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

Atlantic Division

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1. Brooklyn Nets

An influx of new faces means a ‘must win’ season is ahead.
2. New York Knicks
Carmelo’s impending free agency aside, the Knicks are contenders.
3. Boston Celtics
With the old guard gone it’s time to build a new legacy.
4. Toronto Raptors
They have some nice pieces to build upon in a stacked division.
5. Philadelphia 76ers
They have clearly established a rebuilding model for the next 2 seasons.
Head Coach: Jason Kidd
Key Position: Point Guard – He wasn’t playing at his usual level and if the Nets are going to contend for a title this year they will need the elite Deron Williams to return.  Brining in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will help a lot, but this team is built around their point guard and he must play at a high level.
Key Acquisitions: F Kevin Garnett, F Andrei Kirilenko, F Paul Pierce, G Jason Terry
Key to Win the Finals: Wake point guard Deron Williams up.
Head Coach: Mike Woodson
Key Position: Shooting Guard – How much do the New York Knicks trust J.R. Smith?  We’ll find out this season as he was given an extension, but not one that he was looking for.  He is still on a relatively short leash, but the Knicks know that they will need his help to contend in a hotly contested Eastern Conference.
Key Acquisitions: F Andrea Bargnani, G Beno Udrih, F Metta World Peace
Key to Win the Finals: Help Carmelo Anthony.
Head Coach: Brad Stevens
Key Position: All – They’ll be looking to build through the draft in the next two years and with the recovery to Rajon Rondo’s knee going at a cautious pace the Celtics will be having a tryout stage this season.  New coach Brad Stevens can relate to this roster, but he will need the star in Rondo get on board as well.
Key Acquisitions: G MarShon Brooks, F Gerald Wallace
Key to Win the Finals: Have a healthy Rajon Rondo.
Head Coach: Dwane Casey
Key Position: Small Forward – It was a puzzling trade last season with Memphis to get Rudy Gay, but it makes sense now with the departure of Andrea Bargnani.  He was never going to live up to his billing as the number one overall pick and Gay is seen as a top tier forward who can excel as the ‘man’ so to speak for a franchise.
Key Acquisitions: G D.J. Augustin, F Tyler Hansbrough, F Steve Novak
Key to Win the Finals: Stay healthy.
Head Coach: Brett Brown
Key Position: Point Guard – All eyes would be on Nerlens Noel had the Sixers not announce that they would be keeping him out of this upcoming season while recovering from his knee surgery.  Now the focus turns to Michael Carter-Williams who is replacing a talented point guard in Jrue Holiday who was traded away for Noel on draft day.  How Carter-Williams adjusts to the NBA will be interesting to watch.
Key Acquisitions: C Nerlens Noel (Rookie), G Michael Carter-Williams (Rookie)
Key to Win the Finals: Not happening this year.

Southwest Division

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1. San Antonio Spurs
Their old age will fool you, but they know how to win when it matters.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
They were close last year and they know the pressure is on to cash it in this year.
3. New Orleans Pelicans
They’re clearly ready to contend now with a fresh backcourt.
4. Houston Rockets
The winners of the Dwight Howard sweepstakes now must show for it.
5. Dallas Mavericks
They made a lot of moves that were puzzling at the time, but they will contend.

Head Coach: Gregg Popovich
Key Position: All – It’s not to say that the Spurs have any issues at any position, but rather they are now a year older with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.  If Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green can capitalize on a tremendous playoff performance last year the Spurs should be well within an earshot of another title.
Key Acquisitions: G Marco Belinelli
Key to Win the Finals: Keep doing what you do best.
Head Coach: David Joerger
Key Position: Frontcourt – There is a lot of familiarity with this team.  Their new head coach has been apart of the coaching staff for a while and knows the personnel he has.  The only question is can the Grizzlies repeat the success they had with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol dominating the paint against almost every team.
Key Acquisitions: G Mike Miller
Key to Win the Finals: Familiarity is a big plus.
Head Coach: Monty Williams
Key Position: Backcourt – They already had a good backcourt with Austin Rivers, Greivis Vasquez and Eric Gordon.  Now they have acquired Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday in trades to go along with Rivers and Gordon.  It bodes well for a team that instantly has expectations of competing for a playoff spot.
Key Acquisitions: G Tyreke Evans, G Jrue Holiday
Key to Win the Finals: Build on the new acquisitions.
Head Coach: Kevin McHale
Key Position: Frontcourt – Adding Dwight Howard will help a lot, but what will that do for Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik who were the Rockets big free agent acquisitions the year before?  It should help Lin to have a pick and roll player like Howard, but Asik is none too happy.  He does provide the Rockets an excellent trade chip, but for now he gives them good depth considering Howard’s injury history.
Key Acquisitions: C Marcus Camby, C Dwight Howard
Key to Win the Finals: Don’t waste this opportunity.
Head Coach: Rick Carlisle
Key Position: Frontcourt – They really wanted Dwight Howard to pair with Dirk Nowitzki, but Howard passed and now the Mavericks have Samuel Dalembert?  It makes sense with the Mavs horrible defense in the paint last year and with Monta Ellis and Jose Calderon in the backcourt this Dallas team should remain in contention.
Key Acquisitions: C Samuel Dalembert, G Monta Ellis, G Jose Calderon, G Devin Harris, F DeJuan Blair
Key to Win the Finals: Stay competitive.