NBA Gear: Miami Heat Reveal New Black Jerseys; Warriors Also Show Off New Anniversary Patch

I love media day sessions. Why? Because that’s usually when the everyday basketball fan gets to find out whether or not teams will be showing off their new jerseys, ect. The Utah Jazz were the first to show off their new forest green unis, then you know the Kings had to reveal those new dope black jerseys (same link, just scroll to the bottom) with script lettering. Brought out yesterday, the Miami Heat have another arsenal added to their already stacked squad: all black with white outlining. Peep the photo below for the first look at South Beach’ new gear.

The Golden State warriors also revealed a little somethin’ somethin’ on their new jerseys: a new 50-year anniversary patch near the right shoulder. Rumor has it that the Mavs still have to show off their new alternate jerseys, Toronto also and a few throwbacks, not including the 2012 All-Star game uniforms.

John Wall’s Ready To Lead Washington

I’ll admit it, I wasn’t sold completely as everyone else was when John Wall decided to leave Kentucky after one season and head to the big leagues. I thought his jump shot was weak (although I knew he could improve overtime), he was inconsistent offensively and took too many 3s when he wasn’t good at them, and I felt he was a little overhyped because of the players he was surrounded by at that time (DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson and Eric Bledsoe). So yeah, I was a little hard on Wall, but who am I? He doesn’t care about me. I’m just another blogger on the outside looking in. But I’ll tell you one thing: he even shocked the overhypes by playing that good.

In 69 games last season, Wall averaged 16.4 points per game, 8.3 assists and 1.8 steals in 37 minutes. Those are outstanding numbers for a rookie, especially when you’re the best player on the team. As a rookie. He had a 19 point, 15 assist game in a win against Utah, and a career-high 32 points in a losing effort on the road against Blake Griffin. The kid might be the fastest thing I’ve seen with a basketball since Allen Iverson (Monta slowed down a bit). He’s only 21 years old and leads a team that has seven players 23 years or younger. How crazy is that? Despite the 66 game season this year, Wall feels healthy and ready to push the pace in order to succeed:

“I feel this is my year to break out,” Wall said.

“I’m 100 percent now. I’m way better than I was. I’m feeling the same way I felt when I first started playing here last year. I got goals set for myself, but I don’t like talking about it. I’m focusing on team goals. All the elite point guards in the league right now, they all are winners. They care about your stats here or there, but if you’re winning games and take your teams and considered championship kind of teams, that’s what it’s all about.”

Wall’s hard work has never been in question (kid plays his ass off), but he does need more out of his teammates. He’s a pretty solid defender already but he needs guys like Andre Blatche and JaValee McGee to mature as fast as he did. He needs guys like Nick Young (if he comes back) to focus more on defending rather than taking 20 shots a night just to earn his 20 points on the stat sheet. In fact, Wall’s hard work was recognized so well that head coach Flip Saunders gave him a construction had to wear around practice with an option of keeping it or giving it to someone else, but who else would he give it to? Who else has worked harder than him in Washington other than Mr. President?

With the offseason additions of adding two veterans in Roger Mason Jr. and Ronny Turiaf, on paper the Wizards look real nice, especially if they can bring Young back. Having easily the youngest team in the league and trying to coach it is no easy take (just ask Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris), but someone has to do it. And as long as Saunders has Wall around, his job will be a lot easier.

 

 

2011 NBA Draft Lottery Results

It looks like David Stern and the NBA felt bad for LeBron bouncing on the Cleveland Cavaliers last summer so they laced them up with the winning of this year’s NBA Draft Lottery. The Cavs were represented by Cav’s owner, Dan Gilbert’s son Nick Glibert who is seen holding the jersey above. Due to a trade, the Cavs also hold the #4 pick in the draft. This draft position leaves them in a nice position to grab some solid talent and start building for the future. Let’s hope Gilbert does the right thing and gets Derrick Williams at #1 and then either point guard Brandon Knight or combo guard Kemba Walker at #4.  Check out the rest of the lottery results below:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (from L.A. Clippers)
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Utah Jazz (from New Jersey)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
5. Toronto Raptors
6. Washington Wizards
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Detroit Pistons
9. Charlotte Bobcats
10. Milwaukee Bucks
11. Golden State Warriors
12. Utah Jazz
13. Phoenix Suns
14. Houston Rockets

Paul Millsap’s Reverse Dunk on LaMarcus Aldridge

Paul Millsap caught LaMarcus Aldridge a tad bit slow last night as he hit him with the sick reverse jam.

I’ve Been Dunked On Vol. Andrew Bogut, Theo Ratliff & Raja Bell

Technically, Raja Bell didn’t get dunked on by Dwyane Wade BUT he did get blown past for the smooth finish.  On the other hand though, Andrew Bogut and Theo Ratliff DEFINITELY got dunked on by Bill Walker and Michael Beasley.  Walker easily had the dunk of the night but check out B-Easy and Wade’s dunks after the jump.

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Sick Blake Griffin Alley-Oop On The Utah Jazz

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!  This kid Blake Griffin is a monster!  This is his second vicious alley-oop in a week and it’s only pre-season still!  If he keeps this beastly play up, the Staples Center staff will have to give the Clippers a tiny bit of respect to at least change the Lakers’ colors off of the floor.

Jordan Brand Commercial – Carmelo’s People of Utah

Jordan Brand just did some guerrilla marketing in Utah Jazz’s territory and I think only the bloggers picked it up.  This ad aired during Game 1 of the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz series and caused Jazz fans to get in an uproar only to find out that the ad was sponsored by the Jordan Brand.

Amare Stoudemire Dunks On Kosta Koufos

Deron Williams Dunks On Derrick Rose

Eventually, everyone gets got and last night it was Derrick Rose’s turn. Even though, D-Rose barely attempted to block the shot (meaning he didn’t get enough time to elevate as soon as he turned around), he still got nicely dunked on by Deron Williams.  Shouts to Dime!

Trevor Ariza Dunks On Mehmet Okur

I saw this in Sportscenter but forgot to post it until I got reminded about it on Dime Mag.  This Ariza dunk was just plain dirty.  I can’t help but feel bad for Mehmet Okur.

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