With Blake Griffin around, the world may soon have to tweak one of Benjamin Franklin’s most famous phrases to, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes and Blake Griffin highlight reel dunks“.

The powerful and talented star of the Los Angeles Clippers was at it again during a recent matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In L.A.’s 112-100 home victory on January 30th, Griffin ignited the home crowd with yet another highlight reel dunk, this time treating Oklahoma City center Kendrick Perkins as if he were a Kia.

For those that live in a bubble, the aforementioned automobile reference is referring to Griffin’s final performance during the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where the former Oklahoma standout jumped (and dunked) over a car.

For those that missed the reference, Blake Griffin dunked over a Kia during the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Consider this a “Two for Tuesday” special at The Wife Hates Sports, as we present to you both videos (via YouTube), featuring Griffin’s ridiculous “pump you up” slam over Perkins, plus his Kia-inspired finale in last year’s dunk contest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w_Vy0lDk_A

Blake Griffin dunks over Kendrick Perkins during the Clippers 112-100 victory over the Thunder on January 30,2012 (YouTube)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41EFwuBqEUA

Blake Griffin dunks over a Kia during the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest (YouTube)

In Blake, we trust.

The strike shortened NBA season is already twenty games in for most teams, and the Chicago Bulls currently have the best record in the Eastern conference, while the Oklahoma City Thunder currently are perched on top of the Western Conference.

The upcoming week features a number of key matchups, headlined by the Sunday evening star studded game between the Bulls and the Heat.

In KP’s inaugural NBA Power Rankings, the aforementioned Bulls and Thunder have earned the top two spots.  The surprising 76ers and Nuggets are also featured in the top ten.

Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls headline this week's NBA Power Rankings

KP’s NBA Power Rankings: January 29, 2012

* Statistics and rankings include results up to January 28, 2012

1. Chicago Bulls – 17-4 (101 points)

Chicago’s 87.0 points per game allowed is tied for the lowest in the NBA this season.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder – 16-3 (97 points)

Kevin Durant and the Thunder have the best record in the Western conference

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook each are in the top ten in points per game average, combining for over 47 points per game.

3. Philadelphia 76ers – 14-6 (90 points)

The Sixers are outscoring opponents by nearly 12 points per game and the team’s 11.7 differential is the best in the NBA this season.

4. Atlanta Hawks – 14-6 (73 points)

In his first season seeing significant playing time, point guard Jeff Teague is averaging 12.4 points per game, 2.1 steals per game and shooting nearly 48% from the floor.

5. Miami Heat – 14-5 (71 points)

Despite an injury to Dwyane Wade, the “Big 3” each is still averaging more than twenty points per game, with LeBron James headlining the trio, scoring 29.2 per game.

6. Denver Nuggets – 14-5 (71 points)

The Nuggets have six players averaging in double digits, headlined by Danilo Gallinari, who leads the team averaging 17.9 points per game.

7. Houston Rockets – 12-8 (61 points)

Shooting guard Kevin Martin is averaging 20.1 points per game this season, and over his last three games played, he totaled 85 points in that span.

8. Dallas Mavericks – 12-8 (57 points)

With 16 games under his belt this season, it’s important to note that Dirk Nowitzki (17.5 ppg) is currently more than five points below his career average.

9. Indiana Pacers – 12-6 (56 points)

Danny Granger leads the team in points per game (16.8) and steals per game (1.5).

10. Orlando Magic – 12-7 (56 points)

Dwight Howard continues to put up gaudy numbers with the Magic.  His 15.6 rebounds per game are nearly two boards more per game than any other player in the NBA.

11. Portland Trail Blazers – 12-8 (52 points)

Of qualified players, Jamal Crawford currently leads the league in free throw percentage, missing just three on the year and posting a 94.9 percentage from the charity stripe.

12. San Antonio Spurs – 12-8 (49 points)

Kawhi Leonard has been a youthful compliment to the team, starting ten games on the year, and averaging 7.2 points per game.

13. Los Angeles Clippers – 10-6 (48 points)

Chris Paul leads the league in the steals to date, posting 2.55 per contest.

14. Memphis Grizzlies – 10-9 (42 points)

The Grizzlies have been very balanced offensively.  Just how balanced?  Tony Allen (9.9 ppg) is sixth on the team in scoring.

15. Utah Jazz – 11-7 (41 points)

Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and C.J. Miles are the only three Jazz team members to currently average in double figures on the season.

16. Boston Celtics – 9-9 (39 points)

Even with all the injuries and trade rumors, the Celtics have found a way to win four straight, including a huge comeback against the Magic a few days ago.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves – 9-10 (39 points)

Kevin Love’s 18 double-doubles (in 19 games) are currently four more than any other player in the NBA this season.

18. Los Angeles Lakers – 11-9 (29 points)

Kobe Bryant can't be pleased by the Lakers' 11-9 start this season

Kobe Bryant, averaging 30.0 points per game, leads the league in scoring and is the only current NBA player to average thirty-plus on the season.

19. Milwaukee Bucks – 8-11 (22 points)

Andrew Bogut, the team leader in rebounds and blocks, recently suffered another major injury and will be out for significant time.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers – 7-11 (6 points)

Kyrie Irving (17.6 points per game) and Antawn Jamison (15.3 points per game) are the only two players to average in double figures.

21. Golden State Warriors – 6-12 (5 points)

Of qualified players, Brandon Rush leads the league in three-point field goal percentage, posting a 57.1% percentage from behind the arc.

22. Phoenix Suns – 7-12 (4 points)

Marcin Gortat leads the team in points per game (14.8), rebounds per game (10.1) and blocks per game (1.6).

23. New York Knicks – 7-13 (1 point)

The Knicks have four players that average in double figures, Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert and Tyson Chandler.

24. New Jersey Nets – 7-13 (-1 point)

Deron Williams (19.4 ppg and 8.6 apg) has played well, but the team has struggled to perform.

25. New Orleans Hornets – 4-15 (-9 points)

Eric Gordon leads the team in points per game (21.0), steals per game (2.0) and even blocks per game (1.5).

26. Toronto Raptors – 6-14 (-11 points)

He’s only appeared in 13 of the team’s 20 games, but Andrea Bargnani is averaging 23.5 points per game, nearly ten more than any of his teammates.

27. Sacramento Kings – 6-14 (-26 points)

Defensive minded DeMarcus Cousins leads the team in rebounds (10.9 per game) and blocks (1.4 per game).

28. Washington Wizards – 4-16 (-27 points)

JaVale McGee leads the league in blocks per game, with an average of 3.15 per contest and 63 total blocks in Washington’s 20 games.

29. Detroit Pistons – 4-17 (-31 points)

Greg Monroe leads the team in points per game (15.8), rebounds per game (9.5) and steals per game (1.3).

30. Charlotte Bobcats – 3-18 (-45 points)

The Bobcats are 1-10 on the road and 0-8 versus the Southeast division so far this season.

* All stats per NBA.com

The Wife Hates Sports’ NBA Power Rankings system has a method to its madness, attempting to be different and not just rank by popularity and record.  It mixes a secret formula of six completely different categories, meshed into a points system.  The categories don’t just include team results regarding record, but how each team has performed recently, as well as incorporating some statistics on both a team’s offense and defense, too.

Back by popular demand, or perhaps by blatant indifference, it’s Throwing Tomatoes.

It’s been a busy stretch in the world of sports lately, leaving plenty of opportunities to show displeasure at people in the world of sports, whether it be directed at baseball’s offseason, the NBA or NHL seasons, College Football, or the NFL as it nears its finale.

So as the sports world turns, the stories pile up and more sports frustration emerges.  Don’t sweat it, The Wife Hates Sports has them all covered – in lycopene, that is.

Throwing Tomatoes: January 19, 2012

Target: The New York Jets

It feels like the negative Jets headlines are coming out faster than Rob Lowe can break sports news.  First, it was New York’s subpar season, followed by Santonio Holmes.  But that was only the beginning…

Sub-Target: Mark Sanchez

The artist formerly known as “Sanchise” has taken the brunt of it, first being referred to as “lazy” by some unnamed teammates, who also endorsed the acqusition of Peyton Manning.

Then again, it’s hard to argue the history, what with GQ and other pretty boy ads coming out of the woodwork, plus an open video on the sidelines featuring Sanchez eating a hot dog.  Those stories never had legs when the team was winning games.

Sub-Target: Rex Ryan

The New York head coach chimed in, stating that “the majority of our football team” had confidence in Sanchez.  Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but…

Sub-Target: LaDainian Tomlinson

LT opened up on Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” show, tossing shots at nearly everyone.  But while Tomlinson could have found a way to take the heat off the Jets, he instead threw gas in the fire.  The better move would have been to keep everything behind closed doors.

Sub-Target: Woody Johnson

That’s not all on Sanchez.  Jets owner Woody Johnson said that “we think he’s our guy”, but also wouldn’t dismiss the idea of Peyton Manning wearing green.  For those that are counting, that’s another ringing endorsement for Sanchez.

Sub-Target: The Final Word on the Jets – “The D”

In the end, the majority of the criticism has been against offensive players like Sanchez, LT, Holmes, plus the departed Brian Schottenheimer.  Somehow avoiding the heat is the Jets defense, who deserves its fair share.  A clear strength in past seasons, the Jets did manage to finish 5^th in yards per game and 5^th in pass yards allowed.  However, the run D was in the middle of the pack, and the team defense also allowed 22.7 points per game, good for 20^th in the NFL.

Target: Rob Lowe

For those that hadn’t heard, Rob Lowe recently tweeted that Peyton Manning would retire.

Keep in mind, a guy that played a character known as “#2” can easily be full of crap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_A8bFsBKTs

Joe Biden

In front of a San Francisco crowd, Biden said that the Giants are “on their way to the Super Bowl”.

Don’t worry… he didn’t follow that by predicting that Tim Lincecum would be the Super Bowl MVP.  Still, ouch.  Poor guy.

Target: Aaron Rodgers

Recently crowned Miss America Laura Kaeppeler gave a recent shout-out to Rodgers, asking him to call her.  Rodgers saw the broadcast, and has yet to drop her a line.

While the rest of the world is doing a “discount double take” on Kaeppeler, the Green Bay quarterback is clearly still fuming over the team’s recent loss to the Giants.

(h/t Shutdown Corner)

Innocent Bystander: Laura Kaeppeler

A woman this beautiful (below) is likely not used to rejection.  Eh, she’ll get over it.

While many men are giving Kaeppeler "discount double takes", Aaron Rodgers is not biting.

Target: Matt Antonelli

Signing with the Baltimore Orioles during the offseason, Matt Antonelli is basically an unknown in baseball, but he does tweet a whole heck of a lot – including this recent nugget:

MattAntonelli9 Matt Antonelli

“Day one in the books and still haven’t been beat up for wearing my Brady jersey around Baltimore”

Now, it’s my turn.  Hi, I’m Matt Antonelli.  I’m new to Baltimore.  This new fanbase is very disgruntled, and before I came here, no one had ever heard of me.  I know how passionate this city is about its football team, yet I’m going to wear a Tom Brady jersey during AFC Championship week.  Oh, and if you didn’t see me wearing it, I’m also going to tweet about it.  Bravo, Matt… BRAVO.

Target: Glen Davis

“Big Baby” Davis was called for a technical foul after dropping his drawers after a call that frustrated him.  Fortunately, there was no resulting visual where we’d have to call him for traveling, too.  If you didn’t catch that joke, then don’t ask me to explain it.

(h/t Game On!)

And finally, the current faces of team frustration in sports:

Boston Celtics – A slow 5-8 start is stirring up trade rumors in Beantown

Buffalo Sabres – Four straight losses and a 2-6-2 record over its last ten games

Columbus Blue Jackets – The team’s 31 points is seven fewer than any other NHL team.

This has been Throwing Tomatoes, where we practice the “discount double chuck”.

It’s no secret that Charles Barkley has a strong opinion about almost everything that exists on Earth.

That’s why when “Sir Charles” makes an appearance on Saturday Night Live, entertainment ensues, especially when Barkley is given the opportunity to toss out a few zings at members of the sports world.

Such as what happened in the most recent episode of SNL, specifically during the skit where Barkley presented the world with his “Charles Barkley Postgame Translator App”.

As during most postgame press conferences, coaches or sports stars throw out cliches more than Drew Brees slings touchdowns, ranging from “take it one game at a time”, to “we tip our hats to our opponent”, and so on.

But with the “Charles Barkley Postgame Translator App”, you the sports fan gets presented with the real story behind every postgame line.

"Sir Charles" zinged sports stars during the SNL skit featuring the "Charles Barkley Postgame Translator App"

The skit itself featured some comical jabs pointed at the likes of Bill Belichick, Rex Ryan, Kobe Bryant, Mike Shanahan, Dwyane Wade, the Miami Heat and the New York Mets.

Personally, I felt that Barkley’s best shots were at Rex Ryan and the Miami Heat, but see for yourself, and perhaps you will feel differently.

It’s been two months since The Kev and Rev Show (Sunday Sports Crunch Edition) hit the podcast airwaves, so where the heck have the guys been?  The whereabouts of Kev and Rev have been highly debated since the last show aired.

But let’s debunk the following six-pack of myths over the last few months:

• KEV did NOT hand over full in-house television rights to THE WIFE
• REV did NOT move to Turkey in hopes to see NBA players in action
• KEV did NOT visit a Columbus tattoo parlor, seeking to get Joe Paterno on his lower back
• REV did NOT take on a full-time gig participating in flash mobs
• KEV was NOT named as a PTBNL in the Colby Rasmus deal
• REV did NOT become the new cheerleaders coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (but likely wanted to)

Now that we’ve got that all cleared up, Kev (The Wife Hates Sports) and Rev (Sports Chump) return this Sunday at Noon with the Sunday Sports Crunch Edition of the Kev and Rev Show.  Also returning with us this weekend will be one of our regular guests, J-Dub (Dubsism).

This week’s show will be in our baseball format – nine topics spanning across nine separate innings.  Each segment runs ten minutes or less – and will feature a two-minute warning once/if we happen to reach the eight-minute mark.

Here is some more information about the show, if you want to call or listen in:

Rev has been busy, but he hasn't been coaching hot NFL cheerleaders over the last few months

THE KEV AND REV SHOW

Listen: Either through the TalkShoe website or podcast player at The Wife Hates Sports

Call During Live Show: (724) 444-7444 – Call ID: 97999

Episode #5 Airs Sunday July 31, 2011 at 12pm Eastern

Barring any breaking news, this week’s topics are set and will be as follows:

THE KEV AND REV SHOW: Episode #5

Pregame – The Latest from Kev (The Wife Hates Sports) and Rev (Sports Chump)

1^st – NFL Lockout Ends; Football is Back

2^nd – NFL Free Agency Frenzy (and Trades, Too)

Nnamdi Asomugha, Kevin Kolb, Vince Young, Winners, Losers and more…

3^rd – Fantasy Football Chatter

Who would you take with the first overall pick?

4^th – MLB Trade Deadline Discussion

Good deals, bad deals, Beltran, Pence and more

5^th – MLB Extras

Playoff Chase, Instant Replay Discussion and more

6^th – Latest from the NBA

NBA Lockout, Players Heading Overseas and more

7^th – The Tiger Woods – Steve Williams Split (plus Tiger’s return and future)

7^th Inning Stretch – What’s eatin’ ya?

8^th – Latest from College Football

Media Days, Teams in Trouble, Paterno to 90, Boise State Blue, Longhorn Network

Time to bring in the closer…

9^th – Entertainment, Movies, Relationships, New Wives and More

Ben Roethlisberger, Roy Williams, Jay Cutler, among others

Postgame – Concluding this edition of The Kev and Rev Show

We hope you will get the chance to listen in, whether live, or later in the week – as the show can be heard through the Talk Shoe podcast player on the right side of the Sports Chump or TWHS home pages.

Thank you for supporting THE WIFE HATES SPORTS and SPORTS CHUMP!