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)
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