#Rio2016: Olympic gold or NBA title?

DeAndre Jordan and Kyrie Irving (USA)
(Image from FIBA)

*This first appeared on FIBA.com.

USA players have been asked the question before, whether winning an NBA title or an Olympic gold medal is a greater and more significant achievement.

LeBron James, before he reached the top of the podium at the Beijing Games in 2008, made his position very clear.

"This is bigger," James said ahead of the title showdown against Spain. "Being a part of the game (Gold Medal Game) on Sunday is the biggest thing for me, ever.

Hoop Nut VLog Episode 15: The One Before DeAndre Jordan Flaked on Dallas

This is our Video Log/Podcast for the 2015 NBA #FreeAgencyFever!

In Episode 15 of the Hoop Nut Video Log, we talk about the marquee free agent commitments and signings. Please take note that this was recorded BEFORE DeAndre Jordan made a mess of everything for the Dallas Mavericks and for himself.

Hoop Nut VLog Episode 5: The One Where We Talk About Jordan Clarkson

In continuing our efforts to break new ground, Rollz and I have decided to push on with this Video Log thingy until we get tired of it or, as is more probable, until we just cannot find the time to do it anymore.

In Episode 5 of the Hoop Nut VLog, Rolly and I talk about the MVP and DPOY races in the NBA, Jordan Clarkson’s rise as a rookie, Andrew Wiggins’s wicked slam over the Stifle Tower, and the 3-peat KBL champions.

#NBA2015: Players to Watch Part Three

With the 2014-2015 NBA season beginning in fewer than 10 days, I found it just right to look at some players we should all keep tabs on. There are no-brainers like LeBron, KD, CP3, and James Harden, of course, but there are also many other characters on whom we should put the spotlight. In this first of five parts, we’ll take a look at some key guys for the Clippers, Lakers, Grizzlies, Heat, Bucks, and Timberwolves.

Two rookies who will struggle through their team's futility, two point guards who
are looking to make the jump, a forward who'll fall short of replacing the
best player in the world, and a center who can push his team to the top. 

DeAndre Jordan (LAC) - DJ had a breakout season in 2013-2014, averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, steals, blcoks, and field goal percentage while also helping the Clippers advance to the second round of the Playoffs. He averaged a double-double for the first time in his career (believe it or not) and, again, shot an eye-popping 68% from the floor! Who does that?! The 6’11 slotman is no longer just a highlight reel factory content on eating Brandon Knight alive for breakfast. As his numbers suggest, he protects the rim, finishes around the basket, and gets repossessions. One might argue he could be an All-Star this season if makes another jump in his game. If he can actually do that, then look for the Clips to make noise even beyond the second round.

The Top 10 Players in the 2014 NBA Playoffs (May 5, 2014) Part 1

The 2014 NBA Playoffs have given us, arguably, the best first round so far, what with five series going the full seven games and the lower seeded or “weaker” teams surprising fans and quashing experts’ predictions left and right. Simply put, the past few weeks of postseason action have been nothing short of awesome.

In this first of two parts, I will present five of the current Top 10 players in the 2014 NBA Playoffs. This will be based on the players’ stats for their first round games. They are ranked according to Player Efficiency for that duration of time only.

In this list, we will find the sixth till tenth-best players so far in the postseason. It’s a pretty interesting bunch, highlighted by a sweet shooting PF, two explosive PGs, a center who has come into his own, and the league’s would-be MVP.

All these guys have given us reason to feel giddy in the Playoffs.

Note: All of the following stats are based on each player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on May 5, 2014 (Manila time).

The NBA: March 2014 Position Battle – The Top 5 Centers Right Now

In this Position Battle post, we will focus on the top five centers at this point in the season. We will take into account just the players’ stats for the latest five games of their respective teams. This will, hopefully, give us a more current picture of each player’s production.

Don’t look now, but the Chicago Bulls are sneaking up on the Toronto Raptors and might actually steal third seed in the East. That’s awesome news for Bulls fans, and, more importantly, it might make Heat fans a little edgy. The main conduit for Chicago’s recent rise, of course, has been the awesome play of Joakim Noah, who is joined by a hodge-podge of young bigs and old bigs in this top five list.

And, for all the Lakers and Magic fans who despise Dwight Howard, you’ll be happy to know he’s nowhere on this list.

Note: All of the following stats are based on each player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on March 23, 2014 (Manila time).

These are the NBA's top five centers right now.
(composite image by Enzo Flojo/Hoop Nut)