BOBCATS BASELINE » .500 // the most obsessed Charlotte Bobcats Blog of all time.
I have to say, this thing is frighteningly accurate. Crazy, hard-edge leader, Phalanx approach, doomed from the getgo, archaic? Hell, now I want every Bobcats game filmed in 300-style.
This morning, the NBA, Sprite and some “speed painter” dude named Dan Dunn combined forces to announce the contestants for this year’s Dunk Contest. By painting portraits of them. At a bus station. Located in the basement of Madison Square. I had to be in Midtown Manhattan today anyway, so I decided to stop by and see what all the fuss was about.
In all seriousness, it was actually a pretty original way to unveil the dunking reps, and even though the field isn’t particularly exciting (Shannon Brown, Gerald Wallace, Nate Robinson and whoever wins the dunk-off on February 12 between DeMar Derozan and Eric Gordan), you have to give the league and the sodamaker credit. As the MC of the event put it, the Dunk Contest’s “theme is creativity and artistry” and they did a good job trying to complement that with the impressive artistic skills of Dunn.
Shannon Brown was the first dunker portrait. As you can see above, we’re not exactly dealing with photo-realism here. Half the “fun” of the thing was supposedly allowing those in attendance to guess who the contestant was as Dunn was painting, and my first guess via Twitter was Fozzie Bear. But in like five minutes, he turned a mess of brown and purple into the portrait you see above, using only a few brushes, his hands and a spinning, 6′ x 6′, black canvas.
Next up was Gerald Wallace, which he just sketched much less impressively on a pad rather than paint. La di da. I would honestly rather see a 46-year-old Gerald Wilkins try to mimic his brother’s windmills.
Then came Nate Robinson — to the delight of no one.
I mean, the painting turned out decent even if it looked a little more like a mouth-breathing son of Rasheed Wallace than Nate, but we were told in the set up that it would “be someone you people will like.” First of all, “you people”? I think it’s time for a house meeting yall. And second of all, why would anyone in the world want to see Nate dunk publicly ever again. I like the dude more than most even, but unless he’s going to jump over Gheorghe Muresan on a unicycle this year, we’ve seen everything he’s capable of doing.
Obviously, we were in New York and Nate “plays for” the Knicks, so that’s what the MC meant. Meanwhile, we were right next to the Amtrak departure gates, so there weren’t really any Knicks fans there. I doubt there were many more two stories up inside MSG either now that I think about it, but still.
And more so than being disappointed about having to watch Nate Rob miss a bunch more dunks during All-Star Weekend, I was disappointed because — for a moment — I actually thought the MC was talking about LeBron. This was even reinforced when Dunn started off the portrait with some very prominent forehead creases reminiscent of Grandpa LeBron. Could it be? Will LeBron actually grace us with his presence?
Sure enough, however, no. No he will not.
LeBron’s obviously way too cool to come to an arena on a Friday Saturday night to dunk four times in his Cavs jersey and feels obligated to instead come to that very same building anyway and stand around clapping while wearing a cardigan and rocking sunglasses indoors. Thanks, dude. Seriously, it’s no problem at all. We’re all really excited to watch Gerald Wallace do some boring in-game-style dunks and then fall into the stanchion, per usual. Should be a hoot. We wouldn’t want you to break a sweat on an off-day or anything. We all care very much about how not winning might affect you brand and billionaire aspirations. Wouldn’t want to let entertaining millions of basketball fans get in the way of that.
I am by no means someone who has ever subscribed even for a moment to the gaining-momentum-by-the-day “LeBron Is a Douche” bandwagon. But when he does something like back out of his in-the-moment pledge to compete, I can at least start to see why many others think he is a big ol’ bag of douche.
And this transitions oh-so-conveniently into what was my favorite part of the event.
Right after Dunn finished with the last dunk participant painting, a 50-something-year-old lady and her two daughters walked up next to me. They were clearly enamored by all the commotion, and the mom wanted to know what was going on.
“Some guy is painting portraits of the NBA players who are going to compete in this year’s dunk contest,” I said.
“Oh,” she said peering around over the crowd very excitedly. “Those are really paintings?”
“Yeah. It was pretty impressive. He just did them in like 5 minutes.”
“He just painted them? In 5 minutes? The paintings? Of football players?”
” … Um … No. They’re basketball players. From the NBA. They do a dunk contest every year at the All-Star Game. And these are the guys who are going to be in it.”
“Oh. A dunk contest? Is it today? They do it in Penn Station?”
“No. It’s in February. In Dallas. On a basketball court. A lot of people were hoping LeBron James would be in it. But he won’t be.”
“LeBron? I know him! … Who are these boys?”
See, when it really comes down to it, the NBA is still somewhat of a niche sport. Most sports fans are well aware of Kobe, LeBron, Tim Duncan, Shaq, KG and Dwyane Wade. And some are even familiar enough with the league to realize that Chris Paul is one of the best players of all time or to know that Dwight Howard was made by James Cameron or perhaps to have even heard Danny Granger’s name before. But most people — with this lady being an extreme example — know very little beyond that.
So things like LeBron appearing in the dunk contest are still important. But apparently not to him.
Have no fear, however, hoops fans. We still get to watch Shannon Brown, Gerald Wallace, Nate Robinson and maybe even DeMar DeRozan prompt millions of people around to world to ask “who are these boys?”
Get pumped.
UPDATE: Forgot to mention that the painter actually let it slip that it was rather hard preparing for this event because no one would tell him which players he would be painting until a week ago — and then the names changed a few times after that. I wanted to mention this for two reasons: (1) So any of you who wanna mock Dunn’s work will realize how difficult it has to be to paint giant, 6′ x 6′ portraits from memory of guys you probably aren’t particularly familiar with … and (Secondtively) to add some completely non-fact-based reasons for those of you who for some reason hate LeBron to speculate that one of the reasons that the names changed was because King James agreed and then backed out at the last minute. I actually sort of wanted to ask Dunn whether or not that happened and figured he might let it slip by accident, but he was talking into some cameras afterward, and I was sort of sick of standing around a train station. I’m so dedicated. My real guess is that Conan was originally slated to dunk, but Nate stole his spot last minute on the recommendation of Jay Leno.
Photo: Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images
NEW YORK , Jan 18, 2010 – 2009 Sprite Slam Dunk champion Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks will attempt to become the first three-time winner of the competition when he defends his title on NBA All-Star Saturday Night, Feb. 13, at American Airlines Center (8 p.m. ET on TNT) in Dallas. Robinson will compete against the Charlotte Bobcats’ Gerald Wallace and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Shannon Brown.
via 2010 Sprite Slam Dunk Announced.doc.
Thanks, LeBron. I hate you.
Okay, we’ll go quick-route, then fast-route.
Quickly: Shannon Brown is a movement, who, much like his actual play, will end up disappointing. But hey, at least he wasn’t selected for the “Hold a 20 point lead by playing intelligent defense” contest.
The Dunk-In: What’s the line on DeRozan, you think? (-220)? Sound right? Because there’s no way in Hell Widdle Gordon beats the Northern Auroarer.
Gerald Wallace: Yeah, so, he’s going to murder everyone. This is the “Gerald Wallace is tired of people not knowing who he is” year. Why else would he be in the contest this year? What, he just randomly decided to come out of dunk retirement? No. This is his way of putting his name on the map.
Nate: I hate you, current CBA. Requiring the dunk champ to repeat is a nightmare. No one wants to see him in it. Nate probably doesn’t want to be in it. Certainly we don’t want him in it. “Short guy! Whee!” Honestly, this is a nightmare. We could have had Josh Smith, LeBron James, and we get Nate Robinson? I like Gerald but I’d sub either of those guys for him. Sigh.
But still! There’s some potential here.
The Long And Winding Road: What’s more popular and overblown, the dunk contest or saying the dunk contest sucks?
Is it star power? Because even if it had stars in it, people would compare their dunks to Jordan and Nique. Nothing that can be done will top what already has. Hating on the dunk contest is mad chic. People are passionate about how the Dunk Contest is “over.” Even after Howard’s resurgence, which was way more than the superman dunk (hello, off back-backboard, windmill, wrap-around dunk), there’s a prevailing hipsterness about the whole thing that bugs me. Because they’re all going to watch. It’s exactly like hipsters that show up to a party, put on their own music, then talk about how lame the party is. These people need jello shots.
I recognize the inherent greatness created by a star participating, and recognize how ti can be a defining moment. I desperately wanted LeBron to participate and am a little crushed he didn’t. But all that means is we need to lower our expectations. We need to understand that there may never be a dunk contest as good as VC’s 2000 exhibition, or as prolific as the free throw dunk or as insane as Nique’s work. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a fun contest. We’re not deciding homecourt in the Finals over it. Just watch the guys dunk.
Not all art belongs in a museum.
The Charlotte Bobcats have some serious momentum. They’ve climbed into seventh place in the East (which is still the East, I know) behind winning seven of their last eight games. They rank in the top ten in each of the defensive four factors (eFG% allowed, opponents’ FT/FGA, DRB%, opponents’ TOV%), are on their way to their first ever playoff appearance, and should boast their first ever All-Star in Gerald Wallace.
Oh, and the team happens to have a new face, a new core, and a new leader: Stephen Jackson.
When the ‘Cats netted Jackson for 50 cents on the dollar, analysts focused on Charlotte’s coffers. It’s natural, really; Stephen Jackson has what has to be one of the worst contracts remaining in a league shifting toward fiscal responsibility, and his history of wearing out his welcome likely makes cutting that paycheck even more difficult three years from now. A Jackson implosion was seen as an inevitability, and from a financial standpoint, a small market club had made a terrible mistake by agreeing to take on such a high-risk, high-paying salary.
But here’s the thing: even though the NBA is ultimately a league obsessed with known finality, Jax has flipped the franchise on its head while energizing a fan base the Bobcats didn’t even know they had. If the ‘Cats make the playoffs over the next two or three years, who cares if Jackson butts heads with Larry Brown? He would be creating history for a team that has little, and while nothing with Jackson ever seems permanent, that doesn’t mean it’s not significant.
Veterans with close ties to just one team are revered and this league, with their jerseys raised to the rafters. But guys like Jax? They make cameos in team lore all across the league — from the Bay to San Antone — by making valuable contributions in a number of different ways in a number of different places.
Jackson isn’t likely to retire an NBA immortal, and there’s certainly a chance he’ll be out of favor in Charlotte in due time. But the fact that Jax isn’t a basketball establishment is exactly why the ‘Cats are a must-watch team right now for hoops junkies. Think back to the 2007 Warriors, with Baron and Jax leading the charge and grinning ear-to-ear. Did anyone honestly think their magical playoff run would produce any lasting success? That Don Nelson would make a few moves and make a serious run at a championship? That a roster of ill-fitting parts, egos, and swingmen galore would break down basketball convention forever? Hardly. The Dubs earned their place in history by upsetting the Mavs, but when it came time to pick winners for the Western Conference Semis, the Jazz were the obvious favorite. Golden State didn’t quite fizzle, but the burst was surely gone…and yet, the “We Believe” Warriors are one of the more resonant teams of the decade, despite the fact that they were doomed from the start.
And it’s very much the same with these Bobcats. I don’t expect Jackson to lead Charlotte to the title, but that’s not a reason to disregard his success or the team’s. Knowing that this will all eventually end only makes this era in Bobcats basketball that much more precious, and that much more real. What we have no is a Bobcats team giving its usual complete effort, but with enough offense and enough leadership to channel that effort into something productive. It has the Bobcats on the brink of something great rather than staring down into the chasm. And while that may not mean much next to the storied exploits of the Lakers or Celtics, it means just about everything for a young franchise without a traditional superstar and little in terms of direction. Jackson is trying to fill both roles, and in all honesty, is the closest thing to a rudder that the Bobcats organization has ever had.
Let tomorrow worry about tomorrow, because today’s Bobcats are simply too good, too hard-working, and too fun for you to ignore. Part of that is Larry Brown, who has this team playing with incredible effort and executing beautifully on the defensive end. Part of that is Gerald Wallace, who has become an absolute monster. But an undeniable part of that is Stephen Jackson, the man who was supposed to be jumping the shark (not passing lanes), destroying roster flexibility (not providing some), and crushing a team from within (not bringing it to new heights).
It was close to 1:45 a.m. Friday in New York when Pat Gaines started to cry the happiest tears she’d ever known. She could thank her son Sundiata, who managed to hit the shot of a lifetime just five games into his NBA career with the Jazz.
“I couldn’t find words at first last night, I was just so welled up and filled up,” she recalled. “I said, ‘This is so great.’ It’s just something he’s worked so hard for. And, you know, moms cry. That’s what moms do. They cry when they’re happy for their child.”
via Utah Jazz: The shot of a lifetime for Gaines – Salt Lake Tribune.
The NBA isn’t really a very human game. It’s about style and motivation and determination and certainly there are some human elements to it, but it somehow manages to be the most expressive of all the sports and still feel the most aesthetic in regards to emotion.
Which makes this story about “Yatta” Gaines and his mom that much better. Bear in mind that Gaines was looking at making less than what you make a year. Now, in about eight days, he’ll probably be making ten times what you make. And moreso, it’s validation. It’s the cementing of his own belief that he doesn’t belong on the outskirts, that he belongs in the game. He hasn’t earned it yet, he’s got to keep up the work. But from the article above, it sounds like Sloan has his back and they’re telling him the right things.
That Sloan sounds genuinely happy for the kid? That’s something special. Sloan is one of those guys we’re not going to appreciate until he’s gone, and even then, people that only look at the game’s surface (“The Lakers are winners!” “The Nets suck!”) aren’t going to see everything he’s done for this game. But some of us will know. And that’s enough for a legacy.
For years, three major skills have been required of a color commentator for pro basketball on television: considerable experience as an NBA coach or player, articulateness, and the ability to not scare small children with his appearance. Of those three traits, the first is by far the most consistently applied. We occasionally get an incomprehensible Tim Hardaway in the booth, but no matter who’s calling the games, we can be sure that the knowledgeable NBA fan has followed that person throughout a career in pro basketball.
ESPN’s Doris Burke is today’s lone exception. A standout at Providence in the ’80s who held seven records at the time of her graduation, Burke has called virtually every kind of basketball imaginable: NBA, WNBA, men’s NCAA, women’s NCAA, you name it. She’s experienced, intelligent, and while not without foible, generally accepted as one of the best analysts working today.
I love Doris Burke. L-O-V-E her. And you know the best part? There is no part of it that is driven by some sort of superificial “she’s hot”dynamic. It’s a platonic love. She’s not Erin Andrews (though I think Andrews works hard, deserves her success, and did not deserve the scummy treatment she received), she’s just an expert, as Freeman notes over at the baseline.
(Side note: Freeman gets an A+ for his first week at the Baseline. I’ll admit, following Shoals’ shoes and then opening up with a dry last-night recap, I was skeptical. Then he started writing and I shut up. Absolutely fantastic hire by the folks at Sporting News. Or rather, promotion. One of those things. Either way, I’m pretty excited about the direction of the Baseline.)
Burke provides commentary that’s not only interesting and entertaining, but reasonable, which is something that’s hard to find with most color commentators or play-by-play folks. Her first round series is the best announced series of the playoffs, year in and year out.
I’d like to see her moved up the chain. A Burke-JVG combo would be absolutely ideal.
As always, these are:
REASONS TO WATCH THE GAMES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL BASKETBALLS TONIGHT:
A Thing of Beauty Is a Joy Forever
Sacramento Kings @ Philadelphia 76ers – 7:00 pm EST
The Kings are made of sugar and spice and everything nice, and if you aren’t watching them every chance you get, you stink on ice. John Keats said that. John Keats, that’s my man. You know that, right?
Don’t Mess With Tejas?
San Antonio Spurs @ Charlotte Bobcats – 7:00 pm EST
The Spurs are no longer just sputtering along in their typical, tortoise vs. the rabbit way. They’re picking up steam. They’re 15-4 in their last 19 and the only dubious loss during that period came in Toronto. The other three were against (in order) Phoenix, Portland and Dallas. Plus they just beat the snot out of the Lakers the other night. And while this is all well and good, it will be the next few games that tell us if the Spurs are really ready to get serious now that it’s 2010. They have Charlotte tonight then face Memphis, New Orleans, Utah, Houston and Chicago. None of those are complete cupcakes, but if they can go 5-1 or 6-0 over this little stretch, it will say a lot. And it all starts this evening, ladies and gentlemen. And Zach Harper.
Crickets
Indiana Pacers @ New Jersey Nets – 8:00 pm EST
I will be watching this out of obligation to my 8p9s blogwork and cause (I guess) I’m still a Pacers fan. Dozens of others will likely be joining me in the Izod Center. Dozens.
Game O’ Da Nite
Phoenix Suns @ Atlanta Hawks – 8:00 pm EST
Lots o’ dunks. Lots o’ jumpers. Lots o’ offensive efficiency. Lots o’ unnecessary apostr’ophes (looking at you, Amar’e). You would be silly to miss this.
Is It in You?
New Orleans @ Detroit Pistons – 8:00 pm EST
Two of the sadder franchises in our Association will clash in the Palace of Auburn Hills when Chris Paul & Who Cares squares off against Who Cares & Who Cares. Do you?
I’ma Gonna Win
Toronto Raptors @ New York Knicks – 8:00 pm EST
This game won’t feature much defense, which is always fun. Plus, we have Danilo Galinari aka The Rooster going up against fellow countryman and fellow soft big Andrea Bargnani aka The Magician. Those two will combine for 14-feet of tall, 14 three-point attempts, 14 Godfather references from Clyde Frazier and 4 rebounds.
Wildlife Showdown
Minnesota Wolves @ Memphis Grizzlies – 8:00 pm EST
Dogs vs. Bears: Who ya got? (Hint: The Grizzlies are 12-5 this year at FedexForum and the Minnesota puppy dogs are 3-17 on the road.)
This Usedta Sorta Be a Rivalry Once, No?
Washington Wizards @ Chicago Bulls – 8:00 pm EST
The Wiz haven’t exactly rallied round tha family since suffering the fate of Gil’s FINGA GUNZ and Crittenton’s pocket full of shells. They did knock off Orlando the other day, but followed that up with three losses, one of which came at home against Detroit. That aint cool, guys. Meanwhile, Chicago is on a back-to-back but might actually be amped about that since they handled the Celtics so easily last night and look to be ready to start turning this season around. Derrick Rose is looking a lot more like Derrick Rose than he did at the beginning of the year. Luol Deng is looking a lot less like Luolz Dang!, dropping 27 and 25 in his last two games on a combined 21/31 shooting (67.7%). And Joakim Noah just notched his 19th double-double of the year last night and is tryna steal a spot on the All-Star team. I get it that Vinny of the Black is still around and that the offense has been beyond decrepit. But I would not be surprised to see the Bulls march into the Playoffs with a 5 seed. Just call it a hunch. (Disclaimer: I also once had a hunch that John Wallace would be an NBA All-Star.)
High Temps vs. Space Ships
Miami Heat @ Houston Rockets – 8:30 pm EST
I’m actually more excited for this than the ATL (shawty) vs. Phoenix game. I don’t know why I like the Heat so much, but I really do. Dwyane Wade is of course my favorite player in the L so that helps, but I also love me some SupercoolBeas and JO’s continued health is just nice to see. He deserves a healthy year, even if he’s a physical shell of his former beastly self. And this Rocket thing just isn’t going to end. People keep waiting for, nay expecting, this rag tag Rockets crew to … wait for it … come back to Earth. But it just aint happening. We DON’T have a problem, Houston. Don’t mess with (Houston) Texas. These (McDonald’s-looking) colors don’t run. Only you (and Carl Landry) can prevent forest fires. Sorry … terrible cliche’ black out. Houston rarely loses at home (12-4) and all 78 lbs of Aaron Brooks is coming off of a 43-point night — which was the same night during which Chuck Hayes grabbed 17 boards. Tonight, one team will win my undying affection. Who shall it be?
Good. Game.
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks – 8:30 pm EST
Wow. There are a crap ton of good games on tonight.
CaCAW. CaCAAW. CaCAAAAAWWWWW.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Golden State Warriors – 10:30 pm EST
Brandon Jennings went all Pterodactyl With Wings of Fire on the Dubs last time with that whole double-nickel drop that you may have heard about. Will he get 56 tonight? And/or will Monta Ellis have 56 turnovers? While playing 56 minutes? Of a 48-minutes game?
Getting Tired
Orlando Magic @ Portland Trailblazers – 10:30 pm EST
Another sweet game that I would write more about but my fingers are getting tired. I did 3 sets of 40 FINGA GUNZ at the gym today, you see.
Capone, Noreaga, Lamar, Ed Lover & Cereal
Los Angeles Clippers at vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 pm EST
LA LA, big city of dreams, but everything in LA aint always what it seems. That’s some CNN for ya. They’re from Queens. Just like Lamar Odom. Whose Lakers team lost to the Clippers not too long ago. Lamar once played for the Clippers not too long after he moved away from Queens. Also from Queens is a guy named Ed Lover. Who once said that the chick Lamar married looks like Frankenberry. The end.
While the players take care of business on the court….off the court, the Red Claws brand is proving to be a money maker as well.
The team logo features Crusher the lobster—on hats, shirts, banners, even the foam claw. It’s not just Mainers….the team ships out orders to fans across the country.
To try and capitalize on the logo’s success the team has ventured into uncharted marketing territory in the NBA.
Case in point, red claw ale….Gritty McDuff’s a Portland brewer agreed to make the special beer for the team…started selling at the expo where they play, selling so well…why not sell it in other places as well”
So Gritty McDuff’s put Red Claw Ale into 22 ounce bottles and started selling it in grocery stores and beverage centers like RSVP in Portland. Even before the displays went up…customers were buying.
Thomas Wilson–Gritty McDuff’s: “We had boxes or cases of the 22 ounce bottles and people were walking up and taking bottles out of the boxes”
via Red Claws brand proves to be a slam dunk | NECN.
Serious stuff: The work that the RedClaws have done with community development should be put into a case study with attached presentation and sent to every start up franchise in the D-League. Solid affiliation with a parent club, stable ownership, concentrated marketing, and strong community ties, that’s the formula for victory in the D-League marketplace.
If you’re not in a major market, that last point is particularly true. You have to be able to effectively make a connection with the community. Games have to become somewhere people come socially, to see the same people, to make the same jokes, to drink the same light beer. How do you think the NFL has become so popular in places like Green Bay, Kansas City, and other small markets? Sure, the game itself is intensely popular, but on top of that, there’s an overriding sense of community that is present at every tailgate. That’s how you build a consistent fanbase. The Red Claws get that.
Nonserious stuff: Other beers I would like to see: The Sundiata Wheat, The Ten-Day Lager, The Blake Ahearn Tripel-Pointer, BoomGotThemDos Equis, and of course, the Nightmare Artois.
This should have been changed to Sundiata Face/Lemon Face. It wasn’t.
So for now, these boys will still introduce this post the old-fashioned way until I get better at CGI and video editing.
Gentlemen, if you don’t mind…
Lion Face… I mean… LION FACE: Sundiata Gaines
There are champions of the D-League – Scott Schroeder, Matt Moore, Steve Weinman, Jon L from Ridiculous Upside and a few others. These guys fight to get the NBDL recognition because there is something joyous about a lifetime of fighting for what you want being rewarded. These guys put their lives on hold in order to live in crappy apartments for very little money while hoping to play well enough to catch a huge break and be one of the possible 450 players in the world to play NBA basketball.
They aren’t the privileged NBA players who are pulling in six figures, seven figures, eight figures and trying to decide if their entire bathroom should be gold-plated or just the bathtub. They aren’t guys who are setting up generations of their family for financial security beyond what you and I can fathom.
These guys are fighting for their dreams. And guys like Scott and Matt and Steve are dedicating themselves to tell the story because the journey is as intriguing as the players actually making it. And when they make it? Stuff like what Sundiata Gaines did happens.
Sundiata Gaines is not a household name. It’s probably not even a household name in his own household. But after Thursday night it certainly is something NBA fans and the Tweeting public now know. Sundiata Gaines was given an opportunity for 10 days with the Utah Jazz and Thursday afternoon he was given another 10 days. He didn’t just take that chance and run with it; he grabbed a hold of it and Usain Bolt’d his chance of a lifetime.
Nine minutes on the floor that didn’t start until the fourth quarter. Three field goal attempts in those nine minutes – all of them made. One of them was a three-pointer and it was a big three-pointer. It wasn’t just a three-pointer; it was a three-pointer that beat LeBron James. Yes, LeBron’s team gave the game away to a certain point. But in the final seconds of the game it had more to do with Sundiata taking the game than someone giving it to his team.
This was supposed to be a Lion Face/Lemon Face article. And I’m sorry that you aren’t going to get that. There are lemon faces to give LeBron’s teammates. There are lion faces to give to LeBron and his fourth quarter dominance. But none of that matters right now. All that matters tonight is one of the purest basketball moments you’ll ever witness happened on national television. We rarely get to see basketball purity. However, we got it from a guy being called “Yatta” because nobody could remember/pronounce his actual name.
D-League, stand up!
Sundiata Gaines Twitter Fallout
Gaines didn’t play for the first three quarters of the game versus the Jazz. He entered the game in the fourth, sparking the Jazz to a comeback, scoring six points including an and-one in transition. He was subbed after missing a free throw down the stretch and watched from the bench as LeBron James took over, scoring time and time agian. The Jazz managed to close the gap to 3 with 9 seconds remaining. But no Jazz player could get open. Except Gaines, in the corner, with Cavs closing in on him.
So often in life, those amazing underdog stories come up short. And it’s still possible Gaines could not have his contract extended for the season, that he could not get minutes, that he could fade into a footnote of a subtext in this season. But for the rest of his life, he’ll have this moment.
via Sundiata Gaines (D-LEAGUE!) Saves the Jazz Day — NBA FanHouse.
Inside the NBA on TNT talking about the value of the D-League versus sticking some kid on a bench. Mike Brown having to check the stat sheet to figure out the kid’s name. And at the center of it all, a D-League call-up find himself with the ball as the clock expired with his team down 2 to the greatest player on the planet.
You cannot make up a story like this.
