Dear Tracy,

Things've been rough for you. I understand.

It's been a turbulent, twisted, tragic twelve year journey through the NBA for you since you boldly peaced the high school scene and set out to make a name for yourself among the World's best; chasing the Dream. You were young; confident, indestructible, in your mind too talented to play second fiddle to your cousin Vince. So you abandoned the team that took a chance on you with the seventh pick back when kids without college were as hard-pressed for jobs in the League as they were on Wall Street; signed elsewhere without giving them the chance to get anything in return...the fuck with the dream of winning a championship, being a vital part of a winning team, you wanted to be the man.

And you were.

You faced a setback early when Grant Hill's ankle exploded, but when you donned that Magic uniform back in 2000, your game took off: you asserted yourself, won the MIP and made the Raptors really sweat your absence. Things got better. You led the league in scoring, became a perennial All-Star starter, dunked on everybody and their grandma. Some people went as far as to say the Raps should've traded Vince instead: you proved to be a legitimately elite player, earning that Max contract money. But you weren't winning anything. Sure you were the team's unquestioned leader, nobody was sharing your spotlight, but season after season you'd carry your squad to the middle of the Eastern Conference and be unceremoniously dismissed in the first round. You called out teammates in public, prematurely prophecised your second-round match-ups and had your leadership skills called into qustion. You were getting frustrated, and who wouldn't?

The Dream wasn't turning out like it was supposed to, at least not in Orlando.

Change came again after four years; the Magic were as phased by the playoff disappointment as you were and shipped you to Houston. You had a chance to start fresh; forget your bittersweet past and build towards something better. The pieces were all in place; you were entering the prime of your career, teamed with the Ming Dynasty to lead a cohesive and talented team. But shit never plays out like it should. Injuries hit. Hard. Seeing you and Yao play together was like a Dwight Howard 3-Pointer. Every season was the same story: "Houston's healthy this year and primed to challenge for the crown out West"..something along those lines...and every year the same result; a timely injury led to a first-round exit. You still busted your ass, put up the usual stellar numbers and made the requisite All-Star appearances. You were living the Dream, but still chasing it at the same time.

More than a decade into your much celebrated career, you've s till done very little of the celebrating you really care about deep down inside. You've been a perennial playoff doormat through the better years of an injury-plagued career whose window may be closing. But like I said, it's been rough, I get it. You've played hurt, drowned in the shallowness of your surroundings and always gone down swinging. You've been a phenomenal player, which is why I'm asking you, for your sake, to wake the fuck up. You're currently surrounded by what's far and away the most talented team you've played on; the most legitimate backup to the Rockets' preseason ambition. Your response has been to regress; sliding on and off the inactive list while putting up numbers you did in Raptors threads and hitting 38% from the field. You've been taking questionable shots and have your fellow stars putting you on blast. Your team's stuck in the middle of the Conference, exactly where you've grown disturbingly comfortable. If ever a chance to conquer your past was staring you in the face, it's right now, but instead you're acting like you're still as ready to lead a winner as you were when you left Toronto.

So get it together man, take care of your ailing body and get on the same page as the rest of your team. As you (allegedly) return healthy to the Rockets' lineup again, make the most of it. Your brilliance aside, your career's been marked by disappointment and regret. Which isn't what the Dream's all about.

Your (un)Official 2009 NBA All-Stars

A couple weeks from now, the NBA's annual congregation of top-drawer talent will be going down in Phoenix. 24 of the league's "finest" will gather in star-studded but ultimately in consequential showdown of East vs. West, and there's sure to be more than enough debate amongst hoops heads as to who exactly deserves a spot on the team. Over the years, fan voting has made for some undeserving starters (Yao Ming as a rook, Vince Carter's corpse), and furthermore voting guidelines and stupidity amongst coaches have produced some equally suspect back-ups. Regardless of who's nominated when the reserves are announced tomorrow nigh, there's bound to be a few players donning the "All-Star" tag who don't deserve it. Here's who does, and why:

EAST STARTERS















Dwyane Wade, G - Last season when Wade's body finally buckled under the weight of carrying the Heat, people wondered if he was crashing and burning too early; another Penny Hardaway in the making. He's only responded by lifting the Heat to a top-6 seed in the East with the most impressive statistical season of his stellar career. Averaging a league-leading 29 points with 5/7/2 steals and somehow 1.5 blocks as a 6'4" guard, playing in all 43 games so far. Enough said.


Joe Johnson, G - There was a void in the East's top four when Detroit semi-imploded this season, and Atlanta's stepped up and claimed the spot (even through an injury to Josh Smith) largely due to Johnson's antics. He's served as their primary scorer/playmaker/perimeter defender, doing 21.5/4.5/6 in 40 minutes. He hasn't shot the ball incredibly well, but has had numerous clutch performances to lift the Hawks to Ws, saving his best for when it matters most.

LeBron James, F - My mid-season MVP, here because his team's destroying the opposition along with any expectations attached to them pre-season. They sit atop the East, haven't lost at home, and own the league's highest point differential by a wide margin. Even with a marked drop in his numbers, they're arguably the most impressive in the league, especially with Lebron spending many a fourth quarter on the bench, watching the Cavs play out a 25-point lead.

Kevin Garnett, F - His numbers have fallen off this year, which is only to be expected with Garnett getting a year older and the Celts' reserves continuing to emerge as legit talents. Still, the Celtics (aside from their meltdown earlier this month) have been playing some of the best ball in the league, and they're still winning with defense, which has to be credited to Garnett if anyone. He's playing amazing D with an intensity that would intimidate Steve Nash into locking someone down and must be rubbing off on the rest of his team.

Dwight Howard, C - Oh, you were expecting Andrew Bogut? Really, what other center in the conference deserves to don an All-Star jersey this year? Howard's been such a beast compared to the rest of the East's bigs that his presence here needs no explanation, but 20/14/3 blocks and a Top-3 record league-wide should end any debate.

RESERVES

Chris Bosh, F - The Raps have sucked more than a Dyson vacuum this year but Bosh has had the kind of season that would put him in the MVP discussion if his team wasn't so horrendous.

Danny Granger, F - Another great player on a shitty team; Indiana's 14th in the East but his emergence into an all-league scorer can't be ignored. Here's a classic example of a guy who needs to play (only the holy trinity of Kobe, Lebron and Dwyane are scoring more than him) but probably won't becuase of his teammates' shortcomings.

Devin Harris, G - He's become as deadly a scorer as he is a crafty playmaker, and has the Nets performing above what anyone expected of them this season. After a year of insider trading allegations and the requisite ridiculous beef with league policy, he remains Mark Cuban's biggest mistake.

Paul Pierce, F - Like Garnett, he's earned his spot not through impressive stats but tough defense and his presence as leader on a team that's proving it'll be very tough to wrestle the championship from. Pierce leads the Celts in scoring and remains one of the league's most dangerous guns in the clutch.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas, F - Following in the footsteps of Jamaal Magloire, Dale & Antonio Davis, and even himself, Z's this year's odd man out: the back-up East center who's having a fine season but is clearly out his element among the league's greats.

Andre Iguodala, F - AI (he's taken his spot as the Sixers' sparkplug and on the All-Star team, he might as well take nickname while he's at it) has brought a dynamic presence on the wing, leading a recent surge by a team that lost its "best" player and hasn't looked better all season.

Jameer Nelson, G - Nelson's been playing some incredible basketball recently, dropping 24/6 in 3 wins over division leaders that helped launch Orlando into the "contender" conversation. I hate saying that a team "needs" a second All-Star, but in a conference that's had so many disappointments, Nelson's surprising success needs to be rewarded as much as his team's.

All-Snub Team: Mo Williams, Rashard Lewis, Ray Allen, Antawn Jamison, Allen Iverson


WEST STARTERS














Kobe Bryant, G - You know the story by now: 26/5/5, All-Defense calibre play on the wing, most potent weapon in the clutch since MJ, blah blah..whatever...The difference this year, and this has never been said before, is that Bryant enters the break as the unquestioned leader of a squad that's running away with the West and is favored by many to be last team standing in June. A no-brainer.

Chris Paul, G - ...Has just been ridiculous this year. Last year Paul compiled one of the most flawless statistical arsenals ever by a point guard and has found a way to improve upon it. He dominates both sides of the ball, comfortably leading the league in assists and steals while finding time to drop 21ppg (...as a 6 foot point guard....on 50% shooting) and grab over 5 boards.
CP3 has the Hornets among the top of the West again this year with the steadiest and purest game in the league. Another no-brainer.

Tim Duncan, F - Like Kobe, Timmy D's had this spot reserved for the past decade and given nothing but the same dominance this year. When Manu and Mr. Longoria went down for much of the season's first two months, Duncan kept a shallow (by Spurs standards) team above water by himself, a team that now sits second in the West. His still-declining numbers aside, if you look at his impact on his team, no big man out West has topped him this season.

Dirk Nowitzki, F - I hate doing this, but I have to. I still don't think the Mavs will make the playoffs; of the teams fighting for the last spots out West they're the most susceptible to a late-season meltdown. But even if they fall short, Dirk will have gone out gunning. I tried really fucking hard to convince myself Amar'e deserved this but 26/8.5 and Dirk's typical stellar shooting are too starter-worthy.

Yao Ming, C - Surprisingly, Yao's been the healthiest star on a Rockets squad that just can't get the injury bug to fuck off. His numbers have fallen a bit, and Houston's season has had a few ups and downs, but he's been their steadiest and best player, and at a shade under 20/10, easily the best center in the West.

RESERVES

Chauncey Billups, G - Another performance that transcends his numbers, has been a contagious presence in Denver, his arrival immediately triggering a resurgence that's vaulted the Nugs into the West's Top 3 even without Melo.

Brandon Roy, G - Has been consistently impressive and occasionally unconscious, leading a Blazers squad that's made the league take notice that last year's playoff push was no joke.

Amar'e Stoudemire, F- Has fallen victim to Terry Porter's anti-D'Antoni approach and failed to dominate the league's best big-man debate (as he did at the end of last year), but 21/9 on 54% is nothing to complain about.

Al Jefferson, F - With injuries to Boozer and Melo, there's no reason not to reward Jefferson for the 22/11 and stellar defense he's played this year. Even if it's for the Wolves.

Shaquille O'Neal, C - No, this isn't an honorary selection based on his legendary career or the game's location; he's shaken his beached whale-status been the second-best center in the West this year.

Pau Gasol, F/C - No longer stuck being the man on an awful team, Pau looks better than ever on the Lakers even if his numbers have fallen; clearly he's more comfortable as Kobe's #2.

Tony Parker, G - He's come back from injury to have a career-year and the Spurs are again defying those who say their window's closing and look like a serious threat in the West.

All-Snub Team - Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Terry, Zach Randolph, David West

It's Halftime

We're roughly halfway through the Association's 82-game schedule; as the All-Star break nears, it's a great time to look back over what we've seen so far and give some respect where it's due: it's time for the Haltime Awards.

Rookie of the Half
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
There's been a heavy load on Rose's shoulders this year; Duhon's gone, Hinrich's been hobbled. He's been looked upon to not only lead an offense that's politely called disorganized (remember he shares a backcourt with Larry Hughes) and features no low post scorers, but do it pretty much on his own. His outside touch needs work, but his ability to get into the lane makes him an extremely dangerous scorer and few point guards are strong and quick enough to stop him. 17 with over 3 and 6 each game; it's hard to say Chicago made the wrong pick.
Regards to: OJ Mayo, Russell Westbrook, Michael Beasley

Sixth Man of the Half
Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks
Giving this award to a Mav pains me, especially since they're a serious question mark for the postseason now for a second straight year. Still, Terry's responded to his recent bench demotion by averaging a career-high 20/game, hitting .466 from the field. He's provided a push to Dallas' second unit on both ends of the floor with his speedy playmaking and pesky defending; one of Mavs' few bright spots over what's been a consistently inconsistent first half of the season.
Regards to: Manu Ginobili

Defensive Player of the Half
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Superman's having another monster year, leading the league in rebounds and blocks and making a strong push for an award he could very well own for most of the next decade. His presence in the post probably deters more would-be penetration than anyone else in the league, and those who do test him are more likely to be swatted than fouled. No player his size can cover ground so quickly; his patrol of the paint looms large enough for him to challenge shots and wax glass like The Admiral used to. His squad's unexpected ascent to the top of their conference can only help his cause.
Regards to: Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett, Marcus Camby

Coach of the Half
Stan Van Gundy, Orlando Magic
Proving why Pat Riley was right to trust him with the reigns to his franchise, and why he was wrong to show him the door after his coaching hiatus, Van Gundy's quietly steered the Magic to the league's upper echelon. While he leads a talented roster that's managed to remain healthy and, in the eyes of many, overachieve this season, the Magic's perennial early success has never sen them hold the league's best record after 41 games. They're the league's best road team and recently knocked off three division leaders on a tough Western road trip. No wonder Jeff's reluctant to head back to the bench.
Regards to: Mike Brown, Eric Spoelstra, George Karl

Most Improved Player
Chris Duhon, New York Knicks
After years of oppression under the cold rule of Scott Skiles, Duhon booked it to the bright lights of the Big Apple to play for the stat steroid master, Mike D'Antoni. As a result, his scoring, rebound and assist numbers have all doubled (along with his minutes) and he's posted improvements in every major statistical category (including turnovers, which is to be expected playing 40 minutes as the main ballhandler on a team that leads the league in possessions per game). When the rest of the Knicks start playing with his poise and consistency, they might become a team to respect again.
Regards to: Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson, Danny Granger

MVP
Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Finally surrounded by a team that can win enough games to solidify his MVP credentials, Lebron's having another unreal season. With Cleveland on pace for 60-something wins and part of every title conversation, his ridiculous numbers are somehow viewed in a more elite context, even though he's averaging fewer points, assists, rebounds and minutes than last year. Adding a second scorer/ballhandler has helped ease his burden on offense, evidenced by a much more energetic commitment on D. As a result, the Cavs are cruising and the dudes nipping at 'Bron's heels in the MVP race will need to do something legendary to catch him.
Regards to: Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard

...and now for a few awards the league doesn't dish out, but are still well deserved:

Disappointment of the Half
Toronto Raptors
After acquiring Jermaine O'Neal and locking up Jose Calderon, there was big talk north of the border prior to this season, but the Raps came out flatter than month-old soda and have played disorganized, brutally soft and defensively challenged ball all season. Injuries aside, their lack of cohesion's led to a 16-28 mark, good for 13th in the East and far from what Chris Bosh is willing to stick around for next summer.

Surprise of the Half
Denver Nuggets
Steadied by the presence of Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets are holding court among the West's top teams, even through the prolonged absence of their most talented player. No longer a one-way, free-wheeling bunch of self-serving scorers, The Nugs have buckled down on defense thanks to the addition of lynchpins Renaldo Balkman and Chris Andersen (bbbbroooooo!) and the newfound health of K-Mart and Nene. The absence of AI (his talents just weren't a good fit for their roster) has no doubt helped them climb into the conference's upper reaches and maybe even finally escape the first round.

Best Acquisition
Mo Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers
While Elton Brand's stuggled to find his spot in Philly, the other big addition out East has git in quite nicely alongside Lebron. Williams filled two voids for Cleveland, giving them another steady ballhandler/distributor and a second player who could create his own shot on the perimeter. As mentioned earlier, he's allowed Lebron to exert himself less on offense which allows him to save energy for D, and barring a serious meltdown, a deep playoff run. As a result the Cavs are on pace to eclipse last year's win total and are winning games more comfortably than any other team in the league. Hard to argue with those results.

Comeback of the Half
Nene, Denver Nuggets
Last season was one Nene would like to forget. He played all of 16 games, sidelined by a bout with cancer that was no doubt indescribably painful and cost him one of his nuts. The way he's played so far this year should help him put his past to rest, dropping carrer-highs of 15/8 while shooting 60% from the field to lead the league. His convalesence couldn't have come at a better time for a team that dumped its starting center for a bucket of Big League Chew over the offseason, and is a big reason why Denver's turning heads around the league with their recent success.

Ham Sandwich of the Half
Eddy Curry, New York Knicks
Curry wins this award not only because, much like a side of ham he's a large, immobile slab of meat, but because he's played an outstanding two minutes all season. Needless to say that for whatever reason (most likely his rubenesque physique and inability to bend at the waist or casually jog), he hasn't commanded a huge role in an offense that thrives on the run, but for a player who dropped 19/7 just two seasons ago, his disappearing act is too disturbing. More disturbing is that with the $10 million he's paying Curry this year, James Dolan could buy a fleet of 40 Bentleys that would provide similar levels of on-court productivity.

Cavs @ Lakers - Game Notes

It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day; a great line-up of basketball, but far more importantly a day to remember the Dream of one of the greatest human beings ever. In honor of Dr. King, the league's trotted out (arguably) its two best teams in a prime-time heavyweight bout for the league's best record. The Cavs will have to travel outside the kevlar-coated Quicken Loans Arena to put away a Lakers squad who've lost two in a row and will be eager to get back on track. After their recent dismantling of the Celts though (trying to ignore the disaster in Chicago), Lebron 'n Friends might be playing the best ball in the league right now. It's Lebron vs. Kobe; Cleveland vs. LA, let's get into it:

- Prior to tipoff there's a salute to Barack Obama, who tomorrow will become the first US President of African descent; voted in by a nation who relatively recently enslaved his ancestors, the same one that today has ignored the color of his skin; valuing his leadership and character. It's comforting to know that even though there's enough racial prejudice in the World, Dr King's dream is coming to life.

- On to basketball; I'm watching the game with no audio tonight (my buddies have Pulp Fiction on the other TV, it's good enough to maybe steal my attention for a bit), and was sincerely hoping Reggie Miller would be Marv's wingman for TNT tonight so I'd have a reason to feel good about it. No such luck.

- Lakers win the tip, brick a questionable three and are bailed out by a thunderous putback slam from Pau. Cleveland answers with a Ben Wallace-led offensive set and much more subtle Varejao baseline jumper.

- Two minutes in, Kobe leaves the play grimacing and holding his stomach. Turns out it's actually his right pinkie that plagued him all last year... nothing for Lakers fans to be excited about.

- The Cavs ride some good ball movement and torrid jumpshooting out to an early 18-11 lead; Ben Wallace is playing with energy unseen since his Pistons days and Cleveland hardly looks like they know they're playing in LA. Bynum and Gasol are absolutely abusing them inside, look for LA to exploit Big Z's absence.

- Lebron bricks an Anthony Parker Trey (dribbling towards the baseline into a double-team then launching an off-balance jumper...AP's remarkably good at it). Bryant counters with a nasty turnaround jumper from the elbow. Pinkie looks alright so far.

- Craig Sager's chosen one of his less disgusting getups for tonight; a deep blue blazer over pale grey pinstripes and a tie that looks like someone threw up on it. He can't honestly keep a straight face when he dresses himself can he? His willingness to parade himself in front of many thousands who don't know his wardrobe is a total gimmick is outstanding. I might just be Craig Sager for Halloween next year.

- Sasha Vujacic enters the game to close the first and wastes no time going to work. In the last minute, The Machine buries two cold-hearted treys that propel the Lakers to a 25-24 lead after one, both coming after a Lebron swat that would've sent any human off the court in tears.

- The second frame picks up where the first leaves off, Cleveland hitting jumpers, the Lakers working them inside; Bynum & Gasol are 8-12. With 7 left, the Lakers go up a bit, prompting Mike Brown to throw James back in. The Cavs immediately go on a 7-0 run and tie the game.

- Got the sound back midway through the second. Kobe's back on the floor (and on Lebron) but James is shaking the aggressive double-team setting up a Pavlovic three and a shanked layup by Varejao. Right as LBJ wets another 20-footer, we get breaking news from Craig Sager, something about Trevor Ariza's uncle telling reporters his nephew was better than Lebron in high school. He follows it up after the break with a spellbinding courtside interview with Tom Kavanagh (he starred in Ed if you're one of the 28 people who watched that show), while the game plays on. Always a pleasure Craig.

- Two would-be tomahawks are avoided late in the half when the Lakers defend Lebron very well in transition on successive plays. Kobe closes the quarter by grilling James with a smooth jumper, only his second field goal so far. 50-49 Cavs at the half, your leading scorers are...Bynum and Pavlovic? Kobe's working with a quiet, controlled 5/3/6, Lebron's got an erratic 10/3/2 on 4-11... he's pretty accurate in calling his play "careless" when Craig hunts him down for some camera time.

- Back in the TNT studio at the half, things are noticeably more glum without Sir Charles around. Chris Webber tries admirably to fit in with EJ and Kenny, but it's just not the same. He's more insightful than on NBA TV, but he still brings less excitement than the Thunder, and there's no off-color remarks, no ridiculous declarations or insulting Kenny. Get well soon, Chuck.

- Lebron comes out shooting 4 of Cleveland's first 5 shots, missing all but one. Not encouraging. Meanwhile, the Lakers are playing stifling D, forcing breaks in the Cavs' offense that result in Wallace and Varejao handling the ball on the perimeter and hitting everything. Gasol and Bynum are still beasting, Kobe's coming alive and they're on a 13-3 run.

- Three left in the third, Lakers up six. Kobe's in transition and absolutely ignores Sasha all by himself in the corner, finding Gasol through two defenders for his ninth dime. Pau's 9-10; time for Sideshow Varejao to body up...and he bricks another layup.

- Lebron's requisite highlight reel cram, is quelled by a huge fadeaway 3 from Vujacic. 'Bron then finds Varejao on a sneaky baseline cut and he finally gives him that dime he earned a long time ago. This encouraging development aside, Cleveland still trails 75-66 going into the fourth.

- The two stars of the show are noticeably more aggressive to start the final 12 minutes, but Kobe gets denied by JJ Hickson and bricks a technical, only to bury a baseline jumper over 'Bron to beat the shot clock, then draw an and-1 on the King while falling out of bounds, then bricks the free throw again. James decides to get in on the action, drives baseline and is clotheslined by Bynum, and apparently can't hit foul shots either. His team's down 11 so he needs to wake up.

- During the break in play, Gasol snitches on Lebron from the bench, informing the refs of a small cut on LBJ's arm after a foul that might very well get Bynum suspended. This forces the Cavs to either sub him out, or call a timeout to bandage it up. Classy move there, Pau.

- The Lakers, up 13, continue to work the mismatches down low. Bynum's tossing Varejao around like a rag doll and the Cavs look defenseless.

- Trevor Ariza picks 'Bron's pocket on the breka then finishes an alley-oop that puts the Cavs down 16 with 7:20 to go. This one's looking about over, folks. Ariza does it again a few seconds later, simultaneously tagging James in the face and the stones, and getting no call. This hasn't been Lebron's night with the refs. Or in general, really.

- A few stops and nice shots later, the Cavs claw back to within 7. Lebron's getting back into the paint and finally not giving into the Lakers' physical D by launching jumpers. Credit LA though, they've pestered him all game and never allowed him to find a flow.

- After the Lakers grab their 17th offensive rebound, Ariza hits the dagger from three. Before he even makes it back down court, the Lakers force a bad pass that leaves him on a wide open break, only to catch a flagrant from a clearly frustrated Pavlovic. Off the ensuing inbound, Ariza hits another three. Lakers up 18 with 1:25 left. Now it's really over.

Final score: 105-88, the Cavs take their worst loss of the season. The Lakers shot the ball well, dominated the glass and kept Cleveland stuck in a half-court game they've never liked to play. They played frustrating D all night and played the advantage down low well enough to give the Cavs the kind of night they're used to being on the other end of. Game Ball goes to Pau Gasol: 9-10 for 20 and 12.

...And it Begins.

So here it is: the first edition of Basketball Banter; the web's new premiere destination for irreverent, highly unqualified roundball-related blogging. So what's gonna be goin on here anyway? You won't find any jaw-dropping highlight mixes here, no exclusive one-on-ones with NBA stars or the latest word on the trade wire (so if you were expecting any of the above..sorry, I guess), just the ranting and raving of a veteran armchair athlete. While I'm (admittedly) partly writing this as a self-indulgent hobby, I'm also hoping to provoke a little thought, maybe an argument or two; some entertaining discussion about the pro and college game. Feel free to post your thoughts; call me out if I'm off-point, if you want to see a topic addressed, whatever goes. My opinion's just one in a web of millions, so let yours be heard.

If you're reading this, you most likely know me personally and all about my borderline obsession with the game, but just in case you've stumbled across the site by other means, here's a little bit of who I am. My name's AJ; I'm a 21-year old marketing student at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia; a city I've been proud to call home for my whole life thus far. My hometown's somewhat of a basketball hotspot; although among the smaller of Canada's major cities we hosted the CIAU Final 8 (Canada's version of the Final Four) for a decade, the Raptors' first ever game and the inaugural Naismith Cup (which lasted even shorter than the Grizzlies in Vancouver), and the FIBA Under-21 Tournament of the Americas. It was hard to grow up in Halifax without getting into basketball; pretty much everyone I knew played at some point or another, but I got swept up more than most.

I first fell in love with basketball watching Olajuwon and the Rockets on their '94 title run, and have been hooked on it like the most potent herion ever since. I was awe-struck by the combination of power and grace these athletes displayed with ease, and being a naive 6-year old, convinced myself I could be just like them. I played competitively through school and city leagues for 12 years, eventually realized I wasn't exactly (or in the realm of) NBA material, and though disability and some questionable lifestyle choices (think 'Sheed) have mostly ended my playing days, I remain an avid fan.

I'll watch any kind of ball, but I'm partial to the NBA (it is the best players on the planet after all), in particular the Cavs and more specifically Lebron James, who I've respected ever since his high school days as a kid who faced unimaginable pressure under the expectations and close scrutiny of millions, and still dominated with an unbreakable swagger. Eight years later, on the game's biggest stage, not a damn thing's changed. As a Canadian, I feel a patriotic responsibility to root for the Raptors, but do so under protest after years of front-office stupidity and passionless basketball. Who do I hate on? Nowitzki, for one. I don't know if it's his marshmallow softness, his stolen MVP award, or years of hearing of some awkward, lanky white dude being drafted in the lottery on the faint promise of being "the next Dirk", but that guy fucking irks me. I'm also a Spurs hater (who doesn't, really?), who has the utmost respect for Tim Duncan's game but is tired of Manu's flopping, Pretty Tony's People appearances and their dominance in general.

So here it goes, I doubt you'll agree with everything you read here, but hopefully it'll at least entertain you and be the slightest bit insightful. I'll be posting somewhat regularly with game notes, awards updates, random rants and rankings of basketballs all-time greats. Enjoy.