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 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 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…)
End of the Bench, Volume 2.23
All those who had the 76ers outlasting the Bulls, Lakers, Mavericks and Grizzlies in the playoffs, raise your hands. Anybody? Hello?
A truncated season full of twists and turns has – not surprisingly - led to a crazy, turbulent postseason. The defending champs were sent packing before winning a game while the odds-on favorite to win this year’s title didn’t even sniff the second round last year. Last year’s young upstart (Grizzlies) was dispatched by this year’s young upstart (Clippers). The Bulls/Heat rematch in the Eastern Conference Finals was derailed by injuries, and at the time of this writing, it’s not farfetched to think a LeBron James/Derrick Rose showdown will be replaced by a Roy Hibbert/Lavoy Allen matchup. It’s been a wild ride, and it doesn’t look to be slowing down. Let’s see if we can figure it all out from the best seat in the house. (more…)
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.
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.
End of the Bench, Volume 2.16
Nothing like a little Gregg Williams pep talk to get EOTB going… now I just need to finish this so I can go punch someone in the head and take out some unfortunate soul’s ACL.
Aside from crazy (and slightly scary) NFL talk, the action in the NBA is heating up. The Miami/Oklahoma City game on Wednesday might be the best regular season game all year, while the Lakers have proven that Los Angeles is their turf until further notice, and the question in Orlando has switched from “Will Dwight get traded” to “Will Stan get fired?” Additionally, in circumstances we never could have predicted, the Rockets are looking forward to the postseason while the Knicks’ playoff chances look tenuous at best. Whew – it’s a lot a wrap your mind around. But have no fear – that’s why we’re here. Let’s see what it looks like from the best seat in the house. (more…)
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…)
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…)
End of the Bench, Volume 2.13
Yes, it’s March – the month ruled by college basketball. The month where basketball fans have to legitimately think about which game they want to watch on a Wednesday night – Cal against South Florida or the Heat against the Bulls? The month where a team from the Ohio Valley Conference will be talked about more than the Celtics. The month where ESPN will blather endlessly about Peyton Manning and the NFL because, well, some things never change.
But the NBA is still here, and with the trade deadline now passed, it’s time to get serious about the final third of the season. With Dwight Howard remaining in Orlando (wait, let me double check that. Yep- he’s still there, for now anyway), and the Lakers making a couple of deals, the playoff race is going to get very interesting. Let’s try to take the pulse of the league, shall we? Join me as we watch it all from the best seat in the house. (more…)
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). 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 2.8, 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?
End of the Bench, Volume 2.11
Hey there – welcome back! The second half of the NBA season has tipped off, Kobe Bryant is a masked man, trade rumors are flying and the Bobcats are…well…they’re still losing games. With a shortened season, the playoff push begins now for some teams, as the margin for error is slim. Just ask the Jazz, who currently sit in last place in the Northwest Division, yet are only a two-game winning streak from taking over second place. Or the Grizzlies, who currently own the seventh seed in the West, but are one win away from the fourth seed. And what about the Wizards, who…ah never mind.
At any rate, the second half of the season brings some intriguing storylines, and EOTB is going to be right up front for every one of them. Join me, won’t you? I’ve saved you a spot right here, in the best seat in the house. (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 2.5, 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.
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 (12-2)
The Thunder have the best record in the league, have won seven in a row, and have effectively put the minor dustup between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in the rearview mirror. The loss of backup point guard Eric Maynor may hurt them at some point during the year, but right now, OKC is cruising. (more…)
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…)
What they’re saying