NBA Forever

TNT opened up a gorgeous new commercial for the start of the NBA season. It fuses footage involving new players with old-school footage, that  leaves us a goosebumps. It  sort of  gives you  a glimpse of what it would be like to see the league's superstars of today play alongside the stars of yesteryear. Lo and behold:



I just got chills watching the whole ad,welcome back NBA!

A League of Our Own

With the release of the  revised NBA schedule, the excitement builds up for the upcoming  2011-12 NBA season. Just last weekend we held our NBA Fantasy Draft (now on it's second year) and it was a blast. The year was more fun compared to last year since most of the team owners were present during the live draft. Imagine the cramming we have to do just to analyze all the player stats before picking up on our pick. And just like last year I was the first pick again. At first I was a bit undecided if I take Lebron James again for the first pick over Kevin Durant. Just by merely looking at their stats, it's no brainer that Miami Heat superstar will be m first pick after all. Anyway here's how my roster goes:

1st Pick Lebron James  

Miami Heat,SF | Stats

Despite last season's team up with superstar Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, Lebron  still managed to average almost triple double in points,rebounds and assists department.

20th Pick Rajon Rondo 

Boston Celtics,PG| Stats

With all the rumors regarding the status of Rondo in Boston, I still believe that he will still end up in Celtics uniform. And with the selection of elite point guards in the earlier round (such as CP3,D-Will,Westbrook and current MVP Derek Rose) why not get one of the assist league leaders for my second round pick.

21st Pick Zach Randolph

Memphis Grizzlies,PF | Stats

One of the reason why my last year team ranks amongst the leader in rebounds would be Zach Randolph. A beast inside the paint with decent perimeter shooting. His availability in the third round is hard to pass up.

40th Pick Nene

Denver Nuggets,C | Stats

One of the most sought after free-agents for the season. This is a gamble on my part, as his team to suit up is still uncertain. Hopefully he'll contribute on rebounds, points and field goal percentage.

41st Pick JaVale McGee 

Washington Wizards,C | Stats

Although he is still incredibly raw and inconsistent, JaVale McGee displayed incredible upside with 10.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game in his third professional season. The 23-year-old is still improving and has a seemingly limitless ceiling.- Brian McKitish

60th Pick Nick Young

Washington Wizards,SG | Stats
Another free agent drawing interest from Chicago Bulls who's in need of a guy who can create shots to help Derek Rose in terms of scoring. Regardless if he stays or not with the Wizards, he's a young player with a big upside.

61st Pick Ray Allen

Boston Celtics,SG | Stats

He's older, but that doesn't mean he's on the decline just yet. Great players like Ray Allen can go from superstars to stars to good players slowly, compared to the rapid decline of some players that peak seven years into their career and are out of the league in another six. Allen will have another stellar season for a 36-year-old, especially with Rajon Rondo getting him three open looks a game.- Jesse Dorsey

80th Pick Aaron Afflalo

Denver Nuggets,SG | Stats

With the departure of JR Smith and Wilson chandler to China, this should be a banner year for Aaron Afflalo.

81st Pick  Tyrus Thomas

Charlotte Bobcats,PF | Stats

Charlotte has declared Tyrus Thomas a big part of their future with the five-year contract they awarded him, his best days ARE ahead. -Spencer Percy

100th Pick  Demarr DeRozan

Toronto Raptors,SG | Stats

Still has a long way to go before he's a well-rounded fantasy player, but he made incredible leaps as a scorer, increasing his average from 8.6 per game as a rookie to 17.2 per game as a sophomore. The Raptors have a vested interest in seeing their 2009 first-round pick succeed, and we should expect to see him on the court for 35-plus minutes per night, where he'll be an asset in points, steals and the percentages
-Brian McKitish

101st Pick  Jeff Teague

Atlanta Hawks,PG | Stats

Thanks to Kirk Hinrich shoulder injury, he was able to showcase his overall ability in the  second round playoff series against the Bulls.

120th Pick  Chase Budinger

Houston Rockets,SF | Stats

With the departure of Shane Battier, he should logged more minutes in the small forward position.

121st Pick  Vince Carter

Phoenix Suns,SG| Stats

Said to be waived by Suns when the free agency begins.

The NBA Lockout is Over

Can Dirk and the  Mavs do it again?

You probably heard of this when the news came out over the weekend .As an NBA fan I mummed over the excitement that the lockout is over which is tentatively set to begin on Christmas day with a triple header. The word tentative is included in the previous statement since there is no official word yet. Hence my reason for not getting excitement over the said news.

Lockout no more

As to whether the season schedule, free-agent signing. and preseason games is still unclear as of today brighter day looms for all the NBA fans out there. One thing's for sure it'll definitely be a different ball game when the season begins. And finally the NBA Fantasy league at the office will commence come Christmas time. Time for some revenge.

View From the Upper Box: 10 Things from the SMART Ultimate All-Star Weekend

I really don't know how to start these but to sum it up, it was an AWESOME EXPERIENCE! We were actually in Boracay , when tickets for the said event were sold. Good thing a friend of mine was cool enough to buy us some tickets. Almost all the good seats were sold out so we just settled in for an UPPER B tickets. Anyway here's what happened yesterday. Photo credits goes to Yahoo! Sports/AFP.

1. I just witnessed a once in a lifetime event that might not happen again. How often do you see DRose, Kobe, Durant and CP3 suiting up for one team? Probably in the Team USA provided all of them play 2012 London Olympics. The next scenario would be DRose going to a Western team which is a remote possiblity. Or lastly to make it happen edit your roster set-up in NBA 2K12.

MVP! MVP!

2.I'm not really a fan of Kobe or the Lakers.But I admire his attitude off the court.  The All Star was nothing but gentlemen to everyone, well most of them actually signed and pose for pictures.

The Black Mamba

3. I was actually surprised that NBA players were startruck by the presence of Manny Pacquaio,
when the latter meet the players in their huddle. Most of the NBA players were caught signing their warm-ups and posing pictures with Manny after the game. 

4.Mo Twister ask Chris Paul, how long will he last if he box with Manny. CP3 answered  

“I wouldn’t last 15 seconds.” And then Paul playfully challenged Pacquiao to the delight of the crowd.

CP3

5. Basing on the crowd reaction, the Black Mamba got the most cheers. Followed by Derek Rose (crowd's shouting MVP everytime he make a shot). Ranked third would be CP3,then Durant and McGee.

6. I was actually impressed with the Smart Gilas game compare to the PBA Selection last Saturday. While the NBA stars mostly scored on close range and dunks, the Gilas drained 11 treys from beyond the arc. A good scrimmage I may say for the National team if they play against the taller and athletic Asian basketball powerhouse. The final score of the game 98-89, of course in favor of the NBA superstars. Hats off to the Smart Gilas for the competitive game.

7. Derrick Williams will be the Rookie of the Year this upcoming season. Unless Kyrie Irving take the Cavs the Eastern Conference Finals.

Rookie Sensation DWill

8. The game wasn't star studded compared to the Saturday's game. I was actually hoping to see Sam Pinto or Anne Curtis. Aside from Manny Pacquaio, there's Willie who was booed by the crowd when the camera panned around him.

2010 Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans

9.Dondon Hontiveros might have been the luckiest prick that day. He was able to get Kobe's jersey while his driver caught Black Mamba's shoe. Since I can't came too close to take a picture with the NBA superstars, i just bought an overprice shirt Php 450.00.

10. I was actually pissed when I saw that some of the crowds were shooting with their SLR's and handycam throughout the game. Life just isn't fair.:/ Next time itatakas ko na talaga  SLR tsaka handycam sa venue.

McGee

An event that will be surely remembered for a lifetime. Thanks again Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan for the making the event possible. Hope there will be another one next year.

SMART Ultimate All-Star Weekend

 It all started with a tweet from Miakka Lim.

July 12 - Miakka Lim's twitter timeline

  

I was intrigued with the hash tag #NBAAllStarsinManila then I decode the initials given by Miakka,

KB - Kobe Bryant? KD-Kevin Durant? DR - Derrick Rose? 

I said to myself these couldn't be happening, Kobe has just arrived in Manila for his Nike Take Every Advantage tour, there's no way he's coming back again with his busy schedule. Then the barrage of twitter updates came in,

July 15 - Mico Halili's twitter timeline

July 18- Coach Chot Reyes twitter timeline

I can't believe it! Its finally happening this weekend. Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant will be playing in an exhibition game dubbed as SMART Ultimate All-Star Weekend this July 23-24. Completing the NBA team are Tyreke Evans of the Kings (2009 ROY), Derek Fisher of the Lakers, Derrick Williams of the Wolves (2011's 2nd overall pick) and KD's teammate James Harden of the OKC Thunder. Kobe will also coached the said squad.

The PBA team composed of  James Yap and Marc Pingris(BMeg), Mark Caguioa and JC Intal(Ginebra) Arwin Santos and Rabeh Al-Hussaini (Petron Blaze), Ryan Reyes, Jason Castro and Larry Fonacier(Talk N’ Text), Sonny Thoss and LA Tenorio(Alaska),Sol Mercado(Meralco),Gary David(Powerade), Gabe Norwood  (Rain or Shine) and Danny Seigle(Air21) will take the first crack against the SMART All-Stars on Saturday, July 23.

Coach Rajko Toroman and  Smart Gilas will get their shot as well on Sunday, July 24. Joining the national team are Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Willams (TNT), Asi Taulava (Meralco) and Dondon Hontiveros (Air 21).

ATTOW, there are no more tickets available for the event. If you want to win some tickets there's an ongoing contest in interaksyon for the event.

Good thing a friend of mine purchased 3 Upper B tickets for the Sunday 1PM game, not exactly the best time of the day to watch a basketball game but I still give it a go.

Thanks Manny V. Pangilinan for the once in a lifetime thrill for hoop fanatics like me.

Awesome Things - The Playoffs

Awesome Things 7/1000 - The Playoffs

  
One of the joy of working in 4PM to 4AM shift is watching the NBA as it happens live. Nothing beats waking up in the morning with a Laker loss.

This Week in the World of Basketball

It's been a very interesting in the world of basketball this week, so much has happened not just in the NBA but also in the local scene.


Local Hoops

• As always the Ateneo-LaSalle turns out to be an exciting game. I was actually surprised by the turnout of the game as I was expecting the Blue Eagles to win, but Marata buried back to back triples late in the game to erase a 9 point Ateneo lead.
• Barako out to relived glory days in the PBA's next season. 
• Coca-Cola management is mulling to change its brand name in the next season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). 
• After finishing fourth in the recently concluded Jones Cup the Smart Gilas Pilipinas back to drawing boards.
• The Philippine Basketball Association's plan of expanding its participants from 10 to 12 might soon become a reality as two teams have signified interest in joining the Asia's pioneering professional league.
• Cyrus Baguio apologize on the slit-throat gesture to the Ginebra bench.
• Last week 20, 000 fans trooped to Araneta to watched the 2 do or die game of the Fiesta Cup Quarter Finals. Eventually Aces survive Kings, 93-91, face Texters in semis. While on the second game Washam erupts for 49, tows Llamados to PBA semis.

NBA

• Chris Paul wants to be traded to the Knicks, Lakers or Magic before the start of the season.
• This week in the recent free-agent signing/s:

          Juwan Howard and Carlos Arroyo signs with Heat.
          Houston agreed to a three-year deal with forward Brad Miller.
          Milwaukee traded forward Darnell Jackson and a 2011 second-round draft pick to  
          Sacramento for forward Jon Brockman.
          Philadelphia signed center Tony Battie.
          Portland signed guard Wesley Matthews.
          San Antonio re-signed guard Richard Jefferson.
          Lakers sign free-agent forward Matt Barnes and Theo Ratcliff.
          Kurt Thomas agrees with Bulls
          Sacramento signed Antoine Wright.

• Expect Kevin Durant to lead Team USA in the upcoming World Basketball Championships in Turkey.

         

• Gotta love the NBA 2K11 wherein the GOAT Michael Jordan will grace the cover of the latest NBA game and he will be a playable character as well. Included in the game is the Jordan Challenge wherein the gamer will be allowed to re-live the 10 legendary moments of his career.

       
     
Till next week.

Interesting People to Follow in Twitter in Game 7 of 2010 NBA Finals - Lakers Vs. Celtics

Something tells us Game 7 tomorrow  might be one of the best game we'll ever see. It's not just a Game 7 - this is an NBA Finals and its Lakers against Boston.  The Lakers are clearly the more talented team, and when they all come to play the better team, but Boston has played a tough, physical series and has earned the right to play game seven for the championship. If you won't be able to catch the game live, most likely you'll end up getting updates on your social networking site. So now, without further adieu…here are the list of people you might want to follow for some interesting tidbits and updates of the upcoming winner-take all Game 7.

This Is War: The NBA Finals 2010: Lakers Vs Celtics

The NBA's most successful franchises meet in the NBA finals again for the second time in three years, and the 12th time overall, starting tomorrow night at Staples Center. Apparently the 2010 NBA Finals won't look anything like the 2008 NBA Finals, just look at Kobe, or Gasol or Boston's Big Four. This  rematch could become  more classic and competitive series that will define the  Lakers-Celtics rivalry. With that in mind allow me to examine the key matchups in the upcoming series.

where amazing happens

Devin Harris made an unbelievable half-court heave at the horn to snap the New Jersey Nets five-game losing skid at the expense of the Philadelphia 76ers . Probably the best winning buzzer beater of the '08-'09 season.

NBA Trading Machine

Played the NBA trading machine in ESPN and was surprise to find out that Amare Stoudemire is worth 6 players to be acquired by my New Jersey Nets. See my trade scenario below






Amare was traded to the Nets for Josh Boone,Trenton Hassell, Yi Jianlian,Maurice Ager,Sean Williams and Stromile Swift. In according to the machine, the Nets projected win will be increase by 2 while the Phoenix Suns will be decrease by 4.

Try your own trade in ESPN's NBA Trade Machine

Shaq-A-Wockee

In his probably last appearance as an All-Star, Shaq dazzled the crowd as he dance with the Jabbawockeez during the the introduction. Shaq is hilarious and made the All Star awful weekend entertaining. In the end he was selected as co MVP with former teammate Kobe Bryant.

Standing Tall

Starting this season, the Finals MVP will receive the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP, commissioner David Stern announced last Saturday.

Russell anchored the Boston Celtics dynasty in the 60’s, a 5-time NBA MVP and won 11 championships as a player and a coach. But he never won the Finals MVP.

“Who better to name this prestigious award for than one of the greatest players of all time and the ultimate champion,” said Stern.

Probably next year

Lebron James announced on TNT during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest that he wants to participate in the next season All Star Game in Dallas. In my opinion LBJ does’nt need this competition because he has already established himself in the league as a superstar.

We own the night

Haier Shooting Stars

Team Detroit ( Bill Laimbeer,Aaron Afflalo,Katie Smith)
defeated the hometown team (Dan Majerlie, Leandro Barbosa,
Tangela Smith) to win annual Haier Shooting Stars.



Playstation Skills Challenge



Derrick Rose clocked a final round time of 35.3 seconds and capped it with an empathic
double-pump reverse dunk to defeat Devin Harris of the New Jersey Nets.

Elim Round:
Rose(Chi)- 33.3 secs
Harris(NJ) - 36.9 secs
Williams(Cle) - 37.5 secs
Tony Parker(SA) - 50.8 secs

Final Round:
Rose - 35.3 secs
Harris - 39.7 secs

Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout

Daequan Cook made 4-of-5 in the last rack of the finals round to force an extra session with Rashard Lewis. Thanks to Lewis trouble finding to connect until the third rack scoring only 7 points,
Cook wrapped up the extra session with 19 points to end Jason Kapono's reign as the best sharpshooter.

Elim Round:


Bibby (Atl) -14 pts
Mason (SA) -13 pts
Granger (Ind) -13 pts

Finals Round:
Cook (Mia) -15 pts
Lewis (Orl) -15 pts
Kapono (Tor) -14 pts

Overtime:
Cook (Mia) - 19 pts.
Lewis (Orl) - 7 pts.

Sprite Slam Dunk Contest




First Round:
JR Smith - Two bounces with a windmill
Rudy Fernandez - Behind the back pass to the glass and crammed it with a one hander Nate Robinson - Nothing special but since he's 5 foot 7 it still crazy
Dwight Howard - Lob the ball behind the backboard and windmill.

Second Round:
JR Smith - tried replcating Fred Jones's alleyoop from the crowd,not that impressive though
Rudy Fernandez - Pau Gasol throw a behind the back off the backboard and Rudy coming
out of bounds to finish,should have been nice if it goes well in their first try
Nate Robinson - He jumped on Wilson Chandlers back for the dunk
Dwight Howard - He disappeared into a phone booth just off the court, emerging with a
Superman cape. Took the bounce pass from Jameer Nelson and tomahawked dunk.

Final Round:
Nate Robinson
First Dunk - Reverse jackknife dunk
Second Dunk - He uses Howard as a props and spring boarding over the 6-foot-11 center for the jam.

Dwight Howard

First Dunk - Throw the ball in the side of the backboard
finishing with a tomahawk
Second Dunk - Took off just inside the freethrow line for
the throwdown.


Source:NBA.com,ESPN,Dimemag,Yahoo!Sports

Friday Night Lights

Phoenix,AZ - Kevin Durant scored 46 points to lead the sophomores to a 122-116 victory over the rookies on Friday night and was named the games MVP. He surpassed the previous record 36 points that was set by Amare Stoudemire, way back in 2004. KD hit 17-25 shots from the floor, made 4-of-8 beyond the arc,made 8 free throws and grab 7 rebounds.




Unlike the past Rookie Challenge, this game was close until the final seconds. The Rookies led for most part of the game until KD closes it out with a 3-pt play against Rudy Fernandez, an emphatic dunk and two free throws to seal the victory.

Portland center Greg Oden missed the game with a sore left knee which he got last Thursday against GSW. The rookies losing skid now extends to seven. Michael Beasley led the rookies with
29 points on 11-of-22 shooting.

Source: ESPN,Yahoo!,FoxSports

The ICE is back!

This was taken from the Nuggets/Hornets halftime show...listen to the crowd roars as he perform his hit song..nyahaha!

I have been saying that this brother right here is better than Eminem because…… sometimes I like to talk shit and just want to annoy people.