Saturday, July 04, 2015

More NBA Orlando Summer League Day 1 News

2015 National Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky had an impressive debut in Summer League
Source: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/rx0owy/picture26245801/ALTERNATES/FREE_960/fowler-kaminsky


LaMarcus Aldridge is Officially Home

L.A. will sign a four year max contract with the Spurs worth $80 M. 
Source: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEMcjxbUMAAtvQQ.jpg


     May 2, 2015 will go down in history as the day Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao finally had their much anticipated (probably overly- hyped) Fight of the Century. Yet, for San Antonio Spurs fans, they would most likely remember it as the day their beloved defending champion Spurs lost to the LAC via a running one handed floater by an injured Chris Paul in an epic Game 7 for the ages. It propelled the Clippers to the second round and the Spurs got eliminated early even though they looked like the team that could have easily gone all the way. 

Day 1 of the 2015 NBA Orlando Summer League


Justise Winslow had a solid debut
Source: http://i1.wp.com/www.sheridanhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Justise-Winslow.jpg

The draft is over and free agency fever has reached its peak. This means one thing, it is now time to focus on the young prospects showcasing their skills in the NBA summer league.

Small is the New Big: The new brand of NBA basketball

  
Source: https://s-media-cache ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d3/88/1b/d3881b37e6dcc3361b104baf7582a452.jpg
   
     When the Steve Nash/ Mike D'Antoni led Phoenix Suns won 62 games during the 2004- 2005 season, everyone was definitely entertained by their run and gun, fast- paced style of basketball. They did everything so differently that they just surprised everyone on how they  succeeded. Yet, the reality was, regardless of their success during that season and even the following seasons, no one really believed that they could win it all. They were described as only good enough for the regular season but not built for the playoffs. True enough, they never made it to the finals. On the other hand, teams that were built the conventional way like the San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics and LA Lakers won championships during the Steve Nash era of Suns basketball. Yet, this whole plan of D'Antoni and company to change things up a decade ago catapulted a new wave of basketball that defines what NBA basketball is in the present. The way the game is being played nowadays is the end product of a system that no one ever believed could ever work. Like it or not, small is the new big.

Friday, July 03, 2015

A Truly Golden Journey: 2014-2015 Golden State Warriors

Newly Crowned NBA Champions: GSW
Source: https://judebfood.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/gsw-wlppr-team.jpg?w=1092

      6 years ago, around the middle part of April 2009, my brother and I got a chance to live out a  life dream that we never thought could ever happen. And this dream was to be able to watch an actual NBA game live and in person. The whole family was in the states then and we were lucky enough that one of our uncles got us tickets for the game between the injury plagued Golden State Warriors and the young Minnesota Timberwolves led by then rookie Kevin Love. We didn't really care if we saw a bunch of second and third stringers playing. In all sincerity, we just felt so blessed and excited that we were in Oracle Arena watching an actual NBA game. It was one of those truly unforgettable moments ever. And by the way, the warriors lost the game. Yet, The Dub Nation in Oracle was still as loud and crazy as always. I guess, it was the greatest indication of why they were called the greatest fans in the world. Win or Lose, Dub Nation would always support and love their Warriors, no matter what. And fast forward to 6 years later, Dub Nation can officially call their Warriors NBA champions.  

Thursday, July 02, 2015

The 145 Million Man

2012. The year that Bron got his first title. It was also the year that a phenom from Chicago got drafted 1st overall by the then New Orleans Hornets now known as the Pelicans. He was just fresh from winning a National Title for the powerhouse Kentucky Wildcats. The kid, before even making his NBA debut, won a gold medal with the Redeem Team a few months after the draft. And now, after 3 super seasons in the League, Anthony Davis is now officially, the eventual BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD. 
                                               Anthony Davis. Source: bleacherreport.net