The Greatness of Yao Ming

Yao Ming

Source: http://www.chinasportsreview.com/

A week ago, Yao Ming announced his retirement from the NBA. It marked the end of the “Ming Dynasty” in the world’s greatest league. It also ended all speculations that Yao would suit up next season. Yet, more than all the basketball- related stuff, it was Yao’s totality as an individual that would be greatly missed by everyone.

My Top 10 NBA Draft Steals from 1999 to 2010

Manu Ginobili

www.winmyfantasyleague.com

If there are draft busts, there are also draft steals. These are the players who were not taken high or were not even taken at all during the draft but were able to perform well in the league. Feel free to add any player whom you feel should have been included in the list if ever I missed out on them.

The Accident that Changed Jay Williams' Life

Jay Williams
Source: www.njdc2010.org

Jason David Williams, also known as Jay Williams or “Jay Dubs” was hands down one of the best Duke players of all time. He was a former McDonald’s All- American and he led Duke to a national title in 2001. He was the 2^nd overall pick by the Bulls in the ’02 draft. And honestly, if not for Yao Ming, he could have easily been the #1 pick in that draft. He was not just a great basketball player but he was also a very intelligent person. He was well- liked by everyone and he did everything right except during the night of June 19, 2003 when one bad choice changed his life dramatically.

Golden Tickets

Tickets
Source: www.sulit.com.ph

Any basketball fan here in the Philippines dreams of seeing the big games live at the venue. Yet, the harsh reality is that only a handful gets to do so. Among those lucky people are 1) those with lots of connections, 2) those who are willing to buy from the so- called “scalpers”, and 3) those who will line- up for three hours or so just to get whatever tickets are left. Then, as for the rest, well… I guess, there is always the television and there is no better way but to just settle with that.:(

How Kobe Gained More with Less

Kobe in Manila
Source: www.silverscreenandroll.com

Kobe- Mania hit the Philippines last July 13. It was so thrilling to see the “Black Mamba” back after four years and how much things have changed since the last time he was here in 2007. Still, what made it more interesting was how Kobe transformed himself into someone even more special for the past years to make all that has just transpired possible.

How Derrick Rose Separated Himself from the Rest

Derrick Rose
Source: www.derrickrose-1.com

Derrick Rose was part of one of the strongest high school batches in recent history, the ’07 batch. And when all of them graduated, he wasn’t even considered as the best prospect from this particular batch. But four years later, here he is now as the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player. And what makes it more interesting is that he has only just begun. Yet, even so, he had to go through a lot of pain just to be where he is right now.

My Top 15 NBA Draft Busts from 1995- 2010

Darko Milicic
Source: www.interbasket.net

Year in and year out, there will always be a lottery pick or even a bunch them who will turn out to be busts. In other words, these are the guys who are drafted high but don’t get to live up to the expectations. But the question is, should the blame really be put on the players? Or is it more logical to say that the blame should be put on those who drafted them based on potential. Let us evaluate this together as I name my top 15 draft busts from 1995- 2010. (Note: Feel free to add any player whom you think should have been included in the list)

"When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going"

Deron Wiiliams
Source: www.mindlessdribble.net

According to Yahoo Sports, some NBA superstars like Deron Williams, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade are all considering playing in Europe if the lockout continues. If so, is this an indication of how desperate these players are becoming?

Why I Grew Up Idolizing Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen
Source: www.cbsnews.com

Growing up in the 90’s, I was one of those hardcore Chicago Bulls fans. But, unlike everyone who wanted to be like Mike, I was a little different because I wanted to be like Scottie Pippen.

The One Shining Moment of Mateen Cleaves

Mateen Cleaves
Source: www.blog.mlive.com

Mateen Cleaves was never the most talented player. He was never the fastest. He was never the most explosive. He was never a good shooter. Yet, during the 1999- 2000 US NCAA season, he was arguably, the mot popular and the most recognized college baller in the whole country. He was simply on top of the world as he led his Michigan State Spartans to a National Title.

A Year after "The Decision"

LeBron James
Source: www.thewhitemamba.wordpress.com

Exactly, almost a year ago, LeBron James decided to bring his talents to South Beach. It was probably, one of the most talked about events ever. And most likely, during that time last year, Mr. James was enjoying himself very much because he knew everyone was watching him and was eagerly waiting for him to reveal that one major decision. One decision that ultimately changed his life and his status for good. 

All I Know is that Austin Rivers is One Hell of a Basketball Player

Soon- to- be Duke Freshman Austin Rivers
Source: www.jockpost.com

If you go to NBAdraft.net, Austin Rivers is currently, only ranked #11 as far the 2012 NBA mock draft is concerned. I just don’t know if ten months from now that will still be the case. Regardless, if people are not so high on Austin Rivers, all I know is that Doc’s son can really ball.

Who are the REAL VICTIMS of the lockout?

                          Source: http://www.sportige.com/

Two years ago, everyone, from owners, players, analysts, journalists and even the fans knew that after June 30, 2011, there was a very big chance that the National Basketball Association could go through another lockout that can either be similar to what happened in ’98 or even worse than that. True enough, after June 30 passed some days ago, the lockout was officially announced by the league.

Any typical fan might ask these questions: First, what is the big deal with this so- called lockout anyway? And secondly, is it really such a big issue? Well, honestly, if you are a basketball fan then obviously, it is a MAJOR ISSUE. If you are not, then probably, you wouldn’t really care.

From Highly Touted to Being Undrafted

Prudential Center

                                          Source:  http://www.trevorsnbablog10.blogspot.com/


Last June 23, 2011 (June 24 here in Manila), the NBA draft was held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. It was considered by many as a “weak” draft, but still, for some reason, according to NBA TV analyst David Aldridge, it garnered higher TV ratings than the past drafts. It was just an indication of how much interest people have for the NBA.

                Kyrie Irving

                                        Source: www.bleacherreport.com 

New Jersey’s own Kyrie Irving was drafted number one by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The former Duke point guard who played in only 11 games last season still ended up as the top overall pick and he is now expected to be the foundation of LeBron’s former team. (I never want to refer to him as the king). Yet, basketball junkees all over the world know about these things already. And so now, I will be moving on to what I really want to talk about in this article.

The Magic of Winning a Championship

                 Source: From www.brandnewcool.com
 

Just a few weeks ago, the most unexpected thing that could ever happen happened in the NBA. Of course, the Dallas Mavericks, the so- called "one and done" boys of the NBA due to their first round exits in the past, won the NBA championship and got themselves the much coveted Larry O'Brien trophy. 

Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki together with his teammates, co- future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd, Jason "The Jet" Terry, Shawn "The Matrix" Marion, and former Dominguez High star Tyson Chandler, literally outclassed the Big 3 of the Miami Heat. In fact, during the post- game analysis, former NBA player and now NBA TV analyst Greg Anthony said, "the team that wins a seven game series is always considered the better team, and the Dallas Mavericks in this series was the better team."(Might not be the exact stuff he said but definitely, somewhere along these lines).