Fine the 2009 NBA draft was short on star power, but not on pieces that can be integral for an NBA team to win a championship. Depending on where a youngster goes sky’s the limit. Last year there was not that huge a disparity in terms of potential for many teams. Performance is an entirely different issue. I have no doubt in my mind that Stephen Curry is going to be beast in the “A”. Folks like to compare him to Steve Nash, and rightfully so, but I feel he’s a bit of an A.I., Brandon Roy clone at the point guard position. His athleticism is not apparent like Allen Iverson, but he can flat out score like him. He’s got sneaky speed and hoops like Brandon so there’s my thoughts on that. Everyone else including my Knicks…Well the jury’s out till I see them play.

Watching Mario Charlmers last year gave me hope that there are more sleepers then we think, and things will be clear once the season starts.

[caption id=”attachment_1068” align=”aligncenter” width=”444” caption=”Dude is a problem”][/caption]

With all that above said. My money is on Blake Griffin…Period. No I’m not drinking the Kool Aid. When I pick players after watching them they usually pan out to be legit. For the record I liked Beasely, I believe he’ll be a dope player, but I wasn’t on the bandwagon like that. Dude went on to put up some double doubles, give him some more time though. In Blake’s case just like Wade, A.I., Lebron, J.R Smith, Stephon Marbury, Paul Pierce, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, OJ Mayo, (my brother got Derrick Rose right. I’m a fan now)I’m here early. He’s going to make an immediate impact. After watching him play, I’m not even hearing you naysayers; you can kick rocks, and slide on concrete bare back for all I care. Blake Griffin is going to ball out of control in the league, and you will love him for it. Acting like you’ve been there. I expect not huge numbers, but I do see him producing, and competing every night. He’s strong, knows the game, and is coachable. Especially with a strong coach in Dunleavy, some good pieces, veterans as well in Clipper nation it won’t be up to him to shoulder the load. He is on a team that can make some noise.  Expect this kid to have highlights. If he doesn’t punk out when tested, and yet keep his cool, he’s going to be dominate early. Yo Grandy, now I’m scared of your Clippers. 2k10 it’s poppin!

Original Article

Tennis video games have come on strong in the past 6 years. Not a big sport in terms of popularity compared to major ones such as Soccer, Football, Baseball, or Basketball. Tennis has a way of coming and going from the lexicon of sports fans. Usually it peaks when you have super stars playing at a high level, and the rivalries. Think of Boris Becker vs Stephan Edberg, Pete Samparas vs Andre Agassi, Chris Evert vs Maria Navratilova, and in modern times;  Federa vs Nadal. Otherwise the sport tends to go through its droughts. No matter the year though, or the lulls of the sport. One tournament seems to capture everyone attention. It just so happens that its part of the beginning of summer. That time is reserved on center court for Wimbledon. Now enter in Viruta Tennis 4 by Sega to set the tone for this in the gaming arena.

Virtua Tennis 4 is one of two premier tennis titles that we get to play. The mix of game play on the court, features, and modes makes the game stand out. Although I wrote a  post on the game in April, I see Wimbledon as a fitting reason to revisit the game to tell you how deep the game is in case you missed (of course you did). The more you play the game the better you feel at ease with the control scheme whether that be for traditional control game mechanics. If you are daring, you could totally enjoy the game with either a PS3 Move, Wii mote, or Xbox 360 Kinect. All three have a certain variety all their own. So you’ll feel at home. Virtual Tennis 4 has a great combination of arcade pick up and play gameplay, as well as deep simulation content if you prefer to dig in. No matter your engagement with the game it’ll get you into Tennis like no other. The sport is easy to learn, but like the best games, hard to master. You can keep games light, catch the comeback of Venus & Serena Williams. Then get out to catch the early fun of summer. Just do yourself a favor.  This years Wimbledon is great, because of competition at the All England Club in London suburb. Grand slam tennis at it’s finest so get in tune with all the pageantry of a fresh season. Love is Love.

Gameplay Video of Viruta Tennis 4 PS3 Move & Xbox 360 Kinect

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgmszPwQFfA

Needless to say since the months into a new year, and reflection has set in. It’s safe to say that Microsoft’s gamble on Kinect has paid off. The line was drawn in the sand that they would go after the casual game market. A place where Nintendo has been able to eat off the fat of the land with the Wii. Sony has done the same with literally copying the Wiimote, but with NGP their new handheld (I refuse to call it the Vita sorry) motion gaming has legs now.  What exactly does Kinect want from the casual gamer? Does the question matter after 8 million Kinects sold? Yes it does. Especially when you look at the aforementioned Wii, and Nintendo preparing to take it to the next level with the Wii U. Is Microsoft missing the movie for a  photographs detail?

Let’s face it there is no Kinect if there is no Wii. That’s first , and foremost. Secondly is the casual game market that robust? Yes, and no. Yes because casual gamer’s play at a fast clip. No because they don’t care about brand loyalty, they are migrant by culture. They are on to the next thing. This is where Microsoft needs to pay attention with the Kinect. Forget an apology. There’s no need to do that with the right success, and work ethic that’s been put in. Except, when you look at where Nintendo is going next. A gamer should, and industry must scrutinize Microsoft, because you are not evolving Kinect. It’s a short sited idea to believe casual gamers can’t become hardcore gamer’s. Two terms I despise. Why can’t these two classes of gamer’s coexist on one platform is beyond my pay grade to understand. I don’t see any reason why a more robust action game can’t have Kinect abilities that push action gaming. Are you saying with what God Of War does for the Playstation brand mean nothing? There is no reason for me to play “Fruit Ninja Kinect” then play a “hardcore” game when I own the system that they both exist on? I don’t get it, and the explanation gamer’s are getting?…That dog don’t hunt.

Gamer’s want Microsoft not to say sorry, but rather wake up with a stiff kick in the rear to know they are missing a great opportunity. There is no logical reason why when you have the best overall gaming console this generation. A growing brand in Xbox 360, dedicated gamer’s who may not care for Kinect get why it exist. All on their platform. There’s no reason in the world that every Kinect game need be kindergarten level interaction. Where every mechanic is “Simon Says” when you play. It’s boring, and does nothing for the audience you have. It’s like they looked at their demographic, and went…pffft f them. Microsoft has the best of all worlds. By pushing Kinect only to a casual base, they are stunting their growth with a dedicated user base. What are the top Xbox Live games? See to many gamer’s they are squandering their chance. Let’s put it this way. No two generations in gaming are alike. Microsoft lost the first Xbox generation, spending alot just to be at the table. They are winning with this current one. Why not keeping doing better? Look at the trials, and tribulations that Nintendo has gone through the past 3. Who would have thought that Sony’s Playstation 3 be 3rd when they had two dominate generations? Microsoft is playing with fire They don’t have the history nor love that the other contenders have. Even now that the system is doing well gamer’s don’t really trust Microsoft. They are waiting for them to drop the ball. Especially with the way the overall company is looked at by the larger audience. The Xbox brand is the best apology you can make, not only for gaming, but the idea that Microsoft as company is about growth. Push Kinect on all fronts, and it’ll take Microsoft into next generation with a bang. Gamer’s will know you have their back. They will think it second nature to have a Microsoft console in their home. The more shaky questions you give them. The more you make room for your competitors to come, and take your spot. You think Nintendo is playing with that Wii U? If so, it’s good to know you have those billions in a war chest to play with Microsoft. Sony obviously didn’t teach you a lesson well enough with their hiccups. They have a brand that gamer’s love. If you can’t see that, then you have missed every outcry from most vocal fanboy’s of any generation. Microsoft don’t apologize, just realize you have the world at your feet.