Have you ever just had thoughts that you didn't want to forget and jotted them down on paper? Well, that's exactly what I'm doing here and, for some reason, they all involve the NBA. As we prepare for the NBA playoffs and watch an endless barrage of TNT's "40 Games in 40 Nights", let us think back and reflect on the NBA's regular season.
On the Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers, Christmas Day:
So, did you really think Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant were going to shake hands at center court?
Neither did I.
Did you think the Shaq Daddy would just deck Kobe in the mouth?
Neither did I, but it would have been nice to see.
On "The Brawl":
I don't have much more to say about that infantile display of testosterone.
However, I did wish Christopher House, the Boston Red Sox fan who popped New York Yankees' outfielder Gary Sheffield in the mouth and the unidentified fan joined in by throwing a beer, would have thought of something more original.
We already saw that at the Palace, fellas, how about throwing a tray of nachos next time?
On Grant Hill:
After only playing 47 games total in the last four seasons, Hill managed to stay healthy for 67 games this year and made the all-star team.
I think it's appropriate that he plays for the Orlando Magic, because that is one hell of a trick.
On George Karl:
Are you supposed to wear a turtleneck underneath a basketball jersey? Well, considering Karl's physique, I'm sure we're all pleased as punch that he did.
On LeBron James:
I was a little concerned when Nike gave King James a $90 million dollar endorsement deal before he ever dribbled a ball on an NBA court, but looking back over the last two years, it's safe to say that "Million Dollar Baby" would be a more suitable nickname for the former Rookie of the Year than a movie title and is equally as deserved.
On Kobe Bryant:
Who?
On Eddy Curry:
We know you're all heart, big guy, just don't let your ticker keep you from continuing to prove it.
On the NBA's Installment of an Age Limit:
Although I could write an entire article on this subject, let me just say that it's a preposterous rule and reasserts the NBA's secret plan to make the NBA more white. The league is already becoming inundated with European players and now the Asian players are also beginning to trickle in.
With the exodus of Michael Jordan, the league feared that the popularity of the NBA would dwindle.
I invite you to name the biggest stars that are keeping the game afloat.
That's right…
Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Amare Stoudamire, Jermaine O'Neal and, oh yeah, that one kid, LeBron James.
What do they have in common?
None of them had a lick of college before they entered the NBA.
What I want to know is who is stopping a white kid from declaring himself eligible for the NBA draft after high school?
On Reggie Miller:
What can we say about one of the NBA's greatest villains?
He charmed us or ticked us off with his flops, his smack talking and light the enemy up with three-pointer after three-pointer.
Miller played his last regular season game and will retire after the post season. He scored over 25,000 points and holds the all-time record for three-pointers made.
There are so many memorable Reggie moments, but I'd have to say my favorite "Miller Time" was when the Pacers were losing to the New York Knicks by a score of 105-99, with 18.7 seconds left in the game.
It wasn't enough.
Miller hit a three, stole the ball from the Knicks' Greg Anthony, stepped back and hit another three, all in 3.1 seconds. John Starks was fouled, missed both free throws, Patrick Ewing misses a shot, Miller gets the rebound, gets fouled, and hits both free throws.
Whether the most infamous Pacer (and only a Pacer, I might add) is setting three-point records or having his usual back and forth with Spike Lee, he was and will always be a star.
We'll miss you, Reggie.
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