Archive for the ‘basketball’ Category

Heat Nation Responds To Celebration-Gate

Posted: June 5, 2011 by Keith Stone in basketball, NBA, NBA Finals

Dat Roro Kid couldn’t take Rory’s comments about Game 2 lying down. Here’s what he had to say. He writes erotic fan fiction about LeBron James at Miami Heat Nation.

Some people may reference a concept called ‘taunting’ in the Game 2 loss to the Mavericks.  That’s a fairly hilarious notion.  It’s mythical.  It’s like a rainbow-colored unicorn flying across your bedroom ceiling in the middle of the night.  REAL taunting occurs in pre-game introductions.  Like, in say, Game 1 when we blasted Cee-Lo’s ‘Fuck You’ during the Mavs pre-game lineup intros.  And sure enough…one by one…those eventual losers strut out summarily to assembly line high-fives and deliciously-chagrined mugs.  As a Heat fan, it was LAUGHABLE.  They just sat there and ate it.  We were telling them ‘FUCK YOU’ right in their faces and they took it!!!  THAT WAS GAME ONE!  Even better was our own team coming out to “Fuck Them Otha N*ggas”.  And we did.  WE FUCKED THEM VERY HARD.

So if you want to assign Game 2’s win to some kind of revenge for ‘taunting’ (‘taunting’ being a celebratory BIG FUCKING SHOT WHEN WE’RE UP BY 15 WITH 6 MIN TO GO AND D-WADE HOLDING HIS ARM UP AFTER A HUGE CORNER 3), then please go ahead.  As Miami Heat Nation, we don’t really mind.  We’ve been dogged all year for any single thing we do and it is only motivation you give us to kick the Mavs’ ass in the Finals and dominate the NBA for the next 5 years.  If maybe you weren’t some wet-behind-the-ears child, you might know that what actually occurred on the court was a series of defensive breakdowns.  The Miami Heat are first and foremost a defensively stout team and without said defense there is no way to get the transition points that allow them to dominate consistently when they are hitting on all cylinders.  There was a lack of focus there but I ASSURE YOU that whatever ‘taunting’ has been addressed on this here site was not the case.  Why didn’t they come out GUNS BLAZIN’ when we basically told them FUCK YOU in Game 1?  Isn’t that the worst taunt imaginable?? Certainly more than D-Wade holding up his arm after a huge 3 (which he is typically poor at hitting if you actually knew anything about the Heat at all).

But, I digress, I’m happy for “celebration-gate”.  It’s only more motivation to dominate the fuck out of the NBA for years and years to come.  Come along for the ride or shut the fuck up on the sidelines.

Rory had some thoughts about last night’s epic comeback by the Mavericks. As always, check out his musings about the New Jersey Nets, Russian politics, and Bruce Springsteen at Slippery When Nets.Miami-Dallas Game 2 was a game for the ages.  I showed up late for the game, arriving at a bar on MacDougal Street roughly halfway through the third quarter.  The game was close until I ordered a beer – which coincided with an incredible Miami scoring streak.  I figured this drink would be my last, as it didn’t seem worthwhile to stick around as the game was becoming a blowout.

Then, this happened:

And the rest is history.  You all know the story by now: the Mavs went on a run and incredibly won the game.  And the other story you all know now: that play above DID NOT MEAN ANYTHING.  At least, that’s what the general sports media wants to tell you.  I have read more articles based on the premise “Everyone is going to say Wade’s taunting changed the game, but that’s not what happened!” than I have articles that actually said “Wade’s taunting changed the game.”

There are many excuses people use to downplay Wade’s taunt, but the typical argument usually goes, “Were the Mavs not trying their hardest to win before the taunt?”  Well, have you ever been taunted before?  It drives you crazy, and kicks up some weird primal hormones in your brain.  You become less rational and more controlled by your base instincts.  The rational Mavs were probably thinking, “Tonight’s not our night.  It is a best of 7 series after all, so even if we blow this we are going home and can still turn it around.”  They were stuck on 73 points for about four minutes of gametime in the fourth quarter.  Then the Wade taunt erased all common sense, and the Mavs played like raging bulls.

If taunting did not matter, we would be taunting all the time.  Taunting is a fun activity – who doesn’t love putting others down to hide your insecurity?  On this site alone, both Keith and I wrote taunting articles towards each other regarding the Knicks and the Nets.  But, taunt the wrong person, and you will pay.  And that’s what happened last night.

Donnie Walsh Out As Knicks President

Posted: June 3, 2011 by Keith Stone in basketball, Donnie Walsh, Knicks, NBA

Details are still a bit hazy but it looks as if Donnie Walsh will not be returning to his position as Knicks President and GM and will instead be a consultant. Obviously, this is a huge blow. Donnie did a marvelous job digging the Knicks out of salary cap hell and adding Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. He wasn’t perfect but he brought an aura of respectability back to the club. Donnie reportedly was overruled during negotiations for Melo and perhaps is tired of not having complete control. His health has also been an issue. This probably won’t be the biggest summer for the Knicks but it still would have been nice to have Donnie’s steady hand continue the job he started three years ago. He’s a throwback to the old school, has had a great career, and is a hell of a guy. He will be missed.

It will be very, very interesting to see who emerges as his replacement…

ESPN

It’s Championship Week, the greatest week of the year. To celebrate, here is the greatest game in NBA Finals history. After pulling a leg muscle in Game 5 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers and missing the following game, Knicks center Willis Reed returned for Game 7 at the Garden in dramatic fashion. Clyde Frazier added 36 points, 19 assists, and five steals and the Knickerbockers had their first World Title.

This is bigger than basketball. This is biblical stuff. This is Hulk Hogan vs. Sgt. Slaughter at WrestleMania VII. This is every game you played when you were a kid. Cops and robbers. Good guys and bad guys. A team seeking redemption for five years of failure against a team that came together for all the wrong reasons. Pride and vengeance against glitz and ego. Rory and Roro join me after we nailed both Conference Finals Series. Who ya got?

Roro’s take: My faith has never wavered.  If anything, I was too nice to the opposition.  This series won’t be any different as the Mavs have not faced a defense this good.
Roro’s pick: Heat in 5

Rory’s take: I said the Heat back in September, and even when they were down 1-0 versus the Bulls.  I’ve sided with evil, and I can’t back out now.
Rory’s pick: Heat in 6

Stone’s take: If there’s one thing I’ve learned from 21 years of watching basketball, it’s that a good team can overcome any obstacle. The Heat have two players. I still believe in fairytale endings.
Stone’s pick: Mavericks in 7

NBA Playoffs Conference Finals Predictions

Posted: May 15, 2011 by Keith Stone in basketball, NBA, NBA Playoffs

It’s time for two new Conference Champions after the Lakers and Celtics were eliminated in the Semifinals. The Bulls, OKC, and Heatles all represent the dawn of a new era for the NBA, while the old guard Mavericks and Dirk Nowitski are back for the umpteenth time to reach their elusive Title. Speaking of coming back, Rory and Dat Roro Kid return to help with the predictions after I blocked all communication from them after the Knicks lost. My picks are 8-3 so far while Roro went 5-3 in the first round and Rory is even at 4-4. Luckily, we all have the same exact picks this round. Great minds think alike and are lame.

Eastern Conference Finals
(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (2) Miami Heat
Stone’s take: I just find it hard to believe that the best basketball player in the world plus Dwyane Wade can’t beat a 22-year-old kid and a bunch of really good role players. If the Bulls’ big guys control the paint and rebound, it’ll still be a close series.
Predictions: Stone: Heat in 6, Rory: Heat in 6, Roro: Heat in 6

Western Conference Finals
(3) Dallas Mavericks vs. (4) Oklahoma City
Stone’s take: The Mavericks are finally playing tough as a team, buoyed by Nowitski and Tyson Chandler. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are the real deal, but it’s not their time…yet.
Predictions: Stone: Mavericks in 7, Rory: Mavericks in 7, Roro: Mavericks in 7

Long Live the Kings

Posted: May 4, 2011 by Keith Stone in basketball

The Maloof Family announced that the Kings are returning to Sacramento for the 2011-2012 season. That’s great news. While the team has struggled for the past few years and has a crummy arena, it still has some of the most loyal fans in the league.

(more…)

Trivia Time: 5/2/11 Edition

Posted: May 3, 2011 by Keith Stone in basketball, NBA, NBA Playoffs, trivia


Isiah Thomas protege Zach Randolph and the 8th seeded Memphis Grizzlies shocked the NBA by upsetting the San Antonio Spurs 4-2 in their First Round matchup. Only three other 8-seeds have upset a 1-seed since the playoffs expanded to their current format in 1984, which brings us to our question. If you get it right, Z-Bo will take you to finest strip club in Memphis, Christie’s Cabaret. Answer is after the jump.

Which previous three 8th seeded teams have advanced to the Second Round of the NBA Playoffs? (and a hint: it is not the 1993 Indiana Pacers)

(more…)

>

Bulls over Hawks in 7
Heat over Celtics in 7
OKC over Grizzlies in 5
Lakers over Mavericks in 7

>

This is what we’ve all been waiting for. Sixteen wins to get basketball’s ultimate prize. Sixteen wins to become immortal. But you can’t reach the top without starting somewhere. Rory, Dat Roro Kid, and myself picked the winners of the eight opening-round series. Some might seem like a forgone conclusion, but then again, anything is possible. Again, due to my extreme, extreme bias, I won’t be picking the Knicks series.

Eastern Conference

(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (8) Indiana Pacers
Stone’s take: The NBA’s best team against a sub-.500 squad. Prediction: pain.
Predictions: Stone: Bulls in 5, Rory: Bulls in 4, Roro: Bulls in 5
(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
Stone’s take: The Heatles will overwhelm the scrappy, overachieving Sixers.
Predictions: Stone: Heat in 4, Rory: Heat in 5, Roro: Heat in 4
(3) Boston Celtics vs. (6) New York Knicks
Rory’s bitter take: This series looks to provide Knicks fans with tons of great memories and thrilling moments that will ensure Mike D’Antoni a long career as head coach, free to pursue of a life of religious fulfillment.
Predictions: Rory: Knicks in 6, Roro: Celtics in 6
(4) Orlando Magic vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks
Stone’s take: The Hawks were not impressive down the stretch while Superman & Co. know how to win playoff games.
Predictions: Stone: Magic in 5, Rory: Magic in 7, Roro: Magic in 6
Western Conference
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies
Stone’s take: Memphis still has a basketball team?
Predictions: Stone: Spurs in 5, Rory: Spurs in 5, Roro: Spurs in 5
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) New Orleans Hornets
Stone’s take: The Lakers should win this handily, if they come to play.
Predictions: Stone: Lakers in 4, Rory: Lakers in 4, Roro: Lakers in 6
(3) Dallas Mavericks vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers
Stone’s take: Dirk Nowitzki is going to need help for the Mavs to succeed against the Blazers’ stingy D and fans.
Predictions: Stone: Mavericks in 7, Rory: Blazers in 6, Roro: Blazers in 7
(4) Oklahoma City vs. (5) Denver Nuggets
Stone’s take: These are two high-powered teams that were bolstered by midseason trades. Are Durant and Westbrook ready to take the next step into the NBA’s elite?
Predictions: Stone: Thunder in 6, Rory: Thunder in 7, Roro: Thunder in 5