VIDEO: NBA TV's 'Dream Team' Documentary

Part 1 Part 2 I did not upload this video, Commisioner Stern. All rights go to NBA, NBA TV and Turner Sports.

VIDEO: NBA Finals Game 1 Micro-Movie

VIDEO: License to Lillard, Episode 1: The Beginning

Looked impressive in the combine. Has all the skills to succeed. Nice spot.

VIDEO: David Stern asks Jim Rome if he "Still Beats his Wife?"

Did that actually happen? Amazing.

A Different Look at the NBA Finals

Whilst the basketball world goes nuts about Durant vs James, KD vs The King and @KDTrey5 vs @KingJames, we take a look at the NBA Finals' storylines which might be flying under the radar.

-This could be James Harden's last Playoff series with a mohawk. The beard, however, is safe.

-Shane Battier has emerged from the basketball wilderness in order to play in the NBA Finals. He's Pretty psyched, to say the least.

-Much has been made of the James/Durant match-up, but in reality we'll probably see more of Battier on KD.  Battier's suffocating defence was a huge factor as OKC narrowly escaped Memphis in 2011.

-Nike have LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dywane Wade (Jordan), Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Chris Bosh and Thabo Sefolosha wearing their shoes; so that's a massive advertising win. Adidas can find consolation in seeing them all parade around with 3 stripes down the side of their warm-ups, though.

-Durant and Bosh have a bit of history. Remember when Durant called Bosh a "Fake tough guy"? It will be fun to see if that flame is reignited, especially considering that Durant is unlikely to talk much trash with super-pal, LeBron James.

-So much hinges on Role-Players in this series. If defensive-stoppers, Thabo Sefolosha and Shane Battier aren't able to wade in (pardon the pun) on offense, then we could see a messy series.

-Derrick Fisher has the chance to get his SIXTH NBA RING, which is pretty crazy if you think about it.

What's your Finals prediction? Tweet it my way @algreenan

Excited for The Finals?

YOU ARE NOW.

@algreenan

Ricky Rubio - Top 5 Plays

After suffering a torn ACL in Friday's loss to the Lakers, Ricky Rubio's spectacular Rookie season came to an unfortunate end. Check out the his Top 5 Plays, as we look back on 'Tricky Ricky's' first season in the NBA.

  5. No Look, No Problem.

  4. Between Cousins' Legs!


3.Razzle Dazzle


2.Not in Ricky's House!


1."This kid has a gift!"

Dana White- Mayweather comments "racist"

UFC President Dana White came out earlier this week and branded Floyd Mayweather Jr a racist for his comments on Jeremy Lin and the unfolding 'Linsanity'. 

I think you are fighting a losing battle if you say anything against the best sports story of the century. Once you bring race into it, you may as well throw in the towl.

Here's what Mayweather said about Lin on Twitter:

"Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don't get the same praise," 

Not being one to miss an opportunity, Dana came back with this: 

Dana has been known to make something his business if he doesn't agree with it. As recently as the Bisping vs Sonnen fight, he got really mad at hackers and made his voice heard.

What have Floyd Mayweather or Jeremy Lin got to do with Dana White? Although it's Dana's style to speak out of turn, he has every right to comment on this situation. Having turned a sport which was branded as 'barbaric' and 'brainless' into one of the most marketable products in the sports world he knows what good and bad press is. After Dereck Chisora and David Haye's childish brawl in Germany, does boxing really need any more bad publicity?

Follow @algreenan

The Trade That Nearly Changed Everything

In February 2009 the New Orleans Hornets decided to break up the most potent pick and roll duo in the league and the spine of their inspired 2008 run to the Western Conference Semi-finals. This decision and it's ramifications would echo around the league for years to come.

The Trade
The trade sent Tyson Chandler to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Chris Wilcox, Joe Smith (two veterans with expiring contracts) and the draft rights to DeVon Hardin. It represented the Hornets' acceptance that their current group was not championship material and a rebuilding process (through free agency) was due.

A forgotten part of this trade is what it meant for the young Thunder (newly relocated from Seattle). Thunder GM, Sam Presti has been given a tremendous amount of credit through the years for his patience and ability to slowly build through the draft. What this trade signified was exactly the opposite; Presti wanted to win NOW. I'm not saying Presti hasn't done a fantastic job, but this trade did him a favour.

The trade was agreed and Presti's praises were being sung. However, a lingering toe injury, which was highlighted by the Hornets' medical staff, turned out to be enough of a consideration for the Thunder to rescind the trade. You can only assume that there was a big chance of the injury recurring (Chandler had surgery on the toe in 2007) and that the risk was too great.

The trade was forgotten. No All-Stars were involved.The memory didn't hang around for long. However, the implications were far greater than anyone would or could have predicted.

The teams affected

New Orleans Hornets- The Hornets eventually traded Chandler for Emeka Okafor in July 2009; a trade which puzzled much of the basketball world. Okafor was a shot blocker but so was Chandler. Chandler had a supernatural understanding with All-Star Chris Paul. The length and size of Okafor's contract meant that the Hornets were no longer players in free agency.

L.A Clippers- Many people say that Chris Paul never recovered from being split up with Chandler. He and Chandler were the best lob combo I had seen since Payton and Kemp (seriously). In a different, yet equally mystical turn of events, Paul's trade to the Lakers was vetoed and The Clippers ended up with Paul to play alongside Blake Griffin and the newly amnestied Chauncey Billups,

OKC Thunder- Sherman Alexie said in the brilliant Sonicsgate documentary that what lead to the eventual downfall of the Sonics was the search for the elusive center. The final, painful few years in Seattle were spent searching without success. With this in mind you can't fault Presti for biting when the catch presented itself. Chandler would have given OKC a much needed presence down low.

L.A Lakers- With Oklahoma City's defensive rock at centre, the Lakers simply would't have had an advantage over the Thunder it that tightly contested 2010 Playoff series. I genuinely believe that, with Chandler, the Thunder would have won that series and the Lakers would not have won the 2010 NBA Championship.

Boston Celtics- You can probably see where I'm going with this. However, before that, it's worth mentioning last season's most significant trade. The trade which sent Jeff Green to Boston in exchange for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson simply wouldn't have happened if Tyson Chandler had been traded in 2009. The 2008 Championship starting five of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett and Perkins would still be intact. As Doc River will tell you, they have never lost a playoff series with that five. Anyway, with the demise of the Lakers, the Celtics' miraculous 2010 playoff run would have culminated in championship number 18.

Dallas Mavericks- Lead by perennial All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks reached the 2006 NBA Finals, only to lose in heartbreaking style 4-2. In 2007 the Mavericks suffered more heartache as they were swept 4-0 by an inspired Golden State Warriors team. A few disappointing playoff runs later, the Mavericks were able to secure an elite defensive Center. Having been somewhat in the wilderness out in Charlotte, Chandler was a revelation as his defensive presence powered Team USA to the 2010 World Championship title. Mavs GM Donnie Nelson took a calculated risk in trading for Chandler; a risk which could not have paid off more. The Mavericks had an established veteran core of Nowitzki, Kidd, Marion and Terry and with the addition of Chandler, gained the leadership and defensive philosophy that championships are made of. The fairytale ending to the legacies of Kidd and Nowitzki's careers could not have been sweeter. Without Chandler, who knows.

So there we have it. A troublesome toe injury, along with a touch of fate, shaped the landscape of the league for the years to follow.

Do they do championship toe rings?

Follow @algreenan

Nick Collison - King of the 'dirty work'

You may have seen Nick Collison's guest blog for GQ, in which he gave his take on "How to survive in the NBA when you're not a superstar". It's refreshing to see a roleplayer who is happy to be a role player and isn't envious of the All-Stars around him.

Anyway, as a follow up, the blog posted some great mixtapes of Nick Collison doing the 'dirty work' (screening, hand-offs, taking charges etc.) The dude is the perfect roleplayer and the perfect compliment to the athleticism and flair of Westbrook, Harden, Durant and Ibaka.

The Ultimate Nick Collison Mix

Nick Collison- The Boss of Screening

Follow @algreenan

Linsanity - Every Basket.

It seems like like the party has been going on for months, but Linsanity has gripped the basketball world for only 16 days. In those 16 days, Jeremy Lin has averaged 25 PPG and 9.2 APG and the Knicks record has look like this: W-W-W-W-W-W-W-L-W. Lincredible (I know, I know).

In homage to what might just be the greatest underdog success story in the history of pro sports, here is every single Jeremy Lin basket since the start of Linsanity.

vs Nets (99-92)

25pts,7ast, 5 reb, 

vs Jazz (99-88)

28 pts, 8 ast

@Wizards (107-93)

23 pts, 10 ast

vs Lakers (92-85)

38 pts, 7 ast

@Timberwolves (100-98)

20 pts, 8 ast, 6 reb

@Raptors (90-87)

27 pts, 8 ast

vs Kings (100-85)

10 pts, 13 ast, 5 reb

vs Hornets (85-89)

26 pts, 5 ast

vs Mavericks (104-97)

28 pts, 14 ast, 4 reb, 5 stl

If you watched every single one of those, you have truly experienced the wonder that is Linsanity. I'm not sure how we will look back at these 16 days, so this is me reminding you that it was breathtaking.

The Dunktape of the (last) Century

I have always been a firm believer that kids with glasses can throw down. With this video, my theory has been emphatically proved right. I'd like to believe that this guy invented all of these dunks. 1990 was very a long time ago, after all.

The tape is made by an older sister trying to embarass her younger brother. Turns out he's "jewfro-bulous".

Haters gonna hate.

@algreenan

Lets pretend we scored a goal

The optimism of English football fans, when their team is getting spanked, is something to behold. Losing 3-0 and facing a depressing trip home, Aston Villa's fans find the silver lining.

For the international viewers, they're singing "Let's pretend we scored a goal" and proceed to celebrate like mad.

Aston Villa owner, Randy Lerner also owns the Cleveland Browns.. Maybe these guys can get to a Cavs game? "Let's pretend we've got LeBron".

@algreenan

Lin-Lan: Handshake Kings.

As If these guys could get any damn cooler. One of the more imaginative handshakes in the league for sure. Should a handshake contest be added to the All-Star Weekend?

@algreenan

LeBron James is interviewed by weird English kids.

"Man, I wish there was a video of LeBron being asked random questions by nervous 10 year old Liverpool FC Supporters"- We've all thought it. Right?

Liverpool Kid: Are you taller than my dad?

LeBron: As who

Liverpool Kid: MY DAD

LeBron: *awkward laughter* *pause* *awkward laughter* Oh hahahoha Connor. I will believe so. I will  believe I am taller errr you know than not only that particular dad, but a lot of dads. A lot of fathers. *barely containable glee*.

On behalf of the internet, Thank You LeBron.



Don't agree? Bring it. @algreenan

4 Point Play- 3/1/12

Four of the most fun, exciting or interesting talking points from last night's games around the Association.

1. Of course Kobe scored 37- The guy has always done this. However, don't expect him to bounce back like  this when he has his next crappy shooting night. He's not that guy anymore. Sorry.
2. Kevin Durant "Couldn't throw a Rock in the ocean standing on the beach!"- Neither Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook led the Thunder in scoring in their 103-93 loss to the Blazers; which only happened twice last season. I still stick by picking Durant as scoring champ, Harden and sixth man of the year and Westbrook as an All-Star.
3. Do the Lakers need to trade for Howard?- With Bynum, who scored 21 and pulled down a mammoth 22 boards, playing this way-Would Dwight be more productive? I feel like trading for Dwight is officially signalling that Kobe is no longer THE GUY.
4. DENG!- GB's finest with the game-winner. Luol has the best backdoor cut in the NBA. That, combined with Roses screen, made it look like a gimme.

Good Russell-Bad Russell

 

I've always thought of 'Good Russell' and 'Bad Russell' as seperate people, so you can imagine my excitement when Royce Young posted this on Daily Thunder. If we are to believe the storm that a lot of people seem to want to brew, then head tattoo is the next logical step for OKC's All-Star PG. Definitely.

Don't agree? Bring it. @algreenan

4 Point Play- 2/1/12

Four of the most fun, exciting or interesting talking points from last nights games around the Association.

1. Greg Stiemsma- Has any non-superstar Celtic ever become so popular so quickly? (Sorry Nate). Furthermore, has anyone ever been punked this badly and emerged smelling of roses? The Legend of Greg Stiemsma begins.
2. TRACY MUTHAFUCKIN' McGRADY!!- Excuse my language, but that's the only way to describe his 16 points against the previously unbeaten Miami Heat. With 13 of them coming in the 4th Quarter, T-Mac proved that he can still be a valuable contributor to this league.
3. The Champs!- You didn't really think that the Mavs would let the Thunder, who they beat in last years Western Conference Finals, beat them again? Four times in three weeks is just ridiculous. Dare I say it, Vince Carter looks to have as much spring in his legs as he has for three years. If he can stay aggressive, Lamar Odom could find himself the third best sixth man (if you follow that). The Mavericks needed time to gel but they look they will be a contender once again.
4. Love's Wolves win again- 24-15-1-3-2= Kevin Love's DELICIOUS stat line.Rubio didn't match his previous two performances but did show a different side with this block on the Spurs' Danny Green. Love you, Ricky.

Don't agree? Bring it. @algreenan