Monthly Archives: October 2016

NBA Basketball

​LeBron is Now Hilariously 3-1 Trolling the Warriors

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Photo from LeBron’s Halloween party

By: Opinionated MJ

Hahahahaha!

Historically speaking, it never happened before. The man that had a hand in it is now turning what was a meltdown for the Warriors into a possible place to draw motivation from. No problem right? Well, he’s motivating the opposition. His newly minted rival, the Golden State Warriors. Why provoke them if they’re supposed to have potential to be all powerful, offensively? Why give them a focus while they also work on gelling together? I think LeBron has a right to do it but why add to what’s already plastered all over the internet anyway? Not to mention how funny alot of the jokes are about them losing a 3-1 lead. 

The Warriors aren’t anywhere near firing on all cylinders. They aren’t meshing fully yet at all. That’s to be expected this early in the season. They will gel as more calamity happens. More dire situations. Although they have individuals able to save them everytime. It’s currently the team play that is hurting, not their superstar play. Not in the slightest. They could definitely work on infusing more defense into their rotations. I’ll give Kerr a little more time to. I do see new plays he’s running with this offense.

Getting back to LeBron, he’s been trolling them for quite some time now. Nothing hits harder than the Ultimate Warrior shirt that he had on after winning the title. He was doing it in his own way. With more originality. I like this though, cause it lets his fans know that he’s been playing attention to everything on social media. Definitely gives them more initiative to keep the memes and jokes going on and on.
I mean, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant both have “3” in their jersey. 
They play for 1 team. 

3. 

1. 

3 & 1. 

3-1. 

The Warriors blew a 3-1 lead.
*Updated*

Even more trolling from LeBron James via @kisskhalia_ ! Hahahaha!

NBA Basketball

King of the Ring: LeBron, the Cavs, and a Look Around the League

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By: Opinionated MJ
Congratulations to LeBron and the Cavaliers! Cleveland, embrace this moment! You’ve been waiting for this. To finally see one of the best players ever, fulfill his promise to bring Cleveland a ring has got to be a breath of fresh air. I remember the feeling of living through a championship with my Pistons in 2004. The Red Wings were also prosperous. The Tigers were doing well as well if I’m not mistaken, I think we may have made the World Series that year. We had the Super Bowl here as well and I think a WrestleMania or something like that. Final Four NCAA basketball around this time as well. Great Year! Enjoy it!

 

LeBron has been preparing for season’s opening since Kevin Durant decided to become a part of the Golden State Warriors. They seem to be the only team that stands in the way of a repeat for the Cleveland Cavaliers. I’d like to add that, if I were Carmelo Anthony seeing this ring ceremony tonight, I’d probably cringe and play with nothing but anger and hunger in my heart. Knowing I had the chance to be a part of the Miami team that won a ring and to be able to finally experience that level of success. It must be fulfilling for LeBron for sure. He has one ring by himself now as well. Kyrie pitched in BIG! I even thought Kyrie would win finals MVP after closing out Steph Curry and the Warriors in crunch time of those last few games.

 

I’m not big on picking another team except the current reigning Champions as the favorites to win it all. I’m going with the Cavs but I will admit I want my Pistons to win and if they can’t then I would love to see the Warriors win one for KD while he’s on a LeBron-esque mission to obtain a ring and put that on his resume. That would solidify him with other future Hall of Famers. I’d also like to see if they Bulls could somehow someway pull a rabbit out of a hat. Although, I think Chris Bosh is the only way they could achieve such success. I would also like to see the Spurs acquire DeMarcus Cousins for LaMarcus Aldridge. You heard it first. Chris Bosh to the Bulls, Cousins to the Spurs.

 

LeBron wants to win the MVP this year and that is making waves throughout the league. I think Paul George may have mentioned MVP first but he’s driven to do so as well, Damian Lillard wants to, and I’m very certain that Russell Westbrook wants to as well without saying it. Westbrook was chasing Magic Johnson’s triple-double record last year and didn’t admit it until someone asked him. I think LeBron should relax and let Kyrie and Kevin prove themselves and let them man the battleship until it absolutely requires LeBron to come in and take over. I know things used to fall apart fast when he exited the game last season and they would struggle to extend their lead over other teams at times. Let’s not forget their struggles en route to their triumph. Up and down season with LeBron thinking of his Banana Boat squad being teammates one day, social media jabs at some of his teammates, and a few other things. Maybe he also took a few pointers from Kobe about challenging your teammates. You do have to PUSH others to get something done more times than not. He successfully pulled that off and led his team to a Championship after being down 3-1. Congrats again to the Cavaliers! Good luck to the Cleveland Indians!

NBA Basketball

​Real Quick: Why the Bulls NEED Chris Bosh

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By: Opinionated MJ

I’ve taken a look at Chicago’s roster since they made the Michael Carter-Williams acquisition and I see a team that’s built to drive to the paint without a team being able to stop them from doing so. They’ve got cut & slash options galore. They are the opposite of the Warriors, in my opinion. If Steph, Klay, and KD are the Splash Brothers, then Wade, Butler, and Rondo are the “Slash Brothers”.

The Bulls also have a few players who can stretch the floor. Mirotic, McDermott, and Taj Gibson can hit long jumper and the former two can hit 3’s. Only problem is, they seem really streaky. Sometimes they just seem like rhythm players. 

Enter Chris Bosh.

The Bulls would have a good team that could actually see Bosh as its 2nd option behind Butler, and maybe he would give Bosh the chance to be the focal point of the offense and they play off of him. He can stretch the floor, shoot threes, and play pretty good defense. He would be a godsend for these Bulls who seem to lack a fully versatile big man. Maybe Rondo and Wade will help develop Bobby Portis into some kind of Garnett-Bosh style player. They would know what spots he would need to be in to be successful individually and within the offense. Bringing in Bosh could only help that progression.

Lastly, this move would make them an instant title contender in my eyes. They’d go from being a total wildcard to being a team that could contest the Cavs, as long as they stay fully healthy. They have two champions on their team that are required to help lead teams deep into the playoffs. Bosh would make a third champion. This could really be a move that could shake things up out east. It could be a waste though if Wade, Rondo, and Bosh couldn’t remain healthy.

Come on Pat Riley! Let Chris Bosh go so that he could team with Wade. I doubt he go play with LeBron which is what believed by fans league. He still believes he could be a major player on a team. He’s capable of that when healthy for sure.

NBA Basketball

WHAT LEBRON WANTS, LEBRON GETS…?

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By: Opinionated MJ

All the King’s men? LeBron wants J.R. Smith. Looks like Cleveland is playing hardball with making this deal happen. I personally believe that the organization thinks they can win without him. How do you not bring in a player who is in demand by arguably the best player in the game right now? How do you not answer his call to keep the team intact and let them fully defend their title? How do you not give LeBron James that opportunity? Let’s talk a bit.

I see the Cavs organization looking through a totally different lens now that they’ve won a championship on LeBron’s back. I could be wrong, let me throw that out there. They could be playing hardball with J.R. Smith in order to get him to agree to less and to have the chance to defend and chase another title with LeBron James. So we have two battles. LeBron is usually able to get his players the deals they want, and Cleveland as an organization, is pitching without words by having LeBron James as the reason why J.R. Smith could accept less. Would you accept less? We’ve heard a lot of people talk about making your money. Would YOU, REALLY, accept less if you were J.R. Smith?

You’ve Just come off an important season where you actually did serve a great purpose to this team. Without his 3 ball and his ability driving to the hole, then he would actually be replaceable. Is he still replaceable anyway? He is streaky. He does show up sometimes and disappear every now and then. Do you give J.R. Smith 15 million per year? I understand how the luxury tax will work with Cleveland should they give him what they want. Then I ask myself this question… Does Cleveland think they can still succeed without having J.R. Smith on a LeBron led team? I truly believe this is their stance, or they would’ve caved in by now and made some sense of it by signing him and not making this an issue with LeBron.

LeBron had the chance to hold out but that wouldn’t be exhibiting proper leadership coming off of an NBA Championship going into the next season. It already sounds like he’s pissed with what’s going on upstairs. Let’s not forget the letter wrote about him when he left. Let’s not forget that they made it their business to tell everyone that LeBron isn’t running the organization. Let’s not forget that word is that LeBron also came back to Cleveland cause he would have more pull with this organization as opposed to Pat Riley and Miami. Although, Pat Riley drafted Shabazz Napier cause that’s who LeBron wanted. LeBron bolted shortly after. Now they have him locked into a multi-year deal. There’s no more of that 1 and done pressure for Cleveland right now. He has no out for 2 years. So they now have the aces in their hands for now. They can actually call the shots and LeBron will have to deal with it unless he does some sort of hold out. He won’t do it though. Cleveland knows this.

With that being said though, this IS LeBron James. He’s the one who knows who he needs next to him in order to succeed. He knows the formula to win a championship. He knows what it takes from himself and from his teammates, and more importantly, HIS ORGANIZATION, in order to win a championship. Most championships are paid for. You have to pay for quality talent. J.R. Smith is good with LeBron James leading the ship and that should be enough for the Cavs to re-sign him to a deal that works for both sides. Give him his money and he has to accept the amount of years you want to give him. I don’t think J.R. would actually sign with someone else would he? I’ve only heard of the Celtics being interested. I think he would do well for the Chicago Bulls who are starving for shooters, no matter how streaky. I think he would also be good for the Pacers, Mavs, and Raptors.

This is probably actually not a big deal. I think this deal would get done. How could you not appease the desires of the man who promised and brought a championship to Cleveland. How could you? Last year, Tristan Thompson was in this situation as well and he got paid handsomely on playoff performance alone. Will LeBron get what he wants this time? The stakes are different, the pressures have switched sides. Would Cleveland actually make LeBron and the Cavs work harder in order to reach the finish line this season? I really can’t see that happening. We’ve got about 2 weeks left before the season begins. I expect a deal with the next week or their may be trouble in paradise, fresh off of a championship. That would only be the sign of a selfish franchise. That would do nothing but make me fully remember what they think of LeBron James. The letter would be relevant all over again.

Sign J.R. Smith! Although I will say if he walks, I expect Ray Allen to be in a Cavs uniform in his place.

NBA Basketball

WHY THE MARRIAGE OF KD AND THE WARRIORS WILL BE GREAT FOR THE NBA

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​By: Opinionated Reezy


Let’s take a walk back in time for a moment.  Forget how the team is assembled and think about what comes to mind when you hear names Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Michael Cooper, and Karem Abdul-Jabar.  I will ask you again to forget how the team is assembled and think about what comes to mind when you hear the names Larry Bird, Danny Ainge, Robert Parrish, and Kevin McHale.  These were the Showtime Lakers and Dominate Celtics teams from the 80’s that dominated the decade and ultimately suffered from old age.  These two teams were dynasty’s both in their depth and starting rosters and would be considered super teams in today’s NBA.

I can’t remember much about that era, but I imagine that people were shocked when either the Lakers and/or the Celtics were not in the finals.  History would show the following (The champion is bold):

·         1979 – 80 Season: Lakers v 76ers

·         1980 – 81 Season: Celtics v Rockets

·         1981 – 82 Season: Lakers v 76ers

·         1982 – 83 Season: 76ers v Lakers

·         1983 – 84 Season: Celtics v Lakers

·         1984 – 85 Season: Lakers v Celtics

·         1985 – 86 Season: Celtics v Rockets

·         1986 – 87 Season: Lakers v Celtics

·         1987 – 88 Season: Lakers v Pistons

·         1988 – 89 Season: Pistons v Lakers

·         1989 – 90 Season: Pistons v Trailblazers

We literally had to go a full decade before we had an NBA Finals that did not feature the Celtics or the Lakers and that forced teams to get better.  It made players think strategically about how they were going to win.  No one was tired of the NBA, in fact being from Detroit, it became a unified front to watch your team develop into a legitimate threat and watch that team rise to greatness.

ALL THAT BEING SAID.  I see it happening again!  Let’s wind back the clock a few years:

·         2010 – 11 Season: Mavericks v Heat

·         2011 – 12 Season: Heat v Thunder

·         2012 – 13 Season: Heat v Spurs

·         2013 – 14 Season: Spurs v Heat

·         2014 – 15 Season: Warriors v Cavaliers

·         2015 – 16 Season: Cavaliers v Warriors

LeBron is the common element in this scenario in that for the past six seasons, LeBron led teams have been in the Finals.  Now a consistent team in the West has a legitimate chance to be consistent.  The last two seasons alone have been exciting for all the plotlines interwoven in the season.  I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT THE NBA IS SCRIPTED; however, the story is one of note.  The rise of Golden State in the West, the Apology tour of LeBron James coming home and taking a team destined for the lottery to the FInals twice and Championship once.  Many were already anticipating the Trilogy reminiscent of Lakers and Celtics of old and then KD throws his name in the hat and now all we can say is.. IT’S ON!! 

This season may be dull for a moment, that will pass once Golden State faces their first real loss.  You see it now and LeBron sees it with the fevered insistence on bringing the band back together.  The pleas to sign JR is a message that we are going back to the days where teams determined success and not just one or two players.  Owners can no longer gamble on the notion of a star player and a bunch of role players.  Left unchecked, Golden State has the chance to win multiple championships and other teams will be forced to used their resources wisely to counter that.

KD didn’t hurt the league, he probably singlehandedly saved it… 

NBA Basketball

The Durant Warriors

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By: Opinionated MJ

Durant will takeover the Warriors by season’s end. He will pry away the grip of the team away from Stephen Curry. Yes, the back to back, unanimous MVP will be dethroned from being king of the Golden State. He will step down, WILLINGLY, and allow Kevin Durant to take the reign. This doesn’t mean that there will be friction. This doesn’t mean that there will be egos clashing or silent envy brewing, no, not at all. It’s just the order of things. In order to have proper success, things must have an order.

 

You can’t have the same Steph Curry shot selection from the playoffs and have a thriving Kevin Durant in all of this. Not productively anyway. I’m sure he wants to maintain something north of 20 points per game. Lets look at this on the base level: Kevin Durant will take Harrison Barnes shots, plus more. With that being said, there needs to be a pecking order then. I think Steph needs to become a swap option with Klay Thompson. They need to exchange 2nd and 3rd option amongst one another (and maybe even 1st option with Durant on many nights) depending on who has the hot hand, depending on who is defending who, depending on what lineups are in. Everything is situational with this team now. If you know Steph Curry can pull up from 50 feet and make a shot on you and you still have to guard Klay, Kevin, and Draymond also keeps you honest, then what can you honestly do as far as stacking up on defense? There will be no double team that isn’t dissected. There will be no mismatch that can’t be instantly exploited. Let’s not mention the new death lineup. We’ll call it that now. I wish someone credible could read this. Commentators could say, “Uh oh, looks like the Warriors are going with the ‘New Death’ lineup!” New Death. Death you haven’t seen before cause it’s so many ways to kill opposing teams now. Enough sounding like I’m brown nosing. Pistons will sweep the Warriors in the finals. Neutral?

 

New Death… because Kevin Durant brings them about 3 new dynamics. I’ve come across things that say that he was the #1 player in post efficiency last season and I personally thought that it was their only weakness last year. Not being able to slow down the game and grind it out. They also have Kevin Durant, who can play isolation and create for himself without intimidation or hesitation. I’ve watched Steph avoid contact (guess he was hurt) in the finals, and I also watched Klay avoid it as well and pull up from the elbow. Durant will take the ball to the rack, with authority, and he’ll probably embarrass some opposing defenders and make some nice posters with his new digs on. The shot. The Drive. The Post. The Warriors sacrificed their defense for the opportunity to have what I’d call a “Super Offense”. Their defense should pick back up as the season goes along.

 

Once Draymond gets through to everyone on the team, everyone gets familiar with their place on the floor in those sets and how to help Durant, Steph & Klay when they run someone off the perimeter. Draymond will now be a rim protector. I think he should be anyway. He did a nice job of fouling LeBron from totally removing his soul in game 7 of the finals. Impressive if you can stop him from hammering you and instead you hammer him. I watched him tangle with Dwight Howard and come out on top. I watched him only be drowned out when there was a Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams combo on the floor to deny him rebounds and the ability to help on certain plays. It takes 2 baby!

 

They’re vulnerable, though. Everything has to go smooth. They have to iron the kinks out. I think we’ll see some things that we seen with the Big 3 in Miami. This time they’ll figure out the puzzle earlier on because they all lack the ego where they just HAVE to be the #1 Alpha on the team. The thing that everyone is on Durant about will be the same thing that could bring them good success. This is a TEAM sport right? It’s about having help and teammates they said. It’s about having a #2 they said. Jordan couldn’t do it without Pippen and without Rodman they said. Kobe couldn’t do it without Shaq they said. Wait, Shaq couldn’t do it without Kobe and shooters I said! LeBron couldn’t win a ring without Wade, Bosh, and Ray Allen, then Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, JR Smith they’ll say. Everybody needs somebody. Russell Westbrook was a ball hog that had everyone screaming for him to pass the ball to Durant before Durant fell to injury, right? How soon some forget some things. With that said, Russell Westbrook will be your 2017 NBA MVP… IF he can land the Thunder a 1-4 seed. Maybe even a 5 seed depending on his numbers and in-game performances. Especially if he dominates. I can’t wait to watch. I hope to see 2006 Kobe reincarnated.

 

Just my opinion.