Dont' hold your breath for...

This are the thing you are not going to see happening this season:

1. I don't see the Celtics repeating. The hunger will be there but the health and those lucky bounces might not be there this year. And the chances of a team as soft as the Lakers getting out of the West are very poor.

2. The Knicks wining more than 34 games. There's going to be trades, lineup shuffling, mardbury complains,etc..just keeping the drama going.

3. Jermaine O'neal is not coming back to his old form pre-melee. I like the guy, he's a great post player and we don't much of those left and I just hope he plays enough time and there's enough game in him to open up the game a little for Chris Bosh

4. Corey Maggette celebrating a championship (I know cheap shot for selecting the Warriors over the Spurs)

5. The Suns getting out of the first round. They do have enough talent in there for a 55 win season but I don't care how much the slow down I can't see Amare , Nash and Shaq defeating the Spurs, Hornets or Jazz.

6. Lebron's first ring. Might be his MVP season ( if he doesn't start cruising 20 games in the season) but Mo Williams doesn't strike as the Scottie Pippen type of player and their shooters have never been that stone cold!

7. The Pistons holding their fourth O'brien Trophy. I think this guys' run ended in Lebron's 48 point game. They need to retool and pronto.

8. The Hornets having another season like last one. Something tells me this guys are going to take a step back, maybe Chandler or West but I'm see them as a 6th or 5th seed and get kick in their buts by the Lakers or Jazz at some point in the playoffs.

9. Bibby staying in Atlanta. Come on, seriously? What's that guy doing there?!

10. Michael Beasley competing and behaving. I just get a weird vibe from this guy. When the Heat are 8-20 and the Wolves just beat the crap out of them by 36 you are going to see the real Michael Beasley

11. Gilbert Arenas earning his money. But he can write a mean wicked blog!

12. The Nuggets in the playoffs unless the new Melo Carmelo has been talking about is actually Lebron James.

13. The Blazers reaching the 40 win plateau. I know they are the fashion team and everything but Oden still not ready, although 2 block shots per game is almost a guarantee. They need to trade somebody of their young guns and again just a gut feeling they may regrese a little bit on us.

Overview: Celtics vs Pistons

I give up. I don't know what to think about the Celtics. I don't know, I truly don't. Rusty saids one thing I think another and then Bill Simmons saids another completely different thing.

During two games in this series (Game 3 and 6) the Celtics looked like they were supposed to look. Defensively dominant. Good ball handlers - as long as they don't get pressured full court or somebody dares to trap them - and specially they didn't collapse in the fourth quater, au contraire, they actually played their best basketball of the season during those two fourth quaters.

Another conference finals appearence, another playoff run ended. That has been the life for Detroit Pistons and Pistons fans since 2004. Billups wasn't at 100% and most games Prince and Sheed' didn't quite looked there. Maybe the latest was the doom for this guys because Stuckey played great. There weren't matchups problems, there weren't bad officiating or questionable calls. This was a very close series and the final "X factor" was Pierce. He showed the ability - first of controlling himself - and then to take over a game. (Here we need to factor the Pistons as a group lowering their quality of defense over Pierce. He didn't mutated into Kobe Bryant). At least we can say the best Celtic team showed, hence, the best team won

Whose fault is it? It could be 'Sheed. Besides possibly game 2 he never matched up with KG and Garnett didn't played that great

NBA Playoffs Day 37

Welcome Back, Mr Big Shot. Again Billups didn't played that good but he put the nail in the coufin and now the Pistons are back on track. Just remember that I called a game 5 victory for the Pistons..just remember it.

Since game 2 of the Western Conference Finals every game is a "critical" game for the Spurs. They need both games at San Antonio to make this a competitive series after blowing away game 1. They need as much as Manu as the can get. If the Spurs eventually can win this series they would have comeback twice from a 0- 2 hole. I know that obvious right now but what If this guys pull it of. This Spurs. I mean everybody is burrying this guys and handing them a cane in the first chance they have. How many experts had the Spurs in the Finals. How many experts have the Spurs in Conference Finals. That's why I love this 2008 Spurs. They just keep coming at you
(I know, I know that myself give up on them in the New Orleans Hornets but I read too much Hollinger. My mind is weak. Sorry).

Pd: If you add those two paragraphs together you'll realized that I'm also rooting for a Pistons - Spurs Finals.

Eastern Finals: Celtics vs Pistons

1. Celtics (66-16) vs 2. Pistons (59-23)
Regular Season Series: DET 2-1
Point Differencial: BOS +5.7

Here we are. The matchup everybody was expecting. I can't say everybody was waiting for this one unless you enjoy defensive basketball. We are going to see games under 80 points per team. Easily. If you are a fan of fast, athletic, run and gun basketball you might wanna look away I get back around november when the Warriors are playing again. Let's get back to the subject here.

The Celtics comes from two hard series that they weren't supposed to be that hard. Boston has shown holes offensevely and defensevely. Those are all fixable whith their due work but their lack of focus and possible desire through out streches of games ( specially on the road) is what might doom them at the end of this series. Which is ironic given that KG plays of them and they are allegably the hungriest team of the league.

Are this guys overrated? Ray Allen is a joke (12.7 ppg). Garnett haven't dominated anything when given the chance and their bench, not including Posey, is looking thinner by the minute. Cassell looks like 50 and Doc Rivers is about to get seriously outcoached. The talent ain't that strong if you take a good look at this team. Everybody outside Pierce ow us something


Is funny in this series performs the biggest dissapointment and the biggest surprise for me in this playoffs. I have come to enjoy Deeetroiiit Baaasketball. This guys are focus and determined to get back to the Finals .This is about their legacy as they need to prove that they were not a one hit wonder. Everybody is on the same page, their bench is doing a lot of harm and their big guys just shut down Howard.

Questions for you here. It would be harder to stop KG? How long it would take Pistons' D to read right throught Boston's offensive sets? Are we going to heard the laughing and clapping of Sheed when they take a 3 - 2 in Boston?

Basketball Gods' Prediction: DET 4-2. Just for the sake of watching KG in the Finals I'm hoping I'm wrong.

Overview: Pistons vs Magic

After a very doubtful first round survival agains the Sixers the Pistons are now rolling. I have two points of concern here regarding the Pistons:

1. They got outplayed the first three games by a younger less experience team
2. Chauncey Billups have been regular at best. For his own standards that's it.

Slowly but surely all those concerns are now history. Orlando was a team with the same youth going on for them but with a lot more of firepower and a inside monster that just went Wilt Chamberlain against Chris Bosh and the Raptors. All that just went puff against the Pistons' D and so far in these playoffs they are the only team that have shut down a quality oponent. I've said it before, I'll say it again. The Pistons are the team to beat. Orlando got a pride win but this series was clear from the get go. They never had a chance not with Howard being underSupermanesque.

Whose fault is it? You could argue that Jameer Nelson that a chance of taking control of the series when Chauncey went down. For those who knows Stuckey they were never worried about that whole situation.

NBA Playoffs Weekend 4

It's good to be at home, right?

My worries about the Celts are getting stronger and stronger after each passing road game. I can't believe how much a team can change their defensive intensity just because the crowd is not behind them. I know all the Western teams are in the same bagon but not quite. I'll get to that in a second, be patient. The game was ugly for the Celts and let me tell you something if they are thinking they can give Lebron confidence and some dagger back after winning 2 straight games and/or pulling for a game 7, then you are wrong. Lebron will eat you alive now that he knows he can. Don't say I didn't warn you.

You know Utah wasn't that dominant at home as you might expected from a 37-4 home team. But Deron Williams and the rest of the "Jazzers" showed something that I didn't think they had (Is possible they got it in this series) and that's poise and patient. They are different things if you look at them in a different way. The point is that Utah didn't freaked and actually controlled the final plays of the last two games. Yes, the leave Derek Fisher to bring the Lakers back but OT the court was theirs. The fact that Kobe was looking like Larry Bird helped the cause but give as much credit as possible to the Jazz.

Look , the Champs are alive. This was the game that give me some hope. It wasn't because of the 20 point differencial but because Duncan finally woke up and the Hornets looked defeated. I'm rooting for the Spurs just because, don't get me wrong I love to see Paul play and I want to see Paul play as much as I can but I'm biassed here. Sorry.


The Magic blew it. They had them but they let them go. Howard blew it. And now I'm here to pronounce, in behalf of the Basketball Gods, that the Pistons are the team to be beat... in the East.

NBA Playoffs Day 17, 18 and 19

Yeah I Know, I've falle a little behind but that doesn't mean I have something to say...


Everybody is talking about that Billups 3 at the end of the third quater in the Pistons - Magic game 2. Whatever is legal or not there was only a 2 point game after it and the Magic actually held the lead at some point of the fourth quater. Simly put the Pistons were the better closer.

San Antonio got pounded again in game 2. Yeap the Spurs stink so far.

The first Celtics-Cavs game sucked. I didn't even saw it. Good Lord, Lebron 2 for 18. Those are Larry Hughes numbers

And yesterday...

Finally Orlando defeated Detroit but they needed an Billups' injury and a career game from Rashard Lewis. I've heard that the cause of Detroit' past playoffs dissapointments was Chauncey. That his numbers always come down this team of year. I love the guy Detroit play basketball but I don't like the Pistons' attitude. They normally come out with public statements that make them look way too cocky and just looking down to their opponent. Is it mind games? It it team policies? Whatever it is I think they need to show some respect to the game and the other team no matter how unexperience or crappy they are.

And then... Kobe got his MVP and Boozer stayed home. LAL 2 - 0.

NBA Playoffs Weekend 3

Boston got to the second round. Easily. I'm still questioning this team mental thoughness 'cause their road loasses where just lack of exectution they weren't victims of some conspiracy

The Spurs got beatten in the last couple of minutes by the Hornets. The Hornets' defense was "stingy" and the Spurs didn't help themselves by entering one of those "no offense time for us" type of groove they developed in the last month or so of the regular season. Not only they didn't contain Paul (his numbers may don't amaze you but he controlled that game) but they let West get 30 points and do whatever he wanted with the Spurs' defense. So, no defense and bad offense means 0-1 hole for the Spurs. Expect a better game for those guys today

The Pistons controlled Howard and the Magic shooters went 2 from 15. This is when Howard needs to prove that he really wants this. For me Howard and Lebron have the same problem: this game comes so easily for them, their bodies and abilities gives them so a clear advantage that most time they don't even need to try in order to have a big night and perhaps winning the game. Last year Lebron cruised for the entire first half and the Cavs still win 50 games.

Now Howard needs to get in another gear (like Lebron this year or last year conference finals) to defeat an highly superior team. Can he manhandle the Pistons like Lebron did last year? He has the potential but until he do it we'll leave it like that in "potential".


After building a 19 point lead the Lakers found themselves in a 4 point game with like 5 minutes to go. Utah never got closer because the didn't have Boozer (he fauled out somewhere around half way into the fourth quater) and the fould Kobe like 1 google times. I know Utah fouls a lot of people a lot of times (2468 times in the regular season. Numero uno in the league) but this Lakers team is a very good free throw shooting team (10th in the league) and having Boozer playing like a poor man's Antawn Jamison is not a good idea to give up so many points from the charity line.

Second Round: Pistons vs Magic

2. Pistons (59-23) vs 3. Magic (52-30)
Regular Season Series: TIED 2-2
Point Differencial: DET +3.0


If the Pistons want to to prove their "we are better when our backs are against the wall" theory one more time in this series the new Superman and the rest of the Magic might push you through that wall. Once again the Pistons face a team that likes to run and not to fond to defense. Not exactly a recipe for playoffs success but they have a monster for a center who comes from having a monster series (22.6 ppg, 18.2 rpg) and he can easily dominate any matchup.

This Pistons encarnation is a lot more deep that last year's. They can now throw a more mature Maxiell and a fresh Ratliff -joining Rasheed Wallace and Antonio Mcdyess - at Howard direction. Their defense is not going to anything but sweet (If you defend somebody sweetly you have issues. Look at yourselft in the mirror). Take this to the bank: Howard is going to spend a ton of time in the free throw line. He didn't played well in the regular season facing this guys (17.3 ppg, 10.8 rpg) and in some of those games Ratliff wasn't even there.

The last couple of games Detroit showed some revitalization of their offense. Rip Hamilton and Prince found their groove on those games and Billups had his moments. All their numbers are very close - that's the Pistons way - but Billups really look like he was missing a step or two and he wasn't defending no Chris Paul, he was guarding 32 year old Andre Miller.

This teams matchup pretty well and Detriot's team defense, home court advantage and experience gives them them the upper hand as long as they are focus and show up to the games.

Orlando's offense doesn't go through Howard, he still not that polished. Lewis, Turkoglu and Nelson need to be effective and efficient. Nelson averaged 4 TO per game (and 4.8 apg) against a poor defensive team if he doesn't take better care of the ball the Pistons will eat him alive. Two of their 2 main shooters were money in the regular season but struggle in the first round. (Both Hedo and Lewis had made over 40% of their three point attemps. Against Toronto Hedo shot for 11% and Lewis for 25%). They need to wake up 'cause Howard is not going to have the same freedom he had against Bosh and Toronto "team defense".


X Factor: Somebody in the Hedo/Lewis combo won't be defended by Prince. He needs to exploit that matchup against either Mcdayess or Maxiell. That Magic needs to find his shooting touch and some fire on his belly if Orlando wants to continue

Basketball Gods' Prediction: DET 4-2.

Ps: I'd put them in five but I'm giving them a "night off

Overview: Pistons vs Sixers

I'm still worried. It took them 6 games -3 straight wins - to eliminate a 40 -42 team that plays no defense and have no clear go to guy. Those 3 straight wins could be signs of "back in track" but Chauncy Billups had not been that steady hand we have seen in previous years.

Philly did their thing. They run, they weren't afraid of the Pistons (kudos to Andre Miller and Mo Cheeks for that) and they believed in themselves. Even that Andre Igoudala didn't have a good series the Sixers never roll and died (thanks to Mo Cheecks). The ugly part happened when the Pistons turned it on, specially Sheed. If those Pistons had played every game it would have been a 4 game series and that was the lesson of this series the Pistons have attentional issues or some basketball synonym. That could cost them later in their playoff run.

Whose fault is it? Igoudala could have had a better series (13.2 ppg, .333 FG%) but the rest of the Sixers pick up the slack for him. They are eliminated because the other team was better. At least for four games.

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

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: 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

Discussion: The Contenders

Welcome everybody to a new discussion post. Rusty is back!. This one in particulary will address the question of who are the real contender for this year tittle and who might be the last team standing. We are not even trying to predict the West but we'll discuss it. Enjoy



Morgan: We'll start with the East. The top seed, the Celtics. How 'bout this guys?





Rusty: Definitely a contender and they are my favorites to win the Eastern Conference. The only thing that could derrail this team is a major injury to any of their so called Big Three.

M: Well yeah. Any team that suffers an injury to any of their top three players will be on trouble. I'm with you they are the team to beat in the East but they haven't face any real pressure they came out blazing of the gates and they have been the number one team since then. They are a veteran team and the leadership is clearly there but it could interesting to see this team's response to adversity in a critical game.

R: Also they are not that deep. If Garnett or Pierce miss considerable time against the Pistons or whoever cames out of the West this team can't replace their production. No for more than a couple of games.

M: Do you trust Doc Rivers?

R: I hope that at this point he has his team figured it out.Don't you think?

M: Yeah, but do you trust him?

R: I trust his trust on his veteran players


M: Now the Pistons. They always need to feel disrespected to play their best ball. Boston's success may give him that fire.

R: That's being their "mojo" from day 1. They also have that chip in the shoulder for being eliminated by a one man team last season. For my money, they are the best Pistons team since winning the championship in 2004.

M: They are a lock to reach the Conference Finals. Now, can Boston survive the one man team?

R: Everybody saw what Lebron James did to the Pistons and everybody saw what the Spurs did to James. Boston is a better defensive team that the Detroit Pistons a year ago they won't let James take over the entire series. The Cavaliers could win a game or two.

M: Well, now argue there. You get the feeling that KG is going to will his way to the conference finals. Wrapping up the East, Boston or Detroit?

R: The Boston Celtics specially if the Lakers reach the Western conference Finals. The league won't let a Lakers- Celtics finals slip away.


M: I'm impress, you have change Rusty! This will be a great seven game series and most of the games will come down to the final play specially with two defensive oriented teams. Given that Detroit have more "clutch" players I'm given this series to the Pistons

R: If it comes to the last shot Detroit does have a better chance to represent the East in the NBA Finals

M: Well this part went rather smoodly -more smooth that I'd want for a discussion post- Let's go to the fun part: the West. Your number one contender, Rusty?




R: I'm a old school guy so I'm going to the old school team: the San Antonio Spurs. They are the most solid team , they have the experience and for whatever reason they always have that lucky bounce of the ball going their way

M: I'm torn between the top three teams: Spurs, Lakers and Hornets. San Antonio have everything that you just said and also I'm waiting for the chance for Manu to take over this playoffs. If that happens and the Spurs won by the hand of Manu will be the best story for this team.

For the Lakers I'm also looking forward to see how Kobe response to the level of play in the West. If he and Bynum and Gasol are healthy they are the favorites in my book. But that's a big if. The Hornets will make noise, somehow. They can compete with anybody their only weakness is that their shooters are rather streaky but when you have a point guard like Chris Paul anything can happen.



R: Apparently Bynum will be back but I don't think he will be in shape to handle the bigs in the West, whatever the matchups are. The Lakers are a great team but if they run into the Spurs their run will be over... UNLESS... they league decides otherwise

M: You are pushing that in every line. Come on, come clean...

R: What?

M: A'right. Do you think the league is fixing the playoffs?

R: No, Morgan. I'll never say that. It will be very stupid for this league to go out and fix the outcome of the entire championship.There's a huge difference between fixing the all tournament and helping or giving a team a better shot at winning a game. That's what the NBA does

M: I just did a little homework for you. Here and here.
I don't know if the Lakers' chances are ridding in Bynum's shoulders. Gasol is a pretty good matchup against any big he can't defend but he's there, catch my drift?. Besides offensively he's a handful.

R: Yeah, but defense wins playoff games. They are still a good defensive team but if other team goes on a isolation against Gasol over and over again they could be in trouble

M: That's unlukely.There's help defense, you know?

R: There's open three point shooter, you know?

M: Fine, Fine. How about the Hornets?

R: I love Chris Paul. He's been the best point guard hands down. West and Chandler are having great season thanks to Paul at some degree. My only concern with this team is what happen whe defensive schemes take West and Chandler out of the game or at least keeping them in check. Would Paul brings them back?

M: That's also my issue with this guys, sort of. Can they survive the playoffs and everything that comes along? Is Paul that good?

R: Right now, he's not. They can defeat younger teams like Utah, Denver or Golden State. Their road ends in San Antonio or LA

M:Who else is a contender here?

R: Everybody in the top seven

M:For my own appreciation if Utah can handle their way on the road in a more consistent way they can also be a contender. Williams and Boozer are just too good, they have the shooters, they have the defense and they ceitanly have the coach

R: Utah is going to start on the road if the loose both games is over for them.

M: They are tough enough to recover from that, they bounced back last year against the Rockets even winning game 7 at Houston. I know is all about the matchups but it is easier for them to win in the road that the other team winning at Utah.

R: They will need to drow a mentally softer team like Dallas or Houston. Even there is Tracy McGrady or Josh Howard or any fast swing player have a GREAT series they can't matchup. Kirilenko and their entire team defense has taken a step back.

M: I don't think Utah can be discarded that easily. DWill and Boozer bring it night in and night out. Every single night

R: Then explain me their road record

M: The other guys don't follow the trend

R: Exactly! This is a team sport. They can't win with just two guy playing their heart out. Maybe against a team with a weaker "fire" but no against a hungry team where everybody pulls for one goal

M: Man, that was poetic!. You mention the Mavs as a good matchup for Utah. Are they even going to be there?



R: Dallas is not a good matchup for anybody not if Nowitzki comes back healthy. I need to believe this guys can win with a point guard like Jason Kidd. If they are left behind there's something wrong on the team and I'll point my finger to Nowitzki
M: Not to Avery?

R: Do you believe all the talk about "overcoaching" ?

M: I believe that this team is not build to take advantage of Kidd's skills. He's a great leader and that's always welcome but where he's great is at running the fast break and this is not a running team. They are not going to trade Nowitzki they'll better trade Kidd for a point guar who can shoot.

R: This is Nowitzki's team- actually is Cuban's first and Avery's Second - but Dirk Nowitzki is the leader on paper and he needs to step up. He has to be the guy who goes to his coach and said that things need to change, set plays need to change. His voice has to be heard

M: That's a good point by I still think that even with a healthy Nowitzki they will be out in the first round

R: If Dirk Nowitzki is healthy they can advance. I'm insist it's all about matchups

M: We still haven't talk about two similiar teams: Nuggets and Warriors. High ofensive teams featuring powerful scorers but they ain't that great at stopping the other team. Denver can be very, very dangerous. Specially now that KMart has his bounce back as he gives them a solid third option and another great defender near the basket. If they get a great stretch from KMart and Camby this team is a contender.

R: You convinced me rather quickly there! I agree with the Denver statement they could be very well a contender this year. They have one of the best starting lineups a decent bench and defensive big guys. Their minus are that they aren't commited to defense and their chemistry could improve. I don't think they could win it all but they are a dangerous team and they just need a good run which they are perfectly capable of doing

M: There a five great defensive teams right now in contention (Spurs, Lakers, Rockets, Pistons and Celtics) and you could make the case for Phoenix. Denver push ends as soon as they face any of those teams. As for the Warriors, let me tell you I've seen some 5 o 6 Warriors' games in the past month and their worst enemy is themselves. Is not only that they don't defend and their most played setplay is "RUN". They take shots that would shock you, seriously, and that's how Nellieball is played but they go into stretches where they can't buy a basket and that's when they lost everything. There's no difference between the Warriors leading by 20 and the Warriors loosing by 10


R: Well you look for the consistency in your team, Morgan. Take a look a the Spurs. There's no difference between the Spurs leading by 20 and the Spurs loosing by 10. You live and die by your style of play. What doesn't work for Golden State is that theirs is so frentic that sometimes, as you said, it works against them



M:22 straight wins and we haven't talk about them. I say Houston goes as far as McGrady takes them and if history taught us anything...

R: You write it quite accurate in a previus post. Their role players specially Rafer Alston played the best basketball of their careers during that streak. I don't see that happening again in the playoffs

M: They still are a good defensive team and you know what people say "defense wins championships"

R: They still would need some offense to back it up.
M: Good point. And some heart and desire will be nice

R: That would be swell!

M: Swell? WTF?

R: I thought you will like that

M: Yeah, it made my day.....Last but no least. Shaquille O'neal and the Phoenix Suns. If they keep playing the way they are right now they become my second pick to get out of the West. Shaq is playing decent ball, Amare is unstoppable and amazingly Nash is the one who, when they had that 1 -6 stretch or something, was the "weakest link" but now his playing at the level he's used to perform

R: Nash is not as good as a previous years by just a little bit. All the role players are playing subpars season in comparision with last year specially Leandro Barbosa. They seem a little bit in the same boat as the Denver Nuggets but with a stronguer psique. They have big guys that can't prevent penetrations - although not as good as Martin and Camby in Denver - and they have a high scoring mentality. This is the hardest team for me to read because the line between being a contender and being out in the first round is so thin for them.

M: Grant Hill is the key for them. If he's able to give them a little bit of what Marion gave them specially defense to stop the array of wing players in the West they have a shot. If Manu, Deron Williams, Kobe, TMac, Paul,Melo ,etc. start getting in the paint and putting Amare and Shaq in fou trouble that's it for them. As you said, they don't longer had the 3 point assault to take them out of trouble.

R: With the trade they gain more control of the boards. That added to Steve Nash gives them control of the flow of the game that's huge in the playoffs. But they lost that defensive advantage Marion gave them that covered for Nash and Stoudemire defensive shortcomings. Once again it depends on the matchups

To wrap it out, who do think is going to end up as the 9th team?

M: Golden State. They are playing at at .500 level right now. Not enough in the West

R: Well, I think it will be Denver but that's just a gut feeling.



There you have, a little bit long but with lot's of "sustance". I hope you guys enjoy reading it

Basketball Gods' Eastern March

You can't call it madness in the East, right?


Celtics
March: 4 - 3
Record: 57 - 16

Consistency, Consistency, Pistons
March: 5 - 2
Record: 53 - 20

Magic
March: 2 -3
Record: 47 - 27


Cavs
March: 3 -3
Record: 41 - 33


Raptors
March: 4 - 3
Record: 38 - 36


7 of the next 9 games are in the road, Wizards
March: 4 - 4
Record: 37 - 37

Up coming games against Celtics, Pistons and Cavs, Sixers
March: 2 - 5
Record: 35 - 39

Hawks:
March: 4 - 3
Record: 33 - 41

Nets
March: 3 -5
Record: 31 - 43

Bulls:
March: 4 -3
Record: 30 -43

Pacers
March: 2 -5
Record: 28 -46


End of March stadings:

Recruiting in the retirement home

38 year old Sam Cassell and 38 year old P.J. Brown are the reinforces for the Boston's playoff push. I know the title have like a negative vibe but I actually like those guys. They bring defense and "timing offense". With that I mean that they can nail a jumper, a tip-in, a three here and there and contribuite with the offensive cause.

They have been brought for their possible matchup with the Pistons. On paper, they are good "part time counterparts" but I seriously doubt they can keep with Billups, 'Sheed and McDyess during a 7 game series.


Again, with this I'm not saying that Boston will lost against the Pistons in a eventual playoff matchup. I'm just saying that PJ and Sam I Am won't make any MAJOR difference


Algo, San Antonio will get Brent Barry back.


The Suns signed Gordan Giricek and the Pistons signed Theo Ratliff.

Linkin Friday VII

Yeap! Linkin' Friday is back!!!!!

I'm feeling very musical today. Don't know why.

• Here's a "spoof" of Nickelback's Rockstar. The original video is also kinda cool

• An ode to Isiah Thomas (I saw that link awhile ago at basketbawful)

• Kendra should have his own song

• The dream of every Piston Fan. ... Sorry, there's no song

• I can't go without a Shaq rap! If you ask me the best part is the beginning!

Gods' Final Standings Predictions

If the Basketball God's make a prediction, is that like cheating? Probably. So for u all you in Las Vegas, you perhaps might wanna take a look at this Nostradamus-ish statments.

1. The Celitcs will win 65 games. The Pistons 55
2. The Bulls will qualify to the playoffs with a 39 -43 record, beating the Hawks by 2 games for the final spot.
3. The Heat will play close to .500 once Pat Riley resigns. There's no shot in hell they will qualify.
4. Indiana colapses in the second half going 11- 29
5. The Knicks closes the season with the worst record of the East at 22 - 60

Intersting playoff matchups:

1. 1 Celtics vrs 8 Bulls: The team that got KG against the team that was supposed to get KG. The team that overachieve every expectation against well, the Bulls.
2. 4 Cavs vrs 5 Wizards: If Arenas is playing this is a hell of a matchup.

1. The Suns will be the number one seed with 56 wins
2. 7 teams qualify to the playoffs with 50 or more wins. The Lakers are the 8th seed after winning 47 games
3. Denver and New Orleans win their respective divisions
4. Dallas qualifies as the 5th seed. One game separated them for the number 2 seed.
5. Utah (47 - 35 ) and Houston (46 -36) become lottery teams
6. Minnesota end the season with 13 wins. Seattle with 19.

Intersting playoff matchups:

1. 1 Suns vrs 8 Lakers: Maybethe third time is the charmed.
2. 2 Hornets vrs 7 Blazers: Paul vrs Roy