MY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGEDIn my brief career in the NBA I had the opportunity to play with Kobe Bryant. Bryant, even then, which was 9 years ago was one of the best players in the league. The kid has grown over the years since the three air balls when he was a rookie. Last night I heard him say, "I wanted to change my approach this game and become more of a decoy." Say what? If you would have asked #8 back in 1999-2000 to be a decoy he would have laughed in your face and then told you to stop playing. But over the years Kobe has learned that as great as he is, in this game you need five players. The dude is phenomenal and just like Jordan, he's learned that getting other guys the ball will only cement his legacy even further. My, how he's grown over the years. But I still had to clean out my ears and do a double take. I was like, "He said what?"
BIRD MAN?
First and foremost, let me say that I like the guy. But hey, in CELEVISION no man is safe. Why do they call him the Bird man? We should all do our research. But isn't he supposed to be able to fly? Doesn't he have some hang time? Well last night he made two posters. The first was on the wing with Shannon Brown flushed it hard on him. The Bird Man was taking his steps trying to time the dunk, but he didn't get it right. It was the biggest play of the night. The second one was Lamar Odom putting his chest all over the Bird Man. The Bird Man had to run for cover. Again, I like the dude, but man he got punched on twice in the same game! See it's not time for jokes right now as Denver is down 3-2 now with their backs against the wall. But hey, it could have been worse. It could've been this guy dunking on you!
THE TOWEL BOY
I had the pleasure of playing for one of the best coaches of all time in Phil Jackson. I will admit, the guy was out there. We did all type of things from meditation to Yoga. He even would burn some stick in the locker room sometimes. He said it was getting rid of "The Bad Spirits." Hey, it's hard to question a man who had already won 6 rings with the Bulls at that time. And it still amazes me how he prepares his team and will put anyone in at any moment. You always have to be ready with Phil. He can call on you in the blink of an eye. Last night Jackson put in Shannon Brown in the second half after he didn't see the floor in the first half. The average coach would never do this. Again with Phil you have to be ready for anything. I remember when I was with the Lakers. I hadn't played in almost 30 games. He throws a towel in my direction. I saw it coming at me out the corner of my eye. I caught the towel. He says "Good rookie. You're in." Just like that. He expects you to be ready and sometimes will put you in in the most extreme situations, especially during the regular season. He understands it's a team game and players from 1 through 12 have to contribute in some manner. I always wondered though, what would've happened if I would've dropped the towel?
DRIVER'S LICENSE
I've known Lamar Odom since High School. I remember playing against his AAU team the Long Island Panthers a few times over in New York City. Lamar has always been a real nice guy. Spoke to him a little bit this year before a game with the Sixers and we had a few laughs. I like the aggressive Lamar Odom. I like when he's taking the ball and DRIVING to the basket. Which brings back some memories. I remember when I was with the Lakers, Lamar was playing with the Los Angeles Clippers (sorry about that man). We both lived in Marina Del Rey, CA with Lamar living in the building in front of mine. I bumped into him one day at the cleaners. I see big, 6 ft. 10 inch Lamar sitting in the back of a car. I say "What's up man. What you doing?" He says "Cele, I'm waiting for my driver." I say "Man you living like that huh, you got a driver?" He says "Nah man, it ain't like that, I don't know how to drive. I from New York, been catching the train my whole life!" I found that hilarious. Nothing like New York City kids. But hey, I like the way he's driving now. Big game last night LO. For some reason, I always root for this guy.
BIG CITY OF DREAMS
It's a shame that we have to think like this. It's scary for Cleveland fans as well. How sick are we for even contemplating this? But this is the day and age we live in. King James is down 3-1 and it looks like his team's demise is pretty soon. Tough in this day and age that getting to the conference finals is just not enough right? Doesn't help that we keep talking about Lebron's lack of assistance or assistants in these playoffs. Not sure I like the colors blue and orange, but Madison Square Garden, the bright lights of NYC, Broadway, a Rucker Park appearance, man it does sound nice! Nothing too sexy about the city of Cleveland for Lebron James except himself. Maybe it is time for a makeover. Hey, I know I'd buy a ticket. I'd be on NJ Transit Northeast Corridor Line from New Brunswick, NJ to Madison Square Garden at least a few times a month!
KEEP HOPE ALIVE!
I know you're going to think I'm bipolar but sometimes I just get a small feeling that I may be counting out the Cavs too soon. They do have Lebron James and something about that interview the other day just has me thinking "Can he do it?" I think back to Jordan and the moments that made him. The drama. The shot on Ehloooooooo, the father's day championship, the flu game where he went off. Maybe this is one of James' moments. Kobe had them, when he was dealing with the trial. How he'd show up and have big games after being in court all day. Maybe, just maybe this is Lebron's chance. I just wonder if maybe they just won't give in. Ok, maybe I looking for a little drama. But what if they won't go down? What if they come back and win? I'm just dreaming. I guess.
TOP FIVE GUYS WHO GOT POSTERIZED EVER!
Since we were talking about the Bird Man I didn't want him to think he was the only one who got boomed on over the years. Here are some of my great memories below. Sometimes it's not how hard you dunk but the antics after that can also help the memories. But sometimes yes, it is how hard you do it.
This dunk was bad because Shawn "The Rain Man" Kemp pointed at him after he got dunked on. Now days this would be a technical foul. But back then it was anything goes. Because he cuffed the ball made it even worse. Definitely one of my favorites.
Yes Mark, unfortunately you made this list. You're one of my favorite Knicks players. I grew up watching you, but when Tom Chambers put his knee in your chest, I felt sorry for your mother. You tried to take a charge. You planted your feet. As if!!!! THE DISEASE, did not apply to Tom Chambers.
You have to fast forward this video to #2 to see the dunk. From him we got the word "Coopin" which meant to wear your socks real high to your knees. I feel bad picking on the Coop but this was bad. Darryl Dawkins aka Chocalate Thunder dunked sooooo hard that Cooper fell backwards and did a tumble into the camera guys. Never seen somebody climbs someone's chest that bad. Wow!
Luckily for Franklin, I couldn't find a picture on him. So he will be spared, but instead I will give this one to the whole Providence College program. I had to go to college on this one because it was so great. Kerry Kittles, my former teammate at Villanova takes it coast to coast and hammers on Mr. Western. For a brief second Western poses and puts his hands on his waist, as if to make sure he is in good position to take the charge. I saw a poster of this and the camera man had it from the back with Western's name all over his jersey. Because of that everyone will always remember it was him. I will never forget that dunk.
What were you thinking? Did you think we would let you get away? You tried to contest Vince Carter. Stupidity, sheer stupidity. Don't mind killing Zo. Wasn't one of my favorite guys in the league. This was shoulder to shoulder. Sick. On one of the best shot blockers of all time.
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