Meeting Complete!

After a long and thorough meeting the NSHL has several new changes for the better. This year we are abandoning the divisions and every team will play each other once. This means only seven regular season games will be played. This will give us more time for the playoff games, with its new format. This year 6 teams will make the playoffs with the top 2 teams getting byes. There will be 8 teams with New England Warhammer out and Adam Doucette's Tune Squad in. Season 2 will commence June 2nd.

Bravo!

Pierce couldn't be stopped as he scored 38, Ray couldn't miss as he put up 32, and Rondo was unbelievable breaking the Celtics playoff record with 20 assists and a triple double. Carmelo you should have stayed in Denver. You're never gonna get through the East. Let's get the brooms out!

Why Can't Lebron Make Up His Own Moves?

Seeing how we're going to be playing the Heat in Round 2 of the playoffs I'm just going to go on a rant on how Lebron just truly wants to be like everyone else. The guy is a blatant copy cat on all his moves nothing is original. He thinks he's so special with the chalk clap. Real cool, KG invented that when you were still dunking in 8th grade. Think you're tough throwing a basketball at Jermaine O'Neal, Danny Ainge makes you look like a girl in a prom dress. I feel like he's just trying so hard to get our attention and have us say "Oh Lebron you wanna join the greatest franchise ever?" As Hulk Hogan would say, "Ain't gonna happen brother."  Lebron you're nothing special and will never fit in. The Heat won't even win the East let alone a championship.

Shaka Smart Gettin That Street Cred!

According to Times of India, "The Chicago Cubs said they wanted VCU coach Shaka Smart to sing "Take Me Out to The Ballgame" during one of their games this season, but now they've added throwing out the first pitch, too. On May 8, when the Cubbies take on the Reds, Smart will sing."

There we go Shaka Smart! This is where it all starts. From white house visit to Cubs first pitch, what's next first hoops coach on the moon? This guy is taking over the world! Well we just found UConn's replacement coach for when Calhoun gets the boot for his 500 swept under the rug violations that will be uncovered in the next few years. Shaka is getting Elvis status. This guy is just growing by the second!

I'm just praying he doesn't go Mark Mallory (1:31) on us at Wrigley.

Duke Gets a Pleasant Surprise

Duke 2012 commit and Rhode Island native Alex Murphy will enroll a year early to join Duke's stellar recruit class including Austin Rivers. Murphy was ranked 11th by Rivals and 15th by ESPN in the 2012 class rankings. Many scouts have declared Alex Murphy the second coming of Kyle Singler. With the early departure of Kyrie Irving and graduating seniors Singler and Nolan Smith, Duke will have a solid class to bounce back.

UPDATE: Rumor is Duke is expecting Alex Murphy to redshirt his first year on campus. If this is true him enrolling early will just help him be more physically prepared.

Spurs Look to Bounce Back With Robo Arm

The Spurs are winning in the 4rth with the return of Manu the great. After seeing this picture on Yahoo Sports I had to do a double take. What is this machine on Manu's arm? how is this legal? Note to reader's no one in the NSHL can wear gear like this or you're just gonna be thrown out. He could be hiding anything under there. I hope they don't lose Manu could pull out a sword and show us that European Sword Cutting he learned from James Williams.

Mandatory League Meeting This Saturday

The NSHL will hold a mandatory league meeting Saturday April 23rd at 1pm. Anyone team that does not have a representative or the league fee will be out of the league. There will be a ton of important topics including expansion teams, division realignment, scheduling, rule changes, and other important topics. This meeting is extremely important and teams can bring as many representatives as they want.

Kentucky Loses Three But is Reloading

This morning Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones, and DeAndre Liggins announced they were entering the draft. They said they were not signing with agents so they could come back, but the only player I could see doing that of the three is Liggins. Jones and Knight should be lottery picks or at worst mid first round picks. Some people may think this is a blow to Kentucky since Josh Harrellson is graduating also, but truthfully they should be better next year. With Doron Lamb staying and the arrivals of Anthony Davis, Michael Gilchrist, and Marquis Teague along with Kyle Wiltjer, another Rivals five star. As I said about North Carolina yesterday, Kentucky should be a top team right up there with them.

Jacob Tucker Who? Kenny Dobbs in the House!

With all of America going crazy over Jacob Tucker being this small school dunker that pulls out the craziest dunks. I blogged about And 1's Air Up There earlier but I just saw a video and my jaw hit the floor. Kenny Dobbs is the real deal. From what I've researched Kenny Dobbs is put of a dunking group that tours and preaches a positive message. I don't know about his past if he was some sort of criminal or something, but the man is unreal.

Hard Hat Time!

There we go! KG delivers! Big go ahead bucket with under 20 seconds then that hard hat defense. Carmelo had a great night. No biggie Lebron has had plenty of big nights. Same ending baby. Celtics on top and Garnett bringing that hard hat defense. congrats to Rondo with a playoff career high 30 points. Jermaine O'Neal had another strong defensive night with two more blocks, but event though he's starting Big Baby played more minutes than him. Winners Win that's all I gotta say. Spike Lee sweet shades bro.

KG is Bringing Back His Hard Hat Tonight on Defense

So I was reading ESPN Boston for the first time ever today because LED keeps telling me it's the greatest thing since twinkies, and I found out that KG writes for some Chinese Blog which is his shoe sponsor or something like that. Anyway KG is the Shakespeare of our time. Just making love to the keyboard.

"We don't quit and we grinded all game.  Had to bring my 'hard hat' to work today and just kept grinding."


Add him to the wish list for writers on the NSHL Blog, we need KG!

Celtics Got the Ball Rolling for Game 2

Sunday night was too close for comfort, but we found out something for sure. When the Celtics turn it on, no one in the NBA is going to stop them. With Chauncey Billups most likely being out of the lineup or virtually ineffective, we should pull this one out by double digits. This is the momentum the Celtics need to get the boll rolling. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLEEEEE!

Bobby Knight the Legend "I Did It My Way"

The Dagger has a great video from a speech by Bobby Knight. Knight talks about different things from the "One and Done" players, Calipari, high school players should be able to go pro, and how he coached basketball. Before going into detail I just have to say I love Bobby Knight. The guy says whatever is on his mind and doesn't care what anyone else thinks (see Sports Center video below). I think Knight is an unbelievable college game analyst with ESPN, him and Jay Bilas are the two best in my opinion. I love how Knight refuses to rock the suit jacket. This must have been his first conversation with Myles Brand.

Brand: Bobby are you going to start wearing suit jackets?

Knight: Myles are going to start sitting on your thumb? ... I didn't think so.

His argument about high school players couldn't be more dead on. Let the players play. You wanna go pro go pro, but if you go to school you should have to stay for at least three years to be eligible for the draft. I think this "One and Done" is ridiculous. Sure Kentucky with John Wall stole college basketball's attention, but imagine if these high profile players were there for three years. Obviously John Wall would have gone straight to the NBA if he had the option, but I think viewing would go up if there was more team continuity. It's tougher to root for a team that has three to four brand new starters every single year compared to watching guys grow from freshmen to seniors like recent players Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, Tyler Hansbrough, Sherron Collins, or an older guy like Tim Duncan.

There is nothing better than the end of the first video when Knight talks about coaching his way and says, "Not because it was the best way, but I just thought I knew about it more than anybody else." Typical Knight. You think you have a better coaching style, sweet bro I coach my way. I'll beat you by 30 next week. 

Next Year's College Team To Beat: UNC

I hate to say it because I dread watching this team win more than anyone, but UNC is going to be absolutely loaded next year. with the announcement of Harrison Barnes returning, UNC will have kept their top three players that people all thought could jump to the NBA (Tyler Zeller, John Henson, and Barnes). I just do not understand why BArnes is staying at all. Unless he is going to stay for all four years to great a degree (highly doubtful let's get real) this is probably the worst decision of his life. This year could possibly be the worst draft class ever, and next year's draft looks to be stock piled in talent. With Jared Sullinger, Perry Jones, and Barnes all staying in school it makes me wonder what goes on at these schools. Is it just a massive orgyfest? I guess people are actually scared about an NBA lockout, but with all he money that is involved in the NFL and NBA I just can't possibly see each sport not working it out before their season's start. There is just too much money to lose. Either way UNC should be feared next year.

Celtics Doing What They Do: WINNING!

The Celtics looked sluggish on offense in the first half with several 24 second and 3 second violations. They were losing for almost the entire second half. The celtics had some instrumental plays in the last quarter that catapulted them for the victory. A lot of people were silenced when Douglas hit the three with 39 seconds left, but Doc setting up the inbounds alley oop to KG silenced that quickly. In my mind the player of the game for the Celtics was Jermaine O'Neal. He played great defense all game with 4 blocks and put down 12 points. He is by no means Perkins, but is going to be heavily influential on Boston's success in the playoffs. Too bad the Lakers won't be able to meet us in the Finals. Nothing will be better than seeing Perk back in the Garden.

P.S. Gotta love the announcer. Ray Allen's one millionth clutch shot in his career. We gotta get him in the NSHL. " And there goes Mark Ledbetter breaking the backboard on a layup for the one millionth time in his career!"

Note to Self: Don't Talk about Your Crimes When In the Back of the Cop Car That Arrested You

As the Gators were knocked out by Butler, people thought the focus would go to Will Muschamp and how he handles Spring Ball for the football team. As Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friend!" Players Cody Larson and Erik Murphy along with team manager Joshua Adel. Larson and Murphy were arrested on charges of felony burglary, while Adel on principal of burglary. While Adel and Murphy were in the back seat of the cop car, Murphy tries to strategize away of getting out of the mess while Adel just cries like a baby. If only these amateur car robbers knew that there is a recorder in the cop car, maybe they wouldn't have spoken as loud or at all.

Good news for Gators is that Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker should still be in Gainesville along with incoming star Brad Beal. Neither of these guys are what you would call "impact players". Larson never even stepped on the court, and Murphy was one of the first guys off the bench. If Murphy is gone they could lose some depth in the front court with big men Tyus and Macklin both gone along with SEC Player of the Year  Small Forward Chandler Pasrsons. Both Murphy and Larson are big men so I assume they will be back on the team or else they could have serious depth problems down low. The real question I have is how did this team manager get so much street cred? I thought the manager was the guy that the player's threw their socks at and tell him they better smell fresh tomorrow.





"We're Not In Gainesville, They Don't Give a F---" by sportsxbrooks

Good Thing We Traded Nate to Give Von Wafer More Playing Time

Hey I love Doc Rivers, and Danny Ainge did a great job drafting Rondo and bringing in 2 of the Big 3. With all that said, this Perkins and Nate Robinson trade is gonna hurt like a sucker punch from Kimbo Slice. Big Diesel has been my idol since I could hold a ball in my hands, but now he's more like the big fossil. Green is a good possibly great player in the future, but we are in a win now phase and he doesn't fit in with KG, Ray, and Pierce. If we can't get out of this foxhole, I wonder what will hurt more, the Lakers or Thunder winning it this year.

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #1 Austin Rivers

You can think I'm bias because number 1 is a Duke signee, but you'd just be stupid. Austin Rivers is the best scorer in this class. He can beat anyone off the dribble and finishes unbelievably when driving. rivers mid range game is elite and has a floater that can go in the NBA right now. His three point game is great, only second to Brad Beal. As I said with Quincy Miller, swagger is extremely important in elite players and Rivers has it for sure. ESPN and Rivals both have him as number 1. He initially committed to his home state Florida but decommitted and decided to play for the soon the be winningest Division 1 hoops coach ever. If Rivers and Beal were at Florida together, that offense would have been electrifying. The biggest place for improvement in his game is on defense, but he can still hold his own. Austin Rivers is the real deal. He's been comapared to Kobe Bryant by ESPN. With the graduation of school legends Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler and Kyrie Irving declaring for the draft, Rivers should be given the keys at day one. Here's three videos to show you why the kid is the best scorer in the class and overall number 1.

P.S. It takes some balls to guarantee 40 before a game.

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #2 Anthony Davis

Today's impact upcoming freshmen is the third Kentucky signee on the list.  Anthony Davis is enjoying his seven inch growth spurt in the past year and has really taken advantage of it. Being a former guard DAvis his incredible handles for 6'10. He runs the court well and is a put back machine. He can play multiple positions on offense and can basically defend anyone on the court. His shot blocking is great, and the only other player to have a chance in competing in this category would in this class would be Khem Birch. Davis is number 2 for ESPN and 6 on Rivals. When Rivals regrades I guarantee he will be higher as analyst Jerry Meyer after the McDonald's All American Game said, "Anthony Davis is by a significant margin the top prospect in 2011." The only concern for Davis is since his growth spurt, he's a slim jim. He must gain some weight to be able to move guys down low, and his frame can easily fit another 15-20 pounds.

P.S. checkout the posterize at the 14 second mark.

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #3 Michael Gilchrist

Todays impact freshmen is the second Kentucky signee on the list. He played high school at St. Patrick's as a teammate of Kyrie Irving last year. Michael Gilchrist was a Co Player of the Game for the McDonald's All American game. The 6'7 swingman can play multiple positions on the court and could be the most balanced player in the class. On offense Gilchrist is a slasher with a great mid range game. What he truly prides himself on is defense and rebounding. Rivals put Gilchrist at number 3 and ESPN has Gilchrist at 3 also. His incredible athleticism will be a great fit for Calipari's dribble drive. I expect Gilchrist as the Superman version of Chris Douglas Roberts. He has been compared to Andre Iguadala of the 76ers. Coach Cal always has a way of bringing in the cream of the crop.

Shaka Smart You Got Some Competition

If you already saw the post on Shaka, he's definitely on your coaches with swag list. Well step off Shaka Gary Blair is coming for your head! Well Shaka has the edge because girl's basketball is irrelevant (just ask Dan Bernstein) in most people's eyes, but Blair is busting out the Dougie like it's usual for him. Every morning after his shower, he probably looks himself in the mirror and just gets his Dougie on.

UPDATE!!
Dan Berstein has joined Bruce Arthur on the NSHL writer Wish List.

Who has more swag

	Gary Blair
	Shaka Smart

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #4 Quincy Miller

Today's feature impact freshmen is the one I think has the scoring capability to be a Kobe Bryant or Kevin Durant. The 6'9 Baylor commit is an offensive mismatch for anyone and is ranked number 5 by Rivals and 4 by ESPN. He has exceptional ball handling skills, drains from behind the trey mark, and can play with  his back to the basket. Miller has the most potential of any player in this class. Miller's attitude may be misunderstood but his skill is undeniable. Personally I love the way Quincy Miller plays the game. He expects to dominate everyone on the court. To be a dominant player in this game you need a swagger to make you exceptional and Miller definitely has that along with his skill.

Celtics Remaining Regular Season Games Are Vital

As of now the Celtics have the number two seed in the Eastern Conference. The problem is they're tied with Miami for second. If Boston struggles in their last few games (which they have been) they could fall the the number three seed. As of now the Knicks are sixth and the 76ers are seventh. I would much rather play the 76ers than the Knicks. I don't care what people say, Carmelo and Amare scare the crap of of me. I'd love to see them knock out the Heat in the first round. So Celtics and Knicks, please keep winning.

P.S. If Shaq isn't back, we'll have no depth in the front court and the playoffs could be short.
Where's Scal when you need him?

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #5 Brad Beal

Today's Impact Freshmen is the best shooter and possibly scorer in the class. The Florida commit is a 6'4 offensive assassin that can score from virtually anywhere. Brad Beal is ranked number 7 by Rivals and ESPN. Beal has drawn comparisons to the new 3 point record holder Ray Allen for his insane 3 point game and quick release. Beal will be an instant success in Florida's 3 point offensive attack with SEC Player of the Year Chandler Parsons graduating. Beal's defensive ability is often overlooked because of his offensive repertoire, but he has the ability to man up on any guard at the collegiate level.  Beal is the real deal.

UCONN Misses One First Place Vote

Today the final AP Coaches Poll came out for college hoops and one coach didn't vote UCONN as number one. The man was Northern Arizona's Mike Adras. The man was quoted in USA Today with his reasoning.

"I voted for who I thought was the best team in the country based on the entire body of work during the season ... I believe it is Ohio State. I want to congratulate Connecticut for winning the NCAA tournament. They deserved it."

Some people may think Mike Adras is an idiot. Others may think he's trying to steal the attention from UCONN. People could think he just hates UCONN. I think he's brilliant. Bring Ohio State or Kansas (Ardas put both ahead of UCONN) to Storrs and see how the score ends. No one stops the Morris Bros but themselves. You think Alex Oriakhi can stop boy wonder Jared Sullinger. I think not! March Madness is great but I got a better idea. Lets just have the winner of the tournament play the top say two to four teams from the regular season final AP Poll. If they win them all, we'll give them the championship, if not whoever beat them by the most is the new champion. Let's get real, winning six games in a row is nothing so many teams do that during the season. Why are the last six games more important than the first six? Whatever happened to a win is a win. Adras nailed it when he said we should be looking at the "body of work".

Get Bruce Arthur to Write for NSHL Now!

Bruce Arthur has been writing for the National Post since 2001. When talking about last night's game the guy was just spitting fire. He was covering the game via Twitter last night, and here's some of his tweets.

If Gus Johnson was calling this game, he'd probably have already dropped the mic and walked away.


This game is almost enough to change my opinion that NCAA athletes should get paid.


For once, One Shining Moment overstates the number of shining moments in the national championship game by one.


This guy is great and because of this I'm going to extend an unbelievable opportunity to him. The league is willing to name the championship trophy in honor of Bruce Arthur if he writes for the blog. That Just Happened!

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #6 Lebryan Nash

Todays player is the 6'7 Oklahoma State signee Lebryan Nash. Nash is ranked at the number 4 spot by Rivals, and ESPN has him at 6. He is the most athletic player in this class. The only thing that stops him from being ranked higher is that he doesn't play with the sense of urgency that some of the guys higher than him play with. Also his long range game is good, but not elite. Nonetheless, Nash is possibly the best slasher in the class and is the only person that can dunk harder than Adonis Thomas. He won the McDonald's All American Dunk Contest last week. Nash is very similar and often compared to Ron Artest with the Lakers. Nash will put Oklahoma State on the map next year.

What an Awful Game

This is what happens when all the behemoths choke in the tourney. You get a team that plays phenomenal defense but can't throw a rock into the ocean from the beach, and a team that has relied on one man to maintain almost half the team's scoring every game. Matt Howard I like the way you play, but taking three bombs when you're the only guy on your team that can move people down low. You just shattered my heart. I was hoping Butler would win, and when Mack hit the trifecta to end the half I thought they had a good chance. Instead this game was like watching No armed kids barely losing to the Perkins School of the  Blind. People enjoy good defense, but it is unbearable to watch terrible offense. I had homework due at midnight so I went upstairs two minutes into the second half. I came back down with three minutes left. I don't think I missed much. Man I hope next year's game can at least eclipse a combined 100 points. That's all I ask for.

Shaka Smart Can Coach for Me Any Day!

Listen I'm all for coaches being professional and trying to set an example to the
viewers that coaching is a job and not a hobby. But let's get real acting like a robot during pre-game with your suit jacket on and not talking to anyone just makes you look like an ass. Bobby Knight never wore a suit, and I think he panned out pretty well. Just look a Shaka setting the tone with his team. You wanna be respected? Throw yourself in the fire. That's where the men separate from the boys physically and mentally. Guarantee when Shaka was on the court his plus minus was like plus 30, the guy is just an animal. Hey Missouri great job getting Miami's Frank Haith the coach of the ninth placed team in the ACC. Hey Tennessee good job with Cuonzo Martin, you just hired the poor man's version of Shaka Smart. Maybe Shaka didn't want to leave VCU, he just signed an extension with them. But if I was Missouri or Tennessee I would have pushed hard for this game. You can't coach effort BABY!

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #7 Marquis Teague

Number 7 for Impact Freshmen is the first of three Kentucky commits on the list. Marquis Teague is the most physically gifted Point Guard in this class. Rivals has Teague as the number 2 player while ESPN has him at number 8. The big question with Teague is his motivation and leadership in his play which is vital for running the point. Without a doubt Teague is the top Point Guard, but I think his rank will slide on Rivals. Even though Brandon Knight has done a great job at Kentucky, he is more of a shoot first Point Guard. Teague on the other hand, has exceptional ball handling and acceleration will make him a menace in Calipari's dribble drive.

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #8 Khem Birch

Today's impact Freshmen is penis the second Canadian that we've seen. Khem Birch spent this year in the same state is the NSHL for a prep year at Notre Dame Prep. The 6'9 Canadian Colossus is the best defensive big man in this class hands down. Rivals put Birch in the 2012 rankings for some reason and have him as number 4 there. ESPN has him at the 11 spot. Birch is an absolute animal on defense and a beast on the boards. The Pittsburgh signee will flourish in the transition game and is extremely effective cutting to the hoop. I picture Birch as a smaller Hasheem Thabeet that actually has skill on offense to back it up. I just hope Khem won't foul anyone off a free throw with a second left in the game and the lead.

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #9 James McAdoo

Today's Impact Freshmen was about to take an accelerated track to graduate last year but instead opted to wait of. James McAdoo the 6'8 Power Forward is sitting at my number 9 slot. The UNC commit is ranked 8th by Rivals and ESPN put him as 5th. McAdoo is a great shot blocker and rebounder. He also finishes extremely well in the paint. The big man runs the court like he's on a mission and is great playing with his back to the hoop. McAdoo was the 2009 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #10 Adonis Thomas

Number Ten in our countdown is Adonis Thomas. Adonis chose to stay in his hometown and play for Memphis next year. The 6'6 swing man has blown recruiting services away with his improvement in his long range game. Adonis was already highly touted due to has slashing ability and overall athleticism. Rivals ranked him as 15th while ESPN put him as 10th. Josh Pastner will have a very strong team next year if Barton decides to stay and not test the waters. I think Thomas could be the hardest dunker in the class. This kid is going to be instant offense in Conference USA and will probably only last a year with Memphis.