Run of the Bulls

Some said last year was a fluke or lightning strike, which is said to not strike twice. Some critics said that they were a one man team that would only go as far as their best player would. Well despite the Philadelphia series, the Chicago Bulls has proven those critics wrong. This Bulls team came into a different style of season with more back to back games and showed the same heart and commitment to defense as they did last year. What also stood out about this team was the level of play they showed when their best player went down again and again. In a 66 game season Derrick Rose missed 27 games and the Bulls pulled in a 18-9 record. The since of urgency never came due to Rose’s returns throughout the season. The team plays a defense that is at times impenetrable and an energy that is on full throttle all the time. As they did last season, they handled and maintained the first seed from the Miami Heat and kept the best record in the league for a good part of the season. Can this bull’s team be better? Should this Bulls team be better? Yes and HELL YES. But how? First of I hope they have no parts of the future Amare shuffle or Melo drama. The future landscape of free agents aren’t as star driven as last year but there are some good players to be picked up to compete. I hope the Bulls bring in long athletic defenders and good swingmen that could get their own shots. I also think it’s time to part ways with Deng and Boozer in an effort to get better offensively. The coaching is great, the bench is solid, the defense is awesome, but the offense is too dependent on one player and transitional offense. It’s worked so far but they’ll keep hitting the wall with offensively strong teams that have length and energy. The Bulls are destined to meet the Heat in the playoffs to go to the finals and they’ll need offense and length to compliment the already strong bench and defense. The Heat are a very beatable team but they’re not going to be beat by just anybody. The Bulls are back and they’ll be back for awhile but in order to get over the hump they’ll need fire power. Like I said the free agent class this year isn’t as glamorous as last year but it is deep and solid. Big names like Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen may field plenty of offers but I doubt they’ll leave the Celtics, But with names like Kirk Hinrich, Mickael Pietrus, Brandon Bass, Amtwan Jamison, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Andre Miller, Lamar Odom, Brandon Jennings, Javale McGee, and many more the Bulls can make themselves an impressive team. This year has been something new and different to say the least but next year things will be back to normal. Teams will be healthy and ready with a full true off-season. For the Bulls to keep their place at the top of the east they’ll need to not just be better than the Heat, but they have to be better than both the up and coming Pacers and Sixers. They also have to be on a level to compete with the Spurs, Lakers, Clippers, and OKC Thunder (Best Team in the League). 

Potentially the ________ Player in the League

It was once said that Lamar Odom could’ve been one of the greatest sidekick to play the game, that his 6’10 long length stature could make him the most versatile athlete since Scottie Pippen. Most of the shortcomings were blamed on the lackluster Clippers franchise, but once in awhile the clippers would assemble a young team and play fun basketball. Drafted in 1999 the 6’10 swingman came to a Clipper organization that hadn’t and wouldn’t compete for a title while he was there but they did play good run and gun basketball. Lamar had some issues with weed early in his career and was suspended twice in 8 months. In 2003 Lamar was sent to the Miami Heat. With a young Caron Butler and Dewayne Wade, Lamar Odom showed he can compete for a title. The young heat team played a fast style of basketball and Lamar Odom proved to be a problem for perimeter defenders in the league. The Heat team came into March of 2004 11 games under 500 and won their way to the second round of the playoffs. In the Off-Season the Heat and Lakers made a blockbuster trade sending Lamar Odom to the Lakers in a package for Shaq O’Neal. Despite competing with the Heat and showing potential with the Clippers, Lamar never had lived up to the “next Scottie Pippen” title. With the Lakers, He finally could grow into a complete player on a high level organization. In the beginning the game was rough for Lamar Odom having to adjust to Phil Jackson’s system and triangle offense. Each season Lamar’s knowledge of the triangle grew and when the move to the bench came, Lamar’s game became a key asset which made him a champion. The Lakers soon traded Odom to the New Orleans Hornets for Chris Paul in a trade that fell apart, this came after Lamar had lost a close family member and was involved in an accident that killed a teen. Lamar’s love for the game was challenged and he never really had the focus coming into the 2011 season he had going into other seasons. He soon was traded to the Dallas Mavericks where matters got worst. During an uninterested season he was asked to leave then demoted than eventually bought out and players even challenged his playoff paychecks. Players were reported saying that Lamar never really even made an attempt to be a teammate. He now is a free agent probably hoping to sign back with the Lakers or another power house team. Lamar Odom is a champion and there is no denying that, but I never felt the impact of what he could have been. He never came in with high expectations but he did have potential which is a word I will always associate with his career. He had the potential to be remembered as one of the greatest players in the game and it never came, that doesn’t take away the fact that he is one of the leagues toughest matchups. He sometimes lacked the “want” to become great and just settled on competing at the level he was at. While with the Lakers he was a factor but in an offense geared for his size and style, he came of the bench due to inconsistency. He and Kobe weren’t as good of a one two punch as Bynum and Pau with Kobe on the wing and that’s understandable, but Lamar had the talent to be the next Scottie Pippen and Kobe has been deemed the G.O.A,T since Jordan. I can’t prove it but I’d bet my life Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen with the Worm in the paint would kill that Lakers team with Bynum and Pau. Odom can now prove his worth with his next basketball move. He can go to a team right there and ready to be champs but cant get over the hump. Teams like Miami, OKC, Chicago, Indiana, Orlando, or San Antonio can benefit from his veteran savvy and championship knowledge. Should he go to a team and just compete at a high level would even be enough due to the fact that he has three rings. The catch is he has to compete and not just got to a team and play, he has to be an option on offense and a good help defender on defense. The “next Scottie Pippen” thing wasn’t that far off for Odom, the difference is Scottie’s game benefited from his mindset of being one of the greatest on the court and in the league, Odom’s game suffered from his mindset of just wanting to be an effective player. With some time if he can eliminate half of the reality shows that truthfully don’t hurt his game but still are a distraction, and get his mind back on competing and wanting to play at a high level he can become an all around player that can win one or two more rings.

SportingNorm's Round Ball Classic and Homebred Special Edition: Top 10 NBA players from Los Angeles

In this special edition callaboration blog, Round ball classic and Homebred has offered a list of the current top ten NBA players from Los Angeles. The rankings were based on stats, team role, team record, skill, and championships. Starting the list at number ten is

10. Damar Derozan Toronto Raptors
6'7 220 lbs. 13 ppg. 3 reb. 1.3 ast.

Young, long, and talented. Damar Derozan is a quick tall defender that can become a defensive player on the level of Trevor Ariza or Ron Artest. Derozan also is s product of Dominguez highschool list of NBA ballers.

9. Dorrell Wright Golden State Warriors
6'9 205 lbs. 9.1 ppg. 1.7 ast. .9 stl.

He has the body and raw talent of a young Scotty Pippen. He can be deadly on the open break and he has a nice shot from the perimeter. He's a former highschool teammate of Russell Westbrook at Leuzinger High.

8. Andre Miller Denver Nuggets
6'2 205 lbs. 14.4 ppg. 7.2 ast. 4.1 reb.

One of NBA's durable players ever, Miller has never really played on a team with the firing power of a Kobe or Lebron. He's a big PG which is always a plus for halfcourt ball. Miller is an alum of Verbin Dae High.

7. Brandon Jennings Milwaukee Bucks
6'1 169 15.8 ppg. 5.3 ast. 1.5 stls..

Young, fast, deadly but very green. Jennings can grow to become a first young point guard like a Monta Ellis or Russell Westbrook. It'll take some seasoning but Jennings will become a solid player. Jennings is a local product from Compton California. He graduated from Oak Hill Academy but played his freshman and sophomore years at Dominguez highschool.

6. Kevin Love Minnesota Timberwolves
6'10 260 lbs. 17.1 ppg. 12.9 reb 1ast.

Possibly the best power forward in the NBA. Love is alum Lake Oswego Highschool in Oregon but born in Santa Monica and a UCLA alum. He's deadly with his shot on the perimeter and in the paint.

5. Trevor Ariza New Orleans Hornets
6'8 210 lbs. 8.9 ppg. 4.3 reb. 1.8 ast. 1.3 stl

As a champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, Ariza proved to be a good solid perimeter defender. He knows how to be in the right place at the right time and has good offensive ability. He also is an alum of Westchester Highschool.

4. Tyshawn Prince Detroit Pistons
6'9 215 lbs. 16 ppg. 4 rebs. 3 ast.

A true shutdown defender, Tyshawn had the toughest job in the world. He was called own to defend Kobe Bryant, one of the best NBA players ever. When you look at it, the Lakers historic run was stopped when their best player had trouble finding a shot over the former Dominguez Highschool baller.

3. James Harden OKC Thunder
6'5 220 11 ppg. 3 ast. 2 rebs. 1 stl.

One of the NBA's most surprising talents to come out is Artesia Highschool basketballer James Harden. A quick dribble, killer crossover, and great finisher on top of the fact that he is the third best player on his team, which is the best team in the league is the key to
his explosiveness.

2. Russell Westbrook OKC Thunder 6'3 187lbs. 20.5ppg 5ast 5reb 1stl.

An explosive offensive force that would be half the teams in the NBA's best player. Leuzinger Highschool student Russell Westbrook plays on the NBA's best team abs gave them the spark they needed to compete.

1. Tyson Chandler New York Knicks
7'1 240lbs 8.8 ppg .8 ast 8 rebs 1 stl

One of the famed high school to pro ballers that panned out is new champion and Dominguez highschool center Tyson Chandler. Tyson was a force in highschool but with the competition of grown men, his game leveled out. Tyson grew as a defender and got stronger and tougher, when Dallas needed an anchor to ground the defensive sets Tyson proved worthy. His 7 foot frame was enough to hold off Bynum and Gasol, and when Dallas went up against the Heat in the finals, the paint was no mans land.

Players snubbed but deemed worthy of recognition are Baron Davis, AaRon Afflalo, Jrue Holiday, Jason Kapono, Gibert Arenas, and Chris Anderson. All solid players but not enough impact on their teams success.

posted from Bloggeroid

The Durantula

Since Michael Jordan left the NBA has seen it's share of scorers and shooters, none have really combined the two skill sets the way Kobe Bryant has until Kevin Durant walked in. Since his first year in Seattle with the Sonics you seen a player that had the length and body to be a deadly scorer and the drive and determination to become a better shooter. Each year since nationally shown around the world, Kevin Durants game has improved. While in college he played his heart out at Texas but only stayed a year and landed in a coincidental lucky circumstance another great player went through. In my opinion the greatest player ever Michael Jordan wasn't a number one overall draft pick, he was the third pick. It was understandable that he would be drafted after Hakeem Olajuwon, but Sam Bowie? Portland had the first choice of one of two 7 footers with the Houston Rockets having to pick the latter. Portland went with Sam Bowie and Houston went with Hall of Famer Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon. Once that was all said and done Chicago went with a 6'6 frail kid that had the heart of a 12 footer named Michael Jordan. Jordan's history needs but be repeated, all that need to be said is that he's the greatest of all time. Fast forward to the 2007 draft, Portland was in the same position with the number one pick. In basketball its next to impossible to pass up on a 7 footer, their just too important. Portland went with Greg Oden, and within 6 years he was out of basketball. The second pick of that draft was Kevin Durant by the Seattle Supersonics. While in Seattle Durant made a quick impact averaging 20.3 his rookie year and winning the rookie of the year award. Each year he's averaging jumped to 25 then 30 points per game. Once moved to Oklahoma City the team added Russell Westbrook out of UCLA in 2008 and James Harden from Arizona State in 2009, The nucleus to a good team grew. After a tough playoff run in 2011, the thunder and Kevin Durant had finally arrived as the best scorer on the best team in the league. With the beginning of the end of careers like Kobe and Duncan, the west became wide open for the thunder. Other teams have good solid talent but the Thunder has the best collection of young talent in the league just pass three Chicago Bulls. The west is in some ways very week and teams like the clippers, kings, jazz, and timberwolves haven't yet made it to great consistency. The Thunder have arrived and in doing so have become the best team in the league. Serge Ibaka serves as a good center but isn't much help offensively. The controversy with this team is who exactly is the teams best player. Russell Westbrook has turned into an All-Star caliber player indeed, but to say he's on the level of Kevin Durant is both unfair to Durant and to Westbrook himself. Westbrook is the teams point guard, but really plays as a swing man driving and setting up and shooting. As a true good point guard he or she would enable the team players that can't set their own shot up still have high high good shooting percentages. If Russell can understand that key fact of the game added with his explosiveness he can become the NBA's best point guard. They way the league is set up, star power is king but basketball is a game played on the courts not in the sky or tabloids. Conventional wisdom would say either the Lakers for having two 7 fitters and Kobe or The Heat for having Miami Thrice, but take Kobe of the Lakers to see one of the most softest players in the league and one uncontrollable underachieving center. As for the Heat, take the big 3 off then the team turns into the old stereotype of Miami with aging seniors waiting to die. Even the bulls or spurs without their stars are less than mortal, but the Thunder without Durant, Harden, and Westbrook are still a dangerous hungry young team with a 7 foot shot blocker. The Thunder know it's there for the taking also, they just have to reach out and grab it. On the stretch if games that included the Clippers, Lakers, Bulls, and Heat, the Thunder handled.them all very easily. There isn't a team that can stop them and there isn't a player more dynamic than Kevin Durant. If and when it all comes down, I'm seeing Bulls vs. OKC in the nba finals.

posted from Bloggeroid

His Failness

There's a tragedy going on in basketball and nationally it's not being talked about. The greatest player ever to play basketball is the owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and they are terrible. Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player the NBA has ever seen. Dunk contest, scoring titles, finals MVP's, one time defensive POY award, 3 times steals champion, 5 times NBA MVP, 6 time NBA champion, starting guard on NBA's best team record 72-10 team, and the most transcendent player the league has ever seen. Michael Jordan is the biggest star the NBA has ever seen in it's history that includes players with more championships and higher stats than him. Naturally you would think Jordan is Mr. Basketball but for some mysterious reason, he isn't. As an executive with the wizards Jordan claimed he was 99.9% done playing, he also managed to dump some high and toxic contracts. One epic fail was trading RIP Hamilton and Ben Wallace. Another blunder was drafting Kwame Brown who never panned out like other high school to pro players. With former Bulls coach Doug Collins coaching the, and a new softer and spoil league, the stage was set for Jordan to return again. The President of basketball operations for the wizards, who had complete control of the teams basketball direction was coming back to play basketball. Jordan played two solid but less than stellar years with the Wizards and retired a third time. Shortly after retiring Wizards owner Abe Polin fired Jordan from President of basketball operation position. Jordan felt betrayed and sold his share of the Washington Wizards. In 2006 Jordan became a minority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and hold the same position he previously had with the Wizards. More questionable moves came such as trading Gerald Wallace and drafting Adam Morrison, but Jordan wasn't deterred. In 2010 Jordan became the first NBA player to become a majority owner of an NBA team. More controversy came when Jordan along with a group of owners wanted to implement a hard salary cap in the 2011 lockout. Jordan was also heard in an owners meeting telling his former boss, and Wizards owner Abe Polin to sell his team if he couldnt make a profit. None of Jordans teams ever took of and competed they way a Michael Jordan would compete. For some reason some of the greatest basketball players come into executive positions and tank at the job. It's not all good players, some turn out great like former Piston Joe Dumars, NBA emblem Jerry West, and Larry legend bird. Others like Steve Kerr, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan didn't do so well. I honestly believe players like Jordan and Magic search for something that 99 players out of 100 hundred wouldn't have. It's like Jordan searches for more than just basketball skill, I also think he over emphasize heart, skill, and the determination a player from the rough 80's would need. These players play a new style of basketball but they still play basketball. Jordan needs to find good basketball scouts, coaches, and players, by focusing on good basketball skill, decision, and talent. leave the hall of fame stuff to the hall of famers.

posted from Bloggeroid