2012 NBA Playoffs First Round

With one game left in the first round of this year’s playoffs, there has been one upset. This was the 76ers. The 8^th seed in the East beating the 1^st seed Chicago Bulls. They won the series 4-2 after former MVP and Bulls talisman Derrick Rose tore the ACL in his left knee.

Kenneth Faried and Pau Gasol go up for a rebound

I predicted that the Nuggets would overcome the Lakers, as of last night I still thought that they would but a 96-87 victory for LA made sure they would go on to face Oklahoma City who have had the longest rest of all in the West Semis.

Miami got through their series against the New York Knicks in 5 games after the Knicks won their first playoff game in 11 years. An average of 28 points a game from LeBron James and 21 from Dwyane Wade was enough to see of the Knicks who will be looking to win at least 4 playoff games next year.

Indiana won their first round series against a very jaded discombobulated Orlando Magic team with ease. 4 games to 1 it ended up, Indiana looked very strong and they will prove more than a match for the Big Three starting tonight in Florida.

Boston took a 1 nil lead last night against Phillie after Rajon Rondo continued his incredible season by recording another triple-double. San Antonio are still awaiting their second round opponents, but they will find out tonight as the LA Clippers go to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies and Marc Gasol in what promises to be a brilliant Game 7.

Aside from the Playoffs the 2012 MVP was given to LeBron James for the third time in four seasons. LeBron reminded everybody that he is the best player in the league through the 66 regular season games where he averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists and leading Miami to the 2^nd seed in the East with 46 wins. The only thing he needs now to really prove the masses wrong and write his name into the Hall of Fame is a championship ring come June 26^th.

Can he and Dwyane Wade overcome three more squads to get what they were brought together to do?

End of the Regular Season

The NBA's regular season is coming to an end and seeing as the last time I posted it was around the All-Star game, that means I have been lazy.... True.

In the Eastern Conference there have been major changes. The Bulls (54-20) are the #1 seed, the Celtics (51-22) are crawling to the finish line and lots of trade action has seen many of the rosters re-shuffle. Throughout all his change the Cleveland Cavaliars (15-59) are still the worst team in the Association and the Heat (52-23) are still as erratic as Emile Heskey.

Meanwhile in the West, San Antonio (57-17) are still the best team in the League and the Dallas Mavericks (53-21) achieved their 11th straight season of 50+ wins. Kevin Love's seeminlgy never-ending streak of Double-Doubles came to an end at 53 and Jerry Sloan resigned as Head Coach of the Utah Jazz (36-39) after an amazing 23 seasons there.

The trade deadline came on 24th February and with that came some monster deals. Carmelo Anthony was traded to the NY Knicks (37-38) along with Chauncey Billups and most of NY's roster going the other way to Denver (45-29). With many expecting the Knicks to surge up the East and the Nuggets to plummet down the West. Not the case. Since the trade the Nuggets are 14 and 3 whilst the Knicks are 9 and 12. Did it take the Denver Nuggets nearly 7 seasons they maybe better without one of the best players in the League? Kendrick Perkins was traded form Boston to the OKC Thunder. Why? Perkins' presence is possibly one of the biggest intangibles in the league. He has made Oklahoma City a much bigger team and more of a threat in the off-season.

With only about 6 or 7 games left for each team until the end of the 82, my metaphorical money for the Championship is on the top 3 seeds from each conference. The Bulls, Celtics and Heat from the East and the Spurs, Lakers and Mavericks from the West. I believe it to be that tight this year.

Derrick Rose, LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki are my front runners for MVP honours. Blake Griffin has to win the Rookie of the Year, even though he has been a bit over-hyped. The most improved player is nailed down on Kevin Love. Coach of the Year in my opinion is Tom Thibodeau of the Chicago Bulls, he would get Rookie of the Year for me, that is if Coaches were allowed to win it. The best I can hope for the Raptors (20-54) is that we get the best Draft pick possible come June time.

I will try not to be lazy and update this more throughout the Playoffs and with other posts as well....promise.