Friday, June 24, 2011
Hoops Nation
I have recently started writing for the up and coming magazine/website Hoops-Nation. The first issue came out today which hopefully is the beginning of a long long long and successful endeavor. Below you can find the cover page as well as the page with my article on the Memphis Grizzlies.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
One Last Goodbye
The Grizzlies are feeling good right now. Last season was unquestionably the most successful in franchise history and they look poised to go on a Hickory High type run in the 2011-2012 season. With next year in mind I want to take one final look back at the year that was in hopes of figuring out what Memphis will be in the future.
Memphis has to be considered one of the most compelling teams next year, right? The Grizzlies have been one of the most interesting teams in the NBA starting with their decision to lose games so they could play San Antonio in the Playoffs. That’s right. They lost on purpose so they could play the Spurs. How did that conversation even go: “Hey guys, we could lose a few games and play the team with the best record in the Western Conference, the team with the best power forward of all time, one of the most experienced playoff teams out there and the team with one of the best coaches and two of the best foreign guards ever. Should we tank games and play them? Well, I can’t think of any reason why we shouldn’t.”
So Memphis played with all the ferocity and vitriol of a wet dish rag at the end of the season with Zach Randolph and Tony Allen playing an ambitious zero minutes combined the last two games, and suddenly this scrappy upstart of a team was on people’s radar. The best part of the whole decision? It worked! It actually worked. They squared off against the Spurs and smacked them in the mouth in game one, lost an absolute heart-breaker in overtime in game 5, and as a final eff-you, beat the Spurs in San Antonio in game 6.
Suddenly Memphis was one of the more exciting teams left in the playoffs. Even the way Memphis got their wins was exciting. Every victory was a constant struggle between poor shooting and good defense. What Memphis lacked in skill (skill), they more than made up for in athletic defense, and had the edge every game in the having-Zach-Randolph-and-Marc-Gasol-on-your-team category (very under-rated stat going into the playoffs). Those two pushed San Antonio around inside on offense and defense, and on the wing, the Spurs had no answer to Memphis’s perimeter defense. Memphis won by playing like a hockey team and just out muscling and out hitting San Antonio.
This is not only awesome to watch, but also a good way to win in the playoffs where rebounds and points at the rim are like food and water. Good defense and inside production was something Memphis could count on every game, and for a while, was all they needed. Unfortunately, good defense ended up losing the struggle alluded to earlier, and threes that counted were not a common site for Memphis in their last few games. The Grizzlies lacked the timely perimeter shooting all championship teams have, and eventually their grit and grind style was overwhelmed by Kevin Durant and the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Grizzlies still have plenty of reason to be optimistic going into the off-season. They were only a few made baskets away from the Western Conference Finals with their best shot-maker on the bench; and when Gay comes back, he could be their version of ‘Mike’s Secret Stuff.’ Rudy Gay is by far the most compelling potential superstar nobody is talking about this off-season. Gay looked poised to throw a coming out party half way through the 2010-2011 season when an injury stopped the celebration before he got a chance to blow out the candles. Certain elements will be there for Memphis next season. They will get production from Z-Bo inside. They will have one of the best and only true centers in the NBA in Marc Gasol. They will get good defense from Tony Allen, and they will get scoring from their stable of capable perimeter players. The only question mark is whether the right wrist of Rudy Gay has enough daggers in it to get Memphis to the finals.
More than any other sport, basketball teams need a superstar to win. In hockey you can get away without one, in baseball you can get away without one, and in football you can get away without one. But in basketball, step one to winning a championship is getting a superstar. At the end of this season, Zach Randolph was the closest thing the Grizzlies had, and even though he is a guaranteed twenty and ten, he is not a superstar. He is an extremely productive player, but the fact that he can’t have the ball in his hands for the first 12 seconds of a possession limits him at the end of games. To take the next step, Memphis needs to have somebody who can bring the ball up the court and hit a game-winner as time expires, not just from the block but from anywhere. Randolph went 2-8 from three this post-season. That doesn’t qualify as anywhere. Gay however, has proven he has the courage (read: balls) to make these shots, and towards the end of his season, the rightfully cocky 24 year old not only wanted, but commanded the ball late in the game.
In 2006, Gay was drafted based on his upside, and in 2010, the optimism of Memphis appears justified. At 24, Gay will be entering his prime this season and, if his first few years in the league are at all indicative of things to come, he will only get better. If he does, Memphis will have their superstar and their answer to the NBA playoffs riddle. And if OJ Mayo can find his shot, and if Z-Bo can stay ageless, and if Gasol can be the 2010-2011 playoffs Gasol all season, and if Conley can keep up his solid play, and if Tony Allen can pretend he’s not turning 30, and if Xavier Henry, Sam Young, and Greivis Vasquez can all reach their potential, the Grizzlies will have the eh-hem, courage, to make it further in the playoffs than their franchise ever has. Read that last sentence again while rubbing a rabbits foot, watering a four leaf clover and turning every penny you own face up.
Memphis has to be considered one of the most compelling teams next year, right? The Grizzlies have been one of the most interesting teams in the NBA starting with their decision to lose games so they could play San Antonio in the Playoffs. That’s right. They lost on purpose so they could play the Spurs. How did that conversation even go: “Hey guys, we could lose a few games and play the team with the best record in the Western Conference, the team with the best power forward of all time, one of the most experienced playoff teams out there and the team with one of the best coaches and two of the best foreign guards ever. Should we tank games and play them? Well, I can’t think of any reason why we shouldn’t.”
So Memphis played with all the ferocity and vitriol of a wet dish rag at the end of the season with Zach Randolph and Tony Allen playing an ambitious zero minutes combined the last two games, and suddenly this scrappy upstart of a team was on people’s radar. The best part of the whole decision? It worked! It actually worked. They squared off against the Spurs and smacked them in the mouth in game one, lost an absolute heart-breaker in overtime in game 5, and as a final eff-you, beat the Spurs in San Antonio in game 6.
Suddenly Memphis was one of the more exciting teams left in the playoffs. Even the way Memphis got their wins was exciting. Every victory was a constant struggle between poor shooting and good defense. What Memphis lacked in skill (skill), they more than made up for in athletic defense, and had the edge every game in the having-Zach-Randolph-and-Marc-Gasol-on-your-team category (very under-rated stat going into the playoffs). Those two pushed San Antonio around inside on offense and defense, and on the wing, the Spurs had no answer to Memphis’s perimeter defense. Memphis won by playing like a hockey team and just out muscling and out hitting San Antonio.
This is not only awesome to watch, but also a good way to win in the playoffs where rebounds and points at the rim are like food and water. Good defense and inside production was something Memphis could count on every game, and for a while, was all they needed. Unfortunately, good defense ended up losing the struggle alluded to earlier, and threes that counted were not a common site for Memphis in their last few games. The Grizzlies lacked the timely perimeter shooting all championship teams have, and eventually their grit and grind style was overwhelmed by Kevin Durant and the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Grizzlies still have plenty of reason to be optimistic going into the off-season. They were only a few made baskets away from the Western Conference Finals with their best shot-maker on the bench; and when Gay comes back, he could be their version of ‘Mike’s Secret Stuff.’ Rudy Gay is by far the most compelling potential superstar nobody is talking about this off-season. Gay looked poised to throw a coming out party half way through the 2010-2011 season when an injury stopped the celebration before he got a chance to blow out the candles. Certain elements will be there for Memphis next season. They will get production from Z-Bo inside. They will have one of the best and only true centers in the NBA in Marc Gasol. They will get good defense from Tony Allen, and they will get scoring from their stable of capable perimeter players. The only question mark is whether the right wrist of Rudy Gay has enough daggers in it to get Memphis to the finals.
More than any other sport, basketball teams need a superstar to win. In hockey you can get away without one, in baseball you can get away without one, and in football you can get away without one. But in basketball, step one to winning a championship is getting a superstar. At the end of this season, Zach Randolph was the closest thing the Grizzlies had, and even though he is a guaranteed twenty and ten, he is not a superstar. He is an extremely productive player, but the fact that he can’t have the ball in his hands for the first 12 seconds of a possession limits him at the end of games. To take the next step, Memphis needs to have somebody who can bring the ball up the court and hit a game-winner as time expires, not just from the block but from anywhere. Randolph went 2-8 from three this post-season. That doesn’t qualify as anywhere. Gay however, has proven he has the courage (read: balls) to make these shots, and towards the end of his season, the rightfully cocky 24 year old not only wanted, but commanded the ball late in the game.
In 2006, Gay was drafted based on his upside, and in 2010, the optimism of Memphis appears justified. At 24, Gay will be entering his prime this season and, if his first few years in the league are at all indicative of things to come, he will only get better. If he does, Memphis will have their superstar and their answer to the NBA playoffs riddle. And if OJ Mayo can find his shot, and if Z-Bo can stay ageless, and if Gasol can be the 2010-2011 playoffs Gasol all season, and if Conley can keep up his solid play, and if Tony Allen can pretend he’s not turning 30, and if Xavier Henry, Sam Young, and Greivis Vasquez can all reach their potential, the Grizzlies will have the eh-hem, courage, to make it further in the playoffs than their franchise ever has. Read that last sentence again while rubbing a rabbits foot, watering a four leaf clover and turning every penny you own face up.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
10 Reasons You Should Be Watching The Stanley Cup Finals Too
1. The Players - There is literally no way Lebron James can win the Stanly Cup.
2. Facial Hair - The hockey playoff beard is one of the best traditions in sports. Of course hockey players tend to be a little crazy (really crazy), so the facial hair tends to go beyond just beards. There is no greater collection of beards, mullets, and porn mustaches than in a Stanley Cup Final.
3. The Arenas - The Dallas Mavericks arena has been alive in two games so far but the Heat arena has sucked harder than Franklin and Bash. The seats are rarely full when play starts and the fans that are there struggle to get into the game. How do you struggle to get into a NBA Finals game? On the hockey side of things, Rogers Arena has been loud and full of Canadians hopped up on Labatt Blue and maple syrup (I assume they drink syrup), and the TD Garden has been just as packed with angry Bostonians. The energy of a playoff hockey crowd is higher than in any other professional sport. During the Superbowl, the only event you could argue, the crowd is full of CEO's and salesmen more concerned with impressing clients than with the game. In a hockey crowd, everybody wears jerseys to the game (under-rated), everybody sings the national anthem (super under-rated), and the only music during the game is from the Hockey Organ somewhere high in the rafters (most under-rated thing in sports).
4. Commercials - The NHL consistently puts together the best commercials on TV. I won't get into it here as I have already explored this in the videos section of my blog. What's really important is the ads from the sport's sponsors. The NHL and NBC quickly realized that less is more and to this day, I have yet to see a single Franklin and Bash Commercial on NBC or Versus. Thank you NBC. Also Franklin and Bash jokes are one reason the NBA finals absolutely must go seven games. Please don't take these away from me Mr. Stern.
5. Overtime - You won't find a better overtime in sports than in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The speed of the game and the two-way style of play means goals are scored faster than in any other sport. Throw in the sudden death angle and it's like letting Tony Montana hang out by a bucket of cocaine, nobody is sure what's going to happen, but something will and its probably going to happen fast. In the NHL playoffs, a game, a series, and an entire season can end with one flick of the wrist. No other sport is decided so quickly and so simply. Football can end on one play and baseball can end on one swing, but the pace of play is so much slower in those sports. The time between pitches and between plays provides an opportunity to breathe that doesn't exist in overtime hockey.
6. The Handshakes - Handshakes happen at two different times in a hockey series. One is when the series is over. Two teams that just got done literally beating the crap out of each other, suffering bruises, bleeding, and lost teeth, come together to say good game. It's an age-old idea and such a simple gesture, but it's one of the things that makes sports great. The other time hockey players shake hands is after a fight. It doesn't happen after pushing matches, but when the dust settles after ply drop the gloves and go one on one, it usually ends with two guys congratulating each other. This show of friendly affection immediately after unchecked aggression will always fascinate me. Of course this handshake opportunity wouldn't be possible without reason number 7 on the list.
7. Fighting - More specifically, teams handling their own business on the ice. What's more exciting, a technical foul call or seeing two guys drop their gloves and throw a few punches? As thrilling as a loud whistle can be, I have to go with the overhand rights. In hockey, teams are allowed to stick up for themselves and if a teammate gets hit, guys get a chance to retaliate. And because its hockey, teams always retaliate. Amidst all the fighting however, there is an incredible sense of fairness and an eye for an eye mentality that settles the majority of disputes. In basketball, you get ten dudes starting at each other and yelling 'hold me back' over their should as they run away to their own bench. The most aggressive act on the court is the ref making the 'T' motion. Speaking of refs...
8. The Refs - Anybody who has watched a minute of the NBA finals knows the refs and flopping calls have hijacked the series like Hans Gruber. Every game a flop has been called or a foul has been missed that has played some sort of role in the outcome. Going into the Finals people were understandably worried the refs would play a large role. In hockey, the refs play a role in the final score about as often as the apocalypse and the most impact they have is breaking up fights.
9. America - A team from the United States has won the cup every year since 1994. In 2004, a team from Florida won it, giving the ultimate middle finger to Canada. This year its Boston vs Vancouver and again we have the chance to take the cup from Canada. This would be especially sweet coming off the heels of a Canadian victory over the US in the 2010 Olympics.
10. Tim Thomas - The goalie for the Bruins has been out of his mind during the Stanley Cup finals. He's let in only 5 goals in four games and has made 642 (numbers not exact) ridiculous, disheartening saves on Vancouver shots. On top of that, the guy plays like the love child of Brian Urlacher and a strong safety from the Lingerie Football League (google it). He somehow manages to be the dominant force that anchors the Bruins while being stuck between the pipes. The video below says it all and if you just skipped to the bottom, this clip should provide reason enough.
2. Facial Hair - The hockey playoff beard is one of the best traditions in sports. Of course hockey players tend to be a little crazy (really crazy), so the facial hair tends to go beyond just beards. There is no greater collection of beards, mullets, and porn mustaches than in a Stanley Cup Final.
3. The Arenas - The Dallas Mavericks arena has been alive in two games so far but the Heat arena has sucked harder than Franklin and Bash. The seats are rarely full when play starts and the fans that are there struggle to get into the game. How do you struggle to get into a NBA Finals game? On the hockey side of things, Rogers Arena has been loud and full of Canadians hopped up on Labatt Blue and maple syrup (I assume they drink syrup), and the TD Garden has been just as packed with angry Bostonians. The energy of a playoff hockey crowd is higher than in any other professional sport. During the Superbowl, the only event you could argue, the crowd is full of CEO's and salesmen more concerned with impressing clients than with the game. In a hockey crowd, everybody wears jerseys to the game (under-rated), everybody sings the national anthem (super under-rated), and the only music during the game is from the Hockey Organ somewhere high in the rafters (most under-rated thing in sports).
4. Commercials - The NHL consistently puts together the best commercials on TV. I won't get into it here as I have already explored this in the videos section of my blog. What's really important is the ads from the sport's sponsors. The NHL and NBC quickly realized that less is more and to this day, I have yet to see a single Franklin and Bash Commercial on NBC or Versus. Thank you NBC. Also Franklin and Bash jokes are one reason the NBA finals absolutely must go seven games. Please don't take these away from me Mr. Stern.
5. Overtime - You won't find a better overtime in sports than in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The speed of the game and the two-way style of play means goals are scored faster than in any other sport. Throw in the sudden death angle and it's like letting Tony Montana hang out by a bucket of cocaine, nobody is sure what's going to happen, but something will and its probably going to happen fast. In the NHL playoffs, a game, a series, and an entire season can end with one flick of the wrist. No other sport is decided so quickly and so simply. Football can end on one play and baseball can end on one swing, but the pace of play is so much slower in those sports. The time between pitches and between plays provides an opportunity to breathe that doesn't exist in overtime hockey.
6. The Handshakes - Handshakes happen at two different times in a hockey series. One is when the series is over. Two teams that just got done literally beating the crap out of each other, suffering bruises, bleeding, and lost teeth, come together to say good game. It's an age-old idea and such a simple gesture, but it's one of the things that makes sports great. The other time hockey players shake hands is after a fight. It doesn't happen after pushing matches, but when the dust settles after ply drop the gloves and go one on one, it usually ends with two guys congratulating each other. This show of friendly affection immediately after unchecked aggression will always fascinate me. Of course this handshake opportunity wouldn't be possible without reason number 7 on the list.
7. Fighting - More specifically, teams handling their own business on the ice. What's more exciting, a technical foul call or seeing two guys drop their gloves and throw a few punches? As thrilling as a loud whistle can be, I have to go with the overhand rights. In hockey, teams are allowed to stick up for themselves and if a teammate gets hit, guys get a chance to retaliate. And because its hockey, teams always retaliate. Amidst all the fighting however, there is an incredible sense of fairness and an eye for an eye mentality that settles the majority of disputes. In basketball, you get ten dudes starting at each other and yelling 'hold me back' over their should as they run away to their own bench. The most aggressive act on the court is the ref making the 'T' motion. Speaking of refs...
8. The Refs - Anybody who has watched a minute of the NBA finals knows the refs and flopping calls have hijacked the series like Hans Gruber. Every game a flop has been called or a foul has been missed that has played some sort of role in the outcome. Going into the Finals people were understandably worried the refs would play a large role. In hockey, the refs play a role in the final score about as often as the apocalypse and the most impact they have is breaking up fights.
9. America - A team from the United States has won the cup every year since 1994. In 2004, a team from Florida won it, giving the ultimate middle finger to Canada. This year its Boston vs Vancouver and again we have the chance to take the cup from Canada. This would be especially sweet coming off the heels of a Canadian victory over the US in the 2010 Olympics.
10. Tim Thomas - The goalie for the Bruins has been out of his mind during the Stanley Cup finals. He's let in only 5 goals in four games and has made 642 (numbers not exact) ridiculous, disheartening saves on Vancouver shots. On top of that, the guy plays like the love child of Brian Urlacher and a strong safety from the Lingerie Football League (google it). He somehow manages to be the dominant force that anchors the Bruins while being stuck between the pipes. The video below says it all and if you just skipped to the bottom, this clip should provide reason enough.
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