As I sit here watching another incredible night of NBA basketball, I can't help but reflect on what makes certain players truly dominate the league. This season has been particularly fascinating because we're witnessing multiple players reaching what seems like peak performance simultaneously. When I analyze dominance in basketball, I don't just look at statistics - though they certainly matter - but also at that intangible quality of being able to take over games when it matters most. It reminds me of something Roger Pogoy once said about playing through discomfort: "Actually, Game 2 pa lang ng Magnolia, may nararamdaman na ako. And then parang 'yun na, nilaro ko lang," referring to his 18-point performance in their crucial 80-79 win. That mentality, that ability to push through and deliver when everything is on the line, separates the truly dominant players from the merely great ones.

Nikola Jokic continues to redefine what dominance looks like in the modern NBA. Watching him operate is like watching a chess grandmaster who happens to be seven feet tall. He's averaging 26.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists while shooting 58.3% from the field - numbers that would be career highs for most players but are just another season for the Joker. What fascinates me most about Jokic isn't just his statistical production but how he achieves it. He doesn't rely on explosive athleticism or highlight-reel dunks; instead, he uses impeccable timing, spatial awareness, and what I can only describe as basketball genius. I've watched him make passes that I'm still thinking about days later - no-look, behind-the-back feeds to cutters that seem to defy physics and logic. His game has this beautiful, almost artistic quality that makes you appreciate basketball on a different level entirely.

Then there's Luka Doncic, who's putting together what might be the greatest offensive season I've ever witnessed from a perimeter player. The numbers are staggering - 34.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 9.8 assists per game - but they don't capture the sheer audacity of his game. I remember watching him against the Warriors last month when he scored 18 points in the fourth quarter alone, including four consecutive step-back threes that had me jumping off my couch. What makes Luka special, in my view, is his complete lack of regard for conventional basketball wisdom. He'll take - and make - shots that coaches would bench most players for attempting. His pace is deceptive, his footwork is sublime, and his understanding of angles reminds me of a seasoned pool player running the table. There's a joyful arrogance to his game that I find utterly compelling.

Giannis Antetokounmpo represents a different kind of dominance - raw, physical, and relentless. He's averaging 31.5 points and 11.9 rebounds while shooting 61.7% from the field, which is just absurd for someone who primarily scores in the paint. Watching Giannis attack the basket is like watching a force of nature; there's an inevitability to it that must be demoralizing for defenders. I've had the privilege of seeing him play live several times, and what doesn't come across on television is the sheer physical presence he commands on the court. The sound of his dunks echoes through the arena differently than anyone else's. What I admire most about Giannis is how he's continuously expanded his game while maintaining that core identity of overwhelming physical dominance. He's added post moves, improved his passing, and become a more versatile defender without losing what made him special in the first place.

Stephen Curry, even at 35, continues to dominate the league in ways that still feel revolutionary. He's averaging 28.5 points while shooting 45.2% from three-point range on 12.1 attempts per game - numbers that would be career years for 99% of NBA players. What Curry has done is change the very geometry of the game. Defenses have to account for him from the moment he crosses half-court, creating spacing advantages that benefit his entire team. I've been watching basketball for over twenty years, and I've never seen a player who forces defensive adjustments quite like Curry does. His movement without the ball is a masterclass in itself - the constant cutting, screening, and relocating that wears down defenders both physically and mentally. There are games where it feels like he's playing a different sport than everyone else on the court.

Joel Embiid was having a historic season before his injury, putting up numbers we haven't seen since Wilt Chamberlain. He was averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists while being arguably the most dominant two-way force in the league. What impressed me most about Embiid's game this season was how he balanced his incredible scoring output with improved playmaking and defensive presence. I watched him dismantle the Celtics single-handedly in November, dropping 38 points while completely controlling the paint defensively. His footwork in the post is something I could watch for hours - the combination of size, skill, and finesse is virtually unprecedented for a player of his stature. The way he uses his body to create space, his soft touch around the basket, and his improved decision-making made him nearly unguardable before the injury.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as perhaps the most surprising dominant force this season. The Thunder guard is averaging 31.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists while leading Oklahoma City to unexpected success. What stands out to me about SGA is his incredible efficiency despite his high usage rate - he's shooting 54.8% from the field while taking only 4.1 three-pointers per game. His game is built around the most lethal mid-range arsenal I've seen since prime Kawhi Leonard, combined with an ability to get to the rim that reminds me of a young Dwyane Wade. I love watching him operate in pick-and-roll situations because he has this incredible patience and change of pace that keeps defenders completely off balance. His development from a promising young player to a legitimate MVP candidate has been one of the most enjoyable stories to follow this season.

What ties all these players together, in my view, is that same mentality Pogoy described - the ability to play through whatever challenges arise and still perform at an elite level. Dominance in the NBA isn't just about physical gifts or statistical production; it's about that psychological edge, that belief that you can take over games regardless of circumstances. Each of these players brings something unique to the table, but they all share that quality of being able to elevate their games when it matters most. As the season progresses toward what promises to be an incredible playoffs, I'm excited to see which of these dominant forces can translate their regular-season success into championship glory. The beauty of the current NBA landscape is that we're witnessing multiple players operating at historic levels simultaneously, creating a golden age of individual excellence that may be remembered for generations to come.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.