Less than a month until the trade deadline and the first big move has just been made. Rudy Gay is now a Raptor.
That's right, the fourth-place Grizzlies have sent their leading scorer to Toronto. The Pistons are involved in the trade too, getting Jose Calderon and sending out Austin Daye and longtime froward Tayshaun Prince to Memphis. The Grizzlies also receive Toronto's Ed Davis and sent out Hamed Haddadi in addition to Gay.
So, how does this trade effect all three teams? Let's start with Memphis.
To some, the move may be a headscratcher. Gay is a near all-star level talent with his athletic ability, but he never did fit the bill in Memphis. A team which prides itself on blue-collar play fits players like Tony Allen, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, not so much Gay.
Also remember, it's the NBA. No league requires as many purely financial decisions and the Grizzlies are looking a year and a half ahead with this trade. It's all about getting under the cap. Gay has been expendable since the 2011 playoffs when the Grizzlies made a great run without him.
Losing the best player in a trade is always unpopular at first, but Memphis didn't just give him away. Tayshaun Prince will be available to guard opposing small forwards and Ed Davis is an athletic power forward who can provide rebounding and some scoring. Now, on to the Raptors.
Gay fits the bill in Toronto. A perimeter athlete more than capable of breathtaking dunks. Only problem is that so do two other guys. Rookie Terrence Ross and DeMar DeRozan are the future plans in Toronto, but will Gay's arrival block one of them? Ross probably. And don't forget Landry Fields is another wing player who will need minutes. It's getting crowded in Toronto.
It looks like the Raptors will try to make a run at the playoffs now with Rudy Gay, but for what, a date with Miami? Even if Rondo-less Boston and Philadelphia don't get in, Toronto's chances are incredibly bleak. Hopefully the plan will be clearer when we actually see Gay in that Raptor red.
For Detroit, it's simple. They have some good young guys. They'll be a lottery team. And they want Calderon to teach point guard Brandon Knight a few things.
Gut feeling: This trade won't change much short-term for Toronto and Memphis. The Grizzlies are still a second-tier team out West and the Raptors are still not a playoff team.
But hey, those seven basketball fans in Canada will see some nice dunks.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Can the Lakers Keep It Up?
Steve Nash returns to the desert tonight as the Lakers face the Suns in a couple hours. Since Kobe modified his game, the Lakers are 3-0. Expect that to continue tonight.
The Suns are, well, not good. They're a .500 team at home and a miserable team away. And while the Lakers only have five wins on the road, things are different now.
Phoenix is a good matchup for the Lakers, with a finesse frontcourt and lacking a go-to scorer, this looks to be an easy win on paper for the Lake Show. The Suns are a sub-par team in most offensive categories, but they won't beat themselves (unless Michael Beasley throws up 15+ shots, a true possibility). But if you're the Lakers, what do you look for as a indication that you can get easy road wins? Here's three things.
1. Dominant Dwight: It's no secret that bench players are less efficient on the road, so Howard needs to do his job. Look for Dwight to be smart defensively, moving his feet and not picking up bad fouls early. The rebounds should come as much of the Suns game is played 8+ feet from the basket.
2. Gasol Involved: Pau has been better of late, it helps that Kobe's been giving him the ball. But it's more than scoring. He's playing in more familiar areas of the court. He's finding open shooters. He's working well with Howard and Earl Clark. Look for him to play well against similar players in Luis Scola and Marcin Gortat.
3. Clark Continues His Run
Is Earl Clark emerging as a near-essential Laker? Sure looks that way. He can thank his leader for that. With Kobe passing, he's realizing that he has four other teammates. Clark is finding all the good space that's available when you're on a team with Dwight Howard, and he's being rewarded. D'Antoni will want him for rebounding and size, but when Clark his scoring, that's all gravy for L.A.
So Laker fans, the Grammy trip starts tonight and realistically, they should go 5-2 or better. But you have to win this one tonight. A happy Steve Nash reunion will mean the Lakers are 4-0...and still under .500.
Check back after the games for a complete breakdown on the Rudy Gay deal.
The Suns are, well, not good. They're a .500 team at home and a miserable team away. And while the Lakers only have five wins on the road, things are different now.
Phoenix is a good matchup for the Lakers, with a finesse frontcourt and lacking a go-to scorer, this looks to be an easy win on paper for the Lake Show. The Suns are a sub-par team in most offensive categories, but they won't beat themselves (unless Michael Beasley throws up 15+ shots, a true possibility). But if you're the Lakers, what do you look for as a indication that you can get easy road wins? Here's three things.
1. Dominant Dwight: It's no secret that bench players are less efficient on the road, so Howard needs to do his job. Look for Dwight to be smart defensively, moving his feet and not picking up bad fouls early. The rebounds should come as much of the Suns game is played 8+ feet from the basket.
2. Gasol Involved: Pau has been better of late, it helps that Kobe's been giving him the ball. But it's more than scoring. He's playing in more familiar areas of the court. He's finding open shooters. He's working well with Howard and Earl Clark. Look for him to play well against similar players in Luis Scola and Marcin Gortat.
3. Clark Continues His Run
Is Earl Clark emerging as a near-essential Laker? Sure looks that way. He can thank his leader for that. With Kobe passing, he's realizing that he has four other teammates. Clark is finding all the good space that's available when you're on a team with Dwight Howard, and he's being rewarded. D'Antoni will want him for rebounding and size, but when Clark his scoring, that's all gravy for L.A.
So Laker fans, the Grammy trip starts tonight and realistically, they should go 5-2 or better. But you have to win this one tonight. A happy Steve Nash reunion will mean the Lakers are 4-0...and still under .500.
Check back after the games for a complete breakdown on the Rudy Gay deal.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Why Iverson Should Stay Retired
Allen Iverson turned down the chance to play for the Texas Legends, the Mavericks D-League affiliate. Good move AI. You've done all you can. The league doesn't need you.
There was a time when the league needed Iverson, but it has passed. Back in 2000, an era of Laker dominance was imminent. The league hadn't quite recovered from the '99 lockout and Jordan's true exit. Then the void was filled.
A little guard in Philly was entering his prime. A guy with more swagger than the rest of the league combined. Scoring was no problem for the former number one overall pick, but he had yet to lead a team to success. Then with all eyes on him, his time came.
The 2000-2001 season will not be remembered for a Lakers championship or the year the Wizards infamously chose Kwame Brown. It's simply the year of The Answer. Iverson carried the Sixers on his 6-foot frame all the way to the NBA Finals, winning the MVP and scoring title on the way. His dozens of tattoos and accessories were unseen. His volatile demeanor was intriguing. And even the no-nonsense NBA experts of old couldn't deny Iverson's game.
For the next five years Iverson was a top-five player in the league. He topped jersey sales and all-star voting over this time, but the Sixers could never taste the same success they had in 2001. Following a fallout in Philly, Iverson finished his prime in Denver, before forgettable stints at the end in Detroit, Memphis and a final act in Philadelphia.
Nowadays, Iverson's got nothing to prove. He's beloved once again in Philly, right next to Moses Malone, Wilt Chamberlain and Dr. J on the Sixers Mount Rushmore. So why come back in a league that's completely different from the one he dominated? That just doesn't seem like his style.
Just think. Allen Iverson, a 6-foot, 165 pound guy is sixth all time in PPG, ahead of guys like Kobe and Oscar, Kareem and Bird. Imagine if his come-up was during our era of social media. It would've made Linsanity look like a blip on the Twitter radar.
He may have been talking about practice, but Iverson sure as hell isn't talking the D-League anytime soon.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Sunday Recap
Get used to Sundays like this in the NBA. After next week football will be over and more fans will be tuning in to the Sunday showcase. And today was a great slate of games to cover the first Sunday with no (real) football.
The top two players in the league lost today, Kobe nearly got a triple double and the Celtics won despite no Rondo. And here's the best part, this is all true!
Celtics 100, Heat 98 in 2OT
The biggest news doesn't involve LeBron's clutch three or Ray Allen's return, but we'll cover that later. The Celtics got some huge points from Garnett and Pierce in double overtime, along with gritty defense from Jeff Green, and they hung on to win an inspired game.
For the Heat, it was all LeBron and Allen. Dwyane Wade did not score in either OT, going 6-20 on the day. LeBron sent it into OT after he nailed an open three with seven seconds left. The Heat had a chance to win in the first overtime, but Wade couldn't execute after seemingly getting Pierce to fall for a pump fake. In the second OT, The Celtics locked down on Miami. Garnett and Pierce each made some baskets to give Boston a two-point lead. In the final seconds, Miami went for the win, but Shane Battier airballed a deep three. LeBron was used as a decoy on the final play. His line by the way, 34-16-7.
The sad news came to fans in the third quarter when we found out Rondo will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. This is a crushing blow for Boston, who is currently eighth in the East. Doc Rivers will do his best to put together a winning rotation, but there's no good answer to losing your best player. Rondo was set to start his first all-star game in February. Pierce's reaction says it all.
Lakers 105, Thunder 96
Kobe outplayed Durant in the fourth quarter and the Lakers got their biggest win of the season. Only a fool would try to predict anything about this Lakers team, but they seem to have found a winning formula.
Kobe was a distributor first and scorer second. Nash was aggressive at times and looked comfortable for once as a Laker. Gasol came off the bench and actually got involved! World Peace, Clark and Jamison all made big shots. And Dwight Howard? He wasn't so great. Only 8 points, 10 boards and 2 for 10 at the line. But hey, the Lakers won, and they're 2-0...in D'Antoni time.
For OKC, Durant and Westbrook didn't shoot the ball well. And while for Durant that still equals 35 points, for Westbrook it means 6-22 shooting, 4 turnovers and frustration. For the first time in months, this seemed like a game where they really missed James Harden.
Kobe will get all the credit for sharing today, but the player of the game for L.A. was World Peace. He played 43 minutes of lockdown defense on Durant, not letting him breathe in the fourth. His 15 points were a bonus compared to his tenacity on defense. More good efforts from Peace will allow Kobe to have more games like this.
I can call the Lakers 2-0 only if they promise to stop restarting their season. This is exhausting.
Friday, January 25, 2013
The Case for the Snubs
With every All-Star game, much of the talk following selections is more about who didn't make it. This year, the selections weren't outrageous and every player picked is deserving, but of course there are a few notable snubs. Here are the biggest All-Star snubs of 2013 in order.
1. Brook Lopez
Lopez is without a doubt the most notable snub this year. This guy's PER is fourth in the league! He has been the best and most consistent Nets player this season, and the main reason they are comfortably in the playoff race. Chris Bosh and Luol Deng are the two most obvious names that barely got in ahead of Lopez. The East will surely miss his offensive firepower in their frontcourt against the more stacked West.
2. Stephen Curry
The Warriors got their first All-Star since 1997, but they should have gotten two. He's eighth in the league in scoring and third in three-point percentage, which is more impressive after knowing he takes over seven 3's a game. David Lee will represent Golden State alone this year, but he even said his teammate Curry should be there with him.
3. Marc Gasol
It always looked like the Grizzlies would get either Gasol or Zach Randolph in the ASG this year, and coaches decided it was Randolph's year. Gasol's not a huge snub in that regard and he is behind his frontcourt partner in scoring and rebounding, but he's the anchor of a Memphis defense that ranks tops in the West.
4. Paul Pierce
It's always a bit of a snub when a 10-time All-Star doesn't make it and this year that man is Paul Pierce. He still leads the Celtics in scoring, but at times the offense clearly belongs to Rajon Rondo. The Celtics are under .500, so three All-Stars would be out of the question with Rondo and Kevin Garnett elected starters. But as we saw from Garnett and Tim Duncan this year, older players can get back after missing the ASG for a year.
5. Jamal Crawford
A sentimental favorite here, but Crawford would have thrived in the All-Star game. His complete lack of defense and sixth man status made Crawford a long shot from the beginning, but he has taken over whole quarters for the Clippers and may be a more valuable asset than Blake Griffin at times. At 32, Crawford may not have another close opportunity, which is why many around the league wanted him in the game. That's okay, we can all watch in amazement when he win the three-point contest.
1. Brook Lopez
Lopez is without a doubt the most notable snub this year. This guy's PER is fourth in the league! He has been the best and most consistent Nets player this season, and the main reason they are comfortably in the playoff race. Chris Bosh and Luol Deng are the two most obvious names that barely got in ahead of Lopez. The East will surely miss his offensive firepower in their frontcourt against the more stacked West.
2. Stephen Curry
The Warriors got their first All-Star since 1997, but they should have gotten two. He's eighth in the league in scoring and third in three-point percentage, which is more impressive after knowing he takes over seven 3's a game. David Lee will represent Golden State alone this year, but he even said his teammate Curry should be there with him.
3. Marc Gasol
It always looked like the Grizzlies would get either Gasol or Zach Randolph in the ASG this year, and coaches decided it was Randolph's year. Gasol's not a huge snub in that regard and he is behind his frontcourt partner in scoring and rebounding, but he's the anchor of a Memphis defense that ranks tops in the West.
4. Paul Pierce
It's always a bit of a snub when a 10-time All-Star doesn't make it and this year that man is Paul Pierce. He still leads the Celtics in scoring, but at times the offense clearly belongs to Rajon Rondo. The Celtics are under .500, so three All-Stars would be out of the question with Rondo and Kevin Garnett elected starters. But as we saw from Garnett and Tim Duncan this year, older players can get back after missing the ASG for a year.
5. Jamal Crawford
A sentimental favorite here, but Crawford would have thrived in the All-Star game. His complete lack of defense and sixth man status made Crawford a long shot from the beginning, but he has taken over whole quarters for the Clippers and may be a more valuable asset than Blake Griffin at times. At 32, Crawford may not have another close opportunity, which is why many around the league wanted him in the game. That's okay, we can all watch in amazement when he win the three-point contest.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Picking the All-Star Reserves
The remaining 14 spots for the 2013 NBA All-Star game will be announced Thursday, and that's where the real drama lies. Will the coaches make the right decisions and get the deserving guys in? We don't know yet, but here are the 2013 NBA underground reserves. First let's recap the starters voted in by fans.
East West
Rajon Rondo Chris Paul
Dwyane Wade Kobe Bryant
LeBron James Kevin Durant
Carmelo Anthony Blake Griffin
Kevin Garnett Dwight Howard
Nothing really new here in the fan vote. The West is identical from last year, save for Dwight Howard coming to L.A. and sliding in Andrew Bynum's spot. Kevin Garnett comes back for the East after a one year absence and joins teammate Rajon Rondo. Perennial starters Wade, James and Anthony represent the 2003 draft class once again.
East Reserves
1. Kyrie Irving, Point Guard: The first of surely many appearances for Irving. Even on a bad Cavs team, his 23.1 PPG is impressive for a second-year player.
2. Jrue Holiday, Point Guard: Holiday has improved every single year. He's averaging career highs with 19.2 PPG and 8.9 APG. His dimes rank fourth in the league. Both Holiday and Irving benefit this year from an injured Derrick Rose and an under-performing Deron Williams.
3. Paul George, Small Forward: The Pacers get an All-Star this year as Paul George makes his first appearance. With Danny Granger out, the athletic George has raised his scoring and defense to keep the Pacers as a top-three team in the East.
4. Chris Bosh, Center: The third member of Miami's trio is a lock for All-Star games at this point. His scoring and rebounding are down a bit, but his shooting percentages are up and he is a crucial player for the defending champs.
5. Brook Lopez, Center: With Williams and Joe Johnson struggling this year, Lopez has emerged as the Nets MVP. He leads the team in scoring and is the main reason the Nets are 25-16.
6. Tyson Chandler, Center: Last year's DPOY makes his much-deserved first All-Star team this year. Chandler averages a double-double and is the defensive force for the Knicks.
7. Joakim Noah, Center: Noah completes the trend of centers and first-timers for the East this year. His defense and hustle has kept the Bulls very competitive this year.
West Reserves
1. Russell Westbrook, Point Guard: A yearly shoo-in at this point, Westbrook's assists are up and he and Durant have the Thunder in position to get back to the Finals.
2. James Harden, Shooting Guard: Westbrook's old teammate was a virtual lock to make his first All-Star game when he became a Rocket. Harden seems comfortable being "the guy" in Houston. His 25.9 PPG is fifth in the NBA.
3. Tony Parker, Point Guard: Parker is having another great year. He runs the league's third-best offense has the Spurs in contention for year after year.
4. Stephen Curry, Point Guard: Curry is averaging career highs in point and assists. But most importantly, he has the Warriors firmly in the playoff race. Curry's good numbers finally mean something now on a good team.
5. Jamal Crawford, Shooting Guard: The best sixth man will make his All-Star game debut at age 32. Crawford's volume scoring is one of the main reasons that Lob City is the best show in the NBA.
6. David Lee, Power Forward: Much like his teammate Curry, Lee is finally on a good team and is being rewarded. Lee is a double-double machine and the veteran leader of a good young Warriors team.
7. Tim Duncan, Center: The ageless Duncan is having his best season since 2010. As long as the Big Fundamental is around, the Spurs will be a top team in the West.
Who Barely Missed the Cut?
There weren't really any close calls in the East. The only argument could be made for Paul Pierce, but his shooting percentage drops every year and already two Celtics are on the team. The Grizzlies are possibly deserving of an All-Star with a trio of Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol and a contending team. Lamarcus Aldridge has All-Star numbers on a borderline playoff team. Serge Ibaka is putting up career numbers offensively and the Thunder are a good enough team to field three All-Stars.
Stay posted for the inevitable "Who Got Snubbed?" article coming after Thursday night's announcement.
East West
Rajon Rondo Chris Paul
Dwyane Wade Kobe Bryant
LeBron James Kevin Durant
Carmelo Anthony Blake Griffin
Kevin Garnett Dwight Howard
Nothing really new here in the fan vote. The West is identical from last year, save for Dwight Howard coming to L.A. and sliding in Andrew Bynum's spot. Kevin Garnett comes back for the East after a one year absence and joins teammate Rajon Rondo. Perennial starters Wade, James and Anthony represent the 2003 draft class once again.
East Reserves
1. Kyrie Irving, Point Guard: The first of surely many appearances for Irving. Even on a bad Cavs team, his 23.1 PPG is impressive for a second-year player.
2. Jrue Holiday, Point Guard: Holiday has improved every single year. He's averaging career highs with 19.2 PPG and 8.9 APG. His dimes rank fourth in the league. Both Holiday and Irving benefit this year from an injured Derrick Rose and an under-performing Deron Williams.
3. Paul George, Small Forward: The Pacers get an All-Star this year as Paul George makes his first appearance. With Danny Granger out, the athletic George has raised his scoring and defense to keep the Pacers as a top-three team in the East.
4. Chris Bosh, Center: The third member of Miami's trio is a lock for All-Star games at this point. His scoring and rebounding are down a bit, but his shooting percentages are up and he is a crucial player for the defending champs.
5. Brook Lopez, Center: With Williams and Joe Johnson struggling this year, Lopez has emerged as the Nets MVP. He leads the team in scoring and is the main reason the Nets are 25-16.
6. Tyson Chandler, Center: Last year's DPOY makes his much-deserved first All-Star team this year. Chandler averages a double-double and is the defensive force for the Knicks.
7. Joakim Noah, Center: Noah completes the trend of centers and first-timers for the East this year. His defense and hustle has kept the Bulls very competitive this year.
West Reserves
1. Russell Westbrook, Point Guard: A yearly shoo-in at this point, Westbrook's assists are up and he and Durant have the Thunder in position to get back to the Finals.
2. James Harden, Shooting Guard: Westbrook's old teammate was a virtual lock to make his first All-Star game when he became a Rocket. Harden seems comfortable being "the guy" in Houston. His 25.9 PPG is fifth in the NBA.
3. Tony Parker, Point Guard: Parker is having another great year. He runs the league's third-best offense has the Spurs in contention for year after year.
4. Stephen Curry, Point Guard: Curry is averaging career highs in point and assists. But most importantly, he has the Warriors firmly in the playoff race. Curry's good numbers finally mean something now on a good team.
5. Jamal Crawford, Shooting Guard: The best sixth man will make his All-Star game debut at age 32. Crawford's volume scoring is one of the main reasons that Lob City is the best show in the NBA.
6. David Lee, Power Forward: Much like his teammate Curry, Lee is finally on a good team and is being rewarded. Lee is a double-double machine and the veteran leader of a good young Warriors team.
7. Tim Duncan, Center: The ageless Duncan is having his best season since 2010. As long as the Big Fundamental is around, the Spurs will be a top team in the West.
Who Barely Missed the Cut?
There weren't really any close calls in the East. The only argument could be made for Paul Pierce, but his shooting percentage drops every year and already two Celtics are on the team. The Grizzlies are possibly deserving of an All-Star with a trio of Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol and a contending team. Lamarcus Aldridge has All-Star numbers on a borderline playoff team. Serge Ibaka is putting up career numbers offensively and the Thunder are a good enough team to field three All-Stars.
Stay posted for the inevitable "Who Got Snubbed?" article coming after Thursday night's announcement.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
What Kobe vs. LeBron Means
Tonight is Heat vs. Lakers aka Kobe vs. LeBron. The battle of the now former top two players on earth will forever have impact. From 2007-2010 this matchup was seen as the marquee playoff rivalry in the league. And while Kobe is out of his prime and can no longer to lay claim to "Top Two Player in the World," this rivalry will always be anticipated for fans and players alike.
Obviously this will be just another one of 82 games at the end of the day, but let's stick to the two players involved. What does this game mean to them? For LeBron now, it's about taking care of business. His Heat are markedly better than Kobe's Lakers this year. For Kobe, it's about pride. After all, he was the leader of the 2008 Olympic team which featured LeBron and Dwyane Wade as his top sidekicks. Jump ahead to the 2012 Olympics and LeBron is now the leader, with Kobe coming in fourth or fifth on the "players of importance" list.
It's also about what they have in common. Scrutiny. Since joining the Heat, LeBron has easily been the most scrutinized man in sports. But after he proved himself a champion, most people backed off the King. The Lakers put together a "super-team" themselves this summer, leaving them open to the scrutiny. But it wasn't the assembling that's put the Lake Show under the microscope. It was the losing. Kobe's Lakers are 17-21 and on their second coach this season. And while Kobe is playing his best basketball in three years, he is the face of the Lakers and is therefore the one responsible.
So what about the teams? The Heat are a .500 team on the road this year and the Lakers have won two straight (over the Cavs and Bucks). All signs point to this being a great Thursday night game. The Heat won't be tired after last night's demolishing of the Warriors as LeBron, Wade and Chris Bosh all sat the fourth quarter (no controversy needed). And to top it off, LeBron will have the momentum of being the youngest player to score 20,000 points. Wanna know who used to have that distinction? You guessed it.
The Lakers have gotten two solid games from Dwight Howard since he's been back. At the Staples Center, they match up well with Miami. With Howard and Pau Gasol If He Comes To Play, they should be able to throw the ball inside for some easy baskets. But that's not to say they will. Mike D'Antoni hasn't been the NBA's most consistent coach this season. So, what can we expect tonight?
Here's a semi-bold prediction. Kobe will be more LeBron and LeBron will be more Kobe. Let me explain. Kobe will come out looking to get Howard and Gasol going offensively. He and Nash will play quicker, looking to find Jodie Meeks and Metta World Peace for open 3's early on.
LeBron will be looking to score more than usual tonight. With an old Laker perimeter, he can blow by defenders and force Howard and Gasol to commit help inside. Best-case scenario is a close game with Kobe and LeBron going head-to-head in possessions in the final minutes.
The game is at 10:30 Eastern on TNT. And if you're not hyped up for this one yet, just watch when Kobe and LeBron meet at halfcourt before the tip.
Obviously this will be just another one of 82 games at the end of the day, but let's stick to the two players involved. What does this game mean to them? For LeBron now, it's about taking care of business. His Heat are markedly better than Kobe's Lakers this year. For Kobe, it's about pride. After all, he was the leader of the 2008 Olympic team which featured LeBron and Dwyane Wade as his top sidekicks. Jump ahead to the 2012 Olympics and LeBron is now the leader, with Kobe coming in fourth or fifth on the "players of importance" list.
It's also about what they have in common. Scrutiny. Since joining the Heat, LeBron has easily been the most scrutinized man in sports. But after he proved himself a champion, most people backed off the King. The Lakers put together a "super-team" themselves this summer, leaving them open to the scrutiny. But it wasn't the assembling that's put the Lake Show under the microscope. It was the losing. Kobe's Lakers are 17-21 and on their second coach this season. And while Kobe is playing his best basketball in three years, he is the face of the Lakers and is therefore the one responsible.
So what about the teams? The Heat are a .500 team on the road this year and the Lakers have won two straight (over the Cavs and Bucks). All signs point to this being a great Thursday night game. The Heat won't be tired after last night's demolishing of the Warriors as LeBron, Wade and Chris Bosh all sat the fourth quarter (no controversy needed). And to top it off, LeBron will have the momentum of being the youngest player to score 20,000 points. Wanna know who used to have that distinction? You guessed it.
The Lakers have gotten two solid games from Dwight Howard since he's been back. At the Staples Center, they match up well with Miami. With Howard and Pau Gasol If He Comes To Play, they should be able to throw the ball inside for some easy baskets. But that's not to say they will. Mike D'Antoni hasn't been the NBA's most consistent coach this season. So, what can we expect tonight?
Here's a semi-bold prediction. Kobe will be more LeBron and LeBron will be more Kobe. Let me explain. Kobe will come out looking to get Howard and Gasol going offensively. He and Nash will play quicker, looking to find Jodie Meeks and Metta World Peace for open 3's early on.
LeBron will be looking to score more than usual tonight. With an old Laker perimeter, he can blow by defenders and force Howard and Gasol to commit help inside. Best-case scenario is a close game with Kobe and LeBron going head-to-head in possessions in the final minutes.
The game is at 10:30 Eastern on TNT. And if you're not hyped up for this one yet, just watch when Kobe and LeBron meet at halfcourt before the tip.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Durant Stepping It Up
Kevin Durant's recent tear has distanced his team in the standings and himself on the MVP ballot.
Let's start with a quick update on Kevin Durant's MVP campaign. His PER is second behind Mr. Advanced Metrics. Rebounds, assists, steals, blocks...career highs. He's third in scoring at 28.9 PPG. Most importantly, OKC owns the league's best record at 30-8. He's too good to not have an MVP, and in his fourth season of NBA super-stardom KD looks primed to get his first one. Here's the status of his challengers:
Chris Paul: Best player on the increasingly 'for real' Clippers. He's simply a dynamic leader. However, the depth of Lob City means they don't always need Paul to do this to good teams.
LeBron James: Based on raw numbers, he's the biggest threat to Durant. LeBron's credentials make it harder for him to win MVP than anyone else. He carries Miami, but a fourth MVP seems unlikely this season.
Carmelo Anthony: Has the highest usage rate of anyone in the NBA. He's come into his leadership role in New York and enjoying his best year as a result. Knicks need to stay in top-two in East for Melo to stay in MVP talk.
Kobe Bryant: This year feels like those 05-07 seasons when Kobe produced, but Lakers didn't. He won't win MVP on a hugely underachieving team, but winning a scoring title at 34 would be impressive no matter what.
And back to Durant
I talked about him stepping up his game, and he really has. He's scored 40 points in two of his last three games, after doing it only twice in his first 35 games. Obviously it helps that he's a pure shooter who can score over any defender, but the key is getting to the line. Even on nights when Durant is under 50% from the field, he still get his 30 points by shooting 90% from the line. He's unguardable, and when hot, he's the most lethal scorer in the game.
The Durant/Russell Westbrook dynamic may rear its head at some point in the playoffs, but for now they're winning and things seem to be going fine. Kevin Martin's success as OKC sixth man has made that role one of the most appealing in the NBA. The Thunder are rolling, consistently putting together long winning streaks. They've only lost four games total in the past six weeks. Which begs the question...
Are the Thunder favorites?
Right now, yes, they are. They're definitely not prohibitive favorites because the defending champs are certainly reasonable competition, but OKC is playing like the NBA's best team. The Thunder are playing for the NBA's #1 seed, which will help them mostly in the gauntlet of the Western Conference Playoffs. But remember, they did have homecourt advantage against Miami last year and could never force the series back to OKC.The Thunder will likely have two very tough series in the West before a date with LeBron and Co. in the Finals, while Miami will waltz through the East like a Sunday stroll in the park. Who knows if the tougher road will help or hurt the Thunder? This team is ready to win a championship. And Durant looks more than ready to lead them.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Heat Struggling; Knicks/Pacers
They've lost 5 out of their last 8 and look like a very complacent team at the moment. But should any Heat fan be worried? Not really. The national panic-meter is low and they have two Finals MVPs on the roster, including, you know, LeBron. The Heat will always see more scrutiny than your average team, but here's what Miami can do to help fans breathe easier in the coming weeks.
First, they can get a better rotation. Erik Spoelstra is far from being a great coach, but even he should know the importance of a solid player rotation. Once all the Heat players are healthy, he will to find consistent answers to position battles like Cole/Chalmers, Lewis/Miller and also the possibility of playing with Bosh AND Anthony, or Allen AND Battier. I'm just not entirely sure that all Heat players know their role yet.
The second and final adjustment for Miami is the tendency to over-pass. This starts with LeBron. He's surrounded by shooters and he always finds an open man, but LeBron often passes up six-foot shots for corner three-pointers by cold shooters. This isn't a bad idea early in games, as it is important to get role players going. But late in games he needs to be finding the hot shooters more. In the Finals last year, both Miller and Chalmers went off from three in separate games. And the games where no one was scorching from distance? Well, LeBron won those himself. It wouldn't hurt if he played some more "hero ball".
The Heat have rarely looked great this season, and they've still got the inside track for the number one seed. Last night they improved their defensive rebounding and just lost to a young West Coast team that plays great at home (credit Nic Batum's D). By the end of this road stretch, the Heat's recent struggles will be an aberration. It's January in a long NBA season. That's how it is.
And Who's Chasing the Heat?
Two teams are and they played last night, actually. The Pacers, lead by Paul George, have won 5 out of 6 and play torrid defense. They also beat the Knicks last night, holding them (without Melo, but still) to a season low 76 points. So who's the scarier team?
For Miami, it's still the Knicks. Carmelo and Tyson Chandler play well against the Heat and the Knicks are the one team in the East that can score with Miami. The veteran shooters can get hot against an aggressive Heat defense. Heat-Knicks is still the likeliest scenario for Eastern Conference Finals.
But how about those Pacers? They've quietly played good basketball and are third in the East at 22-14. They've done it all without their best scorer, Danny Granger and starting center Roy Hibbert has virtually given them nothing after signing a big contract. There's no middle ground with the Pacers this year. They're a top-two team in defense and rebounding, but a bottom-two team in scoring and assists. With Paul George having made "the leap" and David West and George Hill helping out, Indiana looks primed to stay as a top-three team in the East.
A Pacers/Knicks conference semi could be waiting in the wings. And while the Knicks are easily more talented, the Pacers (and Bulls) seem to be built to beat them. New York is now 0-3 against Chicago and Indiana. Getting Melo back tonight, they need to beat the Bulls at MSG.
First, they can get a better rotation. Erik Spoelstra is far from being a great coach, but even he should know the importance of a solid player rotation. Once all the Heat players are healthy, he will to find consistent answers to position battles like Cole/Chalmers, Lewis/Miller and also the possibility of playing with Bosh AND Anthony, or Allen AND Battier. I'm just not entirely sure that all Heat players know their role yet.
The second and final adjustment for Miami is the tendency to over-pass. This starts with LeBron. He's surrounded by shooters and he always finds an open man, but LeBron often passes up six-foot shots for corner three-pointers by cold shooters. This isn't a bad idea early in games, as it is important to get role players going. But late in games he needs to be finding the hot shooters more. In the Finals last year, both Miller and Chalmers went off from three in separate games. And the games where no one was scorching from distance? Well, LeBron won those himself. It wouldn't hurt if he played some more "hero ball".
The Heat have rarely looked great this season, and they've still got the inside track for the number one seed. Last night they improved their defensive rebounding and just lost to a young West Coast team that plays great at home (credit Nic Batum's D). By the end of this road stretch, the Heat's recent struggles will be an aberration. It's January in a long NBA season. That's how it is.
And Who's Chasing the Heat?
Two teams are and they played last night, actually. The Pacers, lead by Paul George, have won 5 out of 6 and play torrid defense. They also beat the Knicks last night, holding them (without Melo, but still) to a season low 76 points. So who's the scarier team?
For Miami, it's still the Knicks. Carmelo and Tyson Chandler play well against the Heat and the Knicks are the one team in the East that can score with Miami. The veteran shooters can get hot against an aggressive Heat defense. Heat-Knicks is still the likeliest scenario for Eastern Conference Finals.
But how about those Pacers? They've quietly played good basketball and are third in the East at 22-14. They've done it all without their best scorer, Danny Granger and starting center Roy Hibbert has virtually given them nothing after signing a big contract. There's no middle ground with the Pacers this year. They're a top-two team in defense and rebounding, but a bottom-two team in scoring and assists. With Paul George having made "the leap" and David West and George Hill helping out, Indiana looks primed to stay as a top-three team in the East.
A Pacers/Knicks conference semi could be waiting in the wings. And while the Knicks are easily more talented, the Pacers (and Bulls) seem to be built to beat them. New York is now 0-3 against Chicago and Indiana. Getting Melo back tonight, they need to beat the Bulls at MSG.
Monday, January 7, 2013
The Lakers are a Mess
That title really does say it all. A team that made the necessary moves this offseason to get back to championship glory is 15-18 and in 11th place in the West. The Lakers will have to seriously step their game up just to make the postseason.
Dwight Howard is out at least a week. Pau Gasol is out indefinitely. The locker room may be in disarray. At least they have a superstar who handles trying situations well, right? Oh wait...
Yes, we're all sick of hearing about the Lakers (especially Lakers fans), but the only other NBA news today was the Wizards beating the Thunder. And five-win teams do not deserve a blog post.
There's not one person to blame here, so let's dish out a serving of blame to everyone in the Lakers organization.
Mitch Kupchak: You're still paying Mike Brown while another coach is losing games at an equally efficient level. Mike D'Antoni's system seems to be dead wrong for these players. All the while Phil Jackson just got engaged to Jeanie Buss, daughter of Lakers owner Jerry Buss. Wherever Phil is, he's laughing. He knows he can fix this, or at least be above .500.
Mike D'Antoni: Quit being so stubborn. Yes, you have lucked into an injury excuse to use this week, but nothing has changed. The numbers/results haven't improved and Kobe Bryant is still jacking up the same 25 shots every game.
Kobe Bryant: How is he just being mentioned? Kind of hard to blame. He's as efficient as ever and leading the NBA in scoring. But man, he's the best player on a very talented team. The Mamba will always catch some blame.
Dwight Howard: His personality didn't seem to match Kobe's and now the backlash may have started. A humorous report saying that the two had an argument, with Kobe calling him soft. At least Kobe doesn't have a new social media account to voice any complaints he may have. Oh wait...
Pau Gasol: Yes, you can blame a guy for not really even being there, just ask Royce White and the Rockets. Gasol has been dreadful. He's on a skid that started in the 2011 playoffs and gone through three coaches. A trade seems imminent and it wouldn't be crazy to see Gasol playing in native Spain in a couple years.
Steve Nash: The proposed savior had a Christlike coming back party on Christmas Day. But he's 38 and out of D'Antoni-Nash-Suns magic. His D has lived up to expectations though.
Well, I've blamed too much for one day. Watch out World Peace, Jodie Meeks and Jim Buss because you're next if (when) the Lakers continue to struggle.
To quote Bill Simmons quoting Kobe: Mamba Out.
Dwight Howard is out at least a week. Pau Gasol is out indefinitely. The locker room may be in disarray. At least they have a superstar who handles trying situations well, right? Oh wait...
Yes, we're all sick of hearing about the Lakers (especially Lakers fans), but the only other NBA news today was the Wizards beating the Thunder. And five-win teams do not deserve a blog post.
There's not one person to blame here, so let's dish out a serving of blame to everyone in the Lakers organization.
Mitch Kupchak: You're still paying Mike Brown while another coach is losing games at an equally efficient level. Mike D'Antoni's system seems to be dead wrong for these players. All the while Phil Jackson just got engaged to Jeanie Buss, daughter of Lakers owner Jerry Buss. Wherever Phil is, he's laughing. He knows he can fix this, or at least be above .500.
Mike D'Antoni: Quit being so stubborn. Yes, you have lucked into an injury excuse to use this week, but nothing has changed. The numbers/results haven't improved and Kobe Bryant is still jacking up the same 25 shots every game.
Kobe Bryant: How is he just being mentioned? Kind of hard to blame. He's as efficient as ever and leading the NBA in scoring. But man, he's the best player on a very talented team. The Mamba will always catch some blame.
Dwight Howard: His personality didn't seem to match Kobe's and now the backlash may have started. A humorous report saying that the two had an argument, with Kobe calling him soft. At least Kobe doesn't have a new social media account to voice any complaints he may have. Oh wait...
Pau Gasol: Yes, you can blame a guy for not really even being there, just ask Royce White and the Rockets. Gasol has been dreadful. He's on a skid that started in the 2011 playoffs and gone through three coaches. A trade seems imminent and it wouldn't be crazy to see Gasol playing in native Spain in a couple years.
Steve Nash: The proposed savior had a Christlike coming back party on Christmas Day. But he's 38 and out of D'Antoni-Nash-Suns magic. His D has lived up to expectations though.
Well, I've blamed too much for one day. Watch out World Peace, Jodie Meeks and Jim Buss because you're next if (when) the Lakers continue to struggle.
To quote Bill Simmons quoting Kobe: Mamba Out.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Battle for L.A.
Before this game, players were asked their opinion on the Lakers-Clippers rivalry. Kobe Bryant said that is was not a rivalry at all, but one day it might be. Well he might be right. One team is 2nd in the West and the other is 11th. And that 11th place team is 0-2 head-to-head this season and is facing a slew of burning questions. But unfortunately for Kobe, his Lakers are in the unfamiliar 11th spot looking up at their Staples Center roommate. But he's wrong. Last night certainly had the look and feel of a rivalry game.
The Clippers, playing as the home team, looked dominant for three quarters. Then in that fourth quarter, they played like a true contender. Holding off a furious Lakers run, Chris Paul carried the Clips to a 107-102 win. Paul outplayed Kobe with 30 points and 13 dimes as the ball rarely left his hands down the stretch in the fourth. Blake Griffin had a strong first half for the Clippers, throwing down countless dunks against a miserable Lakers transition D.
Of course Kobe got his points for the Lake Show. He scored 38 and was on fire early in the fourth quarter. Dwight Howard was the other main contributor for the Lakers, but his fouling out with a minute left really hurt their defense and rebounding. Steve Nash had 12 points and 10 assists. This Lakers offense is begging Nash to take more shots though.
If you were watching the game, you may have wondered about Pau Gasol. Yes, he did play, 27 minutes in fact. But you wouldn't know it from his stats. He had two points and four rebounds. He only played in the fourth quarter after Jordan Hill had to leave the game with a sprained ankle. The Lakers can't even sell high on him anymore after this awful national showing.
But let's make this about the Clippers. They did win after all and are now 26-8 on the season. Without Jamal Crawford, who matches up well with the Lakers, they still found a way to win. Matt Barnes, Eric Bledsoe and Lamar Odom all got extended minutes off the bench, but every possible void left by Crawford was filled by Paul.
Paul took more shots than usual, adapting to the needs of his team. Just when the Lakers were threatening, he hit a three-pointer late that really got the Clippers crowd back in the game. He was 6-6 at the line in the fourth. Paul took on Kobe last night and came out a winner.
Let's end with a few words that are rarely said. Life's good in Clipperland!
The Clippers, playing as the home team, looked dominant for three quarters. Then in that fourth quarter, they played like a true contender. Holding off a furious Lakers run, Chris Paul carried the Clips to a 107-102 win. Paul outplayed Kobe with 30 points and 13 dimes as the ball rarely left his hands down the stretch in the fourth. Blake Griffin had a strong first half for the Clippers, throwing down countless dunks against a miserable Lakers transition D.
Of course Kobe got his points for the Lake Show. He scored 38 and was on fire early in the fourth quarter. Dwight Howard was the other main contributor for the Lakers, but his fouling out with a minute left really hurt their defense and rebounding. Steve Nash had 12 points and 10 assists. This Lakers offense is begging Nash to take more shots though.
If you were watching the game, you may have wondered about Pau Gasol. Yes, he did play, 27 minutes in fact. But you wouldn't know it from his stats. He had two points and four rebounds. He only played in the fourth quarter after Jordan Hill had to leave the game with a sprained ankle. The Lakers can't even sell high on him anymore after this awful national showing.
But let's make this about the Clippers. They did win after all and are now 26-8 on the season. Without Jamal Crawford, who matches up well with the Lakers, they still found a way to win. Matt Barnes, Eric Bledsoe and Lamar Odom all got extended minutes off the bench, but every possible void left by Crawford was filled by Paul.
Paul took more shots than usual, adapting to the needs of his team. Just when the Lakers were threatening, he hit a three-pointer late that really got the Clippers crowd back in the game. He was 6-6 at the line in the fourth. Paul took on Kobe last night and came out a winner.
Let's end with a few words that are rarely said. Life's good in Clipperland!
Friday, January 4, 2013
Bulls Outplay, Outhustle Heat
The last two years this has been one of, if not the nest rivalry in the NBA. This season's first matchup between Chicago and Miami obviously meant more to the Bulls tonight. They went down to Miami and smacked the Heat in the mouth. Winning the rebound battle 48-28, it was clear to anyone who watched this one that the Bulls just wanted it more.
It was Carlos Boozer who carried Chicago. The oft-criticized forward finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds. This was Boozer's best game of the season, and he has really picked up his game in the past week.
Helping Boozer was Kirk Hinrich, who scored, dished and handled both Heat point guards on defense. Joakim Noah also chipped in with 13 points and 12 boards making his Defensive Player of the Year candidacy known. Noah seems to enjoy playing Miami more than any other team. Nate Robinson and Taj Gibson came off the bench to make plays down the stretch, holding the lead for the Bulls.
This win for Chicago came on a night when Luol Deng really struggled with only six points. The Bulls also didn't shoot the ball well, hitting only one three-pointer in the first half. Their defense just dominated and made Miami work for every single point.
Like everything about Miami, it starts with LeBron James. He scored 30 points and shot the ball well, but his meager two assists are a glaring stat after consecutive games where he was a great distributor. Of course, it would've helped his assist count if the Heat were better from three. They went 5-20 from distance and the entire bench could only manage 11 points.
Dwyane Wade was the other bright spot for the Heat. He had 22 points on 11 shots and is on a nice run of four straight 20-point games. But not he nor LeBron could ever get a sequence of domination tonight. Miami needed one of them to take over late, but neither seemed up for the challenge.
Here's the takeaway for this game. We saw the Bulls, the NBA's hardest-playing team, play one of their best games this season against a team they have plenty of demons against. To Miami, this rivalry may seem watered down without Derrick Rose, but Chicago should at least scare them a little. The Bulls have size and toughness to make life very hard for the Heat. This would be an extremely tasty second-round series in the East.
Tomorrow afternoon I breakdown another rivalry, Lakers-Clippers. Stay posted.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
The Streaky Clippers
Yes, the Clippers are currently on a two-game losing streak, but that's not the one that has everybody talking. The Clips didn't lose a game in December, and reeled off a 17-game win streak that started with their last game in November. Their fortunes have turned with the calender a bit as they are 0-2 in 2013 and in the midst of a tough two-week stretch. But can the Clippers, yes the Clippers, go all the way? Yes!
To win an NBA championship, you need star power, and the Clips have enough. It seems that at least two All-Stars are now necessary to win a title, so the Clippers are in good hands with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
Paul is the NBA's best point guard right now and he's a definite top 10 player in the league. If the Clippers even get close enough to smell the Finals, he will be the reason. Few guys can set the table like him and he has to love this roster full of shooters and athletes.
Griffin is developing, yet still a top 20 NBA player. With his size and athleticism, there aren't many answers for Griffin when he's fully engaged in the offense. He may not be the ideal sidekick for a contending team, but Griffin is no doubt a great player when he's doing more of this, and less of this.
While Paul and Griffin are the most prominent Clippers with their slew of TV commercials, the bench is just as much to thank. With Jamal Crawford, Eric Bledsoe, Matt Barnes, and even Lamar Odom, the Clips are the deepest team in the league. This good bench more than makes up for a starting five that includes has-been Caron Butler and never-was Reggie Evans. These are the right guys to have on a contending team's bench because they all have something to prove.
Crawford is the leader in the clubhouse for his second Sixth Man of the Year Award. While that hardware is probably important to him, he wants to win a ring more than anything. This is easily the best team Crawford has ever been on. His points matter so much more in L.A. than they ever did on bad Bulls and Knicks teams and a mediocre Hawks team.
Barnes has been to the playoffs with the Warriors, Suns, Magic, and Lakers recently, but has never been to the Finals. As a swingman, he won't light it up every night for the Clippers. But if Barnes can hit shots in the playoffs, even Vinny Del Negro will be unable to take him out of the rotation.
The only young guy off the bench for the Clips is Bledsoe. In his third season, he has made a huge leap forward. A lack of consistent minutes is the only thing keeping Bledsoe from winning Most Improved Player. One of the most athletic point guards, Bledsoe's play this postseason may turn out to be an audition for which team will trade for him to become a starter next season.
The rest of the bench bunch includes Odom, Ronny Turiaf, Ryan Hollins, and Grant Hill. Hollins actually gives the best minutes off the bench for L.A. He's an energy big who can hold his own defensively when Griffin and Deandre Jordan are resting. If Hill can ever come back, his experience and basketball IQ will help on the perimeter (same goes for Chauncey Billlups).
So the Clips are a lock for the Finals, right? Yeah, all that's stopping them is Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Memphis, Del Negro, and that other team in L.A. No big deal.
Clippers-Lakers tomorrow night on ESPN is a can't miss. Staples Center will be crazy.
To win an NBA championship, you need star power, and the Clips have enough. It seems that at least two All-Stars are now necessary to win a title, so the Clippers are in good hands with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
Paul is the NBA's best point guard right now and he's a definite top 10 player in the league. If the Clippers even get close enough to smell the Finals, he will be the reason. Few guys can set the table like him and he has to love this roster full of shooters and athletes.
Griffin is developing, yet still a top 20 NBA player. With his size and athleticism, there aren't many answers for Griffin when he's fully engaged in the offense. He may not be the ideal sidekick for a contending team, but Griffin is no doubt a great player when he's doing more of this, and less of this.
While Paul and Griffin are the most prominent Clippers with their slew of TV commercials, the bench is just as much to thank. With Jamal Crawford, Eric Bledsoe, Matt Barnes, and even Lamar Odom, the Clips are the deepest team in the league. This good bench more than makes up for a starting five that includes has-been Caron Butler and never-was Reggie Evans. These are the right guys to have on a contending team's bench because they all have something to prove.
Crawford is the leader in the clubhouse for his second Sixth Man of the Year Award. While that hardware is probably important to him, he wants to win a ring more than anything. This is easily the best team Crawford has ever been on. His points matter so much more in L.A. than they ever did on bad Bulls and Knicks teams and a mediocre Hawks team.
Barnes has been to the playoffs with the Warriors, Suns, Magic, and Lakers recently, but has never been to the Finals. As a swingman, he won't light it up every night for the Clippers. But if Barnes can hit shots in the playoffs, even Vinny Del Negro will be unable to take him out of the rotation.
The only young guy off the bench for the Clips is Bledsoe. In his third season, he has made a huge leap forward. A lack of consistent minutes is the only thing keeping Bledsoe from winning Most Improved Player. One of the most athletic point guards, Bledsoe's play this postseason may turn out to be an audition for which team will trade for him to become a starter next season.
The rest of the bench bunch includes Odom, Ronny Turiaf, Ryan Hollins, and Grant Hill. Hollins actually gives the best minutes off the bench for L.A. He's an energy big who can hold his own defensively when Griffin and Deandre Jordan are resting. If Hill can ever come back, his experience and basketball IQ will help on the perimeter (same goes for Chauncey Billlups).
So the Clips are a lock for the Finals, right? Yeah, all that's stopping them is Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Memphis, Del Negro, and that other team in L.A. No big deal.
Clippers-Lakers tomorrow night on ESPN is a can't miss. Staples Center will be crazy.
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