HE IS THE YOUNGEST!

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Posted 03 May 2013 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Miami Heat, NBA

lebron_art

LeBron is the MVP again. He DOMINATED the NBA, while helping his team to a 27 game winning streak.

Last week, James finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting for the second time since 2009.

James is the fifth player in NBA history to win four MVPs, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Michael Jordan (five), Bill Russell (five) and Wilt Chamberlain (four). At 28, James is a year younger than Abdul-Jabbar and Russell, three years younger than Chamberlain and five younger than Jordan were when they won their fourth MVPs.

James owns numerous NBA “youngest player” records.

He is the youngest:

  • To be selected #1 overall draft pick (18 years of age).
  • To be named NBA Rookie of the Year (19 years of age).
  • To record a triple-double (20 years, 20 days).

    • Recorded 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists on January 19, 2005 vs. Portland Trail Blazers.
  • To record a triple-double in the playoffs. (21 years, 113 days).

    • Recorded 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists on April 22, 2006 vs. Washington Wizards.
  • To score 30 points in a game (18 years, 334 days).

    • Recorded 33 points on November 29, 2003 vs. Memphis Grizzlies
  • To score 40 points in a game (19 years, 88 days).

    • Recorded 41 points on March 27, 2004 vs. New Jersey Nets.
  • To score 2,000 points in a season (2004–05).
  • To average at least 30 points per game in the NBA.
  • To be awarded All-NBA honors (2004–05).
  • To be named to the All-NBA first team (21 years, 138 days).
  • To win an All-Star Game MVP (21 years, 55 days).
  • To lead the league in All-Star voting (22 years, 26 days).
  • To score 2,000 points in seven consecutive seasons (26 years of age).
  • To score at least 30 pts while shooting at least 60% in 6 straight games.
  • To receive Most Valuable Player award four times (28 years of age)

James averaged 26.8 points a game, added 8.0 boards, 7.3 dimes and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 56.5% from the field and 40.6% on three-pointers in the most efficient season of his career. He is the second player in NBA history to shoot 55% from the field and 40% on threes in one season, joining Chris Mullin in 1996-97. Also worth noting that if LeBron keeps up his pace of 2,000 points a season he could be the youngest to the 30,000 point club, in about 4 to 5 years.

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IS THE NBA KEY TO RACE-RELATIONS?

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Posted 01 May 2013 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA

via NOTTHATTHIS 

cp3_asian

The NBA has been pivotal in race relations in the U.S., beginning with Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton and Earl Lloyd, and Chuck Cooper who became the first African-American players in the NBA in 1950. The Boston Celtics started a the first all-black starting five in the 50′s and went on to win tons of championships. This week NBA veteran Jason Collins became the first active male athlete in a pro sport to come out as homosexual. Most of the more popular players in the NBA are African American and  roughly 77% of the players are black.

Thousands of fans watch them compete in brightly-lit arenas; millions more tune in to see them play on tv. They appear in countless commercials and on innumerable billboards, hawking basketball shoes and athletic apparel as well as new models of cell phones. On a nightly basis, players stage dramatized athletic contests, embodying grace, skill, and ingenuity as they compete against each other. But the NBA’s Black players also enact racial meaning through their play and behavior whether they intend to or not.

In the context of a majority-White society, the NBA is one of the few spaces in which Blackness is the norm. Given this difference, and also given the continuing significance of and tension around racial issues in this society, professional basketball takes on unavoidable racial meaning. The portrayal of Blackness in basketball occurs in the midst of a greater process of racial formation, linking ideas about race with race-based institutional arrangements and social relations. The NBA seeks to present race in ways that are palatable (and even exciting and comforting) to a largely White fan base.

To no small extent, basketball’s surge in popularity has depended on new forms of race relations that make Black players as subjects of fandom not only permissible but even desirable within mainstream society.

The NBA seeks to construct a fantasy world of race relations (NBA Cares) which obscures racial difference (Magic, Bird) and reinforces dominant conceptions. This is important to the league in two ways. First, it prevents the league’s White fans from feeling uncomfortable rooting for Black players. But second, through allowing fans to reconcile with the young Black man through supporting him on the court, the league also profits from their potential discomfort around racial issues.

Then there are the moments when this formula gets thrown a curveball. In 2004, Indiana Pacers player Ron Artest became famous for going into the stands and confronting a white fan that had thrown a cup of beer on him. Known as the “Malice at the Palace” the incident involved fans coming onto the court and literally fighting NBA players. Each exchange was between a white fan and a black NBA player. The repercussions led to nine players being suspended without pay for a total of 146 games, which led to $11 million in salary being lost by the players. Five players were also charged with assault, and eventually sentenced to a year of probation and community service. Five fans also faced criminal charges and were banned from attending Pistons home games for life. The fight also led the NBA to increase security presence between players and fans, and to limit the sale of alcohol.

Yesterday, at the end of Game 5 of the Western Conference first round series between the Denver Nuggets and Golden St. Warriors, guard Stephen Curry was enraged by words from a spectator as he left the court: See Video below.

At the 1-minute mark, Charles Barkley mentions “One of his rules”, that a NBA player should be able to grab a fan at the end of the game and take them to half court and have them repeat what they said, with the risk of them being beaten up for what they had said. Though barbaric, it points in the direction of something the NBA could implement to deal with race-relations in a way that has never been done before.

But despite the efforts of the league ownership and management structure to control racial meaning in professional basketball, Black players themselves are the primary social actors responsible for the construction of race in the NBA. Much as the league seeks to control their behavior, and much as they are taught that sports are apolitical and race is no longer an issue in American society, players are largely free to act as they wish.

If only they did.

 

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“Winning Takes Care of Everything”

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Posted 13 Apr 2013 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Golf

       _Chirping From The Cheap Seats_

truthsportslogo_golf
R.R. has finally lost it. The 11-time Sportswriter of the Year is not able to discern fact from fiction. To take umbrage with Tiger over a Nike ad titled: “Winning Takes Care of Everything” is a cleverly disguised punch at Tiger with brass knuckles under the glove. It’s amateur stuff really. It’s Pinklon Thomas versus Mike Tyson. All flurries of worthless punches while Angelo Dundee yells “Get back Pink! Get back!” Seconds before Tyson pummeled him into a half dream in the 6th.
Perhaps in an earlier time, Tiger did not pay R.R. “even the cold respect of a passing glance” as the great Massachusetts Senator, Daniel Webster, once suggested of a colleague’s action on the Senate floor. Perhaps he has made it his mission to vilify Tiger, the man, whenever R finds fault. I call it the Barry Bonds Syndrome. The syndrome occurs when reporters don’t feel loved by their subjects and decide, for whatever reason, to pack away objectivity for disdain.
Before making it back to Number 1 in the World Rankings, Tiger listened to roughly 730 days of commentators and pundits write him off. There they were questioning his heart. Suggesting that it might have been better for Tiger to take his near billion dollars and find a beach. They questioned whether his body would hold up, whether he had the same passion, and whether he could challenge again. When he wins. And he has. When the crowds return because of his winning. And they have. When the numbers roll higher on the Neilsen ratings. And they always do. Then winning does, in fact, take care of everything!
Tiger’s rise back to the top of the golf world is not shocking. Anyone with a modicum of intelligence needed only to take a gander at his history.  But R’s all sideways over an ad. By the way, suggesting that an ad be truthful is like asking a used car salesman if a car runs well.  Madison Avenue has creatively lied from the very beginning. It’s all “whiter whites and new and improved.” These were the same agencies that gobbled up all that Presidential race cash and creatively lied about everything Barack Obama had done and would do. But R wants to insist that Tiger was at fault.
Honestly, R’s not interested in the ad. He wants take a shot at Tiger … after the clench.  He’s the ultimate “after the bell” slugger.
To reintroduce Tiger’s sex scandal and give it the moniker “the worst in pro sports history” is a poor attempt to link the ad’s message with Tiger’s past. Further, to marry Tiger with Pete Rose and Lance Armstrong is foolish.  R defended Lance better than the NFL’s best left tackle. Rose hurt baseball. Armstrong hurt cycling. Tiger hurt himself, his children and his wife. Of course, his wife did step away from the hurt and shame with 100 million large. You can do a lot of redeeming with that kind of dough.
Tiger is the greatest golfer we’ll ever see. Get over it. The man made his bed, slept in it, awoke, went back to practice and began again where he left off: winning. Go ahead; live by your one rule on Tiger Woods: “Admire the game, not the man.” Just remember, we’re admiring your writing, just not so much you.
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Rockets Get T-Rob! (NBA TRADE DEADLINE MADNESS)

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Posted 21 Feb 2013 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Houston Rockets, NBA, Sacramento Kings
T-Rob T-Rob

The NBA trade deadline came and went, and Josh Smith, Dwight Howard, Monta Ellis, and all the rest of the folks that were rumored to be dealt stayed with their teams. The Houston Rockets on the other hand, did the majority of the dealing before the deadline, but for nearly their entire bench.

The Rockets sent power forward Macrus Morris to the Suns for a 2013 second-round draft pick, which if the season ended today would be the 35th pick. They also traded the other power forward Patrick Patterson along with Cole Aldrich (we barley knew ye) and Toney “Good Riddance” Douglas to the Kings in exchange for last years No. 5 pick Thomas Robinson and forwards Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt.

Tyler Honeycutt and Fransisco Garcia will hopefully enjoy their Rockets warmups as they will keep them on for the majority of the time. Honeycutt may even be wearing street clothes, but rookie Thomas Robinson has just been given a new lease on life.

 ”High energy, lots of upside, still young”. Three of the key phrases used by Rockets general manger Daryl Morey in describing Thomas Robinson who average a mere 4.8 points per game along with 4.7 boards. It is worth noting that Robinson pulled down the same number of boards in about ten less minutes then both Patterson and Morris.

 ”They (Kings) always liked Patrick Patterson. We always said no. We tried to move up for Thomas Robinson, so Sacramento knew we liked him” Morey said. Not really sure why the Kings would trade the #5 pick for Patrick Patterson, besides the “spacing the floor” scenario which is a double-edged sword if Patterson doesn’t knock down the jumper consistently. Sacramento also receiving Toney Douglas also adds to the WHAT THE HELL? thoughts, now that they have Aaron Brooks, Isiah Thomas, and Jimmer Ferdette, at the same position.

But before you get to the video below showing off T-Rob, Morey says new cap won’t be decided until July 8, but they can have “somewhere between 15 and 20 million” in cap room this summer. Which means a sign-and-trade this summer with the Atlanta Hawks for power forward Josh Smith, involving T-Rob is not out of the question.

The trade also gives the Rockets minutes that they can allocate to Donatas Motiejunas and hopefully soon Royce White. The addition of Thomas Robinson, I meant T-Rob, gives the Rockets their second lottery player in the starting lineup along with James Harden. He is expected to start at power forward, and will be put in a situation similar to Harden, going from limited minutes to a ton.

In the 8 minute + video, T-Rob shows off his explosiveness under the basket and on the break. There are also flashes of strong post moves that Kevin Mchale is going to love to develop.

The Rockets will make the Playoffs, and look to be a team other Western Conference foes will hope to avoid.

T-Rob’s dunk on Dwight Howard was enough proof for me:

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All-Star Weekend Needs Something New

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Posted 17 Feb 2013 — by Phillip Pyle
Category 2013 All-Star Weekend, NBA

All-Star Friday, and Saturday night were without being too harsh, boring. There was little to no drama or excitement from the Three-Point Contest, the Skills Competition or the event everyone  came to see the, Slam Dunk Contest. In the past, blame has been put on the participants, but with players having the ability to decline invites, there is little the NBA can do in that regard. This year the NBA pitted the Eastern Conference against the Western Conference in a point system based on how well each conference did in each competition. The new format made for more dialogue but garnered no new interest in the events. What the NBA needs to do to spice up Saturday night, is to bring the Legends Game back and (re)introduce a One-on-One Competition.

During the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night, Kyrie Irving and Brandon Knight took over the game with a few minutes remaining and essentially played one-on-one. The ball was inbounded to Kyrie he dribbled up stop short of the three point line and began a series of incredible dribbling moves attempting to get by Knight. The video below shows it WAY better then I could explain: 

Then Brandon Knight attempted the same thing down on the other end of the court. This simple back and fourth will be all anyone remembers from All-Star Friday, and Saturday night this year. The moment had the crowd engaged and on their feet. NBA players court side were amped up, and just listen to Chris Webber on the video.

one on one

The NBA tried one-on-one back in 1972, and 73′ during the halftimes of the Playoffs, and there was even a cash reward for the winner, a whopping $15,000. This was before the Commissioner Stern era began, and with his departure around the corner, the possibility of new things will emerge.

Adding this event to All-Star Weekend would bolster an All-Star Weekend that has lost its luster. Players would be invited as with other events and the rules could be similar to the 70′s games. There would be a 10-second shot clock and the first to 15 wins, with shots behind the three-point line worth two pints, and of course a referee. The NBA has done a phenomanal job focusing the NBA on team play and away from individuality, but it is those individuals that make the game, and them going one-on-one would be phenomenal.

Kobe vs. Carmelo, Chris Paul vs. Rondo, Durant vs. LeBron, and if the big names pass then, Kyrie Irving vs, Brandon Knight, or Damian Lillard vs. Eric Bledsoe.

 

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Welcome to H-Town (All Star Weekend Edition)

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Posted 14 Feb 2013 — by Phillip Pyle
Category 2013 All-Star Weekend, NBA

Once again the city of Houston is home to the NBA All-Star weekend, and Houston is of course beyond excited. This is the third time since 1989, when the NBA All-Star Game was played at Houston’s Astrodome, that the city has hosted the event. The Toyota Center will once again be home to the All-Star game and now has”the largest indoor center-hung scoreboard in the United States.”

Hopefully the limo driver did as he was told and brought you into the city via 59 South and not the dreadful 45 south. Upon arriving remember that at 10pm all of the restaurants will close and food will only be available at fast food establishments. Stay in the loop, unless you are going to the Galleria(see below) or to a club. While at the Toyota Center avoid going too far Southeast as it leads to Third Ward, where food is non-existent, unless its a food truck outside of the “The D Spot” on Dowling St. Always remember if anyone says that there is something going on in 5th Ward, simply decline and run in the other direction. There is absolutely nothing going on in 5th Ward.

 

Not much has changed in Houston since 2006 when Houston last hosted the ASG. There is of course tons of construction; Houston will be a great city once its done being built. There is Discovery Green, across the street from the George R. Brown Convention Center, and the swanky Embassy Suites Hotel.

The Galleria is of course the $$$ destination for all of the high-rollers coming to town. Back in May of 2012, this happened to a high-roller. The Nike/Air Jordan experience opens during All-Star weekend. It includes an obstacle course, customization stations, and special appearances! The Nike/Air Jordan experience will be located on the ice rink. Finally some reason to go on the ice rink.

The real fun of All-Star weekend is the ridiculous amount of parties. Houston has no zoning, which has lead to a city with no home base of clubs, and nightlife. Instead clubs, bars, and all late-night fun is spread around the city, and unless you are from Houston you are bound to end up somewhere you don’t want to be.

Here are three of the many events planned for the weekend.

 

dmxDrakeAllStarWidetrey

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JORDAN FASHION SENSE(LESS)

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Posted 28 Nov 2012 — by Phillip Pyle
Category DUMB STUFF, Random

It is astounding to consider the man directly linked to the arguably the world’s most famous basketball shoes, has absolutely no taste when it comes to everything above the ankle. From the first day Micheal Jordan was photographed, he appeared to be a tad “soulful” when it came to attire. Although basketball players have the luxury of wearing suits when not in shorts and a jersey top, MJ felt it necessary to show the world he was beyond the simple pants, and a jacket. Of course we remember his appearance on David Letterman to promote his Air Jordan’s and the red polyester suit he wore. 

There was the multi-colored Nike 92′ Olympics outfit that he sported with the crispy white sneakers. The top was something Russel Westbrook would kill to have in his closet, but MJ sported the matching shorts with pride, becoming the exact image of what 90′s fashion was all about. After Jordan retired he remained in the spotlight working for the Washington Wizards, then his co-purchasing of the Charlotte Bobcats. This gave MJ plenty of opportunities to showcase his newest digs and strut them out in front of all to see, much to our stomach churning. Just look at these jeans for instance.

That’s why today’s news from New York Post that Michael had yet another run in with the fashion police comes as no surprise.  Page Six learned the NBA legend hit the links as a guest at swanky La Gorce Country Club. “Michael was wearing cargo pants on the course,” said a spy. Jordan’s multipocketed pants were apparently against the dress code that, sources say, dictates that members and guests must be attired in a collared shirt and Bermuda shorts. But when 6-foot, 6-inch Jordan was offered a chance to change outfits, he demurred. “He was given the chance to change but he didn’t want to,” a source said. The source added that Jordan, who was enjoying a round at the club with one of its members, played on anyway. The source added that members complained about Jordan breaking the rules and, “He won’t be invited back.” A rep for Jordan said, “Michael Jordan did wear cargo pants . . . He had been there many times before and had worn cargo pants previously, and had never been made aware that he was violating any dress code. This time, he was made aware of the violation on the 12th hole, and at that point . . . he did refuse to interrupt his game, and return to the clubhouse and change.

Of course, MJ would golf in cargo shorts, especially with the endless pocket space.

As Michael gets older the outfit choices are destined to become worse, and I for one can’t wait to see what he pulls off next. 

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HELLO BROOKLYNKNIGHT!

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Posted 04 Nov 2012 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Brooklyn Nets, NBA

 

In the storied tradition of team mascots, especially ones that are essentially guys in spandex, there have only been a handful. Turbo, Thunder, Mavs Man, G-Man, SkyHawk, and now  we welcome Marvel created BrooklynKnight to the NBA.

The new Nets mascot is going to take some getting used to, and he doesn’t translate well from the comics. Reminds me of a Power Ranger with nets around his arms, and basketball sneakers. May you shoot t-shirts to the upper deck, and may your entrances astound children that are sitting in $80 seats.

In the gallery we went ahead and added those other spandex-mascots…what in the world is Mavs Man?

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HARDEN IN HALL-OF-FAME COMPANY

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Posted 02 Nov 2012 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, NBA

 

At last, the Rockets have a closer, and a even more significant a franchise player.

After James Harden’s 37 point opening night their was a buzz about the Rockets that hasn’t existed since the early Tracy McGrady days, and on Friday night James Harden added even more to the buzz.  Harden finished with 45 points, and 7 boards as the Rockets ruined the season-opener for the Atlanta Hawks winning 109-102. James Harden has 82 points in the first 2 games of the season. Only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain have scored more points in a team’s first 2 games in NBA history.

Harden is averaging an astounding 41.0 ppg after two games, and with the shape of the team, Harden will be called upon to do exactly what he has down in the first two games each and every night. The Rockets will not only have an All-Star come February but also the league-leader in scoring. Take that Kevin Durant.

Not to be outdone, Jeremy Lin showed his worth with a 21 point, 10 board, and 7 dime night.  But the accolades don’t stop there. Rockets center Omar Asik finished with a Houston Rockets record 19 boards, and zero points. Asik attempted 7 shots but missed them all, good thing harden was much more efficient Harden shot 14-19 from the field and 15-17 from the charity stripe. Harden is the first player to score 40 points against Atlanta since LeBron James had 43 points on March 18, 2011.

The Rockets return to Houston on Sunday for their home opener against the Portland Trail blazers. This will be the most electric home game in recent memory, accompanied with the Texans playing at home earlier in the day.

Take a bow Mr. Morey your nerdiness has finally paid off.

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ROCKETS GET THE BEARD

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Posted 27 Oct 2012 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA
Deuces OKC!

 

Saturday nights make for a good time to trade players, and Daryl Morey and the Rockets went and got their coveted superstar.

The Rockets sent Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, a protected first-round pick from Toronto, a protected 1st-round pick from Dallas, and a 2013 Charlotte second rounder, to the Thunder for James Harden.  Along with Harden, the Thunder will send Cole Aldridge Lazar Hayward, and Daequan Cook.

Oklahoma City would get the Raptors’ pick if it falls between four and 14 next season. If it doesn’t, the Thunder would get it if it’s between three and 14 within the following two seasons. If they still have not gotten the pick, the Thunder would get it if it is between the second and 14th picks. If the Raptors make the playoffs for the next five seasons, Oklahoma City would get their pick the following season.

The Thunder will also receive the Dallas Mavericks’ pick, if it is not in the top 20, that the Rockets received from the Lakers for Jordan Hill. The Rockets are also sending Oklahoma City a second-round pick from Charlotte.

The Rockets are ready to give Harden the maximum of $60 million, giving him the money and the ability to go from bench star, to a team that will rely on him to carry them. Harden’s reluctance to take the offer dealt by the Thunder has resulted in an oppurtunity for him to have he reigns of a team, and hopefully for the Rockets it’s what he wants.

The Rockets had been looking to move Kevin Martin at the start of last season, and Martin recently metioned that the Rockets were not better then the Thunder, so he must be thrilled to join them. The departure of Jeremy Lamb, could come back to sting the Rockets, but ultimately this was about Houston getting that coveted star. Combining Harden and Jeremy Lin in the backcourt put the Rockets near the top in talent. As for the Thunder, Martin will contribute if he remembers how to draw fouls, and stays on the same page with Russell Westbrook.

With the NBA season days away, you can’t help but be excited for both teams, but more so for Houston, mainly due to the fact they have some fun pieces, and Harden will be fun to watch, especially in a starting role.

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