Celtics can tame the Beat in the East posted by john howard

Miami has become a 3 headed hydra with Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and LeBron James.  What are the Celtics to do?  Keep what they are doing.  They have resigned Doc Rivers, Ray Allen and Pual Pierce.  So, the big three (Garnett) and Rojan Rondo are all intact.  Kendrick Perkins is hurt and may miss a good part of next season.  And, Rasheed Wallace is contemplating retirement. 

Part of the solution is the signing of Jermaine O'Neal.  He can score inside and rebound.  He likely will fill Wallace's shoes and start until Perkins gets back.  They still need more depth.  Glen Davis provides a great lift off the bench, but can be over matched size wise.  Without Wallace or Perkins, they don't have a big bodied 7 footer in there. 

Tony Allen is a must resign.  He did great against LeBron in playoffs and had some brilliant defensive moments against Kobe in the finals.  I don't know if they will be able to resign Nate Robinson or Maruis Daniels.  Robinson provides some spark off the bench for better or worse.  I think a team will pay him a lot more to be a starter.

Finally, the rookie.  Luke Harangody has been really impressive in summer league.  I don't think he will start or receive any votes for rookie of the year.  But, with what he has shown, he can come off the bench and develope as the year progresses and may provide some key moments with the 2nd unit come playoff time.

All in all, they need more depth and they must resign Tony Allen and find some temporary size.  They will. 

Boozer signs with Bulls, plans to flirt with LeBron posted by Joe Anello

After being left out in the cold by Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, John Paxson and GM Gar Forman have struck back in the LeBron sweepstakes, signing free agent power forward Carlos Boozer to a 5, year, $80 million contract according to ESPN. 

Damn that's scary. 

For those of you not in the know about Carlos Boozer, go look up his stats. He's a 20-point and 10-rebound a game forward who has dominating low-post moves. He's been playing with Derron Williams in Utah for the past few years, so he knows how to play with a premiere point guard. Tom Thibodeau already has a play in his offensive playbook: just steal Utah's pick-and-roll! Signing him to not quite max money means the Bulls have left themselves room for one max contract...

They may have lost out on a Wade/Bosh/LeBron super-team, but the Bulls are not quite out of the LeBron chase yet. Snagging Boozer means the big men LeBron may have preferred to team are in destinations other than Cleveland. If the King wants to win a title from an Eastern conference squad, his best chances are Miami or Chicago. The Cavaliers are an awful team, despite their solid/great regular season records. When Mo Williams or an aging Antawn Jamison are your second and third options, your team isn't very good.

Reportedly Boozer will extend a hand to James in the time remaining before LeBron's hour-long televised announcement special on ESPN. (Which is kinda silly.) Even if the Bulls don't land LeBron, they're only a piece or two away from being a major player in the east. A spot-up shooter like Ray Allen or Kyle Korver will spread out this offense and add some much needed perimeter play.

Lakers Watch (7/1/10) posted by TP&G Blog

There is still nothing major yet to report regarding the Laker off-season moves, but this so-called exciting job fair is starting bad. Really, really bad with too many non-top-tier players (and counting) getting offered ridiculous contracts.

What the 2009-2010 Season Taught us About the Lakers posted by TP&G Blog

Plans of dethroning the Lakers are well underway, and in less than 24 hours the first step will being. But before we start watching how next season will shape up for our back-to-back champs, let's take a look at some of the highs and lows that brought the Lakers to one of the most epic NBA Finals in history and cement another Laker legacy:

• Jerry Buss has always been a businessman who knows his craft but never ever takes whatever or whoever makes his Lakers one of the most respected franchise in sports history. That includes sticking with the players who win him another championship. He may have tried to put on his poker face with Lamar Odom last sumer, but we all knew he would help Lamar win that poker game only because he hates fixing something that isn't broken. However, Odom may have made Buss regret not sending him on a one-way bus fare to Miami by being too inconsistent in this year's playoffs. Another thing about Buss: he demands the same generosity from the players he give charity to. The way Odom stunk it up in the post-season, he just might be the first victim of Buss' budget plans for next season.

The Thunder keep getting better. posted by john howard

Two of the biggest needs for the Thunder are inside presence and outside shooting.  They got the shooter by trading the 32nd pick to Miami for sharp shooter D. Cook and the 18th overall pick.  Wow!  The move helps Miami trim the cap space they are fighting while acquiring a very high second round pick to go along with the other 3 second rounders they already have.  Second round picks are not guaranteed like first round ones are. So, Miami doesn't have to keep the guys they draft. 

As for the Thunder, Cook will help spread the floor and give them more punch off the bench.  He is only $2.2 against the cap. So, he is a very inexpensive shooter that helps fill a need.  But more impressive in this deal is the 18th pick to go along with the 21st and 26th.  With 3 picks, the Thunder could trade up and try and take a good big man.  But, I don't know who will trade down.   Rumors have it that Indiana wants a point guard, but not at the ten.  Epke Udoh from Baylor may be available at the ten. 

They may simply draft and then deal one or two of the players for future picks.  They should get somebody that will help with the 3 picks.  Nick Collison is in final year of contract and BJ Mullins doesn't look like the answer.  DJ White has had moments and I think he can score inside.  But, there is one thing that makes all players better: competition.  Bring in people to challenge White and Mullins for a spot not only in rotation, but on the team, and you will get better.

From the mocks I've seen, Daniel Orton's name has been popping up at both the 18th and 21st.   James Anderson may possibly fall to 18th and Damion James could be available at 18th.   Both could give a slasher, playmaker type to sub in for Durant and play with the second unit.    Then, they have the 26th pick to gamble on a foreign player.  Like they did with Serge Ibaka.  He didn't come to play untila full year after he was drafted. 

Three-peat is highly possible for Lakers in next NBA season posted by nbaball

THE BOLD declaration of Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant that the team will attain its third straight crown in the next season of the National Basketball Association is highly possible. Basketball experts said three-peat might be hard to achieve in the face of the tough competition in the NBA but if the Lakers will continue to play its full potential it is very possible.

The basketball experts said one thing going for the Lakers in its quest for a piece of NBA history is the fact that almost all of their important players will be back for the team to defend their crown. Bryant the heart and soul of the Lakers had an existing contract to play for the Lakers for many years to come.
With the superstar guard still part of the Lakers roster, the team will remain solid for years to come. Aside from Bryant other Lakers players who will be back to defend their crown are superstar center Pau Gasol, versatile power-forward Lamar Odom, veteran point-guard Derek Fisher, rising young center Andrew Bynum and defensive specialist Ron Artest.

Gasol had been a vital factor in the Laker's tough victory against its arch rival Boston Celtics in their best of seven NBA Finals.
The Spanish center provided front-court scoring and defense to frustrate and defeat the determined Celtics who was able to send the game into a deciding game seven. Odom although undersized as a power-forward still contributed big for the team with his ball distribution and clutch plays against the trough defense put out by the Celtics.

Fisher for his part provided efficient veteran leadership to solidify and add more spunk to the defending champion. Bynum for his part was a steady center who provided quality minutes in terms of scoring and defense for the team. Newly acquired Laker Artest is himself had a big contribution for the Lakers victory with his tough defense against the top scorers of the opposing team particularly in the NBA Finals against Celtics superstar forward Paul "Truth" Pierce. With those players mentioned back in Lakers uniform in the next NBA season it would very difficult for other NBA teams including the Celtics to defeat the defending NBA champion. To achieve their desired three-peat the Lakers however need to resign Lakers coach Phil Jackson to coach the championship team again in the next season of the premier professional basketball league in the planet.
Continue reading "Three-peat is highly possible for ..."

Father's Day, Fútbol, and Prince Albert? posted by Amari Harris

Good morning brave souls.

Once again, it has been an unreasonably long time since I’ve done this but I’ve had quite a bit on my plate for the last couple months.  I’ve officially started my education in the law and I’m also the captain/coach/coordinator/quarterback/cornerback for my flag football team.  Ok, that’s only two things but cut me some slack.  I have to make time for Paul, Jack, and Evan.  But I am digressing.  You don’t want to hear about what’s going on in my life (you selfish bastards!).  You want to hear about men in little shorts, playing with balls that they throw or kick in a whole, a goal, or sometimes even into the hands of another man (gross).  

So where do I begin?  Well, if this were an international blog I’d have to start with globes most beloved sport and the World Cup.  Everybody loves the soccer and everybody loves the World Cup.  People come out of the wood works to pick the team they think is going to go all the way and 9 times out of 10 they can’t even name the goalie.  But me, I’m an honest Joe.  I mean I’ll keep track of who is moving up in the standings, but I may watch a total of 5 minutes of this dreadfully dry activity over its duration. I’m not going to pretend I like soccer or know anything about it for that much.  With that said, I bought an ITALIA World Cup t-shirt because it looks good on me and girls love Italy…I think.  

My goodness, I forgot two very important administrative announcements before I started this thing.  First I’d like to wish all of the

SOX SWEEP D-Backs, ... ... ...celtics lose championship... ... ... posted by Joe Franciosa, Jr.

The Sox just swept the worst team in the NL West. Wooooooooo.

 It just figures that the one time I'm actually rooting against the Sox, they win. When the Celtics play before the Sox, and the Celtics win, the Sox win. When the Sox play before the Celtics, and the Sox win, the Celtics lose. It's an incredibly stupid statistic, but no less accurate for its stupidity concerning the 2010 season. So, when the Sox won last night, I knew whatever vestige of hope had remained was squelched. That didn't stop me from rooting any harder for the C's... I was standing in my buddy's living room for the last 5 minutes of that game because I was too hyped up to stay in my seat.

 2010 Celtics, thanks for the effort. You took us on one hell of a roller-coaster this post-season. I didn't expect you to get past the Cavs. I did expect you to get past the Magic, especially after the Refs tried to give that series away.  I'm not even going to comment on the officiating of the Finals. If you watched and had half a brain in your head, it was obvious what was going on.

 So let's talk about the tragedy of this loss. Without Perk, the Celtics still had a 13 point lead in the 3rd quarter. Celtics defense held the Lakers to just 32% shooting from the field. If anyone wearing green had pulled down just two or three more rebounds, the Celtics would have their 18th banner. Instead, KG has 3 rebounds for the entire game. That's just not a Championship effort. Not in a game 7, on the road. Certainly not with your only true big man dressed in a green button up shirt with a bum knee on the sideline.

Pierce is no prophet in Celtics loss to Lakers in game 3 of NBA Finals posted by nbaball

There is no doubt, Boston Celtics superstar forward Paul "Truth" Pierce is one of the top players in the National Basketball Association today.
Despite his NBA superstar status, there is one thing certain Pierce is just a heck of a professional basketball player and not a prophet.
This developed after Pierce failed in his prediction that the Celtics will sweep the next three games of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles which would be held at the Boston Garden.
In game three of the much talked about NBA Finals, the Lakers beat the Celtics 91-84 at the home-floor of the latter through the heroics of Lakers veteran point-guard Derek Fisher.
The defeat foils Pierce prediction that the Celtics will beat the Lakers three straight in their own home-floor.
Pierce made the bold prediction earlier after Pau Gasol committed a hard foul on Kendrick Perkins with 1:12 remaining in Game 2 and the Celtics leading, 97-90, Pierce, as he
helped his teammate off the floor along the baseline near the hoop, was heard on video replays yelling, "We aren’t coming back to LA!"
The Celtics evened the NBA Finals at a game apiece with a 103-94 victory in game two of the NBA Finals.
It is not the first time that Pierce made a bold prediction regarding the outcome of an NBA playoff series.
Pierce also predicted after a Game 2 victory against the Magic in Orlando, which gave the Celtics a 2-0 series lead, that they will close the series at home.
He even posted a message on his Twitter account saying the Celtics to sweep the Magic.
Continue reading "Pierce is no prophet in Celtics loss ..."

Game 7 Necessary... posted by Joe Franciosa, Jr.

So much for Prophecy. Now we've got a broken Perk and a game 7.  Well, here's game 6...  

Kobe Misses a 3

KG for 2

Kobe for 2

Rondo for 2

Bynum with the hook for 2

Ray for 2 with a tough jumper

Fisher flops and Perk is called for a foul. Least he doesn't get to shoot

Artest misses a 3, Bynum rebounds and misses a hook, ball out, Celtics Ball

Rondo misses a 3 at the end of the shot clock

Artest makes a 3, Lakers go up 1

Perk has his pass intercepted by Fish,

Fish with the Layup

KG misses a tough shot, deflects a pass at the other end and the C's end up with the ball.

Ray loses the ball to Fisher, who throws the ball out of bounds

Ray for 2 and 1!!! Makes it, Tie Score with 8:02 left in the first

Gasol misses an easy shot but gets the benefit of a bullshit foul on Ray Allen. Gasol misses the first but makes the second

RAY ALLEN FOR 3!!!

Kobe for 2 off the jumper

Perk is blocked by Gasol,

Kobe for 2

Rondo fouled by Fisher. Non shooting foul

Ray misses a 3

Kobe for 2...

Bad pass is stolen by Kobe, Gasol with a running layup..

Rondo misses another jumper (why is Rondo taking so many jump shots already?...) Perk is fouled hard on the rebound and is down. We better BREAK Bynum for that. C'mon Perk. Get up Perk. Perk is the Keystone of the Celtics defense. C'mmmmon Perk.

Oh that's not good. That's horrible.

Well, let's go Sheed

KG with the open J

Kobe for 3

KG for 2 off a nice pass to him in the lane

Kendrick Perkins: Game 7 was 'the worst time of my life' (Yahoo! Sports)

For a player that came straight to the NBA from high school, Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins has always... [read full article]

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Wizards sign 1st-round pick Seraphin (AP)

The Washington Wizards have signed No. 17 overall pick Kevin Seraphin, who was acquired in a draft-day trade with the Chicago Bulls. Seraphin, a 6-foot-9 forward from French Guyana, spent the past four years playing for Cholet Basket. The French club signed him to a three-year contract in August, and he had to negotiate a buyout in order to join the Wizards. [read full article]

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Knicks waiting on Shannon Brown; Brown waiting on Lakers (Yahoo! Sports)

Guard Shannon Brown could be moving to New York City to man the New York Knicks backcourt with Raymond Felton. [read full article]

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Howard signs 1-year deal with Wizards (AP)

Josh Howard has signed his one-year contract to return to the Washington Wizards. The deal signed Friday could pay Howard as much as $4 million if he meets certain incentives. The two sides reached agreement on the contract Wednesday night. Howard was acquired in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. [read full article]

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Stoudemire seeks Hebrew roots in Israel (AP)

Amare Stoudemire already knows some Hebrew phrases and sports a Star of David tattoo. Now he's come to Israel to explore what might be his Jewish heritage. The five-time NBA All-Star who recently signed with the New York Knicks is on a weeklong visit to learn about Israel, its language and religions. [read full article]

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