NBA and College Hoops

After a hard-fought series with the Indiana Pacers, the Miami Heat are heading back to the NBA Finals to defend their title.

Who will the Heat be facing in the Finals? The fundamental kings of basketball: San Antonio Spurs.

Each year the Spurs find their way back to the playoffs, but to say they were expected to represent the West in the NBA Finals would be false. The Oklahoma Thunder had been the favorites to return, however when Westbrook tore his ACL, the Memphis Grizzlies took full advantage, sending the Thunder home . Then the predictions shifted to the Golden State Warriors, or Grizzlies, but the small, quick teams just couldn’t send home the Spurs. Not this year.

The Heat swept the Spurs during regular season 2-0, but the infamous 2007 series sending LeBron James home is what is important here. That is what is lingering in everyone’s mind. Will James seek revenge? He says, “I’m 20, 40, 50 times better than I was in 2007 Finals.”

It will be an interesting matchup to say the least. Since everyone loves an underdog, the Spurs will be just that. Their roster is full of players who are unknown, aside from  Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady and Manu Ginobli of course.

What I’m looking forward to most will be the display of skill, the contrast rather.

You have the Spurs, a team that plays the game the way Dr. Naismith imagined the game played, with flawless fundamentals, and high-efficiency shots, whereas the Heat… well, how many times have you picked up your jaw as James lobs a full court alley-oop to Dwayne Wade?

How will the Spurs guard James? Will they accept open jumpers from James and shut down the role players, or attack him from the jump, just to leave a pretty good squad of shooters wide open? If I was Coach Pop, I’d be putting Kawhi Leonard out there on No.6. His perimeter defense is up there with the best of them, and he is physical. Leonard will have a lot riding on his shoulders this series.

Who will guard Parker? We know Chris Bosh will take Duncan, and I’m really anticipating that matchup seeing they play pretty much the same game, but who is quick enough to guard one of the best point guards in the league? I’d say Norris Cole. yes, I have a lot of faith in Cole. Why not? He’s quick and a great on-ball defender. Mario Chalmers? He fouls too much, and doesn’t have the speed Cole has. We’ll have to wait and see the rotation Coach Spo uses, I’m sure they’ll be a few throughout the series.

Tomorrow the Spurs travel to South Beach to play Game 1.

Who are you going with? Miami or San Antonio?

I’ll say Miami in 6.

All games on ABC; Eastern Time

• Game 1 in Miami: Thursday, June 6, 9pm
• Game 2 in Miami: Sunday, June 9, 8pm
• Game 3 in San Antonio: Tuesday, June 11, 9pm
• Game 4 in San Antonio: Thursday, June 13, 9pm
• Game 5 in San Antonio: Sunday, June 16, 8pm
• Game 6 in Miami: Tuesday, June 18, 9pm
• Game 7 in Miami: Thursday, June 20, 9pm

 - @TishaGotGame

via The BLACKout Mag

Miami’s Chris Bosh will start in place of injured Boston guard Rajon Rondo in the lineup.

With Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra leading the East, it seemed pretty clear who would be starting in place of Rondo, but now it’s official, giving Miami three starters for the Eastern Conference.

Clyde Drexler, Dikembe Mutombo, Hakeem Olajuwon, Rudy Tomjanovich, and Yao Ming will serve as judges in the 2013 Sprite Slam Dunk tonight at 8pm ET on TNT

Last year Cleveland Cavalier Kyrie Irving led #teamChuck to victory during the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge.

However this year, the standout point guard will be representing #teamShaq on Friday, Feb. 15, as part of NBA All-Star 2013. 

The BBVA Rising Stars Challenge features two teams of NBA rookies and sophomores drafted by TNT Analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. The players come from a pool of talent chosen by the NBA’s assistant coaches.

From there fans vote online for who should be in the starting lineups.

Below are the rosters for the 2013 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge:

#teamShaq 
Damian Lillard (Portland) 
Kyrie Irving (Cleveland) 
Andre Drummond (Detroit) 
Klay Thompson (Golden State) 
Harrison Barnes (Golden State) 
Chandler Parsons (Houston) 
Dion Waiters (Cleveland) 
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Charlotte) 
Tyler Zeller (Cleveland) 
Kemba Walker (Charlotte)

#teamChuck 
Anthony Davis (New Orleans) 
Kenneth Faried (Denver) 
Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio) 
Bradley Beal (Washington) 
Ricky Rubio (Minnesota) 
Tristan Thompson (Cleveland) 
Nikola Vucevic (Orlando) 
Brandon Knight (Detroit) 
Isaiah Thomas (Sacramento) 
Alexey Shved (Minnesota) 

The Miami Heat’s assistant coach David Fizdale will lead TEAM SHAQ and the San Antonio Spurs’ assistant coach Mike Budenholzer will guide TEAM CHUCK.

The BBVA Rising Stars Challenge will be televised live nationally on TNT at 9 p.m. ET

With the holidays approaching, and season well underway, these NBA players have left no room for slack on or off the court.  Who do you think are some of the best dressed in the NBA? Here are our top 10 Most Stylish NBA players in NO PARTICULAR ORDER. 

10.  Carmelo Anthony

With a fashion savvy woman (LaLa) on his side, Carmelo definitely has to keep his fashion game on point. Seen sitting front row at some of the biggest fashion events in the world, it’s obvious that Melo knows how to dress. Known as one of the most fashion-conscious players in the NBA, there was no way that Carmelo wouldn’t be one of the first on our list.

9. LeBron James

Definitely a force to be reckoned with on the court, I am not too sure anyone can touch his fashion sense either.  Whether he is rocking a clean tailored suit and bow tie, or releasing the hottest sneakers in the streets, LeBron definitely knows how to get the peoples attention.

8. Amar’e Stoudemire

The newly engaged New York Knicks power forward, is all too familiar with fashion.  Releasing his own clothing line that was launched at Macy’s in late 2011, this basketball star can often be seen front row at Fashion Week’s all over the world.  From his suits to his dapper accessorizing, this man has got it going on.

7. Derrick Rose

Probably the shyest one out of the bunch doesn’t let that stop him from being one of the flyest.  Featured in the May 2012 GQ issue, a magazine known for their men’s fashion, we can definitely see why they chose Rose to grace their cover. 

6. Chris Paul

This 6’0 LA Clipper guard is no stranger to fashion.  Chris Paul just recently graced the October cover of GQ magazine, showing off nonetheless his sense of style.  When asked by askmen.com if he had any tips about stepping up your wardrobe, “you have to get your essentials together. You have to have your white shirts, your blacks, your grays, khaki colors, and denim. Then you can mix and match.”

5. Dwayne Wade

This Miami Heat player, who is known for his sleek, proper, sense of style, is definitely at the top of our list. Wade graced the covers of Vogue magazine in June, and although he wasn’t wearing much clothing, everyone should know by now, that not only is his hoop game a force to be reckoned with, but also is his fashion sense.

4. Nick Young

One of the YOUNGest of our top 10, this Philadelphia 76er is definitely bringing a new, fresh, definition of STYLE to the NBA.  With a sense of style set apart from everyone else; known for his flashy jackets, fitted designer denims, ridiculous shoe game, and out of the box outfits, Young is by far one of the most fashionable guys in the league (and my personal favorite). Hey, I guess they don’t call him “Swaggy P” for nothing.

3. Steve Nash

This savvy point guard not only has his assist game on lock, but his fashion game too.  Whether it’s in a jersey, or in sweater and bowtie, Nash definitely knows how to keep his game on point.

2. John Wall

The youngest to make our list of Most Stylish NBA players, Wall definitely has made a name for himself on and off the court.  From his designer shoe game, all the way up to his perfectly tailored top, this youngster definitely has the fashion game on lock.

1. Kobe Bryant

Besides his obvious talent on the court, off the court Bryant has a keen eye for fashion. It’s undeniable that this guy knows the definition of clean cut! Having had spreads in magazines such as Vogue and GQ, as well as a shoot in the LA Times, there is no doubt that he wouldn’t make our list.

Honorable Mentions:

Chris Bosh

Serge Ibaka

OJ Mayo

*Think we missed someone? Let us know!

Fashion DO or DON’T?

Russell Westbrook

Say what you want about his sense of style, but you can’t deny that fact that he is an individual who isn’t afraid to try something different.  What most may call ridiculous, some may call fashion, whatever you call it, it’s definitely got the media’s attention, and even yours!

Hey, I respect anyone who isn’t afraid to step outside the box and try something new, so we say, Fashion DO!

-Kayce Kirihara