Diary of a Mad Hoop Fiend
Basketball = My Life …. any questions?
Archive for October, 2007
October 31, 2007 at 9:48 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Slam Article
ESPN Article
Tim Duncan signed a 2 year, $40 Million Dollar extension to his contract keeping him in San Antonio, basically, for the rest of his career.
He’ll be 36 when that contract expires (in 2010-2011) and all signs point, to me, that he’ll retire after that season is up. I just don’t see how he (even though he is a robot) could keep playing beyond that.
Regardless, it’s nice to see Timmy stay in Black and Silver.
So mark it down on your calendars … The San Antonio Spurs will be the NBA Champs in 2010-2011.
October 30, 2007 at 1:59 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Also known as ….. AN ODE TO MY FANTASY COMPETITION
By: Ricardo Martinez
I sure like basketball. It’s lots of fun,
When I beat my opponents, like gum on my bum.
When I open a can-o-whoop-ass I leave y’all stunned!
It’s almost the same as having gum on your bum.
Of course you may win, and you may lose some,
But please don’t you touch that gum on my bum.
(*ahem, Challis!)
I’m also respectful. I won’t make fun of your mum,
Even though she may have some gum on her bum.
I win so damn much I have a song that I hum.
Which is MUCH better than having gum on your bum.
And if y’all get hungry, go have some dim-sum.
Or else have a taste of this gum on my bum.
It’s not that bad, really. It’s watermelon
I just wish this gum wasn’t stuck to my bum.
So to all my opponents I simply say “come”
And get your cheeks smacked together like you had gum … on your bum.
October 28, 2007 at 8:18 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
So the Fantasy Draft was finished this evening after Nathan worked out some kinks in the Draft Mechanics.
So now we’re set to start our league as the NBA Season kicks off on Tuesday with the Oden-less Blazers taking on MY World Champion Spurs, the Rockets take on the Lakers and the Jazz try to slay the Warriors.
Then on Wednesday, the floodgates open up and we start our 84 game marathon outright.
It’s gonna be a FUN season ….
Oh and by the way, if anyone wants to propose a trade, my ears are open. I don’t guarantee I’ll TAKE the trade, but I’ll entertain the thought. And please, don’t insult my intelligence when making a trade offer.
October 28, 2007 at 6:27 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Eddie Griffin’s blood alcohol was 3 Times the Legal Limit
This is terrible news for the NBA and for Griffin’s already distraught family …. I wonder if it was a suicide attempt or an accident due to lack of sobriety …
Mike Bibby out 6 – 10 weeks with Thumb Fracture
This is a problem for the Kings as an organization … but great for players like Artest and Miller …
David Stern allows refs to gamble in limited quantity
So …. the solution is to allow gambling? ….. David Stern is a boob.
Minnesota Timberwolves & Miami Heat complete 5 player trade
Big trade between Miami & Minnesota
Antoine Walker, Wayne Simien and Michael Doleac to the T-Wolves for Ricky Davis & Mark Blount.
Big trade for Miami …. bad move for the Wolves …. what the hell is Kevin McHale thinking these days?!?!
Kevin Durant sprains ankle, using crutches
X-Rays show no break. but he’ll still be out a couple of weeks.
After another knee surgery, Stoudemire comes back to throw down
This kid is an athletic specimen!
Elton Brand has walking boot removed, begins major cardio work
Will he be back before the second half? Don’t count on it.
Kevin Garnett nets triple double in final pre-season game
He’s gonna have a career year. I so want this guy for my fantasy team right now …
Hakim Warrick hoping to be more of a factor for the Grizz
This could be a breakout season for this kid.
Chicago still “a good fit for Bryant” – ESPN
Blech. This would be sickening to me and would immediately make the Bulls my #1 most hated team again and would propel me into a new level of hatred for Bryant.
Houston Rockets cut Bobby Sura & John Lucas III
It’s a shame that Sura was cut. I actually really enjoy his type of play. Scrappy but talented, feisty and smart … it’s a shame his career in Houston didn’t pan out.
ESPN’s Top 10 stories for the 2007-2008 NBA Season
Very interesting article.
October 27, 2007 at 8:09 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
The best teams have chemistry. They communicate with each other and they sacrifice personal glory for the common goal.
October 27, 2007 at 6:56 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
In honor of the NBA’s 2007 – 2008 regular season, which tips off in less than 1 week …..
John Tesh – Roundball Rock
This song is also known as “The NBA on NBC” Theme Song.
It was SO hard to find this tune ….
This little ditty was composed by John Tesh. One would never imagine that a dude like THIS would be responsible for one of basketball’s greatest and most beloved theme songs …
It’s a classic. And it deserves this week’s “Song of the week” nod.
October 27, 2007 at 6:43 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Ok, so it was difficult last week to find time to research a movie for my weekly movie recommendation. This week, I’m trying extra hard to make it all work ….
—————————————————–
Finding Forrester
Award winner Sean Connery and Robert Brown star in his poignant story about personal fulfillment and dreams. Young Jamal shows his friends as well as his elite fellow students than it’s entirely possible to excel as an athlete and a student thanks to the help of an eccentric friend.
I haven’t actually seen this movie yet, but I know it’s gotten good reviews; between 7 and 9 out of ten, depending on where you look.
I’ve always meant to watch it, but I’ve always gotten side tracked.
I’ll watch it soon and post back my comments at a later date.
October 26, 2007 at 12:11 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Reminder to everyone ….
The Draft Day for the Fantasy Basketball League has been set and we’re down to 3 days before the League kicks off.
If you’re interested in participating, please leave me a comment or a quick e-mail and let me know. You can go HERE to sign up.
October 26, 2007 at 12:00 am · Filed under Uncategorized
So at the latest game we played (a 14 point win against a group of younger players) we suffered 2 major injuries. Our resident young’n, John, suffered a gash across the top of his eye similar to THIS one.
That was not good.
Our resident grandpa, Thunder, suffered a hand injury. We first thought it was a jammed thumb. Maybe a sprain. And Thunder, being the warrior he is, tried to continue playing on it.
But after the game the discomfort warranted a visit to our local sports clinic (Pan-Am) the following day. There, he was told that what he has is a break of the Metacarpo-phalangeal joint.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, he was told that it would require surgery (this weekend – for all intents and purposes an emergency surgery) and that he would have a steel plate and screws embedded into his hand to help the healing process.
He’ll be out, in my estimate, about 6 to 8 weeks. Not counting rehab.
The game was not dirty. And the team was very sportsmanlike in their demeanor. It was just bad luck. So it was a costly win.
We now have 7 healthy players on our roster and one relatively healthy young’n. We also have 2 mega gimps now (including myself).
October 22, 2007 at 1:53 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt -
No one said it would ever be easy. And some days are harder than others. But we’ll make it out of our problems eventually.
October 22, 2007 at 1:50 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Tupac Shakur – Keep Ya Head Up
Never has an artist (aside from Marvin Gaye) TRULY captured the roughness of life and the fragility of the human condition as well as Tupac Shakur.
He’s known mostly as a “gangsta rap” artist and as a shit disturber, but for those in the know, he’s also a soulful individual who laid it out for all to see every time he recorded.
Tracks like this one, Dear Mama, The Way It Is, Thugz Mansion, Unconditional Love, So Many Tears, Letter to my Unborn Child, Pour out a little Liquor and How Long will they Mourn Me speak of a man who was not afraid to speak his mind on any issue and of a man who was not afraid to write material of substance.
This song should do well this week for all players struggling with their games and with their life. It’s all connected and it all affects each other.
October 18, 2007 at 7:21 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Joe Kleine was a great college player, averaging over 20 points per game in his time at Arkansas.
He entered the NBA in 1985 as the sixth overall pick, being snatched up by the Kings. A coveted 7 footer, he was expected to do big things in the NBA. But he never really panned out.
Most people believe that it was because of a lack of offensive skill, but I think it was more that he was slow. He never had explosiveness to his game. And you can learn to hide that in college where the games slow to a crawl, but in the super athletic world of the NBA, his lack of athletic ability was exposed and he never really made a big splash.
He never averaged over 10 points for his career; 9.8 PPG being his best with the Kings in ’84-’85.
He was sent to Boston and spent a few years there being known as “Robert Parish’s understudy”.
He was then sent to Phoenix, Los Angeles, New Jersey & Chicago over his career.
I always enjoyed his hard nosed, rough-neck style of play; more likely to bruise you than score on you. And his basketball IQ was pretty good, too.
I watched a game in which Joe Kleine played a couple of nights ago on NBA TV. As a slow, aging player on a young, run-n-gun basketball team, I immediately connected with his game.
So I decided to salute this hardwood warrior.
October 18, 2007 at 7:04 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Not many people remember this but back in the 2003 NBA Draft …
The Cleveland Cavaliers had the first pick. They chose LeBron James.
The Detroit Pistons had the second pick. They chose Darko Milicic.
The third pick belonged to the Denver Nuggets. They chose Carmelo Anthony.
The fourth pick was the Raptors. They picked Chris Bosh.
Miami had the fifth pick. The Heat picked Dwyane Wade.
Joe Dumars made one of the WORST decisions in franchise history that night.
4 of the top 5 picks that night were (in hindsight) no brainer, can’t lose picks.
Each of those picks has gone on to become a franchise cornerstone.
Darko Milicic rode the pine his first and second year. He was traded to the Magic the following year. He played average, at best, in his time in Orlando. And now he has gone on to Memphis – the black hole of Suck in the NBA. He has averaged 5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game … for his CAREER!
Imagine taking Darko BEFORE Carmelo …. absolutely ridiculous!
I just wanted to remind every Pistons fan out there that they could have had a SUPER super-star NBA Player. And instead, they smoked the human victory cigar all the way to the “Worst Pick Ever” basement.
October 13, 2007 at 7:08 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Cavs enter season as individual pieces instead of a whole team
But Jones doesn’t want to be in Cleveland anymore, angry he lost playing time last season to Pavlovic and rookie standout Daniel Gibson. He asked to be traded in June and showed up still upset and still wanting out.
“By no stretch of the imagination am I happy,” Jones said when making his demands public last week.
Worse yet, LeBron injures shoulder in Cavs first exhibition game – a loss to the Sonics
Allan Houston tries out for Knicks roster for first time
I sure hope he’s ready for the grind.
Meanwhile, fans barely acknowledge Zeke in Knicks win over Maccabi
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
David Stern remains mum on whether or not the L will deal out punishments vs. the Knicks and Isiah
Seems like Stern has no problem swacking down individuals but shudders when it’s against entire organizations
Jerry Buss: “I’d consider trading Kobe Bryant”
“At any time, I think you have to do that with anybody. It’s just part of the game … You can’t keep too many loyalties. You’ve got to look at it as a business. He looks at it the same way I look at it. ”
- Lakers owner Jerry Buss
I guess it’s business before loyalty. That’s sad.
Etan Thomas attempting comeback after open heart surgery
He should talk to another dreadlocked baller who had open heart surgery: Rony Turiaf.
Carlos Boozer taking care of ailing son – not playing for Jazz yet
My heart goes out to Boozer and his family.
In other Jazz news, fans cheer Kirilenko’s play in Jazz opener – a loss vs the Bucks
Fighting for a starting spot, Ridnour Breaks nose; has to wear mask.
Tough Break. But you can always earn that spot back if you play well.
Meanwhile, Durant goes for 17 & 8 in Sonics first win vs. Cavs
He’ll need to tally more than that to make the Sonics better.
Celtics win in first exhibition game vs KG’s old T-Wolves
Ray Allen blew up for 28 points but KG was quiet with 9 & 6. I’d say he was bothered by the awkwardness of the situation.
Gilbert Arenas: Creating a cartoon
He’s taking casting calls from anyone interested in doing voices for his show.
October 6, 2007 at 4:56 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her.
- David Brinkley -
I find this quote to be meaningful given my current situation. And it’s good for everyone to be reminded that the slings and arrows will never stop flying. But what we CAN do is change how we react to them.
October 6, 2007 at 4:52 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Lords of the Underground – Chief Rocka
The Lords of the Underground came out in 1992 and their second album, Keepers of the Funk came out in 1994, so the song is 13 … almost 14 years old now … but that hasn’t stopped this song from becoming a classic.
Any hip hop fan worth his weight in gold teeth can tell you that LOTUG has one of the coolest songs of all time …
“…. The kids around the way used to think that I was buggin.
But they don’t understand how I feel about the funk;
I walk with the funk, I talk with the funk,
I eat with the funk, I sleep with the funk,
I live for the funk, I’ll die for the funk,
So now what do they say, when I’m walkin up the block?
‘Boom Shaka Laka there goes the Chief Rocka!’”
This one’s for all my Shaka Duleans out there!
October 6, 2007 at 4:36 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Basketball Diaries
This was one of the movies that made Leo DiCaprio a household name, as far as I remember. Well, this and What’s eating Gilbert Grape?
Anyway, this is the basic plot outline of the movie ….
Jim Carroll (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a high school basketball player. His life centers around the basketball, and his dream is being a basketball star. Once in a while he gets stoned with his friends, and step by step, he falls into the dark world of crime and drugs. Once his mother expelled him out of the house, he goes into the streets of New York, and together with his friends they take drugs for which they steal, rob and even kill. As the time pass, Jim’s situation becomes worse. It looks like he will never get out from the his drug addiction.
This movie was gritty, edgy and REAL which was big for 1995. Since then, other movies (He Got Game, Coach Carter) have done a better job of capturing the grittiness of life and basketball but Basketball Diaries will always be remembered as the first.
I’d say this is a must see (almost a must own) for any hoop head out there.
October 4, 2007 at 5:40 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
All right, hoop heads!
Game 1 of Shaka Dula – Season 8 has been set for Sunday, October 14th at 11:15am in the morning at Center Court vs. Liquid Swords.
I’m very excited about this season and I’m looking forward to our many adventures together.
Go Team!
October 3, 2007 at 6:59 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Kwame arrested after trying to keep his cousin from being arrested
ESPN Story
“Hi I’m Kwame Brown. I’m the Lakers’ starting center. This is my cousin. His alcohol level is above the legal limit – yes. I know that’s a crime. But can you do me a solid and let him go free anyway? What do you mean I’m under arrest?”
Isiah vs. Browne: The Musical
Kind of mean. But funny.
October 3, 2007 at 6:47 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
“Zeke” found Guilty of Sexual Harrassment
And not JUST Isiah, but also James Dolan (knicks Chairman) and Madison Square Gardens.
James Dolan has to fork out $3 Million for firing her out of spite for bringing up the allegatins, while MSG doles out $8.6 Million for condoning a hostile work environment and retaliation.
Anucha Browne Sanders said after the verdict:
“What I did here, I did for every working woman in America,” she said. “And that includes everyone who gets up and goes to work in the morning, everyone working in a corporate environment.”
This is, of course, attempting to ignore the fact that she sued for $10 Million a year ago. So if it “isn’t about the money” then why sue for $10 Million?
“The harassment verdict was expected after the jury sent a note to the judge Monday indicating it believed Thomas, the Garden and Dolan sexually harassed Browne Sanders …”
With shares in MSG’s sponsor dropping and a PR debacle in its hands, the New York Knicks need to make some changes (or at least make some positive news) in the next few days before this season starts. It’ll be hard to see them being successful this year until they do something to bury this issue.
I’d say that both Isiah and Dolan are on their way out. Furthermore, I don’t ever imagine Browne Sanders ever being able to live a normal life anymore as anyone now has a way to harrass her further for her choice to take legal action. No different than Kobe’s rape case. And Zeke has more fans and is a legend. Is it right? No. But it’s the (unfortunate) repercussion of taking legal action against a sports star.
And, as this ESPN article notes: The NBA’s silence through this debacle speaks volumes about the NBA (and Stren’s) sense of Equality and fairness between higher corporate personnel and players.
Says Knickerblogger: “While no one became a Knick fan because of their progressive stance on feminism, if the organization performs unseemly acts it projects onto their fans. In a way, what the Knicks did was give all their fans a black eye.”
Sounds like office politics to me.
October 2, 2007 at 10:40 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Amare Stoudemire undergoes arthroscopic knee surgery
This is not the same knee he underwent microfracture surgery with, it’s the other one. Still …. poor kid can’t seem to catch a break.
Shawn Marion still wants out of Phoenix
I can understand that he feels unappreciated. I certainly do. But this situation is still good for him. Amare being out with surgery, he gets a chance to prove his worth (as if he needed to) and increase his trade value. It would be sad to see Matrix leave Phoenix but he’ll be a good baller no matter where he goes.
Eric Snow to undergo knee surgery for torn meniscus
Eric Snow’s been in the game for a while now. Will a vet like this be able to recover and play again? I don’t know. I think we’ll be seeing Eric Snow on NBA sidelines as a coach soon.
Is Wade ready after knee and shoulder surgery?
Original reports said that he’d be back sometime in the first 2 to 3 weeks of the NBA season. We’ll see what happens …
Webber don’t like Greece. He wants to be a Piston, dammit!
I don’t understand why he’s taking up a roster space when there’s clearly no advantage for his team. This guy played his last good season with Sacramento, about 5 years ago. I wish he’d simply step down.
Kobe’s game face: “I’m ready”
Lakers: Bigger things to worry about
whatever man. he’ll be traded by the All Star break. and they’ll do okay but first round knockout is what I’m predicting. I’d rather they DIDN’T make it into the playoffs …
Shaq: “I’m the Heat’s CEO”
Though he’s reported a week early and he appears to be in good spirits, it’s obvious that his divorce is a source of sadness. I feel bad for Shaq. The guy is the MDE, a millionaire sports superstar, the anchor of a franchise and he will undoubtedly have endorsements up the ying yang till the day he dies and his wife cheats on him with a personal trainer … guess it can happen to anyone.
Kirilenko mum on trade demands
“Kirilenko is the highest-paid player on the Jazz and still has four years remaining on the $86 million contract extension he signed in 2004″
Ouch.
Mutombo the ageless enters 17th season with Rockets
This man is one some weird voodoo ish. Seventeen seasons?!?!? Is he made of steel?!?!
Howard requests trade from crappy T-Wolves team
He reiterated his trade request. Makes sense. He’s old now and he wants to fight for a chip. Too bad he had to go through this, though.
Grizzlies sign Mark Price – as shooting coach
I think they’d have a better chance at winning games if Mark Price PLAYED. Cuz no amount of coaching is gonna help these lost causes. Mark Price is … like …. 50 now, right? He still has one or two good years left …
Nets’ Marcus Williams to have surgery to repair broken foot
Well …. there goes his career. Next stop: 10th man status for about 3 years.
October 2, 2007 at 9:31 am · Filed under Uncategorized
So I’ve got this dilemma: I need good basketball shoes.
Problem is, I haven’t been able to find a pair that I can say I’m completely satisfied with for a very long time.
I used to wear Nikes until the quality of their shoes deteriorated to the point where I was buying a new pair every season because they kept falling apart.
Then I switched to AndOne. The first pair was great! Good support, cool design, decent ankle support. They lasted about 2 1/2 years. Then the shock absorbers wore out (padding) and every little hop and jump was excruciating on my back. So I went and bought another 2 pair, expecting them to be good. But both of these pairs of shoes were atrocious. I’ll never go back to And One again.
So I went and bought a pair of Nike Shox. Heard lots of good things about them, especially for those with back problems. Nice pair. Fit well. Absorb impacts great.
But now the issue is that I can’t wear ankle braces! I have to wear my ankle braces. My ankles are like rags. Walking down the street, I can twist my ankle. And when I try to wear my Shox with the braces, the braces rub the side of my feet and I get blisters.
I don’t know what to do … I love the shoes … but I need my ankle support.
