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 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.
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…)
End of the Bench, Volume 2.22
Hmm…where to start? LeBron James and Miami coming up short in another fourth quarter? Kevin Garnett finding the fountain of youth for the postseason? Kobe Bryant (yes, you read that correctly), making crucial mistakes at the end of a game? Tim Duncan getting a Sports Illustrated feature? There’s so much to cover, and so little time, so let’s not waste it. Pull up a chair and let’s see what it looks like 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.
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.
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.
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…)
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 2.10
All-Star Weekend has arrived, which means you need to sharpen your senses and clear your mind, so you can tell your grandkids exactly where you were when Vinny from “Jersey Shore” used a screen from Tankia Catchings to get enough space to launch a jumper over Common, while Penny Hardaway positioned himself for the rebound. Yes, it’s hard to put a price on entertainment like that.
The All-Star break brings us to the halfway point of the season, and there’s been plenty to like so far (unless of course you’re a Bobcats fan, in which case you’re already saving money for your Anthony Davis replica jersey). With a few days to catch our breath, let’s catch up on the latest from around the league. Pull up a seat, and we’ll review it all from the best seat in the house. (more…)
End of the Bench, Volume 2.9
Pretty boring week in the NBA, no? Sure, Jeremy Lin buried a game-winner, the Heat pulled off a feat not done in nearly 30 years, the Spurs are forcing their way into the contenders circle, the Blazers lost their best player, Rajon Rondo had a monster triple-double and Carmelo Anthony’s impending return has sparked endless debates about his worthiness as a player. But other than that, nothing to see here, right?
We are officially at the halfway point of the season (more or less anyway), and it’s safe to say we’ve had more than a few surprises. Sure, we knew the Heat, Thunder and Bulls would be good…but the Sixers over the Celtics? We figured the All-Star Game would feature the usual contingency of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Paul Pierce…but did anyone thing they’d be sharing the stage with Roy Hibbert? And we suspected the Knicks would be an interesting storyline, but did we think it would happen when both Carmelo and Amare Stoudemire were sitting out? If you’re overwhelmed by it all – don’t worry. Just relax, grab a seat and we’ll explain it all from 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.
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 2.4, 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….
Wednesday linkage: Jan. 18, 2012

"I've made a huge mistake." (G.O.B. Bluth voice)
Here we go like Jimmy Dean cooking sausage on the farm. One link after another.
* Remember a year ago? It was Melo Mania. Would the Nuggets trade Carmelo Anthony? Would they not? Where would he wind up? Who could the Nuggets get in return? Where would LaLa’s reality show be filmed?
The answer of course proved to be New York. And a year later Danilo Gallinari is among those who think the whole thing was a bad idea for the Knicks.
Shaun Powell was way ahead of the game on that one.
* The Pacers are off to a 9-3 start. So why do they rank 26th in attendance?
* Speaking of hot starts, what’s up with Philly? Joel Huerto breaks down the secret to their success.
* One of the NBA’s poorest defensive teams – my Boston Celtics. Unreal, isn’t it? Now they’re taking solace in moral victories.
* And last but not least we applaud Jamaal Tinsley’s “intellectual cowboy” look just perfect for the crisp winter air in the mountains of that Salt Lake.
Ben Walpole is a producer, blogger and intellectual cowboy of sorts for The Crab Dribble. Readers can, nay should, nay MUST, follow him on Twitter @TCDBen.
End of the Bench, Volume 2.2
Is there any better Christmas Day present than a full day of NBA basketball? Not only did the 2011-12 season finally tip-off, but fans were able to spend the holiday watching a cavalcade of stars, including LeBron, Wade, Rondo, Kobe, Carmelo, Amare, Dirk, Rose, CP3, Griffin, Durant, Howard and Westbrook.
With only 66 games, we don’t have any time to waste. So let’s see what it all looks like from the best seat in the house.
– Maybe Luke Ridnour was woozy from too much eggnog over the holidays? (more…)












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