Over the past months we've heard a lot of talk in the NBA about what things will be like post-something. Post-The Decision. Post-Strike. I'd like to add a new one. Post-2011 Trade Deadline.
Yes I'm saying it. This week's trade deadline changed the NBA forever. By itself it established no precedents, but when paired with the free-agency drama of a summer ago and the likely bitter fight of the coming Collective Bargaining talks, things are changing.
Lebron James established a legacy last summer, one that I doubt he ever foresaw or intended. Now every organization must consider what they would do if their best player left them. Constant rebuilding mode. "What if Kevin Durant leaves in a few years? We don't want to be like the Cavaliers..." Now for the record I think the Thunder are pretty comfortable with their star player at the moment. But look at Orlando. Howard will be a free agent in the summer of 2012. Already the media is in a frenzy discussing where he might play. The notion of staying in Orlando doesn't seem to occur at all. The thing is, Dwight Howard refuses too discuss the future, and the Magic haven't even offered him a contract extension yet. There is no reason to believe he won't stay. But everyone is paranoid.
And then there is Carmelo. He was born in New York. He wanted to play in New York. Now he's in New York. Of course it took some painful months for Denver fans. The Nuggets now find themselves with a mixed up roster and an uncertain future. These two cases demonstrate the power of the player. At first glance it seems that the players hang their organizations out to dry for personal gain. But don't men and women change jobs all the time? Is it uncommon for a man to determine his own situation. Isn't this the American Dream? Does the celebrity status of these men coupled with their millions of dollars mean that they don't get the same opportunity?
This is the conflict. This is why come October there won't be any NBA basketball. There may not be any come December.
I think though that people forget what happens with much more frequency. The Lebron situation and the Carmelo situation make news because they only happen once every few years. But every summer, every fall, and every winter a player gets traded. Carmelo demanded he go to New York and he went. But the majority of trades occur without the players' prior consent. It's the business. That's the way it works.
Just ask Kendrick Perkins.
Perkins epitomizes the Boston Celtics. He played their his whole career. Before the big three he was there. He has devoted years of play, tons of effort, and a summer of rehab. He won a ring there. And he was beloved by his teammates and the fans. Today he plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder. And you know what? He's going to be great there. It was a great move for the Thunder. And the Celtics may very well be fine as well. But it was a heartless trade.
Perhaps Carmelo and Lebron were heartless in what they did. But I haven't seen much heart out of the organizations either. Is it purely just a business on both sides? It's a sobering thought. Yesterday certainly was a day about business first. It was all about meeting a deadline.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
All-Star Shooting Guards
Kobe.
Need I say more? The shot clock and game clock both are winding down. The Lakers are down one. Kobe's got the ball, all five defenders stick to him like glue. There are four other players wide open for the easy score! Surely he makes the easy pass! Surely the Lakers win! Kobe dribbles...Kobe twirls...Kobe does a back flip...still no pass! Finally, one second left, he launches a fade away three over five defenders.
Lakers win. Did you doubt it?
No player will frustrate you so much you think about converting to ice hockey and amaze you into permanent basketball fandom like Kobe Bryant.
That's why Dwyane Wade is better.
Wait, what?! Better than Kobe? No one is better than the Black Mamba! Okay, besides MJ, Kareem, Wilt, Karl Malone, etc. And those guys that are better just because they're younger. Wade, Lebron, Durant, etc.
Look, this isn't a Kobe bashing parade. The fact that people cling to the Kobe of old like Rocky clinging to Mick's dead body is beside the point. They see visions of past grandeur just like Rocky saw black and white Mickey flashbacks three movies later.
But seriously. We're not hating on Kobe here. He's got five rings! Sure MJ got six, and Bill Russel had 200 and Kobe's own coach as more than twice as many, Kobe's still got five.
Sure Kobe's fingers are mangled, his knee is bad, and his face is molded into a permanent scowl of frustration. He's still the man. We love him 'cause he's Kobe.
Why is Dwyane Wade better? Easy, because Kobe is the man on the Lakers. Even when it becomes a detriment to the team, still Kobe does what he wants out on the floor. Wade shares with and often bows down to Lebron James. He even throws Chris Bosh the occasional bone so he can say "Thanks Chris Bosh for being a superstar the last seven years, getting paid a superstar salary to come here so that you can play like the glorified role player that you've become!"
Through all of that they've got the same numbers. 25 points, 5 assists, 5 ish rebounds, etc.
Give Kobe a break right? He's getting older, it happens, let him. I would, except that people pretend its not happening. They pretend that he's just looking worse because Ron Artest is a baby and Pau Gasol is Spanish.
But seriously, he is still good. Heck, he's starting for the west in the all-star game. As well he should. He's still better than all the other shooting guards in the West. And Wade in the East? Easy pick again. Good work people.
Next up: Melo v Lebron
Need I say more? The shot clock and game clock both are winding down. The Lakers are down one. Kobe's got the ball, all five defenders stick to him like glue. There are four other players wide open for the easy score! Surely he makes the easy pass! Surely the Lakers win! Kobe dribbles...Kobe twirls...Kobe does a back flip...still no pass! Finally, one second left, he launches a fade away three over five defenders.
Lakers win. Did you doubt it?
No player will frustrate you so much you think about converting to ice hockey and amaze you into permanent basketball fandom like Kobe Bryant.
That's why Dwyane Wade is better.
Wait, what?! Better than Kobe? No one is better than the Black Mamba! Okay, besides MJ, Kareem, Wilt, Karl Malone, etc. And those guys that are better just because they're younger. Wade, Lebron, Durant, etc.
Look, this isn't a Kobe bashing parade. The fact that people cling to the Kobe of old like Rocky clinging to Mick's dead body is beside the point. They see visions of past grandeur just like Rocky saw black and white Mickey flashbacks three movies later.
But seriously. We're not hating on Kobe here. He's got five rings! Sure MJ got six, and Bill Russel had 200 and Kobe's own coach as more than twice as many, Kobe's still got five.
Sure Kobe's fingers are mangled, his knee is bad, and his face is molded into a permanent scowl of frustration. He's still the man. We love him 'cause he's Kobe.
Why is Dwyane Wade better? Easy, because Kobe is the man on the Lakers. Even when it becomes a detriment to the team, still Kobe does what he wants out on the floor. Wade shares with and often bows down to Lebron James. He even throws Chris Bosh the occasional bone so he can say "Thanks Chris Bosh for being a superstar the last seven years, getting paid a superstar salary to come here so that you can play like the glorified role player that you've become!"
Through all of that they've got the same numbers. 25 points, 5 assists, 5 ish rebounds, etc.
Give Kobe a break right? He's getting older, it happens, let him. I would, except that people pretend its not happening. They pretend that he's just looking worse because Ron Artest is a baby and Pau Gasol is Spanish.
But seriously, he is still good. Heck, he's starting for the west in the all-star game. As well he should. He's still better than all the other shooting guards in the West. And Wade in the East? Easy pick again. Good work people.
Next up: Melo v Lebron
Saturday, February 5, 2011
All-Stars
In honor of the upcoming NBA All-Star game in Los Angeles, I shall render my judgment on the fans' choices for the East and West starting five.
But before I deliver my sentences, one thought: Yao Ming a starter for the West? Really? OK, China, we get it. You really like the big fella. He's the man, he represents you on the sport's biggest stage. But he's hurt. He's hobbled. He's been as effective over the past two years for the Rockets as Ricky Rubio has been for the Wolves. But let's, for a minute, accept China's love affair with Yao. Okay, who else to blame? Easy, the NBA. Why was Yao Ming on the ballot? Why would votes count for a guy who has been declared 'out for the season?' This is a simple rule change. From now on, you can't vote for people who will be injured at the time of the game. Easy. Sorry China, if you want to vote for an old and decrepit big man with rubber knees and toothpicks for ankles, than just vote for Tim Duncan next time.
Alright, enough of that, I don't want to start a World War over this. So I shall start with the starting Point Guards for the two conferences.
Derrick Rose - 24.6 PPG 1.0 SPG 8.2 APG 4.6 RPG 3.0 TO
Chris Paul- 16.6 PPG 2.6 SPG 9.6 APG 4.0 RPG 2.3 TO
The Peoples' Choice: A
Rose and Paul are not only the best point guards in their respective conferences, they are the top two point guards in the league. Now there's been some argument lately about which of the two were actually better. I've been hearing a lot of "Rose for MVP!" chatter. I say premature. Yes Rose is scoring eight more points a game than Paul. But where are the steals and assists? Why 3 turnovers?
I've also heard the argument that the Bulls have a better record than the Hornets despite consistent injuries between Boozer and Noah. Well, without those two the Bulls have one superstar in Rose and a bunch of glorified role players. Kind of like the Hornets when everyone is healthy. After Paul who do you elevate to 2nd man status on that team? David West? Emeka Okafor? Please. Paul is doing more with less on a consistent basis. I don't even have to mention that the Hornets are in the Western Conference. They have no business sniffing the playoffs, yet they have a point guard who doesn't let them lose.
It is true that Rose is the man on a better team. But that doesn't make Rose the better player. The Celtics have a better record than the Heat, heck they're 2-0 against the Heat. Does that make Paul Pierce better than Lebron James? The Spurs have a better record than the Heat as well. Is Manu Ginobli better than Dwyane Wade? You get the point.
As far as the All-Star game is concerned, these two men are the right choice. The only other point guard that made the East Roster is Rajon Rondo. He's a great passer on a great team. But he shoots like this.
Apart from Paul, the West has Deron Williams and Russel Westbrook. These are both terrific basketball players. This is a testament to the West right now. Williams was arguably better than Paul a year ago, but not this year. Williams has struggled with injuries all season, kind of like Paul did last year. Westbrook is emerging this year as an elite ball player. There is potential there for a perennial All-Star in years to come. He's not quite up to Paul's level yet.
So good job fans. You got the right point guards.
All-Star Match Up: No one plays defense in the All-Star game. Paul will be forced to let Kobe shoot a bunch of bricks and dribble around because he's Kobe. He'll also have to let Durant and Melo handle the ball and shoot. Oh and everyone in the arena will demand ally oops to Blake Griffin. He won't score that much. But at least he'll get to throw ally oops to Blake Griffin.
Rose will play alongside Wade and James, who are real life teammates and have good chemistry. Maybe he'll run some pick and roll with Stoudemire. And there's always ally oops to Howard. But that was so 2008. No one cares. Did I mention ally oops to Griffin? And Rose will be forced to let the four Celtics come in off the bench and turn it into a Western Conference vs the Celtics with Dwight Howard match up.
So the verdict is that neither one will get a lot of offensive production. But at least Paul gets Blake Griffin.
Victor: Chris Paul
Next Time: Wade vs Bryant
But before I deliver my sentences, one thought: Yao Ming a starter for the West? Really? OK, China, we get it. You really like the big fella. He's the man, he represents you on the sport's biggest stage. But he's hurt. He's hobbled. He's been as effective over the past two years for the Rockets as Ricky Rubio has been for the Wolves. But let's, for a minute, accept China's love affair with Yao. Okay, who else to blame? Easy, the NBA. Why was Yao Ming on the ballot? Why would votes count for a guy who has been declared 'out for the season?' This is a simple rule change. From now on, you can't vote for people who will be injured at the time of the game. Easy. Sorry China, if you want to vote for an old and decrepit big man with rubber knees and toothpicks for ankles, than just vote for Tim Duncan next time.
Alright, enough of that, I don't want to start a World War over this. So I shall start with the starting Point Guards for the two conferences.
Derrick Rose - 24.6 PPG 1.0 SPG 8.2 APG 4.6 RPG 3.0 TO
Chris Paul- 16.6 PPG 2.6 SPG 9.6 APG 4.0 RPG 2.3 TO
The Peoples' Choice: A
Rose and Paul are not only the best point guards in their respective conferences, they are the top two point guards in the league. Now there's been some argument lately about which of the two were actually better. I've been hearing a lot of "Rose for MVP!" chatter. I say premature. Yes Rose is scoring eight more points a game than Paul. But where are the steals and assists? Why 3 turnovers?
I've also heard the argument that the Bulls have a better record than the Hornets despite consistent injuries between Boozer and Noah. Well, without those two the Bulls have one superstar in Rose and a bunch of glorified role players. Kind of like the Hornets when everyone is healthy. After Paul who do you elevate to 2nd man status on that team? David West? Emeka Okafor? Please. Paul is doing more with less on a consistent basis. I don't even have to mention that the Hornets are in the Western Conference. They have no business sniffing the playoffs, yet they have a point guard who doesn't let them lose.
It is true that Rose is the man on a better team. But that doesn't make Rose the better player. The Celtics have a better record than the Heat, heck they're 2-0 against the Heat. Does that make Paul Pierce better than Lebron James? The Spurs have a better record than the Heat as well. Is Manu Ginobli better than Dwyane Wade? You get the point.
As far as the All-Star game is concerned, these two men are the right choice. The only other point guard that made the East Roster is Rajon Rondo. He's a great passer on a great team. But he shoots like this.
Apart from Paul, the West has Deron Williams and Russel Westbrook. These are both terrific basketball players. This is a testament to the West right now. Williams was arguably better than Paul a year ago, but not this year. Williams has struggled with injuries all season, kind of like Paul did last year. Westbrook is emerging this year as an elite ball player. There is potential there for a perennial All-Star in years to come. He's not quite up to Paul's level yet.
So good job fans. You got the right point guards.
All-Star Match Up: No one plays defense in the All-Star game. Paul will be forced to let Kobe shoot a bunch of bricks and dribble around because he's Kobe. He'll also have to let Durant and Melo handle the ball and shoot. Oh and everyone in the arena will demand ally oops to Blake Griffin. He won't score that much. But at least he'll get to throw ally oops to Blake Griffin.
Rose will play alongside Wade and James, who are real life teammates and have good chemistry. Maybe he'll run some pick and roll with Stoudemire. And there's always ally oops to Howard. But that was so 2008. No one cares. Did I mention ally oops to Griffin? And Rose will be forced to let the four Celtics come in off the bench and turn it into a Western Conference vs the Celtics with Dwight Howard match up.
So the verdict is that neither one will get a lot of offensive production. But at least Paul gets Blake Griffin.
Victor: Chris Paul
Next Time: Wade vs Bryant
Friday, February 4, 2011
Kryptonite
It wasn't a good night for Superman.
Dwight Howard is great for two reasons. He is great at efficient inside scoring and he blocks shots like a maniac. Sure he has no jumper, sure his free throws sometimes make Shaq look like Ted St. Martin. His weaknesses don't overcome his massive strengths.
Except last night.
Magic Heat is a big matchup. The Heat are a title contender. The Magic are an alleged title contender (I don't buy it. A team paying Gilbert Arenas 80 million to remind us all of what happens when you take a guy with talent but no maturity and a 40 year old body despite being only 29 and make him ridiculously rich simply because every team has to be making somebody ridiculously rich. Oh yeah, and he comes off the bench. Right, title contender.) The two teams were 1-1 against each other going in. Coming out, it was clear who the East leading Celtics really needed to worry about.
Prior to the game Dwight Howard threw chalk in the air. He took photos of his teammates with an invisible camera. He danced around. You know, stuff Lebron used to do. Funny since Lebron was there. James says he didn't see it. Right, and Shaq didn't mean to push Charles Barkley. Whatever.
Something made Lebron score 51 points. He decided to drop in three pointers in peoples faces like he thought he was Reggie Miller for some reason. Something inspired him to rack up points faster than Tosh.O can offend your grandmother.
You know what I think? I think he saw Howard mimicking the things he used to do in Cleveland and thought, "Hey maybe since he's doing my pregame from Cleveland, I'll show him my game from Cleveland." You know, when he embarrassed opponents so often it wasn't even interesting anymore. Oh yeah, that Lebron. The one that never really went away.
Meanwhile Howard had 17 points and 16 rebounds. Hey, that's not bad right? Oh but he took 13 shots to get those 17 points. Oh but he was 3 of 13 from the line. Oh he didn't block a single shot. Oh.
Keep dancing Superman. Does this make Lebron Lex Luther? Nah, just a better basketball player. Yeah, I said it.
Dwight Howard is great for two reasons. He is great at efficient inside scoring and he blocks shots like a maniac. Sure he has no jumper, sure his free throws sometimes make Shaq look like Ted St. Martin. His weaknesses don't overcome his massive strengths.
Except last night.
Magic Heat is a big matchup. The Heat are a title contender. The Magic are an alleged title contender (I don't buy it. A team paying Gilbert Arenas 80 million to remind us all of what happens when you take a guy with talent but no maturity and a 40 year old body despite being only 29 and make him ridiculously rich simply because every team has to be making somebody ridiculously rich. Oh yeah, and he comes off the bench. Right, title contender.) The two teams were 1-1 against each other going in. Coming out, it was clear who the East leading Celtics really needed to worry about.
Prior to the game Dwight Howard threw chalk in the air. He took photos of his teammates with an invisible camera. He danced around. You know, stuff Lebron used to do. Funny since Lebron was there. James says he didn't see it. Right, and Shaq didn't mean to push Charles Barkley. Whatever.
Something made Lebron score 51 points. He decided to drop in three pointers in peoples faces like he thought he was Reggie Miller for some reason. Something inspired him to rack up points faster than Tosh.O can offend your grandmother.
You know what I think? I think he saw Howard mimicking the things he used to do in Cleveland and thought, "Hey maybe since he's doing my pregame from Cleveland, I'll show him my game from Cleveland." You know, when he embarrassed opponents so often it wasn't even interesting anymore. Oh yeah, that Lebron. The one that never really went away.
Meanwhile Howard had 17 points and 16 rebounds. Hey, that's not bad right? Oh but he took 13 shots to get those 17 points. Oh but he was 3 of 13 from the line. Oh he didn't block a single shot. Oh.
Keep dancing Superman. Does this make Lebron Lex Luther? Nah, just a better basketball player. Yeah, I said it.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Pilot
Vincent Van Gogh had to start painting sometime. Likewise, Beethoven had to start somewhere. Just as the world now cherishes these men for their artistic contributions, so shall I one day be recorded in the annals of legend. But first, I must perform that solemn duty which I have been entrusted with. I shall deliver to the world the cold hard facts and irreconcilable truths behind the complex and multifaceted Pantheon of sports that is the NBA.
Much is speculated on a daily basis about what happens in the League. Things as simple as the color of Kobe's shoelaces can yield to enough contrasting interpretations to make Inception look like Sesame Street. Ever grow tired of the vitriol? Ever wonder what's really going on? Why waste time following some 'insider' or 'professional' when one can simply watch the NBA on TV and know as much as any crackpot talking head paid to blather on live air.
I can prove it.
And so I embark on my journey. I believe the National Basketball Association has far more to offer in the field of athletics and entertainment than most give it credit. The game of basketball is the most complex, vibrant, and, yes, beautiful game out there.
It has its issues, of course. Who knows, perhaps once I enlighten everyone on the true majesty of professional basketball the NBA will exponentially expand into the true titan of sports. Perhaps it will put a stranglehold on the American viewer and hang its players out to dry in the name of industry. You know, demand that they play the game with more discretion and less violence under pain of useless fine. While moving to increase the length of the season by a few games every decade until they play year round and the average life expectancy of a player's knee, ankle, shoulder, and brain are around one month.
Oh, wait. I'm talking about the NBA here, not the NFL...
At any rate, putting it as frankly as possible... The NBA reigns supreme. Follow me, and I'll show you why. If my words somehow prove otherwise, don't blame me. Its someone's fault besides mine. I'm only Guilty by Association.
Much is speculated on a daily basis about what happens in the League. Things as simple as the color of Kobe's shoelaces can yield to enough contrasting interpretations to make Inception look like Sesame Street. Ever grow tired of the vitriol? Ever wonder what's really going on? Why waste time following some 'insider' or 'professional' when one can simply watch the NBA on TV and know as much as any crackpot talking head paid to blather on live air.
I can prove it.
And so I embark on my journey. I believe the National Basketball Association has far more to offer in the field of athletics and entertainment than most give it credit. The game of basketball is the most complex, vibrant, and, yes, beautiful game out there.
It has its issues, of course. Who knows, perhaps once I enlighten everyone on the true majesty of professional basketball the NBA will exponentially expand into the true titan of sports. Perhaps it will put a stranglehold on the American viewer and hang its players out to dry in the name of industry. You know, demand that they play the game with more discretion and less violence under pain of useless fine. While moving to increase the length of the season by a few games every decade until they play year round and the average life expectancy of a player's knee, ankle, shoulder, and brain are around one month.
Oh, wait. I'm talking about the NBA here, not the NFL...
At any rate, putting it as frankly as possible... The NBA reigns supreme. Follow me, and I'll show you why. If my words somehow prove otherwise, don't blame me. Its someone's fault besides mine. I'm only Guilty by Association.
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