Wow. Just wow.

Every single game ever ever ever needs to be played on a US aircraft carrier. It just looks so beautiful. Goodman vs Drew threematch?

NOTE: I'm am copyrighting the term 'threematch', so don't even think about stealing it. The ninjas will find you.

Lockout MVP: Kevin Muthafuckin' Durant

 Best video of the lockout by far. Watching KD has been a joy this summer/autumn. His childish love of the game has been so refreshing.

(Video courtesy of The Mars Reel)

NBA 2K12 Review

Too Busy playing NBA 2K12. Apologies.

#BasketballNeverStops- Lego NBA

NBA Commisioner David Stern has today announced that, due to no agreement being reached in the CBA negotiations, the lockout could last the whole year. Contraversially, he also announced that replacement players would be brought in from the short-lived 2001 Lego Basketball league.

Lakers Center, Lego Shaquille O'neal believes his team has all the right pieces to challenge for the 2012 LNBA Championship.
Nets Guard, Lego Jason Kidd understands that the the playoffs are unrealistic. "it's a rebuilding process and we just have to follow instructions and go one step at a time".
Raptors Forward, Lego Chris Bosh was unavailable for comment, reportedly due to his sponsorship commitments with Lego rival K'nex.

Now Lego Commisioner Stern expects the Lego schedule to be buiest on and around Christmas day.

Tune to'ESPN 30 for 30- Leguru of lego' on ESPN 8 "The Ocho", Thursday, 8 ET.

(Photo courtesy of @JordanEBJets)

The best video on YouTube (if you can stomach it.)

Yep, that's highlights of every single 40+ point game 'The Answer' ever had. If you are crazy enough to sit and watch it for two hours, you will remember why some considered him- pound for pound- the best player EVER.

Stern already did it to Seattle.

The NBA is locked out. The last team we saw play was the Dallas Mavericks. We watch Summer Leagues and double the amount of football. We don't know how but we just want basketball back. We are getting a sneak peak into the life of a Sonics fan. Words like 'revenue' and 'profitability' mean a lot more to a Sonics fan than they do to you. They've heard it all before. They've been locked out since 2008.

Sunday, April 13, 2008, Key Arena, Seattle, WA-

Earl Watson, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Nick Collison, Johan Petro. These five names would make up the last ever Seattle Supersonics starting lineup. Playing Shooting Guard (out of position) in P.J Carlisemo's gut wrenchingly bad offence, was Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant would become a two time NBA scoring champion and worldwide basketball superstar in a matter of years, but today he was playing his last game for the team that took him #2 in 2007 NBA Draft. It was a strange scenario, it didn't feel like the end. Until the end;  "SAVE OUR SONICS" echoed through the rafters, the team managed to pull out a win against the perrenial contender Dallas Mavericks. The atmosphere was electric but suddenly turned cold and bitter, it was all over. 41 years of history, 41 years of memories, 41 years of some of the greatest athletes on earth; gone.

The Reason? David Stern.

Many members of the media claimed that Seattle did not do enough to keep the Sonics. Fans from other cities told the city "too little too late".

Fast forward to October 2, 2011. Labor talks had resumed in New York after a series of unspectacular failed negotiations. Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat had only shown his face at the talks a couple of times sinc ethe lockout was confirmed and was actually targeted as not doing enough about the situation (listening, Sonics fans?). However, Wade had been keeping out of the spotlight but still up to date with every development, or lack thereof, in the CBA negotiations. He attended the latest meeting along with the agenda of more direct involvement but not to take centre stage. David Stern begins his usual manipulative with his weak followers alongside (Mr Bennett, anyone?). During a speech, Stern gesticulates with a finger point towards the players. These negotiations had been heated yet civil since July, just as the actions of Supersonics fans were quiet yet urgent through that whole last season. Dwayne Wade springs from his chair and shouts "You're not pointing your finger at me. I'm not your child".

This was Wade's Save our Sonics rally, this was wade's heartfelt cry for help during the Mavericks game in '08, this was a reaction to a bully. A bully is calculating and subtle by nature. They'll seem your best friend one minute and take your Basketball franchise the next (or you know, whatever). The point is that the NBA has been scared of Stern for a t least a decade now and it's time for that to end. His act has worn thin. Dwayne Wade may not have helped the talks. He may have angered the most powerful man in basketball, but he wasn't letting himself or any single other player be bullied anymore.

Thanks to the greed and manipulation of one man, Seattle might never end their lockout. The only number Stern didn't want to increase was 41.

Some things aren't meant to be predicted. They're meant to be.

 

NBA Finals MVP Lebro.. Dirk Nowitzki?!

As the first significantly depressing date (namely the day training camps were supposed to start) arrives, I have decided not to look into the uncertain future of our league but into the past. This time last year, the term 'CBA' meant nothing to most of us and 'The Decision' was still the hot topic. This time last year, Jason Terry was getting another tattoo done. Of course, that is of no significance. At all.

I'm sure I am in no way in the minority when I say I love the start of training camp. Love. After a summer of flirting with the World Cup and Wimbledon, the idea of having my beloved NBA back is always tantalising. At a stage where you would happily watch Boris Diaw and Brian Cardinal play 1 on 1 for 48 minutes, all of the training camp coverage feels like Christmas come early.

The three that I'm sure everybody was looking at as contenders for the Larry O'Brien trophy were the 2010 Champion Lakers, 2008 Champion Celtics and newly assembled Miami Heat 'Big Three'. There was a lot of buzz around the young and talented OKC Thunder aswell as  the compulsary "Gilbert Arenas is back to his best" and Orlando Magic buzz, but there wasn't much to think about other than these three teams.

The Lakers were the defending Champions and returned with the acquisitions of Matt Barnes and Steve Blake, two experienced veterans; they looked the real deal yet again. The Celtics steadied their Finals-worthy frontcourt with the addition of Hall of Famer Shaquille O'neal. Then there was the Miami Heat. The fanfair surrounding 'The Decision' had lead a large proportion of the basketball community to wish failure on this team, the rest of the NBA to hold a grudge and the media to watch their every move, praying for a slip-up. Sure enough, that first slip up came just days after the Big Three were put together, "Not one Championship, not two, not three"; the proportion of the basketball community wishing failure upon the Heat doubled.

The rest of the NBA was filled with young talent like Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon's Clippers and Perpetual choke artists like 67 year old Jason Kidd's Mavs. With this in mind we should remember that despite all the blogs, podcasts, play-by-plays, bar chat and Slam magazine articles, 99.9% had no idea what was coming.

Sure, the Mavericks had a talented roster. However, that's been true every year for the last decade. Aside from throwing away the 2006 Finals, what had this team achieved. Great players had come and gone, Dirk Nowitzki had had some truly remarkable years, and they had put together some balanced rosters. No championship. Why would this older version of the perpetual underperformers be any more successful? The answer? they wouldn't. We all knew they wouldn't. Right?

An entire season passes, we still had no idea what was coming. The Mavericks marginally get through a series with the Blazers, we still had no idea what was coming. The Mavericks reach the finals, we still had no idea what was coming. Just weeks later, Dirk Nowitzki has gone from the Finals Choke-artist to all time great, Jason Kidd finally has his ring and Mark Cuban barely said a thing for two months. None of us saw it coming. 

Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the cancellation of training camp, which is the first step to cancelling the season, we have to remember that great things are still possible. Great things that we don't know about yet. 

We had no idea what was coming. Jason Terry's tattoo artist however..

 

The ugliest uniform in the world.

WHY? Well if there's a lockout, we won't have to look at that design again until November 2012. The one plus I can think of. More lockout stuff later on.

Feel free to chime in on Blogger or via Twitter(@TheBallBlog)

The NBA 'All-White Guy' Team

I know what your thinking. 2nd from the right blows the white sterotype out of the water!

In the second installment of the All Minority series, the least minor of the minorities has a chance to win the All-minority virtual pick-up game we have going on. As I write this introduction, I still haven't decided on a certain player's skin colour so you'd better I'm more decisive about everything else. Let's see what the whiteys have to offer.


PG-Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
Despite his team's current frustrations and struggles, two time MVP Steve Nash has to be regarded as one of the best Point Guards of all time. His perfect balance of intelligent basketball IQ and competitive fire, coupled with his disciplined diet makes you wonder if he will ever slow down.

SG-Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
I'm happy for everyone on the blog and twittosphere to debate these teams, but not this particular selection. There is no way there is a better white 2 guard. White guys just don't do this position. It's really bizarre. Is it too soon to post the Batmanu link again? Woops. In all seriousness, this guy plays his own brand of basketball. Old fashioned slasher in some ways and new-school eurostep wizard in others.

SF-Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
I know, I know. There isn't going to be a genetically modified super mutant team and I couldn't fit him at PF so this is all you're getting. Could anyone ever have doubted this guy was going to be a superstar? An All-Star in his rookie year at 22.4 PPG and 12.0 RPG, thsis guy is legitimately up there with Rose and Durant as part of the NBA future.

PF-Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
Oh Dirk, stop it. The 2007 NBA MVP is currently having his most efficient scoring season ever. The 32 year old German came to this league as an unknown quantity and flat out changed the Power Forward position forever. Awkwardly creative fadeaways, underrated passing and deadly free throw shooting (His current streak is at 74, 21 off an NBA record) are all part of his ever growing box of tricks.

C-Andrew Bogut, Millwaukee Bucks
The curious case of Andrew Bogut. You can't imagine the pressure a #1 NBA draft pick is under, not even nearly. They generally go one of two ways; live up to the hype and become a superstar (Derrick Rose, Lebron etc..) or they simply can't live up to the expectation and pretty much crash and burn (Sorry Kwame/Blazers medical staff). Bogut, However has developed at his own pace. Workmanlike and professional throughout his career, he has allowed himself to develop at his own rate, rather than the rate decided by the media. Leading the league in blocks (currently 2.7BPG) he will surely get his first All-Star nod in the next few years.

Feel free to chime in on Blogger or via Twitter(@TheBallBlog)

The NBA 'All-Left handed' Team.

Ned wants the pick..

In the first of the All <insert minority here> NBA teams, the leftys around the Association get to stake their claim for the All-Minority Title:

PG- Derrick Fisher, Los Angeles Lakers
The stats have never blown you away but is there a more clutch player in the league? There certainly isn't a more clutch lefty.

SG-Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
Won't be his last appearance in the All-Minority series so let's justify his position with this.

SF-Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers
Jack of all trades, sixth man and well erm.. this. The consumate professional who can legitimately play 3 or 4 spots if needed. Every team needs a Lamar.

PF-Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
Possibly the most underrated player in the league, Z-Bo is a walking Double-Double who is constantly out to prove the doubters wrong. Was great to see this recognized with his 2010 All Star selection.

C-Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
I know he's not a legit Centre but he's registered a lot of minutes there and that's that. Perennial All-Star who is currently the difference between the Heat winning or losing. If Bosh is on it, they win. If he doesn't get touches or is guarded out my an athletic PF, (Ibaka etc.) they invariably lose. I think fans outside of Toronto Have forgotten how good he is.

 Feel free to chime in with your opinions either on blogger or via Twitter (@TheBallBlog).

Attraction Distraction

You know when you think "i just need to lick me some ear"?

Whether it's Ronny Turiaf creating somesort of fanfare on the New York Knicks bench, or Craig Bellamy starting a fight with himself for no apparent reason, I have always had a fascination with watching obscure or irrelavent events or player as a sporting event goes on. It's possible that this is because I have become bored with the actual sporting events themselves. However more often than not, it's that I have crossed the line from being 'in to' a game to being literally 'in' a game. Years of analysing NBA games and Premier League football games (Let's get this straight, I will always refer to the English use of football as FOOTBALL. End of.) has lead to my noticing of 'obscure' or at least overly specific areas of a game.

Here are a few of sport's attractions within attractions that you simply love to watch/hear/experience:

Ray Allen off the ball
It's a game within a game. Simple as that. In the NBA it takes more than being an excellent and well drilled shooter to make shots. Defensive rotation and reaction in the NBA is a BIG step up from college. Next time you watch a Boston Celtics game, forget about Paul Pierce getting iso upon iso on the wing, blur everything else out and focus on Jesus Shuttlesworth playing mouse to the opposing team's cat; coming off different screens; changing direction or speed. It's a joy to watch. The term 'The art of shooting' is thrown around very loosely; the fact of the matter is that shooting is what comes naturally to Ray Allen. Moving off the ball, busting a gut knowing full well you may not receive the ball, is an art in itself. This man currently has 2,602 reason why he is the master of the art. (NOTE:What are even more impressive are his calf muscles. They are like American Footballs.)

Football Crowds
This isn't exclusively visual, but how funny are football crowds? Football support obviously has connotations of immense passion and devotion, some of these leading to violent and irresponsible actions (different post for a different day yadayadayada). Anyway, aside from the fiery rivalries and emotional attachment which makes football the 'peoples sport' it seems to be, matchday 'banter' always grabs my attention. The songs are great. Rubbing salt into an opponent's wound with a rendition "2-0 and you fucked it up" or Liverpool fans  a few years ago serenading Peter Crouch with "He's big, he's red, his feet stick out the bed, Peter Crouuuch". In fact, whoever comments or tweets @TheBallBlog with the most amusing sports chant or banner will win a Kit Kat Chunky.

The People who just don't want to be there..
Without intending to make a comment that could be interpreted as sexist or otherwise, this section is almost entirely reserved for women and children (Don't complain, you got straight off the Titanic. And don't try and say you were more deserving than Rose or Jack, don't you dare.). One of the greatest advancements in the last 10-20 years is the participation and attendance of women in football. It's great and should be embraced, but men out there DO NOT MAKE YOUR WIFE WATCH SPORT. It's cruel and unusual punishment for someone who dislikes it and most of all, if you are watching a sport with any kind of rules, you will spend 75% of the time explaining them. The same goes for children. Yes, I'm sure we all have this fantastic image of kids in the '60s lining up on the terraces to watch matches and growing up idolising their weekend heroes but in the UK kids are statistically more likely to want play a musical instrument than watch football. Don't force it. The final member of this group is the most despised and unwelcome in most sporting circles. The corporate ticket holder.. Most noticeable at the All England Championships at Wimbledon, these people seem to be sun starved, uninterested and in need of some sleep catch-up. They don't like sport. They may not even like being outside. It's not clear whether they understand why they are at Wimbledon. They seem baffled when they hear no commentary so insist on giving their own uneducated version. These people occupy the best seats in the house when honest hardworking people, lets say bloggers, have to sit next to a 19 stone French man on the hottest day of the year. Shame on you.

Well, that's it for the first post. Feel free to chime in with your opinions either on blogger or via Twitter (@TheBallBlog).

Word to the wise. Personalised basketball shoes had better mean you average 20PPG or there will be hell to pay.