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Top 9 NBA Moments of 2009

John — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 01:29:48 +0000

The Year of the Rematch, until it wasn’t, proved to be full of many storylines. Here are the top 9 of 2009.

9. Portland Trailblazers make the playoffs.

After missing the playoffs for six years in a row, the Portland Blazers finally made it back. This wouldn’t be such a big story if it wasn’t a team that had made the playoffs 21 years in a row before this dry stretch.

8. The Oklahoma City Thunder are actually competitive.

One season removed from being the footstool of the league, the Thunder thus far have a winning record; which is excellent if you are Clay Bennett, and demoralizing if you are a Sonics fan.

7. Greg Oden gets injured. Again.

Out for the season. Again. Don’t worry, Blazers fans, it’s not entirely bad! Plus you still have Joel Pryzbilla …. scratch that, out for season too. Wow.

6. Brandon Jennings returns to America, drops 55.

Brandon Jennings, who was average playing overseas, awards the Milwaukee Bucks with stellar play and this fantastic box score.

5. Replacement referees used for exhibition games.

The NBA and the referee’s union couldn’t reach a deal before the exhibition games started, so replacement refs were used. Just days before the regular season started, the regular referees were back. And in two years, we get to do it all over again.

4. The penny-pinching owners.

From Okafor-for-Chandler to Maynor-for-some German guy, NBA owners are looking for all kinds of way to save. Good news, owners: David Stern may bail you out yet again!

3. Nobody wants Allen Iverson.

Allen Iverson, former MVP and career 27 ppg scorer, could barely find a gig when he signed with Memphis. Then his previous problems of riding the pine returned. Finally, he returns to Philly. And despite only playing only 10 games thus far, he is a leader in All-Star votes. Amazing.

2. LeBron misses the finals.

LeBron James finally had a supporting cast fit for a king, and an MVP award to boot. But en route to the championship parade, a little bully named Dwight Howard knocked him off his pedestal. Poor LeBron!

1. Kobe wins without The Big Diesel.

Ahh, a sigh of relief heard by Kobe fans everywhere. After last year’s miss against the Celtics, Kobe Bryant took it to the Orlando Magic and finally won an NBA title without Shaq. Crazy thing is that it might not be his last either.

Nothing yet!

How to vote for NBA All-Stars

John — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:02:19 +0000

NBA All-Star 2010 Logo

The 2010 NBA All-Star Game is located in Dallas, Texas on February 14th, 2010. The ballots have already been finalized and voting can commence! Here’s the essential links to vote for your favorite NBA basketball player:

NBA Free Agents 2009

John — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:28:08 +0000

July 1st marks the first day of free agency for the 2009 NBA off-season. Major players this year include:

Atlanta Hawks – Mike Bibby
Charlotte Bobcats – Raymond Felton*
Chicago Bulls – Ben Gordon
Dallas Mavericks – Jason Kidd
Detroit Pistons – Rasheed Wallace
Detroit Pistons – Allen Iverson
Houston Rockets – Ron Artest
Los Angeles Lakers – Lamar Odom
Milwaukee Bucks – Ramon Sessions
Milwaukee Bucks – Charlie Villanueva
New York Knicks – Nate Robinson*
New York Knicks – David Lee*
Orlando Magic – Hedo Turkoglu
Philadelphia 76ers – Andre Miller
Phoenix Suns – Grant Hill
San Antonio Spurs – Drew Gooden
Toronto Raptors – Shawn Marion
Utah Jazz – Paul Millsap*
Utah Jazz – Carlos Boozer

* means free agent is restricted and home team has the right to match any offers

See the full list here: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ys-freeagents062909.

2009 NBA All-Stars Announced

John — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:28:34 +0000

The 2009 NBA All-Star reserves have been announced. The level of talent in the NBA right now is extraordinary, and several deserving players were on the outside looking in. First, though, here’s the full rosters:

EAST STARTING 5

Dwight Howard

Kevin Garnett

LeBron James

Allen Iverson

Dwyane Wade

EAST RESERVES

Chris Bosh

Danny Granger

Rashard Lewis

Paul Pierce

Joe Johnson

Jameer Nelson

Devin Harris

WEST STARTING 5

Yao Ming

Tim Duncan

Amare Stoudemire

Kobe Bryant

Chris Paul

WEST RESERVES

Shaquille O’Neal

Pau Gasol

Dirk Nowitzki

David West

Tony Parker

Chauncey Billups

Brandon Roy

If I were to make a couple of switches, I would have Ray Allen instead of Joe Johnson; otherwise the East looks good (with Rajon Rondo getting consideration). In the West, I would have Al Jefferson instead of Shaquille O’Neal, and I would have considered Carmelo Anthony or Paul Millsap ahead of David West. In the end, I probably would have left him in. He’s definitely underrated.

Devin Harris, Danny Granger and Jameer Nelson are making their first All-Star appearances. Nobody in the West is a first-timer. As well, nobody on either team is currently injured. Give it time …