EveryJoe » michael jordan

Greg Oden Is Done For The Season

Lyndsey D'Arcangelo — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:37:56 +0000

Is Greg Oden just unlucky or is he just injury prone?

I’d have to say both statements are true.

Oden fell and broke his left kneecap on Saturday night, playing against the Houston Rockets. Since he was drafted in 2007 by the Portland Trailblazers, the 7-foot center has suffered more injuries than some 10-year veterans.

Greg Oden suffered another injury on Saturday, and will be out for the season.

Many have compared Oden to the infamous Sam Bowie, who was selected ahead of Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA draft. Bowie, a big man himself, suffered numerous injuries while at Portland and never developed into the great player many expected him to be.

According to ESPN.com, Brandon Roy said that Oden apologized and bowed his head as he was wheeled off the court. Apparently he felt as though he had let them down.

The injuries that Oden has sustained since he had first entered the league are not his fault. Though he missed his rookie season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee, and sat out numerous games last season due to minor injuries, Oden was performing really well this season. He had finally found his game after losing weight and regaining confidence. Then, he was stopped short yet again because of another injury.

Greg Oden is one of the most genuine players in the NBA. He’s not arrogant or self-serving. He’s a team player, and works hard on and off the court. It would be great to see him finish a season intact, because his numbers would be outstanding.

Unfortunately for Portland, injuries have gotten in the way — and not just for Oden. The team is so shorthanded this season that coach Nate McMillan has had to participate in practice.

It’s a sad story, really. And my heart goes out to Oden.

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

Greg Oden Is Done For The Season

Video: Michael Jordan Hall of Fame

Stephen Kersey — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:55:37 +0000

The 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame class was inducted on Friday. Leading the way was Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player in the history of the sport. David Robinson, John Stockton, Jerry Sloan and C. Vivian Stringer completed the class. At the end of this entry, you can see the Michael Jordan Hall of Fame induction video.

Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. At the end of his career, he played with the Washington Wizards. He’s currently the man in charge of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Robinson played his entire career with the San Antonio Spurs. He won two NBA championships and is regarded as one of the classiest athletes in any sport.

Stockton and Sloan rose to fame with the Utah Jazz. Sloan has been the coach of the Jazz for more than 20 years, while Stockton became the all-time leader in assists and steals during his career in Utah.

Stringer is a women’s college basketball coach who has led three different school to the Final Four.

Here is the video of Michael Jordan getting inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame:

Post from: EveryJoe

Video: Michael Jordan Hall of Fame

NBA Hall of Fame: Class of 2009

Lyndsey D'Arcangelo — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:47:13 +0000

This weekend, a new class of honorees will be inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame. Some analysts have said that the NBA should induct Michael Jordan this year alone, because of everything he brought to the game of basketball. While Jordan certainly transcended basketball (he basically revolutionize Nike and sports apparel/advertising), I don’t think he should be singled out. The NBA Hall of Fame celebrates individuals who have brought something special to the game, not what they have accomplished outside of the game. Jordan is the “greatest basketball player of all time” (in my opinion), but there are other “great” players and coaches who deserve to be recognized.

The 2009 class of inductees includes:

MICHAEL JORDAN (His Airness, Air Jordan)
Played guard for the Bulls, Wizards

JOHN STOCKTON
Played point guard for the Jazz

DAVID ROBINSON (The Admiral)
Played center for the Spurs

JERRY SLOAN
Head coach for Bulls, Jazz
Overall Record: 1,137-751

VIVIAN STRINGER
Head coach for Cheyney, Iowa, Rutgers
Overall Record: 804-267

Enjoy these Michael Jordan highlights:

Post from: EveryJoe

NBA Hall of Fame: Class of 2009

Shaq, The Monkey On Kobe’s Back

Lyndsey D'Arcangelo — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:43:31 +0000

The question is raised season after season, and yet no legitimate answer is given.

Does Kobe need to win an NBA Championship in order to get out of the ominous shadow that is Shaquille O’Neal?

Kobe has to win a championship with out Shaq in order to get the monkey off his back.

Kobe Bryant is sick of answering the question, sick of hearing it. He’s so fed up, in fact, that he got a little spiteful this time around when he was asked about his legacy without Shaq:

“People think Shaq would have won a championship without me on that team? They’re crazy.”

Oh, snap.

Unfortunately for Kobe (and every other major superstar in professional sports) the media likes to jump onto certain, contemplative bandwagon questions and drive them into the ground. And this is the latest one.

It doesn’t matter how Kobe chooses to answer it anymore. The only way he can make it go away is by winning an NBA Championship without Shaq.

Of course, after that he’ll have to answer another burning question. “Does Kobe have to win more the six championship rings in order to finally get out of Jordan’s shadow?”

One question at a time, please.

Photo: Zuma

Post from: EveryJoe

Shaq, The Monkey On Kobe’s Back