It was one of the most dominant performances we have witnessed in sports over the past several years. More than that, it was arguably the biggest embarrassment in Los Angeles Lakers' history and one of the proudest in the storied franchise that is the Boston Celtics.
We've seen it all from the Celtics this series. They were locked in a tough battle with the Lakers in game one before finally pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 10-point victory. In game two, Boston was thumping Los Angeles until the Lakers went on a tremendous fourth quarter run to trim a deficit that was once 24 to two. Still, the Celtics didn't panic, and they were able to hold L.A. off for a six-point win. Game three was tight the whole way through, and it wasn't until there was under a minute left that the Lakers finally had the game all but in the bag for an 87-81 triumph.
Then, in game four, the seemingly impossible happened, as Boston did what Los Angeles almost accomplished in game two, rallying back from a 24-point hole to beat the Lakers in their own backyard to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Los Angeles then blew two big leads in game five (a 19-point advantage in the first half and then a 14-point cushion in the fourth quarter) but was able to hang on to extend the series. After watching game six, one must wonder why the Lakers even bothered, as the Celtics annihilated, obliterated, decimated (and whatever other synonyms for those words there are) Los Angeles 131-92. Yes, that's a 39-point margin, the largest in Boston's Finals' history.
Everyone contributed for the Celtics. Kevin Garnett finally silenced his critics, recording 26 points and 14 rebounds. Ray Allen tied an NBA Finals' record by draining seven three-pointers en route to a 26-point performance (he also set a Finals' record by knocking down 22 threes overall in the series). Rajon Rondo may have been the player of the game, finishing with 21 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and six, yes, six, steals. Paul Pierce scored 17 points, and although he struggled with his shot (he went only 4-of-13), also tallied 10 assists, a demonstration of his unselfishness.
James Posey was perfect off the bench, hitting all four of his field goal attempts (three of them being three-pointers) for 11 points. He also played stellar defense on Kobe Bryant, who we'll get to later. Even Glen Davis and Tony Allen chipped in, and the two may have even put the icing on the cake of the series. Late in the fourth quarter, Davis crossed up several Lakers on a drive and threw down a vicious tomahawk jam. On Boston's next possession, Allen caught an alley-oop pass and put it home with a reverse slam.
Now, for the Lakers. The poor, pathetic, soft Laker team that ironically represents the city of Los Angeles. They were helpless last night. The entire team. Bryant, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher...everybody. Bryant started out strong, burying three three-pointers and scoring 11 points in the first five-and-a-half minutes of the first quarter and even taunting some Boston fans by saying, "Not today." Well, Bryant then did his latest disappearing act, missing his final six threes and finishing with only 22 points (meaning he scored only 11 over the final 42-and-a-half minutes). Oh, and how was his shot selection? Awful as usual, as the MVP (again, what a joke) went only 7-of-22 from the floor to cap off his second consecutive miserable Finals' series (remember how terrible he was against Detroit in 2004?). Oh, and how many assists did the so-called "best player on the planet" have? One.
Sure, Boston's swarming defense played a huge part in keeping Bryant at bay. Still, Bryant simply looked lost. Befuddled. Did Michael Jordan, whom Bryant is ridiculously compared to, ever look like a deer in headlights in a big game? Nope. Never. Bryant, however, looked like that nearly all series long, and it wasn't any clearer than it was last night. Pierce, Ray Allen, and Posey played phenomenal defense on Bryant, as did the interior help. Garnett and Kendrick Perkins did not allow Kobe to get inside all series long. Rondo also harassed Bryant whenever he made one of his hesitant attempts to drive the lane, even ripping the ball out of the MVP's (haha) hands late in the game. But like I said; that wouldn't have happened to Jordan. I can't even picture it.
Then, there's Gasol. Mr. Softie. He always had a reputation for being a bit of a pushover, and he only confirmed that this series. The seven-footer scored only 11 points and turned the ball over five times last night. Rondo tore the ball away from him at least three times in the early going, and Garnett and Perkins simply shut him down the rest of the way. Odom was no better than his frontcourt mate, connecting on only two of eight field goal attempts. And somewhere, Vladimir Radmanovic is still launching rainbow threes that are lucky to even miss gracefully.
And what happened to the heralded Laker bench? Jordan Farmar was the only reserve who did anything worthy of some praise, scoring 12 points and knocking down three from beyond the arc. Sasha Vujacic played scared (as usual), as did Luke Walton and Mr. Tough Guy, Ronny Turiaf. He can take down one of the smallest guys in the league in Utah's Ronnie Price, but once you hit him in the mouth like Garnett, Perkins, and P.J. Brown did all series, he becomes as quiet as a mouse.
It's funny how all of the so-called "experts" gave Boston no chance to win this series, saying Los Angeles should dispose of the Celtics without a problem when it was the other way around the whole time. I am really wondering how in the world the Lakers managed to win two games.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
108-102 doesn't begin to tell the story
I don't care that the Celtics only beat the Lakers by six points in game two of the NBA Finals. I don't care that Los Angeles made a nice comeback at the end when Doc Rivers had his reserves on the floor and Boston had gotten complacent. The fact is, the Celtics handed the Lakers a good old-fashioned thrashing last night, dominating them in nearly every facet of the game.
As I have said over and over again, Boston is simply too physical for Los Angeles. The Celtics' bigs trumped L.A.'s all night, including Leon Powe, who finished with 21 points off 6-of-7 shooting while hitting on 9-of-13 free throws in 15 minutes. That's right; 21 points and 13 free throw attempts in 15 minutes. Where in the world was that Laker defense?
One play in the fourth quarter pretty much encapsulated Los Angeles' defensive effort last night. It was when Powe picked up a loose ball and sped down the court past several Laker defenders for a vicious tomahawk slam that prompted the crowd at TD Banknorth Garden to chant his name. No, but seriously; he literally ran right by the entire Laker team without being even the slightest bit contested. Sorry Laker fans, but this is a fact: the Los Angeles Lakers are soft.
So soft that Boston attempted 28 more free throws than them (38 to 10, and don't pin that on the refs because Los Angeles simply wasn't being aggressive at all). So soft that Powe, who, again, played only 15 minutes in game two and played in only 56 games during the regular season, out-shot the entire Laker team from the charity stripe by three.
Another big problem for Los Angeles is that Rajon Rondo has made Derek Fisher look old this series...very old. The 22-year old Rondo racked up 16 assists last night compared to only two turnovers and simply wore Fisher down by getting out on the break and darting down the court to receive outlet passes to start them. Where was Fisher? Eating Rondo's dust.
And, once again, Paul Pierce out-shined Kobe Bryant (a joke of an MVP), connecting on all four of his three-point attempts and finishing with 28 points and eight assists. Sure, Bryant also scored 30 and dished out eight dimes, but most of his points came in garbage time and when Boston had all of its bench players on the floor during the rout. Not only that, but if you were watching the game and didn't see either players' stat-lines at the end, you would think Pierce out-scored Bryant by 20. He just meant that much more to his team and has been the clear-cut MVP of the Finals so far.
Of course, Phil Jackson has reverted to blaming the officials for the Lakers' ineptness to get to the free throw line or figure out the Celtics, and that is ridiculous. Anyone outside of California (and even they should see it) knows that Los Angeles has simply been out-worked, out-hustled, out-smarted, and out-played by Boston. The Celtics have taken advantage of their opponent's lack of physicality, and that is the main reason why they are up 2-0 heading to the Staples Center.
Boston better take one last, long look at TD Banknorth Garden before departing for Los Angeles, because I don't even think the Celtics are going to have to take the trip back there later in the series. Boston will be crowned the 2007-08 NBA champions on the Lakers' home floor.
As I have said over and over again, Boston is simply too physical for Los Angeles. The Celtics' bigs trumped L.A.'s all night, including Leon Powe, who finished with 21 points off 6-of-7 shooting while hitting on 9-of-13 free throws in 15 minutes. That's right; 21 points and 13 free throw attempts in 15 minutes. Where in the world was that Laker defense?
One play in the fourth quarter pretty much encapsulated Los Angeles' defensive effort last night. It was when Powe picked up a loose ball and sped down the court past several Laker defenders for a vicious tomahawk slam that prompted the crowd at TD Banknorth Garden to chant his name. No, but seriously; he literally ran right by the entire Laker team without being even the slightest bit contested. Sorry Laker fans, but this is a fact: the Los Angeles Lakers are soft.
So soft that Boston attempted 28 more free throws than them (38 to 10, and don't pin that on the refs because Los Angeles simply wasn't being aggressive at all). So soft that Powe, who, again, played only 15 minutes in game two and played in only 56 games during the regular season, out-shot the entire Laker team from the charity stripe by three.
Another big problem for Los Angeles is that Rajon Rondo has made Derek Fisher look old this series...very old. The 22-year old Rondo racked up 16 assists last night compared to only two turnovers and simply wore Fisher down by getting out on the break and darting down the court to receive outlet passes to start them. Where was Fisher? Eating Rondo's dust.
And, once again, Paul Pierce out-shined Kobe Bryant (a joke of an MVP), connecting on all four of his three-point attempts and finishing with 28 points and eight assists. Sure, Bryant also scored 30 and dished out eight dimes, but most of his points came in garbage time and when Boston had all of its bench players on the floor during the rout. Not only that, but if you were watching the game and didn't see either players' stat-lines at the end, you would think Pierce out-scored Bryant by 20. He just meant that much more to his team and has been the clear-cut MVP of the Finals so far.
Of course, Phil Jackson has reverted to blaming the officials for the Lakers' ineptness to get to the free throw line or figure out the Celtics, and that is ridiculous. Anyone outside of California (and even they should see it) knows that Los Angeles has simply been out-worked, out-hustled, out-smarted, and out-played by Boston. The Celtics have taken advantage of their opponent's lack of physicality, and that is the main reason why they are up 2-0 heading to the Staples Center.
Boston better take one last, long look at TD Banknorth Garden before departing for Los Angeles, because I don't even think the Celtics are going to have to take the trip back there later in the series. Boston will be crowned the 2007-08 NBA champions on the Lakers' home floor.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Tidbits from game one
- As expected, Paul Pierce shredded Vladimir Radmanovic whenever he was defended by him. I marked this as one of the biggest keys to the series. With Kobe Bryant busy covering Ray Allen, the Lakers have no one that can keep up with Pierce all game, and this was evident in game one, as Radmanovic committed five fouls in 17 minutes.
- Boston will do everything in its power to keep Bryant from getting to the rim. Bryant finished with 24 points, but off 9-of-26 shooting. Why? Because the Celtics kept him out of the lane and forced Bryant to become a jump shooter, something he is not. Allen played phenomenal defense against the MVP, as did Pierce and James Posey whenever they were assigned to cover #24. Oh, and Bryant also attempted only six free throws.
- The Celtics' veterans may turn out to be the biggest difference-maker in this series. P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell both stepped up in big ways for Boston off the bench, with Brown collecting six rebounds and a big block on Bryant in the fourth quarter and Cassell finishing with eight points.
- The Celtics kept Los Angeles in check from behind the three-point line. The Lakers, widely considered one of the better outside shooting teams in the league, shot just 3-of-14 from beyond the arc Thursday night. Boston shot 6-of-19.
- The Celtics dominated the glass, out-rebounding Los Angeles 46-33. They also had 12 second-chance points compared to four for the Lakers.
- Rajon Rondo got to the free throw line 10 times yesterday and went 7-for-10 from the stripe. This was another key I pointed out before the series started: Rondo is too quick for Derek Fisher, who, despite finishing with 15 points, scored only two points in the second half. Clearly, Rondo was wearing him down.
- Ronny Turiaf took some jump shots from behind the free-throw line last night. That's not his job. Boston's physicality obviously bothered him.
- Lamar Odom was pretty much invisible. Yes, he had 14 points and six boards, but they were scattered. Other than a three-point play that brought Los Angeles to within five with just under two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Odom was A.W.O.L. in game one.
- Allen did not just play well defensively, but he is also back on the offensive end of the floor. After a big uphill battle in the first two series' of the postseason and even at the beginning of the Eastern Conference Finals, Allen has re-discovered himself, averaging 21.7 points and 5.7 rebounds over his last three games.
- Do the Lakers really have a better bench than Boston? One wouldn't know it by watching the game last night. Sasha Vujajic, Luke Walton, Turiaf, and Jordan Farmar were essentially rendered useless in game one. Walton didn't even have a point.
- There is some good news and some bad news for Los Angeles. The good news: they turned the ball over only eight times while the Celtics committed 13 turnovers. The bad news: they still lost by 10.
Pierce's heroics lead Boston to game one win
The crowd was deathly silent. The Celtics were down 62-58. Most of all, Paul Pierce was down. And he was in pain.
After Pierce and Kendrick Perkins both jumped to try and block a Kobe Bryant floater, Pierce's legs got tied up with Perkins', and Pierce felt a pop in his knee.The Truth had to be carried off the court and then wheeled into the locker room. Not too long after, Pierce emerged from the Boston tunnel, sending the crowd at TD Banknorth Garden into a frenzy.
Pierce, who scored only three points in the first half, willed the Celtics to victory, scoring 19 points over the final 24 minutes, including draining two threes in a row to give Boston a 75-71 lead as the third quarter was winding down. The Celtics would never relinquish that lead, and they ended up taking game one of the NBA Finals from the Lakers by a score of 98-88.
Kevin Garnett compensated for Pierce's poor first half, scoring 16 points off 6-of-9 shooting. He would finish with 24 points and 13 rebounds and put the icing on the cake of the game with two hustle plays late in the fourth quarter. First, Garnett ran into the backcourt to save a backcourt violation, keeping his feet in the air and flipping the ball back into the frontcourt where Sam Cassell caught it and knocked down one of his four field goals. He then capped things off with an emphatic put-back jam on a missed three by James Posey.
Pierce's performace is sure to go down in Celtic lore. The 10-year veteran said he felt like he tore something when he first went down, and even went as far to say that he thought he was done. Still, being the warrior that he is, when Pierce discovered he was able to stand up and put pressure on his leg in the locker room, he wasted no time in coming back on to the floor.
There will be some skeptics that will say Pierce exaggerated his injury a little bit to fire up the arena and his team, but do you really think he was thinking that when he went down? Also, does anyone seriously believe that a man who has waited his whole life to reach this point is going to sacrifice playing time to fake an injury? If anyone does, then they need to get their head checked.
However, it wasn't just Pierce and Garnett who put up stellar game one performances. P.J. Brown was huge off the bench, replacing Perkins who injured his ankle soon after Pierce fell to the floor. Brown only put up two points, but he tallied six rebounds and play phenomenal interior defense, particularly in helping out against Bryant. The 37-year old also started a fast-break when he stuffed a Bryant layup attempt. Rajon Rondo produced as well, going for 15 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Cassell recorded eight points off the bench.
Bryant could not buy a bucket for Los Angeles, finishing 9-for-26. He did have 24 points, but the only real efficient stretch he had was a portion of the beginning of the third quarter. Ray Allen played stifling defense on the MVP, and that isn't the first time he has done so. Bryant is shooting only 33% from the floor (24-for-72) in three games against Boston this season. Allen gave Kobe no room to breathe, and when Allen wasn't defending Bryant, Pierce or Posey were blanketing him. Bryant felt he "missed some bunnies" and that it was more him failing to convert on good looks than it was the Celtic defense stopping him, but anyone who was watching the game knows that that is completely false. If the three-time champion cannot figure out how to shake this Boston defense which ranked number one in the league this season, the Lakers are in trouble; big trouble.
After Pierce and Kendrick Perkins both jumped to try and block a Kobe Bryant floater, Pierce's legs got tied up with Perkins', and Pierce felt a pop in his knee.The Truth had to be carried off the court and then wheeled into the locker room. Not too long after, Pierce emerged from the Boston tunnel, sending the crowd at TD Banknorth Garden into a frenzy.
Pierce, who scored only three points in the first half, willed the Celtics to victory, scoring 19 points over the final 24 minutes, including draining two threes in a row to give Boston a 75-71 lead as the third quarter was winding down. The Celtics would never relinquish that lead, and they ended up taking game one of the NBA Finals from the Lakers by a score of 98-88.
Kevin Garnett compensated for Pierce's poor first half, scoring 16 points off 6-of-9 shooting. He would finish with 24 points and 13 rebounds and put the icing on the cake of the game with two hustle plays late in the fourth quarter. First, Garnett ran into the backcourt to save a backcourt violation, keeping his feet in the air and flipping the ball back into the frontcourt where Sam Cassell caught it and knocked down one of his four field goals. He then capped things off with an emphatic put-back jam on a missed three by James Posey.
Pierce's performace is sure to go down in Celtic lore. The 10-year veteran said he felt like he tore something when he first went down, and even went as far to say that he thought he was done. Still, being the warrior that he is, when Pierce discovered he was able to stand up and put pressure on his leg in the locker room, he wasted no time in coming back on to the floor.
There will be some skeptics that will say Pierce exaggerated his injury a little bit to fire up the arena and his team, but do you really think he was thinking that when he went down? Also, does anyone seriously believe that a man who has waited his whole life to reach this point is going to sacrifice playing time to fake an injury? If anyone does, then they need to get their head checked.
However, it wasn't just Pierce and Garnett who put up stellar game one performances. P.J. Brown was huge off the bench, replacing Perkins who injured his ankle soon after Pierce fell to the floor. Brown only put up two points, but he tallied six rebounds and play phenomenal interior defense, particularly in helping out against Bryant. The 37-year old also started a fast-break when he stuffed a Bryant layup attempt. Rajon Rondo produced as well, going for 15 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Cassell recorded eight points off the bench.
Bryant could not buy a bucket for Los Angeles, finishing 9-for-26. He did have 24 points, but the only real efficient stretch he had was a portion of the beginning of the third quarter. Ray Allen played stifling defense on the MVP, and that isn't the first time he has done so. Bryant is shooting only 33% from the floor (24-for-72) in three games against Boston this season. Allen gave Kobe no room to breathe, and when Allen wasn't defending Bryant, Pierce or Posey were blanketing him. Bryant felt he "missed some bunnies" and that it was more him failing to convert on good looks than it was the Celtic defense stopping him, but anyone who was watching the game knows that that is completely false. If the three-time champion cannot figure out how to shake this Boston defense which ranked number one in the league this season, the Lakers are in trouble; big trouble.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Celtics' mettle leads them to promised land
When the Boston Celtics acquired Kevin Garnett for a hefty price in July, they did not expect anything less than trip to the NBA Finals. Well, here they are, now four wins away from their ultimate goal: a championship.
For the first time since 1987, the Celtics are headed to the Finals, thanks to an unbelievable display of mettle and composure in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals. Trailing by ten to the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills with over 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Boston closed with a 29-11 run for an 89-81 victory.
Garnett was key in the rally, scoring eight of his 16 points and grabbing vital rebounds while playing stellar interior defense. Paul Pierce, who poured in 12 of his 27 in the fourth, executed what probably was the turning point of the game on a beautiful spin move which he then turned into a layup plus the foul. Pierce hit the free throw, putting Boston up 75-74 with 5:25 to play. The Celtics would never relinquish that lead for the remainder of the night.
To put into perspective how clutch Boston was last night, Garnett shot only 2-of-10 from the floor in the first half, and the Celtics shot only 36% as a team. However, in the last 24 minutes, Garnett hit 5-of-6 shots and Boston converted on 52% of their field goal attempts. Still, it wasn't just K.G. and Pierce leading the Celtics.
Ray Allen's outstanding game five in which he shot 5-of-6 from three-point range carried over into game six, as he connected on three threes in the first half and finished with 17 points. Kendrick Perkins, who erupted for 18 points and 16 boards in game five, didn't exactly fill up the stat sheet last night (seven points, seven rebounds), but he had a huge block on a Chauncey Billups layup attempt with 1:23 to go which would have brought Detroit within four. Also, three of Perkins' seven boards were on the offensive end of the floor.
Rajon Rondo got the job done as well, getting the most important steal of the series by jumping up an deflecting a pass by Rasheed Wallace by the three-point line, allowing Rondo to get out on the break. He then pulled the ball back out and swung it over to Pierce who drained a jumper from the corner, putting Boston up 77-74 with 4:52 to play. Rondo recorded 11 points.
The Celtics have now silenced their many critics. Those who said they could not win on the road have crawled under a rock, as Boston won two of three in Detroit in the series. There were also countless others who said that the Celtics did not have enough playoff experience as a team and that the amount the Pistons had in that area would be the deciding factor. Not so much.
Yes, it took Boston, a team that won a league-best 66 games during the regular season, seven games to beat a young Atlanta Hawks' team that won only 37 contests during the year. The Celtics also needed to go the distance against the Cleveland Cavaliers (or better yet, the Cleveland LeBrons). However, when facing their biggest challenge yet, they rose to the occasion, taking out a phenomenal Detroit team in six games.
Now, Boston will renew what was used to be an extraordinary rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that has only lost three games throughout the postseason thus far. Los Angeles is coming off a 4-1 series victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs and is on an incredible high.
Pierce will have the daunting task of covering the MVP in Kobe Bryant, who dropped 39 points in the clinching game five against San Antonio. Still, at the same time, Bryant will have to hold down the fort against either Pierce or Allen. This is where trouble occurs for the Lakers. While Bryant will obviously be defending one of those two players, which Laker will be on the other? Vladimir Radmanovic? Luke Walton? I can't see how either of those two will be able to stop either of the Celtics' wings.
For that reason, I expect Trevor Ariza to see considerable playing time in the Finals, and defensive specialist Ira Newble might even see some action. Neither Radmanovic nor Walton are athletic enough to keep up with Pierce or Allen, and although Ariza is returning from a severe foot injury, he can still provide enough offense to make up for the shorter amount of playing time Los Angeles' two main small forwards will be getting.
Another matchup to watch in this series is Rondo against Derek Fisher. Fisher has won three titles and is one of the most clutch players in the league, but does he have the quickness to stay with Rondo all game? Rondo may very well be the quickest player in the NBA, making even Billups look old at times in the conference finals. Fisher is a couple of steps slower than Billups, meaning Rondo may have his best series of the playoffs against the Lakers.
And, of course, the main issue for Los Angeles is the question, "Who will cover Garnett?" Pau Gasol is too slow afoot, and Garnett would post up Lamar Odom all series long if Phil Jackson decides to go with that matchup. Ronny Turiaf will see some time against K.G., and he may be the best defender Jackson has to throw at Garnett, but Garnett could easily wear him down and get him into early foul trouble. Turiaf was able to keep Tim Duncan in check for most of the time against the Spurs, but Duncan does not have the quickness or athleticism of Garnett and is aging much faster.
The one area where the Lakers can match (or maybe even surpass) the Celtics is the bench, which is one of the strongest in the league. Turiaf and Walton have both played huge roles for Los Angeles, as has second-year point guard Jordan Farmar, who was the catalyst in the Lakers' comeback against San Antonio on Thursday night. Sasha Vujacic hasn't been a slouch either, hitting several big threes for Los Angeles in each of their three series' victories. And, of course, there is Ariza, a player who will see a nice chunk of playing time in the Finals.
Taking all factors into consideration, Boston should win this series. Its big three is certainly more potent than the Lakers', regardless of how many points Bryant tallies each night (unless he averages 50 a game). Garnett should shut down Odom, and Perkins may be the x-factor in this series in his matchup against Gasol. Unlike Gasol, Perkins is very physical and fights for every rebound, something that can bite Los Angeles in the behind all series.
Celtics in five.
For the first time since 1987, the Celtics are headed to the Finals, thanks to an unbelievable display of mettle and composure in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals. Trailing by ten to the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills with over 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Boston closed with a 29-11 run for an 89-81 victory.
Garnett was key in the rally, scoring eight of his 16 points and grabbing vital rebounds while playing stellar interior defense. Paul Pierce, who poured in 12 of his 27 in the fourth, executed what probably was the turning point of the game on a beautiful spin move which he then turned into a layup plus the foul. Pierce hit the free throw, putting Boston up 75-74 with 5:25 to play. The Celtics would never relinquish that lead for the remainder of the night.
To put into perspective how clutch Boston was last night, Garnett shot only 2-of-10 from the floor in the first half, and the Celtics shot only 36% as a team. However, in the last 24 minutes, Garnett hit 5-of-6 shots and Boston converted on 52% of their field goal attempts. Still, it wasn't just K.G. and Pierce leading the Celtics.
Ray Allen's outstanding game five in which he shot 5-of-6 from three-point range carried over into game six, as he connected on three threes in the first half and finished with 17 points. Kendrick Perkins, who erupted for 18 points and 16 boards in game five, didn't exactly fill up the stat sheet last night (seven points, seven rebounds), but he had a huge block on a Chauncey Billups layup attempt with 1:23 to go which would have brought Detroit within four. Also, three of Perkins' seven boards were on the offensive end of the floor.
Rajon Rondo got the job done as well, getting the most important steal of the series by jumping up an deflecting a pass by Rasheed Wallace by the three-point line, allowing Rondo to get out on the break. He then pulled the ball back out and swung it over to Pierce who drained a jumper from the corner, putting Boston up 77-74 with 4:52 to play. Rondo recorded 11 points.
The Celtics have now silenced their many critics. Those who said they could not win on the road have crawled under a rock, as Boston won two of three in Detroit in the series. There were also countless others who said that the Celtics did not have enough playoff experience as a team and that the amount the Pistons had in that area would be the deciding factor. Not so much.
Yes, it took Boston, a team that won a league-best 66 games during the regular season, seven games to beat a young Atlanta Hawks' team that won only 37 contests during the year. The Celtics also needed to go the distance against the Cleveland Cavaliers (or better yet, the Cleveland LeBrons). However, when facing their biggest challenge yet, they rose to the occasion, taking out a phenomenal Detroit team in six games.
Now, Boston will renew what was used to be an extraordinary rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that has only lost three games throughout the postseason thus far. Los Angeles is coming off a 4-1 series victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs and is on an incredible high.
Pierce will have the daunting task of covering the MVP in Kobe Bryant, who dropped 39 points in the clinching game five against San Antonio. Still, at the same time, Bryant will have to hold down the fort against either Pierce or Allen. This is where trouble occurs for the Lakers. While Bryant will obviously be defending one of those two players, which Laker will be on the other? Vladimir Radmanovic? Luke Walton? I can't see how either of those two will be able to stop either of the Celtics' wings.
For that reason, I expect Trevor Ariza to see considerable playing time in the Finals, and defensive specialist Ira Newble might even see some action. Neither Radmanovic nor Walton are athletic enough to keep up with Pierce or Allen, and although Ariza is returning from a severe foot injury, he can still provide enough offense to make up for the shorter amount of playing time Los Angeles' two main small forwards will be getting.
Another matchup to watch in this series is Rondo against Derek Fisher. Fisher has won three titles and is one of the most clutch players in the league, but does he have the quickness to stay with Rondo all game? Rondo may very well be the quickest player in the NBA, making even Billups look old at times in the conference finals. Fisher is a couple of steps slower than Billups, meaning Rondo may have his best series of the playoffs against the Lakers.
And, of course, the main issue for Los Angeles is the question, "Who will cover Garnett?" Pau Gasol is too slow afoot, and Garnett would post up Lamar Odom all series long if Phil Jackson decides to go with that matchup. Ronny Turiaf will see some time against K.G., and he may be the best defender Jackson has to throw at Garnett, but Garnett could easily wear him down and get him into early foul trouble. Turiaf was able to keep Tim Duncan in check for most of the time against the Spurs, but Duncan does not have the quickness or athleticism of Garnett and is aging much faster.
The one area where the Lakers can match (or maybe even surpass) the Celtics is the bench, which is one of the strongest in the league. Turiaf and Walton have both played huge roles for Los Angeles, as has second-year point guard Jordan Farmar, who was the catalyst in the Lakers' comeback against San Antonio on Thursday night. Sasha Vujacic hasn't been a slouch either, hitting several big threes for Los Angeles in each of their three series' victories. And, of course, there is Ariza, a player who will see a nice chunk of playing time in the Finals.
Taking all factors into consideration, Boston should win this series. Its big three is certainly more potent than the Lakers', regardless of how many points Bryant tallies each night (unless he averages 50 a game). Garnett should shut down Odom, and Perkins may be the x-factor in this series in his matchup against Gasol. Unlike Gasol, Perkins is very physical and fights for every rebound, something that can bite Los Angeles in the behind all series.
Celtics in five.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Early NBA Mock Draft
1. Chicago Bulls- Michael Beasley, F. He is the best player in the draft, and the Bulls are still in desperate need of a low-post scorer. Chicago hit the jackpot by getting this pick. Beasley could turn them into a playoff team in his first season.
2. Miami Heat- Derrick Rose, PG. Miami will get who they wanted all along in Rose. Jason Williams is just too old to run the show at point guard anymore, and Chris Quinn is nothing more than a bench player. Rose has the potential to be a Gary Payton-like player.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves- Brook Lopez, C. He has bust written all over him, but Minnesota could certainly use a big man to complement Al Jefferson up front, and there aren't many good centers in this draft class.
4. Seattle Supersonics- Anthony Randolph, F. This forward out of LSU has been rapidly rising on draft boards ever since he announced his decision to enter. Randolph is extremely versatile, and Seattle needs a ton of help up front. Think of Lamar Odom with a higher ceiling.
5. Memphis Grizzlies- DeAndre Jordan, C. Jordan did not impress in his one and only season at college, but her definitely has potential, and the Grizzlies are still not sold on Darko Milicic up front. Plus, they don't need any backcourt help.
6. New York Knicks- Jerryd Bayless, PG. This could be an absolute steal (yes, a steal at number six) should Bayless fall this far. However, based on the needs of the teams three through five, none of them should be coveting a floor general. Bayless may end up being the best one in this draft.
7. Los Angeles Clippers- O.J. Mayo, G. Mayo is a combo guard who is very similar to Gilbert Arenas. The Clippers need a point guard, and although Mayo may not be a purebred, he is extraordinarily talented.
8. Milwaukee Bucks- Donte Greene, F. Greene can play both forward spots and can do a myriad of things on the floor. It will come down to either Greene or Danilo Gallinari with this pick, but I think the Syracuse product is the more NBA-ready (and talented) of the two.
9. Charlotte Bobcats- Darrell Arthur, F. With the news that Sean May may retire because of chronic knee problems, Arthur would be a good pick here for Charlotte. He didn't explode in his sophomore year like many expected him to, but he still has ample talent.
10. New Jersey Nets- Eric Gordon, SG. Gordon is one of the best, if not the best, pure shooters in this draft. However, the fact that he is competing with several other guards may drop him a few spots. The Nets don't have any specific needs at any position, but they desperately need outside shooting and depth.
11. Indiana Pacers- D.J. Augustin, PG. I really don't think Augustin will translate all that well into the pros, but with Jamaal Tinsley aging and not much help behind him, the Pacers need to take a point guard.
12. Sacramento Kings- Joe Alexander, F. Because of their aging frontcourt, Sacramento will draft a big man for the second year in a row. Alexander is a silky smooth scorer with a very well-polished offensive game. He has the potential to fill up the box score night in and night out.
13. Portland Trail Blazers- Russell Westbrook, G. Portland is pretty much set at every position, but the point guard spot is unstable. Westbrook played two-guard at UCLA, but if he works on his ball-handling skills, he can play the point at the next level.
14. Golden State Warriors- Nicolas Batum, G/F. The Warriors also don't have any big holes, but they could use some depth at the wings, especially considering Mickael Pietrus might leave via free agency. Batum fits Golden State's prototype perfectly. He is freakishly athletic and explosive.
15. Phoenix Suns (from ATL)- Marreese Speights, C/F. Speights is the most talented center in this draft. He has great length and has a frame that can develop a substantial amount of muscle. If he can develop some moves in the low post, look out.
16. Philadelphia 76ers- Javale McGee, C. Talk about a high ceiling; this kid has it. The 76ers have Samuel Dalembert, but McGee can easily do what Dalembert does plus much, much more. He is long, athletic, explosive, and a very good defender.
17. Toronto Raptors- Roy Hibbert, C. Toronto is in desperate need of a center, and Hibbert fits the bill here. Hibbert's stock has fallen off dramatically since his junior year when many figured him to be a top 10 pick, but he can still be a solid NBA player. He is a very skilled big man.
18. Washington Wizards- Mario Chalmers, PG. Gilbert Arenas' knees are still giving him problems, and Antonio Daniels will never be anything more than a good sixth man. Chalmers is a feisty defender and clutch performer, as demonstrated during Kansas' NCAA Tournament run.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers- Kevin Love, F/C. I have a feeling Cleveland may try to trade this pick, but if they don't, they can certainly use Love's scoring ability in the frontcourt. He won't be anything spectacular, but he will be a solid role player who could thrive with LeBron James.
20. Denver Nuggets- Jason Thompson, PF. A lack of defense killed the Nuggets this year (and pretty much every year), so Thompson is the pick here. Thompson is an excellent defender with great length and athleticism. He could be a premier shot-blocker on the NBA level.
21. New Jersey Nets (from DAL)- Kosta Koufos, C. Nenad Krstic hasn't really worked out for the Nets, so they should take a big man in this draft. Koufos has a nice offensive game, but he has some work to do defensively and also needs to add some muscle to his frame.
22. Orlando Magic- Brandon Rush, G/F. Orlando needs a shooting guard, and Rush fits the team's system perfectly; a lethal outside shooter with athleticism. Rush also brings some much-needed defense to the table for the Magic.
23. Utah Jazz- Danilo Gallinari, F. Utah doesn't need that much, but if Gallinari is still on the board at this point in the draft, they'll take him. I'm very skeptical about this 19-year old from Italy, as he is a below average defender and is not all that athletic for someone of his body stature.
24. Seattle Supersonics (from PHX)- Nathan Jawai, C. Jawai is a very bulky big man (6'10", 270) out of Australia who, although still a bit raw, has a large amount of potential. He has a decent jump shot and is still working on what already is a solid low post game.
25. Houston Rockets- Robin Lopez, C. Houston really needs a backup center, as Yao Ming just cannot seem to stay healthy and his only backup, Dikembe Mutombo, is 80. Lopez is never going to be much of an offensive threat, but he'll be very disruptive defensively. He does need to add some muscle, though.
26. San Antonio Spurs- Joey Dorsey, PF. The Spurs could use another banger down low, as Kurt Thomas is not going to be around much longer and Fabricio Oberto isn't exactly what one would call physical. Dorsey has a chance to be a Ben Wallace-type player.
27. New Orleans Hornets- Wayne Ellington, SG. New Orleans doesn't have many weaknesses, but they might want to go for another shooter off the bench. Ellington would certainly provide that and some solid ball-handling skills.
28. Memphis Grizzlies (from LAL)- D.J. White, PF. One of the most underrated prospects of this draft, White can give the Grizzlies some much-needed low-post scoring and some leadership. White is one of those players who doesn't do anything great, but does everything well.
29. Detroit Pistons- J.J. Hickson, PF. Detroit has enough wings, but they could use another big man up front. Hickson is a very athletic specimen with good strength. Think of Chris Wilcox with a potentially higher ceiling.
30. Boston Celtics- Davon Jefferson, SF. Jefferson is an extremely explosive wingman who would could very well end up being the steal of the draft. He is still very raw, but his potential is limitless and he could turn into the type of player we all thought Darius Miles would be.
2. Miami Heat- Derrick Rose, PG. Miami will get who they wanted all along in Rose. Jason Williams is just too old to run the show at point guard anymore, and Chris Quinn is nothing more than a bench player. Rose has the potential to be a Gary Payton-like player.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves- Brook Lopez, C. He has bust written all over him, but Minnesota could certainly use a big man to complement Al Jefferson up front, and there aren't many good centers in this draft class.
4. Seattle Supersonics- Anthony Randolph, F. This forward out of LSU has been rapidly rising on draft boards ever since he announced his decision to enter. Randolph is extremely versatile, and Seattle needs a ton of help up front. Think of Lamar Odom with a higher ceiling.
5. Memphis Grizzlies- DeAndre Jordan, C. Jordan did not impress in his one and only season at college, but her definitely has potential, and the Grizzlies are still not sold on Darko Milicic up front. Plus, they don't need any backcourt help.
6. New York Knicks- Jerryd Bayless, PG. This could be an absolute steal (yes, a steal at number six) should Bayless fall this far. However, based on the needs of the teams three through five, none of them should be coveting a floor general. Bayless may end up being the best one in this draft.
7. Los Angeles Clippers- O.J. Mayo, G. Mayo is a combo guard who is very similar to Gilbert Arenas. The Clippers need a point guard, and although Mayo may not be a purebred, he is extraordinarily talented.
8. Milwaukee Bucks- Donte Greene, F. Greene can play both forward spots and can do a myriad of things on the floor. It will come down to either Greene or Danilo Gallinari with this pick, but I think the Syracuse product is the more NBA-ready (and talented) of the two.
9. Charlotte Bobcats- Darrell Arthur, F. With the news that Sean May may retire because of chronic knee problems, Arthur would be a good pick here for Charlotte. He didn't explode in his sophomore year like many expected him to, but he still has ample talent.
10. New Jersey Nets- Eric Gordon, SG. Gordon is one of the best, if not the best, pure shooters in this draft. However, the fact that he is competing with several other guards may drop him a few spots. The Nets don't have any specific needs at any position, but they desperately need outside shooting and depth.
11. Indiana Pacers- D.J. Augustin, PG. I really don't think Augustin will translate all that well into the pros, but with Jamaal Tinsley aging and not much help behind him, the Pacers need to take a point guard.
12. Sacramento Kings- Joe Alexander, F. Because of their aging frontcourt, Sacramento will draft a big man for the second year in a row. Alexander is a silky smooth scorer with a very well-polished offensive game. He has the potential to fill up the box score night in and night out.
13. Portland Trail Blazers- Russell Westbrook, G. Portland is pretty much set at every position, but the point guard spot is unstable. Westbrook played two-guard at UCLA, but if he works on his ball-handling skills, he can play the point at the next level.
14. Golden State Warriors- Nicolas Batum, G/F. The Warriors also don't have any big holes, but they could use some depth at the wings, especially considering Mickael Pietrus might leave via free agency. Batum fits Golden State's prototype perfectly. He is freakishly athletic and explosive.
15. Phoenix Suns (from ATL)- Marreese Speights, C/F. Speights is the most talented center in this draft. He has great length and has a frame that can develop a substantial amount of muscle. If he can develop some moves in the low post, look out.
16. Philadelphia 76ers- Javale McGee, C. Talk about a high ceiling; this kid has it. The 76ers have Samuel Dalembert, but McGee can easily do what Dalembert does plus much, much more. He is long, athletic, explosive, and a very good defender.
17. Toronto Raptors- Roy Hibbert, C. Toronto is in desperate need of a center, and Hibbert fits the bill here. Hibbert's stock has fallen off dramatically since his junior year when many figured him to be a top 10 pick, but he can still be a solid NBA player. He is a very skilled big man.
18. Washington Wizards- Mario Chalmers, PG. Gilbert Arenas' knees are still giving him problems, and Antonio Daniels will never be anything more than a good sixth man. Chalmers is a feisty defender and clutch performer, as demonstrated during Kansas' NCAA Tournament run.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers- Kevin Love, F/C. I have a feeling Cleveland may try to trade this pick, but if they don't, they can certainly use Love's scoring ability in the frontcourt. He won't be anything spectacular, but he will be a solid role player who could thrive with LeBron James.
20. Denver Nuggets- Jason Thompson, PF. A lack of defense killed the Nuggets this year (and pretty much every year), so Thompson is the pick here. Thompson is an excellent defender with great length and athleticism. He could be a premier shot-blocker on the NBA level.
21. New Jersey Nets (from DAL)- Kosta Koufos, C. Nenad Krstic hasn't really worked out for the Nets, so they should take a big man in this draft. Koufos has a nice offensive game, but he has some work to do defensively and also needs to add some muscle to his frame.
22. Orlando Magic- Brandon Rush, G/F. Orlando needs a shooting guard, and Rush fits the team's system perfectly; a lethal outside shooter with athleticism. Rush also brings some much-needed defense to the table for the Magic.
23. Utah Jazz- Danilo Gallinari, F. Utah doesn't need that much, but if Gallinari is still on the board at this point in the draft, they'll take him. I'm very skeptical about this 19-year old from Italy, as he is a below average defender and is not all that athletic for someone of his body stature.
24. Seattle Supersonics (from PHX)- Nathan Jawai, C. Jawai is a very bulky big man (6'10", 270) out of Australia who, although still a bit raw, has a large amount of potential. He has a decent jump shot and is still working on what already is a solid low post game.
25. Houston Rockets- Robin Lopez, C. Houston really needs a backup center, as Yao Ming just cannot seem to stay healthy and his only backup, Dikembe Mutombo, is 80. Lopez is never going to be much of an offensive threat, but he'll be very disruptive defensively. He does need to add some muscle, though.
26. San Antonio Spurs- Joey Dorsey, PF. The Spurs could use another banger down low, as Kurt Thomas is not going to be around much longer and Fabricio Oberto isn't exactly what one would call physical. Dorsey has a chance to be a Ben Wallace-type player.
27. New Orleans Hornets- Wayne Ellington, SG. New Orleans doesn't have many weaknesses, but they might want to go for another shooter off the bench. Ellington would certainly provide that and some solid ball-handling skills.
28. Memphis Grizzlies (from LAL)- D.J. White, PF. One of the most underrated prospects of this draft, White can give the Grizzlies some much-needed low-post scoring and some leadership. White is one of those players who doesn't do anything great, but does everything well.
29. Detroit Pistons- J.J. Hickson, PF. Detroit has enough wings, but they could use another big man up front. Hickson is a very athletic specimen with good strength. Think of Chris Wilcox with a potentially higher ceiling.
30. Boston Celtics- Davon Jefferson, SF. Jefferson is an extremely explosive wingman who would could very well end up being the steal of the draft. He is still very raw, but his potential is limitless and he could turn into the type of player we all thought Darius Miles would be.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
First round NFL Draft grades
1. Miami Dolphins- Jake Long, T.
Grade: B-. It's a safe pick, but I just don't think you can build a franchise around an offensive tackle. Still, Miami didn't need another player at a skill position.
2. St. Louis Rams- Chris Long, DE.
Grade: C+. Everyone has fallen in love with Long, but I don't think he will be near as good of a player as Vernon Gholston, who should have been the pick here. I'm not sure Long is quick enough to be a premier pass-rusher in this league.
3. Atlanta Falcons- Matt Ryan, QB.
Grade: A-. Not that I am too crazy about Ryan, but the Falcons had to make this move. Did they really want to go into the season with Joey Harrington as their starting signal-caller? Plus, there was no guarantee they would have been able to trade down for a quarterback, either.
4. Oakland Raiders- Darren McFadden, HB.
Grade: A+. Oakland got the best player in the draft. Whoever says halfback is not a need for the Raiders is out of their mind. I'm sorry, but Justin Fargas is not Darren McFadden. He will be the Adrian Peterson of this year's draft.
5. Kansas City Chiefs- Glenn Dorsey, DT.
Grade: A+. The best defensive lineman in the draft fell right into Kansas City's laps at number five. Yes, he had some injury issues in college, but if he can remain healthy, Dorsey will become one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the league.
6. New York Jets- Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB.
Grade: A+. I loved this pick. The Jets picked up the best pure pass-rusher in the draft in Gholston, the only player in college football to pick up a sack against Jake Long in the 2007-08 season. New York was in dire need of someone who could apply pressure to the quarterback, and they got their man.
7. New Orleans Saints (trade with NE)- Sedrick Ellis, DT.
Grade: A-. New Orleans made an aggressive move by trading up with the Patriots so they could get Ellis, and it will pay off. Ellis will not be a perennial Pro-Bowler, but he'll be a very solid player. Think of a poor man's Warren Sapp.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (trade with BAL)- Derrick Harvey, DE.
Grade: A-. The one thing the Jaguars lack on defense is a pass-rush, so they began to remedy that problem by trading up for Harvey in the first round. Nice move.
9. Cincinnati Bengals- Keith Rivers, OLB.
Grade: C+. I think Cincinnati has more of a pressing need at middle linebacker than outside, so I think this pick should have been Jerod Mayo. I am not really in love with Rivers at all.
10. New England Patriots- Jerod Mayo, MLB.
Grade: A-. In my mock, I had Cincy taking Mayo and the Pats getting Rivers, but it turned out to be the other way around. Mayo could flourish in New England's 3-4 defense.
11. Buffalo Bills- Leodis McKelvin, CB.
Grade: B+. I didn't like the pick too much at first because of their need for a WR, but the fact that they picked up James Hardy later in the draft made this move look a lot better. Still, with Terrence McGee and Jabari Greer, I didn't think cornerback was that big of a need for the Bills.
12. Denver Broncos- Ryan Clady, T.
Grade: A. Denver needed a tackle due to the sudden retirement of Matt Lepsis, so they went with the next best one in the draft in Clady. Good move.
13. Carolina Panthers- Jonathan Stewart, HB.
Grade: C. With their needs at defensive end, I'm very surprised Carolina didn't trade up for Harvey at this pick. Still, I like Stewart a lot and think he could be a solid back in this league. Think Maurice Jones-Drew.
14. Chicago Bears- Chris Williams, T.
Grade: D+. I really don't get the Bears. They desperately need a quarterback and receivers, and they draft a tackle? They could have easily traded down and picked up someone like Brian Brohm or Chad Henne or even drafted Joe Flacco straight up with this pick, and if not one of those options, they could have traded down for a receiver. Bad move by Chicago.
15. Kansas City Chiefs (from DET)- Branden Albert, G.
Grade: A. The Jared Allen trade really paid off for the Chiefs. Here, they get the most versatile offensive lineman in the draft in Albert, as he can play either guard or tackle and do one equally as well as the other.
16. Arizona Cardinals- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB.
Grade: A. This was a great pick. Cornerback became a big hole for the Cardinals as soon as Antrel Rolle moved to safety, and Rodgers-Cromartie may very well be the best one in the draft.
17. Detroit Lions (from MIN)- Gosder Cherilus, T.
Grade: F. Okay; so the Kevin Jones experiment didn't work out, and they cut ties with him. That has to mean Detroit is taking a halfback here, right? Wrong. They go with Cherilus, and they traded down to do so when they could have taken Albert at #15. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Rashard Mendenhall was there for the taking both times, and they pass up on him?
18. Baltimore Ravens (from HOU)- Joe Flacco, QB.
Grade: A-. I really like this pick. Flacco has the most raw talent of any quarterback in the draft, as he has unbelievable arm strength and size (he stands nearly 6'7" and weighs 240).
19. Carolina Panthers (from PHI)- Jeff Otah, T.
Grade: A. Now this was a good pick. The Panthers desperately needed an offensive lineman, so they go with Otah. He can help form a great tackle tandem along with Jordan Gross.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Aqib Talib, CB.
Grade: A-. Solid pick here. Philip Buchanan just wasn't cutting it for the Buccaneers, and Ronde Barber isn't getting any younger. Many feel that Talib is the most talented cornerback in this draft. His main issue is his off-the-field problems.
21. Atlanta Falcons (from WAS)- Sam Baker, T.
Grade: C. I am not too crazy about this pick. Most people felt that Baker wasn't even a first-round talent. Plus, Atlanta has pretty big needs at defensive tackle and tight end. Either Kentwan Balmer or Dustin Keller would have been a better pick here.
22. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE)- Felix Jones, HB.
Grade: B-. Jones is a very nice player, but I felt that Dallas needed a pass-rushing defensive end to anchor the line of scrimmage. I would have went with Lawrence Jackson or Phillip Merling, but losing Julius Jones did open up a hole at the number two halfback slot.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers- Rashard Mendenhall, HB.
Grade: B+. I think this was just a case of taking best player available. Pittsburgh doesn't have a need at halfback considering they have Willie Parker, but the north-south Mendenhall can provide a nice change of pace from the finesse Parker. I do think the Steelers should have worked on their secondary here, though. Kenny Phillips, maybe?
24. Tennessee Titans- Chris Johnson, HB.
Grade: F. What is it about the Titans that they refuse to give Vince Young any help at all? Johnson is just going to be another Chris Henry. He is a workout warrior who turned heads in the 40-yard dash. Tennessee could have easily taken a receiver or at least traded down to pick one up later, but they take a second-round talent in Johnson.
25. Dallas Cowboys (from SEA)- Mike Jenkins, CB.
Grade: C. They again beat around their need for a pass-rushing end, this time to pick up a cornerback. I think Jenkins is an overrated prospect, hence the reason why he was the fourth corner taken instead of the first or second like many predicted.
26. Houston Texans (from BAL)- Duane Brown, T.
Grade: D-. Houston blew this pick. They have many other holes like at receiver, defensive end, and even outside linebacker and safety. The Texans could have easily traded down to get Brown while still compiling more picks to address other needs, but they failed to do so. Bad, bad decision.
27. San Diego Chargers- Antoine Cason, CB.
Grade: B+. The Chargers really don't have any huge needs. They have a bit of a hole at right tackle, but there weren't any good tackles remaining on the board. Cason is a very nice player who I think is one of the more underrated players in this draft.
28. Seattle Seahawks- Lawrence Jackson, DE.
Grade: D. This was a pretty bad pick by the Seahawks. They already have two very good pass-rushing ends in Patrick Kerney and Darryl Tapp. What Seattle really needed was a tight end, and Keller was still on the board here.
29. San Francisco 49ers- Kentwan Balmer, DT.
Grade: C+. I think the 49ers should have really addressed their problems at wide receiver first, but they did need a defensive tackle. Many scouts are worried about Balmer's work ethic, and rightfully so, as he didn't really start playing like a first-round pick until his senior season. Still, the kid has talent. Not a horrible pick, but not one I would have made.
30. New York Jets (from GB)- Dustin Keller, TE.
Grade: A. Phenomenal move by the Jets. Yes, they may have overpaid a little considering their next pick was only a few picks away, but they have been longing for a dynamic tight end for a while. Keller reminds me of an Antonio Gates or Kellen Winslow Jr. type player.
31. New York Giants- Kenny Phillips, S.
Grade: B. I think the Giants could have traded down and still gotten a safety (Tyrell Johnson) and picked up a pass-rushing outside linebacker (Quentin Groves) with the extra pick. However, the G-Men did need a safety, and Phillips is the best one in the draft.
Grade: B-. It's a safe pick, but I just don't think you can build a franchise around an offensive tackle. Still, Miami didn't need another player at a skill position.
2. St. Louis Rams- Chris Long, DE.
Grade: C+. Everyone has fallen in love with Long, but I don't think he will be near as good of a player as Vernon Gholston, who should have been the pick here. I'm not sure Long is quick enough to be a premier pass-rusher in this league.
3. Atlanta Falcons- Matt Ryan, QB.
Grade: A-. Not that I am too crazy about Ryan, but the Falcons had to make this move. Did they really want to go into the season with Joey Harrington as their starting signal-caller? Plus, there was no guarantee they would have been able to trade down for a quarterback, either.
4. Oakland Raiders- Darren McFadden, HB.
Grade: A+. Oakland got the best player in the draft. Whoever says halfback is not a need for the Raiders is out of their mind. I'm sorry, but Justin Fargas is not Darren McFadden. He will be the Adrian Peterson of this year's draft.
5. Kansas City Chiefs- Glenn Dorsey, DT.
Grade: A+. The best defensive lineman in the draft fell right into Kansas City's laps at number five. Yes, he had some injury issues in college, but if he can remain healthy, Dorsey will become one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the league.
6. New York Jets- Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB.
Grade: A+. I loved this pick. The Jets picked up the best pure pass-rusher in the draft in Gholston, the only player in college football to pick up a sack against Jake Long in the 2007-08 season. New York was in dire need of someone who could apply pressure to the quarterback, and they got their man.
7. New Orleans Saints (trade with NE)- Sedrick Ellis, DT.
Grade: A-. New Orleans made an aggressive move by trading up with the Patriots so they could get Ellis, and it will pay off. Ellis will not be a perennial Pro-Bowler, but he'll be a very solid player. Think of a poor man's Warren Sapp.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (trade with BAL)- Derrick Harvey, DE.
Grade: A-. The one thing the Jaguars lack on defense is a pass-rush, so they began to remedy that problem by trading up for Harvey in the first round. Nice move.
9. Cincinnati Bengals- Keith Rivers, OLB.
Grade: C+. I think Cincinnati has more of a pressing need at middle linebacker than outside, so I think this pick should have been Jerod Mayo. I am not really in love with Rivers at all.
10. New England Patriots- Jerod Mayo, MLB.
Grade: A-. In my mock, I had Cincy taking Mayo and the Pats getting Rivers, but it turned out to be the other way around. Mayo could flourish in New England's 3-4 defense.
11. Buffalo Bills- Leodis McKelvin, CB.
Grade: B+. I didn't like the pick too much at first because of their need for a WR, but the fact that they picked up James Hardy later in the draft made this move look a lot better. Still, with Terrence McGee and Jabari Greer, I didn't think cornerback was that big of a need for the Bills.
12. Denver Broncos- Ryan Clady, T.
Grade: A. Denver needed a tackle due to the sudden retirement of Matt Lepsis, so they went with the next best one in the draft in Clady. Good move.
13. Carolina Panthers- Jonathan Stewart, HB.
Grade: C. With their needs at defensive end, I'm very surprised Carolina didn't trade up for Harvey at this pick. Still, I like Stewart a lot and think he could be a solid back in this league. Think Maurice Jones-Drew.
14. Chicago Bears- Chris Williams, T.
Grade: D+. I really don't get the Bears. They desperately need a quarterback and receivers, and they draft a tackle? They could have easily traded down and picked up someone like Brian Brohm or Chad Henne or even drafted Joe Flacco straight up with this pick, and if not one of those options, they could have traded down for a receiver. Bad move by Chicago.
15. Kansas City Chiefs (from DET)- Branden Albert, G.
Grade: A. The Jared Allen trade really paid off for the Chiefs. Here, they get the most versatile offensive lineman in the draft in Albert, as he can play either guard or tackle and do one equally as well as the other.
16. Arizona Cardinals- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB.
Grade: A. This was a great pick. Cornerback became a big hole for the Cardinals as soon as Antrel Rolle moved to safety, and Rodgers-Cromartie may very well be the best one in the draft.
17. Detroit Lions (from MIN)- Gosder Cherilus, T.
Grade: F. Okay; so the Kevin Jones experiment didn't work out, and they cut ties with him. That has to mean Detroit is taking a halfback here, right? Wrong. They go with Cherilus, and they traded down to do so when they could have taken Albert at #15. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Rashard Mendenhall was there for the taking both times, and they pass up on him?
18. Baltimore Ravens (from HOU)- Joe Flacco, QB.
Grade: A-. I really like this pick. Flacco has the most raw talent of any quarterback in the draft, as he has unbelievable arm strength and size (he stands nearly 6'7" and weighs 240).
19. Carolina Panthers (from PHI)- Jeff Otah, T.
Grade: A. Now this was a good pick. The Panthers desperately needed an offensive lineman, so they go with Otah. He can help form a great tackle tandem along with Jordan Gross.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Aqib Talib, CB.
Grade: A-. Solid pick here. Philip Buchanan just wasn't cutting it for the Buccaneers, and Ronde Barber isn't getting any younger. Many feel that Talib is the most talented cornerback in this draft. His main issue is his off-the-field problems.
21. Atlanta Falcons (from WAS)- Sam Baker, T.
Grade: C. I am not too crazy about this pick. Most people felt that Baker wasn't even a first-round talent. Plus, Atlanta has pretty big needs at defensive tackle and tight end. Either Kentwan Balmer or Dustin Keller would have been a better pick here.
22. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE)- Felix Jones, HB.
Grade: B-. Jones is a very nice player, but I felt that Dallas needed a pass-rushing defensive end to anchor the line of scrimmage. I would have went with Lawrence Jackson or Phillip Merling, but losing Julius Jones did open up a hole at the number two halfback slot.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers- Rashard Mendenhall, HB.
Grade: B+. I think this was just a case of taking best player available. Pittsburgh doesn't have a need at halfback considering they have Willie Parker, but the north-south Mendenhall can provide a nice change of pace from the finesse Parker. I do think the Steelers should have worked on their secondary here, though. Kenny Phillips, maybe?
24. Tennessee Titans- Chris Johnson, HB.
Grade: F. What is it about the Titans that they refuse to give Vince Young any help at all? Johnson is just going to be another Chris Henry. He is a workout warrior who turned heads in the 40-yard dash. Tennessee could have easily taken a receiver or at least traded down to pick one up later, but they take a second-round talent in Johnson.
25. Dallas Cowboys (from SEA)- Mike Jenkins, CB.
Grade: C. They again beat around their need for a pass-rushing end, this time to pick up a cornerback. I think Jenkins is an overrated prospect, hence the reason why he was the fourth corner taken instead of the first or second like many predicted.
26. Houston Texans (from BAL)- Duane Brown, T.
Grade: D-. Houston blew this pick. They have many other holes like at receiver, defensive end, and even outside linebacker and safety. The Texans could have easily traded down to get Brown while still compiling more picks to address other needs, but they failed to do so. Bad, bad decision.
27. San Diego Chargers- Antoine Cason, CB.
Grade: B+. The Chargers really don't have any huge needs. They have a bit of a hole at right tackle, but there weren't any good tackles remaining on the board. Cason is a very nice player who I think is one of the more underrated players in this draft.
28. Seattle Seahawks- Lawrence Jackson, DE.
Grade: D. This was a pretty bad pick by the Seahawks. They already have two very good pass-rushing ends in Patrick Kerney and Darryl Tapp. What Seattle really needed was a tight end, and Keller was still on the board here.
29. San Francisco 49ers- Kentwan Balmer, DT.
Grade: C+. I think the 49ers should have really addressed their problems at wide receiver first, but they did need a defensive tackle. Many scouts are worried about Balmer's work ethic, and rightfully so, as he didn't really start playing like a first-round pick until his senior season. Still, the kid has talent. Not a horrible pick, but not one I would have made.
30. New York Jets (from GB)- Dustin Keller, TE.
Grade: A. Phenomenal move by the Jets. Yes, they may have overpaid a little considering their next pick was only a few picks away, but they have been longing for a dynamic tight end for a while. Keller reminds me of an Antonio Gates or Kellen Winslow Jr. type player.
31. New York Giants- Kenny Phillips, S.
Grade: B. I think the Giants could have traded down and still gotten a safety (Tyrell Johnson) and picked up a pass-rushing outside linebacker (Quentin Groves) with the extra pick. However, the G-Men did need a safety, and Phillips is the best one in the draft.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Final seed projections
1: North Carolina, UCLA, Memphis, Kansas
2: Georgetown, Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin
3: Connecticut, Duke, Stanford, Louisville
4: Xavier, Butler, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame
5: Marquette, Michigan State, Purdue, Clemson
6: USC, Drake, Washington State, Indiana
7: Arkansas, Gonzaga, West Virginia, Vanderbilt
8: Oklahoma, Kansas State, UNLV, Texas A&M
9: Saint Mary's, Mississippi State, Miami, BYU
10: Saint Joseph's, Davidson, Mississippi, Kentucky
11: Arizona State, Virginia Tech, Baylor, Kent State
12: San Diego, George Mason, Arizona, Temple
13: Georgia, Oral Roberts, Western Kentucky, Boise State
14: Winthrop, Belmont, Austin Peay, California State Fullerton
15: Austin Peay, Portland State, Maryland-Baltimore County, Cornell
16: American, Texas-Arlington, Mount Saint Mary's
Play-in: Coppin State vs. Mississippi Valley State
2: Georgetown, Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin
3: Connecticut, Duke, Stanford, Louisville
4: Xavier, Butler, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame
5: Marquette, Michigan State, Purdue, Clemson
6: USC, Drake, Washington State, Indiana
7: Arkansas, Gonzaga, West Virginia, Vanderbilt
8: Oklahoma, Kansas State, UNLV, Texas A&M
9: Saint Mary's, Mississippi State, Miami, BYU
10: Saint Joseph's, Davidson, Mississippi, Kentucky
11: Arizona State, Virginia Tech, Baylor, Kent State
12: San Diego, George Mason, Arizona, Temple
13: Georgia, Oral Roberts, Western Kentucky, Boise State
14: Winthrop, Belmont, Austin Peay, California State Fullerton
15: Austin Peay, Portland State, Maryland-Baltimore County, Cornell
16: American, Texas-Arlington, Mount Saint Mary's
Play-in: Coppin State vs. Mississippi Valley State
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Final NCAA Tourney field projections: Mar. 16
ACC (5)
Automatic bid: North Carolina
At large: Duke, Clemson, Miami, Virginia Tech
Bubble: None
AMERICA EAST (1)
Automatic bid: Maryland-Baltimore County
ATLANTIC 10 (3)
Automatic bid: Temple
At large: Xavier, Saint Joseph's
Bubble: Massachusetts
ATLANTIC SUN (1)
Automatic bid: Belmont
BIG 12 (6)
Automatic bid: Kansas
At large: Texas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Baylor
Bubble: None
BIG EAST (7)
Automatic bid: Pittsburgh
At large: Georgetown, Connecticut, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, West Virginia
Bubble: Villanova
BIG SKY (1)
Automatic bid: Portland State
BIG SOUTH (1)
Automatic bid: Winthrop
BIG TEN (4)
Automatic bid: Wisconsin
At large: Michigan State, Purdue, Indiana
Bubble: Ohio State
BIG WEST (1)
Automatic bid: California State Fullerton
COLONIAL ATHLETIC (1)
Automatic bid: George Mason
At large: None
Bubble: Virginia Commonwealth
CONFERENCE USA (1)
Automatic bid: Memphis
HORIZON LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Butler
IVY LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Cornell
MAAC (1)
Automatic bid: Siena
MAC (1)
Automatic bid: Kent State
MEAC (1)
Automatic bid: Coppin State
MISSOURI VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Drake
At large: None
Bubble: Illinois State
MOUNTAIN WEST (2)
Automatic bid: UNLV
At large: BYU
Bubble: None
NORTHEAST (1)
Automatic bid: Mount Saint Mary's
OHIO VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Austin Peay
PAC-10 (6)
Automatic bid: UCLA
At large: Stanford, Washington State, USC, Arizona State, Arizona
Bubble: Oregon
PATRIOT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: American
SEC (7)
Automatic bid: Georgia
At large: Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi
Bubble: None
SOUTHERN (1)
Automatic bid: Davidson
SOUTHLAND (1)
Automatic bid: Texas-Arlington
SUMMIT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Oral Roberts
SUN BELT (1)
Automatic bid: Western Kentucky
At large: None
Bubble: South Alabama
SWAC (1)
Automatic bid: Mississippi Valley State
WAC (1)
Automatic bid: Boise State
WEST COAST (3)
Automatic bid: San Diego
At large: Gonzaga, Saint Mary's
Bubble: None
Automatic bid: North Carolina
At large: Duke, Clemson, Miami, Virginia Tech
Bubble: None
AMERICA EAST (1)
Automatic bid: Maryland-Baltimore County
ATLANTIC 10 (3)
Automatic bid: Temple
At large: Xavier, Saint Joseph's
Bubble: Massachusetts
ATLANTIC SUN (1)
Automatic bid: Belmont
BIG 12 (6)
Automatic bid: Kansas
At large: Texas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Baylor
Bubble: None
BIG EAST (7)
Automatic bid: Pittsburgh
At large: Georgetown, Connecticut, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, West Virginia
Bubble: Villanova
BIG SKY (1)
Automatic bid: Portland State
BIG SOUTH (1)
Automatic bid: Winthrop
BIG TEN (4)
Automatic bid: Wisconsin
At large: Michigan State, Purdue, Indiana
Bubble: Ohio State
BIG WEST (1)
Automatic bid: California State Fullerton
COLONIAL ATHLETIC (1)
Automatic bid: George Mason
At large: None
Bubble: Virginia Commonwealth
CONFERENCE USA (1)
Automatic bid: Memphis
HORIZON LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Butler
IVY LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Cornell
MAAC (1)
Automatic bid: Siena
MAC (1)
Automatic bid: Kent State
MEAC (1)
Automatic bid: Coppin State
MISSOURI VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Drake
At large: None
Bubble: Illinois State
MOUNTAIN WEST (2)
Automatic bid: UNLV
At large: BYU
Bubble: None
NORTHEAST (1)
Automatic bid: Mount Saint Mary's
OHIO VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Austin Peay
PAC-10 (6)
Automatic bid: UCLA
At large: Stanford, Washington State, USC, Arizona State, Arizona
Bubble: Oregon
PATRIOT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: American
SEC (7)
Automatic bid: Georgia
At large: Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi
Bubble: None
SOUTHERN (1)
Automatic bid: Davidson
SOUTHLAND (1)
Automatic bid: Texas-Arlington
SUMMIT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Oral Roberts
SUN BELT (1)
Automatic bid: Western Kentucky
At large: None
Bubble: South Alabama
SWAC (1)
Automatic bid: Mississippi Valley State
WAC (1)
Automatic bid: Boise State
WEST COAST (3)
Automatic bid: San Diego
At large: Gonzaga, Saint Mary's
Bubble: None
Friday, March 14, 2008
Projecting the seeds, Mar. 14
1: North Carolina, Memphis, UCLA, Tennessee
2: Georgetown, Kansas, Texas, Duke
3: Wisconsin, Connecticut, Stanford, Louisville
4: Xavier, Purdue, Notre Dame, Butler
5: Marquette, Michigan State, USC, Drake
6: Indiana, Washington State, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt
7: Clemson, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Gonzaga
8: West Virginia, Kansas State, BYU, Kentucky
9: Saint Mary's, Miami, Saint Joseph's, UNLV
10: Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas A&M, Davidson
11: Kent State, Arizona State, Baylor, Virginia Tech
12: San Diego, South Alabama, Arizona, Minnesota
13: George Mason, Stephen F. Austin, Oral Roberts, Western Kentucky
14: Winthrop, Utah State, Belmont, Siena
15: Portland State, Cornell, Austin Peay, American
16: California Irvine, Hartford, Morgan State
Play-in: Alabama State vs. Mount Saint Mary's
2: Georgetown, Kansas, Texas, Duke
3: Wisconsin, Connecticut, Stanford, Louisville
4: Xavier, Purdue, Notre Dame, Butler
5: Marquette, Michigan State, USC, Drake
6: Indiana, Washington State, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt
7: Clemson, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Gonzaga
8: West Virginia, Kansas State, BYU, Kentucky
9: Saint Mary's, Miami, Saint Joseph's, UNLV
10: Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas A&M, Davidson
11: Kent State, Arizona State, Baylor, Virginia Tech
12: San Diego, South Alabama, Arizona, Minnesota
13: George Mason, Stephen F. Austin, Oral Roberts, Western Kentucky
14: Winthrop, Utah State, Belmont, Siena
15: Portland State, Cornell, Austin Peay, American
16: California Irvine, Hartford, Morgan State
Play-in: Alabama State vs. Mount Saint Mary's
Projecting the NCAA Tournament field, Mar. 14
ACC (5)
Automatic bid: North Carolina
At large: Duke, Clemson, Miami, Virginia Tech
Bubble: None
AMERICA EAST (1)
Automatic bid: Hartford
ATLANTIC 10 (2)
Automatic bid: Saint Joseph's
At large: Xavier
Bubble: Massachusetts, Temple, Dayton
ATLANTIC SUN (1)
Automatic bid: Belmont
BIG 12 (6)
Automatic bid: Kansas
At large: Texas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Baylor
Bubble: None
BIG EAST (7)
Automatic bid: Georgetown
At large: Connecticut, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, West Virginia
Bubble: Villanova
BIG SKY (1)
Automatic bid: Portland State
BIG SOUTH (1)
Automatic bid: Winthrop
BIG TEN (5)
Automatic bid: Minnesota
At large: Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue, Indiana
Bubble: Ohio State
BIG WEST (1)
Automatic bid: California Irvine
COLONIAL ATHLETIC (1)
Automatic bid: George Mason
At large: None
Bubble: Virginia Commonwealth
CONFERENCE USA (1)
Automatic bid: Memphis
HORIZON LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Butler
IVY LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Cornell
MAAC (1)
Automatic bid: Siena
MAC (1)
Automatic bid: Kent State
MEAC (1)
Automatic bid: Morgan State
MISSOURI VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Drake
At large: None
Bubble: Illinois State
MOUNTAIN WEST (2)
Automatic bid: UNLV
At large: BYU
Bubble: None
NORTHEAST (1)
Automatic bid: Mount Saint Mary's
OHIO VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Austin Peay
PAC-10 (6)
Automatic bid: UCLA
At large: Stanford, Washington State, USC, Arizona State, Arizona
Bubble: Oregon
PATRIOT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: American
SEC (6)
Automatic bid: Tennessee
At large: Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Mississippi
Bubble: None
SOUTHERN (1)
Automatic bid: Davidson
SOUTHLAND (1)
Automatic bid: Stephen F. Austin
SUMMIT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Oral Roberts
SUN BELT (2)
Automatic bid: Western Kentucky
At large: South Alabama
Bubble: None
SWAC (1)
Automatic bid: Alabama State
WAC (1)
Automatic bid: Utah State
WEST COAST (3)
Automatic bid: San Diego
At large: Gonzaga, Saint Mary's
Bubble: None
Automatic bid: North Carolina
At large: Duke, Clemson, Miami, Virginia Tech
Bubble: None
AMERICA EAST (1)
Automatic bid: Hartford
ATLANTIC 10 (2)
Automatic bid: Saint Joseph's
At large: Xavier
Bubble: Massachusetts, Temple, Dayton
ATLANTIC SUN (1)
Automatic bid: Belmont
BIG 12 (6)
Automatic bid: Kansas
At large: Texas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Baylor
Bubble: None
BIG EAST (7)
Automatic bid: Georgetown
At large: Connecticut, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, West Virginia
Bubble: Villanova
BIG SKY (1)
Automatic bid: Portland State
BIG SOUTH (1)
Automatic bid: Winthrop
BIG TEN (5)
Automatic bid: Minnesota
At large: Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue, Indiana
Bubble: Ohio State
BIG WEST (1)
Automatic bid: California Irvine
COLONIAL ATHLETIC (1)
Automatic bid: George Mason
At large: None
Bubble: Virginia Commonwealth
CONFERENCE USA (1)
Automatic bid: Memphis
HORIZON LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Butler
IVY LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Cornell
MAAC (1)
Automatic bid: Siena
MAC (1)
Automatic bid: Kent State
MEAC (1)
Automatic bid: Morgan State
MISSOURI VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Drake
At large: None
Bubble: Illinois State
MOUNTAIN WEST (2)
Automatic bid: UNLV
At large: BYU
Bubble: None
NORTHEAST (1)
Automatic bid: Mount Saint Mary's
OHIO VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Austin Peay
PAC-10 (6)
Automatic bid: UCLA
At large: Stanford, Washington State, USC, Arizona State, Arizona
Bubble: Oregon
PATRIOT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: American
SEC (6)
Automatic bid: Tennessee
At large: Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Mississippi
Bubble: None
SOUTHERN (1)
Automatic bid: Davidson
SOUTHLAND (1)
Automatic bid: Stephen F. Austin
SUMMIT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Oral Roberts
SUN BELT (2)
Automatic bid: Western Kentucky
At large: South Alabama
Bubble: None
SWAC (1)
Automatic bid: Alabama State
WAC (1)
Automatic bid: Utah State
WEST COAST (3)
Automatic bid: San Diego
At large: Gonzaga, Saint Mary's
Bubble: None
Monday, March 10, 2008
Projecting the NCAA Tournament field, Mar. 10
ACC (4)
Automatic bid: North Carolina
At large: Duke, Clemson, Miami
Bubble: Virginia Tech, Maryland
AMERICA EAST (1)
Automatic bid: Hartford
ATLANTIC 10 (2)
Automatic bid: Xavier
At large: Massachusetts
Bubble: Dayton, Saint Joseph's
ATLANTIC SUN (1)
Automatic bid: Belmont
BIG 12 (6)
Automatic bid: Kansas
At large: Texas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Baylor
Bubble: None
BIG EAST (8)
Automatic bid: Connecticut
At large: Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Marquette, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Syracuse
Bubble: Villanova
BIG SKY (1)
Automatic bid: Portland State
BIG SOUTH (1)
Automatic bid: Winthrop
BIG TEN (4)
Automatic bid: Wisconsin
At large: Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State
Bubble: Ohio State
BIG WEST (1)
Automatic bid: Pacific
COLONIAL ATHLETIC (2)
Automatic bid: George Mason
At large: Virginia Commonwealth
Bubble: None
CONFERENCE USA (1)
Automatic bid: Memphis
At large: None
Bubble: UAB
HORIZON LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Butler
IVY LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Cornell
MAAC (1)
Automatic bid: Siena
MAC (1)
Automatic bid: Kent State
MEAC (1)
Automatic bid: Morgan State
MISSOURI VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Drake
At large: None
Bubble: Illinois State
MOUNTAIN WEST (3)
Automatic bid: UNLV
At large: BYU, New Mexico
Bubble: None
NORTHEAST (1)
Automatic bid: Sacred Heart
OHIO VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Austin Peay
PAC-10 (6)
Automatic bid: UCLA
At large: Stanford, Washington State, USC, Arizona State, Arizona
Bubble: Oregon
PATRIOT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Colgate
SEC (6)
Automatic bid: Tennessee
At large: Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky
Bubble: Florida
SOUTHERN (1)
Automatic bid: Davidson
SOUTHLAND (1)
Automatic bid: Lamar
SUMMIT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Oakland
SUN BELT (1)
Automatic bid: South Alabama
At large: None
Bubble: Western Kentucky
SWAC (1)
Automatic bid: Alabama State
WAC (1)
Automatic bid: Utah State
WEST COAST (3)
Automatic bid: San Diego
At large: Gonzaga, Saint Mary's
Bubble: None
Last four in: Arizona, Syracuse, New Mexico, Virginia Commonwealth
Last four out: Virginia Tech, Western Kentucky, Oregon, Villanova
Automatic bid: North Carolina
At large: Duke, Clemson, Miami
Bubble: Virginia Tech, Maryland
AMERICA EAST (1)
Automatic bid: Hartford
ATLANTIC 10 (2)
Automatic bid: Xavier
At large: Massachusetts
Bubble: Dayton, Saint Joseph's
ATLANTIC SUN (1)
Automatic bid: Belmont
BIG 12 (6)
Automatic bid: Kansas
At large: Texas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Baylor
Bubble: None
BIG EAST (8)
Automatic bid: Connecticut
At large: Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Marquette, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Syracuse
Bubble: Villanova
BIG SKY (1)
Automatic bid: Portland State
BIG SOUTH (1)
Automatic bid: Winthrop
BIG TEN (4)
Automatic bid: Wisconsin
At large: Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State
Bubble: Ohio State
BIG WEST (1)
Automatic bid: Pacific
COLONIAL ATHLETIC (2)
Automatic bid: George Mason
At large: Virginia Commonwealth
Bubble: None
CONFERENCE USA (1)
Automatic bid: Memphis
At large: None
Bubble: UAB
HORIZON LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Butler
IVY LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Cornell
MAAC (1)
Automatic bid: Siena
MAC (1)
Automatic bid: Kent State
MEAC (1)
Automatic bid: Morgan State
MISSOURI VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Drake
At large: None
Bubble: Illinois State
MOUNTAIN WEST (3)
Automatic bid: UNLV
At large: BYU, New Mexico
Bubble: None
NORTHEAST (1)
Automatic bid: Sacred Heart
OHIO VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Austin Peay
PAC-10 (6)
Automatic bid: UCLA
At large: Stanford, Washington State, USC, Arizona State, Arizona
Bubble: Oregon
PATRIOT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Colgate
SEC (6)
Automatic bid: Tennessee
At large: Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky
Bubble: Florida
SOUTHERN (1)
Automatic bid: Davidson
SOUTHLAND (1)
Automatic bid: Lamar
SUMMIT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Oakland
SUN BELT (1)
Automatic bid: South Alabama
At large: None
Bubble: Western Kentucky
SWAC (1)
Automatic bid: Alabama State
WAC (1)
Automatic bid: Utah State
WEST COAST (3)
Automatic bid: San Diego
At large: Gonzaga, Saint Mary's
Bubble: None
Last four in: Arizona, Syracuse, New Mexico, Virginia Commonwealth
Last four out: Virginia Tech, Western Kentucky, Oregon, Villanova
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Projecting the NCAA Tournament field, Mar. 7
ACC (5)
Automatic bid: North Carolina
At large: Duke, Clemson, Miami, Virginia Tech
Bubble: Maryland
AMERICA EAST (1)
Automatic bid: Maryland-Baltimore County
ATLANTIC 10 (3)
Automatic bid: Xavier
At large: Massachusetts, Saint Joseph's
Bubble: Dayton, Rhode Island
ATLANTIC SUN (1)
Automatic bid: Belmont
BIG 12 (6)
Automatic bid: Kansas
At large: Texas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Baylor
Bubble: None
BIG EAST (7)
Automatic bid: Connecticut
At large: Georgetown, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, West Virginia
Bubble: Syracuse
BIG SKY (1)
Automatic bid: Portland State
BIG SOUTH (1)
Automatic bid: Winthrop
BIG TEN (4)
Automatic bid: Wisconsin
At large: Indiana, Michigan State, Purdue
Bubble: Ohio State
BIG WEST (1)
Automatic bid: Pacific
COLONIAL ATHLETIC (1)
Automatic bid: Virginia Commonwealth
CONFERENCE USA (2)
Automatic bid: Memphis
At large: UAB
Bubble: None
HORIZON LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Butler
IVY LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Cornell
MAAC (1)
Automatic bid: Siena
MAC (1)
Automatic bid: Kent State
MEAC (1)
Automatic bid: Morgan State
MISSOURI VALLEY (2)
Automatic bid: Drake
At large: Illinois State
Bubble: None
MOUNTAIN WEST (2)
Automatic bid: BYU
At large: UNLV
Bubble: New Mexico
NORTHEAST (1)
Automatic bid: Robert Morris
OHIO VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Austin Peay
PAC-10 (6)
Automatic bid: UCLA
At large: Stanford, Washington State, USC, Arizona State, Arizona
Bubble: None
PATRIOT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Bucknell
SEC (5)
Automatic bid: Tennessee
At large: Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Mississippi, Arkansas
Bubble: Florida, Kentucky
SOUTHERN (1)
Automatic bid: Davidson
SOUTHLAND (1)
Automatic bid: Lamar
SUMMIT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: IUPUI
SUN BELT (2)
Automatic bid: South Alabama
At large: Western Kentucky
Bubble: None
SWAC (1)
Automatic bid: Alabama State
WAC (1)
Automatic bid: Utah State
WEST COAST (2)
Automatic bid: Gonzaga
At large: Saint Mary's
Bubble: None
Last four in: Arkansas, Illinois State, Virginia Tech, Saint Joseph's
Last four out: Maryland, Kentucky, New Mexico, Syracuse
Automatic bid: North Carolina
At large: Duke, Clemson, Miami, Virginia Tech
Bubble: Maryland
AMERICA EAST (1)
Automatic bid: Maryland-Baltimore County
ATLANTIC 10 (3)
Automatic bid: Xavier
At large: Massachusetts, Saint Joseph's
Bubble: Dayton, Rhode Island
ATLANTIC SUN (1)
Automatic bid: Belmont
BIG 12 (6)
Automatic bid: Kansas
At large: Texas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Baylor
Bubble: None
BIG EAST (7)
Automatic bid: Connecticut
At large: Georgetown, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, West Virginia
Bubble: Syracuse
BIG SKY (1)
Automatic bid: Portland State
BIG SOUTH (1)
Automatic bid: Winthrop
BIG TEN (4)
Automatic bid: Wisconsin
At large: Indiana, Michigan State, Purdue
Bubble: Ohio State
BIG WEST (1)
Automatic bid: Pacific
COLONIAL ATHLETIC (1)
Automatic bid: Virginia Commonwealth
CONFERENCE USA (2)
Automatic bid: Memphis
At large: UAB
Bubble: None
HORIZON LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Butler
IVY LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Cornell
MAAC (1)
Automatic bid: Siena
MAC (1)
Automatic bid: Kent State
MEAC (1)
Automatic bid: Morgan State
MISSOURI VALLEY (2)
Automatic bid: Drake
At large: Illinois State
Bubble: None
MOUNTAIN WEST (2)
Automatic bid: BYU
At large: UNLV
Bubble: New Mexico
NORTHEAST (1)
Automatic bid: Robert Morris
OHIO VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Austin Peay
PAC-10 (6)
Automatic bid: UCLA
At large: Stanford, Washington State, USC, Arizona State, Arizona
Bubble: None
PATRIOT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Bucknell
SEC (5)
Automatic bid: Tennessee
At large: Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Mississippi, Arkansas
Bubble: Florida, Kentucky
SOUTHERN (1)
Automatic bid: Davidson
SOUTHLAND (1)
Automatic bid: Lamar
SUMMIT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: IUPUI
SUN BELT (2)
Automatic bid: South Alabama
At large: Western Kentucky
Bubble: None
SWAC (1)
Automatic bid: Alabama State
WAC (1)
Automatic bid: Utah State
WEST COAST (2)
Automatic bid: Gonzaga
At large: Saint Mary's
Bubble: None
Last four in: Arkansas, Illinois State, Virginia Tech, Saint Joseph's
Last four out: Maryland, Kentucky, New Mexico, Syracuse
Friday, February 29, 2008
Projecting the NCAA Tournament field: Mar. 2
ACC (5)
Automatic bid: North Carolina
At large: Duke, Maryland, Clemson, Miami
Bubble: Virginia Tech
AMERICA EAST (1)
Automatic bid: Maryland-Baltimore County
ATLANTIC 10 (3)
Automatic bid: Xavier
At large: Saint Joseph's, Massachusetts
Bubble: Rhode Island, Dayton
ATLANTIC SUN (1)
Automatic bid: Belmont
BIG 12 (6)
Automatic bid: Kansas
At large: Texas, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Baylor
Bubble: Oklahoma State, Nebraska
BIG EAST (7)
Automatic bid: Connecticut
At large: Louisville, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Marquette, Pittsburgh, West Virginia
Bubble: Villanova, Syracuse
BIG SKY (1)
Automatic bid: Portland State
BIG SOUTH (1)
Automatic bid: Winthrop
BIG TEN (4)
Automatic bid: Wisconsin
At large: Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State
Bubble: None
BIG WEST (1)
Automatic bid: Pacific
COLONIAL ATHLETIC (1)
Automatic bid: Virginia Commonwealth
CONFERENCE USA (2)
Automatic bid: Memphis
At large: UAB
Bubble: Houston
HORIZON LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Butler
IVY LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Cornell
MAAC (1)
Automatic bid: Siena
MAC (1)
Automatic bid: Kent State
MEAC (1)
Automatic bid: Morgan State
MISSOURI VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Drake
At large: None
Bubble: Illinois State
MOUNTAIN WEST (2)
Automatic bid: BYU
At large: UNLV
Bubble: New Mexico
NORTHEAST (1)
Automatic bid: Robert Morris
OHIO VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Austin Peay
PAC-10 (6)
Automatic bid: UCLA
At large: Stanford, Washington State, USC, Arizona State, Arizona
Bubble: None
PATRIOT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Navy
SEC (6)
Automatic bid: Tennessee
At large: Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida
Bubble: Kentucky
SOUTHERN (1)
Automatic bid: Davidson
SOUTHLAND (1)
Automatic bid: Lamar
At large: None
Bubble: Stephen F. Austin
SUMMIT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: IUPUI
SUN BELT (2)
Automatic bid: South Alabama
At large: Western Kentucky
Bubble: None
SWAC (1)
Automatic bid: Alabama State
WAC (1)
Automatic bid: Boise State
WEST COAST (2)
Automatic bid: Gonzaga
At large: Saint Mary's
Bubble: None
Last four in: Florida, Arizona, Baylor, UAB
Last four out: Illinois State, Virginia Tech, Villanova, Syracuse
Next four out: Dayton, Houston, New Mexico, Rhode Island
Automatic bid: North Carolina
At large: Duke, Maryland, Clemson, Miami
Bubble: Virginia Tech
AMERICA EAST (1)
Automatic bid: Maryland-Baltimore County
ATLANTIC 10 (3)
Automatic bid: Xavier
At large: Saint Joseph's, Massachusetts
Bubble: Rhode Island, Dayton
ATLANTIC SUN (1)
Automatic bid: Belmont
BIG 12 (6)
Automatic bid: Kansas
At large: Texas, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Baylor
Bubble: Oklahoma State, Nebraska
BIG EAST (7)
Automatic bid: Connecticut
At large: Louisville, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Marquette, Pittsburgh, West Virginia
Bubble: Villanova, Syracuse
BIG SKY (1)
Automatic bid: Portland State
BIG SOUTH (1)
Automatic bid: Winthrop
BIG TEN (4)
Automatic bid: Wisconsin
At large: Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State
Bubble: None
BIG WEST (1)
Automatic bid: Pacific
COLONIAL ATHLETIC (1)
Automatic bid: Virginia Commonwealth
CONFERENCE USA (2)
Automatic bid: Memphis
At large: UAB
Bubble: Houston
HORIZON LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Butler
IVY LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Cornell
MAAC (1)
Automatic bid: Siena
MAC (1)
Automatic bid: Kent State
MEAC (1)
Automatic bid: Morgan State
MISSOURI VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Drake
At large: None
Bubble: Illinois State
MOUNTAIN WEST (2)
Automatic bid: BYU
At large: UNLV
Bubble: New Mexico
NORTHEAST (1)
Automatic bid: Robert Morris
OHIO VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Austin Peay
PAC-10 (6)
Automatic bid: UCLA
At large: Stanford, Washington State, USC, Arizona State, Arizona
Bubble: None
PATRIOT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Navy
SEC (6)
Automatic bid: Tennessee
At large: Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida
Bubble: Kentucky
SOUTHERN (1)
Automatic bid: Davidson
SOUTHLAND (1)
Automatic bid: Lamar
At large: None
Bubble: Stephen F. Austin
SUMMIT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: IUPUI
SUN BELT (2)
Automatic bid: South Alabama
At large: Western Kentucky
Bubble: None
SWAC (1)
Automatic bid: Alabama State
WAC (1)
Automatic bid: Boise State
WEST COAST (2)
Automatic bid: Gonzaga
At large: Saint Mary's
Bubble: None
Last four in: Florida, Arizona, Baylor, UAB
Last four out: Illinois State, Virginia Tech, Villanova, Syracuse
Next four out: Dayton, Houston, New Mexico, Rhode Island
Monday, February 18, 2008
Kidd to Dallas may finally get done
After a strange few days of negotiations, it looks like the New Jersey Nets are finally sending star point guard Jason Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that Kidd was headed to Dallas along with Malik Allen for Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Maurice Ager, Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, and two first-round draft picks. However, George vetoed the trade, sending both parties back to the drawing board.
Then, when word got out that Stackhouse was going to be bought out by New Jersey and then sign back with the Mavericks after 30 days, the NBA reportedly stepped in and refused to allow that to happen with thoughts that the deal may had been pre-arranged.
The newest version of the trade has Kidd and Allen going to Dallas for Harris, Diop, Ager, Trenton Hassell, and retired forward Keith Van Horn, who the Mavericks will throw into the deal to make contracts match.
Kidd was drafted by Dallas and spent the first two-and-a-half years of his career there. He was dealt to the Phoenix Suns in the 1996-97 campaign where he would go on to play four-and-a-half seasons. The All-Star was then traded to the Nets during the summer of 2001 for Stephon Marbury and others. Kidd played six-and-a-half seasons in New Jersey, leading the Nets to the NBA Finals twice during that span and never failing to make the playoffs.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that Kidd was headed to Dallas along with Malik Allen for Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Maurice Ager, Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, and two first-round draft picks. However, George vetoed the trade, sending both parties back to the drawing board.
Then, when word got out that Stackhouse was going to be bought out by New Jersey and then sign back with the Mavericks after 30 days, the NBA reportedly stepped in and refused to allow that to happen with thoughts that the deal may had been pre-arranged.
The newest version of the trade has Kidd and Allen going to Dallas for Harris, Diop, Ager, Trenton Hassell, and retired forward Keith Van Horn, who the Mavericks will throw into the deal to make contracts match.
Kidd was drafted by Dallas and spent the first two-and-a-half years of his career there. He was dealt to the Phoenix Suns in the 1996-97 campaign where he would go on to play four-and-a-half seasons. The All-Star was then traded to the Nets during the summer of 2001 for Stephon Marbury and others. Kidd played six-and-a-half seasons in New Jersey, leading the Nets to the NBA Finals twice during that span and never failing to make the playoffs.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Predicting the NCAA Tournament field
ACC (5)
Automatic bid: North Carolina
At large: Duke, Maryland, Clemson, North Carolina State
On the bubble: Virginia Tech
AMERICA EAST (1)
Automatic bid: Maryland Baltimore-County
At large: None
On the bubble: None
ATLANTIC 10 (5)
Automatic bid: Xavier
At large: Rhode Island, Saint Joseph's, Dayton, Charlotte
On the bubble: Massachusetts
ATLANTIC SUN (1)
Automatic bid: Belmont
At large: None
On the bubble: None
BIG 12 (6)
Automatic bid: Kansas
At large: Texas, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Baylor, Oklahoma
On the bubble: None
BIG EAST (7)
Automatic bid: Connecticut
At large: Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Marquette, Syracuse
On the bubble: West Virginia
BIG SKY (1)
Automatic bid: Portland State
At large: None
On the bubble: None
BIG SOUTH (1)
Automatic bid: North Carolina-Asheville
At large: None
On the bubble: None
BIG TEN (4)
Automatic bid: Purdue
At large: Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan State
On the bubble: Ohio State
BIG WEST (1)
Automatic bid: Pacific
At large: None
On the bubble: None
COLONIAL ATHLETIC (2)
Automatic bid: George Mason
At large: Virginia Commonwealth
On the bubble: None
CONFERENCE USA (1)
Automatic bid: Memphis
At large: None
On the bubble: Houston, UAB
HORIZON LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Butler
At large: None
On the bubble: Wright State
IVY LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Cornell
At large: None
On the bubble: None
MAAC (1)
Automatic bid: Siena
At large: None
On the bubble: None
MAC (1)
Automatic bid: Kent State
At large: None
On the bubble: Ohio
MEAC (1)
Automatic bid: Morgan State
At large: None
On the bubble: None
MISSOURI VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Drake
At large: None
On the bubble: Illinois State, Creighton
MOUNTAIN WEST (2)
Automatic bid: UNLV
At large: BYU
On the bubble: San Diego State, New Mexico
NORTHEAST (1)
Automatic bid: Robert Morris
At large: None
On the bubble: None
OHIO VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Austin Peay
At large: None
On the bubble: None
PAC-10 (5)
Automatic bid: UCLA
At large: Stanford, Washington State, USC, Arizona
On the bubble: Arizona State, California
PATRIOT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: American
At large: None
On the bubble: None
SEC (6)
Automatic bid: Tennessee
At large: Mississippi, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Florida
On the bubble: None
SOUTHERN (1)
Automatic bid: Davidson
At large: None
On the bubble: None
SOUTHLAND (1)
Automatic bid: Sam Houston State
At large: None
On the bubble: None
SUMMIT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Oral Roberts
At large: None
On the bubble: None
SUN BELT (1)
Automatic bid: South Alabama
At large: None
On the bubble: None
SWAC (1)
Automatic bid: Alabama State
At large: None
On the bubble: None
WAC (1)
Automatic bid: Utah State
At large: None
On the bubble: Boise State
WEST COAST (2)
Automatic bid: Saint Mary's
At large: Gonzaga
On the bubble: None
Automatic bid: North Carolina
At large: Duke, Maryland, Clemson, North Carolina State
On the bubble: Virginia Tech
AMERICA EAST (1)
Automatic bid: Maryland Baltimore-County
At large: None
On the bubble: None
ATLANTIC 10 (5)
Automatic bid: Xavier
At large: Rhode Island, Saint Joseph's, Dayton, Charlotte
On the bubble: Massachusetts
ATLANTIC SUN (1)
Automatic bid: Belmont
At large: None
On the bubble: None
BIG 12 (6)
Automatic bid: Kansas
At large: Texas, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Baylor, Oklahoma
On the bubble: None
BIG EAST (7)
Automatic bid: Connecticut
At large: Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Marquette, Syracuse
On the bubble: West Virginia
BIG SKY (1)
Automatic bid: Portland State
At large: None
On the bubble: None
BIG SOUTH (1)
Automatic bid: North Carolina-Asheville
At large: None
On the bubble: None
BIG TEN (4)
Automatic bid: Purdue
At large: Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan State
On the bubble: Ohio State
BIG WEST (1)
Automatic bid: Pacific
At large: None
On the bubble: None
COLONIAL ATHLETIC (2)
Automatic bid: George Mason
At large: Virginia Commonwealth
On the bubble: None
CONFERENCE USA (1)
Automatic bid: Memphis
At large: None
On the bubble: Houston, UAB
HORIZON LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Butler
At large: None
On the bubble: Wright State
IVY LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Cornell
At large: None
On the bubble: None
MAAC (1)
Automatic bid: Siena
At large: None
On the bubble: None
MAC (1)
Automatic bid: Kent State
At large: None
On the bubble: Ohio
MEAC (1)
Automatic bid: Morgan State
At large: None
On the bubble: None
MISSOURI VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Drake
At large: None
On the bubble: Illinois State, Creighton
MOUNTAIN WEST (2)
Automatic bid: UNLV
At large: BYU
On the bubble: San Diego State, New Mexico
NORTHEAST (1)
Automatic bid: Robert Morris
At large: None
On the bubble: None
OHIO VALLEY (1)
Automatic bid: Austin Peay
At large: None
On the bubble: None
PAC-10 (5)
Automatic bid: UCLA
At large: Stanford, Washington State, USC, Arizona
On the bubble: Arizona State, California
PATRIOT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: American
At large: None
On the bubble: None
SEC (6)
Automatic bid: Tennessee
At large: Mississippi, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Florida
On the bubble: None
SOUTHERN (1)
Automatic bid: Davidson
At large: None
On the bubble: None
SOUTHLAND (1)
Automatic bid: Sam Houston State
At large: None
On the bubble: None
SUMMIT LEAGUE (1)
Automatic bid: Oral Roberts
At large: None
On the bubble: None
SUN BELT (1)
Automatic bid: South Alabama
At large: None
On the bubble: None
SWAC (1)
Automatic bid: Alabama State
At large: None
On the bubble: None
WAC (1)
Automatic bid: Utah State
At large: None
On the bubble: Boise State
WEST COAST (2)
Automatic bid: Saint Mary's
At large: Gonzaga
On the bubble: None
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Shaq headed to Phoenix; I don't get it
As long as he passes his physical, four-time champion center Shaquille O'Neal will be traded from the Miami Heat to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. The question to Phoenix is: why?
The Suns currently have the best record in the Western Conference. They have one of the NBA's most lethal trios in Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and Marion, and now they want to break it up? First of all, I think Marion is a bit overrated and is really just a product of Phoenix's run-and-gun system, but that's exactly why the Suns should not be dealing him, especially for a 35-year old who is clearly past his prime.
No disrespect to O'Neal, but he is not even a top 50 player in the league anymore. The 14-time All-Star is averaging a career-low 14.2 points and a next-to-career-worst 7.8 rebounds per game and has missed 14 games this season. As a matter of fact, Shaq has sat out 79 games since the 2005-06 campaign. Even his great friend and now-former teammate Dwyane Wade publicly called out O'Neal for not being in playing shape. If the 325-pound behemoth couldn't get up and down the floor in Miami, how in the world is he going to do that with the fast-paced Suns?
Phoenix scores a good chunk of points in transition night in and night out. Yes, they can put up points in a halfcourt set, but let's face it; when you think of the Suns, you think of Nash throwing alley-oops to Stoudemire and Marion on fast breaks. You don't think of a team that can methodically wear other teams down by pounding the ball down low or having their guards slash into the paint. Getting O'Neal will definitely help their low-post game, but Shaq cannot be relied on to do that every time down the floor like has was in past years. Now he will have to worry about simply keeping up when Nash and company decide to run.
Unless the Suns are trying to tweak their philosophy, I don't see how this move makes any sense at all. I will say that the game Phoenix plays now will not win them any championships. In order to beat teams like San Antonio and Dallas out West, you need to be able to score points in ways other than getting out on the break. Maybe Mike D'Antoni realizes that and is attempting to have the halfcourt offense run through O'Neal? Either way, the Suns' defense took a hit with this move, as Shaq was never known for being a tenacious defender and they also lost Marion's cover skills out on the perimeter.
This trade could have also been a knee-jerk reaction to the Lakers acquiring Pau Gasol from Memphis. Phoenix felt the need to add a low-post threat of their own to counter Los Angeles, and if D'Antoni is willing to restructure the offense and Shaq stays motivated, then maybe things can work. However, I think the Suns would have still beaten the Lakers anyway. Gasol is a nice player, but he is a far cry from a superstar.
All in all, this was a very questionable move by Phoenix. For the Heat, they are in rebuilding mode, and they get a decent chip in Marion to play alongside Wade. I think the most important concept here for Miami is that they can deal Marion to a contender either by the trading deadline or in the off-season if they don't feel he is going to be part of their future plans. I'm sure many teams would vie for his services, and the Heat would probably get a decent haul in return should they decide to deal the 29-year old.
This trade is boom or bust for the Suns. If O'Neal can incorporate himself into the offense and re-establish himself as a consistent low-post threat, then this is a great move for a team that lacked a true inside go-to guy. Stoudemire can get the job done on occasion, but he is at his best on the run and was never able to dominate in the paint. However, if the O'Neal we've seen in the 32 games he's played in this season shows up, then that could throw Phoenix all out of whack. Their run-and-gun game will no longer be as potent, and they will be short a key perimeter defender who has been known to do a fine job against players such as Kobe Bryant in big games. On the other side again, though, the Suns may have needed a change considering they have been beaten by the Spurs, twice, and the Mavericks in the playoffs since this squad came together in the 2004-05 season.
We'll just have to wait and see what happens.
The Suns currently have the best record in the Western Conference. They have one of the NBA's most lethal trios in Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and Marion, and now they want to break it up? First of all, I think Marion is a bit overrated and is really just a product of Phoenix's run-and-gun system, but that's exactly why the Suns should not be dealing him, especially for a 35-year old who is clearly past his prime.
No disrespect to O'Neal, but he is not even a top 50 player in the league anymore. The 14-time All-Star is averaging a career-low 14.2 points and a next-to-career-worst 7.8 rebounds per game and has missed 14 games this season. As a matter of fact, Shaq has sat out 79 games since the 2005-06 campaign. Even his great friend and now-former teammate Dwyane Wade publicly called out O'Neal for not being in playing shape. If the 325-pound behemoth couldn't get up and down the floor in Miami, how in the world is he going to do that with the fast-paced Suns?
Phoenix scores a good chunk of points in transition night in and night out. Yes, they can put up points in a halfcourt set, but let's face it; when you think of the Suns, you think of Nash throwing alley-oops to Stoudemire and Marion on fast breaks. You don't think of a team that can methodically wear other teams down by pounding the ball down low or having their guards slash into the paint. Getting O'Neal will definitely help their low-post game, but Shaq cannot be relied on to do that every time down the floor like has was in past years. Now he will have to worry about simply keeping up when Nash and company decide to run.
Unless the Suns are trying to tweak their philosophy, I don't see how this move makes any sense at all. I will say that the game Phoenix plays now will not win them any championships. In order to beat teams like San Antonio and Dallas out West, you need to be able to score points in ways other than getting out on the break. Maybe Mike D'Antoni realizes that and is attempting to have the halfcourt offense run through O'Neal? Either way, the Suns' defense took a hit with this move, as Shaq was never known for being a tenacious defender and they also lost Marion's cover skills out on the perimeter.
This trade could have also been a knee-jerk reaction to the Lakers acquiring Pau Gasol from Memphis. Phoenix felt the need to add a low-post threat of their own to counter Los Angeles, and if D'Antoni is willing to restructure the offense and Shaq stays motivated, then maybe things can work. However, I think the Suns would have still beaten the Lakers anyway. Gasol is a nice player, but he is a far cry from a superstar.
All in all, this was a very questionable move by Phoenix. For the Heat, they are in rebuilding mode, and they get a decent chip in Marion to play alongside Wade. I think the most important concept here for Miami is that they can deal Marion to a contender either by the trading deadline or in the off-season if they don't feel he is going to be part of their future plans. I'm sure many teams would vie for his services, and the Heat would probably get a decent haul in return should they decide to deal the 29-year old.
This trade is boom or bust for the Suns. If O'Neal can incorporate himself into the offense and re-establish himself as a consistent low-post threat, then this is a great move for a team that lacked a true inside go-to guy. Stoudemire can get the job done on occasion, but he is at his best on the run and was never able to dominate in the paint. However, if the O'Neal we've seen in the 32 games he's played in this season shows up, then that could throw Phoenix all out of whack. Their run-and-gun game will no longer be as potent, and they will be short a key perimeter defender who has been known to do a fine job against players such as Kobe Bryant in big games. On the other side again, though, the Suns may have needed a change considering they have been beaten by the Spurs, twice, and the Mavericks in the playoffs since this squad came together in the 2004-05 season.
We'll just have to wait and see what happens.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Bedard to Mariners close
It looks like the Erik Bedard sweepstakes are finally drawing to a close. The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly close to trading the 28-year old left-hander to the Seattle Mariners in a deal that would send top outfielding prospect Adam Jones to the Orioles. According to Luis Sojo, manager of the Lara Cardinals, a minor-league affiliate of the Mariners, Jones flew to Baltimore to take a physical today. Other prospects would also be heading Baltimore's way, possibly including two highly-touted minor-league arms in Chris Tillman and Tony Butler.
Bedard went 13-5 and posted a 3.16 ERA in 182 innings for the Orioles last season. He also struck out 221. He has a career record of 40-34 and an ERA of 3.83. Bedard has spent all four of his full MLB seasons in Baltimore.
Bedard went 13-5 and posted a 3.16 ERA in 182 innings for the Orioles last season. He also struck out 221. He has a career record of 40-34 and an ERA of 3.83. Bedard has spent all four of his full MLB seasons in Baltimore.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
My NBA All-Star teams
Eastern Conference
Starters
C- Dwight Howard, Magic- This one is a no-brainer. The 22-year old Howard is having a monster season, averaging 22 points and just under 15 rebounds per game. His presence has helped Orlando get out to a 27-18 start. Although Howard still needs to improve his back-to-the-basket game and has a lot of work to do on his jump shot, his size and strength alone has allowed him to develop into one of the league's most dominant players. Could he be the next version Shaquille O'Neal? Actual winner: Howard.
PF- Kevin Garnett, Celtics- Another easy choice here. Garnett has not only been the league's best player this season, but he is also on the NBA's best team. It's about time the now 13-year veteran gets the respect he deserves after playing all of those years in frigid Minnesota. He has made both Paul Pierce and Ray Allen better players, as well as rookie Glen Davis and young center Kendrick Perkins. Boston has been flourishing with their newest "Big Three." Actual winner: Garnett.
SF- LeBron James, Cavaliers- Cleveland struggled early in the year but has turned it on as of late, mostly due in part to the play of James. The King has put together six 30+ point games in the month of January, not to mention four double-doubles and several near triple-doubles on top of that. In the weak East, James should have no problem leading the Cavaliers to the playoffs for the third consecutive year. Actual winner: James.
SG- Paul Pierce, Celtics- Pierce will not be starting in the real All-Star game, but he certainly should be. He is leading his superhuman Celtics in scoring, averaging just over 20 a night. He is also averaging just under six boards and six dimes an outing. Pierce's leadership has also been a huge factor of Boston's first-half dominance, as he has clearly had an influence on young players like Tony Allen and Rajon Rondo. Actual winner: Dwyane Wade, Heat.
PG- Chauncey Billups, Pistons- For some reason, Billups always flies under the radar. He will not be starting in New Orleans, but his efforts have helped Detroit out to the East's second-best record thus far. He has clearly been his team's MVP and is a sleeper candidate for league MVP, as well. Mr. Big Shot is tallying 18 points and seven assists a night while shooting 90.8% from the charity stripe. Actual winner: Jason Kidd, Nets.
Reserves
C- Chris Bosh, Raptors- Yeah, I know he's a power forward, but I can't leave him off of the All-Star roster. After a slow start, Bosh has exploded in January, scoring no less than 21 in any of this month's games. He has poured in over 30 five times in that span, including a 40-point performance against the Knicks on Jan. 11. His rebounding numbers have also shot up, and he is now just under 10 boards a contest.
F- Caron Butler, Wizards- He is having an unbelievable year and has been putting up MVP-caliber numbers all season long. Butler has posted two triple-doubles, is playing magnificent defense, and has kept the Wizards afloat in Gilbert Arenas' absence. He is really developing into one of the league's best players and is approaching superstar status. Imagine how dangerous Washington would be if Arenas was healthy?
F- Antawn Jamison, Wizards- Much like Butler, Jamison has really come into his own this season. That's not to say that he wasn't a good player prior to this year, but he has really erupted in 2007-08. Jamison is averaging 21.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game and had a stretch where he tallied eight consecutive double-doubles. He and Butler have formed one of the league's most formidable duos.
G- Dwyane Wade, Heat- Yes, Miami is terrible and just snapped a 15-game losing streak, but that has hardly been Wade's fault. Despite being banged up for a good part of the year, the 26-year old is still averaging over 25 a game and has scored 40+ three times. He hasn't been his old, dominant self, but Wade is still one of the best players in the NBA. If only he had some help.
G- Jason Kidd, Nets- He may not be a Net for long, but Kidd is the only reason why New Jersey even has a slightly respectable record this season. The aging point guard is averaging near a triple-double and has been a big reason why Richard Jefferson is having the best season of his career. The only stat with Kidd that concerns me is his field-goal percentage (36.7), but his gaudy assist and rebounding numbers more than make up for that.
Extra- Josh Smith, Hawks- If Smith doesn't go to New Orleans, it will be a crime. The 6'9" forward is averaging 18.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks, yes, blocks, per game. He is a top candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and has had an enormous impact on Atlanta's decent start. He is very similar to Phoenix's Shawn Marion, only I think he is a bit better. Smith is going to be an MVP-type player down the road.
Extra- Zach Randolph, Knicks- Don't discount the season Randolph is having just because the Knicks have become the laughing-stock of the league. The first-year New Yorker is averaging 17.1 points and 10.4 boards per game and has developed into one of the conference's best big men. I was stuck picking between Randolph and Charlotte's Gerald Wallace for this spot, but because of the effort Z-Bo is putting forth despite terrible teams in New York, I gave it to him.
Western Conference
Starters
C- Chris Kaman, Clippers- Everyone is overlooking the remarkable season Kaman is having. Do you know he is recording 17.2 points and just under 14 rebounds per game? He has really stepped up in Elton Brand's absence and has now made Brand a tradeable asset for a Clippers' team that looks like it could need a shake-up. I never thought Kaman had it in him to post numbers like this, but he clearly does. Actual winner: Yao Ming, Rockets.
PF- Al Jefferson, Timberwolves- I have a feeling he is going to follow a Garnett-like path and never get noticed in Minnesota. The 22-year old has been simply phenomenal this season, averaging 21.1 points and 12.1 boards per game. Jefferson has almost single-handedly between the Suns twice this year, first tallying 32 points and 20 boards in a win on Dec. 8 and then putting up 39 and 15 in a 10-point win over Phoenix last week. Oh, and he dropped 40 and 19 on the Nets on Sunday. Actual winner: Tim Duncan, Spurs.
SF- Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets- Anthony has been omnipotent all year, averaging 25.5 points and seven rebounds a game. More impressive is the fact that he has posted 11 double-doubles and, along with Allen Iverson, has the Nuggets in first place in the Northwest Division. He has matured and developed into much more of a team player this season, and that might be enough to get Denver out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in Anthony's career. Actual winner: Anthony.
SG- Kobe Bryant, Lakers- Why have the Lakers been playing so well this year? Because Bryant isn't averaging 30 points per game, that's why. Instead, Bryant is getting a lot of help from his teammates, and because of that he hasn't been forced into a situation where he feels like he has to do everything. Kobe is still posting 27.7 points a night and is coming off a 40-point outing, though. Actual winner: Bryant.
PG- Allen Iverson, Nuggets- He has been the MVP of the Western Conference through the first half of the season. Iverson is having what probably is the best year of his career, scoring at will while still feeding his teammates at the same time. Take the game he had in a win against Dallas back on Dec. 6, for example. Iverson scored 35 points but also dished out 12 assists while totaling six steals. Somehow, he is the game's most underrated player. Actual winner: Iverson.
Reserves
C- Amare Stoudemire, Suns- While his defense is still a big question mark, one cannot refute Stoudemire's dominance on the offensive end of the court. The 25-year old is averaging 22.7 points per game while shooting an eye-popping 59% from the floor. The reports of Phoenix shopping him because of his attitude are ridiculous. Unless they can get an unbelievable package, trading a young big man with this kind of talent would be preposterous.
F- Carlos Boozer, Jazz- Utah has appeared to have righted the ship after a terrible start, and that is thanks to the way Boozer has been playing. Although his scoring outputs have been inconsistent, Boozer has still compiled six consecutive double-doubles while making his teammates better.The Jazz will make the playoffs. If they don't I will be shocked.
F- Tim Duncan, Spurs- He has definitely taken a step back in terms of scoring the past few seasons, but that's because Tony Parker and Emanuel Ginobili do a big part of that now. Either way, Duncan's presence is still a huge factor, and he still leaves his fingerprints on games no matter what. The veteran is averaging 19.3 points and 11.1 rebounds a night while leading San Antonio to a 28-14 record thus far.
G- Chris Paul, Hornets- Paul is having an unreal season, averaging 20.6 points and 10.5 assists per game. Not only that, but the third-year point guard out of Wake Forest had led the Hornets to the West's best record thus far. He has only had less than 10 assists once in January, and only twice has he not posted a double-double. The scary part about all of it is he is only going to get better.
G- Baron Davis, Warriors- He has really re-shaped his career since arriving in Golden State. After leading the Warriors to a historic first-round upset of the Mavericks in the playoffs last year, Davis has been the driving force in the team's 27-12 record since its 0-6 start. The return of Stephen Jackson also helped, but you can't deny the impact Davis has had on this team since coming over from New Orleans.
Extra- Steve Nash, Suns- Nash is once again putting up MVP-caliber numbers, averaging 17.6 points and 11.9 dimes a night. Another amazing stat is the fact that he is shooting 48.2% from three-point range. That is ridiculous. Nash has only had 10 games all year where he didn't post at least 10 assists. The only question remains is whether or not Phoenix's defense is strong enough to finally get them over the hump in the postseason.
Extra- Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks- He isn't posting the gaudy scoring numbers that he usually does, averaging only 22.3 points per game (yeah, only), but he has helped make guys like Josh Howard and Devin Harris better players. Nowitzki's Mavericks may very well be the best team in the West, but if they collapse in April once again, some serious questions will be raised about Dirk's validity as a superstar.
Starters
C- Dwight Howard, Magic- This one is a no-brainer. The 22-year old Howard is having a monster season, averaging 22 points and just under 15 rebounds per game. His presence has helped Orlando get out to a 27-18 start. Although Howard still needs to improve his back-to-the-basket game and has a lot of work to do on his jump shot, his size and strength alone has allowed him to develop into one of the league's most dominant players. Could he be the next version Shaquille O'Neal? Actual winner: Howard.
PF- Kevin Garnett, Celtics- Another easy choice here. Garnett has not only been the league's best player this season, but he is also on the NBA's best team. It's about time the now 13-year veteran gets the respect he deserves after playing all of those years in frigid Minnesota. He has made both Paul Pierce and Ray Allen better players, as well as rookie Glen Davis and young center Kendrick Perkins. Boston has been flourishing with their newest "Big Three." Actual winner: Garnett.
SF- LeBron James, Cavaliers- Cleveland struggled early in the year but has turned it on as of late, mostly due in part to the play of James. The King has put together six 30+ point games in the month of January, not to mention four double-doubles and several near triple-doubles on top of that. In the weak East, James should have no problem leading the Cavaliers to the playoffs for the third consecutive year. Actual winner: James.
SG- Paul Pierce, Celtics- Pierce will not be starting in the real All-Star game, but he certainly should be. He is leading his superhuman Celtics in scoring, averaging just over 20 a night. He is also averaging just under six boards and six dimes an outing. Pierce's leadership has also been a huge factor of Boston's first-half dominance, as he has clearly had an influence on young players like Tony Allen and Rajon Rondo. Actual winner: Dwyane Wade, Heat.
PG- Chauncey Billups, Pistons- For some reason, Billups always flies under the radar. He will not be starting in New Orleans, but his efforts have helped Detroit out to the East's second-best record thus far. He has clearly been his team's MVP and is a sleeper candidate for league MVP, as well. Mr. Big Shot is tallying 18 points and seven assists a night while shooting 90.8% from the charity stripe. Actual winner: Jason Kidd, Nets.
Reserves
C- Chris Bosh, Raptors- Yeah, I know he's a power forward, but I can't leave him off of the All-Star roster. After a slow start, Bosh has exploded in January, scoring no less than 21 in any of this month's games. He has poured in over 30 five times in that span, including a 40-point performance against the Knicks on Jan. 11. His rebounding numbers have also shot up, and he is now just under 10 boards a contest.
F- Caron Butler, Wizards- He is having an unbelievable year and has been putting up MVP-caliber numbers all season long. Butler has posted two triple-doubles, is playing magnificent defense, and has kept the Wizards afloat in Gilbert Arenas' absence. He is really developing into one of the league's best players and is approaching superstar status. Imagine how dangerous Washington would be if Arenas was healthy?
F- Antawn Jamison, Wizards- Much like Butler, Jamison has really come into his own this season. That's not to say that he wasn't a good player prior to this year, but he has really erupted in 2007-08. Jamison is averaging 21.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game and had a stretch where he tallied eight consecutive double-doubles. He and Butler have formed one of the league's most formidable duos.
G- Dwyane Wade, Heat- Yes, Miami is terrible and just snapped a 15-game losing streak, but that has hardly been Wade's fault. Despite being banged up for a good part of the year, the 26-year old is still averaging over 25 a game and has scored 40+ three times. He hasn't been his old, dominant self, but Wade is still one of the best players in the NBA. If only he had some help.
G- Jason Kidd, Nets- He may not be a Net for long, but Kidd is the only reason why New Jersey even has a slightly respectable record this season. The aging point guard is averaging near a triple-double and has been a big reason why Richard Jefferson is having the best season of his career. The only stat with Kidd that concerns me is his field-goal percentage (36.7), but his gaudy assist and rebounding numbers more than make up for that.
Extra- Josh Smith, Hawks- If Smith doesn't go to New Orleans, it will be a crime. The 6'9" forward is averaging 18.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks, yes, blocks, per game. He is a top candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and has had an enormous impact on Atlanta's decent start. He is very similar to Phoenix's Shawn Marion, only I think he is a bit better. Smith is going to be an MVP-type player down the road.
Extra- Zach Randolph, Knicks- Don't discount the season Randolph is having just because the Knicks have become the laughing-stock of the league. The first-year New Yorker is averaging 17.1 points and 10.4 boards per game and has developed into one of the conference's best big men. I was stuck picking between Randolph and Charlotte's Gerald Wallace for this spot, but because of the effort Z-Bo is putting forth despite terrible teams in New York, I gave it to him.
Western Conference
Starters
C- Chris Kaman, Clippers- Everyone is overlooking the remarkable season Kaman is having. Do you know he is recording 17.2 points and just under 14 rebounds per game? He has really stepped up in Elton Brand's absence and has now made Brand a tradeable asset for a Clippers' team that looks like it could need a shake-up. I never thought Kaman had it in him to post numbers like this, but he clearly does. Actual winner: Yao Ming, Rockets.
PF- Al Jefferson, Timberwolves- I have a feeling he is going to follow a Garnett-like path and never get noticed in Minnesota. The 22-year old has been simply phenomenal this season, averaging 21.1 points and 12.1 boards per game. Jefferson has almost single-handedly between the Suns twice this year, first tallying 32 points and 20 boards in a win on Dec. 8 and then putting up 39 and 15 in a 10-point win over Phoenix last week. Oh, and he dropped 40 and 19 on the Nets on Sunday. Actual winner: Tim Duncan, Spurs.
SF- Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets- Anthony has been omnipotent all year, averaging 25.5 points and seven rebounds a game. More impressive is the fact that he has posted 11 double-doubles and, along with Allen Iverson, has the Nuggets in first place in the Northwest Division. He has matured and developed into much more of a team player this season, and that might be enough to get Denver out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in Anthony's career. Actual winner: Anthony.
SG- Kobe Bryant, Lakers- Why have the Lakers been playing so well this year? Because Bryant isn't averaging 30 points per game, that's why. Instead, Bryant is getting a lot of help from his teammates, and because of that he hasn't been forced into a situation where he feels like he has to do everything. Kobe is still posting 27.7 points a night and is coming off a 40-point outing, though. Actual winner: Bryant.
PG- Allen Iverson, Nuggets- He has been the MVP of the Western Conference through the first half of the season. Iverson is having what probably is the best year of his career, scoring at will while still feeding his teammates at the same time. Take the game he had in a win against Dallas back on Dec. 6, for example. Iverson scored 35 points but also dished out 12 assists while totaling six steals. Somehow, he is the game's most underrated player. Actual winner: Iverson.
Reserves
C- Amare Stoudemire, Suns- While his defense is still a big question mark, one cannot refute Stoudemire's dominance on the offensive end of the court. The 25-year old is averaging 22.7 points per game while shooting an eye-popping 59% from the floor. The reports of Phoenix shopping him because of his attitude are ridiculous. Unless they can get an unbelievable package, trading a young big man with this kind of talent would be preposterous.
F- Carlos Boozer, Jazz- Utah has appeared to have righted the ship after a terrible start, and that is thanks to the way Boozer has been playing. Although his scoring outputs have been inconsistent, Boozer has still compiled six consecutive double-doubles while making his teammates better.The Jazz will make the playoffs. If they don't I will be shocked.
F- Tim Duncan, Spurs- He has definitely taken a step back in terms of scoring the past few seasons, but that's because Tony Parker and Emanuel Ginobili do a big part of that now. Either way, Duncan's presence is still a huge factor, and he still leaves his fingerprints on games no matter what. The veteran is averaging 19.3 points and 11.1 rebounds a night while leading San Antonio to a 28-14 record thus far.
G- Chris Paul, Hornets- Paul is having an unreal season, averaging 20.6 points and 10.5 assists per game. Not only that, but the third-year point guard out of Wake Forest had led the Hornets to the West's best record thus far. He has only had less than 10 assists once in January, and only twice has he not posted a double-double. The scary part about all of it is he is only going to get better.
G- Baron Davis, Warriors- He has really re-shaped his career since arriving in Golden State. After leading the Warriors to a historic first-round upset of the Mavericks in the playoffs last year, Davis has been the driving force in the team's 27-12 record since its 0-6 start. The return of Stephen Jackson also helped, but you can't deny the impact Davis has had on this team since coming over from New Orleans.
Extra- Steve Nash, Suns- Nash is once again putting up MVP-caliber numbers, averaging 17.6 points and 11.9 dimes a night. Another amazing stat is the fact that he is shooting 48.2% from three-point range. That is ridiculous. Nash has only had 10 games all year where he didn't post at least 10 assists. The only question remains is whether or not Phoenix's defense is strong enough to finally get them over the hump in the postseason.
Extra- Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks- He isn't posting the gaudy scoring numbers that he usually does, averaging only 22.3 points per game (yeah, only), but he has helped make guys like Josh Howard and Devin Harris better players. Nowitzki's Mavericks may very well be the best team in the West, but if they collapse in April once again, some serious questions will be raised about Dirk's validity as a superstar.
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