Category: NBA General

The Western Conference Finals have been different this year.

No Shaq. No Duncan. No Stoudemire. Something is wrong with this picture.

When the Western Conference Finals were determined last week, I was quite bewildered. The more offensive minded teams, the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns, were moving on to compete for a championship. The strategy of just “pounding it inside” to either Tim Duncan, Elton Brand, or Chris Kaman failed to thwart the surge of the victors. Tim Duncan had ridiculous numbers but was unable to score in regulation, resulting in the Spurs loss in the Game 7 overtime. Elton Brand had his way against Phoenix, shooting between 60-80% from the field but could not pull out needed victories. Finally, Chris Kaman was a monster on the offensive boards, but whether hampered by shoulder injuries or not, did not have any impact as the series went on.

The Eastern Conference picture was no different. The last two teams remaining were the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat. The Pistons do not rely on a dominant center; Ben Wallace is more like a moving wall and never scores while Rasheed is a poor man’s Kevin Garnett who can shoot and is more athletic than a center. The Miami Heat, on the other hand, have a dominant center…or at least he used to be. Shaq has had a roller coaster of a season. He really has not been himself and often finds himself in foul trouble. Shaq is no longer consistent, often having difficulty producing his typical numbers of 20 points, 10 rebounds. Yes, the Diesel is running out of gas, and Wade is carrying the team.

This ultimately leads me to one question: Is small ball the future of the NBA?

by Trevor Freeman

“In any case, you had only to study the history of the draft to see that high school pitchers were twice less likely than college pitchers, and four times less likely than college position players to make it to the big leagues.”

NBA Conference Finals Teams

The NBA playoffs have been nothing short of spectacular this season.  This year’s second round provided fans with dramatic finishes and some of the most poorly officiated games I’ve ever had the displeasure to watch.  But I digress.  The second round boasted four match ups that no one thought would turn out the way that they did.  

By Trevor Freeman

No Game 7’s on Saturday.  No doubleheader on Sunday with the NBA Draft lottery nudged in between.  Is Mickey Mouse currently in charge of NBA programming……..wait a second…..don’t answer that…

Throughout the season, I wondered when the Maloof Brothers would fire Rick Adelman. The Sacramento Kings were last in the Pacific Division and were on pace to miss the playoffs since the 1997-1998 season. Their golden run appeared to be over.

Ron Artest did not think so. Artest arrived after the All-Star game and revived the Kings franchise, making them one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs. In doing so, he saved Adelman’s job or so I thought. The Maloof Brothers fired Rick Adelman last week.
His departure means Mike Bibby is the only person remaining from the 2002 team that almost dethroned the Lakers and won the championship.

Every player has moved on since then. Peja Stojakovich appears to be happy in Indiana, Chris Webber is back to his 20 points, 10 rebounds form in Philly, Doug Christie retired after numerous injuries, Vlade Divac earned a one year salary sitting on the Laker bench before finally retiring, Bobby Jackson provides instant offense off the bench in Memphis, and Jimmy Jackson continues the trend of hopping from team to team.

It’s Adelman’s turn to find his niche. Where will he coach next?

I’m very glad that I decided to wait and hold off on writing the “end of the NBA season, start of the playoffs, MVP award” article.  The internet and newspapers are full of predictions for the playoffs, who deserves the MVP, and all that other hogwash.  I figured I would wait and see how things panned out with the first round of the playoffs and take a little time to reflect on what I have learned about professional basketball.  This sport is both cruel and beautiful.  These playoffs have sent me on an emotional roller coaster ride.  Up and down.  Jubilation and depression.  Excitement and boredom. Shock and predictability.  I don’t know if I have ever been this enthralled in a basketball postseason in the AJ era (After Jordan).  It is only fitting though that the top 3 MVP candidates this season have provided the most intrigue in the playoffs.  Kobe vs. Nash, and LeBron making us all witnesses.  The enticement of a Hallway series between the Clippers and the Lakers (how many premature articles did you read?).  LeBron and Gilbert playing the “anything you can do I can do better” game for a whole series.  A fantastic series so far from the Clippers and Suns in Round 2. Finally, the Cavs…I repeat…the Cavs giving the Pistons fits right now… (Deep breath)…here we go.

By Trevor Freeman

With the second round of the NBA Playoffs one game old, it is time to breakdown the NBA’s “Elite Eight”.  At this juncture it looks like cars are going to be overturned and lit on fire once again in the bustling metropolis known as Detroit.  The Eastern Conference playoffs are just a mere formality on the road to destiny.  Out West there is a little bit more intrigue.  Dallas and San Antonio seem destined for seven games and the Phoenix Suns look to have risen from the ashes.  Without further ado let’s begin where the sun sets………….

First Round Provides Stunning Series

Last second heroics, rim shattering slam dunks, flying mouth guards, and a Clippers playoff victory and that’s only in the first week of the NBA postseason.  The 2006 NBA playoffs were built up to be the emergence of a “King,” the “Diesel’s” last go around (hopefully), Los Angeles’ one man show, and the unfortunate vindication of playing team basketball.  The first round definitely did not disappoint this year.

The crowning of the next championship team is nearing simultaneously with the crowning of the season Most Valuable Player. About eight players are in the running for the award, and I will not be the first to say that they all deserve it. The media clearly has a tough decision ahead of them, but what exactly is the criteria they will base their decision on? In years past, the award was the domain of dominant centers and power-forwards. It was not until last year that point guard Steve Nash surpassed Shaquille O’Neal to win the award.

Nash changed the MVP award, and with so many deserving candidates, it might change once again. My top four for the award are Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, Steve Nash, and Kobe Bryant. How does the award change based on the recipient?

Nash Awarded MVP in Deepest Field Ever

It was my belief that the player who was to be honored as the NBA’s most valuable player was supposed to be a guy who made his team achieve more than what they would have without him.  Therefore, I find it hard to swallow the idea of awarding Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash his second consecutive most valuable player award.  LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Kobes/Lakers) both were much more valuable to their team than Nash ever was this year.  I understand and credit Steve Nash as being the catalyst of the Phoenix Suns success.  However, Kobe and LeBron were not only the catalysts of their respective teams; they were the entire chemical solution of their squad.  Unlike the aforementioned MVP candidates, Steve Nash had the luxury of being on a team with much better talent around him, including an all-star and MVP mentionable in forward Shawn Marion.  But many Nash supporters will shield all anti-Phoenix complaints with, “Amare Stoudamire was out all season.”  True yet irrelevant.  The Suns reloaded their roster with talented players that make the supporting casts of Kobe and LeBron look mediocre at best.  I guess most valuable player “just ain’t what it used to be.”