Basketball is a game for big men.
{ 0 comments }
Home » Archive by category 'Basketball'
Basketball
Anthony: not dominant despite 32 points
There are a few interesting things about watching the Knicks play a home game at Madison Square Garden (“the most famous arena in the world”).
The venue jumps out of a corporate canyon on 7th Avenue; entering feels like walking into a big-5 bank. Once you’re inside, it looks and feels old – but there’s more idiosyncrasy and soul than at other vast, vacuous suburban North American arenas these days. Plenty of history, too: the rafters flutter with a few championship banners and flags marking retired Knicks and Rangers greats.
But the most striking thing happens once the Knicks take the floor – this night against Charlotte Bobcats. And it’s not the Knicks themselves or their opponents creating the stir: rather, a non-New Yorker can’t help notice how quickly the boos rain down from the upper reaches of the Gardens on Bobcats, Knicks, and even fan contestants unlucky enough to be chosen to try shooting basketballs at targets or hazarding correct answers to Qs posed by the chirpy blonde mic’d courtside hostess.
In NYC, if you do anything but succeed with style, you get crapped on. So in this game, there are periodic cheers for Knicks stars Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, but only when they sink a 3-pointer or hit a cool fadeaway jumper or slam dunk an alley-oop. Meanwhile, there’s also major crap for Knick Tony Douglas, who in some subtle way has pissed off our Bud-swilling neighbours in the 400 level. And there’s grudging admiration for the Bobcats’ TJ Augustine, who on this night is the game’s best player – though Anthony scores 32 mostly meaningless points for the Knicks.
The question is: does this heightened level of expectation result in better performance for the hometown athletes? Maybe so. You can’t sit back or accept mediocrity in this environment. Win, and win well, or you’ll hear about it.
Some version of the same attitude pervades where excellence has become expected: in Brazil and certain European cities for soccer, in Montreal for hockey, in Pittsburgh for American football, and back here in NYC for baseball (at least if you’re watching the Yankees).
The best players here thrive, the rest just maybe survive…
{ 1 comment }
We know it’s early and the Heat still haven’t shown that they have what it takes to be a champion but today – on the day that the Mavericks and their owner Mark Cuban got their championship banner for Christmas – they beat the defending NBA champions with ease.
The score ended 105-94 but the Heat led by 30 points for much of the game before withdrawing theirs stars.
Lebron hit for 37 points in 36 minutes of court time, while D-Wade hit for 26 in 35 minutes.
And the Heat’s big stars not only put points on the board but did it with quality and composure. None of the swagger of last season – just pure quality and professionalism. Could this be the year that the Heat earn a banner of their own?
{ 0 comments }
Yes Melo was in fine, fine form today scoring a big 37 points at Madison Square Garden.
In the fourth quarter alone, he hit for 17, matching the entire output of the Celtics.
Great to see basketball back – the best possible present for ball fans everywhere.
{ 0 comments }
Nike Christmas Kicks 2011
The NBA season finally starts tomorrow on Christmas Day with a great line-up of games: Boston at New York, Miami at Dallas, Chicago at the Lakers, Orlando at Oklahoma City and the Clippers at Golden State.
And the people at Nike are ready with a fun line of shoes to be put under the trees of the basketball players of the world:
Check-out Nike’s Christmas Day shoe message:
“Christmas day has become the canvas for special Nike Basketball colorways and the 2011 Christmas day games are sure to delight basketball fans around the world.
Kobe Bryant will push the boundaries by wearing a purple and lime green version of the Nike Zoom Kobe VII System (Attack Fast) with special graphics representing the speed of the leopard with red laces. LeBron James goes a bit more traditional with a red upper, white midsole and green lace version of the LEBRON 9. Kevin Durant will wear a metalized-effect version of the Nike Zoom KD IV inspired by copper cookie cutters. And Amar’e will sport a predominantly green version of the Nike Air Max Sweep Thru paying heritage to New York’s Christmas Day uniforms.
Additional technical details of each Nike Basketball signature shoe include:
Nike Kobe VII System Supreme edition features a performance system that allows players to customize the shoe, switching ankle support and midfoot cushioning. Two interchangeable insert options are offered to match their style of play. If a player’s game is based on speed, there is the Attack Fast insert that features a Phylon midsole with Nike Zoom units that combined with low-cut, power-stretch cuff offers the ultimate in lightweight responsiveness and support. For games that get intense and physical in the paint, there is the Attack Strong insert. It offers a full-length Cushlon midsole and an ankle cuff for a plush, comfortable ride with great support. The Nike Kobe VII design also tells a predator story that’s inspired by Kobe’s predator-like instinct on the court.
LEBRON 9 is the first Nike shoe to combine Flywire technology and Hyperfuse construction in the upper. A midfoot harness that wraps around the foot incorporates Flywire 3.0 technology that adds strength and lock down support to breathability and durability. This lightweight upper mimics the speed and strength symbolic of LeBron’s game. The finely-tuned midsole provides a unique hybrid cushioning system by combining Max Air 180 in the heel for absorption on impact with a Nike Zoom unit in the forefoot for a springy response.
Nike Zoom KD IV incorporates the new Adaptive Fit system that provides a superior lock-down fit and lateral support. The combination of Hyperfuse on the upper, Nike Zoom unit in the forefoot and low collar design offers lightweight, low-profile responsive cushioning and optimal support and flexibility which makes this a versatile shoe for multiple positions on the court. Created with direct insights from Kevin Durant and his lineage, the Nike Zoom KD IV pays tribute to his team and family with design details.
Nike Air Max Sweep Thru has a lock-down fit made to support and cushion for explosive play with a blend of stability and comfort. An adjustable strap at the midfoot provides a snug, secure fit while the Max Air unit in the heel offers incredible cushioning and impact protection. Additional features include a leather upper for a supportive and comfortable fit, a herringbone pattern and pivot circle on the outsole for traction during multidirectional movement, and perforations at upper for enhanced breathability.”
Fantastic looking shoes. How to choose? Can one person ask for all four to be put under the tree for them?
{ 0 comments }
