How Much Is It Worth?

NBA Live '95 (First game Kevin Garnett could be used): $50.00



Nike Flightposite 3 (First shoes KG endorsed): $150.00



MInnesota Timberwolves Team Jersey #21 (Rookie Year): $99.99



Watching a really good dude FINALLY win a ring: Priceless...



And everything was right with the world...


Ticket Line: 26 Points, 14 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 3 Steals, 1 Block

Congratulations!

D-Con

P.S. Sooo, how you feeling now Stefan?

Daaayummm!!!

So I'm asking myself...if I was the best player in the world, how would I explain that I got dunked on by the oldest player in the world.

If this play was a text message, it would read LMAO!



P.J. Brown on Kobe Bryant


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Gentlemen...

...it's been an honor.

And you WILL BE MISSED!!!



Jonathan Ogden Career Stats

Michael Strahan Career Stats

D-Con

A Different World

I know I should be breaking down the NBA Finals and going over the particulars of Game 3 and predictions for tonight's game; however, my attention was diverted Tuesday night by Encore's Comic Book lineup. I really tried to turn away from Spider Man 3, Ghost Rider and Comic's Unbound, a well put together, two hour documentary of how comic books have become the goldmine Hollywood uses to create blockbuster jewels, but I couldn't.

So, after releasing my younger D-Con, it got me to ask the question: Do I love comics more than I do sports??? Could it be?

Well...yes.

Aside from the fact that I've waited my whole life to see the Sandman, Magneto, Nightcrawler, Iron Man and the Silver Surfer truly portrayed on the big screen, I love the fact that comic books are social commentary...YES, THEY ARE!



Here's Bill, to break it down for you...



If that's too cryptic, lets get literal...Comics have helped champion the minority. DC Comics created the first woman character in Wonder Woman in 1941 while Marvel Comics created Power Man in 1972.


At the time of their inception, these characters werent used as cannon fodder; they were legitimate heroes with strong story lines, quality art, and a subsequently strong fan base.



However, some titles spoke out in a more subtle fashion. I'll just zero in on one:

The Uncanny X-Men



The X-Men were introduced in 1963. They were a group of five young people with special abilities called mutants. Each member, Cyclops, Beast, Ice-Man, Angel and Marvel Girl was taught how to use their powers by Professor Charles Xavier.

Creator, Stan Lee expressed that these individuals were shunned because they were different, they were discriminated against, ostracised, and shown unfair treatment because of their abilities and sometimes, their apperance. Now, if you keep in mind that this magazine was kicked off during the middle of the civil rights movement, you'll start to see a parallel between them and a certain race of people in the Southern United States.

Further, each of the X-Men, save Marvel Girl, were given either biblical or mythilogical names: Angel, Beast, Cyclops and Iceman. Besides Angel, these are the names of some of the most notorious antagonists in classic literature. And lastly, they were called mutants, which is usually tagged to an individual who is deformed, unsightly, and exxagerated. Finally, their teacher, Professor Charles Xavier was a parapalegic, who until 1990 had absolutely ZERO rights in this country.

Lee was successful in turning the tables on labels, and stereotypes in X-Men by giving some of the worst names to characters, then portraying them as decent, sincere and noble people; thereby, showing the current generation (baby boomers) how stupid segregation, bigotry and discrimination was.

Marvel then took it a step further with Giant Sized X-Men #1 featuring new mutants like Colossus, Nightcrawler, Sunfire, Thunderbird and Storm.



Understand that each of these characters hailed from countries or belonged to nationalities that, at the time, were counter to American culture.

Colossus was from the then Soviet Union, who the U.S. was currently engaged in the Cold War with.

Nightcrawler and Sunfire were from Germany and Japan respectively, countries that were allies in World War II; which at the time of this magazine's publication had ended only 30 years prior.

Storm was Kenyan, but grew up in Egypt, a country, with a precarious relationship with the U.S. throughout the seventies and eighties.


And lastly Thunderbird, who was Native American. Consider how huge it was for Marvel to push this envelope. Understanding the plight of the American Indian, the media charicature, and defemation of American Indian culture, Marvel created a legitimate hero in a fantastic hero group.

Through the years, The X-Men storylines have spoken out against many of the social ills that plague society: genocide, racism, discrimination, profiling, and classism.

And there are more examples in the comic world, but I'll stop here. Artists/Writers/Activists like Stan Lee, Jack "King" Kirby, Neal Adams and others taught an entire generation tolerance without them knowing they were learning a lesson.



So, the next time you see a comic book and notice one of the heroes, throw one of them in Wikipedia and research them, or pick up a couple of magazines and read between the lines to see how writers and artists use their medium to speak out against the powers that be.



Oh yeah, the Lakers won Tuesday Night and I expect the Boston Three Party to have a better game and go 3-1 tonight!


D-Con

The Big Ticket

I couldn't resist using KG's nickname to title this post. To speak for a generation, we've been waiting for this type of Los Angeles Lakers/Boston Celtics matchup since EA Sports allowed gamers to create players.

How do we begin to break down this year's matchup? Conventional wisdom goes out the window because neither team has a boatload of postseason experience. Both teams have a combined 3 players with more than one Conference Final (Kobe Bryant, Derek Fischer, Sam Cassell).

What most impresses me about these two teams is they get better the more games they play, especially the Lake Show. Each club has defeated more experienced and battle hardened teams to get to this point, and yet these finalists have decisively and effectively closed out their respective opponents...Let's break it down.

Point Guard

Rajon Rondo vs. Derek Fischer

If Derek Fischer has showed us anything this postseason, it's that he's pretty darn consistent. Open shot, after open shot, he carried the hammer to nail the San Antonio Spurs' coffin; conversely, will the REAL Rajon Rondo please stand up? The former Wildcat showed promise and poise, but he was widely inconsistent during the Celtics playoff run. Inconsistency is not going to cut it in the NBA Finals.

Advantage: Lakers


Shooting Guard

Kobe Bryant vs. Ray Allen



uuuhhh...Just give it your best shot Jesus.

Advantage: Lakers

Small Forward

Paul Pierce vs. Luke Walton

This is going to be a very, very lopsided matchup. Unless, Bill Walton's son gets hurt in the next 24 hours, he's gonna get his ass handed to him. Kevin Garnett is playing great ball for the C's, but in every game that the Cetlics needed, The Truth delivered. To make matters worse, Paul is playing on the greatest stage his profession has to offer in front of his home crowd. Man, it's not looking good...use the force Luke, you're gonna need it.

Advantage: Celtics


Power Forward

Lamar Odom vs. Kevin Garnett

okokok...I'ma say it! I aint skeered! I'm D-Con DAMMIT. Kevin Garnett is the player that everyone thought Lamar Odom was going to be!!! And deep down, deep down, LO knows that. That said, Odom will bring his A game for the Ticket. Lots don't know that Odom grabbed 10 boards per game this year, and aside from points, he's neck and neck with KG in every statistical category. But I won't go crazy and grade this matchup as a tie; Garnett, at the end of these contests, will get the better of Lamar Odom.

Advantage: Celtics


Center

Kendrick Perkins vs. Pau Gasol

Now, let me give some credit to Kendrick Perkins, because he has moves down low, and a nice 10 footer from ANYWHERE on the floor. But, the young man has a tendency to fall asleep and disappear during the course of the game. On the other side, Pau Gasol is on ALL GAME LONG. He may take some s-s-sstupid shots, but he runs the floor, rebounds, and is an exceptional passer from the post.

Advantage: Lakers

Lakers Bench:


Doc Rivers, head coach of the Boston Celtics, really has to prepare his team for the Lakers' second unit. The challenge is they run. Like UNLV run, like Arkansas 92 run, like RUN-TMC run. Boston has faced slower teams with set, half-court offenses throughout their campaign and does not fair well in defensive transistion.

Vladamir Rodmanovic and Jordan Farmar must be accurate to help the Lakers hold Boston off late in the periods. Sasha Vujacic must do the same; further, defensively, he and Trevor Ariza will need to keep their eyes on live bodies like Leon Powe and James Posey.

In the previous series, Ronny Turiaf was effective because he stayed out of foul trouble and outhustled older opponents like Robert Horry. This time, he'll have to deal with PJ Brown...LOL!


What can I say about the Celtic Bench? No, really, I'm asking...The most consistent reserve has been PJ Brown...HELLO, he's the third oldest player in the league!

Seriously, these guys have got to play on a more consistent basis to match up with their West Coast counterparts. Sam Cassell has been a liability thus far for the C's...but then again, he won't have the defensive pressure of Lindsay Hunter on him...so he should be ok. Eddie House, nope; Tony Allen, non-existent; Glenn Davis, six fouls; Leon Powe...mmm, maybe; James Posey, hold the phone.

James Posey IS one of the reasons why Boston advanced past the Detroit Pistons. His hustle plays late in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals helped cement Celtic victory. James doesn't get rattled, and should give the Celtics that added umph needed to help them win games. Posey has the experience to prove it. He played a key role in Miami's 2006 championship run.

Bottom line is: Doc's going to have to demand a little bit more from these guys in order to overcome LA's second unit.

Advantage: Lakers

All in all, this should be a very exciting series. It's been over 20 years since these cities saw each other in the Finals, but what's most significant to me is, we've never wanted players to win so badly. Lots of folk are rooting for the Celtics because they want KG to get a ring, others have watched Paul Pierce for years and respect the turmoil he's dealt with in Boston. Then you have those who want Kobe to show all the haters that Shaquille O'Neal didn't just win by himself during those Laker runs in the early millennium.

LA may prove to be too much for Boston this series. Hope to Pistol Pete's socks that I'm wrong though, but I'm 0-2 on predictions thus far anyway.


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Hey God, It's D-Con

I'm here on the blog asking you, well...it's a simple request really.

I mean, if you're not too busy...Amen.

D-Con

Daaayummm!!!

Even if you're sixth in shot blocking among active players; even if your nickname is the "Sultan of Swat;" even if you've led the NBA in blocks twice, there are still times when you need to get the EFF out the way.



KG on Theo Ratliff on the break.


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Dear Mr. Randolph,

I am not a New York Mets fan, but I am a fan of you. I am a "thirty-something" so I was around to watch the twilight of your career as a legendary second baseman and spokesman for the New York Yankees and later as a thoroughly respected bench and third base coach for the Bronx Bombers.

I must say, you were quite the elder statesmen for the Yankees when the team started aging and went into the rebuilding process. You never made any waves, and played with the energy, emotion and professionalism a future hall of famer should. I guess that's why I'm so surprised at your latest comments regarding the media's treatment of you this past week.

Mr. Randolph, you are the manager of the New York Mets (emphasis on New York), as a former player for both teams, you should know better than anyone how the questions are asked and how criticism is handed out.

You were coached by Billy Martin, you've played with Lou Pinnella and Bobby Bonilla, and you've managed David Wells, Darryl Strawberry and Pedro Martinez; therefore, you have intimate knowledge on idiotic statements and the subsequent media fallout. How could you make such unrealistic and laffable comments?

Mr. Randolph, your team melted down in the pennant race last year, and you kept your job. It was probably one of the worst collapses of all time. Do you honestly think, after underachieving this year, being African American has anything to do with critics wanting you to step down now?

I've never played, coached or been anywhere close to a baseball player, and I know that Joe Torre got ripped with every team he managed before he joined the Yankees; I know Grady Little was run out of his Los Angeles Dodgers job, and if the Yankees don't pick it up, I know Joe Girardi will be on the chopping block too. And I know you know this as well.

I'm deeply dissapointed in you Mr. Randolph; not in your subpar season, because I was rooting for you to pull out of it, but in your judgement, and innappropriate choice of words. The treatment and scrutiny you are under has nothing to do with you being Black. It has everything to do with your team's underachievment and poor performance.

But you know that already.

You're the JACKASS OF THE WEEK!


D-Con

Western Conference Finals Matchup

Sports Fans,

The Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs are in the conference finals...oh brother! The Lakers beat up on a weak Nuggets team and closed out the Jazz in 6 games...oooooo...Big effin deal.

The Spurs are again prepped to play for another ring. The team that looks like a bunch of real estate agents instead of a championship caliber basketball club is playing the Lakers for the 6th time in 9 years...YAYY...To tell you the truth, it would have been more fun watching CP3 break Kobe's ankles or watch Tyson Chandler dunk on Pau Gasol.

And after watching the Celtics give it to Detroit tonight, I am so not riled up for this game...but I digress...Lets get to the break down.

Point Guard

Tony Parker vs. Derek Fischer

I would say this is no brainer and give this right to TP, but Derek Fischer has this uncanny ability of getting wide open when it counts and hitting really big shots. The french guy has to be mindful of that during the series...and that's where it ends.

Parker is gonna fry Fischer. Because he just went toe to toe with arguably the best PG in the league in Chris Paul, Tony's playing on a pretty high level. There's no way Fischer will be able to keep up with this guy for 48 minutes.

Advantage: Spurs


Shooting Guard

Kobe Bryant vs. Manu Ginobili

This is a tough call. I know Kobe's the best player in the world, but he perpetually has his hands full with Manu.

Kobe can take over, so can Manu

Manu can hit the clutch 3, so can Kobe

Kobe can create his own shot when nothings there, so can Manu

Manu's energy affects his teammates so they play better, so does Kobe's

Advantage: Tie


Small Forward

Bruce Bowen vs. Luke Walton

Both these guys are gonna pack their lunch and go to work. The difference is, only one of them will be a factor. Luke Walton is a hustle guy, but he doesn't put his team in a position to win, night in and night out, Bruce Bowen does.

We know Bowen won't guard Walton, he'll juggle Kobe and Odom assignments, play stellar defense, make key plays, and hit that corner three throughout the series.

Luke Walton...well, he'll be there.

Advantage: Spurs


Power Forward

Lamar Odom vs. Tim Duncan

.

Tim Duncan had some scoring challenges in the last round thanks to the different defensive schemes Hornets head coach Byron Scott threw at him. Regardless, Tim still showed up when it counted hitting key shots, and averaged double digit rebounds throughout the series. And if you didn't know, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson doesn't double team

Now, I'm not sold on Odom. I know he's playing really well and all, but LO hasn't been in the pressure cooker of the Western Conference Finals...or any type of Finals for that matter. Now he has to deal with Tim Duncan for the next week and a half.

I'd look for Odom to crumble under pressure and be relatively non existent, a non factor for this series; something he's done his whole career, come up short.

Advantage: Spurs

Center

Fabricio Oberto vs. Pau Gasol

Pau has big numbers against the Spurs this year (about 18 ppg), but that's the regular season. Before this spring, Gasol had ZERO post season experience. I don't believe he'll be able to continually match the intensity of battle tested Tim Duncan (You know Oberto isn't going to guard him!). Gasol won't fold, but I predict that he won't be able to make the right adjustments when it counts.

Oberto is 6 fouls and 5 boards a game. He's an energy guy, runs the floor well, and will be subbed for Kurt Thomas at the end of this blog.

Advantage: Lakers


Spurs Bench

This is a very deep and productive bench. Lets begin with Brent Barry. Like the rest of Rick's kids, Brent has a very high basketball IQ, never turns the ball over, and hits key shots in key situations.

Hey Mikey, I think he likes it!!! Michael Finley got a taste of winning last year and wants to do it again. Although he slipped in the rotation early in the playoffs, Finley's key three pointers in the second half of Game 7 vs. New Orleans helped the Spurs close the door on the Hornets.

Robert Horry is back...I bet you didn't notice how he cut his hair the way he had it his first two years in Houston (for the subtle impaired: He's making a statement). Big Shot Bob did just that in Game 7 of the New Orleans series and is looking to prove he still has it in the upcoming western showdown.

What can I say about Kurt Thomas? He's tough (New York and Miami professional upbringing), he can score (Billy Tubbs upbringing), and he's consistent (although he is prone to foul trouble).

This guy Ime Udoka can flat out play. The guy from everywhere with the Nigerian name slashes to the hoop, or can step out and bang the three. His mid range game and defense helped to bump him past Michael Finley in the rotation...that's pretty impressive. Look to see him collect fouls guarding Kobe, or reaching in on Lamar Odom during the series

Lakers Bench

Ronny Turiaf is a blue collar guy that can provide much needed front court toughness for the Lake Show IF he can keep his 250 lbs self on the court and out of STUPID foul trouble. Not much of an offensive threat though, he's shooting 42% percent from the field, and I'd like to think those shots were close to the basket.

If this guy can get it going, the Spurs will need to watch out, but the problem is, Jordan Farmar has probably been the most inconsistent Laker reserve this post season. Consider that the UCLA alum averaged almost 10 a game this past regular season and is now contributing 3.5 shooting 26% from the field. This would be a rotten time for San Antonio for Farmar to break out of that funk.

Vladamir Radmonovic...sorry man, but I don't believe you. Like other European ball players, they show promise and phenomenal talent in the regular season then disappear in the post season. Dirk did it this again this year, and Peja Stojakovic shot 3 for 11 for 7 points in the closeout loss to San Antonio. I don't know, maybe I'm just seeing things, but I don't think this guy is going to make much of an impact.

Bench Advantage: Spurs

At the end of the day, the Lakers have too little experience on their roster to get to the next level. Will they make it interesting, sure! But I believe the Lake Show gets too much credit just for being the Lakers. They have two players on their roster with extensive playoff experience and inconsistency plagues too many of their personnel.

Spurs in 6!

D-Con

Eastern Conference Matchup

Sports Fans,

I can't lie and say I wasn't praying to the NBA gods for this matchup, because I was. We love to say how the Eastern Conference has lost its edge, its intrigue, its aura...and largely we're right, but the 2008 playoffs have shown that the Atlantic, Central, and Southeast divisions have new life.

Enter Boston vs. Detroit, the remix! Since the days of Larry Joe and Isiah Lord, this bitter rivalry has since sweetened since the departure of each teams respective hall of famers, dud draft picks, injuries, and just plain ol bad basketball.

Albeit Detroit has rebuilt faster than Boston (thanks to former Bad Boy, Piston GM Joe Dumars),

the Pistons still haven't had that true Eastern Conference rival that fans could clearly choose a side with. Well now Motor City will have their contemporary and LIKE IT!

So lets break down the match-ups shall we?


Point Guard

Chauncey Billups vs. Rajon Rondo

Chancey Billups is banged up...really banged up. That hamstring injury won't hold up against Rondo, one of the faster guards in the league. However, Chauncey may not have to guard him. They may switch Tayshawn Prince to cover that assignment, matching Billups with slower, and unproductive Ray Allen.

Rondo wasn't very consistent during the Cleveland series and is too young to deal with the pressure of a late game situation, so I don't know how he'll deal with Eastern Conference Finals type scenarios.

What it really comes down to is, which pg will hit the shot their team needs them to hit? Even though Rondo has done it this playoff series, Chauncey has made 46 million off of those types of shots.

Advantage: Detroit


Shooting Guard

Ray Allen vs. Rip Hamilton

Okay, not gonna spend much time here...

Ray Allen totalled the following points in the last three playoff games

Game 5: 11 (4 for 11)

Game 6: 9 (3 for 8)

Game 7: 4 (1 for 6)

He averaged 9.3 per game, shot 32% from the field, and 16% from beyond the arc in the Eastern Semi Finals.

Rip Hamilton totalled the following points in the last three playoff games

Game 3: 24 (7 for 20)

Game 4: 32 (12 for 24)

Game 5: 31 (7 for 20)

Ray will have to chase his fellow alum all day...Rip never gets tired and plays just like Latrell Sprewell (Pre-New York). He never gets tired, his mid-range game is all day, and he'll rip you for 25 and you won't even know it. Any questions?

Advantage: Detroit


Small Forward

Tayshaun Prince vs. Paul Pierce

The owner of TripleOT Sports, Oz Jones is a DIE HARD Kentucky fan, so I have no problem throwing another former Wildcat under the bus.

Tayshaun, you've got no chance against this guy. The Truth is too good and is playing at a very high level right now. Last year, you had your hands full with LeBron, Paul just gave him 41...Imagine what he's going to give you!

Granted, Tayshaun Prince is an above average defender with a nice mid-range game, bit of a streak shooter (That's that Kentucky in him), and looks good coming off a backscreen for an easy lay up, or alley oop. But this guys gonna have his hands full guarding one of the leagues most prolific scorers.

Advantage: Boston


Power Forward

Kevin Garnett vs. Rasheed Wallace

I know Rasheed's been starting at center this postseason, but eff it!!! This is the key matchup for this series!!!

Of course it's marquee (we've been simulating this head to head since these guys were playable on NBA Live 95!). But these games aren't going to be pretty... they're gonna be won on second chance points, points in the paint, and offensive rebounds. KG and Sheed will have to show fundamental big man skill to get their teams over the proverbial hump. That's where things get interesting.

Rasheed Wallace doesn't like to go down low, especially LATE IN THE GAME and he's averaging 6.5 rebounds this playoff series. Truth be told, he'd rather patrol the perimeter, like he's Steve Kerr and shoot 3's. Also, Wallace doesn't want to be the hero, and shies away from big plays.

KG is different, he's the Defensive Player of The Year, he knows he's the man, and doesn't mind the ball when it counts. Not only is he averaging 20 per to Wallace's 13.9, he's averaging 10 boards per game too.

Don't get me wrong, sometimes Garnett fades out to that 3pt corner too...buttttttt, he has kept his seven foot frame in the paint when its counted in the previous two series.

Advantage: Boston


Center

Jason Maxiell vs. Kendrick Perkins

Here's the big news....It's about even, ok? Whaddayawantme to say???

Advantage: Tie


Bench

Celtics Role Players

Ok, here's where it gets interesting again. Boston Celtics Head Coach, Doc Rivers has basically spent the entire year working on the development of his role players. Honest to say, he's done a pretty damn good job.

If I need James Posey off the bench, I know the Celtics do. He guards your 1, 2, or 3, can rebound, and hit the three. Not a bad spark.

PJ Brown hit some big effin shots during the last series. Quite honestly, I don't think he minds the mood out there.

Leon Powe is a BALL PLAYER! If this guy can keep himself out of foul trouble this series, look out!

Sam Cassell can be either asset or liability depending on his ability to hit the mid range jay. I mean the dude doesn't play any defense, so if he's not scoring what's the point?

Detroit Role Players

Ok, Detroit's already got one of the deepest benches in the league. Rodney Stuckey is emerging and plays both ends of the floor well. By the way, he's 6 foot 5, so he matches up well with Boston's big guards and small forwards.

Antonio McDyess wants a ring NOW! In the closeout game against Orlando, he gave them 17 and 11. In the previous game, he only had 8 points, but brought down 14 rebounds. You get the feeling that this guy wants to win?

Like Boston's Sam Cassell, the Pistons' have their own resident Wiley Veteran in Lindsay Hunter. The difference between the two: Hunter plays D!


Advantage: Detroit


At the end of the day, Detroit may be a bit much for Boston. Consider that the Celtics have learned to play together during THIS season; the Pistons have been playing together, and in tough situations, for about 5 years. Although talent may favor Boston, the Pistons will be able to identify and overcome challenges as they get late in the game. The longer the series, the more the outcome will favor Detroit.

Can't wait!


D-Con