Archive for August, 2010

BY CHAD SMITH We all know championships mean a lot, sometimes they mean everything. So, how much does everything else mean? In today’s world where LeBron James teams up with Wade and Bosh, and where the “Big Three” in Boston have had their greatest success as a trio of well-aged players, there are those that choose to stay loyal. Those that choose to go forward with the long haul. This is not Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Amare Stoudamire wanting to go to New York. This is not Paul Gasol being gift wrapped and shipped out to L.A. for nothing [...]

Here’s an hilarious post I read over at You’ve Been Blinded: Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers is spending his summer vacation in Europe as a member of Team USA. Things are going great on the court -the squad is undefeated- but even with the team’s success Granger can’t wait to get back to the sweet air of the United States. According to Granger’s Twitter account Europeans don’t wear deodorant and smell like dead donkeys.. Which begs the question, when has Danny Granger smelled dead donkeys before? Read more here

ISTANBUL—Kevin Durant came up big today, helping lead Team USA to a 99-77 victory over Slovenia. Durant, who was the NBA league-leading scorer, is leading the FIBA World Championships in points and is really rocking. He is on fire and is just simply unstoppable. Like his NBA team’s name, he is bringing thunder and havoc to other opponents. Many believe that the Durantula will have the highest-total scoring-average in Team USA FIBA World Championships’ history. There is no doubt in my mind that it can happen as the small forward went along for 22 points in just 23 minutes, raising [...]

BY CHAD SMITH Danny Granger played 15 minutes in Saturday’s opening round game against Croatia. He finished with nine points, as Team USA routed the opposition—106 to 78. Former IU Hoosier Eric Gordon lead the team with 16 points, and team leader Kevin Durant finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Gordon did not start but provided instant offense from the bench. This year’s team, which has been called the U.S. “B” team, can earn an automatic berth into the 2012 Olympics by winning the worlds; a feat that’s been rare for the United States to achieve. The USA squad [...]

ISTANBUL—It’s times like these where you just love watching basketball. Today was that day when Team USA rolled to beat Croatia in the first game of FIBA World Championships set in Turkey. The final score count of the victory was 106-78. It’s been weeks since USA has been criticized for being said of what they can’t do as well as being called “The B-Team.” Call it as you wish, but Team USA looks hot. And today, they did, especially off of Eric Gordon. The Los Angeles Clippers’ shooting guard was a long-shot for making the FIBA team but made it, [...]

Indiana Pacers’ center Roy Hibbert has had some solid seasons so far and last year turned out be his best, averaging about double-digits in points and rebounds. Of course, the 7’3″ center will be dynamic in the rebounding side of the ball, but what people don’t know is that he can be a valuable offensive force, too. Hibbert was seen practicing with legendary center, Bill Walton, and this could vastly improve his game and make him look much different and much better than he was in his previous seasons playing in the National Basketball Association. And with Indy finally adding [...]

NEW YORK—The New York Knicks signed a familiar face and a face that brought back memories a decade ago. They signed Patrick Ewing Jr., again. As a start out of Georgetown, the Knicks signed him to a deal. Terms of the deal were not announced, according to the reports. Ewing Jr. was drafted by the Sacramento Kings as the 43rd overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft. After a series of transactions, Ewing Jr. was acquired by a team where his father became a star: The New York Knicks. However, he would play in the Development League and he missed [...]

High hopes are here for Brandon Rush this year. Newly-acquired point guard Darren Collison says said some very positive things that makes me intrigued of B-Rush for this season. Rush has improved on consistency and can really make a difference this year. But he’s going to miss a few games, however. According to the Associated Press, the shooting guard from Kansas was suspended five games for violating the anti-drug policy. Things couldn’t get worse right now for the Pacers. After a blockbuster deal, it gets interrupted by the arrest of Lance Stephenson and now Rush’s latest suspension. It seems like [...]

ESPN continue to rip on our beloved Pacers. Well, not all the time, but I just wasn’t very happy in their rankings. They put the Indiana Pacers as the 27th best team in the NBA entering the 2010-11 season: 27. Indiana Pacers The more things change: The Pacers added a potential star in Darren Collison, who put up big numbers while filling in for Chris Paul last season in New Orleans. James Posey also came along in the trade that cost Indiana Troy Murphy, and he brings championship pedigree and leadership. For all their struggles on the court, the Pacers [...]

Danny Granger, otherwise known as his several nicknames like “Danny G” and “Hollywood,” is probably one of the most underrated players in the National Basketball Association. Granger is entering this season with a lot of upside is going to be the big factor to decide if the Indiana Pacers can make the playoffs this season or not. Granger really has high hopes. He is averaging a good amount of points per game, and if he can keep it up this season, he has a one-way ticket to the All-Star game. Granger is smooth and has that swagger in him when [...]