Lessons We Wish We Could Unlearn from 2012-13 NBA Season
For as many spectacular game-winning shots and sensational single-game performances the NBA regular season typically delivers, there are just as many occurrences that leave us scratching our heads.
More specifically, they’re occurrences that would have been better off unseen or unheard.
Take last season, for instance. If the lockout-shortened season wasn’t bad enough, we also learned that sleeping on your teammate's couch could be the key to NBA success, LeBron James might not have the worst hairline in the league and being posterized once just isn’t enough.
How could the NBA possibly follow that up in 2012-13?
Well, with the regular season coming to a close in less than a week, the league has already had its fair share of gems this year.
Kevin Garnett Is Still the Most Creative Trash Talker in the NBA
1 of 5There are no holds barred when it comes to trash talk in the NBA.
The Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett knows that better than anyone else.
Throughout his illustrious 17-year career, Garnett has won nearly every accolade possible. He’s a 15-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA First Team selection and an NBA champion. Still, there’s nothing Garnett does more proficiently than trash talk.
So when news broke that New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony was accusing him of crossing the line during a Jan. 7 contest, nobody doubted it for a second.
In fact, Anthony was so distraught with the on-court banter that he actually confronted Garnett in the bowels of Madison Square Garden. (via TMZ)
But what could get Anthony so riled up?
Well, according to speculation from Black Sports Online’s Robert Littal, Garnett told the Knicks superstar that his wife “tastes like Honey Nut Cheerios.”
What?
Anthony would neither deny nor confirm the rumors. But when asked what Garnett said to upset him, he replied: “There’s some things as men that you just don’t say” (via ESPN New York’s Ian Begley).
However, Garnett is no stranger to crossing the line.
Back in 2010, he made airwaves for reportedly calling Charlie Villanueva a “cancer patient.” Villanueva suffers from alopecia universalis, a medical condition that causes hair loss. Garnett denied the claims.
Whatever the case, the 36-year-old seems to relish in toying with opponents. Seeing Anthony’s tantrum must have only brought a smile across his face.
Unfortunately for Garnett, Anthony got the last laugh. New York won the remaining three games of the season series against the Celtics by an average margin of victory of 12.3 points.
There's No Love Lost Between Lil Wayne and the Miami Heat
2 of 5If you didn’t already have a reason to dislike rapper Lil Wayne, pay attention.
During the Feb. 10 showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, Wayne once again found himself in the headlines. No, it wasn’t because he was performing at halftime. This time around, it was because he was busy being escorted out of AmericanAirlines Arena.
Never one to shy away from the center of attention, Wayne accused the Heat of having him thrown out simply for “rooting 4 da Lakers.”
On the contrary, according to the Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds, the Heat released a statement saying that Wayne chose to leave the arena on his own.
The exact cause of his departure still remains up in the air. However, don’t expect to see the Young Money millionaire at an NBA game anytime soon.
At a Houston show soon after the incident, Wayne let loose on a tirade. After leading several chants against both Miami and the league, the rapper went on to claim that he had been banned from attending any future NBA games. (via the Smoking Section)
Oh, and he also revealed that he slept with Chris Bosh’s wife.
Many people tuned out of hip-hop for the sole purpose of getting away from Wayne and his obnoxious antics. Let’s hope the NBA can prevent the same thing from occurring with basketball.
A ban is a fantastic start.
Short-Sleeve Jerseys Just Don't Cut It
3 of 5Tight, short shorts didn’t last too long in the NBA. Instead, they were surpassed by longer, baggier versions.
So what made Adidas think that skintight jerseys, fully equipped with sleeves, were going to be a hit?
During their Feb. 22 matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, the Golden State Warriors unveiled Adidas’ latest creation: a yellow alternate uniform with short sleeves. In doing so, they became the first team in the modern NBA era to play in something other than a tank top.
I'm pretty sure there was a good reason that no other team had attempted it beforehand.
But while the Warriors players don’t seem to mind the change, others haven’t been as understanding.
In a Sportsnation poll, only 52 percent of fans voted in favor of Golden States’ latest threads. Furthermore, USA Today’s Chris Chase has said the uniforms “look as dumb as you’d think.” The New York Daily News seemed to agree, dubbing the new look as one of sports' all-time ugliest uniforms.
What else did you expect?
Watching the Warriors players come out of the tunnel with these things is reminiscent of the Average Joes taking the floor in the final scene of DodgeBall. Except it’s a lot less dramatic and awesome.
For an NBA team trying to battle its way to respectability, this is surely not the path they should be taking.
The NBA Isn't Immune to Cultural Plagues
4 of 5Much like Rick Astley’s “Never Going to Give You Up,” PSY’s “Gangnam Style” and Rebecca Black’s “Friday,” chances are you’ve probably come across a “Harlem Shake” video or two. Heck, your grandma and grandpa have probably uploaded a version of their own by now.
But in case you’ve been living under a rock these last couple of months, the kind folks at Harlemshakeroulette.com have put together a nice collection for you.
Unfortunately, the Shake has made its way into the NBA.
On Feb. 12, the Phoenix Suns got the ball rolling by posting up their own version via the team’s official Youtube account. Pretty soon the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors followed suit. Even the cast of Inside the NBA got in on the action.
The videos depict a single person dancing, while everyone else goes about their regular routine. Once the beat drops, it’s full-blown mayhem, with people parading around everywhere in ridiculous costumes.
What’s the point of these videos again?
However, San Antonio Spurs’ center Boris Diaw took it a step further.
Utilizing stop-motion animation, Diaw took a vast collection of Legos and brought it to life. Characters depicted in Lego form include: Batman, Superman, Spiderman and even a squid.
It’s easily the best the NBA has to offer. It's arguably even the best version in general.
It almost makes the whole fad bearable. Almost.
Somewhere, Gregg Popovich has got to be thinking: “If only he put that same amount of hard work and dedication into his preparation for our games.”
Sorry, Pop. Diaw is on to bigger and better things.
David Stern Must Really Hate the New Orleans Hornets
5 of 5Mr. Stern, what did the New Orleans Hornets ever do to you?
Beginning next season, the Hornets will be known as the New Orleans Pelicans. The team made the official announcement via NBA.com on Jan. 24.
It was a change that was expected ever since owner Tom Benson purchased the franchise back in 2012.
But the Pelicans? Really?
Sure, the reasoning makes sense. Benson wanted to move the team in a direction that spoke to the state’s heritage a little more directly. Since the pelican is the state bird and Louisiana’s official nickname is the “Pelican State,” Benson was sold.
The fact that he couldn’t find anything else that better ties into Louisiana’s history, and I mean anything, is completely baffling.
Where’s the commissioner with his veto button when you really need it?
Instead, Stern has previously stated that he would help New Orleans expedite the process. With the name and logo already in place, it looks like he kept up his end of the bargain.
Let’s keep in mind that this is the same guy who nullified a three-team trade last season that would have benefited the Hornets. The deal called for the team to give up disgruntled point guard Chris Paul in exchange for three proven NBA talents—Kevin Martin, Luis Scola and Lamar Odom—and a 2012 first-round draft pick.
It all gives way to the theory that New Orleans must be a running joke among Stern and his group of buddies.
There’s really no other explanation.
