Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesThe Miami Heat are the NBA's hottest team right now, having won 14 out of its last 17 games and they currently own the league's longest winning streak at eight victories in a row.They had a stellar month of March, only dropping three games, which enabled them to climb all the way up the standings and regain the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.They had crucial wins over the Charlotte Bobcats and Milwaukee Bucks, who they overcame in the standings to get back to the fifth spot.In Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
addition, Miami has won six straight road games, which is their longest streak in three years. They sit nine games over the .500 mark at 43-34, which is also their best record since 2007.The Heat are playing their best ball of the season at the right time with only five games remaining and the team in the thick of the playoff race, holding a slim half game lead over the Bucks and a 2.5 game lead over the seventh-seeded Bobcats.Miami's recent surge is a product of their fierce defense that ranks best in the league in most categories.Second-year head coach Erik Spolestra has instilled a strong sense of defensive prowess in his team, which has been passed down to him from former Heat skipper Pat Riley and his defensive minded approach.The Heat have finally realized that their defense is what fuels their game and makes them successful. They have learned that their defense gives them a chance to win every night and it has been their formula for success in their recent winning streak.Miami is now second in the NBA in points allowed, limiting opponents to an impressive 94 points per game. They only trail their division-mate Charlotte Bobcats by 0.5 points, who allow 93.5 points per game, for the least amount of points allowed.They rank No. 1 in the league in lowest field goal percentage against at 43.7 percent per game and they are tied for third-best in three-point percentage allowed at 33.9 percent.In addition, they are tied for second in the NBA for blocked shots, swatting 5.7 shots per contest.Miami takes a lot of pride in its defense and relies heavily on it in late game situations. They have the ability to play lock-down defense every night that is among the most ferocious defenses in the NBA.Their defensive effort has made them a playoff team this season and the Heat are among the best defensive squads in the NBA.The Heat are equipped with defensive weapons both in the starting lineup and off the bench.Jermaine O'Neal and Dwyane Wade highlight the defense for the starting lineup. O'Neal is still an excellent inside defensive presence and shot blocker, averaging 1.4 blocks per game. He still has the ability to change shots and hassle the best big men in the league.Wade is undoubtedly one of the top defensive players in the league.The All-Star averages 1.9 steals per game, which is third-best in the NBA and leads the Heat, and he is good for 1.1 blocks per game. He is hands-down the best shot blocking guard in the league and is an Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
overall relentless defender.Quentin Richardson is also a solid defender in the starting rotation. He is fourth on the team in steals and he can be counted on to take charges on a nightly basis.The Heat's second unit also contains some great defensive weapons.Point guard Mario Chalmers, who hasn't been as effective as last year, is still a reliable defender. He averages 1.2 steals per game, which is second on the team. He receives a lot fewer minutes this season in a reserve role, but still contributes highly on defense.Miami's defensive frontcourt off the bench is even more impressive, with Dorell Wright, Udonis Haslem, and Joel Anthony making up that cast.Wright's length and athleticism allows him to be a dangerous defender.At the small forward position, he receives defensive assignments against the NBA's elite players and does a solid job. Wright has finally started to come together on the court and is finally part of the regular rotation.Haslem leads the Heat's second unit and brings lots of energy off the bench with his hustle and motivation. He is a hounding defender that is able to out-rebound bigger opponents. Haslem also has a knack for sacrificing his body to take charges, further adding to his value to the Heat's roster.Anthony has been a nice surprise for Miami. He might be the most unknown player in the league, but has quietly been one of the team's most valuable players in their recent surge.Anthony has started in place of the injured Jermaine O'Neal for the last four games and responded well. He has averaged six points and 4.2 rebounds in those four victories and the Heat are 11-3 this season with Anthony as their starting center. He has 100 blocks on the season, which is the most on the team.When both the bench and the starters are on defensively, the Heat are one of the most lethal defensive teams in the NBA.In their current eight-game win streak, their defense has limited opponents' scoring to 82.9 points per game.Miami hasn't allowed 100 points or more in more than two weeks.While an argument could be made that during the streak, the Heat have only faced three playoff-contending teams (Milwaukee, Toronto, and Charlotte), it's undeniable that the Heat have noticeably picked up their defense.Miami is playing with a sense of urgency as they know they have no room for error with the Bucks scratching at their heels for the fifth seed. Miami has worked hard to recapture the fifth spot and they don't want to relinquish it.To Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
accomplish that, the Heat will simply have to maintain their defensive intensity. They have relied on it consistently over the past month to win ballgames and rise up the standings.If the Heat continue that defensive mentality, they will be a very dangerous team in the postseason. With five games left to determine their playoff fate, Miami will turn to their defense to help them prevail.If Miami can carry that defensive momentum into the playoffs, they have the opportunity to be a surprise threat.
2010年12月29日星期三
29 Dec 10 NBA Championship Betting – Nuggets, Jazz Get Things Rolling in Denve
Both even ended the season by winning six of their last 10 games, so who gets the edge when the series kicks off in Denver on Saturday night?Jazz vs Nuggets odds Saturday, April 17, 10:30 PM ETThe Jazz were a force down the stretch, and Deron Williams was the key, averaging 23.0 points and 9.2 assists for Minnesota Vikings
Utah. Williams is easily a top-five point guard in the league, and people can make good arguments for him being the best. Carlos Boozer ended the season with an average of 19.5 points and 11.2 boards, and it unlikely that hell be back in Utah after this season, so he would like to go out on a high note. Williams leads an attack that was fourth in the West in scoring, but they haven been as strong defensive as a Jerry Sloan-coached team usually is, although they did manage to get their season average under 100 points to 98.9 points.The Nuggets basketball betting odds received a boost as Kenyon Martin returned to the lineup with three games left in the season after dealing with tendinitis in his knee, and having Martin back is great for the Nuggets as he their best interior defender, and probably their toughestNew England Patriots jersey
player. It on the defensive end of the floor that the Nuggets need him, because offensively, theyre fine with Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups steering the attack. The X-factor for the Nuggets NBA odds could be J.R. Smith, who has improved this season, but he still sometimes takes some truly awful shots.Online sports betting odds should favor the Nuggets in this contest, but not because theyve won three of four against the Jazz this season. The Jazz have dropped four in a row and five of their last six in Denver, and the Nuggets 34 home wins led the West (ironically, just two wins ahead of Utah), and that pulls them even with Atlanta for second place in the NBA behind Cleveland. There are matchups all over the place to watch, like Martin and Boozer in the post, although the Nuggets may rotate defenders on Boozer to take care of Martin knee. There also Billups and Williams at the point, while Utah Andrei Kirilenko will probably guard Anthony, who averaged 33.5 points in two games against the Jazz this season. The New Orleans Saints jersey
crowd is going to be up for this game, and the Nuggets need them as coach George Karl isn back on the bench yet due to his cancer treatments, although doctors say he should be back for the second round, if Denver makes it that far. The Nuggets will get off to a good start, so take them in your sportsbook.
Utah. Williams is easily a top-five point guard in the league, and people can make good arguments for him being the best. Carlos Boozer ended the season with an average of 19.5 points and 11.2 boards, and it unlikely that hell be back in Utah after this season, so he would like to go out on a high note. Williams leads an attack that was fourth in the West in scoring, but they haven been as strong defensive as a Jerry Sloan-coached team usually is, although they did manage to get their season average under 100 points to 98.9 points.The Nuggets basketball betting odds received a boost as Kenyon Martin returned to the lineup with three games left in the season after dealing with tendinitis in his knee, and having Martin back is great for the Nuggets as he their best interior defender, and probably their toughestNew England Patriots jersey
player. It on the defensive end of the floor that the Nuggets need him, because offensively, theyre fine with Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups steering the attack. The X-factor for the Nuggets NBA odds could be J.R. Smith, who has improved this season, but he still sometimes takes some truly awful shots.Online sports betting odds should favor the Nuggets in this contest, but not because theyve won three of four against the Jazz this season. The Jazz have dropped four in a row and five of their last six in Denver, and the Nuggets 34 home wins led the West (ironically, just two wins ahead of Utah), and that pulls them even with Atlanta for second place in the NBA behind Cleveland. There are matchups all over the place to watch, like Martin and Boozer in the post, although the Nuggets may rotate defenders on Boozer to take care of Martin knee. There also Billups and Williams at the point, while Utah Andrei Kirilenko will probably guard Anthony, who averaged 33.5 points in two games against the Jazz this season. The New Orleans Saints jersey
crowd is going to be up for this game, and the Nuggets need them as coach George Karl isn back on the bench yet due to his cancer treatments, although doctors say he should be back for the second round, if Denver makes it that far. The Nuggets will get off to a good start, so take them in your sportsbook.
29 Dec 10 NBA Championship Betting – Nuggets, Jazz Get Things Rolling in Denve
Both even ended the season by winning six of their last 10 games, so who gets the edge when the series kicks off in Denver on Saturday night?Jazz vs Nuggets odds Saturday, April 17, 10:30 PM ETThe Jazz were a force down the stretch, and Deron Williams was the key, averaging 23.0 points and 9.2 assists for Minnesota Vikings
Utah. Williams is easily a top-five point guard in the league, and people can make good arguments for him being the best. Carlos Boozer ended the season with an average of 19.5 points and 11.2 boards, and it unlikely that hell be back in Utah after this season, so he would like to go out on a high note. Williams leads an attack that was fourth in the West in scoring, but they haven been as strong defensive as a Jerry Sloan-coached team usually is, although they did manage to get their season average under 100 points to 98.9 points.The Nuggets basketball betting odds received a boost as Kenyon Martin returned to the lineup with three games left in the season after dealing with tendinitis in his knee, and having Martin back is great for the Nuggets as he their best interior defender, and probably their toughestNew England Patriots jersey
player. It on the defensive end of the floor that the Nuggets need him, because offensively, theyre fine with Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups steering the attack. The X-factor for the Nuggets NBA odds could be J.R. Smith, who has improved this season, but he still sometimes takes some truly awful shots.Online sports betting odds should favor the Nuggets in this contest, but not because theyve won three of four against the Jazz this season. The Jazz have dropped four in a row and five of their last six in Denver, and the Nuggets 34 home wins led the West (ironically, just two wins ahead of Utah), and that pulls them even with Atlanta for second place in the NBA behind Cleveland. There are matchups all over the place to watch, like Martin and Boozer in the post, although the Nuggets may rotate defenders on Boozer to take care of Martin knee. There also Billups and Williams at the point, while Utah Andrei Kirilenko will probably guard Anthony, who averaged 33.5 points in two games against the Jazz this season. The New Orleans Saints jersey
crowd is going to be up for this game, and the Nuggets need them as coach George Karl isn back on the bench yet due to his cancer treatments, although doctors say he should be back for the second round, if Denver makes it that far. The Nuggets will get off to a good start, so take them in your sportsbook.
Utah. Williams is easily a top-five point guard in the league, and people can make good arguments for him being the best. Carlos Boozer ended the season with an average of 19.5 points and 11.2 boards, and it unlikely that hell be back in Utah after this season, so he would like to go out on a high note. Williams leads an attack that was fourth in the West in scoring, but they haven been as strong defensive as a Jerry Sloan-coached team usually is, although they did manage to get their season average under 100 points to 98.9 points.The Nuggets basketball betting odds received a boost as Kenyon Martin returned to the lineup with three games left in the season after dealing with tendinitis in his knee, and having Martin back is great for the Nuggets as he their best interior defender, and probably their toughestNew England Patriots jersey
player. It on the defensive end of the floor that the Nuggets need him, because offensively, theyre fine with Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups steering the attack. The X-factor for the Nuggets NBA odds could be J.R. Smith, who has improved this season, but he still sometimes takes some truly awful shots.Online sports betting odds should favor the Nuggets in this contest, but not because theyve won three of four against the Jazz this season. The Jazz have dropped four in a row and five of their last six in Denver, and the Nuggets 34 home wins led the West (ironically, just two wins ahead of Utah), and that pulls them even with Atlanta for second place in the NBA behind Cleveland. There are matchups all over the place to watch, like Martin and Boozer in the post, although the Nuggets may rotate defenders on Boozer to take care of Martin knee. There also Billups and Williams at the point, while Utah Andrei Kirilenko will probably guard Anthony, who averaged 33.5 points in two games against the Jazz this season. The New Orleans Saints jersey
crowd is going to be up for this game, and the Nuggets need them as coach George Karl isn back on the bench yet due to his cancer treatments, although doctors say he should be back for the second round, if Denver makes it that far. The Nuggets will get off to a good start, so take them in your sportsbook.
2010年12月28日星期二
28 Dec 10 Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the Rebirth of the Showtime Lakers
Stephen Dunn/Getty ImagesI became a life-long fan of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980 when a skinny rookie by the name of Earvin "Magic" Johnson guided his team to a NBA championship, while playing center in place of an injured Kareem-Abdul Jabbar.In that memorable Game Six, Magic had more than 40 points and 15 rebounds, as well as seven assists, and from that moment on my allegiance to the Lakers was simply a matter of course.1980 was the beginning of a magicaltime in Lakers' history, for Johnson went on to lead Los Miami Dolphins jersey
Angeles to four more championships as the lead guardin what came to be known as the Showtime era.That group of players, consisting of names such as Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper, A.C. Green, Kurt Rambis and others is considered one of the most dominant teams of all time.The Lakers earned their Showtime moniker because of the flair they brought to the court, the tempo at which they played, and the flawless rhythm that Magic established while running the offense.Magic at the head of a fast break was truly a thing of beauty, and with finishers like Worthy and Scott filling the lane, you could surely expect fireworks above the rim.The Lakers circa 2010 may not play with the same flair as the team of the '80s, and one would be hard pressed to prove theyare anywhere near as exciting, but this team does share some similarities with that fabled squad.Magic and Kareem were the centerpieces of those Lakers' teams, and they represented the best two players at their respective positions, and the 2010 Lakers can arguably make the same claim.Kobe Bryant is generally regarded as the best guard in the entire league, and while Pau Gasol is not usually thought of in terms of the NBA's best power forward, there are points in his favor.Gasol has undoubtedly been the best power forward in the playoffs so far, and if the postseason ended today he would definitely be the MVP for the Lakers at least.Gasol has increased his scoring average, rebounds, and shooting percentage in the postseason, and his seven-foot frame and wide array of post skills makes him a terror to defend for opposing players.Versatility may be the best way to describe Gasol, as he is comfortable shooting with either hand, while also a competent passer, and his talents translate to the defensive end of the floor as well.In the first two games against the Utah Jazz Gasol has recorded seven blocks and his length has caused the Jazz to alter many of their shots at the rim, but Gasol's best Minnesota Vikings
attribute may be his chemistry with Bryant.Before Gasol arrived in 2008 Bryant was a captain without a side-kick, but once Gasol was added to the Lakers' roster, the team under went a seismic shift, which has seen them capture three straight Western Conference titles.The Lakers were a good team before Gasol arrived, but his presence made them a great team almost immediately and his transition to the triangle offense was so seamless, it seemed he had been running it for years.Bryant and Gasol's bond is evident on the court, and even though Bryant has suffered through periods of disappointment in Gasol's play, and the same can be said in reverse, they both credit each other with the Lakers' meteoric rise from irrelevance.It is in much the samemanner that Magic often gave most of the credit for the Lakers' success to Kareem, and the legendary center would do the same for his equally legendary point guard.Magic and Kareem were the anchorsof the Showtime Laker teams, but they were surrounded by an abundance of talent who all excelled in different areas of the game.Lamar Odom, Ron Artest, Andrew Bynum, and Derek Fisher are representative of players like Worthy, Scott, Cooper and Green, who all added their own imprint to the Lakers' strength.There are some glaring differences in the two teams, and at a glance the most glaring one would be the complacent attitude that has sometimes plagued the 2010 version of the Lakers.The passion and drive of Magic would never allow his teams to get too complacent, and he had the Lakers ready to play on every occasion, whether it was the regular season or playoffs.The '80s team was glamorous for sure, but they also had a nasty edge with players such as Green and Rambis who acted as enforcers, and were never afraid to back down from a mental or physical challenge.Artest is probably the most physical member of this Lakers' team, and although the 2010 version of the Lakers have been accused of playing soft, lately they have shown they are more than capable of holding their own.Both teams prided themselves on defense, and it is this category where they are most similar, because this year's Lakers have been the best defensive team in the playoffs, and when motivated are the best defensive team in the NBA.The two teams had different approaches to success, as Magic's teams liked to push the tempo and run an opponent out of the arena, while Kobe's teams grind an New England Patriots jersey
opponent down with the precision of the triangle offense.But the measure of both teams has been the number of championships won, and Magic's teams were able to capture five in a decade, while Kobe's Lakers could approach that same number this year.These two eras may stand as the best in the long and glorious history of the Lakers' franchise, and even though they appear to be different on the surface, their paths have led them to almost the exact same conclusion.
Angeles to four more championships as the lead guardin what came to be known as the Showtime era.That group of players, consisting of names such as Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper, A.C. Green, Kurt Rambis and others is considered one of the most dominant teams of all time.The Lakers earned their Showtime moniker because of the flair they brought to the court, the tempo at which they played, and the flawless rhythm that Magic established while running the offense.Magic at the head of a fast break was truly a thing of beauty, and with finishers like Worthy and Scott filling the lane, you could surely expect fireworks above the rim.The Lakers circa 2010 may not play with the same flair as the team of the '80s, and one would be hard pressed to prove theyare anywhere near as exciting, but this team does share some similarities with that fabled squad.Magic and Kareem were the centerpieces of those Lakers' teams, and they represented the best two players at their respective positions, and the 2010 Lakers can arguably make the same claim.Kobe Bryant is generally regarded as the best guard in the entire league, and while Pau Gasol is not usually thought of in terms of the NBA's best power forward, there are points in his favor.Gasol has undoubtedly been the best power forward in the playoffs so far, and if the postseason ended today he would definitely be the MVP for the Lakers at least.Gasol has increased his scoring average, rebounds, and shooting percentage in the postseason, and his seven-foot frame and wide array of post skills makes him a terror to defend for opposing players.Versatility may be the best way to describe Gasol, as he is comfortable shooting with either hand, while also a competent passer, and his talents translate to the defensive end of the floor as well.In the first two games against the Utah Jazz Gasol has recorded seven blocks and his length has caused the Jazz to alter many of their shots at the rim, but Gasol's best Minnesota Vikings
attribute may be his chemistry with Bryant.Before Gasol arrived in 2008 Bryant was a captain without a side-kick, but once Gasol was added to the Lakers' roster, the team under went a seismic shift, which has seen them capture three straight Western Conference titles.The Lakers were a good team before Gasol arrived, but his presence made them a great team almost immediately and his transition to the triangle offense was so seamless, it seemed he had been running it for years.Bryant and Gasol's bond is evident on the court, and even though Bryant has suffered through periods of disappointment in Gasol's play, and the same can be said in reverse, they both credit each other with the Lakers' meteoric rise from irrelevance.It is in much the samemanner that Magic often gave most of the credit for the Lakers' success to Kareem, and the legendary center would do the same for his equally legendary point guard.Magic and Kareem were the anchorsof the Showtime Laker teams, but they were surrounded by an abundance of talent who all excelled in different areas of the game.Lamar Odom, Ron Artest, Andrew Bynum, and Derek Fisher are representative of players like Worthy, Scott, Cooper and Green, who all added their own imprint to the Lakers' strength.There are some glaring differences in the two teams, and at a glance the most glaring one would be the complacent attitude that has sometimes plagued the 2010 version of the Lakers.The passion and drive of Magic would never allow his teams to get too complacent, and he had the Lakers ready to play on every occasion, whether it was the regular season or playoffs.The '80s team was glamorous for sure, but they also had a nasty edge with players such as Green and Rambis who acted as enforcers, and were never afraid to back down from a mental or physical challenge.Artest is probably the most physical member of this Lakers' team, and although the 2010 version of the Lakers have been accused of playing soft, lately they have shown they are more than capable of holding their own.Both teams prided themselves on defense, and it is this category where they are most similar, because this year's Lakers have been the best defensive team in the playoffs, and when motivated are the best defensive team in the NBA.The two teams had different approaches to success, as Magic's teams liked to push the tempo and run an opponent out of the arena, while Kobe's teams grind an New England Patriots jersey
opponent down with the precision of the triangle offense.But the measure of both teams has been the number of championships won, and Magic's teams were able to capture five in a decade, while Kobe's Lakers could approach that same number this year.These two eras may stand as the best in the long and glorious history of the Lakers' franchise, and even though they appear to be different on the surface, their paths have led them to almost the exact same conclusion.
2010年12月27日星期一
27 Dec 10 2010 NBA Free Agency: Where Will LeBron James Land?
Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesThe playoffs have been flat this year, really flat.So it's not surprising that most of the media glare has been focused on the upcoming free agent bonanza, which includes Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and of course, LeBron James.The much anticipated summer of LeBron is finally here.There's no doubt that the reigning two-time MVP is the biggest fish around, and there hasn't been a player so big since Jordan.But who will LeBron sign with?In this article, I hope to provide the reader with an outlook as to how Cincinnati Bengals jersey
well-equipped the contenders are in this big-money race. A neutral viewpoint as to which team is the best set for a monarchy.Chicago BullsProsThe biggest reason why LeBron should come to Chicago is the supporting cast.It has a legitimate superstar in Derrick Rose, a passionate big man who protects the rim in Joakim Noah, a good two-way player in Luol Deng, a solid defender and shooter in Kirk Hinrich, and a young asset in Taj Gibson.Add LeBron to the mix, and you have a team which can instantly contend for a championship.Another reason is the media.Chicago is a big city, but not a global hub. This ensures that the exposure is more than sufficient to make LeBron even more of a global icon.However, unlike cities like New York, the media glare is not too much. Each and every shot he misses will not make the front page, and his private life will not be busted open completely.Moreover, Chicago has a sports culture. It is the home to several successful and storied franchises like the Bulls, Cubs, and the Bears. Even the Blackhawks have risen to prominence recently, plus, Chicago has educated fans who actually care.ConsWhile Rose is a major selling point, he can also be a drawback.Like LeBron, he too needs the ball in his hands. Can he handle not being the star attraction?Even if the ego problems can be settled, it would not be easy for the dynamic duo to share the ball-handling responsibilities and maximize their individual output.LeBron may have problems co-existing with Joakim Noah. The two aren't exactly the best of friends. And that's the understatement of the century.Importantly, Chicago is a place where Michael Jordan will forever remain the icon.The ghost of Jordan may come back to haunt James, and at every step he will be compared to the greatest of all time. He can never really be the icon which he (presumably) wants to be.But maybe the biggest negative is the coach situation.It is unlikely that LeBron will come to a team which doesn't have a coach as ofCleveland Browns jersey
yet, especially after his struggles with the offensive cripple Mike Brown.However, this situation can be turned around superbly if the Bulls end up with John Calipari or Phil Jackson.Cleveland CavaliersProsPerhaps the likeliest move.The biggest pro is that in Cleveland, LeBron is a god. Every superstar has an ego, and there is no place where LeBron's ego will be fed better than in Cleveland.He hails from Akron and Cleveland is really close to home. If he re-signs with Cleveland, he'll be hailed as the epitome of loyalty and a one-team man, and who doesn't like that.The roster may be aging, but it's really quality. Ferry is ready to do anything he wants. If he signs a short-term deal, this team could really contend. He also has good team chemistry with the players there.He's as powerful as the GM with the Cavs. No deal can go through without the King's approval. I'd be surprised if he can wield anywhere near that much power somewhere else.But the biggest reason is that every athlete cares for money above all else, besides maybe winning, and no team can give LeBron more dough than the Cavaliers.ConsThe roster is getting older by the day.When Antawn Jamison, Shaquille O' Neal, Anthony Parker and Zydrunas Ilgauskas are vital contributors, you know you're greying fast.Another major problem is the coach.Mike Brown is undoubtedly good as a defensive manager, but offensively, you would be hard-pressed to find somebody more inept than him.His best chance at capturing that elusive championship lies elsewhere.When you need to make your six-foot eight-inch forward defend the opposing team's lightning quick point guard, you know that you've got problems.James is a competitor. If he doesn't leave Cleveland and never wins a championship, evenDallas Cowboys jersey
a celebrated career will somewhat be lamented.It will always be a case of what if, and I don't think that LeBron wants that.Plus Delonte West, no further comments.A final major negative is the "Curse of Cleveland."It's increasingly looking like it's possible to win a major championship while playing in Cleveland, and for somebody who's primary aim is to win, it sure doesn't bode well.Los Angeles ClippersProsThe one thing that the Clippers have going for them is that they have a solid nucleus.Say whatever you want about Baron Davis, but the guy with the beard can still ball.Chris Kaman has slowly but surely matured into an All-Star caliber center, Blake Griffin may have had his rookie season destroyed by injuries, but the amount of upside that he has is worth drooling over.Add to that Eric Gordon, a sure-fire star for the future and a great offensive player, as well as some other solid parts like DeAndre Jordan, and you've really got something.The other major plus they have going for them is the city itself. Los Angeles is a massive city, and a major marketing hub.Playing in LA could only improve his image as the world's most popular athlete.The NBA would profit greatly.It currently lacks a cut-throat rivalry, and if LeBron played for the Clippers, the NBA would get one as big as any other.Viewership numbers would rise again, something that the Association badly needs.ConsThe biggest reason for LeBron to not sign with the Clippers is simple, name one major athlete who entered the Clippers and saw Denver Broncos jersey
professional sports. Need I say more?Playing in LA means that LeBron would have to share the spotlight with Kobe Bryant, and he may even have to be second most popular athlete in his own town.I'm not sure he can handle that.Davis and Gordon are both ball-dominating guards. Add LeBron to the mix, and you get a combustible mixture full of ego problems.It's nearly impossible for LeBron, Davis, and Gordon to co-exist because of the way they play.Miami HeatProsThe biggest pro is by far Dwyane Wade, whom the Heat have an excellent chance of re- signing.Can you even imagine how good a LeBron-Wade combo would be? I can't. It wouldn't be Batman and Robin, it would be Batman and Superman.If they off-load Beasley, Cook, and Chalmers, they will then have enough money to sign a third big free agent.If Bosh, Wade, and James were playing, the Heat could win a championship with my grandmother as the fourth wheel.Another massive positive is Pat Riley.The guy is one of the best general managers in the game, and a great coach to boot. LeBron will want a great coach wherever he goes, and Riley fits the bill.The final pro is Miami. The city is probably the celebrity capital of the USA.Great beaches, great parties, and all in all, it seems ideal for somebody like LeBron.ConsAfter Wade and LeBron, the team would probably lack depth, not a good sign for any championship contending team.There would be major alpha dog struggles between Wade and LeBron, and they're probably two of the three greatest "basketballers" in the world today.It wouldn't be easy for either of them to compromise their status', and there would be ball sharing troublesBut if the egos are managed, then the Heat could be formidable.New Jersey NetsProsOne thing that the Nets have going for them is that in two years time, they are moving to Brooklyn.Another reason is Jay-Z.The popular rapper is a close friend of LeBron's, and also a minority owner of the Nets. He will undoubtedly do everything in his power to convince LeBron to come to New Jersey.The Nets also have a young one-two punch. The bigger part of that is Brook Lopez. He may one day become the NBA's best center, and no, I'm not overstating things.They also boast Devin Harris, one of the fastest guards around and a great complimentary scorer.Besides these two players, they have a solid core. Courtney Lee, Terrence Williams, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Yi Jianlian, and, most importantly, one of Detroit Lions
Evan Turner, Wesley Johnson, DeMarcus Cousins, and Derrick Favors are solid rotational players, if not more.They have the cap space to sign another big free agent, a Joe Johnson or a Chris Bosh, to complement the already mentioned team and LeBron would be really, really good.Last but not least, the Nets have a new owner in Mikhail Prokhorov.The Russianbillionairecould extend LeBron's appeal to Russia. He has shown that he cares about winning, and that's what matters most.ConsThere is a lot of instability over where the Nets are going to play next year, and the year after that.They aren't moving to Brooklyn before two years time, and that means two years of playing in New Jersey. It is unlikely that the King would want to play in such a place for two whole years, especially after playing in Cleveland.Plus, the players on the Nets are good, but the supporting cast is not likely to be as good as the Bulls or even the Cavaliers.Finally, their is no head coach at the present moment. Unless they bag a big name soon, it's likely to adversely affect James.New York KnicksProsWe're talking about the Big Apple here. The odds are that there is no more desirable city to play in, and that's why LeBron is likely to come.He's made it known several times that he loves NYC.New York have a lot of cap space, and he can basically come in and choose the sidekick that he wants. To LeBron, that's a big plus.Madison Square Garden is hands down the most famous venue in the world, and the chance to come and play there must be an enticing one.Another positive is Mike D' Antoni. His system is probably not one likely to deliver a championship, for it lays a lot of emphasis on offense, but nevertheless LeBron is a great fan of his.Finally, no other place offers half the media coverage of New York, and that's a great thing for James who wants to become the world's most popular athlete.ConsThe media glare is maddening. It may make him even more of an icon, but it's equally likely to dissect every move he makes, and tear into his private life. Plus the supporting cast really isn't that good. You aren't going to win a title withDanilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Toney Douglas, Bill Walker and Eddy Curry.David Lee probably isn't returning either. Green Bay Packers jersey
While Mike D' Antoni's system may be very entertaining, it isn't the type of system which wins championships. You need to play defense for that.All said and done, the squad, even with LeBron and another free agent isn't enough to contend for the Larry O' Brien trophy, and that's probably the decisive factor.The VerdictLeBron James is a man who loves attention. He's undoubtedly going to wine and dine with the GM of all thirty teams, and he's going to drop hints about joining each and every team.He loves the attention.But at the end of the day, he'll narrow it down tothe Bulls,the Cavaliers and the Heat.Then he'll sign a two-year contract with any one of them, with a player option for the third year. He'll win at least one trophy in that two-year period, maybe two.And in 2012, all the madness will start again.
well-equipped the contenders are in this big-money race. A neutral viewpoint as to which team is the best set for a monarchy.Chicago BullsProsThe biggest reason why LeBron should come to Chicago is the supporting cast.It has a legitimate superstar in Derrick Rose, a passionate big man who protects the rim in Joakim Noah, a good two-way player in Luol Deng, a solid defender and shooter in Kirk Hinrich, and a young asset in Taj Gibson.Add LeBron to the mix, and you have a team which can instantly contend for a championship.Another reason is the media.Chicago is a big city, but not a global hub. This ensures that the exposure is more than sufficient to make LeBron even more of a global icon.However, unlike cities like New York, the media glare is not too much. Each and every shot he misses will not make the front page, and his private life will not be busted open completely.Moreover, Chicago has a sports culture. It is the home to several successful and storied franchises like the Bulls, Cubs, and the Bears. Even the Blackhawks have risen to prominence recently, plus, Chicago has educated fans who actually care.ConsWhile Rose is a major selling point, he can also be a drawback.Like LeBron, he too needs the ball in his hands. Can he handle not being the star attraction?Even if the ego problems can be settled, it would not be easy for the dynamic duo to share the ball-handling responsibilities and maximize their individual output.LeBron may have problems co-existing with Joakim Noah. The two aren't exactly the best of friends. And that's the understatement of the century.Importantly, Chicago is a place where Michael Jordan will forever remain the icon.The ghost of Jordan may come back to haunt James, and at every step he will be compared to the greatest of all time. He can never really be the icon which he (presumably) wants to be.But maybe the biggest negative is the coach situation.It is unlikely that LeBron will come to a team which doesn't have a coach as ofCleveland Browns jersey
yet, especially after his struggles with the offensive cripple Mike Brown.However, this situation can be turned around superbly if the Bulls end up with John Calipari or Phil Jackson.Cleveland CavaliersProsPerhaps the likeliest move.The biggest pro is that in Cleveland, LeBron is a god. Every superstar has an ego, and there is no place where LeBron's ego will be fed better than in Cleveland.He hails from Akron and Cleveland is really close to home. If he re-signs with Cleveland, he'll be hailed as the epitome of loyalty and a one-team man, and who doesn't like that.The roster may be aging, but it's really quality. Ferry is ready to do anything he wants. If he signs a short-term deal, this team could really contend. He also has good team chemistry with the players there.He's as powerful as the GM with the Cavs. No deal can go through without the King's approval. I'd be surprised if he can wield anywhere near that much power somewhere else.But the biggest reason is that every athlete cares for money above all else, besides maybe winning, and no team can give LeBron more dough than the Cavaliers.ConsThe roster is getting older by the day.When Antawn Jamison, Shaquille O' Neal, Anthony Parker and Zydrunas Ilgauskas are vital contributors, you know you're greying fast.Another major problem is the coach.Mike Brown is undoubtedly good as a defensive manager, but offensively, you would be hard-pressed to find somebody more inept than him.His best chance at capturing that elusive championship lies elsewhere.When you need to make your six-foot eight-inch forward defend the opposing team's lightning quick point guard, you know that you've got problems.James is a competitor. If he doesn't leave Cleveland and never wins a championship, evenDallas Cowboys jersey
a celebrated career will somewhat be lamented.It will always be a case of what if, and I don't think that LeBron wants that.Plus Delonte West, no further comments.A final major negative is the "Curse of Cleveland."It's increasingly looking like it's possible to win a major championship while playing in Cleveland, and for somebody who's primary aim is to win, it sure doesn't bode well.Los Angeles ClippersProsThe one thing that the Clippers have going for them is that they have a solid nucleus.Say whatever you want about Baron Davis, but the guy with the beard can still ball.Chris Kaman has slowly but surely matured into an All-Star caliber center, Blake Griffin may have had his rookie season destroyed by injuries, but the amount of upside that he has is worth drooling over.Add to that Eric Gordon, a sure-fire star for the future and a great offensive player, as well as some other solid parts like DeAndre Jordan, and you've really got something.The other major plus they have going for them is the city itself. Los Angeles is a massive city, and a major marketing hub.Playing in LA could only improve his image as the world's most popular athlete.The NBA would profit greatly.It currently lacks a cut-throat rivalry, and if LeBron played for the Clippers, the NBA would get one as big as any other.Viewership numbers would rise again, something that the Association badly needs.ConsThe biggest reason for LeBron to not sign with the Clippers is simple, name one major athlete who entered the Clippers and saw Denver Broncos jersey
professional sports. Need I say more?Playing in LA means that LeBron would have to share the spotlight with Kobe Bryant, and he may even have to be second most popular athlete in his own town.I'm not sure he can handle that.Davis and Gordon are both ball-dominating guards. Add LeBron to the mix, and you get a combustible mixture full of ego problems.It's nearly impossible for LeBron, Davis, and Gordon to co-exist because of the way they play.Miami HeatProsThe biggest pro is by far Dwyane Wade, whom the Heat have an excellent chance of re- signing.Can you even imagine how good a LeBron-Wade combo would be? I can't. It wouldn't be Batman and Robin, it would be Batman and Superman.If they off-load Beasley, Cook, and Chalmers, they will then have enough money to sign a third big free agent.If Bosh, Wade, and James were playing, the Heat could win a championship with my grandmother as the fourth wheel.Another massive positive is Pat Riley.The guy is one of the best general managers in the game, and a great coach to boot. LeBron will want a great coach wherever he goes, and Riley fits the bill.The final pro is Miami. The city is probably the celebrity capital of the USA.Great beaches, great parties, and all in all, it seems ideal for somebody like LeBron.ConsAfter Wade and LeBron, the team would probably lack depth, not a good sign for any championship contending team.There would be major alpha dog struggles between Wade and LeBron, and they're probably two of the three greatest "basketballers" in the world today.It wouldn't be easy for either of them to compromise their status', and there would be ball sharing troublesBut if the egos are managed, then the Heat could be formidable.New Jersey NetsProsOne thing that the Nets have going for them is that in two years time, they are moving to Brooklyn.Another reason is Jay-Z.The popular rapper is a close friend of LeBron's, and also a minority owner of the Nets. He will undoubtedly do everything in his power to convince LeBron to come to New Jersey.The Nets also have a young one-two punch. The bigger part of that is Brook Lopez. He may one day become the NBA's best center, and no, I'm not overstating things.They also boast Devin Harris, one of the fastest guards around and a great complimentary scorer.Besides these two players, they have a solid core. Courtney Lee, Terrence Williams, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Yi Jianlian, and, most importantly, one of Detroit Lions
Evan Turner, Wesley Johnson, DeMarcus Cousins, and Derrick Favors are solid rotational players, if not more.They have the cap space to sign another big free agent, a Joe Johnson or a Chris Bosh, to complement the already mentioned team and LeBron would be really, really good.Last but not least, the Nets have a new owner in Mikhail Prokhorov.The Russianbillionairecould extend LeBron's appeal to Russia. He has shown that he cares about winning, and that's what matters most.ConsThere is a lot of instability over where the Nets are going to play next year, and the year after that.They aren't moving to Brooklyn before two years time, and that means two years of playing in New Jersey. It is unlikely that the King would want to play in such a place for two whole years, especially after playing in Cleveland.Plus, the players on the Nets are good, but the supporting cast is not likely to be as good as the Bulls or even the Cavaliers.Finally, their is no head coach at the present moment. Unless they bag a big name soon, it's likely to adversely affect James.New York KnicksProsWe're talking about the Big Apple here. The odds are that there is no more desirable city to play in, and that's why LeBron is likely to come.He's made it known several times that he loves NYC.New York have a lot of cap space, and he can basically come in and choose the sidekick that he wants. To LeBron, that's a big plus.Madison Square Garden is hands down the most famous venue in the world, and the chance to come and play there must be an enticing one.Another positive is Mike D' Antoni. His system is probably not one likely to deliver a championship, for it lays a lot of emphasis on offense, but nevertheless LeBron is a great fan of his.Finally, no other place offers half the media coverage of New York, and that's a great thing for James who wants to become the world's most popular athlete.ConsThe media glare is maddening. It may make him even more of an icon, but it's equally likely to dissect every move he makes, and tear into his private life. Plus the supporting cast really isn't that good. You aren't going to win a title withDanilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Toney Douglas, Bill Walker and Eddy Curry.David Lee probably isn't returning either. Green Bay Packers jersey
While Mike D' Antoni's system may be very entertaining, it isn't the type of system which wins championships. You need to play defense for that.All said and done, the squad, even with LeBron and another free agent isn't enough to contend for the Larry O' Brien trophy, and that's probably the decisive factor.The VerdictLeBron James is a man who loves attention. He's undoubtedly going to wine and dine with the GM of all thirty teams, and he's going to drop hints about joining each and every team.He loves the attention.But at the end of the day, he'll narrow it down tothe Bulls,the Cavaliers and the Heat.Then he'll sign a two-year contract with any one of them, with a player option for the third year. He'll win at least one trophy in that two-year period, maybe two.And in 2012, all the madness will start again.
2010年12月26日星期日
26 Dec 10 Lakers-Celtics Finals' Preview: All That But STILL The Usual This
The "All That"... The Draft: You know how it works. Like all professional leagues in America, the NBA holds one every year. It's designed, of course, to give the crappy teams leverage in the acquisition of new, young talent. The NBA relatively recently even injected a draft lottery, to supposedly Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
keep said crappy teams from tanking the latter portion of seasons (as if some can help it) in order to secure the best draft position. But mainly, the lottery gives those crappy teams something extra to get excited about in May, while they're watching the good teams on TV in the playoffs. The Regular Season: The NBA plays an 82-game schedule. That's a lot of basketball. Then they put over half (16 out of 30) of the teams in the playoffs. This renders the regular season semi-meaningless. Teams have to really suck to not make the playoffs. The good-great teams go into each season knowing they'll make the playoffs and hence can dork-around through entire chunks of the season. So, in essence, the regular season only serves to resolve the mystery of which good-great teams will be seeded where and which mediocre-sorry teams will manage to back in at the seventh eighth slots in each conference (although for the past few years, the seventh eighth seeds out West have been pretty darn good). Turning It On Just For The Playoffs: Every year, fans and the media's "Talking Heads" yap incessantly about how some good-great team that's dorking-around in parts or all of the regular season won't be able to turn it on for the playoffs. And every year, fans and "Talking Heads" are proven wrong. This season, it was the Lakers (dorking-around most of the second half of the season) and the Celtics (dorking-around most of ALL of the season). I think you see where I'm Reebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
going with this...I mean..."All That". Free Agency: A bunch of teams, as usual, scrambled and made big headlines in adding players who "will put us over the top". The Magic added Vince Carter to "Superman". The Cavaliers were front-runners here with the additions of Shaq and Antoine Jamison. With "The King" already in his "freak" (that's a compliment) place, Cavs' fans in some quarters pre-ordered their "Cavaliers' 2009-2010 NBA Championship T-Shirts last November. I think you see where I'm going with this also...I mean..."All That" also. The "Usual This"... This will be the 64th NBA Finals. The Celtics will have played in 21 Finals and the Lakers will have played in 31 Finals. This will be the 12th time that they've played each other in the Finals...theReebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
second time in the last three years. The Celtics own 17 rings and the Lakers own 15 rings. Therefore, combined, these two teams already own slightly more than HALF of all NBA Championships. The "Usual This".CONTINUE... Reg DeVone is co-owner/admin: Sports Jabber. Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
keep said crappy teams from tanking the latter portion of seasons (as if some can help it) in order to secure the best draft position. But mainly, the lottery gives those crappy teams something extra to get excited about in May, while they're watching the good teams on TV in the playoffs. The Regular Season: The NBA plays an 82-game schedule. That's a lot of basketball. Then they put over half (16 out of 30) of the teams in the playoffs. This renders the regular season semi-meaningless. Teams have to really suck to not make the playoffs. The good-great teams go into each season knowing they'll make the playoffs and hence can dork-around through entire chunks of the season. So, in essence, the regular season only serves to resolve the mystery of which good-great teams will be seeded where and which mediocre-sorry teams will manage to back in at the seventh eighth slots in each conference (although for the past few years, the seventh eighth seeds out West have been pretty darn good). Turning It On Just For The Playoffs: Every year, fans and the media's "Talking Heads" yap incessantly about how some good-great team that's dorking-around in parts or all of the regular season won't be able to turn it on for the playoffs. And every year, fans and "Talking Heads" are proven wrong. This season, it was the Lakers (dorking-around most of the second half of the season) and the Celtics (dorking-around most of ALL of the season). I think you see where I'm Reebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
going with this...I mean..."All That". Free Agency: A bunch of teams, as usual, scrambled and made big headlines in adding players who "will put us over the top". The Magic added Vince Carter to "Superman". The Cavaliers were front-runners here with the additions of Shaq and Antoine Jamison. With "The King" already in his "freak" (that's a compliment) place, Cavs' fans in some quarters pre-ordered their "Cavaliers' 2009-2010 NBA Championship T-Shirts last November. I think you see where I'm going with this also...I mean..."All That" also. The "Usual This"... This will be the 64th NBA Finals. The Celtics will have played in 21 Finals and the Lakers will have played in 31 Finals. This will be the 12th time that they've played each other in the Finals...theReebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
second time in the last three years. The Celtics own 17 rings and the Lakers own 15 rings. Therefore, combined, these two teams already own slightly more than HALF of all NBA Championships. The "Usual This".CONTINUE... Reg DeVone is co-owner/admin: Sports Jabber. Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
26 Dec 10 Lakers-Celtics Finals' Preview: All That But STILL The Usual This
The "All That"... The Draft: You know how it works. Like all professional leagues in America, the NBA holds one every year. It's designed, of course, to give the crappy teams leverage in the acquisition of new, young talent. The NBA relatively recently even injected a draft lottery, to supposedly Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
keep said crappy teams from tanking the latter portion of seasons (as if some can help it) in order to secure the best draft position. But mainly, the lottery gives those crappy teams something extra to get excited about in May, while they're watching the good teams on TV in the playoffs. The Regular Season: The NBA plays an 82-game schedule. That's a lot of basketball. Then they put over half (16 out of 30) of the teams in the playoffs. This renders the regular season semi-meaningless. Teams have to really suck to not make the playoffs. The good-great teams go into each season knowing they'll make the playoffs and hence can dork-around through entire chunks of the season. So, in essence, the regular season only serves to resolve the mystery of which good-great teams will be seeded where and which mediocre-sorry teams will manage to back in at the seventh eighth slots in each conference (although for the past few years, the seventh eighth seeds out West have been pretty darn good). Turning It On Just For The Playoffs: Every year, fans and the media's "Talking Heads" yap incessantly about how some good-great team that's dorking-around in parts or all of the regular season won't be able to turn it on for the playoffs. And every year, fans and "Talking Heads" are proven wrong. This season, it was the Lakers (dorking-around most of the second half of the season) and the Celtics (dorking-around most of ALL of the season). I think you see where I'm Reebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
going with this...I mean..."All That". Free Agency: A bunch of teams, as usual, scrambled and made big headlines in adding players who "will put us over the top". The Magic added Vince Carter to "Superman". The Cavaliers were front-runners here with the additions of Shaq and Antoine Jamison. With "The King" already in his "freak" (that's a compliment) place, Cavs' fans in some quarters pre-ordered their "Cavaliers' 2009-2010 NBA Championship T-Shirts last November. I think you see where I'm going with this also...I mean..."All That" also. The "Usual This"... This will be the 64th NBA Finals. The Celtics will have played in 21 Finals and the Lakers will have played in 31 Finals. This will be the 12th time that they've played each other in the Finals...theReebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
second time in the last three years. The Celtics own 17 rings and the Lakers own 15 rings. Therefore, combined, these two teams already own slightly more than HALF of all NBA Championships. The "Usual This".CONTINUE... Reg DeVone is co-owner/admin: Sports Jabber. Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
keep said crappy teams from tanking the latter portion of seasons (as if some can help it) in order to secure the best draft position. But mainly, the lottery gives those crappy teams something extra to get excited about in May, while they're watching the good teams on TV in the playoffs. The Regular Season: The NBA plays an 82-game schedule. That's a lot of basketball. Then they put over half (16 out of 30) of the teams in the playoffs. This renders the regular season semi-meaningless. Teams have to really suck to not make the playoffs. The good-great teams go into each season knowing they'll make the playoffs and hence can dork-around through entire chunks of the season. So, in essence, the regular season only serves to resolve the mystery of which good-great teams will be seeded where and which mediocre-sorry teams will manage to back in at the seventh eighth slots in each conference (although for the past few years, the seventh eighth seeds out West have been pretty darn good). Turning It On Just For The Playoffs: Every year, fans and the media's "Talking Heads" yap incessantly about how some good-great team that's dorking-around in parts or all of the regular season won't be able to turn it on for the playoffs. And every year, fans and "Talking Heads" are proven wrong. This season, it was the Lakers (dorking-around most of the second half of the season) and the Celtics (dorking-around most of ALL of the season). I think you see where I'm Reebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
going with this...I mean..."All That". Free Agency: A bunch of teams, as usual, scrambled and made big headlines in adding players who "will put us over the top". The Magic added Vince Carter to "Superman". The Cavaliers were front-runners here with the additions of Shaq and Antoine Jamison. With "The King" already in his "freak" (that's a compliment) place, Cavs' fans in some quarters pre-ordered their "Cavaliers' 2009-2010 NBA Championship T-Shirts last November. I think you see where I'm going with this also...I mean..."All That" also. The "Usual This"... This will be the 64th NBA Finals. The Celtics will have played in 21 Finals and the Lakers will have played in 31 Finals. This will be the 12th time that they've played each other in the Finals...theReebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
second time in the last three years. The Celtics own 17 rings and the Lakers own 15 rings. Therefore, combined, these two teams already own slightly more than HALF of all NBA Championships. The "Usual This".CONTINUE... Reg DeVone is co-owner/admin: Sports Jabber. Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!
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