Archive for the 'Rants' Category

No Dunk Shots for LeBron

Published
by
NoYork
on January 19, 2010
in Rants
. 0 Comments
I can shoot lay ups and no one cares. Its all about dunk shots!

I can shoot lay ups and no one cares. It's all about dunk shots!

LeBron James has decided not to participate in the 2010 NBA Dunk Contest. Don’t forget what he said during last years contest, “LeBron James is saying that in 2010, in Dallas stadium, primarily I’m putting my name in the dunk contest.” That was a statement, with the exception of primarily, that made many a fan jump up and celebrate. LeBron is going to face off against Dwight Howard right?

Unfortunately that won’t happen this year as LeBron and Howard have taken their names out of the contest. But, don’t fret the NBA is doing something to make up for the absence of this marquee match up. That’s right, on Friday night during halftime of the rookie vs sophomore game Eric Gordon will be facing off with DeMar DeRozan for a dunk off!

Can’t you just feel the excitement in the air? Eric Gordon who rarely has a good dunk is facing off against a guy who is one of the favorites to win the contest, wonder what’s going to happen? I predict that it will be DeRozan who will face off against Nate (I’m going to miss more than half my dunk attempts) Robinson, Shannon (My hand is bigger than your entire arm) Brown, and Gerald (I’m more of a game dunker than a dunk contest guy) Wallace for one of the worst dunk contests in recent history.

Even if this contest turns out to be something special, I will only be able to think about what could have been if LeBron kept his word. And when the camera shows reaction shots of the crowd LeBron will be there smiling, and HE BETTER KEEP HIS MOUTH CLOSED this time.

Last year he got everyone’s hopes up, only to shatter them and leave us with Nate Robinson. It’s like thinking you’re going to prom with the head cheerleader and finding yourself in your rented limo with the artsy girl who refuses to wear shorts to gym class. LeBron’s choice to declare his “primary” entry into the dunk contest was so exciting it caused Reggie Miller to belt out this gem, “We got Obama as president, we finally got LeBron James in the dunk contest.”

I’d like to close this post with a story from last season. During a blowout game in Oklahoma City LeBron got a steal and had a wide open breakaway. He trotted down court and took off from somewhere between the foul line and the rim. He turned the ball over to finger roll it, then at the last second (in mid-air), he thought better of his decision and dunked the ball home with one hand. When asked what happened on the play he said he didn’t want to disappoint the fans that came to see him play by laying the ball up.

At the last second you did the right thing against Oklahoma City. I’m asking for the same courtesy next year. Don’t tell anyone you’re entering LeBron, just tell the NBA. Surprise everyone and compete in the 2011 Dunk Contest. You have a chance to fix this years horrendous finger roll with an amazing dunk shot. 2011 will be The Year of the King…

Death to the Dribbling

Published
by
NoYork
on January 9, 2010
in Rants
. 0 Comments
Are those rows the reason hes growing his hair out?

Are those rows the reason he's growing his hair out?

LeBron James has been dribbling basketballs for a long time now, I’m thinking 24 years or so. This is a good thing. When LeBron dribbles the basketball for 23 seconds then takes an off balance shot, that’s a bad thing. If you haven’t noticed it’s happening more often than ever this season.

It baffles me how LeBron knows the key to basketball is playing a team game. He’s one of the most unselfish stars the league has ever seen. LeBron is obviously a smart player, we always hear coaches and teammates rave about his knowledge of the game don’t we? So why does LeBron ignore the keys to basketball at the end of games?

It’s true that we want LeBron to take the last shot, we know he’s one of the best players in the league. The entire gym knows he’s going to take the last shot, but why can’t we pass the rock until the game clock winds down. Instead LeBron and the Cavaliers let the entire defense key on LeBron as he dribbles the clock down to five or six seconds.

Mike Brown is a defensive coach, so it stands to reason that he should know this play is easy for other teams to defend. Are coaches and players afraid to tell LeBron that this strategy is not the best idea? If that’s the reason that LeBron keeps dribbling, I will step up and be the bad guy.

LEBRON QUIT DRIBBLING AT THE END OF GAMES, IT’S NOT WORKING!!!

Things LeBron has done or said lately…

Published
by
NoYork
on December 11, 2009
in Rants
. 0 Comments
Joakim can you judge our dance contest?

"Joakim can you judge our dance contest?"

There’s been a couple of instances lately where LeBron has done or said something semi-controversial. Here’s my take on these instances…

Dancing in front of Joakim Noah…
I don’t think LeBron’s dance was aimed at Noah or The Bulls. I understand that Noah was frustrated but he overreacted. Besides Noah spent his career at Florida dancing around like a loon. In my mind he will always be a fake Andy Varejao.

Women won’t be in the NBA in 10 years…
I agree with this one completely. A great example is Lisa Leslie who had an outstanding career in the WNBA. Leslie is 6′5″ and weighs 170 pounds. At this height and weight she would be a guard in the NBA (she was a center in the WNBA). I don’t see any way she could guard an NBA wing. The NBA player could post her up because of her light weight or drive around her for an easy lay up due to her lack of speed on the wing. There is no way a female will play in the NBA in the next ten years.

Calling out Coach Brown for the Z fiasco…
Once again LeBron showed his loyalty to his teammates by calling out Coach Brown for not playing Z on his record breaking night. LeBron suggested starting Z and taking him out after a few minutes on the court. LeBron went on to say, “It’s a sensitive subject. I’m not one to raise havoc or raise fire into the locker room or our team. But, for me, I speak the truth. I stand behind Z and I feel like Z not playing wasn’t the right thing. As a friend of his, I was very upset, and I know he was also.” Well said LeBron and thanks for seeing what Coach Brown lost sight of, which brings us to my next point.

LeBron could coach in the NBA right now…
Those are Shaq’s words describing LeBron’s basketball IQ. Shaq has played for Phil Jackson and Pat Riley, so he’s been around some great coaches. Let’s just say for instance LeBron pulled a Bill Russell and started coaching the Cavs while he was still playing. Would he be able to draw up the genius play where he dribbles the clock down to 5 seconds and takes a fade away three at the end of the game? Yes. Would he be able to teach players and help them develop, but still be able to step up and scold them when they were out of line? Yes, he does this already. BUT the ultimate question, could LeBron be a good enough coach to keep himself in Cleveland?

My Letter to Jason Whitlock

Published
by
NoYork
on November 19, 2009
in Rants
. 0 Comments
Just zip it kid Jason Whitlock to LeBron James

"Just zip it kid" Jason Whitlock to LeBron James

Jason Whitlock wrote an article about LeBron that rubbed me the wrong way. I’ve decided to refute some of Jason’s views on LeBron. I invite you to do the same. Below is my letter to Jason…

Dear Jason,

Your LeBron article was totally off base in my opinion. Let’s start from the top, we all know that LeBron won’t be playing football any time soon. BUT it’s totally plausible that LeBron could be an NFL player. He was an all state wide receiever in high school and his body is very similar to that of an NFL tight end. He’s probably faster than most tight ends and there’s no doubt that he can perform under pressure. He was heavily recruited as wide receiver in high school as well. I guess the scouts who assess players for a living don’t know as much as you.

Second, saying that no one is like Magic and Bird in an article about LeBron is idiotic. LeBron is very similar to Magic Johnson in size and skill set. His passing skills mirror Magic exactly. His willingness to pass to open teammates is rarely seen in an NBA superstar, especially a player as young as LeBron. He is simply not a me first player. I think he needs to be more like Michael to win with his current team. But somehow you mistakenly see him as a Michael Jordan type, you’re WRONG! He’s been a team player since I first started watching him as a high school sophomore (and not on TV, I saw him play many times in person). Kobe is similar to Michael and LeBron is similar to Magic. The difference between Jordan and the rest of the world is that he would have killed his own children to win. LeBron doesn’t have that type of competitiveness in him, yet. I hope he develops that killer instinct, but who knows? Comparing LeBron to Michael and saying no one is like Magic Johnson in the same breath is laughable.

Third, the Jordan jersey retirement is something LeBron said after playing in front of Michael in Miami. He was just excited to have Jordan in the stands and in an attempt to honor the players of the past he said something rash. But to say that LeBron has little depth is wrong. In numerous interviews LeBron has shown that he’s a student of the game and respects the greats that have come before him. For the record I don’t think LeBron will end up changing his number.

Fourth, Dwight Howard? Did you really compare Dwight Howard to Bill Russell? Dwight Howard will never reach his full potential because he has no heart. He whines all over the court and he acts like everything is a joke. He’s a child in a man’s body. His potential has clouded the judgement of many a sports writer, including you. Dwight Howard should be compared to Amare Stoudemire in the sense that they are both freakishly athletic. But he seems to be more interested in arguing with referees than playing basketball. There’s no doubt that Howard is a freak of nature, but he’s far from a great BASKETBALL player. Dwight Howard doesn’t even have a go to post move. He has disappeared in playoff games and complained about his lack of touches in post game press conferences. He’s being coached by a Van Gundy which stints his growth almost as much as having Vince Carter as a teammate. Comparing Bill Russell to Dwight Howard is nothing short of insane.

This article was absolutely ridiculous. How can LeBron not remind you of Magic? How in the name of all things holy can Dwight Howard remind you of Bill Russell? How can you deny that LeBron has the physical and athletic gifts to play in the NFL?

Thanks for your time,

Ty Kish