In my three-part series on Basketball throughout the world, I will take a look at all FIBA-recognized countries and the best players from those countries. In part one we looked at 101-213. In part two we looked at numbers 51-100 as we continued our countdown. Most of these players you will know from countries you’ve actually heard of. Hope you enjoyed reading this series as much as I enjoyed writing it.
“Everyone on your feet. No one sits until we score. Let’s make some noooiisssee!” That’s the opening you hear from PA announcer Kyle Speller just before the opening jump ball every night in the Pepsi Center or also know as “The Can,” and it was no different from Section 102 on Friday night.
If there’s one thing that’s talked about more than anything when it comes to basketball, it’s ‘the GOAT question’. Who is the greatest of all-time? Almost everyone says either LeBron James or Michael Jordan, with the occasional instance of Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, or Kobe Bryant.
As the All-Star weekend approaches, I wanted to tell you which players deserve to be in the All-Star game who didn’t get the votes they should have. I will select one player from the Western Conference and one player from the Eastern Conference and want to hear who you guys think deserves an All-Star spot that is not getting the votes they should be getting.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Memphis Grizzlies are finally ready to put the “Grit and Grind” era behind them, having reportedly made it clear to other teams throughout the NBA that they are actively listening to offers for their two star players, Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, both of whom have spent their entire decade-plus-long NBA careers in Memphis.
Here are my four takeaways from the Heat’s 100-94 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Victor Olapido suffered a gruesome injury to his right knee in Wednesday’s contest against the Toronto Raptors. Oladipo was carried off the court on a stretcher and looked to be in a tremendous amount of pain. Oladipo would only play 10 minutes going 2-of-4 from the field and 0-of-1 from three on his way to 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist.
After a drama-filled week for the Dallas Mavericks’ fans, Dennis Smith Jr. checked back in for the first time in five games last night against the Clippers. As few had predicited, DSJ didnt miss a beat in his return, going for 17 PTS, 8 REB, and 4 AST. Although reports have suggested tenison has been high in the locker room, Smith Jr. showed no evidence to validate those beliefs, orchestrating the Dallas offense with regularity. Head coach Rick Carlisle had high praise for the 21-year-old upon his return: ”I thought he was great, just really tremendous, and everything we needed: speed, attacking, shot-making, a couple of amazing assists,” Carlisle said. ”It has been tough for him, being away from his teammates, and he played one of his best games since he has been here.”
Welcome Back, Hoop heads! We take a deeper look into some of the must-see games this week. Stay tuned! With Monday having a full slate of games on MLK Day, I wanted to take a look at some of the other most intriguing matchups this week as we are close to the end of January and are gearing up toward the All-Star break in a few weeks.
Yesterday, the Carmelo Anthony drama finally came to an end (for now) as the Houston Rockets traded Anthony and cash to the Chicago Bulls. Anthony hasn’t played a game since November 11th and the Rockets have been trying to trade him for months.
The Lakers and Rockets squared off, each squad missing key pieces. The Lakers are still without LeBron James and Rajon Rondo while the Rockets are still without Clint Capela and Chris Paul. The Lakers would eventually lose Lonzo Ball. Lonzo would roll his ankle in the third quarter; he did not return to the game.
For anybody who read my DeMarcus Cousins piece on TheScorecrow, available here, they would know that I believe he is not as big of an asset to the Warriors as analysts make him seem. In my debut article, I asserted my idea that Cousins’ Achilles injury may render him almost futile to the Warriors’ organization. With Boogie making his debut for Golden State against the Clippers on January 18 with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in 15 minutes, this follow-up piece will substantiate or negate the predictions I previously made about him six months ago.
In my three-part series on Basketball throughout the world, I will take a look at all FIBA-recognized countries and the best players from those countries. In part one we looked at 101-213. In part two we looked at numbers 51-100 as we continued our countdown. Most of these players you will know from countries you’ve actually heard of. Hope you enjoyed reading this series as much as I enjoyed writing it.
“Everyone on your feet. No one sits until we score. Let’s make some noooiisssee!” That’s the opening you hear from PA announcer Kyle Speller just before the opening jump ball every night in the Pepsi Center or also know as “The Can,” and it was no different from Section 102 on Friday night.
If there’s one thing that’s talked about more than anything when it comes to basketball, it’s ‘the GOAT question’. Who is the greatest of all-time? Almost everyone says either LeBron James or Michael Jordan, with the occasional instance of Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, or Kobe Bryant.
As the All-Star weekend approaches, I wanted to tell you which players deserve to be in the All-Star game who didn’t get the votes they should have. I will select one player from the Western Conference and one player from the Eastern Conference and want to hear who you guys think deserves an All-Star spot that is not getting the votes they should be getting.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Memphis Grizzlies are finally ready to put the “Grit and Grind” era behind them, having reportedly made it clear to other teams throughout the NBA that they are actively listening to offers for their two star players, Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, both of whom have spent their entire decade-plus-long NBA careers in Memphis.
Here are my four takeaways from the Heat’s 100-94 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Victor Olapido suffered a gruesome injury to his right knee in Wednesday’s contest against the Toronto Raptors. Oladipo was carried off the court on a stretcher and looked to be in a tremendous amount of pain. Oladipo would only play 10 minutes going 2-of-4 from the field and 0-of-1 from three on his way to 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist.
After a drama-filled week for the Dallas Mavericks’ fans, Dennis Smith Jr. checked back in for the first time in five games last night against the Clippers. As few had predicited, DSJ didnt miss a beat in his return, going for 17 PTS, 8 REB, and 4 AST. Although reports have suggested tenison has been high in the locker room, Smith Jr. showed no evidence to validate those beliefs, orchestrating the Dallas offense with regularity. Head coach Rick Carlisle had high praise for the 21-year-old upon his return: ”I thought he was great, just really tremendous, and everything we needed: speed, attacking, shot-making, a couple of amazing assists,” Carlisle said. ”It has been tough for him, being away from his teammates, and he played one of his best games since he has been here.”
Welcome Back, Hoop heads! We take a deeper look into some of the must-see games this week. Stay tuned! With Monday having a full slate of games on MLK Day, I wanted to take a look at some of the other most intriguing matchups this week as we are close to the end of January and are gearing up toward the All-Star break in a few weeks.
Yesterday, the Carmelo Anthony drama finally came to an end (for now) as the Houston Rockets traded Anthony and cash to the Chicago Bulls. Anthony hasn’t played a game since November 11th and the Rockets have been trying to trade him for months.
The Lakers and Rockets squared off, each squad missing key pieces. The Lakers are still without LeBron James and Rajon Rondo while the Rockets are still without Clint Capela and Chris Paul. The Lakers would eventually lose Lonzo Ball. Lonzo would roll his ankle in the third quarter; he did not return to the game.
For anybody who read my DeMarcus Cousins piece on TheScorecrow, available here, they would know that I believe he is not as big of an asset to the Warriors as analysts make him seem. In my debut article, I asserted my idea that Cousins’ Achilles injury may render him almost futile to the Warriors’ organization. With Boogie making his debut for Golden State against the Clippers on January 18 with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in 15 minutes, this follow-up piece will substantiate or negate the predictions I previously made about him six months ago.
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