Bench Points By Joshua S. Cobb

Dysfunction in Cleveland July 24th, 2017 Just when I thought the NBA offseason was going to die down Kyrie just shakes up the league by requesting a trade. Reports indicate that he is no longer interested in playing alongside LeBron and prefers to go to the Knicks, Spurs, Timberwolves or Heat. Reports even circulate that Kyrie wanted to leave after their 2016 championship run. When I analyze the situation at hand, I agree with Kyrie's motives and LeBron has to reap what he sow. I am team Kyrie on this one for the simple fact that the Cavs as an organization is clearly dysfunctional. There are management issues, personnel issues, coaching problems , couldn't get a Paul George or Jimmy Butler in Cleveland, lowballed Chauncey Billups and well, LeBron. When you play with LeBron, you sign up for more than playing alongside one of the greatest players this game has ever seen. LeBron's antics can be cumbersome as a teammate or coach given that he gives ultimatums to manage...

Did the Cavs Ultimately Win The Kyrie Trade? Feb 14th, 2018 In August of 2017 the NBA world was sent into a frenzy when Kyrie Irving's trade demand was actually completed. The trade sent him to Boston in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Heat's 2020 second round pick and the 2018 Brooklyn Nets first round pick. Just before the trade deadline in February of 2018, the Celtics were looking like the winners of the trade due to I.T.'s health and chemistry issues with addition to Crowder's sub par play. However, at the trade deadline the team turned Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and their own first rounder into Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr and Iman Shumpert , Derrick Rose, and Jae Crowder into George Hill and Rodney Hood. So who actually won the trade? If we are speaking on the original deal it is clear to see that the Celtics won. When I access a trade I usually assign the winner by who ultimately gets the better player and this scenario ...

Chris Paul Walks Out On the Clippers - Team Analysis With Grades! June 28th, 2017 The 2017 NBA Offseason has been like Christmas morning for all of us NBA fans. We love it, keep it up! It is not good NBA drama without Los Angeles being involved. Reportedly, today is the day where both the Clippers and the Houston Rockets made deep splashes with the Clippers acquiring Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Lou Williams and a 2018 1st-round pick and the Rockets acquiring Chris Paul. Overall, solid trade but lets look at it from both perspectives. The Houston Rockets made a statement to the league, "Hey guys, we are here to win and we are not going to roll over for LeBron or them boys in Oakland." Obviously the move is box office and I am looking forward to tuning into more of their games and they are emerging as my team for NBA 2K18 (yes I will beat you) but this screams immediate help and not team longevity. Chris Paul has proven that he still is a top tier point guard with ...

Celtics vs. Isaiah Thomas August 28th, 2017 If you have not heard by now, the Celtics and Cavs trade involving I.T. and Kyrie Irving is now at a stalemate. Evidently, Thomas' physical did not go well and raised concerns to Cleveland's front office. Now I'm sure the Cavs saw Thomas grimacing and missing games in last year's playoff series AGAINST THEM so I'm confused as to why they are surprised (but that is none of my business.) Also, the Cavs got the most bang for their buck given that Kyrie wanted out anyway and still acquired a pretty even trade. Due to the fact that the Cavs are asking for even more for the deal, affirms the general public doubt that the trade will be completed. Additionally, this poses the question...What the hell happens to I.T.? As the Celtics, do you still try to deal him? As Thomas, do you even want to put that Boston uniform back on after the attempted trade? Given, Isaiah's personality and demeanor I would guess not. Thomas p...

Can Kyrie's Landing Spot Really Be in Minnesota? July 24th, 2017 Let me be one of the first to say that even with Kyrie's trade request, he will most likely be in a Cavs uniform before the season starts and his marriage with Cleveland will put a patch on their differences. However, lets just say that Cleveland lets him go, it poses the question...where can he end up? The Twin Cities area has been buzzing about the new face of the team. I myself was overjoyed when I heard the news of Irving possibly coming to Minnesota and how exciting the team would be. The only problem is in the trade the Wolves would most likely have to give up Andrew Wiggins due to newly acquired players (Butler, Gibson, Teague and Crawford) cannot be moved until December 15th. Wiggins, just like Irving, appears to be a young, budding MVP caliber player in the league. So it is no secret that Cleveland would require Wiggins being in the package to compete in the Kyrie sweepstakes. But should Minnesot...

Boston Finally Makes A Move July 4th, 2017 Danny Ainge has a few Ls on his resume as far as acquisitions go in the past year that include whiffing on DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George and Jimmy Butler. After the team being reported on for what feels like forever, yes, Gordon Hayward has decided to join forces with his old college coach Brad Stevens and join the Boston Celtics. What does this mean for the Celts? Well...first and foremost, you get a better shot at competing with LeBron and company. Additionally, they keep all of their future assets by just signing him and free agency so they still will be in rumors for potential trades moving forward so we will get to still see this awkward contend and rebuild phase. Nevertheless, they add a solid scoring option to Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Al Horford. I like it. Also, you still have defensive presences with Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart all while still having your recent draft picks in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum who are look...

Analyzing the LaVar Ball Saga June 28th, 2017 If you do not know who LaVar Ball is by now you must be living under a rock. Mr. Ball has burst onto the sports scene in a very controversial yet commanding way. To give some background on LaVar, he is was a former dual sport athlete (Football and Basketball) who played some college ball at West Los Angeles College and Washington State University and went on to have a short spurt in professional football for the New York Jets. So Josh why are you writing about him if he is virtually unknown for his athletic abilities in the sports world? Good question! It is not his talent alone that got him in the public eye, it is his three sons Lonzo, LiAngelo and LaMelo. His three sons have become internet sensations with their basketball talents. The oldest of the three, Lonzo, has just been drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers from UCLA and LiAngelo and LaMelo have already secured their commitments to follow Lonzo's lead. LaVar's risk to ...