The Crab Dribble Episode 66, Our Big Break
This week on The Crab Dribble, Rob and Ben get the opportunity of a lifetime, but how long will that lifetime be? Find that out, along with reactions to Mike D’Antoni’s hire, the Knicks’ fast start, and so much more.
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 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.
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.
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 2.9, Heated Seats
We’re back, again! The Crab Dribble returns from hiatus this week to bring you the flaming hot seat Vinny Del Negro sits in as Clippers coach, March Madness difference-makers, and the recent personnel decisions of several playoff teams. It’s a full show and totally worth the next 39 minutes.
Magic are biggest losers at trade deadline
For more than three months, ever since Dwight Howard notified the Magic he would opting out of his contract at the end of the season and they should look at trading him before then, every day has been filled with rumors of potential landing spots and questions about his future. Would he go to the Lakers? The Nets? The Mavs? The Warriors? The Knicks? The Bulls? How much would it take to land him? Where would he be the best fit?
Turns out, it was all for naught, as Howard’s latest flip-flop landed him right back where he started – in Orlando. Howard reversed course constantly leading up to the trade deadline, but ultimately chose to opt in for the 2012-13 season, meaning that we’ll get to enjoy this circus one more time next year. (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.
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 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 (19-5)
The Thunder have reclaimed the top spot this week, on the strength of wins over Dallas, Memphis and Portland. They did suffer a hiccup in a loss to the suddenly-hot Spurs (see below), but there’s little doubt the Thunder are among the league’s elite. Kevin Durant continues to pour in buckets, and Russell Westbrook has turned up his play a notch, averaging over 25 points and six assists in his last 10 games. It’s hard to judge them against Miami and Chicago as they haven’t played, but for right now, the league’s best team may well reside in Oklahoma City. (more…)
Thursday linkage: Feb. 2, 2012
We’re a day late with the linkage. But hopefully those 24 hours only made the payoff that much sweeter.
* Doug Collins, never one to repress his emotions, has never been more proud. I gently mock him, but no joke, Collins is doing one hell of a job in Philly.
* I love Kevin Durant’s comments about the big Blake Griffin dunk this week. And to be honest, it was kind of a layup. Kind of.
* Besides, everyone knows the real basketball fans were talking about Reggie Evans after that game anyway.
* Chris Kaman is suddenly rumored to be going just about everywhere. Another intriguing entry in the sweepstakes (is it a sweepstakes???) – your Cleveland Cavaliers.
* Who’s the other center in the NBA rumored to be on the trading block? Oh, right, right, Dwight Howard. Yeah, I’m really starting to like this idea of Dwight to the Bulls. I think it might be the best fit of any the possible destinations we’ve heard so far.
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 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 2.3, 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.
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.
Wednesday linkage: Dec. 21, 2011
Here is your Christmas week trip around the NBA:
* The best way to learn is to know what you need to know. Kevin Arnovitz, of TrueHoop, breaks down exactly what you need to learn about these Clippers.
* It didn’t take long for the season’s first crushing injury news.
* Derrick Williams is one of the league’s most exciting rookies and seems a likeable guy, too.
* Wesley Morris, of Grantland, is interested in the NBA’s recent (more like 2009?) trend of nerd fashion.
* Zetter Clay, of All Ball, found the saddest NBA photo of the week.
* David Berri suggests that cheese and chocolate aren’t the only things Europe has on America.
* Christmas Eve – not Christmas Day – the big day for D-League prospects.
Ben Walpole is a blogger and producer for The Crab Dribble – your favorite NBA blog and podcast. Follow him on Twitter @TCDBen. Friendly readers should email comments and their favorite NBA links to him at thecrabdribble@thecrabdribble.com.
Seismic quake in SoCal
I just want to dedicate this moment to our esteemed founder and podcast host Rob – a very shaken Lakers fan today.
Is there such thing as a statement win in the preseason? I think we may have just seen one.
Is there such thing as a single play in the preseason that shakes the NBA hierarchy to its core? I think DeAndre Jordan may have just given us one.
It’s gonna be a very interesting season in Los Angeles this winter. I know Rob is excited.
Lessons learned…
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.
What they’re saying