Bulls Are Boppin' posted by Richard Kagan

The Chicago Bulls are 12-3 in the young season, just started about 3 weeks ago.  It seems like they have a game every other night, the schedule is so packed.  9 game in 12 days.  A back to back ending tomorrow.  The Bulls were 8-1 in that 9 game stretch.  And climbed into the top echelon of the NBA. 

Chicago has great depth.  Some of the players on their bench could be starters.  Taj Gibson is emerging into one of the top bench players in the league.  It is possible he could take the 6th man award this season.  He scores, defends, rebounds, blocks out, and plays with all out hustle.  Omer Asik, another Chicago big does a great job in the low post, rebounding and defending.  He is good with his feet, and positions himself well down low.  But it comes down to a another 1-2 punch in Derrick Rose and Luol Deng.  Rose and Deng make a great pair.  Rose is so quick, he can score almost at will.  When he wants to, he can take over a game.  Not many players in the NBA can do what he does.  He is fun to watch because you never know what he will do, and what he does, he does it with style and panache.  Well, that's redundant, but watching Rose play isn't. 

Then there's Luol Deng. A guy who plays his heart out, playing almost every minute of every game.  How can he do it?  He scores from 3, scores inside, passes, defends the teams top forward, and really is great--he doesn't get enough credit.  He's shutdown the top scorer of the opposing team more than once in this season.  He's blocked some key shots and comes up with the ball when the Bulls need it.  It is almost like watching Scottie Pippen play.  I looked recently at the league's top scorers, rebounders, blockers, and assist men.  And, Deng surprisingly wasn't in the leaders.  On a given night he may score 21, grab 11 boards, and block 3 shots.  I'd say that's darn good.  That sounds like a Pippen score line.  Every one was blown away by MJ's spectacular game in scoring 38 points, with 8 assists and 9 rebounds.  Meanwhile, Pippen had 19 with 10 boards.  You score 18-20 points 4 in 6 games, you are one heck of a player.

NBA Anarchy posted by Charles Bisbee

The NBA is completely bonkers right now. With less than two weeks until season’s tip-off, players are being flipped faster than flapjacks at IHOP. Chris Paul has been perfecting his start-and-stop from the comfort of his living room. Dwight Howard can't seem to decipher his own feelings about the Magic. Lamar Odom, as collateral from the Paul fall-out, whined his way to the Mavs, who were spurned earlier in the week by Tyson Chandler (Knicks). Chauncey Billups took his frequent flier miles to the Clips (though he could be dealt again by the time I finish this sentence) and Big Baby was swapped for Brandon Bass.

The Celtics thought they had Baby's replacement in David West (Paul’s former right-hand man) but the Pacers swooped in and snagged him for a cool $20 mil. Consequently, the Hornets are trying to fill out a roster with Quincy Pondexter and a collection of ball boys. Vinsanity joined Odom in Dallas, which lost Caron Butler to the Clippers, which matched Golden State’s absurd, $43 million qualifying offer to DeAndre Jordan (he with the career 5.9 ppg). T-Mac, Rip Hamilton, Chris Wilcox, Mike Bibby and Dunleavy are on the move as well, though these names seem like afterthoughts compared to the seismic activity higher up.

And all this happened in slightly over a week. It’s certainly enough to make the casual fan's head spin. The ramifications of this unforseen, pre-season turbulence on the regular season, though, is what really boggles the mind. With little time to mesh, little time to prepare, and a season packed tighter than Delta coach (zing!), teams should be in for a wild ride. We're staring down the barrel of the most slapdash, unforseen and chemistry-bungled season since, dare I say, 1998! Should be a wild ride.

What can we expect from the Dallas Cowboys led by head coach Jason Garrett? posted by Lee White

I think I can honestly say that everyone is quite relieved that we will have football to watch this year. I don't know what I would do after coming home from a blessed Sunday morning worship and have no football to watch. So it's a good thing we don't have to worry about that. Well let's talk some football, last year was very disappointing to say the least. But I saw some positive glimpses of hope. There is life in my Cowboys and woe to all of you Cowboy haters out there who are counting us out. True Champions never give up hope. I believe that Jason Garrettt has what it takes to rejuvenate that winning spirit back into the Cowboy locker room. There have been some serious cuts in the organization that were long overdue and I think they were positive cuts. I can't wait until the season starts and all of the football debates begin. I'd be interested to know who do you think will be the team to watch leading up to the start of the football season. I'm going with my Cowboys of course. Everyone always counts us out which is a terrible mistake. Just ask the NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks they were counted out too. You know I had to plug the Dallas Mavericks. I love my city and I support all the home teams.

I hated to see Marion Barber go because I still believe he has great skill, but he just had a bad year last season. So I pray that he will have great success with his new team just not against the Cowboys. On the other hand I won't shed to many tears for Roy Williams the WR that is. His bags should have been packed a long time ago. It's just so exciting to me when football season is back. I can't wait to get rid of this scorching Texas heat wave that we've endured this summer. Football season means Fall is on the way Hallelujah! So ladies and gentlemen let's get ready for some football. I welcome any feedback or comments all I ask is that you remain respectable. I won't disrespect anyone we can respectfully agree to disagree without losing our minds. Other than that I look forward to a great season of football. Bring it on Haters....lol.

NBA Draft Recap posted by Omari Prince

This is a 3 part blog that I'll talk about regarding the 2011 NBA Draft

Last Thursday the annual NBA Draft took place in New Jersey and to nobody's surprise, the Cleveland Cavaliers took Kyrie Irving with the first pick. Coach Byron Scott played poker with the media but finally reveled his has when they drafted the former one & done freshmen from Duke. Why Irving was chosen first even though he only played eight games all year is simple: much like the quarterback in football, point guard is the most important position in basketball and they're an extension of the coach on the floor. Had Irving been healthy during the season, Duke easily defeats Arizona and most likely would have advanced to the Final 4 this past March. 

Derrick Rose and John Wall were the previous point guards selected first overall and are the leaders on their team. With the departure of LeBron James last summer, Kyrie Irving realizes he's no Lebron but he has to put the city of Cleveland and the Cavaliers on his back. That's the cost of being drafted 1st overall. The verdict is still out if his turf toe injury is completely healed but when healthy, Irving has lighting speed, low turnover ratio, and extremely athletic. With this new team, he should not have any problem taking over the leadership (this team lost 26 consecutive games) since he hails from a winning high school & college program. Most scout are comparing him to Chris Paul but I see a more athletic Kevin Johnson in Irving. Remember KJ was a scoring PG who also dished 10 assist per game. 

Eye on the Draft - Trade Winds posted by Randolph Charlotin

Reports came out that San Antonio is shopping three-time All-Star Tony Parker. It’s rumored that the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to move PF Lamar Odom. Phoenix just shot down rumors that they are trying to trade two-time league MVP Steve Nash.

And where is Trader Dan during all these talks? Surprisingly quiet. Danny Ainge, notorious for making exchanges, says he plans on staying put at picks 25 and 55.

Is this gamesmanship by Ainge or is he speaking the truth? Boston’s roster is very thin with just six players under contract plus restricted free agent Jeff Green. In a draft that lacks franchise players, the motivation to move up is low.

But more than anything else, what do the Celtics have to offer in potential trades?

Four of the five starters are well into their 30’s and are viewed as declining or will be soon. Expiring contracts (Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Jermaine O’Neal are in the last year of their respective deals) usually don’t become attractive until just before the trade deadline. The most appealing player on the Celtics is Rajon Rondo, but what could Ainge get in return for Rondo that would make the Celtics better?

Fans have suggested that Ainge pry Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets with Rondo, sign and trade Glen Davis, and the top-10 protected 2012 first round pick. I’d like to see those fans’ prescriptions.

It would take a tremendous sell job to convince Paul to come to Boston and sign a long term deal with a Celtics team perceived to be in decline when Paul wants to join a team with a shot to win the championship. And the Hornets, a franchise that would shift into rebuilding mode after such a trade, would want more draft picks in return.

Eye on the Draft 2 - Guarded Concerns posted by Randolph Charlotin

Reggie Jackson. Iman Shumpert. Nolan Smith. Malcom Lee. Marshon Brooks. Just a handful of the names linked to the Boston Celtics’ first round pick. All guards. And each one worries me.

I’m not opposed to selecting a guard in the draft. Just not at 25.

Depth at the position wasn’t as bad as it looked as Delonte West played well behind Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen. The trade deadline acquisition of Jeff Green allowed the Celts to put a big backcourt of Green and Paul Pierce on the floor. Von Wafer was available if Doc Rivers cared to use him.

Free agency will leave the backcourt very thin, but there are affordable options starting with West and Wafer.

Then there’s the wild card combo guard Avery Bradley, the 2010 first round pick. If the Celtics really are interested in any of the guards named above, does that mean Bradley has fallen out of favor with Ainge and head coach Doc Rivers already?

And is a combo guard that much of a need? Truth is a combo guard is an undersized two guard playing the point. We saw in the playoffs the value of a true point guard as superstars Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City and Derrick Rose of Chicago played one-on-five in their respective Conference Championships, derailing their teams’ playoff runs.

Based on evaluations of the guards listed above, they all have glaring weaknesses, from volume shooter/scorer, to lack of a jump shot, to poor decision-making as a point guard.

A combo guard off the bench for Boston should work. Someone to take a load off Rondo and Allen would only make all three players better by splitting minutes three ways. But is a combo guard good enough to become a full time two guard in the future?

Eye on the Draft 1 - Bigs Problem posted by Randolph Charlotin

First off, my knowledge of the NBA Draft is nowhere close to my NFL Draft IQ. Not even close. I don’t follow college basketball until the NCAA Tournament and I have zero familiarity with foreign players, whether they are European or South American.

What I strongly believe in is my knowledge of the Celtics and the team needs. And what should be on the top of their list are big men. I’m not talking Glen “Big Baby” Davis wide big. I’m talking 6’10” neighborhood.

Let’s look at the facts: Centers Kendrick Perkins and Semih Erden were moved at the trade deadline. Shaquille O’Neal retired and Nenad Krstic signed with a Russian team.

Boston is down to Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, and restricted free agent Jeff Green. None of them are long term fixtures at PF or C. And the options for free agents are either out of the Celtics’ price range or just aren’t very good players when sifting through the bargain bin of free agents.

The NBA Draft is less than a week away and it is the first step towards finding a player or two to groom into an eventual starter.

I’ve had enough of people saying this is a weak draft class. If a team’s scouting department is good, they can find the great players in a weak draft. Danny Ainge and his staff found gems year after year in the second round. If they can find players that late, they can find two drafting late in the first and second round.

Not much is known about Ainge’s research. The Celtics announce some of the players they bring in for workouts (click the links for the workout updates from Celtics.com: Workouts 1 Workouts 2), but that doesn’t cover scouting trips. Beyond that is mock draft watching and taking mental notes of the changes following updates.

2010-2011 Basketball Season Recap posted by Omari Prince

Congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks, Connecticut Huskies, for becoming newly minted champions. Enjoy the summer and good luck defending your titles next season. Now that college and pro basketball has concluded, AAU and shoe camps are heating up but let's review ten things what basketball has taught me these past few months.

1. Blake Griffin - Karl Malone is training has the makings of becoming the next great power forward of all time. Once The Blake Show realizes the game of basketball is more than just dunking over people and develops a mid-range shot and becomes a decent free-throw shooter, he'll surpass Tim Duncan as the greatest power forward of all time. His ball-handling ability is already above average. 
2. Derrick Rose - Youngest MVP in NBA History. Straight from Chicago I've always said this hometown point guard will not only be the best lead guard for years to come but he'll also become the face of the league with the likes of LeBron, DWade, Kobe, Durant. So far he's right on track. 
3. Chicago Bulls - Speaking of Derrick Rose and his team, not one critic, scout, fan (including me) thought the Bulls will finish with the best record in basketball this season. Next season teams will pay more attention to this defensive minded team lead by the reigning MVP Derrick Rose. 
4. Miami Heat - Cavs owner Dal Gilbert tweeted after the Mavs victory there are no shortcuts. Not shocked they did not defeat the Mavs as my notion about them being only a 3 player team got exposed. Pat Riley's crew need a completely roster to compliment Wade, Bosh, and James. 

Dallas Does It in Miami posted by Richard Kagan

The Dallas Mavericks were marvelous.  They withstood a slow start by start Dirk Nowitski and made a team effort to beat back the Miami Heat to win game 6 and the NBA title.  Lebron James, DWade and Chris Bosh seemed to wilt under the pressure of winning that dream title.  Dallas won the game, and players like Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitski received some vindication as great players who were able to win the title.  Jason Terry came up strong scoring 27 points while Dirk scored 21, ten in the 4th quarter. 

The Heat were outplayed by a fierce Dallas team that refused to wilt under the pressure.  They got the loose balls, made the free-throws, hit the open treys, and fed the man for the score.  They did the things winning team do, and walked away with a NBA trophy.  Nowitzki was named MVP of the Finals for his outstanding play. 

In this game, the other guys stepped up.  Look at Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, Terry, and J.J. Berea.  They all made plays.  Mahimi hit a shot before the end of the third quarter that showed it could be Dallas' night.  They held off the big 3 and held onto their dreams.

Spring Fever: The Heat of an indefinite Lockout brings random NFL thoughts... posted by Amari Harris

First I would like to recognize the accomplishments of the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks.  It was been quite a show watching these teams make it to the NBA Finals and I believe it will be a fantastic match-up.  

With that said I must admit a dark secret to the blog world right here live on a Dallas Cowboys news posting site!  I am not a Mavericks fan.  In fact, I often root against the Mavericks, but I must admit that I have garnered a whole new respect for that basketball team.  They have a ton of hungry veterans led by the best (offensive) player in basketball- Dirk.  And you have to respect their explosiveness late in games.  Those comebacks against OKC almost looked orchestrated they were so on point.  

But the Miami Heat will win this NBA championship.  Why?  Because they do it the old fashioned way. They do it the gritty, nasty way.  They play lockdown defense.  Every one his hustling, including the superstars.  And they have the best all around player in LeBron James, another top 5 player in D-Wade, and Chris Bosh who has been playing lights out as of late. They have great offensive players and championship defense. Miami made a comeback of their own but I don't think there was ever a doubt after they cut it to 9 with under three minutes left remaining in the game.  The only thing I could think was, "This is happenning..."  And it did happen. D-Wade and Lebron (top 5 each) took over in the 4th and that was it. But even more importantly than that, this team is a unit.  It is truly them against the world thanks to all the Lebron/Heat Haters. 

Los Angeles Lakers Earn 93-89 Road Win Over Denver Nuggets: Fan’s Reaction (Yahoo! Con

On Friday, Feb. 3, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets 93-89 to earn their third road victory of the year. Kobe Bryant scored 20 points with nine assists and six rebounds. Here are three thoughts on the game: Kobe Bryant's shot selection Usually, I disagree with... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Jazz get 3 players back for game against Lakers (AP)

Devin Harris, Raja Bell and Earl Watson all dressed and are planning to play in the Utah Jazz's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Starting guards Bell, who has a strained right adductor, and Harris, who is nursing a strained left hamstring, were game-time decisions but felt well enough to go after running drills before Saturday night's game. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Jazz send Lakers to another road loss, 96-87 (AP)

Riding adrenaline and some modern treatment on his sprained ankle, Earl Watson took a close game and broke it open for Utah. He keyed a clinching 14-0 fourth quarter run to help the Jazz beat the Los Angeles Lakers 96-87 Saturday night. "You don't really notice because you are lost in the game," Watson said. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Saturday's National Basketball Association Capsules (PA SportsTicker)

Tony Parker scored 42 points and broke the Spurs' franchise record for career assists, leading San Antonio to a 107-96 win over the NBA-best Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

NBA Capsules: Parker sets Spurs assist record (The Canadian Press)

SAN ANTONIO - Tony Parker scored 42 points and broke the Spurs' franchise record for career assists, leading San Antonio to a 107-96 win over the NBA-best Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports