Tag Archives: james harden

USA Basketball Roster Announced: Is it the Next Dream Team?

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USA! USA! Get ready to get your Olympian on friends. The 2012 London Olympics are sneaking up on us and it’s right around the corner. The U.S. Olympic basketball team announced it’s final roster Saturday and boy is it jam-packed with superstars. Will we see a repeat gold medal performance like the 2008 games in Beijing?

Drumroll please…here is your 2012 Team USA Basketball roster: Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks);Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); LeBron James (Miami Heat); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder); and Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets).

There is some serious talent on this Olympic team (as would be expected). Ten of the players were NBA All-Stars and six have appeared at least once in the NBA Finals. They have the reigning NBA MVP (James), Defensive Player of the Year (Chandler) and Sixth Man of the Year (Harden). Anthony, Bryant, James, Paul and Williams are the Olympic veterans on the team.

If you’re a basketball lover, you might have noticed some missing NBA All-Stars. Derrick Rose (ACL), Dwight Howard (back), Dwyane Wade (knee) and Chris Bosh (abdomen) all would have most likely made the cut, but they’re all “rehabilitating” their injuries. Rose and Howard actually had surgeries to rehabilitate. Then there are my favorite Miami Heat players; Wade should suck it up because he might be too old after 4 more years to top the list of “elitest” players in the NBA and Bosh – I just don’t think they let dinosaurs in the Olympics.

Team USA will be coached by Duke University Hall of Fame mentor Mike Krzyzewski, who led the USA Basketball Men’s National Team to gold medal finishes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Assisting Krzyzewski is Syracuse University and Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, and former NBA head coaches Mike D’Antoni and Nate McMillan.

There are some other familiar faces heading to London, but not representing the U.S. The list includes: Luol Deng, who will be playing for Great Britain, Marc Gasol, Paul Gasol and Serge Ibaka will all be playing for Team Spain.

Lucky for Bron Bron, he still gets to be “White Hot” in the new Nike Team USA uniforms. Bring home the gold medal gentlemen!

Beard Alert!

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Whoa whoa whoa! James Harden, the OKC Thunder’s Sixth Man of the Year, is only 22-years-old. You have got to be kidding me! How does one grow such an impressive beard at only 22 years of age? This takes his beard growing abilities to an all new level.

The beard is not a new facial accessory for Harden, as you can see above, he’s been rocking a full beard since his days as an ASU Sun Devil in 2009.

Many Thunder fans have jumped on the bearded bandwagon too! Despite his intimidating facial hair, Harden has been like a lost puppy in the NBA Finals – no where to be found. The Thunder’s bearded warrior will have to pick up the scoring-slack, otherwise the Thunder won’t have a chance to bring Game 6 back to Oklahoma City. Make Miami fear the beard Harden!

Top Reasons to Tune into the NBA Finals

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After months of playoff games, only the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder have survived to compete in the final battle to claim the 2012 NBA Championship title. Heat versus Thunder is very atmospheric. If you’re a diehard Chicago fan, the Thunder and Heat facing-off in the finals may not tickle your fancy, but here are some reasons to tune in:

The OKC Thunder and Miami Heat are one sexy matchup. Easily two of the most athletic teams in the NBA, this series will be an amazing display of basketball. The beasts of the East - Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh - are taking on the best of the West - Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. The Heat are looking for redemption after blowing it in the finals last year to the Dallas Mavericks and the Thunder are young and eager to get their hands on the Championship trophy.

The “King” Lebron James. We love to hate “Bron Bron”, but he is the reigning MVP for a reason - he’s got game ladies, on the basketball court of course. Even if he makes your blood boil, it’s worth tuning in to cheer on the Thunder and keep King James from getting his paws on a Championship ring.

Kevin Durant’s Seamless Swagger. Durant is playing for his first NBA title at age 23 and just makes the game look so easy. If you’ve ever heard anything about fantasy basketball, you know Durant is a hot commodity because he is the top scorer in the NBA. The Durant-James matchup is perfection in the eyes of any basketball fan. Let the best player win.

The Bearded Warrior. James Harden has quite possibly the most impressive beard the NBA has ever seen. It doesn’t hurt that this sweet-shooting lefty can score some serious points from downtown or take it straight to the hoop. The Miami Heat should fear the beard because Harden could easily be the difference maker in this star studded matchup.

Fashion Forward Showdown. The duo of Lebron James and Dwyane Wade push the fashion limits in the East, but Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are demonstrating their fashion swagger in the West. Prepare yourself for some crazy fake-frames, some outrageously bright colors, and possibly something better than a Teddy Bear button up from Westbrook. If nothing else, you could be thoroughly entertained by the pre and post game ensembles.

What else is on TV? Other than the bachelorette on Monday nights, the summer TV lineup is a little lame, so why not watch some insanely ripped men run around the basketball court? If you’re a sports junkie, it’s still the best option since the LA Kings just won the Stanley Cup, baseball is too early to invest in just yet and football doesn’t start for a few more months.

What’s next: The madness deemed the NBA finals! Check out the schedule below, this isn’t basketball you’ll want to miss!

2012 NBA Finals Series Schedule (courtesy of NBA.com):

Game 1 – In OKC – Tuesday, June 12, 8:00 PM CT, ABC

Game 2 – In OKC -Thursday, June 14, 8:00 PM CT, ABC

Game 3 – In Miami – Sunday, June 17, 7:00 PM CT, ABC

Game 4 – In Miami – Tuesday, June 19, 8:00 PM CT, ABC

*Game 5 – In Miami – Thursday, June 21, 8:00 PM CT, ABC

*Game 6 – In OKC – Sunday, June 24, 7:00 PM CT, ABC

*Game 7 – In OKC – Tuesday, June 26, 8:00 PM CT, ABC

*if necessary

Fear the Beard

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Beards, they’re everywhere.

The general definition of a beard is simply: the collection of hair that grows on the chin, cheeks and neck of human beings. Usually, only pubescent or adult males are able to grow beards (thank you Wiki).

A woman’s definition of a beard is: Male facial hair that often makes a woman’s face itch and or breakout in a rash-like reaction. Often categorized with Santa Claus and the Amish culture.

A man’s definition of a beard is: Facial hair which symbolizes a man’s entire masculinity, signifying intimidation, it is the epitome of being a real man. The thicker and longer the beard, the more superior a man is.

I did a bit of investigating and came up with my top beards in the athletic world, these are obviously the manliest men in their designated sport.

NFL = Brett Keisel

If the stature of your beard determines masculinity, Brett Keisel is the maniliest man in all the NFL. Last year during the Steelers playoff run Keisel let his beard grow, and it gained quite the notoriety on the internet. I mean look at it, he could easily be cast as the beast in Beauty and the Beast. ”I think it is bar none the best beard in sports. I’m not trying to brag, that’s just my opinion,” Keisel boasted to WTAE in Pittsburgh last year.

NBA = James Harden

Oklahoma City Thunder’s sixth man James Harden is a spark off the bench, and leaves a lasting impression no doubt. Sharing a roster with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, one would think the bench could easily be overshadowed. There is no way Harden’s beard could ever go unnoticed. That is one well manicured impressive display of facial hair.

NHL = Mike Commodore

Although, this photo is old school from his days with the Hurricanes, this outrageous fro-beard combination may be back in action if the Red Wings make the playoffs this season (not that I want them to). Mike Commodore could easily be the grizzlier cousin of Carrot Top with that mangy mane and beard combo.

MLB = Brian Wilson

YOWZA!  Closer Brian Wilson began growing his trademark black beard in August of 2010 when “Fear the Beard” carried the Giants all the way to a World Series Championship. That thing is like a neck warmer. Wilson is intimidating on the mound regardless, but having to look at that thick blackness can’t give batters the warm and fuzzies.

MLS = David Beckham

I mean I’m not sure midfielder David Beckham has the best beard in the entire sport, but he’s just so pretty, you can’t dislike him even with a fuzzy face. I wonder how Miss Victoria B (forever Posh Spice) felt about the beard?

Who are your top beards? Give it a try, it’s surprisingly tough to narrow it down.