After 2 solid months of fickle winter weather, I am experiencing some severe symptoms of Spring Fever. The doctor recommends I take a vacation, so I’m heading to my hometown for a little rest and relaxation.
Below is this week’s slate of Good Ass Games, but if you missed last week’s Cavs-Spurs game, then you missed the Good Ass Game of the Year. From start to finish, it felt like an NBA Finals game, with barely a lull throughout. The refs swallowed their whistles and let the boys get it in. The Lebron vs. Kawhi storyline did not disappoint, and Tony Parker vs. Kyrie Irving face-off was legit (the 56 that Irving scored didn’t even play much into the game until near the end when he went nuts.
Monday
Oklahoma City vs. Dallas
“Tap That Vein Tuesday”
Memphis- Detroit Milwaukee vs. New Orleans
Wednesday
[Good ASS GAME of the Week] Golden State vs. Atlanta
Thursday
New Orleans-Phoenix
Friday
Atlanta-Oklahoma City Memphis-Dallas
New Orleans-Golden State
Saturday
Portland-Memphis
Phoenix-Houston
Sunday
New Orleans-Los Angeles Clippers San-Antonio vs. Atlanta Dallas-Phoenix
Well homie did it again, this time posting a 30,11, and 17 (dimes!!!!) stat line. Oh and by the way, he also got 4 steals and a block. “Hustle” Westbrook collected his 5th triple-double in 6 games, and pretty much cemented himself into “must trust Russ” status.
Remember last year when KD was going fed on the “Real MVP” campaign. This run by Westbrook parallels that shit. Westbrook is averaging 34.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 11.4 assists since the All-Star break. If you can’t enjoy this run for what it is, then maybe basketball ain’t the sport for you. Maybe you should find the closest private school, and start hanging with “Lax” bros.
Last week was a great week for Good Ass Games, possibly the best week of Good Ass Games thus far in the season. Some players really took it to another level. Some guys like Hassan Whiteside are doing it on the low key, while guys like Steph Curry continue to blow up the highlight reel.
We have 21 games left in the regular season, and it is a shame that we have to choose between seeing Anthony Davis, or KD and Russ in the playoffs. “Lil Brow Wow” had a nasty line in his return. Somehow his 39, 13, and eight blocks got overshadowed by everything else that happened the night he played.
Ideally this will be the time that all the teams get their best pieces back, and we see everyone healthy for the playoffs. If Oklahoma City somehow gets Durant healthy for the playoffs, they will be the scariest 8 seed in NBA history. They have been fighting for the playoff lives since December, and now they have as solid (or better) of a bench as they have ever had. Watch out……..
Good ASS GAMES OF THE WEEK
Monday
Golden State vs. Phoenix
This would have been a much better game two months ago, but I’m not sure how much worse the Suns are than with Dragic, and Isiah Thomas. Sometimes there is a such thing as having too many cooks in the kitchen. I still expect the Warriors to show out tomorrow night at home in the Oracle. Man I love the Bay area.
Memphis-Chicago
Two of the best frontcourts face off in this one. The Gasol brothers are going to go at it like it is driveway basketball. I’m into it.
Tuesday
San Antonio faces off against the Raptors in this “Tap that Vein Tuesday” showdown. Spurs are starting to get healthy again, and it has been easy to overlook them. Kawhi and his big paws are causing problems for teams as well.
But seriously, think about all the things a guy like Kawhi can do with hands that big. He could work in a hospital delivery room as a baby catcher. He could work for the police department and rescue cats out of trees. I’m sure he could be a hell of a bass player, if he wanted to be. If Kawhi were a super hero, his powers would be to enlargen his hands and smack fools in the face, like Dave Grohl in that Foo Fighters video .
Wednesday
Houston vs. Portland
Someday people will say things like “Can you believe that Westbrook, Durant, and James Harden once all played on the same team/ How did they not win a championship together?” A damn shame about Wes Matthews’ Achilles heel tear. Tough break all around. Get well soon Wesley.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City
If boths teams were all full strenght, this night would get the ringing “Good Ass Game of The Week” endorsement. It will still be worth your time though. CP3 vs. Russ. MMMMMMPPPHHHHHHH!
Thursday
Cleveland vs. San Antonio
Cleveland has the offense to win some games out east, but their defense is not championship caliber. It is too bad their only formidable opponent is Atlanta–who by the way, worked the Cavs last Friday.
Friday
Do you really want to give up date night for Clippers-Mavericks or Atlanta-Phoenix? I’m honestly kind of feeling the Minnesota-Oklahoma City game. A WIGGINS!!!!!
Saturday
Just. Don’t.
Sunday
Clippers-Rockets
If you like flopping, then this will be the game for you. Otherwise peep the Bulls-Thunder which would have won the Good ASS Game of The Week, had Lebron and Harden not gone into overtime last Sunday.
Buster(s) of the Week:
I never liked the University of Oklahoma and my visits to Norman were always mixed at best. Now I understand why. Sigma Alpha Epsilon basically confirmed what I’d always suspected about the culture down on I-35. So thanks bros. I appreciate your honesty. I’m sure I’ll see you on TV at the Thunder games, sitting courtside with your daddys’ tickets.
Big Up(s) of the Week:
goes to the man, Craig Sager and them awful suits for beating Luekemia. Homie got a rousing ovation from the Chicago fans, and a pretty sweet jacket on top of that from Benny the Bull.
Another shout out goes out to Jason Richardson who did some damage against the Thunder (29 points on 8-19 shooting). I had no idea he was out of the leauge. Apparently he has been trying to come back from injury since 2013. Big ups J-Rich! You know us old guys are rooting for you man. Keep doing what you doing.
Enjoy these Good Ass Games, and peep some college ball if the weather is too bad for you to be outside with your loved ones.
Congratulations. If you are reading this post then that means you are alive (or dreaming that you’re alive and reading this).
Fuck February. Last month saw us lose Dr. Spock, former Blazer great, Jerome Kersey, and as of yesterday, Anthony Mason. My man Mason played shut down D, had sick handles for a man his size, and had a low key good jumper. His game posessed an ugly beauty; one that neophytes like me could appreciate. Mason wasn’t the best. Nor was his game the prettiest, but the man embraced what he had and made a career for himself.
To me, Mason embodied the whole 1990’s New York Knick ethos. You can say a lot about those teams. They were marginally talented, they were bullies, and their games were generally an eyesore (especially compared to today’s game), but those Knicks teams had heart. They got every ounce of production possible out each other, and went as a team with marginal offensive talent can go. Hell they almost won a championship. Big ups to #14.
Good ASS Games of the Week:
Monday
Monday is a “tap that vein” kind of night.
Phoenix vs. Miami is marginally entertaining, and New Orleans-Dallas has real playoff implications. Maybe even “Lil Brow Wow” will be ready to play again (So many injuries to so many superstars this year).
Tuesday
Houston-Atlanta just may be the “Good Ass Game of the Week” . Houston ain’t messing around. I almost want to say they are more entertaining without old Dwight manning the 5 position.
Wednesday
Memphis-Houston
Catching Houston on a back-to-back may be the best thing for the “Grizzlebees”. Memphis hasn’t looked all that great post All-Star Break.
Portland-LA Clippers will be good. “Video Game” Dame (Big ups to Mikey!) had a yawner of a game the last time he faced off against Chris Paul. I’m sure he is chomping at the bit to get another shot at the “point God”
Thursday
Oklahoma City-Chicago Does anyone really believe that D. Rose will be healthy enough to play in the playoffs? Not I says the Mick.
Dallas-Portland I remember a certain basketball blogger getting hella krunk about a certain team from Texas acquiring a certain guard from the University of Kentucky. Well, I stand by what I said–even if Rondo hasn’t played all that well. But Dallas fans may have to face the fact that 2012 Rondo may not be walking through that locker room door, and that’s okay.
Friday
Cancel your plans on Friday, or bring them along for the ride, because the two best Eastern Conference teams face off. Cleveland-Atlanta give us a little taste of what early May brings out of the east. I NEVER get excited about games played in the EST, but if you were to stop in any game in that time zone, this is the one to cancel a date for.
Dallas-Golden State will be good too–if the Mavs don’t get blown out that is.
Saturday
Memphis-New Orleans will be an excellent “tap the vein” game, but I’d advise you to change whatever plans you made for Friday and move them to Saturday. Get your drink on, get your think on, or get your dance on. You have all of April to watch the Grizzlebees mangle the Pelicans.
Sunday
Toronto vs. Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City continues to be plagued by injuries, but they still keep fighting. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Clippers-Warriors on that matinee tip.
Chicago-San Antonio Remember that acronym NUTS, Never Underestimate The Spurs?
Well Never Underestimate The Bulls either. This will be a fun one.
BUSTER(s) OF THE WEEK AWARD
Any coach in the Big 12 not named Bill Self. Old Self is cementing his rightful place in Springfield, Massachusetts with every consecutive conference title he grabs. If there were a year, that his streak were more vulnerable, I can’t recall off the top of my head. The Iowa State Hoibergs had a perfect opportunity to snatch at least a share of first place and lost consecutive games this week.
The poor Longhorn faithful down in Austin have a politician posing as a coach, as the Horns continue to underachieve. Whenever I watch KU-UT games I imagine Nick Collison and Kevin Durant sitting on a couch in front of a television. Durant is hype the whole time because it looks like UT will finally get the best of the Jayhawks, and the whole time Collison is confidently thinking, “Rick Barnes is going to find a way to lose this game to Bill Self.”
It matters not though, who wins this conference because the UK Cats are kings this year. I’m not even all that interested in the tournament this year. I’d rather Kentucky take on the best 6 teams and play them on a neutral court, on some heavyweight title (or video game bosses) shit. There will be no reason to watch the NCAA tournament at all, except to see who will get drafted where in the NBA. Which I guess is reason enough isn’t it?
Well congratulations on still being alive. Can’t take anything for granted in this day and age. I hope we can do this again next week.
Say hello and goodbye to the busiest trading deadline in NBA history. I updated my favorite websites every 20 minutes to catch up on any breaking news. Every 1 of 3 texts was NBA related from other junkies like myself. It was an exciting day. So who got better?
Oklahoma City may arguably have the best bench full of role players the team has ever had. Kyle Singler and Steve Novak should help stretch the floor the Thunder. I’m sure D.J. Augustin and Kevin Durant were hype to find out they’d be playing together again. Enes Kanter was a quality big too who was underexposed in Utah. He is already putting up numbers–getting 20 points in the first two games playing there.
More importantly, they shed some dead weight in Kendrick Perkins and Reggie Jackson. Both guys had put in some work during their tenure in OKC, but it was just time.
Detroit got a good deal in bringing Reggie along. Pistons look poised to take the 8th seed from Brooklyn, while Miami will certainly suffer with the loss of Chris Bosh (despite the crafty work of Pat Riley to get the Dragic brothers for next to nothing).
Finding minutes for a talent like Arron Afflalo is a good problem to have for Portland. They gave up very little for that acquisition. I was surprised there were no takers for his former backcourt mate Ty Lawson.
It looks like Phoenix is throwing in the towel this season by trading away half their team. Who knows? Maybe they’ll get lucky and draft Stanley Johnson, Jalhil Okafor, or Willie Cauley-Stein.
This Week’s Good Ass Games
Monday
Memphis-Clippers
It’s a shame that Blake is out for this one. I really enjoyed seeing him and Z-Bo tussle in the paint. The only game worth checking out tomorrow night.
Tuesday
“Tap that vein Tuesday” continues with Toronto-Dallas. Watch this game because you’re a fan of either team. I personally don’t enjoy watching Toronto play, but by all means tap that vein if you need it that badly.
Wednesday Between Dallas-Atlanta, Houston-LA Clippers, and San-Antonio-Portland, there should be no excuse for not finding a Good Ass Game to watch on Wednesday night. If I could only watch one of these games, then ATL-DAL would be my pick to click.
Thursday
Golden-State-Cleveland is the “Good Ass GAme of the Week if Steph Curry is healthy enough to play. I just got chills thinking about the possibilities.
Phoenix-Oklahoma City will be competitive, however Phoenix made themselves slightly less watchable by trading away Isiah thomas and Goran Dragic. It will still be worth watching it to see Russ Westbrook get them buckets.
Friday
Golden State-Toronto for the undercard, and then finish the night off with Portland-Oklahoma City.This one might get nasty.
Saturday
San Antonio-Phoenix gets the selection by default. I will personally find something else to do that night. If the game were in San Antonio, an earlier tip-off would allow a person to watch the game and have a Saturday night. 9:00 to 11:30 is a critical period in a person’s Saturday night. You have to commit to either staying in and vegging with your favorite pint of ice cream, or going out and socializing. I’ll have to check the weather channel before deciding.
Sunday
Cleveland-Houston Ugh. Why can’t they both lose this game?
Clippers-Chicago Remember when people use to debate who was the better point guard between D.Rose and Chris Paul? Those people scattered faster than you can say “#1 draft pick Greg Oden.”
Buster of the Week Award:
To anyone who watched the Oscars over the Memphis-Portland game tonight. As my man from “Unforgivable” says, “That’s a Mistake!!!.
I skipped All-Star Break to heal my bones and mind, and to catch my breath. While some of you were oohing and ahhing over Zach Lavine, and Victor Oladipo, I was drinking Brass Monkeys in the warm air of the Big Easy. The time off gave me a time to reflect on the first half of the season, and look ahead to the trade deadline and rest of the regular season. The playoffs start in less than two months, and the line between the contenders and pretenders is quite blurry.
I’m curious as to where Amar’e Stoudemire ends up after his buyout with the Knicks. Sometime last week I had a dream that he was in talks with the Golden State Warriors (to the point of even hearing the over the phone negotiations between Steve Kerr and Amar’e–a little weird to say the least).
What will the Thunder do to nail down a rotation to get them through this stretch run. They haven’t had a consistent starting nine all season, and the backup point guard has yet to play well enough to justify his demands to be a starter for a contending team.
Phoenix is not better this year much to my chagrin–I’m not ever sure if they are as fun as last year’s squad. Will their penchant for losing close games come back to haunt them down the stretch? Do the Pelicans have enough help for Anthony Davis to get New Orleans to the playoffs?
Before we get to the second half of the season’s Good Ass games, let us reexamine the season preview where I made some bold, and not so smart predictions.
First thing off the bet, I was incredibly wrong about the Atlanta Hawks. Not only did I not think they would be worth watching this year, I didn’t even think they would be legitimately good. Big ups to Al Horford, who made his team a contender instead of going elsewhere in pursuit of that “Chip.”
I also did not think Memphis was going to be as lucky with health as they have been. Besides Vince Carter (who is 63 and still suiting up occasionally) there have not been any lingering injuries to this team. I thought for sure Zak Randolph would miss some significant time. How could I have known they’d finally trade Tayshuan Prince for Jeff Green?
I was also wrong about the Timberwolves being a fun team to watch this year. I should have said they would be a fun team to play with on NBA2k15. Shabazz Muhammad is better this year, and Zach Lavine gives Wolves’ fans something to talk about near the water cooler.
Andrew Wiggins is making me look somewhat respectable by pretty much locking up the ROY award. Other than that, things are still as bleak in the “land of 1,000 lakes” as ever. I was expecting this year to finally be the year Ricky Rubio stayed healthy. WRONG!!!!
I knew that Steve Kerr would be great for the Dub’s, but I’d have had to been smoking some super-duper headbanger boogie herb to have foreseen what is going down in Oaksterdam.
Here is what I had for the standings during the season’s preview:
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland
2. Wizards
3. Raptors
4. Chicago
5. Miami
6. Charlotte
7. Milwaukee
8. Atlanta
Here is what the standings really look like as of today February 15, 2015
Western Conference
1. Golden State
2. Memphis
3. Portland
4. Houston
5. Dallas
6. Los Angeles Clippers
7. San Antonio
8. Phoenix
Eastern Conference
1. Atlanta
2. Toronto
3. Chicago
4. Washington
5. Cleveland
6. Milwaukee
7. Charlotte
8. Miami
With the right stroke of luck, Detroit could easily steal a spot from Miami or Charlotte. Other than that, I feel pretty good about my early assessment of the East, although based on the way Cleveland and Atlanta are playing, I think those are the two teams most likely to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals.
As for the West, I don’t think the standings matter. There are no cupcakes to face in any round for a team to face.
So about these Good Ass Games:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
Thursday
Starting the second half off right with two Marquee games
Oklahoma City-Dallas, and San Antonio-Los Angeles. After a whole week of not watching any hoop, I’ll be well rested and chomping at the bit. As my boy Busta used to say, “Gimme some MORE”
Friday
Toronto vs. Atlanta for the “tap that vein opener” and Golden State vs. San Antonio. Remember that time “Pops” rested his starters and the Warriors still got beat? Yeah I’m sure Golden State remembers that too.
Saturday
Don’t plan your night around this, but Chicago-Phoenix will be a fun watch. If its between watching this and having some “relations”, I wouldn’t begrudge you missing this one. Especially if that someone looks half as good as this young lady. Klay be getting buckets!!!
Sunday
You got all day to clean house, cut the yard, do laundry, or whatever. Get that stuff done so you can watch the Portland-Memphis game. If you miss it, you’ll feel like the guy I saw down at Mardi Gras wearing an Austin Rivers jersey. He certainly would have gotten the Buster of The Week Award had it not been for the Penn State Student section.
This is exactly why they should have had their football program taken away. It didn’t take them long to get back on their high horses after the whole culture of “Ninny Lions” enabled a monster to repeatedly rape disadvantage little boys.
Pedo State, you guys are the true definition of Busters and the only Busters bigger than the JoePa defenders are the people who believe that taking money and paying players is a ‘crime’ significantly worse than allowing school facilities to be used as a grooming stable to RAPE LITTLE BOYS!!!. Find a mirror and look into it Happy Valley Alum. You guys are suckers! I’m out.
I’m not sure how many games I’ve watched this season, but I’m starting to suspect that I’m spending an unhealthy amount of time sitting in front of my laptop. I tried hanging out with some friends the other night, and caught myself thinking about the Mavericks-Blazers game. I’d check my phone and get texts that read “Dirk!!!!”, or “You watching this Mavs game?”
And honestly I wasn’t that upset about taking the night off. 82 games in a season is too many. Not only is harder to get hype for all of the Good Ass Games, but the players clearly don’t look as fresh the last couple of weeks.
Dudes are tired. Frankly, I’m tired. I have to force myself to go out to practice interacting with people again. I’ve begun to look forward to going to work on Mondays because I won’t leave my house unless I absolutely have to.
I’m looking forward to doing other things this weekend besides watching basketball. The All Star Game will be played at the “Mecca of basketball”, Madison Square Garden, and I can’t think of a better place to host a glorified pick up game in front of a bunch of rich celebrities. Sunday will be as if the Grammy’s or the Oscar’s held a basketball game between awards.
I’m sure I’d watch this year if I weren’t not committed to my out of town plans for the weekend. I’ll be asleep on a bus nursing a hangover, while the game is going on, but I’ll be sure to watch the highlights. Until then, let’s get to these Good ASS Games:
Monday
Clippers got dealt a big blow when they found out Beige Blake Griffin could miss a significant amount of time to a staph infection in his elbow. Ugh. That ain’t nothing nice. I’m not a fan of BG, but that can get nasty if treated the wrong way. It’s a good thing Donald Sterling doesn’t own the team anymore, or Blake would be pouring peroxide on his elbow to get that thing treated #cheapskate. This along with a back-to-back will give the Mavs an advantage tomorrow night–even without Rajon Rondo.
Tuesday
Houston vs. Phoenix
The Western teams not named the Clippers need to get their licks in now. Every win is important of course, and Phoenix, Oklahoma City, and New Orleans have to grab as many wins as they can. It will be rough to see any of these three teams not in the playoffs. They all deserve to be there and hopefully Adam Silver will fix this now dysfunctional playoff structure.
Wednesday
Memphis-Oklahoma City is my pick to click this week for Good ASS Game of the Week.
Memphis is so nasty right now, and one of the best benches in the NBA, has suddenly gotten better with Tony Allen giving up his starting spot to Jeff Green.
The Miami-Cleveland and Houston-LA CLippers games will be the equivalent of a 2 AM hook up from the bar. Not exactly what you want in your living room, but that late at night, sometimes anything will do. I mean its still basketball right? Well…….sort of…………
Thursday
Cleveland-Chicago will be the last good ass game of the first half. If you haven’t started partying for Mardi Gras at this point, I’d certainly recommend peeping this action. It’s all down hill from here– the 3 Point shooting contest, slam dunk contest, the All Star Game, and then the trading deadline. Before you know it, it will be April and the beginning of playoffs.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY-SUNDAY
ALL STAR WEEKEND!!!!! I’m a be like Dirk, getting my rest on. But before I go, we gotta hand out the Buster of the Week Award to
LeGarrette Blount. First of all, the shirt isn’t all that clever. I’d have been more impressed had the shirt read “BITCH MADE” That would have had me rolling–even if it isn’t true. Secondly, Blount barely had any yards in the Super Bowl.
Had it not been for Tom “Terrific”, Blount would be hanging out with Leveon Bell, trying to find a new weed connect. “Beast Mode” showed up, and had Russell Wilson had the balls to call an audible, he’d be getting hyphy with that Super Bowl Trophy for the 2nd time in two years.
Sometimes LeGarrette you just gotta shut up and ride the wave–especially when you ride someone’s coattails into a Super Bowl trophy. Instead of dissing on opposing players, he should be kissing Robert Kraft’s pinky ring for the second chance with them.
That’s all I have to say about that. Enjoy the festivities this week, and stay out of trouble.
The Hawks who I slighted in this year’s preview, have yet to lose in 2015; winning 19 straight and are 40-6 for the season. I tuned in to the watch the Atliens play Portland the other night and was impressed with how krunk it was. I guess I should not have been surprised, since it is the birthplace of Krunk music. What bugged me out though was the arena organ player throwing down some French Montana during a key defensive stand.They beat the Blazers and continued their streak. Hawks are fa’real ya’ll.
Good Ass Games This Week
Monday
Atlanta-New Orleans
This is contingent on the health of “Lil Brow Wow” Anthony Davis. He is supposed to play tonight. We’ll see. Otherwise you’ll have to watch Memphis-Phoenix. If you are trying to watch some college hoops (which I rarely recommend this season), get down on some Iowa State-Kansas on the four letter network. Allen Fieldhouse should be hype, that is if the old people in the building don’t make the young fans sit down so they can see. TURN UP!!
Tuesday
Slim Pickings that night, but you can tap that vein as Golden State takes a trip down I-80 out to “Sactown”. Warriors will be getting it in versus the Kings. We know what happened last time don’t we?
Wednesday
Dallas-Golden State
Oklahoma City-New Orleans
Washington-Atlanta
Chicago-Houston
Bulls-Houston may be the best bet of the night. Oklahoma City has been struggling to get on the same page of late, and I’m convinced it isn’t just health. Their offense is explosive at times, but also highly predictable.
Good teams know how to D up for the Thunder. They don’t do anything fancy, they just try to out run, out shoot, and out jump teams.This strategy has its limits, and when the superstars sit down for any length if time, their offense becomes an eyesore.
I look at Atlanta as if they are a west team these days, so if you can sit through a Wizards game, go ahead and tune in to that game.
Golden State-Dallas would be a lot more sexy if Rondo was playing. Get well soon Rajon.
Thursday
Clippers-Cavaliers
Two really good teams that I really don’t like to watch play. Will I watch? Hell yes. Will I enjoy it? Maybe. I can’t lie though I was impressed with Kyrie Irving’s 55 point game. Bro was relentless against Portland. His game is nice for sure, but I’d much rather watch a certain light skinned brother out of Davidson play ball–but that’s just me.
Speaking of Portland, How did my man “Late Game Dame” get stuck on the outside looking in. Bro is an All Star and a sure fire lock to make first team on Bobby Mickey’s “Non-Kosher All Star Team”. Reserved for the ballers who have been going HAM!
Portland-Phoenix will be an up and down affair (big shout outs to the Jayhawk alumni who’ll be playing that night) with some elite guard play.
Friday
Miami-San Antonio
Should be a good one. I’m liking this Hassan Whiteside kid. He’s been a double-double machine since he got into the league (he even got a triple double one night–posting 12 blocks). After I found out he played high school ball with Iowa State legend, Deandre Kane, he was dope by association alone.
Clippers-Raptors and NOLA-OKC if yoy really wanna tap the vein, but nothing will be ass good as
the Good ASS GAME OF THE WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!! Golden State vs. Atlanta If you are a pretty girl who don’t like basketball and you see me at the bar; transfixed to the TV screen, just keep walking. If you ain’t messing wit hoop, I ain’t messing wit YOU.
Saturday
Dallas-Portland and Chicago-New Orleans will be entertaining, but I wouldn’t sacrifice a Saturday night (and your significant other’s wrath) for either of these games. If the only thing you tryna tap that night is them veins……. well this will certainly do.
Sunday
Atlanta-Memphis will overshadow all the other games on Sunday’s slate. Will the Hawks still be soaring by Sunday? Will they get mauled by the Grizzlebees? The only thing that would make this game better is if these teams were playing on Martin Luther King Day.
It is only when the Clippers come to Oklahoma City that I remember that Blake Griffin is a native okie.
Portland-Houston will be fun and the Raptors will give the Spurs a good run that night.
This is the first Sunday in a long time there will be no football to distract me, which brings me to the
BUSTER OF THE WEEK AWARD:
Pete Carroll had a chance to cement the Seahawks dynasty and spare everyone from a bukakke of “Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are the greatest coach and QB” headlines. I’ll give the Patriots their due. Sure they cheat, but that had nothing to do win Pete Carroll letting 53 grown ass men down when he decided to pass the ball from the 1 yard line; instead of handing the ball off to the best back in the NFL today. Everyone on that team did their jobs but Pete.
The margin of error is so small during the playoffs, and Pete Carroll had finally convinced me that he’d stop doing Pete Carroll type of things. #Baddecisions. The Seahawks lost that game more than the Patriots won that shit, and the blame starts and stops with Pete Carroll trying to be a rocket scientist instead of a football coach.
I can’t imagine what it feels like to be him, and I don’t want to.That was the most devastatingly bad decision I have seen on such a national stage. Unforgettable. Unbelievable.
People talk about Nelson Cruz’s missed catch in the 2011 World Series, or Bill Buckner’s gaffe. I remember where I was when Scott Norwood missed the game winner against the New York (football) Giants, and the Chris Webber timeout in 1992. This is way worse than any of those events. Never have I seen a coach pluck defeat from the jaws of victory on such a grand and national stage. Pete Carroll, you sir; are the BUSTER OF THE WEEK.
Alright, enough of that nonsense. Football season is over. I’m about to get down on these Good Ass Games.
History was made on Friday night, and the basketball world is no longer the same. Ronnie Lott, Reggie Jackson (Mr. October–not the young pg for the Thunder–we’ll get to him much later),Chris Mullin, Jerry West, E-40, and Too Short were all in the house to see Klay Thompson turn the Oracle up.
The Kings pleaded with the refs to blow the whistle , but to no avail. No one could stop Thompson in the 3rd quarter, not only did he shoot lights out, (12 for 12–did not miss a single shot), but he was blocking shots, taking dude’s cookies, and dishing out dimes.
The coolest thing about watching Klay Thompson score 37 points in the 3rd quarter, was that everyone was juiced to see it go down. Having lived in the Bay, and been to the Oracle, I know just how electric the atmosphere can be when the Warriors are rolling.
I didn’t go to sleep until 5 in the morning because of the buzz, so I can only imagine what it was like for those closer to the action. I had to watch the 3rd quarter over after the game ended, because I was only half paying attention to it, when it became obvious that Klay was “Going DUMB” up in the spot.
You can tell what type of ball club they have in Oakland right now, because not once during that NBA JAM–like performance did anyone want to shoot the ball other than Klay. They just kept feeding him the rock. I’m not sure Klay even gets close to having that kind of hot streak, if he shares the floor with Russell Westbrook, Gerald Green, J.R. Smith, or Dion Waiters. They like to get buckets too much.
It was a remarkable thing to watch, and I still get chills watching the highlights of it. Get ya money Klay Thompson! I hope Steve Kerr (who is an awesome coach) gets to start an all Golden State backcourt during ALL-Star Weekend. Klay is no doubt the best 2 way shooting guard in the league( Magic Johnson thinks Klay and Lebron are the two best all around players)–and he is only going to get better.
At the beginning of the year I thought the Warriors success would depend on the health of the frontcourt. I had no idea they would be this balanced. They have a deep bench, and everyone on the team has gotten better this year. Andrew Bogut’s attributes as a passer have been accentuated in the high post. Kerr starting Barnes over Iguodala has helped not only the starters, but also the bench depth.
They are not just beating teams, they are blowing them out. Their have been beating teams by an avg of 13 points a game. They have that look. They are young, explosive, hungry, and have a winner coaching them through pitfalls. Kerr is level headed, funny, and enjoys seeing the them succeed. It is a long season, and it won’t matter what the seedings are once the playoffs begin (no cupcakes from #1 through #8). All I’m saying is that this (36-6) is no fluke. The Dubs are for real.
Good Ass Games of the Week
Monday
Instead of watching OKC-Minny, I decided to watch some of my students play their freshman against their rival high school. As it turned out, Durant is resting his toe tonight, and the Thunder handled Minnesota–despite ROY candidate Wiggins getting 23 points. This also explains why I’m posting this now instead of yesterday. I’m happy with my decision.
Tuesday
Memphis-Dallas
Dallas has lost a couple of games they could have easily won the last few games. They still need frontcourt help. I’m not sure if signing Jermaine O’Neal (at his age now)is the guy you can count on to alleviate the depth issues.
Chicago-Golden State
No way in hell I’m missing this one. I know Chicago hasn’t been playing well of late, but this could easily be the NBA Finals. Sleep on the Bulls and you might get the horn.
Wednesday
Portland-Cleveland
“Dark Nowitzki” stepped it up Saturday night and put in work (26 points, 9 boards) despite a torn ligament in his thumb. Cleveland has been playing well of late after Lebron getting himself some rest. The acquisition of Iman Shumpbert, Timofey Mosgov, and J.R. Smith saved Cleveland’s season. This game will be played at a very high level. I’m hoping there will be an ILLARD sighting come 4th quarter.
Thursday
A good night to work on whatever you need to catch up on in the week, whether you are studying for a test, or making one for class. Just take the night off. Trust me I’m a doctor.
Friday
Chicago-Phoenix
This will be a fun one to watch. Fast paced, but a defensive struggle at times. It should get up into the 100’s for both squads but barely.
Clippers-Pelicans
New Orleans and Oklahoma City are on the outside looking in right now. While I think that Oklahoma City needs to move Reggie Jackson for the sake of that locker room, the Pelicans got better by getting rid of one buster in exchange for a decent wingman in Quincy Poindexter. Both teams will be in the hunt until the end, but if they don’t make it in, they can lament on some close losses they had early in the season.
Portland-Atlanta
Atlanta is no joke. At the end of last week, they were 11-3 versus the West. They are balanced and are in the midst of a 14 game winning streak. To say I didn’t see this coming is an understatement. Here is a team that is up for sale (I’ve heard Grant Hill, Hank Aaron, and C-Webb all as potential buyers), and should be in the midst of turmoil. “Can’t Stop. Won’t Stop. Uh uh. Bad Boys.”
Saturday
Oklahoma City-Memphis
Insert any sports cliche to indicate that this will be a physical and hard fought game, and it will be completely accurate. This game will be whatever you want it to be. Of all the candidates for the Good Ass Game of the Weekaward, this matchup may have the strongest case. If KD plays, this game will live up to the hype.
Clippers-San Antonio
My Saturday night will be filled with good hoop. How am I supposed to choose between this, the above game and Golden State-Phoenix? I just got goosebumps. MMMMMMMPPPPHHHH
Super Bowl Sunday
Seahawks-Patriots
Seattle over New England 24-17. There will be some big hits, and it will be exciting. Damn. I just realized I gotta find a place to watch this thing.
BUSTER OF THE WEEK AWARD
I’ll gladly accept this award this week. During the NFC Championship game, my buddy and I turned the game off after Russell Wilson threw his last interception with 5:01 remaining. I thought there was no way that Seattle could come back at this point.
We started playing NBA2k15 with the Timberwolves and Kings. I was in the middle of passing into the “Boogie Down Productions” in the post when I get this text saying the game was going into overtime.
We stopped the game and turned it to FOX and sat in confusion as we tried to piece the last 4:59 seconds of regulation together. By the time we figured it out, Russell Wilson was throwing a TD to Jermaine Kearse, then weeping on national television. It was a very weird birthday for me. So I guess my gift to myself is this award. The game was over, or so I thought.
Normally I wouldn’t invest that much time and turn off into an event and turn it off during end game, but it just seemed over. I should have known better though. Had I been playing Madden, I wouldn’t have given up and kept playing through. Why would I think differently for the NFC Championship game? Straight Busterish.
Enjoy the week of Good ASS Games.
Holler at me on twitter @clickpicka79
bobbymickey@gmail.com
#thisagoodassgame
Things are starting to get pretty interesting out on the roundball court. There were some good ass games this past week. The Cavaliers-Lakers game was weirdly entertaining. It felt like I was watching a really fun pickup game. Nothing was at stake, it was just a regular season team between two losing teams. It was cool just watching Kobe and Lebron interact throughout the affair–laughing and joking during timeouts and in less active transitional periods.
Clippers-Blazers won the “Good Ass Game of the Week” award by default, barely beating out Phoenix-Cleveland from Tuesday night’s slate of games.
I got a chance yesterday to watch some college hoops, and though Duke-Louisville let me down, I was certainly impressed with Jahlil Okafor’s game. He dominated the post in the second half of that game yesterday, with most of his scoring coming after the half. He has great footwork and soft hands. He is clearly the first pick in next year’s draft. I think Montrezl Harrell can carve himself a niche in the league too. Bro just looks built to ball.
Kansas-Iowa State was a great affair, and the cyclone fans were HYPE!!! during last night’s engagement. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was about as loud and adverse and atmosphere that a team can go into. Kansas played sloppily and the Hoibergs made them pay with every mistake.
Their guard play was pretty phenomenal, Naz Long put up 20 points and had 5 boards. 6 Iowa State players hit double figures in scoring. Even after the Jayhawks scored, the Cyclones were already pushing the ball up the court with crisp outlet passes–rather than trying to dribble the length of the floor.
They are a good passing team, and should be respected. Fred Hoiberg is legit, and he’ll be bringing his boys to Lawrence the first week of February, in a can’t miss affair.
Good Ass Games of the Week:
Monday
What better way to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther (the) King than by watching bruthas make millions of dollars for playing the most beautiful game ever created.
It would be dismissive of me not to include a couple of Eastern Conference teams on this slate, both Detroit and Atlanta have been playing great ball of late. Atlanta has won 12 straight and has a 10-3 record against the West this year. They are legit. I was one last year who was kind of skeptical of what “good” meant in the east, but the Hawks are the real deal.
Their games are fun to watch too. They pass the ball as well as the Spurs, Warriors, and Phoenix Suns. They have some ballers in Paul Milsap (who I thought the Thunder should have made a run at years ago), Al Horford, Kyle Korver (the 50-50-90 club????), and Jeff Teague have made it impossible for me to ignore their ballclub. ATLIENS, I stand corrected.
Denver-Golden State Speaking of balling, Golden State smacked Houston on the second end of back-to-back games. 131-106.
Dallas-Memphis If Mike Conley played in the Eastern Conference, he’d be a sure fire All-Star. Unfortunately the West is loaded right now. How do you sort that out? Kobe will probably get voted in since its his last productive year, which takes up another guard spot. We’ll see. The Grizzlies backcourt matches up well with the Mavericks’ Ellis and Rondo.
Sacramento-Portland will be highly competitive, and might be better than the Chicago-Cleveland game that night. Neither the Cavs or Bulls are playing all that well of late (the last 5-7 games).
Tuesday Thunder-Heat Thing were turnt up in OKC on Friday. Durant shot 14-18 and scored 36. Westbrook had an insane stat line of 17 points, 17 assists , and 15 rebounds.
They are poised to make a run soon, and it looks like Dion Waiters may be a good fit after all. Word on the street is that “Perk” and Reggie Jackson will be the next pieces moved. Does this mean Brooklyn is willing to part with Brook Lopez for a big man, a draft pick and a little Reggie thrown in for good measure? Stay tuned.
Wednesday
Toronto-Memphis I’ve always wondered what a fight between a Grizzly Bear and a dinosaur would look like.
Houston-Golden State
Yes. Please.
Portland-Phoenix Oh so much good ass basketball this week.
Lakers-Pellies Only if you are desperate.
Oklahoma City-Washington
Worth checking out only because the game is in D.C.
Spurs-Bulls There are going to be some sick dimes thrown in this game. If you like big men who know how to pass, don’t put an ad out on Craigslist, just tune in to this game. Trust me. I was a doctor for Halloween once.
Friday
Happy Hour can’t get here soon enough with this Oklahoma City-Atlanta game to kick off the weekend.
Houston-Phoenix will be a game that gets into high 100’s for both teams. Sacramento will get slapped by Golden State. In case you forgot about this game
‘Nuff Said.
Saturday
Wizards-Blazers. The best matchup of backcourts you will see that night.
Sunday
HEY! DO I HAVE THE HANGOVER CURE FOR YOU!!!!!!!
Oklahoma City-Cleveland Clippers-Suns
What else you gonna do, watch the NFL PRO BOWL?
BUSTER OF THE WEEK AWARD:
Oh it pains me so much to do this. This is a man’s whose career I have followed since he was running the show in Las Vegas. I watched him with the Knicks and Blazers, and enjoyed his voice as a basketball analyst for CBS and TNT.
My man Greg Anthony got busted Friday night on charges of soliciting a prostitute when he was in D.C. He was supposed to call the Maryland-Michigan State game and decided to see more than the usual tourist sights. CBS has suspended him for the rest of the year, and so has Turner Broadcasting. The only way this story can get worse is if Marion Barry and Rob Ford were hiding in his bedroom with cocaine and a videotape.
Now I don’t know what happened. Apparently he just picked the wrong day to get a pro.There was a sting operation by the police. We still don’t know if she was a streetwalker or an escort, but I figured my man had more game than that. I’m not one to judge.
Things happen, and I’ve been to Amsterdam so you can probably guess what my opinion is on prostitution. I guess the law is the law. It’s terrible news though, this man’s career is in jeopardy because he is accused of trying to purchase sex. Maybe my sympathies are in the wrong place, but I feel for him. It can all be taken away so easily.
Enjoy this week’s slate of games, and remember to make good choices. As these NFL Playoffs have shown, there is a very thin margin of error that separates the winning and losing locker rooms.
This was an interesting week in the NBA, as we get closer to the season’s midgame.
Cleveland got better this week, but it was almost impossible for that to not happen. Getting draft picks for Dion Waiters was a steal, as the Thunder should have asked Cleveland to give them something to take Dion off their hands. In a vacuum the deal would not look that bad.
But consider that the Grizzlebees managed to pick up Jeff Green and Russ Smith, the Suns got Branden Wright; and the Pelicans found a way to trade Austin Rivers for Quincy Poindexter. The streets don’t look so hot in Oklahoma City right now. The more I watch them, the more convinced I am that Reggie Jackson won’t be there when the season begins next year.
Back to Cleveland though, Picking up Timofey Mosgov to replace Anderson Varejao was a clutch move. I like the J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert moves for them too. Will this be enough to beat a western team. Hell No! But it does make the East a little bit more interesting–though not interesting enough to spend time watching to east teams go at it.
Good Ass Games of the Week
Monday
Oregon Ducks play Ohio State for the NCAA Football Championship, in Jerryworld. You could watch Brooklyn play New Orleans or you could watch young men beat each other’s heads in for no pay, as old rich dudes make money off it. We could make jokes about it being the equivalent of Mandingo fights, but its just too soon for that joke.
I’d rather just sit back and watch Urban Meyer collect yet another National Championship, and wonder how the NCAA piss tested a whole football team that resides in Eugene, Oregon and only got one dirty UA. I find that more shocking than WR Darren Carrington being ruled ineligible for smoking weed during the holiday break. How is that not discussed with the players? If I’m Mark Helfrich, I’m driving my players by the local head shops so they know where they can get something to beat the piss tests. #poortiming
Wizards-Bulls is a great primer before two delicious match-ups. Miami will get the brakes beat off of them by the Warriors, while the quietly hot Clippers face off against the the Trailblazers. “Late Game Dame” vs. “CP-3” in what I think will be the Good Ass Game of the Week.
Thursday
Oklahoma City vs. Houston
There will of course be talk of James Harden leaving RUN OKC this week, and why KD will need to leave Oklahoma City to get that chip, because Thunder ownership is pulling the “okey doke” on fans and the team. Forget all that nonsense for a little bit and just marvel at this guy. Kevin Durant is the best.
If you wanna tap that vein, peep Cleveland vs. LOL Lakers. Even if Lebron and Kobe play I may still say “NO THANK YOU.” Oh who am I kidding? I’ll probably tune in around late 3rd quarter. What else am I going to be doing? Blogging? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Friday
Portland and San Antonio get it on again, while Golden State comes down to the OKC. If I were the type to buy myself a birthday present, I’d throw down on this game………
Saturday
It is tempting to throw Golden-State-Houston and Portland-Memphis on the list, but Houston and Memphis get to play fresh while Warriors and Blazers are on that back-to-back tip. Believe it or not, I think Sacramento-Clippers will be competitive. Don’t sleep on an ornery “Boogie Down Productions” smacking “CP-3” and “BG Knock Out” in the face and causing a ruckus.
Sunday
You can tap the vein with Toronto-New Orleans, but I will be wasting my life watching the Conference championships, which brings me to the Buster(s) of the Week award:
The NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. It’s bad enough that the NFL thinks its viewers are idiots and that people can’t see behind the smoke and mirrors of this Ray Rice Fiasco (among other hypocrisies–I’m not going to pretend to be outraged because I’m not in the least bit surprised), but the flurry of really awful officiating in this year’s playoffs just reinforces why I barely pay any attention to football. The Calvin Johnson rule is idiotic and a giant middle finger to what makes football fun to watch. No matter who wins next weekend, I’m already over it. We all lost this weekend when they OVERTURNED that Dez Bryant catch today.
FULLSASS Presents: THIS A GOOD ASS GAME 
