It Wasn’t Ideal

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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

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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.

Still Fighting It

LeBron James missed his second consecutive game last night. Yet the Cavaliers were able to defeat the Spurs. It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t due to luck or chance. It did have something to do with the Spurs not being as advertised this season, but that isn’t the point.

The Collapse of Immortality

Going into this season, there were at least four and possibly five teams that were seen as head and Dwight Howard’s shoulders above the rest of the league. Those four/five teams were, in no particular order: the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, and possibly the San Antonio Spurs. These teams had the right combination of talent, coaching, and offseason moves to move them into the pantheon of championship contenders for at least this season. Well, something has changed, at least a little bit.

Back Where We Belong, Almost

I have a few thoughts to share about the Spurs, the Celtics, Allen Iverson, and maybe some Real World/Road Rules Challenge if I feel up to it.

Observations on the Boston/San Antonio Game

Two Future HOF's Right Here.

The Champ gives his thoughts on the game on a restful Thursday evening.

A Little Tenderness

To begin, I would like to talk about, in my and many others opinion, the best player on the planet: Kobe Bryant.

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.

Season Preview: San Antonio Spurs

Team History:

The Spurs have a long and illustrious history dating back to the ABA, unapologetic Afros, short shorts, and a style of playing basketball built to purely entertain. This is of course in reference to George Gervin and his gorgeous finger roll that has since inspired a new generation of flair, much like Kareem’s sky hook or Dr. J’s gliding through the air.

Gloriously Boring

Tim Duncan – (n.) 1) someone who is so close to perfection, that the mere sight of his play causes drowsiness. 2) Somehow manages to be considered the best power forward of all time and is still underrated. 3) Seemingly devoid of any flair while playing, only breaking out of character when laughing on the bench and being thrown out of the game. 4) Perfected the bank shot to the point that the best player in the game (Kobe Bryant) copied him, adding to his skill set. 5) A terrific defender, tremendous offensive player, and all around good guy who isn’t embraced by the population at large. 6) Championship winning big man who has just as many titles as Shaq and Kobe without all of the bickering.

Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City

The New Orleans Hornets roster for the 2009-2010 season is shaping up to be about as new as Brandon Jennings’ haircut.

With the luxury tax imposing, the Hornets simply cannot compete in the free agent market, no Hedo Turkoglu, no Rasheed Wallace, or even Trevor Ariza. While players like six foot wonder Chris Paul speak out about how other teams are improving through the free agent market, the Hornets’ management remains as neutral as the Danish in World War I.