Jersey Appreciation Friday Vol. 42

This Jersey Appreciation Friday shall be one of redemption. You see I have made a tremendous error: I've misjudged the uniforms of the Minnesota Timberwolves. I watched them play against the Thunder tonight, and I realized that their navy blue uniforms are actually really awesome. This doesn't absolve the atrocity which is their Statement Jersey, but I shouldn't have based my opinion of the entire collection upon that one mishap. The regular ones might be top 5 in the NBA. In conclusion I apologize to Minnesota and all uniform critics. I missed on this one. Click Here

Podcast #44: The Twitter Scroll-Through Special

What Am I Wearing?
Talking About Whatever Pops Up on My Twitter Basketball Feed....interesting stuff.
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Jersey Appreciation Friday Vol. 41

Say what you want about DePaul basketball. Say that they should be in the Big Sky not the Big East. Say that they are the prime example of what NOT to do with a college basketball program. Say that DePaul is the Browns of college basketball. I'll be fine with all that. The one thing that DePaul DOES do well, though, is uniforms. Specifically, the new black jerseys. The absence really gets my attention here. Instead, black, red and royal blue are featured. The side has blue and black striping outlined by bold red. The lettering is also as it has that 2014 Miami vibe. Overall, you can give DePaul crap for all you want, but not their uniforms. At least it shows they are half-trying. Click Here and Here

PSA: I'm Cancelling the NBA Observations Thing

Yeah, I'm putting an end to the nightly observations of the NBA. I realized that watching NBA basketball is like eating at your second favorite pizza place: it's great but not the best. Don't get me wrong here--the NBA is the best and most exciting professional sports league on the planet. But I find it extremely taxing to go through all the box scores and stuff for all these teams I just have no interest in. The nightly observations would be tough because I have to stay up really late to figure what I want to talk about and then find the proper stats to back it up. If I could quit school and just sit here and blog my way through life, you know I'd be all over that. But I can't (not yet anyway) so I'm I'm bagging this thing.

Unlike last year, however, I plan on covering the NBA season during the college basketball season this year. I feel that I would be doing myself a disservice by not paying attention just a little bit considering all the awesome story lines going on this season. 

So in conclusion, my fellow patrons of the game, for this upcoming season, expect a more balanced attack of both the NBA and NCAA. My primary focus will still be college basketball, but I'm diversifying my coverage so I can include the NBA as well. That is all.

Podcast #43

What Am I Wearing?
Gordon Hayward
The Rockets
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Spectacular Rookies
Thoughts on the USA Today/Coaches' Poll
Ayo Dosunmu Update

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NBA Observations Day 2

Okay it's 1:09 AM CT but hey anything for the NBA season when college basketball isn't on right? Again I'm rolling out three observations for every night's worth of NBA games until the college season starts. Here goes Day 2. 

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo for MVP

I mainly saw two reactions Giannis's stellar 37-point, 13-rebound performance against the Celtics on Wednesday: 1) "OMG bro Giannis for MVP!!!" and 2) "Bucks Warriors NBA Finals duuuuude!" Okay, the first one I can get behind. Giannis is a true talent and he's showing great development for being so young. (He's only 22). He might be the best player at his age since Derrick Rose won the 2011 MVP at 22, which Giannis could do this season at 23. Whether he wins it this year or not, I can basically guarantee that he will get an MVP at some point in his career. The compelling argument for his candidacy this year is that he's basically acting alone–the Russell Westbrook method. Giannis is far and away the primary, if not only, weapon the Bucks have, and that could work to his benefit. Right now, I'll predict that he places second to a newly-alone Kyrie Irving.

For the second reaction, I'm not buying on the Bucks' run to the NBA Finals, although I will be rooting for one. It's easy to say now because of the impact of Gordon Hayward's injury on the Celtics, but the Bucks would still have to get through Washington, Toronto, and of course, Cleveland. The Bucks are REALLY good, just not Cleveland good. Optimistically, I don't necessarily think an Eastern Conference Finals run is out of the question. 

2. The Rookies Played Well

Ben Simmons had 18 points (7-15 FG), 10 rebounds and 5 assists in his debut as a 76er. I was impressed. Although he didn't attempt one three, I like how he started considering my personal expectations of him weren't  that high. It's also encouraging that he led Philly in minutes at 34. Based on tonight, he has a bright future. The other rookie in Philadelphia, Markelle Fultz, didn't start and only played 17 minutes. He had 10 points on 5-9 shooting, but I think we all expected more. The free throws are still an issue, and he pesky seem as confident as he did in college. 

Another notable was Dennis Smith Jr, who really shined with a double-double (16 pts, 10 ast). He also threw down a nice alley-jam for the Mavs' first bucket of the season. If there's one rookie that I believe will be a star in the NBA, it's Dennis Smith Jr. Maybe my view is a bit deluded since I wanted him on the Bulls so bad, but I'm sticking with him. 

How about De'Aaron Fox? He had a nice night with 14 points and 5 assists off the bench. Jayson Tatum had 8 points and 9 rebounds and played 36 minutes as the staring PF. Dillon Brooks (the Oregon guy) had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks for the Grizzlies too. That might be the most surprising. 

The point is that these rookies are pretty damn good. I see the future of the NBA in this year's crop. 

3. I'm Still Excited for Minnesota

Look, nobody really beats the Spurs on the road on opening night. We shouldn't be expecting the Timberwolves to do it especially considering they reconstructed their entire roster. I love the starting lineup for Minnesota. Butler, Towns and Wiggins are all going to have great seasons. I believe what we just saw tonight is a preview of the 4/5 matchup in the West. The TWolves might not get past the first round this year, but they should hang their hats on the accomplishment of getting to the first round for this year.

Observations From Opening Night

Until the college season starts, I'm going to try and give three observations from each night of NBA action so I can get back to writing articles szn and recover from do nothing but talk and appreciate jerseys szn. Let's start with last night.

1. Gordon Hayward Will Be Missed

Well duh. Hayward was supposed to be the guy next to Kyrie Irving. As their major free agent acquisition, Hayward was ready to take the next step as an NBA star. That all came crashing down when e gruesomely dislocated his ankle and fractured his tibia. The Celtics still looked good yesterday after the injury, but in terms of being true competitors in the Eastern Conference, this hurts big time. 

2. Don't Be Fooled by the Rockets's Win

Okay the Rockets had a gutsy performance in their opener last night against the Warriors, but I'm still not convinced that this James Harden/Chris Paul thing will work. When they were together the Houston offense looked sloppy and unorganized, which is weird considering Chris Paul is one of the best floor generals in basketball. For the Rockets I think it's crucial that Paul be the main ballhandler, because it's clear he's not of great use playing off of it. 

3. The Warriors Will Be Fine

Remember last year when the Warriors just got blasted by the Spurs on opening night? Remember when the Warriors won the NBA Championship going 16-1 in the Playoffs? Yeah. This game means nothing. The Warriors are still the Warriors and that won't change, not this year at least.  

Jersey Appreciation Friday Vol. 40

This week's Jersey Appreciation Friday goes to the Wichita State Shockers. In 2013, this school made one of the most memorable runs to the Final Four from a mid-major and they did so in pretty cool uniforms. They aren't the flashiest threads I've seen, but the classic Nike whites are put to good use here with the black and yellow. The Shockers just have a swagger factor that few other programs have. That swag enhances the coolness of the jerseys.Click Here

Podcast #42

What Am I Wearing?
NBA Prediction Bonanza
Some College Notes
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Jersey Appreciation Friday Vol. 39

This week's Jersey Appreciation Friday...Saturday featured the new Oklahoma City Thunder Statement Jersey. On this week's podcast I power ranked OKC as having the best Statement Jersey in the NBA, even above my beloved Boston Celtics black one. This jersey hits for me on two features: 1) the color scheme–contesting shades of blue with an electric orange to top it off. 2) The contrasting blue stripes on the back of the jersey that represent the sound waves at Chesapeake Bay Arena. Overall, this might crack my Top 5 NBA Jerseys of all time list, but we gotta give it some time. Click Here and Here

Podcast #41

What Am I Wearing?
All Star Game Switcharoo
LaMelo Ball
NBA Statement Jersey Power Rankings
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