Baseline Leaner: February 2014

Friday, 28 February 2014

M.A.S.K.

For the record, there are three masks you need to concern yourself with.

1. This one.

2. John Masks

3. Oscar Robertson (February 24, 1967)

Then & Now: Bench Reactions to Amir Johnson's Windmills

Amir Johnson windmill vs Wizards

(February 27, 2014)

Amir Johnson's breakaway windmill slam last night was acknowledged by high-flying teammate Demar Derozan with a mild clap of approval.

Go back eight years and check out the veteran Detroit bench go off after Amir, then a rookie, punches home a garbage time special.

Amir Johnson windmill vs Timberwolves

(January 24, 2006)

GIF of the Week: Alonzo Mourning

Defensive intensity.

Happy Birthday Vincent Askew

Thursday, 27 February 2014

Can Dave Chappelle ball?

Dave Chappelle will perform live for the first time in Australia, commencing Friday, February 28 @ the Palais Theatre.

We take a look back at his finest moment on the court, taken from the brilliant film by Michel Gondry "Dave Chappelle's Block Party".

Just to get by.

On this day: Vince Carter drops 51 on the Suns

Still coming down from his 2000 Slam Dunk Contest performance, Vincent Lamar Carter hung 51 of the finest on the Phoenix Suns, on this day, 14 years ago.

Sporting a pair of And1 Tai Chi Mid in Black/White-Silver, Vince had the complete repertoire on display that night - including a number of highlight reel plays. Check out this demonstration of straight up vertical.

Vince Carter blows by Luc Longley for the 360 layup and one

Vince Carter with the Baseline Leaner

Vince Carter with the two-hand 360 after the whistle

Wednesday, 26 February 2014

Rolando Blackman Gallery

Card of the Week: Rolando Blackman Birthday Bonanza

Rolando Blackman, Hoops 1990-91

Rolando Blackman, Upper Deck 1991-92

Rolando Blackman, Skybox 1990-91

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

SLAM Scan: No. 4

With the Suns celebrating the 20th Anniversary of KJ's emphatic dunk on the Dream over the weekend, we thought it would be only fitting to share SLAM's piece on the dunk taken from it's fourth issue.

High resolution on the click through. Enjoy.

"He had no business being up there!"

Jersey of the Week: Happy Birthday Kurt Rambis

Another homegrown edition of Jersey of the Week, on this occasion we pay tribute to the greatest Laker of all-time, Kurt Rambis.

For your viewing pleasure, the iconic image of Kurt impeding Tracy Jackson to free up Norm Nixon. It is likely that this indiscretion resulted in one of his six personal fouls for the evening.

Kurt Rambis vs Chicago Bulls

(March 1, 1983)

Leroy Loggins x Cal Bruton

Leroy Loggins. No better import. No better name.

Monday, 24 February 2014

Who Dunked It Better? Michael Jordan vs Andrew Gaze

MJ's iconic jumpman pose for the original Air Jordan I advertisement or the GOAT throwing down on the Rialto?

Let us know if you have the original Andrew Gaze image, as this is the best we could do.

Who Blocked It Better? Thomas Robinson vs Isaiah Rider

Blocking a dunk is no mean feat. Throwing one back from whence it came is legitimate cause for celebration.

Thomas Robinson's denial of Corey "Derek Fisher" Brewer was a demonstration of impeccable timing and raw power, leading to a brilliant finish at the other end by Will Barton.

Thomas Robinson blocks Corey Brewer
(February 23, 2014)

However twenty years ago, a young and brash Isaiah Rider, not content with dunking on the best big men in the league, decided he would take to reverse-posterizing them.

Isaiah Rider blocks Patrick Ewing

(January 17, 1994)

Hats off to Robin Lopez and Chuck Person who responded appropriately to these exceptional defensive plays.

BONUS Pt.1: Al Harrington annihilated by Gerald Wallace.

BONUS Pt.2: Barkley being ridiculous.

Sunday, 23 February 2014

About

Who Blocked It Better? Theo Ratliff vs Jermaine O'Neal

The other night, Jermaine O'Neal denied Chandler Parsons' go-ahead dunk attempt in the final moments of the Warriors/Rockets clash. His defensive effort secured the win for the Warriors.

We go back eleven years, where a younger O'Neal, in his prime, found himself on the wrong end of a game-saving block from Theo "MIA" Ratliff.

Jermaine O'Neal game-saving block on Chandler Parsons

(February 20, 2014)

Theo Ratliff game-saving block on Jermaine O'Neal

(March 23, 2003)

It is worth noting that the 35 year old O'Neal followed up his match winning performance with 23 and 13, providing Mark Jackson's squad with some much needed interior presence in the absence of Bogut and Lee. #notfullsquad

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Lamar Odom is taking his inbounds play to Spain

Laboral Kutxa has never run this.

Who Chaired It Better? Friends of Terence Stansbury vs Kenyon Martin

Ben McLemore's decision to listen to Shaq's advice and jump over a throne was ill-advised. Impressive as the dunk was, we can't help but think the rookie had a better non-gimmick dunk he could've gone to.
We'll never know of course because the league, in its infinite wisdom, truncated the dunk contest into essentially a one-and-done affair.

Thanks to the contestants for doing the best they could given the logic defying format.

Anyway, we were inspired to run a Slam Dunk Contest Furniture Throwback piece. So who sat on a chair better? Some dudes Terence Stansbury knew back in '86 or Kenyon Martin for J-Smoove in '05?

Stansbury's mates

(February 8, 1986)

Kenyon Martin

(February 19, 2005)

Shout outs to Gerald Wilkins who started this nonsense.

GIF of the Week: Kobe on Yao - 11 Years Ago Today

Kobe Bryant on Yao Ming

(February 18, 2003)

Blue Chips: 20th Anniversary

Today marks the twenty year anniversary of the release of Blue Chips. The film starred a number of NBA players with ~~Gary Busey~~ Nick Nolte playing the volatile head coach.