Eastern Conf. Finals: Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers

I’m glad fate has allowed the Heat and Pacers series to be tied 1-1 before I had a chance to share my thoughts on what many thought would be an easy trip to the NBA Finals for the Miami Heat. I’m glad because when I told many it would be closer than most expected they laughed. It’s common for many to spend hours making predictions and share opinions about matchups and then end with a comment that basically states it's up to LeBron James whether the Heat win or lose. The unfortunate thing about those types of closing statements is that it makes everything leading up to that statement irrelevant. Let’s not kid ourselves either, the Heat made a complete 180 degree turn since LeBron joined the roster. However the often criticized bench are the ones doing the little things that make LeBron’s greatness shine through even brighter or cause his efforts to be completely futile.

Aside from the Pacers’ coach Frank Vogel’s questionable decision to sit Roy Hibbert allowing James to score a Game 1 winning layup, fans, haters and everyone in between are about to learn that Indiana is as balanced an Eastern Conference team anyone could have asked for this post season.

Numbers don’t lie: Since the Voltron like formation of the Miami Heat trio, there has been no question they are the faces at the forefront of every victory. However there is more to it than just James, Wade and Bosh showing up to the gym and walking out with wins. During the Miami Heat’s 2010-2011 playoff run that ended with a Finals loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the Heat’s big 3 averaged 66.8 points while the rest of the team earned 36.7. In their 2011-2012 championship run James, Wade and Bosh scored 67.1 points with the remaining 39.9 coming from the rest of the team. Too small a margin to be noteworthy? Well consider this year’s stats which has the Heat trio averaging 53.2 points with the rest of the team chipping in with their highest output since 2010 with 49.3 points. From a team perspective and considering who makes up the remaining roster that is a huge improvement. That statistic could end up being the difference maker allowing the 3 Amigos an opportunity to rest longer than usual and perform at their highest level.

The Indiana Pacers on the other hand are the complete opposite in terms of how the team is built and performs. During this Pacers’ postseason Paul George, David West, Roy Hibbert and George Hill are averaging 66.4 points while the while their teammates do their share with 33.2 points. If you throw in the Pacers’ 78% Free Throw shooting versus the Heat’s 66.6% over the last 2 games, you begin to see that this series is far from over. Another noteworthy statistic is the Pacers ability to out rebounded the Heat so far 71 to 68 which plays a huge part when you consider both games were won by an average of 2.5 points. The Heat should consider themselves lucky in this category when you realize the Pacers were ranked 1st in rebounds compared to the last place Heat during the regular season.

Bottom Line: Whatever theories that exist about this series the truth is that both games were extremely close and one should expect this trend to continue. With most NBA teams top heavy it’s often easier for the Heat to wear out their opponents. In the case of the Pacers where there are far more players in need of wearing out, we could see ourselves with a Game 7 or even a first time Finals appearance since 2000 for the Indiana Pacers.

Western Conf. Finals: Grizzlies vs Spurs

It has come down to this: the Memphis Grizzlies or the San Antonio Spurs are headed to the 2013 NBA finals. Whether advertisers are concerned about low ratings or conspiracy theorists believing the NBA matrix will somehow force the Miami Heat through to appease the masses is irrelevant. The bottom line is that everyone is in for some team basketball at its best. I’m in no way trying to downplay the leaders of either team which are comprised of champions, Finals MVPs, All-Stars and NBA award winners. I’m simply trying to highlight the fact that these teams continue to be successful without playing the now often preferred and very popular 'hero' type basketball.

The above may come off as me speaking as a bitter fan born in the 80s. Perhaps. Although I wouldn’t use the word bitter. I prefer the term nostalgic, as I am a fan of the tough team concept basketball I watched growing up as a kid. Believe me, witnessing Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and Kevin Durant among other players have outstanding single performances is fantastic and is needed in all sports. I simply feel it unfairly sheds a light on individual success and overshadows what allows that success to exist. In the case of the Grizzlies and Spurs both the teams' stars are well known; not popular by mainstream standards, but extremely successful and the biggest threat to whichever team makes it out of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Numbers Don’t Lie:

The Grizzlies averaged 93.4 points which was 26th in the NBA this season. The Grizzlies beat both the Clippers who average 101.1 ppg at the 8th spot and the Thunder with 105.7ppg who owned 3rd place in the NBA scoring category. How did this happen you ask? Simple. The Grizzlies defence only allowed opponents to average 89.3 points per game in the regular season. Yes, you guessed it. They were 1st in the NBA in that category.

The Spurs are dangerous in their own right as they don’t sacrifice scoring for defence and rank high in both categories. Spurs were 9th in points allowed with 96.6 and 4th in scoring with 103. The Spurs swept the Lakers who ranked 6th in the NBA by scoring 102.2 points on their opponents and allowed them to score 101 for the 21st spot in the NBA. If you add the Warriors to the mix, who were 7th in scoring during the regular season, with 101.2 allowing 100.3 at the 19th spot, then it's clear why all of the above happened. Oh, I’m sure you saw this coming. Here it comes! Defence wins championships, or the very least, gives you the best chance at winning one.

“With our powers combined”:

We know that the Spurs have their own big three with Duncan, Parker and Ginobili, while the Grizzlies have a scary dynamic duo of their own in Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. The key factor for both teams is often opposing defenders who keep forgetting to put pressure on lesser known players until it’s too late. So far in this post season, the Spurs have had five players averaging 10 or more points totaling 76.9 which is more than most teams can say. The Spurs' bench players refuse to ride the starters coattails scoring 31.1 points per game respectively with less than twenty minutes of playing time. Almost mirroring the Spurs, the Grizzlies have four players averaging double digits for a total of 66.7 points, with the bench chipping in with 39.7 in under twenty minutes as well.

Bottom Line:

Even with all the numbers in the world any player can get hot at any time just as they can get cold. As much as the “defence wins championships” is a beaten to death cliche, so is “key matchups”, and with the Grizzlies and Spurs so well balanced I’m guaranteed at least two more series of my preferred nostalgic, defensive, textbook basketball.

Game 4 R2: Spurs vs Warriors

With Round 2 of the 2013 NBA playoffs upon us I thought it might be fun to try and see what advantages teams have over their opponents and which ones could come out with a win. Don’t get me wrong, I have no plans of predicting the outcome of any series, but I will at least put my money where my mouth is on a per game basis.

Western Conference

Game 4: San Antonio Spurs @ Golden State Warriors

Advantage Spurs: Although Andrew Bogut has been able to play quality minutes replacing the injured David Lee, Tim Duncan is still one of the most unguardable Power Forwards in the NBA. Carl Landry has been able to hold his own in the paint to a certain extent, the problem is that the Spurs still have two more big bodies in Tiago Splitter and Boris Diaw to throw at the Warriors who have no answer after that.

Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are hands down one of the best backcourt duos in the NBA. Both extremely skilled at driving to the paint and scoring, kicking it out to the open man or taking perimeter jump shots. That versatility often leaves Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Jarrett Jack on their heels often becoming victims of screens and picks, never quite sure of what to expect every time one of the two guards brings the ball up the court.

Coach Gregg Popovich knows his stars needs rest and this keeps his bench involved and experienced. A bench that is capable of protecting, increasing the lead and in some cases go on a scoring run is the key to success for any championship contender with its stars comprised of veterans. A full team commitment to defence and textbook basketball rounds of the long list of advantages the Spurs have over the Warriors.

Advantage Warriors: Let’s face it. The Warriors have been fun to watch all season and they have brought that type of uptempo high scoring basketball with them to the playoffs. The guard play of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Jarrett Jack are making it difficult for the Spurs to keep up when they get hot from the outside, making them virtually unstoppable.

Harrison Barnes and Carl Landry are benefiting from forcing the Spurs’ Forwards and Centers to come out of the paint to defend them due to their mid range shooting, resulting in mismatches in favor of the Warriors’ guards. Unselfish play is also getting Golden State open shots and easy layups which all take place early in the shot clock not allowing the Spurs to get settled on defence.

The Warriors 3 point shooting is one of their greatest advantages as it can help them come back when down or build on a lead when they get hot and go on scoring runs late in games.

Prediction: Spurs win Game 4

Although fun to watch, it’s always hard for me to believe in a team littered with youth that plays fast pace basketball and choose to live and die by the 3 pointer during the playoffs. Whenever a team decides to play that style of basketball their wins are based on whether or not their shooters are hot on that particular night. 

Even though 6 Warriors scored in double digits compared to the Spurs’ 4 players in Game 3, the Warriors shot 39% to the Spurs 50% who won that game by 102-92. The Spurs are efficient, disciplined, defensive, methodical, experienced and more than happy to let the Warriors gamble on their outside scoring to win the series. The reason being of course, the odds are in the Spurs favor.

Impossible Basketball Workout

Game 1 R2: Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder

With Round 2 of the 2013 NBA playoffs upon us I thought it might be fun to try and see what advantages certain teams have over their opponents and which ones could come out with a win. Don’t get me wrong, I have no plans of predicting the outcome of any series before a Game 1 tip-off, but will at least put my money where my mouth is on a per game basis.

Western Conference

Game 1:  Memphis Grizzlies @ Oklahoma City Thunder

Advantage Grizzlies: The biggest advantage that Memphis has going into today’s game happens to be what they do better than anyone else in the NBA, defense. The Celtics, Bulls and Heat are all rightfully praised for their outstanding defense, however it is the Memphis Grizzlies that are 1st overall in the NBA this season when it comes to points allowed with 89.3 per game.

A big part of that amazing defense rests on the shoulders of the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol and partner in crime Zach Randolph. Together they average 15.5 rebounds and mirror that with 38.1 points. Let’s not forget their presence alone forces those who would consider going for layups to think twice about running into one of two brick walls. 

Expect Serge Ibaka who many felt was snubbed for the  Defensive Player of the Year award and Kendrick Perkins who made those feelings public, to get tangled up under the basket often as these four beasts try to mark their territory today for the rest of the series. These playground tussles might favor Memphis as the Thunder don’t often get bullied down under when playing their preferred fast paced style of basketball.

Advantage Thunder: One has to find this series interesting once you realize the Grizzlies are 1st in points allowed per game and the Thunder are 3rd in the NBA when it comes to points per game with 105.7. With the loss of Russell Westbrook many assumed the Thunder’s scoring would drop dramatically when in fact it has remained relatively the same at 105.8 during their series against the Houston Rockets. The majority of the scoring predictably came at the hands of 2 time scoring champion Kevin Durant and it’s something he can no doubt continue to do as long as he stays out of harms way.

Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are likely one of the toughest inside duos in the NBA and there is no doubt that Kendrick Perkins ability to never be intimidated and Serge Ibaka’s 8.3 rebounds and 3 blocks per game will be ready for battle. Other Thunder cast members such as James Harden’s replacement Kevin Martin, Thabo Sefalosa, Russell Westbrooks substitute Reggie Jackson and even Nick Collison who performs well while staying off the stats sheet will all have to fight through the fatigue left over from the Houston series and help Kevin Durant protect home court advantage. 

A motivating factor for Oklahoma besides keeping home court advantage should be the Grizzlies polar opposite rank of 27th in the NBA when it comes to points per game with 93.4, reminding Oklahoma although it’s not always the best or prettiest option, they can save their strength on the defensive end and simply try to outscore the Grizzlies.

Prediction: OKC wins Game 1

The Thunder were 34-7 at home this season, are known to feed off one of the best crowds in the NBA and have the best consistent pure scorer in the NBA with Kevin Durant. The Grizzlies may have been 24-17 on the road but are in no way interested in or intimidated by flash as they convincingly eliminated the Clippers and Lob City in 6 games. 

The Thunder have a lot more to prove in Game 1 after the world saw them struggle with what should have been a sweep against the Rockets and I expect them to have figured out a solid game plan that doesn’t involve Westbrook. The Oklahoma bench also tends to perform better than opposing benches and are all decent shooters in their own right who seem to always find themselves open for an easy jumper.

So Right (JR Smith Song)

Miami Heat Harlem Shake

Stephen Curry 54 Points vs Knicks

The best assist you will ever see

Warriors and Pacers Pushin' n Shovin' Match 02/26/13

Remembering Jerry Buss

Unbelievable Little Kid Does a Trick Shot Video

Kyrie Irving drops 40 on the Celtics

Miami Heat Check

The question everyone has been asking since the Miami Heat hoisted the trophy at the end of last season was ‘can they do it again’.

They have since added Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to the team and left the remainder of the roster essentially untouched.

Lebron James is averaging 26 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, Wade has 20 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists and Bosh is doing his part to share the load with 17 points and 7 rebounds. With the ‘Big 3’ rolling the Heat will go as far as they take them. Many still have the Heat as the sure fire bet to come out of the East and end up in the NBA Finals. It’s a pretty logical bet as long as they can get past the New York Knicks who are playing their best basketball in years lead by MVP candidate Carmelo Anthony.

With that being said, the playoffs and finals are months away and the Heat are currently 23-10 for the season. Out of 33 games only 7 of them were played against legitimate playoff contenders from both the Eastern and Western Conferences. Against those teams they went 4-3. To clarify my meaning of ‘playoff contenders’ I am referring to teams I truly believe could wind up NBA champions this year with either grind out, showtime, text book or fast break basketball along with a little bit of luck. The 7 games I am referring were those played against the Clippers (2), Knicks, Grizzlies, Spurs, Thunder and the Celtics. I added the Celtics more out of respect which I know I shouldn’t have, but should any upsets occur involving the Knicks or Heat the Celtics would be eagerly waiting to step in and take full advantage.

With the hype surrounding the team considerably less than it has been the last 2 years, fans may be upset about this but the Heat probably prefer it that way. With fewer nationally televised Heat games and the majority of TV time now going to the Clippers and Lakers many might forget how dangerous the Heat still are. Some might scratch their heads when the Heat lose to teams like the Wizards and Bucks but truth be told it would be a relatively easy playoff series to win should they meet in the playoffs and these losses should not be taken as signs of weakness. The issue with regular season games against lower ranked teams is that losing teams play their very best and want to beat the champs knowing it might be their only chance to do so and it would be a highlight on the season schedule when it ends.

With the Knicks as the only legitimate Heat killers in the East don’t be surprised if you see the Heat in the finals this spring. The real question is if whether or not they could win against this year’s Western Conference champs who could be one of many dangerous teams all who have posed the Heat problems as of late.

It would be at that point the ‘Big 3’ will have to decide whether or not to bet on themselves or the team as a whole. The Clippers who are sitting at the top spot in the West have a bench that averages 39.5 points per game mirroring the East’s 1st place often criticized Heat bench that averages a respectable 36.8 points.

The truth is it still looks like a cake walk to the Finals for the Heat, but it might not be as easy for the Heat to hoist the trophy when it’s all said and done. With a bitter Thunder team, newly revamped Clippers, consistent Spurs and blue collar Grizzlies all dominating the West you can be sure they have their eyes on Miami.

Whether or not we are seeing it on our TV screens, blogs or magazines the target on the Miami Heat’s back will always be there and is always getting bigger.

NBA Unbelievable is BIG: Chris Paul

Steve Nash hits 10,000 Assists

Steve Nash has recorded his 10,000th career assist!!!

Assists #9,996 and #9,998 were on made-buckets by fellow Canadian Rob Sacre

The Blake Show - Lob City

As of today, the Clippers are the best team in the NBA.

This is not my opinion but a fact. With the league’s best  record of 24-6 and currently riding a franchise record winning streak of 16 straight games the Clippers appear to be unstoppable.

Naysayers will understandably rush to check the Clippers’ schedule in hopes of derailing the “Lob City”  train with accusations of an easy schedule. Sadly they will be forced to find another way to stop this machine as wins against playoff bound teams such as the Grizzlies, Lakers, Spurs, Trail Blazers, Atlanta, Miami, Denver and Boston prove otherwise.

How did this happen you ask?

It all started with Blake Griffin getting drafted to the Clippers with the 1st overall pick in 2009 but who had to sit out his first year due to injury. The Clippers went 29-53 that season and finished outside the playoffs in the 12th spot near the bottom of the Western Conference. Griffin would be cleared to play in 2010-11 and shocked the world with his athletic dunks turning him into an instant All-Star and a household name around the world. That still wouldn’t be enough as the Clippers finished the year with only 3 more wins at 32-50 and even lower than the previous year at the 13th spot in the West to end the season.

As phenomenal as Blake was, he would need help and it came in the form of Chris Paul.

In several confusing hours that perhaps could only be explained with the help of X-Files FBI agent Fox Mulder, Chris Paul became a Los Angeles Clipper. The Clippers finished the 2011-12 season in 5th place with a 40-26 record, beat the Grizzlies in a 7 game 1st round playoff series but came up short getting swept in 4 games against the Spurs in the 2nd round.

With that we come full circle. The Clippers’ run and gun style known as “Lob City” are the new kings of L.A. even though 5 All-Stars make up the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineup. To be fair, the Clippers bench is riddled with talent and arguably the best 12 man roster in the NBA. The Clippers bench plays just as intense as the starters and are capable of closing out games giving the stars a well deserved breather keeping their legs rested for the next game.

All this to say the Clippers deserve to be where they are and are have had fun getting here. They’re not only destined to make noise in the playoffs but if they can avoid their Kryptonite (Grizzlies and Spurs) who slow the pace of the game essentially shutting down “Lob City”, they could be headed to the NBA Finals. With a team history of no Division Titles, Conference Titles or Championships since the team was founded in 1970, even naysayers have to admit it would be fun to watch history made one lob at a time.

Lob City Rises

NBA Seasons:
--------------------------------------------------------------
2008-2009 : 14th (19-63)
2009-2010 : 12th (29-53)
2010-2011 : 13th (32-50) Enter Blake Griffin
2011-2012 : 5th (40-26) Enter Chris Paul

Old Golden State Warriors News Rewrapped as New

Making preseason predictions is a major part of any sport and is also a big money maker. As summer winds down magazine racks are full of NBA, NFL, NHL and NCAA sports magazines printing everything from teams season records, championship contenders and finals MVPs before a single game has even been played.

I know being humble is an important personality trait but I suddenly feel the need to give myself a little bit of credit. I predicted Oklahoma City Thunder James Harden would win the 6th Man award after a preseason win against the Dallas Mavericks 5 days before the 2011-12 NBA season started.  
I followed up that comment a few months later with a post on my Addicted to Ballin' blog reiterating that prediction Prediction of 2012 NBA 6th Man of the Year: James Harden
In all fairness, that is old news.

By time you get around to reading this you will likely have already been bombarded with news about the Golden State Warriors beating the Miami Heat last night 97-95. You will also hear how well the Warriors are doing with a record of 15-7, sitting pretty in 2nd place in the Pacific Division and 5th overall in the Western Conference. Now before I get labelled as a bandwagoner for what some might consider false predictions or sudden epiphanies, I’m here to say in a nice way, “I told you so.”

I feel that if those of us who go out on a limb and carve predictions into the cement known as the internet can get raked over hot coals for being wrong, why not high-five ourselves for being right.

I had a strong feeling we would see an improved Klay Thompson this season who has scored 20 or more points 4 times in his last 7 games and 6 times in November pushing his season average from 12.5 ppg to 16.5 ppg. To be fair, assuming Bogut would be playing significant minutes might have been wishful thinking but I’m sure Andrew Bynum fans know the feeling. Although I love Monta Ellis’ game, he often needed the ball too much. With him leaving the Warriors they have performed exactly as expected. Link to full post on October 14, 2012: Hip Hoop Junkies

Even prior to making the Klay Thompson prediction, I picked the Golden State Warriors as my # 3 overall sleeper team to make a splash in 2012-13 NBA season. I foresaw them fighting for the 8th spot come playoff time and they are currently sitting in the 5th spot in the West. They exceeded my expectations but are still no surprise as they play very similar to the Oklahoma City Thunder, with great ball movement and balanced scoring. Link to full post on October 2, 2012: Addicted to Ballin'

Will this Golden State Warriors run last until the end of the season? I’ve been told they will burn out and come back to earth, and yes, I am well aware only ¼ of the season is complete. So maybe its too early to come out and say “I told you so.” With the media hype from last night’s Warriors win and on air personalities ignoring them at 14-7 then suddenly giving them praise at 15-7, I felt the need to say “Thank you but that ain’t news to me.”

Time to Talk New York Knicks

If there is one thing that has remained constant over the years in the NBA, it is the labels that certain teams are awarded at the start of the season or that are carried over from years prior.

Since Lebron took his talents to South Beach, the Heat have been ‘favored to win’. Since Kobe got back on track with Pau Gasol, the Lakers have always been ‘a team you should never count out’. The Spurs have been ‘old reliable’ for the last 5 years and the Nuggets are ‘a team on the rise.’ Last, but not least, we cannot forget new additions such as the ‘likely to come out of the West’ Thunder and the Derrick Rose led ‘Heat killer’ Chicago Bulls.

With all eyes on the 2012 Championship Heat and The Avengers, also known as the Lakers, little else has been talked about. Shame on all of us.

The only team that has been historically bombarded with attention whether expected to do well or not with no label ever sticking, are the New York Knicks.

We all know the stories that the Knicks and Madison Square Garden can conjure up even during a terrible season. We also know what types of headlines they can create with a successful one. To be fair, Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudamire are regulars on the All-Star Ballot; add to that last year’s Linsanity and everyone and their grandparents were talking about the Knicks. With a 2012 1st round playoff loss to the Heat, an injured Amar’e Stoudamire and a trade that sent Jeremy Lin to Houston, this season started with little hype outside the matchup with the NBA’s new darlings the Brooklyn Nets. Still, no label.

The number one story that we as basketball fans should be talking about to start this 2012-13 NBA season is the undefeated 6-0 New York Knicks. Beating the Heat by 20 points barely registered on the NBA Richter Scale. That win was followed up with a 16 and 22 point win in back to back games versus the 76ers. Again, not a blip on the radar. The Knicks didn’t mind one bit. They went on to beat the 2011 NBA Champions Dallas Mavericks by 10 points, took 3 days off and then did the same to the Orlando Magic. As if all that was not enough, they defeated the ‘old reliable’ San Antonio Spurs 104-100 last night in an impressive comeback victory.

With point averages like Carmelo’s 26, J.R. Smith’s 18, Raymond Felton’s 14 and Tyson Chandler’s 10, scoring has not been a problem. Throw in about 20 assists per game and 42% 3-point shooting, you have your answer as to why they are so good offensively. On the other hand, 30 of their 39 total rebounds per game are coming from the defensive end. Add to that an average of 9 steals and it paints a clear picture as to why only 1 team has come within 5 points when the buzzer goes off.

So what label should the Knicks get for starting the season so well and having the best record in the league? How about the ‘team with the best record in the NBA’ and leave it at that. I hate labels.

(Photo from streetball.com)

Allen Iverson open to playing in China