Saturday, December 5, 2009

Oden injured again ( thoughts from the Night of, and the day after)

I'm searching for words to say. I haven't given tonight's happenings enough time to process. It's probably going to come out in the form of disorganized babble and make no sense to anyone after I publish it. Fuck it, I need some therapy now.

4 minutes 15 seconds into tonight's game against the Rockets and we watched out season get kicked in the balls. Greg Oden, who I have defended and hyped up so much over the last year that I should be on payroll as his publicist. No exaggeration here, but I would bet no one has been in more near fights about him then I. I am literally the Flava Flave to his Chuck D.

This season, we watched him make such a big strides towards justifying his selection as the first overall pick in the 07 draft. He transformed from an awkward foul machine, which he was so often last season to this year, simply becoming a presence. Defensively, you feared him and his ability to challenge any shot. He cleans glass like he as o.c.d. I'm positive he play's with a travel-sized bottle of windex in his shorts. And lately he began to make you pay for sleeping on him offensively, displaying an array of low post moves as well as often throwing down rather aggressive statement dunks. Tuesdays game recording a 13 point, 20 rebound 4 block performance against the Heat. Ladies and gentlemen, Greg Oden had arrived.

Or not. At the 7:45 mark in the first quarter, defending an Aaron Brooks drive to the hoop, Greg Oden broke his knee cap. HIS FUCKING KNEE CAP.

Poor dude. I actually feel twisted up over this. And not because my favorite basketball team just lost it's starting Center for the season. I'm twisted up because he is by all accounts a good dude. Everything I've read and everything I've heard (friends of friends kind of scenerios, but from multiple sources) have him pegged as genuine dude.

He worked hard to get back from the last injury. It was hard physically as well mentally. Not only was he coming back from an injury (microfracture surgery) that takes almost two years to get back to normal from, but he had to deal with all loads of negative shit from the press. Everywhere he went he had to hear about how he is Sam Bowie 2.0 and how the TrailBlazers once again made a mistake with their first round pick of a center.

Lets cut the bull shit and get the facts straight. The man deserved to be the number 1 pick that year. He led the Ohio State Buckeyes to the National Title Game with a broken shooting hand. Yes he played his Freshman year shooting (and shooting well) with a BROKEN SHOTING HAND. He was the best 18, the best Center in college Basketball, and he was making due by making everyone look stupid with his left hand.

We drafted him, because we had Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Martell Webster, and Travis Outlaw already. Also this was the draft when we pulled out Rudy Fernandez. If you're telling me with a franchise center in Greg Oden or another skinny perimeter player, that you're going to take yet ANOTHER perimeter player?!? Not if you value your job. Greg Oden was the perfect fit for this team and the right pick. You don't watch basketball if you think I'm wrong in this one.

Now whats happened to him since this has just been unfortunate. The injury he sustained takes two years to come back. If you don't believe me, I have mountains of evidence proving you wrong and is the subject of my favorite argument. Greg Oden rushed back so he could play ball. Both him and the Blazers were wrong. We should've eased him back. The pressure was intense and his body wasn't ready. Again, if you think I'm wrong go read about Amare Stoudimire. See how long it took him to come back.

Last year sucked because he wasn't ready. But this year, this year we saw what he could be. Monster dunks, ridiculous blocks, game changing rebounder. He was developing into what we drafted. Then he got struck again by the injury bastard.

I can't imagine what it's like trying to be an athlete these days. In this, the age of Internet where we have constant blogs, podcasts, 24/7 radio and tv shows devoted to sports, everything an athlete does is dissected on their shows (it's hard to fill up 24 hours of programing). Even if it's a stretch to find the relevance.

"Today Brandon Roy ate a Egg Salad Sandwich and jerked off at noon. Unfortunately his wife had gone Christmas shopping and he needed to relax before the game. Lets hope it pays off. Now back to you Guy in the Studio."

(I was done writing after that. From here on was written the morning after)

The Talking Heads are so much louder then they were in the 80's and early 90's. IF the draft bust talk in the 80's would've been heard at a low mummer, the 90's it would've been heard with what would be considered "outside voice" volume ( you know, that is if you were still in Grade School). Now, it's full fledged Rock Concert volume. He will not be able to ignore it. He's gonna have to use it. Use it to get motivated, Greg.

One bright side is that as painful as a broken knee cap sounds it's not damning. In 2005, Washington Wizards Forward Jarvis Hayes did the same thing. After trying to play on it afterwards was proven a bad call, he sat out from February to the end of the season. But had a full recovery and played everygame except one for the next two seasons. It can be done.

As shitty of a time for this to happen, this isn't worse case scenario. I think he believes that too. Here is a quote from him after the game, " I'm obviously disappointed having worked so hard to get where I was. This is a setback, but I'll be back. It's in God's hands now."

And if anyone is bouncing back from an injury like this, it's Greg. Shit, he's done it before.

Friday, December 4, 2009

The best Basketball player, ever.

When I was 15 I made the declaration that I would enter into the NBA draft straight outta High School. Unfortunately, this eventually turned into my moms second favorite running joke, right behind my self given Indian name 'Mowing Slave'.


It was one of those things you say kind of serious, but when you see the reaction (in this case people shitting themselves trying to top the last person in a 'loudest most obnoxious' laugh contest, while I sit there grinning trying not to cry) you pretend that you said it to get a good chuckle out of people. Then when no one is looking, you turn around and wonder out loud if anyone will miss you if you were to drop a plugged in toaster into your bath later on that night.


But after last night, my friends, I am the Lone Ranger when it comes to laughing at my jokes.


You see what happened last night started out as just a friendly game of '21' before my work out. Again, it only started out as friendly. It transformed into an over competitive display of raw athletic ability and served as my coming out party as a deadly marksman from behind the arc.


If you aren't familiar with the rules of '21,' first and foremost, shame on you. But if you don't, they are simple you play basketball against atleast two other people, acting as every man for himself. You make a basket, whether it be a '2' or a '3' you get freethrows. If you missed shot gets tipped in by an opponent you lose all your points. If your point total ever ends up a '13,' or ends up higher then '21' you start back at 0.


Now that you're familiar here is the recap of the game: My buddies Weezy and Chaz were taking advantage of me being a little under the weather but at the same time, taking turns tipping in their shots and consistently keeping a 0 score.


During this time I had no energy to drive to the hoop, and wasn't hitting my jumper. Any time I decided to take it to the hoop, Weezy sent it away effortlessly. It was not looking to go my way.


After twenty minutes of play, and one such blocked shot by Weezy, something inside me snapped. The preverbal monkey was tired of being pissed on and there was no banana to satisfy my blood lust. Over the following twenty minutes I hit 11 threes and scored over 40 points (21 is a cruel game) including a Dwayne Wade esk, game winning up and under.


It didn't matter if it was wide open, one on one, or two on one I was hitting everything. Fall aways, runners, jumpers, they were all falling. I imagine it was like watching a baby's conception.


I was f***ing magical.


So as it still might just be a joke about me entering the NBA draft, what's not a joke is my game. I seriously might be the greatest white non NBA player ever.


Lets relive that previous statement so we can understand the magnitude. "Greatest white non NBA player EVER!!!" Ever? Yes, Ever. And if you would've seen me playing last night, you wouldn't hesitate to stand by my claims.


Allen Iverson is known as the Answer, Paul Pierce is the Truth. From here on out, Andrew Belvin is the Proclamation.







Chalk it up.



Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Venting about the Natural

I wasn't going to write about this, I just couldn't get myself to do it. Then after a nice hour and half work out/soul searching session at the gym I decided it was my civic duty to get my thoughts out there. It was quickly decided against when I came home and opted to play video games.

Fast forward to three in the morning and I can't fucking sleep. It needs to be said. I need to get something off my chest. I must warn you, it's heavy.

Brandon Roy, my favorite basketball player (neigh, my favorite athlete), is being a giant vag and is really starting to piss me off.

That was really hard for me. Lets take a second and regroup...Alright, I'm ready to continue.

Lets break down my frustration. First things first, my Portland Trailblazers are playing terrible basketball. Lately, they have been round house kicked three consecutive games, including two at home. Two of these three loses have been absolute ass beatings. They have now lost four games in the Rose Garden this season (they lost seven ALL SEASON last year).

We are struggling offensively. Our bench severely misses Travis Outlaw (out with a broken foot for 3 to 5 months). Travis came in off the bench and gave our second unit it's juice. Now our second unit comes in and just shits on the tempo. The last three nights these guys couldn't score on a team of autistic midgets. If the juice Travis provided was Tropicana Orange Juice, then the juice the bench is bringing now is like some generic artificial Orange flavoring. And let me tell you, that tastes like ass.

The other problem, and the one that is becoming the most frustrating is with my homeboy, and one of the possible namesake of my unborn son, Brandon Roy ( the other being Shawn Michaels). Brandon, a two time all star and the unchallenged king of Portland is struggling this season to get his shit going. Despite having a 42 point game earlier in the season Brandon needed 25 points in tonight's latest loss, just to even out his average at 20 ppg.

The team and Brandon don't seem to be on the same page, and it's uncomfortably noticeable.

Recent reports have Brandon mentioning his frustrations and highlighting Portlands need for a offensive "pecking order" which would seemingly involve less involvement from Portland's free agent acquisition Andre Miller and prospective franchise center Greg Oden.

The Miller thing I can understand. No one thought these two were going to play well together. They both require the ball in their hands at all times and they both need to drive to the hoop to get their points. This was not a relationship destined to work. However, the Oden thing is a little troubling. Oden, who scored 13 points tonight and grabbed 20 rebounds tonight ( 11 of which offensive boards) gets most of his points from clean up work, is not what you would call the crucial part of the offense. Nor does he appear to be trying to be that guy right now.

Oden isn't demanding the ball right now. So if Roy is having a problem with Odens point totals maybe he needs to watch some game tape. Alot of the big mans touches are coming from the little mans mistakes. Case and point, Roy drove the lane tonight, threw up some twisty, 'I'm trying to draw a foul' lay up (didn't get the call) and missed the layup. Only instead of the ball falling into the other teams possession, Mr. Oden deposited it for 2 of his 13 in highlight fashion. Translation: Roy missed a poor lay up attempt, and Oden dunked the mistake home. Saving everyones face.

So what the hell is the deal?!

This whole thing becomes even more of a stomach punch when you start adding in the fact that for the first time since Zach Randolph's huge contract (and ass) took off, this team doesn't seem to be clicking.

Roy wants a pecking order. Ok, I can dig that. A young team needs order. Roy is tired of the 'sacrafices' he is making for this team, while none of his other teammates seem to be following suite (check out Dwight Jaynes blog here: http://www.dwightjaynes.com/brandon-roy-and-his-sacrifices). If we read beneath the surface he is clearly worried about the point totals and amount of shots (points= all star appearances). The only thing I'm having a hard time figuring out is why he isn't getting the shots or the points he thinks he is being robbed out of. HE TOUCHES THE BALL EVERYTIME DOWN THE COURT. He can shoot whenever he wants to.

There has been many games this season where the Blazers have practically begged Roy to step up, earn his paycheck and take over the scoring load. Games where we have come out and laid an egg offensively as a team, and could really use that All-Star push that we got last year from him (think the Suns game where he dropped 52 in a come from behind win against the Suns). There have been a many games where we could've used him flipping into 'eff you mode' and take it over. We could've used offensive explosions out of him, like for example in games like the last three losses. It seems like the only one thinking that he needs to be this un-selfish playmaker is himself.

Brandon Roy is the leader of the offense. The pecking order is set. No one is going to question it. No one will question him if he shoots the ball (as long as he is making them at an acceptable pace). Who has told him to not be selfish? That doesn't make sense. We pay him to be our All Star! (again, points=all stars)

Brandon, we are BEGGING you to be more selfish. Not Iverson-like, but definitely someone deserving of a max-contract. Be the leader. Make the pecking order how you see fit. You're the highest paid player, you're the only All-Star, you're coach McMillians on-court assistant, and you're the freaking King of Portland. Stop bitching and get aggressive. If you don't want to swing the ball then don't. No one will kill you for that. Drive that ball. Just make sure if you don't knock it down that you're getting to the line. Because I'm sick of seeing these 9-25 with only 5 FTA box scores.

If you want to be king dick you better start playing like it.

And if playing with Andre Miller is bugging you that much just pretend his is Pryzbilla and forget he is on the court. ( and if that doesn't work you could always have him killed, I mean you did sign a max deal).

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

ClinicallyAwesome is 1 year old

It's a happy day to be Clinically Awesome. One year. One whole year I've been babbling blog style and sodomizing your minds with my words. Yes, this is big time.


One year ago I wrote about the "safety" game, posting my first blog outside of my myspace and started an internet revolution. It's been called the biggest thing to happen to the internet since Janet Jackson's titty fell out. You hear that mom?! I'm bigger the Janet Jacksons titty! Seriously, step up take a bow, you should be proud.

Basically, I've made it.

Don't worry, I haven't allowed all my success to go to my head. Sure, i have my moments but whats the point of being an undeserving celebrity if you're not taking advantage of some of the perks?! Plus, who is turning down a sexual throw down with Kim Kardashian in a Womens bath room stall of a TGIFridays? Not this guy, thats who.

Other then a few altercations and purchases I've kept a pretty stable head on my shoulders. No diva fits here. Unless you count the incident in July when I was speaking at a writers convention in Tulsa. This little pole smoker of a man who was hosting the event knew damn well to have a bowl full of blue M&M's ready for my enjoyment. So what did I have waiting for me? Green M&M's. Green? Really? Someone needed to learn his colors, and foot is a perfect instructor. He had beautiful shades of blues and purples on his dome after class.

The thing that has been hard to get used to is how people react to me now. I wish they'd treat me like they did before I launched the site, but I guess it's hard when I have people like the Cast of Tv's The Big Bang Theory consuming my written word.

Ok, lets face it. I'm pretty much a big deal.

Speaking of Celebs lets find out what some of them have been saying about this site over the year:

Jessica Alba, " Everytime I read this site I remember what my first orgasm felt like." Yes, yes she does.

50 Cent, " This shit blows me away like gun shots." He should know, he got shot nine times.

Tom Brady, " Sometimes I read this on the road, when I'm away from my wife and kid. No matter what happened that day it brings a smile to my face." You're welcome Tom. Now stop losing me money.

John Cena, " Me and the boys of the WWE get a big kick out of this site everytime it's updated. Keep it up, man" Uh, John this isn't for you. This is awkward, but I'd appreciate it if you'd stop reading.

But for the rest of you, thanks for reading. I appreciate it. Keep on doing it and I'll keep on writing it.

Peace.