The Rematch... Mavericks vs Heat.... 2011 NBA Finals

 

2006 Finals MVP D-Wade

It all comes down to this.  2 teams highly who were scrutinized.  2 teams with elite players' legacies on the line.  2 teams with very similar paths to the Finals who are on a collision course to see who is best.  2 teams starving for a championship. 

In 2006, the world witnessed maybe the greatest Finals performance by an individual for 1 whole series when Dwayne Wade rallied Miami back from the dead in the 4th quarter of game 3 against a Dirk Nowitzki led Mavericks team that was up 2 games to none in the series with a 89 to 76 lead with 5 minutes left to play.  And much like he did last night to help LeBron & the Heat get passed Chicago when they were down 77 to 65 with 3:48 to play in the Eastern Conference Finals clincher, D-Wade did not conceive to losing, he took that game and more importantly the series over.  D-Wade would eventually lead the Miami Heat to the 1st & only NBA Championship.  Dirk, Jason Terry & Mark Cuban has let that missed opportunity haunt them for the last 5 years.  Now it's time for payback.  Now it's time for the Mavs to have their revenge, or is it?

Yes this Dallas team is different, but this Miami team has a new cast of characters as well.  From now up until the start of the Finals this Tuesday night, Mike McClendon & myself will give our opinions on how either 1 of these exciting teams can bring home the gold.   You got Wade, LeBron, Dirk, Kidd, Bosh, the Jet, the Matrix, Riley & Cuban all in one series.  It will be a star-studded event.  In the words of the great T.O... GET YOUR POPCORN READY!!!!

Haz Bey





The Heat is on...Charlie Murphy style!

   



 Blog by Mike McClendon

Don't Hurt'em

The Chi-town Stylistics are lacking a few backup singers while their lead man D. Rose is suffering from the bumming it up bug. The Bulls are probably one of the few teams that can match up defensively pretty well against the Miami Heat but the only problem is they can't score buckets against the Miami Heat. In game 1 of the East Finals the Bulls looked unstoppable and had the momentum and energy. Game 2 and 3 showed that it was just a facade, or was it? Miami has owned the Bulls on the boards and are shooting better percentage wise them the bulls from behind the arc and in the paint. The Bulls rely heavily on the their MVP Derrick Rose, rightfully so, but he can't beat them by himself. Allen Iverson proved that being a small guard and the best player on the floor for you team is not enough to get it done. They spent $85 Million on Booze, who spends that type of money on alcohol? I'm just saying. Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah are getting @#$%^ slapped Rick James style on Charlie Murphy by Christopher Bosh, where they do that at? I give much credit to the Dukes of Hazards Mr. James and D. Wade though, they have brought their A games in game 2 and 3. Mr. James showed his "clutchness" in Game 2 and Wade sparked two different runs in game 3 to keep the Heat on top. I mean all in all the series is definitely in the Heats favor but it can all be turned around if the Bulls can steal game 4 and go back to Chicago tied in the series. If Eddie Cane can get clean off Dope and sing "Nights like This..I wish..Raindrops will fall all all all" Then the Bulls can get there act together and take their show back home. Just Saying!





Young Guns Shoot Blanks

Blog by Mike McClendon





The Durantula

OKC tried to tie the Western Conference Finals match up with the Dallas Mavericks at 2 games a piece by playing balls to the wall for 4 quarters, just about. The Mavs fought hard in the last 5 minutes of the game to come back from a 15 point deficit in the 4th quarter to keep the game interesting and take it to overtime where they completely dominated the young pups of OKC. Dirk was Dirk and scored a BUNCH of points as usual and showed he is the most clutch German player that ever lived. Putting together a complete game now is a huge problem OKC, that is something they haven't done all series, even in their previous win in the series they were not able to put a full game together, they did just enough to get the W. In a pivotal game 4 the Thunder let their youthful attitude and abilities show-out in front of the home crowd. Thunder had more spring to their steps, they got to all loose balls and crashed the boards heavy. The Mavs look weak and slow, similar to what they made the Lakers look like in their previous series, but above all they couldn't find that three point rhythm they rely on heavily. When you live by the three you die by three. BUT, in the final 4 minutes of regualtion Dallas showed heart, gritt and determination and took the Thunder by storm, so to speak, no pun intended. KD and Westbrook showed their age in that 4th quarter and loss some clutch points by taking bad shots and committing bad turnovers. I think the true death of the Thunder is yet to come though, the Thunder winning in Dallas before gives the young and proven inexperience Thunder some confidence, if they can survive Game 4 loss. My recommendation to them is steal game 5 in Dallas and try to get to a game 7 in Dallas which is a tall task in itself. Just saying!

Dirk Diggler

McNabb Disrespected

Blog by Haz Bey

Mike Shanahan has absolutely no respect for Donovan McNabb.  I am totally OK with Mike thinking McNabb is not the quarterback he needs to win a Superbowl, but to constantly embarrassed the man day-in & day-out is an outrage.  McNabb has been one of the best quarterbacks in this league for a longtime.  Is he past his prime, yes, but by no means is he warranted with such disrespect.  Donovan will never lead a team to a Superbowl trophy, but he can still make a team competitive if surrounded by the right pieces.  Washington's pieces were flawed to say the least last season and McNabb suffered all the blame for it.  Mike Shanahan is a good football coach with two Superbowl rings, but anytime you say that Rex Grossman gives you the best chance to win, then you are completely insane.  Now the starting quarterback position is John Beck's to lose... WHO THE HELL IS JOHN BECK?  McNabb needs to walk in Shanahan's office once the lockout ends and pimp-smack the him in the face, literally with an ice-cold Colt 45 in the other hand.  Something has to give seriously.  I know Donovan won't go the route I suggested, but demand a trade at least man.  Don't just sit there and take that verbal abuse, get some help or something.  I can't wait to see how this story ends.

Phils' Aces Need Some Run Support

Blog by Haz Bey

Phillies are struggling at the Plate

The Philadelphia Phillies has the best pitching staff the MLB has seen since the '90s Atlanta Braves.  So there is no surprise that the Phillies have the best record currently in the NL.  So should Phillies' fans, like myself, have any concerns about this years Phillies?  Absolutely we should.  The Phils are struggling out the gate and are failing to score runs.  Scoring no more than 2 runs in all, but 1 game so far.  This is only putting more pressure on the starting pitching staff to basically pitch shut-out ball.  That's too much to ask for from batting line-up that is missing a former MVP in Ryan Howard and an elite ball player in Chase Utley.  Even an all-time pitching staff deserves 4 to 6 runs a game from their line-up.  Grant it, the Phils are legendary for having slow starts with this current group that has won 1 World Series Championship, 2 National League Titles & 5 straight NL East titles, but the Phillies need to let this terrific starting pitching staff of Halladay, Lee & Hamels play with a lead to oppose to just keeping the Phillies in the game.  This team has the ingredients to win another World Series Title, but they have to play better offensively to stay afloat until Ryan Howard and Chase Utley return to the line-up.  The Braves, Mets, Marlins & Nationals are all gearing up to end the Phillies reign on top the the NL East and if the Phillies can just change their approach at the plate from looking for big hits to playing small ball and manufacturing runs.  This team is older and do not have the "Pop" in their bats that they used to and haven't really had it for the last 2 years.  So it is Charlie Manuel's job to get these guys to put the ball in play rather than trying to smack balls out of the park.  Former MVP Jimmy Rollins must control the clubhouse and make sure everyone is buying in to Charlie Manuel's game plan.  The Phillies resume has been fantastic the last 5 years, but there is still more to accomplish with this group.  Lets just hope they can generate some offense to not fall too far behind the elite teams in the National League to give the city of Brotherly Love a fighting chance at another World Championship.

Can't blame the staff for their problems...

KOBE PRESS CONFERENCE SPOOF FROM FUNNYorDIE.com

http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/5msa

Adjustment Bureau

What's up Doc

This time of year the Boston Celtics coach, Doc Rivers always has a lot on his mind. In recent years it's usually because his Celtics are on their way to the Conference Finals and are beating up teams on their way there. This year is a little different, they are down 2-0 to the Los Heat aka Miami Heat, home of the 3 Biggest Taco's, I mean the "Big Three".  This is unfamiliar waters to the defending Eastern Conference champs, only because after winning in 2008 they didn't have KG, Kevin Garnett, for 2009 and 2010 they lost Kendrick Perkins in the Finals. Fully healthy with the exception of the Big Aristotle, Shaquille O'Neal, the Celtics has taken two heavy blows to the mouth, no pun intended, one named D.Wade and the other named Mr. James. Doc needs to find a way to not only slow these dynamic players down but also generate some more offense for KG and Paul Peirce. With point guard Rajon Rondo running the show it shouldn't be that hard, yea right! Miami has the best perimeter defense and help side "D" in the playoffs right now and Doc is going to have to figure out a way to slow the game down to a half court game which would favor them over the heat and their 3 Amigos or 2 "Compadres", whatever the world calls them now a days. To me the Adjustment is to try to keep Miami out of transition by getting better offensive sets and shots. Defensively try to get better help side D and crowd James and Wade to make them shoot tough jump shots. But I'm no Doc, seriously.

Philly Phil

The Los Angeles Lakers are down 2-0 to the Dallas Mavericks. This is the first meeting in over 20 years between the two franchises in the playoffs. Not really important but some people like to hear those facts. The fact of the matter is they loss both games at home and are going to a Dallas arena that is going to be loud and excited for game 3. The Lakers have been in this hole before under Phil Jackson and won against the Spurs in 04' in 6 games and lost to the Suns in 07' in 5 games. The Lakers also were up 3-1 against the Suns in 06' and lost that series in 7 games so, there is hope. The problem is the Mavs are shooting the lights out and playing better than average Defense like they usually do. Also the Lakers are having "trust" issues on Defense as Laker Center Andrew Bynum said after game 2 blow out loss. The issue is the second unit and them not playing through Lamar Odom and Bynum on offense and their guarding nobody on defense. Phil has to find a good mix with his subs and maybe keep more of the first unit on the floor to match up with the Mavs explosive second unit. With out mad man Ron Ron Artest in Game 3 the Lake Show has a tall feat but it can be done. It Phil wants this to be his last stand then he better start standing his tall a$$ up and coach.

The Memphis Beat or ATL Stomp!

Josh Smith needs a big game

The Atlanta Hawks are one of a few surprises thus far in this years playoffs. Not only did they knock off Superman and his Marvel vs. Capcom team in the Orlando Magic, they are now in a real series with the MVP led Chicago Bulls. The night D. Rose received his award was game two, a game that was in Chicago and "EXPERTS" thought Chicago would be going for their second win in the series to take a 2-0 lead in the series but instead they were trying to get there first win of the series and tie it at 1-1

Jo Jo Dancer

The Hawks failed to be the Mavericks of the East and beat Chicago twice in a row in Chicago but still did what most teams want to do and that is get a split. Now going back to the ATL is going to be a great homecoming for them because not only are they tied in the series they have a chance to win both games at home and take a 3-1 lead in the series. Highly unlikely though, especially if they can't get the tough defensive guard and former Bull Kirk Hinrich back from injury. D. Rose hasn't been putting up stellar numbers but I'd be damned if you think Jamal Crawford or George Teague can guard him the rest of the series. I have to call it like I see it and say the Bulls pull it out and win the series. But, in the famous words of college football analyst Lee Corso, "It will be closer than the "EXPERTS" think"

Allen is playing great "D"

The biggest suprise in the playoffs right now is the Memphis grizzles. The 8th seeded Memphis grizzles. This isn't your dads grizzles with, Michal Dickerson, Bryant "Big Country" Reeves, Mike Bibby, Shareef Adur-Rahim, Lawrence Moten, yes he played there too. That team was also in Vancouver so you get the point. The "Grizz" knocked off the top seed overall in the San Antonio Spurs and did it in convincing fashion. Now the tall test ahead of them is the flashy, flamboyant, and maybe a little arrogant OKC thunder. Led by Kevin "Durantula" and Russell "arms are not brook let me shoot" Westbrook, the Thunder are a clear cut favorite in this matchup. But again to quote my man Corso, "Not so fast my Friend". The Grizz stole game 1 in OKC with a huge inside presemce from Zach "where the hell has your game been" Randolph and Marc "I am not my brothers keeper Gasol". Just like most people thought the Lakers would do after losing game 1 at home the Thunder showed there bottoms and beat the pants off the Grizz in game 2.

Hold the Mayo add the Juice

Confidence plays a huge part in Memphis success but it could be their downfall as well. ZeBo aka Zach Randolph opened his Jabroni eating pie hole after the game 1 win and told the world Thunder Center Kendrick Perkins can't guard him nor can anybody else. That's what losers say ZeBo when they are not use to winning. "SheesH" I have to admit though I really feel if they can split game again in Memphis or if the Grizz can when both home games they have a great shot of another upset. Also Russell "I cant feel my shoulders from all this shooting" Westbrook could be a deciding factor in the series. If he continues to take bad shots and turn it over then OKC will have to put everything on KD and that could be too much for him.

Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin

Blog by Haz Bey

Blake Griffin has blessed us all season long with some of the best highlights we have ever seen.  Blake along with LeBron James are the two most physically gifted athletes the NBA has ever had.  His game is so raw right now, but look at all the production he has giving the Clippers in his first true season.   He's a 20 & 10 guy that does not need the ball in his hand to make an impact.  He's a willing passer who can recognize where the double team is coming from & hit the open man.  Most of all he is a very humble superstar who is only going to get better & you know what, that is very, very scary for the rest of the league.

MVP Derrick Rose

Blog by Haz Bey

Derrick Rose has had a monster season & is very deserving of this year's NBA MVP award.  He has led the Bulls all the way to the league's best record.  No one in their right mind before the season started had picked the Bulls to have the best record, but with D-Rose playing out his mind, the Bulls are position to make it to their first NBA Finals since MJ wore the red & black #23 jersey.  Some think LeBron should have won it for a 3rd time.  To me LeBron had a better record with the Cavs for both MVP seasons with less talent compared to his newly formed powerhouse down in South Beach that finished 2nd to D-Rose's Bulls.  So congratulations D-Rose.  Now let's see if your MVP Trophy equates to a championship ring.

No Bull or All Bull

The Duel

Believe me or not, I really don't care, but I picked the Bulls to win the East back in January and they are showing to be the most intriguing team in the East this year. With the Hype in Miami and Boston being Boston of course, nobody thought Chicago would be at the top. They were considered the rest of the pack with the Hawks and the Magic. Derrick Rose, the consensus pick for league MVP, has taken his game to elite status. After an off season consulting with the likes of Kobe Bryant and MJ, Rose finally realized this is his team and is playing like the best guard in the NBA, I still think Deron Williams and Chris Paul are better point guards, but that is another story for another time. The Bulls have proven they can beat the best in one game now they have to prove they can get it done in a seven game series. The three teams in their way are Boston, Miami, and Orlando. Heat being the most difficult.

The Heat is on

We all know Miami has the talents in South beach but what the don't have is a floor general like D. Rose. Yes they have D. Wade and Mr. James, but having a general on the floor like Rose makes the game easier for all those on his team. Look at the elevated play of Forward Luol Deng. He and Rose have played very well against the heat this season and I believe if the two teams meet in the Conference finals the Bulls could pull off the so called upset. The one knock in that series is who can and will guard D. Wade. Deng would try and cause fits for Mr. James but having no true 2 Guard to play "D" or put pressure on Wade when he is on "D" can be a challenge for Chicago. Keith Bogans and Ronnie Brewer are NBA players and I understand that but on any other team they would be limited role players. They both have to elevate their game and produce on both ends of the floor the best they can. I call no bull on the Bulls and all bull on the HEAT!

1ST ROUND PREDICTIONS... THE WEST

Blog by Haz Bey

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1 Spurs vs 8 Grizzlies (Spurs in 6)

The Grizzlies will give the Spurs problems especially with Manu's current injury, but the Spurs are still an elite team & the will overcome.  Look for Zach Randolf to have a huge series in a highly competitive 6 game series, with the Spurs on top.


2 Lakers vs 7 Hornets (Lakers in 4)

The Lakers are the 2-time defending champs.  The Hornets have no David West & a slightly injured Chris Paul.  No way, no chance.  Bring out the brooms, period.

3 Mavericks vs 6 Blazers (Blazers in 6)

This is the worst possible match-up for the Mavs outside of L.A. in the West.  Portland may be too athletic for Dallas to deal with defensively with the addition on Gerald Wallace who will get in Dirk's face & make him feel so uncomfortable on the offensive end.  Andre Miller might be huge in this series & it will be up to Jason Kidd to match him.  I got a bad feeling about this one, so I going with Portland to wrap up the series in 6 at home.

4 Thunder vs 5 Nuggets (Thunder in 7)

I can't wait to watch this series.  High scoring, plenty of rim-rattling highlights & hopefully plenty of drama.  Durant, Wesbrooke & Harden will have to outscore a new & "IMPROVED" Nuggets team who will go 10 deep to try to overtake them.  After stealing half of the New York Knicks in the Carmello Anthony deal, the Nuggets are still the number 1 scoring team in the league & are much better defensively.  Denver also plays extremely well at home & will force a game 7, but Kevin Durant & Russell Wesbrooke will be too much handle down the stretch of an elimination game.  Thunder squeeze by this series in 7.

How The West was ONE!

Destiny Calls

I dare a man of the hardwood to tell me the Western Conference is wide open, I'll Wait....Exactly what I thought. Yes I am a Laker fan and Yes I am completely bias in my opinion, BUT, I have some interesting knowledge to back it up. If the Lakers get beat in the playoffs it will  not happen until The Western Conference finals or Finals. Why you ask? Because of match ups and adjustments. Three teams in the West give the Lakers Nightmares, OKC, Portland and Denver. Two of which play each other so now we are down to two teams. Either OKC or Denver and Portland. Now I will tell you why none of these teams will actually beat LA in a SEVEN game series.

ZEN!

Phil Jackson is one, if not thee best, coaches of all time to make adjustments in a basketball series in a matter of days. No other coach left in the playoffs, outside of Doc Rivers and George Karl, are even close to his level. Depth is an overrated term in basketball I feel but having atleast two or three guys off the bench to produce is a key factor. Now that elimantes Portland because for one they have no size on the court or on the bench and their bench players do not produce at a high level. And Denver still has no true identity as what type of team they want to be. The playoffs is not the time to figure that out. If the series was best out of three like it was in the good ole' days then I would be preaching a different sermon to you all!

New Era vs. Old Vet

So that leaves us with the pesky and God given Super athletic and talented Oklahoma City Thunder. This team is deep, They have a superstar in KD aka "Durantula" aka Kevin Durant, a budding star in Russell Westbrook, and a solid pack of role players that include the best name in basketball, Serge Ibaka. So why can't they beat the Lake show you ask? Well, They can and very possibly could uspet the two-time defending champs, BUT, one thing stands in their way. Lamar Odom, yes I said Lamar Odom. Most people think it is Bynum being healthy, Pau getting his touches, the bench mob, or even Artest slowing down KD but that is not the case here. Outside of the Black Mamba Kobe Bryant, Odom is the biggest mismatch for teams in the playoffs. He is a Guard in a tall forwards body. He can go by "bigs" and shoot over small athletic forwards. OKC had trouble defending Odom last season in the playoffs and this year Odom is playing his best since he was a Clipper. If you ask me he is should have been an all star this year, but again I'm a Laker fan and all my opinions are Bias.

1ST ROUND PREDICTIONS... THE EAST

Blog By Haz Bey

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1 Bulls vs 8 Pacers (Bulls in 4)

 D-Rose & the gang are not playing around.  I look for them to put out Danny Granger & the Pacers in a 4-game sweep.  Enough said.

  

2 Heat vs 7 Sixers (Heat in 5)

Wade, James & Bosh are too talented to lose to a team with no superstar, with that being said, I see the Heat falling in game 3 in Philly just because the Sixers will play their hearts out in front of the home crowd, but that will be it.  Miami will win the game 4 & 5 in possible blow-outs & will advance with no problems.

3 Celtics vs 6 Knicks (Celtics in 5)

The Celtics may have struggled since the trade of Kendrick Perkins, but lets get 1 thing straight.  The core group of this team is tough minded & battle tested.  Though the Knicks have 2 superstars in Melo & Amare, plus a proven champion who is a star in his own right in "Mr. Big Shot", the Knicks can't defensively in the 4th quarter get enough stop to stop the "Big 4" down the stretch.  So look for New York to out-score Boston in either game 3 or 4 at MSG, but will fall to the Celtics in Game 5 in Boston.

4 Magic vs 5 Hawks (Magic in 6)

Now the Hawks won the season series 3-1, but this is the playoffs & I just don't see the Hawks flipping the switch from their 6 game losing streak to beating Dwight & crew 4 times with-in 7 games.  The Magic are only 2 years removed from being Eastern Conference Champions & still have enough talent to get pass the Hawks.

PLAYOFFS???... Yeah, We're Talking 'Bout the Playoffs...

Blog by Haz Bey

Finally,  the playoffs are here.  No more guessing games on who will win it all this year, the time is now.   16 teams qualified for this years post-season tournament, but who are the true contenders that will have a realistic chance of hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy this year.  

1. LOS ANGELES LAKERS

I don't care if Game 7 of the Finals is in L.A., Boston, Miami, Chicago, Tokyo or Baghdad, when you possess all that size & skill combined with the best player in the league in Kobe Bryant, how can you go wrong?   L.A. for the second straight season has coasted through the NBA regular season allowing folks to jump-on & jump-off their band-wagon.  The Lakers have been to the Finals the last 3 years & are the 2-time defending champs, not to mention that was with a limited, but very injured Andrew Bynum.  Now with a much healthier Bynum & a deeper bench expect my Lakers to win it all for a third straight season.

2. Boston Celtics

Game 7 of last year's Finals still haunts the Big 4.  I mean they played their hearts out, but fell short to their arch-rival Lakers.   Now the playoffs are here & I'm telling all of you right now...  The C's are ready.  Shaq is ready as well.  He has fresh legs & is prepared to give Boston heavy minutes.  The Celtics starting five are all familiar with winning championships with 8 championship rings between them.  Rondo is the floor general & will put the other veterans in great position to succeed.  K.G. will anchor the defense & has plenty left in the tank.  Look for the last Finals match-up we will witness between L.A. & Boston this June for maybe a long time as teams like Miami, OKC, NY & Chicago will probably own the NBA for the new 5-10 seasons.

3. Chicago Bulls

They possess the league's MVP in Derrick Rose & in my eyes the sixth best player on the planet.  D-Rose is a bad man & definitely has the game to carry the Bulls to their first NBA Finals since number 23 shot down The Mailman's hopes in June 1998.  With Deng, Noah, Boozer, Brewer, Gibson, Korver & Watson, Chicago presents the a great supportive cast to compliment D-Rose's special abilities.  The Bulls play outstanding defense all game long, then Derrick Rose throws daggers in the hearts of teams down the stretch.  This team has all the ingredients to have an potential dynasty, but this year I feel that they will come up short to a veteran Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals that is poised to make one last run.

4. Miami Heat

So much star power, so much talent, so much potential.  Miami are for real & at the end of the day they have two of the top 3 ball players on the Earth.  D-Wade & LeBron will wear-down teams through a 7 game series.  I think with them finishing ahead of Boston is a big plus.  Now the playing field between the 2 teams are more level & if Chris Bosh can establish himself in the paint, than Miami might win that series, but let's be real for a second.  Chris Bosh, "Post Player", yeah... alright...  It's not happening, not against Boston.  Not this year.  Miami might win multiple championships, but their first won't come this year.  Boston will knock them out the second round.

5. San Antonio Spurs

Duncan, Parker & Ginobili have enough championship experience and enough hatred for the Lakers to get back to the Finals.  In their hearts, I'm sure the Spurs feel that the Lakers took a few of those championship runs away from them & would love nothing but to end the Lakers chances to 3-Peat.  And you know what, the Spurs will get that chance.  Those teams will meet in the Western Conference Finals, but if all things are equal the Lakers will win that series in 6 games.  The Lakers are too big & too talented for the Spurs to deal with through a 7 game series.  Now if the Spurs can prove me wrong, I think going through Memphis, OKC & L.A. would potentially be too much to overcome to then face Boston, Chicago or Miami, but if they win it all... do not be shocked.

So that's how I see it.  Sorry to OKC, New York & Dallas fans, I'm just not feeling your chances on even getting to the Finals this season, but I am not a profit & don't claim to be, so what I'm saying may all be non-sense.  Time will tell & that's why they play the games. 

Chris, Chris, Chris... Wipe the Tears Away



Poor Baby

Chris Bosh is mad as hell, but is the Heat to blame or is it him?  My answer is "It's all on you Chris."  Chris Bosh is power forward with the size of a center & the game of a small forward.  The Heat need Chris Bosh to develop a dominant inside game.  He has the skills necessary to be a dominant force on the block, but he settles for jump-shots time after time.   The Heat have 2 of the top 3 players in today's game in LeBron James & Dwayne Wade, both of whom dribble, penetrate & shoot jumpers.  The Heat also have knock-down shooters in 3-point shootout champ James Jones, Mike Miller, Mike Bibby & former champion Eddie House.  So it should have been common sense for Chris Bosh, but yet he didn't recognize it & the Heat are paying for it losing to not just the elite teams, but any team that over or around .500.  Chris Bosh more than anybody else, can rid the Heat of their problems which are currently on a 5 game losing streak with the World Champion Lakers coming to South Beach for an annual visit.  Chris Bosh is what we call "Soft" in the sports world & will need to shake that tag off starting Thursday.  I don't want to hear that he's not getting the ball or that he's not evolved, because when you shoot 1 for 18 & 3 for 11 from the field in recent losses then maybe you should stop taking "Js" & start backing people down, Chris.  That's what the Heat need,  not somebody whining & crying about his role on the team.

Are they really the "Big 2"

Haz Bey

Sports Blogger





The 76ers... Where Did They Come From?

Lou Williams brings instant offense off the bench

2 triple-doubles in the last 2 games

By Haz Bey

Early last season in the NBA & the 76ers were looking horrific.  They were 3-13 & was considered the worst team in the league.  Coach Doug Collins was changing line-ups on what seemed to be an every night basis.  Then all of a sudden something clicked in Coach Collins mind & he was ready to define roles for his young team.  He composed a starting line-up of not his best players, but his best mix of players.  See in Philly, this years team was built just like the few seasons... Athletic, fast wing-men with undersized, jump shooting bigs.  Difference is that Coach Collins is a true teacher of the game & commands the respect that warrants all hands on deck to comply to or else.  So what Doug did was start Jrue Holiday & sharp-shooting Jodie Meeks in the back court teaming them up with a front line composed of Spencer Hawes, former All Star Elton Brand & team captain Andre Igudala.  This move provided not just balance & stability at the start of games, but it allowed the Sixers to kick it in high gear the leagues best 2nd unit.

 Collins deserves Coach of the Year considerations

When Lou Williams, Thaddeus Young & then rookie Evan Turner were called upon, the Sixers do not miss a beat.  So for 48 minutes a night teams have to match their intensity while not running out of gas doing so.  The 76ers fast-break is deadly when you have all their young, athletic talent coming at you full speed.  9 times out of 10 a spectacular play happens resulting in a Sixers score.  The 76ers ended up with the 7th seed in East with a match-up in the 1st round with the Miami Heat. The Sixers lost the series 4 games to 1, but they faught Miami to the very end staying highly competetive all seriest long.

Young Guns

Let's fast forward to this season.  The Sixers jumped out the gate like gang busters with a 20-9 record and was 3rd in the Eastern Conference.  Just smotherling teams with their defense and confusing teams by moving the ball effenciently to multiple scoring options around the court.  When you don't turn the ball over and play great defense, you will win and win big in the NBA and that is what the Sixers were doing.  Andre Igudala finally received the All-Star bid that was due to him maybe 3 years ago and the Sixers were receiving the respect around the league they haven't had since "The Answer" Allen Iverson was leading them to the Playoffs on an every year basis.  Everything was going great until the one thing that can truly disrupt what the Sixers were accomplishing, the "Injury Bug" hit.  Spencer Hawes was playing at a close to All-Star type level and then back & ankle problems have gotten the best of him.  Side lining him for many games this season forcing 2 young rookies to step up and pick up the slack left behind with Hawes' absence on the court.  Lavoy Allen & Nikola Vucevic are playing as well as the can possibly play as rookies on a team that many consider a true contender in the East, but their play together does not match what Spencer Hawes brings to the team on both ends of the court.  Spencer was having his best NBA season while averaging 10.8 ppg with 8.3 rpg & 2.3 apg.  He was scoing inside & out, rebounding at a high rate and protecting the paint like a good big man should.  Elton Brand has been in and out the line up as well as of late leaving the Sixers very undersized in the paint area allowing teams to score inside on them and get to free throw line more frequently.  The combination of all factors involved including a stretch where the Sixers had to go on the road for a 4 out of 5 game stretch has resulted in a 5 game losing streak heading into the All Star break. 

Difference Makers

The Sixers open the second half of the season with a 20-14 record.  I believe their are 3 points of emphisis the Sixers need to improve on to finish with one of the top 3 seeds in the East.  Number 1, Andre Igudala needs to drive to the basket more to create foul shooting opportunities.  The Sixers rank amungst the league's worst when it comes to free throw attempts & makes.  If Andre attacks the rim more frequently, I believe only good things will happen, but with him still trying to shoot that inconsistent jumper of his, the Sixers waste possessions and allows teams to get out on the run against them.  Number 2, designate Lou Williams as the teams go to guy.  The man is an relentless scorer and I personally believe he should not be coming off the bench.  He wants the ball in the biggest moments and has delivered.  Remember game 4 in Philly against the Heat?  He drains a deep three with a few seconds left to win a highly contested playoff game against the eventual Eastern Conference Champions.  And let's not forget what Lou did against the Lakers earlier this season at the Wells Fargo Center scoring 14 of his 24 points in the 4th quarter out dooling 14-time All-Star Kobe Bryant by erasing a 7 point deficit with 4 and a half minutes to play to win a big game for the Sixers and their fans.  He is the teams leading scorer with 15.7 ppg.  He should be playing 32-35 minutes a night.  That probably will not happen, but if he gets more time on the court, I think the Sixers will be very hard to stop on every possession.  Last, but not least, number 3, they have to get healthy and fast.  With the emergence of Jeremy Lin, the New York Knicks have return from the grave to be a serious contender in the East and they are eyeing the Sixers position on top of the Atlantic Divison.  If the Sixers can get their roster completely healthy in the next few weeks, then should be able to maintain their dominance of the Atlantic Division.  When the Sixers are healthy, they are 1 of the most balanced & deep teams in all of basketball.  They run teams to death.  They also have a gnact of thrashing the teams they are supposed to beat, so let's just say as this team's health goes so does their position in the Eastern Conference.

Bottom line, Philadelphia has a winner on the basketball court.  A team they can be proud of.  A team that is exciting.  A team that has a chance to achieve something great.  The Philadelphia 76ers are on the right path to greatness, let's see where their journey take s them.