Nba

Today, after receiving a pair of free tickets to the Pistons/Nuggets game at the Palace, I had a few reactions. 

My first one was, “Hell Yeah! Free Pistons Tickets!” 

The second one was, “Have I seen Carmelo Anthony in person?” I had to think about it, but nope, I’ve never seen ‘Melo play. 

Continue reading "Three Year Bucket List"

Tim Donaghy, the referee who spent 15 months in a federal prison for his role in a betting scandal that rocked the NBA, is out of prison and looking to make a splash once again. 

The NBA did a phenomenal job sweeping the whole Donaghy scandal under the rug as best they could when the revelations were made public that he had ties to organized crime and that he may or may not have affected the outcomes of NBA games. 

Continue reading "An End to the Tim Donaghy Scandal (Hopefully)"

www.sporcle.com is awesome. It’s a great place to waste time.

If you’ve never heard of it, basically it is a website that gives you the topic to a list of people, places, or things, and you have a certain amount on time to guess all the answers in the list. 

Continue reading "Sporcle.com is awesome"

Officially, attendance was listed for the Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies game last night at 10,012.

The only way that number was over 10,000 is if you took every person in the arena, counted every person whose number was stored in their cell phone, and multiplied it by two.

Continue reading "The End of the Grizzlies? Let's Hope So."

Have you looked at the league leaders yet this season?

There are some familiar faces atop some of the big categories. Kobe leads the league in scoring. Nash leads the league in assists. Rondo leads the league in steals. 

Continue reading "New Era of NBA Bigs?"

I wrote a short blog last week about Allen Iverson being unhappy with his role in Memphis, and I predicted that by March 1st the Grizzlies would send him home.

I mean, it was obvious that it was a marriage that was doomed from the start.

Continue reading "Who is Allen Iverson?"

Last week in “Fun With Box Scores” I took a look at about ten different things that jumped out from the previous week’s box scores. 

It was the initial plan to roll out ten more fun little facts that I discovered while rummaging through the box scores this week, but I came across one box score that was so unique that I don’t feel like any other stat line from the week is worthy of being in the same post as this one. 

Continue reading "Fun With Box Scores"

LeBron James makes his only trip to Madison Square Garden tonight. 

For the past two seasons there has been plenty of talk about LeBron bolting his hometown of Cleveland for the bright lights of New York City. 

Continue reading "LeBron Makes His Only Trip to "The Garden" Tonight"

He fooled me yet again.

We’ve seen this act before. Andrew Bynum, through the first five games, is averaging over 20-10, yet again. 

It’s nothing new. For the third straight season, the young, potential stud, center for the Los Angeles Lakers has hit the ground running and has shown flashes of being an all-star caliber center in the NBA. 

Continue reading "Andrew Bynum: The Oldest 22-Year-Old in the NBA"

The NBA season is officially underway (unless you live in Chicago or Milwaukee). 

After several hours parked in front of the NBA League Pass for the past two days, it’s time for some first impressions. 

Continue reading "First Impressions"

Happy New Year!

With the new NBA season set to tip off with four games tonight, here are some of the things I’ll be watching for in tonight’s action.

Boston @ Cleveland, 7:30pm

I can’t wait to see LeBron again this season. Last year, coming off the Olympics, you could see that his focus was on improving defensively. Now, without a summer in the spotlight, I’m curious to see if he’s made any improvements to his already unreal game. Is this the year we finally see LeBron use his Karl Malone-like body to beast on people inside?

Continue reading "NBA Opening Night Quick Thoughts"

Disappointing news for NBA fans everywhere, courtesy of yahoo: 

"LOS ANGELES (AP)—Blake Griffin’s (notes) NBA debut has been pushed back indefinitely after the Los Angeles Clippers revealed late Monday night that their No. 1 overall draft pick has a broken left kneecap.

Continue reading "Disappointing First Impression of Blake Griffin"

Welcome to the Diary of an NBA Junkie.

My Name is Scott Shepherd, and I’m addicted to the NBA. 

After a few years of covering the NBA for a great website, www.sports-central.org, I’ve decided to branch out and start my own blog. 

Continue reading "Welcome to the Diary of an NBA Junkie"

I know these 3 clips have nothing to do with sports, but I thought that it would be entertaining because all you need to do is laugh sometimes.  I will probably post 3 videos every so often so stay tuned, I guess:

Continue reading "Funny non-sport related videos!!!!!"

Celine Dion and Ron Artest go together like cereal and mayonnaise yet somehow the self proclaimed "thug", Artest, makes it work.  The guy is known for his wild antics such as going into the crowd and beating up a fan, but it seems that Artest is beginning to display a softer side.  As a Laker fan I love that we are bringing a little crazy on our team because a team can always use a little crazy, right? Although he can't carry a tune and the video is clearly irritating you get a sense that he means what he is singing which makes is somewhat enjoyable to watch.  I am going to stop talking about it and just let you watch it:

Continue reading "It's official, Lakers' Ron Artest ..."

I understand that Shaquille O'neal is a man that transcends just the NBA, but watching him attempt to play against other athletes in their own sport is extremely difficult to swallow.  Watching Shaq attempt to swing a bat was like watching a baby giraffe trying to walk.  It was hard to watch yet I could not take my eyes off of it, like a car accident.  The 7'1" O'neill attempted to out-slug Albert Pujols, out-spike beach volleyball stars Misty May and Kerri Walsh, and out-throw Ben Roethlisberger, needless to say he could not out-do anybody at anything.  The show is a half hour too long and the hosts are extremely annoying.  The most important part of the show, the actual competition, takes place in the last fifteen minutles of the show making the first 45 minutes irrelevant.  Here are some short examples of the show from Youtube:

Continue reading "What is Shaq thinking doing this ..."

As long as everyone else is throwing in their two cents about disgraced NFL quarterback Michael Vick's next career move, I thought I should chime in because the answer is just common sense.

Mike -- can I call you Mike? -- this is what you should do: Forget about a return to pro football for 2009 and contact dog whisperer Cesar Millan about becoming his sidekick.

Continue reading "Two Words of Advice for Vick: Reality Series"

With the top 4 teams in the league last year making ALL the big moves so far this off-season(Boston excluded so far because they haven't signed sheed yet, but they will be getting a healthy Garnett ba

Continue reading "NBA Champions"

1.  Julius Erving:  Dr. J

2.  Dominique Wilkins:  The Human Highlight Reel

3.  George Gervin:  The Iceman

4.  Ervin Johnson:  Magic

5.  Michael Jordan:  Air Jordan

Continue reading "The 50 Best NBA Nicknames Ever"

1.  LeBron James:  Analysts and writers seem to be 50/50 on the LeBron/Kobe debate.  I pick LeBron.

2.  Kobe Bryant:  Probably one of the 10 greatest players ever.  And counting.

Continue reading "The 35 Best Basketball Players in ..."

I do not understand how people since lebron had came into the league been calling him the king. What has he done?? sure he is a great player very athletic barely has to jump to slam but come he has to

Continue reading "Who made lebron the king???"

Steroids has officially gone postal.

The list of all-star players who have been revealed to be using steroids: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Alex Rodriguez, now.......MANNY RAMIREZ.

Continue reading "Manny being Manny: The Latest twist ..."

If Kobe Bryant expects to win a championship this June, he needs to trust his teammates more. If he doesn't, the Lakers will not only struggle to win the Finals, they may have trouble even getting there. Last night's loss to the Houston Rockets, putting them down 1-0 in the series, is to me, enough cause for concern. Phil Jackson needs to sit down Kobe and tell him the same thing he told Jordan: trust your teammates more.

Continue reading "Memo to Kobe: Be like Mike"

Say Swine Flu keeps spreading. Say it gets worse, like "Outbreak" worse, and the majority of people in the US get it, including LeBron James. I still don't think I could beat him one-on-one. Even if it was first to score. Or if we played "PIG." Remember when Jordan had the flu in the '88 playoffs, and he dropped 47 against the Knicks, AT the Garden??? We spectators/bloggers/sports fans seriously over-estimate the flu. If LeBron had swine flu, not only would he stuff me like a Quizno's Torpedo, he would still be able to beat the following athletes/teams:

Continue reading "LeBron could beat me with Swine Flu"

The Bulls are showing signs of their great days once again..

They have very talented guards in Rose and Gordon, They also have a veteran center finally who compliments his teammates well in Brad Miller.

Continue reading "THE BULLS!!"

I'm not a fan of the nuggets but i'm not a hater either. I call it how i see it.. Chauncey Billups has shown how important he is to a team, Detroit imploded the moment he left and the nuggets thrived.. They are all Healthy and can play fast and slow ball and have good defense.. Chris "Birdman" Anderson is a force of the bench as well..

Continue reading "Denver Nuggets look good??!!?!?"

"There's no analysis here...what happened?!" - ESPN's Steve Levy, 4/27/09

The New Orleans hornets suffered the all-time-tying worst playoff loss in NBA history yesterday, getting stomped on 121-63 by the Denver Nuggets. Don't wet yourselves, Nuggets fans. The Hornets just played THAT BAD. Here are the Top 10 Reasons why they shouldn't bother showing up for Game 5:

Continue reading "Top 10 Reasons the New Orleans Hornets ..."

The lakers knew what they had to do the moment the stepped foot on the court monday night. Knowing the CAVS already are set for round 2 the Lakers didnt want to extend their first round series cause all season it has been all about the Cavs and Lakers, Lebron vs Kobe!!! even recently there are commercials putting them up against one another for their sports drink ad. It's like it must be Cavs vs Lakers....

Continue reading "Lakers Eliminate the Jazz in 5!!! ..."

I'm a Kobe fan. Huge Kobe fan. He's practically my generation's MJ. Nothing against MJ, I just never saw him play much. I went to the United Center once, when I was seven, and all I remember is Scottie Pippen's crew-cut and cotton candy. Also, I'm from D.C., so the fact that MJ ruined the entire development and chemistry of an up-and-coming Washington Wizards team, just so he could milk a little more limelight, doesn't really sit well.

Continue reading "Why Lakers fans should worry about ..."

Don Nelson has reached a milestone in his coaching career.  With the Warriors 133-120 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder Saturday, Don Nelson has won his 1,300th game as a head coach.  This

Continue reading "Don Nelson Reaches a Coaching Milestone"

After all the Amar’e Stoudemire chatter and the Chris Bosh rumors, GM John Paxson and the Chicago Bulls have once again failed to pull the trigger and bring a big name to the windy city. They did however; make three trades in the last two days of dealing, receiving two former Bulls in return. Here’s my take on what were reported as Paxson’s last transactions.

Continue reading "Joe's Trade Breakdown: Chicago Bulls"

This is not something I normally do, but it seems like everywhere I look and listen, there are faulty NBA power rankings. I have no choice but to improve upon what I've seen and heard. It's about that time for me to get my two cents in, but quickly I have to go over a couple rules:

Continue reading "NBA Power Rankings"

The first time I ever saw Michael Jordan was when I was searching through the channels one night. I was no more than eight years old. He was flying in the air with his tongue sticking out as he was preparing to dunk. I never saw anything like it. He was this mysterious figure that I would grow up to adore and admire. I wanted to be like Mike, except I was a girl. Truth be told, I wanted to better than Mike. In my entire life, I never thought we would have this discussion: Who is the next Michael Jordan? Everyone keeps saying Kobe Bryant or LeBron James is the next Michael Jordan. They will never touch his status.

Continue reading "The Boston Celtics: The Next Michael Jordan"

The story reads that on Christmas Day in 2008, two great teams, the Los Angeles Lakers (24-5) and the Boston Celtics (27-3), came together to play. One would imagine the goal was simply to win. However, the two teams seemed as if they were competing for something else besides a win. From the jump ball, the Lakers appeared to be on a mission to redeem themselves from last year’s NBA Finals. The Celtics played it as if it was just another game on the way to their ultimate goal of repeating as World Champions. The Lakers won the game with a score of 92-83, but the game can’t be told by the final score. It is told by what each team was playing for: another step in the right direction and redemption. The Celtics learned that they can be beaten. And, the Lakers got their redemption, for this was their Championship game.

Continue reading "The Laker's Championship Game v. ..."

We're about 35 games into the NBA season right now -- nearly to the midway point -- and the New Jersey Nets and Milwaukee Bucks are holding on to the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. I doubt that's the way it will end, however, because the list of teams that are on the outside looking in is quite an interesting one: Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and Indiana Pacers (to name the true contenders).

Continue reading "Eastern Conference Playoff Race Will Get Dicey"

Well after a rough computer transition I am finally back. I'll start with last nights game against the Pacers. It was a defensive battle... not so much, the score was 68-66 at halftime. The Lakers end

Continue reading "Finally Back... Kobe Game Winner"

Dear readers:

I'd like to begin my blogging on this account by thanking each and every one of you who have taken the time to read my content in the past, and those of you who will do the same in the near future. A special, personal thanks goes out to the readers who have provided me with direct feedback.

Continue reading "Welcome to JFro Sports Journalism"

The Los Angeles Lakers play the best three periods of any team in the league.

Too bad there's four in an NBA game.

I don't know how necessary it is to really explain myself again regarding how the fourth quarter defense- or, rather, lack thereof- is tell-tale sign that any ordering of purple and gold confetti for the Staples Center in June might be premature.

Continue reading "Lakers Are The Best Hockey Team In The NBA"

The Lakers were not the only team in the NBA last night to give up 30+ points in the fourth quarter. Every team that did lost, including the Toronto Raptors who gave up 30+ in EVERY quarter.

 I have said that for the Lakers to show the world that they are serious title contenders they should win this game (among others). I still stand by that statement.

Continue reading "Lakers 4th Quarter Proves Jury Still Out"

Anyone happen to catch that Laker-Mavs game last night?

Anyone else notice another game the Lakers were trailing in and somehow come out with a win?

Yeah, I know they were at home and Dallas is a team that no one really knows what to expect from, but they were on a five game winning streak coming in.

Continue reading "Lakers Roundup"

There are a lot of conflicting opinions on the crisis of climate change. The phenomenon of global warming is a very touchy subject with special interest groups and public interest groups alike. There is one special party that I see benefiting greatly from climate change and his name is Chad Pennington. 

Continue reading "A Case for Global Warming"

Through four games Lakers fans are already counting the days to this years finals.  I being a Lakers fan am excited about this season.  We have Andrew Bynum to provide the size that left us&

Continue reading "Lakers too soft to win it all"

The Heat is going to be one of the surprises of this season.

Last year the Heat was something painful to watch. I remember me and a few teammates went to watch the T-Wolves play them in Minneapolis (I know why not just ask someone to throw a cannon ball at my balls right?) because we wanted to go watch an NBA game, and that was the only game that month we could have made it too without missing practice or a game.

Continue reading "Watch out with the Miami Heat this season"

We all have seen how impressive the L.A. Lakers have been at the start of this season. Fisher brings tough defense and good shooting, Kobe is simply the best player in the league and can score at will, Vlad Radmanovic seems to be taking his medications and his mind is stable now showing tenacious defense and his always unlimited range, Gasol is one of the smartest and most fundamental post players in the league and Bynum cleans up the boards and has a surprisingly nice 15 ft jumper.

Continue reading "Impressive Lakers will end with the ..."

When I wake up in the morning and make myself some breakfast I typically enjoy sitting down, turning on the TV and watching SportsCenter to catch up on the latest sports news. I'm still pretty tired and kind of trying to get myself mentally prepared for another day so I figure this is a good thing to watch since it doesn't require much thinking and usually isn't depressing like the news would normally be.

Continue reading "ESPN pisses me off."

I'll start it off that these are just plainly predictions. My very own gut feeling and how I assume that the season will turn out to be. My opinion is influenced by current stats and my overall impression regarding the NBA teams and players.

Continue reading "PREDICTIONS for the NBA 2008-2009 SEASON"

Lakers will win the NBA Championship! Well at least that what the NBA GM's think not like they know! I want to know who you think will win and Y !! Church

Continue reading "Lakers will win the Championship"

With the Pentant races going on and the almighty NFL still keeping everyone including me at the edge of their seats, not only on Sunday but even throughout the week. Even NCAA football fans are direct

Continue reading "The Association"

Last night, we lost another star to the pre-season. Antawn Jamison went down with a knee injury after playing only 4 mins. Which begs the question why do we need a pre-season anyway. Now the Washin

Continue reading "I hate Pre season"

 

Pau Gasol is seven feet tall but he just got taller in my eyes.

Gasol and his teammates on Spain's Olympic team was put in an embarassing position this week of having to explain why they agreed to pose for an advertisement that reflected a racist tone.

Continue reading "GASOL GETS THE BIG PICTURE"

Darius Miles, who the Blazers cut some three months ago, worked out for the Celtics last week. Reports claim the workout was "impressive", whatever that means. If he even plays ten games in the NBA in the next two seasons, his salary will go back on the books for Portland and the Blazers' Summer of 09' free agency plan will be in peril.

Continue reading "Will Miles Make a Comeback?"

Now that the no-drama of the number one pick is behind him, Bulls GM John Paxson has a pretty big problem on his hands: he's overloaded at two positions.

He has a wealth of power forwards, but unfortunately, none are the "bruising in the post" sort.

Continue reading "Decision Time for Paxson: Who Leaves?"

One word describes the performance I witnessed last night for Game 6 of the Lakers and Celtics....UNREAL. I couldn't believe my eyes as the second quarter unraveled into a murderous slaughter dealt by the hands of the Boston Celtics. There are many things I could say to defend the Laker massacre last night, but none of them would justify the loss the were handed. Yes, the referees turned a blind eye to some fouls. Yes, the Celtics played a little more physically than the league allows. Yes, the environment was loud and distracting. But where was the Laker passion I had seen so many games before? Where was the spark that fueled the fire of their triumphant victories? Where was the aggression and pure dominance I had seen attached to their performance in the first series? Where were the Lakers? I know they weren't on the Celtic home court last night. Maybe they didn't make the trip to Boston, because I know those weren't the Lakers I saw last night.

Continue reading "The Last Stand?"

I have to say I'm a little underwhelmed. How do the Bulls really justify their selection of Vinny Del Negro as head coach? Mike D'Antoni has an impressive record from his time in Phoenix. He, along with Steve Nash, brought that team up from the cellar of the NBA to one of its elite teams. Doug Collins had at least a variety of head coaching experiences and has a grasp on how he likes to run teams.

Continue reading "And the Bulls pick...Del Negro?"

Randy, it's been real. But it's time for a new diddy.

To the tune of Johnny Cash's "One Piece at a Time"...

"We'll win it one game at a time,

Cuz' Kobe Bryant is in his prime,

Continue reading "Move over "I Love L.A."?"

Are they Lakers finished? Is there any way for them to come back from this? Can they dig themselves out of this hole that they dug? Can they come back from a 3-1 deficit? Or is it all over for our golden team? These are some of the questions I mulled over the days that followed Game 4. I have complete faith that the Lakers can still win the championship, but words can't express how difficult it will be for them to bounce back from this tragedy. It's improbable, but not impossible.

Continue reading "After A Disappointing Loss"

I could easily say the Lakers struggled last night in Boston, again. But this couldn't be much further from the truth. I know people use the excuse of referee favoring, but anyone who watched this game could point out the strict favoritism shown by the referees. I don't know if the association doesn't want Kobe to win another championship, or if they just want to make the series interesting, but I need a little more cooperation out of our "black-and-whites".

Continue reading "So The Lakers Are Down 2-0?"

The Lakers struggled some in Game 1 in Boston. The Celtics are not as strong as I assumed before I saw them play last Thursday. They are definitely beatable, especially by the Lakers. The good news from what I've seen so far is, the Celtics didn't win Game 1, the Lakers just lost it.

Continue reading "Lakers Have To Step It Up A Bit"

That putback dunk by Kevin Garnet said it all. This game was very competitive. Celts win 98-88. I like watching it and I wouldne mind seeing it again but with a little more Kobe. I dont know what happ

Continue reading "Boston Celtics Take Game 1"

Well, after a week of waiting the NBA finals are here.  The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics are set to play each other for the 11th time in the finals.  These are the two most historic teams in the NBA, a combined 30 titles between the two.  There are many storylines in the NBA finals.  Paul Pierce returns to Los Angeles.  Ray Allen against Kobe Bryant.  East coast vs West Coast.  Magic vs. Bird.  This is one of the most anticipated finals in recent memory.  All the angles have been beaten to death, except one thing that has not been talked about is the layoff from when each team closed off their series to the start of this series. 

Continue reading "The Finals: Bending to the media"

The two most successful teams in NBA History will be going at it in the NBA Finals tonight. The Celtics already own 16 championships while the Lakers are sitting at 13 championships. Each team will be looking to become one game closer to another ring. This will be the most exciting NBA Finals that we have witnessed in recent years. I like to call this years NBA Finals “Star-Studded”:

Continue reading "Lakers vs Celtics Matchups"

It's shocking to me that the Bulls and Doug Collins haven't gotten together yet. It's as though owner Jerry Reinsdorf bought Collins a drink, chatted him up, then got his phone number, and then puts in a few calls without asking him on a date. It's a good thing there aren't many other suitors, otherwise Doug would have moved on by now.

Continue reading "What are the Bulls waiting for?"

The Detroit Pistons are now on their search for a new coach. Flip Saunders was released today.

“Decisions like this are difficult to make, especially with the success we have had throughout the last three regular seasons,” Dumars said in a statement. “However, at this time, I feel it is necessary to make a change. “I thank Flip for his hard work and dedication, but it is time for a new voice to lead our team.” - Joe Dumars

Continue reading "Flip Saunders fired"

Paul Pierce v. Kobe Bryant. Period. These two will be lighting up the scoreboard the whole series. Expect to see a couple of 40 point games. However this series is not just about the scorers. It wi

Continue reading "NBA Finals - Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers"

I see that Donnie Walsh is showing that he wont be playing any games with the Knicks. He is showing that he is strictly behind Mike D' Antoni. If any Knicks player want to get out of line, expect to hear from "The Boss" Donnie Walsh.

Continue reading "Walsh on D'Antoni's Side"

Considering I'm from New York City and being a big Knicks fan, ofcourse my first entry will be about the Knicks. To begin, for some reason I'm looking forward to the 2008-2009 Knicks season. Why you a

Continue reading "State of the Knicks"

As Kobe and the gang put the finishing touches on their astounding 4-1 series victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, I began to wonder "Could Detroit or Boston really beat L.A.?"

Continue reading "Kobe and the Lakers; are the finals over already?"

Finally.

A collective sigh of relief can finally be let out. After a season that can, at best, be called unpredictable, the Lakers have solidified their position as one of the elite teams in the NBA. Yes, Lakers fans, we have once again climbed the mountain and are almost at the end of our journey. We swept the Nuggets, silenced the Jazz, and dethroned the Spurs. We are the Western Conference Champions, undoubtedly the best team with the best player in the world, perhaps of all time.

Continue reading "Finally....But is it a conspiracy?"

Did Derek Fisher foul Brent Barry? Did the San Antonio Spurs get robbed of a victory? Is the NBA leaning heavily towards a Boston Celtics-L.A. Lakers NBA Finals matchup?

The answers: Yes. No. Yes.

Continue reading "SPURS ARE CRYING FOUL? TOO BAD."

If this trend continues then Boston fans have nothing to worry about.  With home court advantage throughout the playoffs the Celtics have the inside track to the NBA title.  I have never seen anything like this before.  Home court advantage is obviously important, it is why teams play the whole regular season and it’s why Major League Baseball puts it up for grabs every July in the All-Star game.  But I didn’t know that playing in front of your home crowd mattered this much. 

Continue reading "Looking For A Road Win"

Would somebody with leverage tell ABC's Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy to shut the hell up? Especially Van Gundy.

Time and time again these egomaniacs conduct themselves on-air as if we tuned in to listen to their dissociated yammering instead of dialed-in comments on the game.

Continue reading "ABC's GAME COVERAGE SUCKS"

            Yesterday I chose the Detroit Pistons to come out of the East.  It was a very difficult call between then and the Boston Celtics and I do believe the Celtics are the better team but as I said I think their energy will run out.  The Celtics played every game like it was the NBA Finals this season and like the Mavericks last year it will cost them in the playoffs.  Today I discuss the other side of the bracket and tell you how the West will be won and who will win it.

Continue reading "NBA Playoff Preview: WEST"

They are finally here.  After months of riveting basketball and a Western Conference race that went down to the last night of the season, they are here.  Of course, I would be talking about the 2008 NBA Playoffs.  The playoffs that have a chance to be the best in a long time.  When was the last time a 50-win team is an 8 seed and has basically no chance of winning their first round season?  When was the last time 2 of the best teams in the lead and 2 of the 5 teams that have a chance at winning it all, met in the first round?  Forget all of that, when was the last time people were excited to begin the 2 month stretch for the title?  Before any of this can begin we must take a look at each series and make some (gulp!!!) predictions.

Continue reading "NBA PLayoff Preview: EAST"

Very rarely does an MVP race turn out the way last year’s American League race did.  A no-brainer.  It was obvious to see that Alex Rodriguez would win and by a large margin.  Usually there are two or three candidates and you can make a case for all of them.  This years MVP race in the National Basketball Association is no different then the AL race last season though, it’s just no one sees it.  There are seven or eight people who you could make a strong case for but picking the winner is easier then people think.  That’s only if you use my way of finding the true MVP.

Continue reading "Tight NBA MVP Race? Not In My Eyes"

With just a little over a week remaining in the NBA season, let's get a jump on who should win the individual awards. The envelope please...

MVP: KOBE BRYANT, LAKERS. During the MJ era, voters kept finding excuses not to give the MVP to Michael Jordan.  Now, it's Kobe's turn to get the Jordan rule..."you're too good so let's give someone else the award" treatment. I thought Kobe should have won MVP two years ago when he averaged 35 points a game and had the defining moment of the season when he torched Toronto for 81 points. It was only the second highest scoring game in NBA history. But the scribes thought the Lakers' record was too weak to validate Bryant as a most valuable player. So, they gave the Maurice Podoloff trophy to Dirk Nowitzki last year and Steve Nash...TWICE! Ten, fifteen or 20 years from now, we're all going to look back and scratch our heads and try to explain to our grandkids how in the world Nowitzki and Nash win MVP when Kobe was clearly the dominant player of that era.

Continue reading "AND THE NBA INDIVIDUAL AWARDS GO ..."

     Battles between titans are always filled with their share of anticipation, but rarely do the opponents bring in so much shared history as in the Final Four slugfest-to-be that is Kansas vs. North Carolina.  Besides giving college sports fans one of the greatest championship games in history in 1957 when the Tarheels defteated Wilt Chamberlin and the Jayhawks 54-53 in triple overtime, the entwined history of these two powerhouses that follows should lead to one of the most anticipated Final Four matchups in history.

Continue reading "Roy's Boys vs. The Big Blue Phog: ..."

 

If Kobe Bryant is not named MVP this season then there is something seriously wrong with the voting process.

After his 41-point masterpiece against Phoenix in Shaquille O'Neal's Suns debut last Wednesday, I saw a player who is on a mission. I saw a player who has dropped the "hot dog" off his plate and has become more efficient on offense and equally determined on defense. The Kobester looks totally zoned in on winning another NBA title!

Continue reading "KOBE IS PLAYING LIKE AN MVP"

I've always thought Superman is white, wears red boots, stands 6-foot-4 and resides in Metropolis. Now, I know he's black, wears white Adidas TS, stands 6-foot-11 and lives in Orlando.

Continue reading "IT'S A BIRD...IT'S PLANE...NO, IT'S DWIGHT HOWARD!"

                                                         

Continue reading ""Who's Paul Gasol?""

Apparently the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns have agreed on a trade that would send Shaquille O'Neal to Phoenix in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. I believe this is simply a knee-jerk reaction to the Los Angeles Lakers' acquisition of Pau Gasol (a brilliant move by L.A., by the way) and do not see how this trade can make sense from the Suns' vantage point.

Continue reading "Shaq Headed to Phoenix?"

The votes are in and I have issues. No, I'm not talking presidential primaries. I'm referring to the naming of the NBA All-Star Game starters. The fans, for the most part, got it right but with one glaring omission. Chris Paul should be a starting guard on the Western Conference team when all-star weekend hits New Orleans on Feb. 17.

Continue reading "NBA ALL-STAR GAME NEEDS LESS AI AND ..."

Call me a traitor to women everywhere, but I don’t want chocolates, flowers, or lingerie. Please don’t expect me to get excited about dinner and a movie. Don’t be surprised when I scoff at the notion of taking a limousine ride to some “romantic location”. Seriously, I won’t even get mad if you completely forget that it is Valentine’s Day. Chances are, I’ll forget myself until the day is almost over and I look at the date.

Continue reading "5 Things I Want for Valentine’s Day"

I remember when Shaq came on the scene as the big guy on the Orlando Magic. He had the silly rap and the even sillier movies but was quite an admirable player. When he came to Los Angeles to play for my hometown Lakers – I was so pumped! The Big Aristotle was awesome to watch and added to the mystique and legend of the team.

Continue reading "Shed a Tear for Shaq"

One has to admit that, for Lakers fans, the last few years have been abyssmal. 2007 possibly being one of the worst overall. With trade talks, internal fighting, management problems and trying to k

Continue reading "2008: The Beginning of a New Era?"

Growing up in Los Angeles, the only team that anyone ever talked about when it came to the NBA was the Los Angeles Lakers. I remember the whole city being completely obsessed when it came to Lakers basketball. Billboards, commercials, and fast-food promotions further shoved the team into the forefront of everyone’s mind. Popular bands wrote songs about them and select celebrities lined the courtside seats.

Continue reading "Lakers? Clippers?"

While attending college at the University of Tampa, I noticed the awesome fact that the area is rich in professional sports! The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are relatively close to each other and easily accessible. The closest NBA was the Orlando Magic, but I got to catch a pre-season game at the Ice Palace one year. I felt really spoiled since I grew up in a place where everything was much more spread out and harder to get tickets for. To make things even better – there was plenty of golf and tennis around. I only wish the USF Bulls were as good as they are now when I was there. I didn’t complain though, I was able to go to the games free since my school didn’t have football. (They did at one time; John Matuszak is a U Tampa alum!)

Continue reading "Something's wrong with Tropicana Field?"

What has happened to the NBA that I grew up with? I must admit, I have paid less attention to my Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA in general in the last season or two. Even so, I really feel like there is something missing.

Continue reading "Hope for the NBA?"

So King James and his ailing Cavs defeat the Bucks in OT last night. I'm surprised that the Cavs needed the 2nd extra period to eek out a win... the sad thing is, whenever I see the Bucks play against the Cleveland Cavaliers I have a series of "what might have been" thoughts cascading into my head. Why? Because Michael Redd should be playing alongside LeBron. But for some reason, the Cavs couldn't make a competitive offer to the man two or three seasons ago when he was a free agent. Or maybe Redd, like so many other players, ain't tryin' to play roundball in the Mistake By The Lake! Imagine if LeBron was dishing off to Michael Redd in the corner instead of Larry Hughes? Imagine Redd leading the break off a defensive rebound outlet pass, he could dish to LeBron or take it to rack himself and bring the crowd at The Q to its feet? Those are just pipe dreams... sadly.

Continue reading "It Takes Double Time"