Every good basketball team has one. The Bulls have/had one in Kyle Korver. My high school basketball team has one, even though he is rarely used. The Mavericks have one in Jason Terry. The Heat thought they had one in Mike Miller.
Why is a spark important? Game in and game out, it can get obvious to coaches on which players want to be there, and which players are just going through the motions. Teams need a spark, a player they can rely on to get the rest of the team going on a day when they have nothing else going for them. A spark comes in all shapes and sizes. There's always the shooter that can come in the game, run off the ball, and drill a few threes to get his team back in it. This is the role that Kyle Korver filled for the Bulls last year. Then there's the the defensive specialist spark, the guy that (maybe) plays dirty, but does not get caught, the guy that takes the charge that riles up the fans, or even the guy that has Abraham Lincoln tattooed on his neck and can shut down Lebron James.
Looking back on it, the Mavs last year were full of sparks. Jason Terry was hitting on all cylinders during the finals last year. DeShawn Stevenson was playing fantastic defense, and JJ Barea was playing the role of the likeable little man that does nothing but shoot and get to the rim. I believe that this is the perfect storm to beat a team like the Heat. The Mavericks had a great starting line-up, 2 future hall of famers and Tyson Chandler. What the Heat had were 3 players, Mario Chalmers, Mike Miller, and a bunch of D-Leaguers. They would have been better off starting Derek Fisher-style player, a guy who, despite not being very talented, has decent passing ability and knows more about the game than anyone should. Hell, they could have pulled AI out of Turkey and had a better point guard. Not to shit all over Mario Chalmers, but wasn't he considered a great shooter coming out of Kansas? Whatever happened to that? Considering what he had with him, he should have come out of last season looking like Kirk Hinrich. Instead, he came out looking like Jannero Pargo.
My favorite (non-Bulls) team right now is the Golden State Warriors. Want a great example of a spark? Look at Stephen Curry. I would like to believe that everyone has known about his shooting ability since his days at Davidson, considering he carried that team extremely well. But he still seems to get open, and I love hearing the Oracle go crazy when he hits a 3, or when Monta Ellis does something crazy. The Warriors are my favorite video game team right now.
What I mean by video game team, is a team that would be amazing to play with on NBA 2K12, but probably aren't going to win much in real life. Here's a list of my favorite video game teams ever:
NBA 2K11: Sacremento Kings
This team was so much fun to play with, and Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton are both amazing just to run around with. Then you have Jason Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins down low, and Omri Casspi hits open shots. I loved this team.
NBA Street Volume 2: Chicago Bulls
Jamal Crawford is an absolute beast on here. Tyson Chandler blocks everything. And Eddy Curry eats all the donuts. This is the classic case team of "I suck at this, but my teammates do it well, so I can sit back and do nothing." I take this same attitude when I play Call of Duty.
NBA 2K12: LA Clippers
I'm assuming you already understand this one.
NBA Jam: Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp
Snorting Coke Off the Glove is what I like to call this team.
NBA Courtside 2: Toronto Raptors
There was nothing like running it the whole game with T-Mac and Vinsanity. Too bad these two were burnt out way too quickly in real life. I still remake T-Mac and Vince to what they once were on every new basketball game I get. Seeing them rot is depressing.
NBA Showtime: Indiana Pacers
It's raining treys! That's all this team was there for. Chris Mullin and Reggie Miller. No defense, all 3's.
This is all I got for right now, remember to check back, I should have more up by tomorrow or Saturday.
Two brothers, Joe (25) and Mike (18). Not many people love the Bulls like we love the Bulls, might as well write about them. Enjoy
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Mike's Top 10 Favorite NBA Players
The season is coming up quick, and I cannot get enough of it. But, I also noticed that in my obsession of the goings on around the league, I have not written anything in a good week or so. So I decided that now would be a good time to roll out my list of my 10 favorite NBA players of all time.
10. Chuck Person
Get ready for a whose-who of NBA nobodies. I loved Chuck Person, and although most of my knowledge of him comes from old video games, (NBA Jam) upon looking at his stats on basketball-reference, the man actually had a great career. In his third year in the league he averaged 21 per game. So at least I'm starting this list off with someone whose almost relevant. Also, his brother is Wesley Person, who was absolutely dominant on NBA 2K2. The whole family dominates the video game scene.
9. Jason Richardson
Watching a young J-Rich throw it down is one of my favorite childhood memories. I was saddened when I found out that the Bulls wouldn't be signing him, but I'm still glad that a guy known solely for dunking went on to have a solid career.
8. Sexy Rex Chapman
Did you know Rex Chapman was in a dunk contest? Did you know that Rex Chapman scored 42 in a game one in the playoffs? Did you know that Rex Chapman could do this? I doubt you did. Well now you do, and now you can understand why he is on this list.
7. Jim McIlvane
He gets my vote for NBA player with the whitest name ever. He was a SuperSonics center in the 90's. Also, he is extremely irrelevant.
6. Ray Allen
He's been my favorite ever since he was with the Bucks. He's had a great career, and I was really glad to see him win a title with the Celtics. I had no trouble rooting for him through his whole career, he is really just a likeable player.
5. Reggie Miller
And I go from the most likeable player of the last 20 years, to the most hated player of the last 20 years. God, I love Reggie Miller. If I played in the NBA, I would want to play like him. He got in guy's heads, and he worked hard. He was a great off the ball player, and I loved watching him torture the Knicks.
4. Derrick Rose
Here's where my homerism kicks in. God, how can the kid who brought my team back from irrelevancy not be on my list? Speaking of irrelevant...
3. Kirk Hinrich
I loved Captain Kirk. There is nothing I love more than a hard nosed, hard working defender, with a sharp jumper and a knack for coming up when needed to. I am still a bit bitter at the Bulls for getting rid of him.
2. Thunder Dan Majerle
I loved Dan Majerly solely based on the fact that he played exactly like I do. He could hit any open shot, not the best defender, not exactly what you call quick, decent at getting open. But you know what? He made a career out of it. And I loved every minute of it. Also, I just bought a Dan Majerly jersey, so I'm pretty proud of that accomplishment.
1. Chris Mullin
I love Chris Mullin for the opposite reason I love Dan Majerle: I wish I could play like Mullin did. I have a soft-spot in my heart for sharp shooters, and there wasn't a better one than Chris Mullin. He was a bad defender, and Run TMC is one of the best 3 man line-ups in a very long time. I'd even say they played better together than Wade/Bosh/LeBron or Allen/Pierce/Garnett. Even if you don't agree, they were definitely more fun to watch.
10. Chuck Person
Get ready for a whose-who of NBA nobodies. I loved Chuck Person, and although most of my knowledge of him comes from old video games, (NBA Jam) upon looking at his stats on basketball-reference, the man actually had a great career. In his third year in the league he averaged 21 per game. So at least I'm starting this list off with someone whose almost relevant. Also, his brother is Wesley Person, who was absolutely dominant on NBA 2K2. The whole family dominates the video game scene.
9. Jason Richardson
Watching a young J-Rich throw it down is one of my favorite childhood memories. I was saddened when I found out that the Bulls wouldn't be signing him, but I'm still glad that a guy known solely for dunking went on to have a solid career.
8. Sexy Rex Chapman
Did you know Rex Chapman was in a dunk contest? Did you know that Rex Chapman scored 42 in a game one in the playoffs? Did you know that Rex Chapman could do this? I doubt you did. Well now you do, and now you can understand why he is on this list.
7. Jim McIlvane
He gets my vote for NBA player with the whitest name ever. He was a SuperSonics center in the 90's. Also, he is extremely irrelevant.
6. Ray Allen
He's been my favorite ever since he was with the Bucks. He's had a great career, and I was really glad to see him win a title with the Celtics. I had no trouble rooting for him through his whole career, he is really just a likeable player.
5. Reggie Miller
And I go from the most likeable player of the last 20 years, to the most hated player of the last 20 years. God, I love Reggie Miller. If I played in the NBA, I would want to play like him. He got in guy's heads, and he worked hard. He was a great off the ball player, and I loved watching him torture the Knicks.
4. Derrick Rose
Here's where my homerism kicks in. God, how can the kid who brought my team back from irrelevancy not be on my list? Speaking of irrelevant...
3. Kirk Hinrich
I loved Captain Kirk. There is nothing I love more than a hard nosed, hard working defender, with a sharp jumper and a knack for coming up when needed to. I am still a bit bitter at the Bulls for getting rid of him.
2. Thunder Dan Majerle
I loved Dan Majerly solely based on the fact that he played exactly like I do. He could hit any open shot, not the best defender, not exactly what you call quick, decent at getting open. But you know what? He made a career out of it. And I loved every minute of it. Also, I just bought a Dan Majerly jersey, so I'm pretty proud of that accomplishment.
1. Chris Mullin
I love Chris Mullin for the opposite reason I love Dan Majerle: I wish I could play like Mullin did. I have a soft-spot in my heart for sharp shooters, and there wasn't a better one than Chris Mullin. He was a bad defender, and Run TMC is one of the best 3 man line-ups in a very long time. I'd even say they played better together than Wade/Bosh/LeBron or Allen/Pierce/Garnett. Even if you don't agree, they were definitely more fun to watch.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Bulls, Underdogs again? - Joe
Normally when a team reaches the Conference Finals, has the Coach of the Year, and has the reigning M.V.P. they would be heavy favorites and would be attracting more attention just about any other team.
Well this is not a normal year and the Bulls seem to be forgotten about again, just as they were last year. As a Bulls fan, that is just the way I want it.
Being the underdog really seemed to help the Bulls thrive last year and it seems like most national media has written off the Bulls as a team that's not quite there yet. They are rarely brought up when talking about the best teams in the N.B.A.
I don't think that Derrick Rose and the Bulls need added motivation for this year, but I would not be surprised to hear that they are noticing the same thing and are ready to show everyone that last year was no fluke.
Well this is not a normal year and the Bulls seem to be forgotten about again, just as they were last year. As a Bulls fan, that is just the way I want it.
Being the underdog really seemed to help the Bulls thrive last year and it seems like most national media has written off the Bulls as a team that's not quite there yet. They are rarely brought up when talking about the best teams in the N.B.A.
I don't think that Derrick Rose and the Bulls need added motivation for this year, but I would not be surprised to hear that they are noticing the same thing and are ready to show everyone that last year was no fluke.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Not So Fast, My Friends: The Lakers Fall From the Top- Mike
All I have to say about this last week is wow. David Stern has been relentlessly attacked and belittled for his veto of the Lakers/Hornets/Rockets trade that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers. Honestly, I do not understand why. In defense of David Stern, the commissioner of the NBA is suppose to do what he feels is best for the sport of basketball. And you know what won't put asses in seats? The Lakers dominating again.
We've seen it already. We get it, Kobe is great. But don't kid yourselves, Lakers fans. He is not MJ. I say, if the trade that sends Kobe from Charlotte to LA on draft day doesn't happen, he's Monta Ellis. Now? He's on the same level as Pete Maravich and Oscar: a legend, but not the greatest, a man who let his addictions and emotional problems get in the way of being the greatest of all time. Kobe is a player that has done it all and seen it all. He's clutch. He's cold-blooded. And he's the exact opposite of what CP3 needs.
But, do you know who isn't the opposite of what CP3 needs? Blake Griffin. I cannot WAIT to see all of those highlight ally oops every night. Oh, wait, you want to tell me that the Clippers have Chauncey Billups now as his backup? You would like the think that Chris would only benefit from having a veteran like Chauncey behind him. DeAndre Jordan is staying for sure now. There is no way he leaves this amazing situation. These Clippers are no longer the butt of NBA jokes. They are the real deal, and I legitimately believe that they push the Lakers out from under the spotlight. This will be a fun season to watch, and I look forward to watching the Clippers and Bulls battling it out in the NBA Finals after Kobe realizes that he is old and Lebron... well, acts like Lebron. Yep. That's my new prediction. Bulls vs Clippers in the NBA finals. I don't know who will win, but it'll be a series for the ages. It'll be a chance for Derrick Rose to prove once and for all that he belongs with the leagues top point guards, and isn't just some shooting guard in a point guard's body.
This is the series that I believe is best for the NBA, other than Lakers/Heat, which could be amazing if Kobe forgets how old he is.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Untouchable Players: A Complaint from an Angry Basketball Nerd - Mike
I'm not sure if it is known at this point whether or not I have a life outside of this blog, but in case you could not tell, I do. And one of the things I do outside of this, is play 11th man on a 1A Varsity basketball team for a school with less than 130 students. So, it is safe to say that I am not exactly the star of the team. (Even though I am 3/3 from beyond the arc this year, and I've made 3 of my team's 6 three-pointers.) But I do notice things with other teams. One of the things that I notice that bother me the most, is the glorification of these athletes.
There should be no real reason that a mediocre player on a 1A high school, a player who is a dime a dozen in most playgrounds in bigger cities, is considered an untouchable asset to his team. Especially when his shot percentages begin to dip into the lower 30s. The player averages 29 a game because of volume shooting, not consistency. Unfortunately, this mentality does not only affect small school players. I happens at every level, from junior high, to high school, to AAU, College, and even at the professional level.
I am sick of it. Monta Ellis is not an all star guard. I was impressed when he put up 20 per game on 53% shooting in 2007. I was not impressed when he put up 24 per game on 45% shooting. He averaged 20 shot attempts per game, and only made 9 of those shots on average. If I'm missing 11 shots, I quit shooting during a shoot-around. He is doing this during a game! He matches his 2007 shooting percentage and he averages 28 per game! On 53% shooting! I love Monta Ellis as a player, I feel he has a chance to be a great 2nd scoring option on a title contender. But he needs to step up his game if he really feels like he can be a number one scoring option and get that big contract you know he has been playing for.
This is just one of many examples I could give, but my computer just got the Blue Screen of Death again, so I will keep this post a lot shorter than I planned, considering that I am lucky that I had this much saved.
There should be no real reason that a mediocre player on a 1A high school, a player who is a dime a dozen in most playgrounds in bigger cities, is considered an untouchable asset to his team. Especially when his shot percentages begin to dip into the lower 30s. The player averages 29 a game because of volume shooting, not consistency. Unfortunately, this mentality does not only affect small school players. I happens at every level, from junior high, to high school, to AAU, College, and even at the professional level.
I am sick of it. Monta Ellis is not an all star guard. I was impressed when he put up 20 per game on 53% shooting in 2007. I was not impressed when he put up 24 per game on 45% shooting. He averaged 20 shot attempts per game, and only made 9 of those shots on average. If I'm missing 11 shots, I quit shooting during a shoot-around. He is doing this during a game! He matches his 2007 shooting percentage and he averages 28 per game! On 53% shooting! I love Monta Ellis as a player, I feel he has a chance to be a great 2nd scoring option on a title contender. But he needs to step up his game if he really feels like he can be a number one scoring option and get that big contract you know he has been playing for.
This is just one of many examples I could give, but my computer just got the Blue Screen of Death again, so I will keep this post a lot shorter than I planned, considering that I am lucky that I had this much saved.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Eastern Conference Preview: Mike's Playoff Picks
The NBA season, even at its shortened length this year, is still a grueling test of a teams chemistry and endurance. But after the regular season is over, something that wears players down even more will be coming: The NBA Playoffs.
Looking back on last year's playoffs, a lot of teams made amazing improvements. I'm sorry, but teams like the Pacers do not put up that much of a fight in the regular season. But you know what? That is what makes the playoffs that much more exciting. It's that sense of urgency that causes players like Louis Williams or Dahntay Jones to rise to the occasion and show what they are really capable of.
You may be wondering where I am going with this. Well have no fear, my playoff picks are here!
Eastern Conference Seeding
1. Miami Heat
It is no secret that I hate the Heat with all my heart. But the pieces are there. And Shane Battier fills a huge hole, and Eddy Curry fills and even larger one, but it isn't a good hole he fills.
2. Chicago Bulls
Well I have no doubt that the Bulls are set defensively. But there is one glaring hole right now. They don't have an offense! At least not a good one. The Bulls don't be the Heat without another scorer. If they get Dwight Howard or even Arron Afflalo, I have them as the top seed.
3. The New York Knicks
Oh God, just kidding.
3. Boston Celtics
I have a bad feeling that father time is going to shit all over this prediction. Along with age, I can't imagine that the Rondo trade rumors are helping chemistry right now. Good luck shopping an unhappy Rondo at the trade deadline.
4. Atlanta Hawks
They always dump all over my predictions, and they have a solid team going into a shortened season. The Hawks are notorious quitters, but I think a shorter season benefits them a whole bunch.
5. New York Knicks
These guys have no point guard. They don't play defense. They have a horrible coach. They have a superstar with an overinflated ego. And I still have them as a playoff team. This is my backhanded compliment of the day.
6. Orlando Magic
No Dwight, no playoffs for this team, unless Gilbert Arenas rises from the dead. They aren't exactly a solid team.
7. Philadelphia 76er's
This is a young team, but I am still high on Evan Turner, and I believe that Doug Collins will finally give him a shot. Besides, Andre Iguodala is still there and Lou Williams is a decent guard. They have a much stronger team than any of the other Eastern Conference bottom dwellers.
8. Indiana Pacers/Milwaukee Bucks/Detroit Pistons
Any of these teams could get hot. Indiana has that new guard duo of George Hill and Darren Collison, and Danny Granger has always been a borderline all-star. Milwaukee has Stephen Jackson now, and he can be good when motivated. Detroit is full of streak shooters; Ben Gordon can light a building up with his shot. Also, I don't believe that Charlie Villanueva is nearly as useless as he seems. This team could have a chip on their shoulders.
See? Nothing out of the ordinary. Let's look at my East Playoff predictions.
Round one
Heat def Indiana/Milwaukee/Detroit in 4-5.
Chicago def Philly in 5.
Boston def Howard-less Magic in 6, Magic w/ Howard win in 7
Atlanta def New York in 7 after Carmelo stabs Mike D'Antoni to death.
Round 2
Miami def New York, unless somebody motivates the hell out of Carmelo. I give it 5 games.
Chicago def Celtics after Rondo quits on them. 7 games.
ECF
Chicago def Miami. I know I am biased. But I'm just gonna play the "Lebron won't show up" card after Rasual Butler sleeps with his long lost father.
I'll do the Western Conference tomorrow.
Looking back on last year's playoffs, a lot of teams made amazing improvements. I'm sorry, but teams like the Pacers do not put up that much of a fight in the regular season. But you know what? That is what makes the playoffs that much more exciting. It's that sense of urgency that causes players like Louis Williams or Dahntay Jones to rise to the occasion and show what they are really capable of.
You may be wondering where I am going with this. Well have no fear, my playoff picks are here!
Eastern Conference Seeding
1. Miami Heat
It is no secret that I hate the Heat with all my heart. But the pieces are there. And Shane Battier fills a huge hole, and Eddy Curry fills and even larger one, but it isn't a good hole he fills.
2. Chicago Bulls
Well I have no doubt that the Bulls are set defensively. But there is one glaring hole right now. They don't have an offense! At least not a good one. The Bulls don't be the Heat without another scorer. If they get Dwight Howard or even Arron Afflalo, I have them as the top seed.
3. The New York Knicks
Oh God, just kidding.
3. Boston Celtics
I have a bad feeling that father time is going to shit all over this prediction. Along with age, I can't imagine that the Rondo trade rumors are helping chemistry right now. Good luck shopping an unhappy Rondo at the trade deadline.
4. Atlanta Hawks
They always dump all over my predictions, and they have a solid team going into a shortened season. The Hawks are notorious quitters, but I think a shorter season benefits them a whole bunch.
5. New York Knicks
These guys have no point guard. They don't play defense. They have a horrible coach. They have a superstar with an overinflated ego. And I still have them as a playoff team. This is my backhanded compliment of the day.
6. Orlando Magic
No Dwight, no playoffs for this team, unless Gilbert Arenas rises from the dead. They aren't exactly a solid team.
7. Philadelphia 76er's
This is a young team, but I am still high on Evan Turner, and I believe that Doug Collins will finally give him a shot. Besides, Andre Iguodala is still there and Lou Williams is a decent guard. They have a much stronger team than any of the other Eastern Conference bottom dwellers.
8. Indiana Pacers/Milwaukee Bucks/Detroit Pistons
Any of these teams could get hot. Indiana has that new guard duo of George Hill and Darren Collison, and Danny Granger has always been a borderline all-star. Milwaukee has Stephen Jackson now, and he can be good when motivated. Detroit is full of streak shooters; Ben Gordon can light a building up with his shot. Also, I don't believe that Charlie Villanueva is nearly as useless as he seems. This team could have a chip on their shoulders.
See? Nothing out of the ordinary. Let's look at my East Playoff predictions.
Round one
Heat def Indiana/Milwaukee/Detroit in 4-5.
Chicago def Philly in 5.
Boston def Howard-less Magic in 6, Magic w/ Howard win in 7
Atlanta def New York in 7 after Carmelo stabs Mike D'Antoni to death.
Round 2
Miami def New York, unless somebody motivates the hell out of Carmelo. I give it 5 games.
Chicago def Celtics after Rondo quits on them. 7 games.
ECF
Chicago def Miami. I know I am biased. But I'm just gonna play the "Lebron won't show up" card after Rasual Butler sleeps with his long lost father.
I'll do the Western Conference tomorrow.
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