Houston Rockets' Rafer Alston Slashes Man's Throat in Night Club

Houston Rockets guard, Rafer "Skip To My Lou" Alston has been charged with slashing a man's throat in a New York City night club. Earlier this month, Alston was charged with assault in Houston. It's nice to see that Skip To My Lou is "keepin' it real." I know that a lot of people questioned whether the former New York (Rucker Park) street ball legend "sold out" by going to "the League." Well, Rafer Alston may have had to swallow his pride and play by a coach's rules (in order to earn his NBA paychecks, which net him millions), but he sure as hell ain't playin' by society's rules. Play on playa!

Rafer Alston has always been known for his dazzling ball handling skills and for his ability to beat his defender off the dribble. Apparently, he now wants to be known as a slasher too.



Update:

I was discussing Rafer Alston's alleged throat slashing attack with some friends last night (none of them were aware of Skip to My Lou's arrest), when I realized that Alston played his college basketball for Jerry Tarkanian, at Fresno State. Avondre Jones and Kenny Brunner were Alston's Fresno State teammates in 1998, when Jones and Brunner were charged with robbing and assaulting a man with a a samurai sword. Jones was later convicted for the robbery and samurai sword assault.

I doubt that Rafer Alston made it to class very often, but, apparently, he at least learned something at Fresno State ... fencing.

Wake Forest Names Gaudio

Wake Forest has named Dino Gaudio its new men's head basketball coach. Gaudio succeeds the late Skip Prosser, who died of a heart attack last month.

Wake Forest made a wise decision by promoting Gaudio, who had been an assistant on Prosser's staff and will continue with the system that Prosser had implemented. Skip Prosser's sudden and tragic death left Wake Forest basketball in a state of turmoil. Wake Forest basketball will be best served by maintaining the program that Prosser had built, rather than start over with a new coaching staff and a new system.

Stricken by tragedy and facing an uncertain future, the continuity that Dino Gaudio brings is exactly what Wake Forest basketball needs.

Wake Forest's Prosser Dies

Wake Forest men's head basketball coach Skip Prosser died of today at the age of 56. Prosser, apparently, suffered a heart attack after jogging.

Antoine Walker Robbed at Gunpoint In His Home

Miami Heat forward Antoine Walker was held at gunpoint, bound and robbed in his Chicago (River North) home, Monday night.

More here.

Skills Before Thrills

One of the frequent criticisms of the current state of American organized basketball is that today's players aren't as fundamentally sound as players of previous generations were. It is often asserted that European, Asian and South American players have surpassed their North American counterparts in critical areas of skill development. That, in turn, is cited as a major reason why NBA teams are, increasingly, looking overseas for talent.

The stereotypical American high school and college player is athletic and can do flashy things with the ball, but is often deficient in the basics. That's not the kind of player that coaches and general managers prefer.

The culprit for the American decline in basketball skills is alleged to be the high school AAU and summer circuit. There, shady street agents and hustler/"coaches" entice young players to play for their teams by emphasizing flashy, fun, individual oriented basketball and by advising players not to worry about things as "boring" and "old school" as fundamentals.

Whether or not those are fair criticisms, the summer camps have taken notice, and changes are being made.

Manistream Media Discovers "World Wide Wes"

As Drive and Dish has noted several times, William "World Wide Wes" Wesley is, arguably, the most powerful man in the game of basketball. He exerts tremendous amounts of influence on every level of organized basketball, from the highest reaches of the NBA down to high school and the AAU circuit. World Wide Wes is tight with NBA executives, NBA GM's, NBA coaches, NBA players, sports agents, college basketball coaches, college basketball players, high school players, AAU coaches, entertainment executives, rappers, corporate CEO's, politicians, former Presidents of the United States, etc.

He was on the floor at last Thursday's NBA draft, congratulating lottery picks, Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Al Horford, etc.

But nobody knows exactly what he does. Despite his undeniable power, he remains a mysterious, shadowy figure.

Alex French investigates Mr. Wesley in the current edition of GQ.


Edit:

Although Mr. Wesley appears to be shady, it isn't really Drive and Dish's intent to hate on him. Look, basketball is a ruthless, shady business. There are all kinds of questionable characters on the periphery of the game (not that there arent plenty of shady characters who are front and center in the game too).

And I should state that although I've never had any contact with the mysterious Mr. Wesley, we do share some mutual acquaintances. However, I've never actually discussed "World Wide Wes" with any of those individuals.

That said, I'm not at all surprised that a guy like World Wide Wes exists. I'm just curious as to what exactly it is that he does, and how it is that he wields so much clout (it looks -- at least from afar -- like he's the NBA's "fixer"). But don't confuse that with hatin' ... I could use a hook up like this guy.

Kobe Turned Down By Chicago?

Although Drive and Dish has historically declined to engage in rumor, gossip and sports geek-style feverish speculation (what if...if, then...if only...etc.), we'll jump in on the Kobe hype with this tidbit, courtesy of Arizona Central: "Although Kobe Bryant apparently would like to join (Chicago), Chicago general manager John Paxson sent a message to the Los Angeles Lakers' superstar on Monday: Don't count on it. "

Final List of Underclassmen In NBA Draft

Here's the final list of who's returning to school and who's forgoing his collegiate eligibility to stay in the NBA draft pool (and, in many cases, praying that he gets drafted).

Why Was Interest In the NBA Finals So Low?

The 2007 NBA Finals garnered the lowest television ratings of any NBA Finals in the post Larry Bird/Magic Johnson/Michael Jordan era. Many theories abound as to why.

As we've alluded to many times, the public just doesn't care about the San Antonio Spurs. They're a small market team in the middle of the country (and in a very non basketball oriented region - Texas) full of foreign born players and lacking a marketable, charismatic star player. Tim Duncan is one of the all time great big men in the history of the NBA, but he just doesn't have the requisite "sizzle" to make him compelling to casual sports fans (or, apparently, even to the average basketball fan). Duncan appeals to basketball purists (who constitute a tiny minority of the NBA fan base, let alone the general sports viewing public), yet lacks the "it" factor that has allowed NBA stars like the aforementioned trinity of Magic/Bird/Jordan, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and pre rape trial Kobe Bryant to transcend sports, and become international super celebrities. Those players drew wide spread interest to the NBA. Duncan and the Spurs can't do that.

What's more, having championship caliber teams in big cities like New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago was also, in part, responsible for delivering large television audiences to the league. The city of San Antonio can't accomplish that. And, despite the marketability and celebrity potential of LeBron James, having the Cleveland Cavaliers as the Spurs' opponent didn't do anything to help draw casual fans to the series. Cleveland, also in the middle of the country, is an even smaller market than San Antonio, and is also in a football crazed and non traditionally basketball oriented region (not to mention the fact that, in the public consciousness, Cleveland is associated with negative things - from rivers catching on fire, to its legacy of sports futility, to its general rust belt economic depression and dwindling population). To the most casual of sports fans, Cleveland teams aren't exactly sexy.

Whatever the reason (and there certainly may be reasons other than those mentioned in this early morning stream of consciousness posting), the NBA's popularity is at its lowest point in recent history.

Kobe Goes to Spain to Demand Trade

Friday, Lakers star Kobe Bryant flew to Barcelona, Spain to meet with Lakers owner Jerry Buss. Bryant reportedly reiterated his desire to be traded. Kobe's contract allows for him to veto trades and, rumors abound that Kobe wants to go to the Knicks or Chicago.

San Antonio Sweeps Cleveland, Wins Fourth Championship

The San Antonio Spurs have swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to become NBA Champions for the fourth time in nine seasons. Drive and Dish extends congratulations to the Spurs. They play the game the right way. They're a dynasty. We love them.


In the picture to the right, Tim Duncan (left) is holding the Larry O'Brien trophy, and Tony Parker is holding the series MVP award. Drive and Dish used to dislike Parker tremendously. However, he's really matured as a player. Early in his career he was a turnover prone shoot first showboat who just happened to start at point guard for the best team in the league. Now he's a top notch NBA point guard, who breaks down defenders, protects the ball and makes good decisions. We have become fans of his.

By the way, when the game was tied with five minutes to go, it was Manu Ginobili who took the game over. In the last five and a half minutes, Ginobili put on a show that rivals anything Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson or Larry Bird ever did in the Finals. Although Parker was named as MVP, it was Ginobili who made the difference in the final minutes of this championship deciding game.

San Antonio One Win Away From Fourth Championship

Tonight, San Antonio went into Cleveland and won game three of the NBA Finals to take a 3-0 series lead. They are one win away from claiming their fourth NBA Championship.

San Antonio is generally viewed as a boring team. Their star player, Tim "Big Fundamentals" Duncan, is notorious for his efficient, but non flashy style of play. He's the ultimate "lunch pail" guy. What's more, he doesn't smile or exhibit any other marketable outward expression of personality.

The rest of the team follows Duncan's lead. Even Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, two formerly flamboyant players, have toned down their play. They've become solid pros, quite different from the gambling, ballsy, yet turnover prone daredevils that they once were.

Bruce Bowen is probably the best on the ball defender in the league. He absolutely locks guys down. Because of that, one might expect him to be widely hated, as he plays the role of the foil to the league's high scoring superstars. Yet, even Bowen elicits a yawn from the typical observer.

People just don't get the San Antonio Spurs.

But we here at Drive and Dish really like them. San Antonio is our favorite NBA team, at least in part, because of the aforementioned reasons. San Antonio is a great, veteran team that exemplifies professionalism. Year after year, game after game, they just go out and get it done. Drive and Dish loves them for that.

San Antonio Goes Up 2-0 In Finals

In the wake of Sunday night's smack-down of Cleveland, San Antonio appears to be on its way to its fourth NBA championship in eight years. If they do win a fourth championship, they'll deserve to be considered a dynasty. Since their first trip to the Finals in 1999 (which resulted in their first championship), San Antonio has remained one of the league's elite franchises. That's all the more impressive when one considers that, with the exception of stalwart power forward/center Tim Duncan, the team's roster has undergone drastic changes over the years. San Antonio is, undoubtedly, a top-notch organization: from the front office, to the coaching staff, to the players who get it done on the hardwood.

Too bad nobody outside of San Antonio seems to notice.

By the way, we're aware of the fact that Dallas took a 2-0 series lead before eventually being overtaken by Miami in last year's NBA Finals. But unless Shaq and Dwayne Wade suit up for Cleveland, don't expect the same thing to happen this year. Cleveland just isn't a championship caliber team ... yet.

Sopranos Finale Vs. LeBron and the NBA Finals' Game Two

Yesterday we noted the pathetically low television ratings returns for game one of the NBA Finals. Tonight, game two of the Finals will have to compete with the series finale of HBO's Sopranos. We can't even imagine how poor tonight's ratings will be. If game one garnered the lowest viewership since the 1981 Finals (which aired on tape delay), the prospects for tonight's contest are grim.

That's a shame. The San Antonio Spurs are becoming one of the NBA's great dynasties. LeBron James is the brightest rising star in the game. But nobody seems to be interested.

In the 1990's the NBA, with its emphasis on star player/personalities over team accomplishments, was the envy of every sports association (with the exception of the NFL). After the 1994 strike left Major League Baseball for dead, MLB remade itself (to the chagrin of the purists) into a high scoring (thanks to smaller ballpark dimensions, juiced balls and juiced up players), star personality dominated game. The traditionally conservative PGA aggressively marketed the phenom persona of Tiger Woods, which marked a drastic departure for the "gentleman's game." Seemingly, every major sport wanted a Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson or Larry Bird personality. It was all about the stars.

Oh, how things have changed. Now a decade removed from the Jordan era, the The NBA has really lost its luster.

Drive and Dish will watch the Finals tonight, but just about everybody else will be watching the Sopranos.

Is Anyone Watching the NBA Finals? Anyone ... Anyone?

Thursday's game one of the NBA Finals drew the third lowest television rating of any NBA Finals contest. Ever.

The ratings were on par with those of the 1981 NBA Finals. In 1981 the NBA Finals weren't even aired on live television. They were shown on tape delay, late at night, after Johnny Carson's Tonight Show.

Good Lord.

Earlier in the week, we linked to an article which argued that nobody (outside of San Antonio) cares about the San Antonio Spurs. The article mentioned relief among NBA executives, that rising star, LeBron James and Cleveland would be San Antonio's opponent, rather than the star-power-challenged Detroit Pistons. The thinking was that, despite the fact that Cleveland is a smaller, Midwestern television market, LeBron's star power would be enough to offset the blandness of San Antonio, and draw a national television audience.

On second thought...


Look, Drive and Dish is staffed by basketball people. We love the NBA playoffs. We wouldn't miss the Fianls for anything. But the rest of America, apparently, couldn't care less about the NBA.

David Stern and the "association" better watch out. Their league could become as irrelevant as the NHL.

Billy Donovan Bails On Florida, Then Bails On NBA and Goes Back to Florida

After leaving his job as the men's basketball coach at the University of Florida to become the new coach of the NBA's Orlando Magic, Billy Donovan has backed out of his commitment to Orlando, and returned to Florida.

Drive and Dish has historically disliked Donovan. We think that he's an outstanding coach (although it's taken him quite a few years to achieve this distinction), but that he borders on being an egotistical narcissist.

Donovan's jilting of Orlando does nothing to dissuade us from our previous perception of him.

By accepting the Orlando job, then backing out days later, Donovan screwed around with the livelihoods of Orlando's players and front office and Florida's players and athletic department.

Edit:

At least Orlando has landed on their feet with the hiring of Stan Van Gundy.

By the Way:

Despite our feelings about Billy Donovan's career as a basketball coach, we've always admired his work from his earlier career as a child actor. He was just priceless as Eddie Munster.

Nobody Likes San Antonio

Chicago Tribune NBA columnist, Sam Smith argues that San Antonio is one of the NBA's greatest dynasties, but that nobody (outside of San Antonio) cares. I think he's probably right. The staff here at Drive and Dish loves the Spurs. But we're basketball people (and defense minded, fundamentally sound point guard types who love to, well, drive and dish). We aren't representative of average fans.

So nobody cares about San Antonio.

Unfortunately, that's all too true.

Cleveland in Finals After Detroit's Free Fall

In earlier posts, Drive and Dish asserted that Detroit was the best team in the NBA, and would, most likely, win the NBA Finals. It was our opinion that while Utah and Cleveland were up and coming teams, and were led by dynamic young stars (or super stars in the case of Cleveland's LeBron James), they would have to wait for their shots at a championship because the balanced, veteran casts in Detroit and San Antonio were still superior and, at least this year, would be back in familiar territory: the NBA Finals.

So, we were wrong about Detroit.

Oh well.

I thought that Detroit was better than Cleveland. Guess what ... I still think Detroit is probably better than Cleveland.

Detroit absolutely imploded after going up 2-o in the series. Perhaps there were internal troubles that folks outside of their locker room aren't privy to. Chauncey Billups, the leader of that team and one of the best point guards in the league, was uncharacteristically awful in the series' later games. Rasheed Wallace reverted to being Bad Rasheed (and cost his team by incurring costly technical fouls and by not being mentally in the game - like Billups). At times, Antonio McDyess looked great, but eventually appeared to lose confidence and was, thus, intermittently ineffective. Richard Hamilton practically disappeared against Cleveland.

Who knows what was going on with Detroit. But whatever the reason, they didn't look like the solid veteran Championship team that that they have been in years past (and appeared to be throughout this season). Instead, they looked like a disinterested group of guys who couldn't stand each other's presence, and no longer respected their coaching staff.

A month ago Detroit looked like a championship team. Now they look like the Miami Heat - a dysfunctional, unmotivated, veteran team that's become uncoachable and needs to be blown up.

Donovan to Orlando

It looks like University of Florida head men's basketball coach, Billy Donovan, will be named as the new coach of the NBA's Orlando Magic.

In April, Donovan turned down overtures by the University of Kentucky to become its men's basketball coach. After winning back to back NCAA Championships at Florida, it appeared that Donovan was intent on building a super power at UF. But after losing most of the mainstays from the championship teams, and facing the prospect of rebuilding his program in a football obsessed environment, the timing couldn't have been better for Donovan to split.

Orlando wins by luring Donovan, at at time when he's on top of the basketball world, from nearby UF. Donovan likes it in North Central Florida. He won't have to move very far (but don't expect him to commute from Gainesville - anyone who's ever driven 241 from Gainesville to Orlando knows that it's not an easy drive).

A Quick Offering of Our Two Cents, For Free

In the last two days, Utah and Cleveland have bounced back from 0-2 starts by winning a game each in their respective Conference Finals playoff series.' San Antonio now leads Utah 2-1, and Detroit leads Cleveland 2-1 in the Western and Eastern Conference Finals.

Drive and Dish cautions its readers not to read too much into these wins. Both teams won home games that they desperately needed to win. Various "media types" are mouthing and writing predictable platitudes about Utah and Cleveland "growing up" and "learning how to win." But Detroit and San Antonio are the best teams in the league - they will eventually meet each other in the NBA finals.

Utah and Cleveland are up and coming teams. They will, no doubt, be heard from in the near future. But their time is not now. Detroit and San Antonio are the best teams in the league. Period.