Thursday, April 30, 2009

Holy S***

I'm going to destroy something if the Celtics don't win this damn series.

But my god, this is the greatest playoff series I can remember since Golden State/Dallas. Just WOW. WOW.

WOW!
WOW.
WOW??

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Kobe MAD!



Hornets 95, Nuggets 93

Missed the game. The Hornets are good enough to win another at home, but I think that will be their last of the season.

Heat 107, Hawks 78

The Hawks continue their trend of getting slaughtered on the road. There was one stretch in this game where they went to Jermaine O'Neal with Al Horford on him 3 straight times. He overpowered him to the rim for an easy bucket twice, and got a good look on the last one. The Hawks can't win this series if Jermaine O'Neal is having flashbacks to his 20/10 days. It's already no secret that they cannot stop Wade. Joe Johnson is going to have to step up and start matching him if they want a chance in this series.

Mavericks 99, Spurs 90


Tony Parker tied a Spurs record for points in a half with 31, and by the 4th quarter they were down 12. They just don't have it anymore. Mavericks may seal this one in 5 at San Antonio.

Lakers 108, Jazz 94


38 points for Kobe on 16-24 shooting. Just utter domination. Kobe doesn't have two bad games in a row, especially against Ronnie Brewer. The Jazz are finished.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

More Fiyah!

Cavaliers 79, Pistons 68



76ers 96, Magic 94

Orlando played from behind for most of this game, and when they caught up, started taking horrible shots. A three point lead doesn't mean you have to take 4 straight three point shots. The last of which was an actual solid attempt by Rashard Lewis that tied the game at 86. Dwight Howard also gave Theo Ratliff a vicious facial late in the game. Dwight's imposing presence still didn't stop Thad Young from going right at him, and getting a little flip shot to fall with 2 seconds to go that ultimately won the game for the Sixers. It looked like a travel to me, but it's still a solid play. Thad Young is a very promising young player, much better pro than college player. He's definitely a guy to look out for.

Rockets 86, Blazers 83

Nope. I refuse to give an analysis of this game. Not after what Steve Blake did. Allow me to set it up. Rudy Fernandez hits a heavily contested three from the corner that cuts the Rockets lead to one. The Rockets come down and hit the 2 free throws, then hilarity ensues. Steve Blake decides that with 17 seconds left on the clock, he's going to run full speed down the court and jack a shot. Not just any shot, a leaning 26 foot three. He didn't look for anyone. Not the hot Rudy Fernandez who is one of the leagues better perimeter shooters and was obviously feeling it. He decided to do it by his self. By the time the shot hit the rim, there was still 10 seconds left on the clock. Game. Set. Match. Still a 7 game series.

Friday, April 24, 2009

It's 80 degrees!

Nice weather outside. Maybe that means I should leave my dorm.

Celtics 107, Bulls 86
Missed most of this game as I was actually in the gym playing basketball. Checked the score at halftime on my phone, and I obviously didn't miss much. The Bulls didn't have anyone on fire (Rose in Game 1, Gordon in Game 2) and they got thumped because of it. I feared that Chicago wouldn't be able to compete without monster performances, and I might have been right. Paul Pierce seems to have come back alive, which doesn't bode well for the Bulls either. I'm rooting heavily for the Celtics (KG!) but the Bulls need to play with some pride at home. This has the potential of an amazing series, don't let us down now Chicago. Then again, you're still relying on Tyrus Thomas...

Mavericks 88, Spurs 67
No NBATv and that streaming website that carries my name sake wasn't being very friendly to my computer last night. Even without seeing the game, I don't think the Spurs are going to win this series. They have been that overlooked underdog for so long, I think they are actually starting to get too much credit. Even though Parker is playing like the 2nd best PG in the league (Sorry Deron), Duncan is a step slower and the Spurs are a year older. Not having Ginobili really hurts this team, I think it will be too much to overcome. They had 49 points a couple of minutes into the 4th quarter. You won't win games like that.

Plus Dallas has underachieved for so long, it's about time they overachieve. Right?

Jazz 88, Lakers 86
It took Kobe going 5 for 24 just for the Jazz to squeak out a victory at the end of the game. That doesn't bode well for the Jazz, but at least they aren't going to get swept. This was a pretty good game. Jazz came out beasting early, mainly because Carlos Boozer had something like 9 points and 11 rebounds in the first quarter. Then the Lakers take the lead, get up about 12, and the Jazz start storming back thanks to their role players. Even Brewer hit a couple of jumpers. They traded leads a couple of times, Boozer and Gasol traded clutch dunks down the stretch. But the game winner came when Deron Williams isolated at the top of the key, drove to the lane, and hit a nice little fall away jumper with 2 seconds to go. Not even the great Kobe could save them. Then again, he couldn't hit anything.

I don't think I made enough of Boozer's performance. This guy would have had a solid NBA game if he didn't see the court after the 1st quarter. Then he goes and finishes the game with 23 points, 22 rebounds? Monstrous. I wouldn't mind seeing a guy like him in Detroit next season, but I don't think it's the smartest thing for him to opt out in this financial market. Time will tell.

The Pistons "play" today. Watch them get blown out at home at 7pm on ESPN. WOO HOO!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

No Cable!

I missed the games last night (studying of all things), so no recap. I did catch the end of the end of the Pistons game and found it hilarious that the 2nd unit came in and cut a 29 point deficit to a 7 point deficit. Then 2 of the starters (Rip and McDyess) came in, and the run immediately ended. That should tell you something about how finished this core group of guys is. Brandon Roy went off for 42 points and showed why he's right up there with some of the best in this league.

I'm missing all the games now because the cable is out in my dorm room. During Finals week no less. Just terrible.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

A Double Dose of Goodness



More games, more thoughts. Took a day off because well, I never update this thing regularly. Plus no one reads it.



Lakers 113, Jazz 100
Hawks 90, Heat 64
Nuggets 113, Hornets 84


BLOWOUTS! Well, the Jazz game ended a bit well but it was still a blowout. They just made the score look better at the end. They were just getting destroyed for the most of it. With no Okur, the Jazz might only win 1 game. I'm not sure how long he is out though. I honestly don't remember this game, so I will now move on...

I have maintained that the Heat/Hawks series would be one of the best series' in the playoffs if the Heat role players show up. Well they definitely didn't do it on Sunday. Beasley was having a terrible game, making every rookie mistake in the world. O'Neal was his typical non-factor self. And Dwyane Wade was looking like Famous Amos out there, just handing out cookies (8 turnovers). When Wade doesn't have any kind of help, it can be painful to watch. Mario Chalmers had a -27 +/-, just horrible. All these young guys (and JO's knees) are going to have to step up and put Wade in a position to take over, which he is very capable. Otherwise you'll continue to see Josh Smith getting 20+ points on a bunch of breakaway dunks. I'm starting to really like this Hawks team. They definitely have carried their experience over from last year, and Joe Johnson has quietly become a 2nd-tier superstar (1st tier is the Kobe, Bron types). Should be a good series, I still want this to go 7.

I think the Nuggets are one of the dumbest, mistake prone teams in the playoffs. But there is absolutely no doubt, when they are on, they are ON. Chauncey Billups was Mr. Big Shot for the first time since the 2005 Finals and JR Smith got into his rhythm and hit his shots. It's nice to see Billups actually showing up in the playoffs. As a Pistons fan, you haven't been use to that lately. He finally is playing hungry, as opposed to the overconfident Chauncey. Not much to say about the Hornets, they didn't show up at all. If Tyson Chandler isn't healthy, they don't have much of a chance to win.

76ers 100, Magic 98
Dwight Howard dominated this game as expected, and it didn't matter. 31 points, 16 rebounds, yet still down the stretch they go to Hedo Turkoglu. I don't get it, perimeter guys always seem to have something against feeding the big man down the stretch. He's the best player, he should have the ball. Iguodala stepped up big after blowing 2 free throws to hit a heavily contested step back jumper. I honestly didn't know he was capable of such a move. Louis Williams quietly had a solid game off the bench as well. But the game changer was Donyell Marshall, as awkward as that sounds. He had 3 triples, the biggest of which tied the game up with less than a minute to play. And I forgot to mention that the Magic were up 18 late into this game. I stopped watching around then so I don't know how they lost it, but they completely blew that lead. It was toe-to-toe of the last 2-3 minutes of that game. After a loss like that, Orlando should wake up and beat Philly down. But the 76ers have proven they aren't a joke.

Celtics 118, Bulls 115
Unfortunately I spent most of this game in class. Late classes are just as bad as early class, except you miss good television as well as being extremely fatigued. Class actually went well despite my group being unprepared. When in doubt, throw the guy who isn't there under the bus. And keep backing up over him.

Back to the game, the Bulls once again scared the Celtics. Ray Allen was dead until he went to the locker room, popped in a VHS of He Got Game, and came out in the 2nd half as Jesus Shuttlesworth. That man was on fire, 28 points in a half is impressive. And the most impressive thing about the performance, it took some attention off the fact that he was getting absolutely flamed on defense. Ben Gordon was hitting almost everything he put up, and went toe-to-toe with Allen. That three at the end for "Jesus" was beautiful.

Not good news for the Celtics that they didn't look like the home team or the defending champs at any point during these first 2 games. You know the United Center (I think that's the name) is going to be rocking because these Bulls fans think they have a chance. And they are more than right. Leon Powe is now out with ACL tear, so the Celtics have to rely on Mikki Moore as a backup big man. As Bernie Mack said in Playa's Club "It's bout to be some trouble, trouble."

Spurs 105, Mavericks 84
I didn't watch this game. It was a blowout from the beginning. At no point during the game did the Mavericks consider stopping Tony Parker. He was just walking to the hole. Nothing else to say. I got finals to study for.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

40(-4) Games in 40(-1) Nights



40 Games in 40 Nights is TNT's motto for the NBA playoffs. Well even though no games have come on TNT yet, 4 games are over and 1 night of the NBA playoffs is done. A quick run-down of each game:

Bulls 105, Celtics 103 - OT
Who knew that the first game of the NBA Playoffs in 2009 would be a duel between Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose? And that Tyrus Thomas' jumper would be the reason the Bulls upset the Celtics in overtime? Amazing game, by far the best of the day. Derrick Rose looked like a future superstar, even if the announcers kept pounding the fact that he was a rookie down the views throat, to the point where it became counter-productive. It's great to give his amazing performance the proper perspective (36 points, 10 assists is disgusting), but stop saying the same sentence. He absolutely dominated that game though, and got wherever he wanted to on the court. He's going to have a great series, but he can't stop Rondo either, making for an interesting match-up.

The big news for the Celtics was Ray Allen's seeming annual disappearing act in the playoffs. 1-12? That last shot had no chance, I knew it was off when it left his hands. Pierce missing a FT that would have gave them the lead and likely the game was not a good look. Noah's foul was horrendous, and he got bailed out by PP choking.

Even though the Bulls took this one, I don't think the Celtics are in too much trouble. Ray Allen should hit more than one shot in a game, and Derrick Rose isn't likely to sustain such an amazing level of play. I've always thought the Bulls would make this a series, but the Celtics should win this one in 6.

Cavaliers 102, Pistons 84

The Cavaliers are arguably the best team in the league. The Pistons are arguably the most disappointing team in the league. This really wasn't a game, or a series worth watching. LeBron is going to destroy and bury Detroit. Hell, Mo Williams might destroy and bury Detroit. I'd be surprised if one of these games is even competitive, the Pistons are a shell of their former selves. I love Rasheed going down low and abusing Joe Smith, then hanging out near the perimeter when he apparently got tired of being a big man.

The Cavs already have their brooms ready. This is not a series.

Mavericks 105, Spurs 97
The Mavericks are my upset pick of the first round. After years of woefully underachieving, it's about time they overachieve. With the Spurs' age and lack of Ginobili, I think it ends here. I just don't think they have what it takes anymore. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan still have match-up advantages, but the X-factor of the series is Josh Howard. With no Ginobili, the Spurs have no swingman that can match his output. You get a good series from Josh Howard, I'm confident you will get a Mavericks victory.

I'm taking the Mavs in 6.

Rockets 108, Trailblazers 81
I think playoff "experience" is the most overrated thing that will be pounded into the viewers heads over the next 2 months. But in the case of this series, it may mean something. The Blazers didn't look like they belonged on the floor with the Rockets at any point during this game. Yao just dominated, and even Aaron Brooks was putting in work. The problem the Rockets will run into either in this series or sometime down the line, is their lack of a real closer. You can dump it in to Yao for points down the stretch, but when the D locks down on that, what perimeter player can you rely on to get you points or get to the line? Ron Artest? I don't think so. I still think the best sub-plot for their playoff run is possibly making it out of the 1st round without T-Mac. I think you'd almost have to trade him then.

As for the Blazers, they need to wake up and get into this series. Roy and Aldridge need to have coming out parties, and Rudy needs to provide some key 3 point shooting. They are such a "deep" team, you'd think someone will step up. Travis Outlaw is going to have to play well, since he opens up things for everyone else on the floor when he can hit that 18 foot jumper.

I took the Blazers in 7, but I'm not so sure anymore.


Now, time to watch the Lakers "game".

Thursday, April 9, 2009

James White Update




Little late on this one but.....

HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets have signed guard James White to a multiyear contract.

The 6-foot-7 White originally signed a 10-day contract with the Rockets on March 3, then signed a second 10-day contract on March 13. He signed his new deal Tuesday.

White had been playing in the NBA's developmental league for the Anaheim Arsenal, where he averaged 25.9 points, five rebounds and 2.5 assists in 34 games.

He's played one game for Houston, scoring five points with an assist and a steal in the Rockets' 107-88 win over Minnesota on Friday.


Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press


From reading Paul Shirley's hilarious book, Can I Keep My Jersey?, I know multi-year means nothing. It's unlikely they gave him a guarenteed contract, just something so he can play in Summer League for them and they can get a closer look. I've always been a fan of his, since the McDonald's All American Dunk Contest way back. He never really lived up to his potential, but hopefully he can stick around in the league for at least another season.

James White in the D-League Dunk Contest this past year:

Do You Like Fish Sticks?




Do you like fish sticks?
Do you like to put them in your mouth?

If your answer to both of the questions above is yes, have you ever considered that you may be a gay fish?

Or at least that's what South Park would like you to believe. That's basically the premise around the new episode is a joke created by Jimmy and Cartman (kind of). They do a great job poking fun at Carlos Mencia's tendency to steal jokes (and inability to be funny) and satirizing Kanye West's recent antics over the last year. The cartoon Rockwell haircut is spot on. They even get his crew to look as ridiculous as they do in the photo up top. World Star Hip Hop has video up of all the Kanye scenes, with the story line set-up at the beginning.

Kanye West on South Park

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

I Missed The Madness

Oh I've been watching the tournament, just not blogging about it. Because I'm that lazy. Yeah.

I can say I'm rooting for Michigan State at this point, considering both my parents attended and all of my brackets are completely and utterly destroyed.