Lakers Heat and the Rest of the NBA

After the opening day of basketball here in the NBA, most people can agree the Heat are the most likely repeat champions and that's about all we have to say. The Lakers will get things going (despite) losing every single game this year (Andrew Bynum is laughing in his grave - as Charles Barkley would say). 

It is surprising that this super team cannot and have not found a way to win right out of the gate.

James Harden turned down 5 years 54 million and a chance to play in the finals the next five years to sign for 5 years 80 million and to not see the playoffs for 5 or 6 years. Way to go James...

The Heat took care of the Celtics and although it turned into a closer game, the truth of the matter is that the Celtics never really had a chance. Rondo looked unstoppable and Paul was good, just looked tired at the end; but I still think the Celtics are the second best team in the league right now (behind the Heat).

What was good was how KG did not back down on his cold feelings for Ray Allen, giving him a literal cold shoulder, but Ray didn't mind it at all. You talk about mentally tough guys that do not mind, mind games or intimidation from other veterans. Ray had a real solid game showing himself like the old Ray who can create shots and not just spot up for threes.

Let's face it folks, the NBA is about 5 or 6 teams - and about half the world hoping the Heat and Lakers lose and hoping the Pacers and Clippers win. Give your predictions now!



Post Up Due

Will the Bulls Going to the Playoffs This Year?

First let me start by saying, yes I’m a Chicago Bulls fan, yes I rep for my city, and yes I’m going to try to not be biased in this blog. A lot has transpired this upcoming season of Chicago Bulls basketball. For the past two years this wouldn't even be a serious question. As I said, a few things happened and they need to be discussed so we can answer for sure, will the Bulls going to the playoffs this year?

Will the Bulls Going to the Playoffs This Year?

The first issue of course is Derrick Rose. As we all know Derrick Rose tore the ACL in his left knee last season. It was a sad day in all the city of Chicago at least for sports fans. He was the nucleus of the Chicago Bulls organization. After all  he was the Most Valuable Player of 2011. The issue is whether we are going to see him play this season, and if so will he be the same Derrick of old. Basketball players know what an ACL injury can do to a players body and mind.

8th Seed? – Will the Bulls Going to the Playoffs This Year?

The second issue is the demolishing of the “Bench Mob”. The Chicago Bulls bench was our bread and butter in my opinion. When all else failed you could count on the “Bench Mob” to expand the lead or at least keep us in fighting distance when the starting five were on the bench. We only have a few people from the “Bench Mob” that’s still around, and that’s a major problem for me and plenty of people in the Chicago area. This leads to my next topic.

Are the Chicago Bulls going to have the same chemistry as they did these past few years? My answer is no, because there are too many new faces. There might be some players who don’t adapt to the Tom Thibodeau style of play. It’s important that the new players adapt because everybody is important on the Bulls squad. Everybody has a specific job that they need to adhere too and perform.

Will the Bulls Going to the Playoffs This Year?

So the question remains: Will the Bulls going to the playoffs this year? My answer is yes, but it’s not going to be easy. I've heard guys slate them to be a 7th or 8th seed, which is no fun when your first round match-up is against the Miami Heat or an angry Boston Celtic crew. The Bulls have many roadblocks ahead of them. I honestly think if they do make it to the playoffs they will barely make it. I’m talking 7th or 8th seed (I hope I’m wrong). What do you think Chicago, post up Due and holler at me.

Ben Walker

Ben Walker is a writer on the DueDaniels.com staff, a staff that writes about things going on in the world and how to improve your life in three major areas. Leave a comment and visit the website for more info! BTW…have you heard of these two homeless guys turn millionaires?

Evans Jumps Over Clippers

And the cow jumped over the moon...

This was simply amazing and funny - Jeremy Evans of the Utah Jazz (also the current slam dunk champion) blocked the shot of Ronny Turiaf and went up high to get in on a jump shot. And then someone in the stands yelled at Ronny telling him to "chase the guy and block his shot even though he is the current slam dunk champion, and long as the Nile river!"

Ronny heard the voice and chased after Jeremy "the slam dunk champion" Evans and jumped with ALL HIS MIGHT! Only to find out that Jeremy "the slam dunk champion" Evans had totally cleared him! How embarrassing. In a summer league in the hood, the crowd is all over the floor laughing shouting, pointing, and Turiaf would have been smiling too. It is just a funny moment that reminds you why you watch preseason NBA basketball... everyone has there fresh high jumping legs!

Post Up

Should Kobe Bryant be Compared to Michael Jordan?

Michael Jordan vs Kobe Bryant has become a very interesting debate, argument, and topic among basketball players and fans. This generation versus that generation is sometimes really what is all about. The question was brought up to me, should Kobe Bryant even be COMPARED to Michael Jordan? But the question I ask my myself though is, should it even be a debate? The answer is absolutely NOT. First let me start by saying both of these players have legendary status, but comparing Kobe Bryant to Michael Jordan is just utterly ridiculous. Now let me explain why.

Should Kobe Bryant be COMPARED to Michael Jordan…that is the Question

They Look Alike...

Kobe Bryant just does not have the credentials Michael Jordan has. Kobe has 1 league MVP, 2 finals MVPs, and 2 scoring titles. Michael on the other hand has 5 league MVPs, 6 finals MVPs, 10 scoring titles, 2 steals titles, and defensive player of the year. That alone should be enough to shut this Michael Jordan vs Kobe Bryant argument down. But just in case it’s not let me dig a little deeper into the topic.

The NBA now is an extremely different NBA than the one Michael came from or out of. The defenders at the two guard in Jordan’s era were far more superior than the two guards of Kobe’s era. There was no defensive 3-seconds rule so players would just stay in the paint all day, which means it was more difficult to score inside the paint. Still, Jordan found a way to make it happen; bolstering a couple 37 and 35 points per game season averages (while play over 78 games).

Should Kobe Bryant be Compared to Michael Jordan?

If you want a few facts, Jordan was way more efficient and consistent when it came to his playoffs and finals performance. His game-play increased heavily when he got to the playoffs and finals, while Kobe’s game-play actually decreased during his time in playoffs and finals. There was also never a controversy about who was the leader or first option on Michael’s team like there was on Kobe’s team. Sure they were drafted into totally different circumstances, but Jordan was always number one not only on his team, but the league itself.

Should Kobe Bryant be COMPARED to Michael Jordan

 

Michael also knew how to sacrifice whatever he had to sacrifice for the better of his team and still provide the numbers. Whether he had to get more steals, rebounds, points, etc. he always knew how to fill in the gaps. Kobe just doesn’t have that ability to make players around him better. At the end of the day, Kobe is an amazing player, you can never take that away from him. He is probably top 4 two guards to play the game ever, but to compare him to Michael is just SILLY. It’s just TOO LATE to accomplish EVERYTHING Jordan has accomplished. Should Kobe Bryant even be compared to Michael Jordan, I think not and the career accomplishments agree with me.

D. Smith
Writer
DueDaniels.com

PS: Lay in on the comments of your opinion, just say Kobe or Mike…and by the way check out two other superstars in the internet marketing industry…

Kobe Learning Early from Mike...he took good notes