Friday, February 29, 2008
NBA Players Hangin' With Murderers
Indiana Pacers young gun Shawne Williams did not travel, play or practice with the team yesterday due to the fact that a murderer was hanging out at his house and driving a truck registered to him.
Gary Bohannon, 20, was arrested on a Tennessee warrant for murder Wednesday night after he had just left Williams' house. Gary is so elite he even has a flashy nickname: Roosevelt Rollins!
Williams was stopped by police last year while hanging out with Bohannon. Police found a little stash of "the mary jane" in the car and of course, Roosevelt Rollins claimed it was his!
This was Williams after that law enforcement altercation: "Yeah, I have to cause you know, me being a professional ball player, I got to watch who I hang around. I need to surround myself with better people."
Wow...that statement just says it all doesn't it?
More info here.
The PETA Letter to the NBA
I probably missed out on this last year when the composite ball was going through its reckoning, so for those of you who missed it the the first time around, enjoy.Open Letter to NBA Players: From PETA
Thursday, February 28, 2008
NBA and the Mid-season De-Funk-tification
The NBA has me in that mid-season funk and I have no idea how I'm supposed to come out of it until playoff time. Since the greatness that was this year's All-Star game I have found it difficult to sit down and watch an entire game or even pay close attention to the players on my ridiculously fabulous fantasy team. Poor me, what am I to do?
I could browse YouTube for some interesting new basketball footage:
- Hmm...this is the first one. Sad.
- Ok this one gave me a little laugh, haha.
- This was almost interesting and then Buddha started speaking.
- Winner!
Enough of that and I'm still funk-tified with the NBA. Let's see, is there any current rumors that will interest me?
- ESPN.com has 4 articles linked to the Brent Barry decision. Here. Here. Here. Here.
- And we're still talking about Sam Cassell?
- The evil Jerry Reinsdorf dismissing rumors that he created the "no headband rule."
- Isiah Thomas hinting at Marbury possibly saying "bye bye" to the team. Is that really news?
Well that did nothing for me. No rumors and no YouTube videos to feed my basketball obsession is not a good thing. The NBA needs to hurry through the rest of the season...
Anyone have any good ideas?
Dialogue with the NBA: The Playoffs
I had a minute to sit down and chat with the NBA today about the upcoming playoff picture. He definitely had some interesting things to say!
NBA: Things are fan-doodly-tastic LB thanks for asking!
LB: Things are fan-doo…err, what? How come?
NBA: Well our trade deadline frenzy just went down and the Lakers just got better! Plus, the Celtics are leading a pathetic Eastern Conference and isn’t that all anyone cares about?
LB: (I sure as hell don’t!) But NBA, aren’t you looking for some parody league-wide once the playoffs start? I mean, come on now, the east was so pathetic last year that LeBron carried his B-list Cavaliers all the way to the NBA Finals only to get swept looking like a bunch of D-Leaguers. Is that really what you want?
NBA: Actually, LeBron and his new B-list crew don’t stand a chance this year! I’ve worked my off-season magic to bring the Celtics back from hell and they should have enough All-Stars now to run through the east and take on the Lakers for the NBA Championship. However, I do have to figure out a way to make sure the Pistons lose early as we all know they could possibly take down Boston. I could always lower the technical foul rule or you never know, maybe we’ll have a Tim Donaghy sighting! Is he in the slammer yet? I’ll have to get Stern on this one.
LB: Wow, already ensuring us of a Lakers vs. Celtics Finals huh? There are a lot of great teams out west besides the Lakers don’t you think?
NBA: If there are, I could care less! Wasn’t it obvious enough with that lopsided Gasol trade what I’ve been trying to do? Once we get the Lakers and Celtics in the Finals, I’ll have so much worthless media hype to flood your TV’s and newspapers for a solid month! And that reminds me, did I fine Greg Popovich for those comments he made publicly about the Laker/Memphis trade?
LB: Not that I’m aware of and I’m not sure that’s necessary. So you really are prepared to utilize the “bench rule” or something else to keep teams like the Suns or Pistons out of the NBA Finals again?
NBA: Of course! The bench rule is my favorite of all time! I’m not sure you could find me another league rule in any sport as absurd as that one. And wow is it fun to use and really irritate the hell out of everyone! Sternie, my little puppet, plays it to perfection!
LB: So the Lakers vs. the Celtics is what I should be expecting this year?
NBA: Damn right LB. Haven’t you noticed all of the articles starting to pour in about the NBA being back? Well once I get my way for the championship, I’ll really be back! “Kobe vs. KG!” “L.A. vs. Boston!” “Bird vs. Magic!” ESPN Classic will have a hay day with this one! Ratings will soar! And don’t forget Outside the Lines! Bob Ley you better get to work son!
LB: You really are sounding pathetic NBA…
NBA: Not as pathetic as that MLB/Roger Clemens saga! Until we have players’ wives HGH’ing their buttocks while comparing augmentations, we’ll be just fine.
LB: Damn…you’re absolutely right! I love this game.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Dunk of the Year? By a High Schooler?
Check out this sick dunk by Hermiston High Bulldog JJ Ross in a game against Summit High team last month. This is in OREGON people!
The 10 Greatest College Basketball Players: From my era...
ESPN.com is currently running a list of the 25 greatest college basketball players of all time and it looks like each day they unveil another. Well right now their list is down to #9 which is Larry Bird and some may agree or disagree with that as well as the ridiculous fact that Michael Jordan is #13, but that is an argument for another day.
When I look at this list, I really have nothing to think and that is simply because either I was not around when most of these players played or I was too damn young to watch and actually comprehend their greatness. At a ripe age of 26 (February 17th birthday, same as Michael Jordan! Whoo!) I've seen my fair share of greatness and I don't feel the need to look back to the black and white non-three point shooting days to come up with a solid list.
This list may look absurd when it's over with, but these are the players that stand out in my mind without having to dig for hours on end looking through ancient internet stat machines. Here is my list of the top 10 greatest from my era!
10. J.J. Redick, Duke: I can't believe I just put a Dukie on this friggin' list! Plus, it's the Duke player I probably hate more than any other Dukie ever; I guess that is why J.J. makes this list. He will probably go down as one of the greatest shooters in the history of college basketball and also the most despised, trash talked, and taunted. The kid had a killer instinct that few college players have ever had and his game meshed perfectly with Coach K. I'm sure once he gets waived by 5 teams in the next 2 years we'll be seeing him next to Steve 'stop slapping the floor you annoying moron' Wojciechowski as the newest Dukie assistant. At least he couldn't win the big one!
9. Corliss Williamson, Arkansas: Corliss was such a pimp in college! I was in the 8th grade when Arkansas returned to the NCAA Championship to face the evil O'Bannon's of UCLA and I had so much anger towards the Bruins that I actually went out and conned my grandma into buying me a $70 Corliss jersey to rep the day of the game. Of course they lost and I looked like a fool; actually is was a pretty ill jersey. Loved Corliss!
8. Miles Simon & Mike Bibby, Arizona: The Simon/Bibby combo has to go down as one of the most exciting ever! These two brought the Arizona Wildcats to the unthinkable back in 1997 and gave me so many bragging rights as a little freshman! I rocked my AZ game shorts for about 2 weeks after they handed Kentucky an overtime loss for the National Chip. It's too bad Simon was never the NBA star I sure wanted him to be, but at least I had Bibby to love. Of course Bibby played for the Queens of Sacramento and could never quite replicate what he did in college (Should have signed Simon!).
7. Marcus Camby, UMASS: How dominant was Camby and his boys up at the University of Massachusetts? Camby practically turned John Calipari into a hall of fame coach and put UMass on the map as a college powerhouse. Camby led one of the last teams to threaten Bob Knight with an undefeated season only to lose just before entering the tourney. He was amazing to watch and still is today even soley as a defensive presence. At least he made it in the NBA.
6. Juan Dixon, Maryland: Juan had the touching story, the tiny stature and a gigantic heart. Watching Juan and Steve Blake battle Jay Williams and Carlos Boozer for those short few years will stick in my mind as some of the greatest contests ever. Juan single handedly made the North Carolina vs. Duke rivalry seem amateur while carrying the Maryland hoops program to the national stage. Thank you again for not letting Duke win a title.
5. Richard 'Rip' Hamilton, UConn: Game winner. Game winner. Game winner. The skinniest player college basketball had ever seen was able to carry an entire team on his back and run them straight through to a national title by defeating those damn Duke Blue Devils. Thank you Rip.
4. Kevin Durant, Texas: As the only freshman to ever win National Player of the Year in college basketball, Kevin Durant blew our minds in 2007. At 6'10" with a 25' wingspan, we've never seen anything quite like him and probably won't for years to come. If only he had a supporting cast last year we may have seen the second coming of Carmelo Anthony. Now he just needs to pack on some damn pounds and start dominating at the next level; he will in time.
3. Mateen Cleaves, Michigan State: A picture is all you need for this one.
2. Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse: The guy came for one year, dominated the hell out of everyone and left with an NCAA Championship. During a time when athletes could jump from high school to the NBA, Melo decided to take his one year in college and came away as one of the greats. It was surprising to see a freshman play with such ease and completely command the court the way he did. He had a solid supporting cast, but it really came down to his unforgettable play and love-able smile. Oh Melo, we love you!
1. Chris Webber, Michigan: The Fab Five! The black socks! The gifts! The timeout! You may not have won that NCAA Championship with your back-to-back trips, but you at least left us with the most ridiculous decision in the history of the game. You called a timeout without having any left! You were the best player on the planet and had a chance to take over the game and instead you panicked. I guess it's OK Chris, you still had a hell of a career but we'll never forget you, or that play. And what the hell were you thinking giving Duke a championship?
I Love Rumors 9!
Another trip into the world of NBA rumors! Weehoodiddlydo!
- Yao Ming goes down for the year! Maybe he's just thinking about those Olympics coming up? Stupid theory. Come on people.
- The Clippers are ready to announce a Sam Cassell buyout! (Please be true for once) Get ready Boston fans for ol' funny head!
- Jamaal Magloire just joined his 100th team, the Dallas Mavericks!
- Mr. Eddy Curry is not a happy man in New York. Is anyone? He's starting to say ridiculous things like he wishes he could be used more in a tandem with Zach Randolph. EEK!
- Michael Redd likes being in Milwaukee and thinks that the Bucks can actually win at some point. Stop kidding around Mike! He's got 6 years left on the contract and I feel sorry for him. Maybe he really likes Steel Reserve?
- Golden State is about to finally use rookie Brandan Wright. I guess that Chris Webber thing isn't quite working out as planned? I mean, really, didn't we all think an aging overweight, broken down, gimpy knee'd veteran could still play?
- Keith Van Horn is receiving $4.3 million by the Nets while not getting sweaty.
- Daequan Cook actually admitted to "hitting the wall." Dude, rookies don't admit things like that! Hello D-League!
- Greg Oden and his fro-hawk received a little phone call from a presidential candidate? Must be the hair Greg.
Antonio Harvey, Pathetic Radio Personality for the Blazers
As I cruised back from the gym tonight around 9:30 p.m., I flipped over to 750 AM to catch the end of the Blazers vs. Lakers game. Sure enough, the game turned out to be a pretty decent one until the final minutes when Nate McMillan was tossed and the young Blazer team fluffed away into the Hollywood night. Kobe was his normal self, dropping 30 points with 11 of them coming in the 4th quarter. The Lakers continue to prove to everyone that the Gasol trade was the most significant before the trade deadline and they are truly the team to beat in the NBA.
With that said, let me get back to the 750 AM radio broadcast I tuned my car radio onto. When I started listening to the game, it was the 4th quarter and the Blazers had just lost a pretty sizeable lead and Kobe was starting to get a few 'Superstar' calls here and there. So he jacks up some shot or takes Travis Outlaw to the whole and draws a foul which is followed by a quick break in the action.
During this break, pimp-daddy loudmouth extraordinaire Antonio Harvey of the Blazers radio crew decides to drop a quick line about Kobe's injured pinkie. The man actually says, "If I was playing, I'd punch Kobe in the hand just to make sure it was actually injured. Just to test it to see how bad it is. That is just something you gotta do out there."
WHAT?!? I'm pretty sure a former Miami Hurricane announcer was just fired over similar comments. Now I am definitely not a Kobe Bryant fan and I could be considered a Portland Trail Blazer fan seeing as I live in Portland and attend as many games as possible; this still pissed me off!
I can see players testing Kobe's hand or giving it a bump here or there just to make sure Kobe knows what he's in for, but 'punching' his hand? Who the hell says crap like that? Antonio "3.0 pt/game career average" Harvey?
Do I think he should be fired for these comments? No. Do I think he is one of the worst radio personalities on the planet? Absolutely. I've never heard an insightful or informative comment come out of this guy's mouth which is probably why I rarely find myself listening to a Blazer broadcast. The really sad thing about it all, is that Brian Wheeler, the other half of the Blazer radio team does a fantastic play-by-play job. It's too bad he has Harvey the Clown bringing down the quality of his work like this.
By entertaining a pathetic basketball career, he was hand fed any job he wanted and that happened to be a job with the Portland Trail Blazers. Sorry Blazers fans, I think you are stuck with this loser for the long run. Thank God for the Comcast deal!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Ben Wallace is 'No Country For Old Men'
If you have not seen No Country For Old Men then you are completely missing out on life. The movie took down the top Oscar last night for best picture and definitely deserved it. Although I would put There Will Be Blood closely behind it.
Either way, if you've seen No Country you could not have missed the fantastic hair style that Javier Bardem sported! In a tribute to the movie and Ben Wallace's new love for life...
Don't forget our NBA Oscars post!
le basketLINKS: 2/25/08
How about a few links to start your fun filled week?
- Baron Davis taking time to make some movies. Maybe he should worry about making the playoffs?
- More Kobe: Give him some props for finally getting that first ejection!
- Supposedly, the Portland Trail Blazers had their sites on Jason Kidd until he started demanding trades. That was a little turn-off...
- Don't forget to look at the KG hatred my partner in crime has posted. Her second post ever!
- Some blog chatter about the NBA Finals potential matchups. Sounds like a lot of love for the Lakers and Celtics!
- Shaq frustrated. Shaq mean. Shaq flagrant Amir.
- A Blazer dancer wins the new American Gladiators? Go cheerleaders go! Rah!
- Things are looking pretty bad down in Blazer-land. They've lost 7 of 8 and Brandon Roy may be lost for a while with a re-aggrivated ankle sprain. Was fun while it lasted!
- Former NBA player Terrell Brandon makes a citizens arrest! Reminds me of those ridiculous Police Academy movies: "CITIZENS ON PATROL!"
50 Most Influential European Basketball Contributors
On February 3rd the Euroleague Basketball Experts Committee (pllllease) named its 50 most influential personalities to European Club Basketball from the last half century. The list means a ton to basketball on the world-wide stage, but most could probably glance at the list, shrug a shoulder, and move on.
Well to those of you that thought about shruggin', here are the names you should know pulled straight from the article to make it easier on you!
- Manu Ginobili (1996-Present)
Teams: Estudiantes Bahia Blanca (ARG), Viola Reggio Calabria (ITA), Virtus Bologna (ITA), San Antonio Spurs (USA)
Summary: Manu Ginobili is an electric Argentinean swingman with incredible athleticism and talent who polished his game in Europe before becoming a global basketball star. Ginobili arrived in Europe at age 21 and soon joined Kinder Bologna in the summer of 2000. In just two seasons with Kinder, Ginobili helped his team to win an Italian League, a Euroleague crown and two Italian Cup titles while also reaching another Euroleague final in 2002. He was the 2001 Euroleague Finals MVP and later clinched three NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs and an Olympic gold medal with Argentina in 2004.
- Drazen Petrovic (1979-93)
Teams: Sibenik (CRO), Cibona (CRO), Real Madrid (ESP), Portland Trail Blazers (USA), New Jersey Nets (USA)
Summary: A Croatian legend, Drazen Petrovic was sometimes called “the Mozart of Basketball.” Petrovic captured back-to-back Euroleague titles with Cibona in 1985 and 1986. He added Saporta Cup titles in 1987 and in 1989, scoring 62 points in the title game against Snaidero Caserta. Petrovic also won three Olympic silver medals, two with Yugoslavia and one with Croatia. He claimed gold at the 1989 EuroBasket and the 1990 World Championship before going to the NBA, where he averaged 22.3 points in the 1992-93 NBA season. Petrovic passed away still in his prime from a car accident in the summer of 1993.
- Mike D'Antoni (1969-90)
Teams: Marshall University (USA), Kansas City Kings (USA), St. Louis Spirits (USA), San Antonio Spurs (USA), Olimpia Milano (ITA)
Summary: A charismatic playmaker with great court vision and leadership, D'Antoni was the floor general who guided Milano's back-to-back Euroleague titles in 1987 and 1988. D'Antoni arrived in Milano in the late 1970s and helped the team win five Italian League titles as well as a Korac Cup trophy. A steals specialist and a natural-born leader, D'Antoni started his impressing coaching career in Milano before moving to Benetton Treviso, whom he took to the 2002 Euroleague Final Four. D'Antoni is a successful NBA coach nowadays with the Phoenix Suns and remains a legend of European basketball.
- Vlade Divac (1985-2005)
Teams: Kraljevo (SRB), Partizan (SRB), Los Angeles Lakers (USA), Charlotte Hornets (USA), Sacramento Kings (USA)
Summary: A skilled big man with great passing and intelligence, Vlade Divac was a nightmare for every defender due to his post skills and all-around game. At the early age of 20, Divac helped Partizan reach the Euroleague Final Four in 1988. He then won a Korac Cup title with Partizan in 1989 before playing for 15 consecutive seasons in the NBA, still a record for longevity among European players there. Divac also led Yugoslav national team to gold at the 1990 and 2002 World Championships and lifted EuroBasket trophies in 1989, 1991 and 1995. He and Yugoslavia also won silver medals at the 1988 and the 1996 Olympics.
- Sarunas Jasikevicius (1994-Present)
Teams: University of Maryland (USA), Lietuvos Rytas (LTU), Olimpija Ljubljana (SLO), Barcelona (ESP), Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR), Indiana Pacers (USA), Golden St. Warriors (USA), Panathinaikos (GRE)
Summary: One of the few players known internationally by his nickname, "Saras" Jasikevicius is one of the most successful playmakers in European history. He helped FC Barcelona claim its only Euroleague title in 2003, then moved to Tel Aviv and won back-to-back Euroleague titles with Maccabi Elite in 2004 and 2005, earning MVP honors in the latter. Jasikevicius also earned All-Euroleague honors in 2004 and 2005. With the Lithuanian national team, he won EuroBasket 2003 and captured a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics. Jasikevicius spent two seasons in the NBA before he returned to Europe in 2007.
- Anthony Parker (1993-Present)
Teams: Bradley University (USA), Philadelphia 76ers (USA), Orlando Magic (USA), Quad City (USA), Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR), Virtus Roma (ITA), Toronto Raptors (USA)
Summary: A savvy and athletic swingman, Anthony Parker became a European basketball superstar playing the Euroleague with Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv. Parker went from being relatively unknown to earning back-to-back Euroleague MVP awards, winning Euroleague titles in 2004 and 2005 and reaching another final in 2006. He also took the 2001 SuproLeague trophy with the Israeli powerhouse. Parker, whose alley-oop dunks and finesse, trademark mid-range shots turned him into a European basketball icon, also won five Israeli League and Cup titles in as many seasons with Maccabi.
- Arvydas Sabonis (1981-2004)
Teams: Zalgiris Kaunas (LTU), Valladolid (ESP), Real Madrid (ESP), Portland Trail Blazers (USA)
Summary: Arvydas Sabonis blended a unique combination of talent, passing skills and shooting range rarely seen. Sabonis grew up with Zalgiris, where he won three consecutive Soviet Union titles and reached the 1986 Euroleague final. In 1995, Sabonis led Real Madrid to the Euroleague title. Sabonis also won 10 medals at numerous EuroBaskets, World Championships and Olympic Games. He captured 1988 Olympic gold with the Soviet Union and won back-to-back bronze medals with Lithuania in 1992 and 1996. After a long career in the NBA, Sabonis came back to Zalgiris to play his final season, where he is also the team's president.
- Walter Szczerbiak (1967-84)
Teams: George Washington University (USA), Pittsburgh Condors (USA), Wilkes-Barre Barons (USA), Real Madrid (ESP), Udine (ITA), Canarias (ESP)
Summary: A phenomenal scorer with all-around offensive skills, Walter Szczerbiak was Real Madrid's top gun in the 1970s. Ambitious, with unlimited range and never afraid of taking big shots, Szczerbiak joined Real Madrid in 1973 and immediately helped the club to the Euroleague title in 1974 against Varese. Szczerbiak would score 26 points in the 1978 Euroleague final against Varese and hit for 16 in the 1980 title game against Maccabi Tel Aviv to lift two more top continental trophies. Szczerbiak, a superstar and a gentleman off the court, also won four Spanish league titles with Madrid.
Kevin Garnett, Clowned.
- Kevin Garnett is the first clown for all his antics from today's game against the Blazers.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
What are NBA Blogs Worth in Virtual Dollars?
So I found this website that has a tool to decide how much your blog is worth! Virtual money obviously means nothing but it makes for some interesting chatter. Run your blog or website and see what it says!
Since you can run just about anyone's site, I decided to throw some other NBA blogs in there to see what this little toy came up with. Here are the results:
DC Sports Bog: $226,380.54
Celticsblog.com: $138,876.84
Blog A Bull: $128,715.12
Need 4 Sheed: $128,150.58
Sactown Royalty: $111,778.92
Clips Nation: $93,149.10
Detroit Bad Boys: $89,761.86
Empty the Bench: $75,648.36
3 Shades of Blue: $70,567.50
Hardwood Paroxysm: $54,195.84
NBA Obsessed: $42,340.50
The Hype Guy: $34,436.94
Nugg Doctor: $33,307.86
Le Basketbawl: $31,614.24
ClipperBlog: $30,485.16
Golden State of Mind: $28,227.00
KnickerBlogger: $25,968.84
Slam Dunk Central: $24,275.22
Lakers 4 Life: $22,017.06
Str8Hoops: $16,936.20
Some of you have it workin'! The website would not run all blogs and I have no idea what the criteria is for the tool to work other than it uses Technorati's API, so if I left you off that is most likely why! (And go join Technorati.)
Also if you are completely irritated with the fact that you are on this list, please let me know and I'll remove it immediately. I just thought it would be kind of fun!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
2008 NBA Trade Deadline Recap
This year was the first in a few that I can recall this many trades happening to this many contenders. One thing is for sure, the West just got a whole lot better, and the East seem to cool itself back off again.
The Blockbusters:
1. Lakers become title contenders.
L.A. Lakers acquire Pau Gasol and a 2010 second-round draft pick from Memphis in exchange for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the draft rights to Marc Gasol and first round picks in 2008 and 2010.
2. Diesel moves back out West.
Phoenix acquires Shaquille O'Neal from Miami in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.
3. The Jason Kidd saga.
Dallas signs Keith Van Horn and trades Van Horn, Devin Harris, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, DeSagana Diop, first-round draft choices in 2008 and 2010, and cash considerations to New Jersey for Jason Kidd, Malik Allen and Antoine Wright; waives Nick Fazekas.
The Rest:
1. Cleveland getting better?
In a three-team trade, Cleveland acquires Ben Wallace, Joe Smith and a 2009 second-round pick from Cleveland plus Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from Seattle; Chicago acquires Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons from Cleveland; Seattle acquires Donyell Marshall and Ira Newble from Cleveland and Adrian Griffin from Chicago.
2. Atlanta tries to get better.
Atlanta acquires Mike Bibby from Sacramento in exchange for Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright, Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue and a 2008 second round draft pick.
3. Houston makes a push.
In a three-team trade, New Orleans acquires Bonzi Wells and Mike James from Houston, Houston acquires Bobby Jackson, Adam Haluska and a 2008 second-round pick from New Orleans as well as the rights to Sergei Lishouk from Memphis and Memphis acquires Marcus Vinicius from New Orleans and the draft rights to Malick Badiane from Houston.
4. Watch out again for the Spurs.
San Antonio acquires Kurt Thomas from Seattle in exchange for Francisco Elson, Brent Barry and a 2009 first round draft pick.
5. Interesting move for Detroit.
Detroit acquires Juan Dixon and cash considerations from Toronto in exchange for Primoz Brezec.
6. Gerald Green comes home!
Houston acquires Gerald Green from Minnesota in exchange for Kirk Snyder, a second-round pick in 2010 and cash considerations.
7. Worthless trade; sorry it made this list.
Denver acquires Taurean Green from Portland in exchange for Von Wafer.
8. We needed 8...
New Jersey acquires Stromile Swift from Memphis in exchange for Jason Collins and cash considerations.
Top 7: NBA Pretty Boys! Whew!
Don’t we all have to show some love for the pretty boys? I gave you our ‘Top 6 Worst Hairstyles in the NBA’ last week and was satisfied with leaving it at that until our boy, SML (StopMikeLupica.com) dropped by to pose a little challenge. He said that anyone can do the worst hair post, but only a real man can bring you the pretty boys. Never one to back down from a blogger challenge, I’ve created our list and oh is it 'pretty'! Please enjoy!
Damon has blessed so many NBA teams with his smiling face and flashy wardrobe that he was an easy choice for the NBA’s top pretty boy. The self proclaimed “best shooter in the NBA” could never quite live up to that tag and instead focused his time on a snazzy red blazer and a nifty little faux-hawk. Maybe if Damon worked a little harder on his game he could have made some noise with things other than his polished, matching outfits. At least we get to see the newest Euro look at every All-Star game for years to come, since we know Damon will not likely be wearing a red, blue, and gold jersey anytime soon.
Dwyane Wade is so pretty, that Sean “Diddy” Combs decided to make him the first NBA supermodel! Back in 2005, Wade was picked as the ambassador for the Sean John clothing line and was featured on billboards across America. Today, D-Wade graces our television sets hourly showing off that perfectly cut hair, GQ style and “Oh I can’t get enough!” personality. Wade lives in the perfect pretty boy city in Miami, and with all that he has accomplished at such a young age, expect to see plenty more in the future.
3. Kyle Korver, Utah Jazz
Anyone known as the “Ashton Kucher of the NBA” deserves to be on every single pretty boy list ever created. The Korver pretty boy era began back in his Creighton days when he flew the Bluejays straight into the NCAA tournament by draining mounds of 3’s. Today he is still known as a great 3-point shooter but the rest of the world knows him as the guy who looks like the guy that starred in that really bad butterfly movie and the one who looks just like Demi Moore’s husband (That gave me the shutters just typing it). He does have a slightly snarled lip and the hair can become a little greasy at times, but who cares, he still makes this list! Ashton!
In order to be a part of Team Jordan, you better be pretty! To me, Ray Allen has the essence of a pretty boy and pretty boy style. Also known in Spike Lee circles as Jesus, this guy exudes the prettiness! The way the uniform hangs, the way he chews his gum, and the way that hair never looks out of whack makes Ray #4 on our list (That sounded really…umm, nevermind). Allen is a veteran to this list and probably could have topped the list in his earlier days, but there is just too much young attractiveness around the league.
5. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
If you live in L.A., speak 3 or 4 sexy foreign languages, and continue to wear all that Versace, what else could you be other than pretty? Even with the addition of a few random, sloppy tattoos, the NBA’s best player is definitely a pretty boy. He may carry a little bad boy baggage, but his cutesy little wife Vanessa makes sure he keeps his ‘pretty on.’ You definitely can’t attend a red carpet in L.A. unless you are damn pretty!
6. Marko Jaric, Minnesota Timberwolves
He’s dating Adriana Lima, enough said?
7. Wally Szczerbiak, Cleveland Cavaliers
All that gel and all those moles are just enough to get Wally Sczerbiak on the list of top pretty boys! He’s been pretty since his original Ohio days. I’m guessing those past few dreary months up in Seattle may have lowered him on this list but he should be back up there in no time with his return home. Did anyone else know that Wally is some sort of a cult figure in Ohio? News to me!
Here is a spoof list made a while back of not-so-pretty boys.
The Quotes of Michael Jordan
We all know Michael Jordan as the quintessential icon for the sporting world over the last 20 or so years. His popularity has never decreased while his aura continues to increase. His basketball shoes remain the top selling shoe each year because we all cannot seem to get enough of number 23. If you asked many fans of the game today, most would love to re-live the Jordan years and to see 'His Airness' play at his highest level one last time.
One of the things MJ left us was some amazing quotes that he worked to live his life by. Here they are:
1. "I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying."
2. "I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed. "
3. "I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot... when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result."
4. "I never thought a role model should be negative."
5. "I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win."
6. "I'm not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat."
7. "If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome."
8. "My heroes are and were my parents. I can't see having anyone else as my heroes."
9. "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."
10. "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships."
11. "To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don't isolate."
Make sure to pick up these recommended Michael Jordan readings:
- Ultimate Michael Jordan (Collector's Edition)
- Amazon.com
- The Jordan Rules
- 1000 Motivational Quotes for Success