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Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Couple Mistakes
A couple quick revisions to my bold predictions. The Heat and Magic cannot finish 1-2 in the East because they play in the same division. Likewise, the Heat and Celtics can't meet in the East Finals in the Heat are the 1 and the Celts are the 5 seed. So I'm revising to have the Celtics finish second in the East by virtue of winning the Atlantic Division and having a better record than the Central winning Bucks, and moving the Magic down to the 4 seed. Heat over Magic, Celtics over Bucks, the Heat over Celtics in the Eastern Finals.
(Shoutout to John Huetter for the correction)
(Shoutout to John Huetter for the correction)
Quick Links for the Start of the Season
Jason Whitlock's viewpoint on the LeBron Nike commercial. I agree with Jason when he compares the 'LeBrand' to Lucky with the Mad Men comparisons, but he loses me toward the end with the racism discussion. Then it seems to abruptly end. Still a good read though.
Despite the labor strife, business seems to be up for the NBA this year. Can't believe the Heat-Lakers has an average ticket price of $893 for Christmas Day!
Carmelo has a new documentary coming out and obviously my favorite part is him talking about the Cuse! Interesting how deep his ties to New York and Brooklyn seem to be, when all we ever heard at Cuse was how much he repped B-more.
Great WSJ article on Michael Jordan's ownership of the Bobcats. Personally, I think it's great that the game's greatest player is now actively involved in an ownership role. This can only be good for the Bobcats and the League.
If you liked the Nets billboard near MSG this summer then you'll love the Knicks rebuttal. Unfortunately, it seems to be tucked away in the construction zone, but still an AWESOME move to remind Brooklyn of the team that should make it to the playoffs this year and plays in the Mecca.
Despite the labor strife, business seems to be up for the NBA this year. Can't believe the Heat-Lakers has an average ticket price of $893 for Christmas Day!
Carmelo has a new documentary coming out and obviously my favorite part is him talking about the Cuse! Interesting how deep his ties to New York and Brooklyn seem to be, when all we ever heard at Cuse was how much he repped B-more.
Great WSJ article on Michael Jordan's ownership of the Bobcats. Personally, I think it's great that the game's greatest player is now actively involved in an ownership role. This can only be good for the Bobcats and the League.
If you liked the Nets billboard near MSG this summer then you'll love the Knicks rebuttal. Unfortunately, it seems to be tucked away in the construction zone, but still an AWESOME move to remind Brooklyn of the team that should make it to the playoffs this year and plays in the Mecca.
What Should I Do? The Answer.
Is LeBron James the new Allen Iverson? Sure sounds crazy at first.
When people think of The Answer they think of the cornrows, his ‘practice’ rant, his crossover, and the turbulent tail end of his career that’s left him playing in Turkey this season.
When people think of The Chosen One they think of The Decision, his Chosen One tattoo, the comparisons to Michael Jordan and of course, his Nike commercials.
The newest Nike commercial does an amazing job of capturing LeBron in his current mindset. That is, comfortable with his decision, determined to win, happy in South Beach playing his friends, but still fun-loving in his wink-of-the-eye I know something you don’t know manner.
While this will never be confused with any sort of apology for the way The Decision was handled, and I’m sure no one in Cleveland feels any better about how it all went down, this is the first true proof that LeBron has been listening and has heard every one of his critics. Sure, he’s offered a few cryptic tweets and retweeted comments by some of his haters, but this takes it a few steps further:
· He says ‘This went well’ as he drives by the Witnesses banner being taken down
· He asks us if he should have his Chosen One tattoo removed
· He pokes fun at MJ’s legacy by asking if he should just sell shoes
· He gives a wink and a shout out to Charles Barkley’s criticism by proclaiming he is not a role model and taking a bite of a donut
· He asks if he should be a championship chaser – likely a shot at Kobe Bryant
· He wants to know if he should stop listening to those closest to him
· And most powerfully, he asks us if he should be the villain
This spot shows us that contrary to how we felt in early July, LeBron does indeed get it. He understands what he did, he knows how it came off, but he’s still okay with his decision. It also tells us that while he may not care what we think, he has listened and heard the public outcries over his decision and The Decision.
For his entire career we have indeed wanted LeBron to be who WE wanted him to be. The next Airness, the next MJ, the next ‘Best Ever.’ These projections left most of us confused, angry, and disappointed by LeBron’s decision to ‘take his talents to South Beach.’ Clevelanders especially will never forget the way he left them for dead by mailing in the middle games of the Celtics series and then hanging them out to dry until he announced The Decision on national television. I touched on this in my previous post. Perhaps we never should’ve expected so much in this day and age. Maybe we should have seen him all along as a happy-go-lucky Magic Johnson 2.0 that wants to win, but wants to have fun doing so. Surely, the responsibility and anointing wasn’t done solely by the fans, as the media and James himself fed into the machine. It wasn’t the fans who proclaimed that the #23 should be retired by the league and then announced we were switching to a #6 jersey (that was oh-by-the-way worn by the greatest champion in the history of the sport, Bill Russell). It wasn’t the fans that urged him to get CHOSEN ONE tattooed across his back. And it wasn’t the fans that put him on a Sports Illustrated cover while he was still in high school. Everything converged in a relatively short amount of time and had all of us wondering when he would win his sixth and eventually seventh NBA title.
Allen Iverson came in to the league as the ‘new breed’ with his cornrows, tattoos, and take no prisoners attitude. He was never the next Jordan, he was the guy that crossed Jordan over his rookie year with a ‘take-that’ attitude to the stars of the late 80’s and early 90’s. But again the questions must be asked. Did Allen Iverson want to be the outcast? Did he want to be confused? Time and again in the twilight of his NBA career he professed to being misunderstood and only wanted to be remembered for giving his all every time he stepped on the basketball court (for a game that is). Yet, the same confusion, anger, and disappointment that has recently been projected toward LeBron was at one time put on The Answer. We loved how he competed, how he was the biggest small man on the court every night, and how he recklessly crossed over foes and took hit after hit getting to the rim. Yet, the mainstream media and fans never really accepted Iverson. I’m sure race played a role in much of this as it had throughout Iverson’s life, as the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on Iverson’s infamous bowling alley brawl excellently soportrayed. But without focusing on that, consider again the way he felt he was misunderstood. Perhaps we projected unfair negative characteristics toward Iverson in the same way we projected positive ones on LeBron. Consider how AI’s interviews, the practice rant, his off the court domestic troubles, and refusal to accept a minor role in his later years all fueled this criticism the same way the media and LeBron himself contributed to his ‘Next Michael Jordan’ image.
In the end, I believe LeBron will win most of us back over, and the new Nike commercial is the first step toward doing that. Much like a bad break up and despite the way it was handled, LeBron made the best decision for him. Eventually, once the winning starts, we’ll re-anoint him and begin counting championships. Maybe that will happen as soon as this season, maybe it will take a couple years for the talent to mesh in Miami. Until then, though, we’ll continue to feel mystified, slighted, and disappointed – the same way we once felt or maybe still feel about Allen Iverson.
Four Bold Predictions You Haven't Read Anywhere
Took a couple months of since there really wasn't big time noteworthy news after Team USA coasted to the gold medal in the World Championships. Yes, there were the Carmelo trade rumors but nothing ever seemed substantial enough to me to actually write about. And if I myself was overwhelmed with the amount of predictions, Heat coverage, and preseason rankings, I knew no one would want to read more about it here.
I generally hate 'expert predictions,' but I'll make a few of my own 'bold predictions' and avoid the obvious.
Bold Prediction #1 - Kevin Durant will NOT win the MVP.
He may very well win the scoring title again but I honestly think the MVP is still LeBron's to lose. Would you vote for Durant basically putting up the exact same stats as last year - there's no way he scores more than 30 a game this year now that the Thunder won't sneak up on anyone - or LeBron who slaps up a 25, 12 and 8 for the season for a 64-win Heat team? With or without Wade and Bosh, if LeBron dominates and ups his rebounding and assist numbers (shouldn't be hard on this team) to near triple double levels how will he not be the Most Valuable Player in the league? Sorry, KD, not your turn just yet. You've mastered scoring the ball but you need to find other ways to impact the game and make the guys around you better before taking the MVP from LBJ.
Bold Prediction #2 - The Lakers will NOT runaway with the Western Conference this year.
I love the Lakers in the West for obvious reasons and to three-peat in Phil Jackson's last season, buuuuuut they are slowly but surely transforming into the Celtics: still playing at a championship level and NO ONE will want to see them in the playoffs but the regular season is going to be used to limit starters' minutes and work in their new bench players, Steve Blake and Matt Barnes. The triangle offense can literally take years to master, so they'll need to make sure Blake and Barnes are ready for the playoffs. And obviously, there's no need to run Kobe, Derek Fisher and Andrew Bynum through a wall in the regular season just to flame out in the playoffs. I predict a #3 seed for the Lakers
Bold Prediction #3 - Carmelo won't be traded until after the season.
I really hope this doesn't come true and that the Nuggets buckle and deal him to my Knicks by the trade deadline in February but I just don't see it happening. With George Karl back on the sidelines and Carmelo leading the way - he's too proud of a player to sulk and 'Vince Carter' his way out of town - the Nuggets should be in thick of the playoff race in the West. Name eight teams that are significantly better than the Nuggets out West? I just don't see. You're telling me they are going to trade their star player in the middle of a playoff race for cap relief, draft picks and young talent? Again, I just don't see it. Especially in a league where playoff gate revenues make such a huge difference in the bottom line, there's no way they could make the move. Plus, this extra time will give the Knicks more time to deal for another team's first round draft choice in an upcoming draft that they can then include in their own Anthony deal. The Nuggets stay competitive this season, get more for dealing Melo, and Melo gets dealt to his preferred destination - oh and I get to watch one my favorite players ever in person on a nightly basis... everybody wins.
Bold Prediction #4 - The Bucks will be an 'elite' team in the Eastern Conference.
While I don't think they'll break the Heat and Magic duo for a top two seed, I'm putting the Bucks in at #3, ahead of the Bulls and Celtics. While they won't necessarily sneak up on anyone, they play in a system and a style that is tough for other teams to adjust too. Not to mention, Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut will have another year playing together. Underrated signing in the crazy Summer of 2010? Corey Maggette to the Bucks to provide a scoring punch. I do love the Bulls but without Boozer early in the season I think they'll struggle a bit, just enough to let the Bucks pass them in the standings. Also, I don't think the Bucks are just this year's version of the Hawks from the past few seasons, talented, not in the top three, and a clear step below the other teams. They may not crack the top two in the standings in the regular season and compete at the same level as the Heat and Magic, but I think the Celtics will have it on cruise control for the first four-five months of the season like they did last year. They essentially replaced Rasheed Wallace's laziness with Shaq's laziness and obviously they are all a year older. Ironically, I still think the Celtics will make it to the Conference Finals and I'll hate it every step of the way, but at least for the regular season the Bucks will be in the top three.
Lastly, I wish I had a more Bold Prediction for the Conference Finals but I'm going with Miami over Boston and the LA Lakers over Dallas, with the Lakers taking out the Heat in the Finals.
The Celtics go in as a 5-seed but have one last playoff run in them and with Shaq (in shape, sort of, by then) and Jermaine O'Neal it'll be hard for other teams to match up with them in a long series. For some reason I like the Mavs to replace the 09-10 Suns as the 'team that was supposed to compete that ends up making a serious run in the playoffs.' I even have them losing to the Lakers just like the Suns last season.
In the Finals it'll come down to Finals experience, bench strength and coaching. Wade does have one Finals MVP and LeBron has been to the Finals (swept by the Spurs), but I don't know how the Heat will match up with Bynum and Pau Gasol with only Chris Bosh. I also don't fully believe in the Heat bench just yet. I think they'll be ok enough in the regular season and eventually Mike Miller will come back from injury and take his starting spot back, but I think the Lakers new pieces put them over the top. As for the last point, coaching, Phil Jackson versus Erik Spoelstra is a no contest win for Jackson in the Finals as far as I can see. And if they go the entire season could you imagine Phil getting to the Finals and his team not winning him his 12th Championship, and fourth career three-peat? Kobe won't let that happen.
I generally hate 'expert predictions,' but I'll make a few of my own 'bold predictions' and avoid the obvious.
Bold Prediction #1 - Kevin Durant will NOT win the MVP.
He may very well win the scoring title again but I honestly think the MVP is still LeBron's to lose. Would you vote for Durant basically putting up the exact same stats as last year - there's no way he scores more than 30 a game this year now that the Thunder won't sneak up on anyone - or LeBron who slaps up a 25, 12 and 8 for the season for a 64-win Heat team? With or without Wade and Bosh, if LeBron dominates and ups his rebounding and assist numbers (shouldn't be hard on this team) to near triple double levels how will he not be the Most Valuable Player in the league? Sorry, KD, not your turn just yet. You've mastered scoring the ball but you need to find other ways to impact the game and make the guys around you better before taking the MVP from LBJ.
Bold Prediction #2 - The Lakers will NOT runaway with the Western Conference this year.
I love the Lakers in the West for obvious reasons and to three-peat in Phil Jackson's last season, buuuuuut they are slowly but surely transforming into the Celtics: still playing at a championship level and NO ONE will want to see them in the playoffs but the regular season is going to be used to limit starters' minutes and work in their new bench players, Steve Blake and Matt Barnes. The triangle offense can literally take years to master, so they'll need to make sure Blake and Barnes are ready for the playoffs. And obviously, there's no need to run Kobe, Derek Fisher and Andrew Bynum through a wall in the regular season just to flame out in the playoffs. I predict a #3 seed for the Lakers
Bold Prediction #3 - Carmelo won't be traded until after the season.
I really hope this doesn't come true and that the Nuggets buckle and deal him to my Knicks by the trade deadline in February but I just don't see it happening. With George Karl back on the sidelines and Carmelo leading the way - he's too proud of a player to sulk and 'Vince Carter' his way out of town - the Nuggets should be in thick of the playoff race in the West. Name eight teams that are significantly better than the Nuggets out West? I just don't see. You're telling me they are going to trade their star player in the middle of a playoff race for cap relief, draft picks and young talent? Again, I just don't see it. Especially in a league where playoff gate revenues make such a huge difference in the bottom line, there's no way they could make the move. Plus, this extra time will give the Knicks more time to deal for another team's first round draft choice in an upcoming draft that they can then include in their own Anthony deal. The Nuggets stay competitive this season, get more for dealing Melo, and Melo gets dealt to his preferred destination - oh and I get to watch one my favorite players ever in person on a nightly basis... everybody wins.
Bold Prediction #4 - The Bucks will be an 'elite' team in the Eastern Conference.
While I don't think they'll break the Heat and Magic duo for a top two seed, I'm putting the Bucks in at #3, ahead of the Bulls and Celtics. While they won't necessarily sneak up on anyone, they play in a system and a style that is tough for other teams to adjust too. Not to mention, Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut will have another year playing together. Underrated signing in the crazy Summer of 2010? Corey Maggette to the Bucks to provide a scoring punch. I do love the Bulls but without Boozer early in the season I think they'll struggle a bit, just enough to let the Bucks pass them in the standings. Also, I don't think the Bucks are just this year's version of the Hawks from the past few seasons, talented, not in the top three, and a clear step below the other teams. They may not crack the top two in the standings in the regular season and compete at the same level as the Heat and Magic, but I think the Celtics will have it on cruise control for the first four-five months of the season like they did last year. They essentially replaced Rasheed Wallace's laziness with Shaq's laziness and obviously they are all a year older. Ironically, I still think the Celtics will make it to the Conference Finals and I'll hate it every step of the way, but at least for the regular season the Bucks will be in the top three.
Lastly, I wish I had a more Bold Prediction for the Conference Finals but I'm going with Miami over Boston and the LA Lakers over Dallas, with the Lakers taking out the Heat in the Finals.
The Celtics go in as a 5-seed but have one last playoff run in them and with Shaq (in shape, sort of, by then) and Jermaine O'Neal it'll be hard for other teams to match up with them in a long series. For some reason I like the Mavs to replace the 09-10 Suns as the 'team that was supposed to compete that ends up making a serious run in the playoffs.' I even have them losing to the Lakers just like the Suns last season.
In the Finals it'll come down to Finals experience, bench strength and coaching. Wade does have one Finals MVP and LeBron has been to the Finals (swept by the Spurs), but I don't know how the Heat will match up with Bynum and Pau Gasol with only Chris Bosh. I also don't fully believe in the Heat bench just yet. I think they'll be ok enough in the regular season and eventually Mike Miller will come back from injury and take his starting spot back, but I think the Lakers new pieces put them over the top. As for the last point, coaching, Phil Jackson versus Erik Spoelstra is a no contest win for Jackson in the Finals as far as I can see. And if they go the entire season could you imagine Phil getting to the Finals and his team not winning him his 12th Championship, and fourth career three-peat? Kobe won't let that happen.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Replacing the Lebron banner in Cleveland
We Are All Witnesses... of Sherwin Williams. Check out the cool time lapse video of the new sign being made too. Wish it was a bit longer but still kind of cool.
Also on this link, click on the Fast Don't Lie ad and watch the new adiZero commercials with Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose. High comedy for sure haha.
Will Lebron's sneaker sales 'Rise?'
My favorite Twitter follow, @darrenrovell, asks the all important question about Lebron's new Nike ad... Will it actually help sell $160 sneakers?
My take? I'm guessing most of the kids and people that want them would've bought them either way but this type of spot will certainly not hurt when it comes to reaching people on the fence. Plus, it may not directly help move pairs of this version, but if a spot like this can convince people maybe he's not such a bad guy after all, it could lead to more people being willing to buy his sneakers or other products he endorses more in the future.
Free Beer!... With a Heat Loss
SWEET DEAL in Hollywood, FL!
Consider that the best team in history (95-96 Bulls) still lost 10 games and this could get pricey if nagging injuries and the bullseye on their backs leave the Heat finishing around 55-27 or so. Either way though, GREAT MARKETING and an awesome way to indirectly tie themselves to the team. Would you even bother going to another bar if you lived within 20 minutes of this place?
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