Lockout Professionals: Funny stuff

((ht: espn))

Ok. We have to admit, as much as we don't care for the over-the-top collective pat on the back that the ESPY's are, they do occasionally do some funny stuff.

Perhaps one of the funniest, and most pointed skits of the night, a commercial for "Lockout Professionals" starring the currently locked out Kevin Love and Blake Griffin.

Yes, it is funny enough to share with everyone else.

Thanks ESPN:

2011 Slam Dunk Contest: Yeah, Blake Griffin Jumped Over a Car

Really, there aren't a whole lot of words that we can use to describe Blake Griffin and his Slam Dunk awesomeness that haven't already been said.

With that in mind, imagine what his bosses in Clipper-land thought when they saw what he was planning to do to cap off the night.

By the way, if you don't know who JaVale McGee of the Washington Wizards is, after watching this video, you will

Here's the 1st part of the competiton. Thanks NBA.com and YouTube:


The next round. As the stakes and the creativity gets larger:





And the finals:

Your daily dose of Blake Griffin

This folks, is our favorite NBA player of the moment...by a large margin. So in line with that, we give you what is becoming a daily staple, a Blake Griffin dunk. This was from Tuesday nights LA Clippers-Milwaukee Bucks game.

Thanks NBA.com, Enjoy!

Blake Griffin Continues To Be Unworldly

((HT: NBA/FSWest))

Parts of the HQ are scurrying to find their Clippers gear and wear them with pride again- despite Donald Sterling's perpetual poison as owner...

Blake Griffin is just... plain... foul...

Here's more proof against the Knicks...


But we also like this...
((HT: Youtube/FSWest/NBA))

Blake Griffin's Almost Triple-Double

((HT: NBA/FSWest/Youtube))

The Silent Assassin was at it again against the Golden State Warriors...

30, 18, and 8 in the Clippers win...

And an absolutely foul dunk...
Enjoy... the HQ does...

Here's your "Nightly Notable" highlights...

Blake Griffin Goes For 47

Not a bad performance for a matinee...

Blake Griffin may already have the Rookie of the Year wrapped up, but could he seriously be an MVP candidate...???

Here's your early answer against the Indiana Pacers from yesterday...
((HT: FSWest/NBA/BlakeGriffinChannel))


That, and it finally gives the HQ a reason to drag out and dust off its Clipper gear.

Clippers And Lakers Fight It Out

More like push, grab, shove, and jaw-jack...

But when the Clips are taking out the Lakers, the world seems to tilt on its axis, anyway... so, the only other natural thing to happen would for the two tenants to square off...

Randy Foye made a free throw to put the Clippers ahead 99-90 with 6 seconds left. Blake Griffin was locked underneath Lamar Odom's left arm for position.

"Maybe I overreacted, but I just feel like if you're up 9, a ram in the back at that point?" Odom asked. "Any other time, I get it. You play hard, you're strong, whatever, but the ram in the back [while] up 9? I don't get it, so I'm just going to have to react."

Here's the ending...
((HT: FSWest/NBA/Youtube))


The Clippers have their ninth win in 13 games after a 5-21 start...
Amazing what one player will do for you...

Blake Griffin is a Baaaad Man!

If there were any questions as to why Blake Griffin was the #1 pick in the 2009 NBA draft, there aren't now. Sure, Griffin was forced to sit out the 2009-10 season with a knee injury, but he's now playing...and playing with a vengeance.

Yeah, we know he plays for the Clippers, perhaps the worst franchise in NBA history. And yeah, while stocked with top draft picks over the years, they've been the perennial 2nd banana in L.A and honestly, they may always be. But Griffin has been fun to watch. He dropped a 44 spot on the New York Knicks Saturday night including a rather absurd dunk.

Watch it here. Thanks NBA.com:

The Day After: College Comings And Goings

Blake Griffin, to no one's surprise, is heading to the NBA Draft...
((HT: KWTV/News9))

Jerry Tipton's work in Lexington has Jodie Meeks declaring for the draft, but not hiring an agent.
Seth Emerson at The State checks in with Devan Downey putting his name in the draft, but like Meeks, is not picking up an agent either.
Sean Miller shows up in Arizona and gets 5-years and $11-million.

Steve Rivera from the Tucson Citizen checks in...
"Miller was greeted enthusiastically by about 150 students at McKale Center as he arrived around 11 a.m.

UA officials released a term sheet they are using as part of contract negotiations with Miller, but they do not have a draft. Some media reports put Miller's contract at up to $18 million over seven years, with the $1 million signing bonus.

The contract must be approved by the Arizona Board of Regents.

Several reporters asked about the current financial crisis, where tuition is increasing and jobs being cut at Arizona. Livengood pointed out that Miller's contract will not be funded by tuition dollars. The UA athletic department operates on its own."

KVOA's David Marino looks at Miller's salary...

College Basketball: Big 12 Predictions

Time to check out the big conferences and let's begin with the Big 12. Kansas won the NCAA Championship last year but only return 4 scholarship players needless to say the Jayhawks are in full rebuilding mode. It won't be gloom or even doom though in Lawrence as Bill Self has reloaded with some JUCO and high school talent. KU will be down for a short time but will never be out.

Best Team In The Big 12: This is a tough choice because Oklahoma and Texas are deep and talented but I'm going with the Baylor Bears. Scott Drew put the paddles and resuscitated the Baylor program a few years ago. Now the Bears are to the point of expecting a deep NCAA Tournament run. Why do I like Baylor? Because to win big in college basketball, you must have versatile guards and have depth at that position. The Bears have that. This group can score, distribute and most importantly is experienced. 3 of Baylor's guards average double figures lat year. Guard Curtis Jerrells led the team last year in scoring at 15.3 points per game mostly by driving to the hoop but is working on improving his 3 point shooting. Henry Duget is lightening quick and LaceDarius Dunn is money off the bench. If Baylor makes a few stops on defense, the Bears were last in defense in the Big 12 last season, they will cut down the nets and collect the championship hardware.

Best Player In The Big 12: Blake Griffin - Oklahoma

I love to watch Griffin play. He has a soft shooting touch and is a commanding presence grabbing rebounds plus he adds toughness to the Sooners. He finished the 07-08 season with 10 double-doubles, the last 7 against NCAA Tournament teams. Griffin should get plenty of attention for national player of the year honors.

Team That Could Surprise - Texas Tech Red Raiders

Pat Knight isn't his dad yet but this team isn't bad. Texas Tech was picked 10th in the Big 12 preseason poll but the Red Raiders have some players and play as a team. I wouldn't be surprised if Texas Tech puts together a middle of the road year and win 1 or 2 game in the Big 12 Tournament, enough to earn the final bid to the dance from the league.

Who Goes Dancing: Baylor, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech

Who Plays For Number 66: Oklahoma State, Missouri, Nebraska

Big 12 Predictions

1. Baylor

2. Oklahoma

3. Texas

4. Kansas

5. Texas A&M

6. Texas Tech

7. Missouri

8. Oklahoma State

9. Nebraska

10. Kansas State

11. Colorado

12. Iowa State

Photo Courtesy: Jamie Squire/Getty Images