Let’s Reflect: The Admiral’s 71 Point Game
What makes Robinson’s 71 point performance special is that not only was he just the third player to score 70+ in an NBA game, but that the 1993-94 NBA scoring title was on the line.
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The Greatest NBA Team of All Time Criteria
We went through the NBA MVP Criteria and the GOAT player criteria. Those were easy to do, but this is the toughest to sift through. What are the greatest teams ever assembled besides the 1992 Olympic Dream Team? Where do we start? I am pretty sure that this has been done before by other writers and analysts, but I will keep it simple without the discussion devolving in to “playing era” talk. Punching numbers in to a system to calculate outcomes between great teams do not work. And basketball videogames are not the answer either.
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Eliminating Dynasties
Dirk Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks winning the 2011 NBA title dispatching the best the league has to offer is a great thing. In the same way that Tim Duncan’s Spurs and Hakeem’s Rockets won, a new team winning the title refreshes the competition instead of regulating to the same franchises consisting around the Lakers and Celtics. The matchup gets stale unless you are a Lakers or Celtic fan. The faces are different, but the same teams remain. Green is green. Yellow is yellow. It’s like watching a bad film going through several remakes. You just have to wonder why.
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Brandon Jennings thinks Stephen Jackson makes Bucks a top team in the east
“The first day Stephen Jackson walked into the facility, I knew right then and there it was going to be a different year,’’ Jennings said. “And it’s going to be a year that I think we’re going to be successful.
“The thing about the NBA is the league gets better and better every year. It’s never going to be the same, so I think with Stephen Jackson and a healthy Andrew Bogut and Drew Gooden, I think we’ll be talented enough to play with any of the top teams in the East, hands down.’’
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Brandon Jennings is right to suggest Stephen Jackson will impact the Milwaukee Bucks.
Will it be for better or worse, though?
Jennings believes his new teammate will use his talent for good, transforming the Bucks into a contender out east.
There`s evidence to support this view: Jackson was a champion with the San Antonio Spurs; helped the Charlotte Bobcats make their first-ever playoff appearance; and was terrific for the Golden State Warriors in 2007.
And there`s evidence to refute this view: Jackson bolted on those same Spurs, fell out with the Bobcats, and demanded the Warriors trade him months after signing a lucrative extension.
The hope is that Jackson will warm to his new surroundings. When healthy, Jennings and Andrew Bogut are a solid pair. Coach Scott Skiles will appreciate his tenacity as long as Jackson doesn`t become a distraction.
Who can forget the shenanigans that took place with the Indiana Pacers?
Of course, Jackson’s deal expires in 2013, so he’ll have to perform if he wants a contract from the Bucks or another team.
Jennings is right: Jackson will make the Bucks better. For now, it`s in his interests to do so.
--Oly Sandor.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Rumor: Spurs moving Parker and Jefferson?
Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Spurs had been “in discussions” with the Raptors and Kings for a deal involving Parker.
Link
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Want Tony Parker? Well, you may have to take Richard Jefferson, too.
A few weeks ago, Tony Parker told reporters the San Antonio Spurs’ championship window had closed. Parker believed the organization needed to rebuild.
Of course, the you-know-what-hit-the-Alamo-fan. Parked denied saying his Spurs were done. Management assured the public they’d still contend.
Business as usual, right? Well, wrong.
The Spurs are indeed rebuilding. And Parker, ironically, might be the piece this quasi-dynasty uses to turn the page, flip-the-script, and start over.
The Spurs have reportedly made their French point guard available in hopes of securing a lottery pick. Word is the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings are interested.
However, the Raptors, Kings, or any other team would have to assume the four years and $32 million left on Richard Jefferson’s deal. This is a steep price for a former All-Star on the back end of his career.
Bottom line: Parker is on the trading block. Jefferson may go, too. And the Spurs are officially rebuilding.
--Oly Sandor.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Tony Parker: Spurs’ championship window is over
Tony Parker says that age has finally caught up with the Spurs. "At the start of the season I said this was our last chance," he said. "Tim and Gino (Manu Ginobili) are getting old. It's going to be tough to regenerate ourselves.
HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: Good. Just not great.
This is how Tony Parker sees his San Antonio Spurs, who, according to the lightning-quick table-setter, are now too old to win an NBA championship.
Parker thinks the Spurs are still relevant, though; however, their days of June victory parades along the San Antonio river-walk are no more.
Going forward, the Spurs` greatest challenge is identity -as in they lost theirs.
For years, Gregg Popovich`s crew were known for air-tight defence. Home or away, they were always competitive because they got-stops.
This season, they shifted to an up-tempo system to create easy hoops for the veterans. It worked during the regular season when games are open.
In the playoffs, the tempo slows. Teams get dirty, especially on defense. And the Spurs couldn`t adjust, which resulted in a, somewhat, surprising loss to the upstart Memphis Grizzlies.
So for the Spurs to stay competitive, they must rediscover their defensive chops. Or, The Alamo could continue falling in the Western Conference.
--Oly Sandor.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Spurs Early Exit Equals End Of An Era
It was a dominating era but no one can escape the ravages of time. Since Gregg Popovich took over as head coach in 1997-98 14 seasons ago the Spurs have made the playoffs every year and averaged 57 wins a year.
Gary Neal saves the day, and season, for San Antonio Spurs
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: They were down 3-1 in the series. And they were down 3 with seconds remaining.
So, who did the San Antonio Spurs turn to when their season was on-the-line? Tim Duncan? Manu Ginobili? Richard Jefferson? Or even Tony Parker?
No, Coach Gregg Popovich called on rookie Gary Neal to tie the game with a clutch three-pointer. The Spurs then won in overtime.
To be fair, this wasn't a complete shocker because Neal led all rookies in three-point percentage. However, most first year players would find the circumstances overwhelming.
Not Neal, though.
Watch the clip and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below.
-Oly Sandor.
Tony Allen thinks Manu Ginobili is a faker
Never one to shy away from controversy, Memphis guard Tony Allen on Sunday accused Manu Ginobili of faking his well-documented elbow injury. “It’s for the birds,” Allen said. “Everybody is banged up. You don’t see me running to my PR guy telling him about an injury.”
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Tony Allen calls it like he sees it. And he sees Manu Ginobili as a faker.
Allen, a lockdown defender for the Memphis Grizzlies, believes Ginobili, a swing for the San Antonio Spurs, is exaggerating his elbow ailment and instructing his ‘PR guys’ to publicize his injury.
This is about the head. Not the elbow. Allen must stop Ginobili from scoring. Ginobili must ignore Allen and score.
Both sides are looking for an advantage in their game of cat-and-mouse. For instance, tempers momentarily flared between these two in game three when Allen 'landed' on Ginobili.
There's also something else at play. Allen, one of the toughest players in the NBA, doesn't respect Ginobili, one of the biggest floppers in the NBA.
(You've just been Ginobili-ed.)
Allen and Memphis, with a 2-1 advantage, can smell blood. They'll continue to seek an advtange with their war of words.
--Oly Sandor.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Kobe Bryant fined 100K for Gay Slur
Lakers star Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for a homophobic slur that commissioner David Stern called "offensive and inexcusable."
After receiving a technical foul during Tuesday's game against the Spurs, Bryant stormed to the bench, hit his seat before sitting down, threw a towel and then yelled "Bennie!" toward referee Bernie Adams. Bryant then leaned back and muttered a gay slur.
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Are the Lakers Imploding?
I have an admission to make: I've been pretty bored with the NBA 's regular season. It's not that there haven't been plenty of interesting things going on in the league for the last month, I've just been more interested in getting to the 2 1/2 month marathon that is the Playoffs. But in preparation for the postseason, I re-engaged late last week. And as a reward for my rededication, the Lakers decided to make it worth my while. They're still my pick to come out of the Western Conference, but they've definitely added some intrigue to what may have been an otherwise predictable run to the Finals.
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Best Team in NBA; Bulls Or Spurs?
After winning 19 of 21 games the Bulls are nipping at the heels of the San Antonio Spurs for the league’s best record and home court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Spurs have been so dominant all year it’s hard to believe anyone could even be challenging them for the league’s best record. Considering how untouchable they’ve seemed it makes you re-evaluate the Spurs roster to see how they’ve been doing it in the first place. Put simply its “efficiency”.
Video: George Hill turns Earl Watson into a youtube clip
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The San Antonio Spurs are wobbling a little, as they head into the playoffs.
So Gregg Popovich’s club are hoping youngsters like George Hill can provide energy in the second season. And Hill did exactly that yesterday with an ‘epic flush’ on the Utah Jazz’s Earl Watson.
Watch the video and get at HoopsVibe News with thoughts in the comment box below.
--Oly Sandor.
Biggest Surprises and Fails for 2010-2011
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?
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Celtics need Shaq, Jermaine O’Neal, and Krstic healthy to win NBA Title?
Krstic left with 2:18 left in the first half of Thursday's game after landing awkwardly on his right leg. His knee became bent out of shape and he immediately felt the pain. With the help of Celtics trainer Ed Lacerte, Krstic limped off the floor. Krstic will return home to Boston where he will undergo an MRI on Friday.
Video: Nicolas Batum pulls a ‘Big Shot Bob’ on Spurs
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Talk about a feel good story.
Without Greg Oden and a healthy Brandon Roy, the Portland Trail Blazers have still had a successful season and are well positioned for the playoffs.
Much of the credit goes to LaMarcus Aldridge, who seamlessly became a first option while Roy has struggled with knee troubles. Don’t sleep on the supporting cast, though.
Nicolas Batum, Wes Matthews, and Andre Miller have been superb. Watch the clip of Batum making like Robert Horry and ‘Big-Shot Bobbing’ the league-leading San Antonio Spurs to seal the victory for the Blazers.
--Oly Sandor.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Kenyon Martin: Nuggets don`t miss Carmelo Anthony
"We all know Melo is a great player, but I don't think one player has ever won a championship in this league," Kenyon Martin told HOOPSWORLD. "He's a great player, but it's all about us playing together right now. That's what we're trying to do."
"We're just going out and playing basketball," he continued. "Everyone here knows how to play and we're competing every single night. When you compete, you put yourself in position to win. It's just playing basketball. Once you know how to play this game the right way, you can really fit into any system."
Rumor: Blake Griffin concerned with Clippers owner Donald Sterling?
Blake Griffin is concerned with the way Donald Sterling manages the Clippers and is monitoring the situation, according to sources.
Sterling recently testified in Elgin Baylor's lawsuit against the Clippers for wrongful termination and the owner also had a mishap related to an advertisement for Black History Month that was actually scheduled for March and included Griffin's picture.
East vs. West; Which Conference Is Better?
It isn’t exactly Biggie vs. Tupac but every year people ask the same question; which conference is better East or West?
Dwyane Wade calls the Heat’s struggles ‘growing pains’
“We’re going through these growing pains, and it sucks,” Wade said. “Of our 18 losses, I think 13, 14 of them we’ve had leads. “It’s mind-boggling.” This game meant something. Something awful? Yes. Something positive? Possibly, eventually, yes.But it doesn’t get much more painful than this. So it might be a while before that wears off entirely and we get the actual answer to that last question.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Well, that’s one way to describe the Miami Heat’s struggles.
Clearly, Dwayne Wade is putting as positive a spin as possible on the Heat blowing a 24 point lead to the New York Knicks and getting routed by the San Antonio Spurs.
Are these defeats more worrying than ‘growing pains’? Is team South Beach starting to doubt itself?
Consider the numbers: the Heat is 27-2 against teams with losing records, and 14-17 against teams with winning records. More troubling, they allow all teams -those with winning and losing records- back into games when ahead by a large margin.
Part of this could be about getting distracted. The Heat possesses three top flight superstars, and often get bored and lose focus with opponents.
Part of this could be about chemistry. With so many new faces, the Heat is still getting used to each other, especially on the offensive end where they run simple, basic sets.
For instance, Wade and James are still adjusting to each other. And both are learning to play with superstar post Chris Bosh.
Fortunately, they have some time to iron out the kinks. Unfortunately, they don’t have much time and today they face MVP candidate Derrick Rose and the upstart Chicago Bulls.
--Oly Sandor.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.