Just admit it: You want to see the Lakers and Heat in the NBA Finals. Nothing against your favorite team, doesn’t matter if you secretly or openly hate Kobe or LeBron, collateral damage if it means Eddie House ends up with two more championships than John Stockton or Sasha Vujacic gets three more rings than Elgin Baylor.
Lakers/Heat is the matchup that generates the most interest and intrigue League-wide. It’s Kobe and crew going for the three-peat while LeBron and crew going for their first of the potential dynasty. Read More »
Beast of the Night:John Wall pleased the Washington, D.C., crowd and his fantasy owners in his big home debut. After doing “The Dougie” during the introductions, Wall danced his way to 29 points, 2 rebounds, 13 assists, 9 steals and 8 turnovers. He shot 56 percent (9-16) from the field and 79 percent (11-14) from the line. It’s a flawed line and the rookie nearly notched a somewhat unsavory quadruple-double, but this was an eye-popping performance, especially for owners in leagues that don’t count turnovers. Wall will have his peaks and valleys this season, but his peaks will obviously be thrilling. Read More »
I’m as big a fan of Wesley Johnson as anyone I know, but I think someone forgot to tell him that he’s not playing in college any longer. Being the reigning Big East Player of the Year is cool and all, but LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are two of the five best players on the planet. And let him know last night. Check out LeBron’s swat on Wes below, and D-Wade’s dunk on Wes after the jump.
Sometimes the mismatch is as clear as the nose on Humpty Hump‘s face. As soon as the Lakers and Grizzlies tipped off last night, L.A.’s announcers noted that O.J. Mayo has traditionally been unable to contain Kobe Bryant. On cue, Kobe went for the kill. It seemed every Lakers possession in the first half started with Kobe posting up his shorter, younger counterpart and figuring out how he could torture him. First it was a quick spin move to draw a foul, then it was a turnaround fadeaway, then a pull-up from the elbow, then a straight blow-by for a layup … Read More »
Maybe you weren’t following the D-League Draft as closely as I was last night, but the new season is almost here. With opening night set for Nov. 18, if you’re not able to make it to the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas, to see the Texas Legends take on the reigning champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers, you’re in luck. VERSUS today announced expanded coverage of the D-League’s 10th season. Read More »
By and large, preseason rankings are dumb. Not only because they’re completely based on speculation, but because that speculation then becomes taken as gospel, and then sets the tone for the rest of the season in polls that are supposed to be based on performance.
Look at it this way: If you predicted based on hearsay that N.E.R.D.‘s album Nothing (which drops today) will be a five-mic classic, then got a copy and find out it’s a one-mic stinker, would you still give it 3.5 mics because you don’t want to sink it too far in the rankings? Of course not. What you thought of the album before actually hearing the product doesn’t and shouldn’t matter. Read More »
One of my best friends is a diehard Orlando Magic fan. Each year, right before the season starts, I get the rundown. Whether I ask for it or not, he breaks down the Eastern Conference for me. Team-by-team, player-by-player, he informs me of how the Magic matchup against everyone else. And as usual, I listen, nod my head and half heartedly agree with his points. Read More »
Don’t tell us we didn’t warn you. Originally conceived in 1989 by a former Division I college basketball player in San Diego, Calif., Above The Rim has re-launched with a fresh identity and product direction. Aligning themselves with the Timberwolves’ Martell Webster and the Pistons’ Will Bynum, ATR has committed to supporting a roster of rising NBA players who demonstrate relentless commitment to their game, their teams and their communities. With that said, check out Webter’s signature kicks, aptly named the Elevate MW5, that he’ll be sporting on the court this season. Read More »
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