Friday, June 6, 2008

What the Celtics dont have?

**A Blog entry for my Favorite player because my favorite team the Detroit Pistons choked - AGAIN**
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If Boston have the Big Three composed of Ray , Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, they also have big problems:

Kobe. Kobe. Kobe.

Kobe splitting the Celtic defense.

Why?

Well lets see. He is the league's current MVP, and well, He IS best player in the game right now - arguably that is. Hell, I never heard anyone having his own page on NBA.com due to all that he has accomplished through out his career. However, his scoring and all his personal achievements is not the reason why he is the Boston's biggest problem, its how he makes his teammates not only look good, but feel comfortable on the floor.

Drafted in 1996 striaght out of highschool, he is now an eleven-year veteran at only 29 years old. Some consider him as old though it just looks that way because he has been in the league for so long. And just recently, he changed his number from number 8 to number 24. Kobe claims he changed his number as a start of the second phase of his career. However, fans often say that he chose 24 as he is one better than '23'.


Though Kobe does not want to be compared to Michael Jordan, fans and even NBA players say that he is one if not the best in the game. His on court performance did not slow down over the years, but his attitude off the court improved noticeably. In a discussion on TNT, Kenny Smith says that Kobe picking up the tabs at dinner is not the case, but he is now going to dinner with them. Though these things cannot be seen on the gae, it has greatly affected how the team is playing.

Kobe redeeming himself from all the criticisms he received in the past. It was just last year when he was demanding a trade and criticizing his teammates. He was digusted that the franchise was not surrounding him with enough talent. What was good about that was that there was no where to go but up. The rise of the Lakers this year is more because of adding Derek Fisher in the offseason and acquiring Pau Gasol in a trade. These has lessen the load of the Mamba. Kobe has always trusted D-Fish, ever since back in early 2000 where they won 3 championships. And then suddenly, Kobe showed confidence in his teammates. Kobe started finding open lanes then dishing out or dropping to Pau Gasol. Then, everybody started to follow his lead. Odom felt comfortable at the 3 spot and was more effective, and Kobe's game elevated the play of Farmar and the birth of Sasha "The Machine" Vujacic. O well, one year changes a lot of things.

And this is what the Celtics dont have, Kobe Kobe Kobe. You see, when Kobe plays well, so does his teammates. No one can stop him. He scores and gets to the floor almost at will. Him scoring 20 is different when Garnett scores 20. He gets his scoring from the freethrow line and puts the opponet's team in foul trouble. Then suddenly, the defense starts collapsing, he finds his teammates, and then - what do they call it back in the 80's? Uhm, oh - ITS SHOWTIME.

The Lakers winning the West against the Spurs in Game 5.

As of where he stands in the league, here are his ranks for this season from NBA.com:

Playoffs Ranks

Regular Season Ranks

Boston just couldnt handle the MAMBA. Who could? I hope this Cinderella hell of a year of Kobe will end with a ring, his 4th and Phil's 10th as a coach.

Lakers in 6.
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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Ice for Dyess

Every morning, I wake up at around 8:30 to 9:00 AM no matter how late early in the morning I sleep - around 1 to 3 AM usually. This is not to go anywhere, not even eat breakfast, but to watch the Detroit Pistons go to work.

I watch every game of the Easter Conference Finals, and also the Western Conference Finals. But I dont really care who wins back in the West, I'm just watching who my Pistons are gonna face in the Finals. (Though I'm slighty in favor of the Lakers cause of Kobe).

However, just after Game 5 today, I guess we are in a little bit of trouble. Now, Boston leads 3-2. One game away from the Finals. For the six straight time, the Pistons are in the ECF but failed to reach the finals the last two. I always hate it when they always say, "We will get them next year". They said when Miami got the best of them, and Cleveland LeBron James beating them. Why cant they do it this year?

Year in and year out, Antonio McDyess wants it more than everybody else in the team. Out of the starters, only he is the only one without a ring. From what I read, with last year's disappointing loss to Cleveland James, while others are on the podium, Dyess did not shower and drove home with his jersey on. That's how big this is for him.

I just wish his teammates feed off his desire to get a ring. I have this photo courtesy of Natalie Sitto from Need4Sheed.com.

I join the movement. This is OUR YEAR!
Bounce back PISTONS! Do it for Dyess!

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Thursday, April 24, 2008

Miami Heat Cooling Down

In 2006, the Miami Heat proved a lot. They brought home the first ever NBA Championship in franchise history, they proved that D-wade can get the job done, that the Shaq-trade paid off and proved that the Superman of basketball can still lead a team to the top, and that Ol' Pat Riley still has got it in him.

But 2 years later, the so-called "15 Strong" of 2006, are now the "15 Wrong and counting" (NBA.com, 2008). You see, the Miami Heat has dropped 15 games in a row. FIFTEEN games. FIFTEEN straight losses. Well yes, considering that Shaq and Zo are injured, but this is still ridiculous for a team who won the Finals two years back and was a playoff team last year. I heard of bad teams from the past, but never heard a losing-streak like this. Damn, they are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference winning just 8 of their 41 games at this point of the season. Hell, the Knicks are having a better standing than they are. Now that is something! (haha)

Well, let us look at what the team has done. They brought in Penny Hardaway last off season, in which, they also waived mid this season (coming out of retirement was not a good idea after all penny). They also got Smush Parker who has done, uhm, well, nothing so far (struggled to find his shots and his spot in the team). They let James Posey wander off to other teams who is a great defender and shooter. (Well, Posey is happy with that move as he is with the Celtics now). In addition to that, the 3-point King, Jason Kapono is not with the Heat anymore, as they let him go to Toronto. And they traded Antoine Walker for Ricky Davis and MArk Blount. And who did all of this???

PAT RILEY.

Mr. Riley is the coach and the general manager of the team. Well, as a coach, i take my hat off to PAt. I heard about his name as a great coach since i was a kid. But, as a general manager, i think he has not done a good job. He has not created a better future for the team. They have a few young players ( D-Wright and Chris Quinn). They should do more something about passing torches. Some of his decisions proved futile as players who he was gunning for never stepped up to the level of his expectation. Maybe, a better solution for this is that the Miami Association find a better GM and let Pat do what he does best, coaching!

I think the season is over for Miami. With the All-Star Break nearing, and Shaq still hurt, i dont think they cant bounce back in the second half of the season. 41 more games remaining. It will be a Herculean task to make the playoffs this year. The best the Heat could do is plan for thier future, and begin their crusade for redemption next season. Better luck next time Dwade, and to you too Shaq - if you dont retire next year that is.

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Now that Shaq is in Phoenix, will Shawn Marion be another piece that will fit perfectly to this squad?
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