Shooting Stars – Detroit Pistons – They took the title after Phoenix had a HUGE lead but could not hit the half court shot.  They literally had 35 seconds to pot one from half and could not capitalize!!!

NBA Skills Challenge – Derrick Rose- Rose beat out Devin Harris (my call) by 3 seconds in the final but he finsihed with a huge reverse two hander that had the judges wondering why he wasn’t in the Dunk Contest?

3 Point Shootout – Daequan Cook- Who?  Exactly!  This rookie came out of nowhere to replace Jason Kapono the two time champion as the 3 point king in the NBA.  All the judges said it would be the biggest upset in history if he won but he did.  Beating Rashard Lewis in a 1 minute OT to take the crown. For the record, Kapono finished 1 POINT out of the final round

Slam Dunk – Nate Robinson – Lil’ Nate (5′2 from what I hear) beat out Superman (Dwight Howard) in the finals to claim his second dunk off championship. Although, he owes a HUGE debt of gratitude to his competitor for allowing himself to be a prop in the final round that no doubt sent Nate over the edge to be the winner.  Dwight was killing the crowd with his unreal athleticism but I think the dunk from the free throw line at the end, killed all his momentum.  A big piece of news from this contest came when LeBron James announced he WOULD COMPETE in 2010 in Dallas in the dunk contest.

All in all it was another great night of entertainment but again I lost all my bets.  Oh well better luck next year (when the game SHOULD have been in Toronto, until Dallas decided to put up a billion dollar stadium, DAMN!)

Peace!

No related posts.

By FAR the best All Star Weekend of any major sport.  NBA’s All Star Saturday Night is probably my favourite night of the sports year and has been since I was a little kid.  It basically wraps all the best parts of the game into one night of awesomeness, I even like the Shooting Stars competition (Yeah I said IT!).  Along with the main staples, 3 point Shoot out (Go JK), Skills competition and OF COURSE the Slam dunk, this year they have added H-O-R-S-E to the slate of Saturday Night magic.  I have heard a lot of people say this could be crap but I also know a lot of people are excited about this and I am one of the latter.  Ever since the Jordan and Bird commercials back in the late 80’s or early 90s, I have dreamt of watching NBA All Stars playing horse.  Sure they won’t be throwing the ball off the score clock from the 300 level of and arena but I expect to see some crazy things this to go down.

Last night was the annual Rookie vs. Sophomore game (which I usually miss) but this year I HAPPENED to actually be in a bar (what a fluke) and much to the chagrin of my girlfriend, ended up catching the whole game and was very surprised about how good it was.  Sure there was NO defence and Kevin Durant took 25 shots but it was actually competitive.  The rooks were leading pretty much the whole game and then the Durant show started!  He was on fire, finishing the game 17 for 25 from the field for 46 points, the all time record for most points and the MVP.  I think this game tends to be more sloughed off because its only the rookie and sophomores and for the most part is filled with guys that aren’t that well known yet but I think it tends to be more competitive for that reason and because NO sophomore wants to be beaten by a rookie, especially if you’re on their team.  Just for a piece of history, the rookies have only won twice in 10 years of this format.

All the action starts tonight (on TV anyway) at 8pm ET. I will break down who I think will win the events and why don’t you let me know who you think is going to win and then we can have a friendly bet of bragging rights (maybe a beer too if we ever meet) for the winner.  OK here it goes:  Shooting Stars challenge – LA Lakers - I’m taking them because they seem to have the best shooters through the whole team.  Skills Challenge - Devin Harris - I chose Harris because he is flat out the fastest guy here and he can shoot.  3 Point Shootout – Jason Kapono – Do I even have to say why? Raptors, 3 time champ, Raptors. Now for the BIG SHOW – Slam Dunk Contest – Dwight Howard – First off, let ME let YOU know, this guy is my favourite player and has been since I saw one of his high school games.  He is not only the most dominant big man since Shaq but he is a real cool guy and loves playing the game.  He also practiced for over a YEAR on the dunks he did last year and I have to imagine he wants to re-live that glory again and will do so tonight.

If I am around tonight (might have to make up for last night with the girlfriend) I will be live blogging all of tonight’s events so come around 8pm and see whats up.  Well have a good night and a good weekend!

Peace!

No related posts.

First off, HOW DARE YOU!!! Last year I let you get away with it because we were winning and I admit, the fans in the ACC could have definitely been louder on occasion but not this year!  This season was supposed to be different. You got your help down low so you don’t bitch about being tired.  For crying out loud they turned their #1 pick from one of the best SFs in the league (Andrea) into a centre, just so you would have help.  And still you have the audacity to call out the fans for booing when you were only down 3?  Did you fall asleep for the first 3 quarters of that game?  You WERE up by 17, we weren’t booing you because you were down 3 it was because you were blowing your 4th double digit lead of the season, AT HOME!!!

You wanted to be MVP this season?  Too bad they don’t cast their ballots after 7 games, you woulda been a shoo in.  You started out this season with so much promise.  You had your big man next to you taking some weight off your shoulders in the post. You finally had a point guard that wanted to give you the ball rather then chuck shots.  Everything was perfect, then came the New Jersey game.  I am not so blind with rage right now that I am going to blame you for that loss but I am wholeheartedly going to blame you for what happened after it.  Like I said before, you wanted to be MVP?  Well an MVP takes a heart breaking loss and makes its something to build off. What did you do?  You sulked for a WHOLE game AT HOME for all to watch.  Don’t think you can get away with your subtleties with me! I am watching you and I have been since I lostsight of you during our playoff series with the Nets.  Then again, it wasn’t my fault, you weren’t there until about game 5 when it was pretty much in the bag.  And at that Sunday game against the Celtics, you were up to some things I was used to watching a certain #15 pull.  During time outs you weren’t with the team, one time you were even so BALLSY that during a pivotal stretch you decided it was better to practice “scoop shots” on the net rather then listen to you coach.  No wonder Sam Mitchell got fired, his “franchise player” wasn’t listening to him.  Oh it doesn’t stop there, at half time you came out early to practice that effing high elbow shot you just love SO MUCH, then as soon as a teammate stepped on that court what did you do?  Y0u walk over to the bench and sulk AGAIN.  Oh boo hoo…Toronto’s ex-hero came back into town and beat you in dramatic fashion. Christ, if you would have only got this upset during the playoffs in ’06-’07 we might have WON more than 2 games. 

You can be mad at whoever blew that defensive assignment on that back screen and let Vince win that game but then you wouldn’t want to open the flood gates for fingering point, so I will.  Let’s take your latest feat of leadership and basketball prowess that played out tonight.  Down 24 to INDIANA, Toronto mustered an unreal comeback on the road, breaking the lead down to 1.  Indiana had probably made 3 of their last 12 shots and like always you get caught out of position on D and Mike Dunleavy JR. is wide open.  So what trick do you pull out of your MVP bag?  Foul him on a desperation 3 that he probably had 30% of going in and probably a 10% chance if you just ran out extending your arms.  Naw…Lets give a career 80% FT shooter 3 shots in a close game with less than a minute to go. MVP, MVP!!!  Sure sure, that’s ONE game right?  WRONG!  I’ll even let the Chicago “game” winner the other night slide because Noah played  good defence (not that there wasn’t 4 other guys on your team on the court) but why don’t we skip to Boston game in the 4th quarter on the 12th of January. The Raptors stage yet another comeback in the 4th, IN BOSTON. It’s gotta be Chris Bosh time right?  WRONG AGAIN!  I can’t even count the number of times you fumbled the ball, made a bad pass or just seem disinterested in having the ball at all.  So who do we rely on to take this game into OT? None other than everyone else’s favourite scape goat, Andrea Bargnani.  This guy was a number one pick ,chosen by someone else. That pressure on him isn’t self-induced it was just part of the territory but everyone let’s you slide because “Bosh had no help, what was he supposed to do? Garnettwas guarding him”  Sorry that doesn’t pass with me. 

You know how much money I could have made off you this season if I would bet $100 for the last minute of every game or even how you would play against a certain team? L.A: I told my boys “Bosh won’t show up, it’s the big stage” $100.  Chicago game – To the guy in the seats behind me: “So what’s the last play?” Buddy: “I don’t even wanna guess” Goat: “I call Bosh low post, blown lay up”.  Well I would have had $100 if you could made it past Noah to attempt a lay up.  Portland to my bro on Blackberry Messenger:  “Steve Blake 3″ (it happened) “I call last play to Bosh, blown jumper” $100 because there is no way you can call whatever that was a layup, you were 9 feet from the backboard.  If you guys are this predictable to me?  How about someone who JUST watches game tape EVERYDAY for a living?

I know what everyone is thinking.  “Goat, take it easy on this guy he’s a professional athlete.  He can’t win all the games.” You know what, you’re right.  I shouldn’t expect him to come out and win every game by himself but the SECOND he tells me the ACC has to be louder because they need us for support, he puts the onus on himself now.  If we cheer and yell and scream until our throats are raw,  that Mofo better start winning some close games in the final seconds.  The next time, when he tells me “Its hard to take when you’re down 3 and you get booed”.  First off, you told us to be vocal so we were.  Secondly, don’t try and put ANY blame on people like me, who save all their cash for tickets, to see a ”star” player  who can’t admit he needs to man up rather than blame the fans for blowing a 14 point lead. All because we booed, GROW UP! 

Is Chris Bosh an All Star? Maybe? Is he a top 10 talent? Nope.  If I was starting a franchise would I choose him? Nope.  Why? Plain and simple, this guy is NOT a leader.  You ask any Raptors fan that isn’t blind and they will say the same thing because we have all seen it so many times.  In games when you’re all digging deep and need a leader 9 times out of 10 we lose.  Don’tbelieve me?  Look it up, its FACT.  Sure, like I said before he can’t win every game but how about even 50% shit even 40% I would be happy with but no we don’t even get THAT.  Seriously in your head think back to the last close game we won?  Orlando at home on the 4th of Jan? Don’t forget we were also up 12 at one point AT HOME but regardless that is one game ALL season and trust me there has been more then 2 close games all season. 

Do I hate Chris Bosh?  No not even close.  I think he is a good player and he could be a great player but he has a lot more work to do then a lot of people give him credit for.  The first thing I would LOVE for Chris to do is STOP TAKING SO MANY JUMPERS.  Chris, we KNOW you can shoot big man! Very good but come on, you’re fast, your agile and your angry, take it to the RACK.  The other night I saw you blow by Kevin Garnett and hammer it home and sure that may seem like a great play but that tells me something.  Youjust blew by one of the best defenders at your position with ease, that means you could do that to almost anyone. But you would rather step back and take shots full well knowing, we are one of the weakest rebounding teams in the league.  Now I don’t know if that is coaching but I can’t think for a minute your coaches would be that dumb.  We have Andrea, AP and Kapono to stretch the defence we certainly dont need you out there.  The second thing I would tell Chris to do is MAN UP.  I would WAY rather you tell me to “F*** off” then say “its hard when you’re getting booed”.  COME ON, I know you apologized for that statement but that was from the heart and sure it must be hard when you lose at home and you’re getting booed but that’s your life and your job, you chose it.  You don’t wanna get booed, WIN or at least don’t continuously blow double digit leads at home.  Its that too much to ask for?

Now I know all the blame shouldn’tbe on you and I am probably writing this in haste but I had to get this off my chest.  You successfully ruined another Friday night for me.  I know it’s sad that a basketball game dictated my night but that’s the truth of the matter and if things keep going the way they’re going, you’re going to ruin my whole year.  Then I am going to move to Oklahoma City. Where their star player at least plays his heart out everynight  and he’s not waiting for 2010 so he can cash a fat cheque and let another superstar do all the work *cough Lebron in New York*

Chris, I like you, I really do!  But please stop calling me and the Raptor fans out, start playing some heartfelt basketball for a FULL 4 QUARTERS and let’s just make it to the effing second round of the playoffs.  Then I’ll get off your ass and you can go play video games with LBJ in NYC in 2010.  Deal?

Peace!

No related posts.

Sam Mitchell in his classic 4th quarter pose.

Salutations,

I apologize if I cannot hide my glee as I type these words but ITS ABOUT TIME. For those of you living under a rock or just not interested in Toronto sports, Toronto’s “other” team has finally severed ties with what felt like a 20 pound anvil tied to the ankles of the players and organization for the past two seasons.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not a Sam Mitchell hater. I really think he was a great motivator, player developer (if you’re not in his doghouse, see: Joey Graham) and team guy. But when it came to X’s and O’s, I don’t think there was a worse coach employed in the NBA. I only have some mid-level basketball experience and A LOT of basketball watching experience but I can say with complete confidence that I could out coach Sam in the last 5 seconds of any game. And let’s be serious, would you ever let a player score 81 on you? Sam just sat there with his usual “Oh well, here’s another loss” look with his hand rubbing his brow. I have an idea, don’t let Kobe isolate his defender, double team him or even FOUL him hard enough to make him think pass on his next wide open drive to the tin. But I digress, the past is the past, so let’s move on.

If you haven’t guessed by now I am a maple syrup drinking, beer chugging Torontonian. So it brings me great pleasure that we not only have a new coach but one of my favourite coaches, Jay Triano. I will never forget when he took team Canada to a 5 and 2 record at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Of course you can say this team had the services of back to back MVP Steve Nash but unless you’re Canadian or lived in Dallas in 2000, you probably hadn’t seen Nash much. And unless you went to highschool with anyone else on this squad you had never heard of these guys before or after. It came down to coaching. Triano had these guys believing they COULD win and he gave them the right system to do it. For Triano to turn this Titanic away from the iceberg I think he only has to tweak a few things.

First off, play your $5M dollar man (Kapono) A LOT more and when he does play, MAKE SURE HE ONLY SHOOTS. Show him some tapes of Dell Curry rocking that fade and jacking J’s in his purple dino jersey. He had no problem collecting cheques by shooting and pretending to play defence, why do you? You’re the greatest shooter in the world (sorry Damon Jones), dont try to be a slasher or a distributer…SHOOT!!!

Which brings me to Jamario Moon, talk about playing to your contract? Maybe he has a fear of 7 digits? Or the rim? It was only 12 months ago, Moon was slapping gravity in the face with his fuzzy walnuts on the way to the rim.  He had people believing he could take off from a solid foot behind the chairty stripe. Now, he settles for his awkward J not even near the key, he doesn’t rebound well, he take DUMB fouls and it doesnt look like he cares. He needs to start attacking the rim or take over Joey’s spot on the pine because Kapono can at least shoot.

And last but not least, BALL MOVEMENT!!! I am lucky enough to have season tickets to the Raps, so I get to see first hand what ball movement can do. I say this because on TV it’s hard to get a grasp of how confused other teams are without hearing them yelling at each other when the Raps get into one of their ball movement grooves. There have been SOME glimpses that this year, 4 or 5 nice passes around the perimeter for an open J or to the open man inside for an easy deuce. Don’t get me wrong, Chris Bosh is and ANIMAL this year and derserves all the accolades and hype he is FINALLY receiving. He also deserves to not to settle for that 18 footer he is forced to take so often. Of course we can’t blame Mitchell for that totally but with more focus on ball movement and hustling it,will be a lot harder for Bosh to settle for that jumper when he’s trying to whizz the ball around to Parker or Kapono for a wide open trey.

At the beginning of the season I was thinking 45+ wins for this team, when J.O went down I was thinking 41 MAX. A lot of this just had to do with Smitch’s inability to utilize players properly and to put his pride aside when it came down to making the right decision. Now that he is gone with some tweaking to the system and maybe a minor trade, we can be top 5 in the East.

In closing I would like to say “So long Sam, thanks for memories”! (well most of them) and congratulations Jay make us proud. Now hopefully I won’t have to spend my days defending how a team can get blown out by 39 points, blowing a 13+ point lead late in the game or watching VC dunk my Friday night down the crapper.

Peace!

No related posts.