IT’S GONNA BE A LONG SHORTENED SEASON

As I’m watching the Los Angeles Lakers crumble again late in a game (this time against the Milwaukee Bucks), I can’t help but wonder what a nasty squad this is.  How they beat the Clippers 3 days ago befuddles me? They come off a big win against LAC and with 3 days rest, play like shit against a Bucks’ squad that’s missing their all-star center Bogut. The Lakers made Mike Dunleavy look like Jordan.  While the Lakers were clinging to a 8 point deficit, it seemed like the Bucks were handing the game to them, missing one shot after another.  But the problems was that the Lakers couldn’t hit either.  Ron Artest missed 3-pointer after 3-pointer.  Kobe Bryant did the same. I don’t think the Lakers dropped the ball into post once in the 4th quarter, and I’m not kidding.  Mike Brown, whose hire was a HUGE mistake by the Lakers, needs to man up.  This is not Cleveland where the gameplan was “do your thang Lebron.”  This is LA with an over-the-hill Kobe and a nasty drop-off after the first 3 options. The only way the Lakers will make a playoff run with this team is if they keep dropping the ball in the post.  Their outside shooters are horrendous.  Watching them lose tonight was just the icing on the cake.  They’ve won 1 road game all year.  That is ridiculous! If the playoffs were to start today, they’d be watching them from their homes. The Lakers are a lost cause.  They don’t need to trade Bynum and Gasol, they need to get rid of Kobe.  I’m sorry for saying that but if there’s 1 thing worse than a has been, it’s someone who doesn’t know that they are one.  Tell me you wouldn’t rather see Dwight and D-Will on the Lakers rather than this nasty squad? D-Will, Dwight and Gasol? Looks a lot better than what the Lakers put on the court tonight. Oh well, game on tomorrow against surging Timberwolves.  I wonder if Rubio is going to light up Fish? OK, I don’t really wonder.

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

Chicago v. Cleveland: I love watching the Bulls play. Derek Rose is awesome.  Unfortunately, they have no chance against the Cavs.  Lebron is on a mission this year. There is noone that is going to stop this team.  I don’t care what other 4 players are on the court with him.  Cavs in 4, bring out the brooms.  Not this year Rose, you’re gonna need to make a big off-season signing (hint hint: Bosh).

Milwaukee v. Atlanta: I don’t even know how the Bucks got into the playoffs. I know about that kid Brandon Jennings (good move playing in Europe for 1 year).  I also know they’ve lost Bogut for the year. The Jennings/Salmons combo is solid, but not good enough.  Who’s going to step up for the Bucks? Atlanta is gonna roll over these guys in 4.  Might be the easiest first round matchup in the playoffs.  I don’t even think I need to go into the strengths of this team, but I’ll name a few just for kicks: J. Johnson, Horford, J. Smith, Bibby, Jamal Crawford, Mo Evans.

Miami v. Boston: I’m not sure who I hate more, Boston or Denver.  Since they won 2 years ago, Kevin Garnett has turned from a role model into a thug.  Paul Pierce has game, I can’t even hate on him.  Ray Allen is a has been that has 2 things going for him, his FT% and his steaky 3 pointers. D-Wade might be playing his last series as a Heat.  Beasley’s the only other Heat I can name and frankly, he’s not getting it done either.  Can’t wait to see what happens to Dwayne in the offseason… Boston in 5.

Charlotte v. Orlando: Interesting match-up here. On one hand, you have the reigning Eastern Conference Champs, big Dwight Howard, healthy Jameer Nelson, improving J.J. Reddick, and two key offseason pickups in Matt Barnes and Vince Carter.  I actually think Barnes’ presence on the court is more vital than Vince’s. Kudos for the Bobcats for making the playoffs.  Stephen Jackson has turned this team around.  Gerald Wallace has always been a box-score filler. He his one of the best defenders in the league and one of the hardest guys to guard.  Depth will be a problem for this team as well.  They will give Orlando a run for their money but the Magic should pull this off in 5.

Michael Redd: Another Superstar Stuck on Bad Team

How often do yo see this-a great talent wasting the prime years of his career on a horrible team. Most of the time the athlete doesn’t escape his team in time enough to have a shot or two at the title. He doesn’t wanna be considered a sellout, he doesn’t wanna abandon his boys/teammates, or he stays for the moola. Some guys do escape, sometimes at the end of their careers, a.l.a. Glen Rice and the Lakers, Finley and the Spurs, etc. As I watch Michael Redd of the Milwaukee Bucks tear up and torch every opponent from range, I can’t help but feel for this guy. One of the best, if not the best outside shooter in the game is rotting away in a subpar eastern conference team. His team is bad, flat out horrible. I don’t care if they have Bogut, Yi Jianlian, or any other “potential” star. Redd dropped 41 points Friday night against Seattle Sonics, and they lost. That’s right, to the Sonics. He’s averaging 23, 5 and 3 per game. It’s just too bad the Bucks can’t get put together a good team. I don’t remember the last time this team was competitive. At 28 years old, Redd ain’t getting any younger. I guess as long he’s healthy and leads my fantasy basketball team to another championship, I’m not going to complain. Too bad that’ll be the closest he ever gets to the title.

Chris Paul: The Real Deal

Does this guy have a nickname? He has reached superstardom and clearly needs one.  How about God? Almighty? Chris “Almighty” Paul, has ring to it.  On Saturday night, this guy led his New Orlean Hornets to a 112-108 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in overtime.  Paul was 1 rebound shy of a triple-double, droppin’ 33 points, 12 assists and grabbing 9 boards. I wonder how this guy slipped to #4 in the draft. Let’s see, the Bucks took Bogut over him, smooth move.  The Hawks took Marvin Williams over him, need I say more?  The third pick went to the Jazz, who grabbed Deron Williams, arguably a good pick, but he ain’t no Chris Paul.  Paul is the best point guard in the league, I’ve set it before, and I’ll say it again. He’s what Jason Kidd was many, many moons ago, but better.  He also set the Atlanta Hawk franchise back 10 years.  The Hornets are standing tall at 12-6, with a record better than the Mavs, Rockets, Lakers, Warriors and Nuggets, to say the least.  I’m not sure if they’re for real yet, but we’re almost 1/4 into the season and they’re still ticking, strong too.