The intense and excitement is in the air as spring rises which only means the NBA playoffs are going on.
The first round Game 1s brought surprises across the board as the Chicago Bulls witness their Most Valuable Player, Derrick Rose, go down in the late minutes against the Philadelphia 76ers with a torn ACL.
The costly injury to Rose has changed the picture in the Eastern Conference playoffs as the Bulls are close to zero percent to win the NBA championship this year.
The clear favorite to come out of the East is now the Miami Heat as it has been tearing up the New York Knicks with a 33-point win in Game 1.
The Knicks have felt the frustration with their 12 game losing streak in the playoffs as Amar'e Stoudemire punched the glass window of a fire extinguisher after the Game 2 loss.
The Boston Celtics are still hanging around as they were able to split the first two games against the Atlanta Hawks as the series heads back to Boston.
The Celtics are still showing they are capable of competing as Paul Pierce led the team to the victory as the team was without its starting guards, Rajon Rondo (who is serving a suspension) and Ray Allen (who has been out with an ankle injury).
In the last series in the East, the Orlando Magic are playing without its superstar center, Dwight Howard, as it has split the first two games with the Indiana Pacers as the series heads back to Orlando.
The Pacers are a young team as they were able to surprise the league this season with an impressive start but the team is inexperience in the postseason and winning the series against the Magic will be an accomplishment for Indiana.
Now the excitement swifts West as the playoff series in the Western Conference has been amazing as always.
The San Antonio Spurs came out swinging and dominating throughout the season as they were able to lock up the top spot in the West and draw a first round match against the Utah Jazz.
The Spurs are gliding through the Jazz and the series is looking to be one-sided and the Spurs will eventually end it in four.
The up and coming Los Angeles Clippers made a big impression in Game 1 versus the Memphis Grizzles as the Clippers were able to come back from 21 points and beat the Grizzles on the road.
The Grizzles have the edge in the series as they made noise last postseason with their first round upset against the Spurs, but with the task of beating the Clippers and Zack Randolph trying to come back from an early season injury, the Grizzles will have a tough time getting passed the Clippers.
The other Los Angeles team, the Lakers, have had their doubts from critics throughout the season but the Lakers are looking great as the postseason moves along.
The Lakers are being pulled by Andrew Bynum, who had a triple double in Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets, and Kobe Bryant, who had 38 points in Game 2 against the Nuggets, and at the same time the Lakers offense is looking solid as the defense is impressive.
The Lakers aren't the clear favorites in the West but they are making it known that they are out to kill and win another NBA championship.
The Lakers are deadly with a healthy Bryant, a dominating Bynum, a skilled Pau Gasol and a supporting cast of talented players such as Ramon Sessions, Matt Barnes, Steve Blake, Metta World-Peace, Devin Ebanks and Jordan Hill.
The last series in the West is between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the defending champion, Dallas Mavericks, the series looks like last year's second playoff series against the Mavericks and Lakers as the first two games could have went either way.
The Thunder lead the series 2-0 at the moment but the first two games have been so close that the Mavericks could have been leading 2-0 right now or at least the series could have been heading back to Dallas tied at one.
The Mavericks are not done yet in the series but they have to find a way to hold late leads because this series can easily go seven games and it would not be a surprised if Dallas wins the series.
The first games of round one have been finalized and it is only the beginning so as the first rounds play out and the postseason continues, the intense and excitement will rise to new stressful levels for the NBA fans.
And on a side note, the Lakers and Heat will be the teams to meet in this year's NBA finals as the Lakers edge the Heat for the championship in seven games.
Showing posts with label Kobe Bryant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kobe Bryant. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Saturday, December 10, 2011
The choice to play with the Lakers
Every athlete wants the opportunity to win championships and go down as one of the best in their respective sport.
Dwight Howard, center of the Orlando Magic, is no different.
He too wants to compete at the highest level and win NBA championships.
The opportunity is there for the taking for Howard right now.
The opportunity is not with the Magic but with another NBA team.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the team he has that opportunity to win championships and go down as one of the best.
The Lakers are the team that gave many players the chance to win, win and win.
Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabber, Shaquille O'Neal, James Worthy, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant and etc. are just some of the many players who came and did a whole lot with the Lakers.
Right now the Lakers are pleading a trade that will send Chris Paul, one of the best point guards in the NBA right now, to Los Angeles where the Lakers look to win another championship and many more in the years to come.
Howard has a chance to be a part of that. He has the chance to go to Los Angeles and win, win and win with Paul and Bryant.
There is a problem though . . .
There is a rumor going around that Howard does not want to come to the Lakers only because he refuses to continue to be compared to O'Neal and have people claim he is trying to be like O'Neal.
Although that is something that can be irritating and annoying to be accused of being like someone--the chance to be as good or better than a hall-of-fame player is the best thin that can happen to a player, especially Howard.
Howard has the chance to be better than O'Neal and have people see him differently.
Although their roads started the same and can end the same. When the story is over, Howard has the control of deciding what people are going to compare when it is between O'Neal and him.
Howard cannot allow this to determine his choice to be traded to Los Angeles.
He will basically avoid winning simply because he does not want others to think he is copying O'Neal. What he should be thinking is that he is blessed to be compared to the likes of O'Neal and has the shot to experience what O'Neal did.
It is not a bad choice. O'Neal did it and he is one his way to the hall-of-fame.
The Lakers are a no brainier. The New Jersey Nets are not the right choice.
Deron Williams will leave and Howard will be alone.
The Nets are not going to be respected and the New York Knicks will always be the better team in the big apple, even if they suck.
The decision is simple and it is up to Howard to determine if he wants to be his own self or always let people to think he is the like O'Neal.
Los Angeles is where he needs to be. Paul and Bryant will be waiting for him.
Dwight Howard, center of the Orlando Magic, is no different.
He too wants to compete at the highest level and win NBA championships.
The opportunity is there for the taking for Howard right now.
The opportunity is not with the Magic but with another NBA team.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the team he has that opportunity to win championships and go down as one of the best.
The Lakers are the team that gave many players the chance to win, win and win.
Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabber, Shaquille O'Neal, James Worthy, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant and etc. are just some of the many players who came and did a whole lot with the Lakers.
Right now the Lakers are pleading a trade that will send Chris Paul, one of the best point guards in the NBA right now, to Los Angeles where the Lakers look to win another championship and many more in the years to come.
Howard has a chance to be a part of that. He has the chance to go to Los Angeles and win, win and win with Paul and Bryant.
There is a problem though . . .
There is a rumor going around that Howard does not want to come to the Lakers only because he refuses to continue to be compared to O'Neal and have people claim he is trying to be like O'Neal.
Although that is something that can be irritating and annoying to be accused of being like someone--the chance to be as good or better than a hall-of-fame player is the best thin that can happen to a player, especially Howard.
Howard has the chance to be better than O'Neal and have people see him differently.
Although their roads started the same and can end the same. When the story is over, Howard has the control of deciding what people are going to compare when it is between O'Neal and him.
Howard cannot allow this to determine his choice to be traded to Los Angeles.
He will basically avoid winning simply because he does not want others to think he is copying O'Neal. What he should be thinking is that he is blessed to be compared to the likes of O'Neal and has the shot to experience what O'Neal did.
It is not a bad choice. O'Neal did it and he is one his way to the hall-of-fame.
The Lakers are a no brainier. The New Jersey Nets are not the right choice.
Deron Williams will leave and Howard will be alone.
The Nets are not going to be respected and the New York Knicks will always be the better team in the big apple, even if they suck.
The decision is simple and it is up to Howard to determine if he wants to be his own self or always let people to think he is the like O'Neal.
Los Angeles is where he needs to be. Paul and Bryant will be waiting for him.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Lakers are coming to the end of the road
The Los Angeles Lakers are one game from being eliminated from the Western Conference semi-finals.
The team that has won two championships back-to-back and has been to the NBA finals three straight years is about to be eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers who were favorites to win a third consecutive title will not be making it out of the West this postseason.
The team that has been dominating the past two years is not the same team out there this year.
The dynasty that started in Los Angeles when Pau Gasol arrived in 2008 is ending in the hands of that same Gasol in the second round of the 2011 NBA playoffs.
Andrew Bynum, the player always being the missing factor for the Lakers success but failing to do so because of injuries, is the same player playing without injuries during the time the Lakers are not succeeding.
In other words . . . It is over for the Lakers and their fans. (It hurts me to say that.)
It looks to be the end of a wonderful ride for me and my fellow Laker fans.
It was nice to have myself in the Lakers 2010 championship DVD, celebrating the Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics in Los Angeles with fellow Laker fans as I find myself onto the news stations live shots, and being present for two victory parades down Figueroa Street.
The Lakers might be falling to the ground but the purple and gold will live again and return to glory once again. Once a champion, always a champion. 16 champions and counting, the Lakers will find away back to the top.
Until then, the Lakers are signing off.
The team that has won two championships back-to-back and has been to the NBA finals three straight years is about to be eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers who were favorites to win a third consecutive title will not be making it out of the West this postseason.
The team that has been dominating the past two years is not the same team out there this year.
The dynasty that started in Los Angeles when Pau Gasol arrived in 2008 is ending in the hands of that same Gasol in the second round of the 2011 NBA playoffs.
Andrew Bynum, the player always being the missing factor for the Lakers success but failing to do so because of injuries, is the same player playing without injuries during the time the Lakers are not succeeding.
In other words . . . It is over for the Lakers and their fans. (It hurts me to say that.)
It looks to be the end of a wonderful ride for me and my fellow Laker fans.
It was nice to have myself in the Lakers 2010 championship DVD, celebrating the Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics in Los Angeles with fellow Laker fans as I find myself onto the news stations live shots, and being present for two victory parades down Figueroa Street.
The Lakers might be falling to the ground but the purple and gold will live again and return to glory once again. Once a champion, always a champion. 16 champions and counting, the Lakers will find away back to the top.
Until then, the Lakers are signing off.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Lakers are down for the moment
Stranger things have happen in the Lakers 2010-2011 season so there should not be a surprise for the current four-game losing streak with three games left in the season.
For starts, the Lakers have been blown out by the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs in a row.
Then lost another three games in a row a month later, including a five-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But the Lakers also have won 17 of 18 games including key victories over the Spurs, Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics.
The season has been a roller coaster ride as the Lakers package a group of solid games together then follow it up with a group of inconsistent sloppy losses and the pattern repeats itself.
The two-time defending champions have been playing the most basketball in the past four years starting with their first NBA finals run in 2008.
The team has of lots experience and games played where they are comfortable playing against whoever it is they play in this season's postseason. The Lakers are comfortable playing anyone, anywhere, anytime because they have seen it all in these past four season.
The two championships are proof the Lakers are no where near of worrying about themselves heading into the postseason on a four-game losing streak with three games left.
Although they are now in a dog fight with the Celtics, Heat and Mavericks for playoff positioning in potential playoff match-ups which will determine who has homecourt advantage, the Lakers are ready for whatever comes their way as the team tries to clinch its third straight championship.
The playoffs start in a week and the Lakers know in a week the season changes to the postseason and the postseason only means no more screwing around.
With the leadership of Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers are in the right state of mind to start the postseason despite what the records show.
For starts, the Lakers have been blown out by the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs in a row.
Then lost another three games in a row a month later, including a five-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But the Lakers also have won 17 of 18 games including key victories over the Spurs, Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics.
The season has been a roller coaster ride as the Lakers package a group of solid games together then follow it up with a group of inconsistent sloppy losses and the pattern repeats itself.
The two-time defending champions have been playing the most basketball in the past four years starting with their first NBA finals run in 2008.
The team has of lots experience and games played where they are comfortable playing against whoever it is they play in this season's postseason. The Lakers are comfortable playing anyone, anywhere, anytime because they have seen it all in these past four season.
The two championships are proof the Lakers are no where near of worrying about themselves heading into the postseason on a four-game losing streak with three games left.
Although they are now in a dog fight with the Celtics, Heat and Mavericks for playoff positioning in potential playoff match-ups which will determine who has homecourt advantage, the Lakers are ready for whatever comes their way as the team tries to clinch its third straight championship.
The playoffs start in a week and the Lakers know in a week the season changes to the postseason and the postseason only means no more screwing around.
With the leadership of Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers are in the right state of mind to start the postseason despite what the records show.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Kobe Bryant continues to break records
This season has been a marvelous season for Kobe Bryant on the all-time NBA scoring list.
Bryant has jumped over multiple players including Moses Malone, Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon, Oscar Robertson, Dominique Wilkins and John Havlicek.
The next person ahead of Bryant on the all-time scoring list is a former teammate, the player who he won three straight NBA title with, the one and only, Shaquille O'Neal.
But the question remains, can Bryant do the unthinkable and eventually become the overall all-time scorer in NBA history?
The challenge is difficult but if Bryant can remain healthy and have consistent seasons for another four seasons then Bryant will be knocking on the door.
Bryant currently has 27,447 points and is 10,910 points behind the all-time scorer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
With the injuries he has to his fingers and the looming questions if his knees are fine, the question remains how long does Bryant have until his prime begins to decease.
Bryant is only 32-years-old and is in his 15 season in the NBA. Only time will tell when Bryant will begin to decrease. Signs show of old age but there are times when Bryant looks young.
No matter what anyone says Bryant still dominates the league and continues to show greatness as he runs pass former hall of fame players on the all-time scoring list.
Bryant will go down as one of the all-time greatest players in the NBA if he or does not conquer the all-time scoring list.
Bryant has jumped over multiple players including Moses Malone, Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon, Oscar Robertson, Dominique Wilkins and John Havlicek.
The next person ahead of Bryant on the all-time scoring list is a former teammate, the player who he won three straight NBA title with, the one and only, Shaquille O'Neal.
But the question remains, can Bryant do the unthinkable and eventually become the overall all-time scorer in NBA history?
The challenge is difficult but if Bryant can remain healthy and have consistent seasons for another four seasons then Bryant will be knocking on the door.
Bryant currently has 27,447 points and is 10,910 points behind the all-time scorer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
With the injuries he has to his fingers and the looming questions if his knees are fine, the question remains how long does Bryant have until his prime begins to decease.
Bryant is only 32-years-old and is in his 15 season in the NBA. Only time will tell when Bryant will begin to decrease. Signs show of old age but there are times when Bryant looks young.
No matter what anyone says Bryant still dominates the league and continues to show greatness as he runs pass former hall of fame players on the all-time scoring list.
Bryant will go down as one of the all-time greatest players in the NBA if he or does not conquer the all-time scoring list.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Let the revenge begin
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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
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.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
2010 NBA postseason predictions
The 2009-10 NBA regular season has came to screeching end, and it came down to the 82nd game to determine the seedings for the playoffs.
In the western conference, No. 2 through No. 7 were up for grabs, and all eight western conference teams winning 50 or more games.
In the east, the eighth and final playoff spot was a snail race between the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors.
The games came and gone and here are the official playoff matches:
Western Conferences playoff bracket.
No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 8 Oklahoma City Thunder.
No. 4 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 5 Utah Jazz
No. 3 Phoenix Suns vs. No 6. Portland Blazers
No. 2 Dallas Mavericks vs. No. 7 San Antonio Spurs
In the Lakers/ Thunder series, I am going with the Lakers in four games. I don't think the Thunder will be able to steal one game against the defending champs because I am confident the Lakers will finally flip the switch and be the team they were last postseason.
In the Nuggets/ Jazz series, I am leaning towards the Jazz in seven. I think this series will be fun and full of emotion from both teams. The two teams are evenly balance and this series can go all seven games and can go to either team. I will mark this series as a toss up but for now I will go with the Jazz because they have made a late run in their season.
In the Suns/ Blazers series, I am going with the Suns in five games. I don't think the Blazers can recover and win this series without Brandon Roy. They had a great season, but the Suns have been on fire for all of the second season, and if the Suns can continue that, they have a easy chance of making it to the western conference finals.
In the Mavericks/ Spurs series, I am going with the Mavericks in six games. I think this series can be like the Nuggets/ Jazz series because the Spurs are old but not out. The Spurs can definitely challenge the Mavericks and take them to seven games, but I am not sold if they can go the extra mile to win the series. I would not be surprise if the Spurs can do it.
The Eastern Conference bracket.
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Chicago Bulls
No. 4 Boston Celtics vs. No. 5 Miami Heat
No. 3 Atlanta Hawks vs. No 6 Milwaukee Bucks
No. 2 Orlando Magic vs. No. 7 Charlotte Bobcats
In the Cavaliers/ Bulls series, I am going with the Cavaliers in five. I think the Bulls can sneak a win but I am sure they will not push the Cavaliers to seven games like they did last year against the Celtics. (I would love to see them go seven, but that is just impossible.)
In the Celtics/ Heat series, I am going with the Celtics in six. I think this can be a fun match up, and if the Heat can make it close, than I am sure it will be a home run for the NBA.
In the Hawks/ Bucks series, I am going with the Hawks in five. The Bucks were the team to look out for this postseason, but with the loss of their big man Andrew Bogut, they are a dead fish in the pond. They will be luck to get one win, but they have the rookie of the year, Brandon Jennings to give them something!
In the Magic/ Bobcats series, I am going with the Magic in five. It can be another interesting series because the Bobcats are no kittens to be missed with. They are on fire after getting Stephon Jackson and they can push the Magic to the limits. Dwight Howard will be too much for the cats to handle and that is why I am giving them one game in this series.
Stay tune and check out my second round NBA playoff picks after the excitement of the first round is over.
In the western conference, No. 2 through No. 7 were up for grabs, and all eight western conference teams winning 50 or more games.
In the east, the eighth and final playoff spot was a snail race between the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors.
The games came and gone and here are the official playoff matches:
Western Conferences playoff bracket.
No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 8 Oklahoma City Thunder.
No. 4 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 5 Utah Jazz
No. 3 Phoenix Suns vs. No 6. Portland Blazers
No. 2 Dallas Mavericks vs. No. 7 San Antonio Spurs
In the Lakers/ Thunder series, I am going with the Lakers in four games. I don't think the Thunder will be able to steal one game against the defending champs because I am confident the Lakers will finally flip the switch and be the team they were last postseason.
In the Nuggets/ Jazz series, I am leaning towards the Jazz in seven. I think this series will be fun and full of emotion from both teams. The two teams are evenly balance and this series can go all seven games and can go to either team. I will mark this series as a toss up but for now I will go with the Jazz because they have made a late run in their season.
In the Suns/ Blazers series, I am going with the Suns in five games. I don't think the Blazers can recover and win this series without Brandon Roy. They had a great season, but the Suns have been on fire for all of the second season, and if the Suns can continue that, they have a easy chance of making it to the western conference finals.
In the Mavericks/ Spurs series, I am going with the Mavericks in six games. I think this series can be like the Nuggets/ Jazz series because the Spurs are old but not out. The Spurs can definitely challenge the Mavericks and take them to seven games, but I am not sold if they can go the extra mile to win the series. I would not be surprise if the Spurs can do it.
The Eastern Conference bracket.
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Chicago Bulls
No. 4 Boston Celtics vs. No. 5 Miami Heat
No. 3 Atlanta Hawks vs. No 6 Milwaukee Bucks
No. 2 Orlando Magic vs. No. 7 Charlotte Bobcats
In the Cavaliers/ Bulls series, I am going with the Cavaliers in five. I think the Bulls can sneak a win but I am sure they will not push the Cavaliers to seven games like they did last year against the Celtics. (I would love to see them go seven, but that is just impossible.)
In the Celtics/ Heat series, I am going with the Celtics in six. I think this can be a fun match up, and if the Heat can make it close, than I am sure it will be a home run for the NBA.
In the Hawks/ Bucks series, I am going with the Hawks in five. The Bucks were the team to look out for this postseason, but with the loss of their big man Andrew Bogut, they are a dead fish in the pond. They will be luck to get one win, but they have the rookie of the year, Brandon Jennings to give them something!
In the Magic/ Bobcats series, I am going with the Magic in five. It can be another interesting series because the Bobcats are no kittens to be missed with. They are on fire after getting Stephon Jackson and they can push the Magic to the limits. Dwight Howard will be too much for the cats to handle and that is why I am giving them one game in this series.
Stay tune and check out my second round NBA playoff picks after the excitement of the first round is over.
Monday, March 1, 2010
L.A. is big enough for two super stars
LeBron James should be a Los Angeles Laker next year.
Mostly because the Lakers are the only team that he can win multiple rings with.
Yes, Kobe Bryant is the leader and captain of the Lakers, but bryant is not reliable to be here for long term, in reality, Kobe Bryant has three-five years left in which he could be as effective as he is now.
Having James means the Lakers would remain as championship contenders, once Bryant moves into the part of his career where he is the secondary option or role player.
Jerry Buss, owner of the Lakers, has been known as a owner who grabs the best players to ever play this game, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he is thinking about acquiring James right now, even though his team is set to repeat as champs.
Plus the Lakers are always known for getting better, because the are driven on winning champions all the time.
Another reason why James should be a Laker, is because he would be a worldwide professional athlete and would have a lot more endorsements.
The New York Knicks can offer him the chance of being a worldwide professional athlete but they do not offer the rings.
The Cleveland Cavaliers can offer him a chance to win a title, but that chance is slim, because the Cavaliers are great right now but they are not as good as the Lakers in the long run.
The Lakers will offer James both the fame and fortunes, plus James would be coached by the greatest coach to ever coach in the NBA, Phil Jackson.
There is not wrong if the Lakers can have James and Bryant on the same team, it just means no other team will be able to win a title till 2025.
Mostly because the Lakers are the only team that he can win multiple rings with.
Yes, Kobe Bryant is the leader and captain of the Lakers, but bryant is not reliable to be here for long term, in reality, Kobe Bryant has three-five years left in which he could be as effective as he is now.
Having James means the Lakers would remain as championship contenders, once Bryant moves into the part of his career where he is the secondary option or role player.
Jerry Buss, owner of the Lakers, has been known as a owner who grabs the best players to ever play this game, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he is thinking about acquiring James right now, even though his team is set to repeat as champs.
Plus the Lakers are always known for getting better, because the are driven on winning champions all the time.
Another reason why James should be a Laker, is because he would be a worldwide professional athlete and would have a lot more endorsements.
The New York Knicks can offer him the chance of being a worldwide professional athlete but they do not offer the rings.
The Cleveland Cavaliers can offer him a chance to win a title, but that chance is slim, because the Cavaliers are great right now but they are not as good as the Lakers in the long run.
The Lakers will offer James both the fame and fortunes, plus James would be coached by the greatest coach to ever coach in the NBA, Phil Jackson.
There is not wrong if the Lakers can have James and Bryant on the same team, it just means no other team will be able to win a title till 2025.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Kobe will never fail
Kobe Bryant saves the day once again.
In his return after missing five games due to a ankle injury, Bryant won the game for the Los Angeles Lakers in Memphis tonight.
In the first quarter, Bryant and the Lakers looked so great, holding the Memphis Grizzles to 16 points and scoring 27, Bryant had 11 points that included two dunks and a four point play.
As in every basketball game, no lead is safe, after the Lakers had had a lead as high as 14 points, the Grizzles cut it by five heading in at halftime.
The second half was not the best time for the Lakers, because the Grizzles caught the Lakers and took the lead for the majority of the second half.
With the lack of effort and their big men, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum struggling with foul trouble, Los Angeles looked like they were going to drop another loss in Memphis.
Deja vu struck again, it felt like the last game the Lakers played in Memphis just three weeks ago, down by one point and less than 24 seconds left for the Lakers to win the game.
Last time, the Lakers were unsuccessful with a Ron Artest missed three from the corner after Memphis was the first successful team to force Bryant to pass up the winning shot.
This time history did not repeat itself, because Bryant was not going to let the Grizzles get in his way in his welcome back game.
With less than eight seconds left in the game, Bryant came off a Gasol screen and took a jumper beyond the three point line and swished in the winning bucket with less than two seconds.
The Grizzles had a chance to spoil the celebration for Bryant, but O.J Mayo missed a 15 footer as time expired.
Bryant now has six games where he has won the game for the Lakers, the others came against the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavricks, Boston Celtics, and Bryant came close to winning a seventh game against the Toranto Raptors.
Los Angeles has to feel great to have their assassin back.
In his return after missing five games due to a ankle injury, Bryant won the game for the Los Angeles Lakers in Memphis tonight.
In the first quarter, Bryant and the Lakers looked so great, holding the Memphis Grizzles to 16 points and scoring 27, Bryant had 11 points that included two dunks and a four point play.
As in every basketball game, no lead is safe, after the Lakers had had a lead as high as 14 points, the Grizzles cut it by five heading in at halftime.
The second half was not the best time for the Lakers, because the Grizzles caught the Lakers and took the lead for the majority of the second half.
With the lack of effort and their big men, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum struggling with foul trouble, Los Angeles looked like they were going to drop another loss in Memphis.
Deja vu struck again, it felt like the last game the Lakers played in Memphis just three weeks ago, down by one point and less than 24 seconds left for the Lakers to win the game.
Last time, the Lakers were unsuccessful with a Ron Artest missed three from the corner after Memphis was the first successful team to force Bryant to pass up the winning shot.
This time history did not repeat itself, because Bryant was not going to let the Grizzles get in his way in his welcome back game.
With less than eight seconds left in the game, Bryant came off a Gasol screen and took a jumper beyond the three point line and swished in the winning bucket with less than two seconds.
The Grizzles had a chance to spoil the celebration for Bryant, but O.J Mayo missed a 15 footer as time expired.
Bryant now has six games where he has won the game for the Lakers, the others came against the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavricks, Boston Celtics, and Bryant came close to winning a seventh game against the Toranto Raptors.
Los Angeles has to feel great to have their assassin back.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Kevin Durant's MVP Thunder Season
The 2009-2010 NBA MVP should be Kevin Durant, because the man is pulling his Oklahoma City Thunder's team to possibly their first playoff appearance since moving from Seattle as the Supersonics.
Thus far Durant is averaging 29.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 2.9 apg, as the Thunder currently sit in the fifth seed of the Western conference with a record of 32-21.
Durant is averaging the same amount of points as LeBron James, who is leading all scorers with 29.9 ppg.
Many had expected the Thunder to make the playoffs this year, but not as good as possibly being the fifth seed or better.
Every year the Western conference is tight heading to the final weeks of the season, and this year is no surprise as it's the same.
From seeds 2-11, the teams are bunched up within 9.5 games apart, making it difficulty for any team to secure a playoff spot anytime soon.
The Los Angeles Lakers have secured the No. 1 spot since they acquired Pau Gasol two seasons ago, so no one is even trying to challenge the Los Angeles, but the Thunder can achieve any seed the wish.
Durant is valuable to be mentioned with James and Kobe Bryant for MVP and he should win since he is on the verge of putting his Thunders into the playoffs since the team moved to Oklahoma City three years ago.
Thus far Durant is averaging 29.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 2.9 apg, as the Thunder currently sit in the fifth seed of the Western conference with a record of 32-21.
Durant is averaging the same amount of points as LeBron James, who is leading all scorers with 29.9 ppg.
Many had expected the Thunder to make the playoffs this year, but not as good as possibly being the fifth seed or better.
Every year the Western conference is tight heading to the final weeks of the season, and this year is no surprise as it's the same.
From seeds 2-11, the teams are bunched up within 9.5 games apart, making it difficulty for any team to secure a playoff spot anytime soon.
The Los Angeles Lakers have secured the No. 1 spot since they acquired Pau Gasol two seasons ago, so no one is even trying to challenge the Los Angeles, but the Thunder can achieve any seed the wish.
Durant is valuable to be mentioned with James and Kobe Bryant for MVP and he should win since he is on the verge of putting his Thunders into the playoffs since the team moved to Oklahoma City three years ago.
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