Ever so often there comes a player who makes you take a look at his sport even though you show no interest. Millions watch golf despite not having the slightest appreciation for the sport. That can be chalked up to the phenom that is Tiger Woods. But for the last three months a 22 year old has given a flagging league a lot to celebrate about, His name is Lebron James. James isn’t just a saviour to a city that is disparagingly called ‘the mistake by the lake’, he is a multi million dollar draw for a league whose ratings have been on the skids since his airness Michael Jordan hung up his boots.

The search for the next Michael has seen many forms. A number of them have been carted out in front of the media with the iconic anointment but no one has yet lived up to the billing. Its still early days for Lebron to be called an MJ, a league driving force whose shadow still looms even after leaving the Bulls in 1999. But Lebron has done his bit for his city and his team. He has lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA finals for the first time in their history after a thrilling 4-2 victory over Detroit Pistons. In game 5 he had scored 25 straight points in the 4^th and OTs1 and 2. His final drive in the game was reminiscent of the great one but before all the hype starts to resonate through the wires, it is easy to forget he is only 22.

‘Before Lebron entered the city, Cleveland had never won a game’ jokes David Letterman. A stretch no doubt but it still gives you an idea of the impact he has had on a franchise whose last big name was Shawn Kemp. Lebron is familiar to the spotlight. The pressure he faces is more than Michael did at his age. Michael didn’t have to be the straight number one pick out of high school, neither was he labeled a franchise savior at 18. But for all those who witnessed his performances against the Pistons, you can attest that the Cavs are in very safe hands

The Cavs take on Spurs in the NBA Finals. David Stern must be a relieved man because that match up would sure put some butts in the seats.

This was by far, one of my toughest assignments. Dunking has changed over the years from its showy plain beginnings to becoming a form of art in the modern era. Just looking back at the past few decades, there has been a gradual change from power dunking to finesse. What you thought was impossible a few years ago, is reality now and only imagination stands between man and his elevation to stuff the ball into the hoop. Here are my top 5 NBA dunks

No 5

Rightly nicknamed ‘The Human Highlight film’, Dominique Wilkins personified the Windmill dunk. The raw power in each slam had the stadium rocking. It was only right that I did not pick one of his Windmills over the other. There was so little to choose in between them, that I had to thrown in a compilation of his Windmills at No 5.

The Human Highlight film, Windmill Mix

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tv1egELYa6A

No 4

Dr. J (Julius Erving) has to get the credit for changing the dunking world. Before he came into the scene, dunks were primarily from close to the basket by really tall players with absolutely zero entertainment value. Dr. J showed the world, the art of dunking. He was most famously known for this dunk at No 4. Dr J starts the break with a steal, drives on the left lane and cuts towards the basket, clutches the ball in one hand, swings it across his body and elevates over Michael Cooper of the Lakers for the jam.
Dr. J clutches the ball in one hand, swings it around and throws it down over Michael Cooper of the lakers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbQKzTg0SPI

No 3

What was Tracy McGrady thinking of. This play had fans going crazy. Free throw dunks were reserved for the dunk contest not by choice but by physical ability until this day. Not a single person has even dreamed of pulling off a free throw dunk during a game. At No 3, Tracy Mcgrady starts the break, shuffles his feet a few yards from the free throw line and takes off, soaring for the slam.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BZdWcYNxBb8

No 2

I really did not want to rank a dunk from the dunk contest here as it would change the ratings considerably. But this dunk was one of the most amazing dunks I had ever seen. Really doesnt matter when or where he did it but it was a masterpiece. The Mona Lisa of dunks and it belongs to His Airness, Michael Jordan. Jordan needs a 48 to tie and a 49 to win against his perennial dunk contest foe Dominique Wilkins. Although many people have dunked from the free throw line, this was something special. Micheal starts his run up from the end of the court, gradually gaining speed as it culminates with a smooth flowing figure taking off from the free throw line, double cluthcing in the air with his tongue out as cameras flash for the most famous picture of a dunk. It was God disguised as Micheal Jordan. Oh yeah and they gave Jordan a 50.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=m0EcVR04bAE

No 1

What can one say about this dunk. People talk about dunking on the defenders but actually going over them? And how many people could go over someone standing at 7 foot 2 inches. Well America’s Vince Carter can. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Vinsanity gets the steal at midcourt, gets a couple of short steps before he elevates over Frederic Weis of France and slams it over him. He actually takes off in front Weis and lands behind him. Weis did retire after the Olympics( I do feel sorry for him ) but on the bright side his name will always be synonymous with the best dunk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_H0gLc7jUY&NR

C2

P.S: Look out for James “Flight” White at this years dunk contest. He was drafted at No 31 by the Portland Trail Blazers. This guy can dunk from the free throw line and still have enough hangtime to put the ball between his legs while doing it.http://youtube.com/watch?v=pA4L-_Wic78

Technorati Tags: Basketball, Dunks, Jordan, Carter, Basketball+Videos, McGrady, Erving

The World Championships has drawn greater viewership this year than in the past. This maybe due to the star studded roster of Team USA, but even they are wary of the threat posed by the international teams. A sentiment echoed by Jerry Colangelo, head of USA Basketball. ”We invented the game , we sent our players and our coaches out to teach the world and now they’re closing the gap,” Colangelo said. ”They got better and better, we didn’t take care of business and they knocked us off our perch.”. Team USA had finished 3rd in the 2004 Olympics, a disgrace considering that USA had Vince Carter, Allen Iverson and a swarm of other 20million $ per year athletes. Now they are back with a vengeance. They have been practising hard and are committed to winning the crown this year.

Better Competition

Unlike the past, teams like Argentina (2004 Olympic Champions with Manu Ginobili) and Spain ( Pau Gasol and a stinging defense) have very strong squads and team USA has to be on top of their game to beat them. I would still put my money on the Americans to win it all this year with Argentina or Spain finshing second. These teams have strong fundamentals and play defense with passion. Explosive Offense can win a game but it takes strong defense to win a championship. These International teams have shown their talent in shooting the ball as well as in playing defense. The Americans have a physical advantage amongst all teams, something related to genetics I guess, but International teams are smart and have excellent coordination.

China has failed to amaze anyone so far into the competition, despite Yao Ming being the top scorer of the championship. Angola has shown a lot of promise. They have the heart but unfortunately not the talent to compete with the big guns.

USA - Germany quarterfinals looks imminent and it would be a great match. To date Dirk Nowitzki has been a matchup problem to all teams, look for the zone defense against the Germans. France was shaping to be a strong contender until Tony Parker was injured in an exhibition game and had to be pulled out of the roster.

Look out for the finals and throw your predictions in here. At last basketball is having a world championship with competition.
My Picks: 1.USA 2.Argentina 3. Spain 4. Greece

C2

(Good friend and a star basketball player!)

Technorati Tags: NBA, FIBA, Basketball, USA, Iverson, Carter, Nowitzki, , Ginobili