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NBA Loud - by Travis

2008 NBA-All Star Weekend Re-Cap.

February 18th 2008 07:45
Whoa, Nelly! What an exhibition of basketball talent this year’s All-Star Game was – it was a mid-season classic in every sense of the word. The Eastern
Dwight Howard Superman dunk.
Is it a bird? Or a plane? No, it's Super-Dwight! (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
Conference All-Stars pipped their more illustrious Western Conference brethren, 134-128.


Not only were the East, beasts, but they outperformed their opponents in every facet of the game – from the fundamentals to the highlights. It was an experience to savour.

As exciting as the game was – the conclusion was something else, as LeBron James went Scarface on the West. Reminiscent of his destruction of the Detroit Pistons from a season ago, King James literally rose up to the heavens in the final minute and finished with a dunk that was of such viciousness – Hell has frozen over. To cap off his final minute heroics, Bron-Bron added 27 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.

James got a lot of help from Boston’s Ray Allen, who was a last minute inclusion to the All-Star proceedings, and didn’t he earn it with a 28 point performance? It was an almost inconceivable injustice that Ray-Ray was originally overlooked for the game when his other gangsta teammates were selected.

With today’s exciting victory, the East went a long way in erasing the pasting they got last season when the West beat them handsomely, 153-132.


Do we need to state the bleeding obvious at who received the game MVP nod? Does it need to be spelled out for the world to see? Well, if you do deem it necessary: Gimme an L-E-B-R-O-N…what does it spell? Tuna? No, LeBron!

Although, today’s game was the jewel in the All-Star Weekend crown, Saturday night was also pretty righteous with the skills, 3-point, and dunk competitions to wet the whistles of NBA fanatics.

Starting off with the skills, Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz was the fastest man around the obstacle course, while Jason Kapono showed everyone that he was the fastest gun in the, er, West? Well, let’s stick with that and move along shall we? Jason Kapono was the silkiest shooter when he tied a 22 year old record by scoring 25 points in the final round of the 3-point contest.

However, it is dunks that you’re all interested in – and this year’s contest didn’t disappoint. Continuing with a mini revival of the dunk contest, this year’s version was no exception in the display of innovation from the competitors. Writing a description on each individual dunk would not do the players justice. So, in summary: Dwight Howard won it all – gaining some justice when he was robbed of the title last year.

Today’s video is of the dunk contest. Enjoy.



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The All-Star Game starters have been announced and there was one massive surprise out west – Allen Iverson nabbed one of the starting guard positions! Well, done AI.

Boston Celtics forward, Kevin Garnett led the voting with 2,399,148. KG, participating in his
Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson.
'Melo and AI are two badass ballers for Denver. (Michael Martin/NBAE/Getty Images)
11th straight mid-season classic, will for the first time suit up for the Eastern Conference. Following Garnett in vote numbers is LeBron James, with first time starter Dwight Howard, Nets guard, Jason Kidd and Dwayne Wade rounding off the rest of the leading lights out east.

Wade’s participation in New Orleans follows a trend that has been evident in every All-Star Game: a player who balls for a horrendous team still gets a place as a starter. Miami are having a forgettable season, with the game a respite from the grind of constant humiliation: "It'll be the first enjoyment in a while," Wade said. "Being an All-Star, it's amazing to be there with the other great players around the league. It's a special weekend. Everyone makes you feel so special. It'll be great, and it totally takes your mind off your season." (Mahoney, AP, 2008)

Congratulations must go out to Jason Kidd too who makes his first starting appearance out east since moving to that side of America in 2001. Finally, the fans had recognised the ill skillz the man possesses.

Moving onto the Western Conference, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote getter, with the ever present Yao Ming and Tim Duncan joining the Bean, and of course the aforementioned, Allen Iverson who got the numbers after a late surge in votes, overtaking Tracy McGrady along the way. When the final update was released two weeks ago, Iverson was 80, 000 votes behind T-Mac, and ended up beating the Rockets guard by 10, 410 votes when it was all said and done.

AI will be joined in the starting line-up with fellow Denver Nugget, Carmelo Anthony, who also got the approval of the fans. This marks the first time two players from the Nuggets had been voted by the fans as starters since Alex English and Fat Lever accomplished the feat many moons ago.

Congrats to the All-Star starters. Here are the final numbers.

2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING TOP 10
OVERALL LEADING VOTE-GETTERS


1. Kevin Garnett, Bos 2,399,148

2. LeBron James, Cle 2,108,831

3. Dwight Howard, Orl 2,066,991

4. Kobe Bryant, LAL 2,004,940

5. Carmelo Anthony, Den 1,723,701

6. Tim Duncan, SA 1,712,800

7. Yao Ming, Hou 1,709,180

8. Dwayne Wade, Mia 1,608,260

9. Dirk Nowitzki, Dal 1,259,025

10. Jason Kidd, NJ 1,246,386

(Source: NBA.com)


Today's video is of Allen Iverson's 2001 All-Star Game MVP Performance.


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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 dunk.
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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The NBA All-Star Game first ballots have been returned, and there is little surprise in who are
Kevin Garnett.
Kevin Garnett is the leading vote getter so far. (Brian Babineau/NBAE/Getty Images)
the leading vote getters in both conferences. Starting with the east, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James lead the pack, while out in the wiggity-wiggity, wild, wild west, it is Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony getting the most love from voters.

Kevin Garnett, who has had new life breathed into him with his move to Boston, leads all players with 735,664 votes, with Bron-Bron following the Big Ticket, gathering 597,768 votes. Kobe leads the Western Conference, garnering 569,302 votes.

Perhaps the biggest surprise with the first returns is that Dwayne Wade is the leading guard in the Eastern Conference. After an injury plagued and lacklustre season so far, and his Miami team not fairing much better with an awful record, Flash still brings in the fans if the votes are anything to go by. If history is any indication, form doesn’t necessarily translate to All-Star game appearances, or demotions, for that matter.

Orlando’s, Dwight Howard is the leading centre for the east, while his compatriot out west is the ever present, Yao Ming. Tracy McGrady is the guard that so far looks like he’ll be joining the Bean, while Jason Kidd will be teaming up with Flash in the backcourt for the east.

For those unfamiliar with how All-Star selections work, fans vote for the starting five in each conference, with the coaches selecting the substitutes. Players are designated a specific position and can only be voted in whatever role the ballot has placed them in. So, players that normally play both the guard and forward positions will be selected for one of those roles and there is no compromise.

Every year there are worthy players that are left out, and if you have a favourite player that you feel that should be going to New Orleans, vote him in at NBA.com! It’s still not too late.

Here are the full numbers for the first return balloting:

2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING EASTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Kevin Garnett (Bos) 735,664; LeBron James (Clev) 597,768; Chris Bosh (185,294); Paul Pierce (Bos) 164,346; Yi Jianlian (Mil) 98,507; Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 73,781; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 70,737; Tayshaun Prince (Det) 63,787; Caron Butler (Wash) 55,796; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 52,734.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 470,921; Jason Kidd (NJ) 343,468; Vince Carter (NJ) 277,705; Ray Allen (Bos) 270,114; Gilbert Arenas (Wash) 256,994; Chauncey Billups (Det) 125,202; Michael Redd (Mil) 101,942; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 70,476; Richard Hamilton (Det) 66,617; T.J. Ford (Tor) 58,894.

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 596,187; Shaquille O'Neal (Mia) 282,727; Rasheed Wallace (Det) 69,331; Ben Wallace (Chi) 68,871; Jermaine O'Neal (Ind) 53,107; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 39,764; Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Clev) 27,814; Emeka Okafor (Cha) 27,040; Eddy Curry (NY) 19,494; Zaza Pachulia (Atl) 19,210. .

2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING WESTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Den) 482,127; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 443,117; Tim Duncan (SA) 423,608; Carlos Boozer (Utah) 175,248; Shawn Marion (Pho) 154,641; Josh Howard (Dal) 146,909; Kevin Durant (Sea) 113,314; Luis Scola (Hou) 101,981; Shane Battier (Hou) 95,757; Grant Hill (Pho) 83,544.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 569,302; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 388,959; Steve Nash (Pho) 317,091; Allen Iverson (Den) 292,565; Manu Ginobili (SA) 141,891; Jason Terry (Dal) 121,397; Tony Parker (SA) 117,881; Chris Paul (NO) 110,688; Jerry Stackhouse (Dal) 103,307; Baron Davis (GS) 100,422.

Centers: Yao Ming (Hou) 439,125; Amaré Stoudemire (Pho) 286,401; Erick Dampier (Dal) 101,878; Marcus Camby (Den) 94,473; Pau Gasol (Mem) 73,461; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 51,017; Chris Kaman (LAC) 40,256; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 35,601; Tyson Chandler (NO) 32,595; Andris Biedrins (GS) 29,026.

(Source: NBA.com)

Today’s video is a hilarious one from yesterday’s Phoenix game with Steve Nash doing an interview with his chipped tooth.


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There were many big stories that we here at NBALOUD neglected to cover yesterday due to the issues in New York. No, we’re not going to revive that dead donkey of a storyline today!

Amongst the varying events that transpired in the Association, the injury to the league leading scorer, Tracy McGrady ranks as a big one. The Houston Rockets are legitimate contenders for the championship, and in past years have been hampered by injuries to their big two of T-Mac and Yao Ming. Thankfully, McGrady’s elbow injury isn’t deemed to be serious.

In yesterday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston was getting their behinds cleaned by the team from Hollywood, even with T-Mac still in the game. L.A. was playing fantastic basketball and the Rockets didn’t seem to have an answer. Once Tracy left, all seemed lost. But a funny thing happened, Bonzi Wells and Yao bought the team back from the brink. Although, the Rockets lost, they proved they can still get the job done even without their leading scorer and Yao, is the reason why.

The big red machine for Houston was a leading MVP candidate last season until an injury ruined his chances. This season, Yao has once again demonstrated MVP credentials, but a
Yao Ming layup.
Despite this picture suggesting otherwise, Yao now does a lot of his work further from the basket. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
brand new aspect of his game has become evident to any NBA watchers – the big fella is doing a lot of work from the perimeter, now!

Former Rockets coach, Jeff Van Gundy, never wanted Yao to stray beyond a few feet from the basket. Having coached some of the most storied big men in NBA history, Jeff wanted his centres to be the traditional low-post banger. However, new Houston coach, Rick Alderman has demanded more from Yao.

Van Gundy’s offensive schemes tended to be slow, grind it out, half-court affairs, whilst, Alderman has introduced a more fluid system that is heavily reliant on constant ball movement and passing. Make no mistake, Rick is a fantastic basketball mind and he is placing a premium on Yao to be able to make passes, and plays from the high-post.

Rick Alderman’s new philosophy has not been easy for the Rockets to grasp, with Yao struggling especially. In the Van Gundy days, Yao would be way down the block waiting for an entry pass and he’ll get to work. Now, Ming has to run plays anticipating the movements of his teammates, much like Chris Webber and Vlade Divac used to for Alderman in Sacramento.

It hasn’t been easy for Houston’s big man and there have been some growing pains for Yao. Alderman has instituted intensive coaching for his star centre, with Rockets general manager, Daryl Morey, admitting there have been some struggles in regards to Ming’s new role: “Yao is feeling some stress…But he is a perfectionist, and we are confident he will make it work.” (Mannix, Sports Illustrated, 2007)

Even with the introduction of a new system, Houston has been playing wonderful basketball. Imagine what they’ll be like once Yao, and the rest of his teammates finally grasp what their coach wants. The results will be scary for the rest of the league.

Today’s video is a classic, with some Chinese cartoonists making fun of Charles Barkley after he proclaimed that he’d kiss, Kenny Smith’s ass if Yao Ming ever scored more than 19 points during his rookie season. He did.



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Yao Ming is a Straight Up P-I-M-P!

November 12th 2007 11:10
Two former Eastern Conference powers notched up their first wins
Manu Ginobili layup.
Manu Ginobili is a playah! (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
for the new season and we should stand up and applaud! Let’s give it up for the Washington Wizards and Miami Heat!

After an extremely poor start to the season by both squads, they finally got the monkey off their backs, and hopefully, this is the start of better things to come.

We’ll begin with the team from the nation’s capital who fought off the Atlanta Hawks with a 101-90 win. Caron Butler and Antawn Jamieson for the Wiz, organised a team meeting before the game and basically kicked some ass!

Better yet for Washington, both, Caron and Antawn led by example, taking the team on their shoulders with a shattering performance. Butler scored 24 points, while Jamieson had a further 23, and grabbed 15 rebounds for good measure. Talk about your hardcore performances.

Gilbert Arenas, who has been struggling with his body of late, also came to the party notching up a further 18 points. Let’s hope for the sake of Washington that they can build on this first up win.

The other notable struggling team for the East, the Miami Heat, found a way not to choke, pipping the New York Knicks, 75-72.

Heat guard, Jason Williams was the hero for the day when he made the go-ahead basket with 19 seconds left on the clock. It isn’t a stretch to say that the M-I-A really needed this one with Shaquille O’Neal, and coach, Pat Riley suggesting as much.

We here at NBALOUD have a nasty habit of not covering the best team in the NBA, which is the San Antonio Spurs. Hey, who on earth does give this team their due? They have been so consistently excellent that we expect nothing but sound basketball from the team from Texas.

Furthermore, their superstar players don’t demand trades, father illegitimate children, or have trysts with strippers in Las Vegas! As much as we in the public like to say we want clean cut teams. We all secretly want some scandal.

So, in a rare feat for us in this space, we’re going to write about a Spurs game. Funnily
Yao Ming blocks a shot.
No, one gets past the Great Wall of Houston. (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
enough, the first game we choose to cover here was a smack down when they crunched the Milwaukee Bucks, 113-88.

The Spurs fans in attendance would have loved every second of this game as Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan et. al. tore through their opponents. El Loco scored 21 points, and perhaps most impressive of all, he is actually the team leader in points coming off the bench with 19.7 points a game!

Performance of the Day.

Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady have been playing wonderful combination basketball so far this season. Both have been outstanding, but it was, Yao who was the catalyst in their win today.

The Houston Rockets defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, 85-82, with the big two of Yao and T-Mac causing most of the havoc. Yes, we could have taken the easy way out in giving the performance of the day title to both of the Houston studs, but we’ll go with Yao, and here is why.

Yao scored a righteous 34 points and the man hit a pair of clutch free throws with 20 seconds left in the contest to seal the deal. ‘Nuff said.

Today’s video is of the top 10 plays from, er, this day. Enjoy.




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Yao Ming, plus, Yi Jianlian, plus first game between the two, equals, a
Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian.
The master and the apprentice. (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
whole lot of fans in China! This year’s Superbowl garnered an estimated 193 million viewers worldwide, while today’s regular season game between the Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks had 200 million viewers in China alone! Whoa, mama!

The game was shown on 19, say that again, 19, television channels in the Middle Kingdom, with an additional two live online broadcasts. Phew, talk about having your bases covered. One does wonder what are the differences of coverage between 19 stations? Maybe, one channel is a bit more risqué, for the kids of course, whilst the other might have clowns and ice-cream for the adults! Er, that sounds right doesn’t it?

Okay, now that the comedic component of this post has been done, and thankfully, dusted, onto the actual game!

There is no doubting that, Yi will one day become a bona fide star in the NBA, with today’s 19 point and nine rebound performance going a long way to illustrate the talent. Meanwhile, the more established Chinese basketball stud, Yao Ming had a great 28 point, 10 rebound and three assist output.

Although, the focus may have been on, Yi and Yao, it was Tracy McGrady who was the star of the show, dropping 21 points, snatching seven boards and dishing off eight dimes. What’s more, T-Mac had a first hand look at Yi, guarding the rookie for most of the night and he came away impressed: “He's pretty good…He has a tremendous upside in this league.” (Duncan, AP, 2007)

The final result was almost inconsequential with the Rockets routing the Bucks, 104-88.

Chinese basketball it seems is in good hands.

Four-hundred million eyeballs may have been tuned in to the, Yao versus Yi game, while the Los Angeles Clippers and Detroit Pistons match-up it would be fair to say didn’t generate nearly as much interest. Which is a shame, really, because these two teams are playing great ball. The Pistons and the Clips are having wonderful starts to the new season, but it was Detroit that was triumphant, 103-79.

Chauncey Billups paced the ‘D’ with 23 points, which included a hot second half display of five 3-pointers made. Mr. Big Shot’s backcourt sidekick, Rip Hamilton, also had a study performance with 10 points and 10 assists.

Kevin Durant may have been the anointed as a future superstar for the Seattle Supersonics, but he is quickly learning how hard it is in the pros. Even for one as talented as himself.

The Sonics are off to a winless start to the season and the Utah Jazz didn’t ease the pain when they came blowing into the Pacific-Northwest and stole a 103-101 win.

To make things worse for the Sonics rookie, he was shadowed by Andrei Kirilenko who is a nightmare to shake off for most veterans. So, Durant didn’t have a chance, being held to
Steve Nash layup.
Stevie Wonder is again today's top performer. (Photo by Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
7-for-21 shooting. AK47’s defensive prowess was on full display when he blocked, Durant’s game tying attempt at the end of the contest.

Game over. Jazz win.

Boston made history when they beat the Atlanta Hawks today, 106-83. In recent years when the Celtics have made history, it was usually the bad kind. However, with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce playing for the Celtics, the boys in green are playing spectacular basketball.

So, what was so momentous about today’s win? Their 4-0 start is the best for the franchise in 20 years! Good on, them.

Performance of the Day.

It was tempting to give the nod to, Yao, but again it is Steve Nash who was today’s top performer. The Phoenix Suns battled it out against the Miami Heat and it was actually a close contest, with Stevie Wonder and his boys winning, 106-101. Plus, Nash gets this award because this was the game witnessed by NBALOUD, so we know first hand how good he was.

Shaquille O’Neal and the Heat were really putting a scare into the Suns, so Stevie Wonder went on a personal 11 point run, by himself late in the fourth to steal the win for Phoenix. Nash’s final numbers illustrate the impact of the little fella – 30 points, eight assists, plus 6-for-7 from beyond the arc. Magnificent.

The clip for this post is the top 10 from today’s games. Watch it because there are some real ripping plays here.




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We’re right into the offseason in the NBA, and you know what we here at NBALOUD are doing? Neglecting university assignments, ditching girlfriends and avoiding the sun to watch internet videos of your favourite NBA players living life off the basketball court.

We’ve already established what we think they do in their lives outside of work: showing off their pads and rides on MTV Cribs, drinking Cristal with Diddy, living in a world where the soundtrack to their existence is directly correlated with music that is heavy in 70s bass sounds, or just mugging little white ladies in the suburbs, which is what most critics seem to think NBA players do.

Whatever you may think, players in the Association do have personalities and they are sometimes displayed in the most awkward of manners. Generally speaking pro basketball players are quite media savvy, but when matched against the wits of say, someone like David Letterman, the results can often be quite hilarious!

Players themselves aren’t very funny, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, being the exceptions. Actually, Sir Charles is so hilarious that we here right now can vouch with a straight face that Barkley is a two pee guarantee. That is, he is so funny that two drops of pee will materialise when watching Chuck open his gob. Hell, he is witty even when he is talking about something as serious as why the Republicans suck!

We here at NBALOUD searched high and low for the most side-splitting television appearances from pro basketball players. It was exhausting stuff and this writer has sacrificed the pursuit of mediocre university marks to provide entertainment to NBA readers the world over.

Dwayne Wade on The Late Show with David Letterman.


Watch D-Wade strut his stuff the day after he won the NBA title last season with the M-I-A. It is especially funny when Dave asks Dwayne what he got up to after clinching the title, because we can watch the euphemisms fly: “celebrate” in the locker, then “celebrate” back at the hotel. Um, I am no Sherlock Holmes, but we can put two-and-two together. The Heat players were having a knitting party, over tea and scones. Yes, that sounds about right.




LeBron James Gets Jiggy with us in another 90s Flashback.


Yes, the 90s, it’s back with a vengeance don’t you know? The decade which saw the ‘Superficial Friends’ of Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie and the Olsen twins as non-entities is a time period that should be celebrated!

Not only that, the 90s was the decade that bought us Vanilla Ice and the movie Titanic! Watersheds of pop culture art!

So, how does an NBA player fit with the 90s theme? Well, in the recent ESPY Awards which LeBron James co-hosted, the King got into some MC Hammer pants and channelled Bobby Brown.

We can imagine that after the performance he went on a drug crazed binge and beat up Whitney Houston. Ouch! That wasn’t funny and rather distasteful. Please, make complaints in the comments section.



Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

The first thing that strikes you in this appearance is actually how good Yao’s English is. Yes, it is a lot less Ching-lish than you would imagine. Secondly, Yao is much more hilarious than T-Mac.

That shall be all because this writer is on a self imposed gag order.



Dirk Nowitzki on German Television.

There are two clips we shall finish off with and they involve Dirk Diggler appearing on German TV.

We have no idea about what is being said, but the first one with Dirk on MTV is pretty cool because it shows the Big Sauerkraut balling as a Little Sauerkraut. The fun bit in this video is ab-libbing with the video because no one that speaks German can be evil.

The second clip is allegedly an anti-drug message, but the Kraftwerk soundtrack and marijuana smoke that is evident throughout the ad may make us wonder if it isn’t pro-weed!





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Yao Ming wedding.
The happy couple in Shanghai. (Photo from Xinhua)


Well, ladies, your hopes for snaring a tall, rich, athletic basketball player for a hubby just got a little harder with news that Yao Ming has tied the knot with his long time girlfriend, Ye Li. Actually, in terms of hooking up with a basketball player it’s quite easy, since they do have a history of fidelity to their partners (cough, cough), while having zero chance of Joey Greco ambushing them with the Cheaters crew outside a fast food joint (cough, cough).

The new Mrs Yao is an impressive 6 foot 2 basketball player on the women’s national team and we can be assuming that their future progeny will have their career paths already mapped out by the Chinese government. Hell, Yao and his new bride can expect to be parents to their offspring in name only.

Yao’s wedding was rather small for Chinese standards with only around 70 family and friends in attendance, with reporters outnumbering guests at 100.

In this day and age of celebrity couples selling their photographs, whilst posing on matching
Yao Ming wedding photo.
(Photo from Shanghai Daily)
thrones, it’s good to see Yao won’t be giving out any interviews about how his wife became a bridezilla, or that he didn’t sell his wedding pics to the highest bidder for exclusive rights. Reporters instead got a CD of marital snaps, along with celebratory lollies.

Ming told Houston television that he was a tad bit overawed by the prospect of marriage and but excited at the same time: “I don't how the U.S. culture thinks about marriage, but in China we know each other from 18-19 years old, maybe not too late in U.S. But it's pretty early in China…The first couple of years, we both don't let parents know. I have a lot of fun times. After so many years we have so many good memories together, we think this is the time right now. We can stay together forever and build a new family.” (AP, 2007)

I guess this means that the world can look forward to super Communist basketball playing babies in the not-too-distant future!

Today’s video is of the top 10 plays in the recent summer league in Vegas. Some pretty rocking plays on this clip.



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Kobe Bryant game tying 3-point basket against the Rockets.
Kobe ties the game in regulation. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)


Wow! That is all this writer can say in reference to the contest that played out between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers today. Better yet, this game was shown on ESPN Australia so NBALOUD is doubly fortunate to have witnessed such a contest. Wow, indeed.

The superstars from both squads played out of their skins with Yao Ming and the irrepressible Kobe Bryant leading the way. The Rockets eventually overcame the Lakers in overtime, 107-104. However, it must be noted that the journey was just as exciting as the destination in this game.

Kobe once again had a 50 point scoring night with 53 but it was Yao with his 39 and T-Mac with 30 that was too much for the Lakers to overcome – even with the most electrifying offensive player in the NBA.

Los Angeles looked dead and buried with five minutes left in the game when the Rockets were leading 88-76 but Kobe put his team on his shoulders by scoring 25 of the final 28 Laker
Yao Ming.
Yao...yo! (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
points to bring his team back into contention. The most dramatic points for Kobe coming as time was dying down and the Lakers down by three – after a missed Kwame Brown free throw Kobe tracked down the rebound and hit the impossible 3-point basket to tie the contest at 95 all.

When OT rolled around it was all the Rockets with Kobe having another 3-point shot to tie the game but failed to do so this time around.

Game over.

Speaking of late game heroics Dirk Nowitzki went on a final quarter rampage when he scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth to help Dallas overcome New York, 105-103.

Dirk Diggler stated he wanted to go on attack mode and make things happen which he did with aplomb. Meanwhile, Stephon Marbury for the Knicks also was trying to force the issue but fell excruciatingly short, even with a season high 43 point total.

Toronto and Washington were also locked in a fierce overtime battle with Chris Bosh for the Raptors proving to be the difference maker with 37 points, with eight in OT to help his team beat the Wiz, 123-118.

How this game got into overtime was as crazy as anything that could have been fabricated in Hollywood.

Washington appeared to have this contest locked down until Michael Ruffin tossed the ball into the air in a celebratory gesture with 1.1 seconds left on the clock. Normally, time would run out when players toss the ball airborne but unfortunately for Ruffin and the Wizards Morris Peterson got a hold of the ball and hit a very long 3-point basket to take the game into overtime.

The rest as one would say is history.

Washington was toast.

Today’s clip is one of Yao and Jackie Chan. Check it out.



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Classic Magic Johnson Video.

March 21st 2007 10:42
Carmelo Anthony dunk.
They call him 'Melo Yellow... (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)


After suffering from two massive defeats in succession the Phoenix Suns returned to normal broadcasting by hammering the Minnesota Timberwolves, 108-90. The win also saw the Suns clinch their third straight Pacific Division title. Good one guys.

Stevie Nash was Stevie Wonder as you would expect scoring 18 points and dishing out 11 assists. Raja Bell had 16 of his 22 points in a hot shooting third quarter to also lay some hurt onto the T-Wolves.

The man that played with some resistance to the Suns onslaught was of course Kevin Garnett who had his all too familiar standout game while the team loses. KG had 30 points and mammoth 16 rebounds which proved fruitless when you consider that Minnesota notched their 11th consecutive loss on the road.

In another blowout game the Dallas Mavericks did away with the New York Knicks, 92-77. Dallas has 55 wins and Dirk and the boys were just too much for a shorthanded Knick squad to handle. Mr. Diggler and Josh Howard aka J. Ho each had 24 points.

New York’s bad night got worse when Stephon Marbury left the game early on what
Adam Morrison
Adam Morrison for the win! Yes! (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
appeared to be an injury to his left arm.

Moving to the other side of the Hudson River, New Jersey hosted Denver with the Nuggets proving to be ungracious visitors when they decided to pip the Nets at the post, 94-90.

Carmelo Anthony led the way for the Nuggets with 30 points, while his little partner in ‘crime’ Allen Iverson scored 20 as well. The big two also got help from the team collectively when they clamped down on the Nets in the final minutes of a close contest.

Firstly, Denver forced Vinsanity into a walking turnover with the Nuggets leading by three, they got a further break when VC failed to hit an open 3-point basket that would have tied the contest. Game over!

Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady are both finally healthy and playing great basketball together – look out the rest of the NBA! Yao had a giant night with 32 points and 14 rebounds while T-Mac added 20 points and 10 assists. Go Team!

Houston obviously won their game against Indiana, 86-76.

Although, the Rockets had a poor team shooting night at 39 percent they more than made up for it with a 53-41 rebounding advantage over the Pacers.

Leading two players having big nights. Check. Hitting the boards hard. Check. Pacers lose. Checkmate.

The final game of NBALOUD’s coverage of matches for today saw Cleveland suffer a shock overtime loss to the Charlotte Bobcats, 108-100.

Cleveland was stunned after dropping their 10 point fourth quarter lead to one of the worst NBA teams and getting bounced in OT too which made things infinitely worse.

LeBron James had a fantastic second half scoring 30 of his 37 points after the major break but missed a runner in the lane with 10 seconds to play and a 3-pointer at the buzzer at the end of regulation to give Charlotte a sniff at victory. They took it.

Gerald Wallace was great for the Cats with 27 points and 11 rebounds and Adam Morrison hit the go ahead 3-point basket in OT to leave the Cavs reeling.

Today's video is a clip from 1980 with a very young Magic Johnson selling us some soft drink. Enjoy.


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A.I. is dead! Long live A.I.! The last time Kobe Bryant visited his home city of Philadelphia he had to chase the little guy in cornrows all over the court. This time
Shaq-Fu to full effect. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
around he didn’t need to stop Iverson, but Andre Iguodala on the other hand was more than a handful.

A.I. MK 2 was in super form, scoring 31 points as the Sixers cruised to their sixth straight victory, 108-92. Kyle Korver, or as he is better known on these pages, Ashton Kutcher also contributed nicely with 18 points.

Returning from his one game suspension for thugging it out on Marko Jaric’s face, Kobe Bryant had a scorching first half dropping 21 points but cooled down considerably in the second half, ending the night with 30 points and an ‘L’ to the Lakers ledger.

Reports of Shaq’s demise have proven to be a tad bit premature if his performances of late are any gauge. Since Dwayne Wade went out injured the Daddy has come into his own once again and today was no exception. The Diesel scored a season high 32 points leading his team to a 105-91 stomping over the T-Wolves. Doubt the Diesel at your own peril – NBALOUD included.

Although this isn’t really breaking news because Yao has been back in a Houston uniform for a few days now, it is for NBALOUD because we’ve been covering other NBA related stuff of late and have been neglecting game news. However, this is the first game the big man had in front of his adoring Houston fans and what a nice way to say a big ‘word up’ to your people in scoring 24 points and snatching 13 rebounds.

Better yet for the big red machine his Rockets beat the Nets, 112-91. Yao’s work was also done despite having some of his fingers taped due to dislocating his middle finger of his dominant hand in his last outing. When it rains it pours.

The big fella is back! (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
In all this Yao related goodness we have neglected to mention that Tracy McGrady also had a starring role with 34 points while doing his MVP hopes little damage on the way. T-Mac complimented his virtuoso performance with five assists and four rebounds.

Detroit snapped their two game losing streak in style by marching into Denver on a mission and out of the stadium with a win, 95-82. The notorious Pistons balanced attack was inflicted on a hapless Nuggets team with Chris Webber scoring 20, Rasheed Wallace with 17 and 10 rebounds. Let’s not forget Mr. Big Shot, Chauncey Billups who added 16, Rip scoring a further 14 and Antonio McDyess snatching 10 boards as well. Phew, whoever can match the ‘D’ when they’re in that type of mood?

In a night when games weren’t close Phoenix surprised everyone except basketball fans when they pipped the Hornets at the post, 104-103. NBA watchers shouldn’t be shocked at the performance of New Orleans because this team has been coming along very nicely.

The Hornets made a mad dash to the finish outscoring the Suns 10-1 in the dying moments but David West’s shot/pass fell short and Phoenix improved to 9-1 since the All-Star break.

Check out this new basketball commercial featuring some of the most elite players in the NBA for a brand that doesn't need anymore publicity, but we'll give it some more since this is a rocking clip.



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