Overview: Spurs vs Suns

I expected an epic series. All I got was this lousy T-shirt.

Seriously. When I wrote the "prognosis" for that series I knew one thing they were going to play all 7 games and as I wrote that post I convinced myself that the Spurs were going to win that they team just because of home court advantage and Manu Ginobili.

It never ocurred to me that Tony Parker will dominate the series and matchup between him Nash. The idea of D'Antoni not making any adjustements never crossed my mind. Amare dissapearing at least half game every game was not an realistic option. And how about the hunger in Tim Duncan's eyes, were you expecting that? Really? 'Cause I didn't

Bottom line is that the Spurs really wanted this series. The Suns were hurt by their lack of fire and will. Shaq was supposed to add that this year. It wasn't there. They had a chance in a least three games they lost but they never took it. You can see it the other way around, the Spurs took them from them. Same difference

Whose fault is it ? Steve Nash. He's the leader, right? He wasnt't the same dominant guy and he had to defend Tony Parker and took a lot from him. But still bad decision making in the last quater cost them a couple of games.

Overview: Magic vs Raptors

I told u so, Dwight Howard dominated and the Magic won the series. I expected more from Bosh and company but they got outplayed in every position including at the 1. Jameer Nelson was a pretty cool surprse with 17.2 ppg with a 52% shooting, he was the better point guard in the series which helped tons to the final result.

What to say about the Raptors? The need help in almost every department. Chris Bosh can't do everything alone. They have no defense, they have no ball movement, they have no bench. They have a bunch of shooters and Andrea Bargniani. The guys that were suppose to be able to create their own shots (Parker, TJ, Moon) struggle mighty and they wasn't facing no Spurs defense.


Whose fault is it? I'm blaming TJ Ford and Bargniani. If they had fall out of bed and broke something in their bodies and they haven't been able to play one minute, it wouldn't have made any difference.

Overview: Lakers vs Nuggets

It was easier that I thought. We know that the Lakers were a superior team and Denver's crappy defensive mentality (If they have any) but the major surprises in this series were the play of Luke Walton and the finger pointing bonanza the Nuggets put themselves through since game 3.

I was afraid Kobe my degress a little bit to the "I must do everything" Kobe of past years but I wasn't the case and their teammates responded as they have done all season long. Luke Walton specially who averaged 14.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg and and a Jack Nicholson' mind blowing .710 field goal percentage. Gasol and Kobe got theirs but the reason why they win this series so easily was their ball movement lead by their bigs (Lamar Odom 4.5 apg and Gasol with 5.0 apg). Is pretty hard to defend a team like these and if you are the Nuggets defending, is virtually imposible.

That wasn't the Nuggets downfall. They shoot themselves in the foot after Melo's quitting mologue. You can't blame them for not defending that's just no their thing but thy never made adjustements to adapt their lineup to the Lakers' height. Melo and AI took too many shots ( making 43% and 36% respectively) , never share the well and KMart never show up.

Whose fault is it? Laker's D and ball movement. Denver never got a chance

NBA Playoffs Day 12

Let the real Detroit Pistons stand up. Easy game.

Didn't get to see the Rockets - Utah game but I was so glad the Rockets pull it of. I love defensive teams. They mention that they play better when their backs are agains the wall and everybody writes them off. What would happen in 7 game series against the Rockets and the Pistons? Would both of them try to loose each of the first 3 games? Would they try to give away home court advantage so they can get it back in their next road game and call it a must win game? Would 'Sheed go all "Jail Blazers" 'Sheed on Rafer Alston ass when hi goes all "Skip to my lue" on Rodney Stuckey?


The Suns and the Mavs went fishing. If you ask me - nobody is doing it - Avery should get the hit but not D'Antoni. More on that in coming posts

NBA Playoffs Day 11

I'll go and worry for you all Pistons and Celtics fans. Specially Celtics fans. What's happening with this Eastern powerhouses? Are they just too relax? Are they at full throttle or they are waiting for the second round?

Whatever it is have shown weakness and ineffiencies in their systems. The armor is starting to crack - whick is worrisome for the Celtics 'cause their armor is a shinny new one - and those cracks are exploded by young athletic teams that doesn't wait for the other team defense to get set (ala last season Phoenix Suns). Both Philly and Atlanta are playing freely and with a John McLane mindset and they are in no way intimidated by the big boys.

Detroit fans continue to say everything is allrigt, that's just the way they wanted to happen. Pressure is your friend. You know what else is your friend when you are a old veteran team? Rest. Specially now that your next opponent, in case you don't go fishing early, features and 20 - 20 center that can run and bully his way through your team.

The Celts? Well, they have issues mainly this one:

Good luck Celtics, because you have leveled the playing field and everyone’s gunning for you as an easy mark for an underdog series win against NBA’s best. The Celtics look like the Dallas Mavericks of the East this year, and they will have to be more dominating on the road to lay claim to what every Celtics fan hopes they can achieve in these playoffs. Celtics 17th championship

Yeap, they ain't invencibles. Everybody knows that.


Dwight Howard and Kobe continues to roll. More on that on upcoming posts

NBA Playoffs Weekend 2

The Wizards killed themselves with that turnover full and bad shot selection first half and just to spice it up let the Cavs have as many offensive rebounds as they wanted. It was a little bit of everything

What to say about the Mavs? They are just getting beat by a better team. That's it. Neither Kidd or Howard show up for this one and their bench is not exactly "15 strong". If I were a beating person I'd put all my money that this is the Western team that is going to have a major overhaul.


Phoenix Stand at Bright Side of the Sun gives son notes about game four. I have my own notes:

• Finally D'antoni made some adjustements. The Boris Diaw show was pretty cool.
• Where's Amare and where's Shaq?
• The Spurs weren't that bad , they shoot poorly and the Suns were red hot from anywhere. Besides we say some defense. I am a witness.
• They still are talking like the series is over. Nash is the only saying all the right things.
• If this team goes on 5 (like the Mavs) are the more likely to be shredded appart? Pretty hard given that Nash or Shaq ain't going nowhere.

So, the pistons are 2-2. Go figure!. Detroit played 12 minutes of great basketball and that was enough to beat the scrappy sixers. I know that against the wall thing is like their mojo and stuff but why isn't anybody concern about the 40-42 sixers putting them against the wall ? Just sayin'

The Magic is doing their thing

Here are some coaches in the hot seat. Some names you'll be shock to see there

Linkin Friday XIII

NBA Videos

Remember the Jordan's failures video?



Kids doing MJ's moves - who hasn't done that!




Become Legendary



The Showdown. Larry Bird and MJ Mac's add




Nike's Freestyle




This last one has to fire you up. It's the Jeremy Piven commercial for last year playoffs

NBA Playoffs Day 3

I didn't post anything yesterday 'cause first of all, I hate teams and players that talk and talk trash and then don't even show up to the game and know everybody is asking questions about the Wizards toughness and mentality. Let me give you a piece of advise coming from above: Stop talking, stop trying to kill Lebron and start playing some freaking D ( You were supposed to be playing better D this season, remember?)

The other reason is that hoped for a good Rockets' postseason they are soooo overtmatched that I feel bad for TMac I doesn't have a shot this year.

Last night was another story completely. Both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard gave more than impresive playoffs performances for the second straight game. They both protected their home court and that's always a good start specially for young teams as those. If I were the Raptors I'll be very worried right now, Orlando was one of the best teams league-wide on the road. It's time for Bosh to step up and stop Howard. Good luck, Chris. Just a little side note, what were the Mavs thinking (Via TrueHoop)


And then there was the old guys aka Spurs grabbing a 2 - 0 lead on their series. Right now I have a couple of concerns - from the Suns' standpoint:

1. Steve Nash is not dominating anymore. He's there but he's not the same.
2. Amare and Shaq had good games, stayed out of foul trouble but even so couldn't get the win
   
3. Amare is talking like the series is over
4. Duncan is not going to lose this series

The work is cut out for you Suns specially that you are the "better team"

NBA Playoffs Weekend 1

Remember what I told you guy abou the will and all that, well the Spurs are the living proof of that. (Just add a little luck and there you have it Spurs 1 - Suns 0 )

San Antonio went to their now gamely custom of no making any shots in the second quater but thanks to foul trouble and Skinner free throws that Suns couldn't pull away. Once the Spurs got the lead reduced to like 5 points you could sense it. Duncan had the look. It took a little luck (Duncan for a three pointer?) but they pull it off. Let the rivalry continues

The fellows at Bright side of the Sun have lot's of second thoughts about the game


What to make about the Washington vs Cleveland series? At simple at his : Lebron delivered - despite and good pounding - and so far good ol' Gilberth has to eat his words


The Pistons lost . Billups missed some shots, they weren't focus (maybe) but rotations where a big if ( I know their kids are pretty good but when your lead is loosing points by posession in the fourth, I think is time for the big guns)


A game live blog of Pau's big game. Courtesy of Forums Blue and Gold

The Mavs have problems. The didn't defend Paul right (Trapping him worked last time, why not giving it a go in Game 1?) and offense were also a issue. Wes Cox at Mavs Money Ball can't be happy


Finally a good piece about playoff experience via Matt Watson at FanHouse

First Round: Jazz vs Rockets

4. Jazz (54-28) vrs 5. Rockets (55-27)

Regular Season Series: UTA 2-1

Point Differencial: UTA +2.0

No Yao Ming and no Rafer Alston for a couple of games sound like a hell of a problema for Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets as they facethe second best home team in the West. One of the reason oh Houston's streak was the solid, let's face it overachieving, performance of RaferAlston and know he won't be there for the first two games. That leaves TMac to do ALL the offense creating from scoring to setting up the other Rockets 100% of the time. Their bench have to be huge and most of them are too green, Boby Jackson being the only one playoff tested.

Jerry Sloan's Utah are the good ol' hard working pick and roll team we are used to. But they are still young and some cracks are still there. Deron Williams sometimes (SOMEtimes like a very few) he doesn't show up and the entire Jazz team struggles. If TMac wants to be introduced to the second round for the first time in his life their focus should be 100% defensive -think Spurs or Pistons defensive- and principally stopping Deron Williams. Utah is not a good matchup for Houston but if they can hold DWill they have a hell of a shot. Houston is a excellent defensive team (They are number two in defensive rating) but you get the feeling that as the series grow old Jerry Sloan will made the necesary tweeks.

X Factor: Bobby Jackson. He needs to be agresive no matter what. He's going to start the games that Alston can't play and the first guy off çthe bench when Alston comes back.He needs to score and showcase that playoffs savvy the sometimes wins games.

Basketball Gods' prediction: UTA 4-2

First Round: Spurs vs Suns

3. Spurs (56-26) vrs 6. Suns (55-27)

Regular Season Series: PHO 3-1

Point Differencial: PHO +6.5

This one it's all about will. Who want it harder? Who will be the one with look "There's no fucking way I'm loosing this game" contest after contest?Passion, desire, all those untangibles are going to set the mark in this series. The Spurs offense has been mediocre at best over the last month and most times it looks too much for Manu Ginobili shot creation. Their shooters have been mediocre. Stoudamire and Udoka haven't been that hungry component ala Michael Finley last year. They do still have three player capable of taking control de any game at any time. They still have one of best defenses of the league and one of the best post players and defenders alive.

If the Spurs depends heavily in Manu's acrobatics the Suns put their life on the hands of Amare Stoudamire. Yeah, they have the Big Cactus and the Great Nash but in order to put up points they need Amare Stoudamire. Nash makes them go and Shaq gives them that rebouding inside prescence they have been laking since Nash got there but their rely on jump shots and fastbreak ( Fastbreaks which has become boring and not that sucessful with the departure of Marion) when Amare is not in the court and that is a lot due to his recurrent foul trouble. Phoenix can't let themselves to fall in San Antonio's mind games (More like Popovich's mind games) as they failed to do in previous years. This is where Shaquille O'neal cames in. The Suns bring him for two reasons: 1. Defend Tim Duncan and 2. Change the team mentality.

Calling this is like flipping a coin. If Amare dominates and Shaq is midly efective the Suns win. If Manu dominates and Tim Duncan gets to handle Shaq as a defensive liabiliy Spurs Win. If the 3 ball is falling for Phoenix, Suns win. If the 3 ball is falling for the Spurs they win.

X Factor: Shaquille O'neal. Plain and simply: This is the main reason he's now the big cactus: to stop Tim Duncan.

Basketball Gods' prediction: SAS 4-3

First Round: Hornets vs Mavs

2. Hornets (56-26) vs 7. Mavs (51-31)

Regular Season Series: NOH 2-1

Point Differencial: DAL +2.0

This series will define how good of a coach is Avery Johnson. Forget the nightmares, forget the overcoaching, forget everything. His place in this team depends on this result. This series is the bomb! We have mismatches left and right, up and down. we have the quick point guard, the old and savy point guard, the post prescense and rim defender, the foreighn shooters, the dynamos coming from the bench,etc. Imagine you are Avery Johnson right now and this is your line of thinking:

Whose going to defend Chris Paul? Jason Kidd will be bitting his dust all series long. Jason Terry can match his speed but he will be in foul trouble before I can change my chewing gum. Josh Howard? What? Be real. Poker Face. Come on, man

What about David West? Dirk can't defend a folding chair. I guess Devean George could do the trick while West scores the first 12 points of the game Barea? Howard? Damn
How do I take Chandler out of the paint? Dampier can only catch and dunk and JKidd just taught him that. Can I use Bass as my center and playsmall ball like..like...

That's when the vein in his forhead explodes. (I'm not saying he talks like that. Maybe he thinks like that)

This is not going to be easy for any team. Before the Kidd trade they could have a shot in this series. I'm not taking anything away from Kidd but Harris and Diop are utterly missed right now. Harris'd gave them a better matchup against Paul and Diop would at least made Paul and West to think about before going into the paint. Across the street New Orleans is not so giggly about this matchup, Dallas has more experience and a HUUUUGE ship on their shoulder. New Orleans doesn't have permiter stoppers so they rely in team defense- a very good one- and Chandler rejecting everybody and that doesn't work to well against shooters like Nowitzki and Terry.

The Hornets can't underestimate Dirk Nowiztki. I know he's been through a lot and people - included myself - have wondered for awhile if this guy can hold a franchise in his shoulders but it will be dumb for the Hornets not to plan and adjust their defense around a very aggresive Nowitzki

Dallas needs to attack New Orleans' defense. Tyson Chandler can't stop them all. Stackhouse, Terry, George and Josh Howard need to perform a retlentess atack to the paint. They need an MVP effort from Nowitzki and a time machine for Kidd (so he can defend Paul). What Dallas must focus this series is trapping and somehow trying to slow down Paul with Kidd's size being the anchor of that scheme. I wont be easy.

X Factor: Avery Johson,I'll say it again. This is his moment. If he relies on the decision making of Jason Kidd, give their bechnenough confidence and believesin Dirk Nowitzki story -and let him know - will be very kind on him. The entire franchise's stability depends on him

Basketball Gods' prediction: NOH 4-2

First Round: Lakers vs Nuggets

1. Lakers (57-25) vs 8. Nuggets (50-32)

Regular Season Series: LAL 3-0

Point Differencial: LAL +16.3

A 50 win team must have done some things pretty damn good, right? Even if they are a 8th seed. Welcome to the Western Conference Playoffs

The Nuggets are going to need their entire arsenal to pull the "chocker" and that might even not be enough. The Lakers easily owned the Nuggets in the regular season scoring 118 points per game in three contests. Lesson of the day: Don't try to outrun the Lakers. If you are thinking "Well, if this series becomes a track meet it's advantage Nuggets". You will be wrong. The Lakers can also put up points in the scoreboard in a hurry but, unlike the Nuggets, they can make stops when they need them. Since the Gasol trade the Lakers are as powerful offensevely as any other team in the West.Their defense, ball movement and leadership will set the difference specially at the Pepsi Center where the Nuggets are 33-8 (Only fourth best in the West. Again, welcome to the Western Conference Playoffs) And they have that Kobe fella that can be pretty hard to defend. Kobe will spent a great deal of energy defeding Melo and/or Iverson so he needs to rely in his teammates ( This is in Kobe's hands right now . The rest of the Lakers have prove that they are trust worthy. In the big stage Kobe might regress a little, might not)

The Nuggets can outscore LA make no mistake about it but they will need A) 45-50 points between Melo and Iverson, B) Strong play from the benchaka JR Smith and C) A unbelievable defensive series from KMart and Camby. The likehood of all those factors coming together is quite high. Denver can play at a very high level but their key for them will be stopping LA's ball movement, force turnovers and run like hell.

X Factor: KMart. If he has his bounce back it gives Denver a very effective third option at offense and a defensive presence. Nobody (uninjured) in LA can defend a healthy KMart although his numbers against LA's defense were very poor in the regular season: 8.0 ppg, .451 FG%, 8.3 rpg, 2.0 bpg

Basketball Gods' prediction: LAL 4-2

First Round: Cavs vs Wizards

4. Cavs (45-37) vs 5. Wizards (43-39)
Regular Season Series: TIE 2-2
Point Differencial: CLE +4.0

Here we go again. After three years this should be a rivalry but last year can't count. There was only Jamison and it wasn't even interesting. Now the Wizards are complete and almost healthy and more ready than never to face Lebron and the Cavs. This Washington team was one of the best teams last year when they were healthy. Jamison is playing better than never and Caron Butler complements him and Arenas perfectly. The Cavs in the other hand have been looking a little lost lately specially after the big trade. Wally World and Delonte West haven't shot the ball well and Big Ben looks more washed up than never (Damn, Joe Dumars you are a genius!). Last month (10-11 record) the entire team have reversed to the Paul Silas days of "Give it to Lebron and get out of the way"

Right now the Wizards are the better team but it's hard to bet against Lebron in a 7 game series when he's not facing a strong defensive team that doesn't even feature a shot blocking presence

X Factor: Wizards' D. We know they can score when they are complete but they have never been know for their defense. If the can at least closeup Cavs' shooters they have a nice chance of pulling the offset. In the season series the Cavs shot 33% from three land (season average: 36%) and scored 95,0 ppg (season average: 96,9)

Basketball Gods' prediction: WAS 4-2

First Round: Magic vs Raptors

3. Magic (52-30) vs 6. Raptors (41-41)
Regular Season Series: ORL 2-1
Point Differencial: ORL +2.3

The first superstar against superstar direct-in-your-face matchup: Chris Bosh vrs Dwight Howard. This matchup is as key as any other you can think in the East. They might look like similar teams given they love the 3 ball - specially Orlando they are second behind only the trigger happy Golden State Warriors - and base they run their offense through their respective big man. Besides that they are different teams. Toronto has a lot of shooters and lots of guys that can create shots ( Ford, Calderon, Delfino) but they have been very inconsistent all season long specially lately (they were 7-13 in their las 20 games).

The Magic has a better team from top to bottom. Howard has a better supporting cast, they are better coached, they know how to win outside their home (27 -14, second best in the East). Said that, Toronto has a shot is Bosh outplays Howard something that has happened prettty much everytime they face each other. Bosh has more weapons in the low post and a sweet 10 footer jump shot. He can actually take Howard out of the zone and maybe put him in foul trouble. With Howard's role limited Orlando is a jump shooting team and we know that just doesn't work in the playoffs. Toronto has a simple offense runned by two very eficient point guards ("El Calderon" like Arenas call him and TJ "Don't hit me in my neck" Ford) what translates in good offense and the Magic ain't no Pistons (defensive wise) but ,lucklily for the Magic , Raptors' shooters haven't made anybody pay lately.

X Factor: Outside the Bosh vrs Howard matcup it has tobe Turkoglu. He can score and create for others. If Howard is controled by Bosh he must be the main guy for Orlando. Hedo owns Scotti Pippen like stats against the Raptors: 21.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 7,7 apg. He actually had a triple double against these guy November 7th

Basketball Gods' prediction: ORL 4-2

First Round: Pistons vs Sixers

2. Pistons (59-23) vs 8. Sixers (40-42)
Regular Season Series: TIE 2-2
Point Differencial: DET +1.2

The Pistons are seeded a little higher that they would like, u know they liking that disrespect. I don't think nobody is dizzing the Pistons in this series besides their regular season series being tied and all. The point differencial is a little closed 'cause the last game Detroit was in cruise control and really didn't show up for that one. Philly is a young team that plays with a lot of heart, likes to run and have the second best QB in the East behind Billups.

One of the keys of Philly's very own March Madness (11-4) was the good play - specially in the defensive end - of Samuel Dalembert. Once Sheed' and Mcdyess get Dalembert out of the key the Sixers becomes the Warriors of the east, u know if the Warriors were a lot worse. Well u catch my drift. No chance for Philly not against this Pistons. Even the young guys coming from the Flip Saunders bench are better that Mo Cheeks' bench. This is going to be even more painfull than the Boston series. 'Sheed is going to have a field day here.

X Factor: If Iggy can have a monster series, I mean a Lebron type series, they maybe can steal a game or two. Iguodala's numbers against Prince and the Pistons: 19.8 ppg, 5.5 apg, 2.2 spg


Basketball Gods' prediction: DET 4-0

First Round: Celtics vs Hawks

1. Celtics (66-16) vs 8. Hawks (37-45)
Regular Season Series: BOS 3-0
Point Differencial: BOS +14.3


Why should I bother? Well, I already did the artwork so...

I haven't really seen the Hawks play this season but what can I read from the numbers they ain't a good defensive team. They are a little thin in their frontcourt rotation where their best player is a rookie. They have nobody, I mean nobody, who can protect the rim. We all know what the Celtics have to offer: the best defensive team in the league an by far the hungriest.

Expect the Hawks to collapse on KG and also expect a big series from Paul Pierce. The Celtics are better equiped to defend Atlanta's best players that the other way around. The Hawks are going to hope that Mike Bibby can find that old "Bibby against the Lakers" self for this series andbe the guy that carries and poise them in the big moments as well as a great shooting series from Joe Johnson.

X Factor: (You can't have a series preview without a X Factor) Besides Bibby, how big can Josh Smith play? Can he be the guy that matches KG's intensity? Would he be a consistent scoring option? Maybe his numbers against KG would give us an idea: 15.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg a 3.0 bpg

Basketball Gods' prediction: BOS 4-0

It's go time

As I was writting the must-posts previews of the first round of the playoffs I found myself repeating an expression or at least thinking about it: Passion, desire, will, however you want to describe that drive to win some players have that just push them and gaves them an sutil but important advantage

This is specially truth in the West were every team has the tools to defeat or upset any other team any given day.Games at this stage are win by more than set plays, defensive scheme or home court advantage. These games are win by players with killer instincts that lead by example and simply refuse to loose. This is when it doesn't matter how ugly the games get, how dirty the defenders play them or how banged up these guys are, they will just keep coming at you.

That will be the difference this playoffs. Those players will have the biggest chance to prevail at the end. Sometimes it doens't matter how good you are or how lucky you are it's just a matter how bad you want it.

My Vote

It's so useful when you are going to do something and there are guidelines that help you perform that activity in a way that you are sure you are doing a good work. The league issue no such thing like guidelines when they ask for the media to vote for the MVP. They don't ask bloggers' vote no matter if they represent the Basketball Gods in Earth, I asked :(

If somebody at work tells you that you are very valuable it doesn't mean that you are the best guy at the office. It means that what you do has a high value for the company. It means that the company will suffer if you leave or take a vacation. If somebody does a survey and realizes that you bring the most value to your company that any other of your coleagues to their own company it doesn't mean that your company is better that any other but your contributions have helped the company get out of mediocrity.

Did I make my point? I don't think so. My point is that the MVP trophy should be given to the player that gives more to his team, it's have to be given to that guy wihout who the franchise will be lost in their own floor. My candidates will be next in no particular order:

• Chris Paul: He's the reason the Hornets are contenders. He's the reason why West it's a All Star and Chandler and almost All Star. Whenever an oponent handles to shut down Paul is all over for the Hornets. Voters would be shy to vote for him due to his age and the fact that he could crash and burn in the playoffs. They don't want to make the same mistake two years running.
  

• Kobe Bryant: The talent gap between him and the next best Laker it's not as big as in previous years but still Kobe is the face of the Lakers. He creates so much offense for the rest of the lakers as he does for himselft and that's has been the key for the Lakers' success. He'd had better seasons and there at least 2 more players deserving the award for this season.
  

• Manu Ginobili: American society and press gives to much relevance to numbers and stats.They don't tell the whole story. Ginobili has been the offense motor for the Spurs all season long. They have been stuck in mud without him and this is a 55 win team. Sure he has Duncan guarding the rim and Parker doing lot's of scoring and passing but when the fourth quater comes the ball is always in Manu's hands

• Kevin Garnett: Another example that the numbers don't tell the whole story. He's been responsable for changing the Celtics culture from "Why the Basketball Gods hate us?" to a "You can't score on us. It won't happen". He's also responsable for brain washing Paul Pierce and making him to care about defense (He's actually pretty good). Nobody means more to his team that Garnett. Why wouldn't I vote for him? Tne only reason will be that Paul Pierce is almost as important as him. They truly deserv shared credit
  

• Lebron James: Without him the Cavs are no better than the Knicks. He's the most complete player on the league and pretty much he does whatever he wants to. You can't say that about too many players in league history, can you?
  

So my voting will go like this:


First Place: Kobe Bryant
Second Place: Kevin Garnett
Third Place: Chris Paul
Fourth Place: Manu Ginobili
Fifth Place: Lebron James

To Do List

We are like a week and a half for the start of the playoffs and nothing is resolved in the West. I'm not even sure Dallas is going to be the 7th seed. As soon as the matchups are resolved all the blogsphore and other professional writers are going to write their predictions and some generic egocentric view of each first round match (Yeap, I'll write it too) but while we wait let's take a looksy to what each team should worry about -pesimistic thinking here- and need to address before -whisfull thinking here - going to the playoffs:

1. New Orleans: I don't want to get all basketbawful on you all but somebody need to do something about Tyson Chandler's hair. He looks like Vanilla Ice or some 80's version of Wesley Snipes. Basketball wise they are very thin in their frontcourt rotation, Melvin Ely?, Really? and Bonzi Wells ain't worth the gamble.

2. LA Lakers: Yeah, I know their second unit is great they hustle a lot and complement each other and yadda yadda yadda. Their second unit is very propense to silly and unforced turnovers. Bynum ain't coming back.

3. San Antonio Spurs: For the last two to three weeks they have beeb entering the third quater ice cold. They'd had quaters like the one at Utah and this last one against the Lakers where they go like 6 minutes without a field goal. Their defense ain't that great anymore to comeback from such holes.

4. Houston Rockets: Besides TMac nobody there can create their own shot on nightly basis. They have lot's of guns on Rafer Alston, Bobby Jackson, Luther Head and Landry but you can't say: "Well, if McGrady can play or is playing bad not worries WE KNOW that Alston/Jackson/Head/Landry will step up for us". You just can't

5. Utah Jazz: They have to play on the road. And at some point they'll face somebody in the Ginobili/Kobe/TMac/Howard/Melo/Captain Jack group of swingman they can't defend.

6. Phoenix Suns: Amare keeps getting in foul trouble and ol' Steve Nash is no longer the same. Their season depends way too much of Shaq and Grant Hill focus and health, respectively.

7. Dallas Mavs: They will have to defend somebody in the West/Gasol/Duncan/Boozer/Amare group of big men they can't defend. Why Howard hasn't figure out a way to play with Jason Kidd?

8. Denver Nuggets: For them defense is highly overrated because if you have guys like Melo and Iverson is just a matter of points. Because that's the way to the championship, right Nash/Webber/Kidd ?. They can not even defend a pick roll. And yes, zone defense is allow in the playoffs

9. Golden State Warriors: A matchup with Dallas is very unlikely and yes, zone defense is allow in the playoffs

If I were a GM...

After years of watching tons of GM coming and going and critizing their jobs assuming I could do better job I decided to give some ideas and thoughts for how to be a GM. This is wisdom coming from the Basketball' Gods! Use it wisely

1. Never ever draft or signed a chinese players. Your franchise would be a second priority for them no matter how much money you pay them. First priority will ALWAYS be the exultation of capturing glory for their country. If they get injured in the middle of the season they will get their surgery or whatever treatment inmediatly because they won't wait for the offseason. The offseason is their season. See Yao Ming, Yi Jialin
2. Don't even think about giving a huge contract to a player that comes from just a single good season or a good postseason run. I don't care how many rebounds he pull down or how high is his PER. Consistency is the key. The same rule applies to college kids that overachieved in a couple of tournament games. Ask yourself this, what have this guy done the entire tournament? Is just that he played really hard those games. Where's his dedication? His work ethic? See Jerome James
   
3. Draft for need not for talent. Unless the guy is really, really good or you have a pre-arranged deal with another team for that talented guy. Don't mess around with chemistry. Let me give your an example: If you have a solid point guard the last couple of years.He's a good player, hard worker, good basketball IQ ,etc. You know the entire package unless you can draft the next Magic Johnson don't threaten his work security by drafting another poing guard who may be better. Go for the next best thing.
4. Stay away from troublemakers. If you had a young team don't even look at a "problematic" player directly to the eye. If your team has some veteran leadership you can afford the gamble of bringing a talented but disturb individual. This rule doesn't apply to Ron Artest. Ignored him completely.
5. Have consistency on the bench. Select a coach, preferebly with some experience, an commit to him and his system. Give him all the tools necesary under which his system can thrive and be as sucessfull as it can be as quickest as possible. I have a "sub-rule" or corollary if your are felling fancy:
1. Know your coach. You need to keep in mind the personality and character twists of your coach. Don't sign players that they will crash with your coach and/or his system. If you have a shot at bringing an franchise player that you know eventually will have problems with your coach you need to be a very good GM and do the following:
1. Never give power to the player over the coach, don't let him feel that's he's running your franchise. See Lebron James
   
2. Prepare for the worst and make sutil trades or adquisition that complement the new player leaving that "complement your coach" as a lower priority.
3. When and if you have to fire your coach bring a new one that adapts to your star player but give him the final word about all basketball court decisions. Don't give too much power to your players. See Mike Brown
   
4. The bigger the franchise player (I'm refering here to ego, basketball IQ, leadership, brand name, etc ) the stronger the coach you need. See Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson
   
2. Hire coaches that know their limitations. Coaches know need offensive specialist, defensive specialists, etc. The era of coaches who know everything is over. See Pat Riley
6. Always, always have a strong veteran voice in your lockeroom, besides your coaching staff It doens't matter if the guy can't play no more, if he's respected and heard keep him around.
7. If you find yourself in a offseason where you have cap room and money to spend don't give it away just for the sake of signing somebody. Save for the next offseason or some in season trade where you can steal draft pick or something.
8. Know your owner. If your franchised is owned by a guy that's wont break the salary cap you have several ways to go:
1. Have a max player and pray to the basketball gods he doesn't go south on you. Have a bunch of well payed ballers but nobody of them will make the top 20 salaries.
2. Have a couple of players near the max and a bunch of hard working young guys and desperate and crafty veterans who wants to win now
3. Use the Detroit Pistons or Chicago Bulls (pre Ben Wallace) model and group a bunch of talented players and cross your fingers so they get along and develop some chemistry.

Linkin Friday XII

Love all the summer movie releases...

• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

• Hellboy II: The Golden Army

• The Incredible Hulk

• IronMan

• The Dark Knight

And there's always those movies one always want to be done -Fake Trailers -:

• Justice league

• This guy is too damn good: Green Lantern

• Marvel Alliance One Two . I don't know which one is better

• Superman/Batman Movie A great idea - I think this one is really going to happen - but not a good trailer.