SB Nation User Blog: KobeStoppa

LeBron's day in NY: ESPN and the rest of the NY media machine are firing on all cylinders + POLL

KobeStoppa — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:58:45 -0000

Just to preface everything, this is the first time I've used pictures and videos in a fanpost. So please bear with me if it's not presented in the most organized fashion, I'm still learning.

The media is really buzzing with stories of LeBron heading to NY today. These are the sotries that I found most intriguing. I think the ESPN article from Chris Broussard was the best piece written on LeBron's future since the big trades on Friday. The shoes show an obvious infatuating LeBron has with NY. And it's nice to see LeBron actually talk a little about the situation in the video, although he does do a good job of dodging most of the questions.

Anyway, let me know what you think about the topic. It's obviously becoming a huge story not only for Cleveland and NY, but the entire league.

Chris Broussard - ESPN The Magazine:LeBron leaving Cleveland? 'It's not a foregone conclusion'

Here are a few of the main points from the article:

I've had several conversations with LeBron about his future, and I can tell you that anyone who says he's definitely leaving Cleveland doesn't know what he's talking about.

"It's not a foregone conclusion that he's leaving,'' a person close to LeBron said. "It's premature to make that assumption.''

Money probably won't play much of a role in LeBron's decision because he'll obviously be filthy rich no matter where he goes. Cleveland can pay him the most, roughly $133 million over six years, while everyone else can offer about $102 mil over five. And contrary to popular opinion, LeBron does not get more money from Nike if he plays in New York. That clause in his contract expired after his rookie season.

LeBron knows he's not competing against only Kobe, Dwyane Wade, Boston's big three and the rest of the league's stars; he's got to approach Jordan. That obviously takes plenty of titles. One, two and maybe even three, won't do. So, in 2010, what team is going to give him the best chance to win ring after ring after ring?

But Jordan didn't just win championships. He built a dynasty from scratch. That's the mentality LeBron was raised with by his coaches in Akron -- that you have to build something to have a legacy.

"He's obsessed with living in New York,'' another friend told me recently.

LeBron is a fashion plate, and what better place to show off your wares than New York. He clearly likes the limelight and the Hollywood scene, so playing in front of the Garden's famous actors, actresses, athletes, rappers, et al would undoubtedly appeal to him. Also, some of the people around LeBron would rather see him in New York, where they believe he's more marketable, than in Cleveland.

Speaking of fashion, check out the new shoe Lebron made to commemorate what the guys on PTI refferd to as Lebron's "favorite city."

Nike Zoom LeBron 6 "Big Apple"

In tomorrow’s game, LeBron will take the court in this exclusive colorway of his latest sneaker called the Nike Zoom LeBron 6 "Big Apple". Obviously, the colorway receives its inspiration from New York City’s nickname. The upper is covered in "candy apple" red perforated leather and patent leather accents. This sneaker is complimented with a uniquely speckled midsole as well.

via images.nicekicks.com

Personaly, that shoe reminds me of Scottie Pippen's Cinderella slippers in the 1994 All-Star game.

via www.nba.com

And don't forgot about the previous shoe he released before a game in MSG

Yankees Edition Nike Zoom Lebron 5

King James conquered the Knicks last March when he came to the Garden and put up 50 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds while wearing the NY themed Nike Zoom Lebron 5 "Yankees."

via images.nicekicks.com

And then we have some video courtesy of ESPN

Lebon chatting with screaming Stephen about his expectations for the Cavs and where he might end up after the summer of 2010.

Here's a Rachel Nichols report about the warm welcome LeBron is expected to recieve in the MSG.

And just for the heck of it, let it be known that I most definitely "Chalked" before creating this fanpost.

Poll

Where do you think Lebron will end up after the summer of 2010?

Lebron will stay with the Cavs

33 votes

Lebron will end up with the Knicks

7 votes

Not sure where he'll end up, but it won't be with the Cavs

8 votes

It's almost two years away, let's wait to see what the Cavs will do to make Lebron happy

25 votes

73 votes | Poll has closed

Basketball Prospectus on the Cav's chance of winning a title.

KobeStoppa — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:09:34 -0000

Basketball Prospectus on the Cav's chance of winning a title.

The article talked about how most teams won Championships with at least a big three. It points out the few exceptions of winning with a big two. And it talked about how it is possible but very rare to win a championship with just one star and a bunch of solid role players.

Overall though, the writer likes the chances of the Cavs winning it all as long as they continue to share the ball on the offensive end.

"Provided the Cavaliers do not revert to complete and total dependence on James, forgoing all the progress they have made in attack style and strategy, and assuming no injuries, the Cavaliers have every opportunity to win a championship this year. This is the first time in recent memory that a team has a better than mediocre chance at winning it all with only one superstar--and that says a lot about LeBron James."

X's and O's breakdown of Lebron and the new Cav's offense

KobeStoppa — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:34:04 -0000

X's and O's breakdown of Lebron and the new Cav's offense

This is a great post from the painted area breaking down the X's and O's of how the Cavs are using LeBron offensively.

It focuses on using LeBron at the 4 in a UCLA double high post set and comparing his role there to Karl Malone and Chris Webber/Vlade Divacs.

It's extremely educational. Make sure to follow his links too, they'll lead you to even more insight on the breakdowns of the UCLA offense and LeBron's effectiveness from different sets.

OT: How I finally got over the 2000 WCF

KobeStoppa — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:55:10 -0000

Today I saved a near perfect girl from an unjust love and finally got even with my nemesis.

Last night I took a girl to the Blazer’s game for our first date. Before you judge, know that I met her while covering her soccer team and she plays basketball as well, so a game made sense.

Seeing as the action wasn’t exactly electrifying on the floor, we got to talking about other sports teams we like. I was impressed with her knowledge of sports, but she let it spill that her dad grew up in LA and she therefore roots for the Lackers, except of course when they play the Blazers. She also let it slide that she loves Kobe.

My heart dropped. Here was this super sweet, intelligent, and extremely cute girl that is into sports. I knew it was too good to be true, but did it have to be Kobe?

Now I’m not so much of a fanatic that I would let her misguided love of Kobe ruin what could be a very good thing, but it sure as heck sent a jolt of pain up my spine.

We went to dinner afterwords and the rest of the date went really well, but the whole time I had the Kobe thing hanging over my head. I had to prove to her that Kobe is not a good person,and not someone she would want to cheer for if she really knew his story.

I told her about the Shaq thing and she shrugged it off as general bad blood seeping out. I also remembered a column I read about Phil Jackson ripping Kobe in one of his books. But at the time I couldn’t really think of any other sound evidence to support my hatred.

So I got home, did a little googling to find the article, and low and behold, there it was. Bill Simmons to the rescue.

She read it today and while she said I’ve crushed her hopes and dreams, she agreed that he truly is a jerk and said she can no longer root for him after reading the article.

‘00 WCF considered I’d say this even things up. Kobe 1 Kobestoppa 1. I can’t tell you how good it feels to help a Kobe fan see the light. All I can do is recommend that all of you go out and spread the word. Together we can make this world a better place.

Whose game do you respect and why?

KobeStoppa — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:58:15 -0000

In the spirit of procrastination, I have been spending the afternoon shooting around in my backyard and thinking about players around the NBA that I really respect instead of studying for my finals. I'm not thinking so much about players I enjoy watching or want on my team, but a guy that I watch and think to myself, "That guy is a proffesional. He worked his butt of to get where his is and if he gets hot and torches the Blazers so be it; at least it wasn't Ricky Davis."

For me, the first player that comes to mind is Rip Hamilton. There's a guy that has worked hard to maximize every ounce of potential in his body. Not only that, but he's tough as nails, a fierce competitor, he plays within himself, he leads by example, he's a historian of the game, he watches his mouth for the most part, and I would imagine he's a dream to coach.

But that's just me. For many of you it may be a player like Derek Fisher. He works hard, knows his role, is obviously a dedicated father, and somehow even though he's a L*ker you just can't hate him.

Or maybe you respect an enternal underdog and gym rat like Gilbert Arenas. You might not want him on your team, but he's worked hard to maximize his offensive arsenal and has a sense of humor to boot.

Then you have the storyline guys like Alonzo Mourning (fightin back after a freaking kidney transpalnt,) Dikembe Mutumbo (doing his best to save his community back home,) Leone Powe (if you don't know the story by now get out of your cave and start watching the finals,) or Ime Udoka and Jamario Moon (taking the road less traveled to find NBA success.)

You may even find yourself rooting for some borderline scrubs from time to time like Fransisco Oberto, Mark Madsen, or even a Dan Dickau. You know there are guys out there with 10x the talent that won't have as sucessful careers beacuse they just don't want it as bad as these guys (Kwame Brown.)

I'm just really curious to know what everyone else's opinon are. Heck maybe you can even enlighten me on a few guys that went to your favorite college and are working the butts off just to make a roster and keep living the dream.

Blazers/Lakers on my birthday. HELP!!!

KobeStoppa — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:47:05 -0000

I'm turning 22 on April 8th and unfortunately I have add and I never thinking about things in the future until they're right on top of me. I was trying to see if there was any chance of still buying a couple tickets to the game but the only tickets available were on the blazers official season-ticket holder resale site and they were listed at outrageous prices that I can't afford seeing as I'm a broke college student.

I'll probably just end up watching the game with my girlfriend and some friends at a bar but I'm still holding out hope for a birthday ticket miracle. If anyone has any connections or knows how to get some tickets that are ridiculously priced instead of outrageously priced you would be my hero.

E-mail me at KPG04@msn.com if you have any help

My hopes and dreams for Martell

KobeStoppa — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:13:32 -0000

After reading one of Earl's comments hoping that Martell pans out with his shooting it got me thinking about what kind of player I would ideally like to see Martell become. I see a lot of Michael Finley in him but he doesn't have the confidence yet and who knows if he'll ever find it. I'm also curious to hear what kind of hopes people have about Outlaw.

I have a tough time believing Martell will ever be consistent with his jump shot. His release is so long and dependent on rhythym that if he doesn't feel the rhythym it doesn't seem like he has much value on the floor. It is nice having him out there when he's stroking it though and maybe with more experience and confidence he'll be able to find his rhythym easier.

Until then he needs to keep working on rebounding, finishing in the lane, and playing at least average defense so he can contribute when he's not feeling the stroke. I'd also love to see him develop a deadly mid-range jumper that he could hit coming off screens and after getting defenders off their feet with a pump-fake from long range. A few quick mid-rangers are a great way to get a shooter going.

He has the ability to do all of those thing already but being consistent with it is a whole nother story and is much easier said then done. All of That being said I still think Martell and or Travis will end up somewhere else in a couple years when we use our capspace to go after a solid veteran SF.