In Lieu Of Sweet, Dulcet Sounds
Writing out loud while we await Jamison’s fifty, T-Mac to grow his demon wings and Manu’s scary back scar…
– Like everyone else and their grandma (B-Diddy’s included), I, too, am officially wrapped up in the whole “We Believe” drama going down in Oaktown. How can you not be? It’s invigorating. And though I’m definitely rooting for Full Metal Baron and his boys to slap history in the mouth, I’m still not fully convinced this thing is over. I mean, sure, the G-Men are up 3-1 — comfortably lounging on the chaise lounges and ottomans up in Avery and Dirk’s domes — but let’s not forget that the roles of alpha/under dog in this series have been switched. As in, is it not the Mavs turn to now play the old “nothing to lose” card? And how will the Warriors (and more importantly, their fans) come out as the ones on the left side of the car? Golden State has to win in this six. Has to. –JE
– This whole Pat Riley legacy sort of has me confused. Over the past two seasons he’s been the shit disturber of several events in Miami. Last season, he pushed aside Stan Van Gundy to take control of the team and lead them to a Dwyane-Wade-special type of NBA Championship. This past January, he took off for hip surgery while his team was in the dumps; some, including Skeets, thought he was using the coaching shakeup simply as a motivational tool. Then, he allows his team to stumble in to the 4 seed (without home court advantage) and get swept by the Bulls. Only 6 teams have been swept the following season after winning the title - 3 have been coached by Riley. Which leads me to wonder: Is he simply a motivator that flames out pretty freakin’ fast? Is he the type of coach that needs a real talented squad to accomplish anything? That being said, is he a poor man’s Phil Jackson? Should we expect him on Miami’s bench next year? I just can’t see it happening. –Tas
– My blogosphere surfing has been a little non-existent as of late, but I can’t remember seeing/hearing a single thing about a “Get Dikembe a Ring” movement. Seriously, why is no one preaching this? Shouldn’t this be JVG’s job? Or is he too X and O, with not enough MO… tivation? (Sorry.) Perhaps the idea of this Rockets team going deep enough to make any ‘chip noise is just too far-fetched. You tell me. –JE
– DA BULLS! With Chicago swiffering those Miamians out of the 1st round, it shows that teams need to go through the bumps and bruises of some playoff defeats before they can taste some of that postseason Kool-Aid. The “Baby Bulls” were bounced in the 1st round two years in a row before this season’s triumph. See the Toronto Raptors being pounded by the Nets for further verification. And, I don’t care about the past performance of New Jersey’s Big 3. The Raps were by far the better team this year during the regular season, but performing under the playoff lights is totally different. Isn’t it, Chris Bosh? –Tas
– In Denver, all the talk has been about ‘Melo and AI coming together, and we’ve even heard some Marcus Camby chatter (who definitely shouldn’t have been awarded DPOY in my opinion). But what has been more astonishing is the “Brazilian Beast”. Nene is lean, he’s motivated and he’s doing whatever he wants without the most polished of offensive repertoires. Maybe he was worth that $60 million he got after all. Forget what I just said. The real reason Nene’s worth the money is ‘cause one day, along with his other Brazilian brethren, he’ll produce enough excitement to get a franchise in Rio de Janeiro. Then, we’ll see the most beautiful dance squad ever assembled in the NBA. Now, that, will be worth $60 million bucks. –Tas
– Last night’s Nets-Raps was by far the most depressing game of basketball I ever saw. We had about six or seven friends over to watch it on the big screen — even though it was on HDTSN, the ONE HD sports channel we don’t get with our package — and well, I had to leave the room when Toronto fell about, oh, 35 fuckin’ points back. Honestly, I couldn’t take it anymore. I was embarrassed. So I kicked a bag of chips, muttered something about “turnovers” and stormed out the room to go lie down … in my room! I am 27 years old! 27! C’mon Raptors! PLEASE! –JE
– And finally, because I know you love the Dick…
Comments (5)In A Spacesuit, No One Can Hear You Cry
What a brutal fucking weekend. The Raps get their asses handed to them not once, but twice; I had to file my taxes — once again realizing just how little coin I actually make; and JD’s flight from the Caribbean is delayed, thus canceling this morning’s show.
So, yeah, no ‘cast this morning, folks. Sorry. It’s probably for the better, though.
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Comments (14)Baron Davis’s Kick-Ass Bullet Fedora
That’s it! I’m officially cheering for the Golden State Warriors! Holy shit!
Comments (24)And Then We’ll Race Around the World in 80 Days…
This morning, I woke up. Feeling brand new, I jumped up. Feeling my highs, and my lows — huh? — I decided to check my e-mail. This ‘lil guy was nestled in my inbox:
Professor Skeets, I noticed you lacked a Nets correspondence for your playoff series previews. I don’t know if you are planning on doing it again for the second round, but if you are I would like to volunteer either myself or the lovely Becky (a well-known Nets blogger). Or better yet, knowing how you like the wagering…
I would like to make the following bet with you: If the Nets win this series (beat the Raps) you have to put either SML or Becky on your interview; if the Raps pull it off (and they just might, given Kidd’s bad knees… he is the soul of the team), then, well… name your price. It doesn’t matter, anyway, because the Nets are winning…
What do you think, Professor?
-Stop Mike Lupica
What do I think? WHAT DO I THINK!? I think it’s a goddamn crying shame that scientists, innovators, have yet to create a magnetic soap holder that somehow levitates a bar of soap so that it’s not touching our tub or shower surfaces. I mean, we can spawn fucking sheeps and have scoreboards shoot crazy ass flames, but we can’t eradicate fucking soap scum? Why? Tell me why? Seriously.
Oh, I’m also thinking, “a hells yes,” SML. Why you’d actually WANT to come on the Jones podcast is beyond me, but well, shit, I do love me a good bet… you’re on. (And um, yeah, you too, “lovely Becky.”)
So here we go: if the Nets win, we have to have either you and/or Becky on the show. Deal. Not gonna happen, but deal. When the Raps win? Hmmm…
You and/or the “sexy Beckster” have to go back and transcribe every single introductory line we’ve ever verbally spewed on The Basketball Jones podcast. Yeah, all those stupid, pointless lyric and movie quotes I burp up five times a week. We want that shit cataloged, son! And in reverse chronological order! Uh!
So… what you say, SML/Becky? Virtual shake?
Comments (11)Ep. 153: If It Were Not For Hope, The Heart Would Break
Well, that, and everyone would be down 3-0.
The Basketball Jones ‘The Fix’ — Episode 153 (.mp3)
On today’s show, Tas and I discuss: the Suns inability to put teams away and whether the Lakers have made this a series; how the the Jazz won game 3; Sheed’s hilarious tech; Iverson’s masseuse; and much, much more…
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(Note: A few ‘Hey, Vince!’ tees are still available! Buy one today, and live a little, man.)
Photo: Rainbow Cloud by tsack.
Comments (2)The Suns, Seckbach, and Silly, Stupid Questions
My favorite part about Elie Seckbach’s latest YouTube video is the complete and total randomness of it all. The ‘NBA’s embedded correspondent’ starts off telling us how the Suns refuse to let their recent success go to their heads, only to immediately follow that up with shots of Diaw talking about Israeli fans, Amare flipping through a tabloid mag, and Kurt Thomas learning Hebrew. And that’s just the first 30 seconds!
Yeah, I’m not going to lie; it’s a beautiful, beautiful thing. Barbosa had me on the floor.
The Phoenix Suns [YouTube]
Ep. 083: Our Elie Seckbach Exclusive [The Basketball Jones]
Ep. 152: Vulnerable
Even after a win.
The Basketball Jones ‘The Fix’ — Episode 152 (.mp3)
On today’s show, Tas and I argue whether B-Diddy and S-Jax’s ejections will end up helping or hurting the Warriors in Game 3; the Nuggets ability to fight back and if the DEN-SAS series is really that entertaining; if Colangelo will re-sign Mitchell; and much, much more…
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(Note: A few ‘Hey, Vince!’ tees are still available! Buy one today!)
Comments (7)LeBron James Sings ‘Staying Alive’ by the Bee Gees
I’m amazed this hasn’t made its way around the Internets yet. Behold:
Video of Lebron James singing ‘Staying Alive’ by the Bee Gees.
Well, sort of.
A million thank yous to Ryan White at The Tailgate for posting this, and die-hard Jones’er, Alan, for opening our eyes. You’re both doing the Lord’s work. Virtual high-fives!
Watch LeBron James Dance and Sing A Bee Gees Song. Seriously. He Does. Poorly. But Humorously. [The Tailgate]
(Hold on. Has this made its way around the Internets already? I feel cold.)
(Update: Another million thank yous to Howie ‘The Hype Guy’ for his gentle photoshop touch. I think it really gives this post a lil’ something extra, you know? Really pushes it over the top.)
(Update 2: Sexier, embedded video of LBJ getting down here.)
Comments (8)Ep. 151: The Truth Hurts
And so does my throat.
The Basketball Jones ‘The Fix’ — Episode 151 (.mp3)
On today’s show, Tas and I discuss: notes from another night down at the ACC; why the Lakers don’t stand a chance of climbing out of a 2-0 hole; a caller’s man-crush for Rasho; and much, much more…
Subscribe to The Basketball Jones podcast: iTunes | Email
(Note: A few ‘Hey, Vince!’ tees are still available! Buy one today; cherish it forever!)
Comments (8)Ep. 150: Bouncing Back
Can the Jazz or Magic do it?
The Basketball Jones ‘The Fix’ — Episode 150 (.mp3)
On today’s show, Tas and I discuss: the Jazz’s struggling offense and some adjustments Sloan needs to make; why the ‘Mouse Heads’ keep shooting themselves in the charity foot; whether ‘Whoa Boy’ fever is sweeping the nation; and much, much more…
Subscribe to The Basketball Jones podcast: iTunes | Email
(Note: ‘Hey, Vince!’ tees are still available! Buy one today, and be the coolest kid in community college!)
Comments (8)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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Latest Episodes
- Ep. 308: The Fix – Friday, May 9th
- Ep. 307: The Fix – Wed/Thu, May 7/8th
- Ep. 306: The Fix – Tuesday, May 6th
- Ep. 305: The Fix – Monday, May 5th
- Ep. 304: The Fix – Friday, May 2nd