Queensbridge

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All of that, and Ron Artest is the hero? I guess that makes sense in a strange, fate-driven way.

Comfort and Coaching

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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

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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

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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.

So It Begins

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The Cavaliers needed Superman, they got Clark Kent.

Fire In the Sky

The MVP race is not really a race at all and hasn’t been since LeBron secured his second or third straight player of the month award. LeBron could go scoreless, reboundless, and assistless for the remainder of the season and still win this MVP. The competition really isn’t even competitive.

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.

Observations on the Phoenix/Cleveland Game

and here...we...go

Two of the best teams in the league matchup tonight as Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash take on LeBron James, Mo Williams, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

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 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.

Paints in the Fantasy Draft

So the teams have been drafted for the 2009-2010 Fantasy Draft and here are the rosters.

How Can You Argue With Success?

Season Preview: Phoenix Suns

Team History:

The Phoenix Suns have a history best described as “close, but no cigar”.  The Suns have a grand total of 0 championships in their elongated history. No championships with Kevin Johnson, Charles Barkley, Jason Kidd, Stephon Marbury, or Steve Nash. Despite having often one of the most talented teams in the league, the Suns have never reached the mountaintop.

Ignore the Speed Limit

Now, comparisons are made all of the time, to the point that they lose their significance. That being said, I would like to make one concerning basketball and football. Not the games themselves, they are fundamentally different in almost all conceivable ways except both involve a ball and points. I am referring to two players specifically who seem to have much in common, at least in the parameters of their individual sport. Those two players are Steve Nash and Drew Brees.