Caron Butler joins the Clippers

In need of a small forward who could score, the Los Angeles Clippers handed Caron butler a 3 year/$24 million deal Thursday. Debating between LA, Chicago, San Antonio, and New Jersey, Butler decided that playing with Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon was the most enticing option. Butler only played in 29 games last season with the champion Mavericks before rupturing his patellar tendon but Caron feels that his knee is back to 100% and is ready to help the Clippers reach the playoffs in 2012.

Shaq announces retirement

After 19 years, four NBA championships, 28,596 points and many memorable quotes, the great career of “The Diesel” Shaquille O’Neal has come to an end. The 1st pick in the 1992 draft by the Orlando Magic, Shaq was one of the most dominant players the game has ever seen. He could score at will, rebound with nearly unmatched aggression and block shots with ease. O’Neal will be remembered for many different things, but one thing that will always stand out will be his heart and desire to win championships. Shaq was able to personal disputes aside to win three titles with Kobe Bryant, showing that great players can do great things in uncomfortable positions. More of a role player the last few years, Shaq still had star power and was one of the leagues most marketable players. The NBA will never have anyone like Shaq again and he will be missed. Thank you Shaquille O’Neal for all the great memories.

 

Darren

Blake Griffin wins NBA Rookie of the Year

May 4th, 2011 will always be a special day for Clipper Nation as Clippers Power Forward Blake Griffin was named the NBA Rookie of the Year. After posting 22.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.8 APG while playing in all 82 games, Griffin was not only a huge highlight reel, but also one of the hardest workers in the league. Griffin became the 1st player in league history to compete in all three days of All-Star weekend and finished fourth in the league in rebounds. Is an MVP award in Griffin’s future? It’s highly possible, especially if he continues to improve his game.

Darren

Jordan calls Rose MVP, suprises Rose

After his Bulls defeated the Charlotte Bobacts Wednesday night, Derrick Rose received praise from the greatest of all time. Michael Jordan shocked Rose with statments he made after the game, calling Rose the MVP of the league. MJ said “MVP of the season… He deserves it. He’s playing that well. He deserves it. Without a doubt. And if he doesn’t get it, now he’ll see how I felt a lot of years.” Rose responded by saying , “That’s huge, man,(With a huge smile) when the person that you’re playing behind, all you hear about is Mike, especially in Chicago, look up to him. For him to say that, it’s unbelievable. It’s an honor and I’m speechless right now.”

Is Rose the NBA MVP right now? I think he is. Rose has the Bulls right in the mix with Boston and Miami and has improved in nearly every major statistical category this season. Rose is averaging 24.5 PTS, 8.1 AST, 4.3 REb and 1.1 STL. Derrick Rose would be only the second Bulls player to ever win the MVP, joining the great Michael Jordan.

Darren

Mike Bibby secures buyout, headed to Miami?

Veteran Point Guard Mike Bibby has had a busy last week. First he was dealt by the Atlanta Hawks after playing and starting 56 games for the squad, to the lowly Washington Wizards. Then after playing in two games for Washington, Bibby secured himself a buyout, foregoing $6.2 million to play for a contender. It is highly speculated that Bibby will land with the Miami Heat, but he has also drawn heavy interest from contenders like the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers. Miami is in desperate need of a veteran Point Guard who has playoff experience and Bibby is just that as well as a significant upgrade over Mario Chalmers, despite his advanced NBA age. Wherever Bibby should land, he will definately help out and could be the missing link.

Darren

Clippers beat the Heat!

Last night at Staples Center, the Los Angeles Clippers came out on fire and were able to beat the Miami Heat 111-105. After scorching the Heat for 44 points in the first half, the Clippers held off a couple Heat surges to pick up their 8th win in their last 11 contests. Eric Gordon led the Clippers with 26 points while Baron Davis added 20 and Blake Griffin tallied his 24th straight double double by posting 24 points along with 14 rebounds. This win snapped the Heat’s 13 game road winning streak and Lebron James sprained an ankle in the loss to boot. Hopefully the Clippers can keep this play up and keeping posting wins.

Darren

Rockets seek exception for Yao; Is career done?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5942577

The Houston Rockets, 13-15 and next to last in the Southwest Division, are seeking an injury exception on seven time NBA All-Star Yao Ming. This exception would allow the Rockets to trade for, or sign a free agent for up to the exception of $5.7 million. Yao, arguably the most fundamental Center in the NBA, has had a history of injury issues during  his career. Being 7’6 of course contributes alot to that. After sitting out the entire 2009-10 NBA season with a hairline fracture in his left foot, Yao started this season on a strict minutes count. Even that couldn’t kick the injury bug on the Chinese giant. Yao once again went down with an injury related to his foot once again. Yao may opt for surgery, which would require him to sit out another 10 months before he could return to the court.

The question many will ask is, “Will Yao call it a career?” By far the most influential NBA player worldwide since Michael Jordan, Yao’s impact on the NBA has been second to none. China has embraced the game and backed Yao 100%. Unfortuantely for all parties involved, Yao hasn’t been up to par the last two years. An All-Star in all seven of his played NBA seasons, (and due to be voted in again this year absurdly), Yao has done a ton for Houston, the NBA, China and most importantly himself. Yao was brought in and looked at as “soft” but in reality was a throwback Center. Having soft hands, a nice mid range jumper, solid post moves and above average defense, Yao played like it was 1976 back when Centers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton were the big men in charge. Now having only played five games in the Rockets’ last 100, Yao may decide to call it quits, despite publicy denying retirement thoughts. If this is the end for Yao, many will remember Yao Ming as a great NBA Center who was blessed with a gift and a curse of being tall and athletic, succumbing to injuries. I hope to see that big, red, #11 Rockets jersey reading “Yao” on the back once again.

Darren

Calipari tweets “I’ll be back at Kentucky”

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=5188662

After last nights’ loss to the Boston Celtics, the Lebron James free agent saga unofficially began. James and his agent(s) have said he will explore his options and many believe he is headed to the NEw York Knicks. Well one person who wont be going with him is Kentucky Wildcats basketball coach John Calipari. After some speculation that he could get hired on wherever James ends up, Calipari shot thos rumors down by tweeting, “I’ve said many times that I’ve got the best job in the country. Still the speculation runs wild and I can’t stop that. I want to address this with the Big Blue Nation one last time, I will be coaching at Kentucky next year. Now let’s finish what we started!”

This was obviously going to be shot down as just a couple weeks ago Calipari was on ESPN radio saying how much fun he had last year and how he likes the challenge of the collge game. One other thing that makes me believe he wont go pro is that he’s a tough sell against the likes of Phil Jackson, Doc Rivers, Greg Poppovich etc due to the fact that he’s never won at the NBA level. I think Calipari stays and Lebron goes to one of five places, the Knicks, back to Cleveland, the Nets, the Clippers or the Bulls with an outside shot of him going to the Spurs (older,playoff experienced team who could string some moves and get him). Good luck to Coach Calipari and to Lebron this summer and next year.

Darren

Dell Curry loses ROY vote

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5084126

Former NBA sharpshooter and now Bobcats announce Del Curry lost his NBA Rookie of the Year vote today due to the fact his son, Stephon Curry of the Warriors, is one  of the leading contendors for the award. Curry still gets to vote for the other awards but this one will be handled by someone else who0 covers the team. This is a semi-smart move by the NBA. On one hand its good because you know Curry would vote for his son so that would give Stephon an advantage. On the other hand it really wouldn’t matter because I highly doubt it’s going to come down to one vote. But the NBA is covering their backsides in this and doing the “right” thing. In my opinion, Curry will be runner-up to the Sacramento Kings’ Tyreke Evans. We’ll see how the vote plays out.

Darren

Player profile: Jeff Green

Known as Kevin Durant’s tag team partner, Jeff Green is a solid Small Forward in the NBA who is underrated in my book. The 6’9 Forward was originally drafted by the Boston Celtics (#5 overall) out of Georgetown, only to be traded to the Seattle Supersonics in the Ray Allen deal. Many wondered how Green would turn out, especially seeing how he was swapped for a future Hall of Famer. Well, Green has always been up to the challenges he’s been faced with. In high school at Northwestern High in Maryland, Green led his team to the State Chmapionship in 2004. He would move on to Georgetown after being recruited by Craig Esherick, only to see Esherick fired before he ever played a minute for the coach. John Thompson III would take over and, with big man and future NBA’er Roy Hibbert in the middle, would form a big 1-2 punch in the Big East conference.

During his college tenure, Green was the 2005 Big East co-Player of the Year along with UCONN’s Rudy Gay, and also earned 1st and 2nd team Big East honors during his NCAA career. In 2007 however, Green had his best year. Green won the Most Outstanding Player award in the Big East tournament, and led his team all the way to the Final Four before finally succumbing to Greg Oden and the Ohio State Buckeyes. It was Georgetown’s first Final Four appearance since Patrick Ewing and co. were there in 1985.

Coming into the NBA, Green was paired with fellow Rookie and superstar Kevin Durant. They formed a solid 1-2 punch but didn’t recieve much help from the rest of the squad and the team only won 20 games. Then after moving to Ohklahoma City, the team improved 3 games in the win column and Green improved his numbers in every major category as well as becoming one the better 2nd yr players in the league. With OKC currently standing 7th in the Western Conference, Green has played a big part of the teams success. With Green, Durant and Westbrook, the team has played with a swagger that only comes from winning. Green has seen his FG%, BPG,SPG and MPG go up while his other numbers slightly dropping but that is due to the fact that he doesn’t have to try winning games with just him and Durant. If Green continues on this route, he will finally get the respect and praise he deserves in being one of the best #2 options in the NBA.

All in all, when I watch Green play, he reminds me of Scottie Pippen. Sure Pippen won 6 rings but didn’t win one until his 4th season while Green is currently in his 3rd. Now i’m not saying Green and the Thunder will win a title next year, but anything is possible and with a 3 headed monster in place, the team could be one signing away from going to title contendor. I enjoy watching Jeff Green play and have since the first game I saw him play in back at Georgetown and wish him continued success in his NBA career.

Darren