Old School Pic of the Week 8.30

As the lockout approaches its second month, more and more players have made plans for the upcoming season aside from the NBA. When Deron Williams inked a deal with the Turkish club Besiktas in early July, his decision lead many fellow players to pursue playing overseas as well. Since Williams' signing, the likes of Ty Lawson (Lithuania), Jordan Farmar (Israel), Sasha Vujacic (Turkey), and Leandro Barbosa (Brazil) have agreed to play abroad for the upcoming season in the event of a continued work stoppage.

The league's reigning scoring champ, however, has an entirely different agenda for the upcoming year. Kevin Durant will be taking his talents to South Beach Baton Rouge, Louisiana to star in an upcoming Warner Bros. Film. Little is known about the project at this point, but if Durant's acting prowess is anywhere comparable to his shooting touch then we could have the next Jesus Shuttlesworth on our hands. Even if his performance does not merit any Oscars, Durant can let this week's Old School Pic serve as a reminder that a man's movies don't have to be good for him to sleep with 20,000 women become one of the best basketball player's ever

Wilt Chamberlain as Bombaata in the
1984 film, Conan the Destroyer

 

Old School Pic of the Week: 8/2

Unlike the NFL, that just reached a labor agreement, things aren't exactly looking up for professional basketball the at the moment. Both the NBA and the NBA Player's Association (NBPA) have filed complaints to the National Labor Relations Board claiming the opposing party has not "bargained in good faith." The NBA then filed another lawsuit in federal court that seeks to void existing player contracts if the union chooses to decertify and countersue.

It is easy to lose faith that NBA action will soon return when use of jargon like decertification and countersue outnumber the dunks, screens, or passes.  But all hope is not lost, and this week's photo proves it. 

This shot from the 1988 NBA Finals shows heated rivals Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas setting aside their differences and finding harmony in the sweet, sweet game of basketball. NBA and NBPA, I hope you're taking notes.

*Potentially Ominous Sign: In the years since this photo, Magic and Isiah's relationship has soured considerably. Both Thomas' rumored questioning of Magic's sexuality and Magic's emphasis on keeping Isiah off the 1992 Dream Team have fueled the quarrel. Let's hope the NBA situation ends more cordially.

Court adjourned.

Old School Pic of the Week 7/26

For likely the first time since the 1996 NBA Finals, Seattle was center of the basketball universe as it played host to this weekend's H206 charity basketball exhibition. The showcase matched Seattle-bred players led by Jamal Crawford, Aaron Brooks, Martell Webster against "The League" team featuring Michael Beasley, Dorrell Wright, and Nolan Smith, among others.

Though it provided only a fraction of the pleasure of an NBA team, H206 displayed Seattle's desire for basketball at the highest level. If this is what it's going to take to get NBA athletes playing in the Emerald City once again we need to have lockouts more often.

Payton: "Man, I still can't believe there's no NBA team in Seattle!!"
Kemp: "Simmer down, bud. We're gonna get through this"

Old School Pic of the Week 7/18

Times are tough for NBA players. The gentlemen of the association simply want to play the sport they love, yet the lockout stands in their way. Though the current work stoppage is far from an ideal situation, it also presents a unique opportunity for athletes to pursue ventures they may have otherwise overlooked. 

In this week's photo, Karl Malone is shown living up to his nickname "The Mailman" by delivering basketballs to the residents of Salt Lake City. If this lockout must persist, let us hope that more players expand their horizons with new endeavors. Should the NBA fail to provide me with a 2011-2012 season, the very least I expect is a reality show featuring Chris "The Birdman" Andersen learning to tend pigeons or Brian "The Custodian" Cardinal struggling with the rigors of mopping hallways. Is that so much to ask?

Court adjourned.

Three Guys Playing Horse

Well, the lockout is officially here and we have no choice but to turn elsewhere for our hoops fix. As with all my other major life decisions, I turn to Samuel L. Jackson for guidance, and behold:

"THREE GUYS PLAYING HORSE!"