Shyne's NBA Observations

My brother Qwest called me on Tuesday night as he was watching Court Surfing (Canadian basketball show that takes you around the league to look at games in progress and then gives you the highlights of the week); he was talking to me about his favorite NBA team (Denver Nuggets) and how it had been a while since I wrote about the NBA. Here’s how the conversation went down:

Qwest: Dude, seriously, screw the NFL, you need to write about the NBA.

Me: Umm ok; I feel what you sayin but….

Qwest: But nothing man, you been writing about football for eight straight weeks, how about you give us basketball lovers something?

Please understand people, my brother never asks me for anything. So when he asked me to write about the NBA, that’s when I knew that perhaps it was time for me to go back in the lab and give you guys something. And by something I’m not talking about an STD. So without further ado my loyal readers, I give you my first NBA piece of writing of the 2009-2010 season: my NBA observations.

People that know me will tell you that I am deeply immersed into basketball. I breath it, talk it and digest it. For lack of a better term, I live for basketball. Consequently, most of the books I have read were about the NBA and its players. I have read books by David Halberstam (Breaks of the Game), Roland  Lazenby (Blood on the Horns), Sam Smith (The Jordan Rules), Phil Jackson (The Last Season), Jack McCallum (Seven Seconds or Less), and I am currently in the process of reading the new Bill Simmons book, The Book of Basketball (more on this later). All those books cover in some way, shape or form the dynamics of an NBA team. The most important thing I have learned from these readings is that NBA players get paid just like regular people get paid at their jobs. Everybody knows this, but they don’t really know what this means. Allow me to illustrate: my friend John (fictional name) works at toy store. He thinks he is the best when it comes to selling toys to people. Check that, he is the best. Steve on the other hand is lazy, barely shows up for work on time and seems completely disinterested whenever customers enter the store. Steve has more experience then John, hence he has a higher salary; but John is a far better worker. In some instances, John feels as though his hard work is not recognized because he busts his ass everyday to give his employer as well as the customers the best possible service; but gets paid at a lesser wage then the dude that spends his days doing nothing. At times, John might slack off and do the bare minimum and get an earful for it by his boss, but yet Steve gets no repercussions. At some point, as a man there is only so much disrespect you can take before you go looking elsewhere for a job where your talents are recognized. I just described to you the tedious nature of an NBA locker room. We tend to forget at times that these guys get paid to play. So if they are not getting what they think they deserve, they might not give it their all; and yet in the same breath, we have all days where we go to work and don’t feel like giving our 100%, and when that happens we coast throughout our day. Not only did I describe an NBA locker room, I just described an NBA season. Ever noticed that Tracy McGrady is an amazing defender? Unless you have observed the Houston Rockets play in the playoffs, you might think that my statement is ridiculous (a few years back, T-Mac guarded Nowitzki during a seven game series and held his own against Dirk frikkin Diggler). I don’t think I have ever seen T-Mac play defense during the regular season. It’s the reason why people that come to work everyday blow us away: Magic, Bird, Jordan, Garnett, Kobe, Shaq, wait on second thought retract Shaq; he showed up to a lot of those games rocking a three piece suit and some extra weight. But you get the idea. Start paying attention to the guys that are content with just showing up for work and the guys that come to work to actually work; those are the guys you want to pay attention to. Those are the guys that you should be spending your money on, because they’ll always give you an honest days work. How about I provide a current list of high profile guys that just barely show up for work:

-Vince Carter (ORL)

-Erick Dampier (DAL)

-Baron Davis (LAC)

-Drew Gooden (DAL)

-Jerome James (CHI)

-Tracy McGrady (HOU)

-Shaquille O’Neal (CLE

-the whole current Milwaukee Bucks roster

Last Sunday, my brother mentioned that Carmelo was coming out with a vengeance this year and that he might quite possibly win the MVP award. I completely disregarded his statement for two reasons.

1. The Denver Nuggets have played exactly five games so far in this NBA season, it’s a little premature for me to agree with my brother when there are 77 games left on the NBA calendar.

2. I’m not saying that Melo can’t round into an MVP caliber type player, but look at the past 10 NBA MVP ward winners

* 2008-2009: LeBron James – 28.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 7.2 apg

* 2007-2008 Kobe Bryant – 28.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.4 apg

*2006-2007: Dirk Nowitzki – 24.6 ppg, 8.9 rpb, 3.4 apg

*2005-2006:  Steve Nash – 18.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 10.5 apg,

*2004-2005: Steve Nash – 15.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 11.5 apg

*2003-2004: Kevin Garnett – 24.2 ppg, 13.9 rpg, 5.0 apg, 2.2 bpg

*2002-2003: Tim Duncan – 23.3 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.9 bpg

*2001-2002: Tim Duncan – 25.5 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.5 bpg

*2000-2001: Allen Iverson – 31.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.6 apg, 2.5 spg

*1999-2000: Shaquille O’Neal – 29.7 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.0 bpg

When you look at the past 10 league MVPs, the thing that stands out to me is that all of the players mentioned (with the exception of perhaps Allen Iverson) above had multiple facets of their games that they could exploit. They all had the ability to score, create for their teammates, rebound, have big performances in big time games; and more importantly win a fair share of their games. In order to win the MVP trophy, your team has to be atop the NBA standings, and you have to be the top dog. Look at Carmelo Anthony’s averages after five games: 32.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.4 apg. The most important stat though, is the team record of 5-0 and the average win margin of 13.6 points. So far Melo is doing exactly what the past 10 league MVPs have done, but will he be able to do it for 82 games; and will he also be able to have signature performances against the top teams in the league? Get back to me in April, after Carmelo will have played @ Boston, @ Orlando, @ Cleveland, @ Miami and @ San Antonio and @ the Lakers. When you play in a hostile arena against a top team in the NBA, and you’re able to perform and win games you have no business winning, that’s when you start to morph into an NBA MVP.

After rallying last night to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Boston Celtics are now 6-0. I understand that it’s early in the season, and therefore the sample is quite small, but the Celtics are winning games by an average of 18.3 points per game. Think about it, the biggest concern Boston had going into this season was the health of Kevin Garnett. Well the Big Ticket is averaging just about 29 minutes this season and still the Minister of Defense for that tough Celts defense. No team has cracked more then 90 points so far this season and Boston held Philadelphia a few nights ago to 59 points. Looking from afar, NBA teams should pay attention to Gang Green. 

That’s a line by Joe Budden from the song Hiatus. That line is easily about a year or two old, and yet it’s as if Joey saw into the future. Allen Iverson signed with Memphis during the summer because nobody else wanted a 34 year old point guard that took more shots then Rambo, Terminator , Jason Bourne, John McClane , the Iraqi army, the Canadian army and the United States army all combined. Admit it, you think I’m exaggerating right? Well here’s a little tidbit for you. Shaquille O’Neal is currently playing in his 17^th season in the NBA and he has played in exactly 1,122 games. Allen Iverson is in the midst of his 13^th season and has played in 887 games. Pay close attention: over the span of his career, A.I. has taken about a 1,000 more shots then O’Neal. Needless to say, Iverson wants to take all the shots (does this mean that he’s the same in other facets of his life? For instance, if we went to a club, would Allen try to hit on every girl in the club and then get mad at you if you didn’t try to be his wingman?) and leaves no room for sharing. But Memphis saw the signing of Iverson as a business move; a way to spark fan interest and sell tickets. In my opinion, they couldn’t care less about the repercussions of an unhappy A.I. Seriously, you don’t draft Mike Conley and O.J Mayo only to later have them sit on he bench because an aging superstar wants minutes so that his numbers don’t take a dip and that he is able to negotiate a contract with another team the following year. I would like to think that even the incompetent front office of the Grizzlies knew that they were going to screw Iverson around. Needless to say, it didn’t take long for Allen to sound off. After his first game of the season, A.I. was already complaining about his role and his minutes. Iverson is completely disillusioned about his role and his place in the NBA. He still thinks he’s the guy that’s going to carry the franchise and walk around with a bunch of yes men and do whatever he pleases; think about it, has anyone ever told Iverson no before? Well times have changed. #3 is no longer viewed as a savior, basketball god or franchise player. Iverson has officially reached “drunk uncle status”. You know how you go to family functions and there’s always that one uncle that always ends up drunk, talks loud, complains about not getting what he wants and feels that others should go out of their way to accommodate him (by the way, I got into a bit of scuffle this past summer with that drunk uncle, remind to talk about it sometime)? Well Allen Iverson is now the drunk uncle. We just hope that at one point he’ll stop complaining, stop pointing the finger at others and recognize his part of responsibility in everything that has transpired in his career. The problem with the drunk uncle though, is that he is typically drunk; and therefore unable to make such a reflection, especially when his attitude has been tolerated for such a long time. Still the same Answer, but we’re no longer asking the same questions.

Will Phil Jackson’s Jedi Mind Trick still work on this year’s Lakers team? Jackson has always been known to use some mind games with his players in order to get them to function in unison as they strive to reach the NBA mountain top. The beauty of his techniques is that he has the uncanny ability to get contrasting personalities to function as one for the good of the team. But will Phil be able to do so this year? Look at his challenges this year:

-Andrew Bynum will probably ask for a bigger role

-Ron Artest will want to be a contributor

-Getting Gasol reacquainted with his teammates when he returns from injury

-Kobe wanting to be Kobe

-Lamar resenting Kobe for hooking with his wife (be honest, you wouldn’t be shocked if it happened)

- Lamar Odom’s eventual divorce (with or without the help of the Black Mamba)

-Luke Walton and Sasha Vujacic’s skipping practice to hook up with hot L.A. girls.

If there’s a coach out there that knows how to motivate his players, it’s Phil Jackson. So I think he will be able to get his guys to work their way back to the NBA Finals. And you know what? I would love to see the Lakers and Celtics in the NBA Finals this year. Just food for thought.

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys opened up Game 2 of the World Series with a performance of their smash hit Empire State of Mind. My question is this: LeBron James and his Cavaliers travel to New York on this Friday November the 6^th to play the Knicks at Madison Square Garden; will the Jigga Man give out a performance with the intent of silently recruits LeBron with the lyrics of his hit track? Read the 2^nd verse:

“8 million stories out there and they're naked,


City it's a pity half of y’all won’t make it,


Me I gotta plug a special and I got it made,


If Jeezy's payin’ LeBron, I’m paying Dwayne Wade,


3 dice cee-lo


3 card marley,
Labor Day parade, rest in peace Bob Marley,


Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade,


Long live the king yo,


I’m from the Empire State thats…



[Alicia Keys]
In New York!!!!


Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,


There's nothing you can’t do,


Now you're in New York!!!


These streets will make you feel brand new,


the lights will inspire you,


Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York.
”

I will never shamelessly plug another author unless I truly feel as though it is well worth it. I previously mentioned that I was a huge Bill Simmons fan because of his ability to dissect sports from a fan’s perspective. Whenever discussing a topic, he relies on research consisting of statistical analysis, anecdotes and testimonials of experts (writers, coaches and players) in order to convey his results to us. Nothing surprising there; however Simmons does it better then the rest in my opinion. He is able to incorporate comedy as well as make references to certain mainstream events in order to relate with the younger generation but still hit home with the older generation. I received my copy of his book yesterday by mail (for some asinine reason, the book was not available in any store in Montreal…ANY AT ALL!) and I have already read 144 pages out of a possible 700 pages. The book covers the NBA like no other book has ever done so before. If you want to hear about Wilt vs Russell, Bird vs Magic, Jordan against whoever and sprinkle in a few coke stories (I’m not talking about the soft drink) about some players from the 70’s , this is the book for you. Just know that he is the guy that got me into writing; so if you like the stuff I write, give him a shot, he’s worth it.