MVP

All I wanted was to get out of the first round. And it looks like that's all I'm going to get.



OLASB 2nd Round Predictions

Lakers over Rockets in 6

Cavs over Hawks in 5

Magic over Celtics in 5

Denver over Dallas in 7

Seis De Mayo

Doesn't quite have that same ring to it, huh? Once upon a time, I had a blog, and on this blog, I would do entries called Mid-Range Jumpers, where I would wax faux philosophic about the going ons in the sporting world. I guess I'll try to bring it back.

• Who says the public flogging is out of style? The Hawks put up a valiant effort, but they just couldn't stand in the face of the Celtics in Boston. But, they gave us hope for next year...as long as we get a new GM and a new coach.
• I love the NFL off-season. Cedric Benson and people who act even REMOTELY like him are the reason why.
• PETA is again proving to be my least favorite interest group. It was just a horse. Go away.
• No problem with KB24 getting the MVP, but I hope CP3 made it close. His dismantling of the Mavs, and his current show against the Spurs is an interesting case.
• Roger Clemens. Ew. Led to the funniest line of Bill Simmons' chat last week though:

Brad (Detroit, MI): Clemens 20K game on ESPN Classic right now.
Bill Simmons: Mindy McCready was five during this game.

• Recent Steelers draft pick Rashad Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint recently. Welcome to the NFL, where you will be paid a ridiculous salary, but there is no set protection for you. Screw up, and we'll penalize you before a trial, but you better hope that new bullseye is unseen by most.
  
• Maybe D'Antoni would like to coach a bunch of young, super-athletic overachievers? Huh?
• Or Avery Johnson? Or Lenny Wilkens? Okay, maybe not Lenny again.
• Best of luck to the Gehrig Division winning Columbia Lions baseball team as they vie for the Ivy League Title today and tomorrow at Dartmouth.
• What the hell Marvin Harrison? Has Peyton Manning gotten to you that bad?
• REVISED NBA playoff predictions: Celtics in 6, Pistons in 5, Lakers in 5, Hornets in 6. These don't replace my original guesses, just wanted to give my input since I am usually wrong.
• How do I reeeeeach these kids?
• ZAZA FREAKING PACHULIA...ZAZA FREAKING PACHULIA...ZAZA FREAKING PACHULIA

Well, that's it for now. I've been working hard, and will be rewarding myself with my first ever Vegas trip this summer. Never have I been in one place that so caters to all my vices at once. Plus, I'm going with my degenerate friends who do nothing but egg me on to do stupid things. Plus, a bar owner I know will be staying at the same hotel as me...in town for a friend of HIS bachelor's party. Plus, we're flying in on Friday the 13th. Looking at all these factors, the following exchange said it best.

Me: Is this just a perfect storm?

Jolson: It's already a N'oreaster.

NBA Playoffs Grand Finale

In case you missed my earlier picks, click here for round 1, and here for round 2.


Well, this weekend reaffirmed my love of the second season. We had 2 upsets, 1 actual (Sixers) and 1 perceived (Hornets), 1 instant classic (Suns/Spurs), and a host of potential moving forward. On to the title bouts:

Boston (1) vs. Detroit (2)
On paper, the Stones actually present an interesting matchup for the Boston Three Party. Billups will look to muscle young Rajon around, while Ray Allen will be struggling to keep up with a much more mobile Rip Hamilton. Pierce has been best defended all year by Mr. Prince, and the center match-up will be a push. The real focus of this series, the fight within the fight will be Rasheed Wallace vs. Kevin Garnett. Both present the type of inside-outside game that makes them so valuable to their team. Both are the emotional cores and leaders of their respective squads. This will all come down to who can enforce their own considerable will into inspiring their troops and willing their team to the Finals. Since this year, Garnett has been focus personified, and the team has gone as he has led.
Boston in 6.

Lakers (1) vs Phoenix (6)
As I already said, this is the marquee matchup the NBA is salivating over. The storylines that would normally exist in a rivalry series are multiplied by the addition to Shaq to the Suns. After approximately three days of harping on this being a legacy defining series for pretty much everyone involved, we'd be treated to good basketball. And alot of it. The Gasol-O'Neal showdown alone would be worth the price of admission, as would Kobe making a run at the team that has taken him out of the playoffs repeatedly in recent memory. In the end, I think KB24 shows out to his full potential and carries this thing. Remember, I may not have picked him as MVP, but Mamba is still the best player in the Association. It's true this year, just like it was true last year, and the year before that. And the Black Mamba can strike with 99% accuracy at maximum speed, in rapid succession.
Lakers in 7.

Boston (1) vs. Lakers (1)
What a fitting end to the best NBA season in recent memory, than to have it's two most storied franchises battle it out for the honor of hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy. While the Lakers have given us an up and down season, and the Celtics were marked for greatness all year, both teams proved their mettle by winning their respective conferences and surviving the playoffs until this point. This series will be remembered for one thing: Kobe Bryant, and the way he imposed his will on every game. Even the Celtic victories will be colored by the best player in the NBA playing the best basketball of his career. The series ends in six, because I can't see the Celtics losing at home in a Game 7. Sorry Boston hopeful. Maybe next year.
Lakers in 6.

Finals MVP: Kobe Bryant

I love this game.

NBA Playoffs Round 2

In case you missed my Round 1 picks, click here.

Before we get to the playoff prophecy found in this post, it's time to hand out some hardware for the regular season.

Coach of the Year - Rick Adelman
This season has been one illustrating some amazing coaching jobs. Eddie Jordan in Washington lost his best player, and sewed up a five seed, Byron Scott brought basketball back to New Orleans, and Doc Rivers hit the lottery of getting Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and an assistant coach who can explain defense. But, I have to give the nod for COY to Rick Adleman because of the reaction he spearheaded after losing Yao for the stretch run. Peeling off a NBA best 22 game winning streak, and cementing a place in the record books is a good way to get my vote.

Rookie of the Year - Al Horford
Ok, here's where you ask yourself: do I believe the hype, or do I react to results? Kevin Durant had all the pundits crowning him before the season, and had a helluva season post All Star break. But he's at home. Al Horford averaged a double-double while starting on a playoff team. It's really no contest to me.

Most Improved Player - Hedo Turkoglu
Did nothing but hit big shots.




Defensive Player of the Year - Kevin Garnett
Go ahead. Argue. I dare you.

Most Valuable Player - Chris Paul
Now THIS is an MVP race. With four legitimate contenders, I do not envy the actual voters. Garnett and LeBron are eliminated because they play in the East. Sorry fellas, that's just the way it is. Which leaves us KB24 and CP3. All second half, I had thought that whoever led their team to the 1 seed deserved the hardware, and there is an easy case to make for Kobe. Not only was he his usual level of greatness, but he also provided great television with a soap opera-like season. From whining about his teammates, to the Great Gasol Heist, to jumping Aston Martins on YouTube, to claiming the number one seed, it has truly been a memorable season. But Chris Paul submitted the best PG season since Oscar Robertson. Memorable vs. historic? No contest.

Now, onto Round 2:

Boston (1) vs. Washington (5)
The Celtics will have their hands full with the only team within the Association completely unafraid of them. Owning a winning regular season record against the PGA Tour, this scrappy bunch will bring a fire that would be lacking from Boston's first round opponent. But, Garnett will continue to drive and will his team to victory as he has all year, and secure a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Boston in 5.

Detroit (2) vs. Orlando (3)
Dwight Howard had monster games against the Stones this year, but everything else is stacked against the Magic. Their guard play is woefully unprepared for Rip and Chauncy, and Prince will be instrumental in making Hedo less of a factor. Even in light of this teams predisposition to slack off in series like this one, I think they learned their lesson from last year.
Detroit in 6.

Lakers (1) vs. Utah (4)
The biggest strengths of this Jazz team are Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. With three PGs to run at Williams to throw him off his game, and an underrated Lamar Odom checking Boozer, there is no one on Utah who can guard Kobe, who will be focused in his quest for the Finals. TNT has the rights to the Western Conference Finals, and half of their dream matchup is finalized in rather short order.
Lakers in 5.

Phoenix (6) vs. Dallas (7)
Sorry Mr. Kidd. Maybe next year. With no one to even slow down an Amare who would be MVP if we just looked post-Shaq trade, and no one to body Shaq in the post, this will not be pretty. With Amare getting physical with the Big German, I think that TNT gets the other half of the dream, ratings wise, and storyline wise. Lakers! Suns! Shaq! Kobe! Only on TNT...brought to you by The Closer.
Phoenix in 6.

Mid-Season Report

As we head into the NBA All-Star Game, I think it's important to look back on the (more than) half season that was.

The PGA Tour Rolls On

Standing at a Eastern Conference dominating 41-9, the Danny Ainge constructed trio has run roughshod all over their opponents thus far. Any questions about their chemistry and ability to play off of one another have been answered emphatically by this start. While durability remains a concern, I think that the Garnett injury happening when it did actually could have been the best thing possible for this team. Aside from galvanizing the remaining cast into winning, the losses they took made the 72-win goal unreachable, so they can focus not on some amazingly tough record, but on becoming the best possible basketball team they can, while tooling up for the postseason.

Biggest Dissapointment

With all the apparent discord coming out of Sacramento heading into the season, I was looking forward to some Ron Artest shenanigans. At the very least, I was anxiously awaiting a trade to a larger market, so we could get some great soundbites/youtube fodder. But, here I sit in February with nothing. Nothing. C'mon Ron-Ron, pick it up.

Biggest Surprise

Chris Paul, come on down. Not only has he led the New Orleans Hornets out of obscurity, he has solidified himself as the best young point guard on the planet. He has made the Hornets look downright dominant in the West, and stand tied with the Suns for the best record. That said, the second half biggest surprise will be how fast and far this little team that could will fall in the face of the new look Lakers, Suns, and soon-to-be Mavs. Not to mention the defending champs, who a lot of people are counting out, but have the exact same record as they did at this point last year.

MVP Race

The Steve Nash wins proved that you don't HAVE to be an All-Star Starter to be considered a favorite, but historically, it helps. That said, I'll divide the 10 starters up, and describe why they won't be MVP this year (elected starters, injury scratches aside).

Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Yao Ming, Jason Kidd, Dwayne Wade

Look, they've all had great runs, but they're not front runners for a reason. A.I. and Melo, ya'll are the top scoring tandem in the Association, but at 32-20, there have to be more consistent results. Yao Ming can't describe what 'past the first round' even looks like. Jason Kidd is stuck (for now) on a bad team. Dwayne Wade's career is already on the downside, and his team has won 9 games so far this year.

Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard

Tim is a victim of his own success. Much like when Karl Malone won the MVP over Jordan, people are just tired of watching the same person dominate. He isn't flashy or loud, he is just the most consistent, winning candidate. Dwight Howard has been a double-double machine, and could develop into the type of player our current leaders are.

LeBron James, Kevin Garnett

Garnett has had the most impact on his team of the three, transforming the Celtics into a hustling, defense first squad that looks to be able to make a post-season push. Missing games recently has hurt him, but if he can keep his missed games under 15, he could still be a contender. Mr. James has been electric at times, but everything else around him is such a mess it's hard to ignore. His openly pining for Kidd HAS to have ruffled some feathers around him, and as tremendous as he is, I don't think he will be able to drag this team as far as Mr. Garnett or our current MVP pick.

Kobe Bryant

KB24 has developed into a full player this year, continuing his evolution defensively and genuinely making the other players around him better. This year has seen the emergence of Andrew Bynum, and also seen the young guards improve under Kobe's watch. Even his pouting last year has paid off, as he was rewarded with the perfect compliment in the triangle offense in the person of Pau Gasol. If this squad can put together a title run rests alot on Bynum's return and Kobe's finger, but worse case scenario - this is going to be a dangerous squad for at least 3 years. The Mamba has been playing the best basketball ever, and Mr. James said it best:

"I know I got no chance if Kobe Bryant has never won it."
-- Cavs forward LeBron James, on his MVP candidacy this year compared to others.