photo: sneakerfiles.com
My man Bobbito Garcia labeled him “The Takeover” at the Elite 24 in Rucker Park when he went Colin Ferguson with 19 points and 23 assists.
And after his trailblazing year abroad last year playing pro ball in Italy, Brandon Jennings will soon be coming to a TV near you. The overall 10th selection of the Milwaukee Bucks put lots of fears to rest at the recently completed NBA summer league out in Las Vegas.
Granted, the comp is not what he’ll be seeing on a nightly basis once the regular season starts. But money definitely raised some eyebrows with his 16 point, 8 assist average while banging over 42% of his 3’s. The 19-year-old phenom from Compton, California proved that, early into his first pro season, he’s a legit challenger for a starting spot.
So, on behalf of those of us that nodded approvingly during his showing at the hallowed grounds of Rucker Park, as well as at Dominguez High School, Oak Hill Academy, the summer camps and McDonald’s All-American Game, we’re ready to see him test with the best. Not only that, but we’re rooting for the kid. Congrats on making it to the show, as planned.
But getting there is only the beginning. It’s time to take over.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Blk Caesar says:
Yeah.. I am still wondering why The Knicks took Jordan Hill instead of Jennings.. I watched Hill quite a bit at Arizona and although I didn’t think he was horrible I just though this draft was filled with so many “possible” great point guards why not take a chance on one of those guys.. I really think heads would have come out in droves to see jennings lace ‘em up at MSG especially in D’antoni’s system.
July 30th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Brooklyn says:
The Knicks has no idea of what there doing that’s why they took hill and now there looking for a point when they passover Jenning.
July 30th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
sure says:
I hate the Knicks and so should everybody else. They wont win until they fire the owner or they stop making money with such a garbage product. They’re an embarassemnt to the league and the beloved NYC basketball scene. Harrington shouldn’t even be here. He’s to good to be with this washo of ownership. I’m praying for Dolan and D’antoin cause I like them. No way we draft Jordan Hill. Chandler,Gallinari,Hill. Are you serious. Lose,More L’s,No Lebron. LOL. The Knicks should get demoted to the D-League or go young. Do something. Soon they’ll be worst than St.JOhns. I cant take it anymore. What’s happening to our city.
July 30th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
illest says:
its the KNICKS!!!the most overrated franchise in sports history. and im a Knicks fan. just check the stats.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
sure says:
illest
Thank you for the caps but I understand your pain. It’s hurtful to see what they do year in and out. Our starting lineup as of know. Duhon,Hughes,Chandler,Gallinari,Harrington or whoever else is that a N.B.A. team. Phil Jackson nor Red Auberach could win with this. It’s as much about the players as it is the coach. As well as ownership,GM’s, and scouts. Money doesn’t equate to winning.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
sure says:
Mets & Yankees alike. Go young and get a real farm system
July 30th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
illest says:
sure….you cant put the yankees in the same sentence as the mets. the mets have turned into the knicks this year.
July 30th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
sure says:
illest
The yankees are heading in that direction don’t worry.
July 30th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Blk Caesar says:
Its tough being a Knicks fan man! I long for the days of the early 90’s when I was old enough to truly appreciate how amazing it was to be in the garden during the playoffs and to hear how that crowd would erupt after a great play.. Man those were the days! I have been to alot of NBA arenas and the garden to me is still the best place to watch a game… The fans are different now too.. There was no way the garden crowd chanted MVP for an opposing player even when Jordan was scorching us!!! Times have truly changed…
July 30th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
ali says:
it is tough being a knick fan, but nothing lasts forever. like my man told pookie in new jack city, “don’t leave before the miracle happens!” we will be back.
jordan hill is a very good player. and we already have an electrifying presence at point guard in nate, who can offer that burst, energy and supreme change of pace. i would have loved to have seen jennings in the garden too. knick fans would definitely have appreciated his skills. but new york is not known for patience and fans will need a lot of it as brandon takes the inevitable bumps and bruises through the development and maturation process.
for my dollar, i would like to have seen jonny flynn or steph curry in that knicks uni, but i knew they were gonna be gone when their number came up.
but jordan hill could be a major surprise. i’m telling you now. he’s a productive scorer and rebounder who has not come close to maxing out his potential. He’s long and an athlete, with quick moves on the block. and he’s an explosive leaper who can average double digit boards. Dude can block and alter shots and he can get to the charity stripe. Also got a nice lil’ midrange game and a decent motor that keeps on humming.
and the point guard they got from florida state, toney douglas is decent.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
sure says:
Ali
I love you man. But just because it has pg on the roster dont mean they can play the position. Nate wasn’t even a pg in college. Conroy was. Toney Douglas didn’t play point either. They can’t do it. You cant make up your mind or someone else and make them play the hardest position in basketball. They can’t run teams and they both handle to ball to score and not setup. It was ultimately AI’s/Steph/and a slew of others downfall. Nash/Paul/Deron/Kidd/Billups/Baron/Miller are the ones of old. The New are Jennings/Flynn/Maynor/Collison that’s it. You cant make or create a PG. You mess up a players head along with the team asking them to do something they can’t. Steph Curry at the point will fall out the league faster than Usian Bolt. He cant do it. Even Duhon he’s a system guard that passes subpar. He cannot create his own shot and doesn’t make people that much better. In other words he’s not even a decent PG. Mike Bibby isn’t a PG. You get my point. I still love you Ali and know your love of the beloved stinky Knicks. I really hate to love them. They’re bad though. Larry Hughes is our starting 2guard in 2009-10. I’d rather have Allan Houston now. Even Mark Jackson know and probably Sam Cassel could help us. LOL. We should have never given up on Sprewell. He and Van Gundy were our heart beat. Who would you prefer a gritty player or a stupid rich owner that smiles at the fact that he’s filthy and doesn’t care about winning or losing. $$$$$$. Jordan Hill and T.Douglas are not ready for the N.B.A. no way no how. Good Luck on having a worse record than last year. Remember the East got better and they got worse. 0-5 in summer league. The D-League team did better than that. LOL. We could even use Gary Forbes instead of Crawford. Curtis Stinson who Yatta Gaines is a million times better. I think Walker Russel Jr. would kill Duhon. Coleman Collins is better than Jordan Hill. I’m venting again. I feel bad for D’Antoni he should have took the Bulls job or it should have went to Action Mark Jackson who will one day be a Hall Fame coach. NYC-Queens stand up. Chris Mullin please help the Knicks out. You have some Great Talent in your own city. Use it for a change. Daryll Showtime Hill outplayed Marcus Williams who showed he belongs starting in the league. He can’t even get a DLeague or Overseas Look. That’s sad. The funny thing is the teams that won’t sign him are suffering more than him. Especially the fans who will never see the greatness of him and alot of others who should be bearing jerseys and making there city proud. He outscored him and assisted and one the Championship at Hunter College. The Best in NYC. I would rather the Knicks have either Marcus Williams/Daryll Hill/or Omar”The General,Chef,Point God” Cook. He’s a starting N.B.A. guard who god blessed got what he deserved. A chance to make the money he deserve but not in the league he was supposed to be in. Lastly Andre Barrett is better than Nate Robinson. I’m out like the KNicks chances of making the playoffs and being out of last place in the east.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
ali says:
i hear you sure. but i think steph curry can play both positions. and jordan hill will surprise. hope is a beautiful thing.
July 30th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Blk Caesar says:
You know I hear these arguments all the time about who should and shouldn’t be in the league. And I do agree that with a few guys it is political as to why they are not in the league.. However, there is a huge majority of guys that are not in the league b/c they just are not good enough. I can’t solely judge a guy based on what he does against someone in a summer league game. Many guys are great playground players but if you put them in a system they are horrible and vice versa. I am a UCONN grad and with Marcus Williams it was never a question of his talent. He had a poor work ethic and was never in the shape he should have been and he carried that to the league.. He keeps getting shots b/c of his potential but he hasn’t been able to put it all together as of yet. He did have a good summer league and I hope he sticks with the Grizzlies.. Sure, I am with you that it would be nice to see guys like Showtime and Gaines get legit shots.. We would have to see them in the NBA to be able to judge if they will do well.. You’re probably right they would most likely kill Duhon on the playground but I don’t know if the same would happen in a different environment.. I remember a few years ago Jason Richardson played at the Rucker and he played bad.. I mean really bad and everybody was calling him either “scooby doo (where are you?) or just garbage and then that season I went to see Golden State play and I was like this can’t be the same guy I saw in the park b/c he played brilliantly… I think its a great argument but we won’t be able to legitimately say they will succeed until they get a shot.. Which I hope some do! Also, if you play in the league, D-league, overseas, etc.. You are still a pro!! and that is something to be proud of. Which is why I think people should really big up Skip more.. He is a mixtape playground baller that made it to the NBA finals… That really should be celebrated more especially here in NY.. Although Orlando, treated him with no love (trading him and Courtney Lee to Jersey) for how well he filled the void after Jameer’s injury
July 30th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
jamie says:
The best part of this post is saying andre barrett is better than nate robinson, I totally agree, I know a few nyc guards who would give nate problems, yatta, mookie, kareem and showtime.
Everyone knows though, sometimes it aint how good you are but who you know and how you get your foot in the door, bassy is a prime example, he had contacts and good people around him, how many people seriously think he would have a good few years at louisville without his stock dropping?
remember that he was picked above guards such as jameer nelson,delonte west and chris duhon, am I chatting do-do on anyone agree?
July 31st, 2009 at 1:05 am
Mac says:
Maybe the Knicks should get back Stephon Marbury. Marbury is not on any team right now. According to Marbury himself, he said he is going over seas and planing on making a press release within next week.
For those for you who don’t know there is Starbury TV. It a live steam/broadcast of what going on with Marbury, friends and family. Check out http://www.justin.tv/starburytv/popout.
Marbury taking your questions.
July 31st, 2009 at 8:06 am
Kenny Patt says:
Nate Robinson is a bad example to compare to these guys. I saw this guy toy with Kareem Reid @ EBC a few years ago and he wasnt even going full speed. In fact, he played an entire game just before. If he wasnt in the league, you guys would give him the same praise as the good players that arent in the league.
July 31st, 2009 at 10:44 am
illest says:
mac…..marbury is too busy eating vaseline. he doesnt need to be in the league right now. son needs help.
jamie….nate is an nba player who can score and played like a mini vinnie microwave johnson last year. hes not really a point guard only averaging like 4 assists a game. even tough dre played in the league he doesnt have the skill level of a nate robinson. there is a reason those new york guards arent in the league. they arent good enough. no consistent jump shot and not being able to run a team. now nate is not your true point but he can hit the outside shot and score.
sure…mark jackson a hall of fame coach? come on now. hes never even been an assistant and you got him in the hall of fame. there is no way barrett is better than nate.
July 31st, 2009 at 10:55 am
illest says:
tiffany….dont disrespect bouncemag with that trash.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:26 pm
ali says:
i love my nyc playground ballers, but fellas, nate robinson would destroy omar cook and the rest of ‘em that were mentioned. i’m pretty much in agreement w/ kenny patt, black caeser and illest on this one. and much love to skip, cease. he took the journey that all of these guys dream about, from the asphalt to the penthouse. i wish him continued success.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:15 pm
sure says:
To above posts
I agree to disagree. Everyone had valid points. The promblem I have is it’s not a playground its a basketball court. Skills are everything. Barrett does have a higher skill set than Nate. He dribbles,passes, and probably plays just as bad defense as Nate. He was in the league but never got a shot. Nate thrived this year under D’Antoni. Get it OPPURTUNITY. When given a chance you never now. What I’m saying is I love Nate Robinson he’s great and belongs in the N.B.A. but he could easily be out of the N.B.A. then what. He’d still be a pro. All guys need is a chance. How could you be anything if not given a chance. You get a chance at birth, chance to grow up and live. Will Bynum is better than Nate Robinson. I say that because he has less weaknesses. All this is a testament to Nate’s strengths. Nate has talent. He plays ball. Street,League,Overseas Anywhere He’s nice. Duhon is only decent in a system that’s not good nor is it helping anyone.
Case in point. Sam Young & Danny Green don’t get drafted if they’re not at their respective schools. Corey Fisher is on his way to the league if he plays at UCLA. Mario Chalmers was never nor will ever be better than Sheron Collins. Will Bynum was always better than Jason Gardener. Showtime Hill was better than most guards namingly Chris Quinn/Marcus Williams when he played in the Best East. Chances and Timing are very important. Shamgod never got a fair chance. Dre Barrett. Satterfield had a whole year and struggled. That’s oppurtunity not a big one on a losing team. Still more than most. Marcus Williams never got an oppurtunity in GS look what happened. Skip played in the finals. Ron Artest has a chance to compete for a N.B.A. ring. Back to that famous word OPPURTUNITY. It’s the same reason we get to go back and forth on this blog. Thank you Sean and everybody at BOUNCE. Keep up the good work. I hope and know the game will come back to it highest point of respect and accountablilty. Mostly being what it used to be a SPORT & NOT ENTERTAINMENT.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:32 pm
sure says:
Nate Robinson wouldn’t destroy Omar Cook/Showtime/or Kemba Walker. What about the other side of the court and winning and making other better. I bet Showtime would make Nate fall at least once if they went at it for 40+ min. Show plays better D and passes and has more street flair league flair whatever you want to call it. Nate doesn’t know how to win because he cant control his emotions. I love his motor but you could always expect him to commit a turnover or shot an ill advised shot because he never relaxes or slows down. He could not or never run a team. Neither could Show/Cook/Kemba I’m praying I get an oppurtunity. Corey Fisher would run North Carolina better than TY Lawson. That’s fact if he would have got that Big O. Ty Lawson would not be in the league if he had to defer to a bum like Scottie Reynolds. Nate can’t play in a system and he’s in the league. Steve Blake made him fall that’s terrible. Does Steve Blake have a higlight reel or mixtape. Steve Blake LOL. I guess. Gilbert,Kobe,Steve,A.I.,Nash,J.Will,B.Jennings,J.Johnson,Ginobli,J.Crawford just to name a few games translate anywhere you put them. They’re basketball players no position or whatever position you want them to play. They play wherever and have intangible you can’t teach. They’re all very very special. Nate Brown is better than Duhon and might be really the most underatted guard in NYC. Barrett dominated D-League competition when given that big O. You know what Showtime or Steve Burtt would do the D-League it would be embarissing to players that are staring now. Will Conroy isn’t better than none of the above players. Curtis Stinson isn’t better than Burtt,Yatta,AntiFreeze. Julius Hodge is just plain old bad. Blake Ahearn im finished I have a headache LOL. Started for our summer league team and looked great.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:39 pm
sure says:
Lastly Sean Singletary and Zabian Dowdell belong in the N.B.A. although it will never happen due to politics bul$%^### and many other things that aren’t there fault. So good look guys and also to a slew of others who work hard at a dream that is controlled by people who have no idea of what the game should look like or be played. If I had a rich family I’d be proud owner of the Knicks and I guarantee we would have one at least a chip or 2 with some of our homegrown talent. We could had Speedy,Artest,L.Cooke,Showtime,Cook,C.Sumpter,Shamgod,
J.Thomas,D.Flight,R.Johnson,Y.Gaines,G.Forbes,Quinton Hosley,B.Robin,L.Hamilton,Burtt. Eugene Harvey is a very solid point guard who has great size and immense potential. Due to the fact he goes to Seton Hall and they don’t win which if you replace Duhon on Sean Dockery who are arguably 2 of the worst guards to ever start in NCAA ala Matten Cleaves and Jacque Vaughn and Jason Hart. I hate watching bad people played. I even hated watching E.Snow play. He was like a robot who A.I. programmed to get him the ball every play. Also why is Lindsey Hunter still a back-up in the league. Mike James came to Hunter the other day and looked like he was 50 yrs old. I guess no one at all in NYC currently could be better than him.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:44 pm
sure says:
Ali & Blk
I love and respect all of your arguments and comments. Just came from an era of special, great players. Have these players couldn’t play in gym with some of the older guys. Gym Class. It’s why the average fan who played the game the right way because they were taught and got to see great ones come before them had a privelage. They got to see the best of the best. Not Lebron who the N.B.A. pushes to better than Kobe HOW & D.Wade(1ring) don’t see it. Wade might get a second ring before Lebron sees his 1st then what.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Blk Caesar says:
Most NBA teams run “systems” so if you can’t succeed in that system then what good are you if you have a great handle and get buckets on the blacktop but if you can’t produce when its time to run plays, control tempo,etc.. ?? I have to stick up for Duhon a little bit here.. Now is he the most talented guy.. No.. but what people forget dude was a McDonald’s all-American out of Slidell,Louisiana.. Not New Orleans, Baton Rouge, etc.. but Slidell!!! Not only was he the 2001 ACC freshmen of the year but he was also a key member of that 2001 Duke national championship starting in the back court with Jay Williams.. He was a finalist in 2004 for the Wooden and Naismith award for the best player in college basketball.. Dude ended up being the 38th pick in the 2004 draft.. Which we all know means there is no guaranteed contract or guarantee that you will even make the roster!! But he worked hard and made the Bulls roster and due to the trade he is currently with the Knicks.. Now do I think he is a starter.. no but he is great backup point and I think he played well this year for the Knicks despite not being as talented as most guys… So before we call him garbage or only call him a system dude.. Let’s remember he actually has some pretty damn good pedigree and that only got him a second round selection and he made himself into a guy that could be in the league for 12 years.. Which is pretty damn good in my book.. Ok I am getting off my soapbox now about Duhon..
July 31st, 2009 at 1:54 pm
illest says:
sure….barrett got a chance with the rockets and a few other teams. hes too small, cant shoot and he cant guard anyone.
so what if blake made nate fall. everyones gets cut.
bryant, gilbert, a.i., etc cant play center or power forward. they cant play every position you put them at. arenas doesnt have any intangibles he just shoots a lot. the reason shammgod didnt play was because of rod strick who was 18 and 10 that year. will bynum hasnt even played a full season yet to know if he can compete at a high level for 82 games. nate did that and averaged 18 a game.
you have many flaws in your assessment of players and their games and comparing them to players who are already nba players. to say that mario chalmers, who has already produced at the nba level, will never be collins, a college player, makes no sense. you have no idea what collins will do in the nba.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Blk Caesar says:
Sure.. I love Corey Fisher but that’s pretty bold saying he could run NC better than Lawson especially since they throttled Nova in the final four and won the National title with Lawson at the controls.. I hear you man but that’s tough.. I am not so sure if you’re right but it would be an interesting experiment to see if Fisher was given the opportunity to quarterback that NC team.. I am interested to see how Jay Wright will balance minutes for all the guards he has now.. You got Reynolds, Stokes, and Fisher.. but then you also have two McDonalds all-american frosh guards in Maalik Wayns and Dominic Cheek. I can’t from though I can’t wait to see that Kansas and Kentucky team this year.. I really hope Pitino and Calipari try to set up a L’Ville vs. Kentucky game…
July 31st, 2009 at 4:57 pm
ali says:
sure,
sean singletary DID play in the league last year. and nate robinson would absolutely destroy omar cook. and lebron IS better than kobe and d-wade. without regurgitating my hypothesis here, check out the discourse that illest and i had in the comments of the “The Playground Gave Us Jamaal Wilkes” post.
and i have to take exception to your comment on jacque vaughn. the cat can’t shoot, as matter of fact he can’t hit a bird in the ass with a bag of rice. but his floor game was STOOOOOOPID in college and early as a pro. dude is a consummate role player. he can have an effect on the game without ever shooting the ball, running an offense. that’s a skill that cannot be taught. it is extremely rare and difficult. you don’t play 12 years in the league without being nice. jaqcue vaughn was nice, despite the fact that he couldn’t shoot. and e snow may not have looked pretty, but dude could play.
but i do hear you on the many talented players that just don’t get the right opportunity. trust me, i believe there’s a place for dre barrett in the league.
July 31st, 2009 at 5:32 pm
sure says:
You guys are triple teaming no fair. I hate to agree but I hear you guys. I’m stubborn though so I’m sticking to my opinion. As it stands though Collins may not get that chance. Corey Fisher is playing on one leg and being held back harder than a Santa reindeer. He’s excelling at the 2 while they’re playing Reynolds at the one trying to lie his way into the league. Trashbag. Ali man you low blowed me with the Lebron>Kobe/Wade thing man. Gilbert shoots alot. Lebron beat him w/ 8 players on the court & a crab dribble & stepped out of bounds baseline& 6 steps lay up move. Gil thanks Bron for that great season though. He only gave Kobe and Nash close to 60. Opinions Opinions. You do understand Kobe is on the down of his career and Lebron is at the peak. Right????? He can’t shoot, Not that clutch, & Jay Z is his best friend. You guys will get that one in a few. 3-1 you guys are brutal. LOL
July 31st, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Kenny Patt says:
I think Duhon would kill those gaurds @ Pro City. He is more athletic than Yatta by far, not as good handle , but quicker , and can shoot way better. If Yatta ever made the league, it would be as a mop up player. Real Talk. I dont see a NY conspiracy here. NYC area is well represented in a league of the best players in the entire world.
July 31st, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Blk Caesar says:
No triple teams here Sure… funny! Its all love man… I agree that Kobe may have 4-5 years left at his currently level, but Lebron is not even close to his peak and that’s what is frightening about him.. Everything he is doing now is just natural talent and athleticism.. Wait untl he really understands the ebb and flow of the game and develops like Mike and Kobe did when they hit 27-29…
July 31st, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
40 Cal!!! dope post, but i gotta give credit where credit is due–EJ Da Mayor nicknamed Brandon Jennings “The Takeover” in 2007. I called him “Doo Be Do” the year before, but i think EJ’s was much more fitting! hope to see all the heads out there on 8/22 for the ‘09 Elite 24. woooord up!
August 1st, 2009 at 8:50 am
ali says:
sure,
bronnie is far from his peak. dude has merely scratched the surface at the tenderoni age of 24. that’s crazy when you look at the numbers he put up in this year’s playoffs, 35 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. and that’s playing with bums!!! duke is the new jack version of the big O, the incredible oscar robertson. one day, he might just avg a triple double!!!
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Saku 39 says:
@Kenny Patt
I was also going to bring up that EBC game between Nate and Kareem. Nate was the best player on the court followed by Lance and Brandon Roy, who only played the first half. And before I’m accused of any Nate bias, I wanted the Knicks to trade Nate before last season started; after his good summer league run and his value was higher.
@sure
Regarding NYC PGs, I think you are mixing up “politics” with “chemistry”. No disrespect but these guys are not the victims you make them out to be. The guys that make it are a better fit for their teams. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:47 am
illest says:
as good as james is, he needs chips. plenty of chips. and not wise or utz. i need more than just numbers, ali.
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:18 pm
ali says:
funny dude illest. them utz bbq joints are tasty. i feel you. cat is 24 and when you look at what he’s already done, i just think the sky’s the limit. his chips will come. and as good as he is, he’s going to be so much better as his game gets refined.
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
illest says:
utz carolina bbq very tasty.
the sky is definitely the limit with james. the cavs still need to add some pieces.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
illest says:
blk….check mikes numbers. he was developed when he entered the league son.
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:54 pm
ali says:
yeah, but he wasn’t taking scrubs to an NBA title series at the age of 22 either illest. but mike was a certified monster straight out the gate.
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
sure says:
Ali
You cant measure today’s league to what it was when Mike was playing. It’s child’s play. Back then it was dominated by real players. Now you have coaches son’s,cousins,friends,overseas bums, and people that have no business even playing the sport to begin with. Role players back in the day would dominate in today’s game. It easy to be a star nowadays. Look at basketball as a whole. Individually you have some great talent. Each team barely has 2 stars. When Mike and pre-mike you had at least 3-5 promblems on each roster. I love Lebron’s game but come on man. He gets away with stuff that should be called. I’ve said it before people with no handles carry the ball more than people with handles. A.I. move was not a carry. They’re calling the in & out a carry now. Refs just call what they don’t know. Lebron carries more than A.I. ever did. He walks too much. Can’t really shot. Is portrayed as a great teamate and a husband if you let the media tell it. LOL. I know were hoping and praying for him to be our next great. Let the man live. Let us grow with his accomplishemnts. The less you guys love him the more we will. You seen what happen w/ Kobe,A.I. etc. Too much love garners hate. Lebron is great and could possibly be up there when it’s over. He has to prove it. Last year they practically gave him a ring. I suprised he didn’t get a bye to the finals. They had a great season but stars are born in the playoffs. He made it to the finals with Gilbert and Wade hurt. The nets were a college team. The Pistons were on the decline and didn’t take them seriously and it backfired in game 7. Then he got disrespected by an aging Spurs team. If he was what you said he was he would found a way. I love your opinions and love Bron but there are players who deserve half the love he gets. Melo for being the real Rookie of the Year. Gilbert for being able to shine on the Olympic team for his limitless talent and how he fared against the N.B.A. best. Wade for almost being that guy from Chicago other than Kobe. Lebron is actually Wade’s little brother. FYI. NO disrespect. Also you can’t teach killer instinct. Lebron is to nice a guy. Mike and Wade weren’t nice on the court. Lebron tries to always to the right thing to be in accordance with you guys the media. That would drive someone crazy. Is that another notch on his belt. It’s not a basketball stat. LOL. If Lebron doesn’t win this year with Shaq or the next few with all the help in the world then what? He isn’t even the best Olympic player. Kobe/Melo and Wade are 10 times better internationally and Kobe & Wade are in class by themselves to me. Bron is leaps ahead of Melo overall but not offensively. If Bron could score like Melo he’d be the best in the league and vice versa if Melo could pass like the Chosen One he’d be arguably a MVP candidate and Nuggets would’ve have won a ring before LBJ23. The critics would have said it was because of Chauncey. Who you think made him look young as well.
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
sure says:
Duhon might not start at Pro City. Can someone please make this happen. Marko Jaric started and is a back-up in the league. I know people that don’t play ball anymore who could destroy him. He looks terrible at Hunter. He has a high skill set so what. He’s really bad. Kevin Ollie just got signed. I’m getting that headache again. When has he been good? Kevin Ollie the Knicks should have went after him. He’d avg 30 at Hunter. LMAO. They’d wouldn’t even give him a jersey. They’d want to know who he was. Why doesn’t a team find Mugsy Bogues to sign. KEVIN OLLIE SERIOUSLY. I’m close to giving up on basketball. The only reason people know him is because he looks like a Mario Bros.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:45 am
illest says:
ali…the league is different. put lebron in 86 and he wouldnt take any team to the finals at that age either.
sure…i actually agree with you saying lebron tries to please the media…except for after that game 6. and ollie may not be all that but he played 12 years in the nba.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:26 am
ali says:
i love a great hoops debate.
you guys are right, the league is different today, but people always tend to glorify the great past and vilify the present. the league is filled with guys playing today that would crush in any era. guys today are bigger, stronger and faster. they may be less skilled in some areas, but the NBA is in great shape nowadays. everybody forgets the scrubnificence that existed in the ’80s as well.
i did think melo should’ve been the rookie of the year. his offensive skill set is subtle genius. wade and kobe are great. but they cannot play 4 positions where they’re top 5 in the league at all of those spots. and there is no one, living or alive, that ever played the game that is ten times better than lebron. dude is 24 and better at this stage than michael jordan was. and did lebron not show you that killer instinct during his remarkable performance scoring 48, including 29 of his team’s final 30 points in game five against the pistons two years ago? oh and btw, the cat also had 9 boards, 7 dimes and 2 blocks in that masterpiece as well.
as a long time observer, i’ve never seen that package. i’m just expressing my appreciation for his game and the fact that already, he can be mentioned among the greats. he’s not up there yet with the magics and jordans due to his age and lack of rings. but he’s going to get there, without a doubt.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:55 am
sure says:
We’ll have to see. It’s funny though Kobe had 61 against the Mavs and sat out the 4th and 81 against the Raptors and people still found something negative to say. Playing 5 positions doesn’t make you the best. It means your versatile. Scottie played more positions than Mike and was better at them. What does that mean? He played the 1-5 and guarded better. Lebron is actually the New Magic and Kobe is the New Jordan. Lebron even says he modeled his game after Penny. He is on his way to being great & has trumped his expectations. His R.O.Y has a ?. Taking a team to the finals? Being the best player in the league? A lot of ??? Kevin Ollie being in the league 12 years is a problem. I could name a thousand guards who could’ve have played with Ray Allen. A great player can make you look good. El Amin got 3 Huskies in the league. Jason Kidd made Kenyon an All Star. Lebron has everything on his side and still loses. The refs,Stern,Media,Coach and whatever else he needs. The other players mentioned would thrive and look just as good. Gilbert scores and is more clutch then Bron. Wade I think does everthing better except pass. Melo scores and is more clutch. Bron is just ahead in physical gifts and able to play more positions. He actually wants and is a 1 or 3 that’s it. He doesn’t have the post game of 4 or some 3’s have. He still needs a lot of work and may never get it. Melo still hasn’t gotten it. It took Kobe longer than expected and he still was #1 to me with Shaq.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:44 am
sure says:
What I mean you could have replaced Shaq with other All-Stars and I think Kobe would have still one but I don’t think It would’ve have worked with Shaq. Shaq helped Wade but it was mostly on his merit. Presence don’t win chips. Yao Ming & I could go on & on about strong frontlines. Wade put that work in and led a team of washed up vets. Wade’s ring cannot be overlooked.
Wade 1 Bron 0. Barrin an injury it could’ve have been
2-null. Remember Wade has bounced back from 2 major surgeries. The year he had last year was Phenomenal w/ really nobody. Mo Williams,D.West,Z,and Co. were alot better than what he worked with. Wade might have the best mid range in the game. He also has that backpack quality. Takes his team’s on hikes. Kobe,Duncan,Wade, Bron has to get in line and wait his turn or take it. Can he?
August 4th, 2009 at 10:47 am
sure says:
Ali
Who are your top 5 players in the league right now and why? Also who do you expect to have the most impact as a rookie? Your points and arguments are enlightening.
Same for you Blk/Illest/KP/&Elliot Rosado.
August 4th, 2009 at 11:45 am
illest says:
ali…..at 24 this was mikes numbers….35 pts, 5.5 boards, 6 assists, 259 stls, 131 blks, 53% FG and 84 from the line….and he was defensive player of the year and MVP and won the scoring title. Mike lost to the Bad Boys Pistons. James couldnt beat the Orlando Magic when the chip was basically his this year.
james at 24…28 pts, 8 boards, 7 assists, 137 stls, 93 blks, 49% fgs, 78 from the line and MVP. Very similar but James is no where near the defender or scorer but a better rebounder by a few. How is James better at this age? Hes not. The amount of stls and blks Mike has is so crazy for a guard that we forget how dominant on that side of the ball Mike was. You always say James will average a triple double one day, which he might. Heres Mike at 25…32, 8 and 8 and I remember him having like 7 or 8 games in a row when he had triple doubles playing point. James hasnt had a season like that yet. There is nothing James does thats better than Mike. Ok he averages a few more boards and dimes. But the overall game….Mike all day.
lets look at Bryant at 24….30 pts, 7 boards, 6 assists, 181 stls, 67 blks, 45% and 84%. James is not much better than Bryant at 24 if we are going by the numbers.
sure….I dont see how James modeled his game after Penny since James wears number 23. He and everyone wanted to be Mike. there is no new magic or new mike. those guys are in another galaxy.
top five in the league are bryant, james, wade, duncan and kg. griffin will be the best rookie but its hard to impact the clippers.
August 4th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
sure says:
illest
Thanks for the facts. Magic & Mike left a great legacy to follow. I mean only respect to the great ones and those trying to follow. They’re paving there own way but you could see the blueprint that was followed. I’m with you on the 5 but I’m going with Flynn & Jennings due to talent and impact. Griffin is a monster but has no position in this league. He’s a freak athlete that does all the little things. I have the Bucks and Wolves pushing for playoff spots and being manned by rookie pg’s alike to Rose.
August 4th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
ali says:
scottie pippen never played power forward and center. he never scored like lebron, or rebounded or passed like him. and what do you mean, lebron has everything on his side. look at his roster. w/ out him, they’re terrible!!! and i love gilbert’s game and energy. as well as the other guys you mentioned. but none of them carried a team singlehandedly. put d wade on that cavs roster – bums. put kobe on that cavs roster – bums. put gilbert on that cavs roster – bums. same w/ melo and the rest of the new jack studs. put bron on there – 66 wins! c’mon ya’ll, stop smokin’ that leak-leak. he plays point guard, small forward, shooting guard and power forward. and you’re right sure, he does need a lot of work. now look at his playoff numbers from last year again – 35 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. what’s gonna happen when his game reaches its potential??? seriously, put that in your pipe and puff on it!
and kobe was never the #1 when shaq was there. that’s not even up for debate.
@ illest, bron is a better facilitator, passer and rebounder than mike was at this age. he makes the sum of his parts better than their individual parts. mike didn’t get that piece til later.
August 4th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
ali says:
top 5, lebron, d-wade, kobe, tim duncan and dwight howard. most impact as a rookie, other than blake griffin is gonna be jonny flynn.
August 4th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
illest says:
ali….james wasnt a better passer than mike at that age. he averaged like 2 more boards. he faciliated just as well as lebron. mikes game was complete in 84. just check the old footage son.
james might want to change his mind about being on the 2010 dunk contest. the outside competition has some way more creative dunkers than what he will bring or anyone in the nba.
its tough to equate impact with the clippers or bad teams. of course hell be 20 and 10 but they will still be bad. so wheres the impact?
sure….the wolves after april 18th? they arent better than the lakers, spurs, suns, mavs, jazz, rockets, nuggets or hornets.
August 4th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
m will says:
illest
Mike was 25 when he won his first MVP. And you guys forget Bron’s legend began at 15 going against pros at the Michael Jordan comeback camp.The media heard about the teenage that was outplaying accomplished pros. So to say he’s a media creation is just plain hatred. You guys are better than that.
August 6th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
ali says:
ay yo m will,
you’re so correct. to say bron is a media creation borders on denial and insanity. a few years back, rick pitino was scouting at one of the top summer camps (forget which one) and a reporter asked him about guys jumping straight to the pros. he said (i’m paraphrasing here), “all of these guys need to go to college. there’s only one kid in this camp who could start right now in the NBA and he’s only 15. everybody else better stop dreaming and go to school.” he was talking about lebron. that’s called being NICE!!! no media creation necessary.
August 6th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
ali says:
and illest, when mike was 15, hadn’t he just got cut from his high school varsity?
August 6th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
illest says:
ali….the media coverage was waaaaaay different in 79 than in 2000. the coach was obviously high who cut him in high school. and mike understand that the other mvps before mikes first mvp were two of the top five best players EVER in larry and magic. if james was playing then he wouldnt have gotten mvp then either.
hes not a media creation but if he came out in 79 or 89 he obviously wouldnt be talked about as much or mentioned as a 15 year old. who said he was a media creation? that person obviously hasnt watched basketball to say that. or sure said it. a little nervous on that one.
August 7th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
ali says:
i’m not saying you said it illest, the whole media creation thing. but at 15, mike was not ready to play college ball. bron, at 15, was ready to START in the NBA.
August 10th, 2009 at 8:33 am
illest says:
thats just pitinos opinion. a prisoner of the moment. he should have titles now and the best ever if he could have started at 15. whats that tell you about the nba if a 15 year old could start?
August 11th, 2009 at 9:46 am
ali says:
at 15, he could have started for a lot of nba teams back in the ’80s. and it wasn’t just pitino’s sentiment. it was accepted throughout the league that the kid could help a franchise, even at that age. and the accumulation of titles depend on a supporting cast. again, mike, bird, doc, kobe and others did not win it all by themselves. they had help. when bron gets his, it’s on.
August 11th, 2009 at 10:14 am
illest says:
ali….you are killing me. the game in the 80s was different. at 15 they would of beat the crap out of him. the nba was a mans game in the 80s.
indeed those players had help. but as great as you say james is he should win in spite of his help. the nba is watered down so the help he receives wont be comparable to the help mike, magic, bird and bryant received. they all played with all time greats. james probably wont win with that. im saying that thinking that they wont win this year with oneal. that doesnt make his accomplishments greater. it just shows the nba is weaker. but it will be believed that he is greater because he is playing with less. very misleading.
August 11th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
ali says:
illest,
do you recall what kind of body bron walked into the league with?
and did jordan win, in spite of the dave corzine’s and jawann oldham’s?
if you put the top players in the league today – bron, kobe, d wade, tim duncan, mr big shot, kg, bosh, dirk, paul pierce, yao, dwight howard, melo, shaq, tony parker, manu, chris paul – against the top players in the ’80s, how do you think they’d do? i think they’d be right there with them.
no doubt, the ’80s and early ’90s were the crescendo, but i think we minimize today’s greatness when we over-romanticize about that period. lebron would dominate yesterday, today and tomorrow.
and the raw athleticism back then was much less than it is today. and you think that young fella couldn’t deal w/ the likes of rick mahorn and bill laimbeer? yo B, he’s bigger, faster and stronger than those cats could ever dream of.
August 12th, 2009 at 11:12 am
illest says:
ali….the times are different with the weight training and all of that. the athlete is different.
lolo….and mike didnt win with oldham or corzine. and james wouldnt either.
the top players of the 80s and 90s and now would be a good match. but ill take mike, magic, larry, akeem, kareem, dr, ewing, dj, nique, ad, isiah, and old doc, mchale, bernard, sugar ray, clyde, dumars, worthy, wilkes, toney, cheeks…there are so many more ali.
the raw athleticism means nothing with no game. most of these guys are raw athletically and that has phased out the unathletic white player….the mokeskis, the scott wedmans, the kent bensons. there will never be a kent benson type player drafted number 1 again. that aint cyclical.
the bad boys pistons would kill lebron just like they killed everyone else. hes not superman son. he has the total package pause. can he win a title this year so he can shut me up? he aint going to the mecca and think he is going to win immediately.