#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.

#NBA2015 December Position Battle – The Top 5 Point Guards Right Now

In this Position Battle post, we will focus on the top five point guards at this point in the season. We will take into account just the players’ stats for the entire season up till December 5, 2014 (Manila time). This will, hopefully, give us a more current picture of each player’s production.

In this list, we have two members of the Team USA iteration that dominated #Spain2014, a couple of veteran playmakers, and the kid who had maybe the best game-winner of last season.

Best PG in the Association? Who's your pick?

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

5. Kyrie Irving (CLE) - 22.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.7apg, 1.6spg, 49.2 FG%, 2.2 triples per game, 42.5 3pt%, 22.1 EFF

Did you see how he ruined the Knicks? No, I mean, did you really see him drop 37 big ones on the team that ruined LeBron’s homecoming? In the process, did you notice how the Cavs moved up to 10-3 and fifth in the East? Man, if Uncle Drew can keep dropping the boom for the wine and gold, then don’t be surprised if the Cavs keep winning till they face Memphis on December 22 (Manila time). Heck, maybe they even beat the Grizz, too!

          

#NBA2015: Players to Watch - Part One

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 Hawks, Celtics, Nets, Hornets, Bulls, and Cavs.

A few guys hoping to make the jump, a couple who might get traded, and a
former MVP trying to return to form.

The NBA: How Much Do You (K-)Love the Trade?

Kevin Love and Andrew Wiggins swapped jerseys on August 23, 2014
(Image by: J3rs3ySwaps)

The trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves (and to a lesser extent, the Philadelphia 76ers) was first reported in the middle of July. Finally, after more than a month of rumors and speculations, the trade involving Kevin Love and Andrew Wiggins (plus a few other players and draft picks) has been completed and finalized. Kevin Love got what he wanted which was to be traded to a contender while LeBron James received a sweet shooting sidekick that can grab rebounds like there's no tomorrow.

The NBA: April 2014 Position Battle – The Top 5 Point Guards Right Now

In this Position Battle post, we will focus on the top five point guards 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.

Neither Chris Paul nor Steph Curry is at the top of this list. Other marquee names, meanwhile, like Deron Williams, Ty Lawson, or Goran Dragic are also conspicuously absent. The young ‘uns rule, at least for now.

Note: All of the following stats are based on each player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on April 9, 2014 (Manila time).

CP3 is the only "old hand" on this list as the young playmakers
of the Association take over.

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

In this Position Battle post, we will focus on the top five point guards 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.

What’s very interesting in this list is that neither Chris Paul nor Steph Curry are included. Yes, maybe the two consensus best PGs on the planet aren’t among the current top five. Instead, we have a guy who’s bouncing back after being in sick bay, an All-Star snub, and a host of other great playmakers.

Note: All of the following stats are based on each player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on March 11, 2014 (Manila time).

A lot of young 'uns in this set of top five.
(composite image by Enzo Flojo/Hoop Nut)