10. BRANDON JENNINGS
On November 14, 2009, the NBA world took notice of rookie Brandon Jennings. In a game versus the Golden State Warriors, Brandon Jennings had a performance that had not been seen by a rookie in 41 years. Jennings scored 55 points after not even scoring in the first quarter of the game. The last time a rookie had such a game was 1968 when Earl "the Pearl" Monroe scored 58. Jennings is the youngest player to ever score 50 or more points in a game.

Since scoring 55 points Jennings has got the attention of the NBA and teams are game planning for him. The current strategy being utilized to deal with the young phenom is physical play. Many websites and blogs had proclaimed that Jennings as the rookie of the year but currently, on December 15, 2009, Jennings has serious competition for the rookie of the year award in Tyreke Evans another rookie whose game is turning heads.

9. DELONTE WEST
On September 17, 2009 Delonte West was pulled over and arrested for having two handguns and a shotgun in a guitar case.

On the surface this appeared to be another stupid athlete trying to be a tough guy a la Plaxico Burress but Delonte's situation was much different. In 2008 Delonte admitted to suffering from bi-polar disorder and if you know anybody who suffers from bi-polar disorder, you know that everyday is a struggle for them. Delonte could face three to five years in prison hopefully the judge will be sympathetic to West plights and order West to get the care he needs to deal with this dis-order.

8. ANTOINE WALKER BROKE
On July 15,2009 a warrant was issued for former NBA player Antoine Walker arrest, for failing to repay markers to several Vegas casinos totaling approximately $1 million dollars. The last NBA contract Antoine Walker signed was worth $55 million, after taxes Antoine walked away with roughly $27-28 million and it appears that it is all but gone as well as any other money he earned as a professional basketball player. Antoine Walker has since agreed to repay the Casino's with monthly payments totaling $13,000.

This story was very surprising because the question everyone was asking themselves is where did all the money go? How did Antoine blow thru millions and millions of dollars? The answer is Antoine Walker is no different then any of other red-blooded American, he lived beyond his means and thought that the money would always be there, unfortunately it wasn't and like many Americans Antoine is looking for employment in the NBA as well as overseas. Let's hope that 2010 Antoine is able to find work and get his finances back in order.

7. CHICAGO BULLS VERSUS THE BOSTON CELTICS
In April 2009 the Bulls and the Celtics gave NBA fans one of the most competitive 1st round series in NBA history (excluding the finals of course). The series went seven games with five of those games decided by three points or less. The series had four games go into overtime and broke the an NBA record for most overtime periods in a series, seven overtime periods overall.

Rajon Rondo averaged a triple double for the series, Ray Allen scored 51 points in a game, Derrick Rose tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record for points by a rookie in a playoff debut. Ben Gordon was lights out the entire series.

I watched all the games with my brother and father and we were on the edge of our seats for every game. I can't remember any playoff series causing me and my family as much stress as this series. So many big shots, so many big plays. Rajon Rondo in particular took his game to a whole new level.

6. 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONS THE LA LAKERS
The Lakers won the 2009 NBA championship beating the Orlando Magic 4-1 in the Finals and in the process Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant's solidified their legacy's in NBA history.

Kobe Bryant won his first finals MVP and fourth championship overall. Kobe Bryant will never admit it but this championship was more important to him then any other championship because he did it without former teammate Shaquille O'Neal. This was Kobe Bryant's six finals appearance and another finals loss would have most certainly made him the player in history who couldn't get it done on his own. That coupled with the fact that many attributed the trade of Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat as Bryant's doing, another finals loss would have been detrimental to Kobe's legacy but Kobe got the job down and led his Lakers to the promise land.

The 2009 Championship was coach Phil Jackson's 10th which surpassed Celtics legendary coach Red Auerbach who won nine with the Celtics. With the Zen-masters 10th championship he has become the best coach ever in NBA history and probably the best coach ever in all of professional sports.

5. CHARLES BARKLEY'S DUI
Charles Barkley was arrested and cited for driving under the influence of alcohol and running a stop sign on December 31, 2008 but the fall-out from the arrest went well into 2009. Barkley subsequently took a two month break from his duties at TNT and had his T-Mobile commercials taken off the air. Barkley eventually returned to TNT and apologized for his actions.

The amazing thing about this story was that mainstream sports media did not crucify Barkley for this incident, it was actually quite the opposite. Everyone from sportscasters, bloggers, current and former NBA players wished Charles and his family well during the difficult time. The reason why is because Charles has been the most honest and forthright athlete of our generation. Look at what is happening to Tiger Woods, it is like one of those nature shows when a zebra is being chased by a pack of lions and subsequently eaten alive with the lions resting for a while only to feed on the carcass again and again. This didn't happen to Barkley because he never tried to maintain a squeaky clean image he has always been for lack of a better word Charles Barkley a fun loving, opinionated basketball player with no filter.

As a teenager Barkley taught me a very valuable lesson "he is not a role model" and he has never pretended to be. He taught me that the true heroes in our society are the teachers, doctors and anybody else who sacrifices their life to helping others.

4. MICHAEL JORDAN'S HALL OF FAME SPEECH
In September 2009 the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, was inducted to the NBA Hall of Fame. Jordan's speech drew a lot of criticism as Jordan took shots at everyone from the coach that cut him in high school, to Isiah Thomas to even Jeff Van Gundy.

Michael Jordan speech gave us insight on what drove Jordan to greatness. Jordan used every slight to inspire him to work harder and strive to be the greatest and undoubtedly he was the greatest to play the game. I viewed the speech as very sad, not because of how it came out because it basically was the funeral of Michael Jordan the player. I think Jordan felt this way as well and I believe that's why he used the speech/eulogy to remind us all of how great he was and he had every right to. Michael Jordan provided me with some of the most memorable moments of my childhood. Every fantastic play, every unbelievable move, every game winning shot took my breath away. I spent countless mornings, afternoons and nights attempting to emulate the greatness that was Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan was a household name, he transcended the color barrier, he took the game of basketball to new heights and there might not even be an NBA today as we know it if it was not for the will and drive of Michael Jordan. So in my opinion whatever Jordan said or didn't say didn't bother me at all.

3. TIM DONAGHY
Disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy released a book in December 2009 titled "Personal foul". The book chronicles Donaghy's times as an NBA referee and how he began to bet on NBA games. Donaghy claims that he bet on games based on who was refereeing the games and although he admits to betting on games he claims he never effected the outcome of a game. Donaghy also claims that the referees had it in for Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace as well as other players and coaches.

The problem with Donaghy and this book lies right in my first sentence, Donaghy is obviously not disgraced by his actions, he doesn't seem to care that his actions have embarrassed himself, his family, the NBA and anyone who has ever known him. Instead of serving his sentence and disappearing he has put himself back in the public eye attempting to be the Jose Canseco of NBA referees. Donaghy has essentially pointed the finger at the NBA and other referees that he worked closely with. This is kind of like if Tiger came out and blamed his wife Elin for his transgressions.

Tim Donaghy can't be trusted, he is a self serving scumbag, anything he says has to be taken with a grain of salt. His actions prove that he can not be trusted.

2. ALLEN IVERSON RETIRES
This past summers free agency period was very unkind to former MVP and 10 time all-star Allen Iverson as he received no offers from any championship contenders. Allen Iverson eventually received and signed a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies signed Iverson with the thought that he would be able to sell more tickets to the ailing franchise but ironically enough Iverson never played a home game with the Grizzlies. Iverson just couldn't stomach coming off the bench for the Grizzlies and eventually the parties parted ways after a mere two games.

Upon the dissolution of Iverson's contract with the Grizzlies, Iverson again found himself sitting at home waiting for a phone call from a team in need of his services. After approximately two weeks Iverson announced his retirement from the game of basketball at the age of 34. The announcement of Iverson's retirement rocked the NBA world. Fans, analysts and players were shocked. After announcing his retirement the Philadelphia 76ers were rumored to be interested in a homecoming with their former star. Iverson would eventually sign a one year non-guaranteed contract with the Sixers which paved the way for a very emotional return to the city of brotherly love.

Despite finding a home with the Sixers the way the events transpired made me sick to my stomach. Allen Iverson a former MVP at the ripe age of 34 unable to find employment in the NBA? Allen Iverson reputation was tarnished around the league, he was viewed as a selfish player with a bad attitude who came with too much baggage. Allen Iverson is arguably the greatest little guy to play the game and should have had his choice of contenders to play with but Iverson is back with the Sixers and is proving all those teams that passed on him and himself, that he still has game and still has something to contribute to a team.

1. WHEN WE OWNED THE GAME
Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Jackie MacMullan co-wrote a book entitled "When We Owned The Game". In the book Magic admits to having a hand in Isiah Thomas being left off the original Dream Team. Magic also accuses Isiah of spreading rumors around the league that he was bi-sexual and his sexual proclivities led to the contraction of the HIV virus.

Isiah Thomas came out and denied the allegations made by Magic stating that Magic Johnson listened to the wrong people and that he would have never questioned Magic's sexuality because he had a brother who died from HIV/AIDS.

This story rocked the basketball world. Images of Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas, were of the two giving each other a kiss on the cheek during the playoffs, they appeared to be best friends but we all learned that this was far from the truth. What really bothered me about the situation was no matter how they felt about Isiah Thomas the person, those feelings should have never led to having Isiah Thomas the basketball player kept off the original dream team. Something like the Dream Team is a once in a lifetime opportunity and Isiah deserved to be on the team.

In my opinion it looks more like Magic Johnson was angry at Isiah for defeating him in the playoffs. Everything was fine as long as Isiah stayed in his place and not win championships. Sometimes in life we meet people who pretend to be our friends but once we rise above them they begin to hate and I believe Magic was full of hate, if he had issues with Isiah he should have dealt with it behind closed doors and not in a public forum.