We Can’t Podcast — Please Don’t Hate
*** NOTE: There will not be a podcast this morning. JD has run himself thin and is under the weather. We’ll be back in full force with a super-duper show on Monday. ***
So, I’ll babble instead. I watched the Heat and Pacers play the 1st game of Thursday’s doubleheader and there were a few times I was furious with the officiating. It was bad. It was horrible. It was awful. It was horri-awful (O’Neal, Shaquille).
The refereeing was puzzling in the 4th quarter. With about 5 minutes left, Dwyane Wade went to the rack and his lay-in got stuck between the rim and the backboard. The referees blew the whistle and the TNT team said it would be a jump ball. Fine, that made sense. After a long discussion, the refs decided to change the call and they hit Jermaine O’Neal with a foul instead. What?! There was no whistle when Wade threw the ball up; the play was blown dead when old leather got jammed. The replay showed Fivehead trying to get out of the way – there’s no way he fouled anyone.
Now, I might be making too much of this, but this horrendous call took me back to the NBA Finals last year when Wade couldn’t get so much as a Stackhouse fingernail on him without getting a whistle. Speaking of Stack, did you see him sing the national anthem for the Lakers-Mavs game last night? He was actually pretty good. Back to the superstar call. This is something that has to be taken care of. It is so blatant that it’s become embarrassing. I don’t think the league influences the officials in any way in terms of which players should get more calls, but the big names have been getting special treatment for as long as I can remember. This superstar syndrome turns the casual fan right off. With the game being called the way it is – perimeter players allowed to move around untouched – the constant whistle blowing has to be monitored. The league can’t take away the speed and flow, the beautiful parts of the game.
That being said, the crew seemed to be having some serious problems in the 4th. When Marquis Daniels bounced it off the foot of Mourning and was called for an over-and-back when he recovered it, Doug Collins rightly pointed out the reason the ball went to the Heat was because Daniels looked guilty. We’re awarding possession of the ball due to a facial expression now? There was more. When the Pacers intentionally fouled Wade with a push to the chest an only 4 seconds left, the whistles remained silent.
Listen, I don’t think the NBA is officiated worse than any other pro sport in North America, but there are those select times when it makes me cringe. There are several factors this happens I guess – the speed of the game, all those big bodies in that small space, the difficulty referees have in seeing things all parts of the players’ bodies because of their positioning and because of the massive physiques, etc.
I bitch because I love, ya know.
Comments (15)The Present Is A Gift
Watching Christmas day’s Lakers/Heat game made me realize what a special era of basketball we live in. Dwyane Wade was ridiculously sensational, but when there’s a conversation about the best players in the game, he is only one of several amazing ballers, and he’s usually not at the top.
There are so many players and styles that we can marvel at right now: Wade and his unbelievable athleticism, creativity and ability to finish. Kobe Bryant and what is likely the most well-rounded offensive repertoire in the league. LeBron James and his ability to dominate through playmaking and scoring – not to mention his sheer power. Then there are players who are incredibly special in other ways. No person can dissect defenses in more ways than Steve Nash – give him a tiny window of opportunity and he will make you pay. Tim Duncan may be the best power forward ever – he is a rebounding and scoring machine and a perfect fit for the nickname, ‘The Big Fundamental’. Dirk Nowitzki has to be the best shooter in the game today and he stands at 7 feet. Kevin Garnett is a freak. Dwight Howard: Freak #2. Gilbert and ‘Melo can go for 60. AI is a hall-of-famer. Shaun Livingston occasionally looks like Magic. Greg Oden is coming. Don’t forget Yao, Shaq and Stoudemire.
All I wanted to say here is that we can take these special talents for granted. When a person can buy a ticket for an NBA game on any given night, in any given city, and see a basketball player with extraordinary abilities, it’s quite easy to forget how good they actually are. No wonder the MVP vote is anyone’s guess these last few years.
I suppose Christmas day gave me the time to kick up my feet and realize that we’re watching what must be the best era in basketball ever.
Comments (5)Iverson Is A Nugget!
My initial thoughts about the Iverson trade are up at the ‘House, but you can guaran-damn-tee Tas and I will be analyzing this big news in detail on tomorrow morning’s podcast.
Anyway, if you’re game, why not send in your own thoughts and concerns about the trade for the show? (It’d sure make our 5am morning a little more tolerable.)
E-mails are good; voice-mail messages are better. (#:214-5-JONES-1) Thanks in advance…
And oh, we’ll try and air/read as many as we can, so please keep ‘em crisp, clean and short…
Note: Andre Miller, Joe Smith, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, some draft picks and no ‘Zo for those two guys on the right. Amazing…
Comments (6)The Chris Mullin Show
Hey! Look! That guy who plays the father on Moesha! Sweet!
I’m not exactly sure where you’d rank this on the all-time list of late-night television programming — shit, I’d watch it, so it’s already better than Leno, no? — but as far as NBA All-Star-hosts go, I think it’s pretty safe to say that an Arsenio Hall-like Chris Mullin — in shorts no less! — would be about, oh… a trillion nautical miles ahead of Magic. Maybe more.
The Chris Rock Show: The Chris Mullin Sketch [YouTube]
(Daps Firm, awkward handshake to Scott from RaptorBlog for droppin’ this l’il gem in our inbox.)
Crown Jewels
Sometimes I wonder if we’re amidst greatness. Are we watching the best basketball player ever to live play through his young days? Can someone be better than Michael? Or are we just falling for the ESPN hype machine?
We’ve got a 21-year-old in LeBron James that has banked several “youngest player” awards. He’s also accomplished things only the elite have been able to do - one of just five players in NBA history to average over 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in a season (joining Larry Bird, Jordan, Oscar Robertson and John Havlicek) to name but one shiny accomplishment. All this before his peak.
Even if he called Michael “the black Jesus” on David Letterman a while ago, there’s just this feeling inside me that says he’ll never be better than Jordan. If there was a last supper for NBA players when it’s all said and done, ‘Bron may be at the table, but he isn’t sitting in the real King’s chair, you know? I’m aware there have been several players who have been pegged as “The Next One” only to fail so it’s easy to say James won’t do it. I just don’t think #23 has it in him to one-up the real #23. And while we’re on it, is the NBA ever going to retire Michael’s number? And where did LeBron get the watermelons to put it on his back?
There was something that happened a couple weeks ago that made me think about James’ legacy. ‘Bron dined with billionaire Warren Buffett in Nebraska. The King has said before one of his goals is to become the world’s richest person. Now that’s fine and everything. You want the dough, go get it; even if you have all the athletic ability in the world, you probably want to spend your time doing other things. You can’t possibly devote all your time and efforts to training, studying the game and becoming a better basketball player. Just ask the highly gifted, highly unmotivated, Vince Carter. Oh, SNAP!
If you want the real difference between Michael and LeBron, it’s this: their desire to become the best basketball player in the world. Don’t get me wrong, James has heart. But no one’s drive compares to that in your face, slap you around type swagger His Airness lived by. The man was special – I don’t know if you’ll ever see that obsession to be the greatest again. Players have other agendas now. LeBron wants to unseat Michael and be the richest person on the planet? A man can only do so much. If he pulls it off, more power to him, but Jordan was never money hungry. His brand fed upon itself as he became larger than life and he made ridiculous amounts of cake because of it, but his love was basketball. He wanted nothing but to be the world’s greatest.
A lot of what makes a solid player is natural talents and smarts but so much of it is heart and desire. We know defense is all about hard work. Check out the defensive stats of these two ballers, Jordan: Defensive Player of the Year in 1988; Nine-time All-Defensive First Team. James: not so much. The way LeBron plays D, I can never see him getting his way on to an All-Defensive First Team despite having the tools to do so. What I’m getting at is the infatuation of these superstars to be on top lives on two very different levels. And if that stays status quo, the winner of the “greatest ever” arguments won’t have to change either.
Comments (14)Wanted: Atlanta’s Air Force Video
Last night, between catching up on Lost Season 2 episodes, I stumbled upon a NBA special featuring highlights and interviews of the three latest Hall of Fame inductees: Charles Barkley, Joe Dumars, and Dominique Wilkins.
During ‘Nique’s awesome highlight reel, they showed a quick clip from a music video the ‘86-87 Atlanta Hawks team made called, Atlanta’s Air Force. Like all professional sport teams’ music videos (see: Bears, Chicago and Flames, Calgary) it looked absolutely brilliant!
So like any good NBA blogger would, I immediately got my ass to YouTube and typed in “Atlanta’s Air Force”. Nothing. What? Travesty! So I decided to do some more research — um, type it into Google. Here’s what I found:
- Local Atlanta band Tom Gross and the Varsity — bitchin’ name boys — put out a 45 rpm record (the video came later) for the Hawks, entitled “Nothing Can Stop Us, We’re Atlanta’s Air Force”. The catchy song was played by several Atlanta radio stations before big games with the Celtics or Pistons, and also during the Hawks’ radio introduction.
- There’s a pin commemorating it.
And that’s it. I couldn’t find the actual music video anywhere. (Single tear.)
So, this is where I turn to you, loyal TBJ reader. If anyone has this music video or knows where one can find it, please, let me know. Hell, I’ll even award a little prize or a free TBJ post to the first person who can help us get the entire “Atlanta’s Air Force” music video up on the Internet, where it so rightfully belongs.
Here are some pics I snapped off the TV for inspiration:
Good luck brethren … and be safe.
Comments (13)So… You Run Here Often?
OK, here we go again Yao. Just keep cool…
I’m cool, I’m cool…
Good. Now easy does it. What I’d tell you last time?
Head up, chest out.
There you go. You look good.
Are you sure? I feel sort of stupid. I mean, maybe I should put a shirt on, no? Yeah, I should probably put a shirt on…
No, no, you look good. Confident. Big China man be bull, remember?
Yes, big China man be bull…
Perfect. OK, now here they come. Just play it cool…
Oh my, they’re quite close. Um… um…
You stay cool, you hear me? Don’t be ridiculous.
But they’re so cute! Oh my, I don’t know about this. Maybe I should just turn arou–
No! You are not turning around! You’re a Goddamn All-star! Start acting like one!
They think I’m a freak.
They do not think you’re a freak! Jesus. Now get it together, man. OK, here we go.
Oh no, oh no, oh no…
Smile…
Oh no, oh no, oh no…
Keep smiling…
This is bad. This is sooooo bad…
Aaaaaand… done.
That’s it?
That’s it.
Did they look?
Um, yeah.
And?
Well… besides you lookin’ like you were pinchin’ a loaf, I’d say the girl in orange seemed somewhat impressed.
Seriously?
Yeah, she checked you out a little bit.
YES! SCORE!
Woah, easy there Romeo; she just glanced at you. Could’ve been wondering what happened to the sun for all I know…
TAKE THAT MUTUMBO! YAO IS TRUE SEX MACHINE!
Oh, shut up…
Yao Ming Photo [Yahoo!]
(Props for finding this gem: YAYHowie!)
Oh What I’d Pay Just To Hear Him Scream, “Suck It!” …
Just when I thought Duncan couldn’t get any lamer, he goes and does something like this … and totally redeems himself!
Every NBA fan already knows that Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs is arguably the best player in the NBA, but what they may not know is that the three-time NBA Champion is also a huge WWE fan. Since RAW was at the AT&T Center, the Spurs’ home arena, it was only fitting that Duncan was on hand. And it’s also fitting that one of his favorite Superstars is San Antonio’s own Shawn Michaels.
“I watch (WWE) all the time,” said the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player. “I’ve met (Shawn Michaels) a couple different times, and I love to come see the (Superstars). I also love seeing Ric (Flair).”
Fantastic stuff, Timberley, but when are we going to start seeing some of that wrestling personality make it’s way to the court?
I mean, who wouldn’t want to see Duncan “tune up the band” and lay some Sweet Chin Music to Dampier’s ugly mug after an extra hard foul? Oh my God, can you say, “Least Marketable Player to Most Marketable Player in seconds”? Ka-ching!
Or imagine Duncan lettin’ loose a monster, “Woooooooooooo!” and Golden Boy strut after his patented kiss-off-the-glass for two? Wow … tell me that wouldn’t be incredible!
Man, Tim, the possibilities are endless here. You’ve so got to get started on this.
Duncan thinks WWE is a slam dunk [Inside WWE]
(Question: What do you think Duncan’s finishing move would be? A choke slam? A pile driver? Maybe just a nice fireman’s carry takedown called ‘The Fundamental’? Let’s hear your suggestions in the comments. Virtual high-fives to the best ones…)
Comments (12)Beware The Beast
Seen last night in Phoenix: large wooly mammoth with the ability to jump, fly and score over anyone on the basketball court. He was accompanied by a white, shaggier friend who possesses the uncanny ability of finding the right guy, at the right time.
Seen last night in Salt Lake City: a ‘Mailman’ who loved to pick and roll just as much as he loves having a piece of straw between his teeth. Along side him was a teammate who could pass and wear short-shorts with the best of them.
The tandem of Nash and Stoudemire are a more modern version of Stockton and Malone. Sure the Sun duo relies more on raw athleticism than structured offensive sets but they are just as beautiful to watch. It’s impossible to change the channel when watching these two manipulate the floor. Still in their infancy as an All-Star pair, Amare and Steve still have several years to perfect their trade.
With Nash at the helm, Stoudemire is arguably the best, and definitely the most athletic big man in the L. No disrespect to the pick and roll combo in Utah, but these two may actually win a title. The top 4 powers all have weaknesses: the Spurs are hurting, the Heat are still adapting to several personnel changes, the Pistons have no depth and the Mavs have holes on D. The Suns now own an extremely intimidating starting 5 of: Nash, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, Shawn Marion and Stoudemire with Kurt and Tim Thomas coming off the bench.
As the Suns mesh, teams will start shakin’ in their booties cause STAT is back and he’s already speaking in the 3rd person.
And why the hell do people call him STAT (Standing Tall and Talented)?
Comments (9)The Girl Is Mine?
LeBron James: Excuse me can I please talk to you for a minute?
Quentin Richardson: Uh, sure you know you look kinda familiar.
LeBron James: Yeah, you do to, but I just wanted to know do you know somebody named … oh, you know her name.
Quentin Richardson: Oh yeah, I definitely know her name.
LeBron James: Well, I just wanted to let you that she’s mine.
Quentin Richardson: Huh, no-no, she’s mine!
LeBron Dating Brandy? [Ben Maller via Miami Herald]
Comments (6)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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