Quotes from Yao

"I haven't done much trash-talking. But last year, I did complain about a call. Nobody could believe it. So I said, 'I've spent a lot on English lessons. I want to get my money's worth.' The official was laughing. My American strength coach says he liked me better before I could talk English. ... Our honeymoon was in Europe. One stop was Venice. Cost fifty dollars for a ride in the gondola. There was also the romantic package. Three hundred dollars. That gets a bottle of red wine and a man playing music. But I don't really drink red wine. And you can hear the music coming from the other boats. So the fifty-dollar package seemed like the way to go."

from this article.

this really happened, part 26.

i found a likable laker.

Totally Bulls.

Who wins this one, Deng or Hinrich?

Bulls sing the '80s from The Basketball Jones on Vimeo.

We Love You, Ron Artest

A Sinister Dunk.

This actually makes me like Wade a little bit. A little bit.

Made For Each Other.

If I put up a personal ad, it might look like this.



(from the wonderful Straight Cash Homey)

Impressive, To Say The Least.

Always nice to see someone pushing the limits of what a human can do witha basketball. Tell 'em, Iguodala.

Some Things Never Change.

I had the pleasure of taking in last night's Raptors/Spurs game, and am totally struck by the perennial nature of San Antonio. They, like the lotus flower, bloom for you time and time again. Didn't matter that Duncan and Parker were sidelined; sophomore George Hill performed admirably at the one, and the middle was filled by Theo Ratliff (yes, still alive), Antonio McDyess, Dejuan Blair and...Matt Bonner. Maybe this says more about Toronto's defense than anything.

Jose Calderon makes some of the worst incredulous faces in the game.

Also saw the 4th quarter of the Knicks' near comeback against the Jazz. The Knicks are truly the opposite of the Spurs, both models of consistency in entirely different ways. I don't understand how a Mike D'Antoni team could not run in transition. Chris Duhon might be the worst starting PG in basketball right now. Toney DOuglas played most of the 4th quarter and actually hit some clutch buckets. For real though, have the Knicks had a competent point guard since Clyde Frazier? Micheal Ray Richardson was decent but drug addled. Mark Jackson was good, but they traded him for Charles Smith (his legacy need not be revisited; he did once score 50 in a game though.) Rod Strickland, Derek Harper, Doc Rivers...all either before or past their primes. Chris Childs and Charlie Ward were an okay tandem, but both had weaknesses. Nobody mention Starbury.

The Future is Now.

Soak it up. Yes, I know, no Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, or Ryan Anderson. Doesn't matter. The Thunder crushed them on the boards (Thabo Sefolosha outrebounded Dwight Howard from the 2 guard spot!) and ran rings around the Magic in the second half. Really, though, all you need to know about this team you can figure out by watching that highlights clip, specifically Durant's dunk in the second quarter. The league is officially on notice, and I officially have a new team to watch until the Knicks are no longer pathetic (it could be a while.)

The Liberation of Anthony Randolph is at hand.

Don Nelson, IS YOU CRAZY?



Seriously, though, 7 minutes for Anthony Randolph, while you start Stephen Jackson at the 4? EVERY GM IN THE LEAGUE SHOULD BE CALLING THE WARRIORS RIGHT NOW. Get him out of there.

Crunch Time Lineups.

For the Lakers: Fisher, Bryant, Artest, Odom, Bynum.
For the Rockets: Brooks/Lowry, Battier, Ariza, Scola, Hayes.

The fact that this game is even competitive is something of a miracle, yet there they are, in overtime. Maybe Daryl Morey's genius is real, or at least his luck remains intact (despite the bad fortune of injuries.)

I suppose a more plausible theory is that the Lakers have played two overtime games on two consecutive nights, nevertheless, an encouraging sign for the Rockets (as well as Artest/Ariza consecutive statement 3s with less than a minute in the 4th. Pure excitement.)

On Brandon Jennings.

First of all, I told you so.



And by that, I don't necessarily mean the reader(s?) of this blog; but the world at large. The kid can ball, and we all knew that he could in high school. What separates him from someone, like, Sebastian Telfair? Much like Kevin Durant, there is a difference between Brandon's swagger on-court and his personality off of it. Honestly, the inability of scouts and front offices to pick up on this stuff is stunning.

Humorously enough, Bill Simmons has been tweeting today about how the Knicks are going to regret not picking him. Sorry Bill, get off my bandwagon, you talked about how the Knicks had "the 8th pick in a 7 player draft" as recently as last week. A lot of people are eating similar words right now.

Doth Mine Eyes Deceive Me?

"RT @tribjazz: Deron Williams finished shootaround today by hurling and kicking balls around Arco Arena for Kosta Koufos to go retrieve."


Is this personality new for Deron Williams or have I just not been paying attention? Maybe this is Sloan related? I don't know, but I need to watch more Jazz games, probably.

Ceremony.

This seems a little too collegiate for me to fully back it. You make the call.

No Perspective.

Oh, Etan. There is a certain naivety to the whole thing, like a Michael Moore book from the mid 90s or something. Without making this a forum for political discussion. In fact, cutting myself off right now. Back to dunk videos.

Dear Javale McGee,

OMG MARRY ME !!!111one

Buddy Time.

Can we all pretty much agree, at this point, that Steve Nash would probably be the coolest guy to hang out with, at least of the current crop of NBAers? I'm completely confused as to why Paul Shirley didn't befriend Nash during his year in Phoenix. Oh wait, no I'm not, Paul Shirley is an idiot who thinks he's smarter than everyone because he writes a blog for Page 2 about being a middling basketball player with terrible taste in/opinions about music and no social skills.

But back on point, Nash, two time MVP, not an athletic automaton. Just a really smart dude with a sense of humor who can run a team. I guess Baron Davis is the closest in terms of a mix of game and intangibles.

Well, Here.

I was out of town all weekend, hope this makes up for it. Blake is here.

Manna.

Deron's Personality.

Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune: "Just in case you needed any reminders that Thursday’s game was the preseason, Deron Williams left the Jazz’s huddle during the final timeout with 2:21 left to slingshot T-shirts into the crowd with the stunt team."

I kinda wish there was video of this. Maybe I haven't seen enough Jazz games, but Deron has never emerged from the shadow of Chris Paul for me. I'm almost surprised to find out he has a personality.

Sabbatical?

Not really, just lazy.



Once the regular season starts this will be more, better, greater. Expect something this weekend. In the meantime, enjoy K Dilla beasting on the Heat.

SERGE.

Let's talk about this:



Who is this gentleman, exactly? Serge Ibaka, age 20, from the Congo, drafted 24th in 2008 (ahead of: Nicolas Batum, George Hill, Mario Chalmers, Luc Mbah A Moute, etc.) Played in Spain last year. 6'10" tall, an athletic center. Maybe not ready for the league. But maybe, with plays like this.

What kind of irks me, though, is the modern blocked shot. With the Bill Russell era version, the idea was to keep the ball in play, to send it the other way. This new, post Ewing/Mutombo (did Georgetown/John Thompson play a role in this?) swat the ball as-far-as-you can business isn't accomplishing anything. Is it supposed to be some kind of psyche out? A show of athleticism at the cost of success? I mean, dunks are flashy, but they're still worth 2 points. LeBron, Dwight Howard...they all send the ball to the seats. The only counter examples I can think of are Tayshaun Prince* and Carl Landry, and even then I'm only thinking of specific plays.

To get back to Ibaka, though, I can see no better time to bust out this kind of freakish athleticism. It's the preseason, the upstart Thunder against the well established yet still (somewhat)radical Suns, and with doubts about his readiness at this level, it's a no brainer. The only downside is that there's no shot of where the ball landed. Westbrook-Harden-Durant-Green-Ibaka, today-tomorrow and forever.

*shamsports notes that the best anagram for Tayshaun Prince is "raunchy panties"; good to know.

Good Morning!

There's John Drew of the Hawks beating Phil Chenier at HORSE, a video I dug up after reading this article, and then following this link. Is John Drew Durant's predecessor? I have no idea. Video of Drew's game is hard to come by, and I don't have any anecdotal evidence to go on. But as for the video, I will say; Drew played a much more stylish game of HORSE.

No Words.

The Ghost of Michael Sweetney

WOOOOO! (chains rattling) I come back from the DEAD to WARN you, GARNETT! Stop being such a MASSHOLE! WOOOOOOOOOO! 3 FOULS in 4 MINUTES against the first team that ever overfed me. (chains rattling) There's so many DUNKIN' DONUTS between my apartment and the GARDEN! WOOOOOOO! (the unmistakable sound of a man scarfing down a dozen donuts) EDDY CURRY, your fate is sealed. Once traded for one another, we will wave towels at better players FOREVER. What do you mean, I need to WORK on my FOOTWORK on DEFENSE? WOOOOOOOOOO!

New York Tricks.

The power to amaze, and to disappoint, seemingly on alternating plays. I think Iggy Pop once said "Either do something all the way, or don't do it at all." Last night the Knicks embodied that. Nate Robinson and Jordan Hill alternated between making me gasp with offensive brilliance, and taking my breath away for different reasons entirely.

Listening to the Boston feed of any sporting event for someone not from Massachusetts pushes the limits of tolerance, especially when the Boston team is ready. Gushing over JR Giddens? Let's take a step back.


What happened to Bill Walker? Last seen stuffing a Celtics and a K State jersey into a knapsack, and setting out for points west. If you have any information about Bill Walker, call 1-800-THE LOST.

What is the What, Delonte?

From the Stepien Rules blog:

According to sources, media covering the game were in the Cavaliers locker room. As players were getting ready for the game, one unnamed national AP writer said hello to West. West allegedly replied with an expletive. West was then pulled from the room by players and coaches.

What is happening here, exactly? I can't say, but I will say this. Delonte West is exactly one week younger than me, and apparently we collectively decided to make this summer, the summer we turned 26, to go farther off the rails than we ever have, with mixed results. Unfortunately, Delonte doesn't appear to be on his way back anytime soon.

Important Follow-up.

Says it all. There's some level of irony in Carl Landry being on the other end of this play. Landry, as you may recall, slipped into the second round of the 2007 draft over health concerns just like Blair did this year. These men have issues with doctors, beyond socialized medicine.

Josh Smith, Gourmand.

Brad, tell them the Josh Smith story...you guys are gonna love this.



What can I say? THE MAN LOVES TROUT SANDWICHES. NO MAYO. We're in the limo, and he makes me swear to him that there's trout in there. Long story short, Josh is so hungry, he eats three of the things before he realizes, that's not trout, that's TUNA FISH!

Notes From Last Night

Carlos Delfino and Austin Daye were ejected last night for fighting. Two preseason games, two ejected Pistons (Jerebko got tossed from the first one.) We're on our way.


It's too early to be excited about Greg Oden, but I still am. 20 points, 12 boards in 26 minutes. On the Kings, but still. Donte' Greene didn't play for Sacto. Liberation may well be in order.

Loose Thoughts: Warriors at Lakers, 10/07/09

ALL CAPS DECLARATION: ANTHONY RANDOLPH IS THE MOST FASCINATING PLAYER IN THIS GAME.



Nothing will keep him from doing exciting things.

Broadcaster just called Kobe "ambidextrious". His mid-range game is like fireworks.

Ellis' twisted ankle opens the door for Curry. Curry is going to get his, all year. Donnie Walsh was just in his desire. An unreal offensive force.

Jordan Farmar switched to number 1. Wish I had studied some sort of Divine Mathematics, to know if/how that corresponds to Farmar's Judaism.

Mikki Moore is a blight on this sport and deserves everything that happens to him, in this game specifically referring to a parade of posterization.

When did Biedrins get game? None of the Warriors can defend, but there's something sublime about their offensive execution. How can a team completely get it at one end of the floor and not at the other? Don Nelson.


Random chats:

"kobe24raw: curry is just raw. period"

"lal_2010_champs: I WONNA SEE FARMAR GET DUNKED ON"

"poopy23: thats not OJ thats liquified candy"

Loose Thoughts: 76ers at Raptors, 10/07/09

The Raptors are like the cafeteria at the United Nations school from The Critic. Calderon trying to trade deserts with Bargnani, Nesterovic all giggling in the background because he knows Andrea hates flan.

"Jose, Can You Ring It Up One More Time?" sounds like a classic soul joint, not a call for Calderon to hit a three.

Demar DeRozan: CAN do everything. CAN'T do anything.

The tension between Reggie Evans and Jason Kapono. Traded for each other. The implications of trading people. Kapono thinks it's like a game of chess played out on a grander scale. Evans is a Backgammon man, however, and history is on his side.

The arched lettering on the front of the Raps jersey is strangely unsettling.

LUNACY.

Dejuan Blair! Dejuan Blair Dejuan Blair Dejuan Blair. 16 points and 19 boards (8 offensive) in 22 minutes off of the bench. THAT'S AN INSANE STAT LINE, READ IT AGAIN. He's 6'5", and he has no ACLs. NO ACLs. THEY WERE REMOVED IN HIGH SCHOOL. A vision of the future, with hints of the past (his "Coach told me to rebound" quote eerily reminiscent of Ewing's "Coach told me not to let the ball in the basket".

I know, preseason and all that, but DB is a beast, and the Spurs are officially the team to fear. Not only because of skill, but because this is one of the first universally likable pieces of their puzzle. Imagine Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili, but instead of being universally despised* for their ruthless efficiency, riding the cape of a rookie rebounding machine to newfound goodwill. It started with Pop's beard, continues with the removal of Bruce Bowen, and ends with Blair. Onward and upward.


*not exactly true, but you know.

A Second Generation of Wings.

When I was a kid, my mom had this Michael Jordan poster in her office.


Take one part iconic childhood image, and merge it with one of my favorite players in adulthood...next level.



Like rereading Calvin and Hobbes, and discovering all the jokes designed for adults.

On Wade and Daye

Thoughts:
I have a hard time viewing this as an endorsement of Daye since he starts the clip off by airballing an open 3. However, any time you get a clean block on Dwyane Wade you've accomplished something, namely that you're not allowing him to continue to propagate the "Fall Down 7, Get Up 8" mythology. Confession: Wade drives me nuts in terms of aesthetic appeal. Too much of his game is predicated on drawing fouls. Fouls water down the game in the hands of those that would abuse them (Dwyane, Kevin Martin, Manu, etc.) Here, post #2, and already a basic tenet of my philosophy.

Where It All Began.

Ideally this is going to be me, watching as many games as possible, and commenting on them all. There's a fair amount of intriguing story lines out there, both obvious and subtle. Artests seeking unnecessary redemption. Kirilenkos yearning to breathe free. Second round draft picks (Arenas, Dejuan Blair, Rashard Lewis) demanding satisfaction.

Cursory Review of Last Night's Preseason Action(note: League Pass doesn't cover these games, I'm just going off of the box score.):

Pistons 87, Heat 83. Super Cool Beas reminds me of a post-Zaire George Foreman right now. Pistons started Ben Wallace and Kwame Brown, Villanueva sat out with a strained hamstring. Jonas Jerebko and Jamaal Magloire got into a tangle, no doubt because Jerebko made some barb about the weakness of the 2000 draft class (or maybe Magloire's status as the League's worst active all star. Either way, easy, Swede. Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye ride a tandem bicycle.

Magic 110, Mavericks 105. A Nets reunion for Carter and Kidd. Brandon Bass exacts revenge with 7 points in the last 2 minutes. Drew Gooden had a fierce block on Dwight Howard, lost his goofy facial hair. I'd buy a full transformation if Gooden wasn't still wearing number 90. Prediction: Gooden will play for a different playoff team every year for the rest of his career, and when he hangs it up the League will retire his number, Jackie Robinson style, in celebration of the ultimate Gun For Hire. Gortat didn't do shit in this game. Ryan Anderson didn't even play, neither did Marion, so this one's a wash.