The Crab Dribble Episode 65,
Enjoy this week’s Crab Dribble as we discuss the Lakers (get used to it), and some other stuff. We go around the entire league in a little more than 80 seconds, and our Advanced Scout gives us the inside information TCD listeners have come to expect. It’s fair to say we had the time of our lives making this podcast, and we owe it all to you.
The Crab Dribble Episode 64, New Beginnings
The Crab Dribble is back to dissect a slow start for the Lakers, James Harden’s impact on the league and comment on those players receiving contract extensions in the hours leading up to the deadline. It’s a fast, fun-filled show, so enjoy it responsibly, and leave your comments below.
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.19, The King’s Crowned
The Crab Dribble puts a bow on the 2011-2012 season by praising The Chosen One for finally reaching the top of the mountain. Not everyone on the podcast is pleased with the outcome, but we also dissect the lottery picks in the upcoming NBA Draft. The season may be over, but TCD lives on.
Draft Mockery
Remember when David Stern rigged the 1997 NBA Draft to ensure Tim Duncan wound up in the league’s premier market, instead of allowing him to go play in the outpost known as Boston? Boy that was crazy, huh?
The talk of the league rigging the lottery process has unfortunately become part of the chatter at this time of year, but only amongst the fools. Many of these people also believe that their favorite player (and team) never commits fouls, is unfairly scrutinized in the media, and only loses games because of bad officiating. I’m sure somewhere there’s a Charlotte fan who is convinced they would have secured homecourt in the playoffs if only the refs didn’t have it in for them this year. And if you think that sounds ridiculous, try talking to an NBA fan whose team is losing a series (or a Boston fan at any point in time). (more…)
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.17, Time to Deliver
The Crab Dribble returns from just its fourth vacation in this lockout-shortened season to get you caught up on the conference finals and preview the Finals finals. Will Lebron ever get the respect he deserves? Can Durant keep delivering in the clutch? Will Kendrick Perkins ever admit to committing a single foul? These questions and more are answered in this week’s TCD…
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.15, Sure thing
The Crab Dribble is back with more playoff talk than you can shake a stick at. A big stick. The Spurs are a runaway train, the Sixers won’t go away and the Thunder have struck the Lakers. We cover it all, and revise those picks that went horribly wrong.
End of the Bench, Volume 2.21
Before we get started, EOTB regrets to inform everyone that we are all out of the Knicks’ “2012 NBA PLayoffs First Round Game 4 Championship” shirts. However, there are rumors that pieces of the Madison Square Garden floor will be available, as the club tries to help fans memorialize the historic occasion when they went from being down 3-0 to being down 3-1 in their matchup with Miami. Stay tuned for more details.
In the meantime, the playoffs are still rolling. Gone are Utah, Orlando, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and New York, having won a whopping six games between them. The Thunder and Spurs aren’t looking ahead, but we are, and their matchup in the Western Conference Finals could be epic. The East was a jumbled mess, with injuries, inconsistency and just all-around ugly play pervading in the opening weeks, but Miami looks to be coming on at the right time. Let’s see if we can get a handle on it all. Grab a seat and we’ll take it in from the best seat in the house. (more…)
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.14, the plot thickens
The Crab Dribble, unlike defending MVP Derrick Rose, is back in action this week, breaking down each bracket with the precision and accuracy of three fans who watch a lot of ball. We not only look back on what’s taken place, but we also look ahead to second round (and occasionally third round) match-ups. There’s a lot, so get comfy and hit play.
End of the Bench, Volume 2.20
Well the postseason is officially underway, and it’s been quite a rollercoaster already. The injury to Derrick Rose reshapes the Eastern Conference race dramatically, while the Heat appear to have found their “On” switch and the Knicks continue to make headlines for actions away from the court. The Spurs are rolling along, the Thunder are looking to seize their moment, and Kobe Bryant is being…well…Kobe Bryant.
Let’s not waste any more time. Pull up a chair and let’s see what it looks like from the best seat in the house.
– Rajon Rondo’s suspension was absolutely warranted. His explanation however, was downright laughable. Rondo claimed the reason he bumped the ref was that he tripped, and as most people do when they trip, he puffed out his chest in lieu of extending his arms to brace for his fall. Rondo is one of the league’s best athletes, capable of weaving in and out of defenses at warp speed, but apparently he’s unable to avoid a ref’s foot while walking. (more…)
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.13, Making Noise
It’s time for The Crab Dribble’s playoff preview! We break down each series, each game, each quarter, each … OK, we just make our first round picks. It’s timely, considering the playoffs start right now. Listen to the show, and tell us what’s what.
End of the Bench, Volume 2.19
So Andrew Luck went first huh? Never saw that coming. That’s why you have to love the NFL Draft – the unpredictability and intrigue is unmatched in the world of sports.
But believe it or not, there are more important things happening…namely the start of the NBA Playoffs. The condensed season has come to an end – mercifully for some – and we’re ready to see who has what it takes to cut down the nets. Can LeBron James lead the Heat to where we all expect them to go? Can the youth of the Thunder overcome the veteran savvy of the Spurs? Do the Lakers and Celtics have enough left in the tank to make a run? Will Dwight Howard request to be traded halfway through the first round? There’s so much to debate, and the fun is just getting started. So go ahead and make yourself comfortable in the best seat in the house. (more…)
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.12, The Beginning of the End
The Crab Dribble returns just one week prior to the start of the NBA playoffs with a special show dedicated to Dwight’s (temporary) exit from Orlando, the start of the playoffs (April 28!) and the regular season awards. It’s a lot, so listen real slow in case in miss anything. We’ll be back next week with playoff talk in other assorted bits sure to make you squeal with delight.
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.11, Playoff positioning
The Crab Dribble returns with Episode 2.11. This episode finds the guys discussing possible playoff matchups that have likely changed since the discussion. They’ve probably changed again as you read this. The guys also ask “Is he the Answer?” and take part in perhaps the worst game of “Jason Vs.” in the history of man. It’s fun, so listen however you listen and let us know what you think.
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.10, Rolling Thunder
The Crab Dribble talks “Best in the West,” with OKC looking like world-beaters, the Spurs defying their advanced age and the Lakers still struggling with substitution patterns. All that, plus a draft re-draft and a confusing, confusing Tweet of the Week. Check it out, then hit us back in the replies section.
End of the Bench, Volume 2.15
Let’s just get it out of the way now – LeBron James has a dislocated ring finger. Yes, I know – he’s not using it anyway, good thing there’s nothing on it, why he does he need that finger, etc etc. The wittiness of NBA fans is truly a marvel.
But beyond the tired commentary, the NBA is gearing up for an interesting stretch run. Mike Brown seems determined to turn the Lakers against him, while Vinny Del Negro is apparently oblivious to the fact that he’s soon to be out of a job. Kevin Love continues to post video game numbers, the Bulls march on without Derrick Rose, and the Wizards continue to be..well..the Wizards. There’s so much to cover, but so little time! Let’s just see what we can done from the best seat in the house.
– Despite the hailstorm of criticism he endured in the playoffs, turns out that Russell Westbrook guy can play a little ball. In fact, EOTB thinks Westbrook is in line to be 1st Team All-NBA this season, beating out the likes of Rose, Chris Paul, Steve Nash and Rajon Rondo. Before the outcry begins, keep in mind that this guy averages nearly 25 points and six assists a game, while playing 36 minutes per game for a team with the second-best record in the league. #thunderup (more…)
End of the Bench, Volume 2.14
The NBA is really heating up these…wait. What? Yes, of course the NBA is still around! I know it’s easy to overlook it these days, what with the NCAA Tournament, spring training and hourly updates about Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow and the Saints, but the world’s best basketball players are still forging ahead through the shortened season. The playoff race is tightening, and it’s the time of year when teams band together to make a run…or watch as their owners frantically sell off parts to begin the dreaded “rebuilding process” (ask Golden State fans how they feel about this).The time of year when coaches’ seats start to get very hot, players’ tempers run very short, and Raptors officials begin their annual “next year will be better” campaign.
But no matter how chaotic it might seem, we’ll be here to guide you through it all. So pull up a chair and let’s see what it all looks like from the best seat in the house. (more…)
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.8, The Return
The hiatus is back off, again. The Crab Dribble returns after a brief break to get you caught up on All-Star Weekend festivities, and what they mean for the second half of the season. We also answer some fan mail, and it’s not too kind. Join us, won’t you?
The Surprising 5
Because of the All-Star break , there’s only been a handful of games since last week’s rankings, and there seemed to be little purpose in reading too much into them. Instead, with half of the season now in the rearview mirror, here’s a look at the five biggest surprises so far in the season. Think we’ve missed one? Let us hear about it in the comments section.
1). Boston Celtics (15-17)
Everyone knew Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were getting older, and a condensed season might pose some problem, but few probably envisioned the Celtics struggling this much. Losing Jeff Green for the season didn’t help, and Rajon Rondo missed eight games with a wrist injury (plus two more for a suspension), but even that doesn’t explain how mediocre the Celtics have looked at times. There was the five game losing streak in mid-January (with four of those at home), plus unexplainable losses to the Hornets, Cavs, Suns, Pistons and Raptors. Twelve Celtic players have started a game this year, including somebody named Greg Stiemsma, and the team just hasn’t been able to find a rhythm. It would still be a major shock if they don’t pull together and make a run at the playoffs, but as of right now, they no longer strike fear into their opponents. (more…)
K-Dogg’s Fantasy Island, The B-Team
33 percent factual tweets from actual readers…
“When is @TCDKDogg going to write another stellar blog on fantasy bball? My team is slipping…” – @average_smo
“I’m lost in the fantasy world without direction from the fantasy island and @TCDKDogg’s advice” – @MathewBerryTMR
“I was living the fantasy, but apparently my ex-wife wants me back. So much for the fun single life.” – @Kobe24
Back by popular demand, it’s the Fantasy Island!
We have a lot on the plate today so let’s get to it.
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.7, Insert Lin pun here
The Crab Dribble gets swept up in Linsanity, along with the rest of the league. We share our take on the Knicks’ Linning ways, along with All-Star reserves and snubs. We answer some fans around the league in search of some good advice, and share the Tweet of the Week, which had everyone shaking their heads. It’s almost too much show for one week, but you’ve been good and deserve a treat.
Wednesday linkage: Feb. 8, 2012
We have a new star point guard in New York; we have the Timberwolves stomping over the .500 mark into respectability; we have so much news, let’s get right to the linkage.
* Tough news out of Los Angeles where Chauncey Billups’ season (career?) is done in by a torn Achilles. Where do the Clippers turn next? Perhaps the door is now wide open for J.R. Smith.
* Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words. Case in point: Stomp Gate and our friends at T’Wolves Blog.
* Paul Pierce officially passed Larry Bird on the Celtics’ all-time scoring list. So it must be time to start assessing PP’s place in the green legacy. I might be biased, but I think he’s top five.
*As I passionately argued on last week’s episode of The Crab Dribble podcast, Steve Nash is putting up all-star numbers this year. Still. At age 38. For a very bad Phoenix team. It’s really pretty remarkable how systematically excellent a job the Suns organization has done in making sure this team has screwed up every personnel move during Nash’s entire time there. Seriously, they have to be a top-5 worst-run franchise in the NBA during the last five years.
Anyway, point is it’s time to trade Steve Nash! Whether he likes it or not. It’s good for everyone at this point. My idea? The Indiana Pacers. I know they have Darren Collison, who has been nothing but solid this year. But wow, Nash could take that offense to the next level – even if it was just for the rest of the season. Collison and Nash could play on the floor at the same time. And I know the Pacers have $14 mill under the cap just waiting to be used.
* We’ll close with one of the feel-good stories of the year. Mr. Jeremy Lin.
Ben Walpole is a blogger and podcast producer for The Crab Dribble. Readers can email him at thecrabdribble@thecrabdribble.com and follow him on Twitter @TCDBen.
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.6, Buy low, sell high
The Crab Dribble returns this week with thoughts on All-Star snubs, teams that need to push players to the trading block, and those teams needing to pick discarded players no one else wanted. Also, Kenyon Martin is back. It’s a full show, so stay until the end, and then write us at thecrabdribble@thecrabdribble.com.
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.5, Love it or leave it
The Crab Dribble has entered The Lockout Zone, and lived to tell about it. This week’s episode breaks down Kevin Love’s new contract, players not receiving contract offers and the Orlando Magic’s disappearing act. It’s all there, you just have to listen. Please leave comments at www.thecrabdribble.com or on iTunes.
Game of the Week: Boston at Washington, Jan. 22
The Game of the Week is chosen because it’s likely to be the worst or ugliest game of that given week. Ladies and gentlemen, we just hit the nail on the head.
What they’re saying