What The "Heck"?

(Picture from img.dailymail.co.uk)

In the last couple of days, the NBA has had some unpredictable and crazy moments. Between gun charges to an All-Star, and last second shots being taken by a point guard instead of the third leading scorer in the NBA, I often ask my self, "What the 'Heck'?". Here are my Top 5 moments from the past few days.

What the "Heck" moment #1: In last night's game against the Lakers, Dirk Nowitzki became the first German player to score 20,000 points in a career. The Dallas Mavericks took on a hurting L.A. Laker team that was missing Pau Gasol and had an ailing Kobe Bryant who was nursing a hurt back (and possibly a hurt heart because LA has yet to renew his contract and it is rumored that talks have stalled). Dallas, playing at home, was looking to avenge a 35-point loss earlier in the season. As always, Dirk decided he would take matters into his own hands by dropping 30 points and grabbing an amazing 16-rebounds. Kobe did not play for most of the first half, but came out after halftime and put his back to the "back burner". The Mavs, who never lead by more than 3-points, even with Kobe shot putting shot after shot, could not find another scorer to get a win over a STRUGGLING Laker squad. As a Dallas player, how could you not sweeten the pot for the Big German? How could you not stop a Lakers team that doesn't have the flowing Spaniard and a healthy Black Mamba? How do you let Kobe Bryant crash the party by allowing him to drain a pull up dagger with 28-seconds left in the game (a shot that shut the door closed on the Mavs)? Mark Cuban must have blown more than 20 blood cells in his head, and probably hit three people that unknowingly bought tickets next to him. I'm still surprised Cuban didn't waive half the team after last nights effort. Nobody but Dirk grabbed over 10 rebounds and Jason Terry went a disgusting 2-12 shooting ("The Jet" was never cleared for take off during last nights game). On a night where Jason Kidd tac's up 11-assists and Dirk finishes with 20,001 career points, how does a team not win? What the "Heck" (I'm sure Cuban has asked himself that same question every 30-seconds today)?

What the "Heck" moment #2: Darko Millicic. Just saying his name is enough to ruin any conversation. The New York Post reported that Darko wants to leave the Knicks and thinks "it's best for him and the Knicks to part ways. Milicic said he doesn't want to play for another team, but rest for next season when he plans to return to Europe." What the "Heck"? Darko has been resting for most of his career. To think that this guy was picked second overall behind Lebron James in a draft that was stacked full of stars must be absolutely crushing for the Detroit Pistons. In case you forgot, Darko was picked before Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, David West, Josh Howard, and Mo Williams. He will always be known as the biggest flop in the NBA, and to think that ESPN analyst's said this guy has the potential to be one of the biggest stars in the league has ever seen. He is averaging 2-points per game, that is 27.8-points behind Carmelo, 27.4-points behind 'Bron, 24.9-points behind Wade, and 22-points behind Bosh. Get the picture? This guy only knows how to rest and ride the bench. He's done that his whole career and to think he is still making 7.5 million doing it. He is the biggest fraud the NBA has ever seen. That is the most expensive practice player on the planet! Watch this video, it pretty much sums up his career...

What the "Heck" moment #3: The Clipper Curse continues on, already ruining Blake Griffin's career that had as much potential as Darko (except he actually could play). The 20 year old had season ending surgery on his broken knee cap ending his first year in the NBA before it even began. To make it worse, he injured his knee in the last PRESEASON game for the Clips. Can you imagine the build up for that first game and then have it snatched away. He should have seen it coming, he was drafted by the Clippers (who are the worst NBA franchise from top to bottom, and it starts with the scum bag Mike Dunleavy Sr. who has ruined that franchise not only as a coach but as a general manager). These are the same Clippers that have had only two winning seasons in the past 30 years! Bill Simmons nailed it on the head when he warned Blake about the Clipper Curse, and predicted this whole situation. The NBA where getting drafted by the Clippers happens! He was a physical freak with talent so evident that the league was licking their chops hoping that he could be the next physical specimen at his position. We were all hoping for the creation of a Los Angeles rivalry between a perennial All Star and future Hall of Famer and the Clippers savior. When Griffin found out the Clippers had the first pick in last years draft he should have stayed in college one more year. The poor guy now joins Danny Manning and Michael Olowokandi as first round pick that fell apart their first season.

What the "Heck" moment #4: Gilbert Arenas, what in gods name were you thinking? Did you miss ESPN's 72-hour coverage of Plaxico Burress' gun charge? In the history of bad jokes, yours now ranks as the dumbest and worst of all time. There is a rule, if you have a shoe deal you need to be a leader (this theory will come back in play later). You need to take pictures with kids, sign autographs, help people in the inner city, you know the EXACT opposite of what you did. What gets me the most is that Arenas reached a plea deal that will include much less or no jail time. He was charged with only a single count of carrying a pistol without a license, and according to ESPN this felony usually comes with a 5-year sentence. What the "Heck" Gil? You have four years left on your six year contract worth $111 million dollars! You could build your own shooting range with that kind of dough. You can also pay 6-huge dudes who actually have a license to carry a gun to encircle you at all times if you are so scared for your safety. You have been completely removed as the face of the Wizard franchise, and if convicted of this felony Washington might have the ability to void the rest of your contract. I guess it's just $111 million.

What the "Heck" moment #5: Tuesday the OKC Thunder took on the San Antonio Spurs, which was a great game that went into overtime. The Thunder were up 108-107 when Manu Ginobli went vertical diving after a loose ball that eventually lead to a Richard Jefferson jumper that put the Spurs up by one with four seconds remaining. On the inbound pass Russell Westbrook starts to drive on a double team (he was hot the whole game, but there was one man that was just a little hotter). Kevin Durant gets left wide open at the three point line, hooting and hollering for the ball, and instead of dishing it to the third leading scorer in the NBA he decides to take a 19-foot jumper. And this is where my shoe theory comes into play once again. Kevin Durant you shine in your creamsicles, so you need to tell Russell and the rest of that team that you take the last second shots on this team Does Wade pass the ball to Jermaine O'Neal in the last seconds of a game? Does LeBron pass the ball to Mo Williams in crunch time? Does Kobe let anyone touch the ball ever? NO! That was your shot, and you need to demand the ball. And Mr. Westbrook, what the "heck" man? Until you get your own shoe, and average 28-points a game lets not get to big for our britches!