Merry Blog Day, Tiny Tim
Today is Blog Day 2006. I know this because Jeff from CelticsBlog.com e-mailed me today and was all like, “Why didn’t you buy me something?” And I was like, “What? What are you talking about?” And he was all like, “It’s Blog Day”. But then I was all like, “Huh?” And so he was like, “You don’t even care anymore”. And I was like, “No, no, of course I care, it’s just…” And he was like, “Screw you, man. Screw. You.” And I was like, “But, but, but…” And then he was all like, “CLICK.”
Anyway, here are some blogs/sites I visit:
- The Narrative: He’s on a much-deserved break right now, but Matt O’Sullivan’s photoblog is one of the best on the net.
- Still Listen To Gangsta Music: Because when Puff and 50 beef … I’ll know first.
- Uncrate: As soon as I start making money off this site, I’ll buy 87% of the products on here. (This first.)
- Idol Chatter Podcast: Derek and Jason discuss the best (and obviously WORST) of reality television.
- The Fanhouse: AOL’s brand new NFL site that features some of the best bloggers on the planet.
“Hey, Marbury, Just Pass It To Will!”
I know you’ve heard a million of them already, but seriously … when’s Isiah going to sign Will Smith to that five-year, $35 million deal?
And better yet, when he does sign, will the Knicks shorten MSG’s basketball court by about 60 feet so Will can dominate?
Fresh Prince Vs. Isiah Thomas [YouTube]
Comments (3)Arenas’ Awesomeness Level Dips
This probably comes as no surprise — not to me at least — but Gilbert Arenas says that mysterious “groin injury” that caused him to be left off Team USA’s final World Championship roster was nothing more than an excuse for him to save face — an “ego injury” if you will. From the mouth of Agent Zero/David Palmer himself:
“I felt like I was the 16th man on a 15-man roster,” Arenas said. “You are there to support your team and support your country and be happy to play but you know, I did everything they wanted me to do; but if I did everything they wanted me to do, why am I on the bubble of getting cut? I sacrificed. You’ve got LeBron being LeBron. You’ve got Carmelo being Carmelo. You’ve got D-Wade being D-Wade. Why can’t I be me? Why do I have to transform? I did that and now you are going to cut me?”
“The disappointing part was talking to Colangelo and he said, ‘I heard you want to go home,’ ” Arenas said. “I told him that I was hurt but I didn’t know how serious it was and that I didn’t want to hold up a spot for somebody else. He told me, ‘I’ve been talking to the coaches and you’re on the bubble anyway, so you can go if you want.’ I was like, all right.”
Oh Gilbert, Gilbert, Gilbert … *shaking head* … save the piss-ass, sorry excuses for when you miss the 2-7 split, would you? Yeah, as much as I love Gilbert — and my God, I wasted a whole night drawing a damn comic strip of him once — these comments come off as a little to, “boo-hoo-hoo, why don’t they love me; why don’t they understand me?”-ish too me.
I’d say more on the matter, but The Mighty MJD already snuck into my head and stole all my thoughts. So go read his post, and just add some spelling mistakes if you want the full Skeets experience.
Arenas Says He Got A Foul Call [Washington Post]
Gilbert Arenas Is A Bit Perturbed [The Mighty MJD]
Chris Bosh On ESPN Radio
Earlier today, Chris Bosh dropped by ESPN Radio to share his thoughts on Team USA and the World Basketball Championships.
I felt like putting my Grade 9 typing skills to the test — the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog — so here’s a little taste for ya. I hope this is illegal:
Bosh on practicing with LeBron, D-Wade, Carmelo, etc:
“Well you know it is real competitive. Everybody is trying to get better. We’re trying to make the team better. We know we have to do that just through hard work. So you know, we have the talent level where I mean practice can just be unbelievable and everybody can get better at the same time.”
Bosh on Team USA being pegged as a bit of an underdog:
“I watched Spain and Argentina play on TV last night and it was kind of an interesting feeling. … When it first started we had been the dominate basketball team, but I was looking at it feeling like an underdog. And you know that’s a good feeling because we can play with no pressure. Not play relaxed, but like, really get into them and really show people that we take this seriously.”
Bosh on the team’s overall chemistry:
“We knew we had to put the egos to the side, especially for this trip. I don’t know if it was tough for some guys, but we’ve been together for a month now and I think everybody has pretty much learned their roles during the games — knowing their limits, what they can and can’t do. Everybody just accepts it because we haven’t lost a game — we’ve had some close calls — but thru team play we’ve put it together. We just put wins together. That’s all we want to do is win.”
Bosh on what he’s eating:
“We have chefs here. And I’m actually tired of burgers and fries; I probably won’t touch another burger or fry, or a plate of pasta until I get back. I like food from different countries. I like Japanese food pretty much; I like Chinese food. Everywhere we’ve been I’ve pretty much experienced the culture and experienced the food.”
Bosh on Team USA’s semifinal opponent Greece:
“Like any other international team, they move the ball well. They have some good inside play. Their front court is very good inside; they have guys that can score. We know that we have to pretty much pressure these guys. … It’s kind of like other teams respect them too much. And they’re not really getting into them.”
Bosh on Team USA’s intimidating defense:
“I think in the past USA was trying to intimidate people on offense. If they just throw a zone out there, and we’re not ready for it, then it’s problems for us. … Before we left the States I asked Clyde Drexler what helped them the most back in ’92 and he pretty much said, ‘We played defense first, and after we got stops, then we ran. We scored before they could set up their defense.’ So we try to take some of that with us because it is true, if we get stops, and we just run before they can set it up, we’re better off.”
Some solid points all around … especially for a prehistoric animal.
(Note: I’m sorry, but am I the only one who DOESN’T think Chris Bosh looks like a raptor? Can somebody please explain this?)
Chris Bosh on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” Show [ESPN Radio]
Comments (5)Who’s Got Next?
While searching the Internet last night for por … table stereos, I came across this pretty funny article about the colorful characters in pick-up basketball. I suggest you read the whole thing, but here’s a few of my favorites:
The Pro
He’s been in this rec league since about 1986. His team (comprised of guys just like him) usually goes undefeated. He has male-pattern baldness and played college ball at (insert name of nearest dipshit mid-major school here). He may look like hell (or Danny Ferry), but this dude is GOOD; after all, even guys who went to dipshit mid-majors are about a million times better than 99% of the basketball playing population.
Wow, the baldness call … so true. I’d also like to add that 9 times out of 10 this guy is inexplicably named Steve.
Mr. Intensity (AKA The Guy Who Gets People Hurt)
Every game is played like it’s his last. He’s big on boxing out with his elbows and setting moving picks, the only problem being he usually doesn’t know how to play and ends up putting someone in the hospital.
As much as I want to appreciate their heart and hustle on the basketball court, I just can’t. I fucking despise these guys. They have no talent whatsoever so they just run around banging into people. (Yes, even their own teammates.) I always make sure to try and get a foot under these guys when they go flailing for another rebound. “Oh, sorry, you hurt your ankle?”
Player Coach
This guy will not shut-up and by the end of the game, you want to kill him. He’ll tell you what to do, where to go, and how to play the game. The BIG problem with this is, he’s not that good. It would be like taking rap advice from Vanilla Ice. SHUT-YOUR TRAP and play basketball!
“No, no, go thru.” “Reset it.” “Yeah, yeah, swing it weak side, I’ve got a mismatch over here.” “Yeah, here, give me the ball. OK, now go down low.” “You guys aren’t moving.” “Why didn’t you throw the oop?” “All right, let’s set up in double-post motion offense. OK, I’ll swing to the perimeter and then you flash to the middle. If you pivot correctly, the backdoor cut should be—” SHUT. THE FUCK. UP.
It’s a solid list, but I think he forgot one…
The Stoner
This guy is more baked than a panzerotti. He always shows up without a ball, and he’s usually in street clothes. While actually not as bad as you’d think; the main characteristic about this guy — well, besides the eyes — is how ridiculously long it takes him to shoot. Shit, I’ve taken dumps in the same amount of time it takes this guy to cock, load, and release a shot.
I love matching up with The Stoner because they always want to compliment your game when you start lightin’ their ass up. “Wow, dude, you’re so quick!” Ha, ha … that kills me for some reason.
The Crazy World Of Pick-Up Basketball [The Phat Phree]
Comments (9)Let’s See Steve Nash Do This
Four things I love about this clip:
1) The guy’s mullet
2) The guy’s shorts
3) The guy’s dramatic reaction
4) The completely random California map wipe.
(Update: It’s not Nash, but good try kid.)
Comments (2)1.21 Gigawatts! Nelson Is Back
In case you haven’t heard, the Golden State Warriors rented a DeLorean today — $43.99/weekday from Budget — and went back in time to re-hire Don Nelson. Janny Hu reports:
In a bold and surprising attempt to end 12 years of playoff futility, the Warriors severed ties with Mike Montgomery this week and will replace him with former coach Don Nelson, the Chronicle has learned.
Nelson has agreed to an incentive-laden three-year contract that is worth up to $18 million, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. As part of the deal, Nelson will receive $1 million if the Warriors make the playoffs this season.
If you’re a Warriors fan you’ve got to be happy. (And they are.) Nelson, 66, should bring instant offense back to this club with his “score first, worry about d later” mentality. He’s got a lot of solid, young talent in that locker room — Baron, J-Rich, Ellis, Murphy, Lil’ Dun, Ike — so it’ll be fun to see what type of line-ups his old man brain will conjure up.
Steve Kerr thinks the Warriors’ success weighs heavily on whether or not Nellie can connect with Baron Davis:
By midseason Davis and Montgomery had almost no relationship whatsoever, according to Golden State insiders, and the situation severely hurt the team’s chances for success. The Warriors had no chemistry or direction.
Nellie will come in with a resume that includes helping develop a couple of point guards (Tim Hardaway and Steve Nash) into NBA stars. Each became the leader of an up-tempo basketball team, and the opportunity changed both players’ careers.
Davis is ultra-talented, but he has been both injury-prone and moody over the years. It is Nelson’s job to turn Davis into the leader he can become. One thing is for sure: Davis will enjoy playing Nellie’s style. The ball will be in his hands, and he will have full authority to run the club. Ultimately, the relationship between the two men will be the key to whether this union is a success. That and Davis’ health.
Can’t say I disagree. Hi-Five, Steve Kerr!
And oh, here’s a fun little nugget: Nelson will bring the Warriors to Dallas in the first week of the NBA season, matching up with Coach Avery Johnson on Nov. 6.
Oh you sly NBA schedulers you!
Montgomery Out, Nellie Back In… [SF Chronicle]
Whoa, Nellie? [Yahoo! Sports]
NBA Prep Work: Nuggets
As part of The Basketball Jones extensive ‘06-07 season preview, I’ve been awarded the honor of going “one-on-one” with a representative from all 30 NBA teams. (No, not really.)
Today I get into it with new Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith. Our conversation follows:
ONE-ON-ONE WITH … J.R. SMITH
J.E. Skeets: Earl, thanks for sitting down and talking with me today. Can I call you Earl?
J.R. Smith: No.
Skeets: Can I call you Owen?
Smith: No.
Skeets: Really? How ’bout Travis then? You look like a Travis.
Smith: No.
Skeets: Mr. Liquid Paper?
Smith: What? No.
Skeets: Fine, I’ll call you J.R.. But let the record show I’m none too happy about it.
Smith: That’s fair.
Skeets: OK, let’s get into it. Do you know what I mean when I say, “Let’s get into it”?
Smith: Um, let’s get into the questions?
Skeets: Yes, good. Didn’t know if you were paying attention there. Your eyes are sort of droopy.
Smith: I’m here.
Skeets: OK good. First question: You excited to be playing alongside Carmelo this season?
Smith: Oh yeah. Carmelo’s a great player and a team player.
Skeets: Tell me how you really feel.
Smith: He needs a haircut.
Skeets: Yeah, what’s up with that? Looks like his scalp threw-up, no?
Smith: True. I don’t know.
Skeets: So how does it feel to get traded twice in the same summer?
Smith: To be perfectly honest, it doesn’t feel any different for it to be done twice. I mean I’m still only going to one new place, right? If it happened during the season though … well, that’d be a different story.
Skeets: Tell me a different story, J.R..
Smith: Excuse me?
Skeets: Please tell me a story. A tale, a fable…
Smith: About?
Skeets: Anything. Go nuts.
Smith: Um…
Skeets: Let your imagination soar, young child…
Smith: OK, um … um … I guess once upon a time–
Skeets: Hold on. You guess?
Smith: Um, yeah…
Skeets: If you’re going to tell a story, tell it like you mean it!
Smith: Sorry.
Skeets: No wonder you got traded for air. You’ve got no gusto man.
Smith: Hey, Howard Eisley is solid baller.
Skeets: Yeah, so is Frankie Muniz. Come on man…
Smith: Whatever.
Skeets: Moving on … Um, hey J.R., just wanted to let you know I’m a huge fan of your young career and I wish you the best in Denver. What kind of workout have you been doing over the summer and what area are you focusing on?
Smith: Hold up. Are these even your questions?
Skeets: Yes. Of course.
Smith: Then why did you just read that? Let me see that.
Skeets: No, no … it’s just my notes–
Smith: Give me that.
Skeets: Hey, easy, you’re going to rip it–
Smith: What the … this is just a computer print out of the chat I just did for NBA.com. You’re reading me the same damn questions!
Skeets: I am not.
Smith: You are too. Look: “Hey J.R., just wanted to let you know I’m a huge fan of your young career and I wish you the best in Denver.” You just said that. Word for word.
Skeets: Ah, I think you hurt my wrist.
Smith: Oh give me a break.
Skeets: Oh man … ahhh … yeah, this is bad. Ouch, ouch, ouch. I think my wrist is broken. Thanks.
Smith: You’re a piece of shit. I’m out of here.
Skeets: Oh, oh, oh, where you going Earl? You just get traded again? You get traded for some O-Pee-Chee cards this time?
Smith: You’re a joke.
Skeets: “And in other NBA news, J.R. Smith was traded earlier today to Milwaukee for a Luc Robitaille rookie card and a mint Andy Moog!” Ha!
Comments (5)Carnival of the NBA #35
Mutoni from Bench Renaldo, host of the latest Carnival of the NBA:
“This is a slow news time–after all, Dale Davis can only get shocked with a stun gun so many times–in the hoop world, so we’re especially thankful for the bloggers who have soldiered on and kept pumping out quality material.”
Well said. Make sure you check it out.
Comments (0)Halperin Joins NBA Live 07 Tribe
August 28, 2006 — Electronic Arts announced a late game addition to its starting lineup of NBA Live 07 stars today at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre by selecting Seattle Supersonics’ Yotam Halperin to join Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Boris Diaw and Tracy McGrady as worldwide cover athletes and spokespersons.
NBA Live 07 will now feature Halperin on all packaging in his native Israel, Nowitzki in Germany, Gasol in Spain, and Parker and Diaw sharing the cover spotlight in France. McGrady will be the cover athlete in North America and all other countries.
“With the global appeal of NBA Live it is important to us to assemble an All-Star team of international players who reflect our worldwide basketball franchise leadership,” said Keith Munro, VP of Marketing for EA. “These players are superstars on their NBA teams and some of the best players in the world. We believe they truly represent the authenticity and entertainment that NBA Live 07 delivers.”
Unfortunately, Kobe Bryant was unavailable for comment.
Halperin To Become First Israeli In NBA [The Jerusalem Post]
NBA Live 07 Picks Covers Athletes [IGN]
Yotam Halperin Signing? [SonicsCentral.com]
(Note: Huge props to Hype from NBA Basketball & Other Unrelatedness for that ridiculously good photoshop!)
Comments (10)About
The Basketball Jones is a NBA blog and podcast, written and recorded five times a week by J.E. Skeets, Tas Melas and Jason Doyle. Comments, questions and cold hard cash are always welcome and much appreciated. Contact us.
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