The Rise of the Warriors and the Hawks

Before the NBA season this year, in the ESPN NBA power rankings, the Hawks were ranked 16^th and the Warriors were ranked 7^th. Now, all the nation’s basketball fans can talk about are the top two teams in the league, which are incidentally the Warriors and Hawks. The two teams have great starting lineups with reserves that win you games. They both have ambitious coaches, Steve Kerr and Mike Budenholzer, and both were under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich. That may not seem like a big deal, but he is one of the best coaches in NBA history. He uses a style of pass-heavy motion offense, and that has won him five championships. The Warriors got off to a quick start, establishing themselves as one of the greater teams in the league. The Hawks got off to a slow start, but since Thanksgiving, have been on a tear. The Warriors win with both offense and defense, leading the league in efficiency. 70 % of the Hawks scoring comes off assists. At the beginning of the season, these teams were underrated, but now, there are no doubts.

-Aditya

India vs. Paskitan: The biggest rivalry in cricket

     The history of India and Pakistan is very simple. They were unified as one India and drove away the British Rulers. Then, they separated for religious reasons to become two countries, one Muslim and the other Hindu. This is when the heated rivalry of the neighboring countries started. The rivalry was best shown in cricket. The sport brought to India and Pakistan by the British who once ruled over them. In 2011 the cricket world cup was held in those countries along with Sri Lanka. They met in the semifinals at Mohali to decide who is going to play against Sri Lanka in the finals. India won 260-231 also winning in the finals against Sri Lanka to win their second world cup trophy. India has won all the world cup matches against Pakistan including the most recent match in the 2015 world cup. But, Pakistan has won more ODI's(One Day International) with a lead of 72-51 in matches won. This rivalry has had some very famous matches over the years in both test and ODI matches. Pakistan also leads in the amount of test series won 12-9 in number of matches. This seems to be irrelevant since still in the World Cup Pakistan has not been able to defeat India in these heated matches. In conclusion, India verses Pakistan has been a heated rivalry ever since the 2 countries were created in cricket and outside of cricket. But, these neighboring countries settle their differences on the cricket ground leaving some great matches in the record books.

ALL-STAR

I think Adam Silver read my post " Subs, Surprises, and Shoes" and added Damian Lillard and Kyle Korver.

-Aditya

The Emergence of Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson is a superstar. There is no questioning it, and no more doubts about him. The question everyone is asking is: Where did he get so good, and why are his stats better? Well, to answer the first question, he blossomed in his time at theTeam USA basketball camp. He also played in FIBA World cup of Basketball in Spain under the tutelage of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. Hi was one of the best players there. The answer to the second question is that he is driving to te hoop more. His field goal percentage is up and his points are up. Also, Stephen Curry is playing better than ever, and creating more chances for him. This why Klay is a superstar.

-Aditya

The Inventor Of the Dunk

Julius Erving is supernatural. You may not believe me at first, but if you watch some of his highlights, you will agree. He was born in Nassau County, New York and was raised from the age of 15 in Roosevelt, New York. He got his nickname when playing in a basketball league in Harlem. He told them to call him Doctor, and that evolved into Dr.J. Erving went to the University of Massachusetts in 1968.  In two varsity college basketball seasons, he averaged 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds per game, becoming one of only six players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds per game in NCAA Men's Basketball. He had a choice to either go to the NBA or the ABA and he chose to play for the ABA’s Virginia Squires. He had a successful career with the Squires. He actually got drafted by the Bucks, and had a chance to play with Kareem- Abdul Jabbar and Oscar Robertson. In his last season with the Squires, he average 31.9 points per game. Before his next season, he got traded to the New York Nets, and he led them to their first championship in 1974, and also led them to another Finals win in the ABA’s last season before the NBA-ABA merger. However, the New York Knicks were upset the Nets were invading their home territory, and the Nets needed money. They offered Erving to the Knicks, but the Knicks turned them down. That is considered the worst move in the Knicks franchise history, and sent the team into oblivion for the next 10 years. Instead, the Philadelphia 76ers bought Erving for 3 million dollars. Erving was an instant success and leader for the team. He led them to the NBA Finals, where they lost in 6 games. He was also a success off the court, where he got a shoe deal and many other endorsements. He led them to the playoffs, many time, each time falling to the Lakers and the Celtics. Finally, for the 1982–83 season, the Sixers obtained the missing element to combat their weakness at their center position, Moses Malone. Armed with one of the most formidable and unstoppable center-forward combinations of all time, the Sixers dominated the whole season. They swept the Lakers in four games, winning a championship. He played at an All- Star level through his twilight years. He retired in 1987. What Erving is really known for is his freakish athletic dunking ability. Before his time, dunking was usually done by big tall centers, and it was considered disrespectful. He made it an art, gracefully taking it into the air and viciously slamming it down.  As you can see, Julius Erving is one of the greatest to play the game of basketball.

-Aditya

Aaron Rodgers- MVP 2014-2015 NFL Season

     This year Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, won Most Valuable Player award for this years football season. This was a well deserved award for Aaron since he brought his team all the way to the NFC Championship but unfortunately losing to a tough Seattle Seahawks team. Throughout the season the Packers had not been an elite team but were still in good shape throughout the season as a top playoff contender. He played a magnificent season being 7th in passing yards this year, but also using his legs to get the Packers wins. Meanwhile in the QBR ratings he was second to Tony Romo who only beat him by one point in the ratings. In his division, the NFC, he was fourth in the rankings for most yards this year. Aaron also was third in total yards out of all the quarterbacks this year behind Drew Brees and Matt Ryan. Topping all these rankings this year he deserved to be this years Most Valuable Player. Besides the rankings his team was ranked 2nd in the NFC going into the playoffs making it to the NFC Championship. His team had a balanced defense but the offense was stellar, with the running and passing game. Being an elite quarterback and having a fabulous team is making Aaron Rodgers the clearest choice for this years Most Valuable Player.

Snubs, Surprises, and Shoes

Snubs, Surprises, and Shoes

            There is one thing I can tell you. This year’s NBA All-Star is going to be a great game. You have starters Kyle Lowry, John Wall, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, and Pau Gasol for the East matched up against Western starters Steph Curry, Blake Griffin, Anthony Davis, Marc Gasol, and whoever replaces Kobe Bryant. There were some great deserving players that were left off the roster. Here are some snubs and surprises from the All Star Game.

Surprise: Tim Duncan

            So Tim Duncan is a 5-time champion and he is going to his 15^th All- Star Game. With credentials like that, you are going to the Hall of Fame, but this year, especially in a tough Western Conference, there are better players who could have made the team. He is averaging 14.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks.

Snub: Damian Lillard

            Damian Lillard deserved to be an All- Star, and we all know it. He has been playing at a high level and the Blazers’ record show it. As you can see, he was a little mad: I just want to thank the coaches who feel I wasn't good enough, the fans that didn't think I was good enough, and Adam Silver also for not thinking I was good enough. This isn't unfamiliar territory for me; it's actually what my life has been inspired by. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed or that I don't feel disrespected but it's not too much to handle. Not the first or last guy to be snubbed. "You should have been there" isn't good enough for me. But anyway, the reason I'm in these shoes is because I've always use the hand I was dealt to my advantage... A wise man once told me... " It ain't always gone be peaches and cream but somebody has to pay for the reason it's not ... One way or another " ... #ImThankful #Real #NonAllStar #RipCity #YellowTape”. He is averaging 21.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.6, rebounds.

Shoe: A man actually ate his shoe when Damian Lillard wasn’t voted an All- Star. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2349583-blazers-fan-blends-and-eats-shoe-after-damian-lillard-isnt-named-all-star

Surprise: Dwyane Wade

           

            Can Dwyane Wade shoot like Kyle Korver? No, only the Splash Brothers can. Is Dwyane Wade having a better season than Kyle Korver? No, probably not. Dwyane Wade has been injured half of the Heat’s games, and he is an All Star. If your name isn’t Kevin Durant, then you shouldn’t be an All Star. Dwyane is averaging 21.4 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds.

           

Snub: Kyle Korver

            As a Warriors fan, Steph Curry is the best shooter in the world. Then, I watched highlights of Kyle Korver and I thought, “ Wow, Curry actually has competition.” He is putting up absurd numbers, shooting over 50% from the three and the field. He also has shot 90% from the free throw line. A few weeks ago, he actually dunked the ball for the first time in over two years. He is averaging 13.1 points, 2.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds. He should be an All Star.

            Tim Duncan is a great player, but Damian Lillard is more deserving. The stats and his team’s record shows for it. Atlanta is well represented in the East, with Al Horford, Paul Milsap, and Jeff Teague, but Kyle Korver would be a nice addition. Don’t worry, Dwyane Wade might be injured for the game, and mayne Kyle Korver could replace him.

-Aditya