puttincomputers wrote:That is like saying Phil Jackson is a Christian. And that kobe is virgin.
Analogy does not make sense.
puttincomputers wrote:That is like saying Phil Jackson is a Christian. And that kobe is virgin.
Sit wrote:Valor wrote:Sit wrote:Valor wrote:Sit wrote:Looking forward to an article from you Valor. I'd prefer that it's not about Leo Lai. More points for writing about something else.
Mavericks? I'm thinking of focusing on the upcoming playoff run, would that warrant a "something else" category?
You will get the designated 50 points.
lol fine fine, i'll write about something else
You're desperate for extra points. Must be the itch to be a starter?
Eastern Conference First Round Previews At-A-Glance
1. Atlanta Hawks (47-35) vs 8. New York Knicks (39-43)The Skinny: The Knicks don’t stand a chance in their matchup against the defending NBA champions. The Hawks’ title defense is certain to survive at least up to the second round. Manu Ginobili is in hot form leading into the playoffs and Atlanta is ready to make the most of what could be an easy path to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks made a surprising run to the playoffs after trading away Allen Iverson in the middle of the season. Sebastian Telfair’s homecoming has been the feel-good story of the year as Bassy has steered the Knicks back into the playoffs for the first time in nearly 10 years. The road ends here though as the Knicks lack the talent to pose a true threat to the Hawks.
Fans have got to bring out the brooms in anticipation of a sweep here. The Hawks will be very motivated to prove that they are going to be the team to beat in these playoffs. Ginobili, Josh Smith, Tayshawn Prince have all come out talking tough in the past week. It’s all fun and games but they do have bragging rights because the defending champs are the defending champs until someone beats them.
NBA.com Prediction Atlanta in 4
ESPN.com Prediction Atlanta in 4
Our Prediction Atlanta in 4
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (46-36) vs 7. Orlando Magic (41-41)The Skinny: Lebron James is hungry to prove that he is the league’s best player. Since his arrival in 2003, James had always been the face of the league until Moses Chara was drafted by the Sacramento Kings. Since Chara’s entrance, James has seen his popularity drop and the once ‘chosen one’ is now being overshadowed by a new rival. A season ending injury was unlucky to spell the end of his side’s title chances last year and James watched on as Chara did battle with the Hawks. Atlanta won the title and only God knows what James would have been thinking seeing that happen. A lot of people think that if James and the Cavs made it that far last season, they would have won it all.
Now James is desperate to prove that theory right. The Cavs have rested their ‘stars’ all season and All-Stars James and Rudy Gay look refreshed for the postseason. Cleveland will need a team effort if they want to go far in the postseason. Mo Williams and Rudy Fernandez are crucial to the title chase. And James is ready to lead.
NBA.com Prediction Cleveland in 6
ESPN.com Prediction Cleveland in 6
Our Prediction Cleveland in 7
3. Philadelphia 76ers (46-36) vs 6. New Jersey Nets (43-39)The Skinny: Defensive minded Philly comes up against the young run’n’gun Nets. Andre Iguodala will have his hands full with Carmelo Anthony because if you think Vince Carter can slow down Melo, you’ve got rocks for brains. DJ Schmidt and Yi Jianlian form a beautiful inside-outside forward combo for the Nets. Byron Brock and Elton Brand are both steady defenders but the Nets’ pairing should give them nightmares if they play their high-low post game. As stated, Iggy has the task of slowing down Melo which means that Carter had better be quick on his feet to keep up with Jeremy Mason; a guard who can knock down shots from anywhere on the floor and likes to run a lot (think Ray Allen in his prime).
The battle will come down to whoever can organize their team better. Barney Steele is a triple double machine; a more athletic Jason Kidd. Zoilo Resurreccion is probably the smartest point guard in the NBA with a penchant for setting up his team ‘tee for tee’. Steele has to use his size to push Resurreccion out of his comfort zone. Resurreccion needs to use his quickness to beat Steele off the dribble and stay in front of him. The winner of the point guard matchup will tilt the series in their respective team’s favour. This series is going to be the closest in the whole first round. It might even be the most exciting one.
NBA.com Prediction Philadelphia in 6
ESPN.com Prediction New Jersey in 7
Our Prediction New Jersey in 6
4. Milwaukee Bucks (44-38) vs 5. Miami Heat (43-39)The Skinny: The Bucks are happy that they have home court advantage but the Miami Heat will be all about making a point when they play Game 1 in Milwaukee. The Heat have three talented scorers in Wade, Beasley, Smith and it will take a collective effort from the Bucks to stop them.
Milwaukee meanwhile needs a superstar effort from Jay Gray to get to the next round. It will be interesting to see whether Gray can carry his side now that he has a solid supporting cast around him. It’s time for him to prove that he can be a force like the player he is often compared to; Tim Duncan. It’s hard to tell whether Milwaukee will pose a challenge to the Heat. Home court advantage might be huge for them if the series last 6 or 7 games. However, the Heat have a ton of experience and it should come in handy against these young Bucks.
NBA.com Prediction Miami in 6
ESPN.com Prediction Miami in 5
Our Prediction Miami in 6
Western Conference First Round Previews At-A-Glance
1 Seattle Stealth (59-23) vs 8. Portland Trailblazers (42-40)The Skinny: This is going to be war when these two teams get it going. Seattle broke their Blazers hoodoo last postseason and look strong to continue with that. Seattle has upgraded their roster by adding Allen Iverson whilst the Blazers lost not only Steve Nash but also Nash’s backup, Jerryd Bayless, to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Blazers scraped into the postseason with a win on the last day of the regular season. The Lakers would have given the Stealth a better matchup so the Blazers had better show that they belong here. The onus is on Ramon Sessions to lead the Blazers from the point and for injury-prone Blazers Ben Gordon, Greg Oden and Carlos Boozer not to get hurt.
NBA.com Prediction Seattle in 4
ESPN.com Prediction Seattle in 5
Our Prediction Seattle in 4
2. Sacramento Kings (52-30) vs 7. Los Angeles Clippers (44-38)The Skinny: The Kings will give the Clippers nightmares in the first round. Los Angeles just does not have the depth to compete with the Kings. Ray Lliach is coming off another spectacular season but he will not be able to help the Clippers with getting past Moses Chara and Sacramento.
It will be interesting to see who wins the battle of the big men as the Clippers pit Chris Kaman and A’mare Stoudemire against the Kings’ Shaquille O’Neal and Al Jefferson. Moses Chara is going to dominate against the Clippers while Russell Westbrook should keep Lliach honest throughout the series. There is no way the Kings won’t be advancing in this one.
NBA.com Prediction Sacramento in 5
ESPN.com Prediction Sacramento in 5
Our Prediction Sacramento in 5
3. New Orleans Hornets (52-30) vs 6. Dallas Mavericks (44-38)The Skinny: Don’t let the records fool you; the Mavericks stand a good shot of winning this series. The Mavs have done well all season against the Hornets because they match up so well against them. Steve Nash will be happy that he has a great shot of reaching the next round in his farewell postseason campaign.
Close friends Nowitzki and Nash will be hoping to lead Dallas deep into postseason play. With the help of Jerryd Bayless, Hedo Turkoglu and Kenneth Dela Cruz, it’s highly possible that Dallas could serve an upset on the Hornets. For the Hornets, Chris Paul is reenergized with the addition of team-first Mark Moore. And when Paul is playing good basketball, it only means good things for New Orleans.
NBA.com Prediction New Orleans in 7
ESPN.com Prediction New Orleans in 6
Our Prediction Dallas in 7
4. Golden State Warriors (50-32) vs 5. Utah Jazz (44-38)The Skinny: The Jazz finally played to their potential this season with Joe Johnson and Deron Williams inspiring them to make the playoffs. However, it seems that they will come into an unfavorable matchup with the free-wheeling Golden State Warriors. The Warriors have all the firepower with two of the league’s most talented scorers in Monta Ellis and Louis Nixon.
Utah needs All-Star PF Donnell Lawrence to be a factor on both ends of the floor. At present, he is an All-World defender but shocking on the offensive end. That does not bode well for the former number 2 overall draft pick. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson will both need to consistently score efficiently with the basketball as well.
NBA.com Prediction Golden State in 6
ESPN.com Prediction Golden State in 6
Our Prediction Golden State in 5
Iverson: "I Should Be Starting"
With the Playoffs looming, Seattle Stealth guard Allen Iverson is stating his displeasure on his role in the team.
Iverson was traded from the New York Knicks to Seattle just before the trade deadline back in February, and although he has made a seamless transition from the Knicks to the title contending Stealth and finishing the season averaging just over 16 points and 4 assists per game in the sixth man role, Iverson feels that the team would have a much higher chance of winning the title with him as a starter.
"I'm not a bench player. I'm not a sixth man," Iverson stated "My play speaks for itself. I am a better player than that Tyson kid."
Iverson, despite being in his 17th NBA season and at the age of 37, has indeed proven that he can still ball with the best of them. Prior to joining Seattle, Iverson formed a formidable trio with Lamar Odom and Vince Carter. They didn't reached the playoffs, but The Answer still had it in him.
Upon arriving in Seattle, Iverson said he would have no problem coming off the bench, except he would only prove that he was fit to be a starter. He has proved himself, however Stealth Head Coach Will Sit does not seem to even ponder the idea of letting the former MVP start.
"Reshawn is my starting two guard" Sit had said "and there is no way I'm starting him (Iverson) at the point"
Seattle may be one of the heavy favorites to win, but Iverson's dislike with his role may cause chemistry issues and affect performance on the court.
At any rate, it would be wise for Coach Sit to consider the idea of starting Iverson in favor of Reshawn Tyson, as there has been a well know history of dislike between Tyson and the Stealth Star Kevin Durant. Tyson's 23.3 points per game could be used as instant offense off the bench for the Stealth, and the change in lineup could provide a challenge for opposing teams in the playoffs.
Durant's stance on this is clear. He want's Iverson to start on what he calls "My Team Baby"
"He's a former MVP, enough said" the Stealth star stated "That kid Reshawn isn't even good, my boy AI can do much better than him, he should be starting"
The Stealth knew the repercussions when they traded for The Answer, and as the most important period of the NBA season arrives, this is one distraction that they do not need.
shadowgrin wrote:That article is so whack you should be penalized with -50 points.
shadowgrin wrote:I would start AI at the point, Jao Wu at the 2, Kidd in the wing, and Durant at the 4.
Nellieball baby!
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