Basketball 180!!

blogging b-ball all day !

Archive for category Postseason

2008 HOF: Ewing vs. Olajuwon, Pat Riley vs. 90’s Knicks, and Dick Vitale vs. Himself

Sep 8

Posted by kit in 1992 Olympics, Basketball Rumors, Charles Oakley, Dick Vitale, Dickie V, ESPN College Basketball Coverage, ESPN Radio, Eastern Conference Finals, Final Four, Hakeem Alajawon, Hakeem Olajuwon, Hakim Olajuwon, John Starks, Knicks Problems, Lakers Finals, Los Angeles Lakers, Madison Square Garden, Miami Heat, Modern Era Basketball, NBA, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA History, NBA Stats Patrick Ewing, NBA Stats Playoffs 08, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA stats, New York Knicks, New York Knicks 90's, Olympic Basketball, Olympic Mens Basketball, Pat Riley, Patrick Ewing, Playoffs, Postseason, Sean Connolly, Sean Connolly Basketball, Sean Connolly Sports, Sean Connolly Sports Writer, US Mens Basketball Team, USA Basketball, basketball, college hoops | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

This year’s induction ceremony into the basketball hall of fame included the biggest names in basketball in the modern era. The class included two of the greatest big men of all time in Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon, along with Ewing’s coach, Pat Riley.

Ewing vs. Olajuwon

Surprisingly in their career they were never really compared, probably because one was in the East and the other in the west, but let’s be one of the first to do so. Who’s career was better? Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points a game during his 18 seasons in the NBA compared to Ewing’s 17 points a game during his 17 seasons. All though Ewing was revered as more talented, looking at Olajuwon’s career as a whole shows that he was in fact a better player. Olajuwon holds the NBA record for blocked shots with 3840(amazing number), and most importantly has two NBA titles under his belt. Ewing has 0.

Not the best, but darn near close

Pat Riley and his 5 rings were inducted into the hall of fame this weekend along with Hakeem and Patrick. Riley ranks 3rd all-time in wins and led both the Lakers and Heat to NBA titles. His one blemish on his record was his inability to win a championship with the aforementioned Ewing, John Starks, Charles Oakley, and company. If he picked up a title or two then who knows where he would’ve ranked. Either way his coaching style has emanated throughout the NBA and he has set a style that coaches decades from now will knowingly or even unknowingly replicate.

Does Dickie V deserve to be in this class?

You betcha baby!! Sorry, had to do it. It is true though, Dick Vitale does deserve to be in the hall of fame as his, ahem, unique style brought him fame, fortune, and ultimately respect. He is the voice of college basketball and you can’t make it big in college hoops without your name being yelled out on ESPN followed by an emphatic ‘baby!!’

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Warriors to Monta Ellis: We Don’t Believe You

Sep 2

Posted by kit in Basketball Rumors, Basketball Trade Rumors, Ellis Ankle Injury, Ellis Injury Fake, Ellis Injury Lie, Golden State Warriors, Monta Ellis, Monta Ellis Ankle Injury, Monta Ellis Injury, Monta Ellis Injury Explanation, Monta Ellis Injury Problems, NBA, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA History, NBA Players Injury Contract Problems, NBA Trade Rumors, Playoffs, Postseason, San Fransisco, San Fransisco Chronicle, Sean Connolly, Sean Connolly Basketball, Sean Connolly Sports, Sean Connolly Sports Writer, USA Basketball, USA Basketball Rumors, Uncategorized, Warriors Investigate Ellis Injury, What was Monta Ellis' Injury Explanation?, basketball, college hoops | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

Something smells fishy. At least in San Fransisco, where the Warriors are looking deeper into Monta Ellis’s injury that he reported. After one month after signing a huge deal with the Warriors, Ellis revealed that he has an ankle injury that will keep him out for at least three months.


Reports are that the Warriors do not believe the explanation Monta gave his team and that they are launching an investigation into the situation. Maybe this is a bad idea by the Warriors to upset their most valuable asset. Ellis has been the Warriors most integral player and has shown enough promise that last month the Warriors inked him to a long-term deal.

Is this report true? The San Fransisco Chronicle says that they are not investigating and that the medical trainer who was said to look into the injury isn’t even on the same continent. This whole situation seems very confusing.

From what I learned in the past couple of months of wild sports stories, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And, something has to be up. It does seem sketchy that Ellis would conveniently report an injury for the first time after he signed a lucrative contract. Personally I think all off-season injuries should be investigated for the integrity of contracts. These players sign contracts that say you can’t do this or that or the contract will be void if you get hurt. The Warriors has to look at this from a business stand point. If a client doesn’t follow his or her contract properly you don’t look past it and say ‘just don’t do it next time’.

If this situation is under investigation and things come out saying that Ellis lied in any way, he needs to be punished. A precedent needs to be set.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Deron Williams’ Buzzer Beater Launches USA Past Australia

Aug 20

Posted by kit in 1992 Olympics, 2008 Olympics Beijing, 2008 Olympics China, 2008 Olympics Kobe Bryant, 2008 Olympics LeBron James, 2008 USA Basketball Team, Australia Basketball Olympics, Australia Men's Basketball, Basketball Rumors, Carmello Anthony, Carmello Anthony 2008 Olympics, Carmello Anthony Olympics, Chris Bosh, Chris Bosh Olympics, Defense US Mens Basketball, Deron Williams, Deron Williams Olympic Buzzer Beater, Deron Williams Olympics, Dwayne Wade Olympics, Kobe, Kobe Bryant, Kobe MVP, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Mike Krzyzewski, NBA, NCAA, Olympic Basketball, Olympic Mens Basketball, Playoffs, Postseason, Sean Connolly, Sean Connolly Basketball, Sean Connolly Sports, Sean Connolly Sports Writer, US Mens Basketball Team, USA Basketball, USA Basketball Olympics Rumors, USA Basketball Rumors, basketball | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

For 19 minutes and 59 seconds in the first half, Australia’s game plan was perfect. Nearly everything went like it was drawn up. But a demoralizing buzzer beater from Deron Williams ended that perfect gameplan and launched the US to a 116-85 win.

The plan was simple for Australia. Defend the paint, make open shots, hope that the US shoot poorly from the line and from behind the arc. Australia stayed back, defended the paint well, allowed the US to shoot and it seemed like it was working. They made a couple of big threes and nailed open shots. The US shot horribly from the line in the first half, and the threes just didn’t seem to be falling. Things looked positive for the Australian side that were rumored to be capable of upsetting the dominant US. So, with all this going Australia’s way, how did they lose?

How did Australia lose, or better yet how did the US win? Offensive rebounding. In the first half the US had more offensive rebounds,13, than Australia had for a total,12. When playing a team that includes Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Carmello Anthony, the last thing you want to do is give them second chances. Kobe and company cleaned up the boards, picking up second and even third chances that kept them ahead in the first half.

In a game like this, Australia just wanted to keep their head above water. And, towards the end of the 2nd quarter it seemed like the Aussies were doing so. They were until Deron Williams pushed their heads underneath the water with a buzzer beating 3 pointer at the end of the 1st half. With the US holding on to a 9 point lead, a lead that they didn’t deserve with the way they were shooting from the line, Williams put all that Australia upset talk to rest. Williams broke free with the clock running out and tossed up a three with the clock running out. He drained it and drained whatever hopes Australia had in beating the USA.

The buzzer beater by Williams catapulted the US to a 17-0 run in which they scored 14 straight to start the 3rd quarter. What at one point was a managable 9 point deficit with seconds left in the first half had turned into a 26 point deficit before the Aussies could get warmed up for the second half.

This win puts the US one step closer to the top level of the podium, which now seems inevitable. Redemption is imminent for this US squad and their no nonsense aproach instilled by coach Mike Krzyzewski is the main reason.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Redemption For The Redeem Team, But Did The Greeks Lose On Purpose?

Aug 14

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, 2008 Olympics Beijing, 2008 Olympics China, 2008 Olympics Kobe Bryant, 2008 Olympics LeBron James, 2008 USA Basketball Team, Basketball Rumors, Chris Bosh, Chris Bosh Olympics, Dwayne Wade Olympics, FIBA Championship, Greece Basketball Argument Losing On purpose, Greece Losing On purpose Basketball Olympics USA, Kobe, Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant Closer, Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Comparison, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Michael Jordan Dream Team, Michael Jordan Gold Medal, NBA, NBA Finals, Playoffs, Postseason, Sean Connolly Basketball, Sean Connolly Sports, Sean Connolly Sports Writer, US Mens Basketball Team, USA Basketball, USA Basketball Olympics Rumors, USA Basketball Rumors, basketball, college hoops | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

It’s been two years since the FIBA Championships in which the Greeks picked apart the US National Team to win the FIBA Championship leaving LeBron James and US disappointed. In their first challenge in this Olympics the US National team defeated Greece, holding a Greek team that put up 101 in their last meeting to a mere 69 points.

This victory by the US is more about the Greeks beating themselves than the US beating the Greeks. Greece decided to play a one-on-one type game, a game that is no match to a team that has Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh off the bench. They failed to get going offensively as Wade’s defensive gambling paid off as he had 6 steals in the game. But, is this the true Greece?

After winning the first two games, it seems as if the Greeks will make it past the group stage easily. Now, European teams have been known to do this…under perform, resting their players making it seem as if they are worse than they really are and then when the elimination round comes around, a completely different team shows up. Now, this routine has been argued about as to whether it’s really done, and whether it’s smart, unethical, or just plain stupid. Either way it doesn’t matter if you’re USA.

No team is short of any tom-foolery but if the Greeks truly did this on purpose takes the cake. Whether it will pay off or not is yet to be seen. I like the idea of resting your players for the next round to a certain extent, but to risk putting them in a bad rhythm for the rest of the Olympics is beyond me. One thing’s for sure though, Kobe Bryant, LeBron, and company are playing too well right now to be fooled by this.

So far throughout this Olympics and even exhibition games leading up to them, it seems as though the mantra of the team is not to underestimate any team at all. So I don’t see how they will underestimate a team in the latter rounds. If this move was done on purpose by the Greece national team, it will be a move done in haste as the Redeem Team will have golds around their necks.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kobe vs. Jordan? “Not Even a Contest” says Jordan

Aug 4

Posted by kit in 2008 Olympics Kobe Bryant, 2008 USA Basketball Team, Basketball Trade Rumors, Bulls Dynasty, Bulls Dynasty Jordan, Chicago Bulls NBA Draft 08, Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose Miami Heat, Derrick Rose first Pick, ESPN Radio, Eastern Conference Finals, Eddy Curry, Elton Brand Trade, Final Four, Game 7, Kevin Garnett, Kobe, Kobe 08 Finals, Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant 2007-08 MVP Season, Kobe Bryant Closer, Kobe Bryant Comeback, Kobe Bryant Free Throws, Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Comparison, Kobe Bryant NBA Stats Playoffs 08, Kobe Bryant Playoffs, Kobe MVP, Kobe MVP 2008 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan, Michael Jordan Basketball Camp video, Michael Jordan Basketball camp, Michael Jordan Dream Team, Michael Jordan Gold Medal, Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant One on One Video, Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant Video, Michael Jordan Kobe Video, Michael Jordan Plays kids one on one video, Michael Jordan Video, NBA, NBA Draft 08, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA History, NBA Trade Rumors, Phoenix Suns Trade Rumors, Postseason, Sean Connolly Basketball, Sean Connolly Sports, Sean Connolly Sports Writer, Uncategorized, Washington Wizards, basketball | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

If you forgot how great Michael Jordan is, just watch this video please. He’s at a basketball camp and a kid asks Jordan who would win in a one-on-one game between him and Kobe Bryant. Jordan responds, “in my prime, not even a contest.” It’s Jordan being Jordan.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqlBUj9bFC4&feature=related]

How amazing is that. I know he’s not up against NBA players but it’s obvious that he still has it. You know after that he was thinking…hmmm, maybe my Bobcats need a guard.

I just love how confident he is when he’s playing, there’s no doubt in his mind that he’s going to miss, even with his eyes closed. Earlier this season when Kobe was on a tear, I began to wonder…maybe he is good as Jordan. I’ll tell you this right now, Jordan at 45 years old is better than Kobe is now or will ever be.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why Would Iguodala Want To Be Traded To The Clippers?

Jul 14

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, 76ers, Andre Iguodala Trade, Andre Iguodala Trade Clippers, Andre Iguodala Trade Rumors, Andre Iguodala Trade Rumors Clippers, Andre Iguodala Trade Sixers, Baron Davis, Baron Davis Trade, Basketball Trade Rumors, Eastern Conference Finals, Elton Brand, Elton Brand Iguodala Trade, Elton Brand Trade, Iguodala Trade, Madison Square Garden, NBA, NBA Draft 08, NBA Draft Trade, NBA Draft Trade Rumors, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Stats Playoffs 08, NBA Trade Rumors, Playoffs, Postseason, Sixers Trade Iguodala, Sixers Trade Rumors Iguodala, Uncategorized, basketball | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

After the way the 76ers played towards the end of last season and also in the playoffs, Andre Iguodala and the Sixers were showing a lot of upside. They are in a weak Eastern conference and have one of the strongest, most exciting young players in the league in Iguodala. The team is young and has been showing much more promise with the acquisition of one of the best forwards in Elton Brand. So why would Iguodala want to be traded to the Clippers?

If some how Iguodala ends up a Los Angeles Clipper I will be absolutely astonished over the stupidity. First of all what is there in Clippers? Their best players are leaving in Brand and Corey Maggette and they might not even sign Baron Davis. So, what’s the point of leaving a young, talented, playoff team to go to a team who hasn’t been in the playoffs in years and unless they can perform a miracle will not make it next season? I like Andre and all but I think the answer to that question is his desire for more money.

You know, just when I think the league is getting better and more ethical, someone goes and makes a money hungry move like this. There is no better explanation. It is moronic to even think about this move if you’re Iguodala.

I really think the Sixers have a legitimate chance to do some damage next season with players like Brand, Andre Miller, and Iguodala. But, no matter what the integrity of Iguodala will be in question if he stays. Because there is no way you should even be rumored in being traded to the Clippers when you have such a talented team and a week earlier you acquired one of the best forwards in the past 20 years. Glory before money, Iguodala.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Beasley Wins Round One Against Rose

Jul 8

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, Basketball Trade Rumors, Chicago Bulls NBA Draft 08, Derrick Rose, Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose first Pick, Eastern Conference Finals, Final Four, Miami Heat, Miami Heat NBA Draft 08, Michael Beasley, Michael Beasley First Pick, NBA, NBA Draft 08, NBA Draft Trade, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, Phoenix Suns, Playoffs, Postseason, Stephon Marbury, Steve Nash, Uncategorized, basketball, college hoops | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

It’s the beginning of a rivalry. The Bulls played the Heat yesterday in a summer league game in which the two first picks in this year’s NBA draft matched up. Beasley made a statement with his play yesterday that he, not Derrick Rose should have been the first pick.

Beasley shone yesterday putting up 28 points on 9-21 shooting leading his Heat to a convincing 94-70 victory over the awful looking Bulls. Playing with a fractured sternum, Beasley made an impact immediately as he scored 9 points in his first 8 minutes. He dominated throughout showing what NBA prospects talked about pre-draft with tremendous range, an outside and inside game.

As for Derrick Rose, he didn’t do much. He did have 10 points but on 3-8 shooting and 5 turnovers. Now obviously you can’t look at this game and say that Rose was the wrong choice, but what it does show is how Rose can easily get lost in a game. He can fade at times and not be the main guy on the team. Whereas Beasley can be the go to guy throughout a game and continually draw a double team even if he’s not playing well.

Before the draft I strongly believed that the Bulls should choose Beasley. They did not. I just have a feeling that Rose won’t be the top caliber kind of player that Beasley will be. I think in today’s game Beasley’s attributes a much more important to a team in order to create a championship team. As of late, point guards don’t win championships, big men, and good shooting guards do. Just look at Nash, Kidd, Marbury, Francis, and I’ll even go far back as Stockton. I just think that Rose will fall into that category of being a great regular season player but not good enough for a championship, if he’s lucky.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Big Names Involved In Big Moves

Jul 1

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, 76ers, Baron Davis, Baron Davis Trade, Basketball Trade Rumors, Boston Celtics, Cavs Trade Rumors, Celtics Finals, Celtics Trade Rumors, Chauncey Billubs, Chauncey Billups, Chauncey Billups Trade, Chicago Bulls NBA Draft 08, Cleveland, Cleveland Cavaliers, Delonte West, Detroit, Detroit Pistons, Eastern Conference Finals, Eddie House trade, Elton Brand, Elton Brand Trade, Gilbert Arenas, Indiana, Jermaine O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal Trade, Kevin Garnett, Knicks Problems, Lakers Finals, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Draft 08, NBA Draft Trade, NBA Draft Trade Rumors, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA History, NBA Stats Playoffs 08, NBA Trade Rumors, New York Knicks, Pacers, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Suns Trade Rumors, Pistons, Playoffs, Postseason, Rasheed Wallace, Rasheed Wallace Trade, San Antonio Spurs, Stephon Marbury, Stephon Marbury Trade, Tayshaun Prince, Uncategorized, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, basketball, college hoops | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

The free agent season has begun. Following an exciting post-season and draft, the NBA has found another way to keep us hooked. In the next couple of weeks there are to be some big names moved around and could possibly shape next year’s championship team. The Celtics made all the right moves during last year’s free agency and ended up taking the title. So, don’t be surprised if a number of teams take a page from their book. Here are some of the big names who could make a move.

Elton Brand

Although his intentions are to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, don’t be surprised to see Elton Brand move. He has yet to be on a successful team and I’m sure he’s more than eager to cement himself as a marquee player. He is unable to do so on the lowly Clippers who will again have no chance next year in the overly competitive West. If the the right offer lands on Brand’s lap, possibly from his old team in the Bulls, or with the Knicks, Pistons, or Rockets who all need a player like Brand, don’t expect him to stay in Los Angeles.

Baron Davis

After the Warriors 06-07 run that included maybe one of the biggest post-season upsets of the Dallas Mavericks, Baron Davis could not find the same chemistry this past season. Davis has had trouble in the past season with Golden State and it seems like he may be headed out of Golden State after opting out of his contract. Davis averaged 21.8 points a game last season and would be extremely valuable to either a East or West Playoff team. The Detroit Pistons have showed interest in Davis in a possible sign and trade which may include stars Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups. This may turn into the biggest trade of the off-season. Also showing interest are the aforementioned Los Angeles Clippers. If Baron Davis signs with the Clippers this may persuade Elton Brand to stay.

Corey Maggette

Elton Brand isn’t the only Clipper on the move. Corey Maggette has also opted out of his contract and will test the open market. Maggette is more likely than Brand to leave the team and could play an integral part in next seasons playoffs. There were rumors swirling last season of a trade of Maggette to the Suns, so don’t be surprised if that deal won’t resurrect itself. Another team showing interest looks to be the Utah Jazz who are one piece away from a championship team.

Wizards Aren’t Letting Agent Zero Turn Into Free Agent Zero

The Washington Wizards are planning to invest over 150 million dollars in both Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison. This seems like to much for a team who keeps getting knocked out of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers. I thought Washington would have to get rid of at least one of the two, but it looks as if the Wizards want to continue with Jamison and Arenas. Personally I would have let Arenas go because he did very little last year and we are still unsure about his knee. Jamison is turning himself into a fantastic player, averaging 20 and 10 last year and is bound to become better.

Here is a list of other notable names that could see themselves in different uniforms next season.

Sam Cassell- Boston Celtics- Unrestricted FA

Eddie House- Boston Celtics- Unrestricted FA

Emeka Okafor- Charlotte Bobcats- Restricted FA

Luol Deng- Chicago Bulls- Restricted FA

Ben Gordon- Chicago Bulls- Restricted FA

Delonte West- Cleveland Cavaliers- Restricted FA

Allen Iverson- Denver Nuggets- Early Termination Option

JR Smith- Denver Nuggets- Restricted FA

Steve Francis- Houston Rockets- Player Option

Jason Williams- Miami Heat- Unrestricted FA

Stephon Marbury- New York Knicks- Early Termination Option

Andre Iguodala- Philadelphia 76ers- Restricted FA

Michael Finley- San Antonio Spurs- Unrestricted FA

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley? My 2008 NBA Mock Draft

Jun 24

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, Amare Stoudemire, Arizona, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brook Lopez, Celtics Finals, Chicago Bulls NBA Draft 08, Cleveland, Danilo Gallinari, Derrick Rose, Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose Miami Heat, Derrick Rose first Pick, Doug Collins Bulls, Duke, Eastern Conference Finals, Eddy Curry, Elton Brand, Final Four, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan, Jason Richardson, Jerryd Bayless, Jerryd Bayless NBA Draft, Joe Alexander, Kansas, Kansas State, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love, Knicks Problems, Lakers Finals, Larry Brown, Los Angeles Lakers, Madison Square Garden, March Madness, Mario Chalmers, Memphis, Miami Heat, Miami Heat NBA Draft 08, Michael Beasley, Michael Beasley First Pick, Michael Jordan, Mike D'Antoni, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Draft 08, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA Finals Lakers Celtics, NBA History, NBA Mock Draft 08, NCAA, New York Knicks, O. J. Mayo, OJ Mayo Problems, Patrick Ewing, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Phoenix Suns, Playoffs, Postseason, Ray Allen, Russell Westbrook, Shawn Marion, Southern Cal, Steve Nash, Toronto Raptors, UCLA, USC, basketball, college hoops | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

With a 1.7% chance of winning the first selection, the Bulls won the first pick in one of the most talented drafts in a while. The discussion has been, should they take Derrick Rose who is the better player, or Michael Beasley who is the better fit? Rose is destined to be a star while Beasley has all the tools to become as dominant as say Amare Stoudemire. But, which college standout will they choose? Let’s see.

1. CHICAGO BULLS- MICHAEL BEASLEY- Between the better player and the better fit, you have to go with the better fit if you’re the Bulls. The Bulls were lucky enough to get the first pick and they already have a playoff team if not for the mess of a season they had last year. They are short on big men and have been for a while. Beasley will complete this team making the Bulls a legit threat in the East.

2. MIAMI HEAT- DERRICK ROSE- Now there’s no way two teams are going to pass a player this talented up in a row. The Heat will gladly take Derrick Rose in the second pick which will, like the bulls, complete a playoff team. With Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marrion already on the team, one more all-star won’t hurt. If Wade can stay healthy, Rose will work well with him and possibly create a great one-two punch that teams will find hard to deal with. A great pick up for the Heat and I expect a rivalry to develop between the Heat and the Bulls with their picks. This debate of who should go first in the draft will live on throughout both Beasley and Rose’s careers.

3. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES- O.J. MAYO- With all the controversy surrounding O.J. Mayo he was destined to fall further down in the draft but it looks as if the Timberwolves have their man. Mayo is truly talented at 6′5 and has the figure to go inside and shoot the outside shot. The only worry about Mayo is his off-court problems that could hurt the way he plays on the court. Let’s just hope we get to see this kid play basketball without any distractions.

4. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS- JERRYD BAYLESS- To compliment the sensational play of Kevin Durant, expect the Sonics to choose Jerryd Bayless at point guard. Coming from Arizona he should turn out to be a solid NBA player and playing along side Durant won’t hurt a bit. Durant showed last year that he can put up over 20 points a game with no one around him, so expect his numbers to rise significantly along side Bayless.

5. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES- KEVIN LOVE- After trading Pau Gasol to the Lakers last season, the Grizzlies are down on athletic size. Kevin Love fills that void extremely well. He is capable of wearing down defenses and creating an atmosphere that Memphis will love (pun definitely intended). The sad thing though is that the rest of the Grizzlies are not good enough to make him any better. Give Love a couple of seasons before his talent begins to show, either that or another team.

6. NEW YORK KNICKS- BROOK LOPEZ- Oh, the New York Knicks. They have the highest payroll, one of the best coaches in Mike D’Antoni, and the sixth pick in the draft. How could they possibly mess up next season? I’m not sure how they’ll do it this season but a way to prevent it is drafting a big man in Brook Lopez who can actually do something with the basketball other than cry. He is a little undersized at center (7′0 245 lbs.) which could create a problem for the Knicks. But, they’ve needed a big man ever since Patrick Ewing left and maybe Lopez could develop into a player of half of Ewing’s talent and get this team back in the playoffs.

7. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS- RUSSELL WESTBROOK- The Clippers will hopefully have a 100% healthy Elton Brand next season which leaves them wondering, who else do we have? No body really, in order to compete in the West. Russel Westbrook can pass and score and has the tools that NBA teams want. There is a desire in the league now to have a point guard who can score and pass (Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade, Steve Nash just to name a few), and Westbrook is what the Clippers need in order to keep up with the competetive West. Either that or they can try and move to the Eastern Conference, where they would probably be a 4th or 5th seed in the playoffs.

8. MILWAUKEE BUCKS- JOE ALEXANDER- You haven’t heard much from the Milwaukee Bucks in the past decade and I don’t think you’ll hear more in the the next. Joe Alexander fills a void in the small forward position but even in the East the Bucks don’t have enough talent to make it. Alexander is a solid player who may find himself lost in this league on the Bucks. Only players with extraordinary talent like Ray Allen can make a name for themselves on the Bucks, and even Allen had to leave in order to be truly appreciated by the rest of the league.

9. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS- ERIC GORDON- I see a lot of upside in these Bobcats. Since forming in 2004 the Bobcats have slowly evolved into a fairly good team. They have significant talent in Emeka Okafor, Adam Morrison, and Jason Richardson. Not only that they are now being coached by one of the greatest coaches in recent years in Larry Brown. If the Bobcats can steal Eric Gordon at number nine, the Bobcats have even more to work with.

10. NEW JERSEY NETS- DANILO GALLINARI- After a disapointing season which included the departure of one of the franchise’s best players Jason Kidd, the Nets have some rebuilding to do. They have a banged up Richard Jefferson, who at times looks like one of the best players in the league, but cannot overcome the injury bug. Vince Carter should be one of the league’s elite, but fails to match the potential he showed in his Toronto Raptor years. Danilo Gallinari will be the first pick from overseas, coming from Italy, and will be expected to come off the bench for Jefferson, and soon replace Jefferson. He is one of the best players in Italy and could possibly translate to the NBA. In a couple of years this could be considered the steal of the draft. Personally though, I think the Nets will need to make a significant trade that will get rid of Jefferson and bring in one or two brand name players in order to fix this once dominant franchise.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Celtics Embarrass Lakers as Garnett Embarrasses Himself

Jun 19

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, Bill Russell, Boston Celtics, Celtics 24 Point Comeback, Celtics Bench Finals 08, Celtics Finals, Cleveland, Detroit Pistons, Eastern Conference Finals, Finals 08 MVP, Game 7, Garnett Bryant matchup, Jeff Van Gundy Playoffs 08, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Garnett 1st Finals, Kevin Garnett Playoffs, Knicks Problems, Kobe, Kobe 08 Finals, Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant 2007-08 MVP Season, Kobe Bryant Closer, Kobe Bryant Comeback, Kobe Bryant Free Throws, Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Comparison, Kobe Bryant NBA Stats Playoffs 08, Kobe Bryant Playoffs, Kobe MVP, Kobe MVP 2008 NBA Finals, Lakers 4th Quarter Comeback NBA Finals 08, Lakers Bench Finals 08, Lakers Finals, Lamar Odom, Leon Powe, Leon Powe 08 Finals, Los Angeles Lakers, MVP 2008 Finals, Madison Square Garden, Michael Jordan, NBA, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA Finals Lakers Celtics, NBA History, NBA Stats Playoffs 08, New York Knicks, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Paul Pierce Defense, Paul Pierce MVP 2008 Finals, Paul Pierce MVP NBA Finals, Paul Pierce NBA Finals MVP 2008, Phil Jackson, Phil Jackson Game 4 NBA Finals 08, Pierce 41 Point Game, Playoffs, Postseason, Ray Allen, San Antonio Spurs, Sasha Vujacic Finals 08, basketball | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

Levels of Defeat in NBA

0-5 Point Loss- Respectable

5-15 Point Loss- Disappointing

15-25 Point Loss- Bad to Awful

25-35 Point Loss- Horrible, New York Knicks Territory

35+ Point Loss- Disgraceful, Team Should Disband and Begin New Careers

The Lakers lossed by 39 points last night in a deciding game in the NBA Finals which means Kobe should be announcing on TNT next season.

How a team can play as poorly as the Lakers did last night is beyond me. The Celtics defense was impenetrable and their offense ran as smoothly and as efficiently as possible and the Los Angeles Kobes, excuse me, Lakers could do absolutely nothing about it. This was by far the most convincing win in NBA Finals history.

As I said in my last post(Pierce May Be Too Strong For A Laker Comeback) Pierce and the Celtics would be too much for the Lakers to handle. No where in that post did I predict a victory of this magnitude though. Every single Laker all the way to upper management should be thoroughly embarrassed. Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, and the almighty Kobe Bryant sucked. Plain and simple.

It wasn’t the Lakers sucking that lost them this series, but more the Celtics playing their best basketball at the right time. Seeing them go 7 games with the 8th seeded Atlanta Hawks gave me reason to believe they would never make it out of the East. But they persevered and got better as the playoffs went along. I routed for the Lakers this entire playoffs and routed against the Celtics this entire playoffs. Still, I can say that the team that won the title was the best team every night on the floor in this series. The Lakers should be ashamed that they were beaten this badly. Coming into this series they were the better team by far and leaving the series they look as if they shouldn’t have been in the playoffs. Every Laker performance was pathetic.

This beating was highlighted by the great play of the Celtic’s big three. Throughout the year I tried to play down the significance of this three playing together. But now I realize that when they play together, anything is possible (foreshadowing, pay attention). Ray Allen tied an NBA Finals record with 7 three pointers last night. Kevin Garnett fueled the team and ended whatever small hope the Lakers had with his circus shot. A shot in which he stayed in the air for what seemed like an hour, gets fouled and banked the ball off the backboard right before he hits the ground. As soon as he made that shot I knew the Celtics had the championship. No one can come back from a demoralizing shot like that.

And what else can you say about Paul Pierce? He stepped up his defense throughout the entire playoffs and made the best offensive player in the world look like Chris Dudley. He showed the world that Pierce not Kobe is more deserving of Jordan comparisons (but, still don’t even bother comparing him to Jordan, no one will be as good as Michael).

Coming into this series I was all gung-ho on Kobe and the Lakers winning the championship. I was convinced that it was his time to prove that he could be mentioned along with Jordan. I now want to take a moment to publicly apologize to Michael Jordan…Dear Michael, you’re the best and no one, and I mean no one comes close to you. Now, having that said I despise Kobe for what he did in this Finals. He won my heart this season and then broke it in the Finals (Sad, huh?). And I never, ever, no matter what Kobe does for the rest of his career want to hear the words Kobe Bryant in the same sentence as the one Michael Jordan. Jordan would never let his team lose in an NBA Finals, the biggest stage in the world for basketball. Never would you see Michael Jordan on the bench in a deciding game in the NBA Finals with his team down by 40. Never. If anybody even thinks about bringing this argument up again of Kobe being as good as Jordan, all of his or her comments about the sport of basketball should be considered void from thereafter.

Finally I would like to say a little something about Kevin Garnett…I hate him. Throughout this season he has changed my view of him completely. What sealed it was his odd, moronic, disrespectful celebration when he was interviewed after the game. When asked about how he felt, he began weeping like a baby, then filled the air with expletives and began screaming, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!” at the top of his lungs like a fool(see the foreshadowing from earlier, pretty clever). All I can say thank God for the delay that the ABC network used so that they could prevent his f-bombs from reaching air. Does he not realize that he is idolized by thousands of kids who are watching? Does he have no respect whatsoever? The best part about it was how after he filled the Garden with f-bombs he goes over and shakes Bill Russell’s hand. Russell is one of the most honorable men in basketball who you tried to mirror yourself after throughout the season and you behave like that? You’ll never be one tenth of what Russell was and still is and you don’t even deserve a ring. Honestly, who’s over 7 feet tall and shoots mid-range jumpers all day? Call me bitter but this guy is a disgrace. But, congratulations to Paul Pierce and the rest of the Celtics who actually deserve this. This was the best turn around in sports history and Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, and company should be proud. As Garnett would say, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!” Idiot.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,