Friday, January 27, 2012
Statement from SNY on the Cancellation of the 2012 SNY Invitational
After being notified yesterday, two days prior to the start of the SNY Invitational, that Long Island University was no longer available to us, we worked through the night to come up with what we believed was a viable plan to move the event to St Raymond High School for Boys. Unfortunately, as the details related to the large expected crowd and complex logistics became more clear, it was determined that St. Raymond’s facility could not adequately accommodate an event of this size on 24 hours notice.
While we regret the outcome – we are committed to making sure the four schools and all of the deserving Tri-State Area students receive their promised funding and scholarships. We are disappointed this year’s tournament will not take place and apologize for any inconvenience this causes the teams, their fans and our corporate partners. We are committed to the SNY Invitational maintaining its position in the community and it is our intent to pick up where we left off in 2013.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Jason Smith Rejects KD, Video
Jason Smith doesn't usually make any highlight reels. Neither does defense, when compared to rim rattling dunks. Here we get the best of both worlds. Jason Smith doesn't allow Mr. Durant to have his way and he gets his junk outta there:
Grazie, The Hoop Scene!
Grazie, The Hoop Scene!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Andrew Bynum: All-Star in 2012? Video
Andrew Bynum has looked great this season. But is Andrew Bynum worthy of playing in Orlando this February at the All-Star game?
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Yao Ming Painted by Hong Yi Using a Basketball
Yao Ming painted with just a basketball? Yep. Hong Yi did an amazing job depicting Yao Ming with just that. Subscribe to her channel! More awesome videos to come I'm sure!
Thanks, Gizmodo!
Thanks, Gizmodo!
Flip Saunders Fired
Flip Saunders has been fired, per Woj. Someone had to be held accountable in Washington (as I said before). After going 2-15, the Wizards decided enough was enough. High five for them! Eventually, something needed to happen. While losing is how teams grow and mature, taking such beatings is just disgraceful.
Randy Wittman, assistant coach, has been talked to about being the interim coach, but nothing has been decided. Who's in favor of Sam Cassell taking over?! That would be fun to watch.
Flip Saunders did what he could. This team really didn't listen too much, they need a coach who can appeal better to players. Flip Saunders is a fabulous coach, but he fits better with a team of older players (think about when Flip Saunders coached the Pistons). Younger players need more direction, but also don't communicate as well as older players .
Whoever the Wizards bring in, he should communicate amazingly. Similar to Doc Rivers, or Mark Jackson. People who appeal based on experience, not just based on knowledge for the game. A coach who's been there and done that would be awesome. Jerry Sloan comes to mind.
What's your reaction to the firing of Flip Saunders? Too late, about time? Who should replace Flip Saunders! Good luck to Flip Saunders in his future endeavors!
Randy Wittman, assistant coach, has been talked to about being the interim coach, but nothing has been decided. Who's in favor of Sam Cassell taking over?! That would be fun to watch.
Flip Saunders did what he could. This team really didn't listen too much, they need a coach who can appeal better to players. Flip Saunders is a fabulous coach, but he fits better with a team of older players (think about when Flip Saunders coached the Pistons). Younger players need more direction, but also don't communicate as well as older players .
Whoever the Wizards bring in, he should communicate amazingly. Similar to Doc Rivers, or Mark Jackson. People who appeal based on experience, not just based on knowledge for the game. A coach who's been there and done that would be awesome. Jerry Sloan comes to mind.
What's your reaction to the firing of Flip Saunders? Too late, about time? Who should replace Flip Saunders! Good luck to Flip Saunders in his future endeavors!
Flint Star: Review
Flint Star is a documentary that details the basketball brilliance that comes from Flint, Michigan. Flint Star is real. Flint Star is amazing. Marcus Davenport, a veteran public school teacher and independent filmaker, outdid himself. Flint has produced great pro players including Glen Rice, Mateen Cleaves and Eddie Robinson (to name a few). Living in Flint is tough. It's a high crime area, without a ton to do. For many players, it's either play basketball, or get involved in crime.
Luckily, basketball has been a savior for many Flintstones. Cleaves, Robinson and many others give perspective about how they came up, how Flint basketball was and is and a whole lot more. Their perspectives were great themselves, but what was so amazing about this film was the delivery. It's as if I sat at a dinner table in Flint for an hour and a half, without the awkwardness. I was in Flint without truly being there. Everyone mostly shoots the breeze about the game. It's not some uptight question and answer session. This is a guy, a camera and life happening around him.
Some may say Flint Star doesn't have any glits, glamour or effects. Does real life have that? No. This film is for people that want true, historical perspective. It's not for people who want some Hollywood film that gets away from reality. Flint Star is like taking a trip to your local YMCA basketball court. It stays true to reality and gives you ideas of the talent.
Need any additional confidence in Flint Star? Read TrueHoop's perspective on it. Try and get a copy (appears they've sold out!).
I came away from this film enlightened and moved. Flint is a basketball mecca. It's up there with Seattle, New York and Chicago. As basketball enthusiasts, we must realize this. Flint Star proves that what you hear on an NBA broadcast isn't the full story. Rarely is the amount of talent coming from Flint mentioned on such a platform. Flint Star provides prospective, defies what I knew and is a must see!
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Some may say Flint Star doesn't have any glits, glamour or effects. Does real life have that? No. This film is for people that want true, historical perspective. It's not for people who want some Hollywood film that gets away from reality. Flint Star is like taking a trip to your local YMCA basketball court. It stays true to reality and gives you ideas of the talent.
Need any additional confidence in Flint Star? Read TrueHoop's perspective on it. Try and get a copy (appears they've sold out!).
I came away from this film enlightened and moved. Flint is a basketball mecca. It's up there with Seattle, New York and Chicago. As basketball enthusiasts, we must realize this. Flint Star proves that what you hear on an NBA broadcast isn't the full story. Rarely is the amount of talent coming from Flint mentioned on such a platform. Flint Star provides prospective, defies what I knew and is a must see!
Monday, January 23, 2012
NBA Games to Watch, Week 5
This season is my favorite. In my lifetime as a fan, it's never come at me so quickly, with the same intensity. It's the acceleration that makes it that much better. There's always decent games on. It's awesome! What's worth watching this week (all times are eastern)?
Monday at 7:30 PM, the Magic look to dismantle the Celtics. Two teams who need to show they can compete. Boston has started shaky, but Danny Ainge still has confidence they can come out of it. That trust is unrivaled and Boston still has plenty of time to show they're formidable. They'll play much better than they have. Conditioning, camaraderie and rhythm are still forming.
The Magic record looks better than the Celtics, but it's far from proving anything. The Magic really are nothing without Dwight and that's the simple truth. They aren't a deep team. They have no one two punch. It's only Howard and whoever happens to get it going.
Brandon Bass leaving may have hurt the Magic more than initially thought. While Bass isn't an every night scoring punch, he's more consistent than most of the Magic players. His mid-range and post game are something the Magic need more of. Orlando needs someone else who can get 20 on any given night. Bass was the closest one to that.
Boston wins this, they'll start to get on a roll.
Tuesday at 7:00 PM, Orlando takes on Indiana. The Magic two nights in a row? Yep! These are important games. Roy Hibbert vs. Dwight Howard will be fun. Key for the Pacers is to keep Hibbert out of foul trouble, allowing him to defend Howard and be a scoring threat. Indiana is the better team. They have more of a team and they're deep. Seeing as this the end of a back-to-back for Orlando, the Pacers will win.
Wednesday at 8:00 PM, Indiana looks to dehorn the Bulls. Pacers again now?? Pacers have two important games. Darren Collison vs. Derrick Rose is the key to the game. Whoever dominates that matchup, that team will win. Derrick Rose outplays Collison, Bulls win.
Thursday at 10:30 PM, the Clippers play the Grizzlies. Can the Clippers and Grizzlies do anything in the playoffs? Unclear so far, besides getting there. We'll see how these two play. CP3 vs. Mike Conley will be a strong indicator of who wins. Energy guys like Tony Allen and Mo Williams will be the second factor. Clippers come out with more energy and win.
Friday at 7:30 PM, the Pacers battle the Celtics. Pacers have an excruciatingly important week. This test will be strong. Can they sustain their level of play? They can. While they are playing a ton of key match-ups, they are a young team that can bounce back (though having Jeff Foster injured hurts). Boston is continuing to round into shape, they'll be ready for this game. Celtics win, though it'll be close.
Saturday at 8:00 PM, the Rockets battle the Big Apple and the Knicks. The Knicks are tough to watch, but the Rockets are refreshing. That being said, these two teams could compete on the same level. Rockets win because they play on both ends.
Sunday at 3:30 PM, the Bulls look to cool the Heat. Fun game this will be! D. Rose, LBJ, Bosh, the whole gang. Hopefully Wade can return. Can the Heat stop Derrick Rose? That's the #1 factor. So long as Rose gets his, the only hope for Miami would be the rest of the Bulls not balling. Bulls take this. This will be a close, competitive and defense heavy game.
What are you looking forward to this week?
Monday at 7:30 PM, the Magic look to dismantle the Celtics. Two teams who need to show they can compete. Boston has started shaky, but Danny Ainge still has confidence they can come out of it. That trust is unrivaled and Boston still has plenty of time to show they're formidable. They'll play much better than they have. Conditioning, camaraderie and rhythm are still forming.
The Magic record looks better than the Celtics, but it's far from proving anything. The Magic really are nothing without Dwight and that's the simple truth. They aren't a deep team. They have no one two punch. It's only Howard and whoever happens to get it going.
Brandon Bass leaving may have hurt the Magic more than initially thought. While Bass isn't an every night scoring punch, he's more consistent than most of the Magic players. His mid-range and post game are something the Magic need more of. Orlando needs someone else who can get 20 on any given night. Bass was the closest one to that.
Boston wins this, they'll start to get on a roll.
Tuesday at 7:00 PM, Orlando takes on Indiana. The Magic two nights in a row? Yep! These are important games. Roy Hibbert vs. Dwight Howard will be fun. Key for the Pacers is to keep Hibbert out of foul trouble, allowing him to defend Howard and be a scoring threat. Indiana is the better team. They have more of a team and they're deep. Seeing as this the end of a back-to-back for Orlando, the Pacers will win.
Wednesday at 8:00 PM, Indiana looks to dehorn the Bulls. Pacers again now?? Pacers have two important games. Darren Collison vs. Derrick Rose is the key to the game. Whoever dominates that matchup, that team will win. Derrick Rose outplays Collison, Bulls win.
Thursday at 10:30 PM, the Clippers play the Grizzlies. Can the Clippers and Grizzlies do anything in the playoffs? Unclear so far, besides getting there. We'll see how these two play. CP3 vs. Mike Conley will be a strong indicator of who wins. Energy guys like Tony Allen and Mo Williams will be the second factor. Clippers come out with more energy and win.
Friday at 7:30 PM, the Pacers battle the Celtics. Pacers have an excruciatingly important week. This test will be strong. Can they sustain their level of play? They can. While they are playing a ton of key match-ups, they are a young team that can bounce back (though having Jeff Foster injured hurts). Boston is continuing to round into shape, they'll be ready for this game. Celtics win, though it'll be close.
Saturday at 8:00 PM, the Rockets battle the Big Apple and the Knicks. The Knicks are tough to watch, but the Rockets are refreshing. That being said, these two teams could compete on the same level. Rockets win because they play on both ends.
Sunday at 3:30 PM, the Bulls look to cool the Heat. Fun game this will be! D. Rose, LBJ, Bosh, the whole gang. Hopefully Wade can return. Can the Heat stop Derrick Rose? That's the #1 factor. So long as Rose gets his, the only hope for Miami would be the rest of the Bulls not balling. Bulls take this. This will be a close, competitive and defense heavy game.
What are you looking forward to this week?
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Knicks Continue to Confuse
Knicks basketball still isn't up to New York standards. The Knicks have started the season 6-10 and that record is indicative of their level of play. Defense has been nonexistent, the offense isn't too pretty and the construction of team (from the coach to the players) isn't right.
Mike D'Antoni coaching tells a front office a ton about how to build a team. D'Antoni is known for his fast paced, offense-heavy teams. His system is predicated on ball movement, three point shooting and scoring quickly. While defense does matter, it's second on the priority list. This isn't Mike Brown, Gregg Popovich, or Doc Rivers. D'Antoni had huge success leading Steve Nash and the Suns. That success happened due to Steve Nash keeping the ball moving, three's falling and running being a constant.
The Knicks are a team with ball stoppers and three point shooters. Carmelo and Amar'e are the ball stoppers. They need the ball in their hands to do anything. They inhibit D'Antoni's system. The Knicks don't have a passing guard. Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert, and Mike Bibby just fill the PG minutes (Shumpert is not really a PG).
What pieces fit for the Knicks? Steve Novak, Landry Fields, and Tyson Chandler. Steve Novak is a shooter, which is perfect for a D'Antoni system. Landry Fields, while his three point shot is off (about 21%), is a hustle guy who provides intangibles. Fields would fit on any team, but especially the Knicks. Chandler (though overpaid) provides the defense the Knicks are deficient in. D'Antoni's teams are score-first, so having a guy who specializes in defense is logical.
The way the Knicks are built makes no sense. They cannot play to the style of their coach. It's like having plumbers do flooring. While they may have rudimentary knowledge, they aren't experts. While the Knicks roster understands how D'Antoni operates, they cannot unlearn their old habits enough to create new habits. The roster isn't 100% to blame for the lack of wins.
The front office is perplexing. Investing about $50 million this year in Chandler, Anthony and Stoudemire (and more for the next couple years)? Surely some of these guys are talents and worthy of their pay. Bringing them all together and trying to get D'Antoni to propel them to success? That's ludicrous. The Knicks need a team, not a cast of stars mixed with whatever else they could find (all due respect to the Knicks roster).
How can the Knicks fix some of the bad moves? Seriously considering trading Anthony, Stoudemire, or even both. Down size in order to build a unit. If D'Antoni is going to coach, don't give him a team like this. Cultivate offense and effort above all. Develop young guys like Shumpert and Jeremy Lin. Don't just throw money at guys you've heard of. Bring together players who fit the system and can contend within it.
The blame doesn't solely lie within the front office. The play has been horrid. If the front office and coaching staff get on the same page, things can be less confusing. They can work hand in hand, building a team that can run. D'Antoni should be questioned, but not axed due to this team. They aren't a team built for him. Hopefully the Knicks can begin building more productively.
What are your impressions of the Knicks?
Mike D'Antoni coaching tells a front office a ton about how to build a team. D'Antoni is known for his fast paced, offense-heavy teams. His system is predicated on ball movement, three point shooting and scoring quickly. While defense does matter, it's second on the priority list. This isn't Mike Brown, Gregg Popovich, or Doc Rivers. D'Antoni had huge success leading Steve Nash and the Suns. That success happened due to Steve Nash keeping the ball moving, three's falling and running being a constant.
The Knicks are a team with ball stoppers and three point shooters. Carmelo and Amar'e are the ball stoppers. They need the ball in their hands to do anything. They inhibit D'Antoni's system. The Knicks don't have a passing guard. Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert, and Mike Bibby just fill the PG minutes (Shumpert is not really a PG).
What pieces fit for the Knicks? Steve Novak, Landry Fields, and Tyson Chandler. Steve Novak is a shooter, which is perfect for a D'Antoni system. Landry Fields, while his three point shot is off (about 21%), is a hustle guy who provides intangibles. Fields would fit on any team, but especially the Knicks. Chandler (though overpaid) provides the defense the Knicks are deficient in. D'Antoni's teams are score-first, so having a guy who specializes in defense is logical.
The way the Knicks are built makes no sense. They cannot play to the style of their coach. It's like having plumbers do flooring. While they may have rudimentary knowledge, they aren't experts. While the Knicks roster understands how D'Antoni operates, they cannot unlearn their old habits enough to create new habits. The roster isn't 100% to blame for the lack of wins.
The front office is perplexing. Investing about $50 million this year in Chandler, Anthony and Stoudemire (and more for the next couple years)? Surely some of these guys are talents and worthy of their pay. Bringing them all together and trying to get D'Antoni to propel them to success? That's ludicrous. The Knicks need a team, not a cast of stars mixed with whatever else they could find (all due respect to the Knicks roster).
How can the Knicks fix some of the bad moves? Seriously considering trading Anthony, Stoudemire, or even both. Down size in order to build a unit. If D'Antoni is going to coach, don't give him a team like this. Cultivate offense and effort above all. Develop young guys like Shumpert and Jeremy Lin. Don't just throw money at guys you've heard of. Bring together players who fit the system and can contend within it.
The blame doesn't solely lie within the front office. The play has been horrid. If the front office and coaching staff get on the same page, things can be less confusing. They can work hand in hand, building a team that can run. D'Antoni should be questioned, but not axed due to this team. They aren't a team built for him. Hopefully the Knicks can begin building more productively.
What are your impressions of the Knicks?
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Nick Young Dunks on Koufos Video
Nick Young is all glits and glamour. Not a guy who gets does the little things much, Nick Young is a guy who takes crazy jumpers and makes em. Here, Nick Young decides to get off the perimeter and dunk in semi-transition:
Merci, The Hoop Scene! Nick Young is a constant attempt at a highlight!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Mark Cuban on Jay Leno Videos
Mark Cuban is the coolest owner in the NBA. He went on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and discussed partying after winning the title, Lamar Odom in Dallas and more.
Check it out:
Part 1:
Part 2:
Check it out:
Part 1:
Part 2:
