Monday, December 13, 2010

Big Head Mode

These Bobblehead NBA commercials are fantastic.





Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Slim Chin Again

Below is the latest Adidas ad featuring Ken Jeong and Derrick Rose. A much shorter clip than the first commercial spot.



At a quick glance, here are my top 12 picks for the Fantasy Basketball season. This is for standard H2H leagues. The rankings start from the top to the bottom and span from the left to the right.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Fast Don't Lie

New Adidas commercial spot featuring Dwight Howard, Ken Jeong and Derrick Rose. Amusing little jingle right here.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Midnight Madness

Highlights from the Midnight Madness 2010 Dunk Contest featuring Justin Darlington a.k.a Jus Fly and Guy Dupuy a.k.a Easy J. Easily better than anything the Association has put together in years.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Tricks of the trade.........

The farther along a player gets in his career, the more they have to change their current skill set to still remain competitive at a high level. People always mention MJ as being one of the best at this. Just for parities sake, let's look at Kobe, who at 31 has played far more basketball (World Games, Playoffs, Finals) than a player his age normally would. Gone are the high flying dunks, 360 reverse layups, etc. Replacing them now are fadeaway jumpers, an assortment of post up moves, and a knack for getting to the free throw line. Take a look at the older, wiser Kobe Bryant:

Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Decision

A hilarious parody of the ESPN special, "The Decision" with Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd that was featured on last night's ESPY's.

Friday, July 9, 2010

We Are Witnesses

Yikes. Lebron, Wade and Bosh on the same team? That's scary. That's a potential dynasty there. But I'm not willing to anoint them as champions quite yet, until I see how Pat Riley fills out their roster. You can't win a championship with just 3 players. And the Lakers are still the defending champions. Trading away Beasley for like nothing seems like a suspect move though. He has potential to be a star in the league. And was the #2 pick in the draft just a couple years ago. I feel for the fans in Cleveland. Lebron jumping ship is like a dagger in the heart. If it's any consolation, I'll be rooting again the Miami Heat next year. I'm not a big fan of ring chasers. Lebron should have proved his mettle by leading his hometown team to an NBA title. But that's just my two cents.



On the Fantasy side, this should hurt the value of Lebron, Wade and Bosh. There is only one ball to go around. And I think Durant is the clear #1 pick in all formats now. He's a beast!

It should be interesting to see Cleveland's reaction over the next few weeks. The below letter is just the beginning.

Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert.

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers

Monday, June 21, 2010

Ron-Ron Unplugged....

Classic....First Ron stole the show in Game 7. Then he stole the post game interviews.



And the Artest family:

Friday, June 18, 2010

Friday, June 4, 2010

Lakers vs. Celtics

Top 10 Plays In Lakers vs. Celtics NBA Finals History. Nuff said.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Playoff Predictions: Finals

Lakers Vs. Celtics: Round 2. This should be a brutal series. But I expect the Lakers to pull out a tough win in 7 games. I'll be rooting for the Celtic each step of the way though. I give the edge to the Lakers because of homecourt advantage. And also because of Kobe and Phil. This will be the end of Boston's fairy tale postseason run. The Lakers have more offensive firepower and a younger and more versatile team.



Once again, Rondo is the key to winning the series for Boston. He has a big edge over Fisher at the PG spot. I would not be surprised to see Kobe take on the defensive assignment of Rondo, and have Fisher defend Ray Allen. He sets the tone for the offense, and his gambling defense leads to easy buckets in transition. He'll need to prove he can hit that jumper consistently to be effective. I think Kevin Garnett will struggle against a legit 4 in Pau Gasol. He won't be matched up against an undersized PF like Jamison or Lewis. And his age and health will limit his effectiveness in this series. He is the anchor of this tough Boston defense though. This squad has been playing outstanding defense all postseason long; but will they be able to slowdown the Lakers for 7 games? Perkins is one Technical Foul away from a suspension. And I would not be surprised if him missing 1 game could be a turning point in the series. They need his size to matchup with Gasol and Bynum. Pierce or Allen will be relied on heavily to score buckets. Can they shoot their team victory? The Celtics have the edge on their bench also. Nate Robinson, if given minutes, could be an X-Factor for this squad. He provides instant offense off of the bench, and would give the Lakers guards fits. Tony Allen can come in for either Ray or Pierce and provide some solid minutes off of the bench defending Kobe. The Lakers don't have that same luxury. Rasheed Wallace and Big Baby provide much needed depth to the Celtics frontcourt.

Kobe has been on a tear this postseason, and he has extra incentive to play well this season to redeem himself from a poor showing 2 years ago. He has been unstoppable the past few series. Gasol has been arguably the best big man in the posteason, and is an excellent second fiddle to Kobe. They provide an excellent inside-outside game for the Lakers. Artest will need to focus on slowing down Pierce. He's a big upgrade for the Lakers over Radmanovic. And will quietly be a deciding factor in this series. Any offense they get from Artest is a bonus. Bynum's health is a huge question mark, but the Lakers will need him to play some solid minutes against the Boston frontcourt. Fisher will be relied on to hit some big shots. I expect Ray/Rondo to drift away from him at times, so he should have opportunities to shine. Anything the Lakers get from their bench is a huge plus. No one has provided any consistent play besides Odom. And he is practically a starter given Bynum's limited minutes. He'll have some big games against this Boston team. This is a much better Lakers team than the one that Boston faced a couple years ago. That was a team that had to rely heavily on Radmanovic, Vujacic, and Walton. And 2 of those players are struggling to get minutes on this new Lakers team. Brown and Farmar will need to hit open shots and not be a liability on the defensive end. Phil Jackson gives them the coaching edge also. He'll make the necessary adjustments to win the series and another cookie.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Playoff Predictions: Conference Finals

I had actually written this post during the weekend, but didn't have time to publish it online it until now. As you can see, my predictions have been a bit off. This postseason hasn't gone as I expected.



Orlando (2) vs. Boston (4)

Orlando sweeps Atlanta in the previous round in dominating fashion. It was the most lopsided 4-game sweetp in NBA history, as Orlando won each game by an average of 25.3 points. I thought the Hawks would put up a better fight. But I suppose there were plenty of warning signs when the Hawks struggled to put away a Milwaukee team without it's best 2 players. Dwight Howard was a force in the series; and they also got solid contributions from Nelson (their leading scorer), Vinsanity, Lewis, and Pietrus. They look very impressive in the playoffs so far compiling an 8-0 record. But I have some concerns that the long layoff between the end of the second round and the start of the next round makes them vulnerable for a game 1 upset against Boston. Time will tell.

Boston pulls off the impressive upset against Cleveland. The team is finally healthy, and they are playing fantastic defense in the postseason. They have picked the right time to peak. KG is returning to form, which is bad news for the rest of the league. Rondo has been the best player on their squad. And you can't forget about Pierce and Allen. Their role players are stepping up their games too. They've gotten nice production from Rasheed Wallace, Tony Allen and Glenn Davis. The Celtics struggled coming into the postseason, but are now playing their best basketball of the year. They will be a dangerous team. And while some experts see this team as old, I see them as experienced and crafty. I think the champions will come from the Eastern Conference this year. Sorry Lakers.

Boston has plenty of length and size to combat Superman. And they play great team defense. Rasheed Wallace was signed specifically to match up with Howard. Wallace can defend him one-on-one, and his outside shot can drawn Dwight away from the basket. That is key; as much of Orlando's offense comes from double-teams drawn on Dwight Howard. Kendrick Perkins is also an excellent post defender; and KG will take some turns defending Dwight. I think the key for them is stopping Nelson, who has perhaps been the best player for Orlando this postseason. Also if they can limit the # of 3pt baskets made, they will be in great shape. Pierce and Tony Allen will need to slow down Vince Carter. Rondo and KG will be tough matchups for Orlando. Lewis is similar to Jamison, who KG feasted on in the last series. For Orlando, they need to be hitting their outside shots to stand a shot. They are still a jump shooting team. Vince Carter will be the key. He and Nelson are the only players who can really create their own shot consistently. Dwight will need to stay out of foul trouble and be productive. I like their depth, with Redick, Pietrus, Anderson, Jason Williams off of the bench. They can score points in a hurry. It's their defense that needs to be sharp. It's important for SVG to make the proper adjustments from game to game, and use their depth to their advantage. He needs to keep the team motivated and make sure they don't come up flat in Game 1. They have home court advantage, which could be the difference-maker. Boston has not played well at home also, so I think Orlando wins in 7. They were my preseason pick.



L.A. Lakers (1) vs. Phoenix (3)

The returning champs beat down Utah in a 4 game sweep. They weren't particularly dominating, but they managed to squeeze out the wins with some great play in the clutch. They got excellent production from Kobe and Gasol. Kobe scored over 30 points in all 4 games against Utah. The extra rest between the series should help Kobe also. The injury to Bynum is a bit worrisome however. They don't have a lot of depth on their bench, so they will be hurting in the frontcourt if Bynum is hobbled. They haven't gotten much production from their bench excluding Lamar Odom. Phil Jackson remains among the best coaches so he will make sure that his team is prepared. They have homecourt advantage and will be anxious to avenge their defeat from a few years ago.

Phoenix has been one of the hottest teams in the postseason. They swept a very touch Spurs team. I did not see that coming. They managed to elevate their game in the clutch. They got some defensive stops when they needed, and were relentless on the offensive end. J-Rich has played great so far in the postseason. Amare and Nash have been unstoppable with their pick-n-roll and are providing an excellent inside and outside game. Grant Hill has evolved into an effective defensive stopper. But the X-factor for the postseason, has been their bench. Frye, Dragic, Barbosa, Amundson and Dudley have been great. They've provided tons of energy and hustle, and have been the difference-makers. They have plenty of scoring, and just need to keep up the tempo and put pressure on the Lakers. They can't stop the Lakers frontcourt.

This will be an exciting series. The Lakers seem to have the advantage though with their length and size in the inside, plus having the best closer in the game in Kobe. But if Bynum is limping, that will definitely make this series more interesting. Lopez is scheduled to return for Phoenix, which provides another big body to defend against Bynum and Gasol. Hill will be assigned to Kobe, and asked to slow him down. Nash will murder Fisher. I wonder if the Lakers will elect to put Kobe on Nash. I think Artest will defend Richardson, and will slow him down. Amare vs Gasol should be a fun matchup. Amare has the power and athleticism advantage, Gasol being a more finese and skilled player. The Suns will need to push the tempo and try to outscore the Lakers. They'll need their bench to continue to play well. They have the edge there over the Lakers. Dragic and Barbosa could be keys to this series, with their quickness and ability to score. Frye's outside shooting; along with Dudley will be big off of the bench too. For the Lakers, Bynum, Gasol and Odom will need to dominate the post. They'll need to play good defense. Artest and Fisher will need to step up and hit some buckets for them. Any production they can get from their bench will be a bonus. I always say that defense wins championships, so I predict the Lakers will win in 6, maybe less.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Playoff Predictions: 2nd Round

LA Lakers (1) vs. Utah (5)

Oklahoma City gave the Lakers a bit of a scare in the first round; but this happens just about every year. It's become an annual thing for the Lakers to be pushed to 6 or 7 games in a series against a lesser opponent. Who can forget the classic Houston series from last year. As long as Kobe and Gasol are healthy, this team will be in contention for the championship. Bynum's knee is a bit worrisome; but the Lakers managed to win it all last year without getting much contributions from him. So it can be done. Artest/Fisher/Odom will need to step up their games for the Lakers to repeat. Phil Jackson is one of the all-time great coaches.

Apparently, I underestimated the Utah Jazz. Even losing Okur in Game 1, they were able to knock off Denver in 6 games. Okur will miss the rest of the postseason, which is a huge blow for their chances. This does mean more minutes for Millsap, however. Kirilenko should be back sometime during the next series, which will help them defend against Kobe. Deron Williams and Boozer were brilliant against Denver. But the difference-makers in the series were the play of Matthews and Miles. They'll need to continue to play well for the Jazz to stand any shot at advancing to the Western Conference Finals. Also they will need to prove that they can win on the road, where they have struggle all year.

The Lakers had trouble stopping Westbrook in the 1st round, and now they have to face a toucher PG in Deron Williams. Fisher stands no shot at stopping him. I expect Kobe and Artest to take turns defending him. Once again, they have a huge edge in the frontcourt with Bynum/Gasol/Odom. Their length will cause havoc in the passing lanes. Also whoever is matched up against Fesenko will have a big edge. The Lakers will need Artest and Odom to contribute more on the offensive end. They didn't get much production from their role players in the first round. For Utah, Boozer and Millsap will need to continue to play big in the middle. Crash the glass and pound the ball inside. Wiliams and Boozer will get theirs; but the key will be the play of Matthews and Miles. If they can continue to play as well as they did in the first round, they'll stand a shot; albeit a slim one, to knock out the Lakers. If they can get Kirilenko back soon, that would also help their chances. Both Sloan and Jackson are great coaches, so it should be a fun matchup. But I still see [Lakers in 6]



San Antonio (7) vs. Phoenix (3)

I'm not surprised that the Spurs won, but I was impressed by their play. They were the tougher team, and they got solid contributions from their role players: Hill, McDyess, Blair and Jefferson. It's a scary thought when the Spurs can win a game with their Big 3 struggling. Interestingly, they were the first #7 seed to win a first round 7-game series. The key was the play of Hill, and Parker's willingness to come off of the bench. Both were questionable with injuries, but came up big in the Dallas series. Manu is a warrior and played well despite a broken nose. Duncan continues to show signs of decline, but is still a major contributor.

It took Phoenix a little longer than expected to take out Portland, but they ended up winning in 6 games. Assigning Grant Hill to defend Andre Miller was a key move. They won 4 out of 5 games after that decision. J-Rich was the X-Factor. In all games that he played well, the Suns won. Amare scored at a nice clip, but did not rebound or defend particularly well. Nash continues to do his thing at an advanced age. But it's the supporting cast of the team that was superb. Frye, Hill, Barbosa, Dudley, Dragic, Amundson... they provided this team with the necessary energy and depth to pull out the wins. Their defense is better than in previous years, but still not great. They are going to be a tough out this year.

These teams have a lot of history between them. The Spurs always seem to prevail against them. And I think this year won't be any different. I would not be surprised to see this series go the distance however. I expect Amare to have a huge series once again. But if the Spurs are able to slow down Nash and limit the # of 3pt baskets, they'll stand a great chance at winning. They are the better defensive team; and will be able to come up with key stops down the stretch of games. The Spurs will also need to pay special attention to J-Rich. As mentioned above, when he struggles, the whole team struggles. They'll need Hill/Parker to be aggressive and force Nash to work on the defensive end. The Phoenix bench could be a deciding factor in this series as well. They play with great energy and hustle, and have a number of deadly outside shooters. For the Suns, a key matchup will be Hill vs. Manu. If he can slowdown Manu like he did with Miller in the first series, that will be a great help for the Suns. Also history dictates that if they can shutdown the Spurs role players, they'll have an excellent shot at winning. The Big 3 can't win the series by themselves. I give Popovich the coaching edge. He'll know what adjustments to make to help the Spurs pull out a tough win against Phoenix. [Spurs in 7]

Cleveland (1) vs. Boston (4)

Cleveland beating Chicago was a foregone conclusion. Cavalier fans have to be concerned about Lebron James elbow injury though. The fact that he had to take a left-handed free throw at the end of Game 5 is worrisome. So much of Cleveland's offense is predicated on Lebron. And if he is playing tentative and not attacking the basket, that will have a drastic effect on the entire team. That's something to look out for. Also in the first round of action, they didn't get particularly strong contributions from their role players. Only Jamison and Mo Williams averaged double-digit scoring, for example. Lebron won't be able to win a title by himself, he'll need his supporting cast to step up and win some games. Shaq will get more minutes in the postseason going forward, and will need to show that he can carry this Cleveland team for short bursts of time. They will need his ability to draw double-teams, and score in the post.

Boston took out Miami more easily than I would have thought. I had picked Miami as one of the teams that had the best chance at an upset. But Wade didn't get much help from his teammates, and he could only carry his team so far. I think it's finally time to recognize Rondo as the best player in Boston. His defense, rebounding, passing and penetration are critical for this Boston team. He is the motor that makes this Celtics team go. We should refer to Boston as Rondo and the Other 3. Pierce proves that he can still be a major contributor to this team though with his last minute heroics. And Allen is still one of the league's elite shooters. KG is solid, but not the warrior he was in the past. And he lacks the explosion from his younger years. Despite this team's advanced age, they are still a factor in this postseason. Don't count them out. If their role players can step up their games, they will be tough to beat.

The key for Cleveland winning is stopping Rondo. I don't think Mo Williams has a shot at slowing down Rondo, so you might see West or Parker defend him for stretches of time. Pierce vs Lebron will be a marque matchup. As mentioned before, it will be interesting to see how the elbow affects Lebron's play. If he plays tentative, it will be absolutely crucial for Mo Williams, Jamison, Shaq and company to step up. I like the depth that Cleveland has. They can throw a bunch of different looks at the Boston team. Jamison was picked up for the exact reason to combat teams like Boston. His outside shooting will stretch the defense, and he gives Lebron another scoring option. They will need to use their energy and hustle to outplay the older Boston team. Hickson will be a solid contributor off of the bench. Boston will need to get strong contributions from their bench. Rasheed will need to wake up. Tony Allen could be called on to defend Lebron and be a pest on the defensive end. Perkins and Big Baby need to hustle and rebound. This is Cleveland's series to lose. [Cleveland wins in 6], but it could stretch out to 7 games.



Orlando (2) vs. Atlanta (3)

Orlando was the only team to sweep their opponent in the last series. And that was with Dwight Howard fighting foul trouble in each game. That's a scary thought. Nelson has been playing like a beast so far. Lewis has been scoring at a nice clip too. Carter has struggled with his shot so far, but Orlando hasn't needed him to score a ton of points to win. That may change in the next round, of course. But he has the potential to be a clutch performer for this team. They are getting solid contributions from their bench, which is a huge advantage. They have great depth, and can rely on their role players to hold and sometimes even increase leads. They look bound for the Eastern Conference Finals again.

Atlanta struggled to beat out a hard-working, tough-nosed Milwaukee team. That doesn't bode well for their chances in the next round. They were able to in game 6 and 7 in dominating fashion, however. But I still think that if Bogut was healthy, Milwaukee could have won that series. Crawford struggled for most of the series against Milwaukee, but came a live in the last few games. Johnson, Horford and Smith were sharp for most of the series. They will need to get better effort from Bibby and Marvin Williams to be competitive, however. Their bench isn't particularly strong, so their team will struggle if their starters are not playing well. They have a lot riding on this postseason, their success or lack thereof will determine if Woodson is brought back and whether Joe Johnson will resign with their team or sign with someone else.

Nelson and Dwight will be the keys for the Orlando team. They have favorable match-ups and will need to play at their best. Vince vs Johnson will be a fantasic matchup. Josh Smith and Lewis at the PF spot play very different styles. Lewis hits open 3pt shots and stretches the defense. While Smith plays tough defense, crashes the boards, and attacks the basket. I like Orlando's depth here though. Their bench is much better than Atlanta's. This will allow Van Gundy to keep his starters fresh. The longer this series goes on, the more it benefits Orlando. Dwight should be able to dominate an undersized Horford. He will need to stay out of foul trouble, though. They can't afford him to miss long stretches in each game like last series. Outside shooting could be a factor in this series also. Both teams hit 3's at a nice clip. Atlanta will need strong shooting efforts from both Crawford and Johnson. They have nice size at the wing positions, so they will need to crash the boards, defend well, and try to score easy buckets in transition. Overall, I think Orlando is just the more talented team. [Orlando wins in 6], maybe even 5 games.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Playoff Predictions: 1st Round (Eastern Conference)

Cleveland (1) vs. Chicago (8)

Chicago squeaks into the playoffs barely edging out a slumping Toronto team that had just lost Bosh for the rest of the season, and their prize is a first round beat-down by the Cavaliers. I expect Cleveland to be focused and take care of business quickly. This series will give the Cavs a few games to integrate Shaq back into their game plan. He'll be a key component in latter series. Lebron will show everyone why he is the league's MVP. He will dominate both sides of the floor. Likewise, Rose will have his way against Mo Williams and West. It will take a team defensive effort to slowdown Rose. Chicago misses the firepower of Gordon off of the bench. I just don't think they have enough talent or weapons to compete with Cleveland. Noah is recovering from an injury, which won't help their cause at all. Deng will have his hands full defending Lebron. And their coaching situation is volatile. The weakness of the Cavs last year was a lack of firepower. But now they have added both Shaq and Jamison in the mix. Jamison's outside shooting and hustle will be huge for this team. Hopefully Mo will bounce back from a poor showing last year. In addition to the improved offense, Cleveland has much more depth than last year. This is the best team Lebron has played on. Varejao will continue to be a solid contribute for this team. [Cleveland in 4]



Orlando (2) vs. Charlotte (7)

While it's a nice accomplishment that Charlotte made it to the playoffs, I just don't see them beating Orlando. They have no one who can matchup with Dwight Howard. That leaves them with one of 3 options: single cover Dwight and let him score, foul him, or double-team him (which will lead to wide open 3's for his teammates). It's a pick your poison situation. Larry Brown is the superior coach, but I think the rumor of him leaving Charlotte next year might prove to be a distraction. Charlotte plays great defense, but they can't match up with the offensive firepower or depth of Orlando. And in a long series where teams make adjustments, this gives Orlando a big advantage. I suspect their role players of Redick, Pietrus, Barnes, Williams and Anderson will hit some big shots before this series is over. Orlando will need Lewis to return to form. He's been hit and miss all season long. This will give Vinsanity a chance to show his worth. But he's in a touch matchup with Jackson. Crash has the edge over Barnes or Pietrus; though I suspect that to be a feisty matchup. Nelson vs Felton is a wash. Neither guy has been consistent enough to be a difference-maker. Diaw will be an X-factor in this series, I think. The better he plays, the better this whole Charlotte team plays. [Orlando in 6]

Atlanta (3) vs. Milwaukee (6)

It's a shame that Andrew Bogut had to go down with an injury. Milwaukee would have been one of my darkhorse picks otherwise. I just like the way their team has been playing since the addition of John Salmons. The 2-headed PG of Ridnour and Jennings has been surprisingly effective. I don't think they have enough firepower to compete with ATL though. And their team lacks the postseason experience and depth to be competitive. Delfino and Ilyasova have played well for the team, though. Atlanta, meanwhile, is hungry and ready to take the next step in the postseason. JJ and Josh Smith will destroy whoever they are matched up against. And Crawford will continue to be huge off of the bench. He has been an exceptional contributor for this team, and is on his way to a 6th man of the year award. Horford has been solid in the middle, though I still don't think he deserved the all-star nod. But he's definitely better than Thomas or Gadzuric on the MIL side. They aren't going to intimate anyone. It'll be interesting to see how this MIL team gels once they have Redd and Bogut back. They have some interesting potential. But they will be a quick out this year. Atlanta needs to be careful about foul trouble and injuries, though. Their bench is not the best. [Atlanta in 5]



Boston (4) vs. Miami (5)

Yikes. Boston slipping all the way down to the #4 spot. They just aren't the same team this year. They are really struggling with injuries and just old age. KG, especially, is not the same player he was in previous years. Rondo has been their best player all year long, and will need to play well for Boston to make some noise in the playoffs. Allen and Pierce are still reliable scorers for the Boston squad. But their new acquisitions: Rasheed, Nate Robinson, and Daniels haven't panned out as well as they had hoped. If they can get some solid production from Big Baby, that would help their chances immensely. Boston is a team on the decline, and things will only get worse from now on. On the flip side, you have a mediocre Miami team surrounded by Wade. He is a miracle worker; so I give him a slim shot at pulling off an upset. Beasley will need to step up and prove to be a consistent #2 guy. Q-Rich, O'Neal, and the duo of Arroyo/Chalmers each have had their moments during the season. But they will need to be clicking on all cylinders just for this team to be competitive. In any case, I don't foresee either team giving Cleveland much trouble in the next round though. They are just speed bumps. [Boston in 6]

Playoff Predictions: 1st Round (Western Conference)



LA Lakers (1) vs. Oklahoma City (8)

I'll be rooting like crazy for the Thunder, but I don't think it's their time yet. They are going to fall short against a more talented and experienced team in the Lakers, who are looking to repeat as champions. The Lakers have struggled coming into the postseason, but I expect them to turn it on once the postseason starts. Kobe should be well rested after taking the last few games off, and is still one of the league's best closers. Bynum is expected to return from injuries in time for the playoffs. The trio of Odom, Gasol and Bynum should dominate this series and carry the Lakers to the win. The Thunder have no one that can match up with them in the frontcourt. Durant is a future MVP and Westbrook is developing into a nice star as well. He should be able to dominate the matchup against Fisher. But I don't think it will be enough. If Artest is able to slow down Durant, this series could be over faster than people think. It's a nice achievement that Oklahoma City was able to win 50 games and make it to the playoffs, but their run won't last long. It should be a good learning experience for this young, up-and-coming team, though. I read that this is the first time a #8 seed has won 50 games. Nice. [LA Lakers in 5]

Dallas (2) vs. San Antonio (7)

I'm not sure why the Spurs gave up on the last game of the season. They had a chance to move into the #6 spot, and play Phoenix instead; which seems like a more favorable matchup. But you should never count out these former champs; they will be a tough out. Gregg Popovich is still one of the league's best coaches, and Tim Duncan is still one of the all-time greats, even if he is showing signs of age. Manu's revival has been huge for this team down the stretch. And he will be the key for the Spurs in this series. If Parker or Hill miss any games, the Spurs are going to struggle. Blair could be a difference maker with his energy and hustle. But their inconsistency on the defensive end will hurt them. Dallas has too much depth and firepower for the Spurs to handle. Kidd still is one of the best play-makers in the game despite his age. Dirk and Terry are a dynamic 1-2 scoring punch. And Butler and Marion provide help at the wing positions. Haywood and Dampier are two big bodies that they can throw at Duncan to try to contain him. Beaubois and Barea will hit some big shots for Dallas off of the bench. This is Dallas' series to lose. I give the Spurs a puncher's chance to win though. [Dallas in 6]



Phoenix (3) vs. Portland (6)

Phoenix gets a lucky break here. Portland is limping into the postseason full of injuries. Without Roy, Portland stands 0 chance of beating the Suns in a 7-game series. They might be able to steal 1 or 2 games though, based on hustle and heart. I commend them for playing as well as they have, overcoming the loss of several key players. McMillian deserves some recognition for Coach of the Year. But they don't have the talent or depth to compete with these other playoff teams. I don't think Aldridge can carry this team on his back. And Miller isn't going to score over 50 points again anytime soon. Camby will get some rebounds and blocks, but isn't a difference-maker. Batum, Fernandez, Webster and Bayless are too inconsistent to be relied on. Meanwhile, the Suns have way too much offensive firepower. Nash, J-Rich, and Amare are going to feast on Portland. And their supporting cast of Hill, Frye, Barbosa, Dragic and Dudley will hit some big shots, too. It should be a fun series to watch. They'll need Lopez back to be competitive in the 2nd round, though. A Dirk vs Nash matchup should be exciting. [Phoenix in 5]

Denver (4) vs. Utah (5)

That is definitely one of the more interesting matchups in the first round. I think it can go either way. Though I like Denver more at the moment. Mainly because they have homecourt advantage. Utah historically is an awful road team. Many experts have commented that Denver has not been the same team without George Karl at the helm. We'll see how that plays into the series. Billups vs Deron should be an epic matchup at the PG spot. JR Smith, as always, will be an X-factor for his team. He'll either shoot the Nuggets into victory or defeat. Carmelo has been huge against Utah in the regular season games. I just read that Kirilenko will miss the series due to injury, so that will hurt Utah quite a bit. Both Boozer and Kenyon Martin are coming up injuries, also. So health could play a big role in this series. Birdman has been playing hurt also. I think Okur's outside shooting will be huge for Utah. I don't see any of Denver's bigs running out to guard Okur at the three point line. Millsap and Lawson off of the bench are key player for their respective teams also. It should be the most competitive series in the first round. [Denver in 7]

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Young Flyers

Below is a recap video of the 2010 McDonald's All-American Dunk Contest. Not only was the NBADL Dunk Contest better than the NBA's. But the High School All-American's was better also. Ouch.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Best Trade Deadline Moves

The title of this entry is self-explanatory. A few weeks have past since the trade deadline, and it seems like an appropriate time now to comment on who were the winners and losers.



+ Dallas gets Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson
+ Washington gets Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, Quinton Ross, James Singleton

This trade actually worked out nicely for both teams. It catapults DAL into title contender status. It gives them some much needed toughness and defense. Haywood has been a beast in the middle for Dallas, who desperately needed a replacement for the oft-injured Dampier. Tough Juice is a big improvement over Howard; it also helps that he is actually healthy and playing. This trade pushes Terry to the bench where he excels in the 6th man role. A line-up of Kidd, Butler, Marion, Nowitzki, Haywood can make some big noise in the playoffs. They actually have the defense to match their offensive firepower. For WAS, it was a salary dump move. Stevenson and Butler are owed nearly $30 million over this and next season. Trading away Haywood frees up playing time for Blatche (who has been a revelation) and McGee. Also Singleton has been a solid addition to their frontcourt. He can provide rebounds and blocked shots and has some nice upside. WAS just needed to start over. And this gives them an opportunity to evaluate their young players.

+ Portland gets Marcus Camby
+ LA Clippers get Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw

I don't particularly care for this trade. It doesn't really benefit either team much. True, POR desperately need a big man. But they are fighting for the 8th playoff seed in the West, and chances are Camby will not resign with them during the offseason. So he was just a one-year rental. Both Blake and Outlaw are expiring contracts, so it's not like they came out better financially. I guess one positive is that players now have more defined roles on the team, and they can worry less about fighting for playing time. It's addition by subtraction, in a sense. Miller is the #1 PG, and Bayless is the backup. Batum and Fernandez are the main guys at SF now. For the Clippers, they get a nice backup PG in Blake, and a decent prospect in Outlaw. But it doesn't really help this team much in the short-term or the long-term. Surely they could have gotten some draft picks or something for Camby, right? I just don't get this trade for them.



+ Cleveland Gets Antawn Jamison, Sebastian Telfair
+ Washington gets Zydrunas Ilgauska, Al Thornton, 2010 1st Round Pick (from Cavs), rights to Emir Preldzic
+ LA CLippers get Drew Gooden

CLE comes out ahead in a big way. They pick up an all-star caliber without giving up Hickson. And it looks like Big Z will re-sign with the Cavs for a championship-run. So all they gave up was a late 1st round pick. Brilliant. Jamison is the stretch 4 that they were looking for. He is a solid defender, willing passer, prolific scorer, and just great teammate. He will find a way to fit in on this team and become a reliable secondary option on this team. Mo Williams was awful last year in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how this team gels once Shaq comes back. I like Jamison on this more than Amare. And this move gives CLE a legitimate shot at winning the title. They are the team to beat now. Once again, I have no idea why LAC is involved in this trade. They just traded away a nice prospect in Al Thornton who is signed to a cheap deal. And got back an expiring contract in Gooden, who will not likely sign back with them. I just don't get it. For WAS, this continues their rebuilding program. They get a nice prospect in Thornton, a draft pick from CLE, and they dump Jamison's salary. It's a WIN-WIN situation for them. Could they have gotten more for Jamison? Maybe. But when you are desperate you have to make desperate moves. And this was the right move to make by WAS.

+ Chicago gets Hakim Warrick, Joe Alexander
+ Milwaukee gets John Salmons, 2010 & 2011 2nd Round Picks, option to switch 2010 First Round Picks (Top-10 Protected)

This is proving to be the most underrated trade of the season. Salmons has elevated this team from borderline playoff team to scary first round opponent. They are 12-2 since the trade. And are playing great basketball. He's a reliable scorer and play-maker, and has nice range on his jump shot. They are not missing Redd one bit. This MIL team has a bright future. I really like their core of Jennings, Salmons, Delfino and Bogut. Initially, I thought they were giving up too much for Salmons, but he has really played brilliantly. He's a huge upgrade over Bell or whoever else they had to start before him. For CHI, it's mainly a salary dump. They also get some draft pick consideration. But it's mainly salary dump. They were having trouble finding playing time for Hinrich and Salmons, so one of them had to be traded. It's all about being in the right system and getting the right opportunities. Chicago is positioning itself nicely for the offseason, where they can sign one of the major stars.



+ Houston Gets Kevin Martin, Hilton Armstrong, Jared Jeffries, Jordan Hill, 1st Round Pick (from Knicks) (Top-5 Protected), Rights to Exchange 2011 1st Round Picks (with Knicks) (Top-1 Protected)
+ Sacramento gets Larry Hughes, Carl Landry, Joey Dorsey
+ New York gets Tracy McGrady, Sergio Rodriguez

Yikes, this is a complicated trade. But I like the move for all involved parties. Houston gets a big-time scorer to compliment their feisty defense. Martin and Brooks will form a formidable duo. I can't wait to see what this team is like next year with Yao back and healthy (hopefully). Jordan Hill is a nice prospect. And they get a 1st round pick from the Knicks also. It's a shame to see Landry go, but his departure frees up minutes for Scola. You need to give up something to get something. T-Mac was just dead weight on this team. Jeffries is a nice defender who can play multiple positions. He's a nice fit for this team off of the bench. Sacramento gets rid of a huge contract in Martin, who proved that he cannot play with Evans, and gets a nice prospect in Landry, who is one of the most underpaid athletes in the game. Dorsey is potentially a gem in the rough. NYK get their man T-Mac. And more importantly, get his expiring contract. Now they'll have the money to sign 2 big free agents this summer. I doubt either one will be Wade or Lebron, though. Rodriguez gets a chance to shine in New York. Getting rid of Jefferies contract as huge. Giving up the draft picks could come back and haunt them though. If they can't sign anyone of caliber. They are putting all of their eggs into one basket.

+ Charlotte gets Tyrus Thomas
+ Chicago gets Acie Law, Flip Murray, Future 1st Round Pick

Chicago makes another move for the future. They trade away Thomas for a 1st round pick. It's not a bad move at all. They were starting Gibson over Thomas anyway. They were tired of his inconsistency and his lack of maturity. So I approve of the trade, if they had no plans to resign him during the offseason. It's better to get something than nothing, right? He has all of the talent in the world, but just can't put it together consistently. Acie Law and Flip Murray are decent role players. But I'm not sure if either sticks with the team past this year. For CHA, it's a nice gamble. They get a lottery-talent player who can help them immediately. He's a great defender and should fit in well on this team, who is desperate for more depth in the frontcourt. What some people forget is that he is still young. He's got great athleticism and upside, and Larry Brown hopes he can thrive in a 6th man role. He's had some up and down success since the trade, but could still prove a valuable addition in the long-term. Charlotte has been a pleasant surprise this year.

Monday, March 15, 2010

NBA Jam Returns

Below is the trailer for the upcoming NBA Jam game.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Dunktastic

Check out the below videos for some nasty dunk highlights:



Monday, February 15, 2010

NBA All Star Weekend 2010

Rookie Challenge. Excluding Westbrook, the Sophomores played like they didn't even want to be there. They had a huge advantage on the inside, which they rarely exploited. Beasley was their best big man, however. Mayo put up a solid 10 dimes for the Sophomores. Meanwhile, Jennings, Blair, Harden and Evans put on a show for the rookies. Blair was a beast on the glass with 23 rebounds. And he out-hustled the much superior front court of the Sophomores squad. I like the nickname Heavy D for him. It was a classy move by Evans to share the MVP award with Blair. It's surprising that their team won.

H-O-R-S-E Competition. Who knew that Rondo was such a good 3 point shooter? He had a nice stroke and was matching Durant shot for shot. Casspi was a dud though. He could not hit a shot and had 0 charisma. Why didn't they invite Rasheed Wallace or Monta Ellis, who are known for their trick shots? They need to invite players with a little more swagger, too. Trash talking should be the best part about the H-O-R-S-E competition. Also they need to come up with a different format for the contest so that it doesn't just turn into an old-fashioned shoot-out.

Shooting Stars Competition. Yawn. There's not much to report here. But it was impressive to see Kenny Smith shoot half court shots like they were straight 15-foot jumpers. He was the only one not using the walk-and-heave shot form. Team Texas had the best group of shooters. Pau Gasol was awful at shooting 3 pointers.



Skills Challenge. Steve Nash was awesome. He turned what is usually a boring event to a slightly less boring event. His posing and mugging of the camera was great. And it was hilarious when he tried to block Deron William's shot in the final round, after the winner had already been decided. Steve Nash was the winner, by the way.

Three-Point Shootout. Who predicted Paul Pierce to win this thing? I bet nobody. That just comes to show that the best shooter doesn't always win this competition. I was impressed that a score of 17 was needed to make it to the final round. No one really bombed this competition, which is a rarity. I wanted Curry to take it all, though.

Slam Dunk Contest Ouch. You know it's bad when the NBADL Dunk Contest is better than the NBA Dunk Contest. See the below video evidence. Shannon Brown, an early favorite, absolutely choked in this contest. And Gerald Wallace threw up some ordinary dunks like he didn't even want to be there. DeMar DeRozan and Nate Robinson had an equal number of good and bad dunks. But there was no drama or excitement in this contest. Nate probably won this contest based on name recognition. And the league claims he took only 51% of the vote.





The All Star Game. I don't have much to comment on the main event of all-star weekend, except that the audience was massive. A world record 108,713 people filled Cowboy Stadium to watch the game. Also I was surprised how close the game was, considering that the West was missing Kobe, Paul and Roy. They tried to make Dirk and Bosh the highlights of the event (Bosh being a former native of Dallas), but Wade ended up stealing the crown. I have him on my fantasy team, so I'm hoping that this momentum carries over to the 2nd half of the season.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Rookie Challenge Practice

Two Words: Steph Curry

Will the real Superman please step forward?

Shaq seemed to have some choice comments for Dwight Howard after last nights game. Could this possibly be the cause of Shaq's ire?



Regardless, the comments from Shaq were hilarious.

Nash shows his funny side....

In a spinoff of the hilarious Dos Equis commercials that feature "The Most Interesting Man In the World", Vitamin Water brings us "The most Ridiculous Man In the World". Enjoy!!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Commercial Catch-Up

Lebron & Dwight dunk off in this McDonalds commercial.



Big Z makes a hilarious appearance in this Nike MVPuppets ad.



A horrible Taco Bell TV spot featuring a rapping Barkley.

Friday, January 29, 2010

He's On Fire

Below are the latest MVPuppets Nike Ads which feature Kobe's new shoes: the Nike Zoom Kobe V. And oh yeah, Zee added his comments to the all-star blog this morning. Go check 'em out.



Friday, January 22, 2010

All-Star Picks

Yesterday, the league announced the starters for the All-Star game. Of course, Zee and I had to chime in with our comments and also give our picks for the reserves, which will no doubt be better than the official rosters. We've listed a few alternates too, in case there are injuries to any of the selected player. Below are the starters that were selected by the fans, the top row being the starters for the Eastern Conference and the bottom row the starters for the Western Conference.

Eastern & Western Conference Starters




Kay's Comments: I don't have any qualms with the starters in the West. The fans did a solid job with their selections; though I'm disappointed that T-Mac got snubbed. Hah! I would have liked to see the look on David Stern's face if McGrady was voted in. On a side note, I'm a bit puzzled by why Amare Stoudemire was listed as a Center though. He's started 0 games as Center this season for the Phoenix Suns. The Eastern Conference is a different story though. There is one played in particular who sticks out like a tack: Iverson. He's only played in 16 games this season (3 with Memphis before he was exiled). And not only that, he's putting up career low numbers across the board, including scoring 12 points below his career average. I understand that the fans can vote for whoever they want, but I wish they vote based on merit rather than popularity. To a significantly lesser extend, I also don't like the inclusion of KG in the starting group. He's missed 11 games this season, and I think that a requirement to make the all-star squad is having played in at least 80% of the total games. That's the same reason why I personally think Pau Gasol and Danny Granger don't deserve to be picked for the all-star game either. But that's just my humble opinion.

Zee's Comments: If T-Mac played in the ASG, the Rockets front office would have a ton of explaining to do, as to why their "star" player is catching lob passes in Dallas but can't catch them in the Toyota Center in Houston. That said, the West looks really solid this year as opposed to years past. I honestly think the East should be able to pick up the snubs from the west as I don't think they stand a chance this year. Only problem I might have had with this western squad is how all these players are going to get the ball, then I see Steve Nash and CP3 and wonder if the all time ASG assist record is going to be broken. And now the Eastern squad. I understand people being miffed at A.I. making the starting roster (or the roster altogether) but what people don't understand is two very important things: 1) Iverson was SNUBBED on several occasions before the league had to come to grips with his "image". 2) The smart money is probably on the fact that Ive won't be playing much longer, so why not attempt to end his career on a high note? He's already playing in Philly so let's just let everything come full circle. I agree with Kay about Pau and Danny Granger not being on the team, especially when there are capable replacements that could be snubbed as a result of this.

Eastern Conference Reserves



Chris Bosh

Joe Johnson

David Lee

Brook Lopez



Rajon Rondo

Derrick Rose

Gerald Wallace

Kay's Comments: What I like about this batch of players is that we have good representation from all of the top teams, and we have 5 1st time all-stars. That just shows that the East is full of young and promising players. Bosh being picked is a no-brainer. He's having a MVP-calibur season. Joe Johnson is the best player on a surprising ATL team, who have been every bit as good as ORL and BOS so far in this regular season. Lee and Lopez are putting up huge numbers on bad teams; and I'm not one to penalize them for that. Both are very close to joining the elusive 20-10 club. Rondo has really elevated his game this year, and is proving to be just as value as the Big 3 to Boston's success. He's a triple double waiting to happen and is really the engine that drives the Boston team. So we gave him the nod over Pierce for an all-star spot. Rose is the Chicago Bulls. They will only go as far as Rose takes them. He's a top flight PG in only his second year. And Gerald Wallace is one of the most underrated stars in the league. He's putting up ridiculous numbers this year: over 18 points, 11 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1 block. And he's challenging for the rebound title. Crazy. He's a big reason for Charlotte's success. Who thought that they would be the #5 seed in the East?

Zee's Comments: Two of the above guys are on my fantasy hoops team so I have to show them love first (pause). Brook Lopez and Rajon Rondo hands down are worthy of being in the ASG. Let's start with Rondo. Not only is he having to constantly play with a banged up Celtics squad, he has managed to cement himself as a cornerstone of the Celtics future plans, ensuring he will be around to piss off Doc Rivers for years to come. The man is a triple double waiting to happen on any given night, and the only players you hear that phrase associated with are on a very short list: One plays the forward spot in Cleveland and the other is the point guard for the Mavericks, figure it out. And now Brook Lopez. Brook is a beast, plain and simple. Where would the Nets be without his services this year? 2 wins? 1 win? If the nets were smart they would try to get some talent around this guy ASAP, maybe they could clear up cap space and then..... I agree wholeheartedly with Kay about the influx of youth in the Eastern Conference. David Lee will be here for years to come, same for Derrick Rose but not necessarily for Gerald Wallace. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy, but he didn't get the nickname "Crash" for nothing. That said, his numbers this year, coupled with him being able to stay healthy, and Charlotte's push for a playoff spot make him more than deserving this year. Somewhere Michael Jordan is patting himself on the back, he's still a terrible GM though.

Eastern Conference Alternates



Andre Iguodala

Paul Pierce

Josh Smith

Kay's Comments: Iguodala has put up impressive numbers the past few years, but seems to always fall short of an all-star bid. He and Lebron James are the only players averaging over 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game. And he's near the top in the league in steals. Pierce continues to put up impressive numbers on a stacked Boston team. But as I mentioned above, I like Rondo just a bit more. If KG has to sit out of the all-star game due to injury, Pierce would be the guy I call up to replace him. Josh Smith has made some nice strides in his game this season. He's improve on his shot selection and decision-making. But his play has dropped off in recent weeks after a red-hot November. He would be a fun guy to invite to the all-star game because of his crazy athleticism. One player that barely missed the list was Stephen Jackson. He's done a nice job turning around the Charlotte Bobcats team.

Zee's Comments: Three great alternates. Iggy based on entertainment value alone should be in the ASG. Between him and J-Smoove, I expect several NBA Jam-esque high flying dunks (if they actually make the team). Paul Pierce is the man on that Boston team regardless of what anyone may tell you. Rondo get him the ball then gets out of the way. I look at his knee injuries this season and if he hadn't sat out those games, maybe he could've been a shoo-in to make the team.

Western Conference Reserves



Kevin Durant

Rudy Gay

Chris Kaman

Jason Kidd



Dirk Nowitzki

Chris Paul

Brandon Roy

Kay's Comments: We have a nice mix of old and new with this Western squad. Dirk and Durant are the no-brainers in this group of players. Both are putting up huge numbers and contributing to their respective team's success. There's no way that Durant gets snubbed again this year. The Thunder have been one of the surprising teams in the league and KD is a major reason for that. The other surprise team in the West has been Memphis. Who knew that they would be in contention for a playoff spot? Gay deserves the all-star recognition for being their top player. It's funny but at one point, Zee and I were considering 2 Memphis players for the all-star squad. But when Duncan was voted as starting PF, we had to pick Kaman over Randolph so that there would be a backup Center on this squad. Kaman, though, is having a monster season for the Clippers. He's close to joining the 20-10 club, and has been the most consistent and impressive player on the Clippers team. Who saw that coming? CP3 and Roy continue their streak of all-star game selections. Both of these young studs are going to be fixtures in the all-star game for many years to come. They are the best players on their respective team. And for the last spot, we went with Kidd over Deron Williams or Billups for sentimental reasons. The all-star game is being played in Dallas after all. And you can't discount the contributions that Kidd makes on that team.

Zee's Comments: So here are the reserves for the West a.k.a. Team Overkill. Good god this team is stacked. I feel for the Eastern squad more and more every time I see this roster. This team right here is one reason why the West stays so competitive each and ever year. Look at these selections, FIVE out of the seven don't play on the same team, and arguably six of the players on this reserve team haven't even played their best basketball yet. The league is going to be STACKED for years to come.

Western Conference Alternates



Monta Ellis

Zach Randolph

Deron Williams

Kay's Comments: Deron Williams seems to always get overlooked by Chris Paul. And with so many quality PG in the West (including Nash, Kidd, Billups), Deron will continue to have problems making the all-star game. He's definitely putting up nice numbers, but always seem to fall a bit short. His teammate, Boozer, also deserves some all-star consideration. Monta Ellis is putting up ridiculous numbers for a very bad Warriors team. If the selections were based purely on stats, he would definitely get a look. And wow, I can't believe that I'm saying this but Zach Randolph might be one of the biggest snubs of this season. He's playing outstanding for Memphis and is a double-double machine. Only he and Bosh average more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. I'm not a fan of voting rookies to the all-star game, but we had to consider Tyreke Evans for one of these alternate spots. He's probably having the best rookie season since Lebron James. But he'll get his chance soon enough.

Zee's Comments: All these guys are deserving, but they aren't going. These are what I like to call playing in the shadows kind of guys. They put of great stats, but because the league is log jammed with so many great players in their position, they won't have a chance until someone retires (Jason Kidd > Deron Williams), switches conferences (Zach Randolph) or unless they play for a better team (Monta Ellis). I expect to see Tyreke on an ASG roster sooner than later simply because he's a guy who could possibly get in playing at the G or F position for the West. Also because I think he will pull the King's out of mediocrity sooner than later, which I don't think Monta will be able to do in Golden State.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Pippen vs. Barkley Coke Ad Circa 1992

Anyone remember this? It's an oldie, but a goodie.