Heat of the Moment

I don’t even know what to say. I don’t feel like blasting LeBron for being a quitter or being afraid of the challenge. I don’t feel like I need to convince myself that the Heat will in fact not work out. I just don’t know.

Looking Forward to “The Decision”

This guy (and his smug mug) will get his own TV special about his future team, tonight (July 8) at 9 PM Eastern Time.

Who would have thought that LeBron might end up looking like a good guy after he announces his new team? Announced earlier today, LeBron will have a one-hour primetime ESPN special dedicated to… him. So, who are the winners and losers of this decision?

No Engine Brake

Even though Miami was the most rumored destination spot for Chris Bosh this offseason, with or without Mr. James, the news that he was definitely going to Miami is still a bit stunning.

Circling Thunderstorms

I don’t understand this Amar’e deal. I just don’t get it.

Beasts of Darkness and Free Agency

If there isn’t a Superteam created at this point, wont we all think this offseason was a disappointment?

I Love This Stuff

How can you not love playoff basketball, especially this season’s version of postseason antics? It has at once been exhilarating and boring, expected and surprising, heroic and deflating. What is left is right, up is down, yet it all is normal in the same prism that previous playoffs have been seen in.

MIA

All members of the Heat not named Dwyane Wade didn’t even show up last night. That is just embarrassing.

However, Ray Allen was definitely there. See: 7 of 9 from 3-point territory.

AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Fire In the Sky

The MVP race is not really a race at all and hasn’t been since LeBron secured his second or third straight player of the month award. LeBron could go scoreless, reboundless, and assistless for the remainder of the season and still win this MVP. The competition really isn’t even competitive.

The Myth

There is a myth circulating around the league that the Lakers are far and away the best team in the league, a virtual lock to win another championship. It almost seems as if they are unbeatable. And in fairness, they are the toughest team in the league to beat, especially if they are playing anywhere near what they are capable of.

Live Blogging the Christmas Quintuple-Header

Editor’s Note: This was a live blog. As the afternoon progressed, this post was periodically updated with reactions from the quintuple-header (not a “pentuple-header” as incorrectly reported in Podcast #14)

12:00 PM: Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” kicks off the action, accompanied by ridiculous clips of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade shaking (obviously empty) wrapped presents, replete with equally ridiculous Santa hats. I have a feeling that I will get sick of this song by the end of the first quarter. Hopefully I’ll be able to dig up a YouTube link in case you haven’t seen it yet.

12:02 PM: Fun stat: Dwyane Wade has played in five Christmas Day (and/or Taiwanese Constitution Day) games over the past seven seasons.

12:06 PM: Dwyane Wade warms up by doing pull ups on the rim of the basket. No big deal.

12:08 PM: Tip-off. The Knicks win the tip, sporting green jerseys that look awful.

12:15 PM: Now, those are three words you don’t hear that often in the same sentence: “Knicks,” “winning,” and “streak.” Apparently, they have a five-game home winning streak, dating back to November 29.

Champ’s Power Rankings: Week One

The 2009-2010 season has been one of immense scoring, and tremendous excitement.

1. Boston Celtics: I am no fool. The Celtics are legit, at this point in time the C’s are  the best team in the league. Their offense is clicking, Rasheed Wallace looks more like a contestant for the All Star Weekend NBA 3 Point Contest, rather than the Sixth Man of the Year. Rondo got his extension, a safe move to protect young talent on an aging team. Things are working out in Boston, and as of week one, no team can touch them.

2. Orlando Magic: Just ask The Octagon, the Magic are very potent. The depth of this Magic Team is simply incredible. Their scoring recalls the glory days of the Phoenix Suns under Mike D’Antoni. Just think with J.J. (Get me a record deal!) Reddick scoring 27 points in the absence of Vince Carter, as well as Rashard Lewis’ suspension and Pietrus’ injury the Orlando Magic offense firing on all cylinders is truly scary.

3. Los Angeles Lakers: I can’t bring myself to rank the Lakers any lower than third, they are: 1. still the best team substantially in the Western Conference 2. temporarily lacking the frontcourt depth that Pau Gasol brings and 3. they are the Los Angeles Lakers, the same Lakers that have won 15 NBA titles, brought in guys like Gasol and Ron Artest, and will continue to do anything to win Kobe another ring.

A Flash of Genius

If you search through the catacombs of the Association, you would be hard pressed to locate a player with as much blinding agility, unabashed speed, and graceful power as Dwyane Wade. Struggling through injury, competition, and doubt, Wade has firmly secured his place among the elite basketball players in the league, rivaling the tremendous exploits of Kobe, LeBron, Duncan, Paul, and Carmelo.

Is it too early to make predictions for the next season? Probably, but I’ll make one anyway: Dwyane Wade will be the MVP of the 2009-10 season. This is more than forecasting the weather or picking a successor, this is selecting the next important and valuable player in the league. It is more than blind luck and recognizing patterns. To that point, Dwyane Wade is more than the atypical slashing shooting guard with a dumbfounding sense of the basket and irregular coordination while traversing the air. He is the definition of cool and plays each moment of the game with an unstated assurance and flashiness that is misleading of his talents and hurts his cause of being one of the best in the game.

Living in the Shadow of Greatness

Ever since his first retirement, analysts and commentators have openly speculated about who is going to be the next Jordan. From his marketing prowess to his unmatched greatness on the basketball court, Jordan is the player that all others are judged by.

There have been numerous contenders for the ultimate title, including Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade. Each one very talented but none of them have ever completely filled the void left by his Airness.

The Success Recipe

Most teams around the Association have enacted the same process for going about building a team that has a great chance of winning games. They use the same basic outline and then add a few spices to the mix in order to attain the ultimate glory.

Wrap It Before You Scrap It

Well ladies and gentlemen, another NBA season has come and gone and before we throw it away and prepare for the draft, let us all take a look at what we learned.