Super Man Hangs Up His Cape

The big Bro king himself, Shaquille O'Neal, retired from the game on Wednesday after 19 seasons in the NBA. Shaq gave news of his retirement in style by use of the new social media service, Tout, a real time video messaging site. Always an innovator, the Big Diesel finished his career with 15 NBA All-Star appearances, 28,596 points, 3 NBA Finals MVP awards, the 2000 NBA MVP award, 1993 rookie of the year award, and over 6 different nick-names. The 39 year old stated his reason for retirement adding, "Father Time has caught up with Shaquille O'Neal." There is no doubt in my mind that he will be truly missed.

Oh no, does this mean his acting/rapping/police career is over too? Honestly though, Shaq was a man amongst boys during his time. The dude is 7 ft 1, 325 lbs; a living monster. His antics and entertainment ploys would never have been accepted if he didn't have the game to back it up; but he did. Shaq is hands down the best pure center to ever play the game and a sure first ballot, Hall of Famer. A four time NBA champion (three with the Lakers, one with the Heat) and fifth all time in scoring, Shaquille O'Neal is the ultimate bro.

Shaq it's been real, you have never ceased to stop entertaining me. I wont lie, I might have gotten a little tired of seeing your face after your latest "Shaq vs." reality stunt, but that doesn't change your legacy. You were the best; you can ball, act, kind of rap, and the fact that you can be unlocked in the UFC video game is beyond awesome. I'll miss you man and I hope Shazzam is aired on repeat for the next week. Enjoy the retirement big guy.

-Broverload

LeBrick Chokes, But Shamrocks Run Out of Luck

Here's an entry from a potential new BroCave writer, let me know what you guys think... Vote 5 stars to get this Bro an account, 1 star for no Bro status.

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If you’re a Bro then you were watching the Heat-Celtics game tonight, and I pray that you all WITNESSED the Heat giving the worst closer in the game the final shot in regulation.  That’s right, LeBron James got the ball with twenty seconds left in a tie ball game and got stripped worse than Candy Bottom at the Topless Cabana.  

LeBrick got the chance at the last shot over “team leader”, Dwayne Wade, to try and get a leg up over the Celtics and take a 3-1 series lead.  Are you kidding me Bro? LeBron with the last shot? Has the last 8 years of him sucking on buzzer beaters meant nothing? Good call Spoelstra, you wouldn’t ever want to win the game and give the ball to, I don’t know, anyone else but LeBron?

At least the Celtics roster has an average age of 45 and couldn’t move during overtime to tie up the series.  Was anyone else thinking that if the Celtics won the game, all we would hear about for the next 4 years on SportsCenter is how LeBron got stripped on the last play? Besides Charles Barkley, I can’t stand hearing NBA analysts, but I hate it even more when they talk about the Heat. They lose one game, and it’s a National crisis.

I can see it now. “LeBron, you got stripped for the last shot, should Wade have shot it? Do you want to cry? What on earth will the Heat do to rebound?…..” 

No one cares. The answer to all those questions is that the man just sucks with a minute left and the Heat are fools for even giving him the ball. Bros, thank the sport gods that the Heat pulled it off so we don’t have to avoid SportsCenter Brett Favre style for the next month and turn our morning television pleasures to ABC Family.  

Keep at it LeBron, we’re all hoping you stop missing, not for your sake, but for the sake of watching SportCenter.

-Broverload

Are You Kidding Me Bro?

If I wasn't waiting in an excruciatingly long line to get into TD Banknorth Garden for the Celtics-Knicks game I probably wouldn't have noticed this gem, but once I saw it, I couldn't resist taking a snapshot.  Unbelievable, this little guy (Knicks fan) is trying to bring back the Rat-Tail, what I believed to be a lost style (for good reason).  Does trying to resurrect the trailer trashy 10 year-old look get this Bro laid, or does he get weird looks and pissed on in school?  Vote 1 Star for piss, 5 for laid.

P.S. - Clean up in aisle MSG, get the broom out!

The Future of New York Knicks Basketball

Like the rumors that swirl annually regarding the status of Yankees GM Brian Cashman, the anticipation that fans build for their seemingly hopeless New York sports teams (i.e. Mets, Islanders), and even the Isiah Thomas files, more dramatics have commenced in NYC.  Talk is spreading that Knicks Head Coach Mike D'Antoni may be headed out of the Big Apple after this year.  The speculation is coming while the Knickerbockers enter their first playoff series in 7 years, and the first time a winning record has been posted in 10 years.  The last time the New York Knicks reached the playoffs came in the 2003-2004 season, just before their deep plummet during the Isiah Thomas years. 

D'Antoni was hired near the end of these years, and while many argue that it would be best to completely clean house, that may not be the best option.  Upon Mike D'Antoni's arrival in New York during 2008, everyone was aware of the dark depths that the Knicks had sank into, and understood that rebuilding would take at least 2 solid years to have any chance at a winning season.  Now 3 years following the hiring, it is safe to say that the Knicks are now close to becoming a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference.  However, D'Antoni doubters still remain.

Not only does attracting Amare Stoudemire from Phoenix act as a bargaining chip in favor of Mike D'Antoni, but it represents a turning point for the Knicks franchise, a franchise that intends to make D'Antoni a part of the legacy.  Stoudemire and D'Antoni proved to be a successful tandem in Phoenix, and have now been reunited.  The main goal in this past off-season was to lure LeBron James from Cleveland, but he of course had plans to take his talents elsewhere.  Instead, the Knicks were able to sign Amare Stoudemire, and trade pieces that were seemingly built for the move to acquire Carmelo Anthony.  Immediately following the mid-season trade for Melo, some Knicks fans' hopes were set as high as a Championship this year, a typical dramatic over-exaggeration by New York sports fans and media.

Being a lifelong Boston Celtics fan, it is easy for me to observe the Knicks and compare them to the Celtics of the early 90's through mid 00's.  For twice as long as the Knicks, the Celtics were plagued with bad luck, from the deaths of promising young stars Reggie Lewis & Len Bias, Paul Pierce's stabbing, poor management, etc.  However, on draft night of 2007, Celtics GM Danny Ainge was able to deal many of the players that contributed to the prior year's abysmal 24-58 record, for Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and a second-round pick that turned into Glen"Big Baby" Davis.  The "Big Three" had the remainder of the summer to work with each other before the trek for banner 17 began.

Even the deals sending Kevin Garnett to Boston, and Carmelo Anthony to New York can be compared in the sense that numerous promising young talents were exchanged for a superstar in each trade.  For example, Al Jefferson (to Minnesota) and Wilson Chandler (to Denver) can be claimed as similar pieces.  This being said, obviously each team has lost their share of young talent, but did that hold the Celtics back?  No.  In one year, the Boston Celtics were able to successfully mesh together and win a championship in 2008.  For any fan to expect a phenomenon like this is simply outrageous, let alone a championship after playing only half of the season together.

If I were a Knicks fan, I would welcome Mike D'Antoni back to Madison Square Garden (absolutely not the most famous arena in the world), and finally enjoy the stability that the Knicks organization has long lacked.  Wake up.  The Knicks are back in the playoffs, just a few role players away from great success.  Two areas that the Knicks will be sure to address this off season include shooting guard, and center.  Landry Fields has underperformed since the blockbuster trade for Carmelo Anthony, and let's face it, Ronny Turiaf & Jared Jeffries at center will never lead a championship team. 

At shooting guard: Michael Redd, Leandro Barbosa, and J.R. Smith are all unrestricted free agents this summer. 
At center: Tyson Chandler, Nene, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Samuel Dalembert are all unrestricted free agents this summer.

Each of the few names listed can be seen as potential serious targets for the Knicks this off-season.  Depending on what happens between management and Chauncey Billups will decide how they draft.  If the Knicks are able to re-sign Billups for less than his option, the Knicks would be smart to draft a point guard in the first round to develop under "Mr. Big Shot".  As hot as Toney Douglas can get, someone inconsistent on offense, and non-existent on defense is not the answer as a franchise point guard.  If a deal cannot be reached with Billups, look for the Knicks to seek a veteran point guard instead of addressing the position in the draft (Chris Paul anyone?).  If this were the case, the Knicks would instead target an efficient 3-pt shooting guard in the draft.

Time is running out for the aging Boston Celtics.  Between the lingering retirement of Doc Rivers and injuries, the future is up in the air.  Regardless of winning or losing in the 2011 playoffs, the Knicks

The second half of this year has been a stepping stone to the next few years of success in New York, and the pieces are falling into place, molding together one game at a time.  Keeping Mike D'Antoni on board as Head Coach to stay his current course is crucial to New York's success.  The confidence, stability, experience, and depth of the New York Knicks will determine their future for years to come.

Debut of the Hoodie Blazer

 

The Big Shamrock himself whips out a new style on late night TV.  I'd jump on the Hoodie-Blazer bandwagon solely because Big Shaq Diesel is backing it.  I'm roaming eBay as we speak. What do you think Bros?

Steve Nash to the Celtics?

Obviously when a fan's team spurts for a 14 game winning streak, a fan can only be happy.  After watching the terrible let down by the Perkinless, Rondoless, Westless Celtics, but more specifically back-up Point Guard/Shooting Guard Nate Robinson, I began thinking about any possible addition that my Celtics could swing prior to the NBA trading deadline.  Little Nate shot 2-15 from the field today, unacceptable but not something that is unexpected from the erratic guard, a poor fit for taking over for Rondo's duties while he is injured.  With his size and lack of consistency, I don't think the Celtics would be hurting themselves if they give Nate up in a trade, especially if Steve Nash was coming back in return.

I listed numerous reasons that support Steve Nash coming to Boston, and a one single reason that work against that possibility.  Beginning with the reasons that the scenario would not work, the Celtics may or may not have enough pieces to make the move for Nash.  Most of the Celtics roster is off-limits for a trade as GM Danny Ainge wouldn't want to kill the current synergy that the team shares.  Meaning chances are that Nate Robinson, Semih Erden, Von Wafer, Delonte West, Avery Bradley, and Luke Harangody are the select few that could be available, not the most enticing group of players to say the least.  But if the Suns are indeed entering a rebuilding stage, which is my thought, then recieving youth in return for the old, former 2-time MVP isn't such a bad thing.  Plus, the Celtics have draft picks to offer as well.

Like I just mentioned, I believe the Phoenix Suns are entering a rebuilding stage.  This began when the Suns made a laughable effort to resign the talents of Amare Stoudemire.  GM Steve Kerr was able to acquire Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Richardson in an attempt to put some pieces around Nash.  That obviously hasn't lasted long as the Suns have traded away both Turkoglu and Richardson for the expiring contract of a Vince Carter past his prime.  Carter will not be returning after this season.  I compare the Suns to the Washington Wizards, look at the Wizard teams through the past 3 years.  The Wizards, like the Suns, were expected to put a solid run together to make the NBA Finals the past few years, carrying names such as Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood, and Deshawn Stevenson.  At the same time the Suns roster still had Amare Stoudemire, Jason Richardson, Leandro Barbosa, Boris Diaw, Matt Barnes, Raja Bell, and the Big Shaqtus.  Both teams have clearly revamped their rosters compared to what they currently look like.  None of the players just mentioned are currently still playing for that same team, and these aren't really just mediocre players either.

Steve Nash wants a ring.  The passion that Nash plays with game in and game out are proof of his desire to win, something that won't be accomplished with the Suns, a team in shambles.   For this reason, Boston seems to be Nash's perfect fit.  I took a peek at the current top 6 teams in each league, none of which suited Nash better than the Celtics.  The C's are an old team, yes, but all have taken pay cuts with one goal, to win.  The moment the "Big 3" united in Boston, all individual matters drifted away.  Nash is due to make just above 10 million dollars in a contract ending in 2012.  He could probably manage to keep the same salary if he went to Boston, but would probably be asked to take a small pay-cut.

Also, the Celtics and Suns do have experience with trading with each other.  Phoenix shipped Rajon Rondo and Brian Grant to Boston for underachieving Marcus Banks and the Celtics future first round that had been the Cleveland Cavalier's (projected to be a top 10 pick).  That pick ended up being the 24th pick in the draft, Rudy Fernandez, who was immediately traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for trash and cash.  So, these teams are not unfamiliar with each other (By the way, thanks for Rajon Rondo Phoenix).  It would only make sense for the Suns to get some value, and send Nash to a contender before he's too far over the hill to compete.

Overall I think this would make sense for everyone, between the two teams, to the players that would be involved.  Steve Nash is a bro that wants some jewelry, and he can get it in Boston because he would mesh perfectly with the veteran stocked team.  Will it happen? Maybe not. Can it happen? Absolutely.