Swoosh Blog Productions

For Goodness Sake, My Name is Blake

2011-01-16T20:29:00.004-05:00

In previous seasons, if I was to suggest that the Clippers and Lakers actually had a rivalry, you'd probably laugh. I would too. I would lose what little credibility I have. But nevertheless, the Los Angeles teams duked it out this afternoon, and the Clippers won 99-92, ending the Lakers seven game win streak. For those of you keeping track, today was a home game for the Clippers, just in case you were wondering.

The thing I loved about this game was that although they share the same arena, The Staples Center, the Clippers bought into the home atmosphere. One of my favorite players to watch, Blake Griffin, is just a man amongst boys. He has brought a swagg to the Clippers that hasn't exsisted since the inception of the franchise. Being a Redskins' fan, I feel a lot of misfortune about my team, however my ill-feelings PALE in comparison to Clipper fans....(if there are any). The team has been SO BAD for SO LONG. Just when things looked promising several years back with the addition of Baron Davis, Elton Brand turned his back on Baron and bolted for Philly. Since then it's just been a despressing event to watch a Clippers game. That is, until Blake Griffin started playing this season. Night in and night out, Griffin acts like he's playing for the Lakers in LA, not the Clippers.

He is an absolute winner. Not to mention, could possible be their cornerstone for the next 10 years....(doubtful though, especially with howhe plays, I doubt he'll be able to have 10 productive years unless he develops a jumpshot to cut down on his high-flying dunks, oh and why would he want to stay with the Clippers when his contract is up?). So disregard that last statement altogether. However, Clippers fans can enjoy him while they have his services. One of the most amazing things in my eyes is how he has rejuvenated Baron Davis, who I've always felt like is a lazy, half-asser....(I created a verb, I think). Baron Davis is still not putting forth full effort like he did in the Don Nelson/Golden State days of his career, but it is a start.

Griffin's stat line for the game included: 18 pts and 15 rebs. Lamar Odom got into it at the end of the contest when Griffin agressively went for a rebound. Blake, Lamar, and I believe Ron Artest were ejected for the final 10 seconds of the contest. Video highlights for the play, and the game can be seen here.

The Clippers also have another emerging star besides Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon dropped 30 points today. In a previous match-up against the Lakers Gordon scored 24 points earlier this season. Gordon and Griffin provide an amazingly young core nucleus of talent for LA. The two are natural scorers, and natural leaders. They are ultimate compliments to eachothers skill-sets. Gordon also had 6 assts in the victory. One major concern I have with the combo is the amount of playing time both are recieving. Griffin played 38 minutes, while Gordon played 43.

The Clippers are out of the playoffs by 7 games currently. Although I doubt they will capture a postseason birth, I would not be suprised if they made the playoffs. Currently standing in their way are: the Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, Suns, Rockets, and Warriors. I was feelin good about their chances of playing catch-up, but then I read who started todays game and I don't feel so confident anymore. Their starters included: Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin, Ryan Gomes, and Deandre Jordan. Then my stomach really sunk when I read that their most productive bench players are Eric Bledsoe, and Randy Foye. You could make the argument that they have, "a young, up and coming bench," however, my argument is, "an inexperienced bench, thanks in part to the worse owner in sports, who is cheaper than OJ Simpson when it comes to his own memorbillia,".... (OJ's memorbillia, nobody on the earth has Clippers memorbillia).

If you were expecting a picture of Black Grffin jamming the ball in the hole for an explosive AND1, apologies. That's too cliche...this picture on the other hand, warms the cockles of my heart. Such a nice considerate young man...

Early Season MVP Race

2011-01-14T22:33:00.004-05:00

Half of the NBA season is over, and it is pretty clear who the good teams are, and who the bad are...(cough Kings, Wizards, Pistons, etc). The year has gone with little suprise thus far. Some of the biggest suprises are the Lakers and their December tumble, the revival of Kevin Garnett's knee, and the depth of the San Antonio Spurs. I will be the first to admit, the NBA season often features very few suprises, much to the dismay of many. However, I like it that way, I'd perfer to see the best teams play rather than the lucky ones....(unless it's the Celtics, right?).

One of the best things about the NBA is the MVP award, and watching players evolve into elite superstars. Unlike football, the MVP in basketball can influence his team greatly, for better or for worse. There is not always a clear cut number one guy. Often it is very debatable. However, thus far in the season here is how i see it through my goggles....(thanks to google, i often spell the word 'goggles' like 'google' thanks english teachers).

1) Derrick Rose (24.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 8.1 apg)

No matter how much Rose lacks booksmarts, the guy can ball. After being the 1st overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in 2008 Rose has done nothing but improve his game. The young Bulls are 10-5 in their last 15 games. Rose averages at least 20 ppg against teams with top point-guards. These teams include the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Oaklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and New York Knicks. The Bulls are 26-13 with a victory against the lowly Indiana Pacers tonight....(why are the Pacers still in the NBA, Reggie Miller isn't playing anymore, can somebody send them the memo, or do I have to?). The facet that impresses me the most about Rose though is the ability he has to get to the hole at will. Whenever he needs to he can get to the rack and make plays, by either dishing to Noah, Boozer, or by taking it himself. D-Rose has also added a 3-point jumpshot to his arsenal, which proved to be helpful against the Lakers in an earlier December game. Rose is the top point guard in the league, and the top MVP candidate on my list.

2) Amar'e Stoudemire ( 26.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.7 apg)

Has there been a free agency signing that has had more impact than Amar'e with the Knicks? I don't think so, not even the messiah-like LeBron james. Stoudemire has brought life to New York in ways I didn't think were possible. Now when I watch a Knicks game I don't want to stab my eyes out with a pen. I did not think that Stoudemire would be able to be as effective. After all, he has had injury problems his whole career, knees, eye, etc. My biggest fear was that without Steve Nash passin the ball to him Stoudemire would struggle finding his shot. Luckily for him Raymond Felton has overachieved from his days with the Bobcats...(I forgot to mention the Bobcats with bad teams earlier, I didn't want Michael Jordan to sue me). The crazy thing about Stoudemire is that he has brought hope to Spike Lee and everyone else at Madison Square Garden. Imagine the atmosphere of MSG come time for the postseason. To be honest, if I was a higher seed I would not want to play the Knicks, they could suprise a team, like Orlando. New York is realevant again and we have Amar'e Stoudeire to thank.

3) Rajon Rondo (10.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 13.4 apg)

Rondo and the Boston Celtics have been lights out on the defensive end of the floor. Boston is 30-9 this season and sit atop the Eastern Conference. The Celtics have beaten quality teams like the Thunder, Spurs, Heat, and Bulls. Rondo has been the playmaker for this team. His court vision is outstanding. The best thing about Rondo is his ability to play in big games, against the team with the best record in the NBA, the Spurs, Rondo recorded 23 assts, 10 rebs, 6stls, and 12 pts. The guy is a playmaker. For a guard without a consistent jumpshot, Rondo can dominate games unlike other guards. He is the best fit for his team no doubt. Playing with 4 future Hall of Famers in your lineup will always help, but we all know that Rondo is the best player on the team, and the crazy thing is, so do the players on that team. Without Rondo who knows where the Celtics would be.

Obviously the season is far from over, and there is still a lot of basketball to be played. Teams will be jocking for playoff postition...(well in the Western Conference, because there is only 4 or 5 legit teams in the East). I garuntee other players will emerge over the next month as MVP candidates. Players who are near this three in my eyes include: Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard, and Russell Westbrook. Suprised that LeBron nor Kobe are on this list? I am too. Kobe for the first time in his life looks old. He has been reduced to a strict jumpshooter this season. His lift and exlposivness are gone. Although he was able to acquire his abilities after a shot in game 3 against the Thunder last year, it looks like the years have caught up to him. However, if I truly doubted Kobe Bryant I would be crazy. (You know what else is crazy, as I type this Steve Nash just blew his free throw streak, he made 48 consecutive, some sort of record.) Oh, and as for LeBron, he has stopped rebounding the ball. When he played for the Cavs, he was Bill Russell on the boards (ok maybe not that good on the boards) but he got triple doubles like it was nothing at all. Now that he has Bosh he thinks he doesn't have to rebound, which will be a problem, because Bosh CAN'T rebound, just ask the Raptors.

LeBron Lackluster Against LA

2011-01-13T20:04:00.002-05:00

"Karma is a b****." I would concur. However, my opinion is less renowned and less read than that of superstar LeBron James. For those who are unfamiliar, Tuesday night the Los Angeles Lakers absolutely throttled the Clevland Cavaliers....by how much? 55 POINTS! That's right, they lost by 55 in the Staples Center Tuesday night.

When LeBron and the Miami Heat traveled to LA last night to faceoff against Blake Griffin and the Clippers, the media circus ensued. LeBron bashed Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert in a tweet, he included the karma statement in it. LeBron also then went on to mention how God sees everything. Well, God saw this tweet and decided to tweak LeBron's ankle against the Clips as Miami's road winning streak came to a decisive hault, as the Clippers stole a victory.

Ironic? Yes, indeed it is. While I still do not like how LeBron has handled his tenures as a free agent, and a member as the Miami Heat, I believe he is right in his argument with Cavs owner Gilbert. For those who don't know, Gilbert went on a tirade and blasted LeBron by calling him a traitor and other politically mean things, also he vowed the Cavs would win a title before LeBron and the Heat... (which I am still laughing about, and so is LeBron).

However, the issue remains on LeBron and his maturity. He should know not to blast somebody on twitter where the media can pick it up and run with it. If Gilbert really wanted to show LeBron up he could just bring to light the alleged Delonte West/Gloria James affair...(that's right, LeBron's teammate hooking up with LeBron's mom...crazy right?). I have never been a LeBron fan, I feel he lacks the drive and work ethic that consumed Jordan, Kobe, Bird, Magic, etc. However he is a great player on a really good team. Maybe he should just focus on basketball, and not his own personal agendas.

On another note, Blake Griffin is a BEAST. The guy is bringing juice to the LA Clippers...(that's right, the Clippers). He is the most exciting player to watch run down the floor on a fastbreak. His athleticism is unmatched. Who says white men can't jump? (He's half black/half white, but .5 rounds up to a whole, or so my trig teacher says.) The guy can ball, the only thing taht concerns me is that he is such a monster and is always off his feet, when he lands he looks like he will get injured. He is rookie of the year this year, no doubt. Especially with John Wall's lack of playing time due to so-called injury on a JV like Wizards squad.

Griffin really won me over when he and Mario Chalmers had a stare down after Griffin proceeded to jump out of the gym on a dunk. The guy is great. I never want to see him shoot, just dunk the thing every time. Chalmers was jawing at Griffin previous and Griffin let him know whose house he was in... (technically it's Kobe's house due to it being in LA, but Griffin was a guest for the night, it's like dog-siting, except it is a stadium...we'll call it arena-sitting).

Melo Blockbuster Heats Up

2011-01-12T19:48:00.003-05:00

Over the past few days, Carmelo Anthony trade talks have increased to a feverish pitch. Speculation on the shopping of Anthony, Chauncey Billups, and Pistons Shooting-guard Richard Hamilton to New Jersey have appeared all but imminent. Rumour has it the proposed trade includes the movement of 15 players between three teams. Reports Monday said the only loose end on a a finished trade was an agreement by Anthony to sign a 3yr/ 65 million dollar contract to ensure his stay with New Jersey.

However, while Carmelo is a superstar is he worth uprooting your whole team for? Ask the Chicago Bulls whom were in the middle of the sweepstakes at the beginning of the season. Look how things have worked out for them with their core nucleus of Rose/Noah/Boozer. Hypothetically, if the Nets were to acquire Hamilton/Billups/Anthony would that make them a contender in the East within the next few seasons? The answer might be not what we would all expect. Chauncey Billups, and Rip Hamilton are on the decline. Billups contract is up in 2012 with a team option. He's due $13.15 million this season and $14.2 million next season according to rotorworld. Rip Hamilton is facing father time, and is on the decline. Not to mention that he has completely quit on the Detroit Pistons ....then again who hasn't?

Ponder this, what do the Pistons get out of this deal? Only thing I can think of is clearing cap space for an uncertain summer free agency in which a lockout scare looms. The Pistons have decided to play it difficult and do their rebuilding in-season, as opposed to a competent organization whom would consider rebuilding in the OFFSEASON. Why not try to get rid of Tayshaun Prince too? He's the only guy who actually gives effort on that team. The quietest veteran in the league, prehaps. Maybe they could trade Ben Gordon to a contender whom desperately needs a scoring shooting-guard. He could come off the bench in Boston, Utah, San Antonio, Dallas, etc. The only problem with this theory is Gordon has a massivly awkward contract that would eat away at precious cap space.

Where would this leave the Nuggets? Well, they would have the '09 Nets reunited. Devin Harris would be their point-guard battling Ty Lawson for the starting spot. They would also add Derrick Favors. I am convinced that Derrick Favors will be the next Kevin Garnett, his athleticism is amazing and he is only 19 years old. The Nuggets would also recieve two first-round draft picks, this would give them a lot of leverage in the offseason to move players and picks.

Going back to the Nets, trading for Anthony would leave them in a hole. He will eat cap space. The team will have to trade all young talent, and future 1st round picks. The ideal scenario for the Nets would be to bring in Chris Paul, however the Hornets are flourishing and prying Paul loose is less likely than Vince Carter giving full effort in an NBA regular season game. Anthony is a great piece to build around, no doubt, but what can they use to actually build? They'll have no picks and no players to trade away.

At the end of the day, I feel like the best thing for all parties (besides the Nuggets, but who cares about Denver?) would be for Melo to play out this season then sign with the Knicks in the summer. That way New York could eitehr build around him with future draft prospects, or possibly trade for Steve Nash and make a run at the Finals in the 2011/2012 season. I think the possible battle between Orlando, Boston, Miami, Chicago, and New York in the 2012 playoffs would be the best thing for basketball. In a perfect world this would happen, however Denver NEEDS some sort of compensation before Carmelo can "LeBron" them. (LeBron is also a verb in my mind, it basically means when someone holds out on you until the last possible second and screws you up in the end... kind of like the how the Cavaliers were LeBron'D or on a smaller scale how Albert Haynesworth LeBron'D the Redskins....that's a different sport though.)

When I think of other scenarios I will post them.... the drama makes for great speculation, in case you didn't know.

Heat Find Their Stride

2010-12-09T18:11:00.003-05:00

After a rocky beginning to the 'Wade-LeBron' era in Miami the Heat have now won 7 of their last 8 matchups. The club also boasts an undefeated record in the month of December thus far. The most recent win comes from Utah where LeBron and company defeated the Jazz 111-98

in Utah. The team recieves retribution for being embarassed back on November the 9th, where they lost to the Jazz in Miami.

Although things might not have started as smoothly as the Big 3 expected, they have definately picked up play during the absence of Udonis Haslem, and Mike Miller. Haslem injured himself in a buzzer-beating loss against the young Memphis Grizzlies.

Granted, the none of the Heat's most recent victories have been against top-tier teams like Boston, L.A, San Antonio, or even Orlando. However, since punking his former team, the Clevland Cavaliers, LeBron James has been on a tear. Since November 30 (a win against the John Wall-less) Wizards LeBron has been averaging 26.3 pts, 5.8 assts, and 6 rebs a game.

The crazy nugget in all of this is the fact that many thought Spolestra was done after a less than spectacular November for the ball club. I would still like to see the Heat establish itself and defeat comprable teams in the NBA, however a schedule cannot be blamed on a team.

At the end of the day though, it is still difficult for me to place the Heat ahead of a team like Boston or Orlando. Those teams are just too gifted down low for a team that lacks interior depth. The other major concern I have is the way the Heat lose to elite point guards that they play. There are weaknesses on the Miami team, they are not indestructible.