Super Smash Bros is the American version of the Japanese video game Dairantō Sumasshu Burazāzu (Great Melee Smash Brothers). Games in this series include Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 64; Super Smash Bros Melee for Gamecube; Super Smash Bros Brawl for Wii; and Super Smash Bros Bros for Nintendo 3DS. These games include battles between characters of known cartoons such as Mario and Luigi from Super Mario Bros; Donkey Kong; Falco and Fox from Star Fox; and Mewtwo from Pokemon. Weapons used in these games include hand grenades, bombs, and home-run bats. Here is a picture of some of the characters in Super Smash Bros.

The Golden State Warriors have a starting backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Here is a picture of them as the Super Splash Bros.

They have been nicknamed the Splash Bros, and even Super Splash Bros because of their ability to make the three-point shot early and often in a game. Just as characters in Super Smash Bros use weapons like the home-run bats and bombs to vanquish their opponents; Curry and Thompson splash three pointers consistently to defeat theirs.

Curry and Thompson are both top five in the NBA in points per game.

Player                                                 Points

1. Kobe Bryant                              27.6
2. Klay Thompson                        27
3. James Harden                          26
4. Steph Curry                               26
5. Blake Griffin                             24.8

Thompson and Curry make up the highest scoring backcourt in the NBA. How do other starting backcourts stack up with the Warriors in terms of scoring?

Curry and Thompson average 11.4 more points combined than the second highest scoring backcourt of Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan for the Toronto Raptors. The Warriors average 109.5 points per game. The 53 points that Steph and Klay score make up 48.4% of the Warriors offense.

Out of the 53 points Steph and Klay average 28% to 33% of their points come from behind the three point line. How do Steph and Klay stack up among the the NBA’s leaders in three pointers made?

Position: Point Guard                            Three Pointers Made

1. Damian Lillard                                             2.6

2. Steph Curry                                                  2.5

3. Patrick Beverley                                          2.3

4. Kemba Walker                                            2.2

5. Jameer Nelson                                            2.0

5. Avery Bradley                                              2.0

Position: Shooting Guard                     Three Pointers Made

1. Klay Thompson                                             3.3

2. Kyle Korver                                                   3.0

2. Kevin Martin                                                 3.0

4. Garrett Temple                                             2.8

4. Wesley Matthews                                         2.8

With Curry making the second most threes per game for Point Guards and Thompson making the most threes among Shooting Guards, the Super Splash Bros use the three point line to their advantage. Their ability to make threes as quickly and consistently as they do make them video game like.

Here is a clip of Curry going 4-8 from the three-point line and Thompson going 3-4 from the three-point line in a victory against the Clippers.

A final aspect of the Super Splash Bros worth noting is that their fathers (Dell Curry and Mychal Thompson) had very successful NBA careers and have helped shape them into the men they are today. Here is an interview from 2013 with Steph and Dell Curry, and Klay and Mychal Thompson.

All season long, the two-time defending champion Miami Heat have been the favorites in the NBA. The San Antonio Spurs, who lost to Miami in the Finals last season, had the best record during the regular season and have looked like a team on a mission. The Indiana Pacers, who seemed determined to overthrow their rivals in Miami started off the season hot but have slipped lately. This was supposed to be the year that some team knocked off LeBron James and the Heat and stopped them from becoming a dynasty. Thus far in the playoffs that dream seems very unlikely.

Could the NBA Finals return to the Moda Center in Portland this season? By Another Believer (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

At this point, I think the only other two teams that could give the Heat some trouble out East are the young Toronto Raptors and the veteran Brooklyn Nets, who happen to be facing each other in the first round. With the Pacers struggling to find themselves, it almost looks like a lock for the Heat to meet up with a team like the Wizards in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In other words, it’s not turning out to be as challenging as many thought for LeBron and co.

In the West, it’s a free-for-all, with some of the top teams struggling so far in the playoffs. The top-seeded Spurs are playing their in-state rival Dallas Mavericks who so far are showing the Spurs they mean some business. The two teams from the Lone Star State have split the first two games in San Antonio and Dallas could have won both games in San Antonio if not for an impressive run to end game one by the Spurs.

The second-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder with MVP Kevin Durant seemed primed for another playoff run yet find themselves down 2-1 to the gritty Memphis Grizzlies. The Houston Rockets had a lot of hype after the addition of Dwight Howard in the offseason, but they are down 0-2 to the Trail Blazers heading into one of the loudest arenas in the NBA back in Portland. The Los Angeles Clippers are the only top seeded team looking like they should taking a 2-1 lead over the Warriors including winning a game in Oakland.

The NBA playoffs are far from over and anything can happen, but so far signs are pointing towards the Heat reaching their fourth straight NBA Finals and meeting up with any of the right Western Conference teams that clinched a postseason berth. Here is what I believe will happen over the course of the playoffs:

First Round:

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Dallas Mavericks (Spurs in 7)

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7. Memphis Grizzlies (Grizzlies in 6)

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 6. Golden State Warriors (Clippers in 7)

4. Houston Rockets vs. 5. Portland Trailblazers (Trailblazers in 6)

1. Indiana Pacers vs. 8. Atlanta Hawks (Pacers in 7)

2. Miami Heat vs. 7. Charlotte Bobcats (Heat in 5)

3. Toronto Raptors vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets (Nets in 6)

4. Chicago Bulls vs. 5. Washington Wizards (Wizards in 4)

Semi-Finals:

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 5. Portland Trailblazers (Trailblazers in 6)

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 7. Memphis Grizzlies (Clippers in 7)

1. Indiana Pacers vs. 5. Washington Wizards (Wizards in 6)

2. Miami Heat vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets (Heat in 7)

Conference Finals:

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 5. Portland Trailblazers (Trailblazers in 6)

2. Miami Heat vs. 5. Washington Wizards (Heat in 5)

NBA Finals: 2. Miami Heat vs. 5. Portland Trailblazers (TBA)

Back together and it feels so good. Owen’s and Luke’s newborns are more than three months old and so it’s time to get back together and talk sports.

We probably spent more time talking about the Warriors, Cavs, and Wizards than anyone ever. Diane Tanjuaquio also joined us for a segment to talk NBA.

I want to apologize for the technical malfunctions that were prevalent throughout the podcast. See if you can hear the clip of Luke singing every time our system hiccuped and enjoy.

I’ll say it again — it’s never too early for NBA predictions.

Since LeBron James (or Ray Allen depending who you talk to) led the Miami Heat their second straight NBA title, the other 29 teams have been making many moves to try and compete with the defending champs. While not all teams will even be given a chance to dethrone the champs, I thoroughly believe that most teams in the league improved from a year ago, which is going to make for a great NBA season.

Even with adding Dwight Howard, James Harden and the Rockets aren’t in the top 5 in the Western Conference. By Derral Chen derivative work: Bagumba via Wikimedia Commons

1. Los Angeles Clippers: Yes, you read that correctly. The Clippers are the number one seed in the Western Conference but that doesn’t always lead to a title. The additions of Jared Dudley, JJ Redick, Daren Collison  and of course coach Doc Rivers make the Clippers, in my opinion, the best team in the West right now.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: I think losing Kevin Martin and finding no replacement for him is going to be a huge loss for the Thunder whom basically traded away James Harden for nothing now. They still have Durant and Westbrook and nobody really wants to play those guys come playoff time, unless you’re the Miami Heat.

3. San Antonio Spurs: Meer seconds and one rebound away from another title, all the Spurs did this offseason was get even better. Marco Belinelli adds both shooting and toughness. Look for another great year from the ageless wonders.

4. Memphis Grizzles: People keep forgetting about the Grizzles and I don’t understand why. They are much like the Knicks in that sense. They made it to the Conference Finals — granted they beat a Westbook-less Thunder team — but still they are good. They play defense and Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are only going to get better.

5. Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry had an incredible coming out party last season and so did the Warriors franchise. Yes they lost Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry but they added Andre Igoudala. When Harrison Barnes is coming off the bench as a 6^th man, you know that your team is in good shape. Plus they gained much needed playoff experience.

6. Houston Rockets: For the people whom may be reading this and think I am crazy for putting the Rockets so low, think again. I know that they added Dwight Howard who will pair with James Harden to make a pretty good one-two punch. Aside from them though, who else do they have? Chandler Parsons? He can play, no doubt about it, but seriously who else? As we saw last year with the Lakers, having big names but no bench doesn’t equal success. We shall see how their top two mesh but for now they are at best my 6 seed in the stacked Western Conference.

7. Denver Nuggets: Losing Igoudala is a huge blow to this up-tempo team but I’m sure new coach Brian Shaw can figure out how to make it work. They will be getting Danillo Gallinari back from his injury and added Nate Robinson and J.J. Hickson. The Nuggets have one of the most stacked frontcourts in the league but they need to learn how to win on the road, which was their downfall last season.

8. Portland Trailblazers: I really like what the Blazers have done this offseason improving their horrible bench from last season. Led by rising star Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers should make the playoffs baring any major injuries like they unfortunately have had in the past.

9. Los Angeles Lakers: People keep writing the Lakers off and I believe that will just inspire Kobe to play even better. I think that they actually got better by losing Howard because now they don’t have to worry about him wanting the ball every time down the floor and the question whether or not he will stay or leave. Adding Nick Young, Chris Kaman, Jordan Farmar and Wesley Johnson aren’t season changing moves but its good enough for them to fight for a playoff spot again.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves aggravate me so much because they have so much potential but never can live up to it because of constant injuries. I am done betting on them to stay healthy so I will put them at the 10^th spot in the West. The additions of Kevin Martin and rookie Shabazz Muhammad should improve the team but like I said, I am expecting some sort of injury that costs the hopes of makes the playoffs.

11. Dallas Mavericks: Dallas is a tricky one because they didn’t really get worse in the off-season but they didn’t get better either. Adding Monta Ellis doesn’t qualify in my opinion as getting better. For now they are 11^th in the West.

12. New Orleans Pelicans: Welcome to the NBA Pelicans, your 12^th best team in the Western Conference in 2014. I liked the moves to get Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evens but this team is still too young to compete. Give it a few years and maybe New Orleans will be back in the playoffs.

13. Phoenix Suns: I really liked the trade that sent them Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler. Bledsoe is an up-and-coming star point guard who will improve the team and Butler is a good SF to have on a roster. If Michael Beasley could stop smoking pot for once in his life, this team might be able to do something in the coming years in the West.

14. Sacramento Kings: The Kings are similar to the Magic in the East as they have a rising star in Ben McLemore, whom I believe will be ROY when it’s all said and done. They have done some good building in Sacramento but not for the present. Wait it out a few years and good things will happen in Sac-town.

15. Utah Jazz: It’s not normal that a team who was competing for a playoff spot a year ago drops to the bottom of the standings but its also not usual for a team to lose both its starting center and power forward in the same off-season and not bring anyone in to fill the holes. Trey Burke and Gordon Hayward are two good pieces for the Jazz but the rest of the team isn’t quite remarkable. Dark times again for the fans in Salt Lake City.

This is what Luke missed the podcast for? By Kyruiter at en.wikipedia, via Wikimedia Commons

In the latest Fansmanship Podcast, Andy and Owen sat down with two fansmanship writers from southern California — Matt Levine and Dianne Tanjuaquio. We talked NBA mostly, with some Dodgers and Warriors fansmanship as well. It was great to get to know Dianne and Matt a little better and you can expect to see them on future podcasts. In other news, Luke went to get a truck and got sufficiently chastised for it. Enjoy.

 In this week’s episode, the whole band is back together again as Owen, Andy, and Luke ponder the Angels’ slow start to the season, why the Warriors and Nuggets are fun to watch, and why Luke hates Nick Punto.

As I was editing this post, my hard drive literally crashed (and yes, I used literally correctly in that sentence… I think). It’s one day late, but better late than never. Hope you enjoy.

The Lost Podcast is found! Enjoy Episode 60!

Predictions in sports can be just as fun as what actually happens and a lot of time many people do it. Every person has their own unique way of predicting outcomes, some go through the purity of stats or some use just the heart and will of a team or player. Either way, predictions can be a way for a fan, analyst or gambler to have and feel like they are involved with the actual games being played. As for me, I have made many predictions throughout my life, some that have come true and some that haven’t and I will be the first one to admit when I am wrong. On that note, here is my prediction for the Western Conference when the season comes to an end in April, a small breakdown of each team and some playoff predictions with a little over half the season complete:

I’m predicting Russell Westbrook and the Thunder losing to the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
By Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA, via Wikimedia Commons

1.    San Antonio Spurs:

The Spurs have been one of the best and classiest teams in the West for years and with the core of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili still together and still playing well, you can never count out the four-time champions

2.    Oklahoma City Thunder

The reigning Western Conference champs haven’t stopped dominating the West as they did a year ago. The move to swap James Harden for Kevin Martin was a highly talked about one but I liked the trade very much. Kevin Durant is now forced to control the ball more, something I feel the Thunder need to do if they want to get better.

3.    Los Angeles Clippers

I know we are all used to seeing the Lakers around this spot but the tables have turned this year and congratulations to the Clippers for that. I think they are the team with the most depth in the NBA and can be a scary matchup come playoff time.

4.    Golden State Warriors:

In the biggest turnaround of any team this season, the Warriors make my fourth seed in the West and I believe they can do some damage. They are a great shooting team and the health of Stephen Curry has boosted them to an unusual (for them) level. Could it be possible that San Francisco and its surrounding areas can get all three major sport titles? The 49ers play in the Super Bowl this Sunday and the Giants have already won the World Series.

5.    Denver Nuggets:

18-3 at home, that’s the first stat I will throw out for the Nuggets. This is one of the best home teams in the NBA and they can be one of the most dangerous. They took the Lakers to the brink last season in the playoffs and have learned from that experience. I liked the move to bring in Andre Iguodala as he adds defense and explosiveness, which was the strength of the Nuggets before the move.

6.    Memphis Grizzlies:

This team started out hot and has cooled down since. They are the best defensive team in the NBA with only allowing 89.5 points per game and have one of the best starting lineups with Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Mike Conley. Look for the Grizzlies to make a run or even make my predicted Clipper matchup to be the best of the first round as it was last season.

7.    Houston Rockets:

The Rockets barely missed the taste of the postseason last year. Since then, they’ve traded for all-star James Harden and point guard Jeremy Lin. This is a very young team but the leadership of Harden and Lin will guide them to the playoffs. I don’t trust Harden in the clutch, something that is so important as the star player of a team. He is a marvelous player but needs to work on that aspect of his game.

8.    Los Angeles Lakers:

Yes, I know that this team has been in the gutter of the standings all season but I believe they will turn it around but only as the eighth seed. Led by Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard the Lakers will push their ways into the playoffs and from there you never know what can happen. They dug a steep hole for themselves but this is a whole new season especially for this team.

Notable Mentions: Utah Jazz, Portland Trailblazers and Dallas Mavericks

PREDICTIONS:

First Round:

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Los Angeles Lakers: Lakers in six (upset)

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7. Houston Rockets: Thunder in five

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 6. Memphis Grizzlies: Clippers in seven

4. Golden State Warriors vs. 5. Denver Nuggets: Warriors in seven

Semi Finals:

4. Golden State Warriors vs. 8. Los Angeles Lakers:

Lakers win the Pacific division showdown in five games. The Lakers size and experience are too much for the young up and coming Warrior team. The Lakers take on the Thunder in a playoff series re-match from last season.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 3. Los Angeles Clippers:

The Thunder win this exciting and back-n-fourth playoff series in seven games. The Thunder make it to their third consecutive conference finals and look to go back to the NBA Finals but standing in their way is the 32-time conference champion Los Angeles Lakers

Conference Finals:

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 8 Los Angeles Lakers:

This is where it gets interesting since I believe these are the two best teams in the Western Conference despite the difference in records. This will be a physical and fast-paced series, which favors the Thunder but I can’t count out Kobe and company. The Lakers match-up very well against the Thunder. If the Lakers can even mildly contain Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrok, they can win as they did the other night. I look for this to be the best series of the Western playoffs with the Lakers coming out on top in this hard fought and mentally draining seven game series.

2013 Western Conference Champions: 8. Los Angeles Lakers

I’m not saying the Lakers will win the NBA title but I do believe they will make it back to the NBA Finals after what seemed like a hopeless season. It won’t be easy as the West is scary-good, but Kobe Bryant is in search of another ring and won’t be denied by the likes of anyone in the West. I’m sticking with my pre-season pick, the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mark Jackson has helped to turn the culture around in Oakland. By Rose White via Wikimedia Commons

Make no mistake, this year’s Warriors are here to stay. Stacked with a young core, unselfish star power and a coach with an intensity evident on the sidelines, the Warriors are primed for a serious five to ten year ride into Western Conference contention.

After Mark Jackson’s self-aggrandizing prophecy about making the playoffs fell apart last year, I was certain the Warriors wouldn’t be any  better this year. And though I heard murmurings amongst beat writers, bloggers, radio personalities and fans, that this year’s team could surprise their foes much like the Baron Davis-led team in 2006, I scoffed with a slow sour puss, “seriously!?”

But now more than mid-way through the season and that has become a reality. The Warriors, currently 2nd in the Pacific division with a 27-17 record, sit a respectable five games back of the first place Clippers.

Coach Mark Jackson has brought intensity on defense –

Adding Andrew Bogut last season in a trade for the gunning Monta Ellis, somersaulted coach Jackson’s vision of defense at a more rapid pace. And with the big man turning in a 12 point, 8 rebound, 4 block effort tonight in his first game back from a season long injury, that has become even more of a reality.

The Warriors have drafted extremely well the last two years –

Selecting Klay Thompson 11th in the 2011 draft is proving to be a positive.  The second year swing has been an efficient 3rd option on the perimeter, averaging 16.0 points per game on 38.0% shooting from deep.  His 6’7″ length and ability to take players off the dribble has opened up the game for the set shooting rookie, Harrison Barnes. Barnes fluid contribution into Jackson’s system has been a key cog in the Warriors success. Considered an offfensive liability in last year’s draft because of his difficulties with getting open, Barnes has comfortably accepted a minute-heavy role position, amongst an athletic, unselfish, and deep rotation.

Stephen Curry is emerging as a star in the NBA. By Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA via Wikimedia Commons

The team is led by two unassuming superstars –

In fact more than unassuming…surprising. Stephen Curry has legitimized his name amongst the elite guards in today’s NBA. Returning from an injury plagued 2011-2012, lit a spark in the 3rd year guard. He, and the team’s first all star in 16-years – David Lee – have, through their own example, set a precedence among the team. Both stars are willing to pass-first-shoot-second, hit the glass and play hard on both sides of the ball. Lee, is yet again, close to a 20-10 season on 51.4% shooting.  Curry, arguably an MVP candidate and this year’s most notable snub from the All Star roster, is 15th in steals( 1.6), 8th in points (21.0), 13th in assists (6.5), 2nd in three-point field goals (132) and 2nd in three point field goal percentage ( 45.4%).

So what are Local Bloggers, radio personalities and fans saying about this year’s Warriors team?

“It took a year for the team to gel together, building team chemistry.” – C.j. Silas from the C.J. Silas Show on ESPN 1280

“Look at minutes played. Last year, the main rotation includes heavy minutes for Brandon Rush, Dorell Wright, Nate Robinson and Dominic McGuire. That’s been replaced this year, with Curry, Jarrett Jack, Harrison Barnes and Carl Landry.”  – Shane Miranda, NBA Fan

“Stephen Curry being back is definitely a big deal. I also think Jarett Jack’s veteran leadership and late game scoring in the backcourt, has been significant.” – Andy Stevens, co-founder of fansmanship.com

“David Lee! First All Star since Sprewell in 1997.” – Mike Kinney, longtime Warriors Fan

“Shane Miranda’s comment seems the most credible.” – J.D Scroggin, college beat writer at the Tribune

“Maturity and acceptance of roles are important things at any level. Along with having an older more mature Curry in the lineup, Mark Jackson and new organizational leadership have done a superb job of defining roles and sticking to their vision.” – Owen Main, co-founder of fansmanship.com

“Defense, defense, and defense.” -Matt Dale, Warriors fan and resident of Marin County

 

 

 

Everyone is at fault and fans are punished.

Read the newspapers, online articles, and blog posts and you’ll find differing opinions — nothing really unexpected. Players are glad to be back. Here is what has to happen between now and December 9th blah blah blah.

And then something caught my eye.

In the LA Times, with a story about the NBA, there is a picture of NBA Players Association President Derek Fisher in a press conference. Look at it. Take it in for a minute.

As always, Fisher exudes classiness. In his conservative suit and tie, it is clear that Fisher knows something about impressions, business, and dealing with people in business.

Flanking Fisher in the picture are former all-stars Chauncy Billups and Russell Westbrook. A veteran and an “up and comer.” Two players who are, by now, used to being in the spotlight. Two guys who went to (for at least a few years) very respectable institutions of higher learning – the University of Colorado and UCLA.

And the both of them are in red hoodies.

No Regard for Human Life also posted some pictures and noted the hoodies.

I guess the negotiations are over. And as long as they aren’t on their way to a game, the NBA players can wear whatever they want. But after a long “negotiation” during which the players had to make a lot of concessions, dudes front and center at a press conference in sweats and hoodies makes a pretty clear statement.

The job of an NBA player is to play basketball, but isn’t it about projecting an image too? Don’t they get paid because fans get excited and watch the game. Isn’t that why David Stern implemented a dress code for players?

Maybe Westbrook and Billups were taking a shot at Stern. Many of the players there were well dressed.

Maybe they just didn’t have any of their nice clothes to wear. Whatever the reason, they should have been more buttoned up. After all the talk about how everything is about business, wearing sweats and hoodies sends the completely wrong message.

It is evidence that clearly the NBA still has a long, long way to go.

Addition note: Luke Johnson *********

As it is true that the red hoodies worn by Chauncey Billups and Russell Westbrook at an important NBA meeting is a sign of blatant disrespect from casually disparate professionals, we must understand an even larger more pertinent fact regarding today’s audacious athletes.

In the above article by my friend Owen Main at fansmanship.com, the writer unknowingly anointed the issue when he poignantly postured, “dudes front and center at a press conference in sweats and hoodies makes a pretty clear statement,” and then later, “after all the talk about how everything is about business, wearing sweats and hoodies sends the completely wrong message.”

And thought it does send a message of immaturity, both from an up and coming inconsiderate and a fox-eyed champion, it also sends a much needed image front and center for a society that glorifies this type of me-first, give-it-to-me, athletic celebrity.

For a moment it seemed the league could re-route itself after a lockout in 1999. The lockout eliminated many of its fringe fans who historically college lovers, found enough at times in the pro game to watch it also. Yet after the lockout and the wavering beef of Shawn Kemp’s belly, the NBA fell from grace; from 1 to 3 in the power rankings of the big three: NFL, MLB & NBA.

Though time has a way of healing past wounds, we’re entirely incorrect in thinking people ever really forget. The NBA has shown us nothing that would make us think things might be changing. And despite celebrating the league’s highest ratings for an NBA Finals series in the last ten years, once again things are decomposing with idiocy.

While an NFL athlete works under realistic conditional contracts, deals both lucrative and yet conditioned under performance expectations, the NBA athlete has reveled in the scott free nature of a contract conditioned around nothing.

Take a look at Warriors starting center Andris Beidrins. Since signing a 6-year $63-million dollar deal, the Latvian has periled in a quandary of make-shift injuries. His uninspired play has not only bankrupt a franchise in need of locking up other athletes, but questions the validity of the NBA system as a whole.

Since the deal Beidrins has played in just 46.0 games per season with numbers of 5.0 points and 7.4 rebounds.  Both numbers are his lowest since his rookie year. And while the Warriors continue to form a team around Stephan Curry and David Lee, they wade in deep water with the Western Conference’s version of Eddy Curry.

His unconditional contract is a burden on many fronts, most notably on his trade value. The Warriors must either match a portion of Biedrins contract in order to move him, or find a team willing to take a risk on him.

As implausible as option two is, the Warriors will be either stuck with him for another three-years, or as I said, paying a former employee a portion of his contract while he services elsewhere.

Yet, despite this, how can we morally fault the type of athletes we’ve created?

Today’s NBA athletes are celebrities because we said so. They are byproducts of million dollar PR agents, corporate greed and the lust for entertainment. Their gift to play a game has suspended into the stratosphere like gods, while other noble professions, most infamously teachers, lament in the cellar. While a fourth grade teacher collects his or her 42,000 dollars a year and fights yearly for their professional life, Kobe Bryant collects 6-times that during a 48-minute strap.

And though I understand a pro athlete can play an ominous role in our society as a figure head for cultural unification and national pride, I can’t help but question our societal values.

Without teachers we devolve into back country snake charmers believing in witchery. Without athletes we pay attention to world events more and read at a higher level.

Instead of a presidential address, music or a creatively sound book, we opt for momentary high flying enticement, something ultimately leaving us numb and disenfranchised from the world around us.

While World War 3 breaks lose, the Lakers lose.  An atom ball rips through our town while the Heat run off a red hot run. Our twitter accounts’ are hacked with identity thieves, but blowing up with Kevin Durant’s favorite Mexican restaurant. And while LeBron James just posed in GQ wearing a checkered long sleeve shirt, skinny jeans and a poet’s cap, the world says goodbye to literary legend, Hunter S. Thompson.

All in all it has been an average day: Kobe dropped 30 and the Knicks didn’t play any defense.

And while Americans go unemployed, our education system fails, the blue collar working class shrinks to an all-time low, corporate corruption arises and world famine steals the lives of children, most Americans are notably content with a sixty-six game NBA schedule starting on Christmas day.
We’re fawning over the wrong things. Our love of celebrity has taken us to the edge of stupidity and we’re cliff hanging, holding on, scratching just to remain intellectually relevant.

While China trumps us in every major educational category, outperforms us in productivity and continues to set the bar in the fields of medicine and technology, we’re doling out wads of money to greedy self-centered sets of hands.

The point then is this: the men wear red hoodies at a press conference because they’re allowed to wear red hoodies. It’s cool and they’re larger than life, and have been silver spoon fed this crap of praise since they stepped on the scene.

Until putting a ball in a hoop can save lives it is a meaningless game and the men and women who play it, like you and like me, are average citizens with an average calling.

Kim Kardashian: nothing more than an average rich girl currently ranks fourth above the likes of Barack Obama on the twitter account list with 11,591,704 fans.  She’s best known for making a fortune on a leaked sex tape starring her and Brandy’s brother Ray J. Besides that she’s dated Dolphins running back Reggie Bush and was married to starting Nets forward, Kris Humphries.

The girl’s fame is as fake as a tissue enhancement in a school girl’s bra. And yet she garners praise for no other reason other than she has a nice behind, a way of starring in “leaked” sex tapes, and most importantly, because of her relations with celebrity athletes.

Kardashian’s last tweet was as follows: “ooooh do I understand this urge! LOL RT @KhloeKardashian -The things that I wish I could tweet LOL.”

Huh? Can I get a copy of Rosetta Stone?