Monday 29 September 2014

Dada CDubbz

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal react to seeing Chris Webber's now infamous Dada Supreme CDubbz:

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal
(February 10, 2002)

All chrome everything.

Chris Webber
(02 'til infinity)

Sunday 28 September 2014

Baseline Leaner Sword of Omens: Rookie of the Year 2014-15


The Sword of Omens gave Lion-O the power to see into the future. We are calling on it to help us predict season 2014-15.

It was almost impossible to avoid the hype surrounding 2014's "super" draft. Even those not interested or well versed in college basketball were caught in the vortex, since it launched a tank-race featuring roughly a quarter of the league's teams.

Logically, it stands to reason that the forthcoming Rookie of the Year race should be of high quality. The class who effectively caused a season-long reverse auction for their services will play 2014-15 under heavy expectations.

The Contenders
When the dust (finally) settled on the Kevin Love Treaty in August, 5-star prospects Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker had both found homes on moribund Midwestern franchises. For them, opportunities for minutes and shots abound.

Conversely, athlete-extraordinaire Aaron Gordon and crafty playmaker Elfrid Payton join a Magic team who have may have had enough of "rebuilding." 2014-15 will mark the 3rd season since they lost Dwight Howard and there have been few signs of progress to date. Simply by trying to win, the Magic may find themselves pushing for one of the East's final playoff spots - a potential vote-winner for their 2 RoY candidates.

Julius Randle may be in a similar boat as he joins a Laker team looking to bounce back from one of the worst seasons in franchise history. A marked improvement in the win total may help his cause, but he may find it hard to break into a veteran starting lineup.

The Outsiders
Marcus Smart, Dante Exum and Nick Stauskas are all projected to have long and productive careers, but aren't in ideal situations to take the trophy. Smart will presumably be asked to take a back seat as Rajon Rondo runs the show in Boston, while Exum is likely to be brought along slowly as he physically develops. Stauskas, Baseline Leaner's outsider of choice, should be a contributor from day one - however, a large role is unlikely with Rudy Gay and Ben McLemore ahead of him in the rotation.

The Sword of Omens 2014-15 Rookie of the Year
We enjoy irony almost as much as we enjoy NBA basketball, and when the two have the rare chance to come together, we must actively support and endorse it. The above draft class - the one that convinced the 76ers to spend less than the NBA mandated minimum on their team and Boston to nuke Ubuntu, among other things - may not produce this season's Rookie of the Year.

That honour, according to vision delivered exclusively to our Sword, will belong to Nerlens Noel. Originally picked 6th in 2013, Nerlens sat out the year with a torn ACL, and is thereby eligible this year under the same rule that saw Blake Griffin win in 2011. (And a ripped-off Sabonis fall short in 1996).


It's worth noting that Nerlen's candidacy is not only manufactured to fit our strange narrative. The Sixers are bereft of quality in the front court, with neither of their 2014 picks - Joel Embiid, Dario Saric - likely to suit up this season. With that in mind, Nerlens will plausibly play 30-35 minutes a night from Game 1 and should the Sixers continue to scream the ball up the floor (see "Pace"), he'll have a ton of chances to fill the stat sheet. His box scores should outshine those of his competitors - a similar advantage shared by his teammate Michael Carter-Williams last season.

With few legitimate big men to compete with, Nerlens is a strong chance to blow all rookies away in rebounds and blocks. Moreover, he has flashed an Anthony Davis-like ability to snag steals from the 4/5 spot and should also rank highly in that category. Overall, defensively, he looks to be an above-average NBA big man already - with huge potential to become an elite one. Of course, only contributing off the ball usually doesn't equal RoY success, but Philly's go-go system means Nerlens may crack double-figures in points on dunks and put backs alone.

A double-double with a couple of blocks and a steal every night will make a strong case and we're calling it now: Nerlens - your 2014-15 Rookie of the Year. A victory for ironing.


Jersey of the Week: The Jerry Stackhouse Fight Club Jersey

Mark Bradtke saving Harvey Grant
(November 22, 1996)

The 1996-97 season would be the last year that the 76ers wore the clean white-home, red-away jerseys that are synonymous with a young Allen Iverson tearing up the league.

AI's rookie year also marked the beginning of the end for Jerry Stackhat Stackhouse in Phili, as it became apparent that these two young stars weren't going to work out:


"...Stackhouse had openly stated on several occasions that the shoot-first mentality of Iverson had hindered his development. And though Brown would never say so publicly, he was convinced that Stackhouse or Iverson had to go."

Stackhat Stackhouse is our man, and he is a proud man.  During his playing days, it was that pride that meant he never took a backward step, from anyone.

Prior to being dealt to Detroit, the former No.3 pick managed to get into some significant scuffles whilst wearing these sharp little numbers:
 
Exhibit A: Harvey Grant ("can he be trusted?") above.

Exhibit B: Jeff Hornacek (article here)

For his "fightin' around the league" efforts as a young fella, we dedicate Jersey of the Week to Stackhat Stackhouse's road strip from '95 - '97.
Jerry Stackhouse Road Jersey
(1995 - 1997)

We had the privilege of watching Stack in Brooklyn during his final season in the league. We happened to be sitting next to a cranky old Nets fan who was very displeased when the final play of the half resulted in Stack being forced into a tough jumper. He had some things to say about Jerry that were unkind. We sat in silence and did nothing.
As it has weighed heavily on our collective consciences for the past two years, we would like to take this opportunity to apologise to Mr Stackhouse for not punching this man.

GIF of the Week: About

Saturday 27 September 2014

We see you Bec Allen

Taking hits, hitting the offensive glass and pretty turnarounds in the lane. That's how you debut.

Rebecca Allen vs Cuba
(September 27, 2014)

Melbourne's own Rebecca Allen dropped 9 points (16 minutes) in her first World Championship game for the Opals. She's the Aussie to watch not named Penny Taylor.

NB: FIBA featured the much loved Air Jordan VIII "Aqua" in their promotional material for the Women's Championship.

Baseline Leaner on Vine

We are on Vine. More of the same.

Saturday 20 September 2014

Who Dunked It Better? Steve Francis vs Jahii Carson

Steve Francis 
(2000

 vs

Jahii Carson 
(2014)

While the commentators were likening him to former NBL import Calvin Talford, Jahii Carson's winning dunk at the NBL Blitz Slam Dunk Contest took us back to Stevie's "any other night" tomahawk in 2000.

If you haven't Youtube'd Talford, we highly recommend it.

UPDATE: Full contest footage here. The comparison here.


Friday 19 September 2014

Wednesday 17 September 2014

The 1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers

When Phil Jackson came to Staples and started putting banners up.

Los Angeles Lakers Yearbook
(1999-00)

Card of the Week: Lanard Copeland LA Clippers

Joe Ingles isn't the first "Australian" to represent the metropolis formerly known as Lob City.

Lanard Copeland #377
(Hoops 1991-92)
The Clippers were obviously impressed with Ingles during the World Championships, particularly his ability to execute the pick and roll.

Monday 15 September 2014

We the new slaves

#MJMondays


Scottie Pippen and Pete Myers

The 1994 Eastern Conference Semi-Final series between the Bulls and the Knicks is best remembered for two things:

1. Scottie Pippen dunking on Patrick Ewing
2. Patrick Ewing leading the Knicks past the Bulls for the first time (despite some controversy)

NB: To a lesser extent, it is infamous for the Game 3 brawl right in front of then NBA Commissioner David Stern

Which (un)naturally leads us to Pete Myers.

The Pippen on Ewing incident was a classic "Austin %$*J@# beer truck!" moment where your brain effectively shuts down in response to an event that is beyond comprehension.

Hence you are forgiven for not noticing that Pete Myers, the Bulls starting shooting guard during the "Baseball Experiment", was the man responsible for the imperfectly perfect bounce pass to Scottie. 

Furthermore, it was Myers who was giving his former teammate an absolute earful while he lay compromised on that lonely baseline of the soon to be demolished Chicago Stadium.

Pete Myers telling Patrick Ewing about recent events
(May 20, 1994)

So in the very next game, Scottie returned the favour, finding a cutting Myers who finished emphatically over "Fine" Herb Williams.

Pete Myers dunks on Herb Williams
(May 22, 1994)

USA vs Serbia

In conclusion, this GIF (again):
USA defeated Serbia
(129 - 92)

Sunday 14 September 2014

A Brief History of Serbia vs USA

The final result of Spain 2014 will look something like the image on the right. The image on the left is still a good image.

Kobe Bryant vs Vlade Divac
Footage courtesy of nikosvault.

Bonus: Love
 

Saturday 13 September 2014

Zydrunas Ilgauskas vs Denver Nuggets

Up until this point, our only video featuring Big Z was hardly flattering.

So, to make amends for this misrepresentation of a truly talented big man, here's a gem of Ziggy giving it to the Nuggets.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas vs Denver Nuggets
(December 14, 2002)

 They waited a long time for this.


Friday 12 September 2014

Scottie Pippen on Terry Dehere

Scottie Pippen on Terry Dehere
(December 2, 1995)

And that moment:

Jersey of the Week: Mad Max

Vernon Maxwell
(San Antonio Spurs, 1988-89)

GIF of the Week: Lloyd Daniels

There have been plenty of odd interviews throughout the history of the league, none better than Hedo's legendary "Ball" interview during his less than memorable stint in Toronto.

However, back in 1998, another Raptor, Lloyd Daniels, said everything that needed to be said before he even opened his mouth. Observe Lloyd loosening up as Rob Sinclair kicks off the interview. Thank you Rob for remaining professional throughout.

Lloyd Daniels with Rob Sinclair
(1998)


Lloyd played 6 games for the Raptors.

Pick & Roll

With the final result a foregone conclusion, we take a look back at the most controversial aspect of the Australian Boomers' FIBA 2014 World Championship campaign: Nasal Gate.

Joe Ingles and Adam Gibson
(September 8, 2014)

During each and every rendition of our great anthem, Joe "Lucky Lefty" Ingles actively sought out the nostrils of close friend and former Dragons teammate Adam Gibson.

Gibson, a willingly accomplice, displayed exceptional poise throughout each invasion of his cavities.

Of course, this country's athletes have a proud history of larrikanism (didn't Dawn Fraser blow up the Olympic Village?), yet we can't help but think what would've happened if a similar stunt was perpetrated by say, a member of USA Basketball (Ack that no one in their right mind would touch Boogie Cousins).

Whether FIBA elects to investigate these "cheeky and fun" shenanigans remains to be seen, but rest assured if this curious practice surfaces in Rio 2016, we'll be there to immortalize it in GIF form.

"Shenanigans"
(2001)

Tuesday 9 September 2014

J.R. Smith: Roc-A-Fella Records Era

One of the best oops of '04-05 season was this no-look Baron Davis lob to a teenage J.R. Smith against the Raptors:

Baron Davis to J.R. Smith
(January 16, 2005)

The finish was exceptional. The Roc-A-Fella/Diamond Dallas Page celebration on the other hand was a little confusing, which is probably the same as saying it was quintessential Smith.


Now the closest Roc-A-Fella release to this game was Cam'ron's "Purple Haze". So as an accompaniment to this play and the subsequent gesture, we're just gonna let you enjoy this slice of mid-2000s brilliance.

(Thank you William Bell, Mavis Staples, Kanye West and Brian "All Day" Miller)


BONUS: Baron continued to throw ridiculous alley-oops even in the twilight of his playing career:

Baron Davis to DeAndre Jordan
(December 27, 2009)

Sunday 7 September 2014

Card of the Week: Upper Deck 1991-92 Promos #1 Michael Jordan

The first ever Upper Deck basketball card via The Johnny Kilroy Collective.

Michael Jordan
(Upper Deck 1991-92 Promos #1)

For completion, the print ad for their inaugural NBA series.