A Whisper In Your Ear

Wade Reminds LeBron Who is Leader

2011-08-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

Dave Pruitt, Sports Emerge
http://sportsemerge.com/

Dwyane Wade is averaging 29 points, 8.7 rebounds & 5 assist with LeBron James averaging 20.3 points, 6.7 rebounds & 6 assist throughout the 3 games of the NBA Finals. With the game on the line LeBron passed the ball to Mario Chalmers only for him to lose control & turn the ball over. Immediately, Wade got LeBron’s attention by giving him a shove or 2 & getting in his face reminding him that he’s won a championship before, mainly giving LeBron direction. LeBron didn’t have that in Cleveland with the Cavs, he didn’t have someone as equally as talented as him getting in his face in the 2007 Finals against the San Antonio Spurs in which they were swept. Let’s not forget that Dwyane Wade is actually the older of the two superstars 2 years, 11 months & 13 days older to be exact. Along with having more experience in the Finals he also is like the older brother. Wade being seemingly more laid-back of an idividual maintained his teams focus by continuously attacking the paint, avoiding long low quality shots like they took late in Game 2. Wade said “he led by example” keeping the focus on Coach Erik Spoelstra’s emphasis that taking 30 three-pointers is NOT at all the Heats identity. The Heat reduced the 3-point attempts by ll shots hitting 8 of 19 in Game 3 instead of going 9 of 30 as they did in Game 2.

Miami was playing like a desperate team with Mario Chalmers who has been an unsung hero in the Finals series, averaging 11 points a game while hitting shots when they matter. He kept the Heat in the game hitting 4 major 3 point shots & keeping the Dallas crowd calm letting Dwyane Wade operate with the momentum staying equal between the teams throughout the game.

“Actions speak louder than words,” cliche but in Game 3 it was a proven fact with the leaders of their respective teams stepping up & taking the reigns. Late in the 4th Qtr. it was a 1-on-1 matchup between Dirk Nowitzki & Dwyane Wade answering each others call & trading baskets. Dirk tied the game 84-84 with 3 minutes left in the 4th with a back door cut & slam set up by Jason Kidd capping another Mavs 4th Qtr. comeback. At that point it began to become reminiscent of Game 2 giving the Miami Heat fans the thought of “here we go” like Bud Light but in a negative way. Wade knowing that it was his time to perform came back down court & crossed up Kidd, pulled up & drained a 17 footer putting the Heat back in the lead 86-84. Dirk with the “my turn” mentality took Udonis Haslem of the dribble with his bad left hand & rose up with his patented one leg jumpshot & buried it tying the game once again 86-86 with 1:40 to play in the game. He had the “eye of the tiger” as he strolled back towards his bench with confidence after scoring the Mavs last 12 points. With 39.6 seconds remaining in this crucial game tied at 86 LeBron had a decision to make, take it himself or find a teammate. The seemingly timid little sibling of the Big 3 as in Chris Bosh with a swolen left eye suffered after being poked by Jason Kidd early in the game was LeBron’s choice. Bosh had a rough night going 6 of 17 from the field up to this point. He who also needed some strong words of encouragement & criticism after passing up on a shot that he normally takes minutes before, received a niffty behind the back pass, focused with his one good eye & silenced the crowd with a clutch shot from the left wing. Putting the Heat in the lead 88-86 & left Dallas with a chance to take the last shot.

Everyone watching the game knew who’s hands the ball was going to end up in. 4.4 seconds left on the clock & Rick Carlisle drew up an inbound play placing Dirk at the top of the key where he does some of his finest work. Jason Kidd the oldest point guard to start in the NBA Finals was the distributor with a perfect pass to Dirk with Haslem checking him, Dirk spun left, got a good look & faded back off his one leg & time seemed to slow down as he released with Haslem nearly fouling him. The ball rotated ever so slowly going towards the rim &…. (wait on it) CLANK!!! A shot that he has mastered throughout his career did not fall in this timely instance. The Heat take the series lead 2-1 winning Game 3 88-86 with 2 upcoming games in Dallas.

Jason Terry is physically on the court but mentally elsewhere, Dirk still is the only consitant force on the Mavs team. LeBron James is shutting Terry down with his quickness & athleticism. What LeBron is not doing on the offensive side he makes up for defensively. Dirk is averaging 28.3 points a game while his Snipers (Kidd, Terry, Peja) who are apparently out of bullets are averaging together only 23 points a game during the Finals. The only player stepping up & contributing is Shawn Marion who has found his youth averaging 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds & 3.3 assist, however he struggled in Game 3 going 4 of 12 from the field scoring only 10 points. J.J. Barea has been abscent as far as production scoring 6 points on 2 of 8 shooting along with 4 turnovers not helping when he’s replacing Jason Kidd when he goes to the bench. Dirk needs help & he’s not getting it like he did in the Western Conference Finals against OKC Thunder. Dallas won’t win this series as a one man team going up against the Heat who we thought was a team with just 2 great superstars. Now they are getting contributions from everybody, even Mike Bibby who is 5 of 11 from 3-point land in the last 2 games. The Heat are gelling their styles together at a perfect time, in the Finals. Mario Chalmers becoming a force from behind the arch & Udonis Haslem coming in & playing stellar defense on Dirk down the stretch when Erik Spoelstra assigns him to.

Since the 2-3-2 format was placed in 1985 when the series is tied 1 to 1, the team who wins Game 3 has gone on to win the series 11 times. Will that hold true again in this physical battle filled with superstars?
Something to watch for, Dirk looked like he was irritated by an issue with his shooting hand midway through the game, wasn’t a factor down the stretch but may play a part if it tightens up before Game 4.

Game 4 in Dallas on ABC Tuesday, June 7th 9pm ET

It is what it is…

I speak for the fans; why we think lockouts are outrageous

2011-07-07T02:15:00.000-07:00

Also at http://sportsemerge.com/
Dave Pruitt

Growing up under the guidance of my Father, a Vietnam Vet; along side my bestfriend, my influence, my brother, who currently serves in our great Air Force & has since 1995, proudly… I have learned about WHAT MATTERS.
With July 4th approaching, I thought I would take my opprotunity to THANK all the people serving our GREAT COUNTRY made great by their duty. Without them there will be no NFL or NBA, nor anything that a regular persons considers valuable. I say regular person in regards to versus the extraordinary person who faces the possibility of death regularly.

With my brother scheduled to go to some area in Afghanistan I began to analyze my own life. I noticed, I am able to FREELY pursue my goals due to what my brother & others serving in the armed forces are experiencing on a daily basis. Immediately after that thought, I also realizeded that everybody living in the United States owes the Soldiers the same respect.
As close as I’ve come to what a soldier could experience was via my Play Station 3. Using the NETFLIX ap, I watched a movie (documentary) titled “Restrepo” about soldiers serving in Afghanistan & their extreme conditions faced which I will not cover in full detail. Reality TV which truly described the meaning of reality. The truth of what our US soldiers feel living amongst a constent threat. The soldiers curiousity of whether or not they would be alive the next day. This is the same place my brother is going.
Back home what is the issue? Whether or not the overwhelming amount of money the NFL, NBA, & Dodgers is making or not making sufficient enough for whomever.

I promised myself that I would not even touch the issue of the NFL & NBA lockouts because I thought it was ridiculous & outrageous. I thought it was an insult to the fans, to the people that go to work everyday not REALLY wanting to.
How is it that fans manage a way to watch their favorite team no matter the cost of a ticket, a cable or satellite bill with the intentions of focusing on something other than their problems?
How does a soldier go in to a battle zone knowing his job is a million times harder than the regular civilian football & basketball owners & players arguing over millions & billions of dollars?
How does a fan that has never experienced a lockout perceive the greed of people doing what they LOVE to do & then asking for more? When they perform jobs & earn the money which in turn is what makes it possible for the millionaires & billionaires to keep adding to their bank accounts?
Think about it…
The GREED displayed by the organiztions, owners & players is not worth the time of the fan.
Your fans include Soldiers that are paid significantly less than a NFL, NBA or anything else which is considered to be a fun JOB.
Players, your TALENT is NOT AT ALL worth a soldiers life nor is an Owners billions of dollars.
GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!
I COULDN”T SPEND A MILLION IN 10 YEARS & why would I if there is people like my brother doing their job NOT FOR THE MONEY?
Money, cars, houses, jewelry, & what you wear; is it really what every NON-SOLDIER is concerned about & every real SOLDIER giving up their life for?
Billions & millions compared to LIFE, what’s your values?
The SOLDIERS are entitled & deserve every dollar that OWNERS & PLAYERS make in the NFL & NBA…
It is what it is…

LeSean McCoy: Hiding behind Twitter

2011-07-07T02:13:00.000-07:00

Also at Sports Emerge
http://sportsemerge.com/

Are you serious? You can’t be, did you really just type what I think you typed? “Oh no you didn’t….” What you type about my “Mama’?”
Insults via Twitter are becoming a more common place. People usually of the younger generation has taken it upon themselves to use Twitter to express their frustrations with their adversarys. I began noticing this phenomenon with these young immature rappers exchanging their “Thug Talk” using the social media as a vehicle. I think it’s hilarious…
LeSean McCoy, the running back of the Philadelphia Eagles decided to air out his opinion while hiding behind Twitter about Osi Umenyiora. According to McCoy, Osi is soft & the 3rd best defensive lineman on the New York Giants. This all coming after Osi tweeted out some info about his personal financial situation with the Giants. Basically, McCoy’s tweet had nothing to do with nothing other than his anomosity toward’s Osi.
As Ochocinco would say, “Child Please…”
Osi responded saying, “I mean, he’s a girl, man. Who does stuff like that?” Osi said, reported by Mike Garafolo, The Star Ledger. “If he has more of these things to say, he can say ‘em to my face. Don’t be no Twitter gangster man.”
Twitter gangster, WOW! I’m not that far removed from LeSean McCoy’s generation but back in my day, issues were resolved face to face. When there is beef, you man up; you don’t talk mess via the internet, atleast I didn’t & never will.
With their respective teams being hated rivals it is apparent that the issue was born between the hash marks.
“Yeah, me and him, we had words on the field — both times we played. I hate him, he hates me, period,” Osi said.
Hate is a strong word, so this anomosity is more than real. Osi explained that there is a lot of hatred between the teams, more so last season but it was an on field war. Now McCoy has went a step further.
“He chose to take that off the field and make it public when it’s something that’s between me and him,” Osi said. ”It’s something we can address on the football field. He let the whole world know about it, so I’m going to respond.”
Osi’s teammate’s has his back, in particular WR Steve Smith who tweeted in response to the McCoy’s Twitter claims.
“The nerve of certain youngins running their mouth. Please don’t forget.” With the tweet came a picture of Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin in jubilation after their Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots. There was another photo next to it of a empty Eagles trophy case.
I think Steve Smith wins the Twitter wars. LeSean McCoy may be writing a “Check his ass can’t cash.” McCoy realizes he has to see the Giants 2 times a year, & he has to run the ball against Osi & his teammates. He better hope that his offensive line protects him; on the field & not on Twitter.
Justin Tuck one of the other defensive lineman for the Giants that McCoy has to deal with added his theory on the Mike & Mike morning. “I honestly think social media has made people cowards, where I’m from, if you have a problem with somebody you say it to their face.” He continued, “People are hiding behind computers & smart phones.”
Poor kid… Good luck LeSean, I think you just made it very hard for yourself.
It is what it is…

Who wants to get involved in the Brady vs. Manning debate?

2011-07-07T02:11:00.001-07:00

Dave Pruitt, Sports Emerge
http://sportsemerge.com/

Peyton Williams Manning & Thomas Edward Patrick “Tom” Brady Jr. are the 2 most valuable Quarterbacks over the last decade; in the world. One, the 1st overall pick & the other 199th pick in their respective NFL drafts. Both are the face of their franchise, both bear the dignity of their cities & their fans. Both demonstrate impeccable leadership under the most extreme game situations, often securing a victory when it’s finished.
They have both won Superbowls with 2 of the most heralded coaches to ever coach the game. Bill Belichick, the mastermind behind the dynasty that has been built in New England & Tony Dungy the former Colts coach, a mentor to many & the 1st African-American head coach to win the Superbowl.
Tom Brady of the New England Patriots can be considered as Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts arch nemesis, that were actually friends & may still be, but I doubt it. Brady & the Patriots used to be the reason Manning wasn’t seen as he is today. Brady was Mannings hump that he could not get over.
They were Manning’s “kryptonite” through 2003-2005 beating him 4 times over a period of 15 months ultimately leading to consecutive Superbowl victories. Eventually Manning paid back the favor in the 2006-2007 season after they met in the AFC Championship game when the Patriots jumped ahead 21-3 before Manning came back the 2nd half scoring 32 points to rip the win away. Manning went on to win his 1st Superbowl against Lovie Smith’s Chicago Bears.
Brady accomplished 100 career victories expeditiously. Quicker than any quarterback ever with Manning being the 5th fastest. Brady has the highest winning percentage of all other QB’s with 100 or more wins which includes the regular season & playoffs at .776 (125-36). The closest winnig percentage at .711 (133-54) by Joe Montana.
Brady & Manning top the list of greatest seasons by a QB, Brady being 1 & Manning being 2 with some familiar names behind them. The following: Dan Marino, Kurt Warner, Steve Young, Randall Cunningham, Drew Brees, Brett Favre & last but not least Joe Montana. Tom Brady falls on this list twice at #1 &#6.
Measured by conventional metrics (passing yards, touchdowns/interceptions, yards per attempt, QB rating and wins):
1. 2007 Tom Brady (16 G): 4,806 yards, 50 TDs, 8 INTs, 9.4 YPA, 117.2 rating, 16 wins.
2. 2004 Peyton Manning (16 G): 4,557 yards, 49 TDs, 10 INTs, 9.2 YPA, 121.1 rating, 12 wins.
3. 1984 Marino (16 G): 5,084 yards, 48 TDs, 17 INTs, 9.0 YPA, 108.9 rating, 14 wins.
4. 1999 Warner (16 G): 4,830 yards, 41 TDs, 13 INTs, 8.7 YPA, 109.2 rating, 13 wins.
5. 1994 Young (15 G): 3,969 yards, 35 TDs, 10 INTs, 8.6 YPA, 112.8 rating, 13 wins.
6. 2010 Brady (16 G): 3,900 yards, 36 TDs, 4 INTs, 7.9 YPA, 111.0 rating, 14 wins.
7. 1998 Cunningham (14 G): 3,704 yards, 34 TDs, 10 INTs, 106.0 rating, 13 wins.
8. 2009 Brees (15 G): 4,388 yards, 34 TDs, 11 INTs, 8.5 YPA, 109.6 rating, 13 wins.
9. 2009 Favre (16 G): 4,202 yards, 33 TDs, 7 INTs, 7.9 YPA, 107.2 rating, 12 wins.
10. 1989 Montana (13 G): 3,521 yards, 26 TDs, 8 INTs, 9.1 YPA, 112.4 rating, 11 wins.
Manning known as the field general, some times makes the viewer question whether or not he even needs a head coach. Williams should not be his middle name; it should be Audible due to his great ability to recognize a defense & change his original play call to exploit the opposing defense with regularity.
Derrick Mason of the Baltimore Ravens seems to think that Manning is the better of the 2 QBs looking how the teams would perform without their super star QB in the lineup.
Mason spoke on a Baltimore radio station stating, “What player do I take off the team that would change that team dramatically, I only know one player & that’s Peyton Manning; you take Tom Brady off New England they showed they can go 11-5.” Skeptically he continued, “Now… You take Peyton Manning of the the Colts? I don’t know where that team goes offensively.”
I was always the kind of guy who believed in the “Stats Don’t Lie” theory. When comparing the stats that should end all judgement you look at playoff victories, amount of MVP awards, Pro Bowl selections, Superbowl MVPs & ultimately Superbowl victories.
With both Brady & Manning playing in 19 playoff games, Brady has a definite lead with a record of 14-5 & Manning with a record of 9-10. Brady has 2 NFL MVP awards while Manning has 4. I don’t see how this is possible but Brady has only 6 Pro Bowl selections to Manning’s 11. Maybe, because Manning is a more likeable guy, I mean he really is, I’m just sayin’… Brady has 2 Superbowl MVPs to Manning’s 1.
With all that considered what puts the icing on the cake is their record in Superbowl wins & losses. Brady is 3-1 with his loss ironically coming in a near perfect season after going 18-0 & losing to Peyton’s brother Eli. Talk about little brother’s revenge, manufacturing a drive involving an incredible hand & helmet catch by David Tyree with the game ending touchdown by Plaxico Burress. Noticing the 3 degrees of seperation… To top it all off Peyton & the Colts won the Superbowl the year before after beating Brady.
We all can say the Colts without Manning is nothing & the Patriots can get it done without Brady, going to the playoffs with Matt Cassel. With that in mind, we can’t dismiss that Brady has won Superbowls with John Doe receivers, David Givens & Deion Branch are nearly forgotten after leaving Brady’s leadership. Brady revived Randy Moss’ career & made a beast out of Wes Welker.
Peyton Manning has had some some decent talent, we all know a guy by the name of Marvin Harrison & not because of the shooting. There was also Edgerrin James & now there is Reggie Wayne & Dallas Clark.
You could possibly add in that Manning plays his home games in a dome compared to Brady plays his home games outside in the Boston area where it likes to snow.
As much as I personally like Peyton, I almost hate to say this but as a journalist you “gotta’ ” state the facts, & the fact of the matter is Brady earned 3 Superbowl rings & Manning has only 1.
So I’ll leave the debate up to you.
It is what it is…

During the NFL lock out, Chad plans to wrestle alligators

2011-07-07T02:10:00.001-07:00

Chad Ochocinco of the Cincinnatti Bengals had 813 receiving yards & 4 toucdowns last season, not very impressive for a WR who was once known as one of the best. He is a well known public figure seemingly more so than a Professional Football Player. Known for his antics in the NFL on & off the field from dancing in the endzone to a reality TV show, to trying out for a soccer team & now performing incredile acts of bravery or just completely INSANE attempts for attention.
I’ve enjoyed watching Ochocinco over the years; whoever can make me laugh I normally don’t have a problem with. However, lately Ochocinco has caused a bit of concern about his extra curricular activities during the NFL lock out. Some of the other players has done some questionable things during the offseason but Ochocinco’s latest venture exceeds all expectations & not in a positive way. I believe this is his way of showing spite for the NFL.
First he tried out for a MLS soccer team followed by Professional Bull Riding where he came close to being on one of those “When Diasaster Strikes” episodes with the bull nearly trampling his head.
NFL Network aired a recent interview with Chad in Cincinnatti where he told the viewers his future endeavors.
Referring to a statement made by his coach Mike Brown, he said, “Mike Brown said ‘What’s he going to do next wrangle snakes?’ So I just one upped him.” Speaking quickly, “I’m going to go wrestle ALLIGATORS…”
Finding his response hilarious, the person conducting the interview slightly interrupted with a chuckle & was quickly corrected by Ochocinco.
He said, “Don’t laugh, like; I’m SERIOUS …” He continued. “It’s pretty dangerous, I can lose an arm, lose a leg, but so is bull riding. The chance of me getting hurt on the bull is similar to anyone of us winning the lottery, it’s slim to none.” Assuring his fans, “and the samething with the alligator, if he bites me I can still play with one arm, I can kick, I can kick; seriously.”
You may have a point Chad but there is a better chance of me not being trampled by bull hooves or eaten by an alligator walking up to a counter to buy a lottery ticket.
That’s like me going in to a dark alley & just standing there; trying my chances of getting mugged, beaten & robbed. I stand there long enough it’ll happen.
If Chad Ochocinco keeps seeking this type of attention he eventually will be laid up in a hospital somewhere, with everybody thinking, “I told you so…”
Dear NFL,
Bring back football before Ochocinco kills himself.
P.S. Pretty please
It is what it is…

Reggie Wayne’s lock out offseason & response to teammates injuries

2011-07-07T02:09:00.000-07:00

Dave Pruitt, Sports Emerge
http://sportsemerge.com/
Reggie Wayne used to be Peyton Manning’s other receiver; his number 2 behind Marvin “I got a Gun” Harrison. No longer. Reggie Wayne has come through the lingering shadow of Marvin with exceptional grace.
Peyton Manning is known to make receivers as Tom Brady is known to do in New England. Reggie Wayne performed his talent silently behind the highlight of the Manning & Harrison connection. Wayne drafted in 2001 by the Indianapolis Colts became number 1 to Manning after Marvin Harrison asked for and was granted his release. Ensuing a gun issue Harrison’s name was involved in… & I rather not go in to.
As did his former teammate at the U (University of Miami) Ed Reed; Reggie Wayne met with ESPN’s Ed Werder for a chat.
Wayne explained to Werder how his offseason has been since the lock out. “It’s been the same for me, been working out at the University of Miami.”
Jokingly, “Only show up to mandatory stuff; right now everybody is on my program. Now everybody gots to be their own judge… So easy to say ‘I’m not gonna’ work out today’ & miss a workout; compared to when you have to be at your facility workout at 9, or whatever the case may be & get fined.“
Ed Werder wanted to know how Wayne felt about working out at his home facility in the U & how it was different.
Wayne, expressing his comradery. “We all wanna’ see each other succeed. We all wanna’ do good, & we always pump each other up.” He continued, “the workouts, it is just what it is. A University of Miami workout; it’s tough out there in the heat, ILOVE IT, I’ve been doing it for 11 years.”
With a cliche, “If it’s not BROKE don’t try & FIX it…”
Wayne was questioned about his quarterback Peyton Manning’s surgeries on his neck and responded differently to the same question Werder asked Ed Reed of the Baltimore Ravens.
Related Article:

Ed Reed: A man with his priorities straight

Wayne responded, “I felt like he’ll be alright, I’m sure He can handle it… He’s been through the procedure once already, I’m sure he has the right guys behind him; therapy wise, that can get him READY TO GO.”
Over my years of watching Peyton play, everybody knows he is ready despite having only 1 Superbowl ring; he & Marvin Harrison managed to beat out Steve Young & Jerry Rice’s record of greatest touchdown tandems.
Now, Peyton has another legitimate tandem evolving infront of the NFL fans’ eyes. Over the 7 years Reggie Wayne played along side Harrison he averaged 997.7 yards, 70.6 receptions & 6.7 touchdowns a season. The 2 years without Harrison & with a core of new young receivers he’s averaged 1309.5 yards, 105.5 receptions & 8 touchdowns.
Reggie Wayne is now surely the number 1 receiver in Indianapolis with a great tight end in Dallas Clark who Ed Werder referenced in the interview in regards to the injuries that plagued the Colts last season.
“When we lost Dallas (Clark), that was tough. (Austin) Collie concussion situations, was tough. It just meant everyone else had to step it up a lil’ bit more.”
Austin Collie suffered a couple of nasty concussions during the 2010-2011 season, the season of HEAD SHOTS. Wayne was asked about his concern of the Collie concussions.
Wayne with compassion, “Once you get one, it’s always easy to get another… I just hope it doesn’t shut him down earlier than he anticipated.”
He continued, “It’s tough to see a young guy (get hurt like that) who has all the potential in the world… Hopefully he can put all that stuff behind & get movin’ from it.”
Werder asked if Wayne would keep playing after the severity of the concussions suffered by Austin Collie, similar to the question he asked Ed Reed about Peyton Manning’s neck surgeries.
Wayne responded, “I’ve been doing this since I was 7 yrs old, man. Ya’ know, this is my bread & my meat; this is what I do.”
He finished, “I would keep going, as long as I could understand what is going on & I know all my kids names.”
The perspectives of the all the individuals playing in the NFL differ, we tend to forget they’re human too. They have their priorities & values as well.
Ed Reed of the Ravens & Reggie Wayne of the Colts both attended the University of Miami, but both played different positions, one defense, one offense. Reed drafted in ’02 & Wayne in ’01 also have different perspectives on the injuries that are almost sure to occur throughout a NFL players career. However, they are both great contributors to the game of football.
I conclude with “END THE DAMN LOCK OUT!”
Interview held by Ed Werder at ESPN:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjEwunFq-VI
It is what it is…

Tiki Barber wants back in the NFL at the age of 36… Say What?

2011-07-07T02:07:00.000-07:00

Dave Pruitt, Sports Emerge
http://sportsemerge.com/
Tiki Barber was once a force coming out of the back field for the New York Giants as a primetime NFL running back. He walked away from the game because the lack of passion at the end of the 2006 NFL postseason as the New York Giants’ all-time rushing and reception leader. He was 31 and he retired?
I’m 30 & I feel like I’m just now starting, I’m in my prime baby!
This isn’t about me but Barber left the game to chase his dream to become a correspondent for NBC’s The Today Show and Football Night in America/Sunday Night Football.
When I heard he was leaving to do broadcasting I thought, “hell, if you say so.”
But when I saw his first broadcast I thought, “he’s horrible… He ain’t gonna’ make it.”
Sure enough he disappeared from our TV screens until he spoke to Armen Keteyian on HBO’s Real Sports about his return to the NFL. Returning after sitting out 4 years & at the age of 36, a feat that no running back has ever accomplished.
So what… On March 8, 2011, Barber filed papers with the NFL to come out of retirement.
Barber started, “I need to prove to myself that I can be successful at something. I know I’m going to be successful at something.”
Something skeptics thinks will not turn out well, Mark Schlerith on ESPN’s NFL Live comparing Barber’s return to Plaxico Burress’, “but Tiki Barber been away for 4 years, Man. I can’t imagine coming back after 4 years & getting hit by people.”
He expressed seemingly concerned for Tiki, “the running back postion, let’s face it even if you touch the ball 10 times a game, guess what. You’re getting hit 10 times a game by 10 guys at once.”
Schlerith continued, “I mean it’s one of those positions that beats you down… and you know he may make it for a while but it’s going to beat you up.”
My sentiments exactly, being that the running back position is the most short lived position in the NFL. He left in the 1st place because he didn’t want to do it, after he gets hit a couple times I wonder if he’ll be reminded & just leave again. Like in the middle of a game or something, get hit by someone like a Ray Lewis & peel himself of the gridiron & walk straight out the gate.
If he did… That would be hilarious.
In the interview on HBO Real Sports Barber continued to explain his position, “The Game never needs you, because there is always someone else to come take your place, but right now I need the Game.”
Yeah Tiki, tell me about, doesn’t everybody? (End the lock out.)
Barber expressed how he felt when he was asked about the fans & him leaving. “I felt like, (people) they were trying to dictate what I should do with my life. ‘How dare you walk away from it.’” Sternly, “I tell you how I dare, because I don’t want to do it anymore, I don’t have the passion to do it anymore & it rubbed people the wrong way.”
Your broadcast skills rubbed me the wrong way, you just wasn’t good, didn’t have the personality for TV. I’m just sayin’…
I don’t believe Tiki Barber will survive his second shot in the NFL. This is the year of revive your career in the NFL with Barber joining Plaxico Burress & Donovan McNabb on their comeback journey.
Oh, McNabb didn’t go any where & according to him, he’ll prove it to the fans & journalist this upcoming season, he reffered to as “special.” We’ll see McNabb, I just don’t believe you’ve ever recovered from your T.O. experience.
I digress, let’s welcome Tiki Barber back with open arms into the NFL labor agreement. I wish the old guy luck, hopefully much better luck than with his broadcasting career even he feels was a “failure.” Indeed.
It is what it is…

Steelers & Ravens can’t wait until end of lock out; Woodley waking a sleeping giant

2011-07-07T02:05:00.000-07:00

Dave Pruitt, Sports Emerge
When you think of the Pittsburgh Steelers recently, you also think of the Baltimore Ravens. As of now there is no other rivalry in the NFL that could rub shoulders with this high intensity battle that has been broadcast across the nation on our wonderous football Sundays & Mondays.
Wiz Khalifa a well known hip-hop artist (if rap is your ‘cup of tea’), released a song named “Black & Yellow”, you may’ve heard it as it exploded on the scene during the 2010-2011 NFL season. Had really nothing to do with the Steelers other than the colors of the orginization, it was more so a representation for the city of Pittsburgh. However, it started a movement that brought the attention of the youth to football that the MADDEN NFL franchise hasn’t grasped already.
It brought in the younger, hipper crowd. A category that LaMarr Woodley falls under, a category I would like to believe I still fall under.
The 26 year old Woodley, a Steelers outside linebacker believes that Joe Flacco quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens will never be capable of winning a Super Bowl, “in this lifetime” as Woodley declared.
Hines Ward, a Steelers wide receiver & someone who Danced with a Star or something like that, chose to hold the horses. 14 years in the league, I’m sure he knows when to bite his tongue, realizing how ugly it can get against the Ravens. Hines appeared on NFL Network & addressed Woodley’s comments on Flacco’s futuristic inability to win a Superbowl.
He expressed, “I don’t disrespect the Baltimore Ravens,” speaking to the NFL Network panel. “LaMarr is LaMarr.”
Hines decided not to awake a sleeping giant. “They can win with Flacco.”
Hines understands Woodley & his teammates approach; displaying courage & confidence something they’ll need each time they snap in their chin straps against the Ravens. But as a older veteran, Hines Ward has experienced enough on the gridiron to not give the revengeful Baltimore Ravens any more reason to abuse him during their heated match-ups.
John Harbaugh, the head coach of the Ravens responded to LaMarr Woodley’s statement, described as a “big fat piece of bulletin board material.”
He said, “We don’t need any bulletin board material to get ready for those guys or anybody else, but we’ll be ready for LaMarr Woodley and the rest of that football team and they know it.”
Like anybody else, Woodley is just displaying his superiority after his team has been the wall that Joe Flacco & the Ravens CAN NOT get through. In 2008, Flacco’s rookie season, he showed he was a NFL quarterback being the 1st rookie to win 2 playoff games.
Then he met the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 1st time in a AFC Championship where he went 13 of 30 in pass attempts for 141 yards, was sacked three times, and intercepted three times. Not pretty, but hell, he was a rookie; what you expect?
The following year Flacco & the Ravens appeared in the playoffs again in the 2009 season winning in the Wild Card round against Tom Brady’s New England Patriots, when Joe Flacco basically let RB Ray Rice carry the load. Flacco completed only 4-10 for 34 yards and one interception but they still won. Only to go see the other Hall of Fame bound quarterback Peyton Manning & his Colts to get blown out 20-3 in Indianapolis. They didn’t play the Steelers in the playoffs that year because the Steelers didn’t reach the playoffs.
Last year Flacco was once again haunted by Woodley’s Steelers in the AFC Championship game giving the Steelers another shot at snatching a championship but they fell short to the current champs, the Green Bay Packers.
John Harbaugh believes his Ravens shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“We love LaMarr, we love what he says, especially when he says things like that. … We appreciate being underestimated, we do. If the Steelers choose to underestimate us, we appreciate that. We’ll show up right on time. Those buses will pull in [and] we’ll come walking into that locker room.
“[Woodley] knows that.”

The cliche, “get over the hump” wasn’t created for no reason. It’s describing an achievement accomplished that was thought not possible by skeptics.
Once upon a time, Peyton Manning couldn’t get it down against his playoff rival in Tom Brady, Bill Belichik & the Patriots. He eventually did.
Message to LaMarr Woodley from me: “Haven’t you learned anything from LeBron James? Joe Flacco won’t win a Superbowl? You sure, be careful what you ask for, he may, he may do it this season & he may go through your Steelers to do it.”

Wouldn’t that be a story.

It is what it is...

Who would you take Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu? Pick your poison

2011-07-07T02:02:00.000-07:00

Dave Pruitt, Sports Emerge
http://sportsemerge.com/

One guy in “Black & Yellow” and another in “Black & Purple”, both representing their colors with tenacity, on field leadership & game changing plays that has stirred up a great debate. Who would you take, Ed Reed of the Baltimore Ravens or Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers?
I take pride in covering this topic because I’d like to think I was a pretty good Safety in highschool as well. However, I couldn’t come close to achieving what these heralded rivals have over the past decade.
Ed Reed & Troy Polamalu may have similarities & are both great at their positions but if you were to ask their peers who is the best between them, you’d get silence as displayed on NFL Networks “Top 100 NFL Players of 2011.” A confused dumbfounded look across the face of many players, not knowing who they would pick.
Ed Reed described by T.O., ” He’s like offense on defense, this guy has to be accounted for.”
He is like a wide receiver that the quarterback doesn’t want to throw to. With 54 career interceptions Reed is a definite threat looming in the backfield, baiting QBs to throw in his direction. Ed Reed recently interviewed by Ed Werder at ESPN revealed that he has lightened up on hitting opposing players as hard as he used to when he entered te league out of the U (University of Miami, for those who don’t know.)
Reed becomes a returner everytime he gets the ball looking to score 6 often with laterals to his teammates. The way he can see the field is uncanny.
Related Article:

Troy Polamalu, known for his abundance of long curly Polynesian hair & respected for his thrashing hard hits. All you see is hair flying in your direction then you’re picking yourself up off the field. I can’t imagine what it feels like, Polamalu delivers hits that make the viewer say, “DAMN!”
They play in the same Division, in a rivalry that some think has become the biggest in sports recently with the Ravens & Steelers meeting 8 times in the last 3 years. Everytime they meet the fans leave the game astonished at the intensity of the battle they just witnessed. Reed & Polamalu on normal occasion are at the helm of intense plays during the battle.
We now know that they are similar in how they perform on the field, but who is better at their craft? Ed Reed drafted in 2002 & Troy Polamalu drafted in 2003, they are just seperated by a year of performance.
Reed has 54 interceptions in 128 games over his career with 8 of them coming last year in only 10 games due to injury. Polamalu has never had 8 interceptions in 1 season & has only half the total of Reed with 27 interceptions in 107 games. Reed has been to 7 Pro Bowls & Polamalu one shy with 6. Reed was voted Defensive Player of the Year in 2004 & Polamalu received the same honor in 2010.
Warren Sapp of NFL Network argued admirably for Reed, he said, “You want your Safety to have his hands on the ball. My man has twice the interceptions as your guy, (speaking to Ed Baldinger of NFL Network picking Polamalu) 3 times as many touchdowns, scoring after he gets his hands on it.” Expressively he continued,”two more forced fumbles & 6 more fumble recoveries!”
Ed Boldinger responded fiercely, “It’s all about numbers for you?” He continued, “your arguement is all about numbers, you can’t compare Safeties strictly on numbers.” Boldinger highlighted the recent playoff games that the Steelers & Ravens had & the fact that Troy Polamalu was the game changer in both keeping the Ravens out of the Superbowl in the 2008 season with a big interception thrown by Joe Flacco & again in the 2010 season forcing Flacco to fumble.
Ed Boldinger reffered to his game changing ability as “the Polamalu effect” as he should because I witnessed both of those AFC Championship games & Polamalu was an absolute beast. The numbers that Polamalu puts up may not compare closely to Ed Reed’s but he is beating Reed in the only category that truly matters & that’s Superbowl rings. Regardless if Ed Reed was voted 88th out of the NFL Networks “Top 100 of All-Time” & Polamalu didn’t make the cut; Reed is missing the 2 rings Polamalu has in his possession.
Reed’s “partner in crime” who is feared by many on the gridiron, Ray Lewis is the only active Raven with a Superbowl ring & Reed’s chance has been stopped twice by the Head N’ Shoulders Safety of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers are 39-14 with Polamalu on the field & 9-9 without him present, he is a game changer. Ed Reed probably the most feared by QBs because of is ability to snatch the ball from the QBs original target. QBs fear Polamalu because of his ability to fly over the lineman & sack them with 8 sacks in his career.
The debate could go on & on, Polamalu’s teammate Hines Ward said, “Between those guys, I haven’t seen better Safeties around.”
If you were to ask Ed Reed I’m sure he would say he’s the best & the more humble Polamalu said, “I’m not concerned, I can care less.”
I can’t say who is best, I’ll just say they play different positions, Ed Reed is a Free Safety & Troy Polamalu is a Strong Safety so they are each the best at their respective positions. I’ll leave it at that…
It is what it is…

Party On Mark Cuban, Mavs are Champs

2011-07-07T02:00:00.000-07:00

Dave Pruitt, Sports Emerge
http://sportsemerge.com/
Prior to the Dallas Mavericks winning their 1st NBA Title, hoisting up the Larry O’Brien Trophy in victory, Coach Rick Carlisle addressed the media at the press conference.
He stated, “Miami’s time is going to come; their talent is undeniable.” Carlisle continued, “at some point it’s going to carry the day, there’s no doubt about that; there time is not now.” With great expression. “Our time is now. We need it to be now.”
The Mavs Sunday night definitely proved they were the better team over an over confident Miami squad. What people failed to realize is the Mavs & Heat played 8 times this season & after Sunday night the Mavs won 6 of those games with 4 coming in the right place at the right time, in the NBA Finals.
You would think somewhere along the line while LeBron James & Dwyane Wade were growing up they came across a Disney movie or 2. In those movies there is always the story of Good versus Evil & Good always prevails over Evil. However, Lebron & Wade chose to take on the role of the villains of the NBA with “The Decision” & the PUBLIC DISPLAY of COCKINESS during the introduction of the Big 3 in Miami American Airlines Arena.
LeBron has steadily dragged down Dwyane Wade to his level with his audaciousness.
Throughout this entire process I’ve tried to defend LeBron but now he has reached his all time low when he was asked to respond to everyone who wanted to see him lose.
He stated with a smirk on his face. “At the end of the day, all the people that were rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day, they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today. They have the same personal problems they had today.”
He continued. “They can get a few days or a few months or whatever the case may be on being happy about not only myself, but the Miami Heat not accomplishing their goal. But they have to get back to the real world at some point,” he added.
Wow, LeBron is really taking on this villainous role quite seriously, you really don’t want anybody to like you, he must be trying to take over for Bin Laden without all of the killing.
The role of the GOOD guys were given to the Mavs who were not only playing for Mark Cuban & the city of Dallas but for Cleveland Cavs fans & anybody who just HATED the grouping of Wade, LeBron & Chris Bosh.
Enough about the losers. Dirk Nowitzki has achieved one of his major goals in life after a long wait. 12 years in the NBA, once reffered to as being soft after losing in the 2006 NBA Finals to then a Dwyane Wade & Shaquille O’Neal ran Miami Heat. Along with Jason Terry, Dirk gets his revenge, winning in nearly the same fashion that they lost in ’06.
In 2006 the Mavs won the 1st two games in the Finals only to lose the next 4 games. This year the Heat went up 2-1 in the series only to lose the next 3 ultimately losing to our new NBA Champs.
Dirk now removes himself from the company of John Stocton & Karl Malone as a superstar without a championship ring. With doing so he joined Kobe Bryant & Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson & Larry Bird, as a superstar with a league MVP award & a NBA Finals MVP award & a championship ring.
Mark Cuban chose to stay out the spotlight this year & just let his Coach Rick Carlisle & his star Dirk Nowitzki lead the Mavs in a humbled fashion to a championship.
Jason Kidd is now validated as a champion after a wonderful growth in his career from being just a pure guard to a pure point guard who could hit clutch 3-pointers, knocking down 2 in Sunday’s Game 6. After 16 years in the league & once losing a title with the New Jersey Nets in 2003 versus the San Antonio Spurs losing in 6 games.
Jason Kidd got the monkey off his back, as did Jason Terry who accompanied Dirk Nowitzki in the 2006 NBA Finals lost. In Terry’s revenge he averaged 19.7 points in the last 3 games the Mavs won.
Terry pointed out his tattoo on his right arm of the Larry O’Brien Trophy after the game in a on-court interview & said,”For someone to do something that crazy,” smiled & continued. “You have to back it up.”
And Terry did just that scoring 27 in the final game of the series on the Heat’s home floor, in front of the Heat crowd helping his leader, Dirk. Who struggled through the 1st half missing shots he normally makes, it got to a point where Dirk had only hit 1 out of 12 shots but he later finished shooting 33% , 9 of 27 scoring 21 points.
It was an intense match-up over the course of the 6 games & it climaxed in this final game with a skirmish that broke out between DeShawn Stevenson (who initiated) & Udonis Haslem as he turned to walk back to his bench during a time out & was met face to face with Stevenson who then shoved Haslem. That caused a reaction by Mario Chalmers who had just hit the shot that caused a Dallas time out, to run over & join the altercation by pushing & shoving Stevenson. The players was given technical fouls & I believe that could have ruined the Heat’s chance at a momentum switch as the game was still close.
Either way you look at it the Dallas Mavericks were the classier team with much more to lose. Dirk & his team were at the age where this may very well had been their last chance to win a Title, & they did.
A long summer of continous scrutiny for the Miami Heat.
And for the Mavs congratulations for becoming the 2011 NBA Champions!!!
Party on Mark Cuban, with your cigar & new found trophy!
It is what it is…

Playground Antics in the NBA Finals?

2011-06-12T04:14:00.000-07:00

Dave Pruitt, Sports Emerge
http://sportsemerge.com/

I guess I’ll play the antagonist of journalist in this drama filled NBA Finals on & off the court. I’ll play the defense lawyer of LeBron James & Dwyane Wade since the rest of the world seemingly has convicted them of being a childish, ignorant, under achievers.  Aren’t their “childish, ignorant” antics different & actually less derogatory than Jason Terry’s?

What is mainly different is that LeBron & Wade should know better. Especially if they’re joking about a man that has ice water running in his veins (Dirk Nowitzki).

Reports or rumors, however you want to perceive it has risen to the surface recently of Jason Terry getting a little personal with LeBron during the games. It is a rumor that a teammate of LeBron has recently said that Terry’s TRASH TALK during the games has affected LeBron’s performance.
Statements focused primarily on LeBron James’ family.  Jason Terry suspected of going as far as saying what he’s done with LeBron’s mother & how other players in the league has been involved with LeBron’s fiance & I’m sure it was quoted with much more vulgar content.

Terry is known to be a talker, Dirk said after Game 4, “he likes to hear himself talk.”

Referring to Terry’s statement about LeBron’s defense,” let’s see if he can do it for all 7 games.“
If Terry’s talk is actually getting under LeBron’s skin then Terry has approached the Finals just as he should have. He is apparently throwing LeBron’s game off along with all the media coverage that LeBron says he uses to FUEL his fire.

Message to LeBron from me. “Hate to the bearer of bad news but the bad talk from Terry & bad press from the media is not working to your advantage, you are backing down instead of stepping up. You are passing the ball as if you don’t want the spotlight on you while playing on the biggest stage in your young career. You lose the series the way you have been losing it, you’re gonna’ have a rough career.”

There was “The Decision” which had me scratching my head, because I didn’t understand why a young player who really hasn’t accomplished anything in terms of a championship would display him self as so. I let it go because I saw a man showcasing his confidence in his abilities. That’s all the “The Decision” was, a showcase for LeBron to bring out to the world that he was going to the NBA Finals by joining the Heat. Then I questioned the cockiness at the beginning of the season by LeBron when he spoke infront of a filled accepting American Airlines Arena in Miami, where he literally claimed not 7, 8 championships in a joking fashion which has now been set in stone as LeBron’s futuristic legacy.

I stuck behind LeBron because he represented the “Me Against the World” attitude which I have always been quite fond of. However, with the recent news release of the mocking of Dirk Nowitzki being sick, I draw the line. That now shows a lack of confidence in LeBron & Dwyane Wade who joined in on these off court escapades, before Game 5 following Thursday’s shootaround.

Dirk Nowitzki watched the recording of LeBron & Wade coughing & apparently joking about Dirk’s sinus infection which caused his temperature to go up to 102 degrees in Game 4.

Dirk responded before Saturday’s practice at American Airlines Arena  by saying, “I just thought it was a little childish, a little ignorant.”
If this is the case, that LeBron & Wade did stoop as low as this then they deserved to lose Game 5. It again is a display of their cockiness, like the Finals is a joke, like they can win it easily. Dirk is taking this seriously & is the last person you want to ignite.

What is most shocking to me is Wade’s part in the foolishness. Like he is looking up to LeBron & letting him take control of the wheel.

Wade responded to the allegations of his part in the Dirk mocking, “I actually did cough,” Wade continued. “And with the cameras being right there, we made a joke out of it because we knew you guys were going to blow it up. You did exactly what we knew.”

“We never said Dirk’s name. I think he’s not the only one in the world who can get sick or have a cough. We just had fun with the cameras being right in our face about the blowup of the incident, and it held to be true. You blew it up.”

It is what it is, LeBron & now Wade’s attention is focused elsewhere, being down 3-2 in the NBA Finals maybe it’s time to take the high road & not let Jason Terry’s antics influence how you respond to the media.
Joking about Dirk being sick before Game 5 definitely didn’t help, stooping to Jason Terry’s equally “childish” level just put the Heat in a whole with one chance not to lose.

James better show he gots some “balls” & quit joking, laughing, coughing & do what he knows he’s capable of doing, which I thought was be a star (a crown he has accepted) & show up in clutch situations. 2 points in the 4th of Game 5 REALLY?

If Dallas wins the NBA Finals it’ll just seem like they weren’t suppose to. It’ll look like the better team FOLDED.

And in response to Gregg Doyel’s (CBSSports.com National Columnist ) article, make sure you call out Jason Terry’s antics as well as LeBron’s & Wade’s. Not just saying it’s okay to mock Terry or DeShawn Stevenson & not Dirk.

Gregg Doyel’s article @ CBS Sports http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/15223821/wade-lebron-excuse-for-mocking-dirk-worse-than-act-itself

It’s all “childish & ignorant” to me.

As for LeBron, someone who hasn’t proven anything in the championship arena & he’s playing with his chances (2nd time in the NBA Finals) & how he will be perceived amongsnt the greats.

It is what it is…

Let It Rain, Mavs Drop Dimes

2011-06-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Dave Pruitt, Sports Emerge
http://sportsemerge.com/

I knew there was no chance for the Heat to win when it started to rain in Dallas. Not outside but in the building, the shots that were falling , “was like DAMN!“ Dirk Nowitzki’s rainbow 3 point shot looked like it went out the top of my T.V. screen. I remember asking my wife, ”where the ball go?” Then it fell into the basket….. I was stuck.

To say Dirk finally received help would be an under statement. His teammates came knocking to answer the long awaited call. Jason Terry, J.J. Barea & Jason Kidd closed the 4th Qtr. impressively Thursday in their last home game this series. They took it upon themselves to put Dallas on their backs & take Mark Cuban & the city one step closer to it’s 1st NBA Championship.

Up to this point it has been Dirk carrying that burden, leading his team like a sheperd leads his sheep. Prior to the games the Mavs lost Dirk has called on his teammates, mainly Jason Terry who had been medicore at best through the first 3 games. Last night Terry showed his teammates, the Miami Heat, & the viewing audience exactly why he is in the NBA. People that has not seen him play at his best got a taste of it Thursday in Game 5.

It is the 1st time there is a definite momentum switch in this series. The only thing that the Miami Heat have going for them is that they’re are returning to South Beach to finish the series, win or lose. The Heat are 9-1 at home in the playoffs with their only lost coming from the Dallas Mavs in Game 2. Now it is the Mavs series to lose, the T-shirts & ball caps are being made as I type with Dallas Mavericks 2011 NBA Finals Champions embroidered on the fronts.

Dirk had 29 points, 6 rebounds & went 10 of 10 from the foul line silently, it was expected of him. However, what was not expected, given the history this NBA Finals was the contributions of Jason Terry, J.J. Barea & Jason Kidd. They all showed up big in the 4th Qtr. The quarter that this series has been focused around all 5 games with the Mavs making major comebacks in each game. In the 4th Terry had 6 points, Barea had 6 & Kidd had 5; a production the Mavs has not received the entire Finals.

This game was reminiscent of the Mavs’ Game 4 against the Lakers where it seemed like they couldn’t miss a shot. In that game the Mavs shot 20 of 32 from the 3 point line & Jason Terry went 9 out of 10. In Thursday’s game versus the Heat the Mavs went 13 of 19 from the 3 point line with Terry going 3 of 5. He was aggressive throughout the game & put the ball on the floor going attacking “LeBron’s feet” as he put it. He finished the game shooting 8 of 12 with 21 points & 6 assist.

He has been the 4th Qtr. guy for the Mavs all of his career, in the press conference prior to the game, he said. “It’s my job,” referring to being aggressive in the 4th Qtr. he continued, “we’re not going to keep missing these open shots.” He expressed that to his teammates after watching film of games 1 through 3 & they responded.

J.J. Barea hit 4 big 3 point shots going 4 of 5, Jason Kidd went 3 of 5, DeShawn Stevenson 1 of 2 & even Brian Cardinal got in on the act hitting 1. Of course Dirk had 1 also, but I’m focusing on the “WOW factor” of Game 5 with his teammates pulling out a game instead of him.

As far as the Heat go, they are not in the moment. They beckon a home game, where they thrive. The problem is they go home with only 1 chance. They lose, they are done & Dirk holds up his 1st Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. Pleasing all Cleveland Cavs fans, Mavs=Cavs, Dirk is playing for Dalls & Cleveland. Hilarious.

So LeBron Game 6 is the biggest game in your life, not what you thought & didn’t show with Game 5.
I’m usely writing about the Heat but I’ll leave this game with saying this, a triple-double by LeBron means nothing in a loss & Dwyane Wade’s hip contusion injury did not decide the outcome of Game 5.
What determined the outcome of Game 5 was the Mavs wonderous shooting down the stretch & Heat’s suspect D. Oh yeah, LeBron once again became ghostly in the 4th scoring only 2 points. I could do that.

The story of the series is the lack of DEFENSE of the Miami Heat in the 4th Qtr. of every game even the ones the won.

My prediction ability is SUSPECT also, but atleast I admit it. But what I did predict correctly at the beginning of the playoffs that it would be very EXCITING & that prediction still holds true as the Dallas Mavs take their momentum into South Beach Sunday night with a 3-2 lead.
Game 6 Sunday @ 8pm ET on ABC.
It is what it is…

LeBron’s Been Out For Lunch

2011-06-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

Dave Pruitt, Sports Emerge
http://sportsemerge.com/
“Have you seen ‘Bron’?” …. “Tell me have you seen ‘Bron’?” LeBron James has 9 total points in the 4th Qtr. of the last 4 GAMES! Each Qtr. 12 minutes long, so 9 points in 48 minutes. Is the stage to big for LeBron James? Does the NBA Finals make “O’ Bron Bron” nervous?

If I can recall, the last time he was in the NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavs in 2007 against the San Antonio Spurs he had a similar performance throughout the series which ended in a sweep.  If it wasn’t for having Dwyane Wade, LeBron would get swept in this series also. LeBron just won his 1st Finals game this year with Game 1, literally the best performance he’s had against the Mavs this series, scoring 24 points & grabbing 9 rebounds. Since then LeBron’s been out for lunch.

Dallas Mavericks A.K.A. “The Comeback Mavs” do it again in the 4th Qtr. the same Qtr. LeBron has become ghostly. Dirk Nowitzki is now in many peoples eyes a top 10 or even top 5 players of all time. Given his performance throughout the playoffs & in the the Finals I’m hard pressed to agree. He finally missed another free throw in Game 4 after 39 consecutive, that’s insane, he could shoot free throws in his sleep.

Honestly, I believe the only reason Dirk missed a free throw was because his 101 degree to 102 degree temperature he had throughout the game. He still finished 9 of 10 from the foul line & struggled from the field going 6 of 19 & finishing with only 21 points. Dirk was asked in the press conference after the game to compare his flu performance to the great Michael Jordan’s flu performance back in 1997 against the Jazz where he scored 38 points.

Dirk responded, “Never thought about MJ’s performance but obviously I was way off.” And Damn, so was I with my predictions.

I digress, Dirk didn’t have to carry all of the weight in Game 4 as he has the previous games. Jason Terry called out LeBron before the game questioning his toughness.

He stated confidentally. “I’m welcoming the challenge,” he said. “We’re going to see if he can do it for seven games. That’s going to be the challenge. Right now, it’s Game 4. Can he do it again in Game 4? He wasn’t able to do it in Game 2. He did it in Games 1 and 3, so Game 4 is another opportunity.”
Was those statements what threw LeBron off in Game 4? Was he to worried about stopping Jason Terry that he forgot he was an offensive threat also? Apparently not because Jason Terry answered his personal challenge by scoring 17 with an unimpressive but necessary performance going 6 of 15.  Terry also got to the foul line shooting 4 of 6 being more offensively aggressive but still lacking on the defensive side of the court.

Jason Terry outscored LeBron. “Prince James” scored 8 POINTS, that’s it, that’s all… It’s the NBA Finals, & LeBron has decided to stop being himself, he didn’t attack the basket seemingly at all in Game 4. Chris Broussard of ESPN brought up a good point prior to the game stating that LeBron is deferring to not just Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh but he his passing up his shot to give the ball away to a Udonis Haslem, Mike Miller or Mario Chalmers. It literally looks like he doesn’t want the ball.

I made an analogy in a previous writing covering this series prior to Game 2 where the Mavs made the magnificent 4th Qtr. comeback down 15 with 7 minutes left.

I said,”I seriously thought that ABC Network paid them off, but now that I think about it they can’t afford to fix the blurriness on HD broadcast, so.”

It’s the same scenario, a conspiracy theory if you will, that I’m not entertaining just stating. The way the Miami Heat are losing really looks like they are giving the games away to stretch out the series. In Game 2, literally giving up a 15 point lead by changing the way they’re were playing from attacking the basket to shooting deep low percentage shots with 7 minutes left in the 4th Qtr. Why would any team do that? Makes me wonder…

Same goes for LeBron, a man who can genuinely score whenever he feels like it, a man who hits full & half court shots in his leisure. Completely shut himself down in the 4th Qtr. of a game that the Heat led 74 -65 with 10:11 left.   He was scoreless in the 4th Qtr. Why would any great player just stop playing with the game on the line? Makes me wonder…

Or is Shawn Marion in LeBron’s head with his intense defense, is LeBron backing down? Didn’t ever think I’d say this but LeBron may have some confidence issues going up against Marion. I’m just sayin’…

I actually believe all the credit is due to the Mavs stellar defense played in the 4th Qtr. holding the entire Heat team to only 14 points. The Mavs forced turnovers helping them make a 17-4 run & ultimately closing the game to tie the series 2-2.
Wade is holding up his end of the bargin, balling out of his mind with 32 points & 6 rebounds in Game 4.  Chris Bosh even has showed some confidence that he says “never went anywhere” in a half time interview, he produced 24 points & 6 rebounds.

Lunch break should be over for LeBron in Game 5; I expect him to attack the paint early but now will he try & do too much? It’ll be up to Coach Erik Spoelstra, Dwyane Wade & mainly LeBron to keep a balance with his points & assist. He had 8 points & 7 assist in Game 4, maybe it’s time for LeBron to be SELFISH.

The Mavs will have the ”if it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it” mentality in Game 5. I expect what I expect evry game from the Mavs, the ball to go through Dirk Nowitzki, forcing double teams & leaving shooters open at the arch. The question is will his Snipers be on tonight, he’ll need similar production from Jason Terry now that Rick Carlisle has chose to go with Brian Cardinal who did absolutely nothing in Game 4 but did it better than Peja Stojakovic.

Game 5 Thursday June 9th @ 9pm ET on ABC.

It is what it is…

The Big AARP Announces His Retirement

2011-06-11T10:13:00.001-07:00

Dave Pruitt, Sports Emerge
http://sportsemerge.com/

As only Shaquille O’Neal can announced his retirement in style as being as comedical is possible.

He retires his nicknames, even Superman as he held the conference at his mansion. He claims a new nickname as the Big AARP and states what he’ll miss from the game. Jokingly he says,” he will miss his free throws.”

Farewell big fella’, hope to see you on someone sports channel with all his hilarious antics.

An Amazing Comeback or Astonishing Meltdown

2011-06-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

Dave Pruitt, Sports Emerge
http://sportsemerge.com/

Did I see what I thought I saw? That was an amazing comeback put on display by the Dallas Mavericks or amazing how the Miami Heat had a complete & utter meltdown, depending on which team you’re a fan of. It was impressive or disgusting, exciting or painful, it was ”WOW!” or “WHAT THE HELL!” But overall it was a historical game, biggest comeback in NBA Finals history since the ’92 Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls against Clyde Drexler’s Trail Blazers.

Surely the guys who claimed they could win not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5…( Wait on it,) not 6, not 7, blah, blah blah, championships; did NOT just give up a 15 point lead with 7 minutes left in the 4th? The man owning that statement went 8 of 15 from the field, 2 of 7 from behind the arch & 2 of 4 from the foul line scoring a mere 20 pts. “Prince James“, definitely not  King,  certainly didn’t dictate a winning outcome, didn’t lead his team to victory, isn’t that what Kings do?

It literally looked like someone PAID the Heat to lose Game 2, just as a boxer would take a dive in the boxing ring. It seemed like they want to play a full 7 game series for ratings or something. I seriously thought that ABC Network paid them off, but now that I think about it they can’t afford to fix the blurriness on HD broadcast, so.   That’s how unbelievable it was though, to see the Big 3 & company have a complete mental lapse, literally stopped doing what they were doing the first 3 Qtrs. & 5 minutes of the 4th. They stopped attacking the basket start taking 20 foot jumpers, gunning from the 3 point line like they were in a 3 point contest during All-Star weekend.

Dwyane Wade was balling out of control the entire 2nd & 3rd Qtrs. with the rest chipping in. When Bibby start knocking down his 3 pointers I got a strange premonition, told my wife, “now that he’s finally hitting his 3′s, they’ll lose.” I was joking around when I mentioned that midway through the 1st Qtr. but in hindsight, it’s now hard to describe & a little stange. Cockiness is definitely something not to admire & it was luminating on the faces of the Heat players throughout the game until that expression turned into shock & concern when Dirk Nowitzki tied the game with his non-shooting hand, yep, the left hand everybody was talking about was apparently injured. The Heat really thought they had it in the bag, like all they had to do was throw the ball at the basket & it’ll go in. Wade in the post game news conference was asked about them celebrating infront of the Mavs bench after he hit a big 3 & he replied “there was no confetti, no champagne, we wasn’t celebrating.” Playing as astonishingly horrible down the stretch as the Heat did, they’ll certainly won’t see confetti fall or POP champagne in the locker room.   Maybe they already accomplished their goal by beating the Boston Celtics in round 2, hence their big celebration afterwards.

Chris Bosh was ice cold the entire game going 4-16 from the field & LeBron made it extremely hard for them to win their 1st NBA title by jacking up 3′s & deep shots with the Heat scoring only 5 points in last 7 minutes. LeBron was 4-6 from the foul line in 2 games played, a damn shame. What a meltdown, hilarious in a way how the tide can change in NBA basketball. A disappointed Dwyane Wade showed up to play scoring 36 pts. grabbing 5 rebounds & tossing 6 assist in a losing effort. He stated it best,” defense is what got us the lead & our (lack of) defense is how we lost.”

All the credit in the basketball world goes out to the Dallas Mavericks for sustaining through what every sports fan including the Mavs fans thought was going to be a shellacking, a beat down of mass proportion. Dirk Nowitzki struggled throughout the game, bad left hand & all finishing with 24 points & 10 of 22 shooting but the hit shots when it mattered. Proved he was the closer on the floor last night. With one of his Snipers showing up late in the 4th Qtr. in Jason Terry who finally got free of LeBron’s D enough to knock down some key shots during the miraculous comeback. They stayed to their offensive game plan running alot of Pick N Roll & going through Dirk on the block letting him create & find open shooters out of double teams.

When the Mavs got a chance to breath as the Heat slowly lifted their hands away from the Mavs’ juggler, they saw their oportunity & didn’t look back. With a 17 to 2 run Dallas tied the game 90 to 90 with 57.6 seconds left after Udonis Haslem tried to save a live ball back in bounds but to the wrong team, Dirk finished with an uncontested lay-up. My jaw dropped, even at that point I still thought the Heat would slap themselves & wake up, I was mistaken. The ensuing play Wade took a hand off from LeBron dribbled past Shawn Marion just enough to get a shot off from 3 point land with Marion’s hand in his face & :06 on the shot clock, still enough time to drive to the paint but he settled for a 20+ footer. And Then It Was He as in Dirk who smacked the Heat right in there grins with a big 3 point shot giving Dallas the lead 93-90 with 26.7 seconds left 30 seconds after he had tied the game. My face fell off, I was shocked as I think anybody who loves the game of basketball might be because it just doesn’t happen in the Finals not since I was 12 years old. The following play Mario Chalmers was found by LeBron on an in bounds play sneaking into the corner for a wide open 3 on a blown assignment by Jason terry & as Mike Breen would shout “BANG!!!” Chalmers ties it at 93-93 we had another tie game but Dirk had the last word & a pitiful Chris Bosh was caught on an island with the “7 foot German Shooting Guard” & then taken to school via bad finger left hand lay up to win the game, followed by a D Wade prayer nearly from halfcourt.

Dirk would not have had a chance to demonstrate his toughness & shooting elegance to close out the astonished Heat without the aggresiveness of Shawn Marion. He brought his A+ game from the fountain of youth as he chimed in & found the scorer he used to be early in his career. He kept the Mavs in striking distance up until the start of the 4th Qtr. when Miami had their run that looked to be the beginning of the end until Dirk put his hot sauce on it. Shawn Marion had some key shots which helped them grab the Heat by the shirt tails & hang on like tackling a NFL running back. Pulling theirselves up the Heat’s back until the got high enough to bring them down utimately preventing a touchdown in this case preventing a 2-0 lead, now they’re going back home instead with the series 1-1.

Now the momentum has shifted entirely to the Dallas Mavericks as they head back the the Big D for 3 games infront of that relentless crowd. I’m hardpressed to think that this series now belongs to the Mavs & the Miami Heat are actually playing from behind. Eventhough, LeBron James in is pastel colored suit after the game says “we’re looking forward to the challenge.” We’ll see if they’re looking forward to the challange, as Wade metioned, “only time will tell.”

Hell of a game, the playoffs are still impressing me.

Game 3 of the NBA Finals Sunday June 5th @ 8pm ET on ABC

It is what is…

The Big Aristotle Says Bye Via Twitter

2011-06-11T10:05:00.000-07:00

For 19 years in the NBA he was a dominate force who put the fear in every opposing player who visited the The Shaqtus under the basket. He changed the game with his size & ability, his tenacity, his relentless effort & by breaking down backboards. Somebody got paid very well to create a new backboard that could sustain the punishment of a massive Shaq slam. People that should thank Shaq: Kobe Bryant & Lakers organization, Dwyane Wade & Miami Heat organization, Brad Miller in 2002 for Shaq’s haymaker not connecting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B10qzaH5eQk

Drafted into the NBA in 1992 by the Orlando Magic from Louisiana State University 1st overall & then was selected as the Rookie of the Year. He was a monster, a beast & was noticed as one of the best centers in the league shortly into his career. His first NBA finals appearance was in 1995 with the Magic but he didn’t win until he teamed up with Kobe Bryant & the Los Angeles Lakers. They won 3 Championships in a row 2000 through 2002 & then it got a little ugly between him & Kobe in my opinion was over who was receiving the most star power. Today they would deny that collectively. After the Lakers he moved around the league while maintaing his dominance stopping in Miami 1st to help another young apprentice in Dwyane Wade win his 1st Championship & his 4th in 2006. From there he moved to the Phoenix Suns to play with Steve Nash & later moved on to play with LeBron James in Cleveland. He finishes a Hall of Fame career with 4 titles & 15 All-star appearances & retires after 1 season with the Big 3 of the Celtics. More notable achievements too many to list all of them but he was also 3 x NBA Finals MVP, 2 x NBA scoring Champ & 8 x All-NBA First Team.

For me his personality speaks higher volumes than his statistics through his wonderous career. More than anything Shaq has shown that he is a people person even today by retiring via Twitter to his fans before announcing it to the media, a CLASS-ACT, definitely can’t say that about every athlete. He’s made millions laugh with his comedical antics & has always been a source of entertainment from making rap albums, to that ShaZamm movie, not sure if I spelled that right but no offense, it’s not worth looking it up. He’s showed that you can be an athlete & not be cocky, not be rude & overall be a human.

Alot of athletes should take a page out his book & come down off their high horse & relate with their fans like Shaq has. He’s played for more than half of my life & I’ve always been a fan, not sure where he’s headed next in life but I’m sure he’ll be just as dominant.

Shaq’s farewell from his twitter page. http://www.tout.com/m/9944wo

Holla’ Big Shaq you’ll always be an Icon.

It is what it is…

Defense Wins Championships, Mavs Go South in South Beach

2011-06-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

The Miami Heat after taking Game 1 92-84 over the Dallas Mavericks last night are now undefeated down in South Beach at 9-0 in the post season. The Heat now have won their last 5 games including the 4 games they won against the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals after losing the 1st. According to all major sports, a statement used by coaches across the world in there respective languages, "defense wins championships," sounds cliche but stands true as Miami has showed it's significance last night & in the 2 prior series.
In the Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Mavericks & Oklahoma City Thunder offense was the topic of discussion.  4 out of 5 of the games were shootouts with the Mavs scoring 100 or more and there lowest total in Game 3 was 93 points still enough for a victory. In that series the Mavs averaged 105.2 points a game & OKC averaged 101.2 making it evident that the series was lacking defensively with both teams.
In the Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat & Chicago Bulls defense was what the teams hung their hat on. The intensity, speed & disruption of both defenses caused the point totals to be much lower than their counter parts in the West. The Miami Heat averaged 89.4 & held the Bulls to an average of 87.2 throughout a physically demanding series. With the lowest scoring game being Game 2 when the Bulls were held to only 75 & the Heat were victorious with scoring only 85.

Last night the Mavs were held to their lowest scoring total in their playoff history with scoring a mere 84 points. The quickness & athleticism of the Heat defense was overwhelming for Dirk Nowitzki & his Snipers. A caliber defense that they have not faced in the playoffs, they didn't see anything like it from the Blazers, Lakers or Thunder.   It was an obstacle to find an open shot with Jason Kidd & DeShawn Stevenson being the only ones with uncontested shots in the 1st half. Dirk was swarmed, double teamed & had a body on him at all times over the course of the game.  He saw multiple defenders, Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony to Chris Bosh. Michael Wilbon of ESPN pointed out that most of the Heat players can guard multiple postions with the athleticism they possess & I agree. Dirk still managed to score 27 points but went 7-18 from the field getting 12 points from the foul line. Compared to last series after averaging 32.2 points I'd say that was a subpar performance by "7 foot shooting guard."
J.J. Barea was ineffective as I predicted going against the defense that shut down the MVP, Derrick Rose keeping him out of the paint as they did Barea. Barea went 1 of 8 from the field scoring 2 points & Peja Stojakovic was not even a factor offensively at all & definitely not defensively as Coach Rick Carlisle had him guard Joel Anthony at some point in the game. Jason Kidd was effective in the Pick N' Roll in the early going of the game. The Heat made adjustments & eventually got Kidd unsettled.   Shawn Marion showed a resemblance of his youthful days knocking down awkward leaners utimately being the Mavs 2nd scoring option finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds & 4 assist. Jason Terry with his Larry O'Brien Trophy tattooed on his right arm was ghostly coming off the bench with only 12 points on 3 of 10 shooting.

If the Mavs hope to contend & stretch this series out they'll need help from their bench who were outscored by Miami's bench 27 to 17. Only the 8th time the Heat bench has outscored their opponents bench out of 98 games. Dirk can't do it by himself, Terry, Kidd & Peja are needed more now than ever to knock down shots when Dirk is passing out of double teams. However, all credit is due to the speed of the Heat closing out on the shooters giving very few open looks at the rim. If the Miami Heat's defense holds up throughout the series they'll be the NBA's newest Champs, unless Dirk has an unbelievable performance as he did in Game 1 against the OKC Thunder. That's very doubtful against the Heat's intensity coupled with Erik Spoelstra's defensive philosophy.

The "Dynamic Duo" or as Mark Jackson titled them "Batman & Robin,"  as in LeBron James & Dwyane Wade (vice versa) with the help of Chris Bosh & the bench turned it on late in the 3rd Qtr. & never looked back. When being on the opposing team it's like having your hands tied when LeBron & Wade are both focused at the same time. Along with Chris Bosh putting up 19 points with 9 rebounds & 3 assist.  Both Wade & LeBron earned the honor of being named "The Closers" as they have proven to the basketball world from the Celtics series, through the Bulls & now Game 1 of the Finals over the Mavs.

The big story is the bench of Miami & how the team is gelling at the most imperative time with Udonis Haslem, Mike Miller, & Mario Chalmers chipping in with a combined total of 25 points & a sighting of the 16 year vet Juan Howard (1st of the Fab Five to make a Finals appearance) who grabbed 3 big offensive rebounds while the entire Mavs team only had 6.
If the Heat continue to play like this, there is no question that they will be the next NBA Champions all made possible by there unrelenting defense. So again, coaches you're correct when you say "Defense Wins Championships."

Remember in the 2006 Finals between these teams the Mavs started the series going 2-0 & then lost the rest, 4 straight to the then Dwyane Wade & Shaquille O'Neal lead team. I don't expect the Heat not to falter once or twice throughout this series, though "Bron Bron" & "D. Wade" may seem super human at times, they are not. So I'm staying with my prognosis with the series still going 7 games & with Miami finishing as 2011 NBA Finals Champions.
Game 2 Thursday 9pm ET on ABC
Predictions just before tip-off... Krowm Sports
It is what it is...

Photos by Mike Ehrmann/NBAE/Getty Images

The Truth Shall Set You Free

2011-05-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

Luke Fickell expected to be interim coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes for the 1st five games of this upcoming NCAA football season. As of today with Jim Tressels resignation Fickell gained more responsibility & unexpectedly became interim coach for the season.

I assume the Buckeye's season will be interesting awaiting the end result from the resignation of the coach that lead them to 3 BCS National Championship Games. In 2002, Tressel blazed a trail for OSU to a 14-0 record also winning a national title impressively. His achievements at OSU will be remembered, accomplishing an overall record 106-22 with 7 Big Ten Conference championships. I'm sure Michigan Wolverines' loyal fans are loving the departure of Tressel; falling to him 9 out of 10 times throughout his tenure. A 6-4 bowl record with going 5-3 in BCS bowl games.

I was taught at a young age by a quote used by my Mother more than once, "the truth shall set you free." I never really understood the full meaning but it helped me stay somewhat truthful. If someone were to tell you "I never lie" then they would be lying. Jim Tressel is human but this was a situation he should have been a little less human. What also follows is, "what goes around comes around," and both quotes apply to Tressel's current situation.

5 OSU football players trading championship rings, jerseys, etc. for tattoos also lead to Tressel ultimately resigning for covering it up. Was it a father figure covering for his boys or was it a coach covering for his legacy? If he would had just told the truth from the beginning he would be free of the allegations & would still be coaching this upcoming season. The fact that he didn't later came back around to haunt him which resulted in people that respected Tressel to feel otherwise.

After 10 seasons of caoching OSU resulting in a 83% winning percentage, Tressel career in Ohio climatically ends in a lost. A lost of respect, lost of a job, & a lost for words.

"What dirt you do in the dark will come to light"... Eventually.

The Bitter Truth For All the Haters

2011-05-27T18:24:00.000-07:00

With success comes judgement, scrutiny, jealousy, doubt, and overall HATE. To a Michael Jordan, to a Kobe Bryant & now to a LeBron James, HATE is nothing but FUEL to feed the FIRE. Notice the love or respect that Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki & Dwyane Wade receive from fans & the media, simply because they are humble individuals that are good at their craft. Is it human nature for people to put down others that are great at what they do, & is it easier to hate a person when they seem COCKY because they are great at what they do. Or, does LeBron, Kobe & MJ turn into a cocky athlete because of the hate they received throughout their careers. Granted, Kobe had some off the court issues that occurred in the summer of 2003 that helped taint his persona & so did Michael Jordan as did, Tiger Woods & now

Governor Schwarzenegger (weird situation.) We all know where I'm heading with that, so I digress. LeBron James on the other hand is a proud father, has a cartoon show & puppet commercials,..... Hmmm. Why is he hated SO MUCH, "The Decision", REALLY? He took less money to go to a championship caliber team, to play along side a certified Champion & friend in Dwyane Wade & Chris Bosh (as humble & intelligent as they come) for a chance at his 1st Title. Would you not do the same thing, would you not leave an employer if you know you won't advance or have a chance to succeed? Or are some people mad because they don't have the backbone to leave their stale & hindered situations, a job, career, marriage or whatever is preventing them from reaching their potential. With that said, maybe you should take a look at yourself if you HATE a person for being GREAT at something & going after their dreams. In this case LeBron is one step closer to HIS DREAM, not yours & not mine HIS & I can't HATE anyone for that.

Well, "On to the Next", as Jay-Z would say, the 2 teams in the NBA Finals are the 2 I picked to be there. Not tooting my horn, maybe I am but it will be the GRAND finale to what I can call the most exciting Playoffs I've seen since 1998. With the GREAT Dirk Nowitzki at the helm for Dallas brings his Snipers into Miami for Tuesday night FIGHTS with the now PROVEN Big 3 which will turn into a shoot out. Athleticism plays a big part in the outcome of the series for the Heat & the Mavs shooting will be there deciding factor. Doubling Dirk was not an option for OKC who lacked defensively throughout the Western Conference Finals. However, Miami's D with their quickness & length could disrupt the flow of the dependable Maverick offense with Dirk's full trust in Jason Kidd, Jason Terry & Peja Stojakovic (Snipers). On the other side of the ball I'm sure Shawn Marion will be facing up with LeBron frequently as he did Kevin Durant & did it succesfully. It is doubtful the success will carry over into the finals dealing with a stronger, more explosive "Prince James" whom will only be a King when he takes a championship ring. Takes a ring, not have it given to him because Dirk & Jason Terry has been to the Finals before as well & are just as hungry for the title of NBA Champ.

The same applies for Dirk as with LeBron, to be known as one of the BEST to ever play then they must hold up the Larry O'Brien Trophy. And we will see them matched up occasionally throughout the series as Dirk continues to shoot his way into history. 60-62 from the foul line & averaged 32.2 points against the young OKC Thunder. That's almost to good to be true, unlike other sports writers I just don't think any human being can stay as consistant as Dirk has since they lost Game 4 in round 1 against the Blazers going 10-1 thereafter. My wise parents use to tell me NOTHING LAST FOREVER, good or bad. In this instance the performance of Dirk has been GREAT & there is some intense pressure on him to maintain his shooting brilliance against a higher quality defense.

My prediction: With this series I think age & athletism with the experience takes the series. Wade, LeBron, Bosh & company are a younger team but youth in collaboration with athleticism & experience. Dirk will be Dirk, but not as proficient & he will need help from his Snipers which Erik Spoelstra probably try & defend with a zone. How will Rick Carlisle (looking like Jim Carrey's older brother) counter that with a team that lacks penertration without J.J. Barea on the court & when he is will go through exactly what the MVP in Derrick Rose couldn't conquer even when I thought he had the Miami wall in the paint defense figured out in Game 5. Barea being much smaller & lacking in strength compared to Rose who was held to 6.3% from the field when LeBron guarded him late in Games 4 & 5, will struggle in the same manner. Overall, it will be a hard faught series going back & forth with the edge going to the Miami Heat & they will win in 7 games.

Game 1 of the NBA FINALS Tuesday at 9pm ET on ABC

One more thing, Magic Johnson on ESPN after the OKC Thunder lost had a direct message to Russell Westbrook; & I also would like to give my insight. To Coach Scott Brooks & Russell Westbrook, you guys played a hell of a series BUT until you'll realize that you (Russell) are not a POINT GUARD & should consider moving to shooting guard & placing James Harden at point you will constantly meet defeat. The Thunder could then also have a Big 3 with Harden, Durant & Westbrook something to think about during the offseason.

It is what it is....

Miami Says How You Like Me Now? Dirk Takes OKC's Candy

2011-05-25T00:34:00.000-07:00

Hi to the HATERS. The Miami Heat, with the Me Against the World attitude (R.I.P. Tupac Shakur) gets one game closer to what LeBron James would call "dessert," since the 76ers was breakfast & Celtics were lunch. I'm wondering if the Bulls are making a good dinner, with all the necessary nutrients for the hungry Big 3. With Chris Bosh looking to play in his 1st NBA Finals, LeBron looking for his 1st Championship & Dwyane Wade wanting a 2nd. In the Western Conference Finals the young, inexperienced and now heart broken Oklahoma City Thunder were astonished by the prowess of the 7 foot German shooting guard, The White Mamba, the great Dirk Nowitzki (No-vit-ski). For those who don't know how to pronounce it. I actually was heavyhearted watching the press conference after the game when Kevin Durant showed the defeat on his face like he was forfeiting. After a comeback in that manner, when the Thunder thought they were moving on with the series tied; it was like an older brother taking candy away from a lil' brother.

I was sure the OKC Thunder was going to tie the series with a 15 point lead with 5:05 left in the 4th, oh how I was mistaken. When the game started Kevin Durant went a perfect 5 of 5 from the field starting the game red hot. At that moment I glanced over & said to my wife, "they (Thunder) are too HOT, they'll eventually cool down & at the wrong time." But DAMN, I didn't think it would be a melt down instead of a cool down. They made mistakes at the most inopportune time, at the 5 minute mark in the 4th, & against Dirk & his Snipers (Jason Terry & Jason Kidd; Peja Stojakovic took the night off.) Dirk scored 40 points with 14 coming in the 4th & overtime, once again he was unstoppable. While Kevin Durant was stoppable as Shawn Marion knows very well as he held Durant to 29 & had a big block on his last second heave for a game winner. The experience of the Mavericks just was more valuable to them then OKC's explosive talent & youth. The wiley veterans know these situations & know how to react by getting the ball to the open man or there best player in Dirk. The unfortunate fact is the comeback of the Mavs overshadowed a decent performance by Russell Westbrook who resembled an actual NBA point guard but in a losing effort. The series now at 3-1 advantage Mavs goes back to Dallas where The White Mamba & his Snipers can close out the young stars of the OKC Thunder. I predicted that Dallas would take the series in 6 games but it now looks like it'll be 5 with the expressions of the Thunder players, an expression of defeat.

I saw a smirk on Pat Riley's face late in Game 4 tonight as he watched like a proud father watching his sons reach their potential. The Miami Heat showed that the team chemistry is at it's best while doing it in the Eastern Conference Finals. It was more than the Big 3, Erik Spoelstra's secret weapons came off the bench in the form of Mario Chalmers, Udonis Haslem, & Mike Miller, yes Mike. Mike Miller scored 12 points knocking down 2 big three's and scored 9 in the 4th Qtr. & had 9 rebounds with Chalmers hitting a big shot & going to the rack as Haslem rebounded & took a brilliant charge from Joakim Noah changing the tide. On the other side of the ball Derrick Rose was once again bottlenecked the majority of the night by the wall the Heat defense built in the paint early in the game. However, Rose showed why he is MVP with 2 magnificent dunks which are currently in ESPN Sportcenters Top Ten plays of the night. One while rising over the 6 foot 9 inch Joel Anthony & "YINGing" on his head but Rose was held to only 23 points going 8-27 from the field with the great D of Miami only giving him 7 foul shots. And LeBron voluteered to check Rose, MVP on MVP & LeBron was in Rose's shorts (not literally) in OT with his length & quickness. Luol Deng & Carlos Boozer both had 20 points but they were not from shots that changed momentum or discouraged the Heat. The Heat never looked worried or panicked at any time in Game 4 knowing the "Closer" a.ka. LeBron James was at the helm. Where he now has proven he works best, in the 4th Qtr. closing out, & in this case it was overtime. LeBron finished with 35 points 6 rebounds, 6 assist & 13 of 13 from the foul line.While Chris Bosh put his stamp on the game with 22 points & going 10 of 11 from the foul line as Dwyane Wade struggled & disappeared throughout the game & magically appeared in OT with massive defense; a steal & a timely athletic block on Derrick Rose. It is the first time this season the Bulls lost 3 in a row & bad timing would be an under statement.

Well I'm not Nostradamus or the California preacher Harold Camping, who can't get the "End of the World" prediction right but my predictions as far as amount of games seem a bit skewed. I have the Miami Heat winning in 7 games but at this point that is very doubtful & I got to renig and go 6 games with Bulls winning at home next & the Heat finishing the series in South Beach. Oh, how I would like to be there tonight, party-on South Beach!!!

The NBA Playoffs has been more than exciting up to this point & my predictions are holding up, Dallas Mavs vs. Miami Heat in the Finals now is very likely. I'm looking forward to that match-up eventhough I can't count out OKC Thunder & Chi-town Bulls but I'm going to have to say it.... "Maybe next year."

Game 5 Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks 9pm ET on ESPN
Game 5 Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls 8:30pm ET on TNT

The Tale of the 2 Point Guards, Heat & Mavs One Step Closer

2011-05-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

The tale of the 2 point guards, one needed to carry a team in Chicago & one needed to just pass the DAMN ball in Oklahoma City. Derrick Rose, at a very young age has been put in a positon where he has to be more than an MVP, he gots to be the Chicago Bulls. Russell Westbrook is Robin to Kevin Durant as Batman, know your role, it's the NBA & not UCLA. Westbrook has been asked to be a true point guard in which he is not, at UCLA he played the role of shooting guard (2 guard) & it seems like he can't make the transition to being more of a distributor. Maybe, Russell Westbrook should watch tape of Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat last night in Game 3 when the 6 foot 8 inch 250 lbs. POINT FORWARD by the name of LeBron James "dished out the rock" like Oprah gives out gifts. Setting up his teammates getting them involved early in the game showing his leadership & attacking the basket when that was his best option. Chris Bosh realized that they were called the Big 3 when Pat Riley's idea was generated into existence at the beginning of the season. He must have forgot that he has star qualities just lacking in the confidence department, he can score at will if he puts his heart into it & last night "RAPTURE" showed he belonged next to Dwyane Wade & LeBron in the post game media conferences. It was like Bosh asked last night, "Can we be the Big 3 again Bron, Bron? Pass me the ball..." I'm sure he didn't ask that but his aggressiveness last night tells the Heat fans that there chances at a NBA Championship is that more probable.

In my athletic days, not far removed, I would try & play point guard in a pick up game because of my lack of height & jumping ability. But as a amateur point guard I even know not to be a "ball hog" when I got a better threat at scoring on my team, that person or persons are my 1st option to get the ball to, especially when they're open. I got a pretty nice jumper, in my eyes, but if it's a difference between winning & losing and I have a teammate like a Kevin Durant then he gets the majority of the shots typically. When you get your teammates involved early in the game it'll create that boost of confidence needed throughout the team all the way down to the guy at the end of the bench. Russell Westbrook in this series is averaging more turnovers than assists against a raging machine in the Dallas Mavericks that OKC beat without Westbrook on the floor in the 4th Qtr. in Game 2. The benching in a crunch time situation should speak volumes to Westbrook, I know nobody likes to make anything of it, but "C'mon man," Coach Brooks to did not trust Westbrook due to him being prone turnovers with a high powered offense being the beneficiary. Giving the ball to Dirk Nowitzki & his Snipers (Jason Terry, Jason Kidd, & Peja Stojakovic) is equal to not even showing up in the arena because they will shoot the ball like the opposition isn't even out there. The key to tonight's game is whether or not Russell Westbrook can protect the ball and make timely passes to his best option & not turn the ball over. The Mavericks just need to keep doing what they do best, spread the floor & put "The White Mamba" (Dirk) on the low block & let him create, shoot or find the open man out of a double team.

The Miami Heat came home after stealing Game 2 in Chicago with taking the series lead on their agenda. Chris Bosh, actually the story of the series with 2 games with 30 or more points in Game 1 with a losing effort & last night in Game 3 with 34 points igniting the FLAME for the Heat while "WINNING." (Both PUNs INTENDED.) LeBron showed his versatility with running pick & rolls throughout the night to Bosh & some to Udonis Haslem (8 points) who showed his worth once again as he did in Game 2 rebounding, attacking the paint & took a big charge from Carlos Boozer. LeBron scored at the right times & passed at the most opportune times scoring 22 points & dishing out 10 assist. While Dwyane Wade silently scored 17 points & also grabbing 9 rebounds & getting to free throw line going 5 of 6. The Miami Heat have 3 definite options for scoring to go to if & when 1 or 2 of the Big 3 are not producing, basically someone of the Big 3 will be on. There will not be a time in this series where Bosh, Wade & LeBron are not producing one, two or all three will be a threat to any defense, including the number 1 overall defense of the Chicago Bulls. Shutting down all 3 is impossible, but shutting down Derrick Rose & leaving Carlos Boozer as the scoring option with a little action from Luol Deng is a formula that Erik Spoelstra is more than willing to use on a regular basis. Derrick Rose unlike Russell Westbrook has to take the majority of the shots if the Chicago Bulls wishes to advance past the Heat and only can hope that they can keep Joakim Noah from getting in foul trouble causing them to lose their offensive rebounding intensity. Second chance points was the difference in Game 1 with Noah & Taj Gibson banging the boards & with both of them benched the majority of Game 3 it was evident that they would lose.

The cockiness of Taj Gibson & Keith Bogans actually put Tom Thibodeau & the Bulls backs against the wall. Once Chris Bosh was provoked by Gibson & Wade by Bogans, the tide turned in the Heats favor, you can only poke a dog so long before that dog turns around & bites you. The continous shots at Chris Bosh's confidence & people referring to him as soft & not ready for the big stage only gave him the advantage. I wasn't on the court with Taj Gibson & Chris Bosh but it seemed that Gibson was saying all the wrong words & set a fire under Chris Bosh's "ass" & immediately after Gibson was put on the bench. The same occured when Bogans shoved Wade mid-way through the 3rd Qtr. & looked to me like Bogans began to taunt Wade for some unknown reason & then Bogans was sent to the bench. Taj Gibson & Keith Bogans are perfect examples on what not to do while defending against such caliber players as Bosh & Wade.

Final thoughts, if you're in the NBA or any professional sport & you can't handle heckling of the opposing fans then you need to get out. Joakim Noah fined $50,000 for a homosexual slur directed towards a Miami fan in the crowd shows how pathetic rich arrogant pricks can be, thinking they can say whatever & not face consequences. I normally wouldn't say use Kobe as a role model but in this instance Noah should have learned from Kobe's incident earlier this season, I guess Noah thought it was okay since it was a fan & not the referee. The fans pay bills, buy big houses, & flashy cars for the professional athlete, something for Joakim Noah to keep in mind, so the fine fits the crime, even if the fan was being deragatory towards Noah, he has to bite his tongue. Report the fan & have the security eject the rowdy fan. I witnessed a lack of discipline on the Coach of the Year's squad, with Gibson, Bogans & Noah's actions being subpar for a professional athlete.

The Bulls are falling apart at the seams & Russell Westbrook going 26 possesions without passing the ball could very well cause the Thunders down fall. The Heat & Mavs are one step closer, with that said I'm sticking to my guns; Miami Heat win in 7 now possibly 6 & the Dallas Mavs win in 6 games sending the Big 3 to play against the "White Mamba" & his Snipers.

Game 4 Dallas Mavs @ Oklahoma City Thunder at 9pm ET on ESPN

MY HEART GOES OUT & I'M KEEPING THOSE IN MY PRAYERS AFFECTED BY THE STORMS WHICH RAVEGED PART OF OUR NATION LAST NIGHT.

People better get right, including myself; this type of destruction in mass porportion is happening seemingly more often than normal & you never know when mother nature or God how ever you see it can take you or someone close to you out of here.

MUCH RESPECT TO RAY LEWIS (Ravens All-Pro Linebacker, my Idol) telling people what life is really about in the interview on ESPN's Sportscenter. You haven't seen it yet, google it, brilliant man. Go Ravens!!! I'll be blogging about them when or if the NFL season starts.

Dirk Goes to Work & a Udonis Haslem Sighting in Chicago

2011-05-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

I can't knock down 3 free throws in a row, if I did it would be an accomplishment. That's why I'm not a professional basketball player but for a player to knock down 24 consecutive free throws breaking an NBA record for most without a miss, simply astonishing. That is 100% (for those bad with math) shooting 24 times of a basketball 9 inches in diameter into a basketball rim (goal) which is 17 inches in diameter. That performance makes me question if Dirk Nowitzki is actually HUMAN & not some type of robot, machine or android. But this isn't sci-fi, this is guy that some analyst had the audacity to call soft when he's been the best person to come out of Germany since, well.... I'll get back to you on that. Taj Gibson & Joakim Noah has been beast down in the paint in games 1 & 2 but there was a guy by the name of Udonis Haslem who showed up in the United Center in Game 2 after playing only 7 minutes since November. The MVP was exposed last night & by exposing Derrick Rose the weakness of the entire Bulls team was put on front street. If Derrick Rose is ineffective in the paint then the rest of the team is ineffective elsewhere on the court. Carlos Boozer with an All-Star players pay grade, was a non-factor as Taj Gibson has proved his worth on the court even if it's not on paper. Dwyane Wade & LeBron James exceeded their combined performance in Game 1 by 22 points & 10 rebounds, playing like we all expect them to play night in & night out.

In the highest rated basketball game in cable TV history Derrick Rose was shut out of the game early when he picked up 2 quick fouls in the 1st Qtr. leaving his team to manage without him & that's not possible. He scored 21 points & we might say that's decent but it's not when he went 7 of 23 shooting with 7 of his points coming from the free throw line. The Miami Heat defense cut off the HEAD OF THE SNAKE and proved to the nation that the Bulls without Derrick Rose is a car without wheels, they won't go anywhere. The 2 fouls early in the game on Rose knocked him out of rhythm & the rest of the team followed. Luol Deng as the 2nd option only had 13 points and was 1-7 from the 3 point line which resulted from the lack of the drive & kick from Derrick Rose. As much as I have insulted Mike Bibby's game, he actually stepped up in Game 2 by staying infront of Derrick Rose & trusted that the help of his bigs was behind him when Rose did get by. There was no access to the paint, it was closed of to most of any penetration by Rose & he being the only one on the Bulls who can create his own shot hindered the Bulls greatly. Don't expect for the MVP to be held down the entire series because most great players bounce back as did LeBron James scoring 9 of the 14 points for the Heat when it matters, in crunch time closing the game out with a big 3 as we've grown accustomed to WITNESSing from "Prince James". Won't call him King James until he wins a NBA Championship. Wade made his way to the rim, drawing fouls & scoring 24 points while going 8-10 at the free throw line, which is typical of him. The atypical performance was Udonis Haslem entering the game & becoming a X-Factor scoring 13 points & grabbing 5 rebounds. It is astonishing for me to watch because of the manner he was getting his points & rebounds with big dunks while cutting to the basket & rebounding on the offensive end getting LeBron a 2nd chance dunk. When Haslem showed he was ready to play I then knew that the series would be tied before the final horn sounded in Game 2. If Haslem shows this tenacity consistently then Miami will be a force, difficult to stop. LeBron & Wade seemed to know the same thing because they were ignited after seeing Haslem dunk on Taj Gibson & went on to score 53 & grab 19 rebounds between them. Much better than the 33 & 9 they combined for in Game 1. The Heat actually led in rebounding with 45 to the Bulls 41 after the 4 games prior they were dominated by the agressiveness of Joakim Noah. The Bulls had more offensive rebounds with 17 to the Heat's 10 but that was a direct result of the Bulls poor shooting so of course the had more offensive rebounds when going 28-82 from the field a mere 34%. Miami after taking 1 in Chicago gives a LeBron James & Dwyane Wade led team the momentum going back home to South Beach.

Chicago fans should be worried, I believe the curse of Michael Jordan hovers over the city. For him to be known as the greatest player to ever do it, Derrick Rose & these Bulls will not fill his shoes & Chicago fans will not have another run like they did in the Jordan era, those expectations are far fetched with the current team. It's like it's too soon for the Bulls to be back in the NBA Finals after the Jordan era & Jordan had a much better supporting cast than Derrick Rose. I still expect the series to go 7 games but with the Heat being the victor & advancing to play the Mavs being the 2nd time Dirk Nowitzki & Dwyane Wade meet in the NBA Finals.

Speaking of Dirk, WOW, that was NBA 2K11 video game statistics by the "White Mamba", how Charles Barkley referred to Nowitzki. Then Kenny Smith called him the "German Sheperd", hilarious; those guys on TNT trip me out. I would just refer to him as "The Nowitzki", he earned a title after the guys on ESPN First Take actually debated whether or not Dirk is a soft player the day before his stunning performance. 48 points on 12 of 15 shooting, 24-24 from the free throw line & "oh yeah" let's not forget he had 4 blocks, 6 rebounds & 4 assist. Charles Barkley made a good point when stating that it was not Dirk who beat the OKC Thunder because Kevin Durant scored 40 which nearly negated Dirk's scoring but their was an undersized point guard people didn't give a chance by the name of J.J. Barea who scored 21 points attacking the paint & knocking down 2 shots from behind the arch. Jason Terry "The Sniper" showed his consistency going 4-8 from 3 point land & maintaing the trust of Dirk when he gets doubled on the low block. Jason Terry, J.J. Barea & Jason Kidd keeps the Thunder defense honest, making Nowitzki unstoppable as Serge Ibaka found out. Don't be disgusted with yourself, it's just how Dirk makes every defender look. Like Derrick Rose in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals Russell Westbrook was slowed down by the Mavs interior defense, shutting down the paint causing Westbrook to go 3 of 15 from the field with only 20 points with 14 of those points coming from the free throw line making it obvious that every shot he put up was contested. However, the key factor in Westbrook's Game 1 is that he only had 3 assist in 38 minutes as a POINT GUARD, you'll lose everytime that way.

Tonight will be the same outcome as far as who takes Game 2, it'll be Dallas behind the shooting of "The White Mamba" & his sniper Jason Terry & his little guy J.J. Barea. I don't expect for Dirk to score 48 points again but by him doing that will takes the focus of the Thunder off there offense & on how in the HELL are they going to stop the 7 foot shooting guard. The Dallas Mavericks win the series in 6 games.

Bulls Extinquish Heat's Flame While Chrish Bosh has his Biggest Playoff Game

2011-05-15T23:02:00.000-07:00

Transition basketball versus half court basketball is the difference between the Miami Heat & Chicago Bulls with Derrick Rose, C.J. Watson & Joakim Noah dishing out 15 assist between them. Running set plays in the half court being Tom Thibodeau's main focus is what will be the deciding factor on who goes to the NBA Finals. The style of the Bulls offense set them up for 31 second chance points to the Heat's 8, easier to get offensive rebounds when running set plays leaving the Chicago's bigs in position to get the ball back out to open shooters. Erik Spoelstra depends on his half court defense looking to cause turnovers & get out in transition hoping fast break points ignites the Heat's flame. The Heat's half court game is really nonexistent with Mike Bibby not being a penetrating threat & Mario Chalmers just was not ready for the big stage. Lebron & D. Wade combined for 33 points & 9 rebounds as Chris Bosh put up 30 points & 9 rebounds by himself, his biggest game in the playoffs. Taj Gibson played leading role in the "Highlight Reel" smashing on Wade & with a massive put back dunk that blew up the arena. Derrick Rose showed why he is the MVP by doing what he does best; exploding to the rim while stunning the crowd with his every move. It's the "Big 3" versus all of the Chicago Bulls wtih Lebron, Wade, & Bosh doing all of the work on the offensive end with only a little help on the defensive end from Joel Anthony. The bench for the Heat did nothing, where is Mike Miller, Mario Chalmers & James Jones' production?

In Game 2 the Heat need the same effort from Chris Bosh not necessarily scoring 30 points but coming out with the same intensity and drive. LeBron James & Dwyane Wade really need to just hit their shots with some consistency & better shot selection. All credit due to the Chicago bigs on defense. They built a wall in the paint whenever Wade or LeBron tried to attack the basket. Home court advantage played a big part tonight & will in the remainder of the series with the Bulls looking to take an overwhelming advantage by winning Game 2 in Chicago. The Bulls had the more productive bench with C.J. Watson, Taj Gibson, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver & yes Omer Asik combining for 28 points & 14 rebounds compared to the 15 points & 7 rebounds of the Heat bench. We'll see if they can put up the same numbers in Game 2 & if the Heat bench even shows up. Luol Deng, Derrick Rose, & Carlos Boozer was the "Big 3" in Game 1 scoring 63 points and Joakim Noah going hard in the paint bringing down 14 rebounds. But the Heat throughout the playoffs have been on a roller coaster going up & down with the 76ers then the Celtics & they are starting this series down against the Bulls. I expect Miami to wake up in Game 2 & pull out a close game making the series tied & go back to Miami then split there also. I expect the series to be hard fought but with the Finals experience of LeBron, appearing in 1 conference final & 1 NBA Final with the Cleveland Cavs (my bad guys) & Dwyane Wade winning a Championship with ShaQ in 2006 gives the Heat a slight advantage. The Bulls bench will not maintain the same production throughout the playoffs & that's the games the Bulls will lose. LeBron & Wade will find a way to score & if Chris Bosh can keep it up while keeping the Bulls off the offensive boards the Heat will win in 7.

OKC, OKC, OKC!!! Oklahoma City showed how good HOME COOKIN' has been in the 2011 NBA Playoffs. One of the loudest arenas in the NBA distracted the Memphis Grizzlies' players to the point of submission. They simply gave up, going into Game 7 against the top scorer in the league & a young flashy point guard who have found their stride. After a series which went back & forth between two young talented teams with a triple OT in Game 4 Z-Bo & Marc Gasol just looked like they didn't have anymore to give. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook & company closed the door on the 8 seed Cinderella team from Memphis, (the city is in my prayers.) Durant scored 39 points and Westbrook guided his team to the basket with 14 assist, finally being an actual POINT GUARD. James Harden was magnificent off the bench with 17 points showing he is a pure shooter & can spread the floor for his teammates to go to work. The Grizzlies was one of those youthful teams that rose to the occasion & showed that the new era is taking over by beating the Spurs but couldn't beat the equally youthful Thunder.

Will the theme of this years playoffs continue to play out with the new stars of the league defeating their predecessor in Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd & Jason Terry? I'm leaning towards the experience and the consistency of the Dallas Mavericks giving them an advantage in this series and winning the series in 6 games advancing to the NBA Finals.

So my picks are Miami Heat going on to play the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals. Making it a rematch of the 2006 NBA Finals when the Pat Riley coached Heat defeated the Avery Johnson coached Mavs in 6 games.

Game 1 Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks Tuesday at 9pm ET on ESPN
Game 2 Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls Wednesday at 8:30pm ET on TNT

Had Breakfast and Lunch, Will the Bulls Make a Good Dinner?

2011-05-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

I thought to myself when I witnessed LeBron James fall to one knee after defeating the Celtics, "C'mon Man, that's a little much." Then the triumphant embrace between him & Dwyane Wade as if they already were holding up the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. Then I realized why the excessive celebration was actually genuine & well deserved. This is a team that was hated throughout the regular season with everybody outside of Miami angered by the "DECISION" and mainly angry at LeBron. The condemnation, the taunts all because he wanted to be on a team, & not have to do it all by himself, contrary to popular belief, Michael Jordan had help along the way to win 6 championships. He didn't do it alone and LeBron was alone in Cleveland. It was a celebration with a sense of relief, "a monkey of their backs" if you will. Boston Celtics being the Eastern Conference Champs and a team that beat the Heat 3 times in a row in the regular season as a big brother would tease his younger sibling. And finally the younger sibling got the best of the older brother. Last night LeBron gave respect to the "Big 3" of the Celtics by stating that they were the blueprint that was followed when assembling the "Big 3" of the Heat. Let's all remember, the 1st year that Paul Pierce got 2 new friends in Ray Allen & Kevin Garnett they went on to win the NBA Finals in 2008.

My hat goes off to the Celtics for their run in the recent years and it's now time for them to add some peices with youth & athleticism. After trading Kendrick Perkins, Danny Ainge's hair became more gray and after losing the series it's time to bring younger, bigger, more athletic players to put around the aging "Big 3" & Rondo who won't just be the "One Arm Bandit" next year. Maybe someone like a Dwight Howard, hmmm.... Congrats to Doc Rivers for deciding to come back to the Celtics, your job is not done in Boston.

Let's not forget that the Celtics was the team in the 2010 playoffs that LeBron struggled with. I knew he wanted out of Cleveland when he started shooting free throws with his left hand as if he knew he couldn't beat them by himself. Injury or no injury you could tell that LeBron was done with the Cavs. After that it was time for him to go get his boys, his posse, someone to help him beat his rival. He found Pat Riley or vice versa and with that came Dwyane Wade, "brother from another mother" & Chris Bosh, the "little brother" who needs a confidence boost every now & then. I can understand Cleveland fans frustration with LeBron's departure, you never like to see a good thing go but I'm sure they understand after this week why he did go. He left the Cavs and they finished 19-63 on the year, that is a direct indication that LeBron James was the Cleveland Cavaliers but you can not win a Championship by yourself. Let's put it in perspective, if an employee at your work place was not holding up his/her end of the job would you not want someone else to work with? So how could anyone hate LeBron's decision, he wants championships like we want promotions & with both of those things you'll need help from either teammates or co-workers. But The Thinker statue, the thinking man pose by LeBron at the end of the game, hilarious.

Ray Allen had a great game but he showed up in the series "2 little & 2 late" not like his counter part. Who had 23 points, 9-12 from the field, 5-9 from the free throw line, 5 rebounds & 3 steals in the 1st half from the only one of the "Big 3" with a Championship Ring. Dwyane Wade, who finished the game with 34 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Attacking the paint vigorously, Dwyane Wade set the pace for the Heat coming out determined to put the Celtics away, LeBron followed suit in the 3rd Qtr, then came Chris Bosh & the rest of the team. James Jones hit the big shot from deep in the 4th Qtr. to cut a Celtic's 5 point lead to 2 and they didn't look back. After Kevin Garnett blocked Juan Howard at one end and tossed it to Pierce on the other end only for a mirror image block by Chris Bosh, tossing Pierce's lay up out of bounds, that was the beginning of the end. LeBron scoring the last 10 points of the game with 2 big 3 pointers, a lay up and a emphatic dunk (after traveling) ending the game. The fire in there eyes said it all for the Heat, the question is will they maintain that intensity throughout the Eastern Conference finals against Derrick Rose & company.

The Atlanta Hawks has an up & coming star in Jeff Teague, his younger brother Marcus Teague committed to the University of Kentucky Wildcats under John Calipari; my home university welcomes him, GO BIG BLUE. That's for another subject and another day, last night Jeff Teague went down hard early in the game as did the Hawks. There was no looking back for the Bulls once the game began. The Hawks didn't have a chance even on there home floor. Carlos Boozer must have recalled that he once was a force in the NBA, scoring 23 points & grabbing 10 rebounds. It'll be Boozer's job to shut down Chris Bosh & vice versa, but the interesting match-up will be who is assigned by Erik Spoelstra to guard Derrick Rose. Will he start Mario Chalmers over Mike Bibby eventhough neither can actually slow Rose down. Derrick Rose the heir apparent to Michael Jordan's thrown has shown he can win a game literally by himself but will he be able to carry the Bulls against a stellar Heat defense that likes to build walls in the paint. Can the MVP stay healthy with all of his violent attacks while driving to the rim against a Joel Anthony who is steadily building confidence defensively. Rose is "one tough cookie" but one hard legal foul while Rose flies through the air and that cookie could crumble. He just gots to be careful when giving his body up the way that he does when literally flying into the paint against bigger opponents such as LeBron James, Joel Anthony who shouldn't be scared to put him on his back. Congratulations to the Bulls for making it to the Conference Finals after more than a decade when his Airness graced the hardwood with his presence. Will Derrick Rose walk in Michael Jordan's foot steps & win a championship as Jordan won the Bulls last championship in 1998 with a shot over Bryon Russell. The last time in my opinion the NBA Playoffs was this exciting.

The Bulls vs. the Heat brings up some good match-ups with the 2 teams I predicted to be playing for a chance to go to the Championship game. Luol Deng takes on the duties of guarding LeBron James with Keith Bogans or Ronnie Brewer assigned to Dwyane Wade. Chris Bosh will have another challenge with Carlos Boozer or Joakim Noah breathing down his neck the entire time he's on the floor, will Bosh be to nervous? The Bulls have home court advantage & that'll be a challange for the Heat who seem to be disconnected from the game when they are not getting some "good home cookin'." The Bulls swept the Heat in the regular season 3-0, but let's not forget the Celtics beat the Heat 3 times in a row in the regular season also & they are at home watching. LeBron James would be the best option for defending the MVP by being able to fight through high pick & rolls and being able to stay in front of Rose about 65% of the time.

The Heat will definitely try & keep the Bulls one dimensional with Rose taking the majority of the shots while shutting out his other options in Luol Deng & Carlos Boozer. If the Heat manage to keep Rose's teammates uninvolved and hope to contain his explosiveness then the Heat will win in 6 games. And the winner of this series will be the NEXT NBA CHAMPS. Mark my words.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies did not have 3 over times in Game 5. Fatigue played a major role with both sides starting the game off sloppy. But in the end Russell Westbrook actually only took 10 shots & got his teammates involved with 6 assist with a Daequan Cook siting, scoring 18 points going 4-5 from 3 point land. Kevin Durant services wasn't needed in the 4th Qtr. because by that time it was a blow out. Z-Bo didn't show in Game 5 scoring only 9 points with Marc Gasol's 15. There just wasn't enough gas in the tank for the Grizzlies and I think Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook will just be too much for the Grizzlies and will close out the series & move on to the waiting Dallas Mavericks.

I predicted an exciting NBA Playoffs & it hasn't disappointed.
R.I.P. Robert "Tractor" Traylor
Friday May 13th at 9pm ET on ESPN Oklahoma City Thunder @ Memphis Grizzlies
Sunday May 15th at 8pm ET on TNT Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

3 Overtimes & The Younger Big 3 Endure As The Older Big 3 Falter

2011-05-10T19:06:00.000-07:00

Rajon Rondo, no shot, no pain killer played 38 minutes in a courageous effort to help his older brothers in Ray Allen, Paul Pierce & Kevin Garnett in maybe their last run for another championship. Shaquille O'Neal came in looking like a dinosuar and managed to play nearly 4 minutes racking up 2 personal fouls and then RETIRED to the bench. Charles Barkley said it best last night and that doesn't happen often but he mentioned that "basketball is a young man's game." As the Spurs and the Lakers recently found, that it is time to pass the torch; the Celtics just received the memo last night in Boston Garden. The Miami Heat barely proved they can win the close game against a worthy opponent but they definitely proved that the Heat is the new younger team "to be reckoned" with in the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference last night some of the finest up & coming young stars were highlighted in a triple OT thriller. The game between Oklahoma City Thunder & the Memphis Grizzlies displayed a new era of competition with new and youthful teams taking the reigns.

Rajon Rondo was in pain & you could tell by his facial expressions throughout the game. The Heat were not shying away from his injured elbow & bumped Rondo enough to where I believe it forced him to throw in the towel. The Celtics did receive a spark from Delonte West off the bench hitting some big shots, but he lacked the explosiveness & vision Rondo brings. But, it felt like the Heat were not struggling to keep the game close as the Celtics gave their all & faltered at the end with a blown last second shot attempt by Paul Pierce. A play that they run almost everytime in that gametime situation but they looked scrambled and confused resulting in an overtime win by the The Younger "Big 3".

LeBron, D. Wade & Chris Bosh reached their magic number of a combined 70 + points which means the Heat win, they are now 30-3 when that milestone is reached. 83 points scored between the stars with LeBron having 35 points as the high scorer. Mike Miller was the only other player on the Heat to take a shot in the 4th Qtr. other than the "Big 3". Chris Bosh admitting that in Game 3 he was pretty much not ready, nervous or mainly just to honest for coming out & making such a statement; started Game 4 seemingly with the same mental block. In the 2nd half & overtime I believe Chris Bosh realized where he was at, in a playoff series with the Eastern Conference Champs and finally "went hard in the paint" against KG. That is the exact approach all of the Heat took in Game 4 using their younger, stronger bodies & continue to batter the older Celtics until they had no strength in their legs as you could tell with Kevin Garnett. After having a 28 point, 18 rebound performance in Game 3 to turn around in Game 4 and shoot 10% from the field scoring only 7 points with 5 from the free throw line. There was also no lift in Paul Pierce's last second shot at the end of the 4th due to him being tired, old with a blown play and LeBron with a hand in his face. Before that shot, LeBron turned the ball over by slipping out of bounds; I immediately thought that the Heat were about to lose another close game. Then I realized that this was the Miami Heat's time and it is now their series to lose. Chris Bosh must maintain his courage & agressiveness in Game 5 & throughout the rest of the playoffs while Wade & LeBron do what they were created to do, dominate. Mike Bibby, if not already known as a lackadaisical defender has been exposed this series as big Zydrunas Ilgauskas has been exposed for being someone in the game just to take up space. The younger more athletic defender in Joel Anthony earned himself a start in Game 4 & proved that he is a presence in the paint. The same decision must be made by Erik Spoelstra to bench Bibby & start Mario Chalmers, the more agressive point guard who has produced much more than his counter part.

To be quite honest I didn't finish the Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies triple OT because I was behind on my DVR & it didn't record the 2nd & 3rd overtime. However, I did catch the highlights and as I predicted OKC pulled it out. Just didn't think there would be 3 OT's with a stunning performance by Kevin Durant scoring 35 points and hitting big shots in clutch situations. I was not inspired by Russell Westbrook's performance simply because anybody who shoots 33 times in one game should score 40 points. Especially, when the FACE of the franchise is Kevin Durant; a more pure shooter & only took 20 shots, still scoring 35. I'm only assuming, but it seems to me that Westbrook maybe a BALL HOG. I could read it with his body language, the kid on the team who is going to take the ball & shoot with passing being the last resort. Mark my words, if OKC allows Russell Westbrook to continue taking the majority of the shots they will not advance past the Grizzlies; a more team oriented squad with 2 dominate low post threats in Marc Gasol & Zach Randolph with 60 points & 37 rebounds between the both of them. A better formula to win playoff basketball with O.J. Mayo & Michael Conley being decent perimeter threats compared to a point guard (Russell Westbrook) trying to score 40 points every night. Little advice for Russell Westbrook, give the ball to Kevin Durant & get some of your other players involved. Only 5 assist from you point guard is not good playoff basketball.

The NBA Playoffs has been all that I expected it to be, a change of an era with exciting new players on different teams other than the norm Lakers, Spurs, and Celtics. Giving a chance to other upcoming players to win a championship and for those players a championship has already eluded; a chance at redemption.

Game 5 Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat on TNT 7pm ET (Heat lead series 3-1). Followed by Game 5 Memphis Grizzlies @ Oklahoma City Thunder on TNT 9:30pm ET (series tied 2-2).