Basketball is secondary today. Go Giants. Never say die.
It’s the NFL’s World, and We’re Just Living In It
Matt Yoder
Awful Announcing
Don’t think sports matter, or can be a vehicle for change? Consider this: since Labor Day, the ten most viewed programs on all of television have been NFL games. Let me repeat: the ten most viewed programs on television — all of the programs, all of the channels — have been NFL games. Step out of the way, MLB playoffs, and don’t even try to mess, presidential debates. The NFL has this shit on lockdown, and you’re just trying to keep up.
- JG
Jeff Van Gundy: NBA Blocked Brother Stan from ESPN Job
Matt Hiestand
USA Today
For a brief moment in time, NBA enthusiasts everywhere were teased with reports that linked Stan Van Gundy (and Bill Simmons) to (apparently) vacant studio analyst positions on ESPN Countdown. Though Simmons was picked up, SVG was passed over (in favor of Jalen Rose, which I feel was a great move). This begs the question: why? According to Jeff Van Gundy, current ESPN analyst, and like his brother, a formerly successful and respected head coach in the NBA, David Stern, of course, is to blame. Jeff seems to think that Boss Stern, who has had a testy relationship with both Brothers Van Gundy, put the kibosh on the SVG-to-ESPN transaction to send “a warning shot across the bow”. Additionally, Jeff openly wonders whether ESPN, in these situations, acts as a truly independent news organization, or as glorified ad agency for the NBA (and other professional leagues). Frankly, it’s a good question, and we should be thankful that we have at least one Van Gundy on ESPN asking tough questions about his employer, as well as the NBA, his subject of analysis.
- JG
GM Survey: LeBron and Heat Faves, but Look Out for LA
John Schuhmann
NBA.com
The annual general manager survey, which polls all 30 general managers about their predictions for the coming NBA season, is out on NBA.com. As expected, LeBron and the Heat are seen as favorites in nearly single category, but the generals are equally wary of the Lakers, Thunder, and retooled Celtics. Of note: GMs are very high on Kenneth Faried, who received votes for numerous categories, and very low on Philadelphia, who are predicted to finish fourth in the Atlantic division, behind Boston, New York and Brooklyn. Make it happen, Don King Jr.!
- JG
The New NBA Uniform Power Rankings
Wesley Morris
Grantland
Grantland’s Wesley Morris assess the winners and losers amongst the new uniforms issued by a number of teams for this coming season. The big winner is the Cavs, whose yellow alternates do look pretty fly. The losers, apparently, are the Nuggets, who revived the skyline design that everyone hates (except me). Perhaps I don’t know style; I never liked the new Warriors unis, which is apparently sacrilegious amongst members of the Dubs Nation. Anyways, read this.
- JG
Me and Smush (and Kobe)
Rafe Bartholomew
Grantland
The strangest NBA news this week came when two former mortal enemies, Kobe Bryant and Smush Parker, revived their rivalry. Kobe, of course, is Kobe, and Smush (in case you don’t know) was the starting point guard for the Lakers during their disappointing playoff-less 2004-2005 season. For some reason, Kobe decided to talk trash about Smush, and more generally, those mid-2000s Lakers teams that featured Kobe in his prime, but subpar (and marginalized) teammates who suffered under the Black Mamba’s shot selection and scowl. These days, Kobe is regarded as a future hall of famer sitting pretty on his own superteam, while Smush is thought of as a never-was who plays professionally overseas, and that’s that. But, as the talented Rafe Bartholomew notes, there are alternate narratives in any story, and different ways to remember and individual. Bartholomew — a former childhood teammate – offers one such narrative, which champions the efforts of an individual who sees Smush’s brief stay in the NBA as an unlikely conclusion to a magificent coming of age story, rather than an afterthought, or as the butt of a joke. Best piece of the week.
- JG