Grant Hill
Glorified as being the next Michael Jordan, Hill lived up to the expectations early in his career.  Drafted 3rd in the 1st round by the Pistons, the former Blue Devil showed so much brilliance in his rookie year.  Smooth as silk, Hill makes it look so easy against defenders all around him.  He averaged 19.9 ppg (2nd to Glen Robinson's 21.9 ppg) and yet won the Rookie of the Year award (shared with Jason Kidd), perhaps because of him being Jordanesque - an all around talent as he also averaged 6+ rpg and 5 apg and with Jordan-type of highlights.  

Hill, so popular, then lead the All-Star voting as a rookie, a feat only matched by Yao Ming (thanks China).  

In his succeeding years with the Pistons, Hill continued to astonish us with his marvelous talent and versatility.  He and Jason Kidd own the Triple-Doubles back then.  Hill even led the Pistons to playoff appearances.  Until - Snap!!!  Hill, injured, while being sent to the Magic, and never been the same way he played with the Pistons.  He is still searching his 1st championship and probably playing his last season in the NBA.  So unfortunate for a Hall-Of-Famer type of athlete.

Jerry Stackhouse
Like Michael Jordan, Jerry Stackhouse is a product of North Carolina and was also selected 3rd in his class.  In college, Stack is known with his remarkable dunks and scoring expertise.  Led the rookies in scoring (95-96) but was outclassed by 5'10" Damon Stoudamire.  Damon won the Rookie of the Year award.  And making matters worst with the Sixers, Stack was overshadowed by another small man - Allen Iverson.  

It is interesting to note that Jerry Stackhouse, is, the only NBA player that was able to lead a team in scoring with MJ in the rosters.  In fact, that was the 1st time that it ever happened to Michael Jordan's career

Stack can really score, but is not the perfect complement for AI.  He was then shipped to the Pistons.  There he averaged his career high in scoring (29+ ppg) but wasn't the man the Pistons is looking for.  Traded again, now to the Wizards, he joined the old Michael Jordan but both of them failed to helped the team reached the playoffs.  When MJ retired, the Wizards went off to a rebuilding stage and so Stack was send to Dallas - the team he is playing these days.  And now, Stack is just a dependable 6th man to the Mavs and is a key player for the team's quest for the championship.  It can be easily forgotten that Stack, 11 years ago, was dubbed as the "Next" Michael Jordan.     

Kobe Bryant
As an 18-year-old rookie, Kobe played as a back up to Eddie Jones and Van Exel.  He averaged only 7+ ppg that season and that was his lowest scoring average in his career.  In his 2nd season, Kobe was voted to play the All-Star Game in 1998.  That year, he won the 6th Man of the Year award, averaging 18+ ppg.  He continues to raise his scoring average for a couple of years.  Kobe would win 3 NBA titles with the Lakers, but was never the main man on that team, as proof that Shaq won all 3 Finals MVP.  Kobe would win 2 All-Star Game MVPs.  Kobe was last season's scoring leader and will probably defend that title this year.  He is currently leading the league in scoring.

Kobe also was a high-flier, like MJ, as he won the '97 Slam Dunk Championship.

But what made some think he is the next Michael Jordan?  Because of the parallel style of play like those startling fadeaways / fallaways.  Those astounding dunks.  Those incredible clutch shots.  Those miraculous acrobatic shots.  Taking over ball games.  Hard-nosed defense.  And being a scoring machine.

Will the media hate and all; it is still unclear whether Kobe will win an MVP award.   It is also uncertain if he can lead the Lakers to the championship again.  Kobe's name will be tarnished forever, but one thing for sure; he is the closest thing to MJ today.       

Vince Carter
Another North Carolina product, Vince Carter came into the league as a dunking beast in the shortened lockout season.  His dunks were so awesome that even Michael Jordan could not imitate.  The Slam Dunk competition was brought back because of him.  Won the Rookie of the Year award in 1999, only because only a handful of rookies showed some brilliance like Paul Pierce and Jason Williams.   It is an interesting fact that Paul Pierce is a better ball player than VC in their career.  It is also interesting that Tracy McGrady, who played with him with the Raptors, is a whole lot better player than him.  

Vince has led the Raptors to the 2nd round of the playoffs in 2001.  He also led the All-Star voting a few times in his career.    

Vince Carter is also a proven scorer, as his career scoring averaged is at 24+ ppg.  Once a fan favorite in Canada, Vince is still chasing to win his first ever championship.  One thing he could not imitate Jordan is clutch shots.  Vince is a choker.  Another thing is playing defense.  Another thing is poor shot selections.  When LeBron James came into the league, his hype of being the next Michael Jordan faded rapidly.  

LeBron James
While as an 18-year-old rookie, there is no doubt that this man-child is the best player to play in the NBA at that age.  He won the Rookie of the Year beating Melo.  He was hyped as the next MJ before coming to the NBA.  While he was very popular, he wasn't chosen to play in the All-Star Game, the same way both Michael Jordan (didn't start though) and Grant Hill did.  Michael Jordan would eventually be selected to the NBA 2nd Team 1984-85 as a rookie.  

LeBron would break many a record in terms of "the youngest ever…"  His moves were sick and his jump shots were Jordanesque and his dunks were breathtaking.

His offensive moves and scoring capabilities can be compared to Michael Jordan but there are things that disappoint people when he is associated to him.  He certainly is not capable of playing excellent defense (as of now).  He is questionable in the free-throw area.  Some people are claiming he is not clutch.  But LeBron James is still young and will eventually learn how to play defense in the near future.  He, D-Wade, and Dwight Howard represents the future of the NBA.  A couple of years more, he will ultimately get his championship.

Dwyane Wade
As a young kid raised in Chicago, D-Wade look up to his basketball idol - Michael Jordan.  Year 2003-04, D-Wade was outshined by LeBron and Melo.  He ranked 3rd in scoring among rookies back then (Melo 1st, LeBron 2nd).  But people started to realize how good this guy is coming into his 2nd year with the Heat.  

D-Wade made a name for himself as he led the Miami Heat to last year's NBA Championship.

In his 2nd season, he gradually outshine batch-mate Melo, but LeBron was still ahead of him.  D-Wade and Melo would lead their respective teams to the playoffs but LeBron still outshone them even though he wasn't able to guide the Cavs to the 2004-05 postseason.  Then, just last season, D-Wade won the championship, leading the Heat against the Mavs in last year's NBA Finals and there he finally outshone LeBron.  

D-Wade's mid-range jump shot, fadeaways / fallaways, dribble penetration, acrobatic moves, knack of getting to the FT line, shot blocking ability, all resembles to the young Michael Jordan.  But, people are still questioning him of his defense.  At 6-4, D-Wade is the smallest player to be compared to MJ.     


Take note that Tracy McGrady and Jason Richardson are worth mentioning but they are not as hyped as with the players above.

Out of the 8 next MJ players I mentioned above (including T-Mac and J-Rich) only Kobe and Wade didn't disappoint as being the "Next" Michael Jordan.  

Disclaimer: Not Sports Related

Note: Please, no "Yo Mamas..." No family members... No Oh! Snap!!! No LOL... No Religion... Do not end the story.

MARVEL saw a chicken nugget named Philip dancing the hokee-pokee, so he…

Continue the phrase with your own…

Here's mine as an example…

Started to dance along but then…

Defending Scoring Champion Kobe Bryant will try to catch Carmelo Anthony for the lead in the scoring race. Currently, Kobe is in 2nd place and is averaging 29.0 points per game. He already missed 4 games this season, 3 by injuries and 1 by suspension. Kobe still has 20 more games to catch-up. He must score a bunch of points and at the same time lead the Lakers in the playoffs. Winning is more important than personal accolades.

Kobe needs to average 36.09 ppg for the last 22 games to have an average of 31.0 for the full season. This is possible but I don't think Kobe will do it since he is now a team player. He may need to average 34.3 over the last 22 games to have an average of 30.5. To grab the scoring lead, Kobe hopes that Melo's ppg (30.4 as of now) will go down and his (Kobe's) go up over the last games they will play. It might happen, albeit hardly, since Melo is trying to be one of the youngest if not the youngest scoring champion in the history of the NBA. Seeing that Melo is looking for more shots even though he is playing with AI made me to believe (in my opinion) that he wants that scoring title.

Wade, 3rd in the league in scoring with 28.8 had chance, but got injured. Arenas is a scoring machine but he is inconsistent. I mean, sometimes he will score 40 or 50 but on the next game he will just score in single digits. Arenas is averaging 28.9 ppg. The guy is a ball hog, a shoot-first, pass-second point guard. Like Kobe, he needs to average more than 36 points in his team's remaining games to average 31. If Melo will average 32 ppg the rest of the way, he will average 31 ppg for the season. I don't think he can do that especially when he is playing with AI. Melo's ppg went down when AI came to the Nuggets.

Two more players that are on a tear right now are Michael Redd and LeBron James. Redd just scored 52 points in his last game and LBJ is scorching the nets after the break. Redd will not win the scoring title, I know you know that. LBJ needs to average over 40 to end the season with 31.0 ppg. It will not happen. He will not get the scoring title.

This season is not the same and as intense like last year when we saw 3 players average over 30 ppg, however, this still can be exciting since Kobe and Gil are not far behind the current leader Melo.  Who knows, maybe one game Kobe get back to his old self, be a ball hog, and average 40 points the rest of the way and with one game scoring 82 points, who knows?

Imagine if there is a device that can alter time and reality. A machine that can get us back at whatever time we want. That would be cool because we can fix the mistakes we did in the past. We can see what will happen to us in the future. We will know what really happened in World War 1 and 2. But I am not here to talk about some MARVEL stuff. I am here to talk about basketball.

What if we send the Dallas Mavericks (50-9 and now is in pace to win 70 games) 11 years back and have them face the 72-10 Chicago Bulls in a best of seven series? Who will emerge as the winner?

Center
Luc Longley / Bill Wennington vs. Erick Dampier / DeSagana Diop

Forward
Scottie Pippen / Dennis Rodman / Toni Kukoc / Jason Caffey vs. Dirk Nowitzki / Josh Howard / Devean George / Austin Croshere

Guard
Michael Jordan / Ron Harper / Steve Kerr / Randy Brown vs. Jason Terry / Jerry Stackhouse / Devin Harris / Greg Buckner

I am missing some players… Truly appreciate it if someone could add them.

Breaking down…

Dampier is a better scorer than both Longley and Wennington combined. Dampier is a low-post scorer while the two Chicago Centers are mid-range spot-up shooters. Diop gets his points on put backs and feeds from teammates. Dampier and Diop are better shot blockers but Longley and Wennington are slightly better in man-to-man coverage. Longley and Wennington are better passers.
Overall Advantage: Dallas Mavericks

Rodman vs. Nowitzki is a great match-up. Rodman is one hell of a defender but I don't think he can defend the sweet shooting Nowitzki in the perimeter. Remember how Malone burned Rodman with his mid-range shooting in 97 and 98 NBA Finals? That's what Nowitzki will do and unlike Malone, Nowitzki can even extend behind the arc. He will just shoot over the Worm. Rodman is an excellent offensive rebounder, so Rodman would get at least 2 offensive rebounds from a supposedly 2 defensive rebounds by Nowitzki. That means plus 2 possessions for the Bulls and minus 2 defensive rebounds by Dirk. Rodman will also force Dirk in turning over the ball perhaps at least twice a game. But, I don't think he will be able to prevent the German sensation from having big games. Both Caffey (rookie back then) and Croshere can #### inside but Croshere is better offensively. Rodman had plenty of championship (Pistons) and playoff experience (Spurs) as compared to Nowitzki and Croshere.
Overall Advantage: Dallas Mavericks

Another great match-up. Pippen vs. J. Howard. Both can play excellent offense and defense. In a best of 7 series, both can have the same accumulated amount of points, rebounds, and blocks. Assists and steals, Pippen will get higher numbers. Pippen has better court vision and sometimes play the point guard position. Although Toni Kukoc is a slower version of Nowitzki, Kukoc is clutch and a streaky scorer. He can score in bunches at any given time. Devean George can hit the tree occasionally and have plenty of championship experience.
Advantage: Pippen and Howard is a toss-up but with Kukoc to the Bulls and George (playing limited minutes this season) to the Mavs, the advantage is clearly in the Bulls' favor.

His Airness Michael Jordan will dominate the game, plain and simple. As good as a defender Greg Buckner is, he is simply no match against the brilliance and ability of Michael Jordan. Jerry Stackhouse is good scorer but with MJ guarding him, it will be a different story.
Advantage: There is no need to elaborate more about the Shooting Guard match-up. This is a no brainer.

Ron Harper is taller than Jason Terry but with the triangle offense, there is no need for him to post-up against the smaller JT. What Ron Harper does is to simply bring the ball and occasionally hit the open shots. Same with Steve Kerr. Jason Terry is a scoring point-guard and Devin Harris is a relentless defender. Randy Brown doesn't bring any offense in the game.
Advantage: Dallas Mavericks.

Avery Johnson had the highest winning % of any coach in the NBA and is only in his 2nd full season of coaching but Phil Jackson won 3 championships back then.
Advantage: Bulls

The Mavericks is the deepest team in the NBA right now and their bench is better than the Bulls.
Advantage: Mavericks

I think the Bulls will win the series 4 games to 2 regardless of home court advantage. Jordan will be Dwyane Wade (like last year) on a same magnitude. He will be scoring on free throws and splitting the defenders. If double-teamed, he can pass the ball to Pip, Kukoc, and Kerr. But one of the keys to the Bulls winning it is rebounding. Rodman will simply dominate the glass. And how did the Bulls won 72 games even though key players like Rodman and Pippen injured in some games - one of the answers is Team Chemistry. And their Team Chemistry is slightly better than the Mavericks.

Jordan would average 31 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg, 3 spg. Nowitzki would average 27 ppg, 9 rpg. Rodman would average 18 rpg.

Now that we know that the Mavericks will lose to the Bulls in the year 1996, they can now go back to the future as they try to win the Championship only to be beaten yet again by Michael Jordan's heir apparent - Kobe Bryant and the L.A. Lakers. Am I delusional?

Ladies and Gentlemen, now the NBA All Star Game is finished, Foxsports Community and their All-Star Bloggers will now have their own Game.

North Team Starters
C - MustardMan = gritty and a force in the middle
PF - bengals9 = inside-and-outside threat
SF - FlyingPig = high-flyer of the team
SG - Miracle = another high-flyer, proficient of making miraculous shots
PG - ShooterB = team's sharpshooter and the team's captain

Reserves
C - smoketheblowfish = enforcer and shotblocker
PF - chuxtory = tough rebounder
PF - demonicume = athletic big man
SF - The_Dan = all-around talent
SF - cuziffer = excellent mid-range shooter
SF - NeoAc = team's best defender
SG - fuzzboss = smooth and smart
PG - ricko = excellent court vision

Towel Boy - OutlawSports = dusty's alter ego
Water Boy - nba_fan = one of dusty's pawn
Coach - SouthernCindi = cussing but doesn't cuss a lot

South Team Starters
C - shifty450 = all-out hustle, double-double machine
PF - Pain662 = tower of power
SF - nyace29 = team's sharpshooter
SG - GR8UN54 = team's captain, scorer, clutch
PG - Mr. Showtime = slasher and high-flyer

Reserves
C - GR8ONE54 = shotblocker, solid rebounder
PF - kdjs = can play multiple positions effectively
SF - AK47spiderman = versatile and savvy
SF - HeatGeneral = defensive ace
SF - markhein123 = possesses a killer cross-over
SG - LeftyBaller20 = hard to guard, especially going to the left
SG - JayGuevarra = streaky scorer
PG - quikdrummer = fast and furious

Towel Boy - Prometheusmrt = one of dusty's pawns
Water Boy - philip1thru12 = Dime regular
Coach - Heat24 = Dime regular

Referee 1 - MeanDovine = Dime and cussing, loved by all
Referee 2 - lisa4usc = independent
Referee 3 - JoshQPublic = former dime blogger, now independent

Commentator 1 - MartyWalker = independent
Commentator 2 - rivjo = cussing

Interviewer - edclinch = cussing but doesn't cuss

Commissioner - dustylaker = former dime blogger, now independent

Audience - MARVEL, Hoffman, dcballr, Nightcrawler, Orion_Pax, QWXOTC, Tsunami, the rest of the dime bloggers, the rest of the cussing members, and independents.

So, who do you think will win the game? Who will be the MVP? Who scored the most points? Grabbed the most rebounds? Most Assists? Most Steals? Most Blocks? Who threw the sucker-punch? Who were ejected? What were the highlights in the game? Aside of handing out the MVP award, what else was dusty's role?

1.  You are murmuring a blogger's name while you're drunk.
2.  You dreamed of a person whose name is from the blog.
3.  You're at home blogging instead of doing something worthwhile.
4.  You spent the whole day blogging.
5.  You impersonated a blogger.
6.  You have thousands of avatars ready.
7.  You have hundreds of accounts ready.
8.  You ask your wife/husband to read some stuff from the blog.
9.  You are coming home and thinking "blogger's name aka (a nickname you try to make for him)"
10. You're grammar is wrong.
11. You spell words incorrectly.
12. You start believing in a blogger's lies.
13. You post these topics.
14. You go to your friend's house because your internet connection was disconnected.
15. You smile and mention that blogger's name while inside the toilet doing some stuff.
16. You are blogging while playing poker.
17. You stay up all night blogging.
18. You are making up new words that are not in the dictionary.
19. You keep on hitting the refresh button to check if a new blog is posted so that you can be the first one to post a comment on it.
20. You say that work is a nuisance in blogging.

That's all I can come up with.  Please feel free to add more.