Monday 18 November 2019

#TheLeBronSeries-THE CROWN

King Back.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY.

"They can't keep a good man down/Always keep a smile when they want me to frown/Keep the vibes and they stood my grounds/They will never ever take my crown."-Sizzla: Solid As A Rock.

Courtside-holding it down as a sight even more rare these days than the star shining, other previous every game mainstay and Hollywood legend, Jack Nicholson-Kobe Bryant is in the STAPLES house. Dapping Dwight like it's all Shaq squashed beef alright. Hugging Anthony Davis like every other Laker fan knowing that Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and even the ballin' Brandon Ingram was all worth it (providing he stays on the floor this season...and next. Kobe knows all about Chicago rumours blowing in the wind of a Bulls snout breath blow). And then there was 'Bron. All Magic smiles. As the two greatest players of all time, outside of M.J. showed each other the same love they both have for the game. Number 23 and 24. A former 8 and future 6. You could clearly see it in the crown jewels of the five rings on Kobe Bryant's hand. Like a waiter being handed a not so subtlety folded bill for a tip, like something out of LeBron's favourite book 'The Godfather' ("just a little something for you and the family. Ya know. To tide you over."). You could see the Black Mamba handing King James something. Passing him the torch. Handing him...The Crown.

By royal appointment, the coronation of LeBron James' young Land and South Beach, Claire Foy years saw him walk the moon like a 'First Man' with his record breaking numbers that Armstrong sky rocketed like his Lady Liberty statuesque dunks. Just as if he had the U.S. Deceleration of Independence under his right arm. This constitution, this national monument. An icon. A decision rewriting free agent revolutionary. A superstar in the age of the superteam who created the later and still keeps the former late into his career. Now 35 like this writer...and Alex Caruso-ing some of his hair too...like this writer. But that all doesn't matter. That's just for the trolls who should stop brushing theirs up (that's how you lose it too ya know...trust me). In his Olivia Coleman season, LeBron is still the favourite and like another Oscar winner worthy of gold with his own 'Dear Basketball'. No not 'Space Jam 2' like M.J. But like Mike a sequel with Larry O'Brien too. Sure he really made the wrong decision with his careless Twitter on the Hong Kong problem, instead of voicing his protest with the people. But he's seen his jersey burnt before. This is a man who is still one of the people. He built a school for crying out for the needs of education loud. Before you Trump up your troll rhetoric realise a mistake for the misunderstood...and how we all make them on an everyday basis. All just not as public as this...not even on our own social medias, were we are famous among our audience of friends and family following. Sure he needs to give that taco cry a rest-not just on Tuesday-but appropriating this isn't all he's done. He also provided a taco truck to first responder firefighters who needed food-something-whilst battling the Getty fires in Los Angeles, California. LeBron has lasting intentions no matter the impression. He's still an Ali or Kap like icon for America. M.J. refused to be...as did Kobe. They shut up and dribbled, but 'Bron is bigger than Basketball. Yet still giving every ounce of the formidable frame and the heart of his soul to this game. Like playing through the pain last year when he should have sat out to only be met with critics and hate. Well it's all crickets and love now in La La LeBron and Lakerland. The city of stars are shining just for he...and A.D.

Year 17. Our 10th episode of 'The LeBron Series' to crown a decade in this writing game, LeBron James is the one like another number 23. Or one more. Because what's a one/two punch without another one like B.I.G. or what Pat Riley in the 80's promised again before Kareem could towel off his mouth? It's Showtime again now as LeBron isn't only the next Mikan, Baylor, West, Wilt, Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin Johnson, Big Game James Worthy, O'Neal, Bryant and Gasol Laker legend in legacy making line. He's also already has the perfect partnership next definitive dynamic duo already dominating in storied purple and gold AND red, white and blue NBA history. With Davis, 'Bron and the 'Brow, L.B.J. and A.D. stand next to the fire and ice of Elgin and Jerry, Wilt and West, Magic and Kareem and Shaq and Kobe, or Mamba and Pau as one of the greatest double acts in league legend. There's not enough double teams you can throw at the two offensive powerhouses in defence of their own fates. Anthony Davis clutch blocking his way to being the 'Defensive Player Of The Year' conversation and LeBron locking it down like a bruising bully with every sack. When he's not quarterbacking the offence (like when he plays with that pass in the pregame practice) from the pure point position he wants to bring back like carrying the 6, rocking the headband, or throwing the chalk. Or running back the break. Bulldozing the lane. Leaving defenders like Stormtroopers. He on the hunt like 'The Mandalorian', Skywalking in these Star Wars. Built like a linebacker. Before touching down with one of those Run-DMC 'You Be Illin'' jams like that one against Sacramento the last game. That King on Kings may be his greatest crowning of all time yet for the All Star running the lane like a runaway freight train. And the Jay-Z Carter Administration President's basketball blueprint is breathe easy, filling up every statistical category right now like a lyrical exercise too. At press time today he Kareem-ed 33 points, old Dwight Howard rebounded the ball 12 times and dished out an Odom or McGee 7 assists to his dime diamonds of teammates. And let's talk about all the kings men too even if that is another sequel edition of our article series this season. There's the Heat hot like big-three of the Lakers three-headed Ghidorah blocking monster machine of A.D., the emphatic energy of JaVale McGee and the redemption reunion of star Dwight Howard (and just wait until D.C. Boogie Cousins comes back). The big three finisher of a smooth like Jaamal Wilkes silk, or Worthy of big cigar smoke like Red Auerbach lighting game next to James in Kyle Kuzma (the one core young member they wouldn't trade). A legend at the point in Rondo. A reigning champion from downtown Toronto in Danny Green. The Bruce Bowen D of Avery Bradley. The ace in the hole clutch guards changing in Quinn Cook and Troy Daniels. The unfairly underrated and undeniably always unquestionable in his worth for praise, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (although that Tyrese "KEEP IT THAT WAY" meme reaction to KCP playing just 8 minutes was hilarious...even if inaccurate). The fan first heart and jersey/ticket giveaway of Jared Dudley. The next Antetokounmpo. And the one and only Alex Caruso. And who knows maybe even Iggy once he's bought out now 'Melo with a new Blazer is no longer on the table for the rookie rival and banana boat brother, an Anthony coveted for even longer than Davis. Still even if we are talking teams like Toronto Raptors superfan owner Drake, this one man wrecking crew is doing it all this season shot to lay-up like the one, true King now Kobe is walking off the floor with the WNBA's future like Bronny Jr. this association. Off to inspire the next with his Harry Potter magic meets sports world Granity books, as the man he pounds his heart and points to, 'LeBron writes his next chapter with this King James version verse for his Basketball Bible. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Sunday 21 April 2019

#PoetsCorner IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

It’s the most Wonderful time of the year! No not Christmas, I'm talking about the NBA Playoffs. The first round like Tiger Woods is in full swing, however I don’t think this year will be golden for the soon to be San Francisco Warriors. With rumours about key players like Klay Thomson and Kevin the snake...I mean Durant on the move in free agency this summer, the team has a very big rival to face to make the finals. But Who?

LAUNCH in 5 ….4…3….2….1 Lift off!! That right James Harden's Houston Rockets are the team who could go all the way this year. The way they are dominating the first round and with James Harden having an MVP season and CP3 running the plays alongside him, I think they are sure to crash land themselves in the finals this year. But which beast from the east will they face?

The east is a lot closer than to just pick one, with the Raptors having one of the best season runs in the regular season. And then on top of that the Greek Freak has the Bucks getting W after W. It really is too close to call and with the Boston scum (oops did I type that out loud that’s not like a diehard Laker fan to say), lead by Uncle Drew being on their way to a sweep in the first round, you really can't rule them out in sneaking their way to the finals. But when all is said and done the titan from the east Raptors and Bucks will be the ones clashing and fighting for survival for the eastern team bringing home that trophy this year.

But basketball is a sport where impossible happens and you never know. What if the Thunder and Philly meet in the final what will that mean then? A long overdue championship earned, or the start of a new era. Either way I can’t wait to see who's going to the finals and I'm not stupid to put money on it this year. Let's see how it all unfolds. DAN STOCKER.

Sunday 17 March 2019

#SuperheroSeason ZION WILLIAMSON Feature-ZANOS

Devil In A Blue Jersey.

By DAN STOCKER.

It has been said that with a slam of a dunk he can erase any NCAA teams dream of the championship. This weekend I have seen him live up to that with out any infinity stones and some new shoes from Uncle Drew. I'm sorry Thanos who? It’s all about the young record eraser Zanos, AKA Zion Williamson who came back from injury to help lead his team to an other NCAA title. It mustn't be the shoes.

What a March Madness it was for the Blue Devils and their shoe breaking dunk artist. But soles weren't the only thing Zanos was breaking this weekend as he became the first player ever in NCAA history to be crowned ACC Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year and last but not least tournament MVP. I'm sorry it would take a lot more than The Avengers to stop this young marvel.

Zion started playing Basketball at Spartanburg Day School were he was ranked in the top five players in the country hailing from North Carolina....WAIT! STOP! Where have I heard that before....not sure maybe another announcer used to say it at a Bulls game for a player whose number was 23. Anyway where was I? Ahh yes after high school ZION chose the Duke Blue Devils as the collage team he wanted to play for. The season has come to an end but even thought Duke has birthed some great NBA players such as Kyrie Irving, J.J. Reddick, Elton Brand and the Lakers very own Brandon Ingram just to name a few, I would go as far as to say he is the best play Duke has ever had and you can quote me on that Tim.

Zion is predicted to be the number one draft pick in the NBA Draft this year and I think it’s safe to say he will have a bright future in the NBA ahead of him. One that I personally can’t wait to watch. As for every team in the NBA, they're in the endgame now. But who will Zanos click with?