AF1: 2014 NBA FINALS GAME 7 PREVIEW (Heat vs. Kings)

[Mavs4Life]

Good luck w/ the rest of the season. CP3 for MVP!

[Grandmama Johnson]

Definitely an improvement from last season, probably due to Stribling's great season. Nice to see CP3 in the MVP talks, he'd probably be in first place if he were averaging 20 ppg.

PS - Those pics are really good, do you take them manually (w/ a digital camera)?

Thanks! They are a digital camera, since I can't get an internet hookup for my Xbox. I try to get the lighting right, so glare and tv lines are kept to a minimum.

Glad to see both of your two stars made it to the All-Star team, Flynn MVP?

He's certainly an MVP contender. Phoenix is turning out to be a perfect fit for Flynn and he has taken his game to a whole new level there.

Cant believe the Bobcats are still in front, the Kings also do very well. I also like the Suns become a force in the West, Flynn really boosts them .

Grats for having two All Stars in your team.

Thanks, man. Bobcats and Kings both have some serious firepower. Neither how much postseason experience though, so it'll be interesting to see how they play in the playoffs.

Things looking great for rookie duo

Always looking up in Cleveland

Good luck w/ the rest of the season. CP3 for MVP!

Much appreciated. I'm happy for your Mavs, even though I'm a Lakers fan in real life (not Cavs). Dirk and Kidd are both legends who deserve a title

[Grandmama Johnson]

PLAYER PROFILE

LEE POSEY
Charlotte Bobcats
Position: Shooting Guard
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 201 lbs
Age: 22
School: Marquette
Rating: 82 OVR



When was the last time a rookie averaged almost 25 points per game? When was the last time a rookie led a perennial doormat to the top of the league? Meet the answer: Lee Posey.

Posey has taken the NBA by storm this year, leading the Charlotte Bobcats to a league-best 41-13 record and being tabbed as the next potential superstar. Averaging 24.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 3.8 APG, Posey has a great all-around game. He’s a tremendous scorer (seventh in the NBA), who has already put up 51 points in a game (1/13 versus Portland). Posey also has good weapons around him, like Danilo Gallinary and Tyrus Thomas, who have taken some of the pressure off his young shoulders.

However, what makes Posey such an enticing prospect is how complete a player he is, even as a rookie. His defensive ability is impressive and he possesses a high basketball IQ. With such physical and mental tools at his disposal, it’s only a matter of time until he makes his mark on the league. He’ll be playing in his first All-Star Game this weekend and, if he can keep up his precocious play, it certainly won’t be his last.

[rise]

First place Bobcats?!?! AWESOME!

[Grandmama Johnson]

2013/2014
NBA THIRD TRIMESTER RECAP

HEADLINES

LEBRON MAKES IT 5
James wins his fifth MVP trophy
LeBron averaged 29.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, leading Heat to 55-27 record



THUNDER AND BOBCATS EARN TOP SEEDS
Oklahoma City (55-27) tops West for fourth straight season, ready for three-peat
Bobcats complete 28-game turnaround, earn top East seed with 60-22 record

HAWKS DISAPPOINT
Preseason title favorites stumble through regular season, finish eighth in East at 38-44
Traditional powers Bulls, Celtics, Lakers, and Spurs all miss playoffs

DUNCAN TEARS MCL
37-year old legend goes down with long term injury, but vows to return
San Antonio ends disappointing season at 29-53



STANDINGS

EAST
Bobcats 60-22
CAVS 59-23
Heat 55-27
Magic 47-35
Pacers 44-38
Raptors 42-40
Nets 40-42
Hawks 38-44
------------------------
Bucks 38-44
Pistons 37-45
Bulls 37-45
Wizards 36-46
Sixers 35-47
Knicks 33-49
Celtics 31-51

WEST
Thunder 55-27
Warriors 53-29
Kings 53-29
Grizzlies 50-32
Suns 50-32
Nuggets 48-34
Jazz 40-42
Blazers 34-48
--------------------------
T-Wolves 33-49
Mavericks 33-49
Hornets 33-49
Rockets 32-50
Lakers 31-51
Spurs 29-53
Clippers 24-58

BEST RECORDS
1. Bobcats 60-22
2. CAVS 59-23
3T. Heat 55-27
3T. Thunder 55-27
5T. Kings 53-29
5T. Warriors 53-29

WORST RECORDS
1. Clippers 24-58
2. Spurs 29-53
3. Celtics 31-51
4. Lakers 31-51
5. Knicks 33-49

AWARDS
MVP: LeBron James (SF—Miami Heat—age 29) 29.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 5.9 APG
ROY: Lee Posey (SG—Charlotte Bobcats—age 22) 23.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.0 APG
Defensive Player of the Year: Josh Smith (PF—Atlanta Hawks—age 28) 9.6 RPG, 2.1 BPG, 1.5 SPG
Coach of the Year: Stan Van Gundy (Charlotte Bobcats) 60-22

ALL-NBA 1ST TEAM
Deron Williams (PG—Utah Jazz—age 29) 23.6 PPG, 9.0 APG
Derrick Rose (PG—Chicago Bulls—age 25) 27.9 PPG, 6.5 APG
LeBron James (SF—Miami Heat—age 29) 29.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 5.9 APG
Kevin Durant (SF—Oklahoma City Thunder—age 25) 30.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG
Brook Lopez (C—New York Nets—age 26) 23.3 PPG, 10.2 RPG

All-NBA 2ND TEAM
Jonny Flynn (PG—Phoenix Suns—age 25)
John Wall (PG—Washington Wizards—age 23)
Rudy Gay (SF—Memphis Grizzlies—age 27)
Michael Beasley (PF—Minnesota Timberwolves—age 25)
Dwight Howard (C—Orlando Magic—age 28)

ALL NBA 3RD TEAM
Dwyane Wade (SG—Miami Heat—age 32)
Rajon Rondo (PG—Boston Celtics—age 28)
Anthony Randolph (PF—Phoenix Suns—age 24)
Tyrus Thomas (PF—Charlotte Bobcats—27)
Andrew Bynum (C—Los Angeles Lakers—age 26)

ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Lee Posey (SG—Charlotte Bobcats—age 22) 23.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.0 APG
Frederick Bowden (SG—New Orleans Hornets—age 23) 22.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.7 APG
Bryce Barker (SG—Orlando Magic—age 22) 20.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.1 APG
Lee McDaniel (PG—Portland Blazers—age 22) 13 PPG, 6.2 APG
Joey Kent (C—Dallas Mavericks—age 23) 12 PPG, 10.5 RPG

SEASON LEADERS

POINTS
Kevin Durant (OKC) 30.6 PPG
LeBron James (MIA) 29.4
Derrick Rose (CHI) 27.9
Jonny Flynn (PHO) 27.5
Monta Ellis (GS) 24.6

REBOUNDS
Dwight Howard (ORL) 12.4 RPG
Kevin Love (DEN) 12.2
Blake Griffin (SA) 11.8
Andrew Bynum (LAL) 11.7
Al Horford (ATL) 11.5

ASSISTS
Rajon Rondo (BOS) 9.1 APG
Deron Williams (UTA) 9.0
Chris Paul (CLE) 8.6
John Wall (WAS) 8.2
Darren Collison (IND) 8.1

[Grandmama Johnson]

First place Bobcats?!?! AWESOME!

Yeah, wouldn't have seen that one coming!

[Grandmama Johnson]

2013/2014
CAVS THIRD TRIMESTER REPORT


SLAM DUNK SEASON: Clifford Hood and the Cavs have had a regular season to remember

OVERALL RECORD: 59-23 (second in East)

HEADLINES

REAL CONTENDERS: Cavs lock up second seed at 59-23
Finish one game behind NBA-best Bobcats (60-22)
Clinched playoff spot on 3/13 with win against Knicks
First round series versus New York Nets

RECORD BREAKING SEASON: Cleveland sets several franchise milestones
59-23 is third-best record in franchise history
Fourth division title in franchise history
12-win improvement over 2013
24-win improvement from 2012

HOT STREAK: Cavs win 10 of 11 in March
Streak extends from 3/4—3/25

GRANGER INJURY
Cavs star hampered with broken finger
Will still need 1-2 weeks to heal, but can still play with injury


TEAM LEADERS
Danny Granger (SF) 23.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG
Cameron Stribling (SG) 21.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.8 APG
Chris Paul (PG) 17.4 PPG, 8.6 APG (3rd in NBA), 4.8 RPG
Ramon Sessions (6th) 10.1 PPG, 4.4 APG
Paul Millsap (PF) 10.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG
Clifford Hood (C) 5.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG

[Grandmama Johnson]

2014 NBA PLAYOFF PREVIEW

EAST

(1) Bobcats vs. (8) Hawks
At the start of the season, few would have expected the Hawks, preseason title contenders, to finish eighth in the East. Even fewer would have expected Charlotte (60-22) to improve by 28 wins and lock up the NBA’s best record. Rookie sensation Lee Posey leads a talented, 60-win Bobcats squad into battle, but Atlanta’s run to the 2013 NBA Finals demonstrated that the ATL should never be easily written off.

(4) Raptors vs. Magic (5)
The Raptors earned the fourth seed by winning their division, but the retooled Magic (47-35) are arguably the stronger team here. Dwight Howard and James Harden are a dangerous pair, which will give their Canadian opposition a lot to handle.

(3) Heat vs. Pacers (6)
LeBron and Melo face off in what promises to be a star-studded battle. Miami (55-27) has performed well under Phil Jackson, but the true test will come in the postseason.

(2) Cavs vs. Nets
Cleveland (59-23) continues its rebirth after a strong regular season. Meanwhile, All-NBA First Teamer Brook Lopez looks to lead the Nets back to the quarterfinals. [SEE INDIVIDUAL PREVIEW ARTICLE BELOW]


WEST

(1) Thunder vs. (8) Blazers
Oklahoma City (55-27) begins its quest for a three-peat, facing mediocre Portland (34-48) in a first round mismatch. Russell Westbrook is still recovering from a broken finger, but the top seed and two-time defending champion should have more than enough to see off their unheralded challengers.

(4) Grizzlies vs. (5) Suns
One of the most interesting series of the opening round with the potential of going either way. Memphis enjoyed the best season in their history last year, reaching the conference finals behind superstars Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo. In order to take down All-NBA Jonny Flynn (27.5 PPG), they will need to bring that same playoff intensity in 2014. Note: Memphis automatically received the fourth seed, due to winning their division.

(3) Kings vs. (6) Nuggets
The Kings surprised many people this season, earning 53 wins with a relatively young roster. Coming into the playoffs with the third seed, Sacramento won’t be sneaking up on teams anymore. Could this be the postseason where Tyreke Evans breaks out? Not if Ty Lawson and the Nuggets (48-34) have anything to say about it.

(2) Warriors vs. (7) Jazz
It’s already been an amazing season for second seed Golden State, who have witnessed a 27-game turnaround and Stephen Curry become an All-Star. The Stephen Curry-Monta Ellis-Andre Iguodala combo will be a handful for Utah, who will rely on All-NBA First Teamer Deron Williams (23.6 PPG, 9.0 APG) to carry the load.

[Grandmama Johnson]

2014 NBA PLAYOFFS
FIRST ROUND PREVIEW

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS VS. NEW YORK NETS


After a breakthrough season, the Cleveland Cavaliers enter the 2014 playoffs with dreams of an NBA championship. Their 59-23 regular season record was second best in the NBA, but it will take 16 more wins to accomplish their ultimate goal and bring the title to Cleveland for the first time.

The Cavs’ journey begins tonight, as Cleveland hosts the New York Nets at Quicken Loans Arena. The Nets enter the playoffs as the seventh seed In the East, going 40-42 during the regular season. On paper, the Cavs are heavily favored in this opening round matchup, but closer analysis shows that Cleveland may be in for a fight.

The Nets were one of the top stories of last year’s playoffs, advancing to the quarterfinals in their first season back in New York. Their 2013 upset of Chicago in the opening round and narrow loss to the Celtics in the quarterfinals suggests that they are more than capable of providing a tough series.

“We’re excited about the possibilities out there, but we’re not looking too far ahead,” Cavs head coach Byron Scott said. “These guys [the Nets] showed how tough they were in the playoffs last year.”

Matchups will be a key to the series, as each team will have to control the other’s impact players. Brook Lopez is the Nets’ franchise superstar, recently named to the All-NBA 1st Team and coming off a strong season (23.3 PPG and 10.2 RPG). On the other side of the court, the Nets will have to maintain All-Stars Chris Paul and Danny Granger, as well as Cameron Stribling.

While last year’s Cavs were dumped out of the first round, this improved and battle-hardened squad has the makings for a deep playoff run. If Cleveland can get past the Nets, the quarterfinals (and a potential dream series with the Heat) awaits.

PROBABLE STARTERS

CLEVELAND
PG Chris Paul (97 OVR)
SG Cameron Stribling (88 OVR)
SF Danny Granger (75 OVR—Hurt/Broken finger)
PF Paul Millsap (77 OVR)
C Clifford Hood (75 OVR)

NETS
PG Jordan Farmar (72 OVR)
SG Chris Douglas-Roberts (72 OVR)
SF Terrence Williams (78 OVR)
PF Derrick Favors (84 OVR)
C Brook Lopez (89 OVR)

*Devin Harris (78 OVR) out with torn hamstring
*Vince Carter (72 OVR) out with broken jaw

[Bucket]

Oh, LeBron with another MVP. I made sim association with Warriors and LeBron won 14 MVP's and 9 in a row
Nice preview, on paper your team looks much better than Nets. Hood will kill them.

[Nutellar]

Lee Posey seems to be the next big thing.

Mavs Lakers Spurs Rockets missing playoffs, i think that never happened so far?

I am also a bit dissapointed about the Hawks, i really expected more from them.

Nice to see the Warriors and Suns on top, Iguodala and the Warriors seem to work well. With Curry and Ellis its not necessary to score for him so he can do other jobs.

Sad you missed the number 1 seed by 1 Game, but you steadily improve and all can happen in the post season, looking forward to it.

[Cruzerr]

Woohoo, Playoffs. No Lakers, that rocks .D . Nets does not seem strong enough and with their injuries, your taking this one.

[Houndy]

I say you in 5

[kibaxx7]

Cavs in 5 games.

[Grandmama Johnson]

Oh, LeBron with another MVP. I made sim association with Warriors and LeBron won 14 MVP's and 9 in a row
Nice preview, on paper your team looks much better than Nets. Hood will kill them.

Haha, Hood is a beast, but he's gotta guard Brook Lopez, who is arguably now the best center in the NBA (in 2014). That's crazy that LeBron won so many MVPs in your association. I think 2k needs to tweak awards so that team performance means more than just stats. If that were the case, we wouldn't see the LBJ winning every year.

Lee Posey seems to be the next big thing.

Mavs Lakers Spurs Rockets missing playoffs, i think that never happened so far?

I am also a bit dissapointed about the Hawks, i really expected more from them.

Nice to see the Warriors and Suns on top, Iguodala and the Warriors seem to work well. With Curry and Ellis its not necessary to score for him so he can do other jobs.

Sad you missed the number 1 seed by 1 Game, but you steadily improve and all can happen in the post season, looking forward to it.

Lee Posey is the real deal. In the four rookie classes so far, he is probably the most likely to become a true superstar. By the end of the season, he was actually an MVP candidate...as a rookie! You don't see those too often and it's almost impossible in the modern NBA (Chamberlain and Unseld are the only ones ever to win the ROY-MVP double).

I researched it and you're right about the Mavs, Lakers, Rockets, and Spurs never missing the playoffs together until now. The Lakers have barely ever missed the playoffs in their history (this is only the sixth time missing the postseason). The Mavericks have only been around since 1980. The only times the Lakers have missed the playoffs since then are 94 and 05. In 05, the Mavs were a 58-win team. In 94, both LA and DAL missed the playoffs, but SA and HOU were both title contenders. Therefore, you are correct: those four teams have never missed the playoffs together...until now

Woohoo, Playoffs. No Lakers, that rocks .D . Nets does not seem strong enough and with their injuries, your taking this one.

I say you in 5

Cavs in 5 games.

Thanks, guys. If only that were true (see the update)

[Grandmama Johnson]

2014 NBA PLAYOFFS
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS VS. NEW YORK NETS
FIRST ROUND: GAME 7 PREVIEW



With a quarterfinals spot on the line, the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Nets face off tonight in Game 7 of the first round. Quicken Loans Arena will host the final chapter of this roller coaster series, as the Cleveland faithful will help spur their Cavs into the second round.

“We know these guys pretty well by now,” head coach Byron Scott said about the Nets. “Right now, we gotta concentrate on bringing our best performance for Game 7.”

The Cavs got off to a disastrous start in the series, dropping Games 1 and 2 at home. However, Cleveland then responded in emphatic fashion, taking the next three games to go up, 3-2, in the series. Facing elimination in New York, the Nets won Game 6, 113-106, forcing Game 7 in Cleveland.

In order to advance, the Cavs will have to neutralize the hot play of Brook Lopez. Lopez has proved why he was an All-NBA First Team member this year, averaging 32.2 PPG and 12.3 RPG this series.

Meanwhile, Cavs star Cameron Stribling has raised his game in the postseason, averaging 28.2 PPG. His play contrasts with the underwhelming contributions of Danny Granger (18.7 PPG) and Chris Paul (15.2 PPG), who have failed to find their scoring touch this series.

If the Cavs do advance, it will set up a tantalizing quarterfinal matchup against the Miami Heat. Despite the prospect of a “dream series” with LeBron, Stribling and the rest of the Cavs are firmly focused on the task at hand: winning Game 7.

“We’re not playing the Heat tomorrow night. We’re playing the New York Nets,” Stribling said to media. “We need to show that we belong in the next round and we will if we can get a win tomorrow.”

SERIES RECAP

Game 1: Nets 113-106 Cavs
Nets take Game 1 at Q
Brook Lopez (NYN): 36 pts, 12 reb
Derrick Favors (NYN): 23 pts, 18 reb
Cameron Stribling (CLE): 34 pts

Game 2: Nets 125-120 Cavs
New York wins shootout, goes up 2-0
Brook Lopez (NYN): 25 pts, 8 reb
Terrence Williams (NYN): 22 pts, 12 reb, 6 ast
Rashad McCants (CLE): 26 pts

Game 3: Cavs 99-93 Nets
Sessions delivers Game 3
Ramon Sessions (CLE): 27 pts
Chris Paul (CLE): 18 pts, 5 reb, 10 ast
Brook Lopez (NYN): 30 pts, 14 reb

Game 4: Cavs 112-111 Nets
Cavs even series in close victory, 2-2
Cameron Striblng (CLE): 38 pts
Brook Lopez (NYN): 39 pts, 20 reb

Game 5: Cavs 112-106 Nets
Cavs comeback in fourth, lead 3-2
Cameron Stribling (CLE): 26 pts, 5 ast
Chris Paul (CLE): 21 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast
Brook Lopez (NYN): 27 pts, 13 reb

Game 6: Nets 113-106 Cavs
Nets ride home crowd, force Game 7
Brook Lopez (NYN): 36 pts, 7 reb
Cameron Stribling (CLE): 30 pts

GAME 7 @ CLE: TONIGHT

[Grandmama Johnson]

Good news, folks.

Just finished finals for the first year of law school, which means more 2k

Expect more regular updates and, as always, thank you for all your support.

-GJ

[Bucket]

Cool, maybe you will play more games?

[Nutellar]

Game 7?

I didnt expect that, i really hope you win this one.

[Cruzerr]

Im surprised too. You have to take game 7 for sure.

[kibaxx7]

Wow, didn't expect it either with the Nets playing without both Harris and Carter. Send them fishin'

[Houndy]

Game 7? Wow.. c'mon Cameron!

[Grandmama Johnson]

2014 NBA PLAYOFFS
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS VS. NEW YORK NETS
FIRST ROUND: GAME 7 RECAP

NEW YORK NETS 127-100 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS


The Cleveland Cavaliers crashed out of the NBA Playoffs in spectacular fashion, losing in Game 7 of the first round to the New York Nets. The Nets came into Quicken Loans Arena and routed the hometown Cavs by 27 points, signaling an early end to a once-promising season for Cleveland.

Derrick Favors led the way for the Nets, contributing 23 points and 10 rebounds. New York had opened up a 68-51 lead by halftime and never looked back, eventually winning, 127-100.

Chris Paul will take a lot of the blame for the Cavs’ early elimination, punctuating a poor series with only 2 points in Game 7. Shooting 1-8 from the field, CP3 has gone from MVP candidate to playoff goat in a matter of months.

The Cavs were the heavy favorite entering the series, seeded second with a 59-23 regular season record and potential title contenders. However, all title hopes vanished with the crushing Game 7 loss, further torturing the Cavs’ fanbase.

“This one really hurts bad,” head coach Byron Scott said. “We came into the playoffs thinking we were the best team in the NBA. Clearly, we weren’t.”

The Nets advance to the quarterfinals, where they will meet the Miami Heat. The Cavs will now prepare for a busy offseason.

[Grandmama Johnson]

2014 NBA PLAYOFFS
FIRST ROUND RECAP

WEST
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder defeat (8) Portland Blazers in 4 games
(4) Memphis Grizzlies defeat (5) Phoenix Suns in 5 games
(3) Sacramento Kings defeat (6) Denver Nuggets in 5 games
(2) Golden State Warriors defeat (7) Utah Jazz in 4 games


EAST
(8) Atlanta Hawks defeat (1) Charlotte Bobcats in 6 games
(5) Orlando Magic defeat (4) Toronto Raptors in 6 games
(3) Miami Heat defeat (6) Indiana Pacers in 5 games
(7) New York Nets defeat (2) Cleveland Cavaliers in 7 games

Analysis: One of the most unpredictable first rounds in years, as the top two seeds fall in the East. The Atlanta Hawks continue to defy the critics, knocking off the top-seeded Bobcats, while the Nets return to the quarterfinals after their upset of the #2 Cavs. The Western Conference contained fewer surprises, as all the higher seeds easily won their series. The matchup of the quarterfinals? Look no further than Memphis versus Oklahoma City, a rematch of last year’s conference finals where the Grizzlies hope to extract some revenge. “The Battle of NorCal” will also be something to watch, as the Warriors and Kings go head-to-head.

QUARTERFINALS

WEST
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4) Memphis Grizzlies
(2) Golden State Warriors vs. (3) Sacramento Kings

East
(8) Atlanta Hawks vs. (5) Orlando Magic
(3) Miami Heat vs. (7) New York Nets

[Houndy]

Ouch, Posey tastes defeat