People hate the San Antonio Spurs. There is no way around this fact. They have perhaps the greatest player in the game of basketball today in Tim Duncan. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli have formed one of the best guard combos in the league today, and have created second and third options to Duncan. Bruce Bowen is without question one of the greatest defenders going today. And then there is the coach. Gregg Popovich has helped put together a dynasty for the new millenium. Yet, this team has been called boring and have participated in some of the lowest-rated NBA Finals since the late 1970's and the games were shown on tape delay.
Cleveland is now the darling of the NBA. They are what this league wants and needs. LeBron James is a superstar on the rise. He's not exactly Jordan, not exactly Magic. Instead of comparing him to other players, he should be seen as the first LeBron James. He has the ability to lead a team and carry a city. He lets the game come to him instead of trying to force the action. And even as James does make his first trip to the finals, he still has so much more room to grow. He's not anywhere close to being an all-NBA defender. Longer range field goals and even free throws are an inconsistent part of his game. But at the age of 22, James taken advantage of a weak conference and an overrated Pistons team to get his team into the finals. My hunch is that King James will be in the finals a few more times.
If you listen to the media, you are listening to the great paradox. On one hand, these finals are the LeBron James show, but the San Antonio Spurs will win this series. It's a slam dunk. The Cavaliers have no chance to win. In fact, they might as well just give the Spurs the trophy now and not even play.
The same has held true in the past of course. The 2002 St. Louis Rams, 2006 USC Trojans, 2007 Ohio St. Buckeyes, 2004 Los Angeles Lakers, 2003 New York Yankees, 2006 Detroit Tigers (That was for you David.), and of course the 2004 New York Yankees. were all stone cold locks to win championships too. And they responded by all being upset. So I'm going against the grain.
I honestly cannot present you with a single fact that points to the Cleveland Cavaliers winning this NBA championship. They don't have near the depth, experience, or willingness to get as dirty as the Spurs can get. The only thing they have is LeBron James and a city that is so hungry for a championship they're like vampires at a blood clinic. But here goes nothing.
Cavaliers in 6.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
My sources say Kobe's going to the Suns
This Kobe thing is crazy. I hate to say never, but I NEVER thought this would happen. Even after hearing all these reports, I still am having trouble accepting it as truth.
First, regardless of what Kobe says, it is next to impossible to trade someone of his caliber. There's the salary issue and the fact that there's no way the Lakers are going to get someone of equal value, unless it's two star players or three All-Star players.
This is also eerily similar to the Garnett and Iverson situations. Garnett has been rumored to be traded for a couple of years now, and as far as we know that's nothing but talk. Iverson was the same thing, and he wasn't traded until he 31 years old and arguably at the end of his prime. Kobe is in the MIDDLE of his prime, leading the league in scoring two years running and single-handily taking an awful Lakers team to the playoffs two years in a row.
I'm just having trouble believing that Kobe asks for a trade and before the start of next season he's with another team. History tells us it's not that easy. I can't think of any player on Kobe's level that was traded in his prime. Kareem was traded when he was 27, but that was 30 years ago and I think that a Kobe trade would be an even bigger deal.
I also can't believe that the Lakers are going to go from a team led by future Hall of Famers Shaq and Kobe to a team three years later being led by Lamar Odom and whoever they get for Kobe. That's not bad management, that's unbelievably bad management.
I hear what Kobe's saying, but I'm having a hard time seeing it.
First, regardless of what Kobe says, it is next to impossible to trade someone of his caliber. There's the salary issue and the fact that there's no way the Lakers are going to get someone of equal value, unless it's two star players or three All-Star players.
This is also eerily similar to the Garnett and Iverson situations. Garnett has been rumored to be traded for a couple of years now, and as far as we know that's nothing but talk. Iverson was the same thing, and he wasn't traded until he 31 years old and arguably at the end of his prime. Kobe is in the MIDDLE of his prime, leading the league in scoring two years running and single-handily taking an awful Lakers team to the playoffs two years in a row.
I'm just having trouble believing that Kobe asks for a trade and before the start of next season he's with another team. History tells us it's not that easy. I can't think of any player on Kobe's level that was traded in his prime. Kareem was traded when he was 27, but that was 30 years ago and I think that a Kobe trade would be an even bigger deal.
I also can't believe that the Lakers are going to go from a team led by future Hall of Famers Shaq and Kobe to a team three years later being led by Lamar Odom and whoever they get for Kobe. That's not bad management, that's unbelievably bad management.
I hear what Kobe's saying, but I'm having a hard time seeing it.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The end of my NBA season
The NBA this year was awesome. Dallas flirted with 70 wins and played two great regular season games against Phoenix, a team that had a 15 and 17 game winning streak. Then there was the Suns game with the Nets in which the teams combined for 318 points.
Gilbert Arenas established himself as the most entertaining player in the league. Future Hall of Famer Allen Iverson was traded to the Nuggets, forming a dream duo with Carmelo Anthony. Kobe Bryant is still good and LeBron James isn't bad either.
The league also switched to a more up-tempo style, with nine teams averaging at least 100 points per game. Last year only five teams averaged that many points and in 2003-04, only two teams averaged that many.
What made all this better was that the playoffs initially appeared to be an improvement. Golden State was 33-39 on March 26 and a playoff afterthought. They then won nine of their final 10 games to sneak into the playoffs and followed that by destroying the best team in the league.
The Warriors series with the Jazz was short, but entertaining. The Suns and Spurs second round series was incredible for many different reasons. The Bulls toyed with coming back from a 3-0 defecit and put on the first watchable Eastern Conference series.
And now we've reached the Conference finals, and I'm done. After a season this great, we're left with Detroit, Cleveland, San Antonio and Utah. Thanks, but no thanks.
Detroit is great, but boring and without a true superstar (sorry Chauncey). Aside from LeBron, Cleveland is a bad team. I actually enjoy watching the Jazz, but in all honesty they have no chance against the Spurs, the most evil team to ever step on a basketball court. Not only are the Spurs the most boring and personality-deprived teams of all-time, they also eliminated the two most entertaining teams in the playoffs already.
While there are plenty of great things to take from this season, I can't help but be left with a bitter taste from a disappointing ending.
Gilbert Arenas established himself as the most entertaining player in the league. Future Hall of Famer Allen Iverson was traded to the Nuggets, forming a dream duo with Carmelo Anthony. Kobe Bryant is still good and LeBron James isn't bad either.
The league also switched to a more up-tempo style, with nine teams averaging at least 100 points per game. Last year only five teams averaged that many points and in 2003-04, only two teams averaged that many.
What made all this better was that the playoffs initially appeared to be an improvement. Golden State was 33-39 on March 26 and a playoff afterthought. They then won nine of their final 10 games to sneak into the playoffs and followed that by destroying the best team in the league.
The Warriors series with the Jazz was short, but entertaining. The Suns and Spurs second round series was incredible for many different reasons. The Bulls toyed with coming back from a 3-0 defecit and put on the first watchable Eastern Conference series.
And now we've reached the Conference finals, and I'm done. After a season this great, we're left with Detroit, Cleveland, San Antonio and Utah. Thanks, but no thanks.
Detroit is great, but boring and without a true superstar (sorry Chauncey). Aside from LeBron, Cleveland is a bad team. I actually enjoy watching the Jazz, but in all honesty they have no chance against the Spurs, the most evil team to ever step on a basketball court. Not only are the Spurs the most boring and personality-deprived teams of all-time, they also eliminated the two most entertaining teams in the playoffs already.
While there are plenty of great things to take from this season, I can't help but be left with a bitter taste from a disappointing ending.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
NFL's Elite going to the Dogs
Based on the latest edition of ESPN's Outside the Lines, Michael Vick is in deep trouble. And even though this isn't drunk driving or domestic abuse charges, it's still a P.R. nightmare for the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell. Yes, dogs are not human beings, but surely they don't deserve to be unwillingly thrown into fights against other dogs. The NFL even made it clear in a statement they released to Outside the Lines.
The reality according to ESPN is that many more professional athletes are involved besides Vick. This means, that like steroids, there is more to this than meets the eyes. And now the world of dogfighting, which a lot of people knows exists but very few people talk about, may now hit the mainstream.
As a pet owner, and not even someone who likes dogs for pets, this whole situation just bothers me to know end. I find it bad enough that some cultures eat house pets as food, but at least they're doing it for survival. But if NBA and NFL players are involved in this animal abuse, then they need to be exposed as quickly as possible so that this sub-culture can be severely damaged. Obviously, there's no way we can ever be rid of something like this, but something has to be done.
The reality according to ESPN is that many more professional athletes are involved besides Vick. This means, that like steroids, there is more to this than meets the eyes. And now the world of dogfighting, which a lot of people knows exists but very few people talk about, may now hit the mainstream.
As a pet owner, and not even someone who likes dogs for pets, this whole situation just bothers me to know end. I find it bad enough that some cultures eat house pets as food, but at least they're doing it for survival. But if NBA and NFL players are involved in this animal abuse, then they need to be exposed as quickly as possible so that this sub-culture can be severely damaged. Obviously, there's no way we can ever be rid of something like this, but something has to be done.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
UFC: The Next Big Thing?
So the results are in: The Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather apparently drew in over two million total buys and $120 million in revenue. That's all well and good, but the question I asked myself in all the hype was "What's the point?" Sure, there are two great personalities with De La Hoya and Mayweather, but the fact that they were fighting for any sort of championships was barely even mentioned by any of the writers or by the announcers.
And now, just two weeks later, Sports Illustrated examines whether or not UFC is the next big thing. The answer to that question is blatantly obvious. No. Why no? Because it is already a big deal. And although many of the fighters are anonymous to a mainstream audience, they already average with a paid audience, what the NHL playoffs drew on the Vs. network. For fifty dollars and an average of just under one million buys for 2006, According to a story on SI.com, UFC's 2006 PPV revenues were almost $223 million, compared with $177 million for boxing on HBO and $200 million for WWE.
And UFC is already training the next generation of fighters with a reality television show on the Spike TV channel. A recent episode 1.2 million viewers. And although this is only just a decent number for cable television the holy grail demographic, 18-34 males , continues to do very well. And this season has seen growth in the over-35 crowd, traditionally a tough crowd to grab for what some people still think of as bonafied human cockfighting.
But UFC has cleaned its' act considerably since being purchased by boxing promoter Dana White in 2001. Since then, the company has experienced all of its' mainstream growth. Spike has the reality show. HBO, the channel that's kept boxing breathing the last 15 years, will begin broadcasting UFC events very soon. UFC also bought out one of their top competitors, PRIDE. Copycat leagues have formed and will continue to form. And many states are beginning to allow MMA events. Illinois recently loosening its' laws has already caused copycat International Fighting League (IFL) to run a show and Dana White had talked of running the Allstate Arena or United Center for a big UFC Pay-Per View.
People can choose to hate UFC. I've remained ambivalent to this point about the fights, but with all the attention it's getting, there's a good chance I too may become a fan. Especially when certain leagues continue to screw their fans by charging increasing amounts of money for a depleted product. Here is a sport at its' purest. Two men getting into a ring (or in this case Octagon) and settling a score. Not a single fighter has died in a UFC ring. And White has put certain rules (no eye-gouging, fish-hooking, or choking) to make sure that UFC is relatively safe.
While UFC is nowhere near the NBA, MLB, NASCAR, and especially the NFL, it certainly is a big thing.
And now, just two weeks later, Sports Illustrated examines whether or not UFC is the next big thing. The answer to that question is blatantly obvious. No. Why no? Because it is already a big deal. And although many of the fighters are anonymous to a mainstream audience, they already average with a paid audience, what the NHL playoffs drew on the Vs. network. For fifty dollars and an average of just under one million buys for 2006, According to a story on SI.com, UFC's 2006 PPV revenues were almost $223 million, compared with $177 million for boxing on HBO and $200 million for WWE.
And UFC is already training the next generation of fighters with a reality television show on the Spike TV channel. A recent episode 1.2 million viewers. And although this is only just a decent number for cable television the holy grail demographic, 18-34 males , continues to do very well. And this season has seen growth in the over-35 crowd, traditionally a tough crowd to grab for what some people still think of as bonafied human cockfighting.
But UFC has cleaned its' act considerably since being purchased by boxing promoter Dana White in 2001. Since then, the company has experienced all of its' mainstream growth. Spike has the reality show. HBO, the channel that's kept boxing breathing the last 15 years, will begin broadcasting UFC events very soon. UFC also bought out one of their top competitors, PRIDE. Copycat leagues have formed and will continue to form. And many states are beginning to allow MMA events. Illinois recently loosening its' laws has already caused copycat International Fighting League (IFL) to run a show and Dana White had talked of running the Allstate Arena or United Center for a big UFC Pay-Per View.
People can choose to hate UFC. I've remained ambivalent to this point about the fights, but with all the attention it's getting, there's a good chance I too may become a fan. Especially when certain leagues continue to screw their fans by charging increasing amounts of money for a depleted product. Here is a sport at its' purest. Two men getting into a ring (or in this case Octagon) and settling a score. Not a single fighter has died in a UFC ring. And White has put certain rules (no eye-gouging, fish-hooking, or choking) to make sure that UFC is relatively safe.
While UFC is nowhere near the NBA, MLB, NASCAR, and especially the NFL, it certainly is a big thing.
Monday, May 21, 2007
America's Most Wanted
Never mind the fact that Michael Dwayne Vick has failed to live up to the expectations that accompany the highest paid contract in NFL history to date. Never mind the fact that in seven seasons in the League he's yet to ever complete more than 60 percent of his passes, throw for more than 20 touchdowns or have a passer rating higher than a B- by even the most generous of collegiate grading standards.
Never mind the fact that in a single off season he's been a part of two potentially image devastating scandals that have been sandwiched around a horrific shooting at his Alma mater.
Despite all of that, Michael Vick is still the brightest, most entertaining, creative, explosive, intriguing player in the National Football League.
Just as another prolific young star found out the hard way, it's not easy being a well-known and generously paid African-American professional Global Icon. However, just as that other well-known and generously paid African-American professional Global Icon quickly figured out; the cure for such a perplexing position is winning and doing what he does best-- ENTERTAINING THE PAYING FANS!
In a recent interview with a Washington radio station, (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18783681/) Clinton Portis said "I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it's his property, it's his dog," Portis told WAVY-TV. "If that's what he wants to do, do it. I think people should mind their business."
Now although I don't support animal cruelty in anyway, I do agree with the premise of what the former University of Miami running back is proposing. Essentially, it's not my place or any fan's place to judge what the outstanding community activist, Vick, does in his spare time. However, if the media feels the need to publicize his off-season ventures, there should be an equal platform for the charity work that the VICK Foundation did during the past year, or the amazing amounts of money that he doled out for the families of the Virginia Tech massacre, or the work Vick does with the Boys & Girls Club of the greater metropolitan Atlanta community, or the dozens and dozens of other great things that Vick does in his spare time.
As Lucky 7 embarks on his Golden Season in the National Football League it can be more than expected of him to elevate his level of play and prove all of his critics, doubters, naysayers, conspirators and antagonists wrong by showing why he was the number one draft pick in the 2001 Draft, the recipient of the highest paying contract to-the-date in the NFL on December 23, 2004, and the most sought after figure in the league of shoulder pads and helmets. Although Vick isn't perfect, I feel more than confident acknowledging that none of us are either. 
Nonetheless with so much controversy surrounding the made-for-silver screen talent, it will truly be a colossal endeavor that the fleet-footed southpaw prepares to undertake.
Friday, May 18, 2007
I don't care about feelings
Days like yesterday make love Chicago. During his post-game interview yesterday, Ozzie Guillen's wife texted him that she was watching him on TV and he starts talking to her, telling her he'll pick her up at the airport at 11. Hilarious, Ozzie is great.
Not to be outdone, Lou Pinella called out his closer and informed a group of reporters that he doesn't care about feelings. For most managers, this would have been a meltdown, but this was nothing by Lou's standards. Ryan Dempster alone is going to be worth 5-6 screamdowns this year.
What I'm really hoping is that they can keep it up with the Cardinals already 8.5 games out of first place and our top pitcher out for 3 months. Would it be too much to ask for a reality show with Lou, Ozzie and a group of reporters (including Mariotti)? Somebody should get on this.
Not to be outdone, Lou Pinella called out his closer and informed a group of reporters that he doesn't care about feelings. For most managers, this would have been a meltdown, but this was nothing by Lou's standards. Ryan Dempster alone is going to be worth 5-6 screamdowns this year.
What I'm really hoping is that they can keep it up with the Cardinals already 8.5 games out of first place and our top pitcher out for 3 months. Would it be too much to ask for a reality show with Lou, Ozzie and a group of reporters (including Mariotti)? Somebody should get on this.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Pistons-Bulls Series
I was walking down Michigan Ave. en route to a party at the Billy Goat last Thursday night. In one of the windows along the way I saw that the Bulls had a comfy 19 point lead against a tough Detroit team. I was pleased and continued my journey to the goat.
Upon arriving I learned that the Pistons had cut the lead drastically.
I decided to not watch the rest of the game for fear of what was to come.
The Pistons came back and won the game.
The series at that point was essentially over.
A couple of days before that Mario asked me if I would still stand by my Bulls in 7 prediction.
I said yes, simply.
Friday my friend asked me if I would still stand by the Bulls in 7.
Again, I replied with a simple yes.
As I post this I realize that I can jinx the Bullies, but it is of no matter at this point because the Bulls journey doesn't end with this series.
I still believe the Bulls can do the impossible.
These last two games the Pistons have had the same body language the Heat had in the last series.
The "We're too damn good to deal with this team" demeanor.
There is a lot of talk in the media about this "flipping the switch" mentality that the Pistons have and I agree with that sentiment.
Maybe now that the pressure is on the Pistons wake up and win the game.
Maybe now that the Bulls charge is on they decide that they want to play.
But I don't see it.
I see the Bulls pulling off a miracle.
Upon arriving I learned that the Pistons had cut the lead drastically.
I decided to not watch the rest of the game for fear of what was to come.
The Pistons came back and won the game.
The series at that point was essentially over.
A couple of days before that Mario asked me if I would still stand by my Bulls in 7 prediction.
I said yes, simply.
Friday my friend asked me if I would still stand by the Bulls in 7.
Again, I replied with a simple yes.
As I post this I realize that I can jinx the Bullies, but it is of no matter at this point because the Bulls journey doesn't end with this series.
I still believe the Bulls can do the impossible.
These last two games the Pistons have had the same body language the Heat had in the last series.
The "We're too damn good to deal with this team" demeanor.
There is a lot of talk in the media about this "flipping the switch" mentality that the Pistons have and I agree with that sentiment.
Maybe now that the pressure is on the Pistons wake up and win the game.
Maybe now that the Bulls charge is on they decide that they want to play.
But I don't see it.
I see the Bulls pulling off a miracle.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Bulls Make It a Series Again
| So the baby Bulls have shown some heart and moxy before theire elimination by the Detroit Pistons. While very easily calling it a season and getting ready for vacation is what the Bulls could have done, they have responded to a 3-0 deficit by giving the Pistons two straight beatings. The first was admittedly not the Pistons' best effort as they looked apathetic and seemed disinterested. But everyone in the media wrote this off as just the team just wanting to win a series on their homecourt. Where are the excuses tonight? This team still looked old, apathetic, and very tired. Chris Webber has disappeared from the postseason limelight. Maybe he should try calling time-out again. I know it's a cheapshot but when you go scoreless in two straight games and do next to nothing with a chance to close your opponent, you deserve to be smacked in the mouth. And Rasheed Wallace's outbursts don't strike me as being that of a mature basketball team poised to win a championship. I know the Bulls have shot the ball very well the last two games and the odds are good that they will indeed lose on Thursday or Monday night. I'm not delusional enough to think that this Bulls team can do what no other team in NBA history has done and only three teams in professional sports have done. But I think Bulls fans should take something very positive away from this team. When they could have thrown in the towel like Miami did in their Game 4, they didn't. The Bulls kept fighting, kept trying to win basketball games, and even took away a lot of the Pistons momentum regardless of what happens. |
Not to turn this into a Suns blog, but...
When the Suns signed Jalen Rose earlier this year, I was excited. Last year they turned Boris Diaw into a good player and Rose is at least that talented, albiet quite a bit older. 53 DNP's later, I think it's safe to assume it didn't work out.
But in the back of my mind I always knew that Rose would help out the Suns eventually, and today that's been confirmed. On ESPN, Rose showed a video from the second quarter of Game 4 of Bruce Bowen and Tim Duncan walking onto the court after a Francisco Elson dunk in which he Elson landed on a Suns player (sorry, I couldn't find video). Rose argued that it was a potential incident and that Duncan has to be suspended for a game. As the Big Aristotle said on TNT after the game "If you break the crime (sic) you must do the time."
The league should suspend whoever they have to and IMMEDIATELY get rid of this rule. Why does the NBA need a rule specifying when a player should be suspended, is there no room for subjectivity here? I don't know about anyone else, but Game 5 without Stoudemire and possibly Diaw and Duncan will be incredibly entertaining for me. Not really.
But in the back of my mind I always knew that Rose would help out the Suns eventually, and today that's been confirmed. On ESPN, Rose showed a video from the second quarter of Game 4 of Bruce Bowen and Tim Duncan walking onto the court after a Francisco Elson dunk in which he Elson landed on a Suns player (sorry, I couldn't find video). Rose argued that it was a potential incident and that Duncan has to be suspended for a game. As the Big Aristotle said on TNT after the game "If you break the crime (sic) you must do the time."
The league should suspend whoever they have to and IMMEDIATELY get rid of this rule. Why does the NBA need a rule specifying when a player should be suspended, is there no room for subjectivity here? I don't know about anyone else, but Game 5 without Stoudemire and possibly Diaw and Duncan will be incredibly entertaining for me. Not really.
Monday, May 14, 2007
BD and Me
As I'm sure everyone else does, I've recently completed my yearly audit of basketball likes and dislikes. This year I have an exciting new addition to my "Favorite Current Players" list.
1. Steve Nash
Most entertaining player in the league, no arguments accepted. Also, I'm waiting for him to rip into Dirk and say that Nowitzki stole this year's MVP from him.
2. Amare Stoudemire
Most talented young big man in the league. Unlike Dwight Howard, he can shoot and he's almost as athletic.
3. Shawn Marion
Gave the greatest interview of the year to ESPN the Magazine for this story. When asked if he'd rather be a 30 ppg scorer or be a sidekick on the Suns, he said he'd have to think about it. I guess he missed Joe Johnson's last two years with the Hawks (combined record, 56-108).
4. Pat Burke
The Suns were 19-4 in games Pat Burke played in this year. League's most underrated player? I think so.
5. Baron Davis
Regardless of whether the Spurs or Pistons win this year's championship, all I'm going to remember is Baron Davis. He hit an incredible half-court shot. He made an incredible layup. Oh yeah, then there's one of the top 5 in-game dunks of all time. The only thing that could have made that dunk better is if he celebrated by lifting his shirt and inexplicably showing his man chest. Awesome.
If Davis stays with Don Nelson for a couple more years and manages to remain healthy, we'll be talking about him in 30 years like people talk about Pete Maravich now. There is no way Davis will ever win a championship, but man is he fun to watch. And as every Suns fan knows, that's what's really important.
1. Steve Nash
Most entertaining player in the league, no arguments accepted. Also, I'm waiting for him to rip into Dirk and say that Nowitzki stole this year's MVP from him.
2. Amare Stoudemire
Most talented young big man in the league. Unlike Dwight Howard, he can shoot and he's almost as athletic.
3. Shawn Marion
Gave the greatest interview of the year to ESPN the Magazine for this story. When asked if he'd rather be a 30 ppg scorer or be a sidekick on the Suns, he said he'd have to think about it. I guess he missed Joe Johnson's last two years with the Hawks (combined record, 56-108).
4. Pat Burke
The Suns were 19-4 in games Pat Burke played in this year. League's most underrated player? I think so.
5. Baron Davis
Regardless of whether the Spurs or Pistons win this year's championship, all I'm going to remember is Baron Davis. He hit an incredible half-court shot. He made an incredible layup. Oh yeah, then there's one of the top 5 in-game dunks of all time. The only thing that could have made that dunk better is if he celebrated by lifting his shirt and inexplicably showing his man chest. Awesome.
If Davis stays with Don Nelson for a couple more years and manages to remain healthy, we'll be talking about him in 30 years like people talk about Pete Maravich now. There is no way Davis will ever win a championship, but man is he fun to watch. And as every Suns fan knows, that's what's really important.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Still the Babies
All right Bulls fans, I need to hear from you. Game 4 isn't over yet, but at this point it doesn't really matter. Even if they decide to wake up and win this game, it'll end in Game 5.
Ben Wallace just had his worst year since 1999-2000. The only thing he did better this year was pass the ball, but he's still far from an acceptable offensive player. As bad as I am at this predicting thing, I'm guessing he's not going to be better at 33 years old. Oh well, at least he's only around for three more years.
I know it's only one year, but Tyrus Thomas looks like an awful pick. In a couple of years I think he'll be a good rebounder, a great shot-blocker and a great athlete. But he'll never be a good low post scorer, and that's what the Bulls need him to be.
Kirk Hinrich will never be the great player the Bulls think he is. Ben Gordon a great scorer and nothing else. Luol Deng is the only legitimate All-Star they have, but if they are going to make a trade, that's who everyone is going to want.
The Cavaliers have a much better future than the Bulls. Unless Billups leaves, the Pistons are still better next year. A healthy Dwyane Wade might be able to beat the Bulls by himself. So, what does this team do to stop being the Baby Bulls? I'm guessing no one is really happy with the second round, and unless they do something big that's their ceiling next year. What does this team do to become legit?
Ben Wallace just had his worst year since 1999-2000. The only thing he did better this year was pass the ball, but he's still far from an acceptable offensive player. As bad as I am at this predicting thing, I'm guessing he's not going to be better at 33 years old. Oh well, at least he's only around for three more years.
I know it's only one year, but Tyrus Thomas looks like an awful pick. In a couple of years I think he'll be a good rebounder, a great shot-blocker and a great athlete. But he'll never be a good low post scorer, and that's what the Bulls need him to be.
Kirk Hinrich will never be the great player the Bulls think he is. Ben Gordon a great scorer and nothing else. Luol Deng is the only legitimate All-Star they have, but if they are going to make a trade, that's who everyone is going to want.
The Cavaliers have a much better future than the Bulls. Unless Billups leaves, the Pistons are still better next year. A healthy Dwyane Wade might be able to beat the Bulls by himself. So, what does this team do to stop being the Baby Bulls? I'm guessing no one is really happy with the second round, and unless they do something big that's their ceiling next year. What does this team do to become legit?
Monday, May 7, 2007
Loyalty for Big Ben?
I stopped by ESPN.com this afternoon and read this article by this writer named LZ Granderson titled "Can't buy love in Motown" http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=granderson/070507&sportCat=nba.Without forcing you to endure the painfully contrite writing I'll summarize it for you. Granderson sends out a plea to Detroit Piston fans to stop booing former Piston and recently added Chicago Bull Center Ben Wallace, (get this) because Wallace was responsible for the Piston franchise returning to prominence.
I have a few problems with this. First, Wallace is merely a poor man's Dennis Rodman without the offensive skills Rodman exhibited during his tenure in Motown. Also, Wallace has failed to influence the Bulls the way that Rodman did when he arrived in the Windy City, so he's not deserving of that ridiculously overpriced contract he signed. However, the biggest reason I have a problem with this is because Wallace bailed on the Pistons to allegedly do what's best for his family.
Now I'm all for players getting paid fair market value and doing what's best for themselves because it is a business, but Wallace was more than paid fair market value in Detroit. Now I'd also like to stress that there's nothing wrong with taking the money if someone's willing to pay you, but if you're undeserving of that kind of cash and know that you're not but yet skip a championship level town and team to get it, it can only be expected that get booed.
Wallace wasn't even the best Wallace in that Pistons locker room, and because that, he should have appreciated the fact that the Pistons organization gave him the opportunity to become a multiple time recipient of the defensive player of the year award. Big Ben didn't win defensive player of the year this year, and I don't even think he was in the top three (Davey I know you're going to check, but I'm certain he wasn't) in voting this season which is odd because the Bulls are supposedly a better defensive team than the Pistons (statistically speaking of course).
Wallace should be booed everytime he touches the ball or steps on the court, because he betrayed a city and franchise that gave him a chance to play on the big stage. Wallace should honestly be playing in Europe right now, because aside from his commitment to the defensive end as a help defender, he's really expendable. Wallace is an average rebounder, a dismal offensive player, and a decent head-to-head defender. I saw the game Saturday evening and that kid Jason Maxiell handed it to Wallace on both ends of the floor.
Well, for any that are yet with me at this point, how do you feel about Wallace being booed, should he be embraced in the manner that Jordan was when he returned to Chicago as a Wizard or Malone in his return to Utah as a Laker? What do you think?
Saturday, May 5, 2007
What to make of McGrady
If you watched the press conference after the Rockets and Jazz game tonight, you couldn't help but feel awful for Tracy McGrady. I think after this guy retires, he's going to be a very interesting case for historians; when I watch him play I have no doubt that he's a superstar, but I don't know that he'll be remembered that way. And while he's only 27 years old, his retirement may not be that far off, given the fact that he's already played 10 season in the NBA and he has quite an injury history.
On one hand, McGrady has been on two teams that won 50-plus games (04-05 and 06-07 Rockets), he's been to seven All-Star games, he averaged 32.1 ppg in 2002-03 and he scored 13 points in 33 seconds against the greatest defensive team of our generation.
But he's also now 0-6 in playoff series. And he's played with other stars such as Vince Carter and Yao Ming, though I think it's fair to question the merits of both of those players as well. Still, Yao is the best true center in basketball right now, and I'm pretty sure most Rockets fans thought they were better than this.
McGrady has actually played well in the playoffs, with his only bad series being his first one in 2000. I've got to think that he's been a victim of bad luck (injuries) and bad circumstances (Orlando), but I also think at this point is is fair to question how good of a player he is.
On one hand, McGrady has been on two teams that won 50-plus games (04-05 and 06-07 Rockets), he's been to seven All-Star games, he averaged 32.1 ppg in 2002-03 and he scored 13 points in 33 seconds against the greatest defensive team of our generation.
But he's also now 0-6 in playoff series. And he's played with other stars such as Vince Carter and Yao Ming, though I think it's fair to question the merits of both of those players as well. Still, Yao is the best true center in basketball right now, and I'm pretty sure most Rockets fans thought they were better than this.
McGrady has actually played well in the playoffs, with his only bad series being his first one in 2000. I've got to think that he's been a victim of bad luck (injuries) and bad circumstances (Orlando), but I also think at this point is is fair to question how good of a player he is.
Bulls vs. Pistons- Not even Close to Jordan vs. The Bad Boys
| As much as I look forward to the prospect of seeing the Bulls in the second round for the first time since I was in grammar school, there has been something nagging at me for the last few days. ESPN and the Chicago newspapers spend more time talking about the past history of these two teams then the current stars. Why is this? I know a lot of people continue to have man crushes on Michael Jordan, but what we have in this series is two real basketball teams who can actually play both sides of the ball. What happened in the late 80s and early 90s is irrelavent. These are two completely different teams. The Bulls aren't built around one man anymore and the Pistons actually play with some class (except Rasheed Wallace). I don't want to see Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen on the front cover of the Chicago Tribune Sports section. I want to see Luol Deng and Chauncey Billups on the cover since they'll be the two guys actually playing. I'll go with my head over my heart and say Pistons in 7. |
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
NBA Refs, LaRussa and Golden Meltdown
Wonderful Wednesday morning to all, I've got a couple of thoughts today. First, the front page of the New York Times had this story about NBA referees calling fouls more frequently against black players than white players. Before anyone freaks out, don't worry. Papa Stern said he conducted his own study and found no referee bias. Whew, that was close. I would hate to see the issue of racism come up in a sport of predominantly black players and ONE black owner.
This doesn't look like it's going to be that great of a season for my beloved Cardinals. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said Tuesday that marijuana was found in Josh Hancock's car. Nothing is confirmed and no one knows if Hancock was under the influence of any drugs, but if he was this brings up an interesting issue. How does Tony LaRussa, a guy arrested less than two months ago for a DUI, enforce any kind of drug policy of a team?
LaRussa is a great manager, but it may be time for the Cardinals to make a change. During last year's playoffs, he fought with Scott Rolen. The most important job of today's manager/coach is to get along with your star players. At the beginning of the latest Cubs series, he refused to talk to Post-Dispatch reporters because of an article that paper ran about the Cubs' curse. This looks like it's going to be an ugly year and I'm starting to wonder if LaRussa is going to survive this one.
Even though I told many people BEFORE last nights game, I'm writing it here as well. DALLAS IS WINNING THIS SERIES. No doubt. Golden State is a great story, but the Mavericks are the better team.
This doesn't look like it's going to be that great of a season for my beloved Cardinals. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said Tuesday that marijuana was found in Josh Hancock's car. Nothing is confirmed and no one knows if Hancock was under the influence of any drugs, but if he was this brings up an interesting issue. How does Tony LaRussa, a guy arrested less than two months ago for a DUI, enforce any kind of drug policy of a team?
LaRussa is a great manager, but it may be time for the Cardinals to make a change. During last year's playoffs, he fought with Scott Rolen. The most important job of today's manager/coach is to get along with your star players. At the beginning of the latest Cubs series, he refused to talk to Post-Dispatch reporters because of an article that paper ran about the Cubs' curse. This looks like it's going to be an ugly year and I'm starting to wonder if LaRussa is going to survive this one.
Even though I told many people BEFORE last nights game, I'm writing it here as well. DALLAS IS WINNING THIS SERIES. No doubt. Golden State is a great story, but the Mavericks are the better team.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Stern's Plan to Rule the World
on display here.
So NBA Europe is lower on his radar according to this report.
Stern seems to want to control the global basketball market.
Question is, how long before he outreaches himself and drowns the NBA?
A new league in China sounds logistically impossible, but stranger has happened.
So NBA Europe is lower on his radar according to this report.
Stern seems to want to control the global basketball market.
Question is, how long before he outreaches himself and drowns the NBA?
A new league in China sounds logistically impossible, but stranger has happened.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Bulls V. Pistons
Ah yes, once again in the Playoffs we have a Bulls Pistons match up.
The last time we had this was in 1991, it was the launching pad for the Jordan Dynasty.
It was the year that the Bullies had finally broken through their barrier and beaten the Bad Boy Pistons and the Jordan Rules.
It was the beginning of the brightest years of my young life.
Now the Baby Bulls+Ben Wallace and PJ Brown will look to continue their march towards the Finals against a much tougher foe than the regular season head to head records indicate, the Pistons.
The Bulls took the regular season match up 3-1, but as we all know the playoffs are a different beast.
Position by position breakdown:
C:
Ben Wallace V. Chris Webber
If this was the Webber of old it'd be a no doubter, but he plays limited minutes now and doesn't score as much as he used to. Ben Wallace's offense has come alive of late, but he is too spotty at the charity stripe to give him the edge. What gives Big Ben an edge is his defensive prowess and his rebounding ability.
Slight Edge goes to Webber however.
PF:
PJ Brown V. Rasheed Wallace
No brainer this goes to 'sheed. Better O and he gets dirty in the paint. PJ is nice, but his effectiveness is limited by his age. What will make this a push is whether Tyrus Thomas can play to his potential.
Edge Wallace
SF:
Tayshaun Prince V. Luol Deng
The runner up in exciting matches of this series. Prince's long arms and athletic ability v. Deng's long arms and athletic ability. Deng has been a monster in the post season, so I will give the edge to Deng.
But this will be entertaining to watch.
Edge Deng
SG:
Rip Hamilton V. Ben Gordon
Marquee.
Rip has the experience, Gordon the youth and both possess explosiveness. Crucify me if you like, I like Gordon in this match up. Both make big shots at big times, but I can see Gordon making more.
Edge: Gordon
PG:
Chauncy Billups V. Captain Kirk
Close, but not close enough. Billups is a smarter and better basketball player. Hinrich is a coaches son and plays like one, but he still has some learning to do.
Edge: Billups.
Bench:
Nocioni/Thomas/Sefolosha/Allen V. Hunter/McDyess/Hunter/Mohammed.
Edge to the Bulls.
This will be the difference maker in the series. Sure the Bulls don't have that one guy you have to key on, but that's what makes them dangerous. They get help from all sides and off the bench especially when Noc comes in.
Prediction:
Sticking to it, Bulls in 7.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
The Boring East
3 sweeps, all of them as convincing as a sweep can be.
Detroit, Chicago, and Cleveland all walked away from the first round unscathed.
Did all that really happen?
I understand the Wizards plight without Agent Zero and without Butler, but the Magic still had Dwight Howard.
I thought maybe the Magic might be able to steal a game.
But that's not the surprise.
The surprise is the Bulls completely destroying the Heat.
And the Heat looking very old in the process.
Sure, there was an injured Wade and an aging cast surronding him...But swept in the first round?
I'm in shock.
Tommorow there will be a Pistons V. Bulls preview.
Detroit, Chicago, and Cleveland all walked away from the first round unscathed.
Did all that really happen?
I understand the Wizards plight without Agent Zero and without Butler, but the Magic still had Dwight Howard.
I thought maybe the Magic might be able to steal a game.
But that's not the surprise.
The surprise is the Bulls completely destroying the Heat.
And the Heat looking very old in the process.
Sure, there was an injured Wade and an aging cast surronding him...But swept in the first round?
I'm in shock.
Tommorow there will be a Pistons V. Bulls preview.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Quarterbacks and the draft
Mario and I had a bit of an argument yesterday. He thought that the Raiders had to pick Calvin Johnson today, and I thought they had to go with JaMarcus Russell. I do think that Johnson will be a better pro, but there's no doubt Russell has very intriguing upside. The real problem I would have had with the Raiders drafting Johnson is they have no throw him the ball.
Anyway, Mario's argument was that the Raiders could either get Daunte Culpepper when the Dolphins cut him (and that doesn't look like it's going to happen now. I need some Sal insight on why the Dolphins passed on Quinn) or draft a quarterback later in the draft. That got me thinking if it really was that easy for a team to draft a quarterback in the later rounds and develop him into a starter.
So what I did was look at the quarterbacks of record from 2006 and what round they were drafted in. I decided the quarterback of record by awarding a win or loss to the quarterback with the highest number of pass attempts plus rushes/sacks. Anyway, I realize the problems -- namely that I'm only looking at one year, the draft is an inexact science and football is probably the most team-oriented game -- but there were some interesting things.
Of the 56 quarterbacks who "decided" a game, the group with the most by far were 1st round picks -- 23. The next highest group was undrafted quarterbacks with nine, which was somewhat of a surprise to me. 1st round quarterbacks had a record of 145-115, meaning that those taken later in the draft or undrafted were 111-141. As far as the best winning percentage? The 6th round, of course. 6th round quarterbacks won 58.7 percent of their games (27-19) thanks largely to Tom Brady and Matt Hasselbeck.
But I digress. Did this decide the argument? Not really. It does seem that 1st round quarterbacks are more likely to play more games and 1st or 2nd round quarterbacks are more likely to be winning quarterbacks (171-135 record in 2006), but one year of data doesn't prove anything. I think what the Raiders did was take the safest pick, but we won't know if it was a good pick until their careers are over.
Anyway, Mario's argument was that the Raiders could either get Daunte Culpepper when the Dolphins cut him (and that doesn't look like it's going to happen now. I need some Sal insight on why the Dolphins passed on Quinn) or draft a quarterback later in the draft. That got me thinking if it really was that easy for a team to draft a quarterback in the later rounds and develop him into a starter.
So what I did was look at the quarterbacks of record from 2006 and what round they were drafted in. I decided the quarterback of record by awarding a win or loss to the quarterback with the highest number of pass attempts plus rushes/sacks. Anyway, I realize the problems -- namely that I'm only looking at one year, the draft is an inexact science and football is probably the most team-oriented game -- but there were some interesting things.
Of the 56 quarterbacks who "decided" a game, the group with the most by far were 1st round picks -- 23. The next highest group was undrafted quarterbacks with nine, which was somewhat of a surprise to me. 1st round quarterbacks had a record of 145-115, meaning that those taken later in the draft or undrafted were 111-141. As far as the best winning percentage? The 6th round, of course. 6th round quarterbacks won 58.7 percent of their games (27-19) thanks largely to Tom Brady and Matt Hasselbeck.
But I digress. Did this decide the argument? Not really. It does seem that 1st round quarterbacks are more likely to play more games and 1st or 2nd round quarterbacks are more likely to be winning quarterbacks (171-135 record in 2006), but one year of data doesn't prove anything. I think what the Raiders did was take the safest pick, but we won't know if it was a good pick until their careers are over.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
True European Style Basketball
Did anyone else catch this? As a basketball fan I realize that the NBA has flourished during Stern's reign, but I'm not really a big fan of his and this is just another thing I disagree with him on.
I do think that basketball is a popular enough game world-wide that this would work financially for the new teams. But for this to work out schedule-wise, at least three of the teams are going to have to come into the league at the same time. This way, it would be like the Texas trifecta part of every team's schedule, but in Europe. Adding that many teams at one time is going to have a serious effect on the NBA's talent pool.
I also don't imagine that the current teams are going to be very happy with the increase in travel costs and difficulty. I'm sure they can afford it, but there's going to be a lot of complaining. Then there is the time zone problem. A 7 pm game in London or Madrid would be televised in the US at 1 pm central time. Not exactly prime time.
I think a good theory for any professional sports commissioner is to do exactly the opposite of what the MLB would do. And adding five teams within the next 20 years sounds a lot like baseball adding four teams between 1993 and 1998.
I don't think this is an awful idea. If done correctly, the NBA will become the model professional sports league. But I think it has to be done gradually, and I don't see how that is possible.
I do think that basketball is a popular enough game world-wide that this would work financially for the new teams. But for this to work out schedule-wise, at least three of the teams are going to have to come into the league at the same time. This way, it would be like the Texas trifecta part of every team's schedule, but in Europe. Adding that many teams at one time is going to have a serious effect on the NBA's talent pool.
I also don't imagine that the current teams are going to be very happy with the increase in travel costs and difficulty. I'm sure they can afford it, but there's going to be a lot of complaining. Then there is the time zone problem. A 7 pm game in London or Madrid would be televised in the US at 1 pm central time. Not exactly prime time.
I think a good theory for any professional sports commissioner is to do exactly the opposite of what the MLB would do. And adding five teams within the next 20 years sounds a lot like baseball adding four teams between 1993 and 1998.
I don't think this is an awful idea. If done correctly, the NBA will become the model professional sports league. But I think it has to be done gradually, and I don't see how that is possible.
Monday, April 23, 2007
The Curse Of A-Rod
How perfect is it that Alex Rodriguez is having the greatest April in the history of baseball and his team is awful? Do you think he's having flashbacks to 2001-2003 with the Texas Rangers?
I don't think A-Rod was born a bad teammate. Like all monsters, he was created by -- you guessed it -- the contract. Since signing with the Rangers in 2001 has played on three teams with winning records (the Yankees from 2004-2006) and four teams with losing records (the Rangers from 2001-2003 and this year's 8-11 Yankees).
In roughly the same amount of time (he's had 171 more plate appearances for losing teams) Rodriguez has hit .299 with 119 home runs, 357 RBI and scored 349 runs for winning teams. For losing teams, he has hit .309 with 170 home runs, 429 RBI and 408 runs scored.
The stat-head statistics are even more alarming. While his on-base percentage hasn't changed much, .398 for losing teams and .396 for winning teams, his slugging percentage is drastically different. He's slugged .632 for losing teams and only .549 for winning teams.
The Yankees probably won't continue to be a below .500 team this year, but with that rotation you never know. The best it's going to get for them this year is Wang, Mussina, Pettite, Hughes and Igawa. Not one of those pitchers is without a question mark, whether it is injury, age or performance (looking at you Kei).
A-Rod is going to go down as statistically the greatest hitter in baseball, but for some reason, the better he plays, the worse his team plays. Maybe when Robert Horry retires we can give his intangibles to Rodriguez.
I don't think A-Rod was born a bad teammate. Like all monsters, he was created by -- you guessed it -- the contract. Since signing with the Rangers in 2001 has played on three teams with winning records (the Yankees from 2004-2006) and four teams with losing records (the Rangers from 2001-2003 and this year's 8-11 Yankees).
In roughly the same amount of time (he's had 171 more plate appearances for losing teams) Rodriguez has hit .299 with 119 home runs, 357 RBI and scored 349 runs for winning teams. For losing teams, he has hit .309 with 170 home runs, 429 RBI and 408 runs scored.
The stat-head statistics are even more alarming. While his on-base percentage hasn't changed much, .398 for losing teams and .396 for winning teams, his slugging percentage is drastically different. He's slugged .632 for losing teams and only .549 for winning teams.
The Yankees probably won't continue to be a below .500 team this year, but with that rotation you never know. The best it's going to get for them this year is Wang, Mussina, Pettite, Hughes and Igawa. Not one of those pitchers is without a question mark, whether it is injury, age or performance (looking at you Kei).
A-Rod is going to go down as statistically the greatest hitter in baseball, but for some reason, the better he plays, the worse his team plays. Maybe when Robert Horry retires we can give his intangibles to Rodriguez.
BREAKING NEWS
HIS VAG ER...SHOULDER STILL HURTS!
Chicago Cubs "employee" Mark Prior is having exploratory shoulder surgery.
Which means he will never pitch again in his life.
NBA Predictions
So I'm a little late with the NBA Predictions, but here they are:
EAST:
(1)Pistons (8) Magic
There aren't many matchups in this years opening round that look very boring on paper, and will be even more painful to watch in person. Unfortunately this will be one of them.
Pistons in 5.
(2) Cavs (7) Wizards
At the rate the Wizards are losing players the Mystics will be out there before the end of this very short series. The wiz have no chance without the East's most watchable player, Habachi.
Cavs in 4
(3) Raptors (6) Nets
The Raptors have a lot of learning to in a short period of time if they wish to advance. Chris Bosh must assert himself if they are to have a chance against NJ, and right now the Raptors look soft.
Nets in 5
(4) Heat (5) Bulls
This will be the most exciting matchup the East offers up. The Bullies made it difficult for themselves as they have to beat the defending champs, then the Pistons, and if all plays out as it should, the Cavs. Game one was called too tightly and the sequel will likely have more flow to it. For Chicago to win it needs to limit Wade, stop Shaq, and defend the three. A tall order considering all Miami has to do is play good perimiter D.
But I'm a homer so Bulls in 7
WEST
(1) Mavs (8) GS Warriors
The Mavs are going to get all they can handle from the GS Warriors. Dirk Nowitzki was gawful in game one, and Mark Cuban was getting pissed on the sidelines.
However, with the MVP candidate having a bad game, the Mavs still had a chance to win the game. I see a tough hard-fought series, but I don't see an upset.
Mavs in 7
(2) Suns (7) Lakers
The most beautiful Basketball in the first round will come out of this series. before it is up we will see scores like 121-119 and so forth. The games will be competitive and go back and forth, Kobe will be Kobe, Nash will be Nash, and the series will be a tribute to offensive Basketball.
Suns in 6
(3) Spurs (6) Nuggets
Maturity is going to be the difference in this series. The Nuggets don't have it, the Spurs have a surplus. The Nuggets can't survive getting puched in the mouth.
Spurs in 6
(4) Jazz (5) Rockets
Why don't the Jazz change their name? Is there anything jazzy about Utah?
oh...Rockets in 5.
CONFERENCE SEMI'S
EAST
(1) Pistons (5) Bulls
You know, the Bulls really messed up by losing that last game. They might own the Pistons during the season, but the Playoffs are a completely different beast.
The series will be tight, but I feel that the Bulls will pull a rabbit from the hat.
Bulls in 7
(2) Cavs (6) Nets
No really, the Bulls really messed up.
Cavs in 5
WEST
(1) Mavs (5) Rockets
McGrady's dream run in the playoffs come to an end here. Nowitzki will begin to heat up after a supbar first round. Diop will also bitchslap Yao Ming.
Mavs in 6
(2) Suns (3) Spurs
I really hate the Spurs. They seem so vanilla to me. They also win all the damn time. It's a simple offense really, Tim get ball, Tim post up, Tim dunk, sometimes Tim pass. When shot miss, Tim get rebound.
That's pretty much why I can't justify picking them to beat both the Nuggets and the Suns, two of the more exciting teams the NBA has to offer.
The Suns will run and gun, eventually tiring out Tim-may and the Spurts.
Suns in 6
CONFERENCE FINALS
EAST
(2) Cavs (5) Bulls
They shouldn't have made it this far, and there is no way after 14 games against the best teams in the conference, the Bulls will burn out and the Cavs will take advantage.
Cavs in 5
WEST
(1) Mavs (2) Suns
c'mon, the only way it gets better than this is if the showtime Lakers with Kobe played the UnstopaBulls with Tyrus Thomas. The Suns will extract their revenge and Mark Cuban will finally shoot somebody in the stands.
Suns in a very entertaining 7.
FINALS
(2) Suns (2) Cavs
LBJ v. the Suns.
It'll be on baby. The East is the creampuff conference, but you won't be able to tell from the way the Cavs'll play.
They finally surronded LBJ with some talent like...
D. Marshall?
Who the eff is that?
ah well, Suns in 6
EAST:
(1)Pistons (8) Magic
There aren't many matchups in this years opening round that look very boring on paper, and will be even more painful to watch in person. Unfortunately this will be one of them.
Pistons in 5.
(2) Cavs (7) Wizards
At the rate the Wizards are losing players the Mystics will be out there before the end of this very short series. The wiz have no chance without the East's most watchable player, Habachi.
Cavs in 4
(3) Raptors (6) Nets
The Raptors have a lot of learning to in a short period of time if they wish to advance. Chris Bosh must assert himself if they are to have a chance against NJ, and right now the Raptors look soft.
Nets in 5
(4) Heat (5) Bulls
This will be the most exciting matchup the East offers up. The Bullies made it difficult for themselves as they have to beat the defending champs, then the Pistons, and if all plays out as it should, the Cavs. Game one was called too tightly and the sequel will likely have more flow to it. For Chicago to win it needs to limit Wade, stop Shaq, and defend the three. A tall order considering all Miami has to do is play good perimiter D.
But I'm a homer so Bulls in 7
WEST
(1) Mavs (8) GS Warriors
The Mavs are going to get all they can handle from the GS Warriors. Dirk Nowitzki was gawful in game one, and Mark Cuban was getting pissed on the sidelines.
However, with the MVP candidate having a bad game, the Mavs still had a chance to win the game. I see a tough hard-fought series, but I don't see an upset.
Mavs in 7
(2) Suns (7) Lakers
The most beautiful Basketball in the first round will come out of this series. before it is up we will see scores like 121-119 and so forth. The games will be competitive and go back and forth, Kobe will be Kobe, Nash will be Nash, and the series will be a tribute to offensive Basketball.
Suns in 6
(3) Spurs (6) Nuggets
Maturity is going to be the difference in this series. The Nuggets don't have it, the Spurs have a surplus. The Nuggets can't survive getting puched in the mouth.
Spurs in 6
(4) Jazz (5) Rockets
Why don't the Jazz change their name? Is there anything jazzy about Utah?
oh...Rockets in 5.
CONFERENCE SEMI'S
EAST
(1) Pistons (5) Bulls
You know, the Bulls really messed up by losing that last game. They might own the Pistons during the season, but the Playoffs are a completely different beast.
The series will be tight, but I feel that the Bulls will pull a rabbit from the hat.
Bulls in 7
(2) Cavs (6) Nets
No really, the Bulls really messed up.
Cavs in 5
WEST
(1) Mavs (5) Rockets
McGrady's dream run in the playoffs come to an end here. Nowitzki will begin to heat up after a supbar first round. Diop will also bitchslap Yao Ming.
Mavs in 6
(2) Suns (3) Spurs
I really hate the Spurs. They seem so vanilla to me. They also win all the damn time. It's a simple offense really, Tim get ball, Tim post up, Tim dunk, sometimes Tim pass. When shot miss, Tim get rebound.
That's pretty much why I can't justify picking them to beat both the Nuggets and the Suns, two of the more exciting teams the NBA has to offer.
The Suns will run and gun, eventually tiring out Tim-may and the Spurts.
Suns in 6
CONFERENCE FINALS
EAST
(2) Cavs (5) Bulls
They shouldn't have made it this far, and there is no way after 14 games against the best teams in the conference, the Bulls will burn out and the Cavs will take advantage.
Cavs in 5
WEST
(1) Mavs (2) Suns
c'mon, the only way it gets better than this is if the showtime Lakers with Kobe played the UnstopaBulls with Tyrus Thomas. The Suns will extract their revenge and Mark Cuban will finally shoot somebody in the stands.
Suns in a very entertaining 7.
FINALS
(2) Suns (2) Cavs
LBJ v. the Suns.
It'll be on baby. The East is the creampuff conference, but you won't be able to tell from the way the Cavs'll play.
They finally surronded LBJ with some talent like...
D. Marshall?
Who the eff is that?
ah well, Suns in 6
Friday, April 20, 2007
Oden v Durant
Now that both Greg Oden and Kevin Durant have officially declared for the draft, we can talk about them without getting fined by Papa Stern.
While I think that Greg Oden is going to be a dominant defensive player, I just don't see a well-developed offensive game. He's got the offensive repotoire of Shaq, but without the size.
I can't imagine Durant being anything other than a dominant scorer in the Association. He scored 25 points against Kansas IN ONE HALF. And that was with a coach who doesn't even know how to run an offensive set. He was a great rebounder this year, 11.1 per game, and he averaged almost two blocks and steals per game. I don't see a downside.
So, simple question. Who will be the better pro and why?
While I think that Greg Oden is going to be a dominant defensive player, I just don't see a well-developed offensive game. He's got the offensive repotoire of Shaq, but without the size.
I can't imagine Durant being anything other than a dominant scorer in the Association. He scored 25 points against Kansas IN ONE HALF. And that was with a coach who doesn't even know how to run an offensive set. He was a great rebounder this year, 11.1 per game, and he averaged almost two blocks and steals per game. I don't see a downside.
So, simple question. Who will be the better pro and why?
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Not so sweet sixteen
As I mentioned in my NBA playoffs predictions blog, the playoffs begin this Sunday. If the finals go seven games, the final game will be on June 21. That's two months -- simply ridiculous. There's absolutely no way to justify a two month postseason at the end of a sixth month regular season (and a one month preseason). Baseball doesn't even last that long, Mario.
I also said that the first round should be taken back down to five game series, but I feel a little more radical today. Why even have a first round? When was the last time that we needed 16 teams in the NBA playoffs? This isn't college basketball, there are no cinderellas. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Golden State isn't going to make the finals this year.
So why not just have an eight team playoff? This makes the regular season more interesting and more important and shortens the playoffs by two weeks. While we're at it, let's go back to the four division format as well. This way the division winners get home court advantage and the next four teams with the best records get playoff spots.
In 23 years of the 16 team playoffs, only twice has a team seeded lower than fourth made the NBA finals. In 1994-95, the sixth-seeded Houston Rockets won their second title in a row. They were essentially the same team as the year before, except they added Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler. The only problem was Drexler missed more than half the season due to injury, a common problem with that season's Rockets. The only player on that team to appear in all 82 games was backup point guard Sam Cassell.
The second time this rarity happened was in 1998-99 when the eighth-seeded New York Knicks went to the finals before being beaten by these tough guys. Do you want to know why you remember the 1998-99 season? It's because it was the lockout-shortened season. That means that in the 22 years of non-lockout-shortened play, only once has a lower-seeded team made the finals. And that team didn't make the finals out of luck and they weren't a cinderella. They merely had too many injuries during the regular season.
Once in 22 seasons isn't enough to justify keeping the 16 team playoff system. The only advantage it affords is more money for owners, while sticking the fans with two weeks of mostly uninteresting basketball.
I also said that the first round should be taken back down to five game series, but I feel a little more radical today. Why even have a first round? When was the last time that we needed 16 teams in the NBA playoffs? This isn't college basketball, there are no cinderellas. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Golden State isn't going to make the finals this year.
So why not just have an eight team playoff? This makes the regular season more interesting and more important and shortens the playoffs by two weeks. While we're at it, let's go back to the four division format as well. This way the division winners get home court advantage and the next four teams with the best records get playoff spots.
In 23 years of the 16 team playoffs, only twice has a team seeded lower than fourth made the NBA finals. In 1994-95, the sixth-seeded Houston Rockets won their second title in a row. They were essentially the same team as the year before, except they added Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler. The only problem was Drexler missed more than half the season due to injury, a common problem with that season's Rockets. The only player on that team to appear in all 82 games was backup point guard Sam Cassell.
The second time this rarity happened was in 1998-99 when the eighth-seeded New York Knicks went to the finals before being beaten by these tough guys. Do you want to know why you remember the 1998-99 season? It's because it was the lockout-shortened season. That means that in the 22 years of non-lockout-shortened play, only once has a lower-seeded team made the finals. And that team didn't make the finals out of luck and they weren't a cinderella. They merely had too many injuries during the regular season.
Once in 22 seasons isn't enough to justify keeping the 16 team playoff system. The only advantage it affords is more money for owners, while sticking the fans with two weeks of mostly uninteresting basketball.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
I smell a dynasty
Why did the NBA change the first-round to seven games? Did anyone outside of Seattle think it was a bad thing that the eighth seed Denver beat the top seed Sonics in the 1994 playoffs? I immediately began rooting for the Nuggets, if for no other reason than the underdog factor. I think I'd be okay with the going back to the five game format, for no other reason than brevity. As excited as I am about the playoffs starting this weekend, the finals won't start almost TWO MONTHS from now. Just add that to the list of things the NBA has done wrong. Predictions:
Detroit v Orlando-
The Pistons are dominant. This year is the sixth straight year they've won 50 games. They've been to the conference finals four straight years and, of course, won it all in 2003-04. Orlando's best player is 21 years old. Detroit wins in a sweep.
Cleveland v Washington-
So wait, the Wizards are going into this without Agent Zero and, at least for the first round, Caron Butler? This should be wildly entertaining – for people in Cleveland. The Wizards will win one game because the LeBrons have the worst supporting cast in the league. LeBrons in five.
Toronto v New Jersey-
John Hollinger predicted the Nets season dead-on. Check this out if you have an ESPN Insider subscription. I really like Jason Kidd, but this team isn't very good. Raptors will win in six games.
Miami v Chicago-
This will be interesting only because the games will be close, not because exciting basketball is being played. After losing in Charlotte on February 14, the Bulls were 29-25. Over their next 27 games, they went 20-7 and jumped from the fifth seed to the second seed. Then they lost to the Nets on the final day of the season and dropped back to five. That can't feel good. Also, an injured Dwyane Wade is better than no Dwyane Wade. Heat in seven.
Dallas v Golden State-
You know, the Warriors won all three of their games against Dallas this year. Warriors head coach Don Nelson coached the Mavs from 1997 through 2005, so he knows Dallas pretty well. I think I'm buying into this, I'm picking the Warriors – to win one game. Mavs in five.
Phoenix v Los Angeles-
I feel like we've done this before. But this year, the Suns are better and the Kobes are worse. I'm also starting to think that Lamar Odom is not going to be the next Pippen. Kobe
is going to win two games in this series by himself, but that's it. Suns in six.
San Antonio v Denver-
I understand why Greg Popovich decided to bring Manu Ginobli off the bench for the last half of the season. I also think it's dumb. He's the Spurs second best player and he almost never plays 30 minutes a game. That's about the only thing Popovich has done wrong since becoming Spurs coach in 1996. Carmelo and Iverson is interesting, but the Spurs ALWAYS control the pace. Spurs in six.
Houston v Utah-
I'm giddy about this series. The Rockets look like a great team, as long as they are healthy. Two years ago the Jazz won 26 games, while this year they won 51 and they are loaded with good-but-not-great players. It's a toss-up, but Masha Lopatova decides this one for me. Jazz in seven.
Detroit will take Miami in round two 4-2, and the announcers will say "this is playoff basketball!" at least 100 times. LeBrons over Toronto in six games only because James is the best healthy player in the Eastern Conference this year. The Jazz's lack of star power will show and Dallas will beat them in five. The Suns are the most entertaining thing in sports today, but the Spurs will beat them in seven.
Detroit will contain James and beat the LeBrons in six, while the Spurs are going to avenge last year's loss and defeat Dallas in seven. I promise that the Western Conference finals are going seven games, no matter who the teams are. I've never been so confident of something in my life.
Tim Duncan will complain about the officials at least three times during the finals, but the Spurs will win in six. That'll be three championships in five years and four championships in nine years. Say hello to the most boring dynasty ever.
Detroit v Orlando-
The Pistons are dominant. This year is the sixth straight year they've won 50 games. They've been to the conference finals four straight years and, of course, won it all in 2003-04. Orlando's best player is 21 years old. Detroit wins in a sweep.
Cleveland v Washington-
So wait, the Wizards are going into this without Agent Zero and, at least for the first round, Caron Butler? This should be wildly entertaining – for people in Cleveland. The Wizards will win one game because the LeBrons have the worst supporting cast in the league. LeBrons in five.
Toronto v New Jersey-
John Hollinger predicted the Nets season dead-on. Check this out if you have an ESPN Insider subscription. I really like Jason Kidd, but this team isn't very good. Raptors will win in six games.
Miami v Chicago-
This will be interesting only because the games will be close, not because exciting basketball is being played. After losing in Charlotte on February 14, the Bulls were 29-25. Over their next 27 games, they went 20-7 and jumped from the fifth seed to the second seed. Then they lost to the Nets on the final day of the season and dropped back to five. That can't feel good. Also, an injured Dwyane Wade is better than no Dwyane Wade. Heat in seven.
Dallas v Golden State-
You know, the Warriors won all three of their games against Dallas this year. Warriors head coach Don Nelson coached the Mavs from 1997 through 2005, so he knows Dallas pretty well. I think I'm buying into this, I'm picking the Warriors – to win one game. Mavs in five.
Phoenix v Los Angeles-
I feel like we've done this before. But this year, the Suns are better and the Kobes are worse. I'm also starting to think that Lamar Odom is not going to be the next Pippen. Kobe
is going to win two games in this series by himself, but that's it. Suns in six.
San Antonio v Denver-
I understand why Greg Popovich decided to bring Manu Ginobli off the bench for the last half of the season. I also think it's dumb. He's the Spurs second best player and he almost never plays 30 minutes a game. That's about the only thing Popovich has done wrong since becoming Spurs coach in 1996. Carmelo and Iverson is interesting, but the Spurs ALWAYS control the pace. Spurs in six.
Houston v Utah-
I'm giddy about this series. The Rockets look like a great team, as long as they are healthy. Two years ago the Jazz won 26 games, while this year they won 51 and they are loaded with good-but-not-great players. It's a toss-up, but Masha Lopatova decides this one for me. Jazz in seven.
Detroit will take Miami in round two 4-2, and the announcers will say "this is playoff basketball!" at least 100 times. LeBrons over Toronto in six games only because James is the best healthy player in the Eastern Conference this year. The Jazz's lack of star power will show and Dallas will beat them in five. The Suns are the most entertaining thing in sports today, but the Spurs will beat them in seven.
Detroit will contain James and beat the LeBrons in six, while the Spurs are going to avenge last year's loss and defeat Dallas in seven. I promise that the Western Conference finals are going seven games, no matter who the teams are. I've never been so confident of something in my life.
Tim Duncan will complain about the officials at least three times during the finals, but the Spurs will win in six. That'll be three championships in five years and four championships in nine years. Say hello to the most boring dynasty ever.
Pac Man Jones Unfairly Disciplined
The new commissioner of the National Football League, Roger Goodell, suspended Tennessee Titans corner back Adam "Pac Man" Jones for the entire 2007 - 08 season because of his failure to comply with league policy.
It seems as if though Jones failed to report his several arrests to his team and the league, and thus violated the NFL policy for player conduct.
Goodell took the reigns of a league that had become associated with America's game, and is as profitable as any professional sport in the world. However, it's a league that as of late has been developing a bit of a reputation for being the Notorious Felons League as opposed to the National Football League.
Several players on the Cincinnati Bengals attracted attention for consistently being arrested in off-field encounters with the authorities. Dozens of other players have been in and out of the media for their encounters with the boys in blue, causing Goodell to focus this off season's spring meetings on player accountability.
Despite all that has happened in the past, no player has ever been disciplined anywhere close to as stringently as Jones was with the commissioners recent reprimand. 16 unpaid games, without any contact whatsoever with the Titans or the league. Banishment, vanquished, exiled given the accursed Scarlett Letter!
With all of that being said, Goodell made a clear and resounding example out of Jones, but in the process unfairly disciplined someone that needs assistance and support as opposed to "TOUGH LOVE"!
Goodell not only unfairly disciplined Jones, but sent the wrong message to the league and more importantly its devout following of fans and young supporters. He showed the world that instead of setting up targeted and concise methods of helping troubled contributors to his league, he'd simply utilize his position and power to force them to report to the corner and put on the dunce cap. OSTRACISING, and a classic example of Machiavellian leadership.
Well Goodell, you've successfully made everyone including the outspoken and recent Las Vegas brawler Joey Porter fear you, and all it took was the sacrifice of a troubled but a remarkably talented and conflicted young man. I hope that it's worth it, and you're willing to accept everything that comes with ruling out of fear as opposed to compassion and fairness?
It seems as if though Jones failed to report his several arrests to his team and the league, and thus violated the NFL policy for player conduct.
Goodell took the reigns of a league that had become associated with America's game, and is as profitable as any professional sport in the world. However, it's a league that as of late has been developing a bit of a reputation for being the Notorious Felons League as opposed to the National Football League.
Several players on the Cincinnati Bengals attracted attention for consistently being arrested in off-field encounters with the authorities. Dozens of other players have been in and out of the media for their encounters with the boys in blue, causing Goodell to focus this off season's spring meetings on player accountability.
Despite all that has happened in the past, no player has ever been disciplined anywhere close to as stringently as Jones was with the commissioners recent reprimand. 16 unpaid games, without any contact whatsoever with the Titans or the league. Banishment, vanquished, exiled given the accursed Scarlett Letter!
With all of that being said, Goodell made a clear and resounding example out of Jones, but in the process unfairly disciplined someone that needs assistance and support as opposed to "TOUGH LOVE"!
Goodell not only unfairly disciplined Jones, but sent the wrong message to the league and more importantly its devout following of fans and young supporters. He showed the world that instead of setting up targeted and concise methods of helping troubled contributors to his league, he'd simply utilize his position and power to force them to report to the corner and put on the dunce cap. OSTRACISING, and a classic example of Machiavellian leadership.
Well Goodell, you've successfully made everyone including the outspoken and recent Las Vegas brawler Joey Porter fear you, and all it took was the sacrifice of a troubled but a remarkably talented and conflicted young man. I hope that it's worth it, and you're willing to accept everything that comes with ruling out of fear as opposed to compassion and fairness?
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