2008 Woodie Awards
Tony's Time Out: NBA - Slam Dunk with Viewers?
Tony Patrico
Issue date: 7/11/07 Section: Sports
To say that I follow the NBA extensively would be as truthful as me saying that my beard makes me look twenty years younger. However, there are certain aspects about the league and the game that I can appreciate.
For example, nothing has been talked about more in the sports world these past couple of months than last week's NBA draft. Will former University of Texas star Kevin Durant go first? Where is former University of Ohio phenom Greg Oden expected to be playing next year? Is the surprise of this year's draft going to be that Yi Jianlian from China will be the next Yao Ming, only faster? The conversations and debates have lasted all the way from the end of March.
Even though I am more partial to the game on the collegiate level, where the players play for their school and not for money (which could be argued considering they are playing to get noticed by NBA scouts as well), the game at the NBA level has grown on me in the past few seasons.
Watching teams such as the San Antonio Spurs turn into a dynasty has been interesting. I am not a fan of the Spurs, if for no other reason than Tony Parker married to Eva Longoria, but for the simple reason that they make the game look easy.
Alongside Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, Bruce Bowen, and Francisco Elson have created a team that is close to be compared to the MJ-led Chicago Bulls teams of the early '90s. For a team that wins with grace, style, and class, the Spurs have taken three of the last five NBA Championships. So for no other reason to watch, I will simply tune in to see who will be the David that will take down this San Antonio giant.
Something else that had pulled me into the NBA realm was the recent contract issue regarding Billy Donovan and the Orlando Magic/Florida Gators. It's odd to see such a knowledgeable and basketball-smart man make such a childish and irresponsible decision. Overall, Donovan returns to the Gators and will not see the NBA court for five years. Is his love for Gainesville worth more then the money?
For example, nothing has been talked about more in the sports world these past couple of months than last week's NBA draft. Will former University of Texas star Kevin Durant go first? Where is former University of Ohio phenom Greg Oden expected to be playing next year? Is the surprise of this year's draft going to be that Yi Jianlian from China will be the next Yao Ming, only faster? The conversations and debates have lasted all the way from the end of March.
Even though I am more partial to the game on the collegiate level, where the players play for their school and not for money (which could be argued considering they are playing to get noticed by NBA scouts as well), the game at the NBA level has grown on me in the past few seasons.
Watching teams such as the San Antonio Spurs turn into a dynasty has been interesting. I am not a fan of the Spurs, if for no other reason than Tony Parker married to Eva Longoria, but for the simple reason that they make the game look easy.
Alongside Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, Bruce Bowen, and Francisco Elson have created a team that is close to be compared to the MJ-led Chicago Bulls teams of the early '90s. For a team that wins with grace, style, and class, the Spurs have taken three of the last five NBA Championships. So for no other reason to watch, I will simply tune in to see who will be the David that will take down this San Antonio giant.
Something else that had pulled me into the NBA realm was the recent contract issue regarding Billy Donovan and the Orlando Magic/Florida Gators. It's odd to see such a knowledgeable and basketball-smart man make such a childish and irresponsible decision. Overall, Donovan returns to the Gators and will not see the NBA court for five years. Is his love for Gainesville worth more then the money?
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