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.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, September 12, 2011
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."
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."
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Ron Artest Gurantees Championship for Lakers in 2012 ?
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.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
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.
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.
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