Amber Links Of Grain: Witness Hard Abs!
“Amber Links Of Grain” is The Basketball Jones’ new daily link dump featuring some of the finest shiznit from the NBA blogosphere, YouTubes and Internets. Send submissions to jones@thebasketballjones.net. Or don’t. Your call, really.
1. LeBron is motivated, healthy and likes Jay-Z. A little birdie also told me he enjoyed the This Is London nightclub in Toronto, the night before his team got popped by 33. [Men’s Health]
2. Suns fans no likey the way Mr. Stern punishes bad boys. [AZ Sports Hub]
3. Ron Artest was once hard. [Sacramento Bee]
4. Mark Cuban is a fibber. No way he’d trade Dirk for Kobe? Please. [Santa Monica Mirror]
5. Man, this was a special moment. Man, Magic’s shot was ugly. [YouTube]
Comments (0)Amber Links Of Grain: Hair Dirk
“Amber Links Of Grain” is The Basketball Jones’ new daily link dump featuring some of the finest shiznit from the NBA blogosphere, YouTubes and Internets. Send submissions to jones@thebasketballjones.net. Or don’t. Your call, really.
1. The evolution of Dirk Nowitzki’s hair. [The Pig Pen]
2. Oh, boy, this could be good. BlogTalkRadio is set to host ‘InfiniteLove Talk Radio’ with Doug and Jackie Christie. The show, starting Nov. 1st, is a weekly, call-in Internet talk-radio show where Doug and Jackie combine fashion, sports and lifestyle talk. [BlogTalkRadio]
3. Cronin reports that the Knicks look much better when Curry’s big ass is glued to the bench: “The spacing is better, Randolph looks more at ease, everything seems to click so much better when he is not on the court.” [KnickerBlogger]
4. FreeDarko’s Guide to the 2008-09 Season is coming to a bookstore near you soon eventually. Yes, BOOKSTORE. (Congrats, FD!) [FreeDarko]
5. The triumphant return of jeskeets.com. Well, sort of. [Urban Raccoons and Blow-up Elephants]
Comments (1)Amber Links Of Grain: No Player Left Behind
“Amber Links Of Grain” is The Basketball Jones’ new daily link dump featuring some of the finest shiznit from the NBA blogosphere, YouTubes and Internets. Send submissions to jones@thebasketballjones.net. Or don’t. Your call, really.
1. “Bowen, Bruce: Gives pro-life speech to an island of seals … Crittenton, Javaris: is going to have eight myspace pages. … Durant, Kevin: is going to date Rihanna.” Am I a little pissed I wasn’t asked to contribute to this? Fucks. Yes. [FreeDarko]
2. NBA player/rapper look-a-likes. The Peeler/Canibus one is eerily close. [NBADraft.net via Dime]
3. Anyone want to dress up as Rip Hamilton this Halloween? [PistonsNation]
4. Can Al Thornton play the four? Arnovitz: “Think about Shawn Marion for a second and how he can anchor PHX’s defense — which is much better than it’s given credit for — whether he’s playing the small or power forward position. Marion and Thornton are the same size and both display uncanny quickness. Marion is often outsized at the 4 defensively, but he’s learned to leverage his quickness — both in establishing himself defensively on the block and in help situations on the rotation.” [ClipperBlog.com]
5. ‘Wizards Are Gay!’ [Dumbledore Pride!]
Comments (3)Amber Links Of Grain: Back Tats
“Amber Links Of Grain” is The Basketball Jones’ new daily link dump featuring some of finest shiznit from the NBA blogosphere, YouTubes and Internets. Send submissions to jones@thebasketballjones.net. Or don’t. Your call, really.
1. DeShawn Stevenson is tattooing his jersey on his back. “It’s gonna be real nice,” he says. Um, OK. [D.C. Sports Bog]
2. The Incredible Hulk drops acid. [YouTube] (thx, Shoals)
3. Which teams will shock us all this season? Chris Clarke likes the Grizzlies, Warriors, ‘Cats and … Pacers!? Clarke: “[Indiana] is a pretty nice team that should make the playoffs in one of the low seeds. Jermaine O’Neal, when healthy, is an All-Star. Troy Murphy isn’t flashy, but he can play. […] Jamaal Tinsley might have an “up” season after a few down ones. Mike Dunleavy, Ike Diogu, and Marquis Daniels round out a pretty solid team … on paper. I’m not betting much on them, but I have some faith in Jim O’Brien. Just enough to say they’ll win more than 40 games.” [End of the Bench]
4. Three trade scenarios to bring Kobe to the Mavericks. A Josh Howard, Devin Harris, Damp and change package isn’t that bad, really. [Dallas News]
5. Steve Nash will lead the Phoenix Suns to their first NBA championship, the Raps will go 36-46, and D-Wade will win the MVP trophy averaging 31.6 ppg. What? This NBA Live 08 simulation tells me so. [The Canadian Press]
Comments (4)Amber Links Of Grain: By The Beard of Zeus!
“Amber Links Of Grain” is The Basketball Jones’ new daily link dump featuring some of finest shiznit from the NBA blogosphere, YouTubes and Internets. Send submissions to jones@thebasketballjones.net. Or don’t. Your call, really.
1. The NBA All-Beard Team. [The Blowtorch]
2. John Krolik, on O.J. Mayo: “O.J.’s game most closely resembles that of Arenas, and while the media’s reaction to Arenas is certainly a case with a sample size of 1, Arenas has never run into “selfish, lazy, Iverson-like playground play” backlash for his exploits on the court like O.J. already has; his prolonged fame, business savvy, and sense of showmanship on the court have already earned him a spot in Skip Bayless’ “young black punk” throne for the next year or two.” [Free Darko]
3. Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith has a simple solution for NBA European expansion: “Add approximately six new franchises at once. They would make up the new Euro Division, with teams based in Italy, Spain, France, England and Greece. Clubs from North America would have to spend two weeks of the regular season in Europe before the All-Star game and again after the All-Star game. To further accommodate this expansion across the Atlantic Ocean, the NBA would have to shorten the schedule to 70 games.” Barkley in Europe? Wow! [Yahoo!]
4. I love this quote from Coach Smitty about Jorge: “I’m going to be honest with you, you look at him and you don’t know exactly how he gets stuff done. You say he shouldn’t be able to guard certain guys, but he does.” Ha! Apparently Garbo is fighting Kapono, Delfino and Graham for the Raps’ starting forward gig. [Toronto Star]
5. Ladies and gentlemen … Technoviking! [YouTube]
Comments (2)Amber Links Of Grain: J.R.’s Struggles
“Amber Links Of Grain” is The Basketball Jones’ new daily link dump featuring some of finest shiznit from the NBA blogosphere, YouTubes and Internets. Send submissions to jones@thebasketballjones.net. Or don’t. Your call, really.
1. J.R. Smith needs to raise his game. Via Dime: “With ‘Melo, Iverson, Nene and K-Mart among those sitting out for a short-handed Denver squad in last night’s game against Detroit, J.R. got about 25 minutes of burn with which to help or hurt his trade value. (The illustrious trio of Von Wafer, Anthony Roberson and Bobby Jones each got more PT than Smith). When he was on the floor, J.R. shot 4-for-14, turned the ball over 4 times, and fouled out.” [Dime]
2. Remember the Nike Fun Police? [Basketbawful]
3. Movies, music, television and celebrity gossip … from the sexy minds of Ballhype comes this sleek new sister site: ShowHype. Nora is going to love this. [ShowHype]
4. Once again, I’m struggling to come up with the perfect fantasy basketball team name. If you have any suggestions, by all means leave ‘em in the comments. Until then I’ll just stick with “Da Crispy Von Wafers”. [Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball]
5. You know, it is hard out there for a pimp. [Cracked]
Note: Southwest Division preview podcast coming soon …
Comments (5)Amber Links Of Grain: Watch For The Hot Light, Noah!
“Amber Links Of Grain” is The Basketball Jones’ new daily link dump featuring some of finest shiznit from the NBA blogosphere, YouTubes and Internets. Send submissions to jones@thebasketballjones.net. Or don’t. Your call, really.
1. Bulls guard Ben Gordon took Joakim Noah’s per diem for failing to live up to his rookie responsibilities by bringing Dunkin’ Donuts to practice instead of Krispy Kreme. Dance, rookie! Dance! [Chicago Tribune]
2. Jiri Welsch / I played for the Warriors? Really? [Straight Cash Homey]
3. Doug Christie, via his blog: “All along, I have had my sights set on playing for the N.Y. Knicks again and have been waiting to see how the roster will pan out, but to play for Isiah Thomas again would be awesome! I have so much respect for him as a person and a coach.” Um, something tells me Jackie wouldn’t really appreciate being called a “bitch,” Doug. Just a hunch. [MVN]
4. A little more Noah. Bernhardt reports: “He’ll fit in well with the Bulls big men with an uncanny ability to get his hands on loose balls and even pitching in a few steals. He finished strong and above the rim, and showed impressive athleticism when blocking and challenging shots. He’s ready to join the frontcourt rotation right away.” [Blog-a-Bull]
5. I have my Raps season ticket draft tonight. If I’m lucky enough to score the number one pick, I’m thinking Celtics or Lakers. Any other teams I should have on my radar? Let’s hear ‘em in the comments.
Reminder: Vote The Basketball Jones for Best Podcast. Gracias.
Comments (15)Amber Links Of Grain: Monday Night Ugh
“Amber Links Of Grain” is The Basketball Jones’ new daily link dump featuring some of finest shiznit from the NBA blogosphere, YouTubes and Internets. Send submissions to jones@thebasketballjones.net. Or don’t. Your call, really.
1. Never, ever, ever, ever become a Bills fan. Ever. [Deadspin]
2. Crocket caught some Knicks-Sixers preseason action last night in Columbia, SC. He jotted notes on Randolph’s size, the Knicks pace and the rookies’ performances. [KnickerBlogger.net]
3. YouTube-age of Wizards coach Eddie Jordan firing a t-shirt gun inside an American Service Center car dealership. Finally! [D.C. Sports Bog]
4. Collective Bargaining Agreement, article IX, section 1, (c): the Dallas Mavericks must always employ a slightly goofy, white forward with a decent jump shot. [The Blowtorch]
5. I was at home for Thanksgiving all weekend, so I just managed to catch the Celts-Raps game yesterday. Melas already broke it down, but here’s a few quick thoughts: Garnett might lead the league in triple-doubles this season … the Raps really are 10 or 11 deep … I love having a Dell Curry 2.0 in Kapono … we desperately need Delfino to slash/score off the bench … holy shit I missed watching basketball.
Reminder: Vote The Basketball Jones for Best Podcast. It’s almost over.
Comments (3)Amber Links of Grain: There’s Only One April
“Amber Links Of Grain” is The Basketball Jones’ new daily link dump featuring some of finest shiznit from the NBA blogosphere, YouTubes and Internets. Send submissions to jones@thebasketballjones.net. Or don’t. Your call, really.
1. Sam Rubenstein would like a word with Stern: “5 game series are awesome. The intensity is there from the beginning. If a team loses game one, it becomes desperation time already, and that’s what the playoffs are supposed to be about. NBA, learn from this. Ditch the 7 game, two-week long first round.” Hear, hear! [SLAM Online]
2. Yeah, yeah, LeBron James is longtime Yankees fan. Whatever. It was still ridiculously dumb move for him to show up at Jacobs Field yesterday wearing Yankees cap and raising it in front of a camera during an interview with TBS. [Cavs News]
3. One of the coolest commercials I’ve ever seen. [College Humor]
4. Doug Smith selects his Raps “finishing line-ups.” If they’re up: Ford, Parker, Garbajosa, Bosh and Nesterovic. If they’re down: Ford, Parker, Kapono, Bosh and Bargnani. [The Star]
5. This is a bad idea. [Twitter]
Reminder: Vote The Basketball Jones for Best Podcast. I’ll buy you a coffee.
Comments (5)Amber Links Of Grain: Stupid Gate!
“Amber Links Of Grain” is The Basketball Jones’ new daily link dump featuring some of finest shiznit from the NBA blogosphere, YouTubes and Internets. Send submissions to jones@thebasketballjones.net. Or don’t. Your call, really.
1. “DatGuypro” is without a doubt today’s greatest YouTube filmmaker. There, I said it. [YouTube]
2. What more Melas in your life? Then check out his Raps season preview over at About.com. A small taste: “The Raptors do not have an MIP [Most Important Player]. They showed last year that they can play for stretches no matter who is in the lineup. Ford was unstoppable as Toronto went 6-6 while Bosh was out. Calderon stepped up in Ford’s absence. … The key to this team is that they likely have the most depth in the Eastern Conference and no one really needs to play heavy minutes.” [About.com]
3. Chris Kaman and Scot Pollard are … The Cavemen. [The Blowtorch]
4. Grange reports that ESPN numbot John Hollinger is “getting KILLED by the Raps fans” for pegging Toronto to finish 39-43 and ninth in the Eastern Conference this season. Good. [From Deep]
5. Ziller’s latest helping of NBA Festivus cheer. [Ballhype]
Reminder: Vote The Basketball Jones for Best Podcast. You’ll feel better about yourself.
Comments (4)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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- Ep. 312: The Fix – Friday, May 16th
- Ep. 311: The Fix – Thursday, May 15th
- Ep. 310: The Fix – Wednesday, May 14th
- Ep. 309: The Fix – Tuesday, May 13th
- Ep. 308: The Fix – Friday, May 9th