By Craig Kwasniewski
By Craig Kwasniewski
By Craig Kwasniewski
By Craig Kwasniewski
Posted at 07:56 AM in Bulls, Celtics, DVD | Permalink | Comments (0)
By Craig Kwasniewski
Posted at 10:17 PM in Bulls, Celtics, Jazz, Lakers, Monday Morning Point Guard, Rockets | Permalink | Comments (3)
By Craig Kwasniewski
Posted at 02:15 AM in Bulls, Knicks, Lakers | Permalink | Comments (8)
by Brett Edwards
One of the coolest things about being a pro baller -- besides the cash and groupies of course -- is the unlimited amount of gear that you have access to. Check out Ben Gordon showing off his insane shoe collection, which I'm sure is in no way unique among NBA players.
[via Jen's Free Throws]
Posted at 09:16 AM in Bulls, Gear, youtube.com | Permalink | Comments (2)
by Brett Edwards
To get you caught up coming out of the holidays, here's a sampling of what's been going on around the Association:
Kobe Bryant is considering a new type of surgery. Personally, I hope he doesn't try it, I think he's good the way he is.
Charlie Bell is having the worst season in NBA history. On the bright side, the Bucks only lost by 45 to the Pistons, so it's not all bad. Oh wait...
Lamar Odom received a one-game suspension for the flagrant on Ray Allen. Feel free to rest your starters there, Doc.
Chris Bosh going used car salesman to beg for All-Star votes. Funny? Sure. Will it work? Probably not.
Scottie Pippen is mouthing off in hopes of getting the Bulls head coaching gig. Yeah, I'm sure "obnoxious" is the first quality that the organization is looking for in their next coach.
by Brett Edwards
I was lucky enough to be in Detroit for Friday night's Pistons game vs. the Bulls, and it was an awesome experience. Here are some thoughts on the trip:
My Seat: The Palace is a killer NBA arena. Granted, I've only been to four other ones: the old Forum where the Lakers used to play, the old Sports Arena (Clippers), Staples Center (Lakers/Clippers), and America West (Suns), but this one is great. Of course, it didn't hurt that my seats were basically five rows from the floor, just back and to the left of where Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen were sitting to call the game. There are courtside seats that go four rows deep, then an aisle, then a riser where the rest of the seats start to go up, and I was in the first row of the riser. Not bad. Side note: Jeff Van Gundy in person is really ... bald.
The introduction of the starting lineups for the Pistons was maybe the coolest thing like that that I've ever seen. I don't know if it was being that close to it, Mason's enthusiasm, or the fire balls shooting up behind the baskets, but all I can say is, it was fucking dramatic. Similar footage has probably been posted a million times, but here's the video from where I was sitting.
Automotion, the Pistons' cheerleaders: On a scale of 1-10, these girls average a 6. They fall into the classic "good from far, far from good" category. They are all thin and mildly attractive, but heavily made-up and they could all use some time in the gym doing some toning exercises. I know this because they were all walking back and forth in the aisle right and front of me the entire game. The bright side is that they were all very nice, giving us free programs that they had left over from passing them out to the courtside folks. And when they changed into their final outfit of the night which consisted of tight white spandex pants and halter tops, I actually decided to upgrade the average to a six-and-a-half.
Hooper, the Pistons' mascot: Maybe it's because I've never followed a team closely where a mascot was a prominent part of the act, but I just don't get the fascination with Hooper, the (horse?) dude that is in the costume running around firing up the crowd. Seriously, every fan seemed to love this thing... he it would walk by, and literally everyone was yelling things like, "Hey, Hooper! What's up, Hooper?!! Come here, Hooper!!!!!! HOOOOOOOPERRRR!!!!!" As Craig might say, "We Want Tacos" level excitement.
The Game: Unlike seemingly every arena in the NBA, the Pistons actually let the game speak for itself. What I mean by this is, there isn't constant noise being pumped in to entertain/occupy the crowd during the game. It's actually quiet: no music, no piped in defense chants, no race car sounds, nothing. Perhaps that's why Mason is overly exuberant with his call of the game. He and the team are the entertainment, not a bunch of noise that has nothing to do with the action. It was very refreshing, and I wish more teams would go back to that.
As for the contest, It was close the entire time, but the Pistons couldn't overcome TERRIBLE nights from Tayshaun and McDyess. Each contributed only four points, but McDyess was way worse because the Bulls kept leaving him open, to the point where I lost my voice in the fourth quarter screaming "STOP SHOOTING!!" after he'd fire up another brick when he was wide open. I know Maxiell was in foul trouble, but I would have liked to see more of him in the fourth instead of McDyess.
Tayshuan didn't seem to have the energy on this night, he was scored on twice down the stretch, once refusing to get out on Duhon when he mad a big three. As the ball swung to Duhon in the corner (basically right in front of where I was sitting), I yelled at Tayshaun to get out there, but he only took like a half step, didn't get a hand up, and Duhon nailed the three. *SIGH*
The Pistons have no one that can cover Nocioni. He had a big game, hitting threes and getting to the basket seemingly at will.
Joakim Noah is actually decent. He's like a controlled version of Anderson Varejao, and I mean that as a compliment. He brings the same energy, but instead of running around like a madman flopping into everyone and being only mildly effective, he's patient with it and makes a lot of good hustle plays around the basket.
The only down side to the evening was the fact that the Pistons lost, but then again they always lose to the Bulls in the regular season (5 out of the last 6). Other than that, it was a very exciting night at The Palace.
Posted at 10:01 AM in Bulls, Pistons | Permalink | Comments (7)
by Brett Edwards
There's a phenomenal interview with Charles Oakley over at ESPN.com, where Oak is probed about the reasons for his attempting a comeback at the age of 43. There's a good chance that money is the main motivator, but considering it's Oakley we're talking about, it could just as easily be about his desire to slap some of the younger players around a bit. Either way, more of Charles Oakley in front of a microphone is always a good thing. Here's a sampling of some of the more riveting commentary from the interview:
Your pal Jordan knows a thing or two about comebacks. What advice has he given you?
MJ is my best friend. He respects me as a friend (regardless) of what I want to do. He says, "If they going to pay you, you come back. If they're not going to pay you, don't." I'm not going to come back for no veteran's minimum. I'm coming back for a good salary. You can't buy me. Money can't buy me. But I'm not coming back for no bull---- money.
OK then, what is not "bull---- money"?
At least two years, $10 million. Nine or 10 million. I'm not coming back for a million and five. My value is worth more than that.
That's a lot of money, Oak. Is this comeback about money?
It's not about money. Money is a part of the comeback, but you can't buy me. It's something I'd be happy with, but I can get you more than what you paid for. I'll give you three-times your money.
You're often spotted in Vegas and it's well known that you like to gamble. Is your comeback attempt at all related to gambling?
No, it's not about gambling. I have money. I have six car washes. I have one that's worth $10 million, one that's worth $5 million. You know, like, I'm probably worth $25 million dollars in assets.
You hear that, General Managers? Oakley WILL NOT PLAY FOR BULLSHIT MONEY! Honestly, I'm not sure Oakley would pass a drug test at this point if he thinks anyone in the league would pay him $20 mil over two years. It's obvious that Oak would provide some toughness and some entertainment to any team that would sign him, I just don't know if any of it would be seen on the basketball court.
[via True Hoop]
Posted at 10:29 AM in Bulls, Knicks | Permalink | Comments (5)
By Craig Kwasniewski
Why didn't you put in Tyrus Thomas to stave off the Pistons' run in the third quarter?
So the Pistons flipped the switch in the third quarter, Sheed's flying all over the place on defense (I haven't seen him play that hard on D in years), the Bulls are looking for any kind of offense (Deng misses a bunny that would have ended the run), the United Center is going from the "come on!!!!" cheer to straight up flatline... all this and Chicago still has a small lead, but you can sense it, the Pistons will probably take the lead soon.
So why the hell was Tyrus Thomas sitting on the pine?
The Bulls needed to mix it up, seek some energy, something! Even though Thomas wasn't as good as he was in game 2 (BTW-that block in the 1st quarter was legit!), the Bulls needed to try anything to shift the momentum. Instead, old man PJ Brown, who's having a good game, but he's not the type of game changer that Tyrus Thomas could be in the near future, is on the floor and missing freethrows. (BTW2 - I thought Brown had a decent game, though according to Mike Breen, he was the next Karl Malone.)
Did Skiles completely throw away the tapes from game 2? Thomas's athleticism and size killed the Piston bigs (who are older and slower and would be considered the Pistons' weakness except that the only bigs left that are better are Duncan and Amare). He was able to weave in and out of the zone as though nobody was there and jumped over everyone. I can see why the Bulls let Chandler go, Thomas is the same guy with offensive potential. Thomas should have played 30 minutes last night.
Instead, in the biggest game of the Bulls season, in the middle of blowing a 19-point lead at home, Scott Skiles goes "Hoosiers" with "my team's on the floor?" Dude, you gotta go down with guns blazing, take a chance. It's like game 7 in baseball; the ENTIRE pitching staff is available!
Why?
Posted at 09:57 AM in Bulls, Pistons | Permalink | Comments (1)
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