Showing posts with label basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label basketball. Show all posts
The Mamba Teabag
Ironically, if you asked me what were Kobe's most mesmerizing dunks, I'd give you the Nash and Howard dunks because he absolutely teabagged them. Kevin Durant and Lebron James can dunk, but I don't ever recall them dunking on people the way that Vince Carter, Kobe, and Blake Griffin did. And now, Nash and Howard are his team mates. By this logic, I hope Kobe dunks on all of TEAM USA at practice.
Another strategy to counter set defenses
Yesterday's post showed how the Laker's Triangle had off-ball screens and swinging the ball to opposite sides in order to disrupt the defense. Then when someone is open, they take a shot. That's when it's successful, sometimes the shot clock winds down and Kobe has to put up a bad shot.
Compare this to the Knicks this year, they post up Carmelo against a set defense. Amare doesn't help here because he's a fast paced player, not a post up player. This brings me to the point of this post:
The other way to counter set defense is to shoot the ball before the defense can set up. This is what the Denver Nuggets are doing to the Lakers. But the best team to ever to do this is the Suns from 2006-2010.
They were fast because they were playing out of position:
Center- Amare Stoudemire (a natural PF)
Power Forward- Shawn Marion (a natural SF)
Small Forward- Raja Bell (a natural SG)
Shooting Guard- Leandro Barbosa (a natural PG)
Point Guard - Steve Nash (a white guys shouldn't be this good)
All of these guys outside of Amare could shoot threes very well
Note: Fast paced offense is called full-court offense, whereas slow paced like the Lakers is called half-court offense.
As you know, a team has eight seconds to cross the half court line. Therefore teams were usually prepared to set up their defense within eight seconds. That's why Coach D'Antoni wanted the Suns to shoot in seven seconds or less (they are called the SSOL Suns).
This team will be the most fun team ever in the history of the NBA. Unfortunately that small size also meant that their defense sucked. But they were so good at scoring that they routinely went deep into the playoffs. Check out this crazy clip:
Compare this to the Knicks this year, they post up Carmelo against a set defense. Amare doesn't help here because he's a fast paced player, not a post up player. This brings me to the point of this post:
The other way to counter set defense is to shoot the ball before the defense can set up. This is what the Denver Nuggets are doing to the Lakers. But the best team to ever to do this is the Suns from 2006-2010.
They were fast because they were playing out of position:
Center- Amare Stoudemire (a natural PF)
Power Forward- Shawn Marion (a natural SF)
Small Forward- Raja Bell (a natural SG)
Shooting Guard- Leandro Barbosa (a natural PG)
Point Guard - Steve Nash (a white guys shouldn't be this good)
All of these guys outside of Amare could shoot threes very well
Note: Fast paced offense is called full-court offense, whereas slow paced like the Lakers is called half-court offense.
As you know, a team has eight seconds to cross the half court line. Therefore teams were usually prepared to set up their defense within eight seconds. That's why Coach D'Antoni wanted the Suns to shoot in seven seconds or less (they are called the SSOL Suns).
This team will be the most fun team ever in the history of the NBA. Unfortunately that small size also meant that their defense sucked. But they were so good at scoring that they routinely went deep into the playoffs. Check out this crazy clip:
ball movement
First off, something new: I was doubled teamed for the first time in life tonight at the 24. It wasn't even in the post, it was like 15 feet away. I had a little streak of 3 shots in a row, and as you know from NBA Jam: He's On Fire! lol.
Anyway, I saw the last quarter of the Clippers-Grizzlies game at the gym, and I have to say the Clip's crunch time offense is pretty stale. They give Chris Paul the ball, give him screen or two, and hope he makes a shot or drives and kicks to the open man. The problem is that the other 4 Clippers just stand in place, it makes it hard for CP to find anyone. CP made crazy shots in game 4, but Grizzlies adapted for it in game 5, so Clippers offense was stagnant in the 4th quarter.
Lakers commentary: Steve Blake and Matt Barnes need to hit half of their open shots, or else Lakers lose the series. Bynum and Gasol get outhustled by McGee and Fareed. Dear God, they will go up against Perkins and Ibaka next. That's like McGee and Fareed on steroids!
The Lakers offense right now isn't terrible, but it's not great either. The isolation calls for Kobe and Bynum result in the other four Lakers standing still. I really miss the Triangle offense. While never completely understanding it's mechanics, I understand that its a system that tells players where to go based on where the ball is, where they are on the floor, and where the defense is. This results in two things: tons of options for any play based on what the defense gives them, and it forces role players to be active in moving around, instead of relying on a superstar. By the way, it's called the Triangle because three people set up so that any of them can pass to the other, resulting in post-up, a three pointer, or a cut to the basket. For example, the Fisher-Kobe-Gasol triangle was very efficient. But not as deadly as the Kobe-Glen Rice-Shaq triangle. HAX!
Check out this video from the 2010 Finals. Don't look at the player with the ball, just look at all five Laker jerseys and see their movement. Not only is there great ball movement, it was made possible by how there are off-ball screens and cuts. Beautiful basketball. The Knicks are trying to sign Phil Jackson for next season. This is exactly what Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, and JR Smith need.
Anyway, I saw the last quarter of the Clippers-Grizzlies game at the gym, and I have to say the Clip's crunch time offense is pretty stale. They give Chris Paul the ball, give him screen or two, and hope he makes a shot or drives and kicks to the open man. The problem is that the other 4 Clippers just stand in place, it makes it hard for CP to find anyone. CP made crazy shots in game 4, but Grizzlies adapted for it in game 5, so Clippers offense was stagnant in the 4th quarter.
Lakers commentary: Steve Blake and Matt Barnes need to hit half of their open shots, or else Lakers lose the series. Bynum and Gasol get outhustled by McGee and Fareed. Dear God, they will go up against Perkins and Ibaka next. That's like McGee and Fareed on steroids!
The Lakers offense right now isn't terrible, but it's not great either. The isolation calls for Kobe and Bynum result in the other four Lakers standing still. I really miss the Triangle offense. While never completely understanding it's mechanics, I understand that its a system that tells players where to go based on where the ball is, where they are on the floor, and where the defense is. This results in two things: tons of options for any play based on what the defense gives them, and it forces role players to be active in moving around, instead of relying on a superstar. By the way, it's called the Triangle because three people set up so that any of them can pass to the other, resulting in post-up, a three pointer, or a cut to the basket. For example, the Fisher-Kobe-Gasol triangle was very efficient. But not as deadly as the Kobe-Glen Rice-Shaq triangle. HAX!
Check out this video from the 2010 Finals. Don't look at the player with the ball, just look at all five Laker jerseys and see their movement. Not only is there great ball movement, it was made possible by how there are off-ball screens and cuts. Beautiful basketball. The Knicks are trying to sign Phil Jackson for next season. This is exactly what Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, and JR Smith need.
Basketball: a reference for real life
I was reading some articles on ESPN last night, and today marks the 10th year anniversary of Allen Iverson's "practice" speech in front of the media. Here are some famous parts:
Reporter: "So you and coach Brown got caught up on Saturday about practice?"
Iverson: "If I can't practice, I can't practice. It is as simple as that. It ain't about that at all. It's easy to sum it up if you're just talking about practice. We're sitting here, and I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we're talking about practice. I mean listen, we're sitting here talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, but we're talking about practice. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game last it's my last but we're talking about practice man. How silly is that?
Now I know that I'm supposed to lead by example and all that but I'm not shoving that aside like it don't mean anything. I know it's important, I honestly do but we're talking about practice. We're talking about practice man. (laughter from the media crowd) We're talking about practice. We're talking about practice. We're not talking about the game. We're talking about practice. When you come to the arena, and you see me play, you've seen me play right, you've seen me give everything I've got, but we're talking about practice right now. (more laughter)
Reporter: "But it's an issue that your coach continues to raise?"
Iverson: "Hey I hear you, it's funny to me to, hey it's strange to me too but we're talking about practice man, we're not even talking about the game, when it actually matters, we're talking about practice."
Reporter: "Is it possible that if you practiced, not you but you would make your teammates better?"
Iverson: "How in the hell can I make my teammates better by practicing?
Reporter: "So they can be used to playing with you."
Iverson: "They should be used to playing with me. Those are my teammates. So my game is going to deteriorate because I'm not practicing with my teammates? Is my game is going to get worse? I'm asking you, is my game going to get worse? So what about my game? Is my game going to get better because other players are hurt on my team, I mean, do that hurt me? Do you think that hurts me? I'm being honest, people are hurt on my team but do that hurt me? Does that hurt me when I go out there and play 48 minutes, does that hurt me as a player? Does that hurt me if this person is hurt or that person is hurt? Do it hurt me?
Reporter: "You don't need it as much as they do."
Iverson: "What do you mean by I don't need it as much?"
Reporter: "Because you're the superstar"
Iverson: "What do you mean I'm the superstar?"
Reporter: "Because you're better than they are. One of the best in the NBA."
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Reporter: "May I respond to that?"
Iverson: "Yeah"
Reporter: "There are people that have suggested, myself included, that instead of shooting 40 percent, you...
Iverson: "What do you know about basketball? Have you ever played?"
Reporter: "Yes"
Iverson: "I don't know Phil, I don't know you as a basketball player. I know you as a columnist but I have never heard of you as a player though.
Reporter: "Why is that an issue?"
Iverson: "Why is that an issue? Because we're talking about basketball."
Reporter: "Let me ask my question."
Iverson: "Go ahead, Phillip."
Reporter: "Supposed you shot 44 percent..."
Iverson: "I don't know about that. That is in God's hands. I do not know if that will help me or not. That's God. God does that, It ain't up to you to say if Allen Iverson does this then he'll do that. That's up to God. It ain't up to anyone in here. That is up to God. He handles that.
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Iverson thinks that practice is for increasing individual skill only, so he thinks he doesn't need it, because he already gives 100% out on the real games. Because you know, basketball isn't a team sport. Also, his low field goal percentage is something he can't control, from deduction, he is saying that he shoots the ball and God determines if it goes in.
I don't even blame ballhogs anymore, most of the time they don't know that what they are doing is inefficient. I actually think it's a bit unfair for coaches and broadcasters to say that teamwork and passing to the open man is the "right way to play". It's unfair for the ballhogs with tremendous talents. So let's just say that the "right way" is the one that leads to the most win probability. Teams with high assists ratios have higher field goal percentages. That usually leads to better chances of winning. But ballhogs refuse to look at the numbers and see what they're doing is inefficient.
How does this relate to real life? I respect people for giving it 100% effort, even when they do something wrong or short sighted. Unfortunately, it's bad when they don't see mistakes. Worse it's when they refuse to admit mistakes to themselves. The famous quote goes something like this: "When you start to think you know it all, you stop learning." And when we stop learning, GG.
Moral of Iverson's career: stay humble and keep learning.
Reporter: "So you and coach Brown got caught up on Saturday about practice?"
Iverson: "If I can't practice, I can't practice. It is as simple as that. It ain't about that at all. It's easy to sum it up if you're just talking about practice. We're sitting here, and I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we're talking about practice. I mean listen, we're sitting here talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, but we're talking about practice. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game last it's my last but we're talking about practice man. How silly is that?
Now I know that I'm supposed to lead by example and all that but I'm not shoving that aside like it don't mean anything. I know it's important, I honestly do but we're talking about practice. We're talking about practice man. (laughter from the media crowd) We're talking about practice. We're talking about practice. We're not talking about the game. We're talking about practice. When you come to the arena, and you see me play, you've seen me play right, you've seen me give everything I've got, but we're talking about practice right now. (more laughter)
Reporter: "But it's an issue that your coach continues to raise?"
Iverson: "Hey I hear you, it's funny to me to, hey it's strange to me too but we're talking about practice man, we're not even talking about the game, when it actually matters, we're talking about practice."
Reporter: "Is it possible that if you practiced, not you but you would make your teammates better?"
Iverson: "How in the hell can I make my teammates better by practicing?
Reporter: "So they can be used to playing with you."
Iverson: "They should be used to playing with me. Those are my teammates. So my game is going to deteriorate because I'm not practicing with my teammates? Is my game is going to get worse? I'm asking you, is my game going to get worse? So what about my game? Is my game going to get better because other players are hurt on my team, I mean, do that hurt me? Do you think that hurts me? I'm being honest, people are hurt on my team but do that hurt me? Does that hurt me when I go out there and play 48 minutes, does that hurt me as a player? Does that hurt me if this person is hurt or that person is hurt? Do it hurt me?
Reporter: "You don't need it as much as they do."
Iverson: "What do you mean by I don't need it as much?"
Reporter: "Because you're the superstar"
Iverson: "What do you mean I'm the superstar?"
Reporter: "Because you're better than they are. One of the best in the NBA."
---------------------------------------------
Reporter: "May I respond to that?"
Iverson: "Yeah"
Reporter: "There are people that have suggested, myself included, that instead of shooting 40 percent, you...
Iverson: "What do you know about basketball? Have you ever played?"
Reporter: "Yes"
Iverson: "I don't know Phil, I don't know you as a basketball player. I know you as a columnist but I have never heard of you as a player though.
Reporter: "Why is that an issue?"
Iverson: "Why is that an issue? Because we're talking about basketball."
Reporter: "Let me ask my question."
Iverson: "Go ahead, Phillip."
Reporter: "Supposed you shot 44 percent..."
Iverson: "I don't know about that. That is in God's hands. I do not know if that will help me or not. That's God. God does that, It ain't up to you to say if Allen Iverson does this then he'll do that. That's up to God. It ain't up to anyone in here. That is up to God. He handles that.
-----------------------------------------
Iverson thinks that practice is for increasing individual skill only, so he thinks he doesn't need it, because he already gives 100% out on the real games. Because you know, basketball isn't a team sport. Also, his low field goal percentage is something he can't control, from deduction, he is saying that he shoots the ball and God determines if it goes in.
I don't even blame ballhogs anymore, most of the time they don't know that what they are doing is inefficient. I actually think it's a bit unfair for coaches and broadcasters to say that teamwork and passing to the open man is the "right way to play". It's unfair for the ballhogs with tremendous talents. So let's just say that the "right way" is the one that leads to the most win probability. Teams with high assists ratios have higher field goal percentages. That usually leads to better chances of winning. But ballhogs refuse to look at the numbers and see what they're doing is inefficient.
How does this relate to real life? I respect people for giving it 100% effort, even when they do something wrong or short sighted. Unfortunately, it's bad when they don't see mistakes. Worse it's when they refuse to admit mistakes to themselves. The famous quote goes something like this: "When you start to think you know it all, you stop learning." And when we stop learning, GG.
Moral of Iverson's career: stay humble and keep learning.
NBA playoff thoughts
I would say that teams need three things to truly contend for a championship. I'm not going to include fringe teams like Jazz or Sixers, etc.
#1. Good ball movement to get high quality shots
Teams with this quality: Lakers, Clippers, Mavs, Grizzlies, Spurs, Heat, Bulls, Celtics, Thunder
#2. An unstoppable scorer
Teams with this quality: Lakers (Kobe), Spurs (Parker and Ginobili together), Heat (Wade), Thunder (Durant), Knicks (Carmelo)
#3. Experience and considering a season a failure if they don't win it all. Yes every team considers losing a failure, but there are only few teams where it's a black mark on their superstar's career if they lose.
Teams with this quality: Lakers, Heat, Thunder
(Celts, Mavs, Spurs are getting too old for legit expectations... Bulls are off due to Rose inury)
Of course, there's also defense, but most teams that are contenders have good defense.
Sidenote: the worst team in the playoffs are the Knicks.
New York Knicks: All they do is run isolation plays for Carmelo. There is no ball movement. He gets the ball in bad spots, and theres turnovers because they force the pass to him. In contrast, Kobe gets the ball in his preferred spot because the Lakers swing the ball around, or use off ball picks to get Kobe into his spot. If you watched Game 1 or 2, the Knicks PG dribbles upcourt, then immediately dumps it into Carmelo for an isolation. More than half of their possessions look like this! I can't believe this a playoff offense. Melo dribbles here and there and then takes a bad shot. And if he gets double teamed, he isn't a good facilitator like Lebron. Add in the fact that Carmelo and Amare don't complement each other. Forget the Miami Heat, they would get swept by any other playoff team.
Predictions:
Heat will lose to whoever wins the West
Grizzlies-Clippers: anyone's series. It's so evenly matched. Both have great ball movement and good shooters, but no true unstoppable scorers. If I had to pick a winner, I'd go with the Grizzlies because they have Game 7 on their floor.
I think the biggest threat are the Spurs. Parker and Ginobili have been giving me nightmares since I was in high school. They are so good collectively that they are a more serious threat to teams than Kobe alone, since they work together to get layups or open shots. Either way they shoot higher percentage than Kobe, and they are both clutch in crunch time. This is why I say that Bynum is so important to Laker's chances. But if Lakers and Spurs meet, going against Tim Duncan will be one hell of a career test.
Lakers are becoming a two superstar team again. Bynum right now is more of an asset than Gasol was three years ago. Gasol couldn't dominate like this. With both Kobe and Bynum demanding double teams, and Sessions getting transition points, and Blake and Barnes hitting open shots.... I think the Lakers can win the championship. And if they do, Bynum will be MVP.
#1. Good ball movement to get high quality shots
Teams with this quality: Lakers, Clippers, Mavs, Grizzlies, Spurs, Heat, Bulls, Celtics, Thunder
#2. An unstoppable scorer
Teams with this quality: Lakers (Kobe), Spurs (Parker and Ginobili together), Heat (Wade), Thunder (Durant), Knicks (Carmelo)
#3. Experience and considering a season a failure if they don't win it all. Yes every team considers losing a failure, but there are only few teams where it's a black mark on their superstar's career if they lose.
Teams with this quality: Lakers, Heat, Thunder
(Celts, Mavs, Spurs are getting too old for legit expectations... Bulls are off due to Rose inury)
Of course, there's also defense, but most teams that are contenders have good defense.
Sidenote: the worst team in the playoffs are the Knicks.
New York Knicks: All they do is run isolation plays for Carmelo. There is no ball movement. He gets the ball in bad spots, and theres turnovers because they force the pass to him. In contrast, Kobe gets the ball in his preferred spot because the Lakers swing the ball around, or use off ball picks to get Kobe into his spot. If you watched Game 1 or 2, the Knicks PG dribbles upcourt, then immediately dumps it into Carmelo for an isolation. More than half of their possessions look like this! I can't believe this a playoff offense. Melo dribbles here and there and then takes a bad shot. And if he gets double teamed, he isn't a good facilitator like Lebron. Add in the fact that Carmelo and Amare don't complement each other. Forget the Miami Heat, they would get swept by any other playoff team.
Predictions:
Heat will lose to whoever wins the West
Grizzlies-Clippers: anyone's series. It's so evenly matched. Both have great ball movement and good shooters, but no true unstoppable scorers. If I had to pick a winner, I'd go with the Grizzlies because they have Game 7 on their floor.
I think the biggest threat are the Spurs. Parker and Ginobili have been giving me nightmares since I was in high school. They are so good collectively that they are a more serious threat to teams than Kobe alone, since they work together to get layups or open shots. Either way they shoot higher percentage than Kobe, and they are both clutch in crunch time. This is why I say that Bynum is so important to Laker's chances. But if Lakers and Spurs meet, going against Tim Duncan will be one hell of a career test.
Lakers are becoming a two superstar team again. Bynum right now is more of an asset than Gasol was three years ago. Gasol couldn't dominate like this. With both Kobe and Bynum demanding double teams, and Sessions getting transition points, and Blake and Barnes hitting open shots.... I think the Lakers can win the championship. And if they do, Bynum will be MVP.
The line between Bromance and Be De
We all need man love every now and then, but there's a point when it's too much. Where is the sweet spot in the middle? I'm not sure, but here's two cases of not enough and too much.
A tribute to Fisher's balls of steel
Without players like Fisher and Horry, no way Shaq and Kobe win those three titles together. They probably would only win one of those (the easy 2001 Finals). The Lakers barely beat Portland in 2000, and barely beat Sacramento in 2002. And it was because of clutch players like Fisher and Horry. Every team needs role players that are not afraid to take the shot.
And then there's so called "stars" that wimp out late in the game. We make fun of LeChoke too much so here's another example:
And then there's so called "stars" that wimp out late in the game. We make fun of LeChoke too much so here's another example:
Basketball Politics
Now that Shaq has retired, he has joined the crew at TNT (Shaq, Barkley, and Miller? YES!) and wrote a book about life in the NBA. Here's a little part I read in an article.
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BOSTON-Shaquille O’Neal has blamed President Barack Obama for Boston Celtics’ point guard, Rajon Rondo’s shooting troubles and confidence.
O’Neal claims that Obama made fun of his shooting ability during a fund raiser where they met the President in his book “Shaq UnCut.”
The Huffington Post reports:
The President turns to Ray, points at Rondo, and says, “Hey, Ray, why don’t you teach this kid how to shoot?” Everyone starts laughing.
KG told me he saw the look on Rondo’s face and the kid was devastated, embarrassed. Dissed by the President, even though I’m sure Obama didn’t mean any harm. Rondo smiled and went along with all of it, but KG told me he could see it in his eyes. It bothered Rondo. It killed him.
Shaq went on to write that Rondo “shot the ball horribly” the next day and he “stopped taking shots after that.”
Rondo is my second favorite point guard after Steve Nash, and probably the most electrifying passer since Magic Johnson. Unfortunately he'll never be a superstar because of his lack of confidence. Forget the bad economy, if I don't vote for Obama in 2012, THIS is why I won't vote for him. (that and the fact that he killed Osama. Now I won't get to see Osama in Family Guy anymore... COME ON!!!! )
human side of NBA "business"
The Celtics would be my #1 team if I wasn't born in LA. Who wouldn't appreciate their chemistry and how hard they work? They play the game the right way. This is a video from last year that shows how a team can struggle after a trade. If Kendrick Perkins took this hard, you know Lamar "soft" Odom would take the current trade talks even harder. It's sad. The saddest part to me is Kobe's reaction. The Celtics big three are solid guys who care for others. I don't mean this as a demerit to Kobe, but he just wants to win. It's all business to him. Kobe wants to win... but does he realize what he's losing along the way? I hope Kobe doesn't end up empty like MJ at his Hall of Fame speech.
A tribute to Kwame Brown
There are many people in the NBA who suck and fans love to have them on their team because they suck. Mark Madsen and Brian Scalabrine are some good examples. UCLA had this Asian guy named Kelvin Kim that we would always want to be put into the game in the 4th quater because it's like using a human as a victory cigar. But those guys are lucky because they aren't expected to contribute to a team's wins. Kwame Brown on the other hand was the number one pick. He actually did okay his first two years with the Wizards. But as expectations soared, his mind and testicular fortitude shriveled up. No one follows him anymore because now he plays for the scrubby Charlotte Bobcats. Now that nothing is expected of him, he's actually putting up decent numbers of 10/10 (some pretty good fantasy stats).
But anyway, I was looking through my favorited videos on my youtube account and I found some Kwame stuff. These two are his highest and lowest points that I remember watching live. Both of these videos are from the same season, because I remember watching both of these games with my friend Joseph in my 2nd year dorm room.
I wish they didn't edit this video, because he had the ball for four straight possessions and they were either missed layups or turnovers. I've never seen a player booed by their own fans ever! I don't know what's more dumb, the fact that Kwame keeps trying when he's off, or the fact that the Lakers keep feeding him the ball. Blame it on the triangle offense, the ball will find it's way to the open man -__-
My reaction: HOLYY... My friend's reaction: dude look how happy Kobe is!
0:20 "yee my butterfingers just slipped through yo defense son"
unbelievable shots
watch this 2 minute video of Euro basketball. The commentator is so bewildered he loses his voice.
This one's for Jon
... but all of you guys should watch this video too. it's highlights of the 2nd half of the 2008 Olympic gold medal game between USA and Spain. I remember watching this live, I hadn't jumped and cheered like this since I was in middle school. The game had so much tension. This was the "redeem" team because in 2004 the US failed to win gold for the first time. And Spain was out there to prove that they weren't going to be bossed around by a big nation (and hearing how racist Spaniards are, the fans probably had a racial motivation for wining).
Spain definately had better screens and passing, but the US had KOBE. I swear, even if you hate Kobe, you will have to admit the US had a good chance of losing without Kobe in the 4th. The plays in this game are so amazing that I had to do a rewind on almost half of them. You really don't know how Gasol got alley-oops watching live. A replay shows that there was two screens to set it up! So beautiful!
This game did much to increase basketball's popularity around the world. The two teams were from the Americas and Europe, and the game was in Asia (and alot of the players were African - oh hoh hoh yess!) I hope this inspired some kids to pick up a basketball over a soccerball.
Who Roots for Goliath?
Kids. Kids root for Goliath. Why would a kid want to be like David? David is weak and unpopular. Kids want to be winners all the time.
I had a realization when I noticed that the only people rooting for the Heat in the NBA Finals are kids. Sorta like how I rooted for the Bulls, when my uncle and older cousins were rooting for the Jazz. We watched together on the same TV in the same house. Yet whenever I yelled and jumped for joy when the Bulls won, they didn't seem annoyed with me. I would have been annoyed with myself. If I could go back in time, I would've been with them and rooted for the Jazz.
For the same reason I am not annoyed with kids who root for the favorites. I was like that too.
This makes me wonder: Why do we start rooting for the underdog when we grow older? Is it because we want the hard working underdogs to get their piece of glory and fulfillment? Or is it because we get cynical and just want to see the fall of the mighty? I think both reasons apply. It just depends on that specific person.
Doin' Work at Santa Monica Pier
3 shots for Five Dollars. One shot in gets a small plush animal, two shots gets a ball, three shots gets both. Until I paid the money and was getting ready to shoot, I didn't realize that the backboard was missing. This had two disadvantages. One: its nearly impossible to bank it in, two: it's harder to judge how far away the rim is. I didn't know exactly how far but it felt slightly closer than a college 3 pointer shot. This is where I'm happy I practice my corner shots because they're the hardest for me due to less depth perception.
Michael Jordan was lucky
... that he played in his era. The media wasn't hating on him like how they hated on Kobe (2005-2010) or Lebron (2010-present). Before I explain how or why that is, let me give you an analogy outside of sports from history.
The progress of technology allows a fast spread of information, which allows the common man to know what is happening and to know what those in power were doing. Knowledge gives power to the people. Look at the cultural revolution of the US in the 1960s with the emergence of the hippies. Why was this generation of Americans protesting war after centuries of belief in Manifest Destiny? What made the switch? How did this generation form? It was because of the growth of mass media. The Vietnam War was the first war where videos, not just pictures were streamed from the battlefield. A new type of soldier of the people emerged, armed not with a rifle but a camera. Here was your image of Manifest Destiny: a village of boys and girls whose skin was charred by American napalm. Some images once seen cannot be unseen and will shatter any misconceptions you may have had. War is not glorious, but is horrible. The people would no longer support the fabrications of the government. The USA could no longer go conquering foreign lands as it had always done in its history. Knowledge via TV gave power to the people to stop dictatorship in the White House. In the same way, knowledge via the internet gave people the power to stop dick-tatorship in sports.
Michael Jordan was the first of his kind, an electrifying scoring machine. The media and kids everywhere loved him for it. But they blissfully ignored his doucebag nature. I remember watching the 1998 Finals like game 2 or 3 when Scottie Pippen took and made the game winning shot, and Jordan yelled at him for not passing. And the world's reaction to his Airness douchebaggery? Give him a cartoon movie that will make kid's love him, and give him a commercial full of propaganda of kids saying "I Want To Be Like Mike". It would make sense that corporations loved him and gave him advertising contracts, because like Mike, CEOs are dicks. They thrive on cut throat competition, and putdown of others. They cleverly masked Jordan's doucheness with commercials that appealed to the masses (normal sports fans like myself). This is pretty much like state controlled media. But now that we have the internet, where some amateur bloggers get almost as much traffic as ESPN.com, we can get the unfiltered truth about players' personalities.
The internet wasn't really common until 2000, and Jordan's prime years were from the mid 80s to mid 90s. People liked his determination and drive to win, but that was the only part of his personality they knew. If Jordan had a Twitter while he played, people would be appalled at his lack of understanding of others. Lebron's "The Decision" would be child's play compared to stuff Jordan would say and do. It is sad that today's players have to deal with the microscope on them.
Kobe was disliked on Shaq's Lakers not only because of his ball hogging but moreso because of his tendency of being a loner. If Kobe played in 1985, no one would criticize him because no one would know. Kobe recently got owned in the media for calling a referee "fag". How many teammates and refs did Jordan call "fag"? More than I can count with my fingers and toes. As much as I dislike Lebron, I gotta feel bad for him also. He was loved by the media and received praise he didn't earn. And after "The Decision", he's hated by the media and is receiving hate he doesn't deserve. Lebron thought he could refer to himself in the third person like Jordan did and not get grilled. Nope, wrong era buddy. Can't do it anymore.
Jordan got a douchebag-hall pass from 1984-1998. But he made a critical mistake in 2009 at his speech in his Hall of Fame Induction. He thought he could say whatever he wanted, because Nike and Gatorade and six championships had turned him into a god. He didn't think through the consequences that his speech would be put up on youtube to be seen by millions of viewers. He didn't know that ESPN writers and anchors were gonna criticize what he said. But it happened, and Jordan was as unapologetic as ever. Nothing flowed from his mouth but insults. To contrast, David Robinson was also inducted that same night. In his speech he thanked his family for inspiring him to be a better man. In Jordan's speech, he insulted his sons by saying "I wouldn't want to be you guys", referring to the big shoes they have to fill (they are playing college ball right now). I saw the speech live, and years of brainwashing were undone. In 1998, I wanted to be like Mike. But now, I want to be anything but.
His speech if you care to see a legend crashing and burning:
A not well known advantage of being a sports fan
Here we go, blog diarrhea #1. A post everyday from now until the end of Lent (when I get back on facebook). Why? #1 Some have said this blog is slowing down. #2 I have alot of random ideas and facts in my head #3 I'm bored, without facebook all I do is read cnn.com, espn.com, fantasysports, and check my email.
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Here are some examples
8th grade graduation pool party. Lakers versus 76ers 2001 NBA Finals Game 1. June 6, 2001
I was so pissed when someone inside my friends house told me the Lakers lost Game 1. I was having fun in the pool with my friends and didn't watch even though I know it was on. I was a kid and I was convinced that the Lakers lost because it was the first playoff game that season that I didn't watch. The Lakers up to that point had swept the first three rounds. Anyway I made sure to watch the next four games, they swept the next four game so their total playoff record was an NBA best 15-1.
A party my apartment hosted in my 3rd year. Lakers away game versus Warriors. December 14, 2007. The game was on the TV on the background but in the 4th quarter everyone was watching and rooting. And since there were alot of Norcal people there they were cheering for the Warriors. It was a close game and the Warriors won 108-106 because Baron Davis made some ridiculous Kobesque shots.
Graduation party at work. Lakers vs Magic Game 4 NBA Finals. June 11, 2009.
Fisher hit clutch 3s. Lakers go up 3-1 in the series.
Thieu Nhi's first day of camp in Big Bear. Lakers vs Thunder Round 1 Game 6 April 30, 2010.
Pau Gasol with a putback to eliminate the Thunder.
The women (aka you know who I am talking about) wanted the men (HT guys and dads) to turn off the game so that we could start activities on the schedule. Women let me tell you this. You do NOT tell a man to turn off the TV during a DECISION/ELIMINATION game in the 4th quarter. You do that and you're not getting any attention for a whole week. Fair warning.
Jon's family's party at the Chino house for Cha Chi. Lakers vs Suns Western Conference Finals Game 6 May 29, 2010
Good game, good people, good food, good times.
And of course, Kobe being Kobe in the 4th to eliminate the Suns:
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Of course, there are also incidents where I remember where I was during important games, but that's beside the point because I was there for the game primarily. Example: I remember Game 2 of 2010 Finals at Jon's house where Ray Allen was killing us. And I remember Game 7 of 2010 Finals were Andy was gonna pee himself at my house during the 4th quarter. But it's pointless to use the dates of the game to remember when we were hanging out, because we were there to watch the game.
But at important events, the game was secondary which is cool because it lets me use the game to cross reference to find out which date it was. I have a very good memory when it comes to these games. Not only the game itself, but like the last couple plays of each game.
Because of this, I hope I get married on an important Lakers playoff game, I'm pretty sure I won't forget the anniversary date. Just as long as it's not during a Game 7 haha :-)
Here's to a new season
Whoop! it's time for another amazing season of the Lake Show! Here's a little something for the big season ahead.
-J.frosty
-J.frosty
Sacred Hoops
I jacked the Column Title from one of Phil Jackson's books, where he talks about how he's been able to infuse Zen and Cherokee spirituality into basketball. I merely want to elaborate on the teamwork aspect of the "beautiful game" (that also, is jacked from the world's nickname for soccer).
A game of basketball played by five people who are well-versed in all the basics (both in individual offense and defense, but more importantly: team offense and team defense) is the most pure expression of friendship that I know.
Think about it: friendships are about having each others' backs (if one guy gets past your teammate, rotate over on defense to help) and trust (once you rotate, another teammate will rotate over to cover your spot). Also you know someone well enough to know when they are better off with some space (Jon is highly efficient with the ball in the post) and when to give them a helping hand (Bryan likes a screen to get open for a shot). It's about helping your friends when you see they're struggling ("Don't think about the miss, just shoot") and congratulate them when they do well (a slap to the butt is always appropriate).
There's no jealousy or envy. Teammates are more than happy to ride each other's hot streaks, because it contributes to the whole team. On a fast break, no one cares who ends up with the ball and scores, the team wins either way.
But there's a difference when you have a team with people that play like they have to prove something, like the fact that they are the best person on that court. There's tons of bad shots taken and bad possessions. Distrust breeds distrust and soon you have a group of people not wanting to pass because they know they won't get it back. I think it's an ideal metaphor for a group of people working together who don't work as a team. You end up with a train wreck because of a few people who want things their way all the time.
Morale of the story: the whole is greater than the sum of the parts... so go find friends who play basketball as a team, and go win (while having tons of fun) .... then apply it to real life. Win-Win situation! Now you know why we're called Ballers in Arms.
A game of basketball played by five people who are well-versed in all the basics (both in individual offense and defense, but more importantly: team offense and team defense) is the most pure expression of friendship that I know.
Think about it: friendships are about having each others' backs (if one guy gets past your teammate, rotate over on defense to help) and trust (once you rotate, another teammate will rotate over to cover your spot). Also you know someone well enough to know when they are better off with some space (Jon is highly efficient with the ball in the post) and when to give them a helping hand (Bryan likes a screen to get open for a shot). It's about helping your friends when you see they're struggling ("Don't think about the miss, just shoot") and congratulate them when they do well (a slap to the butt is always appropriate).
There's no jealousy or envy. Teammates are more than happy to ride each other's hot streaks, because it contributes to the whole team. On a fast break, no one cares who ends up with the ball and scores, the team wins either way.
But there's a difference when you have a team with people that play like they have to prove something, like the fact that they are the best person on that court. There's tons of bad shots taken and bad possessions. Distrust breeds distrust and soon you have a group of people not wanting to pass because they know they won't get it back. I think it's an ideal metaphor for a group of people working together who don't work as a team. You end up with a train wreck because of a few people who want things their way all the time.
Morale of the story: the whole is greater than the sum of the parts... so go find friends who play basketball as a team, and go win (while having tons of fun) .... then apply it to real life. Win-Win situation! Now you know why we're called Ballers in Arms.
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