basketball
Unicorn Unleashed-Kristaps Porzingiz
The Phil Jackson nod. That’s all it took for the slender Latvian to become the great new hope of the New York Knicks. In the mecca of playgrounds and hardwoods where Kenny Anderson once dazzled fans with handles so fresh, as the pillared pride of the New York baller. Not since Patrick Ewing, have the Knick’s hopes bet so heavily on a youngster. The Knicks have slummed in the gutter of NBA basketball, since they traded away their devalued franchise player decades ago. Since Ewing, there was the disaster that was Stephon Marbury, Zach Randolph’s burger binge, David Lee’s inflated stat line, Raymond Felton’s existence, a brief high of Linsanity, Amare’s shaky knees and finally the New York state of Melo. The superstar that was dubbed the savior of the franchise, rummaging through Derick Fisher’s bitch Slapping and Kurt Rambis’s 80s mustache. Melo has been the punching bag of the franchise, some necessary, most arbitrary.
Fast forward to the 2015 draft; Knicks fans subdued, as the lost season was destined to amount to a promise the big city was thirsting for. All eyes were on D’angelo Russel and Jahlil Okafor, two franchise cornerstones touted to change the landscape of any franchise. Tested in the battle infested NCAA, Russel was a sleek shooting crafty guard that looked like a lefty version of Steph Curry. The latter, was the most dominant big man in college, leading the blue Devils and the nation in domination. In the midst of all the hoopla, a skinny Latvian workout video appeared with the stalking frame of Phil Jackson hawking from the rafters. Kristap’s Porzingis’s workout was off the charts. No contact drills showed skills at 7’3 never seen before. It also showed a sniper like shooting touch that was unswerving, easy and barely tickling the twine. Jackson was in a bind, divided by a couple of so called “safe” choices and his gut, his gut was probably right. 
Kristaps Porzingiz is the future. A do it all giant that shoots 3s from Steph range and leap frogs over players for blocks and dynamic rock your face off rim rockers. The unicorn is real, even though he looks like a created a player that would only exist on NBA 2k, this unicorn exists.
If we look closer at KP, he was actually created by his brothers, his coaches and mentors. They prepared him early for this moment. His shot mechanics and insatiable attitude are there to prove it. GMs questioned KPs thin frame and particularly his base. An issue he has addressed by adding more weight to his core. Continuing his progress into one of the most double teamed players of the 16-17 season, the youngster’s most challenging obstacle is his on ball defense, particularly with gaurds on a switch. It is almost redundant that foreign players are questioned with delicate softness. Questions early on about KP’s love for the game were squashed after 2 put back dunks mesmerized the garden faithful with a roar. These doubts come from an even keel Kristaps, spoon fed the game. Many tall young men are berated to play basketball at a young age. As hard as it is for any athlete to be a select member of the NBA, it is empirically common for 7 footers to play in the NBA at one point or another. There is an astonishing fact that roughly 10% of 7 footers worldwide have played in the NBA in some capacity. What really raises GM’s eye brows, is when they see a European 7-footer draining jumpers like Dirk and looking like a created player who was born on a game console.
As for the Knicks, they are at a cross roads of sorts when it comes to catering for KP’s rise. Is Carmelo Anthony the best fit for KP’s development ? Is he better off becoming a focal point now and learn by trial and FML? Does the potential rise of the Knicks back to the playoffs bode well for a young KP?
Lots of questions, fairy tale answers, about one unicorn that this state of mind was built for.
Much love and basketball,
Rambeeni
Charlie V is Dirk Nowitzki
It wasn’t Steph Curry and his undefeated Warriors, nor was it my Fisher bashing that pushed me to write about basketball again nor was it Kobe’s last dance, it was the hairless mamba. Thank you for the readers that still visit my blog, despite my nonexistent contribution of late. I work and I coach, so I apologize for not writing. Here we go…
My brother is a die-hard Mavs fan and I don’t blame him. He’s 8 years younger than I am and has already witnessed a championship season, a feat my Knicks haven’t accomplished in my lifetime. Little bro loves Dirk, (who doesn’t?) and his Mavs are regularly atop the Western conference standings year after year. Great management and fantastic coaching. Rick Carlisle finds lost players and makes them system contributors every season. The list is long, players that fall off the radar only to return to the Mavs to maximize their potential, the sure sign of an elite coach and franchise. Here is a recap of said players: JJ Barea, Devin Harris, Raymond fukin Felton, Mcgee (on the way), Deshawn Stevenson, Peja Stojakovic ( championship season) and many others. Great coaching, defined roles and most importantly wins, good for them.
Enter one Charlie V, an NBA rat, not a gym rat, just a player that seems to hang around longer than he should. After signing a huge contract with Detroit, he disappeared and disappointed then withered away on NBA benches. All of a sudden he comes out gun slinging this season with Dallas, acting like Dirk coming of the bench. This was funny for 2 reasons, first off Charlie V doesn’t look like a solid NBA power forward, sure he can shoot, but he has tiny shoulders with lazy and uninterested body language. The second reason is its freakin Charlie V, how is this not hilarious? He’s draining floaters, put back dunks and shoots with the confidence of a young Drazen Petrovic. The jokes continued all throughout our Mavs league pass watch. I would say “Dude, Charlie V is going Dirk on ‘em.” and it was somehow true. In today’s fantasy infused social media Steph curry religious like fanfare, Charlie V has gone unnoticed clocking 11 minutes per game. I’m here to change that with the standard per 36 mins stats. I know it doesn’t account for stamina or efficiency, but as you can see Charlie V is a mini Dirk Nowitzki. As funny as it is, the truth is kinda in the numbers. His per 36 minute stats destroy Vucevic’s stats from Orlando for example. Here is how he has become a mini clone of Dirk.
Go on NBA advanced stats and match him with other starting power forwards and you will see the light of Charlie V. At first, I wondered how Chalie had the legs, since he looked old at 21, he’s still only 31 and doing this!
If you catch the Mavs this season, keep an eye out for the hairless mamba, ready to launch Steph Curryesque threes if given the opportunity, or brick his life away. We will never know, but here’s a shout out to Charlie V and all the minis out there. The unheralded clones of greats, that nobody will likely remember. The proverbial we shall not forget the Mavs’ bench assassin that entertained when the stadium was empty.
Much love and basketball,
Rambeeni
Arakji’s NBA Briefcase
I wrote an article about Al Riadi’s future stars about a year ago called Al Riadi’s future is left handedhttp:// https://rambeeni.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/al-riyadis-future-is-left-handed/. The article featured overviews and interviews with Amir Saoud and Ali Haidar. The story was supposed to include three of Riadi’s players, Wael Arakji (NBA prospect) being the 3rd exciting young lefty.
Unfortunately, Wael was injured at the time and hadn’t been active for a few months. Fast forward a year later and Arakji is on the NBA radar. When I first heard of Wael’s early draft entry, I was amused and felt a glow of possibility followed by a dose of reality.
The NBA is one of the most difficult professional leagues to break into. Only 60 players are drafted each year and only 30 1st round picks have guaranteed contracts, while the other 30 are acquired by NBA teams without the promise of a roster spot. A 2nd round pick simply means a team has dibs on a certain player, but does not mean this player will make the roster.
This article is for scouts. As much as I love Wael’s game I will try to be as objective as possible. I have watched Wael for 4 years, at the pro and school level. I have played pick up with Wael more than 5 times at the American university of Beirut. Here is a short scouting report.
Wael is a composed, well rounded point gaurd, rebounds and finds his temmates and never gives up on a play. He is long and has great defensive prowess. He knows when to help and when to stay at home on defense. At 6’3, he is a point gaurd with above average IQ that loves to break down the defense and almost always makes the right play. Although his shot is known to be lagging compared to his ball penetration and court awarness, he actually does shoot a solid percentage from the mid range and from the corner 3-point shot. The truth is he waits for better shots.
The NBA is a pick and roll league and he is an expert at finding the defensive weakeness in any set. Arakji is not a glory hunter. He simply makes the right play, be it a weak side skip pass to a shooter, a roll or pop: Arakji surveys and executes. If defenses leave an inch of an opening in the lane, he will find it and finish with care, strength and efficiency. This is Wael’s greatest skill, his manuesque craftiness to get to the rim. The one glaring weakness is his shot off the dribble.
We can talk basketball all you want, but here are a few things alot of outsiders do not know. Wael has flourished in every pressure situation during his young career. That, along with his skills and size, makes me hopeful that an NBA team will snag Arakji somewhere in the 2nd round. He has no fear, he has zero self doubt. He forgets the bad possessions and carries on. He plays like he expects to improve everyday and he doesn’t settle.
There were two Instances that I will never forget about this player that separate him from other good young players. Last year’s Dubai final that involved a double overtime final thriller between Riadi and arch rivals Sagesse. The stage was set and fans were treated to a shootout of the highest caliber. Sagesse attempted to foul Arakji in overtime multiple times, trying to use his youth against him. The pressure was high and Arakji closed out the double overtime win with ice cold free throws and wanted the ball amongst a team of wily veterans. Another is a regular season game where riadi were facing an improbable loss against a weaker team and had just conceded a corner 3 to put Riadi down 1. With 2 seconds left, Wael sprinted down the court faster than the camera could change direction and drained a last second jumper, no doubt.
What scouts and GMs don’t know and will find out is Wael’s humility. He is a rising Lebanese star and acts like any other player that loves the game. He loves being on a team and appreciates the moment. He has the attitude of a true team player and is gracious with all fans.
As a high school and college stand out, Wael once scored 74 points, raining 3s and scoring at will. As a pro, fans have not seen scoring outbursts yet, as he has adjusted to play on the best pro team in the region, making him a fresh multiple champion.
Coach Jad Fattouh, who was Arajki’s Riadi’s assistant coach and current Mega Leks’ assistant coach in Serbia goes on to say: “Wael is a talented kid with great work ethics, I think he should start playing and developing at the European level as a first step then we’ll go from there and sky is the limit…”
Current Riadi assistant and long time youth coach Ahmad Farran added that Arakji has “huge chances”. When asked about Wael’s new challenge, Farran added: ” I think he needs to improve his shot and work hard, its his only weakness. He’s a geat pick and roll player with great vision and leadership. His size for his position is ideal and he has gained valuable experience the last 3 yrs with Riyadi.”
My hope and prediction is that Wael should be drafted by an NBA team in the late 2nd round. Teams are not afraid to take a risk there and if these gms have met Wael and seen his play, he will get a shot at a roster. Whatever happens, this experience will only make him stronger and hungrier to move forward. A young man with purpose and dreams. Talent coupled with hard work, intellect and a basketball body. The NBA is cut throat, but so is Wael when he sees an open seem.
Much love and basketball,
Rambeeni
Addition by Subtraction
This one’s for the bball junkies, enough about the Lehman basketball talk, let’s get into the gritty details that affect a team. Arguably the most interesting stat of the last decade has been the +/- barometer of each player, the report card behind the eye test. Who makes a positive or negative impact, half of this being the newly instated Josh Smith rule. Today, Rambeeni basketball will take a look at NBA players that may benefit their teams by simply leaving, by pulling an ACL, by eating too much candy, or by dating a Kardashian. We will list the candidates that need a change of scenery or just need a flight straight to China. We’ll also mention a few underrated players as well as players that usually just add rather than subtract.
The Josh Smith mystery was never a secret; Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe had been bewildered by his shot chart for years, waving red flags about Smith, shining light on his new levels of degradation. Stan Van Gundy finally heard the call and the stats along with their record were wounds that proved too deep to overlook. The result? The Pistons dumped all that money down the drain to get rid of Smith and ended up going on a winning streak that looks to have them in the playoffs within the substandard east. Simmons called this the Ewing rule because of the Knicks ’99 finals run when Ewing was injured and the Knicks rallied, but Simmons can suck on a 7 foot Jamaican for that statement. What Simmons didn’t mention was that the Knicks switched to a young and gun style with Spree and Houston running the break in ‘99, a style that fit Marcus Camby like a glove. It was not Patrick’s deficiencies, it was a fit issue. Patrick Ewing is the best Knick to ever play and Simmons’ Ewing rule is just another Knick tirade that Simmons dishes out on a monthly basis. Josh Smith ( Rudy Gay) is the King of addition by subtraction; let’s look at other candidates that need to be slapped in the face.
We used the help of nba.com advanced stats to look at the Net ratings for players averaging more than 15 minutes to determine who is crap and who is a winner. The net rating is the difference between offensive and defensive player efficiency in respect to team scores per 100 possessions. This is a little tricky because the whole Golden state team is at the top and most of the losing team’s players are at the bottom, I’ll curve it out to reason and disparities using the simple plus/minus stat, let’s see what we’ve got.
Crap
Maurice Harkless: Harkless was supposed to break out this season; he has now faded into obscurity and is shooting less and worse.
Lance Stephenson has been such a disappointment this season. After a fantastic triple double packed season, he has struggled to fit into the Bobcats half court offense. The bigs clog up the lane and he’s just running into his own players with his Brooklyn crossovers. The Bobcats would do anything to get his 36 million off the books and it’s only year one.
Kobe Bryant: Before I get a bashing, just look at Kobe’s plus minus, 2nd worst in the league. He takes lots of shots and his team is worse with him than without him. I attribute this to his polarizing stature rather than his play. What player wouldn’t like to play with Kobe? He’ll bounce back next year; something tells me he’s not done. Start spreading the news…
Channing Frye: I have nothing against stretch 4s, but the anomaly that Frye pulled last week has only happened once before in NBA history. Check this anomaly from this article, Frye basically tried his best to do nothing; he was a statistical ghost for one game.
http:// http://uproxx.com/dimemag/2015/01/channing-fryes-unique-o-night-milwaukee/
Evan Turner: Who has the patience for Evan Turner? He passes the eye test and fails all the others. He can cross up, pass, jump, rebound and occasionally hit a clutch bucket, it all means nothing if he makes terrible decision with horrible precision.
Austin Rivers: Even though pops got his back and Rivers has improved, he’s still inefficient and is a guard lost in translation. The former Duke Blue Devil was supposed to be a future point guard filled with promise. He is currently an undersized 2 guard that takes bad shots and can’t find his teammates in traffic.
Other notables: Nick Young, Chris Kamen.
On the rise and underrated
Darrel Arthur: has always been an underrated player, looking superficially at his stats doesn’t show much, but Arthur is an above average shooter with a strong frame that can play the 4 and the 5, he has long arms and can also run the floor. Good player.
John Henson: When John Henson gets time, he affects the game on both ends, jump hook, efficient finishing and his shot has taken a step forward. The new age plastic man is a shot deterrent that coaches are now evading in their game plans.
Isiah Canaan: A balls deep fantasy radar has been on Canaan for a while, he’s suffered multiple injuries but has shown grit and balls in the little time he’s on the floor, Cannaan’’s +/- is still +5.5 and that is impressive for a player even though he plays for the winning rockets.
Khris Middlton: Even though his name sounds like a 14 year old girl listening to Taylor Swift, Middleton has found his niche under Jason Kidd, taking big shots and quietly contributing across the board.
Marcus Smart: I know what you’re thinking, all these rookies have been disappointing and Smart’s stats don’t stand out, but Smart’s teams on the floor have been winning. His turnovers are high, but his work rate is also high and he has a bounce back mentality that will make this kid a long time pro.
Donatas Montiejunas: This lefty Lithuanian has been superb, filling in night after night for Dwight Howard’s weekly paper scratch injury. Donatas is the top James Harden ball boy the Rockets have.
Kyle Korver: The crafty professional with a deadly eye. His accuracy in all facets of the game should have made him an all-star. Wait he is now an All-star.
Tony Allen: There were idiots that complained about his 5 million/year deal. There isn’t one team in the league that wouldn’t love to have Tony Allen on their team, name one!
Other Notable difference makers: Rudy Gobert, James Johnson.
The plus minus stat is deceiving, the whole Warriors team is at the top of the league, while most Knicks and Sixers players are found in the gutter, but there are standouts at both ends. These standouts tell a story, a story that can make or break a team. Stats and team attributes are viewed by a smaller sample size of minutes, making GM’s jobs more challenging. The single most important aspect of managing an NBA team the right way is finding contracts with value, contracts that are movable, while ascending in value. Finding these cheap players is a full time job, just look at the Hawks and look at the Nets. Half the budget for twice the fun, smells like a garage sale! At the end of the day, players live and die in their environment, there is always a diamond in the ruff and there is always a bad apple spoiling the batch.
Much love and basketball,
Rambeeni
*Stats were updated as of February 7th.
NBA Survivor
NBA injuries have retcheted up at an unprecedented pace. The frequency, the manner, and the timing of these injuries is suspect. With conditioning and medical advances boasting break through after breakthrough and hoards of staff with the technology of a Sci-fi movie at their disposal, the frequency and types of injuries we are witnessing in today’s NBA makes us ask some tough questions. Why is this happening? Has the game speed picked up to light speeds further than an ACL or Achilles can handle? Are player’s livelihoods under too much pressure to perform? Practice?! We talkin about practice?! All these questions come to mind.
My theory or assumption has manifested in the last few weeks and here it is: Guards are doing too much with too little. When Tim Hardaway blew past defenders with a killer crossover, it was simply a between the leg dribble followed by a crossover dribble to the hoop. Timmy’s move was beautiful, quick, compact, simple and effective. While Timmy senior had a long and mostly healthy career, we see today’s flashy point guards’ going through daily ice bucket challenges or comparing ACL tears and sprained ankles more than trophies.
Let’s look at the list of current injured NBA players:
Out for the season: Brandon Jennings, Jabari Parker, Kemba Walker, Steve Nash (old), Kobe, Tony Wroten, Paul George, Joel Embid.
Out indefinitely: Ricky Rubio, Deron Williams, Jrue Holiday, Robin Lopez, Shabazz Muhammad, Alec Burks, Anderson Varejeo, Rodney Hood, Josh Mcroberts, Kendall Marshall, Shelvin Mack, Nicolas Batum.
Struggling to stay on the court: Dwayne Wade, Derrick Rose, Lamarcus Aldridge and many others.
The above list comprises of 8 former all stars and 21 1st round picks that are expected to contribute. Not to mention the plethora of second tier players that are role players just trying to make it to practice. What is clear from this list is that it’s guard dominant; the cliché of the changing of the guard may signal a change to the hospital bed to go along with the 7 crossovers a possession. So based on the assumption that most of the injuries are guard related, let’s look back at the recent past leading guard’s regular season playing history for the sake of comparison.
John Stockton: 1984-2003, 1504 games in 19 seasons.79 games/year on average, wow!
Jason Kidd: 1994-2013, 1391 games in 19 seasons, 73 games/year on average.
Allen Iverson: 1996-2011, 914 games in 15 seasons, 61 games/year on average.
Tracy McGrady: 1997-2013, 938 games in 16 seasons, 59 games/ year on average.
Penny Hardaway: 1993-2007, 704 games in 14 seasons, 50 games on average. This is sad, but Penny crashed before the halfway line of his career.
Gary Payton: 1990-2007, 1335 games in 17 seasons, 78.5 games on average, impressive.
Versus
Russell Westbrook: 2008-present, 440 games in 6.5 seasons, 68 games on average.
Kobe Bryant: 1996-present, 1280 games in 19.5 seasons, 65 games on average.
Deron Williams: 2005-present, 648 games in 9.5 seasons 65 games on average.
Dwayne Wade: 2003-present, 719 games in11.5 seasons 62 games on average
Derrick Rose: 2008-present, 289 games in 6.5 seasons, 44 games on average, wowzers!
Stephen Curry: 2009- present, 336 in 5.5 seasons, 61 games on average.
Old school versus new school: The old school average 67 games on average/ regular season vs. the new school average 61 games on average/regular season and already have completed lengthy careers. That’s 60 extra games in a 10 year career and 120 extra games in a 20 year career. These numbers do not take playoffs into account and are a random sample size. Yet it is obvious that the old school players mentioned were all long time playoff warriors. The sample size is small, but both sets have dominated an era and make this semi-relevant.
The theory that I have yet to prove is that ankle breaker point guards are breaking their own ankles. Time will tell. Less is more, a player should think about quality over quantity. Kidd and Stockton were not that flashy and changed direction in stride, Damien Lillard, Steph Curry, D Wade, D Rose all do too much on offense for their own good. So next time you’re on the basketball court and want to cross up and get some oohs and ahs, think about how many of those crossovers you really need to get through your defender and think about the mileage you’re putting on your body by planting and changing direction. Trainers are better, strength and conditioning is more detailed and the players we love to watch are brittle. It’s how we play the game today; it’s not the food or the amount of games or any performance enhancing drugs.
Let’s take the phoenix suns staff of 8 for example, widely known as one of the best medical staffs in the nba, taken from this article: http://valleyofthesuns.com/2012/04/05/secret-behind-phoenix-suns-elite-training-staff/
Head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson, of the Suns’ weighs in. “To Shaq, it’s unorthodox, to us it’s regular science,” Nelson said. “It’s regular kinesiology, physiology, functional anatomy.” In a nutshell, the Suns aim to ensure that a weakness in one area does not compromise other parts of the body. For example, if a player injures his right ankle he will start compensating by putting more stress on his healthy side, so the training staff treats the entire athlete and not just the injured part to ensure “there is no movement dysfunction,” as Nelson put it. More specifically, the Suns chart an abundance of information on each player. This process starts with an overall assessment in the preseason that’s used as a baseline, and then rotation players are continually reassessed at least four times a week, if not daily. These assessments can include the following:
– Utilizing a goniometer to evaluate players’ flexibility in eight different areas, including the big toe, the foot and ankle, the knee, the hips, internal and external rotations, and shoulder flexibility.
– Manual muscle testing to evaluate the strength of particular muscles. The trainers will also look for differences in the measurements of the legs, ankles and hips to see if they’ve deviated from game to game.
– Visual and movement assessments involving leg squats. The training staff will have players squat down a few times and watch for deviations.
“Do the feet turn out, do the feet cave in, do the knees come in, do they come out, does the low back arch, does it round, all that kind of stuff, do they fall forward in their motion?” Nelson said.
So I highly doubt it’s the science used. It’s the way they play, it’s the expectations and the rewards that push these extremes. Competition is fiercer, more people are watching, social Media destroys and bestows, it’s all part of the game now, the game that only lets the fittest and smartest survive. You want more proof? Check Andre Miller.
What factors do YOU think have caused this plague of injuries? I’m talking to you!
Much Love and Basketball,
Rambeeni
Top foreigners to Grace…
Lebanese basketball has seen its fair share of international stars, so the contentious topic of judging the best international players stirred up a frenzy of opinions amongst cohorts. After consulting with more than 50 basketball junkies, as well as past and current players, we have compiled a short list of the top 5 international players to ever grace the courts of Lebanese basketball. Here are the top international players to ever lace’em up in Lebanon, in succession. Players are chosen by their performance and impact as Lebanese basketball professionals only.
5- Assan D’iaye: The slender 6’11 big-man dominated the inside and protected Sagesse’s paint with impeccable timing. His necessity to the team brings to mind the movie, “The air up their”, making whoever found him, the Lebanese Kevin Bacon. The lanky Senegalese provided Sagesse’s record breaking championship teams with consistency on both ends, boasting a more than decent mid-range shot and straight stone-cold intimidation. Hassan’s winning ways impacted his club and Lebanon as a whole. In a time were this war-torn country was witnessing its first moments of unity. Big man.
4- Sergey Shchepotkin: Sergey was the first foreign player to play in Lebanon. The sleek shooting Russian was an assassin that broke games wide open. Riyadi was unstoppable with Sergey, as his accurate eye and high-level fundamentals were a basketball tutorial for Lebanese fans. Sergey was arguably the best shooter to ever let it fly in Lebanon. We all recall his three-point shooting in practice; where he once hit 39 threes in a row, normal day at the office. Onlookers were stunned, he was unsatisfied, the mark of a true great. His defense was highly underrated and at an agile 6-6, his jump shot was impossible to block. His tenure with Riyadi’s old guard is stamped with accomplishment and glory. Sergey lived in Lebanon for more than a decade, playing and coaching. His effect on the community and his friendships reverberate beyond basketball.
3- Mohamad Acha: The late Nigerian was pivotal in Sagesse’s multiple championship runs. He could play all four positions and could defend anyone. His heart and mental toughness were the glue that held his team together. Acha used his 6’7 athletic edge to his advantage, regularly soaring for offensive rebounds and mortifying defenders along the way. Mohammed was a champion with Sagesse, from 1998 to 2001. During his career with Sagesse, he was an Arab Clubs Champion in 1998 and an Asian Basketball Club Champion in 1999 (voted best play-maker). Prior to his death, this world traveller had racked up the air miles, an illustrious club career that saw him play for Salem Trotters Otukpo, Benue Braves, Niger Potters, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (NCAA), Louisiana Crawdads (CBA), Palm Beach Stingrays (USBL), Canterbury Rams (New Zealand), Al-Ansar (Saudi Arabia) and Club Sagesse (Lebanon). His heart and smile won’t be forgotten.
2- Tony Madison: The American long-range bomber torched his opponents and asked questions later. He led the Lebanese league in scoring multiple times, playing for multiple Lebanese teams. Madison was a maestro under the rim; he had the handles of a young Gilbert Arenas and could finish with contact. Tony was unheralded internationally, yet locally, he scored in a variety of ways as a point guard. The 6-3 guard played for Riyadi, Kahraba Tadamon and Champville, where he used his size and savvy to wreak havoc on his peers. More importantly, Tony helped break juggernauts’ backs and became a multiple champion.
1- Ismail Ahmad: The captain, the leader, and hands down the greatest player to ever play in Lebanon. The only active player on the list, Ismail Ahmad’s longevity and winning only bolster his case. The all-purpose Egyptian has an array of moves that baffle opponents, the post game, the 3 ball, the Dirk shot, the vision, the beastly rebounding and defense, making him one of the most complete players to ever play. He isn’t the player he once was (now at 38), but we are watching the final days of a true great, enjoy the show.
Honourable Mentions (close but no cigar!): Michael Cumberland (The Riyadi scoring Bob Marley), Scotty Thurman (Arkansas clutch champ), Jamal Robinson (NBA baller and party animal), Joe Vogel (Lebanese loved and naturalized), Prentice McGruder.
The surprising part about this list is there is only one American in the top 5 (Tony Madison). And arguably the least heralded internationally of the Americans to play in Lebanon, many even considered him to be higher (no pun intended) than Sumaa. Another thing is how much of a formidable starting line-up these 5 could be. A General Manager’s dream team. Great shooting and scoring with block solid defense. Would a Lebanese all-time line up hold their own? My apologies for the lack of stats, the older generation’s records are like unlocking the Davinci code. Who did I miss? State your case, bring it!
Much Love and basketball,
Rambeeni
Into the Tiger’s Den- Fadi El-Khatib
The sound of footsteps towards my parents’ alleyway was replaced with the conviction of a basketball, bounce after bounce; swish after swish, a legend was in the making. My friend Fadi was in love with the game of basketball, and no one was going to stop him from realizing that love. I threw my school bag to the side and joined in for a one on one guard battle that exhausted me time after time. The greatest Lebanese basketball player of all time grew up in my living room, in my garage. My story about the G.O.A.T Fadi El-Khatib is a personal one; his success; a national one.
When Fadi started playing on the Riyadi youth team, he was a center, he would pick up a rebound and dribble the ball up the floor, with coaches yelling and throwing towels at him to pass the ball. Fadi didn’t want to be a garbage player; he wanted to be a scorer. A young brash Fadi would always say he was better than the best player on the court and he would prove it, day in and day out, he would say I’m putting this guy in his place and he did, every time, until he ran out of players to challenge, he then challenged himself. Bordering on an insane amount of individual work, Fadi El-Khatib’s game is a prime example of mastering through at least 10,000 hours of practice. A young Fadi was an OK shooter, a serviceable shooter; he was also slower than other players. He had a god given basketball body, but still did not know how to use it. That all changed when he was 17, as Fadi came into his own as a strong and agile small forward, devastating defenders with his aggressive right hand drives and beautiful picturesque finger rolls. His elevation was in the works, but it was his strength and his improving outside shot that provided his open road of domination. It’s been years since I sat down with my childhood friend, during the league finals seemed to be a good time to catch up.
Rambeeni: Fadi, a lot of people don’t know how much you had to go through to play basketball. How did you stay positive when your support system told you that basketball is not a career?
Fadi: You were there Ramzi, I had to skip school, work hard and make use of everything I had to get to where I am. I used to wake up 7 am and play till 2 pm almost every day when I was a teenager. I had this passion, I tried soccer, but basketball was my real love. This passion made me achieve what I did and this is why I push myself.
Rambeeni: Do you think of yourself as a role model?
Fadi: I think I am, even at a shoot around or team practice I still challenge the young guys one on one. I played against the rookies the other day and it was fun.
Rambeeni: Do you let them win?
Fadi: Never! I go hard on them, Elie Chamoun and others. I want them to know, that every time you play it’s not for fun. Hopefully they will learn from me.
Rambeeni: Does your love for the game change as a pro?
Fadi: When I started playing, you remember, we used to play everywhere, at your parents house at my house, Riyadi, school. My love is still there, I built a street ball court for my kids and I. This is why I love the game, every time I see a court I still feel like playing.
Rambeeni: We talked about your physical condition, this has been the best condition of your career. Tell us what that entails.
Fadi: It’s hard to maintain top physical condition, it’s a real challenge. This is the best shape I have ever been in. Thanks to my coach Fouad who has been with me for 5 years. He has been after me to lose weight for years and keep the muscle, whereas I wanted to be bigger and stronger. He wanted me to be more agile and he was right. He wanted me at 101 kilo and I started the season at 107. I listened to him and it has been a challenge. People didn’t notice at the start of the season when I had some bad games, They didn’t know I was adapting. I didn’t have a gram of carbohydrates for more than a month. It was so difficult and I suffered with no energy, but it feels like it was all worth it. Now they know why I had these bad games and I really wish I did this years ago. I owe a lot to my trainer.
Rambeeni: Pablo Progioni was a 38-year-old NBA rookie last year, do you still dream of the NBA? Any regrets?
Fadi: I do think about the NBA, but I don’t regret because it wasn’t in my hands when I got recruited by the Clippers. At the same time I thank god for the road I took, I have an amazing wife and a wonderful family that may have not been possible if I was in the NBA. If I ever had a chance in the NBA, even now, I probably wouldn’t go, I have too many family and business responsibilities here. 82 games?! That’s a lot of games. If I wasn’t married maybe… I had offers from China this year and offers from Europe, but still I couldn’t go, it’s a tough decision.
Rambeeni: What are Fadi’s after basketball plans?
Fadi: I haven’t planned it; I live my life as it’s my last day. I’m a religious person, I pray, I believe in God. I work hard to keep my family safe and give them a healthy environment. This is why I opened Zone 15 and I am working on the Champs.
Rambeeni: What is Champs?
Fadi: Champs will be the biggest sports complex in the Middle East and has entertainment and a new age sports facility. It will be close to the City Center mall and is an ambitious project that I am very excited about.
Rambeeni: Who are the people who affected you the most on the basketball court?
Fadi: First I would say Coach Roro Zaloum, in Rawda high school. He really lifted my game and was hard on me and he was able to bring out my potential. He believed in me and I thank him. Coach Ghassan Sarkis after that affected me very positively through confidence. After that I would say my experience with Tim Grover and Michael Jordan. My game went to another level in that month and a half. I realized how talented I am, being able to compete with top-level pro players really boosted my confidence and it translated to the court. Also Coach Fouad Abou Chakra had a great effect on me professionally.
Rambeeni: I noticed you do not shoot as many long-range shots as you used to, why is that?
Fadi: Well my percentage from three is 37% and has been around there my whole career. The reason is the defense that has changed, as I rarely see a one-on-one coverage, I see doubles teams all the time. So I try to make my teammates better by sharing the ball. The 3-point shot, when I have space I’ll go for it. I want to work on it some more so I can spread the defense.
Rambeeni: Fadi let’s talk a little about your extensive post game that has improved so much as of late. Tell fans about the value of the post game.
Fadi: When you have players that play inside and out, a player that has solid all around percentages and can face up and drive, this is a player that can really hurt you. There are players that post but they don’t know how to pass the ball to the right spot. The post game is a lot of fun for me and one of my favorite aspects of this game. I worked really hard on my post game and it’s very hard to teach and learn the details. I think it is one of my best skills.
Rambeeni: Fadi I know people always ask you, who’s the next Fadi? I’m not going to say that because we know that until now there isn’t anyone like you. But who is the next leader of Lebanese basketball after the Tiger retires?
Fadi: I always give the politically correct answer to this question. But today I am with my friend and I must answer honestly and people should know. First thing is I will not keep playing if I’m not the top player in the league. I will retire before I let that happen. The next Fadi? People need to look at my achievements on paper, as an individual and at the team titles before they start comparing. I ask these people to put it down on paper and compare me to these other players that are up and coming. Then you will find out who is the next Fadi. I don’t want to boast but that is all people ask me about these days. There are good players, with talent, but they are not leaders, I have not seen leaders. Some players have one good game, they start acting like they are so important, if they see fans they barely say hello. Then you see them drinking at clubs, players that have never won a title or accomplished anything. People compare me to players that have not achieved 0.5% of what I achieved and I stay silent. This is the way it is. I thank God for my achievements. If I was to advise these players, I would say you must be mentally tough and challenge yourselves. They must get rid of many fun distractions in their lives, they are not normal young kids, they are athletes, take it seriously. I hope they will succeed. I won’t name anyone as a future star, because they will probably act like they have already won a title. I am working on 2 kids, they will be great.
Rambeeni: Who are these kids?
Fadi: My kids, I’m working very hard with both my boys and hopefully they will love basketball like I do.
Rambeeni: So do you still eat 4 egg cheeseburgers before a game?
Fadi: Haha No more! Those days are over. We were kids back then and I am healthy now. There was a game against Homentmen a while back where I saw MCdonalds and I hadn’t had a burger in 7 months. I asked my trainer if I could have just one cheeseburger. I went there and I had 2 burgers.
Rambeeni: I knew it! Do you like the Tiger nickname?
Fadi: I love it; the Tiger is very tough and has a lot of character. The GOAT is another I liked.
Fadi will be remembered as the GOAT of Lebanese basketball, he put Lebanon on the basketball map. He dominated the Lebanese league for so long that it is now just an afterthought. Just like many greats, Fadi has spoiled fans and coaches with his play; he flirts with a triple double and fans still say he’s having a bad game. We are now watching the exquisite wine that is Fadi El-Khatib. With some solid years left, fans in the Middle East should enjoy the show. It’s not over until the fat guy with Byblos sings.
Much love and Basketball,
Rambeeni
Rambeeni Mock Draft (1-15)
Let’s attempt a mock draft, while looking at team needs and prospect fit. This is the best draft since Lebron, Darko, Melo, Dwayne, and Chris Bosh shook hands with the comish. Imagine that starting lineup! With Darko as the go-to guy, bam! This is the deepest draft since, not because there will be 4 superstars coming out, but because this year’s class is so deep, I can almost guarantee there will be a future All-star selected in the 2nd round. Let the GM games begin!
1. Cleveland Cavs: Joel Embiid, in typical lucky bastard fashion, the Cavs will fuck this up. I have a feeling they chose Embiid with his stress fracture, all while jinxing him from the moment he puts on a Cavs uniform. Embid is a great talent that came out of nowhere. He’s a long, a legit 7-foot center with great athletic ability. He can run up and down the floor like a Gazelle, he has a post up game and adds a deadly baseline shot. Most importantly he has a good stroke from the line that has drawn comparisons to legend Hakeem Olajowan. This is where people get carried away. Part of that assessment comes from his stone-cold demeanour, which resembles the dream, but come on folks, he’s not spinning like Hakeem, he’s not wheeling and dealing or soaring like Hakeem. I think he could be a less durable Kevin Willis, which is still notable, but not life changing.
2. Milwakee Bucks: Andrew Wiggins, once again the Bucks will mess this up and choose Wiggins. He has potential and can shoot, he has the athletic ability to be a star. I’ve watched three Wiggans’ games and none of them were impressive. I get it, the smooth jumper, the athletic finish, but he’s not Paul George and he’s not taking the world by storm. A decent NBA comparison is Eddie Jones, Jones was a great 3rd option and an All-star, that’s where I see Wiggins.
3. Philideliphia Sixers: Jabari Parker is the top player in this draft. He’s NBA ready and has the tools to be a perennial All-star and winner. I love what Philly has done with their roster, especially their Jrue Holiday trade that is a quintessential sell high fantasy trade. With MCW and Nerlens Noels beefing up with more Philly cheese Stakes and Jabari Parker taking over this team, I think Philly will be a 7 seed in 2016. The city of brotherly love hope to get a Melo-esque player that can pass out of a double team and can rebound and defend better than Melo. He’s not the unstoppable scorer that Carmelo is, but he has more attributes than Melo and is an incredible athlete with size and dexterity. Jabari Parker will be the face of any franchise that drafts him.
4. Orlando Magic: Dante Exum, the 6-6 point guard out of the land down unda! Just like everyone else, I’ve been looking at highlights and drills, the talent and potential is clearly there, but it’s all so grey. How will he handle Patrick Beverly bullying him? How will he average less than 7 turnovers without facing NCAA defenses? I think this guy’s upper limit is a Shaun Livingston with shooting range, which is saying volumes about his potential. Orlando has been searching for a replacement for Jameer Nelson and it looks like they found him in Exum. The Penny Hardaway comparisons are ridiculous!
5. Utah Jazz: Noah Vonleh is a typical Jazz draftee. He has the biggest hands in this draft and has loads of potential, but needs time to develop. He looks to gain some familiarity and will eventually bolt when he’s ripe for a breakout, in typical Utah jazz fashion.
6. Boston Celtics: Julius Randle, the Celtics may have Randle fall in their laps and they won’t think twice. Randle is still unpolished and has a lot of mental work to do, but he already possesses an NBA body. He could be solid or fade into obscurity, I’m leaning towards somewhere in the middle, maybe one or 2 All-star appearances and a solid post presence down low for 9 years. A poor man’s Zach Randolph, he should produce right away, which may place Sullenger on the trading block. A future front court rotation of Olynik, Sullenger and Randle would cause some bruises. Maybe a guard like Smart could help? Celtics need everything and anything.
7. Los Angeles Lakers: Aaron Gordon, the Lakers are already hoping and praying these idiot analysts keep bashing Gordon. The Lakers are dreaming of having a player of his caliber chosen at 7, and this is the true magnificence of this draft. I adore this guy’s game and I love his potential, attitude and skill set. He’s a special player that can play the 3 or the 4. If it was up to me, I would draft him 3rd or 4th. He has great handles and can jump out of the gym. His jumper needs work, but it could end up being deadly in a couple of years. I see Aaron Gordon as a 7 time NBA all-star that will add to his game year after year.
8. Sacramento Kings: Marcus Smart, will they blow this again? Kings have so much talent but so little cohesiveness it all seems like some sort of adventure #sacramentoadventures. They must take Smart, despite the fact they have Mclemore. Smart is NBA ready and has veteran savvy before even entering the league. He has potential to be an unyielding player but his ceiling is near. His vertical is lacking but the power and wits are there. He’s an undersized shooting guard that can play the 1. I’d compare him to a deprived shooting guard version of Baron Davis, with less hops. If you guys remember BD, this is a compliment and not an insult.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Dario Saric, this is going to be a tough pick for Charlotte with so much talent still available, but Saric looks to be a super version of a Josh Mcroberts. A point forward that can shoot and pass and create. He may be too tempting to pass up and MJ’s previous draft picks of high level college scorers like Adam Morison (barf!) will shy them away from the likes of Doug Mcdermot.
10. Philedlphia Sixers: Doug Mcdermot, this historic scorer will fit right in with Philly’s athletic core. He can shoot and can play the 3 or the 4. Imagine a small ball lineup of MCW, Parker, Noel, Mcdermott and Thad Young. I don’t know how that would work, but it’s uber versatile.
11. Denver Nuggets: Adrian Payne makes sense for the Nuggets. He can play forward and center and can step out and shoot it. He plays big and could fit into a starting role in a year or two. Even though a guard is most needed, Denver may take a risk on this Spartan.
12. Orlando Magic: James Young shot himself into the forefront of the draft when the lights were brightest in the NCAA tournament. This athletic silky smooth shooter has good height at 6-7 and great athletic ability. His finals facial dunk is considered one of the greatest of all time. He will be ready once Aaron affalo nears the end of his contract so expect him to start for the Magic in the next couple of years. He is a below average defender, so until that’s improved, he’ll have bench splinters.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Rodney Hood is a 6’8 shooter that has a great NBA body and plays with passion every second on the floor. The Blue Devil is still a work in progress and could end up being a more efficient Wilson Chandler. This could be a long term pick for the Wolves that are looking for anything to get over Kevin Love’s recent infidelity.
14. Phoenix Suns: Nick Stauskas, some analysts have Stauskas lower, but this would be a smart pick for the Suns. Senior college shooters with high IQ are usually looked over, but Stauskas isn’t only a knock down shooter. This past year he added accurate play making skills and was an average defender. He can give the Suns’ core the outside threat they love. At 6’6, he’s the best prospect at moving without the ball. Even though a center is needed, Stauskas fits the bill. Nick isn’t a sexy pick but he’ll have a long NBA career and is a great addition to the Suns’ already scary bench mob.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Tyler Ennis, the Hawks must draft the best player here, passing up on Ennis would be dim-witted. Regardless of Jeff Teague and the blond German, Ferry will draft Ennis if available. Easily the top point guard in this draft, Ennis has heart, vision and leadership and is only 19. Expect Ennis to be traded on draft night.
Rambeeni
NBA Playoff Briefing- Part 2
This NBA post-season has enjoyed the best start to any playoffs opening round in history, the highlights and story lines speak for themselves. A racist was spotted and burned, always a good thing, yet even the Sterling distraction couldn’t take us away from the action. Every series was thrilling, every team was fighting, and it got me thinking about the change of format. Maybe we should just keep this system, Atlanta proved this much. My predictions were mostly on point, but the length of each series was surprising. Portland proved that Damian Lillard is in fact “Machete”, as mentioned a couple of months ago. Dallas were admirable, Toronto fought for every inch, Chicago got to the playoffs with basically no talent, Indiana celebrated like middle school cheerleaders and dodged a hawk and Miami look like champions again.
Now that the second round is set, here’s a preview:
Spurs vs. Blazers: Spurs looked old in some instances against Dallas, but Manu looks as smooth as his bald spot. Rick Carlisle challenged San Antonio’s weaknesses and the Spurs reacted in legendary fashion. Portland’s rotation may not have the depth the Spurs have, but I won’t sleep on them again. The solid starting line-up for the Blazers will be a terror once again, but the Spurs will give them a valuable lesson if all goes according to plan. Spurs in 6
Thunder vs. Clippers: Every basketball fan is looking closely at this match-up. There are many story lines at play; the leadership of Durant has been questioned, while Chris Paul leads by wit and example. The Blake -Ibaka match-up, the long awaited Dudley vs. Lamb match-up, Ok I’ve gone too far. It should be another classic. Thunder in 7
Pacers vs. Wizards: The Pacers’ struggles may bode well for them going forward. The Hawks have given them a warranted wake-up call . Washington has a horde of talent, and all the unfounded hate dished out by Bill Simmons seems unfounded. Sure they missed on many draft picks, but as Sir Charles said, Beal and Wall will be the top back court for years to come. Indiana will improve, Washington will fight, but the Wizards’ idiot coach will mess this up. Pacers in 6
Miami vs. Brooklyn: We saved the best for last, I know I’ll get hate mail for this, but I’m sticking to my guns, Brooklyn can take this series, here’s why: Miami’s secret weapon, apart from Wade and Lebron has been their outside shooting that spaces the floor for LBJ to operate. Brooklyn can rotate to guard those shooters and this year Miami’s shooters haven’t been good as last year. Perhaps a heroic effort by Lebron and Wade is coming up, they’re more than capable, but are the Heat at their best when it’s only the Wade and Lebron show? Mike Miller is an underrated subtraction, Miller could shoot, handle and guard anywhere from a 2 to a smaller 4-man. Regular season numbers don’t mean much, but the odd part is Brooklyn was never at full strength when they beat the Heat 4 times this year. Kidd is implementing his evil plan and the veterans are peaking at the right time. This is my long shot and my major threat to a semi-perfect bracket, here goes nothing. Brooklyn in 6
Do you think I’m loco? What are your 2nd round predictions?
Much love and basketball,
Rambeeni
Lebanese Dream Team
The Lebanese national basketball team debacle is in full swing, again. Within minutes of appointing head Coach Ghassan Sarkis, team manager Nazih Bawji resigned. He had a different vision and had the right to implement it. Coach Ghassan Sarkis is one of the most accomplished local coaches, but there are other reasons clouding this selection. Reasons ranging from money, politics, and logistics among many others. Let’s forget about those petty Lebanese spats and state the basketball reasons, while taking a look at our potential national team. There are challenges for everyone and expectations are high. Lebanese basketball fans across the region believe they are the top team in Asia. Fans aren’t content with just being there this time around, they expect to make some real noise, as well as advance on Lebanon’s international history. Our legend (Fadi El-Khatib) is in the closing moments of his prime and we finally have a very talented mix of experience and young talent to surround him with.
I haven’t spoken to either Nazih Bawji or Ghassan Sarkis; these are merely basketball assumptions and suggestions.
Why did Nazih quit? Nazih is a great basketball mind, before any of us played basketball, Nazih was shooting sky hooks with Karim Abdul Jabbar. Nazih has always had the humility and patience to tread softly in basketball circles. He knows the obvious weaknesses of the national team, mainly size. He also realizes this fact requires an innovative foreign coach that has run this kind of system, and implements it in a short time frame. We have loads of wing talent and great point guards. We could be very successful if we play small. That makes Bawji look at an ex-D1 US college coach or the Spanish euro coach that was mentioned. Nothing fancy, a coach that could run a match-up zone, or half court traps, or man to man help defense that truly helps the helper and keeps the other team guessing. Bawji is an ideas man who evolves; this could have been his thinking. No disrespect intended to coach Sarkis, but he hasn’t run these smaller motion offenses, quick hitting, small ball, while maintaining solid team defense and gang rebounding.
Sarkis has an impressive CV; we understand why he was chosen. He’s also a players’ coach who can be great for club play, yet dangerous for international play. He’s one of the top motivators in the game. I don’t think our boys lack any motivation, every single one of them will play with heart. Coach Sarkis has been positive about critics’ concerns and that’s very encouraging. Let’s see what he can do and hope for the best and support him. He has been accessible to fans and has been impressively open to listen to suggestions. Which brings me to this, hoping Coach Sarkis would snapshot my humble opinion:
The Roster:
Guards: Rodrigue Akl, Elie Stephan, Ali Mahmoud, Ahmad Ibrahim, Moe Ibrahim.
Forwards: Fadi El-Khatib, Jean Abdel Nour, Elie Rustom, Ali haidar, Bassel Bawji.
Centers: Foreign shot-blocking big, Charles Tabet.
As you can see Lebanon has a small yet dynamic roster. Imagine the options on offense and defense. Constant ball-pressure, unselfish aggressive play and all the players are two way players. Switching could work well off pick and rolls and close outs on shooters would be quick enough. Rebounding has become so much more about boxing out, timing and size rather than height. Can coach Ghassan execute a fast paced revelation? Pushing the ball off turnovers and getting a good shot within 15 seconds of possession. Teams won’t know what hit them, but the devil is in the details. Team rebounding, active close outs, no gambling (on defense), efficient running and protecting the ball are all particulars that have to be run incessantly in practice. Playing Fadi for 30 super productive minutes, and using him as a reactive power forward is the most effective way to use of him at this stage. If you think this is a small roster? Sarkis could play a 2nd quarter line-up of Moe Ibrahim, Elie Roustom, Fadi K, Ali Haidar and Bawji. Do you think this line-up is getting pushed around? I highly doubt that. This is just my little take on what we’ve been bantering about.
Good luck coach, god speed to the national team, once assembled. Send in your rosters!
Much love and basketball,
Rambeeni
Indiana, let’s be Frank
The Indiana Pacers’ postseason has been dreadful. When a 1-seed is down 2-1 in the opening round, it usually isn’t startling, this one is. Larry Bird’s face last night made my stomach turn. The one question I get calls and emails about is “Why do the Pacers suck?” My answer was the same; they don’t suck, just going through a rough patch. After last night’s loss in Atlanta, I changed my mind, they blow. Unless something radical happens, the Pacers will do nothing noteworthy this season. I stuck by Woodson as he pillaged my Knicks, but Vogel’s hot seat is different. Earlier in the season, I loved his optimistic outlook and still give him recognition for making a basketball player out of an idiot in Lance Stephenson. After watching 3 quarters of last night’s loss to the Hawks, it’s clear that this is Vogel’s failure, here’s why:
- Fast break points: When the Pacers get a turnover or stop, they insist on playing a half court game, knowing that PG and Stephenson thrive while pushing the ball and getting to the rim. These are coaching tactics, if they were told to run, they would run. I coach, I encourage pushing the ball against 3 on 3 or 2 on 2, I like my odds on offense, I believe in my players, I believe in making contact, putting the defense on their heels, shoving the ball down their throat. Every good team does that. The Pacers have it and they’re not using it. Vogel has clearly instructed them not to run. Why?
- Evan Turner: All Larry wanted to do was get a better basketball player and he did, Evan Turner was playing like an all-star with Philly. He’s a great shot creator and has more talent than his cock-fighting partner Stephenson. He’s not a spot up shooter! He sure as shit isn’t going to become a spot up shooter just because he hired a shooting coach, it’s not going to happen. Players can work and become good spot shooters, over years, not months.
- Hibbert’s situation: Yes Roy is slow, but he’s the leader of this team. It’s premature to cast him out. Play him less minutes, but don’t blame him for bad match-ups, that you put him in.
- Hesitation: No one wants to shoot. Even Lance, who can be as selfish as a politician, doesn’t want to take on any burden. Lance is only effective as a 3rd or 4th option. When the other top dogs are struggling, Lance just ball watches.
- Predictability: Every play is an extended post play for West or a middle-school flare screen for Paul George. Really?! This is all you’ve got? Sad, just sad.
- Outside Shooting: Another reason Vogel is utterly douching is the 3-point shooters he never uses. Milsap Antic, pretty much any Atlanta off-ball defender is cheating defensively. Rasul Butler and Copeland can’t get 4 minutes of playing time and hit 3s, let them break a sweat.
- Scola: Playing Scola at the beginning of the 2nd quarter isn’t enough. He needs to play at least 30 minutes at center against the Hawks: the veteran can shoot and post.
- Spacing: All the big guys are in the way of the slashers. Half of coaching offense is spacing, there’s none of it.
- George Hill: George Hill said he is a 2 guard and not a point guard. He said this now. My first reaction is go F%^@ yourself George Hill. Man up! You’re running point for the top team in the East and you’re complaining about position? You want to shoot? That’s cute. That’s the most selfish statement coming out of Indiana. What a disappointment. Think what Bird is thinking. “So we traded a future all-star in Kawhi Leonard and we got the athletic point guard we were looking for, only to find out that he just wants to be a backup shooting guard.” G Hill grow up, any kid would kill for a spot at running a top NBA team with West and PG.
- Morale: Frank is out of his element. Every turnover, every pass, every shot is second guessed. Body language is telling, Vogel has lost his players and Larry knows it.
Remember this? Yeah, thought so…
Some credit goes to the Atlanta Spurs… ahem Hawks. I despise blaming coaches, but this is easy. Bird has seen too much success and too many sinking ships to not know the distinction. I’d be surprised if the Pacers turn it around. If I were Larry legend, I wouldn’t wait; I’d fire Vogel now and take over. Stranger things have happened (see Riley-Miami). Sometimes you just stick it out, this is not one of those times; the Pacers are a small market team that have spent time and money to get here. Sometimes patience is just a cashew.
Any other reasons Indiana is struggling? Share on Rambeeni Basketball.
Much Love and Basketball,
Rambeeni
Go-to G
On a Sunday night in Riyadi gym, the usually quiet stadium suddenly erupts in cheers as the attention is swayed. Ghaleb Reda was in the house. G was excited to see his old friends, former teammates, young prospects and some of the management. He took his time to hug and salute every single person in the whole gym. However, G was there to work not just for pleasantries, as he just signed with Mouttahed. Mouttahed hope he is the scoring terror they need to push them through the playoff run. I took an early exit from my pick-up game and caught up with Ghaleb during his shoot-around.
Rambeeni: G, welcome back! Tell us, what have you been up to this past year?
G: I was working out in the US. Some people think I was injured or being lazy, the truth is, I was just getting married and had some paperwork to finish up. I’m back in business, I heard this is one of the most competitive seasons in the last 10-15 years. I’m looking forward to being a part of it.
Rambeeni: What kind of training were you doing in the US?
G: I’ve been working individually, with my trainer Raza Masoumi and played some competitive pickup games before I came here. I think I’m ready.
Rambeeni: How do you feel health-wise?
G: I feel better than I ever felt, my knees are rested. I think this year off was great for me. I think it’ll be a good season.
Rambeeni: How do you see yourself fitting in with Moutahed? Have you been following their game plan?
G: Yeah, I’ve been watching the games. I’ve been playing professionally since I was 17, and with the best teams in Lebanon and was a starter at a young age. I’m 33 now; I know what I have to do and where I fit in best on the court. I feel experienced in how I see the game, I have a lot of things to show and nothing to prove. We just have to win.
Boom! Ghaleb’s confidence has not changed.
Rambeeni: Are we going to see you on a Lebanese team next season?
G: Honestly, I don’t know; let’s just take it one season at a time.
Rambeeni: G, anything else you want to say to the fans?
G: I hope I have a good season and will do my best for the fans and my teammates. I wish Lebanese basketball keeps flourishing. I also want to ask the sponsors and league officials to keep supporting this beautiful game. Take care of it and harness it. This is a game that put Lebanon on the map in the past and we still have the ability to achieve more than we did before.
Reda is a top one on one scorer, with no conscience, he is still one of the top 5 shooting guards in the Middle East. He has the ability to light it up on offense as well as play great man defense. If Mouttahed can keep his shooting percentage above 40%, Mouttahed could surprise in the playoffs. Ghaleb is a rare veteran athlete from the 2 spot and looks to be game ready as soon as tomorrow, ready for the challenge.
How do you think Reda will do this season?
Rambeeni Basketball 