Gunnerz!

The Gunner Chronicles - Hollywood Art Walk

2017-02-25T19:14:00.000-08:00

Tourists come to South Florida for the weather, the beaches, and the night life. It takes a local to know that the area has much more to offer, especially for fans of the arts. Take any one of the coastal communities from Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach county and you are sure to find a wide range of theaters, concerts, comedy shows, and even art galleries.

Recently we decided to visit Downtown Hollywood’s monthly Art Walk event. While it isn’t as large or as popular as Miami’s event of the same name, there is no shortage vendors, musicians, or artists showing off their skills.

Taking place on Hollywood Boulevard, you can enjoy a unique set of murals covering the walls of one of Broward’s oldest neighborhoods. Once you’ve had your art and culture fix, you can finish the night at one of the 2 dozen bars or restaurants that cover the block. Check out the video to see what we found along the way.

Amare, Retirement, and Remembering the Times

2016-07-27T14:55:00.001-07:00

On July 26^th, 2016, Amar’e Stoudemire announced his retirement from the NBA. A skilled scorer and ferocious dunker in his prime, Amar’e never left a game without a highlight when he was at his best. What was most surprising about his retirement was that he chose to sign a one-day contract and retire as a New York Knick, stating “my heart had always remained in the Big Apple”.

Not only was Amar’e drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2002, but he was around long enough to play alongside Stephon Marbury, Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal, Goran Dragic, and Channing Frye. He was there for all of it, and became as synonymous with the Suns franchise as their signature orange and purple uniforms.

I’m finding that athletes have different priorities and it’s the primary reason I don’t take the wins and losses so serious anymore. Amar’e battled with those Phoenix teams. Sure they never won a title, but they were more beloved than many of the Tim Duncan-led Spurs teams that did. They were special. With Steve Nash at point, they put out a lineup that could go eight or nine deep with talented scorers. They converted a guard into a center, wings into swings, even swings into bigs. It was all about getting buckets.

We assume that every owner, general manager, coach, and player wants to win more than anything, but oftentimes that’s not the case. Owners are most interested in profit. General Managers worry most about job security. Coaches probably vow for wins more than anyone, but players can be a complex bunch. Depending on the point of their career, they can be eschewing winning for points, personal accolades, awards, a new contract, forcing a trade, playing with friends, etc.

Looking at Stoudemire’s four-year tenure as a Knick, it looks like he was most proud of being in a big city and dabbling in the fashion industry. On the court, he spent exactly half a season dominating and being run into the ground by Mike D’Antoni. It was fun, and the Garden was lively, but that was followed by the Carmelo Anthony trade that effectively gutted the roster of its promising youth and depth. That team would never make it past the second round, and could never pose a serious threat to LeBron’s Heat. As the story goes, Amar’e’s knees could never hold up much after those first few months.A career that once shouted hall of fame ended on a whisper.

The entire experience pales in comparison to what took place in the Valley of the Sun. They were undoubtedly one of the best teams to never win a championship (shouts to the 90’s Jazz and the 2010’s Thunder), with only poor injury luck keeping them from doing so. After winning rookie of the year in 2003, Stoudemire continued to develop his game and became a six-time all-star. The Suns routinely made long playoff runs with Stoudemire on board, and would most likely be hanging banners right now if Duncan and Kobe weren’t always standing in the way. They led the league in scoring nearly every year, and broke the monotony of mid-2000’s basketball. All the running-and-gunning was a throwback to the 80’s, so much so that a reporter followed the team for a year to document it and write a best-selling book.

How do you accomplish all of those great things in Phoenix and claim you’re a Knick?

Perhaps, Stoudemire is more like Chris Webber than we ever gave him credit for. To this day, Webber doesn’t keep any form of contact with the members of that legendary Fab Five team. It seems that the pain of those championship defeats was too much to bare. He refuses to speak openly on the topic in interviews and pretends as if it all never happened.

I can see a similar attitude from Amar’e. While his best years both individually and collectively came in Phoenix, he has opted to disassociate himself with that time of his career. After all, it was his one-game suspension in the 2007 Western Conference Finals that essentially decided that year’s champion. Nash and the boys never even got the chance to play in the Finals because Amar’e literally stood up to defend his lead guard after a cheap shot. The agony of those losses and coming so close to the summit must weigh heavily in Stoudemire’s mind.

I always viewed Stoudemire as a member of the Suns, even while he struggled with the Knicks. I knew how great he was when he was healthy and the place he etched in the minds of many when he suited up for Phoenix. Hopefully, he comes to acknowledge how special that time was one day too.

In Anticipation of Game 5

2016-06-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

We cannot exonerate Draymond Green. His punch to the groin of Lebron James in the fourth game of the 2016 NBA Finals was wrong. Yet, he wasn’t the only one to blame for the way the situation was mishandled over the weekend.

The NBA opted to suspend Draymond for Game 5, with the retroactively issued flagrant foul pushing him over the limit for a suspension. They conveniently ignored what preceded the hit and the way it was officiated in-game.

If the NBA is going to continue to legislate emotion out of the game, they should at least be consistent. Typically run-ins like what we saw in Game 4 result in double techs. To my surprise, that didn’t occur. The refs went to the tape, ABC went to Steve Javie (to the world's dismay), and both the contact and the subsequent words were all ignored in the heat of the game. I would have been pleased if they left it there.

Of course, that didn’t happen, and it’s becoming more and more apparent that the league’s decision-makers are too far removed from the game to understand how to protect their most-valued product: the players. They think they’re pleasing the fans, but they’re really showing that they’ve forgotten what it’s like to pick up a basketball and compete. They continue to play an 82-game season, annually fumble the playoff format and award-voting, and now struggle with issuing a sufficient level of punishment.

Had the refs and the league officials reviewed the tape, LeBron would have also received at least a technical foul, and a statement would have been released regarding how the referees mishandled the entire exchange.

Instead, in a year where players received technical fouls for looks, stares, and applause, they found LeBron James (face of the league for 10+ years) completely innocent in walking over Draymond Green when there was ample space to walk around him. I cannot bring myself to believe that one of the planet’s greatest athletes failed to recognize the 6-foot-7-inch male standing on the ground beneath him. A blatant taunt like that generally warrants a technical foul or fine of some sort. So why did the NBA conveniently miss that one?

Ode To Rap

2015-12-16T11:17:00.000-08:00

Rap may be my favorite art form. I don’t call it hip-hop, because I understand that term signifies more than music.

I’ve found myself on a number of occasions, trying to explain to someone why I love a particular song. I summon all of the words I can to convey the message, but I can tell by my listener’s expression that it is not getting through. I wonder if they hear the same thing coming out of the speakers that I do. They do, just with a different set of ears.

So I realized more and more, that most people can never love rap (and ultimately hip-hop) the way I do, because they do not view it in the way that I do.

I used to pride myself on being able to decode all of the punch lines and references hidden in some songs. Over and over again, rap showed me that you needed to be somewhat cultured to even begin to understand the message that was being sent in just one line. I loved growing with the music, and discovering the latent meanings of lyrics that I'd been reciting for years.

A few years back, when Loso’s Way was the album to listen to, my friends loved this one song “Fabulous Life”. Of course, the beat was crazy. When Ryan Leslie’s production met Fabolous’ smooth rhymes, it was always magical. I hummed that song all summer, when it finally occurred to me that my friends didn’t understand the undertone of the track. Throughout each verse of the song, and the infectious chorus, the artists are making numerous references to the old sketch-comedy show, In Living Color. When I tried to explain this to my boys, they just kinda nodded like “okay”. For myself, what made the song dope was all the allusions to the hit comedy that preceded it by nearly 20 years. For them it was about the most basic parts of the music, beats and rhymes. To the untrained ear, it was just a few nice lines. I’m sure for the focused listener, Fabolous cleverly added those easter eggs.

One of my personal favorites has always been “I Used to Love H.E.R.” by Common. He goes three verses describing a girl he’s loved since he was a child. He describes her journey from the east coast to the west, and her obsession with money as she slowly loses her Afrocentricity. In the final two bars, he explains that he was actually talking about hip-hop. It’s a great moment if your gears are grinding. You’ll probably want to re-listen to fully grasp all of the personification.

A more recent example is J. Cole’s “I Let Nas Down”. He details making music that was inadequate in the eyes of his idol. If the listener doesn’t know who Nas is, or what he has meant for MC’s everywhere, the song is almost meaningless. Cole’s conundrum becomes real to the listener that knows how Nas was always able to appeal without sacrificing creativity, lyricism, or substance. The song is essentially Cole’s admission that he made music to please his label and along the way lost sight of the art.

Every now and then, somebody will ask me what kind of music I listen to, and I am almost reluctant to name the genre because of what it implies. If I respond with “rap”, I know they’ll immediately begin thinking of Rick Ross, Drake, Silento, and a slew of other commercial acts that don’t represent the depth that rap can bring.

To fully grasp a rap song, you need to understand slang, sports, current events, history, oldies music, etc. Then you can begin to connect all of the poetry that’s being put forth. Like Q-Tip once said, it’s “the mental fitness”. If you don’t have this prior knowledge, the listening experience won’t be the same. You need to know old rap songs to know whether an MC is quoting, biting, paying homage, or sending a subliminal shot at a rival. You’ve got to hear old jazz, funk, and soul records, to spot when a producer is putting their own spin on a timeless sound.

None of this is meant to throw shade at commercial rap, and commercial artists, but I don’t always get the same feeling when I listen to most contemporary artists (save for Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole when he's focused). I can’t knock anyone’s hustle, but I selfishly hope that artists will use the platform they’ve been given to make art that they care about. I hope producers strive to make something unique, as opposed to riding the latest trend. There is a place for party songs (and some ignorant ones, at that), but I hate to see talent wasted (Hello, Drake) and for anybody to think that’s all that rap is about.

It’s supposed to be about all of these things, and I think that’s the only real change from the 80’ and 90’s to now. Commercially, you will seldom hear a rap song with jazz/soul undertones, strong instrumentation, nor a rapper with much to say. What I am hearing more often than not is music meant to sell, not necessarily tunes that I (or even the artists for that matter) would consider genuine, heartfelt, or honest.

The last really positive radio smash I can remember was “Why?” by Jadakiss in 2004. Hearing it now just blows my mind that he used an album single (a pivotal tool in album promotion) for such a message. He questioned everything, from 9/11 and the Bush Administration to the shady music industry and the ignorance in his own community. It still sounds great, but it’s certainly a relic from another time, and perhaps the last one we’ll ever get.

How I Fixed the NBA

2015-11-03T14:20:00.002-08:00

The NBA is back for the 2015-16 season. While I'm excited to have basketball back on a nightly basis, I'm steadily reminded of the things that the league could improve. With the fans in mind, I think it's time I fixed the NBA.

Draft Picks/Tanking
The allocation of lottery picks and draft picks in general is lacking. Why should the league reward losing? Because the system is so slanted, we currently have the Philadelphia 76ers taking tanking to new heights. They don't have a dominant star player on their roster. They've developed the mindset that they won't begin actually building a team until they have one secured. In the process, they don't pursue free agents, they don't pursue veterans, they scrape the salary floor, and make no moves to employ a competitive roster. They fully understand how flawed the system is and are playing it better than almost anybody. How is this fair to Philly's fans? Not every ownership and management group cares about the on-court product. Should those teams stumble into high draft picks every year? Probably not. I have one suggestion. Make the draft order random. Nobody would tank if there was no incentive. If a good team gets a high pick, so be it, and if a bad team gets a poor pick they won't be able to rely on the system to save them.

Salary Cap

I think a hard cap would work for this league. As punitive as this current luxury tax system is, it still isn't preventing invested billionaire owners from fielding teams with ridiculous salaries when they deem necessary. A hard cap could create the parity that makes the NFL so open competitively from year to year. Player contracts were already shortened in the last CBA (so owners could protect themselves). They could theoretically set the cap at about $90 million, and only allow teams to use veteran minimum deals to exceed that amount. This would force any star to reconsider a suffocating contract (*coughs* Kobe), and would reiterate the importance of the oft-forgotten NBA middlemen. You know those guys that aren't quite stars or fringe players? They don't get any commercials, but they make key stops in big situations, draw charges, and hit big shots off kick-outs from stars. Because the commercial stars take up so much of the cap, these guys salaries continue to shrink every year. This will force GM's everywhere to reconsider their importance.

Playoff Format

The idea is nice, and for the sake of proximity it works. Nearby teams should play one another more often. When it comes to the playoffs though, divisions and conferences shouldn’t mean anything. The NBA has already taken the first step in decreasing the importance of divisions, and the next move should be bringing it to the postseason. Last year's first round featured an epic series from the Spurs and Clippers. On the eastern side of the bracket, the Nets and the Celtics snuck in with sub - .500 records. Why are these teams even in the playoffs? Because of geography? It's becoming clear that fans want to see the best teams compete in April. Let's seed the best records 1-16, regardless of conference.

Restricted Free Agency

The entire process is flawed. Restricting something with word free in it doesn't seem right. Can we eliminate player and team options, and make it an actual contract? I say this because the allowing rival teams to extend offers that can be matched almost defeats the purpose of the negotiations at all. We could save 30 summer reports from Chris Broussard, if we had real transactions to talk about.

Nationally Televised Games
I like the current format, and I'm glad that Saturday night games will be added to the slate once football is over. This is selfish. I don't expect Friday night games, but isn't there a network out there (NBC? please? We need this) that would be willing to broadcast one to two on Mondays and/or Tuesdays? The NBA has proven it can draw ratings if at least one star or historic franchise is involved in the game, and nothing else in America can compete with a sporting event in primetime outside of an award show. At the small risk of over-exposure, an extra night of NBA ball would be great.

TNT Commentators
While we're talking about nationally televised games, we can't forget about the commentary. At the least, the NFL provides crews that are either informative or entertaining, Chris Webber and Reggie Miller are neither of those things. Webber can talk well into the commercial break, and Reggie's jokes tend to fall flat. TNT gets nearly every part of their broadcast right, but having these two on the air as often as they do is downright wrong. They should try new on-air talent.

Scheduling
Remember the 2011-12 lockout season? There were games nearly every night. Besides highlighting how big Christmas Day is for the league, it magnified how taxing the season is every night, sometimes to the point of injury and exhaustion. A compacted schedule probably isn't the answer, nor is 82 games. I have two suggestions. The NBA should either cut the schedule by 10-15 games or stretch it out to allow more rest. They could begin in early October, and shorten the preseason, or keep the same date and play deeper into the summer. A retraction of games would prompt owners to try and cut players salaries, so this could be a healthy compromise.

Official Review
Seeing one of these during a live broadcast is an absolute eyesore. No call should take 5 minutes and three officials to make, especially when the hd feeds on TV clearly show what happened within seconds. The replay center needs to act quickly in these scenarios. Few things are worse in a close game than a complete game stoppage because of a tough call. It kills the rhythm and puts entirely too much focus on the officials. It also serves as an impromptu timeout for both teams. Not great.

Kevin, Kyrie, and the Myth of Stardom

2015-06-19T07:51:00.002-07:00

When Kevin Love dislocated his shoulder in Cleveland's first round sweep of the Boston Celtics, it was viewed as a devastating blow that would dampen the Cavaliers playoff run. They proceeded to take down Bulls in round two in a casual six games.

When Kyrie Irving began having knee issues against Atlanta, it was assumed that the Hawks offense would be overwhelming. Cleveland swept the Hawks in four uneven games.

Fast forward to the Finals, after losing Game 1, it was announced that Kyrie broke his kneecap and would miss the remainder of the Finals. A sweep seemed inevitable. Of course, the Cavaliers won the next two games, and gave the Warriors a real shock before going down in Game 6.

The story on the 2014-2015 Cavaliers changed many times, mostly due to injuries, but one thing remained: LeBron.

Sure, we perceived Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving as superstars, but they probably don't fit that bill. Like the great American philosopher, Meek Mill, once stated "there's levels to this".

Yes, Love and Kyrie have big contracts, put up nice stats, and have made the All-Star game, but they aren't the franchise cornerstones they were thought to be. Too often, we crown flashy players before they achieve anything really worthy of note. The word star is used carelessly, and given prematurely to players that have never been tested in pressure situations.

Enter LeBron. The playoff field may've been weakened by injury, but he showed that he is worthy of the title superstar. With his secondary and tertiary scoring options sidelined, LeBron continued to be the primary ballhandler, scorer, post presence, and emotional leader. Win or loss, he did a bit of everything. Losing him to injury would've been tragic.

The same couldn't be said of Love and Irving. Thanks to relative unknowns, Tristan Thompson and Matthew Dellavedova, they were replaceable.

Who's The Real MVP?

2015-03-06T13:53:00.001-08:00

I've always found MVP debates fruitless.

Fans and writers try to determine what value is on the field of play, oftentimes ignoring the things that can't be measured in statistics or wins, and overvaluing everything that happens in a nationally-televised game.

I'm here to save you the trouble. The NBA's Most Valuable Player award is voted on by select media members. So when the debates begin appearing on every ESPN article and show, the voters are actively telling you who will receive their vote.

The award doesn't always go to the league's "best" player, and there have been few years recently where there has been a legitimate debate. This award comes down to narrative. Naturally, writers gravitate towards the candidate with the most compelling story throughout the season (see Barkley in '93 or Rose in '11). So in many cases, the best player in the league is forgotten during the MVP voting process. LeBron has made it easy on voters during his career, but Jordan had a few trophies taken from him in the 90's. Shaq and Kobe each have one MVP, but somehow Steve Nash made out with two in the mid 2000's.

This year's MVP race has actually been interesting. With LeBron and Kevin Durant missing some time, new candidates have made a strong cases for coronation as the league's top dog. Let's take a look at the leaders with about 25 games remaining in the season:

Steph Curry - He's the best player on what appears to be the West's top seed. He plays in constant heat check mode but actually maintains efficiency and has found a way to improve his team defense. Curry's elite shooting, dribbling, and passing drive this team, but the roster surrounding him may be the most stacked in the league. Can this award be given to a player who can be confused for the icing as opposed to the cake?

LeBron James - The annual favorite. It is his award to lose until he shows signs of being human (he's started this year). Cleveland's slow start and his two-week break made people forget that James is still the best in the league. The only difference is that the gap between he and his peers is closing. While he seems to be behind in the hunt now, another winning streak down the stretch could earn him another MVP. He still dominates.

Russell Westbrook - Russ is throwing out video game numbers on a nightly basis now. He's received the most support over the last week. But can we give this award to a player scrapping for the seventh or eight seed? While his play has been exceptional, I think we're unintentionally building a case for Durant's importance (and value) to this Thunder team. When the tables were turned last season, Durant played a similar role. He may've even played it better.

Anthony Davis - Stop laughing.This guy may already be the best big in the league, but we don't know because of his lackluster teammates, and New Orleans' questionable placement in the Western Conference. Check the standings, New Orleans has hovered about one game behind Oklahoma City. With no star teammate in sight, Davis has the Pelicans scrapping for a playoff spot in the rugged West. If Westbrook is getting votes for ridiculous box scores, Davis should get the same. His numbers are beginning to mirror Kevin Garnett in his prime.

James Harden - The Rockets (foolishly) lost Chandler Parsons. They lost the opportunity to bring in Chris Bosh.They've also lost Dwight Howard for significant time this season. But they haven't lost a lot of games, and that can be attributed to the play of James Harden. His scoring and play-making have been so vital for that squad that they've managed to stay among the West's top 4 all season long. With just about every other key member of the rotation missing time, Harden is the only constant. Of everyone in the league he's done the most with the least. If that persists over the next 25 games, I can't think of any player more valuable to their team this season.

The Lakers, Kobe, and Better Days

2015-01-04T09:46:00.002-08:00

As a living NBA legend, Kobe Bryant is finding success harder than ever to come by. Bound by the lucrative contract extension Bryant signed with the Lakers in 2013, it seems both the player and the franchise will be better off once they part ways.

There was almost immediate outrage when Kobe Bryant signed his most recent contract extension. At two years and nearly $49 million, Kobe would remain among the highest paid players in the league. Not that his career accolades and popularity don't warrant that salary, but his recent play says otherwise. Anyone that understands the contractual part of sports, knew how devastating this pact would become to the Lakers' title chances. It seemed the team wanted to thank Bryant for what he has meant to the franchise, without considering what he will mean over the duration of the deal.

Kobe is 36 and has struggled to stay healthy over the last several seasons. Sure, he has scored a ton of points this season, but it has been at the most inefficient mark of his career with one of the highest usage rates of all time.

For Lakers fans wondering when the team will improve, the answer isn't a great one. Kobe's contract and reluctance to sacrifice shots and money (see Duncan, Nowitzki, Brady) have discouraged potential free agent additions to the LA roster. In the team's last attempt to contend, they sacrificed multiple draft picks to acquire both Dwight Howard and Steve Nash. One is on another team and the other is unofficially retired.

The franchise isn't accustomed to rebuilding projects and clearly hasn't prepared for one. It seems the fan base is relying on the idea that big free agents have always been drawn to LA in the past, though it doesn't seem that the location and history will help this time. In today's NBA, where stars recognize their unity is required for contention, who will opt to play for the Lakers? Who will willingly sacrifice years of their prime to play alongside the aging, unhealthy Kobe Bryant, who has acknowledged that he won't take a smaller role in the offense. Who will sign with a below average roster in the always loaded Western Conference? I wish I could provide the answer, but it's likely a player not worth mentioning. It is for that reason that the next few years just don't project well for Lakerland. This path undoubtedly began when the team offered him the contract extension.

Waiting On Wade

2014-06-28T13:25:00.003-07:00

As much as the is free agency period is about LeBron James, Dwyane Wade is playing a major supporting role.

Shortly after his Finals defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs, Lebron chose to opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat. Lebron intentionally put this level of flexibility into his last contract, so his decision to opt-out shouldn't come as a surprise. What it should serve as, is a notice to the Miami Heat organization that: if a better situation presents itself elsewhere, James will strongly consider it.

Where does this put Dwyane Wade? When these two first got together, they formed the most devastating wing duo the league had seen in years. But father time showed up and changed the situation. Wade has shown an increased inability to stay healthy and submit the type of performances that made him a household name. Even after extended periods of rest during the regular season, Wade couldn't put together the superhuman effort Miami needed from him to topple the Spurs again. This was a growing issue in 2013, and became more apparent as the 2014 season unfolded.

So, Wade has the same option as Lebron. Both he and Bosh, can opt out of their current contracts and sign new deals. Although, Dwyane Wade (unlike Bosh) has maintained that he would not be willing to take a paycut to remain in Miami.

He's in line to make roughly $20 million next season. A high number for a player of diminished ability on a roster with several major needs. Maybe Wade forgot how much the level of competition raises when facing a western conference opponent. Miami will undoubtedly need to re-tool to continue competing for titles. Lowering Dwyane's annual salary will go a long way in acquiring the new talent Miami will need going forward.

It seems safe to assume that Lebron's free agency decision will be contingent upon Wade's contractual one. If Wade humbles himself, and takes a paycut, Lebron will feel more comfortable remaining in Miami. He would know that both the organization and his best friend want to remain competitive at all costs.

But if Dwyane doesn't relent, I wouldn't be surprised to see James wearing different colors next season; for a team that prioritizes winning from top to bottom.

Cashing Playoff Checks

2014-06-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

Every postseason, potential soon-to-be free agents either (A) earn themselves a wealthy new contract, (B) hurt their market value, or (C) set large amounts of money on fire with poor play/decision-making. The national stage magnifies each performance, and it becomes a strong negotiating tool come contract time. Below we'll identify members of each sub-group.

A - PAY UP

Andray Blatche - A talented big. He's been playing on a humble contract because of behavorial issues in his old Wizards days. His ability to behave in Brooklyn, while providing post scoring (a lost art) should earn him a deal well above the MLE (mid-level exception). He provided the Nets with the scoring punch they missed with Brook Lopez out for the season.

Kyle Lowry - An all-star level year for a guy who has been cited as a locker room headache. While he remains underrated, everybody saw that he was a Paul Pierce block shy of taking the Raptors to the second round. A good floor leader is vital in today's game, so Lowry should head into next season well-compensated.

Marcin Gortat - The former Dwight Howard backup, is a competent center in a league where they're nearly extinct. His steady diet of rebounding and finishing at the rim really helped Washington's resurgence. Don't be surprised if Gortat enters next season making somewhere around $10 million annually.

Vince Carter - Imagine. A player that was touted as selfish throughout his formative years develops into a do-it-all veteran leader. Some team will need a competent swingman (Clippers?) to eat up minutes, and VC can still give you something.

Shawn Marion - Matrix keeps on doing Matrix things. At 36, Shawn Marion still runs the floor, rebounds, and plays rock solid perimeter defense. Some contender will need a guy just like this, probably at the MLE rate.

Trevor Ariza - Ariza's play this season was reminiscent of 2009. During that year, his uncharacteristic clutch shooting and defense on the perimeter helped the Lakers take the 2009 title. Putting in that type of work on such a big stage earned Ariza a fat 5-year deal in Houston. Since then, he's bounced around the league with inconsistent play. But, right on time, his jumper began to fall again, and he's currently seeking a new contract this summer. How convenient.

B - I'LL TAKE A PAY CUT

Lance Stephenson - Lance used the playoffs to show off his all-around game.Even though Indiana suffered an uneven finish to the season, Lance oftentimes looked like the best player on the Pacers roster. He followed that up by unleashing playground antics on Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals. They weren't impressed. And you can bet the other 28 teams will use it against him when negotiating his next deal.

Zach Randolph - Z-Bo is a huge part of Memphis' grit-and-grind theme. He a rugged vet, who scores in the post and rebounds. Unfortunately, his suspension (along with his teams injuries) really costed the Grizzlies a legitimate shot to knock off OKC in a first round game 7. Randolph is on the wrong side of 30, and beginning to show signs of wear with a difficulty scoring against length. His next pact will likely go for less than his true market value.

C -PLEASE, I HEARD YOU WERE HIRING

Jordan Crawford - Crawford helped lead the young Celtics to a surprisingly positive start. He showed great maturity, poise, court vision, and shot-making ability. Then Rondo came back. Jordan was immediately traded to Golden State where he could never become part of a rotation that was begging for improved guard play from its bench. Crawford's next contract won't be rich, and if he's not careful, it could be his last.

Evan Turner - It doesn't help that he was partly blamed for Indiana's slow demise. He was supposed to be the successor to Iguodala in Philly. They grew frustrated with him and traded him. He was supposed to supply some of Granger's old production. Upon his arrival, they fell into a huge slump. In the playoffs, longtime veteran Rasual Butler began taking all of his minutes. I had to squint at the screen to realize Rasual Butler was still in the league. Giving the Pacers solid minutes in the playoffs could've netted Turner a healthy contract elsewhere. Now, he'll be lucky to make more than his rookie-scale salary. His length and skill-set were supposed to make him a poor man's LeBron, it seems that now he may just be a poor man.

Where Amazing Happens, Sooner Than Usual

2014-03-11T21:47:00.001-07:00

The casual NBA fan tends to claim that the games don't matter until the playoffs. Well, what do you know? Here we are in the middle of March, and some of the league's elite are battling for seeding while working to improve chemistry. The NBA's tagline boasts "where amazing happens", and it appears amazing will happen prior to the playoffs this year.

Within the last 10 days Miami, Oklahoma City, and Indiana have all experienced losing streaks of at least three games. The all-star break has passed, and this is generally when the contenders set themselves apart. With roughly 20 games remaining, they all have something on the line:

Oklahoma City Thunder - The Thunder were riding high in Russell Westbrook's absence, using Durant's MVP play to lead the Western Conference in wins for months. Now during his return, they've experienced a minor swoon. Under normal circumstances, that would be ok, but the strength of their competition negates that. San Antonio, Houston, and LA (Clippers) are surging. The Spurs have already taken over the first seed, and there are a line of teams looking to occupy the second. OKC must show improvement quickly, or they may make their path to the Finals a more difficult one.

Miami Heat - Only one squad has been able to beat Miami four times in seven games over the past three postseasons: Dallas. They did it using quasi-zone to turn Bron into a reluctant version of himself. In their recent losses, teams were reminded that limiting LJ early pays great dividends during the remainder of the game. He is the engine of that team and without his agression in every facet of the game, Miami won't summon the energy to win. Indiana is taking notes.

Indiana Pacers - Indiana proves every game that an elite defense can take you far in the NBA, but eventually you must put the ball in the hoop as well (see: Bulls, Chicago). Paul George has regressed to the mean, via his inconsistent jumper. Their chemistry should carry them through, but they must be weary of seeding. After losing a pivotal game 7 in Miami last season, Indiana came in this year with home court advantage as top priority. Like Master Chief said: "finish the fight". They've lead the East practically all year, they can't blow this opportunity now.

Why The Wait?

2013-05-22T17:18:00.002-07:00

The 2013 NBA Western Conference finals is two games old, meanwhile its Eastern Conference counterpart has yet to begin. Both eastern finalists have been ready since Saturday, yet they won't begin until tonight, a full three days off.

West, Bosh, and Wade waiting on the series like a rebound

I've seen it in years past, and now it finally makes sense. The Miami Heat are the main attraction. The league, and its sponsors want to ensure that the Heat are playing on Sunday night. Because of that, they allowed Memphis and San Antonio to complete two games before allowing Miami to play one. Had the Lakers made it this far, they would've been the team getting slotted for the Sunday games.

When the NBA Finals begins in a few weeks, games will only be played on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. It's nothing new and the league will likely keep it that way in the future. The entire week is structured to display the main event when people are likely to be home and ready to watch.

Diminished Return

2013-05-09T18:18:00.003-07:00

Remember Derrick Rose? Former NBA MVP, star of the Chicago Bulls, and an electrifying talent. Yes, that guy. Over a year ago, he went down with a torn ACL in game 1 of a first round playoff series. Fans and media types alike, missed his presence on the court, his absence leaving a noticeable void in the NBA.

His return was marked as a major event from the beginning. In the summer following his season-ending injury, Adidas (his primary sponsor) began the ad campaign titled "#thereturn". It was certainly a form of encouragement, but it didn't help with the requisite patience needed for a long term injury like an ACL.

This past March, the Chicago Bulls announced that Rose was cleared to play by team doctors. Reports came out that Rose was practicing with teammates and beginning to dominate. Although, the Chicago star wouldn't participate in real games against other teams. He simply didn't feel ready, and lacked the confidence in his body to compete. Suddenly, an appreciation for Derrick's game became a demand for his performance from media members. One of the most humble stars the league has seen in years getting lambasted by people paid to watch, observe, and (generally) assume.

Prior to Rose's big knee injury, he played through a variety of injuries. His back, ankles, and hamstrings all ached him in seasons past. What earned him an (interesting) MVP award in the first place was his ability to carry his team while key teammates (Deng, Noah, Boozer) fell to nagging injuries. He had maladies of his own that he constantly played through so as not to disappoint his team. I can't bring myself to question the heart of a player that has already shown so much in the past.

What good would a return now do anyway? Return to action in the midst of playoff competition? Return to face the defending champions? The Bulls front office needs to return the train of thought that full disclosure of Rose's injury was a good idea.

The organization used the press as an added means of pressure on their young star. This is the same organization that cleared Omer Asik to play on a broken leg in the '11 playoffs. They cleared Luol Deng to play on a stress fracture that put him out for months in '09. Is it any surprise Rose is deciding to wait until he's absolutely sure?

Derrick has shown that he takes pride in his craft, so none of us should try to gauge or pretend we know his pain. I wouldn't want a player that attacks the rim with such ferocity and fearlessness to return playing tentatively. Since we all want the return, let's be patient and allow it to be a strong one.

March Madness: The Debate Returns

2013-03-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

My pal, Jimmy, doesn't watch basketball. He saw me eating lunch and zoned out on some college bball game and assumed I was really into it. I had been watch for roughly two minutes, and I soon explained that I'd met my college bball quota for the year.

Jimbo was dumbfounded, "I thought you loved basketball?". I agreed, because I certainly do, but not at the collegiate level, mostly the pros. So, like the novice he is, he asks "what makes them different?" This is where things got interesting.

I diagrammed how textbook the college game is, citing their use of zone defenses. Jimmy wasn't familiar, so I dug deeper. The score was 9-3. I told Jimmy how the zone (and rules) used in college bball force teams to toss the ball around the three-point line, avoid the paint, and chuck threes. The score was 9-3, meaning one team hit 3 long range shots, while the other made 1. Ensuing possession: Team A passes the ball around the perimeter for 30 seconds before sinking a trey ball just prior to the shot clock expiring. The score is 9-6! All behind the arc. Within one possession Jimmy knew everything about college basketball he needed to know. "Wow, that's boring" he said, as we looked away from the TV and finished eating.

Maybe I'm spoiled since I've watched more professional hoops than anything else. Although, I still can't understand why March makes people feel that college hoops can even compare to the pros (NBA, Euroleague, etc.).

Some claim that the youngsters play only for love and not money and blah blah blah. I can't measure any players love for the game, but I can admit that some pros are definitely there for a check. But let's not pretend college athletes play entirely for free. Most are on scholarships and probably value the education that may lead to a real career later. They are demi-gods on their respective campuses, and are enjoying arguably the best time of their lives. Tack on the stipend that many receive and these guys are sticking around for more than "love of the game".

I think the primary thing that draws viewers to March Madness is the random nature of the tournament and the energy of the crowds. I don't place great value on the champion, because 65 teams make the tourney. One loss, sends you home. Science class taught me that experiments should be run multiple times (maybe 4 out of 7?) to ensure accuracy. If a mid-major ever wins the tourney, it'd be a great story, but somewhat unsatisfying. The truth is there are just too many teams to draw any real conclusions from the large tourney, it's a glorified exhibition.

Defense is the chant of basketball purists, although that argument also falls short. The NBA is comprised of the best offensive players in the world, while 90% of the NCAA will be working regular jobs in the next few years. Who do you think is easier to guard? The effort is there, but stopping guys like Kobe, LeBron, and Durant, is just plain difficult. The disparity in talent is just too great.

Can we deny that the college product loses much of its luster every year? Many great players played one year and fled to the NBA, but quite a few flea after two. Little consistency, or continuity, and less chances for the coaches (the real stars of collegiate sports) to teach the game. Universities feel cheated, and they should. Even the best players view the NCAA as child's play, a simple warmup for their true hoop dreams.

Enjoy the tourney, as there are sure to be some exciting moments. Just know that the real madness kicks off in April, when the best basketball players in the world play play for legacy.

The Baseball Hall of Shame

2013-01-10T17:13:00.001-08:00

For only the second time in 40 years, the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame didn't induct a single player.

It's a selective committee, although this year's exclusions deserve note. Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, and Sammy Sosa were all in their first year of eligibility, yet none of the three received the honor.

Performance enhancing drugs played a gigantic role in the voting. These gentlemen have all faced a great deal of scrutiny in court concerning their supposed use of PED's. They've been under fire for so long that their words are hollow. Even if they are innocent, the perception has become reality and their reputations are permanently stained.

So what were the voters thinking? The Baseball HOF voters are notorious for making questionable calls. They hold grudges, vendettas, they're stubborn, immature, and oftentimes standoffish. Then I remember none of them are former players, they're all writers. They come from an era when the nation didn't have nonstop access to sports. 40-50 years ago, they actually were the most knowledgeable observers of the game.

Times have certainly changed. Enough players have been in and out of the major leagues to form a panel that can accurately judge their contemporaries. Scrap these biased writers for folks that have played the game.

This is where my issue with the HOF begins. Baseball is all about stats, numbers, accolades, and milestones. When you are talking pitching and hitting it doesn't get any better than Clemens and Bonds (respectively). Excitement? Sosa helped to resurrect the popularity of baseball with Mark McGuire back in the 90's. If this is really a hall of FAME, these guys belong there just as much as anybody. Steroid-users or not, these men played the game at a high level and play a big role in the book of baseball history. Maybe they deserve an asterisk, but they can't be ignored.

Will we go back and subtract all of the wins, strikes, and homeruns? No, history isn't kind to revision and the results of hundreds of games won't be reversed. The entire era was littered with questionable players, if the fans can admit that, the voters should too.

Lefties

2012-12-16T17:20:00.000-08:00

Lefties

by Travis Barber

Two of the NBA's best lefties

“Dribble all the way home with your left hand,” demanded Troy, “it’s the only way you’re gonna learn to use it.”

Those walks home lasted forever, at least to me. Most things were just a ten-minute walk away. My brother was popular. He knew all my teachers, my classmates’ older siblings, my after-school counselors, nearly everyone. Each trip across town was littered with yo’s, what ups, and smooth handshakes. So it wasn’t always nice to be dribbling (poorly) while my bro was getting the celebrity treatment.

I thought my brother was the coolest guy ever. On a scale of 1-5, he easily scored a 10. He worked at Foot Locker, had nice clothes, multiple girlfriends, was class president, smart, funny, etc. All of this was topped by the way he looked out for me. He was truly a great big brother. Any article of clothing he handed down to me suddenly became my favorite. Sure, the gear looked silly when I was younger, but by the time I got to high school we were roughly even in height and weight.

I always got the sense that he truly believed in me. When I began drawing he supported me. When I liked writing he applauded me. So once basketball became my hobby he embraced it like any good sibling would. He taught me quite a bit about the strategies of the game, even small things that would give me an edge over competitors.

I was about 9, he had just finished beating me in a game of one-on-one, and he wasn’t pleased with my weak left hand. I was young, so he allowed me to score a few complimentary buckets, but he made sure to win the game, and teach a lesson.

“What you gonna do now?” he asked as he shifted his stance.

He defended me with his body perpendicular to mine, right arm facing the hoop, and daring me to make a move to my left. I accepted the challenge and it became clear that I lacked the ability. He easily stole the ball or forced me into an uncomfortable shot for the remainder of the game, a veteran’s move indeed.

Both my brother and I are lefties. So he viewed my weak left-handed game as a denial of my identity. I did everything else lefty, but sports just made sense to me from the right side. I shot, dribbled, threw, caught, and even batted righty. Troy on the other hand played basketball lefty, most times to his advantage.

Every pick-up game begins with what is called a “check”. The offensive player bounces the ball to the defensive player, who then bounces it right back. It’s a sort of agreement before the two opposing sides begin battle.

These battles, between my brother and I, they didn’t always mean much. I can remember during my first year of high school, he played against me while his girl watched just to prove he could beat me. In her eyes, I appeared more athletic, more agile, perhaps just more like an actual basketball player. Of course, he won handily, but not without catching a sharp accidental elbow to the jaw. Let’s just say my game was still rusty. Perhaps, she saw in me what I couldn’t fully see within myself: potential.

I didn’t get a healthy dose of basketball until I reached college. Away from home and living on my own, it would’ve taken an army to keep me away from the basketball courts. I marched 20 minutes across campus to some of the nicest outdoor courts I had ever seen. Smooth concrete and hoops with glass backboards; even visitors could turn the large park lights on once it got dark. I played nearly every weeknight, and on the weekends I’d play in the afternoon.

When the basketball team wasn’t using their arena I would go in and shoot on my own. I’d practice shooting, dribbling, and sometimes my crossover.

I finally developed the type of game awareness that you can only acquire from playing often. Small things like standing in the right place, or pacing myself so I could last for several hours. It also helped me to develop my game, and lift my confidence. I came home thinking I deserved a scholarship for my play.

By the time I finished my second year of college, I was cocky. I talked tons of trash to my brother. “Come on man, you can’t hang with me now, you’re getting old!” I boasted.

“Look boy, I will bust your ass just like I always have” he replied. Or my personal favorite, “You will not win.”

In a way I was right, late-twenties is slightly old in pick-up basketball years. Things like a baby and a full-time job can take away the time one used to allocate to recreation.

Once I came home for the summer, I had loads of free time, and I wanted to show Troy just how much I’d improved.

“I’m tellin’ you man, it’s my time” I said.

“Yo, you mighta beat Pops, but it’s gonna be a long time before you beat me” he laughed.

“All right then, we’ll see!”

This was the type of exchange we had for several weeks before we finally set a date. We arrived at the gym and began our normal routine, we shoot around for several minutes and then I stretch out. After getting warmed up, Troy generally bounces passes the ball to me, and it is just understood that we are about to duel. It was a game to 11 by 1’s and 2’s.

This game meant more than anyone that had come before it. For the first time in my life, I finally felt like I could compete with my brother. Beyond that, if I got a few lucky shots in, I knew I could beat him. After years of losses and lessons, I felt like I had paid my dues. So on that day I needed to walk away knowing that we were basketball equals. Should I lose, it would be expected, and my brother would continue to brag that experience trounces all the work I’ve put in.

But if I win, well that would be new. I could come home and tell my parents how Troy was beginning to lose it, and I was the best ball player in the family. I could complete the transition from bratty kid, to legitimate player.

One-on-one is very different from the typical five-on-five full court game. You must do everything for yourself. There are no double teams. You have to hustle for your own rebounds, score all of the points, defend the opposition, everything. Nobody is present to receive or give a pass. It’s a tough game to play, and each participant’s strengths and weaknesses can be magnified. In high school, tough guys would challenge one another to determine who the superior player was. “Play me in a one-on-one then!” they’d shout, as if it was an alternative to fighting. One-on-one completely undermines the team aspect of the game. Unfortunately, that was my best attribute, the ability to play well with others.

I began the game with an offensive onslaught, using several hard dribbles towards the hoop for two easy layups. After another check, I dribbled to the free throw line and sank a simple jump shot. 3-0!

Troy on the other hand couldn’t sink a single shot. He spun off of me and jumped backwards while attempting a jump shot. It was a quick miss and an easy rebound for me. As the ball caromed off of the rim, I began the trash talking.

“You gotta take the smart shot, not the fancy one!”

“Oh yeah? I like that. I’ma use that one” He chuckled.

The basketball court was the one place that I could truly let loose. I could yell, curse, celebrate, complain, and never feel out of place. That’s mostly because at any given moment, one of the other 9 guys on the court is doing the same thing.

I scored my first few buckets in my traditional manner, point blank lay-ups. That earned me a nice 7-2 lead, although I began to notice that my style took too much energy. Dribbling to the basket, waiting for the angle to open up, and making the shot exhausted me. Not to mention that my brother played world class defense. He played defense like the professionals did back in the eighties and nineties. In those days, there was a lot of contact. Pushing, shoving, and hand-checking were just natural parts of the game. I still can’t understand how guys were able to consistently score points. Any move I made towards the hoop was met with a quick rebuttal. Even so, he let me get a few easy ones. Was he tired? Probably, but I didn’t care, I needed to score my points while his guard was down.

Tenacious D

Eventually, I noticed that my brother only employed his high level of defense when I attempted to go straight to the rim. Out of desperation, I became both creative and brave. I snagged a rebound and dribbled to the left side of the court. From this angle, he didn’t defend me so closely. With the new freedom, I launched a bank shot, hoping for the ball to bounce through the hoop after hitting the backboard. The shot went in.

What made this approach unique is that so few players use it. On the basketball court, I am a righty, but I found great comfort when beginning offensive moves with my left hand. So that became my strategy, dribble with my left and score with my right. It was the same left hand that my brother encouraged me to strengthen. His strenuous training was becoming his undoing.

I was happy with the shot and it felt pretty easy, so I attempted it again. I sunk it! My brother must’ve been winded, because he had no sense of urgency on my next shot. That made three consecutive bank shots from the same spot on the court.

So there I was, with ten points, just one away of victory.

The excitement began to take over me. I was one point away from victory and fully aware of it. In sports, that mindset can be a dangerous one. “Playing the scoreboard” when you’re ahead gives the winning team a false sense of comfort. That’s because no lead is safe, you must play hard until the game is complete. It is a lesson that I had to learn the hard way

As we checked the ball, my brother covered me like a blanket. I could barely shake him loose, let alone release a decent shot. So I missed an off balance lay-up terribly. He calmly took the rebound and began his inevitable comeback. Troy may be a skinny guy, but he used his weight advantage to get near the hoop and sink a few easy hook shots. He broke out an array of jump shots and spin moves to climb to nine points. He would dribble down near the hoop with his left hand then switch back to his right. With his back to the basket, he switched hands and released a silky smooth left-handed hook shot, similar to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

As this was unfolding, I was panicking. I allowed what appeared to be an easy win, turn into an epic game. I felt like I had the game won, but at that point I was unsure. I needed one point, but I’d already used two strategies to score. I was fresh out of ideas and Troy was making his expected charge. At this point, both of our shirts were drenched in sweat. The quiet intensity of our game must have grabbed the attention of the other guys at the gym, because they didn’t interrupt once.

Finally my brother missed a shot. I grabbed the rebound and dribbled straight to the three-point line to begin my possession. There he was right in front of me. I started to dribble the ball between my legs. What people outside of the game don’t know is that, dribbling the ball between your legs doesn’t get you anywhere. It is what you do when you’re deciding the next move. When Kobe Bryant or Allen Iverson does it, it looks amazing, because you know something spectacular is coming next. Not in my case. I was playing scared, and Troy was taking full advantage. I must’ve crossed the ball over for a full five seconds before finally making a move.

I began moving to my right, but Troy knocked the ball loose, proving that this last point wouldn’t come easily. I retreated to the middle of the court, needing a new approach. Now by all accounts, I am a poor jump shooter. I can do many things on the basketball court fairly well, but that is one thing you can’t learn during the walk home. What’s worse is that my shot has limited range and the rims at this particular gym are tight. One’s shooting form must be perfect for the shot to drop. From the three point line, I must use a great deal of strength to get the ball to the rim. Nonetheless, that was the shot I resorted to. At the most important point in the game, I used my weakest weapon. I launched the ball from the very middle of the 3-point line. Troy was right in my face, so my confidence in this particular heave was not high.

Physics taught me that the ball only remains in the air for about a second during a jump shot. For some reason, this particular shot seemed to hang in the air longer.

I considered everything it took to get to this point. I remembered the long nights at the courts and dribbling with my left hand all the way home. Practicing my free throws, my crossover, but most of all just how damn tired I was.

When I released the ball, it just didn’t feel right. Although, the more it sailed towards the rim, the better it appeared. The second felt like minutes. I thought about the walk home while dribbling with one hand.

SWISH! A lifetime’s worth of losses had been avenged. I’d finally taken down my brother, in dramatic fashion too. I must’ve been completely engulfed in the competition, because as I looked around, the other end of the court was filled with players.

“Let’s play again” Troy suggested. His competitive spirit wouldn’t allow this to be the end.

“Aight, I’m down”.

I agreed very reluctantly. That game sapped my energy, but I figured I could hustle until my lungs gave out.

I began the game with the ball. Several dribbles and a mid range jump shot gave me a 1-0 lead. Fatigue was setting in, but I wasn’t ready to quit yet, this game had just started! I began my next move to the basket, dribbling entirely with my left hand as I soared off of the ground. It was my signature motion to move left and finish right. I laid the ball high off of the glass and it dropped through the net. As I finally hit the ground, I allowed my momentum to toss me to the ground. I was channeling my inner Dwyane Wade.

There I was, with a 2-0 lead, and one victory for the day sealed. It finally hit me; I needed 9 more points to win this second game. No way in hell I could summon the energy to meet this challenge again. So, my kindness kicked in. In this way I am very unlike the basketball greats, I didn’t really want to beat my brother again. I eased up on defense and allowed him to shoot his way to 11 points and an easy victory.

Fresh off the loss, I was still glowing and narrating the trailer for my unexpected victory at the water fountains.

“This was one for the ages,” I joked “one man, one shot--“

“What’s his deal?” asked family friend, Q, as he strolled up to the courts.

“He finally beat me in a one-on-one” Troy admitted.

“Oh no,” Q laughed “you can never let your little brother beat you, he’ll never let you live it down”

Truer words have never been spoken, as I still smile at the thought of my lucky 2-point shot to win that game. We proceeded to play some full court games that day, but all I could think about was my most recent accolade.

My brother dropped me off at home later that afternoon. I had done enough bragging about the game at the gym. I was intent to put the game behind me and carry myself with class. We said our goodbyes, and I started getting out of the car. As I stood outside the car adjusting my black Nike gym bag, Troy asked the unavoidable question,

“So when we playin’ again?”

Not So Fast! NBA's November Contenders

2012-11-25T20:15:00.001-08:00

It happens every year. Teams begin the NBA season with impressive wins and the media is forced to talk about it because, well, they're winning. What often goes unsaid, is how quickly a team's fortunes can change when adjustments are made around the league and the difficulty of the NBA schedule finally tests a team's fortitude.

This year, the early season champions are the Knicks, Grizzlies, and Clippers. Let's project, and decide who's fire will burn all season long, and who's will flame out by March.

New York Knicks - ESPN loves them, so we should too right? No. New York has enjoyed top-notch offensive production with a small ball lineup featuring Melo at the PF position. Much like Lebron, Melo has consistently won this matchup by getting nearly any shot he wants. When Melo isn't going off, the hot shooting of Jason Kidd, Raymond Felton, and JR Smith has given the Knicks one of the league's best point differentials.

The energy surrounding this team is just better, and it should be noted that all of this is taking place without Amare Stoudemire. When he does return from injury, will he accept a bench role (where he belongs)? If so, the Knicks become a serious threat to Miami in the East. If not (which seems more likely), their ceiling is a 2 seed and 1.5 wins against Miami in the ECF. I expect the shooting of the small ball lineups to cool down. New York is benefiting from kick outs to JR Smith and Kidd while Miami is dishing to Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis (see the difference here).

Memphis Grizzlies - In 10-11, Rudy Gay got hurt. In 11-12, Zach Randolph got hurt. For now, the Grizzlies are fully healthy and showing the league how scary they can be. While they don't feature the most accomplished frontcourt, they probably employ the most devastating one. The Gasol-Randolph combo bangs down low, defends, rebounds, sinks mid-range jumpers, and has one very willing passer (Gasol). Night in, night out, these guys present a mismatch somewhere on the floor and tend to nudge the rebounding margin in Memphis' favor.

Surprisingly, Mike Conley is living up to his lengthy contract and keeping the offense flowing. Even Rudy Gay is maturing as a leader by putting together Wade-like defensive numbers. The question mark here is whether the supporting cast can maintain their output. Luckily their team is loaded. Guys like Tony Allen and Jerryd Bayless only need to defend and sink open shots. This is a contender.

Los Angeles Clippers - Employing Chris Paul instantly makes your team relevant. No PG controls every facet of the game quite like CP3. Flank him with the hyper-athletic, Blake Griffin, and you are building towards something special.

I made the argument that they were actually the best team in LA last year, and they seem to have gotten better. Jamal Crawford has given them the perimeter scoring they lacked, and improvements from Eric Bledsoe and Deandre Jordan have boosted an already loaded roster. Imagine, they are racking up wins with Chauncey and Grant Hill in suits! The only concern is their lack of frontcourt depth. Should Jordan and Griffin get in foul trouble, can you count on Ryan Hollins and Ronny Turiaf to hold down the fort? Last year's Easter Conference Finals says no.

Western Conference "What-Ifs?"

2012-11-06T19:14:00.000-08:00

CP3: They forgot about us! Tony: Let's remind them

The Western Conference was supposed to be simple. OKC was the young team poised to run things for years, and LA's summer pickups would make them immediate contenders. The Western Conference would be represented in the Finals by either the Thunder or the Lakers.

We were wrong.

Yes, the Lakers have assembled a potentially devastating roster, although they never addressed the issue of perimeter defense. On the other end, it may take some time to fully integrate every member of the "Big 4". Add time when you consider Mike Brown is still the head coach.

In OKC, Harden was due for an extension. He wanted every dollar he could get (understandably) and played hardball. The Thunder organization decided the price was too steep, and promptly shipped him to Houston. They traded a valuable young talent and have jeopardized their chemistry in the process. They will compete, but there is always the possibility that things are never the same.

So with the supposed favorites actively working to put things together at the start of the season, it has become clear that the West can be won by more teams than expected.

San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs went on a tear last season, using their old and new talent to run a machine-like offense. It took an all-time shooting performance from OKC's frontcourt to really slam the door on their postseason. With nearly every player returning, what will stop them from developing that ferocity again?

Los Angeles Clippers - CP3 can swing any game/series on his own. Fortunately for him, the Clippers organization has surrounded him with enough talent to reduce the frequency of those efforts. Billups, Hill, Crawford, Barnes, and Odom were brought in to give CP3 the most talented roster he's ever had. If they can avoid the Spurs, what can delay the ascension of Lob City?

Memphis Grizzlies - Pundits claim Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph can't co-exist. The truth is: injury has prevented them the opportunity. With legitimate talent at every position, and a frontcourt that can match anybody, Memphis may be the same type of dark horse that Dallas was just two seasons ago. Is this the year Rudy Gay makes the next step?

Denver Nuggets - Go ahead, finish laughing. Name another team that is two deep at every position. Waiting... You can't! Even if this team lacks the traditional go-to scorer, their depth is unmatched. Should things go wrong, they can trade several of those assets to acquire a legitimate star. In any case, this Nuggets squad that already scores at warp speed added Andre Iguodala to help defend the league's best wings. Who can't Denver match up with?

NBA 2012-13 Season Previews: Southeast + Southwest Divisions

2012-10-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks: Peachtree Hoops
Charlotte Bobcats: Rufus On Fire
Miami Heat: Hot Hot Hoops
Orlando Magic: Orlando Pinstriped Post | Orlando Magic Daily
Washington Wizards: Bullets Forever

Southwest Division
Dallas Mavericks: MavsMoneyball
Houston Rockets: The Dream Shake
Memphis Grizzlies: Straight Outta Vancouver | 3 Shades of Blue
New Orleans Hornets: At the Hive
San Antonio Spurs: Pounding The Rock

Barring a Monstar-like alien invasion, the Heat will dominate the Southeast division this year. Not enough talent elsewhere to pose a threat (although Atlanta will be fun to watch). The Southwest will be tougher. Perhaps the Mavs are out of contention, but both Memphis and San Antonio have reasonable title hopes. This will be a make or break year for Memphis' young nucleus, while the Spurs will try again with a cast that brought them two wins from the NBA Finals.

Harden Packs His Bags

2012-10-27T20:50:00.001-07:00

Metapod used HARDEN!

We are reminded again that it’s a business. When James Harden turned down OKC’s offer of roughly $53-54 mil, GM Sam Presti went into trade mode.

Never mind the strong nucleus that the Thunder had built or the friendship that Durant, Westbrook, and Harden shared. Harden wanted the full $15 mil per year that he knew he could get. Ultimately, he chose money over contention, camaraderie, and familiarity.

Did Harden miss the Finals (kinda with the way he played)? They were beat by a top heavy team of elite talent that decided they wanted to play together. Sure, there were bumps. But ultimately, Miami overcame. And the one team people saw as a threat to a potential Heat dynasty? The Thunder. The same team that Harden denied.

Make no mistake, Oklahoma will still contend. The chemistry will become a question, but the acquired pieces (Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, boat load of draft picks) are nothing to sneeze at. Still, wouldn’t it have been nice if Harden was able to stick around? So much for a beautiful narrative, it’s a business, folks.

NBA 2012-13 Season Previews: Northwest Division

2012-10-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

Denver Nuggets: Denver Stiffs
Minnesota Timberwolves: Canius Hoopus | TwolvesBlog
Oklahoma City Thunder: Welcome to Loud City
Portland Trail Blazers: Blazersedge.com
Utah Jazz: SLC Dunk

Yes, OKC is the class of the Northwest and the only true contender, but this division is loaded with talent this year. The Nuggets are two-deep at nearly every position (they added Iguodala!) and will be interesting come playoff time. The T'Wolves put together a playoff caliber roster, they just need Love and Rubio to return healthy. Utah WILL be in the mix for a final playoff spot. While they could probably be a playoff team in the East, Portland may be trapped in the lottery.

NBA 2012-13 Season Previews: Central Division

2012-10-16T20:11:00.001-07:00

Bulls laugh as they plot D-Rose's triumphant return

Chicago Bulls: BlogABull.com
Cleveland Cavaliers: Fear The Sword | Waiting For Next Year
Detroit Pistons: DetroitBadBoys
Indiana Pacers: Indy Cornrows
Milwaukee Bucks: Brew Hoop

Bulls PG, Derrick Rose, will likely miss the majority of the season, making this Indiana's division to lose. Sure, Chicago still sports one of the league's stingiest defenses, but the absence of their franchise player could pit them a bit closer to scrappers like Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee.

My, How The Mavericks Have Fallen

2012-10-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

They marched off the court that night victorious. After completing an epic upset of the Miami Heat’s Big 3, Dirk Nowitzki and Marc Cuban left the American Airlines Arena feeling complete. The journey had been long, but certainly worth it.

Dirk walks into an uncertain future in Dallas.

Billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Marc Cuban helped make the team relevant for over a decade, with much of that resting on the superb play of Dirk. Those squads were exciting, but stood witness to 7 Laker/Spur titles in a 12-year span. When Dirk made his first Finals in 2006, Dwyane Wade and the referees made sure he went home empty-handed.

So when Dallas faced Miami again in the 2011 Finals, it was personal. Using Nowitzki’s clutch play and chemistry that seemed to come from out of nowhere, Dallas toppled the Heat in six thrilling games. Dirk finally earned his respect, his place amongst the all-time greats, and the one accolade that had eluded him. That team was special, mostly because few analysts even felt they could escape the first round.

Unfortunately in sports: the only thing harder than reaching the top is remaining there.

The Mavericks allowed Tyson Chandler (a key cog in their title run) to walk as a free agent in the summer of 2011, with JJ Barea and Deshawn Stevenson following shortly after. It’s not that Chandler and Barea weren’t valuable, but paying them big bucks would have eliminated Dallas’ chances at acquiring their next superstar in the summer of 2012.

Well… like the Roots in 1999: Things Fall Apart.

Dallas was still competitive in 2011-12, but fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 4-game sweep. A title defense hadn’t been that weak since MJ, Scottie, and Phil packed their bags after ring #6 in Chicago.

“That’s ok!” Mavs fans thought. “This year didn’t count, our goal is to sign a star this summer.” Well the Dwightmare in Orlando nixed that possibility (he ends up with the Lakers, still smh). Chris Paul seems to enjoy Lob City, and Deron Williams decided to lead the Nets into their next era. Top notch all-star possibilities gone. Keep in mind, Cuban didn't even attend Williams' visit to Dallas. Even Jason Terry and Jason Kidd took their talents to the Atlantic Division.

Now the Mavericks find themselves in NBA purgatory: not good enough to contend, not bad enough to win the lottery. It’s a terrible place for an aging superstar. The long-awaited Mavs rebuild may have to wait until Summer 2013 to even begin. This is a fringe playoff team at best, and now Dirk’s knee may need surgery.

Sure, Dallas made enough acquisitions (OJ Mayo, Chris Kaman, Darren Collison, Elton Brand) to field a decent team, but this scenario Illustrates just how quickly a champion can fade without proper maintenance. Winner today, also-ran tomorrow.

NBA 2012-13 Season Previews: Pacific Division

2012-10-07T10:59:00.003-07:00

Continuing the series of NBA previews written by NBA bloggers. This week it was the Pacific Division.

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors: Golden State of Mind
Los Angeles Clippers: Clips Nation | Gunnerz!
Los Angeles Lakers: Silver Screen and Roll | Hardwood Hype
Phoenix Suns: Bright Side of the Sun | ValleyoftheSuns
Sacramento Kings: Sactown Royalty

Trades for both Dwight Howard and Steve Nash made the Lakers big winners of the offseason, but there is another team in LA ready to compete as well. The Clippers will be looking to contend with the group of veterans they brought in. While the rest of the pacific has tons of potential, they would all be satisfied by simply earning a playoff spot.

Clips Reloaded: LA Clippers 2012-13 Season Preview

2012-10-01T22:05:00.002-07:00

Team Name: Los Angeles Clippers
Last Year's Record: 40-26
Key Losses: Kenyon Martin, Reggie Evans
Key Additions: Jamal Crawford, Lamar Odom, Grant Hill, Matt Barnes

1. What Significant Moves were made during the off-season?
As the title implies, the Clippers really reloaded this summer. Clearly in win-now mode, they opted for established veterans. Chauncey Billups was re-signed after his season-ending injury last season. Then, LA proceeded to bring in Jamal Crawford, Lamar Odom, Grant Hill, and Matt Barnes from the free agent crop. If Lamar can regain his 2010-11 form, he brings versatility to the second unit and would serve as a starter-level backup for Griffin. Of the bunch, it appears Crawford will be relied upon the most for change. He will serve as the only member of the backcourt outside of CP3 that can consistently create offense for himself. Clips fans will have to hope his slide in productivity last season was due to the lockout.

2. What are the team's biggest strengths?
Veteran leadership. Last season, Billups brought an incredible amount of calm to a team loaded with suspect character guys. It's no wonder the team regressed without him. On the court, the Clippers' primary strength is employing the league's top point guard. Simply put, he is one of the few players that will make them competitive in every game. The team relies almost entirely on his creativity in late game situations, and more often than not he delivers.

3. What are the team's biggest weaknesses?
Perhaps the team's strength is also it's weakness. An over-reliance on Chris Paul to create offense makes this team predictable during crunch time. Sure, they will likely rack up wins in the regular season, but in the playoffs, coaches will find a way to slow it down. LA will need to find more ways to get easy buckets outside of the 1-4 pick-and-roll, or the hey-Chris-take-the-ball-and-carry-us-to-victory. Again, Crawford will be relied upon to spell CP3 from constant facilitator duty.

4. What are the goals for this team?
CP3 has one year remaining on his contract. He hasn't signed an extension and can still become a free agent next summer. Yes, I feel that this team could certainly go on a nice run and find themselves in the Finals (CP3 is THAT good). Although, in the short term they need to prove to Chris that they will contend annually. A trip to the conference finals would do just that.

5. Can they compete with the Lakers?
Without question. This intra-division rivalry should heat up even more this year. Even considering all of the Lakers big acquisitions, the Clippers are one of the few teams that can give them trouble at each position. Nash running loose? CP3 steps up. Kobe going off? He'll be defended by Caron Butler, Grant Hill, and Matt Barnes (oh and good luck checking Jamal Crawford, Kobe). Not another word needs to be said about what Blake did to Pau. The Clips have the edge in depth, so I view Dwight as the only player that could truly wreak havoc. Deandre Jordan would have to actually resemble a center, the lone highlight block/dunk act won't work forever.