For the whole week, we have heard about the Seattle Seahawks as the first 7-9 team make the playoffs and win their division. Every football fan, knows that the NFC West as both the punchline of the season and a joke to boot. In addition, it started the calls for a Playoff system to be based on record no matter if any team won their division.
Every football fan outside of Seattle were picking and putting tons of money against them. Nobody gave them a chance to win and were expected by many to go out in a whimper i.e. get absolutely obliterated. This was despite the fact that they had the home field, which happens to be the loudest in the NFL. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that the they were playing the Defending Super Bowl Champion, New Orleans Saints.
Tonight, they did the unthinkable and beat the defending champions. I gotta say that the Seattle Seahawks played their hearts out and deserved to win. Credit should go to Coach Pete Caroll's motivational skills, coaching and tactics. Also, Matt Haselbeck turned back time with a great performance despite being mostly injured the last couple of years. It was both magical and an entertaining game to watch. Yet, no moment summed it up better than Marshawn Lynch's Herculean run.
In that game, Lynch, a castoff of the moribund Buffalo Bills, made a run with the game hanging in the balance. Seattle was hanging on to 34-30 lead with just three and half minutes left. It was second and 10 at their own 33 yard line. The Seahawks are trying to the run the clock out and they set up an I-formation run play. As you will see in this clip: A moment of human will and sacrifice ensues followed by bedlam at Qwest Field.
Lynch breaks nearly half a dozen tackles as he sprints across the field. The biggest stiff-arm was to Super Bowl Hero Tracy Porter. The same Tracy Porter who made big plays against Brett Favre and Peyton Manning. Anyway, Lynch absolutely slams Porter to the ground like he's a life-size cardboard cutout. He runs to the end zone for a 67 yard touchdown that put the game away for good.
Another thing of note: The entire Seattle Seahawks offensive line as well as the QB and receivers were running with Lynch blocking anybody that tried to tackle him. It was a shining example of teamwork and kinda like a scene in a sports movie about an underdog team playing as one.
Seattle wins 41-36 and will play next Sunday in the NFC Divisional Round. They made many people including me look absolutely foolish. On Monday, I guarantee the majority of us will be eating our words to the delight of Seattle Seahawks fans.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Milwaukee stomp the Lakers
It was a very unusually cold,rainy night in Los Angeles where the rainfall pounded a normally sunny metropolis. In fact, it's been an above normal rainfall in just five days with more to come. Yet, no one could have forseen it as a thematic backdrop for what was to happen between the Lakers and Bucks.
The Lakers were flying high after five straight wins on the road and they had oft-injured Andrew Bynum back. They were at home against a lowly Bucks team without Carlos Delfino and Brandon Jennings. A Bucks team that the night before got absolutely destroyed in Portland. No highlight exemplifying the game than Lamarcus Aldridge alley-oop slam over Mbah Moute that you can see below. It would seem a relatively easy win for the Lakers. Right?
Unfortunately, it was not the case as the Bucks defense and their shot came to life under the bright lights of Staples Center. While the Lakers shot, disappeared like the sunshine that Los Angeles bathes in nearly year round. The Bucks defense did a few things:
- Denied the pass to the post to Pau Gasol during the 4th Quarter.
- Make Gasol work for his points and deny him from being a playmaker.
- Made Kobe work for his shot.
- Convert points into Turnovers.
-31 points off 16 Lakers turnovers.
-Make the Lakers work for their points
-45.5% field goal percentage
-79 points for the Lakers
Offense:
-Shoot 50% from the field along with 8-14 three point shooting
-Out-rebound the Lakers 39-35.
-Convert their free throws 16-18 (88.9%).
-Limit the impact of the Lakers bench: Bucks 32-25 (Boykins scored 22 pts.)
The Bucks played with energy and passion while the Lakers played like a team that just came back from a long road trip. Oh wait, they did. In addition, the Lakers were playing like a little child who was peaking at their wrapped Christmas present (Miami Heat) while forgetting to lock the gate so that the dog does not run away (Milwaukee Bucks).
They played tough Bucks defense that has been a philosophy of Scott Skiles. Andrew Bogut disrupted Gasol's flow and made him a jump shooter. Bogut dominated and outplayed Gasol. He held Gasol to 11 pts. on a deceptive 6-12 shooting.
John Salmons and Earl Boykins picked up the scoring slack as they scored 42 points combined. Salmons made timely buckets as the Lakers made their runs. He made a big 3 on a five point swing after the Lakers got too cute on the fast break to turn a 59-58 Laker lead into 61-59 Bucks advantage. He had another big shot as he converted an end of 3rd Quarter buzzer beater to give the Bucks a six point lead heading into the fourth. The bucket set the tone in the next quarter. Salmons shot was clicking and for one night he showed the same fire that he had in Chicago that had been lacking this season.
Earl Boykins was the closer in this game as he knocked timely 3pt. buckets that put a game that the Lakers could have easily taken if they had one big quarter out of reach. He was instrumental in his 22 points along with Luc Richard Mbah Moute's lockdown D that bottled up Kobe and sent him to the showers with 2 techs.
In the fourth quarter, it was the Bucks not the Lakers that closed the game out. They outscored the Lakers with a game deciding 26-13 in the final quarter. Milwaukee discombobulated the Lakers offense, which to begin with, was not clicking on all cylinders. It was evident when the Lakers passes and timing were significantly off. For example, Gasol bobbled a pass from Fisher and was out of position for behind the back Kobe pass early in the game. The Lakers offense was off despite flashes of brilliance in some parts prior to the 4th Quarter.
Overall, it was a great win for the Bucks. They won a nearly impossible game without Brandon Jennings and Carlos Delfino. It's another great win and Christmas present to go along with ending Dallas' 13 game winning streak.
For Los Angeles, it's a head scratching loss heading into a tough three game stretch (Miami, @San Antonio and @New Orleans on a back to back). It may take the luster off the Lakers/Heat Christmas Day bash but it is a lesson to the Lakers that the road to the Finals will be just as hard as it has been in Christmas Past, Present and Future.
The Lakers were flying high after five straight wins on the road and they had oft-injured Andrew Bynum back. They were at home against a lowly Bucks team without Carlos Delfino and Brandon Jennings. A Bucks team that the night before got absolutely destroyed in Portland. No highlight exemplifying the game than Lamarcus Aldridge alley-oop slam over Mbah Moute that you can see below. It would seem a relatively easy win for the Lakers. Right?
Unfortunately, it was not the case as the Bucks defense and their shot came to life under the bright lights of Staples Center. While the Lakers shot, disappeared like the sunshine that Los Angeles bathes in nearly year round. The Bucks defense did a few things:
- Denied the pass to the post to Pau Gasol during the 4th Quarter.
- Make Gasol work for his points and deny him from being a playmaker.
- Made Kobe work for his shot.
- Convert points into Turnovers.
-31 points off 16 Lakers turnovers.
-Make the Lakers work for their points
-45.5% field goal percentage
-79 points for the Lakers
Offense:
-Shoot 50% from the field along with 8-14 three point shooting
-Out-rebound the Lakers 39-35.
-Convert their free throws 16-18 (88.9%).
-Limit the impact of the Lakers bench: Bucks 32-25 (Boykins scored 22 pts.)
The Bucks played with energy and passion while the Lakers played like a team that just came back from a long road trip. Oh wait, they did. In addition, the Lakers were playing like a little child who was peaking at their wrapped Christmas present (Miami Heat) while forgetting to lock the gate so that the dog does not run away (Milwaukee Bucks).
They played tough Bucks defense that has been a philosophy of Scott Skiles. Andrew Bogut disrupted Gasol's flow and made him a jump shooter. Bogut dominated and outplayed Gasol. He held Gasol to 11 pts. on a deceptive 6-12 shooting.
John Salmons and Earl Boykins picked up the scoring slack as they scored 42 points combined. Salmons made timely buckets as the Lakers made their runs. He made a big 3 on a five point swing after the Lakers got too cute on the fast break to turn a 59-58 Laker lead into 61-59 Bucks advantage. He had another big shot as he converted an end of 3rd Quarter buzzer beater to give the Bucks a six point lead heading into the fourth. The bucket set the tone in the next quarter. Salmons shot was clicking and for one night he showed the same fire that he had in Chicago that had been lacking this season.
Earl Boykins was the closer in this game as he knocked timely 3pt. buckets that put a game that the Lakers could have easily taken if they had one big quarter out of reach. He was instrumental in his 22 points along with Luc Richard Mbah Moute's lockdown D that bottled up Kobe and sent him to the showers with 2 techs.
In the fourth quarter, it was the Bucks not the Lakers that closed the game out. They outscored the Lakers with a game deciding 26-13 in the final quarter. Milwaukee discombobulated the Lakers offense, which to begin with, was not clicking on all cylinders. It was evident when the Lakers passes and timing were significantly off. For example, Gasol bobbled a pass from Fisher and was out of position for behind the back Kobe pass early in the game. The Lakers offense was off despite flashes of brilliance in some parts prior to the 4th Quarter.
Overall, it was a great win for the Bucks. They won a nearly impossible game without Brandon Jennings and Carlos Delfino. It's another great win and Christmas present to go along with ending Dallas' 13 game winning streak.
For Los Angeles, it's a head scratching loss heading into a tough three game stretch (Miami, @San Antonio and @New Orleans on a back to back). It may take the luster off the Lakers/Heat Christmas Day bash but it is a lesson to the Lakers that the road to the Finals will be just as hard as it has been in Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Miami's Big 3 soars while Cleveland burns
Since the day Lebron James made the biggest decision that created more heartbreak for Cleveland to go along with numerous others such as The Shot, The Fumble, The Drive, etc. December 2nd, 2010, was the so-called day of reckoning where Cleveland would get their say on what they felt after Lebron took his talents to Miami to play with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade.
Tonight, it was Lebron, Wade and Bosh who put the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers to bed before the 4th Quarter. Their defense was smothering, which led to easy points and baskets. They were forcing the Cavaliers to shoot jumpers and throw wild shots at the basket hoping for it to fall. Alas, it would not fall and the Heat's lead would continue to balloon.
Collectively, the Heat rebounded the ball with passion that seemed lacking the last few games. They out-rebounded the Cavaliers 43-34. Miami's defense was able to produce 28 points off 13 Cavalier turnovers.
In addition, their shooting was excellent for the majority of the game. Lebron's jumpers fell in the formerly friendly confines of the Quicken Loans Arena, which he called home for the past seven years. He went 13-18 from 2 pt. land but a pedestrian 2-7 from the three. Lebron's athleticism and game were humming as he scored 38 points, 8 assists but only five rebounds after three quarters. One such example, was when he took on Joey Graham along the baseline and scored on a reverse lay-in that was almost a Julius Ervingesque type move that reminded me of the 1980 NBA Finals. Pardon me, for my hyperboles as you will see in this video below:
D-Wade was the Flash as he scored 22 pts. 9 rebounds and 9 assists for a near-triple double. It was vintage Wade as he drove to the lane for pretty dunks and lay-ins. He was the distributor and scorer, which made me wonder if he should be the guy who feeds Lebron and Bosh for 3 quarters. Then in the crunch time, he takes over a la Michael Jordan to close the game out.
Bosh had a decent game where he lived off jumpers and kick-outs. Yet, was nonexistent in terms of rebounding. At some point, the Heat will need to find a frontline center who will do the following: rebound, bang and do the dirty work to get his points. In a sense, they need a Dennis Rodman/Joakim Noah type player to protect Bosh and Lebron.
The Cavs were just awful tonight as they could not buy a bucket during the Miami onslaught. Mo Williams shots stopped falling and as a team they shot 35.5%. It just confirms the fact that Lebron was their offense A-D for seven years. Right now, the Cavaliers will be lucky to make it as an eighth seed in the East and they might considering how moribund it is right now.
That might be an accomplishment for the fans who put up various signs and shirts expressing their anger for Lebron's departure. They booed him every time he touched the ball but were silenced by the end of the 3rd Quarter as the Cavs were down by thirty points. Aside from that, it's sadly going to take a long time before Cleveland will have another winning team that can bring joy to a city that has gone 46 years and counting without a championship.
As a whole, the Heat basically pummeled a reprehensibly bad team tonight in front of a hostile crowd. They showed up and did not have the glazed terrified look they had in Boston. For now, they took care of business but there will always be critics who say they need to beat teams like the Celtics, Lakers, Spurs and Bulls. Yet, it's still a long season and they have a lot of chances to prove their worth when they play at Utah on Dec. 8th and the sputtering Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day. Until then, enjoy the Roller Coaster ride that is the NBA season.
Tonight, it was Lebron, Wade and Bosh who put the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers to bed before the 4th Quarter. Their defense was smothering, which led to easy points and baskets. They were forcing the Cavaliers to shoot jumpers and throw wild shots at the basket hoping for it to fall. Alas, it would not fall and the Heat's lead would continue to balloon.
Collectively, the Heat rebounded the ball with passion that seemed lacking the last few games. They out-rebounded the Cavaliers 43-34. Miami's defense was able to produce 28 points off 13 Cavalier turnovers.
In addition, their shooting was excellent for the majority of the game. Lebron's jumpers fell in the formerly friendly confines of the Quicken Loans Arena, which he called home for the past seven years. He went 13-18 from 2 pt. land but a pedestrian 2-7 from the three. Lebron's athleticism and game were humming as he scored 38 points, 8 assists but only five rebounds after three quarters. One such example, was when he took on Joey Graham along the baseline and scored on a reverse lay-in that was almost a Julius Ervingesque type move that reminded me of the 1980 NBA Finals. Pardon me, for my hyperboles as you will see in this video below:
D-Wade was the Flash as he scored 22 pts. 9 rebounds and 9 assists for a near-triple double. It was vintage Wade as he drove to the lane for pretty dunks and lay-ins. He was the distributor and scorer, which made me wonder if he should be the guy who feeds Lebron and Bosh for 3 quarters. Then in the crunch time, he takes over a la Michael Jordan to close the game out.
Bosh had a decent game where he lived off jumpers and kick-outs. Yet, was nonexistent in terms of rebounding. At some point, the Heat will need to find a frontline center who will do the following: rebound, bang and do the dirty work to get his points. In a sense, they need a Dennis Rodman/Joakim Noah type player to protect Bosh and Lebron.
The Cavs were just awful tonight as they could not buy a bucket during the Miami onslaught. Mo Williams shots stopped falling and as a team they shot 35.5%. It just confirms the fact that Lebron was their offense A-D for seven years. Right now, the Cavaliers will be lucky to make it as an eighth seed in the East and they might considering how moribund it is right now.
That might be an accomplishment for the fans who put up various signs and shirts expressing their anger for Lebron's departure. They booed him every time he touched the ball but were silenced by the end of the 3rd Quarter as the Cavs were down by thirty points. Aside from that, it's sadly going to take a long time before Cleveland will have another winning team that can bring joy to a city that has gone 46 years and counting without a championship.
As a whole, the Heat basically pummeled a reprehensibly bad team tonight in front of a hostile crowd. They showed up and did not have the glazed terrified look they had in Boston. For now, they took care of business but there will always be critics who say they need to beat teams like the Celtics, Lakers, Spurs and Bulls. Yet, it's still a long season and they have a lot of chances to prove their worth when they play at Utah on Dec. 8th and the sputtering Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day. Until then, enjoy the Roller Coaster ride that is the NBA season.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Blake Griffin: A memorable night and ridiculous dunks
Since being drafted as the first pick of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2009, Blake Griffin has been the centerpiece of the hopes and dreams of the small sect of clipper fans in the Los Angeles Area. Although, he missed his rookie season due to a cracked knee cap, which drew echoes of previous so-called Clipper saviors who were taken down by terrible injuries. (See: Shaun Livingston and the horrifying knee injury). So far, Blake Griffin has been a revelation and a sight to behold.
Last night, Blake Griffin scored 44 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. In addition, he was 16-23 from the charity stripe along with highlights that sent the listless Clipper fans buzzing with oohs and aahs. His jumping ability is off the charts bringing some comparisons to a young Shawn Kemp when he was not ballooning to 300 pounds. As you can see here where he victimizes an unfortunate Golden State Warrior big man in the early 1990s :
Now, compare that to Blake Griffin as in one dunk he just flies over and throws the ball into the basket over Timofey Mosgov in the Third Quarter. It led to a three point play on a pretty pass by Eric Gordon. Even watching it nearly five times, I am still in absolute shock at how high he jumped over the seven foot Russian center. He's still a rookie and if he learns some post moves to go along with his improving jumper, Griffin will become a force where defenders will have pray to God and kiss their butt goodbye.
Late in the fourth quarter, Griffin received a pass from DeAndre Jordan on a block shot and dribbled it across the court. As you will see, he does a very good NBA Jam impersonation over Danillo Gallinari for a breathless dunk. It sent the crowd into an absolute frenzy and pulled the Clippers to within five. Alas, the Clippers lost 124-115 and are now 1-12. Although, it was certainly a night to remember if you were at that game or watching it.
Last night, Blake Griffin scored 44 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. In addition, he was 16-23 from the charity stripe along with highlights that sent the listless Clipper fans buzzing with oohs and aahs. His jumping ability is off the charts bringing some comparisons to a young Shawn Kemp when he was not ballooning to 300 pounds. As you can see here where he victimizes an unfortunate Golden State Warrior big man in the early 1990s :
Now, compare that to Blake Griffin as in one dunk he just flies over and throws the ball into the basket over Timofey Mosgov in the Third Quarter. It led to a three point play on a pretty pass by Eric Gordon. Even watching it nearly five times, I am still in absolute shock at how high he jumped over the seven foot Russian center. He's still a rookie and if he learns some post moves to go along with his improving jumper, Griffin will become a force where defenders will have pray to God and kiss their butt goodbye.
Late in the fourth quarter, Griffin received a pass from DeAndre Jordan on a block shot and dribbled it across the court. As you will see, he does a very good NBA Jam impersonation over Danillo Gallinari for a breathless dunk. It sent the crowd into an absolute frenzy and pulled the Clippers to within five. Alas, the Clippers lost 124-115 and are now 1-12. Although, it was certainly a night to remember if you were at that game or watching it.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Hakim Warrick's big night and smash
Since Amare took his talents to Manhattan, the Suns have been trying to find a new Pick and Roll partner for Nash. Tonight, Hakim Warrick looks like he has taken the mantle. I know it's one game but this dunk shown below is a picture worth a 1000 words.
Hakim Warrick was a beast in this game as he scored 18 points and 11 rebounds. He was important for a Suns bench that scored 50 points to the Jazz's paltry 18. He was active on the offensive end and he may have found a home after bouncing around the league since being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies as the 19th Pick of the 2005 NBA Draft. We shall see if he can continue the good work against the Los Angeles Lakers in Phoenix tomorrow.
Hakim Warrick was a beast in this game as he scored 18 points and 11 rebounds. He was important for a Suns bench that scored 50 points to the Jazz's paltry 18. He was active on the offensive end and he may have found a home after bouncing around the league since being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies as the 19th Pick of the 2005 NBA Draft. We shall see if he can continue the good work against the Los Angeles Lakers in Phoenix tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Hakeem Olajuwon: Teaching his tricks to Dwight Howard
Following last season, where the Orlando Magic were eliminated in six games by the Boston Celtics. Dwight Howard took a one week course to learn new post moves from the one of the best big man to play the game, Hakeem Olajuwon. In this clip, Hakeem showed Dwight how to use his quickness and footwork to become a better big man in the post. As shown below:
In the eight minute clip, Dwight learned baseline moves as well as the counter moves to keep his defenders honest. It's a delight for Magic fans to see Howard improve his post moves considering that many people see him using brute force to score his points along with power dunks. Yet, it does make me wonder what Patrick Ewing taught him over the past two years has actually materialized at all?
In addition, it's nice to see the Superstars of today learn from legends like Hakeem rather than just slouch around during the whole summer. In fact, just last year Kobe Bryant spent a week during the summer, learning from Hakeem various post moves such as the Dream Shake. As you can see below in this brief 1:43 clip:
Kobe revealed his version of the dream shake against the Clippers last season (seen above). In the twenty-three second clip, he got Deandre Jordan and Al Thorton to bite before scoring on a scoop shot.
Although, Kobe never fully displayed what he learned during the summer, it still gave defenders just like it will for Dwight Howard something to worry about during a game or in a playoff series. If Dwight can master what he learned with Hakeem, he may just live up to the Superman billing he has been anointed with for some time.
Currently, the Eastern Conference is stacked with teams like the Boston Celtics with their Big Men R Us, Miami with their triumvirate (Wade, Lebron and Bosh) , and Chicago. In addition, the twin towers frontline of Andrew Bynum (if his knees hold up) and all-world Pau Gasol along with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers to the West. It's a new weapon for Dwight to counter the escalating arms race in Orlando's neighborhood and across the NBA world.
In the eight minute clip, Dwight learned baseline moves as well as the counter moves to keep his defenders honest. It's a delight for Magic fans to see Howard improve his post moves considering that many people see him using brute force to score his points along with power dunks. Yet, it does make me wonder what Patrick Ewing taught him over the past two years has actually materialized at all?
In addition, it's nice to see the Superstars of today learn from legends like Hakeem rather than just slouch around during the whole summer. In fact, just last year Kobe Bryant spent a week during the summer, learning from Hakeem various post moves such as the Dream Shake. As you can see below in this brief 1:43 clip:
Kobe revealed his version of the dream shake against the Clippers last season (seen above). In the twenty-three second clip, he got Deandre Jordan and Al Thorton to bite before scoring on a scoop shot.
Although, Kobe never fully displayed what he learned during the summer, it still gave defenders just like it will for Dwight Howard something to worry about during a game or in a playoff series. If Dwight can master what he learned with Hakeem, he may just live up to the Superman billing he has been anointed with for some time.
Currently, the Eastern Conference is stacked with teams like the Boston Celtics with their Big Men R Us, Miami with their triumvirate (Wade, Lebron and Bosh) , and Chicago. In addition, the twin towers frontline of Andrew Bynum (if his knees hold up) and all-world Pau Gasol along with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers to the West. It's a new weapon for Dwight to counter the escalating arms race in Orlando's neighborhood and across the NBA world.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Basketball Season is upon us
It's early October, where teams are getting into training camp following a riveting summer. This past summer brought so much drama for basketball fans that it turned a beloved figure into a huge narcissistic villain in the eyes of basketball and casual fans alike. In addition, we saw huge contracts given out (see Joe Johnson 127 million dollar deal) by owners splurging in the most unprecedented free agency in a long time.
Yet, this might be the last season that the NBA as we know it because of an impending lockout as well as talks of a hard cap by the Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonis, which left him with 100K fine by the league. It's yet another war between millionaires and billionaires that is most likely going to end up like the last labor shortage in 1999.
Despite the impending labor war, the 2010-11 season has got to be the most compelling season as most people wonder if the Miami Threesome could gel together into a powerhouse. This team could potentially rule the NBA throughout the 2010s. It is a team with two future members heading to Springfield (Dwayne Wade and Lebron James) in the not too distant future. In addition, one of the best face the basket scorers in Chris Bosh. All three are in their mid to late 20s, which is downright terrifying to think about if you root for any team not named Miami. Unfortunately, it has holes in the center and guard position which may become costly when the games count in the playoffs.
Besides those weaknesses on its team, Miami also has threats in its own conference in the form of the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. There is some animosity as Stan Van Gundy who once coached the last incarnation of superstars in Miami and was depending on who you ask was let go. Van Gundy went to Orlando where they have been the darlings of the East going to the NBA Finals and Conference Finals in the last two years. They are blessed with three point shooters and one of the best centers in the game in Dwight Howard. Boston is also a threat with a swift point guard (Rajon Rondo) and an aging but crafty big 3 as well as a plethora of Big men. This is a team that was six minutes away from capturing their 18th banner. Chicago is another threat with Derrick Rose who has been improving his three point shot over the summer. The Bulls have an agitating big man in Joakim Noah and new free agent acquisition Carlos Boozer (out for 8 weeks due to a broken hand, Ouch!). They are coached by Tom Thibodeau, a defensive genius for the Boston Celtics who stymied Lebron James and Kobe Bryant in the playoffs. Despite Miami's acquisitions it may be easier said than done to make the NBA Finals.
Out West, can the Lakers win one for Phil the Zen Master Jackson's unprecedented 4th three-peat? It has never been done before and with new threats that reside in South Beach, it might be their most toughest task to defend their championship yet. With a gimpy Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum (no surprise considering his injury history), it's another challenge for a seasoned championship team
On the plus side, the Lakers have a healthy Pau Gasol who rested after playing nearly two consecutive years of basketball without rest. They have bolstered their bench with new additions such as Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, and Theo Ratliff. Last year, the bench was just Lamar Odom and everyone else. The bench was so bad that the Lakers were forced to send their starters into the game much earlier despite building seemingly insurmountable leads. This season hopes to be different as the Laker bench need to keep building or holding the lead while the starters save their strength for what should be yet another grueling championship defense.
Just like the Heat, the Lakers face a formidable rivals in their own conference despite being depleted by Free Agent defections. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers are two young contenders that could give the Lakers fits. Oklahoma because of an athletic core led by their young superstar Kevin Durant who recently led the U.S to their first Gold medal in the FIBA World Championship since 1994. Last season, they nearly took the Lakers to a seventh game had it not been for a Pau Gasol tip-in in the final seconds at a raucous Ford Center. Yet, the question is can they improve from last season, where the majority of the starters were injury-free? It's a big-if because injuries can ravage team in some shape or form as well as the high expectations. Will the Thunder show that they are a force of nature or just a blip in the radar?
Portland is another promising team but has been slowed down by injuries such as Greg Oden their number 1 pick. None more terrifying than his injury early in the 2009-10 season seen below:
Yet, they are resilient and gave Phoenix all they could handle in the first round. The only question is can they get healthy for the whole season. If so, they can easily become the threat to the Lakers most pundits thought they would be heading into last season but it's a big IF.
Dallas is also a threat but like the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs they are aging. They have a short window just like the former as well as the latter to win it all. This year might be their last along with an aging Jason Kidd much like the Spurs have with Tim Duncan who is in his mid-30s. They have big men that could potentially compete with the Lakers height (their strength) thanks to the 3-team trade that netted them Tyson Chandler. The Mavericks also have a sweet shooting big man in Dirk Nowitzki who apparently has been practicing his stroke in this recent commercial.
In short, this season will be full of surprises and disappointments as it always has been. Hopefully, it will not be the last season for a long time. Yet, with a sputtering economy in the United States and Europe, I guess anything is possible.
Yet, this might be the last season that the NBA as we know it because of an impending lockout as well as talks of a hard cap by the Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonis, which left him with 100K fine by the league. It's yet another war between millionaires and billionaires that is most likely going to end up like the last labor shortage in 1999.
Despite the impending labor war, the 2010-11 season has got to be the most compelling season as most people wonder if the Miami Threesome could gel together into a powerhouse. This team could potentially rule the NBA throughout the 2010s. It is a team with two future members heading to Springfield (Dwayne Wade and Lebron James) in the not too distant future. In addition, one of the best face the basket scorers in Chris Bosh. All three are in their mid to late 20s, which is downright terrifying to think about if you root for any team not named Miami. Unfortunately, it has holes in the center and guard position which may become costly when the games count in the playoffs.
Besides those weaknesses on its team, Miami also has threats in its own conference in the form of the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. There is some animosity as Stan Van Gundy who once coached the last incarnation of superstars in Miami and was depending on who you ask was let go. Van Gundy went to Orlando where they have been the darlings of the East going to the NBA Finals and Conference Finals in the last two years. They are blessed with three point shooters and one of the best centers in the game in Dwight Howard. Boston is also a threat with a swift point guard (Rajon Rondo) and an aging but crafty big 3 as well as a plethora of Big men. This is a team that was six minutes away from capturing their 18th banner. Chicago is another threat with Derrick Rose who has been improving his three point shot over the summer. The Bulls have an agitating big man in Joakim Noah and new free agent acquisition Carlos Boozer (out for 8 weeks due to a broken hand, Ouch!). They are coached by Tom Thibodeau, a defensive genius for the Boston Celtics who stymied Lebron James and Kobe Bryant in the playoffs. Despite Miami's acquisitions it may be easier said than done to make the NBA Finals.
Out West, can the Lakers win one for Phil the Zen Master Jackson's unprecedented 4th three-peat? It has never been done before and with new threats that reside in South Beach, it might be their most toughest task to defend their championship yet. With a gimpy Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum (no surprise considering his injury history), it's another challenge for a seasoned championship team
On the plus side, the Lakers have a healthy Pau Gasol who rested after playing nearly two consecutive years of basketball without rest. They have bolstered their bench with new additions such as Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, and Theo Ratliff. Last year, the bench was just Lamar Odom and everyone else. The bench was so bad that the Lakers were forced to send their starters into the game much earlier despite building seemingly insurmountable leads. This season hopes to be different as the Laker bench need to keep building or holding the lead while the starters save their strength for what should be yet another grueling championship defense.
Just like the Heat, the Lakers face a formidable rivals in their own conference despite being depleted by Free Agent defections. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers are two young contenders that could give the Lakers fits. Oklahoma because of an athletic core led by their young superstar Kevin Durant who recently led the U.S to their first Gold medal in the FIBA World Championship since 1994. Last season, they nearly took the Lakers to a seventh game had it not been for a Pau Gasol tip-in in the final seconds at a raucous Ford Center. Yet, the question is can they improve from last season, where the majority of the starters were injury-free? It's a big-if because injuries can ravage team in some shape or form as well as the high expectations. Will the Thunder show that they are a force of nature or just a blip in the radar?
Portland is another promising team but has been slowed down by injuries such as Greg Oden their number 1 pick. None more terrifying than his injury early in the 2009-10 season seen below:
Yet, they are resilient and gave Phoenix all they could handle in the first round. The only question is can they get healthy for the whole season. If so, they can easily become the threat to the Lakers most pundits thought they would be heading into last season but it's a big IF.
Dallas is also a threat but like the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs they are aging. They have a short window just like the former as well as the latter to win it all. This year might be their last along with an aging Jason Kidd much like the Spurs have with Tim Duncan who is in his mid-30s. They have big men that could potentially compete with the Lakers height (their strength) thanks to the 3-team trade that netted them Tyson Chandler. The Mavericks also have a sweet shooting big man in Dirk Nowitzki who apparently has been practicing his stroke in this recent commercial.
In short, this season will be full of surprises and disappointments as it always has been. Hopefully, it will not be the last season for a long time. Yet, with a sputtering economy in the United States and Europe, I guess anything is possible.
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