It still amazes me how people tend to think that when a basketball player goes overseas he has to endure so much, suffer even. This is hardly true.
Though there most definitely is a clash of culture, lifestyle and media appreciation etc pp, it still strikes me as odd how people keep looking at this unique experience from the negative side only.
The game we play over here in Europe is called basketball, but it is strongly team-oriented. It`s a question of defining the word. Obviously, there`s a diffusion - one word standing for two different ways of playing, having two separate meanings. In the `European` way, playing basketball as a team game means having a bigger rotation (10-12 strong), no set starting lineup (more or less) and splitting the playing time proportionally among the players.
So what Brandon has learned is maturity through sticking to a role on a team. Of course he had the qualities back then. Of course he didn`t just develop a reliable (at least) jump shot. He had it all back then, he worked on his skill-set religiously and now, given the chance (coincidentally having Michael Redd miss some games), he is simply showing what he can do. And he can do a lot.
I`ve been investigating the whole Jennings-phenomenon quite closely, I`ve heard/read perhaps all possible points of view. As always, once you step back and review the matter you get a clearer picture. The one I got and tend to like is this:
Proven fact: Brandon Jennings is most definitely for real.
We dare ourselves to dream too little. The hard knock style of our reality hazes our minds, devours our attention and leaves too few resources to spend in a such a dangerous endeavor as dreaming. It is no news that sports, represented mostly by the great teams and star caliber players, provide us with an opportunity to experiment, a field to express or - to be exact - to unleash our dreams, our hidden thoughts, our what-if`s and maybe`s. To me, professional basketball is, among other things, the exact embodiment of dreams.
Maybe because we don`t dream enough our views and perspectives are often too common, too one-dimensional, simply not broad enough. We fail to grasp that, yes, there is a possibility that a player can be all we want a player to be. Not just a shooter/slasher/dunker. Neither just the go-to-guy nor only the team-first player. We get caught up in this sandstorm easily, blocking out that a player can be more. That a player can be all. Subconsciously we hope, think, even anticipate the arrival of the ultimate player, but consciously we tend to rationalize, to agree that this is de facto impossible and become satisfied when a player can be a defender as well as a shooter. Enough of that. What if there`s such a player that can be the do-it-all type? That can be a leader, a motivator and at the same time the funny guy on the bench? One that follows the game plan, but at the same time trusts his instincts and has the the killer combination of athleticism & creativity at his disposal?
You want to believe, even if don`t dare yourself to.
Look up. And believe.
LeBron James. Everything that is said about him is nothing, irrelevant, compared to what he is in reality, what he incarnates. What he feeds our minds with. How he changes our and everybody else`s perception of reality. In truth, LeBron is nothing less than a psychopomp, in that he takes that which lies in the backs of our minds, in our subconsciousness, and frees it, frees our dreams, introducing them to this new reality, where the ultimate player already roams. A reality which reshapes its boundaries, allowing for the old conceptions and terms and rules to be melted and fused into a new form, one of transcending greatness. And as our dreams and our rational thinking begin to intertwine, as what we thougt deep inside of us emerges from the depths, we slowly but surely start accepting our roles as witnesses.
This season was a eye-opener, it made a lot of non-believers into profound LeBron fans. It made people realize that it is being written right now, in front of their eyes, this new chapter of basketball history, so it`s best to open them up. Now, it`s time for our minds to be opened as well. It`s time to step back, relax and enjoy the once in a lifetime event that is the game of LeBron - everything a basketball player can aspire to be.
I`m an old soul, really. I`m into 50`s movies. I enjoy reading world literature. I like classical music, even though I can`t say I get it all the time. Like everyone else, every now and then I enjoy hearing about some guy on the news that has performed a class act - saving a life, let`s say.
All those activities have one thing in common - they`re all undoubtedly related to a little special something called `class`. And what `class` and the Spurs have in common is, well, not a question really.
For a while now, the Spurs have been something that no other team has achieved - consistent. Steady, trustworthy. Goal-oriented. Like an example. Perhaps a role model. I`d go with prototype. No show, little highlights. Their style of play is enjoyable only to the NBA seen-all, heard-all critic who analyzes every possession and mutters no more than a sporadic `Well, that was efficient.` I`m not that guy. I`m the all-smiles, game-loving type. It`s been easy with the Spurs, though - they`ve brought efficiency to another level, one that is actually fun to watch.
I`m not a numerologist, so the odd number thing for me was never relevant. What it does show, though, is that the Spurs had hyped the rest of the league into anticipating a title run every other year. It goes to show how one team`s consistent play can strike fear in the hearts of others. No one will admit actually believing in that, but there surely was (is?) a background thought, a theme, a suggestion, that....the Spurs....just might....
Never was a fan of the `The One`-s, Dynamic Duos, Big Threes, Fab Fives (what about the Four?). It`s a team game. Read it word for word. An as far as teams goes, to me the Spurs were an example of how ticking together, playing with and for the others really exists. They still are together, still clicking, ticking, tacking even. But the mechanism runs short these days, it`s getting obsolete. A key segment is missing.
Wait, that`s not right...?
Oh, yeah, that`s what`s missing....
No title run this year. Not without Manu. It`s a team game alright, but not a team cannot play its game without such a vital part and win it all. If Tim Duncan is the Atlas of our days, holding the weight of a franchise on his shoulders, then Manu Ginobilli and Tony Parker are the guys helping him out, sharing the load every now and then. That synergic co-existence has been disturbed this year, only to come to a sad end. Don`t get me wrong. I`ve had tons of fun during the recent years. Especially about this guy. Duncan? He`s old. He`s done. He`s not the same player. Fun by the gallons. Duncan? He`s been mature, not old ever since he came to the league. He`s been doing it for a while now and he`s far from being done. Same as who? He`s one of a kind. The definition of a power forward. Remember that.
So, I`m sorry for the Manu injury. The last one, the season-deep playoff run-title hope ending one. So, I looking forward to next season. Even though they`re built to last, even though Duncan`s there, Parker`s having a career year and the supporting cast`s playing great, that`s it. No title, not this year.
I hope to be wrong, but one thing I`m not wrong about - this team will endure. As it has.
I`ve been contemplating for a while now, trying desperately to figure out why I like Dwyane Wade`s game so much. The facts are there: he`s a proven scorer, mooves as smootly as a cat (it`s like his feet never touch the floor), dunks just-like-that, plays solid D, steals the ball with ease and, oh-yeah-right, blocks a shot or two (apparently he`s blocked more shots than any other 6-4 guy in the history of the NBA this season, so congrats). I like his general attitude, he`s always easy-going, carries himself with a smile, looks accessible.Yet there`s a fire in the same Dwyane Wade, the fire that he`s feeding off, the fire that has burnt his opponents on so many nights, so many stages. He`s a quiet killer. With the ball in his hands, he`s the kind of guy I feel certain will make a play. Not just a highlight play, but a breath-taking one, one that`ll get you off the couch, on the table, yelling `Wadeeee!`.
Even when he shows off (yeah, we are all flawed gems, I know), it is in a way that one can appeal to. It`s because he backs it up with a game, that`s is all style, all play, all the time. Wade simply inspires a lot, I know people that are trying to be more, do more, anchoring their struggle to achieve to that same guy that will either kill you with his game or make you smile with a silent, almost subtle comment or act.
One man. One ball. One game.
Now, I`m growing impatient. I saw Wade as a startling rookie, then as the Finals MVP & NBA Champion. Now I`m enjoying Wade persistently giving his all to a team that
- Wade = 12/70 record
And I`m tired of it. I want this guy to win. I`d hate to have his best years spent, his best efforts - worthy, but futile. I want Wade the Winner, not Wade the Dark Horse in the MVP race. I want more than the feel-good story of this season. I want more than the Top 10s, more than the fan-clips, simply more. I want it and you can be damn sure Wade wants it as well.
It would be nice to see Wade spend his career with the Heat, becoming their best player of all time and - I surely think so - a Hall of Famer.
It would be nice, but I want this guy to win. Like, a lot. So, dear Miami management, please beef up this Heat squad, and please do so before 2010, because that`s when a lot of fates in the L will be decided.
Wade`s fate, his legacy, will be decided as well. And I just know that nothing should stand in the way of Wade`s glorious run.
Allen Iverson was the man in Philly, giving the NBA, fans and basically the whole world something to enjoy. Whether it was scoring, picking pockets or making fancy passes, Iverson pretty much deserved his own top 10 each night he played. No wonder he inspired a whole generation of kids wanting nothing else but growing up to be `like Iverson`. When you think about it, he was the whole deal. He had game, tremendous upsides, was fun to watch, had the cool shoe deal, was equally defying rules (those of the NBA or of the public opinion in general) as much as he was setting his own. His image was something you can relate to, something for you to hate, something for you to love. The choice was yours – he was the answer to whatever question you may have.
Things changed. There never was that sublime, coveted combination of Melo & A.I. There were times when things seemed to be working out just fine, were one would really think that both of them are just about the turn the corner and make the best duo of all time – not only scoring-wise, but being able to make up for each other’s weaknesses and make each other’s strengths ultimate. Neat, but that never did actually happen. To me, putting the blame and trying to figure out what was not ticking is pointless. The next chapter was inevitable, the revival of the Nuggets just never happened.
So things changed again. Stunned, shocked, deeply surprised, awed but also wondering, pondering, questioning – I was all that on the day Iverson went to Detroit. After giving it some thought (and a couple of afterthoughts), Iverson was giving a real contender a real shot at a title at – probably – the last opportunity for this group to get one more. He is a real scorer, a real threat, a real go-to guy, really invaluable down the line. There’s thing about reality, you know, it’s a wonderful bundle of surprises. Iverson never adjusted to the Pistons. Or the Pistons never adjusted to Iverson. Anyway you put it, the facts are that the only way Iverson can help Detroit is leaving via free agency this summer. Right now, looking at their record, A.I. is on his back, and it’s a bad back at that, whereas the Pistons have been bouncing around in a permanent mind storm, trying to adjust/change/adopt/accommodate/assimilate/figure out a new way to play with Allen in the starting line-up (or coming of the bench).
It just makes no sense.
It’s futile. Moreover, it’s pointless.
Things done changed. Let’s move on. I used to think Iverson was a cat, never landing on his back. Right now, I hope he can jump up like one and move on. Because right now, it’s not Detroit where he belongs to. It’s nobody’s fault. It`s just a series of misfortunate trades. And Iverson is the star. Just not the type of star we are all used to.
One game. Two teams. One guy in the stands. A very special guy. Kind of like your go-to guy when the game`s on the line. Now, envision the country`s on the line. Now that`s your guy. Mr. Obama does influence a lot of people a lot. Nothing new here. I just think that the Wizards - Bulls game - especially the outcome of it - is a fine example of how one person can emanate willpower and strength of spirit. His sole presence lifted a very down team in the Wizards and rejuvenated them, ever if for one game only. And the great thing is, he was simply enjoying a game of basketball.
Been a long time. I`ve missed on a lot of dunks, 3-pointers, assists, blocks, steals etc pp. A lot has changed in the last couple of months. And, of course, nothing has changed. A number of injuries aside, teams are where they were `projected` to be. The contenders that we had at the beginning of the season are doing what they were supposed to be doing - contending. The `so-so` teams are still battling with themselves most of the time, which prevents them from making a run for anything. And still, the season is fun. The financial crysis is looming, getting more real than ever, still this season is fun. We have a number of performers in the game, a number of entertaining teams, some mini-rivalries - it`s pure fun. Or really close to it.
The way Shaq is playing, it`s like having your playlist shuffle to a good old jazz song that makes some good old memories pop up. Wade is unreal. I don`t worship stats, but still - it`s just unreal. Except it is very much real. LeBron was doing it all last season and before that as well. Now, he`s doing even more? Great is not that great of a word, but I guess it`ll have to do. Kobe? Perfection. As in, he`s been on the road to perfection his whole career. And it`s a road with no end. Howard is just too big. But he`s just big enough for the NBA. He embodies fun. He gives back a lot - and takes away more with some shot-blocking that has fans dissapointed if he blocks `just a couple` of shots. The list could go on forever, but that`s not the idea.
The NBA is facing a lot of problems right now. So are the teams, players, the fans. And as guys get injured, as some greats pass away, as the `money` factor becomes more and more relevant, the leagues manages to maintain a fun-first, fan-first appearance. To me, that says a lot. So to me, the season has been fun, it has been providing that feel-good emotion, that is the most important thing to have, especially in troubling times.
We`re all surviving the times, so is the NBA. It`ll get worse before it gets better, but the game shall prevail. In that I`m sure.
I was just wondering why Reggie Miller, ex-3pt. grandmaster and now-NBA Commentator, is getting a bit confused, playing a game of "Who`s who?" when following a play from Rudy Gay or O.J. Mayo. Is it Rudy`s mohawk? The (kind of) similar numbers - 22 and 32? Age factor? I know it`s not a sight issue, Reggie had no problem seeing -and afterward burning- the hoop. Anyway, with these two and their mean streak, I`d watch out and try to get them right, I can tell you that. But I`m sure Reggie has the balls....
Why bother going through the NBA grind, when you are alredy royalty? I mean, King James has to play, sweat, destroy on his way to the hoop, do photoshoots all day long, in order to get to be The King, while Luc Mbah a Moute is a prince. Already. As a rookie. Well, even before that. Kind of envy the guy, I guess I always wanted to be worshiped, even if just a little bit....
Well, didn`t see this one coming. I mean, it`s so early in the season. Just didn`t expect Detroit to make a move this early. Ah, and what a move they made!
Trading Iverson for Billups (because McDyess will be going back to Motown soon, mark my words) doesn`t make a lot of sense at first, by after giving it couple of thoughts one can just see that it is a great move. What the Pistons get is a superstar in his last contract year, meaning he`ll play as good as possible (and Iverson can be, you know, pretty darn good). After the season, Detroit will have enough financial flexibility to examine a very strong free-agent class (including some guys like LeBron, Wade, Bosh). So, it seems to me that the Pistons can make a push for a championship this year and if that doesn`t happen, they will most probably have the opportunity to get even better next year (adding a star free-agent, the continuing development of Stuckey and Maxiell). Plus they are doing just fine without the Answer right now.
As for Denver - they get an excellent playmaker in Billups, an experienced and team-oriented guy, who wanted to play for his home town. It`s not exactly a win-win trade for both teams, but who knows how things will turn out later on. It`s a looong season after all. This trade just made it all the more spicier.
