Thursday, December 27, 2012

2015's Best Point Guard: Not Kyrie Irving

There are many reasons to read NBA articles on ESPN.com. The site has a couple of excellent evaluators/writers—David Thorpe and Kevin Arnovitz being the crème de la crème. But among the reasons not to read ESPN is it's shameless self promotion.

This month's ESPN the Magazine features Cavs starting point guard Kyrie Irving on the cover. So, of course, the day after Christmas, ESPN posted a piece by Amin Elhassan detailing why he'll be the best point guard in three years.

Another reason not to read ESPN--Henry Abbott and his Truehoop network. Case in point, Elhassan's story was followed up with an article by five members of the Truehoop network regarding who they believe the best point guard will be in 2015.

Overwhelmingly, Irving was the choice (with a Derrick Rose and a Chris Paul thrown in for good measure).

I bring this up because Russell Westbrook got no mention.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Still Not a Believer: Knickerbocker Edition

It’s New York, so of course there’s going to be lots and lots of love for the Knickerbockers in a year in which they currently own the best record in the Eastern Conference. There’s talk of Carmelo Anthony for MVP. There’s talk of best team in the Association. There’s talk of dethroning the Heat.

But, talk is cheap. Analyzing the situation, trends, and historical precedents, reveal what should be more realistic expectations for this Knicks team.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Chris Broussard is an Idiot

I have a love/hate relationship with ESPN's Chris Broussard.

On the one hand (the hater hand), Broussard writes a bunch of sensationalist garbage and tries to pass it off as journalism. On the other hand, he gets the wheels spinning in my head because he obviously represents the popular opinion and my views on the NBA are almost always at odds with his. 

More to the point, Broussard wrote a piece today (I won’t bother linking to his piece, because it’s not worth your time reading) that points to Kobe Bryant as the problem to the Lakers woes this season. Basically, as Broussard has done his entire career, the gist of his argument is that Bryant is shooting too much and is the reason the Lakers have vastly underperformed. 

Poor commentary greatly angers me and provokes a pointed response.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Center of Attention

The Lakers won for only the third time in December last night in Philadelphia. While they won by 13, it wasn’t particularly impressive considering the Sixers were missing Jrue Holiday. The more interesting takeaway from the game was the comments made by former Laker Andrew Bynum.

As standalone quotes, his words come off a lot more scandalous-sounding then they actually were. That said, Bynum sure did have a lot to say—especially for a guy who has yet to log a single minute of playing time this season.

Let’s break down his quotes…and his logic.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Curse of the Fountain of Youth

Arizona’s dry desert heat, ample golf courses, and laid-back atmosphere have for years attracted large swarms of retirees looking to float peacefully off into the sunset. In that light, the fact that many of the NBA’s former elite have found themselves donning purple and orange makes perfect sense.

What makes the Phoenix Suns so attractive to the elder-statesmen in the NBA is the Suns medical staff--a staff that has been resurrecting and sustaining the careers of a variety of former all-stars for the past half dozen years.

In ever way, it is all at once miraculous, logical, and downright brilliant.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Blake & DeAndre Convo #1,321

Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers make up the most athletically gifted front court duo of all time. This season, both have shown vast improvement in their respective games.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Mr. Pogo Stick Block Party

Larry Sanders is beasting of late. No, not Garry Shandling (who I'm sure has seen a spike in Google searches over the past week). I'm talking about Mr. Pogo Stick Block Party Larry Sanders who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Karma is a B...

Dwight Howard. Meet karma.

In his first matchup against his former team, Howard could only muster 9 of 21 from the freethrow line as Jaques Vaughn, the Orlando Magic's coach, utilized the hack-a-Howard to great effect. The Magic continued to send Howard to the freethrow line up until the last two minutes of the game (when this strategy results in a technical plus the ball). But, by that time, the damage had been done and the Magic held a 12-point lead.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Skill Vs Talent: Kobe Vs Lebron

This was posted on March 13, 2009. Today, the argument is no longer an argument (no matter how brilliantly Bryant is currently playing). Lebron is still the most talented player in the league, but his skill level has taken leaps and bounds which makes him, without question, the best player in the league right now.

But back in 2009? Everybody had an opinion on this argument. Just ask my coworker Chris Lee. He'll literally get physically and emotionally angry if you bring this up to him. He didn't talk to me for an entire day because of this topic.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Old Guys Getting it Done

It's highly unlikely that any of the following gentlemen will be winning the Finals MVP this year. None of them are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (who won the award when he was 38). That said, there's a ton of old guys doing work in the Association this season. Just pick a Knick.

Sam I Am the Alien: HOF?

I'll be in Tokyo for a week, so while I'll be checking boxscores and reading a ton on basketball, I won't be able to watch any and I won't have a computer to write anything. So, I thought I'd dig back into some interesting posts I've written in the past that probably have never been read by anyone. Lol.

Being that this is November, and Sam Cassell was born November 18, and since he's one of my favorite players of all time, I thought I'd jump start this with a little Sam I Am love. It was a piece I wrote back in 2008 and it was actually published on ESPN's Truehoop. I was a big fan of Truehoop when it first began, but quickly fell out of favor with it for various reasons I won't get into. That said, this piece is a true Truehoop piece.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Team snapshot: Knicks

I don't know much of what's being made of the early success of the New York Knickerbockers so far this season (they beat the Spurs earlier today), They are high on the power rankings, but under all the excitement is the probable cautious treading. Given how poorly the Knicks have played the last dozen years, with Jeremy Lin's 20-some-odd games last season as the lone bright spot in that span, we have good reason to be skeptical of the Knicks' 6-0 record. I still am kind of shocked that New York is the only undefeated team three weeks into the season. But the more I think about it, the more it makes sense.

There Will Be Bledsoe

Imagine if Russell Westbrook was drafted by a team with Chris Paul. Imagine he had to earn his minutes. Imagine he spent a lockout shortened 66-game season and then an entire offseason learning to imitate how Paul plays. Now close your eyes and imagine the type of player he would be. When you open them up, go ahead and Google Eric Bledsoe.

While he's been dubbed "baby Lebron" by no less than Lebron James himself, Bledsoe really is more like a mini-Westbrook with his zest for playing, his energy, his hops, and his high flying acrobatics.

But beyond the highlight reel plays (like last night’s facial block at the rim on a Dwyane Wade dunk attempt), Bledsoe has taken a quantum leap forward in his development in his third season. He’s always had the athleticism, but this year, he’s added a ton of thought to his game. And it absolutely shows.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The Royce White Dilemma

What is generalized anxiety disorder?

Most people have an opinion about it. There are those who believe that it is simply a technical (medical) term labeling someone who is unable to face their fears and take responsibility in confronting things that are difficult. Others will swear that it is indeed a very real diseases and a debilitating condition that renders a person unable to do things that most others can easily do.

Whatever your thoughts may be on the issue, the fact of the matter remains that Houston Rockets forward Royce White is at the center of a situation that is already escalating into a full blown disaster.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Chris Duhon's Return to Relevance

With Mike D'Antoni now the head coach of the Lakers, don't be surprised at all if the corpse of Chris Duhon is resurrected. He had a career season as the lead guard under D'Antoni in 08-09 averaging 11 points and 7 assists for the New York Knicks. Was he suited for the Steve Nash role? No. But he did excel in the system.

Jim Buss Appreciation Day

So, apparently, I was a bit quick off the draw to label the Seven Seconds or Less era dead and gone. Quite the opposite has happened in fact as it is literally being resurrected in Los Angeles. Steve Nash and Mike D’Antoni are now reunited in Lakers Purple and Gold.

Seriously, go back in time to the mid-aughts when Nash was in the midst of back-to-back MVP seasons and D’Antoni was the Coach of the Year. The Suns were the top team in the western conference and a conference finalist two years running. Back in that time, when SSOL was at the height of its powers, who would have believed that both of them would be in Los Angeles trying to win a championship with Kobe Bryant?

And yet, here we are.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Mike Brown Fired

What a panic-driven move if I've ever seen one. While anything is possible, I feel like the Los Angeles Lakers have significantly reduced their chances of winning a championship this year with the short-sighted, knee-jerk reaction firing of Mike Brown today. And, it's not as if those chances weren't already slimmed down thanks to the injuries to Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant, the winless preseason, and the inability of the big four to mesh together overnight.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Kobe Bean

The Lakers as a whole have not looked particularly good, let alone historic-level good as some anticipated. Sunday against the Detroit Pistons helped, but was far from an impressive showing.

Dwight Howard has put up some terrific numbers, but he is not nearly as explosive as he was early last season. He also is a step slow. And while he physically looks like Adonis, Howard is clearly out of shape. Despite all that, he’s averaging 23 and 10 and shooting 69 percent.

Steve Nash looked like anything but Steve Nash in the two games before his injury. There’s been calls for Mike Brown’s head on a stake. There’s been hullabaloo over handing the keys of the car over to Nash who from 2002 to 2010 orchestrated the NBA’s best offense.

And while I recently wrote the obituary of Seven Seconds or Less, Nash will adapt to the Princeton offense. When that point comes, the pick and rolls will follow.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Outrageous Statements About Clips/Cavs Game

Blake Griffin is Too Athletic

DeAndre Jordan is 6-11 with a 7-6 wingspan, a 9-5 1/2 standing reach and insane hops. Blake Griffin is 6-10, has a 36-inch vertical, and a poster with Kendrick Perkins...

And yet, the Los Angeles Clippers are a terrible defensive rebounding team.

Friday, November 2, 2012

The Death of Seven Seconds or Less

Having watched the first two games of the Lakers this season my instantaneous reaction—like many others out there—was one of shock and disbelief. How could the Lakers not be utilizing Steve Nash, orchestrator of arguably the most beautiful style of basketball--Seven Second or Less? Why was this two-time MVP running around and setting picks and spotting up behind the three-point line?

I found myself thinking, “Give the damn ball to Nash and let him do his thing.”

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

$80 Million for James Harden

James Harden officially signed a five-year $80 million deal with his new team the Houston Rockets today. Whether this deal ends up being more trick or treat remains to be seen, but I am of the opinion that he is not worth that type of money.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

2012-13 Breakout Candidates

The NBA season kicks off in less than an hour. Before the season officially begins, I wanted to get in one last pre-season post.

With shifting rosters due to trades, retirement, or injury, and the natural progression of players getting better and worse as the years move on, here’s a look at five players that you might not have heard of that are poised to have career seasons.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Divergent Viewpoints: James Harden Trade

Kelly Sugino: I think it's good for both teams if OKC wasn't going to sign him...Still think it puts them back a little this year. Dork Elvis finally wins.

Jordan Ikeda: I don't know if it's a win, but a Lin/Harden backcourt could be very intriguing. They cover for each other's weaknesses in many ways. But Harden's not a max player. He doesn't want to be "The Man."

Friday, October 26, 2012

David Stern: A player feature from a fan's perspective

David Stern has been a very good commissioner. He was the only NBA commissioner in my own lifetime, so I have no one to personally compare him to, but according to the majority, he was a huge upgrade over Larry O’Brien. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize how well of a job he’s been doing because they’re either too young or wildly unreasonable – or both. My point is this – running a professional sport league successfully is an overwhelming task and nearly-thankless job, and David Stern did it better than most people think.

The knock on Stern these last several years is that he is stubbornly tyrannical, and that it’s been a long time coming for him to step down. Off the top of my head, I can think of four events that helped fuel this reputation of his. There was a public outcry for each one, but each one was defensible.

2 Live and Die in LA: Lakers 12-13 Preview (Pt. 2)

Even if Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash learn to tango far quicker than any winner of DWTS, the real issue is going to be defensively. Yes, Dwight Howard is the cure to all defensive woes, breakdowns, and sub-par defenders. He elevated a lackluster collection of defensive players including matadors Hedo Turkoglu and ++Ryan Anderson, into a top five defensive team.

But, while many of his former Orlando teammates were mediocre to poor defensive players, none of them were as bad as Nash. Nash is a turnstile despite actually trying at this end. He is just simply not the necessary caliber of athlete to defend the one and he’s too small to guard the two.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

BasketBias: Carmelo Anthony

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony just may have the team's medical staff taking a cut of his own non-"ridiculous" contract. Whether he gives up this portion of his salary as a karmic justification for his lack of defensive effort remains to be determined.  

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

2 Live and Die in LA: Lakers 12-13 Preview (Pt. 1)

While I can’t predict the future (though, sometimes I do get it right), I can plainly observe the present.

Andrew Bynum is better than Dwight Howard in the same way that Kobe Bryant is better than Lebron James.

Just to be crystal clear, that is  —  NOT…AT…ALL.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Great Expectations: LA Clippers 12-13 Preview (Pt. II)

The NBA has really developed into a talent-rich league over the past half decade. Besides producing a better, more visually appealing brand of basketball, it has also increased the importance of depth. While I am skeptical regarding how high the Clippers can go with their new additions, the fact remains that the team is legitimately 11-12 players deep. The team's depth should propel the squad to a high seed, but is a mixed bag of super athletic youth still learning the game, and once productive players already in decline.

Once the playoffs begin, I'm not sure that will be enough to legitimately challenge for a ring this year.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Great Expectations: LA Clippers 12-13 Preview (Pt. 1)

For the majority of Clippers fans, it was a brutal blow when the team decided to pick up the option on coach Vinny Del Negro. While the former Spur isn’t a terrible coach, he certainly is not one of the top 10 coaches in the league, and with a record of 154-158 over his four seasons, has not shown the talent or acumen that makes one think he could become one someday.

If this was five years ago, having a coach like Del Negro wouldn’t be a problem. He is, at the very least, not Mike Dunleavy.

However, this is not five years ago. In 2013, Clippers expectations begin at making the conference finals, while many on the team would consider nothing less than a championship a lost season.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Remember the Alamo: SA Spurs 12-13 Preview (Pt. 2)

The ultimate success of this season hinges upon how far the youth have developed.

Because there were no major offseason additions, the 2012-13 Spurs will be expecting improvement from within. There is a fine symmetry in the way the roster has been constructed by R.C. Buford. Players still on rookie contracts have been and/or are being integrated into the Spurs culture under the veteran leadership of Popovich, Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Remember the Alamo: SA Spurs 12-13 Preview (Pt. 1)

You’d think having 14 years of sustained success on the back of arguably the best power forward of all time, who carried the Spurs every one of those years (but one) to no less than 50 wins, while also winning four championships and reaching the conference finals three other times, would make people stop doubting—no matter how much father time takes his toll.

Despite all of that, very few people outside of Texas felt that the Spurs were championship material last year.

And yet, they absolutely were.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Shaquille O’Neal: A player feature from a fan’s perspective

As a Lakers fan, I had the opportunity to watch Shaquille O'Neal play in Los Angeles for eight years. In his prime, he was by far the biggest, strongest, most agile (for a player of his mass) big man I ever saw. He was both the unstoppable force and the immovable object, a nightmare matchup for opposing players and the refs as well. With Phil Jackson’s tutelage and Kobe Bryant at his side, he led the Lakers to three straight championships. I have to give respect where it’s due. Those banners in the Staples Center don’t exist without the Big Fella.

However, in light of the recent hubbub he spawned with his comments regarding Dwight Howard, I have to give criticism where it’s due as well. As much as Shaq has done in his career, he left basketball fans wanting, and this shortcoming stems from one main thing: his attitude.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Going Out in Style: BOS Celtics 12-13 Preview

There's plenty of motivation for the Celtics this year. Not that Kevin Garnett or Rajon Rondo or Paul Pierce ever need extra motivation for anything related to basketball. But there’s plenty to go around anyway.

First and foremost is “that guy” whose phone number has been lost, whose name has been forgotten, and who the Boston faithful have so classlessly (but hilariously) called Judas Shuttlesworth. Ray Allen’s defection to the Miami Heat has become a rallying point for the Green in what is now a bitter rivalry.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Want to Be Part of It: NY Knicks 12-13 Preview (Pt. 2)

While immensely unpopular, I do not fault the Knicks' decision to let two of the organization's young and promising players walk in Jeremy Lin and Landry Fields. Both showed clusters of greatness, but neither had sustained that level of play for a full season, and both are now being paid as if they had. Shrewd owners make decisions that are not always popular. Neither Lin nor Fields would have put New York over the top.

That being said, shrewd owners don't raze the farm to get a player that replicates the star player you already have. Shrewd owners also know when they have a real team on the cusp of greatness.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Want to Be Part of It: NY Knicks 12-13 Preview (Pt. 1)

Here’s something I never thought I’d write: I completely agree with Stephon Marbury.

In an interview with ESPN New York, the starting point guard for the Chinese Basketball Association’s reigning champion Beijing Ducks simply said, “Nope,” when asked if he thought Knicks stars Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire could play together.

Include Tyson Chandler and that pretty much sums up my feelings towards the Knicks' Big Three. In fact, I’d argue that the majority of the Knicks roster is ill-suited to play together—no matter how stacked New Yorkers believe their team to be or how many Knicks players think they can win it all.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Cruisin' in the ATL: ATL Hawks 12-13 Preview

Gone is Joe Johnson. With him, the painful-to-watch and increasingly less effective “Iso-Joe” offense—not to mention the nearly $90 million and four seasons still owed him.

Gone is Marvin Williams. With him, the stubborn notion to continue his employment solely because he was drafted over Chris Paul and Deron Williams all those summers ago.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Deconstructing Andrew Bynum (pt. 3)

Data from last season shows the opposite of the eye test regarding whether Bynum can carry a team or not. According to John Hollinger at ESPN.com, Bynum spent 20 percent of his time playing without Kobe Bryant or Pau Gasol last season (384 minutes). Hollinger’s advanced stat PER indicates that Bynum put up identical numbers and efficiency with a 23.2 PER without Bryant and Gasol, and a 23.1 PER with them.

Of course, Bynum was usually the first starter to sit, and he’d usually come in with the bench squad in the second quarter—meaning, a good many of his 384 minutes without Bryant and Gasol came against other teams’ bench units.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Deconstructing Andrew Bynum (pt. 2)

In the 2011-12 season, the Philadelphia 76ers had an up-and-down campaign because they were an elite defensive team (for half the season) that relied on transition offense triggered by quick, active, pressure defense. Pace-wise, they were one of the slower squads, which was unfortunate because when things slowed down, they didn’t have the types of players who could dominate multiple possessions and make things happen in the half court.

Enter Bynum, who is a traditional, back-to-the-basket, power center who excels in the halfcourt. At first glance, eHarmony couldn’t have found a more ideal partner.

But by both widening the scope as well as focusing in on the details, this marriage could end up closer to Kardashian/Humphries than Grant and Tamia Hill.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Deconstructing Andrew Bynum (pt. 1)

There is plenty of excitement in Philadelphia this year regarding the 76ers, and with good reason too. Trading away Andre Igoudala, amnestying Elton Brand, and bringing in Andrew Bynum, the team got rid of its two highest paid players and began in earnest its youth movement on the broad shoulders of one of the NBA’s best centers.

Having watched about 70 to 80 percent of Lakers games over the course of Bynum’s career, I feel it is important to give a realistic look at how he will fare as the main option/best player for Philly this season.


Intro

Welcome. We like to talk NBA basketball here.

"If this work seems so threatening, this is because it isn't simply eccentric or strange, but competent, rigorously argued, and carrying conviction." --Jacques Derrida