Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
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SALT LAKE CITY — Alright, the Denver vs. Golden State series has been pretty awesome so far. Two team who really want to take the next step — a budding superstar, injuries galore and now tons of hatred and anger to start a great rivalry in years to come.
The Nuggets looked like a team that could push for a Western Conference title a few weeks ago, but injuries have started to plague them and opened the door for the upstart Warriors. An injury to David Lee of the Warriors leveled the playing field.
This series between two teams that don't really have a lot in common has turned into one of those classic playoff series akin to Pistons-Bulls of the '80s, Knicks-Pacers of the '90s and Lakers-Kings or Lakers-Suns in the 2000s. No, it isn't to that point yet, but if the Nuggets can get a win and force a game seven, this series could be one of the all-time greats.
Stephen Curry has become the star of the series. His performance in the third quarter of game four — in the video — is simply amazing. He is the Reggie Miller, MJ or Kobe of this series. Maybe not to their level, but he is just carrying the Warriors. Check out the video and watch the first shot he takes. He turns around to talk a little trash before it actually goes in.
That is the style of play that makes these series great. But then there is a turn where the series become etched into history.
Warriors coach, and focus of Jazz fans hatred, Mark Jackson has talked about how chippy the series has become and even said the Nuggets were coming after Curry to take out his ankles.
"They tried to send hit men at Steph," Jackson said.
Jackson talked about Kenneth Faried being the enforcer like Charles Oakley, Robert Horry or every player on the Pistons. The Warriors weren't going to take it lightly and Andrew Bogut did something about it. In game five, during the second quarter, Bogut stepped up to Faried during a shot and hit him with both hands in the throat/mouth area.
It seems to all revolve around Curry: protection or attacking. Exactly what the players and coaches are thinking isn't known, but it is clear that this is becoming personal. There is now even the seminal star/fan outburst with Curry yelling at a fan.
The last video has Curry walking towards the Warriors locker after their loss in game five. Some fan is yelling at him and he decides it has gone on a little too long. Curry said that he basically told the guy he needed to be quiet. Curry has a swagger and shot that is very much like Reggie Miller and if he can boost himself from the crowd like Miller, there could be a big game in store.
What else is in store for this series? Maybe more retribution for Bogut, more "hit men" at Curry. The Nuggets are the more talented team, so can they put this behind them and force a game seven? Or can Curry come up with another big game to close the series out?
For now, enjoy and maybe one day people will talk about this series as one of the greats.
Another Manti Te'o joke:
Yeah, everyone gets it, Manti Te'o was tricked into believing he had a girlfriend who was fake, or maybe he played a part in it or whatever. Is this not done yet?
Apparently not.
Te'o was drafted over the weekend by the San Diego Chargers, and it looks like the newspapers wanted one more run at the classic Te'o's girlfriend joke.
The San Diego Union-Tribune ran a cartoon about Te'o with him wearing a Chargers logo on his shirt, with his arm around a phantom figure. He is walking on the beach and says, "Honey, I think we're going to love living in San Diego ... ."
On top of everything else that just isn't funny about these jokes anymore, or maybe ever, is that to make the joke work, they put his whole name on the back of the shirt. If they just put Te'o are people going to mistake him for some other Te'o?
Maybe they just assumed that old Bill Te'o from down the street will think they are making fun of him. Or that Lawrence Te'o just moved to San Diego and is now a big Chargers fan. One must assume that there are dozens of people moving to San Diego every year named Te'o who have fake girlfriends. Or, maybe they think they are the first people to make the joke and weren't sure if people would get it.
Either way, lets hope this walk into the sunset enjoys a ride off into the sunset.
Coolest alley-oop ever?
This might not be the best alley-oop ever, but it is one of the coolest setups to one. It is a dunk contest and, according to the description, "Pat The Roc" was going to pass the ball to the dunker "G. Smith". First off, the dunk is just okay. It isn't anything too spectacular, but the intro pass is phenomenal.
The Roc dribbles between his legs, then drops it as he steps over it, steps, passes it, gets it on his heel, flicks it over his head and has it go off the backboard for the dunk. Those weren't easy instructions, so just watch the dunk in case there is any confusion.
Most people have trouble just dribbling between their legs or kicking a soccer ball forward. Now try flipping a basketball over your head up to 10 feet and hit a target. People have too much time on their hands and we are reaping the benefits.
