Video Heaven: Rodman interviews and The Admiral crashes

I’m making this post about me. Why? Because two of my favorite players ever are in this clip, and I was not expecting this when I began to watch it.

Two weeks back Dennis Rodman was interviewed at the Hall of Fame Ceremony by CBS 3 in Springfield. I will watch anything with Rodman, he’s an icon and the greatest defender of all-time. Rodman is always entertaining, and most importantly, the guy was a great teammate. This year Rodman showed up to support his former teammate Scottie Pippen and last year he came through for both Michael Jordan and David Robinson.

This interview went from great to legendary when Robinson crashes and the two begin to reminisce on their relationship and time together in San Antonio. I honestly almost began to breathe heavy, that’s how excited I was. My two favorite players ever (along with Ben Wallace) in one interview, unexpectedly.

Seriously, the only way this interview could be better is if Wallace, Bill Cosby, Will Smith, Hulk Hogan and Kanye West showed up — seriously.

Joakim Noah went shopping, for bongs

Joakim Noah is a fierce competitor. The youngster brings a lot of energy to the court and he’s also not afraid to speak his mind. I love his edge and it’s nice to see one of the top young talents in the league not play kissy-face with his peers, unlike those dudes in Miami and some of their buddies.

Apparently when you bring that type of intensity to the court like Noah does, you need time to unwind and sit on the coach playing Super Nintendo, relaxing in a cloud of smoke. I assume when Noah made it to the league he bought his own pad and didn’t just pimp-out his parents basement, but I could be wrong.

Nobody said he bought anything at this store, but he certainly had no problem being more than just a window shopper.

Props, Deadspin

In other news, the Bulls signed veteran forward/center Kurt Thomas today. Their roster is looking very solid for the upcoming season.

Michael Jordan in NBA 2K11

The Nets: The Takeover/Blueprint

Back in 2001, Jay-Z released arguably his best album, The Blueprint.

Today launches the New Jersey Nets’ campaign to convince LeBron James to come and join his friend Young Hov (Jay-Z’s nickname for you non hip-hop listeners), who is a minority owner of the team. Cleverly thought out, “blueprint” remains a theme in a massive mural that is near Madison Square Garden (remember how the Knicks want LeBron too?).

A bold move by the Nets, who are banking on the rap mogul’s relationship with James to obviously help leverage his decision. New owner Mikhail Prokhorov is going to pull out all the stops to make sure that James signs on that dotted line of his newest investment.

But wait! There’s more…

And so it begins…

We’ve been hearing about the 2010 free agent class for far too long.

Seriously, this has to be the most overdrawn out, overhyped thing in NBA history. It only got zanier when ESPN had the audacity to put up a ticker counter in honor of LeBron James‘ upcoming free agency, the moment that his Cavaliers lost to the Celtics.

Well, today at 12:01 AM, the counter struck zero.

James is a free agent, it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for — well at least people in New York, New Jersey and Chicago. As for people in Cleveland, they’re all crapping their pants right now and probably running around the city frantically.

Of course, LeBron isn’t the only free agent, but if you turn on ESPN, CNN or other outlets, you might get that feeling.

The class is deep, very deep. Other than James, the top players available are Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, Joe Johnson, Amar’e Stoudemire, David Lee, Rudy Gay, Ray Allen and plenty more.

As far as breaking it all down, that’s another post, but let the speculation and rumors continue — the truth is about to come out very soon, and within the next two or three weeks the NBA should look quite different, or maybe not much different at all.

Well, except for Toronto, sorry mates.

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.

Stacey King raps about Derrick Rose, sort of

When I got a Stacey King 1990 Hoops rookie card, I laughed. I never knew that a guy could be named Stacey, I showed my dad, an he explained other names that work for both sexes. I still don’t know if Stacey works for a dude, but King has done okay.

He wasn’t the best pro (especially considering he was the sixth pick in the draft), but he’s since become a color commentator for the Bulls and he’s making headlines ’round the web with this “rap” based on his emphatic announcing about Derrick Rose‘s hops.

Rev Run and T.I. better watch out, looks like there is a new King in hip-hop

Props, ChicagoNow and NewTone

The GOAT turns 47

The greatest basketball player that has ever lived turns 47 today. Celebrate by watching highlights from Jordan’s huge 55-point game at Madison Square Garden in his comeback during the 1995 season.

Nobody, absolutely nobody will be better, so stop trying to find someone to take his place.

Jerome James should write a “Get Rich Quick” book

During the 2004-05 NBA season, the Seattle Supersonics surprised a lot of people. Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis led the Sonics to a 52-win season, and they advanced to the second round. During the playoffs, Jerome James was huge for the Sonics, averaging around 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks per night — a big stretch above his five points and three rebounds per game in 80 regular season starts.

His 11-game playoff outburst helped James he get paid. The following summer, James signed a five-year $30 million deal with the New York Knicks (adding to the legacy of the Isiah Thomas era in New York). Considering the fact that James never averaged more than five points or four rebounds per game his entire career, overpaid was an understatement.

Since signing the contract, James has been downright awful. In his first two seasons in New York he played in 96 games, only starting 20 of them — the last two seasons, he’s only played in four games combined. He was traded to Chicago last February and has yet to play a single game for the Bulls. In addition to barely playing these past five seasons, his numbers have also been pure crap. James never averaged more than three points, two rebounds or even a single block since he signed with the Knicks back in 2005.

Lastly, it looks like he may have gained some weight since he left Seattle for the big bucks. If that wasn’t the easiest $30 million ever earned by a human, I don’t know what is.

Props, Jose3030