So we've arrived to the GRAND FINALE of this years season! The Dance, the last push towards the Larry O'Brian Trophy..and our contenders from the EAST..the new "problem team"..MIAMI HEAT..and the "ol'skool vets"..DALLAS MAVERICKS. This is a rematch of 2006, a grudge match for the MAVS who lost that year to the HEAT, who won after coming back 2 down! However the difference in this series is the cast. The HEAT had SHAQ in 2006 and this year the HEAT have LeBRON JAMES and CHRIS BOSH! 2 premier ALL-STARS in our new era of basketball! The MAVS themselves have quite a different look in the presence of JASON KIDD, TYSON CHANDLER, and SHAWN MARION. This series is definitely gonna be one of high intensity and will be won by the team that plays the GLASS well. The HEAT have been a very resilient team coming into this PLAYOFFS and have an outstanding record of 12-3, however the same can be said about the MAVS who hold the exact same record in the 2010-2011 PLAYOFFS. A key to the HEAT success is undoubtedly the play of the KING himself, LeBRON JAMES. Previously known for not closing out games, LeBRON is a new breed of beast these PLAYOFFS and has been the HEAT's best closer through out all their series'. He's been stone cold, and just clutch when it comes to taking over the fourth to push for the win. On other notes the same can be said about DIRK NOWITZKI, who I personally think is playing phenomenal basketball. He's just been dazzling, a wonderful sight for all those that love the game. With the production from his supporting cast, the MAVS and DIRK look good going up against the young star studded team. Key Matchups to look out for involve DIRK NOWITZKI and CHRIS BOSH, BOSH will have a tough assignment guarding DIRK, he's gonna have to play lock down D to keep DIRK in check and out of offensive mode. The one area that I think the MAVS will excel is the play of their bench. JOSE BAREA provides great back up for JASON KIDD as well as the play of their 6th man JASON TERRY who, when dialed in is a big problem. I think when it comes down to it, the X-FACTOR in the series is gonna be the play of the bench and I predict that the MAVS have he upper hand. My prediction for this series is the MAVS in 6, I know its betting against the odds, but I'm one to take the "underdogs" in this type of situation! The overall outcome of this series is gonna be great no matter which team wins..so all ball fans brace yourselves for an epic showdown! LEGO!!
follow me on tiwtter @tkjumpman20 for live score and stats!
Monday, 30 May 2011
Thursday, 5 May 2011
..upsets ahead??..
watsup ball-a-holics!! So I decided to put ya'll up to speed with whats the situation out in the WEST and in the EAST. After 2 games a piece in all the series this is where we are at:
The LAKERS are down 2-0 to the MAVS, both games played in the STAPLES CENTER, home to the reigning NBA CHAMPS, and right now this series doesn't look too good for the LAKERS. They play tomorrow night in DALLAS and we hope to see some what of a turn around in the play of th LAKERS. Major notables will be the dumb, dumb fould RON ARTEST picked up in the last seconds of GM 2, throwing what looked like a clothsline at BAREA, getting him ejected from the game and suspended for GM 3. PHIL JACKSON is most likely to go with MATT BARNES or LAMAR ODOM, both good picks as they can provide help in the offensive slump the LAKERS have been experiencing from the bench. Also to note was the comment LAKERS center ANDREW BYNUM had to give to the media saying that "there are trust issues amongst the 13 of us"..WHOA! *PAUSE*..come on big fella you don't say that stuff to the media thats just asking to be eaten up!! If things are as what he says is going on, the LAKERS need to regroup and come out to win GM 3, or the MAVS will have a chokehold on this series if they are to win GM 3.
The BULLS tied up their series 1-1 against their second round opponents the HAWKS. They looked like the BULLS that we know from this past season. DERRICK ROSE was named the MVP of the league, and was presented with his trophy before GM 2 progressed. Really and truly, the award is exactly what his play is on the court. CHICAGO played an amazing game and pulled out the win, to tie the series and is now headed into hostile territory. All I can say is that the HAWKS play well on their home court as seen in round one against the MAGIC, who were probably the team everyone picked to go through, instead the HAWKS proved everyone wrong and is not locking horns with the BULLS, no pun intended. GM 3 is gonna be a great game to watch and you can catch it Friday night, check local listings for times.
The CELTICS are one of those other teams that are facing the same fate as the LAKERS, being down 2-0 against the HEAT. It's clear to see that the group is struggling offensively and the unit is not working as well as they had expected. On the other hand the HEAT are on a roll and are clicking in every possible way, lead by no other than LeBRON JAMES, DWAYNE WADE, and CHRIS BOSH! All three players look great on the court and you can see that they work as a unit. If BOSTON is too cause a turn around its gonna have to be now. Now that they have home court for the next two games (GM 3, GM4), they have to outlast this HEAT pressure and use the energy from the CELTIC FAITHFUL and get the first W! Good Luck to the C's and you know already this is one to put in the books!
OKC tied up their series in GM 2 with a win over the GRIZZLIES, and GM 3 looks to be promising just as GM 1 and GM 2. The GRIZZLIES find themselves at home and are going to attempt to hold down home court. Z-BO was a force in GM 1 however didn't look to be all there in GM 2, he looked like his former self, taking wild shots of broken plays and didn't have as big as of impact on the glass as GM 1. Hopefully he regroups with the team and they can pull of a W. On the other had OKC looks great. The win in GM 2 should carry over the momentum and we will be able to see that in their play at MEMPHIS. GM 3 goes down this SAT at the FED EX FORUM, tune in to watch these teams battle it out for the lead!
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
GAME 1 ROUND 2..IN THE BOOKS..
So we've all had a chance to witness the East and West Semi's by now and man has it been a shocker. To say the least how many people thought that all road teams besides the CELTICS, would win against their respective teams. The HAWKS beat the BULLS 103-95 to take game 1 in the best of 7, as did the GRIZZLIES to the THUNDER with a whopping 114-101 win, same with the MAVERICKS against the defending champs the LAKERS 96-94, except for BOSTON, who lost 90-99 to the HEAT.
The playoffs are on a whole different level and intensity. As seen in game 1 between the CELTICS and HEAT. BOSTON's one and only PAUL PIERCE was ejected after picking up two technical fouls, leaving their resurgent push to make a comeback to tie the game against the HEAT. PIERCE picked up his first T of an unsportsmanlike gesture bumping heads with the HEAT's JAMES JONES, over a contested shot. His second which I personally think that shouldn't have been was of a baseline pick, that WADE ran into with a little shove and PIERCE reacted to. The refs could have let it gone but didn't waste anytime and slapped on double technical fouls on both PIERCE and WADE, and with it being his second was immediately ejected and sent to the locker room. Later on twitter it was caught that PIERCE explained his actions through a tweet that read "@paulpierce34 I told Wade I will **** his mom how my man D.West did his mans. That's why I got ejected", those being said you know that this series is well over the point of boiling and matters are of personal intent. Just embrace yourself HEAT fans and CELTICS fans all over, we are in for another one of those classic series, and the creation of a new NBA RIVALRY!!! Game 2 is set in MIAMI tonight, tune in to your local listings, here in TORONTO, you can catch it on TSN2 @ 7pm et.
The GRIZZLIES of MEMPHIS are no joke! Just in case you were wondering how this "Cinderella team" is getting this far, its cause they aren't one. By far they are one of the most hardworking teams in the NBA and it can be seen in the way they approach the game and execute. I honestly for a second thought that WESTBROOK was the better of the two guards in their match up, but like many I'm probably as surprised to the basketball knowledge of one, MIKE CONLEY. His game has really developed since coming to the NBA. He makes the right decision and is very calm and cool when it comes to handling pressure. Big ups to my man CONLEY for running the point effectively and efficiently. The battle in the paint should just be labelled as "the dominance of Z-BO". This man is literally a grizzly in the paint. Always active hands and feet and is "scratching" and "clawing" for all scrap balls, offensive/ defensive rebounds, and second chance points. Also not to forget he has a J sweeter than molasses. Not to leave out PAU..oops I mean his lil' bro MARC. It's no mistake that MARC is starting to look like the PF that his older brother is. His jump shot looks better, his hands and post moves looks way better, and he's playing with an urgency, which I think is a great way to play ball being the underdogs. To get to the THUNDER, really its one thing, be consistent. OKC is a great squad, I know the season series would say otherwise, but with consistency and being effective OKC should prevail on top and get through to the conference finals. Right now where the THUNDER stand, it's really a 50/50 chance on who will make that next step forward, both teams are capable of exploding, its just a matter of who will execute through out the game and down the stretch. The GRIZZ take on OKC tonight @ 9:30pm et local on TSN1.
Last night what we saw from the DALLAS MAVERICKS squad was determination and the will to win. Being down 16pts and KOBE having one of those games (34pts), the MAVS fought through and came out with a 96-94 win against the LAKERS. Let's give credit where its due shall we? JASON KIDD, with that last 8sec steal he sealed the LAKERS fate in wining the game and most importantly taking the lead in the series. DIRK was his fabulous self pouring 28 shooting 11-22 and coming through when he was most needed, clutch! We witnessed a bunch of bizzare possessions closing out the half, with JASON TERRY picking up a foul at half court, putting LAMAR ODOM on the line shooting 3, and then NOWITZKI picking up a technical against RON ARTEST for throwing an elbow at him, of the second free-throw shot by ODOM. The LAKERS went into the half with a 14-2 run. The 3rd QTR was where the MAVS went guns blazing and brought their team back within 1. The LAKERS stopped playing d and the MAVS capitalized on that. However even being down 2 with 3seconds left, the LAKERS inbounded the ball to KOBE BRYANT who took a great 3pt shot attempt, which was on point, but had a "little too much mustard", and bounced of the back rim into play, where JASON TERRY swatted the ball towards half court. Game 2 goes down @ the STAPLES CENTER 10:30pm et, and I expect these LAKERS to not let up like the did in that 3rd QTR of game 1. Check local listings in your area.
QTR. However came alive in the second half. ROSE lead his BULLS with 24, but they couldn't get it done as they went down 103-95 to the HAWKS. *ALERT* PLEASE DO NOT COUNT ATL OUT, especially a guard by the name of JAMAL CRAWFORD and their leader and the most expensive contract man in the league, JOE JOHNSON game high 34pts. CRAWFORD pretty much sealed the deal with a step back three at the 1:05 mark pushing their lead up to 101-90 and the HAWKS didn't look back from that point on. Even though the HAWKS have the lead in the series I expect the CHICAGO BULLS to come to Game 2 with a much stronger effort in the paint and within their defensive core. On a side note, at the closing seconds of the game ROSE hobbled of the court spraining his ankle trying to get the ball from CRAWFORD. Hopefully everything is as serious as it looked and we'll see ROSE in Game 2. You can catch Game 2 in CHICAGO @ the UNITED CENTER 8pm et, check local listings.
Signing off the kid jumpman20, follow me on TWITTER @tkjumpman20 for live score updates, and stats!
The playoffs are on a whole different level and intensity. As seen in game 1 between the CELTICS and HEAT. BOSTON's one and only PAUL PIERCE was ejected after picking up two technical fouls, leaving their resurgent push to make a comeback to tie the game against the HEAT. PIERCE picked up his first T of an unsportsmanlike gesture bumping heads with the HEAT's JAMES JONES, over a contested shot. His second which I personally think that shouldn't have been was of a baseline pick, that WADE ran into with a little shove and PIERCE reacted to. The refs could have let it gone but didn't waste anytime and slapped on double technical fouls on both PIERCE and WADE, and with it being his second was immediately ejected and sent to the locker room. Later on twitter it was caught that PIERCE explained his actions through a tweet that read "@paulpierce34 I told Wade I will **** his mom how my man D.West did his mans. That's why I got ejected", those being said you know that this series is well over the point of boiling and matters are of personal intent. Just embrace yourself HEAT fans and CELTICS fans all over, we are in for another one of those classic series, and the creation of a new NBA RIVALRY!!! Game 2 is set in MIAMI tonight, tune in to your local listings, here in TORONTO, you can catch it on TSN2 @ 7pm et.
The GRIZZLIES of MEMPHIS are no joke! Just in case you were wondering how this "Cinderella team" is getting this far, its cause they aren't one. By far they are one of the most hardworking teams in the NBA and it can be seen in the way they approach the game and execute. I honestly for a second thought that WESTBROOK was the better of the two guards in their match up, but like many I'm probably as surprised to the basketball knowledge of one, MIKE CONLEY. His game has really developed since coming to the NBA. He makes the right decision and is very calm and cool when it comes to handling pressure. Big ups to my man CONLEY for running the point effectively and efficiently. The battle in the paint should just be labelled as "the dominance of Z-BO". This man is literally a grizzly in the paint. Always active hands and feet and is "scratching" and "clawing" for all scrap balls, offensive/ defensive rebounds, and second chance points. Also not to forget he has a J sweeter than molasses. Not to leave out PAU..oops I mean his lil' bro MARC. It's no mistake that MARC is starting to look like the PF that his older brother is. His jump shot looks better, his hands and post moves looks way better, and he's playing with an urgency, which I think is a great way to play ball being the underdogs. To get to the THUNDER, really its one thing, be consistent. OKC is a great squad, I know the season series would say otherwise, but with consistency and being effective OKC should prevail on top and get through to the conference finals. Right now where the THUNDER stand, it's really a 50/50 chance on who will make that next step forward, both teams are capable of exploding, its just a matter of who will execute through out the game and down the stretch. The GRIZZ take on OKC tonight @ 9:30pm et local on TSN1.
Last night what we saw from the DALLAS MAVERICKS squad was determination and the will to win. Being down 16pts and KOBE having one of those games (34pts), the MAVS fought through and came out with a 96-94 win against the LAKERS. Let's give credit where its due shall we? JASON KIDD, with that last 8sec steal he sealed the LAKERS fate in wining the game and most importantly taking the lead in the series. DIRK was his fabulous self pouring 28 shooting 11-22 and coming through when he was most needed, clutch! We witnessed a bunch of bizzare possessions closing out the half, with JASON TERRY picking up a foul at half court, putting LAMAR ODOM on the line shooting 3, and then NOWITZKI picking up a technical against RON ARTEST for throwing an elbow at him, of the second free-throw shot by ODOM. The LAKERS went into the half with a 14-2 run. The 3rd QTR was where the MAVS went guns blazing and brought their team back within 1. The LAKERS stopped playing d and the MAVS capitalized on that. However even being down 2 with 3seconds left, the LAKERS inbounded the ball to KOBE BRYANT who took a great 3pt shot attempt, which was on point, but had a "little too much mustard", and bounced of the back rim into play, where JASON TERRY swatted the ball towards half court. Game 2 goes down @ the STAPLES CENTER 10:30pm et, and I expect these LAKERS to not let up like the did in that 3rd QTR of game 1. Check local listings in your area.
QTR. However came alive in the second half. ROSE lead his BULLS with 24, but they couldn't get it done as they went down 103-95 to the HAWKS. *ALERT* PLEASE DO NOT COUNT ATL OUT, especially a guard by the name of JAMAL CRAWFORD and their leader and the most expensive contract man in the league, JOE JOHNSON game high 34pts. CRAWFORD pretty much sealed the deal with a step back three at the 1:05 mark pushing their lead up to 101-90 and the HAWKS didn't look back from that point on. Even though the HAWKS have the lead in the series I expect the CHICAGO BULLS to come to Game 2 with a much stronger effort in the paint and within their defensive core. On a side note, at the closing seconds of the game ROSE hobbled of the court spraining his ankle trying to get the ball from CRAWFORD. Hopefully everything is as serious as it looked and we'll see ROSE in Game 2. You can catch Game 2 in CHICAGO @ the UNITED CENTER 8pm et, check local listings.
Signing off the kid jumpman20, follow me on TWITTER @tkjumpman20 for live score updates, and stats!
GONE FISHIN'
These are the teams that went out after the first round
ORLANDO MAGIC (4)
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (7)
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (1)
PORTLAND BLAZERS (6)
DENVER NUGGETS (5)
INDIANA PACERS (8)
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (7)
Coach Phil Jackson one of the G.O.A.T's in coaching! Last game ever coached?
L.A. LAKERS (2)
NEW YORK KNICKS (6)
Saturday, 30 April 2011
ROUND 2...WHO REALLY IS THE BEST IN THE WEST??
So it's a wrap in the WEST! Moving onto round 2 are the defending champs, L.A. LAKERS, the youngest team in the PLAYOFFS,..the electrifying THUNDER, the surprising first timers..GRIZZLIES, who I have to say played amazing basketball to beat out the SPURS, and the veteran team of the MAVERICKS.
Round 2 begins with the LAKERS going up against the MAVERICKS. So far this series looks like its one sided as the LAKERS won 2-1 during the season against DALLAS. The keys to this game is the battle at the point, the MAVERICKS are armed with a line of true pg's in TERRY, KIDD, and BAREA, whereas the LAKERS have BLAKE, and FISH, as the main two. There will definitely a mismatch when it comes to this area and if the MAVS want to win this they should take full advantage on the offensive side. However there is another problem to deal with if they are to win, that's right, you guessed it, the BLACK MAMBA a.k.a KOBE BRYANT! You have to try to contain this dude if your gonna try and have a shot at getting past them. Most likely the MAVS will start of on D with the man to man approach, and as the series progresses we will probably see a couple double traps depending on the flow of the game. Another one of the match ups to look out for is the battle in the paint agains TYSON CHANDLER or BRENDAN HAYWOOD and ANDREW BYNUM or PAU GASOL. PAU had a couple breakout games in round 1 against the HORNETS, but really he wasn't challenged as he will be in this series. CHANDLER is a premier big man, when it comes to altering shots and blocking them. If your coming into the paint against this dude, go HARD! I find that the x factors in this series on the LAKERS is the play of SHANON BROWN, or the 6th MAN OF THE YEAR, LAMAR ODOM. As for the MAVS I'm gonna have to go with JOSE BAREA and JASON TERRY. My prediction for this is the LAKERS in 5 (L.A. WINS 4-1).
The second series between the GRIZZLIES and the THUNDER looks to be one for the ages. The season series between the two teams is 3-1 in favor of MEMPHIS. This being said both teams are coming of wins that were amazing in their own perspective. The GRIZZLIES took out the best team this season, the SPURS, with ZACH RANDOLPH putting them on his back and pushing through to the second round. The last time an 8th seed team beat a 1st seed, was back in 2007 (Golden State beat Dallas). So fast forward 4 years later and 5 games after, the GRIZZLIES get ready to battle it out once again. If you've been sleeping on the PLAYOFFS, the THUNDER of OKC, is one of those teams you don't want to miss out on. By far one of the most athletic squads to run up and down the ball court, especially with their scorers delight..KEVIN DURANT! This boy is straight buckets, and you heard it here first..HE IS THE FUTURE OF THE NBA..by that I mean the greats that played, MJ's, BIRD's, MAGIC's, REED's, ROBERSTON's, KOBE's..yeah one of those dudes. This series is a definite grudge match for the THUNDER, due to the season series being so lopsided . They are going to be on a hunt to prove that they are the better team, thus having the higher seed, and I'm sure no one wants to loose to the team that just beat the best team this year in the NBA. Keys to look out for are strictly in the paint, amongst the big men. With the addition of KENDRICK PERKINS, the THUNDER have size and an authoritative figure that demands respect in the paint. Also lets not forget their 21 year old shot blocker, SERGE IBAKA. The GRIZZLIES are going to depend a lot on Z-BO (Zach Randolph) to carry them through the battle down low. However the guard battle up top is also one to consider. RUSSEL WESTBROOK is by far one of the most underrated guards out there. His lightning quickness and speed is one to marvel at. Not to mention the "pull outta the hat" dunks he puts on. At the point be on the look out for WESTBROOK and CONLEY, its sure to be a heated one between both players. The x factors in this series to me are THABO SEFOLOSHA from OKC and O J MAYO of the GRIZZLIES. My prediction is OKC in 6 (OKC wins 4-2).
Friday, 29 April 2011
ROUND 2..BEASTS IN THE EAST!!
Okay here's what went down, the BULLS beat the PACERS out 4-1 in their series to advance into the second round, where they are going to meet the unexpected HAWKS, who last night beat the highly favorite MAGIC. This series between the two teams is definately going to be a great one. In the regular season the BULLS won 2 out of the 3, both wins blowouts. Statistically speaking the BULLS have a better team, but we could've said the same about the MAGIC, and look where their season wrapped up. Although this remains a key point, we can't underestimate the heart and play of one, JAMAL CRAWFORD! I made this clear in my first analysis between the MAGIC and the HAWKS, that CRAWFORD was going to and will be an x-factor in the series. Other than that the post game between the two teams looks evenly matched out, and with MARVIN WILLIAMS breaking out in these PLAYOFFS, the BULLS are going to want to put a body on him. My prediction for this series is the BULLS in 5 (BULLS win 4-1).
Round 2 between the beasts in the EAST...the 3 headed beast in MIAMI vs. the 4 headed dragon in bean-town. This is a grudge match from last years playoffs, and to make it better, last year the CELTICS knocked off all of the teams that the new trio played for. However this year is something different, the HEAT with LBJ, WADE, and BOSH are not to be tested, or are they? The season series between both teams is 3-1 in favour of the C's. However that one win that HEAT managed to pull of was actually one of the best games I witnessed them play against the C's. If the HEAT turn it up like they did in that game this series is gonna get interesting. However the CELTICS have the man power in all positions, I'm just talking starting 5, not the bench, cause the HEAT bench is way more stacked than BOSTON. I see this series going down to the wire in every game as there are many on the floor that have personal grudges and bragging rights on the line. LeBRON has to thank them for their round 2 exit last year considering he was on the best team that season in the EAST. WADE has his own personal vendetta being demolished round 1 last year. BOSH has to proove the critics wrong, that he is a huge part of this HEAT team and can go up against KEVIN GARNETT and be proclaimed as one of the best power forwards in the league. For the CELTICS its the same agenda, "they think we don't got it, but we got it!". And so the clash of the titans begin. My prediction for this series is the C's in 6 (CELTICS win 4-2).
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
..ROUND 1..DAY 2..
last night was one of those nights, you know what I'm talking about..the (8) GRIZZLIES took on (1) SPURS in San An, (7) HORNETS were in HOLYWOOD taking on the (2) LAKERS, the beasts in the East went head to head in the Garden..(3) CELTICS / (6) KNICKS and the night ended with what I'm predicting to be the beginning of new rivals in the West, the (5) NUGGETS and the (4) THUNDER.
Game 1 between the "ol' school" SPURS and the GRIZZLIES. Man if you asked me last week what I thought of this series I would've said "bring the broom in to sweep the AT&T Center" (also predicted in my playoff pool)..but boy do these GRIZZLIES look focused and ready to make some noise. ZACH "Z-BO" RANDOLPH led his team with 25pnts 14rebs, as did MARC GASOL 24pnts 9rebs and MIKE CONLEY with 15pnts and 10asts. A key note in this game was the absence of RUDY GAY of the GRIZZLIES out after having surgery to his right shoulder, as well as MANU GINOBILI, who was out with a right elbow sprain and is day-to-day. San An was lead by TONY PARKER (20pnts 5asts), followed by "the big fundamental" TIM DUNCAN (16pnts 13 rebs), GEORGE HILL (15pnts 7rebs) and RICHARD JEFFERSON (13pnts 6rebs). Still with most of their starting bench in double figures the SPURS let up and allowed the GRIZZLIES to take a commanding 1-0 lead in the series. The real turning point was the go ahead 3pt shot launched by GRIZZLIES new acquisition of SHANE BATTIER, 10pnts at the 23.9s mark of the 4th. The SPURS tried to tie however HILL's 3pt shot attempt at the 10.2s mark missed and TONY ALLEN rebounded the ball, with desperation the SPURS had to foul to extend the time to hope for a chance that ALLEN would miss his free-throws (which he hit 2-2). Final Score 101-98 (MEMPHIS leads 1-0).
The second seed LAKERS are coming into these PLAYOFFS not only as one o the favorites to take make it to the finals but also to sweep the HORNETS in this first round. However the HORNETS have something the LAKERS can't match up against is the speed within the comparisons between thePG's. His name..y'all know it..CP3..CHRIS PAUL! PAUL is a proven leader and is without a doubt in the category of best 5 point guards in the game. CP3 had a stellar night against KOBE and the LAKE-SHOW. He had 33pnts along with his 14asts (10 of which came in the first half) as well as 7rebs, my dude was puttin in the work. He was all over the court, making the LAKERS D look like molasses. The HORNETS led through out most of the game and at a point had a double digit lead over L.A. but everyone knows it was a matter or time till the LAKERS made a run, which was mid way into third bringing that lead to 1 going into the 4th QTR. From the start of the 4th New Orleans 10-2 run keeping L.A. in check and still looking to catch up. The closest the LAKERS got from that point on was bringing the lead down to 3 around the 3 minute mark, and allowed New Orleans to take over and pull away with a much needed win away from home. Final score 109-100 (NOH leads 1-0).
BOSTON CELTICS..when you hear these words you think about dominance, legacies, and a huge part of basketball history. The third seed CELTICS are matched up against another team that is pretty much to say the place you would like to play the game of hoops..NEW YORK! The KNICKERBOCKERS a.k.a KNICKS are another franchise that was a huge part of the PLAYOFFS in the late 90's. Ever since the departure of coach JEFF VAN GUNDY and the team of retired vets such as ALLAN HOUSTON, LATRELL SPREWELL, MARCUS CAMBY (still currently playing), that team has lost its face and name within the league, until of recent. The KNICKS signed restricted free agent AMARE STOUDAMIRE in the off-season hoping to land another huge name (LeBRON JAMES), and swung a huge blockbuster deal after the ALL-STAR break to have a chance of making some noise in this years PLAYOFFS by trading for CARMELO ANTHONY and veteran guard CHAUNCY BILLUPS. Getting to the series..this is in my opinion one of the best series to watch in this years NBA PLAYOFFS. In order for the CELTICS to get through this series they need their veterans to step and put the hammer down on the uprising KNICKS, and thats exactly what they did. Lead by the silky smooth sharpshooter RAY ALLEN (24pnt, 6rebs) the CELTICS were put to the test early on in the game. Through most of the game they were down thanks to AMARE STOUDAMIRE (28pnts 11rebs) leading his KNICKS to route to a 10pnt lead over the CELTICS till mid 4th QTR, as the CELTICS went on a run to get the game to 84-85, still down 1. With 12 secs left and the CELTICS with possession RAY ALLEN hit the game winner with a 3ptr that pushed the CELTICS up to 87-85. With time running down NEW YORK opted for the game winning 3 that was taken by CARMELO ANTHONY, who was double teamed and contested during the shot. Final score 87-85 (BOSTON leads 1-0).
This is the other series in the west that is like the CELTICS and KNICKS in the east. The NUGGETS and THUNDER. From the get go you can tell that this is gonna be one of those grudge matches, in the season after the KENDRICK PERKINS trade to OKC, everytime the two teams met there was altercations between PERKINS and the Brazilian center, NENE HILARIO. Nothing failed to disappoint as we did get to witness another one of these head to head stare downs in game 1. The game looked like a boxing match between prized fighters, blow for blow, but keeping it close. The THUNDER's young talented duo of DURANT (41pnts 9rebs) and WESTBROOK (31pnts 6rebs 7asts) combined for 72 of the THUNDER's 107 and they took game 1 of the series with a final score of 107-103. The NUGGETS looked to slow down and looked very gassed out around the final minutes of the 4th QTR. Some NUGGET notables were NENE leading with 22pnts 8rebs, and GALLINARI playing a very efficient game going 6-11 from fg scoring 18pnts. This series is going to be a heated one and I see the NUGGETS coming out and competing harder in game 2.
Till next time NBA'ers!! It's the kid JUMPMAN20 signing off!! PEACE!!
Sunday, 17 April 2011
..ROUND 1..DAY 1..
So the first day of the PLAYOFFS are in...and by the looks of it we are in for some crazy series'. Teams that played last night were the (1) BULLS vs. (8) PACERS, followed with (2) HEAT vs. (7) 76ERS, (4) MAGIC vs. (5) HAWKS and concluding the night with (3) MAVERICKS vs. (6) BLAZERS.
Overall the PLAYOFFS aren't disappointing..not that I'm saying that it would be but every single game could have been pre-determined as all the higher seeds came out on top except for one exception, the ORLANDO MAGIC.
Even with their star studded center, DWIGHT HOWARD #12, pouring in a game high 46 points and 19 rebounds, the ATLANTA HAWKS pulled of a win in ORLANDO with a final score of 103-93. In the early stages of the game you could tell that there was a definite mismatch when it came to the PG's in NELSON and HINRICH , who by the way had an amazing game (13pnts shooting 60% from the field) since being traded by the WIZARDS. NELSON was held of in the first half not making too much noise, but as always he came alive in the second half, hitting a couple of threes cutting the deficit to single digits, however the HAWKS were resilient and kept countering with 3 balls of their own and picking up a buncha "and 1's" to keep ahead of the home team. It's not a fluke win if anyone is to think how the HAWKS pulled it out cause they did it 3 out of the 4 games this season against the MAGIC. One thing that the MAGIC need to address in order to get through this series is free throws, making them count that is. I mean the difference between the teams was 9.1% which is really on a points perspective a chunk! Hitting free-throws are key, anyone who knows basketball, knows that it's your deal breaker when it comes down to the end of the game. If the MAGIC can turn it around on that note, they should have no problems to get through, aswell they need more productivity out of ARENAS, RICHARDSON, and TURKOGLU. Three key asserts acquired through the blockbuster trade over the season. Productivity from these three would help them propel through this series. On other notes watch for JAMAL CRAWFORD of the HAWKS as playing the role of the "x-factor"...one phrase "natural scorer", and for the MAGIC...RYAN ANDERSON playing a bigger role to help HOWARD in the paint and stretch out the perimeter shooting.
On to the next...BULLS and their front man running for MVP...22 year old, DERRICK MARTEL ROSE. Man this kid is just 3 years into the league and taking it by storm, to say that the BULLS won on team performance is lightly addressing what mister ROSE brings to this team. With 1:27 to play in the 4th QTR and 99-97 in favor of the PACERS, ROSE took over hitting a jumpshot to tie and then in the next play, penetrating the D kicking out to KYLE KORVER, who hit a go ahead 3. The BULLS pulled of a comeback, winning 104-99.
The HEAT won their game 97-89, they had a slight scare as the 76ERS pushed for a comeback but couldn't pull it of, however they fought hard and THADEUS YOUNG had an amazing performance (20 pnts 11rebs). This series looks like it will be over soon unless the HEAT begin to slip like they did in their last couple games in the season..but then again its hard to say because this is the PLAYOFFS and the "intensity" level has just been "kicked up a notch..BAM!!*(Emeril)
The MAVS pulled of what was a great game between two of the hottest names in the league..the grizzled aged veteran, DIRK "DIGGLER" NOWITZKI who dropped 28pnts along side 10 rebs, and the highly still getting better as the game goes..LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE who had 27 pnts and 6 rebs. This series looks like its gonna be a battle between a strong poised veteran team against a hungry "not about to get out of the first round" TRAIL BLAZERS team.
So far so good..I'd say..the NBA PLAYOFFS are living up to what its been leading up to, with the super trio in south beach to the lighting quick artist in ROSE..can't wait to get my dose of day 2..stay posted..its the kid..JUMPMAN20..PEAACCE!!..
Overall the PLAYOFFS aren't disappointing..not that I'm saying that it would be but every single game could have been pre-determined as all the higher seeds came out on top except for one exception, the ORLANDO MAGIC.
Even with their star studded center, DWIGHT HOWARD #12, pouring in a game high 46 points and 19 rebounds, the ATLANTA HAWKS pulled of a win in ORLANDO with a final score of 103-93. In the early stages of the game you could tell that there was a definite mismatch when it came to the PG's in NELSON and HINRICH , who by the way had an amazing game (13pnts shooting 60% from the field) since being traded by the WIZARDS. NELSON was held of in the first half not making too much noise, but as always he came alive in the second half, hitting a couple of threes cutting the deficit to single digits, however the HAWKS were resilient and kept countering with 3 balls of their own and picking up a buncha "and 1's" to keep ahead of the home team. It's not a fluke win if anyone is to think how the HAWKS pulled it out cause they did it 3 out of the 4 games this season against the MAGIC. One thing that the MAGIC need to address in order to get through this series is free throws, making them count that is. I mean the difference between the teams was 9.1% which is really on a points perspective a chunk! Hitting free-throws are key, anyone who knows basketball, knows that it's your deal breaker when it comes down to the end of the game. If the MAGIC can turn it around on that note, they should have no problems to get through, aswell they need more productivity out of ARENAS, RICHARDSON, and TURKOGLU. Three key asserts acquired through the blockbuster trade over the season. Productivity from these three would help them propel through this series. On other notes watch for JAMAL CRAWFORD of the HAWKS as playing the role of the "x-factor"...one phrase "natural scorer", and for the MAGIC...RYAN ANDERSON playing a bigger role to help HOWARD in the paint and stretch out the perimeter shooting.
On to the next...BULLS and their front man running for MVP...22 year old, DERRICK MARTEL ROSE. Man this kid is just 3 years into the league and taking it by storm, to say that the BULLS won on team performance is lightly addressing what mister ROSE brings to this team. With 1:27 to play in the 4th QTR and 99-97 in favor of the PACERS, ROSE took over hitting a jumpshot to tie and then in the next play, penetrating the D kicking out to KYLE KORVER, who hit a go ahead 3. The BULLS pulled of a comeback, winning 104-99.
The HEAT won their game 97-89, they had a slight scare as the 76ERS pushed for a comeback but couldn't pull it of, however they fought hard and THADEUS YOUNG had an amazing performance (20 pnts 11rebs). This series looks like it will be over soon unless the HEAT begin to slip like they did in their last couple games in the season..but then again its hard to say because this is the PLAYOFFS and the "intensity" level has just been "kicked up a notch..BAM!!*(Emeril)
The MAVS pulled of what was a great game between two of the hottest names in the league..the grizzled aged veteran, DIRK "DIGGLER" NOWITZKI who dropped 28pnts along side 10 rebs, and the highly still getting better as the game goes..LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE who had 27 pnts and 6 rebs. This series looks like its gonna be a battle between a strong poised veteran team against a hungry "not about to get out of the first round" TRAIL BLAZERS team.
So far so good..I'd say..the NBA PLAYOFFS are living up to what its been leading up to, with the super trio in south beach to the lighting quick artist in ROSE..can't wait to get my dose of day 2..stay posted..its the kid..JUMPMAN20..PEAACCE!!..
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