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.

Where Amazing Happened

Chris Paul signed for the Clippers

So at long last the start of 2011-2012 NBA Season is creeping into sight. At times through the early autumn it looked like there was not going to be a season at all, due to the NBA Lockout. During the lockout, teams could not trade, sign players, and they could not access NBA team facilities, trainers or staff. Some players signed contracts to play in other countries, mostly in Europe and Asia including Deron Williams and San Antonio Point Guard Tony Parker, both have since returned to their teams. The lockout officially ended on December 8 and the pre-season tipped off on December 16. Due to the Lockout causing some of the season to be cancelled, teams will now play 48 conference games and 18 non-conference games in a 66-game schedule. The season will begin on Christmas Day.

Although a little bit delayed, the trade and free agent frenzy did not disappoint. Rumours of Dwight Howard to the Lakers were quelled. Portland talisman Brandon Roy retiring early due to injuries. Trade rumours of Chris Paul heading to both LA teams, eventually he was traded to the Clippers with two future second round picks, with Guard Eric Gordon, forward Al-Farouq Aminu, Center Chris Kaman and a first-round draft choice going to New Orleans. Richard Hamilton signing for the Bulls. The Lakers lost Lamar Odom to Dallas who also signed Vince Carter. The Lakers signed Troy Murphy and Josh McRoberts. And the Raptors signed nobody of any use.

Christmas Day will see a number of blockbuster games begin the season. A rematch of the 2011 Finals as Miami faces Dallas. East number 1 seed from 2011 The Bulls visit the Lakers. And the Knicks with new addition Tyson Chandler host Boston at Madison Square Garden. The late game sees Golden State face the rejuvenated Clippers squad with Paul, Billups and Griffin at the helm.

An interesting pre-season exhibition game took place last night between the Clippers and Lakers. A resounding 114-95 win for the Clippers shows that the Lakers may not have bragging rights in Los Angeles come April 28 when the Play-offs start. The Raptors will have a very good chance of getting the number one draft pick this year. And I believe whoever wins the East will take the Championship, Miami or Chicago.

Is a change of power coming in LA? Will the Heat get to the Finals again? Can Dallas go back-to-back? Or will the veterans of Boston or San Antonio give it one last go? Answers to all these questions will start to be discovered on 25^th December.

ESPN's NBA Rankings Part 2

Wade and James in a Miami Heat game

Two-time reigning scoring champion Kevin Durant was ranked at #6 with a rating of 9.62. Durant can be a little aggrieved with this spot due to his crazy scoring ability and out-right skill, fair enough the guy might not be able to play defense as well as Bryant but he isn't in the team on his defensive merits. People may argue that Durant deserves the #1 spot or at least #2 but for now he will have to make do with #6, maybe another scoring title can get him to the heady heights of #5 next time.

At #5 is a player many though would be occupying the #2 or #3 slot, me included. 2011 NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki took his Dallas team all the way to a championship last year with an above average backing crew. Nowitzki swept the Lakers, beat Durant and his team of upstarts, then shut down Miami's big three (2 of which we are yet to see). If this doesn't give reason for a player to be at #2 at least then I am not entirely sure what does. He averaged 23 PPG at over 50% shooting and has an unstoppable one-legged fade-away.

#4 is an awful choice, don't get me wrong Chris Paul is a premier player but he is not better than the 3 maybe 4 previous players mentioned. When Paul is healthy he can win games single-handedly but the players previously can do that and with more success. Paul has never made the Conference Finals and has always had a relatively good team to do it with. His argument for 4th cannot be sustained unless the Hornets make the West Finals at a minimum.

The remaining 3 players could all have possibly tied for first place. Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard and LeBron James. Wade was ranked 3rd with a rating of 9.72. There can be no argument to say that these 3 players are not the 3 most dominant players in the NBA. People will say, Howard cannot shoot FT's, Wade cannot shoot the 3 as well as many would like and of course LeBron James doesn't turn up in the 4th Quarter (or any derivative of that) but that does not take away the fact that all average over 22 PPG and all above 5 PG in another category with LeBron averaging 26, 7 and 7.

James is a player who received a lot of hate for moving to Miami and people love to hate him, but love him or hate him he is the best player in the league and will be for the next 3-4 years.

Mavericks 1 Win Away From Glory

After the first 4 games the 2011 NBA Finals was tied at 2-2. Dirk Nowitzki - arguably the MVP of this years finals so far - came through a bout of flu to pull the Mavs square in Game 4. And last night Dirk had his supporting cast on hand as they battled offense against offense and came out on top 112-103.

Nowitzki scored 29 to lead everybody yet again. On hand to give the Mavs an extra push over this checkpoint line were J.J Barea, Jason Terry and Jason Kidd who collectively shot 10-15 from behind the 3 point line. Although Miami did play well offensively and shot 53% from the field they just could not execute down the stretch missing 4 of their last 5 shot and committing 3 turnovers over a 2:44 period. Miami turned the ball over 18 times compared to Dallas' 11 and although there was not much separation anywhere else on the Box Score, Dallas' 13 3-pointers proved to be the difference.

Mid-way through the 2nd Quarter Dwyane Wade has hurt after being fouled by the Mavericks Brian Cardinal. He would leave the game twice for treatment and return both times to good effect. Top scoring for Miami with 23 points and shooting 10 for 12 at the free throw line. With Wade off the floor LeBron James needed to take up the reins and dominate the game and despite having a triple-double (17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) he was yet again not his dominant self bringing into question his proficiency when the game is in the line.

With 33 seconds remaining and the shot-clock winding down, Dallas found themselves up by 4 but needing another basket to put the game to bed, Enter Jason 'Jet' Terry, he was left with nowhere to go and heaved up a miracle from way deep. 20433 people inside the American Airlines Center were holding there breath. The ball hit nothing but the bottom of the net and Jason Terry started up the jet engines as he wheeled away to the Mavericks bench knowing he had just hit the dagger that showed Miami they were ready to win the championship and gain revenge for 2006.

With both teams now heading back down to Miami, Dallas only needs to win one of 2 games to be crowned champions. Do not count out the Miami Heat yet, the reason they acquired James and Bosh to accompany Wade was to win titles, they will not go down without one almighty fight. Sunday night 8pm ET will see Game 6 and the Miami Heat fighting for their season and the Dallas Mavericks fighting to make history. Expect a classic, and expect a certain Mr. James to finally show up and show his worth.

Game 1 & 2 NBA Finals

The First 2 games of the 2011 NBA Finals were split, the Miami Heat won Game 1 and the Dallas Mavericks Game 2. In both teams wins, they used their trademark assets to great effect. Miami's suffocating defense won them Game 1. Dallas' fighting spirit and Number 41, won them the second.


Dallas' Shawn Marion said: "You hold a team to 38 percent shooting and 92 points, for us, that's usually a victory,"


In game 1 neither team shot the ball well, Miami shot 38% FG and won by 8. Dallas was held to 37%. A credit to Miami's defense when they can win a game whilst shooting a meagre 38%. Former Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh got off to a good start scoring 6 of Miami's first 8 points and it wasn't until 14 minutes had passed with the score at 20-18 (DAL) that a 'non-big 3' Miami player scored when Mike Miller drilled a 3 to put them back up by 1. With 13 points at the half Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Bosh were leading all scorers.
Another big factor to Miami's win was that they out-rebounded Dallas by 10. Although both teams had 30 Defensive rebounds. Miami had 16 offensive compared to Dallas' 6. Giving the Heat 10 shot-clock resets and much more momentum especially with a loud, passionate Miami crowd on hand.


In the 2nd Half Dwyane Wade took over the ball game scoring 15 of his 22 points. Dirk Nowitzki tried to keep his team close throughout shooting 12-12 from the free-throw line and finishing with 27 points, leading all scorers. Miami's three-headed monster proved too much for the Mavs. LeBron was fed by with for an alley-oop pass with just under a minute to go that provided a fitting exclamation point as Miami proved they have awesome offense to go with their defense that helped them through game one. The Mav's fell behind in a play-off series for the first time this year.


Thursday night at the American Airlines Arena, Miami saw Game 2 of the Finals. Question marks were raised over Nowitzki's head as to how he would perform, due to the torn tendon in his left finger. By the end of the night, there were no question marks. Nowitzki had 24 and a game winner to cap a brilliant comeback from Dallas. "Dirk knew it was coming to him," teammate Jason Terry said. "He does what he always does. He comes through in a big way." They were down by 12, then D.Wade nailed a corner 3 which sparked a celebration with LeBron James. They seemed confident of the win, so did all in attendance apart from the team wearing blue, they would have nothing of it. Miami's defense was nowhere to be seen down the stretch with Nowitzki scoring Dallas' final 9 points. So many times over his career Nowitzki has come up clutch for the Mavs, but this may be the most important yet. Going down 2-0 and facing a confident Heat side is the stuff of nightmares. for the Heat now they need to win one of the next 3 games in Dallas for the series to head back to Florida.

Wade had his best play-off game this year scoring 36 (13-20) but it was to be in a losing effort. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra will be looking for the same kind of output in the remainder of the series. How long that will be is too hard to judge. We are where we were before any baskets had been made. Miami has undoubtedly the better roster, but Dallas has strength in depth and a man that can seemingly make any basket when the going gets tough.

Sunday night 8pm ET sees Game 3 and a chance for one team to get another edge in this back and forth contest. I predict Miami in 7. LeBron James will take the finals MVP, however do not be surprised at all if I a way off with this prediction.


Were in it for the long haul!

End Of The Road For This Bunch Of Lakers?

They struggled to overcome the Hornets, eventually winning 4-2. Then got cleaned up by an inspired Dallas Mavericks squad. Are this group of Lakers finished?

Dallas looked more like the 2-time defending Champions and before the play-offs they were being written off completely. Dirk Nowitzki and his Mavericks kept the Lakers under 95 points in all 4 games. Showing that not only was their defense top notch, but the Lakers offense was second pushing on to third rate. The 36 point blow-out in Game 4 to complete the sweep was the story of the series. Dallas were immense and the Lakers awful.

After Game 4, former MVP Kobe Bryant was asked. "How shocked are you at being swept?". He replied with all that was needed a simple 'Very', with a look of a defeated man on his face. In stark contrast to the Lakers and Mr. Bryant. Jason Terry of the Mavericks said. "We're locked in and all have the same goal". The unity and good performances was what won it for them and as if to prove that the Mavericks
bench scored 86 points in Game 4. The final score Dallas 122- 86 Lakers. Yes the Mav's bench matched the output of the Lakers whole team!

Speculation that Laker coach Phil Jackson will retire at the end of the season may have dispirited the Lakers, but to be the 2 time defending champs and getting swept in the Conference Semis is embarrassing. What was also embarrassing was how they lost their discipline, when they knew that it was all over. Lamar Odom was ejected for rasing his elbow to Dirk Nowitzki and Andrew Bynum was ejected for an awful foul on JJ Barea. Barea was inspired throughout the series and it was not the first time a quick, energetic PG had terrorised the Lakers this year. Chris PAul of the New Orleans Hornets. was causing major problems but did not have enough of a backup cast to bring his team past the Lakers. Barea however not being the starting PG evidently did have the players around him to cause major problems to the Lakers.

Without the 11 time champion coach Jackson and with Kobe advancing in years will the Lakers crumble? The uprising of the Clippers and Blake Griffin will also disturb the Lakers camp and fans. Dallas however will be looking forward to the Conference Finals, having slaughtered the Lakers, they will feel they can beat anybody now.

Miami vs Dallas in the Finals. Miami to win.