High expectations for the man that is taking over Kobe Bryants locker is only fitting. In a poll taken by all incoming NBA rookies, Brandon Ingram, was selected to have the best NBA career. That's high praise from your fellow classmates, remember game recognizes game so they must a certain level of respect for this kid already. I also think they got it right, he's clearly the most NBA ready player in regards to skill, my only problem with the kid is that he's 200lbs soaking wet. That might seem like a good weight, but the guy is 6'10", he needs to start eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at In -N-Out Burger. Once this kid gets his weight up, I think the sky is the limit for him. Ben Simmons was tied for fourth in this poll, just goes to show that these rookies don't have as much faith in this guy as the city of Philadelphia. I can actually respect the results of this poll because who knows how good these young players are better than themselves , they all played against eachother or watched eachother play last year so I think this poll is very fair. With that being said it obviously means nothing besides high expectations for the young Laker. Now Ingram has to live up to the hype not only from his fellow peers, he's also got the ghost of Kobe following him at all times.

I know Heat fans were worried they might never get to see the last member of the big 3 ever play the game of basketball again. The Heat have $76 million dollars still invested in Bosh so they want to see him back, ASAP. Many have been skeptical if he will ever return, it's starting to appear that he will. Bosh over social media said, " I know I've been gone for a moment, but now I'm back." He still hasn't been officially cleared by team doctors to play, but him saying that makes it seem pretty set in stone that he will return. The Heat are also using Bosh for promotional reasons  to sell tickets, so it sounds like they're expecting his return as well. Both these reports should be getting  Heat fans giddy because this is the best news you've received about this whole scenario so far. Blood Clots are a very tricky thing apparently, I'm not a doctor so I wouldn't know, but they don't want to run the risk of him dying due to him overworking himself during a game, I guess that's pretty reasonable explanation. On the other hand, no pain no game... I hope Bosh comes back for the sake of making the east more competitive. Even though now that DWade is gone there's not much hope for this franchise right now anyways.

Brandon Jennings brought up a very controversial topic about how he would want his career to end up via his twitter page. Jennings went on a short rant, stating that he would rather the career of 7 time NBA champ Robert Horry over the highly decorated 3 point marksmen Reggie Miller. The argument essentially boils down to this: would you rather be an average player who just has a knack for winning in the clutch OR just ball out your entire career and rack up a lot of hardware without ever winning the chip. During one of his classic social media escapades, Jennings sided that he would rather end his career a seven time champ over obtaining a bunch of personal awards and i think he is spitting facts. He was not comparing the overall skill set of these two former players, i think it is quite obvious that Reggie Miller is one of the all-time greats and has far more talent than Horry possessed (the guy is a top 3 shooter all time). I mean come on though were talking about seven fucking NBA championships, it is hard to pass that up. Excluding the 1960's Boston Celtics, Horry has the most NBA championships of any player. If i knew i had more rings that the GOAT himself MJ, i would walk around like i owned the place. The clutch factor itself during important Finals match ups i personally think beats out any accolade Miller had won over his career. Knowing you are the guy that just won your team the game is a feeling of ardrenaline i could only wish about.I may just be a guy who has an over obsession with winning, but i would choose confetti flying on top of me seven different times instead of a few all-star selections, one Olympic gold medal, and All-NBA third team honors. Like how is it even an argument? Don't get me wrong, i am not dissing Millers legendary career in the slightest but i pick winning gold nine out of ten times. It really sucks Miller did not win a ring. If he had won back in 2000 i definitely think this debate would be a lot closer. Though I am 100p backing up the boy Brandon Jennings on this one, he might be a goofball but he made factual statements regarding this debate. 

After 13 long seasons, NBA journeyman Mo Williams might be calling it a career. He returned this past season to Cleveland after spending a few years back when Lebron was originally around but this time in a mere mentor role. Realistically, Williams barely got playing time, he only got action in 41 games. At 33, Williams is not the youngest guy on the court anymore by any means so i cannot blame him for wanting to retire. He went out in the best way, a champion and he barely even had to contribute. Although he exercised his player option for this season, i do not see him lasting another season in the NBA. Every players time comes, and although his farewell wont be as flashy compared to Kobes' i don't think anyone one argue he deserves one. Williams was a decent starter for most of his career, averaging 13.2 PPG & 4.9 assists is a feat most people who enter the league wish they could produce. Good for Williams, even though his second stint with Cleveland might be ending a year early he has down his part to the city. Five memorable years are in the books with the Cavs and after having to deal with the depressing rebuilding process after Lebron left i think it makes it okay to retire a year early. 

Carmelo Anthony might have had one of the biggest idgaf moments of 2016. Never have I seen somebody be so lazy that they couldn't even get dressed to go to the store. Just walking in a robe casually because you're just that much of a legend must be a pretty self fulfilling moment since you know you can pull of whatever you do. I wish that wasn't looked down on for people who aren't famous. Who knows, maybe Melo just started the newest wave and everyone will start going out in robes on some Hugh Heff type shit.

The Lakers have come across a debacle, which number do they retire for Kobe Bryant? Well if you look at the statistical numbers he had with each uniform number they're almost identical. He played ten seasons with each number, averaged 26.8 ppg, shot 45% from the field, six all NBA defense selections, and 18 total NBA all star appearances. That's just a few of the stats so i don't bore you with the numbers. The answer to this question is so simple I find it stupid that we are even talking about it. Retire BOTH numbers! You split up the seasons that he wore different numbers you have two hall of fame careers. It's only right to retire both, no Laker can ever wear 8 or 24 again, it would be a disgrace to number because no one will ever be able to fill Kobe's shoes. Kobe is a once in an eternity kind of player, you'll never find a guy that wins 5 championships and plays 20 seasons with same franchise anymore. Kobe is a special figure in Lakers history, he has his own day in Los Angeles for Christ sake, make him the first player ever to have two of his numbers retired by the same team. Retire both numbers, it's not even a question for discussion. Mamba Out.

The upcoming NBA season is going to be quite the spectacle and will have an ending actually keep the fans on their feet all through the playoffs. With superstar teams forming some players are going to have rise in this time of adversity to make sure their teams can compete with the best of the best. Some players won't live up the big deals they were given making some teams disappointments. While a few all star breakouts will finally be earned by the young studs of the NBA's future.

These are my predictions for the season awards:

MVP: Russ Westbrook

ROY: Ben Simmons

Sixth Man: Brandon Jennings

Defensive Player: Rudy Gobert

Most Improved: D'Angelo Russell

NBA Champs: Cleveland Cavaliers



​This will be the standings by the end of the year:

Projected Eastern Conference Standings:

1. Cavs
2. Celtics
3. Pacers
4. Knicks
5. Raps
6. Pistons
7.Hawks
8. Hornets

Slowly but surely, the East is actually becoming competitor again. The sixth seed down could really be any combination but the top 5 will most certainly be in that order. The Cavs reign as Champs will be filled with dominant play with Kyrie and Lebron finishing top 5 in MVP voting. The Celtics will be the most improved team in the entire league, I can picture them winning 50+ games now with Al Horford present in the post. The Knicks and Pacers each made their own respective moves this off season that will take some pressure off their franchise cornerstones. I think the Knicks will end up playing the Cavs in the ECF and giving Lebron his biggest problem of the finals bringing them to 7 seven games. Lebron and co will win but it's going to come off a wide open JR Smith for the win to bury his old teams dreams. It will be payback for scumbag Knicks trading him and Shump a few years back. I think the Kemba and the Hornets are going to take a step back, I don't think Marvin Williams is that good and Batum also over achieved last year. Dwight Howard however is going to get back to his cold ways. I'm expecting him to put up 17 points , 10 rebounds and being the lead guy for a Hawks team that always seem to be caught in limbo (what a surprise they will be again). Teams like the Magic and Wizards are both just gonna miss that eighth spot. Unless they trade Vucevic for a guard or small forward I think they'll be too crowded up front like the sixers. Lastly for the biggest losers of free agency the Washington Wizards, fans should expect the overpaid Beal to get injured by the all star break. I think he just isn't going to live up to his hefty contract and fuck up Wall's time there making him want to leave.

Projected Western Conference Standings

​1. Warriors
2. Jazz
3. Thunder
4. Spurs
5. Clippers
6. Trail Blazers
7. Rockets
8. Wolves

This season is all going to be about the "Wild West". There are so many elite teams it's going to be so much more competitive all year. Let it be known, the Warriors are not going to top their record they established last year but they still will be very good. I'm thinking somebody in the core four is going to be out with injury since that squad is too good to be true. I'm thinking it will be Steph, but even if he stays healthy he is not going to be happy about sharing the ball even more now. The Jazz are going to be the breakout team of the year calling it right now. Robert and favors are a deadly combo down low each having their own strength while Gordon Hayward is low key one of the best scorers in today's game. I ranked the Thunder so high because I think running the offense with Westbrook is just deadly if he gets the looks he needs. The biggest triple double machine since Jordan, Russ West will start his inaugural season without KD by winning his first MVP award, leading his team to the three seed and winning a few playoff series. I think the top 4 teams are a complete step above the rest of the competition. I don't like how much the Blazers paid Evan Turner, and I think he will not play as well as he did last year in Boston. The Clips could 100p be a real contender once they trade Griffen in order for Deandre Jordan to go ham just like he did in Rio. Until that happens, the Clips might as well be the Hawks of the West doing the same thing every year.

The finals will be the inevitable Warriors v. Cavaliers making another classic between the bitter rivals. Both teams will be tired after each going to seven in their conferences finals. The Thunder just lost off of a KD three, making Russ Westbrook even more pissed for the next year. It's going to be the most exciting match up yet between the two super teams. I think it will finish with either Irving or an unretired Ray Allen hitting the last shot to seal the deal in game 7. No matter what, this season will be one to remember. It's everybody against the Warriors, as long as they don't win then it is a success in my book.

The city of Los Angeles will be honoring Kobe Bryant, by giving him a day of the year, 8-24. The date is obviously because those are the numbers he wore throughout his career, but the reasons behind why Kobe is being honored goes beyond the basketball court. Obviously, Kobe was one of the best players of all time, his career milestones and amazing accomplishments on the court don't match his philanthropy off the court. Kobe has mad a huge impact on the lives of the youth of Los Angeles through his foundation and donations from himself. He is setting an example of how to give back to the community that gives you so much and I think some players lose sight of that. If it weren't for the fans, these players wouldn't have jobs, their craft would be useless, so that's why I find it essential for them to always give back constantly. Kobe hasn't always been the ideal role model, he's made mistakes and a good amount of them, but he's bounced back and become a hero for the people of Los Angeles. I'm so happy that this basketball legend gets his own day in LA like he deserves, I just hope people realized he's is as great off the court as he is on the court.

Thank you Melo. A 12 year, 4 games, 3 Gold Medal career has come to an end for Carmelo Anthony, as he announced this would be his last time wearing the red, white, and blue in international play, after winning Gold in Rio yesterday. 
Carmelo Anthony became the only men’s basketball player in Olympic history to win 3 Gold Medal’s yesterday when he and the United States team defeated Serbia in the final. Melo capped off an incredible international career, where he was able to avenge his part of the 2004 embarrassment. Melo is the all-time leading scorer, rebounder, and has played in the most games in U.S. history. Melo took over in times that it was needed, showing his score first-and-anywhere attitude, as he earned the title, Captain America. Melo, a veteran on a young Olympic team, showed his leadership in these games by posting a team second best 12.9 ppg, trailing only KD, and ranked 3rd in rebounds and 3pt %. Melo has been a staple of the US Basketball program for his entire career, and was the lone player from the 2004 loss to compete in these games, with Lebron & D-Wade taking the summer off to rest their bodies for the upcoming season, but Lebron did however hint that he will be back for 2020, but it looks like if he does it will just be him. It will be sad to never see Melo rock that white #15 USA jersey again, but I can guarantee Melo will be there in some way or another, supporting the US, and still believing his Gold Medals mean more than Championship Rings. 

Coach Popovich has been named the next head coach for the United States Olympic basketball team, for the 2020 Tokyo Games. While for most people, this seems like a no brainer, a simple choice, as he is one of the greatest coaches of all time and easily one of the most respected by players - whether his own, or opposing. Coach Pop sits 8th all time in regular season wins for an NBA coach, with 1,089, and he is 3rd in win percentage, with .692%, and its the same story for his playoff coaching career, where he stands in 3rd place, only trailing the 6 time champ, and fellow 5 time champ, Phil Jackson & Pat Riley. Pop has led the Spurs to 5 championships in 20 seasons, and has earned every one of them. Through his unique coaching style, of emphasizing defense and never letting a player take on a role bigger than the team, he has found success in every changing NBA trend, from dominant bigs to the 3-point takeover. But what Pop never had, was the chance to represent the USA at the Olympics, in the way he had always dreamed. Pop played basketball for the Air Force Academy, and in his senior year was their leading scorer, and was overlooked for the 1972 Olympic team after being one of the final cuts made, due to the politics that took over the try-outs as each member of the selection committee wanted only to have their players make the team, not the top performers. Pop's second fall from Olympic grace was the 2004 disaster, where he was an assistant to Larry Brown and the young, unprepared group of players that they took to Greece, and found themselves losing to Argentina in the semifinals and having to play for Bronze, not Gold. That is the only USA Men's team to not win Gold since the introduction of professional players to the Olympics in 1989 (first games played were the 1992 games, as we all know, The Dream Team). From 1992 - 2016, the US has won every gold, but 2004. And in the eye's of the US Olympic Committee, Pop, had to take some of the blame. He was left out of consideration for 2008 and Coach K took over and has coached the men to 3 straight Gold Medals, but after winning his third this summer in Rio, he has decided to step down. And now, it is Pop's turn. Pop will be 70 in 2020, and has said that he has been working out everyday so that by the time they leave for Tokyo, he will be in better shape than his players, in typical Pop form.