Showing posts with label NBA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NBA. Show all posts
Not that this is a throwaway season; just saying 2010 can't come soon enough.
It's a year where there are five teams (Celtics, Lakers, Magic, Spurs, and the Cavs) who are head and shoulders above the competition and a majority of the league doesn't have a chance. Most teams who are like this probably don't care that much because they're in the 2010 sweepstakes.* But what makes this season worth watching are those teams in puberty.
Remember that girl in your high school who had the braces and the acne but became AMAZINGLY good looking during college?
Or how sisters weren't really checking for you until you hit your growth spurt? That's where Atlanta, Portland, Chicago, Oklahoma City, Toronto, and Washington are. The first three are good enough to make the playoffs and the last three are intriguing enough to watch em try.
The table seems set for an epic Finals. Lakers- Cavs. Shaq and Kobe have their final confrontation,** LBJ and Kobe prove who is the best,***and Nike makes enough money to pay their shoemakers fairly.**** If you're a fan of epic showdowns, this has gotta be what you want.
Too bad it won't happen. In fact, I believe that the Cavs won't make it past the second round of the playoffs.
Here is my prediction for the East:
1. Boston
2. Orlando
3. Cleveland
4. Atlanta
5. Chicago
6. Washington
7. Toronto
8. New York
9. Miami
10. Detroit
11. Charlotte
12. Philly
13. Indiana
14. Milwaukee
15. New Jersey
Boston will sweep NY
Orlando takes it to the Raptors
Cleveland over Washington
Chicago over the Hawks
Boston gets the best in a rematch against Chicago from last year's thriller.
Orlando beats Cleveland again and the new Superman will dominate his predecessor.*****
Boston (if everyone is healthy) should thrash Orlando with defense, grit, and that hunger you just can't teach.
While I believe the Celtics will be in the Finals, they won't play the Lakers.
Yes, Kobe is the baddest ting alive, they're the defending champs but it's not the same squad. Honestly, I don't want to see Kobe and Artest play together; I want to see Artest guard Kobe. They had bad blood in the Rockets-Lakers series last year and I can't see them coexisting. Artest is known as a loose cannon and Kobe is known as a reserved, cold, assassin.******
This is how I see the West shaping up:
1. Spurs
2. Lakers
3. Portland
4. Denver
5. Dallas
6. New Orleans
7. Utah
8.Oklahoma City
9. Phoenix
10. Houston
11. Golden State
12. Clippers
13. Memphis
14. Minnesota
15. Sacramento
Spurs take OKC
Lakers brush Utah
Portland takes NO
Dallas disposes of Denver
Lakers over Portland
Spurs over Dallas
Spurs beat the Lakers. It's a mental sport and San Antonio has the best run team in the sport.
And that my friends is why I believe it will be Spurs-Celtics and the Spurs will win the championship.
Let the games begin...
*Obviously the Knicks are in this bunch and I worry for them and their fellow cellar dwellers who I don't think really have a plan B if they don't get a top-tier free agent. Could it be that the LeBrons and DWades of the world are merely flirting with them only to make their current teams jealous(read: pay them more)? I've built up so much anticipation for July 2010, if LBJ signs to another team, he may enter the Jordan-Miller-Mourning zone of hoopers I despise.
**Shaq might not retire but this is his last year in the playoffs unless he joins another contender.
***If you are over the age of 15 you understand that LBJ and Kobe are one of the best to ever do it. If you are under, you prolly think Jordan is overrated and didn't even blink when you heard Magic and Isiah aren't really friends.
****And still won't.
*****Shaq must take it personally that Dwight Howard calls himself Superman right? Seeing them play will probably feel like this.
******I don't care what any Laker fan might say. His teammates don't like him. One day psychologists will use "Kobe Doin' Work" to research Stockholm syndrome.
Everything we dream of.
If you're new to Art Star, a Cavs fan, or find my beloved Knicks laughable, you may wonder why I am talking about Bron Bron in MSG a day before he begins feasting on the Orlando Magic.
Tonight is the night we learn where the Knicks pick (and I guess the other cellar dwellers are there too).
From all accounts this is a weaker draft than the last two (though, one can never be TOO sure on someone's potential...peace to Darko and Kwame Brown) but I'm still excited.
And guess what? I don't even want the number one pick.
That's right my fellow lotterarians, you can have Blake Griffin.
For that matter, keep Rubio, Thabeet, Jennings, and whoever else keeps Chad Ford awake at night.
All I'm saying is when I turn on MSG next season, all I'm trying to see is more of this:
Please believe this is the future. Anything else is unacceptable.
From Exit 30 to 34th St.
Stay thirsty my friends.
For my Art Star pham that swear by urban dictionary, allow me to offer you a working definition fresh from the tap...
Flossin (v.)- To show off wealth or belongings
i.e Exactly what we don't need when the country (and the world) is chin-deep in a recession.
Think of it this way...remember when you were in school and you took a test that seemed to punch your whole class in the throat? Then a couple weeks later, your professor announces the class average as a 77, which makes you say, "Well at least I wasn't the only one who thought it was hard," until you speak to that kid after class who says, "I didn't think the test was so bad. I got a 98!"
(If you were that kid, my apologies, your friends don't like you.)
This is the kind of behavior pro athletes, and especially NBA players, need to runaway from. Fans will be hardpressed to sympathize with players who demand trades this season. I can imagine the angry retorts of, "Wow, you don't like your job either? Join the club!" or "At least, you HAVE a job!"
It can't be good for the psyche of fans to watch kids in their twenties, making millions, and complaining about it. When the economy was good, people found this to be annoying. I can only imagine the levels of anger people will exhibit over the season (realistically, next couple of seasons) if ballers are whining, or get in the news of flossin.
That means an indefinite cease and desist on making it rain. No asking people if they've ever seen a Chevy with butterfly doors. They will only ask if you've ever seen a block with all the homes foreclosed. Imitation is the best form of flattery but when the ability to imitate is taken away, jealousy intensifies.
So without further ado, lemme tell you who I have winning the Larry O'Brien in June. If you've been riding with this NBA preview, then you know I have the Celtics and the Lakers in the finals (how original of me...)
I hate to make a selection that a lot of people agree with--you always wanna be that dude who says, "I told y'all!" but remember, no more flossin--but it's gonna be hard for the Celtics and Lakers NOT to return to the Finals.
The Celtics are still the best team in the East, by far, and may have a better record than last year. Granted they lost Posey, but their team philosophy (UBUNTU) makes me feel like they will restructure as a team in order to make up for Posey's absence. Besides, another year of the Big 3 together, don't tell me they won't be even more fired up to put up an 18th banner.
On the West side of things, Kobe's wrath alone should propel the Lakers into the finals. Luckily for them, Bynum is healthy and chemistry should allow Gasol and company to gel with what should be a brilliant year for Kobe.
So there you have it, thanks for reading this NBA preview, and as Jay-Z once told Jim Jones, "let the games begin..."
O Seattle, I wear this in memory of better times...
Before I get into my Western Conference preview, allow me to wax poetic about my favorite Western Conference team. A lot of people don't know this--cuz all I talk about is "Go NY, Go NY, Go!"--but I've got mad love for the Sonics. And you know I'm not on any fairweather tip because they have been nothing short of lousy before Clay Bennett stole them away.
I'm talking back when Shawn Kemp was the greatest player on NBA JAM (Tournament Edition).
Have a bit of a refresher on how amazing the "Reignman" was...
The Knicks and Sonics have a lot of weird connections.
Both fan bases had an opportunity to witness Xavier McDaniel.
Patrick Ewing (Legendary Knick) and Lenny Wilkens (Legendary Sonic) spent the twilight of their careers in Seattle and New York respectively.
Both clubs were speed bumps in Jordan's drive to six rings.
And last year, both fan bases dealt with tremendous shame.
But I cannot even compare the mere embarrassment Knicks fans dealt with to the blatant theft of the Seattle Sonics.
I will not recognize the Oklahoma City Thunder...flat out refuse.
My only hope is the Thunder stay in the Northwest region so by the time the Sonics return, they can create a bitter rivalry that leads to quality basketball.
To all our readers who are fans of the Sonics, keep ya head up and if you need any counseling, I know plenty of Browns fans.
Northwest: Utah, Portland, Denver, Oklahoma City, Minnesota
Southwest: New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Memphis
Pacific: Lakers, Phoenix, Golden State, Clippers, Sacramento
1. New Orleans
2. Lakers
3. Utah
4. Houston
5. Portland
6. San Antonio
7. Phoenix
8. Dallas
9. Denver
10. Oklahoma City
11. Memphis
12. Clippers
13. Sacramento
14. Minnesota
Chris Paul and company over Dallas
Lakers over Phoenix
San Antonio over Utah
Portland over Houston
New Orleans over Portland
Lakers over San Antonio
Kobe's Wrath over New Orleans
Wanna know who I have winning it all?
Tune into part 3 tomorrow...
A hope more audacious than a junior senator becoming leader of the free world...
More unexpected than seeing the "Nuh Linga" performed in the Olympics...
Art Star Pham, I am predicting...can't even believe I'm saying this...
The New York Knicks WILL make the playoffs!
There, I said it...
You must think I'm crazy, blindly hopeful even, but I'mma tell you what has brought me such optimism...
Friday night, back home and watching MSG, witnessed the Knicks, albeit a preseason game, put the work to the Boston Celtics. Actually looking like a team! Ewing Jr. coming through with a monstrous dunk, Duhon running the point effectively, Lee and Randolph down low, and Wilson Chandler slowly making his mark as a poor man's Shawn Marion.
They won last night over a depleted Nets squad and face the Celtics again tonight. With the athletes the Knicks have--sans Eddy "Stay Puft" Curry--they will outrun, create steal opportunities, and win over 35 games which is enough to stay afloat in the East.
Here is my projection for the Eastern Conference's divisions and eventually playoff ranking:
Atlantic: Boston, Philly, Toronto, New York, New Jersey
Central: Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee, Indiana
Southeast: Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington
1. Boston
2. Miami
3. Cleveland
4. Orlando
5. Philly
6. Toronto
7. Atlanta
8. New York
9. Chicago
10. Charlotte
11.Washington
12.Milwaukee
13. Indiana
14. New Jersey
Boston over NY (I'm not that optimistic)
MIA over ATL
LeBron over Toronto
Philly over Orlando
Boston over Philly
Miami over LeBron
Boston over Miami (ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!)
Most everyone at Davidson College knew people on the basketball team.
Most everyone at Davidson College knows most everyone else at Davidson College.
The school is mad small.
I had my greatest interaction with Jason during a Biology lab science class we were both in, but never had a random fun moment with him like I was able to have with some of his teammates (Stephen Curry, Andrew Lovedale, and a really random great one that involved Thomas Sanders, John Falconi's cat card, and the President of Connor House).
(fyi...I kinda rock at random fun moments with people...its like my life)
Still, I loved to rattle off the fact that Jason led the NCAA in assists per game and was by far the most underrated player on the team.
So, even though "the world" is following Stephen Curry (and we encourage you to vote for him so he wins an ESPY) - here at Art Star we are going to follow the pro career of Jason Richards.
First things first - Jason is playing for the Miami Heat in their summer league in Orlando right now.
His first "NBA" game was probably a much larger affair than he would have anticipated - over 500 NBA executives were on attendance because everyone wanted to see what the Darling of Davidson had to offer.
Actually, it was also Rose's and Beasley's first time on the court as well and against each other to boot.
Jason was solid in his first game. He played 14:24 minutes, had 2 assists, and hit a 3 pointer.
Miami defeated the Bulls 94 to 70.
His second NBA game saw him doing more with less. Jason played 7:23 and 4 assists. Miami defeated the Nets 90 to 81.
I am actually watching game 3 right now and Jason just checked into the game. The Heat are down to the Pacers 61 to 53 and unfortunately Jason just turned the ball over. Still, I am sure he will recover and have a great game as he adjusts to the NBA and continues to improve his game.
For the latest on Jason Richards and to watch him live click here.
Oh and Jason Richards just drew a foul and hit two free throws.
(p.s. the announcers are ridiculous for the game - I swear to God someone needs to find Will Bryan and get him on the job)
Oh Jason just made a sweet drive to the basket, was fouled, and hit two more free throws.
Redemption is sweet!
Metaphorical daps (no terrorist fist-jab) are in order for the Big Aristotle. In what has been a questionable year in hip-hop, the Diesel has managed to create the most scathing dis record of the year.
While it will definitely not go down in the pantheon of diss records like "Hit Em Up", "Ether" or "The Bridge is Over", you can't deny the impact Shaq has made with this foolish freestyle. You've got everyone from ESPN to E! commenting on his lyrical jabs at the Black Mamba and whether it is indicative of their feud's resurrection. Personally, I couldn't care less-- Suns would get worked going against Kobe's crew (if Bynum is healthy of course) and I'd say the Big Cactus' days of getting rings are over.
Whether said in jest or through malice, Shaq-Fu came with that realness, unadulterated truth that always serves as the greatest form of hate..."Last week Kobe couldn't do without me."
However you wanna slice it or dice it...amount of rings Shaq has without Kobe=1
Kobe without Shaq? 0...It burns don't it?
There is no way Shaq can claim innocence in this episode. His chorus may serve as this summer's "I'm Rick James, Bitch!"
Which reminds me...as mindlessly entertaining Shaq's freestyle is. My favorite stupid song right now is this Baltimore Club mix using Chappelle's Rick James impression.
Enjoy below...and don't say I never gave y'all nothing.
Dear God,
As the omniscient Creator you already know that tomorrow is the NBA Draft.
Lord, I don't need to remind you about how difficult it has been (my whole life!) as a loyal fan of the New York Knicks. We've been through a lot, Father, and I have been patient. You took us through the 90s, when Jordan tortured us year after year. We'd always come close but never close enough. And you were merciful! You allowed him to retire and gave us our chance to beat those Bulls. I thank you for leading us to do so and You even let us get to the Finals then!
My family prayed a whole lot then. One night we had to pray even extra because Hakeem looked poised to run away with the series, and O.J was tryna run out of the country! But we held on as they pushed the series to a game 7. But then Lord...
WHY LORD? WHY LET JOHN STARKS SHOOT LIKE THAT!!!
But your mercy endureth...and you brought us back to the Eastern Conference Finals the next year, to play the Pacers again. But then Lord, things got rough. I will never forget where I was (Sunday afternoon in the kitchen watching the tv) when the spirit of confusion led Patrick to finger roll instead of dunk that fateful day in Indianapolis. I knew the devil was busy that year because our tormentor returned and dropped 55 on us his first game back in the garden! Yet, another year without a championship.
The Bulls were back to their normal selves after adding one of the most peculiar players on the planet and they stomped through my Knicks thoroughly on their way to a 4th title.
But something felt different about that next season and I KNEW that we would finally triumph over our enemies. You blessed us with a 57-25 record only to have us fall to a former ally and his minions on the South Beach. I didn't understand it...but I won't complain.
We would continue to fall short, and just when I gave up hope, you opened a new door. It was a bleak season. Cut short by a lockout, the 99-2000 season was only 50 games and we went 27-23. There were times when I wasn't sure we would even make the playoffs. But then...you opened the heavens with countless blessings.
First, the miracle in Miami...
Then, the greatest 4 point play in NBA history...
Bless you Father bless you! You sent us to the Finals! And God, I want to apologize for being mad when we lost against the Spurs. I just didn't know how good we had it.
Soon we would trade my hero, and times haven't been good since.
I sometimes can't remember those days. I yearn for a thriller. It's been too long since my team had a legitimate shot. And I don't even know who they should pick in this draft but God they need help. And I want you to know I'm patient. If you decide not to bless us like our old rivals in Beantown, I won't complain. But Father, if that is your will, come 2010, I just wanna be a witness.
In your name,
Amen
(Letter circa Game 4)
Allow me to get straight to the point. I gave up on you last night. I was there, watching the game with my friends and you were getting beaten into the ground. Y'all had Lamar Odom looking like James Worthy! I've been pulling for you all playoffs long but once again you brought the doubt out of me. I'm used to champions straight dominating as soon as they touch the court.(Letter circa present)
Dear Boston Celtics,
Wow! What else can I say but that you all wiped the floor with the Lakers! Truth be told, I couldn't imagine y'all losing the title on your homecourt but I thought it would at least go to game 7...or be close! I don't appreciate Kobe giving up in the 3rd quarter, as if to say "I didn't try, so this doesn't count." Later for him. There are two reasons I am writing you all today. (Between you and me, I am supposed to hate you but as my Knicks are irrelevant, so is the rivalry)
One is to thank you for killing two birds with one stone--you humbled Kobe and the Zenmaster on the same night! Yes! You see, there is a fundamental problem with both the Mamba and Phil...they don't respect their roots! Both were licking their chops and saw this series as an opportunity to be viewed as the greatest coach and ballplayer respectively. What insolence, on the part of the Zenmaster, to try to dethrone Red Auerbach by beating the team he brought to prominence! And I don't even know what drove Kobe more, winning without Shaq, or being placed in a conversation greater than his Airness? (Sidebar: One of these days I will write a blog about why I am the biggest Anti-Jordan basketball fan you've seen thus far)
Sports Guy says he thinks Phil Jackson goes home and watches Bulls games from the '90s and cries himself to sleep. Thanks to you, I'm pretty sure Kobe picks up the phone and thinks about calling Shaq before fighting back tears and buying his wife something expensive. In my book, both Phil and Kobe, while incredibly talented in their fields, needed this to show them that they can't do it by themselves. Phil had the great fortune to coach Jordan and Shaq in their prime...of course you're gonna win 9 rings! And Kobe has to learn to rebuild his teammates and not just destroy them with his pouting and other forms of foolishness that he calls leadership. So many thanks for giving them that ample slice of humble pie.
But secondly, I must apologize because I doubted y'all...hardbody. Straight up did not think you had a chance and you showed me how wrong I was. Much thanks for that. Who would have thought y'all would have P.J Brown and Sam Cassell out there contributing? I should have known better. I got caught up in all the "team with the best coach and player will win" hype. But the truth is, y'all were the better team. You won because you care about each other, and as KG said so eloquently last night.
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From 24 wins to World Champions...incredible.
(Do y'all think you can mentor my Knicks? For oldtime sake?)
Enjoy it cause you definitely deserve it.
Peace.
Shame on you!
Yes, you, me, and all who've ever stepped by (whether literally or metaphorically) musicians on some "I've never heard of them before" elitist tip.
How can I put it to you? I just gotta speak it plain...
WALE is that truth!
Like for real, sincerely, enough to put D.C firmly on the hip-hop map
(Hell, he might be enough to "bring New York back" smh...)
Do yourself a favor and download "The Mixtape about Nothing"
Then go ahead and type Seinfeld into youtube or google and watch everything possible.
I'm on my way to Tennessee and will listen to this mixtape at least 40 times over the next week.
When I get back...it's Finals time! Until then, read why Bill Simmons thinks it'll be Showtime 2k8.
Sidebar: Going back to the silly Wizards-Cavs "beef", why didn't the Wizards recruit Wale to hold it down for them and the Capital's honor?
Blow the whistle> Anything Soulja Boy will ever do....in his life
The Boston Celtics find a way not to become the latest and greatest choke artists from New England.
I have been complaining all playoffs long about the disappearance of Jesus Shuttlesworth. Where has he been? I know I'm not the only one who remembers the days when Ray Allen could open the skies and let the trifectas fall. He's shown flashes of brilliance this season so I know it's not a question of age. (And you can't complain about age when you're on the same roster as E.T)
In Game 5, the Celts managed to escape another comeback from the Pistons--though they almost blew a 14 point lead--and now look on the verge of making this commercial seem that much more legit. (Talk about pressure--can the city of Boston manage another team to achieve greatness in all fields except for the one that matters?)
To be frank, the NBA, and consequently America, needs the Celtics to win the Finals. It's the greatest story out of the 4 teams we have left in the playoffs, and it guarantees that the NBA is back as the illest professional sport our great country has to offer. I'm personally pulling for a Celtics-Spurs showdown but it looks like the powers that be will get their way.
Either way, I won't complain. I just hope that L.A's success coupled with Boston's resurgence only means that Stern's dream will come true and the "World's most famous arena" will soon matter again.
