The following article will be published in the May issue of Campus Talk, a magazine local to Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville and Tallahassee.  If you're a local, pick one up and increase their circulation.  They also have lots of pictures of pretty girls for extra motivation.  Please excuse the brevity, fellow basketball joneses... had to keep it to 750 words or less.

 

 

 

Lakers.  Celtics.  These franchises dominated the NBA in 1980s.  This year’s Finals might see the return of that storied rivalry.

 

If you like drama, this post-season will not disappoint.  Celtics-Pistons.  LeBron James.  Shaq versus Kobe.  The emergence of Chris Paul.  The rock steady San Antonio Spurs.  The fact the league features no clear cut champion or MVP illustrates how competitive the game has become. Furthermore, a flurry of unprecedented roster reshuffling should make this post-season the most thrilling in recent history.

 

 

While Boston has ruled the East, Western teams have jockeyed for playoff position in a league now characterized by its parity.  Whoever hoists the O’Brien Trophy at season’s end is anyone’s guess.

 

Boston Celtics:  The off-season addition of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett instantly propelled Boston into title contenders.  Boston should boast home court advantage throughout the playoffs and although the Fleet Center doesn’t have the mystique of the old Boston Garden, beating the Celtics four times in seven games will prove difficult in any venue.

 

Detroit Pistons: Detroit has been a pillar of consistency, returning Billups, Hamilton, Prince and Wallace.  If any team threatens Boston in the East, it will likely be Detroit, who have a chip on their shoulder after losing to Cleveland last year.

 

Orlando Magic:  While many have already crowned Boston and Detroit, the three-headed frontcourt of Lewis, Howard and Turkoglu could present mismatches for other Eastern opponents.

 

Cleveland Cavaliers:  LeBron James single-handedly deflated Detroit last year in a playoff performance for the ages.  The Cavs added Ben Wallace, Joe Smith and Wally Szczerbiak to give him some support.

 

Atlanta, Washington, Toronto, and Philadelphia round out the remaining Eastern conference playoff teams, but should not pose much of a threat.  The Western Conference, however, is rife with teams that can ALL be the last team standing.

 

New Orleans Hornets:  Having played most of last season in Oklahoma City due to Hurricane Katrina, few expected greatness from the Hornets, however, MVP candidate Chris Paul has been nothing less than sensational.  New Orleans has flirted with the West’s best record all season.

 

Los Angeles Lakers:  L.A. pulled off a coup, obtaining Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies.  Andrew Bynum’s return to the lineup, along with Gasol, Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant pose one of the most formidable rosters in the league.

 

Phoenix Suns:  The Gasol acquisition sent a shockwave through the NBA as teams league-wide made moves to compete.  Enter the Big Aristotle.  GM Steve Kerr brought Shaquille O’Neal to Phoenix to add some size to their lineup.  At 36, Shaq is no longer the player he once was, but his presence frees up Amare Stoudamire to wreak havoc in the lane.  An eventual match-up pitting O’Neal and former teammate Kobe Bryant is enough to make even the fringe fan salivate.

 

San Antonio Spurs:  Winners of three of the last five championships, the San Antonio Spurs quietly prod along with their unassuming and disciplined play.  Foreign born Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili continue to prove that basketball is more than ever a global game.

 

Utah Jazz:  Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer led Utah to the Western Conference Finals last year.  There’s no reason to think they can’t repeat that same success.  Although it would be ironic for Jerry Sloan to finally win a title with this team when he couldn’t with Stockton and Malone.

 

Dallas Mavericks:  The runners-up two years ago have had a spell of bad luck.  They were defeated by 8th seed Golden State last year and Dirk Nowitzki is sidelined with a ankle and knee sprain.  Although Mavs owner Mark Cuban added Jason Kidd, only time will tell whether that duo can lead Dallas to their first title.

 

Denver Nuggets:  Despite being the worst defensive team in the league, nobody wants to face Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby.  If coach George Karl can reign in this talent, Denver could do some damage.

 

Houston Rockets:  The Rockets were dealt a blow when they lost Yao Ming for the season, however, in his absence, they still won 22 consecutive games.  Role players like Shane Battier, Luis Scola and Rafer Alston have assisted Tracy McGrady in the recent Rocket success, but Houston will be hard-pressed to compete for a title without their big man.

 

May and June promise to showcase the most competitive basketball in recent memory.  And although the NFL still rules the nation, the NBA’s post-season will unquestionably feature some spectacular moments to add to the league’s rich history.

 

 

 

Museums exhibit priceless works of art.  The world boasts countless objects of near perfection.  Last night, fans were witness to one more: the Team USA’s first quarter against the Mexican national team.

 

Already boasting a 4-0 record in this year’s FIBA Americas Tournament, Team USA has been slowly reestablishing its international dominance…. and doing so with style and force.

 

For those unfamiliar with FIBA tournament rules, teams play four ten minute quarters (as opposed to twelve in the NBA) with fewer stoppages in play than the average NBA game as well.  Monday night, Team USA scored 45 points in ten minutes.

 

 

Briefly watching the sparse SportsCenter highlights does not do this team justice, for there’s no way to effectively capture the vertical dunk-fest that has become Team USA’s dominance of this year’s FIBA tournament.  So here’s an attempt to recap a near perfect first quarter, showcasing the world’s greatest basketball players playing an unbeatable level.

• Starting for Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups set the tone early scoring five points in the game’s first thirty seconds, first by launching a three-pointer and then, by converting a fastbreak lay-up off a LeBron James steal.
• Off a missed Mexican lay-up, Amare Stoudemire kicked the rebound out to Billups on the wing.  Billups took one dribble, fed the ball up-court to LeBron, who drove, drew a double team and one-handed it out to Kobe on the left wing.  Kobe spotted Carmelo Anthony (who’s been making a living in the paint this tournament) under the basket for the bucket and the foul.  All five players touched the ball in a possession that took only eight seconds, longer than it took to read that paragraph.
• At the 6:41 mark, Carmelo nailed a three-pointer, giving him eight of Team USA’s fifteen points.
• After turning the ball over the previous possession, Kobe Bryant rattled home a shot from about five feet behind the three-point line.
• At the 5:20 mark, Jason Kidd entered the game.  Cue the highlight reel.
• LeBron pulled down a strong, one-handed rebound from above the rim, found Kidd running up the floor, who then got it back to LeBron on the right wing.  LeBron then took THREE Mexican players to the hole and drew the foul.  That possession took another brief, eight seconds.  In response to LeBron’s dunk, Bill Walton muttered “We’re used to that very much.  The Mexican players… I’m not sure that they’ve EVER seen anything quite like LeBron James."
•  In the first five minutes of the quarter, Team USA missed one shot attempt.
• Quadruple-teamed in the lane, LeBron spotted an open Mike Miller, who, rather than opting for the three, immediately whipped the ball to an open Amare Stoudamire for a signature two-handed dunk.
• Mike Miller drove the lane, attracting double-team coverage, but found a cutting Jason Kidd, who threw a two-handed touch pass to Carmelo behind the arc.  Carmelo drained it.
•  Dwight Howard, after being fouled, missed his second free throw attempt, which was then rebounded by Carmelo Anthony, who out-hustled three Mexican big men for the ball.
• Then, perhaps the most obscene play of the half… Carmelo grabbed a rebound from an errant Mexican three-point attempt and kicked the outlet pass to Jason Kidd running up the right side of the floor.  Kidd took one dribble and from BEHIND THE HALF-COURT LINE, threw a strike to Dwight Howard who snuck behind two Mexican defenders, then seemingly jumped over them for the alley-oop.
• After consecutive dunks by Carmelo and Dwight Howard, Bill Walton appropriately proclaimed “this is getting out of hand quickly.”
• Michael Redd launched a three-pointer… and hit.  So far, Team USA has only missed two shots in the quarter.
• On a commercial break that could not come soon enough for Team Mexico, Better Basketball offers a video, giving viewers the opportunity to “learn shooting from perhaps the best shooter in basketball history.”  I’m excited about the possibilities until I learn they’re talking about J.J. Reddick.
• Deron Williams played the two-man game to perfection with ‘Melo in the post, who then proceeded to dunk over the man covering him.
• After another dunk, Carmelo finished the quarter with sixteen points on 6-6 shooting.
• Fittingly, as the clock wound down, Deron Williams threw another alley-oop to Dwight Howard, who flushed it emphatically at the buzzer.

Team USA finished the quarter up 45-23.  Ten minutes, forty-five points.  To my recollection, Dream Team Jr. missed a total of four shots.

 

Critics will say not to get excited, that Team USA has only played Venezuela, the Virgin Islands, Brazil and Mexico, and that Argentina still remains on the docket.  But after years of recent disappointment and underachieving, the Americans are playing as expected.  Coach Krzyzewski is effectively managing his players’ minutes, while simultaneously keeping their eyes on the prize.  Kobe Bryant is shutting down opponents.  The American players have all checked their egos at the door and are feeding off each other’s talent. 

Yes, the United States is turning the ball over, but that’s to be expected with their up-tempo style of play.  At this pace, Team USA is looking invincible and is one more blowout victory closer to their ultimate goal:  an Olympic gold medal.

With another NBA draft comes another useless and ill-advised prognostication.  I often wonder why the media feels the need to crown the next big player as the savior for the franchise that drafts him.  

 

 

 

 In recent interviews after this week’s NBA Draft selection, both Jay Bilas and Bob Ryan were quoted as saying that Greg Oden would undoubtedly bring a title to Portland (assuming they draft him) within the next three to five years.  While I’m sure Trailblazer fans are ecstatic about the thought of returning to their glory years of Bill Walton and Dr. Jack Ramsey, unfortunately for them, a number one draft pick rarely guarantees a world championship.

A review of the top picks over the last twenty years supports this claim.  Only once since 1985 has a player chosen number one been the key factor in bringing a championship to the team that drafted him:

 

1985: Patrick Ewing, Georgetown, Drafted by New York.  While Patrick had a Hall of Fame career, he fell short of bringing the Knicks a title, thanks mostly to Michael Jordan.  Patrick only took his team to an NBA Finals once, losing to Houston in the 1993-94 season.

1986: Brad Daugherty, North Carolina, Drafted by Cleveland.  Brad failed to win a title with the Cavaliers, again thanks to Michael Jordan’s reign in the league.  An injury plagued career, Daugherty can now be seen on ESPN as a NASCAR analyst.

1987: David Robinson, Navy, Drafted by San Antonio.  Although the Admiral won a title, it wasn’t until the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan ten years later that they were able to get over the hump.  Robinson was consistently unable to get them there on his own.

1988:  Danny Manning, Kansas, Drafted by Los Angeles Clippers.  By the time the Clippers made a decent run at the playoffs, Manning was out of the league.

1989: Pervis Ellison, Louisville, Sacramento Kings.  Never played in an NBA Finals.

1990: Derrick Coleman, Syracuse, New Jersey Nets.  Never carried his team to a title.

1991: Larry Johnson, UNLV, Drafted by Charlotte.  Never won a title.

1992: Shaquille O’Neal, LSU, Drafted by Orlando.  Shaq’s legacy on the game is undeniable.  He won three championships with the Lakers and one with Miami, but none with the team that actually drafted him, taking the Magic to the Finals and losing to Houston in 1994-95.

 

1993: Chris Webber, Michigan, Drafted by Orlando.  Orlando traded the rights to Webber for Anfernee Hardaway.  Webber is only now getting to the Finals with Detroit at the end of his career and is hardly their go-to-guy.

1994: Glenn Robinson, Purdue, Drafted by Milwaukee.  The Big Dog finally won a ring as a role player with the Spurs in 2005 and was hardly a factor in the series.

1995: Joe Smith, Maryland, Drafted by Golden State.  Joe Smith is more famous for illegally signing with Minnesota than any magical playoff runs.

1996: Allen Iverson, Georgetown, Drafted by Philadelphia.  The Answer was able to carry the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001, only to lose to Kobe, Shaq and the Lakers.

1997: Tim Duncan, Wake Forest, Drafted by San Antonio.  Big Fundamentals is the exception to the rule, the one shining star of the last twenty years who has delivered several championships to the Spurs.  Duncan may go down as the best power forward to ever play the game.  Duncan also played a full four years of college basketball before declaring for the draft.

 

1998: Michael Olowakandi, Pacific, Drafted by the Clippers.  Think Los Angeles wants this pick back?  The Kandiman has averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds over his career and was selected over Mike Bibby, Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter, Larry Hughes, Paul Pierce and this year’s MVP, Dirk Nowitzki.

1999: Elton Brand, Duke, Drafted by Chicago.  No longer playing for the Bulls, Brand has been a consistent threat in the post, but as of yet, has not sniffed the Finals.

2000: Kenyon Martin, Cincinnati, Drafted by New Jersey.  Marred by an injury-plagued career, K-Mart did help the Nets make it to the Finals, but it was more Jason Kidd’s team than his.

 

2001: Kwame Brown, Glynn Academy, Drafted by Washington.  Not one of his finer scouting moments, Michael Jordan was able to lure Kwame away from a verbal commitment at the University of Florida with the guarantee of a number one pick.  Kwame is still finding his place in the league.

 

2002:  Yao Ming, China, Drafted by Houston.  Although one of the most recognizable faces in the league, Yao has been unable to get out of the first round of the playoffs, and that’s with Tracy McGrady as his teammate.

 

2003: LeBron James, St Vincent, Drafted by Cleveland.  The Chosen One is one series away from the Finals, but it doesn’t look like it will happen this year.

 

2004: Dwight Howard, SW Atlanta Christian Academy, Drafted by Orlando.  Dwight had a breakout season, but the Magic are years away from any Finals appearances.

 

2005: Andrew Bogut, Utah, Drafted by Milwaukee.  Too early to tell, but it’s unlikely Andrew will be the driving factor in bringing a championship back to Milwaukee.

 

2006:  Andrea Bargnani, Italy, Drafted by Toronto.  The Raptors won their division this year and Bargnani played well, but if Nowitzki can’t win a championship, do we really expect Bargnani to?

 

As you can see, the number one pick in the draft does not necessarily translate into titles.  So, by that logic, isn’t it premature to guarantee that Greg Oden, who only played one year of college basketball at Ohio State, will bring Portland, who didn’t even make the playoffs this year, a championship??

 

Let’s quickly compare Oden’s college career numbers to Shaq’s and Duncan’s:

At Ohio State this year, Oden averaged 15.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 3.3 bpg and shot 61% from the floor.

For his career, Shaquille O’Neal averaged significantly better numbers:  21.6 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 4.5 bpg and also shot 61% from the floor.  In 1990-91, his sophomore year, Shaq averaged 27 and 15!!

Duncan averaged 16, 12 and 4 over his four-year stint at Wake Forest and his numbers increased every year, averaging 21 and 15 his senior season.

I’m not saying Greg Oden won’t be a talent in the league, and I wish him and the team that drafts him the best.  But to prematurely state that Oden will bring Portland a title is ill-informed and borderline ludicrous.

I listen to hip-hop and recognize it as an art form.

 

I don’t have a problem with occasional violence in the NBA.  I acknowledge that it is a contact sport and very often, emotions and adrenaline can get the best of a player.

 

I recognize basketball as a graceful and athletic competition among the best athletes in the world.

 

I respect the current talent in the league and don’t have a problem with that fact that the level of international play can now be placed on a par with our own, homegrown version.

 

I don’t have a problem with someone playing with passion, then arguing with the referee after he feels the ref made a bad call.

 

I don’t have a problem with the image of the NBA, but understand why certain people may.

 

Extensive tattoos on a basketball player do not bother me.  Nor do cornrows.  I choose not to judge that person, nor do I impose my will or opinions on others.  I recognize that as an expression of one’s own individuality.  What a person does with his body is his own business.

 

I trust and respect that the league is more knowledgeable and capable than I in assessing fines, penalties and suspensions when a player violates team or league rules.

 

I feel a person’s race, religious beliefs, and sexual preference have no bearing on his ability to play the game.

 

I enjoy All-Star Weekend.

 

I recognize that the game has evolved and is different, for better or worse, than the one played in previous eras.

 

I believe that the no-look pass, the fastbreak, the slam dunk and the buzzer beater are among the most exciting moments in all sports.

 

Basically, I love this game.

Say what you will about Isiah Thomas, his New York Knick team, playing short-handed, has won four or their last five, including three overtime victories.

Last week, after the Knicks game against Denver was marred by a late altercation involving Carmelo Anthony, Nate Robinson and others, Isiah was criticized for encouraging dirty play and calling for the hard foul that instigated the melee. 

Much to David Stern's chagrin, that fight seems to have been the driving force behind the Knickerbockers' latest charge.  Although five games under .500, they're only one game back in the Atlantic Division, and have recently beaten Chicago, Utah and Detroit.

Isiah's getting strong guard play from Jamal Crawford, consistent post-play from Eddy Curry and clutch rebounding from Florida Gator David Lee, who's averaging fifteen boards a game over that stretch.

A few more fights and a couple more victories and Isiah might just get to keep his job.

 

Let’s take a break from talking about sports, the T.O. and ‘Melo, Isiah and the B.C.S. for just a split second, shall we?

 

The holiday season always reminds me of family.  It’s a time when we all get together and enjoy each other’s company.  Well, when I think of family, I think dysfunctional. Hey, it’s what I know.  After recently watching “Little Miss Sunshine,” I felt inspired to compile my personal, top 10 list of all-time dysfunctional family movies.

 

First, let’s set down some ground rules before continuing.  It’s nearly impossible to compare dramas to comedies to thrillers, however, legitimate comparisons can be drawn between films that have similar, central themes.  For this Top 10 list, the dysfunctional family must be the focus of the film.  Although movies like “The Godfather,” “Raging Bull,” or “Do The Right Thing,” (all which would have made my list) highlight dysfunctional families in one respect or another, the dysfunctional family is not quite the central focus of the movie.  One might argue the family serves as the backdrop for “The Godfather.”  I’d respect that opinion.  However, I’ve kept it off this list to give other movies a fair shake.  Accordingly, here is my list of top ten “dysfunctional family” films of the past thirty years.

 

10. “Garden State” -  This movie’s got it all.  (I may be saying that quite often on this list)  Zach Braff’s character returns home from school for his mother’s funeral, where he confronts the estranged relationship that’s developed between him and his father.  He rejoins his high school mates and ends up falling for Natalie Portman (uh… who wouldn’t) as she helps him open up and cope with his mother’s death.  It’s a comedy, drama, romance all wrapped into one, not to mention the funniest scene featuring a character in full, body armor since “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and “The Cable Guy."

 

9. “Parenthood” – Billed as a comedy, this film features its fair share of dramatic moments.  It tackles the entire gamut of family issues: relationships, infidelity, childbirth, divorce, sex, miscommunication, parenting and adoption.  “Parenthood” also features an all-star cast including Steve Martin, Rick Moranis, Dianne Wiest, Sam Robards, Keanu Reeves, Thomas Hulce and Joaquin Phoenix.  There’s not a scene in this film that doesn’t highlight and lowlight the family experience.

 

8. “The Upside of Anger” – When I saw the previews for this movie as it was released in 2005, I nearly barfed at the thought of another Kevin Costner playing another retired baseball player.  However, this film is far heavier than that.  At the foundation, we have Joan Allen’s daughters struggling with their mother’s alcoholism and their father’s abandonment.  “Upside” is not a chick flick.  Plus it features the smoky, Erika Christensen.

 

7. “Slums of Beverly Hills” – Alan Arkin plays the father of this traveling family, doing the best he can to raise his three children on a meager salary, while his brother makes millions.  Dysfunction runs rampant in this comedy, not to mention the vibrator scene with Marisa Tomei and Natasha Lyonne is a classic.

 

6. “Little Miss Sunshine” – Consecutive Alan Arkin films.  A fantastic script, this film will make you laugh and cry.  Greg Kinnear loads his homsexual, suicidal, intellectual brother-in-law, his silent son, and his heroine-shooting father into his ever-stalling and ever-honking, VW bug and leaves New Mexico for California to have his daughter participate in her dream pageant.  Dysfunction throughout, as witnessed in the final scene where the family bumrushes the stage at the pageant.

 

5. “Soul Food” – The essence of dysfunction.  This epic features a broad cast of characters and the division of  a once tightly-knit, family is the central theme.  Once the grandmother, the core of the family, passes away tragically, her surviving family is torn apart.  The grandson does his part to reunite the family, now distanced by several issues.  Not only did HBO base a series off this film, any time you can get Vanessa Williams, Vivica Fox and Nia Long on the screen at the same time, I’m game.  Williams’ performance is so convincing, she almost rids herself of her hotness.

 

4. “Kramer vs Kramer” – This film defined, in grim, emotional detail, what families going through divorce must confront.  “Kramer vs. Kramer” won five academy awards, including best picture and nods for both Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep.

 

3. “Ordinary People” – I’ll just say this.  I used to love Mary Tyler Moore.  After watching this movie, I can barely stand to look at her.  Now THAT’S acting!!!

 

2. “ Flirting With Disaster” – Hey, it’s my list and if I want to put a comedy at the top, I’ll do it.  This little known film (if you haven’t seen it, rent it) features another all-star cast, including Ben Stiller, Patricia Arquette, Tea Leoni and a list of surprise characters. Ben Stiller’s searches to find his natural parents and in the process alienates his wife, falls for the adoption agency psychologist, wrecks a tractor-trailer and some nice figurines, encounters two traveling homosexual detectives and eventually reunites with his acid-dealing parents, played by Lily Tomlin and Alan Alda.  Not only does this film redefine dysfunctional, it encouraged a string of films and television series to revive the careers of countless actors.

 

1. “American Beauty”  - I wanted to put “Flirting” on the top of this list, but this film’s resume cannot be argued with.  Released in 1999, it won five academy awards, including best picture, best director and best actor, and was nominated for three more.  The film features two neighboring dysfunctional families, including Kevin Spacey facing a mid-life crisis, the unfaithful Annette Benning, the homophobic, Marine colonel Chris Cooper, and his nearly comatose wife, Allison Janney.  If you weren’t moved by this film when you first watched it, you were raised in a vacuum.

 

Honorable Mention: “Meet the Parents” series;  the “Vacation” series’ “Family Business”; “Napoleon Dynamite”; “My Cousin Vinny”;  “She’s The One”; “Pleasantville”; "The Birdcage"; "The Royal Tennenbaums"; "What's Eating Gilbert Grape"

 

Again, these are merely my opinions.  If you haven’t seen the aforementioned films, I highly recommend them for your viewing pleasure.  If I failed to mention any, by all means, bring it to my attention and I’ll gladly stand corrected.

 

Happy Holidays and don’t forget to enjoy your family meals.

 

 

 

 

 

There's nothing more satisfying to a NBA fan than watching a professional franchise truly click in the post-season. Particularly when we can see within them the desire to be the best, to earn that ring and to know they've become a part of basketball history. Out the window go the criticisms of the spoiled, millionaire athlete and what we end up witnessing is true, basketball excellence.

On the flipside, there's nothing less satisfactory than watching a team just roll over. Example, the Denver Nuggets. What happened to these guys? At the beginning of the season, they looked like an unstoppable force. Camby was dominant and well on his way to comeback player of the year. 'Melo looked like a top ten player in the league. At mid-season, they added on two key players in Patterson and Evans. And Coach Karl looked primed to take his team deep into the playoffs.

Then came the Los Angeles Clippers.

I don't think the mismatches going into this series were as glaring as they actually proved to be. Sure, the Clips had Sam I am and were very possibly a team on a mission. They may have had an advantage in the half-court set with Brand and Kaman, but you can't tell me that with the Nuggets size down low, they couldn't have figured out an answer for the Clippers's front court presence. Sure, Brand is gonna get his, but couldn't Denver have done anything on the opposite end to keep them honest?

In their last two games, the Nuggets got pummeled by a combined 33 points, certainly not looking like a team with anything to prove, other than a rush to get to the off-season and enter the "How quickly can we get rid of K-Mart" sweepstakes.

Congratulations are certainly due to the Clips who have won their first playoff series since moving to Los Angeles, but to teams like Denver, spare us the lack of desire, and save that playoff spot for a team that would have at least put forth an effort.