Shaq, Justin Bieber have a dance-off

Shaquille O’Neal loves to dance. He’s probably one of the best dancing big men of all-time, easily the best in NBA history. As far as people who are rather larger, I can honestly say Squeegee Lo is the only one who can top Shaq, and he’s not nearly as tall.

Most recently, O’Neal has developed a surprising close relationship with teen pop-star Justin Bieber. The two most recently linked up to have a dance-off on O’Neal’s ABC show Shaq Vs.

I didn’t know Bieber was that good of a dancer to be honest, but I guess it’s expected — it’s his job. That said, I have to give the prize to The Big Shamrock, Shaq’s finishing move did Bieber in.

Can’t get enough of Shaq and Bieber? Here’s footage of O’Neal joining Bieber on stage at his concert in Orlando and handling Ludacris’ verse to “Baby.”

‘Big Baby’ is taking over the internet

Last summer, the virtual NBA world belonged to Stephon Marbury and Ron Artest. While Artest went on to win an NBA Championship with the Lakers last month, Marbury took his game overseas to China, winning the MVP of the Chinese Basketball Association All-Star Game.

Artest has continued his Twitter onslaught this summer, granted we haven’t had the video presence from him as we did last year. Marbury, meanwhile, has remained pretty quiet over the past few months.

Boston Celtics forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis has been coming on strong the past couple weeks via his Twitter account. Davis has been updating of his tours around the country by himself with cargo shorts and a backpack, and even flipping off his “haters.”

The latest from Big Baby is a video he posted of himself doing the “Dougie.” A dance created by rappers who can’t rap. It’s almost safe to say that Big Baby is becoming the best NBA player on Twitter, or at least he’s having a social media successful summer.

Video contains adult language.

As entertaining as Big Baby’s moves were, I think the younger version of him did a better job, even if he got really tired in the end.

Props, Dime Magazine

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.

Paul Pierce punched Eddie Rush

Paul Pierce hasn’t had the greatest NBA Finals series. It’s been a struggle for him on the offensive end, so getting a three-point play in Game 4 is obviously going to get the Celtics forward a bit excited. Pierce was however so excited that he decided to punch referee Eddie Rush square in the face!

Granted Pierce was in the moment and clearly apologetic the instant he realized he made contact with Rush, I can only imagine the end result if Rasheed Wallace did this instead.

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?

2k10 First Round Predictions: Eastern Conference

The NBA playoffs have started today, and don’t fear, I’m bringing you predictions as always. I get to start fresh and have the 16 teams that made the playoffs in front of me, this should be easy.

I also thought the same last year — what a mess!

Someone has to make some bold predictions, and generally I like to be that guy, don’t take away from my knowledge of the game — I know what’s up.

This year I’m going to call it perfectly, so let’s start with the Eastern Conference.

Andrew Bogut, “Oh my goodness!”

The Milwaukee Bucks are rolling. One of the biggest reasons has been the development and health of Andrew Bogut. Bogut, who was the number one overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, is starting to play like a number one pick.

This season, the 7-footer is giving the Bucks 16.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Since the All-Star Break, he’s also been averaging over three blocks per game, to go along with a solid 17 point and 11 rebound line.

Earlier this week, Bogut threw down a nasty dunk on Boston’s Glen “Big Baby” Davis. Davis gets served hard on this slam, so hard that I bet a rich goon and his kid in Orlando were even smiling.

Bogut is really beginning  to come into his own, and granted he received a little bit of All-Star consideration this season, come next February, he’ll be getting plenty of it.