Heat vs Thunder - 2012 NBA Finals: A 'Ballers' Battle

   

Who's Down to Ball?

 

This year's NBA 'b-ball' finals, between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder, is all ball-n-swagg, baby! Finally the game 'b-ball' fans have been longing to see, a battle of young NBA greats and future champions will feature, arguably, the game's best two talents: 

  Lebron James and Kevin Durant!

While some odds and prediction makers seem eager to give Miami the nod in a seven game series, it might be a mistake to count OKC, the underdogs, out so soon and so easily. 

The Big3 in Miami -- King James, D. Wade and Bosh 
-- may be too hot to handle for the Boston Celtics, but getting into the paint won't be an acceptable proposition for the lengthy-likes of Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, and a defiant Kendrick Perkins.

If OKC can keep, either, King James or D. Wade out of the box, forcing them to take perimeter shots, Oklahoma will likely earn their first NBA title. 

Considering Chris Bosh is just getting back to business, helping Miami advance to the finals with a solid performance against Boston in game seven, it's too soon to expect CB to remain healthy, as the series against the Thunder becomes more turbulent and physically challenging. 

The Thunder are a tight crew of young, hungry, athletic, fast, and way-too-talented bunch to be intimidated by Miami's brand of heat-game. No doubt, Batman and Robin (James and Wade) and the rest of the Heat can put-it-down with great athleticism and skill, too, but the bulk of Miami's "heat" is generated by these two heroic stars.

If just one of them, Bosh, James or Wade, isn't on-point throughout a series of fast-breaks served-up by OKC's thunder & lightening speed, the Heat's dynamic duo, along with their starting center, may just have to settle for champions of NBA-swagg-fashion.

And  the 'X' factor  no one seems to notice, except Oklahoma's coaching staff; the veteran leadership, experience, game I.Q., and poise of 5-Time NBA champ, Derek Fisher (aka: D-Fish), who is just as
determined to help his team earn [the] bling...and sport another NBA Championship ring on his 6th finger. 

Blame it on Kupchak, Kobe! 

Had it not been for Fisher's, "as usual", clutch play and court leadership, during an entire 4th quarter of game seven against the Spurs, the inexperienced Thunder were looking to self-destruct and possibly see another opportunity to be known as Kings of The Court, slip through their fingers.

Against a Miami offense fully heated and healthy, mental toughness and focus, fueled by a will-to-win and 'gotta-get-mine' attitude, must be OKC's most potent invisible weapon against  the 'zone' factor, or rhythm & flow of [the] D. Wade-King James connection.

Perhaps their "connection" will be disco'd by OKC's "quiet storm", represented by two young bolts of lightening:

Russell Westbrook and James Harden 

Hands down, Miami gets Ballerswagg's nod for Team with Most Swagg, but OKC...them boys look like they want it more, and could care less about swagg; they want that title. But to get it, they will have to take it from King James and Prince Wade -- who probably assume they deserve it more. Square Biz, Ballerswagg will be in the buildin'!

TicketFeeder - Basketball Tickets

  
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2K12 MIAMI HEAT

NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPS

2K12 NBA FINALS GAME SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES EASTERN):


G1: Miami @ Oklahoma City (Tues., June 12, 9p)

G2: Miami @ Oklahoma City (Thrs., June 14, 9p)

G3: Oklahoma City @ Miami (Sun., June 17, 8p)

G4: Oklahoma City @ Miami (Tues, June 19, 9p)

G5: Oklahoma City @ Miami (Thrs., June 21, 9p)

G6: Miami @ Oklahoma City (Sun., June 24, 9p)

G7: Miami @ Oklahoma City (Tues., June 26, 9p)

2K12 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPS

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The Return of Allen Iverson to 'Philly Love' at Game 6 of NBA Playoff and Wants to 'Ball' Pro Again

   

Before game six of the 2K12 NBA playoffs, between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, eleven-time All-Star, Allen Iverson (aka:  The Answer) returned to his court of greatness, in the City of Brotherly Love, to deliver the game ball and no-doubt a splash of good luck.

And that luck was bankable as the 76ers beat Boston and now look forward to game seven, and hopefully advancing to face their next opponent in the eastern conference. 

But the real story is 'The I' and his possible return to the NBA. Say what? Yes sir! According to reports, during an interview with Iverson, he said the following:

“I’m not using that word (retirement)…” he said. “The way it is right now, I’ve accepted the fact that (returning to play in the NBA) might not happen. But I still want to play basketball. If I can get an opportunity to where it’s going to make me happy at the end of my career, I’ll take that opportunity. But I just love to play and I want to have another opportunity to play on the professional level.” 

Although returning to the pro ranks of the NBA might not happen like 'The Answer' wants it to, as far as fans and ballers are concerned...

"'The I' gets much love in Philly!"

Monday's Top 10 NBA Plays

Monday night 'b-ball' was hot around NBA! 

First up is your boy, 'King James' with a mean lean-in dunk.

Next, Andre Iguodala, "holla", drives down the middle for an easy put-down. 

At number eight, and maybe this play should have been numero-uno, at number 10, cause 'VC' -Vince Carter looked like Barry Sanders shaking and faking through defenders, then finishes with a nasty rim blaster - aaahhh!  

A power play by Joakim Noah nets him the number seven position. 

The clean-up man, George Hill was feelin' it after a nice two-hand put-back slam, which placed him in seat 6. 

Smack dab in the middle, at position five, and worth every bit of fans' expectations -- 'Big Red', 'BG' - Black Griffin hits an acrobatic spin, off-the-glass, and-1, ringer; yeah dat!  

Derrick Williams occupies pn4 with a 'for-realla' right hand power jam. 

But quite nicer than he was a so-sick-wit-it facial slam by 'Double-J' - James Johnson. 

At number 2, Randy Foye showed major heart, rhythm and soul when he straight took it to the rack with super 'funk'. 

RF was in the building, playa! And finally, Paul Millsap takes baseline and makes crucial two-hand put-down to send game into O.T. 

 

2012 NCAA Final Four Team Highlights

Finally down to the Final Four in the 'Big Easy'. Which squad has juice to win it all?

  

University of Kentucky - Wildcats:

University of Louisville - Cardinals:

Ohio State University - Buckeyes:

University of Kansas - Jayhawks:

Landus Anderson - True 'B-Ball' Inspiration with Big Heart Game!

 SPECIAL REPORT: 

With all the well deserved hype surrounding 'J-Lin' (Jeremy Lin, point guard - New York Knicks), good news about 'ballers' on big stages always gets plenty of press. 

But just because million dollar players get the added benefit of media attention, it doesn't mean big game and, more importantly, big heart b-ballers don't exists elsewhere - on smaller and less well known courts. 

Surfing the net we discovered a young cat from Tallahassee, Florida with major game, heart and swagg, despite his obvious "so-called" physical limitation. Who is he? 

          The Name:  Landus Anderson

                                           'The One Arm Assassin'  

                          
The Game:  Basketball (B-Ball)

  Anderson - 'The One Arm Assassin'

Don't get it twisted, although 'LA' has nerve damage in his right arm, just imagine what he'd do with both arms fully automic; he gets his - fuh sho - against the toughest defenders'. Rebounds, too? Yeah boy!  

Aight, hold up, Landus does have his doubters -- those who fear he may not be able to handle playing with and against college players, but his coach is highly confident that if given an honest opportunity - his specially inspired player will hold his own. 

Landus Anderson - Heart, Leader, Baller!

Averaged: 21.5 ppg and 8 assists (last summer to lead his team to final four)

2.5 blocked shots

2.9 steals

The game is 10% hustle, 90% mental toughness -- believe that!

So check it, if you agree that this kid deserves an honest look and opportunity to shine at the next level, as well as pursue his educational goals, let us and the world know about it. Let's support this youngster, and others like him, as much as we support million dollar 'ballers' like Jeremy Lin. One love!

Veteran AAU Coach, Curtis Miller said this about Landus:

"He's a talent. He can shoot outside, he can take it inside, he can overpower you skill wise, has basketball IQ. The sky is the limit."

"If dude got skills and is given the opportunity he deserves for his hard work and dedication to the game -- let him shine and don't hate. That's keepin' it realer-than-real...that's hip-hop!" ~T.F. Hodge

Jeremy Lin: Knick's point guard emerges as NBA's 'new jack' hype!

Lately, it seems, everybody (NYC fans, especially) is feelin' the 'buzz' from the b-ball style of the NBA's most recent hype - the 'linsanity' of point guard, Jeremy Lin!  

So what's up with all the hype? Is this new-jack, 'J-Lin', really the master of 'b-ball swing & flow' that Knick fans and analysts are so geeked about? Will he continue to kick masterful game on-the-court, or will his "hype" hollow-out just as fast as Yao Ming's did? 

Other than a Harvard University grad,  

              "who is this kid?"
 

Before he served the Lakers, [KB] Kobe Bryant knew of Lin, but he admitted he wasn't aware of all the hype surrounding Lin's game, and why. "Who is this kid?", he asked reporters during an interview. Um...KB and the Lakers are much more aware of J-Lin's 'get-down' after losing to the Knicks (92 - 85) on Feb.10.2K12. "'Linsanity' was in full bloom at Madison Square Garden" as 'Liny-Lin' put up a career high 38 points and seven assists. 

"The only thing we established tonight was getting four in a row and we're going for five tomorrow."  ~Jeremy Lin

Is his production so 'all-that', and if so, is his game contributing to wins that will likely result in post-season play-off appearances by the Knicks this year?

All these questions come as no surprise whenever a team struggles, but suddenly discovers a diamond in the rough. On one of the sports and entertainment world's biggest stages, Jeremy Lin is gettin' his major ball-n-swagg on (yeah, we heard he thinks he can do 'The Dougie', too). 

Not completely sold on his hip-hop moves, but after checkin' Lin's highlights, stats, and journey to NBA stardom - homie just might be the real deal, but time, a few all-star game appearances, and definitely an NBA championship ring, will no doubt be [his] ultimate judge. 

As any person of noteworthiness might expect, Lin also has his share of 'haters' (ignorant racists) and, at the least, doubters. But at the moment, 'JL' appears to be legitimately on fire, as the Knicks continue to ride his flow to recent victories. And by the way, Nike is diggin Lin's style so tough -- you can expect to see a fresh pair of 'Lin-kicks' coming soon to a hood near you!


'J-Lin' on CNN:

Kickin'-it with 'J-Swagg':  "A Day in the life"

Jeremy Lin 

(aka:  J-Lin, JL, J-Swagg, J, Liny-Lin, New-Jack Swing)

DOB:  08.23.1988
POB:  Los Angeles, CA (grew up in Palo Alto)
College:  Harvard University (economics major)

High School:  Palo Alto
Listed Height:  6 ft, 3 in
Listed Weight:  200 lbs
Unit:  New York Knicks
Position:  Point Guard
Career High:  38 points
PPG:  12.7
APG:  5.1

"The last Ivy League player to play in the NBA was Yale's Chris Dudley in 2003, while the last Harvard player in the league was Ed Smith in 1954. After graduating from Harvard University, Lin went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft. Eight teams had invited Lin to predraft workouts." [Source:  Wikipedia]

Blake Griffin's Monster Slam over Kendrick Perkins sparks passionate debate about best 'slam-dunk artist'

 BG:  The Definition of 'Posterize-Pimpin'!

Given all the well deserved hype surrounding the recent 'posterizing' featuring a 'monsterfied' dunk by L.A. Clippers starting center - Blake Griffin (BG), over Thunder's big man - Kendrick Perkins, it was no surprise to witness passionate debates about Blake's assault on Perkins being the 'dunk-dogg-dunkster' of the year, at familiar places like the 'hood' barbershop today. 

Young and old cats, who love the game of 'b-ball', argued for and against Griffin's dunk being slam of the year -- considering the year is still young. As to be expected, the discussion broadened into best dunk/slam-artist in the NBA. 

Of course, Blake was mentioned in this part of the chit-chat, as well. So what's your opinion? Was BG's slam the tightest dunk in the NBA this year? And to follow up: Who is the NBA's best dunk/slam-artist - period? 

The Aftermath of Blake's Jan.2K12 Assault

 

As the topic continued, names and big-swagg identities like Dawkins, Dr. J, 

MJ (Michael Jordan), (KB) Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, D. Wade, Big Shaq, Chocolate Thunder, Wilkins, King James, Stoudemire, D. Howard, Shawn Kemp, KG (Kevin Garnett), Downtown Shannon Brown

and many others were shouted from, and in no time short, a room full of barbershop regulars.

Like most non-moderated barbershop conversations, someone extended the talks by asking about distinctions between best dunks during a game and those performed during official [dunk] contests. 

It's a discussion, no doubt, that continued well after me and my 'baller-homie' finished gettin' our tops tapered-up and faded. So rather than make an endorsement for top 'slam-dogg', based on more than enough legitimate variables and circumstances, we decided to digg for some of the best quality video highlights we could find, and let you decide who is the NBA's 'King of Dunksville'. The clips include game and dunk contest highlights featuring dominant and creative NBA slams!

Feel free to consider style or swagg when deciding which player does his 'thang' with the best hustle, muscle... and flow. 

To help refresh your memory about the 'get-down', check out a few random examples of a 'jumpin-jams-gumbo-mix' of dunks and slams performed by the NBA's finest hardwood fly-guys and 'hard-in-the-paint' dunk 'doggs': 

Okay, is that enough to refresh memories? Although several worthy players may have been overlooked, a diss to none, due to time and space limitations, hopefully it's enough evidence to fuel the fire for further debate. After all, as time progresses, who knows who'll be tomorrow's next [top] NBA 'Dunk Dominator'.

If you can find better evidence don't hesitate to hit us up, or post to comments, loved one!

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Check Blake Griffin and fellow 2K12 NBA All-Star 'Swagg Mobb' members!

Who has NBA's highest 'B-Ball' IQ?

“Having a high basketball IQ is like having the answers to a test,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “I honestly think it’s a feel thing. For the kids with the most basketball smarts – the kids with the best feel for the game – most of the stuff just comes naturally.”

A player with a high b-ball IQ is like having the head coach multiply his spirit in various forms on the court. If not a few, at least one individual, a team's point guard usually, like quarterbacking a football team, must know and expect what his coach, fellow players and he himself wants, and when. While the game of hoops has witnessed great athletes, fewer have possessed such rare qualities as the ability to seemingly "see" where others on the court cannot.   

Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Isaiah Thomas and John Stockton come to mind when considering some of the most dominant 'all-seeing-eye' ballers in NBA history. 

But 2012 NBA pro's have a few good picks of their own with regard to current players, and their high IQ status. After checkin'-out these featured NBA-YouTube videos, who would your top pick for the NBA player with the highest IQ be?

NFL and NBA Hardest Hits and Highlights on YouTube!

Yeah ballers! What's a site about football or basketball without action-packed highlights loaded with swag? Other than whack, we sure don't know, but we ain't one of them. Here's a couple of YouTube videos worth watching and shouting "oohs" and "aahs" too. Check it! 

NFL's 2007 - 2010 Hardest Hits

 

NBA's 2010 - 2011 Top Dunks

L.A. Laker Kobe Bryant Puts In Work Against Phoenix Suns

Say what you will about KB (Kobe Bryant), especially about his off-the-court lack of swagger when it comes to snitchin' on his teammates and pillow talkin' about another grown man's business, love him or hate him, on-the-court, he's top notch and still one of the NBA's best performers - hands down! 

"Tim Legler breaks down Kobe Bryant's impressive performance against the Suns" and his continued dominance in spite of his age, health and injuries, and a new style of b-ball flow, instituted by new Laker coach, Mike Brown. 

Continuing to make NBA history, Kobe ranks third on the NBA's 'Most 40 Point Games' (104) behind Michael Jordan (173) and the big dogg - Wilt Chamberlain (271). 

Ballerswagg: Hip-Hop, Ball and 'Swagg'!

Ballerswagg:  a society of basketball and football enthusiasts who dig the cool vibes of hip-hop/rap and urban flow. From tight beats, rhymes and metaphors, to off-the-hook b-ball dunks, to the coldest football receptions and tackles - we get it in, urban style. 

News, cuts, clips, articles, pics, and a 'flip-mode' few exceptions added to the mix, cause that's a baller's get-down, is what we represent! Anything having to do with, or related to, the status of 'baller', 'ballin', 'swag' or 'swagger', and urban pop culture, you'll find it here at BS. We dare to get our swagg on!