Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
Matchups
Rajon Rondo vs Mario Chalmers= Rajon Rondo
Why: Out of all the teams in the NBA the Heat is the only team Mario Chalmers could start for, let's keep it 100. Rajon Rondo is an absolute magician and the main catalyst behind the Celtics success, when he's running their extremely hard to beat. The walking triple-double will have Mario Chalmers shook all series, mind you the C's were a dirty play by Dwade away from overtaking that series last year. Ps: Rondo is averaging 15.3 ppg 12.7 apg and 6.7 rpg in this year's playoffs, simply amazing.
Ray Allen vs Dwyane Wade=Dwyane Wade
Why: The shoulder injury to Avery Bradley is huge, and will most definitely hurt the Celtics, he was the man in charge to try and contain Dwyane Wade. With Ray Allen still hobbled by that ankle injury and Mr. Wade County himself coming off a 40 point 11 rebound close out performance against the Pacers in the semifinals look for him to continue dominance.
Paul Pierce vs LeBron James=LeBron James
Why: LeBron James is a monster. For 90% of an NBA game he is the best player in the world, no question. However, Paul Pierce is no slouch the four-time all NBA recipient and former NBA champion is known to thrive in series like these. The man just can't be slept on. However, i'll say this Bron will have a huge series he can't afford to lose.
Brandon Bass vs Shane Battier=Brandon Bass
Why: Brandon Bass was the most consistent player for the Celtics in last rounds, grind em' out series against the 76ers. Without him, the C's would be watching the rest of the playoffs on a fishing retreat. Shane Battier is playing out of position and his jumper has been very inconsistent of late, this matchup does not bode well for the Heat. Expect Brandon Bass to continue to play well and play a huge factor if the Celtics can pull it off in this series.
Kevin Garnett vs Udonis Haslem=Kevin Garnett
Why: Kevin Garnett may be old, but he's definitely not dead. His game seems to raise whenever its money time and this years playoff averages of 19.2 ppg and 10.8 rpg are living proof. With Chris Bosh out, I think KG can most definitely have a field day against the physical, yet limited Udonis Haslem.
Bench
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat: Tie
Why: Both benches are extremely weak, and feature inconsistent players who offer little help, with the exception of the Celtics Mickael Pietrius. Whichever bench steps up and plays better could determine who wins this series.
Outlook: The injuries to Chris Bosh and Avery Bradley are huge blows to both teams. With this being do or die time for LeBron James, in a year that screams Championship or Failure, the beloved LBJ has no choice but to be in the NBA finals. He must take over and provide the extra bit of punch he did in the Pacers series. Contrary to popular belief this series will be a physical, tough hard fought series, and with Doc Rivers being one of the top 2 coaches in the NBA its hard to go against him. However, I have the Heat in 7, the injuries piled up for the Celtics may be too much of a hinderance for the C's to outlast the Heat.
Heat in 7
Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
NBA Western Conference Finals Preview
San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Matchups
Tony Parker vs Russell Westbrook= slight edge Tony Parker
Why: Tony Parker went off for 42 points earlier this year against Westbrook in a huge San Antonio win. Not only is Parker fearless of Russell Westbrook but he runs the San Antonio offense with more balance and is less turnover prone than Westbrook. This is no slight to Russell who in his own right is amongst the best Point Guards in the NBA and has managed to played near perfect in this years playoffs. I just can't go against the veteran leadership and craftiness of Parker in this match up.
Danny Green vs. Thabo Sefolosha=Danny Green
Why: If you ask me Thabo Sefolosha just takes up a roster spot. He virtually provides nothing offensively while playing above average Defense, somehow this has earned him the moniker of defensive specialist, I just don't see it, but hey to each is own. Danny Green has been a great addition to the Spurs this season and has stepped up huge in the playoffs. If he continues to knock down big threes and plays solid defense against Russell Westbrook he can be a big key to the Spurs success.
Kawhi Leonard vs Kevin Durant=Kevin Durant
Why: Kawhi Leonard is a pretty good defender who has scratched the surface of his NBA talent and his found his niche this season, but come on this is Kevin Durant were talking about. No questions or explanations here the NBA's best player Durant will get his and get it in bunches.
Tim Duncan vs. Serge Ibaka=Tim Duncan
Why: Serge Ibaka will be in foul trouble this whole series. Even at 36 years old Tim Duncan is one of the best Power Forwards in the game and his playoff averages of 17.6 ppg and 9.0 rpg while shooting an efficient 59% from the field in the semifinals against Blake Griffin and the L.A. Clippers is living proof. With Kendrick Perkins having to guard around the 3 point line and Tim Duncan being allowed to work one on one for most of the series, expect Duncan's craftiness and patience to have Ibaka sidelined for most of the series, enter Nick Collison.
Boris Diaw vs. Kendrick Perkins= slight edge Boris Diaw
Why: This not a good match up for Kendrick Perkins. Although Perk is a good low post defender, Boris Diaw's all- around stretch the floor type of game will give the rather slow-footed Perkins fits. Taking Perk away from the rim will open up the boards for the Spurs bigs this could be a huge battle in the series.
6th man battle
Manu Ginobli vs. James Harden=slight edge James Harden
Why: Both players are cooks but at this point in their careers the newly named NBA 6th Man of the Year Harden prepares better meals.
Bench
Spurs vs. Thunder= San Antonio Spurs by a long shot
Why: Stephen Jackson, Tiago Splitter, Manu Ginobli, Gary Neal, Dejuan Blair, and red-haired sharpshooter Matt Bonner whose bench is competing with that?
Outlook: San Antonio is just a much deeper team. Not only are they not afraid of Kevin Durant and co. but their core has been here too many times to take this opportunity for granted. This could possibly be Manu Ginobli and Tim Duncan's last chances to win a NBA title, and with Tim Duncan on a quest for his 5th ring, nobody is going to get in the way of that. A youthful Oklahoma City Thunder squad is only a year away from hoisting the Larry O'Brien.
Winner=Spurs in 6
Matchups
Tony Parker vs Russell Westbrook= slight edge Tony Parker
Why: Tony Parker went off for 42 points earlier this year against Westbrook in a huge San Antonio win. Not only is Parker fearless of Russell Westbrook but he runs the San Antonio offense with more balance and is less turnover prone than Westbrook. This is no slight to Russell who in his own right is amongst the best Point Guards in the NBA and has managed to played near perfect in this years playoffs. I just can't go against the veteran leadership and craftiness of Parker in this match up.
Danny Green vs. Thabo Sefolosha=Danny Green
Why: If you ask me Thabo Sefolosha just takes up a roster spot. He virtually provides nothing offensively while playing above average Defense, somehow this has earned him the moniker of defensive specialist, I just don't see it, but hey to each is own. Danny Green has been a great addition to the Spurs this season and has stepped up huge in the playoffs. If he continues to knock down big threes and plays solid defense against Russell Westbrook he can be a big key to the Spurs success.
Kawhi Leonard vs Kevin Durant=Kevin Durant
Why: Kawhi Leonard is a pretty good defender who has scratched the surface of his NBA talent and his found his niche this season, but come on this is Kevin Durant were talking about. No questions or explanations here the NBA's best player Durant will get his and get it in bunches.
Tim Duncan vs. Serge Ibaka=Tim Duncan
Why: Serge Ibaka will be in foul trouble this whole series. Even at 36 years old Tim Duncan is one of the best Power Forwards in the game and his playoff averages of 17.6 ppg and 9.0 rpg while shooting an efficient 59% from the field in the semifinals against Blake Griffin and the L.A. Clippers is living proof. With Kendrick Perkins having to guard around the 3 point line and Tim Duncan being allowed to work one on one for most of the series, expect Duncan's craftiness and patience to have Ibaka sidelined for most of the series, enter Nick Collison.
Boris Diaw vs. Kendrick Perkins= slight edge Boris Diaw
Why: This not a good match up for Kendrick Perkins. Although Perk is a good low post defender, Boris Diaw's all- around stretch the floor type of game will give the rather slow-footed Perkins fits. Taking Perk away from the rim will open up the boards for the Spurs bigs this could be a huge battle in the series.
6th man battle
Manu Ginobli vs. James Harden=slight edge James Harden
Why: Both players are cooks but at this point in their careers the newly named NBA 6th Man of the Year Harden prepares better meals.
Bench
Spurs vs. Thunder= San Antonio Spurs by a long shot
Why: Stephen Jackson, Tiago Splitter, Manu Ginobli, Gary Neal, Dejuan Blair, and red-haired sharpshooter Matt Bonner whose bench is competing with that?
Outlook: San Antonio is just a much deeper team. Not only are they not afraid of Kevin Durant and co. but their core has been here too many times to take this opportunity for granted. This could possibly be Manu Ginobli and Tim Duncan's last chances to win a NBA title, and with Tim Duncan on a quest for his 5th ring, nobody is going to get in the way of that. A youthful Oklahoma City Thunder squad is only a year away from hoisting the Larry O'Brien.
Winner=Spurs in 6
Monday, May 14, 2012
NBA Western Conference Semifinal Playoff Picks
L.A. Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Winner=Lakers
Why= Even though it took 7 games for the Lakers to get rid of a scrappy Denver Nuggets team, I just can't vision Kobe Bean Bryant making an early exit from the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The quest for 6 rings is on and with the Lakers playing better team basketball and the return of Metta World Peace, this will be a tough Lakers team to beat. This will clearly be the best series of the 2nd round and with all the story lines coming together for this series I still say, Lakers in 6.
San Antonio Spurs vs L.A. Clippers
Winner=Spurs
Why= The Clippers look poised from all sides in their tough slug it out 7 game series against the Grizzlies. With the Spurs playing the best basketball in the NBA and the veteran leadership provided from the Spurs core, I just can't bet against the Spurs at this point in time. It will be a fun, exciting and dramatic series but Spurs in 6
Winner=Lakers
Why= Even though it took 7 games for the Lakers to get rid of a scrappy Denver Nuggets team, I just can't vision Kobe Bean Bryant making an early exit from the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The quest for 6 rings is on and with the Lakers playing better team basketball and the return of Metta World Peace, this will be a tough Lakers team to beat. This will clearly be the best series of the 2nd round and with all the story lines coming together for this series I still say, Lakers in 6.
San Antonio Spurs vs L.A. Clippers
Winner=Spurs
Why= The Clippers look poised from all sides in their tough slug it out 7 game series against the Grizzlies. With the Spurs playing the best basketball in the NBA and the veteran leadership provided from the Spurs core, I just can't bet against the Spurs at this point in time. It will be a fun, exciting and dramatic series but Spurs in 6
Sunday, May 13, 2012
NBA Eastern Conference Semifinal Picks
Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat
Winner=Heat
Why= The Heat are on a mission right now and even though Indiana will be a more formidable opponent don't look for Miami's road to redemption to end here. Heat in 6
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers
Winner=Celtics
Why= Let's be real the 76ers don't belong here, they have Tom Thibodeau to thank for extending their work schedule before their Carnival Cruise vacation. Boston is a very dangerous team and with double P, KG and Rajon playing the way they are right now look for Boston to end this series quickly. Celtics in 5 with little resistance
Winner=Heat
Why= The Heat are on a mission right now and even though Indiana will be a more formidable opponent don't look for Miami's road to redemption to end here. Heat in 6
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers
Winner=Celtics
Why= Let's be real the 76ers don't belong here, they have Tom Thibodeau to thank for extending their work schedule before their Carnival Cruise vacation. Boston is a very dangerous team and with double P, KG and Rajon playing the way they are right now look for Boston to end this series quickly. Celtics in 5 with little resistance
Thursday, May 3, 2012
LeBron James King?
There's never been more pressure on LeBron James then the immense pressure he has to finally win his first NBA championship this year. Without question James is the most physically gifted athlete this world has ever seen, and his highlight real proves it. But lets be real, the clutch gene is the only thing that keeps the beloved King James from being the best basketball player in the NBA. Yes, his stats are unbelievable and the high level he plays at throughout the regular season, and first couple rounds of the playoffs is something that reflects a 2k game played at 8 minute quarters with all the game sliders up. The man is a complete beast, and at certain times he resembles a full grown man playing against Kindergartener's. However there's only one issue; in late important situations/games James is undoubtedly scary. When I say scary I don't mean striking fear in his opposition, by scary I mean afraid to seize the moment choosing to defer and not being able to make a difference when it matters the most. If you're looking for example, look no further than last year's NBA finals, where James looked unstoppable in his quest for his first NBA title.....when stuff hit the fan and the series needed a hero, the two time NBA most valuable player was nowhere to be found. Hence the question, how do you crown someone King with no crown? With no NBA titles to his name King James can only be referred to as Prince James, not taking shots but to be known as a King, don't you at least have to win one crown? The love he garners makes one ask a few certain questions such as: Is winning not looked upon as important in today's generation? Are we satisfied more with style than substance? Can one be the best NBA player when their scared to kill? Either way you slice it in order to be a King you have to earn a crown, and maybe this year is the year, but without it the beloved LBJ cannot be crowned.
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