Carmelo Anthony Should Be Commended For Using His Voice

Anthony marches in Baltimore during Freddie Gray protests

You can say what you want about Carmelo Anthony as a basketball player. He is a ball hog, he won't ever lead a team to a title, he took too much money to stay in New York, he acted like a baby when he demanded a trade from Denver, etc. However, whatever your opinions are of Anthony the player, his words this past week deserve respect for Anthony the man.

After a tumultuous week in America, marred by violence between African American men and white police officers in three different cities, Anthony took to Instagram to make sure his voice was heard.

“The system is Broken. Point blank period. It has been this way forever. Martin Luther King marched. Malcolm X rebelled. Muhammad Ali literally fought of US. Our anger should be towards the system. If the system doesn’t change we will continue to turn on the TVs and see the same thing. We have to put the pressure on the people in charge in order to get this thing we call JUSTICE right. A march doesn’t work. We tried that. I’ve tried that. A couple social media post/tweet doesn’t work. We’ve all tried that. That didn’t work. Shooting 11 cops and killing 5 WILL NOT work. While I don’t have a solution, and I’m pretty sure a lot of people don’t have a solution, we need to come together more than anything at this time. We need each other. These politicians have to step up and fight for change. Go to your local officials, leaders, congressman, assemblymen/assemblywoman and demand change. There’s NO more sitting back and being afraid of tackling and addressing political issues anymore. Those days are long gone. We have to step up and take charge. We can’t worry about what endorsements we gonna lose or whose going to look at us crazy. I need your voices to be heard. We can demand change. We just have to be willing to. THE TIME IS NOW. I’M all in. Take Charge. Take Action. DEMAND CHANGE. Carmelo Anthony.”

Anthony is not obligated to speak up and as Charles Barkley so eloquently put it years ago: athletes don't have to be role models. Barkley was right that they don't have to act like it, but the reality is that athletes are. Anthony's voice will be heard by many and, regardless of whether or not his play is well-liked, it will be respected by many. There's a certain section of society that Anthony's voice can go where President Obama's and other suited political figures just won't. Quite frankly, the world needs everyone to step up at a time like this because everybody could be better and do better.

Anthony's post is just words, but he is a man who has shown he's more than that in the past. He marched in Baltimore with protesters after Freddie Gray's death. And his post this time asks those who have remained silent to step up to the plate. Speaking up is not for every athlete, but we do live in a generation where some of the biggest names (Anthony, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul) are not afraid to go beyond the court. Just because they can drop 25 points whenever they want does not mean they have to step out in times of tragedy, but it is refreshing to me that they do. It shows they understand that they can make a positive difference.

A positive change is needed in this country and any athlete who will have the ears of millions, and wants to use their voice in a positive manner, will earn my respect. Anthony, despite his flaws on the court, is a role model for everyone, including his peers in the NBA. His platform can be used for good and that's exactly what he's doing. Bravo.

With Warriors' Game 5 Win, Pressure on Thunder

Being down 3-1 in a seven-game series is never a good thing, in fact it's normally a death sentence to a team's season. Only nine NBA teams have ever come back from being down 3-1 in a series like the Golden State Warriors were to the Oklahoma City Thunder. After last night's crucial Game 5 win for the Dubs, it's 3-2 in favor of the Thunder as the series shifts back to OKC. The pressure is all on the defending champs to force a Game 7.

Or is it?

There is certainly pressure on the champs to come back and win this series. After all, they say 73-9 don't mean a thing without the ring. But heading into Game 6 Saturday night in Oklahoma City, the Thunder are under immense pressure to get the job done. A loss would send the series back to Golden State for a winner-take-all Game 7 and the prospects of winning that are slim to none. Oracle Arena is one of the toughest places to play in American sports and the Warriors have only lost three games there all season. 

Couple that with the fact that the Thunder are potentially seeing a championship window close in front of their eyes and it's now-or-maybe-never for OKC. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook's free agencies loom in the offseason and, due to injuries is past postseasons, the playoffs have not gone the way many Thunder fans expected. After a 2012 trip to the Finals, OKC has not been back despite keeping the core of Durant, Westbrook and Serge Ibaka intact. This is the closest the Thunder have come since that 2012 run and a win over the Warriors would mean OKC dispatched the defending champions and the San Antonio Spurs en route to this year's Finals. Not bad.

And while it won't be easy, the Thunder seem up to the task. Long gone are the accusations that the Thunder blow fourth-quarter leads and can't finish. Long gone are the gripes about Westbrook's game and superstar status. And on top of all that, the Thunder are far from scared by the Warriors. The big lineups employed by Billy Donovan have given the Warriors fits and Westbrook flat out laughed at a question in last night's press conference about Curry's defense. This is a team that believes they can and should win.

The Warriors won't have Oracle behind them Saturday night and the 8-0 runs won't be met with any enthusiasm. Instead, they will be heading into a hostile crowd that is also one of the best in the Association. The Thunder won Games 3 and 4 in OKC by 24 and 28 points, respectively. Despite that, Game 6 feels like a must-win and it probably should be viewed as that by everybody. 

Going into Oracle and stealing Game 7 would be the toughest challenge for any team. That's why the pressure is on Durant, Westbrook and the Thunder to win Saturday. If they don't then they can kiss this season goodbye.

Westbrook's Play Lacks Praise it Deserves

Last night was another reminder that Russell Westbrook is a top five player in the NBA and that, when he is under control, he is a finisher that is virtually impossible to stop. Westbrook's driving and-1 layup sealed a pivotal Game 5 win for the Oklahoma City Thunder in San Antonio, and gives OKC a chance to clinch the series on its home court.

Westbrook is a lightning rod for opinions. From his pregame outfits to his unabashed recklessness on the court, he seems to drum up an opinion in everybody. You're not neutral about Russell Westbrook - you either like him or you don't. Whatever your position on the man, the truth is this: his play demands more praise than it gets. His final stat line last night of 35 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists was MVP-esque and before anyone brings up his eight turnovers let me remind you that Steph Curry was 0-for-10 from three to start Game 5 in Portland. It's hard to play a perfect game.

Westbrook has been questioned as a finisher and rightfully so. The Thunder were notorious for blowing fourth quarter leads during the regular season. NewsOK's Darnell Mayberry did a little digging on the claim that the Thunder were choke artists and came up with this: "In his 11 of the Thunder's 13 losses in games where it led after three quarters, Kevin Durant has averaged 6.4 points, 0.4 assists and 1.4 turnovers on 42.1/30/84.2 percent shooting splits (field goal/3-point/free throw). Westbrook has averaged 5.5 points, 2.2 assists and 1.3 turnovers on 29.1/16.1/80.7 shooting splits.
Westbrook has gone without a fourth-quarter field goal four times over that span. Durant has had at least three fourth-quarter turnovers three times in that span."

For a team that relies so heavily on two superstars, those numbers simply have to be better. And for Westbrook, he has improved. The ill-advised late-game shots have gone away and he's hitting his free throws late in games. His 8-for-8 performance at the line last night was crucial and he committed only two turnovers in the second half.

Still, despite his routine stuffing of the stat sheet, there are those who say he is not a star. Mark Cuban said he was not a superstar during OKC's first round series against Dallas. Westbrook responded by averaging 26 points, 7.2 rebounds and 11.2 assists over the five games.

The MVP votes were recently announced and once again, Westbrook failed to get the credit he deserved. Curry was certainly the league's MVP this season, but Westbrook (and everyone else in the league) failed to get a single vote. The lack of votes comes after averaging 23.5 points (8th in the league), 7.8 rebounds (1st among PG, SG, SF), 10.4 assists (2nd in the league) and 2.04 steals (5th in the league).

His rebound average is higher than LeBron James, Kristaps Porzingis, Zach Randolph and Al Horford. His points per game is ahead of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, while his assist totals trump every point guard in the league not named Rajon Rondo.

Certainly Westbrook deserved at least a few votes, did he not? But it's always the negative that people focus on with Westbrook. Routinely, fans say the Thunder have no chance to win a title until they let Westbrook go. After watching last night's game and looking over the numbers, you tell me what team could lose that kind of production and be better for it. The answer is none.

Westbrook is a superstar player in the NBA. His play, though not perfect, has shown that time and again. It's about time people start respecting him like one.

Bulls, Pacers, and Suns Headline 2014 Awards Finalists

The regular season is quickly drawing to a close as sixteen teams continue to battle for playoff position. The year has been full of drama both good and bad and the anticipation for the postseason is mounting each and every day. And while the postseason will take about two and a half months by itself, these past six months have given us a hint of the players that are most deserving of the individual honors presented each year. Here's a look at the finalists for this year's MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved, 6th Man of the Year, and Coach of the Year.

MVP

Kevin Durant: At this point in the season, how could you go against KD? He's posted numbers that are rivaled only by some of the best to ever play the game and is currently on a streak of scoring 25 points in a game for 38 straight games. The person he's chasing in order to break the record? Michael Jordan's mark of 40 straight games. Not exactly bad company to be in. On top of Durant's ridiculous and consistent output, his efforts have helped him average 32.2 points per game while grabbing 7.5 rebounds per game and dishing out 5.7 assists per game. Not to mention Durant is shooting 51% from the field, 41% from three point range, and 87% from the charity stripe. Even without Russell Westbrook being on the floor this season, Durant managed to keep the Thunder atop the Western Conference standings and has proved to be the best player in the league this year.

LeBron James: There won't be a season that goes by that LeBron James won't be in the top three in the MVP race. This year is no different. James is attempting to capture his fifth MVP award in the past six seasons (with Chicago's Derrick Rose stealing the crown in 2011) and has once again put up the same ridiculous numbers he always has. With 26.7 points per game, 6.9 boards per game, and 6.6 assists per game, LeBron once again has the Heat holding on to the number one seed in the East. While Durant has occupied the spotlight for much of the season, it's no secret that LeBron James has had his eye-opening performances as well. Who could forget his 61-point performance this past month? ESPN certainly couldn't, it managed to be a topic of conversation on Sportscenter for a solid week. Nonetheless, it was an impressive performance and arguably one of the best individual performances of the season. LeBron will fall short of the MVP award this season, but it took a historic season from Durant to dethrone the King.

Blake Griffin: Wait...what? Blake Griffin is a legitimate MVP candidate? Believe it. This season Griffin has gone from just a freak athlete to a freak athlete with an all-around game. The alley-oops and put-back dunks will always be what people see in the highlights, but Griffin's improvements in his jump shot and ball handling have not received the attention they deserve. The Los Angeles Clippers' power forward is pouring in 24 points per game and snagging just under 10 rebounds as well and while the individual stats are nice, Griffin has helped this team become a legitimate contender in the West, not just a highlight reel for Sportscenter. He won't win the MVP award, but Blake Griffin has definitely established himself as one of the most dominant all-around players in the league.

Joakim Noah: The Chicago Bulls season seemed all but lost to those outside of the Bulls' fan base after starting point guard and former MVP Derrick Rose went down with yet another knee injury. Throw that in with the Luol Deng trade and the Bulls were seemingly done for the year. However, no one could have predicted that Joakim Noah would emerge as a deserving MVP candidate. While the addition of DJ Augustin and the overall play of the rest of the team is something nothing short of admirable, Joakim Noah has been the driving force behind a well-balanced attack for the Bulls. He has earned the title as the most dynamic center in the game and is the best passing big man the league has to offer. Noah is currently averaging 12.5 points per game while reeling in 11.1 rebounds per game. He is tied with Kevin Durant for second place in terms of most triple-doubles this season with three though he has flirted with that achievement numerous times. If the award was truly based off of how valuable a player is to his team, Noah would have to be the recipient if not barely falling short behind Durant. Yet with the award being based off statistics, Noah's MVP campaign will not be complete this season.

Defensive Player of the Year:

Joakim Noah: The fact that Noah is top four for two awards is a testament to his improvement this season. He is the anchor of a stifling Bulls defense that is currently second in the league for fewest points against on average with only allowing 91.9 points a game. Might I add the Indiana Pacers are first with 91.8 points against per game, merely .1 of a point difference. With that in mind, Noah has averaged 1.5 blocks per game and has taken on the best in the league on the defensive side of the ball. Not many 6'11 centers can be isolated against LeBron James on the three point line and get a stop not once, but twice as Noah did just a few weeks ago when the Heat visited the United Center. When all is said and done and the dust has settled, Joakim Noah has earned this year's Defensive Player of the Year award.

Roy Hibbert: The 7'2 center for the Indiana Pacers has improved every year he  has been in the league and has certainly played a major role in the Pacers' success up to this point. Even though he may be a better rim protector than Joakim Noah, Hibbert's defensive presence is not as effective. Hibbert does average 2.3 blocks per game but his defensive rebound average is only 4.2 per game as opposed to Joakim Noah's 6 a game. Again, Hibbert may have the advantage when playing defense in the paint because of his bigger frame, but Joakim Noah is more versatile and has the statistics to prove it. By no means is Hibbert not deserving of the award, but this year the trophy will not belong to him.

Paul George: It's telling that the Pacers have two players that have made the final four candidates. This year we have seen Paul George emerge as one of the best two-way players in the league, if not the best. George has the task of essentially guarding the opposing team's best player night in and night out and has already shown us that he can hang with the league's elite. He has been as big a part of the Pacers' league-leading 91.8 points against per game as Hibbert has and he even averages more defensive rebounds per game than the Indiana big man (5.2). The 23 year-old is also playing with active hands as he is averaging nearly 2 steals per game. There is no doubt that George has evolved into an elite defender and it is definitely justifiable that he will end the season as a contender for the honor.

Andre Iguodala: The Golden State forward has flown under the radar in this year's race simply because his team has not received the attention of the once-dominant Pacers or the ailing Chicago Bulls. Nonetheless, Andre Iguodala has been a force on the defensive side of the ball. Much like George he is averaging more defensive rebounds per game than the 7'2 center Hibbert with 4.6 per game and is right on George's heels in the steals column with 1.7 per game. Iguodala has been a major acquisition to the Warriors' defense and has helped keep opponents to 99 points per game on average which is currently 8th of the league's 30 teams. There's no doubt Iguodala is one of the better defenders the league has to offer, but "Andre Iguodala" and "Defensive Player of the Year" won't be synonymous at the conclusion of this season.

Rookie of the Year

Michael Carter-Williams: The former Syracuse guard stormed into the league posing a triple-double threat on nearly a nightly basis to begin the season. That was also when the Sixers still seemed to be  a playoff team. Now, Carter-Williams has come down to earth and his team has gone even lower than that. And while the Rookie of the Year is an individual award, the success of the team has to factor into the equation, and that is exactly what will keep MCW from walking away with the award. He has put up great numbers for his rookie campaign averaging 16.5 points per game, 6.3 assists per game, and 2 steals while being the center piece of what will hopefully be a better Sixers team in the future. It's sad to see Carter-Williams play such great basketball for such a downtrodden team, which is why it is sad to see the lack of success in Philadelphia be the determining factor in Carter-Williams missing out on this award.

Victor Oladipo: Orlando is not much better than Philadelphia which may make the team's success not as much of a factor as I perceive it to be. However, Oladipo has come in and produced in every way right from the start averaging 14 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Not bad for an undersized rookie shooting guard. It is incredibly tough to choose between Carter-Williams and Oladipo but I believe Oladipo will walk away with the Rookie of the Year honors because he has put on a better all-around performance. This has ultimately led to more success for his team, even if that means his team has won 21 games as opposed to Philadelphia's 16.

Tim Hardaway: It's unfair that Hardaway's rookie campaign has been lost among the underachieving season of the New York Knicks. Between Carmelo Anthony's upcoming free agency, Mike Woodson's job security (or lack there of), Phil Jackson's hiring, and JR Smith's antics, it's easy for a rookie like Hardaway to get lost in all of that. But don't be fooled, even though the Knicks have suffered this season, they have a bright spot in the former Michigan guard. Hardaway has managed to average 10 points a game and just under one assist off the bench. Not bad numbers for a rookie, all things considered. Not to mention Carter-Williams and Oladipo have had the luxury of being consistent starters. Hardaway doesn't have the numbers to trump the two aforementioned players, but his ceiling is high.

Trey Burke: The fact that Trey Burke missed a large chunk of the season and is still a top four candidate speaks to how weak this draft class was. Nonetheless, Burke has still managed to put together a nice rookie campaign which has included a game-winning three in the month of March. Sound familiar Michigan fans? Burke is currently averaging 12.5 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting a respectable 89% from the free throw line. The sad thing is that Burke's absence for the first few months of the season will ultimately keep him from winning Rookie of the Year. But one can only imagine what he will be like when he sees a full season of action next year. The Jazz are a young bunch, but with Burke at the helm they might just be alright down the road.

Most Improved
Markieff Morris: The former Kansas star has had a breakout season this year and has helped put the Phoenix Suns in position to contend for a playoff spot. Morris headlines a young Phoenix squad and has enjoyed personal success averaging nearly 14 points and 6 rebounds a game while shooting 49% from the field. His points per game average has increased by nearly six points and his rebounding average is up one more rebound from the previous year. Think one rebound isn't that big of a deal? Ask the San Antonio Spurs how it would have felt to grab one more rebound in the last seconds of game six of last year's NBA Finals. Morris really has been a pleasant surprise for the Suns organization and if the improvement continues, he may just be a very, very valuable asset to Phoenix in the future.

Gerald Green: Much like Blake Griffin, Green used to be known solely for his highlight reel dunks. And while the constant replaying of the dunks these two players put down is perfectly justifiable, Green, like Griffin, has shown that he has more in his arsenal than just an explosive vertical. Green seemed to only take up roster space during his days in Boston, Houston, Minnesota, Dallas, New Jersey, and Indiana. The fact that he is 28 and has played on seven teams in what is now a seven year career shows that his production was never quite there. Yet here we are in April and Green is on a Suns team that is flirting with a playoff berth. He is averaging 15.5 points per game which more than doubles his average from the previous season (7.0 points per game in Indiana). Not only has his scoring average gone up but so has his rebounding (2.4 in Indiana to 3.2 in Phoenix) and his free throw percentage (80% in Indiana to 85% in Phoenix). Morris and Green both have the Suns looking at a bright future, but neither Phoenix player will be in possession of the Most Improved Player award this season.

Lance Stephenson: It's hard to turn away the guy who is leading the league in triple-doubles. Throughout the Pacers' season it has shown that when Lance Stephenson is on his game, so are the Pacers. He has worked his way into a starting role and has shown hints of maturity, though they are few and far between. However, Stephenson's 14 points, 4.6 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game is nothing short of impressive. Every one of his averages, with the exception of blocks and steals, has gone up since the previous season and even though he is not often talked about by the media because of the attention Paul George and Roy Hibbert attract, it's no secret that Stephenson is a major contributor to the success in Indy this season. Sadly, Stephenson will fall just short of this year's Most Improved.

DeMarcus Cousins: Things are looking up in Sacramento and "Boogie" Cousins is in the middle of it. The one-and-done from Kentucky has worked his way into the discussion of being a top 5 center in the league and has become a force on both sides of the ball. He now averages 22.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game and has increased his average in literally every column this season. Despite a questionable attitude, Cousins may just be the best up-and-coming big man in the NBA. Averaging a double-double by a considerable margin is deserving of praise and that is part of the reason Cousins will win this year's Most Improved Player award.

6th Man of the Year
Markieff Morris: If you weren't a believer in the evolution of Morris' game, perhaps the fact that he is a final candidate for two awards will sway you. The Suns are the current eight seed in a jam-packed and deep Western Conference and their bench is a big reason why they are in that situation. Again, the Suns are young, but Morris' growth has powered Phoenix because his production does not leave any holes between his role off the bench and that of a starting power forward. He is a consistent and attention-drawing threat on both sides of the ball and has logged meaningful minutes for head coach Jeff Hornacek this year. The Suns have been impressive many a time this season and Morris has had himself a solid year, but much like the Most Improved honors, the former Kansas Jayhawk will miss out on receiving this honor.

Jamal Crawford: It took a season or two, but the Clippers now look like a legitimate contender in the West. And while Lob City is now coming into it's own, Jamal Crawford has been consistent for much, if not all of his career. This season is no different as Crawford has provided his usual spark off the bench as he is averaging 18.6 points per game. His ability to come off the bench and prove to be a game-changer has the Clippers looking at a three seed for the playoffs. Not to mention the fact that his scoring average has increased by two points per game. There is no doubt that Jamal Crawford's scoring is a valuable asset to Doc River's bench, but sadly the numbers speak to only the offensive side of the ball which will cost Crawford the 6th Man award.

Manu Ginobili:Is there a more consistent role player in the league? The Spurs have been fortunate to have a player like Manu Ginobili for the past twelve seasons as he has averaged double figures in points per game every season except his rookie season in which he averaged 7.6. Ginobili has also increased his scoring from 11.8 points per game last year to 12.3 this season. However, there has been a slight regression in his rebounding and assists which could hurt him when the votes are tallied up. Nonetheless, Ginobili is still getting the job done at the age of 36 and will surely play a monumental part in the Spurs quest to return to the Finals. With that in mind, Ginobili will have to produce without the 6th Man award in his possession.

Taj Gibson: The Chicago Bulls' sixth man has been a big contributor to their unlikely regular season success. Logging more fourth quarter minutes than the starter Carlos Boozer more often than not, Gibson's production and defense has warranted other teams' attention and the media's recognition. Averaging 13.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, the former USC Trojan is more than deserving of this year's 6th Man of the Year honors. He has improved or maintained last season's averages in every category, namely his scoring (8.0 points per game last season) and his free throw percentage (68% last season to 74% this season). Amidst the posterizing dunks and rim-protecting blocks is an evolved Taj Gibson that will bring home the hardware when the 6th Man of the Year is announced.

Coach of the Year
Steve Clifford: The Charlotte Bobcats used to be the laughing stock of the NBA and while they aren't exactly a powerhouse, they are noticeably better than years past. First-year NBA coach Steve Clifford took the job in Charlotte and has the Bobcats in position to be the seven seed in the playoffs while being just two games under .500. At 36-38, Clifford is looking like he will coach the Bobcats to their best season in the team's history and has already won 15 more games than last year and 29 more than in 2012. The Bobcats are young and still have experience to gain, but with the way Clifford has run the team up to this point, they just may become a consistent playoff team in the near future. Sadly, a sub-.500 team just doesn't warrant Coach of the Year honors.

Jeff Hornacek: Also a first-year NBA Coach, Jeff Hornacek has his Phoenix Suns looking at a playoff berth and has plenty of young talent to play the spoiler for a higher seed. Just one year after the Suns finished 25-57, Hornacek has turned the organization around and has accumulated a much improved record of 44-30 at press time. The Suns are currently tied with Memphis for the seven seed but looking ahead, the Suns are in a great spot to build in the future with Hornacek in charge. He has done a great job of making an immediate impact and enjoying more success than the past few seasons, but much like his players Gerald Green and Markieff Morris, Hornacek will not be awarded the honor he has been nominated for.

Tom Thibodeau: The Chicago Bulls have been a tough team since Thibs got there and instilled a passion to play defense. Yet who in the NBA has dealt with more season-changing injuries than Thibodeau? No one. The Bulls have been without their superstar Derrick Rose the past two seasons and have still managed to be a top four team in the East while being at least ten games over .500. Not to mention Thibs also lost Luol Deng in a trade earlier this season that caused for even more of a roster shake-up. But here we are in April and the Bulls are tied for the three seed in the East. Thibs has kept the Bulls focused and hungry in the midst of plenty of injuries. Few coaches in the league can do what Tom Thibodeau can do but when it's all said and done, Thibs will have to wait to claim his second Coach of the Year award.

Gregg Popovich: A mastermind in his own right, Gregg Popovich once again has the Spurs not only playing well, but playing better than anyone in the league. Nearing a 20-game win streak, the Spurs are poised to make another run to the Finals with a perfectly balanced roster. Aside from the personnel, however, is the way that Pop manages his team. During this win streak, Kawhi Leonard leads the team in minutes played per game at just over 30. 30 minutes per game is the highest? That means a guy who is on the bench for about a quarter and a half is leading the team in logged minutes? Don't question it, just enjoy it. Popovich knows how to run a team and even with the aging Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili he has once again helped his future Hall of Famers defy Father Time on their way to the best record in the NBA. Unless another team comes up big, there's no stopping this Spurs team from returning to the Finals. Gregg Popovich is without a doubt this year's Coach of the Year. 

The Starters Awards are scheduled for Monday April 7th at 6 PM Eastern Time on NBA TV.