Playoff prediction time - Conference Finals
The playoffs are quickly progressing and it’s now time to determine who will move out of the West and East to compete for the NBA’s final prize.
Western Conference
San Antonio Spurs (1) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (2)
The Spurs and the Thunder have been fantastic all playoffs long. Both teams haven’t really looked like getting beaten thus far. However, now the two teams face each other to prove who is the best in the Western Conference. No doubt Tony Parker vs. Russell Westbrook is going to be extremely entertaining to watch, and will surely be the key matchup in this series.
As for who will win and move on, I’m going with the Thunder. I just think they will be too hard for the Spurs to handle over a number of games. That said, I do think this series will go the distance.
Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3
Eastern Conference
Boston Celtics (4) vs. Miami Heat (2)
The original Big Three of Pierce, Garnett and Allen will meet the new big three of James, Wade and Bosh (if healthy). Well, to be fair, the Celtics are more of a Big Four these day with Rajon Rondo doing such amazing things on the basketball court.
Nevertheless, this series is not at all an easy one to predict. However, if Chris Bosh can come back and compete at a high level, I can’t see the Heat dropping any more than two games. I’m predicting the Heat to knock out the Celtics in six games.
Prediction: Miami Heat 4-2
(Images: via NBA)
Video: Dexter Pittman hits Lance Stephenson with a late elbow
Game 5 between the Pacers and Heat was a physical game of basketball to say the least. One play in particular that was extremely physical was Dexter Pittman’s late elbow to the neck of Lance Stephenson. Chances are Pittman was trying to dish out some payback for when Stephenson mocked LeBron James. Nevertheless, it was unnecessary and very dangerous.
Other physical plays included Tyler Hansbrough’s flagrant foul on Dwyane Wade, and also Udonis Haslem flagrant foul on Tyler Hansbrough.
Like I said, Game 5 was physical. That or it was a contest full of flagrant fouls.
As for the consequences of these flagrant fouls, Pittman has been suspended three games and Haslem one. Hansbrough, however, has surprisingly not been suspended.
Tim Duncan dislikes Kevin Garnett
(Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
According to a recent Sports Illustrated profile article by Chris Ballard, Tim Duncan does not like Kevin Garnett. Not one bit.
This is what Ballard wrote in the article:
In fact, Duncan hates Kevin Garnett. Hates him the way liberals hate Sean Hannity. This information comes from very reliable sources, who talk about how KG has made a career of trying to punk Duncan, baiting him and slapping him and whispering really weird smack into his ear. They talk about how funny this is, because the worst thing you can do as an opponent is piss off Duncan. Then, as Malik Rose says, “he f——— destroys you.” Duncan’s lifetime numbers versus Garnett’s teams, by the way: 20.02 points per game, 12.15 boards and a 29—19 record, including the postseason.
Duncan is diplomatic about the topic. Asked if perhaps all those years battling Garnett have softened his feelings for the man, led to a Magic-Larry type of kinship, Duncan leans back on the couch in his hotel room and grins. There is a pause. A longer pause. Finally he says, “Define kinship.”
Well, there you have it. Tim Duncan hates Kevin Garnett, apparently.
It sure would be an interesting to see the two players matchup if the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics just so happen to meet in the NBA Finals. Imagine that.
Video: Dwyane Wade takes out Darren Collison
Should Dwyane Wade be suspended for his flagrant foul on Darren Collison? Probably not. However, it does sort of resemble Jason Smith’s hit on Blake Griffin, which resulted in a two game suspension.
That said, it’s the playoffs. No one wants to see Wade suspended this time of year. Except maybe Darren Collison and the rest of the Indiana Pacers.
(Video: via Jose3030)
Russell Westbrook makes a fashion statement
(Photo: Getty Images)
The outfit Russell Westbrook wore after the Thunder’s 119-90 Game 1 win over the Lakers sparked quite a lot of conversation yesterday, particularly on Twitter.
As you can see in the provided image, Westbrook rocked a red pair of lensless glasses and a fishing inspired Lacoste shirt.
Swag? I’ll let you be the judge.
By the way, according to Royce Young from Daily Thunder, Westbrook wears lensless glasses because he sees better without them. A fashion statement of course.
Playoff prediction time - Conference Semifinals
The second-round of the NBA playoffs have just begun, which means it’s prediction time once again.
Western Conference
San Antonio Spurs (1) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (5)
The San Antonio Spurs are a very well drilled team, and are always going to be a tough opponent. That said, the Clippers did show that they can play some solid basketball, proving they have depth and have the metal toughness to hang around in both close and not so close games. Tony Parker against Chris Paul is going to be a very entertaining point guard battle. Expect those two to go at it each game.
All in all, I can’t see the experienced Spurs dropping this series. However, I do think the Clippers will steal a victory or two in Los Angeles.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (3)
This series is going to be intense, especially with Metta World Peace back for Game 1 after elbowing James Harden, who just so happens to be on the team the Lakers face in this series. I’m sure we will see a lot of physicality in each game from both the bigs and smalls.
All things considered, the rested Thunder should get it done against the Lakers, but not easily. I’ve got this series going the distance.
Then again, Kobe Bryant could prove me wrong and the Lakers could advance.
Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3
Eastern Conference
Boston Celtics (4) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (8)
Experience is going to be a huge contributing factor for the Celtics against a somewhat raw Philadelphia 76ers. Rondo is at his very best at the moment, and if he continues to put up triple-double like numbers the Celtics will cruise to victory. With that said, the Sixers are have been playing well under Doug Collins, and do have a reasonable chance in this series.
This Celtics should get them over the line when it’s all said and done, though.
Prediction: Boston Celtics 4-2
Miami Heat (2) vs. Indiana Pacers (3)
Led by the NBA’s MVP, LeBron James, the Miami Heat are a special team, who look unstoppable at times. The Indiana Pacers must find a way to slow down James and Wade if they have any chance in this series.
Despite losing Chris Bosh to injury, the Heat should move on after six or maybe even seven games. That is if the Heat can stop West and Hibbert in the paint without Bosh.
Prediction: Miami Heat 4-2
(Images: via NBA)
LeBron James is the 2011-12 NBA MVP
The NBA’s Most Valuable Player is LeBron James.
No one can deny it, LeBron James has had an incredible season, averaging 27.1 points per games, 7.9 rebounds per game, 6.2 assists per game, 1.8 steals per game and 0.8 blocks per game. He also shot the ball at 53 percent from the field. Amazing numbers, right?
Not only were his statistics amazing, but his Miami Heat also won quite a few games, finishing the season 46-20 to be exact.
James has joined elite company with this award, becoming eighth player in NBA history to win three MVP trophies.
There is no doubt about it, King James is the MVP, and a gracious one at that. His acceptance speech was pure class.
Congratulations, LeBron.
Check out NBA.com for more.
(Photo: via Nike)
Video: Amar’e Stoudemire clowns Shane Battier
STAT clearly wasn’t in the most friendly mood after he was fouled out against the Heat in Game 5.
Video: Allen Iverson joins Swizz Beatz and A$AP Rocky in a new music video
Guess who makes a cameo appearance in Swizzy’s new music video? Allen Iverson!
Yes, along side Swizz Beatz and A$AP Rocky is Allen Iverson in the recently dropped music video, “Street Knock”.
In his brief appearance, The Answer shows of his amazing ball handing skills while representing Reebok.
By the way, this track is legit, particularly A$AP Rocky’s verse.
Nick Young is Swaggy P
(Photo: via @NickSwagyPYoung)
Those who follow Nick Young on Twitter would most likely know that he often goes by the name Swaggy P, which I’m sure refers to his swag.
For those of you who don’t know, swag is, as defined by Urban Dictionary:
The way in which you carry yourself. Swag is made up of your overall confidence, style, and demeanor. Swag can also be expanded to be the reputation of your overall swagger. You gain swag, or “Swag up”, by performing swag worthy actions that improve this perception. A person can also “swag down,” by being an overall pussy and garnering negative swag for their actions. Swag is a subtle thing that many strive to gain but few actually attain. It is reserved for the most swagalicious of people. Swag can also be quantified, with point systems existing in some circles of friends.
As you can see in the main image at the top of this post and the clip embedded below, Nick Young was seriously swagged out from head to toe before and after the Clippers overtime win against the Grizzlies. Whether you approve of his attire or not, his steeze was definitely through the roof when rocking that particular outfit.
Not only does Nick Young take fashion seriously off the court, but his also appears to have an impressive on-court shoe. So much so that he’s even been hooping in the “Metallic Red” Nike Air Foamposite One as of late.
(Photo: via Nice Kicks)
In conclusion, Swaggy P has serious swag.
