runstopper52's Blog
Posted Friday, December 23, 2011 11:38 PM
Primetime Thoughts Follow
David S. London on Twitter It brings me great sadness to shift the discussion from BRI and mid-level exceptions to actual basketball, like the new kid on the block in Hollywood.
Move Over Lakers-An afterthought in Los Angeles and the butt of many jokes for years, the Clippers have been the league’s doormat as long as we can remember. Blake Griffin made the Clippers exciting for a change and looks headed for eliteness. Even with Griffin, the Clippers seemed headed for a steady climb up the Western Conference in the next few seasons. Until Los Angeles partnered Griffin with Chris Paul, giving the Clippers what looks to be the best duo in the league. The Lakers, the other Los Angeles team, actually had a deal in place for Paul, but David Stern nixed the deal citing “basketball reasons.”
After years of overshadowing the Clippers, the Lakers and Clippers look to be headed in opposite directions. Kobe Bryant is dealing with a torn ligament in his wrist, let alone degenerating knees. Bryant intends to play through the wrist injury, but time is not on his side and he’s got some mileage, entering his 17th season. The Lakers also had a deal for Chris Paul which was reportedly finalized, only to be nixed by David Stern/New Orleans Hornets owner. Los Angeles is still in the hunt for Dwight Howard, but Orlando may be tryi... [More]
Posted Monday, June 13, 2011 02:29 AM
If you are not sure what to leave with from the NBA Finals, let me make it very clear:
It takes a team, not a group of individuals, to be a champion.
Public Enemy #1 since last July, Miami was the perfect punching bag, err, team, for the Mavericks to face in route to their first-ever title. LeBron James and Chris Bosh viewed Dwayne Wade and his Miami Heat as an advance to go monopoly card; the best and quickest way to a championship.
While we watched one of the better NBA Finals in recent history, we saw a group unified stand tall against a threesome with little to no supporting cast. Wade put on the Superman cape and did his best, but couldn’t do it alone as even sporting a Robin costume was too much for Baby Bron Bron, who scored an impressive 18 points in six fourth quarters this series (That attack mode James spoke of, glad he teased us and kept it in the cage).
This isn’t about Miami anyways, even if Bron Bron gives us plenty to mock and ridicule (mocking Dirk with the flu, another time for that discussion). The moment belongs to Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks.
Nowitzki had been receiving ample criticism for having yet won a ... [More]
Posted Friday, June 10, 2011 11:35 AM
We’ve seen this before you know, LeBron James faced with a game of grand magnitude only to fall short despite a glamorous stat line.
Game 6 of the 2010 East Semi Finals against Boston.
Asides from that game later becoming James’ last (he took his talents elsewhere I believe), James’ Cavaliers were trailing 3-2 in that series, trying to fight off elimination. James recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. Yet he was criticized by many for not really showing up, for quitting on the team. That came from fans all the way up to Cleveland Owner Dan Gilbert.
Is it me or is that the same feeling you have about last night, if not worse?
The scene was the same, actually bigger being the NBA Finals as opposed to the Semi Finals. It wasn’t an elimination game, but going down 3-2 is not a favorable position to be in. This time James played in a game he self-proclaimed, “the biggest game of my life” with what he may think is the three best friends that anyone could have alongside Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. James recorded a triple-double yet again, with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Yet again I feel as ... [More]
Posted Monday, June 06, 2011 09:17 PM
The LeBronologues are in no way, shape, or form, attacking LeBron James on the court. The man is clearly an elite athlete who possesses talent that has never been seen before in the NBA. That being said, James has a knack for making himself look like a knucklehead time after time, which will simply be magnified here, courtesy of yours truly, Primetime.
Miami leads 2-1 at a time when the previous 11 teams who won Game 3 with the NBA finals tied 1-1 have all gone on to win, and Bron Bron is under the microscope once again. James contributed with 17 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds; certainly nothing jaw-dropping, but noteworthy nonetheless. In this statline, however, is a glaring three shots in the fourth quarter, along with more turnovers (4) than rebounds.
Superstar material?
CBSSports columnist Gregg Doyel called James’ out for his lacking effort after claiming he would go into attack mode (resulting in four free-throw attempts). James’ fired back, claiming he was focusing on defense.
“I think you’re concentrating on one side of the floor,” James said. “I’m a... [More]
Posted Friday, June 03, 2011 11:41 AM
It had seemed to be a distant memory at this point; the Miami Heat were now closing out games.
Not so fast.
In a potentially series-shifting collapse, Miami gave away a 2-0 lead heading to Dallas after losing a 15-point lead with 7:15 remaining. Dwayne Wade's 3-pointer capped a 13-0 run, giving the Heat an 88-73 lead. And then it happened.
LeBron James and Wade basking in their success, prematurely celebrating with 7:15 left in the game.
Where have we seen that before?
The Heat let their guard down to a Mavericks team which has proven to be resilient in these times, just ask the Oklahoma City Thunder, who blew a 15-point lead to these same Mavs in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.
"We're a veteran team and we don't get too high with the highs and too low with the lows," Nowitzki said. "The game is over when the final buzzer rings," Shawn Marion said.
On the flip side, Wade's extended follow through in front of the Dallas bench along with extensive basking on James' part may be inferred as getting ahead of themselves.
"There was no celebration at all," James said. "I was excited about the fact that he hit a big shot and we went up 15."
Maybe not, but as we've learned, James' perception and the rest of society don't tend to match up.
Celebration or not, Miami threw away a golden opportunity to take control of this series, and look no further than Bron Bron. Wade was by far ...
[More]
Posted Tuesday, May 31, 2011 06:35 PM
We are almost a year removed from “The Decision” and the fact that the Miami Heat are in the NBA Finals seemingly makes everyone sick, myself included. Baby Bron Bron and Chris Bosh bolted to Miami to form the most ridiculous concoction ever seen in the NBA.
We’ve entered a phase where Kobe Bryant is nearing the end, signaling possibly the last of the strong-willed player, the one who embraces the role of being “the guy” (What’s that Bron might ask?). Players grow tired of the losing and pressure placed on their shoulders, so they bail to team up with other All-Stars. It seems that everyone else is doing it, and if you can’t beat them, join them.
James and Bosh set the tone, Carmelo Anthony soon after. James and Bosh along with Wade are attempting to win a title playing three v five, Anthony didn’t want to lose out on $20 million, so he forced the issue and made the Knicks give up four core players. Not too far are stars like Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, and Deron Williams.
Are we really seeing the NBA take a seismic shift ala the MLB?
I am an enthusiast of all four major professional sports, but let’s be honest. Major League Baseball lacks the competitive parity that the NFL does and to extreme heights. Out of 30 teams, realistically a handful are in the running to win the World Series.
Now you may feel the NBA is already there, with the Lakers and Spurs winning 9 of the... [More]
Posted Monday, May 30, 2011 12:47 PM
The LeBronologues are in no way, shape, or form, attacking LeBron James on the court. The man is clearly an elite athlete who possesses talent that has never been seen before in the NBA. That being said, James has a knack for making himself look like a knucklehead time after time, which will simply be magnified here, courtesy of yours truly, Primetime.
For those of you who have been following me since the beginning (I wouldn’t be here without you, the fans), you know how I feel about Baby Bron Bron post-decision. For those who are new to the website, welcome asides, you can see here, and here, just how I feel about this clown, who took self-kool-aid sippage to a whole new level, one that only Brett Favre can be proud of.
So what was James most recent gaffe?
The Michael Jordan discussion, of course.
Last week former Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen claimed that James, “But I ma... [More]
Posted Friday, April 15, 2011 10:22 AM
Win or go home.
The second season is upon us with storylines aplenty as we embark on a two month drive to the finals. You may have been fooled by their championship-esque celebration in July after bringing in LeBron James and Chris Bosh, but the Miami Heat are actually not the defending champs (It seems people will look for any reason to sensationalize). The Los Angeles Lakers come in as the two-time defending champs with hopes of sending Phil Jackson into his alleged retirement with title number 12, coming in a three-peat for the fourth time. Oh yeah, and there’s a rose in Chicago that has blossomed before our eyes.
East Outlook
The top-heavy east looks to be potentially upset-free in the first round. Chicago should have little trouble disposing of the Indiana Pacers, the eighth seed, or the worst team in the Eastern Conference to sneak into the playoffs. The Pacers are a potential sweep for Chicago as only looking ahead or injuries allow Indiana to win a game.
The Philadelphia 76ers went from a 3-13 start to 41 wins, but face the Heat, the one team they were looking to avoid. Like Philadelphia, Miami relies on its athleticism to outgun its opponent. The Heat’s athl... [More]