Ballers Blog

Congrats to the USA Basketball team for doing the expected and winning the Gold at the Olympics. I’m especially happy for Chris Bosh as he definitely can use the added confidence from the win. Hopefully that translates in the Raptors getting out of the first round, but he’ll definitely need help. But back on topic, some were calling this years team the “Redeem Team”. To be honest, that name stinks, and whoever came up with that should be ashamed. How dare they disrespect the ORIGINAL DREAM TEAM by using that silly pun. All jokes aside, this Olympic Games has made most basketball heads think back on the ‘92 Dream Team with awe.

Jordan, Bird, Magic, The Admiral, Pippen, Drexler, Stockton, Malone, I am not a role model Barkley, Mullin, Ewing, (Laetner)

Here’s the TOP 10 Countdown.

So the matchup everyone was hoping for will go down in the 2008 Summer Olympics Men’s Basketball Final. USA vs. Spain features two Toronto Raptors stars Chris Bosh & Jose Calderon. In all honesty it says here that this games means a lot more for Calderon’s career and confidence than to Bosh. Last year some, including myself, questioned Calderon’s decision to relinquish his starting duties to get his teammate TJ Ford going. Others applauded the move calling him unselfish and the consummate team player. This year Calderon’s got no one behind him, and that could affect his game either way. We hope that Calderon steps it up and makes his first All-Star game as we all recognize that he has incredible potential.

Good luck to both Bosh & Calderon in their Gold Medal matchup!

So this offseason has had it fair share of surprises.  From Baron Davis going home to LA to Brand moving to Philly to Magette going to Golden State there has been enough drama to keep the NBA news junkies happy.  But when you look back to the 2008 offseason, you will probably remember this as the summer where 8 NBA players went to Europe to play, with more possibly on the way.  Ben Gordon’s name has been bandied about in rumours of going overseas.  You can’t ignore the rumblings that two of the biggest stars in the NBA Kobe & LeBron have said they would consider the move at a price of 50 million PER YEAR!  

It seems like the only solution now is for David Stern to lift the salary cap.  This may be the only way to keep the best players at home.  Now there are a lot of repercussions for making such a drastic change, much of which would have to do with the Yankees syndrome of Major League Baseball, but at some point, enough is enough.  I wouldn’t get too scared just yet, as none of the 8 players who have gone so far are legitimate all-stars, but all it might take is just one major name and the wave may be unstoppable.  We are heading into murky waters Mr. Stern. Tread carefully.  

For those who don’t know, Nike has released the brand new Hyperdunk’s. The Marty McFly, Back to the Future inspired version are selling for ridiculous prices on eBay! If you ask me this is crazy, but you know I had to get my own pair of HyperDunks but believe me I didn’t pay $800 for them. Check out the photos of Kobe getting out of the Back to the Future ride!

Chalkfarm reppin’ the Toronto Ballers Club!

I want to send a shout out to Christian down @ Dime Mag for doing the spot on the Toronto Ballers Club. Dime Mag and Nike Basketball have launched a new facebook app, Ballers Network, where you can get the latest on games, tournaments and leagues all across the United States, Canada and internationally. Be sure to check it out!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE FULL ARTICLE ON BALLERSNETWORK.COM