I’ve always enjoyed John Wooden’s take on sport and life. He seemed like a wise man.
This quote is so relevant to EVERYTHING in life that it’s sometimes very eerie how sport can reflect real life in the values we choose to espouse.
Playing a team game means sacrifices and sometimes those sacrifices mean that we sometimes take a backseat for the good of our teammates. It’s not always easy. And it’s sometimes easier to simply ignore the greater picture and become focused on the “me me me” aspect of the game where it’s always what YOU want and what YOU think you should get. But that type of attitude seldom gets you anywhere and almost always sets the team up for a losing situation.
Yes, you may not get that many touches and score that many points, but sometimes the principle of team play dictates that an individual’s ego take a back seat for the benefit of the team. Is it fair? No, possibly not. Is it easy? Most definitely not. But when the team wins, it’s always worth it.
I wish I was surrounded by more people that feel this way about sports and life in general. I wish people weren’t so obsessed about what they feel they are entitled to and I wish people didn’t always feel the need to point out the sacrifices they are making for others.
The original song was a part of Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint” album from 2001. It’s originally a “diss” track that takes on Mobb Deep, Nas and Prodigy.
When Jay-Z became a part owner of the New Jersey Nets in 2004, he decided that he needed to get involved with the team and so, for the 2005 NBA Playoffs, he remixed the original “The Takeover” and added a basketball flair to it. When I visited the New Jersey Nets Website for this blog post, I was surprised to see that it’s still there as a free download.
Well, I didn’t particularly like it that much off the start. Partly because it lauded Vince Carter and partly because I liked the original better.
But the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. I mean … it’s a BASKETBALL SONG! How can I NOT like it?!?!?
And I say the same to you. Regardless of the history of the song and all that, it’s a good tune on its own and I definitely recommend it to all hoop heads. I mean c’mon …. Jay-Z did a basketball song!
This was a great movie. I know a lot of people will groan when I say this, but I think the Wayans family generally makes serviceable flicks (with the exception of “White Chicks“). This movie is no different; just a classic Wayans comedy.
Aside from Kadeem Hardison and Marlon Wayans, this movie is short on Hollywood “talent”. But what it lacks in talent, it makes up for with character and a heartwarming story about family and basketball.
It’s difficult to mix a sport with emotions without making it overly cheesy and sappy. And true to life, few movies have done this well. But this is where The 6th Man is genius. There is a perfect mix of emotion and sport – and the emotion is not a forced “hollywood moment” type of emotion. It’s more natural than that. Personally, I think this movie was a great watch and highly recommend it for hoops fans. I think you’ll find it’s a fun, light and satisfying watch.
And look at the bright side. At least you don’t have to sit through two hours of Marlon Wayans in a diaper …
June 29, 2007 at 9:24 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Draft Day always bring big moves from teams trying to improve their squads and this night was no different. Let’s get right to the juicy bits …
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Houston drafted ANOTHER “shoot first” Point Guard (Aaron Brooks). Now, I LOVE Aaron Brooks. I think the kid has some crazy game. But WHY oh WHY does Houston need another point guard?!?!?!? Don’t they already have Rafer Alston AND Mike James?!?? Poor Mr. Brooks is gonna languish on the bench this year. Either that or Alston and James are trade bait.
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If LA was hoping to salvage their relationship with Kobe Bryant and change his mind into STAYING with LA, they made a bad move by drafting Javaris Crittenton (point guard) and China’s Sun Yue (point guard). Marc Gasol was a good addition but I don’t think Bryant will see it that way. They don’t NEED more point guards, they need more help down low! Smush Parker and Jordan Farmar were capable and (if I dare say) even good at times for them. But they run the TRIANGLE and the triangle needs a couple of good shooting bigs! Which Bynum, Kwame Brown and Turiaf are NOT. Looks like the summer will be interesting in Hollywood …
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Seattle made a HUGE trade by sending Ray Allen (He Got Game) and Big Baby Davis to Boston for Wally Sczerbiak, Delonte West and Jeff Green. This means that Seattle has opted to keep Rashard Lewis instead of Ray Allen. I can understand the “business” reason for this trade and all that. But I just can’t understand why they’d choose to let Ray Allen go. I mean, the guy is a consummate professional with the most gorgeous shot in the history of the NBA. Whatever. He’s teamed up with Paul Pierce in Boston now and better times await. At least he’s out of the brutal Western Conference now and he has a shot at a deep playoff run. And I hope Rashard enjoys being “the man” of a terrible team cuz that’s what he’s now become.
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New York was making BIG moves yesterday, acquiring Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau and Fred Jones from Portland for Channing Frye and Steve Francis. This is a HUGE deal for New York because it finally appears like they’re making progress. Zach Randolph is a 20 & 10 guy in the Western Conference, so in the East he should be a 40 & 20 guy. He he. That’s a bit much, of course, but this guy immediately does 3 things:
1) Takes pressure away from Eddy Curry and Jerome James and lights fires under their butts to perform
2) Provides New York with a potent low post scorer the likes of which has not been seen since Patrick Ewing
3) Provides some relief to Jamal Crawford and Stephon Marbury and gives THEM something to work magic with on the court.
It cost them the services of Channing Frye, but at least they off loaded Steve Francis’ humongous contract.
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Golden State traded away Jason Richardson to Charlotte for Brandan Wright. They got basically nothing for J-Rich and he’s still gonna be a star in the league for a bunch more years. I don’t understand this trade. Maybe it had to do with touches or shots …. or personality clashes with Nelly … regardless, Charlotte immediately becomes better by getting J-Rich. From their standpoint I totally understand this move. They don’t need MORE youth, they need more experience! Vets who can come in and show the kids the ropes.
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As I wrote in my previous post that Rudy Fernandez was a no-brainer pick for the Suns, they go and trade him away to Portland for cash … looks like they’re setting up for something bigger.
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Now that the draft is done, more teams will look to make moves according to what has now become available. The next few weeks will be fun to watch …
But if you look past the media headlines you’re gonna find a lot of interesting things in this draft. Where to start, where to start ….
Joakim Noah slipped to the 9th pick … which is interesting because he was forecasted to go higher in the draft LAST year. I suppose this is why the old saying “strike while the iron is hot” exists.
Yi Jianlian slipped to 6 and was picked up by the Bucks … I was positive this guy would go 3 or 4. I mean, he’s the next Yao Ming! The teams that passed him up (Boston, Memphis & Atlanta) will be kicking themselves in about 3 years.
New Jersey took a HUGE risk by drafting Sean Williams … the kid got kicked out of college and is a PR risk like Zach Randolph and Isiah Rider are. They’re betting J-Kidd, Carter and Jefferson are big enough influences on him that he’ll turn around and become a good addition. I’m betting he’ll be a bust.
Rudy Fernandez was unsurprisingly drafted by the Suns … Great shooting guard who loves to dish and run the floor. Not too predictable, is it?
Arron Afflalo slipped to 27th … This is baffling cuz the guy was forecasted to go in the first round and he slips to the second? He’s gonna make some teams hurt next year.
Tiago Splitter was gobbled up by the Spurs with the 28th pick … another European 7 footer drafted by the Spurs. I think they’re looking for a Duncan-Robinson tandem for this millenium. Tiago might be it. He’s one crazy baller. Nice touch, good passer, unselfish …. and I think they’re prepping for Oberto to jump ship cuz they’re not gonna pay him what he’s gonna ask.
Glen “Big Baby” Davis slipped to the 35th pick … Guess being “big boned” isn’t that hot anymore.
Marc Gasol was taken 48th … I can’t fathom this. He’s Pau Gasol’s little brother! He’s got a great Basketball IQ and he’s got the genes to be a baller! Whoever slept on him is gonna look like a fool in a few years.
Aaron Gray slipped to 49th … Surprising because he was a really good college player.
What do YOU think of trade day? Any surprises or disturbing draft choices?
June 28, 2007 at 8:30 am · Filed under Uncategorized
This is the final installment of my “Trip down NBA Draft History Lane”.
Today we’ll look at the late eighties drafts …
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1989
Best: (3) Sean Elliott – Not only did he win a chip with the Spurs, he’s also a kick ass color commentator. Honorable mention to (6) Stacey King and (4) Glen Rice. Bust:(1) Pervis Ellison – this guy was an okay player, but definitely NOT a #1 pick. He was so bad he was made fun of by Jay-Z in the Pump It Up Remix
1988
Best: (2) Rik Smits – why Rik? Because during the Indiana Pacers playoff runs of the mid 90′s Rik Smits was one of the main ingredients for their success. He battled all the big guys: Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal …. and he held his own quite well. It’s too bad he couldn’t stay healthy. Bust: Tim Perry – short career (though not as short as Charles Smith), lackluster performances …. definite bust.
1987 – best draft of the late eighties
Best: This is a tough pick …. (6) Kenny Smith & (7) Kevin Johnson were both outstanding talents and had great successes with their teams. Kenny even won a championship and went on to become a great commentator with Ernie & Charles. But I have to give the edge to (1) David “The Admiral” Robinson. He became the foundation for the Spurs and became their franchise scoring and rebounding leader. He won two championships. And most important, he was a great ambassador for the game of basketball. Bust: (3) Dennis Hopson - 5 years 10.9 points, 1 assist, 2 rebounds and 1 steal per game. Not worthy of a third overall pick.
1986 – worst draft of the late eighties … for sure.
Best: (5) Kenny “Sky” Walker – Have you seen this guy’s 1989 Dunk Contest Dunks?!?!?! The man does a 360 degree dunk IN MID AIR! Most human beings are able to do a 360 by starting their spin on the ground. This man did his 360 in MID AIR!!!! Anyway, best in class. Bust:(3) Chris Washburn – 2 years, 3 points per game. Just terrible.
1985
Best: (1) Patrick Ewing. The Knicks were my team in the mid 90′s … and why not? Their defense was outstanding and the Hoya Destroya was the anchor in the middle of a rough and rugged Pat Riley squad. Honorable mention to (2) Wayman Tisdale and (7) Chris “Buckets” Mullin Bust: (5) Jon Koncak …. 11 years, 4.5 PPG. Joe Kleine … 11 years, 4 PPG. I liked Joe Kleine better but “to suck” means “to suck”. Sorry, Joe.
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And just like that, this week’s trip down memory lane is done. And just in time too. The NBA Draft is tonight … I wonder who’ll go first … I’m holding out for Joakim Noah to go #1 overall.
June 27, 2007 at 8:54 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Today I’ll look at the early Nineties drafts ….
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1994
Best: (3) Grant Hill appeared to be the next heir apparent when he first arrived in the League. And for the longest time, he was. Then his ankles went. (2) Jason Kidd quietly established himself as possibly the best point guard in League history as a result and it’s all triple double history from there. Bust: I WANT to say (6) Sharone Wright or (9) Eric Montross, but it’s hard to overlook how bad a #1 pick (1) Glenn Robinson really was … what has he done in the last 5 years? Nothing.
1993
Best: This was a draft class full of potential. And it simply never materialized. But based purely on longevity and success within the league, I’d say it’s a tie between (1) Chris Webber and (11) Allan Houston. Houston took the Knicks to the Finals! An 11th pick! I’d say that qualifies even if his body DID break down shortly afterwards. Bust: (7) Bobby Hurley was touted as the next John Stockton when he came in – then he was in that motorcycle accident never to be heard from again. (3) Penny Hardaway had the skill set to be a superstar – this is before his body broke down. Ditto for Jamal Mashburn. But because both of those guys were involved in things that were beyond their control, I can’t say that they were busts. No, that honor goes to (8) Vin Baker, who had tons of upside … then he discovered alcohol.
1992
Best: (1) Shaquille O’Neal. MDE ….. though (11) Robert Horry has orchestrated an amazing career as the 11th pick …. 7 rings, dammit! Bust: Where to begin …. (8) Todd Day … (10) Adam Keefe … I never even saw these two guys play …
1991
Best: (1) Larry Johnson (aka Grandmama) easily wins the popularity contest. But (4) Dikembe Mutombo is still playing and he’s like …. 300. Bust: (6) Doug Smith & (8) Mark Macon …. again …. I never even saw these guys play …
1990
Best: I hate to admit it but (2) Gary Payton is the best of his class. Bust: I’m not gonna list their names, only their numbers … because there are so many … basically picks (7) – (10). (6) Spencer and (5) Gill get off because they played and were decent players. (1) Derrick Coleman gets off because he was decent … before his ego took over and he became a fat @$$.
June 26, 2007 at 7:59 am · Filed under Uncategorized
I’m continuing my look down Draft Day Memory Lane and checking out who won and who lost.
Today I look at the late Nineties …
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2000 - worst class of the late nineties
Best: (5) Mike Miller / (8) Jamal Crawford – tie. These guys are anemic and shifty as players. Streaky and inconsistent, their careers have matched their play styles. It’s hard to write these guys in as “Best in Class” because they’re terrible. But when your only picks are (4) Marcus Fizer and (13) Courtney Alexander it’s hard to NOT write them in. (1) Kenyon Martin was the #1 pick this year but being that he hasn’t really played in 3 years, it’s hard to write him in as “Best” too. Bet the Nuggets are feeling stupid for giving him a max contract now. Way to go Kiki …. Bust: They’re ALL busts ….. but (11) Jerome Moiso is definitely the worst of the worst. He’s done NOTHING to warrant his top 15 pick status.
1999
Best: (1) Elton Brand – The Bulls traded away this guy before he got good. Way to go Jerry Krause. You could have been a title contender with Brand. And the Clips got a great player at a bargain basement price. (9) Shawn Marion is one of the best in his class too, as is (3) Baron Davis, but Brand is better because he’s a double double machine with none of the attitude of the other two guys. Bust: (12) Aleksandar Radojevic …. who?
1998
Best: (9) Dirk Nowitzki – I almost gave it to (5) Vince Carter, but Dirk just won the NBA Regular Season MVP and went to the Finals last year. The guy is a GOOD player. With none of the ‘tude that whiny Ms. Carter has. Plus all of New Jerseys run have happened because of J-Kidd, not Carter. Bust: Even (6) Robert “Tractor” Traylor and (12) Michael Doleac have carved out better careers for themselves than (1) Michael Olowokandi ….. he’s just horrible. Inconsistent, moody and anemic ….. Worst #1 pick ever …. well … maybe Kwame Brown is worse ….
1997
Best: (1) Tim Duncan. Why? 4 chips in nine years to (3) Chauncey Billups’ 1. Sorry folks. Chips don’t lie. I think that’s a Wyclef song. Bust: (6) Ron Mercer. Undoubtedly, (11) Tariq Abdul Wahad was a flash in the pan too, but Mercer had so much more talent and he simply pissed it all away …
1996
Best: (13) Kobe Bryant. I hate to admit it, but as the 13th pick he was a STEAL! 3 rings? A dynasty? 81 points? yeah. Best in class, hands down. Bust: Todd Fuller – Proof that good college players don’t make good pros.
1995
Best: (5) Kevin Garnett. (4) Rasheed Wallace may have more rings (one more) but it’s hard to overlook KG’s impact over the last 12 years. (7) Damon Stoudamire was Toronto’s #1 Pick in 1995 and was the basic foundation upon which a franchise was built. Big ups to him. He may not have been the best in his class, but he gets an honorable mention.
Bust: (1) Joe Smith is close to a bust, but he’s at least had a playing career with more playtime than Kwame Brown and Michael Olowokandi. So that being the case, I think that (8) Shawn Respert could easily have beenthe biggest bust of this draft. Don’t believe me? Despite being the #8 pick in the ’95 draft, there’s not even a picture of his face on his NBA player Bio!! That’s ghetto! He’s followed (very closely) by (12) Cherokee Parks, but given his lower draft pick status, Respert takes it by a hair.
Thinking about it a little closer …. I forgot to include (6) Bryant “Big Country” Reeves as a bust … and WHAT A BUST! This guy played 6 years as a pro and was SUPPOSED to be the foundation for the Vancouver Grizzlies’ new NBA franchise. But instead of helping them out, he destroyed them with his big, fat @$$ and horrible play. And after destroying Vancouver’s NBA franchise and moving to Memphis, the guy simply disappeared into thin (or not so thin) air, never to be heard from again. Shawn Respert may have been a definite bust … but at least he was never responsible for destroying a franchise and earning the mockery of an entire nation. Big Country, I salute you! You are the Biggest Bust! Goodbye!
***EDITED 27 June 2007 ***
MY BAD!!! It has been brought to my attention that I have MISSED two key players of the 1995 Draft. I’ve added my comments in BLUE.
June 25, 2007 at 9:26 am · Filed under Uncategorized
So in honor of the NBA Draft that’s coming up this Thursday, I’ve decided to look back at NBA Draft Day History and see who came out as winners and who came out as losers. We’ll go back … way back …. all the way back to 1980 and examine the first 14 picks of each Draft ….
Let’s start by looking back at the picks of the new millennium …
First of all, it’s virtually impossible to say if any picks from the last 2 years have been “busts” because they haven’t gotten much burn on the court and we haven’t really seen any of them much.
But for SURE from the class of 2004 down we can pick the best & worst …
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2004
Best: (1) Dwight Howard appears poised to be the next great NBA Big Man. He’s already putting up Shaq like numbers …. at the foul line. Oy! Bust: (8) Rafael Araujo – Man did the Raptors get burned on that one. Way to go Glen Grunwald …
2003- This is the best Draft Class of the 2000′s, in my opinion.
Best: (1) LeBron James. No ifs ands or buts. End of discussion. Bust: (2) Darko Milicic. (9) Mike Sweetney comes in a close second but Darko has gotten WAY less playtime than Mike. Plus his name is Darko.
2002 – Worst class ever.
Best: Tie between (9) Amare Stoudemire and (1) Yao Ming Bust: (5) Nikoloz Tskitishvili – THIS guy gets picked 5th over Amare?!?!?!? Kiki must have been smoking some serious kiki …
2001
Best: A case can be made for (3) Gasol, (5) J-Rich and (13)Jefferson being the best of this year but this is a subjective category for this year because no ONE player has stood head and shoulders above the rest. All 3 players have gone to star in losing franchises and languished in virtual obscurity thus far. Based purely on stats, though, Gasol is the better player scoring more points and grabbing more boards and nabbing more assists. Bust: (1) Kwame Brown – Whether Michael Jordan was responsible for this kid’s lack of confidence on the court is irrelevant. This guy has done NOTHING to warrant his #1 pick status.
On the one hand, it displays Isiah’s understanding that basketball is just a game and that the life we live, the way we live it and the way we affect those around us mean more in the grand scheme of things.
Words to live by.
On the other hand it’s funny because the guy will definitely not be remembered for JUST his skill on the court. He’ll also be remembered for the way in which he’s absolutely sunk the New York Knicks in recent years. Bad trades, bad decisions and a horrible record …. those things will definitely be the FIRST things people say about him.
Sorry Zeke. I love your game and all …. but your GM skills are horrible.
This is a classic basketball movie to most “hoop heads”.
I’ve seen it two or three times myself expecting to find something to make me love it …. and the truth is that I just can’t.
Main reason? Woody Harrelson is NOT a basketball player. He never was, he never will be. He appears fake in the way he moves and no amount of special effects can change the fact that he’s a scrub. Not even his stunt double can change that. I see that guy and all I see is the dude from Cheers …..
Plus Rosy Perez (bless her latina heart) is a nasally talking, irritating shrew of a character. I can’t understand why in the world he stayed with her for so long (and she with him) after she kept threatening him and verbally berating him. And Jeopardy was her life dream? C’mon …. seriously ….. I know broke folk wanna make cash … but Jeopardy? Try the 100,000$ Pyramid or something …
Wesley Snipes is a believable enough character, though. And he was funny.
This is a review that’s found on the IMDB website …
“White Men Can’t Jump” is an hysterically funny movie that is one of the funniest I’ve seen. Director Ron Shelton has made other sports comedies before but this is his best one. Wesely Snipes and Woody Harrelson play off each other perfectly and make a memorable team. This film is highly profane but it has very inventive and witty dialoge. A very funny film.”
Here’s my overall take on the movie …
The plot was kinda weak, the dialogue and trash talk was funny and the characters were tolerable – save for a couple. Not my favorite basketball movie, but for some out there it’s like Hoosiers. A must have. To those peeps I say – glad you liked it. Personally, I never found it as funny as some out there did.
This is the theme song for the NBA Live 2003 videogame (PS2, PC & XBox)
I had never heard this song until last year. GREAT tune. It’s got everything a baller wants. Bumpin’ bass, slick lyrics, ref whistle, horn blowing, sneakers squeaking … the works.
June 22, 2007 at 8:06 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Oh if there were only a way where one could do one’s passion and get paid for it … imagine someone who enjoys watching TV ….. getting paid to do it! ….
Kevin Garnett would have loved to retire a a Timberwolf, but McHale has absolutely destroyed everything positive that they had in Minny. Which is a shame because once he gets to his new team (whenever that is) he’s gonna take them to the promised land.
The whole premise is that Shaq takes overweight kids and gets them back in shape and helps them establish a new lifestyle. He tries to show that he is a good role model.
Although I agree that Childhood obesity is a growing concern, I’m not sure that an ego-centric person like Shaq can take that “good neighbour” approach to this.
It just reeks of publicity stunt and money making scheme to me. And when done for this reason, the entire show and its premise seem hollow and insincere to me ….
Of course, I COULD have it all wrong ….
I’ll watch it, anyway. More to get an idea of the show and to see what transpires.
well sure. now he doesn’t have to put up with a scowling Rasheed Wallace, a bragging Chauncey Billups and a coach who ignores all his players except the top 5 or 6 …
Thank goodness because the Top 10 of all time would have generated a LOT of angry fan mail. I’m sure I would have written in, too. More to thank them for putting Hakeem Olajuwon at the #1 spot. ;-P
I said last year (before I started my Blog) that Billups was next in line to say bye bye to Detroit. Remember what happened last time when Flip Saunders coached Billups? In Minnesota? Yeah, he was traded. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chaunc leave.
All subjective depending on who you like and who you don’t, I think. Lakers, Bulls, and Spurs have not even come CLOSE to matching the Celtics dynasties so to even mention them all together is kinda stupid. Different eras different style of game for each era.
I’ll refrain from any jokes about this procedure because:
1) It’s a part of every guy’s life at one point or another 2) It truly CAN save lives 3) I’m next in line at some point 4) A member of my family had some polyps removed that were cancerous and they only found them BECAUSE of this procedure. So this test essentially saved and prolonged his life.
It is so taboo to talk about health procedures for guys and there’s such a stigma associated with it …. I don’t know. It’s all kind of backwards. When masculinity is predicated on the notion that men can’t ever get sick and that being sick and getting tested (in any way shape or form) indicates a loss OF masculinity … that shows an irrational and immature stance.
Still … it’s SO easy to revert to juvenile fart and poop chute jokes …..
The semi circle in the key that decides whether or not a player is “in position” to take a charge was an ill conceived idea …. this one I’m not sure about. Players are getting taller all the time and they’re breaking records because of the ease in which they score. Raising the rim to 11 feet might make Magic, Larry, Michael and Erving’s records more unreachable. It might also make some of the current NBA stars seem more lack luster.
I think it’s worth an experiment. I mean, they already take variations of the original Naismith game anyway, so it’s not like it would be “twisting” the game any more so than they already have.
Well, it looks like KB 24 is headed on a plane from LA later this year … but where? Could Garnett be leaving Minnesota? Could he be headed to Philly? Phoenix? Who know’s but we’ll be keeping a close eye on this one.
June 17, 2007 at 12:32 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
I had the pleasure of watching the 1999 San Antonio Spurs Championship Video on NBA TV. Basically, it was an hour long re-telling of Tim Duncan’s first season and the first championship by the Spurs. I’ve gone ahead and posted the team and individual stats for the ’99 Spurs below …
When I look at the roster now, I can truly see how special that group of guys was. They had toughness and they were so very smart. Another HUGE thing that I see is that most of the guys on that Spurs team were “old timers” – guys who had been in the League a long time and were looking to win one as a part of something bigger than themselves.
They won the series in 5 games and Tim Duncan averaged 27.4 Points per game. They played the Knicks that year. Led by Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell, Kurt Thomas, Marcus Camby, Charlie Ward and Larry Johnson, this team tried their best (as this year’s Cavs did) but simply couldn’t match the Spurs and their height, experience and tenacity.
I feel bad, on one hand, for a guy like Larry Johnson who definitely deserved a chip. Especially considering Jared Jackson (who? haha) won one instead. But at the same time, this San Antonio team was SO good that it wasn’t even close!
Here are some links to websites that were around and chronicled the ’99 Spurs …
I believe these two sites will link to the same pages and stories but who cares? You can see the stats for the series as well as a breakdown and boxscore of each game in the series.
What’s really funny is that one of the links proclaims “What happened to scoring?” Ha ha ha. If only they knew that the Spurs would use the same play style to win 4 titles. The Pistons mirrored this style to win one, too. As did this year’s Cavs to get to the finals. And little did that guy know that David Stern would allow teams to use Zone Defenses.
Never has a headline seemed so telling of the future.
Anyway, in honor of this year’s Spurs, I look back on the 1999 Spurs (the blueprint for a dynasty) with much fondness and appreciation.
June 17, 2007 at 12:39 am · Filed under Uncategorized
My responsibility is getting all my players playing for the name on the front of the jersey, not the one on the back.
- Source Unknown -
This sounds like something a coach would say … or maybe a point guard. Regardless of WHO said it, nothing is truer or nobler. To have ten or twelve individuals playing for something bigger than they are … something more meaningful .. something grander than them or their stats is something of beauty and personifies everything that sports SHOULD be. Unfortunately, in an era where individual achievement is rewarded and superstardom is given away to those who display the most talent AND the most greed and selfishness, it’s hard to find enough people who want to play for the love of the game and for the sake of something bigger.
When you DO find someone like that, though ….. the game becomes easy and it turns into a thing of beauty.
Before Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Julius Erving there was Earl Manigault.
I have heard of “The Goat” before as a legend when I was in Grade 12 about 10 years ago. Urban Legend says that this guy was the absolute, bar-none, hands down THE greatest player to ever play basketball. Problem is, he never made it to the NBA.
A few years ago, I was watching a basketball game and a number of NBA stars were asked who the greatest player to never play in the NBA was. A number of them, including a number of the “50 greatest players in the NBA History” rattled off Earl “The Goat”s name in there, including Michael Jordan who said that Earl Manigault was better than he was. True Story.
Slam Magazine put out a special edition “Streetball” Issue with Stephon Marbury on the cover. One of the feature articles was on Earl “The Goat” Manigault. Great article by the way.
And then one day I was walking down the aisle of a local Wal-Mart when I see this movie. I stop. Look at it. Begin to walk away. Look again. Grab it and buy it. I still haven’t watched it (6 months later) but I will.
I know that Earl “The Goat” never made it to the NBA despite his ridiculous talent because of a major drug addiction. I know that he tried a comeback at one point in his life but fell to his addiction once again. Then, after age had robbed him of his speed and athletic ability, he went into rehab and cleaned himself up. He set up charitable fundraisers and helped kids out who were coping with addiction. He donated his time and money to help those kids in need from following in his footsteps.
I know that at the end of his life (somewhere in his 60′s) he became addicted once again and, ultimately, the drug addiction took his life due to an overdose.
After hearing about him for so long and after reading the Streetball Magazine article, I can honestly say that this was a normal human being with ridiculous God-given talents who never took advantage of them because he had an illness for one of life’s negative substances. He was a broken human being. And in an era of schlocky, hokey, cheesy superstars with squeaky clean images, it’s often good to hear of someone like this to let us all know how important it is to take full advantage of the life we have been given and to not squander it.
The movie stars Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda, Crash), Forrest Whitaker, James Earl Jones and a host of other African American movie stars. Ultimately, despite any acting skills present, the story of Earl Manigault is so chock full of life that it’d be hard for this movie to fail in delivering a believable basketball experience in a big inner city environment.
Regardless, I say put it on your basketball collection. Not many people know of Earl Manigault and that alone would give you “street cred”. Plus it’s a basketball movie with great actors and a great story that’ll remind us that our basketball abilities are gifts to be cherished and taken advantage of while we still got ‘em.
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For the record … “The Goat” is an acronym for “The Greatest of all Time”.
June 15, 2007 at 10:21 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Spurs 83 – Cavaliers 82
Although I missed most of the final game, I was able to catch the final 6 or 7 minutes and witnessed a comeback and the subsequent fall by Cleveland. This series is over folks! We have ourselves a new champion!
Cleveland tried their best and it simply was not good enough. LeBron James was 4 rebounds shy of a triple double (24, 6 & 10 assists), but he also had 6 turnovers – typical of players who are trying to do too much when they are rattled. Drew Gooden got himself a double double at 11 & 11, Ilgauskas went for 8 & 13, and Daniel Gibson played a bit better going for 10 & 5, but it still wasn’t enough as the Cleveland Cavaliers drew just short of winning one game. Mike Brown tried different players and different combos out there but the limited abilities of the team showed clear through this series … their lack of a good point guard (sorry Daniel Gibson, you’re not there yet), their lack of a good 3 guard (sorry Pavlovic, you’re too passive), their lack of good offensive front court players (aside from Z, anyway – sorry Gooden and Varejao. You guys are great rebounders but your offensive abilities are not there)
As a team, the Cavs shot 32-84 (38.1%) from the field, 7-22 (31.8%) from 3 and 11-16 (68.8%) from the foul line. They were outrebounded (45-42), but they won the assist battle (23-13), had less turnovers (10-14) and drew even in blocks (5) and steals (2).
For the Spurs, it was business as usual with Manu Ginobili chipping in 14 big 4th quarter points en route to a 27 & 5 performance. Tony Parker was once again brilliant, going off for 24 & 7 rebounds and Tim Duncan had a bit of an off night but still had a solid 12 & 15 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks. Michael Finley only scored 4 points, but I don’t think he really cares about that because he was rewarded with his first championship at the end of this game. Finley cradled the game ball during the postgame celebration. I might just put it in the bed between me and my wife,” he said.
Robert Horry has won 7 total championships to this point in his career and he says he’s coming back for one more . “As a kid, you dream about winning one championship,” he said. “Getting seven his unreal.” I say enjoy the moment and retire from the game as a winner, etched in the annals of time as a champion forever, like David Robinson.
As a team, the Spurs shot 29-68 (42.6%) from the field, 5-19 (26.3%) from 3 and 20-34 (58.8%) from the stripe.
The MVP for the Finals was Tony Parker. And despite the fact that everyone says that Timmy deserved it more, I think I actually agree with this decision. Tony Parker averaged 20.5 points for the playoffs and was a one man wrecking machine in the first half of most games. He set the tempo for the Spurs and (even though his D was porous) came up with key possessions and buckets in timely fashion.
I say, let Tony keep the MVP and don’t question it. Tim Duncan is a great player, yes. But he’s already won two and, quite frankly (whether it was because of Duncan’s presence or not), I think Tony played better for the playoffs.
It’s been a great season and now, despite the fact that I’m happy for Timmy, Tony and the rest of the Spurs, I can’t help but feel a little sad as I’m left with WNBA and the summer circuit to watch until next November.
All hail the 2006-2007 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs!
Not surprising. Bandwagon favorites like Kobe, DWade, Shaq and Dirk take all their fans with him. These ratings are despite the fact that LeBron is playing. Imagine if it was Golden State or Utah …. the ratings would be non-existent!
I think they’re contractually bound to hold off until July 1st, but this looks like a done deal. James says his stay in Minnesota was “draining, exhausting” …. guess he should have stayed in Toronto, where he could have helped in a good playoff run. Instead, he misses 2 straight playoffs.
Plus it’s a basketball movie with great actors and a great story that’ll remind us that our basketball abilities are gifts to be cherished and taken advantage of while we still got ‘em.