Flashback Fridays: Fun Police, the one with KG and A Reptile

Kevin Garnett wasn't always the adidas-wearing obnoxiously intense guy he is now.  In fact, he used to be obnoxiously intense guy with the swoosh company and also part of one of my favorite commercial series - Nike's Fun Police.

In light of how he kinda started the brawl between the Nets and the Celtics earlier this week, I figured this video would be relevant as a reminder that KG should be a little more chill in real life and in his acting roles.

Some Possible Sanctions Against the Spurs

Last night commissioner David Stern managed to draw more attention to an already highly anticipated game by threatening sanctions against Spurs head-coach, Gregg Popovich for resting 4 of his starters.  Presumbably, Stern was going to punish Pop for making a early season battle between League powerhouses meaningless by sitting 3 future hall of famers and one exciting young talent.

Via projectspurs:

“I apologize to all NBA fans,” said Stern in a statement shown during TNT’s pregame show. “This was an unacceptable decision by the San Antonio Spurs and substantial sanctions will be forthcoming.”

Pretty boss move. However, once the game started and the second-string Spurs decided to take the Heat down to the wire, I kinda got the feeling the David Stern was shaking his fist at Pop and the Spurs for making his earlier proclamation look so silly.

After all, if Ray Allen had clanked the game-winningthree, today's big story might not be that Pop rested Duncan and gang, but that he won with Gary Neal and the rest of the who-are-theys.

Since David Stern seems really busy finding ways to become the real-life Buzz Killington, I figured I'd help him out with some suggestions for sanctions he can levy against the Spurs that we would all enjoy.

Highlight: Joe Johnson Crosses Up Paul Pierce

To be honest Truthful (pun intended), JJ's crossover on Paul Pierce wasn't impressive for its execution or slinkyness.  This was one of those moves that look way worse because of where the defender ended up:

plus, fall fierce is the greatest anti-nickname anyone could ever come up with (kudos fakeespn).

Lessons Learned: Now That The Wizards Have Won a Game...

1) Even if your star player is out, that is no excuse to give up on the season.

 

Not every team can be like the Bulls and have the perseverance to stay in the hunt while their Derrick Rose is out, nor does every team have the depth of a Mavericks and have the best #2 and #3 options to fill in for their top dog. 

Especially true of the Wiz and their engine, John Wall. Although in the NBA, teams will tank the season in the fool-hardy attempt to improve their draft chances, no such thing exists in fantasy basketball. Plus, in head-to-head matchups, any-freaking-thing can happen, so get your Randy Wittman on and keep looking to make your team better even though your main weapon might be out of commission.


Fantasy application: If your team is missing a star contributor, maybe your goal isn't to be in 1st – 3rd place, but you do have a chance to win your weekly battle and by stringing a couple of those along, you could find your way into the playoffs.

Highlight: Russell Westbrook Dunk-up

Totally know how it is when you're powering up the  lower back and glutes for a thunderous jam, but all of a sudden your hand slips on the ps3 controller and you hit the shot button while in the air and you end up laying it up instead of doin' the slamma jamma.  

Thanks for giving us a highlight to relate to, Russ.

Tweet: Dejuan Blair Referring to himself As Old St. Nick

Since my m.o. on twitter is to favorite all third person personal references to fictional characters made by NBA players, I was delighted to see that Mr. Blair agrees with me that he is the most healthily santa-shaped player in the NBA.

  - DeJuan Blair / DeJuan45, bragging about his fancy schmancy shopping spree with a instagram picture, of course.

League Update: Wednesday Waiver Wire featuring Patty P

It is officially Christmas shopping season, so instead of trying to swing big deals with co-owners, why not go for some cyber monday-type deals by checking out these available players.

Wal-mart 55 inch HD TV Door-Buster

Patrick Patterson

last 5 games:

average 17, 5 reb, 58% FG, ~1 3PTM 75% FT

Aaron Brooks – on waiver wire (dropped by Laker Gang)

last 5 games: 56% FG, ~2 3PTM, 1 STL

Carl Landry

last 5 games: 57% FG, 5FTM, ~90FT%, 14PTS, 4 REB

Target Dirt Devil Clearance

Tiago Splitter

15, 12 AND 7 ASTS, 2 STL and 2 BLK last game (it was against the Wiz, so be a bit wary),

Martell Webster

Cause he plays on the Wizards, noone is paying attention. but you should. Last 3 games have featured points of 16-21-10, with an average of 2 3TPM. Plus, someone has to shine in DC while Wall is out.

Kohl's Outlet Sale

Jeremy Pargo

Lots of minutes since Kyrie has been out (averaging 33 Min, since Nov. 21st). Production is still rather low and not warranting a pick up but the Ty Lawson-like potential (28, 5, 5 against the Sixers on 11/21) is definitely there. May want to keep a careful eye on him.

Caron Butler

Not going to be getting a lot of opportunities as the 5th option on the Clipps, but he did have a franchise record in 3PM made on Monday.

Video: How Ricky Rubio Would Look as a Backyard Wrestler

in case you guys were wondering how rubio would look in a yellow tank wrestling on a mattress.

League Pick'em: Week 5

 Week 5 is upon us, league-ers.  Please make your predictions for whether or not the Wiz will win their first game this week.  Also, some entertaining matchups between the heat and spurs (Thursday) and nuggets and lakers (Friday).

To start, a review of last week:

Video: Kyle Singler Gettin' Buckets

Impressive that Mr. Singler can make shots on a football field, over a water fountain, and even off a moving Honda Accord. Even more impressive that he does so in those raggedy converses.   Creatively impressive that he is following up on his original buckets video by taking to the streets of Detroit to show off his ridiculous shot-making skills.

Sadly un-impressive in neglecting to choose a catchy 80's rock song as the soundtrack (see  Mark Titus' rainmaker vid) and also for how Singler has gone away from his "i'm with COCO" haircut.

All in all, a very Detroit Piston performance featuring  vast potential but just short of what it takes to be a world-class trick shot video.

League Update: Thanksgiving and Things

Welcome back from the thanksgiving break everyone.  With the feasting done, I am sad that there will be no more new hilarious pictures of Hornet's big men holding turkeys.

However, there is plenty of basketball to comfort you and me as we move further into the holiday season. Plus, with Christmas coming up, that means we can all look forward tophotos of our favorite ball players in Santa hats.

See ya turkey season!

To catch everyone up on league moves:

Tweet: Kendall Marshall on Jack Taylor

In case you guys haven't read any sports media this morning  a d3 college player named Jack Taylor scored 138 points yesterday. For your stat geekiness, SB Nation has a screen shot of the insane box score

Had a laundry list of things to say about JT, but since I'm pretty sure I am bias toward the guy already because he played at the same college level as lovable laker, Devean George, I decided to leave you commentary from a more reliable source of basketball talent, the Phoenix Suns', Kendall Marshall.

.

League Update: Power Rankings Wks 1 - 3 Part III

Almost indistinguishable if analyzing the names (Anthony and Tony), but entirely different in country of origin, ballingness of their female sibling, and number of NBA championships.  The clawing at the top between these teams will determine who is going to be crowned a champion like Tony or become known as the Reggie who never bested Cheryl.

3.
Clipper Nation: (NBA Comparison: Oklahoma City Thunder) - A team with no real weaknesses but not dominating in any statistical categories as the two teams above him are currently doing.

Quietly had one of the best draft results of anyone in the league picking up top 30 contributors in Ryan Anderson, Lou Williams and Andrei Kirelenko in rounds 8, 9 and 10.  This team resembles the Thunder in that it is unassumingly at the top in nearly all 9 head-to-head categories due to great draft choices and shrewd waivers pickups by its owner.  While many other teams have made drastic moves in swapping superstars, Clipper Nation has been patiently stocking his team with high contribution players without giving up much in return.


2.

k1dkobe: (NBA Comparison: Memphis Grizzlies) - This squad is winning in free throw percentage and total points while solidly in second place in rebounds and steals.  Having Kobe and Lamarcus Aldridge playing phenomonally and leading this team, you can make the comparison that he's got his Rudy Gay and Z-Bo in those two contributors.

Jamal Crawford, Kyle Lowry (before he got injured) and Omer Asik have been the overachievers on this team and are the metaphorical Conley, Ellington, and Marc Gasol.  If his team is like the real-life Memphis Grizzlies and can keep up the high production, they have the depth to contend in 6 out of 9 statistical categories.

Watch out for the production of Nuggets' Javale Mcgee and Andre Igoudala to provide even more depth to k1dkobe's team.

1.

Rob: (NBA Comparison: Los Angeles Clippers) - Similar to CP3 and Airic Bledsoe, Rob's got the dual guard tandem of young up-comers, Kyrie Irving and Ty Lawson as well as the well-known dominant fantasy assets of Joakim Noah and Lebron James who would be the Deandre and Blake for their fantasy contributions.  J.R. Smith, Kevin Martin, and Tim Duncan are performing much better than anyone could have predicted and are the symbolic Jamal Crawford, Caron Butler, and Lamar Odom (for performing above expectations).  Rob is dominating the categories of fields goals%, rebounds, steals, blocks.  Based on his significant lead in blocks and rebounds, Rob is going to be hard to take down.

League Update: Power Rankings Wks 1 - 3 Part II

In the middle of the pack of the league we have the zach and anthony randolph type teams.  On one hand, we have  squads with a lot of talent and should compete every week.  However, if they don't end up making any moves or their players don't increase their production significantly, they will end up finishing out of the top 3  and be forgotten as the season progresses. (pretty much the definition of skinny Anthony's career).

On the other hand, we have  teams that are a bit bloated and could use a couple FA pickups or trades to tighten up the ship aka the Zbo's.  These teams would do well to punt a few categories at the cost of stocking up in other ones to take down the top tier teams. 

6. 

Sleeper Squad: (NBA Comparison: Houston Rockets) - a plethora of trades has been made to this team throughout the season so it is hard to see effects of all those moves.  There is probably not a owner who calculates and compares statistics more than Sleeper Squad so he can most unoffensively be called the Darryl Morey of this league.

The current squad is not in the top half of the league in many categories so he may need to consider some other moves to invest his strengths in a couple more categories as opposed to all 9.

5.

The Replacements: (NBA comparison: Atlanta Hawks) - High performing team who has yet to get full production from its stars, Wade and Bynum.  Although this squad is at .500, the combination of swing players and post players means that the replacements should compete week to week in having the lowest number of TO's. 

At this time, this team seems to be mired in the middle of the league in the rankings for points, rebounds, assists, and steals.  This means he will be on the see-saw of many 5-4 matchups.  This is my super nerdy analysis and also because it actually happened in weeks 1 & 2 (almost happened week 3, but lost 6-3 to k1d k0be).

4.

gmachine: (NBA comparison: Dallas Mavericks) - this team has the fire power to take down the three teams ranked ahead of him.  Like Mark Cuban's team, it features the inactive Dirk, and the blossoming OJ Mayo.  Jameer Nelson was picked up recently to provide stability at the point guard position for the same reason Darren Collison was signed over the offseason for Dallas.

gmachine has gotten high production from players who have stepped up their play this season like Anderson Varejao and the alley ooper extradonaire, Andre Miller.  Al Jefferson is his usual consistent double-double (burger-loving and statistical) self and  Greg Monroe may take that jump into becoming the top 20 fantasy contributor this season.

Highlight: Westbrook Dunks; Great and Not-So-Great Commentary Ensues

play by play: "cocking the hammer and pulling the nastiest of triggers", yep pretty much give this man the sports emmy for those 9 words.

color commentary: "..russ decides to go up with VEROCITY(??)"

League Pick'em: Week 4

Huge week for the Grizz as they took down both powers in the East and West (Knicks and Spurs).  All of which makes the Clippers more impressive for beating them on opening day and also because they beat Miami thoroughly at home on Wednesday. 

Mike D'antoni is officially at the helm so Lakers are on the week's Pick'em after a week off.  Who's with me that perhaps Mike should take his time since Bernie Bickerstaff is 4-1 as head coach.

Since everyone has been posting their picks kind of weird, I'm going to make the format easier.

Just copy and paste P10 for this week listed below, and delete the team you think will lose, leaving only the team that will win.

League Update: Power Rankings Wks 1 - 3 Part I

We are going into week 4 of the season and teams are starting to show themselves to be in Ben Wallace or Rasheed Wallace form.  Both were never the dominant, superstars but they excelled at niche categories (Boards and Blocks for Ben, Technical Fouls and Threes for Rasheed).  For the teams in this lower echelon of the league, they would do to either make some bolder moves to be more competitive in more categories and not be like Sheed and Ben and only specialize in a couple.

In analyzing the strength/power rank of the ten teams, I have compared each squad to a current NBA squad and their production for this season.  In continuing the parallelism, you may call Sleeper Squad, David Stern, but in no way, shape or bald head am I Adam Silver.  

10.

Laker Gang: (NBA Comparison: Indiana Pacers) - Plagued by injuries ranging from Gerald Wallace, Nena, DRose, Amare and actual Pacer, Danny Granger, this team has lacked the personnel to compete during these first two week like its NBA comparison. 

Despite missing so many critical contributors, this team drew a tie in 3PTM and barely lost in points. against Challah in week 1.  Unfortunately in week 2, Laker Gang ran up against league leader, Rob, and took a beating in points, rebounds, and blocks.

However, the team picked up needed depth with Horford, Parker, Thornton and Gallo from Sleeper Squad so this team may be moving in a different direction which in this case should be up since you can't be any lower than 10th.

9.

kobeking: (NBA Comparison: Brooklyn Nets) - A much better team than his record demonstrates, after finishing on the better end of a 5-4 victory in week 1, this team has ridden the coat tails of Ibaka, Faried, and Russ Westbrook.

Although he has top flight contributors so that he is currently among league leaders in blocks, assists, rebounds, points, 3ptm, the team is particulary weak in free throw%, steals and turnovers.  For those doing the math, he can still win his weekly matchups and pull a Baron Davis on Andrei Kirelenko upset when the playoffs roll around. 

Mirroring the additions that the Nets made this season, kobeking has made a huge trade with sleeper squad.  Specifically, just like Brooklyn acquired Deron and Crash Wallace this past off-season, kobeking has recently acquired Chris Paul and Carmelo which was actually something that could have happened two years ago. 

8.

Challah: (NBA Comparison: Minnesota Timberwolves)  - A well-rounded team with an unassuming superstar, Kevin Love and a host of effective but not meteroic contributors describes both the T'wolves and Challah's team.  Not particularly strong in the FG or FT% or 3PTM, Challah does have strengths in rebounds and blocks.  When Love returns, Challah's rebounding should be hard to match with the trio of Marc Gasol, Paul Millsap, and Love contending in those categories.

Challah also has promising young point guard, Kemba walker and off-guard Arron Affalo, both of whom should have the best fantasy years of their young careers as the top options at their team.  If Deandre Jordan, Nicholas Batum, Chandler Parsons can continue to progress and fill the stat sheet like they have been so far, Challah could be a threatening team to contend with.

7.  

skiptomylou (NBA Comparison: Utah Jazz) - A team full of exciting, athletic, high ceiling players who still have much room to improve.  Leading the pack is current all-nba performer, Rudy Gay. Josh Smith, Dwight Howard should post similar numbers to their 2011-2012 contributions as the season progresses.  If Klay Thompson, Monta Ellis, and Goran Dragic can peak earlier than later, skip might have a chance to meet the giant potential his team has.

Robin and Brook At Disneyland

Setting the standard for NBA twins everywhere (pay attention, Markieff & Marcus), Robin and Brook Lopez are my fave duplicate duo cause no matter how far they are seperated in location (phoenix/new orleans to newjersey/brooklyn), they always come together and remind us that pictures of two people looking goofy is always better than one person's silliness.  If those two are identifical with equally ridiculous hair and facial-expressions, the result is hilarity for days.

ps, Emeka Okafor can't believe the height requirements at Disney are so loose.

Proof (via Grantland)

Flashback Fridays: 1998-1999 Finals Starting Line-Ups

Reading about the Knicks and Spurs game last night, I swear it felt like 1999 all over again.  For those of you not familiar or too lazy to wiki '99, this was the lockout shortened awkward season between the golden Jordan era, and the dynasty Lakers years when a baby-faced Tim Duncan went up against an equally youthful but way rowdier Marcus Camby.

This was probably one of the roughest lookin Knicks squads who went into the playoffs as the 8th seed in the East.  After beating the top-seeded Zo and Timmy Hardaway Heat, they swepts the Hawks and then took down the Pacers.  This team was 24th out of the 27 teams in offense, but they were 4th in overall defense  Think of the 2007 'Believe' Warriors, but with more beards and flagrant fouls.

The spurs squad was led by the who's who of calm old guys: Sean Elliot, Dave Robinson and of course the young big funduncanmentals.  Although they are the visiting team in the clip below, the Spurs were always this calm, no matter the circumstances, especially during this first championship run.

Since the Spurs went ahead and ended the dream for new yorkers that year (Spurs won in 5, 4-1), I hope Chris Dudley and kobe's best friend, Chris Childs were sharing a brew and exchanging high-fives last night for how Ray Felton and Carmelo Anthony soundly beat the Spurs on their home court.  It isn't be the sweet revenge of getting Pat his championship, but at least for one night longer, the Knicks are on top in the NBA.

Enjoy the golden pipes of Mike Walczewski.

Tweet: Chandler Parsons RTs His Mom

Only because we live in the social media saturated 21st century does the title of this post make any sense.

Very mom of Sadie Parsons and very subtly self-promoting of Mr. Parsons.  I suppose I shouldn't hate as Shirley and Monja Willis would probably start their campaigns for their sons if they weren't already front runners in the fan votes.

Highlight: Bledsoe Stuffs Wade

Eric bledsoe with the most dwyane wade-y type block against the heat.


poor dwyane wade who has made highlight reels of him blocking older taller guys got it did to him here.

A classic role reversal of old and young which is actually an underlining theme in the new Boy Meets World remake.

League Update: Wednesday Waiver Wire starring Jrich and Jose

A day late on the waiver wire update guys, but please excuse my tardiness.

Nice as Knicks:

Pick up of the week has definitely got to go to skiptomylou and his acquisition of Jose Calderon in favor of Chandler Parsons.  Since he was picked up on Sunday, Calderon has had games of 11, 17 (WHOOOO), and 10 (to complete a triple double) assist games.

Nuggety-good:
Jason Richardson: A very watchful eye by clipper nation as he picked up Jrich on his first game as a Sixer and was soundly rewarded with a 20 PT, 2 STL, 3 3PM outing.  Plus a nice 360 to remind us that he used to be kind of nice in the air.

Luke Ridnour: picked up by kobe king and has been a steadying influence of 3pm and steals.  In the 4 games since his pickup, he's averaging a very Bob Sura-y 14-4-4.

Ramon Sessions: Quietly been one of the most efficient Bobcats with his high volume production at rather low minutes played.  Finally grabbed off of free agency on Tuesday by Laker Gang which parallels last year's real life Lakers acquistion of Sessions. 

Poor as Pistons:
After his near trip double explosion, Michael Beasley was picked off waivers by gmachine.  Unfortunately, he is averaging a dismal 22.2%, 26.7% from FG and 3P for the season.  Plus, after his blow up against Bobcats last week, he has hovered around less than 25 minutes played with more shots taken than points scored.

Highlight: Chandler Parsons Dunks Off The Bounce-Pass from Jeremy Lin

For the second night in a row, a player on the opposing team decided to mess around and get a career high against the Heat.  Last night it was Chandler Parsons and his 25 points (5/10 3PM).  Enjoy one of his three baskets that was not from 3 point-land or the free-throw line.

Happy Birthday Russell Westbrook: A List of Presents He Could/Should Receive

For fear of you guys criticizing me tomorrow for not doing this for Metta World Peace's 34th birthday, I will still go with my gut and post a list of presents that I wish I could give Russ this year.

1) More 90's Cartoon shirts
2) Less Tyler the Creator/Tommy Bahama Shirts
3) Mike D'antoni as a coach (but as of 7AM PST, that is no longer a possibility.  Thanks a lot, Jim Buss for ruining this joke).  So at least the point-guard friendly offense D'antoni runs.
4) Lil Bow Wow's face photoshopped onto his body, or his face on Bow Wow's body. Who can tell the difference??
5) More roller blade J's
6)  Less frameless post-game glasses, more Tony parker in-game goggles.
7) Joakim Noah's finger guns dance to add in with his pistol gunzz celebration
8) Permanent physical and mental reminder to never get this hair cut again

Please feel free to add in any other gift ideas!

Highlight: Jerryd Bayless Gets the Huge Block which Leads to Wayne Ellington Knocking Down The Transition Three

Huge day for Wayne Ellington (7 Treys), and great effort from his Ramon Session-Carloz Boozer looking backcourt mate.

League Pick'em: Week 3

Week 3 of the season is upon us!  After two entertaining weeks of action, the Knicks are undefeated and the Bulls and Sixers are on top of their divisions with their star players out.  The Heat, Thunder and Spurs are expectantly on top, but the Clippers and Memphis are unexpectedly right up there competing for the top spots in their conferences.

8 out of 10 members of the league made picks this week but we are still waiting on Challah and Clipper Nation to join in on the fun. Although it was a more predictable week of action, the Kings had a surprise victory over their northern california neighbor, Warriors.

For this week, we have some competitive games to watch out for with the Heat taking on the Clippers on Wednesday Night and what should be an entertaining saturday game between upstart Nuggets and steady Spurs.  Happy Pickings!

Recap

Pick 10 of the Last Week

11/5
Knick v. Sixers
Pacers v. Spurs
Blazers v. Mavs
Warriors v. Kings

11/7
Suns v. Bobcats
Nets v. Heat

11/8
Clippers v. Blazers

11/9
Jazz v. Nuggets

11/10
Lakers v. Kings

Match-up of the Last week (MOTW)

gmachine v. skiptomylou

A tie! Everyone who participated gets points for this pick 'em, which basically means these points don't really matter.

Flashback Friday: When Durant, Harden and Green Lip-Sung Trey Songz

The year was 2009.  Sophomores Kevin Durant and Jeff Green enlisted the help of a gregarious rookie by the name of James Harden after a morning/afternoon of practice.

Utilizing the increasingly popular micro-social media app twitter and add-on, twitvid, KD shared this improptu video that he, Green and Harden filmed.

The lighting? A bit foggy.  The video editing?  Elementary.  The performance? Phenomenal compared to official music videos made by other nba superstars.



In hindsight, you can also see the personality of each of these guys based on their performance.

Durant: Clearly the leader and initiator of the sing-a-long. His humbleness is clear in how he gives up the spotlight to Harden during the interlude. 

 

Harden: The charisma and talent is there, but you can tell that he would have shone just as bright had he been spotlighted more.

 

Green: A good back-up singer. A bit awkward with his choice of dance moves.

 

Westbrook: Not visible. Probably in the next room filming a song of his own.

Me and My Baby Boy Contest: Rose vs Battier

Congrats to Derrick Rose and his newborn, PJ.

When Rose hopefully returns in March (3/27) or April (4/14) to play the Heat, I really hope Battier scolds him for opting for skins when he could have wore matching tuxedo shirts like Shane and baby Zeke.  

First, the standard-bearer for nba daddy & infant picture, and then DRose and his son.

Highlight: Another Great Outlet Pass from Koufos to Lawson and then Faried for the Slam

"give it to kenneth and BYEBYE!"

League Update: Wednesday Waiver Wire led by a rookie named Dion

Going into middle of week 2, the pick-up of the season goes to Clipper Nation and his foresight in picking up Kyrie Irving's backcourt mate, Dion Waiters.

With his explosion Monday night (28 PTS, 7 3PM, 1 TO) against the porous Clippers defense,  you can expect Waiters' confidence to be sky-high. Here are some other highlights:

Key Pickups:

Challah
Kemba Walker - averaging 20 PTS, 2 STL, 1 TO.

Sleeper Squad
Robin Lopez  - averaging 14 PTS, just about 8 REB, 3 BLK

Laker Gang
George Hill - averaging 14 PTS 4 REB 5 AST

Watch List:

JJ Redick - averaging 23 PTS,  3 3PTM
Jason Kidd - averaging 2 3PM, 2 STL

Brendan Haywood - averaging 9 PTS, 10 REB

Tweet: Elton Brand, the Libertarian

While a poll early this season made it clear that majority of NBA owners supported Mitt Romney and the players were in Obama's camp, one burly but nerdy power forward used his twitter account to share who he voted for:

kudos EB, for 

1) doing your civic duty 

2) not being afraid to share your party affiliation although it may polarize you from more ignorant NBA fans

3) being a good loser, which we often give athletes crap for although our whole lives we are encouraged to be gracious in defeat.  

Highlight: JR Smith Throws It Down while Doug Collins Frowns

Knicks are the early season suprise.  They've started 3-0 and their star scorer is being talked about more for his defense than offense.  Their points guards Kidd and Prigioni are 39 and 35 years of age with the former currently being regarded in fantasy sports as one of the most efficient players in the league, and the latter is contributing key minutes (see highlight below).

However, the one consistent aspect of the team was guard JR Smith's ability to make ridiculously athletic plays to bring the Garden on its feet. On this play he does just that.

Plus, check out the painfully long 3 seconds the cameramen pans to Doug Collins.  What a great highlight. 

Brookyln Nets Have a Shiny New Mascot

I guess part of Mikhail Prokerov's dry humor is to subtly change the team's name, starting with the mascot choice as seen below.  Not that great of a funny, but much better than how the owners chose to not-so-subtly leave New Jersey.

via nets daily, this new mascot was supposed to take over for the old Nets mascot, the cuddly Sly the Silver Fox, to match the team's team new jerseys, arena and point guard.

As cool as it is to have Knight as a mascot (my junior high mascot was a knight), the Nets aren't the only team in the NBA to have a mascot that makes no sense (see Wizards and their jolly blue guy, G-wiz).  I guess it is hard to find a character to represent "Nets", just like its hard to represent "Heat" (goofy bird with the appropriately pun-ed name, Burnie), or "Magic" (Stuff the Magic Dragon).   

I hope NBA teams stick with the sesame street characters like G-wiz.  I personally am not a fan of a medieval soldier leading me in cheers.  Also, can you imagine a soldier getting a bro-hug from Jay-z?

Happy Monday everybody. I leave you with Burnie and the mascot of Toronto, Drake.

Player to Watch: JJ Redick and his Growing Fantasy Value

It is early in the season and besides the usual suspects, Lebron and Chris Paul, highlighting the top 10 in fantasy production, there are also players with some suspiciously attractive numbers.

For example, you have Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Mo Williams at 2 and 6 (2012-2013 overall fantasy value), overachieving for their respective teams.

Conventional wisdom would say that neither of these guys are number 1 options on their squads and thus should not be counted on to keep this blistering pace in their contributions. Unless monta ellis, bjennings in milwaukee and al jefferson, paul millsap, all decide to fall off the face of the earth, dunleavy and mowill should be coming back down to earth in week 2.

On the other hand, you have players like JJ redick who has always been a role player in the NBA his whole career, but now hes being counted on to produce on a team that needs his scoring and in a system (jacque vaugn's free-flowing offense) where he is thriving.

Here are some historical instances for you to ponder when considering whether or not to keep your eye on Redick.  Keep in mind that the guys listed below such as Zach Randolph and Michael Redd were seen as good players but never considered go-to guys until they had their huge years on their dismal lottery teams.


Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph - NY Knicks - 2007-2008
Al Harrington - NY KNicks - 2008-2009
Michael Redd - Milwaukee Bucks 2002-2003

as you can see, the following season, things changed for Redd:

 It's only been 2 games, but JJ Redick has the same opportunity that Crawford had in New York playing alongside Z-bo in 07-08 and with him and Al Harrington in 08-09.  Redick probably won't produce like Redd did, but he is worth considering if you are looking to fill a role in that SG position with an emphasis on %'s, 3PTM and low turnovers.

edit
gmachine picked him up Monday morning after I had this written up on Sunday might.  GJ, gabey.

edit x2
it was actually the replacements, sorry and good pick-up don.  

League Pick'em: Week 2

What up week 2 league-ers!

Lots of underdog victories in the first week of the season.  Clearly everyone was homering it up with the lakers pick, but I'm right with you guys.  No way I would have the lakeshow 1-3 by the end of the week while dallas is 2-1.  Some other suprises included the Rockets/Harden's hot start as well the youthful Hornets losing at the buzzer to the Spurs and then winning their next two games.  Make your picks with this new resurgence of teams in mind!

Recap

Pick 10 of the Last Week

Oct.30
1)Wiz @ Cavs
2) Mavs @ Lakeshow
3) Celts @ Heat

Oct. 31
4) Nuggs @ Sixers
5) Pacers @ Raps
6) Rockets @ Pistons
7) Spurs @ Hornets
8) Kings @ Bulls
9) Mavs @ Jazz
10) Memphis @ Clippers

Results:

 In descending order,

team name: Rob

pick 10 choices:
wiz, lakers, heat, nuggets, pacers, rockets, spurs, kings, mavs, memphis

 Total Points: 4

 Team name: kobeking

Pick 10 Choices:
Cavs, Lakers, Celts, Nuggets, Pacers, Rockets, Hornets, Kings, Jazz, Clippers.

MOTW: Sleeper Squad

Total Points: 5

 team name: skiptomylou

pick 10 choices:
cavs, lakers, celtics, nuggets, pacers, pistons, spurs, bulls, jazz, clippers

motw:
Sleeper Squad 

 Total Points: 6

Team Name: The Replacements

Pick 10 Choices: 1) Cavs 2) Lakers 3) Heat 4)Nuggets 5)Pacers 6) Rockets 7)Spurs 8) Kings, 9)Mavs 10) Clippers

MOTW: Sleeper Squad (hands down)  ^these type of comments on your picks are hilarious in hindsight

Total Points: 7

tied for first place

Team name: Sleeper Squad.

Pick 10 Choices:
Cavs, Lakers, Heat, Nuggets, Pacers, Rockets, Spurs, Bulls, Jazz, Clippers.

MOTW: Sleeper Squad  

Total Points: 8

team name: gmachine

pick 10 choices:
cavs, lakers, heat, nuggets, pacers, pistons, spurs, kings, jazz, clippers

MOTW:k1d k0be

 Total Points: 8

Pick 10 for the Week (P10)

 Home team is always the second team listed.

11/5
Knick v. Sixers
Pacers v. Spurs
Blazers v. Mavs
Warriors v. Kings

11/7
Suns v. Bobcats
Nets v. Heat

11/8
Clippers v. Blazers

11/9
Jazz v. Nuggets

11/10
Lakers v. Kings

Match-up of the week (MOTW)

gmachine v. skiptomylou

Flashback Fridays: Eddie Jones as a Laker

Once upon a time, there was a shooting guard called the most complete Laker and all-around player in the NBA.  No, not young KB, but Eddie Jones.

With the Lakers starting the season 0-3, I was reminded of the first lottery pick that the Lakers ever had in Eddie Jones (Andrew Bynum was the 2nd).  Who knows, maybe this revamped laker squad might do well to tank a year, grab some young talent in the 2013 draft to go along with Dwight, Pau, and a savvy veteran Kobe (think of Kareem at the tail-end of his career), and go for the title next year. #lafanspanicking

League Update: Lakers Gang Trades with Sleeper Squad

Lakers Gang has traded two of the three players he gained from the earlier trade in the season from Challah to Sleeper Squad.  Mirroring the real-life trade of James Harden, he and the injured Amare Stoudemire are acquired by Lakers Gang.

Tony Parker, who just hit the game-winner over the Thunder is sent to Sleeper Squad along with the yet-to-play Carmelo Anthony.

Working on a visual diagram of the players that have been acquired and traded by Sleeper Squad in this short season.  Players seem to leave his team as often as Blake Griffin Kia commercials are shown on TNT!

Highlight: Jamal Crawford Takes Rudy Gay Ice-skating

jamal crawford is thumper, rudy gay is bambi. 

Video: OKC Thunder Players Do A Commercial

the Thunder see your KIA commercial(s), Blake, and raise you a Chrysler jingle.

Come'on Perk
-Nick "Jim Halpert" Collison

Video: Kyrie Irving Brings Back Uncle Drew

Halloween has come and gone and the idea of dressing up in a costume will be socially frowned up again.


Except if you're a young NBA superstar like Kyrie Irving.  In the second installment of the Uncle Drew series, Pepsi and the Cavs guard proves once again that you can make up for the embarrassment of wearing granny or in this case grandpappy panties by embarrassing others even more by schooling them on the court.