Opening Night in the NBA

LeBron James the Best Player On the Planet, PERIOD.

Blog by Haz Bey
Finally the off season is over.  It's time for the players in the NBA to stop being polite and start getting real.   The Miami Heat are the defending NBA Champions and seem like they are just getting started.  The Heat will have their ring ceremony tonight and guess who they invited to watch?  Their arch nemesis, the Boston Celtics.  

The Celtics have developed a hatred for Miami for many reasons.  The Heat led by LeBron James & Dwyane Wade has bounced Boston out the playoffs for 2 straight seasons including last season's classic 7-game series in the Eastern Conference Finals.  Plus let's not forget Ray Allen basically handing out his resume after the game 7 loss and eventually signing with the Heat for less money then what the Celtics offered.  Paul Pierce has lost his brother.  Kevin Garnet has lost his brother.  Doc Rivers has lost a son.  What was "the "Big 4" with the emergence of point guard Rajon Rondo, is now reduced to a "Big 3".  The Miami Heat has stole Ray Allen away from them.  The Miami Heat are the defending champions.  The Miami Heat are standing in the Celtics way from competing for a championship.  Oh yeah, there is a lot of hatred there, but I am not even sure if the feeling is mutual from Miami's side.  

LeBron is attending his first of what might be multiple ring ceremonies that he will be receiving the ring that represents NBA supremacy.  Having Boston there is just icing on the cake.  I do not think at this point that he and his teammates are going to be sitting in the locker room before tonight's game and think about how they hate the Celtics so much.  Miami just won the NBA crown, defending it is the only thing on their mind.

Howard & Nash Has Eyes On the Prize

Opening night also brings us the premier of the new-look Los Angeles Lakers against a Dallas Mavericks team that is a far from the team we knew that shocked the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.  Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard,  Steve Nash & Paul Gasol are as formidable a "Big 4" you will find in any era in NBA history.  With that being said, the Lakers will need them to stay healthy come April, because the bench is thin.  In today's NBA, most teams are so athletic off the bench, so when the Lakers go to their own bench, execution of their new Princeton offense is top priority.  As good as the Lakers' "Big 4" is, they are an aging bunch for the most part and with a long season ahead of them, the Lakers' bench will have to have quality minutes night-in & night-out to prevent the "Big 4" from wearing down during the playoffs.  Offensively Steve Nash is the key.  His job will be getting all those stars involved and not turning the ball over which is key for opposing teams that want to get out and run on the Lakers.  Dwight Howard will be the anchor defensively.  He will force teams to shoot outside the paint that will create more fast break opportunities for the Lakers which the Lakers haven't really seen that often since Kobe wore the the number 8 on his jersey.  

With Dirk Nowitzki out of tonight's game, look for the Dallas Mavericks to play hard, but don't expect them to make tonight's game an instant classic.  Even if Kobe does not play tonight to nurse his ailing foot, the Lakers are still too big and too talented to let a "Dirkless" Mavs team to beat them on national television on opening night at home.  

I am more than excited to get the NBA season underway.  Every season since LeBron James joined Dwyane Wade in South Beach has gotten better and more exciting.  We are in a new "Golden Era" of the NBA, so sit back grab a beer (if you are 21 & older) and enjoy the moment.  NBA basketball is FANTASTIC!

Who is the Best of the Rest?

By Haz Bey
The Playoffs are here. Sad thing is, we already know who the contenders are and it comes down to 6 teams.  The 3 in the East are Miami, Chicago & Boston.  The 3 in the West are OKC, San Antonio & the LA Lakers.  The other teams are irrelevant.  Sure, a New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies can make some noise, like serious noise, but neither one of those teams will be hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy come season's end.  So now that I got that out of the way, let me breakdown who should be in the Finals competing for all the marbles.

In the East, the most dangerous team is clearly the Boston Celtics.  They have 3 Hall of Famers and one of the league's most dynamic point guards running the show in Rajon Rondo.  They won it all in 2008 and returned to the Finals in 2010 only to blow a 13 point 2nd half lead in game 7 to their hated rival, Los Angeles Lakers.  The have experience and wisdom on their side and are playing some great basketball since the All-Star break which resulted in them catching the 76ers for the Atlantic Division crown.  Their glaring weakness is their age with their star players.  Miami & Chicago has exceptional young talent and could outlast Boston in a long series.  As far as the West, the Los Angeles Lakers possess the most dominate "Big 3" in all of basketball.  2 skilled 7 footers in Gasol & Bynum and arguably the best player in the game in Kobe Bryant.  They will give teams all kind of match-up problems, but how will their bench perform?  That's the question we all have and with Oklahoma City & San Antonio possessing excellent depth, that might derail the Lakers chances at a 4 Finals appearance in 5 years.

The 2 most complete teams in each conference are San Antonio & Chicago, hands down.  They both have a enact of just playing the right way on both ends of the floor and both teams are led by tough, hard-nose coach's in Greg Popovich & Tom Thibodeau respectively.  These teams are true contenders and I wouldn't be surprised if that was the match-up for the world title.  The Bulls lack a healthy Derrick Rose heading into these playoffs.  Derrick Rose will be needed against potential match-ups with the Celtics & the Heat for Chicago to advance to the Finals.  As for San Antonio, it just comes down to the Spurs playing the same way during the playoffs as they did in the regular season.  We all remember last year they won the top seed in the West, but got ousted by the Rudy Gay-less Memphis Grizzlies in the 1st round of the playoffs behind the dominate play of Zach Randolph.  I like both teams chances, but I do not see them getting past the next 2 teams I am going to talk about.

The Oklahoma City Thunder & Miami Heat are the 2 best teams in the NBA Playoffs.  For they are not the number 1 seeds, they are the cream of the crop the league has to offer.  As you probably figured out, this is my NBA Finals match-up.  Both teams are as "top-heavy" as it gets when it comes to superior talent.  The potential match-up with Miami's LeBron James, Dwyane Wade & Chris Bosh vs Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook & James Harden is something not just the league, but the whole world deserves to see.  In their 2nd match-up in Miami, both teams played with such physicality and toughness, viewers thought the NBA Title was on the line that day.  With both teams wanting to get out on the open court to generate easy buckets, we as fans would benefit from all the exciting highlights and big plays all series long.  These teams possess enough talent to meet in the Finals multiple times in the next 4 to 5 years.  If that happens, then we are talking about an true rivalry between some of the league's best players.  Great story lines would come into play as well.  The winner of the Finals MVP Trophy would probably be crowned the league's best player, because as great as Kobe is, LeBron, D-Wade, Durant & Westbrook are all younger and either entering their primes or are still in it.  Then there is LeBron coming up small in last year's Finals.  How will he respond given another opportunity only 1 year later?  Also can the combinations of both Wade & James and Durant & Westbrook co-exist enough with their contrast of styles enough to win a NBA Title?  Is James Harden or Chris Bosh the "X-Factor" of the series?  These questions and I'm sure countless others will be asked if these teams hook-up this June.  I would almost go as far as saying that rivalry like this would not be on the same level of Lakers/Celtics, but it would definitely be in the neighborhood.

Kobe or LeBron... Who's Better?

Blog by Haz Bey
Everybody in America is debating who the best player in today's game is.  The only two names that comes to people's minds are Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.  Everybody wants to compare one to another, but is it really fair to compare the two?  I do not believe so.  Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are two different types of players.  Kobe is an assassin on the court and can care less if you like him or not.  LeBron is a pass-first superstar, who has a desire to be liked by all.  Their personalities are equivalent to how they play on the court.  So to really compare them is ultimately what you base your best player in the NBA on. 

I base the best player in the league on maximizing your ability to team success.  They are a lot of talented, special players in this league, but we all know who the elite players are.  You have Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, Carmello Anthony, Chris Paul & Dirk Nowitzki.  All those players mentioned would be considered elite players in this league without hesitation or argument, but when in it comes to Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, they seem to be on a step above the elite just on ability alone.  It's no secret that LeBron is the most talented player to ever play in the NBA.  No one else has never been blessed to possess the size, speed, agility, athleticism & skill set that LeBron possesses. That is why there was and will always be hype surrounded behind him from his days in high school until his playing days are over.  But you can't be the best player in the league just because of talent, you have to have the stats to back it up.  LeBron is a walking triple-double.  His career numbers of 27 ppg, 7 rpg & 7 apg are Hall of Fame worthy for just the 8 plus years the 2-time regular season MVP has played already.  His numbers are even slightly better in the playoffs, but he has nothing to show for it.  Players of his caliber win championships, multiple championships.  MJ, Magic, Bird... KOBE. 

Kobe Bryant is a scorer 1st and foremost. Kobe's gifts giving to him was the ability to put the basketball in the hoop 100 different ways.  Kobe does not have a conscience and is not afraid of failure.  Kobe path do greatness is different than most superstars.  Kobe was not even a lottery pick and was traded to the Lakers on draft night.  He wasn't his class' rookie of the year.  He started in the All Star Game while coming off the bench in his 2nd season.  By the end of his 4th season in his career he was a champion, but was the teams 2nd option with Shaq dominating the paint.  He had to just not battle the competition, but another superstar on his team for team supremacy of the league's best team for while the Lakers won 3 straight championship while reaching the Finals 4 out of 5 years.  He was accused of rape, then later dismissed of those charges.  He basically traded away Shaquille O'Neal to Miami to begin a life as the only alpha dog.   He was robbed of an MVP in 2006.  He asked to be traded in 2007, but then reached the Finals on his way to capturing his only regular season MVP.  Won 2 more titles to reach 5 rings, matching Magic and 1 behind MJ by beating Orlando and hated rival Boston in back to back seasons.  And through all that Kobe has to deal with ESPN ranking him as the 7th best player in the league only a year later.  Puzzling, because all Kobe has down is average 25 ppg, 5 rpg & 4 apg for his 16 seasons.  Not the mention winning 5 championships, 2 Finals MVPs, 1 regular season MVP, 2 scoring titles, 13 All Star appearances, 4 All Star MVPs, 9 1st Team All NBA selections, 9 1st Team All Defense selections & he has even scored 81 points in a single game.  Kobe's resume is as good as anyone that has ever played the game and yet he is still even in his 16th season leading the league in scoring with 30.4 ppg.  But guess who's right behind him averaging 29.9 ppg fresh off of beating the "Black Mamba" head to head, you guessed it, LeBron James.

Last night's game in Miami was what everyone around the country was looking for.  Finally the talk on who was better would be determined.  No it wasn't, but LeBron did make a statement.  LeBron made it known that he can effortlessly impact the game and get his numbers, (31pts, 8rebs, 8ast & 4stl).  He was the best player on the court last night without any doubts.  Kobe had a huge 4th quarter on his way to 24 points, 7 assist, 5 rebounds & 3 steals.  But LeBron led the Heat to a 21 point lead entering the 4th quarter and the game was basically over at that point.  What did we learn from that game?  Well, the Heat at this point of the season is a superior team compared to the Lakers.  This is not my opinion, this is fact.  The Lakers losses of Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown proved to be key to the Lakers woes in trying to score off the bench.  The Lakers are not getting the production they need to compete with Miami's of the world, period.  As far as who the best player in the league right now, it is still Kobe Bryant.  When you are the best, someone must take that title from you.  LeBron has been in that position for about 3 years now, but his playoff disappointments have kept him down.  This year there will have to be no excuses for LeBron and the Miami Heat to not win a title this year.  When healthy, the Heat are just too talented to contain for 48 minutes on both sides of the ball.  I predict LeBron will win that elusive title and surpass Kobe Bryant once and for all for the title of the league's best player.  Sorry Kobe, but if you don't lead your Lakers to a Finals victory this season, than your mantle will be passed on.  There is a new "King" in the waiting and he seems primed on getting crowned by season's end.  The passing of the torch from the old generation to the new.  Magic passed it to MJ, MJ passed it to Kobe and now Kobe will have to pass it to LeBron by season's end.  That's how it has always been and that is how it will always be.  But that is just my prediction.  LeBron James has not giving us any reason to trust him in the post season, so lets just see how this plays out.

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