So long old friend

With it being official today that one of our favourite players will no longer be playing in the NBA this season, we say goodbye to Allen Iverson. Hands down, one of the greatest natural scores in history of the NBA. This 6'ft little man brought it every night for 14 years. Its a shame that his body has broken down and that his off court problems have pushed teams away. I can't believe 30 teams in this league do not think that Allen Iverson can still help them. Heart alone, this guy can do it for teams. For you teams who don't think AI would help you, I say Beat it!!! If you don't remember what this guy was about, just watch this clip and remember the true AI.



Post by Kevin S.

Lebron James Ad - Rise

Yah.....its dope.

@brokeanklesblog

@_bigkev_

Way too Melo for my liking

Is it me or we all getting sick of the melo situation.

Not sure who is at fault here. Can Melo be any more clearer on his intentions?

Back of his mind, he is already prepping for next summer where he will most likely take his talents elsewhere.

Do i fault him for wanting to leave? No. But he could have been more sublte about it. If you see him in interview or his preason games - his whole body language is way off. Awkward in a way like resigning your job and being at work for the next 2 weeks out of courtesy.

Now onto management, have you not learned anything? Get what you can and move on. We didnt get anything for Bosh and neither did Cleveland. Dont make the same mistake. Heck, if I were you, I would try and get Gilbert Arenas. Washington dont want him - he can do wonders for Denver. Imagine a backcourt with him and Billups. Thats two Mr. Big Shots on one team.

Put a swift end to the situation, unless you purposely want to drag this out and have the Denver fans turn on Melo - wait a minute - maybe thats what they really want!

I like Melo. He is one talented player who is a mismatch everynight for other forwards. If he wants to go somewhere else - he, like his draft class has every right to. It is not healthy for him or the Nuggets to drag this out through this season. I need to see the old Melo on the court not the dude who has money on his mind all the time - we got lil weezy for that.

A certain organization close to our hearts went through the same thing in 2004/2005 season before trading their unhappy superstar to the Nets on Dec 17/04. Guess what - it killed his career with the fans and we have been booing him since. The organization didnt get much back for reacting so late and it was an utter mess for all. Hence why I will still continue to boo him when he arrives town again this season in a Magic uniform.

Fix this soon Melo - your legacy at a crossroads my friend.

Peace and love,

Nav B

Raptors - Predications

Here's some choice exerts from espn.com, here's the exact link if you guys wanna check it....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/preview2010/news/story?page=Predictions1011-Raptors

Tim Legler, ESPN | Legler's picks Chemistry will be better. They've had some problems in the locker room. Now you've sacrificed talent for that chemistry. Where is this team really going to find the offensive production it needs nightly? They have brought in a couple of role players -- Leandro Barbosa and Linas Kleiza -- for bigger roles.

Atlantic: 5 East: 15

Marc Stein, ESPN.com | Stein's picks What's happening to the Raps post-Chris Bosh, speaking purely as a Canada lover, is tough to watch or write about.

Atlantic: 5 East: 15

Michael Wallace, ESPN.com | Wallace's picks Quick, name Toronto's five starters. OK, try three. Two? Give up? Well, the Raptors insist they won't. But they will spend the season trying to recover from two major mistakes: Allowing Chris Bosh to walk in free agency for nothing, and that failed Hedo Turkoglu experiment.

Atlantic: 5 East: 15

Sickkkkkkk predications so far lol....now here's my favorite, check this:

Chris Broussard, ESPN Mag | Broussard's picks Jay Triano is blessed. So is Bryan Colangelo, for that matter. In many cities, they'd be history. The Raptors won't go anywhere until they realize this is the NBA, not the Euro-league. They better get more guys who can defend at least a little bit. Bright note: DeMar Derozan.

Atlantic: 5 East: 13

Yah its gonna be a tough season.....

post by Kevin U

@_bigkev_

@brokeanklesblog

Guess what's sold out everywhere

I can't wait to equip the whole Brokeankles squad with one of these badboys. Look out for it in your stockings fellas. I love this shirt.

God I love this game.

Peace & Love,

Nav B.

HOLLLLLLLLLY MAKINAW...4-0 TO START!!!

So, who would have guessed the Leafs would be off to the start they are off to now. Victory over the Montreal Canadians in their first game; everyone was content (as it took 10 games or so last year to win the first one) but still some caution was blown as Montreal was without Mike Cammalleri or Andre Markov. The second game had the Leafs against the Ottawa Senators, and well either the Sens didn't show up last Saturday night, or the Leafs just completely rocked the snot out of them. So now, the Leafs are 2-0 and haven't started a season like that in nearly 10 years. Then you get the week of tests...Wednesday night as Pittsburgh plays host to the Leafs in the Maple Leafs debut at the new Consol Engery arena, and Friday night against the Rangers in New York. Victories in both games, not without some test of character. With the exception of the Ottawa game, the other three victories in the season were 1goal wins...Could it be, finally that the Leafs are getting the breaks that other teams have gotten on them over the last couple of years.

Thanks to Bruno at the BDC in Vaughan (yes a shout out to you Bruno P.) I too have purchased my Permit for a spot on Yonge Street for my lounge chair and cooler...I suggest you do the same!!!

I twittered it on Friday that Toronto's victory over the Blue Shirts of Broadway was more of a character builder than it was a victory. The Leafs were up 3-1 and won the game in Overtime 4-3. Last year, the team would have let in the late goal that screwed up the game (thanks Toskala) and another defeat would be in the bag.

How about Clarke MacArthur though...this guy is on fire!!! He's on pace to score 102 goals this season!!! That stat in itself is unreal!!! The Thrashers organization must be kicking them selves in the ass right about now. Sorry for the horrible US Broadcasting, but hey at least they said Kaberle's name right!!!


Colby Armstrong has been a pleasant surprise this season. He's a feisty player, who can add a little scoring punch, and at the same time, is disciplined. He was one of the centre pieces going to Atlanta in the Marian Hossa trade to the Pens a couple of years ago, and he knew then that he needed to get out of A-Town to go to a true Hockey market. Toronto is after all, the place where players who are feisty, gritty, and scrappy thrive...not just in hockey but every sport...remember the Junk Yard Dog?!?!?!


Here is the two key aspects as to why I think the Leafs are doing very well; and it starts with the top two lines.
1) The fact that the Leafs top two lines, are more like 2 2nd lines instead. With the exception of Phil Kessel, the other 5 players on the top two lines, are more your second line players. Whatever line Kessel is put on, that is automatically your top line. Bozak and Versteeg fill that line out quite well. Bozak looks bigger and stronger and his skating and Hockey IQ is top notch, A-1...first class. But on this particualar line, you have Kessel the sniper, Bozak the passer, and Versteeg filling out the role of grinder/agitator on the top line. The Leafs Second line, which has been the most surprising also has these three features with one key exception. Garbo is the passer, but Kulemin and MacArthur can rotate the roles of sniper and agitator at any time.
2) The Leafs have two second lines. Lets be honest, but this screws up the defensive make up of the opposition team. You know you have to have your number 1 and 2 defense on Phil Kessel at all times, that is a must. But then you put your 3 and 4 on the second line, and that could spell a lot of trouble. Specially, if the 2nd line is thriving and the 1 and 2 defense take them and now your vulnerable to the Kessel line (like the Rangers were on Friday night). Its a luxury that Brian Burke and Ron Wilson never had in the past and are realizing that it works very well and is effective!!!

What's on tap for the Leafs this week is a date with the New York Islanders...a retun date with the Rangers and then a Saturday night tilt versus the Philly Flyers!

Follow me on twitter @jollybenjabi
Follow us on twitter @brokeanklesblog

On a side note, this is probably the prettiest goal of the season, and if it isn't, its the prettiest goal by a rookie bar none! Enjoy

Next Year Has Arrived...

43 years...Forty Three!!! Thats how many years its been since the Stanley Cup was paraded down Yonge Street. What has the world gone through in 43 years...well lets name off the top five moments (in my opinion) that have happened in Hockey in the last fourty three years...

5. The fall of Communisum...
Now of course as good Canadian boys we are, we will have to say this was due to Team Canada beating Team Russia in the good ol game of hockey in the historic Summitt series...


4. Wayne Gretzky goes California
Probably one of the most significant moments in NHL history, as the greatest player in the game, went on to Los Angeles to play for the Kings. On that faithful August day, Gretzky along with Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley were traded to the Los Angeles Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, $15,000,000.00 in cash and the L.A. Kings First Round Picks in 1989, 1990, and 1991. The trade was compared to the trade that sent the Babe to New York from Boston. Wayne made it sexy to go to L.A. Kings games, and even had the Old School Gangsta group of N.W.A. rocking their hats!!!

3. The Mighty Ducks Movies
The Triple Deck, Gordon Bombay and Charlie...now this was an epic movie beyond beleaf! District 5 turning into the Cinderella team everyone loves! Classic storyline. Thena another two movies come out, and all hell breaks loose! Gotta love the this classic moment from the Mighty Ducks...now I understand why Aneheim took the Mighty out...too Mickey Mouse for that shit!


2. The Draft
Now you might be thinking, what's this guy talking about...the Draft?!?!?! Yes the best draft in NBA history was the one where Bosh, Wade, Melo and a guy by the name of James were drafted...but the Draft that was the most intriguing was the Entry Draft of 2005. For the first time in history, every team in the NHL had an opportunity to get the first overall draft pick. Teams were allocated 1,2 or 3 ping pong balls based on certain criteria. The winner of this super lottery had the right to draft Sydney Crosby...and in five short years in a pro career, he's acheived a Stanley Cup Ring, All Star apperances, and of course...the other goal heard round the world that just happend in February!!!

1. Chicago finally wins the cup
49 years after winning their last Stanley Cup, in June of 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks finally were able to take the title of the longest loser away from their city. Patrick Kane scored one of the weirdest winning goals in history, and voila, the Chicago Blackhawks and all their glory, won the most coveted prize in hockey. This now leaves...the Toronto Maple Leafs as the longest streak between Stanley Cup Parades in league history.

So that was my top five moments over the last 43 years...now let me tell you what I'm most looking forward to this year from our boys in Blue.

1. Defense
The Leafs have been tabbed as having one of the most talented and deepest defense corps in the league. However, the monkey they need to get over is the fact that they were last in goals against and last when defending the Penalty Kill...if they want to have any chance of making the playoffs, they'll have to make sure these two figures are much better, and it starts with the Goalies and the Dman...

2. Kris Versteeg
This was one of those trades that you kinda scratched your head over and wondered how did Brian Burke make this deal work. Well, he was able to and good on him. Versteeg is a speedy winger who will get you the goals and points you need. He's also a proven winner, and with the bling of the Stanley Cup ring on his finger, thats always a nice asset to have!!!

3. Phil Kessel
This guy played a little more than 2/3 of a season last year and with 0 training camp and was able to get to 30 goals. The Leafs and the fans are looking for this guy to make an impact on the team. I said last year round this time that if Kessel gets 30 goals for the Leafs, he'll be the captain...of course we didn't have Dion Phaneuf this time last year. Kessel has one of the most quickest sticks I've seen on the ice, and he's a speedy skater. His committment to fitness really showed in some of the pre-season games he's played in. Finally maybe we'll have the winger Sundin never had...

4. Nazem Kadri
The most newsworthy Leaf, isn't even a Leaf to start the season, and I think that was the smartest thing Wilson and Burke did. Now, a lot of people are saying, he was one of the final cuts last year and almost made the team and now he didn't...that's gotta be a step backwards. Well no, if Kadri made the team, he's going to be a first or a second line centreman. Anything less than that and he should be sent to minors where he can play 20-25 minutes per game. He played Junior last season, and was able to represent Canada in the World Juniors...the Marlies will be a good step for him...look what it did to Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan!!!

5. Kaberle
The Longest serving Leaf, wasn't even in the running for the Captaincy of the team. Furthermore, the man wasn't even given an 'A' for the season. The end is near, and both sides know it. The only thing Kaberle can do is sell himself to the rest of the league and be the player that he knows he can be. I still stand by my Kaberle for Staal theory, however don't be surprised if a team like San Jose comes into the mix...it could become more interesting watching Kaberle on the trade front rather than the Ice!!!

I'm looking forward to Thursday, finally the NHL Season is back and I can't wait!!!



This video is most appropriate for that!!!



Follow me on twitter @jollybenjabi
Follow the blog on twitter @brokeanklesblog