LeBron James ejected from game for the first time in his career

The Cleveland Cavaliers are still on their winning streak. If you remember from my previous post the Cleveland Cavaliers were struggling for a little bit earlier during the season. The Cavs turned their whole season around and LeBron James is in one of the best seasons he has had. LeBron James is always achieving things and making history but the first thing he achieved in his career during the game against Miami Heat was something he did not want too. LeBron James was ejected from the basketball game and this was the first time something has happened like this in his career.

LeBron James was ejected with 1:59 left in the third quarter. LeBron has played a total of 1,082 regular season games including the game against the Miami Heat. LeBron James had missed a shot and thought he was fouled. As a player when you think you was fouled you complain to the ref and that is what LeBron did, he complained to the ref. The referee then proceeds to give LeBron James a technical foul and then he ejected him. The speculation is that James touched the referee which caused the ref to eject. By looking at the video, you can see that LeBron James did not touch the referee.

Once LeBron James got ejected, the Cavaliers were winning 93-70. LeBron James finished the game with 21 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and five steals. The referee was interviewed and his reasoning behind it was based on a different couple of things. LeBron James has a total of 56 career technical fouls but has never been ejected.

*Special Blog Post* Golden State Warriors App Malfunction

The Golden State Warriors may be having a great year, but they are facing a problem that has nothing to do with what they are doing on the basketball court. The Golden State Warriors have a new smartphone app that will enhance the fan experience while they are at the game. The app is supposed to also help fans keep up with what is going on in the game. The Warriors’ app also notifies the user that their microphone is being used so if the app hears a fan talking they send the information to a tech company. The reasoning for sending the information to the tech company is because for example, if a fan is in the nosebleed section they can send suggestions to upgrade their seats. The app had a malfunction that when fans left the gym they were still being recorded without knowing.

A lady is suing them because of the malfunction the app had. The Warriors had access to a lot of phone microphones which turned their phone into bugged devices. The lady also felt that the app was listening to fans’ personal conversations when not in the Warriors gym. She also felt that the app was listening to conversations between her husband and her which included private business and discussions with a loan officer. During all of her conversations, the lady had her phone close to her which means that the app was recording her the whole time. She took the case to court but the judge dismissed the case. The reason the judge dismissed the case because the lady had lack of evidence.

As time went by the court re visited the case and a U.S. District Court judge located in Oakland thinks the app violated the Wiretap Act. The Wiretap Act bans the recording live conversations while on the phone but this case is different because the lady was near her phone. Over 500,000 people downloaded the app and people are still able to download the app. The app has changed because now it gives detailed information about the app using the microphone on the phone in order for the app to work.

Derrick Rose re thinking future in the NBA

At one point in his career Derrick Rose was one of the top point guards in the NBA. He has a shoe deal with Adidas and many endorsements. Derrick Rose was also the best player and Franchise player for the Chicago Bulls. Derrick Rose attended the University of Memphis where he was able to carry his team all the way to the National Championship. He came up a little short, and after the season he decided to enter the 2008 NBA Draft. Rose was only 19 years old and was selected first overall by the Chicago Bulls. He went on that season to win Rookie of the Year being the second player to be drafted first overall and win Rookie of the Year since LeBron James. As he continued his career in the NBA, Derrick Rose went on to win Most Valuable Player in 2011. He became the youngest player in NBA history to win MVP.

Coming off a great year in 2011, the rest of Derrick Rose career would be filled with injuries. In 2012, during a playoff game he injured his knee which would end his season. After coming back the following year after playing six games into the new season, he injured his hamstring. After healing from the hamstring injury, Derrick Rose injures his knee again which will end his 2013-14 season.  After Rose heals and comes back the following season 2014-15 he has another knee injury that will end his season early again. Due to many injuries the Chicago Bulls decided to move on and trade him to the New York Knicks. He only played one season with the Knicks before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

When Derrick Rose was traded to the Cavaliers, many people believed this would be a fresh start for him. With Derrick Rose having injury plagued seasons, hopefully his season with the Cavaliers would be a restart to his career. After a couple games into the new 2017-18 season, Derrick Rose injured his ankle. The injury would put him out a couple of games, but that final injury made Derrick Rose re think his career in the NBA. He decided to leave the team for “personal time” in which he is reevaluating his future in the NBA. If Derrick Rose decides to retire early he would walk away from $80 million which he has with Adidas. The contract was 13 years long and he still has seven years left on the contract. If he decides to retire Adidas will not have to pay him that money. As Derrick Rose is deciding on whether to continue his career in the NBA or not, the Cavaliers are still moving on with their season but wish Derrick Rose nothing but the best.

Kevin Durant vs Russell Westbrook

In the NBA a lot of fans look forward to certain team matchups or players. There were two anticipated matchups people were eager to see this NBA season. The first matchup was between Kyrie Irving and LeBron James. In that matchup, LeBron James came out victorious but Kyrie Irving had a great game despite losing his teammate Gordon Hayward to an injury. The second matchup everybody was eager to see was between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. These two have history together both good and bad. The two had been together since Russell Westbrook entered the league. Those two basically turned the Oklahoma City Thunder into a title contending team. Every year, the Thunder came up short and the last time that they came up short against the Golden State Warriors, that would be Kevin Durant’s last time with the Thunder. The following year Kevin Durant decided to sign with the Golden State Warriors and neither the Thunder, or Russell Westbrook was happy about that.

Entering the game, you already knew there was going to be a lot of hostility. As I was watching the game, I could feel the negative vibes through the television and it was great. The reason it was great because it just shows that the game was going to be really competitive. The ball was tipped and soon as Kevin Durant touched the ball the gym was filled with boos. The hate for Kevin Durant from the OKC fans was still there and he even earned the nickname “snake.” As the game was going Russell Westbrook was guarding Kevin Durant and soon as Kevin Durant tried to go pass Russell Westbrook, he swiped the ball away out of bounds. As Russell was walking away he began shaking his head “no” implying that he could guard Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant then proceeds to walk up to Russell Westbrook and got in his face. They began arguing and people had to break them up and as Kevin Durant was being pulled away he shouted an explicit word to Russell Westbrook. From that point on, Russell Westbrook dominated the game.

First of all, Kevin Durant was questionable to come back and play against the Thunder. We all know there was no way that Kevin Durant was going to miss this matchup against Westbrook. The player that did not disappoint was Russell Westbrook. He played like the reigning MVP that he is. Westbrook finished with a total of 34 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. He was one assist shy from a triple double. Kevin Durant finished the game with a total of 21 points. The Thunder went on to win the game 108-91.

 

NBA One and Done Rule Change

Lately in the NBA, there has been a discussion about taking away the one and done rule. The one and done rule is when a player has to go to college for one year and then they are eligible to declare for the draft. They can only do a one and done if they are at least 19 years of age. The fans of the NBA and college basketball both disagree with the one and done rule. The fans disagree because student athletes are going to college and it is a waste because they are only going to be there for one year. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Players Association Chief Michele Roberts met with Commission of College Basketball. With these three meeting, the idea of one and done rule is being taken into serious consideration.

The first player to come straight out of high school to the NBA was Moses Malone in 1976. Since then there has been over 40 players that have been drafted out of high school. Some players that are well known for jumping right into the NBA and was successful are LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Tracy McGrady. They all went to have successful careers in the NBA. LeBron James is the only player still playing out of the names that I mentioned. He is the best player in the NBA and is considered the best NBA player to ever play the game.

In today’s game a lot of college basketball players have done the one and done. In my opinion the rule of one and done should be taken away. My reasoning behind it is that athletes waste their time in college staying one year when they are NBA ready. They just go to class just to stay eligible and then when Spring Semester comes they have no reason of going to class. The one and done rule also causes certain college teams to have to rebuild as a whole. The University of Kentucky which is a power house in basketball each year has at least 4 or 5 players each year drafted in the NBA. The majority of those players are Freshmen. A main reason why top players go to Kentucky because they know they will be able to do one and done and achieve their dreams of playing in the NBA. The player who is really exercised that the one and done rule is a waste is Ben Simmons. He has several times voiced his opinion on the rule and that he did not like being at LSU. Even on his documentary, he talked about the NCAA and how his time at LSU was a waste. Whenever the NBA and NCAA make the decision hopefully they get rid of the rule so players will not waste their time and also it saves scholarships. Also if they decide to get rid of the rule, a player that does go to college is required to stay two years before declaring for the NBA draft.

Chris Paul makes NBA debut after injury

The Rockets were one of the “super teams” at the beginning of the season. The duo of James Harden and Chris Paul has been highly anticipated all summer. People were able to see a glimpse of the duo during few games. One of the players in the duo would not be seen on the court for a couple games due to a knee injury. Chris Paul suffered a knee bruise in the game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Chris Paul bumped knees with Mario Chalmers which caused the injury. The injury sidelined him for a month and Chris Paul did not make his NBA regular season debut until November 16 against the Phoenix Suns. With Chris Paul’s return and the Houston Rockets’ success many people begin to wonder where he will fit in.

Since Chris Paul’s injury, the Rockets have won 11 out of 14 games. The Rockets had an overall record of 11-4 before Chris Paul returned. The Rockets before Chris Paul’s return has the third best record in the NBA. There are so many speculations of Chris Paul playing with James Harden. The reason behind the speculations is that both players are superstars and they both need their touches. Chris Paul and James Harden are both All-Stars also. Honestly, I think the Rockets are going to be just fine, because Chris Paul brings another piece to the team that the Rockets were missing.

The day finally came for Chris Paul’s anticipated return. The Houston Rockets played very well as a team and that included Chris Paul playing. The Rockets scored 90 points in the first half against the Suns. The Rockets had a great game with Chris Paul back. With a performance like that, Rocket fans have to be excited for the rest of the season. James Harden and Chris Paul both had great games. James Harden had a total of 48 points and Chris Paul had 11 points and 10 assists. Chris Paul was able to do all of that in three quarters in which he sat out majority of the fourth quarter. The Rockets were able to beat the Suns 142-116.

Milwaukee Bucks adds top player to roster

Eric Bledsoe was one of the Phoenix Suns’ best players on the team. During the 2015-16 season he was the leading scorer on the team averaging 20.4 points per game. The Suns also finished the season in 14^th place in the NBA Western Conference. The next season Bledsoe was able to gain some help when the Suns drafted Devin Booker. The 2016-17 season Bledsoe became the second leading scorer behind Devin Booker where he averaged 21.1 points per game. Devin Booker averaged 22.1 points per game. The Suns still did not have a successful season, finishing at 24-58. They finished the season in 15^th place in the NBA Western Conference. The 2016-17 season would be Eric Bledsoe’s last full season with the Suns.

Eric Bledsoe started the 2017-18 season with the Suns. So far during the 2017-18 season with the Suns he was averaging 15.7 points per game. He felt that it was time for a trade because he felt he was not being treated right by the Suns. Eric Bledsoe requested a trade after the Suns declined to extend his contract but that was stated by the Sun’s General Manager. Eric Bledsoe had a different reasoning behind the requested trade and it was because the Suns shut him down last season and he was 100% healthy. The Suns did get a high draft pick in the 2017 NBA Draft so maybe that reasoning of sitting Bledsoe down was to up their draft stock so they were able to bring in another good player. They were able to do that when they drafted Josh Jackson as the number four pick in the first round.

Once Eric Bledsoe requested to get traded, it was time to find a new team. Eric Bledsoe was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Greg Monroe and a future first and second round draft pick. With the addition of Bledsoe, this just made the Milwaukee Bucks an even better team. The Bucks are one of those teams where they just need that one player to take them over the top. The Bucks already have great players and one of the best players in the NBA who is Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the addition of Bledsoe that will open the floor up for Antetokounmpo which will give him more room and ability to score.

OKC Thunder Update (Thunder off to a slow start)

The Oklahoma City Thunder was a team at the beginning of the season labeled as a “super team.” With the departure of James Harden and Kevin Durant, it left Russell Westbrook the only thing OKC had left. A lot of good things happened during Westbrook’s first season alone. He was named Most Valuable Player for the 2016-17 NBA season. With all the success Westbrook still needed help, so the Thunder were able to add Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. The addition of those two players were supposed to boost the Thunder. At this point of the season even though it is still early that is not the case with the Thunder’s slow start to the 2017-18 NBA season.

We obviously know that a “super team” cannot go undefeated in an 82 game season. A thing we do expect is for a team to have more wins than loses. The Golden State Warriors set that standard high when they broke the best win to loss record a season ago. So far the Thunder are 4-7, and on a four game losing streak. Most of the games lost were in clutch moments or last second shots, which makes you wonder is it the chemistry that is off a little bit. The Thunder have three superstars on their team, so it can be debatable who is made to take the last shot because all three players are capable of winning the game for their team.

Another thing that has been hurting the Thunder is the referees. So far Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony have received flagrant fouls. I was able to see both of the flagrant fouls and both looked like normal basketball fouls. The opponents just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Also, you can obviously see that both players did not mean to hit the player and you can tell by their reactions. Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony were both fouled in the act of the flagrant foul being performed. Russell Westbrook, Paul George and coach Billy Donovan have not been happy with the referees and criticized them. Due to the critical comments made by all three, each of them was fined $15,000.

In my opinion I have the confidence in the Thunder and believe they will turn the season around. It is still early in the season and there are a lot of games sill left to be played. Being a basketball player, I also know seasons can start off a little rocky when playing with new people. Once Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George gain the chemistry they need they will be a dangerous team to play this season.

Boston Celtics Update (Celtics on 8 game winning streak despite Gordon Hayward injury)

Since the Gordon Hayward injury, the Boston Celtics have still been competitive. Gordon Hayward was one of the Celtics’ top scorers alongside Kyrie Irving. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward were expected to be a dynamic duo and take over the NBA. The dynamic duo was put on halt as Gordon Hayward was injured in the first game of the season. With the injury of Gordon Hayward, it left many people wondering what the Celtics would do next. By the looks of things, the Celtics are doing just fine.

The Boston Celtics started the season 0-2. Despite the slow start, the Celtics have gone on to win the next 8 games. The new dynamic duo in the eight game winning streak is now Al Horford and Kyrie Irving. They both have played key roles in the winning streak for the Celtics. Other players besides Kyrie Irving have decide it is time to step up. Players such as Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Morris and Marcus Smart are all players that have provided a boost off of the bench. Marcus Morris is finally back from an injury which is a big boost for the Celtics at the right time.

The Celtics sharing the ball has played a big role in their eight game winning streak. Since their winning streak has started, the Celtics have allowed their opponents to score only 94 points or less. They are the first team in NBA history to win eight straight games despite losing the first two games at the beginning of the season. Kyrie Irving leads the NBA in steals in which he averages 2.4 a game. If the Celtics keep playing like they are, then the fans should be excited about what is in store for the rest of the season.

Cleveland Cavaliers Update (Despite slow start, LeBron James scores 57 points vs Washington Wizards)

The Cleveland Cavaliers at the beginning of the season was labeled as a “Super Team.” The Cavaliers are a good team and still has the potential to win another NBA Championship despite their slow start. The Cavaliers has started the season off 3-1. After their start, the Cavaliers went on a 4 game losing streak. They also lost 5 of the last 6 games that they have played. The wait for Isaiah Thomas continues as the Cavaliers are trying to find ways to win games. The Cavaliers have been trying to find the right chemistry to be able to win more games.

Dwyane Wade decided it was best for the team if he came off the bench. With that move, J.R. Smith would be the new wing starter for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Since coming off the bench, Dwyane Wade has been a key component for the second unit. Kevin Love also had a position change where this is his first season playing center where his original positon is a power forward. Tristan Thompson is also out with an injury which is another key player that is out of the lineup.

The game that LeBron James had when playing the Washington Wizards may have gave the Cavaliers a spark. Before playing the Washington Wizards, John Wall released a statement that was aimed at the Cleveland Cavaliers. I guess the statements that were made lit a fire under LeBron James. In the game against the Washington Wizards, LeBron James went off for 57 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. He became the youngest player to score 29,000 points passing Kobe Bryant. The 57 points that LeBron scored was a NBA best this season so far. The final score of the game was 130-122.