Well here we are again and I found ten twelve things that I think are kid tested and most importantly Kris Willis approved…..lookie what I found!
Talk is Cheap but the Washington Wizards Backed it Up
Professional athletes sometimes make grandiose statements. The NBA isn’t any different. On Monday Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal claimed the team would enter the arena on Tuesday night “dressed in black” as a symbol of attending Boston’s funeral.
Beal came up w/ the idea for the #Wizards to wear all black tomorrow. Teammates agreed. Even 2nite, guys were amped for the game.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) January 24, 2017
The Celtics found the entire thing amusing and while no Celtics actually died it’s doubtful any of them were very happy after losing to the home Wizards 123-108.
Missed Dunks are Nothing to Applaud
On Monday night the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City in a thrilling 97-95 manner. It was a great game but everyone seemed to be talking about this failed dunk attempt by my man Urkel over Rudy Gobert.
All I can say is nice try Urkel.
Rising Stars Challenge
I don’t normally watch the Rising Stars Challenge; I usually take the weekend off and outside of watching the Slam Dunk and Three Point competitions I give the weekend a pass.
Joel Embiid has been named to the team. I think that’s great however if I am the Philadelphia 76ers do I allow him to play? If I do what do I tell the fans when I allow Embiid to play in a meaningless game when he is on a minutes restriction or being “rested” for games that actually matter?
Second year Houston Rockets Small Forward Sam Dekker was left off the team. Phoenix Suns rookie Marguese Chriss was selected? This doesn’t make much sense to me but it just gives me another reason not to even watch.
I also think the NBA should waive the rookie/sophomore rule in favor of the Atlanta Hawks Mike Dunleavy. My reason; Dunleavy is getting the Hawks rookies minutes so they should let him play in the Friday night exhibition.
The Cleveland Cavaliers Need a Playmaker?
Go ahead and listen to LeBron James after Monday night’s road loss to a New Orleans Pelicans team that was missing Anthony Davis
I’m going to let the “top heavy” comment go because that is a rabbit trail I don’t want to chase today. Instead I would like to help Coach James out and find him a “playmaker” and make him happy.
Nate Robinson hit up King James letting the Cavaliers General Manager King James know that he is available. Check out his audition tape.
Somehow a dude with a career lifetime three assists a game isn’t quite what the Cavs or General Manager James is looking for.
I suppose the best one available in terms of experience and he has a ring is the Chicago Bulls Rajon Rondo. I don’t doubt the Bulls would want to get rid of him but is he worth all the headaches? Not to mention the Bulls are going to want one of the Cavs young players and a draft pick or two.
James could also look to the Timberwolves PG Ricky Rubio but that would probably make them even more top heavy then they already are.
Here’s a thought; why not just suit up Lap Dog Head Coach Tyronn Lue? That would be awesome! You don’t think General Manager James has seen this yet do you?
That step over is classic and I will bet you that still happens to Lue to this day!
Who needs the Rising Stars Challenge
When you can watch Milwaukee Bucks rookie Malcolm Brogdon put Philadelphia 76ers sophomore on a poster in a game that actually matters with this vicious dunk.
My NBA Eastern Conference All Star Reserves
At the time of this writing the NBA has yet to announce the All Star Reserves……so here are my Eastern Conference Reserves.
Guard: Washington Wizards PG John Wall makes the list. He’s been fantastic this season averaging 23.1 points, 10.1 assists and 2.2 steals a game. After a slow start the Wizards are in the hunt for a playoff berth in the East.
Guard: Boston Celtics PG Isaiah Thomas is having a terrific season averaging 29.1 points and 6.1 assists for the 27-18 Celtics.
Forward: Indiana Pacers SF Paul George makes the list with 22 points, six rebounds, 3.2 assists and nearly two steals a game. He’s also knocking down nearly three triples a night and shooting 38 percent from behind the arc.
Forward: Milwaukee Bucks PF Jabari Parker checks in with 20.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and one steal a game. The Bucks might not be very good but it isn’t Parker’s fault.
Forward: Atlanta Hawks PF Paul Millsap is having a terrific contract year averaging 18 points a game, 8.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, one block and 1.5 steals for the 27-19 Hawks.
Guard: Toronto Raptors PG Kyle Lowry should have been named a starter for his 22.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.6 steals for the 28-18 Raptors.
Guard: Charlotte Hornets PG Kemba Walker is my final selection. It’s hard to deny a player averaging 23 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals for the 23-23 Hornets.
And Again Who Needs the Rising Stars Challenge
When I can watch Brooklyn Nets Caris LaVert do this in a real meaningful game. Okay; the Nets don’t actually play meaningful games but you know what I mean!
Belated Happy Birthday to Vince Carter
Vince Carter turned 40 on Thursday…..and he’s demonstrating that 40 is the new 30 with this incredible move against the Toronto Raptors.
Temper Temper
Oklahoma City Thunder PF Enes Kanter fractured his arm throwing a hissy fit Thursday night and may miss up to two months. Check out the fit below
What do you wanna bet the Thunder defensive efficiency rating rises dramatically during the next two months?
My NBA Western Conference All Star Reserves
Guard: Oklahoma City Thunder PG Russell Westbrook got snubbed but it’s hard to leave out a guy who’s averaging a triple double.
Guard: Portland Trail Blazers SG C.J. McCollum gets the nod here over backcourt mate Damian Lillard and in place of Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul. McCollum is averaging 23.2 points per game and zero Twitter rants about not being selected.
Forward: Golden State Warriors PF Draymond Green got snubbed in my opinion. His 10.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.4 blocks, 1.9 steals and two kicks to the groin area a game belongs on this team.
Forward: Memphis Grizzlies C Marc Gasol is averaging 20.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, one steal and 1.4 triples a night. Can’t imagine not having the best center in the game not on the All Star team.
Forward: Sacramento Kings C DeMarcus Cousins is averaging 28 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.4 blocks, 1.5 steals and nearly two triples a night. Plus there’s always the chance Boogie spits a mouthpiece and that right there would make me want to watch this game.
Forward: Minnesota Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns is having a terrifc year averaging 22.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, three assists, 1.5 blocks and one triple a night. The Timberwolves might be awful but Towns is going to be a fixture in this game for a long long time.
Guard: Portland Trail Blazers PG Damian Lillard is my last selection but only because I didn’t want to see him pout on Twitter about not being selected. Actually this type of game is perfect because no one plays defense and his 26.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists actually matter.
Brett Musburger is Calling it Quits
Legendary sportscaster and former NBA play by play man Brett Musburger is ending his legendary career 49 year career on the 31st of January. One of my favorite moments was in 1977 when the Portland Trail Blazers won the NBA Championship……..and the way things are going with the Trail Blazers this season maybe they should have left the baskets down?
"They’ve gone wild in Portland!... The baskets are down!"
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 25, 2017
Congrats on a legendary career, Brent Musberger! #77Champs pic.twitter.com/nfcGL60NnD
Batman Still Has It!
Chicago Bulls SG Dwayne Wade recorded a 21 point seven steals outing against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night. Wade became the second oldest to do so in an NBA game. The oldest? None other than the “Logo” himself Mr. Jerry West!
The Cavaliers Say No To Carmelo
Allegedly the New York Knicks tried to persuade the Cleveland Cavaliers to take Carmelo Anthony off their hands. Allegedly Kevin Love was the asking price. Allegedly Cavs GM David Griffin said no. Maybe last season this would have worked but now Love is the better player in a much better situation with the Cavs this season than he was one year ago.
Anthony isn’t what the Cavs need anyway. Anthony isn’t the type of player Cavs Head Coach LeBron James was demanding asking about in the interview below.
I don’t see where James was describing Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is a legendary ball hog ball stopper and the antithesis of a playmaker. James also says the Cavs are too “top heavy” and while bringing in Anthony would make the team even more top heavy than it already is.
Welcome to Loud City Managing Editor J.A. Sherman and I discussed Anthony on my weekly podcast.
See you next week!