NBA Lame Dunk Contest

Terrence Ross, Paul George, and John Wall won the Slam Dunk Contest as a team, but did it add anything?

The NBA All-Star festivities were in their second day yesterday, with the the Shooting Stars Challenge, Skills Contest, 3 Point Shootout, and Slam Dunk Contest.  Usually, these events are promoted as the highlight of the whole weekend, but after watching them, I have to say that they were all a complete dud.  The challenges had their moments individually, but they were all boring as a whole.  Even the Slam Dunk Contest, which actually had good dunkers in it, was not as good as I thought it'd be with their confusing new format, and the fact that everyone besides John Wall couldn't do their dunk on their first try.  Yes, there was some good teamwork involved, but if they left things in the traditional format, I think people would have enjoyed that more since it would have just made more sense.

Can All-Star weekend be salvaged?  I would like to say yes because the NBA is always changing and trying to appeal to fans, but they've already tried changing their format so many times, so I don't know if anything new would drastically improve things.  One thing I will say though, is that I think it's taking a step in the right direction with more superstars being in it.  As long as that's the case, then there will always be fan interest during All-Star weekend, even if it sucks.  I think yesterday night's commentary proved something though.  They kept talking about how Paul George was the best athlete and dunker that night, and they were right.  But we all know if LeBron James, Kevin Durant, or more superstars were in it, the quality would have been better.  KD gets a pass because he's competed in the festivities before, but we know LeBron never will (even for charity).  It's a shame, but as long as things stay like that, with mediocre competition and rules, the All-Star weekend will always be a dud.

John Wall doing the best dunk of the night

Dan Gilbert Sucks!

Yesterday, Andrew Bynum signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.  But the only thing I could think of when I heard of this news was Dan Gilbert, the miserable owner of that team.  I'm not lying when I say that I cannot stand this man.  Why you may ask?  The answer should be obvious, but I'll explain anyways.

First off, he's not a team guy.  You may think he is because of everything he's doing this off-season with trades and draft picks, but in the past, he wouldn't do that for players who could have helped him win, like Amar'e Stoudemire.  Then of course, there's everything that happened with him and LeBron James.  He couldn't surround him with any talent, then insulted him behind his back when he chose to leave Cleveland for Miami  I understand being upset, but you don't do that to a player who saved your franchise and gave you everything he had.  Sure, LeBron may not have gave 100% every night, but not many athlete's do.  Along with that, there's the arrogance and smugness he has.  That attribute may be difficult to see, but all you have to do is watch the draft lottery's the past 2-3 years, and you'll understand what I mean.  He brings his son with him, who is sick to give the team luck, but I know he just does it for publicity because when you have a reputation like he and his team do, you need it.

Now, I know with this tirade it sounds like I dislike owners of teams, but I don't.  I just don't like owners who are fake and don't give it their all, which Dan Gilbert does.  Everyone keeps talking about how LeBron may go back to Cleveland next year, but I say he shouldn't or else this bum will get another prize he doesn't deserve like he did with Kyrie Irving.  The Cavaliers are a franchise that has picked themselves up nicely after "The Decision", but I hope they don't win as long as Dan Gilbert is owner.  There are much more deserving teams, and much more deserving owners.