Been watching a lot of basketball and hope that you have too. Unfortunately this year has been marred by injuries to several players but I hope that it doesn't impact the playoffs any further.
Heat vs. Knicks
If the Knicks didn't have bad luck, they'd have no luck at all. After losing Shumpert and Baron Davis to knee injuries, and Stoudemire for a game, the Knicks just seemed to be lost. I thought with a fuller roster, they would have given the Heat something to think about, but it just wasn't meant to be. With the off season now in full swing, the Knicks have some questions that need to be answered. 1) Do you call Phil Jackson and see if he's ready to coach again (and that's not a knock on Woody who did a great job with what he had). 2) Do you bring back JR Smith or do you hope he opts out? 3) Do you go after Nash in free agency? 4) and finally is Carmelo the guy that you can build around and win a championship (I think you can).
Thunder vs. Mavericks
The young bucks took down the defending champions and looked good doing it. Westbrook and Durant did a great job swapping responsibility of taking over the game. They do have to worry about the health of Kendrick Perkins who missed some time due to a hip strain. They also have to be prepared for the rust that they've accumulated while waiting to find out who they'll play in the 2nd round. The Mavericks go into the off season with some 'what if's' around Odom and Chandler and 'what happens' next year. The Jet is a free agent (if he goes to Miami, whew!!), and it looks like Deron Williams will be the top target for this team to be able to bounce back next year.
Spurs vs. Jazz
This was ugly, I mean really ugly. I thought the Jazz would have been able to compete in this series but they looked like a man showing up to a gun fight with a .22. They seemed to be able to play with this team for a few minutes at a time, but then that old man basketball got to them. The Spurs looked great in dismantling this Jazz team. The Big 3 in San Antonio (Ginobili, Parker, and Duncan) showed up but more telling was the bench showed that they are just as capable of scoring and defending when called upon. The Jazz go into the off season and they have to find a way to get some better point guard play. Their bigs actually showed some heart in this series, so I'm not as worried about them.
Bulls vs. Sixers
We knew it was over after that horrific Rose knee injury, but last night was a fitting (and possibly not) end to the Bulls season. They know who the guys are that they can count on (Rose, Noah, Gibson, and Deng) and they probably know who they can't (Carlos Boozer, I'm talking to you). The Bulls have to keep this team together and try and get back next year. They will pay dearly for that (around $85M), but there's nothing else to be done. The Sixers didn't impress me, especially in a closeout game playing a Bulls team without Noah and Rose. The Sixers didn't want to win that game last night, running an offense that consisted of hold the ball for 20 secs and then find a way to throw up a contested 3 pointer at the buzzer (I apologize to my neighbors for the yelling and screaming that you heard last night, that was me and the TV). Up next for the Sixers, the Boston Celtics and we can now start the clock as to how much longer the Sixers will be in the playoffs.
Hawks vs Celtics
You know that you should never, under any circumstances, bet ON the Atlanta Hawks. Never!!!! If they were in a one pony race you should bet on the jockey or someone, but not the Hawks. There is something about this team that just needs to change. Johnson is a good complimentary player, but he's not your ace. Horford came back and was probably the 2nd best player in this series for the Hawks. It's gotta be the 'Curse of Chris Paul' that hangs over this team. The Celtics aren't spectacular but they someone how get it done. Pierce is playing on a sprained knee and without him, I'm not sure this team could score 70, especially with Ray Allen hobbled with bone spurs. The good thing in all of this is that the Celtics get the Sixers and another chance to play old man basketball (slow it down) against a younger team. The bad is that if Pierce's knee gets worse, what happens? I'm not sure KG has many more of those 28pts, 14 rebs games left in him.
Showing posts with label Atlanta Hawks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atlanta Hawks. Show all posts
Friday, May 11, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
2012 NBA Playoffs - Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks
This is probably the series that most people won't watch outside of Boston and half the population of Atlanta. There isn't any sizzle in this one, just two so-so teams that have to play each other.
Celtics: We thought they were dead, and then it happened. The Celtics moved KG to center and someone woke up Rajon Rondo. The Celtics have since been on a tear and have rekindled those dreams of them doing damage in the playoffs. The emergence of Avery Bradley, in the wake of Ray Allen's injury has given this Celtics squad some scoring punch, but the issue is the Celtics' bench is weak. This will mean heavy minutes for both KG and Paul Pierce if they are going to make some noise. How long can they hold up is the biggest question.
Who has to step up: Celtics Bench. They have to give these starters some rest and give this team a chance. Ray Allen will help with his move to the bench, but no one knows how that ankle is going to be when he gets back.
Hawks: Don't know what to say about the Hawks. They seem to be in a groundhog day cycle over the last few years where they end up being a 4th or 5th seed and not much is expected from them. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith lead this team (18+ pts a piece) and Jeff Teague took the success of last years playoffs and parlayed that into a good season for him. Losing Horford has hurt this team but they've played the majority of the season without him.
Who has to step up: Tracy McGrady (gulp) and Kirk Hinrich. For some reason I see the artist formerly known as T-Mac having some impact on this series. I hope he plays and plays well, but he could be 'that' mismatch against the Celtics bench. Hinrich has to be the solid guy that he has been the majority of his career and hit a few clutch shots and play some defense (without fouling).
Outcome: I got the Celtics in 6. I don't have faith in this Hawks team, never have, never will.
Celtics: We thought they were dead, and then it happened. The Celtics moved KG to center and someone woke up Rajon Rondo. The Celtics have since been on a tear and have rekindled those dreams of them doing damage in the playoffs. The emergence of Avery Bradley, in the wake of Ray Allen's injury has given this Celtics squad some scoring punch, but the issue is the Celtics' bench is weak. This will mean heavy minutes for both KG and Paul Pierce if they are going to make some noise. How long can they hold up is the biggest question.
Who has to step up: Celtics Bench. They have to give these starters some rest and give this team a chance. Ray Allen will help with his move to the bench, but no one knows how that ankle is going to be when he gets back.
Hawks: Don't know what to say about the Hawks. They seem to be in a groundhog day cycle over the last few years where they end up being a 4th or 5th seed and not much is expected from them. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith lead this team (18+ pts a piece) and Jeff Teague took the success of last years playoffs and parlayed that into a good season for him. Losing Horford has hurt this team but they've played the majority of the season without him.
Who has to step up: Tracy McGrady (gulp) and Kirk Hinrich. For some reason I see the artist formerly known as T-Mac having some impact on this series. I hope he plays and plays well, but he could be 'that' mismatch against the Celtics bench. Hinrich has to be the solid guy that he has been the majority of his career and hit a few clutch shots and play some defense (without fouling).
Outcome: I got the Celtics in 6. I don't have faith in this Hawks team, never have, never will.
Monday, February 20, 2012
NYSTOM NBA Power Rankings
The updated Power Rankings are up and I'm a little on the fence with these. NYSTOM is at it again with his formulas, but right now I might have something to say to him about some of these. Take a peek and feel free to leave your feedback for NYSTOM,
Who you got?!?!?!?!?
|
|
Through
2/15
|
W
|
L
|
PCT
|
|
1
|
24
|
7
|
0.774
|
|
|
2
|
23
|
7
|
0.767
|
|
|
3
|
20
|
10
|
0.667
|
|
|
4
|
22
|
7
|
0.759
|
|
|
5
|
21
|
9
|
0.700
|
|
|
6
|
16
|
14
|
0.533
|
|
|
7
|
19
|
11
|
0.633
|
|
|
8
|
19
|
11
|
0.633
|
|
|
9
|
17
|
13
|
0.567
|
|
|
10
|
18
|
9
|
0.667
|
|
|
11
|
15
|
13
|
0.536
|
|
|
12
|
19
|
11
|
0.633
|
|
|
13
|
17
|
12
|
0.586
|
|
|
14
|
17
|
13
|
0.567
|
|
|
15
|
15
|
15
|
0.500
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
12
|
0.586
|
|
|
17
|
16
|
14
|
0.533
|
|
|
18
|
14
|
16
|
0.467
|
|
|
19
|
11
|
15
|
0.423
|
|
|
20
|
14
|
14
|
0.500
|
|
|
21
|
12
|
17
|
0.414
|
|
|
22
|
11
|
16
|
0.407
|
|
|
23
|
12
|
18
|
0.400
|
|
|
24
|
9
|
22
|
0.290
|
|
|
25
|
6
|
23
|
0.207
|
|
|
26
|
8
|
22
|
0.267
|
|
|
27
|
9
|
22
|
0.290
|
|
|
28
|
10
|
19
|
0.345
|
|
|
29
|
7
|
23
|
0.233
|
|
|
30
|
3
|
26
|
0.103
|
Who you got?!?!?!?!?
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