While the latest hobby may be to bash LeBron James, his Thanksgiving endeavors are admirable. In case you haven't heard, the Miami Heat star is organizing 700 Thanksgiving dinners in his native city of Akron, Ohio. Perhaps it is time to step back, take a break from our criticisms of the former Cleveland Cavalier, and appreciate his charitable efforts.
Sure, some may argue that James is simply trying to improve his image. However, if his hour-long "Decision" special and recent Nike commercial have been any indication, the man could care less about his PR.
In sports, it's too easy to fixate on players as athletes and overlook who they are as human beings. For example, the past few years, Jazz fans have consistently been hostile to their former point guard, Derek Fisher. Fisher, now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, was forced to migrate to L.A. because of the medical facilities it offered for his daughter, Tatum, who has a form of eye cancer. It didn't matter that Fisher was taking a multi-million dollar pay-cut or that he was leaving for the sake of his child's life; people still give him a tough time in Salt Lake City.
In case you are new to the blog, I am not an avid supporter of LeBron James. There are numerous moments, and my previous posts will attest to this, where I disagree with his actions and egotistic antics. Heck, even James himself has expressed he would have done "The Decision" differently. Regardless, James deserves praise for reaching out to Akron. We're talking about the hometown "fans" that burned his jersey. His native brethren have even posted signs dubbing him "2010 NBA Traitor of the Year."
“I’ve always said when I was growing up, being in a small city like Akron, that if I ever became successful or was ever blessed enough to give back to the community, I’ll always do that,” James said before the Heat faced the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. “Especially around holiday times, when you’re supposed to be with your family.”
This time, James certainly made the right "decision."
The NBA season kicked off yesterday with plenty of hype surrounding the opening day. The defending Eastern Conference champions, the Boston Celtics, won an 88-80 home victory over the Miami Heat, a team which some pundits expect to set records with a 73+ win season. On the West Coast, the Los Angeles Lakers began the evening with a ring ceremony and concluded with a 112-110 win against the Houston Rockets.
Although the games were entertaining, it's crucial to note that it was Day 1. The Heat's Big Three of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh had barely played three minutes together prior to Monday. Adjustments will be made and players' conditioning will improve - and that goes for every team. However, with that said, there were some observations to be made:
- The New Technical Foul Policy - With more discipline regulations in place for this season, some personnel complained that the modifications would have a detrimental effect. TNT commentator and former player Reggie Miller asserted that sometimes, especially in a playoff atmosphere, players just need to vent and will then proceed down the court. One can certainly understand the arguments against the rules.
Whether you agree with the new rules or not, the games did seem to go by faster. It was awfully nice the delay of players holding on to the ball and chatting with the officials. Plus, as Commissioner David Stern pointed out, a call is never changed by a player's subsequent argument. On the flip side, the conspiracy theorists may claim that it affects the referees' future calls but that's another debate. - The Big Three, Nay Miami Heat, Are Not Invincible - Despite injuries which limited the Big Three's preseason minutes together, all the off-season hype caused many to have great expectations. Last night, the trio did not deliver. Sure, James was the high man with 29 points, but that's not the area of concern. Between James and Wade, there were 14 turnovers. Additionally, Bosh only had 8 points - as many as Udonis Haslem - on 3-11 shooting. Furthermore, Wade, easing his way back from injury, was even less less efficient with 13 points while only connecting on 4-16 field goals.
Outside of the Big Three, Miami's roster is not deep at all. Joel Anthony, who started at center, and Arroyo, who started at point guard, are just not enough to support the establishment in place. It helps to have perimeter threats in Mike Miller and Eddie House, but until they mesh and play influential roles, Miami still has some work to do.
Taking into account that a) it was the first game of the season b) it was a road game c) it was against the Celtics, it's easy to justify the squad's struggles. In fact, the Heat bounced back with a win against Philadelphia today, in which Wade scored 30 points on 10-20 shooting. The point is that talk of shattering the 72-win record or the 33-game winning streak is far-fetched. - Rondo's Relevance - Once considered to be the area of concern in the Celtics' lineup, he's now arguably the best of the starting five. If you haven't noticed, when he's out there, every play goes through Rondo. On a fast break, he can outrun the opposition and take it to the cup or find Shaq for an alley-oop. In a half court set, he has an eagle's eye in finding Ray Allen on curls and delivers bulls' eye passes. Defensively, don't even think about throwing lob passes. Once it's out of your hand, it is a Rondo interception.
- Lakers 3.0 - While the media concentrated on South Beach, the Los Angeles Lakers added depth to an already stunning roster. Just when you thought general manager Mitch Kuptchak was out of tricks, he selected two of the best prospects possible in Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks. To replace an inconsistent Jordan Farmar and help share point guard duties with Derek Fisher, the Lakers found the perfect replacement in Steve Blake - who hit the key three-pointer to win last night's game. In the long run, Fisher won't need to overextend himself during the regular season and will be fully prepared, as he always is, to hit the big shots come playoff time.
While DJ Mbenga was a fan favorite, he simply can't get the job done remotely as well as veteran Theo Ratliff. The former All-Star will be particularly crucial during Bynum's absence and can mentor the young fella once he gets back on the court. To counter Miami's array of perimeter threats, the Lakers combated by signing the gritty Matt Barnes. Between Barnes and Blake, L.A. has also spread the floor with long-range shooters.
In spite of injuries to Bynum and Kobe Bryant, it's incredibly helpful to have the ultimate Swiss Army knife in Lamar Odom, who's in great shape after competing in the FIBA World Championships during the off-season. The new and improved Lakers also features Shannon Brown, who added an impressive perimeter touch. No longer exclusively a dunker, he is capable of knocking down mid and long-range jumpers.
Overall, this new squad is much deeper and more improved. The juxtaposition of those in search of another title along with the new acquisitions hungry for their first ring should work well to L.A.'s advantage. - Don't Rule Out the Bigs - Amidst age and injuries, many have been too quick to bet against the credibility of the Celtics' Shaquille O'Neal and the Houston Rockets' Yao Ming. Yet, as fans saw last night, O'Neal is still a Big Diesel as he finished plays around the rim. Ming, who will be limited to a maximum of 24 minutes a game, still had a presence in the paint, which is all the Rockets ask. Just having his 7'6" frame alone is intimidating. If he can make some plays too, like he did last night, well, the Rockets' circumstances are that much better.
"The Road to History starts now!" LeBron James tweeted after arriving in the Sunshine State. Ever since 2008, NBA fans everywhere pondered where James would be after his contract expired. Would he stay with his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers? Or would he explore his options and play outside of Ohio? In the end, his choice to play for the Miami Heat, will forever be remembered as the most publicized free agent spectacle in NBA history.
In reality, the Road to History began weeks ago. In the process of selecting his next destination, James demonstrated his control over the media and impacted the league for years to come. "The Decision" and all the hype surrounding it will not be paralleled for several generations.
When ESPN announced its one hour special, "The Decision," devoted to King James and his big announcement, many questioned the purpose of it. First and foremost, what was the need for an excessive hour long conference? Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy put it best when he said, "It takes 15 seconds to say I’ve decided."
Was it seriously necessary to hear James answer fifteen questions before he dropped the bombshell? The suspense was at an overwhelming pinnacle when millions tuned in at 9 P.M. Eastern Time. The 30 minute delay was extremely frustrating.
Also, there's concern over the ethics. James hand-picked his interviewers, Jim Gray and Mike Wilbon. Did ESPN cross the line by allowing James to have total control? Then again, he utilized his power for a good cause by donating commercial proceeds during the one hour special to charity.
However, by securing the slot on ESPN and having his every demand met, James showed everyone just how much power he has over the media. They are willing to bend over backwards to meet the King's requests. Mr. James, you want one hour of national coverage and the millions of dollars in ad revenue during those sixty minutes? No problem.
The big picture question is: Was it appropriate for James to reveal his decision on national television? After all, this past week, Kevin Durant, a top three or four player in the association, simply disclosed the details of his contract extension via Twitter. No press conference was necessary.
Perhaps the more important issue is whether the medium of his announcement was the proper way to bow out of his native city. The outrage over his decision would have certainly been less if he didn't embarrass the Cleveland Cavaliers organization and fans on national T.V.
In general, outside of ratings, "The Decision" special was not a success. Honestly, James and Gray came out flat. It seemed like James didn't even want to be there, funny since his side arranged for the special. I understand that there's a lot of pressure on the man, but c'mon, the least you can do is smile here and there. What's more, rather than being engulfed in a captivating atmosphere, the interview was conducted in a "libary-like setting," as ESPN Around the Horn panelist Woody Paige described it.
One can't understate the emotions in Cleveland right now. When fans are burning jerseys, that's pretty extreme. What's more, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert really raised eyebrows with his extremely bold open letter to Cavaliers fans. Among Gilbert's comments included references to James as "narcissistic," the King's decision as "cowardly betrayal," asserting that James possesses a curse, and going so far as to say: "I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA championship before self-titled former 'king' wins one."
One can understand where Gilbert is coming from, but he clearly chose an ill-advised way to articulate his passion. Psychologically, what Gilbert is doing makes sense. He is identifying a scapegoat in order to tame the disappointment and anger in Cleveland.
In brief, James let his hometown fans down. That's the way they feel in Ohio. The player didn't even bother to notify the Cavaliers of his departure until one of his representatives contacted the organization at approximately 9:01 P.M. ET, minutes before James revealed his decision to the world. The short notice leaves Cleveland without the chance to pursue any other big name free agents, as most have been signed in "preemptive strikes" by teams, as named by ESPN's J.A. Adande.
Regardless, such disparaging remarks about a franchise player will surely make free agents hesitate to play for an owner like Gilbert. Personally, I would be extremely impressed if Gilbert delivers on his promise and the Cavs win a title before James.
Beyond all the hype are the implications on the NBA itself. The Miami Heat are now a super team, the circus act that everyone will want to watch on the road. The expectations are nothing short of a championship, according to the latest Vegas odds, the Heat being the favorite to win it all.
Nevertheless, there are still many other circumstances to think about. As of now, the Heat don't even have an entire starting five under contract. Plus, who's to say that none of the triumvirate will be injury-free? Will issues arise among young, confident players and an equally youthful coach? Or, if Pat Riley decides to sit on the sidelines, will ego issues present themselves? There's the possibility that James, Wade, or Bosh won't see eye to eye with Riley, take it to the media, and Riley refuting with "I've won championships. Where are your rings?" Who knows, maybe the trio will engage in star wars among themselves or argue with the role players. In case anyone forgot, there is only one basketball to go around.
The new Miami Heat should send some goosebumps throughout the Eastern Conference, but not all the Eastern teams need be frightened. The Celtics, a team which has appeared in two out of the last three finals, will have the same nucleus and head coach that got them to within four points of a Game 7 championship victory on the road. The Orlando Magic have a formidable roster, themselves. Amar'e Stoudemire and the Knicks are a team to be reckoned with. When adding Carlos Boozer to a Chicago Bulls squad that already has Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah makes for a dangerous combination.
At the end of the day, the Los Angeles Lakers are still the team to beat. As two-time defending champions, the Lakers aren't worried at all about the recent transactions in the East.
Is James' decision to join Wade and Bosh good for the league? At first glance, no. Half the teams in the league will only see the super-team once in their local arena, and with the purchase of hefty ticket charges at that. The balance of power is completely off. The three fan bases of Toronto, Cleveland, and Miami have now been condensed into a smaller knit Heat nation.
Think again, though. From training camp until March, having three superstars on one team doesn't appear to be good for business. Come April, though, when the playoffs begin and tens of millions tune in, that's when the real money is made. If there's another matchup that can remotely compete with a seven game series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, with loads of hype and profit, it would have to be a Lakers team with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Ron Artest versus a Miami Heat squad featuring Lebron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade - and the likely possibility of a sideline battle between Phil Jackson and Pat Riley.
Overall, there were many components to "The Decision." LeBron James demonstrated how tight of a grasp he has on the media and how influential his moves are.
It's no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are practically polar opposites. Other than the arena they play in, the two NBA teams have little in common. At this point in time, the two organizations are also in a very different situation with regard to free agency. However, they are both in pursuit of the same thing: a title.
With a 16th championship banner on the way, the Lakers know exactly what it takes to win. While a multitude of teams are holding their breath for LeBron James, the Lakers breathed a deep sigh of relief on Thursday after Phil Jackson said those magic words: "Count me in." Fans woke up with a smile on Friday, opening the Los Angeles Times' "Sports" section to the headline, "He's Rested and Ready."
Almost immediately after the Lakers won Game 7, questions circulated about Jackson's future. Did he honestly have anything left to prove? Did he have it in him for one more run? On Thursday, he assured everyone that he did. Jackson shared,"I got a message..that said 'Phil, you've got to come back, there is a need to fulfill the prophecy. You know 12 [titles] is a holy number and 11 just doesn't fill that.'"
If there were any doubts about whether the Lakers would be a championship-worthy team next season, they have been erased. For now, the organization won't have to take a risk with a new coach at the helm. With the Zen Master back for more, even a team with Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade can be overcome. As the saying goes, "third time's a charm."
"It is time to get back to the challenge of putting together a team that can defend its title in the 2010-2011 season," Jackson said in a statement released by the team. Indeed, a "challenge" it will be, especially since nearly half of the champs are free agents.
So far, it has been reported that the Lakers have signed guard Steve Blake to a four-year contract for a total of $16 million. Earlier this week, the Times reported that the Lakers have contacted two of their guards, Derek Fisher and Shannon Brown. RealGM.com also cites the Lakers having interest in Celtics' reserve, Tony Allen; Celtics' guard, Nate Robinson; Wizards' shooter, Mike Miller; former Rockets' star, Tracy McGrady; Bucks' guard, Luke Ridnour; Magic forward, Matt Barnes; and Wizards' guard, Randy Foye.
There have also been reports of mutual interest between the Lakers and the Warriors' Raja Bell. Recently, there were also rumors of mutual interest between the organization and point guard Earl Watson. Although after signing Blake, it seems less likely the Lakers will pursue Watson, who attended UCLA.
The Clippers are also trying to assemble a winning squad. Then again, with the Clippers' luck, one never knows how the end result will turn out. In 2004, Kobe Bryant told the Clippers to have a jersey ready for him, changing his mind after a conversation with the Lakers' owner, Dr. Jerry Buss. The Clippers can only hope things will end differently in their pursuit of another big name, LeBron James.
The Clippers met with LeBron on Friday, leaving with a feeling that the meeting went "very well." Representing the organization were general manager Neil Oshley and president Andy Roeser. Owner Donald Sterling was not present at the meeting.
While it may seem funny, the Clippers actually have a lot to boast. In his presentation to James, Oshley emphasized, "we clearly have the best team already in place for him to join, we have the best city, the best arena, the best practice facility – overall the best situation."
What's more, the Clippers even produced a DVD for the King. The video highlighted life in L.A., along with the team's state-of-the-art practice facility and footage of the Clippers themselves. "We felt if we couldn't bring LeBron to L.A., we'd bring L.A. to LeBron," Olshey said.
A scenario that has not been heavily dwelled upon is a potential signing of Celtics' forward Paul Pierce. The two parties apparently have mutual interest, one can assume that Pierce's Los Angeles roots play a large part. (Update: It appears as though Pierce is coming closer to a deal with the Celtics.)
In addition to pursuing players, the Clippers are also searching for a head coach. The front-runners for the position are reportedly Vinny Del Negro, head coach of the Bulls last season, and Mavericks assistant, Dwane Casey. At this point in time, it's unclear who the Clippers will go with but a decision will be made soon.
All in all, the Lakers and Clippers - two teams in two extremely different positions - have a challenging, but exciting offseason ahead of themselves.
With the Lakers winning their sixteenth championship, holding a massive parade, and questions over Phil Jackson's future, it's easy to forget about L.A.'s "other" team. The Los Angeles Clippers have seemingly always operated in the shadow of the Lake Show ever since the team moved to Los Angeles in 1984. However, there is reason to believe that (relatively) happy times are just around the corner - which made me wonder what the happiest Clippers fan was thinking. Of course, I am referring to Clipper Darrell.
As a talented 24 year old who's within reach of becoming a billion dollar athlete, the next team he signs with is obviously a big deal. It's not something that should be spoken about candidly in press conferences, especially not before your contract year. I can understand how a youngster like Lebron could get caught up in the question, "Where are you headed?" After all, it can totally change the league's dynamics. In the end, the media is always going to be pushy for answers. Part of Lebron's job as a player is to stay focused, but he was already talking about his next destination over a year in advance.
A question for Cleveland fans: Would you rather see Lebron dance, have handshakes, look like he's having tons of fun, and then only withstand the first round or would you like to see Lebron with a signature glare, a fire in his eyes, grit his teeth when it's time to step up, and win a championship? The good times you've had choreographing dance moves with your teammates, is nothing compared to the joy the entire city of Cleveland would feel if you were to win the title. Believe it or not, the Most Valuable Player award is exponentially more meaningful if your team is successful. It's apparent that Lebron is still trying to figure out the limits of individuality in the team sport that is basketball.
This past week, it was announced that the Sacramento Kings' Tyreke Evans is the 2009-2010 Rookie of the Year and that the MVP award goes to none other than Lebron James. Both recipients were extremely deserving. That said...
Tyreke Evans might have not even been in the running for the Rookie of the Year award if it weren't for Kevin Martin's lengthy injury and subsequent trade. Tyreke Evans would have never been able to make as much of an impact if the Kings' former star, Martin, was still in Sacramento. If Martin weren't injured, there's no doubt that the Rookie of the Year award belongs to Stephen Curry. But in the end, a 20-point scorer in Martin was replaced by another 20-point scorer in Evans. According to USA Today, "Evans became the fourth rookie ever to average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game, joining Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and Lebron James in an exclusive club." No matter what your cirmcumstances were, that's impressive.
What clinches the award for Evans, though, was his consistency. The other rookies simply couldn't sustain their efforts as well as Evans over an 82 game span. Sure, Brandon Jennings had 55 points in his seventh regular season game, but that means nothing when he shoots so poorly so frequently. In Jennings' 82 games, he scored less than 10 points twenty three times. That's not getting the job done. As for Curry, well, he was up there with Evans. I guess the prevailing arguement is that Evans is more crucial to the Kings' success than Curry is to the Warriors' success - although neither team made the playoffs, so I can't associate them with success. It also helps that Blake Griffin was injured for the enitre season and wasn't given the oppurtunity to make his case. Overall, it's hard to vote against a rookie who averaged 20 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds - every game.
In the MVP race, everyone knew Lebron would win it. In fact, there was even talk about LBJ being the only unanimous recipient of the Most Valuable Player award. Statistics don't always do justice, but in this case, they most certainly do; James finished the regular season with averages of: 29.7 points on 50.3% shooting, 7.3 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1 block, and 1.6 steals. That's just insane. Those stats say a lot about a player. His points show he's a scorer; the percentage indicates he must be a good shooter; the rebounds prove he boxes and hustles to hunt down misses; the assists signify that despite the fact that Lebron is a forward, he can find the open man better than many guards; and the blocks & steals illustrate his daunting defensive presence.
You have to be a truly amazing player to win MVP for two consecutive years. But I don't expect Lebron's streak to continue. A healthy Chris Paul or D-Wade or a more dominant Durant should snag the MVP trophy next season. I particularly believe that Durant has a great shot at stealing the award from Lebron mainly because they're somewhat similar players in the sense that they can be amazing forwards or just as easily be amazing guards. They have such a diverse skill set that they could totally swith their style on a game-to-game basis. One game, Durant or Lebron could be remembered for their rebounds and finding the open man, while the the next game fans will recall their ability to steal the ball and put points on the board. And that actually goes for Paul and Wade, too. There are too many other talented players in the NBA for Lebron to win the MVP award for a third consecutive year.
As spectators everywhere marveled at Kobe Bryant's game-winner versus the Boston Celtics (in Boston) on Sunday, after the game, I couldn't help but look forward to the NBA Finals. Honestly, it doesn't seem like there's a team in the Western Conference that could defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in a playoff series. Sure, they may encounter a speedbump here and there, but nobody else in the West is capable of truly challenging the defending champs. Which got me thinking about the Eastern Conference. Despite the fact that the Boston Celtics are currently 7 games behind the Cavs, the two teams seem like the frontrunners in the East. Of course, we can't forget about the Atlanta Hawks.
On paper, Boston is undoubtedly the most talented team in the East and right there with L.A. They just seem like the more disciplined team. They already had the vets among the Allen-Garnett-Pierce triumvate, but Rasheed Wallace adds championship & NBA Finals experience. Furthermore, the development of Rajon Rondo has been a huge factor toward the Celtics' success thus far. One of ABC's commentators, I believe it was Van Gundy, noted today that in the past the vets weren't quite comfortable with Rondo facilitating the offense.
But, of course, things have changed. Rondo has emerged as a rising prospect in the league, a walking double-double if you will. If only he could hit his free-throws. In addition to this already talented cast, at center may be one of the most underrated players in the league: Kendrick Perkins. With his big frame, he's able to give his opponents trouble en route to averaging 2 blocks per game. Offensively, when a guy is shooting over 63% he deserves his props.
However, as good as they may be, the Celtics' vets are just that - veterans, experienced but old players. They have become increasingly injury-prone, and this squad hasn't proven that they are able to consistently win without one of their key pieces. Plus, in the last two seasons it's taken the Celtics 7 games to advance out of the first round. That kind of fatigue can't be good.
Then, I remembered the Cleveland Cavaliers. When you have one of the best players in the game, you're bound to make a solid run for the cup. Although analysts claim he doesn't have much help, I'm not buying it. Anderson Varejao is a hustle player who can ultimately change the outcome of games. Shaq, though he no longer dominates, still has a physical presence that frustates the opposition. To make it a 1-2 punch in the frontcourt is Big Z, who has range and height. Oh, and let's not forget about Mo Williams, a good playmaker equally capable of scoring as he is passing. J.J. Hickson has been a great boost as well. Anthony Parker is able to come in and chip in a few points here and there. Jamario Moon has some of the best hops in the league. Lebron may not play alongside star-studded talent, but he does have some good pieces among him.
One of the things that stands out when contrasting the Cavs with the Celtics is how they've faired against the defending champs. Whether or not the Cavs managed to catch the Lakers off guard (twice!) or they were just pure victories, they were still able to defeat them handily on the road and come away with a victory at the Q. The Celtics, on the other hand, weren't able to hold a double-digit lead vs. the Lake Show...at home. As Lebron has said before, the Lakers serve as a "measuring stick", and in this sense, the Cavs have faired better than the fellows in Beantown.
Everything considered, though, Lebron is the heart and soul of the team. If you're able to negatively alter his game (easier said than done), the Cavs won't have a chance of winning a playoff series; throughout the course of multiple playoff games, if the opposition can at least wear Lebron down, chances aren't that great for the Cavs. Then again, the Cavs are looking extra hungry this year and with Lebron's free agency approaching, Cleveland is doing the best it can to go for the gold.
Now the Atlanta Hawks are one special team. Having gone all the way to seven games with the Celtics in the same year as their championship run just two seasons ago, this team always excities me. On the flip side, though, it took them seven games to defeat a mediocre Miami squad last season. Nonetheless, this is a different team, in small part because of Josh Smith's maturity as a player.
What's so great about the roster is the youth. This team is among the Eastern Conference elite and the average age of a member of the starting lineup is about 26 years old. Make sure not to sleep on these ballers. Running the point is the experience of Mike Bibby, the former Sacramento Kings player who is capable of nailing down a long-range jumper just as easily as throwing up a floater. Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford are probably two of the most underrated players in the league, both of whom can create looks for themselves at will. Josh Smith, who has grasped an understanding of his capabilities, has no problem flying for a jam or, just as lovely, a monstrous block. Al Horford is a terrific rebounder and shotblocker, who has proven his abilities from Day 1.
All in all, you don't want to mess with this Hawks team. In the playoffs, leaving their court with a win is no small task, either. The names on the roster might not stand out at first, but the game of the Atlanta Hawks shouldn't be underestimated.
Despite a somewhat impressive record, my judgement has convinced me not to bring up the Orlando Magic. For some reason, they seem like they lack the heart and fluid-ness required to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Vince Carter is no longer what he used to be. Dwight Howard can't hit free-throws. Also, has he thought of adding some range to his game. Rebounding, shot-blocking, and dunking make up a great skillset, but it's ok to take a shot out of the paint every once in awhile.
Who knows, I could be totally wrong about these predictions. The Hawks may be upset in the first round and the Magic might face off against someone other than Lakers. Right now, though, Boston seems like the disciplined team, the Cavs have the most heart, and the Hawks are not to be forgotten. Can't wait until June already!
"I love the daunks"
For the past few years, it seems like the Dunk Contest is the main attraction of All-Star Weekend -aside from the All-Star Game itself, of course. This year happens to more exciting than the rest, though. In the past, Dwight Howard managed to earn high scores simply because he was a big name. Exhibit A: Superman doesn't even dunk, but throws the ball in a massive leap. Impressive, but not a dunk. Exhibit B: By far one of the stupidest and least creative dunks I've ever seen, Dwight puts a higher hoop and just jumps. This year, with Nate Robinson being a possible exception, none of the contestants have achieved superstar status.
Furthermore, there has been a new addition to the festivities. A dunk-in between Clippers guard Eric Gordon and Raptors forward Demar DeRozan will determine the fourth contestant. At the surface, it sounds like an amusing idea. Although after some thought, I realized it can only hurt Gordon and Dear; it would give the other three contestants - Gerald Wallace, Shannon Brown, and Nate Robinson - an advantage. Dear and Gordon will have already demonstrated some of their creative dunks, which will require either Demar or Gordan to practice more creative dunks with just one day to prepare.
Regardless, this year's contestant's are very amusing and the dunk-in method may prove to work out better than last year's fan voting. Honestly, I believe everyone knew Russel Westbrook deserved a spot more than anyone else, but Rudy Fernandez was just too funny in the commercials. With his thick Spanish accent, you couldn't help yourself; you just had to laugh.
This year was somewhat unprecedented in the way fans showed their support - at least, for Shannon Brown. It's not a secret that he has hops. The only question was if he'd be able to show them playing alongside Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom. Fortunately, he did. But throughout the season, fans showed their support for the Michigan State alum at letshannondunk.com. Quite interesting.
Overall, it seems like there's a little more buzz for this year's contest in small part because of the Lebron James debacle. He declared that he would participate if selected, then backed out. To add more hype to the frenzy, Shaq decided to become LBJ's manager and announce his client would only play if Kobe, Vince Carter, and other stars also participated - to which Kobe Bryant chuckled. For those that are disappointed that Lebron backed out, don't be. He would've automatically won and it would have been just another accolade for him. Let other rising stock receive popularity and get a ticket to All-Star Weekend. After all, Lebron is already participating in the All-Star Game itself.
With such diverse players, this year's Dunk Contest seems like it'll meet the hype, if not surpass it.
Having five NBA games on Christmas Day was definietly an interesting experiment for the league. At first, it makes some sense. The NBA was trying to reach a wider demographic, so by scheduling more games, 10 teams - not the typical 4 - were involved. Therefore, it's logical to assume more fans would watch the games or come to the arenas to support their team. However, critics had voiced their opinions. Commentator Jeff Van Gundy believed the games weren't as special, sacrificing quality for quantity.
I, for one, wasn't sure what to make of it. Often times, for some reason or another, nationally-televised games are close. That certainly wasn't the case yesterday. The average margin of defeat, seperating the winners from the losers, was 14.4 points. The majority of games were lost by double digits, excluding the Magic's 9-point loss to the Celtics. If they had been closer, there would be reason to believe that the 5-game lineup could be considered a success.
Ironically, the closest game was probably one of the lesser viewed nationally, between Miami and New York. Unless you were a dedicated fan on the West Coast, you probably didn't tune in to watch the Heat play against the Knicks at 9 AM. Understandably, though, this game didn't really concern anybody on the West Coast, and as long as people on the East Coast were watching at noon, all was well. Gallinari continues to prove he's more than a three-point threat, successful on all his seven free-throw attempts and collecting 8 rebounds. As commentator Marv Albert used to say, the "high man" for the Knicks had to be David Lee with 19 points (9-14 shooting) and 16 boards. The Knicks, much like the Magic, however, had a difficult time from the perimeter, successful on only 5 of 28 threes (17.9%). It also didn't help that Al Harrington, who played 32 minutes, went 5-for-20. For the Heat, the storyline was, as usual, dominated by D-Wade (30 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists) with a touch of Beasley (19 points on 7-for-16 shooting) and Jermaine O'Neal (11 points, 8rebounds).
The Celtics-Magic game was arguably the matchup of the day, considering that the Cavs blew out the Lakers in a sleeper. It was genuinely exciting to watch the two best teams in the Eastern Conference battle it out, as the Celtics pulled off a road win. Credit to Boston, for prevailing in the wake of Paul Pierce's surgery. Rajon Rondo had an amazing performance, finishing with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists - the only lowlight was his 8 turnovers (giving him a 1:1 assist/turnover ratio for the game). Despite Vince Carter's 27 points on 10-20 shooting and 4 steals, I had expected the Magic to win handily and exploit Pierce's absence. On the plus side for the Magic, they did convert on 20 out of 24 free-throw attempts (83.3.%), which means they did capitalize in that sense. On the contrary, I'm surprised the phrase "Hack-a-Rondo" hasn't been coined yet, as he really needs to work on his foul shots. What really seemed to kill the Magic was a tendency to settle behind the arc, hitting only 5 of their 26 three-point attempts (19.2%).
The much-hyped matchup with the Cavaliers facing the Lakers in Los Angeles ended badly - especially for the Lakers. With 4:04 remaining, and the Lakers trailing by about 20 points, Odom was ejected after receiving his second technical, Phil Jackson picked up a T after he neglected to insert a sub, and fans hurled foam fingers followed by a water bottle or two. It was just that kind of day for L.A. Kobe had a rare off-night, shooting 11-for-32 (34.4%), despite hitting all 12 of his free throws with a broken finger. Well, he wasn't totally off with 9 rebounds and 8 assists, which compensated for the play of...Derek Fisher, who finished with 0 assists, acted out of line with a technical foul and foul out of frustration against Mo Williams, followed by some jawing with Lebron James. Bynum and Gasol scored a combined total of 15 points, and according to Kobe, were simply "outworked." Artest fouled out with several minutes to go.
On the other hand, if you were a Cavs fan, you probably relished every moment of it, with contribution from Shaq (11 points, 7 rebounds), Lebron (26 points, 9 rebounds, 4assists), and most surprising, Mo Williams (28 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds). You have to be happy with your reserves, who outscored L.A.'s reserves 31-17. Overall, just a frustrating Christmas for the Lakers and their fans, with the complete opposite holding true for the Cavaliers and their fans.
The Clippers @ Phoenix game wasn't much better, especially for Angelenos, who had to endure yet another embarassing defeat on Christmas Day. Premier center, Marcus Camby, had to leave the game early with an injury and Eric Gordon could not hit a shot, going just 4-for-15. The Clippers' reserves, similar to those of the Lakers, didn't fare much better, only making 12-of-37 (32.4%). The highlights for L.A. were Kaman's 19 points and 10 boards, along with Rasual Butler's 22 points and 7 rebounds, both players increasingly becoming more relevant for the C's. For the Suns, seven players scored at least 12 or more points, showing that their bench deserves its due credit. Statistically for Phoenix, the notable players were Amare (26 points, 9 rebounds), J Rich (18 points, 8 rebounds), and of course, even at 35 years of age, Steve Nash (14 points, 8 assists). Off the bench, Admunson also managed to grab 10 boards. The story of the night, though, belonged to Grant Hill, who banked a three with three quarters of the court seperating him from the basket at the buzzer before halftime. The Clippers, who were almost at .500, now have an uphill battle ahead of them, with a record of (12-17).
Lastly, the Portland Trailblazers rode Brandon Roy's 41 points all the way to a 107-96 victory over the Nuggets. Despite 32 points and 9 rebounds by Carmelo and an impressive 12 points and 14 rebounds by K-Mart, Andre Miller's 14 rebounds and 8 assists, along with other contributions, allowed him to prevail over his former team. It was fair game until the fourth quarter, where Steve Blake drained five 3's in the last four minutes. Though the Nuggets could have used more contributions from their bench, reserve J.R. Smith mustered 20 points, although he it took 23 field-goal attempts to get there. Not to be forgotten are Birdman's 5 blocks, proving yet again that swatting the ball may, indeed, be the only thing he's good for.
At the end of the day, I, as I'm sure many of you all, was tired. Five games was simply too much, even though I didn't watch them all. Three games is acceptable, but anything more is pushing things a little too far. I couldn't watch SportsCenter, as ESPN once again decided it had nothing else to do than glorify Lebron James and nothing else and I didn't find much consolation in the rather odd Saturday Night Live Christmas Bash that I had been looking forward to. Anyway, lesson learned - hopefully.
As a Jew growing up in America, the holiday season is very different from everybody else. Besides the stark contrasts in the holidays of Hanukkah and Christmas, Americans glorify a mascot commonly referred to as Santa Claus, while the closest resemblance in Judaism consists of Judah Maccabi (excuse me if I mispelled his name). Being Jewish has enabled myself, along with many others, to profit from such things as Christmas sales, Christmas music (many songs of which were composed by Jews), and quite possibly the grandest treat of all, Christmas day NBA matchups.
They seem to have an unprecedented aura to them. For the last several years, every Christmas, I've closely watched my beloved Lakers and their respective opponent battle it out, at a time when the players and coaches would much rather relax with their families. I truly noticed the intensity of these games when the Lakers played against the Miami Heat in '04. The sheer animosity between Shaq and Kobe was just so entertaining. During the previous week, Shaq had compared himself to a brick wall and Kobe declared that he would be a Lamborghini - speeding past the proverbial brick wall. It was just great - until Shaq and Kobe became friends again on an MLK Day match-up.
Anyway, just last December the Lakers took on the Boston Celtics in another epic clash. Still relishing their championship victory, the C's were riding on a strong winning streak as they rolled with their heads hung high into Staples Center. Having given up a 24-point lead in the NBA Finals mere months prior, as well as the series, the Lakers were ready for revenge. It was the ultimate storyline. As well all remember, the Lakers won. But, at the end of the day, the atmosphere in the arena made it seem like a trophy was at stake.
Typically, in the past there have been a couple of Christmas day games. Tomorrow, however, there are a seemingly unparalleled total of five games, each with their own unique plotline. At noon ET, the games kick off with the Miami Heats at Madison Square Garden against the gradually improving New York Knicks. These teams don't have any agressive history other than a nasty Knicks loss during the season opener. The highlights of this game should mainly consist of D-Wade's presence and the Knicks wearing green jerseys.
Next, Boston faces off against the Magic in Orlando, featuring two Eastern contenders. If the Lakers vs. Cavs game headlines the Christmas festivities, this game comes in a close second. I'm looking forward to seeing the battle of the bigs with KG vs. Superman. Interestingly enough, Boston has a 12-1 road record, while the Magic are 12-2 at home. The main catalyst will be Paul Pierce's absence, which should allow Vince Carter to have a game-changing presence. A side-show to observe in this game would be Rondo vs. Jameer Nelson, one rising player against an All-Star guard.
Then, the game we've all been waiting for, the Cleveland Cavaliers playing against the Los Angeles Lakers - in L.A. Shaq eyeing Phil Jackson. Shaq vs. Kobe. Pau Gasol/Andrew Bynum vs. Shaq, and most noteworthy of all, Lebron James vs. Kobe Bryant. Some fans may recall the confrontation Shaq and Andrew Bynum had. Well, now I'd like to see how the big men clash, whether it be Gasol or Bynum against the Big Diesel. This game is even more exciting than the Miami-Lakers games of the past, as before it was limited to Shaq vs. Kobe, now it's Shaq against Kobe and Kobe vs. LBJ. Granted, this game won't be an indicator of who's better between LBJ and KB, but it will intensify the debate.
Following the game of the decade, the Clippers are hoping Angelenos still have enough left in them to root for the Clippers as they journey to Phoenix to take on the Suns. Coincidentally, the Brazillian Blur, Leandro Barbosa, is expected to play his first minutes since November. This may be the most under-publicized match-up of the day. Baron Davis vs. Steve Nash and Chris Kaman/Marcus Camby vs. Amare Stoudemire. Baron is no longer the spectacle he was in Golden State and Steve Nash may not be as exciting as he used to be, but these are still two of the league's best point guards going at it. For those who haven't followed him, Chris Kaman is proving himself to be a legit post threat and Marcus Camby is still the dauting rebounder and shotblocker of years' past. Nevertheless, Amare Stoudemire has only improved his game since the run-and-gun days, and with well-seasoned post moves, it would be reasonable to assume that whoever has the most points in the paint will ultimately win this game.
The day concludes with the Denver Nuggets looking for a win in Portland against the Trailblazers. This game really doesn't make much sense to me, in terms of fan appeal, except for Andre Miller playing against his old team(mates). Other than that, I would analyze Brandon Roy vs. Billups and Aldridge vs. Nene. Chauncey has done an amazing job in his tenure for Denver so far, but so has Roy. Both can score and get assists. Tomorrow, they will probably be forced into some one-on-one situations and that their decisions will surely affect the outcome of the game. Also, the young Aldridge will have to manage against a big, well-experienced, and probably stronger Nene in a fight for rebounds. I take back what I said; this may turn out to be a good matchup after all.
Generally, the NBA always delivers some form of Christmas entertainment or another. And as you're unwrapping presents or feasting or watching the Saturday Night Live Christmas Bash, like myself, don't forget to watch the NBA's gifts to you.
As I've been looking through recent issues of periodicals, the "decade in review" seems to be as unavoidable as when news broke out of Michael Jackson's death - which made top ten lists for something or another. Although, I feel that what's just as important as reflecting upon the last ten years, is pondering the next decade. Obviously, there's no accurate method of predicting what is to come for the NBA. However, using the 2000s as a "decade in review" definitely helps.
Who will become the face of the league in the next ten years? Often times, it is the best player, the most-talented individual who fans would mention if they had to associate the league with a sole star. Presently, that would be Kobe Bryant. At the Beijing Olympics his greeting was practically as loud as the roar the native Yao Ming received. Nonetheless, for some time now, zealous Lebron fans have claimed James is the league's best. At the least, we can admit that LBJ is on track to surpass Kobe in the very near future - possibly by next year. In the next few years, Lebron James, and maybe even Dwyane Wade, will become the two most popular ambassadors of the NBA.
Then, there's the thought of how the league's other promising players will end up. As of late, Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings, and even Omri Casspi have been making some noise. Last season, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and O.J. Mayo blossomed into stars, while some, like Jason Thompson, are shining and still full of potential. Channing Frye is showing he can score in Phoenix. Not to be forgotten is Monta Ellis, who has no trouble surpassing the thirty-point barrier. Ultimately, it's these players who will inherit the next puppet battles from LBJ and KB.
This also gives a small sense of what direction the league is headed in, in terms of players. The relevance of the big man is all but gone, as basketball is being monopolized by the guards. As a result, big men are sure to be more highly-coveted. Players like Mareese Speights and Bynum, oh, and Greg Odom - legitimate post threats - are an endangered species. Post play is no longer what it used to be. I'm not suggesting that all thirty NBA teams will resort to :07 seconds or less offense or arrange their line-ups for "Nellie ball", because, ultimately, if we don't produce enough homegrown big men, there's another stream.
The other source for 7-footers may end up having been originated overseas. The other day, I was watching a Euroleague game with FC Barcelona on NBA TV, and there is such a large talent pool to choose from. With that said, the Euroleague, as well as other emerging basketball leagues around the globe, house a wide variety of players - not just big men, as we saw with Ricky Rubio and not as directly, Brandon Jennings. For a long time, the NBA was the only place to observe basketball how it was meant to be played. That's no longer true. The Euroleague has offered new prospects, and for those who have watched Euroleague play, has become a decent alternative to the NBA.
What's yet to be seen is whether or not the NBA will continue its reign as the top league in the world or will co-rule with the Euroleague. Personally, I'd like to see more European action be made available to viewers here in the U.S. On the other hand, that would cause it to compete with the NBA. And the moment when fans opt for the Maccabi Tel Aviv match instead of the Toronto Raptors game (also somewhat foreign since based in Canada), that's when David Stern has an issue. What would be even better than being able to watch foreign squads through a television set, though, would be to watch them battle it out live in an arena. If NBA teams can play in foreign arenas during the preseason, why shouldn't foreign teams be able to do the same? After all, the offseason is more or less the same for pro basketball leagues around the world.
Another thing to watch is the relevance of NCAA basketball and the D-League. Right now, for some, going to college to qualify for NBA play has become a joke. As Phil Jackson admitted earlier this week, many college players make an effort during the first semester to be academically eligible for basketball, only to tank second semester and treat class as a joke before they leave for the NBA. College should be a place where players can actually improve their game and develop a multi-faceted skill set so draftees 1-60 can make an immediate impact upon their arrival in the NBA. The NCAA shouldn't be taken lightly as a series of games to pad stats and count down the days 'til it's over.
As for the NBA's developmental league, I don't know how many people are aware it even exists. The average fan probably has never heard of it. Things were going in the right direction when Rod Benson, a D-League player, began blogging for Yahoo Sports's Ball Don't Lie. However, after a workout with the Pacers, he was forced to abruptly end his blog, and the NBADL hasn't gotten much publicity since. The D-League doesn't have a simple marketing issue; it has unrecognized talent that at the least, deserves to be seen. As the Developmental League is an NBA enterprise, it could market itself by putting D-League games on NBA TV or make it a free ad-on to League Pass. I don't have league pass, but I'm sure there's slots of D-League and Euroleague play on NBA TV because the only major programs are All-Access with Ahmad Rashad and the one game on each day. Maybe the D-League could use an All-Star weekened, if they don't already have something similiar that I'm not aware of.
Lastly, the next decade will surely have differnt contenders. With this summer's upcoming, blockbuster free agent market, the balance of power will change. Not to come off as a homer, but it's hard to imagine the Lakers as a non-threat with Bynum's contract being extended, Pau Gasol extension all but done, and a new contract for KB already in the works. Other than that, the rest is fair game. I'm not ready to declare that whichever team has Lebron will be a contender as that hasn't been the case in Cleveland, but if there's a team with Lebron and D-Wade, which has been rumored, though very unlikely, that could be a successful team.
If I were to begin predicting actual teams right now, I'd have to start with the teams of the future stars. As Brandon Jennings continues to become a better player, Milwaukee can only become a better team. The other players in Wisconsin ain't bad, themselves. The Turkish native, Ersan Ilyasova, can be a decisive X-factor and Bogut is capable of producing double figures. Philadelphia, though not performing very well this season, is a team looks to be on the rise. With a young nucleus of Iguadola, Williams, and Speights, along with promising talent in Green and Holiday, Philly is at liberty to succeed as it pleases. I would suggest Golden State, but there must be better coaching in place in order to succeed. EDIT: Also, the young guys with Oklahoma City seem to have a bright future.
Overall, the next decade will be very different, to say the least. New players will emerge as those born prior to '80s begin to filter out of the league. The day Steve Nash and Kobe retire will be a sad one, but when the leaders of the new era prove that they can prosper in the same endevours, there will certainly be few regrets. In short, we should welcome the new decade as we have with each one before it: with open arms and high hopes.
I've decided to hold off on a post about the free agency until the end of July so there aren't as many pending moves as I write. My reconsideration also gives me a chance to get back to what I love most: op-ed analysis on the overlooked aspects of the game.
In the NBA, out of thirty professional teams, there are only a handful that we easily forget about. One of them happens to be the lone team outside the United States. The Toronto Raptors are probably the most isolated team in the NBA, if not in American pro sports. There are many intriguing teams to follow, but none quite like the Raptors. They are very easily the most invisible team in the NBA and mainly known as Chris Bosh & Co. It's difficult to recall any special memories in their franchise, or any memories at all. When they're mediocre, they stay unseen. When they're victorious, very few people take the time to notice. It's this lack of persona, a particular lacking of reputation, a minimal presence that ironically, had me interested.
It's no secret that they're probably the most distant team in the association since they're located across the border. The culture and industry of Toronto may indeed be too much for American fans to handle or at the very least, we can't relate to it. Interestingly enough, though, 49% of the city is made up of townspeople not born in the land of maple syrup. Being the most populous city in Canada, you could say it's the equivalent to a foreign New York City - except without all the fame. In other ways, you could say it's the heir to Beverly Hills, with its cleanliness, safety, and actually has the edge when it comes to diversity.
But there's nothing wrong with being so distinct. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit and the Mercer Quality of Living Survey, Toronto has been and continues to be one of the most livable cities. Maybe it's part of the culture to be low-key? Economically, despite the fact that it's stock market is the seventh largest, you can watch CNBC for days without hearing a word about the trades up north. Similarly, in basketball, we rarely hear any thoughts about the Raptors as analysts are often too busy obsessing over a Lebron James lay-up or East Coast rumors.
Downtown Toronto
History Lesson: Let There be Light
The franchise was officially born in '95, and as the case with all expansion teams, the first few years were tough. It seemed as though success wouldn't be in sight anyimte soon after kicking things off with a 21-61 season. Although, there was some light at the end of the tunnel. Damon Stoudemire went on to be awarded Rookie of the Year and the Raptors were one of the few teams to a capture a victory over the historically elite 72-10 Chicago Bulls. The follwing year, they performed slightly better, only winners of 30 games. Once again, however, they matched their feat of beating the league's best, defeating three Conference Finalists, and of course, the championship Bulls. Things didn't go much better for the Raptors in their third league in the association, the ultimate lowlight being a 17-game losing streak.
But the Raptors wouldn't be the league's trash much longer. After trading Antawn Jamison for VInce Carter on draft day, the team hat once harnessed the popularity of a JV team was no longer a force to be messed with. Soon enough fans were allso enthralled by the youthful Tracy McGrady, only to have him traded right when things were getting exciting. That didn't phase many though, as it appeared everyone was mesmerized by VC. This was no longer the dull squad of the past, as the Raptors scored league attendance records in 2000, 20001, and 2002. There was finally hope for the Raptors, coached by the legendary Lenny Wilkens. While the Lakers were en route to a championship three-peat, the Torontonians were satisfied with making the playoffs three years in a row. Low-keyness coming into play? Maybe.
One of the more memorable moments in franchise history cocured during the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2000. The series had reached Game 7 and everything was on line in the closing seconds. Of course, Vince Carter would take the clutch shot. But as history has it, he misssed and many became furious upon news that he had attended his graduation the morning of the game.
Nevertheless, the 2000 Dunk Contest champ could only entertain for so long and the frnachise would never be the same afer his departure. Even with the All-Star presence of Chris Bosh, the squad still struggled. Only in the last couple of years has the team risen to a degree of vitality and typically make the highlight reels because of the show put on by their opponents. Today, if you check Wikipedia, and with many fans, you'll be enlightened to discover that this wasn't the age of Bosh, but rather the "Colangelo Era." There's a reason for knowing this history, though. One must observe just how dynamic the Toronto Raptors are and how they're (lack of) identity has transformed over the years. They may not be the most exciting team. They may not be the scariest bunch. They may not even have their own dignified ambiance (ex. Jack at Lakers games). At the end of the day, though, this isolated team rightfully demands attention.
Ed-Note: We Are All Witnesses...Sometimes
I've been thinking about writing a post devoted to the "Slam-gate" Scandal, but after listening to hours of talk radio and plenty of other blog posts, I have reconsidered. Instead, I refer you all to a post by J.E. Skeets in which he echoes a simple message: If the video hadn't been confiscated, we all would've been wooed for a week and gone back to our life. Would've been like the video below...
Ed-Note 2: Obama vs. Silva
From Charles Babington of the AP: L'AQUILA, Italy – President Barack Obama seemed pleased with the gift he received Thursday from Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, but it was bittersweet nonetheless. Silva gave Obama, a big sports fan, an autographed yellow Brazilian soccer jersey at the start of their morning meeting at the G-8 summit in Italy. During their banter, which reporters partly heard through a translator, Silva spoke animatedly of the June 28 soccer match between the U.S. and Brazilian national teams in the Confederations Cup series. The game was a crushing loss for the underdog Americans, who led at the midway point, 2-0, only to lose 3-2. Silva repeatedly said, "Yes we can," which was Obama's campaign catchphrase and apparently what the Brazilian president had in mind while his team trailed. Obama smiled gamely; if he felt Silva was rubbing it in a bit, he didn't let on."Hey, look at this," Obama said of the jersey, signed by the Brazilian team's players. "Beautiful. All right, wonderful. I like that." White House spokesman Robert Gibbs later said Obama ended his 30-minute session with Silva by patting the Brazilian's back and vowing, "we will not lose a two-point lead again."
Throughout the season, many NBA experts, regardless of their legitimacy, had declared the Cleveland Cavaliers would definitely make it out of the Eastern Conference Finals, possibly en route to an NBA championship. Just like the Lakers, this team had its own elements of success. Their tallest player was a bald, Eastern European draining mid-range, and at times, three point, shots at 7'3". Their point guard was a guy who could make a 67-footer at the halftime buzzer of Conference Finals game, only to miss a potentially game-winning field goal at the final horn. For Pete's sake, their power forward looked like a chia pet. Yes, these were the players many believed would make an NBA Finals appearance. This ball club had the league praying for a Lakers-Cavs match-up.
Deep down, everyone wanted the entertainment of a Kobe vs. Lebron finals series. The sportswriters would have finally had an answer to the "who's best" debate. The league would have generated seven figure sums. Fans would have had historically brilliant amusement. Unfortunately, though, the Orlando Magic ended up as the best of the East. The series, in a sense, was almost as disappointing as the Spurs sweep of the Cavs only a few years ago. Only more reason for the Cavaliers to be ashamed that they didn't make it to the main stage. The hype had been on their side for so long, and they failed to capitalize. Even people who don't know what the initials of the NBA stand for, let's call them the "uninformed witnesses", were confident that the two greatest players of the association would meet in the highest stage of play.
Of course, the main embarrassment of this postseason was Lebron James. Despite stellar scoring performances, you can only outscore an entire 12 man team so many times. People may say that Lebron now has help, but I don't know if I can agree. Regardless, this was a chance for Lebron to prove himself as a leader and prove that he's more than a one man scoring (and rebounding) machine. Whatever the cause, whether it was pressure or lack of assistance, 23 was not able to guide his team to the promised land. My primary criticism of Lebron is that he hasn't yet learned how to "measure" games like Kobe. He hasn't developed the ability to sense when he needs to pass to his teammates, the most suitable play to run under circumstances, and when he must take over, which he seems to be doing too often. I always see clips of Kobe voicing his opinions in the huddles and resembling a coach, but I rarely see footage of Lebron giving feedback to his teammates during timeouts.
Danny Ferry has to do a better job of satisfying Lebron and his own Cleveland constituents. Right now, not to sound biased, but it's clear that the Los Angeles Lakers will be contenders for the next 2-3 years, and will likely be victorious unless somebody stops them. Boston and Cleveland may very well be the only teams that could put a speedbump on the Lakers' success. Until now, we haven't seen anybody capable of giving LB a breather. Everytime he steps out of the game, the flow of the game rapidly deteriorates. Mo Williams? Sasha Pavlovic? Big Z? Ben Wallace? Are these players able to carry on their team in Lebron's absence. Boston did a rather exceptional job of proceeding with the postseason without Kevin Garnett. And I'm sure a squad with Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, and Derek Fisher would perform phenomenally better than a Lebron-less Cavs team.
The bigger issue for Ferry, more urgent than adding talent, is keeping his superstar. If Lebron were to depart and head for the East Coast, a very likely possibility, Ferry could be blamed for demoralizing the franchise. If Lebron were to leave, Danny Ferry would be to the Cavs as Jimmy Carter was to Iran - he would create an era of isolation and a never-ending chain of bad news. The team would probably function as poorly as the Lakers team the first few years after the Shaq trade. As for the players stuck on that team - they will be praying for free agency. I don't want to get into the intracies of a mediocre team - the lottery picks, screw-ups, trial and error, etc.
Although, there is a glimmer of hope for this otherwise haughty bunch. In the build-up to the trade deadline earlier this season, the Cavs were believed to have traded for the Big Cactus - after the deadline of 12 ET, though. A James-O'Neal powerhouse would be O'Neal's most fitting pairing and would have elevated the Cavaliers to a throne of dominance. Not many people in the league have the physical stamina to contain that type of a dynamic duo for 48 minutes. If Lebron beats you to the rack, your center would have to step up, in which case he could either draw contact or dish it out to Shaq. And if Shaq gains posession, he could draw a double team, back you down as far as he wants to create a SportsCenter highlight reel or, if he's feeling generous, kick it out to a three-point shooter or somebody slashing to the rim - basically what Orlando should have been doing the entire series.
Commemorates the Spurs-Cavs finals. Just to clarify, I did not make this graphic. Found a link to it on Twitter.
All in all, the key point here is that Lebron must be happy. A dismayed puppet will result in a dispirited James, which is a very bad thing for the Cavaliers. On the other hand, a Knicks-Lakers finals would be fun to watch.
What am I getting at? Well, why do we favor certain people in the first place? Usually the answer to that is tied in with the concept of public appeal and image. First off, he's black. Meaning that the best way to exhibit the American principles of equality would be to support a minority candidate and elect him president. Secondly, all the famous rapper and singers were talking about the dude. And I mean all of them. From Jay-Z to Young Jeezy to Will.i.am, there were plenty of songs made about the African-American commander-in-chief. Third, we never really heard anything legitamately bad from his campaign. No dirty attacks or ruthless accusations. Plus, the man was chill. He could care less about what McCain was saying, and focused on "It's about me winning, not him losing" (I basically rephrased Rick Adelman from last night's game. Just replace the "him" with "we"). All of these elements together have changed how we view our president and after having Bush, has redefined "president" altogether. Obama's image is at such a good position right now, late night comics are scowled at when taking a jab at the President or a current administration policy - but the audience doesn't mind wise cracks about the cabinet.
And how do we automatically start disliking people before giving them a chance? Again, when hype had its date with destiny it made sure it was memorable. Tina Fey singlehandedly destroyed Palin's chances of reaching second-fiddle, and by the transitive property, screwing over the McCain's possibilities of becoming president. The media constructed Palin's image as really a female version of Bush. The (vice) presidential campaign this year proved that we are in a period of Media > Truth. It's hard to believe, but a once-a-week comedy show had such a huge political impact on a historic presidential election.
I'm a bit suspicious about this year's MVP voting. I understand the need for change. But it's become quite clear that the media has been hyping and favoring Lebron all season. The members of the media - sportswriters and the bunch - are the ones who vote on the award, which clearly explains why Lebron won by such a large margin. Lebron is to the media, as Obama is to Democrats and a majority of the American people - at least on election night. He has the all-around good image. The renowned "Witness" ad campaign. The smile. The shoes. The magazine covers. The stats.
First of all, what is the criteria for MVP? It appears as though this year it was based on individual statistics and team record but here's the truth: While Lebron may have had better individual stats, and his team barely had a better record that the Lakers, he's still in the Eastern Conference. And although the East has gotten much better recently, if you were seeded fifth in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, you still wouldn't have made it to the Western Conference Playoffs. The fact that the Cavs won 1 or 2 more games than the Lakers doesn't mean anything. They played against much worse opponents, which means LBJ had an easier time collecting his own in-game accolades. But if we were really judging MVPs predominantly on ppg and all the other factors, KB24 should have won it the year he scored 81 and averaged 35.4 ppg. These hints all add up to the big conclusion: the media is on Lebron's side.
I was reading some column in the Los Angeles Times this morning - I think it an article by Plashke - and Kobe was referenced to as a "walking scowl." These two words quite literally summarize Kobe's image as he plays the game. They may also serve as a reason why Lebron gets his way. Lebron is that chill, happy Obama-esque character that can commence sparks of joy everywhere. Kobe is the serious, McCain, sticking to fundamentals and staying away from what he believes are naive pitfalls. If they were rappers, Kobe would be Kanye West, "amazing" in every right and always ready to deliver the opponents with some "bad news," and LB23 would be Akon ahead of the game "right na na na." People think Kobe's assistance - Kanye's autotune - has gotten him his new success, while there's a unique, playful feeling in the air as Akon's voice resonates through a party. Conclusion: There's no question Lebron deserved the MVP this year, but the vote should be rationally thought out instead of going with the more popular player.