Lawrence Frank Speaks to God

Over the weekend, the New Jersey Nets lost their 17th consecutive NBA game and former head coach Lawrence Frank lost his job.

Well, in these trying times, some people like to look to God for an explanation. Our crack staff at TNLP, (Mainly some dude with tin-foil on his head who keeps complaining about voices) tuned into this conversation between Lawrence Frank and God.


Frank: Are you there God? It's me, Lawrence Frank


G-D: I am here my child, what is puzzling you?

Frank: Well, I recently fired for my job but I do not think it's my fault. Why did the New Jersey Nets fire me?

G-D: Well, the team did not receive a win this season Lawrence, I expect that was the reason why.

Frank: But, the team is horrible God and my best player was out for injury for a period of time. It could not be my fault.

G-D: Well, my son. There are certain situations in our lives where some of these things are out of our control. However, this is a teaching tool for you to use at a later date.

Frank: To be honest, G-D. For some reason, your answer does not seem sufficient to me.

G-D: My Son, Why?

Frank: Well, I always remember the passage in Genesis 4:4 which reads, "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering"

G-D: Are you calling yourself a sacrificial lamb?

Frank: Well, yeah. C'Mon, even the Timberwolves have a win and they suck more than we do.

G-D: Didn't they beat you?

Frank: That's beside the point. Did I not get sacrificed like the lamb in the passage?

G-D: Well, I guess so. However, never quote scripture again to me.

Frank: Thanks God, that's all for now wait. Actually, I got one more question.

G-D: What is that my son?

Frank: Did you create Megan Fox?

G-D: I'm not responsible for that one, my child. I think the Lord Satan is strong in that one.

(Bobby Simmons runs into the room)


Bobby: God, Are you there? Can you get me a trade out of here? God? God?

By Ben Chew with No comments

San Antonio Spurs: Iron Chefs

When I think of the San Antonio Spurs, I do not think of comedy or even commercial appeal. (Well, unless Eva Longoria Parker is present.)

This is a relatively amusing commercial that features Manu Ginobli, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker in an Iron Chef-like battle to create new ice cream flavors for HEB.

Well, I mean George Gervin needs to get paid, right?

(Courtesy of Ball Don't Lie)

By Ben Chew with No comments

What the Hell did Charles Barkley do to Wayne Newton?

On last night's edition of Inside the NBA, Ernie Johnson talked about the Marv Albert/50 cent story.

Then, they talked about another celebrity fued. One between Charles Barkley and Wayne Newton.

I think they almost killed Kenny Smith with this joke.

By Ben Chew with No comments

Charles Barkley on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Way back on Wednesday, Charles Barkley made a guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. During his interview, he talked about his need to lose weight and the fact that he is learning Spanish.

After that, he faced off against Jimmy Kimmel in a Battle Royale in tetherball. Yep, the round mound of rebound took on the tetherball and lost.

I'll take his word that he never played before.

By Ben Chew with No comments

Never give the "Choke Sign" to Reggie Miller

In the previous post, I said that we would be off till Monday. Well, I figured that i'll break that rule for this.

During last night's Utah Jazz/Chicago Bulls game, a Utah Jazz season ticket holder was given the shot to make a blindfolded half-court shot for one million dollars. (Wait this sounds familiar....College Humor Did It Already)

However, this was a prank and the fans were told to act like he had made the shot. The fan thought it happened and then ran over to TNT broadcasting and gave the choke sign to Reggie Miller.

Well, he was told of the joke and Reggie gave it back to him. I do find it funny that the fan asked for a check when he came over to apologize.

Stay Classy, Utah.

By Ben Chew with No comments

Happy Thanksgiving from That NBA Lottery Pick

Hello visitors and fans of That NBA Lottery Pick, this post is to wish all of you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving.

Enjoy the turkey, stuffing, and the NBA doubleheader on TNT.

We'll be off till Monday, Enjoy Thankgiving and don't forget to eat your ham-hocks.

By Ben Chew with 1 comment

Golden State's Lucky Number is 6

Last Night, Golden State Warriors fans could understand if the team was a little tired after their victory against the Dallas Mavericks.

The reason why? Well, the Warriors only played six guys. We get more from Deep Six: A Warriors Fan Blog

For more than a year, the Warriors have been busy making excuses. Over the last four games, they’ve been busy making statements. The loudest and clearest one yet came Tuesday night with the 111-103 win against the Mavericks. Down to 6 healthy players (and one D-League call-up), missing their head coach, on the road, and facing a team with five wins in a row, the Warriors had plenty of prime ways to explain away a loss. They didn’t need them. The supposedly not-ready-for-prime-time youngsters looked awfully ready — playing through turnovers, mistakes, and cramps to come from behind in a gutsy show of focus and intensity. Take almost any dismissive statement directed at the youth over the past year — Curry and Ellis can’t play together, Randolph makes too many mistakes, Morrow is too one dimensional, Ellis isn’t a leader, none of them can play defense. This game just provided a concise and spirited rebuttal.

It is pretty impressive if you think about it: Monta Ellis, Anthony Morrow, and Vladimir Radmanovic played the entire game against a pretty stacked Dallas opponent.

This was the first time that a team won with six players since the Baltimore Bullets way back in 1960's. Remember those great teams led by Earl Monroe and Wes Unseld? The last time that a team dressed only six players was the Pacers after the "Malice in the Palace" back in 2004.

So big ups to the Golden State Warriors, they again prove the theory that playing for 48 minutes actually means playing all 48 minutes.

By Ben Chew with No comments

Chris Kaman is One Creepy Lookin' Dude Back Then

Recently, I was sent this post by UnAthletic Mag about the change that Chris Kaman's hair went through during his career and his improved play when he cut his hair.

Seriously, there was a period of time where Chris Kaman looked like the guy who you expected to come through the door during horror movie holding an ax.

Some of the below pictures remind me of something that you would see in an episode of Rod Serling's Night Gallery. If you have children who are squeamish, look away from the HORROR, the HORROR.

PostScript- Apologizes to Chris Kaman for any harm done to his dating life from this post.

By Ben Chew with No comments

Ron Artest on Jimmy Kimmel Live

This is one of those days that I regret that I did stay up to watch Jimmy Kimmel Live as his guest was Lakers forward Ron Artest.

Artest, a TNLP favorite, decided to do the interview in his drawers and well, I mean it's Ron Artest, he said interesting and non-sensical things in his drawers.

The real question was Jimmy Kimmel Live ready for Ron Artest? I'm still trying to answer that question.

By Ben Chew with No comments

Shaq as a Deputy Sheriff? Not So Fast, My Friend

Remember the story about Shaquille O'Neal becoming a Deputy Sheriff in Cleveland, Ohio?

Well, the Cleveland Metro Police Department has decided that they are not going to just hand over the badge to the Big Aristotelian.

We get more from the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

It won't be easy for Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal to become a deputy in Ohio, according to a report.

O'Neal, who has a brief history in law enforcement, applied to become a special deputy in Ohio.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Sunday that he must pass a test and undergo training first.

"It appears that Mr. O'Neal will need to undergo substantial additional training as well as successful completion of the state certification examination before he can become a certified peace officer in the state of Ohio," Holly Hollingsworth, spokeswoman for the state attorney general, said.

Shaq was a special deputy sheriff when he was with the Miami Heat. Just think of the image if your a criminal and your getting chased by Shaquille O'Neal.

C'Mon Cleveland, I'm pretty sure that the police could use some back-up with a city that has a relatively high crime rate. I guess that NBA Championship means more, huh?

By Ben Chew with No comments

Clippers TV Announcers Suspended over Iran Comment

I'll bet a fair amount of cash that most of you NBA fans out there in the interweb have idea which NBA players is pictured above. That's back-up Memphis Grizzlies center and first Iranian in the NBA, Hamed Haddidi.

Recently, Haddidi's Grizzlies faced off against the Los Angeles Clippers where a mispronunication about Haddidi's home of Iran made by Los Angeles Clippers TV announcers Ralph Lawler and Mike Smith got them suspended from yesterday's Clippers/Nuggets game.

We get more from the LA Times:

Veteran play-by-play man Ralph Lawler and analyst Mike Smith (above, left and right) were suspended for tonight's Clippers telecast on Fox Sports Prime Ticket for comments made during Wednesday's telecast, according to sources with knowledge of the decision but not authorized to speak publicly.

Wednesday's comments came near the end of a dreary Clippers loss, 106-91, in Memphis as rookie Haddadi, a 7-foot-2 center and the first Iranian player in the NBA, came into the game.

In a 40-second exchange Lawler and Smith began talking about Haddadi. A Clippers fan who watched Wednesday’s telecast complained about the verbal exchange and said he received an apology today from Fox Sports.

Here is the exchange:

Smith: “Look who’s in.”

Lawler: “Hamed Haddadi. Where’s he from?”

Smith: “He’s the first Iranian to play in the NBA.” (Smith pronounced Iranian as “Eye-ranian,” a pronunciation that offended the viewer who complained.)

Lawler: “There aren’t any Iranian players in the NBA,” repeating Smith’s mispronunciation.

Smith: “He’s the only one.”

Lawler: “He’s from Iran?”

Smith: “I guess so.”

Lawler: “That Iran?”

Smith: Yes.

Lawler: “The real Iran?”

Smith: “Yes.”

Lawler: “Wow. Haddadi – that’s H-A-D-D-A-D-I.”

Smith: “You’re sure it’s not Borat’s older brother?”

Smith: “If they ever make a movie about Haddadi, I’m going to get Sacha Baron Cohen to play the part.”

Lawler: “Here’s Haddadi. Nice little back-door pass. I guess those Iranians can pass the ball.”

Smith: “Especially the post players.

Lawler: “I don’t know about their guards.”

I'm usually the first person to defend other races and racism but why should someone be forced to apologize for a mispronuciation of a word. Really, he pronouced it "EYE-Rian", wow. That is something to not get bent out of shape out.

I could understand someone complaning regarding the Borat comment but a mispronuciation of Iranian is pushing the envelope a bit. How many of us probably would have made the same mistake? Maybe, the anonymous person who called this in should be more concerned with other things.

By Ben Chew with 2 comments

The Steve Nash one is Fierce!

The one that I do know about the Japanese is that their love their trading cards from Pokemon to Dragon Ball Z. These might arguably be the funniest one that I have seen as NBA players based on Kings of Fighters video game.

These photoshopped cards include Steve Nash, Ron Artest, Shaq, and many others. I will say though, I would never mess with the Vince Carter one.

For the entire set: check it out and this link









(Courtesy of Hardwood Paroxysm and Last Angry Fan)

By Ben Chew with No comments

Nate Robinson shoots at his own basket vs. Nets

The battle for futility happened Saturday between the win less New Jersey Nets and the "2 Win Crew" of the New York Knicks.

The Knicks were able to pull out the victory by the score of 98-91. However, one of the more interesting happenings was at the end of the first quarter when New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson shot at his own basket.

The shot went in and Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni flipped out although the shot did not count. I can understand that Robinson wanted to practice his jump shot but still, you never shot at your own basket when any time left on the clock. Think if the Knicks lost by three and the shot counted.

The sad thing is that the Nets still lost. Even this fiasco cannot mire that.

(Courtesy of Hoops Haven)

By Ben Chew with No comments

50 Cent's Entourage Got "Beef" with Marv Albert

In news that seems unlikely but is actually true, Marv Albert appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel show Wednesday night and allegedly got into a scuffle with members of rapper 50 Cent's entourage.

We get more from Sportress of Blogitude:

As Albert arrived, with an entourage of one, TNT public relations specialist Jeff Pomeroy, there was a sudden scuffle when a multitude of 50 Cent protectors seemed unfamiliar with Albert. There was shouting (”It’s Marv Albert,” yelled a Kimmel show guard, a pronouncement that seemed to have no effect on the 50 Cent phalanx.) There were obscenities. A fist or two flying. A “Don’t you put your hands on me” pronouncement.

"Albert hits him with a right hook, YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS"

Anyway, 50's got to look for some new entourage members. How in the world did the offending members of his entourage have no idea who Marv Albert is? He used to be the voice of the New York Knicks for god's sake. That should have give him enough street cred as is.



(Courtesy of Sportress of Blogitude)

By Ben Chew with 1 comment

Remembering "The Malice in the Palace"

Yesterday was the anniversary of one NBA brawl between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons. It was nearly five years ago that the infamous "Malice in the Palace" suspended almost the whole Pacers team, Ron Artest for the season and Ben Wallace.

There had been NBA brawls in the past but never to the magnitude of this one which included fans, players, and coaches. Instead of trying to capture the entirety of it, I might as well tell you what I was doing at the time for this infamous fight.

I was still in College at the time and the major reason why that I still watching the game was due to my labtop crashing a couple days before. I was waiting for game two of the double-header between the Memphis Grizzlies-Sacramento Kings to start on ESPN and listening to the game on headphones.

(As I look back while writing this article, so much has changed in the NBA in those five years, Seattle had the best record in the NBA at the time, Earl Boykins dropped 32 points for the Nuggets, and Kobe Bryant had a triple-double. Wait, that still hasn't changed.)

Then, all of sudden I hear Mike Breen yell "Wallace right at Artest" and then some of the most mind-boggling happenings for the next twenty-five minutes. Pistons fans fighting with Artest, Jermaine O'Neal punching fans, Current Cavaliers coach Mike Brown getting doused with beer, ESPN's Bill Walton calling it a disgrace, former Pistons coach Larry Brown trying to get touch with the fans and then slamming the microphone down, Fred Jones getting punched in the back by a fan, Reggie Miller almost getting pepper-sprayed, and John Saunders flipping out in the studio calling the Pistons fans "punks."

It almost felt like a bad movie, but it was not, it was actually happening. I was entralled and couldn't turn my eyes away from it. I watch all the post SportsCenter coverage and the phrase of the moment "Thugification of the NBA" became the battlecry of non-NBA fans.

Think about this as well, this pre-HD television and Twitter, think of the amazement that 180 characters could have presented to us back then. However, YouTube was full force and you could find the fight video more easily than ever, every angle/music video/and post Saunders freak-out. Now, you can barely find any of clips of it now on YouTube.

Alot has happened since that night, the NBA installed a dress code, Ron Artest has become "Ron Artest, Tragic Hero", and Ben Wallace is back with the Pistons. I feeling that if David Stern could change one moment in his NBA term as comissioner, it would be this one. However, I still think this is one of the most memorable moments for better or worse.

(Video Courtesy of FanDome.com)

By Ben Chew with No comments

Kobe Bryant ♥ Dwight Schrute?

In news that we could only find on Twitter, we find out that Lakers star Kobe Bryant is a fan of a particular show. Let's just say the show has been on for a "long" time and is rather "hard" not to get addicted to.

"That's What She Said", Yep, Kobe Bryant is a fan of the NBC show "The Office." Most of you are probably asking, "How do we know this?" Well, Rainn Wilson who is the actor that plays Dwight Schrute told us through his Twitter page.

Here is the tweet:

Name drop alert: Just met Koby Bryant @ GQ 'man of the year' party. He's a HUGE Office fan.Does this mean I have to start liking the Lakers?

You'll notice that he misspelled Kobe's name however that is all forgiven in this tweet clearing up the mistake.

Koby Bryant is Kobe's shorter, uglier towel manager brother.

Good comeback, Mr. Wilson. I think we can officially say that Kobe Bryant is just like us. Except for the NBA titles and millions of dollars, he's just like us.

The one positive from this story is I get to pour in some of my favorite Office videos:

By Ben Chew with No comments

Decoding David Kahn's Letter to Fans

Recently, Minnesota Timberwolves general manager David Kahn wrote a letter to fans which was posted to the "On the Wolves" blog from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Our crack staff of humor analysis, (well to be honest, a monkey in a leisure suit throwing darts at a wall) went into decipher what David Kahn really meant with this letter to fans.

Here it is:

Dear Timberwolves Fans and Supporters:

Bill Simmons.....Just Bill Simmons

I am writing this to you while on the plane from Minneapolis to Memphis, on Friday night following our loss to Dallas. We are 1-9, having lost nine in a row. Our record was to be expected – but it will not be accepted.

The peanuts they gave on the flight were acceptable. I lied about the second part.

Big difference, I think.

So totally a big difference. Party on Garth!

What matters most to me is how we respond to adversity this season – knowing it will come in heavy doses occasionally. Our last nine opponents are a collective 51-30, and there will be similar tough stretches throughout the season.

Obviously, a team that goes 1-9 is really responding to adversity. These heavy doses of Vicodin seem to be wearing off. IT'S NOT LIKE ANY OTHER TEAM HAS NOT PLAYED A SCHEDULE HARDER THAN US

Specifically, I am eager to determine if the team:

I am eager as a stripper to take those singles from your hand

• Improves week to week, month to month, first half to second half. This should occur as everything becomes more familiar and our young players develop. Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington in particular need to take advantage of the rare opportunity to play significant minutes as rookies – to learn what works and what doesn’t work at this level and eliminate the mistakes.

Rookies make mistakes, they do. That's why instead of drafting Brandon Jennings, an NBA-ready player, I went with Ricky Rubio to fail five years down the line. Also, I drafted a bazillion point guards and have no back-up help for Al Jefferson and Kevin Love

• Displays a physical and mental toughness, even when we lose. We cannot lose as we did at Golden State – without a fight. I liked the fact that we fought Dallas until the end tonight and won the fourth quarter. Our crowd appreciated it. I expect that to be the norm. I not only expect that to be part of our culture, but also will demand it.

Yep, we fought Dallas. I was so sick of listening to Mark Cuban talk trash after the game. We also gave up against Golden State, Yep #%&#ing Golden State. That team sucks even harder than us and we still lost. The warmth of the Target Center kept the fans there

• Starts running and attacking more on offense, as Kurt and I envision this team playing in the long term.

The long term being our future mortgaged on Ricky Rubio

On that last point, it has been hard for us to sustain a running game without our best rebounder, Kevin Love, and with Al Jefferson still not all the way back from his ACL knee injury. And our defense has been poor at times. It is extremely difficult to run when you are taking the ball out of the basket. But make no mistake – this will become a running team and that will be our identity.

WE ARE THE SPARTA!

I also don’t want to use Kevin and Al as excuses. Everybody has injuries. Everybody has tough parts of the schedule. Everybody has adversity. We will not be a team that makes excuses.

Although, I sorta am making excuses about them not playing. These excuses keep piling up, so I have to tell people that we are not a team that makes excuses. I'm brainwashing you as we speak. You are getting sleepy, Al Jefferson is the MVP.

At times like these, I am motivated to work harder. I want to scout more, watch more film, crunch more numbers, ask more questions. I know Kurt and the coaching staff feel the same. The coaches are the strength of our ballclub right now – I am proud to be working with them. We all recognized when we signed up for this mission that it takes a Herculean effort, from all corners, to turn around a franchise and make it championship-caliber.

No doubt, I am motivated to work harder. I stole the rest of this from Sarah Palin's new book, Going Rogue. You Betcha!

We obviously are not working hard enough yet. We need to do more. And we will.

Or I'll be fired and relegated to NBA TV

Best regards,

At least, we are not the New Jersey Nets

David Kahn

By Ben Chew with No comments

Dwayne Wade gets his Soul-Glo On

While I was trolling the internet for a story idea, I came across these two pictures of Dwayne Wade rocking a jheri curl with pictures from his Twitter page. Also, when I mean rocking a jheri curl, I MEAN ROCKING A JHERI CURL.

To be honest, Dwayne Wade never looked so....I'm still trying to define it but it's word that is defined as awesome.


"Let Your Soul Glo"



(Courtesy of No Guts, No Glory)

By Ben Chew with No comments

Trippin' with Gilbert Arenas/Agent Zero

The NBA can get boring from time to time and it's nice that we have players like Gilbert Arenas to lighten the mood every once and awhile.

Recently, Gilbert posted the first web video of his Gilbert Arenas/Agent Zero where he does away with the character only to find out that the character has it's own plans.

Essentially, it's real life Gilbert Arenas vs. a Bobblehead of himself. I think the people in the 1970's would have appreciated this especially on an acid trip in a drum circle. It's a little weird for my taste but I don't judge.

(Courtesy of Gilbertology)

By Ben Chew with No comments

Dennis Rodman Arrested.....In Germany

Recently, anytime that I have mentioned Dennis Rodman in a blog post, it usually had something to do with him on reality tv show or dealing with his bizarre behaviour.

Well this time, I at least get to talk about him being arrested in Germany.

More from NBC Sports:

Former basketball star Dennis Rodman was temporarily detained in Germany for allegedly skipping out on a $5,100 hotel bill for a post-game party, a prosecution official said Monday.

Senior prosecutor Juergen Bauer said Monday that Rodman had played in a "USA Legends of Basketball" exhibition game in the western town of Trier and threw a party afterward at his hotel.

The prosecutor said the organizers of the game had agreed to pick up the tab for Rodman's overnight stay at the hotel, but not an additional $5,100 for beverages consumed at the party.

When Rodman left the hotel Monday morning without paying the tab, the hotel director contacted the police, Bauer said. Police found Rodman's stretch limo on the highway and detained the star.

Rodman then paid the outstanding bill along with an additional $2,500 to dismiss possible legal proceedings, the prosecutor said.

This story is pretty cut and dry but it is truly sad to see how Dennis Rodman has let celebrity eat him up. He was arguably one of the best defensive players of all time in the NBA and a player who had ability to just accumulate rebounds. Now to see him as a footnote in society, it just seems off. That's Dennis being Dennis though and I got respect him for that.

Oh well, to lighten the mood, here is Germany's favorite son David Hasselhoff singing "Looking for Freedom"

By Ben Chew with 1 comment

Grading Pau Gasol's Acting Performance on CSI Miami

There are many fans of CSI Miami and you can count me as one of them.

Last night, the newest episode of CSI Miami had a cameo appearance by Lakers forward Pau Gasol playing the role of video game developer caught up in a hit and run incident.

Here are some of the notes I took about Gasol's performance:

-> Pau has an intense face, he knows how to use it
-> Seriously, what video game designer can afford a Bentley?
-> In the above clip, he appeared to get caught up in a lie but does not change any facial expression. Classic David Caruso acting, right there.
-> I am defintely think this was a better performance than his cameo on N3MBERS. Seriously, does anyone watch that show?
-> Also, when did Omar Benson Miller join the cast? Did he not have enough time to make another American Pie move?
-> Pau Gasol passed out face is the same as his intense face
-> Holy Crap, Pau Gasol died. Orlando Magic fans wish about what might have been.
-> "oooo.."Talk and Die syndrome", that's still pretty lame, CSI Miami
-> At least, Horatio had a one-liner.



That's about it, I think I stopped watching about five minutes later.

Pau Gasol's Acting Grade: Honestly, I give him a B. He could have done a better job or worse but I have a sinking feeling that if he was given more lines, we might be talking about him as "Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series."

By Ben Chew with No comments

Carl Landry Honors Dikembe with a "finger-wag"

Last week, the Houston Rockets faced off against the Utah Jazz as Carl Landry blocked a shot of Memphis Grizzlies star Rudy Gay. After the play, he did the Dikembe Mutombo finger-wag to honor his former teammate.

What made it more entertaining was that Dikembe Mutombo was in the building and got a kick out of Landry doing it.

However, I think Landry did not ask anyone to "Sex Carl Landry"



(Courtesy of Dime Magazine)

By Ben Chew with No comments

The Journey of Trevor Ariza's Shoe

Current Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza got a nice welcome back to Los Angeles when he was awarded the championship ring that he had won with the Lakers as a member last season.

However, when the game started, Ariza was just another enemy of the Lake Show. In the beginning of the first quarter, Ariza lost his shoe during play and TNLP's favorite player Ron Artest threw it into the stands.

Well, it sorta made it below the basket but I guess Artest was not really looking for distance on the throw.



(Courtesy of Both Teams Played Hard)

By Ben Chew with 1 comment

Charles Barkley and "White-Face"

On last night's edition of "Inside the NBA", Charles and Kenny got into a debate regarding who was prettier, Tina Fey or Sarah Palin.

Then a producer decided to flash a picture of Sammy Sosa current look and all hell broke loose as Charles mocked Sammy for going white.

Then Barkley decided to don "White Face" and well, watching the video is a good enough explanation.

"Say it Loud, Chuck."

By Ben Chew with No comments

Lebron might change to #6, Walter Davis Remembered

For those of you that do not know already, Lebron James is mulling over the idea of changing his number from 23 to 6 in honor of Michael Jordan.

Well, this is not sitting right with me for some reason. There has been a great player who wore the #6 already. No, it's not Bill Russell or Julius Erving. Walter Davis is the name that I was looking for.

Davis played for the Phoenix Suns from 1978-88 and was Rookie of the Year back in 1978. Davis averaged more than twenty points per game in six different seasons during his career and was also a six-time All-Star.

Why Lebron want to the kill the legacy of one, Walter Davis? Taking his number might be the last straw and I am not standing for this injustice. While most of you can go on and remember Bill Russell, Julius Erving, and Lebron James, remember the true #6 was Walter Davis.

By Ben Chew with No comments

Charles Barkley, Rick Mahorn, and Oliver Miller in a Sauna

On last night's edition of Inside the NBA, EJ's "Neat-O Stat of the Night" dealt with the Guiness World Records Day of 2009 where they showed off some of the records being broken.

Well, Charles Barkley was one of those lucky people who decided to break a record, even without knowing it. The image created by the NBA on TNT staff might be burned into your retinas for the rest of today.

By Ben Chew with No comments

Mr. Wade would like to request a facial

(Posted this over at Outside the Boxscore, needs to see the light of day here.)

One of the positives from the Miami Heat loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers was of the highlight variety with this absolutely nasty dunk by Dwayne Wade over Anderson Varejao.

We might have early winner for the dunk of the year. Just straight up, NASTY.

By Ben Chew with No comments

Who Ya Got in a Fight? Monta Ellis or Don Nelson

The Golden State Warriors so far have had a rather forgettable sta to the season with only three wins on their record. Now, Don Nelson and star guard Monta Ellis got into a verbal altercation during a practice.

We get more from San Francisco Chronicle:

Warriors coach Don Nelson and guard Monta Ellis had a war of words during Thursday's practice in New York.

Ellis kicked off the argument when he asked Nelson: "Coach, why do I get blamed for everything?"

"What have I ever blamed you for?" Nelson asked in response.

"For everything. Everything. People not knowing their plays. I didn't do this. I didn't do that," Ellis said.

Nelson then waved off Ellis and left the practice facility. Ellis refused to talk to media after the spat and his teammates tried to calm him down.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Nelson yelled at Ellis in front of the entire team after he was one of a few players that weren't quite ready to begin practice on time.

There are only a few teams where this could happen and the Golden State Warriors are defintely one of them. However this got me thinking, who would do have in a fight: Monta Ellis or Don Nelson?

Let's lay-down the numbers:

Monta Ellis: 6-3, 180 pounds, 24 years old

Don Nelson: 6-6, 240 pounds (esti.), 69 years old

This is defintely a tough one to call since on one hand Nellie could pummel Ellis relatively quickly just by brute strength but Ellis could use his quickness to evade the punches of Nellie.

The location of the fight would probably determine it as well, if Stephen Curry is anywhere around, I would side with Ellis. The pure rage would probably cause him to cold-clock them both. If it's a street fight, I side with Ellis. If it's in the boxing ring, I think it's Nellie.

I'll leave this one to you, readers of That NBA Lottery Pick.

Who Wins in a Fight?
	Don Nelson
	Monta Ellis
pollcode.com free polls

By Ben Chew with 1 comment

I dub thee "Earl Smith the 3rd." Wait, I'll stick with J.R.

Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith recently came off suspension for reckless driving and wanted to turn over a new leaf. J.R. decided that he wanted to be called by the media by his birth name, "Earl Smith the 3rd."

Well, his friends and family were not too happy about that and Smith then had a change of heart back to J.R.

We get more from the Bleacher Report:

According to the Denver Post J.R. Smith announced on Tuesday before the Nuggets game in Chicago that “from now on, he wanted to be called by his given name, Earl.”

"I just felt like changing it. It's been a long time and J.R. has no significance to my name. My name is Earl, so I figured, why not?” Smith explained Tuesday morning.

But after the game, apparently many of J.R.’s friends and family heard the news and Smith claimed, “There was too much controversy with the switch. I got a lot of calls and text messages and e-mails. It wasn't a good move.”

To be honest, I actual like Earl Smith the 3rd, sounds classy on some level but I can understand why his family would be in an uproar about something like this.

So let's remember the statline that JR Smith played as "Earl Smith the 3rd"

29 minutes, 1-9 shooting from the field, 5 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists

I think he made the right decision to stick with J.R.

By Ben Chew with No comments

The Gravity-Defying Acts of Will Bynum

For those of you who do not who Will Bynum is, I think this video is a precursor of good things to come for the young Detroit guard.

In the clip above, he throws down two nasty slams against the Charlotte Bobcats. One of them on Tyson Chandler.

(Courtesy of Need for Sheed)

By Ben Chew with No comments

You're Fired, Byron Scott

If you had New Orleans Hornets head coach Byron Scott in your "Next NBA Head Coach to be fired" pool, you are collecting your cash today.

Here is more from the LA Times:

Former Lakers star Byron Scott was fired as coach of the New Orleans Hornets today and was replaced by General Manager Jeff Bower.

Owner George Shinn said in a statement that the move gives the Hornets the best opportunity “to reach our goals this season.”

The Hornets also announced that former New Orleans head coach Tim Floyd, who resigned as USC coach before this season started, will be one of Bower’s top assistants.

New Orleans lost 124-104 at Phoenix on Wednesday, falling to 3-6 to start the season.

When Scott took over as coach after the 2003-04 season, he was the Hornets’ third coach in three seasons. He was the NBA coach of the year in 2008, when the Hornets finished 56-26. He was in the last year of his contract.

I always like Byron Scott as a head coach but that one great year usually screws most NBA coaches due to the high expectations for the future. Sure, Scott had Chris Paul but looking at the current New Orleans roster, there is not alot of talent there.

My real question is, "Why is the Hornets GM getting named as the head coach?" The last time I checked, Tim Floyd was a more than competent individual to deal with the time by himself. Oh well, at least he will not need to stop any casino fights any time soon.

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Shaq/Shaunie O'Neal: Marriage Over?

There are many power couples in the NBA today but one that had the longest standing marraige was Shaquille O'Neal and his wife Shaunie. Well that has ended since Shaunie has filed for divorce from the Big Aristotelian.

We get more from TMZ:

TMZ has learned Shaunie filed legal papers yesterday in L.A., even though the couple lives in Florida. The petition says although Shaunie is filing for legal separation, she intends to file for divorce. She lists "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for separation.

We're told Shaunie pulled her kids out of school in Florida several days ago and they are with her now in L.A.

Why, you ask, would Shaunie cross the country to file in L.A.? Well, a spouse generally does a lot better in the spousal support department here in California. Shaunie is asking for both spousal and child support -- though she did not specify an amount for either.

Great, now we have to look at Khlomar and MariaSha for stability in the NBA lifestyle.

By Ben Chew with 1 comment

Travis Outlaw lowers the "BOOM!"

During last night's Portland Trailblazer/Memphis Grizzlies affair, Blazers forward Travis Outlaw rebounded a miss from Martell Webster and then lowered the boom on Rudy Gay.

On the Richter Scale, that would be about a 4.5

(Courtesy of Intentional Foul)

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Dr J on Sesame Street

Yesterday, I posted a video of Vince Carter on Sesame Street and while through the NBA blogs, Ball Don't Lie has a clip of Dr. J on Sesame Street.

If only what Dr J said was so simple.

(Courtesy of Ball Don't Lie)

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The Onion Sports Network: Accident Prevents Fans from Watching Clippers Game

One of favorite humor site is "The Onion" and I am grateful that they have created the "Onion Sports Network" to tickle my sports funny bone.

In this clip, they speak of a terrible disaster that happens at Staples Center during a Los Angeles Clippers game which saved some fans from actually watching the game.

Everyone gets take a free shot at the Clippers for now but I have a sinking suspicion that Blake Griffin might change that.

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Vince Carter on Sesame Street

For those of you that do not know, Sesame Street is celebrating it's 40th year of taping and we hear at That NBA Lottery Pick would like to congratulate them on their success.

One of my favorite NBA-related Sesame Street clip is of Vince Carter and Grover. I never knew that Grover had game.

The above clip is his actual appearance and below is the behind the scenes.

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Finally, your girlfriend can rock "Gucci Jordans"

Most of you are probably looking at the picture above saying, those cannot be real.

However they are, "Gucci Jordan's" in red high heel. Essentially, they are Gucci boots with a look for a Michael Jordan sneaker.

Well, I think my Christmas shopping has just finished.

(Courtesy of SportsbyBrooks)

By Ben Chew with No comments

Kobe Bryant on Lopez Tonight

Kobe Bryant was recently on the first episode of "George Lopez Tonight" which was on TBS. (Yes, George Lopez got a late-night gig. Seriously, TBS, you could've called me.)

They banter about the Lakers, golf, and fielded questions from the audience. (I think Stephen A. Smith threw-up in his mouth a little bit)

However, what in the world is Kobe wearing? Did we flashback to 1984 for like 7 minutes?

(Courtesy of Hooped Up)

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Caron Butler "Undo" the Dew

There are many bad habits and addictions to have, ranging from biting your fingernails to being addicted to love. (You see what I did there, clever, huh?)

Washington Wizards forward Caron Butler had an addiction to one popular soft drink, Mountain Dew. In the above video, he explains how he kicked the habit.

I'll give Caron some credit, "Tough Juice" could win an Oscar with this performance.

(Courtesy of Truth About It)

By Ben Chew with 1 comment

Khlomar on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Last week on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian were onto talk about some marriage they recently had.

You can obviously tell by the video above that they are madly in love or what at least Hollywood who deem to be love.

If the Lakers do not repeat as champions, I think we will know who will get the eventual blame.

By Ben Chew with No comments

Charles Barkley Forgets How to Count

For our second clip of Inside the NBA last week, Charles Barkley was doing promos for the NBA on TNT and well he forgets the number of how many words that he uses.

Also, I'm pretty sure that "and" is a word.

By Ben Chew with No comments

Ernie Johnson Punk'd Charles Barkley

For today, we have a two clips from last week's "Inside the NBA" that I did not get to from last week.

In this clip, Ernie/Chris Webber/Charles Barkley are allegedly enjoying a milkshake that taste exactly like a Krispy Kreme donut.

Very sadly, Ernie Johnson decided to play a little joke on Charles.

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The First NBA Player to Catch Swine Flu....Chris Douglas-Roberts

This NBA season for the New Jersey Nets has been rather forgettable from being the only team left in the NBA without win to a possibly move to Brooklyn in the near future.

Well, it's just got a little worst in the fact that one of their players, Chris Douglas-Roberts caught the H1N1 virus.

We get more from the New York Daily News:

Second-year forward Chris Douglas-Roberts has been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, the team announced before Saturday night's game against the Celtics at the Meadowlands.

Under a league mandate, Douglas-Roberts had been quarantined from his teammates since he started experiencing flu-like symptoms following Wednesday's home game against Denver. In a statement announcing the diagnosis, the team said that Douglas-Roberts had been "treated accordingly" and that the Nets have "followed all precautionary measures as mandated by NBA guidelines."

Before the game, Lawrence Frank said the quarantine period had ended and that Douglas-Roberts is free to rejoin the team whenever he feels better.

"But I talked to him today (and) he doesn't sound very good," the coach said.

Douglas-Roberts, a 22-year-old who is averaging 15.6 points in his first season as a starter, has been using his Twitter account to provide updates on his condition.

"Haven't been this sick in a long time," Douglas-Roberts tweeted on Thursday night before adding Saturday that he "just got the call from Doc, bad bad news."

The Nets issued regular flu shots to players who wanted them - Douglas-Roberts turned it down, according to one teammate - but the H1N1 vaccine has not yet been given to them.

There are people probably ready to assume that this might be another pun or analogy about how bad the Nets season has been so far, but we hope Chris Douglas-Roberts will have a speedy recovery.

Is it just me or does the NBA sound like it's own country in this article? CDR gets quaratined due to a league mandate. Sounds like something from a bad sci-fi movie.

(Courtesy of New York Daily News)

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Josh Smith Grounds the Birdman

Most of us know that Lebron James is the best at chasing down a play to get a block that no one expects.

However, we all forget that Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith is probably the second best at doing it.

In this clip versus the Denver Nuggets, he chases down the "Birdman," Chris Anderson.

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Just Stop It, Andre Igoudala

During last night's victory against the New Jersey Nets, forward Andre Igoudala threw down a nasty dunk in the 2nd quarter.

With the loss, the Nets remain the only winless team in the NBA and well, Andre Igoudala laided the hammer down on them

(Courtesy of The Big Lead)

By Ben Chew with No comments

So That's Where My Putter Went....

During last night's "Inside the NBA", EJ's Neat-O Stat of the Night had to deal with a fan submission of a golf putter.

Ernie then asked Chris Webber to use it on the putting green put out by the staff. Chris Webber eventually made the shot and then Ernie gave him the news of how the putter was made.

My real question is, "Where in the World did Charles Barkley have Bull Penis?"

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Rashad McCants calls "Shenanigans" on Khloe Kardashian

Former NBA player Rashad McCants would like to clear his name on one thing. That one thing is that former flame Khloe Kardashian faked a scene on her reality show, "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami" in which Rashad appears in a negative light.

Here is more from The New York Post:

NBA star Rashad McCants says there was nothing real about his stint on former girlfriend Khloe Kardashian's reality show. The shooting guard said Khloe and sister Kourtney, who claimed he cheated on Khloe, "made the whole thing up." McCants said a "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami" episode -- where they were seen hacking into McCants' voice mail and listening to suggestive phone messages apparently left for him by a female fan -- was staged. He said the curvy sisters did not have his current phone number and he and Khloe "had already called it quits" in January, before the segment was even taped.

This is obviously a big shock to many of us. I cannot believe that a reality show had anything on it that was staged or faked in anyway.

(Hint of Sarcasm)

However, I completely feel for Rashad McCants, not only did Khloe appear to make him look like a cheater but it was for entertainment value. If they really did break up back in January, that should have been noted. Couldn't Khloe at least have done this on a revenge tryst? That would make sense to me.

Oh well, maybe Rashad should be more worried about getting back to the NBA instead of a reality show that defiled his character. The confusing thing for me is, "Did anyone really watch that show?"

By Ben Chew with No comments

"The Wow Factor" that is Tyler Hansbrough

In the above video, Indiana Pacers forward and former UNC star Tyler Hansbrough decided to try his hand at acting.

The commercial above is a local car salesman in North Carolina and well, let's just say that Psycho-T might need to take some acting lessons.

Most of you probably will remember this is Psycho-T's second commercial.



(Courtesy of Rush the Court)

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Bird/Magic on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

On last night's episode of "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien", Conan's guests were NBA legends Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

You can obviously see Conan's glee since he did grow up near Boston and followed the Celtics. Magic was in studio and Bird was beamed in via satellite.

It's nice to Magic and Bird together again, it's like 1985 all over again.



(Courtesy of 3030FM)

Update- For those with issues with TwitVid, here are the NBC clips of the interview.

By Ben Chew with No comments

The ESPN Trade Machine approves Can of Tuna for Carlos Boozer

For some reason, I still think this deal is too rich.



(Courtesy of SLC Jazz)

By Ben Chew with 1 comment

Alternate Timelines and Len Bias

One of the true "What If's" in NBA history comes from the tragic saga of one Len Bias whose dream of playing in the NBA was short-lived after he passed away from a cardiac arrhythmia which resulted from a cocaine overdose.

Bias was believed to be the best player in the 1986 NBA Draft where he was drafted by the Boston Celtics who previously won the NBA championship. At the time, it was believed that Bias was going to be one of the greats in NBA history. Bias had everything from a jump-shot to athletic ability beyond belief and a killer instinct.

It was believed that even Bias was going to be a better player than one Michael Jordan who he faced off with in the ACC. Then the tragedy struck and the Celtics were never the same after that. It took the Celtics a total of 24 years to win another title after the Bias tragedy.

However, "What If Bias played in the NBA?" I think there are two distinct timelines that could have happened for Bias based on the information that we have. I'm sorry to go all "Butterfly Effect" on everybody.

(Note: These timelines are just based on loose facts and assumptions. We will never know the true truth of the night that Bias passed away or his alleged use of cocaine. This is more of a study of what could have happened if Bias played in the NBA and the possiblity if he used cocaine in the NBA)

Timeline 1-Bias Dominates the NBA

After being drafted by the Celtics, Bias goes onto help the Celtics corral the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1987 NBA Finals winning in seven games. Bias career takes off as he seen as the air apparent to Larry Bird. Bias alongside Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parrish help win titles for the Celtics in 1989 and 1990.

Bias is seen as Boston's favorite son in the early 90's and his rivalry with Michael Jordan become the greatest rivalry in NBA history. Bias Celtics win titles in 1991 and 1992. Jordan has the last laugh in 1993 as he beats Bias and Celtics with a last second shot in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals.

It appears that Bias has the upper-hand on the NBA when Jordan retires but the tragic passing of Reggie Lewis deeply hurts Bias. The Celtic teams in 1994/1995 come up painfully short in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks. Most Boston fans consider how great the team could have been if Lewis was still alive.

Bias eventually retires at the end of the 1996 NBA season and is named as one of the NBA's Top 50 players at the All-Star break in Cleveland. Bias final game happens against the Toronto Raptors as he pours in 21 points as the Celtics eek out a win in Bias final game.

Bias is considered in the conversation as one of the best players in NBA history and his endorsement with Reebok helps give the brand notoriety with his success.

Timeline 2-Cocaine catches up with Bias

Bias helps the Celtics win the NBA title in 1986 as they defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games. However, many players on the Celtics team believe that Bias is a drug user due to his erratic play.

Celtics forward Larry Bird tries to take Bias under his wing but he can only do so much. Bias play become more erratic as suspicions mount that he is a drug user due to the other revelations around the league with Chris Washburn, Roy Tarpley and William Bedford.

The Celtics fans begin to curse the pick that Auerbach made and see Bias as a wash-up has-been. The Celtics fail to return to the NBA Finals during Bias tenure with the team. With the passing of Reggie Lewis, Bias changes his life and plays clean for the rest of his career.

Bias goes to have an average NBA career for the Celtics, Nets, Heat and Cavaliers. Bias eventually retires in 1998. He becomes the poster-child for NBA draft busts that never lived up to the potential.

Bias eventually admits later in a book, that he did use cocaine while in the NBA. Bias along with his mother speak out against the dangers of drugs and peer pressure. Bias is seen by the league as a great reform story and is commended for turning his life around.

In a television interview with ESPN, a question is brought up regarding the "If he had lived up to his potential as an NBA player." Bias replies, "We never will know, Will We?"

The sad part of the story is that we will never know how good Len Bias could have been and in the end, the Bias tragedy is a testiment to the fact that life doles out no second chances and one mistake can change a life forever.

RIP Len Bias: 1963-1986

By Ben Chew with 2 comments

The Best of Bill Walton's NBA Commentary

Most of you probably have heard by now that Bill Walton has retired from the ESPN broadcasting booth due to health issues.

We get more info from Awful Announcing:

Citing persistent back problems, Bill Walton has decided not to appear on ESPN’s NBA telecasts this year, ending a relationship that started in '02. The Basketball HOFer missed most of last season because of back pain. His deal with ESPN expires after this season. “As I return after a grueling multi-year, life-threatening, life-changing ordeal with back problems, it is time to dedicate the rest of my life to service,” Walton said in a statement released by ESPN. “It is great to be back in the game. Thanks everybody -- for everything.” ESPN Exec VP/Studio & Remote Production Norby Williamson: “Bill is a Hall of Fame talent, both as a player and broadcaster. NBA fans will miss his distinct personality. We appreciate all of his contributions to ESPN and share best wishes toward continued health and happiness.”

Many blogs have already commented on the departure and Sharapova's Thigh has a list of classic Bill Walton quotes.

So I figured that I should put together some of the best Bill Walton moments from YouTube.

We will miss you Bill, "Throw It Down, Big Man"

By Ben Chew with No comments