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Which NBA player thinks he’s a lot better than he really is, even though he actually is better than everyone?
LeBron James, Cavaliers SF/Messiah…..100%
[Based on a survey of 1 blogger. Probably ripped off of this slightly less important poll.]
Our My mistake, AJ.
Thing You Can’t Tell Me Nothin’ About
I’m convinced that this LeBron/Kobe relationship goes like this: Jordan : Kobe :: Kobe : LeBron. And really, it makes a lot of sense.
Look at it this way, as a blogger I very apparently admire and am inspired by the work of J.E. Skeets, and have very apparently based a lot of what I do on what he’s done. That’s what every successful creative entity ever has ever done. The Beatles had Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, and the Beach Boys, and if the Beatles look to others for inspiration, it’s good enough to me. It’s like a Utah Jazz fan seeing an ignorant comment by another Jazz fan and wanting to make an even more ignorant comment. Levels, people.
Anyway, is it that preposterous to believe that LeBron greatly admires Kobe and wants to do the things he does? This is LeBron’s sixth season, meaning that when he was a high school senior, Kobe was winning his third straight title. Now, for a guard coming out of high school, is there anyone better or more relevant to admire than Kobe Bryant? Absolutely not. Furthermore, growing up playing with/against him is going to heighten that bond.
This is not to say that LeBron is “ripping off†Kobe or copying him. It’s more of an “anything you can do, I can do better†sort of thing. LeBron sees Kobe do something, wants to do it, does it his LeBron way. It makes for great basketball, and we’re lucky it’s happening.
Thing That I’m Convinced Would Help Most Teams
Run. Just always run. Push the ball up court and shoot fast.
Maybe my views are colored by the Suns from 3 years back, but this seems to be a prescription for success. My men’s league team needs to run more. The Bulls need to run more. The Hornets need to run more. The act of pushing the ball up court breeds aggression, which leads to more free-throws and more shots near the rim. It’s easy to see that eFG% is higher for every team the earlier in the shot clock that they shoot.Â
So run.
Thing the Knicks Remind Me Of
Remember sometime last summer (I think) when the Braves got no-hit, then someone had 20 strikeouts against them in back-to-back games? I’m pretty sure that happened this season, but I’m not entirely sure. Either way, it definitely happened and I was sad because I root for the Braves. 61 points, then a 50 point triple-double in consecutive games is kind of like that. Sorry, Knicks fans.
Also, sorry you’re Knicks fans.
Thing You Should Be Aware Of
I turn 25 in two weeks. That leaves 13 shopping days. Just a heads-up.
Kobe’s was better.
Update: After sleeping on it, I don’t think you can compare the two. Kobe’s was Greater. If you did compare the two, Kobe’s would be better, but it’s apples and oranges, yes? No? Maybe?
Let’s start there. Did I enjoy James’ more? Yes. Would I have enjoyed Kobe’s more if the games had been reversed? Yes. It’s not about the personalities, it’s about the fact that the complete and total basketball game is something that really floors me and it doesn’t get much more complete than 50 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
But Bryant scored 61, did it efficiently, in every conceivable way, and often with a defender’s hand in his face. Similarly, while Byrant obviously forced it as much as James did, the results were better and therefore he’s excused for them.
But man, James went Nova tonight.
While Kobe’s was all about bringing death and destruction to the doorstep of his enemies, James tonight was just about exploring the concept of basketball. He might as well have planted a flag at center court and set up a biolab to examine Jeffries’ hair cultures. There was a joy to LeBron’s performance, that, even though it was forced to many degrees, is the kind of infectiousness that can change a culture. James is changing our culture of basketball, with each game and each center of dominance.
What is it about us that force us to compare the two? I’m with those calling for us to recognize each one’s brilliance in their own way. But still, the conversation will turn to Kobe vs. LeBron. It’s become the Cold War. It’s impact is felt in every facet of our culture, and to ignore it is to ignore the real issue we’re faced with.
Yet I’m constantly pulled to the same thoughts I always have in these situations. Bryant is the culmination of the greatness of the past, and James is the flagship of the future. Change is afoot, and even if it’s not as efficient, it’s more complete. It’s just not time to forget where we came from or where we are yet.
50, 11, 10, and 2.
What do you say to yourself when you look in the mirror after that?
Your boy is back in business. Internets troubles have, inexplicably, been fixed and I can now storm your broadband and complain even more than recently possible.
On that note: Let’s start w/ some gambling. Does anyone out there think that the Cavs can go unbeaten at home this year? I certainly do. (Help me Obi Wan Lebron – You’re My Only Hope) If you disagree, send a comment stating who they will lose to and when? If anyone sends in the correct team/date on which the Cavs will lose at home, I promise to write an epic piece extolling the virtues not only of Steve Kerr, but also of the San Antonio Spurs.
GAG ME. UGH!
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Comments/Picks will be accepted through All Star weekend. This is your chance to make me wish I never had HP access at work again, internets. Don’t you want to see me cry?
SAD CORNDOGG!
Â
UPDATE: I am only looking for the first (if that even happens) loss that the Cavs will take at home. As per the comments section, Latin_D’s choice of the Spurs on 4/5/09 will be admitted, even if not the first loss – since he was smart evil enough to find that loophole. For future guesses, you should try and name the first time you think the Cavs will lose at home over the course of the rest of the season. If, after they lose a game at home, any other losses occur, I will offer no more written love letters to Kerr or the Spurs. I only have so many tears people!
If you’re looking for scoring, Orlando faithful, look no further than Will Conroy. Â Though he’s averaging over four turnovers per game, you won’t find many other flaws in his game. Â Conroy is leading the league in scoring with almost 26 points per game, to go along with eight assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. Â Conroy’s developed a pretty good shooting touch (still could use some work) though, which is good, as he’s on the court for about 45 minutes per game and shooting quite a bit during that time. Â If he’s able to cut down on the poor decisions while in the half court set (he’s GREAT in transistion), he should be in a Magic uniform ASAP.
My old stomping grounds are still churning out brilliant D-League coverage and I couldn’t agree more with this assessment. Conroy has proven himself to be NBA-worthy, and would be well worth a shot in Orlando.
Hey! Orlando! Don’t Forget the D-League! – Ridiculous Upside.
Thing That Is Still Readily Apparent
I watched the Bulls game last night with my best friend. He’s a basketball fan, but not necessarily a huge NBA fan. However, he likes basketball since he is a basketball fan. As a basketball fan near Chicago, he likes to watch the Bulls play basketball, so last night we watched the Bulls play basketball.
It couldn’t have been past the halfway point of the first quarter that he declared, “if the Bulls would just play Thomas he would be so good.â€Â I concur, obviously. We went on to discuss the various talking points when you watch the Bulls: the Aaron Gray conundrum, how good Derrick Rose is, the fact that they often play a line-up of all top 10 picks, how good Derrick Rose is, and how much Vinnie Del Negro looks like one of our friends. However, I thought that quote about Tyrus Thomas was most illuminating.
As I eloquently stated above, this fellow is not a huge NBA fan, but he’s a Bulls fan. He knows basketball very well and I trust his opinions and observations. But if he can see that the Bulls have a potentially big piece on their hands, that they’re squandering, why can’t Del Negro see it? That’s probably not fair, because I’m sure he “sees†it, but why jerk around his (and Noah’s) minutes like he does?
The Bulls aren’t playing for a championship this year (or next year…), so there’s no need to constantly be shuffling players in and out of the line-up. Last night, he played 37 minutes and had a double-double. Sure, he took too many jumpers and had the worst +/- of the night, but that’s okay for him. He’s a very young player who still needs to develop. The Bulls need to ensure that doesn’t happen for another team. Why not use this second half as an extended audition for all of their young players, to see what they’ve really got?
Thing That I Think Hurts Ben Gordon
Ray Allen is very, very good. He is a shooting guard who played at the University of Connecticut, and he was a top 5 pick. These things also apply to Ben Gordon.
One may logically project Ray Allen on to Ben Gordon, given the similarities. But Ben Gordon isn’t Ray Allen, but that’s too bad; it’d be great if Ben Gordon were more like Ray Allen.
Thing I’m Pretty Proud About
Circa draft time, I was fairly confident that Brook Lopez was going to be a real player in the League. And now he is. Win.
Thing I Feel Confident Predicting
If the San Antonio Spurs do not play Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili during the playoffs, they will not win the championship.
BOLD.
You’re a producer for NBATV. You and your merry crew have shipped off to springy Denver for a matchup that might be a preview of the Western Conference Semi-Finals. You’re excited. If this thing pulls well, could be a great chance to showcase your skills, and promote the network. Duncan! Melo! Billups! Parker! Only on NBATV!
You’re George Karl. You’ve managed to take a team that everyone was laughing at you to the top of the division, 9th in defensive efficiency, and you know, respectable in stuff (sorry about that, Mr. Karl). You’ve got San Antonio coming to town tonight, after an overtime game against a huffer-and-puffer Warriors team to start the Rodeo road trip. You’ve got a great chance to get a signature win.
You’re Ime Udoka. You haven’t seen the floor much this year. You’re looking forward to a night of resting on the bench, with the occasional rise to congratulate teammates coming out of timeouts or jumping up and yelling whenever someone dunks, which should be… never.
And Gregg Popovich has ruined all three of your nights.
Popovich yanked Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker for the game tonight. All of them. Effectively killing any drama in the game, denying Karl a quality win, and preventing Ime Udoka from texting his special lady friend from the bench all night.
Popovich, you diabolical madman, is there anything you won’t do?
Good news for Gerald Wallace – he finally gets to return home to Charlotte.
Bad news for Gerald Wallace – he’s gotta take a bus.
Really awful, miserable, frightening, scary news for passengers on Gerald Wallace’s bus – His nickname is CRASH and he cannot so much as read a blog post without breaking something. Let’s just say, anyone accompanying Wallace on this cross country jaunt better have a lot of nerve pills and/or have hired Chesley Sullenberger III to guide them back to NC. I’m just saying.
(Note: Crash, if you are reading this, stop immediately! Your eardrum is about to inexplicably and spontaneously rupture).
We know now what we’ve feared all season: a contender hangs on just the slimmest of threads, and a significant injury to a key cog is the difference between greatness and plain ol’ goodness. Bynum’s injury should make the Lakers modest, but it doesn’t even come close to the fall-out for the Orlando Magic after learning that Jameer Nelson may very well miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum.
As a completely unnoficial ambassador of the NBA, let me say that this completely sucks.
I feel sorry for Jameer, who has managed to beat his critics off with a stick during the course of this season. He was too small, he was too turnover-prone, he couldn’t run this team, he flat-out wasn’t good enough. But on the dawn of February 2nd, you were looking at a bonafide, deserving All-Star, who was doing so much more than just getting by on Dwight’s coattails. Jameer’s a baller, and he’s made me and many others forcibly insert their foot into their collective mouth in ’08-’09. It also doesn’t bode well for the Magic, who had carved out their own niche in my heart. It’s hard not to root for Dwight Howard, and from top to bottom this roster is as likable as they come.
Immediately, you have to look at Orlando’s options. They could start Anthony Johnson…or they couldn’t and pretend they did. Johnson doesn’t have the chops to be a starter on an elite team, and he was already posing problems as a backup. They could go to the D-League, but there are serious issues with starting a D-Leaguer on a team like this. Courtney Lee or Hedo Turkoglu could control the point duties, but each presents their own complications in terms of defense, turnovers, experience, and varying levels of they’re-not-real-point-guards. A look at the trading block shows some strange possibilities like Jamaal Tinsley or Beno Udrih, but nothing really jumps off the page.
It pains me to say this, but there’s one name that the Magic should at least consider as a band-aid for their point guard troubles: Stephon Marbury.
For the record, they shouldn’t do it. There is no reason to panic on a level that would require them to sign Marbury. He’s a dominant, infuriating locker room presence on a team that seems to rely on Stan Van Gundy’s voice as an unwavering authority. SVG may not be as insidious as Riles or as intimidating as Pop, but he’s a great coach and he’s a dominant voice on that team. That spells all kinds of trouble for a point guard that’s never exactly had a reputation for hanging tough on defense, putting the team before himself, or playing nice with the other children. So, again, this move would be really, really stupid.
But wouldn’t the Magic have to at least entertain the idea of picking up Marbury, supposing he’s bought out? Who knows exactly what kind of shape he’s in, but supposing that Steph is still Steph he would at least give the Magic an OK scorer, a decent shooter, and a compentent penetrator. If the Magic attack is truly contingent on Jameer’s ability to get into the lane, then Anthony Johnson, Hedo Turkoglu, and Courtney Lee aren’t reasonable options. Desperate times could very well call for desperate measures (not really, but it seemed like something I should say), and that could mean at least taking a casual glance in Marbury’s direction.
(Seriously though, please don’t do it, Otis.)
If the Magic can find a stop-loss through trade, that would be phenomenal. If they could find a semi-competent replacement through trade, that would be dandy. If Lee or Hedo could do well enough to match the 2007-2008 Magic, I’d probably take that. But I really like this Magic team, and adore their potential for complete dominance and destruction. All I ask is that this injury doesn’t turn Orlando’s destruction unto itself, be it by means of Marbury or crippling trade reeking of desperation.
For now, it’s the end of the Magic as we know it. This time, though, I don’t feel fine.