Baze No More

by Brent Bazenomore 

The Golden State Warriors served Dub Nation a shocker last night by sending fan favorite Kent Bazemore along with recently acquired MarShon Brooks to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Steve Blake. Mr. Celebration came into the season with higher expectations after a spectacular summer league showcase.  He could never crack the ten man rotation. His erratic play landed him a spot and the end of the bench with the likes of Ognjen Kuzmic and Nemanja Nedovic. Say those names three times fast. Upon hearing the news, I cried myself to sleep last night watching Kent Bazemore highlights on my iPad. 

I can't help but feel bad for Kent. He'll be leaving Spade and Marilyn home in Emeryville for the remainder of the season. No more Kent and Spade selfies?! Maybe it's best that he leaves his precious Audi S5 in the Bay. No body wants to sit hours in LA traffic and come into Staples and spend another couple hours warming the Lakers bench.The Warriors are losing a solid defender, Stephen Curry's best butt buddy, celebration extraordinaire, and a huge locker room presence. His passion for the game is just so infectious.

This trade clearly demonstrated two things to me: the management (Joe Lacob, Bob Myers, and company) means business AND the management is admitting that the Jordan Crawford trade crashed and burned. This Warriors management team has no problem trading away a fan favorite and locker room presence to bring the Warriors a little closer to the promised land. Kent Bazemore showed signs of promise over summer league where he led the Warriors to a perfect 7-0 and first-ever NBA Summer League Championship, but this tremendous play could not translate into consistent bench production during the 2013-2014 regular season. Maybe it was asking too much out of the former undrafted star from Old Dominion. Mark Jackson never really defined a role for Bazemore, but Bazemore also never established himself as a role player on the Warriors squad.

In acquiring Steve Blake, the Warriors pick up a quality veteran point guard with savvy ball handling and three point shooting skills. Blake will fill the gaping hole left from Jarrett Jack's absence this season, allowing Curry to play off the ball. Blake is averaging a cool 39.7% beyond the 3PT line. Say hello to another shooter and he isn't afraid to take a shot when the game is on the line. Check out this buzzer beater from earlier this season!

No Kobe. No Problem.

Not only can he shoot and dribble, the man can also distribute the ball coming in averaging 7.6 assists per game. He looks strikingly familiar, right? Can you say Alex Smith anybody? I'm sure Niner Faithful Andre Iguodala will love seeing a familiar face.

RT @kobebryant: Not cool with @SteveBlake5 being gone AT ALL. One of my closest teammates and psycho competitor GS picked up gem #smartmove
— Marcus Thompson (@ThompsonScribe) February 20, 2014

Bazemore will face some serious competition against fellow teammate and celebration connoisseur, Robert Sacre. Who will be crowned the king of celebrations in LA? On a more serious note, who knows... Kent Bazemore may actually see some run the next month or so with Kobe and Swaggy P injured.

Welcome to the Dub Nation, Mamba #5! Farewell Kent Bazemore... you and your crazy celebration antics will be missed in the Bay. Best of luck in La La Land!

Does this mean I'm a Lakers fan now? HELL NO.

The Bayless Babbles is a sports blog is co-authored by UC Merced/ USC alumnus Justin Cheng and UC San Diego alumnus Brent Lee. 



Email: baylessbabbles@gmail.com

Follow The Bayless Babbles on Twitter (@BaylessBabbles)

LIKE & share the articles on Facebook!

Do one of these! Thanks!

Bayless Babbles: San Francisco 49ers Guide to Week 3

By Justin Cheng

The 49ers are 1-1, are in the midst of the toughest part of their schedule, and find themselves at a huge junction in their "Quest for Six" run. After the overhyped Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks, Jim Harbaugh will now have to face another one of his former Stanford players -- last week being perennial loudmouth Richard Sherman -- coming in the form of quarterback Andrew Luck. 

In the two years of the Harbaugh-Luck combination, they took a lowly regarded Stanford program, beat top-10 ranked teams in Oregon and USC, en-route to an Orange Bowl victory against Virginia Tech. Harbaugh ultimately bolted for an NFL coaching opportunity before Luck's senior season, and Luck eventually became Peyton Manning's successor in Indianapolis.

This sentiment must have 49ers fans clamoring for some good news, as they played poorly in their rivalry showdown. The 49ers offensive line could not get any push on the running lanes, the wideouts were not getting any separation off the press, and Aldon Smith backhanded a solid performance with idiotic antics off the field.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers vs. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS        - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1) Coaching Advantage on Luck?

Put aside the sentiment. Is there a coaching-insider advantage on the Colt's quarterback? Take into consideration that most of the 49ers coaching staff was also at Stanford when Luck was there. 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio held the same positions during the Stanford run.

Don't count on it.

Even Harbaugh admitted that "there's not a lot that confuses him (Luck) or rattles him. There's very little that he doesn't handle well. He's just that type of player."

2) Establish the Run
Show that muscle, Frank. We need you.

The 49ers ranked 4th in the NFL in rushing yards last season, but their run-first offense has been non-existent throughout the first two weeks of the season. We  will need better production from our running backs to keep our playbook open to prevent long third-down situations.







3) Stop Being an Idiot

Don't drink and drive.

Stop being a dumbass.

I don't know what else to say.

Stop being a dumbass.

@AldonSmith http://t.co/nYKMeqYxtT USE IT. #yourewelcome
— Justin Cheng (@therealjcheng) September 22, 2013

For previous guides, click below
Preseason Week 2
Preseason Week 3
Preseason Week 4
Week 1 (vs. Packers)
Week 2 (vs. Seahawks)


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Bayless Babbles is a sports blog is co-authored by UC Merced/ USC alumnus Justin Cheng and UC San Diego alumnus Brent Lee.

For EVERYTHING about The Bayless Babbles, check out our blog page (HERE!)

Bayless Babbles: San Francisco 49ers Guide to Week 2

By Justin Cheng

After all the offseason chatter and eyebrow-shaving bets, Week 2 is finally here. This budding rivalry promises to be a physical, smashmouth, and expletive-filled brand of football that Bobby Boucher's momma would not approve of.



SAN FRANCISCO 49ers vs. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS        - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


1) 'What's Your Deal?'

Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll's disdain of each other has followed them since the college ranks. Carroll's USC teams were once thought to be untouchable, until Harbaugh's upstart Stanford team gave them a taste of their own medicine by running up the score en route to a victory. Like meeting in-laws that one is not fond of, this NFC West rivalry game has to happen twice a year, whether these two like it or not.




2) 12th Man

Seattle has arguably the best home-field advantage in football, if not all of sports. The Seahawks were undefeated in their defeaning stadium last year, and it will be imperative that the 49ers, particularly the coaching staff and Colin Kaepernick, execute their game plan to perfection. For all the things that Kaepernick does well, game clock management has been his Achilles heel. Seattle fans seem to pride themselves in their loudness, and any false start or delay of game will only make the stadium louder. It's important the 49ers score early to minimize how much the fans can play a factor in the game.

3) Play Physical
Seattle is a formidable foe, and this is what it looked like last year when they came out swinging, which resulted in Vernon Davis getting knocked out of the game and Mario Manningham not having touched a football field since last year's game.

For previous guides, click below
Preseason Week 2
Preseason Week 3
Preseason Week 4
Week 1 (vs. Packers)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Bayless Babbles is a sports blog is co-authored by UC Merced/ USC alumnus Justin Cheng and UC San Diego alumnus Brent Lee.

For EVERYTHING about The Bayless Babbles, check out our blog page (HERE!)

Eyebrowless in Seattle

by Justin Cheng

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and the Seahawks' Russell Wilson face each other in Week 2 of the 2013 NFL season, and as we heard earlier today, they have made a bet with the loser shaving their eyebrows. Here's what Russell Wilson might look after they face the five-time Super Bowl champions.

Russell Wilson confused.

Russell Wilson on the phone.

Russell Wilson selling electronics.

Russell Wilson at awards shows.

Russell Wilson with Miley Cyrus under center.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Bayless Babbles is a sports blog is co-authored by UC Merced/ USC alumnus Justin Cheng and UC San Diego alumnus Brent Lee.

For EVERYTHING about The Bayless Babbles, check out our blog page (HERE!)

Kaepernick and Russell Bet on Eyebrows

by Justin Cheng

There has been a lot of offseason jawing between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. The mutual hate between the two NFC West rivals are expected to play out later in the season, as they figure to be in the mix for a Super Bowl bid. Quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson are two of the young stars in the NFL today, and they put a wager that might change how they look after Week 2 when the 49ers travel to the Pacific Northwest to face Richard Sherman's never-ending, rambling mouth and the obnoxiously loud 12th man.

I hope Wilson is a big fan of these ninja dudes.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Bayless Babbles is a sports blog is co-authored by UC Merced/ USC alumnus Justin Cheng and UC San Diego alumnus Brent Lee.

For EVERYTHING about The Bayless Babbles, check out our blog page (HERE!)

Bayless Babbles: San Francisco 49ers Guide to Week 1

By Justin Cheng

Oh, what might have been. The Kaepernick family was originally from Wisconsin, and Colin grew up a Green Bay Packer fan. Don't think for a second that will play any part in Sunday's game. The 49ers have beat the Packers twice last year, including a memorable NFC Divisional game at Candlestick. 

These teams are two favorites to meet in the playoffs again, and here's a couple things to sit on for Week 1.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers vs. GREEN BAY PACKERS    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


1) Quarterback Espionage

Scott Tolzien sighting!! It felt like it was just last week that we were talking about how Tolzien was on the wrong end of the quarterback carousel. Tolzien has been the resident backup under the Harbaugh administration and recently signed with the Packers after being cut after Week 3 of the preseason. Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman had utilized a pretty bare playbook in the preseason to hide his hand to opposing teams, but Tolzien has extensive knowledge of the 49ers playbook and can provide valuable knowledge of what to expect.



2) Hey everybody, Patrick Willis is okay 


All-Pro Patrick WIllis has been out the entire preseason with a broken hand. I'm not exactly sure what this does, Patrick, but I'm going to trust you on this one.

3) Sack Feast

With the Packers' left tackle, Bryan Bulaga out for the season -- thankfully for The Blind Side, we now know is the second-most important position in football -- this poses a huge problem for the Packers' offensive line.
Aldon Smith, who apparently likes target practice in all aspects of the word, should focus his efforts on terrorizing Aaron Rodgers rather than worrying who has next for beer pong. 





For previous guides, click below
Preseason Week 2
Preseason Week 3
Preseason Week 4

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Bayless Babbles is a sports blog is co-authored by UC Merced/ USC alumnus Justin Cheng and UC San Diego alumnus Brent Lee.

For EVERYTHING about The Bayless Babbles, check out our blog page (HERE!)

Golden State Beef

#CutDedmon
by Justin Cheng

When I had heard that the Golden State Warriors had signed a player from USC, the amount of school pride that swelled in my veins could not be contained. The University of Southern California has had recent stream of student-athletes that have gone on the NBA, including OJ Mayonnaise, Demar Derozan, Nick Swaggy P Young, and Taj Gibson. USC's basketball team has struggled in the past couple seasons and failed to appear in the NCAA tournament two years in a row, so it goes beyond saying it was a momentous day for the Trojan family. 

Or so it seemed. 

That's when it was discovered that it was 7'0" center Dewayne Dedmon who was signed by the Warriors. Immediately, those good feelings turned into something reminiscent of the four times I watched Two Girls One Cup (here's the link in case you want to empathize with how I feel). 

Okay, you feel it now right?

So you ask: Why do you feel so much disdain for him?

I've made it no secret on this blog about my dislike of Pablo Sandoval, who wastes his God-given talents on smashing donut shops, rather than baseballs. Ryan Braun is an unconscionable liar and cheat. 

Dewayne Dedmon is neither of those. DEWAYNE DEDMON IS A LINE-CUTTER!

On the morning of September 22, 2011, an eye-widening tweet rang out through the Twittersphere. 

J. Cole is coming to USC!!! http://t.co/1gzp0h1X
— GZ Performance Cafe (@GroundZeroUSC) September 21, 2011

SAY WHAT?! J-Cole, the pride of Fayetteville, North Carolina, rapper extraordinaire was going to be coming to MY SCHOOL! 

Up to that point in my life, I had the fantastic experiences to see LMFAO, Dat Phan, and Super Cr3w -- a VIP list of nobodies -- in person. It was a no-brainer, a decision more instant than noodles. I made the conscious choice to skip class and wait to meet the guy whose Friday Night Lights had taken the space of CD space #4 in my car for the past year.

I entered the café at 9 am. It was silent, giving no indication that an up-and-coming rapper was going to be present within the coming hours. Nothing had been set up. 

"Had I been deceived? Was this a hoax?" I asked myself. The proof was there on my phone. I had to wait. 

20 minutes later, I hear a rumbling by the café staff, "Let's set up some chairs and some lines." 

"YES!" I thought. This wasn't a joke!

To top it all off, I see Beats By Dre, the popular headphone company, setting up their own stand. People start standing in line, and there are murmurs that they will be giving out free headphones for the first few people in line.

HOLY SHIT! I was going to meet one of my favorite rappers AND get a pair of $200 headphones for free?! Skipping class has not paid off this well since I skipped Chinese 3 in high school to go get In N Out.

An hour passes by, and more people are starting to arrive. 

"It's alright," I thought to myself smugly, "These people are never going to get my type of experience."

12:30 p.m. passes, and J. Cole is still not there. I start getting antsy, and I begin to wonder if he is ever going to come. I throw out some of fanboyish tweets, hoping that he would hurry his ass up. I want to eat lunch too, asshole. 

2:30 p.m. Holy shit. I am over it. I want to eat. The MC of the event announces that J. Cole is coming in from Burbank, a 20-minute drive to LA, and is going to be late. 

"Yeah, no shit, dumbass. He was late two hours ago." 

3:15 p.m. "J.Cole is in the parking lot. He is coming now!" the MC bellows through the microphone. 

3:15:01 p.m. MAYHEM ensues. I see the teenie boppers scrambing and screaming. I was secretly screaming inside too. More so because I was hungry, rather than excitement. FINALLY!

3:16 p.m. A darkness consumes the room and a seven-foot shadow is cast upon myself and four other normal-sized human beings. 

"WTF, who turned off the lights?" I thought.

I turn around to see, 7'0" center Dewayne Dedmon of the USC basketball team standing right in front of me. 

I was immediately shocked and dazed at the sight of the school's seven-foot butterfingered, underachieving center, "He was not here before. How hard could it be to spot a seven-foot butterfingered, underachieving center?" 

Nobody says anything, and I certainly wasn't going to talk shit to a seven-foot butterfingered, underachieving center.

3:17 p.m. J. Cole enters. He immediately gets a loud roar of applause. He takes the microphone and apologizes for his tardiness, and says, "Let's get this thang going!"

I respected Cole's offer at an apology, but I was still fuming at the idea that this seven-foot blunder was in front of me, after I waited over six hours to see one of my favorite rappers.

As the line starts going, I see the Beats by Dre table giving out the headphones. My mixed emotions of excitement, rage, and hunger quickly turned to fear -- fear that I would not get a free pair of $200 headphones. 

The line progresses, and as I look up, Dedmon talks to the Beats by Dre table, and I see the very last pair of headphones going into those buttery hands... I couldn't believe it. He waited a total of ten minutes, and he got the headphones AND met J.Cole before I did. 

That ruined the moment that I had been envisioning for the past six hours. All in all, I was still ecstatic to meet such well-respected artist. I had to keep a wider perspective, and I was grateful to be able to shake hands with him and get an autograph! So I can now say that J. Cole knows my name, and here is the proof.

BUT, I still want Dewayne Dedmon cut. If he can cut in lines, he can certainly be cut from the Warriors.

Start the trend on Twitter, #CutDedmon.
THE END






- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Bayless Babbles is a sports blog is co-authored by UC Merced/ USC alumnus Justin Cheng and UC San Diego alumnus Brent Lee.

For EVERYTHING about The Bayless Babbles, check out our blog page (HERE!)