http://thehoopdoctors.com/
Quite simply, this mix is the greatest tribute to ‘The GOAT’ Michael Jordan I’ve ever seen on YouTube by an NBA Mixmaster. Back in December 2010 we showed you the trailer for this tribute video by LK12Productions. It will give any fan of the game goosebumps just watching:
Just Taking A Piss
No need to bother putting the NBA Championship trophy down. You’d think that when your’re worth $2.5 billion you could at least have someone hold it for you for just a sec. I guess if you’re Mark Cuban you can do whatever the hell you want. I know if I were in his shoes I’d be doing the same thing…but I’d buy some better shoes.
I guess when you’re drinking from an $80,000 bottle of champagne you’ve gotta go when you gotta go.
Just A $5,000 Sip
When you’ve just won the 2011 NBA Championship and got selected at the MVP, I guess it’s okay to chug from an $80,000 bottle of champagne. He’s got his boss, Mark Cuban to thank for that. Congratulations Dirk.
by joePA |
from: http://www.brobible.com/
| by PatrickJ from http://isource.com/2011/ |
NBA JAM is about to set your iPhone/ iPod touch ON FIRE with all the over-the-top, high-flying, 2-on-2 arcade basketball action just like you remember it – and like you’ve never seen before! So go to the hole. Go strong. Go for the monster jam. KABOOM!
Key Features:
HEAT UP ON iPHONE & iPOD TOUCH.
Slam and JAM with all 30 NBA teams, favorite NBA stars, dozens of unlockable legends from the classic arcade era, plus some secret players you can only get on iPhone/iPod touch. Unlock outrageous cheats, too. You up for some “Big Head” action?
PLAY NOW! PLAY CLASSIC! IT’S SHOWTIME!And here’s another screencap that features some folks whose vertical game is just a bit weaker than Blake Grifin’s, although the POTUS is apparently close:
2 modes of play, lets you ball the way you want, including a JAM CAMP Tutorial:
· Play Now – Select a team and jump right into the game
· Classic Campaign – Defeat all other teams to win the championship, and unlock legends, hidden players and cheats
DOMINATE WITH AUTHORITY!
Also select from two different control schemes (D-Pad and gesture-based) and take advantage of the outstanding versatility of your iPhone/iPod touch. Is it the shoes?
YOU’RE ON FIRE!
If you’re from the Old School, you’ll feel the ‘90s nostalgia while you play the hottest new arcade sports game on the App Store. Featuring the voice of Tim Kitzrow the original NBA JAM play-by-play announcer), you’ll hear all the classic catchphrases plus a few new ones recorded just for this game. This JAM is all about “boomshakalaka” !
By: Allen Moll
From: http://thehoopdoctors.com/
When all is said and done and Boston Celtics great Paul Pierce finally does hang it up sometime in the future, there’s no doubting that his #34 jersey will join the many other Celtic greats like Bill Russell, John Havlicek, and Larry Bird up in the rafters at TD Garden. But as this truly all time great of the game has been overshadowed throughout his career by other high profile superstars during his tenure like Kobe Bryant and Lebron James, many NBA players when asked who the hardest player to guard is, the answer more times than not is that of “The Truth.”
If you think about it, sure Lebron James is much more physical, Kevin Durant is a better shooter, Tracy McGrady was a more prolific scorer, and Kobe is well, a Top 10 scorer in NBA history. But one could argue that Pierce is the perfect combination of all 4 players as he possesses great handles, plays excellent defense, shoots daggers from behind the arc, has an excellent midrange game, and can dominate a game with the best of them.
While he is no longer a spring chicken at the tender age of 33, Paul still shows flashes of what has made him an 8 time All Star, 4 time All NBA selection, an NBA Finals MVP, and a 20,000 point scorer. Many fans don’t realize just how diverse a skill set Pierce has, all in a 6’8 and 235 lb frame. He towers over and overpowers most shooting guards yet possesses enough quickness, ball-handling, and maple moxey to get off his own shot against bigger front-court players.
Most deadly has been his almost patented spin move and step-back jumper which to this day still gets the best of and even infuriates even the league’s best defenders attempting to guard the future Hall of Famer. “The Truth” now plays more of a facilitator type role on the Celtics, averaging 18.3 ppg and providing whatever is needed alongside his star-studded cast including Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Apparently the now older Pierce’s game is still in full effect as his Celtics are once again the current #1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a gaudy 34-10 record, including a nearly unblemished 22-3 home mark. Surely the aging and prolific supporting cast have their eyes set on making their 3rd NBA Finals appearance in the past 4 years now that their mainstay in the middle Kendrick Perkins is back in the fold.
Check out this interesting video where current NBA players claim that Paul Pierce has the full “bag of tricks” and is nearly impossible to guard:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
The Germans call it schadenfreude, it means "pleasure derived from others' misfortunes" and outside of your favorite team or player winning something, it's one of the best things about being a fan. Sure, it's kind of silly to actively root against someone or something, but it's also irresistable. Hating other teams is a natural and occasionally fulfilling part of sports.
Some teams are hated more than others. Some teams just get so far under everyone's skin that they become the team everyone loves to hate, driving away casual fans in droves. Eventually, only the team's die-hards remain, leaving them to fight an us-against-the-world battle for respect. And according to Sports Illustrated, one NBA team in the 60 year history of the league stands head and shoulders above all other basketball teams — the 1988-89 Detroit Pistons.
Between the joy of Magic and the majesty of Michael was the dark and frightening rise of the Bad Boys. They threw hip checks like the Red Wings and were as mean as any boxer in Kronk Gym. Outside the state of Michigan, you wanted these guys in handcuffs. Never has an NBA team been so easy to detest, what with Rick Mahorn throwing forearms, Dennis Rodman elbows and Bill Laimbeer fits. (Somewhere, Laimbeer is probably still whining to the refs). Worst thing about them? They were a great basketball team. For all their roughhousing, the Pistons could light up the scoreboard with anyone -- Isiah Thomas flashing that sneaky grin as he beat you off the dribble, Joe Dumars locking up opponents and knocking down threes, Vinnie (Microwave) Johnson throwing in jumpers from everywhere. Fact is, the Pistons helped end two dynasties (Magic Johnson's Lakers and Larry Bird's Celtics) and delayed the start of a third (Michael Jordan's Bulls). They were bullies in basketball togs, but they could play.
Gross. Get out of here, Detroit Pistons, with your punching, kneeing and general jerkishness. Congratulations on your championship, but you are a very annoying team that people only like when they are trying to illustrate how soft today's NBA is. P.S. Your shorts are way too short and your star point guard eventually became a terrible general manager. Burn.
The Pistons finished second overall on SI's list, besting the 1993-94 New York Knicks who came in 7th. Also included are the 2000-01 Trailblazers (21) and this coming season's iteration of the Miami Heat (25), which might climb a few notches in the next year. The 2004 men's Olympic team also cracked the list (20), which isn't surprising considering that team featured both Allen Iverson(notes) and Stephon Marbury(notes).
All things considered, I'd say Sports Illustrated made a fine choice for the most hated team in NBA history. It's hard to argue against a team that everyone but Detroit fans hated. However, I'd dock them a few points since people look back fondly on their rugged defense and team attitude. Personally, I'd vote for those 93-94 Knicks who were wholly unpleasant. From their sweaty superstar to their black shoes and white socks look, everything about that team was no fun. Well, the fact that they had a guy named "Herb" was pretty cool for a 10-year-old, but other than that, nothing.
By: Dr. Browntorious
From: http://thehoopdoctors.com/
Dr. Anklesnap
from http://thehoopdoctors.com/
Well it seems that losing weight in an effort to improve his defensive slippage this season wasn’t good enough for Ron Artest. He needed a bit of extra motivation. So Ron being Ron, he figured ‘hey, why not dye my hair blonde and shave/color in the word ‘defense’ into my scalp in Japanese, Hebrew, and Hindi?’. That’s gotta help his defense right?
Up until this point it seemed like Ron Artest had kept the crazy train from stopping in Los Angeles. Well after seeing these photos i’d say he’s back to his old self, wouldn’t you?. Even Dennis Rodman would be proud:
Don’t forget to check out The Hoop Doctors new weekly video podcast series with Kevin Burke. Episode 002 published today covers your week that was in the NBA, discussion about Kobe’s obsession with MJ, Rodney Stuckey’s collapse, Dahntay Jones defense on ‘Melo, and much more.
(H/T to Deadspin and YouBeenBlinded for the Pics)
From: http://jalopnik.com/
This is the Nike Hyperdunk Kobe Bryant Aston Martin Edition sneaker. It features fancy leathers, the Aston Martin logo on the tongue and Kobe's signature embossed inside. Collectors are already lining up at $550. For a pair of shoes.
Our faith in humanity is wearing devilishly thin these days. Were they Aston Martin driving shoes, they would make a bit more sense, but this is just brand snobbery and celebrity worship taken to a freshly obnoxious level. [OSneaker]
by Ruibo
from: http://www.gossipgamers.com/
“NBA JAM is one of the most recognizable franchises in videogame history,” said Peter Moore, President, EA SPORTS. “Diehard fans of the original game have been asking for a remake for more than a decade. We’re very excited to give them their wish this year with the return of this iconic franchise.”No price has been mentioned but we do expect the game to be released later this year. More information can be found on the official site including your chance to vote on the draft.
Instead, sources confirmed to ESPN that the new title is actually one of the all-time classics coming back to consoles as EA Sports has acquired the rights from the NBA to deliver an updated version of “NBA Jam” that will ship to retail exclusively for the Wii.Yup, the 1993 (yes 1993) classic that once rocked arcades and sports fans alike is making a comeback. I’m 30 years old, don’t play video games but can honestly say when this thing hits arcades and Wii systems I’m going to get my ass to the nearest one.
After the popularity of our story on Michael Jordan’s brief professional baseball career (yes, minor league baseball is considered professional level) in the MiLB with the Barons we were inspired to bring you this list.
Editor’s note: Every player on this list has played professional Baseball (MLB or MiLB) and another professional sport.
8 – Michael Jordan: Birmingham Baron (AA) at age 31 (for one year) after his first retirement (he retired three times) and NBA Hall of Famer. He hit only .202 with 3 HRs 51 RBIs and 18 SB. His fielding wasn’t much betterin theOF as his fielding percentage was .952
7 – Nathaniel Clifton – Minor League 1B in the Cleveland organization before moving onto the NBA for 8 seasons. As a 1B he hit .307 and 23 HRs
6 – Chuck Connors: Chicago Cubs 1B for 66 games, Brooklyn Dodgers 1B for one game and Boston Celtics as a F/C for 53 games before becoming an actor most famous for his role as “The Rifleman”. He hit only .238 with 2 HRs, 18 RBIs and 2 SBs
5 – Danny Ainge: Toronto Blue Jays and NBA player, coach and GM. While Ainge couldn’t hit his way out of a paper bag, he was playing in the major league. He played 211 games over three seasons in Toronto and hit 2 HRs, 37 RBIs, 12 SBs while hitting .220. He played mainly 2B and 3B, but also saw time at SS (6 games), LF (6 games), RF (2 games), DH (4 games) and CF (25 games).
4 – Jim Thorpe: NY Giants, Reds and Boston Braves OF from 1913 to 1919 and NFL All Decade RB/DB in the 1920’s. In those 6 seasons in the OF he hit .258 with 7 HRs, 82 RBIs and 29 SBs
3 – Deion Sanders: In 9 seasons in the OF for the Yankees, Braves, Reds and Giants he averaged .263 with 39 HRs, 168 RBIs, 43 triples (he led the NL with 14 in 1992) and 186 SBs. He was a CB for Falcons, 49ers, Cowboys, Redskins and Ravens.
2 – Bo Jackson: 8 seasons with the Royals, White Sox and Angels as an OF/DH. He hit for only a .250 BA, but had 141 HRs, 415 RBIs and 82 SBs. Bo Knew Baseball, but he also knew the NFL as a RB until his hip injury. He played both sports from age 25 to 28.
1 – Brian Jordan: 15 seasons mostly as an OF for the Cardinals, Braves, Dodgers and Rangers. His career BA was .282 with a .333 OBP and 184 HRs, 821 RBIs and 119 SBs. He was also a Safety with the Atlanta Falcons for 36 games.
Although Bo & Deion were the most famous of these former MLB baseball players, it’s hard to argue with Brian Jordan’s 15 years, .282 BA and other numbers. Although Bo would have surpassed him in HRs and possibly some other categories if he was able to play longer.
Both Danny Ainge & Chuck Connors beat out Jordan and Clifton only because they played on the Major League teams while Jordan and Clifton only played in the minors!
Editor’s note: Yes, that is current Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona. He was Jordan’s baseball manager with the Barons!
Michael Jordan’s recent induction into the NBA Hall of Fame was a no-brainer. There is no other basketball player on the face of the earth who deserves it more, with the exception of maybe Bill Russell, with all due respect. The idea that Jordan is anything but the greatest is as ridiculous as saying Manny Ramirez is a two-time NBA all-star. Of course, we do know that Ramirez never played professional basketball on any level, but the same cannot be said for Jordan, who played minor league baseball in the mid-90’s after the first of his three eventual basketball retirements.
Jordan’s story is sad and noble, but is it fair that he was able to walk into a baseball roster spot because he was a great…basketball player?
Let’s start with the sad part of the story. In July 1993, when Jordan was at the height of a tremendous career wave, the story broke that his father was murdered. The late James R. Jordan was gunned down as he slept in his car at a rest stop.
According to Jerry Reinsdorf, majority owner of the Chicago White Sox & the Chicago Bulls, said of Jordan- “The death of his father and all of the media attention and people saying it was because of his gambling, it had got to him. He was burned out.”
Jordan himself has said that it was his father’s dream to see him play baseball. That might be why he was set to play a few games for the Kannapolis Intimidators, a Class A affiliate for the Chicago White Sox, before his father’s passing.
“He said he wants to go to Kannapolis and just play a couple of games. He had taken batting practice a couple of years before,” said Reinsdorf. “Shortly thereafter, he found out his father was dead and that took care of the Kannapolis thing.”
It’s understandable that Jordan would be sick and tired of the media attention, and how ultimately this would affect his play on the court. It’s a noble and precious idea to take the words of a father who taught him so much, knowing that you’ll never be able to see or talk to him again. The only thing Jordan had was the dream of a father that his son play major league baseball.
And that’s what he set out to do. Jordan shocked the world by retiring from basketball at the age of 30.
In March 1994, he signed a contract to play professional baseball for the Birmingham Barons, a Class AA affiliate of the White Sox. The media coverage didn’t cease, nor did the idea that a publicity stunt was in the works. Even White Sox hitting coach Walt Hriniak had his doubts. “We don’t need this kind of publicity and what kind of gimmick is this?” remembers Reinsdorf of Hriniaks comments.
As it turns out Jordan was one of the hardest working guys on the field in the spring of that year. Of course trying to quell the doubts of many, and learning in a short time what the guys next to him have been learning since the early days of little league, will challenge anyone to work harder than most.
At the end of that baseball year stood Michael Jordan, an outfielder with a .202 batting average, 114 strikeouts in 436 at bats, three home runs, 51 RBI’s, and 30 stolen bases in 127 games. Let’s be honest, these numbers aren’t even good enough to keep a no-name orphan with a prosthetic leg and one blind eye in the game of baseball. They’d tell him maybe he should start looking for another line of work. That maybe this baseball thing isn’t going to work out after all. For a young player, the scouts would say this kid’s got potential. For a 31 year old Michael Jordan with mediocre skills, it’s too late for potential. The greatness he showed on the basketball court didn’t translate over to the diamond. He showed good instincts on the fastball, but couldn’t hit a curve with a 2×4.
There have never been many two-sport superstars in the professional ring. Bo Jackson was one, and Deion Sanders was another, playing both baseball and football. Both men displayed incredible skills to be able to achieve that goal. Is it fair that someone who has the want and desire to enter a professional sports setting, but has never demonstrated the ability to be able to perform such tasks, be allowed to take a spot away from those that do because he was great in another arena? Some may say yes, but there’s a 9-5er out there somewhere that might disagree.
If his name starts with Michael and ends with Jordan, then I guess that question is null and void.
In the end, Jordan retired from baseball in March 1995 and went back to the Chicago Bulls. For one year the sports writers had a story to write about, the White Sox organization took in unexpected publicity and profits, and Jordan got to partially fulfill his fathers dream of playing professional baseball, even if it wasn’t in a major league setting.
The quotes from Jerry Reinsdorf were taken from Scott Merkin’s piece “Jordan’s effort a marvel 15 years later“ on MLB.com.
July 23, 2009
Total Pro Sports - Throughout last season's NBA playoffs we were treated to some great shooting from several different players. While LeBron James was busy draining buckets off the court, Derek Fisher was doing so on it. Now with the season over, he has one-upped James in the trick shot department.
In Los Angeles to promote an upcoming 3 on 3 tournament, Fisher attempted to hit a bucket from 33-feet away. Doesn't seem like much, but when you add the fact that he was up on the balcony at the Nokia Plaza, his accomplishment becomes that much more impressive. Take that LeBron!
This was not necessarily intended to be an "in your face" type of thing directed towards King James, but we are making it into such. After he tried to prevent us from seeing Jordan Crawford dunk all over him, we are in the mood to keep this anit-LeBron James theme going. Gotta pass time some how until the season starts again!
That image is just one of the possible options you've got when you vote for the cover. (Check out the other possibilities after the jump, including Kobe Bryant in a Knicks jersey.)
For more details, be sure to keep your eyes peeled during tonight's pregame for Game 1 of the NBA Finals between Bryant's Lakers and the Orlando Magic.
Voting for your favorite cover begins Friday and continue past the jump to check out all of your choices. Voting runs through June 15.
BONUS: Spike Lee gets his own cover! (OK, not really an option, but it's a screen grab from the TV spot you'll see.)
BONUS No. 2: Everyone pictures LeBron in a Knicks uniform, but how does the city of New York feel about Kobe in that uni? (Also part of the TV spot.)
That image is just one of the possible options you've got when you vote for the cover. (Check out the other possibilities after the jump, including Kobe Bryant in a Knicks jersey.)
For more details, be sure to keep your eyes peeled during tonight's pregame for Game 1 of the NBA Finals between Bryant's Lakers and the Orlando Magic.
Voting for your favorite cover begins Friday and continue past the jump to check out all of your choices. Voting runs through June 15.
BONUS: Spike Lee gets his own cover! (OK, not really an option, but it's a screen grab from the TV spot you'll see.)
BONUS No. 2: Everyone pictures LeBron in a Knicks uniform, but how does the city of New York feel about Kobe in that uni? (Also part of the TV spot.)
.
Posts
All Comments
