LA's New Dynamic Duo

Blog by Haz Bey
It's a done deal, finally.  The Clippers have landed top point guard Chris Paul to go along side NBA Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin.  The on-going saga came to an end and Chris Paul finally made it out of his New Orleans imprisonment enforced by the league.  The Hornets get Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu & the Timberwolves 2012 1st round pick in return for the Chris Paul's services.  The Clippers' brain-trust wanted to pair up Chris Paul and Blake Griffin to form one of the most devastating tandems the league has ever seem.  Imagine those two running the pick-and-roll all game long.  It would be like Stockton to Malone on steroids.  By joining the Clippers Chris Paul revoked his player option of his contract until the summer of 2013 which gives the Clippers 2 years to prove to him that they will be a championship contender for years to come.  The first huge piece has fallen this season, now lets see where Dwight Howard and Deron Williams will be come the trade deadline set for March 15th.

Dwight Howard... Off The Trade Market

Haz Bey

The Orlando Magic has spoken.  No more offers for Dwight Howard.  The Magic truly believe that they can keep Dwight Howard in a Orlando uniform for years to come.  Gm Otis Smith was not satisfied with the offers presented to him for Dwight and now is ready to bring in another legit star to play alongside of him via trade.  That is a dangerous card that Otis Smith is playing, because "Superman" wants to be a champion and I do not see that ever happening with the Orlando Magic.  With the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks competing in the Eastern Conference, there is no room for the Magic to even get to the NBA Finals even with Dwight Howard's greatness.  Dwight would have a better shot joining Kobe in L.A. or Dirk in Dallas.  My gut feeling is that "Superman" will walk at the end of the season, just like Shaq did in '96 for nothing.  Orlando can not let history repeat itself, but if they don't make a move with Dwight whether it's him signing the extension or they trade him before the March 15th trade deadline, either way they need to pull the trigger before Dwight stabs them in the back.

David Stern says "No, No, No"... When it's really like "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah"

Shell-Shocked

Never in NBA history has anything like this has happened.  For of a matter of fact, maybe never in American pro sports.  The New Orleans Hornets traded All-Star point guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a 3-team trade that included the Houston Rockets acquiring All-Star forward/center Pau Gasol.  In return the Hornets received Sixth Man of the Year award winner and 2-time NBA champion Lamar Odom, Louis Scola who last year averaged 18 ppg and 8 rpg, Kevin Martin who last year averaged 23.5 ppg, Goran Dragic who dropped 23 points in the 4th quarter of a playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs & a 2012 1st round draft pick.  At first glance all parties involved seemed to be making out just fine with what they got in return, especially the Hornets, but enter "The Haters".  These "Haters" are led by disgruntled Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and longtime Laker hater Mavs owner Mark Cuban.  Both owners were 2 of the 5 owners that voted against the new CBA and were very passionate about their disliking of the Lakers acquiring another potential Hall of Famer.  Sad thing is their comments didn't fall on def ears.  David Stern heard all of it and right before Chris Paul was ready to pack his things to go to Hollywood, David Stern vetoed the trade. 



The Haters

David Stern did not want the backlash of the owners that did not want to sign the new CBA, but what's crazy is the fact that he didn't foresee the backlash of the players, other league executives, the fans & the media.  The man has tarnished his legacy by caving in to owners that would love to have a player like Chris Paul on their team.  Dan Gilbert lost LeBron James because he could not get another star player to help carry some of the load with him.  The Cavs made plenty of moves, but never the right move.  Dan Gilbert has been whining ever since.  Complaining that small market teams need more of a chance to keep their superstars.  What Dan doesn't realize that most superstars want a chance to win a title.  Superstars know that they are going to get paid, so the key is finding the best opportunity to win a ring.  Mark Cuban owns the defending champion Mavericks who finally slayed the dragon known as the Lakers by sweeping them in the 2nd round of the playoffs.  So the last thing he wants to see is the Lakers gearing up for another run.  And let's not forget that Mark Cuban has been trying to get Chris Paul for years so don't buy in to his hype like David Stern did.

Stern gives in to disguntled owners demands

After vetoing the trade for "basketball reasons", David Stern has given the league owned New Orleans Hornets permission to seek all trade options as long as they receive youth and draft picks.  So obviously talent for talent is out the question, but by forcing his "Sterned Hand" the only location for Chris Paul to go is Los Angeles.  If the league approves the move to another team, than it will look like Stern placed Chris Paul there.  After the Tim Donaghy incident the last thing Stern wants is bad publicity on league placing superstars where ever the league wants them to go.  And keep in mind that the NBPA has told David Stern and the league that they will not pursue legal action in favor of Chris Paul until Monday to see if an acceptable trade for all parties involved is approved.  So we will see how this story plays out very soon.

Haz Bey

NBA Lockout To End

With the lockout ending, the world can now become a better place.  Barber shops all across the country will be crazy with all the debates that come with an NBA season.  ESPN's Sports Center will have nothing but high flying dunks for all of us to rave about.  And most importantly, 2 of the best in the media game, Skip Bayless & Steven A. Smith will enlighten us with their interesting banter on the top players and teams in the league all season long as they debate on ESPN's First Take.

As for the season itself, there is plenty to look forward to on the court.  Kobe Bryant starts this Lakers season without "The Great" Phil Jackson.  How will coach Mike Brown get Kobe to buy-in his system?  Kobe Bryant won 5 championships, Mike Brown has none as a head coach.

Will the Miami Heat take a step forward or a step back?  Is LeBron OK with being number 2 on his team when he is arguably the biggest star in the NBA?  Can D-Wade set the tone early to get his team focused?  Will Chris Bosh play in the post this season?

Can Dallas repeat or was their championship run a fluke?  Do the Celtics have 1 more run left in them?  Can OKC take that next step with Russell Wesbrook running the offense?  Will Blake Griffin lead the Clippers to the playoffs?  Will we see Chris Paul get traded to the Knicks to form the next "Big 3"?

A lot of these questions and plenty more will be answered and it will all begin Christmas Day with a tripple header. Now we have less than a month to get watch who goes where in free agency so we can start making predictions on who will be favorites to win the title once the season starts. The NBA is back.  Now that's what I call a Christmas present.


Haz Bey

NBA Locks Out the Players

 Blog by Haz Bey

MJ, MAGIC & BIRD

We all knew this would happen.  We all seen it coming.  We hoped the NBA would not follow the path the NFL has showed them, but they don't get it either.  Once again the fight between "Billionaires & Millionaires" in the NBA continues, but now under different circumstances.  With the most memorable season in since the late 80s & early 90s, the NBA was on it's way to a new "Golden Age".  The talent has never been better.  With LeBron, Kobe, Dirk, Wade, Durant, Howard, Rose, CP3 & Melo, the league has some of the most intriguing superstars it has ever had since the league had Jordan, Magic, Bird, Doc, Isiah, Wilkins, Barkley & Kareem all playing at the same time.  

BATMAN & ROBIN

Last season started with "The Decision" that led to the 2-time defending MVP LeBron James to take his "talents" to South Beach to team-up with fellow superstar Dwayne Wade & perennial all-star Chris Bosh to form the new, star-studded, Miami Heat.  The "alliance" gave the league much interest from "casual" NBA fans which ultimately led to a rise in ratings & attendance this season.  Whether fans wanted the Heat to be successful or fail, they watched regardless.  Last season ultimately ended with the Heat failing on the league's biggest stage to the Dallas Mavericks led by Dirk Nowitzki & Jason Kidd.  The same Dallas Mavericks that no one had faith in.

THE CHAMPS

In between "The Decision" & The NBA Finals, we had the Lakers quest for a 3-Peat with Phil Jackson on his "Last Stand".  We had "The Carmello Anthony Saga" that led to the Nuggets to acquiring half of the New York Knicks roster in exchange for Melo & Chauncey.  We had the resurgence of the San Antonio Spurs.  We had Kevin Love making people tune-in to Timberwolves games to see him break the consecutive double-double streak.  We had the "Blake Griffin Show" all season long.  We had the rise of Derrick Rose from good player to a "mother-trucking" monster.  We had the Durant & Wesbrook combination becoming even more lethal than the year before. We had the Memphis Grizzlies amazing playoff run.  We had the Celtics changing the balance of power when they traded away their best post defender, Kendrick Perkins, praying that Shaq would be healthy for the playoffs, but he never was.  We even had Grant Hill dropping 30 plus at the age of 38.  A great season in my book.  Definitely one of the best ever. 

NOTHING TO SMILE ABOUT

Now after such a great season, the NBA is willing to give up all that momentum to lock the players out.  In 1998-99 we lost 32 regular season games & more importantly, Michael Jordan, due to the length of the last NBA lockout.  Scary thing is that this current lockout may be even longer.  This is due to the fact that not only the "Billionaires" are fighting against the players, they are also fighting against each other.  Yeah, the owners for the Lakers, Celtics, Heat, Bulls, Knicks & Mavericks are all doing very well, but how about the owners of the Raptors, Wizards, Timberwolves, Nets & Hornets.  Lets just say not good.  So if the NBA loses a whole season, those teams that are losing money will not mind a year off. 

At the end of the day it's the Players that will have to give-in.  Shane Battier opened-up a can of worms when he said that NBPA Union Rep. Billy Hunter should reduce his $2,000,000 salary to a $1, but he is right.  While he is getting paid, players are not.  They follow Billy's lead & must trust in him to get the deal done, but what real sense of urgency does he have if he is still getting paid.  He has to feel it, like the players are going to feel it when the realization of no income week after week builds up come November. 

AGING SUPERSTAR

So with the league hard-set on losing all the benefits of being arguably the most popular sport in America since the NFL started it's lockout, we may find ourselves in unfamiliar territory.  No football, no basketball & if neither league comes to terms come November, baseball season will be over & professional team sports in America will be left with just hockey.  Seriously just hockey.  Now I am an NHL fan & I follow the sport, but the game itself is a different animal in the playoffs which makes the regular season pretty much a bore.  When you can earn points in the standings for losing in overtime means that there is a major flaw in their system.  And lets not forget some of the leagues biggest stars are not getting any younger.  Kobe, Duncan, Kidd, Pierce, KG, Nash, Ray Allen, Chauncey, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady & Grant Hill are all on the downside of their careers while they can still play at a high level, some on an elite status, we won't ever see the best of them ever again.  Remember Michael Jordan was already uncertain about his future 13 years ago & once the lockout finally ended he retired from the Bulls for good.  I don't want to see any of the players who are in the latter stage of their careers making the same decision because of the frustration from the lockout.  I doubt it will come to that, but I wouldn't be shock either.  All in all NBA, find a way to get a deal done ASAP.  I don't think you find out out the consequences if we start to lose games.

No More Talk Comparing LeBron to MJ, PLEASE?

Blog By Haz Bey

I am sick & tired of hearing this crap on ESPN about LeBron being better than Michael Jordan.  Thank you Scottie Pippen for giving me this massive headache.  Scottie Pippen must be smoking that dope.  How can he of all people disrespect the man that has brought you your own greatness and even consider LeBron to be better than MJ?  First & foremost, Mike has 6 rings in 8 years.  Did you read that right?  6 rings in 8 years.  Call me when LeBron has 6 rings, then we will talk.  Until then, lets watch what LeBron can do with D-Wade and see how many championships they can win.  LeBron is not the leader MJ was, he is not the scorer MJ was & he is not the winner MJ was.  End of discussion.  Another thing.  Kobe has 5 rings and has been to the Finals 7 times.  Magic Johnson has 5 rings and has been to the Finals 9 times.  Larry Bird has 3 rings and has been to the Finals 5 times.  Do you get where I'm going with this?  These players all have multiple rings, Finals appearances & not to mention multiple Finals MVPs.  I am a firm believer in rewarding winners.  LeBron has a long way to go.   Even D-Wade has put on an historic Finals performance which resulted in a ring & a Finals MVP trophy.  So before we go crazy and put LeBron in the class of the best players ever to play this game, let the man build his legacy up a little bit.  He couldn't even win a ring against that Dirk-led team from Dallas.

Playoff Moster Slams #3

Blog by Haz Bey

The John Starks dunk was supposed to signal the end of the Bulls 1st 3-peat run.  The Knicks went on to win game 2 of the ECF to take 2-0 lead in the series.  The Bulls led by the G.O.A.T Michael Jordan, would sweep the last 4 games of the series only to advance to the Finals to face Charles Barkley's Phoenix Suns.  The Bulls won the Finals and completed the 3-peat 4 games to 2.  My lasting memory when I seen the dunk happen was that I ordered my first "Big Foot" pizza from Pizza Hut.  21 square slices of deliciousness.

Playoff Game Winners

Blog by Haz Bey

Here's a look to some very clutch moments in playoff history.  Game 3 with Bulls & Heat could have another classic finish.

Harden & The Bench Close Out Mavs, Wesbrook Benched! Series Tied 1-1

                                                  

                                                                                             

Blog by Haz Bey

"Big Game" James

Scott Brooks benched Russell Wesbrook for the 4th quarter and it paid off.  The Thunder stole home court advantage from the Mavericks, by winning game 2 of the West Finals.  James Harden was money down the stretch hitting big 3 after big 3 halting any chance Dallas making a run to seize game 2.  Nick Collison played his heart out with a huge effort defensively in the 4th quarter. 

 The Thunder did a better job on Dirk

The "White Mamba", as Sir Charles likes to call him, finally missed his first foul shot inside the last minute of the game which if he would have connected would have made it a 1 possession game.  OKC did what they needed to do by getting the split in Dallas.  The ultimate game changing play of the game was the posterization of back-up center Brandon Haywood by Kevin Durant in the second quarter.  From there, OKC erased an 11 point deficit & went on lead at the half 59-57 and eventually win the game.

Playoff Monster Slams #2



Blog by Haz Bey



Jordan over Ewing could have easily been number 1, but the Pippen dunk over Ewing had more hatred involved.  The Bulls were starting their first 3-peat run at the time of Jordan's dunk, but the Pippen dunk was 3 years later when the Knicks were ready to take the East crown with Jordan out of the picture for the Bulls after losing to the Bulls year after year in the playoffs during the Bulls rise to power. 

LeBron Coming Through in the Clutch

                                                

                                               SERIES TIED 1-1

Blog by Haz Bey

If LeBron is going to continue to close out games down the stretch the way he closed out the Celtics & how he closed out the Bulls last night, then Miami might be the next title holders of the NBA.  We know D-Wade can do it, but with LeBron acting all clutch all of a sudden, Miami will be impossible to beat in a 1 or 2 possession game in the last 3 to 4 minutes of an important game.  LeBron scored 9 of Miami's last 12 points including a big-time 3 when the score was nodded at 73 to break the tie for good.  Miami outscored Chicago 12-3 down stretch.

Udonis Haslem was a huge spark off the bench.  He scored 13 points, but more importantly he gave Miami some much needed energy & toughness.   He energized the team with his rim-rattling dunks & his physical play around the glass gave Miami a plus 4 advantage on the boards.

 Derrick Rose had another "Iverson-like" performance going 7-23 from the field and with the Bulls shooting 34% from the field for the game, Chicago didn't just lose the game, they lost control of the series.

*Did you know that Game 1 of the East Finals between the Heat & Bulls was the most watched basketball game in cable televison history?

Playoff Monster Slams #1

 

Blog By Haz Bey

The best in-game dunk ever.  So much hatred involved.  Scottie Pippen dunks on hated rival Patrick Ewing, then pushes him to the ground and walks right over him.  Plus to top everything off, Scottie let Spike Lee that he can get some, too... Just enjoy it.

Dirk Goes Bonkers!!!

Blog by Haz Bey

MAVS GO UP 1-0 IN WCF

Dirk goes 24-24 from the line (NBA record)

For Oklahoma City, Dirk is a huge problem.  Dropping 48 in game 1 while hitting 24 of 24 free throws is a huge indicator that OKC has to stop everyone else.  Dirk will get his, so instead of focusing their defense on containing Dirk, the Thunder must lock-down on the shooters.  I mean it's easy for me to say, but if they can pull that off, then it would put more pressure on Dirk to score on every possession.  Yeah Dirk would have 1 on 1 situations, but if you play the law of averages then Dirk can't score on every possession, right? 

Should KD take Dirk head on?

On the other side of the ball, Russell Wesbrook was held on check, forcing Kevin Durant to drop 40 just to keep his team in the game.  Wesbrook was 3-15 from the field against a Dallas "D" that was focused to make every shot attempt difficult for the young point guard.  Instead of trying to stop the leagues leading scorer, Kevin Durant, Dallas allowed Durant to try to beat them by himself.  KD can drop 40 anytime he wants, but if he can't get efficient performances from Wesbrook & 6th man James Harden, the Western Conference Finals will end very quickly.

The Heat is On... Literally

Blog By Haz Bey





Taj Abusing Wade

Miami took down the big, bad Celtics in 5 games which was then followed by a championship winning-like celebration just without the black, red & orange confetti.  Now the Celtics was the reigning Eastern Conference Champions, but a championship was not won that day.  Now Chicago, who seemed to struggle some against the Pacers & Hawks, blew Miami out by doing what they do best...  Playing defense.  At halftime, both teams were nodded at 48, but Chicago went on a 10-0 run midway through the 3rd quarter that energized the United Center and was the beginning to the end of the Heat chances to steal game 1.  Chris Bosh had a great game with 30 points & 9 boards, but only getting a combined 33 points from Wade & LeBron is not going to win them any games this series.  Chicago plays championship defense, so the series will be dictated by how Wade & LeBron will take advantage of the Bulls aggressive play on on defense.  Game 1 was a failure, but Miami's job was to get the split and I feel they are more than capable to pull it out.  Luol Deng & MVP Derrick Rose out-scored the Wade & LeBron tandom 49 to 33.  Expect those numbers to be much closer in game 2.