“It’s about damn time”
Silence.
That’s the sound dominating the NBA landscape today, just three days after the Miami Heat, led by LeBron James, took home the 2012 NBA title. No more chirping about how LeBron can’t win the big one, or how he and Dwyane Wade couldn’t work together, or how the team didn’t have the quality of depth to win a championship. No more outlandish statement, venom-filled tirades or tired jokes (I asked LeBron for change for a dollar, but he only gave me three quarters! Hardy har har!). The LeBron detractors, which have numbered many in the last two years, are busy finding a new target to relentlessly hassle (here’s guessing they land on Russell Westbrook, Alex Rodriguez. Tiger Woods or Tim Tebow – the cynical are very predictable). Finally, LeBron has his ring, and at only 27 years old, a realistic chance to take home a few more before he hangs it up. (more…)
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.18, Taking the Heat
The Crab Dribble is back with another Finals update, and we break down the other headlines appearing around the league. Note: The episode was recorded during Game 4, so there are no comments on Russell Westbrook’s outstanding game, or his horrific brain fart late in the game that sealed this series game for the Heat.
Check it out, then hit us back and let us know what you think.
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…
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 Power 5
Every Tuesday, The Crab Dribble will bring you “The Power 5,” a ranking of the best five teams in the NBA for the previous week. Here at TCD, we don’t use a complicated mathematical formula or complex statistical analysis to determine the best teams – we just call them like we see them. Don’t agree? Let us hear about it in the comments section.
1). Chicago Bulls (37-10)
Ready for a suprising stat? The Bulls are 9-4 this year when Derrick Rose doesn’t play. Want another one? In those 13 games, CJ Watson and John Lucas have combined to average 19.7 points and 5.9 assists…number that aren’t a far cry from Rose’s season averages. Does this mean the Bulls don’t miss Rose? Not at all. But this is far from a one-man team, and they’ve got the NBA’s best record to prove it. They have a deep rotation, and a roster full of guys who know their roles and fill them to perfection, such as the aforementioned guards, but also guys like Ronnie Brewer, Taj Gibson and Kyle Korver. They’ll need Rose to be 100% once they get to the playoffs, but until then, they’re not missing a beat without him. (more…)
The Power 5
Every Tuesday, The Crab Dribble will bring you “The Power 5,” a ranking of the best five teams in the NBA for the previous week. Here at TCD, we don’t use a complicated mathematical formula or complex statistical analysis to determine the best teams – we just call them like we see them. Don’t agree? Let us hear about it in the comments section.
1). Chicago Bulls (31-8)
Regardless of the schedule, injuries or the spotlight, the Bulls just continue rolling along. Road wins over the Spurs and Sixers showed Chicago’s toughness, and they’re approaching a six-game homestand that should allow them to pad their lead in the East. Derrick Rose continues to be, well, Derrick Rose, but perhaps the biggest key has been chemistry of their core players. Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Kyle Korver, Taj Gibson and Ronnie Brewer play well together, and Rip Hamilton, when healthy, has proved to be a nice addition. The Bulls remain one of the league’s stingiest teams on defense, and they carry a business-like approach into each game. The only question that remains is how they’ll fare against Miami in the playoffs, who has had their number recently. (more…)
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.
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 Power 5
Every Tuesday, The Crab Dribble will bring you “The Power 5,” a ranking of the best five teams in the NBA for the previous week. Here at TCD, we don’t use a complicated mathematical formula or complex statistical analysis to determine the best teams – we just call them like we see them. Don’t agree? Let us hear about it in the comments section.
1). Miami Heat (16-5)
Winners of five in a row and eight of their last nine, the Heat have ascended into the top spot on the strength of their quality wins this year. Already, Miami owns wins over the Mavs, Pacers, Hawks, Spurs, Lakers, 76ers and Bulls, with four of those coming by double digits. LeBron James is playing at an MVP level, Dwyane Wade is getting healthy and Chris Bosh appears a lot more comfortable in his role this year. The Heat still have some holes in their rotation, but it would be a surprise if they’re not competing for the top seed in the playoffs. (more…)
The Power 5
Every Tuesday, The Crab Dribble will bring you “The Power 5,” a ranking of the best five teams in the NBA for the previous week. Here at TCD, we don’t use a complicated mathematical formula or complex statistical analysis to determine the best teams – we just call them like we see them. Don’t agree? Let us hear about it in the comments section.
1). Chicago Bulls (16-3)
The Bulls just continue to roll along, despite injuries to Derrick Rose and a lackluster start to the season from Joakim Noah. John Lucas and CJ Watson filled in admirably for Rose, and the Bulls boast incredible depth to go with their stingy defense. However, the loss of Luol Deng (torn ligaments in his wrist) will test them, as Deng’s versatility made him a perfect fit on the roster. But until someone proves otherwise, the NBA’s best team resides in the Windy City. (more…)
Team USA…on the way
Sure, the NBA regular season is barely two weeks old, and we’re not even halfway through January, but I’m already excited about this summer. No, not for the NBA Finals, although I am anxiously hoping that June brings a championship to Miami. But even more important than that is the 2012 Olympics, where Team USA will defend not only their gold medal from the 2008 Olympics, but also their title from the 2010 World Championships.
Team USA Chairman Jerry Colangelo has announced that an 18-player pool will be released this month, from which the final 12-man roster will ultimately be selected. Sources are reporting that, as expected, the final roster will be a mixture of the 2008 and 2010 teams, with Blake Griffin the only newcomer likely to be considered. So now the question is simple – who makes the final cut? (more…)
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.1: East side!
The Crab Dribble is back, and we’ve made some changes. Check out the shorter, tighter version of the podcast while we break down the Eastern Conference from worst to first. We also hand out some preseason conference awards, and feature a new board game sure to be a treat for the whole family.
The Crab Dribble Episode 45, Amnesty for all
Just because the NBA isn’t in session doesn’t mean The Crab Dribble doesn’t have anything to say. We’re talking amnesty for teams that need a mulligan, the world’s worst game of Family Feud and some listener e-mails from our loyal fans.
End of the Bench Vol. 19
Well it looks like Alabama has another dominating defense full of future NFL players, while Oklahoma is destined for yet another year of video game numbers on offense. LSU’s defense is not far behind the Tide’s, and any team with Andrew Luck is going to be good, no matter…..wait, what? This isn’t a college football blog? I’m supposed to talk about the NBA? You know the NBA is still locked out, right?
Okay…guess I’ll give it a shot. It’s been a while since EOTB checked in, but then again, there’s not been much to check in on. The players union and the owners continue to meet, and it’s anyone’s best guess as to how much progress has been made, if any. The players who haven’t headed overseas continue to dominate streetball leagues across the country, and Blake Griffin has become the world’s tallest intern at a comedy website. All in all, we’re lucky we’ve at least got college football to distract us. Let’s see what the view looks like from the best seat in the house.
– I can’t be the only one sick of how complicated this lockout is becoming. There’s been talk of de-certifying the union, whatever that means. There are rumors of agents getting involved to help the negotiating process. There’s whispers (or lies, according to David Stern), of rifts among the owners on revenue-sharing proposals. Both sides are now going all out to make it publicly known how unified they each are, as though that’s all us fans are worried about. In short – all of the strategic bargaining ploys and legal jargon are starting to wear on EOTB, who just wants to see some freaking basketball. (more…)
Lockout may hinder Team USA
Is it over yet?
It’s been less than three weeks since the NBA lockout officially went into effect, but the consequences are already being felt. We’ve seen players – including one superstar – leave to go play overseas, with the door open for more to follow. We’ve seen the cancellation of the summer league, which normally allows undrafted rookies the chance to make a roster. We’ve seen teams have to cut all communications with their players, leading to some humorous, and awkward, stories. We’ve seen posturing from both the players’ union and the owners, as both sides try to sway public sentiment to their side even as they’re busy ruining the game we all care about.
But one more damaging aspect of the lockout came to light early this week, when it was reported that NBA players may choose not to play in the 2012 Olympics if the lockout is still going. While that’s a ways off, it’s certainly not out of the question to think that the 2012 Team USA could be vastly different than the one we’ve imagined, especially given the success at the 2008 Olympics and the 2010 World Championships. (more…)
The Crab Dribble Episode 37, Legacies and letdowns
The Crab Dribble ends its season much like the Dallas Mavericks, by working hard all the way to the end. We’re breaking down the Finals, what it means to those who won and lost, and which players helped or hurt themselves the most with their playoff performances. It’s all here, you just have to listen.
Make sure to check out next week’s NBA draft preview…..
End of the Bench Vol. 16
Have no fear – the End of the Bench is still here! With a thrilling NBA Finals behind us, the NBA Draft is the only thing between us and a lockout. And yes, my beloved Heat fell short of the ultimate prize, and yes, JJ Barea now has more rings than LeBron James, a fact that has been pointed by EOTB’s friends a mere 734 times in the last 24 hours. But not even all of that can put a damper on the great season and thrilling postseason that EOTB desperately tried to capture in this space.
With an uncertain future, and at least five months until the next game, EOTB won’t be checking in as regularly this summer. But The Crab Dribble will still be podcasting all summer, and as always, feel free to leave us some feedback on Facebook and Twitter.
So without further ado, let’s wrap up the 2011 season from the best seat in the house. Enjoy! (more…)
Not hot enough
Well that was fun wasn’t it?
It took a while, maybe longer than some expected, but we finally arrived to the point where so many people have wanted to be since last July…watching someone other than the Miami Heat lift the championship trophy. With Dallas clinching their first-ever title on Miami’s home floor with a Game 6 win, the circle of hate is finally complete. The people who have spent the last 11 months spewing venom toward LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are feeling vindicated, while Heat supporters are left wondering how in the world they lost to a team they probably should have beaten.
But while one of the main storylines today is the demise of the Heat, credit must go to Dallas. The Mavericks simply were the better team when it counted. They made more plays in the fourth quarter, and they battled back time and time again when it appeared they were on the verge of a loss. They got to more loose balls, grabbed more key offensive rebounds, got more clutch stops, and quite frankly, just made more shots. Dirk Nowitzki was terrific throughout the course of the playoffs, and the Mavs’ supporting cast played big as well, with Jason Terry JJ Barea, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion and even Tyson Chandler taking turns stepping up to help the Mavs. The NBA is often derided for featuring too much isolation and one-on-one play, but Dallas won with team basketball, and they should be commended for doing so. (more…)
The Crab Dribble Episode 35: The Finals, finally
This is it. The Finals are here, and The Crab Dribble is telling you what you need to know to be ready. We also pay our respects to the Bulls and Thunder and discuss both the good and mind-numbingly bad coaching hires around the league. It’s a big show, so get comfortable.
The Crab Dribble Episode 24: It’s always sunny
Episode 24 brings the noise and brings the funk… We’ve got new games, we talk Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, March Madness, etc. Hell, even Toney Douglas is a topic this week.
Hit play, listen up and leave a comment. It’s fun, and we promise you’ll enjoy it.
Midseason Position Rankings – Power Forwards
Time for Day Four of the positional rankings, and today, we’re looking at the best power forwards in the game.
The power forward position has long been defined by just that – power. Guys like Moses Malone, Elvin Hayes, Charles Barkley and Karl Malone dominated games through sheer strength, making it known that the paint was their territory. The league still has some players who rely on brute strength, but over the years, the position has evolved, perhaps more so than any other position in the game.
Power forwards today are just as likely to be seen burying 18-foot jumpers as they are flushing home a powerful dunk, and the position is perhaps the deepest and most talent-rich in the league, as teams have put a premium on forwards with ball skills. Here’s a look at the best the league has to offer. (more…)
Who’s scared of the Heat?
Admit it, Miami haters…you’re frightened.
Terrified even.
Because you look at a 10-8 team, currently in third place in their own division…and you know it’s not going to last. You know there’s too much talent on that team for them to continue to hover around .500. You know that come May and June, that team in South Beach is going to make some noise. Do you know how I know that you know this? Because you continue to talk about them, dissecting every game, every press conference, every action as though there’s a deeper story behind everything. I don’t see you doing that for the Pacers, Knicks, Blazers and Suns…some of the other teams that have been hovering around .500 to start the season.
I know, I know. You’re only talking about them because you hate them so much. Because LeBron had “The Decision,” because Chris Bosh had a film crew follow him this summer, because Dwyane Wade helped organize the greatest free-agent haul the league has ever seen and because you’re convinced Pat Riley is soon going to bump Erik Spoelstra from the bench. You’re relishing their early-season struggles because of the arrogance they showed this summer, right? (more…)
A tale of two contenders
The NBA season started Tuesday night with a slate of three games, but only two truly mattered in the grand scheme of things.
The Miami Heat took on Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics, while the Los Angeles Lakers faced playoff contender Houston Rockets.
(The Suns traveled to Portland to get beat by the Blazers, 106-92, in case you were wondering.)
While the Heat certainly had the most difficult challenge, it was the Lakers that showed their mettle.
The Crab Dribble: An NBA Podcast – Episode 3 ‘The Heat Check’
The Crab Dribble: An NBA Podcast – Episode 3
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Is it getting hot in herre?
The Crab Dribble gives you a heat check of South Beach and beyond in the Southeast Division.
What they’re saying