Thank you, David Stern. Today, Stern put to bed the notion that a player could average over 20 points and 15 rebounds a game and not be an NBA All Star when he selected Kevin Love as his replacement for the injured Yao Ming.
Stern's decision to add Love to the NBA All Star game was the only logical one, especially for a guy who knows basketball like Stern. Barring injury, Kevin Love will be remembered with great rebounders like Dennis Rodman, Charles Barkley, and maybe even Elvin Hayes. He doesn't rely on athletic ability to grab boards. He finds another player, blocks him out with one arm and grabs the board with the other. His positioning is always so good, and he knows the angles so well, and he just flat out wants to grab every rebound. His 15.5 boards a game is in the all-time great range for anybody not named Wilt or Russell, and earlier this season, he had the first 30 point, 30 rebound game in 30 years.
In addition to his rebounding skills, the guy also shoots in the 40s(%) from three point range. There's been a lot of question if Love should be an All Star based on his team's dismal record, but now that's just a talking point. I just have a hard time believing people who know basketball think Aldridge should have got the nod over K Love. Aldridge has been excellent as well, especially since Roy has gone down, but Kevin Love has played at historic levels at times this season.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
NBA All Star Weekend Slam Dunk Preview
The NBA All Star Slam Dunk Contest presented by Sprite closes up NBA All Star Saturday Night on February 19. Here's the slam dunk contest roster and more.....
I preview the NBA Slam Dunk Contest Here
I preview the NBA Slam Dunk Contest Here
Friday, January 21, 2011
Fantasy Basketball Tips
I've got some fantasy basketball tips and rankings for the second half of this season at these web pages:
Top Shooting Guards
Top Small Forwards
Top Power Forwards
Top Centers
Check it out if you get a chance.
Top Shooting Guards
Top Small Forwards
Top Power Forwards
Top Centers
Check it out if you get a chance.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
NBA League Pass Free Preview Through Jan 23rd, 2011
NBA League Pass Free Preview Through Jan 23rd, 2011
NBA League Pass
If you don't already have NBA League Pass, don't miss out on the free hoops!
NBA League Pass
If you don't already have NBA League Pass, don't miss out on the free hoops!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Blog Update
The 2010-2011 Blog will be back over the next few weeks with sparse posts covering major NBA action. Otherwise, the Blog will be back in full force during All-Star weekend.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
More from Stern, Orlando vs Miami, John Wall's debut
David Stern: NBA Europe division in a decade
A recent AP report, also posted on ESPN.com, quoted David Stern (talking to business leaders over a luncheon), "And now what I'm saying is, 'It's inevitable, it'll happen in 10 years.' But in terms of globalization, we're going to see a desire for franchises in Europe -- and in about 10 years, you'll send me a postcard."
Stern envisions a 5 team division in Europe, where NBA teams will travel to and play against every team twice before returning back to the United States. Players would potentially get three days after travelling before playing their first game in Europe, and likely three days rest after returning to the States before resuming play.
Despite current talks of contraction, Stern remains confident the league will continue to prosper, and will continue to attract fanbases around the world. So what would an NBA Europe look like? The five host cities that come to my mind are Paris, London, Athens, Barcelona (or Madrid), and perhaps Rome or Berlin. If the teams played each current NBA team twice, they'd be left with 22 more games to play amongst eachother, or five to six games between each team. Instead, each team may make a US trip for 6 games, allowing each in the Euro division to play one another 4 times.
As an American based fan, prospect of a European expansion doesn't really concern me at all. Although, I like the idea of two at large bids for European teams for the NBA playoffs, reducing the number of current NBA teams in the playoffs to 14; something I think would make the regular season more competitive.
Orlando at Miami
In the first battle of Florida teams this season, Dwayne Wade and Lebron James teamed up to obliterate the Orlando Magic. The Heat won the game 96-70, behind 26 points from D-Wade and 15, 7 and 6 for LeBron. The Heat showed their defensive prowess, shutting out Dwight Howard in the second half and holding Orlando to 30% shooting from the field. The Magic shot only 17% from the 3 point line, and looked like a lottery bound team against the suffocating Heat.
Both teams will continue to improve as the season progresses. Orlando is certainly a playoff team, and may win a good number of games again. However, they are no threat to contend for an NBA title, and are probably a bit worse than a season ago. Miami is the real deal. Injuries will be the only way this team doesn't make the Finals. Boston will be right there with the Heat at the end of the season, and the teams will likely meet in the playoffs, but I just don't see the Celtics banging out another 100 game NBA Finals caliber season on all their miled legs. Especially against a talented team with a chip on their shoulder in Miami.
Rondo's boss
Speaking of the Celtics, Rajon Rondo recorded 24 assists in his first triple-double of the season. Rondo scored 10 and rebounded 10 to go along with his assists, leading the Celtics to a 105-101 victory over the Knicks in Boston. Rondo's elite play is the only reason the Celtics will remain a powerhouse this season. Even with Pierce, Garnett, Allen and Shaq, the team loses so much in terms of speed, athleticism, defense, and energy if Rondo misses any time. Like Magic took the reigns from Kareem, Worthy, Green and those guys, Rondo is taking over in Boston, a good thing for Celtics fans.
John runs into a Wall
John Wall was welcomed to the NBA a couple nights ago as his Washington Wizards were blown out by the Orlando Magic. Wall found himself getting knocked around most of the night, without the benefit of calls from the referee's. Wall finished the game with 14 points, 9 assists and 3 steals, but shot only 31% from the field. Wall displays great talent and ability and should contend with Blake Griffin for the league's Rookie of the Year award. Otherwise, this season's all about learning and losing for John Wall and his Washington Wizards.
A recent AP report, also posted on ESPN.com, quoted David Stern (talking to business leaders over a luncheon), "And now what I'm saying is, 'It's inevitable, it'll happen in 10 years.' But in terms of globalization, we're going to see a desire for franchises in Europe -- and in about 10 years, you'll send me a postcard."
Stern envisions a 5 team division in Europe, where NBA teams will travel to and play against every team twice before returning back to the United States. Players would potentially get three days after travelling before playing their first game in Europe, and likely three days rest after returning to the States before resuming play.
Despite current talks of contraction, Stern remains confident the league will continue to prosper, and will continue to attract fanbases around the world. So what would an NBA Europe look like? The five host cities that come to my mind are Paris, London, Athens, Barcelona (or Madrid), and perhaps Rome or Berlin. If the teams played each current NBA team twice, they'd be left with 22 more games to play amongst eachother, or five to six games between each team. Instead, each team may make a US trip for 6 games, allowing each in the Euro division to play one another 4 times.
As an American based fan, prospect of a European expansion doesn't really concern me at all. Although, I like the idea of two at large bids for European teams for the NBA playoffs, reducing the number of current NBA teams in the playoffs to 14; something I think would make the regular season more competitive.
Orlando at Miami
In the first battle of Florida teams this season, Dwayne Wade and Lebron James teamed up to obliterate the Orlando Magic. The Heat won the game 96-70, behind 26 points from D-Wade and 15, 7 and 6 for LeBron. The Heat showed their defensive prowess, shutting out Dwight Howard in the second half and holding Orlando to 30% shooting from the field. The Magic shot only 17% from the 3 point line, and looked like a lottery bound team against the suffocating Heat.
Both teams will continue to improve as the season progresses. Orlando is certainly a playoff team, and may win a good number of games again. However, they are no threat to contend for an NBA title, and are probably a bit worse than a season ago. Miami is the real deal. Injuries will be the only way this team doesn't make the Finals. Boston will be right there with the Heat at the end of the season, and the teams will likely meet in the playoffs, but I just don't see the Celtics banging out another 100 game NBA Finals caliber season on all their miled legs. Especially against a talented team with a chip on their shoulder in Miami.
Rondo's boss
Speaking of the Celtics, Rajon Rondo recorded 24 assists in his first triple-double of the season. Rondo scored 10 and rebounded 10 to go along with his assists, leading the Celtics to a 105-101 victory over the Knicks in Boston. Rondo's elite play is the only reason the Celtics will remain a powerhouse this season. Even with Pierce, Garnett, Allen and Shaq, the team loses so much in terms of speed, athleticism, defense, and energy if Rondo misses any time. Like Magic took the reigns from Kareem, Worthy, Green and those guys, Rondo is taking over in Boston, a good thing for Celtics fans.
John runs into a Wall
John Wall was welcomed to the NBA a couple nights ago as his Washington Wizards were blown out by the Orlando Magic. Wall found himself getting knocked around most of the night, without the benefit of calls from the referee's. Wall finished the game with 14 points, 9 assists and 3 steals, but shot only 31% from the field. Wall displays great talent and ability and should contend with Blake Griffin for the league's Rookie of the Year award. Otherwise, this season's all about learning and losing for John Wall and his Washington Wizards.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Stern's comments, among other thoughts
Stern on Cowherd
David Stern appeared via radio on the Colin Cowherd program on ESPN this morning. Stern commented on his stance that the current level of player salary is unsustainable, and at the same time somewhat defended player salary levels by saying, "Let the season begin and let's see him in earnest. I don't want to say anything bad about Darko...Judgements are made and that's why they play the season." of the uber-rich, not so talented Darko Milicic (17.6 mpg for his career), who signed a 4 year $20 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves faster than he'd sign a pre-nup this summer.
Stern also numbers the teams sharing a $300-$400 million loss at "more than half the league." Talk of contraction may turn into action; more likely Stern is trying to reign in losing owners overpaying for loser players on the one hand, while reigning in player salary levels on the other. I agree with Stern that player salary, as an aggregate, is too high. The minimum rookie salary this season is 473,604; and in the NBA's economic system (revenue-sharing, unionized, set minimum salary spending levels) it makes sense to me, as a fan, that these guys should earn just a bit more, but the highest paid stars, and even the class of players below them, should earn a good deal less.
The minimum amount of salary a team could spend on players this season is $43.533 million, the salary cap at $58.044 million, and the luxury tax threshold at $70.307 million. 11 teams were over the luxury tax line last season, the New York Knicks the only team on the list not to make a playoff appearnce. Now, Stern is even mulling the option of a hard salary cap in the model of the NHL system. The hard cap in the NHL led to less players and lower salaries. It also means owners won't take so many seven figure foolish risks on players.
A team spending $43 million could not compete in the NBA today, almost literally. In 2008-2009, the lowest spending team in the NBA was the Memphis Grizzlies, whose player salary expense totaled over $55 million, spanning a roster with 15 millionaires. Systems are out of whack, and Stern wants more control over the situation.
Sheepishly, Colin Cowherd spoke of Stern as a capitalist, himself as a capitalist and his audience as all capitalists when bringing up the issue of owners making suspect choices with millions of dollars. The truth is, the NBA economic system incorporates a good deal of control. The market is closed to begin with (teams cannot just open on their own accord), and also, the forementioned unions, minimum spending levels, revenue-sharing, luxury tax levels, player salary ranges, etc., are all functions of controlled economics.
Boston loses at Cleveland
The Boston Celtics lost a game to the Cleveland Cavaliers last night, one night after defeating the Miami Heat at home to kick off the NBA regular season...in front of the largest cable audience in the history of NBA regular season games. While the Cavs did look like a playoff contender against Boston for their home opener, the Celtics were due to have a let-down game after the Miami debut. It was also the second night of a back-to-back, and the Celtics are old. Kudos to the Cavs, I can see them starting the season well before falling to the middle of the pack.
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Free NBA League Pass preview now until November 2nd. Check it out!
David Stern appeared via radio on the Colin Cowherd program on ESPN this morning. Stern commented on his stance that the current level of player salary is unsustainable, and at the same time somewhat defended player salary levels by saying, "Let the season begin and let's see him in earnest. I don't want to say anything bad about Darko...Judgements are made and that's why they play the season." of the uber-rich, not so talented Darko Milicic (17.6 mpg for his career), who signed a 4 year $20 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves faster than he'd sign a pre-nup this summer.
Stern also numbers the teams sharing a $300-$400 million loss at "more than half the league." Talk of contraction may turn into action; more likely Stern is trying to reign in losing owners overpaying for loser players on the one hand, while reigning in player salary levels on the other. I agree with Stern that player salary, as an aggregate, is too high. The minimum rookie salary this season is 473,604; and in the NBA's economic system (revenue-sharing, unionized, set minimum salary spending levels) it makes sense to me, as a fan, that these guys should earn just a bit more, but the highest paid stars, and even the class of players below them, should earn a good deal less.
The minimum amount of salary a team could spend on players this season is $43.533 million, the salary cap at $58.044 million, and the luxury tax threshold at $70.307 million. 11 teams were over the luxury tax line last season, the New York Knicks the only team on the list not to make a playoff appearnce. Now, Stern is even mulling the option of a hard salary cap in the model of the NHL system. The hard cap in the NHL led to less players and lower salaries. It also means owners won't take so many seven figure foolish risks on players.
A team spending $43 million could not compete in the NBA today, almost literally. In 2008-2009, the lowest spending team in the NBA was the Memphis Grizzlies, whose player salary expense totaled over $55 million, spanning a roster with 15 millionaires. Systems are out of whack, and Stern wants more control over the situation.
Sheepishly, Colin Cowherd spoke of Stern as a capitalist, himself as a capitalist and his audience as all capitalists when bringing up the issue of owners making suspect choices with millions of dollars. The truth is, the NBA economic system incorporates a good deal of control. The market is closed to begin with (teams cannot just open on their own accord), and also, the forementioned unions, minimum spending levels, revenue-sharing, luxury tax levels, player salary ranges, etc., are all functions of controlled economics.
Boston loses at Cleveland
The Boston Celtics lost a game to the Cleveland Cavaliers last night, one night after defeating the Miami Heat at home to kick off the NBA regular season...in front of the largest cable audience in the history of NBA regular season games. While the Cavs did look like a playoff contender against Boston for their home opener, the Celtics were due to have a let-down game after the Miami debut. It was also the second night of a back-to-back, and the Celtics are old. Kudos to the Cavs, I can see them starting the season well before falling to the middle of the pack.
NBA League Pass Preview
Free NBA League Pass preview now until November 2nd. Check it out!
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