Thursday, January 29, 2009

All-Star Reserves

If you've been watching TNT or NBA TV, you've basically been seeing Kenny Smith and Eric Snow, vs. Gary Payton and Chris Webber. The debate? What makes for an All-Star. Does the second best player on a top team get the nod, over the best player on a lottery team?

After the results came in, it looks like the East Coaches and the West Coaches are having a similar debate. The East Coaches picked Danny Granger and Chris Bosh, both on struggling teams, while the West stayed away from players like Marcus Camby and Al Jefferson and doubled up on New Orleans with a surprising pick, Teaneck's own David West

So what's the verdict? Who got snubbed? Who shouldn't be in Phoenix come All-Star Weekend?

I'll start the conversation with this...

Rashard Lewis has no place on the East All-Star team. He is a below average defender, rebounder, passer and post-up player. He's a little too one-dimensional for my taste. I really liked the Devin Harris and Danny Granger picks.

2009 Reserves

EAST
Paul Pierce Boston F
Chris Bosh Toronto F/C
Joe Johnson Atlanta G
Danny Granger Indiana F
Devin Harris New Jersey G
Rashard Lewis Orlando F
Jameer Nelson Orlando G


WEST
Dirk Nowitzki Dallas F
Pau Gasol L.A. Lakers C
Tony Parker San Antonio G
Brandon Roy Portland G
Shaquille O'Neal Phoenix C
Chauncey Billups Denver G
David West New Orleans F

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Wednesday Mini-Breakdown

KNICKS WIN 5 IN A ROW AT HOME, YEAAAAAAA. Solid, solid game tonight. The Knicks didn't play very well, especially in the first quarter, but it didn't seem to matter and they had good control over tonight's game against the Hawks. After taking a strong lead in the 3rd quarter, every time Atlanta made a run, the Knicks would extend the lead back to 7, 8 or so.

Next three home games are Lakers, Cavs and Celtics (Ouch). Hopefully they use KY before giving it to us, and the after affects don't last long.


*TrueHoop, giving us a Lesson on wearing logos. Big Michael fan gives us this, and more:

Just wanted to say I've actually got a Jordan Logo tattooed to my right shoulder. Got it in 2003 to commemorate his exit from the sport. Final exit from the sport. I know it's just a game, but there was always something valorous to me in his relentless determination.
...

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Tuesday Breakdown

*Rafer Alston has a lot to say about last night's Rockets game against the Knicks, in today's Daily Dime.. Tracy McGrady had the hot hand to start the fourth quarter, but wound up wasting away key possessions late in the game to give the victory to the Knicks. Ron Artest went a horrible 1-1o from the 3-point line, trying to create his own shots, and usually not getting the rock from good ball movement.

"They were able to capitalize off our selfishness, and we have to decide whether we're going to play one-on-one, or we're going to pass the ball to each other and play team ball."

*Want to know the best players to have for the remainder of the Fantasy BBall season? Rotoworld.com breaks it down for us, and grades each team.

*Berger makes the case for Danny Granger as an All-Star. I have to agree. According to Yahoo, in the standard 9 categories, Danny Granger is ranked 4th (!!). Only D.Wade, LeBron, and Chris Paul are ahead of him.

The case for Danny Granger as an All-Star reserve. According to Real GM (via Ballerblogger), Granger is the 22nd-ranked player in the NBA measured by the Floor Impact Counter. LeBron James is the only small forward rated higher.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Monday Wake N Break

*Knicks Coach Mike D'Antoni, on concealed weapons and wanting to shoot Nate Robinson.

*Staying on the Knickerbocker tip, a video of last week's win on 7 Seconds or Mess, breaking down the Sun's poor Defense and David Lee beasting them on the pick and roll repeatedly.

*TrueHoop goes on one one with newly retired Alonzo Mourning.

*Bad news for Michael Redd owners (fantasy and reality). Redd is out for the season with a tore MCL/ACL (not sure what that means, but sounds pretty bad).

*Quote of the Weekend. Shaq, on Dwight Howard:

"He's a good player, but everything he's done I've invented, so I'm not impressed," O'Neal said. "For me to get my eyes wide open about another big man, he'll have to do something that I haven't seen before or something that I haven't invented. Everything that he's done, I've invented it."

*Ball Don't Lie gives us a video of a designed double alley-oop, that worked in a game. Cute, but not very practical and the opposing team was playing zero defense (or boxing out).

Thursday, January 22, 2009

"The Rooster" and Thursday's Breakdown

*Alonzo Mourning retired from basketball today. Easy Hall of Famer, right?

“He was the very best thing that ever happened to this franchise,” said Pat Riley, sitting between Mourning and owner Micky Arison at the news conference. “He will always be respected by Micky and myself for being the taproot of a culture that we’re really proud of. He embodies that.”

Riley’s voice cracked as he finished his thought.

“We love you, Zo,” he said. “You will wear that jersey one more time— when we rip it off your back and hang it from the rafters.”

Well said...

*Everyone's about to know D. Wade has an STD. Ouch...

*Are we loving what Danilo Gallinari, aka Gallo, aka The Rooster, is bringing to the table? His been very impressive with his first few games as a Knick. Good look to my man Hayden for supplying The Rooster highlights:





Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tuesday Breakdown

*The 4th contestant in the 2009 NBA Dunk Contest was decided. Winner is Rudy Fernandez, who is known mostly for this dunk over Dwight Howard. Definitely the worst choice of the three. Did you see Russell Westbrook's dunk over Mario Chalmers of the Heat? Good look to my boy Barksdale on the Joe Alexander, ridiculous videos. I can't imagine Rudy Fernandez doing anything cool at all. In fact, between now and then I'm betting he bows out. He's up against Dwight Howard, Nate Robinson and Rudy Gay. Alrigghhhhtttt Rudy!!!

*From TrueHoop, NBA players on number 44.

*I'm bringing back an old Mark Cuban link, on why he voted for Obama. Great read. A wise man once said, "He's a jackass, but a very smart jackass." Proud to be an American.

"Having an elected black President will do more to energize this country than any economic or social policy ever could. In a single day of voting, our amazing country once again reinvigorated the dream that any child in this country, no matter what circumstances they are born into, can grow up to be anything they want, including President of the United States.

That dream, staying viable, being reinvigorated, will do more for this country than any economic policy or any legislation that could ever be passed....

...As any successful CEO will tell you, leadership, vision and motivation has far more impact on results than any tax cut or increase. While I prefer lower taxes, I can tell you that no entrepreneur or CEO worth a damn in this country gives up or works less because of a change in tax policy. In this country you work harder to achieve your dreams and goals."

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Ankle Insurance, by Kobe Bryant

Thanks to BDTG reader Gerard for this video.

Kobe Sells Ankle Insurance

Friday, January 16, 2009

A History Lesson by GAME OVER

On January 15, 1891, the 13 Rules of Basketball was first published, thus publicly creating the game that we all play. Dr. James Naismith created the game for his unruly physical education class that was stuck inside in the cold Massachusetts winter. The game originally called for nine men aside and shooting into a peach basket set 10 feet high.

The game has evolved quite a bit over the past 119 years. Unlike America's other two "popular" sports of baseball and football, this game is truly American in origin (Baseball from foundations of Rounders, and Football has beginnings of Rugby). It is arguably the second most played and watched sport in the world, behind soccer.

The game can be played anywhere and by anyone, the only required access is to a ball and a hoop. For those of us that know, an empty garbage can in the schoolyard also makes a good substitute basket. Careers of all kinds have been created and devoted to the game, from players to coaches, architects that design arenas to vendors that sell popcorn, colleges that build cash-cow programs to NCAA office pools, from television contracts that go into the billions of dollars to licensors that sell authentic uniforms to the masses. To the very existence of this web site. It can all be traced back 119 years ago this week. Thankfully Naismith was a physical education teacher and not a dance instructor.

Mark Wald, GAME OVER.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Wednesday Breakdown


Damn, it must be bad to be a Wiz fan right now. Not saying I don't like how the Knicks are playing, but the Wiz lose to pretty much everyone. Nick Young is on fire (scoring more than 28 in 3 of the last 4 games, with ridiculous efficiency, better than 65% from the field). Tough Juice pitched in with 25, Antawn with 15, Mike James 4-4 from 3-point, and still wasn't enough to get the win. Chris Duhon, already leading the league in minutes played with over 39, played 41 tonight, but it was David Lee who killed it, scoring 30 points while getting 10 boards and 6 assists. Knicks 128, Wash 122.

*How do they do it? Knickerblogger.net and 7 Seconds or Mess show us a great video of their new and improved defense.

*Rick Fox is obviously bored, now blogging for NBA.com. I don't recommend clicking on that link, it's incredibly boring. Just thought it was funny actually. Shouldn't he be on a soap opera or something?

*Mark Cuban is probably the corniest person to be around. I imagine his friends suffering, but they must befriend him since he's worth more than a billion, right? Anyway, he had a big problem with JR Smith during their last meeting with the Nuggets. Oh Mark, you're so witty.

*As predicted (well, we hoped for...), Eddy Curry may file for defamation. Better....he needs shed these allegations...

*Ball Don't Lie goes one-on-one with Tough Juice, Caron Butler.

*Contradictory from yesterday's report, the Nets won't be playing preseason games in Newark. Apparently, the MetroNetsuals are facing an identity crisis.

*Russel Westbrook is emerging as a candidate for the Rookie of the Year Award. David Thorpe has a great take on his improvement and his abnormal ability to rebound for a guard:

Westbrook is rapidly improving, and we can project him to be capable of running a terrific team one day. He also has the potential to be an All-Star. He has a long way to go as a shooter, but give credit to head coach Scott Brooks for letting Westbrook do what he does best on offense: Rebound. Westbrook reminds me of a young Dwyane Wade, relentless on the glass with his effort, long arms, great timing and big hops. He's a rebounding difference-maker, something point guards usually aren't. Teams already tweak their game plan when preparing to face him, and he just turned 20 years old.

Westbrook is basically tied with power forward Nick Collison for the team lead in offensive rebounds per game. The Thunder may sit last in the NBA standings, but they rank 11th in offensive rebound rate.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Tuesday Breakdown


The biggest news of the day...Eddy Curry is being sued by his former Butler. I'm not quite sure yet if this story is unbelievable or not. I always said, just when the Knicks couldn't go any lower, they always find a way. Pretty sure this would be considered lower.

The accusations include [Rated R]:

repeatedly approached chauffeur David Kuchinsky "in the nude," saying, "Look at me, Dave, look" and, "Come and touch it, Dave."


Curry hurled slurs at him, including "f- - - ing Jew," "cracker," "white slave," "white devil" and "grandmaster of the KKK."

My question is...why hasn't Eddy Curry filed for defamation? When someone says these things about you in the public, don't you do that immediately? Until that happens, I'm going to assume it's true. I don't see why not...

*From today's ESPN Daily Dime...

"Don't you get the feeling like we've seen this movie before? We're like a writer with writer's block. We can get the first couple of chapters written fairly efficiently and fairly well, but getting to the ending -- we just can't seem to write the correct ending."

-- Wizards interim coach Ed Tapscott, whose team typed and then deleted a fourth-quarter lead for the 12th time this season.

The Wiz are 7-30. Nuff said...

*What's going on with the Nets move to Brooklyn? I specifically purchased tickets for the Nets, in preparation for the move and their inevitable sell-outs....and now they might go to Newark instead?? More about this on BergerSphere, where I've been fortunate enough to get a new nick name, "The Breakin One." Yea, I can definitely roll with that...

*10 years ago today, Michael Jordan announced his retirement from the NBA (this was the second of three total...so far). JA Adande shares his thoughts...

People used to ask Jordan, in all seriousness, whether he could fly. He was compared to God. When Jordan retired that day in 1999, someone went as far as to ask whether he would use his spare time to help solve the world's problems.

*Out with the old, in with the new? Not quite yet. This will mark the first time I've read an article in GQ magazine. The guys from GQ wanted to go head to head with LeBron James, and he welcomed the challenge.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Agent [Less Than] Zero, Monday Breakdown

After a recent loss, Gilbert Arenas was interviewed about his progress and if he'll see the court this season. He replies,

"I don't know. I mean, seven wins? Would you?" said the three-time All-Star, who last July signed a six-year, $111 million contract to remain in the District.

Yes Gilbert, I would play if I could. You just signed a contract for $111 Million. You play because the fans, the organization, your teammates and coaches all invested into you. I thought I was pissed about this...Breakin' reader and long-time Wiz fan James chimed in;

Simply saying that I'm mad would understate how I feel right now. No matter what happens, I will never root for him again and I hope he never plays again. Hopefully there is a way to void his contract! A disgrace to professional basketball, and he has sabotaged my team for years.


On to the Breakdown...

*The Cavs are now the best team in basketball (just don't' tell the Lakers, who post a slightly better record). King James and his Cavs reign supreme in both the NBA.com and ESPN.com power rankings. To top it off, the numbers agree, and they're also the top spot in Hollinger's rankings.

*The Painted Area asks if LeBron James is better than Larry Bird. "Statistically, there is no question that LeBron is better at 24....[however]...It's nearly impossible to argue that LeBron is better, period, at this point simply b/c he has neither the 3 championships nor the 3 MVPs on his resume."

*In response to Steve Nash's free throw skills...my boy Dave wants to see him take on this 81-year-old who sank 2,750 (!) free throws in a row.

*There is trade chatter in the air...and it should only get louder with the Febuary 19th deadline approaching. The latest talk is that a deal is close to being finished, sending Mike Conley Jr to Milwaukee for Ramon Sessions and Joe Alexander. I think this is a horrible move, considering Mike Conley has had his chances and yet to prove himself as a solid NBA point guard. Meanwhile, Ramon Sessions is an assist machine who only gets better as he gets more playing time. Add to that the fact that it is way too early to give up on the 8th pick of the draft. Look at Toronto, they're still trying to make it work with their #1 bust, Andrea Bargnani.

*Ken Berger reports on the recent Thunder/Bobcats/Dallas talks, and why they're on hold...for now...


Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Wednesday Breakdown

*Thanks to BDTG reader Willie for a story on the Vanilla Grandmilla.

*Ken Berger reports, Larry Bird is an...Eminem fan?

*One of my favorite writers, Scoop Jackson, telling us the LeBron to NYC talk is over.

*Lil Wayne on First Take! Oh man, who woulda thought Lil Wayne and Skip Bayless would battle it out.

via BDL, Kings Rookie Prank



via SLAM, Paul Rogan NBA Rap



via TrueHoop, Steve Nash will beat you
in a Free Throw Shooting Contest

Monday, January 5, 2009

Monday Breakdown

Lotta good links today. We're starting off the New Year strong, got a nice shout out again on CBS Sports. For any/all of those new readers....we'll keep it interesting, so keep coming back for more. But while you're here...might as well break it down with me! Drop me a line below.

*I'm a little late on this, but did Charles Barkley really say THAT to the cops...?? (Rated R for explicit talk of a BJ, not named Armstrong.)

*My man Brandon from Ballerblogger.com is now writing daily for Real GM. Check out his first Scoop Du Jour, giving us links from around the L.

*Pretty dope basketball blog, Obsessionism, seen first at TrueHoop. Their latest post, an unbelievable graphical breakdown of a team's clutch stats, and coming up with interesting conclusions and revealing data about coaches, players, and more.

*The New York Times had another take on the Mike D'Antoni's effect to the team and their stats. Much like all stats in a D'Antoni system, the inflation of numbers/stats doesn't tell the whole story. Fact is, the Knicks still need to be more efficient. Thanks to my man Mo for the tip.

*Staying on the topic, I am SO thankful of Hardwood Paroxysm. A must-read article, that actually makes sense (!), comparing The Joker, to Mike D'Antoni's system, 7SOL. Brilliant, and definitely one of the funniest pic's I've ever seen.

*A Dime Q&A with my favorite new fantasy player, G Dub. Thanks Dave!

*NBA.com Power Rankings. ESPN.com Power Rankings. Also, ESPN's writers predict whats in store for 09.

*Coach Muss compares the two leading ROY candidates and what makes Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo both very special.

*Kobe, or no Kobe? Pay off the house, pay off the car, and then kick that cow to the curb, my man. Stupid ass wanted him to take the box with one grand....don't get me started....

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Monday Wake N Break

Great win last night for the Knicks! There's been a ton of bad blood between these teams for a while, especially Q and Paul Pierce, so it's good to get that win at home. With about 3 minutes left, I turned to my buddy Brett and said the Knicks probably won't score again (thinking Boston D was going to lock down). Meanwhile, it was Boston who went cold, and Knicks won by 12, 100-88. Felt great to be wrong! That should give us enough momentum to take down the Thunder on their turf, but after that....the Knicks are at Dallas, then Houston, then New Orleans before they come home and face a hot(ter) Wizards team, beating LeBron and the Cavs. As for Boston, they've lost 4 of their last 6, and we can officially count them out for winning 70 games and agree they're not in a class of their own.

I just started reading Phil Jackson's book, Sacred Hoops. There's a ton of material that I could share here, but I'll try to keep it to mostly to the fun stuff for the masses...

The Associated Press reported that, in a survey of African-American Children, Jordan had tied with God as the person they most admired after their parents. A radio station in Chicago asked listeners if Jordan should be named king of the world, and 41 percent of the respondents said yes. - Phil Jackson in Sacred Hoops on Michael's return to basketball in 1995.

RetroDunk: Jordan breaks backboard