Offseason Hoops Stories

One of the NBA's motto use to be "I Love This Game" well now that we're on day 75 on the lockout the new motto should be "I Miss This Game". I admire that several marquee players pros and college stars are seeking employment in the Euroleague but I want the NBA lockout over IMMEDIATELY!!!! Since the summer leagues have come to an end and negioation are at a standstill, fans like myself will have to wait for Digger Phelps, Dick Vitale, Bobby Knight, and Steven Bardo for basketball to appear again on television. Let's take a look at some of stories this offseason/lockout:

• Turkey has become the new hot country for U.S. players to ball. Deron Williams, Demetri McCamey, Sherron Collins are playing there but DWill is the only player with the out clause once the lockout ends. Allen Iverson played there briefly last year. The competition has picked up in Turkey as well.
• Rucker Park has lost it's flavor as the best summer ball. The Drew League in LA was the most talked about league this summer have players like Brandon Jennings, Kevin Durant, John Wall, and Kobe Bryant play this summer.
• Chicago Pro Amms is now a joke. There were three leagues this summer, Marquette Park, South Suburban College, and my favorite Phoenix H.S. I never made it to the Marquette Park games this summer but I heard they were pretty intense but the few times I've attended South Suburban, it's not even a glimpse of IIT. South Suburban charges and they don't even have the marquee names to attract the crowds. Phoenix H.S. was the closet thing to IIT drawing up & coming Chicago stars like Jerome Randle, Sherron Collins, Oris Eldridge, Jermey Pargo, Royce Parren with cameo appearances by Will Bynum. No NBA players played at Phoenix and most notably, south side players did not play. All the game at Phoenix were intense (especially Sherron vs. David Bailey) with a Pro Amm like atmosphere with the crowds chanting WHAT WHAT WHAT!!!!!!!!
• Unlike 1998, players are bound together and are a lot smarter in 2011. Player President Derrick Fisher wrote a letter to the players in the League updating them on what's going on during the negotiations and wants them to remain sharp and hopefully they'll get back to work soon.
• Marquee underclassmen being smart and deciding to remain in college rather than turn pro. The 2012 NBA Draft is going to be one of the most loaded draft classes in NBA history.
• In conclusion..........I MISS THIS GAME

Shaq in Boston - Pippen HOF Week

Basketball might be over but there was still plenty of action that took place in the NBA the past two weeks so let's recap:

Two former Chicago Crane high schools point guards signed NBA contracts. Will Bynum re-signed with the Detroit Pistons which was a solid move by Joe Dumars because now Rodney Stuckey has a quality backup lead guard in Bynum. I've seen Will "Da Thrill" play since he was 15 and don't be surprised if Stuckey is the one coming off the bench. Remember against the Wizards "Da Thrill" was one assist away from tying Isiah Thomas mark for most dimes in a game. Will has also gotten better every year in has career and I'm always happy when Chi-Town players do well.

After not being drafted in this year's NBA Draft, Sherron Collins signed a two-year deal with the Charlotte Bobcats. Collins will have the chance to compete with Shaun Livingston for the backup point guard spot. With Livingston's history of not being able to remain healthy, the former Kansas All-American should fit well with the young Cats. Somewhere Anthony Longstreet and Tim Anderson are proud of these guys. Both Collins & Bynum have strong handles but Collins is a better shooter.

Speaking of Bynum, hopefully he can rack up plenty of assist with his new teammate Tracy McGrady. After discussions with the Bulls did not fall though, the former scoring champ signed a 1-year deal in Motor City. If T-Mac can give the Pistons 20 mpg or 15 PPG, he'll be a lock for Comeback POY. Let's hope that back holds up.

Double honors for the greatest sidekick in NBA history Scottie Pippen. Yesterday Pippen asked the G.O.A.T. to stand with him while being inducted into Springfield. Growing up in Chicago, I've had the pleasure of seeing the development of #33 until his retirement with the Bulls in 2004. The Rocket and Blazers years do not count. During the 90s' the basketball debate was who the was second best player? The answer was Scottie Pippen. Durant, McGrady, Horry, Rudy Gay, LeBron should all thank Pippen as he reinvented the point forward position.  Congrats Scottie!!!!!!!!

All-Star Recap - Trading Deadline

What did I learn about this weekend...this has been one of the worse all-star weekends in recent history. For starter no Bryant, CP3, or Brandon Roy. The dunk off was a complete joke...A slasher wins the 3-point contest. The most disappointing event in Dallas was the dunk contest. Shannon Brown had better dunks in Proviso East than he did in Dallas. The best dunk of the contest was the Demar dunk of the side of the backboard for a windmill. Nate Robinson did what I expected him to do. Nothing creative but he got the job done to secure his title. Derrick Rose did not defend his skills title but did play in the ASG. The 2003 class dominated the ASG and they all should have walked away with the MVPs.

With the second half beginning tonight, Marcus Camby is now a Blazer. This is huge because Portland now has a legit center on their roster until Greg Oden returns next season. It wouldn't surprise me if Portland jumped all the way to the 5th seed. Will "Da Thrill" Bynum had a career high 14 assist against Minnesota tonight. Glad to see Will is finally playing the point the right way.

In college John Wall and Kentucky got a scare against Mississippi State and were down by 7 with 3 minuets left to go. But like true Final 4 contenders, the Wildcats pulled through with the overtime victory. Tom Izzo & Tom Cream had a mini reunion but once the game begin, Michigan State were the ones that left the court smiling. Indiana Hoosiers will be bad for a least two more seasons. Thanks Sampson.

Finally pray that coach George Karl has a speedy recovery and good luck Bulls tomorrow night in MSG.

Game Recap

It's been two days since I attended the Bulls/Pistons game which marked the return of Ben Gordon and the homecoming of Will Bynum. Kerry Wood was shown on the jumbo tron and the crowd booed him. This guy spent 10 years in this city and he did not deserved to be booed...he's one of my all-time favorite Cubs.

Now to the game...when Ben Gordon entered the game he was booed the first few possession he touched the ball but they didn't boo him the entire game. I thought more people would cheer for Bynum but then again only a small few followed him throughout his young career so far. Coming off a sprained ankle, Gordon was extremely passive but did lead his team in scoring with 16.

Watching Bynum and Rose guard each other was what I came to see. It was like watching Simeon vs. Craine all over. Rose had two highlight dunk and Bynum had a solid game and even threw a great lob pass to end the 3rd quarter which was taken away.

Overall the Bulls won but unfortunately they did not score 100 so no free Big Mac for me.

THE ANSWER IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bulls vs. Pistons Tonight

Tonight at the United Center the Detroit Pistons play the Chicago Bulls and I WILL BE THERE!!!!!! This will mark the first meeting between these two clubs this year but this game has a special meaning as it marks the return of Ben Gordon where he called the United Center home from 2004-2009. That's the national story behind this game.

From a local standpoint, Former Craine Star and fellow south sider Will Bynum will display his handles in front of the home crowd. I'm sure he'll get a pretty good ovation from those who followed him from Hales, Craine, Pro Amms, Azizona, Georgia Tech, D-League, Overseas, finally the NBA. Last year I took my nephew to the game and we ended up meeting Will after the game. The Bynum vs. Rose matchup should be interesting because I know Rodney Stuckey has no idea how to guard Derrick Rose. You can view the photos on my photo page here.

Well it's late and view my blog tomorrow for my recap of the game.

Basketball Version - What are you Thankful For.....

With the holiday season kicking off this Thursday what are you thankful for from a basketball standpoint? With the season still very young here's what I'm thankful for..

• I'm thankful that the rest of the world can finally see the talent of Will Bynum that we have witnessed in Chicago since 1999
• I'm thankful that Earl Boykins is back in the NBA. He should have never been overseas
• I'm thankful that nine teams realized that made a mistake by passing up Brandon Jennings
• I'm thankful for NBA TV. That is the best cable channel and provides scores & highlights 24/7
• I'm thankful Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd & Steve Nash are still playing. They're up in age but I'd choose them over any new young PG in the L
• I'm thankful for all the upcoming games on all the ESPN Networks. Coaches vs. Cancer, Preseason NIT, Great Alaska Shootout, etc
• I'm thankful that Jokim Noah is playing at a high level and leading the League in rebounding
• And finally....I'm thankful that at 33 I'm still in good health and able to play ball 4 days a week

With the holiday season approaching us please remember to be careful if you're doing Black Friday