A Legend Becoming an Even Greater Legend: Mike Krzyzewski

In his 37th season as a college basketball head coach, "coach k" Mike Krzyzewski will tonight if not already, make his mark as the greatest college basketball coach in history.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, whose name's pronunciation is just as difficult to figure out as trying to beat his team, will have the record of 903 wins as a division I coach if Duke can overcome the Michigan State Spartans tonight.

Krzyzewski is currently tied with Bob Knight, who coached Krzyzewski when he played for army.

Duke has only missed the NCAA tournament 3 times since Krzyzewski has been the head coach and that isn't counting the one half of a season in 1994-95 he had to miss due to illness.

When it is all said and done, if he loses or wins tonight, it won't take long for him to reach 903. To me, he has already reached his greatest potential. The moment i saw him take USA basketball to gold medals in the Olympics, I knew this guy was a basketball genius.

He is in the ranks of a Pat Riley, Phil Jackson , a Joe Paterno without the scandal. He is Duke university.

As Small As A Giant : Austin Rivers

In a year full of forwards and center draft prospects, Duke freshman guard Austin Rivers, son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers, is my top NBA prospect this year. He stands at 6 feet 4 inches tall and was the number one high school basketball player in the nation.  His penetrating ability and 45 inch vertical leap will make him a one a done college basketball player.

This is becoming a repeating occurrence within college basketball players.  We have seen Kevin Durant, Tyreke Evans, Derrick Rose, Eric Gordon , and John Wall show their college basketball skills for one year and make their mark in the NBA. What is next ? Can we see in the near future a middle school basketball player dominating NBA players in a street game?

I'll just stick with Austin Rivers being my top draft prospect. You be the judge. 

First Locked Out and Now........Divorce

After only 72 days and multiple episodes on reality television, Kris Humphries is now an unrestricted free agent in an NBA lockout and an unrestricted bachelor. 

In a perfect world, I would say I saw this coming.  In our world of harsh reality, I saw it coming as well.  Kim Kardashian, who is a model and reality TV star, has been known to date a couple of athletes back in her day.  She just so happen to marry this one, then divorce him.

Kardashian has dated wide receiver Miles Austin of the Dallas Cowboys and former New Orleans running back Reggie Bush.  Her sister Khloe is also one with the athletes as she is married to Lakers forward Lamar Odom.

As an unemployed basketball player, Humphries probably regrets signing a prenuptial agreement with Kardashian, whose net worth is $35 million.

According to TMZ, Humphries still wants to make it work, but we've seen situations like this with celebrities all the time.  Even when celebrity relationships look heaven sent, they still end.  Singers Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson were the epitome of that on their reality show.  Then again, we don't always know what happens beyond the camera.  As I saw, the relationship of Humphries and Kardashian wasn't too pretty.

With that said, at least Humphries, who averaged career highs in rebound and points last season, can have more time to work on his game. 

The Wade Era?

In a recent conversation on ESPN's 1st & 10, analysts Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless named their top NBA players and agreed that Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade is the best player in the NBA. 

For a long time, the "black mamba" Kobe Bryant was named the best player in the NBA.  He was the new Michael Jordan and the face of NBA superstars.  Times have changed and Dwyane Wade's Commendable skills have taken him out of the shadows.  I always believed that he was one of the most underrated players in the game and probably still is. As an undersized shooting guard, he dominates the game in a way Michael Jordan did, with acrobatic finishes and clutch performances. Call Smith and Bayless crazy, but I agree with their assertions.

ESPN and The True Hoops Network had LeBron James on the top of the list.

"It's pathetic that LeBron is No.1," said Smith. 

Just by the number, Wade qualifies to be called the best player. In eight years, he has career averages of 25 points, 2 steals, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds a game. He has also been titled the best blocking guard by multiple analysts.  He will probably go down as the best player to never win a regular season MVP. 

Wade has never won a regular season MVP but did lead the Miami Heat to a championship in 2006 against the Dallas Mavericks and was awarded with the playoffs MVP.  

Smith and Bayless both included Kobe Bryant and scoring champ Kevin Durant in the top five, but left out LeBron James because of his habit to become invisible in late-game situations. 

NBA Lockout Hero: George Cohen ??

The Associated Press reported that George Cohen, who was also the mediator of the NFL lockout will try to mediate the NBA dispute.

His position as the Director of Federal Mediation and Concilation Service has not even given me the slightest bit of hope for this lockout to end. Cohen does have a nice resume though, helping out in dispute with the Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, every sport and the individuals within these sports are different.

The players don't need another rich official telling them what they need to do. Let us be real. A lot of these players come from broke down homes and communities and have people to feed. They are also the ones putting those ticket buyers in the seats. No one goes to watch owners eat popcorn in the presedential seating. The players and owners are asking for 53 percent of the revenue. It is reasonable for the players to get that that 53 percent because they out number the owners by a billion.

According to Derrick Fisher and Dywane Wade, the players aren't to blame. The owners probably feel the same way. This dispute isn't going anywhere, but i feel one of the sides have to show that this game is not for the money. This is for the fans and the love of the game and it is time to give up the money.

Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman believes the players should just give up. He thinks most players don't even care for the game, just the money. I can help but think that "money makes the world go round."

Baller Turn Rapper: Brandon Bass

I have yet again found another NBA player that is pursuing a rap career during this lockout.  Orlando Magic Power Forward Brandon Bass is telling the people about his "Billion Dollar Dreams".  At this point in his career, he is no where near a billion dollars because he already lost his pay check for the first two weeks of the season.

Brandon Bass averaged a career high of 11 points and 6 rebounds a game for the Magic last season.  He is undersized but his athleticism makes up for what he lacks in height.  He has a nice mid-range jumper and a great build.  I can say his NBA game is better than his rhythmic poetry.

Kobe Bryant Doesn't Think Kwame Brown Can Play Basketball

At a recent interview at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Kobe Bryant told a story about Kwame Brown, claiming that it was a tough start to the 2007-08 season because playing with guys like Kwame Brown. They later traded Brown for Pau Gasol who helped the Lakers win two championships.    

Kwame Brown, like Kobe Bryant was a number one overall draft pick out of high school, but they have no relation when actually talking about their NBA games.  Kwame Brown is known as the biggest "bust" in NBA history.  For his career he averaged 7 points and 6 rebounds a game.  That isn't horrible, but it also isn't worthy of a number one overall draft pick. 

If Kobe wants to talk about a horrible player, can we not remember players like Sean Bradley, the 7 foot 6 inch tall center whose greatest defensive attribute was getting dunked on. I could talk about Mark Madsen, who was a teammate of Kobe Bryant for several years and had a stronger bench presents than his actual play on the court.  Let us not forget the second overall pick in 2003, Darko Milicic, who has been on more teams than his rebound average. 

Kwame Brown may not be the best or worst basketball player, but he sure is bigger than Kobe Bryant.  If I was Kobe, I'd watch what i say.  Here is what Kobe had to say:

NBA Season?......Not Even Close......

Could we see another 1999 NBA season.  We could or maybe not even see an NBA season because according to ESPN's NBA insider Chris Broussard says both sides think they have leverage.  Rumors say NBA players want more money and owners are saying they are losing money. At this point, i really don't care who is lying. We need an NBA season.   

"It's not even close," said Broussard. 

The NBA has already canceled the first two weeks of the season.  According to Broussard, the commissioner David Stern feels if he canceled some games the players would give in and feel threatened, but Derrick Fisher encourages players to stay strong. It seems like that is the strategy for both sides and nobody will win if there is no deal because everybody is losing paychecks. The only player whose probably going to be making money during this lockout is Metta World Peace, formerly  known as Ron Artest. His Jersey will sell out to NBA fans like the game Call of Duty to video game fanatics.

All jokes aside, the NBA is a big business and fans aren't the only people who benefit from it.  People have jobs in arenas and jobs around the arenas that receive business from NBA games.  Sports bars will lose revenue from no NBA season.  I believe some unfortunate kids will start getting into trouble without having these NBA players to admire at night. 

Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns doesn't believe that NBA owners and teams are losing money and is apologetic to the people. 

"Genuinely sorry to all the employees in and around NBA arenas losing work," said Nash on Twitter.  "Thanks for the overwhelming support today guys. You know we want to play & you understand the propaganda/misinformation from the owners."

Nothing Short of Impressive : Kiwi Gardner

Providence University basketball Signee Kiwi Gardner, is below average in height for a basketball player, but rises above the rim.  Everyday, i try to find the next big basketball superstar on Youtube.  This guy has the potential to be an NBA star.  He stands at 5 feet 7 inches tall and averaged 24 points and 4 assists for Manteca High in California.  What makes him special is his handling abilities and Nate Robinson like athletic ability.  Nate Robinson of the Oklahoma City Thunder is a perfect comparison to Gardner who stands around the same height.  Nate Robinson is also a three-time slam dunk champion in the NBA. 
Gardner, or should i say Yayareasfinest has compilated highlight videos that received almost a million views.  The guy is impressive and can't wait to see him play in college. It is really surprising though, that there were only two colleges that had interest in him.  Im gonna say it now, he's a "sleeper".  Here is a highlight mix of the guy at work. 

From the hardwood to .....other things

During this NBA Lockout, players have taken up new hobbies or maybe even new careers. Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers and Baron Davis of the Clevland Cavaliers have both been learning more about film. J.R Smith, Wilson Chandler and Kenyon Martin have sailed away to China for a year and Delonte West and Stephen Jackson are making it rain in the hip hop world.




They arent the first players to transform from baller to rapper. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers displayed his rapping skills on stage several years ago. Former Timberwolves' guard Troy Hudson and retired NBA center Shaquille O'neal came out with rap albums back in their day, so i can say i saw it coming. According to his twitter, Delonte West also picked up a job at a furniture store. I'm just waiting for another autotuned Charles Barkley commercial. That would definitely make up for my entertainment lost during this lockout.

Andre Drummond...... The Next Big Thing ?

University of Connecticut Freshman basketball player Andre Drummond could be another one and done college player. By that i mean play one year in college and be an ultimate superstar like Derrick Rose, or Kevin Durant.  For a tall guy he has great dribbling ability and quick feet.  He is 6 feet 11 inches tall and has the athletic potential of a Dwight Howard.  The advantage i see that he has over Dwight Howard though, is creative penetration and post moves. He also has a nice stroke from mid range. This guy might need to put on some pounds to be NBA ready, but he does have the skills and basketball intelligence. I will let you be the judge of him.  Here are some clips of him in high school. 

NBA Season Has No Clarity.....It's Time For Charity

The NBA is still in a lockout and they have officially canceled 43 preseason games.  Every time i see a video of Derrick Fisher( players' association president) after an owners' and players' meeting, he always has something negative to say.  For example, I was on NBA.com and the first thing he said to the press is "It's not looking good." Therefore, players like Carmelo Anthony, Lebron James, Metta World Peace, Brandon Jennings, Kevin Durant, and rookie Josh Selby are taking action in charity pick-up games. 

These guys need to figure something out. The NBA is at its highest peak with the talent level. There is even a guy named World Peace playing for the NBA now.  The NBA is going to bring in millions of dollars and everyone is going to make more than average salaries if the season does start.  It is true though as they say, "once you get it, you want more." These guys have a lot of money and both sides are fighting for more. I understand they have people to feed, but so do the poor people of the whole world. 

Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics are ready for any situation as long as it benefits the players, according to the Associated Press.

"Our main thing as players is that we have to stick together," said Anthony.  "There's no basketball right now, so we want to give (the fans) something to do.....We have to keep playing and giving the fans what they want."

"Nobody wants to miss a year, but I'm prepared to do what the team needs me to do, what my players association, players union team, what they need me to do, because we want to make sure we get the right deal for us."

Unfortunately, Ray Allen isn't participating in any charity games, but players like Dwyane Wade, Carmelo and Kevin Durant will be participating in Chris Paul's all-star charity game in North Carolina.  Carmelo Anthony can actually benefit from this lock out as these pick up games can help him rehabilitate from his elbow and knee surgeries in May.  

NBA Loses a Great Player for the 2011-2012 Season

J.R. Smith is an underrated guard and is often seen as just a streak shooter who should be coming off the bench. This would be true if you were someone playing behind Carmelo Anthony for a few seasons. Anthony is gone and J.R. Smith has developed a full all-star potential game.

He is now headed to China along with Teammate Wilson Chandler with no NBA out-clause, which will not allow them to play for the NBA this season if the season were to start.

Smith averaged 12 points in 24 minutes last season. If given the title of go to player and the right amount of minutes, this guy is an automatic all-star. Those who have watched him play has seen the acrobatic finishes and the sweet stroke from long range. At 26 years old and 6 feet 6 inches tall, this guy has the perfect height and atletic ability to be a star. We just won't see it in the NBA this season.

I am not looking forward to seeing other great players go oversees. Here are a couple videos to show the world what this guy has got.

Formerly Known as Ron Artest Brings "World Peace" to Los Angeles

We all know New England Patriots' wide receiver Chad Johnson changed his last name to Ochocinco because he wanted to feed his undying ego. Retired Hall of fame boxer Cassius Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali because he believed his original name was a slave name, but Ron Artest changing his name to Metta World Peace is outlandish.

Has he no history to his last name or pride to what he was called when he entered this world. Maybe, it is that he is trying to erase the taint that was put on his name as the new NBA bad guy. I sure remember the brawl that he escalated in the Palace of Auburn Hills against the Detroit Pistons in the beginning of the 2004 NBA season. Maybe he is trying to let the world know that Ron Artest is no longer the Ron Artest we are used to, he is World Peace.

According to the Los Angeles Times, World Peace said "Changing my name was meant to inspire and bring youth together all around the world."

After all, he was starting to remind me of a new school Dennis Rodman with designs in his hair, starting fights with star players, and winning championships all at the same time. The only difference between them is that Ron Artest is not a hall of fame player and does not wear dresses. At least i think he doesn't. I don't know a lot of things about Ron Artest and his personal life, but I am sure that World Peace on the back of a Lakers jersey will be a big seller.

Will Improving Post Game Help Lebron James in the Fourth Quarter?

The Associated Press reported over the summer that Lebron James was working out with hall of fame center Hakeem "the dream" Olajuwan to improve his post game. Olajuwan was known for his famous move "the dream shake."
I hope Olajuwan can teach James how to get rid of his poor fourth quarter play. James had a total of just 18 points in six 4th quarters in the finals against the Dallas Mavericks. That is an average of three points per fourth quarter. Maybe learning "The Dream Shake" can help him shake off the fourth quarter jitters.
I was listening to the radio one day after the finals and heard one rumor that Lebron James was depressed over his girlfriend having an affair with another NBA player. Lebron James is a superstar and is noted as a top five NBA player. There is no reason or excuse to being almost absent in clutch situations. I don't care if his favorite fish died of a lung collapse(fish don't have lungs). He has to back up his multiple championship promise or that big three signing will be a the biggest bust in NBA history, with no offense to Kwame Brown.
I personally would not like to see another great player like Lebron James not win a championship. The world doesn't need another Charles Barkley. Coincidence or not, but the year Olajuwan worked with Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant's post game, the Lakers won a repeat championship in 2009.

Teams and Players Show Spirit During Lockout.... Could it be ending soon?

While many players are signing contracts or threatening to play overseas because of the NBA lockout, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat are ready to practice and play for the NBA.
A couple weeks ago The Associated Press Quoted Bosh saying:

"The NBA is as good as it's ever been right now and i think there's no reason to miss out on it. So I think everybody will come to a conclusion. When you're dealing with business, emotions and feelings get involved and that's natural. You're going to have arguments. But I think as long as everybody knows that and as long as week moving forward to a deal, then that's progress."

He also said he feels the Miami Heat are ready to get together. The big guy speaking up for the team shows that he's hungry and reaching the finals isn't enough. Teammate Udonis Haslem is also positive about the lockout situation.
The AP reported:

"He hasn't ruled out being ready if the Heat start training camp on time in early October."

Teams like the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers are also reported to be on schedule to train sometime soon. If more teams start training after the lockout meeting on Tuesday, then this could give us clues that they are coming closer towards a new deal. I'm sure Lakers' point guard Derek Fisher, who is also the head of the players union, is disclosing some information to teammates that a deal is near, and they have friends around the league telling friends around the league that a deal is coming as well. Rumors can start trends to occur around the league. It's not a bad one either. Starting training camp on schedule wouldn't hurt any team right now.

I used to play organized basketball every year from when i was seven years old to when i turned 16. There was no better feeling than that first day of practice and getting a feel for the game. These NBA players are getting paid to play basketball. I understand people have to eat and take care of their families, but seriously, if the owners and players were really doing this for the love of the game and fans, this lockout would end on time for the regular season. These guys make a lot of money, but there is a saying that "A lot is never enough."

Ron Artest Gurantees Championship for Lakers in 2012 ?

Photo: Harry How/Getty Images


Ron Artest guaranteed a championship this year for the Lakers in an interview with Stephen A. Smith for ESPN. This seems to be more amusing than promising. When Lebron James joined the Miami Heat and guaranteed multiple championships, they at least reached the finals. On the other hand, Ron Artest and the Lakers winning a championship in 2012 after getting swept by the champs in 2011 is not possible in my eyes.
This reminds me of the infamous guarantee from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in the 2004 NFL playoffs when he said "We'll take the ball and we're gonna score", as the Seahawks won the overtime coin toss. They did not score and they definitely did not win the game.
If the Lakers couldn't get the job done this year with Phil Jackson. They won't get it done with Mike Brown, who came short numerous times trying to win a championship with Lebron James in Cleavland.
There is way too much talent around the league to guarantee anything right now. Allen Iverson has a better chance playing another NBA season than a guaranteed championship by the Lakers.
If there is one thing we should learn about guarantees in sports, is that there is no guaranteed win in sports.

NBA Lockout?? Game On!

     Drop all the money negotiations and union issue blob.  Kevin Durant is playing basketball.
  
     The 2011 NBA lockout may be an extended vacation, or a load of stress for a lot of players but for a Superstar like Kevin Durant, it's been pure fun. There's been numerous amounts of charity and recreational basketball games which included NBA  players  during this summer.  What highlighted it all was the Drew Goodman and Carmelo Anthony league.  The Drew Goodman league was dominated by Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City Thunder teammate James Harden, who both had games over 50 points. Kevin Durant also made an appearance at Dyckman Park and world famous Rucker Park in New York City and dropped 66 points on invisible defenders.



  It's not like he's being defended by your next door neighbors.  He dominated Michael Beasley on the streets of New York and Dunked his way to 59 points against Lebron James in a Baltimore gym to earn him the name of "The Lockout King", according to Washington Post sports writer Michael Lee.
  He's been a scoring champ and pickup game king.  If and whenever the season starts, this could be a foreshadow to an M.V.P or a championship year for the lanky forward.