Basketball

I had an epiphany during last night’s likely Finals preview involving the Heat and the Thunder. I’d seen the caveman that is Kendrick Perkins thump Dwyane Wade over the head twice within one flagrant foul. I’d seen the most self oblivious star in the league, Russell Westbrook, assault an airborne LeBron James because he had forced him into one of his 5 costly turnovers. I’d seen this year’s Derrick Rose, the fraudulent MVP and a so called friend of the Heat’s no.6, strike James across the face as he flew in for a dunk in an act of frustration because [...]

Regardless of what happens from this point onwards, we can all say we witnessed the very brief era of Jeremy Lin. In the most unprecedented start to a professional career we have ever seen, Linsanity swept all corners of the world. Earning M-V-P chants upon his first start, shattering records, hitting buzzer beaters, becoming the man in New York, turning fans against Carmelo Anthony, saving Mike D’Antoni’s career, winning 8 straight games, hugely humbled by Miami, struggling to fit in with returning stars, losing 5 consecutive, losing Mike D’Antoni, new defensive coach, 5 game win streak, fading role and minutes, [...]

I am not a person that ever likes to put the decision of a game, regardless of the sport, on any single or group of officials. I never am one to believe referees or umpires have enough of a say over a game to actually determine it’s outcome. But tonight’s Heat-Thunder showdown in Oklahoma City pushed me as close to changing that thought process, at least in terms of an NBA game. The Thunder were the better team, but the Heat barely had a chance to get into the flow of the game. Coming into the potential Finals matchup, I [...]

LeBron James’ 14 point fourth quarter/overtime performance at home to the Pacers on Saturday night was eerily reminiscent to his all dominating, clutch performances during the Eastern Conference Semis and Finals. He sunk the game tying three with 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime, after scoring 5 points in around 20 seconds. He then hit another huge three pointer in overtime to cut a 5 point lead to a one possession game. From there he found a wide open Chris Bosh, after drawing three defenders, who drained a 20ft jumper. He narrowly missed [...]

In the past 24 months we have seen an unprecedented term of sporting avalanches that have led to situations that haven’t known in a long time. LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brett Favre left the Green Bay Packers, Albert Puyols left the Arizona Cardinals and most recently, Peyton Manning left the Indianapolis Colts. Obviously each respective situation is entirely different from the next, but all have left teams looking largely unrecognisable, at least to this current generation of the organisation. When you lose a franchise player, like each of the aforementioned have, you are immediately thrust into rebuilding mode. [...]

The two consecutive losses away to Utah and the Lakers may have helped put the Heat’s season in a much greater perspective that it was previously. Chris Bosh’ untimely absence due to the death of his grandmother saw the Heat playing a different style of basketball than they are used to, and it did not suit them. They were getting up and down the court faster, given they were not giving defences time to set up in the half court, but this was leading to a greater workload on the shoulders of James and Wade, as well as inevitably increasing [...]

Unless you have been living in North Korea the past month, you will have heard the name, the story and the achievements of Jeremy Lin. Lin burst onto the scene and into the tabloid culture of sports more shockingly and suddenly than anyone before him. His myriad of followers not only within New York or the United States, but encompassing the entire world, have elevated this Asian prodigy into the greatest overnight story professional sport has seen in a very long time. I am all for Linsanity, I think it is not only great for the kid, but also great [...]

The Miami Heat wanted to make a statement and they did so in near perfect style. Surprisingly the league leading Heat entered the game flying under the radar as the Jeremy Lin circus came to town, over shadowing Miami’s seven game win streak. It didn’t take long for Miami to get into Lin’s head, forcing 5 turnovers from the rookie point guard before the half and condemning the phenom into his worst game in the NBA. Defense was the emphasis for the Heat and they set the tempo for the game with perhaps the best defensive performance this group has [...]

The game started oddly, and the strangeness remained as both the Heat and 76ers failed to get into a groove all night. It was a tremendously uncomfortable showdown between the second and third best teams in the Eastern Conference, with neither able to put together a consistent quarter. The deficit constantly yo-yoed with the Heat holding the narrow lead through the majority of the first three quarters. LeBron James came out stone cold compared to his avalanche of points against Milwaukee two nights ago. He started 1/6 and finished with just 19 points, but added 12 rebounds and 8 assists. [...]

LeBron James started the game as hot as a blowtorch as the King produced one of the most individual scoring quarters we have seen in a very long time. James went 8/9 from the field en route to a stunning 24 point first quarter, jumping Miami out to a perfect and needed start against a team that humbled the Heat in Miami just over a week ago. LeBron slowed from there, scoring a further 16 points over the remaining three quarters, adding 8 rebounds and 5 assists to fill out the stat sheet in typical style. Miami were in complete [...]