The Breakdown with Dave & Audley: December 2008

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

How Does LeBron Stack Up?

On Tuesday night, LBJ turned 24 years old. How crazy is that? He's been kicking ass in the NBA for six seasons now. His accomplishments are ridiculous for such a young man. I predict once Kobe breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA all-time scoring mark, the superstar kid from Akron, Ohio will leap frog the purple and gold assassin and truly become the King. But, in the meantime, let's take a look at how LeBron's accolades stack up to other famous 24 year olds from the past:

LeBron -- soon to be 5-Time All-Star, 2-Time All-Star Game MVP, 1 NBA Scoring Title, 1 NBA Finals appearance, 2003-04 Rookie Of The Year Award Winner, 2003 1st overall draft pick, averaged 3o or more points per game twice in a season. Now, he just needs to win a ring like his buddy D-Wade.

Michael Jordan --

NCAA Champion, NCAA Player
Of The Year, 1 NBA All-Star Game MVP, 4-Time NBA All-Star, 2-Time Slam Dunk Champion, 1984-85 Rookie Of The Year Award Winner, 1 NBA Scoring Title, had highest scoring average in a season (37.1 ppg in 1986-87) since Wilt Chamberlain racked up 44.8 ppg in 1962-63. Man, Jordan was lethal back in the day. He was even kind enough to give Spike Lee a great start to his career thanks to all those Nike commercials they did together. What a nice guy that MJ is.

Kobe Bryant -- 3-Time NBA Champion, 5-Time NBA All-Star, 1 NBA All-Star Game MVP, 1997 Slam Dunk Champion, averaged 30 ppg in 2002-03 season. But, Shaq had nothing to do with it. Really, he didn't.

Tiger Woods -- 1997 Masters Champion, 1999 PGA Championship Winner, he changed the face of golf forever, he was the world's number 1 ranked player various times plus he made tons of cash and still does today.

Dwight "Doc" Gooden -- 1986 World Series Champion, 1985 NL Cy Young Award Winner, 4-Time NL All-Star, 1984 NL Rookie Of The Year Winner, 1 NL ERA Title , 2 NL Strikeout Titles and led Major Leagues with 24 wins in 1985. What a shame his potential Hall Of Fame career nosedived when drugs, alcohol and injuries invaded his body. He is the ultimate "What If" athlete.

Finally, there's the one, the only, Gary Coleman -- By the time he turned 24 in 1992, his Different Strokes money was used up. His guest appearances on The Jeffersons, Facts Of Life and Good Times were nothing but a long distant memory. But, at least, he could still get paid for saying "Whatcha Talkin' Bout Willis?" at geeky trade shows. Yep, Gary was living the dream back then. But seriously, we hear G.C. is doing well nowadays, so we're happy for him.

And I'm sure LeBron is too. Okay, maybe not. Sorry Gary.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Big German Is Simply The Best

No offence to the late Drazen Petrovic, but Dirk Nowitzki is the most talented and productive European player ever to suit up in an NBA uniform. Yeah, you hear people say "Drazen was a lethal shooter". Well, so is Dirk and much more. Mainly the talk concerning Drazen was about "what if" he wasn't killed in a car accident. The bottom line is, unfortunately, it happened, so he didn't get the chance to maximize his potential. No doubt it was tragic, but it's the facts. Even if he did survive, he still wouldn't have had Nowitzki's versatility offensively. The 7-foot former NBA MVP is a threat inside and out which has made Dirk a defensive nightmare for opponents on a consistent basis. He's averaged over 20 ppg eversince his third NBA season back in 2000-01. There's no doubt Drazen would have had a terrific career, but in the end, he didn't possess Nowitzki's physical gifts and versatile offensive talent. So, the next time you hear your buddies discussing who is the best Euro ever to play in the NBA and one of your friends mention Drazen as the top guy, feel free to smack your buddy in the head and make him listen to a Ron Artest album. Dirk Rules!

PS --) Nowitzki's last name is pronounced "Noh-VIT-skee"!!!! I hate when TV sports broadcasters call him "Noh-wit-skee"!! Hey, all you TV anchors on Canadian sports TV networks, Dirk is GERMAN!! W's sound like V's in German!! Learn how to pronounce names correctly before you spit them out wrong to a national audience! For goodness sake, do your jobs right!!

Chicken Dave

Greetings y'all!!

If you had an opportunity to listen to "The Verdict" Episode #14 from December 7, 2008, then you'd know this post has been adequately titled.

If you haven't - feel free to visit the archives to check it out.

Basically, Dave and I squared off in a head to head battle in our fantasy league and the loser had to cackle like a chicken.

Priceless stuff!!

My question to you is, do you agree with Foghorn Leghorn?

Monday, December 29, 2008

Welcome To The Official NBA Breakdown Blog!

Yes, Audley and I are officially a part of the basketball blog universe! Just because we're here doesn't mean we're going to change our motto. We plan to always give you hoops talk, the way it should be, but in our blog, it'll be in print form. Audley and I will not only discuss The NBA Breakdown (even though it's the world's most entertaining internet radio basketball talk show that airs Sundays at 9pm EST at www.blogtalkradio.com/thenbabreakdown), but we'll also deliver our different opinions regarding current basketball news, all-time hoops topics and anything else basketball-related. So, buckle up. Put on your favorite Anderson Varejao-custom made fro and check out our blog everyday of your life!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Contact

Interested in advertising with The Breakdown with Dave & Audley or looking for a speaker for your next event?

Contact:

DaveandAudley@TheBreakdownShow.com

Media

Popular Basketball Talk Show Changes Name - Press Release (January 2011)

The NBA Breakdown Meets Daytime Toronto - DayTime Toronto TV (December 2010)

NBA Breakdown Hosts Score Media Trifecta with "Daytime Toronto Appearance - Blog Talk Radio Blog (December 2010)

Toronto NBA Hoops Show Hosts Battle The Odds - Press Release (October 2010)

Yet Another Hometown Paper Profiles Our "NBA Breakdown" Hosts - Who Predict 15 Million Listeners - Blog Talk Radio Blog (October 2010)

Third Season Looms For Show Mississauga News (October 2010)

Dave Mendonca and Audley Stephenson Stephenson doin' it up and reppin' T-Dot and the NBA!
Dunk U Very Much (October 2010)

BlogTalkRadio is "the ideal forum for Talking Hoops, Hometown Paper Says in Report on NBA Breakdown Hosts Blog Talk Radio Blog (October 2010)

Hoop Junkies Host NBA Show Brampton Guardian (October 2010)

Q + A with Bounce Magazine - Bounce Magazine (Feb 2010)

Talkin' Hoops with Audley of The NBA Breakdown - Hip Hoop Junkies (Nov 2009)

Audley Stephenson Makes Hoops Dream A Reality - Soundbits - Blog Talk Radio Blog (Sept 2009)

Q + A with Audley Stephenson of The NBA Breakdown - Peter Robert Casey (Dec 2008)

Guest Appearances

LC and Jack Talk Basketball with The Breakdown (Feb 2011)

Raps Talk with the Hip Hoop Junkies (Feb 2011)

Thunderground Radio : "Stick in the Muds" w/The Breakdown & Darnell Mayberry (Jan 2011)

All Access Sports Network: Hoopscast (Nov 2010)

Dave and Audley Join NBA 4 Life Radio (Nov 2010)

Testimonials

"Anytime you guys want me back on, it 's no problem. Just call me up and we 'll do this again and have some fun."

Gary Payton - former Defensive Player of the Year

"It was actually lots of fun so maybe we should do another one closer to the All Star game and see where our Raptors are at that time."

Kardinal Offishall

"You guys are an amazing team, thank you babies!"

Mo'Nique

"I had so much fun with you guys. You guys are great"

Jennifer Williams of VH1's Basketball Wives

"I enjoyed it. It was just like a regular conversation."

Evander Holyfield Jr.

"This was fun, I love talking sports -we'll do it again."

Vivica A. Fox - Actress/Producer

"This was probably the most personable basketball interview"

Mike Bivins - Artist and Founding member of New Edition & BBD

"I just felt a great vibe and knew if I ran into either one of you at the bar, I would buy y'all a Molson and kick it naturally!"

Ray Johnston - Former Dallas Maverick and musician