TRIPLE THREAT CLE: Kevin Garnett

Showing posts with label Kevin Garnett. Show all posts

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Radio Show 9.28.16: On Browns & NFL Week 4, Indians, College Football, BET Hip Hop Awards & More

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Full Court Press 4.13.16: Kobe Bryant, The Last Of His Kind #KB20 #Kobe

The Last Of His Kind
By Randy Groce, @ImissWiggins

My boss Chris Williams (@nevaRWilliams), asked me to write an article about my favorite Kobe moments. I can't. There's too many. Instead I'd like to write a quick eulogy instead. He's not dead, but after April 13th his career will be. The moves, the dunks, the stare will all be gone. There's only one other guy in the league who might possess what Kobe has in terms of determination, skill, athletic ability, and the mindset to not care what anyone thinks and not be afraid to fail. We'll talk about him later.

It seems as though there is only two ways to feel about Kobe: hate him or love him.

For probably the first 10 years of his career most fans, and some non fans of basketball hated him. They had a gun, and with that gun they possessed five fatal bullets that they would fire during any "Kobe related"argument.

He wanted to be Michael Jordan.
He shot those airballs.
He raped a girl.
He snitched on Shaq.
He got Shaq traded.

In all actuality, only two of those were true, you figure out which ones. As a rookie, Kobe shot 4-14 in a game 5 playoff matchup against the Utah Jazz. He'll always be remembered for the four airballs that he shot in crunch time. Can you imagine how many guys who have played that sport that if that had happened to them at the age of 18 would have let it affect the rest of their career? Are there any other players, then or now, who could have spent all day in court while facing rape charges and 20 plus years in jail, then hop on a plane, get to the arena after the game already started and still drop 40 points? Kobe did. He somehow found a way to turn two completely different tragedies into fuel that would drive him to be the superstar that he is today.

Kobe was far from perfect. He took too many shots when he should have passed and he was never really a true leader. He didn't trust his teammates, clashed with coaches, and hated the triangle offense. Unlike players of this generation he didn't want to be your friend. He didn't work out with opponents DURING or after the season. He wanted to beat you. Badly. He didn't want to be like Mike he wanted to be better than Mike. He emulated everything that Michael Jordan did, there's no denying that. MJ's walk, talk, gum chewing mannerisms, fade away, all of it, he took from Mike. His competitiveness is what separates him from the rest. The final time the two faced off against each other Kobe scored 55 points, 42 in the first half. That's how you say goodbye to your idol.

As Kobe exits the game, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce won't be too far behind. They are the last of the Hall of Famers remaining from the 90's. 13 NBA championships between them. There's only one player currently in the league that I feel has the hunger and fight that they had and that is Russell Westbrook. How can you watch this young man's development and not see a direct correlation between him and Kobe. Early in their careers they were selfish ball hogs who had raw abilities that needed developing.

While everyone else told them to be more "team friendly" they continued to do it their way. They both played with another teammate who was considered the best in the game. They both eventually figured it out. Westbrook is still chasing that first ring, but I think most feel he'll get it one day. Westbrook is from LA, his contract will be up next year, and I'm pretty sure Kobe will have a conversation with him when the time is right.

Kobe will be the first to tell you that he doesn't have many friends. I'm not sure how important that is to him, but he found out this season how many fans he has. Players, coaches, fronts office people have all sang his praises as he plays his final games. The last three years have been a challenge, but at least he's still able to leave the game the way he wants. Number #8 grew up and became a legend while wearing #24.

I expect his last shot to be on the block, right side of the basket, turn around fade away jump shot.

All net.

Friday, February 20, 2015

The Raven Report 2.20.15 #NBATradeDeadline #BigTen #LAStadium

By @nevaRWilliams

- There was an insane amount of movement around the Association Thursday afternoon as the NBA trade deadline approached. Here's a run down of all the action:

3 Team Trade
Miami acquired: PG Goran Dragic, SG Zoran Dragic from PHX

Phoenix acquired: SF Danny Granger, two 1st round picks from MIA, SF John Salmons from NO

New Orleans acquired: PG Norris Cole, C Justin Hamilton, SF Shawne Williams from MIA

3 Team Trade
Phoenix acquired: PG Brandon Knight, PG Kendall Marshall from MIL

Milwaukee acquired: PG Michael Carter-Williams from PHI, C Miles Plumlee, PG Tyler Ennis from PHX

Philadelphia acquired: Draft Picks

3 Team Trade
Detroit acquired: PG Reggie Jackson from OKC

Oklahoma City acquired: C Enes Kanter, SF Steve Novak from UT, PG D.J. Augustin, SF Kyle Singler from DET

Utah acquired: PF Kendrick Perkins, PF Grant Jerrett from OKC and draft picks

3 Team Trade
Boston acquired: PG Isaiah Thomas from PHX, PF Jonas Jerebko, SF Luigi Datome from DET

Phoenix acquired: SG Marcus Thornton from BOS and a 2016 1st round pick

Detroit acquired: SF Tayshaun Prince from BOS
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Minnesota acquired PF Kevin Garnett from Brooklyn for PF Thaddeus Young
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Portland acquired SG Arron Afflalo, SF Alonzo Gee from Denver for PF Thomas Robinson, SG Will Barton, PF Victor Claver, protected 2016 1st round pick
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Houston acquired PG Pablo Prigioni from New York for G Alexey Shved and two 2nd round picks
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Houston acquired PG K.J. McDaniels from Philadelphia for PG Isaiah Canaan and a 2nd round pick
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Sacramento acquired PG Andre Miller from Washington for PG Ramon Sessions
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Philadelphia acquired C JaVale McGee, (top 18 protected) 2015 1st round pick, rights to F Chukwudiebere Maduabum from Denver for the rights to G/F Cenk Akyol
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New Orleans acquired G Ish Smith, rights to Latavious Williams, cash & draft considerations from Oklahoma City for draft considerations

Whew…… that's a lot of bodies changing zip codes.

- The Big Ten Conference is considering ruling freshman athletes ineligible so that they could "adjust to college life". Assuming the title of "A Year Of Readiness", they are gauging interest from members and other conferences to find out the benefits regarding the discussion. Maryland president Wallace Loh told the Maryland student newspaper, "If they do well because they spend more time, get more academic advising their freshman year, they're going to graduate". Loh continued with "I think it's worth spending an extra year of financial support to ensure that they graduate".

Personally, this might be one of the DUMBEST ideas that has been floated around college sports in some time.

- The San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders have come up with a plan to build a shared $1.7 billion stadium in Los Angeles area Carson, California. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that both teams are looking for solutions to stay in their current cities while proposing the shared stadium plan.

- Last weekend at the box office saw "Fifty Shades of Grey" coming in at #1 and domestically grossing $81.6 million, despite negative reviews. Spy thriller "Kingsman: The Secret Service" came in at #2 with $35.6 million. Rounding out the top 5 were "The SpongeBob Movie" ($30.5M), "American Sniper" ($16.4M) and "Jupiter Ascending" ($9.4M).

Opening this weekend are comedies "Hot Tub Time Machine 2" and "The DUFF", along with Kevin Costner's latest sports drama "McFarland, USA". Will "Fifty Shades" remain on top? With 2 comedies being released and it not having the draw of the Valentines Day crowd, I believe it will be knocked out of the top spot.