1. Right move by Rashard?
This morning the news came in that Rashard Lewis has decided to opt out of his deal with Seattle and test the free agent waters. My question is, "What is he thinking?" I understand the fact that he thinks he can make more money elsewhere, but if that were the case, why did he stick around as long as he did? The Sonics found out on Tuesday that they will receive the number two pick in the June 28th draft, so it appears that Seattle is in as good of shape as it has been in several years. Ray Allen and Nick Collison will be back, and assuming they can stay healthy, this should be a team that can get back in playoff contention. Here's what I think is on Lewis' mind; he wants to go to the Eastern Conference. And who wouldn't? The East would give him a lot better chance to move through the playoffs, and he will probably get some decent offers over there too. Rashard is making the right move, and Seattle shouldn't be too upset either. Lewis' absence will leave room and allow for the emergence of Kevin Durant.
2. LeBron, LeBron, LeBron- Can the guy do anything right?
Following a game two collapse by the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James continues to be criticized. After Game one everybody was on him for passing up a potential game tying shot in the closing seconds. This time he took the shot, thought he was fouled, but missed. Is it LeBron's fault that Cleveland is down 2-0, partially, but is it all his fault? Absolutely not. People continue to forget how good of a team Detroit really is, and how much experience it has on its roster. Is anybody else seeing similarities between the Yankees and the Pistons? It seems like both teams want you to believe that the game is yours early, but then they come out and steal it in the late moments. The Cavs just don't have the depth and experience the Pistons do, and stand no chance of winning this series. They will take one of two at home and go back to Detroit to end their season in game five.
3. Yankees struggles
I know what you're thinking- let's not talk about it and maybe it will continue. Everybody in the country is waiting-and waiting-and waiting for the Yankees to wake up and put together a winning streak, but it is just not happening. In fact, the Bronx Bombers have had to deal with new problems as time has progressed. Jason Giambi is making stupid comments, and the Joe Torre media saga continues. I still fully expect the Yankees to put it together late, but it is looking more and more unlikely that they will catch Boston.
4. Any takers?
When Stan Van Gundy took his name out of the running for the Pacers head-coaching position, Indiana received what some people call a "shot to the groin". But why would Stan really want this job? Better yet, why would anybody want this job? The day Larry Bird fired Rick Carlisle was probably the best day of Rick's life. Now he is free to be an analyst on ESPN and do whatever he wishes. There is no more dealing with the attitude problems, the club riots, and everything else that went on in his tenure with the Pacers. The team has absolutely nothing to offer. No draft picks. No room in the salary cap. No talent. This is a very sad franchise right now; a franchise that will take several years to rebuild. I think the only logical move would be to trade Jermaine O'Neal and start over. The management has to understand that this is not going to be an immediate fix and that it will take time to return to top of the Eastern Conference. The Pacers are going to end up with a coach within their current staff and go from there. It really is too bad too because in a year when there is going to be so many coveted free agents; the Pacers have no money to spend. Go figure.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Just Shut Up
If any of you has ever watched ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning, you have heard about the "Just Shut Up" award handed out each week. Well, I'm ready to give mine, and it is directed towards the majority of people in the country.
Everybody criticizing LeBron James today needs to shut up. LeBron did the absolute right thing in passing the ball to an open Donyell Marshall in the closing seconds of last night's Conference Finals game 1. Why shouldn't he have? Marshall has proven to be a consistent three point shooter in the past, and he was wide open! A leader does not take every shot; he does what is best for the team. And what are we saying if Marshall hits that shot? James would have had a triple-double and everybody would have been singing a different tune. And what if Lebron did take the shot and he happened to miss? I guarantee there would be more than a handful of people talking about the wide open Marshall in the corner.
Give the guy a break, he is one of the NBA's best players and he is only 22 years old. He did the right thing, and just because he isn't Kobe Bryant doesn't mean he should hear about it.
Everybody criticizing LeBron James today needs to shut up. LeBron did the absolute right thing in passing the ball to an open Donyell Marshall in the closing seconds of last night's Conference Finals game 1. Why shouldn't he have? Marshall has proven to be a consistent three point shooter in the past, and he was wide open! A leader does not take every shot; he does what is best for the team. And what are we saying if Marshall hits that shot? James would have had a triple-double and everybody would have been singing a different tune. And what if Lebron did take the shot and he happened to miss? I guarantee there would be more than a handful of people talking about the wide open Marshall in the corner.
Give the guy a break, he is one of the NBA's best players and he is only 22 years old. He did the right thing, and just because he isn't Kobe Bryant doesn't mean he should hear about it.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Everybody needs a little luck
In professional sports, luck is always nice, and usually needed. Very rarely do you see a team win a championship without a little luck along the way. Just look at Utah being in the Western Conference Finals this year; they were lucky to have top seeded Dallas knocked out in round number one. Or the Cardinals a year ago; lucky to get some timely pitching from Jeff Weaver (who by the way has made people sleepless in Seattle).
But what I am referring to is the NBA Draft- which will be held at 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesday night. Luck is always evident when a ping pong ball determines your fate. Just look at Cleveland a few years back. Had the Cavs not gotten the number one pick, what happens? They used that pick on LeBron James, but what if they had gotten the number 6 pick, or 7? What if they ended up with a Darko Millicic? The Cavs would still be a lottery team today if that were the case, but they got lucky and now they are amongst the elite Eastern Conference teams. That is if you could call anybody in the East "elite". But luck is just what the Pacers are going to be looking for tomorrow night. Nobody likes their odds, but what if? What if they end up with Greg Oden? I'll tell you one thing, if they don't get lucky it's going to be another long season. You can be sure of that.
But what I am referring to is the NBA Draft- which will be held at 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesday night. Luck is always evident when a ping pong ball determines your fate. Just look at Cleveland a few years back. Had the Cavs not gotten the number one pick, what happens? They used that pick on LeBron James, but what if they had gotten the number 6 pick, or 7? What if they ended up with a Darko Millicic? The Cavs would still be a lottery team today if that were the case, but they got lucky and now they are amongst the elite Eastern Conference teams. That is if you could call anybody in the East "elite". But luck is just what the Pacers are going to be looking for tomorrow night. Nobody likes their odds, but what if? What if they end up with Greg Oden? I'll tell you one thing, if they don't get lucky it's going to be another long season. You can be sure of that.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
NBA PLAYOFFS
The NBA Playoffs are really heating up, and every game is pivotal. Below I take a look at each of the four remaining series and what I expect to happen.
Cleveland Caviliers vs. New Jersey Nets (CLE leads 2-1)
This series is very intriguing. On paper, New Jersey is the better team. The Nets have the trio of Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, and Jason Kidd; all with playoff experience. Mikki Moore is an up and coming player that has done well in replacing Nenad Kristic, and Bostjan Nachbar has a deadly three-pointer.
The Cavs are the higher seed because they have LeBron James. But until Cleveland puts more people around him, the Cavs are never going to make it out of the Eastern Conference. James might be enough to get them past the Nets, but once Detroit comes around say goodnight. Just think what the Cavs could be if they still had Carlos Boozer on their roster. Scary isn't it?
PREDICTION: The home court advantage proves to be just enough to hold off the Nets. Cleveland wins in a thrilling game seven.
Utah Jazz vs. Golden State Warriors (UTAH LEADS 2-1)
To me, this is the most exciting match-up remaining. The Warriors run and gun style is thrilling to watch, especially when they are playing at home. Utah is probably still a year or two away from really having the team needed to compete, but the Jazz kind of got thrown into an extraordinary opportunity in getting the No. 8 seed in the second round.
But to count the Warriors out because they are tough and relentless. Baron Davis looks like an MVP; who knows what this team could have been if he hadn't been injured for the majority of the season.
PREDICTION: The speedy Warriors will wear the Jazz out late in the series to take it in seven games.
Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls (DET LEADS 3-0)
This one is very simple. Like I said in an earlier blog, the Bulls still don't have that player that represents Michael Jordan, and the Pistons have far too much talent and experience for them. Detroit really has a better guy at each position, and will easily win this series.
PREDICTION: Detroit sweeps through the Bulls.
Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs (SA LEADS 2-1)
Most people expect the winner of this series to go on to win the title, and I can't say I disagree. The Suns are led by Steve Nash (who should have won the MVP) and they will not quit until it is all said and done. BUT as we very well know, defense wins and the Spurs definitely play defense. The Suns have a good team, but Duncan and Parker will prove to be too much as San Antonio heads on the win the NBA Championship.
PREDICTION: Spurs in 6.
Cleveland Caviliers vs. New Jersey Nets (CLE leads 2-1)
This series is very intriguing. On paper, New Jersey is the better team. The Nets have the trio of Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, and Jason Kidd; all with playoff experience. Mikki Moore is an up and coming player that has done well in replacing Nenad Kristic, and Bostjan Nachbar has a deadly three-pointer.
The Cavs are the higher seed because they have LeBron James. But until Cleveland puts more people around him, the Cavs are never going to make it out of the Eastern Conference. James might be enough to get them past the Nets, but once Detroit comes around say goodnight. Just think what the Cavs could be if they still had Carlos Boozer on their roster. Scary isn't it?
PREDICTION: The home court advantage proves to be just enough to hold off the Nets. Cleveland wins in a thrilling game seven.
Utah Jazz vs. Golden State Warriors (UTAH LEADS 2-1)
To me, this is the most exciting match-up remaining. The Warriors run and gun style is thrilling to watch, especially when they are playing at home. Utah is probably still a year or two away from really having the team needed to compete, but the Jazz kind of got thrown into an extraordinary opportunity in getting the No. 8 seed in the second round.
But to count the Warriors out because they are tough and relentless. Baron Davis looks like an MVP; who knows what this team could have been if he hadn't been injured for the majority of the season.
PREDICTION: The speedy Warriors will wear the Jazz out late in the series to take it in seven games.
Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls (DET LEADS 3-0)
This one is very simple. Like I said in an earlier blog, the Bulls still don't have that player that represents Michael Jordan, and the Pistons have far too much talent and experience for them. Detroit really has a better guy at each position, and will easily win this series.
PREDICTION: Detroit sweeps through the Bulls.
Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs (SA LEADS 2-1)
Most people expect the winner of this series to go on to win the title, and I can't say I disagree. The Suns are led by Steve Nash (who should have won the MVP) and they will not quit until it is all said and done. BUT as we very well know, defense wins and the Spurs definitely play defense. The Suns have a good team, but Duncan and Parker will prove to be too much as San Antonio heads on the win the NBA Championship.
PREDICTION: Spurs in 6.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
A fighting chance?
Tonight the Mavericks and Warriors will fight it out, for the fifth time. Dallas, the top team in the NBA in the regular season, has been knocked on its butt in 3 out of 4 games. It might have been a clean sweep had Stephen Jackson and Baron Davis not lost control of themselves. But this is it, can the Warriors close it out and complete the biggest upset in NBA history?
Not so fast my friend. Dallas has had some serious off the court issues in the last couple of days, but don't let that fool you. They are prepared for this game. Before Sunday night's game 4 Dirk Nowitski said "If we lose tonight it is pretty much over."
He has received a ton of crap for that, but who wouldn't say that? He was trying to motivate himself to win that game. He did not mean that he would quit if they lost the game, he was just trying to pump himself up, something many guys have done in the past. Dirk is going to come out and score 30+ in game 5, and the Mavericks are going to send it back to Golden State with the Warriors feeling pressured. Some may say that the Warriors have nothing to lose, but that is completely wrong. They had nothing to lose coming into the series, but now they are one game away from knocking out the number 1 seed. Nobody is giving Dallas a chance, so the Mavericks are really the ones with nothing to lose.
All of the shows on ESPN and TNT have been saying the same thing, "Where did the Warriors come from?" But I don't see what the big surprise is. This is a good team. The only reason they finished 41-41 in the regular season was because they were without Jason Richardson and Baron Davis for most of the season. Once they got those guys back and added the athleticism of Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington, they became a dangerous team. Don Nelson allows his team to play loose and run it all they want. They have become the next coming of the Phoenix Suns, but they play some defense too. And Baron Davis is a more lethal scorer then is Steve Nash. Had Davis been healthy all year I think you could make the argument that he deserves the MVP.
I expect Golden State to win this series, but let's not kid ourselves. The Warriors are not going to win the West, no question asked. They would not be able to handle the Suns who would run them right off the court. And San Antonio is much better too. Golden State has made the headlines, but it won't be for too long.
Not so fast my friend. Dallas has had some serious off the court issues in the last couple of days, but don't let that fool you. They are prepared for this game. Before Sunday night's game 4 Dirk Nowitski said "If we lose tonight it is pretty much over."
He has received a ton of crap for that, but who wouldn't say that? He was trying to motivate himself to win that game. He did not mean that he would quit if they lost the game, he was just trying to pump himself up, something many guys have done in the past. Dirk is going to come out and score 30+ in game 5, and the Mavericks are going to send it back to Golden State with the Warriors feeling pressured. Some may say that the Warriors have nothing to lose, but that is completely wrong. They had nothing to lose coming into the series, but now they are one game away from knocking out the number 1 seed. Nobody is giving Dallas a chance, so the Mavericks are really the ones with nothing to lose.
All of the shows on ESPN and TNT have been saying the same thing, "Where did the Warriors come from?" But I don't see what the big surprise is. This is a good team. The only reason they finished 41-41 in the regular season was because they were without Jason Richardson and Baron Davis for most of the season. Once they got those guys back and added the athleticism of Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington, they became a dangerous team. Don Nelson allows his team to play loose and run it all they want. They have become the next coming of the Phoenix Suns, but they play some defense too. And Baron Davis is a more lethal scorer then is Steve Nash. Had Davis been healthy all year I think you could make the argument that he deserves the MVP.
I expect Golden State to win this series, but let's not kid ourselves. The Warriors are not going to win the West, no question asked. They would not be able to handle the Suns who would run them right off the court. And San Antonio is much better too. Golden State has made the headlines, but it won't be for too long.
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