Minus Points

Moments in time when the score isn't as impressive as it should be, or musings about basketball.

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Sitting on the ball is still frowned upon in sports…second place? Word?

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Shout out to #Kobe for giving the younger #Lakers a shot at putting some points on the board 9 dimes a night isn't outlandish, Mamba

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First Home Win of the Season

Kobe drops nine dimes against the Pistons. Im the words of Dave Chappelle, "We could have been hanging out months ago." It's always been a dream for Kobe the scorer to fully embrace Kobe the facilitator, especially now, surrounded by fresh talent. Maybe this is the beginning...

[thenbashowtime]

First home win of the season. 

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Dime dropping #Kobe

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Student Body Left Coast Week III

Johnny Football vs. Bama started with a 14 point lead, then two picks later A&M at a 42-21 deficit, and, finally, ended with a near 4th quarter W only to lose 49-42. The question remains, can Manziel win a second Heisman after losing to No. 1?

Brett Hundley put himself in that trophy pose conversation by leading UCLA to a win after trailing at half for the second week in a row. Hundley is the Bruins’ quarterback, in case you are wondering, and pitching 3 TDs in the 3rd Q at Nebraska should keep him topic worthy.

Michigan almost handed Akron an early Groundhog Day present thanks to a timely goal line stand from their own 2 to save the Wolverines the scrutiny of a Appalachian State sequel, and securing Brady Hoke’s perfect Big House record.

The Ohio State didn’t need the services of Braxton Miller to thump Cal 52-34 in the revamped Memorial Stadium. Despite surrendering 608 total yards, Cal’s frosh QB Jared Goff put up 371 yards to the tune of 59% and 3 TDs, which should help to ease the pain.

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Set Hike: Week One Says What?

Manning throws a record setting 7 TDs and shreds the Lewis-less, sans Reed Ravens D like he’s punching buttons on pro-level Madden.

Adrian Peterson exploded out the gate for a first-touch 78 yard TD run, then didn’t get another block.

Kaepernick spreads the ball around for over 400 yards without the read option much to the chagrin of the Pack thanks to Bolden. 

Mike Vick and Shady McCoy ran Chip’s new offense so well they stopped at half time and still won. The Chargers performed exactly as they have for some time now, front running then back burning.

Kudos to the AFC North for playing fair as each team lost to keep the divisional race close.

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Student Body Left Coast: The End of Preseason

As cut day approaches and the fields of grids and iron prepare for games that matter for more than those struggling to make a roster, players whose names remain known only to die hard college fans, friends, and family will once again fade away into the mists of sports legend. Those moments of glory spent fighting for a spot on a roster, either game day or practice squad, in hopes of donning an official jersey with a team name splashed across its chest. A Sunday or Monday night game, even a Thursday match up, to prove for once and for all that a player belongs in cleats and with mouthpiece is all that these warriors want.

Even a sideline shot, hands griping the inside of their shoulder pads, helmet under or around a bench somewhere, during a game could change the fortunes of a pigskin soldier, transforming them from hopeful to at least a step away from the field. So, as these "Who is that guy," or "What's his name" players fight until their last breath, up until the deadline for clearing lockers and returning play books, give them one last look. Their coaches sure are...

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Could Pelé have known that he would be juggling with one of the top 10 US footballers in history? I'm sure he thought the US would get better...

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I posted the avatar photo on the Twitter account for Dwight Howard the other day musing over whether or not he would change it to something resembling the above. I guess he can simulate the Los Angeles Lakers theme of a lineage of centers once he officially joins the Houston Rockets, surrounded by Moses Malone, Ralph Sampson, Hakeem Olaijuwon, and Yao Ming.

Professionally, this is the best choice for Dwight as he seeks to become the dominant center expectations believe him to be. However, regardless of how much The Dream can improve his post moves, how many times Kevin McHale can put the ball in his hands in the pivot, or James Harden can find him for fantastic finishes on the pick and roll (consider conventional wisdom expects Jeremy Lin to be moved), Dwight will not win a title, regardless of his address or the name across the front of the jersey, if he cannot fix his free throw issues.

Pop, Doc, Mark, Mike and the other coaches he will face in the Western Conference will not hesitate to employ the sleep-inducing Hack-a-Strategy to win games one through seven in the playoffs.

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Kobe Bean Bryant

The last time @kobebryant limped to the free throw line, he sank two crucial FTs to ensure the Los Angeles Lakers both a victory over the Golden State Warriors, and a spot in the NBA Playoffs, no matter how short lived.

From April 12th and beyond, the remainder of the Lakers 2013 season felt much like the bulk of it, like repeated punches in the gut by Clubber Lang. A tearful post game interview, a subsequent early morning Facebook "rant," and a steady stream of Instagram pics of surgery, crutches and a boot.

Although playing the San Antonio Spurs felt better, an opponent whose defeat would create a simpler path to the NBA Finals, one without facing the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, a miraculous run to meet the Miami Heat just was not in the cards.

But, now, this...proof on the start of NBA Free Agency that #Vino is back.

Don't even think for a minute it has nothing to do with rumors swirling Dwight Howard and his imminent departure from the Lakers. Kobe is going to get his shots in to get better, no doubt. But, Kobe is also sending a message. He's back and he's thinking beyond next year.

So, if Dwight does go, there are always others...and LeBron James in 2014.

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Thanks @PhilJackson11 for speaking on this.

Although it is obvious that Dwight Howard will learn an incredible amount under the continued tutelage of Hakeem Olaijuwon, in terms of offense, defense, and character, the lessons learned about monumental consistency at winning over and over again will come from Phil Jackson.

C'mon, he reps Taj Mahal.

Now, if he would only commit to coaching the Los Angeles Lakers again...

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Care of @DwightHoward, this picture paints an interest portrait of what might have gone through the mind of Dwight Howard in the recent past. Note that his address still reads Los Angeles, California. However, reports of a max 4-year, $88 million deal from the Rockets might have Hakeem Olaijuwon dream shakes and Cylde Drexler drives dancing in his head. Each Hall of Famer did fly incredible distances to the Hotel Bel-Air meeting with D12 from Jordan and Taiwan, respectively, to court the NBA superstar center.

The potential to play with a 24-year old James Harden for an income tax-less four years in his prime could be just enough to make D12 a former center for the Los Angeles Lakers. Don't expect Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale to limit Howard's touches in the post. Add in the fact that Daryl Morey and the crew have a sit down with Josh Smith today, and the Rockets make a compelling argument for his services.

The fact that the @Lakers requested the final meeting on Tuesday with Howard and rumors that Mike D'Antoni has not been allowed to hire any assistant coaches, save the Dancing Mad Dog, could mean his oust is the final trick up their sleeve, even though Dwight isn't asking for the firing.

Should a coach that refers to defensive troubles as "weird stuff...happening," thinks post up play is "boring," provides a wealth of less than supportive quotables, and hires Mark Madsen to guide the team's big men remain at the head of the Laker table?

You have selected no.

[evelynnapier]

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The Austen-verse

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Coolest @twitter moment-favorited by @philjackson11

[sameoceandifferentday]

Venice Beach, California

(Created with an iPhone 5 in HDR mode, Snapseed, VSCO Cam and God.)

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Venice always looks like a painting especially here

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How great was Phil Hartman?

Lionel Hutz represents yet another shred of evidence of his rarely argued against genius.

The red pen to correct the "errors"is also a great touch.

[buzzfeedsports]

Carlos Delfino over Durant for the dunk [via]

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Great GIF...over and over and over...new Gatorade "nightmare" commercial?