The Jim Rome Show - NBA - Basketball

Interview: Elton Brand

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:57:31 -0800

Elton on if playing against Kevin Garnett is a big pain in the ass: “Oh yeah.”

Photo: Elton Brand

Fri, 25 May 2012 09:42:12 -0800

Philadelphia 76ers Forward

Show: Friday May 25 2012

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:31:41 -0800

Miami Heat Are Playing NBA Jam, Everyone Else Is Playing Double-Dribble | Memorial Day Weekend Barbeques | The NBA Trax Segment Offer No Insight, Bad TV | Guesses For The Celebrity Guest

Walk-Up Music | Suggestions For Walk-Up Music | Mike In Indy Interview | Reaction To Mike In Indy

Vince Vaughn (Actor) Interview | Joe In OC Calls In | Caller Gets Through To JT The Brick | Elton Brand (NBA) Interview

Interview: Scott Brooks

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:40:57 -0800

The Oklahoma City head coach says their goal right now is: “To win a championship.”

Photo: Scott Brooks

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:27:07 -0800

Oklahoma City Thunder Head Coach

Take: Unwatchable Game

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:48:58 -0800

Congratulations to the Sixers for winning Game 6 of their series against Boston. And thanks to both teams for setting the sport back 50 years.

If Heat-Pacers was MMA, Sixers-Celtics was Z…Z…Z… were they shooting at iron and nylon or peach baskets last night. Because they weren’t hitting anything. Sixers coach Doug Collins’ pre-game motto was “angry basketball”…and that’s how we all felt watching it. Angry. I know Sixer Andre Iguodala was angry. So angry he nearly turned a broken play into a broken rack in the third quarter: Iggy smash!

And how do the Celtics just no show like that in a close out game? Where was the Ubuntu? Where was the Celtic pride? I’m sure they’ll find a way to get it done in Game 7. But mailing in Game 6 just cost those old folks some extra hours in the ice tub. And even worse, probably guaranteed us another unwatchable game.

Take: A.I. Is Still The O.G.

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:46:15 -0800

Now, to be fair: there was at least one guy in Sixer gear that killed it last night. First name: Thee Last name: Answer.

Photos: Thee Answer

I can’t lie. I have no attachment to any of it. And I was 3,000 miles away. But I still felt that moment... Everyone did. Well, except for ref Joey Crawford who stiffed him on the man hug. But that made it even better. Sure, A.I.’s, an end of the roader who will take his talents anywhere with a hoop and a check because he doesn’t have enough steaks in the freezer. But when he stepped on the floor last night, you can’t tell me you weren’t flashing back to him crossing over M.J.!

No one ever made M.J. look that bad on the floor. And you can’t tell me seeing A.I. last night didn’t take you back to the time he stepped over Tyronn Lue in the NBA Finals:

A.I. is still the O.G.

Take: F-Bombing Maniac Saturday Night

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:43:03 -0800

Now, back to you chowds for a moment. Sure, you lost that revolting game... But now we get to see Kevin Garnett turn into an unbridled F-bombing maniac Saturday night.

Photos: KG

We’re talking about a potential era ending, win or go home, Game 7, with a trip to the Conference Finals at stake…KG is going to be out of his mind: it will be Big Ticket o’clock all night long. We could be looking at an all time Ticket performance. And I don’t mean with his game. I mean with his mouth, his fists and his chest. Don’t be fooled by his “we’ll take it home and see what we can do” nonsense. Come Saturday, he’ll be hitting himself with haymakers, screaming Michael Foxtrot and inciting 18 thousand rabid chowds in their house.

And I’m hoping for the classic KG metaphor where he gets so jacked, his mouth is moving twice the speed of his brain and he spits outs something like: nothing compares to a Game 7: it’s like: building a house man: you have put in the pool, before you finish the basement. You know what I’m saying?? No, I have no idea. But I know I love it.

Memo to whoever carries that game: it’s time: give KG his own screen and put the game in a bubble in the corner. I don’t want to miss anything because Saturday night is must see…K.G.

Photo: Udonis Haslem

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:41:02 -0800

Miami Heat Forward

Take: Haslem And Pittman Suspended

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:40:19 -0800

I’m not sure what’s more surprising: that Miami’s Udonis Haslem was suspended one game for laying out Tyler Hansbrough or that his teammate Dexter Pittman got three for trying to knock out Lance Stephenson.

Look, I’m glad Haslem got his; I just didn’t think the NBA had the stones to rip him from the Heat since they’re already without Chris Bosh. Then again, by doing so, the league was able to send a message, and essentially assure itself of an all important Game 7 by doing it: so win win.

And Pittman got over with his three game suspension. He and the Heat would have gladly traded that elbow for 10 games for the message they think it sent. That wink he flashed after he cracked Lance Stephenson should have been worth five games alone. Enjoy your 15 minutes, Dex. Because that elbow is going to be the highlight of your career.

Take: Bynum’s Future

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:39:20 -0800

After saying “It really doesn’t matter to me, I’ll play anywhere.” Laker big man Andrew Bynum has changed his tune. Now he says, “I don’t want to go anywhere. Hopefully if I keep elevating my play, I won’t have to.”

Let me help you with this, Andy. You keep elevating your play, you keep your dome, and you stay relatively healthy, you can spend the rest of your life right here. Show up, ball up, grind and lead from the front, and not only can you stay, you can run this town.

Photos: Bynum

But if you’re here to jack 3’s, sit outside the huddle, not prepare for playoff games and say things like, “There’s a bank in every city” just hit the bricks.

Take: Shaq To Interview For Magic GM Job

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:37:48 -0800

ESPN is reporting the Orlando Magic could meet with Shaq O’Neal about their GM position next week. Now that’s funny. If that doesn’t work out, maybe he can be President, tremendous idea. Dude has no front office experience. A questionable work ethic and based on what he says on TV nightly, no ability to evaluate players. Oh, and he fights with Dwight Howard over who actually has the rights to the Superman nickname. The same Dwight Howard he’d have to convince to stay if he ever became GM.

Yeah, I’m sure he’ll do great. Shaq O’Neil is a candidate for the Magic GM job. Right and I’m going to jump in for Derrick Rose and run the point for the Bulls.

Photos: Shaq

C’mon, how dumb do we look? Not as dumb as the Magic if they go through with it and actually interview him.

Gallery: Allen Iverson

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:28:11 -0800

NBA Legend

Photo: Shaquille O'Neal

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:03:42 -0800

Former NBAer

Photo: Andrew Bynum

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:02:59 -0800

Los Angeles Lakers Center

Photo: Allen Iverson

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:02:27 -0800

NBA Legend

Photo: Allen Iverson, 2011-12 NBA Playoffs

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:01:58 -0800

A.I. honored before Sixers vs. Celtics Game 6

Photo: Andre Iguodala and Paul Pierce, 2011-12 Playoffs Sixers vs. Celts

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:00:56 -0800

Philly beats Boston 82-75; Series tied at 3

Photo: Kevin Garnett, 2011-12 Playoffs vs. Sixers Game 6

Thu, 24 May 2012 09:59:50 -0800

Philly beats Boston 82-75; Series tied at 3

Show: Thursday May 24 2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:50:05 -0800

Sixers Force Game Seven Against Boston | Dexter Pittman ONLY Gets Three Games For His Flagrant Foul | Tebow Has A Rough Day At OTAs | A Horrible Criminal Case, Getting Prosecuted By Trapper

Steve In Albuquerque Makes Memorable Call | The Heat Complain About No Suspensions For Indiana | Calls About The Heat And The Suspensions | The Heat Will Close It Out Thursday Night

The Western Conference Finals Are The Defacto NBA Finals | Scott Brooks (NBA) Interview | The Stache And His Day | Kyle Brandt Previews Friday's Show

Guest: Green, Danny

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:41:26 -0800

Info & Stats: San Antonio Spurs Guard

Interview: Danny Green

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:39:55 -0800

Danny on if the team has talked about winning 18 games in a row in the locker room: “No.”

Guest: Davis, Glen

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:46:44 -0800

Info & Stats: Orlando Magic Forward

Interview: Glen Davis

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:45:41 -0800

Big Baby on playing for Stan Van Gundy: “You have to listen to the message not the tone.”

Photo: Glen Davis, 2011-12 Season

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:44:28 -0800

First season in Orlando

Take: Playoff Game Turns Strikeforce Card

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:29:33 -0800

Heat-Pacers went from a playoff series to a Strikeforce card. There may as well have been a cage around the court for Game 5. Because while it wasn’t competitive, it was definitely combative. It all started in the second quarter when Tyler Hansbrough cracked Dwyane Wade in the head. Definitely a flagrant one, but that was at least a basketball play; he caught plenty of ball before he caught melon. But that’s not the way Wade saw it: “obviously my face is not the ball.” Right, and neither is Darren Collison’s spine. Glass houses Dwyane.

It then took Udonis Haslem all of a minute before he tried to pile drive Hansbrough through the hardwood.

Yo, U, why not just grab a folding chair and crown him with it? It would have been less obvious and less violent than that. Of course, Haslem didn’t see it that way either saying, “I made a play on the ball and my rap sheet speaks for itself. I’ve never been a dirty player. I’ve never been called a dirty player.” Well, they’re calling you that now. Clearly, you didn’t make a play on the ball. And that was an obvious retaliation for that shot Hansbrough put on Wade. Oh, and when reminding everyone of your great reputation, you probably want to point to your track record not your rap sheet. You actually never had one of those. But you do now. And it has a mid-air assault and soon to be flagrant 2 on it.

At least Haslem’s flagrant came in the middle of the game, when it was still in doubt. At least he did it to defend his star player. In that regard, I sort of see him working. But no one sees Dexter Pittman working. And trust me; Lance Stephenson didn’t see this trachea blast coming. 19 seconds left, in a 35 point blow out, shot goes up and Pittman doesn’t even look for the ball. Instead, he looks for Stephenson and finds his esophagus.

One of the dirtiest shots ever. And for what?! Stephenson’s choke sign on LeBron two games earlier? Something Stephenson had already apologized for. That retaliation doesn’t fit the crime. It wasn’t barely a crime to begin with. And way to tag that cheapshot with a wink, too, goon. You’re not an enforcer, you’re an embarrassment.

And the second the Heat stopped going upside Indiana’s head, Pacer president Larry Bird banged them in the mouth for good measure… he told the Indy Star news, “I can’t believe my team went soft. S-O-F-T. I never thought it would happen.” He’s right, the Pacers were soft. And I’m not saying they should have retaliated and punched one of the Heat in the face. And I don’t think Bird is either. He’s probably talking about how the Heat had a free pass to the rim all night long. And the fact, that despite having an obvious advantage in the front court, the Pacers got annihilated in the paint, getting outscored 46-26. And getting beaten down on the glass by 14. Bird’s probably talking about their refusal to throw it into Roy Hibbert.

Look, it’s never good news when the Hick from French Lick speaks publicly. Usually it means one of his guys went into the stands or he’s calling his team out for being soft. And after that verbal clothesline, they’ll have to bust out tomorrow night and prove him wrong.

Take: Metta Has Mike Brown’s Back

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:20:54 -0800

And as the Lakers look to rebuild after their second round humiliation, everything is on the table: Pau Gasol’s future. Andrew Bynum’s future. Even Mike Brown’s future. But Metta World Peace has Brown’s back. His fat, rotound, out of shape back: he said “Mike wasn’t out there guarding Kevin (Durant). That was me. Mike didn’t miss (a) three point shot. I missed it. Mike didn’t come in out of shape.. Wait he did come in out of shape. Mike is a fat ass.” Nothing says I got you, coach’ like hitting him with a fat blast.

Photos: Mett

I know…, that’s just Mett being Mett. Just messing around. Except I don’t recall him ever lighting Philip up like that. But I do recall Peace cracking Brown for being a ‘video coordinator’ a couple of months back as well. Thing is, Brown’s really not even fat. Don’t ever change, Mett. And remember, nothing says I’m standing up for my coach like laying him out for being fat. Just don’t trip if he calls you out for being a self-promoting time bomb in his next presser

Photo: Larry Bird

Wed, 23 May 2012 09:27:53 -0800

Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations

Photo: Metta World Peace

Wed, 23 May 2012 09:27:01 -0800

Metta has Mike Brown's back.... we think.

Photo: Dwyane Wade, 2011-12 Playoffs Game 5 vs. Indiana

Wed, 23 May 2012 09:25:33 -0800

Tyler Hansbrough hammers Wade

Show: Wednesday May 23 2012

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:50:53 -0800

Things Get Violent Between Heat And Pacers | LA Kings Have A Roster Filled With Canadians | Glen Davis (NBA) Interview | Recap Of The Davis Interview

Metta World Peace Entertains At Press Conference | Lolo Jones, A Virgin Looking On Twitter For A Man | The Broncos Have Traded For Gronk | Another NFLer Wins DWTS

Mike Wells (NBA) Interview | Danny Green (NBA) Interview | A Very Short Segment | Jake Peavy (MLB) Interview

Take: Close Out Games Are Easy

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:15:04 -0800

Andrew Bynum was right. Close out games are easy. Especially if you’re playing them against Bynum and the Lakers. So, where does L.A. go from here? First they need to stop saying they have the championship pieces in place. They don’t. They got smashed the last two years in the playoffs and if they bring back their big three, it’s going to happen again. Kobe Bryant’s not going anywhere, Andrew Bynum is the guy he’ll ultimately hand the torch to, so Pau Gasol is the odd man out. Not that I trust Bynum any more than I do Gasol. In fact, I trust him even less. Gasol may disappear for games at a time, but he was never benched for jacking up three’s, never blew off a meeting with the GM and never admitted to not being ready for a playoff game. Then again, maybe I’m overreacting, maybe I should give Bynum the benefit of the doubt: Hey Andrew, is this where you want to be? Are you all in?

That’s reassuring. L.A. is stuck: the only thing scarier than going all in with him is not having him at all.

Photos:Bynum

And Laker fan, you think the last few minutes of that game was tough on you. Try being Mitch Kupchak! Kupchak, looked like he wanted to walk in front of a bus. And what was he doing standing there, all alone in a sea of blue, like a real life, Where’s Waldo, then again, I see him working: he has to rebuild his roster…. Again: and this time no one is going to just give him an all star like Pau Gasol. In fact, he’s going to have to convince someone else Gasol still has something left. Then, he’ll probably have to find another point guard. Again. And do something about his do nothing bench. And hope that whoever he does bring in, can do what this group couldn’t do. Figure out and buy into Mike Brown’s system. No wonder Kupchak looked like that. Time to grind, Mitchell.

Take: KG’s Mouth Is Peaking At The Right Time

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:10:06 -0800

The Celtics put an emphatic beat down on Philly last night to take a 3 games to 2 lead in that series. And if Boston is making a deep run in the postseason, then you know its Kevin Garnett gum-bumping season. You can call this guy dirty, or call him a fake tough guy, but you can’t question his desire, passion and most of all, his ability to run his mouth. And in that regard, he’s peaking at just the right time. This is probably the league’s biggest fuel guy and last night he was running on the hometown’s premium unleaded: “This g-d crowd here sparks you. …I feel like every minute I look up, I see my family, I see people yelling, I see the drunk fat guy. I can’t decipher one from the other. This crowd is ridiculous, man. I love it.” I have no idea what this guy’s trying to say, only that he’s amped out of his mind and that at 36, he can still take over games and make everyone around him better and that includes the g-d crowd and the drunk fat guy.

Photos: KG

But even Garnett can’t do it all by himself. As always he had help. But it wasn’t from his hall of fame teammates Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. Nope, it came in the form of big, bad, Brandon Bass. There’s always the unlikely playoff hero who comes in and knocks down a big shot or two. Every series has one. But no series has the monster who comes out of nowhere to rip down the rim and get 18 in a single quarter the way Bass did. Talk about an unlikely hero: Bass is on his fourth team in 7 years and that was his first playoff presser. And he admitted he was nervous. When asked how he did it, he dropped this code: God, Grind, Greatness. That’s your handle. You’re not long double B, you’re three G. And while that was your first time at the podium, I know it won’t be your last.

Photo: Andrew Bynum

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:00:43 -0800

Los Angeles Lakers Center

Photo: Kevin Garnett

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:22:57 -0800

Boston Celtics Forward

Photo: Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant, 2011-12 NBA Playoffs Game 5 OKC vs. Lakers

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:02:21 -0800

Thunder finish the Lakers 106-90 and win series 4-1