Kyrie Irving – The Baseline

NBA All Star 2018: Starters & Captains Selection

In the early hours of 19 January 2018 Central African Time, the NBA had finally made their announcement of who the NBA All Star Starters are and who the Team Captains are. Bear in mind, due to the awful performance from last year’s All-Star Game, the NBA have changed the format of the All-Star Game to a more streetball like format where the Captains select the members of their team. In this matter, the Captains get to choose who will play in their respective teams from the list of the players who are voted to be All Stars. The Captains will start by selecting from The Starters and onwards to the bench players.

So, who are this year’s All Stars that will (HOPEFULLY) set the court alight with their All-Star performances…
WEST
• Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
• James Harden (Houston Rockets)
• Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
• Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
• DeMarcus Cousins (New Orleans Pelicans)
EAST
• Kyrie Irving (Boston Celtics)
• DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)
• LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
• Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
We’ve seen nine of these players in recent All-Star games but one player who is set to debut as a first time All Star is the highly calibre player from Philly, Joel Embiid but that will be a topic for another day.
Back to the All-Star Game selection, the Team Captains of the All-Star Game are…
Drum roll please
FROM THE WEST

STEPHEN CURRY

FROM THE EAST

LEBRON JAMES

So yes, we won’t be seeing an East vs West team format. This year it’s all about Team Steph vs Team LeBron and we are highly anticipating the picks from the respective captains. Could it be possible that LeBron picks KD or Steph picks Anthony Davis? We don’t know at the moment but this surely will be an exciting All-Star Game that we all will have to watch.
IMAGE CREDITS
HEADER: https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53315611/usa_today_9888923.1487562403.jpg

IMAGE 1: http://cdn1.thecomeback.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/94/2017/02/642999630-832×447.jpg

IMAGE 2: https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/gty_642992014.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1

IMAGE 3: https://mk0slamonlinensgt39k.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/GettyImages-642673112.jpg

Race to MVP – Week 8

The Race to the most prestigious individual award in the NBA has been no short of intense heat. We’re in the eighth week of The Association and for some, we already have an MVP yet for others anything is possible. Not to state the very much obvious, anything truly is possible but looking at the ladder we may have only two contenders who are setting the NBA alight. Take a look at the Race to MVP ladder of Week 8.

1. James Harden – Houston Rockets

AVG STATS: 31.6 PPG, 9.4 APG, 5.1 RPG
James Harden has been dominating the NBA has an individual player. By now you should be aware of the MVP calibre The Beard possess so it should not come as a surprise that James Harden is on the top of the MVP ladder. He currently leads the league in scoring and he’s doing so phenomenally and from the looks of his performances, he may be on the way to averaging a double-double. Not only is The Beard charging himself atop the MVP ladder but he’s charging the Rockets to the top of the Western Conference just ahead of the reigning NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors. This season truly is the season to #FEARTHEBEARD

2. LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers

AVG STATS: 28.2 PPG, 8.6 APG, 8.0 RPG
When you have a look at LeBron James you should have an idea of what the man is capable of: DOMINANCE. And not too many past players can brag about their fifteenth season in The Association but only the King holds that right. LeBron is doing wonders for the Cavs, pulling up unconscious three pointers, locking down the paint and changing every aspect of the game at every position he plays in. Only a handful of players currently active can play the same way LeBron does but none are King like LeBron. Having lead the Cavs to a twelve-game winning streak, LeBron is determined to prove that the Cavaliers are still relevant and the best in the East. This is the man who is said to be THE ONLY CONTENDER to the MVP front runner, James Harden.

3. Kyrie Irving – Boston Celtics

AVG STATS: 23.5 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.1 RPG
Once upon a time, a man by the name of LeBron James once said that former teammate Kyrie Irving has what it takes to be an MVP. And today, we are truly witnessing that. Kyrie is already fitting great in the Celtics and his numbers confirm this. Most star players that arrive in a new team, new city, often have to take plenty of time to settle well but with Kyrie, he’s past that stage. We can’t really compare Kyrie’s old “solo without LeBron days” to what he’s doing now because the Kyrie Irving that is consistenly clutch, forever splitting defenses and putting defenders on skids, has the experience and knowledge of actually winning a basketball game and he knows the ins and outs of taking a team through to the Playoffs and onwards to The Finals. But if you think this is the best of Kyrie, you haven’t quite seen anything yet.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks

AVG STATS: 29.6 PPG, 4.5 APG, 10.2 RPG
Beginning of the season we were (and had to be) marveled at what the Greek Freak had shown to the basketball world. During the first few weeks, Giannis was a front runner of the MVP race but due to the heavy talents of the Harden’s, LeBron’s and Kyrie’s, Giannis had to fall down the list. But this doesn’t mean he is out of the race completely because if he continues to push the Bucks to at least top 3 seed, shatter defenses and take charge of the league, we will have an official Greek MVP. It’s easy to assume that Giannis will be shortlisted for the award and from what we’re seeing from him, he really should be shortlisted. To be quite frank, he should win an MVP award, if not this season then at least by the next three years. The Greek Freak is showing the whole Association what he’s capable of and one person who should be proud of his MVP performances is the man who brought the challenge to the certainly future MVP: Kobe Bryant.

5. Kevin Durant – Golden State Warriors

AVG STATS: 25.1 PPG, 5.2 APG, 6.6 RPG
With Stephen Curry out for the remainder of his two weeks out of action, it was expected that KD would take offensive leadership for the Warriors. In their past six away games, the Warriors have won all six games with KD recording a triple double and recording 36 points in a game. But why is KD on the list? Shouldn’t Steph remain on the top five like he did in the past two weeks? Well for starters, Steph is injured therefore there needs to be a replacement and secondly, KD is recognized as a top two basketball player in the whole world and he is amazing at what he does. Sure he’s not pulling off 40 points but why should KD do that when he’s already averaging 25 points and is already looking like a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. But only time well time and when Steph returns, the Warriors will have the best of their two MVPs…like they’ve always had.
OTHER CANDIDATES

6. JOEL EMBIID – PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
7. STEPHEN CURRY – GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
8. DEMAR DEROZAN – TORONTO RAPTORS
9. LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE – SAN ANTONIO SPURS
10. RUSSELL WESTBROOK – OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Stay tuned for more on the MVP ladder and the NBA!
IMAGE CREDITS:

Header – http://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/warriors/sites/default/files/teamstoremvptrophies-1280.jpg

Image 1 – https://uproxx.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/james-harden.jpg?quality=100&w=650

Image 2 – https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hsvxGkx76gqJC__0aQcaug–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9ODAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/4e6e140189e2b0ba98a12e37ad1b858c560

Image 3 – http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Giannis+Antetokounmpo+Milwaukee+Bucks+v+Boston+dpVsQIeP3C9l.jpg

Image 5 – http://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/888610200.jpg?w=620

A Month Into The League

We’re in Week 5 of the world’s greatest basketball league which technically means that we’re a month into the world’s basketball league, the National Basketball Association or if you will, the NBA. We’ve seen plenty and a whole lot of the “wow” moments and the “ahh” moments, whether it being the rise of the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo or the fall (and rise) of Lonzo Ball. Either way, the NBA has been nowhere near disappointing this past month yet it’s certain we haven’t seen all of the spectacular moments just yet. Let’s take a look at what has made the NBA really awesome this past month.
Celtics Make Their Own Luck

Let’s be honest, during the opening stages of the NBA we all thought the Boston Celtic would just be a mediocre team considering how they gave up a lot just to put themselves in the “Rebuilding” process (we’ll come to the real moments later), not to mention they lost their alternative LeBron James, Gordon Hayward to a horrific injury, the odds were certainly against the Boston Celtics aapecially Kyrie Irving. But to those who knew that the Celtics would be a driving force, kudos to you because the Boston Celtics are now at the throne of the Eastern Conference. The team itself have found their much needed groove and we could be witnessing a Boston Celtics team that may spearhead themselves into the history books of the NBA. They’ve recorded an eleven-game winning game streak which saw them defeat the reigning champions, the Golden State Warriors. A streak which has eclipsed the 2009-10 Boston Celtics team streak. One can really say that the 2017-18 Boston Celtics team are making their own luck.
A Rocketing Warrior Fight In The West

In the past three seasons, the Western Conference has belonged to the Golden State Warriors. Although many predict that the Warriors will take the West again, as of right now, that isn’t much the case. The Houston Rockets have been immensely amazing in recent games. James Harden has already unlocked his inner MVP to charge the Rockets to the top of the Western Conference and nobody can really blame The Beard for doing so. Many critics believed it would be the Oklahoma City Thunder that would offer competition to the Warriors but they’ve been absent and have been showing us just why we could never count on a KD-less OKC team even with the likes of Paul George, Carmelo Anthony and the reigning MVP Russell Westbrook. So how and why has the Rockets been a throne to the Warriors’ dominance of the West? It’s simple…other than Harden’s sensational MVP performances, Mike D’Antoni has found a much better system for the Rockets to play in and it has been a charm for them. Meanwhile on the Bay, the Warriors haven’t been finding green pastures with their silly turnovers, not enough converting of baskets and a defense without the actual D (NO PUN INTENDED). It’s so bad that Stephen Curry tweeted to his followers and Warrior fans that they will fix things. Because they’re the reigning champions, they have to! So as the next coming weeks go by, we will see a change in the poles of the Western Conference and we will surely witness more beautiful basketball by the Warriors and the Rockets
Three Words…” TRUST THE PROCESS”

The Philadelphia 76ers have been the worst team in the past three to four seasons. Purposely throwing away games just to land that lustrous number 1 pick in the NBA Draft and this has been called “The Process”. Enter Joel Embiid who would give himself the name “The Process” and he assured 76ers fans that they should TRUST THE PROCESS. This was Embiid letting fans and other people know that there is more to come from the 76ers. This season, the 76ers have shown us why The Process are to trust. Usually, they should be in the last position in the Eastern Conference but this time they are in the Top 8. It’s still an unbelievable thing to actually try believe. Joel Embiid has been a rocking force in the paint, offensive and defensively for the team and he even went to record 46 points against the Los Angeles Lakers. And there’s Ben Simmons, the rookie who was out the whole of last season has been amazing and he is already favourite to win the Rookie of the Year award. Not to mention that they have talented players who are actually getting the job done on both ends of the court. So far, the 76ers stand a good chance at going to the Playoffs but we’re pretty sure they won’t go past the first round but at least the players will go home knowing they played a part in bringing the Playoffs to the city of Philadelphia, which is something that hasn’t happened in a long while. Other than that, The Process is truly at full work and this may be a new era of greatness for the 76ers. This season will be theirs for the taking.
The Rollercoaster Ride of the Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers have surprised us so far, this season. Not in a good way though. The Cavs have recorded more losses than we least expected them to especially within a month of the NBA. Silly losses to the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets and New York Knicks has just shown us that the Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t in their right minds. We can understand that they have a problem in filling the point guard position because Derrick Rose is in and out due to minor injuries and Isaiah Thomas is still recovering from his hip injury that many saw as an liability to the Cavs but with a team like the Cavs, it’s not something we hear everyday that the almighty Cleveland Cavaliers are at the mercy of these other ridiculous teams. LeBron James has been putting all the weight on his shoulders from time to time and we’ve seen great help from Dwyane Wade, Kevin Love and Kyle Korver as these guys have a way of shooting the Cavs back to the game only for them to lose in the dying minutes of the game. And in most games, the Cavs would have to comeback from double digits down and make a comeback which is something that may cost them come Playoff time…that’s if they’ll even reach the Playoffs this season, just by the looks of the performances. So perhaps in the next coming month, LeBron will rally up his Cavaliers and get them to wake up and fight off from their slump to take back the Eastern Conference. FYI, Stephen Curry said that the weather in Boston must be nice in June…clearly this is a shot at the Cavs and it’s up to them and only them to deny the Warriors from travelling to Boston come Finals time.
A Kawhi-less Spurs

Many San Antonio Spurs fans and other fans will notice that there’s something missing in the NBA. The Klaw…also known as Kawhi Leonard. By now, Kawhi should be on the race to MVP or leading in steals and blocks but he’s not. Simply because of injuries that are keeping down The Klaw from laying waste to the NBA. But it’s okay, for once we get to realize that Kawhi Leonard is human and he deserves all the time to recover fully. However, time is something the Spurs don’t need and instead they need their Kawhi back, the no-smiling easy bucket hard guarding Kawhi. Spurs have been doing just okay and that isn’t okay especially for a team led by the mastermind coach, Greg Popovich. The bright side to the Spurs so far is that they’ve managed to find a way to utilize LaMarcus Aldridge and have nicely exploited the talents of Kyle Anderson and have relied better on the sharpshooter that is Danny Green. The down side to the Spurs is that they’ve been in uncomfortable positions in the Western Conference and there’s only one person that can push them back to the top…Kawhi Leonard. But according to Popp, Kawhi will be back in a matter of weeks possibly the coming month and fans of other teams better fear because it will certain that Kawhi will be a trouble factor especially for the Rockets and the Warriors.

So seeing how it’s been a month since the NBA came back, the world has truly gone back to normal and we’re all happy that we are far from coming to the end of what is to be a hot season.
Stay tuned for more on the NBA
IMAGE CREDITS

Header – https://g4.dcdn.lt/images/pix/430×260/tFKmGXz0_hs/kyrie-irvingas-76375727.jpg

Image 1 – https://cdn.nba.net/nba-drupal-prod/styles/landscape/s3/2017-11/20171114_kyrie_mask_green.jpg?itok=RcuLwZym

Image 2 – http://cdnau.ibtimes.com/sites/au.ibtimes.com/files/2017/11/14/chris-paul-injury-update.jpg

Image 3 – http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5a0d9be835876ea2008b6650-1128/joel-embiid.jpg

Image 4 – https://cbscleveland.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/gettyimages-873839190.jpg?w=640&h=0&crop=1

Image 5 – https://img.bleacherreport.net/cms/media/image/99/2b/5d/ae/ae3a/47f2/a0ce/de01a463477e/crop_exact_preview.jpg?h=400&w=600&q=70&crop_x=center&crop_y=top

Race to MVP – Oct/Nov

It’s only been three weeks since the opening of the world’s greatest basketball league, the NBA and already the race to the most prestigious individual award, Most Valuable Player, is heating up like a grandma turning up the temperature to the oven to make her delicious scones. Credits must go to the players who are in this list and although it’s early to tell who the MVP will be, this list is just here to give you a heads-up on which player is dominating the league. Take a look…

These players are ranked and rankings will change during the course of the regular season.
*NB: THE FOLLOWING ABBREIVATIONS: PPG (POINTS PER GAME), APG(ASSISTS PER GAME), RPG(REBOUNDS PER GAME) & SPG(STEALS PER GAME)

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks

Kobe Bryant have the Greek Freak a simple challenge to accomplish this season; to win MVP. And so far, the Freak is showing just how serious he’s taken the challenge. Truth be told, Giannis has been a dominating factor since last season and he’s finally an All Star. So it would make sense for him to lead the race to the MVP award. Something about the Freak this season shows us that he isn’t just a tall talented forward that can play point at any time but just by looking at how he affects the game on the both ends of the court, the Freak is a complete basketball player and with his incredible IQ and speed, Giannis surely will be getting the W’s for the Bucks. So far he’s averaging 31.3 PPG, 10.6 RPG & 5.3 APG.

2. James Harden – Houston Rockets

The Beard was runner up to the 2015 MVP award and 2017 MVP award so it makes sense for James Harden to continue his MVP form. And from what we’re seeing from the Beard, his form isn’t slipping away. Before the season started, most people assumed Harden would have to reduce his time with ball because of the arrival of All Star point guard Chris Paul but because CP3 is injured, Harden had to unlock his inner MVP and because of his amazing performances, the Rockets are sitting in pole position of the Western Conference. But when CP3 is healthy again, we don’t know if Harden will continue his MVP form but whatever the case will be, he best continue because no offense is complete without the Beard! He’s averaging 26.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG & 9.2 APG.

3. Russell Westbrook – Oklahoma City Thunder

It’s no surprise that Mr.Triple Double is in this list. And we can’t also expect him to be back to back MVP but if he does come to that come the end of the season, it will be great. So far, Westbrook has been performing the same way he did last season and he already has four triple doubles to his name so far. Although he has the help of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, Westbrook doesn’t look to phased from their presence. In fact, he’s still the same monster we recognize him as the reigning Most Valuable Player. Although the OKC team sit in an awkward position of tenth place in the Western Conference, Westbrook will see to it that the team needs to sit at least in the top three and we expect OKC to end the regular season in the third or fourth position after the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. The MVP is averaging 19.6 PPG, 9.9 RPG & 11.9 APG

4. DeMarcus Cousins – New Orleans Pelicans

When one thinks about the Pelicans, they all think about Anthony Davis. He clearly is the best player on the squad but his partner in crime, DMC is finally finding his place in the Pelicans and we can finally recognize DMC as the joint best player of the New Orleans Pelicans. So far this season, DMC has displayed such breathtaking performances having made history with his 41 point, 23 rebounds performance against his former team, the Sacramento Kings. So it’s safe to assume that we will be seeing more amazing performances from the big man that is DeMarcus Cousins. DMC is averaging 30.1 PPG, 13 RPG & 5.9 APG

5. Blake Griffin – Los Angeles Clippers

During the beginning of the offseason, the Houston Rockets acquired Chris Paul and many had believed that it was over for the Clippers, that they wouldn’t see the dawn of the Playoffs. And because of the superstar talent of Blake Griffin many of us(especially myself) were wrong. Blake has been absolutely fantastic for the Clippers especially in their recent games. He’s making his presence known, something he couldn’t do during CP3’s stint with the Clippers. Other than that, Blake has indeed improved his shots and has found ways of being a better player for the Clippers. This surely shows that the Clippers will be keeping Blake Griffin for a long time. He’s averaging 22.9 PPG, 8.1 RPG, & 4.7 APG
THE OTHER MVP CANDIDATES:
6. Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors
7. LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Kyrie Irving – Boston Celtics
9. Kevin Durant – Golden State Warriors
10. Andrew Wiggins – Minnesota Timberwolves

As earlier stated, the rankings will change during the course of the regular season but whoever your MVP is, be sure to on the look out for his performances because this race to the prestigious individual award is only getting started.
IMAGE CREDITS:

Header – http://www.rantsports.com/nba/files/2015/10 /MVPTrophy.jpg

Image 1 – http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/59/90 /antetokounmpo-giannis-110317-getty-ftr_947fnlw4pjbk1006cpnbydd4c.jpg?t=-2090579369&amp;amp;amp;w=960&amp;amp;amp;quality=70

Image 2 – https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lTpy2j-vdE0i645IsD3-OBKd38Y=/0x0:3271×2218 /1200×800/filters:focal(1253×209:1775×731)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57479051/usa_today_10394946.0.jpg

Image 3 – https://uproxx.files.wordpress.com/2017 /11/russ.jpg?quality=100&amp;amp;w=650

Image 4 – https://cdn.nba.net/nba-drupal-prod/styles /landscape_320w/s3/2017-11/COUSINS%20PP.jpg?itok=-5bEMC8_

Image 5 – https://cdn.nba.net/nba-drupal-prod/styles /landscape_320w/s3/2017-11/griffin.jpg?itok=mFmKaWea

The Charge of the Celtics

The 2016-17 Boston Celtics were the closest to being as great as the 2007-08 Boston Celtics team. Everything about them had greatness written all over them, the way Isaiah Thomas spearheaded them to the Playoffs and Eastern Conference Finals and the never die attitude set by Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder. Unfortunately, the band had to be break up (thanks to the management). But the new look Boston Celtics are becoming a force to be reckoned with in the NBA.

Maybe, okay perhaps they don’t have the same grit as last season’s Celtics, but here’s what makes this season’s Celtics look so much better…the intelligence they possess. In this generation of basketball, brains has always been the decider of teams and games way over brawn’s and brains has been working well for the Celtics. Credit has to go to head coach Brad Stevens for formulating what looks to be, the best team in the Eastern Conference, since the Cavs are all the way in 12^th position.

So why are Celtics bossing it out so far, this season? The answer isn’t just the brains, but it’s also the talent that management of Celtics have brought to the team; Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford and Kyrie Irving. Hayward may be out for the whole season but he surely is a jewel in the Celtic’s crown.

Kyrie is becoming “The Man”

One can and may say that Kyrie’s departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers may just be a smart move because we are seeing a much different Kyrie. This isn’t the rookie Kyrie that got nowhere with the Cavs until LeBron James came back but this is a Kyrie that knows what to do. He has all the experience a champion has and he’s using his talents and experience to exploit the Celtics into a more smart and agile team. Sure, he hasn’t scored 40 points just yet, but he doesn’t need to because he facilitates every play, every basket and every motion the Celtic players display on the court. He truly has become The Focal Point. So, it’s safe to say that Kyrie, is indeed THE MAN!

Al The Powerhouse

Al Horford has been a star in the NBA. All he needed was the right and perfect team that will expose the superstar in him and he has done that perfectly with the Boston Celtics. All eyes are on Kyrie and that makes it easier for Harford to pop out to the free-throw line and even the three-point line and just take a shot. See, he’s one of the big man in the NBA that can take threes and actually convert them to baskets. Not to mention, the power he has to win rebounds and ensure the paint is his zone both offensively and defensively. And finally, on games where it seems Kyrie can’t convert, Al will be there to collect the ball and get easy buckets.

The Jays of Trouble

When I say “Jays”, in this case I’m not talking about Air Jordan’s. I’m talking about Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. These two have become phenomenal in recent games. And it’s rare to see a sophomore and a rookie causing a lot of havoc on the court the way Jaylen and Jayson do. Jaylen is in his second year which means he has the understanding of playing in the NBA and his game has improve drastically. Where as for Jayson…my word! His athleticism is beyond “on point”! He has getting double digit points and looking at how he plays alongside Kyrie, one would think he’s been in the NBA for at least five years. These two Jays are something the Celtics will surely keep for the future.
So, it’s quite eminent that the Boston Celtics are reaching a new level in terms of, better team players, better plays and better ways of winning games. We can surely predict that the Celtics will finish either on top of the Eastern Conference or second seed. Whatever the predictions are, the Boston Celtics will have us fans and critics realizing that the Eastern Conference doesn’t belong to the Cleveland Cavaliers anymore.