It's been four months since the last post, but I am glad to say, we're back. Like the NBA lockout, I had decided to stop writing until Josh and I could agree on the split profit from writing this blog. I'm just kidding, there is no profit whatsoever. The only profit I hope to receive is the enjoyment of whoever reads this (thanks for all the support). Anyways back to the game that I love and the current situation of the league that runs the game. This lockout is terrible, besides the fact that us fans lose games and the chance to watch John Wall blow up, The "Blake Show" and gang compete for a playoff spot, or the Heat choke for another season (hopefully); this lockout affects more than the players and owners. The people who work in the arenas where games are played are currently jobless and many have been laid off due to the lockout. A lot of people are losing money and the sooner a new labor deal is made, the better it is for all sides negotiating. As I say that however, it doesn't mean that the lockout is ending anytime soon. While the players have seemed like the bad guys refusing on a 50/50 split supposedly proposed by dictator Stern, sorry commissioner Stern, the players run the league and no league generates their success through its players and stars more than the NBA. Therefore the players need to "STAND" strong for what they believe is the proper revenue split and not cede to the owners until it's right regardless if the season is cancelled.
In my opinion, I think the lockout will end around mid-December, early January, and there will most likely be a 50-game season. I'm not an expert on this however so this is all based on what I hear and read from Chris Broussard and Adrian Wojnarowski. But enough of all the lockout talk, I'm feeling like celebrating the summer of basketball that did happen. While this lockout has been in effect for the last 112 days, it hasn't stopped the players from playing. So while some of you may not be up to speed on what's been going on, I've got you covered:
MVP of the Summer: Kevin Durant - Since the summer of 2010, no man has been busier playing basketball than KD Three Five. Last summer he won a gold medal at the World Championships with team USA and this summer he has been playing everywhere from the Goodman League in DC to the Drew League in LA to Rucker Park in NY. Besides all this traveling Durant has been killing it everywhere he's played dropping 66 at the Rucker, 59 against LeBron in the Melo/Goodman game, and 44 including a game-clinching block on teammate, James Harden in the Drew/Goodman game. With that being said, I don't see a ceiling for Durant's game and if/when the season begins, everyone should be ready to see KD win his first MVP.
Best Shoe of the Summer: KD IV -Besides KD winning my MVP of the summer, he also wins this award. There really isn't much detail to this shoe yet, except that it's going to be $95 (always price-friendly). I'm a big fan of the strap and it has an awesome look in my opinion. Coming off the KD III which had many great reviews and retail success, the IV's look to be another great shoe designed by Leo Chang and the great minds at Nike.
Newcomer of the Summer: Josh Selby (Memphis Grizzlies) - I mentioned him in my last post that he may be one of the sleepers of the draft and in the summer he has done nothing but prove he may actually be the biggest steal in the draft. I mentioned before that Selby was ranked as the best high school player in the class of 2010 so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the dude can play. Selby has shown up for numerous league games this summer playing alongside the NBA's elite and has not backed down. There has been his battle with Brandon Jennings, but I'll just let his game do the talking, enjoy the video:
Video Blog of the Summer: Brandon Jennings - The "Curator of Cool" wins my vote for best video blog. There have been numerous players that have chronicled their offseason during this lockout including Kevin Durant, the boys from Seattle, and even our Asian pride, Jeremy Lin, but none have provided more entertainment, great editing, and music than Young Money's video blog. Besides the basketball side of Jennings's videos, the documentation of his life is fascinating and I'm a big fan of the music, view it for yourself...
Best Dressed: Amare Stoudemire - The next award has nothing to do with basketball, but as the NBA culture has progressed into a league of players obsessed with attending fashion shows rather than labor meetings, this summer, Stoudemire reigned supreme in the style game. It's not a complete shock because STAT has been swagging out for the past few seasons and his obsession for fashion is no secret. The man has become good friends with designers such as Anna Wintour and Tommy Hilfiger and he's been everywhere promoting his new Nike's as shoes that are good for wear on and off the court.
Bay Area Baller of the Summer: Wendell McKines - Lastly, with all the all-star games and summer leagues that occurred around the country, the Pro-Am league back in the city was also an event to partake in. With occasional guest appearances by Matt Barnes, Dorrell Wright, and the next Blake Griffin, Aaron Gordon (he's only 15??), the league wasn't short of good competiton. I know you were all probably expecting Kiwi, but McKines, the MVP of the Pro Am averaged 34, 15, & 3 (including 51 in the championship game-clincher) and he was a straight monster in big games murdering Matt Barnes any chance he got. Look for Mr. McKines to be doing his thing for his senior season at New Mexico State this year and enjoy his highlights
Well that's my take on the summer of lockout basketball and I hope this helps with the deprivation of NBA basketball. There actually hasn't been a shortage of basketball going on. The players are putting games together every other week and they want to play. Here's to hoping that this hunger to play translates to real NBA games soon. Until next time folks.
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