Most of my thinking is complex, but most of you think that it's nonsense...

A Moose Track

So we're two weeks into the NBA season (I think?) and I haven't checked in here for a substantial post in a while, so I'm gonna give it a go here.

I say Jay-Z in Rhode Island a week ago, and I gotta say....man. Was the greatest concert I've ever been to (which doesn't imply much but the show was sick). I had decent seats, the sound wasn't bad, Hov put on a great show. He did pretty much everything....really. Name it, he did it. Big Pimpin', Dirt Off Your Shoulder, 99 Problems....everything. You can see the whole show that I saw in pretty good quality right here.

N*E*R*D, J. Cole and Wale opened for him, and they all performed well. J. Cole only did three songs, but they were the essentials (Grown Simba, Lights Please, I Get Up). He came back to do "A Star Is Born" anyways. Wale did about a half an hour, and he did some good joints--W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E., Nike Boots, Pretty Girls, Mirrors, Chillin, World Tour...that's about all I can remember, but he was sick. Had great energy, frequently talked shit about the radio (both while spittin and while talking to the whole crowd). NERD was on for a while and it was tough to hear them; the rock band behind them was kinda ruining it. They were solid, but Pharrell needs to get some dance lessons. Man...

On to the current NBA season. I'll start with the normal things...

The Celtics are dominating. We all know it, and we shouldn't be afraid to admit it by now. You know I'm a big fan, but I'm realistic and I don't take sides while blogging, so I can say that. Rondo is owning while barely taking any field goal attempts, PSquared is playing out of his head, and for those of you who aren't paying attention, Kendrick Perkins has improved immensely. Swatting shots left and right. The C's are the deepest team in the league, and if we don't get injured, then nobody will stop this team.

Miami, Denver, Atlanta, Orlando, Phoenix and LA are all playing outstanding so far among many. Other teams (San Antonio, Cleveland, Dallas) will pick up slack in the next couple of weeks and it'll all even out. And what do you guys think about Washington, Toronto and Philadelphia? I can't make up my mind on any of these teams. So much talent, but...

There haven't been many big surprises this year SO FAR in the league, HOWEVA! we all know that it's too early to call that stuff. J.J. Redick has been playing way too well. Somebody put a lid on that dude, he shouldn't be playing this well. Making me think that the NBA could be some big joke that ends with JJ Redick in the top 10 scoring and rebounding. But on the real, he's doing things other than shooting, and I hope that it's not here to stay.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see Steve Nash playing the way he's been playing for 82+ games. He's got 19.6 points, 10.8 dimes and 3 boards per game. These numbers look great for Nashty, looks like him circa 2004. But, he's very fallible because of his percentage line--.529 FG%, .923 FT%, and--ready?--.545 3PT%. This will not continue. But, maybe Nash can lead the Suns to a good season. I don't see that out of the picture.

Pick up Brandon Jennings in your fantasy league. He's my rookie of the year pick, and the dude is wreckin. 22, 5 and 4 with 1.7 steals per game is sweet from a rook, even with 34 minutes a game. Jennings is the man. There aren't many point guards who can match up to his quickness, Derrick Rose and Rondo are probably his counterparts in that area.

Not much else I can say here. Keep your eyes on Michael Beasley, just as someone interesting to watch right about now. Happy birthday to our dude DP. Put on some Curren$y and go around saying "play wit it" to everyone after a conversation in honor of his 18th. Be easy.


--Moose

The Great Undervalued

A Moose Track

I'm going to bring a certain NBA point guard into the spotlight for a moment. But instead of just bringing him out and introducing him like normal, I'm gonna turn make it a little more interesting.

This player works the court like a magician. He sees it like a lion sees a plain full of gazelles, and he attacks. He leads his team like he's been doing it for the past ten years, and his squad's success hinges on his performance. If he plays well, it rubs off on his teammates, usually with satisfying results.

You're thinking Tony Parker, right? Wrong.

He is the Most Valuable Player on his team, even though sometimes this title is doubted or unknown. His teammates know it, and they put their full trust in him, letting him run the offense and most of the defense as well. He is a natural leader, instructing his colleagues even though they're probably years older than him.

You're thinking Derrick Rose, right? Wrong.

His crossovers perplex his defenders and teammates alike, sporting killer dribble moves while cutting to the hoop. He is quicker than Usain Bolt on steroids (wink, wink) running from a horse with rabies. He slices to the hole like a hot knife through butter, leaving the opposition wondering if they should have gone into business rather than basketball.

You're thinking Deron Williams, right? Wrong.

This man's defense is off the charts, staying on the ball like Ryan Jones on LeBron James (Man, I hope RJ reads this--Moose). Steals come like his hands are magnets, grabbing the ball from whoever gets in his way quicker than Kobe seems to pick up 35 nightly. Nobody wants to be covered by him.

You're thinking Chris Paul, right? Wrong.

He's got a basketball IQ higher than Josh Howard in the offseason, and he sees plays before they happen, taking full advantage of every opportunity that presents itself. Whether he's faking and then dumping to somebody else, tossing up a perfect alley-oop or flipping a behind-the-back, the passes drop just like the dimes.

You're thinking Steve Nash, right? Wrong.

This player is a legitimate triple double threat every time he steps on the court, having a talent for scoring, assisting and rebounding, despite size differences. He seems to sneak rebounds out of every situation, using quickness and smarts to beat bigger opponents in every category.

You're thinking Jason Kidd, right? Wrong.

Soon, it'll be impossible to ignore. This point guard, too underrated and outshined, deserves his burn. I'm having a hard time thinking that it isn't coming soon.



--Moose