The Crab Dribble Episode 67, Get Real
The Crab Dribble returns to break down Kevin Love’s hate-hate relationship with the Timberwolves, the Golden State Warriors’ fast start and Rob plays general manager with smashing results. Check out the show at www.thecrabdribble.com or on iTunes and don’t forget to write reviews and leave comments for the show.
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.
End of the Bench, Summer Edition
Remember the NBA lockout? You know, that pesky, 161-day period in which NBA owners whined about their diminishing returns, based entirely on circumstances out of their control? Good. Because Landry Fields just signed a $20 million contract. Somehow, these two items may be related…
Yes, a crazy NBA season has been followed by an even crazier NBA offseason. The free-agency period has seen nearly every team wheeling and dealing to transform their roster, with some of the biggest chips yet to fall. Throw in the NBA Draft, the upcoming Olympic Games and the daily Dwight Howard trade updates, and the NBA has managed to stay in the headlines during the summer months. If you’ve missed anything, don’t worry. EOTB has you covered. Pull up a chair and let’s see what it looks like from the best seat in the house. (more…)
The Indecision
By the time you read this, Dwight Howard may be a member of the Brooklyn Nets. Or the Dallas Mavericks. Or the Los Angeles Lakers, the Atlanta Hawks or the Houston Rockets. Heck, at this rate, he may even be a member of the New York Yankees. But one thing is for sure. He’s not going to be a member of the Orlando Magic for much longer…and they should be thrilled about that.
No – Howard hasn’t embarrassed the franchise by committing an awful crime, a la Michael Vick with the Falcons. He hasn’t disrespected the game by using foreign substances to enhance his performance, as Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds and hosts of other have done. He hasn’t even created disruptions on the court with inappropriate behavior, like Metta World Peace tends to do with his elbows. But what he has done is raise the bar on what it means to be a selfish, entitled athlete, dragging out a decision on his long-term future for well over a year and burning bridges in Orlando faster than you can say “and Dwight misses another free throw.” (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 2.14, 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.
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.
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.
End of the Bench, Volume 2.12
Tick tock….tick tock…tick tock. The trade deadline is drawing ever closer, and the rumor mill is loaded with “inside sources” dropping hints of what is, and isn’t, likely to happen over the next week. Will Pau Gasol remain in Los Angeles? Can the Celtics get even value for Rajon Rondo? Will Lamar Odom-Kardashian be moved? Can the Sixers bring in a big name? Will the Magic try to cash in on Dwight Howard before they lose him for nothing?
It’s a confusing time, to be sure, but have no fear. We’re here for you. So pull up a chair and let’s take a look at it all from the best seat in the house.
– Just when people are starting to hop back on the Lakers’ bandwagon, they somehow manage to blow a 21-point lead to Washington, despite the Wizards playing like…well…the Wizards. How do you lose to a team that does this? (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). Miami Heat (25-7)
Six wins in a row, including five on the road, with an average margin of victory of almost 18 points, will earn the top spot every time. The Heat are 9-2 in February, and look as though they’re on cruise control right now. As a result of putting teams away early on most nights, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh have seen their minutes go down this month as they’ve spent many a fourth quarter resting on the bench. This not only will help keep them fresh through the condensed season, but also helps some of the backups establish some confidence. Mike Miller is shooting 52% from beyond the arc, and Norris Cole continues to bring energy off to the second unit, including a 20-point effort against the Pacers on Tuesday. In short, Miami is looking very dangerous right now. (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 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). Oklahoma City Thunder (21-6)
The Thunder somehow dropped a game to the Kings, but because everyone behind them lost at least once as well, they retain the top spot this week. Stop us if you’ve heard this before – Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook continue to provide the fireworks for this team, Serge Ibaka gets better every time out, and James Harden has a legitimate case for being left off the All-Star team. The only chink in the Thunder’s armor is finding a backup to Westbrook, as rookie Reggie Jackson has been up and down since Eric Maynor went down with a knee injury. Still, with two of the most explosive players in the league, OKC fans should feel pretty good about their chances. (more…)
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.
End of the Bench, Volume 2.6
Can you believe we’ve already reached the quarter-point of the season? Seems like it wasn’t too long ago that the season was just tipping off, and wait…what’s that? It was just last month that we began? Well okay then – that settles that. Still, we’re getting dangerously close to the point where we can make strong determinations about the makeup of each team. We know Indiana and Denver are better than we thought, Boston and New York are worse, and Metta World Peace still has a little Ron Artest in him. We’ve seen Dwyane Wade show off an array of suits and sweaters on the sideline, Kevin Love express his desire to stay in Minneapolis, and Greg Ostertag attempt a comeback (seriously – look it up). Oh, and the Hornets, Wizards and Bobcats are on pace for 33 wins. Combined.
Yes, it’s been a wild ride so far. Let’s see if we can bring it all into focus from the best seat in the house.
– Through Jan. 25, Jason Kidd has made just five 2-point field goals. Even with four missed games due to injury, Kidd is averaging just one 2-point field goal every three games. Wow. (more…)
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.4, Surprising disappointments
The Crab Dribble is back for a weekly dose of NBA discussion and argument. This week’s show discusses the inevitable end of the Big Three in Boston, New York’s struggles with their own “Big Three,” and we also break down the various surprises and disappointments of the early season. Stop reading and play the podcast already….
A letter to the Black Mamba
To the honorable Kobe Bryant,
I hope you can appreciate the context from which we write this. It’s not that we don’t admire you, and it’s certainly not that we want to anger or offend you. It’s just that..well…frankly we’re sick of you. We’re sick of having to chase you around screens. We’re sick of watching you pump-fake and pivot around us. We’re sick of you shooting right over our outstretched hand, even when we’re blocking your vision of the basket. We’re sick of watching you drive, contort your body, muscle through contact and still make the shot, earning you a free throw and us a glare from our coach. We’re sick of answering questions about you after the game. We’re sick of it all, and we’re not going to take it anymore. (more…)
The Crab Dribble Episode 2.3, Dissing Cousins
It’s been a crazy first week, and The Crab Dribble gets you caught up on the week that was. We talk surprise performances thus far, rookies making waves, Clipper-mania and Ben and Jason dispute the professionalism of DeMarcus Cousins. It’s all here, just hit play.
End of the Bench, Volume 2.1
Welcome back!! We are now two days from the start of the 2011-12 NBA season, something that End of the Bench thought he might not get to say this year. But have no fear, EOTB is already in mid-season form, and ready to roll for what promises to be an intriguing season on many levels. Can the Heat make good on their championship promise? Has the window closed on the Celtics? Are the Thunder the favorites in the West? Which presidential tattoo will DeShawn Stevenson get next? So many questions!
As part of The Crab Dribble’s ongoing effort to provide you with as much basketball knowledge, insight and craziness as possible, End of the Bench is locking in a spot on Friday mornings this season. As always, check out the podcast, like us on Facebook, and don’t be afraid to find me on Twitter at @TCDJason.
So with no further ado, let’s take it all in from the best seat in the house.
– Imagine having your employer try to get rid of you, very publicly, at least twice, only to fail. Then imagine showing up for work everyday and trying to give your best effort to that employer. Now you know what OJ Mayo feels like. Yes, basketball is a business and trades happen. But it still can’t be easy to show up to a place where they clearly don’t want you. (more…)
The Crab Dribble 2.2: Westward bound!
As promised, The Crab Dribble is back with its Western Conference preview. We go team-by-team until we hit the top, and then we give out preseason awards. It sounds pretty simple, but you’ll really have to hear it for yourself. Check it out, then hit us back at thecrabdribble@thecrabdribble.com.
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.
Balance of power
Yes, the NBA lockout is still going on, and yes, it’s still incredibly frustrating for fans. At this point, most of us are sick of the daily updates on where talks are being held and who is invited and what they have to say to reporters afterward…we just want basketball. We don’t need to hear about every detail of your problems – just fix them and let’s take the court. Besides, since many Americans are struggling financially and have been for some time, neither side is doing themselves any favors by continuing to argue over who gets more of a $4 billion pot. I’m not here to argue the merits of what players are paid or what owners deserve, but suffice it to say when I’m worried about bouncing checks at Kroger, I find it hard to feel too sorry for a guy who is going to miss his bi-weekly salary of $1.3 million. And I certainly don’t need to hear about his justification for taking that stance. (more…)
What they’re saying