HoopsVibe

What's good, basketball fans? Guess who's bizack? If you've noticed the miniature mugshot to the right of your screen, you'll know already that it's none other than yours truly, the HoopsVibe Blogmaster. So, what did I miss since we last met? Predictably, enough went down while I was away from my keyboard to fill a book, let alone a sub-thousand-word column. Rather than bore you with my thoughts on the last fortnight in the basketball world, I'll jump right in with a look at today's events, which were themselves enough for at least a few chapters of discussion. Let's get right into it.

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What's good, basketball fans? Before we get going, I'd like to respond to those of you who bemoaned the omission of LeBron James, Allen Iverson and, in particular, Kobe Bryant from my All-Star squads. If the presence of Ricky Davis and TJ Ford wasn't enough of a clue, I'll put it in plain language: I vote for the players I like, as should you. If the All-Star Game had been intended as a showcase for the league's best (rather than most popular) players, the fans wouldn't be invited to vote, and it's likely the process would have been turned over either to the coaches or, worse still, computers. Of course, talent plays a big part in our thinking, and it's for this reason that we generally see a selection of the league's finest players on the floor during the weekend. It is not, however, the only factor, which is why ballots like mine have Sixth Man and MIP candidates in place of MVP hopefuls.

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What's good, basketball fans? Today, as promised, we'll be looking at my picks for the 2006 All-Star Game. My thanks if you responded with your selections and comments, and my apologies if I didn't manage to reply to your email. Before we get into things properly, I'd like to introduce tomorrow's topic of discussion: the dunk contest. Let me know your four participants (I'm making the assumption that the format will remain unchanged from last year) via the comment box at the bottom of the page or by emailing me at CY.Ellis@HoopsVibe.com. With that out of the way, let's take a look at my ballot. (Fun Fact of the Day: For those of you that have lost count, this is my hundredth article at HoopsVibe. I expect gifts.)

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What's good, basketball fans? Although still at an insanely early stage of the season, the league has just released the 2006 All-Star ballots, and today I'll be asking you all to let me know who'll be getting your vote. Who absolutely must make it? Who have the fans slept on in past years? Which popular players do you feel should be staying home this time All-Star Weekend? Let me know your thoughts on this and anything else relating to the 2006 festivities by commenting in the box at the bottom of the page or emailing me directly at CY.Ellis@HoopsVibe.com. Tomorrow, I'll be breaking down your responses and revealing my own picks. If you would like to select your squad here, remember that it'll need two guards, two forwards and one centre from each conference.

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What's good, basketball fans? You know how this goes. For those that don't, you can find a link to the previous article in the Showdowns series to the right of your screen. Let's get right into it.

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What's good, basketball fans? Eric B. and Rakim. Batman and Robin. Bobby and Whitney. Peanut butter and jelly. In this world some things just go together, and this is an idea that holds true in life as much as basketball. Certain pairings are symbiotic in nature and lead to wins, rings and other good things. Some are a little less amicable, more likely to culminate in a scrap than a chip for either party. A third type is that which exists only in the eyes of the public and media, who consciously connect two players for any number of reasons. It is this third category which we'll be looking at in an attempt to answer the age-old question applied to so many pairs of rival players: “Who's better?” Today's head-to-heads pit Kobe Bryant against Tracy McGrady, and Emeka Okafor against Dwight Howard. To suggest a future match-up or to reach me with your thoughts, email me at CY.Ellis@HoopsVibe.com or leave a comment in the box at the bottom of the page.

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What's good, basketball fans? For a time of year which is typically jam-packed with rumours, trades and other NBA news, things are a little quiet right now. Reports that Stephon Marbury's days may be numbered in N.Y. can be found nearly everywhere, but otherwise, fresh information is a little hard to come by, to say the least. I'll put it this way: I printed out every article of interest I found today, and the pile is low enough that Brian Scalabrine could clear it with ease. Fortunately for you good folks, this means that we'll be returning to the Articles That Diminish My Credibility As A Writer series, and, more specifically, the segment we like to call Lists You Never Needed To Read. Let's get right into it.

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What's good, basketball fans? There are two sides to every debate, and when it comes to basketball, those sides more than often not end up warring with one another. Some folks can debate the finer points of politics for days without once raising their voice, and accept a barrage of personal criticism without so much as batting an eyelid. The moment the topic turns to hoops, however, they'll sharpen their elbows and start swinging at the first suggestion that someone holds a contrary viewpoint. In recognition of the divisive nature of basketball discussion, we'll be taking a look at some of the biggest points of contention in the league today, balancing the pros and cons as best we can. Let's get right into it.

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What's good, basketball fans? They say it's the little things that count, and I have to agree. The sky-scraping jams, knee-buckling crossovers and sixty-foot buzzer-beaters are always fun, but what about the aspects of the game you'll never see in a highlight reel? In today's edition, we'll be looking at everything we love about the NBA that you'll rarely - if ever - see mentioned in the newspapers. Let's get right into it.

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What's good, basketball fans? At a little over a week into the season, we're at a point at which we've seen enough action to make some early judgements, but too little for any definitive statements. It's for this reason that it's the perfect time to make my early predictions, including those concerning the winners of the various individual awards. Let's get right into it.

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