WAITING FOR BLAKE GRIFFIN

During the pre-season, expectations were high that the other team in Tinseltown, the woeful Los Angeles Clippers, will finally hit paydirt and crash into the post-season play come April of next year. With the number one pick over-all in the 2009 draft, the Clippers selected Blake Griffin of the Oklahoma Sooners. 

But as we take a look at the current standing of the Clips, Mike Dunleavy's wards continue to struggle in the Pacific Division with a disappointing 12-17 win-loss card. This can all be attributed to Griffin’s absence since the tip-off last October. 

Griffin suffered from a broken kneecap during the final pre-season game of the Clippers against the New Orleans Hornets. Actually, he was very impressive during the exhibition games wherein he submitted norms of 13.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg. He was hailed as “The Savior” for the Clippers, who are coming off from a mediocre 19-63 finish in the 2008-09 season.

An outstanding collegiate star, Griffin posted 22.7 ppg and an NCAA-best 14.4 rebounds per game last season for the Sooners. After the Clippers won the draft lottery and selected him, Griffin strained his right shoulder during a summer league game in July. The team brought him back cautiously, and Griffin said he was totally healthy in the preseason.

“Once I feel comfortable, I can get out onto the court.  That's definitely a goal. That's what we're looking for”, Griffin remarked when asked on when he should be able to play his first game for the Clippers.

Clipper fans are hoping for his return early next month and any further delay on his much-anticipated debut may come too late to turn things around for the Clippers this season.

FAMOUS NBA QUOTES (Part 2)

Herewith are more unforgettable quotes from the superstars of yesteryears and the present:

 "As far as playing, I didn't care who guarded me - red, yellow, black. I just didn't want a white guy guarding me, because it's disrespect to my game.” -- Larry Bird

 "As long as I play ball, I can get any woman I want.” -- Dennis Rodman

 "As long as they are medicated the right way with the asthma medicine they won't have any problems.” -- Dominique Wilkins

 "Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates.” -- Magic Johnson

 "Asthma research is a lot better and new medicines are always coming out to help young people.” -- Dominique Wilkins

 "At 49, I can say something I never would have said when I was a player, that I'm a better person because of my failures and disgraces.” -- Bill Walton

 "Back then every small town had a gym, and if itseated more than 2,000 then we'd be interested in playing in it.” -- Bob Cousy

 "Basketball is basketball.” -- Oscar Robertson

 "Basketball isn't as popular in Canada as it is in the US. Hockey is by far the most popular sport in Canada.” -- Steve Nash

 "Basketball, in America, is like a culture. It is like a foreigner learning a new language.” It is difficult to learn foreign languages and it will also be difficult for me to learn the culture for basketball here.” -- Yao Ming

 "Being a typical Pisces, I might have experienced mood shifts, but I don't remember any depression, or needing to do anything, or to have someone bring me out of being depressed.” -- Julius Erving

 "Being an All-Star is everything.” -- Allen Iverson

 "Being from Africa is the best thing that could have ever, ever happened to me. I cannot see it any other way. All of my fundamental principles that were instilled in me in my home, from my childhood, are still with me.” -- Hakeem Olajuwon

 "Being here feels like I'm out of prison. This is the right place, the right time, the right team.” -- Shaquille O'Neal

 "Being selected Most Improved was a special individual award because when I speak to young people I always try to tell them the importance about it's not where you start but where you end up.” -- Kevin Johnson

 "Besides P.E., geography was my best class in high school. I was in this gifted class when I was younger, and it was wicked!" -- Steve Nash

 "Bill Russell was my favorite player of all-time.” -- Bill Walton

 "Black culture is something I don't relate to much at all.” -- Dennis Rodman

 "Black people don't have an accurate idea of their history, which has been either suppressed or distorted.” -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

 "Bob Brannum was my body guard on the court. He was 6'-6 and built like a bulldog.” -- Bob Cousy

 "But after that you don't see a lot of real good fundamental play. You see a showboat-type basketball which is almost parallel to street basketball.” -- Oscar Robertson

*****

From “Boyet’s NBA Corner”, a “MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!”

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

It was one memorable night for the surprisingly struggling San Antonio Spurs. First, they whipped the Indiana Pacers, 100-99, to give longtime coach Greg Popovich his 700th career NBA win (all with the Spurs). Then Tim Duncan looked like he was just sprinkled with a newly-found youthful potion as he slammed in a dunk with 4.6 seconds left over the outstretched arms of Indiana bigman Roy Hibbert to score the decisive basket over the Pacers.

Duncan finished with 19 points and 16 rebounds as the Spurs came back from a 13-point deficit at the end of the 3rd canto to snatch the hard-earned victory. The Alamo outfit currently sits at the third spot of the Southwest Division (behind Dallas and Houston) with a 14-10 win-loss slate. “I wanted to try to take it to the glass and see what happens, and Hibbert made a very good defensive play,” Duncan said. “I saw the guy come from the corner and tried to stretch it out, and he still got a piece of it, and it just came right back to me. It was a little bit of luck.”

Hibbert was feeling down after the game wherein he thought the Pacers lost because of his poor defensive play against Duncan in the waning seconds of the game. “I blocked it and he got it right back,” Hibbert said. “I should have made a second effort to try and get another block but I was off-balance and he dunked it and finished it for his team.”

On the other hand, Popovich became only the 16th mentor in NBA history to reach 700 wins and is among seven active coaches to reach the milestone. He credited the win to Duncan, whom he says is chiefly responsible for most of them over the last 13 years. “As has been all season, Tim Duncan is our most consistent player,” Popovich said. “He’s been fantastic.”

The Spurs won despite shooting poorly from the stripes converting only 23 of 38 free throws.

The Popovich-Duncan tandem continues to shine in Texas and it will surprise no one to see them go deep again into the post-season play come April 2010.

*****

Herewith are the completed transactions covering the period December 1 to 17:

Thursday, December 17

Portland signed forward Anthony Tolliver.

Monday, December 14

Miami waived forward Shavlik Randolph.

Sunday, December 13

New York signed forward Jonathan Bender.

Wednesday, December 2

Philadelphia signed guard Allen Iverson.

Utah signed head coach Jerry Sloan to a contract extension.

Tuesday, December 1

New Jersey named Kiki Vandeweghe head coach and Del Harris assistant coach.

EXCLUSVE: Q/A WITH RP NBA EXPERTS (Part1)

Last weekend, I sent emails to three distinguished gentlemen, whom were all widely considered as the pioneers and institutions in the National Basketball Association (NBA) sportswriting industry in the Philippines. These were the persons who greatly influenced my addiction to the NBA. The men that I’ve grew up with following their much-read columns and articles, from my teen years to the present. These well-respected and honorable pinoy NBA scribes were no other than Quinito “The Dean” Henson, Atty. Ed Tolentino and Bert Ramirez.

A lot had already been said about “The Dean” in earlier write-ups in this blogsite and he will be the main topic in the second part of this two-part series.

Atty. Tolentino’s articles and sports columns can be seen and read at the Manila Times, Manila Sports Digest and NBA Tower Magazine (the only locally-produced NBA magazine), respectively. Besides the NBA, Tolentino also regularly writes about boxing, wrestling, tennis and the other US major league sports.

Together with Mr. Henson, Mr. Ramirez is one NBA writer I religiously followed in the 1980s (when internet was still an alien word). I regularly read his NBA column in the now-defunct Champ magazine. He is also one of the founder and pioneer of the popular internet social group “Celtic Philippines”. A devout Celtic follower, Ramirez still regularly contributes for NBA Tower Magazine.

I sent them five interesting NBA questions touching on current issues and one non-NBA question and as expected, their answers left me in awe and in total amazement.

My hats off to both Atty. Tolentino and Mr. Ramirez for lending their precious time with me.

BOYET’S NBA CORNER: Will Allen Iverson makes a difference in his second tour of duty with the Philadelphia 76ers?

ED TOLENTINO: Allen Iverson? AI is not OK. Point guards like Iverson who are in their dog years are already dispensable. The fact that Philadelphia offered him a non-guaranteed deal shows that Iverson has as much market value as those real estates in the debt-ridden Dubai. Give it a few more games and AI will act up again.

BERT RAMIREZ: Yes, Allen Iverson will make a difference in his second tour of duty with the Sixers, but only to the extent that the Sixers will allow him to. He's definitely going to provide another scoring option for them even if he doesn't start (he will, however), but will they allow him to significantly cut into the number of shots guys like Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young take? It will really depend on how AI will be used by coach Eddie Jordan, who certainly knows something about good offensive play. How much Iverson has left in the tank will also dictate how big a difference he will make.

BNC: Do you think LA Laker Ron Artest should be punished by the NBA for his admission of drinking alcohol during halftime of some of his games during his early years with the Chicago Bulls?

ET: The offense apparently happen years back. It's not like Artest took steroids during halftime. A lot of players who didn't drink actually end up playing like drunk sailors as early as the first quarter. Artest said he admitted it to set an example. I can only guess what the Lakers will do: assign a personnel who will make sure Artest remains sober at halftime.

BR: No, I don't think Ron Artest will be punished by the NBA for admitting he used to drink at halftime. That was so long ago and besides, the NBA favors the Lakers like a fair-haired boy is by his godfather.

BNC: What particular teams are you impress with during this early part of the 2009-10 NBA season?

ET: I like the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat. The Hawks are gaining confidence each season and with a young roster, they should continue to soar towards cloud nine. The Suns are in a financial distress but they are back scorching the opposition on offense. However, the guess is that the players are still up for trades to the highest bidder. Amare may not even stay for the remainder of the season.. The Heat are getting some good games from Michael Beasley, who was suspect after that wild summer he had. Wade is still a spade for the team.

BR: I'm impressed with the Lakers and Magic, of course, with the way they have lived up to their billing, but it remains to be seen if they can keep it up given the fact that the Lakers have had a very easy schedule (the Suns, for one, were clobbered at the Staples Center, part of the 17 home games-in-the-first 21 sked of LA) and the Magic themselves have not had an extended road trip thus far.

BNC: Are the Atlanta Hawks for real? How about Erik Spoelstra and his Miami Heat?

ET: The Hawks are for real. They have been earning their spurs in recent years. Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson provide the young players veteran leadership. If Josh Smith can remain consistent with his blend of offense and defense (particularly blocking shots), they remain "playoff" potential. I think Wade still needs more help in Miami. He can't do it alone.

BR: The Hawks have grown somehow and should not be taken for granted, but I don't think they have arrived as a bonafide contender for the championship. They'll get into the second round and then eliminated, depending on their matchup. Erik Spoelstra and the Heat, meanwhile, will suffer a similar fate, maybe even fizzle out in the opening round, because they simply lack the depth that other contenders have. The Heat have yet to add around Dwyane Wade, that is, if they can keep him in Miami uniform after this season.

BNC: What do you think of NBA rookie phenom Brandon Jennings?

ET: Jennings, right now, is hands-down the rookie of the year. He is showing Milwaukee that he is truly worth the buck! He shoots, he drives, slices the middle, can even play both guard spots. Never hesitant to take the big shot.BJ's A-OK!

BR: Well, Brandon Jennings have been impressive, all right, particularly in his ability to play at the NBA level as a rookie, but he strikes me as a volume shooter the way Allen Iverson was during his younger years, which is not actually bad. But if you ask me if the Bucks can build around him and contend for a title, then they have a long way to go to be able to do that. Jennings has to learn how to involve his teammates more in the offense, which is the primary responsibility of a point guard, so the key here is for him to strike a balance between his shotmaking and his playmaking.

BNC (non-NBA question): Will the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) survive in the future?

ET: The ABL? Will it survive? I mean, how many basketball leagues are there already? The ABL has as much chance surviving as the Titanic rising again from the depths of the Atlantic.

BR: I have serious doubts if the ASEAN Basketball League will survive in the future if the league's prime movers do not look into its marketing aspects better. Right now, the league is surviving on the money being infused by its team owners, but how far can they sustain that if they don't get a consistent source of income for their teams? One can see the sparse attendance in games, which is not really encouraging, so a lot of marketing has to be done. The league's top brass, after all, has to realize that there's a limited market out there at this point given the tenuous economy that affects ASEAN countries in general, and what available pie there is still has to be divided among many other entertainment fares, including the different basketball leagues that exist in the sponsoring countries.

FAMOUS NBA QUOTES (Part 1)

Through the years, we were entertained no end by the exciting brand of play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). There were of countless memorable games that will live in us forever.

However, not only the games had made the NBA worth watching. There were a number of legendary and colorful players of yesteryears which we followed religiously on and off the court. We were awed not only by their on-court performances but off the court as well. We think deeply of whatever they say, whether basketball-related or not.

Beginning today, I am kicking off a series of collection on interesting and famous quotes of various NBA stars from yesterday and the present.

Herewith is the initial salvo:

• “A lot of late nights in the gym, a lot of early mornings, especially when your friends are going out, you’re going to the gym, those are the sacrifices that you have to make if you want to be an NBA player.” – JASON KIDD

• “A lot of times, you can get to a place that looks good on paper, but in actuality, it really is not as good as you think it is.” – KEVIN JOHNSON

• “A player dreams of being a superstar, but he doesn’t want people flocking all over him asking for an autograph.” – DENNIS RODMAN

• “A team will always appreciate a great individual if he’s willing to sacrifice for the group.” – KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR

• “A winner is some who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals.” – LARRY BIRD

• “Actually, Magic and the Lakers beat Philadelphia for Magic’s first NBA Championship.” – OSCAR ROBERTSON

• “Alexander Hamilton realized that warfare was part and parcel of human nature, and it’s something we had to prepare for.”- KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR

• “All kids need a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them.”- MAGIC JOHNSON

• “All of those things had been talked about, suggested, rumored, as a manager and as a member of the Knicks organization, I couldn’t allow myself to think that way or believe that.” – ISIAH THOMAS

• “All these boundaries-Africa, Asia, Malaysia, America- are set by men. But you don’t have to look at boundaries when you are looking at a man- at the character of a man. The question is: What do you stand for? Are you a follower or are you a leader?- HAKEEM OLAJUWON

• “And finally, I am proud of he most part , I spent my entire career with one team.”- KEVIN JOHNSON

• “And I really believe that. Asthma is NOT a disability.”- DOMINIQUE WILKINS

• “And I think one of the reasons why I’ve been able to maintain it for so long is I’ve never rested on it because I really don’t think I’m that good.”- KEVIN JOHNSON

• “And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a figurehead that gets a job because he is a famous basketball player. I want to really learn the business.” – SHAQUILLE O’NEAL

• “And then lastly, it’s always been a personal goal of mine to be able to walk away and not play just for the money and be at the top of my game.”- KEVIN JOHNSON

• “Anytime you play as a finalist it’s going to be a challenge.”- STEVE NASH

• “As a parent, I have a job as a role model to my children, and by extension, to other young people.”- KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR

• “As athletes, we’re used to reacting quickly. Here, it ‘come, stop, come, stop. There’s a lot of downtime. That’s the toughest part of the day.”- MICHAEL JORDAN

• “As brilliant an individual as Michael Jordan was, he was not successful until he got with a good team unit.”- KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR

• “As far as carrying the torch for the years to come, I don’t know. I just want to be the best basketball player I can be.”- KOBE BRYANT

*****

Herewith are the completed transactions for the period November 20 to 29:

Sunday, November 29

New Jersey fired head coach Lawrence Frank.

Thursday, November 26

Oklahoma City signed guard Mike Wilks.

Wednesday, November 25

Oklahoma City waived forward Ryan Bowen.

Friday, November 20

Golden State signed center Chris Hunter.