Blake Griffin has thrown down some pretty monstrous dunks in his short NBA career.  There were these two amazing jams against the Knicks last year including permanently putting Timofey Mozgov on a poster.  There was this steal and reverse dunk against the Pistons.  There was this 360 in the Slam Dunk contest and he even dunked over a car.  There were over 200 more from his rookie campaign and many more this year with the advent of Lob City.

Blake Griffin may have thousands of dunks by the time his career is over, but none will be better than his dunk in tonight's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.  In fact, I dare say this is not just Blake Griffin's greatest dunk, but the greatest dunk in NBA history.  Is that being a prisoner of the moment?  Of course!  Blake Griffin goes 1 v 1 with one of the best and most intimidating defenders in the game, Kendrick Perkins.  Griffin meets Perkins at the rim and then uses his body as a launching pad to lift into the stratosphere before throwing the ball through the net with enough force to momentarily throw the planet off its rotational axis.  Normal human beings aren't supposed to do this!  

Here's Clippers announcers Ralph Lawler and Mike Smith with the call...

H/T TalkHoops

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In case you missed it, you can catch highlights of Sunday's NHL All-Star Game above.  It featured slightly more defense and competitiveness than the Pro Bowl, although with Drew Brees attempting drop kicks, maybe that's not saying much.  Your announcing schedule for the week on ice is below.

Tuesday January 31

Washington Capitals @ Tampa Bay Lightning (NBCSN 7:30PM) Dave Strader, Brian Engblom 

Wednesday February 1

New York Rangers @ Buffalo Sabres (NBCSN 7:30PM) Mike Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire

Thursday February 2

Carolina Hurricanes @ Boston Bruins (NHLN US 7PM) Local Broadcast

Saturday February 4

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Boston Bruins (NHLN US 1PM) Local Broadcast

Los Angeles Kings @ Carolina Hurricanes (NHLN US 7PM) Local Broadcast 

Sunday February 5

Boston Bruins @ Washington Capitals (NBCSN 12:30PM) Mike Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire

H/T Sammy!

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The ratings are in for the UFC's first full-length show on FOX, and while they're down from the debut one-hour event last November, they're still solid overall.

It's being reported that the show drew 4.37 million viewers, which is down 27% from the 5.7 million viewers drawn in November for the Cain Velasquez vs Junior dos Santos heavyweight title fight. However, FOX won the night in the key young adult demographic once again.

The reasons for the decline in ratings seem pretty easy for me to process. The fights themselves weren't very entertaining, with all three going to decisions and dragging at times. The first fight of Demian Maia vs Chris Weidman was marred by both men looking exhausted early in the fight and plodding through most of it, opting to kickbox sloppily as opposed to playing to their strenghts (jiu-jitsu and wrestling, respectively). The night's second fight of Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping featured a lot of trash talking beforehand, but the fight itself was lackluster, with lots of clinchwork against the cage. And finally, the main event of former champion Rashad Evans vs undefeated Phil Davis was an absolutely dominant performance by Evans, who swept all three cards 50-45. That fight mainly featured Evans pounding on Davis, who ended up not posing much of a threat to Evans.

It could have been much worse for the UFC, though. Now defunct competitor EliteXC drew 4.85 million viewers (on CBS, mind you) for their first show, 2.62 million viewers for their second network show, and 4.56 million viewers on their third and final show. The two higher rated EliteXC shows featured former street fighter Kimbo Slice and celebrated women's fighter Gina Carano, which the company seemed to use as a crutch. The UFC really doesn't rely on any one fighter like EliteXC did, and instead chooses to build up several fighters at once.

Another former UFC competitor, Strikeforce, also had shows on CBS. They drew 4.04 million viewers for their first show and 2.9 million viewers on their second show. Strikeforce's second show resembled Saturday's UFC show, with three fights all going to decision and running overtime on their timeslot. The difference was that all three Strikeforce shows were five rounds, as opposed to just one five round fight on the UFC show.  The fact that UFC on FOX 2 held much more of its viewership after its primetime debut must be encouraging to Dana White.

The third (and second full-length) UFC show on FOX is scheduled for May 5th in East Rutherford, NJ. The only fights announced so far are between top lightweight contenders Nate Diaz and Jim Miller, both of whom are very exciting fighters, and bantamweights Darren Uyenoyama and John Dodson, which would likely be a preliminary fight to air on Fuel TV.

[h/t: MMA Fighting, MMAJunkie]

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Here is your NBA national announcing schedule for the coming week.  Is it too early to call Friday night's Knicks-Celtics game an elimination game with both teams strug-g-ling mightily?  Maybe it shouldn't be too much longer before we see the Cavs (?!?) back on national television if Kyrie Irving can pull off more game winners like this.

Monday January 30

Chicago Bulls @ Washington Wizards (NBA TV 7PM) Local Broadcast

Oklahoma City Thunder @ LA Clippers (NBA TV 10:30) Local Broadcast

Tuesday January 31

Denver Nuggets @ Memphis Grizzlies (NBA TV 8PM) Ernie Johnson, Greg Anthony, Chris Webber

Wednesday February 1

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks (ESPN 8PM) Mike Breen, Hubie Brown

Los Angeles Clippers @ Utah Jazz (ESPN 10:30PM) Terry Gannon, Chris Mullin

Thursday February 2

Chicago Bulls @ New York Knicks (TNT 8PM) Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller

Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Clippers (TNT 10:30PM) Marv Albert, Steve Kerr

Friday February 3

New York Knicks @ Boston Celtics (ESPN 8PM) Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy

Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets (ESPN 10:30PM) Terry Gannon, Hubie Brown

Saturday February 4

Orlando Magic @ Indiana Pacers (NBA TV 7PM) Local Broadcast

Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers (NBA TV 10PM) Local Broadcast

Sunday February 5

Memphis Grizzlies @ Boston Celtics (NBA TV Noon) Local Broadcast

H/T Sammy!

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There was a pretty wacky brawl in the ECHL between heated division rivals the Bakersfield Condors and the Ontario Reign. On the call are Kevin Bartl and Ryan Holt and a few seconds of listening will easily let you know that they are the Condors announcers. Hockey brawls are usually pretty great (take note of the current NHL head of discipline's flying collision with Patrick Roy 3:30 in), but this one between the Condors and Reign was very minor league.

I spent the majority of this video cringing. Not because a whole bunch of guys with sharp skates were punching each other, but that almost every player ridiculously still had their helmet on as the fights were happening, thus making every punch thrown pretty much just self-destructive.

The goalie fight is by far the lowlight in this clip. First, the idea of goalies fighting is ludicrous as they stand on opposite sides of the ice and have zero interaction with each other, but there's no doubt that they are fantastic and mean that the brawl has just been taken up a notch. Roy vs. Osgood is an example of what a good goalie fight looks like. Unfortunately, only the Reign's goalie got the memo to take off his helmet as the Condors goalie kept his helmet on, which pretty much made him invincible.

While the fight was poor, the Condors announcers were not much better (even with the clear Ghostbusters reference). Here's their PBP of the goalie fight which starts 1:50 in,

"Bryan Pitton still with his mask on! Throws lefts and it doesn't matter. He could have no gear on, Berubbe's (Reign goalie) got no prayer in that one!"

Yeesh. It's not hard to get the better of the fight when you are still fully padded with your helmet on when the guy who you are fighting with is helmetless and wearing giant pillows on his legs.

The Reign got the last laugh though, winning the game 5-1 while the Condors are currently in last place.

[Puck Daddy]

Florida State's women's basketball team beat NC State on the road Friday night 67-64 thanks to a three pointer from Leo Rodriguez with just seconds left.  While the game winner from Rodriguez is impressive, the call of Ryan Pensy of the Seminole IMG Sports Network raises eyebrows.  If someone on your team just nailed a clutch three pointer to win a road game in the ACC, would your mind immediately go to a barely passable Jersey Shore pun?

"The Noles escape NC State with a win!  Oh my goodness, go get J-Woww and Snooki, we got a Situation here as the Noles win 67 to 64 over the NC State Wolfpack!"

Oy...  As a regular Jersey Shore watcher and fan of common sense and decent puneology, this call leaves much to be desired.  First of all, Mike is currently involved with Paula, not J-Woww or Snooki.  In fact, Snickers and Sitch have been at odds ever since they may or may not have hooked up before departing for Italy.  At least the announcer didn't say "go get Deena," that would have just been sad.  Honestly though, only Mike himself should ever be able to say "we got a Situation here" and even that was old and tired after about midway through the second episode. 

I'm all for entertainment and breaking new ground in announcing though, so the effort is appreciated.  Jersey Shore quotes are such an embarrassment of riches, even if only about 12% of them are actually usable during a broadcast.  I'd rather hear an announcer scream, "CABS ARE HERE!!!  CABSAREHERE!!! CABZUHE!!!" after a huge road win.  Why not stand up and taunt the opposing fans by screaming "COME AT ME BRO!!!" or finding a cement wall to bang your head into?  

Hopefully this is the start of announcers across the nation embracing the cultural impact of Jersey Shore and working it into telecasts.  I would die a happy man if Jim Nantz would yell "it's TEEE SHIIIRRTT time" just once.  Too bad Matt Howard graduated last year...

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Each week there are some stories that come to our attention through our inbox or on Twitter and elsewhere that we may not have the chance to cover during the week.  Quick Hits is a chance to share those stories with you...

Tweet Costs Browns Beat Writer (PFT)

Usually it's athletes that are getting into trouble with the Mistakenly Sent Tweet That Was Supposed To Be A DM.  This week, one errant tweet cost a member of the media his job.  Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer was relieved of his duties as beat reporter for the Cleveland Browns by the paper.  The tweet he accidentally sent out was about Browns owner Randy Lerner and, well, let's just say Grossi isn't a fan...

“He is a pathetic figure, the most irrelevant billionaire in the world”

I actually wouldn't mind the title Most Irrelevant Billionaire in the world.  There's heavier crosses to have to bear.  The Plain Dealer will assign Grossi elsewhere within the sports department after his disdain for Lerner was made public.  No doubt a large portion of Browns fans probably agree with Grossi's assessment.  So the bad news for Grossi is that he will no longer be covering the Browns after 20 years of service.  The good news is... he will no longer be covering the Browns.

Michael Strahan Bullies People On Twitter? (Deadspin)

Speaking of members of the media getting in trouble on Twitter... if you're Michael Strahan, a man who played in the NFL for a living, and now works in television... is it really wise to be telling women on Twitter to "get your DAD's d*ck out of your mouth?"  Yea, probably not.  The series of DMs Strahan sent one follower is cyberbullying, plain and simple.  It's disgraceful.  And given his history of Tweeting not so smart things, Fox needs to publcly take some kind of action.  Strahan hasn't tweeted since the Deadspin story three days ago, so stay tuned.  

Kurt Warner To Host USA Network Reality Show (Fox)

NFL Network's Kurt Warner will take his grocery store to Super Bowl story to reality television on USA.  The new show will be called "The Moment" and will have people training to live out their dreams.  According to the Fox article:

"From race car driving to orchestra conducting to deep sea diving, they will leave behind the comforts of home and leap into a whirlwind of training," the cable network said in a statement announcing the nine-episode series.

At the end, contestants will have to decide whether they will leave the lives they have always known to pursue their ambitions.

I'm confused - does Kurt Warner get in the race car or go deep sea diving too?  Is there some sort of Saw movie type dilemma where these people will have to choose real life over reality TV life?  Unless GTL, roses, or some sort of castaway situation is involved, it's hard to imagine this series being hugely successful amongst reality shows.

NBA Ratings Way Up After Lockout (Media Life)

And finally, great news for the NBA which surprisingly sees ratings increasing even after a lockout caused more than the first month of the season to be cancelled.  TNT has seen its ratings up an incredible 67% while NBA TV has set ratings bests and ESPN has also pulled in strong numbers.  It falls in line with the prevailing wisdom that as long as the season was saved, fans would come back to the Association.  With the NBA stronger than it has been post-Jordan, it leaves me even more thankful the league and players were able to come to their senses.  And this news of the NBA's ratings trending upwards comes as several other sports are faced with declines.  With LeBron still in Miami, now two strong LA teams, and intriguing stories surrounding other marquee teams, the 66 game season may prove to be one of the most interesting in a long time.

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Here are a couple videos from the NHL All-Star Weekend of Joey the Junior Reporter. Joey rose to prominence back in November by interviewing some Chicago Blackhawks players, and now, he's back in the spotlight on a much bigger stage.

In this first video, Joey trolls a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, and a Philadelphia Flyers fan.

Ouch. Cold. You don't really expect that from a child, but these things happen sometimes. I wonder if he was fed those lines, or if he came up with them on his own.

Next up, Joey hits on NHL reporter Heidi Androl.

Well done Joey, well done. You just achieved what many men four or five times your age wish they could accomplish: back an attractive sports reporter into a corner with a leading question that she can't say no to, otherwise she'll look like a heartless wench.

The NHL All-Star game takes place Sunday at 4 PM on the NBC Sports Network

[h/t: Puck Daddy]

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Whatever you think about Kevin Garnett the basketball player, the man certianly knows how to give an entertaining, if impossible to understand post-game interview.  And who else does KG make the most music with in these interviews than TNT's dapper Craig Sager.  A while ago we showed you video of KG calling Craig Sager's legendary outfits "B.S." on national TV.  There was also this famous interview where KG told Sager to burn his entire suit until he was naked as the day he was born.  To tell the truth, in that case KG was probably right.

So, after a monumental comeback in Orlando Thursday night, it was only natural that KG would spout off with one of the more memorable interviews so far in 2012.  Surprisingly, KG actually tells Sager he looks good in his, relatively, conservative outfit.  But, in a typically rambling stream of consciousness, KG begins by talking about the "G.D." bar fight he had just been through.  Perhaps after realizing the ridiculousness of asking Craig Sager about his experience in bar fights, KG accurately noted Charles Barkley has experience.  

A short discussion of the actual game was then followed by more KG randomness congratulating Ray Allen on the birth of his child, complimenting Sager, and telling his "Boo" to go to bed.  Yes, KG you were "all over the place", and it was fun to watch.  Maybe there'll soon be room for another larger-than-life personality on the Inside the NBA set someday.

[H/T SportsGrid]

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On Inside the NBA last night, Shaq did it again. At the end of the show, he gets up with his shirt and jacket on... to reveal that his slacks are off, and that he's showing off his drawers. Shaq then walks off the set before doing a little dance to end the show.

What may have been more traumatizing was the video that TNT played as he was walking off the set, showing Shaq on the beach in a pink Speedo, with SHAQ written on the back of them. Yeah... a little much. You can say what you want to say about Shaq's analysis or his actual announcing ability, but the fact remains that he's really adding another level of entertainment to Inside the NBA, and is meshing well with the rest of the hosts. I don't think any of us expected something like this to happen, though. I guess we need to take the good with the bad with Shaq.

[h/t: Cosby Sweaters]

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