Cloud Nin9 : Everything Basketball Let’s Talk Hoops!

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Rebound: The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manigault

This is one tear-jerker of a basketball movie.

I watched this movie waaaaay back and I have never ever forgotten about it since. This is where Don Cheadle was forever etched in my short list of Hollywood actors. When I saw the Swordfish trailer, “Hey, it’s The Goat!”.

This is the story of Earl “the Goat” Manigault, a street baller who never made it to the pro ranks, despite of his superior ballin’ skills and high-leaping ability. I will never forget the scene where he took a dollar bill (or was it a dime?) from the top of the backboard just by jumping. Aside from that, this is a very moving flick, what with all the hardships (drug addiction, poverty, racial discrimination, etc.) he had to endure while trying to reach the dream.

I highly recommend it for everybody. I mean, this isn’t just for basketball fanatics. It doesn’t take much technical know-how to relate to the story of The Goat.

*Stuff to watch out for:

Cameo appearance by my boy Kevin Garnett playing the role of Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain.

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Off-Season Antics (Or the Lack Thereof)

The last post I wrote was dated July 9th, 2008. That was a month or so after my C’s won the NBA Title. And after that — “PFFFT!!!”. Gone. Nada. Call it hybernation. The “put-ice-on-my-knees-and-call-it-a-night” mode.

I thought I will never find my mojo to write anything about basketball anymore!

But now I’m back. Before I begin blabbing about the upcoming NBA season, I would just like to make mention of a few notable things that happened between June and October.

1. Redeem Team

This might not be obvious but I’m an underdog kinda guy. In the last Olympics, Team USA wasn’t exactly an underdog, but I routed for them anyway because I just feel that if they cannot regain their supremacy in the world, then I just feel there’s less reason to watch Americans play basketball — Think: NBA. So, I just thinks it’s a good thing for my favorite hoops league.

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Celtics (& Pac-Man), Donaghy, Rookies & Player Movement

Pardon me for posting so late. I had to deal with this thing called “day job”. And plus I had to soak in on the Celtics Championship and then some, like these same champion Celtics cheering on Manny Pacquiao…

Some people just have all the luck.

Anyway, I know it’s over and done with but, GO CELTICS!!! I am very happy for KG that he’s finally made it. Though I never was able to watch every game and in whole, I could feel the excitement just by tuning in to the ESPN website.

It’s been a while since a team I root for has made it all the way, so that was pretty exciting.

Anyway, to Donaghy — Get a life. And the people who are digging up this whole scam — go on with your lives. It’s over. Kapoot. End. Like Vince Carter-over. Let’s look forward to next season and the exciting new rookies coming in.

Ok, so Michael Beasley is now a Miami Heat. Things are moving along as scheduled. Newly-appointed Head Coach Erik Spoelstra will NOT be a Miami Heat come mid-season. Ask the GM.

Hmmm, we can expect to see more dunk highlights from Andre Iguodala next season (assuming he’ll stay put) after Philly has reportedly locked in power forward Elton Brand. That’s because Brand will be attracting so much attention that A.I. will almost always cut loose for easy flushes to the basket. Nice.

Mad props to Agent Zero for taking less money. You’re the man.

GO East!!!

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L.A. versus Boston: Stern’s Dream

At the start of the season, who would’ve thought that the Lakers and Celtics will be mixing it up in June? Not even David Stern! But he did wish for it, though. God must really, really love the Comish.

During the Tim Donaghy scandal (I almost forgot his name, can you believe it?), the whole NBA was practically in mourning. It was sadder than losing Chick Hearn (R.I.P.). It was feared that the integrity of NBA games were permanently tarnished because Tim (and maybe a few others) decided to make a little money by making real, live games his own EA Sports NBA Live console. “Money??? - It’s In the Game, baby!”

One regular season later, it’s virtually forgotten. Thanks to the re-emergence of two NBA powers - The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.

As previously mentioned in a blog post by yours truly, it is a dream for me to be able to see at least one of my two favorite teams this season to win it all. And to be able to watch them both slug it out in the Finals is just really something! This is just special, man…I’d love to see this go the distance but whoever goes home with the trophy after this series, the real winners will be the league, the fans, and you know who…

David Stern is smiling from ear to ear these days.

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What’s Up, Doc?

Oh man, I think I’ve finally given up on you.

From the start of the season, there was so much doubt about you coaching a winning team even with the addition of KG and Ray Allen. Yeah sure you’ve won a Coach of the Year award in Orlando, but that didn’t seem to solidify your “good” reputation as a coach. I, too, had doubts about you.

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Boing!

Vince Carter came into the league and wowed all of us. Well, at least he wowed me. I was an instant fan! But then, his “Wince Carter” reputation tarnished him and his game. After a successful rookie season (won Rookie of the Year honors), he was on his way to NBA stardom. And that he did. He even earned comparisons to His Airness, what with his freakish leaping ability, and of course, he hailed from the same alma mater as MJ- University of North Carolina.

A slam dunk title, a few playoff games and a trade later, where is he now?…Well, at least his shoes have a lasting impression on me…

I still dig these Nike Shox BB4s.

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Obama’s Got Game

I’ve always liked U.S. senator Barack Obama, but now he has my vote and then some after I saw him ballin’ in this video! Like, y’know, it’s this feeling that you have something to identify with this person. We probably can talk about (or even play) basketball and not his Presidential Campaign (cos that stuff is boring!) if given the chance.

Man, this guy can play! Now, if only I can vote in the U.S…Hmm.

*This post is in no way a campaign for Barack Obama. I’m posting it because of you know what. Any “opinion” written here is just my own personal, yes, opinion.

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He Got Game

(Foreword:

It’s clear that this site is about “Everything Basketball” so, I’ve always had this idea of covering anything basketball-related. I might even try to find all sorts of reason just to post something, so long as it is connected to the game we all love. In this post I’m introducing the “Movies” segment.)

Ray Allen scored “nadah” for the Celtics in Game 1 of their Playoff matchup with the Cavs. That’s Jesus Shuttlesworth throwing bricks tonight.

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X and O’s

It is quite unusual that all the coaching movement around the NBA is taking part of the spotlight from the players and the actual NBA games itself. It’s the Playoffs, no less. I, too, am intrigued by the many possibilities regarding who’s gonna be calling the shots for whom.

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Kobe Is Your 2008 NBA MVP

Kobe Bryant has learned one thing this season - “share the wealth and it will all come back to you”. I hope he doesn’t think his off-season antics earned him this award. It’s well-deserved, though.

Chris Paul, rest easy. You’re good and you will have yours sooner or later. Whoops, please don’t take a shot at my privates.