It's been a long tough summer and I'm getting back into this blogging mode. Let's just jump right in and catch up:
NBA:
Los Angeles Lakers: There have just got to be Jedi in the Lakers front office to get the deals that they get. First Pau Gasol for a hearty dinner (I used to say a ham sandwich, but that other Gasol brother turned out pretty good) and a 2 liter of Mountain Dew, but now they get Dwight Howard for what amounts to a turkey sandwich that someone left in a hot car for a day and 3 Caprisuns (not cold, just straight out the box). The Lakers must grow Jedis in their organization because these deals just don't happen for other teams. With Dwight, the Lakers have kept Kobe's window of opportunity for #6 open for 2 years.
Miami Heat: Juwan Howard may finally call it quits as a basketball player, but he may end up as a coach for the Miami Heat come this fall. Juwan is a good guy, and I'm glad that things are working out for him. He got his rang too.
OKC Thunder: After showing the love to Serge Ibaka in the form of a 4yr/$49M deal, the Thunder gotta figure out what to do about Harden. They know they gonna be a tax paying team, so let's just say it's gonna come down to how much more they gonna pay. IF they can get Harden for the same deal as Ibaka, I think it'll all be great for the Thunder. If not, Harden plays out next year and becomes a free agent in 2013. I'm really interested if they can sell Harden on the team and what they've built when he's staring at all them $$$s.
NFL:
New York Jets: As I sat watching the Jets last night, all I could keep saying is, 'the Jets better have a great dayum defense this year, or they in trouble'. The other thing that kept going through my mind was that if Tebow would have been the person to score or throw for the touchdown that would have given the Jets their first (and only TD) in the preseason,...Mark Sanchez was going to be on his way out of town today. I like Tebow, he has something about him, but he's not a starter in the NFL. But I will say this, I think he will be the starter for the Jets by Week 4 if they get off to a slow start. NY fans will have Sanchez on a fastboat outta there.
Seattle Seahawks: Hey, all isn't bad with Matt Flynn, at least his pockets straight. He got a 3yr/$26M deal that averages about $6M per year. That's great money if you can get it, but it's not NFL starter money. With Russell Wilson being named starter for the opener, it gives the Seahawks a chance to play the rookie and if he's good, they didn't really invest BIG money in Flynn. to Mr. Russell Wilson, get your game on brother. We'll be rooting for you here.
New England Patriots: I guess the one person that has to be unhappy right now is Wes Welker. We know he's a team guy, but the Patriots have essentially let Welker know where he stands in their plans by re-upping both Gronk and Hernandez (5yr/$40M, $12.5M signing bonus, $16.4M guaranteed). The Patriots will be running two TE sets until the dogs come home. The beuaty of it all is that many teams can't matchup with them when they have both TEs, Welker and Lloyd running around. I expect Brady to throw for about 40 TDs this year. I guess the only difference is that Welker knows he won't be there next year.
Philadelphia Eagles: Vick already hurt? Vick has a rib injury that, trust me, will linger for a while. If this team starts off slow again, I'm not sure what they can do to turn it around. We know they won't fire Andy Reid and the Eagles don't really have a seasoned backup QB. I've wanted this team to win big since the Reggie White and Jerome Brown days, since Cunnigham, since Carmichael, and for some reason they can't get it done. I hope this is their year.
Chicago Bears: Everyone is concerned that the Bears are limping into the season. Urlacher had his knee recently scoped and isn't back to full strength yet. Peppers is battling 'continual soreness' (plantar faciitis) and this defense is already one injury to the linebacking core from being seasoned to being old. But, just like every other Bear year in recent memory, the Bears have a problem on their offensive line. I think I just saw Mike Tice on Michigan Ave taking applications for left tackle for anyone over 6'5" (if you're in Chicago, just walk down the street, someone will approach you with an offer). It'll help that Cutler won't be taking as many deep drops this year, but they gotta find a way to give him time for him and Brandon Marshall to cook this year.
Golf:
Where or where has the Tiger that I once knew gone? Yes he was in contention on Friday after tweaking his back, but he went to hell in a hand basket after that. Each week, I wait to see the Tiger that dominated golf on a weekly basis and sadly to say, I'm not sure if that guy is ever coming back. But, I will be waiting and watching and hoping.
The 2012 Ryder Cup is coming to the Chicagoland Area and I plan on being there. We'll see how many photos I can get and maybe an interview or two. Should be fun.
More to come,......
Showing posts with label Miami Heat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miami Heat. Show all posts
Monday, August 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
2012 NBA Finals Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Just looked at my postings and lots has happened since my last post. Mainly, the Thunder have come through hell and high water (Mavs, Lakers, Spurs) to get to the NBA Finals. The Heat struggled but made it through their own challenges (Knicks, Pacers, Celtics), most of them self-inflicted. This Finals is pretty much what many wanted from the beginning of this lockout shortened season, so let's take a look at the matchups and then I'll give you my pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder - Of course this comes down to Big 3's, so let's take a look at them first. Westbrook, other than a few bad shots here and there and the Gordon Gartrell shirts, is the linchpin for this Thunder team. Westbrook has shown more willingness to get KD the ball but also stay aggressive. Westbrook is the matchup nightmare for the Heat because there is no way that Chalmers can cover him and isn't called upon enough to score to balance this matchup out. KD is the scorer and we all know that. He has shown in these playoffs that he wants to be that man and has effectively mature right in front of our eyes, but I think in this series, IF he guards LeBron, he's gonna have to play some defense. The lefty killer, Harden, is going to play a big role, because Miami doesn't really have many people that can guard him if he's on the floor at the same time that Westbrook and KD are. If Wade has to slide over and guard Westbrook, then Chalmers/Battier would have to contain Harden. I can already see him getting to the lane.
Outside of the Thunder Big 3, the Thunder are deeper and better. Perkins brings defense, Ibaka brings defense, blocked shots and an iffy 16ft/17ft jumper, but past them you still have Collison, Cook, Sefolosha (starter), Derek Fisher and even Nazr Mohammed.
Who has to step up: Harden, Sefolosha, Fisher. Harden has got to get buckets against a Heat bench that has problems getting people on the floor. Sefolosha is going to be guarding Wade and LBJ during different times of the game. He's going to have to make them work for everything they get and make things hard. He might be giving up too much weight against LBJ, but that's why they pay him big dollars. Did I mention that he's going to have to hit some shots too? Fisher had an opportunity to go to the Thunder or the Heat and chose the Thunder. People say Fish is too old and he's not this and that, but I think Fish's experience might help this young Thunder team in this moment.
Miami Heat:- This is it. We're back to where we were last year, in the Finals and an opportunity to not repeat that performance from last year. LBJ may have exercised some demons with his performance in the playoffs thus far, but the big question starts tonight. Can he get it done? The heat Big 3 will have a lot of say so as it relates to that question. Wade has got to prove to us that even if he is hurt, that he can suck it up and play for at least the next 7 games. I know it's easy saying that from the chair I'm sitting in, but he can not have games in the first halves like he did against the Celtics or this series is over quickly. He may need to fly Tom Crean in and have a talk with him again since it seemed to work during the Indy series. Bosh is still recovering from his injury but he was the reason the Heat won Game 7 against the Celtics. He'll be counted on in this series to keep Ibaka at bay. Finally, LBJ. I always point back to the night that Charles Barkley was on national TV and sent a message to LBJ, saying 'take over'. What he did in Game 6 is still memorizing, but he's going to have to step it up in this series too.
On the bench, someone has got to make some plays. I do like seeing Norris Cole playing a little more and I think that Ronny Turiaf can help on the boards with the active Ibaka. Jones and Miller have got to hit some shots or the Heat are done.
Who has to step up: Coach Spo, Everyone besides Big 3. Spo is always referred to as someone that puts time in and reviews tape and all of that,...he's going to have to do a lot of that on the fly. He's going to have to put a plan together that will get his team in position to win. If I see ANY plays where LBJ is standing in the corner while anyone dribble drives and hands off I will do my best to get to Miami and kick Spo in the shin. Someone besides the Big 3 has got to step up. I mean I'm not asking for 20 points or anything like that, but if Battier gets 10, Chalmers gets 10, Haslem gets 8, Anthony gets 6, that's what I'm talking about (FYI, those are per game numbers, not series total numbers). Mike Miller I know you're hurting, but get two shots or something and give it all you can.
Prediction: This has been the hardest one of the year. I mean I am from the old school where a team with their first arrival to the Finals means you lose and it helps prepare you for next year, but I've watched this Thunder team ball throughout the playoffs. They are not only ready, but they are hungry and there's a quiet confidence around them. This Heat team thought everyone was going to lay down to them last year and this year, but they have also learned how to fight for what they want. They are not at full strength (healthwise) but this team seems ready to handle this challenge. The Thunder are favored by most, my head says Thunder, but my heart says Heat.
Winner - Miami Heat. Hulk Smash (focused) Lebron >>>>> anything.
Side note: Can ya'll please get off of LBJ's jock? He is a baller who will more than likely make HOF even if he doesn't win a ring. And before you go that far,...look at all the dudes that have never won the Finals. Admire his greatness and let him get past 'the Decision' and any other tomfoolery.
Who you got?!?!?!?
Oklahoma City Thunder - Of course this comes down to Big 3's, so let's take a look at them first. Westbrook, other than a few bad shots here and there and the Gordon Gartrell shirts, is the linchpin for this Thunder team. Westbrook has shown more willingness to get KD the ball but also stay aggressive. Westbrook is the matchup nightmare for the Heat because there is no way that Chalmers can cover him and isn't called upon enough to score to balance this matchup out. KD is the scorer and we all know that. He has shown in these playoffs that he wants to be that man and has effectively mature right in front of our eyes, but I think in this series, IF he guards LeBron, he's gonna have to play some defense. The lefty killer, Harden, is going to play a big role, because Miami doesn't really have many people that can guard him if he's on the floor at the same time that Westbrook and KD are. If Wade has to slide over and guard Westbrook, then Chalmers/Battier would have to contain Harden. I can already see him getting to the lane.
Outside of the Thunder Big 3, the Thunder are deeper and better. Perkins brings defense, Ibaka brings defense, blocked shots and an iffy 16ft/17ft jumper, but past them you still have Collison, Cook, Sefolosha (starter), Derek Fisher and even Nazr Mohammed.
Who has to step up: Harden, Sefolosha, Fisher. Harden has got to get buckets against a Heat bench that has problems getting people on the floor. Sefolosha is going to be guarding Wade and LBJ during different times of the game. He's going to have to make them work for everything they get and make things hard. He might be giving up too much weight against LBJ, but that's why they pay him big dollars. Did I mention that he's going to have to hit some shots too? Fisher had an opportunity to go to the Thunder or the Heat and chose the Thunder. People say Fish is too old and he's not this and that, but I think Fish's experience might help this young Thunder team in this moment.
Miami Heat:- This is it. We're back to where we were last year, in the Finals and an opportunity to not repeat that performance from last year. LBJ may have exercised some demons with his performance in the playoffs thus far, but the big question starts tonight. Can he get it done? The heat Big 3 will have a lot of say so as it relates to that question. Wade has got to prove to us that even if he is hurt, that he can suck it up and play for at least the next 7 games. I know it's easy saying that from the chair I'm sitting in, but he can not have games in the first halves like he did against the Celtics or this series is over quickly. He may need to fly Tom Crean in and have a talk with him again since it seemed to work during the Indy series. Bosh is still recovering from his injury but he was the reason the Heat won Game 7 against the Celtics. He'll be counted on in this series to keep Ibaka at bay. Finally, LBJ. I always point back to the night that Charles Barkley was on national TV and sent a message to LBJ, saying 'take over'. What he did in Game 6 is still memorizing, but he's going to have to step it up in this series too.
On the bench, someone has got to make some plays. I do like seeing Norris Cole playing a little more and I think that Ronny Turiaf can help on the boards with the active Ibaka. Jones and Miller have got to hit some shots or the Heat are done.
Who has to step up: Coach Spo, Everyone besides Big 3. Spo is always referred to as someone that puts time in and reviews tape and all of that,...he's going to have to do a lot of that on the fly. He's going to have to put a plan together that will get his team in position to win. If I see ANY plays where LBJ is standing in the corner while anyone dribble drives and hands off I will do my best to get to Miami and kick Spo in the shin. Someone besides the Big 3 has got to step up. I mean I'm not asking for 20 points or anything like that, but if Battier gets 10, Chalmers gets 10, Haslem gets 8, Anthony gets 6, that's what I'm talking about (FYI, those are per game numbers, not series total numbers). Mike Miller I know you're hurting, but get two shots or something and give it all you can.
Prediction: This has been the hardest one of the year. I mean I am from the old school where a team with their first arrival to the Finals means you lose and it helps prepare you for next year, but I've watched this Thunder team ball throughout the playoffs. They are not only ready, but they are hungry and there's a quiet confidence around them. This Heat team thought everyone was going to lay down to them last year and this year, but they have also learned how to fight for what they want. They are not at full strength (healthwise) but this team seems ready to handle this challenge. The Thunder are favored by most, my head says Thunder, but my heart says Heat.
Winner - Miami Heat. Hulk Smash (focused) Lebron >>>>> anything.
Side note: Can ya'll please get off of LBJ's jock? He is a baller who will more than likely make HOF even if he doesn't win a ring. And before you go that far,...look at all the dudes that have never won the Finals. Admire his greatness and let him get past 'the Decision' and any other tomfoolery.
Who you got?!?!?!?
Friday, May 11, 2012
2012 NBA - Round 1 Series Recaps
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.
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.
2012 NBA Playoffs - Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers
Let the 2nd Round of the NBA Playoffs begin and first up are the Heat and the Pacers. The Heat beat a Knicks team that just couldn't get it, mostly health, together to put up more of a fight and the Pacers get here after trouncing the Orlando Magic and Stan Van Gundy (#dietpepsiswag).
Heat: LeBron is showing people that he's the best player on the planet, those are not my words, but from the sage named Charles Barkley. I tend to agree that this version of the Heat are scary on both sides of the ball. We can safely say that the torch is slowly being handed to LeBron from Wade as the leader of this Heat team and that makes them even better. In this series we are going to expect that Wade and LeBron show up, but this won't be the cakewalk that some think this will be.
Who has to step up: It's going to be the Heat bigs. Bosh, Haslem, Anthony, Howard, and might we even see Pittman and (gulp) Curry in this series. The Pacers have length, height, and depth in their frontline and the Heat are going to have to use the bodies they have to deal with this.
Pacers: The Pacers are that team that no one wants to play. They are a solid team that can play defense and the ability to put points on the board when necessary. Did I mention that they are deep at every position? They pose problems for the Heat because they can slow it down and protect the rim, but the question may be who steps up from an offensive side of the ball in order to offset the Heat Big 3.
Who has to step up: Danny Granger, Paul George, and Roy Hibbert. Yes, Granger and George, both essentially play the same position, but these guys are going to have to score and score efficiently. Did I mention defense too? These two guys are going to have to average 20 a piece and come close to matching the output of Wade and LBJ if the Pacers hope to win this series. Roy Hibbert is going to have to protect the paint and not be in any dunk posters (do they still have those?) that we used to put up on our wall. Hibbert is the biggest guy on the court and should be able to get a few easy buckets and alter some shots.
Outcome: Don't really like the matchup for the Heat, but it's something that they can handle. Heat should win this one in 6 and prepare for the East Conference Finals.
Heat: LeBron is showing people that he's the best player on the planet, those are not my words, but from the sage named Charles Barkley. I tend to agree that this version of the Heat are scary on both sides of the ball. We can safely say that the torch is slowly being handed to LeBron from Wade as the leader of this Heat team and that makes them even better. In this series we are going to expect that Wade and LeBron show up, but this won't be the cakewalk that some think this will be.
Who has to step up: It's going to be the Heat bigs. Bosh, Haslem, Anthony, Howard, and might we even see Pittman and (gulp) Curry in this series. The Pacers have length, height, and depth in their frontline and the Heat are going to have to use the bodies they have to deal with this.
Pacers: The Pacers are that team that no one wants to play. They are a solid team that can play defense and the ability to put points on the board when necessary. Did I mention that they are deep at every position? They pose problems for the Heat because they can slow it down and protect the rim, but the question may be who steps up from an offensive side of the ball in order to offset the Heat Big 3.
Who has to step up: Danny Granger, Paul George, and Roy Hibbert. Yes, Granger and George, both essentially play the same position, but these guys are going to have to score and score efficiently. Did I mention defense too? These two guys are going to have to average 20 a piece and come close to matching the output of Wade and LBJ if the Pacers hope to win this series. Roy Hibbert is going to have to protect the paint and not be in any dunk posters (do they still have those?) that we used to put up on our wall. Hibbert is the biggest guy on the court and should be able to get a few easy buckets and alter some shots.
Outcome: Don't really like the matchup for the Heat, but it's something that they can handle. Heat should win this one in 6 and prepare for the East Conference Finals.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
2012 NBA Playoffs - Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks
Can I say that I love this matchup?!?!?! This the best matchup in the 1st round in the East. We have the expectation heavy Heat taking on a resurgent Knicks squad. There will be fireworks, more likely on the scoreboard than on the court.
Heat: There's LBJ, Wade and Bosh and a few extra pieces, but this Heat team is flawed. They lack a consistent deep threat and they seem to be a team that can't keep it 'on' (their effort) consistently. The Heat's bench hasn't played well, but they are going to have to step up if they want at least one of those championships that this Big 3 promised. Will the NBA MVP, LeBron be just that in the playoffs? This is a dangerous Knicks team that can catch fire on offense so the Heat will have to dial in on defense to wrap this up quickly.
Who has to step up: The Heat Bench. Someone, anyone, step up and give these guys some punch when one of the starters sits.
Knicks: I like this draw for the Knicks. They have Carmelo and Amare and can put up points, but the question will be can they get a stop or two? Tyson Chandler may sit game 1 due to illness, so that will probably put this Knicks team in an 0-1 hole. If Melo gets some help, this team may be able to pull an upset that many outside of NY probably aren't expecting. Although Lin isn't playing the one thing that he started was giving some of these guys confidence and that confidence makes them dangerous.
Who has to step up: JR Smith and Iman Shumpert. I love JR Smith for what he can do. He's a playmaker, can hit shots, and can even play some defense when needed. The problem I have with JR Smith is that sometimes he is out of control. A bad JR Smith means the Knicks are out of here in possibly 5. A good JR Smith means this goes 7. Shump has played ball all year long and he can be a defensive stopper with his length and quickness, so he's gotta cause some problems for either Wade or LBJ on the perimeter.
Outcome: I got the Heat in 6, but there's a chance for the upset in Round 1.
Heat: There's LBJ, Wade and Bosh and a few extra pieces, but this Heat team is flawed. They lack a consistent deep threat and they seem to be a team that can't keep it 'on' (their effort) consistently. The Heat's bench hasn't played well, but they are going to have to step up if they want at least one of those championships that this Big 3 promised. Will the NBA MVP, LeBron be just that in the playoffs? This is a dangerous Knicks team that can catch fire on offense so the Heat will have to dial in on defense to wrap this up quickly.
Who has to step up: The Heat Bench. Someone, anyone, step up and give these guys some punch when one of the starters sits.
Knicks: I like this draw for the Knicks. They have Carmelo and Amare and can put up points, but the question will be can they get a stop or two? Tyson Chandler may sit game 1 due to illness, so that will probably put this Knicks team in an 0-1 hole. If Melo gets some help, this team may be able to pull an upset that many outside of NY probably aren't expecting. Although Lin isn't playing the one thing that he started was giving some of these guys confidence and that confidence makes them dangerous.
Who has to step up: JR Smith and Iman Shumpert. I love JR Smith for what he can do. He's a playmaker, can hit shots, and can even play some defense when needed. The problem I have with JR Smith is that sometimes he is out of control. A bad JR Smith means the Knicks are out of here in possibly 5. A good JR Smith means this goes 7. Shump has played ball all year long and he can be a defensive stopper with his length and quickness, so he's gotta cause some problems for either Wade or LBJ on the perimeter.
Outcome: I got the Heat in 6, but there's a chance for the upset in Round 1.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Miami Heat Just Like Mike (Tyson)?
I don't claim to be the driver behind this write up, but after talking with one of my guys this morning (Thanks Senior Pullen) I felt like I needed to expound on our conversation. First let me take a step back, I have been on the Heat bandwagon since early this season with the way this team and in particular LBJ has played. I have gotten a little worried during some of these lulls that the Heat have had this year, but I'm still riding with them.
With that said, the Heat are losing the thing that made them scary to me. They are losing their aura and they have proven to me that they are really the reincarnate of Mike Tyson as a basketball team. In other words, the Heat go for the knockout early in the game and expect to coast the rest of the time. If you're able to not succumb to their initial onslaught (i.e. Buster Douglas, Evander Holyfield, etc.) then you can grind on the Heat and win late.
Flash back to 1985 when a young 'Iron' Mike Tyson was introduced to the boxing world. He was the baddest dude on two feet. He wore blank trunks to go along with his black boots and he was never in the mood to converse with his foes. Tyson was not only beating people, he was knocking people TFO (we not trying to curse here, but you know what I'm talking about). Tyson's victories helped create the aura of Mike Tyson. Tyson was known for his quick knockouts to the point that some people were just hoping that they could get him to go past 6 or 7 rounds to see what kind of fighter he was. All of this grew and grew until a fateful night in February of 1990 when James 'Buster' Douglas put a permanent chink in the aura (armor if you must) of Tyson.
We digress back to the purpose of this posting. The Heat started this season with arguably one of the best defenses, outside of those MJ led Bulls teams or Bad Boys Pistons teams, in the history of the NBA. They had a way of playing teams and putting up big quarters to impose their will on their foes. They came out with these (sorry) ugly all black alternate unis and there was talk that they would only lose single digit games in this shortened NBA season. LBJ was the MVP by a landslide and all was good. As this season has progressed there have been teams that have put chinks in the aura/armor that is the Heat (Orlando, Milwaukee, LA (Clips and Lakers), Celtics and Bulls).
Most notably last night's Bulls game in Chicago. The Heat seemed to have everything going their way. They were up at the half by 5 points, Derrick Rose was having a horriawful night and all of this was without much help for LBJ. Then IT happened. The Bulls, instead of caving to the pressure or the attempted knock out blows, just kept coming back. Rose continued his terrible play, but the coach put in C.J. Watson and he played well. The Bulls bench, led by Watson, Korver, and Gibson, were the difference between a 'W' and a Heat win based purely off of talent.
As you watch the Heat for the rest of the season, look at them with Mike Tyson goggles on and see if what I'm saying is true. Tyson did win several championships (something this Heat unit hasn't) and continued being viable for years to come, but it seemed to go downhill fast for him and maybe just maybe, the Heat are heading in that downhill direction. Winning it all is the cure for all of this talk, but even I am a little more concerned about the ability of the Heat to do just that after last night's debacle.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
NYSTOM NBA Power Rankings
Team Power Rankings. I guess we already know who's last, but I am surprised that the team from the City of Brotherly Love is still trending so high. I thought for sure they'd fall back to the middle of the pack after a few more weeks, but they are holding their own. I will say this, watch out for those Spurs. Not saying that they are going to win it all, but they could be a dangerous out in the playoffs.
Where's your team ranked?
|
|
Through
2/29
|
|||
|
1
|
27
|
7
|
0.794
|
|
|
2
|
29
|
8
|
0.784
|
|
|
3
|
21
|
15
|
0.583
|
|
|
4
|
28
|
7
|
0.800
|
|
|
5
|
18
|
17
|
0.514
|
|
|
6
|
22
|
12
|
0.647
|
|
|
7
|
24
|
11
|
0.686
|
|
|
8
|
21
|
15
|
0.583
|
|
|
9
|
23
|
13
|
0.639
|
|
|
10
|
21
|
14
|
0.600
|
|
|
11
|
19
|
17
|
0.528
|
|
|
12
|
20
|
12
|
0.625
|
|
|
13
|
20
|
15
|
0.571
|
|
|
14
|
18
|
18
|
0.500
|
|
|
15
|
20
|
15
|
0.571
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
17
|
0.500
|
|
|
17
|
21
|
15
|
0.583
|
|
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
0.500
|
|
|
19
|
16
|
18
|
0.471
|
|
|
20
|
14
|
18
|
0.438
|
|
|
21
|
14
|
21
|
0.400
|
|
|
22
|
14
|
20
|
0.412
|
|
|
23
|
13
|
20
|
0.394
|
|
|
24
|
11
|
24
|
0.314
|
|
|
25
|
8
|
27
|
0.229
|
|
|
26
|
11
|
25
|
0.306
|
|
|
27
|
12
|
25
|
0.324
|
|
|
28
|
12
|
22
|
0.353
|
|
|
29
|
7
|
28
|
0.200
|
|
|
30
|
4
|
29
|
0.121
|
Where's your team ranked?
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