NBA Playoffs: Is Kevin Durant the next GOAT?

OKC’s Kevin Durant had his eyes squarely on the prize.

I’ll admit to not watching all that much of Kevin Durant.  In truth, I don’t watch much NBA basketball at all.  My interest in sports is very much Orange tinted.  When football season rolls around, I only go out of my way to watch Syracuse.  The same with basketball.  So, when it comes to the professionals, the same applies.  I don’t really have a favorite team.  I root for whomever is currently employing a Syracuse alum.

It’s not until around this time that I really start to pay attention to the NBA.  This is the time when I start to get the sports itch, having been surrounded by baseball, hockey and NASCAR over the last two months since the college basketball season ended.  And now is also the time when the games really start to matter.  Conference championships are on the line and, with them, a chance to chase the ultimate prize.

I picked a good time to start watching.  KD has been an absolute animal in leading his Thunder over the Spurs.  The San Antonio might not have been the presumptive favorite that the Miami Heat are in the east, but no one would dismiss Tim Duncan and his crew as anything less than a formidable opponent.  They showed it in winning 20 straight.  They showed it in putting the Thunder in an 0-2 hole.  Then Durant showed that this is his year.  It’s his time.

Nation of Orange Poll: Best Orange Dunk of All Time

I’m a basketball junkie, and like any hoops fan, I love a good dunk.  There’s nothing like a nasty throwdown to ignite a crowd and get the blood pumping.  The guys over at Nation of Orange must agree, because they’ve compiled a list of the Top 5 Dunks in Syracuse history.

It’s hard to argue with any of the entries.  Personally, I always put more stock in little guys dunking on people, so Jonny Flynn over Mike Rosario takes the GOAT title for me.  Plus, the crossover that set up the dunk is just as sick as the slam itself.  The only other nitpick I have is that CJ Fair’s dunk over Talib Zanna definitely belongs on the top-5 list over Hak’s flat-footed jam over Notre Dame.  You could do a whole top 10 of Warrick dunks and CJ deserves recognition for his role as the current Syracuse Dunkmeister Supreme.

Check out the entries and be sure to join the debate.

What ever happened to…?

Inspired by this post on the fabulous Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician Interweb site, I got to thinking.  What’s become of those individuals responsible for some of the most memorable moments in Syracuse sports history?

Over the years, the Orange have provided no shortage of “OMG did you just see that?!” moments, but often times, the moments outlive the participants.  The Bleeding Orange version, though, follows the exploits of those unfortunate opponents on the receiving end of those highlights.

The first edition features a former Texas Longhorn who will forever be remembered by Syracuse fans everywhere.

Whatever ever happened to…Royal Ivey?