System-less Basketball: NBA Playoffs

Well, I was dead wrong about the Nuggets.  Sort of.  I wasn't entirely wrong about the Minnesota Timberwolves.  They made the playoffs but are about to be ousted by the Rockets, which was expected.  Between them and the Blazers, expectations have not been met -- not in the slightest. And I'll you why: they both …

The Nuggets are Gold

It's time.  Truly.  As the playoffs loom in the very near future, it's time we (I) check my reservations at the door.  The Nuggets are real.  They've proven themselves throughout the entire season and no longer can we act surprised at their continued success.   I predict they will handedly deal a loss to the Clippers …

How the West is…Lost

It's wild, we can say that much with certainty.  There hasn't been this much teenage angst surrounding NBA basketball since Zac Efron laced up his Nikes in High School Musical, the original.  Nor has there been this much dancing.  Every other day, a team is either dipped or spun or twirled from playoff contention. With …

The Warriors Should Fret the Thunder

The Starting Lineups:  Paul George,  Russell Westbrook,  Carmelo Anthony,  Corey Brewer,  Steven Adams Kevin Durant,  Stephen Curry,  Draymond Green,  Klay Thompson,  Zaza Pachula Why?  Mainly, because they have an uncanny ability to match up, at least in a relatively even way, with this hall-of-fame Warriors team.  With Paul George on the floor, he is able …

Lebron’s Blatant Rip-Off of Kobe

Sheesh. Less than five years ago and nearing retirement, Kobe Bryant demonstrated a surge of remarkable play on the basketball court.  The pinnacle moment, most likely, his dunking over the much younger Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries in the lane. There were others, namely a fierce dunk over lefty Josh Smith -- we all remember …

The Last ‘Honest’ Ring?

It was the inception of the "super team", newly formed in Miami with the acquisition of superstars Lebron James and Chris Bosh.  They were heavily favored and there looked like little hope from the team from that big state in the southwest, the Dallas Mavericks.  Their only all-star was a German sniper by the name …

The Problem with Andrew Wiggins

It's not the weather.  The boy is Canadian.  It's not his game.  The kid has game.  It's not his money.  The man got paid. Then what is it?  It's two things, or people.  It's Jimmy Butler and Tom Thibadeau.  In  my estimation, they are responsible for the recent soupy play of Andrew Wiggins.  For whatever …

The Ariza Factor

I'm calling it the Ariza factor because he is the player that is most recent in my mind as a basketball fan, and also still playing his role to perfection --- which is never actually perfect.  Growing up Trevor Ariza was the perennial X factor of which I'm speaking.  The unsung hero, the under-appreciated workhorse, …

Markelle Fultz: Lost Boy

Poor guy.  Growing up having played basketball, I can't imagine the kind of mental anguish he's going through.  How is it possible to forget your stroke like that?  It feels eerily like the plot line of Space Jam. The problem is entirely mental.  Everyone, including his coaches, needs to curb their opinion and let the …