McDonald’s All-American and prized USC recruit O.J. Mayo hasn’t even played a college game yet, and he’s already garnered quite the reputation for poor sportsmanship and prima donna behavior. It’s one thing to create some controversy on the interwebs, but it might be a little out of line when you piss off an established NBA star and, as it happens, Los Angeles golden child:
Word is pickup basketball at UCLA got heated Monday when Golden State star point guard Baron Davis engaged in some trash-talking with heralded Southern Cal freshman point guard O.J. Mayo. Davis got upset with Mayo after he didn’t respect one of Davis’ calls. Word is Davis, a native of Los Angeles, told Mayo that he doesn’t know who he is other than the fact that he wasn’t from Los Angeles and he also needed to respect a veteran’s call.
People, respect the call! You do not want to get on the bad side of The Beard.
On the other hand, from Bull Durham to Michael Jordan/Kwame Brown, one of our most favorite things ever is when veteran players put cocky young guys in their place. Call it schadenfreude.
At the end of his senior year, Luke declared for the NBA Draft, but no team was willing to roll the dice on the onetime Cardinal. In June 2006, he was drafted in the seventh round of the NBA’s D League by the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Sadly, the Skyforce was not with Luke–see what we did there?–and he was cut in December of the same year.
So, since hoops didn’t quite work out, he did what anyone would do: he turned to rap. Luke can now be known by his alias in the hip hop community. Enter … L-Dubb:
Wow, that was unexpected!
The best part of the video is the 0:16 squat at center court with two fingers pointed to a cartoon bird. That’s street cred, yo.
Ever since last night’s stirring chain of events, we’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster.
At first, we were utterly depressed, resigned that the Warriors were inevitably going to opt for another big white guy to join the likes of Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy and Todd Fuller.
Then we were absolutley elated when they chose Marco Belinelli out of nowhere. Mully, you sly fox you. The Italian guard appears to be a perfect fit in Nellie’s system. He shoots well (and often), can spread the floor, can finish on the break and might be the next Manu Ginobili.
Then we almost jumped off a bridge upon hearing that the W’s traded Jason Richardson for … Brandan Wright? Huh? Are you kidding me? Why would they trade a fan favorite, a loyal player and a pretty damn good scorer for an unproven, skinny kid who can’t shoot?
Then we were confused that the second round pick played on the national team for a country called “Gabon.” Cue the Googles. Turns out it’s a real country … in central Africa, FYI.
Then we were mad about the Wright move again. Isn’t the time to win now? He might be good later, but he was widely regarded as one of the top players not ready to contribute right away. Baron can’t hold up for more than two more years, wethinks.
Then we understood the move a bit. It gives the W’s a lot of cap space, and even though one might argue that J-Rich is the kind of player you make cap space for in the first place, perhaps the flexibility will allow the W’s to make a splash in the FA market this year or next. Rashard Lewis would certainly look pretty in a City throwback. As would Gerald Wallace.
In the end, we’re still not sure what to think about the Wright-Richardson trade, but we are sure of four things:
1. We’re firmly entrenched on the Marco Belinelli bandwagon.
2. Monta Ellis better step up.
3. The Warriors are not done wheeling and dealing.
This media-roundup video of the 1995 Draft is a little long, but full of gems, including the debate between Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace and “the safe pick,” Joe Smith. It’s downright painful at some points.
Aside from a young(er) Gary Radnich and a Mark Ibanez sighting (!), our favorite part is this Greg Papa quote: “People want to get Karl Malone and Derrick Coleman and all these great power forwards.”
The interwebs are completely abuzz with news, notes, rumors and the like regarding Thursday’s NBA Draft. With the NBA playoffs (Warriors aside) evolving into a snoozefest, the draft is the last hope for entertainment for basketball lovers everywhere … at least until the fall. So, we’d like to present a version of the draft that is sure to provide maximum entertainment. Sure it won’t happen … but you can imagine if it did!
6. Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Bogut is severely disappointed that none of the options are Australian, let alone old enough to drink, thus robbing him of a potential drinking buddy. Following their course, the Bucks opt for yet another safe pick, Georgetown’s Jeff Green.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin McHale announces that he made a promise to big man Spencer Hawes, saying that he’s got “a good feeling” about the 7′1″ white guy who barely averaged six rebounds a game. Upon hearing that Minnesota A) drafted Hawes and B) failed to get a deal done, Kevin Garnett suddenly disappears, like the world movers in Atlas Shrugged … what?
The interwebs are completely abuzz with news, notes, rumors and the like regarding Thursday’s NBA Draft. With the NBA playoffs (Warriors aside) evolving into a snoozefest, the draft is the last hope for entertainment for basketball lovers everywhere … at least until the fall. So, we’d like to present a version of the draft that is sure to provide maximum entertainment. Sure it won’t happen … but you can imagine if it did!
1. Portland Trailblazer: As soon as David Stern utters the words “Kevin Durant” on the podium, a symphony of murmurs and oohs/aahs spreads across the draft room. The camera inexplicably remains on Greg Oden, as smoke visibly emanates from the ears of the 40-year-old center who was widely regarded as the #1 pick. Durant happily struts on stage to greet Stern, but once the commissioner gives him the Blazer baseball cap, the lanky teenager buckles from the weight of the hat. Meanwhile, Portland GM Kevin Pritchard talks to Stuart Scott on ESPN, explaining that they couldn’t pass on Michael Jordan again, and that Greg Oden seemed too much like Sam Bowie. Durant goes on to become an evolved version of Glenn Robinson, while …
2. Seattle Supersonics: Fresh off his snub from Portland, Greg Oden refuses to smile for the next ten years. He goes on a workout regimen the likes of which Roger Clemens, Jerry Rice and the U.S. Marines have never seen. The following season, rookie Oden dominates the league, including a 40-point, 20-rebound game against Portland in which his vicious dunks injure the entire Blazer frontline. Oden goes on to win eleven championships (tying his idol/mentor Bill Russell) as he establishes himself as one of the best players of all-time.
Almost every team was shocked at how well Finnish point guard Petteri Koponen handled the workout. Only 18 years old, he was put up against college veterans like Taurean Green, Aaron Brooks and Sean Singletary.
Koponen, according to multiple team sources, stood out with his poise, shooting and ability to adapt his game to the speed of the workout. One executive went so far as to say he saw enough to rank Koponen as the fourth-best point guard in the draft. Others said that he was on par with [Florida point guard Taurean] Green, who also played well in the workout.
Koponen will skip the Reebok Eurocamp to continue individual workouts, and it looks like he may have a good shot at sneaking into the late first round. All of which makes it hard to understand why the Orlando pre-draft camp selection committee excluded him from the camp.
Koponen currently plays for the Honka Espoo Playboys in Finland (really). The 6″4′, 195-pound point guard has the size and strength to make it in the league and despite being only 18 and having no college experience, has been repeatedly described as “polished.” It’s pretty impressive that the Finn can hold his own with the college-tested point guards. Plus, he looks like one of the Hansen brothers. Hooray Suomi!
So much going on in the sporting world, so here’s a quick recap of the state of athletic events:
Florida beat Ohio State handily to win a second national championship. Greg Oden looked like a 35-year-old man, but he dominated the game, despite OSU’s loss. He finally looked like the franchise center that was advertised. Everytime he dunked, his feet swung up a violent motion. Someone’s gonna get hurt one day. As for Florida, well, we still hold some animosity for those two UCLA beatings, Joakim Noah’s hair/swagger (he had a terrible game, so that made us feel a little better) and the whole state of “Florida,” but we have to give them credit. It’s a feel-good story. The kids eschewed millions of dollars to come back to school and win another championship. And they did. Respec’.
The A’s lost 4-0 to Seattle. Dan Haren pitched well, but a big inning for the M’s (spurred by the second of shortstop Bobby Crosby’s two errors) was all they needed. Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez, 20, looked like a stud in the making: 8 innings, 3 hits, 12 strikeouts. Wow. Just wow. He’ll win a Cy Young soon. Just a feeling.
And today’s winner for “creepiest clown photo” goes to …
Anyway, last night was the annual McDonald’s All-American game, showcasing the best high-school hoopsters from around the nation. Kansas St-bound Michael Beasley earned MVP honors as the West beat the East 114-112. UCLA top recruit Kevin Love looked good as well, adding 13 points and six rebounds.
But the real story was the all-around ineptitude of OJ Mayo. As you might be able to tell, we have a little bias against the USC-bound kid, but we’re not the only ones. Mayo, who has received created an inordinate amount of hype with his prima donna ways, went 4 for 17 from the floor and missed the potential game-winner. Also, the crowd booed him, which is nice. Nothing like despising a teenager. Come to think of it, we liked OJ Mayo better when he was named JR Rider.
Luke Whitehead came to San Francisco sometime in the fall of 1996. He arrived at St. Ignatius College Prep as the next Kevin Garnett, a freshman prodigy. He dominated the WCAL, even as a freshman, and led SI in some very successful years. Prior to his senior year, he bolted the Bay to play at a fancy hoops academy (Oak Hill, VA), only to resurface soon thereafter at the University of Louisville. Under Rick Pitino, Whitehead averaged 9.10 points per game while enjoying solid playing time throughout his four years, including Third Team All-Conference honors in his final season.
After his college career, Whitehead did not get drafted by an NBA team. He tried out for some teams (including the Clippers) before the 2004 season to no avail.
In 2006, Whitehead was a seventh-round draft pick by the NBA Development League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce. He was waived on December 19, 2006.
In preparation for this weekend’s Final Four matchups, the good folks at the BruinReportOnline have been having a lot of fun with Photoshop and Joakim Noah photos.
On the other side of the coin, UCLA’s resident “looker” Lorenzo Mata has a large following of lady fans, including this one who dedicated an entire site to The Mat-inator. Real or fictitious? You decide.
As expected, we’ve been watching a lot of college hoops lately, and with all the (mostly deserved) attention given towards this current crop of big men–Greg Oden, Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Roy Hibbert and Lorenzo Mata (what?)–we would like to remind everyone who’s forgotten about Hakeem Olajuwon just how great The Dream was. Watch the video. There is no one–college or pro–who can come close to the things he does.
And in honor of our Bruins, it’s only appropriate to relive 40.8 seconds of bliss from last year’s tournament. Seriously, Adam Morrison’s tears will never get old. We still get shivers. Enjoy the evening; let’s hope it’s a good one.
UCLA :: Jerry: The central character in the show, Jerry/UCLA is the one that ties everything together. Being incredibly successful, it is the standard by which all other comedians/programs (college and television) are judged. Jerry’s tight jeans and collared shirt are as dependable as the powder and yellow Bruin jerseys. Classy, simple, understated, unemotional. How can anyone not like them?!
Oregon :: Elaine: Approaches Jerry/UCLA in terms of sheer funniness/victories, but unlike them, Oregon/Elaine has the undeniable ability to get hot very quickly. The streakiness can be a blessing or a disguise, especially in times when “Dancing” is required. Can be proven to be overrated if stuck in slow tempo game/shvitz for hours at a time. Beware a “little kick” in the Dance, Oregon. Little kicks can result from having “a rather bulbous head.”
Worlds continue to collide as the old man tries to send back soup in the deli …
In response to this guy’s very nice list of hated college basketball players, we decided to make our own list of the young men whose presence on the hardwood has profoundly affected our own lives in negative fashions. So, without much ado, here’s our list. Who did we miss?
15. Ray Jackson, Michigan: He gets a little bit of a hall pass because he was a member of the Fab Five, but he was the only one not to make it to the NBA. Totally coasted. Freeloader. Plus that Michigan team was solely responsible for the phasing out of John Stockton shorts.
14. Taylor Coppenrath, Vermont: It’s usually unusual (huh?) for a basketball player to be considered pretentious. Coppenrath was the epitome of New England snobbery. We’re pretty sure that after the game, he slipped into some searsuckers and a pair of loafers and boarded a private jet to his family’s place on Nantucket. If that’s not enough for you, check out his website. There’s still room at Coppenrath Camp! Hurry and sign up!
Posted by Say Hey
Posted by Say Hey
Posted by Say Hey
2. Seattle Supersonics: Fresh off his snub from Portland, Greg Oden refuses to smile for the next ten years. He goes on a workout regimen the likes of which Roger Clemens, Jerry Rice and the U.S. Marines have never seen. The following season, rookie Oden dominates the league, including a 40-point, 20-rebound game against Portland in which his vicious dunks injure the entire Blazer frontline. Oden goes on to win eleven championships (tying his idol/mentor Bill Russell) as he establishes himself as one of the best players of all-time.
Several weeks ago, 
