Mid-Week Funk

Don't really have much motivation to write anything tonight. Well, not so much motivation as I just plain don't know what to write about. But I feel it's my duty to write something for the legions of fans logging on everyday to read this site. And by legions I mean my mom and dad. So today I'm just going to go through my random thoughts, mostly about the NBA:

• The All-Star break is coming up, and it's in America's playground, Las Vegas. I'm really curious as to who is going to be the first player to be arrested. Bets should not be taken though the second Stephen Jackson's flight lands in Vegas.
• This seems like the first year I can remember that by the time the game starts, nobody is going to be complaining about anybody being snubbed from either team. It might have something to do with about half of each original roster being injured and sitting out the game though, but I'm not sure.
• Today is day 7,533 of my life without NBA League Pass. Just thought you should know.
• The Celtics goal of tanking their season and winning the lottery is great and all, but it's really screwing with my fantasy season. Didn't they think that some people might be counting on Paul Pierce to help carry their team?
• Tim Hardaway? Dead to me. His Warriors teams of the early 90's will now be referred to as Run-BMC. The B standing for bigot.
• If I can't find a job as a sportswriter here in the States after I finish college, I might just go to Spain become a sportswriter there. Why you ask? Because I own the Spanish language, as the 93 I got on my Spanish 1 quiz would attest to.
• Is there an anti-steroid? Because if there is, Jerome James took the whole batch:
• Despite losing to the Spurs tonight, the Pistons are my pick to come out of the East.
• Pat Riley, you're a snake. And from now on, you will be referred to as Nagaina, the cobra from Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

Just some random thoughts for today. I'll be back tomorrow with something a little more coherent. Hopefully.

I Love Thi$ Game

Some fuss has been made this week over the comments that Chicago Bulls rookie forward Tyrus Thomas made about participating in the Slam Dunk Contest. Thomas told reporters that he was "Just going to go out there, get my check and call it a day.'' He was also quoted as saying "I'm just into the free money. That's it. I'll just do whatever when I get out there.''

Thomas was fined $10,000 by the Bulls for his comments and he issued a statement apologizing for his comments saying that they came out the wrong way. But my question is this: Why are we so angry at someone for telling the truth?

Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with the philosophy that comes across in his comments one bit. But in a day where athletes and people never give straight answers to questions, why should we vilify someone for speaking the truth? Maybe that's the reason no one gives truthful answers to questions anymore, we don't want to hear the truth. They just tell us what we want to hear.

Tackling Thomas' argument that he's only in it for the money, what's so wrong with that? There are plenty of players in the NBA right now whose only motivation for playing is a paycheck (word to Tim Thomas). What's so wrong with a player admitting that the only reason they're doing something is for the money?

I'm not really sure. I'll be honest, I don't want the NBA to be full of players only playing for dollars. I want players to play because they love the game and they want to win. It makes the game better for everyone. But I do want the truth. I can handle it.

Back In the Swing of Things

The updates were kind of slow last week and over the weekend because I was fighting off a cold. And let me tell you, when I have a cold I have just the motivation required to do absolutely nothing. So in the words of Talib Kweli I was doing enough "just to get by."

And it's a shame that I didn't get some posts in last week that I wanted to. I watched the Cavs-Heat game and kept a close eye on a player who I played against in high school, Daniel Gibson, who has taken on a bigger role for the Cavs in the past couple weeks after Cavs coach Mike Brown decided to move Gibson into the starting lineup in favor of Eric Snow.

It happened to be Gibson's best game as a pro so far as he scored 19 points while shooting 4 of 6 from three-point range. The Cavs lost by three though.

Some big things are in the works for this blog in the coming months. I don't want to reveal much, but there are some huge things being planned. I'm very excited.

Change of Pace

It's not very often that I get to talk about social issues on this blog because this site primarily deals with basketball. But some big news (in my opinion) dropped this week because former NBA player John Amaechi is apparently announcing in his upcoming book Man In The Middle that he is gay.

ESPN is publishing the book, so they had the first story about Amaechi and his book. But also check out former SLAM Magazine editor Ryan Jones' take on it on SLAMonline.com. Jones went to college with Amaechi at Penn State and has his background info on Amaechi.

To me, this is one of those huge news stories in sports. I have a feeling it's going to get overshadowed in a few days by something of less importance, I'm not sure what, but something. And that's very unfortunate. This is big news.

But what the NBA, pro sports, and the America needs is for a current player in the NBA or one of the major sports to come out of the closet. Our country still has a problem with homosexuality and that is something that would help go a long way to making it more socially acceptable.

Why is that so? I'm not really sure, but sometimes sports has a way of doing that in our society. It goes back to the integration of sports a few decades ago. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball. Over the years, people became more tolerant of other races. No, it wasn't solely because of sports and yes, there is still racism today, but it is far less prevalent and sports definitely helped.

Someone can do that for homosexuality. Of course players back in the day couldn't hide their skin color like players today can hide their sexual preference. There have been homosexuals in the four major sports already, but all of them came out of the closet after their playing careers were finished.

I know it would be very, very difficult for someone to come out of the closet during their playing career. Players get heckled enough by fans on the road for other things, they get trash talked enough by other players, and hear tons of negative things from the media in sports radio, television and print media that it would practically be career suicide to come out.

But one of these days someone has got to make that sacrifice and help out the average homosexual citizens by coming out of the closet and making the country acknowledge that fact and say it's okay. Until then, nothing in this country is going to change people's attitudes and opinions.

Mardi Gracias

The Hornets announced today that they will play all 41 of their home games next season in New Orleans. For the past two season, the Hornets have played the majority of their home games in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City did a great job hosting the Hornets for two seasons, and the NBA owes them big. They'd better start making a huge thank you card right now for the city. That, or they can just let the Sonics move there. Which ever is easiest.

Kobe Suspended

ESPN.com just "broke" news that Kobe Bryant is going to be suspended for tonight's game against the New York Knicks for popping Manu Ginobili in the face on Sunday.

I watched this game live and remember that play and I've got to be honest with you, I can't believe he's getting suspended. What happened was Kobe took a jumper as time was running out in the fourth quarter against the Spurs and the game was tied. Manu came from the side and blocked the shot.

In an effort to get a foul called, Kobe does what he always does and flailed his arms to draw attention and incidentally, at least in my opinion, hit Ginobili in the face. Ginobili stayed on the ground for a couple of minutes and missed the first few minutes of the overtime, but not much was said about it after ABC went to a commercial break.

This probably won't be too big a deal for the Lakers who take on the Knicks tonight, but it still raises some questions. Most notably this one, why does Kobe Bryant get suspended for the same number of games for accidentally hitting another player in the face as Kevin Garnett did for throwing a punch at Antonio McDyess in Minnesota's January 19th game against Detroit?

I imagine we'll be hearing more about this situation for the next couple of days.

Kevin Garnett Wants to Win, And You Should Want Him to Win Too

A few nights ago, my buddy Carter and I had an argument about Kevin Garnett. The All-Star starters had just been announced and once again, Garnett was named. Though both of us are die-hard Spurs fans, we were discussing how Tim Duncan probably should not have been named a starter, when Garnett's name came up.

Carter said that in his opinion Garnett was overrated. He thought that Garnett was only getting the stats that he was getting because he was the only good player on that team. I saw his point, but I disagreed.

I am a huge fan of Kevin Garnett for many of the same reasons I am a huge fan of Allen Iverson. Garnett has the same passion, competitiveness, and hunger that Iverson has on the court. I was very excited during the brief moment when it was fathomable that the two players could be playing together earlier this season, until Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said that the team couldn't afford to pursue Iverson.

Truth is, I don't believe Garnett is overrated at all. He's got career averages of 20.5 points per game, 11.3 rebounds per game, and 4.5 assists per game. Those are Hall of Fame numbers for a kid who was the first since Moses Malone to jump to the league straight out of high school. He has an MVP award, three first team All-NBA selections, and been first team All-Defensive seven times.

Beyond statistics and awards, Garnett has changed the power forward position and carried an entire franchise for almost a decade.

Before Garnett, the power forward position was played almost entirely around the league like a smaller, more athletic center which meant they were down-low, with their back to the basket. But Garnett revolutionized the position when he came into the league and inspired a generation of big men to play the game more like a guard.

Garnett has spent his entire twelve year NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the longest tenure in the league for a player with one team. He led them to the playoffs for eight straight seasons, peaking in 2004 when the Wolves made it to the Western Conference Finals, the only year Garnett has really had any help around him.

And that's part of the reason I don't think Garnett is overrated. Despite all the success he's had, he's never had much talent around him thanks to the questionable (at best) moves made by the front office in Minnesota. Even in a Western Conference that has been dominant since the Bulls' dynasty ended, Garnett has always had the T-Wolves in contention.

Even this year, when the Wolves fired their coach and his second best player has been a rookie, Garnett has the Wolves playing .500 and currently holding the eighth playoff position in the west. Tonight the Phoenix Suns' 17 game winning streak (fifth longest in league-history) was snapped almost single-handedly by Garnett when he put up 44 points and 11 rebounds.

But despite all the talent and physical gifts Garnett is often viewed as an underdog. That may be part of the appeal of Kevin Garnett. He's such a likable guy and the outlook of his team is so dismal that you can't help but pull for him.

Many think that the Timberwolves should trade Kevin Garnett to a contender so that he can have a better shot at a ring. They say the Wolves owe it to him. I'm not saying they're wrong, but I think most people would rather see Garnett on top of the world in a T-Wolves jersey than anything else.

Lazy Sunday

There was a full day of basketball on Sunday on ABC. Watching the Spurs take on the Lakers, I was able to watch one of my favorite players in the game, Lamar Odom, back in action. Odom was out for about month with a sprained knee. In his second game back, he had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the Lakers' 96-94 OT loss to the Spurs.

I've always been a big fan of players who can play multiple positions and do everything a team needs. Odom is exactly that type of player. He's averaging 17 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, and 5 assists per game this season in what is being called a career year for Odom.

Throughout his career he's been criticized for being too laid back and lackadaisical in his play. Despite those accusations, his stats this season are on par with his career numbers. Truth be told though, he does appear more comfortable in Phil Jackson's triangle offense this season than he did last.

I really became a big fan of Odom's during the 2004 Summer Olympics, if you can believe that. In Team USA's eight games in Athens, Odom started every game playing the forward position alongside Tim Duncan and Richard Jefferson. Odom averaged 9 points and six rebounds per game during the Olympics but it was his hustle and attitude throughout the tournament that impressed me the most.

Lamar Odom is the ultimate mismatch in basketball, both offensively and defensively. Offensively, he can handle the ball like a guard. Oftentimes, Odom will grab the defensive rebound and bring it up court himself.

And when he crosses half-court, there's not much Odom can't do, he's one of the best passers in the league. During the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Spurs, Odom threw a pinpoint lob pass from the three point arc to a cutting Kobe Bryant.

Odom can also score from anywhere on the floor. He has a very underrated post game which he shows when being guarded by a smaller opponent. In addition to the low post game, Odom is shooting 34% from three point range. Oh, did I mention he's 6-11?

The offensive side of the ball isn't the only place Odom causes matchup problems though. Using his 6-11 frame, Odom can gaurd any position on the court. During the Spurs game on Sunday alone, Odom took his turn guarding Duncan, Tony Parker, Michael Finley, and Fabricio Oberto. His long arms and fairly quick feet are a nightmare for opposing teams.

Though he's gotten a bad rep in the past because of drug problems, questions of work ethic, and playing with the Clippers' teams of the late 90's/early 2000's, Odom is one of my favorite players to watch and easily one of the most talented players in the entire NBA. Watch him closely whenever you get a chance and just appreciate all of the things he can do on the court.

Viva Las Vegas

I just wanted to be the first to use that headline before everyone else overuses it to death. So remember, you saw it here first. For a while.

I was able to catch a fair amount of basketball last night, which makes me very happy. Attended the Texas State-Stephen F. Austin basketball game and watch my school, Texas State, get dominated inside by the Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin. Then I made it home to catch the end of the Mavericks-Bulls game, where Ben Gordon dropped 30 and got the W. Finally I caught the first half of the Clippers-Nets game. I saw the highlights of the second half though, good stuff. I kind of wish I stayed around to watch the whole thing. Oh well, we can't have everything.

What I want to know is when the Clips are going to get their act together. They've got way too much talent not to be at least second in the Pacific division. It kind of reminds me of what happened in 2004-2005 to the Timberwolves after Minnesota made the conference finals the year before and then fell off the next. They got a little success and then started complaining about things. Latrell Spreewell complained about not being able to feed his kids and Sam Cassell, who is on this Clippers team too incidentally, had contract issues too.

The All-Star starters were announced yesterday and there were some surprises there. How does Steve Nash not get named a starter? He was named a starter last year, and after having won his second MVP in a row is having an even better season this year. It baffles me. Gilbert Arenas beat out Vince Carter by 3010 votes, which is an incredibly small number when we're talking about over 1.2 million votes each. I guess the boxes of ballots he traded for this year worked.

As much as I love Tim Duncan, he shouldn't have been named a starter for the West. Dirk Nowitzki deserves to be a starter and I'm very surprised that he didn't get the nod based on the season the Mavs are having and the general lack of interest surrounding Duncan. Nonetheless he'll be selected as a reserve. Yao Ming was selected as a starter by the entire nation of China, just so you know, although he won't play due to a knee injury.

I'm glad to see big Chris Bosh get voted as a starter. The kid the real deal and he'll probably be a starter for years to come, especially in the East. I love Shaq but I want see Dwight Howard get the start. A frontcourt of Howard, Bosh and LeBron James would be sick. I would love to see that lineup in international play. Oh wait....

I Love Basketball

You'll have to excuse the title of the post, I just felt like saying that. Some pretty good basketball games last night. How about Mike James' shot during overtime of the Timberwolves-Pistons game? Yeah, he stepped out of bounds, but only because Rasheed Wallace bumped him out. Either way, I thought it was a good no call by the referees. The shot itself was just ridiculous.

I watched the first half of the Cavs-Nuggets game and caught about the same amount when I got home from the radio station and it was on replay at 3 in the morning. The Nuggets looked pretty good playing against the Cavs. Maybe Denver should appeal to the Commish to have them moved into the Eastern conference. They'd probably make the Finals.

One other note about the Nuggets, I really like the Steve Blake-Earl Boykins deal. For a team with Allen Iverson and eventually Carmelo Anthony, Boykins takes too many shots. Getting a pass-first point guard like Blake really improves the team offensively and makes it easier for Carmelo to find his place in the offense.

Watching the Spurs-Hornets game last night, two things came to mind. First, Chris Paul getting tossed from the game while watching from the bench in street clothes made my night. How often do you see someone get thrown out of the game from the bench? And I'm not talking somebody who's not in the game, we're talking about somebody not in the lineup. Great stuff all around.

The second thing I noticed was that this Spurs team doesn't seem like the championship teams of the past. I know that they're still one of the top teams in the NBA, but as much as it pains me to say it, I think their run of NBA championships is over. I'm not panicking over this team like I've been seeing on ESPN, I'm just stating what I see. This team doesn't have the edge that it had in years past. I'm not worried about the bench or the center position like I hear Greg Anthony talk about. What I'm worried about is much worse. They don't have that killer instinct they had before.

When the Spurs were at their peak, they did two things. First, they funneled the opposing team's guards to their two seven-footers. They still do this, but unfortunately Tim Duncan is not the shot-blocker he once was and Francisco Elson and Fabricio Oberto are no David Robinson.

The other thing that the Spurs don't do anymore, which terrifies me is they don't grind down the opposing team like they used to. During the Spurs' championship years and all of the years in between, I knew that as long as the Spurs were close in the fourth quarter they were going to win. Rarely ever did they lose a close game. They would just hang around until it came time to play and then they would execute...and execute and execute. Until the game was over and they had the win. They can't do that now and I don't think they can win another title if they can't.

I may be wrong. And I hope I'm wrong. But if I don't see a change anytime soon, like by the end of next month when the Spurs take on their "Rodeo Road Trip," I'll be ready to pronounce the Duncan Dynasty dead (please excuse the alliteration).