Ridiculous Basketball Shot

LeBron James, Dwight Howard, step aside. Y'all got skills but this kid just one-upped ya.

Introducing Warriors' Guard Monta Ellis. Who? The new frontrunner for "trick shot of the year".

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Kobe, Lebron, Santa

Nike kicks some holiday lyrics through the majesty of puppets.

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LAKERS UP TO THE TASK OF REPEATING???

The NBA season opened this past Tuesday night. And the question on everyone’s mind is, ‘Can The Lakers Repeat?’ Well, what do you think? Do you think the healthy and extremely improved San Antonio Spurs can knock the Lakers from atop the Western Conference? With the addition of Richard Jefferson, and Manu, Duncan and Parker healthy, the Spurs have upgraded immensely. But so have the Lakers. With the addition of Ron Artest, the Lakers have a defensive stopper who can score when needed as well. Not to mention a healthy Andrew Bynum who is only going to get better. And never bet against any team that has Kobe Bryant. The one thing that might hurt the Lakers though is the marriage of Lamar Odom. What was he thinking? Will he be ready to play every night, or will his mind be on the fact he didn’t take out the trash before he left for the game and wifey was nagging the hell out of him? It remains to be seen.

In the East, you have the dreaded Boston Celtics who have upgraded with Rasheed Wallace and getting a healthy Kevin Garnett back is a huge boost. Orlando lost Turkolu, but they did go out and acquire Vince Carter. It remains to be seen if Carter will be an upgrade or a hindrance. Cleveland went and got Shaq. My comment. Big deal. He is still 70 lbs over his Laker playing weight and is another year older. Will he slow down Lebron or complement Lebron’s game? Shaq could not co-exist with Kobe or Duane Wade in Miami. I give Lebron and Shaq two months before Shaq tries to steal some of Lebron’s press. Lamar Odom’s marriage will last longer than Lebron and Shaq will. All in all it should be a great season.

And yes, Automated Man is picking the Lakers to repeat.

From "King" To Pouty Little Baby In One Night

LeBron, Leading Isn't Optional

Im sure most of you guys have played in some sort of athletic competition. Im sure some of you guys have been the best player on your team or the Captain of your team. Im also sure you have lost a heartbreaker. Lost a game that probably put you in a bad mood for a couple days afterwards. I know from experience after you lose a tough game its extremely hard to cope with the loss. But LeBron James should have. He had a chance to show us all a very valuable lesson.

But where was the Cleveland Cavalier's leader LeBron James? Where was the League MVP? He was the first one out of the locker room, the first one on the bus, the first one on the plane. I would expect this out of O.J Mayo or Derrick Rose but not LeBron James, the leader and Captain of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the "Purported Greatest Basketball Player To Ever Walk The Planet." You don't lead just when your team wins, you don't get to pick and choose when to be a leader. Being a leader and Captain is a 24/7 job, either accept it or give it to someone more deserving. I dont recall Michael Jordan ever doing this. Or Magic Johnson. Or Larry Bird. You want to walk with kings, act like a king. Not some spoiled little brat.

Okay, so he didn't shake the Magic's hands after they knocked Lebron and The Cavaliers out of the playoffs. I don't like it at all but I can understand it, even though it shows immaturity, poor sportsmanship and lack of respect for his competitors (reminds me of Bill Bellicheat). But, what I don't like is him not speaking to the media, not because I think the media deserves to hear from him, but because as the leader and spokesperson of the team, and "the greatest leader of everyone in the free world" he should have been there for his TEAM. He sure seems to take all of the glory after victories, but not in tough defeats? Instead there was Mo Williams. Mo fricking Williams? Hes your leader? Hes the guy that speaks for your team? No, it is, and should have been LeBron James.

If you are going to air guitar and joke and laugh and celebrate after wins with your team, and laugh and joke with the media after wins, you need to be there for your team when they go down in defeat, and make yourself available to the media as well. You don't think the other Cavs were feeling the same way as LeBron? They did not have the luxury of skipping out in post game interviews, they had to stay and be reminded that they just lost their chance at an NBA championship. Some leader.

Lebron James just took his ball and went home when he should have stood up and became a man. Instead, Lebron James showed the world just what he is. An arrogant, self absorbed brat. He embarrassed himself, his teammates, his organization and his family. League MVP? Not anymore. They should take away his crown and give it to Kobe Bryant, who was a close second to him in the voting. Whether in defeat or victory, watch what a leader does after the Magic - Lakers series. Whether it be Kobe or Dwight Howard. Watch them show what true leadership, sportsmanship, and respect for others is all about. Watch them show you what true class and dignity for the game mean. Not just Basketball, but all sports.

Go home Lebron. Go fishing. Take your ball and think about it. You have a few months now to dwell on what it means to be a man and a leader of men. I for one am going to return my Nike apparrel. I am embarrassed to wear it. Or buy anything that is promoted by Lebron James. When he had his chance to stand up and show true leadership, he ran out. Sadly, most will forgive him when they should villify him. He could have taught us all a great lesson. And now, we as his former subjects, should be the one teaching him a lesson. It is a sad day indeed in the world. What is sad, is he will continue to garner millions, because he can put a ball through a hoop. It was a pleasure to watch him play, now i will never ever watch any game he is a participant in.

And now 48 hours after his "Spoiledness" has had time to apologize and admit his mistakes, he still does not get it. Shame on his Coach. Shame on his GM. Shame on the Owner of the Franchise. Shame on his Agent. Shame on his Management Team. Shame on the NBA. Mostly shame on us. For we will forgive him. Not because he has apologized, but because he can still put that little ball through some hoop. It is a very sad day indeed.

NBA Playoffs - Where Amazing Is Happening

If you haven’t tuned into the NBA playoffs this year you are missing out. Playoff basketball is really like a new season of the NBA. In the West there was the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, with the Lakers recently advancing. In the East the Cavaliers have been battling the Orlando Magic. These last four teams represent what the NBA is all about, Super Stars. The Lakers have Kobe Bryant, the Nuggets have Carmello Anthony, the Cavaliers have LeBron James, and the Magic have Dwight Howard. Each player has put his team on his back and carried them into and through the playoffs.

Carmello Anthony has arrived. The young Nuggets forward has shown that he can get to the basket at will and hit contested jumpers. Carmello gives teams fits when he gets into the paint. He is just too strong and a very effective free-throw shooter. He stepped up in the fourth quarter of games by taking on the challenge of guarding Kobe Bryant. He will be a familiar face in the Western Conference playoffs for years to come.

Dwight Howard, Superman, has patrolled the paint with a voracity not recently seen in the playoffs. In the pivotal game 4 of the series, Howard scored 10 points in the overtime period, and led his team to victory. Howard has unfortunately been in foul trouble most of the series. He needs to figure out his problems with fouls as the Magic are a much stronger team defensively and offensively with him on the floor. The Magic have surrounded Howard with three point shooters. Imagine if Howard could learn to limit his turnovers and pass out of double teams?

LeBron James, The King, has pretty much played the Magic 1 on 5. He is scoring at will and in Game 5 either scored or assisted in all of the Cleveland Cavaliers points in the fourth quarter. That is the definition of domination. Unlike in previous games in the series, LeBron did not turn the ball over, made his free throws and hit his jump shots. If LeBron can hit his jump shots he is un-guardable. This year he has stepped up defensively and has worked on becoming an average jumpshooter and average from the free-throw line.

Kobe Bryant, The Black Mamba, has brought his team back to the NBA Finals. During the Western Conference finals, Kobe led his team when they grew cold from the field and got his team involved in the game when they were shooting well. Kobe could not be stopped, he had the Nuggets defense at his mercy. George Karl was quoted as saying “I think Jesus would've had trouble covering him” about Kobe Bryant. His game is complete. From the post to the three point line, Kobe is dangerous no matter where he is on the court.

Isn’t it interesting that 3 out of the 4 of these Super Stars came directly from high school? These players are here to stay. These players are to good not to be making an impact on the playoffs of the future. The NBA playoffs, Where Amazing Happens. And to make an impact in your life, dont forget to order from Automated Man. Until next time sports fans.

KOBE VS.LEBRON, DAYTONA 500

Now that the super bowl is over, what are you going to do with your couch potato Sunday’s? 

You could watch the Lakers and Cavaliers. Kobe vs. LeBron. Is it just me?, or is there anyone else out there who thinks that LeBron James is not the player everyone thinks he is. He is talented, yes, better than most in the league, but is he a complete player? NO. He can’t shoot, and in the clutch and under pressure situations he has not proven himself and usually defers the ball to someone else. And please don’t get me started about his defense. 

Yes, he does play with an assortment of journeymen and minor players. But does he make them better? Does he turn them into superstars as Jordan did Pippen? Magic did Worthy? Kobe is selfish, moody and an even bigger legend in his own mind than he is on the court. But he is a more complete player than LeBron? Kobe is a superstar among superstars. LeBron is a superstar among mere men. He has not graduated to the Super-Superstar status of Jordan, Kobe, Magic or Bird yet. I do think he will elevate his game to that level. 

Right now, he is not there yet. He is still a very young man and is still learning his craft. If he continues to work hard and improve like he has been, then he will become one of the few. Not now though. He hasn’t earned that moniker yet. He is still a Prince James, not a King James. 

By the way, next Sunday is the Daytona 500. For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, give it a try. You want to see athletes compete, just imagine the skills it takes to drive amongst 43 cars going 200 mph. Think it is easy? Then try the Richard Petty Driving Experience. You might come away with a different answer. I love Nascar. Will Jimmie Johnson repeat as Sprint Cup Champion? Let’s hope Reed Sorenson can get the Richard Petty #43 back in the winner’s circle.

And by the way, USA plays Mexico on Wednesday the 11th in a World Cup Qualifier. I think the USA will beat Mexico badly. This rivalry is becoming one of the best in International Soccer. Until next time, GO #43.