Paul Millsap, 12 double doubles in a row and counting

Paul Millsap of the Utah Jazz has taken over as power forward. Carlos Boozer? Long forgotten. Third year pro out of Louisiana Tech, Millsap has been inserted into the starting lineup for injured Boozer has has prospered. Millsap has recorded 12 straight double doubles and is averaging almost 14 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, and shooting 54% from the Field. Very impressive. Despite these good number, excellent hustle plays and energy Millsap brings the Jazz still need Boozer and his low post scoring - however they do not miss his defense. Millsap has proven he is a good NBA player. It will be interesting to see at the end of the season as Millsap is a free agent if the Jazz are able to keep him. In the meantime he continuous to prosper.

If the Lakers win the NBA title it will be because the refs gave it to them

The Lakers get the most favorable calls I have ever seen. Just watching how the refs changed the game in game 5 vs the Jazz was ridiculous. Kobe and company get so many questionable calls it is unbelievable. Harpring and Millsap for the Jazz get every touch called as a foul (not saying they don't foul, just saying they get called more than they probably should). Every time Kobe blinks he gets a foul called. Last night Odom's dunk, Vujacic kicking the ball and getting a foul, Walton over Harpring in the corner, Gasol's travel (when 2 had previously been called on the Jazz). It was quite shocking the questionable calls that were made. The Lakers are good, but they are getting help from the refs.

Top Ten NBA Floppers

The top ten best or should we say worst floppers in the NBA. Make sure to check out the King of Flop. Flopping is not an art form, it looks ridiculous and is a disease taking over the NBA. This isn't European Soccer. Quit Flopping!


(This list does not mean these players are bad. For example, I love Matt Harpring and the way he plays. No one is tougher. But, he flops and fakes sometimes. That's all I'm saying)


10. Vlade Divac (even though he retired I put him on the list because I still have nightmares about his flops)

9. Vince Carter

8. Matt Harpring

7. Raja Bell

6. Derek Fisher

5. Shane Battier

4. Bruce Bowen

3. Anderson Verajao

2. Manu Ginobili

And the King of Flop is...

1. Kobe Bryant


If you have any thoughts let me know and I will continue to adjust this list. This is tough to determine because practically everyone in the NBA flops.

Players also getting votes are: Richard Hamilton, Dwayne Wade, Fabricio Oberto, Tracy McGrady, Andrei Kirilenko, Luis Scola,

Lakers, Spurs, Celtics and Pistons are all beatable

The second round of the NBA playoffs (and the 1st round for Boston) have shown the top 4 NBA teams are all beatable. The Spurs and Lakers looked awesome in the first round. But they have struggled in the 2nd round. The Jazz and Hornets are both tied with the two top West teams and 2 games a piece. For the East Boston and Detroit were head and shoulders above the other teams during the regular season but the playoffs have shown maybe things are closer than we previously thought.

I think this is the case of the opponents, Jazz, Hornets, Cavs, and Magic are all really good teams. These series are all tight and besides one defensive lapse by the Magic would all be tied up series.

Major trades dissapoint in NBA playoffs

So far the only 1 blockbuster NBA trade has paid off - Pau Gasol to the Lakers. Even though this trade was more like a freebie it has clearly been the best trade of the year. Gasol has had a huge impact on the dominant looking Lakers. The shaggy caveman is playing awesome. Kyle Korver to the Jazz is probably the second most valuable trade so far.

Jason Kidd has not turned the Mavericks around as anticipated and Shaq to the Suns is turning out to not be so great of a plan after all. The Suns brought him to Phoenix to help beat the Spurs. He is slowing down Tim Duncan so maybe his is doing what they wanted but I think they gave up too much in Shawn Marion to make that trade worth it.

Even though these trades are definitely not busts in my mind since the West is so competitive but it does put major question marks as to the direction for next season for the teams that pulled the trigger.

The Atlanta Hawks new uniforms

I know this is old news but watching the Celtics Hawks game last night made me appreciate Atlanta's new jerseys. Those old ones have had their day.

The new Hawks jerseys aren't my all time favorite but a definite upgrade.

NBA Playoffs

The West is crazy. Never before have the playoff teams been so close together. The top 9 teams in the West all could have over 50 wins this season. I believe the record is 6 teams with 50 wins. It is really amazing how tough the West is. In reality any of the top 8 teams could be ranked 1st or 8th.
Today the New Orleans Hornets were the first Western Conference team to secure a playoff spot - and with only 5 games left to play. Unheard of. That is crazy. Already 7 Eastern Conference teams have secured a spot. Each day the positions and potential match ups change. It will really come down to the last day of the season until everything is set in stone. And then starts the real madness. Never before has a playoff been so close where a any team has a legitimate chance of winning the Western Conference. Crazy.
I feel bad for the 9th team who will be left out. Right now it is between Dallas, Denver and Golden State. Chances are it will be Golden State sitting at home which is ridiculous considering they would be the 4th best team in the East. How can a 31-44 Indiana team still be alive for a playoff spot in one conference and a 46-30 Golden State struggling to make the playoff in another conference?
The NBA should take the top 16 teams and line them up for the playoffs. Regardless of the conference. That would be fairest.

Rockets win 22 straight

The Rockets win streak is now the second longest in NBA history. 22 games in a row is quite a feat, especially thinking of all the dominant teams the never won that many in a row. Shane Battier said they are the worst team be get this long of a win streak, and I agree. You would expect the top team to do this but not a team that was out of the playoffs. Now, the Rockets sit in first place. Without Yao Ming. Playing together as a team. Pretty awesome.

NBA teams that need a new name

A couple of NBA teams should change their team name: New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, New York Knicks, and the Denver Nuggets.

What's a Net anyway? The Nets... how lame is that? I heard that it was because of the New York Jets, New York Mets and they wanted something else to rhyme. So they picked the Nets. I am sorry New York area fans.. Nets, Jets and Mets.

That's pretty bad. I would start a petition for a change. That reminds me of the lame 1990s in Utah where every new team was required to have a "zz" in it somewhere to copy the Jazz. The Jazz, the Starzz (WNBA), the Buzz (minor league baseball), the Catzz (indoor football) and probably more lame names. Who picks these stupid names anyway?

Speaking of the Jazz, that really is a lame name for Utah as well. So is the Nuggets. Gold Nuggets. Nah, I wouldn't be too excited if that was my favorite team. And then the Knicks. Why would you name your team after weird looking pants? Oh well, whats done is done. All we can do is complain now.

However on the other end of the NBA is a few awesome names. The NBA's top team name: The Celtics.

The Clippers need a new logo

The LA Clippers need a new logo. How many people even know that a Clipper is an war vessel in the mid 1800s? How cool is that. What feeling do you get when you see the LA Clippers logo? Nothing! What does the lame LA Clippers in wimpy cursive writing present to you? It looks old and weak. Get something new. It looks like a cheap version of the Lakers logo, except boring and ugly. It was probably a nice logo back in the 70's but it's time for a change.

My suggestion is to do it during the offseason. Let's face it, this year is over for them. The Clips are going to have a high draft pick. Elton Brand will be back next year. Promote the team as new and revitalized and cap it off with a new sleek logo and jerseys. That's my marketing suggestion. What can it hurt?

2007 NBA Rankings

The NBA has the typical West powerhouse teams of the past few years: San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. However the West also has many players that could make a run. The Nuggets, Jazz, Hornets, Blazers, Rockets, Lakers, and Warriors are all legitimate threats. The Blazers have made an amazing run to be back in the thick of the race, but I don't think they will be able to keep up. They are definitely going to be a team to watch in the next few years.

In the East it's Boston, Detroit, Orlando and then the rest of the Field. Three top teams and a bunch of mediocre clubs following. Notice only 3 East teams in the top 13. The number 4-8 spots are wide open, but look for Washington, Cleveland, New Jersey, and Toronto to set the pace.

Here are my final 2007 NBA Rankings:

1. Boston Celtics
2. Detroit Pistons
3. Phoenix Suns
4. San Antonio Spurs
5. Dallas Mavericks
6. New Orleans Hornets
7. Portland Trailblazers
8. LA Lakers
9. Denver Nuggets
10. Orlando Magic
11. Golden State Warriors
12. Utah Jazz
13. Houston Rockets
14. New Jersey Nets
15. Toronto Raptors
16. Atlanta Hawks
17. Washington Wizards
18. Cleveland Cavaliers
19. Indiana Pacers
20. Philadelphia 76ers
21. Sacramento Kings
22. Chicago Bulls
23. Milwaukee Bucks
24. Charlotte Bobcats
25. LA Clippers
26. Seattle SuperSonics
27. Memphis Grizzlies
28. Miami Heat
29. New York Knicks
30. Minnesota Timberwolves

Final 2007 NBA Rankings

The 2007 NBA season has been one of ups and downs so far. The top story of the season so far has been the Boston Celtics. Boston has dominated their way to a 26-3 record. Boston is back in the East and its good to see, in my opinion.

The second story line is the Portland Trailblazers. After starting 5-12 they went on a 13 game win streak. Not bad for the youngest team in the NBA missing their future star Greg Oden. They play team ball and battled their way to a 18-13 record.

The third story is the Chicago Bulls. My only words for them are pathetic.

NCAA Hoops upsets

So far this NCAA basketball season looks like it will be quite interesting. So far there have been some rather big upsets. If the first few weeks are any indication as to how the season will turn out it look like it will be a wild ride similar to the college football season. Here are some of the surprising games:



Mercer defeats #16 USC (in LA, and it is Mercer's only win of the season)

Gardner Webb defeats #20 Kentucky (in Kentucky)

BYU defeats #6 Louisville

Saint Marys defeats #12 Oregon

Siena defeats Stanford

Cleveland St defeats Florida State and South Florida

Belmont and Bowling Green defeat Cincinnati

NC A&T defeats DePaul

Sam Houston State defeats Texas Tech

I am sure there are more of these to come. Stay tuned.

2007-2008 NBA Playoff Predictions

Playoffs Rankings
I like Chicago in the East. They are one of the hardest playing teams and have a stock of young talent. Detroit is always good but I think they are on the decline. I just can't see LeBron and the Cavs doing as well in the playoffs this year. Orlando is my surprise pick this year. they had a great start last season and then faded. In the West I like Utah, but I don't see them getting past the second round this year. San Antonio did it too easily last year and I think either Phoenix or Dallas will have enough emotion to finally get past them. Houston and Denver are my two question marks. They both could make a deep run if things work out.

East

1. Chicago
2. Boston
3. Orlando
4. Detroit
5. Cleveland
6. New Jersey
7. Miami
8. Washington

West

1. Dallas
2. Phoenix
3. San Antonio
4. Denver
5. Utah
6. Houston
7. Golden State
8. New Orleans

2007-2008 NBA Season Predictions

Eastern Conference
Atlantic
Boston – If the big 3 can stay healthy and play together well then look out.
New Jersey – Can the Nets big 3 ever be dominant together? I doubt it.
Toronto – I think they struggle to keep up with last year’s great season.
Philadelphia – Good finish last year. Nice young team.
New York – Alas New York. slowly improving but got a long ways (like 4 years) to go.

Central
Chicago – The pieces are there. Relatively inexperienced but I think it will be their year.
Detroit – Slowly fading in the East but they will continue to win.
Cleveland – Amazing run last year. I don’t think this team goes back to the finals.
Indiana – Young, unknown. They will surprise some teams but they won’t be that good.
Milwaukee – A few pieces are there, but something is lacking.


Southeast
Orlando – My bold pick in the East.
Miami – The old and the injured.
Washington – Gilbert Arenas and crew. They need more crew.
Charlotte – My sleeper team in the East. Morrison’s injury hurts.
Atlanta – Every year the same: High picks, young talent, lose, repeat next year.

Western Conference
Southwest
Dallas – Look out these guys are mad.
San Antonio – Confident and dang tough. But it’s an even year (LINK) so no title.
Houston – So close but something’s missing. Maybe that piece was Adelman.
New Orleans – Peja is on the Hornets? Division is too good, but should sneak into playoffs
Memphis – Stay healthy and maybe it won’t be so bad this year

Northwest
Denver – I think they will finally put it together.
Utah – A very good team, but no surprising anyone this year.
Portland – Young guns. But no Oden.
Minnesota – Did Boston and Minnesota merge? Introducing the CeltWolves.
Seattle – Maybe in a few years.

Pacific
Phoenix – This might be the last shot for Phoenix as we know it
Golden State – Why did they change their roster after last year? Baron stays healthy? No
Sacramento – This might finally work. Artest will be big.
LA Lakers – This is what happens when Kobe is in charge
LA Clippers – Too many injuries. No Brand no chance.

NBA Season Preview

There are a couple of big issues heading into this NBA season.
1. The Boston Celtics rebuilt. The Celtics are built as a team of “now”. Can Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Peirce join together for a Celtic run? They must stay healthy. Any injuries and this plan may be foiled. With the East as open as it is these three all stars may be able to come together and make a long run.
2. As the World Turns: a Kobe Bryant saga. Kobe is constantly surrounded with drama. We’ve heard it all; Kobe trade demands earlier this summer, Kobe being traded, Kobe and Phil Jackson reconnecting, etc etc. Will the Lakers make a move for buddy for Kobe or just move Kobe? The Lakers should not make the playoffs as the team is.
3. Talented rookie class. The 2007 rookie class may be touted as one of the best ever. But already losing the poster child Greg Oden to season ending knee surgery how will the rest of the class hold up? Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Yi JianLian, Al Horford, Mike Conley Jr., Corey Brewer and more.
4. The Spurs dynasty. The Spurs were so dominant in the playoffs a year ago. Can anyone compete with them come this year’s playoffs? Can they make it 5 titles in 10 years?

Eddie Griffin NBA player dies in collision with train

NBA player Eddie Griffin died last week in a car crash with a train. His SUV went through the railroad barrier and was killed as he collided with a train. His SUV and his body were badly burned. He was later identified by his dental records.

6'10 Eddie Griffin was drafted out of Seton Hall in 2001. He played for the Rockets, Nets and most recently the Timberwolves.

It's a sad story. I remember watching him in college. He had a troubled off the court life and it carried over to ruin his career. The circumstances around his death are still under investigation.

FIBA Americas starts Aug. 22

Many Americans don't know much about International Basketball. There is more to it than the Olympics. FIBA is international basketball's governing body. Starting tomorrow, August 22, 2007 the FIBA Americas tournament takes place in Las Vegas and lasts until September 2. This tournament is North and South America put together in one division. FIBA splits the world into 5 divisions: FIBA Africa, FIBA Americas, FIBA Asia, FIBA Europe and RIBA Oceania. Each division competes for standings and invitations to play in World Championships and Olympic competition.

The FIBA Americas has invited the 10 top ranked teams in its division to play in this tournament. This includes the United States, Brazil, Canada, Venezuela, US Virgin Islands, Mexico, Argentina, Panama, Puerto Rico and Uruguay. The FIBA Americas will give out 2 berths to the 2008 Olympics to the two teams that reach the FIBA Americas finals. The third, fourth and fifth place finishers qualify for a FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament that includes 12 teams and will take place next July. That tournament will give out 3 bids for the Beijing Olympics.

International competition will become larger and larger as more nations improve their basketball play. Each nation is also ranked. Here are the current top 20 countries:

International basketball is very exciting. I wish we knew and saw more of it.

Tomorrow the US will play Venezuela. For more information go to FIBA.com

Celtics sign House and Pollard

The Boston Celtics have just signed Eddie House and Scot Pollard. The Celtics traded away all their players and so Poland is now the only center listed on the roster. Pollard is not enough to sure up the big man rotation. Boston still needs to get another center to rotate with Pollard.

In my mind signing Eddie House is huge for Boston. House has been a journey man with limited minutes. But believe me he can light up the arena. A quick guard and dangerous outside shooter he will be a great asset to the Celts. I think this signing might be a huge deal down the road. Maybe House will finally have a chance to prove himself full time.

Boston has also been trying to talk Reggie Miller out of retirement. I'm sure Jordan and Berkley are next on the list of contacts.

I am getting excited to watch Boston play and see who will be in their lineup come November. It has been 21 years since winning their last title. So the time might be coming to win number 17.

Kevin Garnett is now a Celtic

It's official. Kevin Garnett is now a Celtic. Good news for Boston in the immediate future. However, in 5 years where will Boston be? Hopefully with another championship banner in their rafters. Because they gave up their future to make this current team. Boston's time to win is now. In 3-4 years and they might be in trouble. They will not have good draft picks and little up and coming talent. Their 3 stars are all 30-32 years old and might start slowing soon.

Rajon Rondo is their only nice young prospect, well Tony Allen might fit that as well. Anyway, gone is big man Al Jefferson and athletic possible star Gerald Green. Ryan Gomes and Sabastian Telfair both can help a team, but not stars. I think Minnesota put together and nice team for the future. A good trade? I would say yes for both teams.