Of the 10 players to be announced as starters this year, eight of them were starters last season. Amar’e Stoudemire started at forward for the East last season but was replaced this year by teammate Carmelo Anthony. Anthony, who started for the West last season, was replaced by first timer Blake Griffin this year. The retirement of Yao Ming also opened a starting spot which was filled by Lakers center Andrew Bynum.
Clippers guard Chauncey Billups suffered a left Achilles' tendon injury Monday night, and there were concerns within the team it could be ruptured, which would end his season. "It felt like somebody kicked me, man," Billups said after the game as he made his way to the team bus with crutches under both arms and a walking boot on his foot. "I don't know if it's torn, but I know it's not good."
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The curse of the Clippers isn’t dead.
After years of being the league-laughingstock, Los Angeles’ ‘other team’ appeared to have finally turned the corner and become relevant.
Of course, they have superstar Blake Griffin and fellow high-flyer DeAndre Jordan. This summer, the Clippers took a major step forward with the signing of Caron Butler and acquisition of Chris Paul, though.
The transaction that symbolized the club’s growth was claiming All-Star, Finals MVP, and NBA ‘OG’ Chauncey Billups off waivers from the Knicks through the CBA’s amnesty clause.
Billups brought instant credibility, and his injury will hurt on-and-off court. After all, Mr. Big Shot is a play off vet’ and his resume commands respect from teammates.
Sadly, Billups is likely out for the season. And just when it seemed that the Clippers had taken a massive step forward, they have an unfortunate setback.
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"There's talks and rumors every day. Today I was reading it was Minnesota is really interested in trying to put a good package together," he said. "[Other teams are] calling, and it seems like things are just waiting for the right offer to come along, for [the Lakers] to pull the trigger."
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Pau Gasol should feel uncertain about his future.
Two months, the Los Angeles Lakers nearly included him in a three team trade for New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul.
During the lockout, reports surfaced that the Lakers had offered Gasol to the Minnesota Timberwolves for franchise face Kevin Love.
Recently, rumors have swirled linking Gasol to the Orlando Magic for Dwight Howard, and the Lakers are still apparently talking to the Wolves.
So, why the trade chatter?
Well, the Lakers are expected to win a championship every year. Hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy is the only way to satisfy the ‘celebs’ at Staples Center and Kobe Bryant, their franchise player and the NBA’s Alpha Male.
Right now, the Lakers stand little chance of meeting such expectations. And Gasol can still fetch a pretty-penny on the trade market, which would help the Lakers rebuild on the fly.
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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Not a good look.
Chris Paul's late turnover allowed San Antonio guard Gary Neal to hit a game-tying three-pointer that sent the Clippers-Spurs game into overtime.
The Spurs won in extra time, and Paul described the play as the worst of his career. Watch the video and tell us thoughts in the comment box below.
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Mavs decide they need Lamar Odom ASAP for tonight's game against Utah. D-League stint canceled. Story w/Jeff Caplan going up now.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Mr. Khloe Kardashian will not have to 'lower' himself by reporting to the D-League, after all.
The Dallas Mavericks did send Lamar Odom to their minor league affiliate, the Texas Legends, for a conditioning stint after his return from personal leave.
The Mavericks, it turns out, need Odom for tonight's match against the Utah Jazz, so he's been recalled.
Here’s the question: is Odom ready to contribute?
He has spent months whining like a reality TV diva about his beloved Lakers including him in the nixed Chris Paul trade. Odom could have stayed with the purple-and-gold but forced a move to Team Cuban.
The versatile swing has had a reduced role in Rick Carlisle’s rotation. All his numbers are down.
Odom must improve to earn decent money next summer when the Mavericks buy out his contract to chase chase free agents Dwight Howard and/or Deron Williams.
--Got thoughts? Well get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
With the NBA trade deadline looming in 11 days, the Hornets remain open to trading veteran center Chris Kaman, according to league sources. But Kaman said he doesn’t care what the Hornets may decide to do before the trade deadline.“I dont care what they do,’’ Kaman said. “So if they want to trade me, trade me. If they want to keep me, keep me. I don’t care, but not in a disrespectful way. I just know I can’t control that part of it, so it something I don’t care about.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Chris Kaman isn’t at fault for this. Commissioner David Stern and the 30 owners he represents are.
Remember, Kaman came to the Hornets from the Clippers in the Chris Paul trade. The Hornets, who are owned by the NBA, had to accept an inferior package from the Clippers after Stern vetoed a blockbuster swap involving the Lakers and Rockets.
Stern nixed Paul joining the Lakers because he was concerned about the optics of a glamour team getting a superstar days after ushering in a supposedly more equitable Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Instead of getting a package of Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Lamar Odom, Goran Dragic, and a first round draft pick, the Hornets accepted Kaman, Eric Gordon, and other pieces.
All for optics.
Gordon has been injured. And Kaman, who struggled behind Emeka Okafor, was told earlier in the year by management to go home and wait for a trade. He recently returned when a trade couldn’t be found.
The bright side to this saga: Kaman’s $14 million per year contract expires at the end of the regular season.
So, the Hornets will get cap space if a deal can’t be found.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Lakers front office telling people that "nothing is happening" with Pau Gasol, league sources say. For now, anyway.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The Los Angeles Lakers want great, not good.
So it doesn’t matter that Pau Gasol was an integral part of the purple-and-gold winning two championships. To stay great, the Lakers must make changes -and that likely means parting with Gasol.
In the last year, the Spaniard has been linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves, included in Dwight Howard trade talk, and nearly sent to the Houston Rockets as part of the nixed Chris Paul deal.
Bottom line: Lakers’ management are willing to sacrifice their All-Star so they can rebuild for another championship on the fly.
Fair enough. What if the Lakers can’t trade Gasol for a superstar before the deadline?
Then Kobe and company will have the unenviable task of pushing for a championship with a disgruntled second star.
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Cavs send Ramon Sessions & Christian Eyenga for Luke Walton & 2012 Lakers first rounder. LAL gets right to swap '13 1st rounder w/Heat pick.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He’s not Chris Paul or Deron Williams, but Ramon Sessions is a clear upgrade at point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sessions is the kind of drive-and-kick table-setter Coach Mike Brown has long coveted for his offensive sets. Expect him to get minutes and eventually supplant veteran Derek Fisher as the starter.
All it cost the Lakers was Luke Walton, a fan favourite who was out of Brown’s rotation, and a lottery protected first round draft pick.
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The Lakers initially tried to trade Odom to the New Orleans Hornets in a deal for Chris Paul in December. The proposed trade upset Odom, and after the NBA vetoed the deal, Lakers officials said Odom told them he wanted out of L.A. Odom now says the trade wasn’t his doing. “Everybody knows that,” he said. “It was something that they were willing to get done no matter what. I think it is OK for them to admit that.”
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Lamar Odom, get over it.
Yes, the Los Angeles Lakers, the franchise you loved, traded you -more than once, in fact.
After all, Commissioner David Stern and the NBA nixed a three team deal that would’ve sent you to the New Orleans Hornets for superstar Chris Paul.
Then things got fuzzy. You say the Lakers continued shopping you, while the Lakers say you refused to report after ‘Paul-Gate’ and demanded a trade.
Bottom line: you ended up on the world champion Dallas Mavericks.
There could be worse things than playing for Team Cuban. However, you've pouted, played poorly, taken a leave without permission, tried for a buyout, and had to apologize when you didn’t get a buyout.
Instead of focusing on the present, instead of doing everything to help your struggling Mavericks, you insult the Lakers in an interview.
Not surprisingly, your play has suffered. And so will the market for your services when you become a free agent in July.
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Expecting to go deep in the playoffs, the Clippers have lost eight of the past 12 games. An ESPN report before the game, citing an unnamed source, stated that Coach Vinny Del Negro had lost the team, but he refuted the report.
“When you are losing games everyone jumps on you,’’ Del Negro said. “If you can’t take the heat, you shouldn’t do the job. You have to win games and that’s what you are measured on. Players are frustrated and I’m frustrated. You are going to get knocked down sometimes, but you have to keep getting up.’’
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The players say they support Vinny Del Negro. And Vinny Del Negro says the players support him.
Here's the question: do you believe the Los Angeles Clippers?
It’s hard to take the Clipper players and coach seriously when they sit at fifth in the Western Conference with a 26-21 record.
Typically, five games over the Mendoza line and a potential playoff birth would make Clipper-nation weep with joy and have the NBA wondering if the league is in bizarro mode.
These aren’t those Clippers, the losers of years past. They have an inside-outside punch in Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, while the supporting cast has a primo talent in DeAndre Jordan and plenty of athletes.
Yet, the Clippers have underperformed and aren't the best team to call Staples Center home. Another run of poor games - they’ve won four of ten - and the Clippers would likely miss the playoffs because the Western Conference is so competitive.
So Del Negro is feeling the heat. Expectations, after all, were sky high when the Clippers acquired Paul in December.
Now coach and player must perform. Talk is cheap in the NBA.
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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The set-up was unique.
Typically, Blake Griffin gets his dunks off a Chris Paul assist -and not a back screen from the tiny table-setter.
On Monday evening, the 2011 Slam Dunk champ used the Paul pick and went straight to the hoop with a powerful one-handed tomohawk.
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Chris Paul and Caron Butler caught partying the night away with playoffs about to start.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: These Clippers looked more focused on picking up girls than winning games.
The DJ had the music blasting, the club dancers were topless, the drinks were flowing, and the party was definitely on at Club Voyeur in Los Angeles Friday night. The special guests getting their party on were two Clippers one would expect to be resting up with the NBA playoffs starting in a week. Instead, Chris Paul and Caron Butler felt like blowing off some steam at one of LA's most notorious nightclubs. Paul and Butler were the center of attention at Voyeur Friday night with the MC even getting on the mic to announce, "We've got Chris Paul in the house tonight" numerous times.
Voyeur is one of LA's wildest nightclubs. It's where known partiers like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton have danced the night away. Paul and Butler looked to be having a great time at the party and stayed until the very end. Then they grabbed a few girls and darted out the backdoor.
Normally NBA players partying at clubs is no big deal, but with the playoffs starting on April 28th one would hope CP3 would have more on his mind than a banging party. Yet, this appeared to be exactly what the LA star was interested in last night.
The Clippers are 4th in the Western Conference and in the midst of one of their best seasons in recent history. This season has brought the birth of Lob City to LA with the recipe of CP3 connecting with high fliyers like Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. The question is do the Clippers have the focus to win in the playoffs. While teams like the Lakers are resting key players like Kobe Bryant to ensure he's fresh for the playoffs, the Clippers appear content to party the night away.
Photo 1 & 2 Credit: WENN.com
Photo 3 Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: They won’t beat Baron Davis or James Harden’s facial locks. They will give the masses at Staples Center and hoop heads around the world comedic entertainment.
The Los Angeles Clippers have started growing playoff beards to celebrate their return to the second season -much like teams in the National Hockey League do.
As mentioned in the video, forward Reggie Evans has a 'mile head start' on attaining the 'Rick Ross' look. Bottom line: the Clippers, having gotten over their mid-season struggles, appear relaxed, loose, and ready for the playoffs.
--Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
“It was short lived, too bad it couldn’t work out but things happen for a reason. My life has been so crazy the last couple years, as far as issues with my family, as far as going through personal tragedy. And I felt like God was saying, ‘You know what Lamar, I’m going to give you a little time. A little time to step back and soak everything in….”
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Lamar Odom is not Socrates or Dr. Phil, but he was rather introspective when discussing his fall with the Dallas Mavericks.
In case you’ve been living in a cave: the Los Angeles Lakers included Odom in the nixed Chris Paul deal, Odom got mad and demanded a trade, and the purple-and-gold obliged by sending him to the Dallas Mavericks for a paltry trade exception.
Odom was a peculiar fit for the defending world champs’. He was out of shape. He’s also a finesse player and Rick Carlisle’s bunch needed grit to replace Tyson Chandler. And his reality TV relationship with Khloe Kardashian didn’t help matters -even though Mavericks owner Mark Cuban runs the Shark Tank and was an epic failure on Dancing With The Stars.
Then there were the cap implications. The Mavericks only acquired Odom to buy him out at year’s end and use the financial flexibility to chase free agent Deron Williams.
Add it up and Odom struggled miserably in the Lone Star State. Fans booed him. Teammates questioned him. And he had a run-in with Cuban before being told he was on paid vacation.
To be fair, there was much we didn’t know. Odom’s marriage, even if it’s a reality TV spectacle, was stumbling. And his cousin was murdered.
So the forward needed some personal time. Hey we’ve all been there.
Don’t count Odom out, though. He’ll have a few offers this summer and will surely take the Mini-Mid level exception to join one of his two former teams in Los Angeles.
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The Los Angeles Clippers are tired of seeing Blake Griffin take hard fouls and have vowed to protect their All-Star forward if it continues. "I feel like people are intentionally trying to hurt him," Clippers center DeAndre Jordan said. "It'll all come back around."
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: One Los Angeles Clipper, DeAndre Jordan, gets it. They must fight back.
For months, opponents have subjected superstar, franchise face, and NBA glamour boy Blake Griffin to hard fouls with little to no fear of retaliation from his Clipper teammates.
The 2011 Sprite Slam Dunk champ faces such tactics for two reasons. First, it sometimes throws him off. And two, opponents hit him with a hard foul to prevent him dropping a grand facial on their dome (you know exactly what we’re talking about).
Old time basketball is one thing. Fans of the Detroit ‘Bad Boys’ or those old Anthony Mason Knick squads have no issue with a wee donnybrook breaking out at an NBA game. The problem has been that the Clippers haven’t defended their star teammate by returning the hard foul when opponents drive the lane.
Part of this is personality. The Clippers are a young, loose bunch. Their focus has often been in question; many like star table-setter Chris Paul seem to enjoy the glitz of Los Angeles.
Part of this is on-court style. The Clippers are a fast, lively bunch who excel when in the open-court tossing each other highlight reel alley-oops.
Credit Jordan for stepping up and talking about sending a message. With the grind-it-out playoffs around the corner, he and the Clippers must do far more than talk, though.
--Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
LeBron is the leading vote-getter on the NBA All-Defensive team.
HoopsVibe's Very Quikc Call: Not sure he'd be my first pick, but he should definitely be on the squad.
Hennessy and GQ team up to celebrate CP3's first GQ cover.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: With a combo like Hennessy and GQ at the Sayers Club in Hollywood, it's safe to say this will be one banging event.
I showed up to the Sayers Club in Hollywood expecting an incredible night. The second I heard Hennessy and GQ were teaming up for CP3's October GQ cover release party, I knew this was going to be an amazing event. Plus, the confirmed celebs on the press Tip Sheet included names like Blake Griffin, Kid Cudi, Terrell Owens, Magic Johnson, Lamar Odom (could the Kardashian clan show up?), and Grant Hill, along with a number of Hollywood actors. This was my kind of crowd. Ok, my crowd is usually waiting in line at Target for a price check, but I could definitely get used to an upgrade, NBA / Hollywood style.
When I got there the the Hennessy and GQ reps as well as the manager of the Sayers Club greeted me, all were super chill. We set up and soon enough Caron Butler strolled down the red carpet in the VIP entrance of the Sayers Club. Not only did he have time for the press, but he also granted HoopsVibe an exclusive interview along with all of the Clippers as they arrived (keep an eye out these will be edited and on the site soon). This was going to be a good night.
Having interviewed everyone from CP3 and Blake Griffin to TO, and Agent Zero, the red carpet was a wrap and it was time to head inside and enjoy the night. As I approached the bar I accidentally bumped into Talib Kweli. Oops. My bad, Talib, don't tell Mos Def. This high class elbow-rubbing was going to take some getting used to.
The bar was of course serving Hennessy specialty drinks and who was I to disagree. CP3 and the Clippers socialized in the center of the room as the satellite celebs circled. The amazing Prince inspired R&B-Pop band "Miguel" soon took the stage and NBA All-Stars transformed into fans as they whipped out their iPhones to grab photos and video of the group primed for a mass appeal explosion.
After the band had finished their set, CP3 hopped on the mic thanking everyone for coming out to celebrate his cover. GQ handed out copies of the October issue and I made sure to grab one. I mentioned I still shop at Target, right? This was an upscale night for an NBA All-Star that is just as classy off the court as he is on it.
For more info, updates, and gossip follow @HoopsVibe.
Video Coverage of GQ and Hennessy's CP3 cover launch party.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: HoopsVibe talks one-on-one with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Terrell Ownes, and more at CP3's GQ cover release party.
HoopsVibe is on location at Sayers Club in Hollywood, CA to cover the Chris Paul GQ release party sponsored by Hennessy. The stars walked the red carpet as we caught up with some of the NBA's most popular players just as they are set to return to camp for the 2012-2013 season.
The event was put together by Hennessy and GQ Magazine to celebrate Chris Paul's first ever GQ cover. Watch Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan dish on which Clipper have the worst fashion sense as Matt Barnes and Chris Paul talk about trying to find clothes they're wives dig. Even T.O. chats with HoopsVibe about how Sports influence fashion and fashion influences Sports.
It's a classy night for a classy man, as CP3 leads the Clippers to the promise land of style. Hennessy handles the party with R&B-Pop sensation "Miguel" killing it on the mic. See how this amazing night all got started as HoopsVibe chats with NBA All-Stars and Hollywood celebs on the red carpet.
Clippers staying focused as they tear apart the West.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Could the Clippers really be this good? Are they built for the playoffs?
Kobe puts Chris Paul on his latest poster.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Coast-to-coast Kobe makes CP3 look like a rookie. Not a good look for the Clippers All Star.
The following article profiles the top five free throw shooters in the NBA today.
Hoopsvibe's quick call: Free throw shooting is a crucial aspect of the game and is often the difference between winning and losing.
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The fans have spoken. Here are the East and West starting lineups for the 2013 NBA All-Star game.
Hoopsvibe's quick call: Most of these ballers deserved it, but a few are questionable.
Some picks may surprise, but the decisions are in. Here are our picks for midseason NBA awards.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The real question is can they keep it going?
Chris Paul chats with HoopsVibe after practice about trade rumors, championships, and Gregg Popovich.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: When CP3 answers a question you should pay attention.
Chris Paul talks candidly about what is next for the Los Angeles Clippers and CP3. Humble as always, Paul deflects any individual accolades and instead focuses on the task ahead. Now that the Clippers are finally healthy with Chauncey Billups back, could they be a championship team? They've beaten the Spurs 2 out of 3 games this season and are looking to make the leap to the next level.
Fresh off his MVP performance at All Star Weekend, Paul remains calm, confident, and focused when looking ahead. He knows there is a lot of basketball left in the season and that the Clippers have a long way to go. He also doesn't pay much attention to any of the trade rumors surrounding the Clippers. These include rumors that Boston Celtic big-man Kevin Garnett could be coming to LA or that fellow point guard Eric Bledsoe may be headed out of town.
CP3 remains positive about the chemistry on his team and their outlook for the second half of the season.
For more info, updates, and dirty filthy NBA gossip follow @HoopsVibe.
Chris Paul and his wife visit Lil Wayne in the hospital to show support.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: I guess CP3 and Lil Wayne are better friends than we realized.
Top 10 Los Angeles Clippers Ever.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: I know everyone's thinking CP3, but what about Danny Manning and Bob McAdoo?
#10 Bill Walton. They weren't his best years in the league, but in Walton's time with the Clippers he still managed a solid double-double.
#9 Bob Kauffman. He was a three-time NBA All-Star for the Clippers in the early 1970s.
#8 World B. Free. Besides having the coolest Clipper name of all-time he also was an NBA All-Star and averaged 28 and 30 PPG in two seasons with the Clippers.
#7 Corey Maggette. He was a multi-faceted scorer who lead the league in free-throws made and attempted.
#6 Danny Manning. Manning was the number one pick of the 1988 Draft and probably started the whole Clippers Curse. He averaged a respectable 14 PPG with a career-high of 22.8 PPG.
#5 Randy Smith. Who's Randy Smith? Smith's the franchise's leader in minutes played, assists, games played, steals and points. He dates back to the Buffalo Brave days, so most modern day fans probably don't know his name. He was an NBA All-Star and one of the most dynamic scorers of his day.
#4 Blake Griffin. He's averaged 20 PPG and 10 RPG since being in the league three season ago, but perhaps most importantly he has been a key piece to a 3 impressive winning season with the Clippers that has brought unprecedented success to a team historically destined to lose.
#3 Elton Brand. He was a similar player to Blake Griffin in a lot of ways. They are both 20 PPT and 10 RPG players and imposing players at their position. Brand simply did it longer for the Clippers and thus nudged out Griffin. I would expect Blake to take over this number three spot in the near future, but for now it is Brand's. He played with the Clippers from 2001-2006 and put up solid 20 PPG number over that entire time. He was an NBA All-Star during this period, the league leader in rebounds, and the franchise leader in total rebounds.
#2 Chris Paul. CP3 has averaged 16.9 PPG, 9.7 APG, and 3.7 RPG since he's come into the league. He's only improved on those numbers with the Clippers the last two seasons. Two seasons that have brought more wins to LA than the Clipper fan base know what to do with. He's also a six time All-Star, rookie of the year, All-Star MVP, been the NBA steal leader 5 times, and won a ton of other awards. He's current leader of the team and largely responsible for their current success.
#1 Bob McAdoo:
I'm sure a lot of modern day Clipper fans are scratching their heads at this one, but McAdoo was one incredibly dominant player. This dates back to when the franchise was the Buffalo Braves before they came to Los Angeles. McAdoo averaged 28.2 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 2.5 BPG as a brave. Not to mention he also had three 2,000 point seasons three of his four years with the team and had a league-leading 34.5 PPG in 1975 that season averaging 37.4 PPG in the playoffs.
For more info, updates, and dirty filthy NBA gossip follow @HoopsVibe.
Rumor Alert: Dallas Mavericks hungry to land Chris Paul and ready to make it happen.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: They've got the money to make it happen and the Clippers aren't exactly championship ready.
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Stephen A. Smith creates a stir claiming the Clippers are in talks to execute a blockbuster trade with the Celtics.
Hoopsvibe's quick call: This rumor sounds almost too ridiculous to be true, but it's interesting nonetheless.
Jordan CP3.VI AE are legit.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: These shoes are predictably built for guard play, but if that's your position they don't let you down.
Your 2011 NBA All-Star Game starters, as voted by the fans and announced by the NBA are below. The game will be played in Los Angeles on February 20.
Magic Johnson was a triple double machine 6-9 point guard. There will not be any one reaching “NEAR” Michael Jordan level anytime soon, but is there anyone who can reach near Magic Johnson? Magic has 138 career triple doubles in the regular season and 30 triple doubles in the playoffs from a career 190 playoff games. His career averages are 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists. Those are ridiculous numbers for anyone to obtain. What players today have the skills to do that?
There’s a saying you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. The New Orleans Hornets learned they’ve got Darren Collison while Chris Paul has been gone with injury.
The 2011 NBA Draft is done. Did your team get what they wanted? This particular draft was all about needs. There were many international players from all over the place. A lot of teams did not get what they wanted according to their fan bases. Rumored trades, and other stuff we don’t know, did not go down because of the uncertainty around the new collective bargaining agreement. This is completely understandable unless you are David Kahn. He was free-wheeling all over the draft. Trade away your cow and tractor? He’ll do that, too.
We are back to what the NBA was when Michael Jordan retired for the first time in 1993. There is no true ultimate dominator in this league who is head and shoulders above everyone. Remember that time? Malone, Stockton, Olajuwon, Shaq, Kidd, Miller, Barkley, Richmond, Pippen, Payton, and more became prominent when Jordan left. As of 2011, there is no one head and shoulders above anyone. We can make arguments for a few select, but they each have flaws whether it’s getting old, shrinking up, or whatever.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It wasn’t as crazy as Ron Artest or Johnny Drama’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel, but Chris Paul’s chat with the late night host is worth watching.
The star point guard discusses the Clippers, the nixed trade to the Lakers, and life off the court, so click the video and enjoy.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
It’s been a tough ride for Kobe Bryant and Laker Nation in 2011. They were dominated in the 2nd round of the playoffs against the Mavericks, Phil Jackson retired, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar disrespected, and Kobe looked old. Just going by numbers, the Black Mamba is not a top 5 fantasy player. Take notice that he is not being picked number one overall in many drafts. The trend picked up beginning in 2008 when Chris Paul and LeBron James started to take over.
Laker haters unite! This is your time. Hate hate hate hate! Did anyone peep Sugar Shane Mosley’s wife during the Pacquiao fight? Johnny Gill’s song was all I heard in my mind “My My My You sure look good tonight.” She sure was. Her name is Bella Gonzalez. She was screaming passionately at Sugar Shane to fight. I know Laker fans were screaming at the Lakers to fight just like her. Oy dios mios! I still haven’t gotten over the sight of her. Wow!
Yes, you read that correctly. Right now, it is time to leave the Orlando Magic organization. I know Mickey Mouse and the Funky Bunch are hurting right now and this one will send them over the edge, but lettuce be cereal. The current roster is terrible. The team regressed after the 2009 Finals. No regrets, no remorse. General Otis Smith had plenty of time to build a quality roster. He actually did that yet somehow messed everything up.
Everyone should be preoccupied with the playoffs. I’m still here licking my wounds because I finished near the bottom three in my pay league. I had to pay up. I knew I was out after the fourth week of fantasy basketball losing most of the categories. I wasn’t just losing. I was getting blown out. I started looking at my roster, piece by piece. Lessons learned. Here are the guys that I am staying away from.
“I thought it would have been good for the Lakers and good for the whole NBA,” Anthony said. “As a guy who loves to compete, I would have liked to see him out West with the Lakers. For me — I’ve been battling the Lakers for the last seven years when I was in the Western Conference — I liked that.” But Anthony won’t see Paul Thursday night when the Knicks take on the Lakers at Staples Center.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Everybody has an opinion -especially the superstar of the rival New York Knicks.
Carmelo Anthony, like most of the general public, believes Chris Paul should be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, and not the cross-town Clippers.
Most feel Commissioner David Stern stopped the purple-and-gold, the league’s greatest market, from acquiring Paul because the NBA, who owns the Hornets, had just spent four months locking out the players because of the power of 'have' franchises.
After all, how would it look if the Lakers got Paul on the same day the league ratified a new, more equal CBA?
Not good.
So Stern took action. And Anthony is talking.
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This is the most ridiculous thing I heard coming out from these arguments. Discrediting Derrick Rose is one thing, but to completely dismiss the award just because people do not agree with your assessments is another. This is flat out stupid. Why did people pick out this year to bring this up again? This was echoed with Steve Nash’s awards and probably with Allen Iverson’s. Is this what it has come down to?
The season is almost over. It is time to look back and reflect on the positives and negatives. The hype before tip-off was through the roof. There was a lot of anticipation on new rivalries and storylines to be played out. Will the South Beach trio work out? How will Blake Griffin play? Is Steve Nash’s window closed? Are the Lakers still the team to beat? Kevin Durant got the MVP? The Chicago Bulls are 4th seeders, right?
I come in peace, but I’ll talk about this. This has to be addressed. Welcome to LeBron’s new nightmare. The Miami Heat is getting $hi#$ed on by the full media blitz. It’s not over. It’s never going to be over with the public onslaught. There is more to come, but no one has mentioned this particular item. I write this with full sincerity - LBJ will not win MVP ever again. This is a bold claim, but there are many reasons to see why.
“It’s a preseason game,’ Barnes said after Thursday’s practice at the Lakers’ facility in El Segundo. ‘Yeah, they’re catching lobs and dunking. But it’s just a preseason game. Let’s just play basketball. If you make a dunk, act like you’ve done it before. He’s got hundreds of them. There’s no need for the hoorah after every single dunk. It’s unnecessary.’
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Los Angeles’ two NBA teams, the Clippers and Lakers, don’t care for each other. Not one bit.
After all, Los Angeles was always a Laker town. They had The Logo, Wilt the Stilt, Kareem, Magic, Big Game James, Shaq-Fu, Kobe Bean, Andrew Bynum, and others.
While the Clippers could never attract or keep top talent because owner Donald Sterling wouldn’t open his wallet or spend the luxury tax payments he received from league head office.
This age-old dynamic is changing. The (natural) order of Los Angeles’ basketball teams could flip flop in 2012.
The Lakers, who are still talented, are in transition, while the Clippers have Chris Paul at point guard; Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan down low; and veterans like Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler, and Mo Williams.
Here’s the biggest shock: the Clippers are the glamour team. Griffin and Jordan’s aerial antics will receive endless love on ESPN, youtube, and twitter.
And some, like the Lakers' Matt Barnes, don't appreciate the post dunks celebrations.
Too bad.
Barnes better realize times have changed. These are the new Clippers.
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That’s all I’ve been hearing lately. Blah, blah, blah, weak sauce, blah, blah. Why you mad, though? The major complaint is that no one really stands out from the pack. My thinking is “How the eff does that make the race weak?” My dude, you serious? Go watch Tommy Wiseau’s The Room if you think the race is the weakest then hit me back up or get slapped with a notice out of nowhere to give up the kids like Charlie Sheen. If you don’t like this season’s MVP race, you don’t like NBA basketball.
"Obviously, man, your pride is hit," Williams said. "Then once you get outside of the pride part of it, you start looking at the basketball aspect of it. "And everybody in the world knows I want to win. Everybody in the world knows that it's a good move for the city of Los Angeles. It's a good move for the Clippers organization. Outside of that, outside of my pride, that was just me getting over it."
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: I don’t see this as an issue in Clipper-land.
Obviously, newly-acquired Chris Paul will start. Chauncey Billups will serve as the back-up and play major minutes next to Paul. And Mo Williams, a former All-Star, will get tons of burn as a Jason Terry-style scorer off the pine.
Williams is a good guy and teammate. He has bought into his new role.
Here’s why: the Clippers are relevant. Very relevant.
With Caron Butler, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and their trio of point guards, the once sad-sack Clippers have enough talent to overcome being owned by The Don -Donald Sterling.
And that is saying something.
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The “I’m from the future” NBA commercials are too creepy. They need to stop. Whoever came up with that idea should be beaten with a dirty used plunger. They were good in quality until the Chris Paul one came up. It looks like they stopped trying. It looks bloody awful. Where is the final edit? The rotoscope and green screen effect are horrible. I thought the NBA had money to polish that sucker up. Looks like they didn’t give a damn either. “Go get it, Chris.” If I was Paul, I would have told the guy to hop back into the damn time machine. Bring back Bill and Ted while he’s at it. Dude.
They are pursuing sore-backed veteran point guard Baron Davis, who cleared waivers last night, and the club also is focused on pursuing forward Travis Outlaw, the Nets’ amnesty cut, if he clears tonight at 8, The Post has learned.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Chris Paul isn’t coming. Perhaps Baron Davis will.
Word is the New York Knicks are attempting to sign Davis, who was recently amnesty-waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On paper, this may work. Davis is an electric and dynamic talent. Many, like TNT broadcaster Kenny Smith, feel he has the skill-set to be a very good player.
However, the reality could be very different. Davis’ best years have past and poor fitness has hurt his form and durability.
The biggest issue with Davis in New York may be New York itself. The Big Apple will provide Davis with too many opportunities to continue pursuing his film and showbiz career.
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Trade talks involving Chris Paul between the Clippers and Hornets are back on, according to sources.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Where there’s a perception of a conflict of interest, there usually is.
After going back-and-forth all weekend with the Los Angeles Lakers, the New Orleans Hornets, who are owned by the NBA, are demanding everything but Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers.
The talks initially died. But are alive again because the Clippers are considering meeting the NBA’s stiff demands.
Of course, the Clippers, who already have Mo Williams, are reportedly considering an offer on the recently waived Chauncey Billups.
The league needs to make a decision on Paul. The longer this fiasco goes on, the worse they look.
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