(63-19) First Round Wraps Up [4-0]

[Axel The Great]

Eastern Conference Finals: Games One and Two

@
Game One: BOS wins 112-86
20 18 28 20 86
26 28 18 40 112

Key Performers:
Celtics:
Paul Pierce - 37 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 9/19 FG, 3/4 3P, 16/18 FT
Kevin Garnett - 19 points, 17 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 4 blocks, 7/9 FG, 5/6 FT
Ray Allen - 15 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 6/15 FG, 3/6 3P
Rajon Rondo - 8 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 2/4 FG

Heat:
Chris Bosh - 30 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 11/21 FG, 8/10 FT
Dwyane Wade - 24 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, 6/19 FG, 10/13 FT
LeBron James - 19 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 7/14 FG
Mike Bibby - 7 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2/6 FG

@
Game Two: MIA wins 90-88; Series Tied 1-1
23 23 23 21 90
16 22 25 25 88

Key Performers:
Celtics:
Jeff Green - 21 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 8/11 FG, 2/4 3P
Kevin Garnett - 18 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 4 blocks, 7/14 FG
Paul Pierce - 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4/10 FG

Heat:
Dwyane Wade - 41 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 13/21 FG, 3/5 3P, 12/15 FT
LeBron James - 17 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 5 steals, 5/15 FG, 3/9 3P
Chris Bosh - 13 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 4/11 FG, 5/6 FT

[Mavs4Life]

This is fixed!

[rise]

Even though I don't like it, nice wins.

The Celtic-Heat series seems to be very intense.

[George7]

_allas Mavericks?????
No D!!

Great job getting the 2-0 lead in the series! I hope we're going to see a Rockets-Celtics Finals!

[Houndy]

No more pro? Thierry's Sliders?

Lies

[shadowgrin]

How can I follow the results of games when I know they're fixed!

[Stress Fracture]

WTF happened to the Celtics happened in Game 2? Defensive meltdown?

[karlsanada10]

LMAO.

Nice win. You raise it to All-star and it seems it looks you win easier.-.-

[Larvae]

6/22 for Dirk
Great way to open up the series! 2-0 and 2 more to go!

[kibaxx7]

Come on man, you need more of a challenge

[Radioman]

Dallas ties at home.

[Axel The Great]

This is fixed!

If you'd read the story and the recap, you'd know the intention was to have the game fixed in favor of Dallas, and that there was no bias in game two.

Even though I don't like it, nice wins.

The Celtic-Heat series seems to be very intense.

Dallas apparently didn't bring enough effort. Celtics and Heat seem to be more evenly matched.

_allas Mavericks?????
No D!!

Great job getting the 2-0 lead in the series! I hope we're going to see a Rockets-Celtics Finals!

Yep, no D for the Mavs. They could not handle Kevin Martin.

No more pro? Thierry's Sliders?

Lies

Sigh. Before you go calling me a liar, I'll have you know that game 2 was the first game I played on All-Star. There was some slider adjustments to be done (and there still is); I said if I got desperate then I would use Thierry's sliders. And when you add the fact that Kevin Martin remained as dominant as ever, that's the result you get.

How can I follow the results of games when I know they're fixed!

They are not fixed.

WTF happened to the Celtics happened in Game 2? Defensive meltdown?

No idea. But it was probably the fact that Jeff Green was their leading scorer.

LMAO.

Nice win. You raise it to All-star and it seems it looks you win easier.-.-

Come on man, you need more of a challenge

For some reason, Dallas couldn't make a shot to save their lives, even with their shot inside, shot close, shot medium, consistency, etc. sliders higher than mine.

6/22 for Dirk
Great way to open up the series! 2-0 and 2 more to go!

Will be tougher in Dallas.

Dallas ties at home.

We'll see what happens.

I'm beginning to wonder whether or not people actually read the recaps. Not a single mention of K-Mart's double-double. If you recall, double-doubles don't happen everyday for Martin, he's no Chris Paul or Kevin Love that's for sure.

MVP winner is next. If my 'winning' by double-digits against Dallas created controversy, wait 'til you see what's next.

[Axel The Great]

2011 NBA Most Valuable Player

Posted by Axel Gomez May 18, 2011 at 8:47 AM
In a selection that's definitely going to cause much controversy, LeBron James has been named this season's Most Valuable Player for the third straight year in a row. I know what many are thinking, this year he had the help of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh which made the Heat a very dominant team, one that went 55-27. The previous two selections were justified; he was the only legitimate threat in Cleveland, making his teammates appear like good supporting players. He will be presented the award before tonight's Game Three against the Boston Celtics at the American Airlines Arena.

There were many candidates for the MVP award this year. Yes, James did post some excellent numbers despite having to share the spotlight in Miami this season. He averaged 27.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 2.5 steals, still showing an excellent all-around game. His teammate Dwyane Wade was also a candidate for the award, averaging 24 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks. Both of these players created an assortment of highlights at the American Airlines Arena; watching them play together is a sight to behold.

What many felt should've been the true selection, Kevin Durant was a close second. Durant had breathtaking numbers of 31.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks. He shot an incredible 51% from the field; incredible because of the fact that he's a perimeter player and has to take a huge chunk of Oklahoma City's field goal attempts. And considering that he won his second consecutive scoring title, that's an even stronger bid for the award. His all-around stats were arguably better than that of James, but the media (voters) felt that he needs to become more of a playmaker to really have threatened James' run of MVP awards.

If not Durant, then definitely Derrick Rose should've won. Rose kept the Bulls in the playoff race, becoming a major factor (the other being Coach Thibodeau) in Chicago's 16-game win streak late in the season. Rose averaged 28.9 points, 7.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals. His improvement in stats had him as a candidate for the Most Improved Player award as well. "I'm sure many fans are disappointed about me not winning the award. I gave it my all this season, but I'm not one to cry over an award that's had controversial selections the past few years," the young rising point guard said. In my opinion, it was either between Rose or Durant.

Next in line, was Dwight Howard. Howard kept Orlando a perennial playoff team, not because of his newly added dimension the post game, but because of his defensive presence. Howard led the league in blocks and in rebounding, averaging 2.4 blocks and 12.1 rebounds. He also averaged 19 points and shot 54% from the field. True, he may have had help from Gilbert Arenas and Jason Richardson on offense, but he was the only defensive threat on the Orlando Magic all season long. With that, Orlando made another second round appearance, but unfortunately could not keep up with the Boston Celtics.

Last but not least, Kevin Martin was considered by some to be a sleeper for this award. His offensive dominance kept Houston on top of the Western Conference and arguably the best team in the league. Martin mauled opponents with 28 points per game and shot 52% from the field. He also added 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals to his stats. Named the most efficient player in the league, Martin keeps adding more and more to his game, like the post game and defensive fundamentals. Martin definitely needed more to his all-around numbers to have been seriously considered for the award, but if he can continue to dominate like he's doing in the playoffs and stay healthy, this won't be his last appearance as an MVP Candidate, that's for sure.

You can also argue that there were some other sleepers for this award, like Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobili, among few of them. But as said before, the media voted LeBron for the award, and that's that.

To sum it up, I bet a consensus could be reached that LeBron James can be considered as deserving of the award, but definitely not more deserving than the likes of Rose or Durant. The media chose James for a reason that apparently isn't clear, but what's done is done. Considering James is not performing up to par in the playoffs and Wade is doing all the work, this year's MVP selection would have been in vain.

2011 NBA MVP Candidates:



Comments: (5)

Posted by The REAL K-Mart (Kenyon sucks!) May 18, 2011 at 9:38 AM
Spot on with the mention of LeBron's struggles in the playoffs. Dwyane Wade is the reason the Heat are still on the road to winning the seven promised championships. Award should've gone to Rose or Durant, though. Two young players who have made themselves heard around the league. They will have their chances in the later years, though.

Posted by PoohdiniRose May 18, 2011 at 9:59 AM
Agreed with K-Mart. LeBron hasn't played well these playoffs, so I don't see why he's the MVP. Darn media screwing Rose out of two awards (MIP, MVP) in one season.

Posted by Ariza's Bricks May 18, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Not trying to play the devil's advocate here Poohdini, but the MVP award is based on just the regular season. Who cares if LeBron has been shit in the playoffs? He still kicked ass in the regular season.

Posted by Kobe #24 4-ever May 18, 2011 at 10:48 AM
lebron sucks. i dont know how the media can choose him after all the bullshit he gave us in the offseason with the decision and promising seven titles. utter bullshit.

Posted by D-Wad3 May 18, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Should've gone to Wade, but at least a Heat player won it.

[Houndy]

I was messin' with ya

Whoo, LeBron wins it again... fun fun fun.

[Radioman]

Everyone says LeBron always wins the trophy in 2k11, but however he is putting up high stats though, so i guess he deserves it.

Kevin Martin is a true scorer for your Game but he need to step up a little more in rebounding assists and maybe steals. Maybe next year ?

[Cruzerr]

Whoopdie-doo, its an awesome surprise.

[Mavs4Life]

Bron' actually looks like he deserved to win it. Good all-around stats,not just scoring like usual.

[Justine.]

Durant is the true MVP for me.

[rise]

If Durant had more assists, he would have won it for sure.

[KidJustin]

Chris Bosh should have won it....major snub

[kibaxx7]

Durantula would have been a great selection.

[shadowgrin]

How can I follow the results of games when I know they're fixed!

They are not fixed.

David Stern seems to agree with me.

[George7]

It seems that only in my association LeBron doesn't get voted as the MVP!!

[Larvae]

HOW COULD THE LEAGUE BE SO UNFAIR KEVIN MARTIN! C'MON! LBJ Should win it some other time.

[KidJustin]

It seems that only in my association LeBron doesn't get voted as the MVP!!

cough...fixed