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NBA Loud - by Travis

I’d like to post about the previously finished NBA Draft. A lot of trades were completed/proposed making this years draft exciting and noteworthy. In this first post I will be going through the top five picks and thereafter with updates and all you need to know up to the minute stats and transactions.

Let’s get this post draft analysis going with the first overall pick for the Chicago Bulls DERRICK ROSE. Rose out of Memphis has a solid NBA body and can take the punishment as a player in the paint. He will mold himself into whatever type of player his team needs him to be as evident by the video below. He is one of the most ready-type players to enter the league. A truly solid addition to any team, kind of makes me think of the miss of Jay Williams. In which whom the Bulls took as the savior type PG years ago before he had his motorcycle accident stifling his promising career. With this pick Chicago puts themselves back into contention for a playoff spot in the East.

This video shows how Rose can affect the game as he will become a solid NBA-PG.

# 2

Undoubtedly the Miami Heat selected MICHAEL BEASLEY out of Kansas State. This PF needs no introduction to basketball fans as his huge wingspan makes up for any negativity about his height at the four spot. One of the perfect teams for Beasley to go to, I think his character issues would only become apparent if he were to have to battle with a solid proven veteran for his starting spot. He will be going in battling Udonis Haslem who has seen his stock drop as he needs to create more of his own offence. The heat I am sure are not finished in tweaking their team for the 08/09 season. Marion though will alleviate any concerns of the rookie being overmatched down-low as he is almost like an extra PF out there sometimes with his rebounding efforts and hustle in trying to make the right plays.

# 3

Minnesota at the third spot went with OJ MAYO, who I have seen and been hearing about for a good number of years. Mayo will be a solid two as at 6’4” 200lbs he is limited in selected positions, but this guy is just a born scorer and if he ends up in Grizz-town, look for him to team up with Rudy Gay as Mike Miller was moved with Memphis making the choice to let him go after he admittedly carried the Grizzlies last season at times. In return Minnesota looks to get #5 Kevin Love. I am in love with this deal as the T-Wolves send Antoine Walker also to MEM. Minnesota gets the scoring they desperately need and character guys, to build around. I know what fans may be thinking and no this isn’t the second coming of Wally World, Mike Miller is a gamer playing all three spots from 1-3 for the Grizz and did whatever was asked, as he became a versatile and proven scorer, unlike streaky Szczerbiak.

# 4

Russell Westbrook a surprise at number four as the top three had virtually been decided weeks beforehand. Westbrook though an unexpected pick is an explosive guard that will do well in this league especially when Seattle gets all the parts and can continuously run up and down with Durant and Green. The Sonics clearly want a guard that can break down the D and get up and down the court at breakneck speeds. They have found that guy with Westbrook. People want to compare him to NBA champion Rajon Rondo and maybe Monta Ellis, he is long and skinny and extremely athletic, time will tell if he can make the right passes for a long career with Durant by his side.

# 5

Care of NBADraft.net

Memphis picks Kevin Love at the number five spot and in turn will be sending him to Minnesota in the deal outlined in the third pick paragraph. Love is solid, not an athlete like the Grizz love at the four spot, but the T-Wolves just need ballers in which Kevin is for sure. Down-low he will be helped by Al Jefferson for sure on defense. Also he will have a great passer in Mike Miller to get the ball to him in good spots. I like Kevin Love on a solid team a rebuilding team he may flourish or sink as he’ll need to create his own offence and may struggle with the speed of the NBA at first.

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Yao Ming Shuts Out Dwight Howard.

January 5th 2008 09:06

Basketball for all intents and purposes is a team sport. There are five people on-court, with another seven on the bench. Players in the same squad all work towards the common goal of trying to bring success to the team. Now, that the touchy-feely description of basketball has been dispensed with, let’s get to the nitty-gritty – basketball is

Yao Ming takes it strong, while Dwight Howard isn't even in the picture. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

perhaps the only team sport where one individual can have so much influence on a game. Therefore, it is always fun when two uber-players who play the same position for opposing teams meet up on a basketball court.

Today’s marquee game saw arguably the top two centres in the league battle for big man supremacy. Yao Ming and his Houston Rockets came to Orlando to face the Magic, stealing a 96-94 win along the way. Yao got the better of Dwight Howard with not only the final result, but his one-on-one battle with the Magic big man.

It was an exciting finish to an eventful game, Orlando’s Adonal Foyle seemingly beat the buzzer tipping in Rashard Lewis’ game tying attempt. The call was as close as could be with the referees in the unenviable position of having to decide whether or not Foyle had beaten the clock.

The refs decided that Foyle’s touch did indeed come after the game had expired, gifting Houston the win. It could have gone either way. Foyle’s tip in was that close.

Exciting as the ending was, it was Yao who proved he was the better player with a dominating performance. Well, the Big Red Machine proved today that he is a nastier baller than Dwight Howard, but only for today. Ming finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds, whilst his Orlando opponent had 16 points and eight rebounds. It was only the third time this season that Howard didn’t have a double digit rebound performance.

Now, Yao has featured in the All-Star game since his rookie season and it was arguable that he deserved a spot back then. There is absolutely no disputing his presence in the mid-season classic these days.

All-Star voting third returns have been announced with Kevin Garnett and LeBron James leading the way out in the Eastern Conference, while, Yao and Kobe Bryant are getting the most votes out west.

Here are the full numbers.

2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING EASTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,527,963; LeBron James (Clev) 1,294,019; Chris Bosh (Tor) 411,313; Paul Pierce (Bos) 352,243; Yi Jianlian (Mil) 291,447; Caron Butler (Was) 187,396; Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 172,720; Tayshaun Prince (Det) 155,502; Josh Smith (Atl) 143,518; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 143,118.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 1,019,582; Jason Kidd (NJ) 743,683; Ray Allen (Bos) 617,123; Vince Carter (NJ) 612,543; Gilbert Arenas (Was) 511,763; Chauncey Billups (Det) 331,872; Michael Redd (Mil) 221,777; Richard Hamilton (Det) 163,250; Joe Johnson (Atl) 149,367; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 140, 292.

Centres: Dwight Howard (Orl) 1,260,987; Shaquille O'Neal (Mia) 609,597; Rasheed Wallace (Det) 162,792; Ben Wallace (Chi) 146,332; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 132,469; Jermaine O’Neal (Ind) 120,690; Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Clev) 77,350; Emeka Okafor (Cha) 74,269; Zaza Pachulia (Atl) 58,430; Eddy Curry (NY) 53,084.

2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING WESTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Tim Duncan (SA) 1,049,641; Carmelo Anthony (Den) 1,029,335; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 830,970; Carlos Boozer (Utah) 347,899; Shane Battier (Hou) 297,672; Shawn Marion (Pho) 296,917; Josh Howard (Dal) 285,580; Luis Scola (Hou) 279,970; Kevin Durant (Sea) 242,953; Grant Hill (Pho) 209,057.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 1,234,111; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 809,395; Allen Iverson (Den) 694,611; Steve Nash (Pho) 684,813; Manu Ginobili (SA) 360,408; Tony Parker (SA) 316,541; Chris Paul (NO) 261,169; Baron Davis (GS) 247,187; Jason Terry (Dal) 218,052; Jerry Stackhouse (Dal) 192,017.

Centres: Yao Ming (Hou) 1,077,244; Amaré Stoudemire (Pho) 583,249; Marcus Camby (Den) 221,527; Erick Dampier (Dal) 184,689; Pau Gasol (Mem) 139,254; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 112,434; Tyson Chandler (NO) 98,424; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 93,043; Chris Kaman (LAC) 83,516; Andris Biedrins (GS) 81,611.

(Source: NBA.com)

Today’s video is of the top 10 plays from 2007.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: All Stars, Orlando Magic, Yao Ming

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Dwight Howard is the New Beast of the East.

November 29th 2007 11:31

LeBron James may be one tough mofo, but it doesn’t mean that he isn’t

All males on earth should hate Tony Parker, but how could you? He plays such beautiful basketball. (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

human. Afterall, kings have been executed in the past don’t you know by ‘lesser’ mortals! In Cleveland’s loss today to Detroit, James sprained his left index finger in the second quarter when the basketball serf named, Nazr Mohammed went for a judo chop and hacked the king.

With the king missing, the Cavs were no competition for the tough Pistons who beat them 109-74. Once, LeBron copped the injury, a lot of the lustre went missing from the game because it marked the first time he returned to the Palace since torching the ‘D’ in the playoffs.

Richard Hamilton and Co. ran riot all over the Cavs and there was nothing they could do about it. Cleveland is a mediocre team without the king and it showed.

Speaking of injuries to key men, the Toronto Raptors lost both Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani to leg problems. The Raptors did beat the Memphis Grizzlies 103-91, but it came at a cost. Anthony Parker and Jose Calderon both filled the hole left by their more esteemed colleagues, but make no mistake, Toronto’s fortunes lie with Bosh.

Tony Parker continues his charmed run in life by playing excellent basketball today. Mr. Eva Longoria scored 29 points and dished off 11 assists in helping his team crap all over the Washington Wizards, 109-94.

The Frenchman did all his damage in the second half when he dropped 20 on the hapless Wizards, whilst getting his teammates involved in the process. Manu Ginobili chipped in with 19 and Timmy Duncan added a further 16. The Spurs were just too much for a Gilbert Arenas-less, Wizards squad to handle.

Coach Avery Johnson first came to Dallas and gave the squad a new identity when Don Nelson left, and it breathed new life into the Mavs. However, they have been highly inconsistent this season thus far.

Suffering from a three game losing streak, Dallas desperately needed a win and with Minnesota coming into town this should have been a relatively easy victory on paper. It didn’t quite work out that way.

Dwight Howard is the best big man in the NBA. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Dirk Nowitzki played his usual high standard of basketball with 27 points and 11 rebounds, but the Mavs still made it heavy going. Al Jefferson for the T-Wolves was a big speed bump for the Mavs with 31 points and 14 rebounds. However, Dirk Diggler got nasty and with the help of some heavy 70s bass music was money, scoring eight points in the final five minutes. Dallas victorious 109-103.

Stephen ‘Action’ Jackson proved his value once again when he hit some massive 3-point baskets down the stretch to help the G-State Warriors pip the Sac-Town Kings, 103-96.

In a 20 second span, Jackson hit two huge 3-pointers when his team was struggling beyond the arc. The man has some mighty cojones.

Performance of the Day.

Dwight Howard for the Orlando Magic is arguably the best big man in the NBA right now. And if he isn’t, he will be, soon enough.

Today, Howard displayed his immense talent when he overwhelmed the Seattle Supersonics with an insane 39 point, 16 rebound and five block display. Dwight was all agility and hostility.

Want to know the scariest thing about Dwight? He is only 22 years old!

The clip for today is Dwight Howard showing off his unbelievable hops and ability to excite. Watch this video in awe and drool like one of Pavlov’s dogs.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Games, Orlando Magic

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Dwight Howard is the Future.

August 28th 2007 09:45

Let’s face it, Shaquille O’Neal has been the undisputed big man par excellence for the past decade or so. Anyone else who is willing to argue otherwise deserves a smack in the mouth. No, matter what your thoughts are about Shaq Daddy, you can’t deny that he has been the dominant big fella.

We can sit here and lay all sorts of plaudits for O’Neal, but no one can escape their mortality, even if they do wear a Superman tattoo on their arm.

With Shaq coming, and rapidly going, who is going to take the mantle of being the best big man from 2007 and beyond? Does the name of Dwight Howard ring any bells?

The young pivot for the Orlando Magic has now set the standard for centres in the Association, so let’s get his entry going shall we?

Date of Birth: 8th December, 1985.
Height: 6’11” (211cm)
Draft: 2004, Orlando Magic (1st overall)
Average Points per Game: 15.1
Average Rebounds per Game: 11.6
Average Blocks per Game: 1.6
Honours: NBA All-Star (2007), All-NBA Third Team (2007), All-NBA Rookie First Team (2005).

If Dwight Howard wants the ball, you better get out of his way. (Image from nba.com)

When we’re talking about the future of the NBA look no further than Dwight Howard. D-Ho was such a phenomenon in high school that he decided to forgo university and take the route of LeBron James et al. in declaring eligibility for the draft. He was really that good.

Upon entering the draft, Howard emerged as a player that was so young and kickass that you couldn’t ignore the talent that was in front of you. Want some record breaking performances to illustrate how good Dwight was? Fine, you got it dude.

How ‘bout some of these statistics to whet your appetite: The youngest player in NBA history to average a double-double, at 12 points and 10 rebounds per game. Oh, still not impressed. Youngest player to ever snatch 20 boards in a game, all the while becoming the first straight out of high school player to start all 82 season regular games. That is impressive stuff.

Howard continued on with his excellent play in his second season when he became the youngest player in league history to score at least 20 points, and grab at least 20 boards in a game, against the Charlotte Bobcats. We’re talking about one hardcore dude here.

Perhaps the biggest bow that we can wrap around the gift known as Dwight Howard is the fact that he was selected to Team USA during the World Championships in 2006. Although the USA came away with a bronze, it is no small feat that a player such as Howard would achieve such an accolade.

Dwight Howard is not only big, but he is quick and agile, whilst holding fort as the future of the NBA. Orlando may have made a massive error in judgement when they gave away the original dominant big man in Shaq. You can bet your sweet ass that they won’t make the same mistake with Dwight Howard.

Today’s video is of young Dwight Howard strutting his stuff. The future of the NBA right here!