SDH Presents the NBA's Top Ten Plays of the Night (10/30/2012)

Check out the ten best from opening night for the 2012-2013 season and stay tuned every day for fresh new content from the NBA and beyond courtesy of Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/30/2012)

The regular season has started with a bang with four games on the docket.  Here's a quick recap of the first four opening games. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and always stay tuned for daily fresh content from the NBA and beyond courtesy of Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents the Best of the 2012 NBA Training Camp

In anticipation for the regular season which is a few short hours away, here's an all-access look into the best sights, sounds, and sweat of the 2012-2013 NBA training camps!  There's a lot of talking in this video about "playing hard," and "working hard."  Can't wait to see these guys put their words into action.  It's going to be a great season.  Remember to stay tuned all season for fresh content and video of the NBA and beyond right here on Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents Anthony Davis's Early Highlights

Check out a few of Anthony Davis' highlights during the 2012-2013 preseason!  His play seems rather impressive to say the least; however, I do not think he will win Rookie of the Year.  My pick is Damian Lillard because he has shown so much poise for a rookie point guard reminiscent of John Wall and Derrick Rose during their rookie years.  Nonetheless, Davis is quite quite the impressive athletic specimen able to dribble like a point guard, shoot from the perimeter, beat his defender off the dribble and finally post up and attack and defend the paint.  I certainly can't wait until tonight when the regular season finally starts--that's for sure. 

SDH Presents Turkish Airlines Euroleague Magazine Weekly (10/27/2012)

Introducing "Turkish Airlines Euro League Magazine"--a thirty minute recap of the scores, highlights, and showcasing the best basketball that Europe has to offer.  This episode features former NBA players Sheldon Williams, Rudy Fernandez and Anthony Parker.  NBA fans know Williams as one of the biggest lottery busts in NBA Draft history while Toronto Raptors fans remember Parker as one of the key players that helped the Raptors during their short playoff stint from 2006 to 2007.  So sit back and enjoy this episode and stay tuned for more great hoops content from all over right here on Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents Euroleague Basketball Highlights: Union Olimpija vs. Panathinaikos (10/26/2012)

Check these Euroleague Basketball highlights as Greek team Panathinaikos rolls on the road over Slovenian team, Union Olimpija, to a share over of first place in the Euroleague standings. Defense is what helped Panathinaikos take the win with such strong efforts from former NBAer Stephane Lasme.  Like numerous Euro players, Lasme had trouble adjusting to the NBA game, but has found his place returning to Europe.  Check out this sick block by Lasme:

Be sure to stay tuned for more Euroleague action highlights, news and scores from Slap Dog Hoops--not only serving NBA basketball but hoops from around the world.

SDH Presents Euroleague Basketball Highlights: Mapooro Cantù vs BC Khimki Moscow Region (10/26/2012)

Check these Euroleague Basketball highlights as Italian team Mapooro Cantú takes care of Russian team BC Khimki Moscow for the team's first win in Euroleague play. Khimki struggled through much of the game losing to Cantú by 13 points despite the solid play of former NBAer Sergey Monya as can be seen by this play.

Monya, for those who remember can be considered by many as a draft day bust.  Selected 23rd overall by the Portland Trialblazers in the 2004 NBA Draft, Monya was billed as another Andrei Kirilenko, but unfortunately never lived up to those expectations.  His NBA career lasted just less than two seasons as he bounced through three teams: the Blazers, then the Sacramento Kings and the then Seattle Supersonics before deciding to return back home to play in Russia.  He looks pretty comfortable in his current dig--too bad his team endured an embarrassing loss.  

SDH Presents Euroleague Basketball Highlights: Unicaja Malaga vs. Montepaschi Siena (10/26/2012)

Check out these great highlights courtesy of the Euroleague basketball as Spain's Unicaja Malaga edged the Italian ball club Montepaschi Siena in this overtime thriller.  Unicaja came back from a fourteen point deficit to take the game on the road thanks to the play of of this guy, Earl Calloway.

Unicaja also got a lift from this guy, Marcus Williams, who many NBA fans remember as being a major flop after being selected 22nd overall by the then New Jersey Nets in the 2006 NBA Draft.  Williams was expected to be the Nets' point guard of the future hopefully one day replacing their star at the time, Jason Kidd; however that never happened as Williams never found a place in the NBA bouncing from team to team to unfortunately disappear to never be heard from again.  It seems as Williams has found a new home in Europe as he has shed away his past and redeemed himself with his new team  as can be seen by this play.

Be sure to check out more great news, scores and highlights from the best basketball league outside of the NBA courtesy of Slap Dog Hoops

SDH Presents Euroleague Basketball's Regular Season Week 3 Top 10 Plays (10/26/2012)

Enjoy the Top 10 Euroleague Basketball plays of the week. Make sure you visit http://www.euroleague.tv to access much more Euroleague videos and stay tuned from more great Euroleague content plus so much more from Slap Dog Hoops. 

SDH Presents Friday's Euroleague Basketball Recap Regular Season Week 3

Watch the best action of the Friday games http://www.euroleague.tv.  Enjoy the great highlights and the the funny European accents and stay tuned for more great basketball content from all over the world on Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents the Top 10 Plays of the 2012/2013 NBA Preseason

As the preseason comes to a close, lets take a look back at the 10 best plays from October as the leagues rookies and superstars get ready for the 2012-13 regular season!  SDH will be there every step of the way with fresh content--video, news, scores, highlights and more.  Stay tuned to SDH for fresh new content everyday.

SDH Presents the NBA's Top 10 Plays of the Night (10/26/2012)

Check out the 10 best plays from the final night of the NBA preseason as the regular season is just days away!  Count on Slap Dog Hoops to be there every step of the way with scores, highlights and in-depth and insightful analysis to go with. 

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/26/2012)

Check out the highlights from around the NBA in the final night of the preseason as fans get one last glimpse of their favorite teams before the quest for the 2012-13 NBA championship begins!  And you can count on Slap Dog Hoops to be there every step in the way with all the latest news, scores, and highlights from the NBA and beyond.

SDH Presents Euroleague Basketball's Thursday Recap Regular Season Week 3

Check out scores and highlights from the best basket ballers outside of the NBA. Watch the best action of the Thursday games on http://www.euroleague.tv and be sure to stay tuned for all the latest basketball news from not only the NBA, but beyond.

SDH Presents the NBA's Top 5 Plays of the Night (10/25/2012)

Check out the Top 5 plays from Thursday`s four preseason games. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned for more great content courtesy of Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/25/2012)

All the action from Thursday`s four NBA preseason games in under two minutes. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned for more great content courtesy of Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents the NBA's Top Ten Plays of the Night (10/24/2012)

Watch as Blake Griffin and the Clippers dominate Wednesday`s Top 10. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and be sure to stay tuned for more great content from the NBA and beyond on Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/24/2012)

Catch highlights from all seven games from Wednesday`s NBA action in one convenient place. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and be sure to stay tuned to Slap Dog Hoops for all the latest news, scores and highlights along with insightful and in-depth analysis as well. 

SDH Presents the NBA's Top 5 Plays of the Night (10/23/2012)

Check out the 5 best plays from around the league as players gear up for the regular season! Be sure to check out more great video on http://www.nba.com/video and stay tuned for for great video and so much more from Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/23/2012)

Check out a whip around the league loaded with highlights from the four preseason showdowns as the NBA defending champions were in mid-season form! Find more great NBA video on http://nba.com/video and stay tuned for more fresh daily content from Slap dog Hoops.

SDH Presents the NBA's Top 5 Plays of the Night (10/22/2012)

The Top 5 plays from Monday`s NBA preseason action. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned for more great content courtesy of Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/22/2012)

All of Monday`s NBA preseason action rolled into two minutes. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned for more great content courtesy of Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents the NBA's Top 5 Plays of the Night (10/21/2012)

Check out Sunday`s top five plays. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned for more cool video along with news and analysis from Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/21/2012)

The Daily Zap gives viewers the top highlights from Sunday`s NBA action. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned for more news, notes, interviews, and actions on Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents Turkish Airlines Euroleague Magazine Weekly (10/20/2012)

Introducing "Turkish Airlines Euro League Magazine"--a thirty minute recap of the scores, highlights, and showcasing the best basketball that Europe has to offer.  Check out this week's episode and stay tuned for more great video, news and highlights from not only the NBA, but from across the basketball world.

SDH Presents the Euroleague's Regular Season Week 2 Top 10 Plays

Enjoy the Top 10 Euroleague plays of the week featuring former NBA players such as Nenad Krstic, Rudy Fernandez, Sonny Weems, Jordan Farmar, and Bobby Brown.  Make sure you visit http://www.euroleague.tv to access much more Euroleague videos!

SDH Presents Euroleague Basketball Week 2 Regular Season Recap

Watch the best action of the Friday games in Euroleague basketball. You'll find a few familiar faces in this video such as Jordan Farmar, formerly of the Brooklyn Nets, Sonny Weems, formerly of the Toronto Raptors, and former University of Illinois standout James Augustine.

Hey Toronto Raptors Fans, Remember This Guy? Sonny Weems Tearing It Up for CSKA Moskow

A couple of years ago, he played for the Toronto Raptors, but performed too inconsistently for the Raptors front office to sign him to an extension.  Now Sonny Weems has started to make a name for himself playing and leading one of the best European teams in CSKA Moscow.  This former Raptor looked to have really polished his game as he seems to be in more control and has shown an ability to step it up especially in the clutch.  Hopefully for him, NBA scouts are watching and will contact him for a possible return to the league.  Here's hoping for the best for Sonny.   

SDH Presents the NBA's Top Five Plays of the Night (10/18/2012)

Check out the five best plays of the night from a high-flying wave of action around the league as LeBron James looks to be in mid-season form!

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/18/2012)

Check out a whip around the league for all the highlights as players begin to round into season form with opening night quickly approaching!  Check out more news, scores and highlights from the NBA and beyond from SDH.

SDH Presents the NBA's Top Ten Plays of the Night (10/17/2012)

Catch the top ten plays from Wednesday`s NBA action. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned for more news, score, and highlights from Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/17/2012)

Check out all of Wednesday`s action from a 7-game night in the NBA. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned for all the latest news, notes, scores, recaps and highlights on Slap Dog Hoops..

SDH Presents the NBA's Top Ten Plays of the Night (10/16/2012)

Perry Jones and DeQuan Jones take flight and Kevin Love dishes out a ridiculous dime in this edition of the top ten. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned for more news, scores, recaps, and analysis from Slap Dog Hoops

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/16/2012)

Check out Tuesday`s preseason highlights . Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned to SDH for all the news, scores, game recaps and highlights, along with in depth and insightful analysis on the NBA and beyond.

SDH Presents the NBA's Top Ten Plays of the Night (10/15/2012)

Catch the Top 10 plays from Monday`s action across the NBA. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned for the latest news, scores, and highlights along with in depth analysis and insight from Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/15/2012)

Catch all of the highlights from Monday's preseason action around the Association.  View more highlights here: http://www.nba.com/video; and stay tuned for more news, scores, recaps, highlights and so much more on Slap Dog Hoops 

Introducing Euroleague Magazine Courtesy of SDH

I am proud to introduce you to my new segment showcasing the hoops scene in Europe.  Introducing "Turkish Airlines Euro League Magazine"--a thirty minute recap of the scores, highlights, and showcasing the best that Europe has to offer.  Enjoy this first episode and stay tuned for more great videos, scores, highlights and recaps from not only NBA basketball, but also from the rest of the world. 

SDH Presents the NBA's Top Five Plays of the Night (10/14/2012)

Since the NBA were too lazy to post any video, I had to find this via another source on You Tube--a big shout out to TheNBAorbit for providing this video and doing the NBA's Job.  Enjoy the Top 5 plays from Sunday's two games and remember to stay tuned for all the latest news, notes, scores and highlights along with in depth and insightful analysis from yours truly on Slap Dog Hoops. 

SDH Presents NBA's Nightly Highlights (10/14/2012)

Only two preseason games on the NBA docket last night, but nonetheless here they are. Check out more highlights and scores on http://www.nba.com/video and be sure to stay tuned to SDH for all the latest news, scores, and highlights along with in-depth and insightfull analysis.
    

SDH Presents "Ballislife POSTERIZED Vol. 1!! NASTIEST In-Game Dunks Since 2006!! "

For some reason the NBA did not upload any new highlight videos on YouTube for the past couple of days, so I decided to find hoops video from another source.  Check out arguably the BEST Ballislife mixtape to date,"'Ballislife POSTERIZED Vol. 1". This 4 minute mixtape features the NASTIEST in-game dunks and posterizations they have filmed since 2006.  Most of these highlights feature cats when they were in high school--you may see a few familiar faces in this mixtape.  So enjoy this mixtape and hopefully the NBA will get up off their behinds and start posting new video.

SDH Presents "Gangnam Style - Gangnam State Warriors Edition"

I am like SO behind the time--I recently fell in love with this song and it has been supposedly circulating for months now.  For those who have been living under rocks, like I have been, I am talking about the mega hit "Gangnam Style" by Korean Pop Star PSY.  Here's my little homage to probably one of the most infectious songs in recent memory and probably the biggest dance craze since the Macarena featuring the lovely ladies of the Golden State Warriors Dance Troop.  Enjoy!!   

SDH Presents the NBA's Top Ten Plays of the Night (10/12/2012)

Check out the top ten plays from Friday`s preseason action. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights.

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/12/2012)

Go around the league for all your Friday night preseason highlights. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights.

SDH Present the NBA's Top 5 Plays of the Night (10/11/2012)

Catch the top 5 plays from Thursday`s action. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned for all the latest scores, highlights and recaps from the NBA along with in-depth analysis and insight right here on Slap Dog Hoops.

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/11/2012)

Catch highlights from Thursday`s action in the NBA. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights and stay tuned to SDH for all the latest NBA news, scores and highlights along with insightful opinion and insight as well.

SDH Presents the NBA's Top Ten Plays of the Night (10/10/2012)

Catch the top 10 plays from Wednesday night in the NBA. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights.

SDH Presents NBA Nightly Highlights (10/10/2012)

All the action from Wednesday`s six pack can be found right here in the Daily Zap. Visit http://www.nba.com/video for more highlights.

Taking a Look Back on Last Season: SDH Presents Golden State Warriors Top 10 Plays of the 2012 NBA Season

Take a look at the Golden State Warriors Top 10 Plays of the 2011-2012 Regular Season!  The funny thing about this video is that most of the highlights consist of a player that got traded away by the mid season deadline--the team's leading former scorer Monta Ellis.  Now Ellis is with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Warriors have return this season with a bigger and more physical lineup headlined by their new center, former number one pick Andrew Bogut.  With Bogut healthy, the Warriors will have the low post presence at center that the team has never had for a long time.  Added with the return of point guard Stephen Curry and their new additions--namely veterans Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry along with their sixth pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, Harrison Barnes--the Warriors have a stronger and more balanced lineup and will look to make some noise as the season progresses.

Taking a Look Back on Last Season: SDH Presents Charlotte Bobcats Top 10 Plays of the 2012 NBA Season

When I found this on You Tube, I just had to put this up: check out the Charlotte Bobcats Top 10 Plays of the 2011-2012 Regular Season!  It must have been so easy for the folk at NBA TV to find these play considering there was not much to look through.  The Bobcats, after all, posted the worst record in NBA history last season giving very little for their fans to cheer about.  Hopefully with their new additions of veterans Ben Gordon, Ramon Sessions, and Brendan Haywood along with rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist whom Charlotte picked second overall in last summer's NBA draft, the Bobcats can improve from that seven game win season.  It's easier to assume that the Cats will improve this upcoming season as there is nowhere else to go but up after a season like that.

Taking a Look Back on Last Season: SDH Presents Kenneth Faried's Top 10 Plays of the 2011-2012 NBA Season

Check out the best from Kenneth "the Manimal" Faried from his rookie season in Denver.  Faried was one of the most pleasant surprises in the league as he averaged almost eleven points and eight rebounds per game in just 22 minutes per game.  Of the 46 games that he played, Faried started 39 of them and took his game to another level in the post season as he shined for the Nuggets averaging a double-double in points and rebounds despite losing their first round series against the Los Angeles Lakers.  Look for Faried to build upon his rookie success as he will return as the Nuggets' starting power forward and probably look to lead not only his team, but also the league in rebounds per game this upcoming season.

SDH Presents "Steve Nash's First Game in a Laker Uniform" (10/7/2012)

Take a look at the highlights from Steve Nash's debut as a Los Angeles Laker.  This footage is a bit deceptive as those plays were the only three assists that Nash made in the game as he only played 15 minutes total.  Add the fact that the Lakers lost that game big against the Golden State Warriors by 17 points make Nash's highlights even less spectacular.  Hopefully, we will get to see more great moments by Nash and company as this was just a preseason exhibition game.  On a more positive note, one of Nash's teammates, a fellow Canadian and Vancouverite, Robert Sacre, had a solid laker debut as he started the game posting six points (2 of 3 from the field) and two rebounds in just 18 minutes of action.

SDH Presents the NBA Top Five Plays of the Night (10/8/2012)

Check out the top 5 plays from Monday's three-game slate in the Association.

Going WAY Back: SDH Presents "Ralph Sampson Career Retrospective"

Take a look back at the Hall of Fame career from the newest inductee Ralph Sampson.  Personally I don't believe that Sampson deserved such an honor of being inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame.  He only had three good years in the league, with his peak being in 1986 where he and Hakeem Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to the NBA Finals.  After that, he essentially fell apart, he was then unceremoniously shipped out of Houston and disappeared after that.  He would then end up broke, in legal trouble and just a laughing stock.  Personally I think the Hall could have picked better.

SDH Presents the NBA's Top Ten Plays of the Night (10/6/2012)

Check out the Top 10 plays from Saturday`s, October 6th, preseason games.  

Taking a Look Back on Last Season: SDH Presents New York Knicks Top 10 Plays of the 2012 NBA Season

Check out the New York Knicks Top 10 Plays of the 2011-2012 Regular Season!  The Knicks have thus far been a disappointment the past couple of years despite their superstar acquisitions of Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.  The Knicks were projected to challenge for an NBA title, but have been very short to living up to those lofty expectation; and to add insult to injury, the Knicks lost the player responsible for much of their success last season, Jeremy Lin, to free agency.  Hopefully with the additions of veterans such as Jason Kidd, Raymond Felton, Marcus Camby, Ronnie Brewer and JR Smith, the Knicks will finally live up to all the hype they had created for themselves.  Click here to read my take on the Knicks' this upcoming season and be sure to stay tuned for more great posts on not only the Knicks, but the 29 other teams of the NBA on Slap Dog Hoops.

Taking a Look Back on Last Season: SDH Presents Toronto Raptors Top 10 Plays of the 2012 NBA Season

Check out the Toronto Raptors Top 10 Plays from the 2011-2012 Regular Season!  They may have just won 23 games last season, but the Raptors played with a new vigor, physical toughness, and a devotion to defense.  Although the team struggled offensive due to the injury of its star player Andrea Bargnarni, Toronto still finished among the top ten teams defensively and with their new additions, expect Toronto to be enough tougher this upcoming season.  Unfortunately, even though the Raptors have improved immensely during the offseason, they still have a ways to go until there are playoff ready as they are playing in the toughest division in the league with four teams capable of winning 45 to 50 games.  See what I have to say about the Toronto Raptors by clicking here, and be see to stay tuned for more Raptors video, news and analysis along with the 29 other teams in the NBA via Slap Dog Hoops.     

Taking a Look Back on Last Season: SDH Presents Cleveland Cavaliers Top 10 Plays of the 2012 NBA Season

Check out the Cleveland Cavaliers Top 10 Plays from the 2011-2012 Regular Season!  Despite winning just 21 games last season, the Cavaliers showed a lot of promise thanks to the efforts of the reigning Rookie of the Year, Kyrie Irving.  This year look from Cleveland to build from last season's momentum with an influx of new talent and fresh energy to go along with Irving's leadership.  They will still be at the bottom of the standings, but at least they will be a team worth watching this season. You can check what I had to say about the Cavs by clicking here and be sure you stay tuned for more video, highlights, and posts on not only the Cavs, but also the 29 other teams in the NBA on Slap Dog Hoops.

Going WAY Back: SDH Presents "NB80's: Patrick Ewing"

In the 80's a tall center named Patrick Ewing made his entrance into the NBA. Patrick Ewing was the first prize of the NBA's original draft lottery!  Unfortunately, he did not make his mark until the 1990s because he spent much of his career injured and the Knicks were just a 20 odd win team in his first couple of years.  If it were not for Pat Riley taking over as the Knicks' head coach, Ewing would have faded away in to obscurity.  Instead Ewing, right or wrong, is considered as one of the greatest big men to have graced the NBA and one of the best players to have never won an NBA championship.

Going Way Back: SDH Presents "NB80's: Notable Mustaches"

Check out some of the best mustaches of the NBA during the 1980s!  My personal favorite was that of Kurt Rambis who according the commentator, "looked like Clark Kent, rebounded like Superman and shot like Lois Lane." That guy did not even look like a basketball player, but looked instead like that nerdy equipment manager whom the rest of the team gave their jock straps to wash.  Those horned rimmed glasses did it in for me--he just simply looked ridiculous--along with that shaggy hair as well.  Can't believed that guy played so long in the league.      

Going WAY Back: SDH Presents "NB80s Remembers Muggsy Bogues and Manute Bol"

NB80's takes a look back at the careers of Muggsy Bogues and Manute Bol, and their time together with the Washington Bullets when they set the record for greatest height difference between teammates in NBA history.  It's sad how Manute ended his career--he finished broke and just desperate to make any type of money.  He literally became a side show--from being the world tallest jockey to the world's tallest ice hockey player.  It was really sad how his last days ended.  In another ironic twist, it should be noted that both Bol and Bogues were selected by the same team in the same year.

Going WAY Back: SDH Presents "NB80's: High Top Fade"

Remember the "high top fade?"  See who had the best high top fades in the 1980's!  I was always envious of those who had those high top fades.  Could never get the top flat because of my thick curly  hair, so I just left the top long, faded the sides and put added some TCB gel to get that slick look.  Don't think that I have any more picture of me with that hair style (thank God), but I see the trend is coming back along with having baggy pants  sag off your ass--remember that too?   

Taking a Look Back on Last Season: SDH Presents Detroit Pistons Top 10 Plays of the 2012 NBA Season

Check out the Detroit Pistons Top 10 Plays from the 2011-2012 Regular Season!  It must have been pretty easy for the folks at NBA TV to choose them considering the fact that the Pistons were terrible last and they are expected to be even worse this upcoming season.  Click here to read my projection for them for this upcoming season and stay tuned for more great stuff on the Pistons and the 29 other teams in the NBA via Slap Dog Hoops.  

Taking a Look Back on Last Season: SDH Presents Washington Wizards Top 10 Plays of the 2012 NBA Season

Take a look at the Washington Wizards Top 10 Plays from the 2011-2012 Regular Season!  So much will be expected from them as they enter this upcoming season with a more mature, experienced, and professional roster.  See more video from the Washington Wizards and the 29 other teams in the NBA coming soon on Slap Dog Hoops.

NBA Rooks: Golden State Warriors

NBA Rooks follows the Golden State Warriors' rookies, Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, and Festus Ezeli, as they make the transition to life in the NBA. Show premieres November 7th, 2012 on NBA TV.

NBA Summer League: NBA TV plays 20 questions!

Check out all the funny questions NBATV asked players and coaches at Summer League.  See this video and so much more coming soon on Slap Dog Hoops.

Taking a Look Back on Last Season: SDH Presents the Top 30 Performing Point Guards of the 2012 NBA Season

It has finally come to the end of my little homage showcasing the NBA's best and it ends where the game begins--at the point guard position.  The point guard position was by far the most admirable position of this 2012 next to the center position because all the greatest story lines of the 2012 season had to do with them--especially a certain Taiwanese Harvard graduate that not only took the league, but the world by storm.  So celebrate with me as I recount the best players who without them, their teams would be in complete disarray and chaos.

30	Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder	Finals, Schminals, so what?! That fact is that Westbrook is a ball hog who is the worst decision maker in the league and is the reason the Thunder ranked at the bottom for assist to turnover ratio and a the top in turnovers per game—enough said!
29	Raymond Felton Portland Trailblazers	After posing the best season of his career, Felton followed it up by posting the worst season in his career at Portland.  It certainly does not give the Blazers any incentive to sign him to a long term lucrative deal as he will be an unrestricted free agent come July.
28	Darren Collision Indiana Pacers	Collison is possibly one of the most mediocre starting point guards in the league in terms of scoring (10.8ppg) and passing (4.8apg) compared to his minutes played (31.3mpg).  To add insult to injury he was replaced in the starting lineup by George Hill during the playoffs.  This may be the swan song for the player that was supposed to be Indy’s PG of the future.
27	Jrue Holiday Philadelphia 76ers	Holiday was not really much of a factor in terms of facilitating and offense as he is not the primary ball handler—that job belongs to Andre Igoudala; however, he did some up big for the Sixers in that seven game war against the Boston Celtics before he and his team were subsequently eliminated.  In all 13 games the Sixers played in the postseason, Collision led the team in scoring (15.8ppg), assists (5.8apg) and steals per game (1.5).
26	Jordan Farmar Brooklyn Nets	Yeah, yeah, you can argue that placing Jordan Farmer here is a little high as he was a backup PG on a crappy team and was more of a scorer than a facilitator when he came off the bench; however, if you add the fact that he was one of seven Nets to average double figures in scoring (10.4ppg) and shot an impressive .440 from beyond the arc, he certainly makes a case for being on this list.
25	Brandon Jennings Milwaukee Bucks	Okay granted, his assists per game average is not up to par for an elite NBA point guard at just 5.5 and his offensive production is streaky at best with a field goal percentage of .418, but he did have a 2.5 assist to turnover ratio and lead a team that was third overall in the league in assists.  So he could not be that bad of a floor general for the Bucks, could he?
24	Jeff Teague Atlanta Hawks	As in the case with Philly’s Jrue Holiday and Jersey’s Jordan Farmar, Jeff Teague cannot truly be considered a traditional point guard as he more plays off the ball than really facilitating the offense; however he has shown one of the biggest improvements of the league last season bumping his scoring average to 12.6ppg (third on the team) from 5.2ppg last season.  Add in his heroic play in the playoffs, Jeff Teauge certainly deserves mentioning as one of the best point men in the league
23	Mario Chalmers Miami Heat	After having two subpar seasons after a surprising rookie year, Mario Chalmers has bounced back this season having the best season in his career along with proving to any doubters that he was the right man to start alongside the trio of RUN DLC (Dwayne, Lebron, and Chris)
22	Andre Miller Denver Nuggets	He could have possibly been the best backup point guard in the league as Andre Miller came off the bench averaging close to 10 points and seven assists per game.  At 36 years old, while others players struggle to prove that they still have something left in their tanks, Miler showed that he was still good enough to start for an NBA let alone play for one.
21	Baron Davis New York Knicks	His final season was injury riddled and he faintly resembled the all star player he once was, but Baron Davis dug in deep and step in the huge void left with the loss of Jeremy Lin to season ending surgery to lead the Kincks to win 36 games in the regular season and to the playoffs for the second straight yesr.
20	Deron Williams Brooklyn Nets	This man was supposed to be the Nets savior as the team basically sold the farm in order to bring him to Jersey; however, he has been everything but that.  Despite leading his team in points and assists, the Nets still only won 22 games and now that he will be an unrestricted free agent in July, the Nets might possibly lose and all the picks and players that the Nets gave up for him would have been for nothing.
19	Ramon Sessions Los Angeles Lakers	Picking up Sessions at the trade deadline was the best move that the Lakers made this season as he provided the scoring punch to take the offensive load of Kobe along with leading the Lakers in assists per game going into the playoffs.  His postseason performance was lackluster to say the least (9.7ppg, .377 FG%, .167 3ptFG%), but he does give the Lakers another solid option on a team whose roster severely lacked depth.
18	Greivis Vasquez New Orleans Hornets	At 6ft 7in, Greivis stands as the tallest member of this esteemed group along with being one of the least known potential game changers in this league.  At his size, age and limited experience, Vasquez showed amazing handle along with the poise and maturity to man the point guard position for the struggling New Orleans franchise.  Can we say point guard of the future? Perhaps.
17	Goran Dragic Houston Rockets	Goran Dragic stepped up big time for the Rockets stepping in for the injured starter Kyle Lowry, as he posted all-star like number in the last two months of the regular season averaging 15.0 points, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steal per game in March and 18.0 points, 7.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game in April.  Dragic was so good that coach Kevin Mchale chose to keep him as the starter when Lowry return which created some dissent and distraction for the team that was trying to make a final run at the playoffs.
16	Jarrett Jack New Orleans Hornets	Talk about a player that no one expected to step up and become a team’s leader. This man was a career backup point guard for most of his time in the NBA; yet, Jarrett Jack took the challenge and filled in the huge void that All Star Chris Paul left leading the Hornets in scoring (15.7ppg) and assists (6.3) and was New Orleans go to guy for much of the season.
15	Jerryd Bayless Toronto Raptors	It took an eight game stretch for not only Toronto fans, but the league to see that not only was Jerryd Bayless capable of running the team as a point guard, but also had the potential to be superstar as well for the Raptors.  In the eight games he started in place for the injured Jose Calderon, Bayless averaged 20 points and eight assists per game along with sporting a 2 to 1 assist to turn over ratio.  Bryan Colangeo certainly has a dilemma on his hand as he has not only one but two elite point guards and will be forced to make a choice on which he keep and which he will be forced to let go.
14	Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls	It was a rather frustrating season for Derrick rose as he followed up his MVP campaign hobbled with injuries missing almost of the regular season.  To add salt to the wound, he fell to injury in game one of the first round of the NBA playoffs and was his Chicago Bulls, who had the best record in the league and was a favorite to reach the NBA Finals, get knocked off in six games by a lower seeded Philadelphia 76ers.
13	Kyle Lowry Houston Rockets	The man is listed at 6’ 0”, but he is more likely 5’ 9.5” to 5’10” give or take a fraction of an inch and he is one of the best rebounding point guards in the league averaging close to five per game along with being the third leading scorer on the team (14.3ppg) and leading assist man (6.6 per game) and leader in steals as well.  Similar to Toronto’s Bryan Colangelo, Daryl Morely will have the blessing and curse of have two elite point guards and not enough minutes to provide them.
12	CJ Watson Chicago Bulls	Say what you want about Derrick Rose, but if it were not for this guy, the Bulls would have never reached their 50 wins.  CJ Watson spent most of the season filling in a major void with Rose out for much of the season and stepped up when others could not or just plain did not. The Bulls essentially remained the best team in the league despite not having Rose and Watson deserves most, if not all the credit for that.
11	John Wall Washington Wizards	John Wall started his sophomore season slow but got it back together as he lead the Wizards in scoring (16.3ppg), assists (8.0) and steals per game (1.4).  His team stunk the court up, however, yet he still managed to give his teammates the heart and the hustle it neeed during the roughest of times and showed signs of being a true leader.
10	Jose Calderon Toronto Raptors	If Jose Calderon were on any team other the Raptors, he would have been already an All Star and considered as one of the elite point men in the league; however, he has spent the prime of his career playing on a team going nowhere.  He finished third in the league in assists per game with little or no recognition or acknowledgement whatsoever.  It would be the perfect time to trade him as his value is probably the highest it will ever be.
9	Mike Conley Memphis Grizzlies	Conley finished the season leading the league in steals making him any opposing point guard’s nightmare as he along with his back court mate, Tony Allen and sixth man off the bench OJ Mayo comprised of the best backcourt defenders in the league.  His defensive prowess seemed to have escaped him however, as the Los Angeles Clippers, the lower seeded team, managed to squeak past them in the first round of the playoffs.
8	Steve Nash Phoenix Suns	Canada’s greatest basketball player ended his career in Phoenix the same way as he started it with the same fighting spirit.  Give him credit for sticking with the team even though it did not even have a chance in hell to make the playoffs let alone win an NBA title anytime soon.  It’s just a shame that he will be one of those players, despite their efforts and achievements will never have the chance of having a championship ring on his finger.
7	Chris Paul Los Angeles Clippers	It is not that Chris Paul was not one of the best point guards in the league, he just was not the most impressive—that’s all.  It was all but expected that he would turn the Clippers around once he arrived in Los Angeles.  In fact, I would go as far as saying that many, including myself, expected more, but were left disappointed and unfulfilled once the season ended.
6	Ty Lawson Denver Nuggets	Ty Lawson went from serviceable backup last season to potential All Star and among the NBA’s elite the following one as he lead the Nuggets in scoring (16.6ppg) assists (6.6 per game) and steals (1.3 per game).  He took his game up another notch as he pulled his Nuggets out 3-1 in their first round playoff series against the Lakers to tie the series and cause a potential upset or the greatest proportions.
5	Kyrie Irving Cleveland Cavaliers	The man was not just rookie of the year for leading his team in scoring (18.5ppg) and assists (5.4), but also for the fact that actually got fans in Cleveland to lift their heads up and see that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.  He raised a city who was devastated morally by the departure of their believed to be former savior and gave his team and fans hope for the future.
4	Ricky Rubio Minnesota Timberwolves	If he had not injured himself halfway through the season, Ricky Rubio would have certainly be considered as a favorite for Rookie of the Year.  He did not score like Kyrie Irving, but his impact on the Wolves far greater than anyone could have ever imaged.  Before having to sit out the rest of the regular season, Rubio led all rookies in assists per game (8.2) along leading the league in steals per game (2.2).  In addition, the T-Wolves looked as if they would finally return to the playoff after five years.
3	Tony Parker San Antonio Spurs	This past season, Tony Parker proved to be the true leader of the Spurs as he finally took his place as being the new face and foundation of the franchise.  He not only led his team in scoring and assists, but also to go as far as the Western Conference Finals redeeming both himself and his team from the rather humiliating exit from the playoffs the previous year.  His performance not only cements him as Spurs franchise player, but also amongst the league’s greatest players.
2	Rajon Rondo Boston Celtics	It boggled my mind how many Celtics fans were so willing to put this poor guy under a bus when Rajon Rondo was sole reason the Celtics stayed in striking distance during the regular season eventually taking first place of the Atlantic Division away from the Philadelphia 76ers and subsequently leading his team within one game of the NBA Finals.  Now the same fans that spewed so much venom over him will be ready to melt the Liberty Bell to mold a statue in his honor right in the middle of Boston.
1	Jeremy Lin New York Knicks	For those who scoff at me placing Jeremy Lin at the top spot, just remember this: his come out of nowhere meteoric rise not only saved the Knicks, but the also the NBA as well that was preparing to face the backlash of a shortened season due to last year’s lockout.  Linsanity essentially made people all but forget about the bickering of the ruthless billionaire owners and the spoiled rich millionaire athletes.  He essentially became a folk hero of Tim Tebow like proportions as he became the beacon of those who struggle with difficulties and hardships only to become stronger and those who still believe that despite your circumstances, hard work will pay off.