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February 8, 2020

The 8 Things I Learned from Kobe

Kobe Bryant was one of the best basketball players the sport has ever seen, and there are a number of lessons we can learn from his Mamba Mentality. For Kobe, life was always bigger than basketball. Here are the lessons I’ve learned that every person should follow day in and day out.

But first to set the stage, let’s take a look back at my favorite Kobe game of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyjrgG9MSto

Confidence

The first thing that always stood out to me when I was watching Kobe was his confidence in himself. He always wanted the ball in his hands, and he always wanted to be the one shooting the most important shots. He once famously said, “I would rather go 0-30 before I go 0-9.” If you’re not confident in yourself, then who can be? Be willing to take chances and believe in yourself.

Work Ethic

You can’t start a conversation about Kobe without talking about his relentless work ethic. This man would spend hours and hours in the gym. Early in the morning when everyone else was sleeping, he was working on his craft. Talent will only get you so far. Hard work and dedication can lead you down the path of success.

Enjoy the Process

Remember a strong foundation is never built in a day. It takes time, but it also takes a person who is passionate about what they do. Kobe genuinely loved the grind because he always thought there was room to improve. The day to day grind can take a toll on some people, but the ones who embrace the process usually reach their goals.

Be Detail Oriented

As Bryant started aging, he knew that he couldn’t rely on his athleticism as much like when he was younger. So, he started focusing more on his footwork and the X’s and O’s. Never underestimate what the small details can do for you. They can begin to add up quick. It can be the difference between being a great player and a legend.

Set high standards

Don’t be afraid to set high standards for yourself. This sets the path, so you know where you want to go and what it will take. Kobe knew what his expectations were for himself and this helped him block out all the noise. The opinion of others shouldn’t impact you when your standards are already high. Keep your head down and keep working!

Mamba Mindset

Kobe always wanted to go out there and be the best. His thought process was if someone else could do it, so could he. The special part about Bryant’s mindset was how obsessive he would become about a certain thing. He tended to model his game after the greats that came before him. Modeling yourself after someone that you idealize can be a great idea. You may learn a new habit or skill that takes your “game” to the next level.

Family

As Kobe grew older, he became known more as being a family man. It was so heartbreaking to hear that Bryant passed away with his daughter during the accident. He described her as being a daddy’s girl. They shared the bond of loving basketball and were even seen at an NBA game sitting courtside a week before the accident. Never take family for granted. They are the people that love you the most and will always be there for you through it all.

You Can’t Play Sports Forever, Find Something You Love

For Kobe, this was writing children’s books and making a short film that won an Oscar. Even though Kobe was done with his basketball career, he still had so much planned, and that was why his death was so sad. Find something that you love to do outside your job. Having a hobby you enjoy can keep some fun in your life and help avoid burnouts.

February 12, 2019February 12, 2019

Top 5 Disrespectful Dunks of All Time

By: Isaac Camel

Dunking is one of the, if not the most electrifying play in basketball. There is something different about dunking that doesn’t correlate with the smoothness basketball, and that’s why I think it is amazing. There is a different type of dunk that occurs when the person dunking loses all respect for the person in front of him and tries to embarrass the defender. These are my favorite types of dunk. In the post I will count down my personal top 5 Disrespectful Dunks of all Time.

5. The first dunk on this list comes from Michael Jordan’s right-hand man Mr. Scottie Pippen. In the match up between the Chicago Bulls and their Eastern Conference rivals Scottie Pippen goes up and slams it all over 7’1” Patrick Ewing who was known to be a huge physical presence in the post. The dunk alone wasn’t that disrespectful by itself. What put this dunk on the list is what he did after. Pushes Patrick Ewing down and steps over him, which is the ultimate sign of disrespect.

4. The next dunk comes from Lebron James who almost ended Jason Terry’s career in the blink of an eye. A Boston Celtic turnover starts a chain of events that will leave Jason Terry’s career tainted for a long time. Jason Terry decides to get back on defense to try to defend the key (Big Mistake). The Miami Heat throw together a double ally-op for Lebron James flying right down the middle, Jason Terry want to jump to contest the dunk but he jumps late and only makes it about halfway up Lebron’s body. Terry falls down and gets a foul called on him, and to add insult to injury Lebron Stares at him on the ground.

3. Number three on this list comes to us from Dwayne Wade. 6’4” Dwayne Wade challenges 6’11” Anderson Varejao and wins. This is one of those dunks that kind of catches you off guard. But when it happens you can’t help but get excited.

2. The runner up on this list is when Shawn Kemp posterizes Alton Lister. Kemp who is known for dunking on people showed off his talents when he dunked this one. But what puts this so high on my list is the act that Kemp does afterwards. He gives Lister the double point to rub in the fact that he just dunked on him.

1. The number one most disrespectful dunk of all time in my opinion is when Shaquille O’Neal ruined Chris Dudley’s night. All of the previous dunks on this list was when the defender had to help and make a quick decision to jump. This one on the other hand is different because Dudley is guarding O’Neal the entire time. He simply gets overpowered and looks like a child trying to play defense. Then Shaq gives Dudley a little push to make him fall down which pushes Dudley over the top. But in the end, this dunk will always get shown on anyone’s list of top dunks.

February 12, 2019February 11, 2019

Top 25 NBA Players Under 25

Grady Matter

25-21

25. Jabari Parker (age 23)

24. Trae Young (age 20)

23. Brandon Ingram (age 21)

22. Andrew Wiggins (age 23)

21. Domantas Sabonis (age 22)

Out of the five guys listed here, Trae Young and Domantas Sabonis probably have the highest upside, and have a chance to climb these ranks within the next couple years. Brandon Ingram flashes potential at times, but is wildly inconsistent and hasn’t developed as well as expected for year 3. As for Wiggins, and Parker, both are over-paid volume scorers who shoot poorly from deep and consistently play bad defense.

20-16

20. Julius Randle (age 24)

19. Myles Turner (age 22)

18. Jaylen Brown (age 22)

17. Lauri Markannen (age 21)

16. Kyle Kuzma (age 23)

Kuzma continues to build upon an impressive rookie season upping his ppg to 19.1 as the second option on the Lakers. Jaylen Brown and Myles Turner both play outstanding defense, but have taken backseat roles on offense within their respective teams. Markannen has been extremely efficient on offense for a Bulls team lacking any scoring while Randle has been a revelation since signing with New Orleans, averaging 20ppg and 9.2rpg for the year.

15-11

15. Jamal Murray (age 21)

14. DeAndre Ayton (age 20)

13. D’Angelo Russell (age 22)

12. Clint Capela (age 24)

11. Jayson Tatum (age 20)

Tatum is as smooth of a scorer as there is in the NBA and will continue to rise up this list. There probably isn’t another center better suited for the Houston Rockets than Clint Capela, who excels on the boards and finishing lobs. Russell has only gotten better since leaving the Lakers. Ayton has been a bright spot on an awful Suns squad, showcasing versatility on the offensive end. Murray has played a huge role in the success the Nuggets have been having this year.

10. DeAaron Fox (age 21)

Fox has done the impossible by making the Sacramento Kings playoff contenders for the first time in 12 years. Fox has been shooting 46% from the field and 36.4% from deep while averaging 17.2ppg and 7.1apg. Not only has Fox been extremely efficient, he also leads one of the most fun offenses to watch in the league. The progression of Buddy Hield and Fox as a duo is something to keep your eye on going forward.

9. Donavan Mitchell (age 22)

Mitchell has built on a phenomenal rookie campaign following some early season struggles. He’s a great two-way player with a chance to have a HOF career. These first two years are eerily similar to Dwayne Wade’s early career.

8. Kristaps Porzingis (age 23)

Porzingis (when healthy) is among the most skilled players in the league. At 7’2 he is extremely long but has guard-like skills. His ability to shoot from deep makes him nearly impossible to guard. There still remains a question of durability when it comes to his long-term health.

7. Devin Booker (age 22)

Devin Booker has developed at a much faster rate than most expected. He’s currently averaging 25ppg and 6.7apg. While his scoring has been great, it hasn’t translated into wins for Phoenix. Expect Booker and Ayton to develop into a great duo within the next couple years.

6. Ben Simmons (age 22)

Ben Simmons recently made his first all star game, and it’s not hard to see why when you look at his averages of 16.7ppg, 8apg, and 9.2rpg. Despite not having a jumpshot, he’s been very effective because he has such a versatile game. I’m not convinced Simmons ever develops a jumpshot and it probably will hinder him in today’s NBA. Regardless, Simmons is a generational talent as a 6’10 point guard with exceptional court vision.

5. Luka Doncic (age 19)

Doncic has been the most impressive rookie since LeBron James. His step-back 3’s in clutch moments are unreal for a guy that’s 19. One of the most exciting players in the league already, expect Doncic to develop into a great.

4. Karl Anthony Towns (age 23)

Karl Anthony Towns puts up ridiculous stats and is as skilled a post as there is in the league. No one has ever denied how talented Towns is, but it’s fair to wonder if any other star has as empty stats as he does. Going forward, Towns will have to prove he can lead a team to be contenders, otherwise, he’s likely to fall on this list.

3. Nikola Jokic (age 23)

Jokic may end up being the best passing center of all time as he averages 7.7apg. His game is really unconventional with a strange looking jumpshot and below average athleticism, but it sure does work well. Denver currently has the second best record in the West and Jokic is the biggest reason why.

2. Joel Embiid (age 24)

Embiid doesn’t have any weaknesses in his game. He’s very skilled and physically dominant in the post. Yet, he can also run the floor like a deer. Not to mention, he’s a pretty good defensive center. It’s not hard to envision Embiid having a hall of fame career, with a chance at being one of the great centers to have played.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (age 24)

The Greek Freak is most likely to be the face of the NBA after LeBron’s run is over. He’s electrifying in every sense of the word and continues to get better. The Milwaukee Bucks have become title contenders through the dominance of Giannis and there’s no reason they can’t sustain it for the next 10 years.

March 24, 2016March 25, 2016

Worst NBA Jerseys Ever! (Wait Til You See #1)

There have been a bunch of great looking jerseys in NBA history, and unfortunately there have been plenty that are less than pleasant. Here is my list of the top 7 ugliest NBA jerseys. Let me know what you think!

7 Golden State Warriors 2012

I won’t lie, I think all of the sleeved jerseys in the NBA are just hideous. But out of all of them, this orange one to go along with the pin stripe shorts are just the worst of the bunch. With how well the Warriors play, this jersey seems to misrepresent them.

6 Charlotte Bobcats 2007

This jersey was the terrible idea of some Charlotte designer that went along with their “NASCAR Night” in ’07. The finish line checkers on the sides of the jersey do not mesh well with the pin stripe design of the rest of the jersey. While Charlotte was named the Bobcats, they only had a winning record 2 years out of the total 10 years, this jersey kind of fits with the ugliness during that decade for them.

5 Sacramento Kings 2005

The Kings made gold and purple jerseys in ’05 as alternate uniforms, seemingly forgetting about that powerhouse Los Angeles team to the south. These were only used for two seasons, which in my opinion, is two seasons too many.

4 Cleveland Cavaliers 1994

The stripe going across this jersey just doesn’t look right, not to mention that the colors have nothing to do with the Cavaliers logo or primary colors. Even the word “Cleveland” looks ugly with the red font. Compared to today’s Cavs jerseys, I’m glad these will not be making a comeback any time soon.

3 Dallas Mavericks 2001

This metallic looking jersey was only used for one game in the ’01 season before owner Mark Cuban gave them the boot. I honestly can’t blame him because these things just look downright awful. They almost look like a shiny trash bag, and that’s where they belong; in the trash.

2 Los Angeles Clippers 2006

This jersey is a throwback to their days as the Buffalo Braves. It’s hard to make an orange jersey look good and the weird stripes on this one just didn’t do it. The “B” also looks totally out of place, similar to the stripes. Clippers fans weren’t too proud of these jerseys and were happy to see them go after only two seasons of being in use.

1 Milwaukee Bucks 1995

There are a bunch of ugly Milwaukee jerseys that I could have chosen because most of them look bad, but I think you can tell why I chose this one! There are so many things wrong with this jersey, so let me start with the obvious; the deer. Damn this thing looks pissed and awful, and it takes up basically half of the uniform! Next let’s look at the primary color; that may very well be the worst looking green I have ever seen. Now the text; with the faded white to purple lettering, it just tops off what was already an ugly jersey.

February 24, 2016February 26, 2016

The Best NBA Jerseys for Every Franchise

The Best NBA Jerseys for Every Franchise

If there is a sport that leads in looks and style, it’s gotta be basketball. From the iconic kicks that Jordan took the floor with every night, to the Fab Five sporting the black socks, the basketball population trumps all other sports in fashion IQ. With the jerseys, it’s no different. Basketball almost always leads the way in clean, stylish, sometimes wacky uniforms. Not all are hits, but almost every team’s fans can argue it’s best uni is the cream of the crop.

Here are my favorites from each franchise. Comment below which jersey is your favorite!

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks’ jerseys have been on a slow decline since Pistol was in Georgia.

Boston Celtics

Larry Legend didn’t ever put on a different jersey while he was in the NBA. He didn’t change teams, and his team didn’t ever change the jersey.

Brooklyn Nets

Although I could do without the sleeves, I do like the mix of the seventies look with the current colorway.

Charlotte Hornets

Many NBA fans wish teams would leave the pinstripes for the baseball teams, but I’m one to appreciate pinstripes when tastefully done. Larry Johnson’s Hornets took teal and pinstripes to another level.

Chicago Bulls

Did I mention tasteful pinstripes? Not the most famous Bulls uniform, but definitely the meanest. And isn’t that what you want from a team with a frowning bull as the logo?

Cleveland Cavaliers

I might be alone on this one, but I love this jersey. It was short lived, and the Cavs decided to stay away from light blue and black from here on out, but I wish they woulda kept with it.

Dallas Mavericks

The logo and font reminds me of the Wild West, and what’s a better look for the Dallas Mavericks? I’d like to see these back as an alternate.

Denver Nuggets

All the colors of the rainbow, Denver skyline, and the outline of the Rocky Mountains, and yet it worked well as a uniform. Don’t knock it until you try it.

Detroit Pistons

Winning helps any jersey’s cause. The Pistons had some of their best years when Chauncey and Rasheed rocked these.

Golden State Warriors

Sometimes, all you really need is a clean logo that honors your city. Golden State has it.

Houston Rockets

This is a nice looking, clean jersey with an understated logo on the shorts. The current Rocket uniforms need to adopt some simplicity from this one.

Indiana Pacers

In my opinion, the Pacers have the association’s ugliest jerseys. At least this one doesn’t have the yellow and pinstripes.

LA Clippers

Maybe it’s the beautiful man that Bill Walton once was that made me pick this jersey, or maybe the lack of quality jerseys in the Clippers history.

LA Lakers

It’s a classic look that benefited from countless Hall of Famers.

Memphis Grizzlies

I don’t know what to say here. It was fun while it lasted, but please leave it in the 90’s.

Miami Heat

The Miami Floridians narrowly beats out the 90’s look made famous by Mourning and Hardaway. I just like the unique colors and format of this one.

Milwaukee Bucks

Possibly my favorite NBA jersey. The cream, green, baby blue and white work perfectly together, and remain understated. Just like their young team, these jerseys bring a lot of energy to the court.

Minnesota Timberwolves

I grew up a Timberwolves fan, and I’ll be the first to admit that they only have a few good unis. At least KG enjoyed his prime in this one.

New Orleans Pelicans

With not many to chose from, this away uni from the Pelicans is an easy pick.

New York Knicks

Another classic, clean, and crisp jersey from the league.

Oklahoma City Thunder

This jersey and colorway combo is almost as loud as Gary Payton. Almost.

Orlando Magic

The glory days with Shaq and Penny had the best jerseys, too.

Philadelphia 76ers

I had to go with the classic Sixers look. Stars and stripes down the sides are a nice tribute to the city where our country was born.

Phoenix Suns

I’m not sure what’s brighter, Chuck’s smile or the shooting sun across the chest.

Portland Trail Blazers

This Blazer alternate is a personal favorite of mine. Still worn by Portland, this is one of the last jerseys that still has a pattern across the front.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings in the early 2000’s were a scary, mean team. This dark, simple jersey embodied that personality as well.

San Antonio Spurs

There might not be a jersey that fits a team better than this one and the Spurs. It’s plain, clean, and undeniably good. Anyone who hates the Spurs knows the only reason is they aren’t their team.

Toronto Raptors

Frankly, this is an ugly jersey. But, it’s the best ugly jersey there is.

Utah Jazz

Easily the best Jazz logo is paired with a very unique colorway. In my book, those two usually add up to be a good combo.

Washington Wizards

Okay, I lied. Two sleeved jerseys made the list. This one has a lot going on with the bold, wrap around stripes, but I think it works well as an alternate.

Ryne Baerlocher