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.
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 2.19, The King’s Crowned
The Crab Dribble puts a bow on the 2011-2012 season by praising The Chosen One for finally reaching the top of the mountain. Not everyone on the podcast is pleased with the outcome, but we also dissect the lottery picks in the upcoming NBA Draft. The season may be over, but TCD lives on.
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…)
End of the Bench, Volume 2.21
Before we get started, EOTB regrets to inform everyone that we are all out of the Knicks’ “2012 NBA PLayoffs First Round Game 4 Championship” shirts. However, there are rumors that pieces of the Madison Square Garden floor will be available, as the club tries to help fans memorialize the historic occasion when they went from being down 3-0 to being down 3-1 in their matchup with Miami. Stay tuned for more details.
In the meantime, the playoffs are still rolling. Gone are Utah, Orlando, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and New York, having won a whopping six games between them. The Thunder and Spurs aren’t looking ahead, but we are, and their matchup in the Western Conference Finals could be epic. The East was a jumbled mess, with injuries, inconsistency and just all-around ugly play pervading in the opening weeks, but Miami looks to be coming on at the right time. Let’s see if we can get a handle on it all. Grab a seat and we’ll take it in 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.
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 2.14
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…)
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 2.8, 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?
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…)
End of the Bench, Volume 2.7
We’re two days away from the big one. The game we’ve been waiting for since last fall. The one that will go down in the history books. Yes, Sunday the Raptors visit the Heat. What, you were expecting Giants – Patriots?
The NBA is picking up steam now, and while some cynics are pointing out that scoring is slightly down and bemoaning the lack of a dominant team, we here at TCD tend to focus on the positive. And right now, there’s plenty of it. There’s the nightly rim-rattlers from Blake Griffin, the continued excellence of LeBron James, the pleasant surprises in Indiana and Philadelphia, and the unintentional comedy down in Charlotte. Yes, there’s a lot to be excited about as we head into the second full month of the season. Let’s see how it all looks from the best seat in the house, shall we?
– Maybe this is why the other Reggie Jackson decided to play baseball…it’s better for your ankles. (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.
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 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…)
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 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.
What they’re saying