Lebron James Degrades Chicago Ballboy

April 27, 2010 – Dr. Browntorious

Lebron James had his game face on this past Sunday against the Bulls in Game 4 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. In fact he was wearing a serious scowl for most of the game. Normally jovial and seen joking with teammates Lebron did not want Chicago to get momentum after winning the previous game and work themselves back in the series. So he got focused, and angry. Mostly directed at Chicago players, but as evidenced from this video surfacing today, Lebron was also slightly angry at even Chicago’s poor little ball boy:

Bucks Mascot Must Be Drinking Tha Crazy Juice

April 27, 2010 – Dr. Dime

Did you guys see the Milwaukee Bucks mascot’s playoff stunt the other night? That dude is loco. Check it out:

Is Beasley Playing His Last Game With The Heat?

April 27, 2010 – Allen Moll

All across the Association virtually everyone would agree that Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat front office(meaning Pat Riley) have been mighty patient with the development of the #2 overall selection in the ’08 NBA Draft, Michael Beasley. Even though the Heat managed to hang on for a pride saving victory in Game 4 of their playoff series against the favored Boston Celtics, odds are they won’t make it out of the first round, and the roster is destined for a detonation of massive proportions. When the dust clears, could Michael Beasley be on the outside looking in?

After playing like an absolute stud in the collegiate ranks in his lone season for the Kansas State Wildcats, where he averaged 26.2 ppg and 12.4 rebounds per game, one could argue that Beasley has disappointed with offensive production like 13.9 and 14.8 ppg in his first two seasons, even though he was named to the NBA All Rookie 1st Team last season. In fact, before the NBA Draft lottery determined which order teams would be selecting in the ’08 draft, a few teams even considered taking Beasley #1 over the eventual top selection, Derrick Rose of Memphis. But while Rose has enjoyed personal success(’09 Rookie of the Year and ’10 All Star Selection), that hasn’t been seen in Chicago since the legendary Michael Jordan’s early years. Beasley has endured constant criticism over a lack of devotion to defense, a stint in rehab for substance abuse, and a steep learning curve when it comes to maturity.

As a prime example of his ineffectiveness, look no further than his rather mediocre performance in this year’s playoffs: 12.5 ppg, 6.5 rebs, and 0 blocks, which are not exactly the numbers one would expect as a former #2 pick and the heir apparent to play the role as Robin to D. Wade’s Batman. To be fair, Beasley is still only 21 year old, and some players have a steeper learning curve than others, but it appears that the Heat have been fed up with the 2nd year player’s lack of production for some time since they tried hard to deal him before the February trade deadline, but couldn’t get equal value in return.

But with free agency looming this Summer and the Heat frantically trying to free up as much cap space as possible to surround Wade with a better supporting cast in hopes of resigning their superstar, the Heat seem likely to accept less than equal value in exchange for Beasley. They would need to trade Beasley’s nearly $5 million contract for another player with only a partial guarantee for ’10-’11, to be able to sign 2 high profile free agents from a pool of players like Amare Stoudemire, Lebron James, and Chris Bosh. So as part of the master plan, the Heat not only want to bring back Wade prior to July 1st, but plan on surrounding the NBA’s hardest working superstar with not one, but two stud teammates.

So if the situation exists to make a deal prior to the draft, look for Pat Riley to do virtually anything to appease Dwyane Wade and keep “Flash” in South Beach.

Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckblog.com, and his own site, Hoops Haven.

Please Welcome Derrick Rose to the “Best PG in the league” Discussion

April 26, 2010 – Kevin Burke

Depending on who you talk to, the players in the “best Point Guard in the league” discussion varies. Regardless of who’s on your list, Derrick Rose now belongs in this category. I just officially put him there. Prior to the 2005 draft, guys like Jason Kidd, Steve Nash and Chauncey Billups were on everybody’s list. Since 2005, Chris Paul and Deron Williams seem to have propelled themselves atop this list. It happened rather quickly too. Before you knew it, those two guys were all you heard. Well, they need to make room for D-Rose.

In only his second season, the former Rookie of the Year was voted by the coaches to the All-Star Game. That is the ultimate respect for a young player. That’s more impressive than if the fans vote you because that means that you have respect around the league and that you are noticed. In his sophomore campaign, Rose averaged just under 21 points a night and 6 assists. I bring up Rose’s second season stats because Chris Paul and Deron Williams were put into this discussion after their second seasons. Let’s take a look at the number, shall we. In their second season:

Chris Paul: 17.3ppg 8.9apg 4.4rpg

Deron Williams: 16.2ppg 9.3apg 3.3rpg

Derrick Rose: 20.8ppg 6.0apg 3.8rpg

Yes, I realize that Rose’s assists are off the pace of Paul and Williams, but Chris and Deron played on better teams than Rose in their second season. I largely attribute it to that (but yes, I do acknowledge the fact that they’re each better passers than Rose today). In this year’s playoffs so far, Rose is averaging 27 and 8 and has really asserted himself as the leader of a young Bulls team.

I was amazed at how Paul and Williams were so quickly annointed as the best PGs in the league. You could make the argument that it was premature, although they have both since proved that they are worthy of that distinction. Of the two, Paul has largely been considered #1 and Williams #2. The part I find funny now is the fact that since Paul spent a good portion of the season in street clothes, the general consensus is that Williams is now better than him. I find that laughable. Everyone is so caught up in the moment. It’s not as if Paul got worse. So why is Williams all of a sudden considered better? Because we saw more of him this year? Sorry, I digress.

Rose absolutely needs to be in the discussion because he can get into the teeth of the defense like nobody’s business. That’s on the break as well as in the half court set. If he can develop a consistent jumpshot, he’ll be unguardable (more so than he already is). Granted, he is a career 48% FG shooter but that’s helped by the fact that he finishes around the basket alot. He’s deceptively strong and can jump out of the gym. Just ask Goran Gragic (I’m still trying to figure out what compelled him to jump with Rose. This was definitely the dunk of the year in my opinion)

I’m not saying he is the best PG, because I don’t believe that to be the case yet, but he’s no doubt officially a part of the discussion now.

If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe too for free on iTunes.

Is this The High School Dunk Of The Year?

April 26, 2010 – Allen Moll

Is it just me, or are high school aged ball players seemingly getting more athletic every year? While some pundits would argue that the game’s younger generation focus more on how high they can jump rather than how many jump-shots they can drain, it definitely makes the high school and college game more exciting. This season the Hoopdoctors.com has shown you a number of noteworthy high flying, rim rattling dunks that had to have made you simply say……..wow!

Earlier this season, we’ve shown you the video footage of junior Deuce Bello pulling off an incredible between the legs eastbay dunk during live game action, as well as Kansas bound, Josh Selby’s amazing array of dunks to win the dunk contest at this year’s McDonalds All American Game. And who could forget the high school ranks’ most athletic high riser, CJ Leslie, whom we featured recently, when we showed you his ’09-’10 season dunk mix.

But Trey Sparks, of Hillcrest HS in Springfield, Missouri, may have just blown all of these other players out of the water when he jumped completely over a 6’6 defender on his way to scoring 22 points and helping his squad win a state championship for the first time since 1984. His pogo-stick leaping ability is bound to draw comparisons to Vince Carter leaping over a 7 foot Frenchman in the 2000 Olympics. The amazing thing about it is that this isn’t the first time he has jumped over a defending player.

Kenny Smith Slaps Charles Barkley on the Forehead [Video]

April 26, 2010 – Allen Moll

Seemingly on a nightly basis during the NBA Playoffs, the TNT announcing crew has been poking fun of Charles Barkley. It has gotten so bad lately that the Hall of Famer has even resorted to using some obscene hand gestures and straight up calling his announcing contemporaries as*holes, live on air, in an attempt to fight back.

But their playful give and take of exchanging insults swung in Kenny Smith’s favor when the former NBA veteran surprised Chuck by getting him to attempt to complete a brain-teaser, live during the telecast. While Barkley succeeded the first time when it was easy, he got a shock once asked to complete the puzzle the second time with his eyes closed, as Kenny pulled one of the oldest tricks in the book on his long-time pal………….a slap to the forehead.

Come on Charles, you’re smarter than that. Aren’t you?

TNT’s Kenny Smith tries a brain teaser on Charles Barkley 4.20.10 from Turner Sports on Vimeo.

Sneak Peak At New Gatorade Spot Airing Tonight

April 23, 2010 – The Hoop Doctors

Remember when we used to play basketball with peach baskets? No? Good, us either. But it happened. Trust us, it really did. The game of hoops has come a long way since having to climb a ladder to fish the ball out of a peach basket. Just the simple change of putting a small hole in the bottom of the basket to enable players to poke the ball out using a broomstick without having to climb a ladder was a big evolution at that particular time.

In the same manner that each individual sport has evolved from its humble beginnings into the complex games we know and love today, Gatorade wants people to recognize their evolution as well. Remember when people used to drink water to rehydrate themselves while playing sports? Neither do we. Our love for Gatorade grew with our love for the game, and specifically influenced by the GOAT, Michael Jordan. Check out this new Gatorade spot that is airing for the first time tonight, giving you a glimpse of the evolution of sport, and where they fit into it all….(plus it has some throwback video of the GOAT, so how can you go wrong):

NY Knicks Worst Plays Of The Year [Video]

April 23, 2010 – Allen Moll

Usually after the NBA regular season is over we see an influx of every teams’ best plays during the season. For example, we recently showed you the Top Ten Amare Facial Dunks and the Top Ten “You Got Dunked On” Plays of the year. But when it comes to the NY Knicks, after not making the playoffs since 2004, and not having a winning season since current ESPN analyst Marc Jackson was still on the roster(2001), there hasn’t been much to get excited about the Knicks in recent seasons. In fact, before the ’09-’10 season even began, we characterized the state of their franchise as an Empire State Disaster. Now they can finally look forward to this Summer’s free agent frenzy, where they will attempt to lure Lebron to “The City that Never Sleeps.”

So when it comes to taking a look back at another disappointing season for the Knickerbockers, it seems only right that we’ve found a video showcasing some of New York’s worst plays of the year, rather than the good ones, because lord knows there have been way too many of them to fit on just one video. If you are a Knicks fan you may want to hide your eyes or look away, unless you’re some sort of masochist or are a glutton for punishment. My personal favorites are Nate Robinson’s shot into the wrong basket, David Lee’s jumping around like a spaz and imitating Bargnani, after dunking on Toronto, and Al Harrington’s multiple out of control, missed lay-ups that barely hit the backboard.

Watch and enjoy (cringe):

Just in case we’ve been too harsh, here is a link to see the NY Knicks Top Plays of the Year.

Thanks: TheKnicksBlog.com(http://www.theknicksblog.com/)

NCAA Tourney Will Expand To 68 Teams In 2011

April 23, 2010 – Allen Moll

In a landmark deal which was marked by a ton of speculation and criticism by coaches, fans, and bloggers all across the web, the NCAA has once again struck a deal with CBS, along with Turner Broadcasting, for broadcast rights for the 2011 NCAA Tournament. In turn, the tournament committee agreed to add 3 more teams to the current 65 team field, which has existed since the 2001 season. A 68 team field is much more slim-lined than the original 80 or 96 team models that were being discussed during this year’s Final Four.

With games to be broadcast across 4 channels, CBS, TNT, TBS, and TruTV, starting in 2011, fans will now have their choice of being able to view any and every game in the tourney for the first time in it’s 73 year history. This is a marked contrast to being forced to watch whichever game CBS decided to telecast, depending on your viewing area. This follows what CBS has done for the past 2 years by streaming every game live online at CBSSports.com. Games in the first two rounds will be broadcast across all four channels, with CBS retaining coverage of Regional Finals, the Final Four, and Championship Game.

Beginning in 2016, the later rounds will be alternated between the two networks, which may cause a bit of controversy since not everyone has cable television. Many fans are already wondering why the best post-season playoff system will be shifting away from basic television. Also, fans may be less than thrilled with listening to TNT or TBS broadcasters call games, which is something they haven’t done all season. We all know what a disaster watching the MLB Playoffs on TBS was last year.

The NCAA’s deal with CBS and Atlanta based, Turner Broadcasting System runs through 2024. Much had been made of the tourney’s possible move to ESPN, which covers 90% of NCAA Basketball during the regular season and conference tournaments, but in the end, the sporting giant came up a bit short in their final bid to secure the rights to March Madness. This is the statement made by ESPN on their website:

“We made an aggressive bid and believe our combination of TV distribution, digital capabilities, season-long coverage and year-round marketing would have served the interests of the NCAA and college fans very well.”

Unfortunately in the end it came down to dollars and cents, and ESPN came up a tad short. Here’s a quote from a TBS executive which sums up their excitement about securing rights to the NCAA Tourney:

“This is a landmark deal for Turner Broadcasting and we’re extremely pleased to begin a long-term relationship with the NCAA and our partners at CBS and to have a commitment that extends well into the next decade.”

Full details of the deal are not yet available but here is some of the stipulations concerning adding the additional 3 teams to the field:

In keeping in the mold of the current play-in game format, each region will now have their very own play-in game as well. The winner of each of the four elimination games has the lucky reward of having to play the #1 seed in each region.

Rumors are that the longer 80 or 96 team format that most coaches favored was scrapped over concerns about the student/athletes missing too much time away from the classroom. What a joke. They should just admit that this scenario makes the most sense financially for the universities, which stand to divide an estimated $740 million from TV revenue with the new deal in place.

Duke now has the distinction of being the last NCAA champion in the now defunct 65 team format. Let us know your opinion. does the new format work or would the larger 96 team field work better?

Coleman Wins Dunk Contest Off Soccer Kick Pass Alley-oop

April 22, 2010 – Dr. J-Water

Just when you think you’ve seen it all in dunk contests, something like this comes along. Check out this replay of 6’4 Louisville bound Justin Coleman reversing his way to a slam dunk title at the Kentucky Derby Classic Allstar Game last weekend. Not only is the pass phenomenal and totally innovative, but the dunk is insane too. Put the video on pause about a second before he dunks it. It’s amazing how far away from the hoop he is on this reverse and somehow keeps sight of the hoop for the flush.

If the Phoenix Suns ever get Amare or some other player back in the NBA dunk contest, I bet the Soccer loving Steve Nash will be dying to partner up with them to throw one of these reverse kick alley-oop passes: