Instagram Rap Music Video – Single off the Fantasy Couch Mixtape
This original Instagram rap shows you how to get more followers on Instagram and also how to get more likes on Instagram pics. The Instagram rap song will be available for online purchase and is the first single off the first Fantasy Couch mixtape. If you watch the video closely, you will see a few Instagramers or #IGers that you should follow. Make sure you you click on the icon towards the bottom right of the video and watch the original Instagram music video in HD.
The Brain
“Instagram Rap”
Directed by Huseyin “The Brain” Aksu
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Athletic Freaks – The Most Athletic NBA, NFL and MLB Players
Who are the most athletic NBA, NFL and MLB players? Well let’s take a closer look at these basketball, football and baseball players. Everyone knows that professional athletes are some of the most physically gifted humans on the planet. They can run and jump faster than the average person and have impeccable hand-eye coordination to boot. In addition to their natural ability they often spend hours training their bodies to reach its optimum performance, which can often take their games to the next level. With this in mind, here are the top freak athletes in the 3 major sports!
Most Athletic NBA Player – LeBron James, SF, Miami Heat
There have been several amazing athletes of all shapes and sizes who have come and gone in the NBA. Players such as Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson come to mind. But perhaps none have possessed the rare combination of size, speed, power and strength of LeBron James of the Miami Heat. At 6’8” 250 lbs. (some players have speculated that he could be within the 260-275 range) with the speed of an All-Pro wide out (4.4 40 yard dash in high school) and a 44-inch vertical leap, James is a freak of nature on the basketball court and a force to be reckoned with. He is infamous for chasing down opposing players from half court and swatting their layup attempts off the backboard with such force that they often hear footsteps for the remainder of the game. He also utilizes every inch of his 7’0 wingspan to get into passing lanes for steals and finish alley-oops high above the rim. Those who marvel at James’ otherworldly physique assume that he has been utilizing top flight, great exercise programs for several years. However, this has not always been the case. Ironically, James did not start lifting weights seriously until he was 23 years old and 5 years into his pro career according to Sports Illustrated. Nowadays, James lifts weights for 20-30 minutes a day and mixes in core exercises such as yoga and Pilates to round out his workout. Love him or hate him, there is no denying that LeBron is the best pure athlete in the game of basketball, and quite possibly in the world today.
Honorable Mention: Dwight Howard, C, Orlando Magic
Most Athletic NFL Player – Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
2012 Fantasy Basketball – Denver Nuggets – March Team of the Month
The Denver Nuggets have gone through this season like a skinny snake through tall grass. Nobody is paying them any attention this year, but they are hungry, and possess a deadly bite. The Nuggets don’t have a standout supper star, so on the right night any one Nugget can shine. Head coach George Karl likes to push the pace in an attempt to outscore the opposition. Denver puts up 103.8 points per game, making them the top scoring team in the NBA. Coach Karl has also created a team-first attitude in Denver, leading the NBA with 23.5 assist per game. These facts makes Denver a gold mine for fantasy talent and one of the most underrated teams in the NBA.
PG Ty Lawson – Lawson’s stature maybe small, but he has been a boulder for the month of March, shooting .470% from the field and .839% from the free throw line. Combine his percents with 1.6 3′s per game, 16.4 points per game, and 9.4 assist per game; you get an offensive juggernaut. Ty’s abilities doesn’t stop on the offensive end, during the same span he has been averaging 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals. All in all there are no holes in Lawson’s game, and he is well on his way to becoming the first all-star on Denver’s roster. Ty Lawson is a must-start
PG, SG Andre Miller – Miller has turned into a solid role player since returning to Denver from Portland. Through this month, Miller still has the problem of thinking he can shoot from the outside, .403FG%, while scoring 10.1 points per game. Miller is much better when he gets to the charity stripe, .913FT%, or drops a dime to an open teammate, 6.6 assist per game in March. If Miller can stop playing like his first name is Reggie, his FG% and fantasy value will rise. Ande Miller is valuable if you need FT% or AST, trash if you need FG% or 3′s
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2012 NBA Playoff Predictions – NBA Championship Predictions
NBA Playoff Predictions – NBA Championship Predictions for 2011-2012 NBA Season
Let me predict the future by revealing which teams will advance in the NBA playoffs and who will win the 2012 NBA Championship. As the second half of the Lockout shortened NBA season begins, it is never too early to take a look at who will be hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy at seasons end. That being said, I have taken the liberty of categorizing the top teams from both conferences into two groups: The Pretenders and The Contenders.
2012 NBA Playoff Predictions – Eastern Conference
Pretenders: 76ers, Knicks, Magic
The Magic might be currently sitting pretty as the 3rd seed in the East (27-15), but there is still an air of uncertainty around the team with the possible departure of Dwight Howard and the looming trade deadline quickly approaching. If the Magic trade their superstar big man, they will likely tumble down the rankings while their new-look team adjusts to life without Superman. It would be a miracle to see a Superman-less Magic team go past the first round of the playoffs and the payout on a site like topbet.com for the Magic to go all the way would be astronomical. If they stand pat and keep Howard, it is a safe bet that the Magic will have one last chance to go deep in the playoffs with their current roster intact. Without all the distraction and pressure surrounding Howard, look for the Magic to get bounced in the first round like they did last season against the Hawks.
The 76ers have been the surprise team in the East (25-17) so far, currently the 4th seed if the playoffs started today, the Sixers have relied on a young nucleus of talented players who have succeeded without the presence of an All-Star player. Last season the Sixers were bounced from the playoffs in the first round after facing the Big 3 in Miami, and will likely face a more experienced and battle-tested team this time around. With the emergence of sixth man of the year candidate Lou Williams and former No.2 overall pick Evan Turner finally getting meaningful minutes, the Sixers will get to the second round before being bounced yet again by another tough, veteran team.
With the hype surrounding Linsanity finally dying down, the Knicks are starting to revert back to their old ways as they have lost 7 of their last 10 games (18-23). The Knicks defense has always been a question mark, and now the ball is not moving around as freely as it did before Melo’s return to the lineup. With Jeremy Lin continuing to turn the ball over at a record pace and the Knicks struggling to find an identity, count on them getting bounced in the first round by either the Heat or Bulls who they will likely face as the 1st seed in the East. Seems like the fire in New York has been extinguished ever since ESPN wrote that racist Lin article.
Contenders: Bulls, Heat, Boston
The Bulls (34-9) are still centered around their all-world point guard Derrick Rose and their tenacious defense. They are currently the best team in the East and are riding high on an 8-game winning streak. Last season ended in a disappointing finish after suffering an Eastern Conference finals defeat at the hands of the Miami Heat. If the Bulls are to get to championship this year, the road will have to go through Miami and the Big 3. The Bulls must find a way to get more offensive production out of their supporting cast, as Rose will likely be guarded closely by LeBron James in an effort to slow down last season’s MVP.
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Fantasy Basketball Players on Cold Streak Feb. 23, 2012
NBA Fantasy Basketball Players to Drop – Fantasy Basketball Players on the Decline
Here is a hottest list of the coldest NBA fantasy basketball players that are on the decline and that you may want to drop.
Nick Young is owned in 100 percent of ESPN leagues, but for a guy that is on the court to put points on the board, he hasn’t been doing that as well as owners would want. Young has shown the ability to score but he doesn’t do much more than that; and at times his scoring hasn’t been what you would expect from a guy owned in every ESPN fantasy basketball league. He has scored just 11.8 points per game in his last four games while going 12 straight games with one assist or less. Young has also averaged a measly 2.5 rebounds a game this year in 31.3 minutes per game. His value in most leagues is minimal so I would deal him to someone who overvalues scoring.
Tyrus Thomas may be the highest paid player on the Bobcats roster but that helps his owners none. Thomas has been inconsistent throughout the season and is now coming off the bench. He has played just 30 minutes in the last four games scoring just eight points, adding six boards, a steal and a block in that span. There are plenty of other forwards available on the waiver. You could grab another Bobcat in Corey Maggette or add someone else like Tayshaun Prince, Mareese Speights or Carlos Delfino to fill the void that has been Tyrus Thomas.
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Fantasy Basketball Pickups – Adds for Feb. 6, 2012
NBA Fantasy Basketball Pickups – Adds for February 6, 2012
We try to update you guys with brand new fantasy basketball pickups to add to your roster as much as possible, but we believe in quality over quantity. Here are the the top fantasy basketball waiver pickups and essential adds for February 6, 2012 which apply to both shallow and deep leagues.
Reggie Williams (SG/SF) CHA – One of our sleepers pre-season before he began the year on the shelf with a bummed knee. Williams is an energy guy who can get hot in a flash. Given the time, he will surely produce positive fantasy relevant stats, putting up 17 pts/5 reb/4 ast/1.7 three’s/1.1 stl while starting over his career. Reggie may not win the Bobcats many games, but he will entertain and be a great mid-season add for your fantasy squad. Even with a healthy Henderson, Maggette and Walker, Williams should have a niche on this depleted Charlotte roster.
Grevis Vasquez (PG/SG) NO – Over the last 4 games Vazquez is averaging 15 points, 4 boards, 7 assists, 1.3 three’s and 1.3 steals while shooting over 500% from the field. Those kinds of numbers warrant a roster spot in all formats. Owners of Jarrett Jack would be wise to already have him as your handcuff. The NBA owned franchise is looking very stingy, already having their piece to build around (Eric Gordon) reject their extension offer. The 2nd year player will get all the play he wants, and will reward owners with production.
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2012 Fantasy Basketball Trades – Buy Low Sell High for February, 2012
Everyone knows that when you have to buy low and sell high when it comes to fantasy basketball trades but realistically, that is not easy. Buying low and selling high comes down to this: getting players whose actual value is greater than what their perceived value is, and trading away players whose situation is the inverse of this. If you know who the impatient owners are that simply know how to read a box score and ignore the current situation of the players, begin trade talks with them. Consider proposing a trade in your 2012 fantasy basketball league for these players.
February, 2012 NBA Players to Buy Low
Amar’e Stoudemire has had a rough start this season, failing to reach the expectations so many people had when the idea of a Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire combination found its way in the news. I’ve never been a big fan of Baron Davis but I do know he is better than any point on the Knicks roster. If the Knicks can turn things around, which I think they will, Stoudemire may be a top pick that you can find at a discounted rate.
Chris Kaman may not be logging any minutes right now for New Orleans but he’ll be back on the court before the trade deadline passes. There are a handful of teams interested in his services and if he’s still on someone’s roster in your fantasy league shoot the owner and email and see what it would take to acquire him.
Dirk Nowitzki returned to the court on Sunday after taking some time off. In his most recent games he was a combined 9-of-24 from the field and 0-for-6 from beyond the arc. Dirk owners are getting worried and based on how early Nowitzki was going in drafts they may need to make a deal soon. Take advantage of that.
Deron Williams has struggled from the start, thanks in large part to the absence of Nets center Brook Lopez. Williams is the primary scoring option for New Jersey and defenses know it. Williams has struggled from the field shooting just 39% on the year. Upon Lopez’s arrival, expect Williams to bounce back from his rough start. His league leading 4.4 turnovers a game will also see a decline in the weeks to come.
February, 2012 NBA Players to Sell High
Dwayne Wade is one of my favorite players in the league…BUT with the way he plays I can’t trust him to stay healthy. When Wade is healthy, he’s great and one of the best players in the league, but because of the type of game he plays his numbers will end up being mid-draft type stats and not help you enough down the road. Wait for Wade to put a few good games together and then put him on the block. Someone will bite and you’ll most likely find something good on the other end.
Richard Jefferson is second in the league in three-pointers made with 53 on the season. Expect him to fall down that list rapidly once Manu Ginobli returns to the lineup. Besides his three-point shooting this year his numbers have been mediocre. Jefferson won’t get you a great player in return straight up, but he’s the perfect guy to have in a multi-player deal.
2012 Fantasy Basketball – Houston Rockets – February Team of the Month
Here is an fantasy basketball analysis of the Houston Rockets. On the first day of each month, Fantasy Couch will provide an analysis of your favorite team and breakdown the fantasy valeu of that team. In order to cast your vote, you have to follow @fantasycouch on Twitter and vote, but only when we ask who the Team of the Month will be.
This month we breakdown the Rockets to see who’s headed for outer space and who’s headed for a crash landing. With the compressed schedule, it’s more important than ever to make the right moves to get your team on top.
PG, Kyle Lowry – He took off toward outer space at break-neck speed, but looks like his rockets cooled off somewhere in the clouds. Over his last four games, Lowry is shooting 19 percent from the field, making only 8 of his last 42 FG attempts. 19% – That’s what we like to call a slump. Over this stretch Lowry is averaging only 9 points per game (PPG) and 0.8 threes per game (3PG). Lowry is still putting up solid assist numbers at 7.2 per game and steals at 1.8 per game. His free throw percent, 77%, and turnovers, 2.2, are middle of the pack for the point guard position. Lowry’s biggest contribution has been his rebounding numbers (6.4 RPG) which tops the list for PG’s in the NBA. If your team needs a boost in rebounds along with solid steals and assist numbers than Lowry will make a great addition to your team. Trade for him while he in a slump, because its only a matter of time before he gets his rockets back up to full throttle. Kyle Lowry is a buy low.
PF/C, Luis Scola – Scola is more like a jet than a rocket, a jumbo jet, flying low and slow. His percents have been very good on the year 49% FG and 76% FT, and even better over this current four game stretch: 57% FG and 80% FT. Scola’s great percents are tampered by his lack of defense, 0 Steals per game, 0.2 blocks per game, and high turnover numbers (2.7). The addition of Samuel Dalembert to the Rockets has hurt Scola’s rebounding numbers (5.6 RPG) and makes Scola far less valuable in the fantasy world. Scola will continue to put up solid offensive numbers but won’t contribute to the rest of the stat sheet. Now is a good time to try and trade away Scola for a player who is not stuck flying below the clouds. Luis Scola is a sell high.
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2012 NBA Rookie Analysis
2012 NBA Rookie of The Year
If the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year ballots were submitted right now it would come down to two point guards; Kyrie Irving and Ricky Rubio:
Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers, 17.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.9 APG, 42.5 3p%, 80 FT%)
Kyrie Irving may not pass the ball like Rubio but he still gets the assists while scoring with the best of them. Irving leads all rookies with 17.4 points per clip in under 30 minutes per game. Irving has scored more than 20 points seven times and has scored in double digits in every game except one. He continues to fill the net as well as the stat sheet. Irving is well on his way to a Rookie of the Year season if he continues to put up the numbers that he is.
Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves, 11 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 8.3 APG, 40.6 3p%, 2.4 SPG)
The import from Spain has proved to be well worth the wait as he has a way with the ball that reminds many of the late Pete Maravich. Almost a magician with the ball, Rubio has shown us why there was so much hype already becoming a fan favorite in Minnesota. His turnovers are a concern for some but when you pass the ball like Rubio does it’s easy to forget about some of them. Although he may not play like a rookie, he is one. And that fact is a scary one for any team that doesn’t have him on their roster.
In such a guard heavy draft class it’s no surprise that the top two players so far this season bring the ball up the court. But luckily for everyone else there is no fast-forward button, so those not named Ricky Rubio and Kyrie Irving have time to gain the attention of the league and their fans before ballots are due. Here are the best in class for those in a deep, or keeper league:
Jimmer Fredette (Sacramento Kings, 7.6 PPG 2.1 APG 33.6 FG% 30.6 3p% 90.5 FT%)
Even before he was drafted into the NBA he had his own theme song. Fredette had unlimited range at BYU but has been introduced to those limits so far this season. He has shown signs of what may be to come with 20 points and 6 assists in 32 minutes of play Sunday against Memphis. Superman may still sleep in a Jimmer jersey but it may take some time for Superman to trade in his BYU no. 32 for a Sacramento Kings no. 7.
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2012 Fantasy Basketball Questions and Answers Video
Fantasy Couch’s first 2012 fantasy basketball questions and answers video. Fantasy basketball guru Matt Bohannan answers six questions we received through e-mail, Rotoknow, and our Twitter. Topics include Baron Davis, Brook Lopez, Serge Ibaka, Ricky Rubio, Brandon Jennings, Rudy Gay, as well as other players and topics.