All Star Podcap: Team LeBron 148, Team Steph 145 (or, A Competitive Edge)
2018-02-19https://soundcloud.com/ctb-5/episode-162-a-competitive-edge
Well, that was exciting! After a near 40 minute detour into awfulness leading up to the NBA All Star Game, featuring misfired jokes and sour notes, the game itself was everything the two team Captains promised… and then some. In easily the best, most competitive game in a decade (and possibly even top five all time), there was a definitive defensive and aggressive edge to most of the proceedings. Plenty of guys contributed and had their moments in the spotlight, but in the end, LeBron James hit the highest of the high notes and led his recruited squad to the win. He also took home a third All Star MVP trophy for his trouble, while claiming $350k for his team’s selected LA area charity. Perhaps the most interesting storyline, in a night chock full of them, was the presence of LeBron, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Paul George on the court together… finishing the comeback win in electric and synergistic style… and doing it in a city that covets them all.
Nate and EG teamed up to break down this classic, along with the atrocities that we were subjected to pre-game, and even covered the rest of All Star Weekend. They also took a look at how LeBron’s exuberance will translate going forward in the regular season, speculate on how the playoff races might shape up in both conferences, and make a few edgy predictions.
As always, you can listen above, on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts or Google Play.
trae young gets more national exposure tonight —–will his stock RISE OR FALL —-his game / stock has been very similar to ” THE DOW JONES ” recently
1-6 with 4 points in the first half so far. He may explode in the 2nd half, who knows, but I hope Orlando or someone takes him…
Yea, he seems like an Orlando player
Having just dealt their PG & with a ton of bigs, Young majes a lot of sense for Orlando. I think we will pick before them, however. For us, I would say: 1 or 2 = Doncic/Ayton. The most talented two & most likely to help the soonest. Especially Doncic. 3 or 4 = Bamba or Jackson. Nab the rim protection. Both are freakishly agile. Jackson can even shoot some. Both can protect the rim right now. 5 = Porter. If he checks out medically, some frontcourt shooting/scoring & a coach’s son. 6-7. = Young or Bagley. Maybe Villanova Bridges.… Read more »
Tbh… any of those guys would be either a good piece to build around or to package for another star…
Good pod discussion by Nate and EG. Just listened. The rock the cradle dunk re-created by Nance Jr must have inspired LeBron to post his own recreation from All Star games 14 years apart. No doubt that James is such a bionic freak of nature we may never see again. He is setting the bar for being phenomenal this late in a career.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfZJzBphUr1/?taken-by=kingjames
Yes. And what an utter fiasco that LeBron was not at the ASG his rookie year. At the time, there was talk of the Commish creating extra spots in the game for LeBron and Carmelo. (The highlight of Carmelo’s career is being in the same class as LeBron).
Can someone post the all star teams from LeBron’s rookie year so we can get a good laugh at the people selected rather than LeBron?
2003-2004 All-Stars
Eastern conference starters:
Allen Iverson
Tracy McGrady
Vince Carter
Jermaine O’Neal
Ben Wallace
Eastern conference reserves:
Baron Davis
Jason Kidd
Paul Pierce
Michael Redd
Ron Artest
Kenyon Martin
Jamaal Magloire
Western conference starters:
Steve Francis
Kobe Bryant
Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan
Yao Ming
Western conference reserves:
Ray Allen
Sam Cassell
Andrei Kirilenko
Dirk Nowitzki
Peja Stojakovic
Brad Miller
Shaquille O’Neal
Just Vince and Dirk remain now…
And I despise the Trevor Ariva State Farm Commercial.
“Tell me why-ee?”
The thing that’s doesnt make a lot of sense about “the Andersons Got Tickets to the Game” commercial is that it seems like “The Genius Dad” lives above the arena, otherwise the time they get to the game, it should probably be close to over.
yes ( believeland )–think “L-JR ” CAN hold his own against Durant—believe that is one of the reasons they coveted him so much in that trade —I said 3 yrs ago when the lakers drafted him/ that I wish we could have got him —and then the proceeding yrs watching T.T. play compared to how ‘L-JR ” was playing made it even worse that we didn’t get him
haters gonna hate, but I liked Fergie’s anthem
You sure about that… I mean…
Well, the last couple seconds were OK.
You guys think Cavs could put Nance Jr. on KD?
Yes, but KD is going to get his. He’s too talented and too tall. You can’t stop him completely, just make him work.
Totally agree. And, the only thing that matters is the final score.
I think you can but you’ll only be able to slow him, if that.
Oh absolutely. but that’s all we are looking for, just to put someone besides Lebron on him- to spare Lebron’s legs, and KD not getting like 50 in every game of the series. It will have to be a massive team effort defensively, but I hope two guys besides Lebron (think Nance and Hood) can step up as the primary defenders on KD , just to preserve LBJ.
Jeff Green will get minutes guarding KD too.
Gaye’s Anthem may be the best of all time. For a non-standard rendition, certainly.
I think Ray Charles did an excellent non standard rendition long ago, maybe at a world series. Anyone remember?
Ooh, nice info. I will look for that.
Sure you’re not thinking of his rendition of America The Beautiful?
I think you are right.
Yeah… Fergie ain’t Marvin… not even close…
WOW, that was truly amazing. I’m more conventional with the SSB usually. I’d like silence as a form of respect for our great and sacred anthem as it is presented, but this rendition was absolutely awesome.
The cringiest moment for me was when Kevin Hart didn’t even try to pronounce Giannis last name. This is an award ceremony, you get the person’s name right…
All Star Intro’s writing was almost as poor as the writing in Black Panther :(
the 4th quarter was exciting to watch…just felt most of game was guys just shooting 3 pointers and there were not many crazy dunks…Lilliard was clearly best player on Steph’s team, there were no answers for him, he was drilling shots from 30+ feet away….i do like the new standard for the game with picking teams, gives little more pride to the game too. Fergie’s national anthem was as bad as Cavs defense against OKC….im not one of those ‘uber patriotic’ guys but if people can just sing national anthem normal, it would be okay, no need to go crazy… Read more »
congrats to LeBron and “L-JR “—YOU DID —-“THE LAND ” –PROUD —- now can we please get to thurs —miss my ” new cavs ” soooo much !!!——-OUCH —buckeyes had a rough week !!!
It makes me feel
Good to know the Cavs still employ the best basketball player in the world
If LeBron isn’t on PEDs, it’s basically inarguable that he’s the most incredible athlete in the history of professional sports. Haha I guess it’s impossible to make that claim, but his durability and ability to stay at his athletic peak for so long is basically unprecedented
Now I gotta see this National Anthem. I will say, Marvin Gaye’s national anthem at the 1983 Asg, which is totally unique and funkified, is my favorite rendition ever. However, it doesn’t follow the traditional rhythms in terms of when he hits certain notes and which he emphasizes, and that is part of what makes it amazing.
Ooof. That was painful. I give her props for trying to do something different and make it her own, but man, Marvin Gaye she is not.
I am with you John B. Marvin Gaye’s slow burn of the national anthem was just awesome. If you recall, the crowd really got into his rendition clapping along at the end. An epic performance. Totally unexpected.
The highlights of the game and the weekend for me: 1. A couple of kraken plays from Kyrie to Lebron. The last being in the clutch. 2. The laughter from the bench of Kev, Ky and Bron. Miss that so much. 3. AD honouring Boogie. 4. DBook on fire 5. DSJ with the dunk of the night (he got robbed) 6. Locking down Steph. 7. Nance represented his father and our team as well and did well. 8. Kyrie’s handles. 9. Bron MVP, on an actually competitive game. 10. Felt like a more meaningful game in terms of being competitive… Read more »
Hey, plus Oladipo’s Black Panther mask.
That movie is awesome. Highly recommended.