I'm back like I'm Jordan in 95

Since I was fifteen years old, I've had this dream to be a sports analyst. After all that has been going on worldwide, I am back after taking a long year break from sports writing. I stepped away because I lost the love I once had for it, and I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere with my blogs, but I kept coming back to it for some reason. I told myself if I go back to writing, I want to go all in. I want to take this career further than just writing blogs. So I took it upon myself to message a social media friend that is a contributor writer for the Houston Rockets and ESPN Houston. I asked him to share tips on getting into the field and taking sports writing further. He sent me someone's information, and they sent me a link. The link was to an application for young sportswriters. I filled out the application and submitted some of my blog posts that I had typed. The next day I received an email with information about being a contributor, and they offered me to take a position to be a contributor. I am now a contributor to Space City Scoop, a stepping stone to my dream and career. 

I'm back"- Michael Jordan 

Is It Dame Time ?

Should Damian Lillard from the Portland Trailblazers be in the MVP race??? 

I think the answer is yes! Why?? His numbers this year are great and over his last 12 games he is averaging 40.3 points per game, 9.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds and shooting  49% from the 3 point line. Friday, he dropped 42 points vs. the Utah Jazz; honestly It should have been 44 points but no goaltending was called. It is what it is, let’s get back to this MVP talk. Damian Lillard should be in 2nd place right now,  right behind Giannis. I think Damian gets overlooked because he's in a small media market. The Trailblazers are struggling to get a playoff spot, currently in 9th place but need to move up one spot in order to make it in. That’s why we need Lillard aka Big Game Dame to go to work and do what he always does; hit game winning shots. Do you all remember his two game-winning shots against the Houston Rockets during the regular season in 2014?? He hit that shot again and sent Houston home during the playoffs that same year and last year he did it agin but this time against OKC. It takes a big-time player to hit the big time shot, so why is he not at the top of the MVP race?? He's arguably a top 5 point guard in the league and the top point guard on my list. 

So you heard it here first Damian Lillard for MVP.

KOBE.

January 26, 2020 at 9:45 a.m. Los Angles and the entire world came to a stop when finding out the devastating news that Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant aka Gigi and nine others, died in a helicopter crash. 

Joseph Espritt Jr. - Kobe was way more than a star basketball player and an NBA champion. To me, he was a hero, role model, coach, businessman, an icon and leader. My favorite things about Kobe was his mindset, his demeanor, his killer instinct, and how he taught his 13-year-old daughter Gigi's basketball team the triangle offense. I find it funny because the New York Knicks couldn't learn this offense, and they were a pro basketball team. On the other hand, Gigi's basketball team learned it to a tee. Although they didn't learn it entirely, I still found that impressive.    One of my favorite Kobe moments was in 2010, the Lakers vs. the Orlando Magic. Kobe Bryant and Matt Branes were going at it all game. At one point in the game, Matt Branes was inbounding the ball, and Kobe was guarding the inbound, and while he was standing there, Branes fake pumped the ball in Kobe's face, and Kobe did not flinch. I was like wow Kobe is a bad dude. My other favorite moment of Kobe was just recently. It was him, and his daughter Gigi at the Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks game. There is a small clip of them courtside, and it looked like he was giving her a play by play or coaching her about the play, and I thought that was so cool. Gigi was so into the game and willing to learn everything about the game of basketball. She had that Mamba Mentality in her blood just like her father Kobe, which is so beautiful. I use to be team LeBron, and when Kobe and LeBron arguments would come up, I was on Lebron's side of the argument, but not until later, I realized wow Kobe is my generation's Jordan. Once I realized that I started to watch Kobe more and see his game, and I'm so glad I got the chance to see Kobe play in person. I attended his last game in 2016 in Houston, Texas. He only put up 15 points, but it was still amazing to see him play in person. I will remember that day and game forever. Long Live Kobe Bean Bryant, and may he rest in peace.

Who is the greatest of all time aka the " Goat"

Joseph Espritt-

Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T)

Who is the Greatest Of All Time, GOAT? Bill Russel or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Wilt Chamberlin? Would you say Michael Jordan? Kobe Bryant? LeBron James? We all know Jordan is the center of the conversation. People have said, “He has six ring!” Well, Bill Russel has eleven. Does he then get entered into the debate? In comparison to Jordan and Russel, Kareem held just about every record in college and the National Basketball League. Let’s be honest, nobody can do the sky Hook like Kareem! Ironically, Bill Russel and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar cannot be described as a GOATs because their lack of “competition” and skill level during their time.

If we continue to say the number of rings defines whether or not a player is capable to be considered the GOAT, Kobe Bryant would be a candidate. Like Michael Jordan, he too has five rings—Jordan has one extra. Like Bill Russel and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, he has played with other greats. To the contrary, his competition was more complex than Russel and Jabbar. But then the argument goes: “Although his completion and skill set was great, what would he be without Shaquille O’Neal?” Yes, Kobe is an animal and capacity to perform but would he have performed at that high level without Shaq accenting his shine? We will never really know, but let us look at LeBron James.

Unlike Kareem, Bob Cousy, MJ, and Scottie Pippen, LeBron James has three rings. But he still is the GOAT of our time. But what makes LeBron more special and the ultimate GOAT??? Does he have the competition and skill set, without a doubt! His resiliency, perseverance, and attitude has given him the platform and label of “greatness.” I predict James will tie with Kobe Bryant by time he retires (five rings).

Bill Russel, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlin, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James are all greats within their era. In my opinion, there is no particular “GOAT,” but are GOATs throughout each era of the NBA. As I said before, LeBron James is today’s GOAT and greatest NBA player.

Until next time!

k

Why Kevin Durant isn't the best player in the league?

After Game 3 of the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals, Kevin Durant was labeled as the “best player in the NBA” and the “goat” when he hit a long three-pointer over LeBron James. But is he really a goat or the best player? Throughout Game 4, where was KD? What and how did he prove his greatness while being a ghost? Here is a question I would like you to think about: If Clay Thompson and Stephen Curry had not bailed him out (explain how) during games 6 and 7, would he still be considered one of the best? 

​In my personal opinion, Kevin Durant should not be compared to today’s true and realist goat, LeBron James. If we analyze LeBron’s skills, potential, and performance, we would see his consistency in long range shots, teamwork, and leadership. LeBron James is one of only two players to average at least 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists for his career. He is one of five players with at least four NBA MVPs—and will get more. And, as you well know, he is the only player in modern NBA history to play in seven straight Finals. “He is the most versatile player the game has seen. He can guard all five positions; he can play point guard and power forward on the same offensive possession. He is among the smartest basketball players ever, with an IQ rivaled by only Magic Johnson in the modern era. He is unselfish (to a fault), a leader and someone who's always looking to make the right play, no matter how much flak he might take for it.” How does Kevin Durant compare to that or any better than his capabilities? Answer is simple, he does not!

​The Golden State Warriors have shown that they are capable of having game winning streaks and are not in desperate need to have Durant on the court. Let’s be honest, the Warriors are more at stake without Stephen Curry in the starting lineup, even Clay Thompson. Overall, the Warriors do not and never did NEED KD. If he did not leave Oklahoma City Thunder, would he have a ring and be label as the “best player in the NBA?” We all know the truthful answer is, NO. Durant would continue to do his part, like every other player in the league, by adding points to the box score. What he is doing now, is no different than he has already done in the past. Has his potential to be a better player increased? Yes, but that is to be expected when you are part of a team that has a higher success rate than your original team.

​Although Kevin Durant may be a great player, he is not the “best player” in the league. What super do you know left his team to be part of the team that defeated him? Don’t worry, I will wait… Let’s look at the facts and realize the reality of the conversation: LeBron is today’s goat and greatest NBA player. 

​Until next time!