The New York Knicks have started off this season as number one in the polls.  With eight wins and only one loss the Knicks sit atop their conference.  Star forward Carmelo Anthony has took initiative this year of leading the team through his scoring and supreme play-making ability.  With the loss of star point guard Jeremy Lin during the off season, fans and critics were worried that the team's success would be limited. 

The Knicks have definitely proved this statement inaccurate.  Starting off with much adversity, including the loss of star center/ power forward Amare Stoudemire, the Knicks stuck together and made the best of what they have.  The only loss was tallied on the road, so the New York Knicks are curreently undefeated at home.  If the raging success continues, the Knicks just might find themselves in this season's finals. 






























 

Phil Jackson and most of the basketball world was shocked.  With the countless number of accolades Phil has acquired, he definitely deserved to fill the occupation.  Phil Jackson has the most championship rings out of any participant in the NBA program ever.  Holding a record-breaking 13 rings, Phil Jackson should be in the Lakers head coaching position indefinitely. 

Phil Jackson

The Los Angeles Lakers powerhouse basketball team acquired a few new players for the 2012-2013 season.  These players icluded Dwight Howard, an all-star center and Steve Nash, highly considered as the most fundamental point guard in the game today.  Alongside Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, fans had very high expectations as far the team's success was considered.  Unfortunately team chemistry and inability to contend came into play at the start of the regular season. 

The Lakers were unable to win their first three games.  The team's association saw a disaster taking place, and they saw it only getting worse.  Former Lakers head coach and widely proclaimed best coach ever, Phil Jackson, was set to have a meeting to discuss his future position as head coach be reinstated on Saturday of this week.  Out of the blue, former Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni was enstated as the Lakers new head coach. 


Phil jackson's aquired accolades alone should have guaranteed his position as head coach.  With 13 championsip rings, no other coach is more fit for the job.



 

The NBA season has finally arrived, and with some very physical match-ups.  One of these brutal games consisted of two Western conference rivals, the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Hornets.  The score was close throughout the entire brawl, but in the end San Antonio prevailed.  Although the score didn't lean towards New Orleans, they took a fortified position throughout the game. 

Leading the team with his outstanding play on both ends of the court was 3rd year veteran, Al-Farouq Aminu.  Although he did not lead the team in scoring, Aminu put up outstanding numbers consisting of 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three exciting blocks.  Aminu was by far the biggest benefactor to his team during their fourth quarter struggle.  Clutch defensive plays and elctrifying dunks allowed New Orleans to remain close in points alongside San Antonio.

This performance by Aminu should not be taken lightly, nor as a one time showing.  After a few years or development, Aminu has proven that his potential and raw talent have brought him far.  Along with the hard wirk and dedication he has for the game, Aminu could be the piece to the puzzle that New Orleans has been missing. 

   



Michael Jordan admits the increase in development of the game today

           When comparing players from the past to players today, people often forget to take a look at the level of talent in the league today as to in the past.  Michael Jordan himself, considered the greatest basketball player of all time, admitted that today's game has far out-done the game in which he played.  As far as what the big increase in development was shot off by is not very difficult to recognize.  For instance, back when Jordan played there were "freak" athletes that just out did everyone else in the league. 

         

           However, in today's game everyone except for a select few are "freak" athletes.  Players in today's game are also much more versatile than those of Jordan's era.  The only true versatile player was Magic Johnson back when Jordan played.  Today there's Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, Kevin Love, Kevin Durant, Josh Smith, Chris Bosh, Lamar Odom, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, and the list goes on and on. 

The level of talent, athleticism, and versatility has increased tremendously over time. Records are being broken, stats are being diminished, and new accomplishments are being made.  The only record that has a fair chance at standing is Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game.  Besides that today's game is surpassing its predecessor. Overall besides a select few from Jordan's era, no one would be able to shine in today's game.

 

The game of basketball takes much skill to play.  Some uneducated and inexperienced followers of the sport say that it's easy and requires no more than "flinging" a ball at a hoop.  Basketball is so much more than that.  In my opinion, basketball is one of the toughest sports to master.  In order to master this game much versatiliy is needed as wellas naturalathleticism. 

When discussing the top players in the world, one that is frequently mentioned is Kobe Bryant.  The first ever guard drafted straight out of highschool at the age of 17.  Kobe Bryant has the biggest arsenal of moves in the NBA today.  There is no weakness found in his game.  Kobe can defend the best the player on a team.  He can shoot from anywhere on the floor as well as score in the hole and run the offense.  Kobe Bryant can be argued as the best player in the game today. 

Kobe's versatility, athleticism, and repetoire of moves is what seperates him from the pack.  Not to mention his proven willingness to win shown off by his current stock of five championship rings.  If Kobe Bryant acquires one more championship he will be in the running for best player ever alongside Michael Jordan whom Kobe has based much of his game off of.  Kobe Bryant is a winner hands down and with the passion he shows and love for the game, Kobe deserves to be in the running for the ultimate title. 

                             Michael Jordan vs. Lebron James

Competition is the driving force of the world today as we know it.  Competition attracts everyone due to the intensity and the simple fact of, there's a winner and there's a loser.  In the competition of basketball, the most commonly discussed topic is,who is the best to ever play the game?  The argued person is usually Michael Jordan and has been for somtime, but now a small forward by the name of Lebron James boasts a very strong contradiction to obtaining this high rank. 

While there are many similarities and few difference between these two players, the differences are what sets one apart from the other.  The ability to take over and win the game is shared between the two as well as clutch playmaking.  Physical differences are not extremely drastic, and athletic ability is relatively close.  The consistent arguement that always led to Jordan holding the highest rank is because he has six rings to Lebron's recently acclaimed one.  This arguement is very strong and normally wins, but I found a way to cut out all other teamates and break it down to just the two competitors.  While Jordan is an amazing shooting guard and has stepped out occasionally to running the offense through the point guard position, Lebron has won while playing every position at the NBA level.The fact that he is a winner and is versatile enough to play every position on the floor is what separates Lebron James from any other player ever including Michael Jordan.

ballin' in raptors

     Releasing tommorow will be the Air Jordan 7 "raptors".  This shoes was first introduced in

December of 2002, and will be on display tomorrow for 160$.  The shoes features a color scheme of

retro black/dark charcoal, true red, and indigo.  This shoe may not rank very high in comfortability,

however it does prove well in support and stability, and traction.  It also makes for a stylish look on

the court.