Top 9s: Thoughts on the Finals

Whoa.

That was an NBA Finals.

A heavily-contested seven-game exchange of haymakers between two iconic juggernauts.

Not only a title, but legacies were on the line, and it played out beautifully.

While a few of the series' games didn't need a second half, and Miami spent most of it mired in inconsistency, it was the adjustment-fueled unpredictability of this matchup, and its ability to deliver a dramatic turn of events at every crucial juncture, that made it so compelling. It went kind of like this on a basketball court (with Dwyane Wade playing the role of Joffrey as he ridiculously nicknames his new sword "Heart-Eater").

I'm still trying to wrap my head around Game 6. I've spent countless hours watching basketball, and can't confidently say I've ever seen a more crucially thrilling 4th quarter, one that will probably go down as the most definitive moment in LeBron James' legacy. He'd spent most of the game playing passively; pulling up for jumpers when he was ice cold and displaying a similar lack of touch when he seldom got to the hoop. Then the 4th came, as if it were pre-ordained by Erik Spoelstra telling Doris Burke "We need our best defensive quarter of the season". They got it, erasing a 10-point deficit with LeBron not only putting up several massive plays on D but - ironically stripped of his hairline-guard - channeling Ether Mode out of nowhere, scoring at will, saving his team's season and altering history. 

Without that performance, the Heat's season (and when I say "Heat", I basically mean LeBron) becomes a footnoted failure along the NBA annals; their boisterous and flamboyant union of superstars in South Beach would ultimately be looked upon as a bust of style over substance and hype over hoops. James boldly re-wrote what seemed to be another off-chapter in his career; he solidified the next level in an already Top-10 All-Time career, and swiftly changed the popular offseason discussion from "When will he just get it consistently in the Finals?" to "He might go down as the best basketball player ever". That LeBron came out guns blazing from beyond the arc in Game 7 (I was waiting for him to turn around and shrug as he jogged downcourt) was a fitting cap to a memorable Playoff run in which he solidified himself as, if nothing else, the most dynamically dominant player in NBA history.

It would be ignorant not to tip a hat to the Spurs (although it's definitely possible that the backup point guard of the Houston Rockets was the biggest contributor to their Playoff run). Every year they continue to defy father time and popular opinion, and were a transcendent, historic takeover by an unstoppable player away from a 5th Pop/Duncan title over 14 years. That's fucking impressive. Way may not have even seen the last of them yet, but how San Antonio manages to continue performing at this level is one of sports' greatest complex marvels.

There's plenty more to be said about this series, I could go on for days. To spare my fingers - and your tolerance for my rantings -  I'll keep it to nine things that stood out to me (other than LeBron) in these Finals, a Championship Edition of the Top 9s:

9. Manu's Officially Fallen Off

The guy who was the easy bet as the first Spurs' star to slow down indeed has confirmed early indications that San Antonio's "Big 3" are now a busted tripod. Game 5 was a renaissance to his glory days, but it came almost as a shock (if such a thing was possible in this series) and was evidently a flash in the pan, as Ginobili returned to inconsistent, selective scoring over the last two games, while turning the ball over like bed sheets in a Vegas hotel. Kawhi Leonard is  unquestionably now the Spurs' third-best player (more on that in a moment) and Popovich/Buford should give serious thought to how much they can invest long-term in the Free Agent who performed so inconsistently down the stretch of the postseason. At 35, with a total of 18 pro seasons under his belt, it's a virtual certainty he won't be getting better. 

8.Javie the Hutt

NBA officiating is an extremely difficult, high-pressure job with massive implications; one that isn't made any easier when the context of fouls - the most common call in the game - can often change almost nightly. The inconsistency in officiating's been an issue plaguing the Playoffs annually, as warped calls distort the game's context and affect outcomes (like Ginobili's potentially series-altering no-call at the end of Game 6). 

Luckily a very smart individual at ESPN decided to toss the recently-retired Steve Javie a headset and let him help bridge the gap between reality and that strange alternate universe officials occasionally drift off into where only superstars shoot free throws, and a player grimacing excitedly after a big dunk can get him T'd up. Javie's well-spoken, impartial and offers not only an experienced perspective on the difficulties of the job that can lead to blown calls, but serves as a sort of watchdog against officials who might get over-zealous and try to take over games with the whistle. At least on national TV. 

7. Erik Spoelstra "clicking buttons"

As an addicted dedicated online poker player, I've gradually become immersed in a vast lexicon of strange vernacular. One of the more self-explanatory terms - "clicking buttons" - refers to a player who's just randomly splashing around without any sort of consistent strategy, waywardly tapping  his mouse and keyboard, making wild bet sizes with junk hands as though he's excited just to see what will happen.

This seemed to be Spo's M.O. throughout most of the series, as Popovich continually out-coached him and he responded by frantically throwing different lineups at San Antonio in an almost trial-and-error fashion, before finally arriving at the Game 6 4th-Quarter set that spaced the floor ideally for LeBron and was quick enough to rotate against the Spurs' passing.

He failed to develop a scheme to contain Danny Green for five games (if it happens for one game, it's probably the players' fault, if it happens for five it's definitely the coach's), randomly went small with Mike Miller instead of Shane Battier, took too long to realize the Birdman just wasn't flying against Timmy D, before benching him and then re-inserting him in a panic for Game 6 only to have basically the same thing happen.  Miami won this series almost in spite of him as Pop exploited the sideline matchup in ways Spo couldn't counter.

6. Dwyane Wade might be my least favorite player in the NBA

When the Heat assembled this trio, Wade was the squeaky-clean one; the GQ-rated, ring-having King of South Beach, who'd "brought them together" and hadn't left a city/country of pissed off fans behind him. Times have certainly changed; LeBron's stolen the keys to the team and city from Wade, who's developed a troubling pattern of arrogant, annoying behavior while oscillating between past and future versions of his basketball ability.

He whines constantly to the refs, probably more than any other NBA player. He makes dumb public statements, like he should be paid for the Olympics. He plays with an irritating sense of entitlement that isn't his anymore; a common ball-stopper who launches predictable, out-of-sync mid-long range jumpers as though they're his bread 'n butter, and when he plays like crap, he deflects it on LeBron or screams at his coach. 

Dressing as obnoxiously as he often chooses to while attempting to give himself an equally dumb and narcissistic nickname as a promotional tie-in for his new shoe deal don't make him any more likeable, nor does the fact that he dates a woman who's hypnotized any man (and probably more than a few women) who's seen movies on BET.

What's most disappointing about Wade is that he generally behaves with about 20% of the poise, maturity and charisma that he had before James and Bosh showed up, like he's regressed to an immature child that needs to show off for his friends. A guy who was once respected league-wide has become a pretentious crybaby while his consistency continues to slip. And his team played better without him when it mattered most. 

5. Kawhi Leonard is really, really good

While Ginobili and Wade represented the fading legends of these Finals, Leonard used the series as his launching pad from "Alpha Role-Player" to "Probable All-Star", teaming with Boris Diaw to confound LeBron for large stretches, while scoring in a variety of ways, and both passing and rebounding extremely well for a player his size.

A recent Grantland article chronicled the Leonard/George Hill swap as both were playing a crucial role for teams in the Conference Finals and it appeared to be a mutually beneficial move. The added layer was that Indiana had almost traded for Hill the previous season, but backed out to keep their draft pick and use it on some guy named Paul George who just reeked of NBA potential. Having George developing on the wing made it easier for Indiana to part with Leonard's rights, allowing the Spurs to acquire a player whose career ceiling - after these Finals - doesn't look much different from PG's lofty potential.

Everything about him impresses me; not only the variety of ways in which he can impact a game, but how he keeps a constant even-keel. He always stays cool and plays within himself, accepting whatever is asked of him by his team and performing with the poise of a veteran. At 21. It seems remarkable, but then you remember that these are the Spurs, that the words "character guys" and "draft steals" are the core of their franchise, and it becomes perfectly standard. 

4. Like a Bosh

Bosh's Finals performance - much like Wade's - was a generally disappointing inability to get himself going consistently. He put up a donut in Game 7 (yeah, he didn't score at all) missing easy jumpers and drawing the ire of Miami's fickle crowd after they had to watch Tim Duncan just completely sodomize him for 36 minutes of Game 6. But in between those two disasters, he delivered on three plays - two blocks and an offensive rebound - that respectively indirectly and very directly, saved Miami's season.

As simple and amusing as it is to poke fun at a guy who makes himself such a target consistently, I kind of feel for Bosh, as he's had to make massive sacrifices for this team. Not only did he slide from a first to third option in joining the Heat, but eventually was asked to step outside his comfort zone and position, basically playing a pseudo-center to help keep the floor spaced with shooters, the lane open for James and Wade, and as many runners on the floor as possible for the Heat's suffocating, uptempo play. The result has sometimes often left Bosh in compromising positions on defense and the offensive glass against larger, longer, more physical players, not helping his reputation around the league as somewhat of a, well, a bitch. While Bosh is hated on and joked about, he still plays a vital role on this team; one that now has "not one..." but two titles, so he's not getting it all wrong.

Case in point were his uncharacteristic blocks of the Spurs' attempts to steal back a game he kept alive with his team's Playoff life flat-lining. Bosh had every reason not to own that moment - he'd been getting worked all game, played awful for most of the series, and was never particularly known as a strong defender or mentally fortuitous competitor. But he, against most odds, still managed to come up with unexpected contributions at the most vital of times. So for now, he should hold his head high and be happy. For once. At least until something like this happens.

3.The Legend of Danny Green

Danny Green's unconscious 3-point explosion over the first five games was a perfect storm of applicable catalysts. A very good shooter was often the last focus on D, and not only moved impeccably well on cuts to create space for himself, but happened to play on a team where the "extra pass" was a given.

What he did to Miami was spellbinding, not only in the obvious impressiveness of his record-shredding run, but the Heat's complete and utter inability to just stay at home against him, and eliminate a looming liability. Spo was tossing so much help in the paint against Duncan/Parker that Green could just break across a baseline underneath all the action and emerge on the other side with 10 feet of openness.

All it really took was the simple rationalization that "We've left this guy open and he's been their

leading scorer so far. He can't really create for himself or others off the dribble, so maybe if we just   acknowledge how he's burnt us so far and stop leaving him on the wing, he won't be as effective".

The results spoke for themselves. Green failed to develop any kind of consistent rhythm, settling for mostly-contested jumpers and looking like a small child lost at the mall whenever he put the ball on the floor. He shot a combined 2-19 over the Final two games while scoring fewer total points than he had in any lone Finals contest. Miami won both those games. Obviously the former didn't completely cause the latter, but it was certainly a massive contribution, and an obvious adjustment that came late - almost too late - for Miami. 

2. Effort vs. Execution
The simplest way of breaking down these Finals is that they were a war of constant adjustment with both teams putting each other in precarious positions - San Antonio by playing near-flawless basketball for large chunks of this series, and Miami by working their edge in athleticism when it was most critical.

I use the words "most critical" very carefully because through a lot of this season, particularly the Playoffs, it seemed as though Miami needed to be backed into a corner in order to truly play their best basketball. They often seemed almost arrogantly nonchalant in their lack of investment; everyone watching knew this team had a higher gear. To their credit though, they shifted into that gear consistently when they had to, and though their season had to be threatened several times, the brilliance with which the Heat played under the chaos of urgency, time and time again, was unreal.

As simple as it is to say the more talented team won, it would be a fallacy. Miami's Big 3 united and all played championship basketball for exactly one game of this series. Both Wade and Bosh were below 100% as they struggled to take the heat off LeBron (pun completely intended). What kept them going were King James, and a rotating cast of supporting players being thrown through Spoelstra's Finals Lineup Randomizer Machine, and each came up big at times.

And when it came down to it, Miami was able take enough hits and not only stay on their feet, but summon the will to take it to the next level against a team that gave them every reason to think they couldn't win.

1. The End of the Era

Lost amid the excitement of the Finals was that this would be David Stern's last trophy presentation. The legendary commissioner has grown the NBA's popularity immeasurably since taking over in 1984, re-engineered pro basketball into a marketable, exciting product. There couldn't have been a more fitting farewell for him than this ratings-smash of a seven-game, superstar-filled, thrillingly media-hyping series.

When Stern took over as commish, the NBA Finals were shown on tape delay as a more-than-slightly-racist American public was having trouble buying into a league of coked-out mostly-black athletes who brawled constantly and played for stats and contracts over wins and championships. Today - as he not-so-subtly pointed out before handing over the trophy that will one day bear his name - the Finals are watched by many millions in countries around the World. Much can be said of his tactics, but it's largely because of Michael Jordan David Stern that his beautiful game has grown and flourished, to be appreciated by so many globally; its dynamic popularity a reflection of its true entertainment value.

And so Stern rides off into the sunset (well, he doesn't officially retire until next February, but it has to be assumed Adam Silver will begin sliding into his new role) his run capped by an epic blockbuster he can proudly look upon as having fostered through decades of hard work. As basketball fans, we should be thankful for Stern. And for these Finals. It was one of the best ever, and a privilege to watch. 

Media Day: A Tribute to Gregg Popovich

Being a card-carrying NBA media member would be a pretty cool job.

Having not only a behind-the-scenes look at all the action, but the ability to interact with players and staff, and get the scoop on everything from a critical late-game play to who lost the most gambling on the last team flight, is a pretty enviable way to cut a check for a lot of people reading this (not to mention the one writing it).

Of course with every job comes drawbacks, and if you're a reporter who covers the San Antonio Spurs or any team they happen to be playing (let's just say you're Gary George of the Inland Valley News ), then your job will, by default, expose you to the wrath of Gregg Popovich.

Pop's always been a firm believer that dumb questions require like answers, and unfortunately for any press member trying to pick his brain, he finds just about every morsel of quote-bait thrown his way insulting to his immensely superior intellect. He trolls hapless questions from sideline reporters (see below) as they try to awkwardly force conversation mid-game, and when he looms above from the podium afterwards - particularly following a loss - there's sure to be dismissive responses rained upon those below.
                                                                                                                                                                                                       


Popovich's post-game pressers are as entertaining a sideshow as exists in the NBA. Almost routinely, queries of varying dubiousness are brushed off with glib sarcasm and requests for better questions, as reporters seemingly walk on eggshells to avoid displeasing him. While this might give Texas-area beat writers nightmares, it's an added layer of humor for NBA fans, and a refreshing contrast to typical "in the box" media interaction.

Pop's as much of a multi-facted threat on the podium as Tim Duncan is in the post; not only will he pull no punches as he unloads as much (or little) of his true thoughts on any topic, but he delivers them with an astonishingly blunt matter-of-factness that comes across as equal parts condescending, mystified, and unintentionally hilarious. He'll spend several minutes demolishing hopeful suitors in dry monotone, and just when you think he's an emotionless asshole, he'll drop a quick one-liner and flash a quick smile that lightens the entire mood and makes one reporter's week.

You could call Popovich's brash response to a mandatory aspect of his job arrogance, and you'd probably be right. But the simple truth is that he probably deserves to be. The consistent excellence that the Spurs have performed with during his tenure is a testament to just how well he understands all aspects of successful basketball. Sure, San Antonio got lucky landing Timmy D (and lucky as in not only fluking a bad season due to an Admiral injury, but then defying the odds in the lottery, and doing both in the same year one of the most can't-miss prospects ever is atop the draft board), but every move made since by Popovich and running-mate RC Buford has been an intelligent, carefully-measured maneuver to get the most out of Duncan's career, and the fact that they're vying for a fifth title in 14 years - never having missed the Playoffs - speaks for itself.

Every evolution of this Spurs quasi-dynasty has been shrewdly-cobbled through ridiculous Draft steals (Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, apparently Kawhi Leonard), and a solid mix of athletic youth and veteran role-players, acquired only if their skills and mentality fit the Spurs' system and allowed them to operate more seamlessly and consistently than any team in professional sports. The man keeping everything flowing smoothly together clearly gets basketball on a level higher than we do, and he doesn't have time for our stupid fucking questions.

Sure it might not be nice, but it's often really funny. So unless we're the ones on the other side of his mic, it's a show worth enjoying.

2013 Finals Preview: Are the Heat Hot Enough?

In 2007, a then-Cavalier named LeBron James dragged a pitiful Cleveland roster through a shallow East Playoff bracket, as its lone star, to his first Finals; a showdown with the San Antonio Spurs. What ensued was a swift, abrupt lesson in team execution as the Spurs swept the Cavs in demoralizing fashion. LeBron would never return to the Finals with Cleveland, a team he ultimately deemed wasn't to his standards.

Fast-forward six years, several MVPs, one Decision, a one-way ticket to South Beach, and two Finals appearances later, LeBron is suddenly getting those "Cleveland" feelings again, his brilliance being contrasted by disappointing play from those around him. Despite this, he finds himself back in the Finals, and sure as the sky's blue and the dirt brown, waiting there for him again are the Spurs. Some things change, some things stay the same.

One such thing; David Stern consistently dodging disaster. Rumblings of referee incompetence were forcing a Game 7 that could potentially commit a Red Wedding-style massacre on his final Finals' ratings as commissioner, but the Heat stung a decisive win against the superstar-less, small-market Pacers, moving on to battle the Spurs in a matchup that's really about more than this season's title.

For Miami, it's a validation of what they've constructed. This season's team was Small-Ball at its apex;  a pressure-filled flurry of transition alley-oops and multiple-pass diversion plays that epitomized the NBA's emerging skill-over-size trend. A win in this series would bolster their 27-game win streak and last year's title; it would put them among some of the truly memorable teams on a historic level. This is important for Miami because the Decision-fueled hype of Summer 2010 set the bar on an unprecedented level for this team, and anything short of historic resonance will be seen as a failure of not only what they put together, but how.

For the Spurs, it's a chance to resonate on an even greater level. They've spent the last 14 years, in the face of the largest fanbase of on-the-low hatred in professional sports, quietly, methodically, arguably becoming the greatest dynasty in the modern era of professional sports. A fifth title in as many Finals appearances over such a stretch with the same coach/superstar combo would be an unprecedented feat in any league, and would further pad Tim Duncan's already Top 10 All-Time resume.

For the NBA it's a very marketable, star-filled clash of Old vs New School; one with two evenly-matched, highly-skilled and well-coached two-way teams who both present several matchup issues for each other, and can not only dictate but adapt well to a game's change in tempo. In other words: this series is guaranteed not to be a flop (we've seen enough flopping in these Playoffs), and has the potential to be truly memorable.

This Finals obviously has to start with LeBron James, the reigning MVP/Finals MVP/possible Transformer who can dominate games in more ways than any player perhaps ever. He'll be the focal point of this series, both on the court and in the social mediasphere, and his team's chances appear to hinge heavily on his ability to maintain what I call "Ether Mode". The good news for him is that he's just defeated a team that between Paul George's dynamic coverage and Roy Hibbert's "Verticality" was ideally equipped to defend him. The bad news is that the Spurs are capable of not only suffocating defense, but thrive on half-court offensive efficiency that would've easily buried the Miami team that showed itself for most of the Pacers series; one that will not only challenge their team D much more, but be far less willing to cough up the ball for the transition buckets the Heat thrive on. So LeBron's isn't in for a cakewalk, as he'll have to not only excel on offense consistently, but potentially cover several defensive mismatches .

If Miami can take something away from the fact that a one-way team with an absolutely pitiful bench just dragged them to a seventh game, it's that they faced real adversity and a sense of urgency for the first time all season and overcame it. Not only were Bosh and Wade just awful, but drawing the ire of LeBron, who took public pot shots at his teammates as the Heat's chemistry - which as had been schizophrenic prior to this season - appeared to be coming undone. The response to the threat of elimination was an immediate return to their winning style - exploiting and attacking Indiana instead of falling into their halfcourt tempo - and an emphatic win that righted their momentum. Which is good for them because they'll need it; The Spurs are playing extremely well as a team, and are more rested than Gregg Popovich ever could've plotted for at this point in the season.

Tony Parker's most recent performance was a filleting of an NBA All-D 2nd-Teamer, so Miami has to be immediately concerned about how to contain him. Mario Chalmers is long on the perimeter, but kind of slow. Norris Cole is quick and energetic, but not an incredible fundamental defender. Dwyane Wade is a phenomenal defender on his best day, but today (or at least most of the past two weeks) is far from that day.
Parker's ability to pick apart Miami off the dribble will highlight both strengths and weaknesses of their team D. Miami has very little rim protection, and if Parker is able to get to the hole at will, he'll make life difficult for them by forcing a defensive collapse on the paint - that San Antonio is all-too-well known for picking apart with crafty passing and the infamous Corner Three. To the Heat's credit, they're perfectly-built to play that kind of high-movement, switch-heavy scheme on D, and will ensure more resistance than Memphis did.

The ability of their post tandem to handle Tim Duncan also has to be a huge concern after Chris Bosh played like one of those flamingo lawn ornaments for most of the East Finals. Timmy D's not only going to be fresh, but exploit every single edge Miami gives him; their coverage will have to be multi-faceted. He's enough of a scoring threat to warrant double-teams, especially against the Heat's front line, but an equally dangerous passer both within and out of the post. Again, this primarily attacks a fundamental weakness of Miami's, but they're well-equipped to defend the secondary by doubling down on Duncan and rotating quickly enough to cover open shooters/passing lanes. Interior passing will be a serious issue for them however; Tiago Splitter tore the Grizzlies apart when Gasol sat and the Arthur/Randolph combo couldn't hold water against Duncan's dual threat, and Miami's similar (only perpetual) lack of size could leave them more exposed against a team whose bigs both pass and finish extremely well close to the hoop (In fact, don't be entirely surprised if LeBron ends up covering Duncan for some stretches if he's got fouls to give).

Manu Ginobili will be the Finals' obvious Wild Card; while he's been a hobbled shadow of himself as the Playoffs have wore on, the week+ off will have given him a chance to recharge and bring a new level of energy and pressure to the Heat perimeter. Miami's periodic offensive dysfunction in the East Finals went largely unpunished when Indiana's bench was struggling to pass to the right team, let alone put the ball in the basket. Manu at his best is a one-man firing squad who can ignite a second unit by himself and is savvy enough to create hoops for any teammate, and his potential highlights another issue for Miami: Depth.

San Antonio can wear teams down by out-manning them, going the whole way down their bench with players tailor-fit to specific roles and matchups. Conversely, Miami's bench reads like a gradually-declining list of the same skill sets, each player not only becoming more ineffective, but cobweb-ridden during their playoff run. Joel Anthony is a prime example of a player who might see extended minutes (to stop the bleeding Duncan's likely to inflict), but will force the Heat out of their comfort zone and into a 4 on 5 offense.

So what does Miami have going for them?

First off, Chris Bosh should be in a slightly more comfortable state, and the same can be said for Dwyane Wade. Both were pitted against larger, more physical defenders against Indy, and Bosh in particular drew the brunt of Hibbert's abuse in the low post, and the hit his ego took obviously permeated into his confidence on offense as he struggled consistently (which sort of explains why he was so happy when he finally managed to hit a shot in Game 7, as seen to the right). While Duncan's obviously far more skilled than Hibbert, he's also primarily a finesse player, one who caters to Bosh a bit more. Indiana took Christopher so far out of his comfort zone on one end that he couldn't establish it on the other, and the result was some of Miami's worst ball of the season.

Wade was likewise ineffective, appearing a step slow and out-of-sync with James, partly due to Indiana's League-best defense, as well as a (relative) rift between the BFFs, with the two taking not-so-indirect shots at each other through the media. Game 7's win was surely enough to squash whatever was going on there. Ever since the 2nd-half turnaround in Game 4 of last year's Indiana series - the one where Wade and James were human portrayals of the CPU that just won't let you win in Madden or 2K - their occasionally mercurial on-court synergy has usually been at (or near) its best when most needed, as though they know they have a gear above everyone else and confidently engage it. These Finals will require it consistently.

While the Spurs have a depth advantage, Miami certainly has the talent and athleticism to force their hand with it. Their frenetic play on both sides of the ball can wear teams down and rack up fouls, which will be a very dramatic shift from the pace Memphis just allowed San Antonio to get so comfortable in. They'll be forced to chase a lot more on D, battle for plenty more defensive boards, and be giving up an athleticism edge at almost every position, which mandates hard work regardless of how small Miami is. While the Spurs have the deeper bench, Miami's supporting cast has the higher ceiling, and if guys like Chalmers and Battier are able to get into consistent rhythms and make defensive impacts, San Antonio could be in trouble.

Having the most complete player in NBA history (let's just kill this "Potential G.O.A.T" talk and call him what he is) leading your team is obviously a significant advantage; a guy who can not only win a game by himself, but can do it in several ways simultaneously. Kawhi Leonard will spend the most time covering LeBron, but despite being an excellent defender, is ill-equipped to contain James on his own - a trait he shares with all humans. The Spurs' front line lacks that "lane-clogger" (think Roy Hibbert or Tyson Chandler) that's been so fatal to LeBron's penetration, which means he'll be much more comfortable going to the hoop off the dribble - which is by far when he's most dangerous. Send too many players towards a basket-bound King James, and Miami has enough spot-up shooters to rain threes all day; it's pick your poison (though the way they've shot it at times through these Playoffs, Pop might be able to swallow the latter). There's also his defensive presence; he could cover Duncan or Parker if needed, and won't be tested nearly as often by Leonard as the George/West combo, leaving him more in free-safety mode than the Spurs would like, especially against their pick-and-roll.

Miami will also have homecourt, which is massive for a team in a closely-matched series who plays as well at home as the Heat do. While South Beach residents have never been accused of being the most knowledgeable, dedicated, or enthusiastic NBA fans around, something has to be said for Miami's league-best record at the Triple-A, especially in Wade's case (what, like you wouldn't play with more confidence if you'd slept with Gabrielle Union the night before). The first two at home will be important tone-setters for a team that just came off a challenging series that shook its momentum severely; their ability to get back into their comfortable pace and push the Spurs will likely decide the outcome of this series.

San Antonio has plenty of intangibles playing to their edge, but the painful truth for them is that their ideal style of play caters too well to what Miami thrives in. The Spurs love to shoot 3s; Miami defends them extremely well. They love to abuse teams on the pick-and-roll, Miami has LeBron James. They love to bury defenses in the paint with Parker/Duncan help and move the ball several times for open shots, which Miami is probably better equipped to counter than any team in the NBA. On the other side of things, the Spurs don't have the size or all-around athletic toughness to bully the Heat like Indiana did; Miami did just get dragged to the edge of elimination, but again, by a team that's ideally built to defend them, and the only one to go all 7 rounds with them over their 3-peat as East Champs. What San Antonio also doesn't have - more to their demise - is LeBron James; a better player than in 2007, with a better team and a sharper killer instinct, which in this close of a matchup should be enough to keep Miami on the throne this season. Some things change, some things stay the same. Heat in 7.

Showing Out, Flaming Out, Coming Out - This Week in the NBA

It's been a wild week in professional basketball, certainly one occupied by what, according to Charles Barkley, was supposed to be the "worst First Round ever". Well, so much for that. While Chuck tries to dislodge his foot from his throat, let's get into it:

- The NBA was thrust into the spotlight of professional sports' greatest taboo, when longtime veteran Jason Collins announced he was gay in an interview with Sports Illustrated, becoming the first active pro athlete to publicly come out. A move that no doubt took an immense amount of courage will be greeted mostly with open arms - especially coming from a respected veteran - and will hopefully help build towards ending the type of discrimination that made this issue a big story in the first place. Maybe Chris Broussard will get the memo someday.

Collins made this historic announcement with humble confidence, and deserves to be commended for his bravery, regardless of the fact that his career is in decline. While he may not face the life of an openly gay professional athlete for long (as of today, his status as a landmark figure in the gay community currently heavily outweighs his status as a basketball player), if the step he's taken here makes it any easier for athletes who follow, or people in general, to be open about their sexuality and accepted among their peers - and it will be significant to an innumerably great measure - then Collins will make a legendary impact.

- While Collins' announcement came as a jolt of publicity to the NBA, what first looked like a predictably mundane first round has seen much of the Playoff bracket thrown in a blender during an exciting run of headline-filled basketball:

Most notably has been an ill-timed first career Russell Westbrook injury (thanks, Patrick Beverley!) and its ensuing impact on the seemingly-inevitable Finals rematch of OKC and Miami. While Kevin Durant could probably win a shoot-out with the Rockets by himself blindfolded, it remains to be seen if the Thunder can crack more evolved defenses without Westbrook's constant pressuring attack. Much has been said of his ball dominance being a leash holding KD back, and these coming weeks will be the ultimate testament to just how much of a catalyst his presence is for Durant, but regardless of any "addition by subtraction" that can be made, the Thunder just lost a player who's unquestionably among the 10 best in the NBA, and that hurts.

- Westbrook joined fellow All-Star David Lee (and Kobe, and D-Rose, blah blah blah) on the sidelines in suits, although someone forgot to tell the rest of the Golden State Warriors, who are riding a transcendent performance from Steph Curry to a 3-1 lead over a Nuggets team that's being rained on from all angles, looking as helpless as Billy Madison's primary classmates in dodgeball. Curry's deconstructing Denver like he was still playing a Davidson opponent, and doing it all on a freshly-tweaked ankle that this performance confirms is not made of papier-maché.

The Warriors have delivered an all-around inspiring performance that can't help but evoke memories of the "We Believe" odds-foe that ran over the Mavs in '07. Carl Landry has filled in for David Lee remarkably (although it isn't that remarkable given that Landry's possibly the most consistently underrated player in the NBA), Jarrett Jack has been spectacular, even Andrew Bogut is showing signs of emerging from rigor mortis. Mark Jackson's flexing his muscle as an NBA coach - especially in terms of motivating his team and having them at their best - and has George Karl's team in a void much larger than Danilo Gallinari's absence should account for.

- Also on an injury-defying course for an upset are the Chicago Bulls, after that marathon slugfest led by Nate Robinson channeling his inner Kobe Bryant and dragging his team to extra time. It evolved into a triple-overtime blockbuster that enveloped the entire first half of the following Grizzlies/Clippers game, and was finished off by the Bulls' consistent team execution after Nasty Nate fouled out. Their 3-1 lead is a testament to this team's toughness and togetherness (I refuse to use the words "Grit" or "Grind"), and Joakim Noah should stand out for his stoic response to plantar fasciitis, not only playing through terrible pain, but effectively enough to give his team an edge in a series few even thought they could win with him. He's coming up - to use an obvious pun - Big.

- After the Grizzlies lost any concept of #GNG in their dubious opening road losses to the Clippers, they re-discovered that sense of urgency that they've thrived upon but haven't felt in a while after a regular season where uncertainty and expectation awkwardly shook hands. Returning to the GrindHouse, Memphis slowed its pace down and dominated the Clippers in the half-court, handcuffing Chris Paul (as relative a term as that is), bullying Blake Griffin, and evening the series with enough momentum that they might be favored, even with only one game left at home. As corny as all the "Wild Wild West" jokes have been over the years, this conference never ceases to be exciting.

- If only the same could be said of the East, where the Heat are a successful LeBron James assassination attempt away from returning to the Finals. Don't get any crazy ideas, Knick fans. And sorry, it's not happening otherwise.

- The Hindenburg of a season the Lakers just endured finally came to a crashing halt yesterday, fittingly punctuated by a childish outburst from Dwight Howard, and a blowout loss. After nearly decapitating Cory Joseph with an elbow in the first half, Howard picked up a 2nd technical soon after halftime for whining at the refs, earning him an early dismissal from what very well could be his final game in a Lakers uniform. Between Dwight's "amicable" conversation with Mitch Kupchak on his way off the floor, his departure being closely followed by Kobe Bryant's sideline presence, the open Twitter-bashing from Magic Johnson, the talk of open anti-Dwight locker room rifts, and his persistent demonstration that his maturity has yet to evolve beyond that of a 5-year-old, it's hard to see why the Lakers would want to the renew "The D12 Experience" beyond its first season.

- And finally, this Banter update would not be complete without a fond farewell to David Kahn; the Minnesota Timberwolves GM who, for years, managed to provide unparalleled excitement from the front office, making the most hilariously mind-numbing decisions while somehow keeping his job, until reality caught up with him and he was fired this week.

Always a favorite of this blog, Kahn will be remembered as a groundbreaking draft strategist, who helped troubled talents harvest the most in their abilities, always spent Free Agent dollars wisely, knew exactly which players to commit to, how to treat his stars, and never once made a stupid comparison in a Summer League interview between a borderline Hall of Famer and a deplorable Draft-bust who he had just signed. He was a visionary before his time; a victim of circumstance who tried to make the most of having the odds against him. That the Wolves are letting him go is not their loss, but all of ours.

Best of luck, David. And in the odd event some team doesn't hire you as their GM again, one last time:

KAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNN!

Enjoy the rest of the first round.

Banter's 2013 UnOfficial Awards

While the NBA does a reasonable job of handing out awards that honor players who've stood out in the regular season, the limited scope of six trophies leaves many deserving and shunned without recognition.

Though it many not be much consolation, those who've excelled in categories not recognized by the League ballots - but still made a memorable impression on this season, for better and worse - are getting their dues here, with Banter's UnOfficial Awards for 2013...

Bobby Boucher Trophy: James Harden, Houston Rockets

The player whose acquisition to a new team created the greatest positive impact.

Prior to last summer, Houston GM Darryl Morey had spent several well-chronicled seasons stockpiling middling tradeable assets in an attempt to land a premiere player; one capable of building a team around. He loaded his stash steadily, patiently waiting for the right opportunity. After factors of varying legitimacy thwarted his attempts to land Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, it should have surprised no one that the guy leading the "Nerdy GM" Revolution had triggered a deal with fellow chief-geek Sam Presti to land James Harden before the rest of the NBA had any idea Harden was available.

What also came as little surprise was Harden's immediate explosion in a larger role, but within Houston's high-octane, shoot-first-ask-questions-later offense, his athletic combination of playmaking and versatile scoring was a perfect fit for a dominant ball-handler, and The Beard became even more Fearsome than before. Largely as a result, Houston's in the Playoffs (highly unlikely pre-trade), and Harden has given them what they've worked years for: a legitimate star.

Regards to: JR Smith, OJ Mayo, Nikola Vucevic

Simmons BeautyRest Award: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

The player who had an exceptional season and was generally slept on very hard by the NBA community.

When posterity reflects upon the 2012-13 NBA Season, or the career of one Stephen Curry, there's going to be a glaring historical injustice concerning his absence on this season's West All-Star team. Certainly, this was some kind of miscount, or perhaps a covertly-coordinated attempt by all the opposing coaches he'd shredded to rob a "fringe All-Star"; certainly they hadn't all forgotten.

While praise and an All-Star jersey were heaped upon David Lee, Curry continued performing at an excellent level, exponentially more important to Golden State's offense than Lee, and (rebounding aside) a noticeably better defender. In his first season as the Warriors' backcourt lead, he made short debate of the decision to keep him and trade Monta Ellis. He stayed healthy and elevated his game while Andrew Bogut did neither, taking his team to the Playoffs, where few had slotted them.

That he wasn't an All-Star is a testament to ignorance. That he likely won't be All-NBA is a testament to the quality of guards in today's game. Regardless, his impact this season can't be completely swept under the rug.

Regards to: Kenneth Faried, Mike Conley, JJ Hickson

Canibus Award: Michael Beasley, Phoenix Suns

The player who was primed to blow up this season, had plenty of opportunity, and didn't amount to much.

Watching Mike Beasley play basketball is one of the most genuinely frustrating experiences known to fans of the game. Equipped with a rare blend of pure power and raw athleticism, he also possesses an outstanding offensive skill set and the ability to swing between forward spots, which all put together is a seemingly foolproof recipe for NBA success.

The words "seemingly" and "foolproof" are of particular importance in this case, as Beasley regularly defies convention with his selfish, disconnected play, and general lack of acknowledgement that preventing the other team from scoring helps win games. Even with a change of scenery - going from Minnesota's suddenly expectation-filled snowy abyss to a rebuilding desert oasis where he would have plenty of room to make a name for himself - he continued to tease with the occasional glimpse of dominance, while mainly lapsing listlessly through a forgettable season that's beginning to define a forgettable career.

Regards to: DeMarcus Cousins, Javale McGee, Kyle Lowry

Kevin Willis Memorial Award: Derek Fisher, Oklahoma City Thunder

The player who demonstrates outstanding devotion to the game, defying most laws of common sense and physics with an utter refusal to retire.

I'm not really sure why Derek Fisher's still playing basketball professionally; he's made a ton of money, won more championships than 99.9% of players who will ever suit up in the NBA, and must sincerely value time with his loved ones after his daughter overcame a rare life- threatening illness (Fisher confirmed as much when he made Dallas waive him so he could re-sign with the Thunder and be with his family in OKC).

At this point I've concluded either one of two things: a) Fisher sincerely loves the game, or b) Fisher sincerely feels bad enough about the way the lockout went that he's willing to martyr himself as an easy match-up for the players he helped squander many millions on behalf of.

Either way, he's living embodiment of what this award's all about.

Regards to: Kurt Thomas, Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, 

Energizer Bunny Award: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

The player who just keeps going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going...

If Westbrook weren't so emotionally volatile, it wouldn't be too crazy at this point to think he was some sort of secretly-developed cyborg.

Not only is he unbelievably stubborn, as though he were programmed with just one gear, but that gear is one of hyper-aggression; an overdrive that fuels a perpetual rage of insanely athletic energy that never takes a single play off and seems to escape normal human physical implications.

See, Westbrook not only goes all-out every possession, playing as though his life depended on it, but his body shows absolutely no signs of the strain and injury such extreme intensity usually leaves. Not only did he get through this season without missing a single game, but he's done the same each of his five years in the NBA, and apparently ever since high school. Westy's ability to keep himself on the court and involved in every play is truly without equal.

Regards to: Kobe Bryant, Kenneth Faried, LeBron James

Ham of the Year: Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors 

The player who insulted expectations, his paycheck, and the game of basketball the most through continued dubiousness and a general resemblance to a roasted slab of meat.

Quite seldom does a player fall into a serious regression as he's entering the ostensible prime of his career without suffering a debilitating injury, but consider Bargnani the exception. He impeded any progress the Raptors had hoped to make this season by casually drifting through possessions while his albatross contract ate up cap space and potential trades like they were Molly caps at a Young Money release party.

Though Bargs has been dealing with nagging minor ailments, his lack of improvement and constant nonchalant aura since inking his big deal suggest he's more likely getting rich and lazy than the victim of a Greg Oden(/Andrew Bynum?)-style bodily flaw.

A prime amnesty candidate, Bargnani flashed the skill set to be a truly effective stretch 4, and the rare Euro big man to actually pan out, but now being paid like a star, he's fallen flatter than a Shaq free-throw for a team who took him first overall, hired his Italian manager to help acclimate him, gave him $50 million, and is now left shaking their heads.

Regards to: Pau Gasol, Kendrick Perkins, Ben Gordon

JR Rider Award: DeAndre Jordan on Brandon Knight

The season's best dunk.

We've seen it enough times. All you need to do is look at the photo to the right, and you know something devastating just happened.

Hindenburg Award: LA Lakers

Given to the NBA's biggest disaster.

It seems kind of unfair and redundant, but it can't be understated just how catastrophic this season was for the Lakers. Back in November, they were on the brink of hiring the best coach in the history of the NBA to remedy their maligned cast of Hall-of-Famers, but since courting - then abruptly dumping - him, have seen theatrics, nonchalance, lack of depth and injuries destroy their hopes of contending, punctuated a heinously ironic injury to Kobe Bryant, and mass uncertainty about the team's future. Rest in Peace, Dr Buss. Know how sincerely I say you're in a better place now.

Regards to: Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings

Christopher Wallace Award: Andrew Bynum, Philadelphia 76ers

The player whose team was most hurt by his absence this season.

In a season where many-a-star seemed to be weathering some kind of injury, none of their franchise's seasons were as heavily weighted upon Bynum's full convalescence and the 76ers'. The perennially injured star center had a team of shooter and athletic swing players built around him, counting on his knee rehab to work their way.

Of course, Bynum seriously aggravated the injury in a much-hyped trip to his local bowling alley, shelving himself for the rest of the season in the process, and leaving Philly's roster up shit's creek, with only Jrue Holiday as a paddle. Without their new franchise player, the 76ers were rudderless and uninspiring, gradually dissolving as the season went along, and driving a steady veteran coach like Doug Collins - one noted for his growth of young talent (including a certain standout swingman during the late 80's) - to melt down and lash out at his team in a post-game presser, and eventually walk out on $4.5 million to lead them again next year.

While the Sixers wait on lottery balls and clean out their lockers earlier than anyone expected when Bynum donned their threads, at least they have the comfort of knowing they didn't give up any quality big men who could've served as insurance if he went down. Oh, wait...

Regards to: The Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Love, Derrick Rose

2013 Banter NBA Awards

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!

Coming to you live from the Halifax Forum it's the 2013 Basketball Banter Awards, on Eastlink local cable!

We've got plenty of awards to hand out tonight, and unfortunately our host Michael Jordan couldn't make it this evening (something about a scheduling conflict), so without further ado, here are tonight's nominees!

Rookie of the Year, presented by Thomas Ian Nicholas and Gary Busey:  Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Damian Lillard, Dion Waiters

Defensive Player of the Year, presented by Ray Lewis and Maurice Levy: Tyson Chandler, Marc Gasol, Paul George, Lebron James, Joakim Noah

Coach of the Year, presented by Phil Jackson and Mike Rice: Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra, Tom Thibodeau, Mike Woodson, Doug Collins, Frank Vogel

Sixth Man of the Year, presented by Bronn and The Hound: Ryan Anderson, Jamal Crawford, Jarrett Jack, Andre Miller, JR Smith

Most Improved Player, presented by Macklemore and Psy: Omer Asik, Paul George, Jrue Holiday, Larry Sanders, Nikola Vucevic

Most Valuable Player, presented by Adam Silver and Mikhail Prokhorov: Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Lebron James, Chris Paul

....and now, the moment you've all been waiting for (seriously, let's just get to the after-party), the winners are....

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Damian Lillard, Portland Trailblazers
What was seemingly Davis' award to lose heading into the season has, in fact, been lost, unfortunately for him it seemed, before he even got to stake his claim. While Davis put up a reasonable rookie campaign amid some concerns about his durability and frame at the NBA level, Lillard showed out for Portland, blitzing defenses with ridiculous quickness off the bounce, and an impressive set of moves for a 6'3" rookie. His playmaking ability is adept for a score-first guard, and while the NBA game hasn't come completely naturally to him (he's struggled on defense most of the season, particularly on-the-ball), he's by all accounts a gym-rat with a devotion to improving. Either way, for 2013, Dame Dash is the clear rookie chart-topper.

All-Rookie Teams:

First Team: G-Damian Lillard, G-Bradley Beal, F-Mo Harkless F-Anthony Davis, C-Andre Drummond

Second Team: G-Dion Waiters, G/F*Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (the asterisk denoting that the Bobcats didn't really have anything coherently resembling an offense this year, so slotting MKG here in a very thin rookie class isn't much of a stretch) F- Harrison Barnes, F- John Henson, C- Jonas Valanciunas

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
The  Bulls' somewhat-controversial dismantling of the Miami Heat's historic win streak was a simple microcosm of what this team's about: brutally efficient defensive execution; it's what Tom Thibodeau was sought for by teams League-wide, and it's paid dividends with the Bulls' MVP on the shelf for most of the past two seasons.

That they pulled off that particular upset without Joakim Noah is drenched in irony, as Noah has been the heart, soul and spine of this team's defense for several seasons, and knowing Derrick Rose would be out for most (perhaps all?) of this season, he ratcheted his game up to the next level, becoming the League's most versatile post defender. A constant threat to not only disrupt big men and own the glass, but quick enough to get in front of any penetrating wingman, with the length and athleticism to make them think twice about a return trip. His increased court awareness and leadership in Rose's absence showed especially on D, where he never fell into the lapses that plagued him post-contract, fueling the system that kept Chicago above water through a litany of injuries.

All-Defensive Teams:

First Team: G-Tony Allen, G-Dwyane Wade, F-LeBron James, F-Joakim Noah, C-Marc Gasol

Second Team: G-Mike Conley, G-Chris Paul, F-Paul George, F-Serge Ibaka, C-Roy Hibbert

COACH OF THE YEAR: Mike Woodson, New York Knicks 
In a category that's defined by subjectivity and un-expectation, Woodson has risen to the top of this year's coaching crop by taking an oddly-cobbled, aging Knicks team, and turning them into the unquestioned Eastern bridesmaids with a unique inside-out attack that has had to take many forms amid numerous injuries.
Aside from adjusting his lineup all year through a perpetually-rotating cast of players, Woodson did many remarkable things this season:

First, he vastly exceeded expectations in the rabid Mecca, which between the fans, the media, the pressure, the presence of Jim Dolan, and everything else plaguing the Knicks, takes a minor miracle. Moreover, he took on a newly-assembled team with several "character issues" guys and steered them clear of any cereal-unrelated disasters. In a season of metrics-based innovation, he crafted the NBA's most devastating inside-out attack around a player (Tyson Chandler) with no low-post game, and a player (Carmelo Anthony) who wasn't very fond of posting up often, or doing things the coach's way. In convincing Melo to take more minutes at the 4-spot, Woodson was also able to make Anthony see the light that "passing can be a good thing" (consequently, a player who arguably had the most prove of anyone in the NBA this year enjoyed the best season of his career). Beyond all this, perhaps most impressive was Woodson's breakthrough with JR Smith (clearly an expert after repeatedly butting heads with the other athletic "J.Smith" who was taken as a high schooler in the teens of the '04 Draft), turning him from a talented but generally disruptive potential-journeyman into:

SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR: JR Smith, New York Knicks
You should really see the look on my face right now. If there were a "Ron Artest Wins the Citizenship Award" Award for the words I'm most shocked to be writing this season, this is a sweep:

Smith made a name for himself in the NBA as an explosive scorer who could carry any second unit offensively, but did little else, loved the continual self-dial, and conducted himself in a manner that not-so-seldom made headlines for the wrong reasons. After spending a year in China during the lockout, it was unclear what Smith's role would be upon signing with New York; even less clear how the Garden's bright lights would cast him.

Early on, Smith made an impact; as advertised, he was a lethal shooter but his game seemed to evolve; he was penetrating more, keeping defenses honest, scoring near the hoop, and getting to the line at a greater rate, becoming a much more efficient offensive weapon. This was an astonishing development after years of urging from numerous coaches had proven futile. Even more shocking, he was defending and rebounding aggressively, while playing an important role in the Knicks' pass-heavy offense, completing the full-on transformation from apparent selfish knucklehead to vital role player, while using Twitter hilariously as an outlet for his impulsive attention-getting, rather than fighting with refs and coaches.

Smith's play led to increased minutes - a career high 33.5 as of now - which naturally left him on the floor more often in the clutch, where that once-pseudo-swag he carried himself with found meaning, hitting numerous big shots to help secure wins, which puts the icing on this cake and the 6MOY in JR Smith's humble hands. Strange times we're living in.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Some people might find it puzzling that I don't have the guy who's likely to win this award (James Harden) included even as a nominee. While Harden's certainly come onto his new scene in a big way, becoming a Top-10 guy with the Rockets this year, it's not as though he's improved tremendously as a basketball player. He was the most under-utilized player in the NBA last year, and still posted one of the best seasons in 6th Man history. He was named to Team USA in the summer, and happily given a max contract by the guy who's very much looking like the smartest GM in the League at the moment. Now the clear #1 on a Houston squad with the fastest-paced (read: stat-bloating) game, it's only natural he'd be putting up numbers like he is.

Meanwhile, George underwent an evolution that was far less guided; one that saw him make significant statistical strides on one of the slowest-paced (read: stat-constricting) teams while having to work harder in a new role that was unexpectedly thrown at him. When trigger-happy Danny Granger went down early, the onus was on PG to become the Pacers' offensive leader (almost by committee) and get over his apparent hesitance to create his own shot. It didn't take too long for George to not only become confident in that role, but display the kind of ability to render Granger to sudden trade bait, while also upping his play on D to an elite level. His baptism-by-fire emergence is the biggest reason the short-handed Pacers will be a 50-win team (other than the depth of the Eastern Conference) and a total contrast to Harden's likely illogical victory in this category.

All-NBA Teams: 

First Team: G-Chris Paul, G-Kobe Bryant, F-Lebron James, F-Kevin Durant, C-Marc Gasol

Second Team: G-Russell Westbrook, G-Tony Parker, F-Carmelo Anthony, F-Tim Duncan, C-Joakim Noah

Third Team: G-Stephen Curry, G-James Harden, F-Paul George, F-Blake Griffin, C-Brook Lopez

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: LeBron James, Miami Heat 
The final award of the evening is a total anti-climax, defeating the entire purpose of leaving it for last, but I digress... In a season where several players put up what otherwise would be very compelling MVP arguments, LeBron silenced all. The performance he delivered this season has made people legitimately discuss the idea of a living player possibly being as good or better than Michael Jordan, and not be thrown in an insane asylum. And that's really that needs to be said.

The All-League Pass Team

As most of you already know, NBA League Pass is probably the greatest invention since the wheel and has revolutionized the way we watch our favorite game (and if you don't, you really need to).

Not only are all games available at the touch of a button, but teams and players who were seldom seen outside the quiet realms of local TV are now being exposed to a national audience, their status only further proliferating with the explosion of social media and the (awesome) sudden ability for the random thoughts of JR Smith to make him an internet celebrity. 

The excessive abundance of selection forces one to prioritize: There's certain players who are simply must-see additions to any well-balanced night of NBA channel-surfing; guys who for a variety of reasons - both related to their basketball skills and otherwise - are simply too entertaining to pass up. 

The regular season's winding down, and awards are due out soon. So as a warm-up, here's a nod to the excellence of those who, night in and night out, kept us on the edge of our seats; who threaten to do something completely unforgettable whenever they step onto the court: The All-League Pass Team

Close Cuts - Michael Beasley (the prototype for a "guy who should be really good, is amusing to watch from an unintentional hilarity point of view, but ultimately too frustrating), Gerald Green (stopped dunking a lot/playing basketball well), Ricky Rubio (spent too much of this year injured/on early curfew), Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant (as amazing as they are at this age, it's not like we're seeing anything new from them), Steph Curry (casualty of an elite PG class), Josh Smith (has toned down his dunking, can no longer fight w/ Mike Woodson nightly), JR Smith (has toned down his erratic shooting and refuses to fight w/ Mike Woodson nightly), Tony Allen (one of the NBA's best players at losing the ball on the way to the hoop, regaining possession, drawing contact from an innocent bystander and completing the and-one defenders) the J. Crawfords (painful exclusions), Blake Griffin (a unanimous pick if Lebron and Durant weren't having two of the best seasons in recent memory) and DeMarcus Cousins (I really enjoy watching highly-skilled big men who regularly scream at their teammates mid-game for not getting them the ball enough, but every time I tune into a Kings game, I'm expecting to hear he's caught a CDT suspension and isn't with the team)

and now without further ado, the 2013 All-League Pass Team:

G - Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers  

Only so much needs to be said about the brilliance of a player who consistently averages more steals than turnovers and is a Lebron James-in-his-prime away from being the NBA's most complete offensive player. Paul - in his awe-imposing physical stature - regularly and methodically destroys opposing defenses however he sees fit, utilizing his own seemingly endless arsenal of moves, while also conducting a smooth-flowing basketball symphony, helping teammates hit high notes they couldn't without him. He plays with a tremendous IQ and the leadership ability to make it permeate through the rest of a once-mocked franchise that's considered among the legit contenders. It's must-see TV.

G - Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Westbrook's (by a very wide margin) the sharpest double-edge entertainment threat in professional basketball. Not only is he an insanely athletic, skilled and well-built guard who goes hard every game and is never short on highlight-reel material, but he's also one of the League's most highly-combustible players, prone to emotional blowups and occasional spans of on-court judgement that force you to question his mental development. There's very few point guards who cram on seven-footers as regularly and casually as Westbrook, and even fewer who've let a 5-second violation create a fight during and timeout and then flee to the locker room in distress. When their team was up 20. 

F- Lebron James, Miami Heat
This weighs on me personally because I don't want to watch the Miami Heat. I hate most things about their team, and find myself rooting against them in 99% of games. Despite this, the rational side of me usually wrestles some screen time for South Beach, because despite my feelings, it's hard to turn away. They play an engaged, unique, and energetic brand of basketball that's well-executed and (pretty much naturally) produces more than its share of poster shots. While the entire team has been playing out of their minds - not only individually but as a unit - a lot of this stems from Lebron James quite simply dominating this game on a level right now that only Michael Jordan has ever exceeded. Plain and simple. And if you don't want to watch that, then you're not a basketball fan.

F - Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
"Video Game Mode" is a term that's been gaining some steam in sports conversations these days. For those born after 1980 and not living in Siberia, it's an obvious reference, but in case you're a Siberian NBA fan, "Video Game Mode" is an homage to NBA Jam/Courtside with Kobe Bryant/Hangtime/Live/Street/ 2KWhatever, and the unrealistically good play spawned therein. Whether through poor game design, the "Easy" difficulty setting and "Off" fatigue toggling, a user calling his superstar's number on every single play, or the sudden ability to leap 40 feet in the air for a quintuple-flip while igniting the ball in flames during a dunk, players just seemed to be able to do a lot of shit that just seemed... Skeptical. This term most often applies to cases of overt offensive dominance, where a particular player shows a ruthless unwillingness to miss, as though he's discovered a cheat code that sends every shot out his hands straight through the mesh. This term also most often applies to Kevin Durant, which is why he's a no-brainer starter on this team.

C - Javale McGee, Denver Nuggets
What Javale McGee has managed to do with his NBA career is truly fascinating. He exists in the minds of some as much (and in others even more) a social media entity as an actual basketball player. McGee became a staple of the YouTube/Twitter generation with his death-defying dunk attempts, and displays of general cluelessness both on-court (sprinting back on D when his own team had possession, or perhaps nearly killing James Jones after attempting to jump over him from the foul line and dunk), and on the mic (making an ambiguously-racist, live-national-TV reference to a certain Shaquille O'Neal segment), while confounding coaches with his inconsistent play. Javale is helping to maintain the NBA's social media profile with his tomes of wisdom and sagacious antics is almost like a second job; the Denver Nuggets are paying him a shade under $11 million this season, and bringing him off the bench for 18 minutes/game, so he has plenty of time on his hands. You might think such sparse appearances would make him a longshot for this team, but call McGee this team's "character guy" - if you're only looking at his on-court production, you're missing the whole picture.