LeBron James to the Chicago Bulls. And how.

Since we have spent the last year or so wading through the murky waters of free agency, don’t you think it’s about time we started drawing some conclusions?

But before we come to any real conclusions, a little role play. Imagine yourself as Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant. In just your second week on the job you are faced with the prospect of having to trade away the best player in franchise history in a do or die sign and trade, or watch the two time and defending league MVP simply leave town as an unrestricted free agent. Of course, there is also the possibility of resigning him, but I think the chances of that are very small.

Glad I’m not that guy.

Conclusion #1: The only one that really matters.

Let’s Cut a Groove

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Settle, everybody settle. Slow the talk of outcoaching and confusion. So far, nothing has happened but was designed to happen by the playoff format. Believe me, I hope this is a trend that will continue for the Suns, but I just can’t see it, not for game 5 at least.

Comfort and Coaching

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Believe me, I really want the Suns to win. But, one game doesn’t shift this series. The same things that were said about the Lakers are still true, even if not for one night. Can the Suns win game 4? Yes. Game 5? Maybe. I just don’t know. The Lakers were still well in this game despite Amar’e going into that mode that makes you think he deserves a Max deal.

Mission Statement

Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The key thing to remember is that all hope is not lost. Hey, this game was tied 90-90 going into the fourth quarter. The Suns were riding a tidal wave of momentum with Grant Hill routinely draining the very mid-range jumpshot while Kobe or any of his backups relaxed their defense on the senior citizen of the NBA world.

It Wasn’t Ideal

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

That is what Steve Nash had to say about his eye that had swollen shut during game 4 of the Suns-Spurs series.

But, they finally did it. The Suns finally overcame the Spurs in a playoff series. No curses, no bench clearing altercations, no broken noses, no miracle 3-point shot by a power forward/center depending on the All-Star/First Team All-NBA vote. There was a black eye on Nash that swelled shut, but that wasn’t going to deter the Suns this time.

Pick-and-Roll and Politics

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Suns played really good basketball last night even when sporting a political message across their chests. Was the content a major factor in this game? Considering it resembled game 1 in outcome, how much could it have done?

So It Begins

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Cavaliers needed Superman, they got Clark Kent.

Moving On

Well, I don’t think that is how it was intended to happen. The Mavericks and the Blazers are officially sent home and the Suns and Spurs get to match up in the Conference Semifinals.

And everyone is critiquing Dirk for his lapse in judgement on his third and fourth fouls, and the third one is well deserved. However, am I the only one who sees George Hill grab his arm and hold him on the fourth foul, drawing the whistle. I’m not saying it wasn’t a smart play, because it was on Hill’s part, however its not “legal”. Yet, Dirk is ridiculed for that call. He was playing aggressive when his team looked to be on the brink of an old fashioned beating. Then Hill pulls a veteran move and now Dirk is the idiot.

Should he have let Hill drive? Probably. He didn’t have to play so aggressive, but that call is more a result of the referee not seeing what all went on. He saw Dirk’s arm apparently prevent Hill from driving and he made the call. Not his fault either, that’s what he is supposed to do. But to claim that Nowitzki is completely at fault is ludicrous. If anything, the Mavs lost because Kidd and Terry provided no offensive help and Carlisle was reluctant to put Beaubois in during the series.

Are the Clouds Closer?

First off, this isn’t surprising and quite frankly is expected. Everyone knew or believed that the Thunder would take at least one game and everyone knew that Chicago would be competitive, especially after the first two games. And I wouldn’t consider either of these games a “steal” by the 8-seed, they were most certainly victories.

The Learning Curve

Its hard to pity millionaires. It’s really hard. They have access to all the pretty things in life. Yet, I have a tremendous amount of sympathy for Mike D’Antoni.

He has essentially gone from driving a Ferrari to driving a beat up Ford Taurus, yet he is still expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds. He may be a talented coach who has revitalized the concept of a high paced offense winning at a major level, but he isn’t a miracle worker.

Champ’s Power Rankings: Week 5

give it time Brandon Jennings.

  

1. Los Angeles Lakers: The Champ is sure that the Lakers are glad that Pau Gasol’s injury hasn’t kept him out until Christmas. Sure the Suns have more road wins, but a 19 point rout  by the Lakers earns them the top spot this week, again. A good early home schedule and wins against teams like the pathetic Nets leave LA looking good early.

2. Phoenix Suns: The Pacific Division certainly looks good this year. First team to 14 wins? Impressive. With Steve Nash dishing out double digit assist nights and the team scoring in triple figures, the Suns are winning ball games.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Lights out shooting against the Top-10 Dallas Mavericks cancels out the ugly loss despite a late comeback against the Charlotte Bobcats. Undefeated when the team scores 100, the Cavaliers are slowly clicking.

Champ’s Power Rankings: Week 4

Playoffs?

1. Los Angeles Lakers: OK, an early home schedule is good and all, and Pau Gasol is back and doing work, and everythings clicking. But, there is no but, the Lakers are the number one team in the league. However, I’m not sure Kobe’s increased scoring is a good sign or not.

2. Atlanta Hawks: Disclaimer: Yes I am writing this after watching their cold effort in their falling to the Orlando Magic, at home. But coming into Monday this team was still on fire, yes they deserve to be here now. Next week? watch out.

3. Denver Nuggets: Coming into the season I was concerned about Denver. Yes, drafting Ty Lawson is a HUGE plus, but they made no offseason moves to improve the team. But then, Carmello Anthony stepped up, he finally is dishing out points and rebounds like a true superstar. Tracking Anthony’s development at a recent trip to the pool really sold me on the Nuggets, they’ve come a long way. They had Allen Iverson around this time last year.

Champ’s Power Rankings: Week 3

the kid can play

1. Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets keep winning, in the West. Carmelo looks like he’s playing with more determination than ever, second in the league in scoring, the team is winning on the road, and J.R. Smith has had a hot return off of his seven game suspension, possibly due to his desire to be called by his real first name: Earl. The Nuggets’ ascent is surely helped by the Lakers’ current slump, but for now the Nuggets are enjoying their time as the Western Conference’s best team.

2. Atlanta Hawks: The Ivy Leaguer is a prophet, the Hawks have raced to an early 8-2 record. They have beaten both the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic, does a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers earn them a spot in the Eastern Conference elite?

3. Phoenix Suns: The Suns sit at the three position this week. With a very respectable record of 9-2, with losses coming to the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers (last year’s NBA Finals) both played on the second game of back-to-back series, the Suns still impress the Champ.

Champ’s Power Rankings: Week 2

 

 

Week Two showed the Beast in Chris Paul, however the Hornets still struggled.

 

1. Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers played without Bynum and Gasol last night and still resulted in victory. The Lakers are the top dogs in the league right now. No questions about it. Lamar Odum also translated well into his role on Keeping up with the Kardashians.

2. Boston Celtics: A slip up against the now formidable Phoenix Suns lost some credibility as well as the near win over the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves cost the C’s to slip to #2 in my rankings. However, they still head their own conference and very well could earn homecourt advantage, minus any major injuries.

3. Phoenix Suns: Surprised? Maybe a little but the Suns are the hot team in the league for now. You forget this team has Steve Nash, Amare Stoudamire, and Jason Richardson. As well as a rejuivenated Grant Hill and an up-and-coming Channing Frye. Will they stay at three? Probably not, but this is Week Two.

Champ’s Power Rankings: Week One

The 2009-2010 season has been one of immense scoring, and tremendous excitement.

1. Boston Celtics: I am no fool. The Celtics are legit, at this point in time the C’s are  the best team in the league. Their offense is clicking, Rasheed Wallace looks more like a contestant for the All Star Weekend NBA 3 Point Contest, rather than the Sixth Man of the Year. Rondo got his extension, a safe move to protect young talent on an aging team. Things are working out in Boston, and as of week one, no team can touch them.

2. Orlando Magic: Just ask The Octagon, the Magic are very potent. The depth of this Magic Team is simply incredible. Their scoring recalls the glory days of the Phoenix Suns under Mike D’Antoni. Just think with J.J. (Get me a record deal!) Reddick scoring 27 points in the absence of Vince Carter, as well as Rashard Lewis’ suspension and Pietrus’ injury the Orlando Magic offense firing on all cylinders is truly scary.

3. Los Angeles Lakers: I can’t bring myself to rank the Lakers any lower than third, they are: 1. still the best team substantially in the Western Conference 2. temporarily lacking the frontcourt depth that Pau Gasol brings and 3. they are the Los Angeles Lakers, the same Lakers that have won 15 NBA titles, brought in guys like Gasol and Ron Artest, and will continue to do anything to win Kobe another ring.