Sunday, June 24, 2012

Kings of Miami

First there was the resigning of Dwyane Wade; then Chris Bosh joined the Heat; and then the most talked about charity show EVER, "The Decision" where LeBron James took his talents to South Beach. After a full season of every fan in America hating the Heat and them making it to the NBA Finals and losing to the Mavericks in 6 games, "The Decision" finally paid off.


The Miami Heat are Champions of the basketball world for the 2nd time in franchise history. After many seasons in the league, well deserved vets earned their first ring; Shane Battier, Mike Miller, and Juan Howard. They all contributed throughout the season and in the playoffs. Despite the injuries Mike Miller played the whole season with, game 5 was his coming out party for the playoffs. Mike had an out of body experience. For a minute i thought i was watching Mike Miller from Florida or even his early years in the league with Orlando and Memphis. Miller was 7-8 from the three point line. At one point in the game, Norris Cole was checking in for him and he waived him back to the bench. If this is Mike's last game in his career, i couldn't think of a better way to go out.













Chris Bosh who joined the Heat last year, also received his first ring after 9 seasons in the league. He was in the same draft class as his fellow teammates of LeBron and Wade. Last year after losing to the Mavs, Chris dropped to the floor in tears as he was walking to the locker room. Many said Chris was a good player, but shouldn't be considered a member of the "Big 3"because he was soft. The world realized how big of a role Bosh played on the team after he was injured in the Indiana series and missed 9 games. The team seemed to struggle at times, but once he was back in the line up, you could see how much it helped his team and caused problems for other teams.


The biggest story of all, is that the King has been crowned. LeBron James has won his first ring after 9 years in the NBA. After not having a triple double, LeBron picked the right game to have one. He finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. His performance was only the fifth in NBA history to get a triple double in a Championship close out game. After leaving Cleveland, and being ripped for taking his taking his talents to South Beach, he can finally say he's an NBA Champion and Finals MVP. He will still have naysayers, they re not going anywhere. But, the thing about it is they cant take away the fact that he is an NBA Champion.


After taking a step back on the team and handing the keys over to King James to drive the team, my guy Dwyane Wade gets ring #2. This was not an easy thing for him to do, to give the team to LeBron the team after he was drafted by the team in 2003 and was the franchise player. In order to win a chip he knew what needed to be done. Injuries kept Wade from being the player that we know. Throughout that he found a way to help his best friend LeBron James and the Heat organization bring a title back to South Beach. He will probably get knee surgery this summer and forgo the Olympics in London, but it will be beneficial for the Heat when the 2012-2013 season begins.


   MIAMI HEAT 2012 NBA CHAMPIONS


Thursday, June 21, 2012

ONE MORE

The Miami Heat are one game away from winning their 2nd Championship in team history. One win away from "King" getting his crown and one win away from the "Big 3" getting their 1st ring together.


LeBron limped his way out the game in the 4th quarter with the game still in question, but that was no problem for the Heat. Mario Chalmers was there to save the day. Yes, I said Mario Chalmers. After the first game of the NBA Finals, Chalmers basically disappeared. And after being pulled in the 1st quarter last night for the lack of production and rookie Norris Cole coming in and providing a spark for the team; Chalmers returned to the Finals. He did that in a huge way, by dropping 25 points with 12 of those coming in the 4th quarter.


LeBron went on the game late with leg cramps; returned the next possession and hit a 3 that put the Heat up for good. Despite the leg cramp, it was an all around great performance by LeBron; he had 26 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds. His partner in crime D.Wade had 25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 big blocks towards the end of the game. Bosh was solid as well with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Despite an epic performance by Thunder guard Russell Westbrook who had a career playoff high of 43 points, the Heat were able to get key stops and get timely buckets.


The day is finally here. South Beach couldnt be any hotter today. For the 1st time in his 9 year NBA career and his 3rd NBA Finals apperance, LeBron James is 48 minutes away from his 1st NBA Championship and possibly Finals MVP. Although the Heat lead the series, I feel this is a must win game for them. Could they possibly win one game in OKC, yes. But, why play with fire when you can just put it out at home tonight. Everything must go right for Miami to win. They have to hope James Harden continues to struggle and that they keep getting production from their role players, which is one of the main reasons they are winning this series right now. Game 5 is tonight at 9 and possibly the last game of the NBA season on ABC. #HEAT



Tuesday, June 19, 2012

BACK FIRE



2 time All American Jared Sullinger is drawing red flags from NBA doctors. Jared was predicted to be lottery pick in next weeks draft, but now with the back problems doctors are talking about his stock has seemed to drop. Reports are saying that with his back problems, his NBA career could be shortened. Last season when Sullinger was at Ohio State he sat out 2 games in December due to back spasms. Jared Sullinger's father said,

"We've got nothing to hide. At this stage it's all about what they can't do. Jared is a skilled player. A two-time All-American. He can play."

HEAT WAVE



The Miami Heat are once again 2 more games from winning the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Last year against the Dallas Mavericks the Heat held a 2-1 lead before going to Dallas and losing 3 straight games and losing the series. They're in the same position now, except they have 2 more games at home to try and close it out.


LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are 2 games away from winning their first championship together for the second year in a row. Personally, I think they will get it done. In game 3 the Heat ran away with the game in the first quarter, by opening up with a 18-2 run. Despite the Thunder effort to make it a close game and the questionable foul at the end of the game, the Thunder cant really blame no one but themselves. Miami hasnt played a good game yet in this series. They've played good in key stretches of the game, while OKC played bad, which is why they lead the series 2-1.  Also, I believe LeBron James is starting to slow down Kevin Durant a tad bit.


After KD scored 17 points in the 4th quarter of game 1, 16 in game 2, and only 4 points in game 3; I think he might be getting tired by time the 4th quarter arrives. When you have a guy like LeBron guarding you for an entire game, that can be tiring. I don't care what level you've played at or how good you are. Kevin Durant is listed at 6'9, but many say he's close to 6'11. That's a tough cover for anybody. But, what LeBron is doing is simply putting all 270 pounds of his weight on KD when he doesn't have the ball and making him work to get open. So, you figure for the first 3 quarters of the game KD will be fine offensively, but by the time the 4th quarter arrives; he doesn't have much left. Maybe that's the secret for success for the Heat.


I'm not worried about Kevin Durant or even Russell Westbrook's erratic play at times. I'm more concerned about James Harden. Where has he been? They will not win this series if he does not show up. The Thunder have 2 chances remaining in South Beach to steal a game, so the series can shift back to OKC. I picked the Heat to win in 5 games, and I will tell you this; if the Thunder do not win game 4 tonight, this series is over. I say that because, not only will LeBron and Chris Bosh be closer to their first NBA Championship, but because Dwyane Wade will takeover in game 5. I don't think Wade will want to go back to OKC and try and close out the Thunder at home. That can be a tough task, especially if the series is tied. Game 4 is tonight at 9 on ABC.


Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Round 1...Young Guns

Despite a slow start for the Oklahoma City Thunder, they got on track in just enough to time to pull away from the Miami Heat in game 1 of the NBA Finals.


If you thought OKC would've been rattled or had any jitters, you were wrong. Maybe in the opening minutes of the game, that was all. The Thunder eased their way back into the game and eventually took the lead and never let it go. Kevin Durant was just....sensational. There were points in the game yesterday when I just watched him. You would think, well you would be watching him anyway. What I mean is, I only watched him. I watched everything he did on the offensive and defensive end. Kevin is a silent leader.He doesnt say much, but he is a leader. When things werent looking good for some stretches in the first half yesterday, you could look at him and see how calm he was. He picked his spots to score and when it was money time in the 4th quarter, KD turned into the Durantula.


KD finished with 36 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. All this while shooting 60% from the field and 50% from the 3 point line. Russell Westbrook flirted with a triple double by droppin 27 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds, and only 2 turnovers. The scary part about OKC winning this game is that, 6th Man of the Year James Harden only had 5 points. If he gets rolling, along with KD and Westbrook, this could be a long series for the Heat. Game 2 is tomorrow night at 9:00 on ABC.


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

THUNDER VS HEAT #NBAFINALS

The NBA Finals are finally here. This will be one of the most watched Finals in NBA history I'm sure. I can give you 2 reasons as to why this will be the most watched; LeBron James and Kevin Durant.


What a better way to end the NBA season. You have the top 2 players in the league battling head to head to win a chip. 3 time scoring champ versus 3 time MVP. If that doesn't get you amped, I don't know what does. The energy and electricity that will be in Chesapeake Energy Arena tonight will be at an all time high. There will be lots of offense in this series, a lot of highlight plays, and some last second shots.


Ive rooted for both teams all season long. I said at the end of last season that these two teams will meet in the NBA Finals this year. Well, the time is here and i cant root for both teams now. I can sit back and watch two superstars go at it for 48 minutes every game. There are so many different match- ups and line- ups we will see in this series, it gets your wheels turning if you re a basketball junkie. It almost makes you feel like you are about to coach. As a Thunder fan, you probably sitting there trying to figure out how deep Scott Brooks will go into his bench, or how many minutes KD or Westbrook will play. Or, as a Heat fan you probably thinking, is DWade gonna show up in the first half or is the bench gonna give good minutes and produce. Its a lot to think about.


So, its prediction time. Oklahoma City has shocked the world i think. Not that they've made it to the NBA Finals, but the fashion they did it in. It didn't surprise me though; when you have a talent like Kevin Durant who eat, sleeps, and drinks basketball and can lead a team, its not hard to believe. James Harden will play a huge roll in this series and will probably play starter minutes even though he comes off the bench. Miami has LeBron, D.Wade, and Chris Bosh. The only question is, will the role players produce? It doesn't necessarily have to be points, maybe play good defense and muck the game up a little bit and cause OKC to struggle on offense, that way the score can stay close. But, I give the Miami Heat the edge because of the experience and also I feel they have something to prove. Not saying OKC doesnt, but LeBron has a chip on his shoulder and I feel that Dwyane Wade will be ready for the entire game, not just the 4th quarter. With that said, the Miami Heat beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in 5 games and will be the 2012 NBA CHAMPIONS!!!

Monday, June 11, 2012

BEAST OF THE EAST

They say 3 times a charm. Well, it was definitely a charm for the LeBron James and the Miami Heat as they advance to the NBA Finals for the 2nd straight year.


The Heat and Celtics went the distance in the Eastern Conference Finals and the Heat prevailed and are headed to the NBA Finals to face the Oklahoma City Thunder. LeBron had 31 and 15; D.Wade had 23 and 6; and the x factor Chris Bosh played the best game possible after coming back from injury. He had 19 points and 8 rebounds, including three 3 pointers. Shane Battier also chipped in with 12 points, with timely 3 pointers in the 4th quarter. For a while you had a feeling the way the game was being played, you thought the Celtics would close the game out, but then you could see the tired legs and Miami's "BIG 3" completely take over the game.



LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh scored the last 31 points of the game for the Heat. Including all 28 in the fourth quarter. The three stars came together last season with the hopes of winning a title together, copying the blueprint of the Boston Celtics when KG and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce in 2007. Now they get their 2nd crack at it. Last year they didnt get it done against the Mavs and this year it doesnt get easier as they take on the young and very talented Oklahoma City Thunder.

Friday, June 8, 2012

KING JAMES

Words can not describe the performance LeBron James put on display last night in Boston. LeBron played like the 3 time league MVP last night. There was nothing the Celtics could do to stop him. Boston could've thrown the kitchen sink at LeBron last night and i don't think it would've mattered.


In a game where the Celtics were looking to close out the Miami Heat and head to the NBA Finals, things didnt go as planned. The Celtics were witnesses to LeBron James "silent" explosion. Let me explain what i mean by "silent." Throughout the ball game you can usually hear LeBron talking to the refs after a call or even to the other team at times. None of that last night, he just went out there got his 45 points and 15 rebounds like it was routine...did his post game conference with Doris Burke...went to the locker room...read his book...did his press conference...and ended it by saying, "Looking forward to game 7, see yall in Miami."


This was one of the most impressive performances ive ever seen. Its not just the fact that he scored 45 points. Its the stage he did it on. Down 3-2 in the series to a team completely capable of ending your season. On the road in a hostile environment, and you just go in there and crush the spirits of everybody in the arena. If Boston thought they were going to just show up and win, they thought wrong. The most jaw dropping play, had to be late in the 1st half when he took off and caught a tip dunk after flying in from the 3 point line. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln3GSDPUzdg

Now the series shifts back to South Beach in the final game of the series. What should we expect from both teams...honestly, i couldn't tell you. This has got to be one of the most confusing games to predict. But, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say Miami wins the game. I think Bosh will be the x factor in this game. Miami will get out to a fast start just like in game 6. Boston will make their runs, but it just wont be enough. Dwyane Wade will have a good game; close to a triple double, and LeBron will just be LeBron. The Miami Heat will advance to play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2012 NBA Finals.

KINGS OF THE WEST

You can throw away the saying, "they're too young to win" or "its not time yet." The Oklahoma City Thunder made that clear as they slammed the door shut on the San Antonio Spurs to win the Western Conference Championship and advance to the NBA Finals.


Kevin Durant and company are headed to the NBA Finals. Lets just take a look back as to how the Thunder have reached the Finals.
  • 1st round they swept the defending champion Dallas Mavericks
  • 2nd round they beat the Lakers in 5 games
  • 3rd round they beat the Spurs in 6 games (winning 4 straight after being down 2-0)
  • 4th round ???

Kevin Durant finally got his wish from his head coach Scott Brooks and played the entire game. A very productive 48 minutes. He finsihed with 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists. We can look at everything he did offensively, but thats expected. We know he can score the ball, but on defensive the kid played great. Late in the game, you saw him sprinting back on defense...giving up his body and taking a charge, snatching rebounds from his own teammates. KD was amazing to watch. It really made you think to yourself, can Kevin Durant...Russell Westbrook...James Harden and the Oklahoma City Thunder possibly become a dynasty? Only time can tell. OKC awaits the winner from the Eastern Conference Finals between Miami and Boston.



Wednesday, June 6, 2012

TIGER BACK?

This past Sunday, Tiger Woods seemed to be back to his normal self. Tiger Woods got his 73rd win and ties Jack Nicklaus for career PGA Tour victories at the tournament that Jack built.


The U.S. Open starts in 8 days, and Tiger looks like he might have got his swing back. Making some impossible shots, and coming from behind to win...Woods looked like his old self. He won for the second time this year and moved to #4 in the world. This was the second time this year Tiger won in his final warm up before a major tournament. He won Bay Hill, but then tied for 40th at the Masters. The U.S. Open at starts June 14, and im sure he would be quite happy to take the game he palyed with Sunday to the U.S. Open.

LAST SHOT












Ill start in the west, with the Spurs who play tonight in Oklahoma City. This isn't just a must win game for  the Spurs; this is a they have to win. The Spurs went from being the hottest team in the league, by winning 20 straight games. 10 regular season and 10 post season games. At one point, people were starting to wonder if the Spurs would actually lose a game in the playoffs. I thought it was one of the most blasphemous things Ive ever heard. People were just in the living in the moment, and that's fine. But to think that the Spurs would sweep OKC to get to the NBA Finals, and then sweep either the Celtics or Heat was just asinine. Now do I think the Spurs can win tonight in OKC...yes; but will they win, NO.


The Thunder crowd is one of the best, if the not the best crowd in the NBA. The Spurs are a veteran team with a lot a playoff experience. You can never count them out, never. But in the past 3 games, no matter what the Spurs did to get the game close or even when they had leads late it the game, OKC found a way to get it done. That's what championship teams do, they find a way to get it done. Doesn't matter if its ugly, at this point in the season...a win is a win. I'm taking the Thunder tonight by 10. #ThunderUp

Now to the Miami Heat. *woosah woosah woosah* Ok, I think I'm good now.


The Miami Heat are in the same boat as the Spurs...one game from elimination. Here is a team that most expected and were picked to win it all this year. Right now, it doesn't look that way. After losing to the Celtics last night at home in game 5. The Heat now travel to Boston to play game 6 and possibly the last game of their season. Somebody outside of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade has got to score more than t-9 points. The Heat have been exposed this series. Doc Rivers has had an excellent game plan throughout this series. Although the Celtics lost games 1 and 2 in Miami, they have clearly outplayed the Heat. Boston has made all the hustle plays and gotten stops when they needed them. Miami plays in spurts, and right now as a team, they are not good enough to turn it on and turn it off.


A positive note for Miami is that Chris Bosh played in his first game after missing the last 9 due to an abdominal injury. I expect him to play anywhere from 25- 32 min in game 6. At this point, the Heat have to play desperate. Boston has nothing to lose right now. If they win the game, they go to the Finals. And if they manage to lose, then they go back to Miami for game 7 where I believe they would feel comfortable doing. Nothing scares this Boston team. Miami needs to play a flawless game to win tomorrow night. Im still sticking with my pick, with Miami winning the series, but It does not look good.

Friday, June 1, 2012

HARD WORK

Justin Combs has EARNED an athletic scholarship to UCLA. A lot of people are taking offense to this. Why are they doing this; maybe because his father is hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs.


When I was growing up, my dad and every coach taught me...if you want something, you got to work hard for it. Nothing is given to you, you must earn it. Thats exactly what happened with Diddy's son Justin. Neither athletic or academic scholarships are given to anybody. There is a process. You must work hard, study hard, and perform at the end of the day to get a scholarship. I think its a race issue, yet again.

Here we have a young man, who graduated from prep school with a 3.75 G.P.A, and was a 3 star recruit in New York. He had several offers from Division 1 schools; Virginia, Iowa, and Illinois were the other schools interested in Justin. Obviously, he was doing something right on and off the field. So what his dad has money, if I have the ability to go out and earn an athletic scholaship, then im going to do it. That is a proud moment for any parent, for their child to recieve a scholarship for their hard work they put in for 4 years of high school. Just because you have money and a certain type of celebrity status, that doesnt mean you are not human. Celebrities are humans and have a life to live as well. That just shows that Diddy was a responsible parent and gave his son the best. Did money help, yes. But, we can not blame Justin Combs for his father being a wealthy man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYqno-e8MaQ

To earn a full athletic scholarship, it takes more than just having a wealthy parent. If you have never been an athlete or played any sport, I dont think you should be able to comment on this. All youre looking at is that his father is the richest rapper in the industry, with a net worth of $550 million. Oh, and he's AFRICAN AMERICAN. Get over it people, everyone has the same opportunity...some just take advantage of the opportunity presented to him. LET THAT MAN COOK

Nicklas Lidstrom Retires

The Detroit Red Wings Defenseman time has come...he has decided to retire.


The 4 time Stanley Cup Champion and 7 time Norris Trophy winner has retired after 20 seasons with the Wings. Lindstrom set an NHL record by playing 1,564 games with a single team. He held off on retirement the last two years by signing 1 year contracts. And he could've signed another 1 year contract for about 6 million, but he knew it was time to call it quits. Lindstrom said,

"My drive and motivation are not where they to need to be to play at this level"

Nick Lindstrom was one of the best defenseman to play the game. In his career he had 264 goals and 1,142 points. After being very durable for 19 seasons, he missed a career high 11 games last season with a bruised right ankle and was out for another game with the flu. Last year Lidstrom won his last Norris Trophy. He was a finalist for the trophy for the 11th time in 13 seasons. You can not replace a Nicklas Lindstrom, you can only hope you get someone who has a work ethic he did and hope everything turns out for the best. Its only a matter of time before the #5 jersey is hanging from the rafters at Joe Louis Arena. It will be just the 7th jersey to be retired in Wings history. The latest to be retired is Lindstrom's former teammate, Steve Yzerman. Red Wings general manager said,

"I think he's been the most valuable player of his era and will go down as one of the greatest Red Wings of all time." 

THANK YOU FOR 20 YEARS IN HOCKEY TOWN!!!

REALLY DUDE



So last night before OKC and the Spurs tipped off, rapper Lil Wayne was there to watch the game. Wayne loves his sports, and has been seen at various arenas sitting courtside. Only thing is, he didnt quite make it inside of the arena. When he didnt get into the arena, he went to twitter and posted:

"Was going to go to the Thunder game tonight but was denied by the team to be in their arena. Wow. Smh. Go Spurs!"

After being "denied" entry, Wayne texted ESPN's Colleen Dominguez and said,

"They denied me the tix. Didnt want me in their arena. They also said if I do come, I can only sit behind the bench, not on the floor & that I wouldn't be able to get any special escort nor entrance. They said its the 'Oklahoma way'."

Thunder Spokesman Dan Mahoney said Waynes representatives contacted the team about ticketsand wanted to sit on the front row, and none of those seats was available. Oklahoma City sold out every home game during the regular season and playoffs this season. Common sense would tell you that a playoff game would sell out, but I guess not to everybody. Mahoney also said, "We'd love to have him at a game, but like anyone else, he needs a ticket."

With that said, REALLY DUDE....youre just gonna show up to a playoff game with no ticket, REALLY DUDE!!!

GAME ON



The San Antonio Spurs have finally lost a game. This is the first lost the team has suffered since April 11. They were riding a 20 game win streak heading into game 3 in OKC last night, but the Thunder had a different idea.

BAM...ZAP...BOOM!!! I had to reach back into my childhood real quick. But that's how the game seemed last night, as the Oklahoma City Thunder blitzed the Spurs from the opening tip of game 3. OKC got out to a quick 8-0 lead. San Antonio would make a run of their own, but the lead wouldn't last. Thabo Sefolosha was locked in defensively. Thunder head coach, Scott Brooks made a few changes for game 3.
The first thing is, he went to a smaller line up for longer stretches of the game. The second thing was, putting 6'8 wing man Thabo Sefolosha on Tony Parker. You could tell it bothered TP. Parker finished the game with 16 points on 6-12 shooting from the field. Sounds like a good game, but its more than the numbers.


The Thunder were able to switch most screens when the Spurs went pick and roll, and were just a step ahead the whole game. Throughout the game you could tell that the Spurs settled for shots sometimes. The Thunder also got a great contribution from their front line. Ibaka and Perkins were very active on both ends of the court. They combined for 18 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 6 blocks. That's what they need from those two. They need their presence to be felt on the court and I think its safe to say, it was definitely their last night.

San Antonio had been averaging 109 points per game during their month and a half winning streak and had been held to double digits twice. Parker and Duncan didn't play in the final 15 minutes of the game, and Popovich pulled the plug after three straight turnovers allowed the Thunder to reach a 23 point lead early in the fourth quarter. Now the series begins. In another must win game for OKC coming up Saturday night. We will see if they can keep themselves from being on the brink of elimination.