by Yusuf Gadlin
Author Archives: The Writer
The Great White Hype
by Yusuf Gadlin
After a long strenuous free agency process, the Boston Celtics finally got their man.
The Celtics got their hero and unofficial face of the franchise Gordon Hayward. This move reunites Hayward and his former coach Brad Stevens who had the honor to coach Hayward during their successful collegiate days at Butler University.
Let’s be clear, while this move helps the Celtics compete for a NBA finals berth next year, the Hayward signing is more about making the Boston faithful fully embrace their roots again.
It’s no secret Boston is recognized as the most racist city in America. The classic Boston apologist will say ” But we made arguably the greatest player ever in Bill Russell the first black coach in the NBA in 1966.” Well, the 11-time champion Bill Russell said this in his memoir, Second Wind. “Boston itself was a flea market of racism. It had all varieties, old and new, and in their most virulent form. The city had corrupt, city hall-crony racists, brick-throwing, send-‘em-back-to-Africa racists, and in the university areas phony radical-chic racists. At the same time, Russell expressed an inner conflict at how he was supposed to feel when he was routinely cheered by some of those same people while leading the Celtics to NBA titles.”
What were you saying again?
Nobody likes to talk about race in America, I get it. It makes you angry if your black, and uncomfortable if you’re white. But facts are facts, and you can’t change history. Gordon Hayward represents the good ol’ days of the Larry Bird era, who was the baddest white dude to ever touch a basketball.
However, the Hayward signing is a breath of fresh air for the Boston faithful. They get a little better, while LeBron gets a little older. And if LeBron leaves the eastern conference in 2018, The Celtics would become the consensus pick to get back to the NBA finals.
Can the Boston Celtics finally get over the hump? It remains to be seen. But with Gordon Hayward now in the fold, Boston Strong will now rally around the great white hype.
Street Fight Is Mcgregor’s only Chance
by Yusuf Gadlin
Issa Dynasty
by Yusuf Gadlin
Dissecting A Warrior
by Yusuf Gadlin
The Cleveland Cavaliers finally secured a victory 137-116 in game 4 of the NBA finals. Kyrie Irving led the Cavs with 40 points on 27 shots. @KingJames had another triple double with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.
The Cavaliers find themselves in the same predicament as last years finals trailing 3-1. The Cavaliers were the first team in NBA history to comeback from that deficit to win the NBA title, Cleveland’s first title in 40+ years.
Can they do it again?
In most NBA fans opinions across the world, hell no. But the only belief the Cavaliers need are the 12 men on its roster. In order to pull off this dubious comeback, The cavaliers must dissect the Warriors game by game from here on out. Everything has to be surgical, precise, and malpractice must be obsolete.
Its the small things that will decide game 5 back in the bay area. Without question the two most important factors will be paying attention to detail and withstanding that inevitable Golden State run that might catapult them to the 2017 NBA championship.
Kevin Durant or Stephen Curry cannot be a factor in game 5. One must be doubled teamed while the other is under the impression he is about to be in double coverage. This involves the Cavs executing the game plan and playing this scheme perfectly.
LeBron will be LeBron and Kyrie will be Kyrie. The Cavaliers don’t have to connect on 24 three pointers like they did in game 4 breaking an NBA finals record, but they do have to hit about 15 to be victorious. The Cavilers are averaging 13 threes in this series which means look for somebody to hit two huge three pointers if the Cavs were to win game 5.
The type of anatomization the cavilers engage in will be stressful and complications might arise . But with LeBron James head of this operation, The cavaliers always have a chance to pull out a miracle.
#NBA #striveforgreatness
Back on Road
by Yusuf Gadlin
The Golden state Warriors obliterated the Cleveland Cavaliers 132-113. Kevin Durant continued his onslaught in these finals with 33 points and 13 rebounds. Durant’s running mate Stephen Curry had a triple double that totaled 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assist.
But in 1987, these great words were spoken by hall of fame coach and current Miami Heat team president Pat Riley, “No playoff series truly begins until the road team wins a game.” With that said, The Warriors will now try to win at least one game in Cleveland Ohio.
While the Cavaliers continue to struggle in this series with turnovers, lack of focus, and unfortunately stage fright, The Warriors have been playing stress free. we get it, Kevin Durant makes this game look easy, but damn, THIS EASY.
What should the Cavs do?
My suggestion would be to double team Stephen Curry every time he touches the ball. Force another teammate to score the basketball alongside Kevin Durant. Easier said than done, I get that. But the Cavilers don’t have many options left and essentially are playing the top of the sixth, with Prime Roy Holiday pitching the seventh, Prime Randy Johnson pitching the eighth, and prime Mario Rivera to close this thing out.
Also, there are some Cavaliers players that have to look themselves in the mirror not named Lebron James, Kyrie Irving (to some degree), and Kevin Love. Lets start with Jr Smith who is going through the motions, Kyle Korver who should have stayed in Atlanta, and Tristan Thompson who is lost in the sunken place. Every other Cavs player not mentioned isn’t worth mentioning .
The Golden State Warriors have the Cleveland Cavaliers on the ropes and the punches just keep on coming. Either this is the greatest rope-a-dope performance by the Cavaliers before they finally strike back or this Warriors team is truly Mike Tyson in his prime. We will definitely find out now that the Warriors are back on road.
Warriors must avoid the Kings’ Trap
by Yusuf Gadlin
The Warriors rolled to a 113-91 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers to open up game 1 of the NBA finals. The Warriors were sensational, well two of them were, that being Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
Durant smoothly produced 38 points on 26 shots in his first finals performance since 2012, where he lost in 5 games to the Miami Heat. Five years later to the present, there was Kevin again, scoring with ease, making the pressurized NBA finals look like child’s play. Durant did everything ferociously from outplaying the great LeBron James, to severely crossing over the Cavs’ grandfather in Richard Jefferson, to finally hitting pop sensation and a highly documented LeBron “super-fan” Rihanna with multiple death stares in the process.
On the other hand.
Stephen Curry resurgence on the NBA finals stage was very impressive. Curry blasted the lethargic Cavaliers to the tune of 28 points, drilling six three pointers in the process. Curry quieted his critics who have labeled him a choker on this stage and added credence to his biggest supporters arguments that indeed he was injured or re-aggravated an preexisting injury in last years underwhelming finals performance.
Oh that King’s trap. I almost forgot.
The Golden state Warriors are universally known for playing team basketball. Team basketball is what made the Warriors, the freaking Warriors. Game 1 was a scary indication that the once team friendly warriors became a two man show. Curry and Durant combined to take 48 shots, while the other three starters took 33 shots. If we strictly look at the four-headed monster that is Durant, Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson–Thompson and Green combined to take 28 shots.
48 shots to 28. You do the math. This is not the formula for success for a team that has prided itself on team basketball and find the open man.
Hopefully Durant and Curry don’t fully transform into Durant and Russell Westbrook, a combination that never produced a championship. What made the Warriors special was that you once had to guard everybody, nobody was a decoy, everybody could hurt you. Durant and Curry can’t fall into the trap of one LeBron James.
LeBron James is a mastermind and is known to sacrifice games here and there to bring the ultimate goal to fruition. this year finals goal? lull both Curry and Durant into a false sense of individual dominance while slowly taking away their teammates. Though the Cavaliers lost game one, they will continue to battle together as a team. Strength in numbers is something I hope the Warriors haven’t forgotten about. When facing Lebron James in the game of basketball, Chess not checkers is his only preference.
@NBA #KingJames #StephCurry