Tuesday, May 31, 2011

NBA FINALS

The title sums everything up.....GAME 1 tonight at 9 on ABC!!! I think i've done my job here. Only thing I haven't done is make a prediction...HEAT in 6, and i'm being bias here...but D.Wade gets his 2nd Finals MVP, Chris Bosh and LeBron James gets their 1st ring...and most importantly, Big Z gets his 1st ring. The guy is a real class act and deserves it. Thats how I see the Finals playing out.

FLASH

Growing up my favorite player was MJ...but who's wasn't. He's only the GREATEST ever to play the game. I've always been a Pistons fan...pretty much a Detroit sports fan, im loyal to my city. But I never had  a favorite player in the league until 2003. With the #5 pick, my favorite player was drafted by the Miami Heat. Dwyane Wade has been my my favorite player since his Marquette days. While all the hype was around LeBron, Melo, and even Darko Milicic...people slept on him. With all respect to Melo and Bron...Melo played in the Big East, one of the toughest conferences in college basketball, not to mention he was the best in college his only year there, winning the National Title. LeBron was the most talented and freakish High School athlete I have ever seen. And then people thought Darko would be they next Dirk...WRONG, as my beloved Pistons found out. So, with that said, Wade flew under the radar...until he led his team to the Final Four. Since he has left Marquette, his jersey has been retired (Marquette University 2007)...NBA All Rookie Team...NBA Finals MVP...Olympic Gold Medalist...and just a warrior. He's established his self as one the fastest guards in the league and toughest to defend. In his career, (Regular season) he's averaging 25.5 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Flash is headed to his second NBA Finals against the same team he played back in 2006...the Dallas Mavericks. He didn't have the best series versus the Bulls, so I'm expecting greatness from him in the last series of the 2011 NBA season. 

WHAT MORE DO I NEED TO SAY??

Friday, May 27, 2011

THEY'RE BACKKKKKKKKK


The NBA Finals are set...your two teams in the Finals will be, the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat! A rematch of the 2006 NBA Finals, which Miami won in 6 games after being down 0-2 in the series. But these two teams now...are not the same from 2006. The only thing thats the same are a few players. Dirk, Jason Terry, Udonis Haslem, and 2006 Finals MVP, Dwyane Wade. Dirk certainly seems like he has gotten rid of the label of being "soft." But, people may forget...he carried the team back in '06 to the Finals and in game 3, the Heat went on a 22-7 run to end the game. D.Wade had one of the most memorable performances EVER in NBA history. He played the final 11 minutes with 5 fouls...scored 15 points in the 4th quarter. He ended the game with 42 points, 13 rebounds...Dirk ended up with 30 points, and 7 rebounds. A lot of people kept bringing up Wade going to the foul line more than anybody in the series, but Dirk had his share as well. It might not have been as frequent, but he got there. In the game 3 debacle, he went to the line 12 times...not to mention, he missed a big free throw to tie the game. Game 4 he had 14 attempts...game 5 he had 5 attempts, and in game 6...the closeout game 8 attempts. My only thing is that, Dirk is a 7 foot jump shooter....he doesn't go to the block often, so why should he go to the line 20 times a game shooting jump shots?? Thats preposterous to me...I guess he's suppose to get those calls shooting jump shots every time. But, as I stated earlier...two completely different teams. New head coaches at the helm for both teams, new players, and different attitudes. This will be no easy series by any means necessary, but my pick to be the NBA CHAMPIONS in 2011 is the....MIAMI HEAT!!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

THUNDERSTRUCK IN OKC

Lets just bypass the whole game and go right to the last 5:07 left...meaning, the last 7 seconds in the 4th quarter and 5 minutes in OVERTIME. Lets forget about OKC blowing a 15 point lead with 4:49 left in the game. Lets forget about James Harden fouling out in the 4th quarter. How about this....the Oklahoma City Thunder is a pretty young team, we get that. But, as an athlete and a ball player...when you (KD) get the ball with the game tied before the end of regulation, you might not wanna hoist a 35 foot shot. Oh and that got blocked. As the coach (Scott Brooks), I would call a play where either Westbrook catches at the top of the key, with a ball screen and get to the rim and have shooters ready to catch and shoot in case he doesn't get to the rack. Or, throw the ball into Westbrook..which he did, dribble hand off to KD, create the mismatch, one or two dribble pull up at the free throw line and hope he gets bumped and fouled. Anything but a play drawn up 40 feet away from the basket. Now, I give the Mavs credit for fighting back and going on a 16-4 run to end regulation. Dirk, once again was amazing...for the second time this series he scored 40. Jason Kidd was the veteran guard that he is supposed to be, hitting a 3 in OT which put the Mavs up for good. I think OKC can win game 5 in Dallas...it wont be easy, but I believe they can force a game 6 back in OKC where they will eventually lose (sorry Thunder fans). The Thunder are just a young team going through growing pains at the wrong time of the year. Thats no good for any team, but especially a young one...also, 25 turnovers wont win you a game either. Besides blowing the lead, and turning the ball over...OKC played a well rounded game. They won the boards, fast break points, assists...they just couldn't close out the game. Its not how you start, but how you FINISH!!!

Monday, May 23, 2011

THE HEAT IS ON

Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls have lost 2 straight playoff games. With one more game left in South Beach before the series shift back to the Windy City, the Bulls need to dig down deep and pull game four out some kind of way. Personally, I don't see it happening. Since game 1, the Bulls have just been out played and out hustled. Part of that is because their primary ball handler and scorer has been somewhat shut down. Not just him though, the team as a whole is struggling.In game 1, the Bulls shot 44% from the field and out rebounded Miami by 12. Since then, 34% and 41rebounds in game 2...and 41% and 41rebounds in game 3. Sounds very productive right...WRONG. In every game this series Miami has shot higher than 47%, which is very efficient. All this with D.Wade not playing as dominant as he can. He's had times where he has scored in spurts, but nothing too overwhelming. LeBron is just being himself out there. In game 3 he had 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists, with ZERO turnovers.  Not to mention his defensive effort with guarding Rose and Deng. At times he has played up to 4 positions in the playoffs. Chris Bosh has been the primary offense for the Heat this series. Last game he missed his first 3 shots, then went on to make 13 of his next 15...finishing the game 13-18 34 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block. He's averaging 25 for the series, LeBron 22, and Wade 20. I think the Bulls will win one more game, but they should start looking for a second scoring option this summer. D.Rose can only do so much...he carried the team through the season, now in the playoffs!! He's what LEBRON was for the CAVS!! The Bulls are starting to look confused as to where their scoring is going to come from, and at this point of the season...its too late to be trying to figure that out.

Friday, May 20, 2011

DURANTULA!!!

One Thunderous dunk is what Oklahoma City needed in a 106-100 win in game 2 against the Mavs. After a timeout, Thunder head coach Scott Brooks called a play for his superstar. Forget trying to explain it...just take a look!!!!  -----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OexGEqrYm0A
That play changed OKC's mindset for the rest of the game. Before the foul, they were down 9. Momentum shifted their way and eventually took the lead at half time 59-57, and went on to win the game. Game 3 is tomorrow night at 9pm in Oklahoma City. You can see the game on ESPN.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

THE DIRKINATOR

So, I guess Dirk is getting rid of the label of him being "soft." Last night in game 1 versus the Oklahoma City Thunder after having 8 days off...he decided to go for 48. You would think after having so many days off before playing again, he would be off a tad bit. NOPE...12- 15 from the field, and just 24-24 from the stripe, which is a new NBA PLAYOFF RECORD. It didn't matter who was guarding him. About 4 Thunder players got a chance to guard him...NO BUENO!! Everybody basically lined up and grabbed a number. Ibaka...NEXT...KD...NEXT...Collison...NEXT...Sefolosha...NEXT!!! It was unbelievable...will it happen again, I doubt it. Im just glad I was in front of the television when it happened.


                      NBA....WHERE AMAZING HAPPENS

JORDAN BRAND ADDS MAYA

The Jordan Brand is one of the biggest if not the biggest shoe companies ever....and they decided to add one of the most phenomenal women athletes EVER. Former UConn Huskies 4 time All- American, Maya Moore was added to Jordan Brand today. She is the only female athlete to be apart of this brand. A few other players are, Derek Jeter (NY Yankees), Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), Carmelo Anthony (NY Knicks),  Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat). I mean its only fitting...she wears #23, she is one of the all time winners in NCAA history, and one of the greatest work ethics a player can have. If this doesn't change the image of women's basketball, I don't know what will. Congrats Maya, #WINNING




Tuesday, May 17, 2011

TRUE HOOP TV

I would like to give a special #shoutout to True Hoop TV for giving me an opportunity to to share my thoughts on the 2011 playoffs. True Hoop TV is ran through ESPN, and that was an honor to me. They didn't have to respond back to me or even let me submit a video, but they did and i'm thankful for that. You can follow them on twitter @truehooptv. Hopefully I can get back on there again and just make this a regular thing. If you missed the video, here you go!!


                   http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6541780

Monday, May 16, 2011

And then there were FOUR

The "Final Four" in the NBA is set...in the Western Conference you got the young and talented Oklahoma City Thunder vs the gritty and battled tested Dallas Mavericks. In the Eastern Conference, like I said in my last blog...you got the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat, enough said!!!
After the Thunder hammered the Grizzles in game 7 Sunday 105-90, the young guns are headed to the Western Conference Finals!!! Kevin Durant put the team on his back (not in his backpack), by scoring 39 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. His running mate Russell Westbrook recorded just the 5th triple double ever in Game 7 history. He tallied 14 points,10 rebounds, and 14 assists. The most recent player to do it, was Scottie Pippen in 1992. It seems as if the Thunder have peaked a year earlier than expected. The Dallas and OKC is going to be very intriguing. You can catch game 1 action Tuesday night at 9:30 on ESPN. Miami lost to the opening game to Chicago last night 103-82. Chris Bosh had a good game scoring 30 and grabbing 9 boards, but Wade and James combined scored 33 on 34% shooting. Thats not going to cut it throughout this series and I'm sure they know that, so I'm looking forward to a better outing by the two superstars Wednesday night at 8:30. 

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Another Heavyweight GONE


This might have been the last we've seen of the Big 3 in boston but who knows. The series was shorter than some expected, but the Boston Celtics were eliminated by the most hated team in the NBA...the Miami Heat. It only took 5 games to do it, but at the end of the series you could see a sense of relief by LeBron James as he kneeled down after the game was over and took a moment to his self. I guess you can say he got the "monkey off his back" after losing to the C's in previous play off matchups. You could make the same argument for Dwyane Wade, who faced the C's in the first round of last seasons playoffs. The Big 3 of the Heat aka "THE HEATLES" said the reason they came together is because of Boston's Big 3 (Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett). LeBron stated, "Seeing guys make sacrifices to come together and play as one. They set the blueprint and went out there and did it. The won a championship. They competed every year." Some say the injury to Rondo hurt their chances of beating the Heat, but I think differently. That discussion could go on for days, so im not getting into that...the Heat won, series over...ON TO THE NEXT ROUND!! Lastly, Heat fans...please stop moving out the way when FLASH comes flying through the crowd, we need him...I mean the TEAM needs him, so they continue there quest to winning a championship this year.

The next round for the Heat should be another battle as they take on D.Rose and the Bulls. This is the Bulls first time in the Conference Finals since that one guy....number 23, i think he has a statue outside the United Center....he goes by the name of G.O.A.T. OR Michael Jordan, which ever you'd like to call him. This should be a fun series...it has all the hype surrounding it. You have 2 of Chicago's sons in D.Rose and D.Wade...D.Rose this years MVP (and the youngest EVER)...LeBron and the "decision" not to play with the Bulls this year, the same with Bosh and Wade...and lastly, Miami lost all 3 meetings this year versus the Bulls, by a combined 8 points!! One game LBJ didnt play...another Bosh was 1-18...and the other, LeBron missed a game winning shot. So..the anticipation is there!!
             
                   NBA...WHERE CHICAGO HAPPENS

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

DOWN GOES THE LAKERS....DOWN GOES THE LAKERS

There WILL BE a NEW CHAMPION in the NBA this year!!! The Los Angeles Lakers were swept..that's right, swept in the western conference semi finals. The Dallas Mavericks might just broken up a team that would've been a dynasty if they 3PEATED! The red hot shooting of Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic off the bench killed LA. Combined they shot 15-16 from 3 in game 4...and the bench scored 86 points. LA scored 86 for the game!! The low point of the game came when Andrew Bynum gave a "peoples elbow" to the rib cage of Mavs 5'7 guard (if that) JJ Barea. At that moment, Bynum removed his jersey and walked towards the locker room...maybe his last time wearing the purple and gold again. It was sad to see them go out like that, but sometimes emotions get the best of you. But all good things must come to an end....just in a 36 point blow out!! #GONEFISHING

Sunday, May 1, 2011

ON TO THE NEXT ROUND....

Sorry for the delay with my blogs...but with all the basketball that was on, having a girlfriend, and dealing with LIFE itself, a brother was busy!!! But now that Im back on here again, let me update you on the first round of the NBA PlayOffs if you don't know the scoop yet.

In the West, some call it a surprise...I don't, the 8th seeded Memphis Grizzles defeated the best team in the West (record wise 61- 21) San Antonio Spurs in 6 games. It should've been 5 games if it wasn't for one unbelievable shot by Manu Ginobili on the right side of the court fading away, with 7'1 Marc Gasol all in his mug!! That would eventually lead to a Gary Neal 3 pointer to tie the game and send it to overtime where the Spurs took control to force a game 6 at the Fed Ex Center in Memphis where they came up short....SPURS GONE FISHING!!! San Antonio isn't alone though...The 2 time defending champions (Lakers) sent Chris Paul and the Hornets on vacation and Dirk and the Mavs finally won a first round series and sent Lamarcus Aldridge and the Trail Blazers on a trip, and last an certainly not least, the KD and the Thunder sent George Karl and the Nuggets back home!!







Now for the Eastern conference....D.Rose and the Bulls beat the Pacers in 5 games. The first 4 games were very close...but no cigar. See ya Indiana!! The Celtics put the Knicks out in 4 games....clean sweep. The injury of Chauncey Billups hurt the Knicks a lot. Also, Amare wasn't healthy after getting back spasms. Melo was Melo, with a performance that wont be forgotten. 42pts, 17rebs, and 6 assists. But, it wasn't enough. Atlanta put out the Orlando Magic in 6 games. They really out played them in every game, except for game 5 when they got mollywhopped. Now the question is, what does Dwight Howard do after this season? Where is he going to take his "talents" to? And I guess he can cut that terrible goatee now...UGHHHH!!! The 76ers put up a good fight against the Heat, but they lost in 5 games as well. Doug Collins did a good job with the young talent he had this year. Coach of the Year in my book, but I'm sure Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau will get that. Miami needs to play more consistently in this next round against am experienced Celtics team. If not...BYE!! 



You can catch NBA Countdown and all the NBA action on channel 7 starting with: 

OKC Thunder vs Memphis Grizzles - 1:00pm


Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics - 3:30pm