National Basketball Association

Can McDonald’s All-Americans fix the NBA’s Slam Dunk Competition?

April 2, 2013 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

You watched the video. When’s the last time the NBA Slam Dunk competition moved you to ooh and ahh as much as some of these dunks showcased during Powerade’s Jam Fest featuring McDonald’s All-Americans? Since the NBA’s best dunkers are reluctant to participate, why not invite the country’s top high school ballers who are eager to show and prove their above the rim skills?

There might not have been a ton of originality, but something about this felt more fresh and less circus-y to me. Maybe because it seemed to lack the unnecessary props NBA players have become accustomed to using. Or perhaps it was just good editing. Regardless, I believe the entertainment value rises a bit because I can’t help but to be impressed watching teenage boys, whose bodies are still maturing, dunk with the speed and ferociousness of fully developed NBA players. Simply watching their young talent makes me hopeful for the future of the NBA.

The legalities to consider, such as how to insure everyone gives me a headache just thinking about it. But, if the great minds who get paid the big bucks were able to work through it all, this could be a potential solve for the NBA’s futile competition.

Whether you support this idea or not, we can at least agree that Aaron Gordon was robbed, right?

What do you think?

-@sdotrenee

Props: Hoopmixtape

Russell Westbrook Covers Flaunt Magazine

March 6, 2013 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

Photo via Flaunt Magazine

The convergence of sports and fashion is rampant; yet no collective group of athletes have become trendsetters quite like NBA stars. Their style off the hardwood is often subject matter for blogs, publications, and even in-game commentary. However, no one is both praised and mocked for his fashion-forward looks more than Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook. Intentional or not, Westbrook has earned a polarizing reputation for his suave ability to seamlessly crossover from boardroom chic to blipster street. Even the Godfather of NBA fashion, Walt Clyde Frazier, has recognized the fashion risks taken by the 6’3 point guard. Regardless, Westbrook’s bonafide style and individuality have launched him to the forefront of top fashion houses and editorials, alike.

On a recent day off, Westbrook was the subject behind the camera lens of Flaunt Magazine, becoming the first athlete to grace the fashion magazine’s cover. Consistent with his GQ and L’Uomo Vogue spreads, Flaunt captured Westbrook’s flair for bold patterns, bright colors, and everyone’s flavor of the month, leather. Nothing was off limits for Westbrook as we observe his style morph from high street, retro Air Jordans and canary yellow Levi’s 501 jeans, to high fashion, Polo Ralph Lauren and Salvatore Ferragamo.

Game recognize game.

Here are a couple of flicks from his shoot…

Russell Westbrook x Flaunt Magazine

Head to Flaunt to read the article.

-@sdotrenee

Photos via Flaunt Magazine

Filed Under: Fashion, Featured, NBA, Pro Sports Tagged With: Fashion, Flaunt, Magazines and E-zines, National Basketball Association, NBA, OKC, Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook

Random Thoughts on NBA All-Star Weekend 2013

February 18, 2013 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

No question, the NBA has the best all-star experience of all the professional sports leagues. However, being the best doesn’t mean it’s flawless. Here are some random thoughts on NBA All-Star Weekend.

- If you didn’t know Kyrie Irving had skills before this weekend, now you know. Every event Irving participated in, BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, Three-Point Contest, and the All-Star Game, he put on a show and proved he deserves to share the spotlight with the big boys. Irving’s quickness, ball handling skills, courtvision, and scoring ability rivals any top point guard in the league right now. And with Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo sidelined, you can argue that he and Chris Paul are neck and neck. Watching them go one-on-one was the second best matchup of the night. The first? Kobe vs Lebron, as billed.

- Ahhh man. If you missed the Chris Webber interview with Bill Russell, be sure to watch it tonight on NBATV at 9PM/ET. Bill Russell truly is a national treasure and as someone who wasn’t around when he played, I appreciate the NBA taking time away from the current players to teach us about a legend like Russell. During his interview, I hung on to every word as if I was listening to my grandfather tell a story. Overall, the NBA does a fantastic job of keeping the legacy of the legends of yesterday alive. In addition to Bill Russell, it was awesome to see Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, and so many other greats showing love and being shown love.

- Chris Bosh will go down in history for chucking up airballs, getting nutmegged on defense by Chris Paul and Tony Parker, and getting pulled to start the second half. Hands down, THE worst All-Star Game performance in the history of the sport.

- With all of the coverage about athlete’s owing back child support to their five baby mamas, it was wonderful to see so many players involve their children in the weekend. But of all the kids on the scene, Lil’ CP3 had the best weekend ever. His daddy, Chris Paul, was a team captain and busy throughout the weekend, but Lil CP3 didn’t miss a beat. He was right by his dad’s side every step of the way. Loved seeing that. There was also a fun photo op between Lil’ CP3 and one of Kobe’s mini-mes.

- I’m glad Michael Jordan only turns 50 once because I wouldn’t be able to survive another weekend of Jordan adulation. Recognition of MJ’s birthday is definitely deserved, but the heavy-handed media coverage for an accomplishment as ordinary as turning 50 was overkill. Let’s wish him a happy birthday, do a retrospective piece, and keep it moving. I must admit though, as over it as I was, the AARP stunt did cause me to chuckle a little bit.

- I hope Nick Cannon’s terrible attempt at hosting NBA All-Star events guarantees we never have to see him in this capacity again. And while I’m at it, I hope he takes his Real Husbands of Hollywood co-star, Kevin Hart, with him. Call me crazy, but Hart’s act of being the punchline of his own jokes is kind of tired, especially when he’s laughing harder than anyone else. After two undeserving Celebrity Game MVP wins, let’s retire his jersey, and make room for someone else.

- Those Adidas warmup jackets were niiiice, especially if you were swagged out like Kobe.

- Before this weekend, I never imagined I’d be over the leather trend. But after seeing everybody and their mama rock leather, I’m good.

- The in-game dunks during last night’s game were a gift and a curse. On one hand, it was a relief to finally be wowed by the best of the best. But on the other hand, it was torturous to watch because it reminded me how awful the actual Slam Dunk Contest has become. Last week, I commented on the deterioration of the contest and Saturday night’s performances did nothing to change my opinion. Also, I appreciate the sentiment behind the All Houston Everything judges panel, but come on, scoring every dunk a 50 after four attempts shouldn’t be allowed. If the NBA can’t guarantee we have the best talent in the dunk competition, can we at least get a panel of judges who have a reputation for dunking and are qualified at assessing the quality of dunks?

- And finally, the absolute worst moment of NBA All-Star Weekend was the musical acts. WTF moments galore. When the list of performers was released earlier this month, I scratched my head in wonderment. Philip Philips? Fallout Boy? Ke$ha? Ne-Yo? Alicia Keys? Really?!! None of them make sense. To add insult to injury, the sound quality was bad and the song selection was even worse. Alicia Keys lost the crowd when she opened up singing a ballady version of New York State of Mind in Houston. What was the thought process behind that? An important element of the All-Star Game is celebrating the culture of the host city. Shouting out NYC in H-Town is extremely disrespectful. Overall, it was a shitshow and complete cluster. The NBA doesn’t need all of the bells and whistles to sell their product. It’s great to begin with. Usually I’m all about the marriage between music and sports, but in this case, I vote to keep them separate. Going forward, the NBA should keep it pure and make the focus all about basketball.

What were your most and least favorite moments from the weekend?

-@sdotrenee

Filed Under: Featured, NBA, Pro Sports Tagged With: Bill Russell, Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, Michael Jordan, National Basketball Association, NBA All-Star Weekend

VIDEO: Lebron Scores 10 points in 1:46

February 15, 2013 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

Nope, it’s not quite as unbelievable as Reggie Miller’s record-setting 8 points in 11 seconds performance, but watching Lebron James effortlessly knock down contested shots is still pretty impressive.

Despite his hot hand, James snapped his 6-game streak of scoring at least 30 points on 60 percent shooting, last night. He just fell short, ending with 39 points, 12 rebounds, and a 58 shooting percentage, which was enough to seal the win and sweep the Oklahoma City Thunder for the season. The final score was 110-100.

-@sdotrenee

Filed Under: Featured, NBA, Pro Sports Tagged With: Kevin Durant, LeBron, Lebron James, Miami Heat, National Basketball Association, OKC, Oklahoma City Thunder, Reggie Miller

David Stern shuts down New Orleans Saints questions at New Orleans Hornets press event

April 17, 2012 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

Photo via AP/Gerald Herbert

If you haven’t heard, the New Orleans Hornets are no longer under the stewardship of David Stern and the NBA.Â Stern was finally able to unload that money pit onto someone else, Tom Benson, the owner of the New Orleans Saints, to be exact.Â As if dealing with Roger Goodell and his league-sanctioned punishments for Bountygate weren’t enough, now Benson will have the added responsibility of also answering to a power-yielding David Stern.

Yesterday, the NBA and Benson held a press conference at New Orleans Arena to officially announce Benson’s new acquisition, as well as share the excitement that the NBA All-Star Game would return to New Orleans in 2014.Â The last time the city hosted the All-Star Game was four years ago in 2008.

Although all of this news is exciting for New Orleans (N.O.), a city still trying to recover from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, the sports media world, previously denied access to Benson, couldn’t ignore that the celebratory affair for Benson and the NBA was being overshadowed by the suspensions of Saints’ personnel, and more specifically, Sean Payton.

According to USA Today, Ed Werder, an ESPN reporter, attempted to kill two birds with one stone and ask about the status of the Saints as it related to Bountygate and Drew Brees’s contract.Â Ballsy move by Werder, but Stern wasn’t having it.Â Stern immediately intercepted the question and without hesitation, reminded Werder and everyone else in attendance that the press conference was an “NBA thing”.Â Â Aside from allowing Benson to address how he planned to manage both franchises, Stern shut down any New Orleans Saints questions.

However, earlier in the conference, Stern took a jab at the NFL by stating, “I think the story of the rebuilding and the rebirth of New Orleans is going to be told probably 90 times in an NBA season around the world.Â I don’t want to pick on the NFL, but they only play 16 games in the regular season.”

Stern could’ve been more respectful in how he addressed the Saints and the NFL, especially since he knew Saints’ questions were off limits from the get-go.Â But in true Stern fashion, he couldn’t resist the urge to throw blows while trying to establish rank in an attempt to justify why the NBA is more valuable to New Orleans.Â The second the conversation shifted to the Saints, the only real professional team anyone in N.O. truly cares about, Stern reminded everyone who’s boss. While I don’t agree with Stern’s approach, I get it, as is always the case with him.

The Hornets have its own identity problems to overcome.Â The last thing Stern wants is to associate his NBA property with the ongoing issues of the New Orleans Saints.Â After all,Â the connection between the two franchises are impossible to shake because of Benson’s dual-ownership. Yet despite that, Stern believes with new leadership and a complete branding overhaul (Benson announced his first order of business is to rename the team), the NBA will be able to successfully redefine what a New Orleans based NBA franchise means in the hearts and minds of fans.

There’s no doubt the NBA will eventually be successful, but it’s going to take time.Â Right now, New Orleans sports fans remain dedicated to supporting the Saints.Â After Hurricane Katrina, the spirit of New Orleans was broken.Â But the success of the Saints and its 2009 Super Bowl Championship did more for New Orleans than the Hornets have in seven years post-Katrina.Â It provided New Orleanians hope and a reason to smile again.Â Regardless of Bountygate, N.O. still places the Saints above anything else.Â Drew Brees, though currently in the midst of a contract dispute, is the heart and soul of not only the team, but most importantly, the city.Â As long as he’s there, Saints fans believe they have a chance to compete.Â Winning is the best medicine for pain, and until the Hornets, or whatever the new NBA team will be called, is competitive again, they will always take a backseat to the Saints.Â Know that, Stern.

-@sdotrenee

Filed Under: Featured, NBA, NFL, Pro Sports Tagged With: David Stern, Hurricane Katrina, National Basketball Association, NBA, New Orleans, New Orleans Hornets, New Orleans Saints, NFL, Tom Benson

VIDEO: It sucks to be Michael Jordan.

April 17, 2012 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

Ever wonder what it would be like to share the same name as the GOAT, Michael Jordan, or any other super successful celeb or athlete?Â Well, ESPN kind of has an idea of the destiny that may befall such a person, and it ain’t nothing nice.

ESPN created a :30 spot exploring a day in the life of (the other) Michael Jordan as part of its ongoing “It’s Not Crazy, It’s Sports” brand campaign.Â In it, we see a middle-aged balding white dude unintentionally shower nothing but disappointment upon every single person he encounters throughout the day.

While it sucks to be him, the ad is pretty awesome.

In other ESPN news, today they also rolled out the first of its “A Champion Will Rise” NBA on ESPN playoff spots.Â In this :30 ad, we see Kevin Durant sitting in the rafters of the Chesepeake Energy Arena, home of the Oklahoma City Thunder, imagining what it would mean to hang an NBA Championship banner up there, one day soon.Â The spot then cuts to Thunder footage as Durant expresses the team’s readiness to finish what they started and take what’s theirs.

Although the tones of the spots are very different, they’re both solid executions.Â In the first spot, ESPN dialed up the humorous and irreverent part of the brand that’s connected with fans for the past 32 years.Â But in contrast, the NBA on ESPN playoff spot makes the NBA playoffs feel like serious business, especially to Durant, the heart and soul of the Thunder.

Well done, ESPN.

-@sdotrenee

Filed Under: Advertising, Featured, Media, NBA, Pro Sports, Sports Marketing Tagged With: Basketball, ESPN, ESPN ad, ESPN Commercial, It's Not Crazy, It's Sports, Kevin Durant, Michael Jordan, National Basketball Association, NBA, NBA on ESPN, NBA Playoffs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sports Marketing

Why Jeremy Lin’s Race Shouldn’t Be Ignored

February 15, 2012 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

Photo via BeijingShots.com

Just when you think people are beginning to hop off the Jeremy Lin bandwagon, he does something remarkable to convince you to stay aboard for one more ride. With last night’s game winning three-pointer against the Toronto Raptors, Lin added more chapters to one of the greatest sports stories ever told.

After the game, the LINpuns rapidly flew across my twitter timeline. And every now and then, a racially insensitive tweet like, “from egg roll to pick n roll” would make an appearance and force me to groan with disgust, just as I’d done, earlier in the day, upon reading the following Floyd Mayweather tweets,

Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise. I’m speaking my mind on behalf of other NBA players. They are programmed to be politically correct and will be penalized if they speak up.

As you can imagine, almost every sports fan and media outlet went after Mayweather for his shortsighted opinion. But in knowing Mayweather, then you’re aware that he’ll say or do anything for attention. He yearns for the spotlight, especially when he doesn’t have anything else going on. It’s part of his M.O. And with the world focusing on linsanity, we should’ve known it was just a matter of time before Mayweather inserted himself into the conversation. Plus when you consider, in the past, Mayweather has made racially charged remarks about Manny Pacquiao, also of Asian descent, this seems par for the course and consistent with his showy personality.

For this reason, it’s easy to single Mayweather out. But his tweets and some of the other racially insensitive remarks I’ve read and heard about Lin bring to light a larger cultural issue for me.

I’m reminded of another Harvard man, President Barack Obama. If you recall in 2004 at the Democratic National Convention, then Senator Barack Obama, emerged on the national stage. He delivered a speech that was so rousing and electrifying, people were stunned. Never before had they seen a Black political figure with such promise and poise like Barack Obama. Unlike the “loud and boistorous attention seekers” Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton, Obama was “clean”, “eloquent”, “articulate”, “well-spoken”, and “educated”.

These backhanded compliments directed toward Obama were ongoing and only worsened during his 2008 campaign.Â The public’s perception was that he was every adjective not typically used to describe a Black man. What an anomaly. Meanwhile, our nation’s love affair with Obama sickened me. I encountered men like Obama daily. So the implication that a man of his pedigree was some type of rare and precious jewel ate me up inside.

Racial makeup and gender do not define nor should it determine one’s life path. Yet it takes President Obama or an international sensation like Jeremy Lin to come along and remind us of this. Yes, it’s possible for Asians or any other race to excel in both academia and athletics, simultaneously. If the social construct of this country didn’t contain so many barriers for folks that “look different”, someone like Lin, who clearly has the ability to succeed in the NBA, wouldn’t have been a two-year journeyman fighting for a roster spot.

All dream chasers seek are opportunities. And unfortunately, our society parcels those out as if it’s a drop of water in the Sahara. But every once in a while, someone like J. Lin appears and reignites the dying dream for others. That’s what makes the Lin narrative so captivating and inspiring. Yes, his Asian-American heritage is part of the story, but that’s a small slice of the pie. Other ingredients that make this one of the best sports stories to spread globally are his athleticism and tenacity. His optimism. His humility. His team first attitude. His devout Christianity. His consistency. His commitment to putting education first and obtaining a four-year degree. The resiliency and fight he continued to show after bouncing around the NBA, NBDL, and China. His preparedness and ability to seize the moment when Coach Mike D’Antoni called his number. It’s all of these things and more that have us celebrating his success. And while I hate that many people are fixated on Lin’s race rather than these great characteristics that have helped him live his dream, so be it. Because I can’t help but think how wonderful it’ll be when success stories like Jeremy Lin and Barack Obama and Serena Williams and Eminem permanently rewrite social norms of America, the “land of opportunity”.

-@sdotrenee

Filed Under: Featured, NBA, Pro Sports Tagged With: Barack Obama, Floyd Mayweather, Jeremy Lin, Jeremy Lin and Floyd Mayweather, Lin, Lin 3-pointer, Linsanity, Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather Jeremy Lin tweet, National Basketball Association, Race relations

My obligatory reaction to this NBA mess, plus lots of links to stuff worth reading.

December 9, 2011 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

Photo via US Presswire

Even after sleeping on it, I’m still rendered speechless about last night’s turn of events. Well, I guess I’m not totally at a loss for words because I am blogging about it, but you get the point.

In a matter of hours, we went from officially ending the lockout to players plotting to “strike” as they threaten not to report to training camp today.

Any hope fans had in the NBA’s ability or willingness to earn back our trust is lost. Instead of being excited about all of the potential trades and signings expected to go down today, it seems everyone from the owners to the players to the fans are absolutely pissed at David Stern. And rightfully so. He’s a one-man wrecking crew totally abusing his power; causing permanent damage to the game and the NBA brand. In the past, Stern’s policing of the league have made players and fans question his motives, so we’re used to his overt and heavy handed reminder of who runs things. But to see the owners also turn against him is further reason to believe Stern’s overstayed his welcome. Two consecutive lockouts under his watch is poor leadership. Once upon a time, Stern was heralded as the best sports commissioner of all the leagues. Now its likely everyone wants him ousted, including the owners who he seemingly fought so hard to protect during the five month lockout. So, there’s no shock or disappointment to hear Stern hint at retiring. Is it soon, yet?

He absolutely went too far.

The NBA denies Stern made this move because of pressure from owners, contrary to reports circulating the net (read this) which include an email from the “Drake” of owners, the extra emo Dan Gilbert, to David Stern complaining about the trade. Stern cited “basketball reasons” as the cause. While I definitely call bullshit, I suppose any reason for the move could be categorized as a “basketball reason”. The NBA is a professional basketball league, after all. Stern intervening in this situation is as suspect as they come, especially when people have gone on record to say Stern believes it benefits the league, present owners of the New Orleans Hornets, to hold onto Chris Paul until they find an owner foolish (my word, not his) enough to purchase the team. Again, read this.

I don’t intend to turn this into a ranting, raving, assault of David Stern. There’s enough of that on the internet. But, I do want to share the initial reactions from a couple of the players directly involved.

After hearing the news, CP3 said it all in three letters:

WoW

December 8, 2011 10:11 pm via UberSocial for BlackBerry ReplyRetweetFavorite

@CP3

Chris Paul

Now, it appears that he’s weighing his options to sue based on “restraint of trade and possible loss of wages”. There will be no happy ending to this situation. Since it seems small market owners are the ones “trade blocking”, I assume the Celtics and Knicks are also out of the picture, suggesting Paul will remain in NO until his contract expires in July. But come July, it’ll be a whole new ballgame, or at least it should reinstate Paul’s freedom of choice. And, on the other hand, if for whatever reason, Stern suddenly has a change of heart and approves the trade, the damage is already done.

Meanwhile, Lamar Odom, who was on the other end of the trade, also used twitter to air out his frustration. He not only asked the question that everyone would like to know the answer to:

When a team trades u and it doesn't go down? Now what?

December 8, 2011 11:30 pm via Mobile Web ReplyRetweetFavorite

@RealLamarOdom

LAMAR ODOM

but he also fired shots at any “fan” who came at him. Definitely not his finest moment, regardless of the circumstances.

And to further prove the NBA is completely out of control are the latest reports that Dwight Howard has requested a trade to the New Jersey Nets. Who in their right mind makes that request? Dwight Howard is so desperate to get out of Orlando but is probably shook as hell that a trade to the Lakers would also be blocked that he’s suddenly open to New Jersey? I’m done.

And finally, if you want further reason to be pissed off, lost in the madness was the NBA’s announcement that they’re implementing more rule changes. Don’t you love this game?

- S. Renee

Filed Under: Featured, Media, NBA, Pro Sports, Sports Tweet of the Day Tagged With: Chris Paul, Chris Paul Tweet, CP3, David Stern, Dwight Howard, Lamar Odom, Lamar Odom Tweet, Los Angeles Lakers, National Basketball Association, NBA Trade, New Jersey Nets, New Orlean Hornets, Sports Tweet of the Day, Stern Blocks CP3 Trade

Game On! New NBA TV Ads Hype Christmas Day Tip-Off!

December 8, 2011 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

With the official countdown to the NBA season underway, it appears NBA marketing campaigns are plenty. Over the past week, many ads have hit the small screen. Here’s a (small) roundup of the ones that matter.

First up is ESPN. Yesterday, they debuted a :30 spot simply called, NBA on ESPN Christmas Day- The NBA is Back. Since the NBA’s largest broadcast partner was in limbo awaiting an end to the lockout, just like rest of us, they relied on footage to set the stage for the marquee matchups on Christmas Day. The effective ad pans around a mosaic of five teams: Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat. We see each team’s superstar(s) suffering defeat in the 2011 NBA playoffs. Then we see Dirk Nowitzki of the the sixth and final team, the Dallas Mavericks, celebrating his first NBA championship. The spot closes with the message: UNWRAP BIG GAMES CHRISTMAS DAY.

ESPN’s competitor, TNT, took a two-fold approach. During the offseason, Inside the NBA announced they’d have a BIG addition to their often imitated never duplicated studio show. Shaquille O’Neal would be joining Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson in the studio this season. TNT smartly utilized the showman to hype the start of the long awaited season. During the :30 spot, we see Shaq dancing and lip synching, lead and backup, to the soulful tune, “Get Ready” by The Temptations. The spot closes with the tagline, ” Get Ready, BIG things are coming from the NBA, as a nod to the start of the season as well as Shaq’s arrival. Nicely done.

While I enjoyed both of those spots, my favorite, without question is the NY Knicks :30 promo, Let’s Get It On. I admit, I’m a lot biased, but the marketer in me gives the Knicks top billing because it was most successful at making me feel something. Again, I realize I’m biased. Having said that, the closeup shot of the orange and blue, intense stares, chest bumps, and amplified sounds of thunder claps, bleacher stomps and a raucous MSG arena set to the groovin’ tune of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On,” made me remember what I’ve missed and am most looking forward to on Christmas Day. While Gaye’s invitation to “get it on” usually leads to the bedroom, if you’re lucky, it successfully serves as a tease as Knicks fans eagerly await a healthy STAT, Melo, ~~Billups~~, Tyson Chandler and team to avenge their swift and disappointing exit from the playoffs against the Boston Celtics. “Let’s get it on” is also the perfect phrase to setup a bout between these two Eastern Conference heavyweights. While Marvin Gaye works surprisingly well in this context, I hope the Knicks return with more grit and bark of the DMX and Swizz Beats version of Let’s Get it On.

- S. Renee

Filed Under: Advertising, Featured, Media, NBA, Pro Sports, Sports Marketing Tagged With: Boston Celtics, ESPN, Inside the NBA, Miami Heat, National Basketball Association, NBA, NBA on Christmas, NBA on ESPN, NBA on TNT, New York Knicks, Shaquille O'Neal, TNT

Is the Jam Packed NBA Schedule a Blessing or a Curse?

December 7, 2011 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

Photo via Jeff Gross/Getty Images North America

The NBA finally released the official 2011-2012 schedule and it ain’t nothin’ nice.

It’s no secret that in order for teams to squeeze 66-games in between Christmas and April 26, sacrifices on behalf of the players are required. But after reviewing what’s to come, there’s no doubt the wratched amount of basketball that’s about to ensue due to the absurd number of back-to-back games, 529, and back-to-back-to-back games, 42, will most definitely test the most loyal NBA fan’s tolerance. While it may seem that one team has it worse than another, it’s quite the contrary. The wicked schedule creators spared no expense piling it on. They were equally merciless. Every team’s mental and physical stamina will be pushed to the limit throughout the entire season. While having an NBA game to watch every day of the season seems good in theory, it’s most definitely a blessing and a curse. Once you factor in injuries and fatigue, both the players and fans suffer. Will NBA fans have the appetite to stomach such bland basketball, especially down the stretch? Or, will the media, fans, and players deem this much basketball, no matter the quality, a much welcomed necessary evil considering the alternative? All will be revealed in time, but for now, here’s what we have to look forward to:

The five Christmas Day games are: NYK vs BOS, MIA vs DAL, CHI vs LAL, ORL vs OKC, LAC vs GSW
The Lakers play on Christmas, New Years Eve, and New Years Day. They also start the season with their only back-to-back-back game of the season.
All-Star Weekend will take place Feb. 24-26 at Amway Center in Orlando, FL

New York Knicks

- The Knicks play 21 back-to-backs games.

- They play four-games-in-five-nights on five occasions & three-games-in-three-nights on one occasion.

- They also have a tough April as they face the Bulls twice and Celtics and Miami once.

- However, Melo and STAT won’t be returning to Denver or Phoenix this season.

- Ouch. Something tells me this intense schedule won’t be kind to STAT’s surgically repaired knees and back and everything else. That goes for Billups and Melo, too.

- If the Knicks are going to pull off a miracle and somehow land CP3, I hope it happens sooner than later. We absolutely cannot, under any circumstances, afford another mid-season shakeup. If it’s gonna happen, get ‘er done. Now.

LA Lakers

- I already mentioned the Lakers have a brutal schedule early on, including 17 back-to-backs. Another thing to note is that Andrew Bynum is suspended the first five games of the season for inflicting bitchassness upon JJ Barea in last year’s playoffs. So there’s that.

- Also, the Lakers have 29 nationally televised games. The most of any other team. But, without much time to adjust to Mike Brown’s new system, the jury is still out on what type of Lakers team we’ll have this season, not to mention the disruption that will be caused should the rumored reports of Dwight Howard and/or Chris Paul to the Lakers come true.

Dallas Mavericks

- The defending champs have 20 back-to-backs.

- They play the Thunder and Lakers four times each, Heat and Celtics twice.

- They open the season at home against the Miami Heat on Christmas Day. The team will also hang its championship banner at this time. However, the ring ceremony will take place at a later date. Mark Cuban wanted to allow the vets, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, and Jason Terry an opportunity to contribute to the design of the rings. But considering Cuban was not allowed to contact his players during the lockout, they had to put things on hold. That’s a very generous move of Cuban, but the hater in me wishes the Heat could’ve been there to witness it all.

Miami Heat

- The Heat have 18 back-to-backs.

- They will play eight games in 11 nights during one April stretch, as in right before the playoffs. Damn.

Orlando Magic

- The Magic have 20 back-to-backs.

- For everyone’s sake, let’s hope Dwight Howard isn’t traded this season. Otherwise, we’ll have to suffer through 24 (or less) nationally televised games. This would be an epic fail of Indianapolis Colts proportions.

Chicago Bulls

- – They have 19 back-to-backs.

- Seven of their first nine games are on the road.

- They square off against the Heat four times starting Jan. 29 and play the Lakers and Thunder once.

Oklahoma City Thunder

- The Thunder will play 18 back-to- back games.

- They will replay the Dallas Mavericks four times.

Other things to note are:

- Blake Griffin is still expected to be must-see TV this season. The NBA generously scheduled 23 national Clippers games.

- Mark Jackson and the Golden State Warriors have 17 games on national TV. You know how much I love Jackson so I’ll definitely be tuning in to see how he does in his coaching debut.

- Last year, Kemba Walker and UCONN were in huge demand. This season, joining the Charlotte Bobcats has reduced him to four national games. And they’re all on NBATV.

- Not even the No. 1 overall draft pick, Kyrie Irving, is a reason to watch the Cleveland Cavs. They play in front of a national audience one time this season, March 24 against Phoenix.

- Interested in seeing Jimmer Fredette? He makes his national TV debut against the Lakers on 12/26 on NBATV. After that, you’ll have eight more chances to catch him.

Suddenly all of those exhibition games don’t seem like such a good idea, uh? After seeing the intensity of the schedule, there’s no doubt players probably wish they would’ve taken advantage of the lockout by resting. Not only did the players ultimately make more concessions than the owners, but making the players work this hard for their money once again proves how powerless the players truly are.

- S. Renee

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