Timeout, We Want the Ball Up There

The NBA Finals are set to begin on Thursday between the Los Angels Lakers and the Orlando Magic. Before it does, I want to vent my frustration over one of the rules the NBA has that is different from college basketball.

This is the rule where the team can advance the ball past half court to inbound the ball after a timeout is called. On numerous occasions this has saved teams this postseason. None more notorious than LeBron James’ 25 footer that came after Cleveland’s Mo Williams threw in the pass from past half court after taking a timeout. Hedo Turkoglu thought he had won the game for Orlando after he hit a two point jumper to put the Magic up two with one second to go in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals. But due to the rule Cleveland had one last desperation attempt and we all know what happened with that.

Some might argue that this rule makes the game more exciting, giving a team an extra chance to tie the game or win the game at the end. I can understand why they may feel this way, it does create some dramatics. To me the rule just makes the game longer in the closing minutes and is unfair to the team who gets the ball advanced on them like the Magic in this example.

The Chosen One Cometh

It was absolutely amazing.  It was unbelievable.  Something that the NBA has  needed since the 90s…

… a travel to be called late in the game on a super star.

Oh, whats that you say? Big Game James? Oh yes!  That reminds me:

The Chosen One has arrived and its time for the world to bask in his glory!

The world will remember what happened May 22, 2009 for eternity.

LeBron’s last second shot. Few things in life are achieved in such little time and none are as glorious.

With this, a new era has begun.   Basketball has been changed forever.  With this shot the name LeBron James will forever be remembered alongside Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Bill  Russell… and whoever else you may put him against, yes even Michael Jordan.  Basketball finally has the star its needed since Jordan hung it up.  The NBA has found someone to fill the void.  Its something that Kobe, Shaq, Carmelo, Iverson, Nash and any other player couldn’t do.  The reign of King James has finally and officially begun.

The images will be iconic.  The momeries will last forever.