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.
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
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.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Going the long distances for the Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers have started its season on a slow pace, but with 14 games in the new 2010 MLB season and going 7-7 in them, the Dodgers look to its sluggers to lead them into the playoffs again.
Matt Kemp, center fielder, has been explosive in the early season, in the last 10 games, he has blown away seven baseballs over the fence for seven home runs.
Andre Ethier, right fielder, has contributed alongside Kemp, having four home runs and a walk off game winning hit thus far in the season.
Manny Ramirez, left fielder, has been batting .432, with a pinch hit two-run home run and multiple runs based in.
The three players have been caring most of the load for the Dodgers, with the role players like James Loney, Russel Martin and Casey Blake adding on the extra small stats that don't show up on the stat sheet.
The big bats must continue for the Dodgers if they want to make another chase to make the world series this year.
A reason why the big bats have to stay the way it has been for the first 14 games, because the Dodgers pitching is unreliable.
With a decent starting five rotation and a lousy bullpen, the Dodgers have to rely on its hits and runs to win ball games.
Matt Kemp, center fielder, has been explosive in the early season, in the last 10 games, he has blown away seven baseballs over the fence for seven home runs.
Andre Ethier, right fielder, has contributed alongside Kemp, having four home runs and a walk off game winning hit thus far in the season.
Manny Ramirez, left fielder, has been batting .432, with a pinch hit two-run home run and multiple runs based in.
The three players have been caring most of the load for the Dodgers, with the role players like James Loney, Russel Martin and Casey Blake adding on the extra small stats that don't show up on the stat sheet.
The big bats must continue for the Dodgers if they want to make another chase to make the world series this year.
A reason why the big bats have to stay the way it has been for the first 14 games, because the Dodgers pitching is unreliable.
With a decent starting five rotation and a lousy bullpen, the Dodgers have to rely on its hits and runs to win ball games.
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.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Lakers clinch the West for a third time
The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up the Western Conference against the Minniesota Timberwolves in a 97-88 victory at the Target Center Arena.
With what many believe was going to be a easy accomplishedment by the Lakers, turned to be a never ending trail of when the team was going to claim the conference of their own.
This year the Lakers have been riding a roller coaster that has no direction to guide it; the team has had its share of injuries, bad games and more bad games, but with the NBA playoffs starting on April 18, Los Angeles has some issues to take care of.
The on going unconsistant contributation by the Lakers' bench and the long minutes the starters have had all season, many believe the Lakers doesn't have what it takes to win the championship again this year.
On the other hand, the team has all the players (minus Trevor Ariza and the addition of Ron Artest) to make a strong run for another NBA championship.
The Lakers are either going to shut up the critics come playoff time, or just make the critics feel proud of themselves once they are able to say, "I told you so."
The Lakers are unpredictable, but if they are just crusing towards the postseason, then they are doing a good job keeping everyone on their each of their seats to see what's on the next episode of Lakersland.
With what many believe was going to be a easy accomplishedment by the Lakers, turned to be a never ending trail of when the team was going to claim the conference of their own.
This year the Lakers have been riding a roller coaster that has no direction to guide it; the team has had its share of injuries, bad games and more bad games, but with the NBA playoffs starting on April 18, Los Angeles has some issues to take care of.
The on going unconsistant contributation by the Lakers' bench and the long minutes the starters have had all season, many believe the Lakers doesn't have what it takes to win the championship again this year.
On the other hand, the team has all the players (minus Trevor Ariza and the addition of Ron Artest) to make a strong run for another NBA championship.
The Lakers are either going to shut up the critics come playoff time, or just make the critics feel proud of themselves once they are able to say, "I told you so."
The Lakers are unpredictable, but if they are just crusing towards the postseason, then they are doing a good job keeping everyone on their each of their seats to see what's on the next episode of Lakersland.
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