Finally after two weeks of amazing basketball, the NBA finals are set, and as the smoke clears, we are left with the two most storied franchised in the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics will renew their long documented rivalry.
The Celtics were a team that everyone wrote off and were no one's choice to be in this year's NBA Finals, but after a impressive upset over the favorites, Cleveland Cavaliers, and knocking off the defending Eastern Conference Champions, Orlando Magic, the Celtics are back again as the team they were two years ago.
The Lakers were favorites to be back in the finals, and are the favorites to repeat as champions again, but it was not easy for the Lakers to get back to the finals this year.
The Celtics entered the NBA Playoffs with questions on the health of their team.
The Celtics passed the Miami Heat and were up against their next challenge: The Cavaliers. The world was shocked when LeBron James had quit in Games 5 and 6, and give the Celtics the series.
After knocking out the Cavaliers, no one believed the Celtics could do it again against the Magic. The Celtics jumped up to a 3-0 lead in the series, and had people jumping back on their wagon.
The Magic did not quit, instead the team grabbed two wins before the Celtics eliminated them.
For the Lakers, they had a tough season dealing with injuries with their super star Kobe Bryant. Bryant did not let that stop him from playing, he continued playing with the injuries.
The Lakers opened up their road to repeat with the young, athletic Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder did not let them off easily as they took them six games, but the Lakers won the series.
Next were the Utah Jazz, the team was lucky to advance to the second round, after the Denver Nuggets lost control of their team without the leadership of their coach.
The Jazz had no chance against the Lakers. Los Angeles swept them in four games.
Next were the underestimated Phoenix Suns, the team that missed the playoffs last season and were not expected to be in the Western Conference Finals.
No one had the Suns beating the Lakers, but the Suns figured out a way to beat the Lakers after Los Angeles went up 2-0 in the series.
Pheonix went to a zone defense that brought the team back to a 2-2 tie and was keeping them in the series.
Game 5 was the turning point of the series.
With a minute to go and the Lakers up 101-98, Ron Artest took the stupidest shot in Lakers history.
Artest had missed a running shot but Gasol had gotten the offensive rebound and passed it back to Artest, but Artest took another shot with 22 seconds left in the shot clock but missed the shot.
Afterwards Steve Nash brought the ball up and took a three pointer that missed. The Suns grabbed the rebound and Jason Richardson took another three, but he missed and the Suns got another rebound, this time Richardson banked a three with three seconds left in the game.
The Lakers came back with Bryant shooting a three pointer, but it fell short and Artest was there to put it back for the game winning shot.
The win gave the Lakers a 3-2 lead in the series and allowing Artest to redeem himself for dumb shot he did before.
The Lakers closed out the Suns back in Phoenix and are in the NBA Finals for the third straight year and 31st time in franchise history.
The last time the Lakers and Celtics faced off in the finals, the Lakers were on a roll that was feeding off the trade that brought Gasol to the Lakers.
The Celtics had fire power and great defense that locked up Bryant to allow Boston to beat the Lakers in six games.
This year will be different because the Lakers have the experience, great defense (with the addition of Artest), Andrew Bynum (a player that the Lakers did not have in 2008), and the Celtics are not the same team of 2008.
Artest was brought to Los Angeles to face guys like Paul Pierce. Pierce went off on the Lakers back in 2008, but this time he will be getting locked down by Artest.
The Lakers did not have Bynum in 2008 because he had a knee injury. Bynum has another knee injury, but since he is playing with it, it gives the Lakers another body to fill the post and get rebounds and block shots.
Bynum does not need to lead the Lakers in scoring, any points he gets will be a extra for the Lakers. His defense is what is more important for the Lakers.
The Lakers are favorites this time, because I do not believe the Celtics can take out another elite team for a third time.
Kevin Garnett is not 100 percent, Ray Allen is not going to hurt the Lakers a whole lot, Pierce won't get everything he wants, and the Celtics live and die with Rajon Rondo.
As long as the Lakers continue what they have been doing all season, than Boston should not be a headace.
Boston will get wins, but not all four wins.
The Lakers are well enough prepared to go head to head with the Celtics and they have home court advantage.
Not that I am a Lakers fan, but I do believe the Lakers will beat the Celtics this year.
I pick the Lakers in six games.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
A fan is a fan
What does a person have to do to be known as a "die hard fan" of a certain team and what makes other people judge a person's loyalty to a team?
It is a well debated argument among fans of the same team.
Fans who self proclaim themselves as a die hard, call out the others who show little less support to the team as to how the die hard shows their support.
What if the fan who shows little less support does not have the money to spend to show their support via t-shirt, hat, jersey and etc.
How can other fans of the same team judge the person based on not knowing why they do not wear the team's colors during the time the team plays?
How long does it take to be called a fan of a team?
My friend Jenny Martinez tried to answer these questions on her own.
She sets examples during times where her team was going through troubles and the fans of now where not there at the time.
She asked other die hard fans to expressed their thoughts on the fans who are not die hard's, and they agreed with her.
But I find that these questions cannot be answered because every fan's situtation is different, because it shouldn't be up to other fans to claim one fan's loyalty to the team.
So call "bandwagons" is a term used to describe a fan who suddenly appeared during a time the team is succeeding and claims they have been a fan for a while.
Other definitions for a bandwagon fan is a person claiming they are a fan and not knowing one fact about the team.
If a person wants to cheer on a team, than let them, the team does not care who is a fan of theirs.
It's the people who are the die hard fans who care if the person is a true fan or not.
It splits a line in the middle between the fans who care about calling out the bandwagons and the fans who can careless about these fans.
Instead of becoming one group of fans cheering on their team, these fans cause conflict between each other and cause two parties fighting about nonsense stuff.
As a fan of the Lakers, I see this everyday on Twitter.
Laker fans argue among each other about stupid things. One being bandwagons and instead of agreeing on one thing, it causes more arguments.
Every Laker fan should not care about other fan's loyalty because they should care about the team, and know for themselves if they are true fan or not.
It shouldn't be up to other fans to determine if one fan's loyalty to the team is faithful or not.
If a person wants to root for the Lakers or Yankees because the are the popular team than let them, and if a person self proclaims that they are only a Laker fan no matter what then let them too.
What it boils down to is that Kobe Bryant or Derek Jeter can give a rat's ass of who is cheering their teams on every night.
It is a well debated argument among fans of the same team.
Fans who self proclaim themselves as a die hard, call out the others who show little less support to the team as to how the die hard shows their support.
What if the fan who shows little less support does not have the money to spend to show their support via t-shirt, hat, jersey and etc.
How can other fans of the same team judge the person based on not knowing why they do not wear the team's colors during the time the team plays?
How long does it take to be called a fan of a team?
My friend Jenny Martinez tried to answer these questions on her own.
She sets examples during times where her team was going through troubles and the fans of now where not there at the time.
She asked other die hard fans to expressed their thoughts on the fans who are not die hard's, and they agreed with her.
But I find that these questions cannot be answered because every fan's situtation is different, because it shouldn't be up to other fans to claim one fan's loyalty to the team.
So call "bandwagons" is a term used to describe a fan who suddenly appeared during a time the team is succeeding and claims they have been a fan for a while.
Other definitions for a bandwagon fan is a person claiming they are a fan and not knowing one fact about the team.
If a person wants to cheer on a team, than let them, the team does not care who is a fan of theirs.
It's the people who are the die hard fans who care if the person is a true fan or not.
It splits a line in the middle between the fans who care about calling out the bandwagons and the fans who can careless about these fans.
Instead of becoming one group of fans cheering on their team, these fans cause conflict between each other and cause two parties fighting about nonsense stuff.
As a fan of the Lakers, I see this everyday on Twitter.
Laker fans argue among each other about stupid things. One being bandwagons and instead of agreeing on one thing, it causes more arguments.
Every Laker fan should not care about other fan's loyalty because they should care about the team, and know for themselves if they are true fan or not.
It shouldn't be up to other fans to determine if one fan's loyalty to the team is faithful or not.
If a person wants to root for the Lakers or Yankees because the are the popular team than let them, and if a person self proclaims that they are only a Laker fan no matter what then let them too.
What it boils down to is that Kobe Bryant or Derek Jeter can give a rat's ass of who is cheering their teams on every night.
The predictable NBA playoffs
How exciting is it to finally be in the NBA conference finals after a month's worth of amazing and unpredictable playoffs.
The main headline in the conference finals is the Boston Celtics upsetting LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to advance the the eastern conference finals.
The second headline is the Phoenix Suns make their way back the the western conference finals. They return after sweeping the San Antonio Spurs and a season after missing the playoffs.
The two teams that were predicted to be in the conference finals were the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic, and with no surprise, both are there.
The Lakers and Magic both swept their semi-finals series' and are looking to have a collision course in the NBA finals for a consecutive season.
My predictions for the semi-finals were a lot better from my first round predictions. All four teams that I predicted to be in the conference finals are in and I hit the bull's eye with Boston beating Cleveland in six games.
Now that the conference finals are set; it's time to predict who will be in the NBA finals in June.
In the East we have No. 2 Orlando Magic vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics:
I am going to pick Boston in six. I am sold this team is the best team in the east. They were chosen to be the best team in the regular season, but they fell to fourth because of injuries. Now that they have a full roster and are playing their best basketball of the season; I think they have to be the favorite to come out of the east.
Yes, Orlando is great, they swept both of their first two series, but I think Boston has too much momentum after knocking of King Quitter and the Cavaliers.
Rajon Rondo is leading the Celtics with impressive stats, Kevin Garnett looks like he is still in his prime, Paul Pierce is looking sharp from the three point line, Ray Allen is still a prime shooter, and the Celtics supporting cast behind these four guys are superior to Orlando's supporting cast.
Boston has the best defense to match Orlando's hot offense and I just don't see the Magic getting past Boston like they did last season.
Now to the West. we have No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 3 Phoenix Suns:
I have the Lakers in five. It's not even a contest. The Lakers can defeat the Suns with one hand tied behind their back.
The Suns do not have the height to compete with the Lakers' big men. Last series, Pau Gasol went off against the under-size Utah Jazz, and he will do the same with the Suns.
Andrew Bynum is suffering a bad knee, but as long as he can give the Lakers 10 points and 12 rebounds for the series, that will be enough for him to help the Lakers.
Lamar Odom, the player who has been inconsistent forever for the Lakers, will have a huge series. I see Odom averaging a double-double in the series.
The Suns had a impressive season, but their season is going to fall short here. They are just not good enough at their best against the Lakers.
So let's recap my picks. After my predictions we have Boston and LA.
"Boston and LA ... That's all you can say ... is Boston and LA," Kobe Bryant once said about facing the Celtics.
And he is right, that's all you can say, Boston and LA.
The rematch the Lakers have been waiting for two years is going to finally happen.
The rivalry of these two teams is going to be once again renewed.
The best series the NBA can hope for is going to go down in June!
I can't wait for these series to start, check back when Boston and LA defeat their opponents and make the finals to see my prediction of who is going to win the NBA championship!
The main headline in the conference finals is the Boston Celtics upsetting LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to advance the the eastern conference finals.
The second headline is the Phoenix Suns make their way back the the western conference finals. They return after sweeping the San Antonio Spurs and a season after missing the playoffs.
The two teams that were predicted to be in the conference finals were the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic, and with no surprise, both are there.
The Lakers and Magic both swept their semi-finals series' and are looking to have a collision course in the NBA finals for a consecutive season.
My predictions for the semi-finals were a lot better from my first round predictions. All four teams that I predicted to be in the conference finals are in and I hit the bull's eye with Boston beating Cleveland in six games.
Now that the conference finals are set; it's time to predict who will be in the NBA finals in June.
In the East we have No. 2 Orlando Magic vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics:
I am going to pick Boston in six. I am sold this team is the best team in the east. They were chosen to be the best team in the regular season, but they fell to fourth because of injuries. Now that they have a full roster and are playing their best basketball of the season; I think they have to be the favorite to come out of the east.
Yes, Orlando is great, they swept both of their first two series, but I think Boston has too much momentum after knocking of King Quitter and the Cavaliers.
Rajon Rondo is leading the Celtics with impressive stats, Kevin Garnett looks like he is still in his prime, Paul Pierce is looking sharp from the three point line, Ray Allen is still a prime shooter, and the Celtics supporting cast behind these four guys are superior to Orlando's supporting cast.
Boston has the best defense to match Orlando's hot offense and I just don't see the Magic getting past Boston like they did last season.
Now to the West. we have No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 3 Phoenix Suns:
I have the Lakers in five. It's not even a contest. The Lakers can defeat the Suns with one hand tied behind their back.
The Suns do not have the height to compete with the Lakers' big men. Last series, Pau Gasol went off against the under-size Utah Jazz, and he will do the same with the Suns.
Andrew Bynum is suffering a bad knee, but as long as he can give the Lakers 10 points and 12 rebounds for the series, that will be enough for him to help the Lakers.
Lamar Odom, the player who has been inconsistent forever for the Lakers, will have a huge series. I see Odom averaging a double-double in the series.
The Suns had a impressive season, but their season is going to fall short here. They are just not good enough at their best against the Lakers.
So let's recap my picks. After my predictions we have Boston and LA.
"Boston and LA ... That's all you can say ... is Boston and LA," Kobe Bryant once said about facing the Celtics.
And he is right, that's all you can say, Boston and LA.
The rematch the Lakers have been waiting for two years is going to finally happen.
The rivalry of these two teams is going to be once again renewed.
The best series the NBA can hope for is going to go down in June!
I can't wait for these series to start, check back when Boston and LA defeat their opponents and make the finals to see my prediction of who is going to win the NBA championship!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
LeBron's last game with Cleveland
Tonight LeBron James proved he is the king.
The king of quitting.
Seriously, this man is overrated, how can he be the greatest player in today's world when his team had the best record in the last two season's and failed to reach the NBA finals?
James is no super hero who can be seen as one of the greats to be talked about in the likes of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
He simply turned his back on his team, the city of Cleveland and himself.
Passing up shots, back peddling when his team had yet to attempt a shot and turning over the ball repeatedly in a game where Cleveland needed to continue their season; he gave the attitude of "It's fine, it happens," and it is not what I view as one of the characteristics of a legend.
If it were Jordan or Bryant, neither player would had sat back and let their team sink in a elimination game like James did tonight; they both would had taken control of the game and win the game at their own will.
James made no excuses for the failed season after finishing the season with a Cleveland Cavaliers record 61-21 and winning his consecutive season NBA Most Valuable Player award.
But he showed through his body language that he was done with the Cavaliers after seven seasons.
The careless reaction of what had happen to the team's collapse, his fall in the series and the endless questions if he will return to the Cavaliers.
I see James leaving Cleveland this off season, but I don't know where.
The scary though is him and another superstar like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh or Joe Johnson teaming up on one team.
James would never achieve winning a NBA championship with the attitude he showed in this series. He gave up.
One more thing, I finally hit the bull's eye, I predicted the exact winner in the series and the exact number of games the team would take to win it.
The king of quitting.
Seriously, this man is overrated, how can he be the greatest player in today's world when his team had the best record in the last two season's and failed to reach the NBA finals?
James is no super hero who can be seen as one of the greats to be talked about in the likes of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
He simply turned his back on his team, the city of Cleveland and himself.
Passing up shots, back peddling when his team had yet to attempt a shot and turning over the ball repeatedly in a game where Cleveland needed to continue their season; he gave the attitude of "It's fine, it happens," and it is not what I view as one of the characteristics of a legend.
If it were Jordan or Bryant, neither player would had sat back and let their team sink in a elimination game like James did tonight; they both would had taken control of the game and win the game at their own will.
James made no excuses for the failed season after finishing the season with a Cleveland Cavaliers record 61-21 and winning his consecutive season NBA Most Valuable Player award.
But he showed through his body language that he was done with the Cavaliers after seven seasons.
The careless reaction of what had happen to the team's collapse, his fall in the series and the endless questions if he will return to the Cavaliers.
I see James leaving Cleveland this off season, but I don't know where.
The scary though is him and another superstar like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh or Joe Johnson teaming up on one team.
James would never achieve winning a NBA championship with the attitude he showed in this series. He gave up.
One more thing, I finally hit the bull's eye, I predicted the exact winner in the series and the exact number of games the team would take to win it.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The unpredictable NBA
I am starting to believe I am not the best when it comes to predicting NBA playoff series' outcomes.
Now I am good at picking what team wins, but I am not good at how many games it will take.
I did not see the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and especially the Phoenix Suns being up 3-0 in their respective series'.
I did have them all moving on to the conference finals.
I knew the Suns would beat the San Antonio Spurs, but I had that series going six games. Now that it is 3-0 in favor of the Suns, this can be over in four.
I had the Suns moving on because I was not sold on the Spurs doing it again after that impressive six game series they won against the Dallas Mavericks.
I had the Lakers over the Utah Jazz in five games because the Lakers beat the Jazz in five games in the past two postseasons series' they had against them.
But it's not a surprise that the Lakers and Magic are up 3-0, because those are the teams that are expected to dominate throughout the postseason.
I am still hoping the Boston Celtics can find their three-leaved clover and beat LePrick James in six games.
The Celtics had a horrible game three in Boston. The team had nothing going for them for the start that resulted in a slaughter by the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The excitement of the NBA playoffs is starting to heat up. It's time to buckle your seat belts because the Lakers are coming hard.
Now I am good at picking what team wins, but I am not good at how many games it will take.
I did not see the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and especially the Phoenix Suns being up 3-0 in their respective series'.
I did have them all moving on to the conference finals.
I knew the Suns would beat the San Antonio Spurs, but I had that series going six games. Now that it is 3-0 in favor of the Suns, this can be over in four.
I had the Suns moving on because I was not sold on the Spurs doing it again after that impressive six game series they won against the Dallas Mavericks.
I had the Lakers over the Utah Jazz in five games because the Lakers beat the Jazz in five games in the past two postseasons series' they had against them.
But it's not a surprise that the Lakers and Magic are up 3-0, because those are the teams that are expected to dominate throughout the postseason.
I am still hoping the Boston Celtics can find their three-leaved clover and beat LePrick James in six games.
The Celtics had a horrible game three in Boston. The team had nothing going for them for the start that resulted in a slaughter by the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The excitement of the NBA playoffs is starting to heat up. It's time to buckle your seat belts because the Lakers are coming hard.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Magic make a lasting impression
Talk about taking care of business.
The Los Angeles Lakers should rip a page out of the Orlando Magic's playbook after the Magic defeated the Atlanta Hawks 114-71 in Game 1.
After the Hawks won their seven game series against the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games, they set their sites on Orlando.
It felt as if the Magic have been waiting decades to start its second round series after they swept the Charlotte Bobcats.
The game was a no contest from the opening tip, and the Hawks seemed to be lost as they did in their first series.
I predicted the Magic would win in five games, but now that they beat the Hawks by 43 points; I think they can sweep them too.
Vince Carter said it best after the game, "We are hungry." Something that Lakers lack this year.
The Los Angeles Lakers should rip a page out of the Orlando Magic's playbook after the Magic defeated the Atlanta Hawks 114-71 in Game 1.
After the Hawks won their seven game series against the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games, they set their sites on Orlando.
It felt as if the Magic have been waiting decades to start its second round series after they swept the Charlotte Bobcats.
The game was a no contest from the opening tip, and the Hawks seemed to be lost as they did in their first series.
I predicted the Magic would win in five games, but now that they beat the Hawks by 43 points; I think they can sweep them too.
Vince Carter said it best after the game, "We are hungry." Something that Lakers lack this year.
Suns doing more off the court
For the first time the Phoenix Suns are a winner in my eyes.
It's not because they defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 last night, it's because they are standing up for what's right and they get a standing ovation by me and my raza.
After the illegal immigration bill was signed by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer last month, lots of people, including Latinos opposed the bill, because it has the potential to develop racial profiling other than being used for its purpose of allowing police officers to request proof of legal documents if there is reasonable suspicion.
Suns owner, Robert Sarver wanted to make his mark of how he thinks of this bill, and by doing so, he came up with a brilliant plan.
In the next game the Suns play, the team will be wearing the "Los Suns" jerseys that they and other NBA teams wear during the annual NBA's "Noche Latina".
The game falls on Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday that is celebrated for the wrong reasons, but it is more than a perfect day for Sarver and the Suns to show their appreciation for their Latino fans and tell them they are on our side.
After the bill was past, there were calls out to professional sport teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels to consider moving their spring training facility out of Arizona help boycott the bill.
People have threaten to leave the state, students who where committed to attending college in Arizona immediately canceled their plans and Arizona was left with the potential to lose out on lots of money.
So with the first action from a professional sport being made by the Suns, a sign that the heroes the fans look up to all the time, do care about their fans, and are trying to be a voice for them.
I applause the Suns for their efforts, but once they face my Los Angeles Lakers in a few weeks in the western conference finals, it's no more respect for you.
But thank you to the Phoenix Suns for doing this for the Latinos, we appreciate your efforts in this unfair situation.
It's not because they defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 last night, it's because they are standing up for what's right and they get a standing ovation by me and my raza.
After the illegal immigration bill was signed by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer last month, lots of people, including Latinos opposed the bill, because it has the potential to develop racial profiling other than being used for its purpose of allowing police officers to request proof of legal documents if there is reasonable suspicion.
Suns owner, Robert Sarver wanted to make his mark of how he thinks of this bill, and by doing so, he came up with a brilliant plan.
In the next game the Suns play, the team will be wearing the "Los Suns" jerseys that they and other NBA teams wear during the annual NBA's "Noche Latina".
The game falls on Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday that is celebrated for the wrong reasons, but it is more than a perfect day for Sarver and the Suns to show their appreciation for their Latino fans and tell them they are on our side.
After the bill was past, there were calls out to professional sport teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels to consider moving their spring training facility out of Arizona help boycott the bill.
People have threaten to leave the state, students who where committed to attending college in Arizona immediately canceled their plans and Arizona was left with the potential to lose out on lots of money.
So with the first action from a professional sport being made by the Suns, a sign that the heroes the fans look up to all the time, do care about their fans, and are trying to be a voice for them.
I applause the Suns for their efforts, but once they face my Los Angeles Lakers in a few weeks in the western conference finals, it's no more respect for you.
But thank you to the Phoenix Suns for doing this for the Latinos, we appreciate your efforts in this unfair situation.
Celtics are better than ever
The Boston Celtics are back.
The team that won its seventh NBA Championship two years ago, are back to contend for another one.
A team that was written off as too old to compete with the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, have made a 180 and now seems to be able to beat anyone.
The Celtics are currently in a 1-1 tie with the Cavaliers in their best of seven series, and Boston is looking to take the lead when the series resumes back in Massachusetts.
As a loyal Lakers' fan, I hate to admit this thought, but the Celtics are the team I am pulling for in the series.
Not only because I know they are going to win this series, but the fact that Cleveland fans are so ignorant and stupid to believe their team is the best with the mediocre players they have surrounding LeBron... is why I want them to lose every year.
Believe me, I would love to see Kobe Bryant capture his fifth NBA Championship by beating "LePrick" James and Shaq, but on behave of the rest of the NBA, we would love to see the Celtics and Lakers get it on again.
The Celtics are healthy and are playing their best basketball of the season, that said, they have the recipe to make it back to the finals for another showdown with their foe.
Trust me, the Lakers have their ticket to the finals set, the Utah Jazz and most likely, the Phoenix Suns are not going to be a threat to them.
I will say it again, the Lakers will not repeat if they get beat by themselves, no one can beat L.A. in a seven game series.
On a final thought, let the rivalry continue Boston and L.A.
The team that won its seventh NBA Championship two years ago, are back to contend for another one.
A team that was written off as too old to compete with the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, have made a 180 and now seems to be able to beat anyone.
The Celtics are currently in a 1-1 tie with the Cavaliers in their best of seven series, and Boston is looking to take the lead when the series resumes back in Massachusetts.
As a loyal Lakers' fan, I hate to admit this thought, but the Celtics are the team I am pulling for in the series.
Not only because I know they are going to win this series, but the fact that Cleveland fans are so ignorant and stupid to believe their team is the best with the mediocre players they have surrounding LeBron... is why I want them to lose every year.
Believe me, I would love to see Kobe Bryant capture his fifth NBA Championship by beating "LePrick" James and Shaq, but on behave of the rest of the NBA, we would love to see the Celtics and Lakers get it on again.
The Celtics are healthy and are playing their best basketball of the season, that said, they have the recipe to make it back to the finals for another showdown with their foe.
Trust me, the Lakers have their ticket to the finals set, the Utah Jazz and most likely, the Phoenix Suns are not going to be a threat to them.
I will say it again, the Lakers will not repeat if they get beat by themselves, no one can beat L.A. in a seven game series.
On a final thought, let the rivalry continue Boston and L.A.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Round one is done; now round two is up
Where to start with what happen in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
My first round predictions were a bust, I came no where near of my predictions and picked losing teams.
Lots of action, intensity and twist and turns happened in the western conference first round.
The No. 7 San Antonio Spurs defeated the No. 2 Dallas Mavericks in six games. I said I was going with the Mavs but I would not be surprised if the Spurs won and they did.
The No. 5 Utah Jazz defeated the No. 4 Denver Nuggets in six games. I had the Jazz winning in 7 and I was almost right, because they still won and they won because the Nuggets were a mess without its head coach, George Karl.
The biggest surprise is the No. 6 Milwaukee Bucks and the No. 3 Atlanta Hawks. I had the Hawks winning, and they still have a chance tomorrow in Game 7, but I didn't believe the Bucks could possibly win. They did not only force a Game 7, but they also had a 3-2 lead in the series. Tomorrow is the big game to see who Orlando will face, and I am going with the Hawks.
Now for my second round NBA predictions. Hopefully this goes better than the first time.
In the West:
No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 5 Utah Jazz.
I am going with the Lakers in five games. I know the Jazz and Lakers are both dealing with lots of injuries, but this is what the Lakers need after a long six game series against the Oaklahoma City Thunder. This series favors the Lakers because they dominate the tempo and front line. The only advantage the Jazz have is Deron Williams.
No. 3 Phoenix Suns vs. No. 7 San Antonio Spurs.
I am going with the Suns in six. I think the Spurs had a great series against the Mavericks, but I am not sure if they can do it again against the Suns. The Suns are doing really well right now, they had one of the best second half season records in the NBA and they continue to play really good. I think the reason why the Suns are playing great is because they finally got over the Amare Stoudemire trades.
Another reason why I am going with the Suns is because they would be a really great way for the Lakers to finally get revenge for those two first round loses against the Suns back in the 2006 and 2007 playoffs.
Now in the East:
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics
This is the series I am excited to watch. The Celtics have finally found their legs and are playing Boston Celtics basketball, the basketball that won them a NBA championship two years ago. I am going with the upset, I am picking the Boston Celtics in six games. I am convince the Celtics can beat the Cavs this year. Cleveland is really overrated and I don't believe the Cavs will ever win a championship in my lifetime. I am sure the Celtics can punch the Cavs in the face and move on to the eastern conference finals.
No. 2 Orlando Magic vs. No. 3 Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are not in the second round at the moment, but I picked them to beat the Bucks tomorrow in Game 7 and I am sure it will go as planned. But either way, who ever faces the Magic in the second round will not beat them. I am picking the Magic in five games no matter if it's the Hawks or Bucks. No one will be a threat to the Magic until they go further into the playoffs. It is just a nice walk to the conference finals for the Magic in these two first rounds.
So there you have it, those are my second round picks; come back to check out more NBA playoff blogs by me and my conference finals predictions in two weeks!
My first round predictions were a bust, I came no where near of my predictions and picked losing teams.
Lots of action, intensity and twist and turns happened in the western conference first round.
The No. 7 San Antonio Spurs defeated the No. 2 Dallas Mavericks in six games. I said I was going with the Mavs but I would not be surprised if the Spurs won and they did.
The No. 5 Utah Jazz defeated the No. 4 Denver Nuggets in six games. I had the Jazz winning in 7 and I was almost right, because they still won and they won because the Nuggets were a mess without its head coach, George Karl.
The biggest surprise is the No. 6 Milwaukee Bucks and the No. 3 Atlanta Hawks. I had the Hawks winning, and they still have a chance tomorrow in Game 7, but I didn't believe the Bucks could possibly win. They did not only force a Game 7, but they also had a 3-2 lead in the series. Tomorrow is the big game to see who Orlando will face, and I am going with the Hawks.
Now for my second round NBA predictions. Hopefully this goes better than the first time.
In the West:
No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 5 Utah Jazz.
I am going with the Lakers in five games. I know the Jazz and Lakers are both dealing with lots of injuries, but this is what the Lakers need after a long six game series against the Oaklahoma City Thunder. This series favors the Lakers because they dominate the tempo and front line. The only advantage the Jazz have is Deron Williams.
No. 3 Phoenix Suns vs. No. 7 San Antonio Spurs.
I am going with the Suns in six. I think the Spurs had a great series against the Mavericks, but I am not sure if they can do it again against the Suns. The Suns are doing really well right now, they had one of the best second half season records in the NBA and they continue to play really good. I think the reason why the Suns are playing great is because they finally got over the Amare Stoudemire trades.
Another reason why I am going with the Suns is because they would be a really great way for the Lakers to finally get revenge for those two first round loses against the Suns back in the 2006 and 2007 playoffs.
Now in the East:
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics
This is the series I am excited to watch. The Celtics have finally found their legs and are playing Boston Celtics basketball, the basketball that won them a NBA championship two years ago. I am going with the upset, I am picking the Boston Celtics in six games. I am convince the Celtics can beat the Cavs this year. Cleveland is really overrated and I don't believe the Cavs will ever win a championship in my lifetime. I am sure the Celtics can punch the Cavs in the face and move on to the eastern conference finals.
No. 2 Orlando Magic vs. No. 3 Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are not in the second round at the moment, but I picked them to beat the Bucks tomorrow in Game 7 and I am sure it will go as planned. But either way, who ever faces the Magic in the second round will not beat them. I am picking the Magic in five games no matter if it's the Hawks or Bucks. No one will be a threat to the Magic until they go further into the playoffs. It is just a nice walk to the conference finals for the Magic in these two first rounds.
So there you have it, those are my second round picks; come back to check out more NBA playoff blogs by me and my conference finals predictions in two weeks!
The Lakers beat their future competitors
The thunder has cleared for the Los Angeles Lakers and the path to a repeat has taken a new jazz tune.
The Lakers took care of business last night in Oklahoma City and put away the Thunder in six games to move on to the western conference semi-finals, and a match up against the Utah Jazz.
For a sixth game, the OKC Thunder fought hard and gave the Lakers one last offensive surge, only to fall a point short from forcing a game seven in Los Angeles.
The Lakers are moving on, but the Thunder are not gone for good.
A team that surpassed its expectations and grew up in front of our eys in six games; have made a name for themselves in the years to come.
The OKC Thunder are the real winners of this series against the defending champs. They played their hearts out and proved they can beat any team in the NBA and can go much further into the playoffs in the coming years.
With the trio combo of Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook and Serge Ibaka and the supporting cast made up of Jeff Green, James Harden and Nick Collison, only makes this team one big free agent away from being a NBA championship contender.
They have shown they can score at will, defend when called upon and play with the best anywhere.
The OKC Thunder should not leave this series with its head down, because they won millions of people's hearts and respect, including the fans of the Lakers, who wished to cheer on the young team, but only hoped it was against another team.
They made the Lakers work for every point, every game and every win. They made people believe they had a chance to upset the champs.
Respect ... respect ... respect is the only word that comes to mind when I think about these guys. Durant has made me a fan of his and Westbrook has become a NBA all star in my eyes.
The players from Oklahoma City, are a team who came into the series against Los Angeles as the inexperience boys, and left the series as NBA veteran men looking to get back to the playoffs next season and finish what they left on the court last night.
This team was expected to make the playoffs this year and lose in the first round to the Lakers with no wins, but they were not expected to force the Lakers to a nearly seventh game.
The Lakers and the rest of the NBA now know they must acknowledge this team as a contender for now on.
The scariest fact about this Thunder team is that they are young and ready to improve.
The Lakers took care of business last night in Oklahoma City and put away the Thunder in six games to move on to the western conference semi-finals, and a match up against the Utah Jazz.
For a sixth game, the OKC Thunder fought hard and gave the Lakers one last offensive surge, only to fall a point short from forcing a game seven in Los Angeles.
The Lakers are moving on, but the Thunder are not gone for good.
A team that surpassed its expectations and grew up in front of our eys in six games; have made a name for themselves in the years to come.
The OKC Thunder are the real winners of this series against the defending champs. They played their hearts out and proved they can beat any team in the NBA and can go much further into the playoffs in the coming years.
With the trio combo of Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook and Serge Ibaka and the supporting cast made up of Jeff Green, James Harden and Nick Collison, only makes this team one big free agent away from being a NBA championship contender.
They have shown they can score at will, defend when called upon and play with the best anywhere.
The OKC Thunder should not leave this series with its head down, because they won millions of people's hearts and respect, including the fans of the Lakers, who wished to cheer on the young team, but only hoped it was against another team.
They made the Lakers work for every point, every game and every win. They made people believe they had a chance to upset the champs.
Respect ... respect ... respect is the only word that comes to mind when I think about these guys. Durant has made me a fan of his and Westbrook has become a NBA all star in my eyes.
The players from Oklahoma City, are a team who came into the series against Los Angeles as the inexperience boys, and left the series as NBA veteran men looking to get back to the playoffs next season and finish what they left on the court last night.
This team was expected to make the playoffs this year and lose in the first round to the Lakers with no wins, but they were not expected to force the Lakers to a nearly seventh game.
The Lakers and the rest of the NBA now know they must acknowledge this team as a contender for now on.
The scariest fact about this Thunder team is that they are young and ready to improve.
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