My job at www.sportviews.com has ended for the off season, but I still think there’s plenty to blog about in the NBA world. So, while I await my paying gig to return, I’ll be throwing out some comments here every once and awhile.
11.3.08 The End
This will be the last entry in The Quick Report. Obviously, this was an attempt to advertise for www.sportsviews.com. My commission to do this blog has been ended. If you would like to continue reading my NBA analysis you can still do so over at www.sportsviews.com. I post under the name Kurosawa.
Thank you.
10.30.08 Where Amazing Happens: Wow
The new NBA season is upon us. The time is now for so many young and old NBA talents. There’s so much to do and so much to achieve. As always, some of it will happen and some of it won’t.
Can Kobe Bryant become his own man and step out of Shaq’s still very large shadow?
LeBron James has put himself in a position to become a legend; will he step closer to making that possibility a reality this year?
Dwight Howard may be the best center in the NBA. This needs to be a career year if he’s to start to climb onto that all-time list.
Chris Paul had one of the best seasons in the history of point guards last year. Anything less than a repeat performance this season will be a let down.
Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen want to be remembered as Celtic legends. The only way to become such is by winning several championships. They’ll get their chance this year.
All of this and more is what is possible for this season. Any of that could be added to the NBA history books this year. It seems like every season something happens that becomes a memorable part of NBA history.
Last season the Boston Celtics proved themselves to be a team for the ages in giving the city of Boston another parade.
The season before LeBron James gave one of the greatest playoff performances in NBA history when he decided he’d win a series by himself.
The year before that Dwyane Wade was well, the 2006 version of Dwyane Wade.
The list goes on and on…
Remember Magic Johnson’s baby hook shot?
We all remember “John Havlicek stole the ball!” Even if some of us weren’t even alive.
You can’t pick about a ten dozen moments of the legend that is Michael Jordan. From scoring 63 in the Garden to willing his team to its sixth championship, there are plenty of moments to choose from.
What will happen this year? Something will happen in NBA basketball this year that you’ll never forget. What will it be? Will you be there when it happens?
I don’t want to sound like a commercial, but there’s a reason those NBA commercials are so cheesy. The NBA has so many great moments. Whenever you go into the old nostalgia bag it’s going to seem a little bit cheesy.
Still, the point remains, will you be watching this season when that one special moment happens? Will you be watching when you’re favorite player has one of those amazing games? Will you be there?
Will you?
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10.28.09 MVP Races: Week 1
Over at my main site, www.sportsviews.com, on Mondays I’m going to be doing my weekly NBA rankings. So, I thought why not do MVP rankings on Wednesday over here? Let’s get started –
1. LeBron James, Cleveland – Last Week: N/A
This is everybody’s #1 right now, but he was also everybody’s #1 the last two years. Is this the year LeBron makes the leap? He has the talent; he just has to hope that his team finally does as well.
2. Chris Paul, New Orleans – Last Week: N/A
LeBron James may put up the best stats in the NBA, but Chris Paul isn’t far behind him. If the Cavs are underwhelming this season Chris Paul could slide into the top spot in a hurry.
3. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – Last Week: N/A
Kobe may have looked un-Jordan like in the Finals, but I’m betting he gets another shot this year. His Laker team is probably the most talented team in the NBA, if both Paul and James fall, Kobe will be there waiting.
4. Deron Williams, Utah – Last Week: N/A
I think D-Will is going to have a career year, much like Chris Paul last season. I think he’ll join Paul in the 20 points and 10 assists club. Williams can win this award; all he has to do is win the West. It should be pretty easy…
5. Elton Brand, Philadelphia – Last Week: N/A
Elton Brand has the best shot at being this year’s Kevin Garnett. Brand will probably still get somewhere in the 20 points and 10 rebounds range for this team, but how well Philadelphia does will be the whole story.
6. Dwight Howard, Orlando – Last Week: N/A
Dwight Howard is currently the best center in the NBA. Greg Oden and Andrew Bynum are too young, and Yao Ming is too fragile. Still, like everyone else, it’s going to be how good his team is that matters. Orlando will win the Southeast, but that won’t be enough.
7. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix – Last Week: N/A
As well as LeBron, Paul and Kobe played last season, you could make the argument that after the all-star break Amare Stoudemire was the best player in the NBA. His biggest hang up is going to be that he’s playing on a team nearing retirement age.
8. Paul Pierce, Boston – Last Week: N/A
Boston is going to be the top seed in the East, without a doubt. If they dominate in the same fashion as last season, one of the big three will get MVP talk. I think Paul Pierce has established that he’s the go to guy for this team.
9. Yao Ming, Houston – Last Week: N/A
You might think that with all the talk of Houston winning the West that I might have Ming or McGrady higher on the list. Well, I’m afraid I have to agree with Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo! Sports, I’ll believe Houston can stay healthy when I see it.
10. Chris Bosh, Toronto – Last Week: N/A
Chris Bosh did himself a world of good this summer with Team USA. He’s probably on more people’s radar than ever before. If the Raptors can surprise people this season, he may warrant a little chatter.
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10.27.08 Top Five NBA Champions
The end of the off season is nearly here! Tomorrow night we’ll see the Boston Celtics awarded their NBA championship rings before they face off with the Cleveland Cavaliers. So, I figured why not devote this week’s top five list to the five best championship teams of all time.
5. Los Angeles Lakers, 2001
The best regular season with the Kobe & Shaq pairing was probably in 2000. Though, I just have to go with their second championship season. The Lakers’ regular season record wasn’t all that astounding in 2001, but no one can knock their record in that year’s playoffs. The Lakers went on to win the NBA Championship by sweeping their first three series and then only dropping one game to the 76ers in the Finals. 16-1 still stands as the best playoff record in NBA history.
4. Los Angeles Lakers, 1988
We all will never forget Pat Riley’s “Next year, we’re going to do it again!” statement in the 1987 NBA Championship rally for his then team of the Showtime Lakers. The Lakers did “do it again” the following year in 1988 and in doing so they became the first NBA team to repeat as NBA Champions since the #2 selection, nearly 20 years earlier. I could almost pick any of the Magic-Kareem championship teams, but I like this one the best.
3. Boston Celtics, 1986
Boston in 1986 may have been the toughest city in history for any team to win in. The most famous moment of Larry Bird’s best season may actually have been Michael Jordan going off for 63 in the Garden, setting a still-standing playoff record. Still, the Celtics only lost three games in their quest for their 16th NBA championship. This was the best of the Larry Bird era. How could one not put it on the list?
2. Boston Celtics, 1969
The Bill Russell era Boston Celtics will probably always remain as the NBA’s greatest dynasty. They won eleven championships! It’s nearly impossible to not include one of those years on the list. We all know the story of the game seven fliers in which the Wilt Chamberlain Lakers were literally guaranteeing victory. Just as famous is Bill Russell’s response to seeing the fliers. “There are a lot of things that can happen, but them winning this game isn’t one of them.” Bill Russell led his team to its eleventh championship and then walked off into the sunset.
1. Chicago Bulls, 1996
Okay, I know this is really the obvious choice. It’s Michael Jordan, baby! How could his 72 win season not be the #1 choice? Many will decry about the lack of competition, but there’s one fact that always brings me back to the point that this was the best single season in NBA history. The 1996 Chicago Bulls dominated the NBA with a strength that no other NBA team has ever done. Nothing else needs to be said!
You may have noticed that in a top five list for the best NBA champions of all time I only have three teams listed. Well, when you realize that the Celtics and the Lakers have divided up about half of all the NBA titles that have been won, what can you do?
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10.24.08 All-Time NBA Team: Coaches
Who said beating a dead horse wasn’t fun? I know I’ve already done three blogs on my all-time team selections, but how could I leave out the coaches? Some would say that without a good coach, you could have all the talent in the world and still win nothing. I wouldn’t probably say that, but some might. Still, this all about fun, right? Why not have a little more of it at the expense of that poor and ultimately dead, horse?
Red Auerbach, Head Coach
The role of head coach was simply a toss up. The two greatest coaches in the history of the NBA are obviously Red Auerbach and Phil Jackson. I decided to go with Red Auerbach for one simple reason, he’s old school. As much as people may revere Phil Jackson, there’s always that question of whether or not he’s just lucky. No one questions Red Auerbach. The guy is simply a legend. Could you imagine any player questioning Red?
Phil Jackson, 1st Assistant Coach
Just to make sure we’re all straight, I don’t believe Phil Jackson is lucky. Sure, he did have Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant to help him win his nine rings, but how many rings did the coaches of the Bulls and Lakers win with the same talent before Phil arrived? No one wins nine championship rings by mistake. Phil Jackson has one hell of a knack for bringing cohesion to a team. For a team with the greatest players of all time, Phil would be invaluable.
Pat Riley, 2nd Assistant Coach
This last season excluded, Pat Riley always seems to be able to at least get his teams to play good. Some of his teams have no doubt been better than others, but just about all of them have been good. It’s that consistency that’s led him to being one of the most successful coaches in NBA history. He was the Czar of one of the greatest teams in history in the 1980’s with the Showtime Lakers. No matter what else he does in Miami, that’ll always be what he’s most remembered for.
Greg Popovich, 3rd Assistant Coach
Very few coaches in the history of the sports have been able to get their teams to play with as much discipline as Greg Popovich. When you look at the great teams in NBA history, most of them led with the brilliance of their stars. The Spurs have brilliant talent, but their true strength comes from their commitment to always playing “the right way.” That has to come from the man in charge and for the Spurs that man in Greg Popovich. He may not be very personable or flashy, but he’s one of the best ever. There’s no disputing that about Popovich
So, who did I miss? Out of all of my all-time team selections, what was the biggest screw up? I know you guys have thoughts on it. Why don’t you fire up the comments section, and as always…
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10.22.08 Top Five MVP Winners
Can you feel it? The new NBA season is only six days away! Okay, maybe you can’t “feel it”, but I think it’s pretty exciting. So exciting in fact that I’m continuing my best NBA award winners series today. Okay, maybe it’s apart of my schedule, but I still think it’s fun. I’m nearing the end of the line with the series. In fact, we’re already here with the biggest individual award in the game. Let’s see what I’ve chosen for the best MVP winning seasons of all time.
5. Magic Johnson, 1987
Magic Johnson would win three MVP awards in his career, but it was in his first MVP season in which he was the most dominant. Magic was never much of a scorer, but in 1987 he would put up his career best average with 23.9 ppg. Magic would also add averages of 12.2 assists per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. Those kinds of numbers for any player would be astounding, but for Magic it was just above par.
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1971
Kareem has gotten a lot of praise in The Quick Report over the last couple of weeks. Though, when I list the best MVPs of all time, how can I leave him off the list? In 1971 he was actually still Lew Alcindor. In 1971 Lew wouldn’t only average 31.7 ppg and 16 rpg, but he would also lead the Milwaukee Bucks to their only NBA championship. Kareem or Lew, either way, he would go on to win five more MVP trophies, adding to a grand total to an NBA-best of six. Still, as far as stats and victories, I like his first win the best.
3. Shaquille O’Neal, 2000
For as dominant as Shaq may have been in his prime, he only has one MVP trophy. In 2000 we were still witnessing the rise of Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant, but Shaq was unquestionably the best player in the NBA. With averages of 29.7 ppg and 13.6 rpg, who would question that? Shaq would go on to lead the Lakers to their first title since the Magic Johnson days. In the years directly following Michael Jordan’s retirement from the Chicago Bulls there was no more dominant of a force than Shaq, and 2000 was the peak of his prime.
2. Larry Bird, 1986
Sometimes when it comes down to the Larry vs. Magic debate, people don’t realize that Magic only really ever beat Larry is the assists department. Larry almost always scored more points and grabbed more rebounds. In 1986, the last of Bird’s three-peat as MVP, he lead the Celtics into being a team for the ages. They would finish the season win 67 wins and one of the greatest home court records in history. Larry would see his numbers dip in his final MVP season, but losing the individual numbers only gave Bird his most glorious season as a pro.
1. Michael Jordan, 1998
Michael Jordan won five MVP trophies in his NBA career, does it really matter which one I pick? The reason I go with 1998 is that I think it sums up Michael’s career perfectly. Scottie Pippen was hurt for a big chunk of the season and Michael had to put the team on his back. It’s when Michael was always at his best. It wasn’t his best season as far as stats are concerned, but I think David Stern summed it up best when he gave Michael the award. Stern said “After 13 seasons, you still go out every night and play like Michael Jordan.” Nothing else needs to be said.
I’ll be back Friday with my all-time team selections for the coaching staff.
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10.20.08 Regarding Wade
So, Dwyane Wade is back, right? He went in and kicked some serious tail at the Olympics and looks to be back to the old Dwyane Wade. The old Wade, remember him? He was the guy for a few days in June of 2006 looked like the closest thing to Michael Jordan we’d ever seen. Dwyane Wade had set himself on a path to being maybe a top 10 talent in NBA history with his performance in the NBA Finals three seasons ago. The he went and got himself hurt. Well, if he’s back, what does that truly mean?
For as good as Dwyane Wade can be when healthy, he wasn’t really that hyped coming out of college. Pat Reily has even said that if Toronto hadn’t taken Chris Bosh with the #4 pick in the 2003 draft, they may have passed on Wade and taken him. Dwyane would prove to be the right pick for Miami when he led the Heat to a playoff series victory in his rookie season. Wade made a statement right away, he was for real.
Everything would change for Wade though the following year. In the summer of 2004 the Lakers traded Shaquille O’Neal to Miami. That took Wade and the Heat from a promising young team to immediate contenders. Though, what was possibly the biggest aspect of the Shaq trade for Wade was that it set him apart. Dwyane Wade was playing in the kind of big games that LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony couldn’t. Wade became not only a superstar because of his athletic ability, but because of his ability to come up huge in the biggest of games.
I already said that Wade was spectacular in his NBA Finals performance against the Mavericks in 2006. Though, as big as that was to Wade and his career, his biggest moment came a year later in a seemingly meaningless game against Houston. Wade would separate his shoulder in that game and despite his mini-comeback in the playoffs, his season was over. After that, things haven’t been the same for Wade.
LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are now the two best players in the NBA. There was a time in which one could argue that Wade was better than either of them. That time is gone. LeBron James has proven to be the best all-around player in the league, while Kobe Bryant has cemented himself as one of the great offensive talents of all time. Wade’s current identity is only truly shared by Penny Hardaway and Grant Hill. He’s supposed to be a once upon a time player. That guy that had all the potential in the world, but then he got hurt. The world of sports is littered with those types of stories. This season becomes Wade’s time of testing.
Well, for all the talk of Wade being back, I’m hoping it’s true. Dwyane Wade, when healthy, is as entertaining to watch as any player in the league. No player in recent memory will have come back from as low of depths as Wade will have if he does truly return to form. This year may not hold many victories for Wade, but if at the end of the season we can say that Wade is back to being a top five talent again, that’s the biggest victory of all. Not only for Dwyane Wade, but for us too.
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10.18.08 All-Time NBA Team: Omissions
Well, I’m back to give you the five players that I shamefully left off the all-time roster. There have been so many great NBA players over the years; it’s hard to narrow the list down. I couldn’t just name the top 12 guys and move on. I had to give one more shout out to some of the other NBA greats. Oh well, here it goes…
Bob Cousy, Point Guard
Bob Cousy is the most successful point guard in NBA history, but I think we can all agree that he was more than a little lucky to be playing along side Bill Russell. Still, no one can deny that Bob Cousy was one of the greats. Like I always say, championships don’t lie. He made the point guard position, enough said.
Allen Iverson, Shooting Guard
He may never win an NBA championship, but Allen Iverson will always be one of the great scorers of all-time. I mean he already sits at the #3 spot behind Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan in career scoring. You would think that would earn Iverson a spot on the official Quick Report all-time team, but apparently, you would be wrong. I think Iverson will just have to settle for being the best “little man” in the history of the NBA.
LeBron James, Small Forward
It was tough to decide who to go with, Julius Erving or King James. Well, I split the hairs and went with LeBron. Dr. J may have led a more accomplished career so far, but I think we can all agree the sheer amazing force LeBron James is already. There’s just never been a player like him. Some may consider putting him in this conversation a little premature, but I don’t think it’s anymore premature than selecting Shaq for the 50 greatest players after he’d only been in the league four years. LeBron will be on the official roster someday. You can take that to the bank!
Charles Barkley, Power Forward
There was a time when one could’ve argued that Charles Barkley was the greatest power forward of all time. Well, then came Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan. Either way, what Charles was able to accomplish at the four spot, with a body more suited for the three, was pretty astonishing. Just about every night, Charles was at a size disadvantage. He never let that stop him. In fact, most nights it seemed to be the other way around.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Center
I’m such a hypocrite. I go on and on over the last few weeks about how underrated Kareem is and then I snub him for the all-time team. Well, I’m sorry, but Wilt and Russell are just better. Kareem is probably the third best center of all-time, but I only put two centers on the roster. Kareem just can’t get any love! Actually, I’m sure he does better than most of us in that department, even in his 60’s. Why do you think he still hangs around Kobe?
I’ll see you tomorrow with a player profile for Dwyane Wade. Until then please visit www.sportsviews.com
10.15.08 Top Five NBA Scoring Champions
Today I’m continuing my series of Wednesday top five blogs and also my best NBA award winners series. You can’t hate on a two for one scenario! It’s funny though this week. The scoring title is one of the most popular awards, but also one of the least respected. The NBA barely acknowledges the award’s existence. Still, the fans love it and so do the players. The most popular aspect of basketball is the scoring. As cool as I may think a good rebounder is, the fans will always reward the scorer over all else. So, here I am, doing my part with honoring the best scoring champions of all time.
5. Rick Barry, 1967 35.6 ppg
The other four selections on today’s list could’ve been seen from a mile away. Though, as it is with many top five lists, the toughest selection is generally the last one. You would think that maybe George Gervin, Allen Iverson or maybe even Bob McAdoo would warrant the #5 spot. I figured it would be Allen Iverson, but that’s why you have to do research. In 1967 Ricky Barry average 35 ppg! I always knew Barry was a good player and a legend when it came to free throws, but 35 ppg? I didn’t expect that!
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1972 34.8
Kareem is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. We all know that he has the all-time career scoring record, but what’s forgotten is that in his prime Kareem could score with the best of them. Kareem would win two scoring titles, both with him average over 30 ppg. I think he’s remembered most for being one the most durable NBA players ever, but in his early days, Kareem could light it up. In the last ten years only has the #3 selection topped Kareem’s 1972 average of 34.8 ppg.
3. Kobe Bryant, 2006 35.4 ppg
Kobe may be starting to show signs of decline, but two seasons ago he put up one of the greatest scoring years in NBA history. We all know about the night of 81, but to be able to average 35 points a game is totally remarkable. Kobe Bryant couldn’t really have any bad nights. To get an average like that you have to be “on” every night. Kobe’s scoring that year brought back memories of the number two selection. That’s not something that’s easy to do on a credible level. In 2006, Kobe Bryant did just that.
2. Michael Jordan 1987 37.1 ppg
When it comes to greatest scorer in NBA history most of the fans are split. It’s either Wilt or Michael. No one else can seriously claim to warrant discussion. Wilt has the highest scoring games, but Michael dominated the NBA’s scoring for longer. Wilt scored 100, but Michael won 10 scoring titles. Though when it comes to an individual year, Michael falls all the way to the second spot. 37 ppg is almost unthinkable in today’s NBA. Kobe Bryant had to play at an unconscious level in 2006 just to get his average to 35 ppg. Michael’s scoring in 1987 is a consistency in that area that we’ve yet to see surpassed since.
1. Wilt Chamberlain, 1962 50.4 ppg
Okay, this is the obvious winner. Who would truly argue that this shouldn’t be the top season? I remember seeing an interview with Wilt when he was asked what the toughest thing he’d ever done in his career was. He responded that everyone loves the night that he scored 100, but he felt that average 50 ppg for an entire season was much harder. He said that every night, if you he didn’t score 50, he wasn’t doing what he was supposed to do. Can anyone even imagine that in today’s NBA?
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