Ball Don't Lie - NBA


Usain Bolt is an Olympic God.

As you no doubt know, the Jamaican breezed to an astounding world-record time of 9.69 seconds in winning 100-metre gold on Saturday, and on Wednesday he followed it up by winning the 200-metre race in a world-record time of 19.30.

Dude is so fast you don't even know what he looks like.

Well, except for Brown Recluse, Esq. of Free Darko — he sees a lot 'Black Jesus' in young Bolt.

Recluse explains:

"... I can't help but think of Amare Stoudemire when I watch Usain Bolt. It's the irrepressible swagger in the starting blocks, the preternatural cool under pressure, and more than anything, the sheer physical dominance over his opponents. Like Amare, Bolt manages to look like a man among boys, while at the same time seeming himself to still be a child.

[...] 

For anyone who thinks I'm insulting Bolt — already one of the greatest sprinters of all time — by comparing him to a mere three-time All-Star who's never advanced past the Western Conference Finals, remember back to the 2005 playoffs. At the age of 22 (the age Bolt turns [today]), Amare was clearly the best player in a Suns-Spurs series that featured two former MVPs still in their prime. Bolt is that Amare Stoudemire, the pre-injury Amare for whom the sky was literally the limit. He put together STAT lines like 42 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks, and seemed like he was only scratching the surface of what he could be. Even LeBron has failed to exhibit that kind of almost casual supremacy, and despite his youth, King James has always seemed much older and wiser than his years."

What do you think — good call or bad call? Who do you see in Bolt? And better yet, which current or former NBA star does that make Phelps? So many questions, so many "right" answers. Have some fun in the comments.

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10 Comments

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  1. Mookie's Stern Warning
    1. Posted by Mookie's Stern Warning Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:26 pm EDT

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    Oh man....... these stupid seekingwealthy SPAMMERS again...
    Anyway, back to the topic:
    I don't think Phelps can be compared to anyone bar his Airness, MJ; based on his amazing track record and dominance of course. Or perhaps Mr Russell...
  2. Rickish
    2. Posted by Rickish Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    If Bolt is Amare, Phelps is Tom Chambers
  3. Devine
    3. Posted by Devine Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:39 pm EDT

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    My gut's telling me that Phelps is what FD dreamed Darko could be if given proper nurturing and enough sunlight. But I'm inclined to agree with Grendpeppy Big Chill over there -- in terms of singular, nearly unrivaled individual dominance, you can really only match him up with Jordan, right? Even Russell's dominance was always collective in nature -- a Phelps comparison would make more sense if he only swam relays, and just routinely turned in jaw-dropping world-record-pace splits. But just saying Jordan isn't much fun -- it seems overly obvious.
    So, for funsies: If Bolt is Amare, Phelps is Jerry West.
  4. xangoir
    4. Posted by xangoir Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    Bolt is more like Bobby Fischer - a prodigy, international master. Watch him go underground (émigré) and become as eccentric as Michael Jackson.
  5. JP
    5. Posted by JP Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:42 pm EDT

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    Free Darko is boring and predictable. Recipe for a "FD" article:
    1) Fawn over a young black athletes who have "raw" natural ability and carry themselves with an air of conceit.
    2) Pepper the article with phrases like "preternatural cool" and "irrepressible swagger"
    3) Throw in a half-baked analogy about Zoroaster and an NBA basketball player
    4) Add photo of a headless doll
    There you have it. Ready for consumption.
  6. mark i
    6. Posted by mark i Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:08 pm EDT

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    Insanity. Amare Stoudamire is an incomplete player whose defense is suspect. Bolt not only ran a blistering 100, he repeated the performance in the 200...which could be interpreted as "both sides of the court." Nope, nope, nope.
    If you're going to compare Bolt to an NBA player, compare him to Hakeem Olajuwon...he was talented but hadn't yet turned the corner, everyone in the sport respected him but doubted he'd win a title. And then he put together two back to back performances that shot him into legendary status.
  7. Shoals
    7. Posted by Shoals Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:36 pm EDT

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    1) If there were any white athletes, we would fawn over them. Everyone knows we are neo-Nazis.
    2) I like "pepper" better than those other two phrases.
    3) Wait, how did you get an advance copy of the book?
    4) Dolls are gay, headless dolls are scary.
    Long live Hecuba!
  8. Urinal Cake
    8. Posted by Urinal Cake Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    Totally off. Bolt is totally awesome... if you check out his mechanics while sprinting, he's ridiculous. He shouldn't have that quick of a turn-over with that build.
    Bolt comes from a country that doesn't have the kind of money the U.S. does. He has the work ethic that Amare doesn't. Amare's D is very suspect. And I agree, dominating the 100 & 200 would be like dominating both ends of the court... which Amare can't do.
    Plus Bolt has every reason to have that swagger... Amare doesn't. Stats don't mean much if you can't win. I love the Suns, but Amare's starting to bother me with his attitude.
  9. nagaz14
    9. Posted by nagaz14 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

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    I'm a little sceptical of the Bolt-Amare comparison, but I haven't read the Shoals yet. I don't like that Phelps has been compared only to white athletes here. Maybe it's a coincidence, but it doesn't sit quite right in my mind. Regardless, I'd compare him to Tim Duncan. He has, perhaps, more unbridled passion on display than the Big Fundamental, but they're both steady, somewhat unassuming, and y'know champions.
  10. khandor
    10. Posted by khandor Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm EDT

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    It's a total insult to try and compare Amare S., a very good basketball player in his own right, who just happened to be 22 years of age when he had a good series in the NBA playoffs a few years ago, that his team happened to LOSE ... to
    the Greatest Sprinter of All-Time ... who has just set WORLD RECORDS in the 100 m & the 200 m events at the Olympic Games and who just happens to be 22 years of age.
    Anyone who knows how the NBA works and how International Track & Field works, as well, knows the difference without having to think twice.

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