Thursday, December 23, 2010
LeBron's Birthday For Sale
I'm planning bar golf for my birthday. Anyone want to sponsor it for $10,000 minimum?? Make sure you read the whole article and then don't forget to click on the 'Click here to see the endorsement pitch' link at the bottom. And if you're so inclined go ahead and RSVP as well! It just keeps getting better and better with LeBron. There's also some links to LBJ's new mansion and Chris Bosh's $12.5 million mansion. That's right folks, Chris Bosh has a $12.5 million house. Ugh. Sometimes I really don't get the NBA.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Western Conference Christmas Wishes
Continuing to the West after yesterday's Eastern Conference Christmas Wishes post...
Utah Jazz
Very simple... more MVP-caliber from Deron Williams. They've won some big games this season, Jerry Sloan may finally get his elusive Coach of the Year Award, and the Jazz may just break into the upper echelon of title contenders in the West, along with the Lakers, Spurs and Mavs.
Oklahoma City
To find their defensive prowess they've lost since last year. Durant is still scoring and Russell Westbrook has made the jump into the 'Top PG In the League' conversations but they won't seriously contend in the West without playing some defense. They currently sit 16th in defensive efficiency giving up an average of 103.8 points per 100 possessions (accounts for pace of play) - that puts them just behind the Nets. Compare that to their main Western Conference foes: Dallas (6th) at 100.0; San Antonio (8th) at 100.7; LA Lakers (10th) at 102.0.
Denver Nuggets
Some sort of closure to the Melodrama currently enveloping their day to day activities. At this point it's fairly clear they are going to trade him. It may be for picks and Derrick Favors, or it may be for Gallinari and Fields, but either way Nuggets fans have to be rooting for a resolution to come soon.
Portland Trail Blazers
What can you say about injuries for this team over the years? At this point Blazers fans need to be wishing for an entire new training staff, possibly that of the Phoenix Suns, who have resurrected the careers of Shaq and Grant Hill among others.
Minnesota Timberwolves
How about the coaches vote Kevin Love into the All-Star Game? He's got A LOT of tough competition in the West behind Dirk, Durant, Duncan, Melo, Gasol and Blake Griffin but get a look at these stats. He's shooting 45.5%, averaging a 20.8 ppg and 15.5 rpg, and he's currently 7th in John Hollinger's PER ranking. He's also 2nd in overall Rebound Rate (% of missed shots that a player rebounds), behing only Reggie Evans. Evans has played half as many games as Love and plays 8 fewer minutes per game when he does play.
LA Lakers
For Laker fans it's all about winning championships and the best way for them to win one this year is to have a healthy Andrew Bynum in the lineup reducing the work load and minutes for Pau Gasol. Just having Bynum active for games provides a huge boost for Gasol and obviously any Finals match up with the Celtics will hinge on interior strength.
Phoenix Suns
Quick history lesson. The 2004-2005 Suns consisted of the following in order of minutes played that season:
Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire, Quentin Richardson, Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa. They won 62 games and finished first in the West, led the league in scoring and ushered in the '7 Seconds or Less' era. They went on to lose in the Conference Finals to the Spurs. Steve Nash is currently the only player from that group still on the team - that's how many roster iterations they'e made the last six years. I know Amare just left this past summer, but year and year they seem poised to really make a jump before shaking things up - think Shaq, the latest Vince Carter/Hedo deal with the Magic. Taken individually the moves seem to have made sense at the time, but overall Suns fans need to hope for some consistency and a true vision for this team moving forward, especially as Nash moves on or retires in the coming years.
Golden State Warriors
Another team that kind of got their gifts early this year with new ownership. They have a slew of injuries that aren't allowing them to play up their full potential this season, but things are looking bright for the Warriors moving forward. Plus, one of their fans got this as another early present.
LA Clippers
Year after year... same old story for Clips fans... a new owner.
Sacramento
How about the team staying in town? One of, if not, the worst team in the league right now is still looking for a new permanent home. Rumors have surfaced for months about them potentially leaving Sacramento if they can't get a new arena deal done. Hard to believe this team was competing toe-to-toe with the Lakers at the beginning of the decade.
San Antonio
No team has a more pleasant and unexpected start to the season. With the league's best record and a mere three losses going in to Christmas, the Spurs have taken back their spot among the league's elite. But these aren't your same old Spurs, winning with Tim Duncan and defense. They're still led by Duncan, Parker and Ginobili, but they've reinvigorated their bench with young role players and are pushing the ball. They're currently 12th in pace but are leading the league in offensive efficiency at 110.7 points per 100 possessions. Spurs fans should hope for more of the same in the New Year.
Dallas Mavericks
A lot of people have been surprised by the Mavs this season but not me. I predicted they'd vault to the near top of the conference and lose in the Conference Finals to the Lakers. Although, their place in the standings isn't surprising to me, they have still impressed with their style of play and bench contributions. It just seems like they need one more championship caliber piece at the two-guard spot. Maybe that piece if Richard Hamilton??
New Orleans Hornets
The darlings of the first two weeks of the season have fallen from grace lately. But just like the Kings, what Hornets want the most is to know the team will remain in town. Although they don't need a new arena in NOLA, they do need new ownership that is committed to keeping the team in town. Hopefully, David Stern can find someone willing to do just that.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets have been the exact opposite of the Hornets, starting miserable slow at 3-11 before winning 10 of their last 14 games. They're steadily climbing up the standings in the West and should compete for the 7th or 8th seed in the West. Amid the tragic news about Yao's foot injury, this could still be a successful season in Houston. That's what they're hoping for at least.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies need some consistency. Rudy Gay is actually playing up to his $80 million contract, and they are trying to put pieces around him by signing Mike Conley to an extension. They just need to stop playing to the level of their competition. Among their 12 wins this season they count the Heat, Mavericks and Lakers, but among their 17 losses they have the Warriors, Wizards, Cavaliers and Nets.
Golden State Warriors
Another team that kind of got their gifts early this year with new ownership. They have a slew of injuries that aren't allowing them to play up their full potential this season, but things are looking bright for the Warriors moving forward. Plus, one of their fans got this as another early present.
LA Clippers
Year after year... same old story for Clips fans... a new owner.
Sacramento
How about the team staying in town? One of, if not, the worst team in the league right now is still looking for a new permanent home. Rumors have surfaced for months about them potentially leaving Sacramento if they can't get a new arena deal done. Hard to believe this team was competing toe-to-toe with the Lakers at the beginning of the decade.
San Antonio
No team has a more pleasant and unexpected start to the season. With the league's best record and a mere three losses going in to Christmas, the Spurs have taken back their spot among the league's elite. But these aren't your same old Spurs, winning with Tim Duncan and defense. They're still led by Duncan, Parker and Ginobili, but they've reinvigorated their bench with young role players and are pushing the ball. They're currently 12th in pace but are leading the league in offensive efficiency at 110.7 points per 100 possessions. Spurs fans should hope for more of the same in the New Year.
Dallas Mavericks
A lot of people have been surprised by the Mavs this season but not me. I predicted they'd vault to the near top of the conference and lose in the Conference Finals to the Lakers. Although, their place in the standings isn't surprising to me, they have still impressed with their style of play and bench contributions. It just seems like they need one more championship caliber piece at the two-guard spot. Maybe that piece if Richard Hamilton??
New Orleans Hornets
The darlings of the first two weeks of the season have fallen from grace lately. But just like the Kings, what Hornets want the most is to know the team will remain in town. Although they don't need a new arena in NOLA, they do need new ownership that is committed to keeping the team in town. Hopefully, David Stern can find someone willing to do just that.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets have been the exact opposite of the Hornets, starting miserable slow at 3-11 before winning 10 of their last 14 games. They're steadily climbing up the standings in the West and should compete for the 7th or 8th seed in the West. Amid the tragic news about Yao's foot injury, this could still be a successful season in Houston. That's what they're hoping for at least.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies need some consistency. Rudy Gay is actually playing up to his $80 million contract, and they are trying to put pieces around him by signing Mike Conley to an extension. They just need to stop playing to the level of their competition. Among their 12 wins this season they count the Heat, Mavericks and Lakers, but among their 17 losses they have the Warriors, Wizards, Cavaliers and Nets.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Kobe's Xmas Kicks
These are AWESOME! Although they won't go with the purple and gold of the Lakers these are still SICK Christmas/Mamba-themed kicks. Well done!
The Sunshine State
When LeBron and Bosh joined D Wade in South Beach is created one the scariest road trips for the rest of the league, the 'Florida Swing' down to Miami then back up to play Dwight Howard and the Magic at their brand new arena. Many of these trips are back to backs making it extremely difficult for teams to get out of there with a 2-0 trip. The only other comparable trip in recent memory is the Texas Triangle to Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Incredibly, and thanks to NBA TV, I've now seen the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks sweep the Florida teams both on back to backs. I didn't think anyone would do this all season but WOW both of them have been incredible in doing so. Dallas in particular really showed me what kind of team they are by bookending Miami's 12 game winning streak by beating the Heat home and away. Utah's was a little more fluky after their huge comeback against Miami but there was nothing fluky about either of Dallas' wins. Maybe the Knicks can pay back LeBron and Co. for the second half beat down they got when they play at Miami next week. Then two days later it's up to the Amway Center for New York.
Eastern Conference Christmas Wishes
Kind of a gimmicky thing ESPN sometimes does but I like it for the NBA, especially this year with the amazing Christmas Day slate of games. So without further adieu, here are the gifts each team is looking for this Christmas season, Eastern Conference version...
Boston Celtics
The only thing Boston needs this season is to stay healthy. Obviously, KG is back to his 2008 form, Pierce is as clutch as ever, and Ray Allen shows no signs of slowing down. They need Rondo to come back from his ankle injury but most of all they need Kendrick Perkins to come back, and they need to their two big free agent signings, both named O'Neal healthy again.
New York Knicks
As great as the Knicks have been they still have a few holiday wishes this year. One would be to beat some quality teams which they can start doing right away after squandering an opportunity against the Celtics last week and getting shut down in the second half versus Miami two nights later. The Thunder and Bulls both come to the Garden this week, and the Florida trip awaits next week to Orlando and Miami. Something about Carmelo Anthony may also brighten up their spirits this holiday season but more on another time.
Philadelphia 76ers
After a 3-13 start the Sixers have won eight of eleven, but I think they're biggest wish is to make their own mark on the Philly sports scene. Mike Vick, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, and the first place Flyers all have their stake in the ground already, but if the Sixers can squeeze a 7 or 8 seed out of this young team led by Doug Collins, then the Philly sports scene will be complete.
Toronto Raptors
Although they haven't played terrible so far this season they clearly aren't contenders, so I think the best things the Raptors can wish for are more Demar Derozan dunks.
New Jersey Nets
More Melodrama found across the river in the dirty Jerz, however Nets fans and their owner must be pining for anyone to want to come to New Jersey for the next year or so before the team heads to Brooklyn. After LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Amare, Boozer, and David Lee all spurned the Russian billionaire they need to get someone in town to compete with the Knicks new cache - especially if Melo continues to his reluctance to sign an extension with anyone other than the Bockers.
Chicago Bulls
Healthy big men. They have an early season MVP candidate in Derrick Rose, a great second year player in Taj Gibson, and a resurgent Luol Deng. Only problems have been Boozer missing the first part of the season and just as he came back, Joakim Noah is going to miss major time. This all the makings of the 'team no one wants to play come playoff time,' if they can get their starting front court all healthy in time.
Indiana Pacers
Pacers fans have to pretty excited about their team's chances to sneak into the Eastern playoffs this year, so as for holiday wishes... how about more third quarters like this one?
Milwaukee Bucks
Not to harp on too many injuries because as you can already tell, every team has them in some way, shape or form, but the Bucks are another team struggling with role players filling in for starters. The Bucks just need to find some semblance of the offense they had last year when they claimed the sixth seed. They still have some time to get it right but they need to right the ship quickly.
Detroit Pistons
No doubt Pistons fans aren't excited for the day when Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton are traded but at this point they have to be looking forward to some sort of rebuilding process and it starts by finding a taker for Prince's expiring contract and the three years remaining on Rip's deal. There are definitely a couple teams looking for a solid two-guard that may be willing to absorb Hamilton's nearly $50 million remaining.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Just hope the next time LeBron visits the Q it goes better than it did the first time.
Miami Heat
They pretty much got everything they could've asked for during Christmas in July, but I'm sure the players and coaches are hoping that their own fans would show up on time, at least for the important games. FAN UP MIAMI!
Orlando Magic
Gotta love their owner and GM for being bold and pulling the trigger early on a major deal. Now the fans and team have to hope Turk goes back to his former Magic self, and Gilbert Arenas has to go back to scoring 20 ppg and learn how to play a little defense for Stan Van. J Rich should fit in seamlessly but we won't know if the Magic's holiday dreams come true until May or June.
Atlanta Hawks
Not sure what else Hawks fans can hope for, but Joe Johnson must be hoping for one of two things: either more wins when he's in the lineup, or less wins for Atlanta when he's out of the lineup. Although I suppose he has $119 million reasons not to worry about a damn thing.
Charlotte Bobcats
At this point they just have to worry that anymore attempts to rebuild don't lead to their former players having career years. See: Tyson Chandler, Raymond Felton.
Washington Wizards
Dear Santa -
All we want for Christmas are two healthy knees for John Wall.
Sincerely -
Everyone connected to the Wizards organization.
Boston Celtics
The only thing Boston needs this season is to stay healthy. Obviously, KG is back to his 2008 form, Pierce is as clutch as ever, and Ray Allen shows no signs of slowing down. They need Rondo to come back from his ankle injury but most of all they need Kendrick Perkins to come back, and they need to their two big free agent signings, both named O'Neal healthy again.
New York Knicks
As great as the Knicks have been they still have a few holiday wishes this year. One would be to beat some quality teams which they can start doing right away after squandering an opportunity against the Celtics last week and getting shut down in the second half versus Miami two nights later. The Thunder and Bulls both come to the Garden this week, and the Florida trip awaits next week to Orlando and Miami. Something about Carmelo Anthony may also brighten up their spirits this holiday season but more on another time.
Philadelphia 76ers
After a 3-13 start the Sixers have won eight of eleven, but I think they're biggest wish is to make their own mark on the Philly sports scene. Mike Vick, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, and the first place Flyers all have their stake in the ground already, but if the Sixers can squeeze a 7 or 8 seed out of this young team led by Doug Collins, then the Philly sports scene will be complete.
Toronto Raptors
Although they haven't played terrible so far this season they clearly aren't contenders, so I think the best things the Raptors can wish for are more Demar Derozan dunks.
New Jersey Nets
More Melodrama found across the river in the dirty Jerz, however Nets fans and their owner must be pining for anyone to want to come to New Jersey for the next year or so before the team heads to Brooklyn. After LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Amare, Boozer, and David Lee all spurned the Russian billionaire they need to get someone in town to compete with the Knicks new cache - especially if Melo continues to his reluctance to sign an extension with anyone other than the Bockers.
Chicago Bulls
Healthy big men. They have an early season MVP candidate in Derrick Rose, a great second year player in Taj Gibson, and a resurgent Luol Deng. Only problems have been Boozer missing the first part of the season and just as he came back, Joakim Noah is going to miss major time. This all the makings of the 'team no one wants to play come playoff time,' if they can get their starting front court all healthy in time.
Indiana Pacers
Pacers fans have to pretty excited about their team's chances to sneak into the Eastern playoffs this year, so as for holiday wishes... how about more third quarters like this one?
Milwaukee Bucks
Not to harp on too many injuries because as you can already tell, every team has them in some way, shape or form, but the Bucks are another team struggling with role players filling in for starters. The Bucks just need to find some semblance of the offense they had last year when they claimed the sixth seed. They still have some time to get it right but they need to right the ship quickly.
Detroit Pistons
No doubt Pistons fans aren't excited for the day when Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton are traded but at this point they have to be looking forward to some sort of rebuilding process and it starts by finding a taker for Prince's expiring contract and the three years remaining on Rip's deal. There are definitely a couple teams looking for a solid two-guard that may be willing to absorb Hamilton's nearly $50 million remaining.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Just hope the next time LeBron visits the Q it goes better than it did the first time.
Miami Heat
They pretty much got everything they could've asked for during Christmas in July, but I'm sure the players and coaches are hoping that their own fans would show up on time, at least for the important games. FAN UP MIAMI!
Orlando Magic
Gotta love their owner and GM for being bold and pulling the trigger early on a major deal. Now the fans and team have to hope Turk goes back to his former Magic self, and Gilbert Arenas has to go back to scoring 20 ppg and learn how to play a little defense for Stan Van. J Rich should fit in seamlessly but we won't know if the Magic's holiday dreams come true until May or June.
Atlanta Hawks
Not sure what else Hawks fans can hope for, but Joe Johnson must be hoping for one of two things: either more wins when he's in the lineup, or less wins for Atlanta when he's out of the lineup. Although I suppose he has $119 million reasons not to worry about a damn thing.
Charlotte Bobcats
At this point they just have to worry that anymore attempts to rebuild don't lead to their former players having career years. See: Tyson Chandler, Raymond Felton.
Washington Wizards
Dear Santa -
All we want for Christmas are two healthy knees for John Wall.
Sincerely -
Everyone connected to the Wizards organization.
Would your team's owner do this?
Awesome blog post over at Golden State of Mind (Warrior's Blog) that TrueHoop linked to.
The setup: disgruntled fan and blogger emails team owner directly and gets a passionate email back within three hours! Awesome stuff here, and great to hear some of the best fans in the league may actually get some watchable basketball to cheer for - they were incredible back during the 08 playoff run.
Kobe's Kicks
Kobe's new kicks... look pretty bad ass, especially compared to some of the other boring designs out there...
Monday, December 20, 2010
Big Holidays NBA TV
I cannot get enough of these commercials I literally love every second of every one of them hahaha.
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