Foyle leaves the court after 13 seasons, but his legacy has only begun

It wasn’t all over ESPN and the casual NBA fan probably missed the news on the ole’ ticker last week, but Adonal Foyle retired from the game of basketball. It’s not much of a surprise, he’s only played in 10 games in the last two years (thanks to injuries), actually missing all of last season.

All in all, it was a solid 13-year career for the big man from the Carribean. He leaves the game as the Golden State Warriors’ all-time leading shot-blocker, along with finishing as one of their top rebounders. Foyle spent 10 of his 13 seasons with the Warriors, also making a very brief stop with the Memphis Grizzlies and a few seasons with the Orlando Magic.

Foyle was more than just a 6-foot-10 shot-blocking machine — he is a gentleman — straight up. There is no other way to put it. He has to be one of the most likable and interesting players in the game — that is if you know about him. Foyle is an intellect, far beyond the stereotype of NBA players. He reviews books for HOOP Magazine, writes poetry and is one of the league’s biggest humanitarians.

Foyle is responsible creating both the Democracy Matters and the Kerosene Lamp Foundation, both to empower, educate and help the youth.

In addition to all of that, Foyle was also a Vice President of the league’s players’ association and is finishing up his masters degree in sports psychology, he even wrote a poem about his NBA journey. This most definitely isn’t the last we’ll be hearing of Foyle — I have a feeling he’ll be involved with the league for years to come — it’s definitely safe to say that there’s only one Adonal Foyle.

Here’s a great interview that he recently did with the Golden State Warriors, it’s a must watch — you need to know more about Foyle, his story was slept on by mass media.

Hey Kahn, it’s time to re-sign Brian Cardinal

The Minnesota Timberwolves made a lot of moves this summer. Their General Manager David Kahn has been questioned time and time again. Kahn has been ridiculed by many for his statements, draft selections and overall management of the franchise.

Kahn has to do one more move before training camp begins in September.

Yep, you guessed it — it’s time to re-sign Brian Cardinal.

The Timberwolves are young — with an average age of 23 years old. Their oldest player is 29 year-old Luke Ridnour, but he looks like he’s barely 17. This team needs a veteran, a great locker-room presence and a guy who looks his age — Cardinal is all of that and more.

Affectionately called “The Custodian,” Cardinal can do more than just clean up a mess with his scrappy play. Cardinal is the type of 10-year veteran that you want in your locker-room and at your practices — hard nosed and if called upon, can still shoot the rock. Most importantly he always hustles and will give you some solid D. These are just a few reasons why Cardinal — even after injuries robbed him of his best years — has managed to stay in the league for a decade.

I don’t even think I need to bring up the fact that Cardinal co-starred in the Timberwolves best viral video campaign.

Cardinal says he hopes to play one more season, and if I was David Kahn, the paperwork would already be faxed over. Why wouldn’t you want to bring in the type of guy that can make an airport of women go Beatlemania — yes, that man is Brian Cardinal.

Minnesota, along with the world deserves one more year of Cardinal, so go to the website (that some die-hard T-Wolves fans put together) and SIGN THE PETITION and tell everyone you know to do the same.

www.BRINGBACKCARDINAL.com

Oh that’s just great, Chris Paul demands a trade

Back in 2008 the New Orleans Hornets were an uplifting success story in the NBA. Chris Paul was making a strong case for the MVP and the Hornets won 56 games. They finished second in the West, and were only a game back of the first-place Los Angeles Lakers.

Even though they took a dip in the second round against the more experienced San Antonio Spurs — they were only one win away from the Western Conference Finals — the Hornets were finally making an impact in New Orleans, after leaving Charlotte in the early part of the decade.

The following season, the Hornets only won 49 games and lost in a downright embarrassing fashion to the Denver Nuggets in the first round and last season things took an even stronger turn for the worse.

Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower fired head coach Byron Scott just nine games into the season. The team finished last place in the Southwest Division, winning 37 games and missing the playoffs.

Now, Paul wants out.

Please Penny, don’t do it.

I’m trying to avoid the fact that Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway says he wants to come back to the league and join the Miami Heat. Penny is a staple to guys in my age group who grew up watching the game of basketball. He killed it on the court, his shoe game was right up there with Jordan, and he’s responsible for the greatest basketball commercials ever.

Unfortunately, injuries changed things for Penny and his career was hindered. His last attempt to play in the NBA fell short with the Miami Heat, when he reunited with Shaquille O’Neal for the early part of the 2007-08 season. Hardaway played in 16 games that season for the Heat, but was released by the team before midseason. He hasn’t played in an NBA game since 2007.

As much as I’d love to see Hardaway return to the game, odds are if he went to the Heat to chase a ring with their “big three,” he’d probably just embarrass himself. Well, maybe embarrass is a harsh word, but I just don’t want to see Penny coming off the bench averaging four points and three assists on a championship caliber team.

My memories of him dominating still outweigh the injuries, unlike many, and I want to keep it that way.

My message to Penny:

“Penny, you’re a legend in so many of our eyes. You have nothing to prove and I hate the fact that you are saying you want a minimal role with this team, don’t chase the ring. Injuries stole your career, but when you were at your best, there weren’t many players in that era that out-shined you, let’s just leave it at that.”

If he does come back, then I guess I will somewhat be rooting for the Heat, and most importantly maybe it means Lil’ Penny will meet LeBron and Big Z’s puppets, if that’s the case and it means Lil’ Penny is returning, then I’m game.

The Wrath of Kahn: Milicic gets paid

With the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh stealing the free-agent spotlight, as the top players from the 2003 draft class, we almost forgot about Darko Milicic.

Milicic was selected with the No. 2 pick back in 2003. While Wade, James and Bosh have all went on to become superstar players — along with Carmelo Anthony — Milicic has been…well, he’s been Darko — a punchline.

Darko could become a term in the dictionary for “not good,” or “terrible.” Instead Darko is cashing in, yet again, because he is 7-feet tall.

In seven seasons, Darko has played for five NBA teams with career averages of 5.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Because of these subpar numbers, the Timberwolves decided to sign Darko to a 4-year contract worth a reported $20 million.

That is not a typo.

Timberwolves General Manager David Kahn bascially forfeited the Timberwolves chances in free agency after this signing, leaving them with only around $5 million in cap space left. Kahn is not the league’s most popular GM.

The Timbewolves acquired Milicic from the New York Knicks (where he played in only eight games and publicly vented his frustration) back in February. They donned him a starter, moving Kevin Love to the bench, because the Love-Al Jefferson on the floor combo wasn’t getting it done.

Darko started 18 games for the T-Wolves last season, he averaged 9.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks, during that stretch and the Timbewolves went 1-17.

In seven seasons Darko has made upwards of $36 million, with another $20 million on the way, and a guaranteed 11-year NBA career.

Based on this contract, one would assume that LeBron James is going to sign a deal for six years worth around $2 billion.

Video: My Game 7 prediction

Here I am breaking down Game 7 of the NBA Finals, which tips off in just over an hour. I know, I’m a nerd and a terd, but it’s still worth watching. Check it out, and get ready to watch a game.

I’m hoping for an overtime thriller, but check the video for my prediction.

LAKERS OR CELTICS? ONE GAME DECIDES IT ALL.

I LOVE THIS GAME.

Note: I apologize that the quality of this video isn’t superb, next week when I get my iPhone 4, all of that will change.

Video: The Whereabouts of Lamar Odom

While scouring YouTube, I came across this fantastic video which takes in-depth look at Lamar Odom‘s struggle in this year’s NBA Finals. The guy who makes these videos is exceptional. His analysis gives you plenty of examples throughout, highlighting key plays and really giving a great explanation of what is happening on the court. He’s very talented at putting these together and more importantly, he’s incredibly knowledgeable and completely on point.

With the Lakers on the verge of losing to the Celtics in the NBA Finals for the second time in three years, you can place your bet that eyes are on Odom right now. Mr. Kardashian has had a bad series, and as pointed out in the video, with Andrew Bynum on the mend, he is more critical than ever for the Lakers. He’s arguably the second most important player on that team, next to Kobe Bryant. He sets a tone for the bench, and also can do so many different things on the court at a variety of positions.

Odom must have a big game Tuesday night, along with Ron Artest, Pau Gasol and Bynum who all owe Bryant quality performances after they all pretty much stunk up the joint Sunday night in Boston. On the flipside, Kobe had moments of pure greatness in Game 5, but he also owes his team a dominating historic fourth-quarter performance in Game 6 — his fourth-quarters in this series have been nothing to brag about.

Praise Jesus, but don’t forget Rondo

You read this blog. You know that I love “He Got Game.” Last night, Ray Allen did just that, have game. He was incredible and he had a record setting performance during Sunday night’s Game 2 103-94 victory.

I’m going to be honest with you, I didn’t see the first half. I’m not going to lie and say I did and talk about each shot he was hitting — I’m not Mitch Albom. In fact, I only saw five of his 32 points. That’s not saying much, but I did see the record setting 8th three-pointer that he hit in the game.

I was visiting a friend who lives a ways away and we went to see a movie. I knew it would interfere with me watching Game 2, but I figured catching the second half would be enough. Well, “Get Him to the Greek” was great and I laughed quite a bit, but I missed out on one of the best first halves a player has ever had in the NBA Finals.

When I walked out of the movie theater I grabbed my phone to see that the Celtics were up 52-39. I was pretty surprised, but when I opened the box score, my draw dropped to the floor. Allen had 27 points in the first half! I couldn’t believe it, and obviously I knew that his three-ball had to have been dropping. I called my friend’s brother to get a quick recap, “Jesus is 7-for-7 from three!”

Damn, I missed out.

2010 NBA Finals: The Fresh Breakdown

When the NBA Finals start Thursday night, it will be the 12th time that the Lakers and Celtics have met in the Finals. In the 11 previous meetings between the two teams, the Celtics have won nine — the first eight, starting back in 1959, and the last meeting between the two, back in 2008.

Last season, the Celtics may have been in the Finals, but the injury to Kevin Garnett saw them packing early and unable to defend their title. Of course, the Lakers made it back and took the title home running through the Magic.

Now the two teams meet again, each winning one of the last two titles and both thinking that they can beat one another.

The Celtics have the mindset on the Lakers of “You still haven’t beat us,” even if the Lakers have been the better team the past 23 months.

The last time the two met in the Finals was that 131-92 Boston victory, a 39-point loss for the Lakers in a closeout game (what separates Kobe Bryant from Michael Jordan — Jordan was 6-0 in the Finals). A loss that is definitely on the minds of the Lakers, and if we know Bryant, he’s probably watching those highlights right now. That’s his drive.

So what’s changed since 2008, and who’s going to come out on top?