Favorite Player(s): Boom "Go Dumb" Dizzy, Ozzie Smith, Mugsy Bogues, Mitch Richmond, Kirby Puckett, Manute Bol, Grant Hill, Roger Craig, MJ, Greg Maddux, Joe Montana, Jim Abbott, The Glide, Detlef Schrempf, and Arlo Eisenberg.
With the NBA at an all time high, in terms of excitement and surprise, many fans are tuned into their favorite team's games hoping for tally's in the win column and a sprinkle of playoff success. I am no exception - Go, Warriors!
The current playoff tree looks to be filled with dramatic games and memorable plays. Consequently, I decided to write a brief chronicle on each of the first round match-ups that would be in the playoffs as of right now. Also, I will try to update this article as the season moves on and the seeds change.
The Eastern Conference:
Boston(1) vs. New Jersey(8) - Boston leads the regular season series 3-0, with one more game to be played at Boston. With J. Kidd being moved to Dallas, New Jersey loses leadership and their best player - with the highest basketball IQ. New Jersey would have no chance against the Celtics in the first round.
Prediction: Clean sweep, 4-0 Boston.
Detroit(2) vs. Philadelphia(7) - Detroit leads the regular season series 2-0, with two more games to be played. Philadelphia has actually been on a surge and have beat some great teams (Dallas, Phoenix, Orlando, Houston). The games between the Pistons and the 76ers have been close and Philadelphia looks to be aggressive. But, Iggy and friends will be no match for the mighty Pistons.
Prediction: 4-1 Detroit.
Orlando(3) vs. Washington(6) - Orlando leads the regular season series 1-0, with three more games to be played. If Caron Butler and Agent Zero elect to sit out the rest of the season, then Washington has no chance. Even if those 2 players do come back, they still have to find an answer for Dwight Howard because Brendan Haywood is not doing the job.
Prediction: 4-2 Orlando.
Cleveland(4) vs. Toronto(5) - Cleveland leads the regular season series 2-1, with one more game to be played at Cleveland. Each of their games have been pretty close. But, with Chris Bosh's ailing knee and Cleveland getting acclimated with their new players, anything is possible.
Prediction: 4-3 Toronto.
The Western Conference:
San Antonio(1) vs. Golden State(8) - Golden State leads the regular season series 2-0, with one more game to be played at San Antonio. If the Warriors find an answer for Tim Duncan, this can be GSW's second straight first round upset. I believe Stephen Jackson will be the defensive factor, if he stays healthy.
Prediction: 4-3 Golden State(partly biased).
Los Angeles Lakers(2) vs. Houston(7) - Regular season series tied at 1-1, with one more game to be played at Houston. With no Yao, the Rockets have no chance.
Prediction: 4-1 Lakers.
New Orleans(3) vs. Phoenix(6) - New Orleans lead the regular season series 4-0. With the 2 top point guards in the league going head to head, it will be a tough match-up. However, with the addition of grandfather Shaq to the Suns, it's a serious downgrade as shown by their recent play.
Prediction: 4-3 New Orleans.
Utah(4) vs. Dallas(5) - Regular season series tied at 1-1, with two more games to be played. The recent acquisition of Jason Kidd has definitely uplifted the lack of a true PG for Dallas. But, chemistry is still being built. I believe they will find their niche. However, the Jazz have been on a tear. This would be a fun series to watch.
It's been rumored that, Michael "Air" Jordan, is taking a stab at the denim industry. Bored with the rest of his current life endeavors, he decided to collaborate with Levis in producing the 23/501 collection which will become available in 23 markets - on March 1st.
I would say, "Stick to shoes, Mr. Jordan." But, I have been recently disappointed with the release of the "23". Certainly there was bad marketing behind the shoe as well as poorly executed design.
Apparently word got back to Air Jordan about the popular consensus, and decided to make a pair of jeans to cover up the horrific shoe. Jokes... But, justified none-the-less.
Details and pictures to become available after the jump.
In the ever-so-popular world of statistics, many believe that the plus/minus rating is the best category when ranking a player according to success on and off the court.
Here are the Top 10 Players in the 07-08 season, followed by a few suprising players who made the All-Star team:
With Golden State's recent inuries to Stephen Jackson and Andris Biedrins, more playing time has opened up for our bench players. It's been known that Coach Nellie didn't believe in Brandan Wright and has said that he would not be ready this season. But, in a recent loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Brandan proved to be a very productive player, with a plus/minus rating of +12 - Best rating of every player in the game.
On Draft Day '07, there were many skeptical fans who did not agree with the trade sending Jason Richardson to the Charlotte Bobcats for the draft rights to Brandan Wright, and to be truthfully honest, I was one of them. I understood the concept of opening up cap space, but J.Rich was the heart of our team - at the time. However in recent discovery and more minutes being played, Brandan shows a lot of promise.
It looks like Coach Nellie will be playing Wright more, especially with the addition of Chris Webber being a fluke and Al Harrington being on a slight shooting slump.
I guess we'll just have to see how much Coach Nellie actually believes in his rookie player.
In a game against the Raptors a couple of days ago, Zach took matters into his own hands - literally. Channeling, Hot Sauce from the And1 team, Mr. Randolph attempted to create his own shot by dribbling early into the shot clock and failed with the utmost embarrassment.
Coach Thomas wasn't too amused by the horrible play. A "play" in which was basically a summary from the diary of the Knickerbockers' current season. Oh well, I guess positioning themselves in the worst-case-scenario only means better things to come; Hopefully.
It's no secret that the King himself and Jay Z-HOVA-Jigga Man-Best Rapper Alive-(I fail to believe that)-Mr. Rocafella-"H" to the "O.V."-S Dot- Sean Carter, are good friends off the court and outside of the studio. It's been said that LeBron looks up to Jay, for the way he's lived his life and the trail he paved for himself.
With all the talk surrounding Lebron about being the best basketball player in the world and striving to be a global icon, it's appropriate his mentor/friend is Jay Z. After all, Jay Z is known every where from Alcatraz to Staten Island, from The Great Lakes to The Great Plains, From Earth to Jupiter, Jay is the epitome of a "Global Icon."
With both worlds colliding, Jay Z being part owner of the New Jersey Nets and Lebron James' contract being up in two years, it's very possible that HOVA will be luring James over to Brooklyn - where Jay has been known to be moving the Nets. For LeBron, it's the best of both worlds, closer to the Yankee stadium and with his good friend builiding a championship team.
LBJ looks to build a business around him and be the first billionaire athlete. There is no other person besides Oprah that I would befriend other than Jay Z when it comes to makin' dough and breakin' bread.
Now, let's just watch this story unfold.
(For further information, follow the attatched link provided.)
With the trade deadline looming - 3:00 PM tomorrow, are the Warriors finally ready to pull the trigger?
Everybody knows that Chris Mullin is the epitome of spontaneity, and I wouldn't be suprised if he revealed a suprise under his double-breasted-sports-coat. In other words, if he made a deal at 2:59 PM tomorrow, sending Pietrus and friends to the Eastern Conference for candy, the measurement of shock in my blood would be very low.
It's no secret that the signing of Chris Webber was one of the worst deals made since drafting Todd Fuller. With Chris' lack of defense, unhealthy offensive arsenal, fossil bones, and senior citizen-like muscles there is no way possible to view him as our problem solver. Unless he carried a variety of brass knuckles, then that's a different story.
But, to keep on the optimistic side of things, I come bearing scenarios:
1. Jermaine O'Neal - I know his health is an issue. However, the risk is an opportunity for us to actually have an inside presence defensively. Not only could he play the center position, but he can also play the 4 alongside of Biedrins.
*Possible deal: Jermaine O'Neal for Mickael Pietrus, Patrick O'Bryant, Brandan Wright, and future draft picks - or($10 million trade exception).
2. Elton Brand - Like Jermaine O'Neal, Brand's health concerns me due to his surgery. Although, he has a lot more upside than O'Neal. If Don Nelson were to remain the Warriors' coach, Brand's athleticism would be the likely fit for the run-and-gun style Nellie favors to play.
3. Ron Artest - I'm sure the Kings wouldn't want to send the defensive-minded Artest to Division rival Warriors. But, this deal may work-out for both squads. With Artest playing alongside Stack Jack, our defense would flourish. Artest would also contribute another outside threat, to our already vast amount of three-point shooters.
*Possible deal: Ron Artest for Mickael Pietrus, Patrick O'bryant, and future draft picks/($10 million trade exception).
I'm assuming the Warriors front office are working steadily on making a deal work. The Western Conference is only getting stronger, making blockbuster trades. So, I guess we'll just have to see what Chris Mullin has up his sleeve.
For the oh-so-faithful Warriors fans, right now it feels as if we've taken a step back [or is it just me?]. Our 15th and final roster spot has been filled by a dismantled Chris Webber, who's wobbly knees look like Bill Cosby's favorite desert, except less appealing and more fragile.
His fast break consists of: almost being called for an 8-second backcourt violation, 37.5 dribbles, a run that should be considered J-Walking, and poorly executed lay-ups. (An exaggeration, but pretty damn close!)
I swear on my mothers maiden name, I was ultimately hoping for the best for C. Webb. But, I did have my reservations. Chris Webber is a grand-father in NBA years and continues to age with the grace that of a goldfish.
It would be foolish for Chris Mullin to rule out a trade before the February 21st deadline. And I'm all out of ideas due to the emotional strain that Chris Webber bestowed upon me.
I wish I could find a YouTube video of his pseudo-fast break to show the Yard, but unfortunately we are deprived of such hilarious entertainment.
So, on a lighter note... Did anyone else see his debut on TNT against the Chicago Bulls? I'm sure I wasn't the only person laughing at his snail like pace and mistimed lay-ups.
Brandon Roy will be out of today's line-up against the favored Detroit Pistons due to a death in the family. Details to come.
Now, being the sympathetic person I am, I will fall to say, " Brandon Roy deserves to be in the All-Star game." I say that mainly because of the absence of a loved one in his life and he should celebrate/honor their life through him in the game. But, I guess I could factor in a little bit of his skill.
In the next few years, it is quite possible for the Eastern Conference teams to lose 50 games and still make the playoffs.
Is it me or does it seem as if all the Eastern team's are acting like their franchise players have herpes and the front office is attempting to ship them to the Western Conference? What's going on?
Pau going to the Lakers for a funnel cake and an upper-level ticket to a Lakers-Memphis game, Shaq rumored to be shipped to the Suns, Kidd said to be moved to the 'Texas Triangle', and the whole New York Knicks franchise going to hell. It's understandable that your franchise needs a make-over, but geez. The Championship series will look like a Varsity vs. JV game.
During the off season last year, Baron Davis - as most of you know, was demanding an extension to his current 2 years left on his contract. There were talks about how Boom would opt out of his last year and sign with a team paying max money - 6 year contract.
But, after a few weeks of rumors flying about the demands. It all disappeared and Baron admitted that he was happy where he was, has two years left on his contract, and is happy to play for the Warriors and Nellie... Why?
I guess we can thank Mr. Logo himself. Jerry West.
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