Basketball

Stupid Is As Stupid Does

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Donald Sterling

I would rather talk about something pertaining to sports and the action happening on the court, ice or field of play. I can’t do that yet as there is another story that is dominating the sports world. Before I proceed with my opinion of Donald Sterling I want to state that this is of Mr. Sterling’s own doing and he will have to live with it and has probably been living with it for a long time. It can best be summed up with a quote from Forrest Gump, “stupid is as stupid does.” Continue reading →

2014 NBA Playoffs Preview

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dc9e0-nba_feature-playoffs

Eastern Conference

1. Indiana Pacers vs. 8. Atlanta Hawks

Players to Watch: F Paul George Pacers and F Paul Millsap Hawks

Who Wins: Pacers in 5 games

2. Miami Heat vs. 7. Charlotte Bobcats

Players to Watch: F LeBron James Heat and C Al Jefferson Bobcats

Who Wins: Heat in 5 games

3. Toronto Raptors vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets

Players to Watch: G Kyle Lowry Raptors and G Joe Johnson Nets

Who Wins: Nets in 7 games

4. Chicago Bulls vs. 5. Washington Wizards

Players to Watch: C Joakim Noah Bulls and G John Wall Wizards

Who Wins: Bulls in 6 games

Western Conference

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Dallas Mavericks

Players to Watch: F Kawhi Leonard Spurs and G Monta Ellis Mavericks

Who Wins: Spurs in 5 games

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7. Memphis Grizzlies

Players to Watch: G Russell Westbrook Thunder and F Zach Randolph Grizzlies

Who Wins: Thunder in 6 games

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 6. Golden State Warriors

Players to Watch: F Blake Griffin Clippers and G Stephen Curry Warriors

Who Wins: Clippers in 7 games

4. Houston Rockets vs. 5. Portland Trail Blazers

Players to Watch: G James Harden Rockets and G Damian Lillard Trail Blazers

Who Wins: Rockets in 6 games

NBA Finals and Awards Projections

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* – indicates playoffs
(R) – indicates rookie
# – indicates new to team
MVP – LeBron James – Heat
Rookie – Victor Oladipo – Magic
Coach – Doc Rivers – LA Clippers
Defensive Player – Marc Gasol – Grizzlies
Most Improved – John Wall – Wizards
Sixth Man – Jason Terry – Nets
Executive – Gary Sacks – LA Clippers
Playoffs
Eastern Conference Finals
Miami vs. Indiana
Heat in 6
Western Conference Finals
LA Clippers vs. Memphis
Clippers in 7
NBA Finals
Miami vs. LA Clippers
Heat in 6
Finals MVP: LeBron James
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat*
2. Indiana Pacers*
3. Brooklyn Nets*
4. Chicago Bulls*
5. New York Knicks*
6. Cleveland Cavaliers*
7. Washington Wizards*
8. Detroit Pistons*
9. Atlanta Hawks
10. Boston Celtics
11. Toronto Raptors
12. Charlotte Bobcats
13. Milwaukee Bucks
14. Orlando Magic
15. Philadelphia 76ers
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder*
2. Los Angeles Clippers*
3. San Antonio Spurs*
4. Memphis Grizzlies*
5. Golden State Warriors*
6. Minnesota Timberwolves*
7. New Orleans Pelicans*
8. Houston Rockets*
9. Utah Jazz
10. Dallas Mavericks
11. Los Angeles Lakers
12. Denver Nuggets
13. Sacramento Kings
14. Portland Trail Blazers
15. Phoenix Suns

Northwest Division

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1. Oklahoma City Thunder
They’re still contenders without Russell Westbrook, but won’t win without him.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
Injuries aside this will be an exciting team to watch.
3. Utah Jazz
Some young talent will be counted on to produce right away.
4. Denver Nuggets
A new direction for a franchise known for their run-and-gun style.
5. Portland Trail Blazers
If LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard play well again they will be in the playoff mix.

Head Coach: Scott Brooks
Key Position: Point Guard – Reggie Jackson did a good job filling in for Russell Westbrook, but the team didn’t function the same way when he hurt his knee.  While Westbrook recovers it will be important for the Thunder to establish a cohesive unit instead of constantly running it through Kevin Durant.
Key Acquisitions: G Andre Roberson (Rookie)
Key to Win the Finals: Find a rhythm without Russell Westbrook.
Head Coach: Rick Adelman
Key Position: Frontcourt – They actually did well without Kevin Love for most of last season, but they couldn’t have Nikola Pekovic doing all of the dirty work on the boards.  No one can replace what Kevin Love brings to the Wolves and with him back this team will be scary good.
Key Acquisitions: F Corey Brewer, G Kevin Martin, C Ronny Turiaf
Key to Win the Finals: Stay healthy.
Head Coach: Tyrone Corbin
Key Position: Frontcourt – Utah is now letting Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors control the paint with the departures of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson.  Favors arrived in the trade for Deron Williams a few years ago and Kanter was a high draft choice.  Both are talented big men and the Jazz want them to succeed right away.
Key Acquisitions: G Trey Burke (Rookie)
Key to Win the Finals: Get the young guys to buy in.
Head Coach: Brian Shaw
Key Position: Point Guard – Carmelo Anthony is long gone and surprisingly so is the head coach George Karl.  The new face of the franchise now is Ty Lawson who has had his share of doubters throughout his NBA career.  He is becoming a very good point guard and a prolific scorer for a team that now desperately needs him to do more of the same.
Key Acquisitions: G Randy Foye, F J.J. Hickson, G Nate Robinson
Key to Win the Finals: Establish a new regime.
Head Coach: Terry Stotts
Key Position: Frontcourt – There isn’t much help for All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge.  He will need to continue and put up stellar numbers for the Blazers to remain competitive against teams with better forwards.  If former lottery pick Thomas Robinson is given a chance to show his worth then the Blazers will have won big time.
Key Acquisitions: F Thomas Robinson, G Mo Williams, G Dorell Wright
Key to Win the Finals: Do the best with what you have.

Pacific Division

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1. Los Angeles Clippers
Doc Rivers was brought aboard to get the Clippers a championship.
2. Golden State Warriors
A good learning experience last year will help them win those tough games.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
How long Kobe’s absence will be has the Lakers season up in the air.
4. Sacramento Kings
If they can reign in DeMarcus Cousins the Kings will be sneaky good.
5. Phoenix Suns
A clear re-building project is underway in the desert.

Head Coach: Doc Rivers
Key Position: Power Forward – Blake Griffin has be a better all around player if the Clippers want to take that next step.  Doc Rivers should be able to do that since he has coached Kevin Garnett to a championship in Boston.  If Griffin becomes a dominant power forward the Clippers will be contenders for many years.
Key Acquisitions: G Darren Collison, F Jared Dudley, F Antawn Jamison, C Byron Mullens, G J.J. Redick
Key to Win the Finals: The time to win is now.
Head Coach: Mark Jackson
Key Position: Frontcourt – The Warriors lacked size against the Spurs in the playoffs last year and they hope to have improved that with a few additions to bolster their depth.  With the injury history of Andrew Bogut the Warriors hope they have elevated any worries here.
Key Acquisitions: G Andre Iguodala, F Jermaine O’Neal, F Marreese Speights
Key to Win the Finals: You have to play defense sometimes.
Head Coach: Mike D’Antoni
Key Position: Frontcourt – With a duo of Pau Gasol and Chris Kaman most teams would be satisfied with that, but considering that the Lakers had Dwight Howard last season this looks like a major downgrade.  It will be interesting to see how the Lakers make it work this year.
Key Acquisitions: G Jordan Farmar, G Wesley Johnson, C Chris Kaman, G Nick Young
Key to Win the Finals: The health of Kobe Bryant.
Head Coach: Michael Malone
Key Position: Center – When he isn’t an emotional recking ball DeMarcus Cousins is one of the best centers in the league.  If the Kings can control that emotion and with a new extension this should be a big year for Cousins and the Kings.
Key Acquisitions: F Carl Landry, G Greivis Vasquez
Key to Win the Finals: A permanent home will ease their stress.
Head Coach: Jeff Hornacek
Key Position: All – There were a few spots that needed to be re-done and the Suns did so in a big way.  Adding Eric Bledsoe is a good addition, but they’ll have to decide if he’s a point guard or a shooting guard with Goran Dragic entrenched at the point.  The rest is up for grabs with holdovers and youngsters.
Key Acquisitions: G Eric Bledsoe
Key to Win the Finals: Build for the future.