Archive for November, 2009

Allen Iverson-Gone Too Soon

Posted 26 Nov 2009 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, Philadelphia 76ers

The day before everyone gives thanks for what they have, Allen Iverson chose to send a letter of thanks to his fans and announced his retirement. We here at The Truth Sports are deeply saddened by the news and have enjoyed the last 13 years of “The Anwser”. We wish A.I. the best, and will quietly root for some situation where Iverson can return to the game he loves.

TO ALL OF MY FANS:

I would like to announce my plans to retire from the National Basketball Association. I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn’t help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However, that is not the case.

I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play, and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level.

Stepping away from the game will allow me to spend quality time with my wife and kids. This is a reward that far exceeds anything that I’ve ever achieved on the basketball court. I have prayed for this day and I see it as my greatest gift.

I want to thank the people of Reebok International Ltd., for always allowing me to be me and for supporting me my whole career through all the ups and downs. I have enjoyed 13 wonderful seasons in the NBA, and I am grateful.

I want to first acknowledge my fans everywhere, who have been with me throughout my entire career. Without you, there would be no me. You should all know that I appreciate your support from the bottom of my heart. Thank you!

To Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Charles Barkley and Larry Bird, you guys gave me the vision to play the game that will be forever in my heart.

To my Mom, who encouraged and inspired me to play every day, and to all of my family and friends who stood by me from the beginning. Thank you!

To my high school coach, Michael Bailey, Coach John Thompson at Georgetown University, Coach Larry Brown and to all of my other coaches, teammates, administrators, owners and staff who’ve been a part of my career, Thank you as well!

I’d like to give a special thanks to the people of Memphis. I never played a home game for your beloved Grizzlies, but I want you to know how much I appreciate the opportunity given me by a great owner in Michael Heisley, and the support of the city. I wish the Memphis Grizzlies’ organization all of the success that the game has to offer.

And finally, to the city of Philadelphia: I have wonderful memories of my days in a Sixers’ uniform. To Philly fans, thank you. Your voice will always be music to my ears.

God Bless all of you,

ALLEN IVERSON

The Truth Sports+YouTube

Posted 17 Nov 2009 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA

This was a long time coming. YouTube has a ridiculous number of videos and The Truth Sports is dedicated to searching far and wide finding a plethora of goodies. Like this classic from the 96′ NBA Draft:

and this old school vid:

TheTruthSports on Youtube

The Truth Sports: NBA Player of the Week

Posted 16 Nov 2009 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Milwaukee Bucks, NBA

Brandon Jennings Player of the WeekBrandon Jennings

43.5 ppg/ 7 apg/ 4.5 rpg

So going overseas for that one year wasn’t so bad after all.  The Bucks have only played 2 games this week beating the Denver Nuggets and the Golden St. Warriors. They are on a four game winning straek and lead the Central Division. Jennings went for 32 against a strong Denver team and lit-up the Golden St. anemic defense for 55 points. The 55 points was the most ever for a Milwaukee Bucks rookie breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s then Lew Alcindor rookie franchise record of 51 points(The Bucks record for scoring is 57 held by Michael Redd). If you break ANY Jabbar record you are automatically the Player of the Week. Congratulations Brandon Jennings the Rookie of the Year is within your reach early in the season.

(AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Ty Lawson Dunks on Lakers!

Posted 14 Nov 2009 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA

The Denver Nuggets remembered who exited them from the playoffs last season. The Nuggets last night ended the Lakers six game win streak, and held Kobe Bryant scoreless in the second half. The Lakers were without Pau Gasol for the 9th game this season, but even Gasol would not have been enough. After a close first half the Nuggets outscored the Lakers 29-8 in the third quarter. The highlight of the night, came with under two minutes left in the 4th quarter(see below).

NBA ALL-STAR voting has begun!

Posted 11 Nov 2009 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA

nba-2010-all-star-logo

NBA All-Star Ballot

The NBA season is a mere 2 weeks underway and no time like the present to start voting for the starters for the 2010 All-Star Game. The 2010 NBA All-Star Game, which will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio in the U.S., and reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages, will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before an expected crowd of more than 80,000 — the largest group ever to witness a live basketball game — on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010.

2010 NBA All-Star Balloting presented by T-Mobile, with associate partner 2K Sports, allows fans around the world to vote daily for their favorite players as starters for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. For the first time in balloting history, fans can vote for All-Stars any time by texting a player’s last name from their mobile phones. Fans can cast one SMS vote per day, per phone number.

There are several ways fans can cast their votes, including: at each NBA arena; in 20 languages on NBA.com; and through mobile phones by texting the player’s last name to 6-9-6-2-2 (“MYNBA”), via Web2Go® on T-Mobile phones or wap.nba.com for any wireless carrier. A T-Mobile-branded All-Star Balloting widget will also be available (scroll down and look to the right)on NBA.com so that fans can “grab” the widget and place it on their blogs, social network pages or personal Web sites allowing others to vote directly from the widget. Paper balloting will continue through January 10, while wireless balloting and voting on NBA.com will conclude January 18. Starters will be announced live on TNT on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010.

The NBA All-Star ballot lists 120 players — 60 each from the Eastern and Western conferences — with 24 guards, 24 forwards, and 12 centers from each conference comprising the list. Voters select two guards, two forwards and one center from each conference. The 120 players on the ballot were selected by a panel of media who regularly cover the NBA: Mike Breen (ABC/ESPN), Eddie Sefko (Dallas Morning News), Doug Smith (The Toronto Star and President, Pro Basketball Writers Association) Marc Spears (Yahoo! Sports), Marc Stein (ESPN.com) and Ian Thomsen (Sports Illustrated).

The daily voting can bring about some interesting picks, if say for instance Allen Iverson gets to start for the Western Conference while being on the inactive list for the Memphis grizzlies. With that said happy voting, and Iverson we will see you in Dallas. {via}

The Truth Sports: NBA Player of the Week

Posted 09 Nov 2009 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Los Angeles Lakers, NBA

36.4 ppg/ 5.2 rpg/ 2.8 spg/ 2.6 apg

This past week for Kobe must have felt like the old days. No Pau Gasol, no Andrew Bynum, just Kobe and and friends. He averaged 26.4 shot attempts a game, and they were all needed. Ron Artest is slowly gelling with the team, and Lamar Odom has his perennial ups and downs. With defeats of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets in overtime on back-to-back nights Kobe scored 31, and 41. He has put up 41 points three times this week, leads the league in scoring and is second in steals. Congratulations Kobe, on being the Truth Sports Player of the Week (11/01-11/08)

NBA-Week 1 Recap

After one week into the NBA season one thing is clear the depth that the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics added in the offseason has worked in their favor. The Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to fully mesh while running on Diesel, or with Diesel, and the defending champs lost their second game to the Dallas Mavericks who have also added that key word “depth”. Lets break down the week by division shall we….

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division

The Celtics are 4-0 and look to run away with this Division yet again. The Knicks and Nets are winless, and seem to be trying to lose. The Toronto Raptors  look much better this season, even catching Cleveland in a ‘daze‘ beating them by 10. The 76ers went old-school this year with the ‘unis‘ but have yet to get a solid victory so far…they play the Celtics tomorrow…maybe the one after that.

Central Division

Cavs began the season at home losing to the Celtics who look in playoff form already. They traveld to Toronto and only Sir  James got off the plane. If you get a triple-double it’s not your fault. Fortunately for the Cavs their next opponent was the Minnesota Timberwolves, who graciously let the Cavs get that first win. The Chicago Bulls beat the Spurs, then got skewered by the Celtics. The Bulls lead the NBA this season in back-to-back games, thats goning to be tough for a young team. Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, and Detroit Pistons, when you all begin the season we will report it

Southeast Division

Both the Florida teams, the Miami Heat, and Orlando Magic are undefeated. The Magic have been without Rashard Lewis but havent missed a beat. On Sunday against Toronto J.J. Redick had a career high 27 points….I said J.J. Redick had 27 points. Dwayne Wade became the first Heat player to reach 10,000 points. The Washington Wizards welcomed back Gilbert Arenas, who looks hungry for points even nailing a buzzer-beating half-court shot against the New Jersey Nets. The Charlotte Bobcats have to rid themselves of the Tyson Chandler problem, besides that Charlotte looks good. The Atlanta Hawks added Jamal Crawford in the offseason…beacuse he was the key to getting them out the first round…oh well. Josh Smith is the youngest player to 900 blocks, so theres a bright side.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Northwest Division

The Denver Nuggets have picked up right where they left out last season, and with Carmelo Anthony in pursuit of his first scoring title, the only thing that could  cripple Denver is there lack of focus on the defensive end, as made evident by giving up 123 points to the Memphis Grizzlies. Denver has a long season ahead of them , the Utah Jazz, Portland Trailbazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are all capable of winning the division. Minnesota who?

Pacific Division

The Los Angeles Lakers got an early smack in the face by the Dallas Mavericks who unlike the Los Angeles Clippers can play competitive basketball for the entire 48 minutes. The Lakers rebounded from the loss with a easy win over the Hawks. Suprisingly the Phoenix Suns are undefeated but have only played the Clippers, Warriors, and Timberwolves. Speaking of the Warriors, and Clippers, they combined with the Sacramento Kings record  are 0-9….yeah California!

Southwest Division

The toughest division in the NBA continues to uphold its reputation. The Dallas Mavericks beat the Lakers for the first time in six years, the Houston Rockets actually won back-to-back games with Chuck Hayes starting at center. Memphis expects Allen Iverson to make his debut tonight, and the Spurs are as always the Spurs.

Truth Sports: NBA Player of the Week!

Posted 02 Nov 2009 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Denver Nuggets, NBA

37.7 ppg-/7.0 rpg/ 4.3 apg-/1.3 spg

More important then his scoring onslaught at the beginning of the season, 113 points in three games, is that the Denver Nuggets are undeafted. Congrats to Carmelo Anthony!

week of 10/27-11/01