2012 NBA Playoffs

Here we are then, after a shortened season due to the Lockout, the 2012 NBA Playoffs are upon us. The top seeds in each Conference remain the same as last year, with Chicago and San Antonio topping the rest and setting up matchups with Phillie and Utah respectively. Meanwhile outside the playoffs the Toronto Raptors finished with a record of 23-43 which is an improvement on last year.

Kevin Durant took the scoring title for the third season in a row after passing Kobe Bryant near the end of the season. He led his Oklahoma City team to 2^nd in the West and a match up with the defending champs the Dallas Mavericks. With another year of experience behind them it the Thunder should advance to the finals and stop the Mavs at the first hurdle.

Jeremy Lin and LeBron James

Last year’s losing finalist and most people’s tip for this year the Heat have first round series against the New York Knicks. The Knicks were languishing outside the playoff spots until Stanford graduate Jeremy Lin exploded on to the NBA scene and won the heart of the world. Game 1 tips off tonight in Miami. LeBron James, the front runner for this year’s MVP will be looking to add a ring to his multiple MVP trophies and this year seems as likely as any.

LA was the place of revolution this year. The Clippers and Lakers both made the playoffs and the Clipper were leading the Lakers until Kobe Bryant decided that he was having none of it gave his Lakers the 3^rd seed and a series against the Denver, with the Clippers picking up the 5^th albeit only 1 game behind their rivals.

Memphis a team who surprised many this time last year finished the season string over taking the Clippers and drawing level with the Lakers with 41 wins. Rudy Gay was their catalyst putting in 19 PPG; he did however have a deep supporting cast in Marc Gasol, OJ Mayo, Z-Bo and floor general Mike Conley. The Grizz will be looking to cause major problems in the West play-offs stating Sunday night against the Clippers.

After months of upset in Orlando with Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy the Pacers will be looking to knock off a jaded Magic team as quickly as possible. The Pacers picked up the 3^rd seed, very quietly going about their business, while the 4^th and 5^th seeds Boston and Atlanta may be looking at the prospect of a 7 game series because I can see very little difference between them, Rajon Rondo will decide whether the C’s advance or go out in the first round this year.

My prediction for the 1^st round will bring progression for the; Bulls, Heat, Pacers and Celtics. While over in the West, The Spurs, Thunder and Clippers will advance and I fancy the Nuggets to beat the Lakers in 6.

LeBron James will be looking to finally get himself a ring, His quest is laid out in front of him and it all begins tonight in South Beach.

Sam Warren Wins At Brands Hatch

My Dad sponsors Yamaha SuperSport rider Sam Warren and he won the first race of the season over the bank holiday weekend. My Dad asked me to write a report for Sam’s website but he received an official Press Release so mine was unfortunately not used. Here it is anyway. Enjoy.

VICTORY AT BRANDS

The start of the 2012 season could not have gone any better for Sam as he came out victorious from the first meet of the season at Brands Hatch.

After recording the fastest time in Practice by over half a second, he went on to Qualify 4^th with a time of 43.317 for the meetings 2 races. After finishing second in the Sprint race behind fellow Yamaha rider Jack Kennedy, Sam came up with the goods in the feature race to take the win and the 25 Points.

After a small rain shower before the start of the race the riders had to take their chances on which tyre would perform best, Sam and the Seton Tuning team opted to go for an Intermediate rear, where others around him went for wet and dry tyres. With Ben Wilson out in front in the early goings Sam outbreaked Christian Iddon going into the Paddock Hill bend to take second position. With the gap to the front standing at 1.8 seconds Sam did not waste any time in catching the bright green Kawasaki as he was on the back of Wilson within three laps.

With Sam applying the pressure Wilson was made to pay for his earlier charge as his tyres could not get the grip he needed. On the exit of Clearways Sam took his opportunity to take the lead. He did not let up from there though and continued to bang in good lap times.

On lap 11 after Luke Jones had lost the front at the same time as another accident somewhere else on the track the Red Flag was waved and Sam took the win by almost a second and a half ahead of Ben Wilson.

The long Easter weekend started out brilliantly for Sam as he posted a lap time of 46.8 seconds in Free Practice with his final lap of the session showing that he had not missed a beat since his brilliant Podium in the Final Round at Brands last year.

In the qualifying session only 2 tenths separated the top 5 as they all vied for the first pole of the season. Billy McConnell took it with a 47.176 with Sam in 4^th 0.14 seconds back of the Triumph.

The Sprint race on Sunday was won by Jack Kennedy on the Mar Train Yamaha and only 0.708 seconds behind him was the number 70 of Sam who was having a bank holiday weekend to remember. It would get better though on a miserable Easter Monday when Sam would leave Kent top of the 2012 Motopoint British Supersport Championship Protected by Datatag standings with 35 points ahead of Jack Kennedy (22.5), Ben Wilson (20) and Christian Iddon (19.5).

After a brilliant start to the 2012 season Sam will be looking to carry it on next weekend at Thruxton.