This video off Udrih killing Kobe with his ball handling skills is all over the internet, it had to happen sooner or later. You know what this means right? When Kobe plays the Sacramento Kings in the regular season he’s going to torch them for 60 points.
Continuing our weeklong celebration of NBA training camps opening this week, we give the people what they want and turn our eyes to teams in Sportaphile’s own backyard, breaking down the grind that is the Western Conference’s Pacific Division:
(Last year’s record)
(48-34) When things go bad, they sure do fall apart quickly. First, the Warriors win 48 games but still miss the playoffs. Then the front office fronted on its offer to Baron Davis, resulting in Boom Dizzle going Hollywood, albeit to the Clippers. Then there’s Monta. So truthfully, I don’t know what to make of the messy Golden State affairs. I don’t even think newcomer Coery Maggette and Captain Jack will be able to S.O.S. this thing before it capsizes. I hate to say it but I think the Warriors can RSVP right now for the 2009 Draft Lottery.
(23-59) It sure must feel good to be back at home for Baron Davis. He has gotten on the Boom Dizzle diet plan courtesy of Jenny Craig and is having a grand ol’ time chilling with Cash W. and Jessica Alba and all his other celebrity cronies. Even without Elton Brand, who surprisingly dipped to Philly, things still look promising for LA’s stepchild team. With the addition of Marcus Camby, I really think the Clips can have about 40-44 wins, which might even leave enough in the tank to trump whoever is hanging on for that final playoff spot. Read the rest of this entry »
We need more athletes like Ron Artest.
And when I say that, I don’t mean mentally unstable with a molester mustache and a failing record label. I mean “honest”.
Recently during a radio interview, Ron Artest was asked if he’d be willing to take a pay cut, and receive less money in exchange for being on a great team who can win a title. The normal athlete would say “absolutely”…. but Ron Artest isn’t the typical athlete:
Ireland: “Would you be willing to take less money to go to a contender?”
Artest: “Oh, never. Not in a million years. Actually, not in 10 million years.”
Ireland: “Really?”
Artest: “Make that more like 3 million years.”
I love how he suddenly decides he stepped over the line by saying 10 million years, and reduces it to 3 million. Ya know… because that would be too much…
Ex NBA referee Tim Donaghy is accusing the NBA of fixing two separate playoff games within the last six years. This is an absolute bombshell that threatens the NBA’s very existence as a respected sports organization.
NBA commissioner David Stern says Tim Donaghy is an admitted felon trying to say whatever he can to lighten his jail sentence, a statement that could very well be true. However, we also have to be mindful that it’s David Sterns job to protect the NBA at all costs, even if he has to lie, cheat and discredit someone who may be telling the truth.
The saddest thing about this, is that Donaghy claims NBA officials fixed game 6 of the 2002 western conference finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings. If you’re a regular reader of this blog you may remember this post I wrote about that game. I consider it one of the best playoff games I’ve ever seen (if not THE best), so it really sucks to have the entire contest be pulled into question.
Immediately following that game, tons of people questioned the refs for their decision making but it was forgotten. Donaghy’s accusations immediately gave those arguments merit.
What do you think about this entire ordeal?
Yesterday, Robber Horry played in his 237th playoff game, tying the all-time record held by Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Horry has seven rings, and according to Bloomberg he has never been on a team that didn’t make it past the first round of the playoffs. While he’s been a roleplayer for the majority of his career, nobody can downplay his contributions.
Horry is always deadly when it matters.
Here’s my favorite Horry moment (and probably my favorite NBA playoff moment of all time). Game 4 of the western conference finals in 2002. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings. Robert sticks a dagger in the heart of his opponents.
This shit right here is almost poetic.
