Player Haiting…?
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If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times... I love Shaquille O'Neal. But this attitude at the moment regarding LeBron James' participation, (or lack thereof) in this year's Sprite Slam Dunk Competition is pathetic.
He's calling out the likes of Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant to participate when neither of them has been near the event participation-wise in approx 10 years. He also claims that meeting those conditions is the only way James will compete. I say get a life and stop clinging on to the limelight Shaq! Then on top of that, he has the mouth to suggest the prize money can be halved between the winner and Haiti.
Wow.
When we were all in shock regarding the tragedy that still is Hurricane Katrina, Kenny "the Ninja Jet" Smith assembled a sensational crew of stars to play the "relief game" in Houston. This took approximately 24 hours to organize and as much money as could be donated was thrown into the proverbial hat.
What's different about Haiti?
I know what you're thinking. If every player throws his wallet open for every single cause, the players will have no money left. To that, I call B.S. It's safe to say that the NBA in general, let alone the players, have plenty of cash to make a difference.
As Ryan put it, The NBA Cares... about themselves.
The 2010 All Star Game is about to be played in front of possibly the largest Basketball attendance in living history with potentially 100,000 seats available and in a stadium that cost some $1.3 billion dollars to construct.
This building cost $1.3 billion dollars...
Is anyone else seeing the issue here?
Whether it's Haiti, Katrina, Africa or your local school or community, something is definitely out of sequence.
I think the NBA is on notice to really show something here. This is not a 30 second spiel on the water and food delivery in Detroit, or the "read to achieve" day in Cleveland or even the "drop dimes not pills" kids day in Atlanta. It's about a serious fund raising attempt.
Although Shaq may struggle with this, it's also not about Kobe, Shaq, VC or anyone dunking a Basketball. It's about the juggernaut that is the NBA and the fact that while players like Larry Hughes and Eddy Curry can "earn" more than $10m for 8 months work... we have a problem.
It's a bigger problem than this little white blogger can solve in one column... but just think about it.
Meanwhile, regarding the Slam Dunk Competition... hell, I suggest you give KryptoNate the ball for 15 minutes and get people to phone and text to pledge money on every missed dunk. We'll have raised enough for another new Cowboys' Stadium by the time it's finished.
KryptoNate! The potential savior of Haiti... and quite frankly any other cause depending on how much people pledge...
Paul Pierce kills Bulls on Halloween
The Celtics rolled to a 28 point victory over the Bulls at home today as their hot start to season 09/10 continues. In scenes reminiscent of the C's strong start last season, the Celtics dominated throughout the game, with Paul Pierce scoring 20 points in the third quarter to completely ensure victory.
Paul Pierce, 3rd quarter killer
The Lakers are also looking strong with Bynum especially active on both ends, which adds significantly to their defensive ability over last year. Orlando too look to have taken a leap with the additions of Brandon Bass, Vince Carter and Jason Williams. Let's hope Cleveland and San Antonio sort themselves out after their rocky offensive starts to the season so we have some real depth to that upper crust, because at the moment it's looking thinner than the paper skeleton hanging on my wall.
Might, Magic and Electronic Myth?
With the 2010 additions of our favorite NBA video games about to be released, I have been as excited as the next diehard fan. However, a terrible coincidence has come to my attention and I wish to share the horrible news. A quick scan of the historical NBA LIVE video game covers brings me to the conclusion that Orlando's season could be in even more danger than I had previously thought. Let's take a look at the results of my research...
NBA Live 2009: Tony Parker (injured for most of last season)
NBA Live 2008: Gilbert Arenas (injured for two years)
NBA Live 2007: Tracy McGrady (injured ever since his cover)
NBA Live 2006: Dwyane Wade (significantly injured for 2007 & 2008)
NBA Live 2004: Vince Carter (severely cramped in his first game post cover)
NBA Live 2002: Steve Francis (missed 25 games that season for Houston)
NBA Live 99: Antoine Walker (missed 40 games that season for the Celtics)
NBA Live 98: Tim Hardaway (missed 34 games the following season for the Heat)
NBA Live 97: Mitch Richmond (missed 30% of his games over his final 5yrs of his career)
NBA Live 96: Shaquille O'Neal (missed 28 games in '96 & 31 in '97)
NBA Live 95: Houston Rockets/New York Knicks (we all know what has happened to the Knicks)
With all of this coincidence in mind... Orlando better hope that Dwight Howard doesn't succumb to the NBA Live cover curse.
Will the NBA Live curse strike Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic?
Orlando fans, don't say you weren't warned.
Rabbits, Hats & the 2010 Playoffs…
Orlando? In my opinion, the Magic could add the real superman and would still fail to make the NBA Finals this year. They've peaked... and it's over. The only way they'll make the Conference Finals this year is if Boston and Cleveland meet in the opposite half of the bracket. Even then, I'd probably take the Hawks in the Conference Semis over Yawn-lando in 6. The addition of Vince Carter does not produce the NBA Championship rabbit that Orlando left strangled in a purple and yellow hat last June. Bring on the real deal... Boston vs Cleveland, LeBron vs Pierce, Shaq vs K-Perk and Rondo vs West and his guitar case!
Orlando... where finishing 3rd in the East happens!
Welcome back!
Well it's about time...
Safe to say we've been away for a while and a lot has happened in the NBA. (More posts to follow, this is just a taste)
Firstly, Ron Artest is a Laker... Ariza is a Rocket... AI might be a Grizzly... 'Sheed is a Celtic... Shaq is a Cavalier... RJ is a Spur... VC is a Magician... Turk is a Raptor... Andre Miller is a Blazer... The Matrix is a Maverick... and finally Emeka Okafor is a Hornet. The competition this season will be electrifying with the likes of San Antonio, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland, Boston, Orlando and the Clippers all looking to make a run at the trophy.
Sorry Clippers fans, that was cruel. But if you think the franchise has turned around just because you drafted Mr Potato Head Griffin, then it's going to continue to be a sad state of affairs for you. I personally think you can look at some teams and just KNOW that nothing is going to be won for the next 10years... except maybe the lottery. I put the following teams in that category:
Los Angeles Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
Milwaukee Bucks
Charlotte Bobcats
Indiana Pacers
Washington Wizards
Sacramento Kings
Orlando Magic
Minnesota Timberwolves
Phoenix Suns
That's my list, and I'm sticking to it. Call me in 10 years and I guarantee there will not be an NBA Champion among these franchises.
Bring on the new season!!
The NBA – It’s borrrrrrring
What has happened to the NBA? The sport and league I love has become so boring. Huge trades for washed up 'superstars' such as Shaq and Vince Carter follow what was one of the most boring NBA finals in living memory. Sure, a few games were close, but well all knew the outcome of the series before it started. Orlando were very much outgunned.
So, onto the draft. How many players from this draft will be in the league after their rookie contracts? 6? 8? It's shameful.
Here is hoping for some good trading to make things interesting. We know the rich can get richer, and this will likely happen with Boston, LA and Cleveland all likely to pick up nice pieces as older players look for their moment in the sun.
I'm more interested in the interesting trades that either make both teams better (rare) or just let one team take significant strides (less rare). Some examples off the top of my head would be:
Amare Stoudemire to Miami for Blounts expiring deal and Beasley. We know Robert Sarver likes to save money, and this does it in spades. And Amare and Wade throwing down would likely convince both 2010 free agents to stay put in tax free Miami.
Or a real blockbuster (which I can't check for exact correctness due to ESPN's damn Trade Machine still being incorrect) but:
Clippers get:
Ricky Rubio
Jason Collins 6m expiring deal
Wally Szczerbiaks 13.7m expiring deal
Minny gets:
Mo Williams
Chris Kaman
Cleveland gets:
Baron Davis
Ryan Gomes
The Clippers get to go kick start their youth project, Minny gets the centre it wants next to Al Jefferson, and the Lebrons get a floor leader who deserves to be an all star.