Atlanta Hawks New Uniforms: Not Another Blue Jersey

I saw in CNN the story that the Atlanta Hawks will have a re-branding for the 2007-2008 season. The new logo and uniforms are inspired by the 1958 St. Louis Hawks and 1968 Atlanta Hawks versions.

While the new look is very contemporary, I can't help but shudder at the thought of another team going for a color scheme dominated by the color blue. I mean how may teams have a blue-based motif (alternate jerseys are included)? Let's enumerate: New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz.

That's 16 teams! That number represents 53.33% of teams have the color blue as a jersey. That's the freaking majority.

If you ask me, the league needs more red-based and green-based colors. The NBA should rename itself to the National Blue Association.

Tags: NBA

A New Lakers Dark Age in the Horizon?

Remember the 1993-1994 season? The Lakers were led by veteran Vlade Divac and upstarts Nick Van Exel and Sedale Threatt. James Worthy was in the tail end of a Hall of Fame career and Magic Johnson coached the team, with poor results.

That was the last Lakers Dark Age. Things were bad-- no marquee players (leading scorer Vlade Divac averaged 14.2 points), no success (33-49 regular season record) and no playoffs. While the Lakers were able to recover, a new Dark Age is dawning.

Kobe is unhappy and there's is a good chance he will be traded this season or the next, and given how the Lakers front office drops the ball on big trades, I'm sure the Lakers will get not maquee player in that transaction. With Andrew Bynum three more years away from becoming a force and no other young player surging, I see the 2009-2010 season a big black hole, probably a lot worse the 1993-1994 season, with the powers of the league placed in the Western Conference.

For franchises in the league for a long time, they are aware things are in a cycle-- you have good years and bad years. I guess the trick is shortening the waiting period between the good years. Just ask the Boston Celtics.

Tags: Lakers

The Kobe Situation: Sad But True

Kobe really wants out. As a Lakers fan, I am quoting from a Metallica song: "You know it's sad, but true."

While his dramatics is commonplace in a Hollywood script, in the NBA, it's just too much-- even for the Lakers. While his talent is undeniable, his killer instinct unquestionable, his attitude when it comes to frustration is suspect. Kobe is the Man on the Lakers squad and he's acting like a little Prima Donna.

The website, the "Kobe Bryant Video" and the shenanigans better be the league's attempt to keep the public interested in the NBA, especially after the Dullest Finals Ever. Otherwise, trade Kobe, Mitch and Dr. Buss.

Who can replace Kobe? No one. Not even Dwayne Wade or LeBron (LeBroom?) James. Remember the Shaq trade in 2004? The Lakers never got the equivalent value. The same applies to the Kobe trade of 2007. Sad but true.

Tags: Lakers

NBA Finals 2007: It's over? Thank goodness

The San Antonio Spurs sweep the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 on the biggest stage in the NBA. I think I the sweep was completed in Game 2. The Cavs were simply no match, not ready and too raw to win. I thank the Spurs for putting the whole world out of its misery by finishing one of the ugliest Finals ever.

I'm saying that the 2006-2007 LeBron James-led Cavs are the worst team to reach the NBA Finals. (Yes, they beat the 2002 New Jersey Nets by a hair.) I kinda pity LeBron. He got nicknames he didn't deserve (LeBoring). I guess the Spurs' dull play is contagious.

Now that the Finals is over, we can focus on more relevant things like the NBA Draft.

Tags: Lakers

NBA Finals 2007: No Thanks

Let me get this out of the way: I respect the teams playing the finals this season. The San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers play hard and are good teams but they are just not watchable for non-fans.

The news here is future perennial playoff fixture LeBron James' first finals appearance. While I would like his team to win, I'm picking the Spurs. LBJ is still too raw for playoff basketball. (His Game 5 against the Pistons? Fluke, if you ask me).

Going back into the unwatchable part, the Spurs are a lock-down team. Only basketball purists will love them and that would be a small fraction of the watching audience. They're good all right, but watching them is like watching a quiz show.

The Game 1 ratings say it all-- people are not interested in the 2007 NBA Finals.

Tags: Lakers