Tired of Wading

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.

Witness inspiration.

A series of misfortunate trades or why A.I. is on his back

This isn`t right.

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 sight I definitely miss.

Volition

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.

Cheers, mate!

Surviving the times. And having fun while we`re at it.

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.

Gay? Mayo? Reggie, please!

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....

The Fresh Prince of Bia Messe

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....

Move out of the way, peasant!

The Answer to the `Iverson Question`

Who would have thought?

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.

Teeth - no. Balls - yes.

16 pts. up against the reigning champs and diving for a loose ball. The result - a `W` and a shiny new dental bill. Gotta love a player on the rise that hustles like that. Respect to Danny Granger. Sure hope the new contract covers the expenses....

Better win that smile, I guess.

A little Piece of (stuffed) Joy

Anytime a player has his own dunk contest, picks pockets all night and (here comes the good part) throws a block-party (everyone`s invited), I`m happy. Anytime that player is Dwyane Wade, I`m all smiles, all day long, baby! Check out the stats:

http://www.nba.com/games/20081031/SACMIA/boxscore.html

The ArTEST Project

Even though it was a major deal, the whole trade kind of went under the radar. My guess is that people just don`t know what to think of it. Because, you know, this is Mr. Artest, a guy that literally holds his own. No matter what. Or who.

What I am looking forward to is finding out if he has finally become the master of his emotions or - not. You see, there are, according to some theories, passive-aggressive people, then there are aggressive people. And then there`s the case of Ron Artest, who can only be defined as A.A. - Artest-aggressive:

I mean, look at his face!

He`s just that kind of guy. His great qualities as a basketball player aside, I wonder if he`s (ever) going to get his emotions under control. Otherwise, he can become a loose cannon (bomb, whacko, mean machine) in a snap!. Time will tell if he finally got himself a remote-control. So far into the season, he`s looking good (read that good-tempered). If he manages to keep it up, the Rockets might finally get past the first round. The way I see it, it depends on a simple remote-control in the hands of a really special guy.

Look out, now....