LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers have a new addition to their roster this preseason.

It is unknown if he will make the regular season roster.

However, right now he is sticking with the team for the foreseeable future.

He is known to set hard hitting picks.

Lets face it, anyway you slice it, he will hit you hard.

Sometimes so hard, you have to sleep for 22 hours to recover from his might.

He has a killer set instincts, both figuratively and literally.

He never gives up on any play. He is constantly found in the middle of everything, disrupting his opponents.

He sticks with his man like glue on defense. Literally, you cannot shake him.

It is his decision as to when you will be released from his merciless attack.

With each passing minute of everyday, another member of the Cavaliers is potentially standing in the cross hairs of his wrath.

It will be surprising if he makes it past the preseason, but for now LeBron James and the Clevland Cavaliers has a new Teammate: the N1H1 Swine Flu Virus.

More dominant than Shaq, the N1H1 flu!

]]> http://protectthepaint.com/2009/10/16/lebron-james-has-a-new-teammate/feed/ 5 http://protectthepaint.com/2009/10/15/stephen-jackson-makes-kobe-bryant-look-like-a-saint/ http://protectthepaint.com/2009/10/15/stephen-jackson-makes-kobe-bryant-look-like-a-saint/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:44:30 +0000 Adam Sedie http://protectthepaint.com/?p=2910

Updated: Due to reader requests, the Saint Kobe image was amended to display his 4 rings, further reinforcing our article.

“I’m not a fan of Kobe. I’m not somebody who looks up to him. I’m a grown man myself. So when I go out there and play the game, I play the game. I feel like I’m just as good as him. I might not get the publicity or notoriety he gets, but I feel like I can play with anybody in the NBA any given night.”

Those are not my words, but those of disgruntled Golden State Warrior Stephen Jackson.  The saga continues with more berating of his teammates, and the one line that people will never let him play down for the rest of his career: “I feel I am just as good as him.”

Expect to see fans with signs in arenas league-wide, heckling Jackson about his recent statements about Kobe Bryant.

These comments, in my opinion, makes Kobe look like a saint.

Just when you start to think nobody in the league is as conceited as Kobe Bryant, Jackson arrogantly outshines even the Black Mamba. Who, ironically, gave himself the nickname “The Black Mamba.” That is pretty cocky, you have to admit.

Jackson’s latest comments make Kobe look like a saint.  Kobe might think and believe (some would say we know) he is as good as anyone else, but the reality is Kobe is easily one of the top players of his era.

It’s a safe assumption that many players in the league are not huge fans of Kobe Bryant.

Kobe talks a lot on the court, and possesses a swagger other people might not like, but he always backs it up with his game.  This behavior definitely bruises egos of lesser competitors, causing them to not like him personally. It is the nature of sport and rivalry.

Ultimately, Kobe earns the respect of his peers, top to bottom, player to coach, and fan to referee. Which is why other players would never say what Jackson said. They might not like Kobe, but they all have to respect his game.

Speaking statistically, Jackson has done nothing to back this statement up. He has a career average of 15.4 points a game, and the pinnacle of his career was as a role player on the 2003 Spurs championship team. His comments make him look more like an idiot than Kobe’s equal.

Kobe has won 4 rings and has a career scoring average of 25.1 points a game, which is around 10 points more than Jackson’s 15.4.

Kobe has played in 10 All Star games, and was named the league MVP in 2008. Has Jackson done anything remotely “as good” as this?

Sure Kobe has a tainted past with the affair and rape allegations, but he has been nothing less than a model citizen since then. The same cannot be said for Jackson. Kobe never punched a fan, and never discharged firearms.

Everyone deserves a second chance. But how about a second, third and now fourth?

Stephen Jackson, what in the world have you been smoking?

Stephen Jackson is at a cross roads with the Golden State Warriors. After rescinding his captaincy, he has now taken things one step further, stating he would consider a buyout.

Jackson’s explanation for his relief from captaincy, according to the San Francisco Chronicle:

“I don’t want these young guys to try to follow me,” Jackson said. “I can’t be a role model to guys who make the same amount of money as me. … I think everybody is responsible for themselves, and that’s how it should be.”

We are a happy family, no seriously... (Credit: picapp.com)

I find this explanation to be an unbelievably, utter lie. Is this really the story he is sticking with?

He had no problem being a captain last season. None whatsoever.  Perhaps he is escalating this childlike tantrum by making as many waves as he can since the Warriors dismissed his prior request to be traded.

Maybe he thinks this will force their hand?

Don Nelson has a very good point: “We’re still going to try to accommodate him, but it’s not that easy to do”.

I have stated before in previous posts he should not have been fined, and at the time he should not have.  He was not saying anything on the court, or playing in a fashion detrimental to the team. Seems as though his immaturity has gotten the better of him, allowing his personal feelings to derail his and his teammates game.

His on court behavior against the Los Angeles Lakers in the preseason was detrimental to the team, and worthy of a much larger suspension.  Jackson committed 5 personal fouls and a technical foul in the 9 minutes of first quarter play. He was sent to the locker room and did not return.

The Warriors announced his suspension the next morning.

I am a professional... some of the time. (Credit: picapp.com)

What Stephen Jackson needs to realize is that he is a professional basketball player, keyword being PROFESSIONAL, meaning he gets paid to play basketball. Last time I checked it did not mean to make a mockery of the game, and disrupt your team.

In this worldwide economic state, why can’t Jackson simply shut up, and be happy he is getting paid $7,650,000 to play the game? To millions of Americans, that is a dream job that we would never consider jeopardizing.

On another note, is Jackson really so naïve that he does not realize that his erratic behavior on the court significantly hurts his value? Who wants someone capable of acting that stupid playing for them?

We all knew his shot selection is highly questionable, but this latest tirade is incredulous.

He claimed “I know there are a lot of teams that want me,” Jackson said. “I’m a good player. … I don’t know exactly what the conversations are, but I don’t think it’s as hard as people say it is.”

Who is going to want a player who hurts his team during the game, and then berates his team off the court in front of the media?

Jackson has all but destroyed his efforts to paint his image anew after his infamous 2004 brawl as Pacer in Detroit, or discharging firearms into the sky in 2006.

Here is the video, and thanks to youtube, I hope nobody ever forgets:

Stephen Jackson I ask you this: do you think the business executives running NBA franchises will look past this consistent trend in your personal history?

The business-oriented NBA could soon render the player once known as “Captain Jack” into the “former NBA player Stephen Jackson”.

While watching yesterday’s preseason game of the Golden State Warriors vs. the Los Angeles Clippers I was hoping to get a further glimpse of young Warriors Anthony Randolph and Stephen Curry. However, while enjoying their progress, my attention began shifting towards the Clippers. The Clippers came back from a 72-57 halftime deficit to take the lead in the first 6 minutes of the 3rd quarter. They tightened the defense, and moved the ball around effortlessly. I am sold that the Clippers are making it into the playoffs.

Look for Baron's smile in that huge beard this season. (Credit: picapp.com)

The bottom line is the Clippers are going to be very good. Yeah, I said it. Baron Davis seems poised to resume playing the dominant style of basketball he did as a member of Golden State during the 2006-07 season.

The depth chart at every position is maddening. Their second and third option at every position is solid.

Here is a look the Clippers depth chart, as seen at espn.com:

This is a deep team when healthy (Credit: espn.com)

Sebastian Telfair started as PG for the Timberwolves  for the majority of last season.

Marcus Camby, even at age 35, would start for a large handful of NBA teams.

Rasual Butler started 74 games for the Hornets last season, and offers superb 3 point shooting when spelling second year guard Eric Gordon.

DeAndre Jordan is only 21, and it is safe speculation he would have been a high lottery pick this season had he stayed in school another year. He has the opportunity to develop and grow around talented big men Chris Kaman and Camby.

With Houston looking to fall off hard this year due to the loss of Yao Ming, the potential for the Clippers to battle with the likes of Phoenix, Oklahoma City, and New Orleans for the 7th and 8th seeds in the Western Conference Playoffs seems more than realistic.

Here are some strong arguments as to why they will make the playoffs, based on the game last night:

• Blake Griffin is as good as his hype, if not better. He imposed his will upon the Warriors last night. He owned the Warriors offensively in the paint to the tune of 15 points and 9 rebounds in only 23 minutes.  With the depth the Clippers have, his 5 fouls can be overlooked and should only decrease as he catches up to speed.

• If Griffin and Butler can come off the bench as they did last night, they will devour second unit defenses of opposing teams.

• The way Baron Davis distributed the ball last night was a solid sign that he has his mind right this season. Davis plays all star caliber basketball when he comes to play, and has both size and strength advantages over the majority of the point guards in the league.

• Eric Gordon has clearly improved his overall game since last season. If he continues to play with this form, the Clippers backcourt might end up being the best 1 and 2 giard combination in Los Angeles.

So you might want to get all your Clipper jokes out of your system sooner than later folks. The opportunity to make fun of the perennial NBA laughing stock franchise might be dwindling more rapidly than you think.

Last year Shannon Brown emerged as the best player of the Vladimir Radmanovic/Adam Morrison trade for the Lakers.

His solid defense, stellar hustle, and flat out hard work earned him significant minutes during crucial stretches of the Lakers Championship run. But did anyone know he could climb the ladder so viciously and throw down a dunk with such ferocity?

Once I got past Randolph....... (Credit:KCAL9)

Shannon Brown created his opportunity using his reputable defense. He filled the passing lane on a lackadaisical entry pass, tapping the ball out in front of him. He then turns his court vision up the floor while dribbling to start the fast break.

As you will see in the video, Anthony Randolph is clearly not fast enough to catch up to him and front him, so nobody is in position to stop his momentum up the court.

Once Brown turned the corner on Randolph, there are three warriors in the key at a stalemate, standing flat footed, both hovering around Lamar Odom, almost seemingly too petrified to make an aggressive defensive decision committing to stop Brown.

Those guilty: Corey Maggette, Mikki Moore, and Acie Law.

At this point, Brown has already picked up his dribble, and is at the elbow of the key, eyes widened, and he knows he already has the time to take it all the way.

To his credit, one Warrior, although doing so far too late, Mikki Moore steps up. Unfortunately, he does so only to be victimized by Brown.

You can see part of Brown’s hip smack Moore in his head as he acrobatically soars high above him for the dunk. I admit, I wanted to be considerate for Mikki Moore.

Upon further review, however, I decided he deserved zero compassion.

People who cannot protect the paint fail to live up to the namesake of this blog, and for that, sympathy is something they are entirely unworthy of.

I tip my hat to Shannon Brown, who mesmerized me with his leaping ability after living up to the namesake of this site. He got the steal while protecting the paint, and then flipped the coin on to the Warriors.

Shannon Brown is Protect the Paint approved! Enjoy!

The Chicago Bulls put on an impressive display in yesterdays preseason game vs the Utah Jazz in London’s O2 Arena. Pundits are all saying Boston Celtics this, Cleveland Cavaliers that, and Orlando will be in it for the Eastern Conference Championship, but folks should not overlook the Chicago Bulls. They played tough last year in the playoffs, and should only be better this season.

Sure it was the preseason, but there are some strong indications that the Bulls are a team that nobody can afford to fall asleep on this year. And here are some reasons why.

Deng looks deng good. (Credit: AP)

Luol Deng appears to have no lingering affects from his injuries. He dropped in 18 points on 8-12 shooting in just 25 minutes. It is beyond imperative that the Bulls have a healthy Deng in their lineup this season. If he is capable of playing the way he did before he signed his gigantic contract in 2007 the Bulls will cause major match up issues. WIth Ben Gordon gone, look for Deng’s and everyone’s numbers to increase as unselfish ball will return to Chicago.

Rookies James Johnson and Taj Gibson are a lot better than people think. James Johnson reminds me of Tyrus Thomas, but seems to have a clue about making drives to the basket, drawing contact,  and making monstrous dunks.

Both Gibson and Johnson had 2 impressive blocked shots apiece. This bodes well for the Bulls. Their second unit will not drop off in attacking the rim either defensively or offensively.

The Bulls played well without Derrick Rose and John Salmons. Kirk Hinrich and Jannero Pargo started in the backcourt and combined for 27 points shooting 10-21 from the field and 9 assists. More impressive was the combined 5-8 from 3point range.

So when Rose and Salmons rest, the Bulls have offensive weapons to make sure there is little to no drop off.

Joakim Noah played out of his mind defensively. His 6 blocked shots in 26 minutes was nothing less than unreal. Once he sits, Brad Miller will take over, making life hell for the opposition’s second unit center with his savvy arsenal of crafty moves and passing skills. They might appear in slow motion, but they are highly effective.

If Chicago continues to meld together the way they played last night, only good things can be on their horizon.

James Johnson will lead the second unit in Chicago (Credit: AP)

Albeit it only a preseason game, the Utah Jazz always play hard under Jerry Sloan.

The Bulls should be very happy with how they performed, and what they have heading into this season. A ton of youth, depth at every position, and a dash of veteran experience make for a dangerous NBA recipe.

A warning to all NBA teams: do not fall asleep on the Bulls, or you will most likely experience a harsh awakening.