Dream Team Book Review

Dream Team by Jack McCallum is fabulous. Jack McCallum nailed this one. If you don't know diddly squat about the Dream Team, this is how you can become a buff on what happened in Barcelona. Since I wasn't even born yet when these games took place, I know I came away from reading the book much more knowledgeable.

The book tells you about much more than the ride the US ride to gold. Dream Team takes you behind the scenes and explains the implications of how this team came to be. It provides detailed profiles of each player, his quirks and his role on the squad.

The greatest game nobody ever saw is an example of something explained in the book. It was a scrimmage between the best to ever do it. Jack details each part of this game.

Jack McCallum was the perfect guy to write this book. He was there, through thick and thin throughout the Olympics. Covering the NBA for SI, he knew what was going on then and recounts it effortlessly now.

If you love basketball, you'll love this book. Get a copy, or check it out at a local library. You'll come away from reading it enthralled, educated in many angles of what happened a little over twenty years ago and craving more!

Dream Team gets five out of five basketballs!

LeBron Lifts Celtics to 23rd Straight

It was the toughest challenge that the Heat has faced through their legendary win streak.

The Celtics were not ready to give in at any time through the game and there is no question that they gave it their best effort.

But then again, is anyone’s best effort good enough to beat LeBron and the Heat?

Jeff Green stepped up with a career high 43 points, but it was not enough to match LeBron’s 37 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists, including the game winning basket with 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

It was the LeBron James show the whole game, and he lifted the team; the second leading scorer being Mario Chalmers putting in 21 points.

It was a big milestone for the Heat; surpassing the 2008 Houston Rockets, with their 23^rd straight win.

This win gives them the second longest win streak in NBA history, a milestone that has only been surpassed by the 71-72 Lakers, who won 33 straight games.

The Heat’s next big test will be against the Spurs on March 31 in San Antonio. It will be a big game, the Spurs are currently the number 1 team in the Western Conference, and have been winning despite the inactivity of Tony Parker.

Expect a good game.

Kobe or Lebron?... Or Jordan?

Kobe or LeBron?... Or Jordan?
The question that will be asked for the ages...
Or at least until Gilbert Arenas becomes the greatest NBA player of all time (Go Wizards!).
But we have to look at the stats, and I will admit that LeBron James is a better all around player than Kobe, but there is a difference between the greatest all around player ever and the greatest player ever. Which also applies to scoring in Kobe's case and the case of other guys like Wilt Chamberlain.
Now lets take a look!

Final Thoughts:
LeBron may be the best player in the game today, but like I stated in the video he has not yet reached the accolades that Kobe has. He may in the future, but we cannot base our judgements on what we think that LeBron COULD do in the future or how many rings he MIGHT win.

Jerry Buss Tribute

Jerry Buss holding the 1980 Finals trophy. Via The Hollywood Reporter

Jerry Buss was the great Lakers owner who just passed at 80. Buss had and will be remembered for having a great spirit and desire to win. He led the Lakers from 1979 until his passing in February 2013. During that time, the Lakers continued to build and become a storied franchise.

Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and Shaq are just three of the incredible players Buss paid big bucks for. In the NBA, there are usually two types of owners: owners that want to win it all and owners simply looking to make some bucks.

What kind of owner was Jerry Buss? Undoubtedly an owner that would pay whatever it took to win. If you love great basketball, you've got to love Jerry Buss simply because of that! Add on to that a great personality, a desire to make the Lakers the topic in LA and the money to do all that and you've got a recipe for success!

Only Jerry Buss knew how to whip up the Lakers as he did. Jerry Buss will be sorely missed in LA and in the NBA. Truly an amazing person who wanted the best for his team. Condolences to the Buss family. Hope all is mighty fine in their world and they're taking their loss well.

Jerry Buss may be gone, but his forum gold and blue blood will be forever a part of the Los Angeles Lakers!

Video: SNL Impersonates Stephen A. Smith

SNL's Weekend Update featured an awesome impersonation of Stephen A. Smith. They had him down pat! Love the Lakers talk:

Sneaker Squeaks

Pivot, cut, jump stop, foot fakes
Going way, then another
Know what sound is like music on the hardwood?
Sneaker Squeaks
Mixed in with defensive call outs and other noises, squeaks standout
It's music to the ears
Just like being around animals, you must be quiet to hear
Multiple sneaker squeaks inspire me

LA Lakers: Valiant Effort

Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images

The LA Lakers look more formidable of late. Last night they beat the Hornets to bring their winning streak to three. While they nearly let the game slip to New Orleans late, is this push legit? Are the Lakers a team to look out for now?

It's too early to tell, but the changes in attitude and increased role definition mean something. The Lakers are carrying themselves differently from how they were earlier in the season. The team's more upbeat, the body language is better and that has as profound an impact on their play as any other factor.

When the LA Lakers believe, they can achieve! Basketball is more of a chess match in the mind than it is in the body. If the LA Lakers continue to hold each other up, to not let their emotions get the best of them, then they'll be a playoff team.

Just last night against the Hornets, Kobe Bryant lifted Earl Clark up. After Clark picked up a foul and hung his head, Kobe clapped it up, as if to say, "it's aight Earl!" Little emotional lifts are what make champions in basketball. The Lakes aren't near championship conversation right now, but they're in a much better place as a unit.

The role definition is begging to be more clear for this team. Kobe Bryant is being more of a facilitator, Steve Nash is healthy and taking on the role of the primary ball handler and Steve Blake is helping solidify the bench. Pau Gasol has been demoted to a bench role, but, if they continue to play the way they have been it could work out.

Pau Gasol, Jodie Meeks, Antawn Jamison and Steve Blake is a solid bench. Mike D'Antoni could go even deeper into the rotation with Robert Sacre or Devin Ebanks. Mike D'Antoni's rotation is great too because he really lets the starters rest when he gets the bench out there. No starter played more than 37 minutes against the Hornets last night and at this point in the season that's a good number.

That way the Lakers aren't going all out in the regular season and then gassed come playoff time. Mike D'Antoni deserves some credit too. He's spent enough time coaching the LA Lakers to begin understanding what they need to adjust in order to thrive.

Coach D'Antoni is listening to the players input too, or so it appears that way. The Lakers players and coaching staff are communicating more effectively. It shows when you watch them play. Coach D'Antoni knows the quirks of his guys now. He knows what buttons to push and when to push them, in order to get the most out of his squad.

The LA Lakers have a long ways to go. Despite coming from a low, they could still reach high if their effort level persists. Don't count the LA Lakers out just yet. The LA Lakers could surprise us all!

A Father First- Book Review

Dwyane Wade's A Father First is a great read. Dwyane Wade opens up about his custody battle and divorce and life off the court. It was great to hear from the Dwyane everyone knows and loves off the court, but, in A Father First, the Dwyane few know off the court comes to shine.

Dwyane Wade is a simple man who's got a strong support system, on the court and off. A Father First provides insights into how he does business, how his faith inspires him daily and details his families ups and downs.

What's best about this book? Dwyane Wade told his story and presented his life so you can see the person in him. Forget the awe inspiring alley oops and game winners, Dwyane Wade takes you for a ride down his own street.

As someone who looks up to these ball players, it's great to see that they're people too. A Father First sheds light on the bad days in an NBA superstars life. Don't think NBA superstars have rough days? Read A Father First and tell Dwyane Wade how easy he had it!

Reading about Dwyane's childhood in Chicago was inspiring. Dwyane Wade is a marvel of a success. To go through what he details in A Father First, to then being an Olympic gold medalist and an NBA champion is truly remarkable. Dwyane Wade certainly didn't do it alone though.

Dwyane Wade is a humble individual who knows he can't do it all. That's evident in A Father First. Wade acknowledges his friends, his family, his business partners, his whole crew. To be so young and so on top of things really is a wonder. Dwyane Wade has his life in order and it was a pleasure to see not only it be about him in his own book, but to hear about Lisa Joseph and other members of TEAM NO SLEEP!, as Dwyane calls them.

Say what you want about the Miami big three and the competitive balance of the NBA, but don't question Dwyane's business know how. He's got the right people behind him and it beams through in this great piece of literature.

This book is especially great for families. Dwyane's talk about forgiveness is particularly admirable. Read this book if you want to become closer as a family, learn from a great role model in Dwyane Wade and of course if you looove basketball!

A Father First resonates highly with me. Pickup a copy and comment below about what you think about it. A Father First gets four out of five basketballs!

Rajon Rondo: Sending Best Wishes

Rajon Rondo is out for the season with a torn right ACL. Rondo suffered the injury late in a game Friday against the Atlanta Hawks. Word came Sunday during the Celtics afternoon game against the Miami Heat in Boston. During halftime of the game, the Celtics coaching staff was told of the news, but not the team.

The Celtics went on to win the game against Miami in double overtime. In his postgame interview with Doris Burke, Paul Pierce was asked about the injury and Paul was clearly taken aback. How could you not be, though?

Rajon Rondo was a late scratch for the early afternoon showdown Sunday. The Celtics played the game without him, but must've thought something was up. Rajon Rondo was having a standout season and now has to recover from knee surgery.

All we can do is wish Rajon Rondo a speedy recovery. As other players have shown, recovery is possible and not only can you return to the NBA, but you can shine. Rajon Rondo is loved throughout the league and here at NBAtipoff. Be well Rajon Rondo! Hope to see another tantalizing ball fake soon!

Lakers Thunder Analyzing the Stats