On Point: NBA Fans Will Have Plenty to Cheer For in the Next Decade

(Photo Credit LJ World)

It seems like just yesterday I was hanging out with my buddies, collecting basketball cards, and screaming things like "I got a Jason Kidd game worn jersey card in this pack!" or "Check out my Steve Francis chrome rookie card!" Yes, it seems the wave of NBA stars from my childhood has passed us. The elite, and more specifically, exciting crop of NBA point guards no longer consists of guys like Jason Kidd, Steve Francis, Sam Cassell, Allen Iverson (yes, those technical fans out there remember he at one point was listed at PG), Mike Bibby, Baron Davis, Stephon Marbury, Chauncey Billups, Gary Payton, and Gilbert Arenas. Part of me has been sad to finally admit that these guys are either done or way past their prime. The other part of me, however, is incredibly excited for the years to come.

(Photo Credit Yahoo)

After watching Ricky Rubio play in person last night-still on a less than 100% healthy knee may I remind you-I began to think about the direction of the NBA is headed, specifically the point guard position. My level excitement immediately ROSE (pun absolutely intended). Watching Ricky Rubio play in person was an experience that any NBA fan could appreciate. From the tenacious defense, to the unbelievable passes, to the obvious will power that propels the kid to not give up, he is something special to see in person. I can't help but wonder "what if" he had a completely healthy knee along with a completely healthy Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic, not to mention a healthy Chase Budinger? NBA gurus would have to agree that they could have made some noise this year with the leadership of Rubio at the helm.

(Photo Credit Sports Illustrated)

Think for a second, about all of the point guards in this league at the moment. Now, think of them a couple of years from now. Imagine the excitement! As an NBA fan in general, this thought thrills me. I can't wait to see a developed Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Damian Lillard, and Ricky Rubio. Exciting guys like Ty Lawson, Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holiday, and Steph Curry will be in the thick of their prime and should still be solid players. Will Shved get a gig elsewhere? He's sure shown a lot of promise as a rookie. And then there is the already established stars like Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, and Chris Paul. How much better can D-Rose and Rondo get? Well, imagine if they developed a consistent jumper. Imagine if Russell Westbrook learned to make veteran decisions for his team. Chris Paul is as good as he'll be at this point, but should still be dominant in a few years too.

(Photo Credit Getty Images)

This group of point guards could end up being one of the great groups of the past century. Let's make sure we cherish it! This wasn't intended to be a factual, nor debatable article. This was simply a fan thinking out loud about the years to come. I hope I have instilled even more love for the NBA within your soul. I know I'm excited. Are you?

Joakim Noah: The most complete center in the NBA and DPOY candidate

 

(Photo Credit sports24.com)

Coming into his career with the Bulls, Joakim Noah knew only one thing: Winning. At Florida he won two NCAA titles under Billy Donovan and was known for his emphatic, tenacious, passionate play on the court. He was a stud with the Gators. Then, starting with the hideous tuxedo choice on NBA Draft night in 2007, something changed. 

 

(Photo Credit joakimnoahonline)

His rookie season he produced only 6.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, barely 1 assist and not even a full block or steal (ESPN). There was more to be expected from a 1st round draft pick coming in to fill a huge need in the front court on a struggling team. The next year he managed to improve slightly with a 6.7PPG, 7.6RPG, and roughly the same assist, steal, and block numbers (ESPN). However, in May of 2008 he was charged with possession of marijuana (Inside Hoops). The start to his NBA career was not what Bulls fans had in mind... Not in the slightest. 

Fast forward to his 2012-2013 season, and I assure you, Bulls fans have a completely different feeling about the guy. He has shown a change in his play that would have been hard to believe in 2008. This year Mr. Noah has been exactly who the Bulls envisioned on Draft Night back in 2007. He is hustling for every rebound, emphatically contesting shots on every position, working for a dominant post position when guarding his man, stealing and blocking the ball at an all time high as of late...I mean, everything you want from a center, he is doing. I've even caught the man leading the fast break after ripping down a board! I believe a big reason for his success is due to the coaching of Tom Thibodeau. Joakim Noah is the definition of a Thibs type player if there ever was one. He has bought into Thibs' system and style of play, and boy has he ran off with it.

 (Photo Credit Terra Sports)

Noah's 2012-2013 has been filled with double doubles, a pair of triple doubles, a handful of technicals, and a lingering injury. It has been quite an eventful year for Joakim, especially with making his first career All Star Game. Thus far, he has put up 12.0 PPG (career high), 11.4 RPG (career high and also 4th in the NBA), 3.9 offensive RPG (3rd in NBA), 4.3 assists (career high and best among power forwards and centers), 2.3 BPG (career high and 6th in the NBA), and 1.3 SPG (All stats credited to ESPN).. He is also 7th in the NBA (tied with his teammate Carlos Boozer) in double doubles (ESPN). 

To think he has put up these kinds of numbers while battling a lingering plantar fasciitis injury-not to mention the constant distraction that is Carlos Boozer's yelling-is astounding. I am sure Bulls fans are salivating at the possibilities of a completely healthy Joakim Noah. Without the play of Noah this year, the Bulls would be no where near as scary on defense as they have been at times. Is he the best defensive player in the game this season? I don't know. There are a lot of deserving players in guys like Tyson Chandler, Lebron James, Larry Sanders, and even KG at his age. What I do know, is that Noah is up there and sure deserves to be in the conversation.

Homosexuality in Sports: The Idiot That Spearheaded My Frustration

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Your first thought when reading this is probably correct: Yes, Chris Culliver prompted this post. Just days before the Super Bowl, Chris Culliver of the 49ers was asked how he would feel having a gay teammate. He responded in a matter that sent shock waves through the world of sports: "No, we don't got no gay people on the team. They got to get up out of here if they do.” Culliver proceeded to get burned over and over again by Ravens wideouts in the big game, en route to a loss. He later apologized and many assume (including myself) it was his publicist doing the talking for him to try and reinstate what was left of his image.

Now, I'm not going to turn this into some obscene street preaching sermon. I am a Bible-believing Christian, yes. But, while the Bible says many things, it also says in the book of John to love all people, just as Jesus loved us. Interestingly (and sadly) enough, many 'Christians' chose to agree with Culliver and his statement. I have no problem with you agreeing with his overall belief on Homosexuality, however, I do have a problem if you agree with the way he went about it. Culliver is a pure example of why people associate this type of behavior with 'Christians.' Let me assure you before you read any further, though I have my own beliefs, I will NEVER backhand someone of a different sexual orientation, race, or belief than myself. And that my fellow sports lovers, is a giant reason why people have such a hate towards 'Christians.' Pssst...a secret between you and I, they're not all like that!

Anyways, getting back to the matter at hand, I firmly believe that if a player can play the game he or she is involved in at a high enough level, it should not matter if they are gay, straight, or any other orientation. If I am a GM in the NFL looking at my current position in the draft, and it comes my turn to pick, I'm looking at the best available player for our current needs. If we need an offensive lineman and there's a guy who is married to a horse and collects blow up dolls while treating them like his own children, but he put up 45 reps on the bench press at 225, ran a 4.7 40 while weighing over 320lbs, and has a vertical surpassing some of the tight ends and wide receivers, MAKE NO MISTAKE, that guy is playing for my team! End of discussion!

For a player to say something like Culliver said while getting paid millions of dollars to just play football, is outright pathetic and there should be severe action taken to prevent future mishaps like this. I'm talking fines, suspensions, whatever is necessary. I for one, would be completely pissed off and humiliated if a player publicly told the world he did not want to play on the same team as me because of some personal or religious affiliation.

You may not condone something, but it doesn't mean you need to condemn it. Leave that for the judge, or better yet, leave it to the ultimate judge, God himself. All we can do while on this earth is love people and treat them the way they deserve and the way Christ treated them.