NBA 2012: Running thread

Maybe Woj doesn't like $43 million dunk artists who rape and murder little go-getters.

 

A more reasonable take on this, from Zach Lowe of Grantland.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9042169/al-jefferson-paul-millsap-tyrone-corbin-future-utah-jazz

6. The Binary Reaction to DeAndre Jordan's Epic Dunk

Like the rest of the NBA world, I tweeted something about Jordan's violent lob smash Sunday night. And like the rest of the NBA world, I found my timeline littered with remarks about how sad/stupid/TERRIBLE it was that the world mocks Brandon Knight for actually trying to challenge a dunk. Woe for our declining culture and appreciation of basketball.

Nonsense. It may shock some folks, but people are capable of holding multiple thoughts at once on the same topic — of approaching things with nuance. Jermaine O'Neal in his prime was one of my favorite defenders to watch precisely because he challenged damn near every dunk attempt right at the rim. You do that, you're going on a few posters and starring in a few YouTube clips.

It's possible to joke about Knight's misfortune, marvel at Jordan's dunk, and feel sympathy and even admiration for Knight — all at the same time!

 

Thinking Knight's agent feeds Woj stuff or Jordan's agent doesn't.

 

Brandon Knight is a 6-3 guard. Your dunk can only be so "great" is you are doing it on a point guard.

And the greatest dunk on a point guard was Tom Chambers over Mark Jackson.

Greatest dunk ever, for me, is Jordan spinning out of the trap in the corner and hammering one over Ewing.

 

For me it's:

 

How DARE! Woj for not going after KJ.

 

And there's not enough bandwidth for Woj to go after everyone in this:

 

The dunk at the 48 second mark is insane.

 

Miami going for 19 straight tonight.

 

He saved his best stuff for the Celtics.

 

Howard looked like the old Howard against his old team with 39 and 16, and 39 free throw attempts. Every time I've seen him in recent weeks, he's looked stronger and more agile. He's rounding back into shape. I still don't think there's any chance they could beat OKC or a full strength San Antonio team in the first round, but with the way Howard and Bryant have been playing, they would have to at least concern the top teams more than your usual 7th/8th seed.

 

The one at roughly 1:11 where he nearly pulverizes Larry Bird is pretty phenomenal, too.