Gregg Popovich Gets an Israeli Hip-Hop Hype Anthem That Is Pure Awesome
Gregg Popovich is pretty much the most amazing person to ever live, according to some Hip-Hop heads from across the pond.
Trey Kerby of The Basketball Jones spotted a video that will grab your mind with both hands and squeeze until it can’t possibly squeeze anymore.
Here is basically all the information we have on this oddity:
I’m not entirely sure what is going on with this whole thing, but this is easily my favorite rap song ever about Gregg Popovich. And Old Man in the Oxford University T-Shirt (OMOUT is his rap name) is my new favorite rapper. Watch this and try to disagree.
From there, you can go forth and watch this video that will have you both laughing and pushing away from the computer.
While the lyrics are cheese-laden goodness, the old guy in the Oxford shirt Kerby refers to as OMOUT is scaring the hell out of me.
He reminds me of the guy in Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” video, and not in a great way.
All of the lyrics are gold, but these may be my favorite:
East Chicago Indiana he was born and raised
Joined the Air Force when he was 18 years old
But our story begins in San Antonio
Nothing says hip-hop classic like delivering a measured and reasonable biography on a very good head coach in the NBA.
I am beginning to think they were doing a school report on Popovich and decided to drop a rhyme instead.
Seriously, this thing is now my favorite thing ever.
Hit me up on Twitter for more NBA nonsense.
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Power Ranking the Best Pure Shooter on Every NBA Roster
What comes to mind when you think of a “pure shooter”? Are pure shooters born, or can a player develop into a pure shooter?
We think of the greatest shooters of all time, and not even all of them had what we would call “textbook form.” Reggie Miller’s wrists crossed one another upon release. Dirk Nowitzki‘s cock-back release and leg positioning are awkward. Others, like Mark Price and Larry Bird, had jump shots so perfect that one could use them an example for young players learning to shoot the ball.
Is the effect all that matters—making the shot? Or should we try to incorporate mechanics into the discussion? I’ve tried to take a hybrid approach here, considering both mechanics and results. I’ve also tried to give players credit for being great shooters, but not really great players (see: slide six).
All that said, a pure shooter is a relative term we hear thrown around a lot in basketball, but here’s a look at the best pure shooters from every team, power ranked from No. 1 to No. 30.
Statistics taken from Basketball-Reference.com
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Syracuse Basketball: Greatest Pure Point Guards in Orange History
The Syracuse Orange basketball program has seen some outstanding point guards come through the ranks.
Some were gifted defensively, like Eddie Moss and Jason Hart, while others such as Sherman Douglas and Scoop Jardine were creative on offense.
But there’s one thing they all had in common: running the Syracuse offense and leading the Orange deep into March.
Check out this rundown of the greatest pure point guards in Syracuse hoops history.
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Undrafted NBA Free Agents 2012: Best Pure Shooters
Thursday’s 2012 NBA draft featured one of the deepest draft classes in recent years, and left a ton of unsigned rookies who teams should immediately consider signing.
One of the bigger surprises about this year’s potential rookies is the number of efficient shooters who were left undrafted. As we got later and later into the second round, teams began picking more and more foreign players, and a good number of sharpshooters were left without a team, hoping they can make their mark in the summer league.
Let’s check out the five best shooters amongst the undrafted rookies.
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Best Pure Shooters in College Hoops Heading into 2012-13
As Vanderbilt’s John Jenkins heads to the NBA, the title of “most dangerous shooter” is once again up for grabs in the college ranks. Fortunately for NCAA hoops fans, there are plenty of outstanding perimeter threats ready to contend for Jenkins’ crown.
Even in the SEC, where Jenkins has dominated in this category over the last couple of seasons, plenty of talent remains on campus. Florida star Kenny Boynton, the last man standing from one of last year’s most dominant backcourts, has a shooting stroke that should be more than equal to the task of carrying the Gators back to the NCAAs.
Read on for more on Boynton and the rest of the dozen sweetest outside shooters in country heading into 2012-13.
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NBA Draft 2012: Teams That Must Take Pure Talent over Specific Needs
When the NBA draft rolls around in June, several teams will fill specific needs, especially at the top of the draft.
While some teams always draft for need, other teams prefer the route of taking the best player on the board, regardless of position. Rolling the dice on future success rather than an immediate impact can lead to quite the gamble, but it’s a risk certain teams need to take.
Sometimes, taking the most talented player on the board is the route to go. Here’s a look at a few teams that need to lean towards talent over specific needs.
Portland Trail Blazers
The lottery will likely change things, but as it stands now, the Blazers would pick at No. 6 and No. 11 in the first round wtih a need for a big man and a quality point guard. At either spot, they would be reaching at either position.
Instead, taking the most talented player on the board would make much more sense. While they could be reaching for the likes of a Damian Lillard and a Tyler Zeller-type big man, they could end up with a talent like Perry Jones III and an Austin Rivers-type of guard.
The Blazers can stand to get more athletic, and here’s a chance to do so regardless of need. They have cap room to fill out the rest of their roster during the offseason.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Pretty much all season, I’ve had Florida’s Bradley Beal tied to the Cavs in my mock drafts, but hat’s based out of need for a competent 2-guard.
But they could go a different route altogether. Cleveland is on the right path to rebuilding, and with their two first-round picks, they must get more athletic. The Cavs also could stand to get bigger, so while passing on a guy like Beal could look bad immediately, rolling the dice on an athletic big like Andre Drummond wouldn’t be a bad long-term pick.
New Orleans Hornets
Quite simply, a team like the Hornets have many needs. So, for now, they can forget about needs and take the best player on the board with both of their first-round picks, which will probably both be in the top 10.
Taking the two best players available at the time will likely fill needs anyway.
Houston Rockets
Houston has a pair of first-round picks in the middle of the draft and while they need backcourt depth and a legitimate big man, they are another team that should draft for talent instead of need.
They likely will fill the backcourt need this way, but if there isn’t a quality big man available by the time they select, there’s no point on reaching for one. Even though the Rockets have a ton of wing players under contract, an athlete along the lines of a Quincy Miller or Moe Harkless who has upside could make more sense than a big man who may not have the same type of ceiling.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics right now have picks No. 21 and No. 22. While many feel that their needs include a big man and a shooting guard, Danny Ainge should just draft talent here.
Boston needs to get younger, and they need depth. Most of the top shooting guards project to be gone by the time they draft, and instead of reaching, Ainge should just take the top two guys on his board.
Don’t forget the fact that the Celtics will have money to spend the next two offseasons, so they can look to fill those needs in free agency instead of the draft.
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5 Best Pure Scorers in the NBA
Points are the most glorified stat in the NBA. It’s the only stat that’s talked about as being significant in leading the league in, one people routinely cite in arguments in comparing players.
Often, the best players in the league aren’t the best scorers. Really, it’s rare for someone to lead the league in scoring AND win the MVP. Why? Usually because they don’t focus too much on other facets of the game.
In the NBA, we may have the best era of players and scorers in history. Players are more athletic and versatile than ever before. Here’s the breakdown of who the best pure scorers in the game are.
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NBA Trade Rumors: Mehmet Okur Trade a Pure Salary Dump For Jazz
The Utah Jazz are going for a youth overhaul and no longer needed the services of center Mehmet Okur.
They traded him to the New Jersey Nets on Thursday for a second-round pick in the 2015 draft.
The average fan is wondering why in the world the Jazz would dump such a productive big man for a meaningless pick way down the line.
Okur has averaged 13.7 points and 7.1 rebounds in 617 career games with Detroit and Utah. He is fourth in team history with 517 three-pointers made, ninth in scoring (7,255), rebounding (3,599) and blocked shots (346).
The real reason the Jazz got rid of Okur was to take his $10.8 million expiring contract off the books.
There was no point in letting the 6-11 Okur suck up valuable minutes of playing time away from young guys like rookie center Enes Kanter and second-year forward Derrick Favors.
The Jazz have been able to rebuild their team on the fly without having to completely bottom out, something few teams are able to pull off.
The trade also gave Utah a trade exception, that Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor said will “allow us to go shopping.”
The trade exception will give Utah a year to acquire more salary in another trade than the team they are making a deal with.
Okur will get the opportunity to play alongside Kris Humphries in the post while they wait for Brook Lopez to return from foot surgery.
But the Jazz are better off without the productive 32-year-old.
Coupled with Al Jefferson, the Jazz now have three potential studs up front and will give them plenty of time to develop into the stars they are projected to be.
Utah is going to have very fresh legs for this grueling NBA schedule, and will be playing with some of the best young big men in the game and plenty of cap flexibility to fill the holes in the backcourt.
Don’t sleep on the Jazz.
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Texas Basketball: Ranking the Top 15 Pure Scorers in Longhorns History
Two of Texas basketball’s greatest players may have been point guards—T.J. Ford and Hall of Famer Slater Martin—but that doesn’t mean the Longhorns haven’t produced their share of scorers. Kevin Durant’s alma mater has a rich history of stars who could scorch the nets.
The newest entry in the Longhorn offensive pantheon is shooting guard Jordan Hamilton. The soon-to-be Denver Nugget averaged 18.7 points a game to lead last season’s 27-7 squad.
Read on for more on Hamilton and the rest of the best point producers to wear a Longhorn uniform.
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LeBron James: Can Pure Motivation Drive “the Chosen One” to the 2012 NBA Title?
The degree of mockery that LeBron James has been subjected to of late is unfathomable, but it isn’t completely undeserved.
Earlier this year during the 2011 NBA playoffs, LeBron, or as he likes to be called, “King James,” was unable to produce in the fourth quarter. In late stages of tight matches, when legends are separated from greats, the Miami Heat forward proved to be completely ineffective.
This lack of success evoked many, many jokes about James not being able to play in the fourth quarter.
Here are some from a site with a whole collection of them:
“LeBron James was just traded to the Florida Panthers. He should be wildly successful, since in the NHL, there are only 3 periods.”
“Tomorrow is LeBron James day, everyone gets to leave work 12 minutes early.”
And of course, the most obvious and popular one:
“I saw LeBron before the game and I asked for $1. He gave me 75 cents. I said where’s the rest? He replied I don’t have a 4th quarter.”
These are not the only jokes going around about him not being able to play in the clutch. If you look on the internet, there will be many, many more.
This criticism has not only come from fans who simply enjoy jeering at him but also from the media (though in a very different way). Papers, magazines and reports have been very disapproving of the superstar, who is often compared to Michael Jordan, and MJ is widely considered the greatest player who ever lived.
Many fans, however, ridicule the comparison between Jordan and James for two reasons.
First of all, James has never won a ring. In one year he did lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, but they ended up getting swept by the Spurs. Jordan, however, won six titles by way of two three-peats.
Of course, it is argued that Jordan had Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoc and others to help him, while James really didn’t have that much support when sporting a Cavs jersey.
The second reason is for what I already mentioned: the fact that James is said to have no fourth quarter. While Jordan got better and better as the game progressed into its latter stages, LBJ did the opposite, giving his haters more to hate about him.
Here is part of a report from ESPN:
“James has scored just 11 points in the fourth quarter in the Finals, which comes to an average of 2.2 points per game in that quarter, down from his average of 7.6 points in the previous three rounds this season. That means he’s contributing less than a third of the scoring that he normally did heading into the series against Dallas.”
According to this snippet, James not only performs worse in the fourth quarter, but he performs worse in the fourth quarter of the NBA Finals, which is another time you must prove what you’re worth.
We’ve seen so many stars get stronger, more accurate and more confident advancing into late parts of games and even seasons: Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Reggie Miller, Jerry West, Larry Bird and, of course, Jordan.
What many people believe is that James should not be mentioned with those names because his performances in the clutch don’t even come close to comparing with those guys.
In the past, there have been several cases where a player who gets criticized for one thing or another gets more motivated to be successful. In fact, this isn’t something that happens only in basketball or only in sports, for that matter.
With all this mockery and criticism directed his way, the question is this: Can James actually feed off of all this, use it to his advantage and lead the Heat to the NBA Championship?
Out of the billions and trillions of things that could actually happen next season, here are the four most likely outcomes of this whole scenario.
First, his ego could get in the way. James’ ego is no secret. Everyone knows he has a huge head and thinks extremely highly of himself. He made that public when he dissed almost everyone else in the world by saying this:
“Because at the end of the day, all the people that was rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today. They have the same personal problems they had today. And I am going to continue to live the way that I want to live and continue to do the things that I want to do, with me and my family and I can be happy with that. They can get a few days, or a few months, whatever the case may be, being happy about not only myself, but the Miami Heat, not accomplishing their goal, but they got to get back to the real world at some point.”
Because of all the bad talk, he could be motivated to do better. However, the argument is that he is so full of himself (which is proved above) that he will just disregard everything that is going on around him without trying to prove his critics wrong because he already believes that they are worse than him.
That is the first possible outcome.
Of course, many players might need motivation that comes by way of negativity and the need to prove critics wrong. However, the fact is that James is an amazing player, arguably the best in the NBA.
What if he and his teammates are just so good next year that they won’t even need any other type of motivation? What if King James just takes the league by storm next year and wins the Larry O’Brien trophy by sheer talent?
That is the second possibility.
The third possible outcome is the least likely.
Maybe James will actually realize he needs to put his head down, work like a dog and use his exceptional talent to get a ring.
True, LBJ hasn’t been showing signs of coming back down to earth, but if he tries to understand the criticism he’s getting, he will try to improve.
The fourth and final possible outcome involves more his teammates than James himself. If the Heat decide to sign a point guard or a center, the two positions in which they lack quality, that could greatly help them. Also, if Chris Bosh or Dwayne Wade perform even better than they have been doing, then Miami could win a title.
It’s probably going to be one of those four possibilities, and the third one, though unlikely, would be the best for James, the Heat and the NBA.
It’s great for us, the lesser beings who can’t perform what these supernatural athletes do, to predict this and predict that.
But what will James actually do?
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