Post: #576

I like Bill Simmons but he is just a sports nerd in genera, he can study and be well versed for anything. The one thing I didn't like is how he shafted the Basketball Jones out of Canada whom have one of the better NBA podcasts around. They can be annoying at times but the balance between knowledge, opinion, stats is great. Basically Simmons shafted them on Grantland once he became an "NBA guy" because the Basketball Jones basically compete with him, and have a longer track record and resume for the NBA then Simmons has had. That's my only glare on the 'Sports Guy' Simmons, maybe also that he has taken ESPN hostage but maybe it will be for good vs worse. His 30-for-30 kept any last bit of legitimacy ESPN had for actual quality product.

Post: #577

It's funny that we're having this discussion about sports journalism right now. ESPN just hired a new ombudsman, Robert Lipsyte, and here's the interview with him about the job:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/ne...nl_siextra

I grabbed a couple of snippets for you, and surprise! First Take came up right off the bat...

SI.com: How do you view the culture of debate at ESPN?
Lipsyte: I wrote a city column for the New York Times and for one whole year I covered a New York City high school debate team as if it was a varsity sport. It was fascinating. I am kind of aware of what debate is about so I don't think that is debate. That's not a debate with rules and points of view. That is very often just loud caterwauling. Now, is that entertainment or journalism? Richard Sherman and Skip Bayless? Is that debate? What is that? I think that is something I have not really thought about but something I really will think about. It's been certainly dealt with before and I think [former ESPN ombudsman] Le Anne's [Schreiber] take was "Would you shut up a little?" But I have not paid attention to it and watched it day after day.


SI.com: So does that mean you have to get more up to speed on their various platforms?
Lipsyte: Well, some things more than others. Ever since I wrote a blog for what does not seem to exist at ESPN anymore -- Page 2 -- I've had a regular history at that place. I'll check SportsCenter and if I remember what time it is on, I might even look at First Take. I get the magazine. Certainly, I am a big fan of 30 for 30. I like the show OTL [Outside The Lines] and E:60. I think I am a casual consumer of ESPN. What has been interesting to me is since the announcement, all kind of friends and acquaintances have said to me they watch ESPN all the time and have interesting ideas.

Post: #578

(05-28-2013 08:33 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  

(05-28-2013 08:28 PM)MaleDefined Wrote:  

(05-28-2013 08:23 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  Just out of curiosity, can somebody explain to me why the Knicks always get such high expectations? They've won one championship, and that was a long time ago, right? They're not exactly the definition of a storied franchise - they've certainly been less successful than the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, Bulls, Heat, and Rockets - so why are they crowned the "Mecca" of basketball? Is it the playground culture/Rucker park? Is that it? What's the deal?

I don't hate the knicks by any means - i even root for them when the opponent is right - but I do find them mostly laughable and dysfunctional, this year included. I can't muster the respect for that franchise.

New Yorkers are born with basketball in their blood. It's not even just the Knicks, it's just the game itself.

I was out in Shanghai last summer and I went to play ball at the huge open air courts by where the Sharks play in PuDong and it was a 'everything stops' moment, when in a sea of 2000 Chinese dudes playing ball a white dude walking a ball through his legs walks into the place. I explained I was from New York and I was mobbed like a hot escort for my services in the games.

I got the best defender in every game and everything was deferred to me on offense. I took pride in the fact that the world views NYC as the capital of ball and I had to do my part.

What do you mean by that exactly? Can you explain? Is it that every new yorker grows up playing the game on the streets? Because I don't see much in their franchise to draw inspiration from.

Then again, New York basketball reminds me of English Football. They take great pride in the sport, but they never seem to win much.

How was playing in China? Were they good? I played a little bit in Shanghai over the winter against some Fudan college kids. These kids don't play D. But I assume playing by the Shanghai Sharks courts is a whole different story.

Technically they weren't bad as a whole. The problem is that there is no formal coaching for many of them. Basic defensive concepts such as knowing when to switch screens, move off a man and trap in a corner, or how to box out were lost. Full court games are hilarious cluster fucks. I was getting yelled at in Chinese because they thought I was doing things wrong defensively. I tried to teach basic team defense concepts to my team on the fly in between games, but the language barrier and relative inexperience with the game proved it impossible. Here I am having played with a bevy of D1 guys, and a few NBA guys in high school trying to guide toddlers playing basketball.

I played in the CHSAA, which is generally regarded as the top High School league in the country. I couldn't explain the pride NYC takes in their basketball, but I suppose it's close to the way England feels about their football. Not only will I cross you over, but I will knock your ass on the ground if you take it to the hoop on me.

Post: #579

(05-28-2013 08:33 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  

(05-28-2013 08:28 PM)MaleDefined Wrote:  

(05-28-2013 08:23 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  Just out of curiosity, can somebody explain to me why the Knicks always get such high expectations? They've won one championship, and that was a long time ago, right? They're not exactly the definition of a storied franchise - they've certainly been less successful than the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, Bulls, Heat, and Rockets - so why are they crowned the "Mecca" of basketball? Is it the playground culture/Rucker park? Is that it? What's the deal?

I don't hate the knicks by any means - i even root for them when the opponent is right - but I do find them mostly laughable and dysfunctional, this year included. I can't muster the respect for that franchise.

New Yorkers are born with basketball in their blood. It's not even just the Knicks, it's just the game itself.

I was out in Shanghai last summer and I went to play ball at the huge open air courts by where the Sharks play in PuDong and it was a 'everything stops' moment, when in a sea of 2000 Chinese dudes playing ball a white dude walking a ball through his legs walks into the place. I explained I was from New York and I was mobbed like a hot escort for my services in the games.

I got the best defender in every game and everything was deferred to me on offense. I took pride in the fact that the world views NYC as the capital of ball and I had to do my part.

What do you mean by that exactly? Can you explain? Is it that every new yorker grows up playing the game on the streets? Because I don't see much in their franchise to draw inspiration from.

Then again, New York basketball reminds me of English Football. They take great pride in the sport, but they never seem to win much.

How was playing in China? Were they good? I played a little bit in Shanghai over the winter against some Fudan college kids. These kids don't play D. But I assume playing by the Shanghai Sharks courts is a whole different story.

Basketball is the "city" game. There are school yard and public courts everywhere. You only need one ball per court, and the whole neighborhood can play all day. It's the most accessible sport. The Knicks are one of the original franchises, and have won two titles ('70 and '73, and have been to the Finals 8 times total in their history, including twice in the 90s). A lot of the buzz around the Knicks isn't so much expectation, but HOPE that they will be contenders, because it's believed that the league as a whole benefits when they are contenders. Actually, the league needs/wants it's big market and/or oldest/original franchises to do well. Namely the Celtics, Lakers, Knicks. The Knicks have a few Hall of Famers, and guys on the 50 Greatest Players list. That's also part of the reason why so many want to see the Knicks rise again. Even if they don't have the titles that Celts and Lakers have, they have a great history. And ask players around the league how they feel about playing in Madison Square Garden...

Post: #580

(05-28-2013 08:40 PM)MaleDefined Wrote:  

(05-28-2013 08:33 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  

(05-28-2013 08:28 PM)MaleDefined Wrote:  

(05-28-2013 08:23 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  Just out of curiosity, can somebody explain to me why the Knicks always get such high expectations? They've won one championship, and that was a long time ago, right? They're not exactly the definition of a storied franchise - they've certainly been less successful than the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, Bulls, Heat, and Rockets - so why are they crowned the "Mecca" of basketball? Is it the playground culture/Rucker park? Is that it? What's the deal?

I don't hate the knicks by any means - i even root for them when the opponent is right - but I do find them mostly laughable and dysfunctional, this year included. I can't muster the respect for that franchise.

New Yorkers are born with basketball in their blood. It's not even just the Knicks, it's just the game itself.

I was out in Shanghai last summer and I went to play ball at the huge open air courts by where the Sharks play in PuDong and it was a 'everything stops' moment, when in a sea of 2000 Chinese dudes playing ball a white dude walking a ball through his legs walks into the place. I explained I was from New York and I was mobbed like a hot escort for my services in the games.

I got the best defender in every game and everything was deferred to me on offense. I took pride in the fact that the world views NYC as the capital of ball and I had to do my part.

What do you mean by that exactly? Can you explain? Is it that every new yorker grows up playing the game on the streets? Because I don't see much in their franchise to draw inspiration from.

Then again, New York basketball reminds me of English Football. They take great pride in the sport, but they never seem to win much.

How was playing in China? Were they good? I played a little bit in Shanghai over the winter against some Fudan college kids. These kids don't play D. But I assume playing by the Shanghai Sharks courts is a whole different story.

Technically they weren't bad as a whole. The problem is that there is no formal coaching for many of them. Basic defensive concepts such as knowing when to switch screens, move off a man and trap in a corner, or how to box out were lost. Full court games are hilarious cluster fucks. I was getting yelled at in Chinese because they thought I was doing things wrong defensively. I tried to teach basic team defense concepts to my team on the fly in between games, but the language barrier and relative inexperience with the game proved it impossible. Here I am having played with a bevy of D1 guys, and a few NBA guys in high school trying to guide toddlers playing basketball.

I played in the CHSAA, which is generally regarded as the top High School league in the country. I couldn't explain the pride NYC takes in their basketball, but I suppose it's close to the way England feels about their football. Not only will I cross you over, but I will knock your ass on the ground if you take it to the hoop on me.

Interesting - do you have any advice for where to get some good personal basketball coaching? I play a lot in law school, and I'll probably try to play for my company/firm once i start working. I shoot the ball well, can drive, and play great man-to-man D, but I find myself lacking the basketball IQ that some really good players have. Namely, i do get confused on defending the pick and roll, switching, helping; on the offensive end, i find myself not really knowing where to go without the ball at times, so I either just go rogue or camp outside the three point line.

Post: #581

(05-28-2013 09:20 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  

(05-28-2013 08:40 PM)MaleDefined Wrote:  

(05-28-2013 08:33 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  

(05-28-2013 08:28 PM)MaleDefined Wrote:  

(05-28-2013 08:23 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  Just out of curiosity, can somebody explain to me why the Knicks always get such high expectations? They've won one championship, and that was a long time ago, right? They're not exactly the definition of a storied franchise - they've certainly been less successful than the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, Bulls, Heat, and Rockets - so why are they crowned the "Mecca" of basketball? Is it the playground culture/Rucker park? Is that it? What's the deal?

I don't hate the knicks by any means - i even root for them when the opponent is right - but I do find them mostly laughable and dysfunctional, this year included. I can't muster the respect for that franchise.

New Yorkers are born with basketball in their blood. It's not even just the Knicks, it's just the game itself.

I was out in Shanghai last summer and I went to play ball at the huge open air courts by where the Sharks play in PuDong and it was a 'everything stops' moment, when in a sea of 2000 Chinese dudes playing ball a white dude walking a ball through his legs walks into the place. I explained I was from New York and I was mobbed like a hot escort for my services in the games.

I got the best defender in every game and everything was deferred to me on offense. I took pride in the fact that the world views NYC as the capital of ball and I had to do my part.

What do you mean by that exactly? Can you explain? Is it that every new yorker grows up playing the game on the streets? Because I don't see much in their franchise to draw inspiration from.

Then again, New York basketball reminds me of English Football. They take great pride in the sport, but they never seem to win much.

How was playing in China? Were they good? I played a little bit in Shanghai over the winter against some Fudan college kids. These kids don't play D. But I assume playing by the Shanghai Sharks courts is a whole different story.

Technically they weren't bad as a whole. The problem is that there is no formal coaching for many of them. Basic defensive concepts such as knowing when to switch screens, move off a man and trap in a corner, or how to box out were lost. Full court games are hilarious cluster fucks. I was getting yelled at in Chinese because they thought I was doing things wrong defensively. I tried to teach basic team defense concepts to my team on the fly in between games, but the language barrier and relative inexperience with the game proved it impossible. Here I am having played with a bevy of D1 guys, and a few NBA guys in high school trying to guide toddlers playing basketball.

I played in the CHSAA, which is generally regarded as the top High School league in the country. I couldn't explain the pride NYC takes in their basketball, but I suppose it's close to the way England feels about their football. Not only will I cross you over, but I will knock your ass on the ground if you take it to the hoop on me.

Interesting - do you have any advice for where to get some good personal basketball coaching? I play a lot in law school, and I'll probably try to play for my company/firm once i start working. I shoot the ball well, can drive, and play great man-to-man D, but I find myself lacking the basketball IQ that some really good players have. Namely, i do get confused on defending the pick and roll, switching, helping; on the offensive end, i find myself not really knowing where to go without the ball at times, so I either just go rogue or camp outside the three point line.

Generaly on a screen you want to go over if your man is a good shooter, with the man guarding the screener hedging against your man until you move over the screen. If your man is a poor shooter, then you'll move under and invite the long jump shot.

Pull up a YouTube video comparing how a guy like Steph Curry is guarded on a screen vs. how a guy like Rondo or Rubio is guarded on a screen for an example of this in motion.

I'll go into offensive philosophy another time.

Gio, Timo and I should start an RVF basketball league!

Post: #582

I know this wont sound helpful, but you just gotta play man. The guys you are describing as good players have probably been playing forever and the reads are more natural to them. Some good principles to follow the offense are:

1. Attack the lead foot of your defender. This is because it takes more effort for a defender to turn his body and slide with you. If you go the other way it is easy for the defender to slide with you.
2. When you catch the ball square you body towards the rim(feet facing the rim). This puts you feet in position to attack off the dribble or catch and shoot as quickly as possible. This is called triple threat.
3. When handling the ball keep your eyes focused on the middle of the floor. This is good for your court vision and you can see everything at once. NEVER dribble with your head down.
4. If you don't have the ball, and your defender is overplaying you, make a backdoor cut. This will leave him out of the picture.
5. If you don't have the ball set screens away from the ball, to free up your teammates while the defense is scrambling you will momentarily be open. Hopefully your are playing with good passers at that point.
6. Set on the ball screens occasionally, then roll to the rim or pop out. This usually provides an easy shot since you'll be open. Just don't set these too often as it screws up spacing and brings an extra man to your teammate handling the ball.
7. Use pump fakes after you've hit a jumpshot or 2. When your shot has credibility it makes you unpredictable, and this move can fake out your opponent and take him out of the play.
8. Play as much as possible with comp that's way better than you. Only way to grow your game.
9. Try to position yourself so the guy handling the ball can see you if he drives to the rim or passes. For example, if your PG drives baseline you should be sliding to the corner, so you'll be right in the line of his vision for a wide open 3.
   

Post: #583

The play with better comp than you can't be overstated. Basketball is so outrageously difficult and once you have a solid skillet, the only way to consistently improve is to improve fitness and improve competition.

As a teen, I shot around during the summer with a 3x NBA champion due to an outrageous family connection. Nowadays, when I'm not abroad during the summer I play against a guy who will be making his first finals appearance next week.

Some valuable lessons were learned from playing with guys that were among the 300 best in the world at what they did.

Post: #584

Everything in New York is magnified.

Dont the Chinese love the NBA? I'm exploiting that niche for sure if I ever visit China.

I thought Indiana was going to choke. That was the worst officiating since that game 6 of the 06 ECF...

Post: #585

The Heat blew this game on the boards late. They couldn't get a couple of big rebounds, which is the area where they can be exploited. LeBron or Wade faceguarded West to try to keep him out, but everyone else was just standing and watching. There were definitely a couple of interesting calls in the last couple of minutes though. As physical as this game has been, how do you call THAT shit on LeBron there? David West smacks someone with a forearm or elbow on just about every pick he sets.

Post: #586

The key with hoops is repetition and good technique. 500 jumpers a day(good technique) and 30 mins a day doing dribbling drills and moves along with a good vertical program, will get you right in 2-3 months. You'll have a good baseline then skillwise. After that just play, play, play.

Post: #587

Some BS calls at the end of that game. Lebron shouldnt have fouled out on that weak sauce.

Post: #588

(05-28-2013 10:07 PM)MaleDefined Wrote:  The play with better comp than you can't be overstated. Basketball is so outrageously difficult and once you have a solid skillet, the only way to consistently improve is to improve fitness and improve competition.

As a teen, I shot around during the summer with a 3x NBA champion due to an outrageous family connection. Nowadays, when I'm not abroad during the summer I play against a guy who will be making his first finals appearance next week.

Some valuable lessons were learned from playing with guys that were among the 300 best in the world at what they did.

So you play with a Spur who is not Duncan/Parker/Ginobili?

Post: #589

(05-28-2013 10:22 PM)Timoteo Wrote:  The Heat blew this game on the boards late. They couldn't get a couple of big rebounds, which is the area where they can be exploited. LeBron or Wade faceguarded West to try to keep him out, but everyone else was just standing and watching. There were definitely a couple of interesting calls in the last couple of minutes though. As physical as this game has been, how do you call THAT shit on LeBron there? David West smacks someone with a forearm or elbow on just about every pick he sets.

Once again Wade and Bosh play like shit. As a Miami fan this shit is getting annoying. When Wade was running the point in the second with Lebron on the bench even Miller and Kerr were saying that he is playing without any energy. Bosh has been in foul trouble but man does he come and go. When Chalmers is outplaying you, you should be ashamed (Wade and Bosh).

David West is making KG proud.

(05-28-2013 10:25 PM)Cr33pin Wrote:  Some BS calls at the end of that game. Lebron shouldnt have fouled out on that weak sauce.

LeBron haters will say it was a good call but Indiana has been setting hard screens like that the entire series for Miami and that was just a bad call.

Post: #590

One was a Spur who was a 3x champ.

One is a current Spur who is making his first finals appearance.

PM me if you'd like to know who. Better yet, if you read this thread you know where I'm from. See if you can figure out who I've played with.

Post: #591

(05-28-2013 08:33 PM)kosko Wrote:  The one thing I didn't like is how he shafted the Basketball Jones out of Canada whom have one of the better NBA podcasts around. They can be annoying at times but the balance between knowledge, opinion, stats is great. Basically Simmons shafted them on Grantland once he became an "NBA guy" because the Basketball Jones basically compete with him, and have a longer track record and resume for the NBA then Simmons has had.

The overdose episodes of The Basketball Jones which they on Fridays usually still get posted on Grantland. How did Simmons shaft them? I only started listening to The Basketball Jones this year so not sure what happened in the past and Simmons is the one who started Grantland. Do you mean Simmons took them off ESPN podcenter?

Post: #592

MaleDefined - current Spur making his first finals appearance: TMac?

Post: #593

One was a Spur who was a 3x champ- Bruce Bowen or Mario Elie

One is a current Spur who is making his first finals appearance- Danny Green

Post: #594

Assuming most of you are right handed, always important to work on that left. Go a little beyond your layups and work on runners and jump hooks with the left, especially if you post up at all. Also, going for shot blocks with the left was one of the best tips I ever picked up - from Dick Vitale of all people.

Post: #595

Being a lefty (as I am) has it's distinct advantages. People clearly see that I am left-handed but no matter what they can't seem to defend it very well. Like the fact that when I drive to the left it's almost never going to end up being a jump shot. With that being said, I do use my right hand very well. Posting up smaller guards/forwards and using the right handed hook shot is normal.

Post: #596

i can't stand lebron's jump shot. It's like he's flicking something over the top of his head.

Post: #597

(05-30-2013 09:17 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  i can't stand lebron's jump shot. It's like he's flicking something over the top of his head.

haha...that's not surprising at all. There are many other players who actually have a weird jump shot. He put the team on his back today. Complete takeover.

(05-23-2013 01:39 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  It's just a matter of personal taste. I concede Lebron is probably pretty exciting to watch for 99% of viewers out there not Lebron haters. His dunks are certainly impressive. This is really nit-picky, but the way he moves bothers me. It's clunky and lumbering, not graceful and smooth. His direct contrast would be Kobe. It's really just a personal preference, but it might also be a reflection of the way I like to play basketball, which is on finesse.

There are other reasons for hating Lebron, but they are all on some level just rationalizations for an irrational feeling. I can't stand his need to please everybody (though he's not as bad as dwight howard), his mouth-guard, the fact that he was such a douche to Dirk in the 2011 Finals, etc etc - basically this:

http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2012/06/22...ba-finals/

Post: #598

It's a high release point, perfectly balanced and has good arc. Not much from a fundamentals point not to like.

Post: #599

On a more serious note....Miami Heat has completely turned into the Miami Cavaliers this series. Seriously Bosh and Wade need to get their shit together and at least pretend to care. God damn!

If Haslem didn't show up tonight, Miami would have lost. 7 and 10 points for Bosh and Wade respectively. I actually like Wade and Bosh but starting to hate them as this series is going alone. Bosh is getting paid $17 million + for 7 points and 5 rebounds. He's averaging around 13 points and 4 rebounds this series. In a series where he needs to play big he is playing like garbage. Wade on the other hand at least cared last season and had good games despite his injury (during the playoffs i.e.). This year he is playing with no energy and passion. If they keep this up, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Big 3 broken prematurely or LeBron leaving.

I have the Heat in 6/7 against the Spurs but if it is the Miami Cavaliers that show up against the Spurs, the Spurs are going to win in 5.

Post: #600

GOAT performance today by LeBron, and sadly he will need to do this at least 5 more times in order for them to win a championship.

Random thought: Why has New York stopped producing elite NBA players, the last two with a crazy amount of hype(Telfair and Stephenson) turned out to just be average. Maybe Moe Harkless will develop into a stud.