Authentic, Unpredictable, New Single

Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

I’m happy for Ron Artest.

Its just that, we judge Ron to be authentic. He doesn’t act “crazy” or anything like that for the betterment of his career, because reality would be quite the opposite. He doesn’t play up his character with the prospects of endorsement deals and bigger contracts tattooed on the back of his mind (like, say, Dennis Rodman).

Ignore It Like Kobe

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That game got physical real fast. I didn’t expect Paul Pierce to be the initiator, but whatever works (or doesn’t, in this case). Boston looked to try to duplicate past successes against Los Angeles by being tougher, both physically and mentally. They proved neither in last night’s game, but by all rights still may in the approaching games.

Queensbridge

Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images

All of that, and Ron Artest is the hero? I guess that makes sense in a strange, fate-driven way.

Mission Statement

Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The key thing to remember is that all hope is not lost. Hey, this game was tied 90-90 going into the fourth quarter. The Suns were riding a tidal wave of momentum with Grant Hill routinely draining the very mid-range jumpshot while Kobe or any of his backups relaxed their defense on the senior citizen of the NBA world.

Really?

Ron Artest is channeling his best Dennis Rodman by dying his hair funky colors with the added sprinkle of language emblazoned across his dome. Maybe he thought this could snap the Lakers’ funk recently, however it did little to prevent another Lakers’ loss, brining the streak to a surprising three games.

Hip-Hop Breeds Contempt

Aim here Gilbert

As the Gilbert Arenas saga evolves from comedy to tragedy, a familiar topic is once again linked to the NBA. The ever present Hip-Hop culture once again surfaces as a catch all for the actions of Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton. Somewhere along the line David Stern and other league executives decided to marry the NBA to hip-hop and, but clearly they didn’t know what they were getting themselves into.

Given recent player actions, it seems as though the dark side of hip-hop has also managed to infiltrate the league. With its “bling-bling” gaudiness and “I gotta get paid” ruthlessness, this culture isn’t exactly synonymous with the average NBA fan. To the NBA’s credit, welcoming the music of Will Smith and L.L Cool J is a terrific marketing move, one certain to help the league resonate with younger fans. However, when welcoming the mainstream side of hip-hop, the NBA also opened the door for violence, drug-abuse, gang related sub-culture, and other misnomers of traditional thug life personified by players such as Allen Iverson. When he entered the league, Iverson was the poster boy for this thug life ruthlessness; he was a walking middle finger pointed directly at David Stern and his efforts to improve the image of the league.

Observations on the Orlando/Atlanta Game

Yeah, we’re back.

The Champ sits here in his home writing this in anticipation of tonight’s game. The Octagon is now here, good to see him. We’re still waiting on the arrival of The Franchise, and The Custodian is MIA.

National Geographic’s Expedition Week Live Blog: Great White: Face to Face

(Editor’s Note: The original title of this post was “Paints in the Point Exclusive: National Geographic’s Expedition Week Live Blog: Great White: Face to Face a Multimedia Extravaganza featuring The Champ and The Franchise as Master Anglers and Commanders of the Seas,” but was shortened to enhance usability of the website.)

On the National Geogaphic Channel, Expedition Week happens but once a year. To celebrate this we at Paints in the Point have decided to Live Blog the special Great White: Face to Face. Who knows, there may be some basketball references along with our classic Paints in the Point hilarity.

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.

Just My Thoughts

Kobe Bryant shows off his fourth championship ring.

At long last, we tip off once more. Eight months away from the 2010 Finals, the Association is already buzzing with the excitement of opening night.

Ron Artest on Tim Duncan

“I remember one time Kevin Garnett was mushing him, and shoving him in the face; and Tim Duncan didn’t do anything, he didn’t react. He just kicked Kevin Garnett’s ass, and won the damn championship. You know what I’m sayin‘? That’s gangsta. Everybody can show emotion, dunk on somebody, scream and be real cocky; but Tim Duncan is a … he’s a pimp.”

—Ron Artest

Ron-Ron Does L.A.

Okay Los Angeles, first it was David Beckham, then Manny Ramirez, and now you’ve invited none other than NBA Fight Night King Ron Artest to join the traffic congestion on I-405. The Lakers have signed Ron Artest to a five year deal where Artest will play small-forward and wear number 37, in honor of Michael Jackson.  Everybody who is anybody in sports knows Ron Artest for his role in the infamous Pacers-Pistons basketbrawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills in 2004, but that is neither here nor there.

Turtle Power

As I watched one of my favorite childhood movies recently (the live action TMNT), I was reminded of the importance of teamwork and cohesion amongst a group. This spurred my focus onto the game of basketball and the remarking similarity between the mutated turtles and one basketball team in particular: the Los Angeles Lakers.

 The classic characters each have their real counterparts in the form of large, athletic basketball players. Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo, Splinter, and Casey Jones each parallel a current player/coach for the Lakers (not including the unsigned Lamar Odom).

Basketball Watching Etiquette

We’ve all been in that situation before, you have been invited out, either to someone’s house or a public place to enjoy a game of basketball with some friends or people you are cordial with. Soon your head is running at 100 mph, questions popping like balloons in the jaws of a shark. Worries and concerns that grab the reigns of your brain and driving it into a ditch. You needn’t fret about it any longer, for you are about to discover the definitive list of to-dos and don’ts:

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.