Saturday, May 28, 2011

LeBron's Not Mike and Dirk's Not Larry

I truly understand how much LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki have impacted their teams this year, I commend them both and hope they both continue to perform at this level. However, I am appalled at what's been floating around in the sports world this week with these useless comparisons. MJ faced much tougher opponents in his era and that goes for Bird as well, the type of defenses they faces were far more physical and it was during the era of "great big men." There were far more championship caliber teams during their time when compared to this time, I read Scottie Pippen's comments and came away with 2 different views. I can understand what he means by saying that LeBron can affect the game in every way which COULD make him the greatest "all-around" player in league history. I don't agree with it totally, but I do think Pip was just saying that LeBron COULD be one of the all time greats because of his versatility and the physical gifts he is blessed with. In that light, I can agree that he has the potential to affect the game in ways MJ couldn't because of his size. Yet when you look at the playoff numbers you would see that Mike saved his best playmaking for the postseason. LeBron is the most physically gifted player in the league right now as well as the most versatile, I have no issue with that at all. I also don't like the MJ references just because he's performed well down the stretch lately, I'm not knocking him for that but at the same time it's different than when he was on his own. The guy to the right and left of LeBron are just as talented players, all 3 have carried franchises on their own shoulders and are capable of making plays at the end of games. I also think the added boost of confidence from knowing he's not going to shoulder the burden of loosing all by himself anymore helps, he's playing with house money now with Wade being his teammate. Wade outside of Kobe is the ONLY other cold blooded closer in the league right now. I am not surprised that LeBron is performing down the stretch now, it makes sense to me because if he should miss, only a stop on D is required and Wade has the ability to fix it. From day one LeBron has reminded me of Oscar Robertson, only difference is that Oscar never had teammates this talented. Like Oscar, because of LeBron's size he is able to do everything on a basketball court without struggling. He is a nightmare of a matchup because of this, there is no spot on the floor where Bron is out of place. As for Dirk, he is obviously the greatest shooting 7 footer we will probably ever see. At the same time, it is hard for me to mention Dirk and Bird in the same breath. Bird was a different type of animal all together, like Mike, Larry could and would impose his will on his opponents whenever he saw fit. Bird was indifferent to pressure, like Mike he THRIVED in it. Bird was a much better all-around player than Dirk is, it's sad that people are just throwing these comparisons around when they don't apply. Neither Dirk or LeBron is that type of player where they can impose their will on the opposing team. They might be able to affect a game with their talents, but they can't impose their will on their opponents. I really do like LeBron's game, I respect Dirk's ability to score because it's truly beautiful how he never struggles to get his shot off. However, only Kobe and Wade have the ability to impose their will not only on their opponents, but their teammates. How many games have you watched when things weren't going well for LA or Miami where they were struggling and at that point you saw either one of these guys just stop and say they aren't taking it anymore?? It might not be a scoring run, just a statement play and from that point on the whole flow of the game changes?? It happened during the last Bulls game where both Bron and Wade scored 8 points apiece to rally Miami to victory in the last 3 minutes. I do understand that LeBron closed the door with the step back jumper on Brewer and the 2 three pointers. Do you remember the play that started the run??? I do, it was right after Bron lost the ball off his foot at the top of the key and Wade poked the ball loose from Boozer and it landed in Haslem's hands. Wade then scored on a layup, Heat got a stop and Wade scored on another layup and missed the ensuing freethrow, then Chicago scored when Rose hit the floater, Wade followed that up with a 4 point play. Miami fouled Chicago, Rose made 1 of 2 at the line, then Bron hit the 2 three,s and the step back jumper. So you tell me who imposed their will, Bron or Wade?? I am not knocking LeBron at all, I'm just saying he's dealing with much less pressure with his extremely talented teammates compared to the pressure he was facing alone in Cleveland. LeBron is going to be LeBron, Dirk is going to be Dirk, Bird was Bird, and Mj was MJ.....CASE CLOSED!!

Am I just a bitter hater, or do you think Bron is ACTUALLY better than or EQUAL to his "AIRNESS"??

NBA Finals Preview

The Finals Matchup is now set, it will be a rematch of the 2006 NBA Finals where Dallas faced Miami. Except this isn't really a mismatch and both teams are much much different. The Mavs have finally put it all together for the first time in the last decade, this isn't the same team that has failed in big moments. Dallas has an extremely talented team led by 2 sure fire Hall of Famers in Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki. The additions of Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood have definitely been an upgrade over the centers they have had in the past. Dallas is an offensive juggernaut, they space the floor extremely well and with Jason Kidd setting the table EVERYONE eats well. Dirk has had an OUTSTANDING year this year, especially how he has produced in the clutch or down the stretch for his team this postseason. The Dallas bench is very tough as well, JJ Barera and Jason Terry have more than enough fire power with both easily being able to score 20 points. They have also played D well enough during important stretches to get those key stops. Not this year people said, they're at least a year away, well they're here now and Miami is just as hungry as Dallas. The Heat had 1 easy series during this postseason, the 76ers couldn't put up the fight that Boston and Chicago put up. Not only did the Heat beat the former bully's of the Eastern Conference in Boston, but they scratched and clawed their way through a tough series with the "New Baby Bulls" led by this year's MVP Derrick Rose. Miami who had the #2 defense in the league, beat the #3 defensive team in the league in Boston and the #1 defensive team in the league in Chicago. Miami's defense will have their work cut out for them as they are most vulnerable defensively from 3 point territory, Dallas spaces the floor extremely well so closing out on shooters will be a challenge. What we have seen thus far from Miami, is that all 3 members of the "Big 3" are capable of carrying this team for stretches or even through series. The return of Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller starting to regain some of his health have definitely given Miami a much needed lift from their bench. This should be an amazing series, whoever win will definitely have earned this years Championship!! Who do you think will win and why??

Sunday, May 22, 2011

May Show..Guest Rob Riley





I'm sorry for how they appear, but the first one is the podcast with no number. I hope you enjoy, be sure to comment to share your thoughts!!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Lanc Armstrong

I DON'T CARE!!!! Sorry, that's just how I feel about Lance Armstrong. We will never know what truly happend, no matter how many times people step up and say they witnessed him doping. END OF STORY, we as a people do not WANT to believe that Armstrong was capable of that. It also doesn't help that he dominated a sport that Americans have no BUSINESS dominating. The European drug agencies have been after Armstrong for years to no avail, so these are defintiely murkey waters. I am not taking a side here, just simply stating that we will NEVER EVER know what happened so let's just drop it. Think about all the livestrong bracelets and merchandise that have been sold over the years, what if it came out that the reason wasn't true?? Think about what that would do to this country and all those who gave in for the cause, it would be detrimental to all those involved. So let's just drop it and continue on with our lives!!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

NBA Conference Finals Thoughts

In both the Eastern and Western Conference Game 1's there were similar trends, both home teams won. I'm sure many of you would also venture to say that both of the "best" teams won. What I am about to say may both sadden and disappoint you, or it might give you a renewed sense of hope. In both series the deeper teams won Game 1, not the more talented team. Chicago wore down Miami with it's depth. Dallas did the same thing, Taj Gibson and the rest of the Bulls bench were playing out of their mind. In last nights game between Dallas and OKC, Jason Terry and J.J. Barea combined for 40 points just amongst themselves coming off the bench. There is also something else that may have gone unnoticed or that people might not want to say aloud, both Russell Westbrook and LeBron James became ball stoppers. Russ and Bron are the facilitators for each of their perspective teams, they each have an extremely talented teammate(in Bron's case 2) that may have had a mismatch. Why I ask, do you not just play a role by getting the teammate with the mismatch the ball until the D starts to double or until it stops working?? Russ has Kevin Durant the 2-time defending scoring champ on his team and Dallas doesn't have anyone on their active roster that is going to give KD any problems. Instead, Russ tried to get himself going and shot 3 of 15 which had to delight the Mavs because that's 15 possessions that KD didn't shoot. In the Heat game, the Heat had the deficit cut to single digits when the 4th quarter began. Chris Bosh had 26 points going into the 4th and only got 2 shot attempts in that quarter, he made them both. For all of the Bull's defensive genius, they don't have anybody on their roster that is going to stop Wade from attacking the rim and drawing fouls. YES, before it even starts I know that both Bron and Wade had a bad Game 1. What I'm trying to get at is they still had a chance and this is why the lead grew even more. Bron became a ball stopper, the offense was working in the 1st half when Miami was moving the ball. In the 2nd half the Bulls got Miami to play more isolation type basketball, no one man is going to break down that Bulls defense. LeBron fell for the trap in the 4th by not getting the ball to Bosh who had the hot hand and Wade who had KYLE KORVER defending him with NO HELP!! Russ and Bron are extremely talented players, it's only 1 game and there's time for both of their teams to get back into their perspective series. All I'm trying to get across is how they both are suffering from a similar issue, if they were to adjust their games I PROMISE you their team's offenses would flow much better!!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

THE SHOWDOWN, MVP vs Big 3 (Bulls-Heat)

This match-up has already eclipsed the Western Conference Finals and we don't even know who's going to be playing in that one. The Mavericks are waiting for the Grizzlies and Thunder to play Game 7, the first game of THE SHOWDOWN will be played at 8pm on Sunday Night. The Bulls like the Celtics dominated the regular season series against the Heat, they beat the Heat all 3 times by a grand total of 8 points. So all of those games were extremely close and were the reason many started discounting Miami as a contender by their lack of execution down the stretch. The Bulls are a very dangerous team, I picked this match up to happen in the Eastern Conference Finals at the end of last season. I am not surprised in the least bit, I also don't think this series will go 7 games. By no ways am I saying a team will get swept, but because of the type of defense these 2 teams play I don't think the team with the upper hand will have a problem putting the other team away. Chicago had THE BEST defense in the league this year, Miami wasn't too far behind finishing 2nd. It's going to come down to which team's D forces the most turnovers and gives up the least amount of 2nd chance points. Derek Rose is going to win the PG battle hands down, the match up problems that worry me for the Bulls are at the 2 and the 3. Luol Deng did a good job against LeBron in the regular season, but one of Miami's most dangerous lineups in the post season is when Bron is at the 4. That causes a plethora of problems for teams, the match up between Bosh and Boozer will be key. Which Free Agent prize winning power forward is going to put a stamp on this series?? Bosh had a fairly productive series against KG and Boston, Boozer broke out of a slump and really asserted himself in the close-out game over Atlanta. Chicago also has the deeper rotation in the front court, their bench is also better than Miami's. This series will be EPIC, I'm not throwing out my prediction and will keep it to myself until this series is over. 3 of the leagues best players are in this series, will the recently crowned MVP be able to take down the new "Big 3"......your thoughts???

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Boston's Early Departure

The Boston Celtics played with the pride, fire, and skill that allowed them to stay atop the Eastern Conference for the past few years. Everybody knew it wouldn't be an easy out, I did however think that the Celtic's season was over once Perkins was traded. This series wasn't what it should have been without Perk, many people don't want to say that he's the reason that the Celtics are now out of the playoffs. However, if you truly believe that having Perk as the last line of defense protecting the rim wouldn't have helped the Celtics....that's just crazy!! Wade and James have had the Celtics beat on them because of how they were able to defend them by forcing them to shoot jumpers, now that Perk isn't down there, both of those guys attacked the rim over and over. I've seen some comments on message boards asking why the Heat were so excited about knocking out the Celtics. They were no more excited than the Mavericks were for finally knocking off the Lakers. So the journeys not over yet, the fact that both teams exercised their demons should be respected. Boston gave up 2 players who are playing KEY roles for their new teams, Tony Allen and Perk are strongly impacting their new teams. The happiest person in this Boston series had to be Wade, Tony Allen used to get on his last nerve and harass him ALL over the court. Then they got rid of Perk, it was as if Boston rolled out a red carpet to the rim for Wade. Boston has some decisions to make, much like the Lakers they are essentially the same team they were last year except Jeff Green might be the bridge to the future. I don't think Big Baby will be back next year, so the Celtics should have a little bit of money to sign some guys at the Mid-level exception. Either way the Celtics NEED to get younger, Delonte West had a great series and should be retained. Whether you like Miami or not, you have to be a good team if not great team to beat the Celtics in the playoffs!! What do you think of Boston's early departure??

Lakers Aftermath

I feel like I've let enough time pass since the Lakers have fallen to the Dallas Mavericks in this year's Playoffs. I thought it was over for the Lakers after they won last year, I took all the so called "signs" from their early struggles this year very seriously. They didn't look the same and could no longer just flip that switch. The switch had a power outage and it proved to be fatal, the Lakers perimeter defense was atrocious this year, extremely sad to watch. For all the accolades that Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest get defensively, it obviously proved to mean little to nothing as teams have been able to get to the paint all year. I'm not even going to get started on the Derek Fisher issue because it isn't his fault, he's been getting older for years now and the Lakers let their best backup PG leave via Free Agency in Jordan Farmar. There are rumors that the Lakers might trade Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom to get younger at key positions. All I'd like to say to the Lakers is that you saw what happened to Boston by trading their young center, please take heed and keep the kid. If anything keep Bynum and trade Gasol, he's much older and his play has been suffering. Secondly I'm not sure how many Free Agents would WANT to play for the Lakers, not too mention playing with Kobe Bryant. Lastly, the Lakers have THE HIGHEST PAYROLL in the league so getting rid of players isn't going to be easy. For Example, Luke Walton and Derek Fisher have rather large contracts both with guaranteed money. There's rumors starting about trading Bynum for Dwight Howard straight up, I'm not a fan of that and think the Magic get the better big man. What do you think the Lakers should do??

Saturday, May 7, 2011

The Washington Capitals Future...

I've given it some time, bit my tongue long enough for fans to at least start to get over yet another failed post season. What comes next isn't for the faint of heart Caps Fans, consider my warning before you forge on. If the Washington Capitals wish to be successful in the post season it starts with the termination of Head Coach Bruce Boudreau!! I've thought this for 2 years now, I went into this postseason(I am not a Caps fan) with hope that things would change and of course it didn't. I would like to say I was surprised, but how could I be when it seems to happy EVERY year?? I don't watch a TON of hockey, but I do UNDERSTAND sports and when an extremely talented continues to come up short...it's seldom the talent. The head coach is entrusted with getting the most out of the talent he/she are provided with, this Caps franchise has been blessed with immense talent yet they continually come up short in the playoffs. If the Caps were a football team they might have won a couple titles already, but they are a Hockey team and they play 7 game SERIES in theirs sport. I am by no way knocking football, but one game is much easier versus a 7 game series when adjustments must be continually made. That my friends, is where the issue lies with Boudreau and his failure to make useful adjustments if any. The Caps finished amongst the top of the Eastern Conference the last 2 years, that got them nothing but early Playoff Exits. I'm not saying he's a terrible coach, but some coaches are great at rebuilding and other are great at finishing. Bruce Boudreau reminds me of Larry Brown, he's a great guy and great coach when it comes to taking a bad situation and turning it around. They are both terrible at taking that same talented team they built and taking that team to a championship, I wish Bruce Boudreau the best just as long as it's not here in Washington. What do you think, is it fair to put it on the coaching?? Or do you think the onus is on the players?? Either way CHANGE is long overdue!!!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011