Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns Oct. 28, 2010

Phoenix Suns 110  Utah Jazz 94

With Phoenix coming off of a 106-92 loss to the Portland Trailblazers, and the Utah Jazz falling 110-88 to the Denver Nuggets, it would be logical to expect a high energy, fast paced and nose to the grind type of game from 2 of the Western Conference's most balanced power houses.

The 1st quarter was what basketball fans have come to expect from these 2 teams.  Phoenix continued to successfully run the fast break while Utah's point guard and power forward strategy of Deron Williams and Al Jefferson was on full display.  The score was relatively close even though the Suns kept the lead throughout the 1st quarter, but ran away with it in the 2nd, out scoring Utah 31 to 20 for a 58-44 halftime lead. 

The 3rd quarter had Utah making a comeback closing the gap to single digits, only to have Phoenix convert Utah turnovers into points, regaining a double digit lead.  The game would ultimately end with Phoenix winning 110-94.

Starters Nash, Richardson and Turkoglu combined for 47 points, but the great performances from Phoenix's bench was the real story of the night.  H. Warrick, Steve Nash's back up G. Dragic and Frye combined for 43 points.  Warrick was able to remain a force in the paint and Dragic is really beginning show the influence Steve Nash is having on his game.  I suspect the Suns will be keep Dragic on the roster for years to come as the future starting point guard when Nash retires.

Utah struggled for the most part, or so it seemed, compared to the highlight reel style of play from the Suns, but did have a lot of positives in the loss.  Once struggling Andrei Kirilenko and the reliable Paul Millsap each scored 19 points, with Millsap adding 13 rebounds to his stats sheet.  Al Jefferson will be more than adequate as a replacement to the departed Carlos Boozer, as he is not only powerful but quick with great hands when under the basket.  His 20 points and 9 rebounds were not easy ones, and for people like me that rarely saw Jefferson play with Minnesota last year, it's nice to know he will get the televised recognition he deserves.  Deron Williams had 13 points and 6 assists, but with no other Jazz player scoring more than 7 points, they had little chance of beating what looked like the Phoenix Suns of a few years ago.

Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat 2010-11

 

With media attention and excitement from fans of all sports, the anticipation for the 2010-2011 NBA Season opener featuring the Miami Heat versus the Boston Celtics, was nothing like I have ever seen before.  Standing room only and a cap of 500 media passes being handed out are scenarios reserved for the NBA finals, and rarely, actually never as far as I can remember, for the 1st game of the year.

There was good reason for the hype.  Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh would try to show the world that they are the team to beat, as many have already labeled them.  Boston's "Big 3" of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett were out to do the same, with added help from Rajon Rondo.

The packed arena was as loud as any playoff game I have ever watched, and as the sea of green Celtic supporters were showing no love to the visiting team, it was clear that everyone was in for a great game.

After a sloppy first quarter, a nervous Miami Heat scored only 9 points trailing the Celtics 16 to 9.  Easy missed shots, players not prepared for passes and unforced turnovers had the Heat losing by 19 points later into the game.  It didn't long into the second half before the chants of "Overrated" came booming from the stands.  Almost instantly after that, Lebron James went on a scoring run to cut the Celtics lead down to 5.  However, where the Celtics had the advantage when it came to team chemistry.  Set plays they have used for years, tried and true players like Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, where able to hit clutch 3 pointers putting the game out of reach in the final minutes of the 4th quarter. Celtics would win 88 to 80.

Lebron James did have an impressive 31 points, but the only other double digit scorer was Dwayne Wade with 13.  The Celtics on the other hand had a much better team effort with 4 players in double digits.  With Kevin Garnett's 10 points, Paul Pierce's 19, Ray Allen's 20, Glen Davis' 13 and Rajon Rondo's 17 assists, it is clear, and always has been, that 1 player cannot win it all.

It's only 1 game, and there is no doubt that once the Heat get into rhythm we will see them play well.  We also have to take into consideration they were playing the best defensive team in the league, 1 year removed from the Finals and 2 years removed from a Championship.  To be fair, we can't make excuses when they lose and say it's obvious when they win.  They will beat the weaker teams in the league, and like tonight, will put on a great show when facing the better ones.

10 REASONS TO WATCH THE NBA THIS 2010-11 SEASON

Here are 10 reasons why you should watch the NBA this 2010-2011 season.  From the die-hard to the casual fan, there is something for everyone this year.  I'll pass on making any predictions (other than the one made about the Toronto Raptors in an earlier post), and leave you with a list of 10 teams guaranteed to entertain.

10. Portland Trailblazers

The Blazers went 50 and 32 in 2009-2010 with the majority of their players out with injuries most of the season, in a competitive Western Conference.  With All-Star Brandon Roy, Lamarcus Aldridge, Andre Miller, Nicolas Batum and a healthy Greg Oden, this team is bound to catch most teams sleeping on them.  

9.   Orlando Magic

A lot of critics thought Orlando's appearance in the 2008-2009 NBA Finals was nothing more than a stroke of luck and that they posed no real threat to a team like the Lakers.  In 2009-2010 the Orlando Magic swept both Charlotte and Atlanta in 4 games until falling to the veteran Celtics in 6 games in the Eastern Conference Finals.  This team has one of the leagues deepest benches and the most unstoppable player in Dwight Howard (above).  You can be sure this team will not only make the playoffs, but also have a legit shot at the Eastern Conference Finals.

8.   Los Angeles Clippers (Blake Griffin)

Highly anticipated 2009 #1 draft pick Blake Griffin never had a chance to play a single game in his rookie year due to injury.  He was hyped as the best Power Forward in the draft with the ability to change the face of the Clippers franchise.  With an entire season to rehabilitate, Blake Griffin is ready to suit up and proved his worth by showing his versatility in the pre-season.  Great ball handling skills, jump shooting ability and speed make him a prime candidate for Rookie of the Year which he is still eligible for.  Definietely a player to keep an eye out for all year.

7.   Washington Wizards (John Wall)

Another #1 draft pick, in 2010, John Wall is a former NCAA Kentucky Wildcats' star player.  I have seen glimpses of him during the NBA Summer League and yes, believe the hype.  With Gilbert Arenas, Andrey Blatche, JaVale Mcghee and Kirk Hinrich all helping him develop, expect "Lebron" type attention and highlights from Wall.  Wall, much like Griffin, are sure to change the face of their struggling franchises.  It is safe to assume if not Blake Griffin, John Wall will win the rookie of the year award.

6.   Chicago Bulls

Finishing 41 and 41 last year, the Bulls were able to sneak into the playoffs at the 8th spot over the Toronto Raptors by a single game.  With the addition of Carlos Boozer who has averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds in the regular season and 20 points and 12 rebounds in the playoffs over his entire career, Chicago fans can rejoice.  With current All-Star Derrick Rose and inside enforcer Joakim Noah, the Bulls will be fun to watch and should be able to make the playoffs with relative ease.

5.   New York Knicks

With the Knicks losing out on the "Lebron and Wade sweepstakes", New York opted to sign Phoenix Suns All-Star Amare Stoudamire.  Do I think Amare and point guard Raymond Felton are enough to carry this team to the promise land?  No.  Besides the simple fact that the New York Knicks now have an All-Star, the excitement will come from finding out how well Stoudamire will do without Steve Nash's assists in the Phoenix Suns run and gun style of play.  However, former Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni, now with the Knicks, might find a way to make it all work.

4.  Oklahoma City Thunder (Kevin Durant)

It might be easier to simply list Kevin Durant's accomplishments and leave it at that.  This 2007 Rookie of the Year averages between 25 and 30 points per game with the fast  paced Thunder team.  Finishing 8th in the Western Conference in 2009-2010, Durant and his young team lost to the Lakers in 6 games in an exciting 1st round.  Fresh off of a Gold Medal in the FIBA World Championship, Keving Durant is starting this season in better shape than most players who took the summer off.  Kevin Durant and the Thunder are on their way to becoming household names, here is your chance to see why.

   

3.   Boston Celtics

The 2008 Champion Boston Celtics were part of the NBA's highest ever TV ratings in history when they faced off against the Lakers in last years Finals.  The once considered unbeatable trio, now considered the aging and injured veterans of the East, the Celtics will have to prove that they are still contenders for the title.  No one is questioning their talent, but a lot of teams have younger players that can give this team a run for its money.  With the addition of Shaquile Oneal and Jermaine Oneal, it is beginning to look like the last stop for a chance at a title for players nearing retirement.  But the best weapon against youth is experience, and the Celtics have plenty of that. 

2. Miami Heat

Without going into too much detail about what most already know, Miami acquired Chris Bosh from Toronto and Lebron James from Cleveland to form what is now called "The "Big 3".  All the TV specials, media attention, critics, opinions and predictions will all be what drives this team to perform at its best.  With 3 young All-Stars on one team, expect a lot wins, a lot of great highlights, a lot of love and a lot of hate.This is the team to watch all season long.

1.   Lakers

With a chance at winning their 3rd championship in as many years, and with coach Phil Jackson already the record holder for Championships, the Los Angeles  Lakers are the team no is talking about, but should be.  Additions Matt Barnes, Theo Ratlif and Steve Blake will give Derrick Fisher some time to rest at the point guard position and allow the defense to get stronger with the temporary absence of Andrew Bynum to injury.  Kobe Bryant's accomplishments are well documented, and the Lakers have proved that are they still relevant and still favored to win it all.  Pau Gasol, Ron Artest and Lamar Odom are all back and flying under the media radar, I'm sure, much to their delight.  Make no mistake, the Lakers are a dynasty, and fans can rejoice while the haters can get ready for another long season.

Raptors vs Kincks @ the Bell Center in Montreal, QC

On Friday October 22, 2010 at 7:00pm, the Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec became host to one of the most anticipated events of the year.  The event had been announcement sometime in August, and for a fan such as myself, I had hoped it was not a rumor, or even a worse. a game that would not be canceled due to low ticket sales.  I could not have been more wrong.

Not only was the game to take place, tickets to the event were completely sold out several days before tip-off.  Getting there relatively early and having some time to walk around and take in the atmosphere, I was blown away by the support for the Raptors, the Knicks and the NBA as a whole.  Fans of all 3 were sporting jerseys, hats and sports jackets proudly while making their way through the arena.  It was also great to see families arriving with children of all ages, children that perhaps were about to watch their first NBA game.  After a quick stop at the gift shop for a DeMar Derozan jersey, I was ready for the game.

The fact that this was a pre-season game had no effect on the excitement in the crowd.  For the first half of the game, Montreal basketball fans were cheering for both team's scoring plays, as there were quite a few New York Knicks fans spread out in the crowd.  Amare Stoudamire played very well and it was clear that the crowd was thrilled to see him.  But it was clear that most were there to support Canada's only NBA franchise.  Every Toronto Raptors scoring  play was rewarded with cheers, and slam dunks, rarely seen at the Bell Center, received an ovation rivaling those usually reserved for the Montreal Canadians hockey team.  Some highlights of those reactions included an understanding and respect for rebounding.  As Reggie Evans secured what seemed like 3 offensive rebounds during 1 possession, the crowed erupted to let him know his hard work was not going unnoticed.  Much like the Raptors game in Vancouver, a strong crowd wave broke out, which if nothing else, was a sign of the great time the fans were having.

The game ended with the Raptors at risk of losing a 17 point lead, only to push back in the final minutes of the 4th quarter with help from the bench players throwing down slam dunks. The Raptors would win 108-103 as the 22,114 basketball fans gave the Raptors a much deserved standing ovation.  It should be mentioned that the Raptors Dance Pak were amazing, keeping the crowd involved with smiles that could be seen from afar and great choreography.  "The Raptor" mascot was someone I will not soon forget.  With great energy, very creative and hilarious shenanigans, even I who tried to keep a straight face, wound up laughing along with everyone else.

This was nothing less than a complete success.  With a sold out arena and great crowd participation, arguments for an NBA franchise coming to Montreal will definitely spring up all over the internet and amongst fans of the sport.  I can only hope the NBA takes notice and continues to bring games to the city in the form of pre-season or regular season games.  Whether any of that will happen or not, we do know one thing for sure, there are 22,114 fans, not including those that  couldn't get tickets, who are ready and willing to support not only the NBA, but basketball as a whole in Quebec.

NBA TV Canada

 

For some, this is simply a change in the way things are done, for others, primarily those in Quebec (like me), this is a new beginning.  Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment Ltd. Broadcast Division announced Friday October 15, 2010, that the digital cable channel Raptors TV will now be called NBA TV Canada.  The name change is based on new programming planned for the channel, such as covering more teams, taking advantage of new technology for the medium, among other things.  Reports have shown that live NBA game viewership has risen 140% and 2.1 million people across Canada now participate in the popular sport.  

NBA TV Canada will be home to 102 live games, including more than 25 showcasing the Lakers, Heat, Celtics and Suns, all in High-Definition.  It will also host the Raptors Pre and Post game shows, Euroleague, WNBA, Raptors Game in an Hour and Raptors this week.

The mention of a new beginning for Quebec was due to the fact that Videotron, a Quebec only digital cable provider, never once offered Raptors TV to its clients.  Satellite television companies across the country and in Quebec have carried the station for years.  It is only now available, for the first time without a satellite, to the people of Quebec.

After many phone calls, online petitions and online support for the NBA and basketball as a whole, basketball fans can now rejoice.  The popularity of the sport has reached global proportions, and as frustrating as the wait was, it was just a matter of time.

2010-2011 Toronto Raptors Predictions

Predicted Record: 33-49

Team Roster

--------------------

Solomon Alabi

David Anderson

Marcus Banks

Leandro Barbosa

Andrea Bargnani

Jose Calderon

Ed Davis

DeMar Derozan

Joey Dorsey

Ronald Dupree

Reggie Evans

Jarrett Jack

Amir Johnson

Linas Klezia

Sonny Weems

Julian Wright

Coach: Jay Triano

General Manager: Bryan Colangelo

Looking at the above roster and my wins predictions, readers could easily say I am blinded by loyalty.  Most think that there is no way the Raptors can win that many games.  My argument is not only can they reach 33 wins, I think they could win even more and push for a 7th or 8th playoff spot.

The first reason I think the Raptors will do well is the exact same reason people think they will do poorly.  Chris Bosh is gone.  Basketball is a team sport, and having a star player being the focal point, at all times, can sometimes do more harm than good.  Chris Bosh's 20 points and 10 rebounds have relocated to the Miami Heat.  What this does is give the Raptors an opportunity to move the ball around a lot more instead of dumping it off to Chris, watching him go 1 on 1 15ft from the basket.  True, his jump shot was reliable and when close the basket, points or fouls would usually be the offensive result. But that left 4 other capable players never getting into rhythm.  Capable scorers no longer need to worry about being scolded for not handing it over to CB4, making every play less predictable.  Dirk Nowitzki made a comment after a 110-88 loss against the Raptors in January, commenting how impressed he was by Andrea Bargnani's talent.  He went on about how he had no idea Andrea was so mobile and had such range.  Bargnani shot 9-17 for 22 points that night. Why is that?  Well it's simple, he got the ball more often.  Raptors had 5 players in double digits combining for 71 points, Dallas had 4 combining for 64.  Star players keep you in it, team play wins games.

The 2nd reason I think the Raptors can do well, is because of last years supporting cast and this year's new additions.  Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, Jarett Jack, DeMar Derozan, Amir Johnson and Sonny Weems are all returning to the court for Toronto.  Those who watch Raptors basketball, go through highlights or box scores, know that Bargnani can make a big difference with consistent play. However, Derozan and Weems did not get nearly enough playing time based on their performances last year.  Dominating this year's NBA Summer League should be the final sway for coach Triano to give these guys major minutes.  Both players are quick to the basket, can finish strong, and are more than able to hit mid-range or even 3 point shots.  For the up-tempo style of this team, players like these must be involved in the offense.  Calderon and Jack will need to maintain or increase their 11 point and 6 assists average to keep the Raptors in games.  And finally,  I look to Amir Johnson, who will get more playing time, to increase from 6 points and 4 rebounds per game by getting better position under basket, less fouls and getting tip-ins from the many fast break lay ups this team is sure to take. 

Of all the new comers, Leandro Barbosa and Linas Klezia have me really excited.  Barbosa is a 7 year veteran who had a great run (pun intended) with the Phoenix Suns.  His career average of 12 points per game is more than welcome in Toronto.  His burst of speed and fearlessness when driving to the basket can get a lot teams in foul trouble, not to mention, force help defense leaving other players open for shots.  Coming from a team that shot the ball in 6 seconds or less during possessions, on one of the highest scoring teams in the league, now with the Raptors who were 4th in scoring in 2009-10, this is a great pick up.

To be honest, most of my Linas Klezia memories are form this years FIBA Championship (which I covered in earlier posts).  I kept a close eye on this often overlooked tournament over the summer and took the opportunity to watch Klezia in action.  A 3rd place finish for Lithuania was made possible by Klezia's amazing play throughout the entire tournament.  He has a smooth jump shot with range to match based on what I saw, and I can't wait to see him back in the NBA after a few years playing internationally.  The attitude towards international play is that NBA bench players can score in bundles over seas, because the competition is weaker and teammates are no where near as good as in the US.  The number of skilled players, number of active players and media attention is no doubt overshadowed by the NBA, but that should not leave us ignoring the fundamental talents of basketball players that don't include high flying dunks and sport center highlights.  Linas Klezia will have a lot of people regretting the fact they underestimated his abilities.  In his 4 years with the Denver Nuggets, he scored just under 10 points per game with about 20 minutes of playing time.  It's safe to assume that his playing time will increase this year along with his points.

My 3rd reason is all about Coach Jay Triano.  Jay Triano just came off of a Gold Medal run in the above mentioned FIBA Championship with team USA.  To have Triano out there with the best coaches, among them future Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski, coaching a US roster of the best young talent the NBA has to offer, you couldn't ask for more during an off-season.  As a coach, who I feel was pinned into a corner, more often than not, forced to keep Hedo Turkgoglu in the line up and running everything through Bosh, he now has a chance to run an all around offense with more players capable of stepping up each night.  Some say you need to have an identifiable All-Star to win games, and in some cases that is true, but if that is all you have, your only 1 injury away from a complete meltdown.  Triano knows last year's defense was terrible and will no doubt be stressing that for the rest of the 2010-2011 season.  However, I think he can now run plays that involve the entire team and give players the playing time needed to give them wins.