Micheal Jordan Covers NBA2K11 (Breakdown On Why He Remains The Greatest)

It’s no secret, I’m a huge fan of the NBA 2K series. Look, I know more important things happened today with the Oscar Grant verdict, but I’m covering this in response to all the NBA free agency hoopla. With Lebron’s decision to join D-Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, this further solidifies Jordan’s greatness, and makes me proud 2K Sports decided to bestow the almighty MJ with this honor.

How does this apply to Lebron you ask? He’s about to reach his prime, has won back-to-back MVP awards, but diminishes a chance to build his own legacy by going to a team with 2 other all-stars. Weak. Since he couldn’t make it happen in Cleveland, and to his defense, the personnel wasn’t there, he had a chance to move on, and an opportunity to go to a hurting New York Knick team and revitalize that franchise. New Jersey was another option, Chicago as well, but he’d forever be in the shadow of MJ—especially by stepping into the house that Michael built. Plus the pressure to win multiple championships in Chicago would have been phenomenal—with Jordan’s track record there—more-so than the weight of carrying a struggling Knicks squad on his back. The 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 NBA Playoffs are both evidence of how James has dealt with pressure as of late.

Kobe is already out of this race as well. Game wise he’s probably the closest to MJ we’ve ever seen, but, let’s be honest, most of his ‘ships have come alongside Shaq in his prime. But even as a Celtics fan, I have to give it up for 2 back-to-back NBA championships. My biggest issue with Kobe was how he won this last ‘ship disgracefully. Shouting out Shaq after winning was a tasteless move—no matter how you slice it. Especially considering how bad he played in the narrow Game 7 victory (6-24 from the field, not big game, clutch Jordanesque numbers). Oh, and it’s not too easy to excuse this either…

So let the debate rest, Micheal Jordan is the greatest player ever to grace the NBA (If you disagree, state your case in the comment section). I know arguments can be made for older Hall-of-Famers, but too often do I hear blasphemous statements of Kobe Bryant or Lebron James surpassing Air Jordan’s greatness, especially from my generation (gives strength to the debate that we’re all lost). I look forward to checking Gamespot, IGN and Kotaku for all upcoming coverage and info on NBA 2K11. If you’re a fan of the series, I suggest you check these sites as well.

Fantasy Basketball Rundown

(Photo courtesy of Keith Allison’s Flickr. Remixed and designed by me. Sidenote: Took me forever to piece this together. Enjoy the fruits of my Enjoy!)

I need to see less of the left, and more of the right from Brook Lopez.

Sure he put in work tonight and had a monster game (26 Points, 16 Rebounds, 5 Blocks, 3 Steals), but his FG percentage was weak, 37%. Ouch. I mean that’s better than the last time he faced the Magic (4 Points, 5 Rebounds, 3 Blocks, .083 FG %) but still owww.

FG percentage has been the only thing really holding me back from rising to the top of The Jon Starks league. It’s an ESPN Fantasy League where I’m facing 9 opponents, including the homies @Gav0, @InternetGoon, and @HilHolla. I’ve been stuck between the 2nd and 3rd position, but I’m coming for that number one spot though – best believe.

Here’s my team: Trevor Ariza, Brook Lopez, Chauncey Billups, Aaron Brooks, Kevin Garnett, Charlie Villanueva, Kobe Bryant, Spencer Hawes, Ronnie Brewer, Richard Jefferson, Will Bynum, Richard Hamilton,  Nate Robinson, Terrence Williams, Marreese Speights, Jameer Nelson, Marc Gasol (Crossed out players indicate those I dropped due to injury/other reasons.)

Both Ariza, Brooks, and Lopez have been gambles on my part, but have played pretty well. Villanueva has been a disappointment, and KG has put up below his usual average due to operation minute preservation.

I’ll have more fantasy basketball stories to tell, so maybe you’ll most likely see some future posts related to the Jon Starks League.

 

Really Rondo?

Photo courtesy of Eric Kilby’s flickr. Remix and caption by yours truly.

So by now you heard of the exchange of words between Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul. They were both trash talking during their match up last Sunday night. Which is of course an integral part of the game, unless maybe you’re boring old Tim Duncan – sure he even does it sometimes.

It actually went beyond trash talking, they got physical under the basket in the second quarter and each got technical fouls. According to a number of sources, they went back and forth talking about each other’s skills. Rondo allegedly said Paul won’t ever win a ring, and he was better since he’s a champion. Paul got offended and after the game tried to rush the locker room going after Rondo (the NBA announced today that no action taken against either).

I’m guessing Paul said something about Rondo not having a jump shot. He went 3-for-7 in the game and attempted some questionable jumpers, perhaps in the hopes of proving himself.

As of right now, I don’t want Rondo taking that jumper. Drive to the basket, rebound, and make those assists, sir. I actually debated this topic with a friend of mine Neskins.

Believe me I bleed green and all, but I’m a rational thinker I live in reality. Rondo currently has no jumper. If he doesn’t develop a jump shot by next season, no way does he deserve his new $55 million a year contract ($11 mill over the next 5 years).

Oh yeah, I already called that the C’s would win the ship (barring injury). Already thinking about next year.

Celtics x Cavs Rundown

My tweets don’t ever lie. Above was my take on the Cavs deficiencies. Below is my take on the game.

I mean, we really whopped the Bobcats tonight, not much to take from that (plus I was at a meeting for the first half of the game). That’s par for the course though. I was a little perturbed to see bothered by the Cavs ranking higher than us on this week’s NBA.com Power Rankings so I had to give my rundown of our match up.

Overall the Celtics played well. Definitely wasn’t our best. Especially with a bad 1st quarter and first half of the 4th quarter.

I was impressed by Marquis Daniels. Sheed and Allen did well from 3. Perkins was the unsung hero of the night, hitting the 15 footer and being consistent on both ends of the floor. Ultimately it was #34 who answered the call in the 4th, and scored 10 points in the quarter to bring us the win.

I definitely was disappointed to see this. (Gives me even more not to like about Glen Davis!) But I was even more disappointed by this. Ainge missed the boat on giving him an extension a couple months back, but I don’t think he’ll leave the team. We just need to make sure we pay him at the end of the season and keep Perkins as well.

Realistically we can go for Banner 18 this season, but then it’s operation scale-back and rebuild.

Heart and health determines our season this year. The Lakers are the best team on paper this year. But I believe if healthy, and the Big 3′s minutes are properly managed so they’re fresh come post-season, we’ve got the championship.

Yeah the East has gotten better. Yeah they all are one year older, but the team is deeper, and we have one more run left in us.

Celtics Pre-Season Impressions

(Left to right: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Eddie House, Kendrick Perkins, Ray Allen. The boys. Grabbed this courtesy of Eric Kilby’s Flickr.)

Just finished watching Game 2 of Pre-season.

Not bad. Although, winning a game against the Knicks isn’t much of an accomplishment. Nice mobility by KG, strong post moves from Kendrick Perkins (who is in great shape), great game for Rasheed Wallace (double-double), and good ball movement overall. Tony Allen looks weak though, I really wish we could have traded him in that deal to Indiana [1].

Game 1 was a loss but had some good points. Here’s my quick notes on the game. Pierce looked skinny (one of my roommates said he’d probably gain it back by the end of the season, he’s probably right). No headband for Scal (he looked absolutely ridiculous with it, especially here). Lester Hudson moves well and he’s not bad for the 58th draft pick. Big Baby irks me (for every good play, there’s two “why’d he do that” moments). Marquis Daniels is quick, has good passing and court vision. Michael Sweetney is a big dude. Sheldon Williams’s wife is stronger than him, not only for this but this.

1-1 in pre-season so far. The road to banner #18.

[1] Tony Allen used to be one of my favorite players in the Ricky Davis/struggling to make the playoffs years (04-05/05-06 seasons). Together they used to get a strip then dunk at least once a game. He had a breakout year scoring 20+ points for a decent amount of time the year before we traded for KG (06-07 season) where we only won 18 games. Until this happened.  I also heard from young local night-lifers that he’s a tad cocky. I mean people have had problems with him in his own city. Whatever.

2K10emic: Why I’m Excited for NBA 2K10

(Absolutely none of what is featured above will being going on at my place. Anytime anyone brings Kobe, they’re going down.)

Pretty soon I’ll be infected. Full blown NBA 2K10 sickness sweeps through my dorm room tomorrow. Symptoms include sleep loss, sore thumbs, and an increase in insulting and cursing out your friends/opponents. It’s highly addictive.

I’m not only excited for the rookies, roster updates, and improved graphics – especially since I’ve been playing with updated rosters on 2K9 through 2K Share – the improvements tweaks to gameplay is what I’m most anticipating.

I’m hesitant to say improvements, there’s been a lot of proposed changes that should improve the game, but I’ll wait to see them in action until I give my full verdict. According to The Real 2K Insider there’s been alterations to the player rating system and 6 additional categories have been added.

This excerpt from a hands-on-report Jon Robinson of EPSN did tells the real reason I anticipate spending way too much time on loving this game so much.

That’s right, 2K Sports enlisted Image Metrics, the team that did the faces in “GTA,” to help add personality to its players. So now, when LeBron throws down a vicious dunk, you’ll actually see him puff his cheeks in the game like he does in real life when he’s strutting back up court. I even saw Jameer Nelson miss a game-winning shot against the Lakers, and as Kobe walked toward the locker room, he had this smirk on his face like he knew he just got away with one.

Wowsers.

Based on Robinson’s report the 2K10 team’s attention to detail is unfuckwitable truly something to be admired. He reports over 9,000 new animations were captured for this year, there’s been a re-haul in player ratings, and “everything from height to ability changes the way players dribble, shoot, walk, run, block and dunk the basketball.”

If you’re interested in extensive coverage, I recommend reading the rest of ESPN’s Jon Robinson’s excellent hands-on-report, Gamespot and IGN.

Also, check below for a performance of the original version of the track featured in the commercial.

BONUS: Eric B. & Rakim- “Don’t Sweat The Technique” Yo! MTV Raps Performance (Video)