Archive for June, 2010

“Knicks Night Live”

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Posted 30 Jun 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, New York Knicks

As~ For the Love of LeBron James™~ continues…

MSG Network celebrates the start of the free agency with the debut of “Knicks Night Live,” a special 30-minute live presentation late Wednesday night (Thursday, July 1 at 12:00 a.m.), the first minute of the NBA’s free-agency period.

“Knicks Night Live,” a one-hour long program scheduled for Thursday evenings @ 8PM throughout the summer in support of “Knicks Thursdays,” is a part of MSG Network’s Summer Block Party nightly themed programming blocks. The show will then return to it’s regularly scheduled time and length on Thursday evenings throughout the summer. MSG Network is giving NY Knicks fans first-access to the latest off-season coverage and breaking news surrounding the NBA, free-agent signings, press conferences, exclusive interviews, and more on “Knicks Night Live,” which will be hosted by Al Trautwig. Fans will receive instant, inside access and expert analysis only on “Knicks Night Live” and online at http://www.msg.com/knicks

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Rasheed Wallace Retired

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Posted 30 Jun 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, NBA, Portland Trailblazers, Washington Wizards

The creator of “Ball Don’t Lie” and the infamous “Both Teams Played Hard, My Man,” Rasheed Wallace was a fan favorite, if he was on the team you rooted for. Opposing fans could find a multitude of reasons to boo Rasheed form his temperment, to his bald spot. But what made Rasheed truly stand out was the mentality in which he played basketball. His words and actions would dig deep into the opposition psyche, forcing them to lose focus on the game and turn their focus to Rasheed. Of course he will be remembered for the absurd amount of technical fouls he achieved, many of which are attributed to the stigma put on Rasheed early in his career. That stigma followed him from Washington to Portland, Detroit then eventually Boston. In the NBA once you are seen a certain way, the chances of you changing that viewpoint are next to nothing-ask Ron Artest. Aside from his temperament Rasheed was an excellent teammate and ambassador for basketball. Here are some highlights of Sheed’s career:

Rasheed scored 15,860 points and grabbed 7,321 boards
Continue reading “Rasheed Wallace Retired” »

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For the Love of LeBron James.

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Posted 28 Jun 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks

With the start of the NBA’s free-agent period just three days away, details are starting to emerge about the meetings LeBron James will hold with potential suitors Thursday, when all parties can begin talking.

According to sources and media reports, the meetings with James will take place in northeast Ohio near — but not at — his suburban Akron home. The Bulls, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Clippers are expected to make pitches to James. There also was talk Sunday that the Dallas Mavericks, who are over the salary cap and only could acquire James through a sign-and-trade, want to make a presentation as well.

The Knicks have the most cap space of all the teams. They can get $34.15 million under the projected cap of $56.1 million. Next up are the Bulls, who can get roughly $29.1 million under the salary cap, followed by the Heat ($27.6 million) and the Nets ($27 million).

Just think if LeBron was to have cameras present, he could turn the entire process into a critically acclaimed reality show. Or LeBron could have each team compete in challenges (VH1 style) and prove which one really is up to the task of aiding James to a championship. Each team that proved its worth, would stepped down and receive a game ball, meaning they were still in the running towards~proving their love to LeBron. Teams that failed would be told by LeBron “You have fouled out, please return to the locker room and collect your things”. ” I have no love for you”.

This show would squash the entire Summer lineup on ABC by the way!

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Houston Rockets: Free Agency Caravan!

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Posted 28 Jun 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Houston Rockets, NBA, New York Knicks

The Houston Rockets have launched an interesting campaign to attract free-agents to the city:

Jason Friedman Rockets.com

This afternoon marks the beginning of one of the most ambitious – and perhaps craziest – projects I’ve ever been a part of. It all started with a particularly inspired email from a fan to ideas@rocketball.com. Today I, along with 10 of the world’s biggest, most passionate Rockets fans, am leaving Toyota Center to launch the beginning of the 2010 Rockets Free Agency Caravan. Our purpose: to meet Morey and deliver him to his initial meeting with one of Houston’s primary free agent targets. For more of Jason’s blog head over to: JCF Blog

I pray that the caravan is well air-conditioned, because the Houston humidity could single handedly turn away a free-agent. You have to love the mom & pop attempt at wooing a free-agent. Cities like New York, have million dollar campaigns(Come On, LeBron) that involve famous citizens begging for LeBron to come to play. The Rockets definitely have a solid team, and a hungry fan base that are desperate for one of the cities sports teams to excel. Heres hoping that the caravan goes well, and doesn’t embarrass the team or the city.

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Nike Men’s Auto Trainer: New Green/Purple Punch

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Posted 28 Jun 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Sneakers

Two of my favorite colors combined, reminding me of the old-school Hornets. Nike has taken a liking to vulcanized-sole shoe silhouettes recently.  The latest venture comes in the form of an Auto Trainer in “New Green/Purple Punch” mixed colorway.  Despite the hybrid dna of the shoe, Nike has maintained a retro look to this shoe.  Now Available @Wish for $85<—-AFFORDABLE!



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Kevin Pritchard’s open letter to Trail Blazers fans

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Posted 27 Jun 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, Portland Trailblazers
Dear friends,

It’s incredibly difficult to find the words to convey just how lucky and grateful I am to have experienced what I have for the past seven years with the Portland Trail Blazers, but I felt it was important to try.

First and foremost, I want to thank and salute Paul Allen. He is being unfairly characterized as a bad guy in all of this and that is completely inaccurate and totally unfair. We do not have Luke Babbitt, Elliot Williams, Armon Johnson and Ryan Gomes without an owner like Paul, just as we wouldn’t have Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Nic Batum, Rudy Fernandez, Andre Miller or Greg Oden. He is a Blazers fan in every sense of the word and his only mission is to bring another title to Portland. Like any relationship ours has had a few bumps and bruises, but I would not be where I am today without Paul and for that I am eternally grateful and forever indebted to him.

Continue reading “Kevin Pritchard’s open letter to Trail Blazers fans” »
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2010 NBA Draft Recap

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Posted 26 Jun 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Golden St. Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

The Madison Square Garden Theater was ready for draft night as early as 4 am, when fans begin to line up to assure they had a seat when the $15 tickets went on sale at 11 am. Fans from across the country were in attendance to cheer for their respective teams, and boo Commissioner David Stern every time he walked out to the podium. The Chicago Bulls stole some of the early shine by proposing the trade of Kirk Hinrich to the Wizards. Not to be outdone by the Bulls, the Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen decided to part ways with GM Kevin Pritchard on draft night, but let him still make draft decisions….?  The 2010 NBA Draft went pretty much as expected early, with the exception of the Utah Jazz stealing Gordon Hayward from the Pacers. The University of Kentucky set a record with 5 first round selections.

Here is a break-down of pick #1-#15:

First pick, Washington Wizards: John Wall, 6-4, 195, Kentucky, point guard.: The lock No. 1 pick, Wall has been called the most electrifying player in this year’s draft. A product of the John Calipari one-and-done mold, Wall averaged 16 points, six boards and four dimes. Wall brings the Wizards superior speed, athleticism, and late-game shot making, plus a relief from the circus of last year.

Second pick, Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner, 6-7, 205, Ohio State, guard. There was nothing Turner didn’t do for Ohio State, and he’s the most dynamic player in the draft. He averaged 20 points, 9 boards, and 6 dimes last season. With a good game around the basket and a solid midrange shot, Turner only needs to work on his outside shooting and ball handling. He shot 36% from three-point range and turned the ball over 4.4 times per game. Doug Collins new head coach of the 76ers gets another chance to coach a future superstar as he did in Chicago with MJ.

Continue reading “2010 NBA Draft Recap” »

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Steve Nash: Showdown in Chinatown

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Posted 24 Jun 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, Random

The Steve Nash Showdown in Chinatown is a fundraiser featuring Steve Nash’s soccer and basketball buddies playing each other in soccer to raise dough for kids. This years In attendance was Steve Nash(of course), Claudio Reyna, Anthony LaPaglia, Jared Dudley, Raja Bell, Tony Parker, Brandon Jennings, Nate Robinson and Giuseppe Rossi.

Man of the Match goes to Anthony LaPaglia who got knocked around by soccer balls like he went 12 rounds with Evander Holyfield.

NOT Man on the Match: Brandon Jennings who blew about six goals kicking a couple over the 15ft. fence, and was the first person to pick up the ball and dribble it through his legs.

Hit the jump for more pics Continue reading “Steve Nash: Showdown in Chinatown” »

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Cavs Update Logo

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Posted 21 Jun 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA

The Cleveland Cavaliers announced today that they have updated their primary and secondary logos and wordmarks to now represent an “original expression” of the team’s wine and gold colors. The logo and wordmark designs will remain the same, but the color changes, to a deeper wine and brighter gold, are truer to the hues that were a part of the team’s history from 1970-1983. I surely hope LeBron was consulted on this update, Cavs wouldn’t want him indifferent with any changes.

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Ron Artest: Champions Freestyle

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Posted 21 Jun 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Random

I’m not a fan of athletes or actors rapping, but Ron Artest does a good job spitting the lyrics to his new song “Champions” at Big Boy’s Neighborhood! (Beamer Benz Or Bently Freestyle). I promise this is the last Ron Artest post for awhile unless he does something crazy at the parade.

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