Linkin Fridray IX

Just in case you are to ashame to ask. This is the definition of a leap year

Honor Society of Leap Year Babies. Good Stuff

Leap year proposals. You have been warned!.


Top 50 Leap Year Facts.

Yao is Out

So much for this year's exultation of capturing glory.

Yao Ming is out for the season after a stress fracture in his left foot. For anybody who has followed Yao and the Rockets it's a know fact that they have won 12 straight games, before Yao went down, because of their defense and Yao is the building block of that defense. Said that, Houston is going to struggle migthly against high octane offense teams and teams featuring a scoring 1 or a scoring 2, which means the entire West and like 4 teams from the East.

Are the Rockets out of playoff picture? Not yet. They have to be thankful that the Blazers cinderella season doesn't appear to get the into the playoffs. They still have a chance but now the can forget the chase San Antonio, New Orleans and Dallas and begin to worried about the Nuggets and Warriors.


As for Yao goes, he's main problem right now is his country

"If I cannot play in the Olympics for my country this time, it will be the biggest loss in my career to right now," he said

If I were a Rockets I could be wondering right now "Is this guy having surgery or treatment or whatever the hell is doing on his foot in the strech run of our season, missing the playoffs in the process, to be able to recover for the Olympics?"


What's China has to said about all this

Doctors blamed the injury on accumulated stress on the bone, rather than any single incident. Titan said the true cause was the Rockets' failure to provide a reliable substitute for Yao, forcing him into too much game time.

"In fact, exhaustion was really the major reason behind Yao Ming's injury," the paper said.

I'm guessing relationships between the Rockets and China has been "aceptable" all this years. China has always had a eye on Yao and his development and his on going injuries but they have never made an statemente like that. David Stern is in love with China and it's investment potencial, wisely. I hope this doesn't mean that Stern is going to try to give a little "push" to improve the Rockets.


I know, that's very unprofessional and very "Suns fans " behaviour on my behalf (u know "Stern is fixing the league" type of statement) but well, as Puffy used to say "mo' money mo' problems"

Staying put

14 total trades. 4 Blockbusters. 24 teams adquired new players somehow. Yeap, there were lots of movement around the league. For a more complete analysis go read Holllinger's piece about all those 14 trades.

There's always the other side of the coin. Those teams that didn't make any real moves, those players that didn't get a fresh start and that all are looking for next summer to a needed "shake up". Here are some of those teams and players




Mike Miller:Heat, Spurs, Rockets, Hornets, Magic, etc. They all were trying to get Miller. He's a great shooter, can put the ball on the floor and create his own shot and has a decent contract. As we all know Memphis is cutting lose of every contract they can but they were asking for high draft picks and most of the teams looking to get Miller were contenders, hence, low draft picks.


Ron Artest: Apparently the trade to Denver didn't went through 'cause the Nuggets didn't want to give Linas Kleiza. Why would Denver go after Artest? What's the point? The guy is crazy. He really is out there. Any team the appreciates locker room peace and chemistry and stuff like that should stay apart of Artest. For real. You know what, I'd really like to see Artest on New York. Don't know why. It would be fun.


Sam Cassell: Trade him! Buy him out! Do something with this guy. Why would the Clippers keep him? They could easily get at least a draft pick. They maybe holding him for next year when Livingston and Brand get back, but it will be far cheaper for them to sign a cheap back up for Livingston that having Cassell around.


Vince Carter: Are the Nets in rebuilding mode 'cause they traded their franchise player? I don't think so, Kidd wanted out all year long and one of the reason was Vince Carter. When the guy is not motivated (Because millions of dollars doesn't motivate him) he can really be a pain to his team and teammates. This is the reason why the Nets are trying to trade him to anywhere. Rumored deals to New York and Indiana never got rolling.


Jermaine O'neal: It is me or JO have like 2 more seasons in the tank. Seriously, since the brawl neither Jermaine nor the Pacers have been the same. Any team trading for O'neal have to had a Boston-Celtics-win-now approach.


Al Harrington and Mickael Pietrus: Both of this poor souls are in Don Nelson's doghouse since his comeback to Golden State. They are good players and should be quite effective in the right scheme. Harrington was linked to Chicago, Cleveland and New Jersey among other. Pietrus was courted by San Antonio, the Lakers, Rockets and Mavs.


New York Knicks: They had to do something. They needed to separte Randolph and Curry. They needed to get a real point guard. They needed to decide what to do with Quentin Richardson. Isiah Thomas is pretty sure that if they "keep working hard" everything would be a'right and the championship would surely follow them


Orlando Magic: They still need a enforcer to play alongside Howard and a veteran point guard never hurts. JJ Redick have been crying for a while to get traded and he could be useful for a team that actually plays him.


Toronto Raptors: Perhaps the biggest looser of the trading frenzy. They practically did nothing and their closer competitor, Lebron, got lot's of help. The team doesn't look hungry enough to make some real noice

Linkin Friday (Saturday) VIII

A great site for all of you gym freaks. They actually explain how do things the right way

Are you in the mood for learning stuff?

If you have a dog for a pet this site of Animal Planet has a lot of great info

How to draw a very cool car with paint. Or better, draw the Mona Lisa. Don't do this

The Basketball Gods' Are Good

And s&it load of trades went down at the headline.


The big one was the 11 player Ben Wallace trade. The Basketball Gods' are good because Chicago found a way to dump Big Ben. But now, instead of having a underpaid big man the Bulls have a underpaid shooting guard. I keep telling you, the Basketball Gods work in a misterius ways.Read the comments from blogabull, there's a little bit of everything. The Cavs are happy.


Yesterday news but Bonzi was sent to the Hornets. Just one word of advise, keep Bonzi as far as posible from Chris Paul. Seriously. I know stuff. At the association the trade didn't like either. At least at Swarming the Ball are content

Tim Duncan won't have to worry again about Kurt Thomas ' D


Gerald Green was traded to the Rockets for Kirk Snyder and some chopped liver.


The Nuggets and the Blazers made a minor deal exchanging Von Wafer for Taurean Green
Pretty lateral move is you ask me.



Detroit gets Juan Dixon in exchange for Primoz Brezec. Another lateral move

Are you ready?

I was supposed to write this post at the beggining of the week but I didn't had time hence I'm doing a short maybe more intersting version

Take a look at the stadings, drive your glance to the West conference and enjoy the madness. This last 30 something games are really going to be something that any NBA fan is going to love. Seriously, they are only 5 games between the first seed and the 9th seed and if you believe in Portland's dream then it will be 10 teams fighting for everything from the number one position to be the poor souls outside looking in

For me this are the keys for each team:

• Hornets: Can they keep calm once that every game is played at full intensity? I mean Chris Paul is a true MVP (top 3 in my opinion) but they have never play with those conditions.

• Suns: Shaquille. He is going to slow them down. He is going to be in foul trouble a great deal of time. They are going to miss Shawn Marion. How does D'Antoni and Nash handle this? If they can pull it off I'll tip my hat to them.

• Lakers: Bynum's and Bryant's health. If they recover nicely they are the number one choice for the title.

• Utah: They need to find a way to win outside Utah. It's imperative.

• Mavs: If they get Kidd they will need to mesh pretty quick. If they stay put they Avery Johnson is the key. He needs to put some fire in this team. Somehow.

• Spurs: Finley, Barry, Bowen and Horry shot. Their title hopes depend a lot on those guys open jump shots.

• Nuggets: Believe it or not, K-Mart is the key here. He could be a great offensive and defensive weapon. They'd have so much versatility in both ends of the floor that they would be complicate matchup for anybody.

• Houston: Defense. It they play defense they know how to win. No matter if TMac is playing or not (Or he's traded or not)

• Warriors: Biedrins and Monta. When this two play their best they are an unbelievable team. Seriously. Warriors' fans know what I'm talking about.

• Blazers: Remember the magic. It wasn't only Roy's magic or Alridge's magic. Was a team's magic. Just remember it.

Do Something!

Wow, there are trade rumors everywhere, I love this time of year.



The Nuggets, who are slowly convincing themselves they need a little something extra to be real contenders in the West, are talking with the Kings about Ron Artest. Good idea trying to get Artest. Bad idea weakening their bench.


Apparently Kidd is staying put at least that's what Cuban is saying



Austin Crosshere want's an opportunity. I don't get why this guy is not being used by Nelson, he's a hustler and works hard on defense. He's a great guy to bring ofthe bench if you are a contender. Funny, I thought the Warriors were contenders.



Jermaine O'neal wants to play for Isiah. What's wrong with this guy? Have this guy seen the Knicks play the last three years? You think the Pacers are bad? Dear God, you are in for a surprise. Anyhow, they could trade for Zach Randolph or Eddy Curry. Is amazing that Isiah as a GM still exists. He makes this blockbuster trade to get Randolph and 6 months later he's shopping him. Isn't that bad management? Does he think this things through? Does he think at all?


The worst part is that he wants to trade Eddy Curry after he gave the Bulls two lottery picks that became Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah.If you think about it, with a little bit of luck they could be Greg Oden and LaMarcus Alridge. That's a frontcourt that works



The Bulls have been busy rumor-wise. They have talked with the Knicks about getting a bunch of scrubs in exchange for Ben Wallace. Man, only the Knicks would take him. Only the Knicks. But hey, I'm making a promise here: If Isiah Thomas takes Ben Wallace I would not write anything bad about him or the Knicks for the remaining of the season and the playoffs. Please, Basketball Gods' let this happen!


Sam Smith smoked something blue and with a weird odor and came out with this trade: Kirilenko for Wallace and then he smoked something green and alive and an Al Harrington - Duhon trade pop up in his twisted balding head


I can't think in any real scenario where Paxson has the chance of getting rid of Wallace, you know one where Isiah Thomas is not involved. My advise to Bulls' fans - my being one of them - keep in mind they are just rumors and that Sam Smith smokes a lot of weird things he grows beneath is bed.

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!

NBA: Where stupid trades happens

I suppose to analized this and come out with an intersting and smart reason of the Shaquille O'neal trade I dont get it. I don't catch Kerr's drift

A'right, the Suns need some attitude and muscle to compete with the rest of the west. I agree that their run and gun show is not bringing no titles as they have been sent fishing by better defensive teams in the playoffs but in order to fix this you don't trade your most versatile player and second best defensive weapon for a 35 year old injured center. No. No. No. You trade Marcus Banks for Jaamal Magloire or any of the Seattle centers. Something smart.

The Suns are expecting that Diaw replaces Marion and that Shaq rejunates himself and be the diference maker agains San Antonio, Dallas and New Orleans. I really don't see that happening. This is Diaw's second bad year. This is Shaq's second bad year. I really don't get it. Worst case scenario the Phoenix Suns are going to get outrun by the rest of West with the exception of San Antonio and Houston. Best case scenario, Shaq is going to be a monster thanks to Steve Nash and the attention that Amare draws and the missmatches. I say the first has the better odds.

Phoenix needed to do some trade, Nash have been complaining about team chemistry for awhile now but this wasn't the trade to make. Not Marion at least not for Shaq

I don't get it


Ps: My condolescence. It's a shame

Happy Kobe?

So many things to write... Just in case you missed it, Gasol was traded to the Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie and some draft picks

Celtics vs Lakers Finals everyone? If I dare to say that a year ago you bet Blogger would had close this thing in a second. Now, thanks to a couple of blockbuster trades this is not longer a such far fetched idea in this material world.

The Lakers now look like a real contender to the title although just getting just out of the West deserves a ring. The West is that crazy and the top is getting insane.That happens when one of the worst team trade their best player to one of the top 6 teams in exchange for their worst player. If Bynum's injury is more serious that everyone taught Gasol is going to be the man in the middle for the rest of season and knowing Gasol's soft side is going to be very tough for the Lakers to beat up Duncan, Boozer or Yao in a seven game series. In the other hand Gasol is a perfect weapon offensively for the triangle, which gives Dallas one more "happy trigger" team to worry about.


The destiny of the Laker from now on depends on Gasol's basketball IQ and if he can share no only the low post but also the touces with Bynum when he returns and Mr Bryant. Talking about Mr Bryant this trade at least show Kobe that Kupchak and the Lakers are at least trying to making him happy.


In a related note, Bulls' fans must be kicking themselves.

Aging Champions

I hate to brag, but my grandpa was a total badass. He was awarded the Bronze Star in World War II for staying up for three straight days during a major battle. He also rode a motorcycle well into his 70s. But a few years ago, we were walking through a grocery store together and suddenly I realized my grandpa was gone. I turned around and saw him sitting down on a nacho cheese display, trying really hard to catch his breath. That was the moment I realized that, damn, my grandpa is old. I had that same moment this week with the Spurs. And if there's a chink in their championship armor, that's it.

--Basketbawful

Maybe that's because the Spurs are lying in the weeds, like they've often done, and busily preparing their annual February surge. Or maybe something is truly different this year. Based on how the Spurs have played over the past month and a half, we shouldn't dismiss that possibility too rapidly

-- John Hollinger

I think we'all have been thinking this for a couple of months. All the signs have been there: the injuries, the poor shootings, the bad losses, the close wins that shouldn't been that close. I think is official, the Spurs are old, slow and beatable. It hurts me to write this because I'm a sick fan of Duncan, Manu and the some other Spurs players. I like that team. I don't need to sit here and tell you how good were Buford and Popovich building each championship team. I also love that they are rock solid from bottom to top.

After last season championship I thought that this team could get one more ring and, if retooled wisely, the could get a seventh championsip from Duncan. Now, the look more than a second tier contender than a championshop team.

Sometimes I like to be wrong 'cause I'm a very negative person. I'd love to see another parade on the Riverwalk that proves me that I don't know what the hell I'm writting about.

Ps: According to the God's predictions the Spurs get into the playoffs as a fourth seed with 54 wins. Utah, their more recent defeat, ends up moping their fortunes as a 9th seed 47 win team

Scottie Pippen

In the last month or two a lot had happened with Scottie Pippen. Since last year there's had been rumors about Pippen been short of cash, sort of speak. Pretty hard to believe somebody that, according to basketball-reference.com made around 62 millions the last 5 years of his basketball career, is broke. Pippen is a family man he's no MC Hammer. If you ask me the issue here is that Scottie has nothing else to do. He tried writting a blog, it didn't work. He worked for ESPN for a little while but he hasn't returned to the broadcasters lineup over there. He obviously is not a savyy business man. All Pippen has it's basketball.

Last year he tried to play in the NBA but nobody gave him a shot. This year he went oversears to Finland and Swedden where he pretty much schooled everybody there and left a great impression . Pippen is not trying to return to the game for the love of it or for being an greedy bastard looking for more money, he's doing it for the sake of doing something with his life. Maybe a middle age crisis. Maybe not.

I should notice, just for my inner peace, that I loved Scottie Pippen's game. Back in the 90's it was really a joy for me to watch Bulls games, Sure, there was MJ putting 30 to 35 points a game with grace, style, a marketing smile and a killer instinct that would even affect his own teammates. But the guy in the background that made all that happened was Scottie. It wasn't just the overall game and the lock down defense, things that made Scottie Pippen so "social valuable" (A note here, you always hear over and over again in the press about a certain part of a player game, ignoring to a point other facets of his game which are as important as the others inside the system he plays. Example, Tim Duncan and his fundamentals and defense, you don't hear about his passing that creates space for himselft and other Spurs. Allen Iverson, he leaves everything on the court and creates shots for others. What about his ability at reading passing lines?. Those very publized skills are what made a player "social valuable"). Scottie did all the small things for those teams specially getting other players not named Jordan involved in the offense and orchestrating team defense. For me was a thing of beauty seeing this guy play as he generated offense and defense without generating numbers.

Said that I don't see Pippen as a skilled individual when it comes to comunicate with others. He also might be a little egocentric and a very proud individual who's very confident of this basketball IQ, and he should be. The problems for him arise when he tries to comunicate that wisdom. When Scott Skiles was let go by the Bulls on Christmas Eve Scottie saw an oportunity to be the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. He made a pitch for it not before ripping the entire team including players who he played with like Kirk Hinrich. Why would somebody looking for a job critized the people he or she has to work with? Not only he'd had to work with them his job pretty much would depend on their performance. Maybe it was just the Scottie way of letting them know that he knows them, knows his shortcomings and that he could find ways to fix them.


Everything came out wrong. He couldn't get his point through.


This is exactly why I don't think Scottie can coach.First he needs to learn some comunication skills. He has a better feel of the game than Byron Scott, Sam Mitchell, Phil Jackson or Pat Riley. He can't reach the players like those guys can. It's like a crazy scientist that becomes a bad teacher, he has all the knowledge of the subject and the experience to back it up. If he isn't able to convert all the stuff he has in his head into words that rationalizes and explains that mess we all could thoughts then he's useless as a teacher. That's Pippen as a coach.


Then there's is the Michael Jordan shadow

"I think people love me just as much as they love Michael," Pippen said. "The fans who understand the game, the GMs and coaches. I think they'd rather have a Scottie than a Michael. Because I'm an all-around player. Coaches would rather have a Scottie-type player than a Michael. I was an all-around player. I made people around me better."

-- Scottie Pippen



In some way Pippen is still trying to win something without Jordan. As Sam Smith wrote that's why the Blazers' collapse in game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals were so painful. He needed that seventh ring. He needs to prove himself and the rest of the world that he's more than a "sidekick". As proud as he is that must be as important as any type of money he could earn in the process.




Scottie knows he's as responsable to Michael sucess as Michael's to his. He only wants the recognition. He only wants to be a part of the game again.



I said he deserves both.

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

Boo! U suck!

Red Hot Chilli Peppers' Flea just give a good ol' scolding to Lakers fans for booing Kwame Brown. Is pretty crappy to boo a player of the team you are rooting for. he has a point all those boos can get in the way of winning the game, for whatever reason.

People shouldn't boo a player just because they don't like the guy. Boo they guy because he sucks. Does Kwame sucks? Yes. Although, this year he hasn't had significant playing time, now that Bynum went down Lakers fan should be giving they guy a break 'cause Kobe and Co need all they help they can get to stay alive in the West.


In the other hand, booing the Bulls and the Knicks is totally acceptable because they don't even try most nights and if I'm paying whatever disproportionate and ridiculuous amount of money to attend the game I want to see Curry at least trying to jump to get a rebound.

The Gods have been busy

Once again my work doesn't allow me to blog and Rusty has been missing in action so it's been like a month since my last post and I have a couple of thoughts to share with you. Number one, I'm planning to bring back the Linkin Fridays and the discussion posts, I really like those ideas and want to develop them to see what happens.

I realized a few days back that my girl reads this blog even though she doesn't give a rat ass about basketball. You gotta love her. Counting heads of readers, that's like 5 or something, so if any of you want to share a link or an opinion just contact I'll be more than pleased to post or link or whatever

So, new year new goals. I'm planning to get my abs back, improve my professional career, buy a house and really push this blog around and achieve something with this. You maybe wondering why I'm writting all this crap. It's just me making a little public commitment to push myself to fulfill my own expectations.

Now I'm done, you can wake up now.

Joy to the League. Part II

Indiana Pacers: Jamaal Tinsley is still alive and they are 15-13 playing in the Eastern conference.

New Jersey Nets: Richard Jefferson is becoming a scoring machine thanks in part to the way Jason Kidd is playing (11.3 ppg, 10.3 apg, 8.8 rpg, 1.8 spg). They got back Marcus Williams this past month.

Seattle Supersonics: Kevin Durant. Jeff Green. They're going to be in rebuilding mode for the next 3 years at least but Durant ofensive proweness will help the cause, on an off the court.

Philadelphia Sixers: Billy King is out. Andre Miller's still playing for them so there is hope that once they trade him they probabbly get something good and valuable in return.

Houston Rockets: Yao Ming generates them lots of money. They are pretty good team when TMac is healthy.

L.A. Clippers: Chris Kaman will give them some comfort in case Elton Brand leaves. Rebuilding using a big man of the 2003 class as centerpiece is not that bad.

Sacramento Kings: Ron Artest hasn't gone wild yet. They are winning a fair amount of (11 -15) games without Bibby, Martin and Shareff

Washington Wizards: Caron Butler is playing more and more like a true star which is a very good thing because they need somebody to care more on winning games than self promoting his own ass (Sorry Gilbert the Basketball Gods are huge fans of your blog and your antics and everything you do, including your game, but they do know which is you priority)

Memphis Grizzlies: New coach, new system, new star. Rudy Gay is leading the team in points (19.6 ppg ) and showing some true leadership skills. Mike Miller have also been a bright spot this season. And Gasol is happy playing with his buddy Calderon.

Chicago Bulls: They had a shot at greatness for the second time in franchise history. Now they've fired their coach and their GM likes to give gifts to everybody around the league.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Al Jefferson and the rest of the team play hard night after night and they seem like a close team.

Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Jordan called out Felton and the rest of the team. They responded with 2 straight wins. That's the best thing MJ have done for a basketball team since 1998

Miami Heat: Wade appears to be headed to the All Star game and Riley still haven't abandoned the ship.

New York Knicks: Their fans can be very organized

Joy to the League

The Basketball Gods want to spread some joy in this very happy holidays remembering to all teams those little things that make them smile this passing year. They are aware that some teams don't seem to find anything to cheer about but hey! They are the basketball Gods, if somebody can find something good on the Knicks organizations are these guys:

Celtics: Anything. Just pick your choice: their record, the trade for KG and Ray Allen, the fact they are relevant again, the Pistons game which they lost but were damn close even though they didn't play their best game. Just let me tell you wy this guy should be smiling from ear to ear: they lost the lottery, they didn't get the chance to selecte either Oden or Durant which propelled them to get KG and Allen. The Gods work in mysterious ways

Spurs: They can be happy for a number of reasons starting with their fifth championship but they should also cheer that they current roster is as complete as any other in any of their championship runs getting good production from guys like Bonner and Udoka when given the chance.

Pistons: Everybody is expecting the year when this guys slow down. At the start of the season RIP and Sheed were a little injured and that slow them down and you started to wonder if this was the year. Well, nobody is wondering nothing with their current 11-2 stretch. I've to remind everybody that the Gods work in mysterious ways: Don't you think they have a chip in their shoulder after game 5 of the Conference Finals? That's the type of stuff that makes this team tick.

Magic: Finally Dwight Howard discover how good he can be.

Suns: Another team blessed in so many ways. Amare and Marion haven't kill each other yet, 27 games and counting and the seem like a happy and "we are on the same page" type of team. The biggest joy - not only for the Suns but also for the rest of the league - Grant Hill is playing and playing mighty good.

Mavericks:They had a 67 win season, that's a good thing. So what if Dirk can't smile anymore! Josh Howard is showing signs that they don't need to rely in Dirk "warm blood" to win a close game.

Golden State Warriors: They were the hottest team in the league for 6 weeks and got into the playoffs after a 12 year absense and make lot's of noice in the process. Nobody really thought that the Warriors could keep playing the way the played those 6 weeks - including me - and after that 0 -9 start I wasn't happy to be right. Now I'm happy to be wrong. Nellie ball rules.

Trail Blazers: They're achieving so much without their 40 year old rookie center. They can't take all the credit, it's bad karma, they need to thank Kevin Mchale and John Paxson for handing them Roy and Alridge for some other rookies... not that good. Let's leave it like that, I don't want to make anybody cry.

L.A. Lakers: Kobe's still in uniform and he says he's happy. If you want a Christmas miracle, you know outside Kobe being happy, just take a look at Bynum's progress and new found work ethic

New Orleans Hornets: None of their core players have missed more than 4 games (Peja Stojakovic ). It ain't that big of a thing but after what this guys went through last year, it is huge for them. By the way, the should also thank John Paxson for the Chandler gift. John Paxson is so good with the rest of the league.

Utah Jazz: Impressive playoff run that cemented Boozer and Deron Williams as more than up coming players, they are ready to play with the big guys. The new season brought them that old AK 47 they were mising so much.

Denver Nuggets: Thet won the Iverson sweepstakes and KMart seems to be getting back in track.

Cleveland Cavaliers: They had a easy path to the Conference finals and play inspired basketball against the Detroit Pistons including the 48 point perfomance by Lebron James. They should not only be thankful for having Lebron but they also must be appreciating this days, no matter what their record is, just a word of advice from the Basketball Gods. Enjoy this days.

Toronto Raptors: They have a Colangelo running things. Isiah Thomas used to run their team. Pretty good change, right?!

Atlanta Hawks: They are 14-12. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith are playing the more mature type of basketball we've seen from them. Al Hortford might pan out as the second best rookie of the 2007 class.

Milwaukee Bucks: They get to keep Yi and Mo Williams and they are in the Eastern Conference which means that it doesn't matter how mediocre they are they still have a chance to get in the playoffs.

Looking forward: West All Stars

Let's keep talkin about the deserving All Stars this time from the West. It's unbelievable the amount of players in this conference playing good to great basketball. There are 4 centers who could easily deserve the starting spot (There are 2 and half centers in the East)

Forwards:

• Carlos Boozer: The Jazz are struggling a little bit now, but Boozer always shows up and puts huge numbers ( 25.4 ppg, 11.7 rpg)
  
• Tim Duncan: He's having a quiet season but the Spurs are the best team in the West right now. His stock could be hurt by Manu's but I do se him playing for the West.
• Carmelo Anthony: Something happened in Denver. The last couple of week Melo doesn't seem like the top dog up in there. The change of the alpha dog role hasn't made a difference in the Nuggets record but it might change Melo's chances for his first All Start berth.
• Josh Howard: This is my theory: Avery Johnson is trying to create a go to guy in Josh Howard because Nowitzki, in all his skills, is very likely to choke under pressure. They need a much colder guy but that's just my theory.
• David West: This little known forward of the New Orleans Hornets should had been selected last year to the All Star squad and this year he's putting better number and the New Orleans Hornets and winning more games. Common sense, dude.
  
• Shawn Marion: The do-it-all for the Phoenix Suns is one of the best defensive players of the league but he might not get to be an All Star this year. Let's just hope he keep his eye on the grand prize and not let his ego force a trade to the Eastern Conference.
  
• Dirk Nowizki: A rather slow year for the David Hasselhoff fan. Shooting only 29% from downtown and averaging 21.2 - some 5 ppg lower than I expected - but life would be a lot harder for the Mavs and Josh Howard if Nowitzki weren't there.

Guards:

• Kobe Bryant: Right now he's the best player in the league. Lebron is like 3 eaten fingernails behind him. And his Lakers are totally overachieving thanks to no small part to Mr Bryant.
  
• Baron Davis: After last spring dismantle of a 67 win team I'd have think that the ring leader of the Warriors was going to get far more love. This Warrios might not seem like championship material but they can be pretty scary for anybody in this league. It all starts with the beard.
• Steve Nash: The Suns aren't still "clicking at all cylinders", whatever that means, but Steve is getting his numbers and the Suns have one of the best records in the league.
• Allen Iverson: Did he lost his confidence on Melo? Or he did just got tired of playing second banana? For whatever reason he return to his old scoring ways I'm glad! I just love to see Iverson racking up points.
• Manu Ginobili: The real reason the Spurs were winning so much games before this 1-3 bump, it's his line: 20 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.6 spg under 30 minutes per game.
• Chris Paul: The leader of the Hornets is averaging more then 20 ppg and almost 10 apg and leads the league in steals at 2.7. He needs to be selected I don't care if they build the roster with only one center.
  
• Brandon Roy: Everybody expected to the Blazers to roll over and cry Oden a river. They have won 8 straight games and playing inspired basketball. Roy's averging 24 ppg in that streak.
• Stephen Jackson: The Warriors were winninless before Capt Jack appeared. Now, they are fearless.
• Deron Williams: I just don't know where to put this guy. He's playing better basketball than Nash and Parker but even son he has less chances to get selected. Two issues are stading in DWill path to the All Star game 1) the Jazz are strugglinand and 2) the almost sure selection of Carlos Boozer. With the amount of candidates in the West -specially at the guard position - I don't think they'll select two players from a .500 team.
  
• Tony Parker: The third Spur in this list. He's averaging career highs in points (20.1) and assists (6.8) but even so he doesn't appear headed to the All Star roster.
• Tracy McGrady : Mr McGrady was on fire at the start of the season , but as he put it "teams have figured us out now". His great numbers and his popularity could earn him a roster spot

Centers:

• Yao Ming: He's been an All Star every year thanks to the 2 billion Chinese people that vote for him on daily basis but he's been deserving the spot the last couple of years. This year will be no diference.
• Marcus Camby: Three Nuggets on the All Star team. That would be cool. Camby's numbers back him up and the Nuggets are currently sitting at the top of the Norwest division.
• Amare Stoudemire: He's not a friend of rebounding or playing defense but he's a great offensive player and his game fit's with the running show of the All Star game.
• Chris Kaman: The former hippie have taken advantage of the little hole in the paint left by Elton Brand. It's a shame that the Clippers have more injury people than a ER chapter.

All this lead to my predictions:



Starters:

C Yao
F Duncan
F Boozer
G Kobe
G Nash

Bench:


Josh Howard
Carmelo Anthony
Baron Davis
Allen Iverson
Amare Stoudemire
Manu Ginobili
Chris Paul

Looking forward: East All Stars

Before the season started and I didn't had anything to write about I thought on writting something about the possible All Stars but I couldn't come out with something cool. Anyway, I was voting today and realized things are a bit different of how I thought they will be. This were the lineups in my mind, you know before the season:

East

C Howard

F KG

F Lebron

G Arenas

G Wade

West

C Yao

F Duncan

F Brand / Boozer

G Kobe

G Nash

Arenas and Brand are injured. Duncan is not putting All Star numbers and Wade is playing in the worst team in th East. The lastest two will probably made the team, though.

Let's pretend the All Star teams are not a popularity contest and take a look to the players that are really deserving a spot in the mid season classsic. Let's start with the East.

Forwards

• Kevin Garnett: He's not putting his typical KG numbers, but you can't really left out the best player of a 19-2 team.


• Lebron James: He's Lebron James. Just checkout his numbers.


• Chris Bosh: The heart and soul of a disappointing and injured Raptors team. Definitely one the best forwards in the East


• Caron Butler: This guy've really step up his game in the absense of Gilbert Arenas. He's averaging near 23 ppg, 7 rpg and more than 2 steals per game.


• Pau Pierce: More than 21 ppg. More than 5 rpg and more than 5 apg. Enough said.


• Antawn Jamison: Another Wizard stepping up for the lost of Gilbert but I don't think there's enough room for him

Guards:

• Jason Kidd: The Nets sucks right now but this guy is playing and amazing brand of basketball. Somebody have to rescue this guy from the swamps. Note: His avering 8.7 rpg which makes him 24th in the league. Check out all the big guys he's outrebounding.


• Chauncey Billups: Pistons fans are going to hate this but the Pistons have lost a step or two. Nevertheless they are one of the best teams in the East and they go as far as Chauncey take them.


• Joe Johnson: Can I dare to name a Hawk in an All Star discussion? The Hawks are 11-12 and Joe Johnson, even though he doesn't put up huge numbers, he's a huge catalyst for the Hawks. His case is not very strong but at least he has one. Note: His name is actually Joe Marcus Johnson. I don't know about you, but I were Joe Johnson I'll go by the name Marcus Johnson but that's just me.


• Michael Redd: Year after year the Bucks are called to be the "surprise team". I'm tired of waiting for the surprise. I wouldn't be surprise if Redd doesn't make the All Star team this year neither even though he's 10th in the league in scoring.


• Dwayne Wade: He's not a 100% following two offseason surgeries and the Heat is the worst team in the East. I'm just putting here because I know he's going to be there in February.

Centers:

• Dwight Howard: And to think once there was a discussion about who could be the better player, him or Emeka Okafor?


• Zydrunas Illgauskas: He's having his best rebounding season of his career and he's learn to do the small things to help his team win. He and the rest of the Cavs just need more Lebron James minutes.


• Shaquille O'neal: The Big Everything is having a Big Crappy Season. He's averaging 14 and 7 far from All Star numbers but he's still Shaquille O'neal. One thing I'm sure is that it can't be two players in the All Star team from the worst team. Please, don't let this happen.

So, this is my prediction

Starters

C Dwight Howard

F Kevin Garnett

F Lebron James

G Dwayne Wade

G Jason Kidd

Bench

Chris Bosh

Caron Butler

Chauncey Billups

Joe Johnson

Zydrunas Illgauskas

Michael Redd

Paul Pierce

Khalid Reeves is no longer in Costa Rica

I think I should give an update on the Khalid Reeves situation in Costa Rica. Apparently Mr Reeves went to Costa Rica as a favor to a college buddy of his, Joe Lear, that happens to be the GM and President of Saprissa Basketball. They are so close that Khalid is playing for free and he's buying game tickets for kids and everything.

He played for like a month with Saprissa before the playoffs started, this is when things got "messy". Saprissa lost the first two games of their first round which is to the best of five. Khalid scored 46 points in those games combined and got hard critics for the losses (I should also mention that Saprissa's best player , Henry Martinez, left the team and signed with a Mexican expansion team). Khalid never show up for the third game and Saprissa got swept.

So, right now I don't know where's Khalid Reeves but I don't think he's wearing no Saprissa jersey.