The 10 Commandments Of The NBA And The People Who Broke Them

Throughout the history of the NBA, there have been moments where we as fans have to take a step back and say,

"Wow....that was really pathetic."

And that is what this is dedicated to. I have taken a few moments out of the NBA's recent history that were truly pathetic, and have created "The 10 Commandments of the NBA."

As we reflect on these past moments, you can expect me to point out the teams and people who broke these commandments—who flat out "dropped the ball," so to say.

With that being said, let us begin.

No. 10—Thou Shalt Not Continue The Stupid Iverson Arm-Sleeve Trend

People who broke it: Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Vince Carter, Dwyane Wade, Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Michael Redd, Carmelo Anthony, etc.

Throughout the past couple of years, I have been disgusted with the fact that the Arm/Elbow sleeve trend that Allen Iverson started has been becoming more and more popular among the stars of the NBA. Come on guys....you're better than that.

Since when did Iverson start becoming everyone's role model? Iverson, of all people, should be the last person that the players should want to follow.

Also, the Arm-sleeve serves no purpose. None. Bagel. It's just for looks (which by the way, doesn't even look cool. It looks like they are wearing a sock on their arm.).

Let Iverson keep the trend he started. Be original.

No. 9- Thou Shalt Not Be As White Trash as Jared Zabransky

Team that broke it: The 20th Century Sacramento Kings

After seeing Zabransky, I thought that no one could be so White-Trash. But as I reflect on the past Kings team, I realize that the Kings and Zabransky have pulled into a dead heat for the paperback.

Mike Bibby, Vlade Divac, Kenyon Martin, Peja Stojakavic, Doug Christi, and Jason Williams (pictured above). 

(I know you are picturing a motorcycle gang in your head right now.)

This team could have owned their own trailer park. In fact, I think they do.

No. 8- Thou Shalt Not Behave Like a Three-Year-Old Child

Person who broke it: Dan Gilbert

You know that crazy girlfriend that throws a tantrum, cries, screams, damages things, and almost kills everyone when her boyfriend breaks up with her?

Well, that's Dan Gilbert.

After LeBron James announced that he would be leaving Cleveland to play for Miami, Dan Gilbert boiled over with unnecessary, childish comments. He called LeBron "Narcisstic", "A Coward", and "Self-Promotional." He also blamed LeBron for playoff losses, accusing him of quitting.

"This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown 'chosen one' sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And 'who' we would want them to grow-up to become." Gilbert said.

He then went on to claim:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE."

Okay Dan....How old are we? Six?

#7- Thou Shalt Not Become The "Terrell Owens" Of The NBA

Person that broke it: Allen Iverson

I hate to pick on Iverson...actually, I'm going to love it.

Allen Iverson is a prime example of how to bring down a team. The 2004 Olympic Basketball team, also known as "The Nightmare Team," was the worst team that the USA has ever had.

And Iverson was a big part of it. He was dreadful.

Then he went to Denver, and he just made them worse. When Billups was traded for Iverson however, it was a night and day difference. The Nuggest started succeeding at the Pistons started declining.

Coincidence? I think not.

The main difference between Terrell Owens and Allen Iverson is that Terrell is still good. Iverson's game just brings up more questions than "The Answer" can answer.

Yup, the truth hurts.

No. 6-Thou Shalt Not Allow A Player To Score Over 10 In Half Of A Minute

Team that broke it: San Antonio Spurs

On December, 9, 2004, the Spurs were leading the Houston Rockets by 10 points with 33 seconds left in the game. It appeared that the game was over.

But suddenly, Tracy McGrady dropped 13 points in the last 33 seconds, allowing the Rockets to defeat the Spurs 81-80.

The Spurs were a defensively solid team at the time, But it wasn't enough for McGrady's four 3-pointers (one of which was a four-point play).

T-Mac's final 3-pointer came as he stole the ball with seconds remaining, and drained the game-winning shot.

Come on San Antonio, How hard is it to guard one player for 33 seconds?

I guess pretty hard.

No. 5- Thou Shalt Not Choke In The Playoffs

Person who broke it: LeBron James

There will always be those biased LeBron-worshippers out there that will argue, but the truth is, LeBron really collapses in the post-season games. It's a fact. No doubt about it.

Game 5 of this past Celtics-Cavs series was a prime example, not to mention that he got swept in the NBA finals against the Spurs.

But I won't go into too much detail. For that, you will have to go here.

The point of the matter is that the leaugue's "MVP" has a lot more to prove, because his playoff-past has been pathetic.

No. 4- Thou Shalt Not Allow An Individual Player To Score Over 70 Points

Team that broke it: Toronto Raptors

We have seen players score 50 points. We have seen a few players score 60 points. But 81 points?! In one game?! Are you freaking kidding me?

Some NBA teams as a whole can't score 81 points in one game.

But somehow, the Toronto Raptors managed to let Kobe Bryant do it. Most teams would start double-teaming a player after they break 20 points. You would think that after 30,40,50,60,70, or even 80 points, they would have caught on.

He was the only one scoring. Heck, leave everyone else open if you have to, just don't let him break a record!

But I guess it never clicked. Oh well.

No. 3- Thou Shalt Not Make Preposterous, Over-The-Top, Guarantee

Person who broke it: Shaquille O'Neal

Look Shaq, it was really awesome when you guaranteed that Maimi would get a ring, and then they did. Really, it was.

But as the village leader from the film, "American Gangster" put it:

"Quitting while your ahead, is not the same as quitting."

That's advice that Shaq could have used plenty of times. Like when he said he would bring a ring to Phoenix. Or when he said he was going to Cleveland to "Get the King a Ring".

Come on Shaq...know when to stop.

When Tim Tebow made the "Gator Guarantee," I knew he was telling the truth. Everyone knew. And the guarantee was fulfilled.

But with Shaq's guarantees, they just feel empty. Hollow.

Shaq, this isn't the year 2000. And your not young anymore. This is getting ridiculous and outrageous. Why don't you just sit the next couple plays out?

I hope he listens.

No. 2-Thou Shalt Not Swat The Ball To Robert Horry With Two Seconds Left

Person who broke it: Vlade Divac

We all remember Lakers vs Kingsin 2002, when Kobe drove in, missed the layup, Shaq missed the put back, and then Vlade Divac swatted the ball with two seconds left on the clock.....

Of all of the millions of places the ball could have gone, it ended up going to the most clutch basketball player of all time: Big Shot Rob.

Horry sunk the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired. Of course he did. It's a given with him. It's in his DNA. The shot allowed the Lakers to advance past the Kings.

But let's back-track: Why did Divac swat the ball?

• Maybe he was scared
• Maybe he was trying to waste-time
• Maybe he doesn't even know

Haha...there's food for thought.

Vlade claimed after the game that Horry got "lucky".

You know, it's statements like that that make me wonder whether or not Vlade Divac was mentally capable of playing basketball. Why interview him? Every time he opens his mouth, stupid falls out.

Lucky? With that many game-winning shots? Not a chance.

No. 1-Thou Shalt Defend Jordan With All Thine Heart, Might, And Strength

Person who broke it: Bryon Russell

I think that the entire world knows how good Michael Jordan was. He is hands-down the best basketball player of all time. Jordan did things on the basketball court that no one had ever seen before.

Which makes me wonder...

At the end of the game, why wouldn't you guard Michael Jordan as tight as humanly possible?? In fact, why wouldn't you double-team him?!

No matter what the excuse is, it doesn't cover up the fact that Jordan sunk the game-winner on Russell.

Twice.

I just can't see how stopping MJ wouldn't be your highest priority.

It's dumbfounding.