Comments Testing
This is a thread to test out the new comments system for Bloguin.
no comments
The Jon Koncak Commemorative Awards: Larry Hughes
(Always focused on basketball)
In case you do not fanatically peruse NBA blogs like some people I know, The Real Shaq is hosting a wonderfully entertaining series of articles throughout August detailing the worst contracts in the NBA since the 1998 lockout. This series is known as the Jon Koncack Commemorative Awards, and links to all of the other entertaining and informational articles in the series (aside from the KG article, as a huge KG apologist I am going to pretend that I never read it); can be found HERE. I decided to do my portion of the series on Larry Hughes, as the entire outlook of the NBA for the past 5 years, the present, and beyond may have been altered by that hideous $70 million, 5 year deal Mr. Hughes signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005.
“I’m going to take my talents to South Beach.” This was the most famous quote in the sporting world this summer, probably this year. And if it was not for Larry Hughes and his ridiculous contract signed in 2005, this quote may never have been uttered. Actually, the whole scope of the NBA may look a lot different right now if it was not for this joke of a contract. The Miami cHeat may still be D. Wade + scrubs, or even worse a bottom 5 team with the loss of Wade this summer. The oppressed fans of Cleveland may be an overjoyed, thankful bunch of crazed fans in the midst of celebrating consecutive championships. The Lakers may not be back-to-back champions, and Kobe may not be viewed as a “winner at all costs”, but instead as a “me-first” guy who cannot carry a team led by him to a championship. Ron Artest – a team cancer rather than a key contributor to a championship. Pau Gasolina – too soft to be a champion, rather than the Robin to Batman on the past two championship teams. The Celtics – a one and done championship team rather than perennial contender who was 6:00 away from winning another championshi…
...whoa, sorry, I just snapped out of a 20 minute daydream caused by my mentioning that the Celtics were THAT CLOSE to winning another title in June. I digress…
Okay, so how could a relatively unnotable player like Larry Hughes alter the state of the entire NBA in 2010? Easy, actually. Before all of the other failed second banana to LeBron James experiments occurred (think Jamison, Shaq, Mo Williams), Larry Hughes paved the way as the originator of this string of failed sidekicks. Not only did he fail on the court as the second option, but his ridiculously big contract made it nearly impossible for Cleveland to try again with anyone else for years, much less trade him for anything worthwhile (he was eventually traded in 2008 for an over the hill Ben Wallace and his hefty contract).
Please click "Read More" to continue on with this tale of woe...
no comments
Brett Favre Retiring
Groan................ not this again.
We'll see who the Vikings QB is on Opening Day.
From The Star Tribune
I will say, no Favre means no Playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl...
NBA Draft Live Chat
Here is live chat to use during the draft. We can talk about how amazingly Kahn does, but more likely will be crying about another patented Twolves draft disaster. You can start chatting now, if you really want to, or wait until later. Whatever works for you.
no comments
Dime Exclusive: The Ultimate Bloggers’ Guide To The NBA Draft
Finally, the NBA draft is here. FINALLY! The last 4 days have seemed like a month. Good grief, it's been brutal. Anyways, T-Minus 36 minutes until the draft, and I've got to get going. But I just wanted to post this here first, you know, for "official record" and all that stuff (aka bragging rights.) Dime Magazine contacted bloggers representing all the teams in the lottery except the Washington Wizards, because we all already know they are taking John Wall. Check out the awesome article from some great NBA Bloggers: "Dime Exclusive: The Ultimate Bloggers’ Guide To The NBA Draft"
Here's my entry for the TWolves with the #4 pick, with my top 3 "realistic choices" and who I think we should take and why:
No. 4 – Minnesota Timberwolves – Dave Kelsey of TWolvesBlog
1. DeMarcus Cousins
2. Derrick Favors
3. Wesley Johnson
On the bright side, 10 years from now everyone could potentially be looking back and saying DeMarcus Cousins was the best player from this Draft. Do I really believe that? No… not really. But he does have tons of ridiculous upside potential. On the other hand, he is also potentially Starbury-esque crazy. Everything about him is “questionable,” but he might be the most talented player in the Draft. He fills a need on our team (center), and the Wolves can’t afford to “play it safe” this Draft. We need to hit a home run, so to speak. You have to take him in this spot.
To see the rest of them, again, check out Dime Exclusive: The Ultimate Bloggers’ Guide To The NBA Draft
1 Day NBA Draft Lottery Contest
Tomorrow night, May 18th, 2010, the NBA will be holding the NBA Draft Lottery. In the comments section leave your guess on the results listing all 14 teams. Answers should be submitted by May 18th at 3pm EST. The reader who comes closest to the getting each team exactly right will win a free prize package courtesty of NBA.com." The breakdown can be found RIGHT HERE.
no comments
NBA.com Contests: Win Free Stuff!
Starting soon and throughout the playoffs, TWolves Blog readers and members will be able to compete in a number of contests and competitions to win some cool prizes from NBA.com!
Contest Info:
Once the competition and whatnot goes live, all you have to do is follow the provided links and then come back here to leave your answers in the comments section. We'll post more info when we find out, just so that everyone is sure about what to do. The winner will receive a free prize package courtesy of NBA.com, ranging from pens to hoodies to yo-yos, and all kinds of other sweet stuff.
First Contest:
Readers have until Saturday, May 8th at noon EST to submit their answers. (One answer per person please)
Should be pretty cool, or at the very least, a fun and interesting diversion. God knows we TWolves fans need it...
no comments
Bloguin's 2009-2010 Final MVP/ROY Rankings
I realize this is a little late being that the playoffs are already in full-swing, but here are the final results from the Bloguin Blogger 2009-10 MVP/ROY voting. It's been fun, and its hard to believe another season has already come and gone.
A big thanks to LIVES from Knicks Fantatics for hosting the final edition. The results turned out great, as he did a fantastic job (as always!) KF is a great blog, check it out if you are a fan of the Knicks (booooo) or the NBA in general. The Final MVP results can be found HERE. The Final ROY results can be found HERE.
Not too much of a surprise, but LeBron and Ty Evans took home the final hardware. And as well they should have, they clearly deserved it. Here's how I voted for the final edition:
MVP (1 = first, 10 = tenth)
1 - LeBron: This should clearly be a clean sweep. Anyone that puts someone else first is just being obnoxious.
2 - Durant: Close to winning it, but there should be many more opportunities to come in his career. Clearly the Fantasy NBA player of the year, if that's any consolation.
3 - D-Wade: Has anyone else in the NBA done more with less this season?
4 - Dwight Howard: Gets grossly overlooked for his impact on both ends of the court. One of the best defensive players in the NBA, and a terror on offense as well.
5 - Carmelo: Man I dislike him, but god, he's so good.
6 - Dirk: Simply, he's having one of the best seasons of his career.
7 - Deron Williams: One of three players to average a double-double on the season because of 10.0 assists per game or greater.
8 - Chris Bosh: Before he went down, was a dominant force.
9 - Kobe: Ughghghghghghghg
10 - Zach Randolph: No one saw this season coming from him, NO ONE.
ROY (1 = first, 5 = fifth)
1 - Ty Evans: Total, complete stud. Averaged 20/5/5 as a rookie, rarified air with MJ, Oscar, and LeBron.
2 - Brandon Jennings: Leading his team to the playoffs played a big part in his second place rank.
3 - Stephen Curry: I still think his stats are inflated due to Nellie-Ball.
4 - Reggie Williams: Holy crap, where did this stud come from?
5 - Terrance Williams: Reggie's illigitimate brother.
NBA Jam - And The Winner Is...
And the Winner Is…
The NBA’s first season has concluded, and the real season starts this weekend. With that being said, it was an entertaining and fun NBA season. As my esteemed colleagues and I are all Wolves fans, please excuse us if we seem negative or antagonizeable (screw you spell check, I’m saying it is a word). It has been a painfully looong season for some of us. But, we will try to eliminate the pathetic Wolves from our minds, and focus on the stars and success stories from this stanza. Before I introduce the participants, here are some things I enjoyed immensely in the 09-10 season: Joakim Noah, the Zach Randolph resurrection, the continued fantasy agony of Nellieball and the Golden State Warriors, Brandon Jennings’ hairdo’s, NOT the dunk contest, Kenny making fun of Charles’ weird chest hair, Wolves in-game announcer Natalie Kane, Jo Noah’s hair, Ginobili’s streaks of brilliance, Turbo aka Corey Brewer’s dunks, Jeff Van Gundy, Kevin Harlan and Mike Tirico, NOT Hubie Brown, Rondo, gambling on the NBA w/ College Wolf, TNT Thursday’s, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Jo Noah’s sideburns.
Now on to the picks! I am very excited to share the forum with my distinguished panel of party animals and Wolves fanatics. We have The Don – College Wolf, the controversial Roundhouse, and the man known simply as Pants. Don’t let these foolish names fool you – these guys know their stuff. Now onto the Lebron James award…
Please click "Read More" for the rest of the weekly NBA Jam goodness and awards...
