Rooookie from USC

The rookie from USC, DeMar DeRozan, is catching my eye these days with his play above the rim. Every time I check out the "Game in Six" highlights, DeMar seems to find a way to get himself plastered throughout the highlight package. I always love watching rookies come into the league and attack the rim with every touch of the ball and I hope it continues. I've been let down a multiple times in the past...*cough* VC...

Hopefully, DeMar doesn't let the contract and big dollar signs keep him out in the perimeter to prevent the physical play that comes along with attacking the rim.

Truly Wanting It

If Carter actually wanted to win a NBA Championship he would drive and throw it down every time he touched the ball. Yes, he would get hit and his body would be sore but in the end wouldn't it be worth it? Guy has always had the ability and skill to dominate and put 25-30Pts a night. Too bad he fell in love with the 3-point line.

LBJ AF1

A pair of LeBron inspired AF1's.

Very nice combination of the red with the gum sole. I am always a fan of the gum colour sole. I'm starting to the think that the iconic brand that Jordan created might be in for some competition with LeBron. Okay, before all you Jordan faithful out there torch this blog up and rip it up, hear me out. The Jordan brand is one of my favourite, even though it costs an arm and a leg for the right to own it, and it will continue to be a brand name that will survive for decades to come. There is always a reason for my madness.

LeBron is starting to really make a name for himself on the court, especially if he can lead the Cavs to a Larry O'Brien trophy in the near future. Maybe even grab 2-5 of them in the next 7-10 years. James has this special drive to him, on and off the court, that will never stop even when it seems he has everything in the world. He wants to be the first $1,000,000,000 athlete, yup One Billion Dollars!!! With the power he posesses he has the ability to really challenge Jordan for brand superiority.

There are plenty of things that might stand in his way though. Remember when Vince Carter was playing for the Raptors when his high flying ways was making highlight reels and everyone was branding him as the next IT athlete. Well, as time progressed and reveiled, the Carter brand wasn't a classic that would last through time. The Carter shoes were nice but the VC brand just didn't live up to the hype, not due to the brand, but more due to his role on the court. If LeBron wants to make his brand iconic and be the first billion dollar athlete, he needs to be healthy just like Jordan and make sure to follow his PR representative.

I do see LeBron maintaining his King Kong size brand and growing to iconic and classic status but only time will tell if it actually happens. The battle will rage on between the current heavyweight champion, Jordan, and the up and coming LBJ.

Wonder how many Jordans or LBJ shoes I'll have in the future. Hopefully my salary can support my love of shoes.

Poor Performance

As I skimmed through the box scores of tonight's games I bumped into a stat I usually don't see sitting beside Steve Nash. In a game that brought together former teammate, Boris Diaw, Steve Nash found a way to finish with 4pts, 6to's, and only 5asts. Right after seeing his stats I started to wonder where Nash will sign when his contract is finished with the Suns. He still has a team option for the 09/10 season.

Going into free agency, Nash has the right to choose any team he wants to sign with. As a veteran who is in search of a NBA championship and having the one true equalizer, age, creeping up on him, I do wonder where he will land.

Of course, the only team in Canada, the Toronto Raptors, would be a plausible choice. This season isn't going well for the Raptors but if GM Colangelo can turn things around with a few trades and FA acquisitions you never know. Nash is there last priority right now since Bosh's free agency is looming and Colangelo needs to make him happy before doing anything else.

How about the Big Apple. Listen to this scenario. Former coach D'Antoni is there. They are clearing cap space for the huge free agent period of 2010. Imgaine the Knicks pulling off a Celtics kind of big three. Bring in Bosh/LeBron/Nash. You could also think about Nash bringing his current teammate, Stoudamire, along as well.

What about New Jersey. Jay-Z and his friendship could bring in LeBron and his favourite players of choice. They have to either find a bidder for VC try and build with VC there. You know how I feel about VC, former post.

Or even the Cavs. LeBron could sign with his current team and have management bring in players like Bosh and Nash.

So many scenarios that could play out. With a free agent class that boasts Bosh, LeBron, and Wade most forget about the "smaller" players out there.

Enjoying Vinsanity

For the record...I am usually the one, well let's just say, I don't really care if players leave a team during free agency or after asking for a trade. The loyalty crap I here from my friends about players and teams and why they should stick around even though their current position doesn't provide anything except a paycheque and a last place finish gets on my nerves.

But when a player quits on a team and leaves that is when I am a little ticked off.

Vince Carter, former player for the Raptors, did exactly that...QUIT! Not only did he just quit and stop playing, which I don't give a rats ass. The important thing to make note of is he quit on his team! I just don't stand for that. In sports like tennis or golf where you are the only one out there, okay go ahead and quit. It only affects you and only you. In a team sport, quitting is the equivalent of stealing all military plans from all nations and handing it over to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Just plain dumb!

When I hear about poor performances and playing on a losing team with no hope of an NBA Championship I get a sense of happiness because this is what he deserves. Vince Carter deserves this type of humiliation and deserves this type of treatment. This guy has a true gift and with most people who possess something special they just don't take advantage of it.

The above picture is of Vince Carter who played a total of 14mins in a game where his Nets lost 105-85 to the Celtics at home. Carter scored 5 pts and found himself on the bench for the entire second half.

To put an end to this post. Everyone in the world deserves a second chance and I guess the only way for Carter to prove to me that he deserves a second chance is the following. He signs a contract for the league minimum. He takes any role that is given to him and just shuts up and plays basketball. Until something like this happens I have nothing to say except, "Vince, you truly are a tiny little man."

Vinsanity Strikes Again

Vince Carter comes into the Air Canada Centre and well you check it out.