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Josh Howard on National Anthem: “I don’t even celebrate that $@!*”

Sep 16

Posted by kit in Josh Howard, Josh Howard Comments, Josh Howard quotes, Mavs, NBA, Sean Connolly, Sean Connolly Basketball, Sean Connolly Sports, Sean Connolly Sports Writer | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

To Do List To Ruin My Reputation

By Josh Howard

  1. Admit to smoking weed
  2. Tell everyone I threw a party before a playoff game
  3. Get caught doing 94 mph in a 55mph zone
  4. Let the world know about my view about my country’s national anthem

Surely that’s the end of the list. Right? Well before Josh Howard does anything else to make himself look worse, let’s talk about his most recent moronic move in which he tells everyone that he doesn’t ‘celebrate’ the national anthem(who celebrates the national anthem? I usually just sing along or acknowledge it, I leave the pinatas out of it).

At a celebrity flag football event hosted by Allen Iverson, rapper Los attended the event unfortunately for Howard, with a camera. While the Star Spangled Banner is going on, Howard is seen ignoring the song and then comes up to the camera and says the following…

We got the Star Spangled Banner goin’ on right now, I don’t even celebrate that $@!*…I’m black.

Josh Howard on the star spangled banner

What a fool. How disrespectful can you get? I guess Josh took the phrase bad publicity is better than no publicity. Here’s some advice, lay low ’till the season starts and shut your mouth.

Here’s the link to the video…http://youbeenblinded.com/video-josh-howard-doesnt-celebrate-the-national-anthem/2001

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Redemption!!Now Don’t Get Comfortable

Aug 26

Posted by kit in Uncategorized | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

United States’ redemption is complete. The story is over and they did what they needed to do. Now let’s look at the results of this competition that pitted NBA teammates against eachother.

Preceding the Olympics there was a lot of talk about NBA players heading east to Europe. Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, and even Lebron James said that they would consider playing in Europe. There’s more money to be made there and a completely different atmosphere, something that they may easily welcome.

Now, I don’t know whether there was any validity to the comments but if there it’s not there any more. The rest of the world is in no competition with American basketball. Not only that but the international rules are not condusive to a successful career. The game seems to be sloppy, choppy, and reckless. A career ending injury is basically imminent.

I appreciate what international players have brought to the NBA, but the last thing I want to see is NBA players going to Europe. David Stern and the NBA need to do whatever they can to prevent this. Call me selfish, but I want these guys over here so I can watch them, too bad Europe.

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

Aug 4

Posted by kit in 2008 Olympics Kobe Bryant, 2008 USA Basketball Team, basketball, Basketball Trade Rumors, Bulls Dynasty, Bulls Dynasty Jordan, Chicago Bulls NBA Draft 08, Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose first Pick, Derrick Rose Miami Heat, Eastern Conference Finals, Eddy Curry, Elton Brand Trade, ESPN Radio, 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, Michael Jordan Basketball Camp video, 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 | 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.

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Big Names Involved In Big Moves

Jul 1

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, 76ers, Baron Davis, Baron Davis Trade, basketball, 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, college hoops, 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 | 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

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Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley? My 2008 NBA Mock Draft

Jun 24

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, Amare Stoudemire, Arizona, Atlanta Hawks, basketball, Boston Celtics, Brook Lopez, Celtics Finals, Chicago Bulls NBA Draft 08, Cleveland, college hoops, Danilo Gallinari, Derrick Rose, Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose first Pick, Derrick Rose Miami Heat, 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 | 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.

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Sorry Garnett, This One Is Kobe’s

Jun 1

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, basketball, Boston Celtics, Celtics Finals, Detroit, Detroit Pistons, Eastern Conference Finals, Game 7, Garnett Bryant matchup, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Garnett 1st Finals, Kevin Garnett Playoffs, Kobe, Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant 2007-08 MVP Season, Kobe Bryant Free Throws, Kobe Bryant Playoffs, Kobe MVP, Kobe MVP 2008 NBA Finals, Lakers Finals, Los Angeles Lakers, Manu Ginobili, Michael Jordan, NBA, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA Finals Lakers Celtics, Paul Pierce Defense, Pistons, Playoffs, Postseason, Ray Allen, San Antonio Spurs, Uncategorized | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

It’s the series the NBA has been waiting for. Lakers, Celtics. What more could you want? This series though won’t even be competitive, because it will belong to the best player since Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and there’s nothing Garnett can do but scream, yell, and hit his head on the hoop like he always does.

This series is a match made in basketball heaven. You’ve got the best player in the game playing on a team with a bunch of average to above average players in Kobe and the Lakers. You’ve got the most talented threesome in recent years in Pierce, Allen, and Garnett in the Celtics. So, the series should be great, right? I’m afraid not. The Celtics don’t stand a chance against Kobe. Although Pierce’s defense has improved considerably, he will be no match for Bryant.

Watching Kobe in the series between the Lakers and Spurs showed me just how talented he really is. Throughout the series Kobe stayed out of the paint and continually put up jumpers. He barely got to the free throw line and still was able to average 29.2 points a game in the series. He only averaged 2.2 free throws a game throughout the series and was still able to control the game. He shot 53% and took over when ever he wanted.

Whenever Kobe plays you just know he is going to take over. It’s just a matter of when and against the Celtics in the Finals, it will be every game. Kobe is to close to a title to try and take it away from him. Sure, people say the same about Garnett but Kobe’s fire and desire to win the game just seems so much more natural to me. When the time comes for him to step up, he isn’t yelling or hitting his chest. He looks calm, composed and eerily similar to Michael Jordan. Garnett on the other hand fades away and allows others to take over the game, which is fine and he played well enough to get the Celtics to the Finals, but the Celtics need him to take over in late game situations like that if Pierce isn’t shooting well. In the final game of the western conference finals, Kobe had 39 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds. Garnett in the final game of the eastern conference finals only put up, 16 points, 7 rebounds, and had no assists. That isn’t enough out of someone who was being claimed as the MVP during the season.

The best example of Kobe’s Jordanesque appearance and was in game 7 when he was isolated at half court against Ginobili. Right before Ginobili stepped up to him he calmly let the ball bounce in front of him while he adjusted the sleeve on his arm. Manu began badgering Kobe a couple feet from the half court line trying to rob Kobe. Kobe simply turned his back shielded him off took some time off the clock and then turned around and got space. With the shot clock running out he began to approach the basket, he sped up, hesitated to make Duncan, who was behind Ginobili commit and he took the space and laid the ball up for two points and ultimately the game. When I saw that entire sequence I just laughed and said this is Kobe’s year.

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Doug Collins Not Bulls Coach Just Yet

May 30

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, basketball, Doug Collins, Doug Collins Bulls, Doug Collins Bulls New Coach, Doug Collins Coach, Doug Collins named Bulls Head Coach, Uncategorized | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

Despite recent reports saying that Doug Collins will be named the Chicago Bulls head coach, Doug Collins is not quite there. Both sides have talked but nothing is in place yet.

They have not offered me the job and I haven’t accepted the job.

Doug Collins on Bulls Head Coaching Position

It seems as if this would be a good fit for the Bulls who recently fired interim head coach Jim Boylan, due to Collins past with the Bulls. He was Michael Jordan’s first head coach in the NBA, and set up a solid team for Phil Jackson to come in and create one of the greatest dynasties of all time.

The Bulls this past season were a huge dissapointment, as they failed to make the playoffs despite playing excellent the prior season. They failed to get over .500 the entire season in a weak Eastern conference and stars such as Ben Wallace, Kirk Hinrich, and Luol Deng had horrible seasons. A trade mid-season that saw Ben Wallace and Joe Smith leave the team did not help at all as they failed to put a string of victories together.

If Collins decides to take the job he should consider himself pretty lucky. The Bulls will draft first after winning the Draft Lottery with a 1.7% chance of getting the first pick. He would be in charge of a team chock-full of young, outstanding, athletic players. With the first pick the Bulls look as if they will choose Kansas State star Michael Beasley first, and Doug Collins will have an absolute phenom to work with in his first season.

Although it looks mildly certain that Collins will get the job, it is not yet solidified as Bulls GM Jon Paxon says he will continue to interview other candidates. The reports earlier today should not have been released as early as they should and those who reported it should hope and pray that Paxson doesn’t go in another direction.

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Pierce Saves the Celtics Against LeBron, But Don’t Stand A Chance Against Pistons

May 19

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, Atlanta Hawks, basketball, Boston Celtics, Chauncey Billups, Cleveland, Cleveland Cavaliers, college hoops, Delonte West, Detroit, Detroit Pistons, Doc Rivers, Eastern Conference Finals, Flip Saunders, Game 7, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, NBA, Paul Pierce, Pierce 41 Point Game, Pistons, Playoffs, Postseason, Rasheed Wallace, Ray Allen, Tayshaun Prince | 1 Comment

By Sean Connolly

Celtics got lucky, that simple. Throughout the playoffs they have done nothing but prove that they are not the team every one hyped them up to be. Yesterday they barely escaped with a 97-92 win against LeBron and the Cavs. Garnett, Pierce, Allen, and the Celtics have played 14 games already this postseason and have yet to prove that they’re a championship team. Oh yeah, they are 0-6 on the road in the Playoffs!!!

Paul Pierce Saved the Celtics From A Dissapointing Season Yesterday

Yesterday’s game proved that the Celtics have no chance against their next opponent, the Pistons. The Cavs have absolutely no offense and no body on their team that can score other than LeBron James. James was the entire team yesterday putting up 45 points and nearly bringing his team back from a 15 point hole. The Celtics big 3 have yet to all perform consistantly with one of them stepping up on different nights. Yesterday, Paul Pierce saved his Celtics with a 41 point game and a bunch of hustle plays that ignited the crowd. After a jump ball, Pierce jumped on a loose ball and called time out just in time in a game changing play.

Pierce\'s 41 Saves Celtics

Garnett and Allen have yet to shine this postseason like they did in the regular season. Garnett is only pumped up and pounding his chest when his team has a 10 point lead or more and has only hit one big fourth quarter shot, which came in game 6. Garnett needs to show the heart and fire he shows when his team is down and desperate for points instead of when the team is comfortably in the lead. As soon as the Celtics are down or the lead gets tight, Garnett dissapears and quiets down. As for Ray Allen, he did nothing the entire series against the Cavs. Yesterday he couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat, and he continually fails to create opportunities for himself. Allen’s pathetic four point game and 13 point game yesterday will not be enough when the Celtics face the Pistons.

Paul Pierce is the only true competitor on the Celtics when push comes to shove, and the Pistons are chock-filled of big time players. Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, and Tayshaun Prince have all proved that they are able to step up and make great game saving plays. If it wasn’t for Pierce’s amazing performance yesterday, the Celtics would be on vacation today with the lowly Cavs playing in the Eastern Conference Finals. Yesterday’s game was brutal to watch until the 4th quarter where it was basically Pierce vs. LeBron, which actually made the game one of the most exciting of the playoffs.

The Pistons will outplay them on the offensive side, defensive side, and most importanly they will be outcoached. Doc Rivers is not a good coach and people need to realize it. He had the easiest job this season by coaching a bunch of veterans. As for the Pistons, Flip Saunders knows what it takes to win and keeps his team disciplined. There is no way a team who won 66 games should go to a game seven against an eighth seeded Atlanta Hawks and a fourth seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, and the coach has to be blamed.

Watching the game yesterday made me realize that the Celtics don’t have a chance. The Cavs only had two scorers in double digits yesterday, LeBron James 45 and Delonte West with 15, and the Celtics barely escaped. The Pistons are a much more complete team and are capable of going into Boston and winning road games, something that the Celtics have yet to do. The Celtics have not won an away game and they still think they have a chance? I don’t think so. I am so confident that the Pistons will win this series that I might come out right now and predict a 4-0 Pistons’ sweep. But I’ll wait, for now I’ll go the safe route and predict 4-2 Pistons with the Celtics again failing to win on the road.

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How Stupid Are The Wizards? Very.

Apr 21

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, basketball, Charles Barkley, Cleveland Cavaliers, DeShawn Stevenson, Detroit Pistons, Gilbert Arenas, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Madison Square Garden, Miami Heat, NBA, New York Knicks, Playoffs, Reggie Miller, Spike Lee, T.J. Ford, Toronto Raptors, Uncategorized, Washington Wizards | 2 Comments

You don’t tug at Superman’s cape, and you don’t ignite a fire under LeBron James. With some careless trash-talk, the Wizards have given LeBron and the Cavaliers more to win for this post season. “He’s overrated…and you can say I said that,” Deshawn Stevenson said of MVP candidate, LeBron James. First of all, Who the hell is DeShawn Stevenson? Stevenson is a nobody. LeBron showed that he’s a nobody by owning him in the first game of the playoff series, winning 93-86. In the game, LeBron scored ten times as many points as Stevenson. Stevenson put up a total of 3 points, compared to LeBron’s 30. Stevenson needs to shut his mouth very quick because already he’s been proven wrong. If you’re going to talk trash about some one, make sure they’re a worse player than you. Here are LeBron’s season stats next to DeShawn’s.

Stevenson\'s stats pale in comparison of LeBron\'s MVP Candidate LeBron James

DeShawn Stevenson VS. LeBron James

PPG: 11.2 PPG: 30.0

RBP: 2.9 RPG: 7.9

APG: 3.1 APG: 7.2

SPG: 0.8 SPG: 1.8

BPG: 0.2 BPG: 1.1

FG: 38% FG: 45%

If that’s not enough to make Stevenson shutup than maybe these examples of “Jordanism” that LeBron displayed this season may. In a game against the Toronto Raptors, T.J. Ford had a few fans on the sideline who began heckling James. LeBron, noticing that they were there for his opponent Ford of the Raptors, went on a hot streak which brought the Cavs back to win. He yelled at the hecklers, “it’s your fault!!”

In yet another episode of Jordan-esque like performance, maybe more remniscant of Reggie Miller, LeBron scored 50 against the Knicks. Spike Lee was of course on the sidelines, jarring at LeBron. LeBron mouthed, “50″ to Spike, and then went on to hit a string of three-pointers which gave him a 50 point game in MSG.

Stevenson’s comments even startled Charles Barkley. Barkley went as far as saying, “I think the Washington Wizards have got to be the dumbest team in the history of civilization.” That sounds about right, even coming from Chuck.

Stevenson isn’t the only one talking for the Wizards. Even Gilbert Arenas got into it. He didn’t gave the courage to talk openly so he decided to do it in blog form. “I think everybody wants Cleveland in that first round. They’ve been a .500 team ever since they made that trade and everybody wants a chance at that matchup. We want Cleveland for our own reasons, we don’t think they can beat us in the playoffs three years straight. It’s hard to beat a team three years straight. We want to try our luck.” Arenas said in his seasonal blog he posts on the NBA website. Arenas has posted more blogs this season than he has played games. Isn’t that something? And, just remember the old saying Gilbert, be careful what you wish for. So far, LeBron has made the dream of playing the Cavaliers a nightmare.

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NEW YORK NIX

Mar 23

Posted by kit in Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Bob Loscutof, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Frank Isola, Frank Ramsay, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan, Kenny Sears, Kevin Garnett, Los Angeles Lakers, Madison Square Garden, Marty Glickman, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Ray Allen, Richie Guerin, San Antonio Spurs, Stephon Marbury, Sweetwater Clifton | 6 Comments

It’s Sunday morning and I have a few hours before I plunk myself in front of the TV for CBS’ continuing coverage of the Men’s NCAA tournament. It was sad to see Michael Beasley go the way of O. J. Mayo, but as always there were some great games.

But that’s not what I’m writing about today. I was in Tune Street yesterday – our great local music & electronics store – and overhead a New York Knick’s fan share his agony.

What got me was this: “Here am I at home, paying $170 for NBA League Pass just to stick with my beloved Knicks, and I’m yelling at the TV: ‘Fire Isiah!’ I’m like screaming at the television set as if I paid the big bucks at the Garden. And of course I know the dude can’t hear me but I can’t help myself.”

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Knick coach Isiah Thomas – Photo Suzy Allman/New York Times

I felt for the guy and in return for my not mentioning his name, he agreed to talk more. If you love B-ball and you understand the joy and pain of rooting, you may appreciate this. He’s an older guy and started by telling me some of his history:

“I grew up in the Bronx before the games were on TV and listened to every Knicks game on the radio. Sweetwater Clifton, Richie Guerin, Kenny Sears … and in those days if you were going to high school in the city you had a G.O. discount card which got you into the Garden for 50 cents, up in the top most section of the balcony.

“In those days the NBA played doubleheaders, so if you loved basketball there was no better place than the old Garden. You get a Nedicks hot dog and an Orange Julius and head in for hours of great b-ball.

“The team that killed us was the Celtics – they manhandled the Knicks with Russell and Cousy and Frank Ramsay and they had this goon of a guy Jim Loscutof who literally would throw the Knicks around. Of course they played the best team basketball around too, but we hated them.

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Bob Cousy vs. The Knicks – Photo: William C. Greene

“So you can imagine what it feels like now all these years later to watch the Celtics steal Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett and out together a gem of a team while Isiah crashes and burns the Knicks.

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Kevin Garnett – Celtic Saviour

“We’re talking absolute agony. I gotta pray the Pistons take them out or whoever wins the West – Phoenix or San Antonio or even the Lakers!”

That, folks, is what rooting is all about. This guy is already hoping the Knicks blow every game left so they have a shot at Derrick Rose.

Even the New York City sportswriters are dripping with anger at what has happened to one of the most storied franchises in pro basketball. Frank Isola, the beat writer at the New York Daily News wrote about why he hates this version of the New York Knicks:

• The team I grew up rooting for has become a running joke.
• Few in the organization care about the team’s history.
• Patrick Ewing doesn’t work for them.
• They have had seven straight losing seasons.
• James Dolan once said that “the worst year yet” was 1999; yes the year they reached the NBA Finals.
• Isiah Thomas thinks he’s doing a great job.
• Stephon Marbury thinks he’s done nothing wrong.
• They don’t play defense.
• They ripped out the Marty Glickman radio booth for the sake of the almighty dollar.
• Few of the players have earned the fat contracts they’ve received.
• They are 19-48 in an Eastern Conference that except for three teams – Boston, Detroit and Cleveland – has to be the worst ever. How can the Knicks not even be in playoff contention in mid-March?
• Yes, I must confess, I hate the Knicks. These Knicks.

Mark Berman of the New York Post reported on the Knicks’ embarrassing lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves this way:
“The Knicks fell behind 42-24 after one quarter, with the Wolves converting 17 of 23 shots for a 73.9 percentage in setting their franchise high for most points in the opening stanza.
The Knicks might as well have taken the charter plane home then with their 50th loss in the bag.
Yes, it’s now 19-50. Mindboggling.
Ten fastbreak points to zero for the Knicks in the first 12 minutes.
‘The first quarter was a nightmare,’ Isiah Thomas said afterward.
No. The season – and the last four years – have been a nightmare. Thirteen games to go. And counting.”

Now add the fact that the Celtics are playing great basketball with a terrific chance to win the NBA title and you get a better idea why just about every New York Knicks’ fan from New York City to Los Angeles are having a hard time sleeping.

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