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I consider myself an all around sports fan, but mainly basketball is my first love. I have played on almost every level except the NBA and even if I hadn't played I would have still loved the game. What's not to love, it's a game of both athleticism and intelligence, exciting enough to draw people to the watch games even though they have no idea what's going on, and most of all basketball is just plain fun.
Is all this really over money?
In past articles where I wrote about what was going on with the NFL lockout I can recall focusing in on the subject of greed, but now it confuses me on just how greedy the NBA owners are even though they are making millions of dollars already. Professional athletes have been getting exploited for a long time and only in recent years have they started receiving a fair portion of league wide revenue. I guess the owners have been getting so much for so long that it hurts knowing you are not getting most of the anything anymore. The interesting thing is, players have the option to play elsewhere, maybe not for the same kind of money, but they can still play. The owners can't be owners with a league wide work stoppage. Why can't both sides workout a deal while continuing on with business as usual? I'm confused!!!
Game 5 is up for grabs!
Dallas, TXWhat is so interesting about this years finals match up is the contrasting styles of both teams. On one hand, the Heat are a younger, faster, and more athletic team that relies on their athleticism to create opportunities for them on both offense and defense. Dallas on the other hand is an older team that is crafty, skilled, and very knowledgeable. The Heat are hungry, but if they lost this series they probably would get another shot if the team stayed together. The Mavs know that they dont have this option and they are playing like it.
"This is the Finals. You're going to leave it out there. Like I said earlier in the series -- it's June. ... You have to go out there and compete and try your best for your team, so that's what I did."
-- Nowitzki, who added 11 rebounds.
The Mavs are staying in this series only because they are playing with a sense of urgency. In reality, the Mavs are only a few plays away from leading this series 3-1, but there are a lot of coulda, woulda, shouldas. Thats whats so great about basketball. The team that is not the most athletic and that doesnt have the best individual players can still win games.
The Heat have not played a completely great game yet in this years playoffs (scary thought?). We have seen flashes, but not what we have expected from three of the best players in the NBA. Dallas does have something to do with that because of the way that they play, but game 5 will tell how this series will end. I personally think that whoever wins this game will take the series.
Suspension cost him $677,272 in salary!
Los Angeles--rightfully so the NBA league office announced yesterday that Lakers center Andrew Bynum would be suspended the first 5 games of next season and fined $25,000 for removing his shirt while exiting the arena. The $25,000 isnt as bad as the $677,272 in salary that he will lose for those first 5 games. The forearm that he threw was a real cheap shot, but I think the worst thing about it is the fact that he did it to the smallest guy on the court. How tough does that make Bynum? Im not bashing this guy because he is the starting center on my favorite team, but come on Andrew, you had plenty of other players that you could have shoved your forearm into. It was stupid and a real immature move and it showed his young age. He did show some remorse and addressed it days later after his end of the season exit interview.
Bynum said his actions "don't represent me, my upbringing, this franchise or any of the Laker fans out there that want to watch us and want us to succeed. Furthermore, and more importantly, I want to actually apologize to J.J. Barea for doing that. I'm just glad that he wasn't seriously injured in the event. All I can say is I've looked at it, it's terrible and it definitely won't be happening again."
The question is, how much of a bad taste did it leave in the Lakers organizations mouth. Rumors are that Dwight Howard has interest in L.A. for next season as he is a free agent this summer. It seems to get really interesting in L.A. this offseason.
Lots of Playoff Excitement!
Well, so far the playoffs have lived up to the hype. There have been some upsets, some close games, and a few blowouts. The east has been a little more interesting for me to watch with the exception of the 2 upsets (Grizzlies over the Spurs and Hornets over the Lakers). The Superstars of the league have not disappointed and some players who were flying under the radar are definitely stepping up and making a name for themselves.
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I am asking this question because I attend a lot of AAU tournaments and events and I just see a lot of mediocre basketball both on the boys and girls side. Anyone that has grown up playing should know what I am talking about. Some of these kids dont know any fundamentals at the 17 and under age group. Arent these kids seniors in high school and below?
Some of the high school and college coaches that I speak to on a regular basis tell me that the AAU coaches dont teach these kids any fundamentals. They just let them play is what they tell me. Personally, I agree. AAU has in a lot of ways has become a business with all these tournaments and sponsorships involved. Parents are paying hundreds of dollars for their kids to play on these teams for what? A chance for their kids to get seen by colleges? The really good teams have a good starting 5 and the rest of the kids barely play unless there is a blowout.
Dont get me wrong, Im not against AAU basketball in any way, shape, or form. I grew up playing AAU basketball myself and it was great, but it just seems like such a racket now. If someone wants to coach AAU then they should know something about the sport and be able to help these kids get better as players. Dont just do it for personal or financial gain. Too many other people are gaining from AAU basketball besides the kids.
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As a true diehard basketball fan I often as myself this question. In this day and age great is judged by so many different qualities. Does he dunk well, does he pass well, is he a winner, what kind of attitude does he have? Personally, I do look at natural talent but isnt a great player supposed to win? Isnt a great player supposed to make the players around him better? Isnt a great player supposed to lead by example on and off the court? Dont get me wrong everyone makes mistakes but I think Im making myself clear.
It just sit back and observe how the media hypes up some these young players like they are the next this and that but when you look at what the player has done overall theres nothing there. They might have flashes here or there but nothing that stands out and makes you say, wow, that guy is destined for greatness!
Some may call me a hater but on the contrary, I love this sport and I want to see the bar raised on who we hype up as the next great batch of NBA greats. The current NBA 50 greatest players may have a few questionable players on it but they would definitely be on the NBA greatest 60 players. I think what I am asking is, Can we just expect more and ask more of the players who we consider great? Because, if we dont, the quality of basketball will definitely decrease and the game as a whole will suffer.
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Ok people, if you love basketball the way that I do, then you were definitely watching the NCAA tournament games that started last week and went into the weekend. There really isnt any specific reason for this post except to share my enthusiasm and excitement for the greatest time of the year for a true basketball fan. I mean, someone tell me what is better than two whole solid days of basketball, game after game all day and all night, personally its pure bliss for me. Although this year I didnt really agree with the play in games. I feel that no team should be exempt from playing in the first round and laying it all out on the line. I know, the more teams and games, the more money for the NCAA but 64 teams isnt enough?
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Comment by HoopsinHotlanta
on Tractor Traylor is dead
Doctor Hoops
That's really sad to hear about Robert Traylor. He was such a talented player. To pass at that age is a tragedy.