Manav's Sports Blog

All Hail King James!

2016-06-20T00:17:00.003-07:00

Lebron gets his 3rd and easily most impressive ring

LeBron James has reclaimed his position of best basketball player in the world. It's almost sad that he lost this position given what he has being doing for the past 12 years. People doubted his loyalty. People doubted his NBA Finals record. People called him a crybaby. People blamed him for getting his coach David Blatt fired. His response: post a triple double and lead his team to arguably the most impressive comeback of all time in NBA postseason history against the "best" team ever. What he did this whole series and tonight was remarkable and unparalleled.

This historic win had Cleveland fans celebrating their first championship in 52 years

Let's go through some stats to confirm his superiority. LeBron and company became the first team in NBA Finals history to come back from a 3-1 deficit. The team he defeated, a NBA record 73-9 Golden State Warriors. The Cavs became the first team since 1978 to win a NBA Finals Game 7 ON THE ROAD. LeBron led this series in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Now, I'm not saying he is the only reason why the Cavs came back, believe me he had a bunch of help. Kyrie Irving was absolutely unreal, outdoing "unanimous" MVP Steph Curry the entire series and knocking down the most clutch 3 of his career with less than a minute remaining thanks to what he said was because of the "Mamba Mentality". His supporting cast, JR Smith knocked down big shots, Tristan Thompson grabbed key rebounds, Kevin Love came up with his best game when it mattered most, and Richard Jefferson provided spacing and perfect defense against the Warriors' small ball lineup. But at the end of the day, LeBron willed his way and carried his team on his shoulders. Arguably his most impactful play, the devastating block on Andre Iguodala with 1:41 left in the 4th, gave his team necessary momentum to push all the way through.

LeBron annihilates Steph's layup attempt, symbolizing him regaining his status as "Best Player on the Planet"

Plain and simple, LeBron embarrassed Stephen Curry and retook his throne. The truth was exposed. Simply put, when Curry's shot isn't falling, his affect on the game is very minimal. The Warriors' strongest and most valuable player out there this series was Draymond Green, who almost single handedly led the Warriors to the win with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 assists. Additionally, it was Green's absence in Game 5 that was arguably the reason why the Warriors lost the series. With that said, LeBron has multiple dimensions to his game to complement his scoring output. Although James had 27 points, he was quite ineffective on the scoring end, shooting only 9-24 but found other meaningful ways to affect the game given his 11 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. Tonight, he was the playmaker, the big man, and the defensive stopper. The most metaphorical moment of Curry's dethroning of his "best player" status was when LeBron stuffed Curry's layup attempt into the crowd during the 2nd quarter, staring Curry down right after the play. Curry nervously shoved him and exchanged some words as he was conquered by the best player on the planet. What's more impressive, winning unanimous Regular Season MVP or winning unanimous Finals MVP?

LeBron will go down as the second greatest player to ever play this game behind Jordan in my opinion. Yes, I am putting him ahead of Kobe Bryant, and this is coming from arguably the most diehard Kobe fan you will ever meet. You will never see a player that can mimic LeBron, someone with such an incredible physique who can pass the ball, drive at will, and hit a clutch jumper so effectively. If you told me 5 years ago that I would jump on the LeBron bandwagon I would have told you that you were the craziest fool out there, but now here I am. Let the haters hate, this man accomplished exactly what he wanted to do since he arrived in the league: give Cleveland its first ever NBA championship.

The scariest part: the man is in the peak of his prime. Tonight was his best game yet, 31 years young. What else you got left in the tank KING JAMES?

Kobe: Thank YOU for This Incredible Journey

2015-11-30T01:32:00.002-08:00

Kobe,

I still remember how I first met you. That's all thanks to my mom, whom I never know how I can repay. Rewind to 2002 and I am simply a 7 year boy with no remote interests. Falling asleep on the couch, my mom switches the TV to Game 4 of the 2002 NBA Finals. I become hooked instantly. I watch you dribble past defenders, shoot step back fadeaway jumpers, dunk emphatically, and have such ease while dominating the hopeless Nets. You then end the game by jumping into Shaq's arms and putting 3 fingers in front of the camera, smiling with your championship hat shifted sideways. I had no idea what most of this meant at the time, but after all the fun and swag I saw in maybe 4 minutes of action, I knew I had to check out what you were all about.

Within 1 month, I was on my park team, playing for the Knicks, ready to conquer the sport. My only guidance, you. You changed my life. After the beginning of the next NBA season, all I honestly anticipated in life was coming home from school, going to practice, and watching you seamlessly work on your craft. I started learning your tendencies, your swagger, your finesse. Your follow through, jab steps, pump fakes, and most importantly, your patented overbite, became my bread and butter on the court. Even if these newly acquired moves weren't remotely near your perfection, I made sure people knew who I was trying to be. Fast forward to when I was 10 years old trying out for a club team: After stepping to the free throw line, dribbling 3 times, shrugging my shoulders, taking a deep breath, and shooting and holding my follow through, the coach said, "Man, I didn't know we had Kobe trying out for our team!" That was all I wanted to hear and just know that I let everybody know about what that coach told me even if I was just a skinny Indian kid just barely breaking into the club basketball scene. Outside of my family, you were the only other person I looked up to. All the fun you had on the court was something I hoped to find on the daily.

You have been my pride and joy ever since the first time I saw you. Riding the Kobe roller coaster throughout my childhood has been a hell of a ride. From crying uncontrollably after the loss in '04 to the Pistons, to seeing you rise up without Shaq, to almost breaking my TV in '06 after losing in 7 games to the Suns, to seeing you win your last 2 championships in '09 and '10, I have enjoyed every second of your greatness and will remember these moments for the rest of my life. BUT the number 1 moment for me had to be meeting you at your first annual Kobe Academy in 2006, which is still one of the best days of my young life. I'll never forget your smile, how BIG your hands were, and your swagger, which is just as real off the court as it is when you are suiting up for the purple and gold. YOU taught me what truly encapsulates passion, and I am searching for what my soul desires.

And my god, your accolades: 5 time NBA champion, 4 time all star game MVP, 11 time All-NBA First Team, 9 time NBA-All Defensive First Team, NBA MVP, 2 time NBA Finals MVP, Olympic Gold Medalist. The list goes on and on. All the crazy shots, unreal dunks, and the times you made Mark Jackson say, "Kobe is like death and taxes. Sooner or later, he is gonna get you!" You spoiled me and gave me a world where I could escape to and watch sheer talent dominate. I could always count on you to have a big game, accept responsibility for your actions, and not shy away from the spotlight. YOU taught me how to be a man, and I am so thankful for that.

Despite all of your achievements, mastery of the fundamentals, and basketball IQ, what most people will remember about you, including myself, will be your work ethic and mental toughness. You sacrificing friends at a young age to excel at the game, you shooting literally all night before practices, and you making Olympic athletes question their work ethic are just a few occasions that come to mind when I think about your desire to succeed. There will NEVER be another Kobe Bryant. You are the unquestioned greatest competitor this sport has ever seen. You don't make excuses. You made two free throws on a torn Achilles because your team needed those points. You have literally played through hundreds of injuries and have arthritis in your pinky because success is more important to you than pain. You exemplify what it means to want to succeed as badly as you want to breathe, and that is the most inspiring trait about you. YOU taught me how to master a craft by outworking every other competitor. I am fired up just thinking about your heart, man.

Ever since your last ring in 2010, things haven't gone the way you have expected and it really made me upset as well. I have spent countless hours thinking about what could have been if you didn't get injured, if certain games went differently, and if Mitch Kupchak went in different directions with the Lakers roster. I just wanted you to have more rings because you deserve nothing less. However, your sacrifice of staying a Laker for life regardless of the situation is inspiring and will NEVER be duplicated. YOU taught me how to be loyal to those who treat you right, and I am forever grateful.

And the last chapter in the journey came today, as you announced you will officially retire at the end of the year. I have been picturing how I would react to this day for the past five years and it still stings way worse than anticipated. I just want to wake up from this bad dream and go back to observing you, my muse. I haven't been able to comprehend anything ever since the announcement and I am saddened that this journey with you has to come to an end. I hate Father Time with a passion and it really ails me that you can't continue to dominate the game you love because of variables out of your control.

You leaving the NBA signifies the official end of my childhood. I can't say that I am still a kid if I turn on a Lakers game and I don't see you on the court. It just isn't right and I am unwillingly forced to accept this new phase of life. I am regretful I didn't give basketball the same passion and intimacy you gave it as you made it your life, but know that I am dedicated to ensuring I give my career the attention it deserves. Just know every time I lace up my Hyperdunks and go ball out at the gym that I think of you and thank you for being the catalyst for my love of the game. Basketball is the only activity in my life that I know I will always have that allows me to gather my thoughts and feel at peace.

You thanked us for this incredible journey tonight, but Kobe, THANK YOU FOR THIS INCREDIBLE JOURNEY. You have been so instrumental to my personal development. I'm going to miss you so badly because you taught me what passion, dedication, perseverance, motivation, swagger, confidence, and most importantly, what the Mamba Mentality, is all about. I'll see you April 13th and I guarantee you there won't be a dry eye in the house.

Nothing but Love,

Manav

Reflecting on the Passing of the Greatest SportsCaster of All Time: Stuart Scott

2015-01-04T12:57:00.001-08:00

I am writing my thoughts out about Stuart Scott because after watching tributes for him, today, the day he passed, I now realize how impactful and important this man’s life has been to me. He not only changed sportscasting completely but did it in a way where he was genuine and displayed his personality on air. While others doubted him simply because they were uncomfortable with a new style, he shined and changed sportscasting forever. Growing up, waking up to "BOOYAH" every morning before school was something I looked forward to and got me to start the day off right. His swagger on air was so amazing and I really loved that about him. He IS the greatest sportscaster of all time and his ability to be confident, passionate, and genuine in his job is something I admire with the utmost respect. I aspire to do that not only with my future career aspirations but in life. BE CONFIDENT, BE GENUINE. DONT COMPLAIN. This is the part of his life that I respect the most. His fight with cancer. He did not complain and always kept his priorities straight. Live life to the fullest and live for the people you love and cherish: those who you call family. At the end of the day, life is about the experiences you share with the people who touch you. He never forgot that and literally did all he could so he could be with his family. That unconditional love is honestly the coolest and most touching concept I have encountered in my young life so far. I know my parents possess it and I WILL do the same for my family: all my friends I consider family and my actual family.

Just do whatever it takes to be more confident, don’t stress, cherish friendships and treat all fair and like family, give people a chance to make an impression and just be genuine. I didn’t know the man but I wish I could have met him. He just became one of my ultimate role models in my life and I will never forget his impact.

Stuart Scott, cooler than the other side of the pillow.

Back in the Playoff Picture

2013-03-11T17:43:00.000-07:00

Dwight has been the key to the turnaround. Can the Lakers keep it up and get the 6 seed?

It only took 64 games, but things in Lakerland are finally starting to look like they should have at the beginning of the season. With Dwight grabbing 20+ boards, Nash driving and "diming", and Kobe shooting deadly jumpers, the Lakers are becoming a force to be reckoned with. 8-2 since the All-Star Break, and 16-6 since the woeful 17-25 start, the Lakers are finally back in the playoff picture. Sitting only 2 games back of 6th place, the Lakers remaining schedule is favorable and with Pau Gasol returning in the immediate future, the team has a playoff run in sight. Fans like myself are hopeful that the Lakers face any team other than the Oklahoma City Thunder, who seem superior to the Lakers in every shape and form. The Lakers can get hot, and I firmly believe that if they face a favorable opponent in the first round such as the San Antonio Spurs, LA Clippers, or even the Memphis Grizzlies, they will be in very good form.

The key to this turn around has been the play of Dwight Howard. Fresh off of a 16 point and 21 rebound effort against the defensive minded Bulls, Howard is looking for redemption against Orlando, his former team. Howard has finally adjusted to the LA media and now is laughing off all the criticism rather than taking it the wrong way. He has found his spots on the floor and as a result, Kobe, Nash, and Steve Blake are finding him easier on the pick and roll. He seems more comfortable both on and off the court, and with a healthy Howard, "Vino," and veteran Steve Nash, the Lakers have a serious shot at a title.

It's Simply Now or Never

2013-01-21T12:19:00.000-08:00

Let's get to the facts. The Lakers are 17-23 and are currently 3 games out of the playoffs. They have lost 8 of their last 10 games and are recently coming off of an embarrassing loss to the Toronto Raptors where the Lakers started off slow and had to play catch up the whole game. Time is running out and even in Mike D'Antoni's "new season" (which started last Sunday), the Lakers are 2-2. It seems that this team plays very inconsistently and plays in "desperation mode" only when they want to.

I don't believe the Lakers will win a title this year. They would be fortunate to make the playoffs. I personally think that D'Antoni was the wrong hire and his coaching strategy is the major mistake. D'Antoni is the master of small ball which is something the Lakers aren't accustomed to playing. He has played inexperienced point guard Darius Morris at the shooting guard position the last several games instead of sharpshooter Jodie Meeks. This is the most puzzling move I can remember because Jodie is one of the few Lakers that brings it every night, and when the team is in a slump, Jodie uses his 3 point ability as well as his ability to attack the basket to help the Lakers get back into the game. It is frustrating to see the coach do this. D'Antoni almost drove Antawn Jamison out of Los Angeles, is benching a qualified player in Jodie Meeks, and has had issues with Pau Gasol. If the Lakers want to at least maintain superstar Dwight Howard for the upcoming season, they need to make a coaching change or some miracle needs to occur. If the Lakers don't make it to the Conference finals (which they probably won't), don't be shocked if the Lakers fire D'Antoni.

Time to Play the Blame Game?

2013-01-05T13:56:00.002-08:00

The Lakers are struggling. At 15-17, time is starting to slowly run out for this championship caliber team. Two games out of the playoffs and a tough schedule ahead, there needs to be a sense of desperation as Steve Nash put it. But the major question is, how is such a stacked team playing so poorly. It is easy to blame players who aren't performing at their expected production levels such as Pau Gasol and even Dwight Howard. Or the system could be blamed, as the Lakers are old and have shot under 25 percent from three point land. The blame game is what the majority of NBA spectators are playing right now, but this is not the solution.

Los Angeles is 3-3 since Steve Nash has returned. The team has shown signs of primetime Lakers basketball such as the win at Golden State where it seemed like everyone was playing their respective roles. The comeback victory on Christmas Day against the Knicks was another sign of what the Lakers should be. But right when the team felt comfortable, they drop winnable games against Denver and the 76ers. So whats the problem? I personally believe it is three things: chemistry, depth, and injuries.

The Lakers do not have the chemistry successful teams such as the Clippers have. Nash is a mastermind when it comes to running pick and roll and reading what the defense gives him. But last night, there were multiple times when Pau and Dwight would set a screen and then evaporate from the play. Nash looked hesistant to dish it to one of these guys and this was an issue as Nash turned it over a couple of times early in the game and the Lakers fell down fast. The squad is still getting accustomed to playing with one another and chemistry will take time. With 50 games left, chemistry better develop fast because time is running out. There have been glimpses of solid chemistry between Nash and the big men and it is a process.

The second major issue is depth. The Lakers have a lot of options that I feel should be explored. properly. First and foremost, D'Antoni has to find the proper place for Pau. If that means bringing him off the bench and having him play more minutes at center so he can play in the post brings better results, then I'm all for it. Also, I believe Jodie Meeks should start. He always brings energy and having him at the shooting guard and Kobe at the small forward would be effective. Plus, Nash would have another deadly option to pass to for the three point shot. Metta can come off the bench and bring energy which would be nicely complemented by Jordan Hill. This offense relies on three point shooting and the Lakers won't win games if they shoot 6-25 like they did against the Clippers. D'Antoni continues to make adjustments and hopefully he will find the right combination.

The players are holding themselves accountable for their struggles. Kobe is playing his best basketball in recent memory and yet his team is losing. He is defending his teammates and is being very professional. Deep down inside, you know he is dying to win. He is doing his part. The question is: will the rest of the team do theirs?

Getting Back to Full Strength

2012-12-19T17:11:00.001-08:00

Gasol is a versatile forward that makes the Lakers better. But how will he be best ultilized?

Fortunately, the Lakers got Gasol back last night and were able to escape the lowly Charlotte Bobcats 101-100. Gasol brought back some explosiveness in his defense, and his passing ability truly made the Lakers a better team. Pau finished with 10 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocked shots. What was even more interesting was the fact that D'Antoni often featured Pau as the center (whenever Dwight Howard was on the bench) and had Gasol in the game often without Howard. This mixture allowed Pau to get more inside looks, which is exactly what he wanted. Now, the Spainard is a little rusty but his confidence was palpable and it looks like he is moving in the right direction.

This was right after Pau threw a beautiful lob to Dwight. It was great team basketball but one quarter later, Los Angeles found themselves down 18. Will they become consistent?

The biggest issue for the Lakers right now is consistency. They were playing great against the Bobcats
midway through the second quarter, leading by 11 at one point, then within 10 minutes, trailed as much as 18. The Lakers simply aren't motivated. Often, I feel that they expect to win every night and do not play with the energy they need to become a title contender. The only energy guys right now are Metta World Peace and Jodie Meeks and hopefully their inspired play will pick up this team. Metta is doing a wonderful job playing as backup power forward, spreading the floor and limiting his opponents from attacking the basket. Jodie is also getting his share of steals, and has been knocking down the 3 pointer. Coach D'Antoni is still looking for lineups and schemes in the young season. The Lakers are on a three game winning streak and are 12-14. They will take on the Golden State Warriors in a hostile Oracle Arena. This is their first road test and it will be interesting to see how the Lakers will respond to a quality opponent. LA is improving, but they still have serious issues that need to be fixed in the upcoming weeks.

We have one of our fab four back, we are still waiting for the missing piece to the puzzle...

Hopefully, the Lakers will get the greatest Christmas present of all that may end this struggle: a Christmas day return for Steve Nash against the Knicks.

It All Starts with Defense

2012-12-09T21:08:00.001-08:00

Tonight, I have officially become frustrated with this Lakers squad. Now sitting at 9-12, I'm starting to lose hope about seeing the Lakers winning a championship. The quote "Defense wins championships" is true and every championship team has been one of the best defensive teams in the league during their respective championship run. Tonight, the Lakers made the Jazz look like a top seeded team in the Western Conference and failed to get consecutive stops until 2:00 left in the game. They made the same mistakes over and over and bailed out the Jazz by failing to get defensive rebounds. As much criticism as Pau has been getting for his poor play, I firmly believe that his presence (now he is well rested) will make the Lakers' defense better. He is a great rebounder and right now, the Lakers can't get one. Dwight has been playing decently, but sometimes, he gets lazy on defense. D'Antoni is known as an offensive coach, but if he wants to keep his job, he better start preaching defense.

The Lakers need Nash back as soon as possible. People are starting to lose hope and Nash should thrive in the system that he knows very well. Duhon has been playing great and as a backup, he could provide spark off the bench. Look, Kobe is playing great right now but the other guys have to focus on defense. This same team held the San Antonio Spurs to 89 points under coach Bernie Bickerstaff. I'm not implying that there should be a coaching change, but what I'm trying to say is that this team has potential to become a great defensive team. Dwight has been playing great help defense and when he blocks shots, there needs to be guys ready to get the rebound. We are 1/4 of the way through the season and the Lakers need to pick it up. They have a 4 game road trip that starts against a struggling Cavs team. I don't remember ever thinking there was a must win game in December, but now I know that the Lakers have to win Tuesday night or things will start to get real ugly.

When Jack Nicholson is seen visibly angry at the Lakers at Staples Center, you know something is wrong. Lakers fans are short tempered, so let's see if the Lakers can turn this "dream season" back around.

Is the Bench Mob Back?

2012-11-25T20:34:00.001-08:00

From Jordan Farmar nailing threes to Shannon Brown dunking on people, this bench was the most energetic squad in recent NBA history. The Lakers will need a similar squad if they hope to win a title.

A couple of years back, the Lakers were known for having the best bench in the NBA. With energy guys like Ronny Turiaf and Lamar Odom complimented by sharpshooters and high flyers like Sasha Vujacic and Shannon Brown respectively, opponents had no idea how to stop the Lakers. Nicknamed "The Bench Mob," these guys were essential to the Lakers back to back championship runs in 2009 and 2010. Currently, the Lakers bench has been a major flaw in the team. With a change of coaches and little chemistry, the bench squad has struggled until a couple games ago.

These guys are scorers and have found their offensive touches the last few games. If they keep it up, the Lakers are in good shape.

Starting in Sacramento, Jodie Meeks, acquired this summer from Philadelphia, exploded for 15 points and did what he knows best: knock down 3 pointers. The following night in Memphis, Antawn Jamison decided to join in the fun and had his best game as a Laker, scoring 16 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. Jamison is a seasoned veteran who has been a scorer all throughout his career, and Friday night was a great sign for this Lakers team. Then, the party continued just last night. In a blowout win against Dallas, both Meeks and Jamison led the bench in a balanced attack as Jamison poured in 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Meeks scored 11 points. These guys have recently started to bring a spark off the bench and this is good news for both the Lakers and their fans. It has only been 14 games, but the bench, specifically Jamison, Meeks, and even Jordan Hill, have started to develop their grooves offensively. Still with no Steve Nash, these guys have found their open shots and have capitalized as of late. The bench has been the woe for the last few seasons and with Nash expected to return in early December, things are starting to look really good for this stacked Lakers squad. Let's just hope that this will be a sign of things to come and a "Bench Mob" part 2 will help the Lakers win another championship.

Is Showtime Back?

2012-11-18T22:41:00.001-08:00

D'Antoni is notoriously known for being an offensive coach. Will that be enough for a 17th championship?

The Lakers have been the trending topic in Los Angeles for the last couple of weeks, especially after Mike D'Antoni was awarded the head coaching position when everyone thought Phil Jackson would come back. Now, in a matter of a week, the Lakers are already running sets from D'Antoni's offense and they are playing uptempo and winning ball games. With so much talent, an uptempo offense is sure to do the trick. The Lakers have scored over 114 points their last two games defeating the Suns and the Rockets respectively. Guys are more comfortable and loose on the floor, which has allowed the team to play better basketball. D'Antoni has still not coached his first official game due to a knee replacement, but his presence is being particularly felt in a very good way. Nash has the opportunity to unite with his former coach and run the very offense he succeeded in during his time in Phoenix. The Lakers now are 5-5 and have won 4 out of their last 5 games, which is making fans happy. These Lakers are uptempo, fun to watch, and talented. With the debut of the Kareem Abdul Jabbar statue at Staples Center this past Friday, it reminds fans of the Showtime Lakers. The question fans are asking now is: Is "Showtime" back in Los Angeles for good?

Can You Phil It?

2012-11-11T21:26:00.001-08:00

Phil is open to coaching the Lakers again. He is much older now and has asked the team for a high salary and travelling restrictions.

A decade ago, arguably the best player of all time, Michael Jordan, just couldn't stay away from the game he loved so much. Winning 6 NBA championships and revolutionizing the league, Jordan wanted to be ageless and continue to do his thing on the basketball court. He came out of retirement his third and final time, hoping to finish his career on a strong note. His coach who helped him win six championships, Phil Jackson, is now in that very same position. Arguably the greatest coach of all time in any sport, Jackson has won 11 rings and is hoping to come out of retirement a third time. He just can't stay away from the game he has been around for nearly 40 years. What makes it even more special is the fact that he wants to have a homecoming with the very team he created a dynasty with: the Los Angeles Lakers.

To be simply put, the Lakers need Phil Jackson. On Friday, the Lakers abruptly fired Mike Brown after a 1-4 start and were not patient because the team has been built on a "win now mentality." Lakers' players have been outspoken about a possible return by Jackson, specifically Kobe Bryant. Bryant wants Jackson back so he can end Jackson's legacy on a bright note. Still bitter about the rough ending in 2010 against the Dallas Mavericks, Kobe wants the Zen Master because he knows Phil can bring the Lakers great success. The Lakers are hoping to strike a deal with Jackson this Monday as the coach is reportedly going to make his decision about coaching again. The Lakers would like him back soon because the team plays San Antonio Spurs Tuesday. Now 3-4, the Lakers have played more loosely and are slowly developing into a legitimate title contending team. Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash have age clocks that are serious concerns and the Lakers need to invest for the short term to win a ring. Lakers' fans say the answer is Phil Jackson. Sports analysts, Kobe, and Dwight say it is Phil Jackson. But the only people whose answer matters is Dr. Jerry Buss and GM Mitch Kupchak. We shall know tomorrow and lets just say, I have a good "philing" about this one.

Lakers 1-4, Really Need to Pick it Up

2012-11-07T20:51:00.002-08:00

Dwight is still getting back into game shape and he is playing well thus far. The only problem is the majority of his team isn't.

Many fans anticipated the creation of a championship team at the beginning of the year, however, it isn't looking that pretty for the Lakers five games into the season. The Lakers are 1-4 and are currently last in the Western Conference. Developing a super team like the Heat did in 2009 takes time as the team needs to develop chemistry and understand the offense and defense. Right now, the Lakers still are struggling with their offense and are completely unaware on defense, giving up many uncontested shots. To make matters worse, Steve Nash is injured and could be out for up to 4 weeks. The bench is very inconsistent and fans are
starting to get impatient.

The Lakers have shown positive signs throughout the five games in glimpses and coach Mike Brown will need to re-evalutate this "Princeton offense." The Lakers, more often than not, are seen standing around and waiting until the shot clock reaches 10 seconds to start running the offense. Key acquistions Antawn Jamison and Jodie Meeks have not found their niches with the team. There are many issues right now and as a fan, I hope they figure it out before it is too late. They are back at it against a young Golden State Warriors team Friday and this is a very winnable game. Thankfully, the Lakers have Kobe and from watching him since his rookie year, I can tell that he won't let this losing phase get the best of him. The Black Mamba will strike and do whatever it takes to win a championship. Trust me.

Road to a 17th Championship

2012-10-28T20:47:00.002-07:00

James Harden is now a Houston Rocket. OKC did not want to give him a 60 million dollar contract and now OKC has lost one of its best players. Lakers fans should be happy.

The Lakers, with the acquisitions of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in the summer, have instantly become favorites to win the NBA title. Thanks to a trade between the Thunder and Rockets, their chances just shot up significantly. The Thunder, who eliminated the Lakers last year in the Western Conference Semifinals, traded away the key to their team in James Harden to the Rockets for subpar players in Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb. The Thunder outmatched the Lakers previously because of their youth and strong bench, and with the core of their bench gone, the Lakers will have a very good chance at winning the Western Conference. It should be an exciting season and it is only two days away.

The journey starts Tuesday night. How far can this reloaded Lakers team go?

The Lakers play the Mavericks on opening night at Staples. It should be real interesting to see how the Lakers play against a depleted Mavs team. The Lakers finished preseason 0-8 and although winning preseason games don't matter, the Lakers' bench looked woeful at times. The Lakers did drastically improve their bench by adding Antawn Jamison and Jodie Meeks, but they need to find a way to utilize them in an effective way. The starting five look great and their potential is off the charts, but they will need time to gel together. We all want the Lakers to go 73-9 this season and break multiple regular season records, but that probably won't happen. The team is still getting accustomed to running the Princeton offense and are learning when and where to move, pass, and shoot. We all know Nash will facilitate, Kobe will score, Metta will hit open 3s, Pau will shoot and facilitate, and Dwight will dunk and score. Now, the one question is: will they develop team chemistry and win a NBA championship? We will start to get a better picture on Tuesday.

Replacement Refs Need to be Replaced

2012-09-24T21:29:00.003-07:00

The refs decided this game between the Packers and Seahawks, leaving the Packers stunned and robbed of a victory.

I get an ample amount of time to listen to ESPN Radio while I'm driving to school everyday, and I have been constantly hearing debates about how bad the NFL replacement refs have been. I've agreed with Colin Cowherd who feels that these refs have not done a bad job until they make a bad game deciding call.

After watching the Packers-Seahawks game, I now fully blame the refs for the dicey start to the NFL season. This call was the most bizarre one I have seen in any sport. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson threw a "Hail Mary" throw that Packers player MD Jennings clearly intercepted. However, Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate had his hands on the ball so the refs gave Tate the touchdown. What is even more absurd is the fact that the refs reviewed the play in the booth after the initial call and despite the clarity of the interception, the refs still gave the touchdown and win to the Seahawks.

These replacement refs are making a negative impact on the game of football. Teams and coaches have no respect for these guys, and the games themselves are becoming longer and more dreadful to watch. The refs have even gotten to Patriots coach Bill Belichick, one of the classiest and respected coaches in the league, who grabbed an official by the arm due to his anger over a controversial loss against the Ravens. Penalties have been a major issue. In the Sunday and Monday Night Football games alone, there were a total of 54 penalties! Many of these penalties were incorrectly called. The one most notable from the Seahawks game was when the Packers' Sam Shields was called for a defensive pass interference (he didn't even touch Sidney Rice) when Rice held down Shields, clearly an offensive interference. These calls are pivotal and have truly effected teams. Green Bay, a very good team, is now 1-2 when it should have a winning record. Week 4 now is pivotal because the Packers do not want to fall two games under .500 in such a short season.

I'm not blaming all the refs and we cannot expect them to be perfect because most of these guys are just volunteering because they love the game. The NFL should be held responsible and should desperately try to get the original officials back before things get completely out of hand.

Raiders Come Up Short in Opener

2012-09-10T22:56:00.001-07:00

Dennis Allen hopes to end the 9 year playoff drought in Oakland.

With a new coach in Dennis Allen, a healthy Darren McFadden, and an adjusted Carson Palmer, the Raiders looked forward to beginning a new season. However, the San Diego Chargers exposed the Raiders problems and made the debut turn into a questionable appearance for the team. The Raiders lost 22-14, failing multiple times to get a touchdown when it was necessary, killing their chances at winning. The story of the game was special teams, as the punting unit muffed two punts and had one punt blocked. The defense played very well, considering that they only gave up 1 touchdown when the Chargers had 5 red zone appearances. The offense was stagnant at times and Carson Palmer and Darren McFadden are going to need some help if this team wants to score touchdowns. McFadden rushed 15 times for only 32 yards and had 13 receptions for 86 yards. The Chargers figured DMC out and with no other offensive weapons, the Raiders could do nothing but hope for the best. Carson Palmer had a solid game, throwing for 297 yards and 1 touchdown, but he could have had a bigger night if he had his regular receivers. Star receiver Denarius Moore was held out due to a hamstring and Darius Heyward Bey was nonexistent with only 3 receptions. Once Moore comes back, and the offense makes adjustments, the Raiders can move forward. They have to figure out their issues quickly, because with rejuvenated teams in the AFC West such as the Broncos and Chargers, the Raiders can't offer to lose winnable games. They go back at it next week against the Dolphins, and hopefully will come out of Miami with a win.

NFL season almost here

2012-09-03T20:13:00.003-07:00

From the Bounty Scandal to Tim Tebow going to the Jets, the NFL had many stories during the offseason. Now, with the Giants playing the Cowboys on Wednesday, the season is about to begin. The biggest story this past week was that both Mike Wallace, the wide receiver for the Steelers, and Maurice Jones Drew, the star running back, ended their holdouts and reported to training camp. Both teams are relieved and ready for the season. This year, it seems that it could be anyone's year depending on how healthy teams stay. If Vick stays healthy for the Eagles, the could compete for the Super Bowl. Same with the Cowboys, and with second year running back Demarco Murray ready to breakout in his sophomore year, Dallas could be a very good team. There are a lot of questions headed into the season and once Week 1 is underway, we will get a better sense of where teams will be headed.

Moneyball at its Finest

2012-08-25T21:24:00.001-07:00

Hitting a 3 run homer in his first at-bat, Adrian Gonzalez is showing fans that he will make an instant impact.

Back in March, Dodgers fans were hoping that their bankrupt team would find a owner to save them from their misery. Now, at the end of August with the playoffs in sight, fans are hoping for something entirely different; they are hoping the Dodgers can win their first World Series since 1988. A lot has changed over these past months during the season with the biggest transaction occurring today. With a new ownership group that has made it evident that money is not an obstacle on root to a championship, Magic Johnson and company traded James Loney and four prospects for all stars Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett, and Nick Punto. What is most astonishing about the deal is the fact that the Dodgers will take over $250 million in salary income over the next five years. Teams like the Oakland A's, where money is scarce, are shaking their heads but Dodgers fans can only be excited about the team's future.

The Dodgers lineup is impressive. Some would call it an All-Star lineup.

It hasn't taken long for the new players to make an impact. Tonight, the Dodgers defeated the struggling Marlins 8-2 and new first baseman Adrian Gonzalez hit a 3-run home run in his first at bat as a Dodger. A great start to his new career in Los Angeles, Gonzalez propelled his team to a victory. With the team currently 2 games back of 1st place in the NL West and 1/2 game out of the second Wild Card spot, this trade couldn't of happened at a better time. The Dodgers need run production and now with a stacked lineup (so stacked that Andre Ethier hitting at the 6th spot), their pitchers can take a sigh of relief. With Chad Billingsley headed to the DL due to a sore elbow, Beckett will provide a great option as a starting pitcher and needs to make most of this new opportunity. If the Dodgers want to win the World Series this year, their pitching needs to be consistent. Now, with all the pieces necessary to win it all, the Dodgers only have one task, to win a World Series.

Dodgers Looking to Make a Run and Earn a Playoff Spot

2012-08-14T17:58:00.001-07:00

Hanley has been playing great for the Dodgers and has been an RBI machine.

The Dodgers have had a great year thus far, with both management and player changes which have set the team up for success. Now, tied for the lead in the NL West, the Dodgers need to make a run to ensure that San Francisco does not become a threat. With tough series against the Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals, and the San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers need to capitalize. Now that injuries have slowed down, the Dodgers are looking to have a consistent day to day lineup featuring sluggers Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp. Los Angeles hasn't been a home run hitting team all year as they are last in the league, but consistent hitting hasn't been a problem. The one major inconsistency for the team has been the pitching. With Ted Lilly still on the DL, the Dodgers are looking for quality starts from Aaron Harang, who picked up a win yesterday. Once Lilly returns, the rotation should be solidified. Los Angeles just needs to focus on winning daily and should be able to make the post season. They have enough tools to make a run, the only question is, will they make one?

Dwight Howard to the Lakers, a Guaranteed Championship

2012-08-10T12:56:00.000-07:00

Mitch Kupchak is the greatest GM of all time, period.

Over the last decade, there have been a plethora of GMs who have made nearly impossible deals to make their teams better. Mitch Kupchak is no exception. With an uncertain future for his Lakers, who lost in the 2nd round of the playoffs for the second year in a row, he knew there had to be change. So, first he defied all odds by getting Steve Nash virtually for just money and then made possibly the greatest move in his GM career by getting Dwight Howard. The Lakers traded Andrew Bynum, Josh McRoberts, and Christian Eyenga in a four team deal that allowed the Lakers to get Howard from the Magic. In essence, the Lakers got Howard for Bynum which seems improbable. Trade discussions had been on and off all summer and many said that if the Lakers wanted Dwight, they would have to get rid of Pau Gasol, too. That obviously wasn't the case. Now, the Lakers hopefully have found their future franchise player, and they can only get better.

With Howard, the Lakers will be the favorite to win it all. Are they the greatest team ever assembled?

Thankfully, the NBA approved this trade, unlike last year's involving Chris Paul coming to the Lakers, and now the Lakers this year are arguably the greatest team ever assembled. Dwight Howard is an upgrade from an uncertain Andrew Bynum, averaging 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Bynum had a breakout year, but his immaturity got the best of him and the Lakers felt best if they dealt him. Now, the Lakers have the best center in the NBA, arguably the most versatile power forward in the league, the most "clutch" player in Kobe, and the greatest passer arguably ever in Steve Nash. This team, in my opinion, will be the most dangerous team ever, because opposing teams will not know who to double team or defend with caution. Nash to Howard alley-oops will be common and Nash and Gasol pick and rolls will feel nostalgic to NBA fans who saw Nash and Amare in their Phoenix days. Plus, with Kobe, the Lakers have someone to close games out. And with added depth in Antawn Jamison, a lethal scorer, Jordan Hill, and Chris Duhon, the starters will be able to rest. This year, the Lakers' bench was so poor that the pressure was always on the starters. But now, with four superstars and a better bench, Nash, Kobe, Howard, and Gasol shouldn't have to play more than 35 minutes a game at most. They are the clear favorite to win and as long as no one gets injured, I don't see why they wouldn't win 70+ games. This just doesn't seem fair! There is no pressure to break records, but with a lineup like this, the Lakers are easily the favorites to win a ring. The question is, how many?

USA Basketball

2012-07-17T21:57:00.002-07:00

This year's US basketball squad. Blake Griffin is now replaced by Kentucky standout Anthony Davis (due to injury).

With the Olympics just two weeks away, the USA basketball team has started playing exhibition games to get ready to defend their gold medal won in 2008. These guys are good; they are so good they are being compared to the 1992 Dream Team that took home gold in Barcelona, featuring 11 Hall of Famers including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. This year's team has sparked debate as to which team is better simply because they have rare talent. With LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant, the USA team appears to be unstoppable.

They proved that they are "men amongst boys" when they thrashed the Dominican Republic 113-59. Sure, people who thought they are better than the Dream Team thought that they were right. However, that all changed Monday night when the USA played Brazil and struggled to maintain a decent lead the entire game. They ended up only winning by 11 points, by the score of 80-69. Now, people are starting to have their doubts. One thing no one doubts is the fact that the USA will win the Gold Medal. They are so far ahead of the world in basketball, no team could upset them. Countries like Spain, Brazil, and Argentina can make things interesting, but they won't win. The question that intrigues me is who is the better team: 1992 or 2012.

The Dream Team won by an average of 43.6 points. Are you kidding me?

Now, when debating this topic, it is important to realize that the competition has become better all across the world with players getting more and more athetlic by the day. So, many can argue that today's team will not win by a lot because teams have caught up to the USA's potential. But on the other side, many will argue that the USA has gotten more athletic (i.e. Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, etc.) so they should be able to account for that. The arguments can go on and on but let's face it, the 1992 Dream Team was far superior to this year's team. The Dream Team won by an average of 43.6 points a game with the majority of the players playing well past their prime. Sure, the competition wasn't what it was today, but the US proved it won't let any team be even close. Today's 2012 team has had the opportunity to watch the Dream Team to try to out better them. But, as it appears, this team won't even be able to do that, so let's just hope they win the Gold Medal. It should be fun to watch with 12 of the best players in the NBA. Don't tell Kobe or LeBron that the Dream Team is better, because they will show you why you were wrong, in the Olympics.

Lakers Get Nash and Become Immediate Contenders

2012-07-05T20:20:00.001-07:00

Once biggest rivals, Nash and Kobe are looking to win together now.

The Lakers are very fortunate to have GM that loves to pull off blockbuster deals in Mitch Kupchak, because the organization just cashed in once again. After desperately needing a point guard all of last season, Kupchak convinced two time MVP Steve Nash to join the Lakers. What makes this deal remarkable is the fact that the Lakers gave up only 2 first round and 2 second round draft picks. LA essentially lost nothing due to the fact that they always have low draft picks because they are such a good team. By signing the 38 year old to a 3 year $27 million dollar deal, the Lakers are indicating that they are going to play for immediate championships rather than playing for multiple championships in the long term. Kobe is starting to near the end of his career, Gasol is already 32, and Nash is playing his final years of basketball. With that said, fans better get ready for these next couple of years because they are going to be fun to watch.

Nash will make everyone on the Lakers look better. Known for his remarkable pick and roll game, Pau Gasol has instantly become un-tradable. Nash will need a bigger guy like Gasol to run pick and roll with him as Nash will be able to set Gasol up for the mid range jumper. Nash's former partner in crime was Amare Stoudemire and look at how much damage they did. Gasol mirrors Amare, expect that Gasol has even more range than Amare. The possibilities are endless. Simply put, keeping Gasol is a must.

Kobe will be relieved that he finally has a trustworthy ball handler on his side, which will take a load off of his shoulders. The Nash and Kobe backcourt has to be one of the most talented backcourts ever assembled in recent years. Nash will be able to set Kobe up for more open jumpers, which will make him even more efficient. This brings me to my next point. Instead of focusing on trying to get Dwight Howard, the Lakers need to add depth and outside shooters so they can fully benefit from what Nash will bring. Nash is known for driving and kicking the ball outside, so if the Lakers can find great shooters, they will be very tough to beat. Metta World Peace showed signs last year that he can be a reliable three point shooter, so it is vital that Mike Brown understands that World Peace's only job on offense should be spotting up. As for depth, the Lakers will need a solid backup point guard, because Nash will only play around 30-35 minutes a game due to his age. With that said, the Lakers need to replace Steve Blake as he was too inconsistent and is not reliable. The Lakers drafted Darius Johnson Odom out of Marquette, and he can possibly be a backup given that he is very aggressive and a great outside shooter. Depth is the biggest issue, and if the Lakers can add a couple of decent guards and forwards, they would be in place to win a championship.

The Lakers will no longer have to worry about offense. With two 7 footers inside, the best perimeter player in the game and the most unselfish point guard in the league, teams will not know how to defend the Lakers. Los Angeles has 5 championship potential players and all they need is some depth. Luckily for Lakerland, Kupchak will find a way to make this work. On paper, this team looks like a dynasty that is ready for one final run. I believe Kobe and Nash will win championships together, the question is how many?

NBA Draft 2012

2012-06-28T21:04:00.001-07:00

Draft Night is one of the best nights in all of basketball as everyone gets to see the fresh talent that will be playing in the upcoming NBA season. It is too unfortunate that basketball fans like myself have to wait another six months for the NBA season. We want to see the talent now! Anyhow, this year's draft class is definitely one of the deepest ones in recent years and teams made some interesting moves. The first team to make some noise was the New Orleans Hornets, who are looking to rebuild after losing their superstar, Chris Paul.
Like every analyst expected, the Hornets selected Anthony Davis with the number 1 pick, the 7 foot Center from Kentucky who was the AP National Player of the Year and won the National Championship. In addition, the Hornets with the 10th pick, selected Austin Rivers, Doc Rivers' son who should help add some depth to the young team.
Here is a list of all the 60 draft picks.

No.	Team	Player	Pos.
1.	Hornets	Anthony Davis	PF
2.	Bobcats	Michael Kidd-Gilchrist	SF
3.	Wizards	Bradley Beal	SG
4.	Cavaliers	Dion Waiters	SG
5.	Kings	Thomas Robinson	PF
6.	Trail Blazers	Damian Lillard	PG
7.	Warriors	Harrison Barnes	SF
8.	Raptors	Terrence Ross	SG
9.	Pistons	Andre Drummond	C
10.	Hornets	Austin Rivers	SG
11.	Trail Blazers	Meyers Leonard	C
12.	Rockets	Jeremy Lamb	SG
13.	Suns	Kendall Marshall	PG
14.	Bucks	John Henson	PF
15.	76ers	Maurice Harkless	SF
16.	Rockets	Royce White	SF
17.	Mavericks	Tyler Zeller	C
18.	Rockets	Terrence Jones	PF
19.	Magic	Andrew Nicholson	PF
20.	Nuggets	Evan Fournier	SG
21.	Celtics	Jared Sullinger	PF
22.	Celtics	Fab Melo	C
23.	Hawks	John Jenkins	SG
24.	Cavaliers	Jared Cunningham	SG
25.	Grizzlies	Tony Wroten Jr.	PG
26.	Pacers	Miles Plumlee	PF
27.	Heat	Arnett Moultrie	PF
28.	Thunder	Perry Jones	PF
29.	Bulls	Marquis Teague	PG
30.	Warriors	Festus Ezeli	C

No.	Team	Player	Pos.
1.	Bobcats	Jeff Taylor	SF
2.	Wizards	Tomas Satoransky	SG
3.	Cavaliers	Bernard James	C
4.	Cavaliers	Jae Crowder	SF
5.	Warriors	Draymond Green	SF
6.	Kings	Orlando Johnson	SG
7.	Raptors	Quincy Acy	SF
8.	Nuggets	Quincy Miller	SF
9.	Pistons	Khris Middleton	SF
10.	Trail Blazers	Will Barton	SG
11.	Trail Blazers	Tyshawn Taylor	PG
12.	Bucks	Doron Lamb	SG
13.	Hawks	Mike Scott	PF
14.	Pistons	Kim English	SG
15.	76ers	Justin Hamilton	C
16.	Hornets	Darius Miller	SF
17.	Jazz	Kevin Murphy	SF
18.	Knicks	Kostas Papanikolaou	SF
19.	Magic	Kyle O'Quinn	C
20.	Nuggets	Izzet Turkyilmaz	PF
21.	Celtics	Kris Joseph	SF
22.	Warriors	Ognjen Kuzmic	C
23.	Clippers	Furkan Aldemir	PF
24.	76ers	Tornike Shengelia	SF
25.	Mavericks	Darius Johnson-Odom	SF
26.	Raptors	Tomislav Zubcic	SF
27.	Nets	Ilkan Karaman	PF
28.	Timberwolves	Robbie Hummel	SF
29.	Spurs	Marcus Denmon	SG
30.	Lakers	Robert Sacre	C

Teams that made some really good moves include the Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder. With the third pick, the Wizards selected shooting guard, Bradley Beal, who will add a three pointer shooter to the Wizards. After trading for Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor, this once lackluster team is starting to develop into a young and talented squad. Their potential starting lineup could include John Wall, Bradley Beal, Trevor Ariza, Emeka Okafor, and Nene with Jordan Crawford coming off the bench. They could be a scary team so watch out for them next season. Next, by adding Thomas Robinson, the Sacramento Kings may have found the 1-2 punch they have been looking for with Demarcus Cousins and Robinson. After losing his grandparents and his mother, Robinson has been through a lot, and an NBA contract with a young and exciting Kings team should make him feel good. The Kings are dangerous, and by adding Robinson, the Kings have added a defensive presence, something they need to win more ballgames. Next, the Pistons selected Andre Drummond, who will create a 1-2 punch with developing forward/center Greg Monroe. Teams are getting bigger, and the Pistons are looking to do the same and rebuild. Finally, I personally thought that of the better teams, the Thunder made the biggest noise in the draft. Lacking a backup forward who could really score, the Thunder selected Perry Jones III who was a standout player at Baylor who can score and play defense. He moved down all the way down to #28 due to an apparent knee issue, but Jones will help the Thunder and this could be a key move that could make the Thunder good enough to win a championship. There weren't as many trades as there usually was, but stayed tuned because within the next couple of days, some major transactions could occur. The NBA offseason is often really busy, and the NBA Draft got the offseason off to a solid start!

The King Wins a Ring!

2012-06-22T13:40:00.002-07:00

Despite all the injuries, criticisms, and mishaps, the Heat got it done and won the NBA Finals!

Last night, LeBron showed the world why he deserved to win a ring. With a chance to win the series against the Thunder 4-1, he knew that he and the rest of his team had a chance to do something they never had done before, close out a series. LeBron didn't only accomplish that, but he made sure there were no doubters who could question which team played better. By winning 121-106, LeBron earned his first ring after nine seasons in the NBA and gave the Heat their 2nd ring ever. The story of game 5 was the same as the other games as all of the Heat's role players stepped up. Mike Miller, who had been a disappointment in the playoffs, exploded for 23 points (including 7 threes) and Shane Battier had key threes, adding 11 points. The Thunder had no answer as LeBron dominated with a triple double as he had 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. After it was all said and done, the Heat became the first team ever to be trailing in 3 different postseason series to win an NBA title. LeBron was also crowned Finals MVP as he averaged 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists for the entire series. It was unfortunate for the Thunder who played phenomenal, but they should be feeling good about themselves because they are so young. They could easily dominate the Western Conference for the next couple of years, so teams better be prepared for a more experienced and dangerous Thunder team.

The biggest story about the Finals though was LeBron's ability to bounce back from all the criticism and win a ring when many people believed he couldn't. Now, people such as Charles Barkley, are starting to believe that he could be compared to Michael Jordan if he could win 4 or 5 rings. He is a freak of nature and I couldn't agree more, but it is important to remember that the East was not as strong as it should have been this year (Chicago lost due to Derrick Rose's injury) and the Thunder were not experienced. If LeBron can find a way to consistently beat these teams in the years to come, he will be one of the greatest to ever play the game. I just think its improbable that the Heat will repeat next year with teams rebuilding and gaining more experience. LeBron should enjoy the moment for now as he will start preparing for the 2012 London Olympics pretty soon. He has got a ring, now can he get his second gold medal?

Heat win 104-98, up 3-1 in the NBA Finals!

2012-06-19T22:05:00.002-07:00

Chalmers went off for 25.
Serge criticized LeBron's defense and look what happened!

Heat up 3-1 and can close out the series on their home floor in 48 hours.

With only one more away from an NBA title, the Heat deserve credit for their performance thus far. Through these first 4 games, different players other than the Heat's "Big 3" have stepped up. Shane Battier has risen to the occasion, knocking down much needed threes for the Heat but nothing was more impressive than Mario Chalmer's performance tonight. Chalmers went off for a playoff career high of 25 points, including 5 important points in the last minute of the game. LeBron and Wade ended up with 26 points and 25 points respectively, and these three were huge. What makes this win even more convincing is the fact that Russell Westbrook exploded for 43 points (but his intentional foul in the final minute blew the game) and Durant had a solid 28 points. If the Thunder's two main guys play that well and still lose, then I don't know what it will take for them to win. That has been the major story of the Finals. How do the Thunder defend the Heat? In Game 3, the Heat were 3-21 from outside the paint and still managed to win. LeBron deserves credit as he is carrying his team and making others around him. He had 12 assists tonight, proving to the Thunder that double teaming him is simply not an option. Sag off of him of defense just a little and he will hit a three right in your face. (He did just that to put the Heat up 97-94 in the fourth quarter)
A basketball fan should admire LeBron for what he is doing. Despite leaving Cleveland, he has shown his haters that he can make adjustments and beat any team in the league. Just ask Serge Ibaka who called LeBron a poor defender prior to the game. Not a smart statement Serge, I'm sure he wasn't named onto the All-Defensive 1st Team for no reason. Sorry Thunder fans, realistically the Thunder's chances of coming from a 3-1 deficit are zero to none. No team ever has come back from this deficit in the Finals or even forced a game 7. With different heroes on different nights, the Heat are simply too much for the Thunder. I would like to give the Thunder a fair chance of winning game 5,6, and 7, but when one of their superstars drops 43 and they still lose, I don't know what to say. Scott Brooks has a lot of work to do because the Heat are one step closer to claiming a championship. The LeBron jokes are about to stop.

NBA Lottery

2012-05-30T21:04:00.002-07:00

The NBA Lottery, the drawing of the first 14 picks of the 2012 NBA draft, took place today and had some surprises. The Charlotte Bobcats, who had the worst win percentage in league history, .106 (7-59 in the condensed season), had a 25 percent chance of obtaining the first pick but was upset by the Hornets, which only had a 14 percent chance of winning. Here is a breakdown of the order of the lottery selections:

New Orleans
Charlotte
Washington
Cleveland
Sacramento
Brooklyn (To Portland)
Golden State
Toronto
Detroit
Minnesota (To New Orleans via LA Clippers)
Portland
Milwaukee
Phoenix
Houston

Head Coach Monty Williams poses as the Hornets get a much needed boost

Unfortunately for the Bobcats, the lottery draft marked another tough loss for the organization as they received the second pick. Freshman Anthony Davis from Kentucky is the favorite to be the first overall pick and could have been a nice center for the Bobcats but now it looks like he is going to the Hornets. The Bobcats are looking for their second pick to be one of the many players to rebuild this dreadful organization. Now for Hornets fans, receiving the number 1 pick is great news. The Hornets, who were owned by the NBA this last season, now have a new owner in Tom Benson (owner of the Saints) and will most likely acquire Davis. Even better, they have the #10 pick and right now, Jared Sullinger (out of Ohio State), is projected to go 10th overall, giving the Hornets even more confidence for their upcoming season. This young team can very well be a sleeper in the upcoming season with a solid potential starting lineup of: PG Jarrett Jack SG Eric Gordon SF Trevor Ariza PF Carl Landry C Anthony Davis. It truly is a feel good story for New Orleans, which has been through so much ever since Hurricane Katrina. Meanwhile, for the other teams, there were no real surprises. In my opinion, I feel that this Draft class of 2012 is very deep with great talent so teams shouldn't be discouraged if they fall below they expected in the draft. An interesting point about the lottery draft is the fact that the NBA chose not to show the actual lottery (with the ping pong balls) on TV but rather just announce it. There is some controversy as some believe that the NBA may have "rigged" the lottery for New Orleans (since they were owned by the NBA). This is most likely a hearsay but it is something to think about. These fourteen teams that were out of the playoffs have something to look forward to and hopefully they score big in the 2012 NBA Draft.