation. Unity Choir is our Second Sunday choir and they "threw down" this morning and afternoon. Plus, our musicians are all top notch in their own right as working professionals in the music industry. So, it was a wonderful day at F.A.M.E. (First A.ME. Church Los Angeles.) The people were blessed! That's what's supposed to happen everytime you set foot in the House of The Lord. Pastor John preached from Isaiah Chapter 38:1-5. This is where the LORD told the Prophet Isaiah to go and tell King Hezekiah, "Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." Well, the Prophet did as he was told and Hezekiah prayed to the LORD and asked that He remember how he, Hezekiah, had been faithful and had also done what was good in the eyes of the LORD. The LORD then sent the Prophet Isaiah back to tell Hezekiah that he had "heard his prayer and seen his tears." and that he was going to add fifteen more years to his life. Pastor's sermon was about the importance of TIME and HOW WE USE OUR TIME. The gist of the sermon was that we should use our time in a way that would be pleasing to God. I concur one hundred percent and we should all thank God for life because the Bible tells us "that life is a gift from God." Question...How are you using your time?

Blessings!

Championship Week in college basketball continues up until this saturday and on sunday the NCAA Tournament Committee will anounce the sixty five teams who make the tournament and the brackets they will be assigned to and who they'll play unless they are one of the teams who gets a bye. It was true excitement to see St. Mary's University not only beat, but romp over Ganzaga by nineteen to win the West Coast Conference Title. Nobody expected that for the St. Mary's players and coaches and some in the student body. If you know anything about college basketball here on the West Coast. Then you know that Ganzaga are considered "Giant Killers" because they consistantly beat up on the big boys like Kansas, Texas, UConn, Georgetown, Syracuse and others known for having really great basketball teams. St. Mary's have now earned a ticket to the "Big Dance" because of tonights win. If you've never hear of it, it's a small very well respected Catholic University located in the San Franciso Bay Area. Academicly they are considered one of the best higher institusions of learning in the country. They last time they won the conference title was 1997 and the last time they made it into the NCAA tournament was in the 2003 season. So, it's nice to see these young men get an opportunity to show their skills on the big stage during the tournament. Now the question is...how long will they last? Oh, congradulations to the Lady Huskies of UConn on beaking their consecutive wins record of 71 in a row! The NCAAW's tournament looks like it going to be a good one also. Changing subjects, Stephan reminded me that tomorrow 9 March 2010 is the anniversary of the tragic death of Biggie Smalls who's real name was Christopher Wallace. We all know his family and close personal friends miss him, but so do his fans and an industry that sorely needs his unique style/presentation of Rap. I only had the pleasure and priviledge of meeting Biggie once at our studio's here in Los Angeles when I interviewed him to be on our syndicated R&B/Hip Hop program The Countdown. What I remember most about our meeting and our interview was how curdious and complimentry he was. He started off calling me Mr Love. I told him it was necessary and he could feel free to call me Walt, but he insisted on doing it his way. The he told how he grew up back-in-the-day listening to me on New York local radio before my syndicated shows got started. After a hand shake and a big bear hug we walked into the studio and sat down behind our individual mics and he noticed something very special to me on my desk and he reacted to it with JOY, not surprise. It was my Bible! I've never forgetten what he said and how he said it and I quote: "Mr. Love, I see you're reading your Bible. So, am I because I've got a baby now and I'm changing my life." I always tell y'all this on the shows and I know you know it. But, I have to say it...GOD is sho' nuff AWESOME! Isn't he? Glory Halelujah!!

Blessings until later.

Last weekends basketball match-ups on the college level were really exciting. I've already mentioned what happend on saturday and more stuff happened on Sunday. Is Monday 1 March 2010 and the new NCAA Rankings are out. The most important thing about the new numbers are the moves, which I kind of alluded to in my last posting. Syracuse is new Ranked #1 with Kansas coming in at #2 and Kentucky holding down the #3 spot for the week. There was a lot of movement in the Top 25 team rankings. Oh, the team I really like and enjoy are the University of New Mexico LOBO's. They only have one senior on their squad, while all the other team members are underclassman. The have a number of freshmen and shophomores getting the job done. This team is part of a fairly new conference called The Big Mountain Conference, which has some fairly good teams in it. Teams like UNLV; BYU and some other folks. I've been watching these kids from New Mexico and they're pretty good. If you like college basketball, you should check them out when you get a chance. In the NBA things are looking interesting around the league. Out here in the West, the Lakers knocked off the Nuggets yesterday and the Dallas Mavericks are on fire with their new found asset C. Butler from the Wizards. As they say, "he's already pay dividens." Good move Dallas. Mean while my Clippers lost and are still trying to find some chemistry on a regular basis under interim coach Kim Hughes. They'll be OK when we get to the Fall 2010-2011 seasom. We've all written this one off. That's all we can do at this point. Blessings!