2009 NBA first round playoff predictions

Eastern Conference

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons:  Cavs in 5.  Lebron and Co. are just too good.  Even though Detroit is battle tested, this is not the same team that they once had.  I say 5 graciously, because anything can happen.

#2 Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls:  Celtics in 6.   Even without Kevin Garnett, I still don’t think the Bulls have the firepower to counter.  They do have some very streaky shooters (Ben Gordon, John Salmons) that could win them a game or two; but not a series.  Expect Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to step up big.

#3 Orlando Magic vs Philadelphia 76ers.  Orlando in 6.  Even with injuries to Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkogolu, the Magic should still roll.  Although, if these injuries increase and make it so the aforementioned players can’t play, the tide could quickly turn.  However, Philly has no one that can contain Dwight Howard.  I’m expecting a big series from him.

#4 Atlanta Hawks vs Miami Heat:  Atlanta in 7.  Dwayne Wade is damn good, but he’s not enough to beat a solid Hawks team single handedly.  The Hawks have the bigs to build an interior wall on defense as well as a star in Joe Johnson.  Although I like Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers for the Heat, I can’t put my trust in rookies performing above and beyond in the playoffs. 

 

Western Conference

 

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz.  L.A. in 5.  The Lakers in my opinion are the best team in basketball, and the favorite to win the title.  They have a myriad of althetic big men (Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum) that the Jazz cannot contain, alongside the reigning MVP, Kobe Bryant.  The Lakers have too much firepower for the Jazz to deal with.  It would not shock me to see the Lakers sweep, however, the Jazz have the capability to win a couple games because the Jazz are so good at home.  If the Jazz need any shot to win, they will need huge games by Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, as well as a healthy Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko (mentally). 

#2 Denver Nuggets vs #7 New Orleans Hornets:  Nuggets in 6.  Denver has been a slept on team all year, but have been solid all season.  The Hornets have been injury plagued and underachieved this year.  However, they do have the x factor in the series; Chris Paul.  However, I see New Orleans having no shot without Tyson Chandler.  The Chauncey Billups/CP3 matchup should be intriguing, as well as David West against the Denver bigs.  However, if Tyson Chandler can’t play in this series for New Orleans, they have no chance.

#3 San Antonio Spurs vs #6 Dallas Mavericks:  Spurs in 7.  For years I’ve picked against the Spurs and they have continuously proved me wrong.  Jason Kidd doesn’t have the legs to stop Tony Parker who will be x factor.  Role players like George Mason and Matt Bonner will have to step up as well.  However, the Mavs have been playing very well, and without Ginobili, the Spurs could be in a lot of trouble. 

#4 Portland Trailblazers vs #5 Houston Rockets.   Houston in 7.  Houston finally gets out of the first round!  Without Tracy Mcgrady!  This will be my most anticipated series of the first round.  Yao Ming will have to be the x factor and dominate the bigs of Portland.  I see Brandon Roy struggling because of Houston’s solid defense and the combination of Ron Artest and Shane Battier (two elite defenders) sharing the task of guarding him.  Although I love Portland – who is incredibly tough at home – I see Houston being the more experienced, battle tested team.  Watch out for Portland come next season though.

2008-2009 NBA best of.

Block of the Year: Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers.

Lebron puts an end to a Milwaukee Buck fast break, by sprinting the floor and sending pg Ramon Sessions layup into the nosebleed seats.  Perfect example of hustle, athleticism and speed.  This is the definition of the “wow” factor.

Assist of the Year: Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers.

Pau Gasol, a true 7 footer, leads a fast break against the Utah Jazz.  After dribbling the ball between his legs backwards while sprinting he executes a perfect no-look pass to teammate Trevor Ariza for the dunk.  Amazing athleticism and awareness for a man of his size.

2008-2009 NBA season awards

Another NBA season is beyond us, and now it’s that time of year again- where self proclaimed know-it-alls in the blogosphere use what little knowledge (bias) we have and crown the who’s-who of the NBA.  Also, with the playoffs coming as soon as tomorrow (predictions coming soon) I’ll hand out my awards before the action gets too nailbiting. 

Most Valuable Player:  Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all knew that it was only a matter of time until King James took his game to a level that allowed him to be crowned as the NBA’s best player.  Playing in 81 of a possible 82 games (he sat out the last game of the season due to the wishes of his coach) while averaging 28 pts, 7  assists and 7 rebounds.  We have never seen a player with the strength, size and speed of Lebron.  He single-handedly placed a team on his back and the result was the NBA’s best record (66-16) and the second best home record of all time (39-2).  Only thing left to do now is to win the NBA Finals. 

Rookie of the Year:  Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Averaging 17 pts, 6 assists and 4 rebounds as a rookie, Rose emerged early in the season as the class of last years draft – proving that he deserved that #1 pick.  He quickly became the leader of the Bulls and has led them to the postseason and a first round matchup with the Celtics. 

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All you have to do is take a look at the image and see why Howard has become the poster child for defensive presence in the NBA.    He led the league in both rebounding and blocks (14 and 3), all while averaging over a steal a game.   Also, he changes the outcome of a game with plays that don’t show up on the stat sheet, like deflections and altered shots.

 6th Man of the Year:  Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.5 points per game in 34 minutes. 46 percent shooting, 36 percent from the 3 pt line, 88 percent from at the free throw line. 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.6 turnovers, 2.4 rebounds, average defense, and accepting a leadership role off the bench with a great attitude that can’t help but reflect off his teammates. The Jet has been fantastic this season.  Also, his team made the playoffs – Sorry Nate Robinson.

Most Improved Player: Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets.

 Consider this season the official Devin Harris coming out party.  In one season he’s gone from a decent role playing pg in Dallas, to an all-star and the “it” guy for New Jersey.   Harris impressed while boosting his averages to 22 points and 7.0 assists; the only players with better numbers in those categories are Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul and Lebron James (all MVP candidates)

 

Coach of the Year:  Rick Adelman, Houston Rockets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adelman has dealt with a season-ending injury to perennial all-star Tracy McGrady, alongside injuries to Shane Battier, Ron Artest, Calry Landry, and the loss of his starting point guard Rafer Alston to a trade, all while weaving in inexperienced players like Von Wafer, Aaron Brooks, Kyle Lowry, and Chuck Hayes.  However, the Rockets still won over 50 games and the fifth seed in the playoffs for the third straight year.

NCAA ‘08-’09 recapped

Another college basketball season has come and gone.  Congratualtions go out to North Carolina, for being the best team at the start and the end of the season (and the one final four team I got right in my office bracket).  I watched a lot of ball this year (more than normal, minus the big 10).  Here are my opinions/awards to sum up this year in college hoops.  Also, I would like to add that March Madness is the greatest sporting event of all time; nothing comes close.

Player of the year:  Blake Griffin, Oklahoma.  

MVP of March Madness:  Ty Lawson, North Carolina.

Game of the year:  Syracuse vs. UCONN (6 ot’s, Big East tournament)

Block of the year:  Hasheem Thabeet, UCONN.

Assist of the year:  Johnny Flynn, Syracuse (check about the 1:05 mark)

Dunk of the year:  Blake Griffin, Oklahoma and Carlon Brown, Utah.

Play of the year:  Scottie Reynolds. Villanova.

Blooper of the year: Adam Waddell, Wyoming.

It just makes sense

Seeing that John Madden has had a trouser-ripping boner for Brett Favre for the past 15 years, it’s only fitting that after the man retires he pays homage and puts him on the cover of Madden ‘09.

I am far from a Favre hater, in fact I am quite the opposite, but I do find this a bit suspect.  I’m wondering if this is a way to break the Madden curse, or to keep the curse alive any suspicion of a Favre comeback to rest. 

 

The playoffs 1st round

One of my favorite times of the year is now upon us. The 82 game season has ended, and in the first time in what seems like forever, I actually paid attention because the Western Conference was unbelievably competitive, and the games actually mattered. It is now time for the Playoffs; and come Saturday I’ll be glued to my couch, putting up never before seen beer drinking stats.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Lakers vs. Nuggets: Lakers in 5

Jazz vs. Rockets: Jazz in 6 (best believe I have my tickets)

Hornets vs. Mavericks: Hornets in 6

Suns vs. Spurs: Spurs in 7

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Celtics vs. Hawks: Celtics in 4 ( The Hawks are an embarrassment to the word playoff)

Cavaliers vs. Wizards: Cavs in 7 (I’m anxiously waiting for Lebron to go off and drop 50 on Gilbert and Deshawn).

Magic vs. Raptors: Magic in 6

Pistons vs. 76ers: Pistons in 5

Websites that I like

These are a few of my favorites outside the usual (myspace, youtube, nba/nfl/mbl.com. espn etc.)

The Drudge Report: Although conservative, they cover everything in the political and current event world, leaving no stone unturned. I read this daily.

The New York Times: Need I say more?

With Leather: Hillarious sports blog about the idiots in sports.

Ball Hype: Links to every cool story/video in the wide world of sports.

Bill Simmons: One of my favorite writers for ESPN. His column is always worth reading.

Hype Beast: Fresh streetwear/sneaker blog

High Snobiety: See Hypebeast

Nike Talk: If you are able to get past all of the douche bags, it can be informative . I usually check for the release dates of whatever shoes I want and then bounce.

Digital Gravel: Great online store.

KarmaLoop: See DG.

Pick Your Shoes: Every shoe that you would ever want resides here. They’re pricey though.

Hip Hop Game: The most recent interviews, songs and stories in the world of hip-hop.

Stuff White People Like: Hillarious!

The Fail Blog: See “Stuff White People Like.”

Perez Hilton: Sure he’s a douche, but celebrity gossip and fuck-ups are a guilty pleasure of mine.

What Would Tyler Durden Do? Basically a better, more satirical version of Perez.

Film Drunk: Film news, insight and opinions brought to you by the same people who write With Leather and WWTDD.

Nintendo 8: Every Nintendo game known to man. I just beat Contra for the first time since I was a kid. (up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, a, b, start)

Facts of Life: Fuck you Cody.

City Weekly: I’m not a huge fan of their writers or opinions, but they do keep me up to date on the haps of SLC.

IMDB: Everything about movies. Everything.

College Humor: Immaturity at it’s finest

Ebaums World: See College Humor. I really am 6 at heart

If any of you have sites that may relate to these, and aid in me wasting me free time, I urge you to participate and share.

Creepy

While at Blockbuster the other day, I went over to the refreshments aisle to pick up a vitamin water and lo and behold found what may be the reincarnation of the Exorcist in the form of a Steve Nash bobble head doll.

There are no words.

Some things I just don’t understand…

1) Yesterday it was 70+ degrees outside. Today I look out my window and it’s snowing, and by that I mean dumping with potential to stick to the ground. That means yesterday I was playing basketball and taking my dogs for a walk, outside in a pair of shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt, and today I may have to shovel my drive way. This in turn means that all Utah drivers will have their retard switch automatically turned on, ensuring a clusterfuck on every major drivable area in the valley.

Mother Nature has PMS here in Salt Lake.

2) (Thanks Brandon for this) Deron Williams has scored 1,523 points, handed out 851 assists and shot .509 from the field this season. He has joined Magic Johnson (1986-87 and 1988-89) and Kevin Johnson (1988-89) as the only players in league history to score 1,500 points, hand out 800 assists and shoot 50 percent from the field in a single season.

Can someone please point out to me why Deron is not a contender for the MVP?

What the fuck are these?

I’m completely befuddled and offended.  These are even worse than the ones I posted about a while back.  Dreadful.

It should be a crime to butcher two classic shoes like this.  These look like something from the Island of Dr. Moreau combined with one of Dr. Frankenstein’s inventions.