Boston Celtics
Is Williams Enough for LeBron?
Mo Williams is now LeBron’s sidekick in Cleveland, and I am sure it was good news to LeBron. I am also sure he is wondering if it is enough. Between last year and this off-season, the East has gotten tougher. The Cavs are much better with Williams, but do they need more?
Williams is something that LeBron has not had, and that is a legitimate, consistent scorer; someone who can handle the ball and create his own shot. Williams can score from anywhere on the floor and shoot for a high percentage. Last year with the Bucks, Williams shot 48% from the floor, which is excellent for a perimeter player. He also gets other players involved; averaging over 6 assists per game in 3 of the last 4 seasons.
I don’t like the rest of the Cavs team. Ilquaskas is a quality center and hasn’t missed many games over the last few years, but that injury bug still looms over his head. He is also more of a finesse player than a strong inside presence. Daniel Gibson is a nice spark off the bench and can provide some quick points from a few threes, but that’s about it. The rest of the team is really garbage. Ben Wallace is an overpaid offensive burden that is no where near the defensive and rebounding presence of a few years ago. Pavlovic is nothing special and Szczerbiak is maybe the softest player in the league other than Mo Peterson.
The Cavs will have a better regular season record than in 2007-08, and will be a tougher draw in the playoffs, but they still have to contend with the World Champs, the Pistons, an improving Magic team, and don’t forget about the Elton Brand led 76ers. Add in the Wizards and you have 6 teams in the East with the potential to win 50 games next season. This is not even considering how good the Heat could be with a healthy Wade and Shawn Marion.
Williams is a great addition to the Cavs, but the player that may make the biggest difference as to whether the Cavs can overcome the Celtics is J.J. Hickson. This kid has tons of potential and is already showing signs of greatness in the pre-season.
Hickson could be the steal of the draft and may force Ben Wallace to the bench by the end of the season. That is the only way I see the Cavs seriously challenging the Celtics come playoff time.
Williams is a step in the right direction, and Hickson was a great draft choice, but I still think the Cavs will fall short. They are one strong inside presence away from matching the Celtics.
If the Sixers Want to Contend…
They better not let Andre Iguodala go this off-season. The Sixers finished off the 2007-08 season in a strong fashion and then they landed the top free-agent on the market. The Sixers have a core group of proven stars in Brand, Miller, and Iguodala, along with some solid role players in Dalembert and Willie Green, and a strong bench with Reggie Evans, Thaddeus Young and Louis Williams. Barring another season-ender to Brand, this team is as good as Detroit, and can give the Celtics all they want in a 7-game series.
I am a Sixers fan, so I may be a little biased, but in a top heavy East, the Sixers can put up a lot of wins and finish as one of the top 2 or 3 seeds going into the playoffs. From that point, they may at least have a shot at the Celtics and the Finals. However…
If the Sixers decide they want to go a different direction and let Iguodala go and do some sort of sign and trade, they will be left in the middle of the pack in the East once again. The Sixers with Brand and without Iguodala are better than last year’s team, but they are still not a legitimate contender. Adding the inside force of Brand to last year’s team does make the Sixers a big boy to watch in the East. If you let Iguodala go, what is the point of paying Elton Brand?
The Sixers have a pretty good history with the likes of Moses Malone, Dr. J, Barkley, and even Iverson (sometimes) and they are not the type of franchise that is happy to be just pretty good. They pursued and got Brand because they want to contend for and possibly win a title. It is not good enough to simply trade out one good player for another. If Iguodala is unhappy, make him happy—that is, if you want to contend.
A Brand New Man in Philly
The Celtics won the title, the Pistons were arguably the second best team in the league, and now Elton Brand has moved over to the East with Philly. Is there a shift of power? Somewhat, but the West is still the best; the East is now just a little more top heavy.
This trade of Elton Brand to Philly has changed the landscape in the East. Boston and Detroit are the top two teams, LeBron will have whatever rag tag group Cavalier management gives him near the top, and the Wizards resigned their guys and are ready for a good season in 2008-09. I think the Sixers have now moved past both the Cavaliers and the Wizards and possibly the Pistons. The Sixers starting lineup will be Dalembert, Brand, Thaddeus Young (he will be a stud), Iguodala, and Andre Miller. Of the bench will be dependable Reggie Evans, and spark plugs Louis Williams and Willie Green. They are younger, more athletic, and just as talented, as the boys in Detroit.
Detroit has the experience, but they are now in the position of trying to hold back decline due to age. Philly, other than Miller who is 32, is on the rise. Brand is in the prime of his career at only 29 and the rest of these guys are improving their game.
Even if I jump on the bandwagon and say Philly is the second best team in the East, they still are not as good as the Celtics. Brand has made them better, and Brand himself will be in a better situation than if he had stayed in the West with the Clippers. However, the Celtics will dominate the East once again. At least I can look forward to the 2008-09 season as a Sixers fan and know they have a shot.
Celtics Win—Lakers Just Aren’t Tough Enough
It was a fun series to watch, and I think it is obvious that the better team won. Leading up to the Finals, all that was talked about was how the greatest player on the planet was going to propel his team to the championship by sheer will. The only problem is that too many pundits were confused about who was the greatest player on the planet.
Here is an article from just before the Finals which shows just what I am talking about.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=417797
I guess some of these guys have forgotten that basketball is still a team sport. As a team, the Lakers looked pathetic in their attempt to hold off the inevitable last night. The Lakers defense and rebounding were non-existent as they were man-handled. Man-handled is the appropriate word for what happened last night and in this whole series. The Celtics played tough hard-nosed defense and the Lakers are just plain and simply a soft team filled with finesse players.
Kobe, Odom, Gasol, Radmanovic, Vujacic and Luke Walton are all finesse players. Derek Fisher is probably the only tough player on this team and that is not enough to get it done.
In Game 6, the Lakers managed only 2 offensive rebounds. Rondo had 2 offensive rebounds by himself in last night’s game. With the likes of Perkins, P.J. Brown, Pierce, Posey, Garnett, and yes even Ray Allen, the Celtics out muscled and out played the Lakers. I always thought of Allen as a soft player, but he played impressive defense when guarding Kobe, and he takes the ball to the rack much more often than many think. Garnett and Pierce get after it no matter where they are on the court, and the role players such as House, Posey and Rondo are in the opponents’ faces every minute they are on the court.
The Celtics played as a team and not a collection of talents like the Lakers. They played team defense and team offense. The Lakers relied on Kobe or Odom or Gasol going one on one, with an occasional kick out to a spot up shooter. The defense was soft and the rebounding was soft. Kobe, Odom and Gasol were boys among men on Tuesday night.
Kobe did not will his team to win; Kobe was suffocated by tough TEAM
defense. Recent history would have led many to not even consider the following statement before the series started, but the Lakers do not have the heart of a champion.
Don’t Give Up On a Game
I was at Chili’s eating and sipping on a beer, while watching the Lakers wipe the floor with the Celtics. It was half-way through the 3rd quarter, and I thought I could catch the 4th quarter at home. Once at home, I was feeling tired and decided to just lie down and go to sleep. The game slipped my mind until I got up this morning.
It sure is annoying when you know you missed something you would have loved to seen. I am rooting for the Celtics, but most of all I am rooting for a good series and I missed the best part, at least so far. I guess the moral of the story is to not give up on a game, which apparently is what the Lakers did.
It is hard to imagine that the greatest player on the planet, coached by the greatest coach on the planet, could let a 24 point lead slip away at home in a crucial NBA Finals game. I suppose that is not really possible. Michael Jordan would not let that happen for sure. I don’t think LeBron would let that happen.
I surely don’t consider Kobe the greatest player on the planet. I think he is the 3rd, possibly the 4th best player in the league. I don’t think there is a more overrated player in the league, and I think we are seeing this in the Finals this year. In what is, to date, the most important game of the year for the Lakers, Kobe goes 6 for 19. He did have a pretty good all-around game with 10 assists, 4 steals and only 2 turnovers. However, he didn’t force his team to win, which is what the best player on the planet is supposed to do.
I will not be surprised if the Lakers come out and soundly beat the Celtics and Kobe scores 40, but the series was lost last night and Kobe was only there in spirit.
2008 NBA Mock Draft v.2
This is my second take at a mock draft for the 2008 NBA season. I’ve made updates with who teams have been giving workouts to and with who’s on the trading block now. This second version has several teams selecting the same person that I had before, while others could be looking for something different. I think teams looking to trade up to Number 2 (Memphis and Seattle) could stir up this draft, but until draft day, we most likely won’t know. So here is the draft list (with no possible trades built in).
1. Chicago Bulls
- Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
While Chicago still hasn’t played their cards, their pick is becoming pretty aparent. The Miami Heat have become high on OJ Mayo, which is a clear sign that the Bulls will be taking the Heat’s number 1 option, Derrick Rose. Rose will change the make up of this team, and give them a couple of options to excell. Ben Gordon will most likely be let lose (Restricted Free Agent), with Kirk Hinrich will rotate over to SG (his natural position). At this moment it looks like Drew Gooden is going to be the immediate starter at PF, so in the second round the Bulls will have to address there lack of depth there.
2. Miami Heat
- OJ Mayo, G, USC
The Heat have been giving impressions that if rose is gone, they will pass up on Beasley. They are in a good situation here, they can draft Mayo and have a dynamic backcourt of Mayo and Wade, or they can trade the number 2 pick and net a starting point guard, and move down (maybe a package of Kyle Lowery, Mike Miller, and the Number 5 pick, and taking back Mark Blount or Marcus Banks would be a suitable package for Memphis to move up). I think a team to definitely look at making a move up to this spot is the Seattle Supersonics. They could swap the Number 4 pick to the Heat, along with phoenix’s number 1 from the 09 draft and a low budget player on the sonics (Earl Watson, Luke Ridnour, or one of the sonics bigmen). That might interest the Heat alot, especially if they make the trade after the sonics pick at 4, because they could get Mayo and a second 1st rounder in 09, and pay a little less for him.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
- Micheal Beasley, PF, Kansas State
The Timberwolves will be jumping for joy if Beasley falls to them at 3. Beasley is a better guy to team with Jefferson than Lopez. Jefferson is a skilled big man, but he isn’t super athletic (don’t get me wrong, he isn’t a tree stump either) so it would be better to leave him at the 5 and place an athletic big man who can score from the outside and inside, and eats up rebounds to help him out. Beasley would complete the lineup in Minnesota and allow them to do tinkering to get it right(Gomes or Brewer at SF, McCants at SG or move foye over, etc), the way portland is doing now. If Beasley is gone, I can see Minnesota picking up Anthony Randolph or Brook Lopez here instead.
4. Seattle Supersonics
- Jerryd Bayless, G, Arizona
I already talked about the scenario here, that could have Mayo going here and being traded to Miami for Beasley. Bayless is the guy if Seattle stays put. I originally had DJ Augustin as the next PG off the board in my eyes, but hearing what is rumored to have been said from Mike D’Antoni to Bayless makes me feel that all of the high lottery teams feel his PG skills are developed enough to entrust him with leading a team now. So that said, the Sonics would grab him up and have 4 of their 5 starting positions all finalaized and could then be a center away. But I think they might be even more interested in picking up Micheal Beasley and say DJ Augustin, if they could trade back up (with their second 1st round pick, and 2 second rounders).
5. Memphis Grizzlies
- Kevin Love, PF, UCLA
The Grizzlies seem to be really interested in Kevin Love. I think it might be the right choice for them, because he’s a guy who you know what you are getting out of him. This is a team that is trying to find its identity and I don’t think they need to add another wild card in. Instead they need to find the front could stability to team with their backcourt of Conley, Miller, and Gay. Love can be an instant starter and contribute some toughness and defense on the inside, which this team has never had, even with Gasol.
6. New York Knicks
- DJ Augustin, PG, Texas
Mike D’Antoni is clearly looking for a PG with this pick, since the knicks don’t have the assets to trade for a PG and still be competitive. The New York Post quoted Jerryd bayless after a dinner with Mike D’Antoni saying “He said he has all the tools, he just needs an engine to run it, like Steve Nash,” Bayless said. “So hopefully if the situation works out I can be the engine or the steering wheel to get it going.” Well, that said I think DJ Augustin in the perfect choice with who’s left on the board. Augustin has the PG skills that Mike needs and the same kind of vision Steve Nash does. He is a little short, but Chris Paul is showing us that it doesn’t matter as long as you have the motor. I think Augustin becomes step on in D’Antoni’s rebuilding plans if Bayless is off the boards.
7. LA Clippers
- Russell Westbrook, PG, UCLA
It looks less and less likely that Shaun Livingston is going to be back with the team next year, dramatically shifting the clippers focus to PG. I think that this will also encourage the Clippers to resign Corey Maggette so they aren’t just replacing one hole with another. Westbrook would be a good choice here, because if need be he can be rotated around in the backcourt (say they find their PG in free agency) to play SG as well.
8. Milwaukee Bucks
- Danilo Galinari, SF, Italy
Gallinari would be a great fit for the Bucks’ current roster. The Bucks have had a gap at SF for a long time, and their trade of TJ ford hasn’t worked out quite like they hoped. but that said Mo Williams is doing a good job at the point, and Redd is the dependable scorer on the team, they have spent the past couple of years developing their frontcourt and seem to have found a suitable rotation of Charlie Villanueva, Yi Jian lin, and Andrew Bogut. That said this team needs a SF, and no one fits them better than Gallinari. Dan has the handle of a PG, and can spend some time as a point forward, which would work out well for the undersized Mo Williams. This team would be a very potent scoring threat if both Mo Williams and Micheal Redd are free to roam while Gallinari handles the ball, you would then have to pick your poison. This pick could change alot as the Bucks seem to be shopping some of their players, and if they make their way out of town then there could be a very different need here.
9. Charlotte Bobcats
- DeAndre Jordon, C, Texas A&M
The Bobcats need to pick up a qulaity big man. But more importantly, they need to understand what Nazr Mohammad showed them last season, Emeka Okafor is a PF, not a Center. I know the Cats like playing Okafor at the 5 because he is a little slow, but he is too small to be a center. DeAndre Jordan could become a really really good center for the cats. He has the athleticism, speed, and size that complements the heart of this team (Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace), I think he would also make Raymond Felton better, who is used to having a mobile big man to dish too (Sean May in college, and in Charlotte until his knee injury). I think that DeAndre Jordan and Anthony Randolph are the only players in the mix for Charlotte. Some people have speculated they could be interested in Kevin Love, but I think that his lack of Athletisism will echo Emeka too much (and Mirror their problems with May and Morrson as well).
10. New Jersey Nets
- Anthony Randolph, PF, LSU
Ironically I think the Nets would be happy with landing either Randolph or Jordan here. Randolph gives them the athletic explosiveness they tried to bring to the team by trading for Stromile Swift. I think a frontcourt sporting Anthony Randolph, and Sean Williams/Josh Boone would look really good to them. There has been some speculation that Richard Jefferson is being shopped shouldn’t change this pick, because in most scenarios the Nets would probably be looking to bring in another SF, SG, or C, leaving their need for PF still pretty high.
11. Indiana Pacers
- Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
The Pacers have a hole at PG, and could easily decide to take Ty Lawson here, but I think his downsides may make them shy away from taking him this high. Brook Lopez would be a great choice, he would be the heir aparent to Jermaine O’Neal, and an insurance policy in case he goes down again. considering O’Neal only has one year left on his contract, the Pacers would now have the flexibility to consider trading O’Neal and not having to take back a center (for example, they could send him to the Raptors with a future pick and take back TJ Ford).
12. Sacremento Kings
- Darrell Arthur, PF, Kansas
The kings needs are PG, and PF. They are going to try to resign Beno Udrich who was really the bright spot of their season, as far as development went. Arthur is still a little raw, but he’s quick for a 4, and has power. Alot of this pick will rely on if Ron Artest Opts out of his contract, because I think the kings may then satisfy their needs with a free agent PF and instead grab Donte Green here.
13. Portland Trailblazers
- Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana
The trailblazers can take the best player available here, and look who just fell into their lap. Now it may not seem like Eric Gordon fits into their needs but he fits perfectly into their needs. Steve Blake only has two year left on his contract, and isn’t even averaging the most assists on the team. The Blazers could toy with (at times this season) shifting roy over to the point and playing Gordon at SG. It would instantly give them another defender in the starting lineup, and in a division that has Allen Iverson and Kevin Durant, they could use a tough defender who is a sweet shooter on the floor.
14. Golden State Warriors
- Donte Green, SF/PF, Syracuse
Now, this is a great match. What do the warriors look for, Athletic players who can shoot, and can play a multitude of positions. I think Donte Green can come in and take the place of the (surely departing) Matt Barnes. Green can shoot (not the best 3 point shooter, but he’s improving), he has alot of size for a small forward (6′10″) and he can move. I think the Warriors if they were left with the players that are left would be either Green or Joe Alexander.
15. Phoenix Suns
- Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia
The Suns need to upgrade at SF. If leandro barbosa is traded I can see them targetting Brandon Rush here, but if not they need a scorer at the wing. Bell and Grant are more defenders that scorers, and with Marion gone now only Nash and Amare really can run up the scoring sheet. Alexander is a good fit, he can shoot from all over the court and is athletic, fitting well with Nash and Amare. He should be able to help out Barbosa too, by being another scoring option off the bench (so barbosa doesn’t get doubled all the time with the second unit).
16. Philadelphia 76ers
- JJ Hickson, PF, NC State
The 76ers needs haven’t changed from the last time I made this mock draft. The only thing that might change is weither their persuit of Elton brand changes their needs. I have JJ Hickson flying up the boards based on his performances in workouts. He is the best (pure) PF left on the board that wouldn’t be a reach to be taken here.
17. Toronto Raptors
- Robin Lopez, C, Stanford
I think the Raptors biggest need is at Center. Jamario Moon looks like he showed them enough that they will be satisfied with using him and Bargnani at the 3. Now this team needs a real center. Bargnani is not a center, he has the height but isn’t filled out enough, he is really more of a PF, but Bosh already occupies that position on this team, which in my eyes moves him to the 3, a very big 3 mind you. Robin Lopez will give them the traditional center that they need. This is also a team that needs fire, as good as Chris Bosh is, he isn’t the emotional leader that some of his draft class have proven to be (Dwayne Wade and Lebron James), so if Robin can bring the intensity to this team that Noah and Varejao bring to theirs, it will be a great fit.
18. Washington Wizards
- Maresse Spreights, C, Florida
This pick is a wildcard. If the Wizards resign all of their free agents then I think Spreights is their guy, if they don’t then they could be in need of a PG, in which Ty Lawson could be a possibility. The Wizards have struggled at center for sometime. Brendon Haywood is serviceable, but he isn’t the kind of center to help lead you to the NBA finals. This team needs someone who can contribute on the offensive end, but still run, and Spreights can do that.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers
- Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas
Rush would be a perfect fit for the cavs. This is a team that has problems creating shots for themselves out side of the front court of Lebron, Smith, and Big Z. Wally and Gibson are good shooters, but they are both defensive liabilities (for Ginbson its mostly his height). Rush would help give them a defensive presence at 2, who isn’t scoring inept (unlike Ben Wallace and Anderson Varejao). I think if a PG were to slip to here that had some height the Cavs would want to take him over Rush. But if not Rush could be their guy, I don’t see CDR as an option, because he is essentially Larry Hughes all over again, great player, but not a fit for this team.
20. Denver Nuggets
- Ty Lawson, PG, UNC
The Nuggets are in desperate need for a PG. They foolishly let Steve Blake leave, and have been in need of a pure point guard since. Now things could always change, especially with AI having the ability to opt out, but I think the Nuggets will still need to get a PG, unless they make a trade for one. Lawson is very fast, and has a good handle. He can get rattled, but Denver has enough weapons that he won’t have to do too much, so he should fit in nicely.
21. New Jersey Nets
- Chase Budinger, SG/SF, Arizona
In the last mock I had Batum going here, but only because Budinger was off the boards. I think that Budinger is a better fit for this team. The Nets are set with starters at PG, SG, and SF. But they really don’t have any depth behind Carter and Jefferson, so a sweet shooting wing with the size to play both positions would be ideal with their second pick. I could also see the Nets trying to move this pick, if they aren’t satisfied with who is left on the boards at this point in the draft.
22. Orlando Magic
- DJ White, PF, Indiana
I think White is the perfect fit for this team. SG is a need for them, but they are going to need to play JJ Reddick before they can decided that its worth spending a 1st round pick on two seasons in a row, and Keith Bogans has decided to not opt out. White should be ready to contribute minutes quickly, and give Dwight Howard some breathing room down low. White’s game is a good balance to Howard as he loves to rebound and shove around people in the low post, complementing his power, with Dwights finesse post moves.
23. Utah jazz
- Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State
Mehmet Okur got destroyed by Pau Gasol, showing that they need to upgrade here. I think the Jazz may also think shooting guard, but this is a deep enough class at SG, that they should be able to find some scoring in the second round. Koufos has been called a young Big Z, and that would fit this team perfectly. Koufos has more size that Okur, but he still has shooting ability and can move up and down the court. This would allow Utah to have both size and still have shooting from their center.
24. Seattle SuperSonics
- JaVale McGee, C, Nevada
The Sonics could use a center, because Chris Wilcox is more of a PF. McGee could be that guy for them. They have tried for years to find a center and non of them have worked out, but this might be the turning point for Seattle. JaVale is athletic, while the centers the Sonics have drafted in the past are more lumbering and traditional, I think he could bring some added depth to the 5 and eventually become a starter there.
25. Houston Rockets
- Nicolas Batum, SF, France
Nicolas Batum is what this team needs, unless they decide that they need to get a backup C for Yao Ming (in that case I could see Roy Hibbert going here. But Batum can come in and immediately contribute off the bench at both the 2 and 3. His passing ability is a huge necessity as this team is stocked with players that need the ball (McGrady, Head, Ming, Jones) and not enough distrubutors.
26. San Antonio Spurs
- Chris-Douglas Roberts, SG, Memphis
I don’t think the Spurs will pick up an international player this time, as Tiago Splitter has put a bad taste in their mouth. The Spurs also showed their first big hole this season with Micheal Finley and Manu Ginobli. CDR would be a perfect fit for this team, that needs some youth and energy at shooting guard. Roberts has size and speed, which would come in handy coming off the bench, and when everyone else has tired legs later in games.
27. New Orleans Hornets
- Bill Walkers, SG/SF, Kansas State
Bill Walker is my pick for biggest sleeper in this draft. The same way that Monte Ellis was a late pick and has become a huge scorer and a star, I think Bill Walker will follow in his steps. If Walker is drafted by the Hornets he is in the perfect place to excel. The Hornets need to upgrade at Shooting guard, Morris Peterson is a good shooter, but he isn’t a starter, he is more of a role player. This team needs a dynamic scorer who can shoot the three, and is also big enough to cause match up problems if need be.
28. Memphis Grizzlies
- Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown
With the Grizzlies picking up PF earlier they might look for Roy Hibbert here. They won’t have the most athletic frontcourt, but he can give them team a dependable big man who is a true space eater. having Darkko on the roster, means that they won’t need to start Roy right away, and he can get some time to develop. Definitely not a sexy pick, but a safe one, and that seems to be what the Grizzlies need right now.
29. Detroit Pistons
- Joey Dorsey, PF, Memphis
The Pistons are known for taking the right people to fit their system. They hit huge with G Rodney Stuckey, and Aaron Afflalo and Jason Maxiell are coming around as well. But a defensive big man might be the next best thing for them to pick up. Dorsey is athletic and is a defensive stopper, in a Ben Wallace style. He can come in and immediately give them a big body to soak up the defensive responsibilities that come with defending a guy like KG in the postseason. But it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the Pistons traded this pick, to upgrade with veterans.
30. Boston Celtics
- Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky
Ray Allen’s injuries and on-off shooting slumps have shown that they need to start grooming his eventual replacement. Lee would be a great addition as he is a really good shooter. Sitting behind Ray Allen and learning from him will only help make him an even better shooting guard. He should be able to contribute from day one. The Celtics could go center here, but finding Allen’s future is a little more pressing, as they can always shift Garnett to center and insert Big Baby Glenn Davis for size.
You Gotta Root For Leon Powe
With only 14:39 of play time, Leon Powe dazzled the Boston home crowd with 21 points on 6-7 shooting, with 9 free throws. He only gets limited minutes, but seeing his success just made me extremely happy, because Powe is someone who earned and has worked hard for all of his achievements. I had vaguely heard his story before, but didn’t always get all of the details. If you don’t know the story of Powe, its about time to learn.
At the age of seven, his apartment complex burnt to the ground leaving their family homeless. For seven years they moved from homeless shelters, hotels, and run down apartments. Things did not get any easier as well. His mother got into legal trouble and the kids were placed in foster care. The crazy thing is that Powe would play the role of “babysitter” in the family when his mother was out trying to make money, he started doing this around the 5th grade.
After dominating at Oakland Tech High and battling an ACL tear, Powe made it to CAL on a basketball scholarship. He had another knee surgery, and still battled back and had a great season and career at CAL. The Boston Celtics drafted him, and I was so happy to see Powe make the league.
I saw him play once in high school, and dominate our local powerhouse at the time. His story of struggle and resilience was not well known at the time, yet now that I know, I have so much respect for the man. When I think of Leon Powe, I think of determination and a will to succeed. He could have easily given up, yet his drive to help his family and succeed was amazing. With the challenges he has faced throughout his life, how can you not be happy for him to go off like that in the playoffs? I may not be a Celtics fan, but Powe is someone always worth rooting for.
To see the halftime special on Powe go here.
What are the Lakers’ Chances?
If you watched the end of Game 2, you saw how the Lakers can turn it on and score in bunches. Many have pointed to that run and said the Lakers are coming out of the first two games with some momentum and the Celtics have some concerns. To me that is a ridiculous assessment.
The Lakers lost, the Celtics lead the series and the Lakers are now 0-4 against the Celtics if you take into consideration the regular season. With the time off between games and the experience of the Celtics’ players, a short burst of good play by the Lakers will not affect the Celtics.
Also, the Lakers are down 2-0 and because of the way the Finals are set up, they play three in a row at home. It is very hard to beat a good team like the Celtics three games in a row, even if you are playing at home. If the Lakers take 2 of 3 at home, they still go back to Boston down 3-2 and have to win both games in the new Garden.
If the Lakers have any shot at this one, they are going to have to play better defense on the perimeter against Pierce and get some offense out of Odom. It probably wouldn’t hurt if Fisher would play some defense on Rondo. Rondo has 23 assists against only 4 turnovers.
I don’t like the Lakers’ chances in this series. The Celtics play good defense and have a knack for frustrating Kobe. Defense rarely goes into a slump. I think it will take a serious injury to one of the Celtics big three or serious meltdown for the Lakers to get back into this one. I still say 4-2 Celtics.
A Nice Way to Kick Things Off
I have to say that college basketball is always more interesting than pro ball, and that I have a hard time sitting through an entire regular season NBA game. The playoffs are a different story though.
This year’s playoffs have been the most interesting in recent memory and Game 1 of the Finals did not disappoint. It had the feel and intensity of the Final Four. We were even treated to some drama with a Willis Reed type moment as Paul Pierce returned and changed the game in the third quarter. I have a feeling this series will not be boring and will be unpredictable.
The one thing I am predicting is that the Celtics’ defense will be able to contain Kobe and the Lakers’ offense. That happened in Game 1 as Kobe was hounded into 9-26 shooting and 4 turnovers. Of course, that was only one game and Kobe has a way of going off on opponents.
Just a little side not, but am I the only one that heard Marc Jackson say on the air that Kobe was on the same level as Michael Jordan. I heard it and I couldn’t believe it. Not to take anything away from Kobe because he is one hell of a ball player, but Jordan was hands down the best player in the league for a 10-12 year stretch. Kobe is very arguably the best player in the league. Actually, I think he is the 3rd best player behind LeBron and Garnett. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at Marc Jackson; he is prone to talking in hyperbole, especially when it comes to the object of his man-crush.
Anyway, I am excited about the rest of this series and think it will go down as one of the best in the long history of this rivalry. It is scary to think that, after the Finals are over, 31 of the 62 NBA titles will have been won by either Boston or the Lakers.
Here We Go Again–Lakers vs. Celtics
The Celtics and the Lakers are in the Finals—big deal. I am sure you are aware of the dominance of these two franchises throughout the history of the league, but you may have not realized that 38 of the 62 NBA Finals have featured either the Lakers or the Celtics. This figure is inflated somewhat from the early years and the 1960’s, but since 1980, one of these teams has been in the finals 15 of the 29 seasons. No major sport has seen that type of dominance by two franchises.
It is easy to say you are tired of seeing these two teams dominate the league, but I actually welcom this match up. It beats the hell out of another boring Spurs-Pistons series. The Celtics haven’t been in the Finals since 1987, which was the last match up of these two teams. Also, the Celtics and the Lakers are probably the two most interesting teams this year. I know I can’t wait to see who out duels the other when it comes to Garnett and Kobe, or even Kobe versus Pierce.
It is also a clash of styles, with the best defense in the league, the Celtics, and the best offense in the league, the Lakers with Gasol. And, who has watched Kevin Garnett over the years in Minnesota and not rooted for him to get his shot at an NBA title? How many would like to see Kobe get a title without Shaq, or how many want to see him fall on his face without Shaq?
When it comes to another Celtics-Lakers Finals, this is one “here we go again” series that I am looking forward to watching.
Oh yeah, I suppose an erratic prediction should be made. I go with the Celtics in 6. Now that they have gotten over their road issues, they have the defense to contain the Lakers and enough offense to push ahead.
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