Archive for NBA
2009-10 NBA Season Outlook
Posted by: | CommentsThe 2009-2010 NBA season is less than two weeks away, and speculation of a hoops campaign even greater than last year is already underway. Just when we thought we had seen it all with the Kobe Bryant-Lebron James puppets, a new season with far more parody is about to take flight.
The NBA has been through several ups and downs since the end of last season. Highlighting its offseason is Commissioner David Stern’s lockout of veteran referees. The current deal between the league and its officials expired September 1, 2009. As of now, the two sides have reached an agreement on two of the three pressing issues: severance payments for referees who retire, and the number of game assignments given to referees from the NBA D-League and WNBA. The only remaining matter is the referees’ pension plan. Stern wants a reduction while the referees’ association wants to leave it the same or increase it.
As far as basketball is concerned, many people believe that the Los Angeles Lakers are still the team to beat in the Western Conference, in spite of all the distractions they’ve had to deal with. They recently acquired Ron Artest, who has a history of bringing drama wherever he goes. I disagree with this move and feel they would have been better off re-signing the more manageable Trevor Ariza, rather than taking a chance on somebody who many call a “ticking time bomb.” The Lakers also had a long offseason dealing with Lamar Odom. Many felt that he would be playing elsewhere this upcoming season, but the Lakers waited until the last possible minute to re-sign him. Additionally, he just got married to reality star Khloe Kardashian. It’s bad enough that the Lakers play in Los Angeles (the ultimate place for distractions), but now, Odom has given himself a natural excuse to underperform.
Last year, the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets were considered the Lakers’ biggest competition. However, neither of these teams made significant moves in the offseason to upgrade their roster. The key word here is significant. The Rockets signed Ariza, the unsung hero from last year’s Lakers’ championship team. This is a great addition for the Rockets, yet, it makes little sense. The Rockets are already one of the best defensive teams in the league and have been since Rick Adelman assumed head coaching duties in 2007. Ariza was credited with shutting down stars like Hedo Turkoglu and Carmelo Anthony in the playoffs. His sole purpose on a stacked Lakers’ team was to defend. So, why add more defense? Ariza has improved his offense since entering the league in 2004, but is simply not yet ready to carry a team on his back.
The Denver Nuggets were in the best position to oust the Lakers from last year’s playoffs. However, their failure to add one or two more players in the offseason will cost them dearly. They may even have problems repeating as division champions. Both the Utah Jazz and Portland Trailblazers represent young teams that seem ready to take the next step. As close as the division was last year, I can’t fathom why the Nuggets think they are good enough to remain with the status quo. It was apparent to all who watched the series that the Nuggets were just one big man away from eliminating the Lakers. They failed to make that move and could consequently find themselves on the outside looking in this season.
The Eastern Conference, however, is far more intriguing. I believe that it will be a three-team race toward the end of the year with Cleveland, Orlando and Boston separating themselves from the rest of the pack. With Shaquille O’Neal going back to the east to team up with LeBron James, can anyone say championship? The last time Shaq went to the east and was paired with one of the most dynamic players in the league, he came away with a championship. (Remember Dwyane Wade?) If you think the Cavs had fun last year, just wait until Shaq gets acclimated to his new teammates.
The Orlando Magic lost their leader in Hedo Turkoglu, but replaced him with a seasoned veteran in Vince Carter. Carter will not be able to fill Turkoglu’s shoes because the whole offense ran through him starting in the fourth quarter. Carter does not have the same skill set as Turkoglu, but nevertheless, he represents great star power to have at shooting guard. They also made a great move in matching the offer for center Marcin Gortat. He will still play behind Dwight Howard, but Head Coach Stan Van Gundy believes that at times during the game, they can both play together.
Many NBA fans have forgotten about the Boston Celtics. The NBA champions from two years ago made a significant move in signing Rasheed Wallace. Wallace will be able to ease the pressure on Kevin Garnett, as well as spread the floor because of his ability to knock down the three. He also works as an insurance policy in case anything else happens to Garnett. Moreover, let’s not forget about Rajon Rondo, who was already one of the best point guards in the league. He’s added another year of experience under his belt, which could only pay dividends.
We have endured the NBA offseason for a long three months, and it is finally tipping off on Tuesday, October 27, when the Celtics visit the Cavs. Obviously, the NBA schedule-maker is just as excited as we are to see how these two teams will perform with their new stars.
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Brandon Roy Has Got Next
Posted by: | CommentsThe legend of Brandon Roy continues to grow. He is truly an NBA superstar even though he is still not a household name in many NBA cities. He’s out to prove to everyone that he belongs on the list of the NBA’s elite with the likes of Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, and LeBron James. Judging by what he has already accomplished in his young career, Roy is almost there. For those who don’t agree, Brandon has a few words: “My time is almost here.”
Players like Wade and Bryant boast awe-inspiring workout routines that they follow during the NBA’s off-season. “B Roy,” as he is often called, employs the same desire and dedication to succeed as they do, albeit in his own workout regiment. He knows that he and his young Trailblazer teammates are on the verge of something really, really great in Portland. In addition to being the squad’s leading scorer, he has matured and evolved into their ever present leader. He has amped up his off-season conditioning and added a new haircut in hopes that his team will follow suit and take the next step toward an NBA Championship.
Take a look at Brandon Roy’s training camp workout and his thoughts on competing with Kobe:
Training Camp Week: Brandon Roy Workout
When judging Roy’s dedication to win, you need look no further than his boyhood idol while growing up in Seattle, “His Airness” himself, Michael Jordan. Brandon witnessed Jordan, who was perhaps the league’s best competitor ever, continually improve and upgrade his skills every off-season, even when winning scoring titles and NBA rings.
Roy used his mentor’s inspiration to become the state of Washington’s best high school basketball player in 2002. He even flirted with going directly to the NBA before pulling out of the draft and attending the University of Washington. Even though he was a top 50 recruit, Roy had doubts about academically succeeding at the NCAA level amid problems passing the SAT test, so he took a minimum wage job at the Seattle Ports cleaning out shipping containers until he could work out his difficulties with the entrance exams. His parents discovered that he had a common learning disability, which was common to many students, and eventually he passed the exam after being granted some extra time to complete the test.
Brandon honed his all-around skills in his four seasons under Coach Lorenzo Romar at Washington. After his junior season he thought again about going pro but stayed for his senior season since teammate Nate Robinson had already declared for the draft. Roy excelled in his senior campaign, averaging 20.2 ppg and led the Huskies to a 26-7 record and a second straight Sweet 16 appearance. He received many accolades including PAC-10 Player of the Year, All-America honors, and was a finalist for many national Player of the Year awards.
With his draft stock at an all-time high, he was selected No. 6 overall in the 2006 NBA Draft, before being traded to Portland for Randy Foye. His rookie season in the NBA was sensational from the start where he scored 20 points in his first game and never looked back, averaging 16.8 ppg, 4.4 rebs, four assists, and 1.2 steals for the season. His excellent numbers as well as his team’s improved play helped earn him an All-Star nod and Rookie of the Year honors even though he played in only 57 games due to a heel injury.
During his second season he improved his numbers to 19.1 ppg and a career high 5.8 assists, earning another All-Star berth where he led all Western Conference scorers with 18 points along with Chris Paul and Amare Stoudemire. Last season, “The Natural,” as local Portland play-by-play announcer calls him, had his best season by setting career highs in scoring (22.6), rebounds (4.7), FG% (.480), and 3 PT% (.377) earning yet another All-Star appearance along with an All NBA 2nd Team Selection (first Blazer to do so since the ‘92 season).
Roy could be called the next “Mr. Clutch” since he has 24 last-second shots where he has either tied or won a game with less than 35 seconds remaining. Portland definitely knows Roy’s worth as their franchise player since they resigned him in August to a four-year contract, with a fifth-year option, keeping him in “Rip City” through 2014.
Another facet of Roy’s game besides numbers is his leadership and ability to make those around him better. The season before he arrived in Portland, the Blazers finished fifth in their division with a dismal 21-61 record. Roy, along with young stars LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden, helped increase the Blazers’ win totals to 32, 41, and 54 wins respectively. Roy also led them to the playoffs and has revitalized a once-proud franchise which hasn’t won an NBA title since Maurice Lucas and Bill Walton led the in 1977 under Hall of Fame Coach “Doctor” Jack Ramsey.
One thing is for sure: the NBA’s Western Conference elite teams like the Lakers and Spurs should beware of the upstart Blazers. The Blazers’ and Brandon Roy’s time is coming, if it isn’t already here. I’m sure for Blazer fans, it is “Rip City or Bust!”
Check out Brandon Roy’s website for his full workout routine (http://www.broy7.com/roy/index/)
Allen Moll is an avid NBA and college basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckblog.com, and his own blog, Hoops Haven (hoopsworld4.wordpress.com).
Popularity: unranked [?]
Hakeem Olajuwon Teaches His “Dream Shake”
Posted by: | CommentsHakeem Olajuwon is regarded as one of the best big men to ever step on a basketball court. As a NBA pro and collegian at Houston University, Olajuwon has done it all. He has been to the Final Four three times in college as part of the famed “Phi Slama Jama” (along with teammate Clyde Drexler), been to three NBA Finals (winning twice in ‘94 and ‘95), and won virtually every major individual award including MVP, Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. He is currently the all time NBA leader in blocked shots and ranks tenth in scoring. As an offensive player, he had no equal: he had a dazzling array of low post spins and fakes that he used to score more than 26,000 points, in his 18 year NBA career. He even had his own signature move dubbed, “The Dream Shake”, which was virtually impossible to defend. After his retirement from the NBA in 2002, Hakeem moved with his family to the country of Jordan to focus on his devout Muslim faith until he received the ultimate honor in 2008: induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Hakeem has resurfaced in the form of teacher and mentor to many of the NBA’s young big men. In 2006, he opened his own Big Man Camp, teaching his excellent footwork and amazing offensive repertoire. He has worked with many emerging professional players including Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets, and Ameka Okafor of the New Orleans Hornets. His most recent up and coming pupil is Hasheem Thabeet, who was drafted #2 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies out of UConn in the most recent NBA Draft back in June. Thabeet and his agent sought out Olajuwon’s services in an attempt to give the 7’3 shot blocking center some low post offensive moves to match his already dominating defense. Thabeet has looked up to Hakeem as an inspiration since both have taken similar paths to the NBA. Both players started as soccer players in their native countries in Africa before dominating competition in NCAA Basketball, followed by the professional ranks. Olajuwon believes that with hard work, Thabeet can have a long and very productive NBA career: one that could parallel his own.
Olajuwon was surprised when former MVP and four time NBA Champion Kobe Bryant also expressed interest in working with the Hall of Fame big man to improve his front-court skills. Hakeem was both shocked and thrilled to have the opportunity to teach his moves to a player of Bryant’s stature, since most of his clientele have been slower front-court players. Olajuwon had always felt that his fluid and flexible style of play is really more suited for bigger guards who possess better agility than the larger plodding centers. Hakeem was honored when Bryant told him, “You are the best at the mid and low post moves”, and that he wanted to learn from the best.
Adding “The Dream’s” moves to one of the most skilled all around players in the history of the game is scary. After all, Bryant has already scored more than 23,000 points and is arguably one of the most difficult players to defend. His desire and dedication to perpetually get better is what makes him an all-time great, and will ultimately land him in the Hall of Fame as well. In what is perhaps the most inspirational part of this story is that Olajuwon’s generous efforts to help teach his outstanding moves to other players is a service he provides for free. He says it is his way of giving back to the game which has greatly improved his life of humble beginnings in Africa.
Here is some footage from FOX TV interviewing Olajuwon recently in Houston:
Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously. He also coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckBlog.com, and his own blog, Hoops Haven (hoopsworld4.wordpress.com).
Popularity: unranked [?]
Collectors Show Off Their Best Upper Deck Kobe Bryant Cards
Posted by: | CommentsUpper Deck has always taken pride in working with some of the best athletes: current stars as well as retired greats. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Albert Pujols, Derek Jeter, Tiger Woods, Alexander Ovechkin, Ken Griffey Jr. and many more have a very positive relationship with us, and we’re happy to work closely with them to bring collectors the highest quality cards and memorabilia around.
As you may have heard this week, it was announced that Kobe Bryant will be leaving the elite ranks of Upper Deck athletes shortly. While we are very sad to see him go, the legacy of tremendous Kobe Bryant cards Upper Deck has brought to the market will live on and remain extremely collectible in the future (especially considering Kobe will not have multi-signed cards with players like LeBron James and Michael Jordan anymore).
To commemorate all the unique Upper Deck Kobe Bryant cards we’ve put out over the years, we asked collectors on our Facebook page to post the best Kobe cards in their collection, and the response was tremendous. From rookie cards to memorabilia cards and rare signed cards, collectors were eager to participate. You can click here to check it out. It’s a great “last hurrah” for collectors who wanted to show what the Upper Deck/Kobe Bryant relationship brought them. “Parting is such sweet sorrow” is definitely appropriate here.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Andrew Long Absorbs Blake Griffin’s Power . . . And So Can You!
Posted by: | CommentsYou’ve just read the title of the post, and you’re confused (which is understandable). This one is a little out there, so try to follow along.
Andrew Long keeps putting out some hilarious videos, and he’s managed to really do something unique with his latest offering. Blake Griffin, the #1 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, was at the Upper Deck store in Huntington Beach signing autographs. Andrew stopped by to get an item signed, but it wasn’t a jersey, a ball, or a photo.
It was a sandwich. A panini, to be more specific.
Why? Andrew believes that by eating the panini, he’ll be able to absorb Blake Griffin’s power. So if Griffin suddenly wakes up sapped of all his strength, we know who to blame. Though to his credit, when Andrew explained all of this to the top pick, he signed anyway (Griffin must not believe in such voodoo).
But wait . . . there’s more!
Andrew may have eaten half of the panini, but the other half is up for auction on eBay right now! So if you’ve ever dreamed of absorbing the power of a #1 overall NBA draft pick, this is your opportunity. Click here to check it out. As you can see in the video, this panini was truly signed at the Upper Deck store by the man himself.
Popularity: unranked [?]
