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LeBron James? Expect Greatness
Photo Courtesy of nicekicks.com
Everything is set for James to have one of those memorable years. James is only 23 years old, his point guard is a guy kids from Compton have probably never heard of in Mo Williams, his shooting guard is a guy who averaged one twenty-point game every 26 games he played in last season (he missed 30 games), his power forward has hands like granite and probably wouldn’t be able to score if he caught a pass anyway and his center just turned 33, but moves like he’s 60. Even in the woeful Eastern Conference, James is going to have to score like a madman for the Cavaliers to stay competitive.
Phillip Barnett explains why the numbers will be absurd.
Team USA Basketball Blog
Photo Courtesy of yahoo.com
And then there were two. Spain defeated Lithuania by 5 to get themselves to their first Olympic gold medal game since 1984 in Los Angeles. Team USA defeated reigning Olympic champions, Argentina, by 20 to get to their first Olympic gold medal game since 2000 in Sydney. Now the two favorites to win this tournament going into the Beijing Games squared off to see who was the best basketball country in the world.
Zach Harper's Olympic Blog - Recap of the USA vs. Spain - Gold Medal Game
Star-Spangled Dominance
Photo Courtesy of hoopfanz.files.wordpress.com
On the eve of the USA vs. Argentina Olympic semi-final rematch, we as basketball fans really have to look at what these Olympics can potentially mean for the basketball community at large. In the wake of these semifinal match-ups, considering the way that the U.S. team has played despite their obvious weaknesses, we have to ponder two rudimentary questions: Why is this U.S. team playing so well this year as opposed to recent world competitions dating back to the 2004 Olympic Games? And, is the international gap as close as we think it is?
Phillip Barnett answers these questions
NBA World Globalization
Photo Courtesy of nytimes.com
Not a fan of the NBA expanding into Europe? Don't want to worry about your team making an East Coast and Europe Coast road trip? Sick and tired of feeling like soccer and baseball are more of the world's sports than basketball? Well, wait not more. Actually, you're going to have to probably wait a couple of decades. But just be happy that your children and your children's children will no longer have these concerns. The NBA is becoming global but in a way that will make basketball the #1 sport in the world.
Zach Harper explains the ultimate goal.
Mo Williams Traded to the Cavs in 3-Team Deal
Photo Courtesy of theheatbeat.com
After being unable to find a second scoring option to put alongside LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers finally made a big splash in this off-season by completing a 3-team trade between the Cavs, Bucks, and Oklahoma City team (Thunder?) that will bring Maurice Williams to LeBron's side. For Cavs' fans, this deal will hopefully solidify their position as a title contender in the East and take some of the pressure off of LeBron James. For the Bucks and OKC team, it merely clears away roster and cap problems.
Zach Harper breaks down the trade for all teams involved.
2008 NBA Off-Season
Photos Courtesy of nba.com
The NBA Off-Season is underway and it is already far more interesting than anybody could have anticipated. There is more star power than expected and teams are looking to be aggressive in setting themselves up for either competing this year or being in a better cap situation for next year.
- Kwame Brown signs with Pistons, Sixers add backcourt depth - Zach Harper's Off-Season Blog
- Western Conference Team Movement
- Eastern Conference Team Movement
- Top 20 Free Agents
- Adam Sweeney's Western Conference Assessment - Eastern Conference Assessment
- 2008 Free Agent List
Off-Season Articles
Brandon Gallawa with a Kings' fans view of the Artest trade
Adam Sweeney with a Rockets' fans view of the Artest trade
Cory Elfrink thinks the Wizards have to choose between Gil and 'Tawn
Paul Pierce Thinks He's the Best
Photo Courtesy of soulhonky.com
Q: Is Kobe really the best player in the world?
A: I don't think Kobe is the best player. I'm the best player. There's a line that separates having confidence and being conceited. I don't cross that line but I have a lot of confidence in myself."
Yes, that question was really asked and yes, that was a serious answer.
Phillip Barnett breaks down not only the quote but lunacy of this thought.
Welcome Back, Basketball?
The game of basketball has regained its swag.
Photos courtesy of sportsgalleryweb.com and hundiejo.com
The game of basketball has been on life support for the last couple of decades despite the love for the game growing to an all-time high. Those of us that love basketball have defended it during its worst times and are now enjoying the spoils that the game is providing this year.
Zach Harper explains why life on the hardwood is so good.