Odom Gives Griffin a Reality Check

 Lamar Odom gave Blake Griffin a little of what he's had coming to him for months now. While some opponents marvel at Griffin's devastating dunks, and highlight fetishists wait each night for Clipper clips, fans of physical old school basketball have been wondering why nobody has laid a hammer on Griffin to let the rookie know that life in the paint ain't easy.

 Near the end of last night's Lakers loss to their Los Angeles housemates, Odom dragged Griffin into extracurricular action, leading to the rookie's first ejection. The only damage done was one tugged jersey. Maybe next time, somebody like Kurt Thomas or Kevin Garnett will deliver a stronger message to Griffin to keep his ego below the rim.

Top 10 NBA Dunks of November

 Blake Griffin is exploding into his rookie year with dunks everywhere on anybody. Teammate Eric Gordon adds to the mix. Derrick Rose has some thunder. Russell Westbrook gets involved. There's even a Knick in the mix. Which dunk do you like the best?

How LeBron James Can Save Face

 LeBron James had a chance to be the dude everybody loved. Instead he chose to go play with the Miami Heat featuring Dwyane Wade and some sucker name Bitch Posh. It's not so bad that he chose to switch teams. It's how he did it, trying to be cute on smug, braincell killing interviews with Larry King and Jim Gray.

 Between his sideline boogie, indulgent commercials and grabs for off-court media attention, it has seemed like LeBron will do anything to be noticed and liked. Anything except the one thing we all want to see him do. 

 What should LeBron James do to save face and slow the hate? Participate in this year's slam dunk contest. 

 

 LeBron is one of the most outstanding dunkers in NBA history. His combination of size and power lead to rim rocking climaxes with more consistent fury than anyone before him. Yet he continues to shrink away from the biggest stage for all dunkers - the Slam Dunk contest. 

 During the off-season of 2009, he said he'd definitely be in the contest at All-Star break 2010. Instead he dipped his toes in the pool and skipped away like a timid, squealing 8 year old weakling. We were left with Nate Robinson claiming his third title in a forgettable night of dunks.

 Now is the time for LeBron to give back to the game which has made him a mega-millionaire by giving the fans what they want. Except it can't just be any slam dunk contest with guys like Birdman and Andre Iguodala. It's gotta be on some next level, everybody gotta watch, remember this night forever type competition.

 LeBron should challenge Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard and Nate Robinson to a showdown in this year's Slam Dunk contest at Kobe's gym, the Staples Center.

 Blake Griffin has been annihilating rims throughout his first month in the NBA. He dunks on people with zero remorse. He goes open court with it like a bigger, badder LeBron. And he always seems dazed afterward, like he's zoned out on dunk adrenaline. The rookie has crashed into the league with a vengeance. Who better to humble a wannabe king than Griffin? Or who better for a wannabe king to humble than a young buck like Blake?

 And then there's Superman himself, Dwight Howard. We know LeBron won't be getting an MVP award this year. Deep down, Dwight must want it to be his year. What better way to chip away at the reigning MVP than to knock him down at the Slam Dunk contest? As for LeBron, beating Howard would give him a win over the last truly stunning dunker in the contest. Dwight's Superman Slam put him in the stratosphere with Michael Jordan and Vince Carter. If LeBron can outdo Superman, how could we not start to forgive him for "The Decision"?

 

 Nate Robinson is the reigning champ and has won more Slam Dunk contests than any other player in NBA history. For LeBron to truly claim the crown, he must dethrone the champ. If Nate can beat Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard and LeBron James, he would be more than a novelty who won despite some suspect performances. He'd be the little guy who is the average man's hero. At 5'9", it's easier for us to want to be like Nate than giants like LeBron, Blake and Dwight. Nate's challenge is to be the all-time NBA David among the league's most powerful dunking Goliaths.

 Commissioner David Stern likes to throw wrinkles into the Slam Dunk contest - like guys have to do dunks based on past contest dunks or guys have to catch passes from teammates. This year, he should make it simple. Let's pay tribute to the greatest dunker of the late 90s, the last great leaping 2-guard. Vince Carter. Every dunker in this year's Slam Dunk contest has to do one of the dunks Vince Carter did when he won the dunk crown in 2000. 

 The judges - Kobe (Staples Center host), Vince Carter (of course), Michael Jordan (so he can hate on everyone and get booed for it), Dikembe Mutombo (just because he's mad cool and makes bugged out faces off good dunks) and Kenny Smith (TNT factor). 

 Let's make it happen. Start petitions. Tell your friends. Hit LeBron, Blake, Dwight and Nate up on twitter. We want to *witness* the Super Slam Dunk Contest of all time! Blake Griffin. Dwight Howard. Nate Robinson. LeBron James.

 

Blake Griffin Dunks On Knicks, Amar'e Shows Respect - video

 Blake Griffin continued his dunking dominance Saturday night against the Knicks. His latest monster slam was so nasty that Amar'e Stoudemire gave the rookie a nod during the next dead ball situation. 

 Griffin finished the game with career highs at 44 points and 7 assists. He also grabbed 15 rebounds. Stoudemire scored 39 points, his most as a Knick, and grabbed 11 boards. 

 The Knicks won 124-115 and finished their Western road trip with a three game winning streak. The Clippers have lost 9 straight. 

 If NBA commissioner David Stern insists on contracting a franchise, the 1-13 Clippers must be tops on the list. 

Devin Harris Tackles Blake Griffin - video

 Nets guard Devin Harris tackled Clippers forward Blake Griffin last night in Los Angeles. The refs ruled the play a flagrant 2 foul and Harris was immediately ejected with 6:42 left in the second quarter. 

 He should've just been called for interference and the Clippers should've gotten the ball at the 2, first and goal to go. I guess it's part of David Stern's collaboration with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to crack down on "unnecessary" contact. 

 This is just good, hard, physical basketball. Blake Griffin's official rookie welcome to the NBA. As for Devin Harris, no suspension is necessary. He already missed more than half the game after being ejected. The Nets won without him anyway, 110-96. The Clippers are now 1-10. 

 The whole Clippers franchise should be given a two game suspension for continuing to be horrible year after year. They make the league look worse than the Malice at the Palace and Tim Donaghy combined.

 Besides, a full-franchise suspension would be a good test for contracting them next season. The NBA would survive and the city of Los Angeles probably wouldn't even notice. Doesn't LA already have enough basketball with the Lakers? 

Blake Griffin's Debut Dunks - Video

 Blake Griffin didn't waste any time unleashing his outlandish athleticism on the NBA. He had 20 points, 14 boards, 4 assists and 2 monster dunks in his debut against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Staples Center wasn't rocking as hard as it does for Laker games, but it was the most aerial excitement the Clippers have had in years.
 Some things haven't changed as the Clippers lost 98-88. Don't blame Blake though. The rookie shot 8-14 while vets Chris Kaman and Baron Davis combined for 7-29. The Clippers face the Golden State Warriors on Friday. With their soft paint defense, expect more nasty dunks from Blake Griffin.

    

5 NBA Stars On The Rebound In 2010-11

 Andrew Bogut shows us that his right arm is doing fine as he heads back into action in training camp with the Milwaukee Bucks. After his horrific injury, it'll be great to see him on the court again. He reports only occasional pain in his elbow and is set for a full training camp and season. Hopefully he'll pick up where he left off as one of the best centers in the NBA.

 Blake Griffin's knees must be feeling good since he was jumping around for photos on media day. He's recovered from a broken left knee cap and is ready to taste his first regular season NBA action. May the basketball gods ease up on the Clipper curse so Griffin can elevate to his potential.

 Gilbert Arenas is back and Agent Zero is dead. I'm not sure if David Stern killed Agent Zero or if Gilbert did it himself. Either way, Arenas is wearing number 9, sporting a beard and smiling for no one. Agent 9 averaged 22.6 ppg with 7.2 apg and was having his best season in three years when he was suspended last year. He hadn't missed any of 32 games after only playing fifteen total games in the two previous years. If Ron Artest could bounce back to a championship, maybe Agent Zero can find similar success.

 George Karl returns to lead the Denver Nuggets after a bout with neck and throat cancer cut his season short last year. He's in good health and expects to be able to fully resume all coaching duties. "I told the team that I probably can't yell at them for more than three or four minutes at a time," he said. "So they're probably excited about it." Karl is now challenged with trying to keep Carmelo Anthony focused on his immediate future in Denver. It's good to see Coach Karl back even if his team may finish this upcoming season in rebuild mode.

 Mo Williams begged the Cavs not to trade him on June 23 when he tweeted "Pls don't trade me, I'm not ready to go. I'm begging. My work ain't done yet. I'm on both knees....pls. I'm serious." 

 Two weeks later, LeBron decided that his own work with the Cavs was done & left Williams as empty as the rest of Cleveland. 

 "This summer was very, very stressful for me," Williams said. "I really lost a lot of love for the game this summer." 

 Instead of embracing his new role as the main cog in the Cavs' offense, Williams feared playing on a team that won't win as much. 

 "We were winning basketball games," he said. I was coming home every night a winner. Who can't love that? That is what playing a role on a team is all about." 

 Now that LeBron has taken over the Mo role for the Heat, Williams can take over where James left off in Cleveland. His future has never been brighter and if he opens his eyes, he'll see it.