Runnin - n - Gunnin

nbaoffseason: Throwback feat. Reebok, Pat, DJ, Doc, Ainge,...

lameallenmark — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:51:07 -0800

nbaoffseason:

Throwback feat. Reebok, Pat, DJ, Doc, Ainge, Byron & Dominique

In honor of the Rudy Gay trade to the Toronto Raptors:

lameallenmark — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:07:03 -0800

In honor of the Rudy Gay trade to the Toronto Raptors:

R-n-G 2013 All-Star Reserve Picks (I wrote these Wednesday...

lameallenmark — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 11:42:00 -0800

R-n-G 2013 All-Star Reserve Picks

(I wrote these Wednesday afternoon and posted them up on Thursday morning, just in time before the coaches’ choices are revealed for the actual All-Star reserves.)

I always found it fun deciding who are the most “deserving” players for the All-Star game each year. The thing is: who are we to decide who is most deserving and what is the criteria? We already know who ultimately decides the All-Star Reserves (head coaches… or at least whoever the coaches have do it for them), but how do they decide? Best players on winning teams? Overall stats? Narrative? To honor a players’ past accolades? Are they just flat out fun to watch? Rationale varies per person, and mine reflects all of the reasoning above (besides rewarding past All-Stars. Nah, I’m not having any of that). Don’t like who I choose? Well it doesn’t matter because my choices matter even less.

Eastern Conference Picks

So after the All-Star Starters of Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Kevin Garnett, here are my reserves:

First Guard: Kyrie Irving

I usually like to allow only one player from a very subpar team in each conference to make the All-Star team if he has been playing at such an incredibly high level. (Am I trolling if I said that player in the West is Kobe Bryant? Yes, yes I am, but it’s also COMPLETELY TRUE). That player for the East this season is Kyrie. Though the Cavs are at an abysmal 11-32 (13th in the East) as of Wednesday, Kyrie is playing like a Top 5 point guard at 20 years old. He’s 6th in points per game (23.7), 15th in PER (22.29), and I would like to have him start if it wasn’t for the fact that he’s missed a quarter of the Cavs’ games this season already. Kyrie should be a lock for the All-Star game, and if he isn’t on your list then you should be ashamed of yourselves (I’m looking at you, Inside the NBA guys).

Read More

Western Conference Picks

So after the All-Star Starters of Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, and (ugh) Dwight Howard, here are my reserves:

First Frontcourt: Tim Duncan
This is where Dwight Howard starting ruins everything. The Lakers have a .415 winning percentage (12th in the West, 20th overall) and have two All-Star starters. The Spurs have the 2nd best record in the entire NBA and Tim Duncan is (or at least will be) a reserve. 6th overall in PER. His points, rebounds, assists, and blocks per game have all improved from the past two seasons, and he is not playing like he is 36 years old. He is arguably still the best player on one of the best teams and thus should be a lock (and should be starting). Granted, he doesn’t even want to be there in the first place, bu that doesn’t make him any less deserving.
Read More

NBA Juxtapozition: The ’12-’13 Warriors & The ’12-’13 Lakers

lameallenmark — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:22:21 -0800

NBA Juxtapozition: The ’12-’13 Warriors & The ’12-’13 Lakers:

Note: I’ve been incredibly MIA this season (finally getting a job does that) but now I’m using a Wordpress for my lengthier written posts. Here’s a little preview and I hope you enjoy!

We are just over a quarter through with the 2012-2013 NBA season. It’s still too early to get a good grasp on how a teams’ season will become, but enough to decipher trends and feel out what these teams are. But here’s something that’s been surprising: the Golden State Warriors have been really good and the Los Angeles Lakers have been pretty bad. I follow the Warriors every day because they are my favorite team, and it’s hard even as a casual fan to not know what’s been happening to Los Angeles all season. To me it’s become clear that these two California based teams have become some sort of mirror image of each other. Not in the sense that they are the same, but how they have become opposites, and I’m here to break it down.

Read more…

Jeff Green Puts Al Jefferson on a Poster It’s one of those...

lameallenmark — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:20:40 -0800

Jeff Green Puts Al Jefferson on a Poster

It’s one of those times that makes you yell “OH SH*T” out loud. It’s beautiful.

Kyrie Irving appears in new Foot Locker spot. Yeah, it literally...

lameallenmark — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:52:55 -0800

Kyrie Irving appears in new Foot Locker spot. Yeah, it literally made me lol.

Making Moves: NBA Free Agency 2012 - Joe Johnson Traded to the...

lameallenmark — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:20:15 -0700

Making Moves: NBA Free Agency 2012 - Joe Johnson Traded to the ~~New Jersey~~ Brooklyn Nets

Welp.

Joe Johnson will go to the Brooklyn Nets while Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar, DeShawn Stevenson, Jordan Williams, Johan Petro, and a 2013 lottery protected 1st round draft pick (via the Houston Rockets) are headed to the Atlanta Hawks.

The most amazing detail of this trade? Joe Johnson’s contract was supposedly “untradable.” He’s owed $19.8 million in 12-13, $21.5 in 13-14, $23.2 in 14-15, and almost $25 mil in 15-16. This (along with Rashard Lewis’ recently bought-out 21 million that was traded TWICE) should solidify the fact that any contract can be traded, no matter how bad they are.

Word is that this trade (that won’t be official until July 11th) is not contingent with attempts to resign Deron Williams, so whether or not D-Will stays in Brooklyn or otherwise, Johnson is a Net. If anything, this may deter any thoughts that the Nets would trade for Dwight Howard who has said that he would only sign an extension with one team (which might be the Nets…). With this trade, the Nets will have about $50 million in cap space for possibly three players: Johnson, Gerald Wallace, and Deron Williams if he resigns. Money may not be a problem for majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov and he may even be willing to pay into the luxury tax… but don’t expect three max contracts on this roster in the future (remember: Lebron, Wade, and Bosh had to all take smaller contracts to play together).

My take on this move: the Nets were searching for some sort of “consolation” if a Dwight Howard trade wouldn’t work out. Yes, the Nets had trade assets, but not necessarily assets the Orlando Magic would want. The Magic is a team that, post-Dwight, wants to rebuild with young pieces (i.e. through draft picks or promising young players still on rookie contracts). Aside from MarShon Brooks (and to a lesser extent Brook Lopez), the Nets simply do not have enough of those type of pieces that the Magic would want. Instead, they have a ton of smaller expiring contracts that would help a team wanting more cap space in the near future. That team happened to be the Atlanta Hawks, who still have key core players Josh Smith and Al Horford and managed to get rid of a terrible contract.

And in spite of taking on Johnson’s terrible contract, the Nets left this trade in a fair position. Everything hangs on the resigning of Deron Williams, but if he does resign, the Nets are surely expected to be a playoff team. D-Will, Johnson, Wallace, Brooks, and Lopez is a solid core that can at least make the 2nd round of the Playoffs. Secondly, they were able to keep MarShon Brooks, Gerald Green, and their own 2013 draft pick, all the most coveted pieces the Nets have in trade talks.

Yes, a team’s ultimate goal is to earn a Championship, but after a 22-44 season placing 12th in the East, this is a step in a… better direction.

(via Y! Sports)

Runnin-n-Gunnin Mock Draft - Lottery Picks I’m surprising...

lameallenmark — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 11:12:00 -0700

Runnin-n-Gunnin Mock Draft - Lottery Picks

I’m surprising myself with the fact that this is the first time I’ve ever attempted a mock draft. Granted, I never really watch NCAA basketball and I’ve never felt knowledgeable enough about actual prospects to pick and choose teams for them to go to. This year… well it wasn’t much different. I only watched a few NCAA games but have done a good amount of research, hopefully enough to try and make smart decisions for this mock draft.

Because I follow the NBA religiously and haven’t had enough interest in NCAA ball in recent history, I tend to choose picks based more on team need than best player available, especially after the Top 5. Also, I first attempted to go with all 30 picks in the first round, but once I got to the 14th pick, I thought to myself, “NOPE” and stopped there at the lottery.

This year’s draft is tricky, though. After Anthony Davis goes #1 overall, every other pick depends on who the Bobcats get at #2. Furthermore, the draft starts to get messier after the 7th pick. And on top of all this, who knows what types or how many trades will happen before or during the draft. Here I’ll cover the lottery picks as they currently stand, but also address possible trades that have been rumored. Oy. Well… here we go:

#1 New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Biggest and only no-brainer in this year’s draft. Having a young core of Eric Gordon, Davis, and whoever the Hornets end up getting with the 10th pick is a more than decent way to rebuild in the post-CP3 era.

#2 Charlotte Bobcats - Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The Bobcats have an incredible amount of options with the #2 pick. The Bobcats have so many needs for their roster, so it’s only fair to go with the best player available (BPA), but even that is arguable. I’ve seen a good amount of mocks having the Bobcats nab Bradley Beal, but with the recent trade for Bed Gordon, Beal would most likely get minutes at the 3, which I don’t like. Robinson is a great choice, though, because he is a player that will definitely contribute right away with consistency. Also, a frontcourt featuring Bismack Biyombo and Robinson can be a solid foundation for some improvement for a team that desperately needs it.

Apparently, the Bobcats have 5 suitors for the #2 pick that they’re mulling over. I’m assuming one of those choices is for the Cavaliers’ #4 pick. If that trade does happen, expect Beal to go #2.

#3 Washington Wizards - Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Beal going to the Wizards makes the most sense, especially after the Rashard Lewis for Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor trade. John Wall needs to be surrounded by shooters, and the only one on the current roster that gets minutes is Jordan Crawford. Beal is the obvious pick having comparisons to Ray Allen.

#4 Cleveland Cavaliers - Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

The Cavs can’t really go wrong here: you either go for Barnes or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. MKG may eventually be the better player, but Barnes is one of the most NBA ready players in this draft. Similarly to John Wall’s situation in Washington, it may be preferable to surround rising star point guard Kyrie Irving with shooters, and Barnes fits that bill. Also for the past few weeks, Barnes has been higher on the Cavs’ draft board than MKG (it’s got to be that shooting…).

Last night it became clear that the Cavaliers are apparently high on shooting guard Dion Waiters. If this holds true, expect them to trade down during the draft.

#5 Sacramento Kings - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

With Barnes going #4, the only reasonable decision the Kings could make is taking MKG at #5 as the BPA. The part that troubles me, though, is the incredible logjam the Kings have at the wing positions (Thornton, Evans, Garcia, UFA Williams, Salmons, Outlaw, RFA Greene, Honeycutt), but MKG is too tough to pass up. The Kings sorely need defense, and MKG may be the best perimeter defender in the draft who can cover three positions. If anything, the Kings could attempt to move any one of their wings to make room (especially Tyreke Evans, from whom they could get some value).

If the Kings made a move on draft day, it would be with the Rockets, who currently hold the 12th, 16th, AND 18th picks. The Kings are high on Moe Harkless and the Rockets would like to take a swing at Andre Drummond, so don’t be surprised if this happens. (The Kings did say no to a trade involving Kyle Lowry though, so anything is possible and/or impossible).

#6 Portland Trailblazers - Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St.

And thus begins the Blazers’ rebuilding stage. Lucky for Portland fans, the Nets didn’t secure a Top 3 pick, giving the Blazers two chances in the lottery to build their team back up. There are two obvious holes this team will try to cover with their two draft picks: point guard and big man (preferably a center). With a plethora of big men slated to go in the late lottery, the Blazers will be smart to snatch the best point guard in the draft at #6 with Lillard.

#7 Golden State Warriors - Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

So all that tanking was worth it, right? There is some talent drop off after the 5th pick, but that doesn’t mean that anyone from #6 onward won’t be great players. It was tough having the Warriors pass on Andre Drummond who has ridiculous upside, but the Warriors don’t want to wait a few seasons for their #7 pick in a deep draft to finally pan out. Waiters is arguably the BPA at this point and can contribute right away. Even if the guard spot isn’t an automatic need, the Warriors could use some assets as trade pieces.

I stated earlier how the Cavaliers are actually very high on Waiters, so if anything does happen, the Cavs may actually draft MKG, wait for the Warriors to draft Waiters, and then pull the trigger for a trade that involves other GSW pieces, such as Dorell Wright and their #30 pick. If by some odd reason everyone the Warriors like in the top 7 are gone, then see them trading down with Houston for two of their late-lottery/mid-first round picks.

#8 Toronto Raptors - Andre Drummond, C, UConn

Here is where the draft gets especially tricky and I start straying away from the BPA angle. It was already tough enough having Drummond fall past 7th, and I basically convinced myself that he could work in Toronto. With Andrea Bargnani soon to be joined by Jonas Valanciunas in their front court, Drummond wouldn’t have to contribute right away. He would also act as insurance in case the Raptors pull off a trade for Rudy Gay and add Bargnani as a part of that deal. Granted, if a trade does happen, Jose Calderon would also be a part of the deal, and a player like Austin Rivers would make a lot of sense (but then again, I’m hoping that Nash signs with Toronto this offseason).

#9 Detroit Pistons - Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

For some reason I actually really like this pick for Detroit. It is in this point in the draft where we will see mostly big men, and I believe that is what the Pistons are looking at right now. They would like to move budding star Greg Monroe down to his natural position at Power Forward, so a polished, NBA ready Center makes the most sense. Zeller can run the floor well for his size and is sneaky athletic, which should compliment Monroe well. #9 may be high for Zeller, but I just like the fit (though John Henson’s defense might have something to say about this…).

#10 New Orleans Hornets - Terrence Ross, G/F, Washington

I Initially had Kendall Marshall up here, but his stock has been dropping due to his slow foot speed, and Ross’ has been rising. #10 may be a stretch, but from picks #9 on, it’s a complete crapshoot. Having just traded Trevor Ariza and with no other starting SF available (sorry Aminu), Ross is a decent choice to pair next to Eric Gordon, plus he can act as insurance in case injury woes still plague Gordon (or if he doesn’t resign). He can also take on some offensive load off of Gordon, and this team sure could use some offense.

#11 Portland Trailblazers - John Henson, PF/C, North Carolina

I went back and forth with this pick between Henson and Meyers Leonard, but ultimately went with Henson. He is more ready to play right away than Leonard may be, and could be a great compliment next to LaMarcus Aldridge. Still though, it feels really weird having three UNC players go in a row on this Mock Draft. It’s like when you fill in “C” in multiple questions in a row while taking a test.

#12 Houston Rockets - Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

I really don’t expect the Rockets to have this pick by the end of the night. Maybe this pick goes to the Kings. Maybe to the Warriors. Heck, maybe they even succeed and end up getting Dwight Howard. Whatever happens, Lamb is a solid pick here. Even if the Rockets end up keeping this pick, Lamb could be a good pick as an eventual replacement for Kevin Martin, whom the Rockets may want to trade at some point (they’re seriously pushing for Dwight Howard. Wow.).

#13 Phoenix Suns - Austin Rivers, G, Duke

While Rivers has been climbing a bunch of draft boards, I have him basically where I expected him to go. Granted, the Raptors may not go for Drummond and get insurance for Calderon instead and choose Rivers at #8 instead, but in between these picks I don’t really see a reason for a team to really want Rivers. Enter Phoenix: this pick screams “Steve Nash is leaving, we need a point guard.” Even if Nash decides to return to Phoenix, Rivers would be a great choice as a combo guard behind Nash, while learning from the best.

#14 Milwaukee Bucks - Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Bucks desperately need size since they traded away Andrew Bogut back in March, and Leonard is a good choice with value at #14. The Bucks recently traded for Samuel Dalembert meaning that the starting job is out of the question (unless they start him at PF, but I expect someone like Udoh or Mbah a Moute to slide there), but this takes pressure of Leonard to contribute right away. Leonard currently has more potential that skill, but that matched with his incredible athleticism would be great coming off the bench for now.

—————

Welp. I tried my best. The NBA Draft is tonight, 7:30pm EST/4:30pm PST with a Draft Preview at 7pm/4pm. I can’t wait to see how wrong I am.

So this happened. Here’s a stat via Ira Winderman of the...

lameallenmark — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 21:51:54 -0700

So this happened.

Here’s a stat via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

Strangest math in all of sports, ever. Eddy Curry: 525 career regular-season games. ZERO career playoff games. One championship ring.

Curry is now forever a part of NBA folklore, along with Darko Milicic and Adam Morrison as players who won NBA championships by sitting on the bench. (Granted, Darko has become a serviceable player in these past several seasons, but won a ring with the Detroit Pistons back in 2004 while playing only 1.8 minutes per game in 8 playoff games, only 3 of which were in the finals… thanks basketball-reference).

I will admit that I have been a little more than upset at the fact that a player like Curry, known for being out of shape and has lived on the bench for almost all of the past three seasons (here’s me on my personal blog), but you honestly can’t be too upset with what he’s been through, especially in his career. From cardiac problems to alleged harassment charges to murdered family to foreclosure, if anyone needed a break in life, it was Eddy Curry. I try to not be judgmental on anyone, so I won’t make assumptions on Curry’s character or life, so all I can really do is congratulate the man. Congrats Eddy Curry, you’re an NBA Champion.

Lebron james gets earns his first NBA Championship and Finals...

lameallenmark — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 22:24:00 -0700

Lebron james ~~gets~~ earns his first NBA Championship and Finals MVP

Skeptics and haters will always have their words. ”It’s only one championship. Jordan has 6 and Kobe has 5.” ”This championship has a ‘66 game lockout shortened season’ asterisk right next to it.” ”So many key players like Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard were out during the playoffs.” ”He needed Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to win a championship.”

I wouldn’t call myself a Lebron James fan (nor a hater), but you know that he’s the best player in the game right now. You know that he played great in all four quarters in every playoff game, especially in the Finals. You know that he’s an incredible basketball playing specimen, with the basketball IQ of Magic paired with the size and strength of Malone. You know that he can win more championships.

But hey, sometimes you need a villain. This championship may detract more haters, but who else is everyone going to hate now?

Congratulations Lebron. You deserve it.

(photo via hoopshype)

The other side of the championship. Bounced out in the 1st...

lameallenmark — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 21:24:00 -0700

The other side of the championship.

Bounced out in the 1st round against the Lakers in 2010. Beaten in the Western Conference Finals by the Mavericks in 2011. Out worked by the Heat in 2012. Their best three players on average are 23 years old. They beat the San Antonio Spurs, fresh off of a 20 game win streak (as well as had the best record in the NBA) four games in a row to make it into the Finals.

You already know, but it’s not over for this team. Not by a long shot. I can’t wait to see what this team will be able to do in the future.

Hang your head high KD. 3 time scoring champ. Runner-Up MVP. You have at least 15 years left of your career. You’ll get yours sooner or later.

Seriously though, this image makes me so sad :(

(photo via jose3030)

Miami Heat: 2012 NBA Champions (via jose3030)

lameallenmark — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 21:10:00 -0700

Miami Heat: 2012 NBA Champions (via jose3030)

fuckyeanba: NBA.com with another excellent micro-movie of Game...

lameallenmark — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:10:55 -0700

fuckyeanba:

NBA.com with another excellent micro-movie of Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

So happy that they’re making one of these for each game.

NBA Micro-Movie: 2012 Finals - Game 1 This is so great. Watch...

lameallenmark — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:38:00 -0700

NBA Micro-Movie: 2012 Finals - Game 1

This is so great. Watch it. Bask in it. Get hyped for Game 2.

2012 NBA Finals - Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat: The...

lameallenmark — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:07:00 -0700

2012 NBA Finals - Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat: The Blueprint

Looks like we’re finally getting the Finals matchup we as fans have hoped we would get ever since this lockout shortened season started. And with this particular pairing, we are given a variety of narratives to follow. The top two MVP vote-getters in Lebron James and Kevin Durant will be going head-to-head. The “Good Guy” Thunder team will go up against the “Bad Guy” Heat team (a terrible story line if you think about it). The narrative that interests me the most, though, is how these two teams represent two different (and essentially polarizing) ways to build a contending team.

Let’s start with the Miami Heat. We all know how this story begins: some of the top NBA players of their positions headline an incredibly stacked 2010 free agent class, led by big names like Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Wade ultimately decided to resign with the team who drafted him, the Miami Heat, while recruiting Bosh in the process. Then on July 8th, 2010, Lebron made one of the worst PR moves with a television broadcasted decision to join Wade and Bosh in Miami. Thus, the super team, Big Three Miami Heat was actualized.

Of course, this was only possible because of the Heat’s player contract situation. The team made it so that every players’ salary, with the exception of Mario Chalmers’ and Michael Beasley’s, would only go up until 2010, in anticipation for the high profile free agent class. Beasley’s contract was ended up being traded for two second round picks and cash considerations, thus freeing even more cap space for the team. These moves allowed for the signings of three top free agents, being able to resign key role players for less money (Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony, James Jones), and signed cheaper free agents as well (Mike Miller, Mike Bibby, Juwan Howard, to name a few).

As for the Oklahoma City Thunder, they were able to accomplish what every terrible, lottery bound team attempts to do: rebuild through drafting great players that hopefully develop into stars. In 2007, the Sonics had the 5th worst record (31-51) and was awarded the 2nd pick which became Kevin Durant (they also had the Boston Celtics’ 5th pick through the Ray Allen trade, which became Jeff Green). In 2008, the Sonics had the 2nd worst record (20-62), was awarded the 4th pick, and drafted Russell Westbrook. In the same year, they obtained the 24th pick via a trade with the Phoenix Suns, and drafted Serge Ibaka. In 2009, the now relocated Thunder had the 4th worst record (23-59) and were awarded the 3rd pick, drafting James Harden. From this point on, the Thunder would only see improvement.

In the 2009-10 season, the Thunder would improve their record by 27 wins to 50-32, clinching the 8th seed in the West. They would take the eventual champion Lakers to 6 games before being eliminated from the playoffs. In the 2010-11 season, the Thunder would improve by 5 games, solidifying the 4th seed in the West, and would reach the Western Conference Finals where they would fall in 5 games to the eventual champion Dallas Mavericks. Now in the 2011-12 season, the Thunder earned the 2nd seed in the West, won 4 games in a row against a San Antonio Spurs team that previously was on a 20 game win streak, and now face the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

And in that span, Kevin Durant was Rookie of the Year, made 3 All-Star appearances, made 3 All-NBA first team appearances, was awarded the 2012 All-Star MVP, won 3 scoring titles in a row, and came in 2nd in MVP votes in 2012 behind Lebron James. Russell Westbrook also has two All-Star appearances and two All-NBA second team appearances. Also, don’t forget that James Harden is the 2012 Sixth Man of the Year and that Serge Ibaka came in 2nd in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Tyson Chandler.

Though both the Heat and the Thunder present two different blueprints as to how a team can be built into contenders, I doubt any other team can replicate what either of these Finalists have done.

With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (you know, the whole reason why a lockout occurred in the first place), it will be tougher for teams to hold onto so many max contracts (the Thunder will have to deal with this problem once contract negotiations begin with Harden and Ibaka). Also, not only does a team need a ton of cap space in order to make signings like this work, but the city needs to be a destination in which high profile players would like to go. In 2010, teams like New Jersey and the LA Clippers had enough cap space for at least one max contract, but (at least at that time) neither team had a history of enough success that would garner interest.

And if teams wishing to rebuild through the draft are essentially gambling. Even if a team gets high draft picks a few years straight, those picks mean nothing if the players chosen don’t pan out into star players. The Thunder just happened to hit home runs three years in a row, none of which happened to be #1 draft picks in the first place.

The only exceptions I can think of either situation came years before: The Celtics gathering their Big 3, and the San Antonio Spurs. Granted, the Celtics had to trade for both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo happened to pan out at that season, thus leading to a Championship. The Spurs on the other hand, didn’t have a plethora of high draft picks. After drafting Tim Duncan with the #1 pick in 1997, they have always had success year after year, winning 4 total Championships. In that span, they were able to draft value picks: Manu Ginobili at #57 in 1999 and Tony Parker at #28 in 2001. Either way, these scenarios are still very unique and will be difficult to replicate.

—————

By no means do I think that one way to build a contender is better than the other. Obviously, both teams are great (the best in each conference at this moment) and I honestly believe that the Finals this year are a complete toss-up as to who will win it all. Each team has a trio of incredible talent, each with a player than can be the greatest player on the court for an entire game. The Thunder have an outstanding offense with a great defense. The Heat have an outstanding defense with a great offense. Both teams are playing better than how they were in the regular season. It’s the 1st, 4th, and 5th picks of the 2003 draft against the 2nd, 4th, and 3rd picks of the 2007-2009 drafts. When it comes down to it, I’m going with my gut:

Oklahoma City Thunder in 6.

DraftExpress.com: NBA Combine Athletic Testing Results Released

lameallenmark — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 07:33:05 -0700

DraftExpress.com: NBA Combine Athletic Testing Results Released

Amazing interactive charts highlighting the shot tendencies...

lameallenmark — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 07:01:17 -0700

Amazing interactive charts highlighting the shot tendencies between the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder (via @nytjim)

The site shows the shot tendencies of both teams overall, as well as main six players on each team (James, Wade, Bosh, Chalmers, Haslem, and Battier for the Heat; Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka, Perkins, and Sefolosha for the Thunder). It’s a great resource if you want to keep track of two incredible offenses that will go head-to-head tonight.

This is all types of amazing.

nbaoffseason: It’s fitting this season started on Christmas. We...

lameallenmark — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 23:00:31 -0700

nbaoffseason:

It’s fitting this season started on Christmas. We finally got our wish: Heat vs. Thunder

Check this: Kevin Durant is 23. Russell Westbrook is 23. James...

lameallenmark — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 23:16:27 -0700

Check this:

Kevin Durant is 23.
Russell Westbrook is 23.
James Harden is 22.
Serge Ibaka is 22.

Putting that into perspective, Harden and Ibaka are only 2 months and 1 month older than I, respectively. And they’re all going to the NBA Finals. Makes me wonder what I’m doing with my life.

Congratulations to the Oklahoma City Thunder. They may be young, but they’re also damn talented and have the swagger to possibly go all the way. I can’t wait until the Finals.

"It’s almost like a Hollywood scipt for OKC. They went through Dallas. Then they went through the..."

lameallenmark — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 23:05:20 -0700

“It’s almost like a Hollywood scipt for OKC. They went through Dallas. Then they went through the Lakers. Then they went through us. Those three teams represent 10 of the last 13 championships. And now they’re going to go to the Finals and play either Boston or Miami. And that will be 11 of the last 13 championships. I don’t know if anybody has gone through a playoff playing those kinds of teams. It’s just incredible, and I think it’s pretty cool for them.”

- Gregg Popovich is pretty cool. (via nbaoffseason)