basketball
The world of Basketball detailed by the voices of the unathletic. Discussing play, culture, and, of course, who's the best. Trust the Process.
The Three Point Shot Will Flip NBA Basketball
We are in the midst of a three point revolution. Seemingly started by Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors two years ago, teams are taking more threes than ever before. Basketball analytics has contributed to this outburst of long range shooting, as coaches and players have realized that it is better to shoot more threes and layups than mid range jumpers.
Michael DePriscoPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe Free Agency Storm Is Coming
Well, that was quick. Before I could even write my story on how Chris Paul would give the Spurs an edge over the Warriors, he was putting out his thank you’s and goodbyes to LA fans and heading to Houston. That's the thing with free agency. So much build up, but it's normally all in place before players can even sign. (Unless you are DeAndre Jordan). Will players get locked into their own house this year? Wouldn't bet against it. There has been so much talk about Blake Griffin, Gordon Hayward and Paul George that people are forgetting the rest of this free agency class. And just to remind NBA fans, it’s really f-ing good. In this article, I want to highlight some names outside of the big fish of free agency who could really move the needle for several teams.
Zach GothardPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedChucking Russ’ & Why You Really Can’t Blame Em’
The Oklahoma City Thunder squeaked one out in Game 3, after allowing the Rockets to close the gap on a large lead they had for much of the game. There was something interesting about Game 3 though, and that was that it looked pretty similar to their losses in this series, and the rest of the games for the Thunder this season. After Game 2’s loss that saw Russell take an inordinate amount of shots in the fourth quarter, after dominating the first three, the critics came out hawking him for his shot selection and amount taken. Game 3 should puzzle the hell out of them then, because he approached it the same way he has been which is indicated by the second triple double he achieved in a row, although slightly toned down. The point here is that he has to do what he does on a regular basis, let us take a look at why.
Kenneth WilsonPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedKnicks Fans Need to Step Off the Ledge
Okay, Knicks fans. Phil Jackson has let you down. Multiple seasons of little to no progress, and now floating around the idea of trading away the one thing that has given you all faith: Porzingod. I understand completely why my timeline is full of Knicks fans who are threatening to burn down the Garden if this trade goes through, but is this actually the first move I like by Phil Jackson? Look, I’m a die hard Celtics fan. The idea of the Kristaps coming to Boston sounds too good to be true. Players like him who are only 21-years-old hardly come to the market. However, this is the perfect time to deal him if I’m the Knicks. Kristaps has reportedly had zero contact with the Knicks personnel since the season ended. He’s entering year three of his four-year deal. Do you think Pacers fans are sad that they didn’t trade Paul George last year? I know I would be. This offseason has every single team looking at their future stars and wondering what will happen. GM’s have no choice but to make every single player available. Are the Knicks (a team who won 31 games last year) close to competing with the Warriors or Cavs? HELL NO. The fact of the matter is, they aren’t even close to getting out of the first round. Kristaps is their one chance to enhance this team. It’s proven that one player — regardless of how good they are — cannot carry a team. Look at New Orleans, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Oklahoma City. You can try and do it, and you will fail.
Zach GothardPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe Player That Reminds Me the Most of Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is the greatest player to ever touch a basketball and that is something that can not be debated. However, there have been several things debated ever since “His Airness” hung up the sneakers, with the most popular being “Who is the next best?” or “Who is the most Jordanesque”. While they may seem like one in the same, if you really think about it, they are not the same questions. While the former asked “Who is the next best player?”, there are many debates that try to answer that question, with most ending with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or some iteration of the two. The latter actually asks about the “Jordanesque” factor, or who most closely resembles “MJ”. This to me is what separates the questions as there are several factors that go into answering it, but the one that most closely resembles “His Airness” may surprise you.
Kenneth WilsonPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedTyler Dorsey Has Been the Biggest Winner of the NCAA Tournament
Going into March Madness the casual basketball fan did not know the name Tyler Dorsey. In fact, Dorsey wasn’t even mentioned on a list of 50 players to watch going into the tournament. Four games later and the sophomore is averaging 24.5 points per game while leading his Oregon Ducks to their first Final Four in school history.
Tony HeimPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe Warriors Are Good — This Time, They Can Win It All
Golden State came into this season with large expectations on their shoulders. In a stunningly “Steph”-ortless (shoutout to “Inside” on TNT) manner, the Warriors have paced the league with a 38–6 record and utilized new addition Kevin Durant.
Kenneth WilsonPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe Celtics Would Be Crazy to Not Take Markelle Fultz
There comes a time in a person’s life when they have to cut ties with someone they love. Whatever the reason, the hurt they feel in the present is worth the happiness that comes from the future.
Tony HeimPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedDerrick Rose and the Disappointment of “What Was”
When I was a kid, Mo Vaughn joined the New York Mets. My grade-school Met-fan friends were really excited about Vaughn’s potential, saying he was the Mets’ version of Barry Bonds. (I was around eight years old, so those were probably the first hot takes ever heard in my sports fandom memory.)
Charles ManiegoPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedMaking the NBA and Postseason Music “Humble”
The NBA Playoffs are in full swing! Despite predictability in some matchups, postseason basketball has been delightful. There have been monstrous performances, quotable rants and thrilling games so far. And with every timeout, highlight video and pause in play, we hear the thumping tones of “Humble,” the lead single of Kendrick Lamar’s Gospel-like DAMN. The use of Lamar’s song is quite fitting, actually.
Charles ManiegoPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedRussell Westbrook and the Most Awkward MVP Announcement Ever
On Tuesday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs. They lost Game 5 in their first round series with the Houston Rockets, ending a season largely marked by the emergence (MVP-mergence?) of Russell Westbrook. The destruction that Westbrook laid upon opponents in the regular season was historic. He was the life force of an Oklahoma City team constructed under the assumption of Kevin Durant returning to the team. (Spoiler — Durant did not play for the Thunder this season.)
Charles ManiegoPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedPaul George Is Brilliant and Frustrating
On Thursday night the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers, 119–114. Cleveland took a 3–0 series lead, with LeBron James strapping the Cavaliers on his back, overcoming a 25-point deficit. LeBron has never (EVER) lost a first round series, so the Cavaliers’ second round spot is essentially a foregone conclusion. But it’ll be only a couple of days before some made up Cavs drama is stirred up in basketball media, right?
Charles ManiegoPublished 7 years ago in Unbalanced