Catching Up with the Eastern Conference

Let's take a look at what I missed in the Eastern Conference NBA Playoffs.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons

Were there ever any doubts? The Cavs destroyed the Pistons and that's all you can say. The Pistons have nothing to look forward to except possibly retooling. Joe Dumars has a lot of work to do. My take on this series was 4-0 Cavaliers and I was right.

Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers

This has been a series to watch. Everyone has been saying how much of a spaz Coach Van Gundy is and he's kinda of shown that. His team mimics him and they don't play up to their level of success that they had during the year. The Magic are up 3-2 but have to play game 6 without the suspended Dwight Howard. Yes, Howard should have been suspended because that was a big elbow that could have knocked Dalembert out if he would have been 4 inches closer. What will the Magic do tonight? The big dollar man, Rashard Lewis, has yet to show up and that's troubling. The Sixers have been led by Andre Miller and they have been close in several games. I expect this one to go to game 7. I picked the Magic to win this series 4-3, but I could see it going the other way.

Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls

Talk about a series where neither team deserves to win. The Celtics are just being killed by injuries (KG, Powe) yet they keep playing championship ball. The Bulls are playing tough and they are being led by Ben Gordon (Flash Gordon music playing in the background). His strained hamstring is probably worse than most think, but he toughed it out and played the majority of game 5. He's been able to hit big shots and keep the Bulls in this series. A lot of the baby Bulls (Noah, Thomas, Rose) have stepped up large in this series. You gotta go with the Champions in this series, but the Bulls are right there. I picked the Celtics to win this series 4-3 and I expect it to finish that way. The game tonight will be very exciting.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat

After last nights game, I think I've finally gone from Dwayne Wade is a star to Dwayne Wade is an actor. Yes, he goes to the ground quicker than Steve Wojciehowski slaps the court in a Duke basketball game, but in the past I've always thought he was just creating that contact. After last nights, you can just tell he's a bad actor with a penchant for the flamboyant. He's the only reason the Heat are in this series, so why aren't the Hawks trying to take the ball out of his hands. As much as I like Chalmers, Beasley, and Haslem, they aren't going to beat you. Double Wade and get the ball out of his hands. The Hawks have been playing like the lower seed in this series and they are thisclose to being home. Joe Johnson seems to have found his groove (last night) but if Horford is as hurt as he showed last night, the Hawks would be in trouble in the 2nd round (if they make it). I picked the Hawks 4-3 for this series,.......and I'm sticking with them.

Catching Up with the Western Conference

Yes, it's been a few days since I talked about the NBA playoffs, but let's just catch up with the Western Conference since the first round is basically over.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz

Did we expect anything different? We knew that Kobe wasn't going to allow the Lakers to play around for too long. They are at home now and they should be watching the Nuggets play and they should be getting worried. The Lakers still haven't shown me their want to play defense. That may hurt them in the future. My take on the series was 4-1 Lakers, and it ended 4-1.

Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Hornets

I don't know how you lose a game by 58 when you have a chance to get back in your series and you are playing at home. I think the Hornets just quit. They lost all of their mojo in a year. Last nights game sealed. They at least made it a game but Melo finally gets to the 2nd round of the playoffs. My take on the series was 4-2 Nuggets, but it ended 4-1.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks

The Spurs are just old. I don't think that this is the end of an era, but the Spurs have to retool, somehow. Duncan needs a young beast in the paint like he was to David Robinson and some help on the wing (which I thought Udoka would be able to provide, but he hasn't done that yet). We'll see if Pop can do something to spruce up this team. Dallas was the better team in this series and they showed it. This is the scary team that may cause Denver some problems. My take on the series was 4-2 Mavericks, but it ended 4-1.

Portland Trailblazers vs. Houston Rockets

This is the most exciting series in the West. The Blazers are showing their youthful side as they seem to play every other game. They haven't been able to consistently win the matchups that they should win (LaMarcus Aldridge, that means you against Scola), but they are only down 3-2 and they get a chance to go into Houston tonight to try and even the series. The Rockets are playing extremely well, without T-Mac. They are one game away from getting out of the 1st round of the playoffs. That would be a success but again another knock on T-Mac since they would have done it without him. Yao is showing that he is the most consistent big man in the league and possibly the best. I had the Blazers winning this series 4-3, so the Blazers have a lot of work to do.

Eat Some Crow!!!

If you visit this site, you know that from time to time I get on my stat guy, NYSTOM about some of his information. Over the past few weeks, I have probably grilled him about his stats that he had Rajon Rondo so high on the MVP list.

Not only has NYSTOM sent me articles (one link here), but as I was watching the Celtics vs. Bulls today, Mike Brean had this to say: 'Paul Pierce called Rondo the Celtics MVP this year'. With the way that he is playing, he is keeping the Celtics just a step ahead of the Bulls and would be the MVP of this series if the Celtics win.

With all of that said, NYSTOM, I warmed up my crow and I am presently eating it. Thanks.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks

There's not much you can say that's good about this game unless you're a Mavs fan. For the Spurs, I just have the following: 16 - total number of Spurs points in the 1st quarter, 14 - total number of Spurs points in the 2nd quarter, 12 - total number of Spurs points in the 3rd quarter, 4 - total number of points by Tim Duncan, 12 - total number of points by Tony Parker, 0 - total number of points by Michael Finley, 2 - total number of points by Matt Bonner, and 7 - total number of points by Roger Mason. Coach Pop sat his starters mid way through the 3rd quarter and even he admitted that he this was one of the worst games that he's been a part of.

The Mavs came out with that energy from being home and feeling as though they can win this series. The surprise start of JJ Barea actually worked for the Mavs. He's been the only person that has seemed to bother Tony Parker so far in the playoffs. Barea ended the game with 13 pts and 7 asts. Dirk Nowitzki got his first 20 pt (7 rebs, 2 asts, 1 blk) game of the series and Josh Howard chipped in 17 pts (8 rebs, 2 stls, 2 blks). The Mavs rolled and the crowd loved it. The only thing missing was Erick Dampier knocking Tony Parker to the floor. That's what I was waiting for.

Key facts:

- Dirk is on. He's feeling it and he's hitting a lot of his shots. He's dangerous when he's like this and I think the Spurs are done.

- The Mavs and the Celtics both had 32 point leads at the same time last night.

- Gerald Green got his first extended meaningful minutes and twisted his ankle, what's up with that?

Mavs are up 2-1 and I think they go up 3-1 in the next game. Are the Spurs done or is it just me?

Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls

Wow, talk about turnaround. The Boston Celtics finally showed up in this series. Paul Pierce came out smoking and hit his first 6 shots, ending the game with 24 pts. Rajon Rondo continued his stellar play this series with a 20 pts, 11 rebs, 6 asts, and 5 stls performance. The Celtics showed that they are the reigning champs and what that really means. They came out with that killer instinct and once they put their foot on the Bulls neck, they didn't let off. The crowd at the United Center came to party, but it sounded more like a funereal at the end.

The Bulls came out tight. After winning game 1, the Bulls probably succumbed to expectations. Many thought that the Celtics were a wounded aging team and the young upstart Bulls have a chance. The series was tied 1-1 and the Bulls were coming home on a night that Derrick Rose was given the Rookie of the Year award. After the tip off everything went terribly bad for the Bulls. The Bulls were led by Ben Gordon with an uninspiring 15 pts. The only plus out of this game was that Kirk Hinrich actually played well off the bench with 14 pts and 3 asts.

Key facts:

- I'm sorry Doc if you had been reading here and decided to give Perkins a few more touches. He played terribly last night and when given the opportunity he was allowing Noah to play him tough.

- Stephon Marbury played great last night. He played 24 minutes, shot 4 of 10 (yes, I can forgive that) and ended the game with 13 pts, 3 rebs, and 5 asts. This may be a the light that the Celtics needed to see from Marbury. He looked comfortable out there.

- It was great seeing Scalabrine on the floor last night, but what kind of headband was that? Did it have airbags or something?

This was a devastating loss for the Bulls. Can they bounce back and even the series or is it over for the Bulls and this season?

Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers

I don't know if Stan Van Gundy is going to make it out of this series. His team continues to run up big leads (18pts in each game) and they lost the first one and were dangerously close to losing this one. The Magic had 6 players in double figures and were led by Courtney Lee (24 pts, 3 rebs, 1 ast, 3 stls). Lee continues to keep J.J. Redick on the Magic bench by his play. The rest of the Magic looked, again, like they were sleep walking. Turkoglu and Lewis both chipped in with 16 pts, but the Magic are in trouble. Dwight Howard got 11 pts and 10 rebs, but fouled out the night he was given the Defensive Player of the Year award.

The Sixers are playing with house money. They are playing loose, but last night they struggled a little. They start slow and get behind, and have been able to claw back out of the hole, but they can't keep playing like this. Andre Miller had a monster game with 30 pts, 7 rebs, 3 asts, and 2 stls, but between Louis Williams and Willie Green (a combined 3 of 15) the Sixers had no backcourt production. They have a nervous Magic team on the ropes and then they let them slip away and get this win.

Key facts:

- Donyell Marshall must have been packed up for the season after his performance in game 1. In game 2 he had none of those heroics and ended the game with 1 stl and 2 fouls.

- The Sixers had 12 pts from their bench, not going to win many games like that.

- Marcin Gortat got on the floor and gave the Magic some solid minutes as a backup, after roasting his coach, with 6 rebs, 1 stl, and 2 blks.

I still think that the Magic are in trouble. They aren't playing well and they are lucky that they aren't going against a veteran team that can take advantage of them. Who do you think takes the series lead in game 3?

Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat

D Wade finally showed up and he got some help from his teammates to knot this series at 1-1. Wade had 33 pts, 7 asts, 5 rebs, 1 stl, and 2 blks. More importantly he got 20 pts from Daequan Cook, 19 pts from Jermaine O'Neal, and 12 pts from the rook, Michael Beasley. The Heat seemed to control the tempo of this game and made it more of a half court game. They were able to play better defense against the Hawks and they pulled out this much needed win.

The Hawks did end up with 6 players in double figures, but they never really seemed into this game. They got down early and made a run late in the 3rd that cut it down to an 11 pt deficit. But Joe Johnson's foul trouble really hurt the Hawks. The Hawks were led by Mike Bibby (18 pts) and Josh Smith (17 pts). Flip Murray dropped in 15 pts from the bench and helped a late rally. The Hawks let an opportunity slip away from them. They are playing a one man team in the Heat and they are better than that team at almost every position. If they lose this series, they should look no further than this game.

Key facts:

- The Hawks have got to get out and run more. Their halfcourt sets are too predictable and they seem to bog down and not score at times. If they run, they are good.

- The Heat owe this win to Alonzo Mourning. Mourning addressed the team, and D Wade prior to the game and provided them with the inspiration that they needed.

Is this now a series or do you think the Hawks will pull this one out? I have a feeling that the Hawks win game 3 in Miami.

Help Me to Help You

Ok, I know that we all were young and dumb at some point in our lives and some of us can just drop the young part and keep the dumb. I have been following the NFL draft and all of the nausea inducing coverage for the past month for an event that will happen this weekend. With that said, I have a small problem here with some of the guys going into the draft.

Percy Harvin (WR from Florida) and Brandon Tate (WR from UNC) are among 2 athletes on a list that tested positive for marijuana. WTF?!?!? Guys, you are higher profile guys (both scheduled to go in the 1st or 2nd round on most mock drafts) and you are applying for a job with a major company. What are you thinking? Yes, these guys are young, but they have to have a parent, a sibling, an uncle/aunt/cousin/grandma/friend or someone telling them to keep their nose clean.

I mean these guys would take a shower, get a haircut, and brush your teeth before approaching Halle or Beyonce, so why not stay away from the ganja before the biggest interview of your life? The sad part is they know that they are going to be tested, it's common knowledge. You know when the NFL combine is, so why don't you for two months prior, just chill out? At the end of the day, this habit could negatively impact your money!!!!!

Yes, they are young and this may not hurt them as bad, but why take the chance?!?!? This goes into my Stupid Athletes Tricks file. If you guys need a mentor, just hit me up. For the money that you lost on smoking, you could have paid me about half and I would have gotten you right.


Why aren't all of the guys on the list publicized? Why not put the entire list out there? What were these kids (Harvin and Tate) thinking?

NBA Regular Season Awards

Rookie of the Year - Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose

Coach of the Year - Cleveland Cavaliers - Mike Brown

Defensive Player of the Year - Orlando Magic - Dwight Howard

Sixth Man of the Year - Dallas Mavericks - Jason Terry

Most Valuable Player - Cleveland Cavaliers - LeBron James*

*that's my opinion, but I'm sure he'll win it.

Your thoughts?

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz

This game picked up where Game 1 ended. When will some defense be played in this series? The Lakers started off this game by shooting 63%. The only thing that makes that a little questionable is that the Jazz shot 60% from the floor. The Lakers were led by their big 2, Kobe (26 pts, 9 asts, 6 rebs) and Gasol (22 pts, 6 rebs, 2 blks), but they ended up with 7 players in double figures. Lamar Odom was the biggest part of that bench with 19 pts. The layups and dunks that the Lakers got early in this game was ridiculous. It's like a grown man playing against a 10 yr old.

The Jazz, just don't have it. As I watched this game, at no point did I say to myself, the Jazz have a chance. Deron Williams (35 pts, 9 asts, 4 rebs, 4 stls,2 blks) had another great game and Boozer (20 pts, 10 rebs, 2 stls) contributed too, but the Jazz really have no chance. Unless,....they just start beating people up. Most Jazz teams of the past (yes, Karl Malone and John Stockton are somewhere crying) would have NEVER let the Lakers get that many open looks in the paint without drawing blood. This team, by it's coach's admission isn't nasty enough. With Okur out, they can't stretch the floor and that really highlights the limitations of this team (no one outside of Korver or Williams can hit a 3) and makes it easy to guard them. I hope the Jazz have at least one win in them.

Key facts:

- Shannon Brown has taken Jordan Farmar's spot in the rotation. Brown contributed 12 pts off the bench and has played solidly on both sides of the ball. This may have been a steal for the Lakers.

- Kobe is still showing patience and this is doing nothing but helping the Lakers. As you watch the game, you can tell that Kobe could take over at any moment, but he waits patiently to do that. 7 Lakers in double digits shows how much he has bought in to trusting his teammates.

This one is pretty much over. Call me when some blood is drawn or some heart is shown by the Jazz. What is your take on this one?